Book of Mormon Challenge and Elder Holland

I realized that I never wrapped up my post about the Book of Mormon Challenge I started in February. It ended a little over a week ago and I can't express how grateful I am to have done it. I can already see in the short time that I haven't been reading as diligently the difference it makes in my life to stay close to my Savior through scripture study. I have a greater love for the Book of Mormon and all that Joseph Smith had to do to translate it. I also have a greater appreciation for my Savior. Thanks again Jodi for issuing the challenge. I already need to do it again!

Also this weekend was Stake Conference and Elder Holland came to visit. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't exactly what I got. Although, I know even more now that Elder Holland is a prophet. He was so intense and passionate in his talks to us. He was also very funny and relaxed. Not exactly what you see in General Conference. I can't really quote the things he talked about, but I do know this church is true and I need to work a lot harder and I know my Savior will always be there to help me. It was a great Conference and now I am super stoked for General Conference!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I don't know why I got so into it this year, but I actually woke up early enough to make some green pancakes and green milk. The kids loved it! The also got to eat with green forks and drink out of green cups so they are thinking I am pretty cool right now. We hope you have a fun day too!!!

Just For Shmobbers

I found this picture of my sister and Ronnie Price so I thought I would post it to make her smile!

You Be The Judge...

My sister that is on a mission kindly sent a letter to the family, which included some drawings for the kids. The one for Ashlynn is supposed to be of a dog jumping up on my sister. This is a video of what Ashlynn thought it was supposed to be.

Here is the actual picture so you can decide for yourself. Thanks Bobbi! We love you!!!

On a side note, one day I was doing something and said, "What the!" All of a sudden I hear this little voice say, "CRAP!" I was mortified, but couldn't stop myself from laughing. So of course I had to show Eric what he had taught his daughter. I corrected it by teaching her to say monkey, but every once in awhile she still says crap and her little voice is so cute I can't help trying to make her "perform" now and again. What kind of horrible mother am I?!?

Bowling Anyone?

For a field trip, Tade's preschool class got to go bowling and I was one of the mom helper's. It was really fun. There were 4 kids to a lane. I got all boys, which might sound bad, but they were super good and we had a great time!

Mommy and Tade! Having lots of fun together.

Does Anyone Else Hate Unloading The Dishwasher?

I don't know why I dislike unloading the dishwasher so much! It's not that hard, but for some reason it is one of my least favorite jobs. I have been having Tade "help" with it for awhile, but only recently has he become really helpful. He usually stacks anything that he can't put away on the counter and I put it up where it needs to go. The other day I asked him to start unloading and when I came to do my part this is what I found. Poor kid! I am making him OCD!

Teaching Moments

So I decided that since Tade will be starting kindergarten in the fall I should start helping him learn a few things. He knows all his letters and most of the sounds so I thought why not start teaching him how to read. Well, that didn't last long because it is really frustrating trying to teach a kid to read! The kids and I have been attending a Cradled In Literacy workshop where I was introduced to "sight" words. So I thought we could try to learn some of those before the fall. (For those of you who don't know, like I didn't, these are words that are used very frequently (the, as, is, in, big, are, etc.) and the kids are expected to read the by sight, meaning without having to sound them out every time.) Well, we got a few games from book orders to help us practice and it is going okay. The only problem is Tade calls them "Satan" words. I just have to laugh! He keeps asking to play his "Satan" games. Oh well! At least he is learning a few of them!!!

New Crib

Both the crib we used for Tade and the crib we used for Ashlynn were either hand me downs or yard sale pick-ups, which were fine and they worked, but when we moved Ash out of hers last year I told Eric to take it to DI because I wanted a new on for our next child. Well, as I've started trying to get ready for this kid I have regretted that decision, especially because I had Eric take the mattress with it. But a few weeks ago we found a new crib that was somewhat expensive (although I think $10 for a new shirt is expensive), but well worth the money. My only regret is that we didn't buy this crib four years ago so that we could have used it for all our children and really gotten our moneys worth. Oh well, you live and learn right. So here are some pictures of it because I am really excited about it. We set it up right when we got it just to make sure all the parts where there, which was a good thing because we were missing a bolt. (I, normally, would have called it a screw, but Eric corrected me so many times saying, "It is not a screw. You can't screw it in to the wall." Whatever! It's all the same to me.) Anyway, I just picked up a new mattress today and had to see what it looked like with bedding. No we still don't know if we are having a boy or girl, but I got this crib set for Ashlynn and didn't get to use it very long because the first year of her life she slept in a playpen in what was then her room/ the computer room, so I really want to use it. Plus, my boy set isn't very cute. In the next month or two we will, hopefully, decide if we are going to stick Ash and Tade together or Ash and the baby (any advice?) and then the crib can come up from downstairs.

Thank You One And All

My birthday was a couple of days ago and I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for making it such a great day! I got tons of calls, songs, e-mails, texts, cards, everything and it made my day! Eric let me sleep in while he made a yummy breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and OJ. He, Tade, and I enjoyed it while Ash laid in the hallway sleeping because she didn't feel good. She wouldn't even sing "Happy Birthday" to me, which is really unusual. Off and on she would cuddle with one of us or go to her bed and sleep all the while looking like a ghost. (Her lips were so pale. It was freaking me out!) We were all set to have me stay home during sacrament and Eric's primary lesson and then switch so I could go to Relief Society when she runs out of her room at 11:30 and yells "Happy Birthday, Mommy! I am hungry." We let her eat and I decided to get ready really quick and we all headed to church. After we went to my parents and had yummy lasagna and garlic bread. Followed by ice cream and my dad's amazing, wonderful, delicious chocolate chip cookies. (Tade was a little bummed we didn't have cake, but he got over it after one of Grandpa's cookies.) It was a great day. On the way home Ashlynn busted out the "Happy Birthday" song and this is how it went:

Happy birthday to me.

Happy birthday to Anjawa (Angela).

Happy birthday to my mommy.

Happy birthday to you! (At which point she pointed to me.)

It was so funny. I wish I got it on camera, because it was so cute! Oh, well! Thanks again to everyone. I love having amazing family and friends!