Give Thanks

Yeah!! Just got back from St. George and an awesome weekend with the family (minus just one of D's brother and family- we missed you guys). Other than my inability to sleep when I am not at my house, everything was just perfect--great meal, great company. I'm glad I married into this family and look forward to years and even eternity to spend with them.

THE DINNER PICTURES

The funnest part of the day was hiking in some slot canyons that Paul scouted out. I actually got scared on one steep jump because it reminded me of when I broke my leg in college doing a similar activity. I am so glad that no one got hurt--especially Roger who was running ahead so fast with the big kids we couldn't keep up with him. It was pretty scary when we were handing kids down a steep jump/cliff- but it was unifying as well. It felt like one of those team-building retreats. What a blast!

THE HIKING PICTURES

A First

Enjoy!

A Question

From Davis:

Why does Sprite burn your toungue like hot sprinkles?

A sobering statistic

"Nine out of ten children between the ages of 8 and 16 with Internet access have viewed pornographic websites. . . ."

Yep, I have internet access. That means that by the time my kids are 16, they have a 90% chance of viewing porn. . . .That makes me sick! As a parent, I have a hard time imagining such a thing happening with my kids, but I know I can never be too safe. The article also says:

While there's no question that setting guidelines and putting safety measures in place are critically important, parents should keep in mind that sometimes children are introduced to pornography outside the home, away from those safety measures. Filters and other protections may not be in place at friends' houses, hence the importance of arming kids with information.

Read more if this article here.

Empty threat of the day, courtesy of Yours, Truly

Roger just tried to open Reed's door. Reed is sleeping.

My reaction, "Roger if you open that door, I will put you in time-out for the rest of your life."

Luckily he didn't open the door because that was one punishment that I'm pretty sure I couldn't have followed up on.

A Mother's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
There are just a few things I want you to help me remember today. Please help me remember my 6-year-olds jumping out of the car at the drop off zone at school. As they walked a few bounds, they turned around and said, "Bye, mom. I love you."

Please help me to remember my 2-year-old's delight when his cereal was presented in his favorite bowl this morning. . . . ."Yeah, Nemo!" Help me to remember how he jumped up and down with excitement as he put on his Thomas the Train undies, "I lub Thomas!"

Help me to remember my 4-month-old's wonder as he was bathed and found the stream of water from the shower. He cautiously, clumsily reached out to further investigate with his hand. As he got braver, he decided on the ultimate experiment-- to taste the running water. As, he reached his head close to the stream of water he was surprised to get a shot all over his face. He jumped in my arms and looked at me with eyes full of water. Then, he leaned forward again and stuck out his toungue to taste the new find. Ahhh, water. Not so bad. He licked his lips.

Thank you for my little gifts this day. I am grateful for the joy they bring.

In Style

Today I overheard Eliza telling this to a friend she was playing with:

"Do you like my belt. . . Rock stars wear them. And so do hot women."

Caps For Sale

This is what Roger looked like when he came upstairs this morning. . . . reminded me of that children's book.

My two cents

The vote for the House Bill, H.R. 3962 will likely take place on Friday.

I don't believe the drafters of the bill intended harm, but this HUGE bill will have many unintended consequences including a general move towards government-run healthcare and loss of options in the insurance market. I also feel the bill will cost far more than CBO estimates. As a surgical specialist, my husband predicts his workload will increase (as new medical students will find little benefit to the long, difficult years of training without higher compensation)--as specialist's workload increases, longer waitimes for patients will be the end result. He also fears his practice of medicine will be dictated by beaurocratic panels who have little interest in individual patients, but rather, the bottom line.

In addition, all 17 proposed amendments that would prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion in ObamaCare have been defeated. It is immoral to fund the destruction of innocent human life-especially if that funding comes from MY taxes. I urge you to protect the life of the unborn by opposing the Health Care Bill.

Please call your congressmen and Senators and tell them to VOTE AGAINST HR 3962.

Death of an appliance AND Mr. OCD

My hair-dryer failed to start this morning. I am mourning the loss- mostly because my hair looks like a mess today. It was a good blow dryer that served me for 3 years. R.I.P. old friend.

I guess I wasn't in mourning too long because I went to Big Lots and replaced it within an hour.

On to other news: I think my 2-year-old has a premature form of O.C.D. No, I'm not kidding. For about a month now his behavior is as follows: Mom, Dad, or siblings (including Reed) touch him. He squeals as if in pain, then shouts. "My (insert name of body part that was touched here)!" He then proceeds to take back the said body part by touching the offenders hand-- THREE TIMES.

The behavior is getting worse. While I was replacing my old friend, Mr. Blow-dryer, at the store, Roger yelled, "My Fingers!" Then he pointed to the top shelf we had just walked by. "What?" I questioned, "You didn't even touch that shelf."

His reply, "My FINGERS!" Then he started tantruming--with a very loud voice.

"Okay, okay," I said, "I'll help you get your fingers." I then proceeded to lift him up to the top shelf where he 'took back' his stolen fingers by touching the shelf.

Then, when I thought all was well, he yelled again, "MY FINGERS!"

"But, I just helped you get your fingers. You have them already."

Screaming by the little tot and giving in from me, "Okay, we'll get your fingers again, but this is the last time."

I then rounded the corner, and he yelled again, "MY FINGERS!"

By now, I am getting pretty perturbed. "No. I told you it was the last time to get your fingers. We are walking away now. You have your fingers. See? They are right on your hand." Then, I walked away. Roger didn't. He screamed. Pretty loud. Now people are starting to look. A worker tried to bring him a ballon. He didn't like that. But I wasn't going to give in. Until he kept screaming as I walked farther away.

And, yes, I gave in. Again. But guess what? After he retrieved his fingers for the THIRD time. He was fine.

I see psychologists in this boy's future.

Weekly Reckoning, Part 3

I made some goals.

#1: Getting to bed by 10:15, lights out 10:30.
Since this is a two week review, can I just say that I started going to bed later (curse my stupid book-bingeing) and it REALLY made an uncomfortable difference last week. I feel SO much better during the day when I get to bed on time, especially in the mornings.

#2 Read scriptures with the kids during breakfast.
This one's going pretty well. I've also noticed it is the only time the kids actually listen because their mouths are busy. My mood is improved because I know I am doing something with my kids that needs to be done. I really want this one to become a habit.

#3 Exercise.
Nope. Not at all. Seriously having a devil of a time with this one. Any ideas?

#4 Babystep Checklists #1,#2
Well. I printed the checklists and started to make copies of important documents for an emergency folder-then the ink ran out of my printer. I need to back up my important computer files (aka pictures). Haven't even opened checklist #2. Gotta get on that!

Keeping these goals is giving me a run for my money. But it's important to me. Send me some love in your prayers, if you would.