A day off at work

"Work hard, then play hard!" Isn't that saying so true. We had a day of work today! Dave took care of the yard, I took care of the inside! It is such a bummer that the only day off of work Dave gets, he still works!! I love ya for it babe:)


Then, after all the work was done, we went to our favorite place, "Fuddruckers!" for lunch. Then we headed back home cause it was my turn to work. I swap weekend babysitting with a couple of my friends and it was our night to watch kids. We played outside, then took the party upstairs to eat popcorn and watch a movie! All these kids are so well behaved and play really good. It works out so great because 2 weekends a month, Dave and I get to have date night without having to pay for a sitter! So worth it!!



*** I love weekends. Love that it is family time. Play time. Work time. Get stuff done time. Lazy time. Movie time. Free day time. Chill out time. Make treats time. Isn't life great! ***

Boys are gross!

I looked out the window and what did I see?
3 little bums shining right at me.
I guess at the innocent age of 5, 4, & 3
It's ok for them to all go pee -
at the same time
thinking it is so funny
and i have to admit. it was!
ps. it is a whoppin' 47 degrees outside and these boys are outside like it is a hot summer day in May!

Change

Dalan has been in a little preschool this year 2 days a week. He has loved going and has learned so much. I have loved him going and have learned that I do miss him when he is away, but it was always a nice little break!


Dalan and Ms. Jenn


Dalan's first day of preschool


Macie's first day of her second year of preschool. Dalan's second day of his first year of preschool. Say that 5 x.


Look how he has changed in just a short 9 months. This little character still gives us a run, but we will keep chasing cuz he is one cute kid!


CHANGE for Macie!
She has really long locks. Check it out!


Today it was time for a hair cut...

(the after picture coming soon!)

Nothing to change about this little thing, except maybe your shirt since I fed you sweet potatoes for dinner!!



*** As hard as change can sometimes be, I am grateful for a little change in my life. Change can make a person grow. Change can build a new foundation, new relationships, and sometimes bring new trials. Change is sometimes there to wake us up out our "normal." I am grateful for change and the opportunity to learn. It is hard to establish a "new" anything. For me, I have a strong desire to change me. To make myself better. To learn and stretch myself, and reach far out of my comfort zone. I am working at it day by day, all day, and hopefully good things will come. ***

Khloe Lin

Look who is 9 months today!!!


It seems like just yesterday you were so tiny and brand new.


And with each day that you continue to grow...my heart grows bigger too!

















SISTERS!!!! Really, I promise!


Things I want to remember:

- You are the most mellow, content, sweetest litttle thing on the planet
- You love cheerios
- You love to shake and bop your head
- Macie can make you giggle like noone else
- You love your tongue. You are always sticking it out and making the cutest clicking sounds
- You can sit up and roll over, and are starting to get very wiggly
- You love green beans. You will eat anything really: apples, pears, bananas, sweet potatos, garden vegetables, anything will do!


- You have 2 teeth on bottom, and 1 on top with another one on its way in
- Love your precious smile
- Your sweet, innocent, face lights up my world!

Weight: 17 lbs

Chores

I love a good chore day. Really, it is out of necessity that we have these. I try to get the kids on board to help out. Their latest chore that they are actually pretty happy to help with is unloading the dishwasher. Thanks guys for taking the load off!! It really helps...





Now, if only I could have that kind of enthusiasm when scrubbing toilets and mopping my floors!

For Family Home Evening tonight, we played "Mellow" out Goliath! We told the story of David and Goliath and then had a marshmallow throwing contest, which turned into a marshmallow fight!


Dalan was more interested in eating the marshmallows then throwing them. Dave made a good point and said, "This is the only time it will be ok for you to throw food." He still just wanted to eat them! This is the boy who asks for snack every 5 minutes!


The kids loved this lesson. It was fun to talk about the 'little guy' and to teach them that in life "Goliaths" come in many different shapes and sizes. What a great example of courage David was through faith in our Heavenly Father. It is such a great story that David was victorious, even though he was the little one!

I hope my "littles" will be strong and courageous and will stand up to fight for what is right. I can only hope that as a mother, they will be a good example and that their courage will teach them valuable lessons.

Perspective

This is embarassing, but important. I challenged myself to a personal goal this week. I needed to schedule in my day atleast 30 minutes to PLAY with my kids, do some kind of activity. I am guilty of too often brushing them off so I can fold clothes, or clean the kitchen. It makes me sad and I know I will regret it one day. What a great week it was!!

One game we played is "Don't eat Pete!"



We made volcanos!


and watched them erupt with HOT lava...


We painted!




Snacked on fruit kabobs with marshmallows


We ventured out and enjoyed a bike ride to our neighborhood park.






The kids were exhausted by the end!!


Khloe played some games too!




Check out that bicep Dave!!


The kids really responded well, of course, and it even created a new part of our bedtime routine we call "Talk Time!" Each kid sits on the special pillow and they are given a few minutes where we all listen to their favorite part of the day. A normal family could do this during dinner, but since we haven't quite figured out how to all eat at the same time every night, this works for us. It has been great to watch them as they know it is their turn to talk. Who knew they had so much to say!!!!


*** Perspective is defined as a mental view or outlook. Thats right. Being a mom sometimes might make us a little "mental" but the outlook is simple. This goal to actually spend time with the kids gave me a focus, and allowed me to prioritize my time and still accomplish the day to day tasks. I am appreciating the little things a lot more and am so grateful that I was able to take a step back, reevaluate, and absorb my purpose as a mom. ***

I love this quote in the conference Ensign called "Mothers and Daughters"
Elder M. Russell Ballard says this, "Love your mother. Respect her. Listen to her. Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do."

Isn't that the best. I love it! It makes me feel like I am normal. I love being a mom. I am so blessed that I am able to be home with my kids every day, to raise them, and to teach them. I know I am so lucky to have 3 healthy, beautiful children that give me a reason put life into perspective.

"In these last days it is essential--even critical--that parents and children listen to and learn from one another" ***