No more glasses

LASIK

I never had to wear eyeglasses until I was in 9th grade in high school. Then I only needed them rarely for driving and when I sat at the back of the classroom. Crazy me, I always wanted glasses when I was younger because my older sister had worn them since 1st grade and I was jealous.

Well, finally when I needed them in 9th grade they were not my favorite thing and I hardly ever wore them and subsequently rarely put them on. By the time I was a Freshman in college I decided I wanted contacts. I couldn't get away without my glasses on as much for distances like I could when I was younger.

So I went into the mall and got contacts. The first few times of wearing the contacts they took forever to put in and they were not so comfortable to wear. I had a roommate teach me lessons, the most important of which was to never wipe your wet finger on a tissue before inserting the lens because then all those little fuzzies get all over the contact and are torture on the eyes!! Another thing she taught me was to always put the same one in first.

Well, because I did not like wearing glasses I wore my contacts pretty much every day for the next 15 years or so. I did go through one short spell of not wearing them after I had my first baby but my inspiring friend Julie, at BYU, told me about how she didn't want to let herself go after having her first baby and so she was determined to keep wearing her contacts even though the glasses were much easier!

So I stuck with my contacts until last year on September 1st when I had LASIK. I remember being so nervous. We had put money away in our HSA all year to pay for it. I had my surgery and everything went well and I've been glasses free ever since.

Laren with his glasses on. This was the first one I came acrossed that he was wearing them in. A close up would've been better.

Well, today is the big day for Laren! He is going in for LASIK. He did not have to regularly wear glasses except for driving until about 5 years ago. And he has never worn contacts. So he is anxious to rid himself of his glasses. I actually think he looks great in glasses. But he doesn't like the way they look on him or the hassle of them and not being able to wear sunglasses, etc...

He's Here!

Zackery is here!!

Zack

Yesterday morning we got the call from Doug, my brother-in-law, at 7:30 am saying that Kallie (my sister) had had her baby!! Kallie wasn't due until November 11th, but we had talked on the phone a few times the past few days and she was losing her mucous plug and had lots of cramping. She really wanted to make it to 37 weeks, but not enough to agree on letting the doctor give her Tributalene when she went to the hospital in labor night before last! I can't blame her there, I would say that is too little too late!

Labor and Delivery went well. Zack weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 inches long and is very healthy. He is the CUTEST baby I have seen since I had my own babies!! ;) He has quite a bit of short blonde hair, blonde eyebrows and eyelashes. He looks a lot like the Clawson side of the family but overall I would say he is a mix of both sides.

I took Kallie up a gift, some flowers and a pizza (from Costco that her husband and kids could cook later for dinner) early in the day with my 2 younger kids. I did not hold Zack at that first visit because Dakota, Kassidy and Drew had just arrived and I wanted them to get in their first loves with their new baby brother. I realized as I was making the hour journey back home for parent teacher conferences that I forgot my purse at the hospital. It had my cell phone, my wallet, drivers license and you know, pretty much all that is sacred to me in it!!

So it was a great excuse to go back up after Parent Teacher Conferences and get it. This time I left Tyler with Laren because he'd been a typical two year old and I was getting a bit frazzled. Laren had his meeting at the Stake Center but was willing to take Tyler along. So I took my very excited 4 older kids with me so they could see their newest cousin. Rilyn was especially happy she got to see Zack twice!

The only sad part in all of this is, is that I forgot my camera! Kayla did remind me that I could use my cell phone to take pictures with it and so I did get a couple on that and thanks to you Crysty for helping me out so I could post a picture here! Though the quality is severely lacking, he is not only cute but such a sweetie too. Very calm, at least so far!

On my mind

This is what has been on my mind lately...

This comes from a talk given by Ezra Taft Benson, in 1987. I'm grateful to have the guidance and direction outlined in this talk to help me to be a better Mother.

