Wordful Wednesday - Games

So, I think it has been about 6 months or so since I actually was on the ball enough to participate in wordful wednesday!  I am super excited to actually be on the ball today! 

This week we are to talk about games we played as a child. 

I have been hard at work through the last 13 years trying to re-create the things I loved the most about my childhood, and instilling the old fashioned kind of fun into my own boys.  We do things a little weird around here...the cheaper, the more fun it seems to hold for us. 

Here are a couple of my favorite memories that I have made with my kids, that I also remember as a child:

I found a book on old fahioned fun one year and in it there was a section on marbles.  I had about 5 left from when I was a child, so we took ourselves to the dollar store.  There were MULTITUDES of marbles there and every year since then we have had our fun playing so many different games with them.  Our favorite is still the good old fashioned target shoot.

Bubbles will always hold some special place in my heart.  I remember one year as a child having a HUGE bubble blower and blowing some massive bubbles.  My boys still spend hours each year blowing bubbles and it never seems to lose it's appeal, even for my 13 year old! (who will probably die of embarassment that I just said that...sorry KC!)

For some reason, no matter how old I get, swings always draw me.  (even now that my butt barely fits into one!)  I remember hours of swinging.  Even as a teen.  I would go to the park close to my house and just swing. 

My boys have found a joy in the simple play at the park. 

Sometimes we would go to a lake close to our house where they had a "beach".  We would play in that lake and walk around the park. 

Now, years later, my children also enjoy the same lake.  We also spend hours walking around the park, finding crawfish, discovering tadpoles and fish, and counting geese. 

Who can beat the joy of flying a kite?! 

Laying on the grass, watching that kite fly higher and higher in the sky, with the beautiful backdrop of a blue sky and clouds floating on by...

I enjoy rolling down hills.  Maybe not so much now that I am old, but when I was a kid, if there was a hill, I would almost always take that chance to roll down it.  Even in my dress!

Camping each and every summer was something that we did as children.  My favorite memory was of wading through the stream that ran past our campsite and catching minnows. 

I love the relaxed feel of being able to run out and play catch or just relax in a hammock. 

I spent many hours outside as a child.  Playing in the sprinkler, walking a trail, skipping rocks at the river, drawing with chalk...

The list goes on. 

I am sure that many don't think of the things I did as a child as fun, or even as some sort of game, but to me it was a thrill and still holds so many good memories.

I want my boys to have those same sort of memories, so we are working hard on providing the chance to build them.

Join in the fun over at Cocoa's.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - My "Love Story"

Yes, it is not Wednesday, but I really wanted to participate and the "rules" let me...so here goes!

I know I have written parts of this down before, so I am going to try to do this a bit different this time.  Hopefully I can cover a little something that I haven't covered before!  (if you want to read my other recountings, you can go here and here)

When I turned 16 I was so excited to be of "legal" dating age.  In my church, we are encouraged to put off dating until we turn 16, and even then not to date exclusively yet.  I was thrilled. 

I was a bit of a nerd, and didn't have alot of friends that were my age, but I was hopeful that I would have some dates.

By the time I was almost 18 I had gone on ONE very disastrous date (really bad movie I had to walk out of, and he was quite confused why I wanted to go home) with no prospects for any better on the horizon.

I was pretty excited to be leaving for Ricks College in the fall. 

September of '95 I packed all my possessions in the back of my Grandpa's car and my Mom, Grandpa and I drove the 11+ hours to take me down to school.  I honestly was going for an education, but if I met a man there I was not going to complain. 

I struggled with being away from home and not knowing anyone there except my Aunt.  She lived a ways out of Rexburg and so I couldn't just drop in.  Plus she had a young family.  She took care of me as best as she could, and I love her so much for it, but I was still very homesick.

Finally at the end of the first semester I figured out that my attitude needed to change.

I stayed the summer, struggled with some eating and body issues, but met AMAZING people, some of whom are still friends.

