Diaper Math

This evening as we sat around the family room waiting for dinner to finish cooking we did a little diaper math.  I know…strange thing to do as a family…but it was fun and we had a good laugh over it.

Our family has used a lot of disposable diapers over the years. 

If you figure an average of five diapers a day (newborns use more and toddlers use less)
…For 365 and a quarter days per year
…For three years (some of our children used diapers for longer than this and some for less)
…Multiply that by the number of children in our family - that's 9 (we are including all of David's projected diaper use in our calculations)

You come up with a grand total of 49,309 diapers.  That's close to 50,000!!!

I'm sure glad that my husband doesn't mind changing diapers on occasion.  That would be a lot of diapers to change by myself.

If we stacked all the boxes of diapers (86 per box) on top of one another, they would be over 40 stories tall.

At an average of 2 minutes per diaper change (you get pretty fast at it), my husband and I together have spent about 68 days of our lives changing diapers.

Did you know that if you took 49,309 brand new, still folded Huggies diapers and laid them end to end they would cover 99 football fields?

And if we calculate, based on size 3 diapers, bought at Costco, with a coupon of course… (we did use today's prices)... we've spent a whopping 7,889 dollars of our hard earned money on diapers…and this doesn't include the costs involved with disposable diaper wipes!!

Do we wish that we'd used cloth diapers?  I can answer that in one word.  No!

I'm a Duck

Many years ago I attended a stake women's conference at which Alex Boyer spoke and sang.  I remember a funny description he gave of an LDS woman.  He said that they are like ducks…yes ducks.  On the surface they look like they are gliding serenely along the water, but underneath the surface they are paddling their little legs like crazy.

Today has been a duck day for me.  Jerry just got off work and took the boys to their basketball game.  He took the girls with him too to give me a break.  I nursed David and put him down for a short nap and now…I am breathing for what feels like the first time today.  I feel like I've been paddling and paddling and paddling to take care of everyone's needs.  I've tried to be "serene" on the surface, but definitely had a few less than serene moments. 
 
When I have days like this it is so good for me to remember this talk from April General Conference in 1997.  Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk entitled, "Because she is a Mother." 
He really seems to understand what mothers of young children feel…

"…with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island."

And he honestly appreciates all that the mothers of this world do.  He also gives us wonderful council as to how to better navigate our awesome responsibilities…

"The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work."

"...may I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, you are magnificent. You are doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you. He knows that your giving birth to a child does not immediately propel you into the circle of the omniscient. If you and your husband will strive to love God and live the gospel yourselves; if you will plead for that guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit promised to the faithful; if you will go to the temple to both make and claim the promises of the most sacred covenants a woman or man can make in this world; if you will show others, including your children, the same caring, compassionate, forgiving heart you want heaven to show you; if you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do."

So when you fall into bed at night, utterly exhausted, just know that you are doing it right!

Way To Be

Last night Jacob gave a great Family Home Evening Lesson based on a chapter in President Gordon B. Hinckley's book, "Way to Be."  He focused on the chapter entitled, Be Involved.  "What this chapter boils down to," he said, "Is the importance of work in our lives."  President Hinckley was a worker.  I've heard stories of how energetic he was and the crazy pace of his travels around the world, right up into his last years. 

President Hinckley tells us that work feeds us, clothes us, and gives us shelter.  But it gives us more than that.  He says that "work is the best antidote for worry, and the best medicine for despair." Way to Be, pg. 40.  Work brings light to our lives.  He says, "You have to stay on your feet and keep moving if you are going to have light in your life." Way to Be, pg. 38.  This reminded me of a display at our local planetarium.  There is a stationary bicycle hooked up to a generator which powers a light bulb.  In order to get the light bulb to turn on you must pedal.  The harder you pedal the brighter the bulb glows.  I need light in my life.  My husband and children need light in their lives.  And work is one way to feel that light.

