Dear Spring....

This is an official request to hasten your return. My sweaters, coats, scarfs and gloves want to begin their long slumber in the back of my closet. My fingers would like to move freely without the limitations that Jack Frost puts on them. In short, I am SICK of winter. So, hurry up and get here!!

Yours Very Truly,

Jen

My Baby Is Not A Baby Anymore!

What a handsome kid that is! This post is all about my little guy. Ethan is five years old now. However, he is still my baby. I've heard other moms when talking about their last child say, "He will always be my baby" and now I know exactly what they were talking about.

I can't believe he's been in our family for only five years, because it seems like forever. I somehow always knew that he was coming. My first three kids came along, and I always felt something missing. When Ethan joined us, I felt complete. I knew all of my kids were now here.

He truly is the "youngest" in our house. As the youngest, he is definitely babied, but also ignored, and bugged by the older kids. He has learned that if he wants something, he most likely will have to get it himself. He has picked up on things faster than the other kids because he had three older siblings showing him the ropes. And, of course, he sometimes gets away with murder. I never thought I would ever treat my kids differently, but I have found myself doing just that. I was so strict with the girls (still am), but with Ethan, it is sometimes so much easier to just give in. I've gotten tired and a little lazy and he is taking advantage of that! But, somehow I think we will both turn out fine.

Here's my little guy when he was brand new. After "expertly" delivering three other babies, I thought I knew what I was doing. However, I went to the hospital twice with false alarms before Ethan finally showed up. I guess I was just so anxious to be done with the pregnancy, that I jumped the gun a little bit. But he was totally worth the wait...


When he was little, I watched two little girls from my neighborhood. They were so cute and called the baby, "EEFEN". The name has stuck and I'm not sure if we will ever call him by the phonetically correct way again.

I have to share this memory I have of him when he was little. I caught him one day hiding in the cupboard under my sink. He was so hilarious.



So, this is a snapshot of Ethan at age five:

• He loves to go to preschool. I'm sure it's mostly for social reasons, but he asks me everyday if it's school day. He goes to preschool with all of his buddies and they have a blast together. He comes home singing the songs that he learned and can't wait to show me what he made that day. I hope this "love for learning" lasts many more years!!

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  He loves playing the Wii. This is borderline obsession with him. If I'm not fully paying attention, he will slip downstairs and play before doing his chores. His favorites right now are Lego Batman and Lego Indiana Jones.

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  He is a complete pill about doing his chores. He suddenly becomes "stuck" to the floor, or his feet can't make it up the stairs, or the task is simply too hard, or....you get the idea. Most of the time, he winds up in time out, and then finally complies. It has been known to take several hours to just put away his laundry! (SIGH!)

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  He adores his big brother. Those two are so cute together! They are usually best buds, which is so fun to watch. They rarely fight, but they do love to wrestle with each other. This is a new concept for me. Until Ethan came along, Braiden was a pretty mellow kid. Now, they will just be walking by each other and one will tackle the other. It is hilarious, and they seem to love their "male bonding time".

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  He is an outstanding eater. This kid can really pack food away! I never have to worry about him not eating. He isn't TOO picky (although he does have his moments...what kid doesn't?), but I'm continually amazed at the amount of food he eats. The kid is going to be a football player someday!

These are the cute memories that I want to keep of Eefan forever! I'm learning the hard way that life goes by WAY to fast. I wish I could slow it down just a little bit...

Well, anyway, enough nostalgia. Here's how we celebrated the big day. We went bowling at Boondocks. It was fun, but the kids didn't make it through all ten frames (very short attention spans when there are video games all around you just begging to be played). But we had a great time and Ethan bowled a pretty good game (bumpers are an awesome invention!)

We then supped at the Training Table. This is Ethan's restaurant of choice these days. He is always suggesting it. I guess they make their Kraft Mac 'N Cheese better than anyone else, or perhaps it's the cheese fries (let's hope it's the latter!)

Then we went home to open presents. Ethan got a Big Wheel from Grandma Geneal and Grandpa Blair. It was so cute to watch Grandpa put it together (not a single cuss word was heard the whole time!)

And then Grandpa Dennis helped Braiden with the Legos. We have great Grandpas in our family!

After looking at that face, you can tell it was a very successful birthday! Happy Birthday, kiddo! I love you bunches and bunches!

