opening a can of worms

I went to a young women presidency meeting last night. It began with me asking a simple question,

"What do you think I could do better?"

President: You are doing a great job!

Counselor: I can't think of anything.

Me: oh thanks but let me know if.....

President: Actually you could hold more meetings with your advisers, Sister Doe could really use it since she would like to be more involved.

Me: Oh of course I..

Counselor: You know I hold waffle breakfasts in my home often and just surround myself with the girls.

Me: Yes I probably should do...

Counselor: I mean I just involve them in my life and have them in my home.

President to counselor: Oh yes you are very good at that.

President: Set on the calendar dates of class presidency meetings. Also are you coming to camp?

Me: Well, I, with my baby I..

President (that just had a baby): Oh I am just having my husband and (6) kids camp nearby and he can bring him to me to nurse as needed.

Me: Oh that sounds like..(death) fun!

fixer-upper

?

What is one level below fixer -upper?. I mean, I really don't think I am doing this house justice to call it a fixer upper. It is to mild of a label. It implies reversibility- and that is something I am just not sure this house has. Sure this paint is hideous, I am not sure what possesses someone to commit such atrocities- but I can handle that with hours and hours of labor. But this toilet? Really. Can this truly be redeemed? I really have my doubts.

new home

Sorry- I know no one wants reality in a blog- so let me start over. I need to quit blogging while I upgrade my system for a few months. We are buying a new home! We are trying to decide between a few different homes, how do I chose- which one do you vote for?

Dose of reality

Here's some reality for you- big mama has to quit bloggin'. Big mama has to cancel Internet service to be able to afford a new house. (The word new is used very loosely here. New really means old dive that no amount of TLC can touch.) Big Mama's gonna cry. Mama says, come visit now while she is still in nice, clean, sweet smelling rental.

This is my little boy- as you can see- we are all a little terrified at the prospect of our new dwelling.




This makes you want you want to hop in the shower right!

Bathtub in the middle of the master bath- romantic in any other setting maybe.

Don't let the picturesque sunset in the background blind you to the homes atrocious spaceship like appearance.

sisters

I had the opportunity to have my two sisters come recently. This is why my blogging has been so sporadic. It was so fantastic. First my sister June came. She is a runner so we went on a five mile run every morning at 5:00. Then we would drink wheat grass smoothies and talked until the kids arose. She is an incredible mother to eight children so I love to drink from her overflowing spring of knowledge. We then spent the morning playing with the children and having paddle boat races in the pond. When my sisters and I get together we love to create things. We wanted to focus on our kids in the daytime but at night we would sew to our hearts content. June is a master and we created darling Easter outfits for all my nieces and my boys. I've posted a few of them.

She would make delicious Chinese food for my family and I would entertain the children by helping them do macrame at the table while reciting nursery rhymes.

Then Keri came. She is a Pilate's instructor so she helped me perfect my routine and we had a ball. We worked on this charming table and chairs for our two little boys Damon and Zane to play puzzles on. We laughed as we made little mistakes here and there but it turned out okay. We also had the idea to make a pie safe for my grandmother whose 99th birthday was on Saturday. We tried to replicate the one she had in her home growing up. As we punched the tin which can be rather tedious, we reminisced about this and that. We talked about husbands, children and womanhood. I learn so much from my wise sisters.

spun with love

My dear friend Sarah reminded me in her comment that I carried my baby in an organic cotton sling while nursing when we did the hike. I omitted this because I really don't want to sound pretentious. I only mention it now because I feel so badly because Sarah knit the sling for me out of cotton that her husband spun. It is so great because it can be used as a shawl, wrap or sling. I want to just say thank you Sarah. Oh it is amazing to have such talented friends.

the path of life

Today my kids and I decided to go hiking. I have been helping them carve one of a kind walking sticks so that as we enter the summer they can take their stick on their adventures and have it to remind them of all the places they have been. Today we only went two miles but it was rocky terrain. I was really proud of Zane. As I watched him with his stick, conquer each steep or uneven path, I thought of how I am also teaching them life lessons. That no matter how difficult the path might seem, they can overcome it. We rested near a pond to feast on sprout and tofu sandwiched in between the delicious bread they helped bake this morning. I couldn't help but think as I breathed in the fresh air surrounded by these spry little ones, this is what motherhood is all about.

