Turkey Tales

Claire has been making a few Thanksgiving crafts in her kindergarten class. Once a week I volunteer and help with some of the "centers" that they rotate to- so I see the different kids and how they do in class. Well, last week I was emptying Claire's backpack and pulled out the turkey that they had colored. Each part of the turkey was labeled with a color and that's the color they were supposed to color it. Claire had her name written on the bottom of the paper and it was beautiful! The coloring was so good! I hung it on the fridge and was proud of her because I had seen how some of the other kids colored their turkeys. I was going to scan it in to show- but having computer/scanner problems. (Hate my computer.)

She came in a few hours later and saw it on the fridge and just got a little mischevious grin on her face. I asked her what the grin was for and she walked over and took the turkey picture off of the fridge. She quietly said "Well, I didn't really color it." I said "What do you mean? Your name is on it?" She replied "Well, a mom colored this one. I put my name on this one and left mine in the tote tray." So she took the one that was the "example" and left hers in it's place. I just laughed and shook my head.

Today: she brought home a turkey that was made out of construction paper. They glued the different colored feathers on it. Then on each feather they wrote different things they were thankful for. She was telling me what she wrote on them....

1: McDonald's (I asked her what she meant by this thinking maybe it was our family. Oh no- she said Yeah, cuz I love the food at McDonald's.Top of the list- just dandy.)

2: brothers

3: sister (she may know something we don't I guess.)

4: grandma

5: grandpa

6: aunt

Notice there is no mention of mom and dad on there....

The Priesthood Is Restored!

Spence's priesthood was restored Sunday evening! Our Stake President met with him and he had permission from the First Presidency to restore his blessings. It was so spiritual and special. I felt soooo privileged to have been able to be included. The Stake President said that he's not even allowed to invite his counselors in for it. The spirit was so strong- of course, we all needed tissues! We (I) have been waiting so long for this to happen. Spence will get his temple recommend this week and we are planning on attending the temple together on Saturday! Yay!

During the meeting, the Stk President reminded Spence how much Heavenly Father loves him and remembers his sins no more. He read Doctrine and Covenants 58:42 "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." Now that his blessings have been restored, his dates of being baptized, receiving priesthood and temple endowment are his original dates that they happened. How cool is that?

Last night for Family Home Evening, we talked about the priesthood and blessings we can receive from it. Spence then had his first opportunity to give each of his children a father's blessing- and me one also. The spirit could be felt in our home. The kids were all so touched. It meant a lot to them. Logan said he even started crying during my blessing. It was such a great experience- one that I will cherish forever.

We are going to try and hold out until December to be sealed as a family so that some of Spence's siblings can be here. I was telling Claire that we can go to the temple and be sealed so we can be together forever as a family. She says "So we go everywhere together?" I said "What do you mean?" She said "Like when you go cater and stuff, we all go?" Ha ha ha- No. That is definitely not what that means. :-)

The Stork Will Be Coming!

Well, as many of you already know from my Facebook post, I am PREGNANT! What the h*** am I doing? Claire just starts school and I have to start over? I was washing dishes last week while kids were at school thinking "Man, this peace and quiet is so nice." Nine months from now I will be reminiscing on that moment of peace and quiet.

Spence and I "mentioned" to each other that maybe we should have one more. My eggs perked right up. (Along with other things....Ha! Couldn't resist, sorry.) I have been blessed with fertility. I had only been off of the pill for about 6 weeks. So this was a bit of a surprise.

To tell Spence the "news," I bought a couple of little onesies and put in a gift bag, along with the positive pregnancy test. (One of the 6 I took.) This happened to be a day where Spence was out and about with meetings. I kept trying to track him down without trying to raise any concern. I finally told him that Claire really wanted to see him and she had something for him. He asked "Is it that important?" So, in the Subway parking lot clear in Draper, I handed him the gift bag. Claire kept asking me why I would give dad such a crazy present. (I hadn't told her the news.) Spence took out the onesies and had a confused look on his face. I told him to look in the bottom of the bag. He was surprised, but happy. Then he said "Claire! Mom is having a baby!" I think Claire went into shock. She went into Subway and just sat at the table and got really quiet. Then the excitement set in. She is so happy. She is already touching my stomach. I keep telling her it's my normal stomach. On the way home from Subway, Claire says "We're gonna have to buy wipes, diapers, stroller, clothes, carrier, crib..." THANKS CLAIRE! Thanks for reminding me how much money this is gonna cost.....

Nathan has it all figured out. He said while this new baby is in the annoying, teasing years- he will be on his mission. Then when he gets home he will be in college. How scary that I will have a son in college and one just starting in school! What is wrong with that picture??

