Fun smiles

While we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa this weekend, Owen lost not just one, but TWO teeth on the bottom! One on one day, the next on the next (he pulled his second loose tooth out all by himself during scripture time). He really wants to eat apples now so he can lose more teeth and get more money from the tooth fairy. He thought that was pretty cool! Troy is happy for him - but he says it this way... "Now WE have six dollars!" (Explanation: they each had $2 before the teeth, $1 per tooth = $6, that Troy thinks they share...)

We had a great time visiting with Mamma who came out from Utah, Grandma and Grandpa, Greg and Blythe, and Jan. I had packed clothes so carefully and the kids had picked out their favorites... and I left it behind... (When we came home I found our crate tucked carefully away near our toy room. I don't remember why I decided to take it there, but whatever.) Mamma bought an extra outfit for each of the kids to wear, and Grandma and Grandpa offered the kids some BIG SHIRTS to wear for pjs. The kids LOVED the big shirts and sometimes fought over them, but were always happy to wear these at bedtime.

Next up, the BEACH!!!

This sucks...or doesn't

You know you have a problem when you want to only use the hose section of your vacuum to clean your house. You have an even bigger problem when your hose shrivels up and dies and stops suctioning and you want to use your handheld dustbuster to clean the house. You have an evenBIGGER problem when the dustbuster doesn't work! Has it been six months? Yes? Time to go to the store.
ARGHHH! Are we the only family that vacuums don't work for?
We've tried changing the belts, bags, there is no clog... We seem to buy vacuums every six to nine months. No kidding. We are afraid to spend more than $150 every six months... That would be horrible to buy a $300 vacuum and replace it every six months.
Just venting.

Happy Mother's Day

I just wanted to take today and share some feelings about mothers.

*I love my mom, my step-mom, and my mother-in-law. They are wonderful examples of mothers and friends to me, and they have each taught me so much... they have made me who I am. (All the good parts, that is!) I have been blessed with 3 moms! How incredible and wonderful life has been for me. I can see characteristics of Jesus Christ within all of them, and I am thankful for their testimonies shared through words and actions.

*I love the other moms in my life - the wonderful sisters and sisters-in-law that are shining examples of fun and dedicated mothers to their own children and to the children around them. I learn alot from each of them whenever we get together and "work in the trenches" together, and also from emails, phone calls, blogs, and the support we offer to each other even across distances.
*I also love the women of the church that are beautiful examples of what motherhood can be. I have been the recipient of surrogate motherhood when my own moms are far and I needed the hugs only a mom can give. I have also been inspired by other moms as they personify Sister Nadaulds' words about women:

"Always remember that women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are coarse; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

*I love being a mom. Love fills my heart when I think of my kids. I also feel joy and praise and gratitude to my Father in Heaven for blessing me with 7 beautiful children. I love learning from them! I need to learn so much more from them - I pray that my heart will be softened and tender for their teachings... "yea, even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things..."

*Words don't really express my feelings enough - and I know my actions fall short too, but the true feelings of love are here, within my heart, and I treasure the love.

Pictures coming as soon as I get my computer back.... (sniff sniff)

ACK! and It's Spring... A combo post

Our computer is down! And nothing is backed up! Bob is going to call Apple and we are hopefully going to fix this. The laptop is serving just fine as a replacement for now, but I miss all my charts, homeschool ideas and bookmarks, and photos (they serve as our screen saver and as entertainment for the kids during mealtimes).

Meanwhile, we have been working in the front yard, planting a peach tree, buying MORE dirt for our veggie garden, mowing the lawn/weeds, and general outside sprucing up. I also have been going through the kids clothes and organizing the drawers and closets. Spring has sprung!