We have a storybook in our home called "Caps for Sale" (author Esphyr Slobodkina.) It is about a peddler who sells caps. One day he lay down to take a nap under a tree. When he woke he discovered that his caps had been stolen by a band of mischievous monkeys. He tried everything to get them to give back his caps. He shook his finger at them and scolded them. Instead of giving him back the caps the monkeys just shook their fingers at him and scolded him right back. He shook both his fists at them and scolded. They just shook their fists and scolded just the same. He stamped his feet. The monkeys stamped their feet and still did not give the caps back. Finally in frustration, the peddler took the one remaining cap on his own head and threw it on the ground. Much to his surprise, each and every monkey took the cap off of his head and threw it on ground in just the same way. The peddler gathered his caps, stacked them up on his head, and went on his way.
I often call my children, especially the little ones, by funny little names. "Little monkey" is one of them. But truthfully, my children are actually a lot like the monkeys in the book. They are excellent copycats. Children learn a lot of things about the world and about relationships by emulating what they see around them. Sometimes we as parents teach our children more by what we do than by what we say or tell them to do. How often do you hear your child say something and think, "Where did she come up with that?" only to realize that you yourself often say the same thing.
When you have lots of children in your family, younger ones will also emulate the older ones - the good behaviors and speech as well as the not so good. I try to teach my children that they have a responsibility to make good choices in their walk and in their talk, as they have younger brothers and sisters that are always watching them, and copying them.
Here is something that happened the other day as told by one of our daughters in an email to her missionary brother, Kyle:
"So when we were doing family prayers I was on this little horse thing instead of kneeling down, and Sophia saw what I was doing and she wanted to do it so she got on her tricycle. Mom saw what I was doing and said quietly that the horse didn’t need to be part of family prayer and so I pushed away the horse and emiddietly (immediately - her spelling) after Sophia saw me do that she pushed hers away likewise. I didn’t realize ,but mom sure did. She right off said I was a good example. That made me feel so good inside. I now am really careful about how I act and what I do and say, because if I don’t my little sisters will still follow what I do and say. Once I started to act a little weird, and then Emily started to do what I did, and so it taught me a lesson, that I need to be careful of how I act. I can remember I always wanted to be like you boys (remember, she's writing this to her brother), and so I took off my shirt when I slept and everything…."
Our daughter learned that day just how powerful her own example can be to those around her.
President David O. McKay said,
"Example is the influence that emanates from one person and sponsors a similar response in another person. The power of example is probably the most common source of moral motivation, especially among children." (Gospel Ideals, p. 419)
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Gotta Love the Garbage Man
Twas the morning after Christmas
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse….
When out on the street
There arose such a clatter
We sprang from our beds.
We KNEW what was the matter….
Garbage day was the day after Christmas this year. We'd had a late night and were spending a little extra time in bed the next morning, when I heard that familiar rumbling. The garbage truck was coming up the street. "Oh no!! Honey, (I said to Jerry) is the garbage can out?" He didn't say a word but tore out of bed, threw on some clothes and bolted out the door. He was just in time to put our can, very full from Christmas, out in the street. Of all days of the year, this was one day we didn't want to miss getting our garbage can emptied.
I have a little bit of paranoia when it comes to garbage day. With two children in diapers, and nine people living under our roof right now, we fill our can to capacity every week. I frequently wake up in a panic about 2 am the night before the garbage truck comes and say, "Jerry! Are you awake? Did we get the garbage can out?" Sometimes I will hear the truck coming while I'm still in bed. I will jump out of bed so fast and look out the window to see if our can is out. Jerry is awesome at making sure the can gets put out. He often does it the night before. I really shouldn't worry about it. He's given me no reason to…BUT I DO.
I think I've transferred garbage day paranoia to some of my kids as well. I've noticed that on the rare occasions that Jerry is out of town, my big boys will hear that truck coming and jump out of bed or up from whatever they are doing, to check if the can has been put out. Actually, I don't think they are paranoid. They are just looking out for their paranoid mother. Thank you boys!!!
Since we are on the subject of garbage today, here's a cute poem that we've memorized as a family:
GARBAGE CAN HEAD (I don't know the author)
With garbage and junk
Our can is well fed,
And what we don't use
We throw out instead.
But what of the things that we've seen, heard, or said?
Oh, What can we do with a garbage can head?
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse….
When out on the street
There arose such a clatter
We sprang from our beds.
We KNEW what was the matter….
Garbage day was the day after Christmas this year. We'd had a late night and were spending a little extra time in bed the next morning, when I heard that familiar rumbling. The garbage truck was coming up the street. "Oh no!! Honey, (I said to Jerry) is the garbage can out?" He didn't say a word but tore out of bed, threw on some clothes and bolted out the door. He was just in time to put our can, very full from Christmas, out in the street. Of all days of the year, this was one day we didn't want to miss getting our garbage can emptied.
