Fair favorites

We have been participating in 4H rabbit club this year and so they showed their rabbits and did quite well for a first time.

A new even was called Down on the Farm that was fun with a lot of time put into make it nice for kids.

They gatherd eggs, picked fruit, fed the chicks, learned where meat comes from, and milked a cow. . .

Then they turned all there hard work in at the store and received a carton of milk.

Of course we did the pet show. Chloe is our favorite pet. The clown show was right before the pet show. Those are my 3 cowboys watching.

And here is the actual best part of the show.



We ran over to the mud pit after mud volleyball and got to play in the sticky gluppy stuff.

So glad the volunteer to squirt the little squirts off.

We enjoyed the parade and our favorite participant, Pete.

We also went to the demolition derby. The pink cars were a favorite of Doodles. They cleaned up on canndy quite well. We topped it off with a great rodeo and stadium seats. By today I am tired and ready to get to a simpler schedule, wish me luck!

Great idea, and its working

I found this great idea in the September Family Fun magazine. We have printed up our own daddy dollars and are paying our children for things they are already suppose to be doing but need a little motivation to get it done. They have a morning routine of make bed, pray, dress, tidy room, brush teeth and hair. I want this done by 7 so we can start our devotional. If they have it done they get $2. If they have the animals fed and a chore done by 9 and are ready to start school then another $1. We are still inventing as we go and paying for additional chores. Today I appreciated cooperative children with their school work and surprised them with another $1. They then get to spend their money on things they like to do such as playing with friends, bike rides, me and mom (or dad) time, computer time, movies in the basement, outings, etc.

I am thrilled with the way the young ones have embrace this. Ike did an extra chore yesterday so that he could buy an hour with friends. He came home happily after that hour and explained to me that he thought an hour wouldn't be enough time but that he had had a great time and it was just right. I think that time has become more valuable because he earned it and he will make the most of it.

If you want to try it too, go here to print up your own daddy dollars. I saved the picture to my computer, copied it into word, made it small so that I could fit about 8 on a page and began printing money. Each of the kids has an envelope to keep their money in. I love inspiring/motivating good habits so much more than my traditional threats and tirades. Let me know how it works for you.

Back to School

My public school student half way through his first day comes home hungry for lunch. He looked great in his western wear. Didn't get much cooperation for a first-day-of-school picture so we kept them all casual. Can't seem to get enough food to fill up those long legs though.

We have been enjoying our first week of school. We have some great ideas planned and are excited to share as we go. School began on Monday with some great self directed learning as well as being anxious to jump into math and reading.

Doodle is anxious to be a part of it all and is sharing with her baby.

I think tall one is enjoying a full day at home. We waved as the bus went by and cheered because we got to keep this one home.

Tuesday brought our first field trip to Thanksgiving Point. It was crowded but great fun. It was our first trip to the gardens and a beautiful day for it. I wish my backyard was this much fun.

We are using the Story of the World, Volume 1, by Susan Wise Bauer and have the workbook too. Our first lesson was great fun. We introduced history, historians, and archaeologists. Lucky for us we had access to a dig in our own backyard. Tall One had planted the artifacts and we had a great time digging and mapping out our discoveries.

From the things we found the people in this area have fabric, plactic, bricks, concrete, nails, toy cars, twine, glass, and lawn mower wheels. They also planted gardens and left the plant tags in the soil. They must be very happy, successful people who work hard and love life.

Temple Dedication

I have a confession. I'm not proud of it but I am ready to admit that I was not anxious to attend the temple dedication. I kind of thought that I wouldn't be able to because of my young children. I sort of kept forgetting when it was but luckily my dear husband got us tickets. I am sorry I didn't build it up and get Ike excited for it. I was worried that it would be just plain long. It seemed so long last time and I had such a hard time having done 3 hours of church, 45 minutes of quiet time and finally 1 1/2 hours of dedicatory service. I had such a hard time staying awake. Well when I realized I really was going (thanks to Jay and dh working out sitters) I tried to get with it. We held a primary lesson with my little ones this morning. As it came time to go I realized we didn't have enough hankies. At 2:10 I was serging around a square of white sheet. With mix ups we barely made it before the doors were closed.

