The Crawfords

I found what I want!

2011-09-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

Now I have to pick the size to order it in, the frame, and hang it, but should I keep the text, change the text, or remove it altogether? Home decor is NOT my thing, all of these questions might haunt me... What do you think?

PCE Club

2011-08-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

1:30 in the afternoon Church has necessitated the invention of the Perfectly Clean Eaters Club. Doug is the President, and I'm not even a member.

You see, we are all dressed in our best (summertime often had us in white) with our hair done, scriptures packed and shoes on before we're allowed to eat our lunch, a lunch which consistantly consists of cheese, lunchmeat, ritz, wheat thins and a clean fruit, usually an apple, but sometimes grapes (NEVER cherries or watermelon!) The President is allowed, however to eat whatever leftover he can find, He alone is allowed to eat Spaghetti (a serious danger for the non-member) and last Sunday, a hot dog with katsup and mustard (I think he was just showing off).

Our children don't think it is fair that he is allowed to eat whatever he wants and would like to join. I don't think Dalton will ever make it, at 11 he still gets icecream all over his mouth and some on his nose every time. Sophia is like me a little too passionate about her food. Jennie could go either way too young to tell. I think that Joe is a real candidate though. You see, it's in him.

We've noticed for awhile now that Dalton and Sophia are more like their Nelson side. Joe and Jennie take after their Crawford side. It's not a 100% thing of course, but time and time again they can be separated by their skin pigment, sense of humor, lip shape and now their cleanliness in eating.

The Crawford side has the crazy cleanliness in it, NOT the Nelsons (my mom has scores of blouses with a stain directly below her chin). We've heard stories of Doug's grandpa having his wife step outside to brush her hair, and Doug has had a difficult time combining most foods since birth (picture: deconstructed hamburgers, sandwiches and even Thanksgiving dinner).

It's more like the Psychotically Clean Eaters club if you ask me, but since half of my children and the man I love are in it (or at least trying to be in it), I need to embrace the madness.

I'll eat my hot-dog after church.

How to Eat a Banana

2011-05-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

Start with a cute 3 year old (preferably one in her jammies). Give her a half banana on a plate with a butter knife and toothpick.

Gingerly slice the banana...

Insert toothpick...

Enjoy!

Repeat.

Am I A Quitter?

2011-04-05T11:22:00.001-07:00

I joined Weight Watchers yesterday, and I'm STOKED!

I was officially off of SUGAR for 3 months and I loved it! I kept my same exercise routing of 5X a week, but didn't do any other food modification other than no sugar. Keep in mind that ALL store bought bread, most crackers, cereals, dressings, all jarred sauces, deli meats, and of course treats, almost everything has sugar in it and I quit them all! I ate 3 pieces of carott cake for my birthday, but that was the only time I officially had ANY sugar (and it resulted in the worst headache I've had in ages!).

The results... I felt great, I slept well, I exercised with energy, I ate fruit when I craved sweets, I lost the 6 lbs. I gained over Christmastime, and I loved it. But since February, I haven't really lost any more weight. A bummer, but I swear my guts are the healthiest out there, really.

So my real goal is to have a healthy body, and I'm 6 lbs. above what most health guidelines say I should be right now. If a lifestyle without sugar isn't going to help me lose those pesky pounds, I needed to make a different change. My happy place, Weight Watchers is where I turned first.

Weight Watchers carries memories of having lost 75 lbs. after the boys were born, and a feeling of success that was celebrated by my whole group. I kept if off, learned how to maintain my weight, and then had two more babies. I love my girlies, but I'm not too thrilled with the 25 lbs. that has lingered there since their birth. My 2nd time doing Weight Watchers was while I was still nursing Jennie, and after many meetings, I gained and gained and gained. I visited my doc and found out that my thyroid had quit on me. I've been on meds for that for the last 3 years, but the psychological damage from doing my WW so religiously and not seeing any results has been severe. I didn't want to go back unless I was going to be successful like the first time.

Well, I'm ready! I'm the healthiest I've ever been, I have great eating and exercising habits, I'm surrounded by a kitchen full of great options, and people who want nothing but success for me. My thyroid is under control, and it's my time.

So then last night at dinner when I had a bite of Jennie's ice cream, the boys said, "Mom! You don't eat sugar!" I explained my situation and their first response was, "Oh, you quit." Well, I didn't quit! I'm just changing my focus. So, to all of you who made New Years Resolutions, have you quit? Did you change your focus? would you consider me a quitter?

I feel good about my choice, but the boys words are haunting me...

Dalton Turns 11

2011-03-31T13:11:00.000-07:00

Fabulous Facts about Dalton in No Particular Order:

He wants to grow up to be an actuary.
He is collecting interest on PACE buck, (his school's currency), loans to his friends.
He would LOVE to learn how to work the real Stock Market.
He sells his Halloween/Christmas/Easter candy to his siblings and friends at an awesome profit.
He has recently started babysitting for me at $1 per. hour, a rate we both have agreed upon.
He enjoys reading books, but mostly ones in a series so he can keep going, and going, and going...
He does 3 jobs a day without complaint.
He monitors his own 30 minutes of earned Wii time each day.
He plays the piano beautifully and wows his instructor each week with his dedication to practice.
He is reverent for sacred events and is becoming more in tune with the Holy Ghost.
He enjoys his morning routine of shower and starting breakfast just before I get home from the gym.
He has improved his trampoline skills already this spring and hopes to master a back flip by the end of the summer.
He has a great group of friends that I envision being a strength and support throughout his teen years, possibly his whole life.
He and Joe and friends have built a sturdy hideout/fort complete with lighting, computer access (not internet), TV (not cable), and protected by rubber-band guns.
He is a delight to his parents, teachers and a good friend to his siblings.

Happy Birthday!

(This is all the good stuff of course. We also call him our absent minded professor for reasons that need not be recorded ;)

Dalton's 2nd Piano Recital

2011-02-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

Remember I started teaching Dalt last year. Well we got him a real teacher in September 2010 and he's progressing beautifully! He loves playing, I only sometimes have to remind him to practice and even then, he's happy to do it. Actually he plays at the most inconvenient times ie: screaming Jennie? Dalton is playing. Screaming Joe, Dalton is playing. Crying Sophia, (she's not much of a screamer) Dalton is playing. I've realized that he uses it to scrub out the chaos of family life. I'm just glad he has a productive coping mechanism. He loves learning the theory, his mathamatical mind finds patterns everywhere. I see music being his lifelong friend.

She keeps us laughing

2011-02-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

In the supermarket...
Jennie: (loudly with a pointed finger) "That man looks like a..."
Me: (in a whisper) "Jennie, put your finger down."
Jennie: (this time in a whisper) "I was just going to say fungus"

At home...
Joe: "Mom, Jennie just said a bad word"
Me: "What did she say?"
Joe: "F*%#head"
Me: "Jennie!"
Jennie: (running up the stairs arriving at my side in a pant, but with the look of complete innocence.)
Me: "Jennie what did you just say?"
Jennie: "Well, (then putting her pointer finger on the edge of her mouth and looking away from me.) about that..."

Lying on the office floor in a bed of her own making...
Jennie: "Let's play sleeping beauty mom."
Me: "Okay" (I stroke her hair with a random My Little Pony brush)
Jennie: (eyes closed and just about asleep) "I'm waiting for my true loves first kiss."
Me: "Who is he?"
Jennie: (eyes still closed) "You can be him for today mom" (cutest pucker you've ever seen)
Me: Smooch

As I'm typing...she's painting her toes with a basting brush and her water from lunch quoting Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas.

Temple Themed Resolutions

2011-01-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

I will worship in the temple weekly (excluding vacations, sickness or temple closures... I'm hoping to make it 40 times).