I have a little bit of paranoia when it comes to garbage day. With two children in diapers, and nine people living under our roof right now, we fill our can to capacity every week. I frequently wake up in a panic about 2 am the night before the garbage truck comes and say, "Jerry! Are you awake? Did we get the garbage can out?" Sometimes I will hear the truck coming while I'm still in bed. I will jump out of bed so fast and look out the window to see if our can is out. Jerry is awesome at making sure the can gets put out. He often does it the night before. I really shouldn't worry about it. He's given me no reason to…BUT I DO.
I think I've transferred garbage day paranoia to some of my kids as well. I've noticed that on the rare occasions that Jerry is out of town, my big boys will hear that truck coming and jump out of bed or up from whatever they are doing, to check if the can has been put out. Actually, I don't think they are paranoid. They are just looking out for their paranoid mother. Thank you boys!!!
Since we are on the subject of garbage today, here's a cute poem that we've memorized as a family:
GARBAGE CAN HEAD (I don't know the author)
With garbage and junk
Our can is well fed,
And what we don't use
We throw out instead.
But what of the things that we've seen, heard, or said?
Oh, What can we do with a garbage can head?
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Called to Serve..and Support
One of my callings in our ward is to play the organ for sacrament meeting. When I approached the organ this morning to play prelude I noticed a note sitting on the keys. It was not signed and simply said:
Thanks for the spirit that you bring with your music. You have no idea how much it adds. Remember that you do make a difference.
That little note made my day. Thank you to whoever took the time to do that small act.
In our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, all members take part in teaching and leading the ward (congregation). We do not choose in what organization or position we will serve, but we do what we are asked because we believe that every call to serve comes from the Lord. We do not choose how long we will serve in a given position. That too, we leave up to the Lord.
President Boyd K. Packer said in October 1997 General Conference:
"It is not in the proper spirit for us to decide where we will serve or where we will not. We serve where we are called. It does not matter what the calling may be."
We agree to sustain one another in our callings. That means that we help when we are asked. We give support in any way we can to one another. In our families, husbands and wives can support their spouses in callings, and children can support their parents in their callings.
My husband has a new calling that requires him to attend meetings early on Sunday mornings, before church. That leaves me at home to get everyone else ready on my own. I can't be late myself as I play piano for Relief Society the very first hour. We talked to the family when Jerry got this new call, and explained how we would have new opportunities to support both Mom and Dad in their callings.
This morning was their first chance to help out. The boys were up earlier than usual so that they could be ready in time to be helpful instead of only getting themselves ready. Olivia did the same. She took the responsibility for dressing Sophia. I got up a little earlier than usual and when all was said and done, we were actually on time for church. Our children also helped watch over one another during the first part of sacrament meeting while I was playing the organ. I'm not expecting that every week will go as smoothly as today…that's life right?...but I was grateful for the efforts of all our children today. I feel that it is a blessing for my children to have opportunities to offer real help and support to their Mom and Dad so that they can perform the callings that the Lord has issued them.
When we are set apart for callings we are promised blessings that will help us to magnify our callings. Whenever I have been set apart for a calling I always notice that I am blessed that I will be able to fulfill my calling as well as continue to take care of all the needs of my family. I have seen this blessing in my life.
Today was our ward Christmas program. One of the songs we were doing had a piano accompaniment that was somewhat difficult for me. I had hoped to have more time to practice than I actually ended up having. So far this December we've had quite a bit of illness in our house, and a Dad who's had to be out of town on business. I've had very little time to play the piano. I said a silent prayer this morning because I knew that I needed help to play the song. As I played I felt such clarity in my mind and coordination in my fingers, that I knew that I was being given Heavenly help. I have felt this kind of help before. Sometimes our callings challenge us, but I know that with the challenge, comes the help that we need to magnify our responsibilities.
President Ezra Taft Benson taught:
“There can be no failure in the work of the Lord when [we] do [our] best. We are but instruments; this is the Lord’s work. This is His Church, His gospel plan. These are His children we are working with. He will not permit us to fail if we do our part. He will magnify us even beyond our own talents and abilities when necessary. This I know. I am sure many of you have experienced it as I have. It is one of the sweetest experiences that can come to a human being” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 372).
Thanks for the spirit that you bring with your music. You have no idea how much it adds. Remember that you do make a difference.
That little note made my day. Thank you to whoever took the time to do that small act.
In our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, all members take part in teaching and leading the ward (congregation). We do not choose in what organization or position we will serve, but we do what we are asked because we believe that every call to serve comes from the Lord. We do not choose how long we will serve in a given position. That too, we leave up to the Lord.
President Boyd K. Packer said in October 1997 General Conference:
"It is not in the proper spirit for us to decide where we will serve or where we will not. We serve where we are called. It does not matter what the calling may be."
We agree to sustain one another in our callings. That means that we help when we are asked. We give support in any way we can to one another. In our families, husbands and wives can support their spouses in callings, and children can support their parents in their callings.
