I'm allergic to exercise

No, I'm not just being funny. I really am allergic to exercise...you can read more here. Some people think this is cool, but it's not. I don't burn 500 extra calories everyday just because I'm allergic to exercising. I have to be really careful with what I do when I want to exercise and I can never eat before I go. Plus, it can be really scary.I wish I could run or jog..free, social, but that's the worst thing I can do. Makes me kinda sad. It happened once before I was married, a few times in between, and then in the last 3 years it has happened pretty much anytime I really push cardio or try to run (I've downed more Benadryl than can be good for anyone). Good news? I found out interval training works because my body can heat up and cool down throughout the workout which is key.

Even better news...I can ZUMBA! If you like to dance and haven't tried it yet, I would highly recommend it. Or, if you think exercise is super boring and a necessary evil (I fall into that category really often) give it a shot. I tried it once and was completely hooked...it was a full hour and it didn't even feel like I was exercising, but I came out dripping sweat. (However, the quality of the class totally depends on the instructor).  I liked it so much, I got certified to teach, and in Michigan there are plenty of opportunities. I teach about 4 classes a week and get paid to exercise! I realized I wouldn't exercise unless I had a reason to, so it's the perfect fit...I get paid, it makes me work out 4 times a week, and I don't end up looking like an oompah loompah when I'm finished since Zumba works on an interval.

(And no, I don't get paid if you try a Zumba class. Kind of feels like I'm trying to multi-level market here, huh? No, I really do just like it that much!)

Lamest Valentine's Day Ever

I've been reading about amazingly fantastic Valentine's Day celebrations and crafts all week, so I had to put ours out there too:

*When Mike's asked me the week before, "We're really not doing anything for Valentine's day?" I said, "Nope, we're really not. I'm trying to plan/make it to 3 class parties and I have to teach 2 Zumba classes...that's pretty much all I can handle. Plus, I don't want to try and find a babysitter or rush home and get showered and dressed." He was a bit in shock, but he knew I was serious.

*The boys each got new basketball shorts and a box of Jelly Bellies with a handritten Valentine on a piece of pink construction paper from me when they woke up...I didn't even cut it in the shape of a heart

*Jace made everyone in the family really cute Valentine cards...that I forgot to get pictures of before we threw them away

*My kids had store bought valentines (no photos, no homemade suckers, no party bags...I know, failure)...even better, when we were assembling them the night before, I realized that we bought nerds and all the cards said things like, "Here's lookin at you nerd." Hopefully the parents understood.

*I helped plan and administer 2 big school Valentine celebrations and made it to the very end of one (one of the reasons for our lack of family celebrations)

*I taught 2 Zumba classes and felt particularly exhausted after the last one...did you know Valentine's Day is not a REAL holiday where people take the day off from exercise?

*We had no dinner plans...Mike made heart pancakes and we drank red smoothies together...not a bad improv. The kids were pleased.

*We had family night and hung out together and it turned out to be a really nice, low-key night. Exactly what I was looking for.

*We put the kids to bed and Mike got out his laptop to study for a huge midterm, I got my book out and pretended to read until I fell dead asleep at 9:30. Romantic huh?

Well, there is always next year, right?

34 Years Young

To read about Mike's birthday click here

What's the Score?

Well, we don't know...because apparently kids are not supposed to keep score when they play sports any more. Even Jace, who is almost 8 is obviously too young to handle winning and losing. Oh, and you can travel, double dribble, you can't steal.. Let me just say, and I'll move on (or not), that I would rather teach my kids at a younger age (for sure by 6 or 7) to win and lose graciously and to play the game right...than to have it hit them in the face at some later point (when?) and then wonder, "Why doesn't everyone win? That's no fair! Everyone used to always win! I thought I was good. What happened?" I fully believe my kids are capable of handling winning and losing. And if they are not, it's time for them to learn how. It's like a major backlash from crazy sideline parents and abusive coaches. I'm pining for a happy middle.

Plus, kids play and try harder when there is something on the line. There is almost no incentive to play as a team if it doesn't matter who wins. Every kid on the court is in it for themselves, no one passes, no one goes for the sure shots, everyone is out to be Jimmer Fredet from half court. Harsh reality of life...sometimes you don't win. Get used to it. Learn to deal. Play harder, you'll have a better shot at winning.

So, I'm kind of sounding like a Tiger mom, but I'm not. Sports here are just a totally different ball game (pun intended). We are getting used to it, seeing the value in the Kumbaya theory, but in all honesty, wishing for better. A little healthy competition and a little intensity by the time you turn 8 doesn't seem like a sin.
That being said, the boys have loved playing basketball this season and had lots of fun.
Boy #3
Loves practice, hates games. Great dribbler and shooter, but when it comes to playing a game, he looks at his teammates as they swarm the ball and the other players like, "You guys are crazy. I'm just going to hang out over here, and if the ball comes my way, so be it. If not, I am NOT throwing myself into that mess of people." He marches to the beat of his own dribble.
Boy #2
 Serious skills and seriously tiny. Such a coordinated and fast kid. He's learned so much and is starting to be more willing to be aggressive. Great dribbler, good shooter and plays hard.  Jumps non stop and is almost always open right by the hoop, but no one passes. Basketball with 5 and 6-year-olds is always interesting, but he loves playing.
Boy #1
Crazy serious, competitive (though it has been drilled into him that winning doesn't matter, which is probably good for him), just a good athlete. He practices and plays hard and it shows. He loves being out there and loves team sports. Sometimes he thinks he's professional. Case in point: After a particularly lazy game of his, I asked him why he didn't try and get the ball, but just stood down by the hoop, yelling for the ball. His reply?

