Day 1 of "Create and Compassion-ate"

I want to reiterate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to avoid being accused of being 'crafty' I would also like to emphasize that this is creating, not crafting! I was at the dollar store with my mom and got caught at a moment of weakness and bought three bunches of flowers and a bag of rocks. I used to think this kind of stuff was just plain dumb, but I am starting to realize that it makes me smile and feel happy inside so I figured, hey, it's fall and I can't kill these flowers! (Wow, that was a lot of commas. Can't possibly be grammatically correct, but oh well!) So, maybe with a centerpiece I will be more inclined to keep the table cleared off. I say it's worth a shot!!

Fulfilled!

I am so glad to be a member of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had the opportunity this evening to attend the annual Relief Society Broadcast and as always I left feeling excited, inspired, capable, strong and ready to take on the world. I love my Heavenly Father for providing opportunities for me to learn and grow. The thing I got most out of the conference was from Elder Uchtdorf's talk. He told us that in order to be truly happy the way that Heavenly Father is happy that we have to do what He does. We need to create beautiful things and provide compassionate service. So, my newly found saying is "Create and Compassionate (pronounced so that 'ate' in compassionate has the same sound as the ate in create). Get it? So it may be that I'm the only one that thinks that is clever, but I'm okay with that. It works for me. Everyday I plan to ask myself what I 'created' and who I 'compassionated'. It could be that a beautiful creation is of only relative beauty, but who knows. I am thankful to be associated with absolutely AMAZING sisters in Zion here in little Cheney Washington. My soul is filled by being in their presence and my love for life is increased as I speak with them. Thank you to all my sisters all over the world who love the Lord and strive always to do what He would have them do. I love being a woman! Though there are times that the emotions that come with that are almost more than I can bare, I know that it is that passion that drive me to greater things! I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ! I am forever indebted to them for this Plan of Salvation and an Atonement that allows me to repent and become better. I have so much work to do. I begin again today to try just a little bit harder. I can do it! If I do the Lord's will, I cannot fail.

Attack of the Killer Rachel!

This post has been a long time coming, but I finally got it together. In our house, Rachel is known for her growling tendency. She is especially growly when something is taken away from her, ie Hungry Hungry Hippo marbles. Also, whenever her brothers are wrestling, she wants in on that action! She's been known to maul other babies either friend or foe. Here are some examples.......

It's Family Night!

Family Home Evening with toddlers is always a little challenging. Tonight was one of those nights that makes you think that it's all worth it! We had what I would call a successful lesson complete with clip art pictures for our story about the Mama Bear teaching her cubs how to climb up the tree when danger was near. The lesson was on commandments and how following them keeps us safe and happy. For our activity we drew pictures of the commandments we were thankful for and went on a scavenger hunt to practice following directions. LeRoy was in charge of the treats which almost always means ice cream. Last week I had treats and we had raspberries, how boring. Kyler was finishing up his ice cream at the table and Rachel was in her seat having a vanilla wafer when LeRoy heard Kyler say, "You have ice cream in your mouth? You like it?" Sure enough we caught him in the act of sharing! Needless to say, after that she was not at all interested in her lame vanilla wafer, that's for sure! I am so glad that families can be together forever!!

Domino Project Preschool

The slide show above is from a field trip we took with Trey's school earlier this summer. For those of you who don't know, Trey goes to Domino Project Preschool at EWU. It's a program in which they combine typically developing kids like Trey with children affected by Autism. It's becoming a more and more common way of trying to mainstream Autistic children into public schools. I am very grateful for the opportunity it has given Trey to develop relationships with children who have different strengths and weaknesses than he has. I really am hoping that it is teaching him to be more accepting of the people around him. I know it's hard for boys to not be competitive about everything. A few months ago, they were playing Red Light Green Light in PE. His teacher told me later that Trey was watching his typical peers very closely to see if they were moving in an attempt to allow his autistic peers a chance to win. She said it was the sweetest thing to watch. I hope that there are more experiences like this to come. I am a little concerned with the fact that the new children coming in are so much younger than him, but his teachers have assured me that he has been an excellent helper with them. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for sending me such a wonderful boy! He's entirely too smart for his own good and I am about tired of him thinking he knows everything, but I love him so much.

Kyler, how far you've come!

I'm always so hesitant to take my kids to the doctor's office. Part of it is that I don't want to be the overreacting mom, I'm sure. I'm sure the other part is having to drive into Spokane. But today I just new that it had to be done. I put off all my fun plans and scheduled the appointment. Boy, am I glad that I did. Rachel has yet another ear infection. I think this is number 6 or 7. We'll be going to see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist soon. That would have made the trip worth it alone, but the nurse also didn't like the amount of wheezing coming out of Kyler. This has been a problem off and on for a while. In fact, late one night last winter when LeRoy was at work late for basketball season Kyler woke up with a nasty wheezy cough that even a hot misty bathroom and nebulizer treatment couldn't fix. At 10:30 at night, I called a friend who came over to hold Rachel (2 or 3 months old) while I pinned Kyler down to give him the nebulizer treatment. Oh, how he screamed and squirmed and yelled at me all while being angry because he couldn't really breathe! LeRoy ended up coming home to take him to the ER. The last two times they just gave him some albuterol syrup and a hospital version of a nebulizer treatment. It was bad enough that night that he had to get a shot in the bum. He thought that was pretty funny in the morning when it was all over! Today at the doctor they offered to give him a treatment before we left and I was a little concerned as to how he would take it. He just held the thing up and did pretty well. I wasn't convinced that it was going to be like this at home, but tonight he just held still while I strapped the thing on his face! I'm so grateful for children that grow up and come to understand why we do the things we do to help them. I know that will all change again when they become teenagers, but I'm gonna live it up for now!