By work I don't think President Hinckley is referring only to mowing the lawn, doing the laundry and cleaning toilets.  While I think these are priceless skills to teach our children, I think there is more to it than that.  Work includes creating through music and art and writing.  It includes service to neighbors and in our church.  It includes developing our talents in whatever area they may be.  It includes studying the scriptures, and great books of the ages.  It includes being the best mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt or uncle that we can be.

When we are willing to work hard, to put forth effort, in worthwhile pursuits, I believe the Lord can bless us and help us to accomplish amazing things.  He can help us to accomplish what others may not think possible.  He often requires sacrifice and effort on our part in order to bless us with what we desire.

In his lesson, Jacob related a personal experience from yesterday afternoon.  We recently were given some laying hens and a rooster from a friend.  On Sunday Olivia noticed that the rooster was limping and when she looked closer she could see that the band that the previous owner had put on his leg was cutting into his leg.  The leg had swollen and looked terribly painful.    Unfortunately we forgot about the problem until Monday.  Jacob went out to the coop to see if he could restrain the rooster and get the band off of his leg.  I asked Benjamin to help him but Jacob headed out on his own while Benjamin was getting ready.  He tried to catch the rooster with no luck.  Finally, he told us, he knelt down and said a prayer that the rooster would just come and lay down in front of him so that he could get the troublesome bit of metal off of his leg.  Meanwhile, Emily and I were saying a prayer of our own inside the house.  We really did not want this bird to die.  When Jacob finished his prayer he had a strong feeling, or answer, if you will.  He felt impressed that Heavenly Father could help him only if he would put forth some effort of his own.  He stood up and tried again to catch the rooster.  This time he was successful.  He was able to remove the band and now time will tell as to how our rooster heals.  He bore a simple testimony that the Lord can indeed bless us more when we are willing to work and do our part. 

Bedtime Lullabies

When Sophia was little, not even a year old, I got into the habit of singing to her every time I lay her down for a nap or at bedtime.  It was part of her sleepytime routine.  The song I always sang was "I am a Child of God."  I would sing just the first verse…but I would sing it twice.  If I ever forgot to sing, or tried to sing something different she was quick to let me know how she felt about it.  If she needed to nap or go to bed while being watched by siblings, they had to be instructed on the song ritual so that they could "do it right." 

She still loves to be sung to at bedtime.  I usually sing three or four songs before we have hugs and kisses goodnight.   But we have a larger repertoire to choose from than when she was younger. Some of her favorites right now are: I Like to Look for Rainbows, In the Leafy Treetops, and Silent Night (yes I know Christmas is over, but she still asks for it.)  Some nights she is very specific about which songs she wants.  She will tell me the songs, and in which order she wants them sung.  This past Christmastime, she wanted "the funny Christmas song" every single night.  (That was Stars were Gleaming…and I think she thought it was funny because I would always forget the words in the middle and would just start making them up.  All those rhyming words get tough for me..ah that singing, hear it ringing, earthward winging, Christmas bringing…)  Sometimes she says, "You choose Mom."  Some nights she sings along with me and sometimes she just listens. 

As she plays during the day, I hear her singing bits and pieces of the songs she hears so often.  She sings to her dolls and she sings in the car.

I love the hymns of our church and I love the Primary songs.  Hearing beautiful music, especially songs of the gospel, helps me to feel the spirit so quickly and so powerfully.  When I was a little girl I often became so touched by music that I heard, that I would cry. I did not know why I was crying, only that the sweetness of the sounds I heard made me cry.  At about age 4 I had a hard time with Primary.  I wanted to go, but would be reduced to tears as I sat in the chapel waiting for Primary to start. (This will date me, but this was back when Primary happened during the week.)  The soft prelude music brought feelings of reverence so strong, that my little 4 year old heart and mind were overwhelmed.  I did not realize at the time that I was feeling the spirit, but I know now that that is what it was.  I frequently feel that same welling up inside of me to this day when I hear beautiful music.

