Success!

I have been struggling for months... maybe even years... trying to get Annalise potty-trained. This was due to a number of things:

-Emma didn't need potty-training. Not really. She watched Ethan learn, and then did it herself. I got spoiled.

-Annie is my sixth child. I was tired of the whole potty-training process. I kept hoping she'd train herself.

-When Annie was about to turn three, I kept saying, "I wouldn't want to start potty-training now- we're about to move overseas. It would just cause problems."

-After we got to the Azores and Annie was three, I was lazy.

-We were moving back to Utah (see previous reason about moving overseas).

-Annie didn't want to. And honestly, at this point she didn't really think she could do it. I mean, I had started potty-training her multiple times for a few hours at at time. She had been programmed for failure.

Annalise turned four in October. I decided (hesitantly, because I was pretty much programmed for failure too, at this point) that we really needed to get this done. So yesterday, I had Tim take the older kids to his parents house for the day. My Mom and Dad were out of town, so I had the whole day to just concentrate on Annie. I had read up on lots of different methods and combined a few, so we had a new drink and wet doll, little presents to open, and lots of drinks, movies, and stickers. And I prayed. I didn't think I could handle another disappointing failure.

Finally, with my undivided attention, it worked! Annie had 7 successes and 1 accident yesterday. We are both ecstatic! Today, even with the long trip to the zoo/museum/Temple Square, she did great. I am sooooooo happy.

She is very proud of herself. She shows her sticker chart to anyone who cares, and she's actually excited to go sit on the toilet.

And I have one less parenting failure to worry about.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Okay, so the weekend's not officially over yet, but I'm pretty sure we're not doing anything out of the ordinary tomorrow, so the HOLIDAY weekend is over, at least.

Thanksgiving Day was spent at Tim's sister's house in Evanston. It was a great day- lots of good food, all the right people, and weather conducive to kids playing outside! To add to the fun, Sandy had a new kid-sized four wheeler, so the kids were busy pretty much the whole day. Food? Who cares about food?

Tim spent the day splitting wood and playing football. Isn't he cute?

While the big kids did most of the ATV riding, the younger kids had a blast with cousins Logan and Junior. I believe they were saving puppies from a fire.

Friday was an experiment... I'll talk about it in my next post. I'm thinking it worked, though!!!!

Today we spent the afternoon/evening in Salt Lake. We started at the zoo (have to get our money's worth out of that zoo membership!).

On the teeter-totter at the zoo playground. Emma's face is in response to me sitting on the other end. Flattering, huh?

This picture was unreasonably difficult to get. Just getting all of my kids in the same place at the same time, looking the same (general) direction was a joke today!

After the zoo, we parked downtown and walked over to the Church Art Museum. They have a children's exhibit there right now called "I Am a Child of God". It is an interactive exhibit, so of course the kids loved it.

Emma taking care of a baby in the hospital nursery.

Wise men and shepherds. Sorry you can't see Mary and Baby Jesus.

When it got dark, we made our way across the street for the lights on Temple Square. They were beautiful, but you won't see much of that from my pictures. I was trying to use the "nighttime" setting on my camera.. Evidently I need a tripod or a steadier arm.

Hmm... Rebekah must be almost a teenager. There's that scowl again! Just kidding, Bek- I'm glad that as you get older you are growing into my friend as well as my daughter.


I guess it's time to get in the holiday spirit!

Indoctrination

We had planned to go to the zoo today, but Tim ended up working a volunteer shift at D.I. for the whole afternoon. Instead of the zoo, I took the kids to BYU... I figure exposure is good for their future plans (or should I say MY future plans?)

Anyway, ulterior motives aside, the Bean Museum on campus is a very cool place for kids. Mine love it. And did I mention it's free? We have a winner!

Ethan scaring the lion?

Staring contest.

Josh was very happy to have me take his picture.

Emma: "Take a picture of me, Mom!"

Price getting trampled by an antelope.

Price with the liger.

Look at those teeth!

It is seriously impossible to get a good picture of Anna these days. She just doesn't hold still long enough for me to catch her with her eyes open, looking the right direction.

