My Unselfish Husband

Aaron and I updated our phones this morning. He switched out his phone (that was on it's last leg) with my phone so I could get the newer 7 plus with lots and lots of storage. He's so sweet like that, always thinking my wants and needs before his own. The camera is big, with a great camera, golden pink and AWESOME! I am so excited to not see the warning that I'm running out of storage every couple of weeks. How did I get so lucky to marry someone so wonderful? And he makes some pretty cute kiddos too!

And we call it...

Dreamy Chocolate Delight...

Left over pastry sheets (from the brie cheese appetizer we made for the Sumner's party), filled with a handful of chocolate chips, baked until golden. We call these chocolate pillows, basically it's a chocolate filled croissant. Top it with some whipped cream (resembling clouds/dreams) from the back of the fridge and voila!

Our newest family home evening dessert creation.

Welcome Home Estelle

Estelle's surgery was so successful and she told us all about it at our family dinner this evening. Stories from Estelle, good food from Grandma, and snippets of the Oscars made for a wonderful Sunday evening.

Also, when I get home from church (and in particular singing time at 2/3pm) I am exhausted. Primary chorister isn't for wimps.

These filters kill me.

Josh seems to know all about Hollywood. He's the perfect person to watch the Oscars with.

Goodbye Sumners

Our house was filled to the brim today with families saying goodbye to the Sumner family. They will leave a big hole in our ward, and our nursery! I used Mary's polaroid camera to place photos next to the farewell notes they wrote.

We May Become Famous

It is a Nadauld family tradition to watch America's Funniest Home Videos and laugh wildly as someone falls, trips, rips, and rolls. Don't worry; it's okay to laugh. They obviously didn't die, since it's been aired on television. That's his rationale. Tonight the next generation of fans all snuggled up close to giggle together. 

Recently Aaron's brother sent in a video to AFV of a model airplane flying gone wrong. A couple of days ago, we were contacted by the AFV production team asking for releases of all the individuals in the video. We may just be on AFV! And if we win, we may become famous (and hopefully a little richer too).

Life isn't a bed of roses...

I read something recently from a woman who was critical of someone's cheery and positive posts of her daily family life. She boldly declared that this "too perfect" mother was hypocritical, fake, and deceitful. Not sharing her difficult trials and true emotions, she said she wasn't "authentic".

I thought it was interesting to read the way she viewed and judged this woman. She concluded that the intent of her heart was to brag and lift herself above others. She also shared that this "Mormon epidemic" is harmful because it makes other women feel inferior and depressed.

After reading her comments, I reflected on a talk I heard from President Eyring about how he kept a daily journal to help him remember and see more clearly God's hand in his life. He shared the following poem:

How Different
Some murmur when the sky is clear
And wholly bright to view,
If one small speck of dark appear
In their great heaven of blue:
And some with thankful love are filled,
If but one streak of light,
One ray of God's good mercy, gild
The darkness of their night.

I began to think on the things that I have posted and examined the intent of my heart in doing so. I think everyone can agree that life is not a bed of roses...there are so many thorns that prick and hurt us. We all have struggles. We all have challenges. But there is also an extraordinary amount of beauty in each day. In fact, I think we need those thorns to appreciate the petals. And I believe putting on rose colored glasses is something we can choose to do.

President Eyring goes on to say, "As you start to write, you could ask yourself, 'How did God bless me today?' If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God's hand in your life." Most important of all he urges us to remember and be grateful for the greatest gift...Jesus Christ's perfect love and atonement.

On our way to gymnastics today Elise made this sweet little rose for her cousin (made from a Fruit by the Foot, actually. Isn't it incredible!?) It reminded me of these thoughts that have been in my heart. This evening as the kids were going to bed, I could overhear Noah singing I am Child of God to Cameron to help him fall asleep. The sweet fragrance of that Christ-like love is something I will always be able to remember with thankfulness.

#getinthephoto

Estelle left for her surgery in Utah this morning. Christine's photos were so SO very adorable, I couldn't resist posting them. The kids' prayers for her are very loving and sincere.

With Christine gone, I got to have some of the cousins over after school today. It was a sweet sight  when I picked them up. They formed a line and with arms linked over each other, they laughed and talked as they walked. (This photo was taken just a few seconds late..it was even cuter with all their arms wrapped around one another, if that's even possible!)