Simple Joys

Simple Joys of Today:

--This morning, I decided to pull an old pair of jeans out of the closet that I was certain would not fit me anymore. It seems as if I have gained at least 10 pounds since becoming a lazy college student (not really, but it sometimes feels like it). As I apprehensively pulled them on, I realized that they not only still fit me, but fit me well with a little bit of room to spare! Whew! And there was an added bonus...cash left in my pocket from months before! OK, so it was only three bucks, but still! I'm now three dollars richer!!

--I'm so excited that I get to go to lunch with three of my favorite people, Jody, Tiffanie and Eve. I love these women more than I can say. They are more like sisters to me than friends. How did I get so blessed to have such wonderful people all around me? You are all such a strength and support in my life!

--Finally, I can't stop thinking about a fireside I went to on Sunday night. It was a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day with my sweetheart. The speaker was Bishop Keith McMullen from the Presiding Bishopric (He's a General Authority in our church). He talked about increasing the love we have for our spouse, our children and our Heavenly Father. He left me with a lot to think about. I need to do better at spending quality time with my kids, not just with fun activities, which are great, but at also spending time doing things where our testimonies can grow. Since applying some the the things he talked about, our scripture study sessions are already improving. I want my kids to know how important the gospel is in my life and instill in them a desire to find out for themselves if it is true and then to try to live it fully in their lives. At one point in the meeting, we all sang the song "Come Unto Him". I had heard the hymn a few times before, but was not very familiar with it. As we were singing, the words were jumping out at me and filling my heart with joy!

I wander through the still of night,

When solitude is ev'rywhere-

Alone, beneath the starry light,

And yet I know that God is there.

I kneel upon the grass and pray;

An answer comes without a voice.

It takes my burden all away

And makes my aching heart rejoice.

When I am filled with strong desire

And ask a boon of him, I see

No miracle of living fire,

But what I ask flows into me.

And when the tempest rages high

I feel no arm around me thrust,

But ev'ry storm goes rolling by

When I repose in him my trust.

It matters not what may befall,

What threat'ning hand hangs over me;

He is my rampart through it all,

My refuge from mine enemy.

Come unto him all ye depressed,

Ye erring souls whose eyes are dim,

Ye weary ones who long for rest.

Come unto him! Come unto him!

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and they love us! I'm so grateful for this knowledge! I know I can turn to my Heavenly Father any time and He will be there for me. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and He takes my sins and heartaches away. I love them both so much. I hope I can do a little better each day at coming unto Him so that I can always have His Holy Spirit with me. What a sweet joy!!

We Like To Party!

This post is about parties. Birthday parties, to be specific. A lot of birthday parties. Too many birthday parties. Let me explain.

First, we held Lauren's birthday party with her friends. Since she's growing up and is a whopping 11 years old, she wanted to have a "late night" with her girlfriends (we don't do sleepovers at our house). She didn't want party games and cake and ice cream....she wanted to have dinner and a chocolate fountain! So I made pasta and two kinds of sauce, garlic bread and a salad and bought a bunch of goodies for the fountain. It was a blast. The girls then went to the basement for some big kid games like Curses. Lauren has some darling friends and I hope they always stay close.

Well, then we came to Braiden's birthday party....for those you know my family well, you are probably thinking, "huh?" Yes, I know his birthday is in September, so why are we having a birthday party for him in February? Well, it's a funny story, really. We were back in Wisconsin for Braiden's birthday, had a blast driving half-way across the country, and when we got back, well, I just got so consumed with laundry, school and a half a dozen other things and forgot completely about have a party with his friends. He did too, until Lauren had hers. He was determined to have a party because all of the other kids got one and he didn't. I could NOT talk him out of just waiting until his next birthday and having a super-sized party....no way! So, I finally gave up and sent out invitations. I was so embarrassed to be asking his friends to a party so long after his real birthday, but everyone was great with it and we had a great time. Lauren was invaluable to me during the party. She helped with the games because I hadn't even finished decorating his cake when all of the kids arrived. Thanks, Lauren!

So, those two were over, now we just needed to get Ethan's done. We chose a sports theme for his and invited his playgroup buddies over. They are hilarious together, and even though it was exhausting, we had a good time. I can't believe my baby is FIVE!!!

This is the darling cake my mom made for Ethan. I was so busy with school the day before, that I just didn't have time, so she volunteered. The problem was that she didn't really have time to do it either. I felt so bad imposing on her, but am so grateful that she took the time to do it. Ethan and all of his friends loved the clowns and Ethan loved that it was a huge cupcake. Thanks, Mom, you are a lifesaver!

Well, there you have it...three parties in three weeks! Whew! I am glad they are over and that the kids had fun. Now, hopefully I can rest for a little bit...at least until April!

Different Tastes In Music?

