Spanish Rose

My Georgia had her "dance on the big stage" dance recital this week.

She did a fan dance to a song called Spanish Rose. It was so cute! She did such a good job, and was a good sport and acted like a little pro when she slipped on stage while dancing. She jumped right back into the dance and finished beautifully.

Okay, she was a good sport after a bribe.

She did not want to wear the required bun in her hair, and told me that she would not perform if I made her put her hair up.

I told her if she did everything she was supposed to do, I would let her pick a toy.

And she came through!

I thought I was going to have a fight with her at the store about picking the most expensive thing, for sure. But I got off easy when we pulled into the toy section, and the first thing she saw was a shiny, red, beach ball! She was in love, and I got out of there for 99 cents!

I know you can just barley see it, but please excuse my crazy, blood shot eyes. When I got sick last week, the blood vessels in my eyes popped, and it is taking forever for them to drain! Yuck!

Georgia the Spanish Rose with her roses. Good job Girlie!

A Mile In Your Shoes

                                                                         image Real Simple

I took a little break from my exercise routine for a few weeks recently. Mainly because all of my energy was going to moving my family while still keeping up with the day to day. I was going by the French philosophy of getting my exertion in without actually putting the work out clothes on during those weeks. Plus, I found it difficult to fit in really substantial meals during that crazy time.

But then we threw a week long trip to see family in there, and some illness. So it stretched a little further than I had planned.

I find that I need to exercise for a mental relief from stress. I believe this is true for most people.

But it is getting more and more difficult to actually make the trip to the health club. I feel bad making Walker go to the child care center an excessive amount of times while I work out because he already spends so much time there on Wednesdays. We are at the pool for two hours for all the kids swim lessons.

But last week, I finally did get a bit of my routine back. I went back to my weight lifting class. Body Pump. I ran a little bit. But mostly I have started using our in-home gym.

I currently have very little equipment.
Mostly weights.
But I have found some ways to get a good, heart pounding work out in with what I have.


Do you remember the Jump Rope For Heart event in elementary school? We would gather a team, grab a jump rope, and sit out on the hot baking asphalt for the jump-a-thon. I am amazed when I think back on how we could just jump, and jump, and jump....

Let me tell ya, it is a different story these days!

I recently read a post on this blog about getting in shape using a jump rope. You don't need any equipment but a rope, and a little space.

So I have tried it this week. The post suggests jumping for ten minutes a day. She talks about how it can change your fitness level. So I took the challenge.

*Let me throw out a little warning to all you moms...

*Don't just go start jumping without abandon!!*

The pipes are not as strong as they were pre child birth if you know what I mean. Ha!
But as I have diligently jumped over this past week, I have found that even in that amount of time, things seem to have gained some strength in that area.

I have jumped for ten minutes, in one minute increments. I stop and do lunges, squates, and lift weights in between jumping sets.

It is hard! But it feels so good after.
So maybe find a rope, and try it! Let me know how it works for you, and if you have any tips for me. Del says he is going to do it, and we will have a jump off. I have to beat him!

Another little experiment I tried this week was wearing a pedometer. My sister does this here and there. But I had never measured my steps before. Then I saw one at the store and thought "Why not just SEE how far I walk day to day?"
So I wore it for two very average consecutive days. I did forget to clip it on at 6:00 AM, when I get up, the first day. But I remembered after taking the kids to the bus. So I figure I averaged about 8.5 miles counting the busy morning shuffle, over a two day period.

Both day's activities were just the ordinary routine. The first day I actually took an hour nap, and the second day I did my jump rope work out for half and hour. I was very surprised to see how far I walk on a daily basis!

 I will thank in part, living in a home with three stories. Up and down, up and down those stairs all day long, really adds up! Plus, the pedometer makes me think I can do a little more to add to my steps in the future. I can set a goal of my milage, and by being just a little more conscious of my distance, I will get a good walk in, almost without noticing!

It got me thinking how I had better take care of myself, because no one else is going to show up to walk those 8.5 miles to keep my family, home and life running... but me! So I had better be up to the task!

I do believe that exercise may be needed in addition to the normal task oriented walking every day, depending on the person. But this definitely makes me a little less irritated about running up the stairs for a forgotten item, just ONE more time!

It is fun to see how many miles you walk! Give it a try!

