Funny Phone pics

Curtis being the great guy that he is, is always trying to keep me up with the latest technology! For Valentines Day I got a iphone 4. And I really love it, it is really amazing. The thing is, it is so much fun to play with that the whole family wants a shot- especially Ethan! He paid me $1 two weeks ago to download a hunting game- which of couse he wants to play in his spare time. And Ethan discovered the camera and here are some his pictures:

Ethan and Jamers

Fish lips

Us in the car discovering the camera for the fist time

Curtis and I on Valentines day at the Melting Pot.

Spelling with Eli

Tonight I was helping Eli with his spelling. It was so frustrating. But when we got to his bonus word, hundred, he was silent and gave me a quizzical look. Then he looked down at his paper and wrote '100'. And THEN we both broke out into huge belly laughs. I love that kid.

A Tuesday in Review

Laundry, wii for Jonah, lasagna that nobody ate for lunch, a trip to JoAnn and Target for day after Valentine's Deals. Kids home from school, taco salad for dinner. Got the girls to bed first, then ate with the boys after they came in from playin out in the warm weather (it was 40 today!!) Tried to play Bolkus with 3 boys. Ridiculous. Sat down with a salted caramel hot chocolate and sugar cookies for Parenthood. With my honey (who just got off a plane) sitting beside me. Life is good.

Week of February 6-13, 2011

Why is February spelled so funny? I'm not sure how anyone would actually SAY February the way it is spelled. Also, made an observation that nobody says Jimmer FREDETTE, it is said FURD-ette with a glorious Utah accent:) I weirdly notice things like that but have a hard time remembering useful information like names or appointments. A few things on my mind tonight are:

- I have been having a strange sensation in the ball of my left foot, it feels like warm water is being poured on my foot about every 3-5 minutes.It has probably been happening for a week and a half. I hope it is not gout.

- Sadie has slept through the night 3 or 4 times this week, twice she slept 12 hours. It is wonderful!

- Curtis and I had a lovely Valentines Day lunch at the Melting Pot yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. I am determined to make fondue! I am not going to let the price of fontina and butterkase cheese stop me this time! Valentine tradition? hmmm, I like that idea!

-I need to print out an award certificate for the "Leader for the Right"- I wish I could claim the idea but it is a Linda and Richard Eyre tradition that I think is cute and I want to start! It is an award given to one child each week for making good choices/choosing the right/being a leader each week. I think it will help Curtis and I to notice good things that the kids are doing, and I think we will try the winner of the award each week gets a date with me or Curtis. Family night would be a good night to do it.

- Got a new Bishopric today: Todd Anderson, with Andrew Youngquist and Justin Thompson. I was touched by the testimonies today. I raised my right hand to sustain them while I was nursing Sadie in the Mothers room:) When I went into the chapel afterward, I had a saw the old Bishopric (Bishop Crockett, Brother Parkinson, Brother Oku) and the Stake Presidency (President Paynter, Brother Toronto, and Brother Wilson) along with the new Bishopric. I got tears in my eyes thinking about what good men they are and how I want to support them in their callings. President Paynter is an endearing person. We(along with all of the kids in the stake)got Valentines from him last week. Also he starts off every stake conference with a rhyme reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss book. I am going to miss Bishop Crockett as Bishop, I feel like I have learned so much from him, as an example and also hearing him teach the youth.

- Not only do we have a new Bishopric but our ward is going to be changing! A new ward is going to be created next week. It is going to be a looong week waiting for the news of the boundary changes and everything that comes with it. It makes me sad to think of friends who won't see and interact with every Sunday.

- Also found out this week that we will not have an opportunity to make a decision about another move to New Jersey. What a huge relief. I have been stressing about this possibility for a few months. But what else does Curtis have up his sleeve?? Only time will tell...(don't worry sweetheart very few people are going to get to the end of this post).

-I love having a valentine. My valentine is awesome. He can rock Sadie, and take care of 4 rowdies while interviewing for an SM job. He sings to Janie Kate each night after her gives her a bath, brushes her hair, and blow dries it for her. He kisses Jonah on the lips (well Jo kisses everyone on the lips but still...) He knows about most everything because you name it and he has worked there (tire shop, retail, Bakers Square, door-to-door sales, Tree farm and everything else). He takes my car to the carwash and fills it up without me asking him. He also keeps me up on the latest technology. When I come back from mutual he has put the kids to bed and cleaned up the kitchen!! I am such a lucky girl to have such a rockin Valentine!

New Week... ready set go!

Boys in a nutshell

Boys are found everywhere -- on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket.

-Alan Marshall Beck

A lesson just for me

There have been alot of changes in our ward over the past few months... and we found out today that we are getting a new Bishopric next week! Our Young Womens presidency recently changed, leaving me, as the secretary, the only old timer. It has been interesting and I have to admit when Lanna Palmer was released, and then all the counselors and advisors in the following weeks, I was worried about the change. I was used to the way things were, I knew what to expect and what was expected from me. Also, I was good friends with the old leaders, and could relate to most of them as being young (er) moms with several kids. Our new Presidency and advisors are all ages and have different experiences to bring to the table... and I am finding that it is going to be good for all of us to learn from each other and good for the Young Women to have leaders that will bring different things out in them. Patty C. taught today about teaching. I have been really thinking about this lately and feeling those urgent feelings of needing to improve, specifically to be a better example of kindness, and also self discipline. What I took from today's lesson was just for me, and I am going to incorporate it this week.

How did Jesus Christ teach?

1. With love- the most important ingredient!
2. With stories (parables)- layers of meaning, requires active participation from the learner, uses everyday things and captures interest.
3. When it was needed- listen to the spirit and the learner- don't get caught up in my agenda, be willing to change plans and be spontaneous and teach in the moment.
4. Study for knowledge- Need to be current in my spiritual CE (continuing education)
5. With prayer-to communicate with Heavenly Father and have and listen to the spirit.
Also I will add use scriptures and bear testimony.
A new week begins... in about 7 hours... gotta get some sleep:)

Sadie at 6 weeks

Ethan and Sadie (or Sate as Ethan spelled recently)

Janie and Sadie... doesn't Sadie's face say it all... please rescue me mom...

Contemplative

profile with those cute long hairs around her little cowlick...

I think Sadie weighs a little more than 9 lbs. She is a champion sleeper! We have been bathing her and putting her to bed around the same time as the other kiddos. Several times she has slept until 5 or 6 am. Or maybe she will wake up at 3 am and then sleep until 9 or so. We are amazed at how well she goes to bed and sleeps. It is truly a blessing for us right now. I love to cuddle her on my shoulder and smell her hair, that baby smell is so intoxicating. We are not sure what color her eyes are yet, they are getting a bit lighter but could still be brown... it's hard to tell. Also, Sadie went to church for the first time today! I fed her during Sunday School and then she fell back asleep in her carseat for 3rd hour. Alot of she's so cute comments, especially from my Young Women. She IS so cute, and sweet, and cuddle-able! Love this baby!

Edit on stomach flu

Eli got it... REALLY BAD.
Threw away 7 pairs of underwear bad.
Poor Eli.