Give the boy a fish!

#4 has been trying to keep him self occupied during the day, now that 1, 2, and 3 are in school. This often includes a game of "fishing". But, unfortunately fishing was often done with computer parts, unhooked from the tower ie. keyboard, mouse, headsets, and speakers or x-box controllers. There was nothing wrong with the game, I just needed to change the tool out.

Here is a before and after

You will just have to scroll from the bottom up :)

Taking #2 out of the Kinesthetic/Intrapersonal/Sensory Processing Disorder Box, to let him think

Have you ever met a deep thinker?

Some one who is so focused on their own thoughts, that they do not hear anything else. As of late, I have been wondering what a deep thinker can do for a living. With so many wonderful thoughts to think, I would hate for my little deep thinker to be stuck at a 9 to 5 job, answering to a boss or deadline.

I wish I could pay for a personal tutor for my little deep thinker. I wish I could let him think all the thoughts he wants to think. Without having to stand in line, pay attention, or do work sheets.

I want to paint this picture for you. So, I will try to describe it, the best I can. I went to school today, to eat lunch with #1, #2, and #3. When it was time for me to eat with #2, I went to find him. He was out at recess. There were hundreds of kids running and playing. The play ground is slightly raised-about 1 foot off the ground, with a plastic retaining wall surrounding it. #2 was balancing the retaining wall. I walked up behind #2. I said his name. "OK mom, this is the rules, if you fall, you have to start again at the last corner" A kid from his class comes up to him, says his name, and asks him to play. He doesn't respond. Eventually the kid leaves. A girl ( looked like a 6th grader) sits on the retaining wall in front of him. "Please Move." She does, and on he goes. Undeterred. He makes it to the apparent starting point. "Yes, I win!! OK mom, what do you want?" I laugh and ask him to eat lunch with me. "No thanks, I have to make it around 2 more times before recess is over" Love you boy!

A few days ago I went to pick #2 up after school. He was sitting with about 100 kids in the Media Center. Every one was quiet, but it wouldn't have mattered if #2 was alone or with a million people he could not have been more deep in thought. I called his name. He glanced my way, and then went back on to thinking. A couple kids nudged him, but he didn't register it. The vice principal called his name, but he didn't notice. I walked over to him got down at eye level and said, "what are you thinking about bud?" He said, "How does she do it Mom?" "Who do what?" I dumbly asked He pointed to a mural on the wall where several "she's" stood out to me. "Oh like this" he says as he holds up a peace sign. Then I see the woman he is talking about. An African American hippy doing the peace sign with her fingers.

After recess, #2's teacher let him come and sit and chat with me for a while. We were sitting at a table when another family asked to sit with us. A european american mother with 2 african american sons. After a short conversation where #2 remained quiet, he finally spoke up. "did you adopt those 2 boys?" The mother said that their father was from Nigeria. "So he had dark skin and they have dark skin like him?" affirmative.

This week we talked about trials-one of them being school for #2, another trial being a mother who gets frustrated, and it seems like she does not understand. Dad said when he was a little boy he felt the same way. #2 said, "But then you learned that Heavenly Father gives us trials to help us be better, more like him?" yep, lesson was over.

Yesterday #2's Afterschool teacher pulled me aside. She was shaking with frustration. Been there, before comprehension. #2 just cannot come to the afterschool program any more. He is clearly not mature enough for the program. Maybe he can try again in the spring.

As I look at the situation with a perspective that is foriegn to me, I realize that some day #2 will be thinking freeing thoughts( I am reminded of Plato and Aristotle) , while this uninformed teacher will still be trying to put 1st graders into boxes labeled "will conform" or "reject".

If a picture really is worth a thousand words I have 2 for you

Man, have I seen that look before! Can't wait till the Spirit world when I get to swap stories with his Mom. By the way, do you think some relief society sisters are comforting Hitlers mom? I hope I get to! But that is beside the point.

By the way, I asked #2's teacher how he was doing today. She said, "well he does really good, except for transitions. It is almost like he doesn't hear me. Maybe you should check his hearing" :)

Family Picture 2011

Thanks Bro! Thanks Sis!

Levi Shaffer took the picture Sarah Lynn Camper edited it.

You guys are awesome.

June-Aug Fun*with pictures

#5 2 months old

Boys after 1/4 and 1/2 mile races at Como Park
#2 got his cast off- picture courtesy of #1
What do you do to keep #5 from crying on 22 hour trip? Give her a dumb dumb of course!
#2 and #4 at family reunion
Grandpa and #5 sharing a nap
Sister and niece at Rain forest cafe

Sister and Son at Rainforest Cafe

#5 coming home from HospitalThe Boys prayed that a turtle would come to our house- it did, but we are going to have to pray for a smaller one!Minutes after delivery of Beautiful #5

Project: Keep my kids alive till school starts

T-14 days and counting

A- Take them to the doctor to update shots-keeping t

hem away from sharp objects, emergency exits, examination tables, and bio-hazardous waste- while modestly feeding baby and trying to listen for important instructions from said doctor.

