Hands Free

For a few months now, I've noticed some great little snippets posted on Facebook from a page called 'The Hands Free Revolution". Good thoughts about letting go of distractions, putting the phone down, and tuning into life and noticing our families better. 

I pulled out my Kindle that had been hiding in my dresser, and started using it more. I love to read, but with kids, there's not much time for reading. I started reading the sample of this great book from Rachel, her Hands Free book. Such a good read. Nothing super huge and earth shattering, but something really good. 

I've noticed that we live in a heavy technology age today. Nearly everyone has a phone that has goodies on it to distract us. When I'm at parks with the kids, I've seen other parents looking at their phones, while their kids play by themselves. I'm totally guilty of it. I remember thinking to myself before I had an Iphone, "I'm never going to be on it all the time looking at stuff while my kids are up." Ha! What a load of crap. I'm totally a victim, getting sucked into checking Pinterest, FB or anything else. I love Pinterest, and I love catching up with friends, and especially reading the homeschool groups on FB, but I must learn to harness it. 

I've wanted to make a change for better with this habit. When I read Rachel's blog post on 'How to Miss a Childhood', that really hit me. Such a good read. Since then, I've wanted to make a conscious effort to do better, to put the phone down more, check it less, and tune it to my family better. I always can tell when my kids start acting up. It's mostly because I'm not spending enough time with them because of the stupid phone, or thinking I need to clean something up, laundry, etc. 

So, I got her e-book, and began to read more. It's a wonderful book. I just wanted to share some tidbits with you.

"Hands Free is not about being perfect; nor is it about being hyperfocused on the people I love. It is simply about making a conscious effort each and every day to connect. 

It is togetherness.

It is communication. 

It is fogiveness.

It is unconditional love. 

The most life changing experiences happen when I stop trying to control and simply let things unfold.

By shutting down your devices periodically each day, you are able to protect your time, strengthen your relationships, and nurture your own health and well being. Giving yourself a chance to notice the details that make life worth living is time well spent."

I encourage you to check out Rachel's Hands Free blog. It's filled with goodness. I think it not only applies to mothers who are missing out on their kids moments, but to all ages, and to all stages in life. Life is just too short, and it keeps flying by. Just had to share:)

Rain fun and my thoughts

I took a little blog break last week because the sun was out nearly every day. I have learned that when that happens, drop everything and play. There are less sunny days here in the winter. Now, when the sun is shining, I let it shine on my face, look up to the sky, and say a little 'thank you' for it.

A few weeks ago, it was pouring rain. We took advantage of some fun water play with our wagon and toys. It was great, and delightful fun for about 30 minutes:) The kids loved filling their buckets up, pouring, and transferring. Back home, when it rains it usually lasts about 5-10 minutes. Hours of rain on end is definitely new to us!

Arent' those pictures fun? Sweet kid moments.

In the midst of life, I had another birthday. I totally forgot about it coming up on me, until I got a candy bar at church. I would love to say that I had a birthday bash, went out to a show, or something amazing, but it was just an ordinary day taking care of the kiddos. Yet, I made a fantastic white chicken lasagna with whole wheat noodles that everyone ate. That was a gift.

I also made our favorite gold mine of a recipe find; a really, easy chocolate mousse.  I doubled the recipe, which filled the mixer bowl pretty decently. I declared my birthday weekend chocolate mousse day. We ate mousse for dessert, breakfast, and any other chance we could lick it up until it was gone. Lasted an amazing 24 hours. It's so good.

Played a little Wii with the kids and watched Hook. Put them to bed, and got to relax. It was a nice birthday.

Now, it's raining again. Steady stream of water. It's a pretty sound to hear through the windows.

Had a bit of a challenging afternoon with the boys. Yelled too much, getting tired, and junk. Tried my best to end the day right by tucking them in, reading to them, and telling them 'mama stories', stories from chapters of my life, which they greatly love. I love telling them, too. As I tell the story, my mind is taken right back to that moment when the story happened. I see all the details clearly in my head, and I remember the friends I met, and the great things I learned from them. The boys just love these stories.