I will treat my body like the temple it is (No sugar for a year, and exercise 4-5X per week excluding sickness, but including vacations).

I will make my home the temple it can be(...).

I have specific plans as to how I will achieve the first two goals. In fact I'm doing really well with the body thing, and I've been to the temple once and have plans in place for the rest of the month, but I would love any advice on how to make my home a temple. Where do I begin? Where would you begin?

Christmas

2010-12-15T20:24:00.000-08:00

Most of the kids in Joe's class wanted i-toys, and some even wrote nasty letters telling the S man off. Joe makes me so proud.

Dear Santa,
I've been looking for things for Christmas. I love Christmas because I go to Arizona for Christmas, cause my outside family lives there. Joe

Yay for outside family! We'll see you in a few short days!

Misty

2010-11-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

We absolutely love our little Misty. She came litter box trained, never complains about what food we give her, loves to snuggle, lets the girls tote her around everywhere and cover her in dress-up clothes and baby blankies. Doug and I both enjoy playing with her and the boys get to sleep with her every night. Here are 28 seconds of her playing with Jennie and a spider and a marble, so easy to entertain. She's an absolute delight!

Please?

2010-11-18T10:32:00.000-08:00

This year I'm doing a Christmas letter with a picture and a real stamp and everything. Please e-mail me your home address supercrawford@yahoo.com. Oh, and if you want to vote on which picture I should print, I'll take your vote too!

2010 Photo Shoot

2010-11-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

A chess club was born

2010-11-16T12:42:00.000-08:00

It's cold here in Idaho Falls. So cold in fact that these energetic children are driven indoors and with time limits to the Wii, are forced to play real games. I don't even know one of these boys, but they're showing up lately once or twice a week. I'm happy to provide the game, the space, free popcorn and if their cheeks show signs of cold, I'll even make some hot cocoa. They're making teams, building allies and capturing loads of pieces before checkmate is called, and they're teaching younger boys to play too! I love it all!

Sophia is 5!

2010-10-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Blueberry pancakes with whipped cream and bacon on the side for my birthday girl!

Let's open that huge pink box that's been tempting both girls for the past week.

What is all of this stuff? It all looks like it's not for a girl at all, but a...

KITTEN!
Let's go clean up, then we'll go pick your new kitten from our friends down the street.

We LOVE our new little Misty McKenzie Crawford!

Party Time! Tons of girl energy, tons of crayons...

Tons of dancing...

Tons of nail polish...

Tons of make-up...

Tons of cake!

Happy Birthday my sweet!

My favorite compliment

2010-10-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm getting old, old enough to be seriously complimented when my almost 5 year old neighbor says,

"When I first met you, I didn't think you were a mom."

I asked what that meant, of course, because "Mom" is my favorite name and the proudest accomplishment of my life. She went on to say,

"I thought you were a sister or something."

I can't remember the last time I felt so flattered. Really.

I Wonder...

2010-10-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

How long will Dalton let Joe play with his big friends?
How long will he put up with Joe tipping over coffee tables in the middle of a losing game?
How long will he ask me to help him with homework?
How long will he be willing to babysit for $1 an hour?
How long will he be interested in helping me in the kitchen?

How long will Joseph hold my hand in public?
How long will he be willing to distract Jennie with "The Horsey Game" while I'm slipping out the door to Book Club?
How long will he help buckle the girls or give them pegs on his bike?
How long will he come to snuggle next to my bed when he's scared at night?
How long will he believe that he is the strongest 8 year old alive?

How long will Sophia and Jennie play kitten and puppy, carrying on for hours communicating exclusively in yelps and meows?
How long will Sophia beam while showing me her artwork?
How long will she build castles and play dress-up?
How long will she love pink?
How long will she snuggle with me, full bodied, when she hurts?

How long will Jennie look up to Sophia?
How long will she insist on sleeping with her silky blanky?
How long will she let me give her ringlets?
How long will she blame others for everything including who messed her bed/underwear/hair?
How long will she ache to kiss and hug her daddy before he leaves for work?
How long will she color outside the lines?

Jennie is 3!!!

2010-10-04T16:34:00.000-07:00

Curls in the morning.

Curls in the afternoon.

Her 1st cavity :(

She wakes up to a NEW KITCHEN!

She loves hers as much as I love mine.

Happy!

Let the party begin!

Story time in her bedroom.

Make-up all around.

Oh, the drama.

A little too experienced.

Pink plates, pink juice, mac & cheese and grapes... the perfect menu.

The Butterfly Cake (Thank you Yolanda for the inspiration!)

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jennie..."

Conference Packets

2010-09-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

My kids LOVE "home church" (that's what we call Conference weekend). Maybe it's the treat making that goes on, or the prizes for good behavior, or the packets to entertain them, or the fact that Jennie's birthday is always around fall conference and Dalton's birthday is always around the spring conference, but they have a great time on Conference weekend.

I just printed my kids packets for Conference. I'm not a fan of cartooning the general authorities, so I printed them as follows.

Junior Primary Packet: pg 1,3,5,7,9,10,11,12,13,15,16,17,18,19,22.
Youth Packet: pg 2,4,5,6,7,8,9,11.
Senior Primary Packet: pg 13,16.

enjoy!

At play

2010-09-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

My girls speak exclusively in gobbeldygook when they play make believe. Is it strange? Is it strange that they understand each other? The only English words they use are pleasantries and titles.
"Ga ba goo da la dee." Then Jennie hands Sophia a pony wrapped in last nights jammies.
"Thank you Miss Gala."
"Bee da ga loo ba doo?"
"Ga la monster goo da lee ga do."
"Help, lava rock!"
"Meeka, you're standing in lava rock!"
Sophia jumps onto the coffee table while protectively clutching her baby, (now a long green block wrapped in an enormous beach towel).

it goes on and on and on...

So Many Firsts!

2010-09-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

First time making my sisters AWESOME home made play dough.
First day Sophia didn't wince while I styled her hair around her 3 staples.
First day of preschool for Jennie.
First day of Dance for Sophia, (well in Idaho anyway).
First time I've ever asked one of my children to call me "Miss Sherrie"
First time Sophia shares a seat belt with her friend on the way home from dance.
First day Joseph came home from 3rd grade in a good mood.
First day of PACE for Dalton, (Idaho's accelerated program).
First day of real piano lessons for Dalton.
First time I've been complimented on how advanced Dalton is in piano.
First day Joseph takes a shower on the first time he's asked... EVER.
First time Jennie steals a popsicle right out of the neighbors deep freeze.
First call to the home owners insurance.
First flavorful nectarine of the season.

The First Day of School 2010

2010-08-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Totally ready for 3rd/5th grade with loaded new backpacks, blessings from dad, and an egg burrito in their bellies.

New duds.

And they're off! "Have a good day at school, I love you, be nice, follow the rules" (I heard another mother 3 houses down shouting the same as her son ran to catch up with my boys).

Is Summer Over???

2010-08-30T12:34:00.001-07:00

Spelunking through the lava tubes at Craters of the Moon.

Sometimes it's necessary to transport Dalton illegally, but only when we're picking up a new...

BBQ! Happy Fathers Day Doug!

Willis Water slide.

Idaho Falls Zoo with our friends the Bess girls.

Wild Huckleberry picking after the Ward campout.

A local told us that we weren't finished picking till our hands were stained.

Because Jennie doesn't nap anymore.

Blue Angles.

Swim lessons.

Sometimes the trips to the Zoo, Arizona, Lake Powell, Craters of the Moon, Reeds Dairy, and the Pool were just not enough.

I loved every bit of our summer and already miss my boys, but hey, now I have time to blog. Bring on the school year!

Isn't she beautiful!

