Busy Bees

Today was Grayson's last day of pre-school. Before we get to the cute photos, I have to talk about how proud I am of my tender-hearted boy. It was definitely a prayerful decision for Jared and I even putting him in a 3 year old program. He was so little and I was nervous about him being gone from home. We just felt like it was the right decision for him. And it was. Mrs. Piper, his dear teacher, was an angel in our lives this year.

Grayson has struggled with verbal communication. Maybe it's just that he is the second child and his very verbal older brother does the talking for him. His pronunciation and vocabulary were so limited, I anxiously took him to three separate speech evaluations. Each time I was reassured he was fine. But I was still worried because no one, but me, could understand him. And, even then I struggled to understand 100% of the time. As you can imagine this led to one frustrated little guy. It was a challenge for us.

So, we decided to try pre-school. What a great year he's had! He made his very own friends and his speech improved by leaps and bounds! He is counting well past ten and recognizes his letters and is very close to writing his own name. I am grateful for Conway United Methodist and their outstanding pre-school program. We have been so blessed this year.

To celebrate the last day of school, we had a water party. It was so fun! They played noodle tag, sponge fill, and went crazy with water balloons. Grayson was in a class of all boys (8 of them) and Mrs. Piper was their fearless leader. Here are some shots of her Busy Bees.  Happy Summer!

 

 Noodle Tag! The kids had to run from the noodle wielding cuties. If they were tagged, they were out.

In the sponge fill, the boys had to fill their bucket up to the line with water using sponges.

Miriam had a blast. She was the cheerleader during the sponge fill.

With his buddy, Nathan.

Here the boys threw water balloons threw the circles.

Landon even got a turn.

I Was Running

Recently, life was feeling overwhelming and frustrating for me and I needed to do something about it. Having four children ages 6, 4, 3, and 1 is no joke, people. It is hard work. It is wonderful work, but I was feeling so drained and forgetting who I was. I had put myself and my emotional, spiritual, and physical health on the back burner for my children. But to be honest, I wasn't doing anyone any favors.
Like anything else in my life, I have to make time for what's important to me.  I realized I am a happier mom and wife when I do something for myself each day. In the last week, I've found something, well, rather rediscovered something, that is balm to my soul: running.

 

Running is so hard to get going on. When you haven't done it in a long time, your muscles scream and your lungs want to implode. It is not fun at all. But running is free and I can do it in the outdoors where I can hear birds singing, feel the sun warming my skin, and watch the squirrels play. I recently decided it was time to make time for running again. This means I wake up at 6 am so I can go before everyone else is awake. That is hard! I'm tired because being the CEO of a household is a 24/7 job.

After a couple weeks, I am so glad I took the first step. Coupled with personal scripture study (I am reading my Book of Mormon for about 10-15 minutes before I start my run), I have felt like a new person. I have more energy. I feel stronger. I feel closer to my Heavenly Father.

The first time I really started running was after my first marriage ended. It was a way to take back control of my life and to feel like I was someone who was worth something. With each mile I ran, I felt like I was shedding a skin that had been battered and bruised. I transformed from a woman who was broken to a woman who was whole.

Running played another significant role in my life when I was attending graduate school. During those years, I came to realize how hard and cruel the real world really was. My heart would often break for the helpless children I worked with. I felt so inadequate in working with them. What could I really do to make their lives better? Running allowed me to put everything into perspective and to realize that my best would be good enough.

Here's the thing about running, it gives you time to think. Not just think, to ponder. To realign body and spirit. I know people say yoga is the best way to do that, but for me that never works. Maybe it's because I practice yoga in my living room and my boys see it as an invitation to turn my body into a jungle gym. When I run, I am alone. I am free. I am Andrea.

Scripture Power

Our ward (local church congregation) recently challenged us to read the entire Book of Mormon. I do this nearly once a year, but was happy to accept a challenge like this. There is a special strength found when you're on the same page each day with a great group of people.