"That's what they do in the NBA. Other guys get the ball, then they throw it to the best player and he always shoots it."

I kindly reminded him that he does not play in the NBA, he keeps throwing up crazy shots, so he is not the best shooter, and 8 year olds have no desire to work hard to get the ball then pass it to the lazy kid at the end of the court. He didn't think I was being very nice, but really???? His confidence kills me. Lucky for us, the next game he was back into hussle mode. He doesn't like correction, but he's pretty good to put it into practice.

I have to say that one of the best things about having 3 boys is watching them play sports. Glad I like it because it looks like this just might be my life!
To read more, and see some darn cute pics, click here

Missing AZ

Feeling a little Arizona homesickness right now. Really missing:

Arizona February...best month of the year
Free, delicious, fresh citrus
Our own grapefruit tree
Chatting at the park in the morning and after school
Couples Valentine party
Final four pool
Driveway play
Out of town visitors
Outdoor birthday parties with 25 kids running crazy
Challenger
Hirable babysitters
Sunshine
Bike rides
Walks with friends
Morning workouts at the basketball court
Juicing lemons for fresh lemonade
Bountiful Baskets
Cousins
BBQs at the park
Mountain time zone
Girls nights
Garage (I've been scraping the inside and outside of my windshield)

So, enjoy everything, for us too! We'll be ready to gloat again this summer.

Funny

Click here to read more

Best Salad Ever

I love to cook...not bake (too much measuring and no way to fix a mess) and rarely does my stuff look pretty, but it always tastes good...especially salsads. I got this recipe from Aimee Hada and twisted it up a bit and it was a huge hit at the last shower I went to, so I thought I'd share. The dressing is so fun and different, you might want to drink it.

Chopped Salad:
1 head of Romaine, thinly shredded
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 ears of cooked corn, sliced off ear (or 2 cups frozen corn, thawed and drained)
2 avocado, chopped
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 large mango, chopped
4 oz. feta cheese
1/2 bag of tortilla chips, crumbled

Lime-Cumin Vinegarette:
9 limes, juiced
almost 1 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground chili powder
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. garlic powder

Mix lettuce and cilantro, then top with the rest of the ingredients. Shake the dressing together then toss with the salad. You won't need all the dressing, so save some for later!

It's easier than it looks and so good. Enjoy!

Honey Lime Enchiladas

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas (Adapted from a recipe by Jenna Lee)

Marinade:
6T honey
5T lime juice
1 T chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (or 4 breasts cooked and shredded)

1 lb. Monterey jack cheese, shredded
16 oz. green enchilada sauce
1 c. buttermilk (or cream)
1T honey
10 flour tortillas

Mix marinade ingredients together and toss with shredded chicken. Let sit in fridge all day or at least a few hours. Pour 1/2 enchilada sauce on the bottom of 9 x 13 pan. Fill tortillas with cheese and chicken. Mix remaining enchilada sauce with muttermilk, leftover marinade and 1 more T of honey. Pour sauce on top and sprinkle with more cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Canned Salsa

I have a killer homemade, fresh salsa recipe, that i love to make and love to eat...so I've gotten spoiled and so has my family. We like very few store salsas (unless they are over $5). But, my fresh stuff doesn't stay good for long, and I don't like making it daily, so I remembered I loved Lyric's mom's canned salsa recipe, so the other night I canned 10 huge jars of salsa! We love salsa a bit sweet and not too spicy, so we've been plowing through our supply. The best thing about it is that you don't need a canner...the jars seal themselves! Here's the recipe if you want to give it a try.

P.S. You have to have a HUGE pot, buy the tomatoes at Costco, and find a good deal on green peppers (farmer's market) to make it very cost effective.

8 quarts whole tomatoes, blended for a few minutes (I use my hand blender)

9 chopped green peppers (the smaller chopped the better)

3/4 c. dried onions

4 large chopped jalepenos (some seeds removed, can use more if you like it spicy)

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

5 c. vinegar (white distilled)

4 T. salt

2 tsp. pepper

1/4 chopped fresh garlic (sold in jars)

1/2 c. sugar (you can omit this if you don't like it very sweet)

Add all ingredients to a large stock pot. Cook slowly for at least 3 hours (not a big boil, more a light simmer). You will need to stir it often but not constantly. Then pour into jars. They will seal themselves. If they don't seal in 24 hours, refrigerate and eat.

(If you have questions about how to can this, let me know!)

Home-made Laudry Detergent

I'm all of a sudden becoming a pioneer woman. We learned how to make our own laundry soap (thanks Alyson) the other night and it actually works really well. It's crazy cheap, we made all those bottles for about $8. They should last us all a good long time. It's kind of exciting and empowering learning how to do things for yourself. If you are intersted, here is the recipe. We added Lemon Grass essential oil to ours, and I love the way it smells.

