I can't do it! I cannot let it happen! I can't let another month go with only one post. How am I getting so lazy and behind on my posts?! I have been re-energized though and am going to do better. I did FHE on journals tonight. Brian tried to leave the room, his excuse being that he was watching Charlotte, but he needed this lesson just as much as the kids did! I talked on the importance of journal writing, or just documenting, be it through photos, writings, blogs, etc. I told the kids that my mind isn't the strongest and if I hadn't written in my journals, I wouldn't have half the memories from growing up, or them growing up. I had a few of my journals out, our blog books, their journals that I write in and a Father's journal I gave to Brian. I pulled out the Father one that I gave to Brian about 6 years ago and said to the kids, " how many stories do you think are in here about your Dad?' I kind of flipped through the book excitedly and then announced, "none". Both Caroline and Isabelle's excited expressions turned so sad. I thought Caroline was seriously going to cry, so I fed off it and said, " wouldn't it be terrible if Daddy died tomorrow and you didn't know any stories about him growing up?". Brian was laughing of course, knowing that was all directed at him and told them, " just ask Grandma and GrandChud". Elizabeth told me to stop saying that because I also used that one on her this morning when she was using a very rude tone at me. I said, " boy I sure hope I don't die today and you end up feeling guilty for the way you treated me the last time you saw me." She got mad at said, "don't say that Mom!". I laugh thinking about it but I guess it probably isn't the best way to encourage kind tones. Anyway, I talked about how important journals are to me and my pictures. I got emotional as I told them that when we were moving the only 2 things I cared about being in the car with us and not on the truck were our journals and pictures. They are true treasures to me. Irreplaceable! So..... now I've got to update our family going-ons.
So Cooper turned 5. Yep! The big 5! I called a gal I met in the ward who is amazing at cake decorating and asked her to help me make a cake for his birthday. He said he wanted a Mario cake since he's been totally into Marion Kart on the Wii. She came over with the cake made and frosted and Mario, the wheel and some of the little decorations already made. They had to dry in time, so she did that earlier and then she showed me different things as we rolled out the fondant to cover the cake and then I did all the little squares around the base and made a few little mushrooms and different pieces. It was fun. The kids came and watched some and really wanted to get involved, but it was bedtime. Sarah, my friend, let them cut some shapes out and let them eat some of the fondant and left some for the next morning.
We didn't let Cooper see it and hid it under a box. The next morning I was finishing up his birthday video and looked and saw Bella had the wheel in her hands. It too was hiding under the box, but she found it and I ran over there to save it before she broke it, only to find out that she had taken 3 bites out of it!!!!
I was so mad, of course, but luckily there was some left over white so I
patched it up best I could. I don't know that anyone else noticed, and
it was just a small piece of the cake, so it turned out okay. She was
pretty upset and did apologize later. She just thought it tasted too
good to pass up I guess.
Well Cooper did like the cake. I was hoping for a bigger reaction, but he said, "where's Bowser?". Of course he let me know he liked it, but I was hoping for screams and what not, although I didn't think it'd really happen.
Other happenings..... absolutely beautiful weather! It's been a mild winter and early spring. I have to think that part of that is Heavenly Father blessing me because I absolutely hate winter and being in a new place cooped up for months and months is not easy. So I am thankful and we try to get out as much as we can. Amazing that the house can still get so messy so quickly! The kids have been wanting the trampoline up since we got here, so we finally put it up last week and surprisingly they are playing on it a ton! Seems to be a hot thing right now. They've had this boy Josh from down the street come play with them. He's 1 year older than Liz and there's been a little crush going on there and it's funny to watch and hear. Am I really getting this old?! On Saturday, after our "treasure hunt" from the Leprechaun, Brian played duck duck goose on the tramp with them. They love having him play with them. Fun way to play the game. You can't run, you have to jump to catch them. They were running here though.
I've started playing in a vball league and that's fun. Only had 1 game so far. I got called into the cub scouts and do that each Wednesday. Brian got called to be the choir director along with his calling of teacher for the 10-11 year olds.
The kids are doing well. I keep getting frustrated with lack of respect, barking at them to do chores, home work and piano, little fights, unkind words, etc. I keep looking for ways to improve things things and keep praying we'll have more kindness in our home but it is hard! I can't help but think Satan is trying extra hard with our little kids because they are so awesome. We'll win though! We just keep trying and trying and praying and praying. Guess that's basically all we can do. I love my family! I've been noticing how quickly Charlotte is growing and it makes me sad. I'm pretty sure she's our last one and I've been feeling sad a little about it lately. I love my babies and she's nearly a toddler. I mean look at this one. Her hair is getting long, her facial features are changing and she's getting older.
She's been so fun. Her favorite place to be lately is the dryer.
She's got such a big grin. I love it! I love my kiddos.. Big and small. I've been aware of all the kids getting bigger. I keep thinking about Elizabeth getting so much older and aware. I remember being her age. It's scary. I see how people say it goes by fast, and treasure those moments, and I get that. I will miss them being small because I love so much about it and as soon as they get older, they're going to be gone so much more to various things, and then just gone. Makes me sad to think about, so I just won't. Well, that's about it for now.
