Crazy WY!

I love to look back at pictures I have taken of our family growing up! As I have looked back, I have been totally amused at the funny photos that Wyatt poses for and creates by just being himself. That is another post all in itself. For today I am posting these beauties of my hilarious 4 1/2 year old. He keeps us howling!

Tonight the house is quiet--The kids went to bed willingly after a few Dr. Seuss and Mercer Mayer books and family prayer. I love them again so much when they are peacefully sleeping! I need some more happiness tonight. When I think of happiness I think of my family and especially my sisters---I may be in trouble for this, but I wanted to post these great pictures for you to enjoy as well! Have some happiness too!

Post Full of Sunshine and a Little of Life's Lessons Rolled Up Into One!

WARNING---This is going to be a rather boring post, but yet a spicy tired mom post--prepare or opt to not read :)

This week has been a regular week, where we have been busy with regular life. Jeff has worked everyday, only to be with us from the time he wakes up until he leaves for work at 11:30 am until midnight. A little taxing especially around dinner when everyone is getting tired and hungry. (I am writing this post as I make dinner for my little precious ones! Tried and true, my least favorite time of the day!) However, I have tried to do something everyday that is fun, even without Dad---We have gone to the park a few times, had violin and piano lessons, had friends over, and frequented Sonic's happy hour, one of our summer drink favorites! However in the hum drum of this week my children who are growing so fast have learned a few great lessons (I hope)!

#1. You can learn things the hard way or the easy way.
(For example, you can hit your sibling for the 100th time in your life time, even though you are old enough to know better by about 3-5 years you can spend the morning perched on a stool in the front room. When the 3rd hour is over with, and you really feel sick and tired of your bottom of the stool, you can grab a book and start reading. When the 4th hour is finished mom caves in and lets you read on the soft couch, but you are only released when your chapter book is completed, even if it takes you another 3 hours. Then you have 2 choices, an oral dictation of the books contents and story, or if that is not sufficient, you can complete a hand written book report.) Do I sound like a mean mom or what? I feel like I have to be creative with punishments (old punishments that Jeff endured as a child, but very effective) Let me repeat---learn the easy or hard way! Wouldn't it have been easier to not hit your sister and then have the morning carefree?)

#2. Complete your little task with thoroughness the first time you are asked!
(For example, when you are asked to work together and clean up the toy disaster in the basement that you have made together in the last day and a half, cheerfully do so without a barrelful of complaints. If you come up complaining for the 10th time in 15 minutes, mom will usually loose the little bit of cool that she has remaining in the special hat of coolness, you will get your way, sit on your bed while the happy helpers finish the job without you (to their benefit because you hinder instead of help)! Then when the helpers have finished the job, and did an amazing job, almost as well as mom would do herself--there is a prize in store! (Imagine that!) The helpers that helped get to go play with friends in the neighborhood, while you cry at my feet wanting a second (or tenth) chance. Your special prize will be to put on your cute little PJ's that your grandma who loves you made especially for you and go to be early! How does 7:00 sound especially in the summer? AWESOME!!!! Let me repeat---Complete your little task with thoroughness the first time you are asked!)


#3. Only you can decide to make yourself HAPPY!
(For example, if it seems that almost all the neighbors are next door playing on a water slide, and having so much fun, it is not polite to go and invite yourself over. Our neighbors are nice and often do let you come over and play, but when the Dad next door hears his children being rude about the Johnson children, and doesn't say anything about (in his defense, maybe he didn't hear the comment from his oldest) , and doesn't personally invite you over after he sees your sad puppy dog eyes from the back patio, it may not be a good idea to play on the coveted water slide. So, come inside and let's find something even more fun to do UNO, watch an exciting movie, go to the store and buy sugar cereal to rot your teeth, or take a trip to the library for some fun books--anything we can do to spare our ears from the screams and laughter next door. However, if you start to cry, pout, or think about how hard your life is, it will only make matters worse. Trust me, even in my ripe old age of 32,as an adult have to deal with this 3rd grade crap. If you decide to be happy and not let it bother you, even though you want to rip the neighbors eyes out, or colorfully moon your so called friends who are being huge jerks, it will only bring you unhappiness. Like your dad says, be a duck and let it roll off your back! Even though it is hard and may not always be fun remember that you are the only one that can make yourself happy! No matter how people treat us, we always have to be nice, no matter what, that is the way it is! End of Story. Your Story may not always be easy or fun, but that my dears is life. If you are kind and happy, life will always treat you better! Let me repeat---You are the only one that can make yourself happy! )

How's that for a rant/post full of sunshine!

New Family Rule

Walker had his first piano lesson today! I feel bad that we are starting him a little late, as he is 9 years old, but hopefully he will move fast and continue to be motivated. Walker is such a great kid and is so happy when he is happy, but to keep him happy Walker needs purpose and has to stay busy with a project or task. (kind of like his mother) He was so incredibly nervous , but was comforted as she was young, kind and happy. When he finished there was a gleam in his eyes and he exclaimed---THAT WASN'T BAD! His teacher had us purchase 4 level one books and I think he was overwhelmed thinking he was going to have to go through all of them at once. On the way home he set a new family rule---NO friends until AFTER my piano is practiced! Great plan Walk! I'm glad it is YOUR idea. :)

Conversation over lovely Mac & Cheese Sunday Dinner while Jeff is at Work

Wyatt---Slurp, slurp, slurp, ahhhhh
Me---Wyatt you need to make sure you eat your fruit politely. Make sure you have good table manners.
Wyatt---Why mom?
Me---Because if you don't you are eating like an animal. AND---if you eat like an animal, we will have to find you a nice barn for you to eat in.
Walker---Ya, with all the cows, pigs, horses, chickens, and ducks.
Me---and even with the dogs.
Wyatt---Mom you know barns aren't real!


