This mom had a great day

Today was Trades day at our house.  Which means a bunch of guys come by and spend the day fixing stuff.  Which means it's loud and smelly.  Which means it's hard for a baby to sleep.  Which means a mom gets super stressed.  Which means this mom packed up and headed to HER moms house where it would be nice and quiet.  And not smelly.  

And this mom's mom came home from work just in time for her to make a trip to Costco and offered to watch the two boys she had with her so she didn't have to take them to Costco.  Which means this mom got out of the house kid-free for the first time in forever.  And this mom wanted to shout it from the rooftops.  It felt like oxygen!  (And coincidentally, all that oxygen went to her head and she may have spent a little more money at Costco than she had intended...but it just felt so good to be out!). 

And this mom's baby slept really good in a playpen which was a huge stress relief. Major.  Seriously.  

And then this mom met up with the dad and they went to the temple together.  And it was quiet and peaceful and wonderful...because this mom has the best mom ever.  

Great day.  

But if not

It's been a hard week.  A hard week in the middle of a hard year.  Tyler's been away in Toronto and Kingston for 8 days. I've had each one of my kids sick, vomiting and fevers, during those 8 days, with Max finly succumbing last night.  And this baby business is just always hard on me.  I'm trying to be good and do good, but it's hard and exhausting.  I was angry on Saturday.  Furious actually. Like out of my mind out of control furious.  I think I scared my kids a bit.  I know I scared Tyler and it scares me too.  

It's always hard in those anxiety filled moments to know I'm being completely irrational, but feeling like I have no control over it.  And then looking back after I've calmed down and feeling shame.  

The day ended better.  We ended up doing Easter eggs with the Larocque's which was a nice break and a nice opportunity to spend time with my dear friends who I miss.  

Amanda and I exchanged these texts afterwards: 

Me to her: 

Thanks for inviting us today.  I really miss you guys.  I know that it's my fault that we don't spend more time together and I really want it to be better but sticking  to my routine helps me to stay somewhat sane...and even then it's questionable.  I remember when we moved to Kingston, Logan was finally getting to the age where I could be little bit more free with my emotions and my time.  We left Cochrane and I didn't have any friends, because I had neglected them for a long time.  And we met you guys and it was the first time in my life that I had real friends who really knew me...and we had so much fun.  And now I'm back in that alone phase and I don't want to lose friends again...especially you guys because you mean more to me than any other friends I've ever had.  So I'm going to keep pushing myself to step outside but I appreciate that you guys keep inviting even though we see each other far less than we ever did before.  And I'm also glad you've made other friends because I want this move to be happy for you guys and I just want good things for you.  

So that's a really long thank you.  

Her to me: 

Thank you for coming. I know it was hard for you. We are always here and if you ever need anything  we will be there for you.  You guys have been the best friends, and the thought of you leaving us in Kingston was so awful. We knew it would be different here, and we've tried really hard to try to make friends.  We don't regret for a moment that we're here and I know it takes a while for you to get out of your after baby slump. We are not going anywhere. We will be here then just like we are now. You guys are like family to us. We love you. 

And Lucy told me that having a peanut butter spoon and blowing bubbles in your chocolate milk makes for the best day ever.  And I needed the best day ever, so I joined her: 

Then it was Sunday...which is typically hard because we're out of routine and it means me having to hold Seth even more than usual, which is hard on my body.  But I hadn't been to church in two weeks and I knew I needed it.  And I fasted.  Partially because I didn't have time to eat breakfast and then I decided it was probably a good idea.  

It was testimony meeting, and I spent most of it in the foyer while my kids sat with grandma and papa.  And Seth didn't really sleep all that well, but I felt the spirit.  Tiny at first.  But it was there and I NEEDED it.  Leslie Thorson bore her testimony about how when things are hard and we feel burdened we need to go back to basics and think about what we KNOW for sure.  I knew she was right but felt a little disheartened because I tried really hard to think about what I know for sure and my heart couldn't grasp anything.  Then I had one tiny thought.  I KNOW I am a child of god.  Whatever else slips away, I do know that He exists and that I am his spirit child.  So I just clung to that.  

