Doing our part to Stimulate the Economy

Michael and I are pretty frugal. We don't have caller i.d.(although it would be nice sometimes). We don't have cable (except in July for the Tour de France and any other reality show I can get my hands on). There was a point where we thought we'd just add the "stimulus package" from the government to our savings. Then I thought of something that I'd like and we got it in the name of "stimulating the economy."

A few years ago we got a "hand-me-down" bbq grill that replaced the one I found on the side of the road. We'd used it a few times, but it was beaten up and actually quite a hazard with bolts sticking out and pieces falling off.

I love bbq's and gatherings and charred meat. I've thought for a few years that I wanted to get a new grill, but thats all that came of if--a thought. So when I mentioned it to Michael a few weeks ago, he said, "just think about it, I'm sure the thought will pass." He knows I get whimsical spur of the moment ideas that really do just pass. But I said, "No, I've been thinking about it for a few years, but I just haven't VOICED it."

So I did some research online and we dragged the kids around to a few stores on Saturday and finally found one we liked and was in our fairly reasonable price range, and used a portion of our stimulus fund. Yipee...time for a BBQ!

My friend Emily M. gave me a great recipe for some unique hamburgers...having bacon bits inside and shredded cheese, and a few sauces. I made a new yummy potato salad with eggs and celery that I think will be a regular around here now...I was even requested to bring it to a later event(let me know if you want the recipe).

We had a Memorial Day gathering and Michael did a great job as the Master Griller. I think he'd enjoy it more if he didn't roast himself while standing there (hot outside + hot grill= a hot hubby). Our yard isn't huge, but how big does it need to be?

The kids area

Friends

View from the corner (kids table is just out of the image on the right)

Proof that I was there, too...with my friend Jessica's little Ezra.

Tyler was lovin' the soda selection. We don't have it much around here, so he drank 2. Later he had a tummy ache and we figured it was the over abundance.

So how did YOU stimulate the economy???? Anything fun?

My mom posts again

Sorry, she needs a few readers and is slow to update. Click here to go to her blog (and leave a comment to further encourage her). Also, for her organization, she is sending out weekly emails with mothering quotes...let me know if you want to be added to the list, here is a quote from today's email that I enjoyed.

Keep cute pictures of your children on your walls and on your table tops, plus keep scrapbooks where they can easily be seen by you. You may think you put these pictures up to decorate your home or for others to enjoy. Actually, those happy snap shots are great reminders of your love of motherhood. When you're having a bad day, look at them! Remember the wonderful moments of motherhood.
Children love to look at themselves, too. If you are having a difficult time with a child (even a teenager), have them come and look at a family scrapbook with you. It is amazing how the love comes back between you and your child as you reminisce about fun times you've had together.

Your Legacy

What is one simple phrase that you want your children to quote often and say, "My mother used to tell me..." or "My mother always taught me..."

My friend Laurie posted this on her blog and I wanted to hear from all of you. This is what she said:

The phrase that keeps coming back to mind that really does encompass all that I would hope to instill in my children is "Listen to the Spirit."

As I've considered motherhood I've determined that if my children can leave my home with one skill that I've strived to develop in them it would be the ability to recognize the ways the Spirit speaks to them. If they have mastered this principle I can always be assured that the choices they are making for themselves and their families are truly best for them. They will be well taken care of by the One who always gives correct counsel. I will be reassured as they will be that they are in good hands as they navigate their way through the tumultuous journey of life.

Wow. I need to think of something great, that encompases who I am. I am often saying, "Make good choices" and it can be as simple as that. I also am often saying to my children "please be kind to each other" because kindness to family and to others around us is an attribute I want them to really understand the importance of. But I like hers, too, and I can add that one in, right? What is yours?

Matthew's Preschool Graduation

It's official, he is headed to kindergarten next year....waaaa. It was heartbreaking to send Tyler, and it will be heartbreaking to send Matthew. Off to be educated and instructed by another for a majority of their days. I have to keep reminding myself that its good for them, and for me. But it brings a twinge of sadness.