Do you think we live in the city or what? I threatened the next time I see a barn I will let him know and give him a personal tour. Wyatt is familiar with Charlotte's Web, but I am curious if he thinks barns are like Charlotte & Wilbur---fake! If anyone knows of a "real" barn let me know so my threat won't be marked as yet another idol one!

OBEDIENCE

Today has been a great day-especially for a Sunday. Jeff worked until Midnight last night, so our 8:30 am church meetings came rather fast. The children ate breakfast fast, and dressed rather quickly, with only a few "hurry up's, or we are going to be late." We had a great speaker in Sacrament meeting, a return missionary that had a great spirit about him. I love the missionaries that have that special glow; that you know they were excellent as they worked hard and served our Heavenly Father. This one in particular had such a love for the people of the Netherlands. I loved his story about a family that was converted. The father was Muslim and was searching for something that was missing in his religion, especially when it came to his family. They were the ultimate converts and the missionary became emotional as he described the spirit in their home as the family received the missionary discussions. This family came to church for 12 weeks before they were baptized. This missionary and his companion were very nervous when it came time to teach this family the principle of tithing. The father of the family worked 15-16hour days. They were not poor, but not well off either. As the principle was taught, the father wasn't particularly excited when he thought about giving 10% to the Lord, but knew it was a commandment, and wanted to be 100% obedient.
In RS we also had a lesson on obedience. One sister brought up a quote by Jeffery R Holland, whom I admire. He said that Obedience is the first law to everything. I think of our Savior, who was the perfect example for us. He was obedient in every way to our Heavenly Father. My parents taught me to be obedient to them and also my Heavenly Father. As my children are growing, if they learn anything--I want it to be OBEDIENCE. I seems as if it is the stepping stone to happiness and blessings as they grow and develop testimonies of their own. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I am thankful that our Savior is obedient to Heavenly Father, and that our Heavenly Father is obedient to the laws that govern us even into eternity. He loves us and wants us to return to him someday. I look forward to that day!


For the last few weeks in the blogging world, I have been drawn and truly addicted to a blog of a sweet family in Las Vegas who lost their one year old. She drown in their backyard spa that they had for 5 days before the accident happened. My heart aches for them as I have cried and cried for her and her little family. It has been almost 2 years since our little Wyatt lost his good friend Kyle (he died from complications from an e-coli contamination in spinach). Memories of Kyles death have come back to me in waves of disbelief and sorrow, as I have read this blog. I am so thankful for the Spirit as it calms, comforts, and testifies to me that my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation is true and real. We will be able to live together forever with our family. I am thankful especially for the Spirit of our Savior that is with these families as they grieve and heal after such a tragedy. As we watched the Allgoods, there is something that changed in them, not from just missing and mourning the death of their son, which was painful and obvious, but from the healing power of the Savior and his atonement. Their family became stronger, their faith more sure, their obedience even more complete. I see the same change in this little family, who has shared their loss with me through their blog. My testimony is strengthen and I am forever thankful for this noble example.
My life has changed from this experience. We miss Kyle, and the Allgoods and this little family miss their children who have passed on so very young in this life---it is the way they have handled their loss with faith and obedience that has changed my life. I truly dread having to endure what they have had to, but hope and pray that as challenges in my live come and go, that they will be handled with the same spirit. I pray that my Savior and Heavenly Father will pour their spirit upon me--heal and lift me up as I am obedient to them.

Here is this little families blog: adailyscoop.blogspot.com Check it out, but only with a box full of Kleenexes. I am amazed at this mothers strength. She is my hero, along with my friend Robyn Allgood. Her baby passed away June 15th.

Stud Finder

So, as you know after being in our new home almost 3 months, with the pleasure of moving twice, I feel like we are still not organized and it is taking forever to remove ourselves from limbo land. I am still combing through boxes of stuff /junk we really don't need (but as soon as we throw it away like magic it becomes necessary) but had the pleasure of moving 2 times--so much fun! Anyway, yesterday Jeff was helping me hang some heavy pictures on the wall and we could not find the stud finder. (My husband is a stud, but is OCD when it comes to hanging pictures on the wall into a stud even if it is not in the center of the wall) I prefer things centered and pleasing to the eye, especially when my mother comes to visit and discovers the optical illusion if mirrors are off by meer 1/2 inches :) Love you Mom and can't live without your expert opinions!

We had the stud finder in hand earlier in the day, and had placed it in a specific spot where we would be sure to find it! When it came time to find it again it was no where to be found. We enlisted the troops (the oldest 3 children) and spent an hour looking for it! So frustrating, and such a waste of precious time. We finally gave up and went onto another important project, and then low and behold it was found in the pantry cupboard where #4 child had been sneaking tortilla chips while the rest of us were on the stud hunt! I love how 1 year olds leave little trails of stuff as they move on from one thing to the next! Their little minds are so funny and I love our little WES so much--even when he puts us on wild goose or stud finder chases every day of our lives. We are thankful that it was not shoes this time! Isn't a family of 6 always missing a shoe somewhere? Even if they are always 100% put back where they belong, the right way the 1st time. (Sound familiar anyone?)