Preschool Seuss Day

I know I say it all the time, but it is true.... I am super blessed to be surrounded by my wonderful parents, my amazing brothers and their incredible wives and children. Today was just another example of how happy our children are with all this love and support.

Tiffany has managed to once again entertain the preschoolers with crafts, treats, books, and activities...this time it was for Dr. Seuss Day. She has volunteered to do a holiday themed activity every month this year and the kids love it and we all benefit from her creativity and effort. I overheard Noah again say, "Wasn't it the best day ever!?" to his cousin Luci, referring to the Silly Socks Super Seuss Party. By the way, it's so nice to have Noah's ham and eggs green today... instead of his sickie face.

A Poem for Mothers

I came across this poem that Aaron's cousin's wife Chelsea wrote. I think it's beautiful. While I am not feeling very drained these days, it reminds me of where I was two years ago... when the children's sleeping patterns were sporadic and I was nursing what seemed like every hour of the day. My body was trying desperately to heal from four c-sections in four years and I remember that on several occasions the break of dawn was a welcomed sight from the long exhausting nights. While I am happy to be sleeping at night now, I do cherish that unique period of my life when I completely depended on the Lord for strength.

 

 

To the Mother of Young Children

by: Chelsea Dyreng

Part 1

You have only so much love
In your cup.
Most of it goes to your children all day
but you share some with neighbors
and their children.
Sometimes you save some love for yourself
but not very much, because you’ll need love for
older parents
teachers
friends
strangers
and the family dog.
By the time your husband comes home
you only have a little love left.
You could drink the last bit up yourself or
you could give it to him.
Of course you give it to him
because that is the kind of person you are, and
you know that there will always be more in the morning.
Sure enough, when you wake,
your cup is full again and
you pour out your love again
to all those thirsty people around you.

Part 2

One day
you use up all your love
for the people around you and
when your husband comes home
there is no love left in your cup
for him.
So instead you go to sleep
because you know
there will be more in the morning.
And there is.
And as long as your cup is full every morning
you know you’ll find a way to make it last.

Part 3

Then one morning you wake to find
that your cup is empty.
The children clamor for your love
but your cup is empty.
Your husband yearns for your love
but your cup is empty.
Your friends and neighbors and teachers and
strangers and family dog need your love.
But you are empty, empty, empty, empty.
Everyone depends on you.
Everyone is thirsty.
You say, I need a vacation!
But everyone knows there is no such thing
as a vacation for mothers.
This is a problem.
So you try to fill up your cup with your tears
but that is hard
and besides, no one wants to drink
your tears.

Part 4

This is when
you come and find Me
and hold out your cup.
(Please be sure it is not upside down.)
I will then fill it with My Love.
And when you know your cup is filled
with Love from Me
it will fill your heart
and your heart
will become a fountain.
And then you will not need a cup
anymore.

I Really Mustache You a Question...

What do you do when you are stuck at home and feeling blah?

With Noah battling the flu bug (yes, he's infected), which has been lingering around here the last couple of days, our excitement level is at a low. We have been home avoiding the cool air, looking super sloppy, doing uhhh...not much, and feeling just uhhh...a tad bored. Dare I say bored? In my family growing up if "that word" left your mouth you would be given the option of cleaning. I do the same thing with my Littles now and it stops a complaint faster than I can catch vomit, and that's fast these days! But there is only so many times you can say that in one day before it gets...well, boring. So, tonight we just let things get messy...toys scattered everywhere, craft supplies on every table top, and snuggles and giggles in abundance.

Nikki thought it would be fun to decorate this paper with some left over Valentine's stickers.

When she ran out of space, she decided to place them on her brother. He didn't seemed bothered by it in the least. If you look closely at the reflection in his eyes, you will see Dora on TV. He was probably so entranced that he didn't even notice his new attire.

Monday Night at the Movies

It's Family Home Evening and Mary and Noah have helped organize our activity...movie night. They thought of everything to make it comfortable and entertaining complete with a snack bar, tickets, signs, and seating. The movie was cute...and a little strange...like Pocoyo. The kids seemed to like it though, Aaron...not so much.

