Food for thought...

I read a great post today about keeping the romance alive in a marriage. Being the parents of small children and sometimes just getting busy living our lives, this is something I've been thinking a lot about lately. And about how there just never seems to be enough time or money, and to take some of it for ourselves feels selfish and self indulgent. Or feeling guilty for asking our families to watch our children all the time. (Isn't it funny the way sometimes answers just fall into your lap when you aren't even actively looking for them?) Any how, there was a quote about making the time for "Date Night" that jumped out at me. So much so that I am thinking about sticking it on my bedroom mirror, or cross-stitching it onto a pillow, or something...

Baby sitters are much less expensive than therapists.

Seriously, I think this is going to be my new motto. Now I just need to find a good babysitter, and figure out the going rate...

It's hurts too much to think....

I think I am getting a sinus infection. All I know for sure is that my face hurts. Like someone punched me in the cheekbones... both of them. So tonight I am very grateful for a husband who comes home with medicine, dinner and a willingness to take care of the children so I can go lay down in a dark room and wait for the medicine to take effect.  The only thing that would make him a better husband would be if he had posted for me. Oh well, he probably would have if I had asked. I would have if I had thought of it before now....

Unexpected nap time...

I hate it when that happens. One moment you are laying there talking your two year old out of throwing a major fit, then next thing you know your husband is calling to apologize for working late and telling you he's on the way home. The biggest problem is of course that now it is 11 pm and said two year old, who also napped, is nowhere near close to falling asleep. I foresee a loooong night ahead...

Happy 4th of July!

I would say that all things considered, we had a very mellow and relaxing holiday today.

We went to the neighborhood pancake breakfast.

We went to Pa Dave's and played cards and went swimming.

We took in a firework show.

And just spent time with the people we love.

Happy Birthday, America!

Hope your holiday was perfect too.

Sunday Observations

We thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in this morning, especially Brian.

The plan was for me to take Jake to church and Brian to keep the girls home because the three of them are still a little under the weather.

The kids were not happy with that plan.

Especially Jacob, who really really wanted his Dad to be there for when he was introduced to the congregation as a newly baptized member.

Brian is a really really good dad.

Not only did he go to church while not feeling 100%, he got up and bore his testimony.

It was a special experience, because it is not something that happens very often as it is very difficult for him to move around and climb up to the pulpit, and he is setting such a great example for his children.

Jacob also choose to bear his testimony today for the first time.

He was so sweet as he talked about the atonement and how he knows that because of it he will see his Mima Kim again.

He has inherited the Madsen gene that means speaking of spiritual things equals tears.

I cried too. (I didn't wear any make up to church today, so that was okay.)

I found out later he had quite a few people in tears.

You can't help but feel proud when other people take the time to tell you how amazing your child is.

Evie also had a big day when she agreed to step in and give a talk at the last minute.

I was so proud of her for not crying and being shy, but talking slowly and clearly (mostly) into the microphone.

Today was my last day as her primary teacher, I'll be moving over to another class.

I think this move will be good for both of us.

I love Sunday nights, whether it's spent visiting with family or hanging out quietly at home.

It takes us a ridiculously long time to watch a movie.

Like a 90 minute movies takes us over 3 hours long.

The kids never need us until we sit down to watch a movie.

Why is that?

Maybe that's why Brian never wants to watch a movie with me...

I plan to thoroughly enjoy sleeping in tomorrow too.

At least until 8:30, so we can get to the pancake breakfast.

The children are really looking forward to it.

Jake's Baptism

It was a great day. Jake was so excited as he counted down the hours until we'd leave for the church. There was a lot of last minute cooking and cleaning, but thanks to both of our wonderful families everything got done with relatively little stress.

Jake and Brian looking very dapper.

I think this picture will be a special memory for Jacob his whole life. Brian was able to baptize him, with a little help getting in and out of the font from his father. Three generations strong in the gospel, that is pretty neat. 

We had an overwhelming number of family and friends take time out of this busy holiday weekend to come and support Jacob, and even more who sent cards, emails and well wishes even though they couldn't be here. It means so much more than we can say to feel so loved. 