I've done a homeschool preschool swap for preschool with both boys and for the past 3 years I've done the Busy Bee Preschool curriculum written by one of my friends. This year, she happened to be in my group. It is a great program based on President Hinckley's "be's" and I love the "bee" mascot. I was in charge of graduation, so we did a little party at our house today and I was happy it turned out pretty well. I first taped a bunch of "bee" cards around the house. For the kids to find and gather. I found this card game (Bee Attitudes) at a church book store by the San Antonio temple a few months ago. Here are the cards:

We then made a scrapbook page with just 4 pictures taken throughout the year and the kids signed each others page. Then we gave them certificates and hats (Michael helped me assemble last night) and took some pictures.

Here are the 6 kids in our group:

Here are the moms/teachers (collectively, we have 23 children--wow). Then, I got out my "special treat" that I spent most of the day on Tuesday making. A variation on my cake truffles, found on the Bakerella blog. She made it look so easy, I had to attempt it! I like that they look like mini cupcakes. Here is my truffle with the BEE on top:

Now here is how I made the bee's (really, I don't tackle crazy obstacles, but when I saw on Bakerella's mother day post how easy she made those flowers look, I had to do this for the bee's). Matthew and Alyssa even helped me.

I took a photocopy of my bee's and put it under wax paper and with my wilton bottle and melted chocolate inside, I traced the bee with the brown. (Alyssa took this shot)

Then Matthew colored in the yellow part on the bee (notice the concentration tongue sticking out).

Then I put white on the wings and we chilled them. Matthew didn't think these blobs looked much like bee's......

...when I showed him the other side, he said, "Wow, those really ARE bee's!" Look at that smile on his face! He was very excited. I then attached them to the truffles with a dab of melted chocolate and voila!

To make these truffles a bit different, I first put the balls into a mini cupcake tray (chilled them, removed them) and then dipped in other colored chocolate. I used the Wiltons chocolates for the first time to coat the outside (used almond bark before) and I liked the lighter flavor. 2 friends who had had previous truffles said these were my best batch yet!

My boy is growing up....

a sidenote

I must add: About Alyssa's hair below, I didn't clarify well enough how much of an accident this lovely up-do was. Her hair was all down in her face when she went out to jump, so I quickly grabbed some rubber bands. I first pulled back her bangs (with no brush) in one random bump on top, then grabbed the rest of her mop and pulled it back and up with another rubber band. It looked pretty crazy, but after the sprinkling of water and some time to fall "just the right way" came this little hairstyle.

Almost summer...

Ever since we got the tramp, I was excited to "wet it down." We did this all the time growing up, putting the sprinkler below and jumping. The boys were at first wary to the idea, but they had so much fun once they got started! Alyssa wasn't too excited about sliding around.....
She came inside and I took some picts of her with her impromptu hairstyle. I love the un-even "piggy buns" and sweeping tendrils. I may try to recreate this look later.


2 more weeks until summer for us and we are sooo excited!

My Dad

I meant to post on his birthday last week, but it just never happened. A week later still counts, right? My dad is currently working in Nigeria, Africa. His home base is in Houston and when he comes to Texas, we are close enough that we get to see him. He loves being a grandpa and has the same enthusiasm that he did when I was a kid. Here are some reasons I love my dad:

1. When I was growing up and even now, he has continuously told me how much he loves me. Would often write me letters emphasizing qualities that he admired in me. Growing up as the only girl, I felt like a princess to him. Through my human development studies, and the more I learn about women and their identity struggles, I see how important this was/is. I am often telling Michael how I think that how my dad treated me has a direct correlation with my self esteem. I don't have too many issues with myself, and I realize that many women do. (Not saying that you didn't have a great father figure if you have issues with yourself). I encourage Michael to do the same with our daughter. The male example that we have in our lives growing up teaches us what type of man to look for in a spouse. Needless to say, early on, some of Michael's qualities reminded me of my dad.

