faith builder

The last couple of weeks Tyler has been waking up in the middle of the night because of bad dreams. It's been bad enough for him that the last few nights he has tried stalling going to bed with some of the most ingenious and not so ingenious excuses. Last night as we were getting ready to say prayers we reminded Tyler that he could pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him to help him not to have bad dreams. I helped him with his prayers last night, and we made sure to ask for help. Dallin also mentioned it in our family prayer. This morning Tyler came in our room at about 6:15, and I asked if he had had any bad dreams. He said no and was so excited to realize that his prayer had been answered. I had him say a prayer right away to thank Heavenly Father.

This was a teaching moment for Tyler and myself. I admit that I go through weak faith moments -- especially since we've been trying unsuccessfully for 3 years to get Dallin a teaching job -- and this simple little lesson of faith was a giant wake up call for me. My prayers are answered. The answers are not always what I want them to be, but prayers are answered.

change is inevitable

I was released today as the Primary Music Leader. I was not nearly as sad as I thought I would be. I did cry when they sang in Sacrament Meeting today and when they sang to me in Primary. I had a couple of the girls come up and give me hugs afterwards, and tell me they would miss me. I reminded them that I would still be around, they said, "But it won't be the same."

While I won't be doing music, I will still be under the Primary program as the Nursery leader! *SHOCK* This means I will be in charge of the the kids who are 18 months to 3 years old. I'm a little apprehensive, but have already begun to think of what I'd like to do in there. Thankfully, there are only about 8 or 9 active kids in there right now with 2 or 3 coming in during the year. The sister I'm replacing was called when we had 28 active kids in the nursery. So, I really can't complain!

new van

We bought a van!!! It's a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan. It has power locks, power windows, power sliding doors, Stow-n-Go, CD/Cassette/Radio, and only about 21,000 miles on it! Retail value on the car was just over 19K. They were asking $14,789. It had been there for a while and so they were wanting to unload it, and we were more than willing to take it off their hands! I've already had to hide my car keys from Tyler and make very strict rules about being able to use the remote access key. I found him in the van earlier today after the apartment went quiet. Grrr....

Here it is:

Stow-n-Go
Tyler in "his spot." Every time we'd test drive a van he would tell us that when we bought one he would be able to sit in the very back. I don't know why this is so exciting for him, but it is, and as long as he's happy in the car, that's all that really matters to me!

the bath towel

Nothing really exciting in this post except for a picture of Adeline in her new bath towel Mommy made for her. I got the towels at Target.

"Code Adam" & the rain we didn't miss

The kids & I went grocery shopping this morning -- 8 am at Wal-Mart -- after taking Dallin to work. I might have waited until later in the day but we were suppose to get a big storm today, and I wanted to be home before the real down pour started. We were 1/4 of the way through my list of items when we heard the heavens open on the roof of the store, and heard thunder. Of course in the store, the rain sounds really loud, but this was unbelievable! I almost had to shout in order to even hear myself talking to Tyler! So, there went my plan to beat the rain! The most I could hope for now is that the rain would let up a little by the time we were loading up the car. We were just about finished with our shopping, and had made it all the back to the dairy section. Tyler went straight for the bakery discount cart -- as always -- and tried to bring me a delicious and very fattening looking chocolate cake. And you know how I feel about chocolate, right? Chocolate = happiness! I told him we were not buying anything off the cart today, but that I would let him get a chocolate milk. He thought that was a great idea and went over to get it. We made it up to the front to check out, and I was unloading the groceries onto the belt when I noticed Tyler taking his chocolate milk out of the cart. I didn't think anything of it, because he often pulls out "his things" to personally give to the cashier & then asks him/her not to put it in a bag. But after putting a couple other items on the belt I realized Tyler had not brought up his milk, and in fact was no where to be seen! I called his name and looked in the neighboring lanes, but couldn't find him. The fact that he wasn't responding to my calling, freaked me out. One of the employees asked what Tyler was wearing -- thankfully I chose his clothes this morning so I remembered! -- and how old he was. I gave her the information, and she got on the speakers and announced a "code Adam" and gave the info I had given her on Tyler. About 30 seconds later they came back and said they had found him in the grocery section. A minute later he came around the corner with an employee. Of course I was on the verge of tears, and he was acting as though nothing had happened! I gave him a big hug, and reminded him that he cannot just wander away like that -- it scared me! He said it scared him too, and then tried to wiggle out of my arms. I then noticed that he had come back without his chocolate milk. I asked him where it was. He told me he had put it back because he didn't want it anymore.

