Typical?? Family Dinner

Dinnertime at our house is an occasion of happy children and calm parents sitting together at the table with delicious smells tickling our noses and tempting our tummies while delightful, stimulating conversation rolls off our tongues.

OR...

"Dinner's ready!" grumps mom whose favorite place is NOT the kitchen.
No response. No eager feet running for the table.
"Dinner's ready--NOW!"
Stomping. Crashing. Running. Chairs are knocked. "I'm first!" "No, I'm first!" M-ahhh-mmmm, I was first!"
L, purses his lips, "I wanna snack. It's snack time. I don't LIKE dinner!"
X looks at dinner and crumples in his chair like a wilted dandelion. "I don't wwwaaannnntttt THAT!" he moans.
Then my good eater, B, pipes up. "Yay! Pasta! My favorite!" Oh, thank you, dear child.
We finally settle at the table. Dinner has cooled. Prayer is offered. Food is passed.
"You need to try at least one carrot, little man (L)", the food-police/mom urge.
"I don't like THAT!" L plops the carrot beside his plate, making his statement more emphatic.
Mom plops the carrot right back on the plate. Something orange sails across the table and gently sticks B's beloved pasta. B, not the most tolerant of her brother's antics, lets out a disgusted, "OOOO-ooo-OOO. Gross!" Her pasta has been tainted.
Across the table X and A are trying to make each other laugh by doing bunny ears to each other and telling Knock Knock jokes.
And T and I??? We just look at each with the letters D-A-T-E flashing across our eyes like the lights of an ambulance.

BUT...

family time is priceless
even if it comes with a cost.

Recognizing So-Called Random Thoughts

I am coming to realize that God, our Father in Heaven, is a part of our lives more than we realize. Over the past few weeks I have had friends' names come to mind very briefly and thought, "Oh, I wonder how she is doing. I haven't gotten to talk with her in a while. I need to call her." Later when I sat down to call, I thought, "But she is doing just fine. I'd just be bugging her," and dismissed the thought to call. Later, I've found that the friends who I thought to call have been sick or have had a need that a quick call would have helped with. As I look back on these little thoughts that have come, I realize they were soft, gentle nudges towards acts of kindness. I'm learning how God urges us to reach out to His children, our brothers and sisters. Those seemingly random thoughts that encourage us to think of others can be sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost, prompting us to action. And so, I'm learning to recognize God's hand more in my life, and when a friend's name or anyone's name comes to mind, I need to spring into action!

Happy Birthday Mr. 4 year Old!

Today we celebrated the happy day that L made his appearance to our family here on earth. He has been counting the days until THIS big day. He was up at the crack of dawn to open all his presents. After he opened them, he launched himself at his brother and sisters, giving "thank you" hugs. X was really sad to go to school and leave his brother('s toys) all by himself. Once the dust of getting siblings to school had settled, he and I played with the new toys. We tried doing a picnic at the playground, but the cold wind hampered our enjoyment. I guess, it IS January. We came home and played games instead. Tonight, we went out for dinner (a treat for L AND me--no cooking!) and then sang and ate cake and ice cream. He let me know he's ready for his birthday tomorrow again. Oh, the sad reality that birthdays are only once a year!

Here's our guy four years ago, only a few hours old.

When L told me he wanted a Lightning McQueen cake, I felt a little panicky. I'm not a cake decorator. Luckily, I found an example of an easy cake online that I could copy. Thank you crafty people who do things easy and step-by-step for the not-so-crafty.

Where Have All the 3 Year Olds Gone??

Yesterday L and I played his elephant-blowing-butterflies-out-his-trunk game. As butterflies fluttered down, memories started fluttering around in my mind. I thought of when T and I were young newlyweds. Our first calling in our new ward was with the Sunbeams (3 year olds). I had little experience with these little beings who wiggled (a lot), picked their noses (a lot), and hugged and cried (a lot). We were a bit out of our element and minds, trying to figure out what to do with these rambunctous creatures for an hour when the lesson would only last 3 minutes. Luckily, a mom came to the rescue (was it my crazed eyes or my hair sticky out all over that tipped her off??) with a little elephant game that blew butterflies out his trunk. Oh, those little folks LOVED that game and so did we!

Now I've had four little three year olds of my own. How I love their wiggles, their hugs, and even their little messes. I love their excitement for life, their imagination (that elephant can be a great vacuum for butterflies!), and their quick forgiveness of an imperfect mom. And now we are ending our stage of little 3 year olds. L is turning 4 on Monday. Twelve years ago I would have gladly said "Adieu" to three year olds; now my lip trembles a little and my eyes tear as I think of my last little 3 year old growing up.

Bzzz...the Sound of a Fresh, Clean Start--Happy New Year!

Bzzz...what's that sound you ask?? Ahhhh...it's music to my ears--the sound of T's shaver! Yes, his beard is gone, and his fresh, clean, kissable face is back again. He told me that he'd shave when I cut his hair. I have been urging him to grow his hair out for years, so I always put off cutting his hair for as long as I can--usually. Not this time! I've been offering to cut his hair everyday, and finally we had time. So hurray for the New Year! And my handsome, fresh-faced hubby! He still has his goatee; I like that.

And now for Christmas...we've been so busy playing that I haven't made time to write about it. We must have been good this year--no coal. Just lots of smiles and fun.

Note the sparkle in their eye! Before picture of The Unwrapping. I forgot to take an After picture--but I can just tell you that the wrapping flew.

B loves her camera. Say cheese.

A. sings and dances with her IPod. Ohhhh, does she sing.

X-man, or rather Lego-man.

L loves to catch butterflies with his elephant friend.

T--what can I say to a mug like that( see the whiskers--all gone)?? I married him--thankfully. I think he got knocked out too many times while boxing with our new Wii.

All gussied up for church. X was wearing his first tie. Such a handsome, beautiful bunch.
L was sick, and B was sick--of taking pictures, so they didn't make the photo shoot. She looked beautiful in her dress too.