Aquaphor.........(why)!!!!

I guess it was time! It has been awhile since we have had a big adventure with curious Brynnley. She LOVES to put on lotion, hand sanitizer, shampoo and conditioner. She seized the moment when someone left the Master bedroom open(since she knows how stocked our room is with all these fun things).

It was pleasantly quiet as I was doing some laundry(which I should know means trouble) but it is pretty typical that all the kids go into Avery's room to play together in the morning. I went upstairs to see how the kids were doing and found Brynnley covered in Aquaphor from the neck down. She was having so much fun squishing it in her hands. I calmy(yes, I was calm) took off her clothes and put her in the shower while I was searching for the damage done. For a split second I thought, wow, she only got it on herself?? Oh I was so wrong. Soon after I was feeling relief I found her creations ALL over my room. These are the main areas where I had to get a scrapper to get it off it was so thick(It was the biggest jar of Aquaphor you can buy). But it was on my sheets, floor, and window. I think she was twirling really fast when it was on her hands cause there were chunks of it in the most random places. I was surprised how well it cleaned off after some elbow grease and well, life goes on!! My bedroom feels so soft now.

Sitting on the stairs(post shower down)....looks pretty guilty to me.

Time out is over and she's ready to play. Lesson learned for both of us. Well, okay....I learned a lesson so that she doesn't need to be tempted again!

Side note....I was asked by a couple of people about how to get the pictures on my blog bigger and instead and making them all bigger when I put them on, you can click onto a picture and it will show all the pics a lot bigger. I think it will be easier when I print the blog into a book if I do it that way.

Oh happy day! Ready for bed now.

"Come what may and love it"

I love this simple quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin from a General Conference talk in 2008. This is a quote that Eric referred to many times during the grueling days of Residency. I now have it framed in the office as a friendly reminder on those not so easy days. It's all about attitude and gratitude and your reaction to the two:). Or maybe I just like those words.....they sound so good together. My kids are rubbing off on me with their rhymes. Hopefully I can teach my kids this concept at a younger age so that adulthood is easier to deal with. I know my Dad taught me that when I was younger and I am grateful that I listened!! Still a work in progress but it has helped me a lot in life.

I looked at it a lot this weekend trying to see if I could "love" my lingering cough that turned in to the most awful sore throat, sinus infection, pounding head that I have ever experienced. It is so hard to play the role of mom when your not feeling well. I finally couldn't take it any longer and felt it was getting worse so Eric pushed me into going to the urgent care(which I am grateful for). I tried to not let the sickness get the best of me but in the end sometimes you have to surrender. I kept pushing along thinking I would wake up feeling better as virus's can be very tricky and most of the time take just that.....time. It was taking way to much of it though. Thanks to some antibiotics I can now hold up my head and sleep. I am especially grateful for my husband who held things together this weekend. I couldn't have done it without you!!

On a brighter note here are a couple quotes from the kiddos that my brain retained from the past few days.

Thomas: (Thomas had gotten out of the shower and told me to come see something and this is what he told me)"Mom look at my new muscle I have.....I am getting stronger."(He was referring to the flap of skin in between your chest and upper arm by your armpit) I got a good laugh out of that one!

Brynn: "Mom look look a banket"(We were in the car waiting to pick up Thomas and she kept telling me to look at the blanket, I couldn't find a blanket anywhere and realized she was pointing to the American flag flying in front of the school....she was pretty mesmerized by the flying blanket as she loves hers. It's so cute seeing the world from the eyes of little children.)

Avery: I picked Avery up from school today and she seemed pretty tired so I asked her what was wrong, she said,"Connor would not stop talking my ear off today. He gives me headaches."

We were also reminded this evening of how our little Avery is growing and learning. Tonight at the dinner table the kids wanted to talk about their birthdays. Eric spelled out a gift that was being saved for Avery's birthday(you know the secret parent language with young children.) I was tucking her into bed tonight and she said, "Mom, I know what I am getting for my birthday." Me asking "Oh really, how do you know that?" Avery's reply, "Because I know what Dad spelled out at dinner." Oh yeah....that's right you can read and spell!!! Duh! Eric and I got a good laugh. At least we didn't blow who Santa was right??

Garbage.....

