What we LOVE about Sping

I think that there is a direct correlation between the state of my childrens' (and my own) sanity and the warm weather. The kids have been practically living outside this week, and boy does it make me happy.    Not only does it bring a smile to my face to see them enjoying the other neighborhood kids, but it literally brings joy to my heart every time I realize that  all of this "outside play"  equals a MUCH cleaner house.

We found this bounce house in BC a few weeks ago and could not pass up on the great deal that it was.   It may be huge, and tacky, but I don't care.   

My favorite, favorite, FAVORITE thing about spring has got to be the afternoon thunderstorms. I just love it when a stormy cloud passes through, rains a little, and then moves on, giving us back a beautiful calm evening. 

Here is a sad confession. My almost 6 month old had never been outside until this week. It's true! He's gone from the house to the van and back always within the confinement of his covered carseat. I've been so paranoid about germs and colds that I've not given this little guy the luxury of FRESH AIR.    I think this picture depicts his longing to see what just what exactly it's like "out there."

John was busy on Monday night, and so I decided to take the kids to the park for family home evening. EVEN NATE!     I let Abby, Sam and Jess ride their bikes, and the plan was to take advantage of the opportunity to teach them all about "Bike Safety."    Well that lesson did not sink in very well, and I ended up yelling at the kids the whole way there and back.   Not that they could hear me yelling.    They were all too far ahead of me.

I have since decided to never NEVER venture beyond our cul de sac again.

I'm so grateful for my one, obedient, child.

Never mind the fact that he is fastened into a stroller. And can't walk.

Even if he could run off and disobey me,  I know he wouldn't.

Because some kids actually love their mothers.

As for my other three?   Well, I think they are really just getting a taste of the delightfulness that is spring. 

Suddenly, there are trees to climb, bikes to ride, and clouds to catch.     

Not a care in the world!

Oh, to be a kid again.

Who's idea was that?

It is interesting to me how the more kids I have, the newer I feel at this whole parenting business.     Literally, I feel like I am regressing.    I remember thinking that "one day" I would be an AWESOME mom. 

But that was before the kids came.   

I often think of some advice I was given a few years back,  that I have really tried to take to heart.   I apply it to my marriage, even some friendships, but mostly, I implement this advice as a parent.

CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES! 

I'm sure everybody has been given the same council, and I have always considered it wise. 

Lately though, I'm wondering if I have perhaps become too accustomed with the practice of "choosing my battles."      What if this has just become my excuse or justification for poor parenting. 


Take Wednesday afternoon for example.

When I looked out the window and saw Sam and Jess playing something wreckless and dangerous on top of our vehicle I had two choices.  

a)  turn a blind eye and pray that neither of them experience any life threatening injury as a result. 

or

b)  Go out there like I wanted to, tear them off the truck, and teach them about the importance of caring for our vehicles.  Which we do.   (Just not this one.)   


I am ashamed to admit it - but negligence won.   (Hence the photo) 

But hey, I'm just chosing my battles, right?


Then there was the time this week when Jessica wanted to play with my make up, and I wouldn't let her.  Putting a make-up brush in her hands is like giving her a loaded paintbrush.  And the walls, couch and carpet become her canvas.

However, despite my NO, a few short minutes later,  I noticed that Jessica was no where in sight.   And my make up was also coveniently missing.   She was very obviously tucked in some corner of the house up to no good.   And I knew it.  Again, I had two choices.

a)  Hunt her down and make her put everything away before she made too much of a mess.

or

b)  Let her have her fun, and get a little peace to myself in the meantime. 


Again.   Just "choosing my battles,"  because I've been under the impression that that is the mark of a good parent.

It was at this moment, when I found Jessica looking like a nightmare personified,   that I wondered if my current method of parenting is really, perhaps,  not all it is cracked up to be.  

Whoever first said, "Choose your battles,"  obviously never had to look this in the eye.

And really.  I have nobody to blame for it, but myself. 

On another note.  Me and the "Nightmare" went for a drive this morning to look at the ELK.  Today the Elk seemed especially willing to have their photos taken. 

We  love our trips to Waterton! . 

                                      

Better then the last recipe I shared!

