Up and Coming Ice Rink

This morning, as I took to carpool, it was 47 degrees in the garage, and as we left down the street we watched the dial go down degree by degree and we cheered it on as we auctioned off the lowest bet to the kids in the car. Joseph called the 1 degree bid. I bid 4 degrees, Mel was 6, The lowest it went on our drive was 1 degree so Joseph won. That's cold.

It was nice enough fall weather on Monday. Corey had been scheming and planning for a week or so to build an ice rink on our neighbor's property. Monday seemed like the perfect opportunity before the storm to get the dirt ready, but then the person who as going to lend his truck bailed out, and then it snowed. Corey, not one to be deterred by freezing temperatures, arranged for another truck to help him haul the machine from the Home Depot, and has been outside all day (since 7 a.m.) working whatever magic is needed for one to make an ice rink. He hasn't been answering his calls. The kids all went over to check it out after they got home from school. I just barely had a chance to go over too but it looks like I just missed the action. I guess the group went off to return the tiller? I was able to snap a picture in the dusk

 That is dirt that has been made flat.

Soon to be an ice rink. Corey is sure it will be a hit with the kids and I think he's right. He made an ice rink in his back yard one year when he was a kid. I told him the kids would like for him to make a tree house someday too. He said one thing at a time. A tree house would take a little more effort, and he might not have the free mental capacity to undertake such a task. But and ice rink is pretty easy and basic: water, cold temps, and flat dirt. And making dirt flat sounded easy enough to do. We'll keep you posted for the grand opening!

As for me, I'm still slowly but surely trying to follow the baby steps to get my life organized with the Change Your Life Challenge. Anybody want to join the challenge with me? You can get the book used on Amazon for like 1cent plus $3.99 shipping, so $4 bucks for a book isn't bad, right? Let's do it, or you can just check in here and I'll try to keep you posted on how the application of it's tips are going in our neck of the woods.

This and That

The great thing about losing a camera, is that when you find it, you can easily learn who was responsible for it being misplaced...

Ha! Caught you Abi! I shall need to re-emphasize the "Don't touch my camera" rule.

In other news, I've been busy this past week striving to establish life changing habits. In my quest to master my little dominion, I went searching for some cheap self help tips via the local thrift store's book section. I've got dinner and keeping a family financial record figured out, but I'm still greatly lacking in getting this household clean and running like a fine tuned machine. So I was at the DI just picking up any book that looked like it might have a gem of insight to impart, and I found two that hit the spot - this title sounded like just the kinda book I was looking for:  The Change Your Life Challenge by Brook Noel. I liked filling out my snapshot and getting my personalized prescription of where I needed to begin to manage things right now in my life. She recommends filling out the snapshot once a month once we start to get a handle on things, as for now I think I'll be busy with this snapshot for a few months. I also am loving the Catch All Notebook (aka CAN), because I am very guilty of writing reminders and notes to self on any old scrap anywhere and then not being able to find it. So it's been fun. I've got my "Active Task List" for today and so now that blog is checked off, I'm off to clean this desk.

Oh wait, one more book I loved from my thrift store finds - Bob Greene's "The Best Life Diet". Reading his "Hunger Scale" has made something click (which I hope I don't undo by preaching it here...) but the hunger scale, so simple it's silly: You eat if you're body says it's hungry (aka tummy growls and lets you know your body needs food) and you stop when you feel comfortably satisfied. Isn't that great and simple? Just keep yourself comfortable! Stop eating before you get uncomfortable (over eat and feel too full/stuffed/sick). Before this my brain had too many rules it was trying to follow: Eat every 3 hours! Eat 5-6 meals a day! Always have protein with carbs together! Never eat carbs and protein together! (via Food combining via Marilu, I have a soft spot for that one cause I did follow that faithfully for 2 years and that was the first book that helped me when I first lost weight in 2002 but as Brian Regan says, it does seem pretty ridiculous...I'm positive that's what the girl he was talking to was doing, cause that is how it's taught in the book - you can eat as much as you want if it's combined properly. anway... what other food advice is in my head?) How about "Have a protein shake right after your workout" (P90X advice there) Eat 6-11 servings of grains ("Just keep them a coming..." start at 3:06) yeah, too much input and I would take some of all of it. But the hunger scale, basic basic, and after a 3 month plateu with my weight it finally responded and went down, and that includes listening to my body via the hunger scale over Thanksgiving! Woot! I'll preach more about that at my little "lose the baby weight" blog.

One more last news - looks like Darth Vader made his debut last night on Studio C - go watch "Bad Boys Rap" -
Great episode last night as always, we love Studio C!

Thanksgiving Holiday Re-cap

We went with Corey's parents and siblings up to Park City for the Thanksgiving holiday. Corey had hoped it would snow and that we could go skiing, but there wasn't enough for him to feel the expense would be worth it. We still had a nice time. The kids enjoyed a short two days of hot tubbing and playing games. Corey's mom brought the supplies for the kids to make their annual candy turkeys again. Melodie, always a perfectionist with her artwork, created another masterpiece. 

