About a month

Has it really been that long? Wow. Time is moving WAY too fast these days.

1. Time moves fast. Although often frustrating, when I realize Jake is only a year away from finishing his MBA- I'm happy.

2. A trip to Moab. We had soooo much fun!!!

3. Grandparents. Jakes mom and dad (and Stepmom and Stepdad) worked together to plan the cutest "cousin camp". They had a "where the wild things are" them and made cute costumes, crowns, wands, etc. Dot made a cute video with pictures of them and all they did and it is too cute.

4. Women's Conference. I didn't get to go this year (no nursing babies allowed)- but it brought my mom to town again. Hooray!

5. Mother's Day. It was sweet.

6. Green smoothies. Jake and I have joined the green smoothie for breakfast club. They're actually not too bad- and we've both noticed a huge energy increase- and I'm down another pound or two!

7. My crock pot. Been using this a lot more lately. Love it. Simple moist meals that I can throw in at my convenience and then not stress about the rest of the day. Yippee!

8. A night without wake-ups. Last night was my first non-interrupted night of sleep for a long while! Naomi's been doing better (she started waking up again at nights after sleeping with us during the Moab trip), and we finally came up with a "deal" to get Dekker to stop coming in at nights. If he stays in bed till morning 5 nights in a row (he gets a sticker each night he does it) he gets to go pick out a new disney CAR. We went through two nights of explaining he missed his chance for a sticker- but last night he did it!

9. the EVO. Sprint finally announced it'll be out June 4th. I can wait that long. I'm SO PUMPED for my new phone!

"Kisses mean 'I love you'"

This is a line I've been saying since Josh was born and I discovered my uncontrollable urge to kiss his sweet baby body. I've repeated it ever since with all my kids. I figure its a good thing to drill into their heads now. That way when they're gorgeous teenagers it might remind them to not go around kissing whomever they please, and thus save a few broken hearts (since I'm sure my kids will all be heart-break material- I mean look at them!?). I was thinking about this this morning and decided I'd better post a blog about all the wonderful kisses (and kissers, for that matter) there are out there.

1. Quiet kisses. Naomi is a pretty wiggly little thing. I mean, you know how they say that you can tell a puppy will be difficult to train if when you put them on their back they squirm and wiggle instead of settling down? Well, if the same thing is true for infants- we're in trouble. The little thing HATES to be held on her back (unless nursing). She much prefers to be up on the shoulder or facing up and out at the world. She doesn't mind playing on her back on the floor- but she's always wiggling and arching her back even then. HOWEVER, one of my favorite things is that every once in a while we have "quiet kisses time". Mostly in the mornings when she snuggling in bed with me. We lay there face to face and she'll close her eyes and hold real still while I gently go in circles kissing her face; forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. It's about the only time she's still when awake. I love it! And if I pause she'll open her eyes and reach out to touch my face and open her mouth like she wants to pull me in and give me some "quiet kisses" of her own. True sweetness.

2. Healing kisses. These are my favorite Dekker kisses. I mean most kids want you to "kiss it better" when they get hurt. Dekker will keep coming back for more though until it really does feel better. And he needs them when he's emotionally hurt too. If I get upset and send him to time out, he inevitably will not come out of time out without asking for a kiss to make sure things are right between us again. He knows I can't give kisses when I'm upset. He does this with others too. He's the kissiest of my boys- maybe because he had such cute cheeks that I used to kiss ALL THE TIME when he was a baby.

3. Fill your canteen kisses. Some people tell prospective missionaries they should "fill their canteen" before they go out, since they won't be getting any kisses as missionaries. Well, as a five year old boy I'll say these are what my Josh kisses are. It's sad to say he's pretty much outgrown kisses on the lips already. I still give him as many kisses as I can though- because it won't be long before he starts thinking kisses from mom are "gross" or "embarrassing". But because "kisses mean 'I love you'" I want to make sure I get in as many now, while I can.

4. Biting, playful kisses. You know. The "you are so dang cute I just want to EAT you!" kisses. The ones that are more like playful bites than kisses, but kisses nonetheless. Yeah those are fun, until your kids try to give them back and end up biting you. Ouch.

5. Mom and Dad smootches. Often, when Jake comes home, we'll do the exaggerated pucker up kiss and wiggle your head and make a "mmmmmwwwaaa" noise kisses. Our kids think its funny now, but I think it'll actually be even more fun when they're older and it embarrasses them.

6. First kisses. Butterfly in the tummy- what's it gonna be like? kisses. Yes!

7. Romantic kisses. enough said.

8. Sweet old people kisses.

9. Lipstick kisses.

10. Goodbye kisses.

I'm sure I'm missing a few... Do YOU have a favorite kiss?

