best of the day

February 28 - The best of today was the fact that we had a night at home.  

The kids played outside until it was too dark and then came in and got a flashlight so they could finish playing  poison.  I love when the weather is warm enough for the kids to roam and be free.  

It is definitely the best thing about Missouri and today it was the best of the day.

z at gym

mag at gym

for the birds

A little creepy, a little like the movie "The Birds", thousands of birds descended upon us.  Turn up the volume and try to ignore the bad camera work.

party and a project

Jill got to go to a fairy party and took along our new project for a present.  She was so excited and quite enjoys posing for pictures.  She was a little sad to send the art case away and asked if I could please make one for her birthday.  Hopefully, it can be recreated.

Btw, I think the socks add to the ultimate fairy.

best of the day

February 27 - It was time to leave for Ron's game.  With a late start, I thought I would get the kids settled and go watch.  I was singing to Anna by her bed, when Maggie came in and wanted to finish putting her to bed.  I kissed them all, said goodnight, and hustled out the door.  Half-way through the game, I texted Sam to ask how things were going.  Response:  *did you put maggie in charge of putting anna to bed.  she did not do it.  and the kids aren't even in bed*  So much for settled down.  By the time we got home, all were in bed, but the whole story was told.  When Maggie closed Anna's door, there was a little whimpering heard, so the brave big sister rescued her and took her cd player in the room to listen to the KidsBop version of primary songs.  That didn't work, so she went back in and sang her more songs.  Still not working, so Zach took her and rocked her on my bed, singing her lullabyes.  Finally, after falling asleep, Sam went and put her in her bed.  Suckers.  Anna sure knows how to win pity on the bigs who adore her every move. 

best of the day

February 26 - Jill says the best thing about today was talking to Nana on the phone.  It is great that we have phones to keep us connected.  But, another best thing was a devotional about choosing today so that tomorrow's choices are easier.  We watched the Mormon Message with Elder Anderson's talk about the famous rugby player choosing to go on a mission.  Very appropriate for my audience of future missionaries.  I love and appreciate and am grateful for LDS.org.  I honestly can't imagine how we ever survived without it. 

best of the day

February 25 - Just the right day for a spontaneous front room picnic organized by Maggie.  I had run Ron to work (and a little stop at the bakery) with instructions left for Sat. chores that needed to be done.  The picnic wasn't on the list, but they put together an awesome array of foods.

pickles
white chocolate for dipping strawberries
of course, strawberries
cream
a single rolo
and one mini caramel egg

Sounds good to me.
 

best of the day

February 24 - Ok, hope I can get this right.  Last night, Zach was riding with Ron home from his basketball game when this conversation happened.

Zach:  Clay told me that he knows a girl that is 16 who has been pregnant for 6 months already.

Ron:  I believe it.  When I was in school, I knew a 14-year-old girl who was pregnant.

Zach.  That's crazy.  I can't believe someone's parents would let their kids get married when they are only 14.

Love you, Zach!!

best of the day

february 23 - From two little boys running around to two little girls twirling around, our house has taken on a transformation in the last 10 years.  However, note the influence of the big brother, 

the lovely little babies have been invaded by a rogue dinosaur.

best of the day

February 22 - This has become a trend.  Three little yahoos dragging mattresses around 

to make themselves cozy at night.  I had to document it, because there may 

come a time when they don't believe me.  

Valentine boxes

Something I have had to learn since moving to Missouri is that, for some reason, valentine boxes are a boost to one social status.  Cool valentine box = cool for the day.  So, when Zach spied the giant balloon that has been floating around since Ron's birthday, he decided he would make a hot air balloon to hold his valentine haul.  The day came, I dropped him off, watched him maneuver through the front door, and started to drive away.  Before I left car line, he reappeared at the front door.  I was worried that something had happened to his balloon, but no, he just wanted me to know that Lakin had made something far inferior to his, so he was awesome for the day.  Funny, I didn't know I had competitive kids.  Ha!  Maggie ended up with a snake this year.  She had a hard time fitting it on her desk, so the rattle ended up in the garbage.  But, Casey made his by himself for the first time and did an awesome job on a cheetah.  Not sure why I didn't end up with a picture of Case, but it was pretty great.

best of the day

February 21 - I have two for today.  The first is a quote from Jill as she was putting on socks. 

