When We're Helping We're Happy!

For these first two pictures, Chansey didn't know I was taking them.

Then for that last one, she was on to me, so she had to smile for the camera!

My post today is about my 8 1/2 year old daughter, Chansey. I haven't talked about Chansey much on my blog, I'm not sure why. She does plenty of things that are noteworthy, I guess I am just now learning to be good at documenting those things. Well, I took these pictures of her on Saturday. We came home from Eathan's baseball game and the kids needed something to do. Todd graciously tended to Spencer (which ended up that they both fell asleep :) while I figured out how to keep the other three kids entertained. So, I decided we were going to clean the house!!! (Exciting,... I know) We started by cleaning bedrooms (including de-junking the closets) then moved on to the playroom, living room, and family room. When I say clean, I mean CLEAN! And my kids know it. So, they worked really hard. They are good at organizing everything and putting things where they belong. They are usually pretty thorough too, not leaving things half-done.

So, when all of that was complete, it was time to eat lunch and finish the kitchen which I had been working on here and there most of the morning. Eathan was pretty sick of cleaning, which was understandable. So, he kept Bella occupied while Chansey and I finished up in the kitchen after lunch. Chansey excitedly offered to do the dishes, so I let her. She was standing at the sink and said "Mom, this is so much fun, I love doing the dishes!" So, this is the reason why she is the subject of my post today...

This situation was just another reminder to me of how lucky I am to have Chansey around. She is so helpful and I really would lose my mind if it weren't for her sometimes. She changes diapers, cleans (with a smile), plays with the kids so I can get things done, packs the diaper bag when we are going somewhere, helps with dinner, puts laundry away, feeds Spencer, and puts Bella to sleep most nights. And, she usually does any and all of these things as soon as she is asked and with a smile on her face. She is also very loving and tender and she shows me that love at just the right moments when I really need it. She still likes to hold my hand and hug me and cuddle with me at night. Chansey is also at the age where we have to talk about some complicated issues. She is very understanding and mature when it comes to things like how to make the best choice all the time and how to choose friends that make you feel good about yourself. I really appreciate Chansey's desire to do things that other kids her age think they are too "grown-up" for like watching shows that Bella likes, singing kid-songs in the car, and wearing bows in her hair. Kids grow up too fast, I am not anxious for her to grow out of these endearing traits. She also loves to play. She'll play with her little brother and sister just as well as she plays with her friends at school.

Now, I realize that Chansey is not perfect... there are moments of difficulty with her just like with any other child. But, I take comfort in knowing that, with her, these difficult moments are short-lived. We usually get past them very easily and she forgets and goes back to being her happy self.

I hope someday Chansey reads this and knows that I love her very much. I am sure she knows that she helps me a lot and that is why she is always so happy. I know I am happy when I am serving others. I am sure Heavenly Father knew that I would need help to get through this time in my life and that is why he has blessed my with a wonderful daughter like Chansey. I really wouldn't be able to get through most days without her.

A Post A Day Keeps the Crazies Away!

I took this picture when we were at Eathan's baseball practice a couple of weeks ago. It was really windy, so I covered up Spencer's carseat with a blanket and I could hear him cooing and laughing, so I lifted up the blanket and this is what I found.

This picture was of Spencer playing on our bed. He was being so cute, I couldn't resist. Both pictures were taken with my cell phone, so the quality isn't great, but the face is!!

Sometimes,... between whining, disobedient children, constant housecleaning and laundry, and several weeks of sleepless nights... I do feel like I am going a little bit crazy. I can think of a lot of ways to find a repreive from this madness, but most of them either cost a lot of money or require me leave my children and waste time doing something that is not important. So, I decided that blogging will be my outlet this week. I am going to try to make an entry every day and record my thoughts and the things that have been going on in our lives. It makes me feel like I am talking to an adult and I can use my creative energy towards something that I will enjoy in the future.

