While we were making pies on Sunday, James did this with his rolling pin machine gun.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Recent Pix and a Recipe
While we were making pies on Sunday, James did this with his rolling pin machine gun.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Out of the Mouths of My Babes...
Heidi: I don't want to be a mommy when I grow up.
Me: Why, Heidi? Being a mommy is fun!
Heidi: I don't want to cry and get bleedin's--it hurts to have a baby [she's obviously scarred from watching her birth video]
Addie: Then you won't have any sweet little babies, Heidi! Don't you want your own little baby?
Heidi: No! I will cry!
Me: Well, Heidi, the doctor can give you some medicine so it won't hurt. Besides, it only hurts for a minute, and then you have a BABY!
Addie: Yeah, and after that, they're just tears of joy.
Sunday Night, laying by Heidi, toward the end of a LONG conversation trying to figure out why she won't stay in her bed
Me: Do these elephants above your bed scare you in the night?
Heidi: No, I love all my elephants.
Me: Then why do you keep coming down to mommy's bed?
Heidi: Because I love you more than elephants.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A Few of My Favorite Things
Yeah, you read that right! Thank you, dear Hershey's, for making the Pumkin Spice Kiss. It's the only candy I like as much as dark chocolate. It's on my gratitude list this Thanksgiving!
2. HEIDI'S PHOTOGRAPHY
How else would I record this mommy-pose?
She caught James enjoying Diego last week
And yet another charming self-protrait!
3. RUSK THICKR MOUSSE
I am making pies with Addie, listening to our family Christmas Mix CD (it's the Sabbth, it's about Jesus, so don't tell my it's not time for Christmas, cuz IT'S ALWAYS TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!). The Manheim Steamroller version of this song is just SO CHRISTMAS to me. It really captures the spirit and feeling I have, just puttering around the house with my loved ones over the holidays. I love, love, love it! I couldn't find it on youtube, but here is a pretty version.
Friday, October 24, 2008
It's Friday, I'm in Love
- "...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." --DC 84:88
Tomorrow is also Jill's birthday, which I am so excited about, even though she already got my present (a subsciption to Real Simple). For her bday, Jill gets to take her girls to see High School Musical 3 and my sis Dana gets to go, too...I am SO JEALOUS! ;) I know they are going to have a great day! Then Sunday is brother Will's bday and my first official presidency meeting, and Tuesday my brother Michael and Rich's brother Jess celebrate bdays, too. Then there's Halloween and October is over...that was fast! (and if you think October bdays are crazy in my family, November is just as nuts with FIVE girls from Rich's side, plus my dad, uncle, and BIL).
Anyway, the days keep rollin' along, don't they? I am kind of in a Primary bubble, with the Primary on my mind and the Spirit giving me bits of guidance here and there, everyday. It's pretty neat and I am genuinely excited to make stuff happen with my awesome counselors. I am amazed at how HF can teach me even in the busy and sometimes chaotic state of my life. Last night at Stake Training Meeting, I was jotting down some of the impressions I have had the past few days. One of the most significant was that this is the first time since my mission that I will be teaching people the gospel and preparing them for baptism. All the priciples of the old commitment pattern have been coming to mind--now I know why:t hese are people who are just starting to grow their own testimonies and they need learn to "feel and recognize the Spirit" and to "build relationships of trust" with their leaders and teachers so there is a strong foundation upon which to build a testimony and life-long activity. YAY! And I am so excited about the 2009 Theme of My Eternal Family.
So yeah, I may be a "kid person" after all.
Speaking of kids, my two little ones have requested a bubble bath and they're gonna need it after what they've done with their yogurt. Have a great weekend, and keep Nienie's family in your prayers, as well as the Livingston Ward Primary, if you please ;)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Old Fotos
Dad and James eating lemons
James with his James train
Kids by the sign
Look at those hams!
***
I also found some Heidi masterpieces...
Babies in her window
A Lovely Self-Portrait
My sillies on 10/02 with their Euro-booty...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Remember on "Baby Mama" When She Says "Is That Chocolate or Poop?"?
It was chocolate (Nutella, to be exact).
I've had some political things to say, but I found them put eloquently at other blogs, so have a gander: Learn about the mortgage crisis at Amy's blog. Learn about the Republican crisis at Brent's blog. So help me, I think I've become a Montana Libertarian!
