Our Newest Source of Contention

Well, my mother bought us a new Yorkie for Christmas. (Don't freak- she called us first to make sure it was okay.) I guess we were caught in a moment of weakness because we said yes- we would take the puppy. He wasn't delivered until 2 days after Christmas. We told the kids about him on Christmas day and showed them a picture. They all screamed in excitement!

On the way to pick him up on Sunday, there was much discussion (aka...fighting) on what to name the new dog. Here are some of the names suggested...
1. Ace
2. Pepsi (don't know who suggested that one...)
3. Koda
4. Obi Won Konobi
5. Bubba
6. Captain Rex
7. Yoda
and I can't remember the rest...

And the winner was: Simon. I guess it seemed appropriate since the kids were playing Simon Says on the way there.

On the ride home there was much fighting on who got to hold the puppy. Naturally, Princess Claire won because she could scream, kick and cry the loudest. Simon has become her new obsession. She carries him around all day. He slept in her room in his crate. She awoke me at 7am to let me know Simon was awake. Let me tell you how fun it was standing outside in the cold in my jammies trying to get the dog to go potty. It is so cold out there that he just freezes up and stands there. So, the potty training is not going so well. Simon is not allowed to walk on my carpet. I don't think he even knows how to walk anyway since he doesn't get much of a chance. I don't need to have a new baby- just a puppy!

Wacky Prego Dreams

Well, I have had a few strange dreams during this pregnancy so far. Here is the latest:
I dreamed that I gave birth to a beautiful little girl. She came out of the womb with a cute, dark haired "bob" haircut, a full set of teeth and could already say "Mama." I went to nurse her and saw the full set of teeth and said "No Way! I will have no part of nursing..." For some reason, we called her Lulu.

There were only two good parts of that wacky dream- it was a girl and she had dark hair.


(I swear- I have not been reading Breaking Dawn recently.)

Peanut Chicken

Here's what I made for dinner the other night that went over pretty well and was very simple to make. I found it in Rachel Ray magazine.

2/3 c chunky peanut butter (I used creamy)
1 c shredded carrots
1 lb cubed chicken breast
1 bunch chopped scallions
brown rice

In small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup water with the peanut butter. In skillet, heat 1/4 cup EVO-oil over med high heat. Add chicken and cook til not pink- 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. In same skillet, cook the carrots and 1/2 cup chopped scallion whites over med high heat 30 seconds. Stir in peanut mixture. Return chicken and its juices to pan and cook, stirring until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Top with 1/4 cup scallion greens and serve over brown rice. Easy Peasy. :-)

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! :-)

Toilet Talk

I was laying in bed with Claire the other night when we had this conversation:

"Mom, are you done growing?"

"Yes Claire, I am."

"Is Dad done growing?"

"Yes, he is. (pause) Well, I guess I could grow fatter....or skinnier."

Claire began to pat my arm lovingly and said "I will still love you no matter what."

"Ah, thanks Claire."

Then after a few moments she says "But if you were fatter it would be easier to sit on the toilet because you wouldn't fall in."

So glad she can find something positive about getting fatter. :-)

Father Sons Campout

Little slow with getting things posted.... Our ward had their annual Father Sons Campout in June. Spence hates to camp so it's always a struggle to get him to go. I bought an air mattress for him and they just took out the back seats of the Sequoia and slept in there. All of the boys took their airsoft guns and the "big boys" took their guns. I wasn't too pleased about that, but everyone survived. Nathan even survived almost falling right into the fire while running from the Bishop in the dark playing "Capture the Flag." Here are some pics from the campout thanks to Bro. John Castleberry.

This is the modern day "Circling the Wagons."

I think we need to have an annual Mother Daughters campout. We could start out with manicures and pedicures. Take a trip to the spa- then out for a little tea at the Grand America downtown. Top it off with a suite there.....guess that's probably not in the ward budget. :-)

The Cheetos Girls and Other Summer Fun

We have spent a lot of time at the swimming pools this summer. Some of my cousins came and spent a few days with us and the kids had a blast playing with them.

Here's my cousin Belle, Claire, and friend Malia at the pool enjoying some Cheetos.

This is my cousin Nick and Logan. The new thing to pass time at my house is to set up the cars, helicopters and army men in the front flower bed. Guess it makes an awesome jungle. :-)

This is at the Murray swimming pool. Claire and my great-nephew Lucas.

Nathan enjoying the diving board.

Logan and Claire at the Murray Pool. They love the waterslide there.

I can't believe there's only another month of summer left for us! I'm sure I will be ready for school to start though. :-)

Finally A Post!

After like forever- I am finally taking the time to catch up on some posts. First is Girls Night Out. The boys had their Father/Sons Campout at the end of June. Claire and I, along with my friend Coby and her daughter and niece, went to the Arts Festival downtown. Claire had fun painting and making little crafts.

