This Thanksgiving gave me a lot to think about. My sister lost a friend over the holiday, and his story is so familiar - until the end. He served an LDS mission, met his wife at BYU. After graduation they headed off to Medical school and had a baby. Now in his second year of medical school, they went back to Utah to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and surprise his parents with news of a pregnancy. He went spelunking in Nutty Putty caves with a few friends and brothers. He got stuck in a tight spot -- he knew what he was doing, he'd been caving before. But he died.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has written of tragedies in the midst of celebrations. He recalls how Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to the temple to pay their offering of redemption - two turtledoves. There in the temple, old Simeon met the infant Messiah and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of thy people Israel.... Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel." (Luke 2:29-34)
Calvary. It's of one piece. It is a single plan. It considers 'the fall and rising again of many in Israel,' but always in that order. Christmas is joyful not because it is a season or decade or lifetime without pain and privation, but precisely because life does hold those moments for us. And that baby [God's] own beloved and Only Begotten Son in the flesh, born 'away in a manger, [with] no crib for his bed,' makes all the difference in the world, all the difference in time and eternity, all the difference everywhere, worlds without number, a lot father than [our] eyes can see."
I am not going to post every thing that we are doing for our Alphabet Summer, but here are a few thing we have done. This might spark some ideas for you.
We kept the letter I just the same. It is one of my kids favorites, so we did nothing different. Here is a peak at the fun day we had:
Indoor Smores, and Indoor Campout
I tried to let Isaac sleep with the kids, but that didn't work so well. So after 1 1/2 hours of fighting with him, he went back to his crib. How will I ever move him to a big boy bed? That step is right around the corner. I have a feeling I am in for sleepless nights, and struggles at nap time.
...and for the letter P....
We Painted Pottery.
We went to this neat little store. The kids got to pick out something to paint, their color choice, and then paint it however they choose. We left it there for about it week while they fired it. Then... we gave them to Dad for Father's Day. He loved it.
I hope this helps you find ways to incorporate learning into your summer.
First I have to apologize for my lack of blogging here, but you should know that I have hardly blogged on my own. I am almost 19 weeks pregnant, so..... well that explains it!!
It is official!! Today starts the first day of Summer
at the Swenson house. I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!
I spent the majority of last week getting prepared for our summer festivities. If you know me, you already know that I like to be prepared.
The kids started asking me in February if we were going to do "Alphabet Summer" this year? I replied, "Yes"; knowing full well that I had some preparation to do.
Last week, I organized all of our Art Stuff. I made sure that each of the kids had their own basket. Each basket has a pad of paper, stickers, glue, scissors, markers, crayons. I cleared off a spot in our pantry so it is easily assessable. Well, it is easy for the older two to access. I don't need the little guy coloring on my walls. Isaac's basket is more age appropriate, and I get it up and down for him. So far, they have followed the rules by using their own stuff, and putting it away when they are done. I knew that would give them one project to entertain them for 15 minutes. It actually entertains Isaac the longest. That boy loves stickers. (Pictures are to come... I am getting my new camera today!! YEAH!!!)
I also organized our bookshelves, so that their books are put in places that they can find them. Because all 3 of the kids are on different reading levels I made sure that they could find a book appropriate for them. We will spend time reading** every day this summer.
**Jex is already on a 2nd grade reading level. I hope he continues. Stella is well on her way to learn. I hope mom can find some time to read as well. As for Isaac, he loves to be read too. It is most certainly his favorite time of day.
I also rearranged our breakfast nook. It is certainly not up to my design standards, but it works for our kids. I added a table for them, and a desk so they can get to whatever they may need to get out their creativity. ( I promise I will share pictures soon.)
I also planned plenty of outdoor activities:
Sports Equipment Organized
Pool and Slip n Slide purchased
Bikes and Helmets ready
I then attacked the activities that we would do outside of our home:
Golf Camp
Swimming Lessons
Pool Pass
Season Passes to local Theme Park and Water Park
Season Passes to the Zoo
Then it was time for the summer schedule: (here is an idea of what we will do)
Morning: Wake Up, Breakfast, Morning Chores, Get Dressed, Free Play and outdoor activities(this gives me time to exercise, clean the house, and get myself ready)
Afternoon: Lunch, 15 minute Reading time, Activity Time(Alphabet Summer or Science), Rest time or Movie time, Free Play
Evening: Dinner, Clean up for the evening, Play outdoors or Family Walk, Baths and Bed.
MWF: Alphabet Summer Days, or Science Project
Tuesday: Library and Park-Playdate Day
Thursday: Outing Day (theme park, zoo, or pool)
The kids are also well aware that I clean on Monday mornings. They are responsible to help with chores, and be patient until bathrooms are clean and floors are vacuumed and moped.
