The Last Couple of Weeks

My younger sister had her fourth baby girl. We had seen pictures, but they just weren't good enough. We took a day to go see her for ourselves. Oh, she was absolutely darling. It's funny how you always forget how small babies are when they're born. Talk about perfection.
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H a cousin playing with snow, while up playing at Grandma's house.

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M's latest thing is pretending she is one of the Three Musketeers from the Barbie movie. It cracks me up. She is always finding different sticks and using them as a variety of weapons. We are in the process of trying to figure out how to make a Musketeer hat. If you have any ideas, let me know.

We went to my grandmother's house to visit. She was so cute with M. She decided that

she wanted to give all of her girl great-grandchildren one of her necklace's. Of course M and I were thrilled. This is the one that we picked out.

M loves doing everything her brothers do, but she definitely enjoys having a feminine side as well. Any chance she can get she is putting on make-up of lip gloss. Sometimes I have to remind her that lip gloss only belongs on her lips. I have found her painting the couch, her dolls, the table, her coloring books, etc. M and her Prince Charming.

Me and M going for a ride. I got this bike for Christmas, and am loving it! We picked up a hitch-hiker a few months ago on clearance. It has sat in the box until a few days ago. Now C, M and I are hooked. M wants to go on rides all of the time. The only problem is that I can't take j with me. I wish I had a basket on the front big enough to hold him. I'll have to trade off between the hitch-hiker and the trailer. We are definitely having some fun times though.

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Our kids were excited to attend their cousin's baptism. My nephew performed the baptism, while J confirmed Brookelyn. Witnessing this special ordinance made L very excited for his own baptism in April. Scout Sunday was a few weeks ago. H was very excited to wear his uniform. I loved seeing him wear it with pride. He loves the scouting program. I am hoping that this love will continue, and he will be eager to work hard to achieve his eagle once he is 12.

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L and H's latest thing that they enjoy doing is running and jumping off of a stack of old tires to dunk a mini basketball. They've spent hours at a time shooting and goofing around with those darn tires. I love how they are always creative in their playing.

Well our City League Basketball team was undefeated this year. Hooray! The boys were of course thrilled to death with the outcome. L loved getting his first basketball trophy. I was so proud of them and how well they played together on the same team. It was amazing to see how much each one improved over the few months of playing during the season.

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For Family Home Evening we picked up a bunch of rocks in one of the fields. Eventually it will become a roping arena. The kids were alright with picking them up, but when they heard a sound and looked over, they saw that the cows had tipped over a very full wheel barrel, and the thought of re-picking up wasn't too exciting. One of the kids said, "It's not fair! Why can't the cows just pick them up? We didn't dump them out." Now that would be a sight to see. Afterwards, we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and had another great picnic at the field. I love how the kids never tire of having them. They don't mind doing a little work if they know a picnic follows.

While dinner the cows decided to leave the rocks and head over our direction. The kids thought it was great!

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j has been up to quite a bit lately. He has decided that he wants to be an official cowboy. I'll let him pick his clothes out. and without hesitation it is always a cowboy snap shirt, jeans and boots. He's such a crack up. The other day I turned the corner from coming down the stairs, and there j sat on a bench with a tray eating eggs. I asked him what he was doing, and he said, "Me a big boy now." We just got back from getting the mail. Before I could walk through the garage/house door, j had run in with one of J's Western Horseman magazines, and was sitting on the couch reading it. He was there for at least a 1/2 our.

J loves to follow along while we read scriptures. He now copies every word that we say. Once I looked up I couldn't stop laughing. He was pretending to read with his head glued to the Book of Mormon. I had to keep reminding him that he couldn't see the words if he was to close to them. He'd lift his head for a moment, and then quickly put it back down.

J loves playing hide-n-seek. Once he finds a good spot, he'll go there every time. Once time at the field, this feeding barrel was his favor tie spot, and in the house, under a bench is his favorite spot. It's funny how he doesn't realize we can see him.

Time to Celebrate

On the 3rd of February was my in-laws wedding anniversary. Although Grandpa is gone, the celebrating of many years together continued. They have now been married for 59 years. We couldn't let Grandma think that we didn't know of her anniversary, so we went to visit and to help her celebrate. She was so cute. She said, "I didn't think any one would remember." C replied by saying, "Grandma we never forget anything!" We gave Grandma some flowers and a box of chocolates. the gifts hadn't been given for more than 30 seconds, when the box was opened and half the chocolates had been eating. The kids like to give, probably because they know that Grandma is so willing to share. We also made a visit to the cemetery. We talked about Grandpa and how glad we were that e married Grandma. After a little while M said, "Mom, how long do we have to wait until Grandpa gets here? How can he come from heaven for the wedding anyway? I can hardly wait to see him again. I just don't know how he can leave heaven to come to marry Grandma again." As you can imagine, I had a little explaining to do. M was really cute with the whole thing. As I turned around, once again I found j riding Grandpa's headstone. I'm sure Grandpa looks down and chuckles every time he does that. How grateful I am to Grandpa and Grandma Slack, and the love that they show/ed towards me and my little family.

