5 years of education converging on this point in time...

 I picked up my regalia this morning.  Is it bad luck to see the official garb before the official graduation ceremony?

I really don't care.  This is the culmination of a 5 year education goal:  1 year of Gen Ed for all of those science, math and stats credit I needed to take, 2 years of undergrad in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and 2 years of Speech-Language Pathology.  I had to try the whole kit and caboodle on as soon as I got home.

Although, I have no idea how I am supposed to really wear the hood.   Check out the sleeves - those are different, too! 

Okay so I am not great at the whole selfie picture thing.  I certainly don't have the practice for it.  But check it out.  I graduate with my Masters this month!

Funny Things She Says April Edition

The Love Magnet: Mom, thanks for dinner. It was (finger snaps over her head) pitch perfect!

Me: Pitch perfect?

TLM: Yeah! That is my new trademark!

2013 April General Conference

One of the best weekends of the year - GENERAL CONFERENCE!  You can watch all of the talks online by clicking here.   I promise that it is worth it.

 Wonderful talk by Elder L. Whitney Clayton about marriage.  Best quote ever:   "Marriage is God's gift to us, a quality marriage is our gift to Him."  Another favorite:  "Terrific marriages are completely respectful, transparent and loyal." 

Other fave speakers - Elder Bednar and Elder Uchdorf. 

 I'm still hoping that Elder Holland will speak as he is my favorite.  One of the best General Conference  talks ever was by Elder Holland.  You can watch that talk by clicking here.  My favorite wisdom from Elder Holland during that talk was "Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are."

 After Elder Clayton's talk, I turned to Mr. Wonderful and commented that I thought we were doing great in that department.  He agreed.

 We stay in pajamas to watch conference, pass copious amounts of salt water taffy, and try to make it a fun, peaceful, family tradition.

And doggie girl makes her circuit to get attention from every family member.

We sure miss Firstborn.  It is our first General Conference without him.  But we are grateful that he is serving his mission and wouldn't change a thing.  It is our understanding that he is able to watch conference online from his area, by streaming the conference online. 

They really need to quit growing

 Thirdborn is officially taller than his grandmother.

 Secondborn is waaaaay taller than his grandmother and great-grandmother.

Maybe I should quit feeding him?  Darn kid is just 16.  He is now officially as tall as his dad and four inches taller than Firstborn.  Firstborn will be shell-shocked when he comes home from his mission.

January Funnies from The Love Magnet

This morning, as I chauffeured Thirdborn to middle school, I slid through a right turn and hit a curb. the Love Magnet piped up from the back seat "Oh, good grief, Mom, next time I'll drive!" We got home, and she had breakfast. when I said it was time to go to school, she not-so-patiently held out her hand and wiggled her fingers for the keys.

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Saying goodbye to the Love Magnet as she goes to the sitter's house to wait for the school bus has been interesting. I have had the "I love you, Mom" farewell, the hairflip and "call me" hand sign, the "Rock On!" fingers and the princess wave. Today was something new. The overly dramatic patriotic salute with a blown kiss at the end. Where did she learn that?

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"Mom look at this. This is so funky."  "Dude, you are so funky."  "Don't be so funky."  I think it is safe to say that The Love Magnet's favorite new word has not entered her lexicon with full definition but she gets points for attempting to find a proper context for it.

14 Days of Valentines

It is that time of year.  I try to plan early for the 14 Days of Valentines simply because effort takes a lot of planning.  And it shows.  Trust me, your favorite person is going to love this.

I've been pinning madly ideas I've found.  Some I will show and some are private.  Let's getting planning!  (Sweetheart, if you are reading, please read something else.)


Day 1:  I am going to have one of the kids help me trace myself giving a great big hug.  After decorating it with a lifesize photo of my head and sketching the rest (fingernail polish, wedding ring, clothing, etc) I will tap this up on the inside of his windshield to find early in the morning.  Along the top of the paper will be printed "On the 1st day of Valentines - I love you THIS MUCH!"

Day 2:  Red Velvet Crepes for bfast (along with manly bacon).  The kids will love participating in this.  How cute are they?  I traditionally make Swedish pancakes for Saturday morning breakfast, but they certainly have never looked like this!















 Day 3:  a batch of lemon white chocolate truffles.  They are his fave flavor from our local chocolatier.  I found a recipe on Pinterest.  Click link above.  Along with a cute take out box full of these will be a note that says "On the 2nd day of Valentines, white chocolate to sweeten you and lemon to make you pucker.  I'll be waiting for a sweet kiss when you get home from your church meetings."  Lipstick seal on the envelope.


Day 4:  a photo heart of our beautiful family on his bathroom mirror with  a note thanking him for our 4 beautiful children.  I usually do something about the kids on this day.




















Day 5:  I bought a gift cert for a local rope obstacle course for date night.  Everyone who knows me knows well my fear of heights and my non-athleticism.  But I figure that I can sacrifice  because I know he will LOVE this!  Include a note about needing 5 fingers to hang on for dear life (me) and to swing like a monkey (him).

