continue in patience

We had a great church lesson today. We discussed President Uchtdorf's talk "Continue in Patience." If you haven't read it, or listened to it, please do.... it is really incredible. In the talk, Elder U. talks about an experiment a researcher performed with children. He gave each kid a large marshmallow, sat it in front of them and told them if they could wait 15 minutes to eat it, they would get TWO. Sadly, only 30% of the kids, waited. Some ate it right off the bat, others waited a few minutes. The researcher then watched and continued his research as the children grew up. He found that the kids who waited had way better lives, made more money, were more successful, and all around more happy. Those who couldn't wait struggled and had several issues. You can read more about it in the talk......

Being the awesome parents we are.... we were discussing what we had learned at dinner. Then we thought of trying the experiment with Will. Obviously, when it comes to parenting, we have no idea what we are doing most of the time... it is a continual experiment and poor Will is our guinea pig. He wanted ice cream so we said, very enthusiastically "Will? If you can wait just 15 minutes, we'll give you TWO scoops instead of ONE!" What did Will do? He burst into tears and said "Why is Daddy telling me this? I CAN'T wait 15 minutes, that is a long time!"

So of course we kept trying to get him to wait it out and do the experiment.... we want a socially, mentally, and emotionally stable child of course. Well, he just wailed and cried and acted like it was the worst thing we had ever done. His tears were huge and he just kept walking around all pouty and slumped over with his head hanging down, crying and saying "why are you doing this to me? I don't want to do this! I just want TWO scoops right now!"

He wasn't being bratty, or having a tantrum about it, he was just truly heart sick that he might have to wait for his ice cream, and he was completely offended that we were doing such an unusual thing to him. How dare we? To make it worse for him, we were laughing hysterically, and apologizing to him at the same time.

So, what was our end result? Never do anything out of the ordinary or routine when it comes to parenting. He got his one scoop, which he was completely happy with, but ate it with the saddest forlorn face I've ever seen. Then as soon as he was done, he just hopped off his chair and has been happy as a clam ever since!

Sorry Will, I hope we can help teach you something that will help you become a successful, patient adult......

Look at him looking at his scoop, so sad and serious.

I had to tell him there was a bunny by our stove to get him to look at the camera. See what an awesome parent I am? I need help..... I'm sure I wouldn't have waited for my marshmallow!

a feast fit for a king

After seeing the idea on this blog, I decided that we would have our very own "back-to-school" feast. Last year was a little more work and a little bit more of a party. This year was in between visitors and a little more thrown together. Either way, it has been a fun beginning of a family tradition, one that I am excited for each year and one that really makes Will feel special.

On the menu:

Buttermilk Pancakes

French Fries

.....And Chicken Nuggets

We ate our feast out on the patio and loved it. The weather has been AMAZING this week. I'm loving it, and loving the cool breeze that tells me Fall is coming! YAY!!! Will requested that we eat outside, eat on paper plates, and then play tag. Great ideas, Will, I love you more every day.
He had to have two plates, one for chicken nuggets and fries and one for pancakes.... we all know you can't have your syrup touch ANYTHING!
Oh yes and don't forget the milk, with a few ice cubes. Hahaha! This child has a weird thing with milk. He still drinks a warm sippy of milk every morning, and if he drinks it during the day it has to be *ice* cold.....
Yum! Enjoying every bite!
He's so handsome and has the best laugh and smile!
And Will is a quirky, funny side also. I love that about him, he's always up for a good laugh!
I love this profile picture, he looks a lot like Scott from this angle. What a cutie!

Hmmmm.... I'm wonder where he gets that weird, quirky-ness about him? From his dad, maybe?
Two of my most favorite people on earth! The third was already in bed.
A little warm up before our game of tag. This is his "getting ready to tag dad pose" - that's what he told me!
Easy there buddy, that belly looks like it is about to pop. Did you just eat like 10 chicken nuggest and a plate full of fries, AND a pancake? Yup, I think you did.
Go Will! Nice face Scott! .... and nice lawn, huh? We have no idea what happened except that it has been HOT. We're hoping our lawn starts to recover before Winter so we get a better one next year!




Oh how I love Will. He's fun, he's funny, he's smart, he's helpful, he's kind, he's tender, he's spiritual, and he's amazing. We love you Will and wish you all the best in this new school year! Preschool here we come!

a little dessert

Sometimes all you need in life is a little dessert. It seems like life is always busy, even when you think it won't be, things come up, and it always stays busy. Last month, I didn't get over to visit my vt's from church, so instead, I just dropped by with a note and a little jar of ice cream sauce. One peanut butter sauce and one hot fudge. They looked so cute, I had to take a picture. I didn't have any small tupperware to give away so I just spray painted some baby food lids and "wa-la!" the perfect little jar for ice cream topping.

