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PETSMART! after school on a half day.

What kind of fish do we want to buy?  

Kids:  All of them, especially the little tiny ones that are “only 13 cents!” 

Mom:  NONE, but they are sure fun to look at.

About four years ago I bit the bullet and purchased a beta fish because beta fish don’t require a tank and all that extra stuff that I don’t want to pay for.   The kids named the fish Bluebell because, well, the fish was blue.  We purchased a fish bowl and a few rocks.  That’s it.  Water in.  Fish in.  A little daily food and clean the bowl every once in a while.  Not too much bother.  The kids loved Bluebell.  They promised they would feed the fish.   Mom actually fed the fish.

One afternoon the kids and I came home and I glanced down and saw something on the kitchen floor.  “What is that"?”, I asked the kids.  We gingerly walked closer only to find Bluebell dead on the floor.  She had jumped out of her fish bowl and the rest is history.  We had to flush her down the toily. 

Shhhh!  I was secretly ecstatic.  No more fish bowl on the counter.

Birds anyone?

How about a gerbil?  They are only cute to look at in the pet store.  IMHO!

Cats.  Well, I wrote about how I feel about cats a couple of days ago! 

Actually, I grew up with cats, dogs, horses, etc.  However, that’s when there was land to graze and the animals could roam outside running and playing and our neighbors were a field away on both sides.   They didn’t have to be inside the house cats.  Not to offend anyone with cats.  We all have our druthers!

Noting a first

Little Mister participating in his first Cub Scout Pack Meeting.  He loved every minute of it.  He watched two boys get their face painted like bears and then they fought the bear that was hiding in a tent.  He participated in games, cheers and ate watermelon. 

Of a spiritual nature

You know how when you hear a really great talk (or really great whatever), and it just speaks to you and you want to remember it forever.  I am writing this blog entry because I want to remember last Sunday’s conference talk forever.  I want to refer back to these thoughts and not forget the feelings and impressions I had. 

It seems like every day I have lots of questions, need direction, want inspiration and personal revelation from God.  This talk provided many answers in the simplest form. 

Our Stake had a “Special Conference” as it was called.  Our special visitor from Salt Lake was Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. 

He talked about how as saints faithfully gather together the Lord will pour out his spirit upon them.

“The spirit teaches, reveals, testifies, comforts, is promised to us, and brings things to our remembrance.  The Lord loves us and wants to help us and He knows us by name”.

“GOD KNOWS AHEAD OF TIME WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO US”.

I know this and have been taught this.  But I needed to hear it again. 

Elder Ellis then taught of four different plans.  Which one will you choose?

1) God’s plan

2) Satan’s plan (the enemy)

3) World’s plan

4) Our own plan

Of course, I desire to choose God’s plan.  Elder Ellis spoke a lot about God’s plan as follows:

1) God’s plan is to PRAY ALWAYS.

2) God’s plan is to STUDY THE SCRIPTURES every day. 

I use ReadTheScriptures.com which I love.  I registered online and have my scripture reading sent automatically every day to my email.  This is really helped so I make sure I read every day.

3) God’s plan is to have FAMILY HOME EVENING every week.  He said, “no excuses, no rationalizing.”

4) God’s plan is to make it to CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY.  “Make NO OTHER plans”.

5) God’s plan is to SERVE.  Everyone should serve.  “Service is not for spectators it is for active participants”.

6) God’s plan is 10% TITHING.  “Paid with faith no matter how much or how little your 10% is”.

7) God’s plan is MISSIONS. 

“Great blessings come to missionaries and member missionaries.  Lift up your voices and speak the thoughts I (the Lord) have put in your hearts.  Say what is in your heart and the Lord will do the rest.”

8) God’s plan is TEMPLES.  “Make your plan and live it.  Get worthy. Have a recommend. Go regularly. The Spirit is the teacher and you will receive revelation.”

“God knows everything.  He knows what we need to know.  He wants to help in His way”.

Secret of Conferences: 

“Bind yourself to act upon what you heard, what impressed you or caught your attention.  Glory shall be added if we do this”.