January Update

This month has been a little crazy. I know I keep saying it, and the problem is I truly believe that the following month will be different and slow down. But the following month comes and goes, and crazy is the only word I can think of to describe it. Perhaps it is my lifestyle, and I just don't know how to slow down and take a break. What ever the case, I'm loving life. Life really is good. I really couldn't ask for anything more.

Well, it finally happened. Five kids and how many years....? I knew it would take place, it was just a matter of time, and which child it would be. M walked in the house the other day with a big gap in her hair. Inside I was dying , but kept my cool. I asked her what had happened to her hair. She smiled and said, "Mr. Scissors did it!" I asked her why she let him, and she said, "I couldn't stop him Mom. He just did it." I took her in the bath room and stood her on the counter to look in the mirror. The look on her face had said it all. At that moment I knew she would never pull that stunt again. M's eye's widened as she yelled, "Mom, put it back! Hurry, put it back!" To make a long story short, M's bangs weren't the only part of her hair that was cut. Mr. Scissors started it, but I ended it. The next day I took what was left of her hair and gave her a cute little bob, about an 1/12 above her shoulders. A good six inches we cut off that day. I'm hoping that will be the last our family will see of Mr. Scissors.

This month we had a family friend take pictures of our family. There were so many that turned out, I thought I'd share a few of them with you. This by the way, happened just one day before Mr. Scissors came to visit.

I do have to say something about M however. Pictures were at 4:00. At 3:00 I called for the kids to come home from the field. Fifty-five minutes later they started trickling in. With just 2 minutes to do M's hair, a miracle wasn't on my side. She insisted on having pig tails, and it just wasn't worth getting all worked up over to do any differently. So this year, M is sporting the poodle hair look. I'm not loving it, but what can you do? That's life. Life isn't perfect, so I guess our family pictures shouldn't be either.

This is us to a T. I'm lovin' it.

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Since Mom and Dad have been on their mission in the DR, we girls haven't had a girl's night out together. Those of us who weren't sick or too far away hooked up and had a great dinner at Chili's, and then went over to one of my sister's to watch a movie and hang out. It was fun being goofy together. I can't say enough about how much I love my family and how much I enjoy being with all of them. I can hardly wait until we get together again.

This is me attempting to take a bite out of my giant hamburger.

This is the gang. B and her daughter, E with her daughter, Me with mine, and of course, C.

I thought it would be funny to put Mom in the picture and then send it to her. So this is what Mom looks like while having fun hanging with us.

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For the last two months I have been coaching Hand L's city league basketball team. It has been a lot of work trying to shape a team of seven, when four of them have never played basketball before in their life. Before the games started we held two practices a week, but ever since we've just had one. So far our team has done really well. After four games we are still undefeated. Team pictures were a ton this year, and no one on the team was going to buy them, so at the beginning of our last practice I took pictures of all of the kids to give to them. They turned out pretty good. I can hardly wait to get them back and hand them out to the team. Here are H and L's collages that I made.

I have really enjoyed coaching both of them. Sometimes I have to remind myself that they are only in 4th and 2nd grade, and not to expect too much out of them. Sometimes I take a step back and realize how hard I am riding them. I just want them to be the best players they can be. They have so much potential. I just need to remember to encourage. I'd hate to be the one that discouraged them and turned them away from the sport in the future.

H is funny though. He's let me know that he is expecting me to coach him all of the way...right up through high school. I'm flattered with the thought, but would rather be cheering him on in the crowds at that level of ball.

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My family can't seem to break away from the roasting hot dogs stage. They want to do it every weekend at the field or here at the house. The funny thing is, I probably enjoy it as much as they do. I say, "Bring it on!"

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When weather has permitted, we've been back in the yard working on improving and finishing it. I know it will be a while, but I love seeing the progress. The problem with the work that were doing, is that in the end product, you won't be able to see the work we've done. I know that there is an order to everything that is to be done, and as a result the end product will be great.