A Little Of This

Here are a few pictures that have been lingering in my cameras. We are having a cold snap here, and I sure do wish it would work it's way down the road and leave! I am ready for warm weather!
Last night I woke up to find Del sitting up in bed with what he told me was the worst headache he has ever had. I found him some medicine and groggily asked him if was getting any better for a few minutes. The next thing I knew I was waking up a couple of hours later with an overwhelming wave of neusea. I ran for it, and made it as far as the garbage can before I got sick. It was a long night of illness after that.

So we have been keeping a low profile today. Hanging around the house, picking up prescriptions, and trying to regain some energy.

This is after a week of fun.
Our renters are officially in our previous home. The day we did the walk through with them, we discovered that the door to the sump pump in the basement would not open. When we pried at it for a bit, we found that the reason for this was that there was a leak that had been dripping for probably at least three weeks. This meant my worst nightmare. Mold!!!

I was in a panic! The renters were moving in the next day, have a new baby, and had nowhere else to go!
Luckily, our awesome swim teacher's husband owns a disaster clean up company. They were able to come right in and check it for us.
Thank Heavens it was not going to be anything that would be bad for anyone's health! But we did have them rip half the family room out that day, and seal it, just to be safe.
So now, there is a gaping hole in the wall over there.

But the renters were able to move it just hours after the clean up team left, and they are going to start the repairs this week.
Oh, the joys of homeownership! This landlord thing is looking like a lot of fun!

So, lately we have been...

Waiting our turn at the pool.

Doing some eating out while our house was under some minor construction.

Making a trip to Cabellas where Will showed me how to be like the moose in the background.

Making a trip to the antique store to make sure the Masonic bench I have had my eye on for while is still there. I can't decide weather or not to buy it. Minus the many throws. Although that blue one is kinda cool.

Eating at Culver's with half the kids school for their fundraising night.

The teachers were the waiters. Bad picture of Wally.

Taking Ted E. Bear with us on all our adventures when it was Georgia's turn to bring him home from school for the night. Here is a picture she took of his snout.

Having the missionaries over for dinner twice in one week. We had them bring the Hermanas the second time because we got a phone call from Del's beloved mission president to tell us that a girl from his home ward in Bountiful, Utah was serving in the Spanish Branch that goes to church in our building. Sister Stuart. And she is so great! Love, love, love her!!!  And her companion.

Sorry for the blurry picture. But the asparagus and chicken are in focus. Arn't they pretty? Ha!

That concludes my photo dump!
I also just finished up season one and two of Downton Abby. Now I cannot wait for season three to begin!

Will Is Seven!

Will came through the door from school on Friday and said,

"Well, you might as well start calling me the Birthday Boy!"

He had to wait until Monday for his actual Birthday, but my goodness, was he ready!

We love Will! He is a funny boy. He is also a good boy. A little forgetful, has a tooth that has been trying to grow in for six months, and has no hips, so his pants slide down all the time. But combined with his sensitive spirit, his love for everyone, and everything, his love for his little brother, his desire to please, and his up for anything attitude, he is just kind of a charming little guy! We are so glad he is part of our home and family.

Happy Birthday... Birthday Boy!

White Is Not Black and White

I thought I knew this lesson in color. But when choosing white paint, sometimes the RIGHT white is not as a black and white decision.

BIG. FAT. UUUGGG!

While we were out of town we had some trim and the island in our kitchen sprayed white.

I mean.. the kitchen and garage became a complete cocoon of plastic, top to bottom while stinky paint was applied.

The island was completely taken apart and sanded down. The finish is so nice now it looks like it came from the factory that way. Wow!

But really stinky, really messy job.

Luckily we were gone.

But when we came home, it did not match the white trim around our window casings. Which in most cases you could probably get away with, but not here because the molding we had painted is two inches away from the casings.

So, we spent this past Friday wandering the country side, (okay hitting the library and a few stores,) and sleeping in a hotel while the kitchen became a cocoon yet again, and more stinky paint was applied.

Our poor, poor carpenter. He sprayed it for us. And he is pretty much the nicest guy in the world.
He just said,
"We will consider it a learning experience."

He probably wanted to run, far, far away from us.

But it looks beautiful now!! So glad we had it done! Can't wait for the fireplace to be rebuilt. The minute I saw it when we walked through the house I told Del it was not living up to it's potential. So most of of budget is going to that. I am hoping I feel it is worth it when it is done. But Justin does great work.

My Easter pictures are lacking yet again this year because I have been otherwise occupied.

I shopped for Easter outfits out of our closets.

