Sunday, January 25, 2009

A Day of Rest?

Sundays have proven to be a day of frustration to me. Things always seem to go wrong.
I am rushing in the morning because I don’t set my alarm.. After all, it’s Sunday, and church doesn’t start till 10am!

The kids are always grumpy.( Probably because I am rushing them) Church is nice but when we get home I am thrown right back into chaos mode.
We are all hungry and usually grumpy-again.
Sam cooks a great meal (I love him for that!), we eat and I have a huge mess to clean up. This is when I wish my kids were old enough to have dish duty. I just want a day off. After all, isn’t Sunday a day of rest?

This is where my problem with Sunday begins....It’s NOT a day of rest!

The kids are loud and crazy in our little house because they just sat through 3 hours of church. I am telling them ALL day to calm down, stay quiet, or go play outside. (Even if it it FREEZING out there!)

I just want a day to relax myself, but if I relax then the house goes to shambles!!!! How does a mother rest on Sundays?

Week after week I find myself in the same situation. Resentment sets in when I see my husband rightfully enjoying his “Sunday nap” and every need from each child is addressed to ME.

We’ve been in the house for a few hours and each room has already been visited by the Tasmanian Devil! And as soon as I leave the kitchen one child is sure to be hungry...again!

What would it be like to sit down with a book or even a few inspiring thoughts? Perhaps my day will come?
Why not sooner than later? After a typical frustrating evening Sam helped me realize why I struggle with Sunday.

Our wise Prophet, President Monson, has said: “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Well, that sums up my Sunday efforts. I basically wake up Sunday morning just waiting to be let down.
A day of rest can be accomplished in my home if I put a little bit more effort into it.

Every other day of the week I have a schedule. Failing to plan for Sunday takes away any possibility for rest.
So begins my journey to find rest on my day of Sabbath. Any suggestions?

Friday, January 23, 2009

Sick Day with Buzz Lightyear

In desperation I had Toy Story babysit my child today. It worked like a charm. Jace hasn’t watched the movie until yesterday (another sick day) and loved Buzz! So, today I pulled out the Buzz Lightyear costume Jarom loved so much. Jace’s face lit up! It made todays re-run of the movie even more magical!
I absolutely LOVE it when my kids pretend to be characters! I tried really hard to stay awake to watch him run around the house in his own, very magical, world. I dozed off with a smile on my face. He is such a fun boy!
My head isn’t too happy today. (a-a-a-achoo!)

If you look closely you can see his manly milk mustach!
In frustration he came to me saying: "My wings can't work like Buzz Lightyears do!" As he jumps off the couch and falls to the floor. "See, they don't keep me up like him!"

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Family Home Evening with the Elders



My Family Home Evening lesson was about missionaries so I thought they would be wonderful object lessons.
We role played "A day as a Missionary" and had each kid team up with an Elder and knock on the door. Sometimes we let them in, other times we didn't. The kids loved it. They were able to see what they really do and participate in the message they would share. The Elders even let them wear their name tags. (My paper ones weren't doing it for them)





This is lesson is going right into the REPEAT file!

The following Sunday Jennica(5) brought a friend from school to church with her.

Tid Bit Cold!!

We had some beautiful Snow days last week. I couldn't help myself, I had to go out and take some pictures.
(Which might explain my drooling eyes, pounding head, and faucet nose right now! )




















Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast

Today I ate chocolate cake for breakfast, played with number magnets, play dough and puzzles. I booked a trip to Disneyland, haven’t changed out of my smurfette pajamas, and chewed bubble gum all day. Am I the only 30 year old mom that does stuff like this?
I haven’t even left the house since Christmas Eve! That’s 14 days ago folks!!! (I did leave to go to church 2x)
I LOVE being at home! A successful day for me is a full day at home.
I seem to be more productive if I know I don’t have anywhere to go or be. Before Christmas I must have allowed the clock rule my life. Before doing anything I had to check the time or I was keeping an eye on it counting down the seconds when the older kids would be home. Why?? I really needed a break from routine to calm down. I feel so much better now that Christmas is behind me. I had a wonderful Christmas, don’t get me wrong. I think it was the expectation I put on myself about it all.
Christmas Break was wonderful. It was LOW KEY!! (like I mentioned before- I didn’t leave the house) We filled the days with reading and board games. The new family favorite is Pictureka. Everyone right down to Jace loved it.
Sam and I were like teenagers again. Once the kids went down for bed our late night party began!
We’d pull out desserts, munchies, drinks and either watch a movie or play a board game till the wee-hours of the morning. Getting back to school schedules was a killer! Just like getting back into shape will be. (ugh)

08 went out Great. I wonder what the new year has in store for me.....


Buy it, your kids will love it.

December happenings in pictures

I didn't blog much during the holidays. We had so much fun doing NOTHING!
Sam was home for 16 days straight!!! That hasn't happened...well, EVER! Within those 16 days we
celebrated our 10 year anniversary, Sam's birthday, Christmas, and New Years. Can you say JUNK FOOD!?
Each mouthful was justified!
I don't want to try to give details of all the fun. Let me just post pictures and say games, games, games,
yum,yum,yum, and is it morning already?


Jen's picture for 12 days (11 stamped picture)


Sam finished the Joseph Smith book!
We LOVE the Whos your Hero Books!!!! Highly Recommended! Thanks Gma Trena!


Sleepy Princess


Revealing to our Neighbor we were "Santa's Helpers" for the 12 Days of Christmas. (She requested we reveal ourselves so she could give the kids gifts. She knew all along it us...very obvious)


Christmas loot


Too much excitement!


Nerf Wars!!!


Jen is upset she is such a great target!






I Love this picture! What studs!


Yeah, I know how you feel!




again?? Jace hasn't lived long enough to build up immunity to sleep.


yes, that's Sam on the top bunk! They never thought to look there for him. Good hiding spot to read.


I was thinking the same thing.


too cute. All by herself making angels. I took this picture from the window while on the phone. (little blurry)


this is how Jen plays Go Fish. She can't hold all the cards so she built a fort to protect them. (Notice Jarom oblivious to his show and tell)


watching the fire! I love our fireplace!!!




Hide and seek.


they said they were playing Trick or Treat.


I love my crazy kids!