Homemade Laundry Soap

One batch (about $2) equals 180 loads for top loading machine or 640 loads for front loading high efficiency machines:
You'll need:
4 cups hot water
1 bar of Fels-Naptha bar soap ( I found it in the laundry isle @ Fry's & Safeway)
1 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda (can find it in the laundry isle @ Fry's) ** Looks like baking soda box but read the label carefully as you want the washing soda **
1/2 cup Borax (I use the brand 20 Mule Team)
1) Grate bar of soap in water. Stir on med-low heat continually until dissolved & melted .
2) Fill 5 gal bucket 1/2 full of water. Add melted soap, washing soda & borax. Fill bucket to the top with more water. Stir until all powder is dissolved. Put a lid on it & let it sit overnight. to thicken. If you like a scent to your soap use apprx 30 drops of essential oil. I use lavender.
3) Once mixture is thick, stir again & fill a clean laundry soap dispenser (I use my used Tide one which has a spout).
3) Fill fill dispenser 1/2 full with soap mixture & the rest with water. Shake well before each use. Mixture will gel into laundry soap consistency.
I put a lid on left overs and store it in a closet in my laundry room. You may want to cut the recipe in 1/2 if you don't want or have the room to store left overs. One batch goes a long, long way.
Top loaders: Use 5/8 c per load (for a total of 180 loads)
Front loading high efficiency machine: 1/4 c per load (for a total of 640 loads)

Freedom

We have been blessed to meet some great friends here. One family we particularly enjoy is from Egypt. Both parents are doctors and they have 3 wonderful children. We had them over at Christmastime to learn more about their Muslim religion and share some of our traditions with them. We soon found that while our core beliefs are very different, the way they manifest themselves in daily living is shockingly similar. It was a wonderful night.

When the revolution started in Egypt, I thought about them constantly. I was dying to know how they felt about what was going on in their country. We finally made time to connect on Friday and I went to her house with a mind full of questions. She kindly told me she was going to leave the television on...she has been so anxious about what is happening in Egypt since her family, colleagues, and friends are all there and she wants to know what is happening in her country at all times.

As I spoke to her about Egypt, she shared with me the oppression that is felt there. She likened the Egyptian people to victims of domestic violence...people who know they are being treated wrongly, but are too emotionally defeated to do anything about it. She told me that for every 5 Egyptians there is one secret service officer watching them. People listen to their phone calls and watch their actions. Torture is rampant, especially for saying anything against the government. When she was teaching her classes, many students would ask, "Why?" "Why should we study?" "Why should we learn?" They didn't feel like there was anything out there for them because there was so much government control.

Both she and her husband were MDs and taught at the University. Her take home pay after teaching for 15 years was $600 per month because of taxes and bribes they had to concede to. Most Egyptians live on $2 a day, so they were well above the standard. But, once you get more money, you end up paying more to be left alone and continue your work. Everything is corrupt.  The government takes everything...the $400 million a year from the Suez Canal, the profits from tourism, and then, if you leave Egypt, you continue to pay money to the government so you can be out of the country. Poor young people risk their lives everyday to leave Egypt on a floating raft and sail to Greece. Most die trying. Those who are more educated, try to leave to study. The government decides what crops can be grown and what can be bought and sold and at what price. They control the television and radio stations.

When I asked her if she thought a revolution like this would ever happen, she said, "No. I thought we were too broken. I never thought this many people would rise up." She continued to tell me, "Brooke, you don't understand because you won't be able to tell, but the people protesting in the streets are from everywhere...there are rich and poor, male and female, young and old. They are from all religions and all social classes. This isn't a revolution of just the rich or just the poor. All of Egypt is there."

Then, as she was saying this, she paused, and looked at her TV as the Vice-President came into focus. She was watching in Arabic, so I didn't know what was being said, but she stood still, eyes wide, mouth open, hands on her cheeks. She said over and over, "I can't believe it. I can't believe it." She turned and looked at me and said, with tears in her eyes, "The vice-president stepped down. I didn't think this would ever happen." She started to cry and immediately knelt down to pray and thank God. She stood up with wet eyes, and hugged me, hard. I was crying with her and at a loss for words.

I asked, "Did you think this would ever happen?" She said, "No. Yesterday he told the protesters he would bury them tomorrow and here he is stepping down."

Then her phone started ringing and I listened as she exclaimed with her mother and sister over the phone from Egypt. They were speaking Arabic, but it didn't matter...I understood their celebration and incredulity and gratitude. She quietly murmured, "I wish I were there. I wish I were there." It was my turn to leave and let her bask in this joy with other people who really understood. She hugged me with a smile and I told her I would never forget that moment. I felt so blessed to witness something so sacred. She told me, "God sent you here this morning to be here with me." If that is true, I am so grateful He sent me.

You see, I'm an American...have always been. My freedom, while I hate to admit it, is often taken for granted. I take for granted that open to my children is every possibility, that I can choose my leaders, that we are safe, that you can right wrongs, that you can have second chances, that no one is watching me, that I can say what I want to say and others can too without fear, that hatred and cruelty is not tolerated, that I can worship the way I please, that I can pursue happiness.