Here is a not so furry friend that we found while transferring dirt in the yard. The kids love it! In fact, the kids were excited to find it, because it kind of looks like some of the lizards my parents are dealing with in their apartment in the Dominican Republic. Hopefully soon my kids will let us let our pet salamander live in the wild again. I still haven't found the fondness for him yet.

Here we are dumping our 7th load of manure on our second half of our front yard. Now we just need to wait a few weeks, rototill it in, level it out, and rototill it it again and were good to get going on the next stage.

Here J and the kids are transferring dirt, and leveling out behind our driveway. We're planning on putting road base down and then rock. This will be used for additional parking, so that cars won't be parked on the driveway or out front. I'm loving this idea.

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What should come first? Being a mother or doing your church calling?

It was a little hairy trying to get to church not only on time, but in time to play prelude for Sacrament Meeting. I'm just going to be honest about it. By the time I walked out of the door, I was ready to scream. I was already past the point as to where I just give up, run to my room, throw myself on the bed and cry. Nothing was going well. Kids were fighting, J wasn't ready, one kid was crying and professing his thoughts of how much he hated church, while I was literally pulling him off of a door knob. My thoughts were, "Who cares? I just don't care. It isn't worth working myself up over. If they want to release me, I am welcome to that. Sometimes I just need to be a mother first, and other things can take the back seat." While breathing ever so deeply, I drove to church. Calmed and collected was I, as I walked through the doors with just 4 minutes left to play prelude. I sat down to the organ and began playing. That was until I heard two of my children yelling at one another at the top of their lungs. I glanced down in between notes, witnessing my daughter beating the crap out of my third oldest child. J was no where to be seen, and there I sat doing my calling. I was done! I had had it! I got up, walked down to the bench, picked up M, and carried her back up to the stand with me. I'm sure we made a seen as she proceeded to throw every limb of her body around aimlessly, while yelling, "I want daddy!" No time to be a mom, and show a little love. Off to playing the organ I went as tears swelled up in my eyes. "You have got to be kidding me. I quit" were the words that escaped my lips (and not so under my breath like I thought.) I was done under. Let me tell you what...the rest of our church meeting went beautifully. I actually felt at peace and very loved as I attended my other meetings. I knew that my Heavenly Father knew me personally, and loved me for who I was, and for the callings that I was striving to fulfill. After church the first counselor in our bishopric pulled me aside and asked me how I would feel if they were to call someone to play prelude, so that I could sit and be with my family, my young family who needs me. I'll tell you what. that was an answer to prayers. I needed to hear that. My family needed to come first today, yet I was being pulled to thin by my calling. Next Sunday will be better. I can feel it. I have to believe it.

Killing someone...is it really worth it?

Oh boy! The thought of actually killing someone today crossed my mind. I know...I know it sounds terrible, and it would never really happen. I love him way too much to let my hands ring his neck. But to be very honest with you, the thought did cross my mind. How nice am I supposed to be? Really...and how much patience do I have to have? Today I hit my limit with sitting next to my child and trying to have them practice the piano effectively. Twenty minutes isn't too much to ask, is it? I mean, how hard is it to sit down and focus on something for just a short amount of time. Is it really asking that much? Is trying to be a mother and a child's piano teacher at the same time going just a bit too far? A few deep breaths, a fake smile towards him, a "you're on your own", and me walking out the door is how it all ended this morning. You would have thought differently by the way he was acting. Flailing himself all over the keyboard, and screaming like the ceiling had just fallen down on him was the result of our quality time together. Is this just not going to work? Do I accept my child as a quitter, a failure in this area? He's got talent. He just isn't willing to spend the time to develop it. And maybe this isn't it at all. Maybe it is because I am his teacher. Who knows?!? I am sinking here, so if there is anyone out there who has a suggestion or some advice, I ready and willing to hear it.