"It's ok if I have mismatch because Maggie does that . . . you know, mismatch."  I hope Maggie is always a good role model to a copy-cat little sister.

And, this fun find by Ron.  It isn't the first time Anna has decided to test the absorbancy of toilet paper.  This was actually a mild experiment in comparison to some past research.

best of the day

February 20 - We went to Mammoth Spring with the Jung family today.  I had one of those moments with Anna while I pushed her on the swing that just melts a mother's heart.  She was giggling while I tickled her toes as I watched her hold her breath in anticipation as the swing went back and forth.  It was ideal. 

best of the day

february 19 - The heart-filling testimony building experience I had in RS when our teacher from the stake gave the lesson on Joseph Smith.  I have always admired, loved, known, thanked, and stood in awe of the Prophet Joseph Smith, but today, I was especially grateful to him for restoring the truth of eternal families to the earth.  What a simple, but true principle that I take for granted.  It made me appreciate him and my family more today.

best of the day

February 18 - Kat is still experiencing the Ozarks.  We started the day at the bakery after an early morning phone call to confirm that there were still goods to be purchased.  Mary was getting close to being out of sweets when Ron stopped by, so she created a few more that we gobbled down.  After eating at the bakery, we found hot chocolate at Howell Valley Grocery, and picked up lunch while we were there.  Yes, in a town where there is nothing to eat, we managed quite well.  When we got home, we hopped on the four wheeler with the kids.  Casey couldn't help tattling that Kat went 29 miles an hour when it was her turn.  How could she?  Another trip to Walmart resulted in Kat and I attempting to make a ballerina skirt.  With me bringing zero skills to the table and Kat not thinking straight after 48 hours in the Ozarks, let's just say there is lots of gold tulle sitting by my sewing machine. Before bed, we shot off fireworks, ate ice cream, and then snuggled in her bed that she had layered 5 blankets on.  Since Casey has two box springs and a mattress on it already, Kat and I felt a little like Princess and the Pea, minus the princess and the pea.  It was sad when the evening ended with flatuation on her part, because I knew that my surprise had to leave the next day.  I have to say while she was here, when I woke up, I wasn't sure where I was because in my mind, I couldn't be in Missou and have Kat too.  So, thanks so much for the fun times and the huge sacrifice, Kat.  Oh, and a huge thanks to Nate and the girls, too.  I have been grateful for all y'all as I enjoyed part of you here.

best of the day

February 17 - I don't know what to say.  The best is a sister willing to spend an entire day of travel, in both directions, to the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do but sit with her little sister and her crazy family.  We went to the bakery, nearly cleaning Mary out of goodies, and enjoyed a southwest chicken pizza which was delicious.  Next up, Walmart.  I learned a little about Kat's hoodie habits.  Kinda strange.  If it has a hood and doesn't zip, she has to cut the hood off.  But, if it doesn't zip and doesn't have a hood, she doesn't like it, so she can't buy it.  If it zips and has a hood, the hood can stay, but she doesn't necessarily zip it.  So, after perusing the aisles, she finally found a green one that fit all the rules.  She played trash with Case, stating that it is one of her favorite games.  Whatever.  We played 5 crowns and ate her delicious Orzo pasta salad.  We stayed up late and I loved every minute of hearing her talk in person instead of muffled through her toilet phone.

best of the day

February 16 - Not to take too much time because I am celebrating my best surprise ever:  Kat.  She showed up in the middle of nowhere to surprise us.  BEST ever.

best of the day

february 15 - I sent the girls to get in the car so we could pick up the kids at school.  When I went to buckle Anna in her car seat, her mouth was bursting with gum.  She had stuffed my last 5 Ice Cube in her mouth.  When I commented on taking all my gum, she spit one out and shared.  

The best part:  I was grateful and popped it right in my mouth. 

best of the day

february 14 - No, it wasn't the fact that I had Domino's Pizza, for Valentine's day lunch, by myself, in the pharmacy, which is a long story, or that we didn't get to see the great Dorial Green Beckham play bball here in WP.  The best today was pulling the kids with the four wheeler through the snow.  After unsuccessfully starting the four wheeler yesterday, Ron jumped it so the kids and I could whoop it up.  We.had a great time this morning slipping through the snow on the sled.  Anna loves riding on the four wheeler while the others took turns being pulled.  It was definitely the highlight of the day.

