Kevin Van Aelst

Had a lot of fun looking at Kevin Van Aelst's blog today. I think this kinda stuff takes a great imagination and creativity and I appreciate it greatly.

A Parent’s Thanksgiving List

My friend posted this on her blog and I ended up using some of it in my talk last night at the adult session of Stake Conference. Children are such a blessing to truly help us learn to be selfless.

List by Janene Wolsey Baadsgaard

Thanksgiving usually inspires parents to start a diet. But if you’ll indulge with me for a while, I’d rather list a few things I’m grateful for as a mother.

I’m grateful my children demand I talk to them when I don’t feel like talking, feed them when I’m not hungry, and change their diapers even when I’m all dressed up and ready to go somewhere special. I don’t think I’d discover the world outside my own needs without them.

I’m grateful my children haven’t learned how to hold back their tears when they’re sad, laughter when they’re happy, or screams when they’re frightened. They constantly remind me that emotions are for sharing.

I’m grateful my children have broken nearly everything in my home and used a crayon or ink marker on the rest. They’ve taught me that things aren’t important, but people are.

I’m grateful my children start out small and helpless so they don’t become aware of my incompetence until they’re teenagers. By then, we’ve both grown so accustomed to each other, we somehow manage to make it through the rest of life together.

I’m grateful my children get their pants dirty, pick their noses, burp without saying “excuse me,” and quarrel in public so I’ll never be able to get too arrogant, proper, or judgmental of other people’s children.

I’m grateful my children sometimes call me names like “weird” because sometimes I am “weird,” and it helps keep a person humble to be told they’re “weird” when they’re acting weird.
I’m grateful my children occasionally miss the bus at the precise moment I’ve stepped out of the shower, contemplating the well-planned, organized day ahead of me. Experiences like jumping into the car after throwing on whatever’s handy and racing to school have a tendency to loosen rigid plans into something better known as spontaneity.

I’m grateful my children always need new shoes, piano books, prescriptions, haircuts, fieldtrip money, tuition, food, toothpaste, and underwear. That way, I don’t have to waste my time thinking about a new sofa. It’s difficult to get wealthy and think about luxuries when you have to buy toilet paper and milk by the truckload each week.

I’m grateful my children know how to play. My five-year-old asked me to come downstairs so he could “teach me how to play” with his plastic animals. While Jacob demonstrated the subtle techniques for sinking a rhinoceros into couch cushions while pretending it was quicksand, I realized my young son was right. I really do need someone to “teach me how to play.”

I’m grateful my children question my every command and giggle when I get angry. It’s difficult to feel too powerful or self-righteous with kids around to remind you of how funny you look when you’re pointing your finger.

I’m grateful my children insist I hug, kiss, rock, or put my arms around them often. Otherwise, I think I’d forget how the sense of touch is so healing.

I’m grateful each of my children is unique when the same strange, inexperienced mother raised them. Somehow they don’t seem to let me ruin them much.

And lastly, I’m grateful for the gift of children in my life. God willing, I’d like to fill the rest of my days with those interesting people who call me Mom (yes, and sometimes “weird”) but eventually “weird grandma.”

Click here to read the original article.

Ha hahaha!

I stole this from my friend's blog... you know who you are! :)

A couple of videos....

In case you didn't believe me, I wanted to show video evidence.

Back in the Saddle Again!!! (Updates)

I just got done re-reading all of my past posts on this blog! What a blast. It is so fun to have the memories documented. It has inspired me to try to start blogging better again. I used to be so good at it but have slacked as of late.

First of all, I am so excited that Thanksgiving is coming up. My parents are planning on driving here and spending Thanksgiving at my house! This will be the first time that I attempt a Thanksgiving dinner and I am having fun with the planning and preparation. Been recording a bunch of Food Network shows on Thanksgiving meals. I will let you know how it goes.... I think trying new things is so fun.

And coming up in Dec. the kids and I are taking off to fly to Boston for a week. We are staying with a friend that I met while I was in Sweden. I am so excited to see her again after 6 years!!!! And to meet her brand new baby girl. I was originally nervous about the flight alone with 2 babies. But, I decided I would rather try and have it be horrible than not try. So, we will see!

Just so you know, I sure love my kiddos. They are both growing and changing so much. Quincey is still really into Spiderman and pretending that other people are his enemies. He often will just randomly yell, "We're not so different!" (pretty sure that he got that from the green goblin Spider man movie.) And our little miss Maiya is really not so little anymore! She is walking everywhere (she started walking about a week before Halloween), and has just really taken off! She also says, "YUCK!" Every time she has a dirty diaper. She also throws it away all by herself, and without me asking! What an angel. She also says yes, no, mama, dada, this, that, and knows a few signs as well.
They both nap for a couple of hours during the day, and sleep so well at night. I am sure spoiled right now. :)

Also, about a month and 1/2 ago Geren was called as the Bishop in our Ward. We already feel many blessings from this. It has been a change for sure, keeps us on our toes. At first it was really hard for Q to see daddy up on the stand but not able to sit with him, but he is getting used to it now. And thanks to the activity bag from his Grandma, and to many big helpers, he keeps himself pretty entertained, and I've actually been able to catch some talks!!

Okay! let's hope I keep this up! I still need to talk about my thoughts and feelings with So you think you can dance! Stay tuned for that!

Belated Halloween Pictures!

Yeah, you probably don't care anymore, I waited too long to post these. But nonetheless here they are. My little red riding hood and the hero that saves her from the big bad wolf.

Fall Pics