Sunday Stroll

Today is beautiful and sunny, the perfect day for a Sunday afternoon stroll. Not all the children were super excited to go at first but we managed to convince some and force the remaining. In the end, they were all happy to get some fresh air before dinner and enjoyed tossing rocks into the little pond near by. Everything was so reflective I felt like I was taking pictures blindly hoping for a decent shot.

Today I got to do sharing time at a ward conference. I also got to help out with their music time since their usual chorister wasn't there. It wasn't my best performance, but I enjoyed it all the same. The children were darling and I really love my primary calling. Aaron managed to keep all the kids reverent during our ward meeting, which is of course, awesome.

This is a great time in our lives. I hope I can soak in as much of this blessed sunny season as I can.

More Playroom Decor

I spent a good portion of the day putting up this vinyl lettering I bought online. I love it. The decor is almost complete now. I just have to get the picture I am printing of Jesus with children on the other side of the television and I think this room make over will be done. On to the next project...

Piano Kit Kat

Mary had an all student piano recital today. She played Polly Wolly Doodle, which she can play very well, and I made some piano keys out of kit kats to share.

Home Sweet Home

Everything went perfectly smoothly on our trip home. We were vomit free the night before which was a welcomed blessing. Unfortunately, Margaret succumbed to our awful flu this morning and it wasn't the parting gift we were hoping to leave her.

The kids favorite part was eating at this diner in the airport. Flying is really so much more enjoyable than driving. And the kids were fascinated by all the different kinds of people and ethnicities. I would share a few questions from Nikki, but they may sound a bit racist.

As soon as we got to our 52 degree home (we had turned off the heater), Mary got to work on the 100th day activities that she missed out on at school today. I loved reading what she would buy for one hundred dollars...a swimming pool, a hot tub, all the chocolate in the world, and a private jet. How nice would it be if it really did all cost that much.

Sickies

Last night was a whirlwind of catching, cleaning, and soothing. Both Nicole and Cameron fell victim to the flu bug, who I swear visits us every time we are in Utah. I am just praying that tomorrow, while we are traveling home, they are free from the fevers, nausea, and vomiting. I pray even more that Mary and Noah stay clear from it tonight. I wonder why the messy episodes always occur in the nights when tired parents have to be at their best? The sun's arrival has slowed us down and we are officially out of vacation mode and into survival.

There is no picture to post today. You know why.

Red Rock Hike

This morning we loaded the car up and took a trip to a small hiking trail along the beautiful St. George red rock landscape. It was gorgeous. The shapes, lines, and positions of the rocks, carved from years of weathering, were fascinating. It made me wish I paid a little more attention in my geology classes to make more sense of it all. The kids had so much fun discovering and climbing.

We saw this amazing cave with brick around the openings and boards at the top. Margaret said this was probably built from the early settlers to stay in until they could construct their homes. She told us that in Manti, where she was raised and where her ancestors were asked by the prophet to colonize, they too stayed in these caves during the winter until they could construct proper houses. She told us that in the early Spring they had problems with rattlesnakes coming into the caves and to keep them out the pioneers had to place bowls of milk by the opening. The snakes would slither over, drink the milk and leave. Cool story.

Good Bye Cousins

Today we said good bye to Taylor's family and Adam's family. It was sad to think that it will be six more months until our children can play together again, happily semi-unattended and entertained for hours. During this trip we got to spend a lot of time with Adam and Kelly's family. The kids created a club for Nadaulds only, with a booby trap for any non Nadaulds (luckily Val's kids were willing to be ambushed by a bunch of children who barely reached their knees). They looked for lizards on the rocks, played soccer on the grass, swam in the pool, rode on scooters with the neighbor boy, and did a hundred of other creative and inventive things.

