General Women's Conference.... Better Late Than Never

 

We were really looking forward to the first ever General Women's Conference. This year, the prophet made the announcement that the Young Women's and Relief Society would be combining their meeting and allowing 8 year old girls and older to attend. What a beautiful blessing!!

 

We were really looking forward to going with my mom, but unfortunately she got sick and was in the hospital a couple days. We know God will bless her and that we can enjoy the conference again in October with her. Feel better soon Mommers!!

 

Unfortunately I got the time wrong and we ended up an hour late. Whoops. We got to hear President Eyring, who was wonderful, and hear a couple musical numbers. 20 minutes later and that was it. At one point during his talk he asked the young girls to smile at their mothers. I felt the spirit strongly as he talked about the important work of mothers and how the most important thing a mother can do is teach her children the gospel. I loved watching Christina watch him intently. Afterwards she said, "Ususally I get kind of bored, but that was just right." I agree completely my sweet girl!!!

 

Afterwards we mingled, Christina enjoyed some dessert and we headed over to Qudoba to grab dinner to go. They get so excited about Qudoba.

 

Christina talked and talked. I loved listening to her. She is such a thoughtful little soul. She thinks carefully about things. She is creative. She is mindful. She is such a blessing. We were in the mothers' lounge for about 20 minutes while I fed Ella. We had fun listening to people who were being loud (talking) in the bathroom and they didn't know we were there.

 

I really look forward to going again next year with our sweet Maria!!!

Papa Harold would be proud!!!

 

We've found our new favorite thing to do!! I'm not sure it's legal... but it sure is amazingly fun to watch your sweet boy have the time of his life driving a big tractor!! The girls were with us this time and I asked if they wanted to ride it, but Christina said quote, "No thanks. I'd rather not get arrested." and Maria said, "It's a boy thing. No thanks."

 

This kid is my life. I sure do love him.

My gorgeous baby....

I am so blessed.

Saturday at the Park(s)

 

This week part of our kitchen plumbing went haywire. Basically my kitchen was trashed. However, Joe to the rescue. Did you know Joe was a plumber at one point in his life?

Yes.

It's true.

Joe has worked hard his ENTIRE life. He never got a break.

He definitely paid his own way and never had anyone to rely on except The Lord and himself.

He is very blessed to have so many talents.

And so are we!!!

Hence, the sink was finished a week later.

Also, as a plumber, he actually wasn't paid. The guy he worked for always told him he would pay him and then never did.

Like I said, never a break.

 

He had a frat thing, so we headed off to the park. Loving the spring time!!!

 

Eli LOVES his ABC's!!! It's official. He knows all the names and sounds of the letters.

2 1/2.

And he is all charm.

Today at Costco he was telling people thank you and goodbye... no prompting from me.

He still has a horrible snotty nose and today he was saying something was in his ear.

Poor lil' guy.

 

These girls are the most helpful and wonderful girls in the world. I don't know what I would do without them!!!

 

He is obsessed with going up slides like sisters.

And it's really funny because if some child is crying or throwing a fit Eli will say, "I'm a good boy. I don't cry."

He ALWAYS does good leaving a place!!

Mind you, we have had our moments, but they were few and far between and I'm very proud of the self control he's mastered.

 

 

When daddy was done we headed to another park.

Ghetto.

In the old neighborhood.

Granted it was a great park, but your surroundings also influence your level of fun.

Man with green hair, bad acne, and jug of vodka.

Creepstified.

Check.

I tried, and tried, there was a woman with meth mouth wearing fish net stockings on her arm and must have been 70.

Reno Beauty.

Check.

 

Classy Litter.

Check.

 

But no one really seems to notice but me.

 

And Ella. Her face and elegant positioning of her hand describe the park perfectly.

 

Another one of Joe's many talents. He can push the kiddos on the swing for hours at a time.

 

Ending the park time with Artemis Races.

Pretty Smiles

And her, "Mommy... you're crazy." look. :)

Green PIcs

 

I am a mail junkie. Loyal to the USPS. I love sending pictures and cards to our family.

These were the photos for St.Patty's this year.

 

So LUCKY these little ones are my life!!!!

 

As a side note, a wee bit of luck... or really plain and simple a blessing from above, Ella is weaning off her latch!! Today we went all day without (Except 2 times!!). Thanks Heavenly Father!!! And way to chug Ella!!

She also graced Papa with a rather large spit up tonight. It's so funny because she doesn't spit up at all, but she has 2 times... once on Yaya and now on Papa!!

 

I also had a magical moment with Elijah. He's been pretty sick with a cold the past few days. His nose wont stop, poor little thing. On our way home from my parents, we saw a huge backhoe and digger. The sun was setting. I pulled over the van and let Eli drive them. They were huge!! He was so excited. He was in his little jammies smiling the world away. Tonight at bedtime he couldn't stop smiling talking about being a big boy and driving the huge tractors. We'll definitely be going back. I'm just so grateful for these moments. To see the joy on his face. The pure and simple pleasure of enjoying life. I hope my sweet boy feels better soon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

 

The leprechauns were a little tired. However, they love tradition and seeing happy faces of children, so they made a mess of green, wrote a poem, and got ready for this fun day!

 

They left some treats for the girls to make.

 

And while at school, left some rainbow treats! Play dough and a rainbow string hunt with a treasure at the end!!

 

They were so excited for the hunt!!! I was a little annoyed that the leprechauns would make a maze out of our backyard but the girls were so helpful to clean up!!

 

Eli was excited because sissies were excited. He was screaming and jumping all around. The treasure was some clearance lip gloss, hair glitter, rainbow socks and slippers!! Their first pair!!!

We did rainbow spaghetti and clover pasta with chicken pesto. I really should have done a salad but had a "scare" with my mom when she didn't show up on time. She's a punctual person and when she was late my creative mind got too creative. She was out getting fun treats for the kiddos!! She got them tie-dye kits, rainbow markers, gold coins, and cupcakes!! Thanks Yaya and Papa for all the leprechaun loot!!!

 

Maria helped dip the oreos. I also found that Eli drank some of the jello before it set. And enjoyed some toothpaste in a pez dispenser while I cooked.

 

We ended with dance. We watched Stavros Flatley (THE BEST!!!), a little Michael Flatley... and called it a night!!

 

And just as a note. I was thinking about a conversation where mothers were complaining that all the holidays have become these big events. I think people are just over sensitive. You do what you can. If you have energy, why not make childhood exciting? Why not give our kids gifts? I know that my children are appreciative and it's nice to have days that are different. Days with fun things to do. Could we have been more focused on the traditions of Ireland? Absolutely. But as they grow, things will change. We'll modify and expand. I do things because I love to see my kiddos happy. We can make the most out of our time here on earth or we can sit and gripe.

 

Christina was so great. At the end of the day, she said, "Can you make sure the leprechauns know that we had a great day and to say thank you to them!!" I told her no, the leprechauns are creepers. She responded, "They aren't creepers. They are the best."

 

I suppose it'd be different if my children weren't so wonderful. But they are. THEY are the very best.... not the creeper leprechauns who haven't showered in a few days and wonder where smells come from.

March Art Farts

 

Zentangle Clovers.

 

Poor Eli. He couldn't understand why were only using green!

 

I loved Chrisina trying to put glasses on her frog and ending up with a meth addict frog. It made me so happy all month long. Definitely a favorite.

 

Christina did chalk pastel hawks at school.