Establishing Good Habits

I have always been a bookworm. I'm sure part of my poor eyesight is probably due to reading until the light isn't enough to read by but not noticing because I was so engrossed in the book. I still go to bed most nights enjoying some sort of reading.
I had a good laugh the other night when I found Gianna like this:

I hope all of my children grow up with a love and passion for reading. Gianna had been put to bed already, but got up, grabbed a book, climbed back in bed, and "read" herself to sleep. She's so cute.

What's On Your Toilet?

On it. Not in it. I don't care about the second. =)
Growing up, there was almost always a copy of Reader's Digest on the back of the toilet. I would always read the funny stories out of the magazine. It's was the old reliable and I would read from it almost every day.
Recently I've been wanting to spend more time reading the scriptures. I've tried different things to block out a section of time to devote to ONLY reading the scriptures. It's really hard with our less-than-predictable schedule and my girls who get up early in the morning.
I've done scripture journals. I've read on themes. I've given just about everything a try. I've even read them backwards to pay attention to detail (that's how you edit papers, so why not?!). I still find myself going faster than I want. I want to get into the scriptures and ponder them...not just remember story lines or what I've learned before or other things like that.
I found my solution. I figured that I use the bathroom multiple times per day. So, I grabbed one of our copies of the scriptures and gave it a new home on the back of the toilet. Now, every time I make a pit stop, I pick them up and read. Sure, I'm not going to win any scripture reading contest this way, but it does give me a chance to truly think about a verse or two at a time. Let me tell you, it works! I've had more epiphanies in the past few weeks than I have in a long time. I'm thinking differently about them because they are broken down into smaller bits for me to ponder on and I'm exposed to them consistently throughout the day.

Child's Apron

I've gotten to the point of feeling like a slacker if I don't make the gift I'm giving. It's funny how quickly we put pressure on ourselves to do this and that.
But, I had a lot of fun making this cute little apron for a friend's 2 year old. Of course, I nearly had to pry it out of Gianna's hands. I'm quickly learning that her favorite color is yellow!
I also created my version of an applique...the pink flower on the pocket is actually hand sewn on and added a nice little flare to the skirt (though, I had intended to add an accent to the top of the pocket, too...but that got sewn on for fear I wouldn't have enough time to complete the project before the party today!).
I also would like to make mention that Emily was more than happy to model it for me so I could document it with a photo. Thanks, Em!!

Let 'Em Struggle

Remember that story about how you have to let a butterfly struggle out of the cocoon so it's wings will be strong enough to survive?
Apparently Eric never heard that one. As we have been fascinated with the growth of our tomato seeds, we've learned a few things.
First, they take longer than expected and will only pop up after consistent heat (aka: heat lamp) is applied.
Secondly, once one seed comes up, a lot will, so planting 3 seeds per slot in the egg carton is a little over-doing it (and, since the first one "didn't" work, we planted another one, making a total of 24 slots...and now that the first container showed life, we have a TON...you do the math). Now we'll have to slim down the slots to one plant per space.
Thirdly, if you try to "help" the little buggers grow by trying to remove a stubborn seed pod, you will most likely kill the poor plant. Thus the need for Eric to revisit the story of the butterfly.

I've been thinking about the second point. We know we are supposed to thin out the plants and choose the strongest plant. However, how do you know which one is strongest? Just because it arrived first? Because it is tallest? I can see flaws to these options and have just been thinking about it. So, in the mean time, we'll just let 'em struggle. But, I guess I also shouldn't let the Wilbur complex get to me, either (we are reading Charlotte's Web to Emily right now).

Latches, Please

If you haven't heard, Gianna finally gave in and started walking the day after my birthday. It was funny since she basically went from seeming so baby with her crawling around to zooming around the house on two legs.
With her new ability to walk, she also quickly mastered the use of the doors. Since we have the lever-handled doors, it was easy for her to walk up and flip it to open doors in the house when going into a room. I thought it might take her a bit to figure out how to pull open the doors, but, no. She mastered that the very next day. Now she is constantly yelling at me in her baby babble to unlock the back door to make her escape to her love, the outside.
So, if you come over to visit, it may sound like Fort Knoxs, but it is really to keep the children in more than keeping others out.

Best Doctor, EVER!

Since I got married, I've gone through several OB/GYN's. Why? Because apparently, finding a good one isn't as easy as randomly selecting from the list of providers on the insurance sheet. Gratefully, nearly 3 years ago, I was blessed to find not only a great doctor, but one who has an amazing staff, too!
I've taken recommendations from others, only to discover (after having an issue with the doctor) that that person ALSO had issues with the doctor.
Well, I found THE BEST one here. Seriously. He's amazing. I can ask or tell him anything and he listens and answers my questions, get this: like I'm an intelligent human being!! He loves seeing my kids and the entire staff is welcoming and accommodating (yes, I usually take my kids with me).
He also is incredibly gentle and I don't have to abhor the annual visit. It's actually nice to go in and chat with my doctor and it is never uncomfortable or painful as we go through the check-up.
So, here is my big shout out to the best OB/GYN ever!! (Oh, and did I mention that when we called him at midnight on Christmas, that he showed up immediately and stayed for the delivery...no having to go track him down or anything!!) Seriously, Dr. John T. Slocumb is amazing and his entire practice gets two thumbs up, five stars, and the highest points for whatever other scale/rating system you want to use.

Quickly I'll Obey

It's interesting to see the way that the Lord prepares me for my lessons each Sunday. Without knowing it, Emily demonstrated the purpose of this week's lesson (I only just now was able to prepare for it). "Obey your parents" is such a simplistic idea with very complex applications.
As children, we learn to not question our parents when they give a directive. We just go and do. Eventually we understand the purpose for these requests and start doing them on our own. The same goes for obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. At first we do things because we are told, but eventually, through inspiration and testimony gained through the application, we learn to do things because we see the benefit ourselves.
Emily, at the age of three, has had chores that she is responsible for. Basically, anything she is capable of getting out, she has to put away (toys, clothes, etc.). She also is required to feed her dog and is given other assignments as she masters skills (such as watering the flower beds and garden).
Two days ago, as I started cleaning up the kitchen, Emily, unasked, ran off to her room. A few minutes later she returned, triumphant. "Mommy!" she exclaimed, "My room is all clean. You can vacuum!" She took me by the hand and showed me her good work. She was so proud of herself and I was very proud of her efforts and independence in this matter. As I went to get the vacuum cleaner, drama erupted. Emily came running out, throwing her hands up in the air, "Don't, Mommy! Don't! My room not clean anymore!!" The child was so distraught, she could barely breathe. Her face was red and her lips were purple. Gianna had found the clean room, which, to her means she can see "new" toys to grab and play with.
I took Emily by the hand and we cleaned it back up together, reassuring her the whole time that it was okay and how much I appreciated her cleaning her room in the first place.
Later, when I was cleaning the toilet in her bathroom, she questioned me on what I was doing and the purpose for such. I answered (I really believe kids understand a lot, so I explain all about germs and cleanliness). She immediately asked me, "What can I do?" I was about to burst with love for this child! I gave her another small task, which she completed quickly.
I don't know if Emily will continue in this manner, but we are all striving to help her learn her responsibilities and the necessity of doing things without complaining. When she asks why, I try to do my best to give her the purpose for the task so she can grow to understand and then do things on her own as she has her epiphanies over chores, tasks and requests from her parents.
In a similar vein, she will learn to do the things God requires of her and will approach them in like manner: first out of obedience, then out of understanding.