January Happenings

Some days this month have felt like my busiest days yet as a mom. It was nice having a break from school and having to be places at a certain time (plus it was so cold that I was grateful to not go outside), but kids always like getting back into a routine of some sort. Ryan started music class, Sound Beginnings, which he loves. He loves listening to his CD and dancing to the classical pieces. The kids actually fight over who's CD we get to listen to in the car. Lily loves her new classical pieces as well and still enjoys her Let's Play Music class. In Ryan's first class were Savanna and Tate Seyboldt (their mom Kim is the teacher and they are in our ward). They were home from school and they took such an interested in Ryan and had him sitting on their lap or helped him find the button when it was his turn. Savanna is that way with Lily too, she loves being her friend and giving her hugs and singling her out. They are so sweet to our kids.

Lisa came and spent a day with us and it was wonderful because I was able to go to an exercise class at the church, go grocery shopping, and take Lily to school without Max and Ryan. Everything seemed like a breeze and it was a very nice gift to me. Another day I took the kids with me to the exercise class at the church and one little boy was by himself and seemed sad. I asked if he wanted to come play with the other kids, but he didn't. I asked Ryan if he could invite Blake to come play and as soon as Ryan walked over to him (they are the same age), Blake's face lit up and he came right over to play. It was very sweet to see Ryan happy to want to include him and how happy Blake was to be invited by Ryan. They played well the rest of the hour and were good buddies. We had brought some toys from home and no one else had so our toys brought all the kids over to play. It was like a little day care.

One Saturday Lily, Ryan, and I helped clean the church and the kids were so eager to help out. They washed windows with me and were happy to be of service. One 11 year old boy was playing basketball afterward and Lily and Ryan shouted out encouraging words to him while he practiced his shot. He seemed a little embarrassed but also pleased at their words. It was such a simple thing, but I know it made his day.

Jeff is spending a couple days a week staying at his parents so he can study for the GMAT. When he's home he is completely engaged with the kids, though they do miss him when he's gone. He is getting a lot of studying done though and making progress. I'm proud of him and all the effort he is putting into it. Our lives are in such limbo right now, so we will just have to see what these next few months bring us. Jeff's work is going well though and he is being extremely blessed and setting 5 year highs. He is of course working very hard, but he no doubt is being watched over by Heavenly Father and is answering our many heartfelt and pleading prayers for success at the building.

For about a week we were constantly listening to Yankee Doodle Dandee on repeat on the CD player. We had read a book about George Washington and because that song says "Captain Washington" in it, it became Lily's favorite song. Lily would jump up to the CD player and press the repeat button before the song ended so she could hear it again. We finally got batteries in the remote control and Jeff showed her how to put it on continual repeat. I asked how she liked it and she said, "great, I'm getting so many things done." Beacuse she didn't have to stay close to the CD player (she even wanted to avoid the bathroom because how would she press repeat?), she could actually finish an art project. It was kind of funny because it sounded like something I would say.

We have been on a good path lately with reading scriptures every day, saying prayers, and having family home evening. Lily loves reading the scriptures (the picture book) and always wants more stories. I can tell they have been listening when I explained about Martin Luther King day and what he did for the country and for African Americans. I explained that he was later killed. Lily asked, "did the Lamanites kill him?" We had been reading about a lot of fighting Lamanite stories that week. We also looked through the prophet book and I said they had all died, but President Monson was our prophet today. During one of her prayers, she said, "please bless that the prophets will stop dying." She's very thoughtful. One time while we were driving Lily asked if Ryan could be quiet because she was trying to think about Jesus. I couldn't argue with that.

The kids have been given money for different holidays or allowance and we finally took them to the toy store to get some things. We spent a whole hour looking around while they checked out everything before they could finally decide on something. They had a great time and when we walked in the store (and other toy stores after that), Lily would be sure to tell the workers first thing that she had brought her money with her. I was pretty lenient on what they wanted to buy, since it was their own money and we went to educational toy stores so I knew there would be some value to it, but I had to put my foot down when Ryan wanted to buy another car transporter. I said no repeat toys, but he obviously likes that toy a lot.

The kids love drinking chocolate milk and one day Lily said she wanted something to drink. I asked her what she wanted and she said, "I think you know what I want mommy. Ch, ch, ch, ch..." she was giving me little hints in case I didn't get it.

Ryan and Lily had a play date at Blake's house, which they loved, they always have a great time there. After we had driven away I noticed Ryan had taken a car. I told him we don't take things from people's houses and we needed to give it back. That whole day Ryan was always concerned where the car was and kept reminding me we needed to return it to Blake. He said, "we don't take things from people's houses." I don't think he will be a repeat offender.

For New Year's Day we went bowling. The kids had a great time and Ryan even got a strike and some spares. After awhile they were done though, but Daddy had to keep playing out our hour since he was getting some great scores. Lily and Ryan also loved playing the video games, though I have to say I got a headache after being in the arcade. It is so loud and fast moving pictures that I don't think that can be good for anyone.

For our birthday Lily and Ryan stayed in Westminster and Jeff and I saw "Into the Woods" and then enjoyed a relaxing Saturday and Sunday. It's always nice getting a little break and getting some things done in the house.

As for Max, he is moving all over the place. He gets on his knees and rocks a bit and the kids cheer him on whenever he does. He rolls all over the place and army crawls and if he sees something he wants, he will definitely find a way to get there. His favorite person I think is Ryan. He always gets a kick out of him and laughs. If Ryan laughs, Max starts to laugh. If Ryan says silly words or does a silly dance, Max laughs. I think they will be good friends when they're older and that makes me very happy.

Sometimes Lily just likes to sit at the computer and listen to the Primary Children's Songbook. Her favorite song is "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem"

She loves her crown and my shoes 

Ryan loves my shoes too

A favorite game with the superheros, "save the city"

Using my shoe as her phone

Jeff had a lot of strikes and spares

Everyone lending support to Ryan

Lily loves a good tower

Lily took this picture so she could capture Max trying to crawl

Another Lily photo, which I was happy about since I didn't think I had any of Max in his usual place on the floor.

Lily being very helpful

Lily loves painting and mixing colors, she's a fun, freestyle sort of artist.

Playing red light, green light with the measuring cups. 

We had to remind Ryan to use his red light since Jeff and Lily would often get to him before he switched his colors. 

Marching to "Yankee Doodle Dandee" around Max 

A nice moment caught by Lily.

Lily loves dressing up all the time. 

Max got into the paint or markers or something that gave a little color to his face. 

We finally put this downstairs since Ryan played in it more than Max. 

Look at that sweet smile. I sure love this boy. 

It's fun having Lily around to capture moments that wouldn't be captured. I am often in this position during the day. 

A favorite outfit. 

Lily loves having a friend on the potty. Ryan likes to spend about 20 minutes getting everything out. 

The kids fight over who gets to vacuum and love when a mess is made and we have to get it out. 

Getting ready to exercise P90x3 with me. 

Lily calls this being a champion. It means you open the door and sing made up songs really long. She often sings about Jesus, which is nice. Ryan likes joining in too now. 

I'm not sure how she fell asleep on that wood beam. 

Having fun playing in the flour, and then the sugar, and then the salt. I had to throw away the sugar and salt since it got flourified. 

On a boat. 

First time in the tub sitting up all by himself! 

He LOVES splashing.

"Look mommy, I'm hats boy!" "Oh, hi hat boy," I said. "No, hatS boy!" 

Makenna from church held Max on a Sunday and had Monday off so she asked if she could come help out with kids. I gladly took her up on her offer and got lots done while she played with them. 

Tower!

And another tower made of baby food.