Lily was a careful study also, though not as precise in her skill. It was cute to see her quietly at work.

Good job girls. Their brothers, however, seemed to excel more at the art of hunting turkeys.

There you can see Hyrum's got his spear toothpick ready to slay the turkey for his Thanksgiving feast.

Good job Hyrum, you're a good hunter and your turkey is officially dead with frosting guts oozing out and everything. You must be proud for being so tough against a poor defenseless candy turkey. 

We had a group family picture taken to commemorate the holiday. For the last pose of the shoot, instead of doing silly faces, Corey's mother broke out her stash of 'staches. The kids loved it. We all though Natalie made a very cute 'stache wear-er. She looked a little bit like the Lorax's baby.

 Her tongue went into hyperdrive trying to figure out what that big fuzzy thing on her face was...

They were wearing their mustaches the rest of the day ~ Wesley casually playing pool with a fluorescent yellow mustache on. Silly kids. 

It was a fun holiday, good memories. Corey and I feel so very thankful for our wonderful kids and family.

Lights At Temple Square

We went downtown to Temple Square tonight to see the lights. Since it wasn't cold and since there is no snow yet, even I decided to go. Natalie got lots of smiles from strangers passing by, love that little face!

So it was a full family outing. Corey and I kept counting to 9 a hundred times making sure we didn't have any kids lag behind. I (or one of the kids) have misplaced my camera, so Melodie documented the evening for us, thanks Mel. Here's one she took of the temple that I really liked ~

Sophia looked so cute in the stroller. She wasn't buckled in but had her hands turned out and holding on to the stroller frame. Hang on tight.

Where'd you get those big brown eyes, pretty girl?

We went to a choir concert and walked around looking at the thousands and thousands of lights and the different nativities.

It seems like each tree could be a galaxy of stars. Impressive, I wonder how they do it all?

It wasn't cold or too crowded since we got there early. It was a nice night and it's a great Christmas tradition. :)

Thanksgiving Proclamation

I love this Proclamation issued by George Washington in 1789 ~

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

#1 Fan

On date night last Friday night, Corey and I went to Kneaders. Natalie accompanied us. I couldn't find her official binki (the one with the strap that I can clip to her so it doesn't fall on the floor when she spits it out) so I grabbed a stray, only to find that I'd already had lots of strays in my purse, then I found her official binki in her carseat, so Natalie had lots of backup - definitely prepared for an emergency! As we were chatting after dinner, I watched her play with the binkis, then I played with them with her too and I discovered that her little finger fits nicely in the binki hole, isn't that cute?

 ~ Corey asked her "Are you ready for the big football game?"

Let's hear you cheer "We're Number One!"

Look at that cute little tongue...

Ok, that's all I'll share right now of the hundreds of pictures that I take of her each day.

She's my #1 fan, and I'm her biggest fan too!

Beholding Cottage Cheese

Earlier in the week, I sat Sophia down at the counter with a bowl of cottage cheese. I went to work at the computer and when I returned to check on her, she was quietly sitting and very earnestly attempting to put cottage cheese on her arm.

She was very serious about it. I wondered what was going on in that little head of hers. She was fully present with her cottage cheese...

After scooping a little spoonful of it on to her arm, she carefully swirled it around, perhaps painting with it or hydrating her skin? Was she just amazed with the texture or liked seeing the matter of clumps compared to the liquid?

I don't know, but it intrigued me and made me slow down to try and see what it was she was seeing... it's good to be still and to live in the now. And on top of that, the cottage cheese doubles as food!

So I enjoyed slowing down for that brief moment, I probably need to spend a bit more time being still and quieting my mind. I loved this BYU speech that was rebroadcast on Wednesday, especially her words about "being present". On Wednesday I drove Joseph to his band practice in Utah County. I took Natalie and Sophia, who both fell asleep on the drive down. After dropping Joseph off at 4:00, I just sat in the car and read and thought for an hour and a half, it was nice and refreshing. I was still and present. I made some plans regarding my schedule and our family's routine (which went along with another devotional talk that was rebroadcast yesterday about Time, need to review that one, it was good. I just love the devotionals, they are on tv each day at 11:00 and are usually part of my daily routine). Anyway, with our schedule we have to get together and make sure everyone gets done with homework and music earlier so little Sophi knows the day is winding down and we can get her to bed earlier... poor thing thinks we're torturing her when we have her lay down to bed ~ there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of little teeth. Although it does occasionally give me some time in the mornings to blog. It is now 9:30 a.m. and I'm going to go wake her up. I'm glad we have a break next week with Thanksgiving. Things are busy, but good. Life is good.

Good News Day

We had a good day today. The best news of the day was that Natalie had her 4th follow up ultrasound and she passed. Her left hip passed the 50% mark and so she's good to go harness free all day, hooray! She has to wear it at night for 3 more weeks and then we can burn it. Although seems sad to burn something that cost $175. (Ah, medical supplies... the harness seemed a wee bit over priced since it appears to be just a bunch of velcro and flannel sewn together. Anyway...) So I'm very happy and grateful that her hip made it. Ethan helped Natalie call dad to tell him the good news. Good job sweetie.