As I read this morning, I was taught a very powerful lesson that as I pondered I realized I'd already learned and didn't know it. In 1 Nephi 16, Nephi and his family are in the wilderness making their way to the coast where they will then set sail for the Americas. They are struggling after having lived their entire lives in a big city (Jerusalem). Nephi is out hunting and breaks his bow, which makes it impossible to get dinner. His whole family, including his dad, Lehi (who is a prophet), begin complaining against him and the Lord. Nephi doesn't lose faith, he fixes his bow and then asks his dad, Lehi, for guidance on where to go hunting to find food. Lehi is humbled, repents, and receives direction from the Lord.

 

I've read this particular chapter, probably 20 times and today something stuck out to me. Nephi never lost faith, he didn't' complain, he could have gotten on his own knees and asked the Lord for guidance. Instead, he asks Lehi, who has been struggling. It seems so simple, but this is a profound lesson.

A former apostle in our church, Marion D. Hanks said this is 1960, "It is a simple thing, isn't it? This is what Goethe meant when he said, 'If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he could be and ought to be, he will become what he ought to be.' This means that Nephi went to his father and said, 'Dad, the Lord has blessed you. You are his servant. I need to know where to go to get food. Dad, you ask him, will you?' Oh, he could have gone to his own knees. He could have taken over.  I really count this one of the really significant lessons of life in the book, and I repeat, the pages are full of them. A son who had strength enough, and humility enough, and manliness enough to go to his wavering superior and say, 'You ask God, will you?' because somehow he knew this is how you make men strong, that wise confidence in men builds them. Lehi asked God and God told him, and Lehi's leadership was restored."

This quote and scripture story reminded me of a personal experience I had as a young 18 year old girl about to leave home for the first time to attend college at Brigham Young University in Utah. As a relatively recent convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had heard about school blessings. Basically it is a blessing fathers give their children before a new year of school starts. I really wanted one because not only was I starting at a new school, I was moving 2500 miles away from home. My parents did not convert with me, so I approached my bishop about giving me the blessing. He said that he would do it, but only if I asked my dad first and if my dad said no. I was taken aback by this because my dad didn't hold the priesthood authority. After expressing this concern, my bishop said my dad didn't need it to give his daughter a father's blessing. So, I mustered up some courage and asked my dad. He told me he'd think about it. A couple of days later, he pulled me into his shop and placed his hands on my head and gave me a blessing. I honestly can't tell you what he said, but I remember how I felt. I felt so loved and so happy and so blessed to be his daughter. I wonder if Bishop Stephens knew what he was doing for me and for my dad when he made that challenge.

More Kid Conversations

I love the things children come up with. Here are some from the last week.

While putting away laundry, Landon sees a shirt and says "I missed you shirt!" He then kissed it and put it away.

Grayson fell in love with a woman at our church because of her "pretty blue toenail polish." He told me a secret, "I'm going to marry her someday." And I broke his heart by telling him she was already married.

I came in from outside to find Ethan drawing at the table. As I passed by he hid what he was making. Later he brought me a sweet card. When I asked him why he made me a card, he replied, "Because I love you, Mom."

15 Months!

Miriam celebrated another milestone: 15 months. It always amazes me how much babies accomplish in so short a time. Miriam remains at the top of the growth chart. Weighing in at 25 lbs 13 oz (95%) and she is now 30 1/2 inches tall (80%). Miri is also walking and getting into everything. She says a few words including Mama, Dada, More, Stop, and Up. With three big brothers, she uses "Stop" a lot. Miriam loves to snuggle and give smooches. She really is a sweet little girl and we love having her in our family. She recently discovered a little booster seat I have stashed in the dining room. I find her spending quite a lot of time over there trying to figure out the buckle. It is sooooooo cute. Okay, I admit, I think everything she does is cute.

Sweet Ethan

Ethan sometimes gets bummed out that he misses what we do at home while he is at school all day. The other morning, he decided to do something nice for all of us. He decorated paper plates for us to use at lunch time.

Landon and Grayson

With Ethan off at school this last year, Landon and Grayson have really cemented their friendship. They love spending time outdoors. I caught some fun moments of them this last week.

Here they are in their unders playing in the rain and mud! Grayson got out the hose and they filled in this huge hole they've dug in the side of the yard. They had their own little swimming hole. They were so filthy and of course, I loved every minute of it.

 

This morning they were weeding the yard with scissors.

 

Grayson has this all set up and ready to go. I'm not sure what it's for, but I bet it'll be awesome.

