Spring Break

We awoke this morning to frost on the ground, and so I feel obligated to post pictures of our spring break - when the days were long and warm and carefree. We spent the first few days at home, but mostly outside. I snuck in a few learning activities without anyone really noticing(even though the kindergartner was certain he was on spring break, and the 2nd grader refused to work on her horrid handwriting). And we were lazy. We slept late, played long and ate delicious ripe strawberries and blueberries constantly. The weather was fabulous and we sported bare feet in the green grass out back. It was so enjoyable. Spring break really does come at the best possible moment... when spring is springing and we are all in need of a "break"! It was divine. When we thought we couldn't possibly have any more fun, we packed up the car and headed over to Mr. Man's brother's new house where they were hosting other cousins as well and enjoyed several days of family fun. With 10 cousins under one roof, where the oldest two are eight and the youngest three under two, it was quite a time! Our big outings were to an ice cream factory, my nephew's kindergarten performance and ice skating... other than that the trampoline out back and the wii were the main forms of entertainment! They kids had so much fun and it was great to sit back and watch them re-forming that cousin kindling. Upon our return with laundry and unpacking to keep us busy, we have had a hard time all week getting up on time and sticking to our regular schedule! But despite the adaptions, spring break was soooooo worthwhile!

Of course we didn't take a single picture of all ten cousins together... but that just means we have a good excuse to all get together again. Thanks guys for a great time!

On our Way

…Speaking of homosexuality, this was in all honesty our conversation on our walk home from bringing Miss J to school this morning:

E: “Mom, why can’t brothers really marry sisters? Cause there’s nobody left for Miss J and I to marry except each other.”
M: “Maybe when we move you’ll find a nice girl to marry, and Miss J will find a nice boy. You have plenty of time.”
T: “But you have to find someone who goes to our church too, so that you can get married in the temple.”
E: “Yeah, and it has to be a girl. Boys can only marry girls.”
T: “I’m going to find a littler girl than me to marry. I want to be bigger than her and older too.”
M: “Just like Daddy is bigger and older than me?”
T: “Yeah. When you were one, he was three. And when you were four he was six!”
E: “Boys can’t marry boys, and girls can’t marry girls.”
M: “Why not?”
E: “Because then they can’t have babies.”
M: “Why not?”
T: “Because you need an egg from a Mommy and a sperm from a Daddy.”
M: “That’s right.”
E: “And if two boys married, you’d have two Daddies and no Mommy, and then there would be nobody to tell you what to do; no Mommy!”
T: “No Mommy?!”
E: “Yeah. You better marry a girl.”
T: “A righteous one.”

Thoughts on Censorship

I’ve been sort of muddling through some of my thoughts on this topic lately. And this is me sorting out some of those thoughts, online, for all to read and, ahem, censor. First, I think you should know that we are the proud owners of a “filthy filter” otherwise known as a tv guardian which has different levels of censorship that can be applied to tv and movies that are watched in our home. Basically it reads the closed captioning and filters out any of the chosen levels of filthy words, muting the sound and changing the closed captioning to read something more appropriate and “clean”. For instance, on our home screen, nobody has or talks about sex, but they do have a lot of “hugs”. I haven’t figured out all of the swapped words, but it’s nice not to have to hear any vulgarity in our home. Helps make it more of a heaven. There are certain books I have read and love but don’t want in my home so that I can feel safe knowing my children or friends could pick up any book on my shelf, and be neither offended nor damage their souls in the reading process. However, my tolerance and acceptance levels have changed drastically over the years, as has been recently shoved in my face, and I no longer feel capable of recommending a book or movie without being judged or having to give an explanation for the merits of said artistry.

Those in one of the book groups I attend may not believe me when I admit to having been an incredibly prude and discretionary reader in my early English major years. I was the student who wrote letters to the professor and withstood arguments begging to change the books we were “forced to read”. I didn’t want to read anything that made me “uncomfortable” nor could a swear word, and especially the f-bomb ever enter my brain. I have some vivid pictures of scenes that I made a huge fuss about and books I refused to read. I can hear some of these professors telling me to open my mind and allow myself to be made uncomfortable for the sake of literature and of broadening my horizons. I was adamant. I don’t know how or when or what piece of literature changed that. I am slightly embarrassed when I think that the class in which I made the most fuss was a young adult literature class, and at BYU as well. How bad could it have been? But I do believe that you have to do what you feel is best for you. And I also know that you change and what is best for you may change as well. We should be open to that.