2. I remember him singing fast paced lymerics on road trips that I still love hearing to this day "A barefoot boy with shoes on came walking down the street, his hands were full of pockets and his shoes were full of feet..." I want to get him singing these on tape so I can better learn the lyrics and teach my kids. Another one we sang is one we now do in our fam...each line is repeated by the group: "Everywhere we go..." repeat "People want to know..." repeat "Who we are" repeat "so we tell them" repeat "We are the Dukes" repeat "Mighty Mighty Dukes" repeate "We go to the park"(or wherever you are going)

3. For his company growing up, there was a 5K race that we would compete in each year. It was called, Beat the Boss. I'm not sure how it happened, but he ended up running it next to me each time. Was it because my brothers were ahead of me in the race or not running it, I'm not sure. It annoyed me at the time that he kept whispering in my ear, "Don't slow down...Keep going" "Look at that kid up ahead, make a plan to pass them" I probably would have walked it if he weren't next to me (as I do sometimes now) but he kept urging me to keep going.

4. I loved visiting his office growing up. I remember in New Orleans, he was up high in a building downtown and in his desk drawer was always peanuts. I'd dig into his stash upon visits. I also liked to put my face on the copy machine and make copies.

5. I got my "question asking" skills from him. He has always been interested in people, and I think I got some of that from him. Just watching him interact with people throughout the years, I learned the importance of the individual.

6. He adores my children and loves to call now just to hear my kids voices. He wants to hear stories, which I can't always come up with (I tell him to check the blog) but he is just interested in our daily lives. He also volunteers to change diapers b/c he knows it will ease a burden for me.

7. Having a testimony of the Savior has always been evident in his life. He delights in serving in the church and helping people.

8. He's a writer. Published several books both for work and church. Written articles that have been published in church magazines. He belives in working hard and playing hard.

9. He has recently taken his health very seriously and has changed his nightly ice cream habit in order to slim down. He wants to be around for his great great grandchildren.

10. He is always improving his mind...regularly checking stacks of books out from the library on various religions, cultures, people in order to better understand the world and people.

I took this of he and Alyssa a few months ago and it is one of my current favorites.

I love you, dad, you are the best!

Mothers Day with cold Bologna

I woke up to the sounds of my husband and 2 boys making me breakfast. I smiled and rolled over and waited for them to come to my room. They brought the little tray with my favorite eggs over easy, a nutella/banana stuffed crepe, and ground sausage just sitting on the side (that one seemed random) with a tall glass of milk and toast. They were so excited and proud of themselves. They watched me eat my meal and gave me the cards they made for me. Michael is so good at encouraging them to write things from their hearts, so thats what I got. Tyler drew a picture of he and I holding a heart. Matthew said he liked it when I cheer for him at soccer games (the day before I got weird looks from the coach because I was screaming like crazy when he kicked the ball) On Alyssa's card it says she'll try not to say potty words (she loves my reaction when she says poop, now its a game we play). Then, even though I am not his mom, Michael wrote an encouraging letter that made me laugh when he said he thinks its hilarious that our kids know the current songs because I sing them with them.

We had to wake Alyssa up for our 9am church and we made it just in time. I was grateful that Michael saw what it meant to me and that he chose to skip his morning meetings that probably should have just been cancelled.

We have loooong Sunday afternoons. Sometimes we have company over, but others we play games, relax, write in journals, watch church movies, etc. We opened up the game "whoonu" which is mostly a game for older people. We helped the boys read the cards and they really liked it. I liked that with each round, every person gets a chip/point, it is just a matter if you get a chip with a 1 on it or a 6. They were just excited to get chips. At the end you tally up the points on your chips. Anyway, on one of Matthew's turns, he had just run to the fridge to grab a favorite delectable treat of a slice of cold bologna. Upon his turn, he needed a place to set his cold bologna, and he decided my leg was the perfect spot. The cold startled me and I shrieked and I handed it back to him where laughter erupted. Times like these where we are all sitting together as a family laughing are what make being a mother so enjoyable.

