Yesterday, The Hard Parts

Why?  Because I spent most of my day doing this:

Or this:
KKS

Yesterday, The Good Parts

Sunday was a day of church, naps and a whole lot of creation. I replenished our art supplies last week and today they were employed.   I expressed my own creativity by playing around in iPhoto.  I have shared some of the pictures that I edited here as well.

Caleb's creation.....

This is actually his finished sculpture.  I put them in the wrong order.  This is a man, sitting on a rock to take a break while walking his dog.  The dog is sniffing trash.  Oh, and the binoculars are for his bird watching hobby.  I love the story and the detail, isn't it amazing?



Lundi's fish:  
Concentrating:
Liam delights in his sculpture:

Why?  Because cars must be incorporated into everything he does.
Harrison's trees that were shading his new motorcycle:


Lauren made pancakes and cookies, of course:

KKS

Easter Pictures

Par request, here are some pictures we took today.  Nothing formal, but they are all together, in one place.  I know, rare.

Lundi and Audrey

I had to bribe Liam (with M&M's) to sit and get his picture taken, and this is the best he could give us:

Liam goes missing.....

In almost every picture Harrison had this horn thing goin' on.  I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

There you have it, Mom.  Enjoy!!!

KKS

Easter Eggs

I found this and had to try it.  Aren't they beautiful?

Normally I am not one to be crafty, but I wanted to do something other than the Paas stuff this year.  It gets old after so many years of doing it the same way.  

I did as she advised and hit our two local thrift shops and found a bunch of ugly ties.  One thing for sure, the uglier the tie, the better the results.  Oh, and you really can do several eggs with one tie.  We had a lot of fun doing this.  The white ones were wrapped in what turned out to be something other than silk.  (They didn't have tags, so I chanced it).

And would you believe that I even made the basket?  I know it's a stretch, but try to believe it.  It's true.  We had a basket weaving class taught by two very talented women at church, so I gave it a try.  As it turns out, it wasn't as hard as it looks.

Oh, and did I tell you that I have been called as the Relief Society chorister?  Ya, me, who can't even read music.  I went to the church's website, though and learned how to lead music.  It's true that when the Lord asks us to do something, he always provides a way for us to accomplish it.

Happy Easter, everyone.  He is risen!!!  

KKS

Lauren & Audrey

I found these two this morning......

........sharing Lauren's iPod.
Lauren loves music.  She also loves to share with Audrey.  I asked what they were listening to, she said  "This Is A Song About Colors."  I guess we'll have to get Audrey one soon, too.  It always calms her down when she is fussy.

KKS

Amazing

It is always amazing to me how the human body heals.  What a marvelous thing God has created.

Four months ago I couldn't walk without a crutch.  Either my hip hurt too much or it would give out at any given moment.  The pregnancy nearly killed me.

I have set a goal to walk for 45 minutes, three days a week.  Thursday I walked (a very hilly) mile and a half (all the way to the sugar shack and back).  Friday I walked 1.8 miles (all the way to the white house and back.)  Today I walked two miles (all the way to the sign and the big pine and back.)  I even jogged part of the way today....down hill, but still, I jogged.  (I know, don't try to picture it, it's scary.)  I am pleased with our progress.  Lundi has decided to join me on my morning walks.  We don't talk much because she wants to wear her iPod, so I wear mine, too.  Music is always good for exercising, don't you think?  I did turn mine off for a while, though.  Just so that I could listen to the sounds of spring!!!

KKS

General Conference

Over all, it was a success.  We did a lot of planning ahead and it paid off.  There was minimal fighting.  We didn't have to ask them 50 thousand times to come back to the living room to watch conference.  They paid attention.  Caleb even took notes. Above all, the Holy Ghost was felt in our home and testimonies were strengthened.  That is what it is all about, my friends.

Food prep, laundry, notebooks, promised the kids a trip to Gifford's (our favorite ice cream stand) in between Saturday sessions, snacks at the ready, moved the couches closer to the monitor, made the expectations clear and spoke a lot about the blessing of conference before hand.  Everyone watched all four sessions, with the exception of the two littles when they were napping.  Caleb even attended the Saturday evening priesthood session with Mike and was happy to go.  (The regular sessions can be viewed on T.V. (via cable) or over the internet.  But the priesthood session can only be viewed at a church.)

Personally, I was spiritually filled.  As usual, I came away with a stronger testimony, a greater love for the Savior, more love for my family and a strong resolve to be better.  Mike and I had a lengthy discussion last night and set some good goals for our family.