Hey- we were at BYU. I had to get a picture of the cougar.

Not sure what this is, but he sure is cool looking.

We came out of the Bean Museum just a few minutes before 3:00, so we stuck around to hear the carillon bell ring. Hearing "Come, Come Ye Saints" on the hour really feels like BYU to me. The kids were duly impressed.

Next, we headed over to the Earth Science Museum. Not nearly so entertaining, but still worth the admission price (yeah, it's free too).

Is that an awesome set of antlers, or what?

We came home for peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and dinner (in that order).

Tomorrow we're off to Evanston, for Thanksgiving with Tim's family.

Today, I'm thankful for my kids.

100 things

This was fun- you're supposed to copy the list to your blog and then bold the things you have done. I guess I have a lot to do in my life still...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (I've been there, but I don't think the airport should count.)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

Tim's older than me again!

I always look forward to November... it marks the point of the year at which I am no longer the same age as Tim- he's older than I am again! Actually, what November really marks is the beginning of the next nine months, when I can't remember if I'm my age or a year older. Seriously. I'm starting to lose my mind. When I was in labor with Annie someone asked me my age. I didn't know. It's only gotten worse since then.

Anyway, we celebrated Tim's 39th birthday on Wednesday. He and I went to lunch at Costa Vida while Mom watched the girls, and that night we had a party, complete with poetry recitation, presents (including the Snoopy pj's) and apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.

I am so grateful for Tim. I'm not sure how I, as a 23 year old kid, managed to make such a good decision as I did in marrying him, but I'm thankful for divine intervention. Tim makes our family whole. He is genuinely good, loving, and righteous. I am glad to be partners with him in this journey.

Coolest Calling Ever

About a month before we moved back from the Azores, Mom (who is the Primary president) told me that she had requested me for a calling- Primary pianist. Dad is the Primary chorister. Trying to keep it in the family, I guess.

Dad is an extraordinary chorister. He makes up original (and usually unorthodox) birthday and welcome songs, to the tune of common Primary songs. Here's an example:

Fish Heads
(to the tune of "Popcorn Popping")

I looked in the window
And what did I see?
A birthday party starting without me.
I was mad and so I started to think
What would make the party really stink.
I gathered up some fish heads and
gross old cheese,
And dirty socks that would make them sneeze,
I wrapped them like a present,
But when I opened up the door,
They yelled, "Surprise!"


Today was even more fun than usual. Dad had the kids singing "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man" in different styles. They whistled, sang it as a waltz (in 3/4 time), did it with a Bossa Nova rhythm (Dad played his box drum), and then they did it as a rap. The kids loved Dad's beat boxing with the microphone.

I think I'll keep my calling.

Alone

I am alone this morning. Not lonely, mind you- just alone.

I'm not sure when the last time was that I was in the house completely by myself. I can vividly remember days, not too long ago, when I could not see that happening... ever. Kids grow up faster than you think they will. I know many people told me to appreciate my kids while they were babies, but it is so hard when you are in the middle of life. I'm trying to appreciate these days better, since I know they will be gone, too.

I found this poem online today, and I want to remember its message.

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

One of these days you'll explode and shout to all the kids, "Why don't you just grow up and act your age!" And they will...

Or, "You guys get outside and find something to do -- without hurting each other And don't slam the door!" And they don't.

You'll straighten their bedrooms until it's all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers in the closet, animals caged. You'll yell, "Now I want it to stay this way!" And it will...

You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't had all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say, "Now this is a meal for company." And you will eat it alone...

You'll yell, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming, Do you hear me?" And no one will answer.

No more plastic tablecloths stained. No more dandelion bouquets. No more iron-on patches. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots or rubber bands for ponytails.

Imagine.... a lipstick with a point, no babysitters for New Years Eve, washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree, no car pools, blaring stereos or forgotten lunch money.

No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks, no wet oatmeal kisses, no more tooth fairy, no more giggles in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean.

