So...What have you been up to?

I have been trying to get a few home projects done.  Last week I was on fire... for three days.  Monday I painted the living room.  It needed a touch up in a few places where I had taped maps to the wall.  Yes, I am still taping things to the wall.  I really should move out of the college living mentality but seriously, it takes a while to graduate to sophisticated living.  Anyway, Tuesday I painted the fireplace.

Before

After

I still need to paint a second coat and paint the brick on the floor.

*****

Stake Conference occurs twice a year and it is held at the stake center in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.  We attended the Saturday and Sunday sessions there.  On Saturday evening, these two lovely Sister Missionaries were asked to share their testimonies about serving a mission after the announcement of the age lowering requirement.  When I served a mission, the age requirement was 19 for young men and 21 for young women.  Last October during General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson made the announcement that the age requirement would be lowered to 18 for young men and 19 for young women. Woo Hooo!

I was inspired listening to these two young ladies share their experiences and I was reminded of the fact that I have much to be happy about.  I have much to be thankful for.  I have been feeling blue as of late.  The weather change seems to have more of an effect on me now that we live further north.  I have been trying to work through it but it has been a challenge.  I am grateful for these ladies who have decided to give 18 months of their life to serve the people in the Halifax, Canada Mission.  They are doing a great work.  The Sister Missionary on the right shared that she has been wanting to go on a mission since she was a little girl.  Her story reminded me of Daryl, who talks about serving a mission too.

It snowed yesterday.  The kids were hysterical over it.  The got on their snow gear and went out to "play"  Spencer has been sick with a little cold and his asthma has flared up so he was enjoying the snow from inside.  Every few minutes he would scream,"Mom! Come quick!  You have to take a picture!  Look at HOW MUCH snow there is now!!!"  Here is two of the many pictures I was required to take.  Hooray for SNOW!

Breakfast in Bed and the Pumpkin Parade!

On friday, the kids made me breakfast in Bed.  Daryl made the waffle batter from scratch and Nic made the eggs.  The topping was original too... melted cake frosting... yum!

waffle recipe:

3 eggs

1 C milk

3/4 C butter (softened)

2 C flour

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

Sugar (we don't measure)

Cinnamon (we don't measure)

Salt (we don't measure)

 "It's Halloween!  It's Halloween!"

I am not into halloween as much as my kids are.  They have been begging me to decorate the house inside and out for HALLOWEEN.  Last night we were supposed to have a Halloween Family Home Evening which consisted of carving pumpkins.  Well, I don't do pumpkins.  It's messy... and somewhat gross.  Needless to say, we did not get to the pumpkin carving Monday night and I was not heartbroken but I did promise the kids that they could carve Tuesday.  And they did... without my assistance.  They used a garden trowel and a few pencils (pretty creative and effective).

(left to right: Daryl, Nic, Corey)

11:12 am

It is 11:12 am and snow flakes were spotted by the children.  School adjourned.

Lucas and the Black Eye

You cannot see but Lucas has a black eye.  He is the first of my kids to ever have a black eye.   He bonked heads with Spencer.  It happened while I was in Montreal. Darrel was in charge for the day so I still have a clean record.

Enjoying Fall

Enjoying the Moment...

Montreal

It was a rough week for me.  I was feeling low and needed to fill my cup.  Originally, this past weekend was planned for me to participate in a two-day "Contract it Yourself" coarse by the Shelter Institute.  Then, it was a possibility that Darrel would have to be in Bangor the same weekend.  We weren't sure if he would be away or not and I stressed over the possibility of having to be away at the same time he was and finding babysitters for my kids.  I decided to postpone my class and just be home. As it ended up, he did not have to go to Bangor and it proved to be a challenging week for me. Since he was home for the weekend, I decided to run away for the day.  On Saturday, I drove six hours to Montreal, participated in two sessions at the Temple and then returned home.  12 hours in the car BY MY SELF!  When was the last time THAT happened people?  Sometimes, I just need time to think... I need time to ponder... I need time away.  I am grateful that I was able to go.  Thankful that my husband spent the day with our children and relieved to regain my sanity.  I can now go on and face another week.

CAKE!

The kids will often ask to bake cookies.  This week it was a cake.  It started on Monday, when Nic and I went to Mardens and found round cake pans.  We had talked about making a round cake for weeks but did not have round cake pans yet.  So, we bought four.  No sooner than we got home were the kids ready to get to baking.  I turned them down cold and put them off for three more days.  Finally, friday came and I said it was the day to make cakes.  They were thrilled and got their aprons on and were ready to go.  Not too bad for our first attempt.  I don't have any pictures but, Daryl cut her finger trying to open some special frosting.  I thought I was going to have to take her to the ER but it wasn't as bad as I thought.  So, as usual... another eventful day.