Tonight, we went to dinner as a family at Cracker Barrel. It is one of the few reasonably priced restaurants that all of the kids can agree on. While walking out, there was a very twangy, hoe-down song blaring loudly. Ryan and I discussed whether or not it sounded like the Oakridge Boys. That discussion prompted a rousing rendition of "Elvira".

"High-O Silver, Away!!"

From the back of the car, there came a firm, "I think that's about enough of that" from Braiden.

We all laughed and laughed. I guess we all have different tastes in music.

Lauren Is Growing Up!

This is my little girl, Lauren.

OK, she's not so little anymore.
OK, so she's big! Practically a teenager!
Could someone PLEASE tell me where my little girl went?
I remember this day so vividly...January 1999.

She wasn't supposed to come for another week and a half. Ryan was in the middle of writing two huge papers for law school, so I was pretty much husbandless. His papers were due right before I was scheduled to be induced, so it should have worked out great...but Lauren had other plans (little did I know then, that this was going to be her MO for the rest of her life!). I woke up that morning having contractions about 5 minutes apart. We hurried to the hospital and she was very anxious to join us. What a beautiful little thing she was (well, not that little: she was 8 pounds and 2 1/2 weeks early!) and, of course, I fell in love instantly. Ryan completed his papers that following week and we brought her home to join our family. Lauren has always been full of life. She is spunky, passionate, emotional, and a little spit fire. I knew she was going to give us a run for our money when, at eight months, she would crawl under our table and would hang from the cross bars underneath! But she is such a joy and I don't know what I would do without her in my life!

Like I did for Braiden, I would like to include a little snapshot of what Lauren is like, right now, at age eleven. I don't ever want to forget these things about her.

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  Lauren is very musical and creative. I've said this before, but she continues to amaze me with her creativity. She is always wanting to make something, cook something, or improve something. She is doing very well on her piano, and now she just sits down all of the time and plays and sings (it's wonderful to not have to harp on her to get her to practice!). She is also an amazing dancer. I hope she will continue to study ballet for many more years. It is such a joy to watch her (I'm a little jealous because I am not graceful at all). Here she is after performing in the Nutcracker again. She was a candy cane and was wonderful.

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  Lauren is a good friend. She is so social! She is always wanting her friends to come over and hang out, and they all want to come. She is always thinking out others. Her two best buds right now are Kimberly and Sammie.

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  Lauren is a domestic goddess. She loves to play little Holly Homemaker. She is constantly begging to let her make goodies in the kitchen. From cookies, to brownies, to made-from-scratch cream cheese chocolate cake. She even decided to have a little "Food Network Challenge" where her and Kimberly each made a recipe and had the other kids taste each one and decide who had the best dish! Too funny! Now, if we could just get her to clean up the kitchen "Mom's way" everything would be perfect!

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  Lauren is very budget savvy. She is very good with her money, and even does extra chores to earn extra dough. She puts most of it in savings, but usually spends the rest on other people. She loves giving gifts. A lot are homemade, but some are purchases with her own funds. She is very giving and generous that way.

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  Lauren is very fashionable. She loves clothes and scarfs and jewelry. She is also really into fixing her hair these days. She is so excited that it is as long as Katie's hair. She received a curling iron for her birthday and now spends quite a bit of time in the bathroom practicing her curls. She is so beautiful!

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  She is one brilliant girl. I can't believe how smart she is. At her last parent teacher conference, she was testing on almost an eighth grade math level! She is also a great reader. Sometimes I have to tell her to STOP reading. She also loves science and history. She gets all As in all of these subjects and her teacher loves her. But even though all of this seems to come easy for her, I'm amazed at how hard of a worker she is. She rarely stops at "good enough" but instead tries to improve even more. I'm so proud of the person she is becoming!

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  One last thing, Lauren is a little jokester. She is constantly saying witty and funny things. This is her at Disneyland..."Mom, take a picture of me by this height sign...Look, wittle Wauren is too wittle for the wide!" We all giggled for a while after that one. What a silly girl!

So, here's how the festivities went down on Lauren's big day this year. We went to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner that night. It is one of our favorite birthday dinner spots. We had a great time, as usual.

On the Sunday after, we had a big family get together at our house. We love getting the whole family together for yummy food and great company. Grandma Janis made her this darling cupcake cake. (whew! One less thing for me to do...Thanks, Mom!)

I will post about her friends party on another post, but for now, Happy Eleventh Birthday! We love you so much and have loved every minute of these last 11 years! Thanks for being a wonderful part of our family!