Memorization

We have asked our boys to memorize the Articles of Faith by the end of the year. There are thirteen statements that describe the fundamental beliefs of our faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Last night as we were going over them, we heard moaning about how, "I just am not going to be able to do number 13! It is too long!" So, DH and I encouraged them to memorize #13 first, the all the rest would be easy.

This is number 13:
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

#1 son was reading it last night. He read the ammunition of Paul. I was giggling (as mothers do), DH was giving me the evil eye 'cause I was giggling during scriptures. I guess Paul did give us some good ammo-faith, hope, endurance.

It is great ammunition.

Happy Birthday My Son

Today you turned three. The changes between 2 and 3 have once again amazed me. You aren't a baby anymore. You have far too many opinions (just like a 3 yo should have).

You play games with me. I whisper to you, "I love you." and you whisper back, "I Wov you." and this goes back and forth until you end up yelling at me, "I..WOVVV..YOU!!!"

You give squishy hugs. Other people know them as bear hugs. You grab hold of the persons neck or whatever body part you can reach and hug and squeeze them.

You love books. You love to be read to and you sit in the library and just look at the pictures.

#1 is your own personal little brother carrier. You are regularly on his shoulders, piggy-backed on his back or riding him like a horse on the trampoline or family room floor.

You are a charmer. You know when to flash your smile. Your brown eyes regularly flicker with mischief. You have a great sense of humor and will tease me. But you have a hot little temper. You are living up to the reputation of red-heads even though you aren't. You just have highlights. You bunch up your little fists and will let them fly if you are offended.

I watch you and wonder what it would have been like to grow up with so many people adoring me. I know you are blessed to have been born into our family. But we are even more blessed you joined us.

Happy Birthday My Son

Here are the clues for the birthday scavengar hunt for your gift.

VOBBK PWDFVROK! (It was a "rot14" code.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
You are eleven!
Use the clues to find your ....the boys yelled out GIFT!

A piece here and a peice there, look for one under the stair (some 2x4's under the basement stairs)
Is it larger than a mouse? Is it smaller than a house? Is a 35 feet tall? No! It is behind the wall... (more 2x4s behind the upstairs wall in their bedroom)
Can you? Will you? Are you able? Look next in the table.... (inside our dining room table-we have a table that is one rails and slides open-the plans to the lego table)
The last place to look is look is not made of feathers, the last place to look is the cubes of leather (our cube leather ottomans that have a flip top-inside 2 books and hardware to build the lego table)

All of these clues were written out in code that they have to crack. I always start the code with Happy Birthday and then the name of the child so they have a few clues to break the code. The codes are getting harder to crack, hopefully allowing me and DH a little bit of extra shut eye. (Yah right.)

Our birthday tradition has evolved over the years. Two years ago I decided to make it a treasure hunt for their gift. I mean, we go through all this angst of getting them the "perfect" gift. We wrap it and put it on the table. He finds it, rips open the paper and the climax is over. I wanted it to last a little longer. So, I printed up a small poster and left it on the dining table. They found the papers and wondered where in the world was their gift? I let them know it was a treasure hunt and shouts of joy were heard.

Little did I know that two years down the line I would be up until 1 in the morning writing rhymes and codes for the monkies to run around the house like screaming banshees following the clues. 'Cause you know that all of them must participate. Every child now must have their own treasure hunt-even the ones that don't read. The big ones will do it for the littles.

Only then for them to find a piece of the gift, not realize what it is and say, "What?! I didn't want some darn lumber. Why aren't there any toys?" over and over again. (Note to self: add gratitude to the curriculum and family home evening)

DH and I breathe another sigh of relief that this child has made it another year. He hasn't required stitches this year or a cast. We are starting to joke that our job with this child is keep him out of prison but only half joking. (Impulse control will come one day right?) He is not climbing out of second story windows or squirting hershey syrup under all the couch cushions anymore so there is progress.

There were lots of pictures taken. Much sugar was consumed and lots of smiles were on the children's faces. It was a good day.

Steri-strips are a wonderful thing

I just saved myself a run to the ER and $100 (copay). #3 decided to trip and fall on the garbage bag and got a gash on his chin. Now that I think about it, we got the steri-strips from the nurse last time we took him in for tripping and running into the garbage cupboard and putting a gash in his nose.