Soccer!

I am not only a soccer mom, I am a soccer wife. Jared has been playing in an adult league since January. The children were anxious to see him play, so we finally headed out to watch a game. Ethan was a little disappointed that they didn't have uniforms, but all in all we were impressed with their skills.

Jared defending the goal.

Miriam clapping for Daddy.

Landon's turn to say cheese.

 



Seriously, she is so cute. She clapped for about ten minutes. Then she wanted to get down and get on the field. All three boys and I did our best and we kept her off the field.

Ethan took this one. It was a beautiful night to enjoy some soccer. As fun as it's been for Jared, I'm ready for this season to be over. I have missed having him home to help with dinner and bedtime. I know I'm spoiled and many women do that by themselves all the time. But the two days a week I am alone at night (Thursdays he's gone to with church volunteer responsibilities) are kind of awful. I smile and tell him to do it because I know he needs something that is just his. I am supportive, but it has been hard. I just miss him. So, in two more weeks, we get our main man back on Wednesdays and I am so glad!

Happy Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day is so fun when your children go to school and church and their amazing teachers help them create something special for you. It's also pretty cool when your creative husband does the same. I felt pretty special all week thanks to my wonderful family. Being a mom is awesome most of the time. There are days, I'd rather just go back to bed. Those are few and far between. But it hurts when you give all you've got and are told you are "nasty" when you simply say no to a request. Even if that rudeness comes from a tired and grumpy three-year-old, it still hurts. That same three year old is a doll when he is in a good mood. On Friday, Jared brought home flowers. Landon delivered them and told me "Happy Mother's Day" without being prompted. He's been saying it ever since and it is so cute!
For the most part, I have three sweet boys and one scrumptious little girl. They tell me I'm pretty and always thank me for doing little things for them. They help around the house by making their beds, scrubbing toilets, and mopping the floor. Here are some special things the children made to celebrate me: their mom who is trying her best to be the kind of mom they're proud to have.

 Grayson's pre-school class had a Muffins with Mom day earlier in the week. Here we are with a beautiful watercolor flower Grayson made for me. I am so grateful for his teacher, Mrs. Piper, who takes such good care of my boy when he is away from this proud Mama.

 

A very beautiful placemat that Grayson made for me. The flowers are made from his fingers and fingerprints.

Grayson answered these questions about me. I definitely had some misty eyes when Mrs. Piper read his responses (in italics).

My Mommy's name is Mommy.

My mom is 4.

My mommy's eyes are brown.

I love it when my mom cooks grits, oatmeal, and granola.

I don't like it when she cooks white rice.

When I am at school, my mom does chores.

My mom is prettiest when she goes to church with me and in the morning.

My favorite thing to do with my mom is paint.

The thing I love most about my mom is eating with mommy-she sits by me.

 

A homemade card. Flowers made with fingerprints. From left to right: Jared, Ethan, Grayson, and Landon. That monster butterfly is made from Miriam's feet.

This is a flower bouquet made from cut out handprints of the children. Jared said I look like a goober in this pic. He's right. I'm wearing cut-offs, a JT and Christina Aquilera concert t, and I was looking up at him as he took the photo. But I am happy to be the mom of my brood. They are something special.

A card Ethan made with his fingerprints. The poem says "This little flower is special, you see, Because it was made from a part of me. My painted thumb made each flower part To show I love you with all my heart!  Happy Mother's Day!

Ethan also wrote and illustrated a book for me.

My Mom by Ethan

My mom is fun.

My mom likes flowers.

My mom cooks yellow rice.

I love my mom.

And today at church Grayson and Landon's teachers made some Mother's Day cards.

Landon's is on top. Look how big his hand is. I can't stand it!

 

Sometimes you get discouraged because I am so small and always leave my fingerprints on furniture and walls. 

But every day I'm growing--I'll be grown someday and all those tiny handprints will surely fade away.

So here's a little handprint just so you can recall exactly how my fingers looked when I was very small.

 

Grayson's two little hands are so cute! He wrote "I love you" on the pink strip. He actually did a pretty great job with his writing.

 

I love my children so much! And my sweet husband who helped me become a mommy and is sharing this crazy life with me.