1. First, take time to always be at the crossroads when your children are either coming or going--when they leave and return from school--when they leave and return from dates--when they bring friends home. Be there at the crossroads whether your children are six or sixteen. In Proverbs we read: "A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame" (Proverbs 29:15). Among the greatest concerns in our society are the millions of latchkey children who come home daily to empty houses unsupervised by working parents.


2. Second, mothers, take time to be a real friend to your children. Listen to your children, really listen. Talk with them, laugh and joke with them, sing with them, play with them, cry with them, hug them, honestly praise them. Yes, regularly spend unrushed one-on-one time with each child. Be a real friend to your children.


3. Third, mothers, take time to read to your children. Starting from the cradle, read to your sons and daughters. Remember what the poet said, "You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be--I had a mother who read to me" (Strickland Gillilan, "The Reading Mother"). You will plant a love for good literature and a real love for the scriptures if you will read to your children regularly.


4. Fourth, take time to pray with your children. Family prayers, under the direction of the father, should be held morning and night. Have your children feel of your faith as you call down the blessings of heaven upon them. Paraphrasing the word of James: "The . . . fervent prayer of a righteous [mother ] availeth much" (James 5: 16 ). Have your children participate in family and personal prayers and rejoice in their sweet utterances to their Father in Heaven.

5. Fifth, take time to have a meaningful weekly [family] home evening. With your husband presiding, participate in a spiritual and an uplifting home evening each week. Have your children actively involved. Teach them correct principles. Make this one of your great family traditions. Remember the marvelous promise made by President Joseph F. Smith when home evenings were first introduced to the Church: "If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them." This wonderful promise is still in effect today.


6. Sixth, take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible. This is a challenge as the children get older and lives get busier. But happy conversation, sharing of the day's plans and activities, and special teaching moments occur at mealtime because mothers and fathers and children work at it.


7. Seventh, take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family. Individual scripture reading is important, but family scripture reading is vital. Reading the Book of Mormon together as a family will especially bring increased spirituality into your home and will give both parents and children the power to resist temptation and to have the Holy Ghost as their constant companion. I promise you that the Book of Mormon will change the lives of your family.


8. Eighth, take time to do things together as a family. Make family outings and picnics and birthday celebrations and trips special times and memory builders. Whenever possible, attend as a family, events where one of the family members is involved, such as a school play, a ball game, a talk, a recital. Attend Church meetings together and sit together as a family when you can. Mothers who help families pray and play together will stay together and will bless children's lives forever.


9. Ninth, mothers, take time to teach your children. Catch the teaching moments. This can be done anytime during the day--at mealtime, in casual settings, or at special sit-down times together, at the foot of the bed at the end of the day, or during an early morning walk together. Mothers, you are your children's best teacher. Don't shift this precious responsibility to day-care centers or babysitters. A mother's love and prayerful concern for her children are her most important ingredients in teaching her own.

Teach children gospel principles. Teach them it pays to be good. Teach them there is no safety in sin. Teach them a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and a testimony of its divinity.
Teach your sons and daughters modesty and teach them to respect manhood and womanhood. Teach your children sexual purity, proper dating standards, temple marriage, missionary service, and the importance of accepting and magnifying Church callings.

Teach them a love for work and the value of a good education.

Teach them the importance of the right kind of entertainment, including appropriate movies, and videos, and music, and books, and magazines. Discuss the evils of pornography and drugs and teach them the value of living the clean life.

Yes, mothers, teach your children the gospel in your own home, at your own fireside. This is the most effective teaching that your children will ever receive. This is the Lord's way of teaching. The Church cannot teach like you can. The school cannot. The day-care center cannot. But you can, and the Lord will sustain you. Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed--their truly angel mother.

Mothers, this kind of heavenly, motherly teaching takes time--lots of time. It cannot be done effectively part time. It must be done all the time in order to save and exalt your children. This is your divine calling.


10. Tenth and finally, mothers, take the time to truly love your children. A mother's unqualified love approaches Christlike love.