Okay, I know you all must be thinking to yourself... this is one structured lady. BUT.... Believe me when I say that my kids really do better when we have a plan and they know what to expect. It makes our summer go by so beautifully.
Of course I throw in a day when we just mix it all up and do none of those things, but for the most part my kids love every second of it. I also love spending time with them. It goes so quickly. This school year made me realize how fast it really does go. Especially when your kids are in school for the majority of their time. I am happy to fill up our days doing fun, creative things together. I have also found it causes less fights and commotion.
(This was our pet for the day last week.)
We found him in our back yard... such a summer thing.
To quote a line from my favorite children's book...
"All the places to Love
by Patricia Maclachlan,
"Where else, does an old turtle crossing the path make all the difference in the world?"
So... What are you doing this summer?
Do you plan a summer schedule?
Are you a fly by the seat of your pants kind of gal?
However you plan to spend your summer...
MAKE IT FUN, AND HAVE A BLAST!!
I am a child of royal birth;
My Father is king of heaven and earth.
My spirit was born in the courts on high.
A child beloved, a princess am I.
I was nurtured there; I lived by His side
In a home where patience and love abide.
My Mother was there in that glorious place,
Blessing her children with queenly grace.
I grew to the stature that spirits grow;
I gained the knowledge I needed to know.
I was taught the truth and I knew the plan
That God and Christ laid out for man.
I was there when the stars of the morning sang.
My voice was heard when the heavens rang.
I was there to rejoice, to praise, and applaud
And I shouted for joy with the sons of God.
I waited my turn to came to earth.
Through the wonderful channel of human birth.
The curtains were closed and the past was gone.
On the future too, the curtains were drawn.
I came to earth and God willed it so-
With freedom to choose the path I should go.
I must search for the truth; I must serve and obey.
I must walk by faith or fall by the way.
Someday, I will go back; I will answer the call.
I'll return with my record to the Father of all.
The books will be opened and so will my heart,
And there will be rejoicing if I've done my part.
My Father the King with his infinite love
Will welcome me back to the mansions above.
The curtains will part, and eternity
In its light and glory will open to me.
This is one of my favorite poems written by Anna Johnson. The opening stanza is just so empowering to me. We had a great lesson Sunday in Relief Society about our Divine Nature and what it means to be a daughter of God. It was wonderful, and a lesson I needed to hear again as a reminder I guess because Saturday, on our way home from Missouri, I started thinking of what that means (not knowing it was what our lesson was on the next day). And I started singing songs from when I was a youth. The YW Camp song.."Walk Tall, You're A Daughter of God" and others. My husband asked me what I was doing and I told him I was singing to our daughter!
It's an amazing feeling and choice blessing to know that I will be raising..not only this daughter, but our son and other children to come as well. What an amazing blessing, and gift, and privilege it is to be a mother. I feel so blessed for this responsibility, and am so thankful I am able to be a Mother. And even more thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed us in such a way that has given me the opportunity to stay home and take care of my little family full time. I am really enjoying this pregnancy. Not having to work this time-a-round has given me more opportunities to sit and relax and enjoy the little movements inside.
Or, better said, you really shouldn't have one without the other.
This is sidewalk chalk. It promises hours of entertainment and learning. It won't disappoint.
After careful consideration, Hannah selects just the right color to kick off the "chalking" fun.
This is how I get her to practice her penmanship. It's lots of fun. See?
This is her favorite letter. Obviously, "H" is for "Hannah." But don't be too impressed just yet, this is the only letter she writes.
Ever.
"Hop Scotch" is also a must when "chalking." This is her new favorite game. It's right up there with hide and seek, running around the house screaming, and watching "The Twelve Dancing Princesses
She loves it so much, she talks about "Hop Scotch" almost as much as she talks about "Dora The Explore-Her
So you know it's a lot.
And look, if you have a dog, (preferably a stinker-dog, but any dog will do the trick) they too will be completely entertained by this invigorating activity.
No promises on the baby though. I think Dallin wanted to drill a hole in his head . . . being strapped in the stroller, bored out of his brains.
Have you ever been single on Valentine's Day?
Think hard. Back to the days before you met your spouse, or significant other. (Some of you may be very lucky, and the only time you didn't have a Valentine was in Junior High, but the rest of us . . . well . . . I'm sure there were a few years without a Valentine . . . )
Do you remember how you felt? Seeing your friends blissfully in love, opening thoughtful gifts, reading gushy love letters and eating chocolate?
Valentine's day to the unattached person is known as "Single Awareness Day."
