Women's Broadcast

Suzanne, Mom, Hannah, JoAnn, me and Kimberly
Charlotte and her daughter Kimberly
JoAnn and her daughter Hannah
Me, Suzy and Mom

We had a wonderful evening getting together as girls to watch the women's broadcast. It was nice to be inspired and to have time together as sisters. We ate pizza and other treats, laughed, and visited. I love my sisters (and mom too). It is really nice to know that I always have them as friends no matter what else happens.

My favorite talk was by Uchdorf who talked about how many of us mothers feel inadequate when we really shouldn't.

Eating Crow?! or Cake?!

Just after writing my last post I went to check my email. In it was another one of the gazillion forwards my dad sends each day. I usually don't read them very often, but today I did. This is what I found.

GOD'S CAKE
Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong: she's failing algebra; her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely, Mom, I love your cake.'

'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck,' says her daughter.

'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'

'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?'

'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

When ever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Sometimes being a mom sucks!

Somewhere between the baby falling down the stairs, Kayla pulling out every game in the house and throwing the pieces around, Neeley crying because she doesn't want to try Spaghetti-O's, my boobs being rock solid from trying to wean the baby, trying to keep the baby from eating old scraps off of my filthy kitchen floor, taking Neeley to school late because of a Spaghetti-O marathon, the baby fussy from teething, no sleep because of rock hard boobs, Jer being gone out of town or to late night meetings, stressing about this stupid economy, trying to clean the house, doing the dishes, making meals, trying to keep up with family scripture study, and wiping butts I fell apart today. It's not that these things are any different than any other day (except maybe the boob problem) it is just that sometimes the day to day grind of being a mom wears on you and finally breaks you. Sometimes I just wish you could punch a time clock and check out for a little while.


So now I sit here in a moment of quiet during nap time with cabbage on my boobs (someone told me this would help??) trying to get up the nerve to face the rest of this day! I guess I could look on the bright side, I am a SAHM and I have three cute kids (most of the time that is.)
Don't let this image of their cute little faces fool you!

Life according to Neeley!

"Hey Mom, after you get married you go home and pack your suit case and go on your honeydune.  That's funny, that's the same word as the honeydune melon we are eating for dinner!"

"Ham and bacon aren't pigs they just come from pigs. Oh, it really is the pig.  What do you mean?  We eat pigs?  You mean those animals we saw at the fair we eat?  NO?!  That's not right.  The meat just comes from them it really isn't them.  Is it??  We eat other animals too?  What about chicken?  We don't eat chickens.  We DO???  How come it tastes so good?  You are teasing Mom, aren't you???"

"I want to be tinker bell last when I grow up because I want to be able to fly forever."

"Swimming suits are made because there are pools in life.  There are swimming pools in life because we can get wet!"

After being stung by a bee: "Why do there have to be bee's in life?  Why do they have to hurt us?"

Several days after making a prayer rock in Primary: "Mom, how long do I have to sleep on this rock?  Can I take this rock out from under my pillow?  It really isn't that comfortable!"

Back to School!

Neeley was definitely ready for her first day of pre-school! Last night she laid out all of her cloths that she chose to wear today. She also had about 20 pairs of panties laid out too. Not too sure why, but I guess you could say she was prepared for anything!

Kayla had to lay out her "Neeley goes back to school" outfit too. You never would have guessed she wasn't going too!
Neeley was a good sport at sharing her "moment" with Kayla.
After a lengthy photo shoot we started our walk to school. Actually, Neeley rode her bike. On our way we stopped in at Grandma Marlene's to show her how cute the girls looked.
After a few pictures at Neeley's spot in the table, we left her to bask in the glory of being in Miss Vicki's class! She immediately ran off to play with her friend Jocelyn. I think the fact that she was allowed to bring a special doll or animal to class today helped her to be brave. Tucked away in her backpack was her special bear and her "tiny one" just in case she got scared.
Neeley's favorite part of pre-school is this cute little playhouse. Inside is a kitchen and plenty of dress ups! Just her cup-o-tea!

After dropping Neeley off, Kayla and I went on a special outing. I told Kayla she could be my buddy while Neeley was at school and asked what she wanted to do on some of the days. She told me she wanted to do fun things like go shopping and out to eat. That's my kind of 3 year old! We met my friend Angela at Arctic Circle so Kayla could play with her daughter Amy and we also happened upon another friend and my sis in law Nikki. It was a fun way to pass the time.

