Spring Break: Tuesday

On Tuesday morning (we still have Finn and Zoe over) we went to Chuck E Cheese.  Chuck E Cheese used to be one of our favorite places - but now we hate it.  They changed their whole system of tokens and now it is the worst.  We had some left obver tokens though - so we went "one last time".  Finn and Noah didn't want to come, so they stayed home and built with Lego's and I took the girls (with Zoe) and Brock.  

Brock got about 300 tickets on his own with only about 12 tokens!  

The girls spent most of their time in the fun house.

Then Tuesday evening I took the oldest 3 rock climbing at our Rec Center (you have to be 7).  This was Megan's first time and she did great - although not as great as she would have done when she was 3.  I am 100% certain that from ages 18 months to 6 she would have scaled right to the top with out a moment's thought, she has always been a very capable climber - but this last  year as she has gotten older she has gotten more cautious and timid (probably a good thing) and she didn't make it to the top.  But that is ok - she had fun and pushed herself (a little).

Noah tried about 4 times to get to the top and couldn't.  But he really wanted too.  So to help him push past his fear I offered him an extra screen time token and he was able to get to the top!

Brock went right to the top first time - although he had done it previously and a few other walls.  But then was done. 

It was a fun evening.

Spring Break: Monday

As I mentioned in previous posts for fall and winter break we didn't do much.  I reasoned that it was the kids' break and well and that they should get to spend it how they want and not "forced" to do activities - if they wanted to go or do something I would help facilitate it - but it was up to them.  Well... for Spring break I decided I wanted a little more out of our breaks and my kids were becoming pretty lazy.  So on Sunday night I asked them what they each wanted to do and we made a list and then plugged them into days.  Since Jason was home all week not everyone had to come to each activity - but there were a few that everyone had to do.  Everyone was pretty happy with the plan and every one seemed to genuinely want to get out and do stuff.  On top of our daily activities (there were about 2 a day) - they each had 2 jobs to do a day and some school work along with 2 hours of screen time.  

Here was our plan that hung on the fridge.  

Monday was our busiest day.  We started out cleaning the house.  Monday is always cleaning day at our house and the kids know it.  They are really at a place where we can all clean side by side.  I still have to check them and help with a few things - but I can clean the kitchen while they all do their stuff.  "their stuff" is things like: Clean a bathroom, deep clean bedroom (clean under bed, dust, wipe down blinds), vacuum a room in the house, dust, or sweep. 

After we were done cleaning (around 11:30) I took Megan, Madison, and Noah to the library to get some books for the week.

Then after lunch I took the girls sledding.  We ran into some friends from church and the kids build a snow fort and had a snowball fight.

While the girls were sledding the boys were playing x-box at their friend, Finn's, house.  After Finn and Zoe (Finn's sister) came over and had a sleep over at our house.  I didn't take any pictures of that.

Book of Mormon

We finished The Book of Mormon!!!

It was so exciting (well... I heard anyways, I wasn't even there when they finished!).  We started January 1st 2015.  It took just over 2 years.  Most days we tried to read a chapter, but some days it was only one verse a piece.  On average I would say we read 5 days a week. Some weeks we would hit all 7 - then other weeks were... less.  But we always tried.   When we started Madison and Megan weren't reading and I would read a few words and they would copy what I said, within a month they were both reading.  Brock shot up 3 grade levels with in a month.  We were reading every night in other books - but it wasn't until we were reading The Book of Mormon every night that we saw the blessings.  I know there is a power in this book that can bless every aspect of our life.  I know that it has transformed our lives, our family, and our children's future - and not just spiritually but temporally as well.

When we started my number one goal was for my children to WANT to do it.  I did not want it to be forced, or boring, or negative.  So I just said, "every night at 7:30 I am going to read my Book of Mormon, if you want to come I would love to read it with you".  That seemed to work.  They all showed up.  Some nights someone might be in a bad mood about it and I say "You don't have to read with us - you can leave, no one is forcing you to be here".  Madison chose once to go to bed instead of read. 

The day after we finished the kids wanted to know what we were going to do next.  To their surprise we started it again.  I told them that there are promises given about reading The Book of Mormon everyday and that when you finish you just start again.  Jason and I love the scriptures - they are a huge part of us and we desire deeply for our children to know that and to come to their own testimony and love for the scriptures and of Jesus Christ. 

Elder Stevenson

Jason and I went to our Saturday adult session of Stake Conference.  At the very end they said, "Elder Gary E Stevenson is in the area and has just called and told us he will be at our Stake Conference tomorrow morning."  What?!  I was so excited.  Over the next 30 minutes my mind hatched a plan.  

First off you should know my children know and love the general authorities.  They very much know who Gary E Stevenson is and would be just thrilled to be in the same room with him.  On my way out the building I stopped and talked to my former visiting teacher (an older woman) and told her that I wanted to get good seat and asked what time she thought I should get here - the session started at 10 and we decided the if I REALLY wanted to sit in the chapel I should go at 6:30 am.  I knew it would be a long wait, and hard to get there that early, and hard for Jason to get the kids ready by himself.  But I felt a strong desire to show my kids what we do to see a prophet.  I wanted them to see how much I love the prophets and what I would sacrifice to see them myself and also to have my children see them.  We hear of stories of African saints walking for hours, even days, showing up hours and hours before the meeting just to hear the prophet.  I wanted to show the Lord (and my children) that I am just as grateful for the prophets and apostles. Later that night, around 10 o clock my old VT teacher called and said, "I can't stop thinking about you and your kids and I want to help.  I will get there at 6:30 and save a spot for you, you come at 8:00 - that way you still can sacrifice 2 hours - but you can get your kids ready first."  I argued for a minute with her - but in the end I let her serve me!  So Jane got there at 6:30 and got us fourth row back.  