Only a voice asking, "Why don't you grow up?" And the silence echoes: "I did"

- unknown

Political Ramblings

I am not an overtly political person. I don't like to get into political discussions with people outside my own family, and I am usually uncomfortable asserting my own views when someone else has their own strong views. I'm kind of a political wimp. I wasn't going to say anything here about the election. I have decided, though, in the interest of recording this moment for posterity, that I will. So here goes.

I voted for McCain, but I was not a McCain supporter. I felt like I was on the end of a yo-yo for most of this year's presidential campaign. I started out thinking I maybe would vote for Obama, since the other side wasn't exciting me much. When Sarah Palin came into the picture, I was inspired briefly, as was much of the nation. That feeling subsided quickly. What decided me, finally, in the days before the election, was simply the feeling that McCain was "safer". Maybe that was a dumb reason, but I just felt like Obama was more of a risk- an unknown. So I voted.

Obviously, Obama won. He is my new president-elect. And honestly, I'm fairly happy about that. I hope that he can solve some problems in our country. If he doesn't, then things will swing back the other way in four years, and the conservatives can have another try.

What does bother me is this: I have heard one person after another, starting yesterday morning, lament Obama's election with words like, "this is the end of the world", "the earth is crying because we elected him" (it was stormy yesterday), "our country is doomed", "he's going to make it so we can't have churches anymore," and my personal favorite, "he is an evil man, and he will destroy our country."

To be fair, many of these comments came from people who are not yet old enough to vote. I can't help but believe, though, that they got these opinions from their parents. Many of their arguments come from rumors and forwarded e-mails. It scares me that normally calm, rational people can get so judgmental and overwrought about this. Seriously, people, get a grip. We have a system of checks and balances in this country for a reason. I believe that Barack Obama wants to do the right thing and will be a decent president, and I will continue to believe that until I am proven wrong.

Everyone take a deep breath, count to ten, and chant, "Things will work out. This is not the end of the world, and from now on I will support our new president-elect and encourage my children to do the same. I will stop scaring my child with dire predictions for the future."

Thanks.

Ode to Snow

The weather today could have been much worse.
But it reminded me,
Though I love sitting inside by a fire while it snows outside,
I really do not, at all, in any way, shape or form,
Enjoy driving in it.

Halloween

Well, I survived another Halloween. Is it obvious that this isn't my favorite holiday? This year was pretty painless, actually, so I really shouldn't complain. Here is a (not so) brief summary of the festivities.

We started Thursday, with Annie's Joyschool party. All the cute little girls dressed up, had a costume parade, sang spooky songs, and ate cookies. They were very cute, and I was very grateful that I was not in charge.

That night, we finally had a free evening to carve pumpkins together. (Seriously, that was the first free night since before we went to Colorado.) I did lots of cutting and gutting, to choruses of "I didn't know you were gonna kill it!" My kids are all Peanuts fans, obviously.

We ended up with 6 cute pumpkins. Annie's original pumpkin was a bit of a casualty- it had apparently been dropped at some point, so it had a big soft spot on the back, and was moldy inside. Gross. We carved her tiny pumpkin that she brought home from Joyschool, instead.


Friday, the kids were all supposed to wear their costumes to school. This was a first for us- in Manila, the kids weren't allowed to wear costumes. I don't think the elementary kids in Lajes were either, but I could be wrong. I do know that the jr. high there had the kids come as vocabulary words. The result was very cute- Rebekah won a prize for her costume of a "somnambulist". That may not be spelled correctly. I'm too lazy to look it up. Emma, Annie and I got to watch the costume parade in the afternoon, and cheer for our boys!


Halloween dinner was a fun treat from Grandma- she made mummy dogs, beets (for the bloody quality), carrots, and apple salad. We actually got some good food down the kids before the carnage began! Trick or treating was fun. We started by visiting Grandma Shipley and some of her neighbors, and then came back to our neighborhood. The weather was beautiful- warm and only a few drops of rain. Much better than past years in sleet/bitter cold/three feet of snow. All in all, it was a good day- now if the kids would just finish off their candy so they can get back to normal.... I don't believe in moderation and doling it out- I just want it gone!

In case it's not obvious... bat, glow stick person, vampire, giraffe, army guy, princess.

And... the aftermath...