Spence blames all of this on Jen and Emily and their constant harrassment of when we are going to have another one. He just doesn't want to take any responsibility in this. He needs to face that fact that it is entirely all his fault. :-)

Okay- so I'm sure all of this sounds negative, but I am a bit excited. Not excited to get big and fat and not excited for the actual delivery and all the pain that follows. But, excited to bring another cute child into our family. (At least I hope it's cute....)

First Day of School (Better Late than Never...)

Claire started Kindergarten this year! She is in the morning class and seems to love it so far. It has been nice on our relationship to have the few hour break each day. We have been getting along so well lately. Claire has been very attached to me and doesn't want to play with friends- just wants to hang out with mom. I guess I better enjoy it while it lasts.... I think she is the tallest in her class. There was one or two boys that might be her same height.

Logan started 2nd grade this year! Wow- they grow so fast. So far he is doing great and getting homework done and is actually not fighting me when it comes to reading. Hopefully he will catch up with his reading level this year. He loves his teachers- Mrs. Finch and Mrs. Nickerson. They team teach the class- one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

And, Nathan started 8th grade this year. Of course, I don't have first day pictures of him. Totally forgot! He probably wouldn't have let me take them anyway. He is doing well in school so far. He decided to stay playing percussion in band. Almost changed his schedule, but his band teacher talked him out of it. Said he was one of her hardest workers and hated to lose him. I think it was the added boost of confidence that he needed to continue with it.

I am glad for school to be back in session. Course I seem to be filling the car with gas more often....but I love having a few hours of quiet time during the day.

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms

I finished reading this book and just wanted to make a short post about it. I loved it! It was so refreshing to read something that is so positive about being a stay-at-home mom and it made me feel so good about being one. So many of the things Dr. Laura talked about validated some of the feelings I often have with staying at home. (I'm just a maid, I don't contribute income, I'm around kids all day...etc.)

I know there are many viewpoints and opinions on working vs. staying at home and I say to do what's best for each situation. Myself- I am so grateful to stay at home with my children. Even though it is so difficult sometimes, I wouldn't give it up for anything. I have been busy the past few weeks with the catering company I work for. I worked 3 days last week and am working 4 days this week. I love getting out and being around "adults" but let me tell ya- it's been hard! I don't know how working moms do it. It is so difficult to take care of kids, house and work at same time.

Anyway, just wanted to share and recommend the book. If anyone wants to borrow it- just let me know. :-)

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

Spence, Nathan and I had the opportunity to attend one of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedications at the temple last Friday. (President Monson's birthday.) It was such an amazing event and I feel so blessed to have been able to attend. We were seated in one of the endowment rooms. The speakers were amazing and had great words of wisdom. Of course, made me feel guilty for not going to the temple more often. So I am determined to make it a higher priority in my life. The music was so beautiful and the Spirit was very strong. Spence filled up his white hankerchief with tears before the Hosanna shout even started. :-)

When it was over, the usher stood by our exit to hold us off for a minute from leaving. Our room was right by the elevator. The usher told us the Prophet was coming. We were in the back row of the room so right when Spence peaked his head out to look, President Monson peaked in to say hello to everyone. He shook Spence's hand. Spence was elated. The elevator was taking forever so we got to spend a few minutes only feet from a Prophet of God, along with an Apostle and President Uchtdorf. What amazing men they are. It was an experience I will never forget and will treasure forever.

As I was sitting in the endowment room waiting for the dedication to begin I couldn't help but feel so blessed to live where I do and to have these opportunities that so few people have. I have had the chance to see two new temples built and attend open houses, volunteer in one of the open houses, take part in the Youth Temple Celebration at the Conference Center and attend a temple dedication in the temple. What a great year it has been! And I have a feeling that it will end with my family being sealed in the temple. :-)

Queen Claire

All of my posts seem to be about Claire lately- this one is no different.

Claire has been living like a Queen lately in the mornings. She is so spoiled. Every morning between 6 and 7am I hear this loud "Mom!!" She refuses to come to my room to let me know what she wants. So I have to drag myself out of bed to meet her needs. It's either a drink, something to eat (yes- breakfast snack in bed), or my favorite: "Mom, will you pull my covers up on me?" I just shake my head and think of how ridiculous it is.

Well, a few nights ago I decided that I was going to end this habit. So as we laid in bed I rehearsed with her what to do if she needed a drink- simply reach over to the nightstand and get the cup of water herself. Then I pulled her covers downs and taught her how to pull them up herself. "Now Claire, when you wake up in the middle of the night and your covers are down- what do you do? Do you call for mom or do it yourself?" She showed me how she could do it on her own. Yay!

That next morning at 7am I hear "Mom!" ARGH! So I stumble into her room- her covers are pulled up and she has a grin on her face."

"What do you need Claire?"

"Look! I pulled the covers up all by myself." All I could do was laugh and think I GIVE UP! :-)