When we picked up Neeley she was so excited. She had made a beaded necklace and a placemat for snack time. This year she was able to tell me everything they did that day. Good thing because apparently last year all she did was "Nothing Mom!"

My dear girls,

Neeley, Kayla and Lilah, I love to watch you play together.  You are really starting to share things together and are becoming great friends.  Just today I listened to you talk together in the back of the van and as you would say Neeley, "You crack my whole head up!"  

Neeley you are so excited to start pre-school next week.  You were elated when we bought you some new school cloths today along with some new shoes.  I can't believe how grown up you have become.  Just recently you have started caring for Lilah like a little baby sitter.  You can carry her (much to your Dad's horror), make her smile and entertain her for long periods of time.  You make sure the door to the basement stairs is kept shut so she won't fall.  You love to kiss her goodnight and will stop whatever you are doing and run up the stairs to catch a hug from her before I tuck her in.  Kayla is your best buddy but she can also annoy you at times.  She wants to do everything just like you!  You enjoy playing with friends and love to swim.  You are getting brave about jumping in the pool by yourself.  You love to be independent and do things like get your own drinks, pick your own outfits, brush you teeth and attempt to style your hair.  I love how grown up you have become.  You can understand a good joke now and are a good companion to me.  

Kayla you are a spit-fire.  You are always good for a laugh and a tickle.  You have a voice to sing and use it often.  Every song that you have heard just a few times you can belt out.  My favorite is to listen to you as we drive down the road as you sing your little heart out.  Big sister is someone you really look up to.  If Neeley does it, you think you should too.  It has been hard for you lately as we are getting ready for Neeley to go back to school.  Yesterday in the shoe store you just cried when you heard you weren't getting new shoes too.  I tried to make your little hand-me-down shoes sound special and you bought in to the tale.  You are always so patient being the younger sister and since I am the youngest I can really relate to your situation.  It's hard to be a step behind but you handle it well.  Most times instead of complaining you just look to the future when it will be your turn!  Your 3rd birthday is coming up soon.  You told me yesterday that you want a baby doll with pig tails and curly hair and a new big girl bike.  I am looking forward to having you as my buddy while Neeley is gone to school.

Lilah, you are a joy to have.  Never a cry unless you are hungry our tired, content to play and you are great at putting up with doting big sisters.  It is so fun to get a giggle out of you and still be able to snuggle you close.  You love to play with your toys (blocks are your favorite), eat and go for walks in your stroller.  Last night we took you swimming.  The pool had a shallow area where you could crawl around in.  You enjoyed yourself by splashing around in the water.  The other day we were all in the kitchen and you were busy playing in the family room.  The next thing I knew, here you came up the stairs to greet us!  You aren't allowed to do these kinds of things yet.  You are soooo little.  We can't take you anywhere without someone commenting on your beautiful deep blue eyes and your long eyelashes.  You really are a beauty!

Girls, I love you.  All three of you.  I couldn't imagine life without your beautiful faces.  Sometimes (or a lot) you whine or cause trouble but all of the good times make up for that.  I love to just sit back and watch your little personalities bloom.  Thanks for bringing me so much joy and love!

I love you forever,

Mom (The greatest name I have ever been graced with!)

ABC Gum!

Today Lilah got a hold of Kayla's secret ABC gum stash. And yes I do mean already been chewed. Kayla came running in to tell me that Lilah had her gum. When I got to her she was happily chopping on what must have been at least a few pieces of gum. She was all sticky, had some in her hair and some in the carpet. And she was definitely NOT happy when I took it out of her mouth. A little later I caught her with a runaway grape in her mouth. I guess you could say that the hoover stage has arrived.

Lilah can now sit up and can even sit herself up from a lying down position. She just doesn't last very long yet and goes into tri-pod mode very quickly! This morning when I went to get her out of bed (at 7:00 a.m. thank goodness no longer 6:15!) she was kneeling up to the crib. I guess that means we need to lower her mattress now too!

Lilah is still as happy and content as ever. She eats mostly real people food and really loves her oatmeal. I make it really gloppy and she shovels it in all by herself. She really is a joy to have!