I had tried to share with Isaac a little of what to expect. He was not sure he wanted to come and sit for so long either (shame on me). That is when the beauty of the day began. We were finally in our seats as a family and able to enjoy the quite virtual tour of the temple. It was beautiful and Ike's attitude helped me so much. He watched in wonder and shared his amazement. His attitude was excitement and anticipation. He had me writing in his Things of My Soul book the things he was enjoying. Through the spirit of my 8 year old my spirit was changed. I enjoyed the whole meeting. I enjoyed the quiet time and the speakers and the songs and the peace and joy of having another temple in Utah. I felt deep gratitude for temple blessings that can touch my life if I would just let them. I feel fortunate to live close to the temple. I felt a renewed desire to attend weekly and to get my boys there for baptisms regularly also. I do love the temple. I love walking around the temple with my whole family. I love when we get to spend time inside the temple. I love that it blesses my life at home with a peace and direction that is lost without regular temple attendance. I am so grateful for the sacrifices of so many and the efforts of so many to get temples closer to the people. I have had it so easy and sometimes forget how blessed I really am. Please forgive my poor example and just go to the temple.

I am going to set up a regular schedule, possibly every Thursday at 7:30. If you want to join me let me know. I also want to get my boys there every week. So join that too if you want. Lets not let the sacrifice of so many go to waste or miss the blessings that are awaiting us. I love to see the temple!

Final Challenge and ramblings

I have sure enjoyed the things I have learned these last 8 weeks. I have had a renewed motivation to make good choices and to feel good. Our last challenge is to READ LABELS. Simply keep doing those things that are blessing your body and have a home where the food you feed your family helps them feel good and look good. Simple, Healthy, Tasty (on sidebar) has a great post to finish up our challenge. It does matter what we put into our bodies and can expect to get out of them. We can only run on fumes (or good genes) for so long. I continue to be tempted by sugar. It is an addiction for me and frustrates me as it calls to me so often. I enjoyed this blog. I also took time to read a website defending high fructose corn syrup. They say it has not been scientifically proved to cause the problems that so many are seeing and feeling but they haven't proved that it hasn't caused those problems either. I guess I like what Diane says because I have noticed these things myself. I am a happier, nicer mom when I don't have sugar (once I get through the withdrawals) and I tend to stay healthier. My nose does not run. I don't get the headaches. I think better (I think?). Take time to be honest with yourself and how you feel when you make the choices that we have throughout this challenge and enjoy the blessings that are now yours.

As for my new grandbaby he is doing great. He is a pure pleasure and still keeps his parents guessing as to how well he is doing. I got to go visit again this weekend as I moved Twinkle into her apartment with Natlee. They are excited to start school and I am glad they will have each other. They get to share a car and a bike, are close to campus, and are cheerful happy girls. I can't wait to see what another school year might bring. Today they danced in the rain in their parking lot.

I did a "first" this week. I got my eyebrows waxed. That was a little scary. I had no idea what I was in for when I told my hairdresser that I wanted my eyebrows done too. Before I knew it she was spread warmth on my eyelid, apologizing, and then ripping all my extra hairs out. OUCH! Then she apologized again with a little gasp. I was getting nervous at what the results might be. Next came the cooling, soothing gel and I got to look in the mirror. I have a lot more eyelid than I use to but luckily it looks fine. I look a little more "finished" and am getting use to the smaller brow. I have noticed that more water falls down into my eyes in the shower;) Those bigger brows must have had a purpose after all. I took a picture for you but decided it was a little too close to share. The Granny lines are showing up and we don't need a close up to know that my new name is Granny! and yes I sleep with Gramps.

ps He hasn't noticed the hair cut or eyebrows. Lucky for me he may not notice the lines and wrinkles and whatever else changes with age.

Nanna or Granny?

Just in the nick of time I arrived to welcome my first grandson to this world, August 14 at 12:31 am. His mommy went completely natural 3 weeks early. At 6lb 3oz and 19 inches this baby is perfect. Luckily his Daddy returned from Connecticut just that morning. He is healthy and well and has completely "wowed" his parents.

We had our 4 generations. I couldn't help but wish for Grandma G. Times like this I miss her.

It took a couple of days to figure out his name. We practiced cutie, sweetheart, sweetie, little one . . .

Hospital visitors included the new aunts and uncles. They were so pleased with their nephew.

Poor Gramps was sick and had to keep his distance. We tried to keep a mask on him but he is a little rebellious.

After meeting all the requirements the new little family came home to lots of help. Granny and two aunts.

We had fun getting ready for him and wanted to welcome him with all the Jack stuff we could.

Home is a great place full of peace and beauty. I think the best part is this baby. His parents keep staring at him, holding him, and commenting on how cute he is, how perfect he is and every little thing he does. They are anxious to provide a home of peace and love and happen to be very good at it already.

The nursing is coming along and he has lost little weight.

More visitors on Sunday including Grandma and Grandpa Great.

The baby is a bit jaundice and it has been hard to lay him down under the bili lights but is already doing better and will be fine.

