We've been receiving in the mailbox lots of Holiday cheer,
So we thought we'd try something new this year.
We have been so blessed, this Park Family
So we've written some highlights for you to see.
Anthony has had a year of great changes
From MarketStar to USA Cash Services
Now the Church Office Building is where he works.
If you ask him, he'll tell you it comes with great perks.
Heather, too, has experienced changes galore,
Going from growing three munchkins to four.
It gets kind of crazy at our Park Family Zoo,
but there is absolutely nothing she'd rather do!
Matthew is learning a lot in 1st grade.
We think that boy has got it made!
He joined the soccer team and plays with great heart.
He entered the Reflections Contest competing with art.
Tyler and Jason are quite the pair.
We think that together they can go anywhere!
From age 2 to age 3, from chocolate to peanut butter,
The messes they've made have been like no other.
(We could not love them more, they've great futures in store.)
Amelia Jean is our newest addition.
On September 2nd, she came with volition.
9 pounds and 9 ounces, she made quite a scene!
We think she's the prettiest we've ever seen.
That is our story, short and sweet.
To hear back from you we think would be neat.
And so we will say with great holiday cheer,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good year!
Love,
Anthony, Heather, Matthew, Tyler, Jason, and Amelia
Thursday, December 16
Friday, July 30
Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee
Please forgive me for breaking my long silence with something other than a family update, but this was so good, I had to share it somewhere. Here, I will see it again and be reminded of what it taught me. Stay tuned. News to follow - this weekend will not be over before a real post appears!
Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches
Saturday, August 1
Summer time in the park... and ice on the horizon.
We are having a great time this summer, and there are photos and video clips to prove it! Now, just when you will be seeing them is a whole different matter. (We'll try, I promise!)
Anthony had his BlackBerry video recorder rolling today as the kids played at Layton Park after dinner. Daddy was home, and the weekend was here, and so off we went!
First, they fed the ducks and geese/swans? (How can you tell them apart?? ). They did, anyway, till Daddy ran out of quarters (bird feed vending machine on hand.. how.. handy) .. and then for a bit more when some fellow park-goers shared some of the rolls they had brought.
Next, we made the trek across the grassy expanse while kicking balls and throwing the frisbee. My little babies just aren't anymore! They are little troopers, marching along, playing right along side their big bro.
And, to finish it off, the playground! Slides, swings, and a merry-go-round. It was hard to tell at first if the twins liked spinning around on that thing - no smiles, but no crying, either.. hmm. Just stunned silence. It was a first for them. And, to tell ya the truth, a first for Monkey, too, I am pretty sure. One of the video clips catches me saying "no smiles" about the babies, and that big 5 year old boy piped up, "I am smiling!" He stayed on there for quite a while with the big kids spinning up faster and faster. I thought it might make him sick! Nope. He did not want to leave.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words... well, I don't think I came close to a thousand, but when the pictures are uploaded, they will tell the story a lot better than I just did.
Tomorrow, we are heading to the Ogden Ice Sheet for a free two hours on the ice! The twins are going to play with their buddies, Trent and Marisa, while we borrow their big sis, Audrey, to come with us. She just happens to be Monkey's best friend! And to make it even better, we are meeting my sis, bro in law, and nieces there. Ellyana (Ellie) is Monkey's favorite cousin and best buddy for life. With those three, we will have a 4 year old, a 5 year old, and a girl just a month away from turning 6. Watch for pictures to follow! I am just a little bit excited. Iceskating has been my favorite pasttime since I was about 8. Having a January birthday, my birthday wish for years was/has continued to be to go iceskating with my family. When I turned 16, a whole gang of girlfriends joined me on the ice. I have wanted to introduce Monkey to this "sport" for about two years now.. so I hope he enjoys it!
Anthony had his BlackBerry video recorder rolling today as the kids played at Layton Park after dinner. Daddy was home, and the weekend was here, and so off we went!
First, they fed the ducks and geese/swans? (How can you tell them apart?? ). They did, anyway, till Daddy ran out of quarters (bird feed vending machine on hand.. how.. handy) .. and then for a bit more when some fellow park-goers shared some of the rolls they had brought.
Next, we made the trek across the grassy expanse while kicking balls and throwing the frisbee. My little babies just aren't anymore! They are little troopers, marching along, playing right along side their big bro.