We had a special joint 3rd hour mtg with our Bishop and he talked about getting remotivated for missionary work in our ward and unity.  And I thought about how successful missionary work had been in Kingston and how unified that branch is and I felt it.  I felt something.  And it felt good to feel something other than despair.  

Max had his baptismal interview after church which meant waiting around for a bit with a tired baby, which is hard, but it was good.  And I was able to welcome someone I didn't know.  Which also felt great.  We came home and I had to immediately put Seth to bed so te kids were on their own for making lunch, and they did it .  They even made me a salad and the. Remembered I was fasting so they put Saran Wrap on it and out it in the fridge for later.  

They're so thoughtful.  They've worked really hard to be helpful this weekend, knowing I needed it.  

I read a talk by Elder Holland called 'Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments' about sexual purity.  Not really an area I need any work in, but it is a fantastic talk.  And I felt the spirit while I read it.  And in his beautiful way, Elder Holland reminded me the importance of life and the body and creation and this partnership I have with my husband and my Heavenly Father in procreating.  And the deadly and negative thoughts I had had on Saturday felt so shameful on Sunday.  I know my life has worth, even if it seems boring and like a daily battle.  And I know my little Seth's life has worth, even if right now he's just a lot of work without much payback.  

We hadn't planned on it , but we decided to go to the Easter Fireside that evening, even though it meant being outbid routine more and having to hold Seth a lot more.  I was feeling good and I didn't want it to end. And I knew the spirit would be there .  So we went.  And it was amazing.  

I will write more about that in another post.  I know that this is a struggle.  And I can hear my baby fussing right now when he's supposed to be sleeping which causes my body to fill with anxiety, but I can be faithful , even if things don't go well.  Not just in good times.  I hope.  I hope I can.  It's hard .  But I hope I can .  

Earth Day

Enjoyed Earth Hour with my boys playing Star Wars Trouble by candlelight and making shadow puppets.  We were skyping with dad and had to quickly say goodbye at 7:30.  The boys ran around the house and quickly turned all the lights off.  

If Max participated he gets to use it towards passing off a requirement for cubs.  

Max: Best. Earth. Day. Ever!

They got to finish it in bed by blowing out the candles...loved it. 

Not failing yet

Even after all of my struggles and failings this guy still looks at me like I'm the best thing he's ever seen.  How does he do that?  

Lucy's at the Women's Broadcast tonight with her grandmas and aunties.  I said I didn't want to go, but I do.  But I'm at home with 3 boys.  But only one of them is actually keeping me home.  This life is too slow.  

Life Lessons from a 5 year old

In case you were wondering, these are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning (I know because I had to google that today): 

Headache

Dizziness

Weakness

Nausea

Confusion

Chest pain

Let me share a story:

Today as we went outside to play tennis during Seth's afternoon nap, this guy informed me that we'd have to get a different tennis ball then the one we used yesterday because he accidentally stuck it down the air intake/output tube for the furnace last night.  

Wha?!  

This is AFTER the furnace shut off in the night last night.  And AFTER I had our friend Matt take a look at it this morning AND the service technician come out and adjust the air intake switch because for some reason it just wasn't getting enough.  Go figure. 

And AFTER I had fretted about the furnace being worked on while I had a baby sleeping.  And AFTER I had taken the fastest shower in my life right before the technician showed up because showers don't happen very often unless you squeeze them in.  

And AFTER we had had the furnace running again for most of the day...filling our house with silent, odourless deathly gasses...

So we had to turn the furnace off again so we didn't all end up with carbon monoxide poisoning, go to town to the plumbing store to get some PVC couplers and glue and have Uncle Tyson come and cut the PVC pipe so we could fish that tennis ball out.  Fortunately my hands are just the right size to fit inside a 3" PVC pipe and shimmy a tennis ball out.  Learnt that today too.  

