Dentist

All 6 kiddos had dental appointments today for routine cleanings.  I love how excited they are to go to the dentist and am so grateful for a wonderful dentist that makes it an enjoyable time for all the kids.  They do so well with the kids and get them in and out quickly.  I don't even go back with them.  Today, the 3 older kids had all finished and they called me back for Gideon's turn.  As I was walking back all the different hygenists kept telling me I had to come see Mary and Josh.  I guess Mary had finished her cleaning when Joshie came back for his.  So, she just climbed in the chair next to him and stayed with him.  They all thought it was so cute.  They asked if they could get a picture for their website and then they emailed it to me.  This is the best dentist for kids and well worth the 40 minute drive to get there!

Our Boys

As Joel and I checked on the kids last night before we headed to bed this is what we found in the older boys' room...

They crack me up!  They love to listen to their playaway stories at night and usually fall asleep listening.

Spring's Strength

We have known from the time Spring was very little that she is headstrong and knows what she wants in life.  I remember times when I was struggling with her independence and strong nature as a young child.  I would call and talk to my mom and she would remind me, "This is a gift of her's.  As long as she learns to do what is right she will be really, really good throughout her life because she won't let anyone convince her of something she knows is wrong."  We took comfort in this as well as have tried really hard from a young age to help her learn the gospel and understand why the standards and teachings are important for us to find true happiness in this life.  I have had a few moments in the past week when I have seen her strength, character, and testimony radiate and I am so grateful for the strong girl she is and the wonderful young woman she is becoming before our very eyes.

Last week she came right home from school and pulled out the Gospel Art Kit pictures and began going through them.  I asked her what she was looking for and she relayed the following to me:

A friend at school had been using the Lord's name in vain a lot.  Spring asked her to stop and her friend replied, "Why does it matter?  He's dead anyway."  To which Spring explained that He is not dead.  Her friend replied that Jesus died on the cross and isn't alive anymore.  Spring proceeded to explain to her that Jesus did die on the cross for us but that he was resurrected and now lives again.  She explained that He has a body of flesh and blood just like our's but is perfected.  Then she explained that Jesus is a different person from God.  She explained the relationship of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Spring them told her that when we use His name in vain we are not showing him respect and love that He deserves from us.  She then told her about the Plan of Salvation and that if we live righteously in this life and keep our covenants then we have the chance to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again.

As Spring was telling me this tears of a grateful mother filled my eyes and my heart warmed.  I was amazed at the strength of her testimony to know with enough surety to explain all of this to a friend at school without fear of what her friend would think.  I have so very much to learn from this amazing girl.  She was looking for pictures because she thought if she could bring a picture depicting the Plan of Salvation and a picture of the First Vision showing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ next to each other it may help her friend better understand what she was teaching her.

On another topic...

Spring is a very modest girl.  She checks her clothing each day after she gets dressed to be sure she is modest by doing her "Head-Shoulders-Knees-Toes" check that we have taught her.  I never have to worry about her and she is bothered that so many around her dress immodestly.  She really understands that her body is a gift from our Father in Heaven that must be respected.  Well, she also has been growing like a weed lately.  I am sure it won't be long before she is taller than me.  She is a little more excited about that than I am!  Anyway, she is in dire need of some new skirts for church.  Her skirts are right at her knee and it has been really bothering her for a couple months.  We have been looking endlessly trying to find her some skirts to no avail.  It is so frustrating with the fashion now-a-days.  It seems there are countless outfits of leggings and long shirts; however, that is just like wearing tights and a short skirt.  We needed something that would be modest.  I have been so discouraged but tried to remain optimistic for her.  This week I headed to Kohl's to see if I could find anything.  I found 2 skirts in the entire store that were modest...and each was on clearance and there was only 1 skirt of each style.  What a blessing that they were both Spring's size.  Now, the price was still much more than I would have liked to spend but after a couple of months of not finding anything I knew it was best for me to get them for her.  She was so excited when she came home from school and I showed them to her.  Her eyes lit up as she hurried to try them on.  She came in with them on and she just glowed.  She was beautiful.  She looked at the price tag on them though and asked if I had really paid that much for them.  I sat with her and we talked about how sometimes we may have to spend a little more to be sure we are modest but we will always make that sacrafice for her.  We talked about how that is a sacrafice we are willing to make; however, we will never lower our standard of modesty.  She just radiated and was so grateful for the skirts.  She had that "light of Christ" in her eyes that comes from being obedient.  She talked endlessly the rest of the night about which she was going to wear first.  It was so cute.

