Today during Primary I heard the sound of angelic voices sing this song with all the love in their hearts. I cried like a baby. They performed it last week while we were out of town, and I was so grateful to hear it again today.
We also enjoyed all the Easter festivities, including the most delicious dinner ever, with family...
Today felt like summer. The frogs were croaking. Aaron was working on the yard, laying some new sod down over the muddy patch off the patio. The kids were fourwheeling with cousins. We built a fire and ate smores. The weather has been unusually warm for this time of year. I am sure it will be replaced with some cool rainy days shortly, but for now I am enjoying the thought of a sunny and warm Easter Sunday.
I shy away from sharing my opinions and feelings regarding political, social, and moral issues on facebook. It's not a place for conservatives, and quite honestly I don't believe my opinion would be effective shared in that setting. I like feeling connected with people from my past, but I don't like the debates, the bashing comments, and the criticism and profanity that people often use in their posts. I am still a fan of face to face conversation and of being kind and loving whether in person or behind the computer screen. So, I carfeully choose what I 'like' and what I post and I intentionally stay a little removed from facebook.
But what has surprised me so much lately is the Prop 8 repeal issue. Numerous red squares with two pink lines make me worry for the future of our country and for my children. I have a lot of friends and family who support gay marriage. What makes me the most sad is the number of LDS friends who do. I see that the family is under attack. It is all being done right before my eyes. I find peace in the words of our prophets and in the walls of my home. The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which was read for the first time almost 20 years ago, is truly prophetic.
Today we played and played and played some more. We woke up with the cousins, we ate with the cousins, we created a movie theater with the cousins, we bowled with the cousins, we were totally cousin entertained. It was a fun, but my laundry is suffering. That can always be done on a non-spring break day, I guess?
Emma is SIXTEEN today. I can hardly believe it. I remember being in my BYU dorm and getting the call that she had arrived, the first grandchild, my first niece. Emma is smart, fun, beautiful, and good. I am grateful for her example to my children and me. And I am ecstatic that she got her driver's license! Love you girl!
We pulled into our home at about 5pm this evening. It was a welcomed sight. We unloaded. Aaron ran the trailer back. I checked the messages, turned on the computer. and peeked at facebook before I needed to attend to the exhausted children. What is it about long car rides? You get home from hours inside your stinky crumb-filled car and feel like you need to relax? Like you weren't just sitting still for the entire day!? The kids were amazing, but it was long. A couple of them took naps. That was nice. While I didn't have the opportunity to blog on our trip I made sure to take some pictures to document our spring vacation so I can catch up tonight.
Our trip has been so fabulous in part because we got to spend time with Linda and Joe. They housed us, cleaned up after us, fed us, played with us, and put up with all of our noise and obnoxiousness.
Our kids LOVE them and so do Aaron and I. So much. I have a lot of memories with Linda and her kids. She was like a second mother to me growing up and still spoils us today with gifts and movies and time.
Today we woke up a little later, exhausted from the previous busy and entertaining days. We headed to San Gregorio beach with Linda, who is also on her spring break. She played with the kids and kept them happy and fed, which is not easy. I think we ate her out of at least 3 bags of Easter chocolates this weekend.
The weather became better later in the afternoon. Luckily Aaron and Linda found a little cave that kept us sheltered from the morning breeze. It was a glorious day at the beach. Very linda. But not quite as linda as our Linda.
Today we attended church in Lafayette with James and Rebecca. Our kids were ecstatic to play at their house afterwards and spend some time with their newest cousin Kirabo. The ward was amazing, full of lots of families and children. Primary was bursting at the seems but still so smooth and under control. Their ward is filled with a lot of talented people.
Rebecca made the most beautiful Easter dinner. It was so tasty and polished. She always brings such class and excitement to everything. We spent hours just talking and cooking in the kitchen. And I enjoyed watching Rebecca make some real masterpieces. We really appreciated being spoiled like that in her gorgeous home.
The kids had so much fun playing. Kirabo was so sweet and happy. He is affectionate and content. I loved getting to interact with him. I think on how many adjustments and difficulties he has had in his short life and I am so happy to see him progressing in such a loving family.