The next year I was dating a bit more and was confused as to what to do. 

I had dated a few young men who I really liked, but ended up not knowing if they were the "right" one.  I had read somewhere about a young woman who wrote a list of her future husbands qualities so I sat down and wrote one out.

Some of the qualities are kind of silly (and don't even apply anymore), but it was a list that really helped me see that some of the young men I was dating were not really what I wanted for a future mate.

My Mom had been married at 18 so I was a little worried that I would never meet someone after I hit 20! 

I somehow managed to graduate without meeting anyone. 

I moved back home and was a little worried, but determined to do what the Lord had planned for me.  I searched for a job and was determined to have fun and be the person I was supposed to be.

After almost a week of hanging out with my younger brother, he told me he wanted to spend some time with just his girlfriend.  I was OK with that, provided he found someone else for me to spend time with!

I got a phone call later that day from a guy he worked with.  (you can read it here)  2 1/2 months after meeting that date, he asked me to marry him. 

He did ask my Dad first.  We had gone out to dinner with my parents on a double date.  He looks my Dad in the eye (in the rearview mirror) and says:

"So Jim, can I marry your daughter?"
My Dad looks back and says, "Sure, if you want her."

Every girls dream of a romantic proposal to her father right?!

A couple nights later he took me out to dinner.  Now, I should preface this by saying I had a habit of not quite finishing my dinners (throwback to getting over my eating disorder from college).  He says to me:

"If you finish all your dinner, I have a special surprise for you."

I was really hoping for a ring, but we all know it is supposed to be this big romantic thing...

I finished my dinner.  We got in the car and he drove me back to his apartment. 

While in the parking lot, under the parking lot light, he gave me a little velvet box and told me it was my prize for finishing my meal.

2 1/2 months later we were married.  Sealed for Time and all Eternity in the Cardston, Alberta temple.

Since then we have gone through our share of ups and downs and inbetweens. 

We have welcomed three amazing young men into our lives. 

We have been married for almost 15 years and look forward to many more.

Our love story has some sad parts, some happy parts, some truly hard parts, and some parts that incredibly joyous.  Like every love story though it endures and hopefully ends with a happily ever after!

Join in with the love stories over at Cocoa's.

Cheers

The Life of Me

Today is Wordful Wednesday, and the topic is a typical day in our life.

I actually debated in posting another one (I did one here) but realized that our life has changed ALOT since that post first happened, so I am posting Monday's day.  Our life changes when it is nice out, we spend alot more time outside and enjoying our beautiful world, but in the winter, this is pretty close to how we live.

....and because I think in pictures, that is how I am going to tell you about it...

Dh gets up at 5:30 and does his paper routs that he is subbing right now.  Wednesday through Saturday he has one of the boys go with him, but Mondays and Tuesdays he does it alone.

I roll out of bed about 6:30 or so and read my scriptures.

The boys are up around 7:00 and start getting ready.  As the boys get ready I have an hour to catch up on email, blogging and reading the blogs I follow (sometimes even a little facebook and pintrest if time permits!)

Breakfast is eaten and school started by about 9:00.

 The two big boys start with independent work.  Today is Math and most of the morning is taken up with it. 

While the big boys work, I am with my baby.  Grade One is alot more hands on Mommy time!

Today we start off with some power tower words that we are spelling with some letter blends flash cards we made.  We use our letter rocks to complete words with our blends.  After they are sounded out and written, my baby practices printing by writing them in his printing book.

 After math is done, the two oldest do their cursive practice. 

When the big boys are doing cursive, my baby and I plan a garden.  I am sneaky and make him write a list of all the plants he wants to grow.  (he hates printing so I have to be sneaky sometimes)  He plans his garden and cuts out some pictures to go with the veggies he has chosen.  We glue them onto his "garden plan" and he is done official school today.