This Sunday is Mother's Day. For years, (and I mean years) I met this day with sadness and anger. For many, Mother's Day is a day you recognize your mother, or you are recognized as a mother. As a mother, you find joy in your children, and realize the only reason you have children is because you are a mother.
See, everything goes hand in hand.
For many women, this Sunday, Mother's Day, is a reminder that their oven is empty. To the childless woman, Mother's Day is known as "Barren Awareness Day."
I always dreaded going to church on Mother's Day. 364 days a year, no one notices that you come to church without children. On Mother's Day, it's like you arrive with a blinking neon sign that says "I'm not really a mother. But recognize me because I'm married."
Awkward.
Actually, what I really wanted my invisible neon sign to say is, "Please don't recognize me. It's GLARINGLY obvious I don't fit in. Thanks."
So year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, (yes, there were eight years of this awkwardness) I would arrive to church with a smile on my face, hiding the pain that cut so deeply.
I wanted to be a mother.
Did the Lord think I was unfit?
Why, then, was I not blessed with children?
I will never know the answers to these questions.
But, I do know this Sunday will mark the third anniversary of my mommyhood and absence of that obnoxious blinking neon sign.
Thank goodness for that.
Where am I going with this?
I'm not really sure.
If you're a mother, cherish your children and be grateful you have them.
If you're not a mother (yet) and you long to be one, channel your energy into loving your own mom. Your time will come. It may not be in this lifetime, but it will come.
If you know someone who is struggling to have children, be extra sensitive to them. Especially on Mother's Day.
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
Have you seen the Church's NEW Gospel Art BOOKS?? They are AWESOME! Go to lds.org and scroll down a little and you can watch the video! They are only $3 each unless you buy 20 or more, then they turn out to be only $1.50 each! You can get a group of your friends together and order them together! They are great for Primary Lessons, FHE, Quiet Books during Sacrament Meeting, Birthday/Christmas Presents...! You name it! Hope you find them as wonderful as I did!!
Warning: This is not an announcement, because there is nothing to announce. I am only noting an observation.
Phew! Now we have the disclaimer out of the way clearing up a topic I haven't even mentioned yet . . .
I know why people do it. You know, get pregnant while their baby is still,-- well, a baby.
Don't judge (never mind that what I'm about to explain is me judging others . . .), but I used to be pretty opinionated about motherhood, and when to have children, how many you should have and how far apart they should be spaced.
I'm not going to mince words here, I used to think that mothers who had children 18 months in age or closer were whacked out of their minds. Whether those childbirths were accidental or intentional, no one, and I mean no one, in their right mind would want children so close in age. I don't care how sleep deprived you are, logical people just don't think like that.
Then, I became a mother.
After several blissful months of caring for and loving the most easy-going baby sent to earth, I was hooked. I need another one. Right. A. Way.
I was addicted to my baby.
I needed another fix.
It was bitter sweet to see her grow and develop so quickly.
Why can't they be frozen in their cute little bodies?
Worried that the second time around getting pregnant would take another nine years (yes, it took almost nine years for us to get our first), we decided on baby number two much sooner than we would have had we known my body would get pregnant easily.
Both shocked and excited with pregnancy number two, we were well on our way to becoming the ideal American family of four.
Four is good. It's an even number. All basic dinner tables have seating for four. The average American home has three bedrooms, (ideal for a couple and two children). If you ever win a trip somewhere, almost always, the prize is for a family of four.
So why would I consider making our family an odd number?
Maybe it's because my eight month old baby always smells like bubble gum. Maybe it's because his cheeks are so soft and kissable. It could be because he just sprouted his first tooth after waking up so happy with adorable bed head.
I'm not sure, but something is pulling at me saying, "You need another one. He is developing so fast (my son is only eight months old . . .), YOU NEED ANOTHER FIX."
So I get it now. It's like you don't have a choice. You just start listening to the voices in your heart and go for it.
Like I said before, this is not an announcement in any way, shape, or form (don't even read through the lines). All I'm saying, is that my new-open-minded-non-judgmental-self GETS IT.
You want to have seven children all spaced 11 months apart?
I won't judge.
My kids are great sleepers. This I can't complain about. I know many women would LOVE to have their kids take scheduled naps. Or heck, any nap, for any length of time. I only feel a tiny bit guilty requesting one thing of my little Dallin and Hannah . . .
Would it be possible to take your naps at the same time?
Honestly.
I spend all day like this: (after every second item you can insert, wipe snotty noses and change poopie diapers)
Get up.
Dallin is awake.
But only for one hour.
Feed him.
Put him back to bed for an hour.
Then Hannah wakes up.
She starts talking the second her eyes open.
Get her dressed.
Feed her.