The next day I was at Target getting diapers and happened to stop by the clearance racks in the girl's department.  To my shock I saw a long skirt hanging on the rack.  It was really cute and I was again amazed that it was the only one and it was Spring's size.  It was only $4 so I snagged it.  Later that evening Joel and I were sitting on the patio while the kids were jumping on the trampoline.  I remembered about the skirt so I brought it out to her.  She was again so excited as I told her the story of how I found it.  Joel remarked, "See, good things come to those who wait."  To which Spring replied with this glow in her eyes, "No, Dad, blessings come to those that keep the commandments."  Once again, she has taught us more than we could teach her.  I love this amazing girl and am excited to see the young woman she will become.

Piano Recital

Saturday afternoon Thomas performed "Hungary" at his piano recital.  He still has nerves of steel.  We ask him if he is nervous and he looks at us like we are crazy for even thinking that.

Child Labor!

Saturday morning we all went outside and got a lot of yardwork completed. We mowed, edged, weeded, and cut back some daffodil stems.  It was a fun morning working together and with all the helpers we have we were able to get a lot done in a relatively short amount of time.

New Pictures of Mary & Gideon

Gideon...18 months old (with road rash on his face from falling down the back steps)

Mary...5 years old



Thomas' 1st Court of Honor

Last night Thomas attended his first Boy Scout Court of Honor.  He began 11 year old scouts at the end of December and has been on fire.  He loves scouting and has been awaiting being a Boy Scout for years.  He is very self motivated and driven in this area of his life as well.  He comes to scout meetings having already studied the things needed for his requirements and he is prepared to discuss them and pass them off.  It is so fun to see his motivation and excitement.  He was awarded his Tenderfoot last night as well as 3 Merit Badges:  Music, Citizenship in the Community, and Family Life.  I love watching his excitement and watching him growing up.  He is a wonderful young man.

Screen Saga

Joshie has had a newfound fascination with his screen.  Well, actually, I think he just wants to be looking outside all the time even when he is supposed to be taking a nap or going to sleep at night.  It actually scares me because he is in an upstairs room with nothing to break his fall until he would hit the hard patio 2 stories down.  I really need to find a lock for his window...but I digress.  He has learned to unlatch his window and push it open so he will do this and then presses his hands and face against his screen trying to see whatever he can outside that is much more fascinating than closing his eyes and going to sleep.  A few nights ago all the kids were in bed and Joel and I went out back.  We found his screen on the ground.  Joel took it up and Joshie confessed that he has pushed it out followed by an, "I'm really sorry Dad."  Joshie was reminded that if he were to fall out his window he would die.  We were hoping this threat would mean something to him and magically cure him of this habit.  A couple days later I went out back while they were supposed to be napping to pick up the countless shoes that had been left by the trampoline when I was nearly hit in the head by a screen falling from the sky.  I looked up to see a curtain quickly close and a head suddenly disappear from sight.  I took it back up to his room and as soon as I opened the door he immediately said, "I sorry Mom.  I won't do it again.  I promise."  After talking to him again I left the screen against the wall and figured I would put it back in after he woke up from his nap.

Well, of course, I forgot I needed to do this by the time he woke up from his nap.  Later that afternoon, just before dinner, I went upstairs to check on him because he had been playing quietly for a little too long.  As soon as I walked into his room I was greeted with yet another, "I really really really sorry Mom."  Then he moved a little and I saw his screen bent in half.  "Joshie, what did you do?"  I said, with a little more frustration and anger than I probably should have.  He matter of factly replied, "I just wanted to slide down it and it bended, Mom.  I really sorry."  Then he came and gave me a hug and I told him he needed to go downstairs.  I was upset and needed time to cool off.

That is his window all the way up there.

