Frying Pan Park

Today was probably Nash's last official outing with mommy as the baby of the family. I feel a little bit sorry for him. We went to a little farm and saw all of the new baby animals and played on the tractors.


"Check out all of the baby pigs, Mom!!" For some reason all of the greedy little pigs disturbed me a little. Maybe they bore too close a resemblance to me nursing my young and the impending new nurser on her way.




Nash showing off his battle wound. The turkey in the background attacked him a few minutes previously and took a little chunk out of his finger. I told him that's why we eat turkeys at Thanksgiving!

Tender Moments

With the birth of baby sister only days away, my boys are definitely sensing that something is about to change in their world. Nash is constantly at my side either wrapped around my legs or begging me to hold him. Atley seems to be lashing out and angry with me most days and an emotional wreck on the others. But there have also been some tender moments with Atley, moments that I will always cherish.
First, when Atley's cousin Alexis died, he didn't seem to have much of a reaction to the news. But, several days later as he was saying his nightly prayers he said, "Heavenly Father bless that Alexis will live again, like all of us." In my cynicism I immediately assumed he was thinking that he could pray Alexis back to life. Fortunately, I asked him what he meant before I began my explanation. He told me, "I know she will come back to life. We all will, at the same time, when we get resurrected." I began to explain that that wouldn't be for a very a long time but it wasn't necessary because he quickly said, "I think we will have to wait awhile though." Out of the mouth of babes, right?

Atley and Nash with their cousin's Alexis & Brittany along with Uncle Todd & Aunt Sara at downtown Disney last summer.
Second, Atley had a school assembly where his class was asked to sing a song about Mother's. They sang in Russian, French, Spanish, and English. When they finally started singing in English and I could hear and understand my little boy's voice above all the others I burst into tears. I'm sure that the other mother's think I must be crazy. I am more of the opinion that you must be heartless if you do not cry when your baby sings:
"May there always be sunshine,
May there always be blue sky,
May there always be mama,
May there always be me!"
Did I mention that there was also a slide show with pictures of the mom's and their children? Wow, I am crying again just writing about it! Maybe it's just hormones.


Third, one of my favorite books as a kid was Wilson Rawl's "Summer of the Monkeys". I started reading this book to the boys before bed a few weeks ago and we wrapped it up last weekend. To sum up the story, a little boy, Jay Berry, spends his summer trying to catch some monkeys that escaped from a circus train. He is hopeful he can collect a reward and buy himself a Pony and a .22 rifle. This same little boy has a very special sister who is crippled. His family is poor and cannot afford the surgery she needs to fix her leg. After a hilarious summer of monkey catching he goes to buy his pony and the pony he loves is also crippled. Of course the boy decides to give his reward money to his sister so that she can have surgery. As I was reading about Jay Berry giving away his money for his sister I started to hear some sniffles from underneath the covers. I pulled back the sheets to see Atley in tears. When I asked him what was the matter he exclaimed, "I am just so happy that Jay Berry made such a good choice. It must have been so hard for him." Then he wrapped his little arms around me and sobbed, explaining that he would do anything to help his family.

Finally, Atley had a play date today with a boy from school. He talks about this little boy all of the time. Atley idolizes him. I was nervous that the two older boys would be mean to little brother Nash. Of course Nash thinks he is as big as his brother and follows him wherever he goes. At one point Atley's friend asked, "Who do you like better me or Nash?" Atley looked at him funny and said, "Wow, that is a confusing question because Nash is my brother and you're just my friend. You guys aren't the same." I was pretty proud of that answer.
I hope they always love and look out for each other the way they do today!

Baby Shower

My wonderful friends threw me an amazing baby shower last week. Thanks guys! Here are some pictures.
Just a little over two weeks and I have to start worrying about how much I eat again. Have I enjoyed eating as much as I want? Uh! Look at the picture, what do you think?



We played a game where the guests had to choose certain attributes I wanted the baby to inherit and whether the baby should inherit them from me or her daddy. For example, nose, eyes, patience, demeanor, etc. I decided and then the object of the game was to see who could guess as closely to what I chose. My friend Erin, (the gorgeous blonde pictured above) who is totally hilarious, stopped in the middle of the game and says, "I just have one question! Are we assuming Scott is the father?"

