It's a Revolution

reLet me start out by saying I love Mackenzie's school teacher. She is an amazing teacher. Her name is Tami Varner and if I could request a teacher for Kenz every year it would be her. She sees all of Kenzie's potential. She is currently taking classes to teach the AL (Accelerated Learning) class. Because of her schooling she can recognize her students gifts and talents. By doing so she can challenge each individual student in a way most fitting for them.
At the beginning of the school year Mrs. Varner said that any student that gets 100% on their pre-spelling test they were excused from doing the rest of the spelling packet for the week. Mackenzie didn't have spelling for almost 2 months. Then she missed 1 word here and there. Then when her class started fractions Kenzie once again excelled on the pre-test. Since Kenz knew what she was doing and there was no need to hold her back on a subject she knew while the class spent 2 weeks on it Mrs Varner gave her a special assignment. Kenzie was to prepare a fractions lesson and present it to a class of 3rd graders. Kenz came up with her lesson plan, visual aides, and notes. After prepping her self and going over her lesson with her teacher Kenz presented it to a 3rd grade class. Mrs. Varner had a sub come into her own class so that she could be with Kenz and 2 other students for their lessons. During their lessons, Mrs. Varner recorded them. She then showed Kenzie's video in a school wide academic meeting. She was stressing the importance of recognizing each students abilities and using students to teach other students.
She is an amazing teacher.
So back to my original blog in which the title refers to.
Kenzie's class did a class play on the Revolutionary War. The kids all participated by writing the script and they all had speaking. They designed their own back drops and costumes. Kenz was one of the narrators. She did a great job.

My beautiful little 5th grader.

The Amazing Mrs. Varner.

Kenz and her classmates.

Free At Last!

Yes, I know this is a very famous line by Dr. Martin Luther King, but it is how I am feeling today. In this day and age we are lucky to have the freedom of speech. Freedom of religion, freedom to walk around with out our faces covered. Freedom to bare arms. Freedom to skip down the sidewalk holding hands with my kids. Freedom to bake chocolate chip cookies. Freedom to use a flushy toilet.
Let's be realistic here. Some things are truly great freedoms and some are things that we can just do because we live with great privileges in this country.
But, none of these are the joyous freedom I'm feeling lately. I am basking in the wonderful feeling of being free from debt.
Yes, you read that right. Freedom from debt! Can I get a woot, woot.
After 12 years of marriage, several financial hiccups, a lay off, one too many impulse buys and a couple medical bills we are out of the bonds that bind us to those debts.
All we have remaining is our house and the usual monthly bills, utilities, phones, food, gas and gymnastics. It is the best feeling in the world. Not to mention the pocket book is a little thicker.
Unfortunately though, it seems that just when you think you're in the clear something happens. Ty's is car making a horrible sound and my van needs a new front axle. But, now we know we can afford the repairs. My doing the repairs ourselves hopefully we'll be saving money and be able to put off acquiring more debt in the form of a car payment. If the cars can just hold on a little longer till we can a savings built back up. (It was depleted when Ty was laid off for almost 8 months.) Then hopefully we can make a nice down payment, resulting in a low monthly payment and less debt.
For now, I'm going to rejoice in my new found freedom and not sweat the small stuff.
Ahhh... what a wonderful feeling.

Activity Days

I was called to Activity Day Girls about a month ago. I love the fun sweet girls. Our girls are broken up into 3 groups by age. There are the 8 yr olds, 9 yr olds, and the 10/11 yr old girls. I have the 9 year olds. We meet only 2x a month for an hour. I feel like a slacker only having a 2x a month calling. But, with every calling they are important and I give my all to my callings.
We (leaders) decided to make the first activity of the month a combined activity. This way the girls can get to each other and have a chance to be with their friends of other ages. This activity will focus on passing of a Faith in God requirement. As for the second activity of the month, that is a class activity and we can plan anything we'd like. Fun, service, baking, games, anything goes. OK. almost anything. Gotta keep it safe and approved.
Our combined activity this month was making bead bracelets that introduced this year's theme of CTR. The girls loved them. As for my individual class activity we did glitter toes and church pictionary. It was a hit. What little or big girl doesn't like to get her toes done and add a little sparkle to their lives. I love it at least.
Here are a few pics of my girls sparkled pedicures.

