HARRY POTTER FINISHED!!

How on earth could I forget??

Christina finished Harry Potter a while back and I'm hoping to throw a party to celebrate... when I get the energy!

I had such a lovely time listening while she read. She read it out loud because I wanted to go over hard vocabulary with her, but she really had a good grasp on the language. The names were a little hard but she plugged along and it was super fun. I think she read the last 2 chapters in 2 hours.

Congrats Honey!! Life is not complete unless you read the Harry Potter series!

In a dark corner....

Today I was feeding little Eli in the car and I'd thought I'd post about a recent incident. I was at the children's museum and they didn't have anywhere for breastfeeding moms to feed their kids. I have a cover, but sometimes it's a little hard to use, so I'd prefer just a private place. I saw this "work room" and went in, fed Eli and came out where I was met by a museum volunteer and chewed out. It was a room where the volunteers go to eat on break or if there is a medical emergency. No one was even in there.

I was a little put off because 4 children later, I refuse to feed my babies in restrooms. It's gross and annoying. Our society is so anti-breastfeeding it's nuts. Then we headed to the library. I was just "curious" to see if they had an area I could go, and what do you know... they did! It was a dark, dark, dark corner and I was told to use a cover up. Ahh.... supportive.

Am I to the point where I'll just whip out my boob and say suck it? Literally.

No. I believe in modesty.

So then the other day we were at Port of Subs and I did it. I breastfed in public with my support system (Joe, My mom and kiddos) using a cover up. I was so proud. It was my first time!! But then Christina reminded me it wasn't... "Don't you remember Mom, you fed Eli in the dark, dingy corner of the library?"

Keepin Busy....

We have so much fun every day. I have the best job ever!!! 

I whipped out these old word chips I had and was quite surprised Maria knew every single word except "hamburger".

Valentine's Decor and Mailboxes up! Hooray! I love watching the girls make notes for everyone!

Christina is starting to learn about the moon and we did a fun sugar activity making the different phases. Ah, the curse and blessing of Pinterest! So much to do, so little time!

The first "snow" of 2012

I must say, I love not having tons of snow... but with that said, I'm sure we'll get it in May and June.

Classy. 

The girls enjoyed all 2 inches for about 8 minutes.

Maria if she were a smoker.

Thanks for doing the dishes mang....

I know you love this picture Kate.

President Hinckley once said, "A happy marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one's companion."

I'm so blessed to have a happy marriage.

Granted, I do have moments where I could beat my spouse... but upon consideration, it's probably my attitude that's the problem.

Joe is such a uniquely wonderful person. When we first met and were dating, one evening we decided to go out in the snow at night by his apartment. It was beautiful in the silence and contrast of white snow against grey sky. A shopping cart from Smith's was covered in powder and we danced together to invincible music. Ah, love.

And yet, while we don't get to have moments like that with a newborn :) I feel like our love is so much deeper and stronger. Our love is still magical, Joe still makes my heart skip a beat.

The last couple days he's been feeling a little like he's coming down with something. And so what does he do? The dishes. And cleans the kitchen.

And the garbage? I've never once.... not once!! asked him to take out the trash. He's just always done it.

At family home evening, he gave a very good lesson on The Book of Mormon. It wasn't necessarily the activity, because we were all actually rather bored... but his spirit and enthusiasm was contagious. Maria in the middle of the lesson said, "We're so lucky to have a daddy who reads the scriptures to us. I hope I can marry someone like him." He reads to them every single night he is home. He also listens as they read the scriptures to him. He sings them hymns as they drift off to sleep. Truly, I pray my daughters can find a man who does this and that my sweet Eli will be just like him.

Joe never speaks an unkind word about anyone. He's thoughtful and loving.

Joe knows your mom, dad and brother's dead aunt's dog. He is involved in people's lives and always willing to help.

Joe has always encouraged me as a mother. As a friend. As an individual who wants to make a difference in the world.

I just feel really blessed to have the spouse I do. Thank you Joe for always being anxiously concerned for my comfort and well being.

Mending

I felt Maria was a little small for a sharp needle, so she used tape instead. Very clever and resourceful.

I needed to sew something and the girls were on my box like vultures. Christina did a great job and didn't even prick herself once!! She sewed a blanket and pillow for her pet dolphin out of some old jeans. I'm so glad my girls love to create and do positive things with their hands!