2010-08-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

Manina, Grandma Martha, Martha Secundina Lucero Dalton, whatever you call her, she's mine and I love her. I love her recipes, her attention to detail, her lipstick, her quesadillas, her card games, her stories, her faith in her Catholic Saints, her cusses... She's great!

Sophia is Happy

2010-08-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

What's not to love about an almost 5 year old! Sophia loves coloring, cutting, gluing, and practicing all of her letters and numbers. She loves learning about Jesus, and remembers every detail of the stories she hears. She loves helping everyone else with their jobs, but doesn't necessarily like doing her own jobs (oh, that sounds a little too familiar:) She is understanding modesty lately and is sensitive about wearing shirts under her sleeveless dresses (I've always had her do that, but I've never made a really big deal about it.) She loves arranging the food on her plate so it looks just right before she eats it. Sometimes the food on her plate is too lovely to eat. She adores her Abuella, (who does make-up every time she sees her) her dad, (who's the best gentle wrestler around) her brothers, (who've been particularly accepting of her since she has started to respect their things). She loves me fiercely and is ALWAYS seeking my approval. She'll be starting pre-school in a couple of weeks and I won't be her teacher anymore. I'm a little sad to let her go, but she's so excited, I'd never hold her back.

2 Mile Fun Run

2010-07-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

Abraham, Abby, Katie, Me, Dalton, Taylor and not pictured Randy ran on the 4th weekend down in Prescott. We had fun, enjoyed each others company, and started another healthy tradition.

I didn't tell Abraham and Dalton about the race till the day before, and Abe was so cute. He "trained" by running around my Papa's driveway 12 times and was even nervous that night as he went to bed. He came in first from our family and wore his number for 2 full days.

Here's my favorite part, the brother run down... Andy (the oldest and fittest) placed in the 10K. Randy ran the 2 mile fun run with us, but somehow was behind us and then in front of us and then again behind till we realized he was taking short cuts every time he could see the trail ahead of him...all in the name of a good photo of course. And then there was Brad, eating a dilly bar at the finish line. Classic brothers.

Behind the scenes were my Papa, Lenora, Sally, Ben, Marielle, and the babies all working the set-up, after race eats, goodie bags, and take down of the whole race. I love working with my family.

Check Out Lewis' Etsy shop!

2010-07-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

You'll find it HERE.

Target Practice

2010-07-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

Papa taught us all to shoot his BB guns.

Dalton...

Abraham...

My turn...

Didn't I do a great job!

Joe had a turn too. Papa had us put everything away once the sun set.

The girls are still a little too young to shoot, but that didn't stop them from having fun.

Thank you Papa!

Seas The Day

2010-07-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

Mama and Papa Nelson made this whole Lake Powell trip possible, I think they enjoyed themselves too.

Joseph enjoyed the sun a little too much resulting in sun poisoning. It didn't stop him for long though, not this kid.

The kiddos enjoyed cousins, boat rides and...

tubing.

The beach didn't disappoint either. Ice cream? Or bucket of sand?

Isn't my nephew so stinkin' cute!

The captain!

With 3 huge flat screen TV's, the B word (bored) was never spoken.

Cousins! Cousins! Cousins!

Inside was just as enjoyable as the outside, especially for the little ones.

Thank goodness for life jackets!

These girls love their daddy.

I may have married a pirate.

I skied, tubed, and enjoyed my whole family the whole time. Thank you Mama and Papa, and Thank you Brad and Lenora.

We're Off!

2010-06-16T06:47:00.001-07:00

To Salt Lake for a day to visit Lew and do Salt Lake specific chores ie: shop, repair bosch, early morning walk with my old walking buddies...

To Lake Powell for a week of memory making with the Nelsons and a Fathers Day extravaganza.

To St. George to visit our long lost Klingonsmiths!

To the airport to say goodbye to Doug, he has to go back to work.

Just me and the kiddos to Arizona to spend an unspecified amount of time with family. My grandma Martha will be at my parents house and I can't wait to see her! She has yet to meet Jennie, can you imagine life without meeting my Jennie?

And then back home. Doug is my home. I'm already missing him.

Joseph's Birthday/ Baptism

2010-06-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

Joseph's birthday breakfast... Chocolate and Butterscotch chip waffles, he's been talking about them since that day at your house Elise. Yum!

Doughnuts in class! My papa started this tradition. Joe's favorite is the maple one and he talked it up to his classmates all day, so when I brought two assorted boxes in just before the bell rang, every kid wanted a maple. They were good and some of them split one. I hope I can channel Joseph's ability to persuade when he gets a little older and the stakes are a little higher than doughnuts.

Joseph was so excited for his baptism. I'll never forget his smile in the font, he was positively beaming!

He had a ton of support with Abuella and Grandpa, Lewis, Grandma and Grandpa "C", Mishawn, Micah, Brock, Tanner, McCall, Jaymie and us of course making it to his baptism. His friends Maren, Parker and Addison were able to come too.

Thanks for making the trip everyone. You really made the day just perfect. Abuella, he loves navigating his new scriptures, and Grandma "C", he loves his green afghan. Thank you so much!

Lucky Jennie gets a Mural from Grandpa "C"

2010-06-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

I bought the paint and that was all! Grandpa "C" prepped the wall...

voiced how my ideas were looking through his eyes...

Gave us a white tree with two birdies...

A pink tree with four birdies...

Resulting in the cutest little girl mural I've ever seen.

We all LOVE it! Thank you George!

Someday for Joseph's Birthday

2010-06-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a LOT about room design. I hate doing it, but with Doug's father coming and painting on Jennie's wall, I'm consumed. My friend Autumn led me to this site and I'm in love with the Napoleon wall... I don't think I'd do him exactly, we're clean Jack Black fans over here. I think Joe would love something like that when we finish the basement someday.

Happy Birthday Joe! Someday.

Obedience

2010-05-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

I get the girls ready for the day, then I get myself ready. This particular day, we were running a tad late for a doctors appointment. I decided to multitask and finish my hair and make up, giving the girls their final instructions, "Put your shoes on and buckle up!"

This is what I found.

I somehow forgot to say, "Please keep your clothes on". Silly mom.

Original Artwork by Sophia

2010-05-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

Sophia and I first painted 3 canvases-one pink, one dark pink, and this one green. Then I taped on a random flower.

Sorry, we paint half nude. I love how cleanable skin is.

Super cute I think. When we have all 3 canvases finished, we'll post again.

My Olive Wood Nativity

2010-05-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

I bought this nativity in Jerusalem in 1997. I didn't know anyone with a "Willowtree" nativity at that time and I thought that the faceless one left more for me to feel rather than for me to think, "That's not what he looks like, is it?" I love it, and it's up all year long. The same little darling that did these, defaced my olive wood memory keepsake.

Notice the smile she put on Mary's face, and the closed eyes and smile on baby Jesus. Does it make you think, "That's not what they look like, is it?" Maybe they did.

Gratefully, an eraser and some olive oil restored it's beauty, and I can still patiently love my little girl:)

I'm Cold!

2010-05-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

It's snowing. Huge. Fat. Flakes. (read Fat as the bad word it is!) I think that this isn't so bad really except that I'm cold today.

Our ward had a preparedness meeting to discuss the real danger here in Idaho, and it's a winter storm. Could I have been a pioneer? Thanks to Doug's Mom, we're doing pretty good on quilts, but if any of the AZ folk who will NEVER use them wants to contribute one of theirs to our store, I'd take 'em.

The real bummer is creating a happy home for Doug, (who grew up in Hot, Hot Mesa) when I myself feel cold. I've pulled him through this winter with my happiness for this home, and my gratitude for how hard he's working to provide for us, and I've turned every cold night into a snuggly warm time. But I'm cold.

