The Family is of God

Our Father has a family.
It's me.
It's you.
All others, too, we are His children.

He sent each one of us to earth, through birth
To live and learn here in families.

God gave us families.
To help us become what He wants us to be.
This is how he shares His love.
For the family is of God.

I can't stop looking at this picture.  Ashley did a beautiful job.  I feel the Spirit so strongly whenever I look at this, and I know that my family is of God.  Things aren't easy right now, but we know He is aware of us and has a plan for us.

I have a blue-striped Reader!!

First of all, Cameron earned his blue stripe!  Next up is blue belt.  The form for this belt is pretty intricate.  But he already learned half of it last night.  Smarty pants.

Yesterday, Sam brought over a few Magic Treehouse books that he was finished with.  Cameron does a good job reading, he has really taken off with it this year.  But he doesn't seem to enjoy it.  He'll never go look at books just for fun.  But last night he started reading the Magic Treehouse books in bed, and he stayed up reading 2 chapters.  This morning, I found him reading the next chapter.  He is doing it!!!  I'm so excited and proud of him.  I hope he keeps it up!  I love having a reader!!!!!

Claire didn't want to go to sleep last night, so I let her snuggle with her brother for awhile.

It must Be Spring!

I can't believe we're in our SIXTH Spring here in the Village.

I can always tell when it rolls around because a few things never change:

1. We spent NO less than 6 hours a day outside.
2. We are all fried.
3. My house is a disaster (since I have/get to be outside with them).
4. We eat a lot of cold cereal (since I don't want to drag the kids inside to cook).
5. Baths.  Lots and LOTS of baths.
6. My kids sleep like rocks.
7. The tulips and daffodils are so beautiful that I can hardly stand it.
8. I get to plow through lots and lots of books (since I get/have to be outside all day).

Must be Spring!!

 Someone thought dirt was tasty today...

But she doesn't want her picture taken!

All clean!!!

Happy Easter 2013

Ooops...we've NEVER dyed Easter eggs with our kids before!  We just figured they were young and it would be messy and they didn't care or know what they were missing.  Plus, none of my kids will eat hard-boiled eggs.

Anyway, but this year, we did it, and I think it was a great year to start this tradition!  It was fun!

By the way, Roo and I are covered in Hello Kitty tattoos.  We're hardcore.  I bought her a 50-pack on my trip, and she won't stop putting them on.  One time I was asleep on the recliner and woke up to her putting one on my leg!

Happy Easter!!

Cam woke up sick this morning, so I had to stay home with him for Easter Dinner with Nate's family.  :(  Kind of a bummer.  Both kids have Spring Break this coming week, so we'll see how that goes!!  I'm glad they fall on the same week.  We'll probably spend some time in Salem.  Nate got off work on Saturday for General Conference.  Can't wait!!

The Easter Bunny brought pajamas for Claire and Cam, and some nail polish for Allie.  Cameron painted our nails for us.  ;)

I hate pictures of myself SO much, but here is me and Roo for Church.  Nate stayed home with Cam and Claire.  It was fun hanging out with Roo, she's such a sweetheart!

Pink Converse

My friend, Sarah, gave me these pink Converse when Roo was little.  She only wore them for a few weeks since they grow like crazy at this age, but man, were they CUTE!!

Busted them out for Miss Claire today.  Couldn't wait to get those pink Converse on another little girlie!

Sisters, Books, Love

During Claire's little photo shoot, she was being shy, so we had Roo come over and help her relax.  I love these girlies!  Such sweet sisters!  If I would have known, I would have fixed Roo's hair and put them in coordinating outfits, but then again, I love how this picture shows Roo comforting little Claire.

So I have a few more book recommendations for you:

1. Dancing on Broken Glass
This was an emotional book!!  It deals with some very real, serious issues (mental illness, abortion, cancer).  I thought it was very well-written, and the story was so good.  I cried at the ending, and books rarely make me cry!  I'd love to hear any of your thoughts if and when you read this!

2. The Forgotten Garden
I'm not finished with this one yet, but I am enjoying it so much!  It's not my usual type of genre that I enjoy, but maybe it should be!  I don't usually like books that hop around with time & setting (Dancing on Broken Glass did this too), but neither book bothered me this time with that.

So...it's Valentine's Day!  Nate and I never really do much because we prefer to focus on our Anniversary instead.  But the kidders are excited to take Valentines to their friends and classmates.  Hope you all have a great Lovers Day!

A little comparison

Roo's hair at 17 months old:

Claire's hair at 17 months old:

Oh well.  What can you do?  :)

Christmas Cheer

It's Christmas Eve!  We are enjoying spending time together as a family. I am SO excited to give the kids their gifts, I can hardly stand it!  Have a very Merry Christmas!

Lately

Lately...

I ran 9 miles yesterday.  It was insanely long, and I was really happy when it was over.  I had a bloody toenail, and I could barely walk afterwards.  But I. DID. IT.  I feel awesome.  Only 4 more miles to a half!  I can do this!!

The "get along" shirt.  The height different sort of ruined this, but it was HILARIOUS.  And it worked:  We told them if they would give each other a kiss and say I love you, then they could take it off. 

She's just cute.  That's all.

 

 

Someday I'll have a nice Christmas tree with color-coordinated gorgeous decor.  But for now, we get Spiderman and old milk.  I love being a mom!

 

I finished reading the Book of Mormon, so now I can slow down a bit on that and get back to reading novels again.  I just finished "Girl of the Limberlost", and it was really good!  Some of the most romantic quotes ever in that book!  I used to watch that movie when I was little, but I didn't remember anything about it.  I had NO idea it was a love story, too.  Now I'm reading "The Anniversary Waltz" and trying to finish up our book club book.  I love cozy Winter reading!!

Trick or Treat!

Here is the obligatory Halloween blog post!  The kids were so adorable.  Like last year, we went across the street to the rich neighborhood and scored some yummy candy!  We're going to be eating that for months!  We went with Ashley and Robert, and they all looked cute in their matching costumes.  I have never really gotten into dressing up as an adult, but maybe next year!  Nate wore his Letterman jacket and pretended he was a teenager.  Yep, we're pretty exciting.  I LOVED watching my 3 babies trick-or-treat.  They were so happy.

Happy Halloween 2012 from Batman, Robin, and Claire Bug!