Adam and Aaron share a unique bond, beyond the sharing of a womb. They say the same things, they do the same things, and they understand each other so well. Maybe that's why they are such good husbands...they learned early how to coordinate and blend with another person?  Besides physical appearances I can see similarities in our children as well...in their strengths and personalities, in the way they respect and love each other.

I am so grateful they all took the long and difficult journey down here to see us. And I will certainly miss them.

A Sweet Sunday

I love Sundays. I love turning off the world, simplifying responsibilities and spending time with family. We got ready for 11am church and listened to a lovely sacrament meeting. The kids were pretty quiet and I think sitting with the perfectly behaved cousins really helped. Plus, Cameron and Nikki kept going over to their Uncle Adam, confused on who their Daddy was and soon realizing it wasn't Aaron stayed quietly sitting on Adam's lap until they could discretely return to our row. Then we returned home and ate a delicious meal followed by a walk around Dixie and the gorgeous St. George temple. That temple is inspiring and I can't believe how quickly the early Mormon settlers completed it. Later this evening, my cousin Valerie and her amazing family came to visit. It was so nice catching up and reminiscing together about the good old days, especially those sweet sweet Sundays we would spend together.

Hurrah for Dixie State UNIVERSITY!!

Today was the culminating event of a lot of time, planning and effort from my visionary father-in-law, dedicated Dixie State administrators, loyal community supporters, and hopeful state legislators. After a wonderful free Dixie breakfast we were able to witness Governor Herbert sign Dixie State as Southern Utah's newest University. Yesterday we toured the new Holland Student Center, which was remarkable. Dixie is strong and revitalized and all these accomplishments are worthy of some delicious red velvet cake. Congratulations to my wonderful mother-in-law and father in-law...you did it!

We Landed

We are officially in Utah. Our plane was scheduled to leave Oregon at 8:30pm. After a 40 minute delay we arrived in Vegas at 10:30. With shuttles and a long walk complete with dangling car seats/bags on a double stroller and on the backs of small children we got to the car rental place at about 11:20. Then after pushing through the biggest line in all of America we finally got our rental van about 1am. We then had to drive under 60 miles so the rental van, which we weren't about to return at that point, would not rattle and break into a million pieces on the dead highway.

We pulled in to Grammie and Papa Steve's at about 3am, 4am Utah time. It was a lot of waiting especially at the car rental place, but honestly, the kids were amazing. People kept commenting on how well behaved they were and I was a little surprised myself at how well they handled everything, especially while being so exhausted.

I think we are finally at that stage where going out and doing fun things is a lot easier. They can all walk, talk, carry, and listen to instructions...it seems to have changed overnight really. The kids loved the plane ride and it made for a really unique and fun Valentine's Day adventure.

My Love

There has only been one true love in my life and I was blessed to become engaged to him nine years ago next week (we didn't want to get engaged actually on Valentine's day because that would be too cheesy).

The night we became engaged I knew it was happening. I remember getting ready, trying to look my prettiest, and trying to stay cool and hold back the smiles that kept creeping up on my face. Aaron's give away was that he kept calling me with so many details of the night's plans. He had said we were going to meet some of his friends for a little group date at their seriously gorgeous cabin in Midway (Oh, how I love that cabin!). It wasn't unusual that he was planning a nice date or that we were having it there. It was unusual that he was giving me the play by play over the phone hours before he picked me up. So when we arrived at the cabin, I was not surprised that they "weren't there yet" and that he had to find the "spare key" that they told him to get "just in case they were late".

When I walked in the door the real surprises began. The room was filled with gorgeous red and white roses and tons of candles. I have no idea how he lit them all so fast when he unlocked the door. It was all breathtaking. He pulled out my favorite meal from the trunk of his car (Panda Express, sad I know) and displayed it beautifully at a romantic table setting for two. It was a gorgeous night. He even thought to have my family in Oregon send a congratulatory video after he proposed...all I remember was Christine doing some of her awesome cheerleader moves behind the table of the office It was so loving and so touching and one of the most tender and magical nights of my life.