She gave me that knowing look and said, "You will probably need these."

Oh, she was so right.

A Letter

Dear Eldest Son,
I love you. I love your big heart and your goofy giggle.

School is your job. It is your education. But it is my responsibility to make sure you are educated. So, no matter how many tears are shed, grumbles sounded, tables pounded, pencils snapped, wails released, feet stomped and scowls made you will be doing school work. Even if you decide to stop your work to play with the babies, spread the felt stories all over the family room, build with the duplos and fill another hollow leg, you will still have to complete your school work.

You see, my son, you receive your stubborn streak from a parent that has perfected stubbornness. Ask your dad. Ask your Grandmother.

Love, Your Mother

A woman just knows when to draw the line

Being the mother of sons there are just certain things that are.not.going.to.happen. Call me prude. Call me un-fun. I just don't care.

There are just certain items that are exclusively mine that I will not let them use.

"Mom? Can we use your blowdryer?"
"What? No!"
"Mom! We need to blow dry our Bionicles dry."

I am sheltered

Recently, in an effort to get school running smoother I started going to the gym at 5:30 a.m. (ugh). Having homeschooled now for 5 years and being a SAHM for 11, I had NO idea of how many people are actually out on the road, going places at 5:30 a.m.

I found myself thinking, "PEOPLE! GO HOME! GO back to bed! Go cuddle those babies and make pancakes." I mean that is what I have been doing.

But it dawned on me the blessings that I have having a loving DH who can support us without me having to work. Others aren't as blessed. Thanks HunnyBunny for letting me stay home with these dirty, opinionated, wrestling, armpit farting, loving children.

I stole this from a dear friend

We recite in the morning before scripture study:

I am a child of God who loves me and I love him.

As a BrownHead, I have the courage to follow Jesus Christ.

I have integrity. I will not lie, cheat or steal.

I have charity. I will show love and kindness to all around me.

I am a peacemaker. I will not allow the spirit of contention in my life.

I have faith like the sons of Helaman. I will trust that the Lord's way will bring happiness.

I am obediant. I strive to follow the commandments with exactness.

I work diligently. I know that throught my diligence and the grace of Jesus Christ I can accomplish anything.

I strive always have the Holy Ghost with me, so that I may feel God's love and know what He would have me do.

I am a witness of God at all times and in all places so that others may find eternal life with me.

The Schedule

As much as I really don't like living by a schedule, the kids did much better with a schedule. I have known this trick for babies for years but I thought that my bigger ones were past it. Nope.


So here is the schedule. And as everything I do, is subject to change.

530 am treadmill
630 shower
700 CD starts (Children's Miracle Music)
745 free time for kids, shower for mom
815 scriptures
900 School with #3, bookwork #1 and 2, Blue's Clues #4 and 5
1000 Spelling and speed drills with #1
1015 Spelling and speed drills with #2, #1 on baby duty
1030 Paragraph book with #2
1100 History
1200 Lunch and recess
100 Read to the littles and put them down for a nap
130 Science and Language Arts with 1,2, 3
330 School books are due to mom, mom checks books
400 Afternoon chores, dinner prep
600 Dinner
700 Mom goes down starts laundry, studies, clean up anywhere needed, mom stuff, runs errands, etc.
730 PM CD starts, Daddy (if home) does bedtime routine
930ish Time with DH
1030 Fall into bed exhausted

Mexican Village

Today me and another Mommy went on a field trip.with.no.children.

All 8 of them were at her house with a babysitter. They were at her house because my house has a pool and I just don't think you should leave 8 children (including 3 toddlers) under the care of one 14 year old with a huge potential for death. I don't like setting people up to fail.

We ate at the hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. She had head meat burritos. I had chorizo and eggs. We went to the La Gloria Bakery and spent a ton of money to satisfy the sugar needs of the families. We went to the SuperMercado and were amazed at animal carcasses, tripe, different cuts of meat and tomatillos by the case full.

Warm fuzzy moment of large family life

The Baby Girl wakes ups.

I open the door a crack and peek in. She is standing in her crib. I open the door all the way and say, "Good Morning Baby Girl!"

Her hands go up! #4 has followed me into the room. I lift her out of the crib. #4 insists, "Mama! Mama--I give WEeega kiss."

I put her down and the two exchange kisses and hugs.