7 Years Old

 Little Rachel turned 7! I can hardly believe this little one is already 7.  She is just 33 pounds. Rachel is easy to please on her birthday because she LOVES birthdays. This year, we brought treats to her class. John came this year. Rachel, jumped onto John's lap, patted his belly, and announced, "This is my Dad, Santa Claus."

 In the evening, I made her dinner request of cream of broccoli soup in bread bowls, which she surprised me and ate. Then we opened her presents. I bought her presents well ahead of time and Anya had already told Rachel what they were. I think Rachel was still happy. For dessert we had pie, which Rachel did not eat and I was not surprised.

On their birthdays, I let the kids stay up and hang out with me a while. Rachel requested painting. We ended her day with some painting. Rachel painted a picture of Merida

 Rachel's birthday was over, but the celebration was not. Two days later on Friday, Rachel had a birthday party with her friends from school. She had a ton of fun, and since I kept the party to one hour, I survived a house full of 6 and 7 year olds.We made crowns, decorated cupcakes, played pin the crown on the bear, and went on a bear hunt. Success!

This Week at our House #12

1. John finished his awful job with TDW on Wednesday. He had Thursday and Friday with no work. He is still looking for a job. I am relieved because he will no longer be coming home every night telling me how awful his day went. We have some money to get us through another 2 months, but prayers for a new job are always welcome.
2. To say I had another busy week would be an understatement. Monday had the the usual early morning run, daily chores and family home evening as well as a lot of phone calls with doctors culminating with a visit to a bone specialist and an x-ray and finally being told the honest truth that a 2 year olds bone would grow back normally with no doctor visits. Tuesday night was Celebrate the Family at the capitol. I needed chocolate pie after that. Wednesday was the normal busy-ness. Thursday, I went up to Saratoga Springs for a couple hours at the park with some dear friends, and then picked up the matching love seat to our living room sofa at my mother in laws in Provo. When I got home it was rush, rush, rush to get the kids dinner and then out to the temple with John. Friday morning Adam had the animal expo at his school. In the afternoon, I had the field trip for BYU-Idaho students. Saturday morning I did chores as fast as I could and then it was time to get back to the Temple for my brother's sealing to his wife. Then we ran home quickly, got the seats back in the van and brought the kids up to the luncheon for the sealing. We stayed a short time and then John dropped Ruth, Kate, and I off at the conference center for the Young Women's general conference meeting. That was very lovely. Afterwards, we hung out with cousins who were attending the conference from WY. We hit the store for a couple needed items on the way home and got home after 9:30. Whew, what a week!
3. Ruth had several tests and projects due this week. She certainly had her hands full too. I loved being at the Conference Center for Young Women's conference yesterday. We had great seats. I think Ruth fount it pretty neat to be so close to the prophet. She also had a lot of fun seeing favorite cousins afterwards. Ruth as always, played the part of the sheppard with her siblings Tuesday night at the Capitol. Ruth left having a keen sense of who the "not for traditional family" group honestly is, and what they are like in real life. While I felt bad that I had accidentally brought my family into that type of environment, I think, at least for the older kids, this experience will keep them from being deceived by the media and teachers at school.
4. Have I said Kate is my right hand man? She is also my advocate in training. She came with me Friday for the Capitol tour and field trip. Kate had the honor of being singled out and welcomed by Senator Margaret Dayton-- one of my political heroes! I loved having Kate leaning on me during the Young Women's conference. I love having teenage daughters!
5. Johnny had a busy week of chores making up for me not being at home so much. He did well too. He even got the kids put to bed and the house picked up Saturday night before I got home.  However, with the last two busy weeks we have missed Johnny's scouts and he will again miss the next week for Rachel's birthday.
6. The menacing crowd at the Capitol really frightened Adam on Tuesday. He really wouldn't even talk much afterwards. A good nights sleep and a lesson on Lehi's Dream and the great and spacious building helped. I think Adam was completely shocked at the idea of real life "bad guys". I would have never brought him into that environment if I had known. We were going to celebrate the family and show the Supreme Court that we support traditional marriage. All week long Adam reminded me that his animal expo was at school on Friday at 10am every day all week. Every time he reminded me, he asked if I would bring Anya too-- so cute. He had done his report on Bald Eagles. He did an excellent job. He had made a bald eagle, a nest with eggs and a baby eagle. His report was well written!!!!
7. We saw Rachel at recess with her best friends when we were leaving Adam's class. What a cutey!! She is a tiny one too. Rachel came with me Friday to the field trip. She sat quietly for the entire three hours. I had to buy her ice cream afterwards. I asked her if she listened to any of the talks. She shrugged her shoulders and told me that she loved having all of that time to cuddle with me. I had her sitting on my lap most of the time. I never do any of my political stuff without my kids. They come first, so I use the time as a small one on one or two on one time with me. 
8. Anya played outside all week long. She loves to be outdoors! And she always makes a terrible mess outdoors. She turns on the water, makes mud, paints the fence, and turns everything into a big muddy soup. This week, I decided that since out back yard is small and the kids really don't have anywhere to explore, I'll let the kids make their big outdoor mess and relax about not having a clean back yard.
9. Joseph played outside all week with Anya. He made the same mess. He brought mud into the house. He covered the bathtub and the sink and the toilet, some places of the wall and the muddy footprints throughout (glad I have a wood floor now). 
10. Josh did indeed break his clavicle. The bone was broken straight through. By Monday morning it was swollen enough that he wouldn't use his right hand or arm. We got him a sling and that seemed to help some. He occasionally woke up in pain in the middle of the night until Friday. Friday, I could feel a bump over the bone and Josh would no longer keep the sling on. He began using his right arm again too. This morning Josh stayed in the bathtub longer than the other little kids. John called to him and he would not answer. John called two more times and he still didn't answer. John called out cars, Josh called cars back got out of the tub and went to John. Josh is just the funniest little thing. I wish he wasn't so accident prone. Oh by the way, Josh sat quietly through the celebration of the family program because he was watching YouTube videos of trains on John's phone.
11. Arwen turned 8 months this week. She still isn't crawling, which would make her slower to crawl then most of my kids. She will inch worm to get things, but she doesn't go across the whole room. She still is pretty much straight nursing. I've tried to give her solid food, but she doesn't want it. Arwen is still the sweetest, happiest, funnest baby.