There is great council in the front of our hymnbook:

“Teach your children to love the hymns. Sing them on the Sabbath, in home evening, during scripture study, at prayer time. Sing as you work, as you play, and as you travel together. Sing hymns as lullabies to build faith and testimony in your young ones.”
-- “First Presidency Preface,” Hymns, 1985

If you've never explored the music resources on www.lds.org  you've got to try it.  Click on Resources, then go to Music.  You can listen to music, hear just the accompaniments, print sheet music, download music to your mp3 player… and much more.

Snuggles

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon just holding David.  He's been feverish and sick today.  I'm not saying that I'm glad that he's sick, but I really did enjoy just cuddling him.  He's getting so big and active and interested in his world that he isn't very interested in snuggling with Mom very often. He sits up, rolls all around the room, plays pattycake, gets up on his hands and knees…but not today. Today he nestled into my shoulder and slept off and on while I just enjoyed inhaling his amazing baby smell, mixed with the peppermint oil that I rubbed on his feet and the back of his neck to help bring down the fever. 

Teaching and Testimony Bearing

Olivia had some struggles today.  Nathan had some struggles as well.  Emily too.  Wow.  It was quite the emotional day around here.  But because of those struggles came really great teaching moments.  And I was able to bear testimony to my children of the power of the Atonement in our lives, and of the wonderful blessing of repentance.  We talked about the unconditional love of the Savior and of the safety, comfort, peace and love we can find in our families, even when we do make mistakes.  I am grateful for opportunities each day to teach my children gospel truths.  It strengthens me when I testify to them of my beliefs in the Savior and his love for us. 

Elder L. Tom Perry, one of the twelve apostles,  said in the April 2010 General Conference :

"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility. While other institutions, such as church and school, can assist parents to “train up a child in the way he [or she] should go” (Proverbs 22:6), ultimately this responsibility rests with parents. According to the great plan of happiness, it is parents who are entrusted with the care and development of our Heavenly Father’s children.

…The onslaught of wickedness against our children is at once more subtle and more brazen than it has ever been. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences."

Simple Snacks, Fun Names

A staple on our snack menu is the apple volcano.  I don't know why, but when you give a food a funny or fancy name, kids seem to think it is more fun to eat.  An apple volcano is simply an apple, cut in half and cored.  The "hole" or "crater" gets filled with lava (peanut butter) and then you sprinkle volcanic rocks (raisins) on the top. 

Another favorite is ants on a log.  The log is a stick of celery.  You fill this with peanut butter. (I've heard some people use cream cheese.)  The ants are raisins.  Sometimes we have "red ants on a log."  Red ants are simply, Craisins. 

Frozen grapes are also easy and the kids can prepare them all by themselves.  Wash the grapes and take them off the stems.  Then freeze them in a container, separating the layers with wax paper.  They are so good to eat…just like mini popsicles.

Here is a picture of another funny snack idea.  We went to a homeschool science fair years ago where each family was invited to bring a healthy snack to eat afterwards.  One creative little boy brought a snack I will never forget.  We still make them in our house today.  They were little, edible "flies."  They are made by sticking two pumpkin seeds into the sides of a raisin.  The seeds are the wings, and the raisin the body.  They really are quite a tasty combination.

What Makes Them Feel Loved?

On our front sidewalk are some interesting prints in the snow.  Alongside bootprints and shoeprints in a variety of sizes are one set of prints of some fairly good size bare feet.  You can see the toes quite clearly.  They are a symbol of love to me.  I guess that requires a little explanation. 

I was getting ready to head to the church for an activity and was quite loaded down between supplies and the baby and the diaper bag.  Jacob offered to carry the baby to the car for me.  He had no shoes right there by the door, but, knowing that I was running behind, he just grabbed the car seat and ran out to the van and loaded David for me.  That was love.  He often shows his love for me by helping me in little ways like this.  Thanks son.