Even after nine years the kindness and thoughtfulness continues. I am very grateful that he chose me. And each day, when I think it isn't possible, I find myself falling in love with him even more.

Happy Valentine's Day Husband. Love forever, Wife. xoxo

Notice my hand in the bottom picture? It looks like I am clawing him...well, I am a cougar you know (And I'm not talking about BYU)?

Packing Stinks!

I really don't like packing...not for myself, not for my kids, and especially not for myself with my kids. So, Aaron thought of a great idea...let's pack our bags for family night. Yes! Brilliant! That's four days before we need everything actually in the bags, on the airplane, and headed to St. George. I wrote it on my calendar.

On Monday, despite my low motivation level, we actually got a lot done. I was so happy and it's much easier getting it all finished. Unfortunately, I still have to do mine, but having the kids done is pretty encouraging. Tomorrow evening we take off after the school Valentine party sugar rushes have subsided. It will be our first time flying with all the children in a seat, should be interesting.

I just can't wait to wrap my arms around all those Nadaulds in that St. George sunshine!

Girls/Boys Night Out

While Aaron took the boys to watch Jared coach high school basketball we finished up Mary's Valentine cards for her class. It was a fun night for everyone!

Kindly Heaven Smiles Above

There is nothing more beautiful then when I see my children love each other, on their own, without my coaching. Today I saw it when Noah helped check on Cameron's long and quiet absence from the room. I saw it when Nicole pushed Cameron on the swing to just the right height to make him happy. I saw it when Mary tried to keep Noah's mind off of the growing pains in his legs by asking him questions. And I saw it when Nicole and Cameron kept sharing and switching brushes back and forth to comb the fuzzy hair of a happy to accept big brother.

 This primary song rings such truth. I don't think I really knew a few of the verses until today. Gorgeous.

1. There is beauty all around, When there’s love at home;
   There is joy in every sound, When there’s love at home;
   Peace and plenty here abide, Smiling sweet on every side,
   Time doth softly, sweetly glide, When there’s love at home.
   
   • Refrain 1:
     Love at home, love at home; Time doth softly, sweetly glide, When there’s love at home.
2. In the cottage there is joy, When there’s love at home;
   Hate and envy ne’er annoy, When there’s love at home;
   Roses bloom beneath our feet, All the earth’s a garden sweet,
   Making life a bliss complete, When there’s love at home.
   
   • Refrain 2:
     Love at home, love at home; Making life a bliss complete, When there’s love at home.
3. Love becomes a way of life, When there’s love at home;
   Sweet, insistent end to strife, When there’s love at home;
   Glad submission each one’s gift, Willing pledge to love and lift,
   Healing balm for every rift, When there’s love at home.
   
   • Refrain 3:
     Love at home, love at home; Healing balm for every rift, When there’s love at home.
4. Anger cools and pressures cease, When there’s love at home;
   Children learn to live in peace, When there’s love at home;
   Courage to reach out in grace, Meet a stranger face to face,
   Find a reconciling place, When there’s love at home.
   
   • Refrain 4:
     Love at home, love at home; Find a reconciling place, When there’s love at home.
5. There’s no question you can’t ask, When there’s love at home;
   There is strength for any task, When there’s love at home;
   Sharing joy in work or play, Confidence to face the day,
   Knowing love will find a way, When there’s love at home.
   
   • Refrain 5:
     Love at home, love at home; Knowing love will find a way, When there’s love at home.
6. Kindly heaven smiles above, When there’s love at home;
   All the world is filled with love, When there’s love at home;
   Sweeter sings the brooklet by, Brighter beams the azure sky;
   Oh, there’s One who smiles on high, When there’s love at home.
   
   • Refrain 6:
     Love at home, love at home; Oh, there’s One who smiles on high,When there’s love at home.

Lesons from my church calling

I thought I should write a little about my current church calling, Stake Primary Secretary, which I dedicate a lot of my time and energy to each week. Sometimes as I am in the midst of working on stake baptisms, spreadsheets, flyers or ward trainings I can step back and see all the ways in which my calling blesses my life and helps me improve. These are some things that I noticed last night while preparing dinner for our stake and area leaders between the priesthood leadership and adult sessions of stake conference.

