Sweet Words

As I was putting on makeup the other morning, and chatting with Ivy, I just couldn't stop myself from kissing her with delight.

I said: "I'm so glad you're my child! Who else's child are you?"

Ivy said: "Jesus'?"

I said: "Well . . . who else's?"

Ivy said: "God's?"

I said: "Yes! You are a child of God!"

Ivy said: "And Jesus'?"

I said : "No, Jesus is your brother."

Pause . . .

Ivy said: "Oohhh . . . because Mrs. God had him too!"

Seriously, what's more precious than a simple truth expressed by a child?

I Shouldn't Laugh, But . . .

I am! Austin just texted Richard from his first drill. This drill is for all the new guys to learn some simple routine stuff before they head for Basic Training in Oklahoma next month.

Anyway - Austin said that his BUNK was chosen to be the "example" after he made it. The sergeant ripped off the bedding and had him do it again.

There IS justice for mothers!!! (I think I have a crush on that sergeant)

That's My Boy

We may watch America's Funniest Videos too often - it is our Sunday evening ritual, (followed by Extreme Home Makeover). Let it be known, though, that the following WAS COOPER'S idea and doing - even though it looks like his father was heavily involved! (He was, but not initially. We walked into the living room and Cooper had already done it once, Richard was helping the second time around)

Not what you were expecting, eh? Well, what we SHOULD HAVE sent into AFV, we didn't actually catch on tape. Later that same day Cooper decided to mumble something other than "I love you so much mommy . . . you are the best mommy . . ." and ended up with a bit of soap in his mouth. Of course he was trying to fight me, and so he bit me, and I ended up with his tooth in the back of my hand. At least we ended the episode with both of us in laughter.

Ivy's Antics

Today - for the first time in my married life - I made cinnamon rolls from scratch. Ivy, of course, climbed on the counter to be as close to the mixer as possible. I had just added the warm milk and butter to a little flour and the yeast. Of course the sticky paste smelled yummy and she asked . . .

Ivy: "Can I taste it mom?"

Me: "No, it's icky."

Ivy: "Please!"

Me: "Nope. It's not good for you."

Ivy: "Dad lets me taste it." (Obviously she thinks it's a batter)

Me: "Naughty daddy. He's not supposed to let you taste it when it has raw eggs." (I'm the only one who cares about these things!)

Ivy: (after a pause) "Well, he did. He MADE me taste it with the rotten eggs."

Me: "Oh, oh. He's in big trouble."

Ivy: "Yeah, you better spank him when he gets home for making me eat rotten eggs."

Fashion is her forte

If our warm weather hadn't lasted into November, I would have retired the shirt earlier. But on her, a belly shirt is quite cute! My stomach doesn't hang out near that far, but it's not even close to being that cute. I don't get it!


Just between you and me - her skort is on backward!

If You're Happy and You Know It . . .

Remember how I told you about my friend's new blog Give Away Today (click on the button to the right to go there now)? Well, today she's giving away a cool camera strap, and to enter to win I had to post on my blog about my "happiest" picture ever. -- That is easy! Even though I'm crying uncontrollably in the picture - they are tears of joy. These were taken the moment Richard walked off the plane, returning from war in Iraq for 18 months.

Browsing through the pictures made me think I should start posting more pictures from the past. Hmmm, maybe when I have even more free time in my life.

I TOLD you it was a happy picture!

One Thousand Words and Then Some

Just for fun I thought I'd show you some old pictures of our precious Maia

These were taken in February '04

And these were taken in December '04

More Chocolate

For years I have begged and pleaded, scolded and threatened, cajoled and bribed. And not a single child has obeyed. They each have continued to get bigger and grow older.

The most recent was Coop. He turned 7. The celebration began a few days before the real day . . .

At school with his FANCY BIRTHDAY HAT

Me telling the children how great Cooper is


'cause he's CONTAGIOUS and OBEDIENT (except for the growing up part) and OUTSTANDING and PERSISTENT and ENERGETIC and a READER
(and then I read his fav book Green Eggs and Ham to everyone)

and showing them pictures of him as a baby, and dressed as an Army Guy, and with his daddy, and playing at the beach, and playing baseball, and even his icky Costco toenail (they thought that was cool)!

Then the "real" day came . . . early. I don't know what time he woke us up, but it was way too early for a "no school" day! (I think he had birthday and Christmas confused!) We finally got up and began the present parade.

water grenades . . . a puzzle & book . . . a marbles game . . . a Nerf gun. . . walkie talkies. . .


Thanking his big brother profusely for the Nerf gun!

Grandpa showing him how marbles is played.
Oh! Coop's not paying attention . . . imagine that and then notice the gun in the foreground!

He requested Costco's chocolate cake - and I happily obliged.