Anyways, Kevin told me tonight he prayed for me when I was being a hag. It melted my heart, and I gave him a big hug. Later, I checked in on them, and just looked at them asleep, falling in love with them all over again. Sigh:)

So, this blog of mine is not the mommy blog where all the posts are rainbows and happy bubbles. I've heard of people reading those type of blogs, and feeling terrible about themselves, thinking they are not amazing like the blogger they just read. I hope whoever reads this will not be down on themselves, but know that I'm just like you. I struggle. I want to do better. I'm trying to see the beauty in life, the moments that are golden, and trying to learn what the Lord wants me to learn. Trying to do that while having crazy hard days, and great, peaceful days. It's quite the ride. I love learning, and I love sharing good things I've learned with others.

Wishing you all a peaceful week:)

My Greatest Fear

Hear I go again being completely open and honest with whoever is reading...

I see many good parenting articles about living in the moment, enjoying what stage you are in, and the constant reminder that kids grow up in a blink and to enjoy them. They are all written with the best of intentions by dear mothers. I read a few of them here and there, and try to find the positive in them to help me.

I am a mom of three young kiddos. Some days are good, and a lot of days are really, really hard. Days that make me think "Remember life before kids, when things were easier?", which makes me really guilty for ever thinking that.

I see glimpses of other families with older kids doing fun things together. Sometimes I think 'Wow, that must be fun. Maybe their kids actually listen. Maybe they have less nights going to bed not completely stressed and worn out.' Then, I try to stop thinking those thoughts, because I have heard that parenting teeanagers is an emotional, whole other ball park that I don't understand yet, and I just try to think of my family.

My greatest fear is that these fleeting years of the kids being young will fly past me too quickly, and I won't remember and enjoy it as much as I want, because I'm trying to learn how to discipline all the time, breaking up fights, teaching them good habits and gospel principles before they get older, and the sheer physical exhaustion of raising young kids. I'm so scared that I'll be the mom who looks back at pictures, and can't remember what we were doing at that time, because raising young kids is tough.

I remember when Kevin was born. I had an 18 month old and a newborn. That first year of Kevin's birth, all I can remember is being physically exhausted each and every day. I remember nursing all the time, being on my feet taking care of the boys, having a quick rest during their naptimes, and collapsing on the couch at 5pm when Shaun came home from work and could take over. Yet, I remember learning photography online at that time, and taking a beautiful picture of Kevin in his sweet, baby stage, but that's about it. It makes me sad that I can't remember too much more.

So, what do I do? How do I enjoy the stage I'm in right now with my sweet children who drive me crazy somedays, and melt my heart the next day? How can I not let this time, the only time that they will be this young, slip from me due to the fact that I'm just trying to learn how to be a parent for the first time, and to love them?

Well.. this is what I've done so far..

I try to read my scriptures better. I really have been doing a lame job at that lately. My dear husband inspires me every day when he reads on his own. Such a help. I'm not perfect, but I'm trying to do it daily again. It helps.

I search for parenting counsel in the treasure vault, otherwise known as the LDS Gospel Library App
I search through General Conference talks, scriptures, and more. I find gold every time, and I try to Instagram it, hoping it can help someone else out there.

I bravely and timidly ask for help on Facebook, because there are other moms out there that have been through the young kid stages, and that have wonderful wisdom to share with me and others who read through the comments. It has always been such a help.

I try not to read too many parenting blogs, and get overwhelmed, but the one I keep coming back to is The Power of Moms.  Over and over again. The articles on here and the podcasts are so great. I try to learn some good tips, skills, whatever! Anything to help little kids grow up to be good little men and women, and to bring more peace into our home.

I try really, really hard to remember to pick my battles wisely. Let a lot of things go. Keep the bigger picture in mind. Is it really worth arguing over this and hurting a family relationship, or can I let it go and breathe? Nurture. I need to do more of that.

There's more to write, but mainly, I try hard to not listen to Satan. He's a big jerk that just wants me to be miserable like himself.  I think he works hard on moms, especially new moms, when they are in the trenches of motherhood with young kids that wear them out. He works on moms of all age kids, because he never takes a day off.

Lately, I just have been trying to hug the kids more. Hold them. Read to them. Ask them what they want to learn about today. Throw them all in our big king bed, and tickle them. Let them run around and go crazy for a little bit, because that's what little boys do. Praise them when they do some little thing I ask them to do, because when they do listen and be obedient, it's the equivalent to the fireworks going off in Idaho Falls at the 4th of July. (Best firework show ever! Never forgot that from my college days:)

Thank you for reading, and please comment with any thoughts or advice. Helps me lots.