So, today, my post is about Spencer. He is five months old now and cuter than a button! (see the pictures above :) When he was four months old, he only weighed 10 pounds. (I know, some of you have newborns that weight that much!) But, he had only gained two pounds since birth so the doctor was worried about him. He was diagnosed with "Failure to thrive" and since I had only nursed him up until that point, I was told to start supplementing high calorie formula to see if he could start gaining more weight. I was to visit the doctor again in 1 month to have his weight checked and if he hadn't gained enough, they would start trying to figure out why (YIKES!!) So, he had his 5 month appointment the other day and he gained a whopping 2 pounds!! Thus doubling his weight gain since birth... in one month!! So, the doctor was pleased and told me to keep doing whatever I was doing becuase apparently it was working. So, we'll keep getting his weight checked every month until he is back on a normal growth curve, but hopefully he will keep gaining and all will be well.

Along with that, the doctor said it was ok to start him on cereal. So, yesterday, he had rice cereal for the first time. I remember giving it to my other kids at this age and they spit and gagged for the first few times until they figured out how to gum it. Not Spencer,... he made a funny face with the first bite, but swallowed it right down and ate it all in no time!! I was so proud!! :) This should help him be more satisfied and hopefully start sleeping through the night.

I love this little guy! Even with their constant demands, babies really are a blessing and bring a peaceful spirit into our home. At the end of my rotten day yesterday, Spencer fell asleep cuddling with me on my bed... that moment made it all better! I could forget about the cares of the day and just enjoy the tender moment. We all need those.

Terrible Twos,... or Terrible Tyrant?!

I just wanted to record some of my thoughts that I have had lately regarding my sweet daughter Bella. She has officially been two for about two and half months. She really is sweet and cute most of the time, but lately has been throwing some serious tantrums. I don't remember this happening with my other kids until they were closer to three. The old cliche is "terrible twos" but I had always experienced the phenomenon of "terrible threes" so Bella's recent tyrades threw me for a loop.

Anyway, after struggling with her during these undesirable moments I realized that the problem really usually begins with me. I tend to be somewhat of a control freak sometimes... if she doesn't want to do things my way, I get strong-willed and try to impose my will. Though this is a good plan when it comes to matters of importance, I have come to realize that with Bella, this isn't always a good plan. If I exercise more patience and let her learn and grow her way, the fights do not usually occur. Don't misunderstand... no means no, so if I say it I have to stick by it or she will never understand. But the key is... saying "no" less often. I have to slow down and let her be independent even if it is not convenient for me. Now, this doesn't mean that she can play in my makeup anytime she wants, or drink out of the toilet,... there are things that are obviously fobidden. However, putting her shoes on the wrong feet, sleeping on the floor with my pillow, buckling her own seatbelt, or wearing a pink bow with a green shirt are things that I will one day wish were my biggest worries!!

I am Proud to be an American!

On Thursday night we had the great pleasure of attending our kids' school music programs. Chansey and Eathan were in seperate programs because they are in different grades, so we got to watch both. At first, we wondered how we were going to sit through two, fourty minute programs with both of our little ones, but it ended up turning out great (thanks in no small part to my mom and dad :) We were so glad we went because the message was wonderful! They were patriotic themed programs where the kids learned various patriotic songs and poems and learned how to play various musical instruments. Some of the songs they sang were America the Beautiful, Yankee Doodle, The Star Spangled Banner, I am Proud to be an American, and God Bless the USA. The older kids even dressed up like some famous people from U.S history with amazing costumes and then read poems that they wrote. The first graders memorized a song with all of the states and their capitals, and the third grade memorized a song called "Fifty, Nifty United States" where they had to learn all fifty states in alphabetical order. I remember learning that song when I was little, so it was fun to hear Chansey sing it. The most touching part of the program though was when the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders paid tribute to all of the people who have served or do serve in the armed forces. They learned a song for each... the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and U.S. Airforce. Then they sang them and asked the members of the audience to stand if they had served or were serving in the branch of the military for which they were singing. It was very touching as a lot of people stood and sang right along with the kids. I really lost it though when my own dad stood up... I had forgotten that he served in the army, so when I looked over and he was standing and singing along, I couldn't hold back the tears!

Anyway, suffice it to say that I am so thankful that my children (and I) were able to participate in this! I am thankful that they go to a school that is not afraid to salute our flag and honor our country and proudly sing... I am Proud to be an American!! Children need to be proud of their country and the people who have risked their lives to help protect it!! And, I am proud to live in "...the land of the free and the home of the brave...!!"

You're the Meaning in my Life... You're the Inspiration!