Back when I was attending school in Edmonton, I was lucky enough to have had a LOT of roomates.    I mean A LOT!    Once, shortly before I married John, I sat down and counted how many girls I had lived with during my 4 years as a student.    Turns out I had 34 roomates through out that time.     Sure some of those girls were "summer fill ins." Some left shortly after moving in, (I had that effect on people),   others stayed longer and became wonderful friends to me, and shared in some of my most cherished memories.

This was one of the houses I lived in, well known  at the time, and aptly named, "The Blue House."

It was a charming 7 bedroom  place located one block away from UofA campus, pretty much next to the High Level bridge.   With some innovation, we often managed to get up to 13 girls in at one time.  Anything for cheaper rent!   It is here that I created my all time favorite desert.

Ever!!    (Well at least that is my opinion today)

It was born from the discovery that all I had to my name one day, was a tub of vanilla ice cream and a box of (salted) Soda Crackers.   

Now please, before I share this with you, try to be open minded.   It was barely a year ago that I shared this childhood favorite, and I still have not gotten over the feedback from that.   To this day, I don't think any of you ever did try a "missionary sandwich."   tsk tsk.   I wholeheartedly request that you atleast give this one a shot.    I feel both proud and a little protective of it.  I'm not trying to be dramatic when I say that it is "completely magnificent in it's simplicity!"   

Poor Man's Ice Cream
(by ME) 

1 bowl of your favorite vanilla ice cream

About 8-12 SALTED soda crackers.

Crush the crackers into the ice cream and stir it up until the ice cream is a desired texture. Be careful not to crush them too much. You want to taste the cracker. Believe me, the salty crunch of the cracker compliments the ice cream perfectly.  

photo taken from:  http://teachgreenchemnh.wikispaces.com/

 I suppose you could drizzle this with a bit of caramel sauce - but then you start messing with it, and turning it into something that it's not.

DON'T   mess with it!     Soda crackers and ice cream.   Period.
o

What a lot of hype for something you could hardly even call a "recipe" eh?

It's worth the hype. 

(Atleast that is my opinion today)

You can thank me later!!!

Love, Mom.

                 
I started to notice that raising a boy would be an interesting experience, a few years ago, when I walked out of the house and found Sam jamming our fresh garden carrots into the front grill of our minivan..

 That is when I knew.   I was dealing with one weird little kid.  

 Take last Sunday for example.  We were enjoying a lovely dinner with a couple of the in-laws.  The weather had turned fresh and the wind was cold.   Thankfully though, we were all safe and warm inside, visiting over piping hot bowls of Soup.  That is when we all looked out the window at the same moment and saw Sam.  Riding his bike to the neighbors house.   In the snow.    In nothing but shorts and slippers. 
And a Frog costume.  

Because bothering the neighbors on Sunday isn't embarrasing enough, he's got to dress up for the event!

Dear Sam: 

I am glad that you like all the neighborhood kids, but you must tell us when you plan to leave the house. 

    Oh and, please lose the Frog suit.

It is a bit much.

Love,   Mom

aka: your legal guardian. (not that you'd care) 

---------------------------------

Not to be out done though- his older sister certainly has her moments.   She doesn't come close to being the handful Sam is, but I'm not about to tell HER that.  She'd just consider it a challenge!  

On Wednesday there was no school, due to a blessed spring snow storm.   (There is nothing better then an unexpected snow day.)   Anyways, after breakfast I told Abby to go practice piano so that she could be done with it for the day.   This evoked a plethura of dramatic statements, the jest of them being, "No other kid in the WORLD has to practice on a holiday."     I responded by telling her that technically it was a "snow day" not a holiday,   but YES other kids do in fact have to practice on snow days as well.  Even "ava and mya."    I thought adding her cousins in as examples would be enough to persuade her. 

I thought that was the end of it.

Three minutes later though,  I walked by my bedroom and saw Abby talking on the phone.   With Ava and Mya's Mom.    Apparantly, Abby had a difficult time believing what I'd told her, and was determined to prove me wrong.    Thankfully,   Aunt Jewel sided with me.  At least I'm pretty sure she sided with me.  All I know is that I heard Abby say,   "Uh huh.  Ok.  Yup.  Bye."   Then she hung up the phone, walked to the piano and started practicing.   

That was the end of it.   

And I was left wondering HOW!     "How does  Auntie Jewel get my kids to do ANYTHING she asks,  yet they don't listen to a WORD I say?"