I've been hearing about a new push to get moms out from behind the lens. We're usually the ones trying to capture these special childhood moments. Let's face it, it's just comfortable there. So, here's me trying to #getinthephoto:

I love how kissy lips make your nose look smaller. I'm thinking I can't do this for every photo I get in, right? Or can I?

How about these disguises? Do these count? Do I have to be in front of the camera?

I'd like to keep my arms please.

I'm not sure how many times I've posted about these cousins and the time they spend together, but it's our world. They love each other so much. Aaron and I have thought about moving to Medford or switching school districts to one we may prefer more, but taking these cousins away from each other, even if it means a short 15 minute drive away would be absolutely devastating to them. Life would get busy and they wouldn't see each other every single day. And that would be as painful as ripping your own arm off.

Junior Comet night at Crater (ignore the hole in Nicole's pants please).

Before surgery gift

I gave in!

We went to the mall to buy sweet Stelley a present for her upcoming surgery and enjoy President's Day together. I've said no to riding these animals about a million times. We had sleepovers the night before and lots of time playing with cousins, surely saying no when I had just said so many 'yes'es wouldn't be hard? But when they offered to pay for it ($7 for 15 minutes) and share the ride together, I gave in. I should only go shopping with Aaron.

Sunday Happenings

Like little mice I could hear the kids busily scurrying around in the kitchen while I was working on some things for singing time. Nicole came in to the computer room and ordered me back to bed. A few minutes later they surprised us with this masterpiece.

A family that wii rock bands together, stays together (waiting for 1:00 church is LONG)!

After-church-outfits are the best. Before our family dinner (planned by the SDC) the kids quickly changed out of their Sunday clothes. Typically these outfits don't match. Frequently they are part play clothes and part church attire. Cameron loved his new Goodwill purchased Hawaiian shirt he wore at the assembly on Friday (it was a Hawaiian themed day). So, he paired that with some shorts and Sunday socks, and walked around with his comfy neck pillow. Looking good there Buddy!

Keeping it Fair

Since the girls had their friends over a last week, we planned a little get together last night with Noah and his buddies. They had a great time hanging out and watching a movie. He was very grateful for his turn having fun. Nicole also had a friend over while her parents had to work late. She ended up sleeping over. I took them to the gym for a while so the boys could rule the house. My phone was full of selfies of these cute girls.

The best part of the day was that Aaron and I got to go out for dinner and a movie date night. We needed to have some fun too. You know, we're just trying to keep things fair around here.

RamTastic Cousins

Last year, the cousins were Ramtastic together. When Mary, Nicole, and Cameron were Ramtastic in the Fall I wondered if Noah would receive this highly honored award this year. Last week we got the following email from his teacher:

"Hello --  RamTastic awards are at this month's assembly (Friday, 2/17 at 8:10).  I have chosen the cousins because how can you choose just one?  I cannot tell a lie -- your children are an absolute delight to have in the classroom.  Their level of engagement, effort, and all-around great attitudes brighten my day everyday.

Thank you for sharing your children with me again -- truly it has been my privilege,  Kerrie"

Mary was also honored for the Rotary Club award she won last month as well.

Taxi Mom

Some days require that I wear my taxi hat...school, lessons, school, practice, school again. It's been pretty gray and rainy lately. This beautiful rainbow was a welcomed view.

Wobbly Man

Wednesday night:
Nicole (and coach Aaron)-basketball practice
Mary-Activity Days
Noah-Cub Scouts
Cameron-home with his mama

Cameron and I looked up some of the brain breaks his teacher does at school. He boogied it on up for me. Love this sweet wobbly boy doing the wobbly man dance.

A picture of the post office. It goes until the end of the week. The kids are sure loving getting and sending letters. It's running so smoothly I can step back a little on how often I need to go back and forth to the school. Nice.

Happy {heart} Day!

It was another early morning getting the post office ready. The house was starting to look, um...not so pretty. So, I got the kids ready with Valentine's, party snacks, all the little details. I hurried out the door to the school. When I returned home I was ready to pull up my tired sleeves and tackle the messy house. To my surprise this is what I saw...

The house was all tidied up, with vacuum lines too, and a sweet note from my crew. What a loving gift from my thoughtful husband and children. It made my morning. Aaron and I met for lunch since we weren't planning on going out in the evening. I'm feeling very grateful for all the love I receive each day.