This Weeks Pictures

At the capitol on Tuesday

My Dearest Friends. We all have a plethora of children and love it.

Adam and Rachel heading off to school

Adam's Animal Project

Rachel at Recess

Seth and Marie were sealed in the Temple

Young Women's General Conference-- such an amazing contrast to Tuesday at the Capitol

My Beautiful Girls!!!

Come Join the Ranks

Tuesday night I took my whole family to the State Capitol to be a part of the Utah Celebration of Marriage. As we arrived, we noticed that there were a lot of protestors. There were possibly more protestors then there were supporters. In the middle in chairs sat the people there to celebrate the traditional family. On all three level and filling both large stair cases the protestors surrounded the supporters. It felt menacing. The program went on with some interruption, but on it went. Many of the speakers were good and there was a lot of fun music particularly performed by children. Still it was menacing. I wish I hadn't brought my younger children. Rachel stared a few people down because well, they looked different. Adam was afraid. But, we stayed because it seemed important to keep our numbers there in support of mom and dad families. At the end of the closing prayer, the protestors began chanting loudly. My kids covered their ears and we escaped. In fact, gratefully no one was harmed.

I had been scheduled to speak to BYU-Idaho students on Friday. After the experience Tuesday, i trashed all ideas for my talk and decided that the most important thing was to entreat these students to become involved. I know the Spirit lead me to the sources I needed, as well as the wording I needed to use. Here is my speech. And Yes, I am entreating you to "Come Join the Ranks"

In 1938 when Hitler began taking over Czechoslovakia, The Czech’s sought help from the English Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. In response, Chamberlain set up a personal visit with Hitler, Mussolini, and French Premier Daladier in Munich. Czech President Benes was not invited. In this meeting, Chamberlain gave Hitler what he wanted. On his return to England, Chamberlain declared to a cheering crowd, “There will be peace in our time!”

