Reminds Me of Molly

Remember those days when you had to get out the shovel before you could mow the lawn to clean up the poop that Molly left? Well, yesterday I had an experience that reminded me of those days. A little background (sorry, this is going to give the ending away) -- we are currently trying to potty train Turner and he is doing very well with #1, but not so much with #2. He does not want to sit on the toilet because it is too hard to get out. Instead he needs to run around and hop to work it out. Well, yesterday we were at a Memorial Day barbecue with some friends and I saw Turner doing his "poopy dance" so I ran and grabbed him and carried him inside as fast as I could to the bathroom. Unfortunately as I was pulling his underwear down it came out and landed right on the bathroom floor. So, I picked it up with some toilet paper, took off his now dirty underwear and just put his shorts back on. Then, a little while later we were back outside having dessert and I saw in the distance he was squirming again so I ran over to him and just as I arrived it came out of the bottom of his shorts and right onto the grass. So, naturally, I did what any father would do and I bent down and picked it up with the wrapper from my ice cream sandwich! Fortunately, I was spared from any embarrassing moments as I don't think anyone else noticed me using my wrapper as a "pooper-scooper". Jared

There She Goes!

I just have to brag a little because this is something I have never accomplished nor do I plan to ever accomplish in this life - probably not in the next life either!  This morning, my beautiful, determined daughter ran, biked, and swam her first triathlon!  What a feat!!  She has been training for months with a friend and was determined that she could do this.  And when Karissa decides she can do something, there is no stopping her!  We couldn't cheer her as she ran or rode her bike, but we were all there as she swam her 400 meters cheering her on!  Funny Austin wanted to ask her some questions as she touched the side of the pool, but Jason would have none of that, as Karissa's energy was almost spent.  So Emmett and Ella bent down low to the ground and encouraged their Mom on.  Karissa did a great job and we are all so very proud of her!  Go Karissa!!

Parenting Perspective

It’s the most difficult and most rewarding thing I have ever done or ever will. I wouldn’t trade being a mother for anything. I adore it. I love it. I live for it. Even when I'm past due for a shower, pulled all my hair out and haven't slept in over a week. 

The challenge for the month: “...please share something you never thought you do as a parent.” 

I was never the play house type. I was always building forts with my brothers and enjoying the great outdoors. So I never really spent endless hours role playing, planning, organizing or setting expectations for myself. In the absence of playing mother-knows-best I have discovered over the years that what I had done was develop a love for life. A love that translates into my parenting. An enjoy the moments, my surroundings, and take-life-in-stride kind of approach to life. To be able to share and enjoy this love together has brought such peace and divine gratitude that has brought us closer. It’s reminded me to slow down and helped me to keep my priorities.

For the record, just because I didn’t routinely play with dolls growing up I did think about my future. I knew being a wife and mother was the most important thing I wanted to do. I did think about my future husband, temple marriage and children.  (Bet you didn’t know that I always thought Calvin as in Calvin & Hobbes would be the greatest kid to have. I loved his imagination and spirit.) Yes it was all at the forefront of my mind even while climbing trees and scraping my knees. 

In fact it was so important that I knew I’d accept any trials that came with parenting and never put much more thought into what I thought I’d never do. I think it’s safe to say though, I never thought one of my sons would be diagnosed with a life threatening disease and that I’d give my son daily injections. (Or at least I hoped not.)

However, I did know I would do what ever my children needed. I’ve heard plenty of parents say “I could never do that!”. Really... because... well you do realize what the alternative is right?

I suppose I have plenty of “I never thoughts”, but that is probably the biggest and most heart breaking as a parent, right now. Fingers crossed as I still have years of parenting ahead of me. So here’s to enjoying the moments, my surroundings and taking life in stride.

Suzanne

Parenting 101

Being a parent has been an incredible experience for me.  I have absolutely had plenty of ups and downs and I've noticed that for the first few years, I focused more on the downs then the ups.  Over the last year or two, I've started to really come into my own; I love our son, and have realized just how much while dealing with all the infertility mumbo-jumbo.

Kyson has taught me unconditional love, patience, kindness, service, generosity, and to let go of the small stuff.  I have also learned that Erik and I come from different worlds and have learned to compromise and listen to his side, his story and his way of seeing the world.

