Saturday, August 22, 2009

Random Summer pictures

Lizzy

Meliah

Lizzy first sparklers by herself

Meliah, Grace and Lizzy

At Kerri and Alex's home with their cousin, Alexa

Alexa and Christian have a bond. They both love music!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. I really can't even begin to explain how wonderful she is. Her life has been so full of service it is incredible. Now you find her at the temple, the geneology library or doing geneology at home, entertaining or supporting grandkids in all their events, and researching politics (writing letters to congressmen, oposing things that will make things harder on her grandchildren). She is one of the hardest workers you will ever find. The other day she said, "I think I've come to realize I need to just stop lifting heavy things." Well, you think! She also organizes all of our family trips and has gotten quite good at it. We have had some amazing travel experiences.

We am so grateful for her! Happy Birthday Momita!

Mom as a young mother about 40 years ago! She was probably pregnant with me at the time.

Mom with all of her grandchildren about 10 years ago. Christian was the baby at the time.

Mom with my girls at Disneyland this summer!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Something to do on a hot day!

Meliah started school last week and Christian doesn't start until August 31st. Unfortunately, this week has started off pretty hot so Christian and Lizzy have had a lot of play time in the house. I just had to share this picture because it cracks me up sometimes what kids come up with. Lizzy wanted to play dress up with Christian and this is what they came up with. This was Christian's compromise. I am grateful that he will play with his little sister and she sure does love her big brother.
Oh, and if we have too much fun these next couple of weeks we'll get in trouble with Meliah... so shhhh! Don't tell her!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Meliah's 1st day of school

Meliah on her first day of school.

With her teacher, Mrs. Barrow

With 2 of her good friends, Calissa and Alex

Meliah started school yesterday and was surrounded by great friends! She was so thrilled to be back and to have Mrs. Barrow as her teacher.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

My Manicure!

So, I decided to go a get a manicure this week. I've only done it one other time in my life and thought I would do it too since the girls had done it. Well, everything was going just fine except for that the Oriental women in the salon were talking and laughing in their language. It felt like they we talking about me and my children. Grandma was in there too and felt exactly the same way. But that's not the story! The lady started putting lotion on my arms and hands (which was great). The wierdest part was that she started punching me super hard on my shoulder and down my arm with her fist. I was shocked, was she mad at me for something? I mean, these were like the slugs you get from a big brother right in the shoulder that really smart! I looked at the kids faces and their eyes were really wide. Like they were saying, "why is that lady hitting my mommy?" I couldn't take it anymore and told her it hurt so she eased up a bit. I'm totally bruised on my right shoulder from her... I'm not that wimpy of a person, but wow! Afterwards I thought, "maybe I was on candid camera or Howdy Do it!" It would have been an awesome episode if not because I'm sure our expressions and reactions were pretty funny! Has this kind of thing ever happened to anyone else? Is this customary for a manicure?

Random happenings of the week

The girls got to go with Grandma in her cool car to get their nails done.

Lizzy loves her nails so much she didn't want to get her nails wet in the bathtub for fear it might come right off.

Meliah with her blue nails. She even stopped biting her nails in preparation for this manicure day. There's just something about girls and how they get about makeup and nails at a pretty early age. I was exactly the same way! Loved it and still love it!

I thought I better share something Christian loves a ton too or at least I think he does cuz he's always doing it (my boy just doesn't get super excited about much). Christian loves Legos and can often be found creating new types of airplanes and cars or some random vehicle. He has them all over his room and just doesn't want to ruin any of his creations!

Meliah was able to be in a play last week "The Pied Piper"

She loved it so much! She is such a great little sport about everything

Aaron's 35th Birthday cake (ice cream cake as per his request)

Dinner at Hula's for his birthday dinner! Leftovers were good too.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Happy Happy Birthday Aaron Dear!

35 Years! Man does he ever look great. He is such a great father and husband. We are so grateful for him and the way he was raised, and that he is a part of our lives!
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Families are Forever!

Families are Forever!
What a great blessing

I sure do love my family!

I sure do love my family!

Our 3 little ones!

Our 3 little ones!
We have been so blessed!!!

My parenting plan!!

I have been thinking a lot lately of what I need to teach my kids to help them become independant physically, spiritually and mentally so when they turn 18 they will be able to survive on their own. The last 9 years has flown by so quickly I can't believe it. Nine more years and my first child will be old enough to be on his own. That is a real wake up call for a mother who hasn't prepared her children for those important days. I realize that I have gone on way to long without a list of what needs to be learned and done by what age so that my kids will not be horrified when they get out into the world alone. So, I've come up with a list of most everything I can think of that would be important for my kids to know and learn and what ages they should be capable. Of course, every child is different and is capable of different things at different ages. Some learn things faster and are more motivated. Others would like to just live in the home cave for the rest of their lives and have no motivation to do any of it. So, I am including my fairly flexible plan. But if you let too many years slip by, you may need to up the work to fit everything in. I got most of my ideas from a very experienced LDS author (Merilee Boyack) who has raised several children successfully! So, hopefully you find this as helpful as I do!