I DO love this kid.  We had a long talk about where NOT to stick tennis balls.  

And lesson learned: when your 5-year old says he accidentally stuck a tennis ball down the white pipe outside, don't assume he means the rain spout...go investigate just to be sure.  

I don't know about you, but carbon monoxide poisoning feels a lot like parenting.  I have a headache.  

The Main Event

My biggest boy is 8-years-old.  How did that happen?  How is it that through his first year of life I felt like I was constantly holding my breath and then all of a sudden he's 8?! 

He came bounding into our room at 7am Saturday morning ready to great the world in his 8-year-old style.  We were less thrilled as we had been up in the night with each of our 4 kids at least once that night.  Pukes from Logan, diarrhea from Seth and bathroom breaks from both Lucy and Max (which usually don't require adult supervision but when other kids are up with pukes and diarrhea it's wise to check on all bathroom happenings in the night.  

We said a groggy Happy Birthday and then excused him from the room.  

He spent most of the day with his dad running errands (stuff dad had to get ready for his trip to Toronto the next day) and visiting Great Grandma where he got $8 in coins for his birthday - which he has since spent on Pokemon cards and sticky frogs.  

The rest of us stayed home to get things ready for his birthday party that evening and to get better...hopefully.  

Max had decided he wanted to play games in the gym at the church for his birthday and have pizza...so I decided we should make it an Olympics theme.  

We started with each kid choosing their country and making a flag

We ended up with 4 Japan's (I think because the flag is so easy - but Lucy was disappointed because she wanted to be Japan and wear a kimono , and have chop sticks in her hair...), Mexico , Canada, USA, Australia, and Malta.  

Next we had the parade of athletes for our Opening Ceremonies, led by the host country (Mexico).  It even included a torch.  

Then it was time for the games:

Long jump

Javelin

Discuss (frisbee toss), and a cross- country ski relay race:

Which ended in a tie between Lucy and Millie.

We then awarded medals for each event.  

Gold - Twix bar

Silver - York Peppermint Patties and

Bronze - Reese peanut butter cups

Everybody got one of each medal...but I think they were all excited about the bronze!  

Then it was time for pizza and powerade in the Olympics Village.  

Dodgeball, presents, and cupcakes:

Max got two Lego sets, Jenga, a toys r us gift card, an adventure book (made by Lucy), and scriptures and Book of Mormon posters from Mom and Dad.  He carried his scriptures around for a while, which I was pretty pleased about .  

He also go not his scriptures out first thing Sunday morning and took them to school Monday and Tuesday to use for independent reading time .  

I can't tell you how thrilling it is that he has absolutely no issue with taking scriptures to school and reading them .  I love that kid.  

I can't wait until his baptism next Friday.  It's going to be awesome.  He's getting baptized along with two other kids from primary.  He's been excited for this day since Lucy was baptized and has asked his cousin Cy to baptize him.  Can't wait to write about that one.  

In the meantime, I will say this about Max:

He's epic.  He has boundless energy, loves to play, and is pretty much good at everything.  But gets super frustrated when he isn't perfect at something on the first try.  He loves climbing and jumping and dancing but hates being the center of attention.  I have to get special permission (and pretty much have to beg) to take his picture and share it with anyone.  He loves reading and loves setting goals so he can break them.  Progress reports and charts work really well with him because he loves blowing expectations out of the water.  He's shy, but super friendly.  He's a great helper and always runs to do me or dad a favor but if you tell him it's a chore he hates it.  So it's all in the power of wording.  He loves spaghetti and cucumber and tacos.  He is pretty much setting up permanent residence in the beef camp and could avoid chicken for the rest of his days ... Unless it's moms crispy chicken - which I take great pride in making for him...

He hates trying new foods.  He loves to tease and is obsessed with slapping people in the butt - as far as I know he limits that to his immediate family!  And he is over the moon in love with Seth and loves to make him smile.  