My husband has a new calling that requires him to attend meetings early on Sunday mornings, before church. That leaves me at home to get everyone else ready on my own. I can't be late myself as I play piano for Relief Society the very first hour. We talked to the family when Jerry got this new call, and explained how we would have new opportunities to support both Mom and Dad in their callings.
This morning was their first chance to help out. The boys were up earlier than usual so that they could be ready in time to be helpful instead of only getting themselves ready. Olivia did the same. She took the responsibility for dressing Sophia. I got up a little earlier than usual and when all was said and done, we were actually on time for church. Our children also helped watch over one another during the first part of sacrament meeting while I was playing the organ. I'm not expecting that every week will go as smoothly as today…that's life right?...but I was grateful for the efforts of all our children today. I feel that it is a blessing for my children to have opportunities to offer real help and support to their Mom and Dad so that they can perform the callings that the Lord has issued them.
When we are set apart for callings we are promised blessings that will help us to magnify our callings. Whenever I have been set apart for a calling I always notice that I am blessed that I will be able to fulfill my calling as well as continue to take care of all the needs of my family. I have seen this blessing in my life.
Today was our ward Christmas program. One of the songs we were doing had a piano accompaniment that was somewhat difficult for me. I had hoped to have more time to practice than I actually ended up having. So far this December we've had quite a bit of illness in our house, and a Dad who's had to be out of town on business. I've had very little time to play the piano. I said a silent prayer this morning because I knew that I needed help to play the song. As I played I felt such clarity in my mind and coordination in my fingers, that I knew that I was being given Heavenly help. I have felt this kind of help before. Sometimes our callings challenge us, but I know that with the challenge, comes the help that we need to magnify our responsibilities.
President Ezra Taft Benson taught:
“There can be no failure in the work of the Lord when [we] do [our] best. We are but instruments; this is the Lord’s work. This is His Church, His gospel plan. These are His children we are working with. He will not permit us to fail if we do our part. He will magnify us even beyond our own talents and abilities when necessary. This I know. I am sure many of you have experienced it as I have. It is one of the sweetest experiences that can come to a human being” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 372).
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Christmas Vacation
While today was not without its more mundane moments, (there were still dishes to do, laundry to fold, diapers to change and messes to clean up) it was also one of those days that I know I will remember when my children are grown and gone. It snowed last night and all day too. The kids played together in the snow and I held my baby and stood watching at the window for a long time. I loved seeing Jacob, 14, roll around in the snow and help the little girls build their snow forts. I loved seeing Nathan, 12, building his fort with his talented artistic eye. I loved watching Sophia trudging through snow past her knees and looking up into the sky with her mouth open. When she wasn't catching flakes on her tongue she was scooping the white stuff into her mouth with her hands. I loved watching Olivia, 10, and Emily, 6, scoop up armfuls of snow to build their forts, throw snowballs at each other, and of course at their big brothers, and dive over the giant piles of snow that the snowplow made next to our yard. I watched gratefully, as Benjamin, 17, shovelled our driveway and sidewalk. I'm sure there will be more to shovel in the morning, but the task won't be near so daunting because of his hard work today.
We drank warm apple juice spiced with cinnamon sticks and cloves with our lunch, then decided to make Christmas sugar cookies. The boys reminded me that we did not make them at all last year. I was still in the nauseous stage of pregnancy and we didn't do much baking at all last Christmas. In fact, we had hamburgers for Christmas dinner, cooked by DAD!! That was much easier on me than putting on a big dinner.
Sophia had a grand time frosting cookies…or should I say…cookie. She only frosted one cookie. Picture this. Spread some frosting, add some sprinkles, take a bite. Add some more frosting and sprinkles, then take another bite. More frosting, more sprinkles…you get the picture.
The little ones are in bed now and we are anxiously watching the weather to see what Benjamin will be facing as he drives to the airport to pick up Jerry. He's been on a business trip the last couple of days and will be home tonight. Olivia asked if she could stay up to see him but I told her that it would be much too late. "I will probably be asleep myself when he gets home," I told her, "But I will roll over in bed and give him a kiss when he comes in." Olivia replied, "I wish I could be there to see THAT!"
Not every day can be as lovely as today, but it's days like this that make me want to shout to the world, "I LOVE BEING A MOTHER!!"
Monday, December 16, 2013
100 Acts of Kindness
Months ago, in the summertime, our ward got a new bishop. One of the first things he did was to offer us as members of the ward, a challenge. He challenged each member to do 100 acts of kindness for our neighbors (those we know and those we don't) before the end of the year. Our family decided to accept this challenge and just last week, finished. It was a great experience. It wasn't easy, considering that many of our younger children needed help with many of their acts of service.
