Little Cleaning Fairy came while I slept

It's Spring Break.

A break from

6:15 am,

hurried breakfast,

catching the bus,

getting ready to go.

 No alarm this morning.

But,

something did wake me.

The clatter of dishes.

Was someone eating breakfast?

No, I heard the dishwasher rack being pulled.

Dishes stacked.

The kitchen faucet is on, then off.

Someone is cleaning!!!

I bet it's my Whiters.

Love her.

She is my little cleaning fairy.

Can't wait until she can make a full meal!!

Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin

I feel like a pig.
A pig from the infamous fable,
The Three Little Pigs

Let me explain.

The wolf is to me all the 
ugly, 
foul, 
 immoral,
stuff that  exists in our world.
The wolf can get in so easily.

If the house is not strong

and the pig wants to relax and make things easy for himself.

Copyright © URL PBS Kids, Copyright © 2000-06 WGBH Educational Foundation and Sirius Thinking, Ltd. All rights reserved

The pig with the house of bricks.
He's the pig I want to be.
When the wolf huffs and puffs 
 I exclaim,
"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."
and my house won't budge.
 I am safe inside.

I recite this tale to my daughter when I curl her hair.
I tell it a little differently.
I'm teaching my kids why its safer to keep the wolf away.
Rules and commandments are not restrictive.
They bring safety,
they bring freedom.

So bring it on wolf.
We're building a house of bricks.

Live like this.

I read this today.

I'm posting it on the mirror,

in the bathroom that we all use the most.

I want us to read and reread.

I want to live this quote.

I feel strongly that I have good to share.

this quote is taken 
from Sheri L. Dew's Book

No One Can Take Your Place

 President Gordon B. Hinckley

BYU speeches 1996-97

"You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others.

I do not suppose that any of us here this day will be remembered a thousand years from now. I do not suppose that we will be remembered a century from now. 

But in this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right."

Growing a man

 

 This boy of mine.

He loves his mamma.

He asked me for a XBOX.

I said no.

Playstation?

NO.

Our neighbor has one.

I don't mind it a little here and there.

But,

NO.

You may not sit in your room

with your very own big screen TV,

with head phones on,

and play for hours and hours.

NO WAY.

I say, 

I'm raising you into a man.

I'm raising a missionary.

You've got to know how to work.

How to talk.

How to get along with out being plugged in.

I was addicted to Super Mario Brothers.

We didn't have it at home,

thank goodness.

Just at our cousins.

He has a DS.

I don't really like it much either.

He only has 1 game right now.

He does pretty good.

In the winter I've got to remind him to put it away.

I'm so thankful for our ease of life.

We don't have to hunt for food,

or build or own home from the trees on our land.

But man,

I bet families back in those days knew how to really get things done.

Everyone must have had to pitch in.

I hated work when I was a kid,

but now I see what it did for me.

Ethan.

He's learning way before I did.

Its not easy for him.

See's how some live a different way than we do.

But,

 he's not a brat about it.

He hugs me.

He says he understands.

I'm thankful for him.

He's a sweet boy.

 ♥

I call plates and bowls!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I call plates and bowls!!!!!!!!!!!

Love it when she says this.

I announce for them to clean two item types

out of the dishwasher.

Everyone is in a hurry to get first pick.

Whitney is often first.

Wish I would've thought of this long ago.

My dishwasher gets cleaned out FAST these days!

After dinner

sometimes I have to say.

"Um, this isn't Hotel Wiberg,

come back in here and help. 

I used to let them leave me alone with a mess.

I didn't make it mandatory.

They used to whine 

it was easier to let them go.

But now its tradition.

I make dinner.

You help set the table.

You clear the table.

You put away leftovers.

You sweep the floor.

or um you don't eat.

Besides its sooo rude.

We all live here together,

and to my delight

My kids get this.

Finally.

When I was a kid.

I didn't get it.

Maybe I didn't feel ownership.

I was a slave,

I thought.

Vowed my kids would understand 

why and how to contribute.

Tonight,

Abby

went to her dad,

said," May I take your plate?"

Sweetest words from her lips all day.

 A new season of motherhood has arrived.

My kids are getting it.

Sometimes I see-

selflessness,

obedience,

charity, 

independence. 

I'm relieved.

I have hope.

That maybe.

Just maybe.

Despite all my mistakes

and their mistakes too.

They'll grow up

contribute,

work hard,

and be happy adults.