He's a pretty awesome kid.  He doesn't talk a lot about friends or school, but every once in a while something exciting comes bursting out and he gets super excited.  I was glad a few school friends came to his party because I was honestly unsure if he had any.  

I love that boy.  We forged our friendship in fire...and it's there to stay.  He's my sweet, sensitive, happy kid.  Who makes us crazy!  

Oh, and as far as an Olympic Themed bday party for an 8-year-old boy goes?  He loved it, but I think the thrill was mostly in having a party...I probably could have saved myself the headache and time on all the extra pizzazz I added.  Boys.  Their favorite part of the party was dodgeball .  Go figure .  

Stress acne

In all it's glorious horror: 

Battle of wills

One of the hardest things is the constant battle in my mind between thinking about all the things I could do if I didn't have a baby and trying not to think that way...

And every day that goes well I feel a certain level of triumph, but the feeling doesn't last.  And I think, 'I can do this!' And then the reality of it only being one day, and having to live this same day over and over again for at least 7 more months...maybe more...is exhausting and crushing.  How do I stop thinking like that? Everyone says to not live for the future, but I can't help it.  It's constant.  

To look back on

This is my - PPD, ladies-days, sleep-training, husband's gone for 8-days, just had a week of an infant with vomiting and diarrhea, I'm in Walmart with 4-kids - mug shot.  

I saw somebody I knew at Walmart.  I think I scared them.  That's not a joke.  She asked me how I was, I said fine, I asked her how she was, she said good.  And then she looked me in the face a stammered a bit.  I reached for some milk to allow her to walk away.  

I'm posting this picture so I can see the low point so when I'm doing better I can look back and remember where I've come from.  It'll be awesome.  I'm planning on it.  

Also, these are the headphones I wear while sleep-training my 5-month old to take the edge off his cries.  

It's working.  

Also, I have TERRIBLE acne right now.  That's hormones, stress and lack of sleep for you.  Plus, whenever I get a baby to finally sleep I feel the need to stress release by picking at my face.  I should have my head examined.  Except not.  I wonder what face picking means? 

Lucisms

She's had a few winners today: 

'Mom, guess what?!  My classroom job is to take out the recycling every Thursday!'

Me: 'Lucy, can you take out the recycling please?'

Lucy: 'ugh!' Eye roll.  

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'So I've decided not to be a popstar, because they might try to schedule a performance on Sunday, and you can't say no to a performance, so...'

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'Mom!  I can't WAIT to show you the songs I'm learning to play on the recorder.  They're not squeaky or annoying AT. ALL.'

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In all her glory...

Luck of the Irish

With a sickie at home, the kids came home disappointed that 'The Leprechaun' didn't visit and bring them presents...is this seriously something I have to get on board with?  Last year I did a green-themed dinner.  Presents from the leprechaun?  With the Easter Bunny coming so soon?  The pressure is a bit much sometimes.  Is it not?  

So feeling guilty I pulled together this picnic dinner...

(See how it's a rainbow?)

And Lucy sent the boys on a treasure hunt where they found a pot of gold (Hershey kisses).  She's a good sister .  

And we watched Curious George.  

Baby is still puking and has extensive diarrhea.  

Happy St Pat's! 

Sick baby

In the ER with a sick baby.  Vomiting and diarrhea through the night and into today.  

Fever of 39 degrees (102).  

Now he has some red spots on his face around his mouth. 

Oh Seth

Why do you not sleep good?  Why the constant gas and spitting up?  

We went to the doctor today and he suggested starting him on solid foods to see of that helps.  Oh I hope it does!  He's already on ranitidine for reflux and sensitive formula and I don't think either is making much difference.  And sometimes I'm at my wits end.  

So we tried some rice cereal when we got home.  He was excited for the first bite but then just let it hang there in his mouth.  Silly boy.  

And THIS is handsome:

Get outside. Get into nature.

Not sure if it's here to stay, but the weather has been fantastic this week.  So we get outside.  With bikes. Scooters. Strollers.  