The Power of Song

Nine and a half years ago I found myself up at Primary Children's Hospital with my oldest son. It was hard. Some days we didn't know if he would make it. I sat many long hours with him, praying that someday I would be able to take my new born baby home. A couple weeks into our stay, my former mission president payed us a visit. He greeted me with a hug and a smile, and then posed this question. "Have you sung to him?" There were so many things that he could have said or asked, but he chose to ask if I had sung to my baby. "No," was my reply. He said, "You know, singing is what he knows. He recognizes you through song. Sing to him and he will get better. Your voice will have a healing power upon him." After he left I began to sing. I still read and talked to H, but instead of having doubt and fear that I would lose my only child, I used that time to sing. I sang for hours believing that I had that healing power within me. After a few days of singing, I was able to bring my baby home. Ever since that experience, I have been able to calm, reassure, comfort, relax and sooth (basically heal their anxiety and stress) through song. I have been able to do this with my first four children at any given time, but with the fifth it has been a different story. As I have sung to him, he has pushed me away and has even said, "No, no song!" I have felt lost with him, not being able to use my voice like I have with my other children. Last night was different though as I laid by little j on his bed. He was quite restless for a while. Tossing and turning seemed to be the theme. But in an instant it all changed. He rolled over and faced me. He put his hand on my cheek and said, "song." I asked, "Song? You want mommy to sing you a song?" He held my hand and began to rub it. He said, "Song. Chi Gah." I couldn't believe it. I laid in a puddle of tears last night as I sang, I Am a Child of God to my two year old, over and over again. My world felt so complete. I felt as though I was the one who had been healed; and all by the power of song.

Our journey through the process of repentance.

Last night J asked if I would stop by ACE on the way home from basketball practice, and pick up a Proclamation for Large Animals. As I left the store, H was right behind me. We got in the van and waited a minute for L to come out. When he approached the van, his hand was in his shorts pocket and it looked a little full. I asked him what was in his pocket. He hung his head, and pulled a large, pink, bouncy ball out. I asked him what he was doing with it. He said, "I really want one." I told him that he needed to go back in the store and return it. H and I waited and watched as L took it back. He came back to the van, and we had a long chat on the way home about being honest. He was terrified to go into the house and tell J. Although reluctant, he ran in, threw himself onto the recliner and hid under a blanket. I whispered to J what had happened. J was so cute, he walked over to L, picked him up and began rocking him. He talked to him for quite some time, and told him that it would be good for him to go back to ACE in the morning and admit what he had done.

Well, morning came, and I read scriptures with the kids. We read about being truly repentant. We talked about the steps of repenting and how when we do something wrong, we need to go through all of the steps to be forgiven. L looked at me and said, "Well, if I am going to be baptized soon, I better do all of those steps. I don't want to, but I can't ever get forgiven if I don't. And I want to be baptized and be clean. "

A few minutes later, L and I drove to ACE to talk with the manager. He just happened to be outside opening up when we drove in. We walked over to him and I said, "L has something he would like to say to you." Of course I started to cry. The owner smiled at me, and patted me on the shoulder. He then bent down on L's level and said, "L, let's go have a talk." He walked with L over to a bench and sat down. He began talking to him about making choices, and choosing the right one. He then asked L if there was something he would like to tell him. L said yes, and proceeded. He then asked him how he felt when he took the bouncy ball. Then he asked how he felt when he took it back. And then asked him how he felt now after admitting what he had done. He told him that he was proud of his choice of returning the ball, admitting what he had done, and apologizing for doing it. He told him that he was L's friend, and his parent's friend as well. He told him that he wanted him to come back and shop there. He even wanted him to say hello to him when ever he saw him. He shook L's hand and encouraged him to continue to make good choices.

L and I returned home with me sobbing all the way. I again talked with L and told him how proud I was of him for righting his wrong. And reminded him that the choices we make don't only effect the person who makes them. He then said, "After I tell Heavenly Father about it, and tell him I'm sorry, then will I be able to be baptized?
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I smiled, hugged him, and let L know that he was well on his way in his repentance process, and that he would be forgiven.

How grateful I am to our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for his atoning sacrifice for me, and for my little family. How blessed I am to have the scriptures in my life, and to be able to teach my children from them. I know that through repenting, we become closer to Christ.

Happy New Year

What a happy new year it is! This last year seemed to fly right past me, and left me thinking. To start the year off, our family went out to eat at a Chinese Restaurant. When it was time to break open the fortune cookies, boy was I ready. We all opened them up, and to my pleasant surprise, they all had something to do with family, gifts that are right in front of us, and treasures we already behold. I couldn't be more happy with our little inserts from the cookies. We talked about them all, and how they were all actually right. Our family could be our best friends. Having a positive outlook on life, will always allow us to see the gifts and treasures that we already have. I came home that night ready to conquer the world, and be not only the best wife, but the best mother, daughter, sister, neighbor and friend. Reading this little reminder out loud every morning has really helped these first couple of weeks be successful in every way.

This month I am really trying to focus on being the best mother I possibly can be. I want to become my children's everything. The years in their childhood are so few. Every moment is a formative one. Showing more love, positive words and soft tones are how I am breaking it down this year. By doing this, I know that I will become a better mother. My children will know of my love for them, not only from the words that they hear, but the feelings that they have.