I'm not a political scientist and I know very little about the Middle East, but what I know is that on Friday I saw sheer joy at even the glimmer of freedom from one who never thought it would be possible. I saw a lifelong yearning for something that was once unattainable start to be filled. I saw hope and rejoicing and love and pride in the people of her country. I saw the gratitude I should feel, everyday, for being lucky enough to live in America. That night I went to bed with a heart full of thanksgiving for the life and opportunity I have here and for a new friendship that taught me how it should feel, everyday, to be free.

Private

I had to go private much faster than I wanted to. If you want to be a reader of our private blog, email me at brookeoromney (at) gmail (dot) com.

To read more, click here

Salad, Pasta, Books, TV

Once in awhile I find things that solve my own problems and I just have to share...
Problem 1: I need an impressive winter salad to take to a get together

Here is the best winter salad I make...spinach, bacon, pears, a delightful vinaigrette dressing. I promise, everyone will want this recipe:

Spinach Salad with pears and blue cheese

just a note, this is great for company because everything except the pears can be prepared the day before and put into little bags in the fridge if you are making it on a busy day. You can also add rotisserie chicken to it to make it a main dish salad

I just kind of decide how much I want of everything but I'll try to give you an idea:

One large bag of spinach (almost all of a Costco size bag)...enough to fill a very large bowl of salad (you can also use Romaine or green leaf lettuce if you prefer)

1 yellow pepper, cut into very small pieces

1/2-3/4 medium red onion, cut into very small pieces

About a pound of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (I'm not afraid of microwave bacon...I actually like how crisp it gets)

2 ripe d'anjou pears (I think having this type of pear is important, they take awhile to ripen so buy early) cut into smallish pieces

Crumbled blue cheese, to taste (I don't like really big chunks)

Sugared almonds, the more the better :) about 1 larger bag of slivered almonds

To sugar the almonds put the bag of almonds into a pan on the stove, add about 1/2 to 3/4 C of sugar...cook over medium high heat until the sugar starts to dissolve and becomes liquid and the almonds begin to brown. When they are coated, pour onto a pan or plate, let them dry and cool and then crumble into salad.

Here is the dressing recipe: 1/4 C red wine vinegar, 1 TBSP. Dijon mustard, 1/4-1/3 C sugar, 1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP oil, a dash of salt and pepper. Shake! (I like to make the dressing the day before and let it sit in the fridge. Shake it up and make sure it tastes just right.) Don't dump it all on to the salad...pour some, toss, taste, pour some more, etc.

Problem 2: I'm taking dinner to a friend's family but I want something that is easy to transport, makes double for my family, won't break the bank and her picky kids will eat

This meal is a new one, but recently got rave reviews from my family and another! And, for all of you who don't cook, I promise, making a white sauce is simple (but don't use cannery flour)!

Cheesy Rigatoni

1 lb. rigatoni noodles

36 oz. Ragu Sun-dried tomato and basil spaghetti sauce (about a jar and 1/2--I think this kind and flavor is best)

1 lb. mozzarella cheese

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

1 zucchini, grated

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

4 T. butter

4 T. flour

2 c. milk

Cook and drain noodles according to package. Grate the zucchini and saute over med-hi heat in a little butter (if you must have meat, this is a good time to saute the beef or sausage too), when almost cooked, throw in the spinach and pour the spaghetti sauce over the mixture . Cover and let simmer. Make a white sauce by melting the butter into a saucepan, when melted, whisk in flour and then whisk in milk until smooth. Stir until it thickens a bit.

In a deep 9 x 13 pan, Layer 1/2 the noodles, 1/2 the white sauce (it won't completely cover), 1/2 the spaghetti sauce and 1/2 of both cheeses. Repeat layers. Bake 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.  

I promise no one even notices the spinach or zucchini...you can't taste it at all.  Serve with french bread and an easy Cesar salad. 

Problem 3: It's winter and I'm inside all the time...what should I read?

If you want to better yourself: The Anatomy of Peace (The Arbinger Institute)

Incredible. This is technically a "self-help" book, which I usually can't stand, but this one was the greatest. For one, it was written in allegory, which made it much more interesting...it's like I was reading a story but gleaning all the advice and help I needed from it. For two, it was so full of "truth" that I was constantly nodding my head, smiling and wondering why I hadn't already seen things this same way. It talks about having a heart at peace with everyone around yo...moreIncredible. This is technically a "self-help" book, which I usually can't stand, but this one was the greatest. For one, it was written in allegory, which made it much more interesting...it's like I was reading someone else's life experience but gleaning all the advice and help I needed from it. For two, it was so full of "truth" that I was constantly nodding my head, smiling and wondering why I hadn't already seen things the same way. It talks about having a heart at peace with everyone around you and I've had multiple situations in the last few months where I have used the strategies and philosophies and feel so much better about the way I have handled difficult situations. This book made me so self-reflective that at times I was uncomfortable with what I was realizing about myself and what I need to change. It was an easy, quick read and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to better their relationships or who is struggling with something or someone in particular. I'm planning on re-reading it often.