I have learned that I am far from the perfect mother that I thought I would be!!!  I also have found that I don't follow through with things like 'no french fries till he's 3' or 'no television, ever'!  I don't bake bread daily or exercise for three hours a day like some of my friends, and that's ok!  I've learned to give in to sweet grandmas who want to love and give and enjoy their grandchildren till they crash from exhaustion!  I have heard the phrases "I'll give you something to cry about!" and "What part of NO do you not understand!?" come out of my mouth and think Oh my heavens!  I'm my mom!!!  

Nothing makes me happier then seeing Kyson happily succeed at school, win awards, do fantastic at baseball and accomplish greatness; I cry every time!  Nothing makes me happier then sweet kisses and "I love you mama" as I tuck him in at night.  And NOTHING has been more beautiful then talking about different family-sizes with him last week and having him say "But WE love our family just the way it is!"  Yes, my sweetness, we do :)

Lisa

Being a Parent is.......

Okay, I'll start us off this month. I'm going to share both a good and bad thing.

1. Being a parent is a learning experience. I never realized how much I'd learn from my kids. I am awed and humbled by it. There are parts of my self that, because of my kids, are starting to become better and stronger. Among many other things, Austin has taught me to remember to have fun, seek out friends, to play more, that anytime (even 5 a.m.) is a good time to dance.
Ella has taught me that affection should be often and joyous, that girly things are okay, that there is soooo much beauty around us, and that I still need to work on my temper.
Emmett has taught me to be attentive and listen to the little things, to bring humor back into the every day things,  and that boys rejoicing in boy things is hilarious.

2. Now I will admit a parenting thing I hate, and feel guilty about hating.
There are some days that if I hear, "Mom, Look!" one more time, I just might run screaming out of my house. There are days when I want to say, "No!! I am not going to look at anything, anymore!!!" They want me to look at every little thing they do on their games, everything they draw, everything they do, all day long. And yes, if I was a better person, I would rejoice in looking, in the fact that they want me to be a part of everything. But I didn't realize this parenting thing would make you a captive audience 24-7!
Isn't that awful of me? I know, I know......

Karissa

Love Languages

I thought it would be cool to know everyone's love languages.  Are you familiar with this theory?  Here's the link:

Adults:  http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/30-second-quizzes/love/
Children:  http://crcpeninsula.org/Love_Languages_Children_Guiz.pdf

I think that if we all knew one another's languages it could help us understand one another and find more things in common then we already know!  It'll be fun :)

I'll start ~
Erik:  Physical Touch, Quality Time/Words of Affirmation
Lisa:  Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service
Kyson:  Quality Time, Words of Affirmation/Gifts

The Appreciated Prank

Real tricksters do not limit themselves to a mere month in the calendar year. At least not the one I know.

Like most of you I remember one year experiencing the blue milk and green mashed potatoes. As kids we thought it was kinda cool. April Fools was for verbal jokes mostly though. The kind that instigate a head turn to look at something not really there or a "Really?" to be followed with a jocular response of "April Fools!" Our boys get a kick out of this day long game.

For my family all the real joking was sprinkled throughout the year. The source usually sprang from one brother in particular. I loved his pranks though. They made me smile. Thinking back now, I was almost always the target. Which makes me smile all the more.

For example one year while at college he baked a cake for my birthday. He arranged for an adventurous double date and brought the cake over when they came to pick me up. They lit the candle and everyone sang Happy Birthday. As my brother, his date and mine, and my roommates huddled around the homemade cake singing, I took in a big breath to blow out the candle. It was at this moment that I noticed smoke billowing out the sides of it and an overpowering foul smell of sulfur. I rushed the cake to the balcony and we worked out our abs with a good laugh.

He had ever so carefully baked and constructed a cake with a smoke bomb in side, crafting a wick long enough to thread through the cake and candle. No one suspected a thing. It was BRILLIANT!

It was acts of thoughtfulness such as these that reinforced my awareness of how much he cared about me. Silly? Maybe. But I knew the thought, the effort and attention he gave to me were acts of brotherly affection. I always remembered them with fondness and looked forward to the next one because he always had to out do himself. Never were they mean spirited.

And not to worry. My roommates loved him. (Sometimes a little too much.) He was adored for his fun and adventure and good nature. Still is.

For me pranks, tricks and even April Fools bring a smile.

(It helps that my brothers could never do wrong in my eyes. They were and are my heroes.)

Delightfully Duped,
Suzanne