My Boy Ethan

I get very contemplative each Sunday night as I attempt to plan out the week. I always think "Here's a new week to have great memories", and then all of a sudden its Friday and the week has flown by. Sometimes, the days are filled with the same, tedious routines of cleaning up, picking up, breaking up fights, keeping the kids out of mischief and trouble, and its easy to lose sight of this great gift of motherhood that I really don't want to forget. 

This sweet picture of Ethan is a sight I don't want to forget. A little while back, I was outside taking pictures of the LDS sister missionaries holding their scriptures. Ethan saw us, ran home to grab his scriptures, flew on his bike down to us, and wanted his own picture. I love his enthusiasm. I love this picture of him.

Very soon, Ethan will be celebrating his birthday. The years fly by. I know that not every day is easy with this passionate guy, but I'm trying to learn better from him, and remember that it's a gift to be his Mom. I read this quote on Pinterest that really nailed it.

"Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you'd have. It's about understanding he's exactly the person he's supposed to be. And, if you're lucky, he might be the teacher who turns you into the person you're supposed to be." The Water Giver

Seriously, such a great quote that needs printed out for me to see. This is how I feel about my sweet boy Ethan. He is my son and teacher. He loves to be loud and silly. He is so bright and is a strong leader. I can see it, but I need to remember this thought when the adversary tries to make me forget about the blessings of motherhood. 

This week, I will try again. We'll make some playdough and cookies. We'll read books snuggled a little closer. Play a few more puzzles and games. Listen and look in his eyes better, and remember that I get to be his mom, and it's great. 

St Helen's and the Parade!

Lots of adventures with the sunnier weather. First up, a little trip to the park with my kiddos. I love park days. 

A little water play in the Columbia river. Not exactly Carpinteria, but it works:) 

Our trip to see a volcano, Mt Saint Helens! Pretty epic to see it so close. Earth is truly amazing. 

Next up, a parade! When I heard about this annual parade, I wanted the kids to experience it. Parades are so fun. I got there early with Ethan to snag a spot. He loved the idea of the streets closing down, and kids running everywhere. 

 

They loved the bands, the small floats, and the free candy. Some classic cars with loud engines slowly drove past. They revved their engines super loud. Made Shaun and mine's day. 

Just making memories with the family, and I love it. 

My Mother's Day

My Mother's day was special. My boys behaved much better at church, and that was a huge gift to me. That week, I had the thought to try something new to help motivate the boys to be more respectful and reverent in their classes. I made a large ticket for each of them, had them sign their names on it, colored it, laminated it, and used it to redeem one treat of their choice on Sundays. 

I brought some chocolate chips with me to church. Each time I saw the boys sitting in their chair quietly, I snuck a chip to them, trying not to let Brooke see, or she'd freak out and start screaming. Brooke's at the lovely possesive stage. If she sees it and wants it, she turns into the Hulk. Toddler fun:) The boys got chips, and I snuck some for me. I just tried to do more little, positive rewards to help them know their doing good. It helped. 

They earned their ticket for being calm and not crazy in their little class. Both of the boys were so happy. I was relieved and grateful for the inspiration for this idea. 

I need to write this down; I know for a fact that the idea of the ticket and more little, consistent praise rewards came to me because I started reading my scriptures daily. For a long time, I have been supremely sucking at scripture studying. I would pray for help with the kids, and would get nothing. No ideas or anything, and it was really hard and discouraging. The ideas to help me come flowing now, and I've seen the huge difference. It has been most helpful, and makes me not want to stop my studies ever.

Same with our family scripture studying. We're still at it, reading a verse a night, and talking about it. Ethan began wanting to read along, and say the words that he could read. Blew me away, and is fantastic! I've heard of kids learning to read from scripture readings. Every little bit helps. Since we've started our readings, the kids have been fighting and teasing less. They're are still struggles, but the other crud has gone down trememendously. It has taught me so much. Forever thankful. Scripture studying. It works, and it's fantastically fun. 

When Mother's day comes around, I love to remember my dear Mom, my best friend. It's been six years since she went home to heaven. We did so much together, and have so many memories. She loved movies, worked in them, and had her favorite ones that we'd watch over and over again. Sometimes, I'll watch one of our favorite movies again for the fist time in awhile, and I'll remember all the funny parts that we'd laugh on, and all the little lines we'd quote. Special.

I feel bad sometimes, because I'm so busy raising my kids, and figuring out life that I don't remember her as often as I'd like. I try to keep pictures around, and remember her quotes and lessons she taught me. 

She worked as an extra on The Dukes of Hazzard. Such a great show. So clean and loaded with good ethics lessons. She loved working there, and would give shoulder massages to the Bo and Luke Duke actors. She was really good at reflexology and massaging. 

I found a special treat that is a joy. I have the DVDs of the show. On the 4th season, first disc, second episode, Bo, Luke and Daisy Duke actors made a commentary for that episode, just chatting away. At the end of the show, a celebrity country singer is performing in the Boar's Nest, where most of the extras were filmed. You could always see Mom in these scenes. Well, Mom was in this part, and I could see her a lot in the background, just enjoying the music. At the end of the song, the camera is pretty close to her, and she turns to chat with someone. I can see her beautiful, younger face. At that part, Bo speaks up on the commentary and says 'There's Jeanette' and talks about her a little bit. It delights me to no end to hear them say her name, and see such a good close up. That's my happy gift of my Mom.

This is another Boars Nest scene on youtube, and I found her in the bottom corner having fun. So tender for me. 

I love being a Mom, and I miss mine terribly. I got my love of movies, especially action ones, from her. Love the old movies, too. The musicals. Love her kindness, constant compassion, and quickness to forgive.

I love my kids, and have been trying to be more patient with them, play more, read more, tickle more, and love more. Day by day:)

When the Sun Comes Out

The past two weeks, the sun came out for a few days. We were outside nearly the whole day, going to bed completely pooped from physical fun. We cut our grass, and began to play in the backyard for the first time in about 4 months. Been too wet to go out in until now. How wonderful it's been to just play in the garden, the dirt, and the cool air. We've done our learning outdoors. I grabbed books to read to them while they played. Heaven. 

Could she not be any cuter? Girls, such a fun difference from boys. 

Moon dough. Another 'why do I do this to myself?' art project that requires major clean up afterwards, but is worth it for the kids:)

It was around 80 degrees this day. Everyone said it was really hot. I thought it was perfect. Desert folks we are. 

Huge park, with tons of green everywhere. Brooke chasing her brothers:)

Explored a little spot off the road, and found a secret, magical place. Showed the boys the fun of climbing trees and playing with a bucket. Best toy ever. Rope and bucket. 

Could not get this cutie out of the tree. He loved it. 

 Blessings of this time:

• Having time to read, play and explore. 
• Ethan wanting to sit in my lap outside by the garden, for at least 30 minutes, singing Let it Go and other fun stuff. Bliss.
• Brooke constantly dressing herself up, and loving it. 
• Discovering a great coconut chocolate chip cookie recipe here. 
• Learning more about homeschooling and finding our daily rythmn. Learning more about how my kids learn so I can help them. 
• Organizing an area, finding the dvd camera, and watching old clips of Ethan super young. Reminding me of how fast time flies, and to savor each chapter. Surreal to watch.
• Helping prepare food at an LDS missionary zone conference. Being sung to by the missionaries, thanking us for their lunch, and having a total flashback of being a missionary doing the same thing to other people who fed us. Tender. 

We've been busy each day, and when it rains, we read and play more inside. It's a different pretty up here:)