I hear President Monson telling me, "Trust in the Lord." Okay, so I'll snap out of it now and trust that this snow has a purpose in MAY and I'll make chili for dinner tonight, and I'll wear an extra layer of clothes and my socks all day too.

I'm grateful for my home, and space heaters, and an operable oven, and food to cook, and hot water from the tap, and sweaters, and gloves, and kids who don't seem to notice the weather at all.

Jennie's new bed in her very own room

2010-05-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

In preparation for Joe's baptism, we needed to figure out sleeping arrangements for my parents and Doug's parents. So we threw the boys down in the unfinished basement, separated the girls, got Soph her queen bed, and Jennie got this darling daybed with trundle. I got the super cute Pottery Barn quilts from Downeast for $20 each, isn't that the dang cutest steal you've heard of in ahwile! The darling green baskets were $1 each in their after Easter sale. I just love how it looks so far, when we get the walls and furniture painted, hang some original art and her mirror, I'll post a real finished picture, but for right now, doesn't she look happy!

Doug's dad George just agreed to paint a tree and some birds on Jennie's wall, a mural of sorts. I'm so excited! I'm in love with these trees from my sister-in-law's craft blog. Thanks for the inspiration Stacie! I love all of these birds, inspiration from googling modern birdie images, thanks google images:)

Sophia

2010-05-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Mom you can't make me smile. (I'm so in love with these freckles!)

Sophia at 4 1/2 is AWESOME! She has loved pre-school and doesn't even seem to mind that I've been her teacher. She's a fabulous cutter, and can write and say the sound of all of her upper and lower case letters. She's trying to put the sounds together on her own to read the words, but gets a little shy when she notices me listening in on her. She enjoys coloring in the lines and does most pictures in a pink pallet just like "Pinkalicious"

She is very sensitive to the spirit. She'll hold my cheek when I cry, and tear up right with me if she feels it too. She still doesn't understand why Jesus had to die on a cross, and unlike most of us who just accept it, she questions why every time she hears the story. She likes to answer questions in Primary, and her answers are always beyond what the leader is expecting of her.

She's growing like a weed lately. We just found the dress-up box from the move and she was a little sad to realize that she doesn't fit into many of the 2T outfits anymore. She's not ready to pass that stage in life just yet. She almost always carries a purse, the contents of which include but are not limited to, paper, colored pencil, eraser, mirror, and lip gloss... usually there's a few stray beads, a torn ribbon, an old dandelion and a rock or two as well. She still prefers skirts and dresses to pants, and I realized as I unpacked clothes for spring/summer that she doesn't have any shorts or capris and she's totally happy with that.

My favorite time with her is when we read together, if she's heard the book a ton, she'll mouth the words right along with me. She stares into my eyes and sees right into my soul. I also love her fresh out of the tub all snuggled in a huge towel like when she was little... she's still my little girl.

She's snuggly, independent, strong, passionate, curious, bright, thoughtful, helpful, hard working, and just darling. She hates for me to do her hair, but loves when it's done. She hates for me to dress her, but loves how she looks in the ensembles I choose for her. She loves helping me in the kitchen, and sees things before I tell her they need to be done. She is an absolute delight and I'm glad I get another year with her before she goes to kindergarten.

Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams

2010-05-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

My friend Sarah has written her whole life. She shared one of her first copy-shop copied books with me a few years back, and I knew she'd make it to a real publisher one day. Well that one day was last month, and I just got my own copy and finished it today.

Palace Beautiful starts with 13 year old Sadie who describes life in color, ("honey black" and "September orange"). Her little sister Zuzu, is the cute prissy one, always throwing a tantrum because, "life isn't FAIR!" They move from Texas to SLC with their Father and Stepmom. While exploring their new/old home they find a journal in the attic written by another 13 year old, generations back. The sisters and their new neighbor friend read the entries ceremoniously and learn about how much can be the same in a different time and a different family.

Sarah develops her characters perfectly and describes life vividly. She's a wonderful storyteller, and I'm so proud to call her my friend. Congratulations Sarah, 5 stars from me!

To my other friends, go buy this book! You'll be happy you did!

Moms Bed

2010-05-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

Up early on Mothers Day because I've been squished for about 4 hours now.

I LOVE my bed, it's huge, it's soft, it's just the perfect hot for my body, cool for my head and there's enough room to sleep in any bizarre position that feels comfortable for the night.

Problem???

Yes, the problem is this, all of my children LOVE my bed too. Dalton and Joseph have been trained, (and I don't remember having to be too forceful) that they're allowed to snuggle with mom when they've had a bad dream or are feeling sick, but only for 15 minutes or so, they sleepily trudge back to their own beds with the lingering comfort of moms bed having calmed them down just right. Sophia comes in, but she's a really good sleeper, and usually doesn't make it into our room until the sun is up and she just wants some snuggle time. Our rule is that anyone is allowed when the sun is up. Jennie is our problem. The baby of the family almost never sleeps a whole night in her own bed since she learned how to climb out of her crib a few months ago. Now she has a big girl bed and if she goes to sleep peacefully and we forget to lock her door, she bolts into our room, (it's funny because she jogs everywhere she goes and we can hear her jogging through the house to get to our room) and climbs into our bed. I specifically bought really nice mattresses for their new big girl beds with the hopes that their beds would be too comfortable to leave...alas it's the mom comfort that can not be reproduced that keeps them coming back.

So, Jennie is in my bed right now and I'm typing.

Here's the thing, I snuggled in my moms bed right up to the day I got married. Not every night, but when I had a bad dream (which was often enough) I always felt safe in her bed. I don't remember her ever trying to kick me out, or pushing me away or yelling at me to get my own bed, (which is what I feel like doing to Jennie most nights) she just always let me snuggle, get warm and feel the comfort of moms bed.

Thank you mom, I'll be nice to Jennie because of you. Hopefully Doug will carry her back like he does most nights and I'll still be the comforting hero. You're mine.

Direct quotes from, "That's Me Jennie!"

2010-05-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

"I was being great and I was not being Moms friend, just my own friend Jennie Crawford. Mmm, my favorite color is orange and Sophie likes blue (totally NOT true). Um, uh, I like to play with my friends, and I know that my friends like me and they don't like lip gloss (again totally not true). I know that my dad likes me. I wanted to play with my friends and be good. Savannah and Kinsley are my friends and Sophie too. Um I know that my friends eat chicken at our house and I love chicken (this has not happened in our new home yet). I know that you (looking into my eyes) are my friend. Butterflies in our house will buzz me in my hair. Happy Mothers Day Granmda 'C', I know that Abuella loves me and I know that Grandpa is sleeping and Grandma Martha, I know that you love me too. My mom teaches me to love and to use good words"

Dalton's First Piano Recital

2010-05-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

We started informal lessons, (I'm his teacher, and he's pretty much caught up to me now:) 2 months ago, and he's already in a recital! My new girlfriend Suzy teaches, but she's full right now. She invited him to perform with her students in their "Spring Recital". I'm so proud of him! His first song he has titled, "The Chase", and his second little ditty he calls, "Just Playin'".

I tried really hard to get him to bow, but he was too embarrassed. He's super motivated to practice on his own and enjoys making up his own songs. Way to go Dalton!

Doug got a new car

2010-05-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

Sweet huh! It's a 2005 (our newest car yet) and thanks to the extra tax money we got for buying our home at just the right time...
IT'S PAID FOR!

(I can't wait until our home and student loans are paid for in 2025,and 2020... maybe sooner!)

All grown up

2010-05-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

Of course I mean Dalton is all grown up, but Doug is all grown up too caring for our first yard, putting together our first lawnmower, teaching his oldest son how to do it too. Moment captured.

Can I quit sugar?