The Wheel

I am so embarrassed! My dear friend Lindsey called me and chided me as it has been two days since my last blog. I am so sorry! I have been high, high on life and have had little time to sit and think. My sister came into town and we have been busy, busy, busy! We have just been going on bike rides, having picnics and flying kites. The weather is gorgeous. When it gets like this I love to get out and bask in the suns glory. I let myself soak in the rays and am filled to the brim with joy for this beautiful world. As we rode from here to there it gave me renewed conviction to bike everywhere when possible. I bought a little trailer for my bike to carry groceries in. I only have to go 5 miles to the store and i feel that it is the least I could do to give back to the world that gives me so much. I also felt that I should no longer use a diaper service to clean my cloth diapers. The service has to drive to my house and also uses eco-unfriendly machines to sterilize the diapers. Instead I will clean them at home with the time I have freed up because I am not running useless errands in the car. I challenge you to think about what you can give up too in order to give back.

Jelly Belly

Today I spent the day making jam with my boys and making homemade bread. The boys enjoy watching and helping, (with some mishaps along the way), creating this delicious treat from start to finish. The process is a lengthy one but always worth it! Then we as a family we took it around to our neighbors in the wagon to share the joy that a bottle of homemade jam can bring!

Easter

My children got new bunnies for Easter. It is amazing to watch the wonder in their eyes as they experience new life. New life is all around us. Blossoms are on our peach and apricot trees and the tulips in the garden are begining to blossom.

Easter was so sweet. We spent Saturday decorating eggs and telling story's like Peter Rabbit and the Velveteen Rabbit. Our children played with the bunnies and hunted down their eggs in the grass. We ended the eventful day with a picnic of spring salad, fresh fruit and grilled trout that the boys and their dad caught that very morning in the river. What a wonderful time of year spring is.

morning time at our house

Our day begins with me feeding my baby Bronson. Then I put him on my hip in a sling, pull my hair back and start in with the chores. The boys and I head out to collect eggs. Often my two year old Zane ends up just playing with the chicks but we have a great time!While my husband Tadd is milking the cows I make sprouted wheat pancakes with the eggs I have collected. My four year old Carter gathers berries for the sauce and by 6:30 we are dining like kings on our delicious feast.

We read scriptures and sing songs and really enjoy this special time of the day. Then I take off my work shoes and throw on my running shoes and take the boys for a run for a few miles in the stroller while my husband heads off to work. It is a DELIGHTFUL way to start our morning. What do you do to start your day off right?

aftermath

We had such a blast t yesterday hat today it was time to clean up. I just look a wreck. I spent the whole day on my hands and knees scrubbing so you can imagine my embarassment when my dear friend showed up to chat. I mean look at me! Oh well, everyone has those days! I better sign off. My boys and I are having reading time. now that my oldest is 4 we are starting a new reading list. This is what we are working on this month.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
I first read the series when I was young and want to share the joy and magic of these books. My four year old has started to recognize the religious allegory.

The Black Rose by Thomas B. Costain

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

It should be a really fun month. It can be a challenge for my two year old to stay focused but it is good for him to stretch and he is feeling the sense of accomplishment that comes from such challenges. These are precious moments when we get to share our passions with our little ones. I just hate to send them off to sleep at night and count down the minutes until they arise.

Sieze the Day

I really can't believe what a mess three boys can make! My house is in a constant state of disarray as you can see. But I think- as long as everyone is happy- that is what really counts. It has been rainy so I said to everyone, "housework can wait- lets go have some fun.'

I called my hubby wubby and he came home early and then we all played in the rain. I thought- what the heck- it is time to pull out my swimming suit and galoshes have some fun. Oh life is so grand. You have to live for the moment and sieze the day- that is what I always say.

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This is me. Mama to the boys. Not much to say. Busy being mama to the boys.