Now when I read books, I can look past a lot. I read the Twilight series, which was horribly written, but was an enchanting story, and I can also look past immense homosexuality in The Hours for the sake of brilliant intertwining of art and literature. I’m realizing that the “gray” area can be incredibly broad for some and then entirely non-existent for others. One person’s right and wrong can be poles apart from another’s. And that’s okay. But I can also see the point my professors’ made much earlier in my deciphering of censorship, that if you don’t immerse yourself in something that makes you a bit uncomfortable, there is no way to truly discuss it. The Bible is a fabulous example of this. Change and growth, realization and acceptance can come, as can disgust and rejection. But you first have to take a thank you bite.

My thoughts. Feel free to censure.

Taking an "online" break...

it's almost spring break after all!

The Spring Thing

The weather has been temptingly beautiful. We've spent wayyyyyy too much time outside ignoring our indoor duties. Mr. Man even sported a beautiful bright red sunburn from our weekend adventure (though I am still pasty white). I really need to pack away the winter gear and pull out the summer hats and such, but I'm afraid to jinx the weather by doing so.

Yesterday was unusually gorgeous, and so we planned to hit the park the minute Miss J and Little E returned from school. I think the entire town had the same idea, and slowly all of our friends gathered for a fun, relaxing afternoon. Because we had "planned" our park outing, and knowing we would want to stay for consistently "five more minutes"... I planned ahead with a crock pot meal and we returned home to soup simmering and rolls rising. It's a beautiful thing. Funny how we typically think of crock pots as a winter meal plan... but I've been noticing how handy they are during the early spring, when you still want soups and heavier dishes, but want to be outside (not preparing dinner in a hot kitchen). We'll be flying kites with friends on Thursday and will have dinner waiting for us upon our return once again. I love it.

Soup from yesterday: Cheesy Broccoli Soup

(a recipe from my sister-in-law, is the kids' absolute most favourite soup, and all the ingredients can be bought at your local Aldis - should you have one nearby)

tall carton/jug of half&half

2 pkg. frozen broccoli

1 15oz?) bottle cheeze wiz

2 cans cream of celery soup

I usually put it all in on high around lunch time, stir and turn down to low after an hour and we eat between 5:30 and 6:00. Easy and delicious!

What are some of your favourite crock pot recipes?

Man Crush

I don't recall how old I was (maybe 6?), but I do remember quite clearly that he was tall, dark and handsome. My first crush was easily 25-30 years my senior, and also happened to be married to my Mom's good friend (which was such heartbreaking news at my tender age). When my parents took the week long trek to Washington DC to spend some alone time together and worship in our temple there, I got to stay at his house. We took walks together after dinner, with his whole family of course... his children trailing behind on bikes. I felt spoiled when he was called to be in the bishopric and sat up front for me to gaze at during our church worship service. It was a wonderful dream and a beautiful first crush. I had him MC at my wedding reception, just to make the irony of it all complete.

My second crush was, thankfully, only a few years older than me... and was occasionally our babysitter and also my best friend's big brother. I spent hours at his home (hanging out with my best friend playing barbies). Sleepovers were safe and trendy back then and I would awake many a morning to eat breakfast with him at the table (that, I believe seated 12!) At any rate, one morning I descended to hear my best friend telling her brother how much I loved him. I blushed at least six shades of red and then rebutted, "Of course I love him. It's a commandment to love everyone." Thank heavens for religious indoctrination. I wrote or carved (I can't quite remember) I LOVE JEREMY on the wall by our basement railing, and after we moved out and friends moved in to our old home, I again had my crush thrown in my face.

And yet we can't stop teasing our eight year old daughter about her little crushes. It's so cute and yet so funny. There's the boy from school who moved away months ago that she still writes I HEART about... and then there are the two boys in primary that she can't stop looking at (and it's obvious, since they sit right behind her). And more recently there is the MAN CRUSH. This one I haven't confronted her on, it's just too sweet and sincere. And.... I remember. He too is tall, dark and handsome, and when he subbed for her primary class she couldn't stop staring at him. When he moved over to interrupt a squabble, she scooted next to him. When he laughed, she laughed. And she was acting so mature, trying so hard... a few of us observing were in awe at the transparency of her crush.

Romantic that I am, I still can't get over that I really truly got to marry my favourite crush of all time. The boy I fell in love with when I was only ten years old. The little boy who kicked my chair in primary and then flooded my dreams and desires for years. The boy I composed songs about, the boy I dreamed of while shelf-reading for hours on end at my library job - dreaming that he would appear and end the monotony. The boy who I fell hopelessly in love with while writing him on his mission and only hoped and prayed that he would feel the same. For some incomprehensible reason, he did. And I am eternally grateful. I feel so spoiled to still have such a great crush on such a great man.