In response in a private meeting with the House of Commons, Winston Churchill stated, “They should know that we have sustained a defeat without a war...the whole equilibrium of Europe has been deranged, and that the terrible words have...been pronounced against the Western democracies: ‘Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting’.”

In 1939, Time magazine made Hitler their “Man of the Year”.

The world was not long after pulled into a fierce war where millions were slaughtered.

I’d like to submit that we are in another war: a cultural war-- a war over the families and children. This war is being fought in the legislatures, the court rooms, the newsrooms, and the classrooms. Like Chamberlain, many leaders are throwing in their hats, giving the opposition exactly what they want and declaring, “There will be peace in our time!”

We know how well that worked for the Western Democracies more than 70 years ago.

The media and school classes and liberal colleges have spent the past 50 years training today’s population to believe “that what people do with their bodies sexually (because we care if someone is smoking or drinking more than 16 oz of soda) is their own business, so long as no one is harmed.” We’ve been taught that the justification of the sexual act is located in the desire itself, and the direction of that desire is taken as fact.

Harm is relative. Anthony Elosen, writer for the Witherspoon institute said, “It is a plain fact that what two people do in a bedroom is not confined to the bedroom. The most obvious evidence for this fact can be seen around us everywhere, walking on two legs. They are the creatures known as children.” Children are harmed by this premise. They are harmed when they are taught that the justification and direction of any sexual act is located in the desire. They are harmed when as a result of this belief they are born to a single parent or cohabitating parents, or parents that divorce or abandon them. They are harmed when they are denied a mother and a father.

Do not throw in your hats and hastily declare, “There will be peace in our time.” You cannot give in to evil and expect peace. You cannot compromise. Hitler never compromised. The liberal sexual-lites never compromise. Until the religious voice is completely silenced, they will not stop trying to rid all mankind of virtue. We need warriors willing to fight back, willing to sacrifice their time for the safety of families and children around the world. We need you.

What can you: today you can put up on Facebook a picture of your family and boldly declare:

I believe in traditional marriage. I believe children are entitled to be born to a father and mother who honor their marriage vows faithfully. I know that redefining marriage may seem like the compassionate thing to do, but I truly believe that it will ultimately hurt the coming generations and our society as a whole.

You can turn off the television when liberal sex is promoted

You can write blogs and editorials against gay marriage, abortion, and no fault divorce

You can contact your legislature telling them to vote in favor of family values

You can donate money to organizations like United Families International

You can join organizations like United Families International and learn to lobby and teach about the family.

You can stand firm in your belief that “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of his children.” No matter how loud and cool and compassionate the opposing voice sounds.

STAND FIRM!

