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Is it Thursday yet?

Ha ha! Sorry about last weeks posting (or lack thereof.) The week went by pretty fast. Really there are no excuses though. Just laziness. Last week I bought some milk and chocolate milk that you can store on the shelf. My mom's ward put in an order for some so I tagged along. My dad was the one in charge of it so it was easy. I bought a case each of 12 - 1 quart 2% and chocolate milk as well as a case of individual sized chocolate milk. The kids can't get enough. The milk is good for about a year so it's something we will have to rotate which shouldn't be a problem since they like it so much. My dad buys it from a place in Brigham City, but I saw some on the shelf at Walmart too. It was twice as much there though. You should look into it though. Milk that can be stored on a shelf is awesome!

P.S. I won't miss my regular posting this week. I swear!

I finally figured it out...

So I finally figured out what being a stay at home mom means, to me at least. I love my kids very much, but it's been hard for me to be a stay at home mom. I like to work and I like to bring home money. Some people are just natural home makers, but I am just not one of them. That doesn't mean that I am not a good mom-it's just not as natural to me. It has taken me since April 5, 2004 to figure out what being a stay at home mom really is.

A stay at home mom is:
-Someone who makes and cleans up meals 24/7/365
-Someone who dresses, cleans, and combs hair of the children
-Someone who organizes, plans, and mails check for the entire household activities
-Someone who teaches her kids everything she knows, whether she means to or not

All of those things and more are the obvious things that fall under the category of regular stay at home mom activities. I have known all these things (and secretly rebelled against them) for a while now. But what was it for me? What is this mom thing really all about? Those reasons reallyweren't enough to settle down and just accept my mommy duties. I still wanted to work outside the home.
I have changed my mind now about all of it. I have found the real reason that mommy's staying home is important: Mommy's need to be available for whatever life throws at her family, good or bad.
That's it! Simple, right? Brody was up last night sick and then just miserable all day today. If I worked outside the home how would that have affected him? What a hassle to get off work or have my parents watch the kids because no daycare would take a sick kid. Also my husbands schedule is pretty set, but there are a few things this month that are different, a Christmas party in Texas (no kids!) and then 2 weeks off over Christmas. What if I had to work!? How terrible would that be to turn down a getaway weekend with my husband! Or to not be able to spend every second of his Christmas break together. (I hope we get a chance to take Collin skiing.) Also my sister needed a babysitter today because things fell through for her and she had to get to work. I was available.
I have a new outlook on this whole motherhood thing. I am very grateful to be able to stay at home with my kids, because not everyone has that option. And yes, some days will be filled with boredom and routine, but I am there for my kids when they need me. How exciting! It's like a whole new lease in life. :) All you good moms out there probably think I am totally crazy. Well, you are probably right. ;)

Surprise, Mom!

We have our water heater in a closet in the hall which is basically in the kitchen. The other night I was chit chatting on the phone with Amber and Brody was starving so I let him grab whatever he wanted out of the fridge. (I tend to neglect my kids when I am on the phone.) He picked out a bag of pepperoni from the fridge and began eating it, as is. Who cares, right? :) A while later as I am walking around the house talking on the phone I see my sweet little baby putting pepperonis in the vent to the door for the water heater. I open the door and much to my amazement I find a whole pile of things that have been inserted through the vent! Wahoo, money! Also a keychain, my sisters ring, pirate gold (lol), pencils, candy, and the obvious silverware. I guess I am not a very good mom. Oops!

Mr. Nerd Pants

My Collin is the constant Comedian. He does this almost every night since most of the clothes he sleeps in are elastic waist.

Happy 2 Year Old Birthday, Brody!

My baby is officially 2 years old! So sad! He is such a big boy now. Here are a couple of pics to bring back memories and make a mama cry. Love you Bro-Bro!

Christmas Service

It's that time of year again: Give me presents! Ok, ok, maybe some of you are always selfless and your children are already perfect, but for me it's a constant battle to stay on the straight and narrow. I am, however, someone who is big on service. I love to give and I wish I had millions of dollars to just go buy presents and do things for people. My mom told me once that I will never be rich, because I just give too much away. What a nice compliment!

Now that I am done tooting my own horn I am going to get you guys motivated. It's the Christmas season and lots of people need our help. I would like everyone who reads this to do one act of service for someone in need this holiday season. It seems to be especially hard this year for a lot of people. It doesn't have to be something big. You could go through your pantry and fill a grocery bag and take it to the food bank. Or you could find someone in your neighborhood or ward who needs some help and do the 12 days of Christmas or even one gift per child. There is someone you know that needs help this year. Be on the look out for ways you can serve. Maybe you can give someone a holiday dinner. Or you could donate one small toy to the local toy drive. It doesn't have to be a lot of money, but I encourage everyone to do something for someone else. Involve your kids and they will learn so much from your example. Plus it will be fun! I love to leave presents on someones door, knock, and run. What a rush! Make it fun, exciting, and educational!

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17

Christ spent his life among the poor and needy not among the rich. We need to follow that example and become humble and serve. Do our kids really need 100 new toys? Not really. Especially mine who are only 2 and 4. They have no idea! Collin has been playing with the styrofoam that the new TV came in. It's a castle. :)

You have officially been challenged. I want comments on here of what you and your family have done or will do. I love hearing stories of service.