The big boys are done their cursive so I introduce their new project.  They are also planning a garden.  They get $200 of pretend money, and they have to plan a garden to feed a family of 5.  I have on hand several catalogues and some helpful textbooks I kept from my own schooling (at Ricks).  This will take them several days, but they are really excited to start.  They ooooh and ahhhh over the amazing variety of veggies available.

 Lunch is ready.  We eat simple pasta with sauteed mushrooms and onions with fresh tomatoes and a little olive oil.  I am the hero because everyone actually liked it.  (that is rare around here, everyone liking the same meal I mean!)







Off to the Library.  We try to only go once a week, but usually end up there more often.  Today was a short day and we only spent an hour there!

 WalMart has some sheets for the quilts we are finishing tonight, and Costco has Quinoa on sale.  So we are at both of those stores briefly.

The Dollar store has some ribbon we need.  Of course you can't escape without a little silly thrown in!  (I would totally kiss this face, wouldn't you?!)

I throw the boys outside when we get home.  We had some snow and they are out to play for a while.  I stay inside and make some of these fun ribbon things for nursery on Sunday.

I am totally going to be the hero, they love to shake things!




Dinner is at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  We have yummy dinner my Mom prepared, then we are at work on a quilt.

My biggest boys have been sewing a Sudoku quilt (thanks Cocoa for the idea) and need to tie it.  We all pitch in to help and it only takes a couple hours for two double size quilts.

Bed time is at 7:30 for the boys (with reading time for the bigger ones) but because we came home late (8:30) it was straight to bed.

It is nice to have time as a couple, so just Dh and I can sit and talk.  Tonight we checked out a BIG book I picked up on the human footprint (review next Tues), then we played a couple word games and head to bed.  Morning comes early.

What does a typical day look like for you?  Join us at Cocoa's and link up.  (or just read the other days...there are many different types of days for us all!)

Cheers

WW - Fictional Charactors

"If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?"

Seriously?

I live in a house full of boys.  Literally. 

I am the only girl.

I also grew up in a house full of boys.  I am the oldest of 5, but my sister is 12 years younger than I am with 3 brothers in between.  I thought I was a boy until I was old enough to realize I was built different. 

As a result I often identify with "boyish" things.

When I was thinking of this assignment the first one that popped into my head was:

Yes, you are correct, I would LOVE to be Iron Man.

Who wouldn't?

He is super cool and smart.  He is rich.  He pretty much rules.

HE...

See the problem?!

I figured that wouldn't be appropriate so I had to think about the WOMEN that I would maybe be like.

Then I came up with this:

Are we seeing a theme here?

I would love to think in "girly" terms of literature like Elizabeth Bennet or heroes like Perenelle Flamel, but I think in super hero terms.

THEN I realized right now in my life I some times feel like I AM a super hero, or inversely, I NEED a superhero.

Storm it is!

I would love to have her powers over the elements.  The soft spoken way she has as a teacher (in the movies) would also work wonders if my boys were acting up.  She is kind, even when sometimes it looks as if that person is lacking in the deserving department.  Her hair is one style I would actually love!  *shhhh*

In short, even though I seem to think in super heroes, I think that for this stage in my life, Storm actually fits.

How about you?  Which fictional character would YOU be?  Join us over at Cocoa's for more.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - A Different Type of Bravery

Today is Wordful Wednesday.  I haven't participated in a while, and I miss it. 

The topic today is "Bravery" at some time when I have done something brave.

As I have been thinking of this topic, we were watching Human Planet for our Social Studies for school.  (I wrote some thoughts here, and you can check out wikipedia here)

There are tonnes of instances where I could not have done what people have done in order to survive.  Here are a couple of clips for you:

This first one is of a man who walks a high wire to get food for his family in the monsoon season.



This second one is of some men that use lions to kill their food, then they go and steal it from them.



In this clip it mentions that "Self confidence is everything."

I don't have anything this dramatic in my life.