If you want to learn about another culture and be devoured by great writing and an unforgettable story: Shanghai Girls (Lisa See)

Oh man I loved this book. I'm not sure it was as good as Snowflower and the Secret Fan, but I could not put it down. I loved the main character and how See is able to give so many different points of view in the book. I loved watching the main character grow, mature and become a mother. I loved reading how so many survived serious hardship. People and children are amazingly resilient. It was a historical fiction (a combination of many real stories combined together in fictional characters). It m...moreOh man I loved this book. I could not put it down. I loved the way the author included so many different viewpoints in her novel. I loved main character and watching her grow, mature and become a mother. I loved reading how so many survived serious hardship. People and children are amazingly resilient. It was a historical fiction (a combination of many real stories with fictional characters). It made me look at people and the world differently and wonder what they had been through to be where they are today. I loved how it showed that your life doesn't have to be perfect to find happiness and contentment...oftentimes you must create that peace and fulfillment within yourself in spite of your circumstances. Most lives don't go according to plan.  The Chinese culture is so different from mine, that I always find it fascinating to learn more about it, especially to hear what America was like for them. I have to admit, I hated the ending though...I mean really hated it, so I'm ignoring that it ended the way it did because aside from the last 10 pages, it was truly amazing. Overall, it was pretty clean though there were some difficult and very real things that happened in the book. 

Problem 4: Everything on television is complete junk. What can we watch that is actually interesting and appropriate? 

We LOVE NBC's Parenthood. Great, fun, realistic and uplifting. If you haven't watched it yet, we'd recommend getting caught up...it's halfway through the second season right now. Of course there are a handful of other things we watch, but this is our favorite (so I'm sure it will get cancelled), and between Mike's studying and my reading, there isn't a ton of time for TV. 

What are you cooking, watching and reading to keep your winter moving?

Cold as Ice: Plymouth, Mighigan Ice Festival

Last weekend we thought it would be a great, Michigan experience to attend the ice festival in Plymouth. It's the third biggest in the nation, so it had to be worth it, right? Um, not so much. It was FREEZING...about 9 degrees, major wind and snow falling. To be quite honest, it was painful, for all of us (well, Mike was tough).We were so cold, the kids had tears running down their cheeks the whole time. After 20 minutes, we'd been there, seen it and could check it off our list.

After our 20 minutes of "having an experience" we headed to the indoor mall to play in the petri dish we affectionately call "germ land" (thanks Keith). We saw puppies, and the boys played hard and I got a little shopping in while Mike sat super close to 200 other parents who had the same idea of going to the mall on a Saturday afternoon. After the kid in the corner of the play area puked in his dad's hands, we decided we'd had enough fun for the day...home, movie, quesadillas, and the day ended up toasty warm.

Note to self: Only indoor activities when the weather is under 20 degrees.  Regardless of the experience, it's NOT worth it.

The Spirit of Hymns

Today in church I was flooded with the spirit. It's rare with 3 boys on the pew with  me. But the cacophone seemed to still for a minute today while we were all taught truth through word and music.

*The first speaker let us into his life as he talked about gaining his own testimony. He remembered wanting to know, for a surety from the time he was 8. He asked earnestly, always before a big spiritual moment in his life, but was often disappointed...no heavenly angels or Christ appearing to him, but he had faith that what he was doing was true and brought him happiness, so he continued to believe. It wasn't until he was 20, that he felt the arms of his Savior wrap around him and testify of the truth of the gospel he had always believed in. 

He then played, "I believe in Christ" on the piano. First with just his right hand. It seemed so hesitant but clear and simple, just like the beginning of his testimony and the beginning of mine. On the next verse, he added another part, and the song became a touch richer and more confident; on the third verse the music became full and interesting, and the fourth verse was the climax with beautiful and intricate details, but it was not flawless. It was just like the testimony he now possesses. One that has been worked on and tested, over and over again. He ended the song, with a few short notes on his right hand only...reminding us that it was still the same, simple song that he started out with and it was beautiful every way he played it. I was so moved, by what he played and the story it told. I reflected on how my own testimony of the Savior is sometimes simple and other times complicated, sometimes confident and other times hesitating...but it's always there and I'm grateful for that.

*The second speaker let us into a dim, heartbroken time of her life where her own loneliness enveloped her. She sang the words to the hymn "Abide with Me," and told us that as she sang that song, she knew she would never be alone, that Christ would always be her companion. I was so touched by her honesty and sincerity and knew she was speaking truth. Christ can be our companion, especially in our darkest hour.

*The third speaker taught us what music can mean, if we let it. It can tie worlds together; it can bring people closer and can touch you in a way you are unprepared for. She grew up in France and for a time lived on an island in French Polynesia. She expounded on how the island people sing, and I couldn't help smile as she vividly described the way their whole souls sang the hymns as they praised God. They sang loud and with gusto. She said she remembers feeling so much joy when they sang she wanted to stand up and dance. As she continued to speak, my body ached to be there, to be part of what she was describing. Then, she asked our small congregation to sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer." She invited us to stand and sing with our whole souls. It was an amazing experience as our small numbers belted out such a wonderful song, "In seasons of distress and grief, my soul hath often found relief..." In that moment, as a congregation, I think we all felt the relief that the holy spirit can bring as we united in song. It was a moment you wish could last longer that it did.