One Enchanted Evening . . . and Chocolate

I know I have to take the credit (blame?), but lately when my tiniest one has been waking up, she immediately asks for chocolate cake, or Rice Krispie treats, or Hershey Kisses, or some other sweet. Yesterday morning it was the cake and RK treats. And I should clarify - she didn't "ask," she demanded . . . with stomping of the little feet . . . and arms folded across the chest . . . and a manipulated scowl . . . and an ornery voice. I stood my ground. I really did! I even explained how too much sugar can make our tummies hurt, and how we have to have healthy stuff in our tummies first. She didn't care about any of that. The demanding (and crying) continued.

I patiently explained that after lunch she could have a treat. Mind you, it was only breakfast time, but she then requested lunch immediately! When that didn't work, she asked for dinner! She's a smart one, my little angel.

It still didn't work - and I calmly told her that when she chose to have breakfast she could come and tell me and I would fix it for her. She pouted in private for 20 minutes or so and then came and asked for Cheerios. However, the demanding for sweets did not relent!

I finally tore a square of paper and printed "11" on it with a magic marker. Then I taped it over the minutes on my oven clock, right next to the LED "9." I told her that when that first number matched the one I had written she could have chocolate cake OR a Rice Krispie treat - her choice.

To make the LONG story short - the stomping and crying and demanding continued. It didn't let up one bit, even though I plopped her in front of the TV, hoping for a little relief from the drama. At one point she was pleading and sobbing "please let me have sweets at another number! I want sugar at another number!" Oh my, I was wearing down!

When the clock struck "10" she changed her tactic. She had obviously gotten the lesson that she couldn't have CAKE or RICE KRISPIE TREATS before the magic number, but could she "please (in a desperate voice) have a Hershey Kiss?" And, since she's "almost five" (her birthday is in September) could she "please have five Kisses?!" I was wearing down even more. I know an hour or so doesn't seem so long, but the whining of a child is akin to labor and the minutes tick by slowly! I told her we would call her daddy and ask him (I KNEW he would say yes - and it would free me from having to stand my ground, sort of. I still wouldn't let her have the cake or RK!) I dialed her will-do-anything-for-his-little-princess daddy and he picked up immediately. And just as immediately he said "Can I call you right back?" That means he was in a meeting. Yikes. I hung up and told her she could have one Kiss. I'm weak.

The crying for FIVE Kisses and cake and and a treat went on and on and on . . . Until she had lunch and then a Rice Krispie Treat.

Sometime later, as she lounged on my bed in front of the television, she had forgotten her ornery mood and all the drama. But then she said "remember mom, you said I could have chocolate cake after lunch!" Aaarrgghhh! "But sweetheart, I said you can have that OR the treat, and you chose the treat!" Not too many tears this time.

Fast forward: Early evening and the kids are home from school. Richard has returned from work and, instead of wanting to order for delivery our traditional Monday dinner, wants to go to the pizza place to eat. No problem. Just have to finish the piano practicing with Coop while Richard runs to take care of an issue at a neighbor's. We'll leave when he returns.

I'm counting for Coop, "2, 2, 2 hold," over and over again and the princess begins her drama again. This time she's "starving!!! when are we going to eat??? My tummy hurts because I'm starving!!" Soon, honey, soon. "My tummy hurts! Maybe I had too much sugar today."

What??? She learned her lesson??? I am a good mother??? At the age of four she is beginning to understand the complicated issues of nutrition and body fuel and what we need versus what we want? Halleluja!

We leave for the pizza joint and she is ecstatic (as she is "STARVING!!") and we all (8 + teenage son's girlfriend = 9) squeeze into a booth and dig into the salads and pizza. Just as the second pizza was being brought out, Ivy threw up. She vomited . . .and vomited . . . and vomited! McKenna was quick and shoved a salad bowl under her and contained much of the mess. Luckily the place was mostly empty, except for the teens who were working there. When Ivy finished I lifted and cuddled her and I knew I could read the thoughts of the employees behind their wide eyes. "Do I have to clean that up?" My guilty thought: "I'm so glad I don't have to clean that up off of my carpet or furniture." We had them box up the last pizza and we headed for home and a bath.

So that explains the long, whiny morning. And that explains why she's still asleep this morning.

(p.s. She did wake up briefly a few hours ago with tummy pain, and, while awake, said "McKenna was glad she was sitting by me so maybe she'll get my germs and get to stay home from school." Personally, I'd rather sit through Physics and Geometry than puke.)

You Can Win Something!

My good friend (and next-door neighbor) is such an ambitious person. She's got four children (nearly as cute as mine!) and still makes time to dabble in writing, travel services, and, now, a Give Away Blog. I was able to check out some of the cool merchandise she'll be putting up for the winning and I know you'll like it. It's easy to enter, and it's all FREE. Just click on the Give Away Today button at the right to check it out.

Flashback: A New General

On October 12, Richard was "pinned" a Colonel in the United States Army. It is a promotion he has long worked for. It's been 21 years since he was commissioned an officer, and since then he has fulfilled duty and obligation and schooling to climb the ranks. The neat thing about promotions are - although they happen on paper in government offices at the Pentagon, are approved by Congress, and are signed by the President of the U.S. - that the final act of pinning the new rank or emblem on the uniform is done by a person of the Soldier's choice. In this case, he chose his family.

