Life lessons taught by children

Last week Don received his Christmas present. A 2005 silver Land Rover. And I, of course, got my present a month ago so we wanted to try them both out. We decided to take a little trip to one of our favorite places, Hot Springs AR. It was a perfect destination. An hour and 1/2 away and a beautiful place to take pictures. I had heard that they had trees lite up in the park so I was excited to try it out. The kids like going there because I think, to them, it's a fun place that we go as a family. There really isn't much for them to do there but walk around. But I wasn't concerned about them. They would find some fun. And lets face it...... This was about me and the photo shot I was imagining in my head.

After we parked the "new ride" and headed out to find something to eat it was clear to me that this wasn't going to be the night I envisioned. The boys were CRAZY! We even had a couple walking past us laugh sympathetically while giving us a good luck before exiting our lives forever. That is never a good sign. Nobody wanted to pose for pictures. And nobody wanted to listen. Don was getting frustrated with them and I was getting frustrated with my camera. I'm still trying to figure out low light or night photo taking. Don, I think, was convinced that I was doing it wrong and thought he would have a crack at it. but same results with even more frustration added. Well, I thought we just have to keep trying, but I think this was getting old for Don and he was starting to wrap it up so to speak. And I'm leaving pretty disappointed thinking, out of ALL the pictures I took I don't even have one that I am excited about. And it didn't fit the expectations for the evening events.

We left around 10:00 and I couldn't wait to see if I had at least one good picture that was worth all the yelling and crying and frustration for the night. What I saw when I pulled them out to edit was amazing to me. The night that I had remembered was not the night that I had captured. The running, the jumping, the playing around with each other. The laughing, the smiling. The happy children. And all I could think of was "Where was I?" When I looked back on the night I realized the yelling was from the parents. And the crying was because of the parents. And the frustration was not present on the faces of my kids. But on the faces of us, the parents. So who needs to learn a lesson? That's right, The parents! And even though I still never found that perfect picture, I will treasure these photos forever. Because their life is to short to always try to make it perfect. It's never perfect! And it NEVER WILL be perfect. So take this little life lesson taught by children and apply it to your life. And I promise, you will not regret it!

In this series all I wanted was to get a cute store front picture with them all smiling, of course. But they were having to much fun playing with there hats and just being silly to pay attention. This is were the couple passed us with their words of encouragement. AS IF WE NEED IT! RIGHT BOYS?!!!


OK, a bit of a warning: There are a lot of pictures. I just couldn't stop myself. I guess there were more pictures that I liked then I thought.

Go Figure!!!

I think I was saying "Please just stand still and look at the camera!" Just wasted effort. But look how happy they are. Me? Not so much.

Brotherly love. It melts my heart!

That would have been perfect if it wasn't blurry darn it.

This is were the Parents were being not so good Parents. And look how unhappy they are. Man, a picture never lies.

Boys are so funny. They see a big rock in front of them and they just have to climb. They all wanted too. And Brig especially. He never wants to be left out. Layton and Jaren made it up on there own and daddy helped the other two. Mommy was on the ground barking orders on where to sit and how to stand and really being nervous about the whole thing. Don acted like I was being silly but I was just sure something was going to happen. Boys will be boys. And apparently they don't grow out of it :)

I will be missing the blogger world for a few weeks. I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday. And I hope you remember to enjoy it. This is my motto for the new year. I don't want to be left out of the fun any longer. Life can be crazy but what's wrong with crazy. As long as nobody gets hurt and everybody is happy, I'm all for it. Crazy is the new sane. WOW! I like that!

Merry Christmas Everybody!!

Merry Christmas to me!!!

I have a new best friend. She makes me so happy!!! My husband is a sweet wonderful man and he introduced us. He knew that I was looking for some one like this and he was so kind to help me find her. We met about a month ago. And I just can't stop thinking about her. We have been spending a lot of time together. And a lot of time with my kids. I love what she does for my kids. How she makes them smile and light up. I love the way we seem to be just perfect for each other. And that she understands me. She gets what I'm trying to do and makes it even better. I have to admit she is a bit hard to read and I really haven't totally figured her out yet but I think that's part of the excitement for me. I love the way she feels and how she fits in my hands perfectly. And the beautiful sound she makes is a rhythmic beat that excites my soul. CLICK, CLICK! CLICK, CLICK!

Meet Nikon.

Isn't she beautiful?! We do wonderful things together. The life that we capture is beautiful and fun and I'm addicted. These are some of my favorite times that we have spent together.

And this is just the beginning!!!

Turkey Bowl

It was held the morning of Thanksgiving and this was actually Dons first time going since he has always been gone. Layton also got to go and he was very excited. I got a babysitter for the other boys and went to cheer them on and, Well who am I kidding, I went there to try out my brand NEW camera(more on that later). It was fun to see them play. Even though they really didn't have that much fun during the game, (Both of them never got the ball. It got too competitive with some players and it ruined it for everyone else) They still found time to enjoy each other and the game they both love. I got some great pictures of the two of them. I love the smiles on both their faces. Father/son time is so important. I'm glad they will always have football to bond over. Notice their OSU attire. You can't guess who our favorite team is can you? Oh, I love my Buckeyes!! Especially these two!!!

GO BUCKS!!!

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.