Another Big Day

Saturday we spent the afternoon at the zoo. It was a cool day and at times it seemed cold. But we made the best of it. The new Carousal was open so Grandma and J took a ride.
Here is our zoo crew for the day. You see below J, Grandpa, Grandma, Melissa, Charlie, Jen, James, Jakub, and John.
After the zoo, we went to a Coming to America Party for Nicki. She finally got her green card after 8 years of hard work. This is a very exciting time. We are hoping citizenship will not take another 8 years. Nicki was born in England and my dad met her family while he was serving a mission in London almost 30 years ago.
On the way back to Idaho it was raining and we saw this beautiful rainbow. I took this picture out the window of the car going 75 miles per hour.

The Big Six

It is now 9:19pm as I start this post. Six years ago at this time on June 4th I had been a 1st time mom for 31 minutes. Ever since that time I have heard people say, "Enjoy it because it will go fast." That has proved to be true in my life. It is hard to believe how much growth and development takes place in those first few precious years. I am reminded of the talk that Elder M. Russell Ballard gave in Conference...."the early years in a child's life, represents less than one-tenth of a parent's normal life. It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the help of the Lord, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes." Am I doing enough? I could do better!



J's Birthday Celebration started on Monday with a trip to Logan with "Close Grandma" (AKA Grandma Sparrow). She let him pick out anything he wanted for his birthday present. He went straight to the Lego's and picked out Indiana Jones. That afternoon when the twins were napping we started putting the traps together. It ended up being a project for J and Dad to finish as a FHE activity. For months now we having been planning a swim party for the birthday party. Well as most of you know that live in this area, it was only 57 for a high today. So we had to change our plans to an indoor party. We ended up going to the Fun Park in N. Logan. It was a fun day. J loved arcade games and bowling. Blake came with the kids- Tanner, Rylie and Camden. They spent most of the afternoon skating. Megan stayed home with Baby Wyatt to rest. She needs it after the c-section less than a week ago. They gave J a Lego Helicopter with Police stickers. That will be tomorrows "Lego Work." (that is what J calls it when we are building things.) Scott and Paige came up with their three kids-Mason, Kazzie and Evan. They went bowling with J and had a great time.
After the day of fun we had a get together at home. Last week when we asked J who he would like to come to a cook out on his birthday he said he would like to invite Bishop and Barbara Krogue and Ron and Mern Palmer. Those are a few of are neighbors that have been so good to us and specifically J since we moved in. So we had both sets of Grandparents, Karen, Brandon, Taylor and some neighbors for hamburgers, cake and ice cream.
J made a killing with all the presents here is the list.
From:
"Close Crapa"- a Harmonica (because he always want to play his and never puts it away)
Below is a picture of J with Ron. Ron said J could come over anytime to play for him and I am going to remember that.
"Faraway Grandma and Crapa" - 2 Transformers
Karen, Brandon and Taylor - Water Gun
Ron and Mern - Slip and Slide
Bishop, Barbara and Jaron Krogue - Hand held video game, watch, and Air Hockey
Mom and Dad - Trampoline
Here is the Transformer Cake. Pictured here is Ron again, his wife Mern, and Jaron Krogue.
I don't know how we could have survived his last year....... with J in and out of testing and then the removal of the kidney......twins going from infants to destructive toddlers.....without good people to help out I would have been lost. I am so blessed. I believe it does take a village to raise a child and we live in a great village.

Being a parent is a great challenge and reward. I hope I can make the best of each moment and not get to overwhelmed with all the STUFF that gets in the way.

Tree Anyone?

I just can't take the Dirt anymore.......Today will be last time.......


Let me give you the background on this tree. When my Grandma Sparrow died 11 years ago this tree was given to my parents in a small basket. My Aunt Ina had it for several years then my mom kept it in her home until it was touching the ceiling. When we moved into our house mom handed it down to me. I have been cleaning up dirt ever since the boys learned to pull them- selves up. Last week I moved it to the corner of the living room but it just hits the ceiling there. It is not happy. Today when the 4 little hands went in the dirt again, I had had enough.

The tree is now hanging out on the front porch. I will have to cut it in pieces and put it in the garbage when J is sleeping, because he is not happy with me for taking it out of the house. You can't see the tears in this picture but they are there.

Kindergarten Program

Well we made it! Kindergarten is over. It has been a bitter-sweet experience for all of us. As a mother I am happy J passed kindergarten and is moving on to 1st grade. I just hope he can get over his frustration with reading. I will miss having the bus pick him up everyday and not having to worry about him annoying the neighbors for a few hours.
James has started signing more...........there was a baby sitting behind us at the Program and James was very excited about it. Ever since seeing Baby Lucy a few weeks ago he has had a fascination with babies.



Jakub is usually clinging to me. He is such a mama's boy. I got a little brake from him at the program because Grandma Mills AKA "far-away grandma" came up from Clinton for the afternoon.

I sure do love my 4 guys.

When everyone is dressed and ready for church.......there is peace in our house for a moment.
James and Jakub love to play outside.....
When I make them come in for naps they punish me by playing in the dirt. I am determined to get ride of the tree. I hate cleaning up the mess.
On Saturday we went to Clinton to celebrate Mothers Day with the Mills Family. J was excited to hold his new cousin Baby Lucy. It is hard to believe that twins were smaller that that just a year ago. I am feeling a bit baby hungry (for a girl). I need some pink in this house.

Cousins

My brother Scott and Paige are on a much needed vacation. The Army has paid from them to go to a weekend Marriage Convention. They are not looking forward to the classes but hey....for a free trip we would all endure about anything to get away from the kids. So my mom picked up the kids yesterday in Layton. They stayed at her house overnight. Karen brought them to me on her way to work. So the kids are with me while everyone else is working. I am so glad I am home to play with them.

The twins were still sleeping when I got lunch ready for the kids. It is a bit cold out side only about 35, but the kids still wanted a picnic. So here they are in the garage. J, Kaz, Mason, and Evan having hot dogs, cheerios, fruit snacks, and Capri Sun drinks and served on paper plates. The clean up was easy!

Now J is off to school, the babies are up now and have eaten their lunch. Are you surprised I am sitting here posting on my blog? My too. The kids are all playing so well. And I need to quite trying to clean up when they leave a room because they just come back. I will clean up later when Grandma picks them up to take them home and my kids are in bed.

I am so blessed.

When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; names them one by one , And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by. When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold. Count your many blessings, money cannot buy, Your reward in heaven nor your home on high. So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your blessings; See what God hath done. Count your blessings; Names them one by one. Count your many blessings; See what God hath done. James E. Faust said "One of the evils of our time is taking for granted
so many of the things we enjoy. This was spoken of by the Lord: 'For
what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive
not the gift?' (D&C 88:33). The Apostle Paul described our day to
Timothy when he wrote that in the last days 'men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy' (2 Tim. 3:2). These sins are fellow
travelers, and ingratitude makes one susceptible to all of them."

John just left this morning for training in California. He will not be home until Saturday. This week my goal is to count my blessings. It would be to easy for me to sit home and feel sorry for myself because John is gone. I can't imagine what my sister-in-law Paige went through when my brother Scott was in Iraq for a whole year. My week is so minuscule.