Sister Missionaries

Last night Aaron, Noah, and Cameron all fell victim to the flu bug. I was feeling pretty exhausted this morning when the kids discovered our front door filled with these sweet notes from our new sister missionaries. It was just the right pick-me-up. Last week we acquired another set of missionaries in our ward, this time, sisters. I love our Elders, they are such amazing young men, but I am starting to see that there is a special place in the gospel and missionary work for women. I think lowering the missionary age for sisters will really help push the work along.

Look what the wind blew in...

Fall winds have carried lots of pine needles onto our paved driveway. Aaron put the kids to work this evening sweeping off nature's debris. Doing chores with Daddy is way more fun than with Mommy. Why is that? Is it just that he's more fun or the activity is more fun? It's probably both.

Mommy to the Rescue!

Last night Nicole fell victim to the flu. I spent the night with her brave little spirit cleaning and catching vomit. Nicole is a tough cookie. She never complained and she was so happy to just be together even in these not so fun circumstances. She was a real trooper.

I had planned on getting my hair done in the morning. I couldn't bring the kids to Christine's anymore, and I couldn't reschedule my appointment with family pictures just a few days away. So, I called my already contaminated mother who came to my rescue. I LOVED that she stayed for a bit afterwards so we could talk and I could vent about my challenges with motherhood (and sanity--they're related). She was patient and loving and I couldn't help but hope that my girls and I will have that same kind of special bond one day.

Aaron took the two fakies out to see Emma's soccer game after family night, since they ditched school today and were a little wound up from being home. Don't worry, once I realized what was going on I had them do some chores and school work at home. I put the smalls to sleep and dozed off myself on my dreamy rocker.

I hope tonight no one else wakes up sick. Why do children only throw up in the middle of the night? I don't like the 2-3am vomiting start time. It makes for a really long day!

Sister Talented

Sister Talented (my Sarah) made this amazing board that folded out to unveil the most clever primary program practice chart I have ever seen. Signs were posted on the outside of the folded board, darling signs such as waiting room, no cell phones, and Primary Song Hospital. Then when she opened it up there were several beds with doctors charts velcroed to the foot-boards. Each laminated child was placed in the bed when a score on the singing performance rubric left the child, like Chuck "Child's Prayer", feeling sick.

Sister Talented invited a nurse from the ward to give her diagnosis and check the children's ear to make sure they could hear the music while they sang and their mouths to make sure they knew the words correctly. Then she checked their hearts with her stethoscope to listen for the Spirit while they sang. That was my favorite part. And boy, was the Spirit there in those tender voices. The criteria was so sweet and for 40 minutes the junior primary was completely engaged practicing their songs.

Sister Talented really had quite the show and I can't wait until next week when they practice some more and filling their prescriptions (M & M pills) be discharged from their sickie song beds.

Ladies' Man

Mary woke up in the middle of the night complaining of a sore tummy and strange feeling in her throat. We then spent the rest of the night and into the morning running back and forth to the bathroom. Needless to say, Mary didn't play soccer today. I made her get dressed so she could participate in her team pictures. But by evening she looked pretty happy and was vomit free.

Noah felt good. He played soccer and then attended his kindergarten friend's birthday party. Noah was the only boy invited. Kendall's mom spoke to me in the lunchroom one day saying that Kendall wanted to invite Noah to her all girl gymnastics party. So, I asked Noah and at first he was a little reluctant but then he thought about how much fun he'd have with all his girl friends and decided to go. So cute. Did you know that a ribbon stick is just one more thing that can be made into a sword/weapon?

Friday Play Day

We had Nicole's friend over for a play date this morning. They make for a lot of entertainment. They make the most hilarious comments together. Mary and Noah went to their friends' house after school. These pictures say a thousand words.

The Good Life

Life is good. I just want to slow it down sometimes so I can soak in these precious years. Aaron played monster again with the children.  Aaron hides under the blankets, the kids attack, and he snatches one into his cave, tickling feet, until siblings come to the rescue. It's a wildly entertaining game---laughter and daddy monster's roars fill the home. I hope this never ends.

Nicole is growing up so fast. She is adjusting so well to joyschool. I love the group of children and moms. I wish I could homeschool all my children like this.

After school Nicole escaped to Sarah's and followed her around for at least an hour. Sarah sent me this picture. I am sure she told her all about her school and the things she is learning--like these letters. Nikki is a fun person to have around.