Whitney's Baby Shower

My awesome friend Tara is going to be a grandma for the first time. To help prepare her daughter for the big day Tara threw her a baby shower. She asked me and our friend Jen to help her with the prep and decorations.
As Jen and I brainstormed ideas, I threw out the idea of rock-n-roll. When I think of Whitney, I think rocker and parties. And that's the idea that stuck. Whitney wanted the colors to be black and white and blue. That's all she cared about, so the rest was up to us.
This is the idea that was conceived.

The focal point in the living room.

Rock-n-roll guitar cupcakes made by Jen.

Decorations for a future Rock Star.

Dessert table.

Chocolate dipped marshmallows and pretzels.

Rockin' donut pops.

The goody zebra boxes contained a 'Baby Ruth' candy bar.

The mommy's last name is Ruth.

An 'Almond Joy' because babies bring joy.

And few blue baby shaped soaps.

(I'm getting really good at making soap)

We played a baby themed memory game.

Under each number was a baby related word or phrase. Each word or phrase was a clue to a coordinating candy bar.

Such as;

What you hope the doctor doesn't have. Answer: Butterfingers.

Triplets = 3 Musketeers

Fat Baby = Chunky

Conception = Skor

Umbilical Cord = Twizzlers

Baby giggles = Snickers

College Fund = 100 Grand

Hospital Address = 5th Avenue

And other very clever answers.

Here are a few other close-up pictures.

Chocolate Guitars on an air brushed blue frosted cupcake.

The shower was a great success. Whitney loved the theme and colors. She got a lot of baby necessities like; diapers, wipes, body wash, lotion, onsies and outfits.
I am so excited for Tara and Whitney. I joked with Tara that I can't believe one of my best-friends is a grandma. What's even more crazy is calling a 5 year old Aunt Kaydee. It's such an exciting time and I can't wait to meet Future Rock-Star Camden.

Epic Fail

What do you get when you combine black ice and a garbage can?

An Epic Fail.

Tyler was dumping the little garbage can from inside the garage into the big garbage cans outside so he could take them to the curb. First he dumped the diaper pail one and then the recycling can.
On his way back into the garage with the recycling can his foot hit a patch of black ice. As his feet slid apart into what was soon to become very painful splits, he threw his arm up to try and catch the edge of the garage. Unfortunately, he had the smaller recycling garbage can in his had and it smacked into the edge of our siding. Resulting in the beautiful hole you see pictured.
He told me what happened and as I was trying to picture him doing the splits, slamming into the garage and putting the garbage can into the siding I burst into laughter. He however, did not find it quite as funny as I did. He only told me so I wouldn't see the hole and blame it on one of the kids.
Now you gotta admit it is funny!

Snow!

We finally got snow in Utah. I was starting to wonder if it was ever going to happen.
The slogan that Utah is famous for states: 'The greatest snow on earth.' This year it should be, 'Is there snow anywhere on earth?'
Yes, there is snow here!
I shoveled my walks and driveway and played in the snow with my boys.
It was so fun.
Here are pics of the boy's snow man.

Geyser Time.

This year Kenzie has the opportunity to participate in the 5th grade science fair project. I instantly thought; let's make a volcano. So over done. She thought about several things she's interested in. Ideas included, space shuttles, planets, comets, black holes, the stages of a caterpillars life, life cycle of a lady bug, how tornado's form, which cereal gets soggy fastest. She finally settled on soda pop geysers.
Yippee something fun.
We're still in the progress of the experiment but, here are a few pictures from her first attempts.

First she had to make a giant ruler
so we could measure the
height of the geyser eruption.

Then it had to get hung up.

Tyler got to do this part.

Kenzie gathered her supplies together.

We experimented with lemon lime soda, generic Coke Zero, generic diet Pepsi, and seltzer water.

Next we had to have the main ingredient for our geysers.

Mentos.

Here's Ty setting up the Mentos and Coke Zero.

The seltzer water had the least eruption. Followed by the lemon -lime soda. Next the Pepsi came in with a good 15-17 foot eruption. But, the Coke Zero took home the prize. It easily passed our height limit of 17 feet and hit the bottom of the roof. That puts the Coke Zero's eruption at 20 feet high.

For the next stage of her project we're going to get name brand Coke and Pepsi and see who will reign supreme.

We'll also experiment with the different number of Mentos to determine the precise number for sure geyser awesomeness.

Heart Happy.