We just had a great visit from Scott's brother Ty and his friend Betsey. We had a blast. It is always so fun to have visitors and have the chance to show people your life away from home. Will loved every minute and every ounce of attention. Our next visitors arrive in about 3 weeks and we can't wait! In the meantime, I'll be starting a new job, finishing up at the old job, Will is starting preschool, I'm planning our big welcome dinner for church, among other things..... we'll be busy busy.

I'm trying to soak in the last days of Summer, it is quickly coming to a close. I had high hopes to spend a week at the park, taking the boys to a different park everyday for 5 days straight.... that might have to wait, or get pushed to October at least. In the meantime, I'm just trying to enjoy the short moments of peace of quiet and of course, eat a little dessert every night after the kids are in bed. On the menu tonight: mint chocolate chip ice cream, in a glass, mixed up with a little milk. YUM! .... and a little weird I know.

fun around here

Wow. We've had a crazy couple of weeks, but it sure has been fun around here! We had a great visit from the Mortensen Grandparents and we loved every minute. We spent a lot of time hanging out, watch several good movies Scott and I had never seen (we don't get out much), ate yummy food, went to see the Amish, went to Chagrin Falls, Kirtland temple, and the John Johnson farm. We had a blast, and the boys LOVED all the attention they got from gma and gpa! Will even got a special trip to Target with Grandma, walked in the door and said "Mom! Grandma bought me everything I wanted at Target!" It was true, she did. We only get to see gma and gpa a couple times a year, so when we get a visit, we love every minute!

Amish country is beautiful. Simple and wholesome. I loved it. We went to Rolling Ridge Ranch where we go on a wagon ride and feed some really awesome animals. The ostrich was Will's favorite because they ate so funny, and got food everywhere. It was a blast!

Eli is cute. He has grown two more teeth, for a total of SIX! I'm pretty sure he's till teething and getting two more on top as well. This boy needs his teeth, he's got food business to take care of. He had his 9 month check up this week is doing great. Weight is a bit slimmer (I think due to the recent crawling and getting around like crazy), but height is still right up there!

Will and Eli are truly the sweetest, easiest boys ever. We are so blessed and love having these sweet little munchkins in our home. Will is growing up more and more everyday. Loves to help out, even folded all of his and Eli's laundry himself. He has the sweetest attitude and is truly concerned about others. We love you Will and Eli!

pennies for heroes

My brother Mike is one of a kind. I've always admired him for many reasons, and admired his creativity and charitable attitude. He's always doing anonymous things for people who need help, just because he sees a need and takes action. He does random acts of service and work for people year round, involves his kids, and teaches them the ways they can help and serve others.

My brother is also a police officer. He is sort of a "jack of all trades." Has lots of great ideas rolling around in that head of his and takes the time to put them into action. He recently has started a charity. As an officer, in the line of duty, has had several experiences with fellow law officers, fire fighters, and those who defend and honor our country. He's had good experiences as a police officer and has seen some sad experiences as well.

He formed his charity, not to "give a hand out" but to "give a hand up" to the families who have fallen victim to loosing a family member in the line of duty. All he asks is that we donate our pennies, our spare change laying around, or out of our pockets. Imagine what a difference that could make in someone's life? And he's not just handing the money over to the family, he's using it for the things that they desperately need..... house repairs, clothes, food, etc.

He is already working with a family. A widow/mother, who has five children, and is now left without a father/husband. They are in serious need of house repairs, have no dishwasher, no disposal, need new shingles, rain gutters, etc. the list goes on and on. The family is only entitled to a portion of what their father made in the past three years (only 25% of his highest earnings, which won't even be 10,000$ a year).

Among several of his other good ideas, I'm pretty sure this is the best one yet. Let's think about why we enjoy the life that we do, and those who uphold, honor, and support the law that allows us our freedom every single day. Help out because you can, because you care, and because you never know what circumstances you may find your family in one day.

"You can CHANGE lives with the CHANGE in your pocket...."

If you'd like to know more about the family that is being helped or if you would like to support Pennies for Heroes in anyway, either by donating, sending out information, putting a button on your blog, facebook, or twitter go here: www.penniesforheroes.org

question of the day

"If I make a funny face, will Jesus laugh?"

Yes Will, I think that would put a smile on anybody's face! Especially from a sweet little boy like you!