Odds and Ends

1. Josh's bedtime story. As narrated by Josh.

"Josh and Kari"

Once there was a large castle. Josh and Kari were worried because Princess Naomi was trapped inside. And Princess Naomi was a baby. Kari and Josh had a giant rocket ship. So they got inside an took off. There were lots of dragons, but the rocket ship had 100 guns. So Josh and Kari put out the guns and "pfew, pfwe, pshew!" shot the dragons. They headed in to the castle but there were more dragons, so they shot them too "pshew, pshew!" then they landed inside. They were going to save the princess, but there were cars and two guards. Josh and Kari found two guns and shot the cars and guards. "Pshew, sphew, pfwe"! Then they found that Princes Naomi was locked in a cage that needed a key. The key was in the hand of one of the guards, but he was DEAD- so they took the key, opened the cage and saved Princess Naomi.

2. A yummy new dish. I added about a teaspoon each of cinnamon and cumin, and I used cannelini beans instead of garbanzo since that's what I had on hand. Oh my goodness its delish!
Moraccan Tagine
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into chunks
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small butternut squash, peeled and chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 dash cayenne pepper
Directions
1.Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the chicken, onion, and garlic about 15 minutes, until browned.
2.Mix the squash, garbanzo beans, carrot, tomatoes with juice, broth, sugar, and lemon juice into the skillet. Season with salt, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, and continue cooking 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.


3. Yummy new soup recipe that I like to think is somewhat health.
Zuppa Toscana
Ingredients
2 potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices
3/4 cup chopped onion
8 slices bacon
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups kale - washed, dried, and shredded
2 tablespoons chicken soup base
1 quart water
1/3 cup milk with 1 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed in
Directions
1. Cook bacon in pan, then set aside and crumble when cooled. Drain pan of grease, leaving just enough to coat pan. Add onions and garlic to pan and sautee till soft or almost clear.
2.Add chicken soup base, water, and potatoes, to onions in a pot. simmer 15 minutes.
3.Add kale and simmer 4 minutes. Stir in bacon, milk with cornstarch just before serving. Enjoy!

the inconvenient truth

Jake left Saturday night for a health insurance conference in D.C. It wasn't until he was packing that I realized: "I'll have to take all three kids to church BY MYSELF?!" Jake nodded, but said, "I won't blame you if you decide to 'call in sick'". Hmmm. Tempting thought. Then Sunday rolled around and I realized that there were a few good things about the opportunity that I'd overlooked.

1. The inconvenient TRUTH. Josh woke up early, and like many mornings one of his first questions was "What day is it?" "Sunday" I responded, and then realized I'd sealed my doom. Josh is learning the habits/routines of each day. He knows that on Sundays we go to church. If I chose to "call in sick" and not go to church I would have to explain that to my five year old, but if I chose to GO I would teach him the inconvenient truth. We go to church. We don't just go when its easy or convenient, because in all reality, most of the time it isn't. And even though sacrament meeting with three ones by myself was not easy, the blessings I received from going far outweighed the cost. Relief Society was AWESOME that day- how sad if I had not been there.

2. I'm not a single mom. This was ONE Sunday. I know there are many moms out there with three kids and more. Many of them even with little ones under a year that tie up your hands and make it harder to control the older ones. They have to do that every week.

3. Two hours of free babysitting. True, I had to make it through Sacrament Meeting by myself with all three- but after that I got free babysitting for the older two so I could have a little one-on-one with my tiny one! And that's something I don't get too often.

I'm glad I chose to go.

A bit absent, but fully thoughtful

I've had a lot of thoughts on my mind lately. Ones that are hard to put into words though- or seem way too simplified once in writing compared to the depth of feeling they carry inside me... I wish I could though because all the feelings have increased my level of thankfulness.

In a very simplified form, here are a few thoughts of gratitude I've had lately.

1. Tithing. I have such a testimony of this. With all the crazy unexpected expenses we decided to re-examine our tithing contributions. We realized that perhaps we hadn't fully recognized all our "increase", and so made an adjustment. IMMEDIATLY our "bad luck" was replaced with good luck. Example? I was frustrated because our Tahoe didn't pass the required emissions test because of a check engine light reading and I had to take it to a mechanic. I found a mechanic who was rated well online (I'm always leary) and he tested everything only to find no problem at all, he cleared the light and told me that after a full drive cycle I should pass the test. Said that it was probably either from not keeping the gas cap tight, or a vent valve getting stuck because of debri (which he cleaned). His charge? ZERO DOLLARS! Yeah- I'll be taking my cars to him for all future maintenance needs. It wasn't as if we weren't paying an honest tithe before, but when you are generous with the Lord he is generous with you.