*The fourth and final speaker had only a few minutes, but chose to share his feelings about the children's hymn, "I am a Child of God." They are words we are all familiar with, taken from the foundation of our testimony..."I am a Child of God, and He has sent me here. Has given me an earthly home, with parents kind and dear. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him some day."

He told us how that song meant so much to him because he sang it with the people of Russia during his mission. When their life was bleak and hopeless, the words of the song brought hope and love. He also sang it when he lived in Egypt with a few members of the church and many refugees. Many people there had nothing at all and others had plenty but they all, regardless of circumstance needed the same thing, the love of God in their lives. 

He then began singing the song, a capella. First in Russian, then in Arabic. The congregation, for a moment, was completely silent. Jace leaned over and said "Even the babies are listening." What happened was we were all swept up in the beautiful spirit of his simple testimony and the truth of the words he sang.

I am just immensely grateful that I was there today. What an infusion of the spirit it was for me. These were moments that strengthened my testimony of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It reaffirmed that I know He lives and loves us and wants us to partake of His joy.

Chore Chart Dropout

I hate chores, for me and my kids and my husband. I really feel like cleaning just gets in the way of all the other fun and more important and interesting things in the life of a mother. I've often wished I had just a little OCD in me (To be honest, a kitchen full of open drawers and cupboards doesn't call out to me to shut them...gasp!) The problem? I also hate having a messy house and so does my super clean husband, and my kids like things orderly too or they don't play with anything, so what's a girl to do? Oh, and that minor thing about teaching your children to work and be productive? Yeah, need to fit that in too.


When we moved here I was totally going for the OCD girl...house perfect all the time, all the laundry done and put away on one day of the week, chore charts for each child that were finished before school, dishwasher started every night, a rotating list of deep cleaning...you know, crazy? It worked for a bit...


Then life got real. We got busy: friends, jobs, activities, homework, church callings, sports, holidays, visitors. I couldn't keep up with my craziness, so now I'm just back to being me (well, me plus a very clean and helpful husband). My downstairs (kitchen and living area) is almost always clean or 5 minutes from it as is my bathroom (lots of pressure when there is only one in your house) because it makes me happy to walk into a clean house that smells good, plus I like people to feel welcome when they walk in ...upstairs, you are rolling the dice. I pretty much stack my clothes in a corner for a week, then hang them all up. Laundry gets done in spurts, sometimes not often enough and I have to throw a load in for socks and underwear. Deep cleaning about once a week or every 10 days. On the brighter side, I am a purger, and don't like clutter, so you won't find any hoarding going on around here (just in case you are envisioning a hazmat zone). I'm pretty sure I'm a better mom and person without trying to pretend like I have OCD. (It's a DISorder for a reason, right?)  I can't stand the pressure of having a perfectly clean house...you never want your kids to do ANYTHING.


Oh, and chore charts are out too. My kids are too young to do them independently and I'm too lazy to enforce them all the time. It was becoming like a full time job. So, now our plan is before school every kid does 5 things (thanks Jenny) 1. Make bed 2. Clean room 3. Get dressed 4. Say prayers 5. Brush teeth. It's working like a charm...no one misses or negotiates or forgets. Loving it.


Then, our deal as a family is when I ask for help, you have to answer yes. So, the boys help with dishes, unload the dishwasher, clean the stairs, take out the garbage and help with extra stuff on the weekends or when we need it. Sometimes I need their help a lot, sometimes rarely. They are generally happy helpers and as long as they stay that way, I'm happy to wing it with them.


I realized, I can't become someone I'm not. I have friends who keep stuff spotless without being crazy and their kids learn from them to keep things spic and span. That is seriously admirable. For me, pretty clean is good enough, and when we have a party or visitors, I get a little crazy and things are spotless and I love it for the moment and the next morning I don't do the breakfast dishes until after lunch and let my kids cut paper and use glue right on the kitchen table in between those breakfast dishes and syrup spills, then we play a few games on the ground and read a few books and pile them all on the couch where they do not belong and it feels so good. I've decided that a little less than perfect around here is perfectly all right with me.

Tender Heart

#2 has such a gift for empathy. He feels, in his little soul, how others feel. If we ever tell a story about something sad, he talks to us for hours about how if he were there, he would have helped/done things differently. 

The other day we took #3 to the doctor for his 4 year old shots. It was so sad. I had to hold him down while they poked him 4 times. He was wailing and my heart hurt for him...he's a pretty tough kid usually. When he was done and sniffling in my lap, #2 gave him a hug and knelt down at his feet and lovingly put his boots on for him saying in a high, sweet voice, "Are you okay buddy?" He carried #3s books and pictures and kept checking on him and reminding him of the treat to come.

We stopped at the store to get some much needed sugar and #2 walked with his little arm around #3s shoulders. He turned to me and said, "Mom, I just feel so sorry for him. When he was getting his shots, I felt so sad for him that I started crying too, so I put the book over my face so the doctors wouldn't see me."

My heart swelled inside. He is such a sweet, kind and soft kid. True, brotherly love.