The members of our ward have always been amazing at helping and serving others. We have been the recipients of selfless service many times. But this challenge helped us all see service and kindness a little differently. I think we all put more of a priority on it. We noticed more often, little things that we could do to help. We noticed the little things that others were doing as well. As a mother, I think I was more aware of opportunities for my children to serve, and then I encouraged and supported them in their efforts to serve. Our family and our ward and our whole community have been blessed by the efforts put forth by everyone. I thought about our experience as I watched the Christmas Devotional last week. The message given by President Monson was the perfect "icing on the cake" to our last few months of service.
Here is a small excerpt from his talk:
"Our celebration of Christmas should be a reflection of the love and selflessness taught by the Savior. Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. We feel more kindly one to another. We reach out in love to help those less fortunate. Our hearts are softened. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things. To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.
Said President David O. McKay: “True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service."
That Christ spirit can be with us all year long. Serving together with our children brings our families closer together. Serving brings the spirit into our hearts and homes. Serving shows our love of the Lord. Serving blesses all those around us. Serving others is following the Savior's example.
The members of our ward have always been amazing at helping and serving others. We have been the recipients of selfless service many times. But this challenge helped us all see service and kindness a little differently. I think we all put more of a priority on it. We noticed more often, little things that we could do to help. We noticed the little things that others were doing as well. As a mother, I think I was more aware of opportunities for my children to serve, and then I encouraged and supported them in their efforts to serve. Our family and our ward and our whole community have been blessed by the efforts put forth by everyone. I thought about our experience as I watched the Christmas Devotional last week. The message given by President Monson was the perfect "icing on the cake" to our last few months of service.
Here is a small excerpt from his talk:
"Our celebration of Christmas should be a reflection of the love and selflessness taught by the Savior. Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. We feel more kindly one to another. We reach out in love to help those less fortunate. Our hearts are softened. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things. To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.
Said President David O. McKay: “True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service."
That Christ spirit can be with us all year long. Serving together with our children brings our families closer together. Serving brings the spirit into our hearts and homes. Serving shows our love of the Lord. Serving blesses all those around us. Serving others is following the Savior's example.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Green Smoothies
Many years ago I made my first green smoothie in my Vitamix. I used a couple of handfuls of spinach, 1 1/2 cups of orange juice, one orange and some ice. We loved it!!! I don't really enjoy just drinking plain orange juice, but I really enjoyed it this way. We made them occasionally, whenever we had spinach in the house, which was not all the time.
The fall of 2008 our family was heavily involved in a major musical which our stake was putting on. My husband wrote it and was also directing it. All the children (other than the baby at the time) were involved to one degree or another. I did not participate, but stayed home with the baby, and kept the house running, made sure everyone ate healthy food, got enough sleep, stayed clean and gave much needed support. I knew that it was very important for us to remain healthy that entire fall, and especially towards the end of October and through November for dress rehearsal and performances. Starting in September, I gave everyone Dr. Christopher's Anti Plague every single day. We also drank more and more green smoothies as the weeks went on. We found that we really really loved our green smoothies. We stayed healthy that entire fall…not a single cold or cough, no throwing up…nothing. I am sure that Heavenly Father blessed us, wanting our project to be a success. However, I also know that Heavenly Father wants us to do all we can as well. We did that. We did all we could to be healthy and then let him bless us.
Since then, green smoothies have become a staple in our home. We eat them for breakfast more days of the week than not, and sometimes even make them for lunch or to go with dinner.
I've learned a lot of things over the years that help me to make my green smoothies more interesting. We almost always add bananas to our smoothies. They add sweetness and creaminess and you really don't need any other added sweetener. My green drinks are now no longer always green. They range from deep purple to a sickly brown or swamp green, depending on the ingredients. I have also learned to experiment with lots of different greens - our favorites are spinach, cabbage (red or green), kale, collards and lettuce. I also learned that you can freeze your greens to use in your smoothies. I buy the huge Costco bags of spinach then freeze them in ziplocs. More often than not I just throw the whole bag straight from the store into the freezer. You can just break off chunks to blend up. When I find a sale on some of the other greens, I buy lots and freeze those too. I never have greens go slimy and bad in the fridge anymore now that I have learned to freeze them if I am not using them quickly enough. We grow a green smoothie garden filled with different varieties of lettuce, kale, spinach, collards and beets. We freeze as many as we can so that we don't have to buy greens again until the dead of winter. Even now we are still using greens that we froze earlier this fall.
We buy our bananas at Costco as well. They are typically cheaper than even the sale prices at our grocery stores. They laugh at us in the checkout line as we regularly buy 7-8 bunches at a time. Our whole family loves to eat bananas plain and with all the smoothies we make I try to buy enough that I can freeze some of them for times when I cannot get to Costco. The amazing thing is, I rarely can freeze more than a few. We eat them all before I get around to it. (To freeze the bananas I peel them and break them in half and freeze them in ziploc bags.) Another favorite ingredient at Costco is the Frozen Mixed Berries. They cover up any green taste in a smoothie very well - a bonus for those who are new to green drinks. We also use Costco's frozen blueberries, strawberries and mixed fruit. I did some price comparison on frozen fruit between Walmart and Costco. Costco won hands down. We also like to buy our grapes and mangoes at Costco. The Costco mangoes cost a little over a dollar apiece but they are always gigantic and guaranteed to taste good.