Okay, so less time blogging and less time on the computer has meant more time organizing my home and spending more time with my kiddo's who I love more than anything!! For me, I need structure and something to guide me as to what exactly I need to be doing. That is why I love the talk referenced above because it gives me those guidelines. I think the message is very timely, even in 2007 despite it being given 20 years ago.

I'm glad it says it will take time, because that has been something to discourage me is that it takes so much time it feels like it's constantly an unfinished job. But because it addresses that, I am becoming more okay with the fact that this work will not be accomplished while I have children at home, that it will take years and that is okay -- that's the way it is supposed to be.

I have a brief version of these 10 ways to be a better Mother posted in my kitchen where I review it frequently and give myself a mental check on them to see if I'm accomplishing all that I need to in this regard. I will admit I'm not nearly as good as it as I want to be. But I will keep trying.

My Fall Decor

A tour around some of my Fall Decor...

A witch. I love cute witches!!

My Cornucopia table centerpiece from Costco.

I got this actually to serve rolls in at dinner with a cloth napkin inside of it, but I thought it was so pretty I had to "display" it in my kitchen. It was a "Fall" item though, that I recently found so I included it in my "Tour."

An Autumn Floral Swag for my front door. This came from Hobby Lobby as did most of these things.

One of my scarecrows.

My Pumpkin Squash that caused the "argument" with the store clerk over the sale price.

More Pumpkins and yes, my turkeys are up there too.

My fence post Pumpkins that I made at Craft Night. There is an incredible mother of 14 in our ward that has a weekly craft night at her house. This is what she taught a couple of weeks ago.

My ghost and black cat. I prefer the classic Autumn decor and not all the other stuff so much but my kids REALLY love some of this type of stuff, so it is a must for their sake!! :)

And this GIVE THANKS sign I may leave up all year. It was a new find for me at Hobby Lobby and now I think our store here is already sold out. But I just love it and how it reminds me to have Gratitude.

Fourty-five

1.) Are you taller than your mother?**No, we are exactly the same height.

2.) What color is your car?**a tannish brown.

3.) What is the closest thing to you that is red?**The red dry erase marker sitting here on my desk.

4.) What is your ringtone?**It used to be the T-mobile jingle until my daughter changed it and now it's some kind of music that sounds more like noise.

5) Are you sick?**No.

6) What color is your favorite pillow? We have a rusty red throw pillow with gold fringing on it in our family room that I like a lot.

7) Favorite video game?**I don't play video games.

8) Nap today?**No.

9) Gold or silver?**Silver

10) Is there an animal that creeps you out?**Snakes and mice

11) The last person you rode an elevator with?**Tyler, my 2 year old.

12) Did you go ice skating as a kid?**Yes, my good friend Amy who is serving in Iraq and I used to go Ice Skating all the time at Asa Wood Elementary - the school I lived right behind and the same school she lived right in front of.

13) Last person you had an argument with.**The clerk at Hobby Lobby yesterday, she thought something wasn't on sale that the ad said was. Why are sales at Hobby Lobby so subjective?

14) Ever have stitches?**4 episiotomies, and one tear - from when I had Tyler too quick for the doctor to get there so I had no episiotomy and tore. At least it gave the doctor a reason to collect his $3k for "delivering" Tyler, even though he wasn't there until 30 minutes after Tyler was outside of my uterus, cord cut and all!

15) Favorite non alcoholic drink?**Water, though sometimes it gets boring right now I'm enjoying it.

16) How long ago did you kiss someone?**A few hours ago I kissed Tyler. He is very kissable!

17) What is something that you want to do before you die?**Serve a mission or 2 or 3 or 5 with Laren.

18) Ever caught something on fire?**Yes, I caught my brand new Gunny Sack Dress Jacket and blouse on fire cooking Ramen Noodles when I was about 12. Thankfully my Dad and brother came to my rescue and my skin just got a little singed but not burned! (ETA - Why did they call them Gunny Sack, they were BEAUTIFUL! Nothing resembling a Gunny Sack!!)

19) Ever seen a ghost?**Well, if you count the one on my shelf -- yes.