In the morning when I told the kids about Elder Stevenson they were as excited as I thought they would be, but the younger three surprised me with a desire to go and wait with me.  It didn't even cross my mind that they would want to come wait.  So Megan, Noah, Madison and I went at 8 and sat for 2 hours waiting for the meeting to start and Jason brought Brock at 9:30.  I went fasting that my children would have a spiritual experience. 

They were so excited when he walked in - Noah took these pictures with my phone (I would not have authorized it and took the phone once I saw that he did) but am secretly glad we have them.  I was so focused on my children's needs and them having a spiritual experience that I hadn't considered my own spiritual needs.  I was going through some stuff that nobody knew about but me.  Well, the Lord knew and He saw my efforts.  When Elder Stevenson walked in I had one of the most personal, profound spiritual experiences of my life.  It came in a way I would have never imagined.  I didn't understand it at first.  I have come to really understand Joseph Smith and the different versions of the first vision.  Deeply spiritual experiences unfold over time as the spirit helps you understand, line upon line, what happened and what you needed to learn from it.  I know Elder Stevenson is a prophet of God and a special witness of Jesus Christ.

When he walked in and sat down he looked around and made eye contact with Megan, she smiled and waved and he waved back.  She was in heaven.  During the meeting Megan 2 pictures of Elder Stevenson with Jesus. She REALLY wanted to shake his hand and give him the pictures.  I didn't know, and doubted, that he would shake everyone's hand.  As the meeting was ending they opened the doors on the stand and I assumed they were going to quickly usher him out.  Megan said, "I really want to give this to him, can I pray that I can give it to him?"  Madison said, "that is a hopeless prayer, look at all these people, you will never get to meet him".  I told both Megan and Madison that it would be just fine to pray for that and no prayer is hopeless.  But I prepared Megan for the reality that she may not get to give it to him- but maybe we could mail the pictures.  After the closing prayer, President Whipple got up and announced that he would be shaking hands.  We were some of the first through the line, she gave him the pictures, and after she said, "my prayer was answered". 

It was a great day.

Pinewood Derby

It was Brock's last pinewood derby - and also our last pinewood derby with 2 cub scouts.  So sad how fast time goes.  I remember being the cub master and planning the pinewood derby before I ever had boys in scouts and I remember thinking how fun it will be when we have 2 boys in cub scouts.  And now that time is over.  The boys and Jason made some great cars this year.  Neither of them won - but they didn't seem to mind.  They won a lot of individual races and were happy with that.  In the Herbert match-up Noah's car beat Brock's this year (last year Brock got second place over all) - so it was fun for Noah to beat Brock his last time!

I took this picture becasue it represents 95% of our day.  Since Jason is home a lot Megan and Noah seem to just follow him around and talk to him and ask him questions all day.  It is great for Jason becasue he LOVES to talk and explain things and never gets tired of it.  Me... I can't stand all the questions.  But both of these two just talked and asked questions for a good hour of the derby.

Lunar Eclipse

Posted on Facebook:

The girls woke up at 5 a.m. to watch the Lunar Eclipse. They've been sitting out on the sidewalk watching it turn for the last 2 hours. But then it set behind our neighbor's house. So then we got in the car and we drove up to the highest point in Highlands Ranch, and now it's behind a cloud. I don't know if they're going to get to see it! I never thought myself an Eclipse chaser.

They never saw it. :(

Day Date

We got movie tickets from my mom for Valentines Day so one afternoon we went to see "Darkest Hour".  It has been so fun having Jason home during the day - we haven't dated this much since we were dating!  It has been an adjustment for sure, but I intentionally decided that it was going to be great - and since I decided that it has.  He is my best friend, sometimes I just forget that :)  but he really is and there isn't anyone I would rather spend time with or talk to.

creativity

About 3 weeks ago we changed our family rules about screen time.  Previously they each got 6 hours of screen time a week, this was working well for the most part - but Jason and I knew that we needed to cut back more.  After a gentle nudge/chastening from our stake president we decided to limit screen time to weekends only.  Initially the kids were crushed (a few cried), it actually has been so wonderful - I really don't think anyone misses it (they all THINK they miss it - but they really don't).  This has led to a little more creativity around here. 

Noah made a catapult 

Madison made a trap for a Leprechaun

Her and Jason made a radio

And several other things that are not pictured.  

Valentines

For Valentines I made name poems for each kid and gave them a box of conversion hearts.  Jason got the girls a rose made of chocolate kisses.  Jason and I were both home during the day so we ordered Chinese and watched a religious lecture my friend sent me.  

On the note of love - I just wanted to say how much I love that my kids (usually) love each other.  They hang out, talk, laugh, joke, and cuddle.  One Saturday morning these three were watching a show all cuddled up on the ottoman.  I loved it.

Daddy Daughter Dance

The girls FINALLY got to go to that daddy-daughter dance (last year we were in Disney Land).  It was cowboy themed and it took about 5 different families in our ward and neighborhood to pull these outfits off - but don't they look good?!

They were so excited to go.  They talked about it for weeks and even saved up, and combined their money to pay for it themselves - lucky for them Jason told them that boys always pay for the dates!

They got to ride around the school parking lot in a limo with all their friends and eat cookies.

AND have a chocolate fountain and smore station.

There were places to take pictures and some games to play

Plus the dancing.  Megan and Jason danced - but Madison spent the whole "dancing time" doing the conga line with all the girls - she said she was having too much fun to stop and dance.  I am grateful for how much these girls love their dad - and what a good dad he is to these girls.  They are lucky!