Lately....

This has become my lunchtime treat.  It's been going on for like 2 weeks.  One episode, one sandwich and I am good to go. 

 Bacon. Lettuce. Tomato.

Love it.

Strawberries 2012

I am a fan of Froberg Farm.  It is a local little farm and actually has really affordable fruits and veggies for sale.  As I have really been trying to step it up in the healthy eating department around here... Frobergs has been a great resource.  The kids and I went last week.  After picking strawberries we walked around the little store all excited about the foods there so I let them pick out whatever they wanted.  They were sure more willing to eat the food they'd picked out themselves. 

I love that we ate so simply that night.  No cooking.  This, along with some slices of french bread was our entire meal.  It was eaten between spins around the merry-go-round and trips down the slide.  We need to do this more often....

Annual Kid Interview

ANDREW
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite book: Pete the Cat
What I like to do more than anything is: play a game with my sister
Favorite game: made up games
Toy: an empty milk jug
Movie: Electric Company (actually a show)
Song: Electric Company song
Primary song:  I am a Child of God
Breakfast food: Cereal
Dinner: Creamed Tuna
Other kids think that I am: the best kid.
What do you like about your Mom?  I think you're nice.
What do you like about your Dad? He's nice.
What do you like about Sam? He likes to play with me.
What do you like about Lizzy? She's there whenever I need her.
What do you like about yourself?  I can run fast. I can read Pete the Cat.
When I grow up I want to: be an illustrator
I like learning about: sharks
Sometimes I dream about:  marshmellow land
My best friends are:  Isaac and CJ
I want to go to: San Antonio
If I had one wish it would be:  Having my very own Cheetah Racer.
One thing I wish the whole world could know is:  about airplanes.

LIZZY
Favorite color:  light blue, pink and purple.
Favorite book:  Planet Earth:  Animals and their Prey
What I like to do more than anything is: read, get mail, sing, dance
Favorite game: princesses and ponies
Toy: Princess Celestia
Movie: Tangled
Song: I Know a Little ole' cowboy
Primary song: Choose the Right
Breakfast food:  Bran Muffin
Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner, Spaghetti, Pizza
Other kids think that I am: great.
What do you like about your Mom? She's nice, patient and nags only when she needs to. (that's really what she said)
What do you like about your Dad? He earns our money.  He's really nice and cares a lot about our safety.
What do you like about Sam? He's cute and funny.
What do you like about Andrew? He's fun.
What do you like about yourself? I'm a good reader and I'm smart.
When I grow up I want to: Be an author or a teacher
I like learning about: everything. 
Sometimes I dream about:  I don't want to answer that.  It's a bad question.  I can't remember my dreams.
My best friends are:  Ellie, Coral, and Andrew
I want to go to:  China and England
One thing I wish the whole world could know is:  That I'm awesome.  and We need to start saving our world.  Save nature.

SAM 
Did I do this for him last year?  I can't remember.  Here are a few guesses.
Favorite color: Blue.  Atleast he always wants the blue plate and spoon.
Favorite book: He seems to like Little Critter books.
What I like to do more than anything is: be right next to someone.  Lizzy, Andrew, Mom or Dad.  I also like to be outside, read books, watch cartoons and entertain my family.
Favorite game: copy what Lizzy and Andrew are doing.
Toy: Andrew's drill
Movie: Leap Frog Alphabet movie
Song: The Ants go Marching
Primary song: I am a Child of GodBreakfast food: Rice Pudding
Dinner: Ummm... not a big dinner eater.
Other kids think that I am:  Very entertaining.
What do you like about your Mom?  She gets me food and plays chase with me.
What do you like about your Dad? He watched football with me and gives good piggyback rides.
What do you like about Lizzy? She kisses me when I get an owie.
What do you like about Andrew? We run together and wrestle a lot.
What do you like about yourself? I'm awesome.
When I grow up I want to:  go to school just like Lizzy and Andrew
I like learning about:  whatever mom is doing.
Sometimes I dream about: ????
My best friends are: my family, of course, Talmage, Dayton, Barrett.
I want to go to: another camping trip.
One thing I wish the whole world could know is:  I went potty!!

The Many Faces of Sam

Wanted

I thought I'd better spread the word.  If you have seen this boy, please call right away.  Thanks.

Mothers

After yesterdays post about mothers... I came across a blog post from one of my favorite bloggers called
I Don't Know How She Does It: The Real Truth

In it she writes about her conviction that to be a mother and wife alone... is simply enough.  She talks about the trend for Mom's today to "do it all".  A full time business, immaculate house, hobbies galore and some mothering on the side.  She is convinced (and I am too) that motherhood alone requires all we have to give,  all of our energy, all of our patience, all of our love.  And there is not a whole lot left over for the rest of stuff.  The perfect blogs and magazines who seem to imply that we can "do it all" are simply lies, because we can't do it all.  Being a Mom and wife... and doing it right... takes all that one woman can possibly give and the rest is a sad illusion.

The comment section after the post was full of interesting comments, but this one was my favorite.  I don't know if it is okay for me to borrow from a comment, but  I did.  Her name is Ruth and here is what she said:

This post reminded me of something in my files: Jaroldeen Edwards, mother of eight and an author, was once interviewed in her home by two sophisticated women reporters. At the end of the interview, the younger one went to make a phone call and the older one (30+) said intensely, "When I went to college they lied to us. They told us we were brilliant, and that we had the obligation to seek success. We were told not to throw our lives away on husbands and children, but to go out into the world and to succeed. We were told that only through a professional career could we 'find ourselves' or live a worthwhile life.

I just want you to know that this morning I have realized it was all a lie. I have come to know that a career is not a life - it is only something you do until you find a life. Life is what you are.

I would like to tell you I would trade all my so-called worldly success for one day of living your life."

Re-reading this, and your post, reminds me that I would do it ALL again. All 7 children, all 20 moves, all three countries, ALL of it. Mothers are so important.

Quote of the Day

  

"Had I life to live over, I see now where I could do more; but neighbour, believe me, my highest aspiration is to be a clean, thrifty housekeeper, a bountiful cook, a faithful wife, a sympathetic mother. That is life work for any woman, and to be a good woman is the greatest thing on earth. Never mind about the ladies; if you can honestly say of me, she is a good woman, you have paid me the highest possible tribute..... To be a good wife and mother is the end toward which I aspire. To hold the respect and love of my husband is the greatest object of my life." 

Gene Stratton Porter