 Do ever look at a picture and it literally makes your heart happy? I have seen several pictures in my life that influence so many emotions. Happy, sad, longing, fear, love, compassion, desire. I'm sure we have all experienced an emotion while looking through pictures. Heck, it might have even been boredom. But, that's still a feeling.
Now I know that what makes me happy might seem ridiculous to someone else. That's why we're all different and entitled to our own emotions.
Most of my pictures are of my children, of course. They are my whole life. As a stay at home mom I am constantly blessed with the honor of seeing my little ones strive for something and accomplish it. I get to hear their beautiful laughter that is like music to my ears. I see their struggles and pain. What a blessing it is to me that I am the one that gets to give them comfort and love.
These precious angel faces of mine are my greatest artwork. They stir more emotion in me than anything else on this planet. As I look at them daily I'm filled with happiness, sadness, giddiness, pain, love, compassion, determination, and charity.
Yes, my children make me want to be the best mother I can be. I want show them what it feels like to feel the pure love Christ in their lives. I have been given these spirits as a gift from my Father in Heaven. And He expects them back someday. I better not let Him down.
Now granted no one is perfect at this. I sure have my share of grumpy days. Days where patience is in short supply, but the demand is high. Days when you lock yourself in the bathroom hoping for a few stolen minutes of alone time. The alone time usually results in tiny fingers sticking in from under the door calling for "momma, momma." Yet, for some reason the tiny hands reaching out, trying to find me, makes my heart smile. By smile I mean, I feel a warm burning inside that makes me smile and fills me with love.
I know that being a mother has many hard times. We loose our temper. We get upset over disobedience. We even cry over spilt milk. Because, let's face it. Someone always spills as soon you've mopped or on one of those days when the supply of patience is short. Just like there are the bad days. There are plenty of wonderful memorable days too. Even the bad days are filled with wonderful moments. We just have to find the good mixed in with the bad.
Be 'Pollyanna' and play the glad game. I guarantee you'll find something to be glad about. Try it I dare you.
Reflect on your life and all the decisions you've made. Do all your decisions make your Heavenly Father happy? NO!
Is it what He would want for you? Maybe Not!
But, does He still love you? Absolutely!
That's exactly how a mother feels about her children. No, we may not like our children's decisions. No, they don't always choose what we think it is best. Some times their choices have great consequences. But, we love them unconditionally.
Our Heavenly Father sits back lets us make our decisions. He hopes that we will choose wisely. But, when we don't, He never makes us feels worse about ourselves. He doesn't boast about being right and how we're wrong. He fills us with His love. He gives us comfort and peace. He's given us a way to correct our wrong choices.
As a parent I have found that sometimes my children do choose the hard way. When they do it's up to me on how I react. Do I make them feel loved? Do I encourage them and make the hurt go away? Or do rub it in that I was right and they should have listened? Do I wrap my arms around them and show unconditional Christ-like love?
I hope that just as my children make my heart happy, I make my Heavenly Father's heart happy.
 I hope that when my time is done here, I can look through the photo album of my life and be filled with several good emotions. I'll even settle for some not so good feelings. It's through those trials and challenges that I discovered who I am. Hard times are given to us to make us stronger and to test us. It's how we handle them that makes or breaks us. So I'll take those challenges and put my faith in Him who knows me best and knows what I can handle.
What will your photo album consist of? What emotions will it stir inside you? Start now to find those heart happy moments and treasure them always.

My heart is smiling and giggling.

Love.

My Littest Angry Bird

Dawson and Xander both got Angry Bird hats for Christmas. Sawyer instantly claimed one and wouldn't give it back. Turns out he's an Angry Bird fan too. He'll actually attempt to play on the I-Pad and shoot the birds at the different obstacles. It's more fun to watch than an actual playing. He doesn't hit much but, he's having fun and he feels like a big boy.

Isn't he the cutest little Angry Bird
you've ever seen.

He loves his new hat.

Now he matches his big brothers.

Angry Bird Peek-a-Boo.

Celebrate Ohio.

I wanted to share our New Years celebration with you. With little ones it's hard to keep them up late and to attempt to make it till midnight was almost a joke. So, to make it convenient and to ensure that the kids get to celebrate we rang in the New Year, Ohio time.
Our kids celebrated the new year with grandma and grandpa Bruderer. At 10:00 our time; 12:00 midnight in Ohio we went outside and popped poppers, screamed "Happy New Year grandma and grandpa and did a few fireworks. The kids loved it.
We accomplished a celebration and getting Sawyer to bed earlier than later. By 11 Dawson asked if he could go to sleep. The kids were fading fast. Come to think of it, so was I. I fell asleep at one point but was awake enough to watch the 'ball' drop.
This pics are for you G&G B. It's the kids celebrating with you. Only 1800 miles apart.

