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.

She is here!

We are in love! She is so sweet. We are having so much fun dressing her in pink. She was 8lbs even. She was 20 inches long. She is good at everything she is supposed to do. Good eater, Good sleeper, Good diaper filler. And, if you know me, you will be excited to note that she has a white streak in her hair- right up front. We are tired, and happy. We are taking the month of July off to rest and relax. Have a wonderful independence day, pioneer day, and strawberry, raspberry harvest. See in you all in August.

With Love!

Birthdays and a Baptism

Some how I don't have pictures of #2 and Hubbins Birthdays. Shoot! But #3 had a birthday in June and #1 had a birthday in May. #1 was baptized in June. And #1 had his very first birthday party with friends. It has been a fun couple of months! #1 wanted a spring cake. #3 wanted a cake with strawberries on top.

highlights -at the baptism, we were listening to one of the missionaries play church music, when everyone hears #2 shout- "look, guys I found the font- lets jump in."

-At the party someone hands #1 a card. He looks at it and says, " I am saving the best for last" Nice cover bud!

-#3 made sure no one else blew out his candles this year, because he wanted to make sure and get his wish!

Life is sure fun with 5 boys to kiss!