I Heart Mitt!

I'm not sure how much I'll be getting into the election this year, but I totally love Mitt. I'm 100% behind him, (I think it's probably because he reminds me so much of another certain amazing man I know...)  Still, I haven't been hyped up about the election this year like I have been in years past, where I'd listening to talk radio 6 hours a day and read too much online.  When I did that in years past, it just distracted me too much from my home and kids and left me feeling drained.  So, for the sake of my sanity and in an effort to be focused on what is most important in my immediate world of influence, I've had minimal contact with politics this election cycle.  Corey listens to more than I do while he's at work.  Last night he came home and we watched Mitt Romney's speech at the RNC last night, the kids joined us a little but we kept kicking them out cause they were playing tag and being to loud.  (You can see Abi in a blur in the photo below) Sophia was allowed to stay, it was funny to see her clap along with the crowd, even if she was nursing she would pull her hands around me or off to the side so she could clap.  She just loved all the clapping, it made me laugh.

I enjoyed hearing Mitt say basically what he'd give to go back in time and break up one more fight between their boys when they were kids.  Made me wonder, are these really the best years of my entire life?  I hope not, I really hope life keeps getting better, but at the same time I do know that there is something magical about having little kids under feet, cute little faces and tiny voices that depend on me and love me, and that are mine.  I kissed Sophi and tried to "behold" her a little longer last night.  I know these are special years.

So, my favorite line of the night came after he reminded us that "President Obama promised to 'slow the rise of the oceans' and to 'heal the planet.'  My promise is to help you and your family"  Yes!!!  Something real and tangible!  Please, help us! It was like a breath of fresh air.  Being the wife of an entrepreneur trying to make it happen in business while supporting a large family, we would love help!  But not with a handout or check from the government, just get rid of the taxes and regulations and paperwork garbage that keep biting at Corey's heels and that do nothing to help him and his dreams, they just get in the way.  Get rid of the mess in Washington.  I think/hope President Obama's heart is in the right place, but it's just not working and will not work.  We need Mitt.  And I totally love him, I love his character, his modesty and humility.  David French made these two great points , I especially loved the first - Mitt is not ashamed of his success, he is MODEST about his success.  "In fact, He is modest about every virtue in his life.  One of the most touching aspects of the entire convention was the parade of friends and church members who spoke about who Mitt is, because Mitt won’t do it himself.  In an era of self-glorification, led by a President with a false self-glorifying memoir, Mitt’s modesty is a refreshing change."

Here's one example of that if you missed it - his relationship with the Oparowski family is the antithesis of "the Life of Julia" - They are a real family who Mitt really and personally helped as opposed to a fictional character who was "helped" in theory by Pres Obama's policies.



Whoever wins, I know that ultimately it is the Lord that is in charge of this world and the things that are in the books to happen upon it.  I pray for Obama to be a good President and I pray for Mitt that he will be the next President.  I know it will be great! And if Obama wins, then I guess we deserve what's coming to us.  (...and we'll most likely head to Chile.)

My Messy Death Star

Thought this was funny as it summed up how I'm feeling today - I've got busy kids ripping things up faster than I can pick things up, hence my house is a mess, and Corey saw a MOUSE in his office last night (crumbs on over the floor that I just can't keep up with), we have radon in the basement, the power company sent us a letter to politely inform us that we use more power than anyone else in our neighborhood - I attribute that to kids coming in and out of our house all day and leaving the door open behind them each time (and cause I've had the basement windows slightly open all summer to help the radon flow out hopefully - which said open windows might have made it easier for the mice to break in since I noticed a hole in the screen down there... doh!) and ugh I don't know where to start.  So glad the kids are home from school now so I can pretend they will help me!!  

Well, Joe will atleast.  He's the ideal son.  Here he was over the weekend playing with Nicole's toddlers. Gotta love those responsible first born children, I'd be even more of a nutcase without that boy.

Party In The House

We had a party in the house over the weekend.  What house wouldn't be a party with these 14 fun kids running around?

My dear friend Nicole left Monday night and is still making her way across the country back to Maine.  (She's my BFF)

She just had a short window of opportunity to make the trek to Utah, I'm so glad she came.  She's glad too, and we're praying that she will be able to arrive safely back home before she collapses of exhaustion.  She drove out here over 4 days, 10 hours a day, with her cute crew of 6 kids in tow, stayed for 4 days, and now they should be home by Friday.  Some of the stuff we did: Here's Lucas with Sophi playing Legos~

 The older kids all put up tents in the back yard for them to sleep in -

We had a fun time at the Brigham City Temple Open house, at Temple Square for a tour of the Conference Center ~

Taking a picture of ourselves in the mirror across the balcony hall...

