Beautiful Music

It seems like the kids and I spend lots of time in the car. We love to listen to music and it can be rather entertaining to hear the girls sing some of the songs from the radio. I was amazed at how quickly the girls would pick up the lyrics and start singing them at random moments. This got me thinking about how even if the words aren't bad are those really the phrases I want running through their minds? So I picked up the CD for this years primary program and have it playing in the car. There are both the songs with words and then just the music. After dropping Natalie off at school this morning I look in the rear view mirror and saw Ella singing 'I Love to See the Temple' as just the music was playing. She knew all the words and sounded so sweet. The only thing she sang different was "As a child of God I know this truth OUR (instead of A) family is forever". I honestly had to hold back the tears.

Funny Talk

Some funny things the kids are saying now.
Ella: mapkin (napkin)
"I need you to carry me, I can't carry myself."
Ella was holding her hair in a side ponytail and my dad said "Is that your Princess Leia hair?" So then when people would call Ella she would say "My name is Leah. E-l-r, Leah."
"Last day" This can be used for anything done previously. Previously that day, week, minute, whatever. Such as "Ella will you please go potty before we leave." and Ella's response "I already went last day!"
Natalie: while walking to the park I was in the street and the girls were on the sidewalk "Mom, get out of the guts!" (the gutter)
my dad bought a hummingbird feeder and Natalie comes running in the house "Mom, Grandpa got a hummingbird feeder fooder!"

I've Been Tagged

THREE OF MY.....

Joys:

1. My family. I love spending time with my husband and kids. They are the most important things to me in this world and I can't imagine life without them. It seems that there is never enough time for us to do things together but I am always grateful when we do. We are also lucky to live near lots of our extended family (really close to my family at the moment).

2. My friends. While I wouldn't classify myself as a social butterfly I do love the few close friends that I have. Some I have had pretty much since birth and I consider them family. Others are more recent and continue to be my friend even if I am weird, silly, crabby, etc.

3. A beautiful day. I love waking up and the sky is blue, flowers a blooming, birds are chirping and is is sometime after 6:30!

Fears:

1. Having my husband or one of my kids die.

2. Driving over bridges or up mountains with big drop offs on the side.

3. Public speaking, not being liked/accepted, heights, spiders, there are more but that is a good start.

Goals:

1. To get in shape and stay that way.

2. Discover my talent. It seems like most of mine are things like punctual, organized, dependable, etc. Right now I am working on photography and really hope that something comes of it.

3. Catch up on scrapbooking.

Obsessions:

1. Chocolate. I pretty much think this is the perfect food and can be eaten anytime of day and count as a meal.

2. As I am sitting here thinking about what to write being clean came to my mind. I like my house to be clean, my kids to be clean (at least at some point), my car to be clean, etc. But then I thought "I have really let that slide since having three kids." Oh well.

3. Recording my kids life through pictures, blogging and scrapbooking . I want to remember all the cute and even not so cute things they do.

Random Facts:

1. I really like to eat and don't mind cooking, but I hate menu planning. I would much rather have a chef than a cleaning lady.

2. I danced in the Nutcracker three times with the professional ballet company. And yet I can't dance whatsoever today.

3. I faint every time I give blood. And not only do I faint, but I have these weird (or so I have heard) seizures when I faint. So basically I don't give blood anymore.

I now tag Chiara, Candice and Joanna.

Memorable Moment

The girls have been taking swimming lessons this summer. This is Ella's first time and Natalie hasn't taken since last summer so they are in the same class. Last week Ella was really scared about going out in the water with the teacher. At first she just shook her head and was saying she wasn't going to go. Then the teacher started picking her up and taking her out anyways, which is quite a feat in it self. For those who have spent time around Ella they know that when things are not the way she wants she can be VERY loud. She was really upset and was screaming and crying and I am sure had the attention of everyone at the pool. When she was brought back to the wall Natalie was really sweet and was hugging her and putting her arm around her. She started to explain to the teacher how Ella was scared. Then a minute later it was Natalie's turn and as the teacher takes her out she made sure to create a big splash to get Ella really wet.

Our New House!

We have put an offer on a house in Tigard and it has been accepted! If all goes well then we will get the keys July 21st. We are excited to have a little more space and a yard for the kids to play in. We have lots of plans to update the house over time and are excited to get started! We will be in our same ward and Natalie will be at the school with many of the kids in the ward and two of her cousins!

Family Room

Front view
Back view- we are going to get rid of the deck and hot tub so the kids have more room to play.
Back yard
Kitchen
Dining room- we are going to close this off and make it an office.

Natalie has been tagged

1. What is something mom always says to you?
"Natalie, clean up your room."
2. What makes mom happy?
"When I make my bed all by myself."
3. What makes mom sad?
"When I say you are mean."
4. How does mom make you laugh?
"Tickling you"
5. What was mom like as a child?
"You liked to go to school."
6. How old is your mom?
"Um, 59, no 29."
7. How tall is your mom?
"5 feet."
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
"Watch TV."
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
"Clean the house."
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
"Washing the dishes."
11. What is your mom really good at?
"Your really good at fixing hair." (I only wish!)
12. What is your mom not very good at?
"Your not really good at handling Cameron and Ella at the same time."
13. What does your mom do for her job?
"Work at Gymboree."
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
"Monte Cristos"
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
"When you clean the house."
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"Word girl."
17. What do you and your mom do together?
"My workbook."
18. How are you and your mom the same?
"We both have brown eyes and we have the same eyelashes."
19. How are you and your mom different?
"I don't have brown hair and you don't have blond hair."
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
"Because you always hold me like I was a baby."
We tag: Madelynn, Maddox, Cienna and Ruby

I love you!

This is a phrase that as a mother I love to hear from my children. I remember the first time Natalie said I love you. I called Eric at work and had her say 'I love you' over the phone. It has been fun watching Natalie learn to read and write. She will draw a picture and write I love you on it for me or Eric. I never thought that these words would leave me in shock and disbelief, but they did just that yesterday.

I took the girls to my presidency meeting yesterday the way I always do. Cameron stayed home with Rachel so I was thinking the meeting would be easier with me not having to chase him. Jeanne, the president, took the girls upstairs to watch cartoons. For a minute I thought I should go up and just make sure there was nothing for them (mostly Ella) to get into, but I decided not to worry about it. For a while things were fine and then Natalie comes downstairs, followed closely by Ella and says "Ella drew on the couch with marker!" I looked at Ella and said "Ella?!" Thinking oh no, please tell me she didn't do that. Ella says, "No, Natalie did." I am asking questions trying to get to story straight all the while apologizing to Jeanne. Then Natalie says "Ella did it, she wrote I love you." Well as soon as she said that I no longer had to question who the culprit was. Ella is three, and even though I think she is a very smart 3 year old, I know she can't write. As we are walking upstairs I am silently hoping that it is something really small in an obscure location, but all hopes would soon be dashed. There in the middle of the futon is written rather largely in black Sharpie, yes Sharpie, 'I love you". I couldn't believe it. I was so embarrassed and shocked! Why would she do this I kept asking her. I know that she felt bad but I still can't figure out what was in her mind. I am so glad that Jeanne is such a nice and understanding person. Not even for a second was she upset or show any signs of disapproval. Jeanne you are the best!