July Top Ten (Top Eight)

8- Ethan was telling Brian how he knew that Mom and Dad are really the Easter Bunny. When Brian asked him about Santa Ethan said that he was real. Then Brian asked him about the tooth fairy. His response, “I’m still working on that.”

7- Logan hates getting stuff stuck in his teeth. When he does he cries and tells me his tongue hurts. It took me the longest time to realize that it wasn’t his tongue that hurt. It was that he couldn’t get that darn food out of his teeth.

6- The kids were crying when we told them we sold our house and were moving. They were so upset. I felt bad and quietly suggested to Brian that we do something fun to cheer them up (I was thinking rent a movie or eat some ice cream). Ryen heard me and being the opportunist that she is she decided to milk this for what it was worth. Pretty soon she and Ethan were trying to get expensive stuff out of us. Ryen wanted to go to the movie theatre and Ethan wanted us to buy him a $20 bionicle.

5- Ryen told Logan the he was a bad boy. I told her that she shouldn’t tell people that. Then Logan said, “Yeah that’s a bad word.”

4- Ethan said to Brian, “Dad, don’t you dare make Mom mad. She’s gonna bust you.”

3- Brian pointed out a homeless man on the side of the road. To which Jocelyn responded, “He gots to find a home that nobody lives in. He can live in our home.”

2- At dinner time Brian was talking about nothing in particular. Logan told him, “You’re talking like a man.” We laughed and Brian said, “I am a man.” “You’re a tall man,” Logan responded.

1- At Wal-Mart Jocelyn wandered off as she frequently does. I grabbed her and asked her, “What did I say about staying by me?” “Uh,” she said concentrating. “Stay by you forever?”
Sure that’ll work.

Baptism Day

January 31, 2009

It was a special day for us and for Ethan! Ethan chose Aunt Erica to play piano and Aunt Jamie to give a talk on Baptism and his sisters and some cousins (the girl ones) to sing "When Jesus Christ was Baptized."

Logan kept asking if he could go in the water. We kept telling him he could when he was eight! He doesn't know how long that is but I'm sure he knew what it meant; "It's gonna be a while." ...He just had a minor tantrum.

I Love To See The Temple

Sorry for all the wordy posts. But here's another one.

I really took a lot from this last Stake Conference. I really needed to learn these things about the temple. My testimony has increased tremendously from what I’ve learned here and from taking President Duffin’s challenge to redouble our efforts. I’m posting this strictly for personal use but anyone is welcome to read. Obviously it is extremely condensed.


Sister Anderson-

The temple is a place to offer our selves, to sacrifice and commune with God.

If ever you have a vexing problem go to the temple. What is not solvable becomes solvable.


Merril J Bateman-

God comes to meet with His children in the temple.

Those who have temple recommends don’t usually need to see bishop. They go to the temple and get help to work things out.

Worship and work has same root. Everyone at the temple serves. Happiness and joy-that’s what work does. The temple helps you become self reliant.

He told a story of a severely handicap woman who finally had the chance to go to the temple. She was overjoyed because her whole life people had served her. For the first time, because of the temple, she could serve others.


President Duffin-

Set specific goals. Do not let anything get in the way. Be like the people who need to travel and plan to get to the temple.

What’s an acceptable offering in temple worship? Is it occasionally rushing in?

The Lord is sending a message. I feel strongly that we need to increase our temple attendance. The Lord may be preparing us for a day when a temple will be in our midst.

Satan will unleash every scheme, evil violation… Evil night darkens-we must come to the temple for safety and light. Membership in the church is not enough.

Vicarious service of the dead=most selfless service. Every time you come to the temple you will leave a better person guaranteed! We need to redouble our efforts.

June Top Ten

10-- We checked out a potty book from the library for Logan. In the book the boy had an accident on the floor. There was a puddle in the picture. I pointed out that that was really yucky (not wanting him to think it would be cool to make his own puddle someday). Later he needed to go poo-poo and he was a bit freaked out. I asked him what was wrong. “If I go poo-poo it will fall out of my diaper and make a mess on the floor.” I’m not too sure about those potty books…

9-- Rumor has it that the reason that Brian and I are moving is because we are getting a divorce. This rumor started because of a certain testimony meeting where Brian and I both bore our testimonies. My family was there and we had just found out that my mom had cancer. I was emotional and in Brian’s testimony he said “We’re going to get through this.” Someone must have taken that as the Bishop and his wife are having hard times in their marriage. Hehe

8-- Logan informed me one day that the ants are naked. I suppose they are.