Kenzie is armed and ready.
Her expression makes her look like a mad woman.

Daddy helping Sawyer pop his streamers out.

Xander has his sights set on something.

Cheesy Dawson.
I love it!

Gotta love the pj's and no socks with shoes.

Sawyer is watching the kid's poppers burst out streamers into the air.

Happy New Year!

From Utah to Ohio with love.

How To Wear the Kids Out In One Day.

We rang in the new year with fun, fun, fun. Ty had Monday off and it was officially declared family fun day. We started our day off with a great pancake breakfast. Yummy for the tummy made by the mummy. Then it was surprise time for the kids. We had them get dressed and brush teeth and off we went.
Wondering where we went? So were the kids. We arrived at the bowling ally to the kid's surprise and delight. For some of them it was their first time bowling. As for mom, it should have been my first time bowling too. Good thing for bumpers.
The kids quickly put their fancy, yet stylish bowling shoes on and picked their own desired ball. Kenz wanted a pink one. Even if it was too heavy. Xander thought the heavier the ball the better because it would show how strong he is. Dawson just wanted one he could lift. And Sawyer didn't care which he got. He just wanted one.
The kids had a blast. It took awhile for the older 2 kids to find their groove but, they got the hand of it. Dawson decided it was easier to put his ball on the little roll rack and push it. That's what Sawyer of course did too. Sawyer ended up taking have my turns for me because he threw a fit when his turn was done.
Ty was the show off. He actually tried to get a good score. I was just trying to keep the game going. We only payed for an hour on the lane. We soon discovered that with 6 of us using it and with moving the roll rack thingy back and forth we were never going to finish the game. Sure enough, a few of us didn't get our last turns. Oh well, that's how it goes sometimes.

Sawyer loved his first experience bowling.

Xander's shirt matched his ball.

Dawson had a blast.
He proved to have some good skills.

By the end of the game,

 Mackenzie was even lining her feet and ball up with the arrows.

Sawyer watching his ball roll down the lane.

He got a strike!

After bowling we loaded up and headed over to Trafalga for some more fun. It turned into a waiting game. It seemed everyone else in Utah was there that day. We had to wait to get out passes printed out. Then the lines were so long to the mini golf and laser tag we bagged the idea of waiting for one of those games. We decided against it for 2 reasons.

1. Sawyer would never last waiting that long.

2. Kenz had gymnastics to go to.

We decided to just let the kids play in the play area and ride on the little frog bounce ride. Dawson decided he did not like the ride one bit. As he came off the ride he said, "mom, don't ever make me go on that again. It was not fun."

I assured him he would not have to ride it again.

Here are the pics of the kids at Trafalga.

Sawyer looking out and seeing the kids down below him.

Please notice Dawson's excitment.

Now look at Dawson's face.

I about peed myself from laughing so hard.

He really did not like that ride.

Sawyer and Kenz looking out from the play area.

After Trafalga we headed for slushes and to take Kenz to gymnastics. Sawyer was asleep in his car seat by the time we left Trafalga's parking lot. The boys were tired too and when we got home they relaxed and watched a movie.
After I picked Kenzie up from gymnastics she and I weren't quite done with our day. We went shopping together. I got a few more tops and another pair of jeans. Kenz got a new dress and a shirt.
When we were done shopping we grabbed pizza for dinner and we all sat down as a family to watch a movie.
It was a great day. Days like this make me so thankful for the family I have. I am thankful for the precious children I have been blessed with and for an awesome hubby that keeps me sane.

Artsy Fartsy

I almost named this post 'Family Time' but, as I thought about it the title bored me so I decided to change it. It is now 'Artsy Fartsy' because it made me giggle and that's exactly what it's about.
For Christmas, Dawson got an art set and easel.  He shared his gift with all of us for a special family time. The kids drew and painted picture after picture. They were well behaved and cooperative. I loved it.
Here are the kids having creative time together.

 Because Sawyer's attention span is only so long, he gave up on coloring and traded his Crayola's for a couple cars.

I didn't get an actual picture of Sawyer playing during art time,

 but he was playing with cars.

This pic is from Christmas morning.

He can usually be found playing with cars any time during every day.