I am so proud of my son for the choice he made today and the spirit and strong character he brings into our home everyday. I got to talk for a few minutes about him before he was confirmed and I wanted to record those thoughts here for our family record.

Jacob-

You are a miracle.

When your daddy was a young man he was in a horrible car accident. The doctors all thought that he wouldn't live, and if he did he wouldn't be able to walk or talk or be normal ever again. But he did live, and although he has had some challenges because of it, he has had more of a normal life than they thought he would.  We both believe very strongly that one of the reasons his life was spared was because there were some very special spirits (you and your sisters) who were waiting to join our family. All babies are miracles, and you are an especially amazing miracle.

You have been blessed with a strong intelligence and understanding.

When you were one year old I was reading a book about shapes to you. By the time we were finished you could say and find all the shapes, even when I pointed to them out of order. Including zig-zag and crescent moon.  That was the first time your daddy and I realized that you might be a little different from other children.

When you were two years old you fell and cut your lip. While we were waiting in the Dr's office we played a game of counting fingers to keep you from thinking about your owie. By the time we left you had mastered the concept of addition and subtraction. We were stunned.

The year you were three you got a new book for Christmas. And you came and sat down and read it to me before I could read it to you. It was Snow by P.D. Eastman. I was thrilled, and a little overwhelmed to realize the rate at which you absorbed knowledge. 

It is a privilege and a responsibility for us as your parents to guide you and help you seek after the best learning that you can. (So stop being mad at us for sending you to the Spectrum program. It's our job to give you the best opportunities we can...)

You are such a kind and loving boy.

I believe that you were born first in our family because Heavenly Father knew you would make the best big brother. You are so sweet and patient with your sisters, and they look up to you so much. You are able to make friends easily and are always willing to let everyone join in the fun. You are the best helper for both of your parents and have had to step in and take over more responsibilities than many six or seven or eight year old have to shoulder. And you are always willing to help us, maybe not always happily, but at least always willing. I especially appreciate the job you take on in being your Daddy's legs, I know it isn't always easy.

You are a good example.

We are so proud of you Jacob and the choice you made to be baptized today. You are a very deep thinker and I know that this was not a decision that you came to lightly. I appreciate that even at your tender age you feel so strongly about learning and studying the scriptures to find answers.  Your little sisters will be watching and learning from you how to navigate this world, and that thought brings me a lot of peace. I am not worried that you will teach them anything but good and worthy things. 

I love you with all my heart, son. 

Thank you for being you.

-Mom

A tender mercy

Everything isn't quite ready yet, but I am happy to report that the kitchen floor is no longer either sticky or crunchy. So, that's progress. Tonight we had the opportunity to go to the temple for another of my cousin's (his fiancee's, actually) endowments. I'll be honest, somewhere around the time that I was realizing that I'd have about 10 minutes to get ready and leave to be there on time, and the amount of work that I still had to accomplish, I started really considering excuses. But I really wanted to go to the temple and I knew that Brian did too. So in the end, I stopped mid-sweep, hung up my broom and went and got ready.

We made it in plenty of time and as I was sitting and waiting for the session to start I was just contemplating life and my son and the big milestone that he is hitting tomorrow. I started thinking about when he was 2 years old, and my mom's cancer was back after the first remission. I was talking to my dad on the phone and having a grieving moment. I was feeling sad that my mom most likely wouldn't be around when Jake graduated high school, went on a mission, or got married. My dad listened to me talk about those things and then gently pointed out that she most likely wouldn't be around when Jake got baptized.

I felt sad again thinking about how much I missed her and how badly I wished she was here to share this special event with us all. And then I got an overwhelming feeling of love and assurance that she is sharing it with us. She is very aware of how special tomorrow is and she is so proud of her first born grandchild. It was a powerful and wonderful reminder to me that my family is forever.

I am grateful for the reminder to slow down and focus on the spirit and the meaning of the day tomorrow, instead of worrying about when and how everything will happen.  I think it will be a beautiful day.