A year in pictures 2012: Week 17

Friday 20 April

In Primary this year, we decided to give each of the kids who gets baptized a towel. My good friend Jody was kind enough to embroider them for us. She taught me how to use her machine today. It was so much fun. Thanks Jody!

Saturday 21 April

Today is my birthday. My kids are fantastic. They brought me breakfast in bed. They planned a backyard party with games and chalk art on the back patio. TJ however didn't want to use chalk. He opted for permanent marker on the house. His love is a bit more permanent, I guess. I love you too buddy!

Sunday 22 April

Last minute details on the science experiment display board that is due in the morning.

Monday 23 April

Tonight we had Family Home Evening with Mary Anne and her family. She made me a couple of amazing desserts for my birthday. Here I am with all the party-goers before blowing out my candles. Mary Anne took this photo. Thanks Mary Anne!

Monday 23 April

Here is the photo I took. Good buddies Canon and David sharing dessert at the edge of the table.

Tuesday 24 April

The boy. Anyone have a tissue?

Wednesday 25 April

Occasionally, Mary Anne and I pass this beautiful meadow during our runs. Today we decided to stop and take a picture.

Thanks to Mary Anne, I am running about three days a week, three to five miles each time. She encourages, challenges, supports, counsels, listens, shares, and coaches. I am so grateful for her friendship. Love you Mary Anne!

Thursday 26 April

Science Fair. Good job Bailey!

Thursday 26 April

Science Fair take two. Way to go Joey!

I think I'll let their dad help them come up with ideas for science fair projects next year.

We are all on the same team

I had a conversation the other day with a close friend about parenting. The next day, I watched General Conference, and the topic of parenting came up again and again. It touched me. 

I realized that I tend to get argumentative with my kids during difficult times. And right now in the middle of a year-long deployment, we are experiencing some difficult times. It often feels like we are battling against each other. In reality, we are all after the same goals. We all want to be happy and live in harmony and learn and love and grow. 

So tonight, for Family Home Evening, we discussed what it means to be part of a family. We likened our family to a sports team. We discussed the different positions of each player and their importance on the team. We are all on the same team. We are all important. We need every player to do his/her part to succeed.

I emailed Erick about it. He took some time to type a letter to the kids about working together and being a part of a team. His letter spoke to them much more deeply than I could have done alone.

Tonight we committed to work together as a family team to help and encourage and lift and love one another.

We made posters reminiscent of my high school days and hung them around the house: "Go Joey!" "You can do it Bailey!" "Keep it up TJ!" "We love you David!"

We even took a team photo:

It was a good family night.

A year in pictures 2012: Week 16

Friday 13 April

Today Mary Anne and I took the kids to Mega Play.  Mary Anne taught me that sliding down the big slides on your belly is not very comfortable. Her expression makes me laugh every time I look at it. I can't help it.

Saturday 14 April

As part of her science experiment, Bailey wanted to see if Coke could remove oil stains from our driveway.

Monday 16 April

David stopped using his right arm. For two days. And he cried each time I moved it to get him dressed. His arm just dangled like a loose noodle. It was pretty creepy. I thought it must be dislocated or something, so I took him to the doctor today. In the doctor's office, he started using it just fine. Go figure. I felt a bit silly in front of the German doctors.

After getting checked out, he used it to play with the toys in the waiting area.

Tuesday 17 April

David loves bath-time! Today he wouldn't wait his turn to get in. He jumped in with Bailey while he was still fully clothed. Nice.

Wednesday 18 April

I'm noticing a lot of photos of David recently. Hmmm. I guess that's what happens when he's home with me all day.

Thursday 19 April

Joey is looking for clues.

My hinder helper

We drove to Nuremberg to visit "grandma" Inge. David was helping her hang the laundry... 

...until he started pulling it all down.

Then he marched all over the yard growling like a wild animal.

Boys. Oh, dear.

Mega Play with friends

Mega Play with friends!

A year in pictures 2012: Week 15

Friday 6 April

Spring is here.

These grow in my tiny front flower bed. They make me smile.

Saturday 7 April

David didn't waste anytime eating the hard-boiled eggs we decorated this morning.

Sunday 8 April

Happy Easter!

Tuesday 10 April

Today I went to Bayreuth with Mary Anne and Chanda. I posted about this day here.

Wednesday 11 April

Lincoln and David are good buddies.

Thursday 12 April

Pazookie.

I think.

This was the first time I have tried it. Thanks Chanda! It was delicious. And addicting. I'm still thinking about it...

Easter Saturday and Sunday

A year in pictures 2012: Week 14

Friday 30 March

I saw some of my favorite people tonight. I like nights like that.

Saturday 31 March

Tonight I went to see a community version of Evita. It was so fun!

We are giving our best Evita pose. 

Eva Peron (my friend LaDawn) with me, Charee, and Chanda. 

Saturday 31 March

This cold night ended with hot chocolate floats. I've been dreaming about them ever since. 

Drool.

Sunday 1 April

A fun way to keep the kids interested during General Conference. It worked great through one full session and half of another. One piece each time they heard the word on the bowl.

Sunday 1 April

Cupcakes for dinner?

April Fools! 

Meat loaf with mashed potatoes. Yum!

Monday 2 April

Family Home Evening treat tonight: Milkshakes.

I had to find a way to use up some of the leftover candy from yesterday.

Tuesday 3 April

Spirit Week: Dress like someone famous

Kate Middleton, Cleopatra, Selena Gomez, and Joan of Arc

Wednesday 4 April

Spirit Week: Wacky tacky Wednesday

Thursday 5 April

Spirit Week: Favorite era in history.

My awesome neighbor Rori made matching skirts for some of the girls on our street. Aren't they cute?