Dear Abby:

Please understand that everything I ask you to do, is for your own good.    

Would you believe me if I said, "Auntie Jewel says so?"

Love, Your mother. 

aka:  The one who grew you in her womb, and brought you to this earth.  (Not that you'd care)

------------------------------

I've been trying to potty train Jessica this week.  Neither her or I are enjoying the process very much.   However,  she is over three and I've been buying two sizes of diapers for long enough.

It's time. 

I think she is starting to grasp the idea.  She went potty on the toilet a couple of times in the last few days.   The problem is though, that every single time, she would walk out of the bathroom soaking wet!   I couldn't figure out how she could be going potty where she was supposed to be going, but STILL getting so wet in the process.    After following her suspiciously for a few hours,  I have since figured out where things are going wrong.

Dear Jessica: 

I am glad that you are beginning to figure this out.   But in the future PLEASE remove your pants before sitting on the potty.  K?

It will make ALL the difference!

Love, Mom

aka: the one who is sick of all the laundry  (not that you'd care)

--------------------------------------------------

Sometimes, late at night when the other 3 kids are in bed, John and I cuddle up to our youngest child Nate, and cover him with smooches.   We both stare at him,  and admire what a delightfully happy boy he is.   He is a DREAM baby.     He is starting to really roll around a room and is also enjoying any bit of food we allow him to get his hands on.  He is growing way WAY too fast. 

Dear Nate:

You are such a good little boy, and so far, you seem to be turning out alright. 

We have every reason to hope that you just might be the normal child in the family.

Then again.   Perhaps it's just too soon to tell. 

"Normal" is such an objective term anyways.

Love, 

Mom  

Why Everyone Should have a Big Brother

Meet my Brother Chad. 

It's his Birthday this weekend.

Now,  I won't tell you exactly how old he is, because honestly, beyond a certain number I just stop counting.  All I know is that he is older then me.   (And I am getting close to being "old" myself) 

I thought it might be fun to share a little info about Chad that some people likely wouldn't know. 

*   I don't know how this came to be, but I remember a large chunck of my youth was spent cleaning my brothers room.   I would go down to his basement room daily, and fold his clothes, sweep his floor, make his bed,  ...feed his ugly lizard.   Stuff like that.   In payment,  Chad let me keep any spare change that I found in the process.   Just Think of it.    I never had to give ANY of it back!   I tell ya, I bought a lot of jolly rancher sticks on his dime!    What a generous soul. 

  *   When I was in Elementary school, I told him that a grade 3 boy was picking on me, and so Chad taught me "martial arts" as self defense.  Who knows where he learned it from.  ..or if it really was "martial arts" for that matter.


*  Growing up I tried to be just like him.   When he started listening to country music - so did I.  When he went to Marks Work Warehouse and bought a mens jean jacket to wear to school-  Unfortunately - so did I.       He never really came out and said it, but I'm pretty sure this annoyed him at times.   
In fact I'm pretty sure he thought of me as his "annoying copy cat little sister."

*   Despite the fact that I was just his "annoying copy cat" sister, He Stood in line twice (separate occastions) to get two autographed cd’s for me.   One from John Berry and the other from David lee Murphy. (Because, really, who didn't think Dust on the Bottle was the most sweetest and romantic song ever?)

* One time, after he'd moved away from home to attend school in Calgary, he stood in line (again), and bought me (and two of my friends) tickets to a Garth brooks concert.  He swallowed his pride and accompanied us dorky grade 11 geeks.   It was our first time in the city with no parents.   First ride on city transit.   My first concert.   The first time I ever saw someone drunk, and the first time I ever told a man I loved him.   Picture a 6 foot tall, 100 lb grade eleven girl with braces and a perm, yelling "I love you GARTH" at the top of her lungs.   Oh dear.  (I'm glad I got to share that moment with him and 30, 000 other people.) 


*    In my grade 12 year I must have mentioned my desire to become a famous country singer.    One day Chad came down to visit,  and in his arms was guitar.   For me.    It was a beeeautiful  12 string fender which he had gotten at a pawn shop.    He used his trumpet as payment.    He loved that trumpet.   I still remember the time he emptied his "spit valve" on top of my head when I wasn't looking, and I shudder to think at of the World Famous Trumpeter he could have become.    Unfortunately all I have to show for his kindness are a few stupid songs I made up for some old college roomates, and this sad song I learned the first time I got "dumped" by a boy.     I still have the guitar though, and I will learn how to play it.