And they'll teach their kids, 

the things I taught them.

Pics taken a few years back.

At our first house.

 When getting there help was more work for me.

♥

Silly and Serious

Silliness

 Seriousness

When a child needs correction, you might ask yourself, “What can I say or do that would persuade him or her to choose a better way?” When giving necessary correction, do it quietly, privately, lovingly, and not publicly. If a rebuke is required, show an increase of love promptly so that seeds of resentment may not remain. To be persuasive, your love must be sincere and your teachings based on divine doctrine and correct principles.

Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, "Salvation and Exaltion," Ensign May 2008

♥

Mom joy

Mac fun at Uncle Jevonn's March 2010   Jeff doesn't work on Fridays.Usually then, Thursday nights are late nights for us.So Friday mornings are a nice break from our 4:45 am routine.The kids still have school though.Yesterday I rolled out of bed at 7:45.The bus comes at 8:10.To my complete joy!!I found my kids fixing their own fried eggs,dressed from head to toe,backpacks and coats ready,vitamins and fish oil taken,and getting along all at the same time.Was I in the Twilight Zone!!??I praised their responsibility and completely gushed over them.Sometimes I feel like a big mom loser.I do things that I want to erase from everyone's mind.Yesterday I felt marvelous!!! In fact right now my girls are in the kitchen cleaning!!!!I didn't ask.I just heard Whit say,"Saturdays we should clean the fridge"My heart just went pitter patter. LOVE IT!!!ps We surprised the kids yesterday with a Rango matinee.It was okay.I won't say it was good. It was littered with the words hell and damn,I was VERY disappointed.

♥



August 2010



 When I pray with my sweet Whitney at night,I teach.
Prompting her with words.{"Please help me to find and marry a man like my daddy someday. A good man who will love me and help me return to Thee."}
In one year she will be 8.She will sit on my lap and look at the temple.Her dad and I will teach her more.   The same discussion that her big brothers had but a little different.She knows it's coming. Her special dinner date and night out with mom and dad.She's knows it's about something beautiful, special, awesome. Right now...We talk about beauty.We talk about love.We sing "I Love to See the Temple" in our prettiest singing voice.I'm prepping her. I can't wait.  ♥

Times to remember

Its that time again.
School shopping.
I was brave enough to take all four kids with me.
The school supplies are already done.
I hired a babysitter for that.
But, tennis shoes had to be fitted to 3 growing feet.
We were gone for 4 hours.
4
This usually doesn't go over very well.
Someone's always pretty tired.
Someone's always fighting.
Someone's always irritated.-Any guesses who?


This time was different.
When we were all done we headed to the car.

"How come you guys were so good today?

Whitney beams a smile my way and says,
"We love you mom!!!!
You're the best mom ever, except for Jesus' mom."

I laughed my head off.
Where do kids come up with these thoughts?
Mary.
Me.
I don't know about that.

I enjoyed my children that day.
They listened.
They obeyed.
They were kind.
I was patient.
I let them "smell the roses".
There was no rush.


I thanked them profusely.
Even teared up.
Big Surprise there.
Pulled them all close to me and gave them a big hug.
Asked them if they felt good about the day.
They were all smiles.

We're going out today.
I'll fill up their bellies,
offer 3 Popsicle to the those that are happy shoppers,
and pray that I have the same type of patience that seemed to be around Tuesday.


♥

What do YOU do?

When its time for family prayer, my kids take forever to get on their knees and get reverent. It seems like 9 times out of 10 my husband and I are hollering and nagging them to
GET UP!!
BE QUIET!!
KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!
______, GET OVER HERE AND GET IN THIS CIRCLE...NOW!!!
...and its not like we don't do it enough. We're consistent. I thought they'd have it down by now.
Last night before we left for the temple we had family prayer and it all went down the same way.
I don't feel the Spirit.
I'm mad.


On the way to the temple I told Jeff I don't want there to be so much contention during Family Prayer. I prayed about it while I was in the temple. The thought to put these questions on my blog came to my mind.

What can we do to make family prayer happier?
Is it even possible with young children?
WHAT DO YOU DO?
IS IT THE SAME AT YOUR HOUSE?
I want them to be respectful, reverent, and do it the right way but at what expense?

Should I let them do what they want so there isn't a fight?

Do other families kneel in family prayer and have a mother that's about ready to lose it when it's all done?