 I had to be at church really early to prepare to both sing in sacrament with the choir, and lead the primary kids Easter song.
We ate our Easter dinner standing around the sink in the kitchen, because Del and the older kids had to jump in the car after church to go to Milwaukee for a baptism for our good friends.
It was a little fly by the seat of our pants.

But still a really nice, fun day, with great weather, and Skype time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Right now I am watching the new fencing be installed to give Walker, and the water, a barrier from each other.
I got most of the storage room things put on shelves today.
We are chugging right along!

Here are a few pictures of Easter. A little lacking in quantity and quality, but better than last year!

Georgia brought me her Easter basket and said she was going to sell things out of it. She asked me to write
"Cute Stuff For Sale" on this piece of paper. She is selling it all for free. If you are interested, let me know.

The Way And The Light

                                                                                      Photo from LDS.Org

I had the t.v on as I folded laundry the other day. It happened to be set on a sitcom re-run that I half listened to as I worked. But it caught my attention when the bumbling dad sat down to have a conversation with his daughter and she asked the question,

"Why are we here on Earth?"

The poor father fumbled, and grumbled. Unable to answer her question. The studio audience let out peels of laughter at each of his attempts to dodge her serious query.

But I just stared. I must admit I was a bit confused. I was raised in a household with parents, and faith, that lent me a life of not one single day going by that I did not know why I am here on Earth.

By then end of the agonizing (to me) scene, I wanted to jump up and raise my hand.

"Over here, Pick me! I know! I KNOW WHY you are here!"

So I will tell you. Just in case you didn't know either.

We are here to complete a test. To experience pleasure and pain. Dark and light. Happiness, and grief. To see the fruits of righteousness and evil.

And to make a choice.
Will we be followers of Christ, or of Satan. Who will be our Master?

Our actions, thoughts, and lives will be evidence of who we serve.
The goal is to return to live with a loving Heavenly Father again one day.  If we came to a fallen world we would need a Savior.

One man had a plan. To offer no choice. To have the decisions made for us. No agency for those of us sent by our Father in Heaven. A world that provided no temptation.
But also provided no growth, no learning, no opportunity to choose. To become like our Heavenly Father.
And that man would get all the glory. And if we would not choose his plan, he would bitterly try to steal away our salvation by taking on  the form of the adversary.


And then another man stepped forward. Our brother, Jesus Christ, offered to come to Earth. To live a life as a perfect example, and then to willingly, although Godly himself, give that life for all of us. To take upon him all of our sins. To be a sacrifice for our sins.

But we would live again. We would be resurrected. Like he would. By choosing his plan, we would come to Earth and receive a body, that would one day be resurrected.

We could have a chance at Eternity with our loving Father in Heaven. He would allow tragedy, and sadness. For our experience. For our growth. For our chance to prove ourselves and him.


And if we would take upon OURSELVES his name, he could take up where we fall.

And he told us to feed his sheep. To share his message.


The sitcom scene played over and over in my mind for the next few days. Disturbed by the image of a man without an answer.
Then in a moment before I put my older boys to bed I decided I better find out how far we have to go in them being the one with their hand raised calling, "Over here! I KNOW why we are on Earth."
I asked them if they knew why they are on Earth? Who sent them here?

And then I tried not to cry as my boys explained the truth, in it's simplest form. The plan of Salvation. Our purpose and our goal. They both said they knew. And I listened to Wally. He explained with the faith of a child, but the testimony of a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I was relieved.
I was grateful.

For family, church teachers, church manuals, three hours of church on Sundays, magazines of faith geared toward children.

But mostly to my Savior. For filling in the gaps that I leave open in my parenting. The mercy he bestows upon me on my worst days as a Mom.

I find myself praying for that mercy more now.

Please make up for what I lack!

In raising my children. In all things. I need that. I am dependent. Completely on his life. His Atoning death.

I am thankful for this time of year. When I can reflect on that morning. When he lived again. When his Spirit was restored to his body, with the promise of the same gift to ALL of us, his brothers and sisters.

I am thankful that he fills in the gaps. That after I have DONE all I can do, he reaches out a hand to lift me from where I fall short.

But it is up to me to use my time on this Earth wisely. To be able to return to Heavenly Father with my restored body, free of sickness, age and imperfection.

And I can't imagine what my life would be without that knowledge. I can't imagine that darkness of a little girl in a sitcom or real life who can't find an answer to the WHY of her mortal experience.

And I knew why I was commanded to feed his sheep.

So that we can all declare...

I know that he died for me, and

I KNOW that my Redeemer lives!!

We Went West

We went to Utah for Spring break.

