Merry Maids

I have to report on a great event that happened the other day. A gopher hole was leaking in the field and Kurt and I needed to fix it (don't feel sorry for me...it is great exercise!). I couldn't leave the girls home to play as Kurt went to work, so as I left, I assigned Jillian and Erin to:
1. Quick clean the 3 bathrooms (sinks, mirrors, clutter, cabinets, floor)
2. Erin fold 2 loads of laundry
3. Jillian mop kitchen and utility floor

I assigned these jobs assuming that they likely wouldn't be finished when I came home...but SURPRISE! And HOLY COW! All the tasks were completed. Don't forget Kurt in the story either--we're not perfect just yet--some days there is moaning and groaning--but they are all learning how to do chores without complaining. It reminds me of a song:

When we're helping we're happy
And we sing as we go
And we like to help mother
For we all love her so

To listen to this darling song click: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=198&searchsubseqstart=b&searchseqend=198&searchsubseqend=b

Love you MY KIDS!!!

Large Mouth

Kurt went fishing and camping with the scouts at the end of May...what a good-looking fish! They always have a great time. Bret is the Scout Master so he always gets to be with Kurt for the activities. (isn't he cute in his uniform?!)

Journaling Class

We had a Mother/Daughter activity at the church a week ago. Lizzie was wild (in fact she wet her pants), and Jillian and Erin had a good time. We made headbands and lipgloss (recipe includes shortening, food coloring and Kool-aid!!). I sat in on a journaling class by Karli Cleaver. I learned a few new things I would like to share with all the bloggers in my life:

blurb.com is a site you can "slurp" your entire blog to...and they make a book out of your blog! Karli had hers there...it was so cool! I am now committing to this blog, so when the year is over, I will have "Nielson 2008" bound nicely in a hardback cover!

Something I already knew, but I needed this reminder for better scripture study:
Keep a journal nearby during personal scripture study. Before you begin your study, list questions you have, problems/trials you are experiencing. The answers you need will come during your scripture study. (I can't remember who the source is for this...it reminds me of Eyring). I am amazed at the difference this makes! What help I glean as I read and study!

Fontifier.com is a site that converts your personal handwriting into a font for $9.00...if I loved my handwriting, this would be tempting.

For those who are dieting...Karli recommends a food journal. Write down everything you eat for the day; it is a way to become accountable for your intake. For me, this would be a frightening experience.

Strawberry Jam

Somedays I don't think I get anything done...however, my kids and I have 5 flats (yes, FIVE) of strawberry jam in our freezer. We SHOULD be able to eat strawberry jam through June 2009. BTW...we only eat strawberry jam.