Sew, Sew Cool

I wish I could sew. I will learn how one day. If I could sew, I would be just like Lizzie from Cotton and Curls. She has redone an old piece of her wardrobe everyday this month. It's awesome! There are still 10 days left. Wish I could have her revamp mine! If I could sew the possibilities would be endless. Here are a few of my faves:

Learning to Read

It's no secret that I love to read. Before I had children, I had visions of snuggling up with babies, teens and everything in between and sharing my love of books. Funny how most of those idealized visions never materialize. You see, I have 3 boys. Busy, crazy, active, amazing boys and I love it. They like books and like to read, but they would always choose something active over something still, so I had to make learning to read a bit more fun than looking at letters and practicing sounds.

So, just in case we have more kids at some future point and I'm too old to remember what I did well with the first 3, I thought I should write a few parenting things down, since my blog is pretty much our only journal now.  Also, a few people here were interested in how I got my boys to read fairly early, so I thought I should make a record of it. 

Before I start with my explanation,  you must know that I think children really catch on when they are ready. My boys are not "gifted" readers that plow through chapter books at 4 or teach themselves to read at 2. I've known a few kids like that and they are amazing. Also, all of my boys have learned differently. #1 knew letters and sounds at a ridiculously young age, #2 has great instincts and can hear the correct words when he strings sounds together without any effort at all, and #3 was so stubborn that he went from barely recognizing all his letters to reading 3 and 4 letter words with short vowels in 3 months, plus he really loves books. There is only so much you can do as a parent but you can do something!

That being said, I've always hoped my kids would be reading before Kindergarten, for the sheer fact that if they can do that, it seems they are immediately labeled as "smart," and that is nice label to start life with, even if it's not always true. On the other hand, my friend's daughter didn't read at all, not one word, until 1st grade, but then reading just clicked for her and as a 3rd grader she's her classes' highest performer and major book lover. So, lots of times it really doesn't matter, but since I loved it so much it was important to me. Plus, you hear of boys struggling with reading more often than girls, so anything I could do to give my boys a leg up was a good thing.

Also, I'm not a teacher or expert, but I thought I'd share a few things that were fun and worked for us so that I can remember too.

Books

These are 2 of our favorites. One thing I like about them is that they are easy for the kids to participate in. From the time they can talk, once they are familiar with the book, I usually leave the last word of the sentence out and let them fill it in. As they get older I leave out more and more. We have quite a few books they can recite. It gives them confidence and they learn to look at pictures and predict words. It's always been a fun game for us and keeps them engaged in reading.

Alphabet Floor Puzzles

We have used this puzzle like crazy. We have lots but this is my favorite because the letters are formed correctly and are easy to read and the pictures are in the background. We have used this to pieces with all of my kids. The ways we used the puzzle:

*We would do it together

*We'd sing the ABCs as we pointed to the letter. We'd sing it faster and faster and faster.

*We'd jump from letter to letter while singing.

*We'd point out the letters we knew.

*When they were familiar with some letters, I'd put a piece of sugar cereal on each letter, and if they knew the letter, they could eat the cereal. If not, I'd eat it. I'd start with just a few that I knew they knew then add one or two every time we did the puzzle. I tried to teach the easiest, most familiar ones first.

*Pretty soon, they knew all the letters, so we'd do the same thing with sounds. It was a fun game that kept their attention. It seemed like they looked forward to our puzzle time.

*We stopped when it wasn't fun or when interest was gone. One thing I knew was that I never wanted reading to be a punishment or chore but a fun way to interact with me and the world. 

The Letter Factory DVD

I'm not usually a fan of TV learning, in fact it seems like an oxymoron, but this DVD was awesome for teaching sounds. Once my kids knew the letters, I let them watch this DVD for their TV time and the sounds usually came lickety split.

My first steps to reading books

I think these books are painfully boring, but all my kids have really liked them and they teach lower case letters really well. Capitals seemed much easier than lowercase. You can get the whole set at the library.

Spelling!

One thing that has always worked well for us is using spelling to learn to read. In the car or when trying to pass time, I'll give my kids words to spell. In the beginning, I'll help them sound them out, letter by letter (meaning I'll say the sound and they the letter), but it's not long before they can do it on their own. I also like using spelling to teach new concepts like the silent "e" or the "y" that sounds like an "i." We actually spell a lot before we try read.

Foam Bath Letters!

We used these a bunch too. I'd suggest buying at least 2 sets, so you have 2 of each letter. We spent a lot of bathtub time spelling words on the wall. I love places where my kids enjoy (or have to) chat with me. This felt like a game to them too, so they were happy to play "bath spelling" which often leads to "bath reading."

Lists!

I'm always amazed at how quickly kids start stringing sounds together once they have them down. We like to write our own lists to read and start with a simple sound like, "at." Once they can do that, we add a letter to the beginning of the sound (cat, bat, sat, mat) then do another ending and do the same thing and presto! they can read. Watching their face when they do it on their own for the first time is magic. They are so proud.

Sight Words.

There are just some words you can't sound out, so we have to "remember" those. These are tough and it's helpful when a preschool teacher or kindergarten teacher has a list and reinforces it. If not, they are easy to find online. 

Beginning Books

There are so many series out there for beginning readers. We've almost always gotten them from preschool or kindergarten teachers.  If my kids ever got frustrated with it, they would read a page, then I would read a page. I never wanted reading to be a hassle for them or force them to read books that were too far above their level. That's just frustrating. I also didn't stop reading to them for pleasure just because they could read.