A couple of years ago on Valentine's Day, I gave Todd a CD (yes, that's right, we still buy CD's) of Chicago's Greatest Love Songs. Well, ever since then, he has had the CD in his truck and listens to it all the time. It has a lot of great songs on it. Since my kids ride with him a lot, they have become very fond of the CD. In fact, they usually ask to listen to it as soon as they get in his truck. Anyway, on our way home from Grandma's house a few weeks ago, we were all jammin' out and found ourselves singing the song "You're the Inspiration" together. My kids know every word and I am sure you all know it too!) Well, I found it to be a really special moment as I realized something... my kids (and husband) really are my inspiration. And at that moment, we were all having fun, getting along, and essentially telling each other how much we love each other without even realizing it!
When I first had Chansey (8 1/2) years ago, I thought I knew everything about how to be a good mom. While I admit I knew a few things, I didn't know much compared to all that I have learned since then. My kids really have taught me more than I ever thought I needed to know. And now, I become more and more humbled by them each day as I realize that I have so much more to learn. I love my kids all so much for so many reasons. I am so lucky to have four healthy and happy kids. I hope I can spend my time focusing on the things in life that really matter and not waste time worrying about, or trying to change the things that don't matter. Kids grow up too fast. I want to enjoy them to the fullest extent that I can while they are so sweet and innocent! So, I hope when they grow up, they will look back and know that they were loved and that I took the time to cherish each of them.
So, to my kids: when times get tough, no matter where you are, or what you are doing, never forget... MOM LOVES YOU!

Happily Forever After!

I heard some wonderful advice last week so I wanted to share it with everyone. Let me give you a little background...

My best friend from my pre-marriage years, Kirsten, got married last Friday. She married an awesome guy here in the Mesa Temple. A week before her wedding, I had the opportunity to go through the Temple with her when she received her endowment. I was especially lucky because I was able to be her escort. This was quite an amazing experience... I felt the spirit so strong that day. I wish we had the opportunity to hear the counsel that I heard that day more often. It was more uplifting because I wasn't nervous or anxious like when I first went through. I won't share what I heard here, but I will say that I am very thankful for the opportunity that I have to attend the Temple. Going there truly makes me a better person and that is why I make it a habit to go often. (I really need to be a better person)

So the real point of this post is to share with everyone what I learned during the marriage ceremony. The person performing the sealing said something wonderful, yet simple. And I haven't been able to get it off my mind, so I thought I better make note... He paraphrased a talk given by Gordon B. Hinckley. In it, President Hinckley gave four steps to a wonderful marriage. Here's what they are...

1. Never Criticize Your Spouse

2. Never Go To Bed Angry

3. Pray Together

4. Keep The Courtship Alive

If all people everywhere could follow this advice to some degree, I am certain that the world be a better place! I hope I can use this information to become a better spouse and teach by example so that my children will do the same!

A Tale of Two Riders

Todd on his dirtbike about to land a jump...

Brian in the air in mid-jump...

I decided to post a blog entry about this because one of my favorite things in life is seeing Todd enjoy himself and have a hobby. Recenlty, Todd and his long-time friend Brian Brock rode their bikes at Brian's house and one of their other friends took some awesome pictures. The above two shots are just a couple of them.

I suppose Todd's interest in riding dirt bikes is part of the reason why we met...

Brian's sister Kirsten has been a best friend of mine for almost 12 years. One day (in the summer of 1998) I went over to hang out with her after work. Brian was there and we were talking. He said "My friend Todd Breinholt is coming over you have to meet him... he is cool...he likes to ride dirt bikes" Apparently, they had recently become reaquainted after Todd got home from his mission and together began the hobby of owning and riding dirt bikes. So, that day, Todd came over, we met, I thought he was awesome, and the rest is history!

When we were dating and first married, Todd and Brian used to go riding together a lot! I remember spending a lot of time sitting in the desert with Kirsten while they rode around. We would take pictures and just hang out. We lived in an upstairs apartment when we first got married and Todd kept his bike on the patio. So, we would wheel it up and down the stairs every time they went riding... now those were fun times!!

Much to everyone's disbelief, it does not scare me that Todd has chosen this as a hobby. He is pretty safe (I think :) and like I said before, I love watching him enjoy himself. Also, I love seeing him in his riding gear!