Good Reminder

We had a stake wide meeting tonight, to celebrate the "birthday" of the organization of the Relief Society in March of 1842. Our wonderful stake president spoke to us after we enjoyed a yummy dinner and birthday cakes. His message was a good reminder for me, especially at this point in my life.

He told the story of Mary and Martha. While both sisters were doing what they thought was the "right" thing, Jesus declared that Mary (who was sitting at His feet) had chosen that good part, which will not be taken from her.

I was sitting by my friend during this time, and we both looked at each other and said,

"I'm a Martha." :)

I know that I'm that way because I'm a mom. It's hard for me to put down my current projects and take some time for myself to nourish my soul and my spirit. I feel like I'm always taking care of the kids and my husband: serving them, cleaning up after them, making sure they are happy and healthy.

Actually, I long to be like both of these sisters in the Bible. I strive to keep an organized, clean, happy home. But I also strive to live a Christlike life and chose that good part. It can be a struggle to balance it all. We are taught to have a house of order. So to do that, we need to take the time and effort to accomplish that commandment. But I think the secret is not getting distracted by the little things. We don't need to let ourselves be worried and troubled about many things. We need to make the choice to indulge in the Spirit, and to find those treasures that God so freely gives to us.

Children need to be played with and loved, husbands need to feel appreciated, and we need to be of service to our neighbors. How can we do that if our spirits are running on empty? We need to put away our little distractions and find the real treasures of this life.

And I don't think my real treasure is a spotless kitchen floor.

It's the time I spent talking with Cassidy about her day, the card game I played with Seth, it's the book I read aloud with Jonah, the game of Little Ponies I played with Janessa, it's the game of hide and seek I played with Andrew, and the belly kisses I give Micah. It's also the time when we are all on our knees in prayer, or gathered around the piano singing Primary songs. It's when we are talking around the dinner table about what we did that day, and when we read our scriptures together.

Those are my treasures. The good part.

Sleeping Arrangements

on the family bed

by

Frank Waaldijk

When I was younger, I swore I wouldn't co-sleep.

"Cribs are where babies are supposed to sleep."

Well, that's what I used to think.

It all started with Cassidy. When we brought her home from the hospital, I couldn't bare to be apart from her. She spent her first night at home in our bed, with me curled around her swaddled newborn body. She was a very good sleeper, and she was soon moved into her bassinet and then into her crib. But every morning, she would be brought into our bed as soon as she'd wake up. I missed her so much while she slept (9-10 hours straight since she was 3 months old!). So Tom or I would get her as soon as she started to make those waking up noises. We needed our cuddle time with her. In our bed. She really spoiled me.

Then Seth was born. He had reflux and was on an apnea monitor for his first month. He was, once again, taken into our bed.

Same with Jonah Bologna. Minus the monitor.

Same with Miss Janessa.

Same with Our Mandrew.

And now, Micah Man.

I found that cute painting of the family bed, and it captures how our nights are. Add in a cat or two, and it's US.

My older 4 have graduated to their own beds, and have been successful lone sleepers for many years now. Andrew has taken well to his toddler bed too, but he still "visits" us on occasion. Micah is our last baby to share our bed. He is a really good sleeper too, just like Cassidy was. He doesn't need me at night any more, and I am finding that I'm missing that quiet middle-of-the-night cuddle time with him.

I need to admit something here. There have been times that I've quietly stolen Micah out of his bassinet and brought him to bed in the middle of the night. I know I shouldn't do it. He's sound asleep, peacefully dreaming, but I can't deprive myself of those sweet cuddles that can only happen at 3 am.

R.I.P. Natalie

July 2007 ~ March 10, 2009

Cassidy's little guinea pig died sometime in the middle of the night last night. She was squeaking and whistling last night when I tucked Cass into bed around 9:00. She had some celery, some fresh water, and was running around just like her normal silly self. I heard her scampering around some time after midnight when I was up with Micah, but this morning she was gone. :(

You were a cute little piglet, Natalie. We loved having you in our family. We loved getting you to bubble and petting you under your chin. We'll have a funeral for you tonight, when the whole family can be together. We'll bury you under one of our fruit trees. We hope you get lots of crisp cucumbers and juicy oranges in guinea pig heaven.

You were a good little piggy. You will be missed.

Tagged

Gonna steal this one from Emily's blog. :)
Here are the rules: 1) Post rules on your blog 2) Answer the six '8' items 3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment.

8 favorite TV shows:
1. LOST
2. ER
3. The Office
4. Friends
5. Seinfeld
6. MASH
7. America's Funniest Videos
8. Jon & Kate Plus 8

(ack.... that was really hard, I don't watch a lot of tv)

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Watched Micah roll over
2. Took Cassidy to the orthodontist
3. Wet to Cub Scouts
4. Made grilled cheese sandwiches
5. Read to Janessa
6. Went to the store
7. Changed MANY diapers
8. Set up blankets and sleeping bags for the kids' "sleepover"

8 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. spring
2. the economy picking up
3. planting a garden
4. having a date with my husband (don't know when that will ever be, but I'm looking forward to it! LOL)
5. the temple open house (we have tickets for Friday)
6. going to St. George in April
7. Janessa starting kindergarten (sniff sniff.... kinda mixed feelings on that one)
8. putting up a fence

8 favorite restaurants:
1. Applebee's
2. Cafe Rio
3. Pizza Uno (went to one in Cali... yummmmm)
4. Mimi's
5. Pierpont Cafe
6. Hire's
7. Chili's
8. Ruth's Diner

8 Things on my wish list:
1. Happiness
2. Health
3. Security
4. Serve others
5. Patience
6. Vacations
7. Finished basement
8. Self cleaning dishes, clothes, and house (LOL!)

8 people I tag:
I'll just tag whoever wants to do this. I know a lot of bloggers have already done it, so if you haven't done it yet, consider yourself tagged. :)

On a Roll

Finally! Micah is such a content little boy, he just hasn't felt the need to roll over. Until today. He has been happy to lie on his tummy, or on his back, whichever way I put him down, he's happy to stay there. He's just very easy going. Unlike my other babies who preferred to be on their tummies earlier in their babyhood. In fact, Seth rolled over at 2.5 months. Although, Micah has been trying, half-heartedly, to roll over. But he just hasn't been able to get over that darn arm to get onto his tummy from his back. But this afternoon, he conquered it.

He is so much like Cassidy was when she was a baby. So mellow and happy. She was a late roller-over-er too. She was about 6 months old when she rolled. Just like Micah, she was content in whatever position we put her down. Interestingly enough, Cass was a great sleeper, and so is Micah. She was starting to sleep through the night by about 2 or 3 months old, and consistently sleeping 10 straight hours by 4 months old. She spoiled me. The other 5 babies that followed her.... Ugh. Horrible sleepers. I still have nighttime issues with Andrew and Janessa some times. So I wasn't expecting a good sleeper this time around either, but it seems like I've been blessed with one! Micah goes to bed around 9:30/10 and sleeps till at least 5:30/6. There have even been several mornings when he'll sleep till 7:30/8. It's been heaven... do I hear the Hallelujah Chorus? LOL Maybe there's a correlation between good sleepers and late roller-over-ers. :)