We have a lot going on in our little family right now.  It’s all good.  This talk was just what I needed to hear as sometimes the answers don’t come right when I want them to.  But don’t we know that the answers WILL always come.   It takes great faith to face this life.  It takes faith to start and then persevere.  It takes faith to understand.  It takes faith to do these steps of God’s plan, but if we do the blessings will flow.

There ya have it.  It was a great talk.

Today

I had to….

1) Deal with Little Mister that likes to get up way too early so he can go on a walk (he rides his bike) with his dad.  He is supposed to be ready by 7:00 am. head to toe with bed made, room clean, backpack on the counter, water bottle filled, etc.  He has been slipping up already this school year.  Consequences are in order.  And, he was found in our bonus room last night asleep on the couch with the TV on.  Uh Oh!  That is a huge no no.  What kind of natural consequence comes with that?  No TV or Wii for a week?  Hmmm.

2) Deal with a Little Miss that likes her sleep.  She’s a bear and is a “crankster” in the mornings.  She’s a night owl like her mommy!  She is supposed to be up and ready for breakfast by 7:15 am.  Her time is later than Little Mister’s just because she doesn’t get up until just before 7:00 am.  The first week school started she left her room a mess one day with clothes on the floor and her bed unmade.  She did not like her consequence of early bedtime for three nights (because she’s just too tired to get up and clean her room…she must need more sleep), so she has been really good about leaving her room clean.  If only I could get her to wake up on the right side of the bed:)

3)  Swept the back porch of all the debris from the wind, watered the potted plants and hosed down everything nice and clean.  The reason I was even out in the back before the kids left for school is because of a darn neighborhood cat.  That thing comes to our yard every morning and I think it uses our garden soil for a litter box.  The kids are always out there giving it milk and making it feel at home.  I want the cat to feel as unwelcome as possible.  One day I’m going to catch that thing and drive it far, far away.  The kids have even named the cat. Yikes!  I don’t want a cat.  I don’t even want a dog, a fish, a gerbil or a frog. 

4)  Cleaned out threw everything away from the freezer and refrigerator in the garage that magically stopped freezing/cooling over night.  Thrown away were 5 lbs of butter, lots of frozen vegies, three loaves of homemade bread, lots of cheese, and to my utter disappointment, 10 pints of homemade strawberry jam.  Sigh.   I also found a stash of pretzel M&M’s that I hidden away for baking cookies.  They would taste so yummy in cookies, I thought.  I was so upset about the situation I found myself in, that I broke open the bag and ate a handful.  If the bag is not open…I don’t even touch.  But, once it’s open I cave.  So, you know what I did after the kids left for school?  I was so irritated with myself for eating those M&M’s that I dumped the rest of the bag down the garbage disposal.  Yep, I sure did!  Now they won’t be calling my name. 

5) Rode bikes with the kids to school.  I have to make sure Little Mister doesn't speed ahead and leave Little Miss in the dust.   He’s her protector as I keep telling him.  They must stay together.  But, that competitive nature in him tells him that he must speed ahead and get there fast, furious and FIRST!

6) Began a major cleaning of our master bedroom closet.  I have a pile of jeans ready for the donation bin that the school is collecting.  A pile for Goodwill and a pile for family to go through.   And that’s just the beginning.  Going in to the Fall season always makes me want to clean, clean out, get rid of and simplify.

7) I needed a shopping break.  Off to Dillard’s I went (they have great sales).  It must have been inspiration because I found several really good deals.  I really don’t go very often, however, they say if you go often and check the sale racks you can find some great items.  I found my father in-law a couple of shirts for $9.60 + 40% off which was about $5.76 per shirt.  The good Roundtree and Yorke brand to boot!  I also found myself a couple of shirts and a pair of pants for about $10 each.  Not bad.

8)  Thought several times about my dear friend who is having major surgery today.  I love you and know that you are going to be just fine.  You have a long life ahead and it will be magnificent :)

9)  Now it’s 3:08 and the kids are out of school.  I’m hopping back on my bike to go meet them.  Then it’s the same old grind after school.  Snack.  Homework.  Piano practice.  Tonight Little Mister is getting his 8 yr old picture taken in his new suit and he also has his first pack meeting. 