All the fun presents!

Once again my friend Jill and her sweet sister Natalie wowed everyone with their crafty talents. They made these adorable aprons for the boys, complete with pockets full of baby supplies to help with their new little sister.

Why Am I so Tired?

Well, besides being 9 months pregnant and having two boys that still seem to have difficulty sleeping through the night, I actually have other reasons for being tired. First, I am convinced that Atley lays awake at night dreaming up projects for me. While I love his creativity and vivid imagination, it gets exhausting. Lately, he has had visions of everything from Air Traffic Control Towers made of plastic cups and cardboard, to Fish made from recycled 2 Liter bottles. Lucky for me he came up with the Darth Vader costume without any help from me. I just had to clean up the mess.

Nash got his head stuck in a chair yesterday. I am just thankful that Scott was home to help me take the chair apart or he might have had to walk around with a chair wrapped around his neck for quite some time.

This morning the boys caught their first frog of the spring/summer season. They played with him most of the morning but then they seemed to lose interest. I asked them where the frog was and they told me he got away. They were right. However, they failed to mention that the frog had gotten away inside the house. This afternoon while I was picking up their matchbox car mess, I grabbed something squishy and slimy. It was the frog that had gotten away. Don't worry I re-captured him and set him free OUTSIDE!!


Because I am such an amazing mother, I let Atley and Nash pee outside. Unfortunately, Nash has taken relieving himself out doors to a whole new level. We have caught him pooping on the lawn several times. He has been in trouble for it too. So, I suppose I should have been excited when he came in this morning to get his potty chair. He took it outside, carefully placed it on the patio and sat down to poop.

Sometimes I catch a break and they will jump on the trampoline for 10 whole minutes before they need a drink and a snack.

All I ask is that you do not judge me if you come to my house this afternoon and the house looks like a tornado wreaked havoc. Don't be surprised to find cupcake crumbs in nearly every room and frosting on the walls, because apparently in some state of exhausted delirium I promised them we could make cupcakes today. And please don't be surprised if you find me passed out on one couch while the boys sit in a zombie-like state in front of the TV on the other couch. At this point I am just trying to survive!

The many sides of Nash

I like to think of Nash as a Renaissance Man. He is very well-rounded, if you don't believe me just look at the many roles he plays.

FASHIONISTA!

MERRY MAID!

CONNOISSEUR OF FINE BEVERAGES!

ROCK STAR-INCOGNITO!

EXHIBITIONIST!

PROFESSIONAL BABY TOY TESTER!

Spring & Easter Pictures

Our sweet niece was called back to heaven on Saturday, after only 10 short years on this earth. While she was here she touched the hearts of so many people. I suppose some spirits are too righteous to be able to stay on this earth for very long. Perhaps we should feel surprised that Heavenly Father let us enjoy her light for as long as He did. She will be missed by all of us. Our love and prayers are with her parents and siblings.

Happy Easter Ideas

DISCLAIMER: These ideas are all stolen!

Easter Egg Scripture Hunt

Hide the following items and scriptures in twelve plastic eggs.
1. Matthew 26:39 (Sacrament cup)
2. Matthew 26:48-49 (Chocolate Kiss)
3. Matthew 26:14-15 (3 dimes)
4. Matthew 27:1-2 (Knotted twine)
5. Matthew 27:15, 17, 21, 24-26 (Chunk of Hand Soap)
6. Matthew 27:28-30 (Square of red or purple fabric)
7. Matthew 27:31-32 (Small Nail)
8. Matthew 27:50-51, 54 (Crushed rocks or pebbles)
9. Matthew 27:57-60 (Strip of White Cloth)
10. Matthew 27:60, 62-66 (A small, flat stone)
11. Mark 16:1, 2-6 (Bay leaf or other herb)
12. Matthew 28:5-6 (Empty)

Resurrection Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter.

You need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
A Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important! Don't wait until you're
half done with the recipe!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested,
He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar.
Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross,
He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and
brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears
shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died
because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks
are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie
sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that
Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.

NOW GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was
sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first
Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9