Last weekend my mom, dad, grandma Donna, Casey and Kristal came to do the PumpkinMan Triathlon. We had such a good time. Kristal did the olympic length and I did her swim part. Bob and my Dad did their own sprint races. And Casey and my mom were on a relay team.
Everyone got here Thursday night. Friday the girls all went shopping and out to lunch. Then we all picked up our race packets and tried to go to bed early.
Saturday we went down to the lake for the race. We got there about 20 minutes before Bob's start time. So when we parked I jumped out and ran to take pictures and help him set up. But by the time we got to the bike racks I realized I'd lost the car keys along the way. So I retraced my steps, but they were gone. I prayed my guts out and talked to all the race volunteers over and over because all my race stuff was still in the van. I had an hour until my start time. And it got down to 10 minutes before my race so I decided I'd swim without my wetsuit and they said there were extra caps and I got Bob's goggles from him and we just wouldn't be timed because I didn't have the timing chip either. So I was walking down to the lake and the girl who picked up my keys turned them in right then. So my mom and I sprinted to my van and I put my wetsuit on while my mom drove me down to the lake. I ran into the lake, they pointed out the course and then the gun went off. We barely made it, but what a blessing.
My swim was 1500 meters. It went great. I did it in 31 minutes. And I did half of it breast stroke because it took me a long time to get my stroke right with being able to look forward so I'd swim straight. But about halfway I got that down and then it went really smoothly. It was fun to swim in open water instead of laps.
Saturday afternoon, my mom and dad went with my family over to a grassy spot on the Aliante trail and took our family pictures with our new fancy camera. They turned out great and I already have them on the wall. Then that night we went to Laser Quest for Aaron's birthday. Everyone had a great time.
Aaron had a good, low-key birthday. He has happy that so much family was here for him. He got a couple lego sets and some gummy bears for his birthday. He decided to keep the rest of the money he was given and save it. He had over $350 saved up now.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
October 14, 2012
We went fake camping Friday night. It was the best. We got all the good parts of camping without the horrible sleeping and everyone being grumpy the whole next day because they didn't get enough sleep. We went and got a campsite and hiked around and we did a fire with hot dogs and smores. And then when everyone was tired we drove home. Everyone took showers before getting in bed. It was great weather. We had a great time.
We got a nice DSLR camera this week. We've been thinking about it for years. But we've always talked ourselves out of it. But we love how clear their pictures are, even when you just use auto mode, which is all I want to use. I don't have an interest in spending all the time it would take to learn. We're excited for our good pictures. We're taking family pictures with it this week. Hopefully they'll turn out good enough to put on the wall.
We got a nice DSLR camera this week. We've been thinking about it for years. But we've always talked ourselves out of it. But we love how clear their pictures are, even when you just use auto mode, which is all I want to use. I don't have an interest in spending all the time it would take to learn. We're excited for our good pictures. We're taking family pictures with it this week. Hopefully they'll turn out good enough to put on the wall.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
October 7, 2012
It's conference weekend. So great. I had two questions going in to conference. One was to learn the talents and skills my kids need to develop. Elder Perry answered that question for me. I need to plan better FHE lessons - we've been pretty lazy with this lately. We have it every week, but it's usually thrown together 5 minutes before. But as I pray and play out FHE lessons, I'll know what things my kids need and be able to teach them. My other question was how to study the scriptures and get answers through the scriptures better.
We signed Danny, Rachel and Aaron up for basketball in the winter. I didn't think Rachel would be interested, but I didn't even have to talk her into it. I'm excited for her to try it. And I recruited several other kids for each team, so I should have some good carpools going.
Danny and I had a big talk about whether or not he could read the Hunger Games. He's asked before and I just said no. But he came home from school and said almost his whole class has read it and he really wanted to. So I really thought about it. I wanted to make sure I wasn't just saying no because it was easier. But the whole time I could feel the answer would still be no. I asked several friends with kids Danny's age and my mom, which just solidified my answer. I told him and he was disappointed for about 2 minutes and then he forgot about it.
We had an experience a couple months ago where he wanted these bucky balls - little super strong magnets you can shape. I really didn't like it because their so dangerous and we have little ones in our house. But in the end I justified it and bought them, mostly so I didn't have to hear all of Danny's arguments and complaining. They came and I warned Danny really strongly about them. He played with them for a day or two and then came down one night at bed time completely distraught because he was worried he'd swallowed a magnet and didn't know it. He had Bob give him a blessing. And we had a good talk about how I had felt it was wrong to buy the magnets, but didn't listen because I wanted to give Danny what he wanted. It was a good lesson for both of us that sometimes I know or get inspiration for what's better for him and it isn't always what he wants, but we both need to listen and do the right thing. We returned the magnets. I think that experience was helpful with the Hunger Games discussion and was probably the main reason his complaint about my answer only lasted two minutes.
