They Don't Know How Good They've Got It

Until they are older, my kids probably won't appreciate the gift they've been given this summer.

They have the opportunity to get to spend time with, and to get to know two of their great-grandmothers. Both of Greg's grandmas are here this summer - -and what a blessing it is for my kids...for all of us.

*************************

I have one memory of my Great-Grandma Warr...and it entails sitting at my grandparents house in Idaho a very long time ago. I think she wrote me a letter once. I wonder if my mom still has it somewhere?

As for my Great-Grandpa Smith: my memory is being in his driveway in Salt Lake when I was possibly in junior high or high school. He said, "If you can't have fun wherever you go, then damn it, don't go there." I thought it was hilarious -- and truly a philosophy to live by. I'm sure my mom does not appreciate that being my memory...but hey, it's not swearing if you are quoting, right?

I have a few memories of my Grandma B -- mostly the story about her house burning down the year she was to receive her last Christmas doll. As the flames took over, my great-grandma knew, somewhere amidst the fire, her doll was lost forever. After hearing that story, when Grandma B was much, much, older....my mom and I gave her a new "Christmas Doll." When she died, my grandma gave it back to me. It sits in our dining room hutch today.

****************

Right now, we have the privilege to get to know Great-Grandma Elaine (or Grandma E. Kerr as Kenzie calls her) and Granny. They are both in their late 80's and have struggled with health issues. But they are here now -- playing games with the kids, teaching Addysen to knit, chasing after Penny (Grandma Elaine's peek-a-poo puppy) and keeping us filled with great memories. They've been here for birthdays and will attend Cannon's baptism. They've been here for the birth of our newest niece (and if we're lucky, we can get Granny back from Florida when our new baby arrives!) They've been here for water fights in the backyard, the school talent show, Sunday dinners and so much more.

No, my kids probably won't recognize this gift until they are much older.

But I do.

A Lofty Goal - Finally Achieved

I hesitated to post this...
Afterall, why would I want to announce just one more of my shortcomings? And on the internet, no less?
I concluded that there must be some sort of inspirational thought or hope promoting line about only when we admit our shortcomings can they be turned into strengths.
Yeah...or something like that.

I knew when we started it was a lofty goal. But, I thought that taking on the challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days was a good one. So I asked Addysen if she wanted to do it with me...and Cannon asked if he could join.

Reading the scriptures with my kids -- how could that be anything but a positive experience, right?

In all honesty...it was a good experience. We started by getting up for school a few minutes earlier and read before the kids left. We also read at night before bed. It worked well - -for the most part.

I quickly concluded, however, that reading just to read -- and to make sure we got in our 10 pages a day -- was somehow totally missing the point. The kids wanted to take turns reading and I wasn't about to deny reading practice in any form. Shoot - if you can read the scriptures, you'll certainly be able to read Dr. Suess, Anne of Green Gables and To Kill A Mockingbird, right? But, on most days, the attention span of 4 kids, combined with the various reading abilities...10 pages might as well have been 100.

Anyway, long story short...we did relatively well until school started winding down. Too many late nights, combined with two little girls getting up too early didn't make for great scripture studying. Then, school got out and we pretty much dropped the ball completely. We didn't all get up at the same time, we weren't on a schedule, and bedtime somehow became later and later. Of course, trying to read (and comprehend and discuss) while a very busy 2-year-old was in the room...well, enough said.

So, we didn't hit the 97 day mark. In fact, we didn't even come close.

But, this past Sunday -- we finally finished.

I won't lie. I can't say we saw any major miracles in our family as a result of our efforts. (And believe me, some days, it was an EFFORT!) (Although, that said, I can't know that we didn't experience miracles either.)

My kids still fight. I still lose my patience. Clutter still surrounds us. We eat too much junk and watch too much tv.

But hey, we're trying.

Playing Winter

After several days of 90's and high 80's with humidity, we are experiencing a cold snap (70 degrees). So, the girls decided to "play winter." I overheard them discussing how they were going to sled in the family room.

I'm all for imaginative play...but there is nothing about this game that sounds like fun to me -- much too much like the reality we'll experience again ALL TOO SOON.

Birthday Boy

It's hard to believe how fast time goes by....and that Cannon is eight today. WOW.

What a fun eight years it's been.

We seemed to celebrate all week -- and will continue the celebration when he gets baptized on August 9th. 

For the Love of A Toad

The kids had a blast capturing toads before we left the campground last weekend. I was happy they were entertained while we tried to clean up the trailer, etc. 

In no uncertain terms did I say, numerous times, "We'll have a freedom celebration and let them go before we leave. WE ARE NOT KEEPING ANY OF THEM."

Cannon asked repeatedly why we couldn't keep them -- he really wanted one for a pet.

So, I reiterated (with extreme patience, of course) that they would not survive the 3 hour car ride and that we had no place to put them at home. It wouldn't be kind to keep them.

I thought I was pretty clear. But then, I think my instructions to wash hands after going to the bathroom, to use a napkin instead of a sleeve and to not burp are rather clear as well. Apparently, we have some communication issues.

We had our freedom celebration, said good-bye to the toads and got on the road. All was well.

Until we got home.

Cannon was suddenly very onry and somewhat distraught. He started commenting about wanting to keep the toads again. I chalked it up to fatigue.

Because we had company, Addysen was sharing a room with Cannon that night. Suddenly, she appeared in the doorway of the office and very adamantly declared, "Cannon kept one of toads - -now it's DEAD -- and on his dresser... and I am NOT sleeping in his room!"