B- Take them to the dentist, so their teeth will not fall out- causing them to survive on Mashed peaches (said with lips bent around teeth) (go ahead, no ones watching- try it)

B1-even if this means admitting to dentist that we may not brush daily- let alone 2 times daily- which some weeks may translate to weekly.

C- Refuse to take 5 non-swimming children 8 and under to places where they might drowned, with out pre-authorized designated help.

Why? you may ask-let me tell you what happens when I do

. Last week got to the lake, #1,#2,#3, #4 ran out to the lake, as #5 was recovered from a blow out. I glanced again at the lake to make sure 1-4 were safe, #1 and #4 were simultaneously drowning. #4 was rescued by play group momma. #5 was left nude on an un-designated beach. #1 was pulled sputtering from lake by overwhelmed, 1/2 dressed, poop stained, grateful momma. No more water!

D-Limit the number of times I make new found recipe for caramel popcorn-thus reducing risk of Sugar Coma

D2 1 cup of Brown Sugar, 1 Cup of marshmallows, 1 cube butter- melt together and pour over popcorn- Happiness

D3 Sugar Coma Bad for mother with 5 children 8 and under

E-Increase structured activities-thus eliminating free time

E2 Free time promotes creativity and ingenuity which often includes the use of found sharp objects, high places, or toys used in unintended manner.

E2B ie. tricycles ridden off trampoline at high speeds-recreating Wright Brothers pre aeronautic success. Long sticks sharpened to points aiding in eliminating bad guys AKA #3 and #4.

F- Keep #5 in baby front pack at all times thus eliminating probable accidental death by love from 1-4

14 days of survival here we come

By the way- If you are looking for a blog that points out the wonders and delights of child raising go here www.soulemama.com-sorry that it is not me today

9 year Anniversary

9 years of holding hands

8 year old baptized

7 people in our family

6 year old swimming in the lake

5 year old figuring out life

4 BOYS

3 years in Minnesota

2 year old in training pants

1 precious little girl

Happy anniversary Babe! Sorry this post is a little late- but, you were in Minot and I am most obviously usually over my head. Love you!

Will add photos at the next post

Mommy- warning- look out for the soap box!

What do you do for a living?

I am a mom

He looks and waits for me to continue.

I start to say what I used to do

Then I realize, That Mommy is a job

So I say, I am a mommy

Just then the boys run out of the house

Mommy, Mommy, Mommy

Save me Mommy

Yes I am the Saver

I am the cooker

I am the one more bite enforcer

I am the bum wiper

I am the bath runner

I am the clothes folder

I am the driver

I am the cleaner

I am the hugger

I am the swatter

I am the teacher

I am the lover

I am the garden weader

I am the dish washer

I am the hole in the knee mender

I am the owie kisser

I am the flower reciever

I am the baby feeder

I am the diaper changer

I am the record keeper

I am the calender

I am the money spender

I am th rocker

I am Mommy

I have a favorite speech given by a man named Ezra Benson. It is called To the Mothers in Zion.

http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/PDF/ToMothersofZion.pdf I refer to it often, as it reminds me of what my most important job is. In 2005 my church released a document that is also part of the foundation in our home. http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/proclamation-on-family-is-still-a-clarion-call?lang=eng I can't help but feel the daily attack on mothers that I see, whether subtle or blatant. I believe the title of mother is loosing its importance. I see movies impose there belief that a mother would be a better mother out of the home following "her dream". Or, a current pop hit movie that sends teenagers away for months at a time to school. I am often stopped at the grocery store and asked- Are these all your children, or is this a day care. When I responds that they are mine, it is always followed with a "God bless you". Which, leads me to believe, with my 5 that I am not a common site. I remember feeling like a day care would do much better for my children than I can do for them. But, as I ponder that I realize how wrong I was. How could someone else ever be better for my child than I am? I see mothers- my self included focusing on weight or beauty. I see mothers giving in to the lie that life is too hard- or that it would be easier with addiction. I feel like this is a time when mothers, whether future or current, should ban together to protect our families, to teach, to learn, and to nurture each other and children every where. A favorite speaker of mine is a woman named Julie Beck. As she speaks of families, she points out that we need to be intentional. I love that word! We don't need to be perfect, but we need to live with intent. I think for me this means, not to let life just pass, but to be intentional about what I allow in my home, and what I allow out of my mouth. She mentions being "brilliant in the basics". She goes on to list a few. -pray, study the scriptures together, have family night, make a priority of mealtimes, and speak respectfully of your marriage partner.

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family?lang=eng&noLang=true&path=/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family

10 ways a mother can mother

Be at the Crossroads

Be a Real Friend.

Read to Your Children.

Pray with Your Children.

Have Weekly Family Night

Be Together at Mealtimes.

Read Scriptures Daily.

Do Things as a Family.

Teach Your Children.

Truly Love Your Children.

I guess this is my challenge to you mothers out there. Don't give up. Don't give in. Be intentional. Rely on the strength and knowledge of mothers who came before you. Be a little better. You can do it. Look at your precious little ones and do it!

And can I just add a post script-

Please be respectful of Men. Respect and show respect for Husbands, Fathers, Grandfathers, Brothers, Sons. They have a hard roll. With our respect, doing their duty will be more joyful.