2010-04-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about it, and I don't mean all carbs or anything too drastic, just the refined stuff. I'd still have fruit, honey, molasses and real maple I think. I've been working out consistently for 10 weeks now and I'm enjoying my new energy, and some visible muscles in my arms, but the number on the scale hasn't budged. The Nelsons are getting together on my brother Brad's houseboat in the middle of June, and I think I'll cut sugar out till then... can I do it? Have you done it?

Sophia's new bedding

2010-04-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

I'm having shipping issues with Amazon right now, I can't wait for it to arrive! I thought this set to be perfect for a little girl/guest bedroom. She loves that our bed is a King, and her bed is a queen, so now we're calling Jennie's bed a princess bed. Girls are fun.

Our Home (a tour)

2010-04-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

To be continued...

Jennie is just adorable

2010-04-20T09:23:00.001-07:00

As you can see, her bangs are finally starting to grow out (sigh). Since moving here, my little one has quit napping, said goodbye to her pacifier, traded in her diapers for underwear, and happily converted her crib into a toddler bed. Today we're upgrading entirely with big girl beds for both she and Sophia. Jennie wasn't a particularly cuddly baby but thank goodness she's going through a cuddly phase right now and I'm enjoying the last bit of "baby" left in her.

WARNING!!! SCARY PHOTOS!!! SCARIER THAN YOU"RE THINKING!!! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!

2010-04-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Jennie loves Franklin. She sleeps with him every night, he has been toted all over several states, up and down many stairs, and read to with all of the tender love my little Jennie can offer.

The other day, she doused him (and a bunch of bedding and my carpet in the office) in red food coloring. Scroll down if you dare.

Dalton is 10!

2010-04-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

For me, his party was all about the food. Introducing... The toppings!

Dalt loved making/eating his very own super thick crust pizza.

Joe is my kind of pizza maker... his was LOADED!

Sophia's favorite toppings... artichoke hearts and olives.

Patrick couldn't get enough pepperoni.

Parker liked it, believe me.

All he really wanted was an unlimited Wii day. He got it with over 10 hours played!

I can't really believe it. My baby is growing up so fast! He reads voraciously, loves to help me in the kitchen, enjoys his new bike, is a natural learner and loves math, science, social studies, and almost all games. He tucks me into bed and offers to rub my feet when I've had a long day. He always does his jobs quickly and with a great attitude. He got his own bank account for his birthday, and it was so fun to take him down there with his savings can and have him officially sign his name. Dalton is GREAT!

Charts

2010-03-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

I picked Jennie up from Apple nursery today and noticed her pants were backwards, then noticed her obviously diaper-free bum and asked the ladies how that went. They knew nothing of the situation, and said that her pants were backwards the whole time. "Jennie, where is your diaper?" I asked and she confidently led me to the miniature toilet and there it was in the garbage can, a totally unfolded (an adult would never throw it away like that) diaper. Sure enough, she took off her diaper and stayed dry at least most of the 2 hours she was in there. I then went grocery shopping with her just in pants and she made it home and ran straight to the toilet. So today is the day. A clean stack of underwear is on top of our toilet and a chart is taped to the wall and she wants a puppy when she's done.

Stuffed of course.

Jennie's chart made everyone want a chart, so Dalton has a piano practice and scripture chart. Joe has a shower and homework chart. Sophia has a 1 outfit a day and bed-making chart.

My sticker pad is sacred right now.

Jennie just wet the bathroom rug. I hope this isn't another Sophia repeat... I can't handle this for another 3 years.

I'm back!

2010-03-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

The computer is VIRUS free, and I'll be blogging again soon. Honestly, I miss Facebook, and I'm a little sad to be saying goodbye forever, but I can't risk it.

Muah!

Grandpa Bud Dalton

2010-03-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Bud died this morning. He's been suffering, and my Grandma has been caring for him for about 10 years. It's a blessing to know that he is no longer in pain.

I love this picture of both he and Grandma Martha at my wedding. You can see the love in his eyes, the health in his cheeks, and the happiness they shared.

He was quick with numbers, quick to laugh heartily, and quick to love my Grandma.

When I was sick

2010-02-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

Sophia played with the camera,

and the scissors.

Actually I walk into rooms all of the time with small bits of paper spread all around. She loves cutting things, and is obsessed with making "cell phones" and "laptops" with her paper, scissors and glue stick. Here she was cutting hearts. I was quite impressed with how well she did with the home-made valentines this year, and even more impressed that she remembered how to fold the paper and cut to make the heart look the same on both sides without any supervision. So different from the boys.

The Girls Room (a tour)

2010-02-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't enter it into a cutest room contest or anything, but it's clean (for now) and I thought I'd share.

Their doll house is still not assembled, but I love Grandpa "C's" artwork anyway.

Sophia's bed... actually she's so ready for a big girl bed... maybe with our tax return?

This huge window lets in so much light and warmth, it's the first thing I open when I walk into the girls room.

I just converted Jennie's crib into her toddler bed yesterday. She loves it!

The shoes and their vanity of course. We found so many lipglosses when we cleaned their room yesterday, they're in heaven.

I love when their closet is closed. I think the doors are so pretty, and it makes the whole room look cleaner.

Thanks Lenora and Sally for all of the wonderful hand-me-down's. The changing table that Papa made for me when I was a baby has endured 11 kids now, (me, Chad, Kellen, Jeff, Mark, Austin, Quintin, Dalton, Joe, Sophia, and Jennie.) And, it's loaded with even more clothes.

The Nelsons take over Lake Havasu City

2010-02-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

Some families get together for Christmas or Easter, but our family celebrates Presidents Day with a bang! Lake Havasu City hosts the WPA Winter Blast each year which amounts to 2 hours of the best fireworks I've ever seen set to music and perfectly timed. That's the draw... or maybe it isn't. Maybe it's the 75 degree weather in the middle of my freezing Idaho winter. Maybe it's the Nelson Iron-Chef-cook-off, or the three new babies and their parents or maybe just spending time at my parent's new winter home or watching Chad in action serving his heart out in his ward as the Elders Quorum President, or seeing my nephews for the last time as they plan on serving the Lord on a mission for The Church of Latter-Day Saints or allowing my children to grow even closer to their cousins to deepen those relationships. Whatever the draw, I loved this past weekend, I enjoyed every second of it, (even though I was super sick the whole time) and it was absolutely worth the 16 hour drive. I love my family!

Christmas Gift Cards Speant

2010-02-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

Honestly it took over an hour to spend Grandma C's gift cards. The girls changed their minds dozens of times and then landed on what they always want while we're checking out--cuz I never let them have 'em.

Sophia teaches herself how to write her own name...

2010-02-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

On Grammy's desk.

On her sheets.

Under our brand new kitchen counters.

On top of our kitchen counters through crepe paper streamers.

And, on her preschool Olympic painted ring project.

The Piano

2010-02-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Sophia Crawford

It's a Stark Upright Grand circa the 1930's. I found it on CraigsList for only $350! It'll be tuned on Monday and I can't wait! So far, the kids and I are loving it, and it hasn't suffered much abuse at our hands.

Since we're so new still to the costs of living here, we're not committing to lessons yet. I do however have my old books from my one year of lessons, (all I can seem to remember is where middle C is :) and I have a new teach-yourself-piano course by my old, old, old Bishop's wife. Dalton is enjoying learning his 5 note scales, and I love the sound of real music in our home!

Here, Sophia is attempting to play the Book of Mormon.

Thinking and dreaming about painting

2010-01-29T10:10:00.000-08:00

The best birthday ever...

