Elder Bednard's Talk: How to Strengthen Families

I thoroughly enjoyed Elder Bednard's talk about his sons and how during family prayer or scripture study they wondered sometimes why they did it, but they were consistent and that's what's important. He said during scripture study someone would say he's touching me or he's breathing my air. I had to laugh because I feel like what's the point sometimes, but othertimes you know it's all worth it when: They're sitting reading scriptures together in their pajamas ready for bed or they remind you, "what about scriptures?" or "I didn't get to read yet!"

We say it's time for prayer and Ashton (who is barely 2) rushes to his knees and becomes so quiet and reverent it's adorable.

We all quietly kneel together and they actually stop jumping, kicking, talking, and yelling. Although it's only for a minute it's still treasured.

Elder Bednar's three points to strengthening families:

1. Express Love and Show it.

2. Bear testimony and live it.

3. Be consistent.

Consistency is the ultimate lesson to learn, love, and live the gospel.

Stop waffling about

We've all heard funny things that they say in England that mean different things here. For instance, knachered is tired, a rubber is a pencil, dustman is a garbage man, afters is dessert, take away is take out, etc. Well Taylor, Devin, and I were watching Prince Caspian. We've been reading all the books (or more like listening to them in the car) when at the end Edmund says that he left his new torch in Narnia. They wanted to know what a torch is. I said it's a flashlight. Taylor replied, "then do they call torches flashlights?" It was very funny, and I doubted it, but didn't know for sure not being well versed in the queen's english :)

Some poses with our own torches. We were playing in the dark.

Stop Waffling About: means to stop talking silly

Soccer Star

Taylor started out at center forward; I couldn't have been happier. He's really become a more focused and aggressive soccer player. He used to pick grass and look all around and the ball would fly right by him, but, recently, he's been playing everyday at school with the other boys and he's now calling for the ball, crashing the goal, and scoring a lot. His last game he scored 5 out of the 9 goals. It's in his blood.

The Fanclub! Devin's soccer game is right afterwards. Ashton likes to walk around begging food off people even though I bring enough snacks for a small army.

Those orange socks have to make him go faster. If not, at least it's easy to spot him on the field.

Funnies for the Day!!!

I had to laugh today when:
Devin was running around the house shooting everyone with his new makeshift gun--my breast pump. (It must be fun looking because someonelse thought it was a crossbow)

Taylor was singing "How Firm a Foundation" at the top of his lungs while taking his time on the toilet.

Ashton so excited to take a bath that he stripped down in the kitchen and ran to get in the tub with nothing but his socks on. "You're never fully dressed without...socks?" or something like that.

Church was also entertaining on Sunday because:
The speaker used the phrase, "break a leg" after which Taylor leaned over to me and said, "mom, that's an idiom for good luck" Oh my, you're only seven and your using the word idiom!

Devin tooted loudly during sacrament meeting and everyone could hear it.

Another speaker spotlighted Taylor by saying in class when asked how he serves those he loves he replied, "I fold laundry for my mom". Later that week when I ran into her she asked how he was doing and I answered (unaware of his Sunday answer) Oh, he's home folding laundry:) He also got the most reverent award in primary. Will miracles never cease?

I left church with my head spinning because I was asked while I was in nursery with twelve little children and a newborn to:
Speak in church
Feed the missionaries
Make elephant ears at the ward party
Drive my visiting teachee every Friday to her college class downtown
Help plan the playgroup that week
Does anyone know what it means to have a newborn and three other small children? whew!

A conversation between Taylor and Devin:
Devin wanted to get Taylor's little tea set down and Taylor said, "No, that's what I said and that's just gonna be the way it is. I said,"you sound like a mom or dad". He replied, "just practicing". Cheekey boy!!

Fall Photo Shoot

For some reason they all started lifting their shirts and Ashton had to follow suit. They're out back by our pond. I can't believe how low it is. In the water you can see the big stick they were sure was a snake and hoped everyone on the blog would think so. I think were too distracted by their white tummies to notice any aqua creatures behind. Adorable Lucas; he's not quite sure how he feels about the new colder weather.

It's amazing everyone is looking at the same time. They weren't thrilled about the pictures, but they love their mama and I wanted them taken.

A very realistic picture of how they really were. Ashton is looking down, Lucas is screaming for his life, Devin is making a silly face, and Taylor is listening.

Cuties!

Apple Orchard Excursion

The kids and I went to an apple orchard and picked 16 lbs. of apples. We went home and got to work making a pie. The kids helped a lot and rolled out the dough, and did plenty of snitching.

This is Devin's scary pie. He cut out the ghosts and placed them all by himself.

Ashton's Birthday Party

Modeling his new bath towel; made by his grandma peggy.

Playing with his new marble works.

His second birthday was fun; we had a little family party.

A worm or a blue snake, not sure. It was designed by dad.