Because I was on the phone with my mom, Greg went upstairs to check things out. He promptly returned holding a very stiff and very dry looking toad.

LOVELY.

Greg's first response was, "I'm going to keep it -- so that when I need to show the kids that their actions can have negative consequences, I'll have a great visual aide." I rather quickly disagreed...with the tactic...and with the idea of keeping a dead, and dried up toad within the walls of our home. GROSS.

Soon after, however, Greg's heart softened a bit. (Mind you, I was still trying to carry on a conversation with my mom during all of this chaos. I'm sure my parents can't wait to come and visit us in two weeks! Just listening to the things that go on is crazy enough...but to actually experience a few days with us -- WATCH OUT!)

I'm thinking it had something to do with the uncontrollable sobs coming from Cannon's room. He was heartbroken -- and fully aware of the fact that his decision to ignore our instructions led to the demise of his beloved toad. I'm not sure when he realized that no breath was coming from the creature, but it was somewhere near the time we arrived home. Thus, the incredibly bad mood.

So, rather than a lecture and reprimand....Greg, Cannon and Addysen had a discussion about decisions, listening to parents, etc....all the while, planning a burial and memorial service for the toad in the backyard. 

I'm just hoping some good learning took place as a result.

But, just like the toad, I won't be holding my breath.

A Weekend Getaway

 

Q.

What do you get when you combine 4 adults, 7 children (ages 9 and under), numerous towels and swimsuits, sunscreen, coloring books, balls, lawn chairs, cameras, mosquito spray, too many treats, wedding clothes and a trailer?

A. Too many late nights with not enough sleep...but lots of fun and great memories.

That's what we did this past weekend when we drove to Cincinnati to attend Greg's cousin's wedding. Our family, along with Greg's parents and 2 nephews and a niece (my sister-in-law is due with baby #4 momentarily...so they missed out) camped out, made smores, attended a water park (twice), golfed, ate, played, caught toads, and visited with family.

Granted, getting ready for the wedding was a bit crazy (I've never gotten ready for a wedding in a campground before!)...and sleeping wasn't quite like my own bed...but, the trailer (with it's A/C, appliances, and best of all -- BATHROOM!) sure beat tent camping. 

I might just be up for doing it again. Thanks to my in-laws for a fun weekend!

Celebrate!

I love the 4th of July --or to be politically correct, Independence Day. (That's probably the only time I'll be politically correct).

I can't even think about our country, or our freedoms, without getting teary-eyed. (Case in point, singing The Star-Spangled Banner in church today...despite the fact that the fire alarm went off mid-song...I was fighting back tears.)

Our country has its problems...and plenty of them...but there is no other place I'd rather be.

So, I love celebrating the 4th -- especially when we luck out and Greg is off work....which he was this year.

In addition to celebrating our country and our freedoms...here are a few things we celebrated this year:

*The birth of our newest niece and cousin, Lyndi...born at 5:14 am on July 4th.

*No rain -- after days of rain, we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather -- sunshine and blue skies all around.

*Greg on vacation! I'm not sure if this is more exciting for him...or me...but after weeks of working endless hours...we'll take whatever we can get.

*Awesome fireworks (last year, the weather caused us to miss out completely)

*Lots of fun with friends and family (despite the fact that Kenzie broke a fall with her face)

*A chance to do some much needed yard work

The list goes on...but I'll spare you. If I keep going, I might get teary again... And since I'm still thinking about yard work that needs to be done...that could signify some much bigger issues. (Although, can't pregnancy hormones be attributed to everything...?)

All In About 13 Minutes...

I know for a fact that my showers don't take very long. We have a heat lamp in the bathroom, and it shuts off after a few minutes. It NEVER shuts off during my showers.

So, here's what happened today - -all in about 13 minutes:

11:20 - I took Kenzie and got into the shower.

11:22 - CANNON (standing at the bathroom door): You know that hat dad wears when he shovels the snow?"

ME: Yeah

CANNON: I'm thinking I could wear that during my birthday party so that I look like Indiana Jones.

ME: Good idea. (All-the-while thinking, "it's a good thing the shower doors aren't glass."

11:26 - ADDYSEN: (standing inside the bathroom): I'm here to get Kenzie like you asked, is she ready?

ME: Yeah - grab a towel

11:28 - CANNON (in the doorway again): Dad is up on the roof!

ME: What? Why? (Mind you, we're in the midst of a torrential downpour).

CANNON: He's clearing the gutters because they are too full of helicopters.

ME: (big sigh): Well tell him to be careful.

11:30 - GREG: Someone should be calling to discuss getting our will set up.

ME: Ok

11:33 - BRYNNLEY (with panic in her voice, standing in the bathroom): Kenzie has a bloody nose!

ME: What?!? Where's Dad? (Ashamedly, I'll admit that I didn't question why her nose was bleeding, or how much blood was being lost. In my mind I was thinking, "please don't let her be on the white carpet!)

BRYNNLEY: Don't worry, we're taking care of it.

Ahhh...what is the point? Should I be grateful that I'm needed? At least during the few minutes I try to shower? Or...should I start locking the door? Resignedly, I got out, wrapped in a towel and went to see about Kenzie's nose.

I asked if she was ok and Cannon said, "She's fine. We were jumping on the bed and my knee hit her nose. I got her some ice to put on her nose, but she wanted to eat it instead."

So much for being needed. 

I should have stayed in the shower.