20) Ever seen the northern lights?**Yes.

21) Do you know how to use chopsticks?**Yes. I’m just not that good with them.

22) Something good that happened today?**I went to another Hobby Lobby and got the item I wanted for the SALE price!! It was a wire Pumpkin for my mantle, by the way.

23) Are you worried about something you can’t control?**Yes, like if this glass block project for Super Saturday will turn out. The wonderful Mother of 14 who offered to drill the holes for the lights is using WD-40 and a drill press to get them done faster - I'm worried the WD-40 will not be able to be cleaned out.

24) Do you take daily meds?**nope

25) Ever been in a fight?**Yes, with my sister when I was a kid, my brothers too. And I was threatened to be beat up 2 times once in Jr. High and once in High School for supposedly stealing someone else's boyfriend - which I didn't do.

26) Wearing nail polish?**no

27) Favorite color?**green

28) Innie or outie?**Innie

29) Ever used a rolling pin?**at least every Thanksgiving for homemade pie and sometimes a few other times a year for homemade pizza.

30) Sweet or sour?**Sweet AND sour

31) Sun or Moon?**The sun.

32) What shoes did you wear today?**The same brown one's I blogged about while doing the elliptical in them several months ago.

33) Favorite eye color of the opposite sex?**Blue, because that is the color of my Sweetie's eyes.

34) Most important quality in a relationship.**Honesty.

35) FavoriteChic Flick movie?**Dirty Dancing.

36) Time of day that you were born?**6:30pm

37) Do you know your blood type?**AB positive

38) What would you spend 500 dollars on right now?**Some Home Decor stuff.

39) Name something annoying in public transit?**That it takes my husband up to an hour to get home from work on it.

40) Did you grow up in a city or in the country?**A small town of around 5,000. I guess you could say it was country living, we did live on about 4 acres.

41) Consider going on a reality show for a large amount of money?**It would depend on the show but probably not.

42. Flown in your dreams?**Not that I remember

43. Hugs or kisses?**Both

44) Ten dollars to spend in a dollar store. What on?**Miscellaneous stuff - right now probably Halloween stuff or dish soap or stuff like that.

45) Slurpee flavor?**Blue raspberry.

Little Tidbits and our family Halloween Party

A number of months ago I was reading on a blog and they were touting the virtue of this particular DVD. I was intrigued enough to buy it for my own little kiddo's. I wasn't too sure that it was all that it was cracked up to be until yesterday morning while waiting for the kids to get ready for school, Tyler (my 2 year old) picked up a book and brought it to me.

I was reluctant to read it to him as I was trying to encourage my older ones in getting ready for school. The book was "There's a Wocket in my Pocket" by Dr. Seuss. He looked at the first word and pointed to the letter T and started saying Ttttt, and then he did the same with the W only he mistaked it for the Mmmm sound. And then he did Ppppp for the letter P in Pocket. I was AMAZED!!! When I quizzed him on what he knows, I realized he knows more than half the letter sounds. I wish I could take credit for that, but it's not me it's this.

The Letter Factory really does work!!

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This past week while driving on a street I drive on often, I noticed this Church messageboard. The message read: "We admit our priorities by our actions." This has caused a lot of reflective thought for me this past week especially as I have tried to prepare for General Conference. I have been so busy re-staining my fence, dealing with some Super Saturday problems, throwing a Halloween Party for my kids and a few other things and I know my priorities need to be better with other good things that I neglect, like personal scripture study.

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Our Halloween Party was a great success! We ended up having more kids than we originally planned on. I let each of my kids invite 3 friends and when you have as many kids as I do that adds up!! Well, then a couple of the friends said they couldn't make it so I let them each invite another friend as a replacement and then the original invitee's came back, everyone of them, to say they could make it afterall!!

Kayla (our oldest daughter), and friends Lonnie, Natalie (who is hidden behind the hanging bat) and Emma. We had decided to make dressing up optional and Kayla was happy about that. She's starting to get to the age where it isn't such a big deal anymore.