We signed Danny, Rachel and Aaron up for basketball in the winter. I didn't think Rachel would be interested, but I didn't even have to talk her into it. I'm excited for her to try it. And I recruited several other kids for each team, so I should have some good carpools going.
Danny and I had a big talk about whether or not he could read the Hunger Games. He's asked before and I just said no. But he came home from school and said almost his whole class has read it and he really wanted to. So I really thought about it. I wanted to make sure I wasn't just saying no because it was easier. But the whole time I could feel the answer would still be no. I asked several friends with kids Danny's age and my mom, which just solidified my answer. I told him and he was disappointed for about 2 minutes and then he forgot about it.
We had an experience a couple months ago where he wanted these bucky balls - little super strong magnets you can shape. I really didn't like it because their so dangerous and we have little ones in our house. But in the end I justified it and bought them, mostly so I didn't have to hear all of Danny's arguments and complaining. They came and I warned Danny really strongly about them. He played with them for a day or two and then came down one night at bed time completely distraught because he was worried he'd swallowed a magnet and didn't know it. He had Bob give him a blessing. And we had a good talk about how I had felt it was wrong to buy the magnets, but didn't listen because I wanted to give Danny what he wanted. It was a good lesson for both of us that sometimes I know or get inspiration for what's better for him and it isn't always what he wants, but we both need to listen and do the right thing. We returned the magnets. I think that experience was helpful with the Hunger Games discussion and was probably the main reason his complaint about my answer only lasted two minutes.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
September 27, 2012
We realized Bob gave father's blessings to everyone except Ruby when school started. So he gave her one a few weeks ago. This is what it said:
- your energy will lift others burdens
- you'll be protected and safe, grow and be strong
- You'll learn and your language will improve
- listen and be obedient
- get the rest and nutrition you need
- share your light-this will help others.
September 27, 2012
At Primary on Sunday, Aaron's awesome teacher asked him what his talents were and wrote them down. This is what Aaron said:
- Super fast at sports; swimming and soccer
- Says good prayers
- playing basketball and baseball
- he wants to get better at tetherball
Sunday, September 23, 2012
September 23, 2012
I went to Time Out For Women this weekend. It was really good. here are some of the things I learned.
Ruby has gotten in a habit of putting her first fingers and thumbs in her mouth (just one at a time). It happened really fast. I've only noticed she's been doing it for maybe 2 or 3 months, but not that much. But in the last couple of weeks it's become all the time. She can't keep them out. It was starting to worry me and then I remember the Mavala Stop gross fingernail polish we used with Aaron that made him stop sucking his thumb. So I ordered it on Amazon and we got started. I thought it would be quick and easy because she hasn't been doing it very long, but that habit was so strong! She's had a really hard time keeping her fingers out. And she wakes up crying at night and she's grumpier in the day. She threw up the first day because she sucked on that gross taste so much. Then she'd just drool and whine a lot because she'd forget and put her finger in her mouth and get the taste in there. And that taste doesn't really go away until you eat something. Today is the third day and she's finally getting a little better at it. Poor little girl. But I know she'll be sick all winter if we don't get rid of that habit.
- Trust His example
- The Savior did what he could every day. The list of people and things that needed help could have been endless - like mine feels sometimes.
- But He did what was right and followed the spirit and did what He could and even each small thing was amazing.
- I need to be ok with this as He was.
- Sacrifice will bring blessings - with hold nothing from the Lord
- 4 Things to remember:
- Listen carefully
- Look forward
- Laugh often
- Love deeply
Ruby has gotten in a habit of putting her first fingers and thumbs in her mouth (just one at a time). It happened really fast. I've only noticed she's been doing it for maybe 2 or 3 months, but not that much. But in the last couple of weeks it's become all the time. She can't keep them out. It was starting to worry me and then I remember the Mavala Stop gross fingernail polish we used with Aaron that made him stop sucking his thumb. So I ordered it on Amazon and we got started. I thought it would be quick and easy because she hasn't been doing it very long, but that habit was so strong! She's had a really hard time keeping her fingers out. And she wakes up crying at night and she's grumpier in the day. She threw up the first day because she sucked on that gross taste so much. Then she'd just drool and whine a lot because she'd forget and put her finger in her mouth and get the taste in there. And that taste doesn't really go away until you eat something. Today is the third day and she's finally getting a little better at it. Poor little girl. But I know she'll be sick all winter if we don't get rid of that habit.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
September 16, 2012
Last week was full of YW meetings so I missed writing here. We're getting into our fall routine. Soccer started for the boys this week and gymnastics for Seth and Ruby. Rachel's tennis will start in 2 weeks.