Our Valentine's this year.

We had a meeting after school to discuss Cameron's speech. He doesn't qualify for any services, but from his first battery of tests to now he is doing much better. I'm glad to know that he has already started self-correcting some of his pronunciation errors. The speech therapist enjoyed meeting with Cameron. She asked how to pronounce our last name, he told her and then said, "I know why you want to know how to say it, because you're the speech lady". She said she almost wish he needed special services because he's just so adorable. I have to agree.

"Sickies"

I decided to take over the PTA post office this year, because our president couldn't find anyone to head it up and she was going to have to do it herself...again. So, I prepared for a couple of weeks prior to this getting volunteers and supplies ready. I had to go pretty early to get it all up and running this morning at the school. This meant that Aaron had to help finish getting some of the kids ready for school.

Nicole was tired from the weekend long party with friends and cousins. She was crying when I left. So, when Aaron came to the school he brought Nicole to me complaining that she wasn't feeling well. What she really needed was a day to recoup! I needed it too! So, I decided to take her home after she helped a bit at the post office. On the way to our car the school had a fire drill. We saw Noah's class filing out of his classroom as we were preparing to leave. He looked at Nicole confused. Why we she going home, I'm sure he wondered.

We waited a bit for the classes to file back inside then left to the store to get some more labels for the post office stamps. I think we had just turned at the light when I got a call from the school that Noah wasn't feeling well. Hmmm. Highly suspicious? Yes. I turned around and checked him out as well. He seemed completely normal until he'd remember he was sick and then there was an occasional moan and groan from his upset stomach. We quickly finished shopping and returned home to finish up their Valentine's.

I didn't mind the extra (little "sickie") hands.

Better Late Than Never

I finally got these primary CD's distributed in church today. It's only a month and a half late...no biggie. Does the cute bow make up for it?

Go Purple Monkeys!

Nicole's first game of the season was today. She played great. There was a darling group of pre-teen boys (brothers of the players) cheering them on with chants and cheers. Pretty cute. Following the games we headed to the mall for some beanie boo shopping (of course) while Mary and Olivia went to the symphony with their friend Eddy. We teased Mary about their "little date" all week since he invited her to go with him.

This is EXACTLY what I signed up for...

When it came to my childhood wishes, all I ever wanted to do in life was to be a mother and homemaker.  A house full of happy children was what I dreamt of for as far back as I can remember. At my sixth grade graduation ceremony all of the students were asked what they wanted to do in life. While some wanted to be doctors or policemen, even NBA basketball stars, I stated that I wanted to be a mother. I remember being surprised by the giggles in the audience. Maybe it was too simple of a request?

Sometimes I step back from the hustle and bustle of the daily tasks and remember that little girl holding her baby dolls and loving her home. It's then that I realize, "Hey! I'm actually living the dream!"

And even better, I'm loving the dream.

Had to throw in this photo of Mary on her field trip today planting trees. 

Doing Their Thing

The Bennett girls arrived last night. They will be staying with us until Sunday when their parents return from a trip. These are some really sweet girls. Mary and Olivia started making videos right away; Nicole and Allison got busy with their Barbies.

Noah's Report Card

I'm very grateful that when report card time rolls around we haven't had any issues or concerns with our children. We got lucky in the good student department.

Mary shared her "how-to" project today at school. She presented how to edit a video, with an edited video as part of her presentation. It turned out pretty cool.

Gamers

Three little gamers all in a row...
this one, that one, putting on a show!

Marcus came over after school, which is a rare treat now that's he's in middle school. I miss having him over often. When these boy cousins get together there is usually some time spent playing games on phones, iPads, or iPods. They don't even mind watching each other play. Some may call this boring (me) but they sure don't think so.

Shark Attack!

We finished up Cameron's Valentine box this evening for school and then chased everyone around with it. AAHHHH!

THE SDC

I spent so much of yesterday working around the house and prepping for Super Bowl singing time for primary that I neglected making Super Bowl dinner plan for this evening. But no need to fear! The SDC (Sunday Dinner Committee, composed of the oldest girl from each Idiart/Nadauld family--with Rachel filling in for Emma) planned the whole thing. It was so low key and relaxing. I love passing the torch on to these lovely ladies.