I am totally afraid of heights, in fact when my kids do things that are high up, they go with their Dad or I will stand WAAAAAY back.  They even mention it to me, "Wow, Mom you did good!"  So the man in the first clip really does amaze me.  The lengths he would go to in order to feed his family is truly inspiring.  Not to the point that I want to walk that wire with him...but inspiring none the less.

I am not really good with confrontation.  In fact, when I have someone challenge me, or I have to confront someone for some reason, I feel quite sick to my stomach.  The three men in the clip above with the lions...truly amazing. 

I would love to think that I am brave in a different way than the dramatic examples above.

As a family we are working in new and different ways to be prepared.  Sometimes we are challenged quite nastily or called names that are not flattering.  I like to think that being brave would be taking that and not being nasty back.  I like to think that being pleasant is a different way of being brave.

Homeschooling is something else that frankly scared still scares the crap out of me, even though we have been doing it for 3 years now.  I really want my kids to be smart and confident young (and old) men.  Knowing that I have my Heavenly Father to turn to helps me be a little more brave in this adventure.

Sharing the gospel and what I believe is also something that makes me frightened or a little nervous.  I have been blessed to know what to say, or what to share at the time.  BUT each time I go into a situation, I still begin to be a little less brave.  I know that no matter what I am fearful of, or worried about, I do have someone in my corner.

He will straighten me. 

He will cheer for me. 

He will help me in times of need. 

He loves me and wants me to be the best I can be. 

He is my Father in Heaven.

How about you?  Have you got any stories to tell, or things to share?  Comment below or link your post up on Cocoa's page.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - Motherhood Learning

One thing I've learned from motherhood that I never expected to learn

Interesting topic no?

I have been an official mother now for going on 12 years.  My oldest is turning 12.  It is so crazy to me to think that I have been his guiding force now for that long.  It seems like just yesterday each one of my little men was just born.

As I was growing up I thought I knew everything.  Honestly I did.  Even in my early twenties.  I know that is an affliction that almost everyone has at one time or another, but I really thought I knew it all.  I knew how my children would behave, I knew how our life would run, I knew how many and what sex our children would be, I knew how our life was all going to happen.  Then we actually got married and had kids and it all changed. 

The most important thing I have learned, that I never expected to learn, is that I don't know anything.

I have lots of good ideas, I know lots of things about stuff...but I don't know anything about raising my little men.  I also don't know anything about where we are going, how we are going to get there or what we will do when we do get there.  Life has been really different than I first envisioned.

BUT, the Lord knows all.

I have learned that I can go to the Lord in prayer and He will give me all the knowledge I need as I raise my children.  He sees the path we travel.  He knows where we will end up.  He knows us and what we need.

This is the greatest, and most unexpected lesson I have learned as a mother.

How about you?  Want to join in?  Join us at Cocoa's.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - Easter Memories

A few years ago we were getting ready to "do" Easter.  Our children were super excited for the "Easter Bunny" to come visit them and as parents we had done our duty and bought lots of candy and prizes for our Easter hunt.

Then my dh and I were talking about honesty.

Is it honest to lie to our children to let them believe in the secular versions of the holidays?  Do our kids even know what the real meaning behind these holidays are?

That year our children learned about the fact that there is not an Easter bunny. 

That year our children started with a wonderful tradition of learning the REAL meaning behind the wonderful holidays we celebrate. 

Our children have never missed it, and our celebrations have become spiritual events for us. 

We still have chocolate hunts, but that happens as a separate event on Saturday.

We still have a big Easter dinner with our family. 

But, our Easter centers around Christ and the wonderful gift he gave us by dying and being resurrected again so we can return to our Heavenly Father.

What a blessing for our family.  We have enjoyed Easter so much more since this has happened.

How about you?  What Easter memories do you have?  Join us over at Cocoa's.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - Rebirth

 Please forgive me, I want to participate in this Wordful Wednesday, but my brain is still having trouble communicating with my fingers...I really hope it all comes across well.