This Week at Our House # 11

1. John finished his last full week at his current job. He's being laid off. This coming Wednesday is his last day of work. He hates this job a whole lot, so we do not feel particularly tragic about it. But, there are not many jobs out there. He has had a a few interviews in the last two weeks. Hopefully something will come up soon. For now, John will work 3 days this next week and then begin applying for unemployment.
2. After lots of trouble with nursing the baby and not being able to get anyone to wake Adam and Rachel up for school, plus missing Saturday morning cuddling time with my kids, I've decided to quit training for the half marathon. I will still run 3 to 5 miles 3 days a week. I will still have to work out problems with my milk supply, but I will be more available to my kids. Maybe I will try again sometime when I am not nursing a baby. For now, I will work on picking up my speed for short distances. I actually do not feel too bad about this decision. After years of thinking about it, I have finally gotten myself into a good exercise routine. I will continue with short distances. 
3. Ruth turned 15. She had a lot of fun with friends rolling skating for her birthday party. I took a chance and bought her a cheap-o mp3 player. I scored. She loves it. She has learned how to download her music on it and is looking forward to having her music on her bus rides to and from school. This year Ruth will learn to drive. I need to pick up the Utah state drivers book so she can begin studying to take her permit exam. She is excited for that change. I am excited that in a little over a year from now, I can send someone else off to run errands. I think it will be wonderful!
4. As usual, Kate is my right hand man. She always makes herself available to me.  She plays with the little kids and they all adore her. She cooks, she cleans, she does her school work and enjoys it. She thinks of others before herself. Kate is just awesome! I will miss her terribly when she heads back to public school in the fall.
5. Johnny had an uneventful week. Because I have been spending so much time feeding the baby, I have not had enough time to get to his school work, so in a way, Johnny has been enjoying a nice little school break. He's been spending the majority of his time reading the Ranger's Apprentice series.
6. Adam was back to school this week and not too happy about the homework part. I am not too happy about the homework part either. I didn't like elementary school homework when I was in elementary school and I like it even less now that I am not in elementary school. Still we press forward. I tell Adam to do his homework and Adam grumbles and does it.
7. Rachel got her first, "I am an awesome student" pink slip from her teacher this week. Her reading has improved tons and she has even moved up a reading group. 
8. Since I spent a huge amount of time feeding the baby, Anya took my couch sitting time and cuddled with me a lot. I am glad that she is finally taking the initiative to get some attention from me. I worry about Anya not getting enough time with John and I because she is quiet and generally happy to just hang out in the back ground.
9. Joseph came on a shopping trip to the City Creek mall for Ruth to spend her birthday money. I had to keep a close eye on him every second. I would continue to think that Joseph is a disaster waiting to happen, except that now I am his teacher in church on Sunday. While he is at least as energetic as the rest of the boys, he actually pays a little more attention. I am glad to know that he is normal and not just a tornado that never dies down. 
10. Poor, poor little accident prone Josh. Saturday morning, Josh jumped on my bed, somersaulted off and seems to have fractured his collar bone. He has been one sad little boy the past two days. I will bring him to the doctors tomorrow for an official diagnosis. I am fairly confident, in my own diagnosis, though. You can actually wiggle the bone out of place a little. From what I have read, however, his break is not too bad because he is still using his arm and hand.
11. Arwen, spent the whole week breast feeding. She ate for 2 hours straight Friday morning before she was satisfied. I have tried solid foods on her. She just does not want them. I do want want to push her away, so like I said, I am giving up on the half marathon. 

This Weeks Pictures

 

Fifteen

Friday, March 22, 2013, Ruth turned 15! She is such a good girl. She has been easy going and fun all of her 15 years.

Ruth had a party with her friends at the Roller Skate rink on Thursday, and a family party on Friday. I noticed that Ruth is giggly and goofy with her friends, and more serious and thoughtful with her family.

I love my girl. Happy 15th, Ruth!

Now is the Time to Stand and March

Kathryn Skaggs at a Well Behaved Mormon Woman Blog wrote:    

It's almost unimaginable that a single, coherent, and reasonably mature individual in the country, could possibly be unaware that MARRIAGE has made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and from this point going forward, what can no longer be ignored by anyone is this: marriage in America is changing and if you've got something to say about it, and you've been holding out for whatever reason, now would be the time to say it...

On March 26th and 27th the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will be hearing arguments for and against DOMA (Defense of Marraige Act) and California's Proposition 8. The Supreme Court has been watching court cases and media or and state laws to see where the people stand on the issue. Do not let anyone fool you-- the Supreme Court will take into account what the people think.

Now is the time to Stand up and be counted! In Washington D.C. there will be a March for Marriage.

Why the March for Marriage? 

