Something to be GLAD about!

The kids were delayed going to school for 2 hours today because of the slick roads and the big accident on Highway 20 at the Menan/Lorenzo exit not far from home.  2 semi-trucks slid across the black ice roads and somehow crashed along with a tow truck.  It took about 12 hours to clean up completely.

So with the kids home we all relaxed a little more, and I even got to play the card game "Spoons" with Joyanne and Noah.

Today was a pretty routine day filled with feeding the kids 3 meals, doing laundry, working hard to clean off the stove top, dishes, picking up, and homework.  At one point I became bored of the monotony of life, but then I stepped back and said, "Whoa!  I have a good life and there are many things to be grateful for and glad about."

I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who works hard to provide for our family and lets me stay home to be with the kids.  I'm glad I'm not sick and can accomplish the household tasks that are before me.  I'm grateful for my wonderful children. 

Joyanne and Noah were especially helpful today.  Noah helped with laundry, cleaning up, and cooking dinner.  Joyanne played with Grant and helped get him in his highchair.  I'm finding praising my children goes a long way with them.  They like to be praised, and I sure like praising them.

So often we can get dissastified with life, but then we just need to "count our blessings."

Here's my mountain of laundry covering the bed.  Time to get folding! :)

Buckin' Up and Moving Forward

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=654QGjYHlJY

We took an idea from Elder Uchtdorf's talk.  I placed a big marshmallow in front of my kids and told them they could eat it now or wait 15 minutes.  If they waited 15 minutes, they would receive a second marshmallow.  Surprisingly they all waited, except for 1-year-old Grant.  The idea was patience brings great blessings.

Daddy has left to go work hard and train.  We here must buck up and move forward.  I say "buck up" because we sure miss Daddy and long for when we don't have to say goodbye for long stretches at a time.  2 weeks more and we will get to see him again.  We are halfway through his training.  April can't come soon enough!

Hopefully our house sells in the meantime.  Still hoping the right family comes and buys are beautiful home.  We sure will miss it, along with our great neighbors.

So a new week dawns and it's going to be a good one!

P.S.  Daddy forgot his workboots and had to drive about 45 minutes back.  Frustrating to say the least, but I was able to drive out a little ways for him.  I love being married where we both can give and help eachother.

Daddy Fun Time

What a thrill and joy it's been to have daddy home this weekend.  He has played around with the kids and had a lot of fun.  From doing situps with kids on his back to wrestling and rolling around, the kids have loved every minute of it.

We went to Leo's Place in Idaho Falls.  The kids love to play there.  Pizza and an inside playground and arcade is fun the kids really enjoy.  Grant especially liked riding the Bulldozer there.  Family time helps knit us together. :)

 

Builders

                                        

The last few days Jaden has loved building.  He makes all kinds of towers and homes.

I wish I would have gotten a picture of Noah getting his wolf tonight at pack meeting.  He earned all his yellow beads and a gold arrow and 2 silver.  Way to go, Noah!

Friends

James had his best friend over today.  He loves to play with Daren.  We will surely miss Daren and all the Prescotts when we move.  So I pulled out about 10 activities from our game closet and the boys were entertained for over 2 hours.  I went outside and shoveled snow for about an hour, checking on the boys every 20 minutes.

Who could believe that shoveling could be so fun.  The last few days I have enjoyed getting out and shoveling the mounds of snow that fill our driveway and roundabout.  After 3 hours of shoveling I'm about halfway through the roundabout. :)

HJ was amazing today.  He was such a helper and said just before dinner, "Mom, after dinner I will sweep the floor for you."  This was after he had just unloaded the dishwasher.  His poor tummy hurt most of the day from his new medication that helps his ADHD.  He didn't even eat lunch and it was chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and gravy.  He said he cried at lunch, recess and on the bus because his tummy hurt.  Poor guy.  He ate great at home tonight and felt a bit better.

Prince Charming did great today at the firing range.  His high is 205.  He is improving greatly.  I love my prince and am anxious to see him this weekend for more reasons than one. ;)

I love my family and am grateful to be a mommy and wife.

Doctor Day

I took HJ to the doctor and after some discussion and evaluation we decided to medicate him for ADHD.  This is a new path and hopefully a good one.  We should see positive results in a week.  HJ also read with me for 45 minutes this evening trying to catch up on his Pizza Hut Bookit minutes.

I saved a little money from having to buy new boots for Joyanne.  The inside sole of her boots was worn clear through and it hurt her to wear them.  So I went and bought "Dr. Scholl's insoles" for $2.65 and now she says it provides great cushioning.

 

Noah is quite the little reader these days. He loves reading the Warriors series and has almost completed the sixth book.

Snow Day

The kids were out of school today due to being dumped on with snow all yesterday.  It was beautiful to look outside and see so much snow.  In the afternoon we all bundled up and headed outside.  We made snow angels and attempted to throw snowballs, but the snow was so powdery, it just slipped  through our gloves.  Joyanne made a nice big circle by tromping through the snow.  Grant enjoyed playing on the trampoline and watching all the craziness of 2 dogs, 1cat and kids rolling and playing in the snow.