7-- Logan—“Mom, where’s Jesus?” I answered, “Up in Heaven.” Logan after a pause said, “I never find him.”

6-- A conversation between me and Logan
Me – Logan we need to change your diaper. You’re stinky.
Logan – No-hoh.
Me – Yeh-hes.
Logan – But some pooh-poohs are good.

5-- We pulled up to Grandma and Grandpa Feller’s house. When we got out of the car we saw Grandpa in the garage. Logan said, “Hi grandpa. We’re going to Grandma Feller’s.”

4-- Ryen wrote this letter to Ethan and Jocelyn to express her feelings.
Dear Ethan and Jocelyn,
I know you are trying to be mean to me. You have been hitting me and stuff and it hurts my feelings.

3-- Ethan wanted me to buy him a bionicle. For that sort of thing the kids have allowance and are supposed to save up for what they want to buy. But since Ethan has been having a sour attitude lately I suggested practicing having a good attitude and that maybe if he got really good at it I would buy him one. He responded, “You’re just making me have a lesson. I don’t like lessons.”

2-- Logan snuck some carrot juice in my cart. Somehow it also made it on the checkout runner and into the grocery bags without my knowledge. When I found it I asked Logan if he snuck it into the cart. “NO!” he denied. “This is really yucky,” I replied. Then he started crying, “No it’s yummy!” You think this is yummy?” I asked. “It’s carrot juice! Do you want some?” “Yes I want some!” So I poured some in a glass for him. He sat at the table and stared at it for a while then finally said, “Mom, I can’t! I can’t drink it!”

1-- Another conversation
Logan -- It’ll be fun to go to Jesus’ house. But it will be scary.
Me -- Why will it be scary?
Logan -- Because Jesus will get mad at me.
Me – Why will Jesus be mad at you?
Logan – Because he’ll say, “Why did you kill my animals?”
Me – Did you kill Jesus’ animals?
Logan – Uh-huh.
Me – What did you kill?
Logan – I killed ants.

May Top Ten

10-- Ryen said to me, “Mom listen, 2-Logan, 4-Jocelyn, 6-me, 8-Ethan. Two, four, six, eight!” I responded, “Two, four, six, eight. Who do we appreciate? Mom!” Then Ryen said, thoughtfully, “That’s actually true.” Very sweet, thanks Ryen.

9-- Jocelyn came up to me and cried, “Mom, Ethan’s going to tell on me but I don’t want him to.” In the other room I hear Ethan snickering. He didn’t have to move a muscle, she just took matters into her own hands.

8-- Whenever Logan is upset with his daddy he cries, “I want my mommy.” And vice versa, when he’s upset with mommy he wants his daddy. Well recently neither of us could console him so he finally resorted to, “I want my Ethan.”

7-- Jocelyn was getting a snack for her and Jade. When Ryen came up Jocelyn told her that they were playing a jungle game. Ryen said, “Ooo, and these are your jungle snacks?” “No,” she answered, “We were just hungry.”

6-- Logan was in hysterics crying because Jocelyn ate one of his fruit snacks. “I want my fruit snack. I never got it out of her tummy. I never find it.”

5-- I was lecturing the kids about their handprints on the windows right after I washed them. Ethan said, “I just want to play Wii. If you let us play video games for a while we wouldn’t mess up your stuff, we’d be too busy playing video games.”

4-- Logan was crying because he fell. I asked him, “Did you fall?” “No,” he cried, “the floor hit me!”

3-- I asked the kids what they wanted to do for Family Home Evening one Monday. Ryen suggested writing letters to Jesus. Ethan asked, “How do you write letters to Jesus?” Ryen answered, “You put it in an envelope and you give to daddy.” It just makes so much sense. You give him Jesus’ money, why not His letters too?