Here is the bracelet and charms given to me by my fam...bracelet from Michael, butterfly from Alyssa, Texas from Matthew, and camera from Tyler. I love it! I have to get them attached at the place of purchase.
In the evening, we had real bologna, from the likes of Italy. Our friends had us over for Italian pizza and I was amazed that they cook the pizza's at 550 degrees and for only 5 minutes. Michael and I and the kids LOVED it, which surprised us b/c we love our americanized pizza.

I am grateful for my mother who taught me the importance of family. It was important for her to stay home with us kids, and drive us to and fro to our various activities, while still keeping a home filled with love and teaching us the gospel. I plan to do the same for my little chiclets. I love being a mom, through all of its difficulties, the joys far outweigh the pains.

Aunt Kare Bear

Michael's sister Karen came all the way from Seattle to visit us. It helps that their other brother lives in Dallas area, so she was able to see us both in one trip. We took her around to our various activities on Saturday and everytime I introduced her to someone, I had to brag and say, "She is a labor and delivery nurse." To which all the women knowingly said, "ahh" and most likely thought to themselves "I love these nurses." I probably couldn't tell you from a line up who the nurses are that helped me during each of my deliveries, but I have a great love in my heart for them. Karen has the opportunity to be there as hundreds of babies enter this world, and this choice of careers for her, says a lot about who she is as a person.....there is a reason why she has a knickname of Kare Bear, because she is so caring and compassionate. She had many great stories to share with us and I tried to convince her to start a blog (why do single people or those without kids think they have nothing interesting to share?) and she told me about this nurse blog. I hope she does, because I would love to hear more about her daily life.
Anyway, I thought I'd share my memories of Karen and why I love her so much along with our picts of the weekend. Michael is the 2nd of 7 children and Karen is #6. I've always loved witnessing Michael's relationship with his 3 sisters. It is something that endeared me to him long ago and continue's to, as I see how much they adore and respect him.

I first met Karen in Jan/Feb 1999 when Michael and I were kindof dating/hanging out lots. She came from Cali as a high school student to visit her 3 siblings at BYU. I remember playing Dr. Mario with her and Joanna (other sis). Then about 8 months later, Fall of 1999 just before Michael and I got engaged, we drove down to Southern Utah where she was living and had a saltine cracker eating contest. I remember talking to her and thinking how mature I thought she was, and enjoyed our deep conversations. Then just a few weeks before she became my sister (in law) we took a walk around Provo, just she and I. We laid in a park in a pile of leaves, looking up to the sky and talking about what we wanted out of life. These are memories that I cherish.

I'm so glad that my kids got to know her on a personal level this past week. Playing games, running races in the backyard, laughing and reading stories. Thanks, Karen, for taking the time out of your busy life to come visit us, we love you!

This is Reality, People.

My blog is entitled many joyous occasions because I feel like I am blessed with just that. As most scrapbooking goes, we focus on the positive. I post the picts of my fam, funny stories, but that doesn't mean that is what my life is all about. I've got the sad, the frustrating, the not so great days, too. When my husband comes home at the end of the day and asks how my day was, I don't usually like to focus on the negative. He doesn't need that when he walks in the door, and I guess I'd like to think that it isn't the first thing that I want coming out of my mouth.

A few weeks ago I was at a gathering in a room full of people that I know well. I was casually mingling when a friend of mine that I don't get to chat with very often, came up to me and said, "Kristen, how are you doing?" To which I replied, "alright." She then said, "just alright?" and I said..."yeah...." You see, I don't really care to say "good" or "fine" when I'm not feeling that way. Sometimes it opens more doors than I care to go to, but I just can't say it just to say it. She then seemed to wonder what was really going on with me, and sat by me the rest of the night asking about things, but I didn't really divulge what left me feeling....just alright.