….Oh yes, another ingredient I always add to my green smoothies is flax seed. I use a couple of tablespoonfuls per blender container. Be sure to blend your drink thoroughly so you don't taste any grit. Be aware also, that when you add flax, you will want to drink your smoothie right away. If you don't, the flax will make the smoothie thicken and get a little gelatinous. I'm picky when it comes to textures in my food and I don't like the jelly-like consistency.
Here is our basic template for green smoothies:
1/2-1/3 blenderful of greens
2T flax seeds
2 bananas
Fill the rest of the blender with fruit
Water and or ice as needed. I usually add a cup to a cup and a half of water and don't need ice as some of my ingredients are usually frozen. A general rule is to use about 50% of the blender filled with greens, the other half with fruit.
Needless to say, we've gone from having green smoothies once in a while, to having them almost every day. We now always have greens in the house, in the fridge and in the freezer. If we don't have one for breakfast we'll make one (or two blenders full for our huge crew) for lunch. I've even been known to serve one with dinner when I didn't have time to cook. Scrambled eggs and lots of green smoothie is a nice easy dinner. Even Sophia loves "num" as she calls it. Occasionally when we have overindulged on a holiday or at a family party it is fun for me to hear my children say, "Mom - I think tomorrow all I want to eat is green smoothie and whole wheat bread." They are listening to their bodies. The sweets and treats were fun, but when it is all over and done, they want the good wholesome stuff to get their bodies back in shape.
The fall of 2008 our family was heavily involved in a major musical which our stake was putting on. My husband wrote it and was also directing it. All the children (other than the baby at the time) were involved to one degree or another. I did not participate, but stayed home with the baby, and kept the house running, made sure everyone ate healthy food, got enough sleep, stayed clean and gave much needed support. I knew that it was very important for us to remain healthy that entire fall, and especially towards the end of October and through November for dress rehearsal and performances. Starting in September, I gave everyone Dr. Christopher's Anti Plague every single day. We also drank more and more green smoothies as the weeks went on. We found that we really really loved our green smoothies. We stayed healthy that entire fall…not a single cold or cough, no throwing up…nothing. I am sure that Heavenly Father blessed us, wanting our project to be a success. However, I also know that Heavenly Father wants us to do all we can as well. We did that. We did all we could to be healthy and then let him bless us.
Since then, green smoothies have become a staple in our home. We eat them for breakfast more days of the week than not, and sometimes even make them for lunch or to go with dinner.
I've learned a lot of things over the years that help me to make my green smoothies more interesting. We almost always add bananas to our smoothies. They add sweetness and creaminess and you really don't need any other added sweetener. My green drinks are now no longer always green. They range from deep purple to a sickly brown or swamp green, depending on the ingredients. I have also learned to experiment with lots of different greens - our favorites are spinach, cabbage (red or green), kale, collards and lettuce. I also learned that you can freeze your greens to use in your smoothies. I buy the huge Costco bags of spinach then freeze them in ziplocs. More often than not I just throw the whole bag straight from the store into the freezer. You can just break off chunks to blend up. When I find a sale on some of the other greens, I buy lots and freeze those too. I never have greens go slimy and bad in the fridge anymore now that I have learned to freeze them if I am not using them quickly enough. We grow a green smoothie garden filled with different varieties of lettuce, kale, spinach, collards and beets. We freeze as many as we can so that we don't have to buy greens again until the dead of winter. Even now we are still using greens that we froze earlier this fall.
We buy our bananas at Costco as well. They are typically cheaper than even the sale prices at our grocery stores. They laugh at us in the checkout line as we regularly buy 7-8 bunches at a time. Our whole family loves to eat bananas plain and with all the smoothies we make I try to buy enough that I can freeze some of them for times when I cannot get to Costco. The amazing thing is, I rarely can freeze more than a few. We eat them all before I get around to it. (To freeze the bananas I peel them and break them in half and freeze them in ziploc bags.) Another favorite ingredient at Costco is the Frozen Mixed Berries. They cover up any green taste in a smoothie very well - a bonus for those who are new to green drinks. We also use Costco's frozen blueberries, strawberries and mixed fruit. I did some price comparison on frozen fruit between Walmart and Costco. Costco won hands down. We also like to buy our grapes and mangoes at Costco. The Costco mangoes cost a little over a dollar apiece but they are always gigantic and guaranteed to taste good.….Oh yes, another ingredient I always add to my green smoothies is flax seed. I use a couple of tablespoonfuls per blender container. Be sure to blend your drink thoroughly so you don't taste any grit. Be aware also, that when you add flax, you will want to drink your smoothie right away. If you don't, the flax will make the smoothie thicken and get a little gelatinous. I'm picky when it comes to textures in my food and I don't like the jelly-like consistency.