So, yesterday I still had not been able to fix the screen well enough to get it back in his window.  We were having cub scouts at the house in the afternoon and he was getting into everything and picking on Gideon so I took him up to his room and told him he needed to play in there until I came and got him.  Well, cub scouts was over and the boys were in the backyard eating their treats and jumping on the trampoline.  The parents were out visiting with each other as well.  Then, oddly enough, with a clear blue sky, moisture starting to fall from the sky in just one part of our patio.  We looked up to see our beloved Joshie peeing out his bedroom window!  Yes PEEING out his window!  He told us he had to go really really bad but he couldn't leave his room!  I was mortified!  I was laughing!  I was crying!  I was bright red!  the parents were all laughing hysterically as well.  A few parents, amidst thier laughter, told us, "We're so glad to hear your family is normal!"  I never knew this was the definition of normal!

Moral of the story...I really need to find a way to secure his window TODAY!

Outstanding Musician

Thomas had an All-City Orchestra performance last night.  I love to see his excitement in playing in a group.  His love for music continues to grow and he continues to spend so much time practicing and improving.  He is getting quite good at the violin too.  At the conclusion of the concert he was awarded the "Outstanding Musician" award for 5th grade.  Sometimes it is fun to think about all the ways he will be able to serve and influence others through this gift he has come to this earth with.  He has a pure love for sharing the joy he finds in music with everyone around him and trying to encourage all around him to pursue music and find that love for themselves.

Playin' at the Park

Yesterday was so beautiful.  It was a little overcast outside but really warm in the morning.  After the little ones ran some quick errands with me we went to play at Silver Springs Park.  We all absolutely love this park.  It is hidden back in a clearing and surrounded by tall trees.  There is so much equipment to play on as well and all centrally located so I can see all the kids even though they often spread out at the park and go in so many different directions.  Too often I don't bring my camera or take time to record these simple everday things we do.  I want our children to know that I love spending time with them and we find so much joy in these little things each day.  It is really so good for me to get out and just play with them as well.  Gideon loved being able to follow Mary around and Mary was so kind to help him (even when he didn't want the help).  It was funny though because he would not go down a slide unless he was on her lap.  He would pull her to the top of the slide and then push on her shoulders until she sat down. Then he would sit in her lap and start lunging forward until she went down with him.  I'm so glad we took the time to go play in the morning.  By evening we had a storm come in.  The thunder and lightening storms here are amazing.  I think it is one of my favorite things about Ohio.  The rain was torrential and the sky would just light up.  For a while it was so close to us that we would hear the crackle of the thunder while the sky was still lit by the lightening.  It was awesome!

Touch a Truck

Today was the annual "Touch a Truck" at our library.  Joel was with the youth on a temple trip today so the kids and I headed to the library for the morning.  Gideon would not leave my side and wanted nothing to do with any of the trucks.  I think the crowds of people was a little intimidating for him. There was a rocket car, fire truck, ambulance, police SUV, tow truck, moving truck, and an Army Hummer.  They all loved the moving truck because they got to stand on the lift and have a ride up into the truck where they got to choose a bouncy ball and piece of candy.  When Gideon saw the candy he let go of my hand long enough to get a piece of candy and then he was ready for me to hold him again.  I love our library and all the amazing programs they hold for our children.

A Laundry Tale

See, I really like routine and schedules.  I do my best to keep our family on some type of routine and consistency even though at times we have to adjust certain activities and days.  One routine everyone in the house knows about is our laundry.  You can ask any kid in the house when the next laundry day will be and they can tell you.  The older ones even plan their wardrobe around laundry days to be sure they will have the clothes they need or want clean on the day they need them.  So, our laundry days are Tuesday and Friday.  The kids bring all the laundry from upstairs all the way to the basement before school.  They help me separate it as well before they all head off to school.  Then I can do the loads and fold each load as it comes out of the dryer throughout the day.  I can't stand to have baskets of clean clothes just sitting around waiting to be folded.  It drives me crazy, not to mention then I would have a whole lot more ironing to do.  The little ones help me with this during the day.  The kids also help me switch loads and take care of those things when they are home during the summer months.  We have a folding table in the basement that we use for the clothes to be folded on.  Each person has a row on the table starting with the youngest and working on up so it is easy to find the right pile for each child as we fold the clothes.  When they are all done each child takes their clothes up to their room to put them away.  It is quite efficient and it keeps this mom sane.