2010-01-18T13:09:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed my little family, I enjoyed a peaceful soak in my new super deep adult sized tub, I enjoyed shopping for 3 new sweaters to help me better handle these seriously cold Idaho winters, I enjoyed my new cookbook from Lewis, and my new salad spinner from Doug, I enjoyed a great game of chess with Dalton, and a terrible game of Mario Kart Wii with Joe. I enjoyed Sophia's excitement for my birthday all day long, and I even enjoyed her disappointment when it was all over Sunday morning :) I had a wonderful birthday, and I enjoyed it all!

My Joe

2010-01-15T12:26:00.000-08:00

I get to sub in Joseph's class on Sunday and I'm thrilled! The lesson is "I am a Child of God" which could be taught every single day of every child's life, but especially for my Joe, it's important.

He's making the transition okay, (it would be totally unrealistic for me to expect a flawless move.) All of our issues so far have been his for sure. I had a great meeting with his school teacher, principal, and elem psychologist, and they're super friendly, and have Joe and his issues on their radar.

We have made a shower chart, with his reward being a rip toy (you know the ones where you put the plastic zipper thing in, and pull it out as fast as you can and let the toy take off) after 15 showers. We've made a homework chart for him, with his reward being a trip to Reeds Dairy for ice cream cones for the whole family, (we're not doing ice cream in the freezer anymore) and I'm willing to sit with him and sharpen all the pencil leads he breaks over and over again till his homework is done. He's pretty excited about me stamping his chart, so I think it'll work.

Joe is the most compassionate of my children with genuine concern when anyone is sad or hurt, and real love and comfort for his sisters when they don't get to do big things like the boys do. He came home from the first day of school and I asked him if he made any new friends, and he confidently proclaimed, "Twenty-Four!", like duh mom! He is a joy to have in our home, and I ache when things are hard for him.

So, I am a Child of God, and as one I'm excited to teach this group of kids that they are too, especially my Joe.

We're already having parties!

2010-01-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

We've enjoyed Doug's sister Jolene and some of her family from Spokane in our new home already. Then Mishawn our niece and her son Brock (who is just days younger than Jennie) came up from Pocatello, and it accommodated them perfectly! And then my Jerusalem roommate Joanna came up from Bountiful with her 4 kids to pay a visit, we have loved every second of our new home being full of familiar faces, and so much love!

Poor Brock, most everything to play with was pink or had a princess on it. He didn't seem to mind :)

2010-01-02T16:42:00.000-08:00

Happily pack up the townhouse

Boxes, boxes everywhere!

I told some of you, but I'll say it again, having packers and movers is like getting an epidural... we still went through the experience, but it was PAINLESS!

Our new home!

There's room for everything! Notice how small our new table looks in the dining area, yeah, the dining is that big.

I love my new kitchen!

Doug bought 3 new snowshovels, and the boys went to work with a nice new neighbor.

Brownies make it a real home.

We're moving!

2009-12-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today is moving day, and I'm packing the computer in about 15 seconds. Goodbye Salt Lake, hello Idaho Falls!

Friendship is the Best Gift

2009-12-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

D&C 121:9 "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

Pictured: Bradeigh, Nancy, Rachel, Me, Julie, Haley, Kristl, Becky, Michelle.
Not Pictured: Mandy, Shellie, Jenny, Maggie, Lindsay, Jeni, Jennifer, and Annette.

I'm pretty sure I couldn't name all the women from the University 1st Stake who have made my life better, but from our shared courtyard, I'll never forget Teresa, Tracey, Kimbur, and Lisa. You are all so great!

Pictured: Janelle, Me, Wendi, Jen, Debbie, Tina, Linda, Camille, and Kammie.
Not Pictured: Belinda, Erin, Kathy, and I'm sure I missed someone else, forgive me.

I've loved my bookclub for over 10 years now, and I'm pretty sure I'll come back at least once a year... a girls gotta read!

Naughty, Nice, Questioning, too Old, and the Real Story

2009-12-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

Sophia and Jennie's last dance class of the year

2009-12-10T13:24:00.000-08:00

Jennie loves "mikpgloss"

2009-12-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

and then we correct her with, "It's lipgloss Jennie." and she says, "Uh, huh!"
She begs for it, will do anything to get it, got loads of it for her birthday, and eats every single tube.
These images are from her actual birthday, (recovered from the lost and now found camera!) pre-bang cut.

My eyes are broken

2009-12-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

Uncle Lew

2009-12-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

Lewis knocked on the door last night, and Jennie squealed, "Uncle Lew, it's Uncle Lew... Oh, I love him!"

We never know when to expect his visits, he teaches a ton, has art shows all the time and is busy with his own life, but when he pops into our little life, it's always made better. The kids adore him, and it's taken a few years, but I think he's grown accustomed to their kidness (dirty faces, loud voices and half dressedness) and I think he'll actually miss us when we move. Jennie will miss him the most, he has had her heart from the day she was born, their bond is just perfect.

Here he is reading to Jennie. Notice Jennie's bangs? Yeah, that's what Sophia did one quiet afternoon while I was baking Thanksgiving pies... so sad.

For Doug

2009-12-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

In preparation for Idaho winters.

Idaho Falls

2009-12-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

We put our final offer (4th I think?) on this house and I am hoping that by tomorrow, we know if we get it and when we can move in! It has the best kitchen of all the ones we've seen, a great master bedroom/bathroom with the deep tub, separate loo, walk-in closet and double sinks. The basement is not finished, so we'll do that a bit at a time, but it's a perfect fit for our family, and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! I've already talked to the bishop and he said that there are 6 families in our same cul-de-sac with 4 kids 14 and under. I just picture this being the safe haven I've been praying for.

Christmas has begun

2009-12-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

We estimated my favorite huge red tree to have 30,000 lights on it, (if any of you know the truth, please let us know!) Guessing which country the life sized nativities were from was a hoot, but the bubbles on the reflection pool were the highlight by far. Christmas on Temple Square will always be a favorite.

Family History

2009-06-21T21:54:00.000-07:00

Great Grandpa Nelson

Ogden Cemetery

Sophia's Big Girl Hair Cut

2009-06-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

Long and scraggly...

meet scissors...

and a lovely bob is born.

Dedication

2009-06-02T19:49:00.001-07:00

To all of you who forgot to pray for me today, I dedicate the living room, dining room and kitchen covered with a large container of low-fat vanilla yogurt with thawed blackberries. To all of you who think it might just be easy to be a single mom of 4 kids I dedicate the upstairs bathroom, 3 towells, 2 small leather sandals and 2 of my children covered in Jennie's poo. And to all of you who think sharing a room is such a lovely idea for children, I dedicate the 2nd set of clean sheets now drenched in water along with a baby, her fresh PJ's, and a laughing 3 year old an hour past bedtime.

Hawiian Dance

2009-05-27T12:07:00.001-07:00

Jennie is 18 months old

2009-04-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

She loves nursery, talks a ton, is my little "helper", can say a whole prayer, drinks from a cup, runs when you say "ready, set go!", tries to jump, knows the words to "I am a Child of God" but doesn't sing them all, loves her Dad, and favors Dalton, can stand up to anyone, but mostly her sister, and says "No Way" or "Nope" instead of "No". She also says "What the Heck?" and "I love you" really well. At her check-up she had been eating cereal, and asked for water. I gave her some in one of the little cups from the room, she took a drink, and right when Dr. VanDenBerghe walked in, she held the cup up, revealed her backwash, and proclaimed "Some puke!". So generous!

Spring!