After about 30 minutes being there it started to cloud up and get really dark. Then there were a few little raindrops....then all of sudden it was a HUGE downpour. Oh my goodness did we get soaked! We were running for the car. I've never seen raindrops that big. Claire was having a cow and was so worried about the boys being out camping. (They didn't get rained on at all BTW.) Claire just kept saying she needed to just go home and that she needed a nice warm shower. Our car was only parked about 2 blocks from the festival and this is what we looked like:

Right when we got home we took that nice warm shower, got in our cozy jammies and played some card games in bed. It ended up being a nice quiet evening together.



FLOWERS!


A few weeks ago, Claire and I spent the afternoon together planting some flowers. Claire picked them out and had fun helping put them in the pots. She had on quite the "gardening" outfit. :-)

I love my Claire!

Claire's Photography

I finally took the time to download pictures from my digital camera and found that half of them were pictures Claire had taken of her baby dolls. Different dolls, different poses. There were about 50 different picturess, but I won't post all of them. :-) So for all of my photography friends out there- watch out! You might have some competition on your hands! LOL

Then there were some old ones on there that she and Macy took. (Paige is the one in the elephant mask.)

(Notice how Paige is holding the cat- tightly around the neck- the way a cat should be held. j/k)

Disciplinary Action Taken

Mother's Day started out great. Spence ironed all of the church clothes and got up and got ready for church first so that he could get kids ready. I was able to stay in bed longer. Nathan brought me breakfast in bed- scrambled eggs, pancake, toast and diet pepsi. After church I was surprised by Spence with a picture with Christ and children in it for my front room that I have been coveting at Deseret Book. (Is it okay to covet a picture of Christ?) I had no idea that he had bought it for me. I was excited to finally have something to hang on the bare wall.

By the time we left for Sunday dinner at my in-laws, I was a frazzled nervous wreck. Nathan and Logan were just at each other all afternoon. Constantly fighting and screaming with one another. So I told them they were grounded to each other the next day and that I would be tying them together with a rope and they would learn to get along. If they undid the rope, they'd get another day. All afternoon and evening they were stuck with each other. It was AWESOME! They had to learn to compromise when one of them wanted to do something. They had to sit by each other to do homework, eat dinner, etc. Poor Nathan got the bad end of the deal I think though. He got stuck waiting outside the bathroom door while Logan did his "number." Logan takes a LONG time on the toilet. Plus to make it even better- he "tooted" on the way into the bathroom so Nate got stuck standing there in the smell. LOL

Monday ended up being a very peaceful day with hardly any screaming and fighting with the boys. Now I have something to threaten them with. :-)

(Yes, that is a Clone Trooper Halloween costume on Logan. He is obsessed with Star Wars. He's always wearing that thing. He wishes he had "the force" so bad. I was in his classroom last week when it was Show-N-Tell. He said his was a "talking" one. He got up and announced that he knew ALL of the clone troopers names. All of the first graders were quite impressed....)

Proud Mom

Nathan had to write a "passion poem" for his honors english class. He brought it home to show me. His teacher gave him 15 points out of 10 possible. Her comments written on the poem were this: "Can I have a copy? Powerful imagery and message! Great job! Wonderful!"

So as a mom- of course I have to share his poem.


Never stopping;
Moving;
Flowing forever in an eternal cycle.
Water, ice, rain;
The beginning of life.
Bringing joy and pain.
Sleet, hail, snow.
Falling;
Rising to bring life to the world.
Oceans, lakes, streams;
Glaciers, frost;
Water.

~By Nathan McDonald

"Dirty" Little Secrets

So- I am airing out my "dirty" little secrets- all of the clutter in my house! I have been making a "spring cleaning" list in the back of my mind. It seems to be getting longer and more overwhelming the more I look around my house.

How does THIS happen??



This is the top drawer of our TV stand in the front room. It is crammed so full of books that I swear one of these times it's going to break when opened because it is so heavy. And I know I've cleaned it out a million times...



Below is my kitchen closet/pantry. The mess and disorganization of it is all consuming.
"Just shut the door and walk away..."


Here is below my bathroom sink. Open doors and throw it in. I'm sure there's some body sprays and half used lotions and soaps buried in there from Y2K.

Aahh...the neverending ironing pile. Some day I will get all those clothes ironed. Problem is- then I have to find room to hang them in my closet.

Speaking of closets....this is Logan's closet. I swear a Tazmanian Devil attacked it. I bought nice containers to sort out the different types of toys. At one time (about a year ago) it was nice and neat. Now there are legos, army guys, Happy Meal toys, crap, crap and more crap thrown everywhere. Once again...shut the door and walk away.

Now could anyone tell me how it is possible to find anything in this drawer? It's Claire's sock/tights/swimsuit drawer. Ugh- totally disgusting.

This is the cupboard I hate the most in my kitchen. If I need anything out of it- it's a 10 minute process because EVERYTHING falls out.

Now that I've gotten some of my clutter out in the open I'm sure that some of you are shaking your heads in disgust. (And I didn't even share a photo of our "junk drawer.") I wouldn't blame you- I shake my own head in disgust- and then I take a valium and turn on the TV. :-)

Question: Do any of you "spring clean" every year- if so, what do you do? Any time consuming tips and tips on how not to get overwhelmed? And if you don't- then please tell me so I don't feel so alone.