Memory Books

I've really been slacking with scrapbooks lately. so I have decided to buckle down and make some more digital scrapbooks. I think it is so important to, not only have the pictures to remember, but also to write about the times and experiences. Some ideas I have for books to do is; 'Before I was your Mother/Father', Brent's mission book, a baby book for both Porter and Mason, a family yearbook (one for each year) and a wedding book. I've only done this one ('A Love Story') so far, which is a the story write up of, well...OUR love story. it was so easy, about the cost of a normal scrapbook (when you include the book, print pictures, embellishments, tools, paper) and it wasn't so messy, esp with kids! All the write up was from Brent's, fairy tale version, of our meeting and dating, of which he used to propose. It was a whole day of fun, I was flown to Flagstaff, in a private plane, taken to NAU, where we met and he did a 30 min show for me. It was an incredible event that I wanted my children to know and see. Porter has a couple from MamaZelle (my mom), of him (a 'counting with Porter' book and a puppet book that has the history of our puppets and us performing) That he just LOVES!!! It's just so cool to see your pictures in a bound 'real' book!

My Wonder Woman

My mom's life if full of helping others and giving of herself. They are traits I admire and am so grateful for, as one of her 10 children. Who knew one woman could fulfill the needs of so many other people. Whether it's helping with homework, sewing a prom dress, assembling a slide show or music, running kids around, keeping up on all the memories, (by making over 50 scrapbooks and digital scrapbooks) throwing puppet shows together, (along with practices, booking, music, ventriloquist acts, choreography, etc) staying up late to chat, getting up early for scriptures study, fulfilling various callings in church, babysitting grandchildren, giving advice, cutting hair, sewing her beautiful quilts, spending time with and loving each of us, throwing parties, teaching us how to cook, cooking herself, learning new things, going to doctor after doctor, working for dad, endlessly cleaning, attending practices, shows, sports events, . Come on, Wonder Woman herself did not accomplish as much in a 24 hour period. She is truly the epitome of a domestic engineer. What a wonderful example to the rest of us.

All of us kids decided it was time to give a little back to mom. Not only is it time, but she is now in need of some time for herself. We are hopeful that she can focus a little more on her needs. Camille and I decided one of the best ways we could help was go through the house, room by room, to organize and de-clutter. We have been at it for a few months now and feel we are making some good progress. Jenny, Michelle, Lynette, and Heidi have really helped by babysitting so we can focus on the work. Everyone else helps any way they can. We have now done the kitchen, family room, younger girls room, boys room, game area, wash/sewing room, downstairs family room, craft area, some of the office and a little in the older girls room. Here are a few before and after pictures, it's fun to see the difference.

Craft cupboard before

and after...

Craft Desk during

and after...

the Pantry Before...

After...

The Kitchen after

Younger girls room before

and after...

I have oddly enough found a new joy in all this work. Maybe it's that I can throw a ton of stuff away and it's not mine, maybe its seeing the drastic change, maybe its my love for organization or that I can put a smile on my moms face, I don't know... I do know that I have really loved making a difference and seeing the progress though.

Porter goes Potty!!

I am such a proud mom right now. I have been dragging my feet and dreading the potty training stage. Fortunately it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I set aside a week that I would be home...ALL Week. That was tough but we did it. Then I prepared mentally to be positive and encouraging. I read some on the subject and talked to a quite a few other moms on their experiences. We made a plan and followed it, providing consistency and ground rules.

Winter Wonderland

We got to go to Greer as a family just after Christmas. We left Thursday morning for our nice drive up. When we got to Show Low we decided to go to Walmart to get some snow boots for Mason and I. We had a wonderful surprise at the checkout as we ran into Bridget and Bridget Flake. My family has been family friends to them for years and they moved up there a few years ago. She immediately invited us to their home and let us crash all sorts of fun! We got to their beautiful home took a walk on the icy Lake, played DDR, the Wii and then they invited us to stay in the other house they have, they usually rent out. It was beautiful! We then went back over to their home for dinner, games and kyaking in the icy lake and hot chocolate! We were up quite late and the kids were worn out but we sure had fun! Porter spentseveral hours on a car toy, of course. It was battery operated and sent 3 cars round and round, just mezmorized him. He couldn't hardly keep him eyes open but tried hard to just so he could watch those cars. We went home and the next day had a great time. Tom and David came over in the morning and drove their quad around in the coral next to the home. We spent ALL day out in the snow playing around. Mason wasn't too sure abou his snow suit though. It was so big and padded (by the way it was Brent's snow suit when he was a kid) that he felt too constricted and got pretty whinny. He did like eating the snow but he could only do so much of that. We decided we

Porter's most recent Obsessions

Porter's FAVORITE thing to do lately is tying things together to make trains! It is hilarious! He'll get his bike and jump rope and tie as many things as he possibly can to it. So his bike, or his tractor, will be tied to his red wagon, which will be tied to a..... and a kitchen chair will somehow be attatched....dragging along! SO FUNNY!

FUN day! Thanks to dad!

Dad surprised us with tickets to a fun play place! The boys had SO MUCH FUN!!!! Thanks Daddy!!

Snackrament

We were in Sacrament the other day and Mason was wanting his snacks (I think they are getting too old for snacks at church but when do you stop?)

Mason: Can I have my snack now?

Me: Remember we have to wait till after the sacrament:

Mason: Oh we have to wait for SNACKrament?

Porter was telling us though how the bread MAKES us remember Jesus (something I always try to remind him during sacrament) The otherday however we got to church late and missed the Bread so didn't take the water when they offered it. When we went to sit down in the chapel Porter was mad that he didn't get the water and said "I wanted to drink that water so I could remember Jesus"