Here is our basic template for green smoothies:
1/2-1/3 blenderful of greens
2T flax seeds
2 bananas
Fill the rest of the blender with fruit
Water and or ice as needed. I usually add a cup to a cup and a half of water and don't need ice as some of my ingredients are usually frozen. A general rule is to use about 50% of the blender filled with greens, the other half with fruit.
Needless to say, we've gone from having green smoothies once in a while, to having them almost every day. We now always have greens in the house, in the fridge and in the freezer. If we don't have one for breakfast we'll make one (or two blenders full for our huge crew) for lunch. I've even been known to serve one with dinner when I didn't have time to cook. Scrambled eggs and lots of green smoothie is a nice easy dinner. Even Sophia loves "num" as she calls it. Occasionally when we have overindulged on a holiday or at a family party it is fun for me to hear my children say, "Mom - I think tomorrow all I want to eat is green smoothie and whole wheat bread." They are listening to their bodies. The sweets and treats were fun, but when it is all over and done, they want the good wholesome stuff to get their bodies back in shape.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Tried and True
Christmas is coming and parents are all shopping for surprises for their children. Over the years we've found that some toys are classics. Our children have played and played and played with them. Other toys are fun initially but eventually lose their appeal.
You don’t have space and money to buy every wonderful toy out there, but by choosing carefully you can ensure that your little ones have toys for playtime that will encourage them to learn and create and use their imaginations.
I put together a list of toys and materials that I feel have been the classics in our home over the years.
The Dress up Box –pretty dancing dresses, (especially ones that go out when you spin), old Halloween costumes, a few old things of Mom and Dads ( ties, shoes, hats), all kinds of pioneer costumes such as skirts and bonnets and aprons. I also keep some inexpensive face paints around. Children go through spurts where they are painted or dressed up almost every day.
Building Toys – for boys and girls – Lego, wooden blocks, Large Duplos ( I have found that it is better to choose one kind of building set or another and add to your collection occasionally, than to have smaller sets of many types of building toys.)
Dolls/Animals – really anything to “Play family” (including strollers, and baby beds often made with cardboard boxes.) My boys and girls alike love to play family. They incorporate "store" and "library" and "riding in an airplane" into their games
Cash Register - $40, solar powered. We bought ours years ago and it is still going strong. Every other year or so we restock the play money.
Kitchen and play food
Craft Supplies – We make a fun trip of restocking when school supplies go on sale. We walk through the craft and school supply section at Walmart and have a ball. These are also great birthday gifts and stocking stuffers. Besides the typical markers, glue etc. here are some other things to keep around. Cardboard boxes – all sizes – bigger is better for some kids, balloons, contact paper, popsicle sticks, duct tape, envelopes from junk mail, supplies for making their own books, homemade playdo, beading supplies, yarn, watercolors (don’t underestimate how young a child will like these – Emily began to paint at about 18months old)
Outdoor and active things – a sandbox, balls, bikes, scooters, frisbees, kites
Weapons – swords, rubber band guns, popsicle sticks and other supplies to make weapons
Tools – handsaws, hammers, nails, scrap wood
Science toys – magnifying glass, binoculars, magnets, Snap Circuits, Capsela, microscope,
Musical Instruments – old guitar, trombone, ukelele, recorders
Forts in the living room – need access to lots of blankets, heavy books and clothes pins
…..puzzles, yoyos, marbles, jacks, juggling balls, and long skinny balloons and a pump to make balloon animals are also lots of fun.
I would rather my children have a few toys that they really love and use every day, than a playroom full of toys that are just taking up space. We regularly go through our toys and find some that we are not using or have outgrown that we can give to someone else. My kids love the idea of blessing someone else with a toy that they no longer need. And our toy shelf is much easier to keep tidy and organized when there is not so much stuff.
You don’t have space and money to buy every wonderful toy out there, but by choosing carefully you can ensure that your little ones have toys for playtime that will encourage them to learn and create and use their imaginations.
I put together a list of toys and materials that I feel have been the classics in our home over the years.
The Dress up Box –pretty dancing dresses, (especially ones that go out when you spin), old Halloween costumes, a few old things of Mom and Dads ( ties, shoes, hats), all kinds of pioneer costumes such as skirts and bonnets and aprons. I also keep some inexpensive face paints around. Children go through spurts where they are painted or dressed up almost every day.
Building Toys – for boys and girls – Lego, wooden blocks, Large Duplos ( I have found that it is better to choose one kind of building set or another and add to your collection occasionally, than to have smaller sets of many types of building toys.)
Dolls/Animals – really anything to “Play family” (including strollers, and baby beds often made with cardboard boxes.) My boys and girls alike love to play family. They incorporate "store" and "library" and "riding in an airplane" into their games
Cash Register - $40, solar powered. We bought ours years ago and it is still going strong. Every other year or so we restock the play money.