2009-04-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in forever, and I'm a little crazy. The combination manifests itself in this photo of a mother goat eating the placenta that, just minutes ago sustained the life of her two kid goats. I'm pretty sure that these two kids were so new that the farmers who tend to these animals weren't even aware that they had been born. Joe was disgusted, Dalton was relieved when I told him that human mothers don't do this, Sophia and I were enthralled. She asked and I was able to explain that the mother needs the nutrients from the placenta to make the best milk for her kids and to help her recover from delivery. Sophia also noticed that the mother goat only took two breaks from chewing and only to lick her kids clean. I explained that, this is how animal mothers show their love, it's like when I kiss her goodnight. We enjoyed the little lambs, piglets, chicks, calf's, and kids that were everywhere. Many of the mother animals were still pregnant, and I think that going in a few weeks will be the peak of baby animal season. Later that evening when I put Sophia to bed, she licked me lovingly. This might have been my favorite FHE lesson/activity ever.

When I'm a single mom...

2009-04-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

I'll blog,
figure out how to use my camera,
figure out how to put music onto my mp3 player,
organize my files,
clean under the bed,
read,
and until then, I'm spending every last second I can with Doug before his 10 week internship. I'm missing him before he's even gone.

General Conference

2009-04-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

It's time again, and I'm always looking for ways to get my children as excited for Conference as I am. Deseret Book has this great booklet ready for printing. I didn't actually print the whole booklet, just the pages that I knew my kids would use. Enjoy!

No Excuses

2009-03-16T23:09:00.001-07:00

So I've been sick all year pretty much, and I'm almost out of the thick of sick for good. The tonsils are healing, but the scabs haven't fallen off yet, (which is when the pain officially hits the fan). I'm not yet bored with baby food peaches, chocolate pudding, or Jell-o but I've cried twice from frustration at not being able to communicate what I meant to, through pencil, grunt or otherwise. I do like that Joseph has to read everything he wants to hear from me, and I like looking at my scribbles of half conversation at the end of the day. I love how generous my friends and neighbors have been. I know that even amid the excitedness of having Grant Morgan Nelson (my brother's firstborn) join our family, my family has been able to extend their love to me as well. I can't talk but a few short words, but If you have a story to tell me, or are dying to just gab away, right now, I'm your girl. I'm high most of the time too, so if I do end up commenting on whatever you've just blessed my ears with, forgive the sloppy, confusing reply.

Firsts of 2009

2009-02-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

I washed, dried, folded and put away 7 loads of laundry in one day.

I slept through Sophia painting the TV, kitchen counter, and bathroom floor with sparkly red nail polish.

She also was able to enjoy half of a can of frozen apple juice concentrate during my slumber.

I taught Jennie to say, "Obama" and on her own she uses it in the context of "O-crap". Side note: I wish success upon our New President, and I am proud to be an American.

I nearly developed carpal tunnel from making 240 or so crepes.

I learned that when the Killers ask, "Are we human, or are we dancer?" I'm dancer.

I McGuivered a diaper out of a pair of 3T underwear and a winged maxi-pad from our cars emergency kit in the dentists parking lot.

I ate almost an entire carrot cake, almost all by myself.

I had the 3rd or 4th installment of the SEX talk with Dalton, and the 2nd one with Joseph.

I broke my camera all the way.

I fed my family RAMEN for dinner. Maybe you're in the camp that says, "way to go Sherrie for being the sole food provider for over 10 years without serving the cheap deliciousness even once for dinner." Maybe you're in the camp that says, "shame on any homemaker disgracing her table with that cheap shameful load of MSG." Either way, it was a hit with the kids, and I'll not be ashamed to include $20 whole dollars worth of this pre-packaged dinner in our food storage.

I memorized all the words to "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Solid Gold!

2009-01-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

I've tried to put music to this, and can't seem to figure it out. You must watch her dancing though, she'll make you smile, maybe laugh, and you'll have a better day I'm sure of it.

She's not in classes anymore, preschool 5 days a week is enough for any little girl. She misses it terribly though, and we'll put her back in when the time is right.

New Draper Temple

2009-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

We went to the Draper Utah Temple open house the other day. We first watched a lovely video that helped explain the purpose and history of Temples. They then bussed us to the actual Temple. We walked through a maze of tents to the main entrance, and were immediately struck with the reverence of the building.

The tour was silent. My kids of course weren't silent. My favorite quote was from Joe, "Why doesn't Jesus have any toys in his house?" Good question I thought. Within the celestial room, and while looking at the enormous chandelier Dalton commented, "It just goes up forever." Sophia liked the sealing room mirrors the best, but that was toward the end of the tour, and she was about to turn the altar into a trampoline. Overall the font was the best part, with the oxen that Jennie kept saying, "mooooo" to. They had missionaries prepared at the exit to answer any questions, and refreshed us with cookies and tiny water bottles.

Doug and I both remembered attending the Las Vegas open house as youth. We waited in line for hours, put on booties, walked through, and were more concerned with our exhaustion than anything else. The Church has seriously streamlined the process, and I'd say we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Here's the sad part, my camera broke. It wasn't till later at home when I plugged it in that I realized that it just has a broken screen. So here's the only picture we have of us on the temple grounds.
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Joseph spoke in primary this past Sunday, and for his talk drew the temple, so here's his version. Notice Moroni.

Here's his talk... he wrote it, I typed it, he delivered it at the pulpit with ease. I was so proud of my big boy.

Hi, I am Joseph Crawford. My family is going to the new Draper Temple tomorrow. We are all wearing our nicest clothing. I will be nice to my brother and sisters all day. I am practicing good words. I am listening to my Mom and Dad. I am doing all of these things to show respect for the House of the Lord, the new Draper Temple. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I'm 32!

2009-01-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

I like water, and cake, and public radio, and family, and socks, and citrus, and laughing, and down comforters, and fresh skunk scent, and freckles, and pedicures, and friends, and clean laundry, and good advertising, and being outdoors, and Scrabble, and pretty things, and bread, and avocados, and Jerusalem, and friends, and reading, and organizing, and flossing, and Bombay House, and smart people, and rubbing feet, and sunsets, and s'mores, and roller coasters, and dreaming, and swimming...

Two words

2009-01-15T10:33:00.001-08:00

First came "Go Away!" and it doesn't sound like a baby is saying it at all, it's clear as day, (not a Salt Lake inversion day, more like a Cabo San Lucas day) and usually spoken/shouted while clinging to one of my legs with someone else on the other. This morning Jennie said it as I was doing her little fountain hair-do.

Second, she says while running, (fast-wide-legged-lomping) towards the door around 5:30pm "Hi Dad". Again it's super clear. Doug even thought it was Sophia once, but no my baby girl loves her daddy, and is learning to speak her mind just like all the other Crawford kids.

Help!

2009-01-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've blogged what I'm going to blog in 2008... What's the best way to print it. I've heard of blurb, I've heard of photobucket, I've heard of my publisher, so, which one is the best (least expensive, highest quality)? Do tell!

The New Years/Anniversary/Christmas Cruise to Mexico!

2009-01-09T14:12:00.001-08:00

Handed down to my mother (Abuella) was two mink stoles. Since mink isn't worn anymore, and she is always looking for ways to carry on the love from past generations to the next one, she had them made into teddy bears for her granddaughters. Sophia and Jennie both have one to cherish originally from Grammy Nelson, and Mrs. "D". Abuella also loves her grandsons!

Andy helped me with my kids the whole time, at meals, at sea, on the stairs, everywhere. Thank You Andy, you're a great uncle. Here's one of Sophias new favorite people on earth! She and Arianna hit it off! Thank goodness for family!

This incredible Pacific beach was refreshing, warm, salty, clear, and just perfect, can I say perfect again. Perfect.

Doug and I, but mostly Ocean, aahhhh, the Pacific Ocean! Dalton and Abby seemed inseparable on this trip. Hannah and Abraham were nearby most of the time too.

The cousins all buried Joseph. Aunt Yvonne buried Sophia. This sand was the perfect escape from the warm December sun of Cabo.