 Nic was not happy in this pic.  He was in the middle of completing his Math on the computer (note the headphones)  something else was bothering him at the time too. Daryl and Corey were happy to pose for the picture and ready to eat their cake!

All About Animals at the Science Center

Twice a month we get to participate in a class at the Science Center.  This class was all about different types of animals.  The kids were able to feel fur from a raccoon, bear, kangaroo and other animals, handle part of the spine of a whale, a whale tooth and go outside to see where the moose had been on the trail.  It is hunting season so, we had to wear our vests and of course we needed our special binoculars for spotting special things on the trail.

School Farm Field Trip

 This is our second year going to the school farm.  Last year we were able to pick apples but this year the apples were all picked out when we went.   Here we are on the wagon ride. We were also able to observe how Apple cider is made.  

Enjoying a Sunday Afternoon

Usually I collapse after church on Sunday.  On this Sunday afternoon, I decided that I needed to be outside and enjoy the warm sun.  It was a beautiful day.  Nic volunteered to be my photographer (you can see his shadow).  Daryl kept me company.  She had injured her foot the night before at the Harvest dinner.  I just wanted to be in the moment and enjoy being present.  

Down on the Farm

We had the opportunity to do some work on a friend's farm.  We love spending time with them.  Our children really want a farm.  I did... do too... it is a lot of hard work.  If I had to choose between raising children and raising a farm... I would choose raising children.  Only because, that is what I am currently engaged in.  

I once feared raising children.  I volunteered to babysit my niece and nephew for a weekend when they were ages 1 and 2.  We did not have children of our own and after that experience, I clearly knew I was unprepared and terrified of having my own children.  However, raising children on a farm would be ideal.  So many life lessons.  Practical life lessons.  For example, my children have never pulled carrots before.  For all they knew, carrots grew on trees.  

Farming (from my limited experience) and rearing children both require constant care and attention.  And once you begin, there is no end (unless you sell the farm but you can't sell the children).  I took the plunge of starting a family nine years ago but I have yet to take the plunge of even starting a garden.  You cannot plant once and be done.  Planting and harvesting comes every year.  Not to mention weeding, watering and keeping pesky bugs or animals away.  Yes, I'm afraid to plant that garden.

Routine and consistency is important too in both.  I haven't come close to perfecting these virtues but I am trying to do better.  I must ensure that I am doing all that I can each day.  Just do your best, right?  I fall short daily but so far, I have been able to raise each new day with a resolve to do better.  

It is hard raising children.  Maybe that is why the birth rate is down in our country.  More adults are opting out of the challenges of parenthood.

Just yesterday, a friend commented on the difficulties of parenthood and she concluded by saying,"But I wouldn't trade it for anything" followed by a smile.  I feel the same.  

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said,"We believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity."

"Hi, Lucas!"

Nicolas pulling carrots for the first time.

Lucas helping to pull carrots too.

Corey adding to the pile of pulled carrots.

Spencer pulled a gigantic carrot.

The goats are always a favorite.  Corey especially loves the goats and made friends with Snowbell.

Lilly eating a carrot.

Lucas in the field.  He and Spencer were hiding in the tall grasses.  It proved to be a great location for Hide-N-Seek.

As for the farm... I don't want to opt out because I am afraid of the challenges.  Until that dream is realized, I am grateful for friends who let us come and work on their farm and have a small taste of what farm life is like.  Raising children on a farm is still ideal in my book.

Bonus Points

I am going to list the things that I have done so far today... the first two merit bonus points.
(these are not in order of occurrence)

1. Cleaned the living room carpet of vomit and held child who vomited.
2. Cleaned poop out of pajama pants from 3 year old who is still not potty trained.
3. Math with 5 children
4. Piano with 3 children
5. Swept and mopped dining room floor
6. Swept and mopped kitchen floor
7. Started the dishes
8. Made breakfast

Current time: 12:28 p.m.

Harvest Time!

Over the summer, a friend let us barrow a book titled, "A Penny for a Hundred" by Ethel Pochocki.  We read it on our trip to Palmyra.  It is about a young girl who befriends a prisoner of war during the harvest.  It is a fictional story with historical facts about northern Maine potato harvest in 1944.  We had talked about it then, back in July, about what it would be like to be in the field with Clare picking potatoes.  Thanks to a friend with a potato farm, our dream of one day picking potatoes came true!  It was a fantastic day!  The weather was amazing, our company of potato pickers were delightful and we got down in the dirt.  As we departed, Corey joyfully asked, "Can we come back next year!?"  I asked our friend if she heard his question.  She shook her head, "Yes" and I said, "Well, sign us up!"