Rebirth

So many things come to mind when that word is said.  I just can't help but come to this season every time though.  We are so blessed to have the truth of knowing our Saviour lives.  He was resurrected for us.  This season is beautiful to me as it is full of little reminders of rebirth and resurrection.

Here it is still pretty snowy, but usually at this time of year we have flowers and trees waking from their winter slumber.  (the photo above was taken last year)

Often I feel as a person struggling to be a righteous woman, that I awake from a "winter slumber" as well.  I realize there are things in my life that I could be doing better and poke my head out of the ground as I try to change and become a beautiful flower.

The beauty is amazing as the trees leaf out, the flowers begin to unfurl and the grass becomes green again.

One of my favorite things to do is to plant our garden each year (the weeding is not to be desired...but thems the trade offs!)  the smell of the damp earth, the feel of working the land, the beauty of freshly tilled land.  I am in heaven.  I can't help but think of my children and myself as I plant the seeds.  We need to grow, we need to water our testimonies, we need to remember what the Lord has done for us and try our very hardest to produce the very best "fruit" of our vines.

I know that the Saviour died for us and what a wonderful blessing that is to me.  He loves me.  Amazing.  He knows me.  He wants me to be happy.  And he wants the same for each of you.

If you want to join us for Wordful Wednesday, click here.  It is always full of amazing insights and fun things to discuss.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - Womanly Myths

"Occupation?"

"I'm a stay at home mom."  (sometimes I also include "educator" in my description)

This is where it gets tricky, I get many different replies to this statement, some of which include:

• "Wow, I wish I could do that."
• "Oh, I couldn't do that, I need the break from my kids."
• "It must be nice to have a husband that LETS you do that."
• "It would sure be nice to have that kind of job.  What do you do all day?"
• "I don't have any kids, I think that you are brave."
• "I wish I could do that, but we don't have the money to let me do that."

Interesting statements all of them, but ones I have to tactfully answer none the less.

So many women think that what I do is amazing. 

One thing that I know is that my place is doing what I do now, now. 

I have to overcome the stigmas or stereotypes that often women believe for it to work for me.  Sometimes I wish I could just go to work to escape the day to day of being who I am, but I know that I am where I am supposed to be.

I work hard. 

I love my job.

I often feel a bit overwhelmed or even need a break, but I am who I am supposed to be.  I am where I am supposed to be.

Ok, here is my little bit of "disclaimer".  I know that not everyone can make this choice, but for me, this is what I know I am supposed to be.

One of my favorite lines in The Family: A Proclamation to the World states:

"Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children."

This is something I try so hard to do, and be.  What an inspired revelation.

Read more over at Cocoas blog.  There are some amazing women that have wonderful insights.  Join us.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - Beauty

"What comes to mind when you think of the word Beauty?"

Not a tough one for me.  I just want to share some photos with you today.  These are some things I consider beautiful:



The view from above reminds me of our Savior

New life each spring



The hard work of the farmers each year



The simple beauty that surrounds us



The amazing creations the Lord has given us

 

My little men

What do you consider beautiful.  Join us here.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - Random Act of Kindness

One day I heard my Mom and Dad discussing our finances. 

It was grim.

I knew we were not well off, but this month was particularly tight and there was a choice.  Pay our tithing, or buy groceries.

In our church we believe strongly in paying 10% in tithe.  We know that if we obey this, that the Lord will bless us.

When I heard my parents discussing this tight month, I was concerned.  I had just been baptized and knew that to be obedient, we would pay our tithing, but I was worried we wouldn't be able to eat that month.

On Sunday, my parent filled out our tithing slip and handed an envelope to the bishop.

I was sure we were going to starve.

On Monday there was a knock on the door.

When my Mom answered the door a lady was standing there with bags of groceries and a smile on her face.  She said, "I was in the store and accidentally bought to many groceries.  Could your family use them?"

A few times since that day I have been in different positions to lend a hand.

I never regret doing so, because I keep thinking, maybe they need it as much as we did back then.

