What is the Correlation between Cheerios and Prayer?

The other night Laney was saying the prayer for our dinner.

It went something like this:

Thank you for mommy.

Thank you for my daddy.

And for TyTy and Ethan.

At this point, Steve interrupts her and says, "You need to start with Heavenly Father."

So, then she starts over:

Thank you for Heavenly Father.

Thank you for mommy.

Thank you for daddy.

It was at this point that I peeked at Steve and we both were trying to contain our laughter.

Steve had meant that she needed to address her prayer to our Father in Heaven because she is talking to Him.

This little incident reminded me of a Cheerios commercial (but I couldn't find it on YouTube, so now I am doubting). As I remember, the parents were sleeping in bed, and a little boy runs in and asks the dad if he can get him breakfast. The dad says, "Go ask mom."

So the little boy runs to the other side of the bed, and asks, "Mom, can dad get me breakfast?"

I have always remembered it and thought it was darling.

Does anyone else remember this commercial?

Summer Brings...

Summer brings a lot of...

boredom.

Boredom brings a lot of...

fighting!

Fighting brings a lot of...

mom pulling her hair out.

So, what's a mom to do?

Oh wait, lest you read this post, or even my blog--and think I think my kids are perfect-- I could talk about how they complained about each other, still managed to fight with each other, or how they were so competitive it led to the rock throwing incident, but I wanted to focus on the positive. You don't really want to read about that right? I mean, your kids do it too, right?

Here's the positive, look at this outdoor splendor:

We took our second hike of the summer, and we hiked to Stewart Falls with dozens of cousins (plus 2 aunts and 1 uncle [and uncle's date]).

It was a 2 mile hike up this path where parts were steep with jagged rock. (I was glad we left the little ones at home.) It took us about 45 minutes up and 45 minutes back with a picnic and playing at the falls in between.

I thought this was so beautiful with the trees on one side and the plants on the other side.

It really was a nice break to our summer routine.

Reaching the falls was exhilarating. We talked, we ate, we played, we enjoyed nature.

I loved capturing this moment of Tyler. He was trying to catch a bug on his hand.

Can you guess what's right with this picture?

When I saw this my "mommy heart" was smiling. They do listen...sometimes. This is the spot Tyler chose to put his shoes, water bottle, and t-shirt. He found a spot on the "grass" for them; he didn't leave them in the middle of where we were sitting to get stepped on and dirty from being on the dirt.

This is Ethan running through the falls...so CoLd!! He and Tyler braved it a few times.

And that's the thing about my boys, playing happily and a minute later this is what happened....and what led to the rock throwing incident.

Ty decided to climb up to another path. Ethan wanted to join him. And Ethan passed him because Ty wasn't wearing shoes. So, he threw a rock.

Did I mention that the rock hit Ethan in the back of his head?

And, no, my heart didn't leap at all when Ty decided to walk along this path, not in the least little bit.

Tyler is just past one of the bushes towards the middle of the picture. I know, he blends right in with the mountain.

One last picture of the falls as we were starting our walk back down.

...and summer brings a lot of...

fun opportunities to hike in this beautiful state where we live.

So Glad I Never Have to Do That Again in My Life

Phew!

That went so much better then I thought it would.

I won't ever have to do that again.

Oh, what am I talking about?

...Laney got her kindergarten immunizations yesterday.

Yes, I know she doesn't go to school for another year; but, I so dread them that I just have to get them done with and out of the way.

Let me tell you a little story about why I dread them so much.

First, just let me remind you that I H.A.T.E. shots!!! I have such an irrational fear of them. I have had this fear ever since I can remember. I do anything to avoid shots at all costs. I, however, have tried really hard to hide this fear from my children. And think I have done a really good job.

So, a few years ago, 5 to be exact, I was taking Tyler to get his kindergarten shots.

At this particular doctor's office they give the kindergarten shots in the arms. So, the nurses had me sit on a chair and Tyler stand between my legs. Oh, just that is bringing back traumatic memories and emotions for me. But, I take a deep breath...this isn't about me.

The nurses really tried to give them to Ty quickly and he fought a good fight. In fact, between Ty fighting the nurses and them trying to finish quickly one of the nurses jabbed me with a needle as she was putting that one on the ground and grabbing the second injection. (I had a bruise for a week.)

The first thing Tyler did after the shots was to turn around and hit one of the nurses.

After they left the room, he yelled, "Those are really stupid girls!"

Then he turned around and said, "Stupid Mommy."

A year later I was still traumatized by this experience so I had Steve take Ethan.

Now, 5 years later, it is Alayna's turn.

Guess what?