...at the park, they went to BYU (I bailed on that one, I was too tired, Nicole puts me to shame) and then after a prayer they headed out Monday night.

But first, we had to get pictures.  Pictures of the "Two Lily's" (Over the weekend my Lily would walk around and say with special contentment in her voice "Two Lilys!  Two Lilys!")

Then picture of the two Coreys, cause there are two Coreys too!

Now we are it and it's out turn to make the trip across country next year for the 2nd annual Freeman/Wride Reunion.  :)  It's on!

One Little Monkey

Sophia likes to bounce on Melodie's bed. 

(It squeaks when you bounce on it.  Or sit on it or touch it or do most anything near it.)

It is stinkin' cute to see her bounce on the bed, she likes the squeaking. :)

And see her little face in that picture above - zoom in on it - do you feel a little laugh/giggle in your heart when you see that face?  I sure do, and that is what JOY feels like.  These kids give me such joy, I could stare at her little face forever and ever.  I dare anyone to find a cuter/sweeter/cheesier/more adorable little face on any little kid anywhere in the world!  That is the cutest stinkin' little grin I've ever seen! I could just scream. 

I love you Sophi!!!!

Caterpillar to Chrysalis

We had two caterpillars that I found all by myself - there is a ton of milkweed in the bushes west of the Sandy Library, and I found these two guys as eggs there.  We watched them change first from egg to caterpillar ~

Then caterpillar to chrysalis - we saw both of them morph into their chrysalis -

First one (boys were a bit grossed out)...

Then the other (the lovely Melodie not squeamish at all...)

It really is so amazing.

Two Births and a Funeral

Medusa is our long haired guinea pig.  This morning we went out to see how she was doing as for the past two weeks she's been huge - very large with pregnancy.  We didn't notice them at first, but then saw two cute little guinea pigs staying close to her hidden in her long hair.

Haven't been able to pin down a name for the two toned one, but the teeny tiny orange one is Twix.

Medusa went in and hid in her igloo and her babies followed.  We picked up the igloo to have another peek at them, and saw that there was a third baby that had died.  He was all wet on the bottom side, so I think he died as he was born - he seemed larger than the other two, so maybe he had trouble being delivered?  Poor little guy. 

We held a funeral and named him/her Caramello.

We each put a token of love in his grave.  I'm going to paint the rock that was put on his tomb.

 

 We were waiting for Wes to finish making his paper flower for Caramello, followed by a burial and prayer service.

 

So I guess here along the south fence of our yard will be the official burial ground for our pets, as we have 7 guinea pigs now and my kids want to keep all of them till death do us part.  Sophia doesn't need one yet, so I guess the other 7 kids can each have their own if I decide we can keep them all.  I'm going to think about it... I've told them they will have to help foot the bill for hay and shavings, just to make them sacrifice a little and be more responsible if they are responsible to each have their own...  We'll see.

Temple Open House

We went to the Brigham City Temple Open house this morning.

We went with my BFF Nicole and her kiddos, which said amazing woman drove from Maine to go to take her kids into the temple.  That, my friends, is dedication that would make the pioneers proud.  She's rock solid, one of those Silent Giant types, that's my Hermana.  We served as missionary companions together many years ago.  Hadn't seen each other for 5+ years from when we lived back East, but we talk almost every day via phone, we call them our "911" calls, but sometimes there's not an emergency that needs to be vented and we just chat and uplift each other. Here's she is as we watched an informative video before going into the temple.  (There is the lovely Nicole on the far right)

The Church is just awesome - I mean they turned a parking lot into a classroom with fake flowers and trees and everything.  It was great.  Nicole's got 6 kids and me with my 8, we looked great with our brood.  The kids were all exceptionally well behaved, minus Sophia.  Sophia was freaking out and being so noisy in the temple, it was a bit horrid, but hey, she's a baby, what ya gonna do - ya just gotta grin and bear it.  Although I do think it was the worst she's ever been in public.

She got some of it out of her system at the reception area afterwards as she screamed and shook her head into the wind of the floor fan as she made a mess with cookies.  She loves fans.