         Day 6:  Giant rice krispie treat kisses in a basket for him with a note about 6 kisses.  He will share these with the kids.













Day 7:  Two movie tix and he gets to choose the movie.  He rarely chooses the movie.  Include a box of his fave movie candy.


Day 8:  Invitation for a date night to a bistro we've heard rave reviews about and wanted to try. Strict rule that we can't talk about kids or school or work.

Day 9:  Bucket of gummy worms and little printable on front.  I thought this was cute.
Day 10:  This day is always 10 Things I Love About You.  I print it up in calligraphy font and put it on his nightstand.  A few years ago I found where he had stashed EVERY SINGLE "10 things" I had written over the years.  It made me teary that it meant that much to him.  Each year it is original.  This year I think I will find a standing frame or frame with easel to keep on his nightstand.


Day 11:  Since it is family night, a two-liter bottle of his favorite A&W rootbeer with a note saying he floats my boat.  Double bonus, it will be treats for family night.

  
Day 12:  Mr. Wonderful will love this. Fake rose petals and Hersheys chocolate hugs  and kisses lead the way to the bathroom for a long hot bath with a new good book and no one to bother him or ask him for anything for a good hour or two.  Find entire idea and printable here.

Day 13:  Invitation to dinner the next night with menu.  Most likely steak with all the trimmings.  May be macaroni and cheese with lobster and bacon that I will copy from one of our fave restaurants.  When it gets closer I will post the menu. I will give him an assignment to pick up dessert at either our fave French place, Cheesecake Factory, or just let him surprise me.  I've found that having him do this makes the meal prep easier and sharing a small dessert means we don't have a ton left over.

Day 14:  Sorry, this gift is private. But utterly cool.  It should take me most of the week to put together.

That is it.  I'm giving myself this coming week to prep most of it.  I've found if I don't, I can never put things together last minute.

Behold - the next batch of missionaries to Romania

Firstborn has been in the MTC for three weeks.  He is loving the people and is working hard to learn Romanian.  His letters home have been fun to read.  Best of all, we now have pictures!  This was taken in front of the Provo, Utah LDS Temple.  It has been awesome to see (and read) how he has changed in the past three weeks.  Poor Love Magnet, she asks every single day if he is coming home.  I always reply "Remember what I said?  How old will you be when he comes home?"  "I know, Mom, I'll be 12."  She also knows it will be right before Thanksgiving.  So last Thanksgiving, she declared that we were going to celebrate her 12th birthday and that Firstborn needed to come home.  It has been hard on her.  But we know Firstborn is where he needs to be.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Funny Things She Says

Love Magnet (as she hugs her mom):  Mmmmm, you smell good!

Me: I do?  I'm not wearing perfume.

Love Magnet:  Not perfume.  You smell like DINNER!

Happy birthday, Thirdborn

12 great things about Thirdborn

1.  He works hard.  He has to work harder than others at school because he learns differently than them.

2.  He doesn't complain.  Instead, he tries to find a way to solve the problem.

3.  He is empathetic.  This is the kid who feels deeply what others are feeling.

4.  He is compassionate.  He wants to save the world.  He is always looking for ways to serve.

5.  He is smart.  When you have a question about science or animals, he is your go-to resource.  If he does not know the answer, he will find out for you.

6.  He is kind.  Always a good friend.

7.  He is patient.  He particularly has been patient concerning The Love Magnet.  She hasn't been easy to live with lately, but he has tried hard to patiently teach or model good behavior for her.

8.  He is serious.  Now that he is 12, he has been ordained a deacon.  He takes serious the responsibilities of a deacon.

9.  He has a great sense of humor.  He always has a joke to share.  He loves to find the fun things in every day activities.

10.  He is brave.  The kid recently attended his first middle school dance and made the goal of asking someone to dance for every single song.  If the girl said no he had the attitude of finding another girl who wanted to have fun and get out and dance.  He even convinced a few of his friends to do the same thing.  This mom is so proud.

11.  He is enthusiastic about life.  Going to the temple.  Going to see family.  Family activities.  Service activities.  It doesn't matter what it is, he is enthusiastic and his enthusiasm is contagious.

12.  He is loyal.  He sticks up for family and for friends.  He will not tolerate anyone trying to hurt or offend them.

Thanksgiving

27 lb turkey plus........ 

veggies and dippy dip, traditional stuffing, wild rice stuffing with dried cherries and pecans, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, au gratin potatoes, homemade rolls with butter and jam, brie and baguette,  plus....... 

hungry people, plus.... 

more hungry people, plus.... 

more hungry people, plus.... 

plenty of food for seconds, the most amazing apple pie on the planet, pumpking and sourcream lemon and pecan pie, plus.... 

gratitude for friends who are like family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Going to the MTC

I was told that the drive to Utah to take my son to the MTC would be the most emotional drive ever.  I did not cry once.  I was excited for my son.

 After taking care of banking, buying a backpack last minute, and lunch at the Brick Oven (where, we didn't know until we got there, that missionaries entering the MTC that day eat free), we stopped by the Provo LDS Temple for pictures.  It seemed that everyone else taking a son or daughter into the MTC decided to do the same thing.