*  I remember, he once said that his life long dream was  to "one day, be able to make a Citizen's arrest."

*  The day before he left for his mission he gave me the keys to his motorcycle, and told me that I could do whatever I wished with it.    That bike sat behind our house for about 2 days, before I had it sold and replaced with a beautiful bumblebee yellow Jeep YJ.      He single handledly changed my high school experience.  Instead of being a scrawny geek with braces and a perm - I was a "scrawny geek with braces, a perm AND A JEEP!"   That made me pretty darn cool, if you ask me.

A year and a half later, I had to sell it so that Dad could pay for a few months of Chad's mission.   I know, it seemed only right.  But I did not handle the whole "parting with it" thing as noblely has Chad had earlier, on my behalf.   

 I  didn't speak to my Dad for a WHOLE WEEK.

*  One thing a lot of people don't know- is that Chad went through a time, when he lived the life of a bonafide Homeless Man.   

 Shortly after his mission he moved to Edmonton where my sister and I were going to school at the time.  For some reason, he couldn't really justify wasting money on  something so silly as "RENT".   Instead, he kept his stuff in the backseat of his car and sort of just found people's couches or floors to crash on each night. 

*  It was around this same time that he changed his name to HANK.     Luckily, that name change only lasted until he met his future wife.    But to this day, some people still know him only as such.

*   He's charasmatic.  People always like visiting with him, and he would never admit it, but he can sure capture an audience.  I remember one time,  he came to visit me and my sister Crystal in our little home just off of the UofA campus.    We always enjoyed it when he popped in, as did our roomates, as it usually provided some comical entertainment of some sort.

On this particular day though,  he neglected to turn off the water after washing his hands.    We'd been listening to Chad's "stories" for over an hour, when we all began to notice water seeping into the hallway from the bathroom.

It might not look too bad here but there was a good inch or so of water.   Most of it though, had been  DRAINING into my roomates room below.   We went downstairs to find water cascading onto every computer, textbook, and article of clothing possible.  It is the only time I have ever seen it Rain indoors.

Naturally, the girls forgave him.  I mean, how could they not?

* Now he is all grown up and mature and responsible and all that stuff.     Naturally, he became a police officer, not only following in the shoes of our Dad, but also fulfilling his childhood dream in the process. Arresting bad guys 'till his hearts content!

He still entertains us with his crazy antics and wild stories.

*  He has a beautiful family, whom we love just as much.

*   He continues to be the reason that I think EVERYONE should be lucky enough to have a Big Brother.

Only I must admit, one thing has changed.  

I don't try quite as hard to be his "annoying copy cat little sister". 

Really!!

  I don't.

Happy Birthday Chad! 

PS:  If you know my brother- please go  here  and surprise him with a little Birthday Cheer for me!

All Work and No Play

Well Spring Break is officially over. Right now John is reading to the older kids and we are crossing our fingers that they actually fall asleep before 10:00 tonight. It's always so tough getting back into a school routine. Especially for me. I've had John home ALL week and now I'm on my own again. It's a rough life being married to a school teacher, I tell ya. (I know... can I whine any more?)
John on the other hand, is glad to be going back to school.   He hasn't said that in so many words, but I'm pretty sure he is thinking it.   Nine hours of teaching is going to seem like a walk in the park compared to what he's done this week here at home.

We tackled our yard in a Big way this week. Very few people have been in our back yard so it would be difficult for others to really appreciate all that went on.   Perhaps our nearby neighbors could testify.  They were no doubt woken early and kept up late from the melodic hum of chainsaws and power tools over the past 6 days. 

Here is a before picture.

This is pretty much what our back yard looked like right before spring Break.

Between then and now we have:

* Removed all of the lilac bushes.

* Cut down all three trees (John has an addiction to his chainsaw)

* Removed all of the railway ties and random cement from the garden and yard

* Built a deck

* Dug up the 4 feet tall weeds, hauled rocks away and rototilled our entire strip of alley behind our fence (hopefully to cut down on weeds)

* Fixed the gate on our fence so that the kids can be confined now. (the neighbors will rejoice)

* John built a NEW deck

* I power raked our lawns and hauled away a dozen bags of dead grass

* We designed a landscape plan for our front yard and prepped it for future planting

* We hauled a LOT to the dump.

