Spotlight: Happy birthday Mandy!

I know that I've said this before but I really believe it! I truly had the best childhood ever!! My parents were great to us and tried hard to provide well and teach us right from wrong. They also taught us the importance of family. And showed us how to love one another. I have a younger brother who is serving a mission right now in Pennsylvania. (I am so proud of him) And I have 3 wonderful sisters. Growing up playing with them was magical. All the wonderful memories. Yesterday was my sister Mandy's Birthday. She is the third child. Right smack dab in the middle. That's right the "middle child". She handled it well though. Her real name is Amanda but we call her Mandy. I always thought her two names fit her so well. Because Amanda fit her responsible, independent, sophisticated side. She always seemed older then she really was. And people, I'm sure, would say it was because she had older sisters but I just think it was her. I think she was the first one to ever get a bank account at a young age and was happy to work for it. I was always impressed with that. And Mandy fit her fun, caring, easy going side. We always have so much fun when we are together. Even now. We could stay up all night eating, doing hair, playing games and laughing so hard, our sides would hurt by morning. She knows how to tell a good story and she always has one. She knows how to relate with everyone. And make them feel important and like a dear friend. Her best quality by far. She will do anything to help out and knows the exact amount of sympathy needed to comfort. ( I honestly think we can all do this well and I think we get it from mom! Love you Mom!) She is a protector. We have this in common. I remember when she was younger the bus driver that we had was being extremely mean to her and picking on her, making her cry. I remember letting that bus driver have it and ranting and raving about it to our mom. (I still get mad about that! Funny!) And just recently she was willing to pick a fight with someone who had been rude to me. That meant a lot. I know I could count on her for anything. She is beautiful! She is inspiring! And I long to be around her. I love you Sis!

I miss you Mandy!! I hope you have had a wonderful Birthday. You deserve it!

Happy Birthday!

I have to say I'm a little worried that I may have over did it with my last post. I have been frustrated with my 2 yr old lately and that may have come across a little to much through my words. I have received some anonymous comments that, dare I say, hurt me to think that they didn't get fully what I was trying to say about my sweet lil' Briggy. The first anonymous comment I deleted thinking that it would make me feel better. Unfortunately, it didn't. The comment was that I obviously am not beating him hard enough. And If they didn't have kids already this would have made them want to be sterile. I'm Paraphrasing. To this person who wants to remain anonymous, It is apparent to me that you don't know Brigham. Because If you did you would know how sweet and fun and adorable he is. When I was pregnant with him I became depressed knowing that I was pregnant and that it was, once again, a boy. I felt guilty for feeling this way but not enough to pull me out of it. It wasn't until he was born that I was taught the lesson the Lord wanted me to learn. He was born full of life. So happy and ready for anything and everything. Always smiling always giggling. Snuggling. Just happy and full of joy to be here. He hasn't changed. He still is full of life, Running like he's going to miss something. He is so happy to just discover and try everything that is in his path. He is so spirited. His personality is intoxicating. You just want to be around him and watch him be imaginative and watch him interact with people and things around him. He's so smart and he makes me laugh everyday. Even if he wasn't all these things I would think that he was cute enough because he is MY son. MY child. And all the messes in the world will never change that.

On to the next comment. Disciplining children isn't an easy thing and I think most parents can agree with that. Every child is different. Which means the way you discipline each child will be different. How I disciplined my other children when they got to this phase (and it is a phase) isn't necessarily the right thing for Brigham. But we will figure this out. It already has gotten better. But,It doesn't happen over night. And sometimes the hardest parts are just getting through it. I don't need Nanny 911 because I am VERY confident in myself and my parenting that I can handle it and get this under control. I don't have unruly children. They aren't bad seeds. They're not perfect but they are kids. It would be unfair to expect them to be. That's why I have to keep at it. And do the best I can. They are extremely Loved. And part of being a loving parent requires the discipline. I know this and do it on a daily bases. I will do whatever it takes to help my children be the best that they can be. And help them to become successful, loving parents of their own someday. The best examples of great parenting to me are my own parents. I was truly blessed to have a wonderful childhood. It wasn't because I was perfect. Or even because they were perfect, because they weren't. It was because I knew they cared and they showed that through love. Sometimes tough love. But love none the less. So I know how to deal with this. And then it will all be a distant memory. One that will make me laugh when I think about it or look at the pictures. There will be a day I will miss it. I already miss these days with my older ones. I wish I would have been better at expressing my feelings and keeping a journal to help me remember their little phases through this time.. It all goes by so fast.