And, to finish it off, the playground! Slides, swings, and a merry-go-round. It was hard to tell at first if the twins liked spinning around on that thing - no smiles, but no crying, either.. hmm. Just stunned silence. It was a first for them. And, to tell ya the truth, a first for Monkey, too, I am pretty sure. One of the video clips catches me saying "no smiles" about the babies, and that big 5 year old boy piped up, "I am smiling!" He stayed on there for quite a while with the big kids spinning up faster and faster. I thought it might make him sick! Nope. He did not want to leave.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words... well, I don't think I came close to a thousand, but when the pictures are uploaded, they will tell the story a lot better than I just did.
Tomorrow, we are heading to the Ogden Ice Sheet for a free two hours on the ice! The twins are going to play with their buddies, Trent and Marisa, while we borrow their big sis, Audrey, to come with us. She just happens to be Monkey's best friend! And to make it even better, we are meeting my sis, bro in law, and nieces there. Ellyana (Ellie) is Monkey's favorite cousin and best buddy for life. With those three, we will have a 4 year old, a 5 year old, and a girl just a month away from turning 6. Watch for pictures to follow! I am just a little bit excited. Iceskating has been my favorite pasttime since I was about 8. Having a January birthday, my birthday wish for years was/has continued to be to go iceskating with my family. When I turned 16, a whole gang of girlfriends joined me on the ice. I have wanted to introduce Monkey to this "sport" for about two years now.. so I hope he enjoys it!
Wednesday, June 3
My hero - Marjorie Hinckley, and other thoughts
Okay, just checked off another MMB blog to visit, and found something inspirational over at Homespun Light . FANTASTIC blog, with lots of children's reading suggestions and resources, etc.. But the quote I will share here is by my personal hero and person I would most like to meet (that will have to happen in Heaven, rest in peace).
Marjorie Hinckley said, "I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
Me, too. I want that - I want to BE that - and I have A LOT of work to do to even come close. Heaven help me become who only Heaven knows I can. Here am I, Lord, send me.
Time to sign off for today, and go get started. Amor es Servicio - Love is Service, and Service is Love. Family, first. Second, Cub Scouts (my church calling). Third, all else within my small circle of influence, and even those who appear to be beyond it.
Monkey is aparently coming down with a sore throat - no fun - and it taking an unusual nap at the moment. I was planning on taking the three munchkins to Cub Scouts, so Anthony could keep at his work day, but with this angry red back of the throat I see, wonder Dad has adjusted his schedule to be here with all three. What a man, love him whole heaps plus some. Thank Heaven for my wonderful best friend, sweetheart, handyman husband (you should see the garden gate he built!) daddy to my trio, he is everything to me. I hope you read this, love.
Marjorie Hinckley said, "I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
Me, too. I want that - I want to BE that - and I have A LOT of work to do to even come close. Heaven help me become who only Heaven knows I can. Here am I, Lord, send me.
Time to sign off for today, and go get started. Amor es Servicio - Love is Service, and Service is Love. Family, first. Second, Cub Scouts (my church calling). Third, all else within my small circle of influence, and even those who appear to be beyond it.
Monkey is aparently coming down with a sore throat - no fun - and it taking an unusual nap at the moment. I was planning on taking the three munchkins to Cub Scouts, so Anthony could keep at his work day, but with this angry red back of the throat I see, wonder Dad has adjusted his schedule to be here with all three. What a man, love him whole heaps plus some. Thank Heaven for my wonderful best friend, sweetheart, handyman husband (you should see the garden gate he built!) daddy to my trio, he is everything to me. I hope you read this, love.
Mormon Mommy Blogs, and General Conference Book Club
I have been playing over at MMB - Mormon Mommy Blogs, a place I highly reccommend. They have a list of blogs nominated for the June Blog Spotlight - so far I have only visited 2, and I love them both! Ameliorate me, and Diapers and Divinity. So, the blogging mom at D & D has this General Conference Book Club online, each week taking a different conference talk. I am so psyched to join in! She has a cute little button I can put on my blog... well, at least, I COULD, if I knew how. Help, anyone?
In the mean time, check this out! http://diapersanddivinity.com/gcbc/
Happy reading!
Oh, and I will post pics of Monkey's 5th Birthday party soon. Meanwhile, gotta get some plans solidified for Cub Scouts this afternoon. We are going to work on The Flag achievements, how to raise, lower, and fold our flag. Got the flagpole .. now just gotta make sure we have a flag!
Later!
In the mean time, check this out! http://diapersanddivinity.com/gcbc/
Happy reading!