* Tilled a spot for our Raspberry Bushes

* Tilled a spot for tomatoes

* Got Very VERY dirty in the process.

We were so glad to have John's Dad help us on Monday as this proved to be a list of projects that literally consumed our hours every.single.day this week.  At times I would sit down in a clump of dirt and cry and explain that "maybe ...perhaps...we had bitten off more then we could chew."     But John.    Steady John- kept working.  Through thick and thin,  and rain, and snow and ice.    Okay, I might be exaggerating a little. 

But not really.  

By 10:00pm on Saturday night we were rushing to clean up the disaster area that was once known as our garage.  It felt a little extreme makeover-ish to me, as we tried to wrap every last project up before the "holiday" (I use that term loosely) came to an end and the sabbath began.

I snapped this photo before church to show all that had been accomplished. 

We still have much to do and much to plant, and I've been pouring over books of perennials, shrubs, and fruit trees all weekend.  I am really excited about the gardening potential here and most importantly about the future time that John and I will get to spend together doing what we love doing. 

John and I make a good team.  For several reasons I think we are perfectly matched.    So many times I think up a plan and without ever really considering the logistics - I simply ask John to make it happen.  And you know what?  HE DOES!   

During one of my many random "backroad excursions" a country song came on the radio called,  

 The House that Built Me by Miranda Lambert.   It has quickly become a current favorite of mine, specifically because of this one paragraph.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years

From Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Plans were drawn and concrete poured

Nail by nail and board by board

Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

Every time I hear that song now I think of John, and how he "gives life" to every idea and scheme or plan I dream up.  Every home we have ever lived in has been made better by his hard work and skill.   

I often tell my kids that "Daddy can do ANYTHING!"

I've smiled to myself at times, as I've over heard Sam and Abby repeat, with absolute confidence that same thing to their friends.   My kids are still young enough that they believe whatever I tell them.   

But John hasn't made a liar out of me yet.

Mail Run

I made a trip down to Babb Montana for some mail today. I don't always have to drive down to Montana for the mail, but due to the efficiency of the American Postal system we often have packages sent there.    We get them quicker that way.  And the drive is always nice.   Today started out as an ordinary mail run, this time it was to retrieve a package for my brother Chad.       The thing about driving around my neck of the woods though, is that it is never really very ordinary.    I should know that by now. 

After picking up the mail, I got a bit side tracked.   Perhaps I was just stalling.    Instead of rushing home to rescue John who was landscaping our front lawn (as per my instruction), building a deck AND babysitting a bunch of crazy kids, I took a a side road and toured the Chief Mountain Highway.     It's a new road to me and one that I'm sure I will explore a lot more come the summer.

I loved this view of Chief Mountain. 

But I think it will be much prettier when everything is green and lush in the foreground.

A few minutes later, I was back in Canada and only a short ways from home, almost ready to deal with the inevitable chaos that awaited at home.    I was driving along what I think is Highway 2.     My camera was perched in its usual position, on my lap, but there didn't seem to be much promise of anything, within my view worth snapping a photo of.


Until...I noticed these little ones (or not so little) just off the side of the road.

The momma bear was standing on her hind legs watching my van cautiously.     As I approached she quickly started to usher her brood further back into the field.

People kept wizzing past me, obviously headed for the border, and none of them seemed to notice this little "herd" just a little ways away.   (hey what do you call a bunch of bears?)

It definitely made for an exciting afternoon.

And that is why getting the mail in my world is always a bit of an adventure.

I thought this picture was appropriate to add in as well.

In my opinion he is definitely BEARY cute too!

Early Morning Light

There is nothing more glorious then sun rays bursting through our window on a Monday morning off.

It's difficult not to have a wonderful day when this is what we wake up to.

I LOVE Spring!

Easter Conference Weekend

There is nothing better than a combined Easter Weekend. Nothing in the world.

