The General Conference Holiday

For Years, we have been treating the semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, like most people treat the super bowl. On the Monday before conference, we write a list of desired snacks and take a vote. In a family of 10, this actually does take about an hour.

On Friday, I go to the stores, and buy what snacks and treats I can buy. Then as conference begins, the kids set blankets up in front of the computer, get some snacks, a pen and some paper, and settle into listening to the Prophet and Apostles. It's a tradition that we slowly grew into over the years.

Sometimes, I have felt a little guilty with providing my kids with a ton of junk for General Conference. But my guilt is now eased. On Sunday, Adam had an argument with some kids in his primary class, and one boy in particular. They started talking about the upcoming general conference. Adam said that he could not wait, and how excited he was for general conference. Most of the kids, were surprised. 8 hours of talks isn't exactly kids friendly. One kid, argued that Adam was nuts!!! He said that he hated general conference because he didn't get to play his normal amount of computer games on Saturday. Adam stood firm. General conference, "is AWESOME!"

I would have to say that making General Conference a semiannual holiday is AWESOME!! Hurray for junk food and treats and a way of helping kids enjoy listening to the Prophet and the Apostles and feeling the spirit that enters our home as we munch on chips, drink orange juice, and slurp milkshakes!

Kittens the Third Time

Our cat had kittens for the third time in about a year. One seems runty again. So we are hoping to be able to help it get enough to eat. I'd have to say that we like doing the kitten thing. It is so fun to have the kittens and to see what colors and personalities we will get each time, and then to give them away when they are old enough. here's hoping that the littlest one survives.

Get the Ghost

When Joseph woke up this morning, he walked downstairs carrying a sword. He came over to me, gave me a hug and said, "I saw a ghost outside. I am going out to kill it with my sword." So I let Joseph and his sword outside.

Lots of Random Thoughts

Blog Thought
So I have had a lot to write about today. In a way, I think I have been saving blogging for Fridays because I have been so busy with everything else and tired with the pregnancy.  Hopefully, next week I will find time to spread it out.

Sugar Thought
I have noticed over the last week that every time I eat dessert, I start to feel ill. If I just eat a few bite, I get dizzy, and tired and it lasts for about a half an hour. If I eat, say a whole donut or piece of cake, I get dizzy and then feel nauseaus. Since type II diabetes runs in my family, I know that it is time to quit sugar, at least until the baby comes. Thankfully, my usually contrary about health food husband, has declared that we are not going to have much dessert around until the baby is born. He is doing this for my health and the health of the baby. So while, I hate to give up my love affair with cake, donuts, and ice cream, I am very grateful that my husband is going to support me in this.

Abortion Thought
My sister sent me and a bunch of family a Huffington Post article about other nations hating America because there are some pro-life laws being sent through some state legislatures. There was one ridiculous law about women carrying still born babies to term. I doubt it will pass. But the rest of the laws or potential laws sited were "personhood" and ultra-sound laws. I think my sister feels these laws are bad, and women should be allowed to make the choice to abort a baby. Honestly, I am not completely sure on her stance. I am sure on my stance. I think the bad law was to make abortion legal to begin with. Yes, I can see some exceptions, but it is not the exceptions that are most of the abortions. As far as ultra-sound laws go, I am all for them. 70% of women who have an ultra-sound after they have decided to have an abortion, change their minds. That means 7 out of every 10 babies that would have been killed are saved, and 7 out of every 10 women who would have made a decision that would have had ill effects on their mental health, do not have to face that. For personhood laws, I am ALL, ALL, ALL for them. Currently, being in my 9th pregnancy that has not ended in an early miscarriage, I can say very firmly, that my children are people with distinct personalities even while in the womb. Recently there has been talk about "after-birth abortion". The main argument in favor is a belief that a baby is only a "potential person". But, having had 8 newborns, I know without a doubt, that each baby has it's own personality, and they are all very unique and different. Making personhood laws is just making a law about what is real and true. What is a lie is that fetus are just a mass of cells, or just a parasite in a woman's body.

Joseph and Joshua Thought
Joseph is messy and wild. Joshua is neat and cautious-- he hates messy, slimy, or sticky things. When they eat, Joseph at 2.5 gets his food all over his face, in his eyes, ears, hair, shirt, and pants. The kid is a mess! I still make him eat in a high chair. Joshua at 14 months, is quite the opposite. Joshua gets his hands and face, and sometimes the tops of his shirts messy. I never have to wash off Joshua's eyes, ears, hair, or pants. I wonder if they will share a room well?


Teenager Thought
Now having been the parent of a teenager for one year, I'd have to say that at this point I like it. I like having the conversations that you can't have with little kids but that teenagers are willing to have all of the time. I like that the teenagers are so very independent. I like that I can embarrass teenagers very easily-- fun, fun, fun. And I don't mind that they like to stay up really late. I guess we will see how I feel in a few more years. So far, all is well and happy.

Kate Thought
Kate is one of my big conversationalists. She loves to talk, and always has a lot to say. Today Kate said, "Watching movies and reading books all alone is no fun. When you read a book with someone it is so much better, because then you have someone to talk about it."--- So very Kate. I hope she marries a guy who likes to gab about EVERYTHING!

Ruth Turns 14

My Ruth turned 14, yesterday. Isn't she pretty? She is amazing in so many other ways too. She is talented at whatever she sets her hand to. She is intelligent, kind, and fun. I am lucky to have Ruth for a daughter.

The kids all went into together and got her a GIANT teddy bear. I think the thing needs its own room, it is so big. Ruth also got some books she likes and so crafting stuff she wanted. 

Living Planet Aquarium

We went on a field trip to the Living Planet Aquarium. It was actually a Connections Academy (Ruth's online school) official field trip. So Ruth got in for free and the rest of us were $6 instead of $9. So it seemed like the right time to go. The Living Planet Aquarium is kind of a funny place. It seems to be an old grocery tore turned aquarium. 

The kids loved it-- especially Anya. She squealed and loved seeing all of the fish and other animals. The older kids loved that they could pet the manna-rays.

After we had been through the aquarium one time, John joined us for a second time through. I think the kids enjoyed showing their dad all that they had seen, and I enjoyed being able to carry Joshua through and talk to him about some of the animals.

Trampoline

Around a year ago, Anya said to me, "Mom, I am trying to get a trampoline and it is just not happening. Will you help me get a trampoline?" My heart was touched, and I decided then and there that we needed to spend the money and get a trampoline for our kids. I wanted to get one for Christmas, but we just didn't have the money then. I knew we had to wait until we got our tax return. We have finally done it! We bought our kids a trampoline! I am pleased to have helped Anya get her trampoline.

After a couple of days, I am sure that it is money well spent. We bought the largest trampoline and in our tiny yard, it looks GIANT!!! John insisted, though. He thought with the number of our kids, they would be safer on something bigger. The one safety problem that I see is actually the safety net. The kids "feel" safe, and barrel themselves or throw each other into the nets. They are not at all cautious about the edges or falling like they are on Grandma's open tramp. So, in this case, I am not sure a safety net really makes them safer. But our house insurance would cancel on us if we didn't have the net. And, we have to have neighbors and cousins sign a waiver if we are to allow anyone besides our own family on the trampoline.