Take Paris out.
Feed her too.
Check email.
Dallin is now awake from his first morning nap.
Hannah and Dallin play while I start laundry.
Dallin is tired again.
Listening to Hannah talk all morning is tiring.
He goes down for a second morning nap.
Hannah is still talking.
And playing.
And rearranging the chairs in the kitchen.
Making a fort.
Dallin wakes up again.
They both eat lunch.
Hannah goes down for a long nap.
Dallin is up for the long haul.
He is busy.
VERY BUSY.
Always finding something to get into.
He get's stuck standing in precarious spots.
I am tired.
Maybe I should get ready for the day.
Or at least brush my teeth.
Maybe I should wash my face too.
Hannah wakes up.
Dallin is ready for nap number three.
Hannah makes more forts.
She plays with all my kitchen utensils.
Dallin wakes up again.
Just in time for dinner.
Dave may or may not be home. (He works a light 70 hours a week at the hospital.)
The kids have one hour together before they both go to bed for the night.
And then the house is silent and I kind of want go into their rooms and kiss them.
Because I miss them.
I'm not making any sense.
But this did make sense when I explained it to my sister. You see, when I have a problem, complaint, exciting news, or nothing to talk about at all, I call my sister Jenn. We actually chat on the phone old school style. (Rarely do we email each other even though email is the preferred way I chat with others.)
We can chat for hours.
David, Hannah, and my mother-in-law can attest to this.
Where was I? Where am I going with this?
Oh yeah, I was, in essence, complaining about not having any personal time. No "Emily time." No time to think to myself, do something for myself, or heck, enjoy an afternoon nap with the kids. (See, wouldn't that be nice? All three of us sleeping at once?)
So, as I was describing my daily routine to Jenn, she told me a about a quote she has on her fridge by General Authority N. Eldon Tanner. ( He was from before my time.) She looks at it every day.
A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the contribution he will make to society."
The phrases "every response" and "her attitude" have stood out to me loud and clear the last few days. This quote has made me think about my response to my kitchen being a big fort all day, and being happy about it.
Tonight's lesson will be on Preach My Gospel Lesson 3, Heading 3 "Repentance."
This lesson uses the beautiful, powerful story from the Book of Mormon about the Lamanites who repented and buried their weapons. I love this story!
It also teaches about the bitter feelings of remorse and guilt we have when 
How everlastingly grateful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ! How overwhelmingly amazed I am that He would choose to feel those bitter, awful pangs of sin so that I can repent! I know He did this because He loves us. He is our Redeemer and our Savior.
Preparing this lesson was a joy and a reminder to me to repent more often. It is already paid for, and infinitely worth it!
Link to Lesson 3 Heading 3 pdf ~ "Sweet Repentance"
update 4/9/13: Because Scribd is making life difficult now, I have uploaded all of these to google docs as pdf's, and have changed the links accordingly. Hopefully google stuff will always be free. . . :)
The beginning of last week, I was reading through some conference talks and I came across a quote that I just can't get out of my mind. Not that I want too. I love this quote! So I thought I would share it.
"In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things."
Sister Elaine Dalton
We, as women are always trying to overcome something. Big or small. Whether it's a trial, whether it's pushing ourselves to become better at something, whether it's just making it through the day. There is always something. I know with all of my heart, that with Heavenly Father by our side, we truly can do all things. We can make it through all of the trials that he sends our way and endure all that he asks of us to endure. He wants to be there to help us do it. He doesn't expect us to do it on our own and he isn't going to ask us to do anything that we can't do. Even when we feel like we can't. During every stage of our life, there is going to be something to overcome. Ten years from now, it will be something different than it is today. Ten years from now, we will still have our Heavenly Father by our side, telling us that we can do it. That we can do all things!
My friend gave me a great cooking with kids cookbook this weekend. Yesterday, Stella and I just couldn't help ourselves. We just had to try one of the recipes. So we made...
Homemade Face Paint
It was so easy and fun to use. We turned Stella into a butterfly. I loved watching her pretend all afternoon to be just that. This was a wonderful activity. It makes plenty to use on another day, and it washes off beautifully.
The Recipe:
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
1/4 Cup Cold Cream(I used Ucerin Cream because I had that on hand)
1/4 C. cold water
Food coloring
Mix Cornstarch and Cream together until well blended. Stir in water. Then separate in to the bowls depending on how many colors you would like. Add food coloring one drop at a time, and stir well.
I used a fine paint brush to paint her face.
You can store the left overs in the fridge covered with saran wrap to be used again.
When you are ready to remove it, wash it gently off with a warm wash cloth. I didn't even use soap, and it came right off.
I can't wait to paint up a new adventure.