1. I am getting quicker at completing tasks. I have always been the type to put off some tasks. While I am still not great. I am getting better and I just roll up my sleeves and get it done, especially in the phone call department. I don't love calling strangers. I just think about it less and do it right away.

2. I am learning to listen better. Our Stake Primary President is so kind and loving. I love working with her and I am learning so much from her. I watch the way she talks and handles people and I admire it all. I listen to her, I watch her, and I try to soak in her goodness and strengths.

3. I have always loved children through out my life. But it seems as though one thought crosses my mind every time I see a child now...in the store, in a classroom, at a park.... "Can they feel God's love through the way I notice them? Smile at them? Interact with them?" I can sense there are children hurting everywhere and I feel such an urgency to show them how special and loved they are, especially at church.

4. I am learning that I have a lot to learn. What I thought I knew from prior callings I am realizing I never really knew. What I thought I was good at before, I recognize I still need to improve on. In essence, I feel more humbled.

5. I realize that in the church we are all doing our best. We all bring our unique talents to the table. And for all that is shared, I feel very very grateful.

After Pictures (Almost)

So, we finished painting the craigslist piece. I think it is cute and it adds a lot more storage and space for games and tv components. Now the wall decor looks a little off. I might have some more reconfiguring to do.

Hair Cuts

My boys got hair cuts today. Noah's hair cuts used to give me a real work out. He hated them. Cameron seems to have caught onto this hairphobia because today he screamed and cried. Luckily when Cameron gets sad he kind of buries his head into you and so even though I got all full of hair our awesome hairdresser didn't have to do acrobats to get the job done. Noah used to tighten his muscles; his strength and resistance made holding him very difficult. But now Noah sits happily, giggling when the trimmers tickle him. Noah has (had) a ton of hair. It grows so fast and is so thick that it gets to the point where I don't know what to do with it anymore. He really needed a cut. For next time I will be sure not to give Cameron a small candy beforehand because the hairy chocolate oozing out of his mouth and smeared all over his face wasn't a pretty picture. I think things look better now though.

A Job Well Done

Mary gave her oral report today on her newest Nadauld cousin. Everything went splendidly well. She was careful to look up from her cue cards, speak clearly, and use her pointer stick (with Kirabo's picture on it). The class thought her topic was so interesting and they kept asking when she is going to meet him. Hmmm. Good question. We are so anxious to know Kirabo. I think a road trip is in order!

The only thing that didn't go super great was the baking of the sim-sim cookies. I found the recipe on the internet. I spent hours last night just trying to get the dry sugar to liquify with the sesame seeds. I tasted so many little pieces, many of which failed miserably, that I went to bed with a bad taste in my mouth. At least they looked cute with their little happy birthday tag (It was her teacher's birthday today).

Rebecca had told me that Ugandan's really don't eat sweets. That makes sense, but I didn't want to bring some warm food to class, so I thought this looked simple and tasty. However, if my kids were any indication of how the class would react they would need something to wash it down with. So, in a last ditch effort I texted Rebecca this morning to ask what Kirabo's favorite cookie was now that he's in America. Brilliantly Rebecca thought to bring some pineapple juice, which Kirabo loves. And so, just before the presentation we ran and got a few cups and some delicious pineapple juice. After her presentation we placed a sim sim cookie and a cup of pineapple juice at each seat. We'll see what they thought of it once school is over.

 I wanted to add this picture too. It was an exciting morning getting all prepared.

Tourette-t-t-ts?

Cameron has been repeating the final consonant sound of several words the last couple days. I am sure he's just learning to enunciate his words and manipulate sounds. In the mean time it is unique and interesting to watch, for example, he says milk-k-k-k, or boot-t-t-t-t. It could be occurring because I have been emphasizing the correct pronunciation lately of the words 'fork' and 'fox' to get him to stop swearing. I wonder what's going on in his mind. Whatever it is, it makes me laugh-f-f-f-f!

