I have a home.

No, we didn't buy a new house, but I've been thinking about how grateful I am that I have a HOME. I'm sure what makes a house a home is a bit different for everyone, but I'm thankful for the following things that I feel make our house a home:

1. Prayers. We are not perfect about family and personal prayers around here, but there's no doubt that there ARE A LOT of prayers said in this house. Over meals, in the mornings, in the evenings, because we've lost something, to ask for forgiveness, or ask for blessings on those we love. Yes- our home has lots of prayers.

2. "I love you". It's said all the time around here. Verbally. Out loud we say it over and over. We even try and come up with new ways of expressing just HOW MUCH we love each other. It's a good thing for our home.

3. Laughter. We don't take ourselves too silly around here. We giggle, crack up, snicker, and even bust a gut on a pretty regular basis.

4. We clean. Again- NOT PERFECT. But kids know that if they want to make mom happy (and get something they want) then picking up, setting the table, helping with dishes, cleaning a toilet or vacuuming a floor, etc., etc., is a good idea. My kids know that though it's not fun, it's part of being a family and showing each other that we love our home.

5. We make messes too. At the same time I'm not such a neat freak that we're not allowed our share of messes either. Kids play, and kids make messes. Things get spilled, broken and strung all over. I often have to remind myself that finding Naomi's collection of rocks, picked flowers, feathers, shells and more is part of her. Finding the boys' legos here and there around the house means they are creating and building, and TJ's foot prints all over means he is climbing and trying to keep up with the rest of us.

6. Family and friends. I am perhaps most thankful that our house is often home to family and friends. They come to party with us, to hang with us, to stay and play with us. Jake and I said from day 1 that we wanted our home to feel inviting and welcoming to guests. I'm thankful for those who share and make memories with us here.

Mini Moments

1. Naomi says the cutest things. The other night she was snuggling up to Jake and could hear his heart "beeping" and they had a conversation that went like this:
 Naomi: "Dad, I think it's Jesus trying to talk to you."
Jake: "Oh really?! What do you think He's trying to tell me?"
Naomi: "That you need to tell Dekker he should be nice to his sister!"

2. She loves us all so much. Lately Naomi has been hit by the love bug. She is always telling us she loves us. Lists us and her love for us in prayers, is sad if she's still asleep when Jake leaves for work and doesn't get a kiss goodbye, and even when she's mad at me for not letting her do/have something she'll yell or get mad, but then say, "But I still love you Mom".

3. Fascination with nature. Every morning Naomi goes outside to check on our flowers and plants. Especially our strawberry plants. She loves finding new white flowers or ripe strawberries. And she loves finding and catching ants, lady bugs, rolly pollies, etc. I'm trying to encourage all of this as much as possible by having her help in the garden, and I bought an apple tree, a peach tree, blueberry plant and grape start all to keep her interested. I'm guessing the blueberry plant and grapes won't do so well, even though they are "harty versions for my zone", but it's worth a go.

In Summer!

(nod to Frozen)

1. Great school, good students. I love the teachers at JR Smith. I know Dekker's teacher especially just LOVES Dekker, and all the kids she teaches. Dekker was telling me how she was crying on the last day as they all left. Both kids came home with fantastic final report cards and perfect next year teacher assignments. It's so nice to feel good about where I'm sending my kids each day, who they are with, and all that they are learning.

2. Slumber parties in Dekker's room. Dekker has two twin beds and a full sized futon in his room. When we have lots of guests often the kids all end up piled up in his room. On weekends (I don't let them do it on school nights) Naomi and Josh end up in there a lot of the time too. Naomi was so excited for it to be summer in large part so that she can sleep in Dekker's room. I think it's so cute the way they all go in there and read or tell stories or play games. What a fun memory that will be for all of them.