Oh, and I hope everyone's Valentine's Day was lovely.

best of the day

February 13 - Snow day.  The first of the year.  The kids went outside this afternoon and built snow chairs and whatever else they do in the snow.  Usually they are in and out fifty hundred times, but today, they 

went out for 3 hours and then snuggled in for some hot chocolate when they were done.  

Minus the piles of laundry it caused, snow day was awesome.  And, yes, you Utah people, school is closed in the Ozarks with this small, measly amount of snow.

best of the day

February 12 - Ron turned to me after Sacrament meeting today after quite a bit of squirming courtesy of the little people and said, "We will not survive this."  It took a few minutes just sitting in our chairs to recover enough to get going to Sunday School.  But, because of other conflicts this week, we had our annual Valentine's dinner today.  Chicken Parmagian, angel hair, bread, craisin salad, and lava cakes are the tradition.  Then, we topped it off with big lips and crazy kids.  Good stuff.

best of the day

February 11 - Ha Ha.  Today was a crazy Saturday with math competitions (Zach got 2nd and 3rd, while Sam got 4th), leadership training with no babysitter, super saturday, and a trip to Anita's in the cold.  But, there was enough time to laugh our heads off when Zach came up the stairs in the afternoon unknowingly wearing Maggie's shirt.  Their shirts are the same on the front, but the size and back are much different.  Zach's shirt is appropriately sized for an 11 year old and says, "Not all athletes wear shoes" while Maggie's is much smaller and says, "Chlorine is my perfume."  We died laughing at the baby shirt that Zach had worn all morning to math competition and pretty much gave him grief the rest of the day.

best of the day

February 10 - Mags, the bakery for lunch, none of the boys.  It was a good best of the day.

best of the day

February 9 - Today I got to watch Jill perform what she has learned in "wand class."  Somehow, during the day, Jill sneaks off to take wand class from Mrs. Cawvey.   Watch out all of you wand professionals, Jill has learned some serious moves. 

 And, not to be left out, here is Anna doing wand class.

best of the day

February 8 - Anna washed her own mouth out with soap.  I don't think she will do it again. 

best of the day

February 7 - Casey has started tumbling and it is fun to watch him step out of his comfort zone.  Yesterday he informed me that I didn't see his improvement last week because I was busy "reading that book."  So, yesterday I made sure to give him thumbs up several times in hopes of satisfying my watching obligation.

best of the day

February 6 (it's hard to pick which is best)

Today is one of those days when being a mom is a little painful

1.  Dropped the kids off at school only to get home to a phone call from Zach saying the bus to Howell Valley for the Honor Choir tour had already left and could I please come back and take him to Howell Valley.

2.  Arrived at Howell Valley, unable to locate the choir, which resulted in Zach near tears.

3.  Dropped in for the West Plains portion of Honor Choir tour at Glenwood.  We will just say that they sound better with 300 voices in an auditorium rather than 30 voices in the gym.

4. Sat and read "Katie the Kitty" to Anna, over, and over, and over, and over while watching 

Jill try to hurl her body through space at gym.

5.  Attempted to limit Jill to one treat at Ron's store after gym which resulted in screeching.  

How could I limit the poor sugar deprived child?

6.  Attended a recorder, yes recorder, concert by 5th graders at McDonald's before . . . 

7. McTeacher's night at McDonald's.  Of course the brainwashed children would never miss an 

opportunity to eat at the evil empire. *there was one bright spot, see number 9

8.  Listened to counselors from the High School, yikes, talk about choices for Sam next year.  

I really am not looking forward to that transition.  

9.  Ron had a city league basketball game which meant he was home late.  But, since I was tied up at the high school planning meeting with Sam, Ron got to take the kids to McTeacher's night. Yeah!  That scenario was totally unplanned by me.  (smile)
10.  I got to end my lovely task filled day with a date to Walmart at 9:30 to gather supplies for the upcoming Relief Society meeting and to put food in our bare cupboards so that lunches
could be made for all of those hungry bellies.
So, it was a day where some things were painful and there was a lot of running (so long to the gas budget), but I love those six little people and the one big person that I call my family.  I love that they are all individuals that offer me a chance to learn and grow in so many ways.  

best of the day

February 5 - Today, I got to teach a lesson from an article in this month's Ensign titled, "The Doctrine of the Father."  Love the article.  One of my favorites ever.  The best part of my lesson was I got to share Greg's story about when Papa came to retrieve him from Westwood on the old bike. heehee.  