Look at this 2-wheeler! 

Aprons and Pearls

Last night was our ward Relief Society anniversary party...and I went!  I was giddy with delight at the thought of being out of the house, solo, for 2 whole hours.  With grown ups!  It was a great evening where we celebrated the tradition of aprons, pearls, and all things lady.  We had jello salads and casserole and pie.  So much fun.  

And I channelled my inner Hepburn.  Audrey.  Not Katherine.  

Buddies. Past, present and future

I have been blessed with little buddies.  I know it's a blessing.  4 buddies.  When they're tiny sometimes it's hard to see it as a blessing because you're just SO exhausted. ALL. THE. TIME.  But it is.  Lucy was my first buddy.  My introduction.  And we were thick as thieves us two.  Cookie makings, piano playing, painting, puzzle playing, gardening thieves.  When Max was born I remember sobbing one morning in exhaustion because Lucy was sick and being taken care of by grandma and I was so upset that I was too busy with a baby to be there for her.  Grandma's a pretty fantastic nurse... Because she IS a nurse, so it was purely hormonal exhaustion.  But still.  That day Tyler promised me time with my girl, so every night after bath time he would take a screaming Max into the living room so I could blow dry Lucy's hair and just BE with her.  

Eventually Max became my buddy.  When Lucy was at school we would play soccer, build snowmen, do puzzles, play guess who.  And I remember feeling the same loss when Logan was born.  So nap time became precious game time...when it wasn't sleep time.  

Logan grew and Max and Lucy got better at playing together or apart from me, and even seemed to prefer it...so I started grooming a new buddy.  This buddy system lasted the longest with the older two at school and another little one not in the cards for a while, it was just me a Logan.  Bike rides, trips to the beach and he park, splash park, shopping, gymnastics, books, games, and LOTS of cars.  And eye spy.  

Now we have a Seth.  And he's still in the exhausting baby phase.  And I mourn the loss of my buddy time with Logan.  So today we took it.  In the form of a trip to the car wash and A&W.  

When we got home he put some shorts on and told me he's getting those long hairs just like dad.  He cracks me up. 

And earlier today he asked me: 'is it great being a teenager?'

I told him yes (he might as well look forward to it now) and asked him why.  He said he can't wait to be a teenager so he can live on his own.  I said you usually don't live on your own until you're an adult.  And then I asked him why he wanted to live on his own. He told me he didn't, and that he wanted to live with me forever, but being a teenager will still be great.  

Another time he told me he was going to have 15 kids and that he would need 2 vans to fit them all.  And he would drive one and his wife would drive the other...or they could get a bus.  Then he got really serious and wide-eyed and said, 'mom, will you teach me how to drive before I have kids?!'  I reassured him that I would.  

I love him.  

And now I get to groom a whole new buddy.  I wonder what he and I will do? I wonder how he'll feel about mani/pedi's? 

Homemade California rolls

Tyler's been asking to make homemade sushi.  California rolls actually because I really don't want to attempt any sort of raw fish in my own kitchen...so last night we gave it a whirl.  

Look how excited Max is about dinner...haha.

The verdict?  Sticky rice is really sticky.  It was just ok.  I'm not a huge fan to begin with though, so I'm probably not the best critic.  Tyler said it was just ok too.  Lucy loved them and ate 3 for dinner and took one in her lunch today.  

Max cried through half a roll and was relieved that I also made chicken strips.  

Logan tried one and thought it was just ok, but was a good sport.  

Enjoying the break

It's March in Alberta.  Notorious for bad weather...but we've had sunshine and chinooks all week and we're loving it.  

My brain loves the fresh air.  

Good Day

Today was a good day.  The Sabbath usually is, but today particularly so.  

It started out with the boy sleeping really well.  It was daylight savings so I wasn't sure how that was going to go.  And Tyler had his first bishopric meeting this morning, so he was up early and it meant the kids and I were on our own for getting ready.  My first time with all 4 kids.  The boy slept.  We all got ready efficiently, and we got to church at 9:59am without fighting and with some primary songs on the drive.  