We woke up in our comfortable bed in the Pebet's gorgeous home this morning ready to get some exercise in the Bay Area's fabulous climate. We headed to the trail by the reservoir and walked. It was beautiful and refreshing. I showed the kids how to whistle using the little Eucalyptus nuts on the ground. It was glorious.
After that, we headed to Palo Alto to spend the day with Lincoln and Lindsay's family and celebrate William's special day. It was a beautiful baptism. Lindsay, of course, had a huge delicious spread for the whole family beforehand and we enjoyed chatting together while the kids played outside. We got to see Aaron's parents who flew in and James and Rebecca's family who drove from the East Bay. Margaret bought the kids little Easter wind up chickies, which they loved. Whenever you get the Nadaulds together there is always an abundance of laughter, today was no exception.
I was so impressed as William played the piano while Argula Ble, the other girl being baptized, sang with her friends. Steve gave a wonderful talk on both baptism and confirmation. I thought it was nice to combine them together. He compared our life journey to running in the nice race. I thought it was brilliant the way he helped these two young new members understand their covenant in a simpler way. If we are nice, then we are keeping the commandments. If we aren't we figure out how to be nice again and continue running on the race. There is only one perfect nice racer, Jesus Christ. He, along with their new companion, the Holy Ghost can help us on our nice race. It was a wonderful message.
Then we enjoyed a full authentic African meal. It was delicious. The little girl's part member family was originally from the Congo. They were amazing and it was fun seeing people from different parts of the world. I had to stop Nicole from petting the little black girl's hair sitting in front of me, which goes to show how many black people she has met.
Lindsay invited several nonmembers to the baptism. She had invited one lady to come who told Lindsay that she thought Mormons were only white. I find people's perception of us so interesting.
I hope that however I come in contact with people, whether they are members or not, whether they are from my past, my present, or my future, that I will remember to be nice. Because that will have the greatest impact on them wanting to join the race.
And. It really is that simple.
Today we drove to the Bay Area to visit Aaron's family and grab some beds for our boys at my grandma's home. The second I stepped out of the car and smelled the crisp lush air I knew I was home. The smell of the plants and trees the cool ocean breeze is so unique. I only find it there. My mind flooded with wonderful childhood memories. I love California. I love all the people and things to do. I love it's beauty.
We dropped off the trailer at Amatchi's that we will fill on Tuesday and bring back with us. The beds are my dad's and uncle's old beds in "the blue room". We plan on using the pristine plastic covered beds for our boys. I remember getting tucked in them for sleepovers--the covers tight and warm from the heated blankets.
The house is nearly empty now.
I spent so many happy hours there and I can still smell the crepes in the kitchen on Saturday morning and the tender meat (filled with garlic and all sorts of deliciousness) cooking before a family dinner. I can smell my grandpa's work clothes after he walked through the garage on Wednesdays (when my mom got treatments) and Judge Wapner's voice in the background. The scent of roasted chestnuts and real firewood burning in the fireplace on special occasions--I can recall them all. I hear my Amatchi humming as she irons with the scented spray starch and we play horse in the tv room or run around outside along the wood boards embedded in the concrete surrounded by her fragrant roses.
Everything is familiar to me. The smells more than ever. And I miss it.
The other day Noah told me he needed to play with some boys. There is only so much house and dolls he can take I guess. So, I arranged to have a little friend from preschool over today. They played transformers, ate lunch, and played outside. I loved listening to them interact and be boyish. My little man is growing up.
When I was in college my brother invited all of my friends over to his bachelor apartment for a surprise party. It was for me. I was very shocked because it wasn't my birthday you see. It was just an ordinary day of the week. He called it Allison Day. It was so touching. Everyone who came wrote me notes and he compiled a book of pictures from when we were younger. I still treasure that book and that memory.
I have always looked up to my big brother. I always loved how his bedroom was organized and clean while mine was a floral Laura Ashley mess. I loved how hard he studied for school and always did the right thing. He made life so much easier for me because when the teacher saw my last name on the roll the next year, I was set. Everyone loved Justin. He was popular and clever. He was witty and obedient. He was amazing.