With such loving, attentive parents he has everything he needs.

challenge 7 less flesh

This is an adjustment but not too hard. This weeks challenge is to eat less meat. Really if we are wise we will eat meat sparingly. It might take some creative adjusting to not plan each meal, especially dinner around the meat dish. It has become tradition but is not really necessary. It might work to choose one day a week to go meatless. It also works to make the meat a side dish and put your focus on another portion of the meal. There are lots of recipes were you just add some meat like casseroles, soups, etc. It is easy and economical to add less meat than is called for or explore meat substitutes. Here are some fun recipes where zucchini becomes the main ingredient.

Grilled Zucchini sandwiches
1. slice zucchini the long way with ends cut off, red or green peppers cut in half or thirds and spread flat, red onions and brush with olive oil. Then salt and grill until edges of the vegetables start to blacken or is slightly tender.
2. Toast bread or bun (whole grain preferably) and then spread on mustard and pesto. Add a nice slice of cheese (if you are still eating dairy).
Assemble your sandwich and enjoy.

Here is a recipe for a meatless lasagna. You won't even miss the meat. As you find more ways to enjoy your food minus the meat you will feel better and will truly be eating meat sparingly. I hope you have access to lots of fresh veggies this time of year and can fill up on them instead. Wraps filled with veggies, a little of your favorite salad dressing and maybe some cheese make a yummy meal also.

I'm still learning

Some times Mr. O irritates me. He is stubborn and stuck in his own opinions. I have been irritated for some time now and last night it came to a little bit of a head. I try not to fight in front of my children, especially when we are all together enjoying homemade ice cream before bed. So I held it in but I still felt it. Bed time was awkward. I chose to do dishes and cut hair rather than go to bed. I woke up still thinking my bad thoughts. And the trouble is that once I let things surface I think of the other things that have been bothering me and pretty soon I don't much care for Mr. O.

I wake up early. I was tempted to vent to my journal but thought I better put first things first. I prayed. I don't like my bad feelings so I prayed for him and eventually I prayed for me. It's interesting how I hang on to feelings sometimes that just are not blessing me. Then I began preparing my nursery lesson. It happens to be on saying I'm sorry. The first scripture was James 5:16. It is occurring to me that I need to recognize my own faults and admit them. Then I need to pray for him that I may be healed. I felt the inklings of peace. There is also the great advice found in 2 Nephi 12:23-24.

He is not perfect yet. I don't know if he even understands my frustration but I can still have peace. I can still strengthen my own realtionship with my Heavenly Father and I can take my concerns to Him so that He can heal me in my relationships. I'm so grateful that God is aware of me and provides learning experiences for me, even in my nursery class, that bless me in my grown up challenges. True principles teach us at every age.

a little excitement

My boys got in a session of swimming lessons and passed their course.

and then one day before lunch we heard some really loud noise. It sounded like a helicopter but we were convinced it had to be a truck. Finally we had to see this noisy truck and found a helicopter had landed in the ball field at the park. Very cool.

Apparently Utah Fast Pass chose our city to visit for lunch. They are about 20 or more really nice sports cars and race cars that all parked on the grass, letting us wander, peek, and ask questions and passed out free red t-shirts. The city served the drivers lunch and an hour or so later they all left. The Sherriff's department sponsers the drive, they pay to participate, are allowed to speed, and the proceeds are given to the cities they visit.

Pete also got new sun glasses and a hair cut. Excitement for everyone.

Doodle was helping cut out cookies. She has to be continually reminded to stay off the counter. Sunshine was reminding her, again, to keep her bum off the counter. She came back with "Don't talk about bums!"

challenge 6, now some fun

We get to move forward with something I like to eat, fat. There are a lot of good fats that our bodies need. My favortie would be avocados. I love home made gaucamole. Just mash an avocado with some salt, garlic, lime juic if you have it. I love it at this point but you can get creative. You can add some tomatoes or salsa, maybe a little pineapple or mango, onion. I love lots of avocado. In the summer I love mashed avocado on toast with tomato and cucumber slices. My garden is producing some small tomatoes and our first cucumbers. I add a little salt and pepper. You could add sprouts, lettuce, peppers, anything. Heaven and no guilt.

.

Other good oils include olive oil, coconut oil, nut oils. For more information on fats and which ones to avoid or use sparingly see simple, health, taste. Additional sites include general oil information, smoking point for cooking oils. Ideally look for cold pressed and really it is probably best to choose foods in their whole state when getting you fats - such as avocados and nuts.

My sandwich model is Elise. She is due to have her baby in 4 weeks. I am so excited. I'm going to be a grandma. I'm also trying to feed her well so she will start right with her family. Life is good.

speaking of youth

I want to share this video. We do have great youth with great potential. Lets teach them, love them, support them, and trust them. They are facing difficult challenges that they can get through, overcome and be stronger, able to face the future as modern stripling warriors for God