She didn't move, she didn't fight, and she didn't cry.

The only thing was that her face turned really red.

Red, I can handle red.

The only thing she said was, "I love my band aids!," when the nurses had finished.

Seriously. Always a a girly girl.

In fact, she thinks she only received two shots...didn't she feel them?

That went so much better then I thought!

Introducing the Newest Mr. and Mrs.

Here is how adorable my children looked:

And Steve and me:

And here is how the whole family looked:

I loved their sealing ceremony and being reminded of all the beautiful promises that come based on our faithfulness.

Brian and Sam, I hope you enjoy your journey...

...there will be good times and bad, peaceful moments and chaotic moments, angry fights and happy make-ups, exciting periods and dull periods but through it all...

I promise it will be worth it.

it was for her, but really it was for me- I think we were both happy!

I remember my bridal shower with such fondness.

I wanted to give those same memories to Sam.

Oh, who's Sam?

She's my awesome new sister-in-law.

Throwing the shower for her sure kept me busy.

A good busy.

Here is what kept me so busy...

....making this:

"This" is that cute little acryllic clear paint can. Well, I of course, decorated it.

In April, Ethan and I went to his teacher's wedding reception and she had a display of 2nd grade advice for living happily ever after which I thought was darling. So, I took the idea and tweaked it a little to fit my needs, and we all gave Sam advice for living happily ever after.

I absolutely love the blue bird on top. I think he was the hit of the shower. I thought that maybe they could use him as a Christmas tree ornament after the bridal shower...or not.

Anyway, I decorated it and put the label advice for living happily ever after on it and a definition of marriage.

I didn't like the dictionary.com definitions--they were vague and went a little like this: the state of being married, or the social institution of--so I wrote my own:

mar·riage [mar-ij]: -noun: the state of being where a man and a woman join together, united under one purpose of building a life, sharing heartache and dreams, and enduring to the end together

...and making these:

"These" are high heel shoes made out of paper! I know, too cute right?

I saw them on the Creating Keepsakes website and I was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to make them. Click here for the free download if you are interested in making them too.

Guess what I did with them...

That's right I found another opportunity to make cake pops. The shoes were the perfect place to hold the cake pop party favors. Mmmm, I LoVe cake pops!!

I also made this:

"This" was my centerpiece for the table.

Before the shower, I emailed my brother-in-law and asked him for reasons he loved Sam. So, I put them in a letter format (as if Brian had written a letter to Sam), decorated it and wahla, I had a darling centerpiece.

And, I was able to find wrapped candy in her colors, so I scattered them around the table.

I was also busy with the one game that we did.

Before the shower, I asked Brian about 20 questions. During the shower, I asked Sam the same questions and anytime she gave a different answer she had to put a piece of gum in her mouth. I scrapped (as in scrapbook) the questions and answers and gave them to her.

I also made a ton of food that was so yummy!

I love being the hostess!

Dance Like No One is Watching

I've always loved that line.

Here's the entire thought:

Work like you don't need the money,

Love like you've never been hurt

And dance like no one's watching.

I suppose because there is such freedom, and pure happiness in that sentence.

So, guess who was dancing like that....my kiddos.

Yep, last Saturday.

Laney in her Elmo costume.

Tyler and Ethan with their dance teacher before the program.

Luckily my children had the opportunity to dance twice; once for our city's carnival and once at their dance recital this past Saturday.

I really enjoyed watching all of them.

I remember their first day...their teachers sure had a lot of work cut out for them.

The boys loved their break number with it's spy theme, plus the opportunity to dance with their amazing cousins, Drew and Nathan (who are both fabulous dancers). They danced to the Pink Panther theme song.

Laney was precious in her little Elmo costume. And, obviously danced to Elmo's theme song. She was one of the more energetic dances up there which makes it fun to watch her too.

I am so grateful for this opportunity that they were able to have this experience. A BIG thanks to you (you know who you are)!

Ty's Turn at a Triathlon

My mommy heart is smiling.

I am so happy for Ty.

Today was the day he participated in his first triathlon.

And, he felt the joy of participating in an event like that.

Here he is pre-race. I love these pictures. Especially the one on the right: visualizing success.

Swimming

Biking

Running

When I asked him what he thought of it, his response was to say, "Fun. They had great scenery!"

I laughed.

Oh yeah, I also cried.

Boy, I thought I was emotionally invested when Steve ran his first triathlon; but, I was so emotional watching Tyler.

I so wanted this to be a good experience for him. I have told him many times since January, when we registered him, that a large part of the joy of triathlons came from participating.

I think he understands now.

I am so happy for him.

My mommy heart is smiling.