After all this, I had to load the car in a down pour, and I was SOAKED!!! By the time we got home, 7 minutes later, the rain had stopped & I unloaded the car in the sunshine. So much for missing my rain storm, eh?

And happy 10 month birthday to Adeline!

Talent Show

Our ward primary had its annual talent show last Friday. Tyler's talents were his "mad tricycle skills" & doing a puzzle. And Tyler's been talking about it ever since! He really enjoyed it!

CountryFolk Collection

Here is my shameless plug. My aunt makes and sells educational quiet books for kids. I love them! Check it out:

http://countryfolkcollection.com/

High School Musical 2

This has been Tyler's movie of choice this week. He starts it every morning before we leave in the mornings, and he finishes it when we get home in the afternoon. His favorite song is Bet On It. Seriously, he pays close attention until that song -- which is near the end -- and then his attention kinds of wonders for the rest of the movie! I thought I'd share some of the music with you all. My favorite song is I Don't Dance. I love the dissonance in this song!

they just grow too fast!

In the course of just a week Adeline started waving, clapping, crawling, and had 2 teeth come in & rolled over to her tummy during the night -- both of which allows her & me to sleep through most of the night! Yippee!!

The first time I found Adeline on her tummy in the morning.

I noticed today that Tyler was able to wash his hands in the bathroom without standing on anything. And the pants that were once drowning him are now right at his shoes -- where they should be. When did he grow?!?!

Although will all the growing up my life becomes a little bit harder. I'm constantly getting something out of Adeline's reach, or pulling something out of her mouth -- she really hates it when I have to stick my finger in her mouth to find the junk she has found to put in it. And Tyler has a little sassy mouth on him! He also thinks that he is more independent than he is. He's already going to friends' houses without asking me let alone telling me where he's going! I thought I didn't have to worry about that for a few more years! He's also started to pull out the water works. Anytime he doesn't get his way he cries. We never give in, so you'd think he'd stop. But no. He cries.

The Scoot

Adeline has since started crawling -- before I was able to get pictures of her scooting. :( I think I might have to get some still frames from the video. But here she is scooting around on the floor.

Belated Easter Pictures

Playing the Piano

Pictures

Here are some pictures from the past couple of months. Adeline has started to scoot across the floor -- sideways using one arm & one leg on the same side. Our lives will never be the same! She's also waving now, which is always fun to try and make her do. Sometimes I feel as though I'm showing off my trained puppy. Like I need to carry around doggy snacks or something...

Tyler made this "self-portrait" at his first Primary Activity.

Easter

We spent Easter going to church and Mom & Dad's. I tried to get some cute pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits, but didn't get them just as I wanted. We might try again this Sunday!

Nauvoo

Last Saturday Dallin & I took the kids to Nauvoo. Our ward had a youth temple trip that same day, and my parents were going to help out. They wanted to do a session before the youth got there, so we worked out that Dallin & I would go through a session with them, and Mom and Dad would bring down my brothers to watch the kids. It was so nice being there. It's been so long!

Random Daily Happenings...

The other day Tyler & I were dancing to some music, and he told me to come dance in a certain spot. I said, "No, thanks. I'm just fine over here." Then he proceeded to count -- while using his fingers -- "1, 2,...Mom, if you're not over here by the time I get to 5, you're going to be in big trouble!"