I remember when he returned home from his mission he told me he wanted to concentrate more on strengthening family ties. He seemed to have an advanced perspective on God's great plan and so when he met Tiffany it was a no brainer. He knew his match.
Since then he has filled the role of father and husband so well. I still look up to Justin in the way he teaches a sunday school lesson, serves in the church, and watches and cares for his family. I admire the way he successfully completed his MBA and law degrees. I try hard to follow in his footsteps in the way he never ever gossips, dedicates time to genealogy and is always willing to lend a hand.
Happy Birthday Cheese-thang! You're the best!
xo
your sister
Today I got my hair colored. Is there anything better than sitting in a quiet chair chatting with your friend while you rid yourself of your skunky roots? My mom graciously watched my kids for hours today while I pampered myself and then attended a church meeting...she's a saint that mother of mine.
My hair dresser Jaime, is having her fifth baby. She had a shower last week that I couldn't attend because of some sickies. So, she let me take home a few of the favors that our friend Laura made. Aren't these chocolate mustaches the cutest things you have ever seen? They're so cute I don't want to eat them, which is unusual given that they are chocolate.
I got spoiled today.
Today was a rough day merely because I didn't feel great, I had a long check list of things to do, and for some reason the children could not stop fighting. Sometimes I look back at my blog posts and think, my life must look abnormal..life always running so smoothly. But then I think more on this subject and I seem to gain a little perspective.
Yes, parenting can be difficult. I feel like I never know quite what to say when the kids have had an argument or a child is throwing a little fit. I pull up my sleeves, keep a prayer in my heart, and just get in there. Often I say the wrong things or I lose my temper and then I feel terrible. But I try to fix it, think about all I have learned and studied, search for the Spirit, and hope that I will someday become better.
And even though it was a little rough earlier, each day always seems to bring with it some light and love. Today after a deliberate injury and a little clarity I stopped practicing piano with Mary, put the dinner plans on hold and we just worked. We worked together. We cleaned, we helped, and it cured it all.
Here is a picture of the kids' hard work. I asked them to go make my bed (which they destroyed earlier in all their rambunctious play). The bedding is all backwards and untucked, but they communicated well and developed a strategy. They accomplished it together. They served another person, me! And the love came shining back in the home.
I realize I have a life of luxury. I know many have some real hard and difficult trials in this life---health, abuse, neglect, poverty, loneliness, and depression.... Reflecting on that makes me realize just how full my glass is.
Yesterday Mary decided to write about the meaning of all the holidays in the calendar. This one was inspired by a book she read at school. I actually didn't know the origin of St. Patrick's Day until I read her explanation.
Here is what I learned about online:
Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint
and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped
and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped,
but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to
its people. In the centuries following Patrick's death (believed to have
been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever
more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well known legend
is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.
Today we hit some of the cousins' basketball games. I've realized that I am the worst photographer in the world. There were no clear action shots of Katrina and Eliza. Oh well, I thought the spectators looked pretty cute though.
The kids are feeling better. We haven't had any episodes for over 36 hours now and they all seem to be happy and super hungry, which is a good sign. Mary stayed home from school today "just in case she started to feel sick". I didn't mind though because it made everything run so much smoother. The kids were totally entertained with Mary's creativity.
They used a bunch of items around the house to make this pirate ship and costumes today. Ahoy!
Yesterday, as I ran to the grocery store to grab a couple of items for our dinner with the missionaries Nicole had a funny look on her face. The yawning was a dead give away that we might very well have another flu bug on our hands. I hurried through the store. While waiting in line for Cameron's flouride at the pharmacy, I knew it was coming...up. So we rushed to the bathroom just in time to make it all over the floor. I cleaned her up, the floor and told a worker. I had two more items to get across the other side of the store. I ran half way there when I knew we needed to turn around. One last trip to the bathroom, this time in the toilet. Wahoo! Nicole was a real trooper.