All our hanging clothes by the end of Thursday

Well...last week was one of those times when I had to deal with an unexpected event that turned my laundry routine upside down.  Tuesday morning I started the first load.  When I went to put them in the dryer I noticed they were still soaking wet.  Upon further investigation I learned that the washing machine was not agitating or spinning.  So, I couldn't do anymore laundry.  Joel had to work late on Tuesday and didn't get home until about 8:30 that night.  He is my hero for always being willing to fix things for me.  I told him we could wait but he was adamant that he wanted to fix it so I wouldn't have to go to a laundramat.  He took the front off the washing machine only to find the belt had snapped in half and was laying on the bottom.  We were grateful that was the problem because a belt is only about $10.  Little did we know how difficult it would be to find a belt.  We tried Lowe's that night but they don't carry belts.  So, Wednesday I set out making phone call after phone call trying to find a store that had it in stock so we wouldn't have to wait a few days for it to be shipped.  Fortunately, I found one at a store that is only about 30 minutes away so we headed off to get the belt.  Joel had Young Men's that evening after work so when he got home at 9:00 he set to work to replace the belt.  It's not an easy thing to do because the belt doesn' stretch much and it is very difficult to get it to wrap around everything but my hero once again saved the day and we had it fixed by 10:00 that night.  We quickly threw one load of wash in that night.

Laundry Table Thursday night

So, Thursday became laundry day for us that week.  And what a laundry day was it.  The kids were starting to run out of clothes to wear so it was such a blessing we could get it fixed.  We don't have a lot of clothing for each child because they grow so quickly.  We can make it to each laundry day but this week proved to be a little more difficult.  By Tuesday night (before I knew what the problem was with the washer and not knowing how soon it would be fixed) I was telling the kids..."if it isn't really dirty, don't put it in the hamper."  and I was reminding them to use a napkin instead of a towel to wipe their hands and face!  I had to take a picture when I was done will all our laundry on Thursday night.  It was a great feeling of accomplishment and the kids kept remarking how heavy their baskets were to take upstairs.  An unexpected blessing to this situation was the kids all individually thanked me for doing laundry twice a week.  They told me they never realized how much easier life was when I did laundry the normal way!

Hydrant Flushing

The city has begun the annual hydrant flushing throughout town.  Last week Sammy and Joshie had just gotten up from naps so we headed outside to play.  Sammy noticed water gushing down the street from a nearby fire hydrant.  He ran over and was talking to the man that was flushing the hydrant.  Sammy and Joshie were in awe of all the water and how far it sprayed.  They started jumping in the water that was gushing down the road.  Then they started running around the neighborhood as the workers would move to each new fire hydrant.   You would have thought it was the biggest attraction in town.  I am sure the city workers have no idea that they made the day of 2 young boys.  Joshie and Sammy were soaking wet and muddy by the time they were done with all the hydrants in our neighborhood so they decided it was time for a bath.  They spent almost an hour in the bath afterwards.  I'm so glad such simple things still bring them such immense joy.

Father & Son Project

Last Saturday Joel, Thomas, and Sammy tackled the boys' closet.  I wish I had taken a before picture but I didn't so you will have to use your imagination.  When we moved in their closet did not have a hanging rod.  It was just wooden shelves up the closet.  We put in a bar so they could hang clothes but their closet has never been very functional.  We have talked a lot about needing to do something to it but just never did it since we were renting and didn't want to invest in that.  Now that we own the house we decided to do it.  They drew up plans and then headed to Lowe's to get the supplies.  Joel was so good about letting the boys help in each step.  They took out the wooden shelves and put in new hanging rods and shelves.  Sammy loved helping and never left Joel's side during the entire project.  The boys are so proud of their closet.  We think them helping with the installation has helped them take more pride and ownership in it as well because they are keeping it so neat and organized.  I enjoyed watching and listening to them interact throughout the day.  At the end of it all Sammy told me, "Mom, this is the best day ever of my whole life!"  I would say that is a successful project!