2. Small trials. I REALLY do not want to sound like I'm complaining too much about our "bad luck" as of late. It's true we've been through some challenges- but I know others who are going through so much more. Our really has a been a light burden. On Sunday we had ward conference. The stake relief society president spoke in RS and talked about self-reliance. She spoke about the needs in our stake and how the top three are employment, health and relationship issues. I've personally learned of these needs of some of the sisters in our ward, but also have friends and family members I know of going through such trials; and let us not forget those suffering in Haiti. As she spoke of the council we've been given surrounding tithing, budgeting, savings, emergency preparedness as well as education, emotional and spiritual well-being and then spoke of the promsises of peace that can come when we are doing our best to follow that council- I was washed over with the Spirit of testimony. I KNOW that we have been blessed because we have done our best to follow such council. We can make it through our own trials, and help others make it through theirs if we follow the council of our inspired leaders.

3. Small changes. I've recently tried to make some small changes in my attitude and in some of my personal spiritual goals. Again, my testimonty has been strengthened. It's amazing how the Lord magnifies our efforts, and how he blesses us for even the small efforts we make.

Games

1. Spiderman Memory. Becca gave this game to Josh for his Birthday and it has gotten TONS of use. The boys learned how to play pretty quickly and are actually really good at it too. It's actually a pretty fun one for us adults to play with them, but they also do a decent job of playing it together by themselves.

2. Go Fish. Nana bought this for the boys over the weekend (she must have gotten worn out on Memory). So it is now another favorite. We played it last night for FHE and it was fun.

3. Battleship. Jake and I were playing this a few weeks back and Josh wanted to learn. While it is certainly too complicated for Dekker to play, I'm ashamed to say that I thought it would be too hard for Josh as well. It wasn't though. Jake taught Josh how to read the coordinants and they've since played a few different times. Josh has even won!

4. The Olympics. Very inspiring. I love watching these games bring the nations together!

When it all falls apart...

We've had a string of "bad luck" lately. I think I told the stories of when our boat sank at Bear Lake, and when the kids decided to wash Jake's Audi with sand. More recently our Refrigerator broke, the glass in our oven door broke, our basement flooded, and our furnace broke- plus a few other things.

Worst of all though was that Roxy got out, was hit by a car and died. Friday night we realized she'd pushed the back door of the garage open and gotten out through the open garage door. We immediately went out looking for her. I went out first, then my mom, Denny, Kari and Garrett all split up in different directions. When Jake got home from class he went out looking too. Saturday morning Jake and I went to the animal shelter to look for her. Jake had sent out texts to tons of people in our ward, and at around 11am we got a call from one saying he'd found her dead by the stake center, and that she must have been hit by a car on 1600 North (just behind our house). Jake and I picked up her body and then drove up the canyon and found a nice place to bury her body. We both bawled- but I knew it was much harder for Jake- since in all reality she was HIS dog. We came home and told Josh and Dekker. Dekker doesn't understand- but Josh cried for a good half hour or more.

So yes, we've had a rough go.

However, there is still much to be thankful for:

1. Missionary work. My sister Karina has decided to serve a mission! I love missionary work and so I'm so excited for her and all that lies ahead. A while back when she was starting to think about it she came to me and asked me some of my thoughts. I had to hold back from saying "GO GO GO!" because my mission was and continues to be such a blessing in my life, but at the same time I know, that it is a very personal question and answer that really only the Lord can answer. It was so neat to hear how her answers came though,and to see that quiet confidence settle in her smile as she talks about it.

2. Sibling love. Two cute stories. First, the other day I had left Naomi alseep on my bed, but forgot to lock my bedroom door while I went into the bathroom. I came out to find Dekker leaning right over the top of her. "Dekker, please leave her alone and let her sleep," I asked. "But MOM, Look, SO SO pretty!" How could I dare ask him to leave such a cute little bundle of a sister alone?!
Second, we were needing a pick me up Saturday night- so we invited our friends, the Barrands, to meet us at Pirate Island Pizza. We all had a good time, but when it was time to leave Josh and Sam hadn't had enough time together I guess because Josh was already asking when he could see Sam again. Marcia invited Josh to go home with them and stay the night and offered to bring him home in the morning on their way to their Poruguese branch. Josh has never had a sleep over all by himself before, but seemed VERY excited, so we said he could go. When we started walking to our car though, and Dekker realized Josh wasn't coming he starting SCREAMING for Josh. We got him calmed down in the car- but it must have pulled on Josh's little heart string because I got a call from Marcia not too long later saying that she was bringing Josh home because he was crying and saying that "Dekker will have bad dreams without me!". When Josh got home Dekker was still bouncing around in his room and so I sent Josh in to give him a hug. "Josh you're home!" Dekker exclaimed happily. They hugged and then both went peacefully to bed.

3. Having my Mom in town. It was so nice to have my mom around this last week. Especially since I was still dealing with a lot of the flood and furnace repairs. I was also able to get in for much needed dentist and hair appointments- go to the gym and run other miscellaneous errands. Also very nice to have her prepare almost all the dinners this week, as well as do lots of laundry and cleaning etc. I would have to guess that her love language is acts of service because it seems like that's all she does, is look for ways to serve those she loves!