Jennie loved the perfectly granular nature of this Mexican sand. I loved the girls new Mexican sundresses!

The streets of Cabo,(the drummer is seriously no more than 6 years old). Doug and I with Cabo in back.

Carnival towel art. We loved all of their creations!

Um...is there an appropriate title for this one? The Crawfords in Ensanada. That's our ship in the background!

Thank you Mama and Papa for planning, sharing, giving, and loving all for us. This trip was beyond generous! We felt your love every moment! We made memories, fell in love with Mexico, and you raised the bar for my student poor kididdles! Thank you. Thank you! Thank YOU!

Christmas Highlights

2009-01-06T10:14:00.001-08:00

Grandma "C" makes jammies for all of the Crawfords... I think she made 40 pair this year!
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Got the books he wanted, and his favorite author is... Roald Dahl! That's my boy. A sledding tube in Arizona? Nope, we'll have to wait till we're home in Utah to use this one!

Must have come from Santa, mom would never buy a bow and arrow! Waffle maker, yeah!

A music box, Disney princess dress-ups, and Disney princess dolls, doesn't she look happy!

Jennie won't have to steal Sophia's silky anymore. A baby doll all her own.

Hungry Hungry Hippo with Madison (Doug's niece). Me kicking Doug's tail at the Wii.

"Say Harley" (Doug's niece). Aunt Becky (Doug's sister).

Thank you Mike and Stacie for letting us take over your home this Christmas! Special thanks to Nik for letting us take over your room. We had a great time, and made some fabulous memories.

10 Years

2008-12-21T20:52:00.000-08:00

In the last 10 years, I've grown, birthed, and raised 4 children, conquered depression, supported my husband through a heap of school, taken enough classes to graduate from Institute, moved 4 times, read hundreds of books, learned to enjoy kitchen duties, had 8 church callings, and celebrated 10 wedding anniversaries with Doug, my love.

Our honeymoon wasn't a flashy one. All of our family was in town, which is super rare for the Crawfords. So we decided to spend the days with them and the evenings at a local nice hotel. We got food poisoning right at the tail end, and then started our married life.

Our anniversary dates have been conservative, the Temple and dinner. Nice for sure, it's good to just go on a date alone with the man every once in awhile. A couple of years, my good friend Annie has watched the kids so we could do an overniter, but since we have had 3, and then 4 kididdles, it just seems easier to parent them ourselves.

Each year we like to celebrate what we've accomplished, share what we've learned about each other, and dream of the future. Each year we've said that for our 10th anniversary we'd splurge and go on a cruise. This year has come, we're just as student poor as we've ever been, and it didn't seem prudent, (in these financial times) to take out more loans to finance a cruise. I put it out there though. We're going on a cruise for our 10th anniversary. We're going on a cruise for our 10th anniversary. We're going on a cruise for our 10th anniversary! Doug's response was just in his facial expression, and looked more like "fat chance, hun".

My positive attitude prevailed!

My parents decided to do a HUGE splurge this year for Christmas, (and all 2009 birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and whatnots) and all of us are going on a cruise! My parents, my siblings, my nephews, my nieces, my kids, and my husband of 10 years are all going on a cruise next week! I can hardly stand it I'm so excited!

So, Happy Anniversary to us, Merry Christmas, and Bon Voyage!

Kisses

2008-12-17T19:51:00.000-08:00

Doug swears she's been doing this for a month or so...

but I'm just barely enjoying Jennie's new closed mouth kiss. This is one of my favorite milestones by far!

Sophia's First Day of Pre-School

2008-12-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

We found out last week that she got accepted!

She got a big girl haircut, a new lunchbox, picked her own outfit, packed her snowsuit and she was off!

Daddy drove her in, and I picked her up, but in 2009, she'll be riding the little school bus. She is loving every second of it!

Too Cute!

2008-12-13T07:44:00.000-08:00

Even in beans.

At 14 months Jennie still talks a ton although we don't understand most of her gobbildy gook. Her best word by far is "Peeeeees" usually pleadingly in want for a goodie. She does this super fast clompy walk that is her attempt at a run, but it's just not. Jennie is officially throwing fits all the time already. If she wants the pink sippy cup and I give her the green one, if I break a graham cracker in half when she wanted the whole one, if I give Sophia some lip gloss and none to her, or if Sophia won't share her necklace, she's on her back with legs flying. The fun thing about her is that if I simply say, "Jennie, stop" she'll usually look at me for more instructions, she'll listen to me and then decide if she wants to continue tantruming. Dalton makes her laugh a belly laugh that can pull anyone out of a grump. She lights up her daddy's, and uncle Lew's eyes too. The second either one of them walk into a room she bolts for their legs and wraps her arms around them, and then looks into their eyes with her arms up. She's such a lovey.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2008-12-08T22:13:00.001-08:00

I love the snow. I won't drive in it of course, but isn't it beautiful.

Not exactly picnic weather.

Sophia's toileting today earned her a tea party, and instead of the usual water, we were able to enjoy some fresh snow!

Jennie enjoyed herself too.

Santa came...

2008-12-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

...to our Ward Christmas Party. Okay so the kids knew within seconds that it was Bishop, but still.

Soph asked for a plastic Barbie head with hair. Check. Thanks Lisa.

Joe asked for a gun. You'll shoot your eye out kid. Not check.

Dalton asked for a Wii. Good luck kid, I thought you asked for building toys. Not check. Check.

Scripture Advent

2008-12-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

I just found this advent calendar this morning and I'm so excited to start it for FHE tonight! I love that the FRIEND does all the work for me, all I have to do is follow through.

p.s. it's on page 10 titled "Stories of Jesus, Tell Them to Me"

We are Thankful

2008-11-27T07:40:00.000-08:00

This year, we finally did it. Behold our Thanksgiving Tree!

Way back on November 3rd our FHE was on gratitude. I had prepared 40 strips of paper for us to write our gratitude on so we could hang them on our tree as a reminder throughout the month. I was not prepared, however, for the onslaught of thankfulness. The kids went on and on and on, they were grateful for each of their friends, all of our neighbors, every single family member, school, teachers, food, bodies, church, games, our home, clothes, water, candy, toys, unprompted they even said Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. This was one of my favorite FHE's ever, and a definite new tradition, next year, I'll prepare many, many more word strips.

Basic Bread

2008-11-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

3 cups hot tap water
2 tablespoons yeast (I use SAF)
1/3 cup oil (I use lecithin)
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt (I use kosher)
2 tablespoons gluten flour
6-8 cups of flour
1 tablespoon Dough Enhancer (optional. Add during the last 2 minutes of kneading.)

Add ingredients into mixer in this order making sure to add only the amount of flour needed for the dough to form (too much flour makes dry crumbly bread). Spray the inside of bread pans with non-stick cooking spray. Knead dough 5 minutes for white flour, 6 minutes for ½ white ½ wheat flour, or 8 minutes for whole wheat flour. On an oiled surface, divide dough and form into loaves/rolls, (this makes enough for 4 small or 3 large loaves). Preheat oven to 350°. Let dough rise an inch or so above bread pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove bread from pans immediately and spread butter on top. Enjoy the bread that day, give it away or freeze it.

Tip: if you want to make hearty whole grain bread, you can mix in nuts, seeds, wheat bran, oats, dry milk, potato flakes, whatever you want really, in any combination amounting up to 2 cups just before adding the flour, making sure to still use at least 4 cups of flour.

This recipe takes only one hour start to finish when the kitchen is warm, only 10-15 minutes are hands on really. It's super easy, tastes wonderful, and makes the whole house smell fabulous. I make this once or twice a week while the kids are in school. I buy bread during the summer only cause I don't like running the oven and the A/C at the same time.