Ty and Kaden get so upset when they have to quit a video game without saving their progress. I guess I understand a little how they feel. I'm constantly busy doing fun and exciting things, which should keep me happy in and of themselves, right? But I feel incomplete if I don't write about them. It's like all that progress, the cute things kids said, and the fun times to remember are . . . lost! So even though I should be cleaning, and I don't have pictures on the computer yet, I'm going to steal a few minutes and record my blessings, because the Lord is soooo good to me!
Whew! Life has picked up it's pace. May 23rd - 30th, Nephi, Ben, Daniel and I were able to fly up to Alaska and have Ty and Kaden stay with us at a nice bed and breakfast. There was a trampoline outside that we played on everyday. On May 27, Ty received the Aaronic Priesthood! Jared stayed with Kim and Caleb in Idaho Falls and Abish stayed with Stephanie and Josh in Salt Lake. I'm so grateful for Stephanie and Kim helping me out like that, and now Jared and Abish have a special bond with their Aunts and cousins.
We've been home a week now and it's quite an adjustment having all six children together. It's super busy and crazy sometimes, but I love it. It's a great blessing to have Ty and Kaden home again. They are such good boys! We made a new schedule and outlined some family rules that we all agreed on. It keeps us organized and really lightens my load.
It looks like this:
Morning Habits: personal prayer, personal scripture reading, get dressed/put away pajamas, make bed, wash face, brush teeth, comb hair
Family Breakfast: everyone cleans up
Family Prayer and Scripture Study (Kaden likes to play the piano for the opening song. :)
Ben gets hugs and kisses from everyone before heading off to his daily work where he provides so very well for us. On good days I even pack him a lunch.
The children work on their 2 jobs, and when everyone is done the house looks pretty good. It's soooo much easier than me trying to do it all myself. Probably the biggest motivator, is the 30 minutes of screen time the children earn after completing their habits and jobs. So far they've chosen to use that on the wii every time. But with their free time, they can also have friends over, play outside and at the park, read, play any of our family games, etc. They come to me and ask for extra jobs all the time so they can earn more wii time. They'll weed, do laundry, make lunch, play with Jared, read to Abish, or do whatever else I need done at the moment. It's wonderful!
I've overheard Kaden helping Abish say her morning prayer, and helping her make her bed. Ty reads his scriptures out loud for Nephi. Everyone holds Daniel and plays with Jared. The sibling bonding is priceless. I hope that Ty and Kaden will never leave us for more than a few weeks.
Night time Habits: shower/bath as needed, clean bedroom, write in journal, pajamas on, brush teeth, personal prayer.
Our motto is: I'll form good habits in my youth. For the past two days we've all had our personal and family scripture study. Abish and Jared watch the Scripture Stories on DVD on my laptop. It really holds their attention. Family Scripture Study is great, when the kids aren't playing, they actually have really good questions and insights.
I'm so grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ to guide and bless our family. When problems arise, and feelings are hurt, I've been able to talk with the children individually and help them learn from each situation.
Abish bore her testimony on Sunday in Sacrament. She was calm and confident. “I want to share my testimony. My name is Abish. I know Jesus is true. He showed us to be kind. I love my family. I like to be with my mommy all the days and never be apart and be with my family forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." She's awesome.
Yesterday was Nephi's birthday. I wondered how in the world I would be able to accomplish everything I wanted to do. Aside from the usual activities: laundry, meals, taking care of Daniel and Jared, fixing Abish's hair, (what? fix mine? Yes, that would be nice, but I didn't get around to that!)
I wanted to make Nephi's birthday special. How was that accomplished? Ty and Kaden. Ty was more than happy to bake a cake and make the frosting. Nephi said he wanted a dragon cake, so Ty mixed up several different colors of frosting as well. He also made 7 fun clues for Nephi's treasure hunt. Kaden filled his lock box with jelly beans and pokemon cards and buried it in the backyard. I decorated the cake. Nephi made a list of friends he wanted to play with, and I invited them over. Brett and Cassie came over for a couple hours. Ty, Kaden, and Nephi played up at the Barnard's with the Fales' girls a game of kickball. Anna brought Nephi a bag of gummy bears.
Ben bought a new wii game for Nephi's birthday called MarioKart. I made dinner. Daniel wanted to be held a lot. He's so good and patient, I try to hold him when he desires it.
Ty went to the temple with the Deacons and Teachers from our ward to do baptisms. His first time in the temple!
I prayed earnestly before taking a few minutes to make phone calls for Kimber Academy. I know that this will only succeed if it is the Lord's work and His will. Lynette and Tracy agreed to hold open houses. We have verbal commitments to enroll from 4 families. It feels kind of like Relief Society.
Jared has been saying so many new words, and likes to put two or three words together: "watch. train." or "water. ducks. swim." My new favorite is "Loveyou. Mom. Heart." Which means "I love you with all my heart" an expression Nephi and Abish use when saying goodbye to Papa every morning. I've felt so loved and special the last few times Jared has said it to me. This morning the garbage truck came and dumped our garbage. Jared always watches that process with fascination. As the garbage man drove away, Jared called out, "Bye! Loveyou! Heart!"
Tomorrow we leave for MT, for the Baker Family Reunion. I'm excited to have another week with Ben!
Okay, progress saved. back to work! :)