I finished and paid. We made it to the car without any other episodes. I put a plastic bag on her lap and hurried home. I got the car parked in the garage when she threw up again. Cleaned her up a bit, put her in the bath, cleaned the car, unloaded the groceries, and put Cameron infront of the TV. I called my mom to help with carpool since I was taking Mary and Marcus to piano. She came over and saved the day, unfortunately we got her sick. I finished up dinner, contemplating on whether or not I should cancel the missionaries. We decided to keep Nikki in the other room with Grandma. She threw up a bunch of times more...nothing left in her stomach at this point. We ate dinner with the missionaries, did a ton of laundry, and the kids played outside with Aaron.
Once we got the kids ready for bed I helped Nikki with her last throw up and potty stop, put her into the bath again and snuggled her into bed. As I checked on the laundry one last time I noticed Noah yawning and wrestling in his sleep. Oh no. I sat next to him, towel in hand and sure enough he started too. It was on and off all night for him. But a bath in the morning and he looks like himself again.
Nikki woke up starving for some soda grandma brought her. She calls it her medicine. It's 11am now. The kids have had a little popsicle to eat and a few bites of toast. No signs of throw up for the last 8 hours. Maybe we are through the worst? I can't figure out how Mary has avoided all these germs. Off to do more laundry and rub some more backs...
You may be wondering why we bought our six year old an iphone. Well, we didn't. This one is completely free and completely creative. I love all of her details.
Today was our first park picnic of the year. The weather was gorgeous and I couldn't get the kids to sit long enough to take a picture on the blanket...they were too interested in swinging, sliding, and climbing. We were sad that Luci couldn't join us after preschool today. Hopefully she will be better soon. Never to worry though, I have a feeling that we will be doing this again very soon.
I am enjoying this ideal weather as long as I can. There always seems to be an early spring tease around here...just as you pack your winter clothes up, you realize you need to pull them out again. But it certainly doesn't bother me because I'll take the sun any way it comes.
Spring is on it's way. The weather is warmer and I can sense that the flowers are preparing for bloom.
At our outdoor Family Night we read a portion of President's Uchtdorf's talk about the tiny Forget-Me-Not flower from this month's Friend magazine. The message is so beautiful and so simple. The children soaked it in, and as soon as we finished the talent portion of the evening they were off to the field in search of Forget-Me-Nots. While I don't believe we actually found one, just patches of small blueish weed flowers, it was so fun searching in the beautiful Spring sun.
No matter how small and insignificant we may feel, we are not forgotten. We have a loving Heavenly Father who knows us and cares for us. We are His children. We are important to Him. Could there be a greater message for my Littles to remember? I hope my Forget-Me-Nots know that they are precious, they are beautiful, and that they are treasured.
Woke up at 6:00, which felt like 5:00 (because it really was---daylight savings!)
Got ready.
Got the kids' church clothes ready.
Made Jello pretzel salad.
Got the bags packed (mine for my lessons, kids for sacrament).
Left for White City's ward conference.
Did their Singing Time.
Did their Sharing Time (Already feeling exhausted by this point, Primary is tiring..especially when it's not your ward).
Ran home after church.
Gathered up lesson stuff for Mary's class, which Aaron and I were subbing.
Rolled out the rolls for dinner.
Headed to my ward in time for singing time in our Primary (with flour on my nose).
Helped Aaron keep the rowdy kids quiet during Singing Time.
Heard the kids sing the most gorgeous song--Gethsemane (will post about later).
Taught Mary's class (so fun!).
Came home.
Got the kids all dressed in comfy clothes.
Put Cam down for a nap.
Finished straightening up.
Set the tables.
Got the buffet table ready to go.
Ate dinner with extended family (since the new family we invited from our ward couldn't make it last minute).
Got the kids food (This is several back and forth trips to the buffet line).
Got and ate my dinner (with plenty of interruptions).
Enjoyed eating together (best part).
Talked genealogy with my parents (loved it).
Cleaned up a bit.
Started the kids on the night time routine.
Put the kids to bed.
Fell on the couch completely exhausted from the draining Sunday...
A perfectly ordinary day, if you ask me.
:)
And by the way, I did not do this on my own (Aaron and my parents deserve all the credit!)
"Are we going to do the swap?", Nicole's question to Tiffany when she came over to grab the boys, drop off the girls' overnight essentials, and complete the all-exciting Friday Night Switcheroo. After trying to decipher her question for just a moment Tiffany replied with a smile, "Yes, Nikki...we're going to do the swap!"