Finding His Wings

My little boy just got back from his Five Year Old Trip: a trip each of my kids are spoiled with by a very special Grandma. Mr. T had his surgery shortly after his fifth birthday, and so we had put off his trip till after his recovery. He has more than recovered, but Grandma thought it may be best to wait until little brother turned five and do both of them together (since Little E is such a homebody, we weren't sure we could get him to go without his brother). With Mr. T's birthday approaching, his Five Year Old Trip was all he could talk about. And he wanted it ALL BY HIMSELF... which is really the purpose of said trip anyways. Mr. Man has several upcoming business trips to the "Grandma" area, and so I suggested they fly together and just get this special trip in before he's a six year old. For once I was heeded, and the trip took place. Of course I have no pictures of the great adventures his trip entailed: from build-a-bear to building with legos all day long... but Mr. Man did capture the plane adventure (which is ALL Mr. T can talk about now and is also why we are having an impromptu space theme at our house!)

Needless to say, he was scared... as he is extremely afraid of heights.

Nervous, just waiting for the airport shuttle.
Look at his hands... so scared. There goes his cute little suitcase.

That face! Oh... an now they've stripped him clean too!

Not so worried anymore!

Army gummies can definitely make any day.
"Here's my ticket and passport, I'll keep the gummies."

A NICE window seat. (Later he will be thrilled at flying and love seeing the cars looking like match cars, the itty bitty houses and flying above the clouds!)

The co-pilot let him up into the cockpit. My little guy can ramble on forever about everything he saw up there. "There are buttons anywhere and everywhere... on the ceiling, on the floor... and there are maps too, computer maps... and a steering wheel.............."

Enjoying the ride after all.

***Memory: My first flight was when I was 17 and went on a trip with a friend. I was soooooo nervous as well. And when I got off the flight I was waiting for my legs to feel like jello and was surprised they felt like sturdy land legs... as that's what I thought "jet leg" was!!!

Playlist

Since I'm sort of into being a safe blogger while staying public, I thought I'd pass along another safety infraction I've discovered recently. Some of you may realize that my blog no longer sports that great song that has become my theme song. The playlist I used changed their style, and with it decided to post my "username" at the top of the playlist on my blog. This meant that both my first and last name were now in full view. I've noticed this on several of your blogs as well. So you may want to create a new, unidentifiable, username, or remove your playlist. (Since I'm lazy, that's what I did for now.) Just trying to keep us all safe!

Family History

We're having a family history Sunday. It sort of happened by accident. I was cold and so I pulled out one of my favourite old sweaters that my Opa gave me and used to belong to him. Of course I had to tell some stories of him to Miss J and Little E (he died when I was pregnant with Little E). Miss J was enthralled and has been calling extended family members all afternoon gathering more great stories about him for her journal. Then she wanted to read my journals from when I was her age, so we pulled out my HUGE rubbermaid box of personal history. Little E was pretty bored with this part and utterly disappointed that there weren't any toys that I saved from my childhood... though he was happy to look through some of Mr. Man's cub scout memorabilia.

We've been looking through photos, old report cards and odds and ends. When I saw this questionaire that somebody did on facebook, I decided it fit with our "theme" for the day.
The initial answers belong to four year old Little E, and then eight year old Miss J.

Kids say the darndest things
Ask your kids the following questions, you'll be surprised at what answers you get.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you.
Mostly everything.

2. What makes mom happy?
When we do our morning charts without being asked.
Doing what we’re supposed to do.

3. What makes mom sad?
I don’t know.
Being disobedient.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
She tickles me.
When she says something funny or does something silly.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
I don’t know. Grandma was her Mom and they played games?
Well she had blonde hair, she said she had horrible haircuts and probably green eyes.

6. How old is your mom?
2.
28.

7. How tall is your mom?
Bigger than us.
I have no clue.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Work.
Play games with us.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Make cookies or stuff.
Probably a date with Daddy or go to a wedding or somewhere.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Because she's happy.
Singing in “American Idol”.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Art.
Kissing Daddy.

12. What is your mom not very good at?Drawing pictures.
I don’t know. (said after much thought)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Work.
She stays home with the kids.

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Lasagna.
Mud pie – with worms.

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
When she plays with me.
When she does something right.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Annakin… so she gets dead.
Winnie the Pooh… just kidding… Belle (if she just had brown hair).

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Make cookies.
Make cookies.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We’re never the same; we’re different.
We have green eyes.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Jesus made us that way.
We wear different clothes.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because she loves me because I’m in her family.
Because I just know.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
When he plays sword fight with me.
She thinks he’s cute.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
To the market.
Her Mom’s house.