This lady is now passed on, but I still remember that small act of kindness that taught a young 8 year old girl that it is not always the LARGE acts that get remembered, it is sometimes just a few bags of groceries that you "accidentally" buy.

Cheers

As always, Cocoa has more wonderful bloggers writing on the same topic, join us there.

Wordful Wednesday - Work

Hooo Boy.  This is a loaded topic for me.  I have posted a few times about working lately (here, here, here, and here) because this is a value that I think is quickly becoming lost.

In P's job he is the manager of the service dept.  There are sometimes job openings.  One of his biggest complaints is that the younger generation does not know how to work.  There are many jobs that they have held and they are only in their 20's.  They expect the work to be easy and to be finished for them.  When someone is found who values the work that you need to put in it is rare. 

How I agree.  I also think that this is tragic.

In one of my previous posts (and I believe it was also on Cocoa's blog) I have a quote I love:

In our day, many children grow up with distorted values because we as parents overindulge them. Whether you are well-to-do or, like most of us, of more modest means, we as parents often attempt to provide children with almost everything they want thus taking away from them the blessing of anticipating, of longing for something they do not have. One of the most important things we can teach our children is to deny themselves. Instant gratification generally makes for weak people. How many truly great individuals do you know who never had to struggle? ~Joe J. Christensen, “Greed, Selfishness, and Overindulgence,” Ensign, May 1999

Oh so very true, and it makes me sad.  So we are trying to raise our children differently.  Here are a few examples how we are doing this.  (and I really am not trying to toot my own horn...I am just giving examples)

We teach our kids that the snow doesn't shovel itself, the grass doesn't stop growing at a certain height and the food doesn't get made by magic.

We teach them that sometimes we can recycle something to make another wonderful thing.  We can reuse and reduce something, but it is not always without a bit of planning and work to make it so. (mini mitten tute here)

We teach them to be prepared and to have the skills to take care of themselves and their family. (sawdust candle tute here)

We teach them that you can have fun if you put a little bit of effort into it.  You may have to make the playdough, but with a little prep that takes only 15 min you have hours of enjoyment.

We teach them that work is sometimes something beautiful.  You can have your cake and eat it too.  (sorry had to throw that in there!)  If you work hard the feeling of satisfaction is incredible.  You can learn new skills, you can try new things, you may even make new friends. 

If you have something to say about work, or just want to read a few more opinions, come join in the fun right here.

Cheers

Wordful Wednesday - Wholesome Recreational Activities

Today for Wordful Wednesday we are discussing Recreational Activities, specifically wholesome ones.  We are to discuss what our family enjoys doing together.  Whew, this was a tricky one.  :)  Just kidding.

We homeschool and so we spend LOTS of time together as a family.  We love to spend time as a family and often say no to other commitments just so that we can spend time together.  (antisocial - I think not!)  :)  We also love to spend time with others, often having people over for marshmallow roasts, socials and whatnot.

Here is my version of heaven in a few pictures:

We have had the opportunity to go on a couple extended vacations as a family.  (tour through BC for a couple weeks and later a tour through Mexico for a few weeks)  This has been an amazing experience for us all.

Our backyard provides many hours of entertainment for us.  We blow bubbles, we gather together many for marshmallow roasts (and sometimes weenies), we even paint a giant sheet with Grandma for picnics (although that was in HER yard!).

Being outside is one of our favorite things.  We love to hike.  (even in the snow, although that is called snowshoeing!)  We love to camp in many different places, even our own backyard sometimes!

We love to spend time doing "once in a lifetime" opportunities.  Sometimes we get the chance to do something that we have never been offered before and may never again.  It almost never comes at a convenient time...but we do it, because it is awesome!  :) 

We love to be together as a family, and we love to spend time with each other.  (even if it is just chillin watching a movie)

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be sealed to my favorite people.  I know that through our obedience and faithfulness, we will be together through all Eternity and I look forward to that.

Join us here and let us know what you think, or just read along.

Cheers