Despite Nicole's early rise of 4am this morning, she managed to keep up with the big kids long enough to fall asleep upstairs way past her normal bedtime and again without her binky. It's been five days now without it at night. She hasn't been sleeping as long or continuous at night however, and so a couple of times this week she has needed to suck a binky for a few minutes to calm her exhausted self. She grabs it out of the kitchen drawer, sucks and soothes, and puts it back. That's a lot of self mastery, in my opinion. She is close. Really close.
Every morning before Aaron and Mary leave for the day we gather together in the living room and read scriptures. We have read from the scriptures since the kids were babies and have finished the Book of Mormon several times as a family. Typically we read one page a day while the children squirm around and we try to reign them back in.
Mary loves to read the verses aloud and Noah, who is starting to read some Bob books now, usually repeats a verse after we read it. When Mary was little I used to hear her read the scriptures by herself..."And it came to pass," she would say over and over again.
We try to help them understand what's going on and especially emphasize some doctrine, wondering if it will ever stick. Lately, Cameron runs in and out of the room, Nikki jabbers while we read, and Noah and Mary listen pretty much the entire time. So, that's maybe 50 percent?
This picture is of our four little ducks all in a row after our family scripture study this morning. Noah kept "accidentally" falling off the window sill, so Mary and Nikki are trying to hold him back while we take a photo. Never a dull moment.
Today as I watched Nicole and Cameron talk and interact, play and giggle, sing and snuggle I wanted to freeze time. Freeze this beautiful life that I find myself waking up to every morning. I saw this gorgeous reading from an author who seemed to understand the beauty of motherhood and it's sweet daily blessing.
I knew it was coming. The moment when the dentist said, "Go ahead and get rid of it". After four cavity free check ups (Wahoo!) and meeting Dr. Dixon, who took the place of our retired dentist (and a fellow BYU alumni I might add) I knew it was time to tell Nikki to let go of the binky she sleeps with at night. Nicole didn't complain. Since the dentist told her she was old enough now, she talked about sleeping with out it all afternoon, perfectly content with the idea of crossing out of little kid land.
Tonight while going to bed (still in the tiny bed in our room..one thing at a time) she went to bed with out it. I told her to pick out a teddy bear to snuggle and after only one small request for the pacifier she dozed off completely free from it's sucking power.
Our Nicole is strong, and I am not surprised in the least that she could do it.
This morning I went to hang out with my mom as she watched Jared and Christine's kids. I don't know who had the better time..the kids or me. I love just hanging out with my mom and talking. I love watching her play with and care for the grandchildren. In this picture she is playing following the leader. It's amazing to me how much I still try to follow my mom...in the way she loves and gives to others, most of all.
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In our house cousin Ben holds the award for masterful fort building. Today he built a massive one down stairs spanning across the couch and connecting to the window seat and covering the entire family room. This picture was taken half way through the process so it was really pretty big in the end. Ben is always patient and mellow letting the cousins assist in the building.
Instead of leaving it up for a few hours today I told them that they could leave it up for a half hour once it was completed. Of course, after the construction was done they only played in it for 15 minutes before deciding to compile all the blankets and pillows onto the floor at the foot of our bed for a cushioned jumping pad. Making the time limit made it easier for everyone to focus on the actual clean up part of the fort fun before getting totally distracted with something new. Why hadn't I thought of this before? I think the best part of forts is trying to figure out how to make it all work anyway.
Today we played, and played, and played some more. The kids got to spend the day at basketball games with Grandpa, riding bikes with cousins, and hanging out at Jared and Christine's while they were off running a marathon or something awesome and productive like that. Aaron built some planter boxes for the garden Briana is going to manage this year. She knows her stuff and we're excited to eat it. I took no pictures of all the fun, but I did buy this really cute American Flag made out of wood to put somewhere. I love Saturdays. They are so relaxing.
Eliza and Rachel babysat tonight so we could go out for a dinner date. When I came home Elo showed me some pictures she took of our little gangsta Nikki. Word.