 The kids were tired and not looking forward to the hours long drive home.  Firstborn was just excited.

 The day was bright and mild.  Still no tears from mom.

 As we left to get back into the car to head to the MTC across the street.....

 Firstborn couldn't resist teasing Thirdborn one last time.  I think he was theatening to throw his little brother into a snow bank.

 At the MTC, there is no lollygagging.  The luggage is removed quickly and goodbyes are even quicker.  The tears (mine) started to come.

It was a lot like the first day of kindergarten.  All smiles, no tears, quick lean instead of a real hug (all the while talking to the missionary over my shoulder) and then off into the doors of the MTC without even a glance back.  He was ready.

On the way to the freeway, as I dried my tears, The Love Magnet started to cry.  Mr. Wonderful and I tried to console her, telling her that Firstborn was safe and she could email him and that he would email her back.  She replied "I'm not sad about him!  I MISS MY PUPPY!"  We couldn't help but burst out laughing.  It was too funny!  Later that night, The Love Magnet was in her bed and I heard her crying.  I went into her room and wrapped my arms around her.  "Honey, look it is okay.  Doggie Girl can sleep in your room tonight.  Look how happy she is to see you."  My duaghter looked up at me with tears on her cheeks.  "I'm not crying about her.  I miss my brother!"

Yeah.  We all miss him, sweetheart.

The Farewell

 Sunday 11/11/2012 was Firstborn's mission farewell.  He gave a wonderful talk on why he was willing to go halfway around the world to teach the Romanian people about the Atonement.  It was wonderful to listen to his testimony.  Every day I pray that Heavenly Father will help me to see people the way He sees them.  That day I was able to see my son the way his Father in Heaven sees him.  He will be a great missionary.

 There were hundreds of cookies and 4 types of soup as well as a lot of rolls and sliced homemade bread with butter and jam.  We prepped for hundreds of people to show for the open house.  After our extended family left to head back to Utah, the house was quiet.  No one else showed.  We kept posting on FB that we had a lot of food and were waiting for visitors.  The soup ended up being put into the fridge/freezer.  Firstborn and Secondborn put together plates of cookies to take to people.  The rest of the cookies were packed up to take to Utah.

 The night we arrived in Utah, more family and some old friends we haven't seen for seven years since we moved came to my parents to say goodbye.  Good thing we brought the cookies.

 It was fun to see everyone.  The house was noisy with laughter.

Some of these cousins will look very different (and taller) in 2 years.

Firstborn made sure he was done with the openhouse by 9:30 and in bed by 10 p.m. per mission rules.  He was set apart as a missionary Tuesday night and had his dad for his companion until he reported to the MTC.  Whether he slept at all that night is a different story.

The Baptism

 Twin sis (whom the Love Magnet is named after) came to support us.  We also had many of both sides of the family present.  This was a huge weekend.  Not only was it a baptism, but is was a farewell for Firstborn who was leaving to go on a mission to Romania.

 The Love Magnet was so excited.  Her big brother was going to baptize her and her daddy would confirm her a member of the Church and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She was so thrilled that the room was full of people she loved.

 I worried a little about how she would feel about the baptismal clothing.  But it turned out to be soft (and not scratchy as I remembered from my own baptism when I was 8.  Mr. Wonderful had reminded me to bring a white tshirt and white bike shorts for her to wear underneath.  Good thing - with those on, she did not freak out over wearing unfamiliar clothing or over the feeling of the elastic waistband.  As soon as she changed (which was 15 minutes before the ordination), she tried to immediately step (dive) into the font.  I had to stop her more than once and remind her that other things (talks, singing, and prayers) had to happen first.

 This was Firstborn's first baptism.  I love that his first baptism was for his sister.  It is not appropriate to take pictures during the ordination.  The Love Magnet led the music.  Seconborn and Thirdborn gave the opening and closing prayers.  The Grandmothers each gave a talk on baptism and on The Holy Ghost.  The Grandpas served as witnesses.  Firstborn did a great job with the actual baptism.  When the Love Magnet came out of the water, she announced to everyone watching that she forgot to plug her nose.  It didn't bother her.  She just shook her head and kept smiling.  In the dressing room, after the baptism and before the confirmation she kept saying to me "Mom, I feel so AMAZING!"



The Baptism Portraits

A friend of ours who took Firstborn's Senior pictures offered to take The Love Magnet's baptism portraits.  My daughter was enamored by the photographer.  She thought the photog was very pretty. 

The Love Magnet was also thrilled to pose with scriptures.  She loves scriptures.

 The photog directed TLM to open the scriptures and start reading.  So TLM did just that (and pretty much ignored everything else - she was busy reading). 

 This is my favorite shot.  I'm not sure what The Love Magnet was thinking.  This wasn't a directed pose - I think TLM was looking at the cute baby hat display while the photog and I were talking.

 And one more of the same shot.

The dress is soft and flowing.  Not the white baptism dress I dreamed of, but she looks beautiful.  Huge thanks to the photog for taking these.  Her work is stunning.