3. Helper Josh. I love having my kids home for summer, but it is a bit of an adjustment for all of us. We unplugged the xbox and said no electronics (except by special/occasional permission) for the summer. At times it seems like it would be so much easier to just let them veg out- but they really are happier when they get outside and/or use their imagination. When we do get frustrated with each other, or I just get overwhelmed (TJ doesn't like having to share me with the rest of them so much) Josh steps in and helps out. He makes quesadillas, reads stories to the kids, helps clean- or the other day he was reading this book of mine about fun kitchen snacks/activities for kids and the next thing I knew he was making "banana snakes" and "dinosaur footprint sandwiches" for everyone!

Did I forget to mention...?

1. Health. Right now we are all pretty healthy! This winter though, we went through a couple doozy stomach bugs, some ear infections, some nasty coughs and headaches. Sometimes you don't appreciate a blessing until you don't have it. I am very thankful for a healthy body though. Especially what I went though in January. Yeah, I didn't much feel like writing about it at the time. Sorry. It was January when I found a suspicious lump in my right breast. Yeah, never a fun thing. I've actually been through this scenario before. Back in college after my mission I found one. I freaked out and went to the doctor, who told me it was a "good find" and they sent me to get an ultra sound (my breasts were "too firm" for a mammogram; wish those days were still here!) The ultra sound showed that I have "fibracious breasts" and the lump, as well as two smaller ones we discovered in the process, were fluid filled an nothing concerning. They told me though, that since I had such lumpy breasts it would be good for me to be familiar with them- so I could spot strange changes. Not long after though, I got married and started having babies, and when you have babies and are nursing, your boobs change A LOT! So self exams kinda went on the back burner. Anyway, in January I was realizing my breasts had been really achy for a while, especially my right. I was doing a self exam when I felt the lump. It was bigger, and in a different spot than the one I'd found back in college. I didn't panic, but since I'd just been talking to Jenny about cancer, and I talked to my mom who told me that her geneticist had told her that her daughters needed to be more cautious (she had and overcame breast cancer at age 59, and we have lots of cancer history in our family,) even though her BRACS test came back negative, I knew I needed to go in and get it checked. My doctor said it was probably just another fluid filled cyst, but again, complimented me on my find and sent me for a mammogram. Unfortunately the mammogram showed it looking like more of a solid mass, so I was immediately sent in for an ultra sound, which also showed a more solid mass. I was referred to Dr. Hart, who is a very cool surgeon in Park City, who deals a lot with this sort of thing. She told me I would need to have a biopsy. Just a few days later, I lay on a gurney, attached to another ultra sound machine, and watched as she drilled into the mass to take several samples. Yeah, wasn't my best day. And then I had to wait. Meanwhile we headed to CA for our Disneyland trip. Luckily though, she called me the evening we got there and told me the results were benign! It was such a relief. Now I just have to go in EVERY year, or even six months for a mammogram. There you have it. My breast lump story.

2. Conversation about smoking. Tonight as we were finishing up dinner Dekker asked Jake if he smokes. A very random question. Jake and I were both kinda thrown off guard- the answer is NO, but it question kinda came out of nowhere. So I decided to ask him more questions. Why did he ask? Does he know anyone who smokes? Does he think smoking is good or bad? Why is it bad? He knew, it was bad but couldn't tell me why. So we talked about it from a spiritual aspect, and then from the physical perspective. And then talked about, if people know all of those bad things, why do they do it (usually peer pressure), and then the addictive nature of it. It was a really good conversation. He said that he's decided he won't ever smoke. Again, a reminder that there are so many lessons to teach as a parent.

3. Dance moves. Tonight, while Jake was doing the dishes, he turned on some music. TJ came in the kitchen and started to "bust a move". It was pretty jerky and a little off beat- but so stinkin' cute. I love toddlers' dancing!