We started two new traditions this year.  Last Monday night for F.H.E we talked about what we wanted to do.  So, in between the Saturday sessions, we are going to go to Giffords.  In between the Sunday sessions we are going to take a walk and pick up trash.  If the weather is bad, we'll play a family game instead.

On our first by-annual, conference Sunday, family walk......

Caleb is wearing his Captain Moroni costume that he made out of cardboard.  Complete with shield, cape (that I sewed for him several years ago....best loved thing I ever made) breastplate and sword.  He also made the title of liberty from two sticks lashed together and  an old shirt , but he left it at home.

Three going the right way, three going the wrong way, but who is who?

Best friends, Lauren and Lundi.

Mike (pushing Liam) and Caleb.

On our walk, we stopped to visit the neighbors horses.

We came home with five full bags of trash...great job, kids!!!
Off the beaten path to get a bottle.

I would be lying if I told you that our Conference experience was perfect.  For example, Lundi and Lauren built a tent after reading this in the Friend last year.  They were quietly playing in their tent with the felt board when an intruder came in (aka, Liam) and I hear Lundi say "Would you please just go away!!!!"  It just happened to be during President Monsons closing remarks.  You know, the part where he was talking about having love and harmony in our homes?  

Sigh......I guess I should be thankful to them for reminding us that our responsibility to teach them is never ending.  (Note to self...Line upon line, precept on precept.)

KKS

April 6

This is an important day to millions around the world.  Many significant things happened on this day in the history of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints . 

1830, April 6 The Church organized in Fayette Township, New York.

1877, April 6
St. George Temple dedicated. President Brigham Young received revelation to set in order the priesthood organization and stakes of Zion.

1893, April 6
President Wilford Woodruff dedicated Salt Lake Temple, 40 years in construction.

2004, April 6

Marjorie Hinckley passed away.  (This event isn't listed in the official LDS Church history, but I am listing it because she is someone I love dearly and want everyone to know how special she was.  Read more about her Here.

KKS

Right Now

It's raining.

My fussy baby is finally asleep in the swing.

Mike is at work.

Kids are at the table bending their forks, bending them back and occasionally taking a bite of food.

The fan is on.

It's 6:11.

My desk is messy.

The flowers are growing.

There is a prophet of God on the earth by the name of Thomas S. Monson.

Liam is screaming, banging his fork on the (already dented) table.

My bed is unmade.

The snow is melting.

The washer is running.

Lundi is rinsing dishes.

Lauren is screaming because Harrison took something away from her.

Caleb is in the shower.

Lundi is telling Harrison "Frisk your pockets!!!" because he took a car from Liam.

Harrison is wearing a Boston Red Sox hat and a B.Y.U shirt.

When Harrison starts taking things from people, it's a sure sign that he needs a job to do.......... the dishwasher does need loading.

I am 38 years old.

My children are alive, healthy, thriving, vibrant and beautiful.

My husband has a great job doing what he loves.

I have a great job doing what I love.

Our bills are paid.

I am blessed.

KKS

Spelling Bee

First things first.  Today was trash and recycle day, so everyone pitched in and got that done.  I won't say that it was sans murmuring or 38 prompts, but it did get done before the trucks came.

Today we had a spelling bee...homeschool style.  I gave each of the kids a list of words, just slightly beyond their ability.  I gave them a half hour to study their lists, we set up the stage (the stool out of the bathroom).  The kids also decided that we needed a microphone (a hairbrush or a flashlight) and a spotlight (a desk lamp).  After that was all set up, we let the games begin.  We went in order: Caleb, Lundi,Harrison, Lauren and Liam (he got lots of help) for 28 rounds.  Lundi and Lauren tied with 24 correct words, Caleb came in second with 23 and Harrison got 22 words correct.  Before we started we established that the winner(s) would get a special date with Mommy.  I took the girls to the Homestead and we had an awesome girls night out...complete with creme brule!!

After the spelling bee, before dinner, we did some bird studying in preparation for spring.  Then Mike came home with groceries.  We didn't want the kids to be coming in and out of the house (it's mud season, you know) so Mike was just going to bring them to the door and have the kids bring them to the kitchen.  Those clever little helpers came up with their own plan....a "grocery brigade!"  You'd be amazed at what a long chain we can make with four kids.  I was impressed with their ingenuity.

KKS