In other news, Kids Town is still going strong and keeping the kids all playing nicely in the basement - since it's unfinished, I guess it's like a blank canvas for their imagination. They were rearranging stuff all evening and setting up more shops. I got some lettuce boxes from Costco for them to use as desks, they were pretty excited. Gotta love cardboard.

Speaking of cardboard boxes, I also got this picture today from Studio C saying thanks for the love notes plastered all over the box that the Darth Vader costume was in. Could they tell that we love them?

Looks like they love us too :) ~The kids felt pretty special. The episode last night was really funny, my favorite was "Generationals" and the overall family favorite was "Diving Finals".

Kids Town Returns!

Last year, Ethan went to the Junior Achievement Biztown and inspired the kids to a game of Kids Town that kept them creative and busy for weeks. This year was Hyrum's turn to attend with his school class, and so Kids Town has returned to our basement once again and the kids are loving it! 

They're creating a bit more law and order this year with their own consitution, signed by all the citizens. 

Last year when the basement flooded, we had to tear out the carpet and so it's just been an empty room with boards and nails still around the edges of the room. I turned it into my little craft and paint area but that is no more. I gotta figure out a place to put my stuff now, cause they've made it clear that they don't ever EVER want Kids Town to be taken down, and I agreed that if they keep playing so amazingly nice and quietly like they did this weekend, I'm happy to appease them. So there's what's left of my stuff in the far corner, along with my frames of things that I'm waiting for inspiration on where to put them or what to do with them.

They only broke like 5 of my glass things as they worked. Again, I didn't get mad - if they are playing sweetly and nice, that is okay with me to sacrifice a few glass items. I even set up my own shoppe - I opened "Mom's Salon" cause they all needed to have their fingernail's trimmed. :)

Lily had a Stuffed animal store, Abi has a Toy Shop...

 Melodie opened an arcade.

 Hyrum runs the bank and is the DJ for the Radio station.

Wesley opened up an Art Studio again, so busy at work he can't even look up for a photo.

Ethan has taken over the role of Mayor and also runs a craft shop on the side.

He had a lot of homework over the weekend, and just did it as part of his Kid's Town work, which inspired them to open up a Library where they could get homework done if they didn't have room in their stores.

And some of the neighbors set up a flower shop with Sophi

 And a pet store (they brought in the guinea pigs for a day)

Anyway, it's just fun to watch them and I'm thinking I'll have my own "Town" of occumpations up here on the main floor that I'll go hire people to work for me - I'll start with a garbage man/waste management service, a laudromat owner, and a maid service, perhaps a restaurant, too. And we'll add a little Mom's Store side business where my employees can purchase their bread and butter. Good times.

Mop the Kitchen

Last night Sophi spilled grape juice all over the foor during dinner. We wiped it up with paper towels, but I didn't get around to washing it all off. Then today at lunch she spilled two glasses of milk... Abi and Lily didn't finish drinking their milk and left it for Sophi to play with. Apparently she got bored, and thus decided to try again to give me a reason to mop.

She sat there on the stool swinging her little leg back and forth to see if she could get it through the milk stream without getting dripped on. I did not cry over this spilled milk. I was glad for the excuse to make washing the floor the top priority on my to-do list. Thank you, you pretty girl.

So as I was cleaning it up, I was thinking once again of how I haven't found a good mop. I've tried the Swiffer route, the regular sponge mop, neither of those cut it. The one I use mostly right now is a dry/wet mop thing that I can wash in the laundry, it's pretty good, but if anyone has one they love, I'd love the recommendation. I usually take care of spills like these with old bath or hand towels, and try to wash the rest of the floor a bit before another emergency comes around to take top priority.

Baby Love

Natalie was fussing around one morning when I was taking carpool. When I came home, Corey was holding her and singing her a song to the tune of "You are my Sunshine" ~

Your life is easy 
You have no problems
It's time to show us some gratitude
We feed your face and
We change your diaper
Please try to be in a good mood.

So we tell Natalie we love her through songs, squeezes, kisses, and by taking hundreds of pictures of her cute face. The kids take my camera and take lots of pictures, that one above was taken by Ethan. And she tells us she loves us too, in her own special way. She told Ethan a big "I LOVE YOU!" last night... I was in the room with Ethan and Natalie, he was holding her on the bed, then he started to scream bloody murder cause something had happened... I came over to see. "Take her! Take her! Ahh!" Ok, I'll take her, just sec, let me get the camera... So this is how they were at first...

And this was how Natalie said Thank you to Ethan for spending time with her...

And today as I held her and did stuff at the computer (typing up the above story), she told me she loves me too. Take a picture! I probably take too many pictures (see 1:45, also 2:30... "I have more pictures of my children than my father ever looked at me...")

So anyway, I guess it's time to buy the next size up, size 3 already, time goes by too fast. By the way, it means she really really loves you if she poops on your left pant leg, so she really really loves Ethan and me. 

We love you Natalie!!