Being sensitive

1. Non-fasting Fast Sunday. This Sunday was "Fast Sunday". At our church the first Sunday of the month is set aside for members to fast. We offer the money we save on the meals we fast to those who are in need. The empty stomachs, or humility, that come with fasting help us feel closer to the spirit and focus our prayers and thoughts to a meaning or purpose on that day. On Fast Sunday there are no prepared talks for our general meeting- instead, members who feel prompted, may stand and share their testimonies impromptu with the congregation. Well, since we have church at 9am every Sunday, I am usually rushing to make sure everyone, including myself, is ready for church on time. MOST of the time I end up forgetting to feed myself breakfast, or an unpurposeful fast, even on the non fast Sundays. Then after we get to church I realize I'm starving and that my stomach is grumbling- so this last Sunday after I finished getting some cereal for TJ, I spotted a muffin in the pantry left over from soccer game treats the day before. I grabbed it and started to eat, so proud of myself for remembering to feed myself. I carried it into the closet with me when getting my shoes, and bumped into Jake, who reminded me it was Fast Sunday! ARG! Oh well. So I went to church feeling bad that I was not participating in the fast (As a side note- I find it really hard to fast when I'm pregnant or nursing, which has been most of the last 10 years, so I've been working hard at getting back into a full, purposeful fast this last year). The Lord must have forgiven me though, because despite my non-fasting state I felt the spirit so much this Sunday. Jake even asked me twice if I was OK, or why I was crying (I get teary-eyed when I'm feeling the Spirit sometimes). I really did come home with my "lamp full". I love Sundays like that.

2. Jake had to tell me he saw a bad image today. After the kids were in bed we were talking and he proceeded to tell me he saw something that he wished he hadn't. When I asked why/how he told me that it was a complete accident, but that it left him feeling horrible, especially because he'd been trying to show two other employees something on the computer, and so had inadvertently exposed them to it as well. He said that he closed it as quickly as he could, and pulled them each aside later to apologize. Obviously this was very unintentional, but I'm SO THANKFUL I have a husband who is sensitive enough to feel bad when he sees something he knows is inappropriate, even when on accident, and that he feels it necessary to apologize and confess it. It led to a great conversation between us about how we can avoid pornography when possible, how we SHOULD be sensitive to it's various forms, how to talk about it with each other and with our kids, and how to increase protections against it for us and our family. I love him!

3. Teaching respectful speech. Dekker is in first grade, and learning all kinds of "cool" things from friends at school. Lately he has started practicing he slang, phrases, or tone with us at home. I guess it's funny some times- but lately it's become a bit much. In fact, I know he doesn't mean to, but he's started to sound very disrespectful to us in some of the things he says. It's not anything really bad, but he'll say "REALLY, Mom?!" with this incredulous tone, or "WOW!" in a sort of, "I can't believe you just said/did that" sort of way. Jake's corrected him a couple times lately, saying "Don't talk to us that way." But tonight Jake stopped to really try and explain it to him. Dekker confessed he didn't understand what it meant to be "disrespectful". Jake took the time to help him understand that the WAY we talk to people demonstrates how we see, or feel towards someone, and how how sarcasm or jokes that may be OK with friends, shouldn't be used towards parents or people you respect or look up to. Dekker got it, and said that he really wants to do better, and we can correct him when we hear him do it inappropriately. There are so many lessons to teach as a parent. I hope we get through to them on lessons such as these. Some times it's the little things that matter most.

1. Park weather. Today Stacey invited us to meet her and her girls at the park for a picnic. Liz Came with her two girls too. I ha Bryn with me (Naomi's preschool friend). It was beautiful! Then after dinner I suggested we walk to the park as a family- so off we went. It was so nice!

2. Family coming to the neighborhood. Rick and Jen and their cute kiddos are moving to Heber. We didn't really even push it on them. When they were here for spring break they were mostly looking in the North Dalt Lake area since they thought they had to be within a certain distance of the hospital. I think the good school JR Smith, and especially the cleaner air (especially with Jen's increases cancer risk) swayed them to the area when Rick got approval. So I went and looked at a couple more homes and videoed them, and after a lot of back and forth on one, they finally came to terms! If all goes well they should close June 9th and move in around the 23rd. It will be fun to have family so close. I've even requested Dekker and McKyla be in the same class!