Kitchen and play food
Craft Supplies – We make a fun trip of restocking when school supplies go on sale. We walk through the craft and school supply section at Walmart and have a ball. These are also great birthday gifts and stocking stuffers. Besides the typical markers, glue etc. here are some other things to keep around. Cardboard boxes – all sizes – bigger is better for some kids, balloons, contact paper, popsicle sticks, duct tape, envelopes from junk mail, supplies for making their own books, homemade playdo, beading supplies, yarn, watercolors (don’t underestimate how young a child will like these – Emily began to paint at about 18months old)
Outdoor and active things – a sandbox, balls, bikes, scooters, frisbees, kites
Weapons – swords, rubber band guns, popsicle sticks and other supplies to make weapons
Tools – handsaws, hammers, nails, scrap wood
Science toys – magnifying glass, binoculars, magnets, Snap Circuits, Capsela, microscope,
Musical Instruments – old guitar, trombone, ukelele, recorders
Forts in the living room – need access to lots of blankets, heavy books and clothes pins
…..puzzles, yoyos, marbles, jacks, juggling balls, and long skinny balloons and a pump to make balloon animals are also lots of fun.
I would rather my children have a few toys that they really love and use every day, than a playroom full of toys that are just taking up space. We regularly go through our toys and find some that we are not using or have outgrown that we can give to someone else. My kids love the idea of blessing someone else with a toy that they no longer need. And our toy shelf is much easier to keep tidy and organized when there is not so much stuff.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Feast Upon the Words of Christ
….Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:3
Obviously, David is taking this scripture too literally!!
I am so grateful though for books of scripture. The words of prophets and of Jesus Christ himself, recorded in these holy books can teach us all things. They can help us with our everyday problems. They can help us to feel the spirit of the Lord. As a mother I often feel physically, emotionally and mentally drained from caring for my family. Reading the scriptures every day, even if it is only a few verses, helps me to "fill my bucket" back up again, so that I can have the strength to continue on with this marvelous work of raising a family with my husband…a work that is so important and so precious and dear to me.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Tired Mama
Having children equals sleep deprivation. Jerry and I joke that we have been sleep deprived for 21 years. I remember when Brandon was a newborn, the absolute exhaustion, as we experienced, for the first time in our lives, the effects of waking up every few hours all night long to care for a little person. When Brandon was only a few weeks old, we saw exactly how tired we were one night. Brandon had wakened to nurse and I asked Jerry if he wouldn't mind changing his diaper for me. He said, "Sure," and left the room with the baby. He came back very quickly and I was impressed with his diaper changing speed. I commented on it and he said groggily, "Well, I just put a new diaper over the other one." That is sheer "tiredness" for you.
Last night I had a similar experience. Jerry is away on a business trip, I have a cold, Sophia has been sick and not sleeping well, and David is cutting teeth and not sleeping well himself. I was pretty exhausted last night and getting up every couple of hours with one child or another was not helping. I went in to David at one point, nursed him and then realized he needed a diaper change. I quickly began changing him without turning on the light so he would not be roused too much. When I began to put on the diaper I realized that the tabs were faulty. They were opening on the wrong side. Instead of wanting to wrap around the front of the diaper, they wanted to wrap around the back. I've had faulty diapers before. In fact, once I bought a package of diapers where every single diaper was missing the velcro like fastening. So, instead of getting out another diaper I just twisted the tabs and fastened the diaper in front then put the baby back to bed. Not even an hour later I was wakened by his crying again. I went sleepily into his room only to find his jammies and all his blankets sopping wet. He had peed right through everything. I yanked everything out of his bed, pulled a huge pile of baby blankets down on top of my head trying to get the snuggly ones from the bottom of the pile on the closet shelf, remade his bed, changed his diaper and jammies, nursed him again because he was not going to settle without it, and finally made my way back to bed.
The next morning I was cleaning up and taking blankets down to be laundered when I noticed the diaper from the night before sitting on the bed where I had left it. And guess what I also noticed? The diaper was folded up inside out. That explained everything. I had, in my totally numb and tired state, put the diaper on with the nice absorbent layer on the outside. So much for faulty tabs. No wonder the diaper hadn't been able to hold anything. I had to laugh!!!
Last night I had a similar experience. Jerry is away on a business trip, I have a cold, Sophia has been sick and not sleeping well, and David is cutting teeth and not sleeping well himself. I was pretty exhausted last night and getting up every couple of hours with one child or another was not helping. I went in to David at one point, nursed him and then realized he needed a diaper change. I quickly began changing him without turning on the light so he would not be roused too much. When I began to put on the diaper I realized that the tabs were faulty. They were opening on the wrong side. Instead of wanting to wrap around the front of the diaper, they wanted to wrap around the back. I've had faulty diapers before. In fact, once I bought a package of diapers where every single diaper was missing the velcro like fastening. So, instead of getting out another diaper I just twisted the tabs and fastened the diaper in front then put the baby back to bed. Not even an hour later I was wakened by his crying again. I went sleepily into his room only to find his jammies and all his blankets sopping wet. He had peed right through everything. I yanked everything out of his bed, pulled a huge pile of baby blankets down on top of my head trying to get the snuggly ones from the bottom of the pile on the closet shelf, remade his bed, changed his diaper and jammies, nursed him again because he was not going to settle without it, and finally made my way back to bed.