A Report on Kirabo

Mary has been asked to give an oral report this Thursday. It is on a topic of her choice. Since we got the assignment last week she has been so eager and anxious to get it done. This should be a good thing, but I have had a few other commitments so I have been having to hold her off a bit. Luckily, we came up with a topic that she is just absolutely ecstatic to report on..her new cousin Kirabo.

We have called Rebecca to get some details, we have written the report, we have printed pictures, and planned a Ugandan food to bring to school. Last night we started the first half of this poster. Tonight we will finish the rest. One exciting thing about this report is that she is giving it on her teacher's birthday. She is going to keep it a surprise and we are going to have the class say Happy Birthday in Ugandan, or maybe it's Swahili, still not sure. Her presentation is Thursday and it's the first thing she talks about in the morning and the last thing at night. I think she is a little bit like her mom.

Flat Porter

Flat Stanley has made his way out of his envelope and into our homes again. This time my adorable nephew Porter sent us this super cool Stanley with all his Nike gear. He knows what's cool. Because we are such a small town, we have to be creative in what we do with Stanley. The majority of Southern Oregon's highlights are outdoors, since we usually get Stanley in January and February we always take a trip to visit Harry and David, our best known company (which I didn't know existed until we moved here). Porter's teacher had a really cool report form and I am actually learning a lot about Oregon that I didn't know.

Each time I host Stanley I think about this area we live in. Growing up in the Bay Area means there was always a lot of great tourist stops, beautiful weather and scenery, and a lot of diversity and culture. I miss city (suburban) living. I think I always will. But then I think on the slower pace life here, the lack of worldliness, the zero traffic and I realize how very happy I am.

Super Bowl Still Super

We had a seriously delicious super bowl party today after church for some family and friends. Even though the Niners didn't pull through in the end it was so enjoyable just chatting with the ladies, watching the kids run around outside, and cheering for a miracle win. I'm grateful for all of these amazing and supportive friends that fill our ward and our children's lives.

Before Picture

We bought this cabinet for super cheap on craigslist to replace the huge outdated tv upstairs in our playroom. With a little love I think it will look fun and whimsical. It seems like every February when you spend so much more time inside avoiding the cold and rain you get antsy for a change....redecorating a little bit of this and a little bit of that is satisfying. This time it's really exciting because I spent a long time looking for a cheap cabinet just the right size and style to paint and spruce up. We'll see how it turns out. I didn't think to take a picture until everything was sanded, so this isn't a true before picture.

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

Friday was always my favorite day growing up, the night and next day empty of almost all responsibility, where sleep and leisure took precedence..no homework, no tests, no early morning classes. When I taught school, it was the same...no lesson plans, no grading, no running around trying to coral 30 high energy children together. And if I did have school work I could do it later on Saturday or at home at a slower pace.

Even now it remains the day that brings a smile to my face...especially at 5 o'clock when I know Aaron is on his way home and we have a whole weekend and perhaps a date night ahead of us.

Today, while his sweetheart was out of town, Damian offered to take all the cousins and neighborhood friends to McDonalds for dinner, a basketball game, and home afterwards for a very huge and very exciting sleepover.  He took all four of our kids while Aaron and I headed out to dinner. I got to order fish, something that no one else really enjoys having at home. And we could chat and enjoy the peaceful conversation void of all distractions.

This sleepover was a first because Nicole got to stay over this time. She kept telling me after our many convesations earlier in the day the she would make sure to close her eyes at Damian's. Noah fell asleep quickly in the room filled with boys and their stinky gym socks. Mary came home to her bed, but plans on heading back first thing in the morning. Cameron went to his crib happily and easily after a fun filled night with cousins and their awesome Uncle.

I am very grateful to have Damian as a brother and so very lucky to live next door to him. As the kids returned from the game and were getting ready for bed they kept shouting, "Uncle Damian is the best uncle EVER!" And that, he is.