Silly kid.  It was a great outing, one I probably wouldn't have done if Nicole hadn't been here, thanks for making it happen Hermana.

The Parent Rap

My cute lil' sis facebooked this for all us sibs, and the vote is it's a hit!!  The kids love it, I love it, so we've listened to it over 12 times and now present you with our best attempt of the written lyrics of "The Parent Rap" proofread by Mr. Chad the bomb himself, so now y'all can rap along, yeah, take it - (My favorite line is "We used to be cool!!!") the parent rap lyrics the parent rap bluefish tv youtube parent rap


Don't make me count to 1-2-3
Yeah, it's the parent rap, y'all
We may spend most of our time chasing toddlers down but
We still know how to rock the hizzle
I don't even know what you just said

We used to be cool!
Back in the day, back on the block
Watching PG-13 movies, staying up way after dark
Then we had a couple shorties
And now we're really flossy
Cause now we be rollin' with our own little possie
In the mini van
Or in our little wagon
Let me throw it to the moms
Cause the little one is saggin'

I used to bling it up, I used to dress real shrewd
Now I accessorize with food that's already been chewed
And that's all right
I make this diaper bag look good
When I'm walking through the mall tryin' to wrangle my brood
My PB&Js will set your world on fire
I could make you mac-n-cheese blindfolded on a wire
I'm wiping the do-do
Kissin' the booboos
Got them eyes in the back of my head, I see all you do.
Using your full name so you know I ain't playin'
And that's why all my kiddo's, they keep sayin'

Mom mom, she's the bomb, rocking all night till the break of dawn
Cooking them peas so I'll grow up strong
Got my second seat belt if we crash head on
Dad dad, he's the man, working real hard to support the clan
Traded in his porsche for an old sedan
Raisin' those brows if we get outta hand

When it come to Candyland, I'm a stone cold player
Helping out with the homework, I'm an Algebra slayer
Wrestle carseats into place without spillin' my mug
If I tuck you in at night, you'll be as snug as a bug
Then I'm off in the morning, to make that cheese
You may not know this yet, but it doesn't grow on trees
Now mama take it please, what, uh, take it

I'm droppin' "time out"s like they're hot
Potty training all my tots
Washin' all the pans and pots
Tyin' little shoes in knots
Giving knowlege to your brain
Like "if your friend jumped off a train you don't have to do the same"
Now get your toys out of the rain!
I'm cleanin' every spill
Cuttin' coupons like a vil
If you need parental skill now you know
We are for real!
You don't think our rhyms are ill boy?
Then your grounded for a mil!

Mom, mom, she's legit
Making us chill when we pitch a fit
Telling us to share and never to hit
If you can't say somethin' nice put a sock in it
Dad dad, he's the guy,
never gets tired of playing "I spy"
The constant barage of kids asking "why"
And he always pretends he needs another tie

You know money doesn't grow on trees
Why buy the cow if the milk is free
This won't hurt you as much as it hurts me
If you want dessert eat another veggie
Close that door 
You weren't born in a stable
Sit up straight
And kiss your aunt mable
Close your mouth when you chew
Get your elbows off the table
Mom and dad of the year, check it, that's the label

It's the parent rap y'all
And it's apparent
We're great parents
Mom and daddy in the house
Mom and daddy own the house
Mom and daddy need to clean the house...

Keep your hands to yourself, boy
Don't make me stop this beat, I'll do it!  I'll pull this beat right over.

SO!  The parenting tip for today is to smile and have fun, you are a great parent! Check it!
the parent rap lyrics the parent rap bluefish tv youtube parent rap 
"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly." 
- President Thomas S. Monson "Finding Joy in the Journey" - read it here or watch it here

Gone With the Wind Legos

 Joseph made these - here we have Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara ~

Scarlett is having another jealous fit, can't see what's good in her own life cause she can only see what's missing, Ashley Wilkes.  "There's that Ashley pretending he loves Melanie again..."

I thought Ashey was a good likeness.  Melanie needs a skirt or dress though, those pants don't cut it for a Southern girl.  But wow, she's always just so happy and positive!  When my kids are being stinkers, I say "You want to be Scarlett or do you want to be Melanie?  You can choose to be like the one who you think was the happier person."

(Melanie always wins that one, none of them aspire to be like Scarlett, so we're hoping they never act like her again or we'll have to remind them they're with her headed down the road to loneliness and misery...)