After this, I'm so glad my kiddos go to school! We try to supplement and reinforce what they learn there. All 3 of them would still rather play then read, so we have a plan each night:

Later Bedtime

We read scriptures together at 8, then they are all welcome to keep their light on for 30 minutes and read on their own. If they are not reading or looking at books, the light goes off. It's their personal reading time. I read to them at other times of the day. It's been a great way for our kids to settle down and have some independent time and makes reading a real privilege, not a chore.

Pardon the Interruption

Remember that fun Christmas chain? We had a little interruption...Mr. #2 got sick, I mean really sick. Puking every 15-30 minutes for 20 hours, then on and off for another 4 days. This little guy has no fat storage to keep him going. It was so sad. He was in serious pain. So, instead of wild Christmas festivities, everything was put on hold and instead we watched a lot of TV, ate a lot of saltines, and just felt sorry for our little guy.

#2 is such a champ too. Trying so hard to be brave, feel better and be helpful. My heart ached for him and his little body. At one point he turned to me with tears in his eyes, hanging over the toilet and in a sweet, sad voice said, "Mom, can't to do something? Can you find something to make me feel better? It hurts so much!"

I felt so helpless, willing to do anything to take his pain away, but I knew I couldn't. I'd been where he was before and understood what he was going through. But I knew his body had to rid itself of whatever was making him so ill...there was no magic fix.  I knew he'd feel better, at some point. I reflected on how painful it must be to have a child that physically suffers often, and then perhaps because of the Christmas season, I thought about how our Savior must feel when our lives are painful and hard. He's been there, He understands and wants so much to take our pain from us, but He can't take it anymore than I could take Parker's from him. He can support us, hold our hands and help us through, but take it away, He cannot. He knows that we must work our way through it and that it will, in time,  get better.

I'm grateful for what I've had to work through and the lessons I've learned from it. I'm grateful my Savior is always there buoying me up. I'm grateful for generally healthy children and that we all feel better right before Christmas!

My Merriest Moment

Today was a busy day. I decided to take my kids to the mall to see Santa. Crazy? Yes. When we pulled into the parking lot I realized just how crazy the idea was. I could not see an empty parking spot. As I turned down one aisle, #1 yelled, "Mom, stop! There is a man back there in a wheelchair who needs help."

My reply was, "Honey, lots of people are in wheelchairs. They do just fine. He's fine. I didn't even see him." And I started to pull into a coveted parking space decently close to the doors.

Then, #1 again, "Mom, the spirit is telling me that we really should go help that man."

I paused. I know that one of the most important things Mike and I try to teach our boys is to listen to the good promptings we receive. It's extremely important to us that we raise children who care about others more than themselves. We would love it if their natural instincts were to always watch for those in need and be unafraid to help. So, here I was in a tough spot. I really didn't want to help, I had Christmas plans, but how could I ignore my 7 year old who was demonstrating what we hope our children are learning in our home. So, I backed out of the parking spot and found one far away from the mall, but closer to the man.

We got out of the car and I finally saw what #1 was talking about. An older man was sitting in a wheelchair across the insanely busy street between a public health center and the mall. He was on one side, me and my 3 kids were on the other. There was no traffic light or crosswalk in eyesight. We walked as close as we could and I yelled across the traffic, "Do you need any help?"

He smiled a little and said he was just waiting for a break in the traffic so he could get across. I smiled and said okay, knowing that break would never come. I started to turn around to walk towards the mall, but something pulled me back, that unsettling feeling that there was more I should do. I watched the cars zooming by, with better things to do than stop for a man in a wheelchair. I stood, trying to think, "How can I get traffic to stop?" I wasn't about to parade my 3 kids into oncoming traffic, but I didn't know what else to do.

Then, like 2 little angels in blue and maize, out came women from the health center. I'd already watched 3 people cross quickly without bothering to help the man in the wheelchair. But these women came out of their offices and literally stopped traffic to get the man across the street safely. We met them on the other side.

We wheeled D out of the cold and into the mall. He was kind, polite and grateful for the help. We found out he'd been waiting for a ride for over 2 hours and was getting hungry, so he was going to the mall to see if he could find chips or something to tide him over until he got home. My kids were sweet and talked with him a bit as we asked him about his life and family.

We found the food court together, bought him some nachos and left him with a little money, as it was obvious he had nothing but a few coins. He shook hands with my children and gave them a snaggle-tooth smile. He said to them, "You are good boys. I bet you are on the honor roll at school, right?" He was so cheerful and happy and giving of his love and energy even though I cannot imagine that his life warrants much tangible happiness. We asked if there was anything else we could do, to which he replied, "I'm just going to sit in here, eat and relax for awhile until my ride comes." He thanked us and blessed us as we walked away.

We still went to see Santa, but it all felt a little different. In fact, Jace didn't ask for anything, just that everyone would have a nice Christmas.

I am incredibly grateful for a sensitive son who listens to the voice of the spirit when it speaks to him. I'm so glad I listened to his little voice. This special Christmas moment reiterated to me that God has no hands but ours. That we have to look outside ourselves and that by doing that, we find real joy and happiness. It was perhaps, the merriest moment of my Christmas.