That is a clip of Greg's life I would like to watch after we die.  

Oh, and Jill had the cutest little curl in the front of her hair today that bounced all day long.  

It definitely put a smile on my face.

best of the day

February 4 - Zach got to participate in the SCMMEA Honor Choir concert in Springfield. After catching the bus at 5:30 am, he rehearsed with the other 300 5th and 6th graders for the concert at Evangel University that evening.  After a month of hard work, it was a very rewarding experience for him.   In prayers all day Sunday, he was thankful for the awesome experience he was able to have the day before.

We took Maggie and Casey to the concert with us while Sam volunteered to babysit at home.  It was nice to spend the afternoon with 1/2 of the clan.  Most exciting was listening to Mag read "Would You Rather?" for 1.5 hours on the way home.  The favorite of the night:  Would you rather chew on a gross, dirty toenail, or lick the armpit of a complete stranger.  I pass on both.

Mag's current favorite educational read

For Nana:  Here is a link for a YouTube posting of two songs.  The second was Zach's favorite.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGWjnc0EY1w&feature=related 

best of the day

February 3 - I don't know what got into me, but we decided to have a V-day party.  I don't know why I do these kinds of things to myself because I was a complete wreck about it all week.  Today was the climax as I tried to clean up and get ready, it seemed like everywhere I looked, whatever task I had just completed was undone.  For instance:

My reality:  The bathroom - off limits because it was cleaned.
Kids reality:  Let's go soak the hand towels and leave them dripping on the counter and pull the crusty-top toothpaste out for the world to see how meticulous we are with our hygiene

My reality:  Napkins - set out ready to go
Kids reality:  Spread them out all over the table while crumpling a few

My reality:  5 card tables ready to play games on
Kids reality:  Line up the card tables in a row because that would be really helpful

My reality:  Set out Hershey kisses for people, not kids, to munch on
Kids reality:  Eat as many as we can dropping the foil wrappers throughout the house as we go

My reality:  Sweep the floor so no one has to see the how many kisses we can pound our way through
Kids reality:  Hide the broom in a place where mom can't find it and has to pick up wrappers one by one while yelling, "NO MORE KISSES."

Well, you get the picture minus the fact that Anna was on the table or countertop for 62.5% of the day. We had a good time, hopefully those who came did too.  

100 day

Monday was 100 day.  For the fifth year in a row, Maggie went out the door looking like this.  

I'm starting to wonder how long we celebrate 100 day in Missouri.
Here is 2008. 2009. 2010. 2011. 2012

Best of the day

February 2 - I was making a wreath and Jill told me, "Keep going mom, you're nearly there!"  She is very encouraging.  Love that girl.  I was also looking at old photos and ran across these pictures of my two curly heads.  

best of the day

February 1 - Can't remember much of today other than running all over for visiting teaching, definitely different here in the Ozarks, and kids stuff.  One highlight was my visiting teachee telling me that if you aren't happy you need to get over it because this is the only life you have to live so you better be "crazy in love and crazy happy and if you're not, well then, yeahoo."

best of the day

January 31 - The best part of the day is that this is the last day of January.  I really don't know why I don't like the poor month.  Shirley H. described it as a month of Mondays.  I couldn't agree more.  So, thankfully, after many pounds of candy hearts, we made it through.  January did end on a high note.  For dinner we had homemade french fries and turkey bagel burgers via Pioneer Woman.  Both were a hit.  Maggie helped a bunch and a bunch; she is awesome in the kitchen.  The kids all said the fries were way awesome.  So, not a repeat every night or every week, but definitely a repeat.

(Both pictures from Pioneer Woman because she is just better than me.)

best of the day

January 30 - The local baker that keeps me in my fat pants allows me to furnish her with a window display in exchange for a free lunch and occasional goodies for her favorite sous baker, Jill.  Today, I finished a "be mine" banner, but forgot to take a picture.  I'll have to snap one the next time I visit, which will be very soon.  But, two or three months behind, here is what I bartered with for November and December.  Let me tell you, well worth the sticky buns and chicken pot pie soup.