Elijathon

Of late, we've had some nice weather. It's more like a cold spring than winter. So we had to whip out a polo to celebrate.

Elijah wants a watch for his birthday. Stat.

Children watch always. Ok Kate Moss. They watch you ALWAYS.

Joe, time to recognize you have a problem... see what you've taught the babe.

Suckling a tender pup. Just the right size.

 Eli had a bit of eczema. All my kids have had it, but it seemed more spread this time around. It was all over his belly and I just felt bad for the little guy. Fortunately we heard about lukewarm baths with 1/2 tbsp of bleach 2X a week. It worked like a charm after the first time so we don't have to do it again! We grease him up at night with Nivea lotion and then a layer of Vaseline.... now he is soft! Soft! Soft!!

Also, a few days ago he was a little more crankier than usual. He wasn't bending either to sit and would stiffen up and cry. So of course... I panicked and took him to the doctor. She was out, so I saw the on call doctor, Dr.White. She was fabulous and we'll probably end up using her after Dr.Diedrechsen retires. Talk about talented and wonderful women! She explained to me he was perfectly fine...no meningitis.... He's just really strong and likes to use his legs to stand. No cancer.

Ahhh.... the joys of an overactive mind.

 Anyways, he has doubled his birth weight and is 14 lbs 5 oz.

Hoo-ray.

We Heart Primary!

I have a deep love for the primary program in our church. It is inspired and of God. There is no other program like it on earth. I'm so grateful to know that the same church that Christ founded has been again restored on the earth. It is such a blessing to have served so many years in Primary and to have my children love going to church each Sunday because of it and the spirit they feel there.

This is the year! I can't believe my little sweet child is going to be baptized this year. She passed off all her articles of faith and has read up to Alma 8 in the Book of Mormon. She's trying to finish before her birthday. We are so very proud of her.

Maria is no longer a Sunbeam! She is a CTR 4. Choose the Right! She was so excited to get her CTR ring and has a wonderful group of friends. She also reads the Book of Mormon and New Testament easy reader stories. Today she read about King Herod and I asked her to describe him. She said he was quote, "Mean and if he walked out on stage she would boo him."

New Year's.... Appetizer Par-taes!!!!!!

On New Year's Eve, we had a lovely time at Ronja's house. I didn't get any pictures, but it was a great party. The kids had a wonderful time playing together- bouncing in the bounce house (bless you Lateef) playing dress up and just enjoying each other's company. It was really nice company and I'm looking forward to joining an ethnic book group with these friends. Thanks Ram.

We had to leave a little early because we started a tradition last year of having an appetizer and board game party with the girls. This year my parents came too (and brought food up the ying yang) and it was oodles of fun!! The girls were so excited to stay up as late as they wanted. Nina could have gone 24-7 and Maria hung in there until 11:50.

I passed out at 10:30. In fact, we were playing a game and I was so tired we came up with a great rule... whoever pulled a 4 and a 1 would win the game. Maria and Christina then pulled up the next 2 cards which were a 4 and a 1 and won!!! Hooray! Mommy could pass out.... and then wake up in an hour to feed el muncho. :)

Yaya was a cut throat.

Papa and Eli danced and played. Then Papa played Selena Gomez on his I-phone at least 20+ times. I have a blackmail video of him singing to it... so watch yourself dad.... best behavior or else all 5 of the people who read my blog, including you will have quite a show.

Maria did at least 5 puzzles!

Overall, it was a great day to welcome in the new year!! 2012 is going to be rockin'.

What to post to start off the new year!?!?

Nothing says "Happy New Year" like Kate Moss after mugging a dollar store.

Since it's the new year and everyone always has the goal of "being more in shape", I thought I'd post Joe's goal of doing a half marathon. I have not sat down to think about my goals yet, but I know that running isn't one of them.

Thank you.

"I'm not fat, I'm just full of awesomeness."

Joe ran 11 miles to start of his Saturday... a lot uphill. We were proud of him as he did it in 2 hours.

The girls made him a sign and we were going to greet him during the home stretch, but he was too fast and beat us!!

We did see him as we headed home on our drive. He said he was dying, and then I drove off. Ah, compassion. You can do it dad-day!