Life is great.

The sound of Music

Little Miss wants to begin playing the violin in orchestra this year.  We are all for it.  We hope she maintains interest because she also takes piano lessons and really doesn’t like to practice.  We told her she’d have to practice her violin very day, just like she does the piano.  That did not deter her.

I guess we will start and hope for the long haul.

Trying out the Bass

Little Mister enjoyed trying out the instruments with his sister, but he won’t begin until next year. 

the Cello

the Viola and Violins

Music is definitely a commitment from all family members.  Mom’s and Dad’s hauling kids to and fro and hounding them to practice, let alone the $$$$$ involved!   Kid’s giving up other fun things to practice, etc.  We can do it and it is worth it in the end.  But it’s hard to see the end when one is just beginning. 

Isn’t that like with everything we begin?  

A Happy Birthday!

Little Mister is eight years old today.  He’s been counting down the days for a couple of months now and is so excited for his big day. 

He is thrilled to be a cub scout.  He loves his uniform and cannot wait to begin attending den meetings and pack meetings.   When he’s thirteen we’ll remind him of how excited he was to wear the uniform, laying it all out the night before and making sure he had everything he needed.  We’ll also remind him of how he devoured his cub scout book and couldn’t wait to start advancing through his ranks.  Of course, if Big Mister has anything to do with it (and he will), Little Mister will be and Eagle by age thirteen.  He knows how hard it is to get the boys motivated after that age.We had birthday cake last Friday night with our babysitting swap group since it was our turn to host.  Little Mister wanted chocolate cake with Oreos all over it.  It was actually really good even though it looks like a mess.  (Hair cut, Yes!)

For breakfast Little Mister requested pancakes with chocolate chips, whipped cream and a candle on top.  That’s a melted whip cream smiley face on his pancake. 

After breakfast he begged got to open his presents.  He got a new black suit to wear, a shiny red football and a puzzle from his sister, an Air Hogs helicopter (I hate those things because they always break), and a Wii game.   He also gets to have mom come into his classroom and bring donuts to share at recess.  Tonight he picks the restaurant for his birthday dinner.   Can’t wait!

Eight Reasons we love Little Mister

1) His smile and energy light up the room!

2) He loves hugs,cuddles and even holding

hands, (but not kisses because he’s like a

germaphobe when it comes to the mouth!)

3) He’s an early riser and very happy in the

morning. 

4) He loves his SNACKS (but keep the

healthy ones away…ha ha!)

5) He’s really good at playing the piano.

6) He loves to play sports and is a great

athlete.  We’re working on the competitive

issue!

7) He’s loving and cares about his friends.

8) We especially love our Little Mister

because God chose him to come to our

family.  Our lives would not be the same

without him. 

Happy Birthday Little Mister we hope it's a super great day.

Twins

Like that “mohawk”!  Little Mister will look back at all his mohawk pictures someday and wonder why I let him do it.  I’ll just tell him that he did it and that’s exactly how he wanted his hair.  I don’t mind.  A nice short cut is in order anyway because he is soon to be baptized.   He hates it when we get his hair cut short because then he can’t spike it up.

Remember the “twin” shirts these two picked out when online shopping during the summer?  Here the are.  Hers is a little more girly with checkered sleeves and button tufts in the back. 

They both wore white T-shirts underneath their shirts and black jeans. It was a HOT HOT day, but they insisted it was THE day to dress alike. 

“Okay mom, enough pictures.  Just let us get to school.”

And off they go.  Little Mister is always in front…he can’t stand to be in back of his sister.  In fact, he cannot stand to be behind her in anything.  He is extremely competitive:)

Next Tuesday is Little Misters birthday and he and Little Miss will both be eight years old for three weeks.  Yep, that’s right.  Every year for three weeks they are the same age.  Little Mister has always claimed that on his birthday he and his sister really do become twins! 