At first I was really hurt by the comments. But now I'm gonna have to say I'm over it. This experience helped me to stop feeling sorry for myself. And realize what I already knew about this sweet boy. That I've just been blinded by the frustrations of life with THIS certain 2 yr old. But that I need to look at it more as a growing experience for the both of us. And in the end we would have become even closer.

Having said all that. I want to remind people that words do hurt. I blog because it is therapeutic for me. And to connect with friends and family. But reading mean things on my Blog is not fun obviously. And ruins it for me. I've noticed that this unkindness seems to be happening more and more ofen out there as I do the blog surfing thing. And I am really disappointed. We all seem to be adults and yet this act of rudeness is pretty immature if you ask me. Even my kids in elementary school are taught to follow the golden rule of: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Not a hard concept people. Didn't your mothers ever teach you; IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL Come on, Let's kept it friendly and fun.

BAD BRIGGY!

I don't know if you've noticed lately but I haven't been posting as often as I used to. There is an explanation for this. I have been preoccupied, you might say, with a certain 2 yr old that demands ALL of my attention. And if I don't give into his demands, I pay for it dearly. I know what your thinking. "It couldn't be that bad. Just look at that sweet little face and curly head charm." I know! I know! I fall for it too. Still don't believe me? Well, lucky for me I have proof. I do have to warn you that if your not already, you may want to sit down for this. I know I have to.

So most of the time when I go to do things on the computer, or finishing up a jewelry project, or take a shower, or in the other room cleaning up, or making dinner, or talking on the phone, or....., well you get the idea. When I'm not devoting all my time to him this is what I find.



Or this..................

OH, WAIT! There's more.

Also this................

Notice all the smiles in the pictures! Oh, that little stinker!


The photos do NOT give this mess justice. It took me over an hour to clean this mess up. I had to dump out the Lego's on to the floor and remove each small, little, "stupid" Lego out of the Grape Nuts cereal one at a time. Very annoying to say the least.

And on a daily bases you will see this...........

IT'S A GOOD THING HE'S SOOO CUTE!

YEP! A VERY GOOD THING!!!

NOTE: Sacrifices were made in the making of this post.

He will stop at nothing!

Pray for me! It's his only hope.

I wish my decision was that easy!

For about a month now, Layton has been coming home and talking a lot about the upcoming election and asking a lot of questions about the candidates. At their school they have been teaching them about the issues and the importance of voting. On election day, Nov. 4Th, the school held their own election. They set up the music room with different booths and ballots. They had red, white and blue balloons everywhere for decoration. each class would take their turn through out the day to go and cast their vote. And at the end of the day they would announce who THEY elected to be the next president.


When I went to pick them up Layton couldn't wait to tell me which one Northside voted for president. OK so this is our conversation in the car on the way home....................

Layton: Ok, you know that I voted for Obama, Right?

Mom: Yes, did he win?

Layton: No! John McCain did!

Mom: Really!! (that surprised me.)

Jaren: Yea, I voted for John McCain!

Layton: WHAT! WHY?

Mom: Hey Layton, he can vote for whoever he wants. It's his right.

Jaren:Yea, Layton. Leave me alone!

A pretty big pause and I was wondering why he voted for John McCain. And quietly (so Layton wouldn't hear) I asked Jaren..........

Mom: So why did you vote for McCain?

Jaren: Oh, because his first name starts with a J just like mine and his last name reminds me of candy. You know like candy cane?

Mom: (with a big smile on my face) Oh, yea, that makes sense. Good for you buddy!

Jaren: Thanks!

I am grateful that he made a vote based on those things. I shouldn't expect anything less from a 6 year old. I'm glad that he was taught the importance of voting but I just want him to be a kid and live a happy, unconfused life.

I had a really hard time this election. Even some tears of frustration were shed on which of the lesser evils to choose from. Now that I know who won, it hasn't brought me any comfort and I am still scared for the future. But I would have had just as many fears if John McCain was put in office. I was prayerful. And I didn't feel like I got a feeling either way. I'm not sure what that means but it is what it is. And a new beginning is upon us whether we like it or not. I love this country. I am proud to be an American. My heart over flows with pride.

IN GOD WE TRUST!

And that is what we all need to do right now.