Cheerios....Cheerios......Everywhere!

Anyone with kids knows the wonderful powers of cheerios good and bad. Especially in the beginning stages of finger foods, you don't get any better. Each time I clean out the car, I make a vow to not let any more food in the any vehicle. I'm sure you all can guess that never lasts long. I am still undecided about whether it's a good or bad thing that when I put Rachel in her car seat she immediately reaches down under her bum looking for a snack. I feel like I've written this already, oh well. Either way, a few weeks ago, in an attempt to get a few things done I gave Rachel a whole bowl and cheerios in the toy room and let her have at it. When I came back, I found this.........

Notice the tipped over pink bowl in the background........

In case you've never had them, the MultiGrain Cheerios are lightly sweetened and therefore much stickier than your average Cheerio. They are much better for sticking to one's bum.

Peek a boo.....I see you!

I think the pictures pretty much speak for themselves! It's so much fun to have alone time with Rachel when Trey's at school and Kyler's taking a nap. Sometimes I wish Rachel and Kyler napped at the same time so that I could get things done. But, really, who am I fooling? I'm sure I would just waste that time doing something else, but instead I get to play with my sweet little girl!

Quick Spanish Rice

I found this recipe on www.recipezaar.com and it's become my "go to" side dish for Mexican night. I love to use tomatoes with chilies, but it can make it a little spicy for Trey. (Kyler won't even put it in him mouth, so I don't have to worry about him. Argh, picky eaters.) I also often cheat if I don't have a can of chicken stock on hand and use a bouillon cube. Higher in sodium, but oh well. So, here you go Celeste! *I forgot to mention that I usually add a can of corn at the very end and let the steam from the rice heat it through. If you don't like your corn still crunchy, I'm sure you could probably add it with everything else! Good Luck!*

SERVES 8 (change servings and units)

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Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/4 cups rice
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 3/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin

Directions

1. In medium saucepan, combine all ingredients (I usually mash tomatoes with potato masher or give them a quick spin in food processor).

2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low.

3. Cover and simmer 25 minutes or until rice is done. (Unless you like sticky, gooey rice, don't take off the lid and stir at all until it is done).

4. Garnish with green onions and/or cheddar cheese.

My Trey aka Boy Wonder!

So after months of me avoiding the thought of teaching Trey how to read, he has truly just taken it upon himself to a whole new level! He's sounding out words like you've never seen out of a four year old! Now he still likes being read to first, but when left with no other alternative he will read things on his own. Cat and the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham are a piece of cake now. We found some old kid books at my mom's house from when I was little and he's loving that. The other day he had a book and he told me, "I just have to learn three more words for this one, Mom." I hope that he continues to be excited about it and I look forward to the day that he will like to read to his siblings more. Though I did catch him a few nights ago with Kyler! Moments like this make being the mom all worth it!

Rub a dub dub three kiddos in the tub.......

Rachel used to love to crawl around in the tub. Unfortunately, now that she knows how to stand, she doesn't want to do anything else. It definitely makes it easier to wash her up, but also is a little unsteady. She's just too big! I am so blessed to have such happy children! I just love these cheesy pictures.

Crunch Baby!

For those of you who don't know, LeRoy and I manage the trailor park where we live. Don't worry any joke you might be thinking of, I've already told it. I've come to embrace it all! In fact, I've been known to refer to myself as "Queen of the Trailor Park" since I the manager. LeRoy has been patient enough to tolerate living her since it has allowed us to stay in Cheney, which he knows I love, instead of having to move into Spokane. Anyways, the owners of the park also own several other apartment complexes. This time of the year every moves out and new people move in. As managers we take a small part in getting them moved in. This year they asked if I wanted to do the check outs for them. I said sure after learning there would be about 90 units turning over and I get paid ten bucks each. I'm always game for an extra $1000! So, I spent Friday, Saturday, Sunday going from one check out to the next (minus a 3 hour break for church, thank goodness for that!)from 8 in the morning until 6 or so at night. My family has been so supportive. My mom took the boys, LeRoy took a little time off and dear Rachel has been kept up late and has spent a whole lot of time in the Baby Bjorn! Today was a day full of check-ins since it's the first of the month. We started at 8 and finished at 5. Rachel got one pretty good nap this morning, but since LeRoy went into the office for a few hours this afternoon Rachel had to just tough it out. Right before the 4 o'clock appt she was screaming. I gave her a biter biscuit (side note: she only eats the Gerber brand. I have a little brand snob already) That held her off for a while but by the very last check out she decided she was done. She was tired and took it upon herself to do something about it!

It's all been a little stressful. I'm sure to break out with a lovely cold sore in the next day or so, but I've been reminded of what a strong woman I really am! Now granted I have completely let my house go and I swear if anyone came to the door I would probably pretend I wasn't home, but I have done a lot of things and overall I would call this weekend a success!