♥

Raising Children of Character

One of the most important jobs I have as a mother is teaching my children to be hard working, independent, responsible people.

Its also a job that takes a lot of work and consistency!! Not such an easy thing when I want to be doing so many other things. I talked last week about all the things I would love to learn about and accomplish right now. REALLY, my plate is full with keeping my kids engaged in things that teach values and build character. I'm not saying I shouldn't do things for myself or develop my talents. I know that is important. I just need to find a very strong and consistent balance.

I think it is so easy to put my family on automatic pilot. Within this age of technology I see the burden I have of teaching my children good old fashioned values because life is just so easy these days. I could go whole week doing all the things I please and I'll I'd have to do is stick my kids in front of the TV, let them have free reign on the computer, or stick them in every extra program available. I think there's a HUGE need for me to simplify the list I have and really concentrate on my family. I know that sometimes they aren't my first priority. I'll admit it. I want to accomplish things that aren't really something I have time to accomplish in this season of my life.

Back in the old days when America was filled with rural towns and homes I think people were better people. Families had to work together to put a meal on the table. Parents and children, sisters and brothers, worked side by side and played together. There seemed to be less distractions. I found some tips listed below on how to raise children of character. Sometimes I wish I could transport my little family back in time. I wouldn't want to lose the conveniences I have now but I really think it would be much easier to grow children with strong moral character. I think back then it happened naturally because their lives were full of many more character building opportunities. It takes a lot more effort to make it happen on purpose these days.

I found THIS site that gives 10 TIPS FOR RAISING CHILDREN OF CHARACTER.

♥

♥ In honor of Valentine's Day

my little family

Dearest and nearest
how we show our love

♥ When I get a chance to lay down with Whitney for a nap I tickle her back and tell her make believe stories about Princess Whitney. A very beautiful Princess with beautiful brunette hair, deep brown eyes, and most of all - a beautiful heart, for that's the most important thing a princess can have. I tell her in my best librarian storyteller voice.

♥ Sometimes I clean the kids' rooms and surprise them. I always leave a love note for them and ask them to try a little harder to keep their rooms clean.

♥ We tell stories at dinner time and try to make each other laugh. The kids always like it when Jeff and I start our stories with- "When I was little..."

♥ We have FHE evening every week. Its not always a major production but we're consistent and the kids KNOW Monday night is always FHE. They look forward to the activity.

♥ When anyone does something awesome, I call the family to attention and we do a cheer 3x: Hip hip hooray for _____________!!!

♥ We have a family hug after family prayer before bed.

♥ We point to our eye than our heart and then we push our pointer fingers together. Abby made this one up.

♥ I always kiss the boys and tell them how much I love them when I drop them off at school and attack them with kisses. If we don't say a prayer at home and we're not running late we say a little prayer together before they leave.

♥ We dance together in the kitchen. I always ask them if they think I'm a good dancer. The girls love to shake their booties, Ethan loves it when I make him twirl, and Devon looks at us all like we're nuts. (I'm trying to teach them how to find the beat and move with it. Its hilarious to watch.)

♥ We go on adventures together when its warm. Family bike rides are the best.

♥ Jeff gets up every day at 4:45 am and leaves for work at 5:00 am. He gets home at 6:00. The kids attack him with sweet salutations, hugs, and kisses when he walks in the door. I give him kisses too but they're a little different than the ones he gets from the kids.

♥ I wake up with Jeff and make his lunch. I put love letters in his lunch box, especially when I want something, or I'm trying to make up. :)

♥ Jeff and I correspond during the day through email. We send each other secret messages.

♥ Jeff has never spanked any of our kids. I have, but very few times and far between those times.

♥ Jeff takes me out almost every weekend. (I'm going to miss my babysitters when we move.)

♥ No one is allowed to call anyone fat, stupid, dumb, or any other demeaning word. I get pretty grumpy if they do. It doesn't happen very often. The boys are learning to treat their sisters with respect and to compliment them.

♥ I love it when I ask the kids to do something and they say, "Yes mom." Those two words spoken together have got to be my favorite. Especially when there is a sweet smile attached to it. One of my boys replies to his teachers requests by saying, "Yes mam." Love it.

PS I would love for this all these things to happen much closer together. Interspersed in all this love talk is "How we show each other we're mad, sad, and frustrated." I could blog that topic... Hmmmm? I don't think I need to. I don't think anyone needs extra help with that.


How does your family LOVE each other?















♥