I should have suggested that they dress alike next Tuesday when they really are twins!

Maybe they’ll do it again.

Another year…another tradition

Every new school year the kids get to go out for ice cream on the first day of school.  This year they chose a Dairy Queen Blizzard.

Hers:  Mint Oreo

His:  Cookie Dough

Moms:  A bite of each one!

This is us taking a picture of ourselves in the booth at the DQ!  Of course, the kids were trying to be funny by showing the ice cream in their mouths.  Yuck.

Surgery Day

We got up bright and early the morning of August 5th. . . 4:30 a.m. to be exact.  We had to be at Phoenix Children’s Hospital by 6:00 a.m. for Little Mister’s surgery.  

Little Miss was spending the night with her grandma.  We figured she’d have way more fun with grandma than waking up at the crack of dawn and being bored in the hospital waiting room.

Little Mister and daddy were watching a Disney movie in the holding area.   All vitals were taken and then we talked to the surgical nurse, the anesthesiologist and the surgeon about what to expect.  We felt comfortable.  Little Mister was nervous.

The nurse that took us into this room told us we looked familiar and weren’t we just here with our daughter.  “Eye surgery, right”, she said.  We were surprised she’d remember.  And yes, we were in this same room last November for Little Misses second eye surgery.  Hopefully we won’t have to see this room again for a long, long time.

Little Mister holding daddy’s hand for comfort. 

After 30 minutes or so in this room Little Mister was taken into surgery and mom and dad were left in the regular waiting room.  The surgery only took about 30 minutes.  The doctor said everything went really well.  He injected a sugar based molecule type solution into the bladder area to stop the flow of urine going the wrong direction in right ureter tube.   Something like that anyway:)

Recovery room

Little Mister was SO curious about everything.  This picture is of him trying to take off the blue bandage.   We told him he needed to let the nurse handle everything because there was a tube in his vein that she’d need to get out.   When it was time to get his clothes on he just sat up and practically jumped off the bed.  You wouldn’t even know he’d just had surgery.  However, he felt quite dizzy so the nurse gave him specific instructions to slow down.  

He felt pretty good the rest of the day and was able to go to “meet the teacher” at school that evening.  We had to keep a close eye on him because he just wasn’t taking it very easy!

The next day was a different story where everything he went through kicked in.  He was tired, in pain and complaining!   But it passes and he was able to start school the following Monday and has been fine since.

We go in for a check up and ultrasound on September 1st.  We are hoping that he is part of the 75% surgical success rate for this procedure.

A little extraction

Little Mister had two teeth extracted bright and early this morning. Two baby teeth to be exact. His adult teeth are growing in behind the baby teeth so the baby teeth needed a little help coming out. The worst part was the numbing but he did great. He got himself all worked up but when we left he said, “that was easy!”.

We’re fairly certain that braces will be in order in the next few years. Yikes!

He’s proud of his two teeth and plans on making some money tonight from the tooth fairy. Hopefully the tooth fairy will remember;).

ps. He's having his BIG surgery on Thursday at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

A Special Creation

 

Little Miss decided to make a delicious snack for herself and her mom.  Bananas stacked up with a pretzel on top, peanut butter smothered on the plate topped with coconut and honey.  The coconut made it extra special because she knows how much I love it!

Little Mister was having nothing to do with this particular snack.  His would have been smothered in chocolate.

For the blog, Little Miss said, let’s take a picture of our snack and then take a picture of us eating it.  So, here it is….

Yummy!

This was a clever little snack of which I had one bite of.  Little Miss polished off the rest.   I much prefer what we refer to around here as a “Pooh Bear Sandwich”.    A “Pooh Bear Sandwich” is a peanut butter and honey sandwich.  Yummo! 

I like to mix the peanut butter and honey together and then spread it on the sandwich bread.  My favorite it to use two pieces of warmed and soft whole grain bread with all natural crunchy peanut butter, honey and then sliced bananas on top of that.  As much as I am a coconut lover, it is not welcome on my sandwich.

Game Night

Saturday evening fun…

The Kids New Obsession.

SORRY!