Happy Mother's Day to all the women in my life that influence me for good. You know who you are! I am blessed beyond measure.

"The Mom I Want To Be"

In 2001, while married to my first spouse, I wrote the following paper in a class at BYU. My mom found it recently and I thought it would be fun to post it. Mother's Day is this weekend and I loved reading through what my 21 year old self expected in becoming a mother. Little did I know that before becoming a mother, I'd divorce, remarry, and turn 27 (so old). I never thought my path to motherhood would occur in this way. I am so grateful to be a mother. I am also so grateful for the other women in my life that have influenced me and been my "mothers." My own mother is a wonderful woman and I am lucky to have been sent to a mother that was so inspiring, loving, and fierce. (Excuse the weird format. I couldn't get in to edit it, so you're seeing it as it was returned to me after grading. I got an A in case you were wondering.)

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Dover Shores Fine Arts Night

Last week, Ethan's elementary school held its Annual Fine Arts Night. Our little family adventured out and enjoyed our night. Ethan participated in a choir and his art was displayed in the library. He was really working his snaggle-tooth all week (it finally fell out tonight) and it looked so crazy I had to snap a photo. This photo really doesn't do that tooth justice. It was basically sticking straight out, prompting Jared to bestow a new nickname on Ethan last week. I hope "Gollum" doesn't catch on permanently. Now that the tooth has fallen out, maybe the nickname will fall away too.

 

 

Anyway, back to Fine Arts Night. Here's Ethan singing a jazzy show tune with the Kindergarteners. He's on the front row, wearing a green t-shirt. Can you find him?

 

 

Here is Ethan's artwork! Must admit, these parents were IMPRESSED! They used the artwork as a fundraiser for the school. $5 to purchase the art and another $3 to have it framed. Well, this is genius, because we doting parents couldn't pass it up. $8 and now we have our own Ethan original to hang up.

 

 

Miriam thoroughly enjoyed Fine Arts Night. This is a photo of her thoroughly enjoying a Ritz cracker, but it was cute so I include it here. Seriously, though, at the performance of jazzy show tunes, she danced her little heart out. Shaking her body, swinging her arms, even using jazz hands. It was amazing! Very bummed we weren't quick enough to get it on video.

 

9 Years!!!!!!!!!!!

Jared and I have spent nine wonderful years together as husband and wife. We are perfect for one another and we love driving each other crazy. : ) Not too crazy, just enough to make life fun. Jared really went all out this year to make our anniversary special. My parents were willing to take our four children for the weekend so we could get a real vacation. They are such troopers and I am so grateful for them. Without them, this wouldn't have even been possible.

 

 

We spent our anniversary at Clearwater Beach, Florida! I've been wanting to go there for some time and Jared made it happen. We stayed in a hotel right on the beach and ate at fabulous restaurants.

On our first night, we took in the town and ate at Salt and Pepper Bistro. It was a quaint French restaurant owned by a darling French family. We spoke to the chef ourselves to complement him on our extraordinary meals. Jared's duck was divine and the crepe we had for dessert was seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life! The ambience was so romantic. I loved every minute of it.

Unfortunately, most of the weekend was rainy which isn't really conducive to the beach activities we'd planned. So, we slept in, read, napped, ate more delicious food at local restaurants, caught up on the NBA playoffs, and talked one another's ears off. Breakfast at the Wildflower Café is a must for anyone headed to Clearwater. The baked French Toast was amazing.

Rainy Clearwater views.

 Lunch at Crabby Bills! The Fish Tacos were so yummy. I am regretting that I didn't buy the tie-die t-shirt. Oh well, maybe next time.

 View from our hotel's private beach. I miss living near the ocean. I love all the bridges that actually go over water.

 The sun finally came out on Saturday afternoon, but it was still cold. 60 degrees in May to this Florida girl is freezing!

 The sun came out long enough for us to enjoy the beautiful sunset! The pictures don't do it justice.

Beach Selfie!

 

We had a great time and loved having some time off from non-glamorous parenting duties. I can't tell you how fun it was to sleep in and eat six entire meals without having to get up or the meal going cold. I also can't tell you how fun it was to see our sweet little babies again. I love the life Jared and I are building together. I am truly blessed.