Following Nephi's Example

I've decided that I don't love four year old's (I've been around a few lately). We decided to initiate Doman Hell Week and try to get our little four year old as close to being sweet and well-behaved as possible. We started with manners...please, thank you etc. (Would help if I can get my 37 year old to do that. We won't name any names)

Next I decided that mom would no longer run around with my head cut off following orders from boys sitting on the couch watching TV who needed a drink, a snack, a movie, help finding the remote or anything else they are perfectly capable of doing.

Next toys needed to be picked up by the individual who played with them. This usually involves mom telling him exactly what to pick up and exactly what to do with it and helping at the end because it's too hard. I was so fed up that I was not willing to help at all.

Derek and I held our ground, we were not going to give in and help even though it would take far less time for me to pick up the 5 toys than to persuade Bridger to do it. After awhile our clever little boy said, "Remember on that Nephi movie, everybody had to help build the boat."

How can you say no to that! Especially when we refer to the "Nephi movie" all the time: "Remember what happened to Laman and Lemuel when they were mean", "We want to be nice like Nephi" etc.

End result: we helped.

Fabulous weekend!

We have been running non-stop for at least a month now....we're loving it!

Started out with me being in charge of the food for the Stake Enrichment luncheon. It was stressful but it came together beautifully.

Then the Doman's were here. Followed by a trip to Utah. Utah is always filled with fun, fighting, noise, cousins, late nights, bad sleep, parties, four wheelers, and HOURS of ping-pong.

We came home just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Saturday we spent the morning hiking in Silver Falls with the Nielson's. If we're honest, they hiked, we didn't. We weren't into the hike more than 10 minutes before Bridger was hungry. He reminded us of that fact about every other minute until I couldn't take it anymore. We turned around and went back to the car. Later we found out that we had turned around half way through. So we actually hiked the same distance we just didn't get to see the good part.





































We had to rush home from Silver Falls to get ready for a BBQ with the Lords and the Fields. I learned a valuable lesson...never plan a BBQ at your house right after you get home from vacation. I was so unorganized! I appreciate good friends who will look the other way.

Sunday was filled with church stuff. I had to catch up with RS. Derek is in the Young Men's Presidency AND Gospel Doctrine teacher. We are trying to find the balance between "Family first." and "fulfill your calling". Is there a balance?

Monday morning we went hiking and to lunch with the Dodd's. We love the Dodd's. Jason and Derek come from the same mold, at least when it comes to being frugal. They will be moving to Boston soon. We will miss them.

Again we had to rush home to get ready to go to a BBQ with some friends in the Cooper Mountain ward.

Tuesday I had to teach preschool. Had presidency meeting. Exercise group today along with mom's lunch. Alise Quayle was back in town today and organized a park day with the "old group". It was great to see Alise Gavin and Kiera again. We miss you!

It was a fabulous weekend and a great month. We hated to see it end but we needed it to end. I still have 5 unpacked suitcases that I have to climb over when I want to go to bed.

Wait a minute- I have 5 unpacked suitcases -got to run!

Part of the reason I haven't added to my blog recently is that I haven't had time for pictures. Sometimes I have things to say but haven't had time to take pictures. I decided that it wasn't the end of the world if I don't add a picture all of the time.

Lilly started crawling two weeks ago. It is always fun to see your children reach a milestone, but she just turned 6 months! I'm not ready to have a mobile baby. I'm not ready for her to grow up!

Derek's parents just visited us. We had a great time. Bridger wore them both out and I'm sure they were ready to get home to a quiet house again. Even though they were tired they were lucky enough to spend 12 hours in a car with Bridger and Derek who were traveling back to Utah with them.

I'm no dummy...when there wasn't room in the Doman's car for all of us, I was happy to volunteer to fly with Lilly. Lilly loved her first airplane ride. She was so good despite the fact that she was exhausted and there was no room to take a nap. We had the pleasure of sitting next to two over sized people. So it was also a challenge to feed her. When Lilly did finally fall asleep (the last 8 minutes of flight) I had to hang her feet out into the isle. I thought she would be safe without the massive drink carts, but she was still smacked by a few people.

I am blessed with the best travelers. Bridger has always been a good traveler...he has had a lot of practice. I was worried what he would be like traveling for 12 hours in a car with out his mom with him. I was happy to get the report from Derek and my mother-in-law that there was no complaining, no crying, no grumpiness.

Mother of the Year Award

After many years of debates about who is a better mother (with my sisters)...looks like I won!

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=X.SG2NsgKUOVoPd_rRzWtTE0MDE0NjE2&referred_by=16637083-C.wj fMx&p=moveon

Mom's sick

I have been sick all week. It's no fun to take care of kids, stay up at night with a sick baby, make dinner etc when all you want to do is crawl into bed. Bridger took pity on me and helped me take care of the baby. He did a remarkable job. He changed a diaper, made a bottle, fed Lilly and played with her. He even tried to send me off to bed because he was sure he could do it alone. I'll never be sick enough to let that happen. It's the thought that counts.

Happy Easter... Better late than never

When Bridger was born I took tons of pictures. I have a picture of all his "firsts". Some of which I am embarrassed I bothered with. Lilly on the other hand ...

Her first Thanksgiving she was only a couple of weeks old. I felt good that I even got out of the house to go to our friends house (the Gerber's). In all the chaos I forgot my camera. I didn't even think about it until Jodi took our picture.

Christmas I did a little better.

I had to teach preschool the week of Easter. We colored eggs and did an Easter egg hunt with 6 crazy boys. I could barely contain them so there was no way I was going to get pictures. My mom was even here to help and it was impossible.

I did get this one picture of Easter. Easter is long gone but better late than never.

A must see....thought of the day

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=cc5effc32b&view=att&th=120b5ac1cf06a978&attid=0.1&disp=attd&realattid=0.1&zw

You'll have to copy and paste. I'm a computer idiot.