The Soldiers stand at Attention to Orders as Colonel L. Schmidt reads the Promotion by Order of the President of the United States.I get to pin the eagle on his uniform.
Cooper gets to pin the eagle on his hat - with help from mom and Austin.

Richard speaks to family, friends, and Soldiers gathered there.

Cooper's first in line for the cake at the reception following the pinning on. The chaplain who helped me set up the table and get everything ready to serve said he is the "acting Relief Society President" in the battalion.

The Proud Family (minus Austin who had to leave early).

This daddy deserves this honor!

Richard was commissioned an officer - a Second Leiutenant - on his birthday in 1987. At that time, the spouses of all new officers were invited to a luncheon at the State Capital by the Govenor of Utah. Since I would be his spouse in less than two weeks' time, I attended. We had a wonderful meal and then listened as the Govenor spoke of the Soldiers' responsibilities. He then reminded us of our important place - and even told us to keep in mind that we would always be one rank ahead of our spouses. That makes me a GENERAL now! And don't think that I let the Colonel forget it!

Flashback: A Haunted Evening

Well, not so haunted, because how can this cutie be scary? This Harvard cheer outfit was my splurge when we were in Massachusetts. Couldn't resist it - and don't regret it.

Coop was determined to be Indiana Jones. Luckily we still had the hat and jacket that Austin wore about 10 years ago. Harrison Ford may be getting old, but the legend lives on. Austin made Cooper a whip out of braided bike-tire innertubing. Maybe he should have been McGyver.

Maia borrowed this costume from her friend, and it was perfect. A very cute cowgirl.

Tessa didn't really decide on this until the last minute - the "witching hour!"
Our biggest boy hasn't really outgrown warrior/weapon/fighting stuff. And, the knife is really an Iraqi sword. Don't think that's a very appropriate accessory for a little kid holiday!

All together - and I'll let you guess who the old geezer is in the middle.

You'll notice McKenna is missing. She wasn't dressed when I was doing pictures and then I left to take the little ones trick-or-treating. When I returned, she was gone. But a pirate was she!

Another Mystery

I love digital cameras. I don't have to pay to print all the random photos that my children take without me knowing. If you recall, I played detective a couple of months ago with the Star Wars pictures. Here are more snapshots taken by a mysterious photographer.

The tiny toes and sparkly skirt gave it away!

Flashback: Royalty

All my daughters have loved dress-ups and girly things, but not one has loved dressing like a princess as much as our little Ivy. She's a girl after my own heart. She celebrated her fourth birthday on September 21, 2008 - which brought sadness with the happiness for me. My baby is growing up. I'm beginning to understand why my mother refers to me still as her "baby." So here's Ivy, after church and hence the messy hair, waiting eagerly for the gift-giving to begin! The only hitch? Her father was on the back patio conducting a meeting with some of the men he works with in the church. She wasn't patient enough to last the whole time, so we let her open a few gifts. (This party was just for family) But she had to wait for daddy to open the final present - the one from mommy and daddy. When dad was too slow coming in, she simply opened the back door and told him to hurry up. The men got the message and dispersed soon after. A princess has that kind of power.

Notice the excitement?

The sheer joy?

Trying on the dress she has nearly permanently-borrowed (thankyou Amelia) with her new crown and scepter! The gorgeous shoes didn't make the picture, but sufice it to say that her mom would love a pair!

Dressed in her new Sleeping Beauty outfit from mommy & daddy.

A few weeks before her actual birthday I asked her if she would like to have friends come to her party. Of course! Why did I even have to ask. As of then, she had only had family parties but had been invited to friends' celebrations. So we talked about how it definitely had to be a princess party and we would have "muffins" (aka: cupcakes) and she named the little friends she wanted to include. Then she gave me these careful instructions. "Mom, when all my friends are here you have to line them up behind the couch. Then when I come down the hall they can all yell 'Surprise Ivy!'" Of course, on cue, I organized a surprise party. And how fun (and easy) it is to surprise a little person even when the surprise was her own idea!! McKenna took her to a friend's house and dressed her all up and then brought her home once the friends had gathered.

Press the arrow to watch her reaction.

The royal court

The table set for a royal feast - and this time anchored with duct tape. There had not been so much as a breeze until just minutes before we were about to sit down for the "muffins" and ice-cream. I was able to finally snap the picture after the THIRD time of gathering plates and napkins off the yard and replacing them - thanks to the help of my older daughters.

Her most loyal lady-in-waiting

Her handsome prince who rescues her from swords and spiders and all situations of distress. (And, if truth be told, he is responsible for many of those situations!)

I dressed up for the party too! What's a princess party if you can't wear satin and bling?

Her smile says it all.