We drove... and that is always an event in and of itself.

And it was a lot of driving in a short amount of time because we only stayed for a week.

But it was worth it because we were all ready to see some family, eat some Utah favorites, and be surrounded by something familiar after feeling a little uprooted for a couple of months. 

Plus there are TWO new babies in my family. Shelley and Lauren both have the sweetest, best smelling, cuddly little boys. 

This is Sawyer. He is an observant little cutie.

I realized when we hit the Iowa border that I had forgotten my camera. So except for some photos shot with Lauren's camera, it was all about the iPhone camera. So the quality... well, not so great. I have decided the iPhone does not do favors to my nose.  Oh well.

This is little teeny tiny Patrick. Walker LOVES babies! He really loves them. He could not get enough.

We went to the dinosaur museum with my brave sister Shelley who had a baby two weeks before, and her boys.

My mom took the kids for an afternoon and I went to downtown Salt Lake City to see the new City Creek Center that Utah was going crazy about. It was nice to have an afternoon alone. It is pretty. It is a mall. Maybe I don't love shopping as much anymore? Who am I kidding, I have just grown a fondness for online shopping. But it was fun to see Salt Lake hip hopping' again like it was when I was in high school. I worked downtown in high school. It was still a place to hang out. Weekends usually meant at least one trip to Salt Lake with friends. So I am glad to see some foot traffic in Salt Lake again. It has been a bit of a ghost town whenever I have visited in the middle of the day for the past decade.

Del worked the entire trip. I wish I were exaggerating. He woke up before the sun was up, and stopped late at night. He had to finish a vital project that ended up being more involved than he had planned. So I was glad when one day after he went out to work with reps and do interviews, he met me for dinner.

We had wood fired pizza at Settabello in Salt Lake.

Oh, and I was able to convince him to take some time to go see "Hunger Games" with my parents and his sister Renee and her husband.

We don't get a chance to visit family in the Spring very often. So we decided that because three of the kids have birthdays within a nine week span during these months, we would throw a big combined birthday get together to celebrate being with those we love.

We reserved space at Classic Skating and opened it up for family and friends to drop in for a spin around the rink.

Thank you, Thank you to all who came! We love you, and loved to see forty plus people that we love cruising around on roller skates!!

It really was so much fun!

Even Del's parents gave it a try. I was impressed.

My favorite part of the night... this PVC pipe "walker" for kids still learning to skate. At first Georgia needed help to steady it. But by the end of the night, she owned the floor with this thing. I loved watching her strong little legs push this thing around the rink. She did not hesitate for a second to get in there with all the teeny boppers and fancy skaters. She would come skating by and lift her hands off the bar to show us that she was getting better by the minute. When she wanted to stop, she would just crash it into the side of the rink and fall down. She had SOOO much fun. She talked about it the entire ride home, and keeps telling me that next time we go to Utah  we HAVE to go roller skating. The boys are pretty good. They skate at school for recess during the Winter.

I will post some video of her skating. Hopefully it will work.

The day before we came home, we visited my ninety one year old grandpa and grandma. I love them. Amazing examples, and admirable lives. Here is my grandpa reading the paper. He was struggling to hear me, so it was easier to just sit with him.

My wonderful sister Shelley does my Grandma's hair every Friday. Shelley will always have memories of hours of good advice from Grandma. I think it is so neat that she has done this for years. My grandma is a sharp, funny, and always observant lady. They are both great women.

Then we went to the new Children's Museum at the Family History Center, and Temple Square with my Mom and sister, and all the cousins. 

Then it was back in the car for the long drive to the Flatlands of Chicago.

Our kids really are troopers in the car. They do amazingly well for the length of the trip. They love to stop for the night at a hotel and swim in the pool. It is funny now, but at the time, it really hurt, when Wally accidentally bit Del on the rear end while pretending to be a shark in the water. Look out for those shark teeth!

Del and I are both incredibly blessed with strong, loving and involved families. We are so grateful for our parents, whose support we can feel from halfway across the country. We love them, and notice all the effort they make to keep in the loop from so far away. Thank you for having us, and for all the fun we had!!

Now we are back home, working on getting settled. We had some work done on our house while we were gone, and came home tired, and frustrated when we couldn't find things that were still in boxes that we needed for Monday morning. 

But... projects are exciting. So I am grateful! I will try to post some decent photos of the house soon. Although I am feeling a little like it is not much to shout about when it comes to inspired decor on my part. 

Trying to get my groove!!!

Home again, home again, jiggly, jig!