Sunshine

We discovered the Ridgefield Fairgrounds park. Lovely park on top of the world with an amazing view. The sun doesn't come out as much in the winter here. It's been a tad challenging to adjust to, to be honest. When the sun comes out, we drop everything and get outside. I'm grateful for this park, and the kind people there that played with the boys. 

So much green and trees! It's another planet up here. Isn't this picture amazing? It's a small glimpse of what we see daily. We're still trying to adjust, but we are keeping busy. Shaun met with an advisor at the college, and got a clear road map for nursing school. Two years of pre reqs, and then two years of full time nursing school. It seems so very long to me. I can't think of it sometimes, but hopefully, it will go by fast. Doesn't it always seem that something you want to reach so badly seems like an eternity away?

 So many other families have done the school route with kids, and we will be entering that path soon. I have so much respect for those who have done full time school with kids, and reached graduation. I'm a little scared of how to balance everything; giving the kids more attention than ever, Shaun being able to study and still spend time with the kids, not seeing Shaun as much, and more. I guess I will learn my best when it starts this year. Big chapter.

Beauty of the sun

I've noticed that there are many days here in the winter when the sky is grey, cloudy, and basically the sun does not come out all day. Some days have been foggy, and mystical looking to me with the trees poking out through the white fog. I've been trying to adjust to this, as I'm so used to sunny days back home. Now, when the sun comes out, I appreciate it so much more, and savor every drop of it. I am so very curious to see what spring and summer will be like. It will be amazing to not have 110 degree summers. I can't wait to garden. With those thoughts, I patiently endure the grey, overcast days. 

We got out to play and explore. I find it so beautiful when there are rain drops on the bare tree branches. Thousands of little crystals. 

We were driving, and stopped to look at a view from the top of the hill. Trees and trees, surrounded by fog. It was a neat sight. We just stood there, and went 'Wow'. 

The boys rode their bikes for a bit, and Brooke was content on pulling the wagon around. To be a toddler and only worry about pulling a wagon, carrying precious cargo of toys. Simple joys. 

Another blessing that happened was when Kevin was starting to push my buttons, and I started yelling. I stopped and said "Uh-oh, Kevin. I need to whisper when I talk to you.'. It was something dumb that was getting me riled up, and yet, it took such a conscious effort to control my voice, and not lose it. I'm trying to remember that these kiddos are little grown ups in small bodies, and that they deserve respect. It's easy to think that I'm the parent, I'm bigger and know more than them, and sometimes I think I don't treat them as I should. Their guests in my home from Heaven above. I love them, and want to treat them better. 

Happy New Year!

I am a passionate lover of quotes. I save them, write them down in my journal, type some out and print them to hang on my wall somewhere. I saw this and thought it was perfect for today.

Last year went by in a blink. It was filled with memories and events that are precious to me. Do you find as you get older, the years go by faster? That dear friends and simple acts of kindness that happened to you are held close in your heart to treasure? I sure have, and I'm trying to recognize the good moments better, and to learn from them.

Today's blessings:

Ethan sat down beside me, and began helping me with the laundry. He sorted his clothes into piles, and began matching the socks together. I nearly cried tears of joy, and told him I couldn't wait to tell Dada how awesome he's been today.

The Raffi children's music Pandora station. It plays such soft, fun, happy little songs. Listened to it while I got the Twister game out I picked up at thrift store. Taught the boys how to play it, and they laughed. Ethan was very focused on keeping his body on all the colors he was supposed to. It was funny.

Happy new year, everyone. May it be filled with joy and peace for you all:)

New year, new blog

Ok, I think I'm about done playing and tweaking the blog. I'm so very picky with blog looks, the fonts, colors, sizing, everything! Forgive the constant changes, but I think I'm done, and love this look much better.

I was struggling to remove my old brown wall paper and change the margin sizing of the old blog. I have a private test blog where I created the look of this new blog. I tried uploading the template to the old blog, but it wouldn't work. I just decided to start fresh. I will archive my old blog, and print it out soon through Blurb. Awesome book making company.

Allright, I must go take care of the kiddos now, but go check out my latest post here that I did on the old blog, explaining my new blogging goals:)