The next morning I was cleaning up and taking blankets down to be laundered when I noticed the diaper from the night before sitting on the bed where I had left it. And guess what I also noticed? The diaper was folded up inside out. That explained everything. I had, in my totally numb and tired state, put the diaper on with the nice absorbent layer on the outside. So much for faulty tabs. No wonder the diaper hadn't been able to hold anything. I had to laugh!!!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Missionary Brothers
Today I was thinking about my son Kyle who is on a mission. He's been out 8 months now. When our oldest, Brandon, was on his mission in Uganda, every Monday was like Christmas. We would wake up and immediately check our email. When we were getting up, he was winding down for the evening of his weekly p-day. He'd already done his laundry, shopped at the market and emailed his family from an Internet café. For families of missionaries, those weekly emails are the biggest treat every single week. It makes you feel close though an ocean may separate you. I can't imagine what it was like for families "in the old days" when you had to send paper letters, and your missionary sent paper letters in return. Your news could be weeks old before it was read. Or the letter may never have even reached its destination. We are truly spoiled.
For the last 12 weeks though, Kyle (serving in England) has been in an area where the missionaries use the library to email their families…and the library is closed on Mondays. So Monday has not been the special day that we are used to. Instead, the missionaries have to squeeze in their emailing on Tuesday, Wednesday, or occasionally even on Thursday, in between other missionary daily activities. That has been hard!! But the fact that I think waiting an extra day or two is hard shows you how truly spoiled we are.
The nice thing about it is that occasionally, like today, I squeeze in an extra email to him. I was thinking about our son and his experiences in his mission. When I opened up my Book of Mormon to read tonight I came across a couple of verses that were exactly what I needed to say to Kyle. I sent him a quick email with those verses. I am grateful for the technology that allows me to "mother" my son so far away. I can, with the click of a button, send him love, advice and fun family news, and he will receive it without having to wait at all.
We've made it a family tradition that we all email our missionaries on Sunday each week. Every member of the family sends something, even if it is only a few lines. Obviously, the baby doesn't write, but he does send a recent picture occasionally, so his big brother can see how he's grown. I love it that our missionaries take the time to respond to their siblings individually, even if it is brief. It keeps them connected with their brothers and sisters while they are apart.
Sophia was born only 5 weeks before Brandon left on his mission. She was not even 2 when Kyle left on his mission. And yet she heard about Brandon, saw pictures of Brandon, and heard us pray for her brother Brandon, from the time she was tiny. When he returned home it didn't take long for her to bond with her big brother. She already was old enough to notice Kyle's absence when he left on his mission. But when we talk about her family, she always includes her brother Kyle, and every prayer of hers includes the phrase.."please bless Kyle on a mission." I know that through emails and pictures, she will continue that bond with yet another missionary brother.
For the last 12 weeks though, Kyle (serving in England) has been in an area where the missionaries use the library to email their families…and the library is closed on Mondays. So Monday has not been the special day that we are used to. Instead, the missionaries have to squeeze in their emailing on Tuesday, Wednesday, or occasionally even on Thursday, in between other missionary daily activities. That has been hard!! But the fact that I think waiting an extra day or two is hard shows you how truly spoiled we are.
The nice thing about it is that occasionally, like today, I squeeze in an extra email to him. I was thinking about our son and his experiences in his mission. When I opened up my Book of Mormon to read tonight I came across a couple of verses that were exactly what I needed to say to Kyle. I sent him a quick email with those verses. I am grateful for the technology that allows me to "mother" my son so far away. I can, with the click of a button, send him love, advice and fun family news, and he will receive it without having to wait at all.
We've made it a family tradition that we all email our missionaries on Sunday each week. Every member of the family sends something, even if it is only a few lines. Obviously, the baby doesn't write, but he does send a recent picture occasionally, so his big brother can see how he's grown. I love it that our missionaries take the time to respond to their siblings individually, even if it is brief. It keeps them connected with their brothers and sisters while they are apart.
Sophia was born only 5 weeks before Brandon left on his mission. She was not even 2 when Kyle left on his mission. And yet she heard about Brandon, saw pictures of Brandon, and heard us pray for her brother Brandon, from the time she was tiny. When he returned home it didn't take long for her to bond with her big brother. She already was old enough to notice Kyle's absence when he left on his mission. But when we talk about her family, she always includes her brother Kyle, and every prayer of hers includes the phrase.."please bless Kyle on a mission." I know that through emails and pictures, she will continue that bond with yet another missionary brother.
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