Yesterday while Tyler, Adeline & I were in the car running errands, Tyler said, "Mom there are 3 of us in the car." "Yes there are." "And when we pick up Dad there will be four of us." "Yes. Yes there will be!"

A week or so ago, Dallin accused me -- in front of Tyler (but that's for another time) -- of not doing things with Tyler. I asked Tyler right then and there if he was sad that I didn't spend time with him. He said, "No. You spend time with Addie." I then asked him if he would rather I spent more time with him. He said, "No. I like Daddy more." 'Nuff said.

Adeline plays peek-a-boo with her hands or whatever is in her hands at the time. She's trying to move around -- she can go from sitting to on her knees back to sitting. And she can scoot around the room on her behind. While I'm excited to see her progress, I'm dreading the day when she actually figures out how to move around!

She also find everything on the floor and puts it in her mouth. She has tantrums when something is taken from her. She has tantrums if I leave the room, and she wants me to stay. She has tantrums if she's put down but wants to be held. She has tantrums if she wants to be put down, but has to be held instead.

Adeline loves her brother, and her brother loves her. They have a special relationship already. She gets just as excited to see Tyler as she does to see me -- very humbling. She loves spending time with Dad, which is really nice.

Listening to the Spirit

I am the Primary Chorister in my ward and today I taught the 1st verse of our song for this month -- If the Savior Stood Beside Me by Sally DeFord.

My day was just awesome! And until I walked up to the front of the room, I still wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do. I didn't even bring in any pictures or anything from home. I went through the pictures in our file in the closet, and found a picture of Christ & of someone getting baptized. Then I grabbed a bag of chalk/easer. I did basically the same thing with Jr. & Sr.

I put up the picture of Christ on the board and drew a picture of a stick figure with a thought bubble and the commandments. Next I drew a CTR shield next to that. And finally was the picture of the person being baptized. Then I explained the structure of the song -- that it has 3 parts and the first 2 parts ask questions & the 3 part gives answers. The 1st part talks about actions. And I asked them to listen for those actions. I sang the 1st verse for them, then went through it line by line. I repeated the 1st phrase and asked them what were some things they would NOT do if the Savior were visiting our primary? They listed things like, not spitting on Him, not paying attention, not playing with toys, etc. Then I asked what they WOULD do. The list included singing, sitting reverently, etc. Then we sang that first phrase. Next we talked about my poorly drawn pictures and sang that line and then sang the 1st and second lines. Next we talked about the baptism picture and how when we are baptized we are following Jesus' example. And how if we are nice to our friends we are also following Jesus' example because Jesus was nice to his friends, too. Then we sang that line & then all 3 of the lines. Then we did the last line and I told them that all 3 parts of the song ended with this same line. I asked them to really imagine what it would be like to have the Savior standing next to them -- we also discussed the word "nigh" -- as we sang through the song. It really worked! Sr. Primary sang so well they made me cry! I also bore my testimony to both groups -- which I don't always do -- and I cried again in front of Sr. primary! The kids went around telling their parents that they made me cry! "Oh, but in a good way, Mom." :)

This was a total testimony to me of following the spirit. I had a very nice & uplifting weekend at a TOFW in Chi-town and learned some things about following and trusting in the spirit to guide us. I had been praying & thinking about this song for so long, and trying to come up with some great and glorious way to teach this song that I thought would just be so difficult for the kids to learn, and I had a complete stupor of thought. But when I got up there with my dinky little drawings and my testimony of this song, the kids just learned it so quickly -- Jr. primary especially surprised me because they were so rowdy and just had ants in their pants. But when I asked them to imagine Jesus right next to them they calmed down.