 On March 26th and 27th the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will hear oral arguments for and against  California's Proposition 8's case.This will determine if citizen's initiative to protect marriage is lawful in California and possibly all 50 states. The Supreme Court may also take this as an opportunity (like Roe vs Wade) to legalize gay marriage for every state in the nation. It is imperative that political leaders, the media, and the culture see that we care about protecting marriage enough to stand up and march for it.

 Who is the March for Marriage?

 The March is being organized by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) alongside a broad coalition of pro-family organizations, state partners, African-American, Latino, Catholic and Protestant leaders. Please check the Sponsors page for an up-to-date list of co-sponsoring organizations and the Speakers page for a list of confirmed speakers.

Rally Location and March Route

Click here to download the map & schedule in PDF format.

Schedule of Events for March 26, 2013

• 08:30 AM: Gather at National Mall location between 10th Street and 12th Street NW and between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW [BOX]
• 09:30 AM: March to the Supreme Court [ARROWS] and then return to the National Mall location [BOX]
• 11:00 AM: Rally begins at National Mall location (live music, speakers and more)
• 01:00 PM: March for Marriage concludes

In Utah 

There will be a Celebration of Marriage. It is important that as many people as possible attend these events.

Like the French

On January 13th in France, hundreds of thousands of French Citizens marched through Paris in support of traditional marriage. Americans, stand up like the French did, and support marriage. Let's show the Supreme Court how we feel. Stand and March for Marriage!

This Week at Our House #10

Green Eggs and Ham for St. Patrick's Day

1. John took Kate and Johnny down to Provo High for the MyTech High show case night. Johnny and Kate displayed their Flash programs. John said that their projects compared favorably to the other students. After that, John showed Kate and Johnny his old locker from his highs school days.
2. My sister Amber came to visit this week. I had a lot of fun having her here. My kids loved her and fought over whose best friend she was. I had a great time going out to dinner with my sisters, Amy and Amber and my sister in law Marie. I don't spend much time with my own siblings. I really enjoyed getting to know them and about them a little better.
3. Ruth's  getting the meaning of "studious". I think she now realizes that when she studies, she needs to study until she knows that topic completely. I was really pleased with Ruth when she stayed home Thursday night to study for her English exam and thoroughly learned the subject matter.
4. Kate's discovered "Dr. Who". I can get her to do anything by promising her a number of "Dr. Who" episodes. John gave Ruth and Kate 6 episodes if they put all of the kids to bed and cleaned the entire downstairs. Kate even dusted and decluttered. I'll be sad when we run out of "Dr. Who" episodes.
5. Johnny played around a lot this week, mainly because my sister was here. I had a very hard time getting Johnny to be productive at all. I wonder if he was ever as unproductive in public school as he tries to be in homeschool. Why is it that smarter kids are the lazier kids?
6. Adam had a lot of fun with my sister showing her all of his gymnastic stunts on the tramp. Last night, we got home from John's brother's house at 1am. When John checked to make sure all of the kids made it into their beds, he found Adam huddled in the corner with a book light reading the Book of Mormon.
7. It's such a wonderful thing seeing your kids grow little by little and become a little more responsible. Rachel is beginning to be more reliable. Since Rachel is only the 5th child, this is a relief to me. I need her to care for herself and her things and she is slowly beginning to do that. In the last few months I have had many conversations about taking care of her things. Rachel combs her dolls hair and tries to keep her things in order. She is working on proving that she can have nice things like Ruth and Kate. I am pleased with Rachel.
8. We spent some time up in the mountains this week. Anya cried whenever we had to leave. She was just a little fairy playing in the woods near the river exploring and discovering all of the wild life.
9. Joseph, my get into everything boy, had a good week. He loved hanging out with my sister and hiking in the mountains. As a result, he got into less trouble.
10. Josh fell into the river (up to his waste) got chilled in the cool spring air and developed a fever. He may have developed that fever anyway, it just didn't seem unrelated. He spent the next two days crying and being grumpy. Ugh 2 year olds!
11. Baby Arwen was as cute and as happy as ever. We are very blessed with such a relaxed, happyy little girl.  

This Week's Pictures