Oh, and I will post pics of Monkey's 5th Birthday party soon. Meanwhile, gotta get some plans solidified for Cub Scouts this afternoon. We are going to work on The Flag achievements, how to raise, lower, and fold our flag. Got the flagpole .. now just gotta make sure we have a flag!
Later!
Thursday, April 9
After pictures, missionaries, Easter, oh my!
Monkey's personal playground :DThis sits just to the side of our home, within our fully fenced in yard. Ah, bliss is not worrying about passing cars while my son lives his dream life out of doors at much of the waking day as possible! Even Bear Cub has learned to climb up the ladder and go down the slide all by himself! (With Zoo Keeper Mom hovering close behind, of course!)
Bear Cub and Cuddle Bug's romping roomYes, you see right. We have one crib, and one pack 'n play. They have reached the point of being too big and rowdy to sleep in the crib together. We have been debating whether we can hold out long enough to move straight to toddler beds.. but we are just not that close! Anyone out there have a spare crib we could borrow for the summer? Pretty please? I feel bad for the twin who gets the pack 'n play, so I at least make sure to rotate them fairly for naps and bedtime.
Monkey's VERY OWN room!
My beach-front property, and favorite room in the house.
I love lighthouses, can ya tell? Monkey and I have a similar aspiration; to get to sleep in a lighthouse someday. He happens to love Pete's Dragon as much as I do, where the love of lighthouses started for the both of us, just about 25 years apart.
I did not have any good shots of our living room taken at the time I uploaded this batch of pictures on to the computer. I have since taken them, but now I cannot find the power cord to connect the camera to the computer! Technical difficulties. Living room yet to come. Maybe I will wait to post that room till we actually have our pictures hung and my nicknacks placed. Who KNOWS how long out that will be. No holding of breath allowed!
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Missionaries
Now, onto another subject all together. This week has been very eventful, in the good way! I tend to use that phrase in a 'trying to not sound so pessimistic but slightly sarcastic' kind of way.. but this time, I really mean it positively! I digress.
Anthony's youngest brother arrived home from his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indonesia on tuesday, and we were there in the airport to greet him. I have previously only been on the arriving end of such an occasion. It was just as exciting to be on the waiting end. (Well, almost!) Uncle Ashton looked amazingly different since the last time we saw him, as he had lost 80, yes, EIGHTY lbs. since we last saw him! And, since we learned we were expecting again the day after he entered the MTC, it was the twins' first opportunity to meet him. It was a joyous occasion. Then, we all headed back to the home in West Jordan for an overnighter. The next day, everyone had taken off work to spend the entire day with the new arrival. We had a blast. We got home late wednesday night, that being last night. Tomorrow, as soon as Anthony gets home from work, we are taking our bags, filling the van, and heading back down for another three days/two nights with the Park family, celebrating my personal favorite holiday, Easter.
My lil bro Nate's mission papers were submitted to the Stake President this last sunday, so our family is about to be blessed with another uncle serving for the next two years. It is a blessing to be able to write and support a servant of the Lord - and especially touching to read of their experiences, trials and triumphs, and see the hand of the Lord in molding them into who He needs them to be for the people they are called to not only serve, but love unconditionally.
I myself served an 18 month mission to Guatemala City Central. Nine years ago, on February 9th, I began my missionary service, and my life was changed for the good, changed forever. I took residence in The Land of Eternal Spring among the chapines, (Guatemalans), and they took a permanent residence in my heart in the process. This topic is worth a post all it's own, so, I will file that away for a future day.
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Easter Saturday/Sunday
Ever since I was young, I always remember celebrating "Easter Saturday" with the baskets and egg hunts and all, and then having a spiritual celebration of the Savior's resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a tradition I have brought into my own zoo, er, home. Monkey is at an age that I am really excited to share both aspects of this wonderful holiday with him.
Let me share with you what we use Easter Sunday morning. When I was a young teen, we had a church activity to create an egg carton full of plastic easter eggs - each one of the dozen containing a small scroll with a verse of scripture on it, and a token item to represent it. I was thrilled to find it again just before my parents moved out of my childhood home. Halelujah! The eggs are numbered 1-12, and the story is told as you open each one in succession. One holds three dimes - the thirty pieces of silver which bought betrayal. One holds a tiny cross made of tooth picks and wire. One holds a stone - representing the one rolled away from the door of the tomb by heavenly messengers. And the last, the best, the wonder of it all - the 12th one, of course, is empty. What beauty is found in that emptiness. The Empty tomb is the most absolutely breath-taking scene this world has ever or will ever produce. Matched only by the humble birth, and the yet-to-be glorious reunion of this Earth with her King.