***
Sing Along with Amy Poehler's Sarah Palin Rap (click to watch--I can't get it to embed from the nbc site) from SNL 10/19/08
one two three
my name is sarah palin you all know me
vice president nominee of the gop
gonna need your vote in the next election
can i get a ‘what what’ from the senior section
mccain got experience, mccain got style
but don’t let him freak you out when he tries to smile
cause that smile be creepy--but when i be vp
All the leaders in the world gonna finally meet me
how’s it go eskimo(eskimos)
tell me what you know eskimo(eskimos)
how you feel eskimo(ice cold)
tell me tell me what you feel eskimo(super cold)
i’m jeremiah wright cause tonight i’m the preacha
i got a bookish look and you’re all hot for teacha
todd lookin fine on his snow machine
so hot boy gonna need a go between
in wasilla we just chill baby chilla
but when i see oil, let's drill baby drill
my country tis of thee
from my porch i can see
russia and such
all the mavericks in the house put your hands up
all the mavericks in the house put your hands up
all the plumbers in the house pull your pants up
all the plumbers in the house pull your pants up
when i say ‘obama’ you say ‘ayers’
obama. (ayers) obama (ayers)
i built me a bridge - it ain’t goin’ nowhere.(ohhh)
mccain, palin,
gonna put the nail in
the coffin
of the media elite (she likes red meat)
shoot a mother-lovin' moose, eight days of the week
[three gunshots] now ya dead, now ya dead,
cause i’m an animal, and i’m bigger than you...
yo i’m palin, i’m out!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Heidi is Hilarious
Today at naptime as I programmed the DVR, a commercial came on Nickelodeon about kids voting in the presidential election.
Heidi: I'm going to pick John McCain.
Me: Why?
Heidi: Because he's better.
Me: Better at what?
Heidi: He has a cute name
Me: Hm. What else.
Heidi: He looks like Santa.
Me: Ya think?
Heidi: Without a beard.
***
Also, today I was sustained as Primary President (leader of about 40 kids) at church. This is the first time a calling has made me queasy--not because I hate it but because I feel the mantle, and I'm feeling a little Moses-ish about it.
However, today was the Primary Program (where the kids speak and sing in the main church meeting to share what they have learned so far in 2008) and my last day as chorister. It went really well, especially considering that (a) I missed all but one practice and (b) I had to open the program with President's remarks after being sustained for all of 10 minutes. Phew! You can bet I napped hard today!
Now Rich is gone to an Insurance Conference until Tuesday night and I'm wrangling the wee Melins on my own. I am hoping to get a handle on Primary this week (I am glad Stake Training Meeting is on Thursday) and have fun with my children in the gorgeous fall weather (it's 60 degrees!). What are your plans for the week?
***
PS: Here are some awesome quotes about children I used in my message today...
“We must be so careful in speaking to a child. What we say or don't say, how we say it and when is so very, very important in shaping a child's view of himself or herself. But it is even more important in shaping that child's faith in us and their faith in God. Be constructive in your comments to a child—always. Never tell them, even in whimsy, that they are fat or dumb or lazy or homely. You would never do that maliciously, but they remember and may struggle for years trying to forget—and to forgive…[P]lease know that your Father in Heaven loves you and so does His Only Begotten Son. When They speak to you—and They will—it will not be in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but it will be with a voice still and small, a voice tender and kind.12 It will be with the tongue of angels. May we all rejoice in the thought that when we say edifying, encouraging things unto the least of these, our brethren and sisters and little ones, we say it unto God.”-Jeffrey Holland, April 2007
I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve the children of our ward. I know that Heavenly Father will use them to teach me to be more like Jesus. And I will always strive to show His love to them, to bring them closer to Him. This is a sacred trust. As President Hinckley taught us,
"Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these little ones. Now, love them, take care of them...welcome them into your homes and nurture and love them with all of your hearts.”
Speaking of fall...Rich and Me at the London Temple last month
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Some Family Stuff...
So, if you're keeping score at home, I'll be getting a niece from my sis Dana, then a nephew from my brother Sam, then a NIECE from Rich's brother Jess (YAY!), and we're hoping for another nephew (but we'll take another cute girl, right?) from Rich's brother Mark. Woo-hoo! What a spring time that will be!
2. Speaking of nieces and nephews...my nephew, EVAN turns EIGHT today!
Thursday in Helena
Jake & Heidi were so happy to be reunited!
Sammy likes chocolate pumpkins!
James was excited to ride the mountain goat at the Great Northern Carousel. Believe it or not, I think this is his frist time on the Carousel!
Sammy and his Daddy
Heidi, Jake & Jared spinning!
Addie on her sea horse
James checking out his reflection in the pole
"WEEEEEEEE!"
Heidi & an otter
Outside the carousel, we climbed on rocks and wildlife statues...
Addie, Jared, and James on a bear
James, Addie and Jake mauling a bear (isn't that a cute bear? I love it!)
Jake dashed away as I took this group shot by the bear
Addie and an otter
Uncle Matt helped the kids go bouldering...look at my baby James up there!
Jared and the goat
Addie riding a bear
One last turn on the carousel...Jared rides a wolf
Addie on a horse
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Another Heidism
Heidi: Chinese kids say 'moshakomaguchi' when they have bad dreams. Know what that means?
Me: (groggily) No, what?
Heidi: It means 'Lay by me.'
Me: Hmmm, where did you learn that?
Heidi: In Spanish class.
FAMILY LETTER 07.28.19
Dear Loved Ones, We have just ...