We have had such a great past few days, eating, visiting with friends and loved ones, and enjoying General Conference.
On Friday morning, we loaded up the kids and made the much anticipated drive out to Sparwood BC to visit our good friends the Salmons. Sparwood is situated in a valley amongst the Rocky Mountains. It literally does not matter which way you turn there is a beautiful mountainscape staring right back at you. The drive there was enjoyable as well.

We stopped to look at this tree for a bit. It is called the Burmis tree (but that is due to its location).   In reality, it is a Limber Pine and is one of the oldest living species in Alberta. Other interesting sites we visited were the Leitch Collieries and Frank Slide which we could take a day to visit in and of itself. . Our kids played all day, while the adults got to visit. As always Shauna impressed us with a fun authentic Easter Lunch and then Pizza and HOMEMADE root beer that evening. By the time we left, the kids were all tuckered out, and slept the entire way home. Fog had set in, and light flakes were falling. Deer AND ELK were grazing along the road, and along practically every river we drove by. It was gorgeous! Thanks Terry and Shauna – as always- for an awesome day!

The past two days have, in large part, been spent enjoying our prophet and apostles speak. General Conference is perhaps my favourite FAVORITE time of year. My favourite talks this year came from Elder Holland, Sister Beck, Elder Bednar, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Foster, and Elder Schwitzer. (Ok I guess I could have narrowed it down a bit, but whatever.) I always feel a renewed determination to improve myself, specifically as a Mother. Some of these talks will be re-read over and over again as I try to implement the changes that I want to make in my life.   

The kids woke up delighted this morning to find that the Easter Bunny had found our home, and had scattered a candy trail all over the house that led to some deliciously filled baskets. Aside from enjoying a special “Easter walk” Abby, Sam and Jess have been bingeing on Chocolate, painting eggs and creating their own egg hunts all afternoon. (Pray all of those eggs get found)

As if the weekend wasn’t already perfect enough we enjoyed a F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S BBQ at my sister Jewels house last night with some family and Friends, and in just a few minutes we will head over to Luci’s house to stuff our already fattened tummies even more.

Life is so so good.

There really is nothing better than an “Easter Conference Weekend”. Well I suppose the only thing that would make this weekend better would be knowing that we now get to enjoy a WHOLE WEEK of NO SCHOOL.!

Have I mentioned Life is Good?

Happy Easter

A couple changes around this place

Nate took a big step this week when he inhaled his first ever bowl of baby cereal.   I know I'm starting him a few weeks early, but this kid was ready for it.   I'm sure of that!  In fact when I took him for his immunizations, the health nurse took one look at him and assured me that he was ready for some food. 

The kids have all enjoyed taking turns feeding him, and he offers some of his biggest smiles in appreciation. 

 

*******

We experienced a loss in our family this week.    Abby woke up early one morning and announced to us all that our dear pet "Rainbow" had died.   

It's too soon to know, as we are awaiting toxocology results, (not really)  but we suspect it is due to some cleaner I had been spraying in the area of his bowl the day before.  When I was cleaning around the bowl, I'd wondered if any solvent had perhaps fallen into the water, but I shrugged it off because, after all, I do use environmentally friendly cleaners. 

I will use that term "friendly" more cautiously from now on. 

I think the kids handled it ok, all things considered.  Alright, honestly?  They were ecstatic! 

 I'd worried about Abby because it was technically her fish, but my anxiety about her coping with the loss of her pet, soon subsided when she came bounding up the stairs explaining, "Finally! Now we get to get a REAL pet!"    

Yup, that's how much Abby loved the thing.    I still remember the day we got it for her a whole year ago, and  how she had so lovingly carried that bulging bag of water and beta all over lethbridge and the entire way home.

 

She had loved that fish with all of her heart.  For two days.Then she was asking for a puppy.

I suppose it was John's and my mistake to use Rainbow as the reason that she couldn't have a cat or a dog. 

We were always like, "No we can't get a dog, because you have Rainbow to take care of."

Now what will we say when she comes asking for a pet?  And what could possibly replace a fish?

We arn't picky.  We will let any animal come live with us that: a) doesn't stink  b)doesn't require haircuts  

 c)doesn't bite, slither, make noise or messes of any kind. 

 Oh yeah-and it can't be boring.   (Abby's criteria, not mine)

So if you have any ideas for a great pet that matches the above - let us know. 

  In the mean time, we'll be stalling.