2-- In the car, on our way home from Grandma’s, the kids were discussing how scary dinosaurs are. I was telling them that there was no need to be afraid of dinosaurs when Brian jumped in, “Don’t be afraid of dinosaurs. Be afraid of the cataclysmic event that killed dinosaurs.” To which Ethan exclaimed, “Meteors!” “What’s a meteor?” Jocelyn asked. Ethan told her that it was a “giant rock from space”. To which Jocelyn replied, “Whoa! Now that’s scary!”

1-- Logan was playing with an ant in our house. In a sing song voice he was saying, “Smooshed an ant. Oh. Sorry ant, sorry ant, sorry little teeny ant.” And then a bit more intense he went on to say, “Oh man. Oh man! I killed it. Mom, I killed it!” I wished I had a tape recorder.

Dancing King

Ethan's 2nd grade program was full of good ol' country music. He had his own dance solo. It's the first program that I've actually seen him participate. It's fun to watch when they actually perform. Please excuse the freaky eyes.

The girls wanted to do some of their own dancing. They climbed up here so they could have their own stage to perform on.

Devastating Parenting Traps

Rachel gave me a copy of this. This is such a good talk. I found it very helpful and insightful. Check it out! Thanks Rachel for sharing.

http://ce.byu.edu/ed/edweek/handouts/2006/16.pdf

Ryen's Angry Note

I told Ryen we would be able to get her scooter this one day. When it turned out we just didn't have time to get to it she left this note on my bed, complete with staples and pictures. Let it all out Ry.

It reads, "Friday, 10 o'clock. Ryen's pink scooter. On sale. I love scooters! It is boring without my scooter!" Too funny!

Mother's Day Cards

My Mother's Day Cards. I love when girls start to add swirls and curls to their names. I loved Ethan's fill in the blank card. His favorite time with me is when I kiss him before bed. I love that he loves that. These are priceless gifts.

Testimony Practice

Last testimony meeting Ryen asked, "Can I go up there?" I said that she needed to know what her testimony was and that we would practice for Family Home Evening. Monday she didn't let me forget what we were doing for FHE that night. She is very persistent. Brian was very insistent that she should only say what she knows and not just what she heard from others' testimonies. Anyway here is the testimony that she shared.

I know that Jesus is true. I know that the scriptures are true because I've been reading them. I know that Jesus will come back down. I know that we'll live with Jesus again. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tomato Soup and Pirate Ships

For Ethan's actual birthday we made him his favorite dinner; tomato soup and cheese crisps. And we surprised him with the Lego Pirate ship that he was saving up for. We paid for half and he paid for the other half.

Close your eyes. Keep em closed.

Open them!

Ethan's Photo Shoot

It's hard to believe but this is the narrowed down version. There are just too many to choose from. The camera loves him!

Missionary Overload

The kids draw so many pictures to their aunt and uncle on their missions, it's hard to keep up. Here's a few of my favorites.

From Ryen:
Translation: Dear Jon, I hope you have a good time at Valentines and at your mission.

Translation: Dear Jessica, I love you. I hope your doing good at your mission and I love you. Love, Ryen


From Jocelyn:


And then Ryen made this letter to Grandma Feller that I thought was so cute. She took down statements from all the kids and wrote them in the card. And then she drew a picture that represented each kid... Tornadoes, Volcanoes, Hearts and Princesses oh my!


And this card to Grandma Hansbrow telling her she was sorry we were missing ice cream with her on Mother's Day. So thoughtful.

Irresistible

Check Out The Tear Jerker

I added a video at the very bottom of the blog. It's 6 1/2 minutes long but worth the watch. A tribute to all moms (and dads) out there. Happy Mother's Day! Hold on a little longer.

Ryen's Joke

Ryen put up a sign on our front door before Ethan got home from school. I think she thought it would be funny. It actually made Ethan nervous. It read, "Sorry we're gone. Don't open the door." Ethan went next door to Erica's but then decided to check at home one more time. When he came in he was a little upset. One of those times where you feel bad but you also think "that's kind of funny." Mischievous girl.

April Top Ten

10-I opened the van door automatically with my remote. Logan who was waiting at the door, said to me, amazed, "Mom! The door opened all by his self!"

