Projects and Summer Plans

This is my inspiration for Lily's nursery. I am going to make her bedding etc. I am so excited to do it too. I have been searching high and low for the beautiful white and black damask fabric like you see here. Believe it or not, it was proving to be a difficult thing to find. I found that I could order it for $9 a yard from the website where the bedding is for sale. I kept waiting feeling like that was a little pricey. But I was out doing errands for Relief Society the other day and happened to be next to a fabric store I actually had not tried yet. I almost didn't go in (the boys were restless), but I decided to brave it anyway. JACKPOT! It was exactly what I was looking for and it was on sale for the next two days only for $4.99 a yard. WHOHOO!! I can't wait to get the rest of the pieces together and get crackin'. We decided that we will move Ty to the toddler bed and Luke's room in July. But I know it will take me a while to finish this big project. I don't large quantities of time to myself, let alone to myself in my craft room to work on a project.

Also, on my project list for the next 4 months:
Paint the crib and changing table black.
Paint Lily's room pink.
Finish Ty's baby book (and a few lingering things on Luke's too).
Luke's birthday bash.
Plant bushes and garden.
Clean out garage (we haven't done this since we moved in in December).
Finish organizing basement.
Swim lessons for both boys.
Soccer lessons for Luke.
Luke and I have working a lot on writing his letters and reading. He is doing well. I hope to have him reading by September. He already knows a handful of words by sight or by sounding them out. Hey, Hooked on Phonics really does work!
My other new plan is to have one science activity and one special art activity each week for the boys.
One fun outing every week.

My goal is to make this summer productive and more importantly lots of fun for the boys. I want to always remember my last summer of just me and my boys. By September life will be crazy. Luke will start school again and Lily will be here. I want to cherish these next few months with my little monsters, they will only be little once!

I love to be spoiled!

I admit it, I love presents and attention. So I love this week, presents and cards and thoughtful things done. I think Jake knew when he married me that I am high maintenance, but he never fails to completely spoil me. I know I don't deserve it completely, but I love it. Thanks babe for a great birthday and mother's day.
I will brag a little. He got me a beautiful pair of chocolate pearl earrings and prenatal massage for my birthday. I can't wait to go and get the massage. I am going to wait until I am a little farther along and really needing the relief. So thoughtful of him.

Mothers

I love Mother's Day! I love thinking of all of the women who influence me. My own mother, grandmother, Jake's grandmother and mother, my sisters, sister-in-laws, and dear friends. Thank you for being a part of my life and sharing you advice, stories, love and support. Love you all.
"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness the first assurance that there is love in the world." President Spencer W. Kimball

IT'S A GIRL!!!

One week

A week from tomorrow is our ultrasound. Boy or Girl? Any guesses?

Easter (3 of 3)

Even though we had lots of fun. I truly feel so blessed for my Savior Jesus Christ and the power and love of the atonement and resurrection. I am grateful that through His merits I can be with my family forever. Happy Easter!

Easter (2 of 3)

The adults?!

Egg hunt. Ty found one egg and that was enough. He knew from doing an egg hunt with Grandma before this that there was candy inside. He just plopped right down on the ground and began to eat and much and as fast as he could. But Luke and Kiana did great at hunting for their treasures.

Easter (1 of 3)

Egg dying! We had a blast! Callie, Elvin, Kiana and Kaleo joined us on Saturday for egg dying and egg hunt. Ty thought it was amazing every time the eggs changed colors. He would exclaim, "WOW!" every time. He made a huge mess and both he and Mom had green dyed hands the rest of the day. He learned his first color, yellow, from the experience. Luke also loved it and was so careful with his eggs. Mixing colors, putting on stickers etc. It was so much fun!

Happy Birthday Jake!

Just a quick note, (Jake hates it when I gush about him). Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband! Next year the big 30! I love you with all my heart. Thanks for being everything you are to us. You are the best!

Conference Ideas

There was a great article in the Ensign this month about preparing your family for Conference. Jake shared some of these great ideas with us the week for FHE. We tried to implement them and I have to say that after one day of conference sessions behind us I was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked. I have always thought that my children were too young to participate in conference. But I was wrong, and as the article suggested it is never too early to teach your children the importance of conference. So I thought it important to share.
1. Begin the week before to express excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to listen to conference.
2. Explain to your children what will happen.
3. Plan fun treats/food to have during conference. Have a picnic in the family room. We let Luke go to the store with Dad this morning before conference and help pick out our picnic foods.
4. Play games.
* Our primary provided us with bingo cards with pictures of gospel topics on them. Luke really enjoyed listening for the words and waiting for a bingo.
*Other games suggested were to let your children cut up the previous conference Ensign and find then match the pictures to the prophets speaking.
5. Between sessions do something active, especially with little ones. We had a wrestling match.
6. Follow up conference by expressing your testimony to your children and bringing up a few specific points your family can remember.

We were discussing with some friends about how challenging it can be to try to listen and be spiritually fed while your toddlers are tugging on you and squealing as they play etc. I really felt like we were blessed to be spiritually fed, but also able to make conference a family activity. Not just a time to try to keep the kids quiet so we could listen. Because of our preparation Luke said this morning, "Let's watch conference!!" I was so happy to see that he was excited. He was learning the prophets names and he loved listening for the words on his bingo card. Sometimes he caught words I didn't.
I have always loved conference. But today was really great. I am grateful for a living prophet. I am also grateful for a worthy priesthood holder who advised our family and enriched our experience.