Guilty as Charged...

So, since being a mother is full of guilt, I started to think about all the things I do wrong... and I've added my rationale.

1. I don't make my boys do chores. I find cleaning to be relaxing (I will even make their beds)
2. I don't make dinner every night. Find something in the pantry and I'll throw it on the stove or in the microwave.
3. I have cursed in front of my kids. Sometimes my boys really know the right buttons to push... and when I've reached my patience level.
4. I've listened to bad music (lyrics) around the boys. I can't help that I like music that makes me want to dance and feel young again, right?
5. I have let them eat dessert before dinner. I've only done this several times when I don't feel like fighting it.
6. I don't think about hardcore potty training until 3. They are boys, they need to reach the toilet. Need I say more?
7. I let my kids drink Pepsi and I don't pay attention to the amount of intake. I mean you are talking to a caffeine addicted here. (I'll repent tomorrow)
8. I don't always follow through with their punishment. I hate feeling like the bad person. I KNOW! Discipline is a form of love... I guess I don't have a good excuse for this one.
9. I don't teach my kids the abc's or 123's. I get too impatient and I figure I'd rather have a good relationship with my kids.
10. There have been days Ethan is on the xbox for more than an hour... or two. Hey, he's got good hand/eye coordination and (I'll use my brother's excuse) if there ever was a war, Ethan would know exactly what to do.

So as you can see, the perfectionist in me really hasn't converted the mother in me to being perfect. But who cares?! My boys love me and I love them and that's what matters.

P.S. The list could go on, but I don't know how much space this blog has.

Pioneer Day

July 24th... We went over to Amy and Jeremiah's home for a BBQ to celebrate Pioneer Day. Later Nathaniel, Adam, Jeremiah, and Samuel were blowing up a wasp nest in the basketball hoop pole. It was quite cute watching the big boys acting like little boys... killing bugs.

I love Drama

So I am more of a homebody since Leo was born and I decided that I would start watching soap operas. Young and the Restless everyday at 10am. It's wrong and I'm a bad girl, but it gives my mundane day a little lift. Folding laundry to soaps. My drug of choice, PEPSI. There's nothing like combining soaps and Pepsi. Maybe it reminds me of my grandma. She is a devoted soap fan... even with her diet drink.

Time with Mom

Yesterday in Relief Society, the lesson was on Elder Oaks' talk from conference, Good, Better, Best. During the lesson I thought about a conversation I had with my mom. Being a mother is full of guilt. You either are doing too much and not teaching or not doing enough. My mom feels guilty for working and not spending enough time with us kids growing up. I thought about how my mom drove me to school every day my 9th grade year so that I could be Student Body President. My mom also would drive Jonathan to school so that he could attend Mesa High. Driving us to school and out of her way may seem like a waste of time to many, but to my mom it was precious time that she had to spend with us. We were always important to her and although she may feel guilty for working, she always made her kids her number 1 priority. We even got to go to work and learn to clean... the right way. If you ask me, I don't think there's anything my mom should feel guilty for. She always gave her all.... plus I know she loved me the mostest :).

Oh baby!

Leo is a month old. Although many say that he's so small, he is actually getting bigger. He is more alert. He smiles when he's eating... I think Sylus is around talking to him. He was the last with Sylus. Leo is a sweet baby. He cries when he's hungry or tired. If he makes any small noise, Ethan is right there to pick him up. The boys love him. They love having a baby to dote on. One morning I was really tired and I guess he made a noise... meaning Ethan was right there to pick him up. I'm assuming it was about an hour later Ethan came in and said that he had fed and burped Leo.

Many people may give me slack for the space in age between my boys, but it's actually wonderful having a son that is so helpful. (Yes, yes. I am aware that I do not want to be one of those mothers that assumes it's the oldest child's job to raise the younger ones.) I do give Ethan the option to help out. If he chooses not to, it's no big deal.

Home Sweet Home

Many years ago when Nathaniel and I were dating (post mission), I was a weird girl and besides praying to get my answer, I also liked special signs that Nathaniel and I were meant to be. One of them was that my hand fits perfectly into his.

When we were dating, we spent a lot of time together. When we weren't together, I missed him. I thought that where ever he is, it's home to me. Not many days later, Nathaniel told me that he thought that home was where ever we were together. I loved that he thought the same thing as me, without me speaking my thoughts.

Even after 10 years, home is with my husband, cardboard box or mansion. Home is where my boys are.

I also have to add that I am blessed with a mom that taught me how to make a house a home with sweet, comfortable touches.

So with that, we have moved to Nibley, Utah. It is about 10 minutes south of Logan. It's a quaint farming community. The picture is looking out the kitchen window.

Sushi

We went out to a Japanese restaurant last week... because cookware was packed. Ethan asked for Sushi. We were really impressed that he wanted to try it. I won't even try it. He tried yellow tail for his first time.