Me explaining how to make the witch cupcakes.

We decorated these tote bags I got at Michaels for $1 each. They stamped them with acrylic paint and Halloween stamps and glued felt Halloween shapes on them and put lettering on with puffy paints.

Tote Bag.

We played bowling with Pumpkins and 2 liter bottles spray painted white with ghost eyes and mouths, we had a Spooky Walk (like a cake walk only when their picture was picked they got a sucker instead of a cake.) And we played Halloween Corners where each corner in our family room had a different picture in each corner. The pictures were all done by my kids. The corners had a Ghost, Pumpkin, Witch and Bat. When the music stopped all the kids picked one of the 4 corners. One of the corners was randomly drawn from a label inside a dish and everyone in that corner was out.

Then we made these cute witch cupcakes and ate spider cookies, Cheetos and had some Gory Punch.

Witch Cupcakes.

Spider Cookie.

Gory Punch, notice the ice in the shape of hands, some of the fingers melted rather quickly though..

It was lots of fun, but I have to say lots of work too!! I'm so glad that we were able to make the time to do this for our kids. We need to do stuff like this more often!

After 9 months of waiting...

I've waited 9 long months for this!

I'm so excited that the day finally came!! I have been an absentee blogger lately and this is part of the reason!! And no, it's probably not what you are thinking it is. But it may make you wonder since I don't believe I've posted any pictures of myself in quite awhile.

No, it's not that.

It's THIS!!!

My kitchen cabinets have arrived!!! I am beyond excited! You would not believe what a difference it has made in the kitchen even though they are not all installed yet.

The work in progress.

Friday was our hometown Homecoming Parade and I was there to watch my oldest daughter as she rode the float for her school. I took my little Rilyn along with me. We had a great time together.

Rilyn and I before the Parade began.

Rilyn watching the Band come down the street.

Kayla riding on her float. She is the one with her hand in the air! We ended up on the wrong side of the street than what she was riding on. We had been on that side but crossed over when an entire Elementary School came out and lined the street on that side and so we moved to the opposite side so Rilyn would have a chance at getting a little candy. She ended up getting a lot!

Another float, this one was for the High School Drama team.

Meanwhile, my hard-working husband was at home installing the cabinets.

And I have to tell you about the funniest thing that happened last week. Well, it's embarassing and funny all at the same time! I went into my urologist (aka Kidney Doctor) and found that both of my stones in my right kidney were successfully blasted at my surgery a few weeks ago, YEAH!! But we also found another stone, 7mm (which is pretty large), in my left kidney that is in the lower lobe and could pass sooner or later but most likely sooner. He had a bunch of tests run on me to try and find out the cause of these stones. One of the tests was a 24 hour urine test, where I have to collect all of my urine for an entire twenty-four hours!

Well, I had recently found out that the closest lab to me is inside a Walmart Store. So as I casually walked in on Friday morning to turn in my day's worth of urine I was stopped by the Walmart Greeter as he wanted to put a "return sticker" on my gas can look alike urine jug. I about busted a gut! I mean, what would they give $ me for returning my urine to them? It was hilarious!!!!! I told him no that this was a return for the LAB and he finally understood and let me go. I never did tell him the contents of the jug though!!

A picture of not THE Jug, but another similar one that I used on a subsequent test! Doesn't it resemble a Gas Can?

In other news, my kids and I are planning a Halloween Party for later on in the week. Last night we sat down together and hand stamped some invitations with an Apple and Orange paint. They thought it was great fun and we managed to do it without too much of a mess!

Now I've got to get to work and figure out some fun crafts, games and yummy treats for 5 kids and 16 friends between the ages of 2-11!!!! If you have any super suggestions, send them my way please!!

The kids and I stamping our Pumpkin Cards last night. I'm always so worn out after wrestling Sunbeams during Church that I can't wait to get something comfy on, hence the pink Warm-ups.

Alyssa and I having fun stamping.