 The kids have also been making treasure boxes out of legos - Ethan is there in front showing where the "secret compartment" is to his box - he wanted everyone to see - he just pushed it out by way of the "secret button" - it's that red drawer coming out of his blue box.  Eth, your secret is not much of a secret anymore...

And Wesley cracked me and himself up with his "Marshmallow Man" who works at the Marshmallow Store, who has to dress up as a giant marshmallow and go out into the street to try and attract customers, yelling "Marshmallows for Sale!"  (I don't think there's that big of a market for marshmallows in the real world, but since this is kid world, I bet it will be a huge success!)

Imagination

The kids have been building forts out of blankets and stools and pillows - enjoying the last week of summer vacation, school starts on Monday!

Abi was the leader of this game.  And she even almost cleaned it all up when she was done!  Just another blanket and a pillow here on the floor, I guess I can get those.

And the kids' cousins came over to play today ~

Abi, Isaac, and Lily are being Wendy, Peter Pan, and Tinkerbell.  Joseph is Captain Hook (such a nice 12 year old to play games with the little people)

Isaac Pan made Captain Joe Hook say "I'm a codfish!", then made him say it again "louder"!  It's really fun watching them play.

Man Cold

Corey sick.  He's got a "man cold".

(Yesterday he was cracking me up - had that winter hat on all day to help "boil his head")

You might not have heard of the term "man cold" before, but if you watch this video, you will most likely find that you've dealt with the dreaded "man cold" once yourself...

We were both sick up at Park City a few weeks ago, playing toilet tag from 2 a.m. on for a whole night. I was able to function a little the next two days. (function = feed the kids, nurse the baby, change diapers, etc.) Corey attributed it to my making time in my life for regular exercise. Yes, I recovered quickly while my sweetheart is getting attacked again... it's just not fair.  Well, when a hard working man like my better half gets one of those nasty man colds, he deserves to be a little pampered.

Oh! I hear the bell ringing!  Time to go rub his forehead - He is my "poor little bunny!"

My Fair Baby

The kids and I were singing musical numbers and "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" is the favorite of everyone, especially cause we all love it when Lily sings it "Lovely!  Lovely!  Lovely!"  It's super cute.

Then we'd all make up our own lyrics depending on what we were doing at the moment.  I made up this one as I cleaned up Sophi from her lunch snack and found she also needed a diaper change:

Squished bananas are in her hair ~
Sticky Marshmallows everywhere
Poopy Diaper, I don't care!
Aow, I think she is loverly!

Arches National Park

We took a little road trip yesterday. It was fun and I'm glad we did it. And Corey and I both had our patience stretched and hopefully increased cause we endured a lot-o complaining by our 4 middle children, who really excelled at doing their part to let us know they were not enduring it well.

We were on the road at 6:30 for a 4 hour drive down to Moab.
We first went by Crystal Geyser which was pretty cool. The kids liked climbing around looking for rocks, and I liked taking pictures of the rocks and patterns, it was so pretty.

 

I also had flashbacks to another time and place as we drove down the dirt road with pot holes - reminded me of our weekly drive to church in Costa Rica - minus the trees.
The landscape was fascinating to me, I felt like I was driving on Mars. ...Not that I've ever driven on Mars... or on the moon (5:47~)

Went on a hike around the North and South Windows

Drove around the park, all of it is beautiful and other-worldly. Very cool.

We went to see Delicate Arch last, just the shorter viewpoint hike cause the kids were about in full mutiny mode as we woke them up yet again from their slumber in the car. It was hot, but aren't you glad that this is just for today, you will back home before you know it, there is a known end in sight unlike for the pioneers. Oh quit complaining! sigh.  We reminded them of all the times that they've complained, from our day at the waterfall in Costa Rica to going to Chile etc etc, they are always griping but then look back on it fondly, and children THAT is why your father and I are able to endure it well through these times.  You'll learn to endure too.  ...And the faster the better for all of us.  I mean really, does it make you happier to complain?  Remember Elder Holland's advice -"Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse." which I heard and took to heart while I was living and complaining on a daily basis in Brazil.  See!  I'm learning, too!

And the little person that these little eyes belong to was freaking out for only about 45 minutes of the long drive home, so that's pretty good for a baby.  But man, I thought she was having a conniption, to quote Bill Cosby.  You don't want to see it.