Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mom's birthday! I found these pictures of her when she went away to college in Idaho. My Mom was so excited to get out on her own! Little did she know what adventures lie waiting for her in the future.

As my Mom and I find opportunities to talk to each other, I've learned from her that all her adventures so far have been great learning experiences for her. She has grown so much since her college days.

She is many things to me and one I'd like to share is her example of service. She is ready at any moment to serve. She has helped me recover from each of my c-sections as well as my last surgery. She serves her mother who is old and frail. She is this moment in Hawaii serving my sister who is pregnant and moving a business to a new location and her family to a new house! I could go on and on about the many ways my Mother serves us and others. Thanks for everything Mom! Happy Birthday!

Tuesday's Tidbits

Regina is a blanket girl. She has one blanket that she carries around all the time! She loves it. Well, todays tidbit of information is how the word "blanket" has morphed in her speech these past few months. She used to call her blanket "bakie". Now it's "bell----ankie!". If I can catch her saying it I'll try and post it.

Another cute thing she used to do back in January is repeat the consonant at the end of a word several times. For instance if she said the word book she would have said it like this: book-k-k-k. She did that with every word that had a hard consonant like a "T" or "CK". It was pretty funny. I was just remembering it today, and thought I'd share it with you!

Happy Anniversary To Us!

Happy 10 years to us early! We had a great time this last week! We spent the first part of the week along the coast and then the last part of the week at home! We stayed at the Beach Motel on Pt. Mugu. It's right on the beach! We caught a sunrise one morning. We saw dolphins, a sea lion, pelicans, grebes, cormorants, and more! It was an active morning! We also went to Solvang. It's a little Danish community off the coast in the mountains.
Lots of shopping! Our favorite items that came home with us include: fudge, cookies, an aebleskiver pan, and the complete collection of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales. On our way back to the motel from Solvang we stopped in Santa Barbara to eat with my cousin. I haven't seen her in ages. We ate at a restaurant called Carlitos. It was excellent! I think I 'd make a trip back to Santa Barbara just to eat there again! Our last day on the coast we went to the temple. It was very special. After that, we went to IKEA and got a new computer desk (pictures to come) and went back home! The rest of the days we slept in, ate aebleskivers, put up the new desk and watched movies! We met up with the kids in St. George and now, we're back in the saddle again! It's hard coming back to real life again, but, soon summer will be here and we can relax a little.

Memory Lane Monday

This past February our family was able to go to the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, San Diego. We had a lot of fun with all the activities to do there. These are a few pictures we took.

Freedom Friday!

Spring Break is here! Derek and I are going to take the opportunity to celebrate our 10th anniversary early. We leave today to take the kids to Gramma! Then my sweetheart and I will go on our own adventure! We'll keep you posted.

Things to Think about Thursday

I made a goal to have the last conference issue read before the next conference is presented.

I'm getting closer. I've almost made it through the Priesthood session. One talk that I've been thinking about is "Winning the War against Evil" by Elder James J. Hamula of the 70. He's talking to the Aaronic Priesthood, but, I found it very uplifting.

These past couple of days I've felt like I've been on the "battlefield" and this talk rallied my spirits. He talks of how we chose good over evil before we came to earth, and we can do it again here. He said, "In referring to the perils of our day, I do not intend to inspire fear, but soberness. Being sober means being earnest and serious in assessing your circumstances and careful and circumspect in weighing the consequences of your actions." So, I have been thinking on being sober today. Elder Hamula ends by saying,{ "...Be sober! Take "the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall ...quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.'' Then "fight the good fight of faith."}

I Am A Mother

A friend of mine let me borrow this book. I think it applies to all women everywhere! It's a great pick-me-up! I especially love the imagery of being a "pencil in the hand of God". Jane Clayson Johnson quotes Mother Teresa: "I am like a little pencil in [God's] hand. That is all. He does the thinking. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. The pencil has only to be allowed to be used." If you are on a quest to enjoy motherhood more fully, this book is a great one to read!

Whimsical Wednesday

I'm supposing* today. I am Joan of Arc standing in my father's garden. So much work to be done and so little time. I call on divine help to get me through this day. With God on my side I am strong and able.

*In the book "A Little Princess", the main character supposes, or pretends, to get her through yet another grueling day of servitude.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patricks Day! We are all green at our house! We had a great hunt for Lucky the Leprechaun's gold (rolos), some Lucky Charms with green milk, and green eggs and toast! Later today we'll turn up our celtic music and do a jig! Have fun today! Isn't green beautiful after the brown or white of winter?

Tuesday's Tidbits

I have two tidbits to share today! Last month Ethan got his glasses! He is having trouble seeing the board and so he has some glasses to wear when he needs to read far away. Otherwise, he doesn't have to wear them. Doesn't he look smart! By the way, do we see another Opa in the making?

My next tidbit is on teaching your kids to bike without training wheels! As you know, Phoebe and Olivia can ride their bikes now. This is due to a method Derek found online. Check it out here. Basically, you get a bike that is small enough for your child to have their feet on the ground, take the pedals off, and let them push around like a scooter for a while. This teaches them balance without the fear of falling, because their feet reach the ground. Soon they lift their feet and coast around. When they have the balance, put the pedals back on and off they go! This worked well for us. Olivia has been riding with training wheels for months! Once we started Phoebe on this method, Olivia wanted to too. It was just a couple of weeks and the girls took off! Go ahead, try it!

Memory Lane Monday

January has come and gone. It is a memory now. Olivia and Phoebe learned to ride their bikes without training wheels in January! Go girls!

Why Mormons Build Temples

I know the temple is the house of God here on earth. I find great peace in the temple. Any t.v. show that claims they have the inside scoop on the temple is misguided.

"Pop Goes the Bottle!"

This past Monday we decided to make this cheese bread that comes in a wine bottle. Our friends had given it to us before they moved. Since we don't drink wine we had no wine bottle opener. We managed to open it by drilling a screw into the cork. Once Derek pulled the cork, POP! Flour exploded out and left a fine residue all over our ceiling, stove, floor, etc. We stood there and laughed and laughed. I'm still finding flour in my cupboards! So, beware of cheese breads in wine bottles! Open them outside! Hee, heee....

The Cat Came Back...

Oh the cat came back the very next day

You thought she was a gonner', but, the cat came back...

I know I've been away, but, I came back!

The Christmas Sweater

I just finished reading this for a book club. If you want to get in the mood for Easter, this would be a great way to do that. For Christmas would not be Christmas, if Easter hadn't happened. This book has helped me to take a look at my life and see what is most important. Make sure you keep a box of tissues handy for the end!