Yes, I love Easter. :D
Do share with me how YOUR family brings the reason for this season into the hearts and minds of your family! I would love to read all the wonderful things you do, as well.
Goodnight, blogosphere!
Parenthood readiness test
How To Know Whether or Not You Are Ready to Be a Parent
Mess Test:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flowerbed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.
Toy Test:
Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream. (this could wake a child at night.) Grocery Store Test:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.
Dressing Test:
Obtain one live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside.
Feeding Test:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.
Night Test:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 -12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 PM. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.
Physical Test:
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.
Final Assignment:
Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.
And if after all this you realize there can be nothing better,
then you're ready! ~ Author Unknown
P.S. from me, Zoo Keeper Mom, who occasionally goes by the name of Heather - Stay tuned! The next post will be the long awaited for AFTER PICTURES of our home! Yes, we have only lived here for 40 days, but your patience is about to be rewarded!
Mess Test:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flowerbed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.
Toy Test:
Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream. (this could wake a child at night.) Grocery Store Test:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.
Dressing Test:
Obtain one live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside.
Feeding Test:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.
Night Test:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 -12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 PM. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.
Physical Test:
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.
Final Assignment:
Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.
And if after all this you realize there can be nothing better,
then you're ready! ~ Author Unknown
P.S. from me, Zoo Keeper Mom, who occasionally goes by the name of Heather - Stay tuned! The next post will be the long awaited for AFTER PICTURES of our home! Yes, we have only lived here for 40 days, but your patience is about to be rewarded!
Monday, March 30
Saturday, March 28
Before Pictures
Stay tuned for some after pictures! (I have most of them taken, I just am missing a few shots.) If all goes according to plan, I will have them posted before the day is over tomorrow!
Friday, March 27
Life's Little Moments, and springtime musings
LITTLE DROPS OF WATER, LITTLE GRAINS OF SAND,
MAKE THE MIGHTY OCEAN AND THE PLEASANT LAND.
THUS THE LITTLE MOMENTS, HUMBLE THOUGH THEY BE,
MAKE THE MIGHTY AGES OF ETERNITY
What are some of my life's little moments recently?
~Tonight I read my oldest the picture book Stuart Little for his bedtime story, while balancing the twins on my lap.
~This afternoon, while outside getting my excericize in (jump-roping), I saw our neighbors outside- the mom and two little kids, so I ran in and got Monkey to put on his shoes, and down the street we went to say hello. We ended up visiting for about 20 minutes, till we came back to our yard and let the kids play on our swingset/slide and with the hotwheels cars, etc.. I think we are going to be fast friends, Kim and I.
~ Anthony gave me a fantastic kiss just out of the blue this afternoon, as I passed by his "office" for working from home - aka the kitchen table. :D I mean, wow! (If you read this, I know you will blush! I love getting my husband to blush - it comes so easily, even when it is just the two of us around.
~ Bear Cub (the twin older by 6 minutes) loves reading books. Just in the last few days, he has started picking one up and walking over to me when I am sitting on their bedroom floor, playing with them. He turns his back toward me and backs up into my lap, and sits down. It is just so cute. LOVE that kiddo.
~ The twins were sitting in thier highchairs, the mealtime winding down, and they just started playing with each other, kind of a peek-a-boo, and reaching out to each other, leaning out to see each other, and then ducking their heads in, and just giggling their little heads off. It is so fun to see them relating to each other as best buds.
~ This last wednesday, Anthony was working from home, and I was vaguely aware of the alarm clock reading 9 a.m. at one point. Next thing I knew, I was rolling out of bed at 10:48 a.m.! I woke to find my boys happily playing together, and Anthony working at his laptop. I asked him why he let me steep in so long, and he just said, "I did not see any reason to wake you up!" It sure felt good to get to sleep in. Then, thursday night was a really rough one. Bug (twin B) woke up crying at 3 a.m., so I went and scooped him up before he could wake up Bear Cub. I rocked him standing up for a while till he stopped crying, but was not quite ready to lay him down and start the screaming over again, so I laid down on the loveseat with him, and fell asleep holding him to my chest. I woke up when I heard Bear Cub start crying, so I went and laid down Bug, and scooped up the next baby and repeated the whole process. When I finally laid down the last baby, and went to bed, it was 4:30 a.m.! That afternoon, I got the little one's down for their naps, set Monkey up with a movie, and went and laid down - thinking that if I were lucky, I would get a 30 minute nap in before the babies woke up. Instead I woke up 2 hours later, and went looking for my family. I opened up the babies room door, and saw Anthony laying there, with all the boys piled on top of him, all laughing.