You see, I'm pretty convinced the most of us have things that bring us to tears on a regular basis. We go around thinking that everyone has it all together and that there is something wrong with ourselves for getting angry with our kids, or not having a perfectly cleaned home, or not having all the friends we'd like, or not having the "things" we'd like, or not getting what we need from our spouse, etc. Sometimes we get bogged down by petty things. Sometimes we get saddened by legitimate things, sometimes for really important/life altering things. I've seen it all, I've experienced a lot of it myself. I guess this is just for all my friends out there that may think I am always having a joyous occasion to know that its not always rosy. I cry. I get angry. And sometimes....I yell. However, I don't like myself when I do. My kids look scared and I feel awful.

My new years resolution that I wrote up big and showed my kids is to not get angry and yell. I told them to remind me of this when I did it...and they have. And I actually appreciate it (that they remind me). I know most of us do it on occasion, we all feel awful about it, we all try to improve, but we feel better knowing that we aren't alone. I am here to say that as I've focused on this and kept it in my prayers and been continuously conscious about it, I have improved. I pinpointed the times when I found I got more frustrated and proned to yell and I've tried to find resolutions that would help me in another direction. The 2 times I found I yelled was 1) when we were late and 2) when the kids didn't do their jobs after much hounding. I would eventually become frustrated and they'd hear it. So with the late thing....I had to start preparing for departure earlier. With the job thing, we just did a whole new job chart with points and such and (we'll see how long it lasts) but its worked and I haven't hounded and felt the need to yell. Just reminding of the time and they get so many points depending on what time they finish jobs. I've found more peace and the yelling has ceased.

Then last night, another friend, Rachelle, asked me the same question as the friend at the former gathering, "how are you, Kristen?" I still had some things nagging that I was sad about earlier in the day. Not having to do with my family, but other personal things. At that moment, talking to her (mother of Quintuplets plus 2), I almost felt guilty. Realizing that what I felt sad about, I knew she could probably relate, and all of a sudden it just didn't seem so important. It's great to have people placed in your life, asking you things, just at the time you need it.

With my sis in law here for the weekend, we talked about blogs we had read, and how we have appreciated when someone writes about their honest feelings of sadness and lonliness, and heartache. I think it helps each of us to know that we are not alone when we feel this sometimes. So that made me want to write a little ditty about how my life isn't always as rosy as the picts I post. I feel so blessed to have an wonderful and supportive husband and adorable children who amaze me with their zest for life. But even though I have all that....I don't have it all, so don't go thinking that I do.

A quote I heard once that I try to remember when I come across a mean person at the store or a thoughtless act by someone I think should know better is this: "Every person you meet has a sad story that will bring you to tears." Remembering this helps me TRY to have more compassion.

Dinner Party

It was a grand event to have the Wilkinson's over for dinner. I talked to Rachelle about it months ago, but she somehow turned it around to have us over. So this time, I told her if she was up for it, we'd LOVE to have the clan over. With Michael's sister, Karen, in town, we'd have 5 adult pairs of hands if needed. With nearly crawling quintuplets, I had to make sure I had an excellent vacuum job done and all little objects cleared. I borrowed some baby toys from my friend Stacy and it worked out perfectly. (Alyssa is cutely playing here, but she needs some education on handling children smaller than her, she tried to pick up one of the babies by their head, and that just didn't work out--luckily the baby didn't seem to notice--see her hands here). We were pretty much able to eat dinner while the babies played, then they got fed 2 at a time. It had been probably 6-8 weeks since I'd seen the babies and they seemed so HUGE to me! Rustin was cracking up at one of the toys and I got a cute video, but I haven't figured out how to upload my new camcorder videos yet, so you'll have to be fine with the snapshot. Of course we had to get Aunt Karen holding the babies and then Rachelle said I needed to get in with them and then I thought I'd take one of their family, and then all the kids, etc. etc. etc. I just can't seem to put my camera away when they are around. Alyssa has taken up photography as well and when I told them she was about to take a pict of them, they got ready and she snapped this really cute shot of Jayson and Rachelle in the corner of the frame with a baby looking at them from the other corner. They are a happy couple. A very joyous occasion, indeed.