Good start. 

I actually didn't get much church today as I was in the hallway with Seth through most of it trying to help him sleep, but my kids were good and sat with gma and papa during sacrament.  It's so nice to have that support and not have to worry about it.  

Tyler had to stay after church for a few interviews and to do tithing but got home at a reasonable time.  The kids played.  Seth and I napped (mostly him).  We had 2 leftover pizzas from a bday party Logan went to yesterday so I didn't have to cook.  Except for a bowl of oatmeal for myself... 

We watched Hairspray together when dad got home. The boys cuddled on the couch with dad.  

Good middle. 

Went for a walk this evening around the dirt piles of our community and tried to spy Grandma's house.  The kids had a great time exploring.  Seth had a nap in his sling and we all got some fresh air.  The weather has been absolutely amazing this week.  

We finished the evening with snacks and all 4 boys in the tub.  

Good end. 

Seriously good day.  I like this family.  

Kid's Say...

Friday March 6th, 2015

Dad: boys, one day I will teach you how to punch good. 

Logan: 'I already know how to punch good...right Max?' 

Oy vey. 

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Wednesday March 4th, 2015

Logan: 'Nephi was a prophet, first one that we know, in a place called Egypt, he helped things to go!' 

Close.

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February 18, 2015

Watching Swiss Family Robinson. Fritz and Ernst discover Bertie is a girl and start helping her
Logan: 'why are they helping her?'
Me: 'they're being gentlemen...'
Logan: 'because she's a clumsy clumsy girl ...like Lucy.'

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February 15, 2015

My kids were discussing occupations on the way home...
Logan: I'm going to be a construction worker!
Max: I do NOT want to be a doctor. They have to stick their hands in gross stuff. 
Lucy: that's a surgeon. Nobody wants to be a surgeon. Now a nurse, that's different . 
Max: 'no! Nurses have to test pee and stuff!' 
Lucy: 'the doctor way of saying it is urine, Max.' 

It kept going from there...

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February 10, 2015

Made gluten-free bread today . 

Logan with a mouth-full: 'this is the grossest bread I've ever had.' 

It's so true.

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February 5, 2015

Logan watching tv: 'this is actually really good! It's not even Spanish or anything.'

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January 27, 2015

After telling Logan we are having French fries for dinner:
'Thats the best thing ever!'
Me: 'I'm the best thing ever.'
Logan: 'I don't know if you know this but you're actually 3rd...' 
Me: 'What?! Who's ahead of me?'
Logan: 'well, Jesus. And Heavenly Father!'
Me: 'I'm ok being 3rd on that list.'

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December 15, 2014

Logan: 'dad, I have a hypopasis. Do you know what that is?'
Tyler: 'yes. It's kind of like an idea, right?' (Trying to simplify it for a 4-year-old).
Logan: 'yeah, it's an idea you can test.'

He's a scientist! Tyler's so proud.

Sleep Schedules

I'm in the middle of switching Seth's schedule to allow for more sleep.  On his part and on ours.  He can usually go about 8 1/2 - 9 hours between feeds at night and previously I was feeding him around 10:30pm, and then again at about 8am.  But he wouldn't go to sleep until midnight, and Tyler and I have to be up with the other kids to get them off to school around 6:45am.  So one of us would usually get up with the kids and get them ready as silently as possible so that Seth and the other parent could keep sleeping until 8:00.  It was a system, and it worked, but I knew it could be better.  And to get him to his 10:30pm feed he would have 2 regular naps during the day and 2 catnaps in the evening.  The other kids are in bed by 7:30 or 8:00pm so sitting around for 4 1/2 hours every evening when you're exhausted just so you can get a baby to sleep for a consistent amount of time is painful some nights.  It was time for a change.  The new plan was for everyone to be up at 7:00am so that getting ready for school didn't have to be a silent lonely affair.  And Seth was to go to bed for the night by 8:30pm, with a dream feed at 10:30 (in his sleep) so he's back in his bed by 11:00, and Tyler and I are also in bed by 11:00, able to sleep until 7:00.  8 beautiful hours.  Beautiful.  The biggest fear is ruining what you already have.  It wasn't perfect, but he was consistently sleeping at night.  