Sorry this is so long. It was just such an amazing day -- oh, and I lost my voice over the weekend as well, and so really couldn't sing very well -- and I almost scrapped the whole plan for the day. I am so glad I didn't!! I'm also glad that I chose to listen and follow the spirit today. I know the kids felt it, and I know this song will be a favorite with them -- especially if they can make me cry! :)

TOFW Chicago

Friday & Saturday I spent in Chi-town with my mom & Adeline at a Time Out For Women event. If you have never been to one of these -- YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!! They are amazing! I went to the one in Minneapolis last September and then Chicago this last weekend, and I want to go to more! Here is a link where you can learn more about them:

http://deseretbook.com/time-out/schedule

Here's a link to the people we heard from:

http://deseretbook.com/time-out/event?event_id=333

It was such a great time! I met Cherie Call, Dean Hughes, Chieko Okazaki, and Jane Clayson Johnson -- who by the way is absolutely beautiful! The theme for this year is Joyful Life. And that is just how I felt going to this event! It's not a cheap weekend by any means, but it is so worth it! The tickets are reasonable and accommodations can be split. I definitely recommend it!

doctor visit and an eclipse

Both kids had a doctor's appointment last week. I was able to get both kids in to see the dr. at the same time. While we spent 2 hours at the office, I only had to make one trip, and to me that was worth it! Tyler & Adeline are both healthy, and growing nicely. Adeline is 18 1/2 lbs. and 26 3/4 in. She is in the 75% for both height and weight and in the 25% for her head circumference. Tyler is 37 1/2 lbs. and 3'5". He is over 1/2 as tall as his mom.
I have decided with Adeline to give up trying to spoon feed her. She won't do it. But she will eat finger foods. So in order to use up the baby food I have already bought, I dip her Gerber puffs or Cheerios in the baby food before I feed them to her. She doesn't mind one bit. I also discovered that she loves peas. She is definitely her mother's daughter! She will also eat the very tops of broccoli and cauliflower. She does okay with carrots, but they're not her favorite. I bought sweet potatoes and butternut squash at the market the other day, and I plan on baking them and cubing bits of them so she has the finger food in those veggies as well. She's eating a lot more food during the day as well. She still loves to nurse, and as she hasn't bitten me yet, I'm willing to let her continue. Here are some pictures from this last week.

I took this on a Sunday at 6:58 a.m. Both kids were fed and dressed and ready to leave. We still had an hour and a half before we had to leave for church. Do my kids look tired? It's cuz they are. Tyler got up before the sun, and never wanting the rest of us to miss the sunrise, got the rest of us up as well. I swear Tyler is tired 99.99% of the time but will not sleep past 6 a.m. or take a nap in the afternoons. But he does crash at 7 p.m. so I guess it's a trade-off. Adeline only gets sleep if I entertain Tyler for the 2 hours that she needs to sleep, and if I keep him happy so he doesn't shriek/scream during a tantrum.

Moon Eclipse 8:17 p.m. CST

Moon Eclipse 8:45 p.m. CST
Moon Eclipse 8:53 p.m.

Moon Eclipse 9:00 p.m. CST

Catching Up

It's been awhile since I posted something. Since I have so many pictures to share, I've put them in slide shows. I apologize to anyone who might be bothered by that. I will make sure I keep up on the updates better!

These are pictures of my little princess. She is just so cute!

The big happening in our house was Tyler's 4th birthday. We had a friend party & a family party. The last 2 years we have invited about 6 or 7 kids over for Tyler's friend party, and only 2 or 3 actually come. This year we invited 10 kids over for lunch -- pizza & cake & ice cream -- and 9 of them came! So I had nine 4 year olds running around my little 2 bedroom apartment! Actually, they did much better than I expected. Tyler had a blast. I had to remind him about "entertaining his guests," a couple of times, but overall, he was a perfect host. Our family party was with Grandma & Grandpa Ensign, and the boys -- Alan, Brian & Jared. Tyler just adores his uncles! We had Mac & Cheese, green jello, green salad, and cooked veggies -- all of Tyler's favorites.

I've been trying to capture some quiet everyday moments with the kids. Here is what transpired during my latest attempt.

We've had a ton of snow lately. So much so that school was canceled, businesses closed early, and we all hunkered down for a couple days! We went sledding at Grandma & Grandpa's last Saturday. It was so cold!!! But Tyler had the time of his life!