Tooting (our own horn)

In one more week, it will have been a year since the bishop challenged everyone at church to read the whole Book of Mormon in 365 days.
We'd always been great about reading illustrated scripture stories (from the Bible and the Book of Mormon) with our kids. I was really pleased with how many scripture stories they knew, and it was a system that worked well for us. When the bishop issued this challenge, I'll admit, I figured that Nathan and I could read the Book of Mormon together in a year, but that our kids (7, 4, & 1.5 yrs old) were just too wiggly, and that it would never work for us. (And believe me- my kids are as wiggly as they come) Nathan thought we should go for it, so I dragged my feet & went along with it. (Not my best moment, I'll admit).

So, fast forward one year:
Sure we have had lots of nights where the kids DIDN'T settle down, and were just too rowdy to listen. But, as the year has gone on, we've had so many nights where they WERE listening. And asking questions. And remembering BIG words, and complicated story lines. For every crazy night, where it was all Nathan and I could do to be patient, there was another night where I could tell that E & S were learning the truths taught in the Book of Mormon.

So, tonight, with just 6 chapters left to read (before we start all over again :})- I'm grateful-for a bishop who was inspired to invite us to invite more of the word of God into our lives, for a husband who had the faith and determination to heed the counsel of our bishop, and for the blessing of having the word of God in our home.

Ah, my boy...

I was just putting things away, and noticed that Evan has 6 winter gloves, and ZERO mates for those gloves.

Yup, that's my boy.

Is it bad that I've given up, and now just send him in mismatching gloves?

Goodbye July!

I try not to wish away my life, but having said that, I’m not too sad to wave adios to July. It seems like we have had a double dose of yuck & sick with the girls this month. We spent July 1st in Raymond, and as we drove back to Calgary, Sarah started having intense abdominal pains, and later diarrhea. As Sarah got better, Hannah got sick, and was throwing up. A bit later in the month, for a few days Hannah had the most explosive diarrhea I have EVER seen. Once that finally cleared up, we spent about 2 weeks with diaper trouble with Hannah. (The Size 4 Pampers were too small, so I bought size 5 Huggies, which were too big and also leaked & about 1/3 or the box were defective and the tabs wouldn’t stick…. After changing Hannah’s sheets after every nap and every sleep. I was glad when the size 4 Huggies started to do the trick) On Wednesday, Hannah started to have a really high fever, and yesterday we learned that she has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Sarah started feeling ill last night, and now has a yucky fever.
Luckily, Nathan has been on summer holidays, so when he hasn’t been out working on cementing in fence posts, or building 90+ feet of retaining wall, I’ve had extra help from him. Thank heavens!
Anyway, here’s to August (& may I need only half as much Oxiclean!)

Preschool Fun

Preschool is over now (watch out, Westmount, here she comes!) But I just thought I'd share some pictures!

One I'd Forgotten

With all the pictures that make their way through my computer, sometimes some of my own family get burried in the shuffle- even ones I really like. Tonight, I'm caught up on most of the demands of my business, so I catching up on my own pictures. I spotted this one:


From a technical standpoint, it isn't quite right, but it is just SO Evan. I can't remember if he was playing spy or Jedi that day, but I know THAT face.

How great that someday in the future, I'll see this picture and be reminded of this amazing time of imagination!

Times, they are a changin'...

School is out for the summer- for Evan, and for Nathan. (Hip, hip, hooray!)So far, Nathan has fixed a seriously leaky shower diverter, repaired a running toilet, and started tearing down our fence to build a new one. He's also reinstalled all of my curtain rod brackets that were losing a battle with gravity.

Sarah lost her first tooth this past week. Evan lost tooth #9. Hannah turned 2. Things are about to change with my calling at church.

I had my first eye exam, and still don't need glasses. Well, I guess not everything is changing!

So Different

These are the lovely ladies I have been serving with in our Primary at church. Personality wise- we are very different, but it has made for a great learning opportunity for all of us, I think. When Becky S (center-right) moves, and the primary presidency is changed, I will sure miss working so closely with these ladies!