I have a book called "The Five Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell.  In that book are outlined five ways that people show love, or like to receive love.  Different people seem to prefer different ways to give and receive love.  Some people feel loved when they hear encouraging words and verbal expressions of love.  Some people feel loved when they are given gifts.  Others feel loved when spending quality time with someone.  Some feel loved when they receive gifts.  Still, others enjoy physical expressions of love like hugs. 

This book has helped me better understand not only my children, but my husband, my parents, my extended family, and friends as well.  Sometimes how I want to be loved, is not how someone else shows love.  Sometimes the easiest way for me to show love is not what would make someone else feel the happiest. 

I feel loved when my husband and children do acts of service for me, no matter how small.  I tend to do the same to show my love for them.  But I have one child that loves gifts, another that craves hugs and sitting on my lap, others who need lots of time just to sit and talk one on one.  When I take the time to show love to my children and husband in the ways that they like best I see my relationships with them grow and deepen.  When I recognize the expressions of love given to me by them, in all their varieties, I feel more loved by them.  Children, and all people for that matter, behave better, work harder, and are more likely to reach their full potential when they feel loved.  The relationships we have with members of our family will extend into eternity.  We want to forge bonds of love that will extend into eternity as well.

President Thomas S. Monson said:

“What is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, ‘They do not love that do not show their love.’ We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.” (Ensign, August 2011)

Make Your Own Grapefruit Spoons

We were sitting down to dinner of homemade lentil soup and garlic bread.  I put my first bite in my mouth and……OUCH!!  What was that?  I felt like my spoon had bitten me.  This has been happening to me more and more.  It probably happens to others in the family as well, but so far, I haven't heard too many complaints. 

Like many families, we have a garbage disposal under our kitchen sink.  I'm originally from Canada so I still call it a "garborator" on occasion.  I enjoy having a garbage disposal, but it is not without its disadvantages.  As much as I try to keep utensils out of the drain, we occasionally turn on the disposal only to hear that horrible sound of our spoons being chewed up and turned into grapefruit spoons.  For those who've never used a grapefruit spoon, they look like a normal spoon, but a little more pointed and serrated on the ends to help you get out those stubborn pieces of grapefruit.  Our spoons don't end up anywhere near as useful on a grapefruit as the manufactured ones, but they sure do chew up the inside of your mouth.  We've only got a handful of spoons left in our silverware drawer that have not been affected in some small way by the garbage disposal.  I think it's time we invest in a few new spoons and get rid of our dangerous ones. 

This is just another one of those times in my life where I sit back and tell myself to enjoy these moments and times with lots of children at home.  Someday, there will be no little ones to leave spoons in the disposal, and no children to turn on the disposal without checking to make sure all is clear.  Maybe I'll miss those homemade grapefruit spoons…………..

Lifelong Love of Learning

The kids did some fun projects today.  Emily has been asking  me to help her learn to make homemade granola for a week.  Today we had some time and she measured and stirred to her hearts content.  She loves to bake and said, "You should let me do EVERYTHING every time you bake something!!"

Nathan came to me this morning and asked me about "that kind of art where they make a picture out of dots."  I asked him if he knew what that kind of art was called.  He did not, so he did some research and found out that it is called pointalism.  He found an example of a famous painting done this way and the name of the painter.  Then he set out to create his own work of "pointalism" art using markers.  He found out just how time consuming it is.  His creation is just about done and looks really nice. 

 

I love to learn and hope that I can instill that same lifelong love of learning in my children.  I encourage them when I notice things that they are interested in.  We get books from the library, supplies from the craft store, or find mentors in our community to help them learn more.  We read together, and find answers to questions on the Internet together.  Most of the time, I do not know the answers to my children's questions off the top of my head, but I can help them find the answers. 

For the Strength of Youth reminds us of the importance of learning and education in our lives:

"The Lord wants you to educate your mind and improve your skills and abilities.  Education will help you to be an influence for good in the world."

I love the emphasis that this puts on seeking learning not only for our own benefit.  It reminds us that learning and education will make us more able to serve others and make this world a better place.