Summer 2012

Michael!

..So we when we read scriptures together, for Michael's turn he just repeats after me. Sometimes he'll change what I say or he'll add extra words, (most times we let it slide unless it's terribly inappropriate) sometimes it turns into a teaching moment. For instance in Alma we were reading about Korihor and how he demanded a sign from Alma, so I say "Korihor was struck dumb," Michael repeats "Korihor was struck dumb..and stupid"

I say, "Michael!!"

he says, " ..what, dumb is stupid."

(teaching moment!)

I say, "Michael, in the scriptures it means like if mom, (I put hands over my mouth for a moment) can't talk, then I would be called dumb."

Michael gives me a very serious look and says solemnly, "Mom....I would never call you dumb."

(sigh) "Thank you Michael."

I guess I can agree that Korihor was dumb and.....stupid.

About Time!

It's been a long winter-again-I know. We've been busy and kids are healthy and growing. Brandon is taking violin and piano lessons, and will be a senior next year. He's pretty popular with the girls, and is enjoying his friends. He works part-time after school for us doing the bread. Matthew is taking violin lessons and enjoying boy scouts. Ellie is in ballet and loves kindergarten. Michael...Michael..has changed his name to Rover, much to our dismay, has started putting Rover at the top of his paper in preschool. We told his teacher NOT to call him Rover. We never know what to expect when he prays, right now you'd hear.. "Please help us to always choose the right...not the left." The kids need to play outside, we try to be creative but sometimes it backfires, example: the other day I found play money so I told them to go downstairs and play "store". Everyone was mad at Ellie because she took everybody's things and held them for ransom, Matthew came upstairs in only his underwear, he claimed that Michael bought all his clothes. We pretty much skipped Family Home Evening tonight, got through scriptures and the melt down began. Ellie didn't want Michael hugging her and was crying because I wouldn't let her suck on my arm. Matt was acting out so Brent threatened to undo his bellybutton which he said (in his words) "your butt is going to fall off". This made Matthew hysterical, completely refused to calm down, until we said it was time for cookies. The upside to getting a new calling in Relief Society is that I am reminded everyday that I am incredibly blessed, I see the trials of the sisters in my ward, and they have it all (health, financial, marital, spiritual) huge trials..it makes me want to just hug these crazy kids as long as they'll let me. So sorry for going so long without any posts, we're still here and when I have the patience, I'll load some new pictures.

We have had a great summer. It was way way too short. The kids our growing up so fast. Brandon is a dating machine. He is a junior in High School and will be off and gone on a mission before we know it. Matthew got baptized and it's been wonderful to see the difference it's made on him. Ellie continues to blossom, she is our sweetheart. Michael makes us laugh, we love the 4yr old uncensored attitude towards life, for example, on the way home from church, he is in the back seat and yells, "I call to be the first one to get naked!"

We are Vikings!

To contrast Ellie's tea party, Matthew had a Viking party. The kids loved the How to Train your Dragon movie so it was our inspiration. They shot arrows, had an epic water balloon fight, and killed a dragon, lots of destruction and mayhem.

A perfect day

Matthew turned 8 this year. He wanted Brandon to baptize him, Dad to confirm him and me to give a talk. He got his way. It was a very special day, but maybe not to Michael...he was not happy about getting dressed up in church clothes on a Saturday. Thank you to all of our family that came, especially Ben and Mauvia who literally drove through the night and then Mauvia and Zoe performed a beautiful muscial number. Thank you, we love you.

A beautiful day

We went to General Conference, well we just stayed on the Temple grounds and listened to Sunday's session. It was a lot of fun. Brent was teasing that I was trying to get our picture in the Ensign, I told him I didn't think that was very funny. What was funny was coming home and finding a picture of Michael pointing at Angel Moroni in The Scroll (BYU-I's newspaper)