Two Democrats on an Escalator

A very liberal friend of mine sent this to me to prove she had a sense of humor.

I laughed out loud and I hope you do to.

We have some friends who have 4 young children - a four year old daughter and a set of 16 month old triplets. I was at their house for about an hour last night watching their children while they were out and went through their bedtime routine with them. Their oldest child told me what they did and helped me pull out the story pillows and little books for the triplets (or birds, as she calls them). I read them Goldilocks and then we said prayer and sang a primary song. It was obvious to me that this was a nightly routine in their family as it was followed without question. Granted, they are young which makes this infinately easier but it was none the less impressive that this little family was establishing such good routines so early. I thought to my own family and wished that we had done a little better job of establishing those habits. We are very good about family prayer and hold FHE as often as you can with all the school and work schedules of a house full of teenagers. Our family scripture study is not as regular as I wish it was - again the whole schedule thing. I have been tempted to have two rounds of scripture study a day - one with the seminary aged boys before they go off to seminary and the other with the ones who get to sleep in a bit. Again, this is a routine I should have established years ago when the resistance level was low. There are days when I am just thankful that they are going to seminary.

Believe it or not, I miss the days of scraped knees, tending children in the foyer, and cleaning barf off the floor - at least compared to what we are going through now. Teenagers are not that fun. Let's be honest with ourselves. They really aren't. They are mouthy, angry, and disrespectful. I am having a difficult time finding joy in parenthood. I often wonder if this is my fault. What if I had been stricter? What if I had been like a friend of mine who wakes his entire family up at 5 am to read scriptures? Would that have made a difference? Like every parent, I worry that my children will not make the correct decisions. I know they have been taught the correct principles but have I done enough with each of them to escape the condemnation of God that settles on the shoulders of parents who don't fulfill their duties?

Perhaps Caleb's decisions are a partial answer to that question. He recieved the Melchesidek Priesthood a couple of weeks ago and is set on serving a mission. He is making the right choices in his life. I just hope that his brothers follow his example. Although they won't believe me, a lot of unhappiness comes from disobedience.

Labor Day fun

On Labor Day we were invited to my friend Tracy's home for a picnic and to just have fun on her new property that she is building a house on. She has a pond and a few acres so she told us to bring Abby as well so Abby could run with her parents.  Jason decided to ride the 25 miles to her house on his bike and meet us there at Tracy's current home.  He made it in under an hour.  Then we all loaded up the food along with Tracy and her son, and her two dogs and went to her new property.  Here are a few pictures from our fun day. I really should have taken 20 more pictures, because we did so many fun things and the food was amazing.  Tracy brought chicken, cookies, chips and some other yummy things.  I brought deviled eggs, sliced tomatoes and something else I can't remember.


First picture is me with Abby about to load the van. 

When we arrived at Tracy's house we loaded up her two dogs, Seven (the dog seen here, Abby's Mom) and also had Tracy and her son in the van as well. It was a tight fit, but we made it the 3 miles to the new property.



This picture is with Luther (Abby's Dad in the van).



This is the only picture I have of Jason.  This is everyone shoved in the van.  Tracy and I were up front.  Here in the back were Jared, Brenden, Daniel, Abby our dog, then Jason, Alyssa, Eric (Tracy's son), Scott, Luther (Abby's Dad) and Seven (Abby's Mom)  Looking back I'm not sure how we all got in, but if you look at Eric's face you will see that the ride was not comfortable. I felt bad for anyone having to hold the dogs.

Another view of the van ride.  Jason was squished to the side, Alyssa was sandwiched between Jason and Eric .You can see Seven (Abby's Mom) on the floor, barely, and there is Luther (Abby's Dad) sitting in a seat, or taking over a seat.  Alyssa was trying to touch his tongue.  My friend Tracy is in the front seat holding food.

Jared and Brenden in the Gator.  They rode in this all day long.



Eric driving the Gator.  Brenden in the front seat.  Jared and Daniel riding on the back.



Here is a picture of Tracy's husband Steve, with Scott trying out the go-cart.



Alyssa trying out the go cart.



Daniel being silly acting like he was going to eat the frog he found.



A close up of the frog.



Even I tried out the go-cart.

A view of Tracy's pond.  Out in the paddle boat were Scott, Alyssa and Daniel.  Eventually all of us got in the pond.  It was a little cold, but fun to swim in.  Getting up on the floating dock was a bit difficult since there isn't stairs, but we all made it out there.

Half Marathon and 5K

We completed our races today and did a great job.  Read about the post here


2011 Park to Park 5K, 10K and Half Marathon

mini trip

Jason and I snuck away for 24 hours for my birthday present.  You can read about our mini trip here if you want.

Trip to Des Moines and Ames, Iowa

Brenden is 14!

Brenden is 14 already. It is weird to me to think that 14 years have gone by since he was born.

Back in late July of 1997, Brenden tried to come into this world at 10 weeks early. I was dialated to a 3 and my doctor freaked out. He put me in the hospital and made me stay in the hospital for 4 weeks. The doctor was concerned for me having my baby too early because
1. I had 3 children already at home all under age 4.
2. My husband was working and going to graduate school so he couldn't be around to help me.
3.  No parents or relatives of any kind around to help me.

So here I am in the hospital having a grand time knitting, cross-stitching, eating whatever I want and laying around for 4 weeks, while Jason is home tending to the rest of the children, still working and going to school. I felt so bad for him. Thank goodness our church stepped in during this time and watched the children, brought in meals almost daily, cleaned my house and visited me. I went home at 34 weeks along expecting to have Brenden at any moment since I was now dialated to a 4 and having pains every day. But I managed to go 2 more weeks and had Brenden the night my parents came to visit with my sister because they were taking her to college. My Mom got to see Brenden born.

Brenden is a great child. He loves to run and has ran several 5K races and placed in the top 5 in his age group every time he has raced. He loves to eat all kinds of foods and never ever complains when I make him something new. Brenden makes friends easily and is always being requested at our front door by someone. I'm glad he is in our family. Happy Birthday Brenden!

In our family you get to choose any type of dessert you want for your "birthday cake"  Brenden chose a Peanut Butter/Chocolate pie.  Great choice.



I chose this picture not because Brenden has a cute smile, but because I never seem to be able to get Caleb in pictures anymore smiling and he was being goofy and leaned into Brenden while I was snapping a picture so I had to add this.



Brenden asked for some interesting items, one thing being Flaming Hot Cheetos, so that's one of the gifts he received.

He also wanted games for his X box gaming system.  It is so hard to find games that are not rated M.  Here is one that was rated T that we thought he would enjoy.



A picture with his gifts.  He seemed to be happy.  I did follow the list!