3. An amazing baseball coach! Jake was so disappointed with Josh's coach and program last year- but this year we somehow lucked out and got the best coach. He's an older man who loves the game. They've practiced 5 times this last week an he set up a batting cage on his property with a machine pitch and everything. It's awesome!

General Conference and Spring Break

1. General Conference. It was just what I needed. Spiritually uplifting, inspiring, and an excuse to relax at home for a weekend. I only require my kids to sit through one entire session. They are, after all, 2 hours long each. Most of Saturday they were doing other things, but did come and listen to bits here and there. Sunday I created key word treat jars. Put different treats with different key words (prophet, temple, prayer, etc) and if they heard the word they could go and get the treat from that jar. I've done coloring packets and things in the past, and I don't know if it's just that my kids are getting older- but this worked really well. They were really listening and at least knew some of the key concepts that were talked about. The overall takeaways for me were about loving communication, kindness, while standing up for truth and righteousness. One of my favorite talks was by Elder Teh, titled, "Where Your Treasure Is" When he spoke of visiting earthquake and typhoon victims in the Philippines. He said that as they visited people who were living out of tents in meager situations and asked how they people were, over and over again the response was, "We are OK". It just reminded me to keep things in perspective and remember how blessed I am.

2. Beautiful spring break weather. Last year for spring break I planned a "staycation" and had some fun activities I wanted to do with the kids each day. However the weather was so cold and/or wet it really messed up most of my plans. Most of the kid's friends were gone on trips to warmer locations, and so we couldn't even arrange many playdates. I remember thinking, "Next year we've got to plan on going somewhere." However, since we'd gone to Colorado for New Years, Disneyland in January, Jake to Mexico in February, and Jake and I to the Virgin Islands in March, Jake really didn't feel like he could take too much more time off. We still thought we might do a long weekend in Moab or something, but then we found out that Jake's brother and his family had spring break the same week and were coming down, and then his mom and grandma decided to come for a couple days too. So we decided we'd stick around here again. The weather was beautiful the whole week this time though!!! This week the weather isn't as nice again, but I'm so glad it cooperated to give us a nice enjoyable spring break!

3. Company for Spring Break. Like I mentioned, we ended up having family here most the week. Monday I took the kids to see Muppets Most wanted, which I had promised them I'd do (I figured it was a safe promise, cause it's something we could do even if the weather was bad), but then we had family here Monday night to Friday morning. They got to play with cousins, we went to the zoo, we took them swimming at the Kamas pool and we helped Rick's family look for homes. I even got to go with the ladies to swim in the crater which I haven't done for years. Friday they all left. Naomi and TJ went to play at Ferguson's in the afternoon so Jake and I could go to Park City Mountain Resort with Josh and Dekker. We had a fun time snowboarind (Dex skiing) with them. Then Friday night we had the Kearns family (who were in town also during their Washington spring break) over for dinner and they stayed the night before heading home the next day. It was a great spring break!

4. New couches. I also talked Jake into letting me buy a new sectional for downstairs. I've been wanting to for a while (we moved the other one upstairs and the OLD couches downstairs to make sure I liked the other sectional upstairs before replacing the old couches). Rick had said he really wanted to do a movie night in our new "theater room" and watch The Hobbit pt 2. I convinced Jake that it would be a lot more comfortable for everyone if we had a sectional that would seat a lot of people better, and that we could use our existing 1 year same as cash credit at RC Willey to get something. So I went to the RC Willey Outlet and found the perfect L shaped sectional on Monday (after I took the kids to the movie) and then Jake somehow fit it in his truck and brought it home, and when Rick got here he helped him move it in:)