What a blessed wife and mother I am. What a fantastic husband and father we have!
Our new yard has rose bushes lining one side fence line, and lilac bushes lining the other side fence line. I cannot wait to see them all in bloom! This is my favorite time of year - Spring, life and light, Easter, and General Conference for my church, as well! What a beautiful thing to see all the world be born anew, just like our Savior was resurrected. I was thinking about it - Christ gave his life on the cross for us, atoned for our sins with his precious blood, and on the third day, rose from the dead. But, that is not the whole story. The clarion call of Easter is not "He rose" but "He is Risen!" He lives today! What joyous words! He lives who once was dead. He lives, my Savior, Lord and King. I will find the words to my favorite Easter hymns and post them later. :)
MAKE THE MIGHTY OCEAN AND THE PLEASANT LAND.
THUS THE LITTLE MOMENTS, HUMBLE THOUGH THEY BE,
MAKE THE MIGHTY AGES OF ETERNITY
What are some of my life's little moments recently?
~Tonight I read my oldest the picture book Stuart Little for his bedtime story, while balancing the twins on my lap.
~This afternoon, while outside getting my excericize in (jump-roping), I saw our neighbors outside- the mom and two little kids, so I ran in and got Monkey to put on his shoes, and down the street we went to say hello. We ended up visiting for about 20 minutes, till we came back to our yard and let the kids play on our swingset/slide and with the hotwheels cars, etc.. I think we are going to be fast friends, Kim and I.
~ Anthony gave me a fantastic kiss just out of the blue this afternoon, as I passed by his "office" for working from home - aka the kitchen table. :D I mean, wow! (If you read this, I know you will blush! I love getting my husband to blush - it comes so easily, even when it is just the two of us around.
~ Bear Cub (the twin older by 6 minutes) loves reading books. Just in the last few days, he has started picking one up and walking over to me when I am sitting on their bedroom floor, playing with them. He turns his back toward me and backs up into my lap, and sits down. It is just so cute. LOVE that kiddo.
~ The twins were sitting in thier highchairs, the mealtime winding down, and they just started playing with each other, kind of a peek-a-boo, and reaching out to each other, leaning out to see each other, and then ducking their heads in, and just giggling their little heads off. It is so fun to see them relating to each other as best buds.
~ This last wednesday, Anthony was working from home, and I was vaguely aware of the alarm clock reading 9 a.m. at one point. Next thing I knew, I was rolling out of bed at 10:48 a.m.! I woke to find my boys happily playing together, and Anthony working at his laptop. I asked him why he let me steep in so long, and he just said, "I did not see any reason to wake you up!" It sure felt good to get to sleep in. Then, thursday night was a really rough one. Bug (twin B) woke up crying at 3 a.m., so I went and scooped him up before he could wake up Bear Cub. I rocked him standing up for a while till he stopped crying, but was not quite ready to lay him down and start the screaming over again, so I laid down on the loveseat with him, and fell asleep holding him to my chest. I woke up when I heard Bear Cub start crying, so I went and laid down Bug, and scooped up the next baby and repeated the whole process. When I finally laid down the last baby, and went to bed, it was 4:30 a.m.! That afternoon, I got the little one's down for their naps, set Monkey up with a movie, and went and laid down - thinking that if I were lucky, I would get a 30 minute nap in before the babies woke up. Instead I woke up 2 hours later, and went looking for my family. I opened up the babies room door, and saw Anthony laying there, with all the boys piled on top of him, all laughing.
What a blessed wife and mother I am. What a fantastic husband and father we have!
Our new yard has rose bushes lining one side fence line, and lilac bushes lining the other side fence line. I cannot wait to see them all in bloom! This is my favorite time of year - Spring, life and light, Easter, and General Conference for my church, as well! What a beautiful thing to see all the world be born anew, just like our Savior was resurrected. I was thinking about it - Christ gave his life on the cross for us, atoned for our sins with his precious blood, and on the third day, rose from the dead. But, that is not the whole story. The clarion call of Easter is not "He rose" but "He is Risen!" He lives today! What joyous words! He lives who once was dead. He lives, my Savior, Lord and King. I will find the words to my favorite Easter hymns and post them later. :)
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