I've done preschool with Seth four times now. It's getting better and better. The first couple of times he had a really hard time following and listening. But he's starting to get the routine better and he's really liking it. I'm so glad he's home with me and I get to teach him and can tailor it just to his needs. I think if I'd sent him to preschool he may have been "that kid" who can't sit still and work along with the rest of the class. I'd hate for him to fail because I started him too early. He's been doing gymnastics for a while too and still has a hard time remembering to follow directions. But I think giving him this year at home and with gymnastics and hopefully a playgroup, he should do great at preschool next year.
I found someone at BYU who is donating his time to help with the United Way website. I'm so excited about that. He's so knowledgeable and will be a great resource even after he's done with the projects he's helping with. I've gotten so far behind because of big projects and not enough time and summer vacation. It'll be nice to be able to work an hour a day again and not feel guilty about it.
I've been working on getting us a little healthier. I've been trying to add beans to our meals more. The kids are taking it pretty well. We also are making a "Shrek" smoothie every day. (It's almost all spinach). It's been fun finding good, healthier recipes.
I'm still struggling with our budget. There just isn't quite enough coming in for our wants. Like this month, we just bough $100 of plants because our backyard needed it and they were on sale. And we spent $75 to go to the UNLV football game because it's so fun to go there with our kids. Both were good things, but they didn't fit in our budget before we did them. I have such a hard time with those decisions. I've got to work harder on it. We did have a perfect night watching football and our pool area looks really good now, though :).
Bob and I went to see Wicked last night. It was incredible. We had such a great time. We'd heard such good things about it and we both were very impressed. It was a fun date.
I had a realization about myself this week. My patriarchal blessing says I have the gift of discernment between good and evil. So I've had a pretty easy time with a lot of the church's teachings. Lots of things seem so black and white to me and it's easy to make the good choice. And I can feel when the spirit is with me or when it leaves. But I've had a really hard time in my life learning how to hear direction from the spirit. I thought it was like that for most people, and maybe it is for lots, but I realized it's easy for some people. Which makes sense, I just hadn't thought of it before. But the good thing is that I feel like I've taken this thing that I didn't have much natural talent in and I've made it a strength. I definitely can do much better, but I know how to access the guidance I need now. I love it. It's still hard sometimes and a lot of work.
Some of the methods I use to find the Spirit's direction are
I've done preschool with Seth four times now. It's getting better and better. The first couple of times he had a really hard time following and listening. But he's starting to get the routine better and he's really liking it. I'm so glad he's home with me and I get to teach him and can tailor it just to his needs. I think if I'd sent him to preschool he may have been "that kid" who can't sit still and work along with the rest of the class. I'd hate for him to fail because I started him too early. He's been doing gymnastics for a while too and still has a hard time remembering to follow directions. But I think giving him this year at home and with gymnastics and hopefully a playgroup, he should do great at preschool next year.
I found someone at BYU who is donating his time to help with the United Way website. I'm so excited about that. He's so knowledgeable and will be a great resource even after he's done with the projects he's helping with. I've gotten so far behind because of big projects and not enough time and summer vacation. It'll be nice to be able to work an hour a day again and not feel guilty about it.
I've been working on getting us a little healthier. I've been trying to add beans to our meals more. The kids are taking it pretty well. We also are making a "Shrek" smoothie every day. (It's almost all spinach). It's been fun finding good, healthier recipes.
I'm still struggling with our budget. There just isn't quite enough coming in for our wants. Like this month, we just bough $100 of plants because our backyard needed it and they were on sale. And we spent $75 to go to the UNLV football game because it's so fun to go there with our kids. Both were good things, but they didn't fit in our budget before we did them. I have such a hard time with those decisions. I've got to work harder on it. We did have a perfect night watching football and our pool area looks really good now, though :).
Bob and I went to see Wicked last night. It was incredible. We had such a great time. We'd heard such good things about it and we both were very impressed. It was a fun date.
I had a realization about myself this week. My patriarchal blessing says I have the gift of discernment between good and evil. So I've had a pretty easy time with a lot of the church's teachings. Lots of things seem so black and white to me and it's easy to make the good choice. And I can feel when the spirit is with me or when it leaves. But I've had a really hard time in my life learning how to hear direction from the spirit. I thought it was like that for most people, and maybe it is for lots, but I realized it's easy for some people. Which makes sense, I just hadn't thought of it before. But the good thing is that I feel like I've taken this thing that I didn't have much natural talent in and I've made it a strength. I definitely can do much better, but I know how to access the guidance I need now. I love it. It's still hard sometimes and a lot of work.
Some of the methods I use to find the Spirit's direction are
- brainstorm questions and topics I need help with
- brainstorm answers
- PRAY lots
- narrow down my brainstormed list and try the ones I think I should do. Or sometimes the Spirit just tells me which one first
- Pay attention to my thoughts and notice things that pop in my mind
- The spirit guides me as I show Him I really want an answer and I'm willing to work for it.
- Write down every priesthood blessing
- Really pay attention at conference and stake conference.
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