The first night he woke up at 4am, and I got him back to sleep, and then again at 6:45am and tried to get him back to sleep, without success until 7am when we got up.  The days were consistent and good.  Night 2 he was up at 2:00, 4:00, 5:30, 6:15, 6:40, and then was dead asleep at 7:00.  It was exhausting.  Darkest before the dawn, right?  I spent much if yesterday in zombie-mode.  I took two naps throughout the day to survive and crossed my fingers for a better night.  Max also prayed in our family prayers that Seth would sleep through the night.  Fingers crossed!! 

Last night he fussed a 2:30am but stopped on his own, and then was silent until 7:10am!  Hallelujah!  It's possible.  I'm not naive to believe it'll always be that good.  We're developing a new habit. It may take a few more awful nights, but we are on track to more sleep.  And eventually when he's better established on solid foods we can eliminate the dream feed at 10:30 and he will be in bed for the night from 8:00 on.  Which means I could go to bed whenever I'm tired!!  Oh please! 

I'm documenting this because I never have with my other kids because sleep issues and PPD were just too hard to talk about, so when I look back I have no idea how I managed it. No advice for the future, because each time I was convinced is never need that knowledge again.  Now, I don't believe I'll need this knowledge again, because the baby factory is closed, but I'm documenting it anyway.  Because I can do hard things!!  

Marshmallow Motivation

About a month ago, we had a FHE lesson on Laman and Lemuel from our new Ites book.  Seriously, that could be a whole blog post in itself.  But I'll just sing it's praises here.  It's a book from Deseret that we got for Christmas from Sarah and Tyson.  I had seen it on the Deseret website previously and made a note that I wanted to get it, and miraculously we got it for Christmas and I LOVE it!  It has 52 characters or groups of characters from the Book of Mormon with descriptions about who they were, what they did, lessons to be learned from their example (good or bad) and an activity.  There's 52 so you can plan an FHE lesson for each week with it.  It's illustrated awesomely and each one is short enough to keep the kids attention and they're excited to do it.  LOVE it.  

Anyway, the lesson on Laman and Lemuel talked about murmuring (no surprise there) and we also talked about how it seems easy or habitual to murmur in a family especially.  That Nephi's brothers were the ones that gave him the hardest time.  Not hard to relate to.  The activity associated with the lesson talked about keeping a jar in the house that you can fill with pennies or candy, keeping track of positivity and kindness.  We decided to use marshmallows and we have 3 jars.  One is labelled wave pool, one is labelled movies, and one is labelled bowling. 

 Well, after a long haul, we finally filled the bowling jar last night.  (that was partially due to combining the contents of the bowling and wave pool jars - Lucy was aiming for wave pool and the boys were aiming for bowling but she graciously donated so we could reach one of our goals), and there were a few last minute 'chores' after school to top it off.  

So last night we finally went bowling.  It was a great evening out.  We pretty much had the alley to ourselves, which worked great for a sleeping Seth, and it was awesome to see the results of hard work.  The kids have worked really hard.  Logan has tried extra hard to get reverent for family prayers quickly (something that was a trial previously), Max is ALWAYS quick to help, so it was good to reward him for his naturally helpful behaviour, and Lucy struggled a bit to earn any marshmallows, but definitely contributed once she got into the spirit of it.  She was a bit unmotivated because we weren't rewarding her reverence the same way we did Logan and we had to explain that because she's nearly 10 and he's only 5 that our expectations are different, and that she needed to do something MORE than what she was already doing in order to earn a marshmallow.  

We're looking forward to continuing our marshmallow reward system and earning our way to the wave pool and the movies.  

Measured success!