Before I forget, I want to mention a cute little Thomas story. After we dropped Grandma off at the airport yesterday(sad day), I took the kids to target to get a few things and Thomas was lagging to the side of me and was waiting by the door while we entered the store. I looked at him wondering why he hadn't entered the door, and he was standing there with an empty box of cigarettes. He quickly said, "Mom I need to find a garbage can because someone threw this garbage on the ground." At that point I wanted to sanitize his hands, but didn't care what it was as I watched this little boy trying to keep God's beautiful earth clean(even if he has to take care of others lack of this concept). Funny how a 4 year old can pick up trash and take it to the garbage can but for some reason the big peeps struggle a bit.


Tonight's dinner conversation.....(Avery was sick and fell asleep)

Thomas: "What was the best part of your day Mom"
Mom: "Being with my favorite people for dinner"
Thomas: "No Mom say, making Thomas's favorite dinner"
Mom: "Oh, I guess making Thomas's favorite dinner"
Thomas: "That's better"
Thomas: "Dad what was your favorite part of the day"
Dad: "Coming home from work"
Thomas: "Oh that's a good one"

As the kids are getting older, I ask them that question often(the best part of their day) at the dinner table. I don't ask it every time but when I forget, it is Thomas that asks everyone. I always look forward to hearing what stood out to them most that day.

Thomas's favorite dinner tonight(he says that a lot) was curry honey mustard chicken, strawberry spinach salad with balsamic dressing, and garlic brown rice with black quinoa. He ate every last bite so I guess will add that one to the Thomas favorites list!!

I have been sick and have lost one of my favorite senses(taste) and am glad the dinner turned out okay without my trusty taste tester since I didn't use a recipe(typical). I have my moments where dinner turns into a chore, but for the most part I love making good healthy meals that make my family happy!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

My cute Thomas set up an army to protect his room. He was so proud of them that I had to capture the crew. They look pretty intimidating if you ask me.

Even though Avery has a major ear infection and I can't breath through my nose, we managed to celebrate the day of love today. The kids were so cute with their Valentines Day cards too. The night before we put them together. Thomas carefully selected the perfect card for each one of his friends and wrote his name and theirs(and did an impressive job too). Avery just had fun signing them all and filling bags with candy. I loved how when they got home they shared their Valentines candy with Brynnley and I. Thomas hand picked a small box of chocolates from his decorated sack just for me. So cute! Avery wanted me to have her chocolate kisses. Man I have awesome kids. I love them to pieces!

Brynnley especially enjoyed her sugar cookie that she devoured after dinner.

I told Eric not to get me anything for the day of love since we had a Valentines Day week in San Fransisco and he more than spoiled me there(more on that later). I knew he would not hold strong to that idea and brought home some beautiful roses that I will admit made my day. I am somewhat of a practical woman(I like young woman better) when it comes to flower giving. I think of the money spent on flowers that will soon wither away and end up in my garbage. Although I can't help but stare at them and think of the handsome man that loving picked them out for me. I will look at them while they are in the kitchen and think of him. I am changing my outlook on flowers!! They are beautiful. I love you Eric. There isn't a luckier woman in the world. Mine forever.......that makes me happy beyond words!

To end the day my sweet Avery told me she had a surprise awaiting. I walked into my room to find this. Sickness and all and of her own accord, she folded all the laundry that was on my bed waiting to be folded. Maybe I am a bit emotional, but it makes me tear up just thinking about it. She truly is an angel!

We have been busy around here the past few weeks. Mom came to play with us for a few days before taking care of the kids for 5 days(she was here a total of 10 days) so Eric and I could go to San Fransisco. We had soooo much fun. Because of that I didn't get to take as many pictures as I wanted, but I will post some of the trip later. Sometimes we gotta have a great time and take mental pictures. We did a lot of that and will always remember this trip. I wouldn't want to live in San Fran, but it is so much fun to visit and oh so beautiful!!!! More to come.

I have been super busy these past few weeks(mostly partying with Mom pre-getaway), but I will be back soon! Off to a getaway with my Man without kiddos(whom I will miss dearly).....however I will be rejuvenated and full of love and patience when I get back....not that I need any of that with these amazing children of mine ;)

Say no more!! I will be back soon:)

Special thanks goes out to..........
MOM for making this all possible!!! And thanks for letting us have her Dad!! Love you both muchisimo!