9-Ryen was upset because Jocelyn colored on her jewelery box. Next thing I know Ryen is coloring on it. "Ryen!" I said. "What?!" she answered, "Now I Have to color on it"

8-The kids' cousin, Jackson, informed me that Logan needed jam on his roll. I asked, "Logan?" He answered, "Uh-huh, over there in the blue shirt."

7-A few from Logan--
-"Hangerber" for "Hamburger"
- Jocelyn was going to Jumpin' Jacks for a Birthday Party. When we were getting her ready to go Logan asked, "Are we going to Jumping Jack's house?"
-"Mom, there's a bug on the ground and it's in charge!"
-Logan, notorious for picking his scabs, starts pinching his nipple. Then after a while says, "Mom, it won't come off." "Yes Logan, that one's supposed to stay on."

6-Brian came up to me one Sunday and asked, "Have you noticed how Jocelyn's curls are disappearing? Her hair keeps getting straighter and straighter." I answered, "Actually, no. I just straightened her hair today."

5-A conversation between me and Brian--
Brian-"What are you doing?"
Me-"Straightening my hair."
Brian-"Is it gay?"
Me-"What?"
Brian-"Is it queer?"
Me-"Why would you say that?"
Brian-"Because it needs straightening."
I know, I know it took me long enough to get it.

4-Grandma Hansbrow was over with some candy. Logan asked her for some of it. She answered, "You have to go ask your mother." He said, "Okay...." pause... "Grandma, where's my mudder?"

3-I was late getting home for Rachel to drop Ryen off from school. When Ryen went back to the car she told Rachel, "Either my mom's not home or she doesn't want me to come in because she just mopped." Two valid reasons I would lock my kids out of the house.

2-I gave grapes to Jocelyn for her lunch. She said, "but I wanted more!" I told her, "Finish those, then you can have more." She said, "Aaah, that freaked me out!"

1-One night when I was putting kids to bed Ryen asked, "Was Joseph Smith a real Prophet?" Ethan said, "You can ask Heavenly Father and you can know. He'll tell you." Then Ryen said, "My teacher said that you can ask and the Holy Ghost will tell you. It's true if your back gets hot and sweats." Somehow she must of misinterpreted warm, fuzzy feeling for hot, sweaty back.

Ahrrrg Matey

Ethan’s birthday party was so fun this year! It was a pirate theme. He decided on that theme because he wanted the whole Lego pirate set. Last year he wanted the whole Aqua-raiders set. This year a completely different set. "Set" being the keyword here. It has to be the whole thing. I think he gets that from me---all or nothing. Oh yeah!

I cut strips of fabric to tie around their heads and made eye patches. The invitations had a treasure map and pirate talk i.e. ahrrrg matey, swashbuckling good time etc.


And I made the cutest cake yet--a ship complete with sails and cannons (thanks to Ethan's latest purchase).

I'm a bit of a theme cake junkie. Behold...

Of course Brian helped with all of this. Sorry, hon, didn't mean to make you a side note. He's the game leader. I plan the party and make him be the life of it. We played Swab the Deck, hot sea turtle and sink the ship.

Sink the ship was my favorite. Brian made aluminum foil cannon balls and we split the party in two groups and used sheets held up as their ships. They each had a cannon ball to throw to the other ship and they had to use their sheet to keep the other teams cannon balls out. The team with the most cannon balls on their ship was sunk.

Team 1
Team 2

Ready, Aim, Fire!


Man over board!

Somehow Brian got taken down too. hehe
Then they danced to Relient K's "The Pirate's Who Don't Do Anything."


Swab the Deck was like Simon Says (Captain Says). So we yelled things like swab the deck (scrub the floor), port side (run to the left side of the ship) and man overboard (grab a partner).

Here comes the Captain.
Man overboard.

Present Time!
I had to show this gift cause it was so cute! Lucy was so excited for Ethan to open it. In the card it said "I couldn't decide what to get you. So I thought maybe you could use some shirts."
Eight dollar bills folded into shirts. Cute right?!

Fire hazard.
I wish for the complete Lego Pirate set.
I wish for the complete Lego Pirate set.

Super fun times, probably one of my favorite birthday parties.