Parker kindergarten class this fall has only 6 kids signed up.  Avynlee will be old enough to go, but I think she will benefit the most by waiting for the next year.  Mr Owens (principal) and Ethel (secretary) have been worried about what the district will decide to do with such a small class.  I have seen their anxiety about it and the thought has continued to come to me to mention it to my friend Katie who lives in St. Anthony.  I kept forgetting or putting it off until registration day today.  I was a little late, but better than never, I guess.  I sent her a quick text and said its going to be a great class, lots of one on one attention for the kids...spread the word if she knows anyone up town who might want to drive their kids out to Parker.  She called me immediately and was telling me concerns about her son who is kindergarten age this year and how she has been praying for guidance.  I suggested the idea of putting him in Parker for various benefits I could see.  So she called the school and got him on the roster.  Then she texted me to say that my text was an answer to her prayers.  It was a small thing for me, but huge to her.  That made my day and also made me think how I almost didn't bother texting her with the thought, "oops, meant to do that, too late now, probably didn't matter."  I am going to respond to my ideas quicker, who knows how many "ideas" or "thoughts" I have that are actually promptings.

I have SO much to do!  I leave tomorrow night with Sawyer (and maybe Avynlee, undecided at this point), hitching a ride in the back seat of my parents car to surprise my baby brother James for his birthday...I assume Jame's surprise won't be ruined by posting this because only 2 people ever read it (gotta love moms-mine & Jarons).  I prepared my Monday TaVaci lessons, did some preschool with Avynlee, put dinner in the crockpot, taught piano lessons, gave Jaron and Hudson haircuts--cleaned UP the hair, attended a city meeting, made sure Savannah and Hudson did their homework, helped Jaron do HIS homework, vacuumed, cleaned a bathroom (only the one company sees), checked in with Terina about the plans while I'll be out there, and more still.  Savannah cleaned up the kitchen for me and she did a darn good job of loading the dishwasher!  Yes, it was in hopes that I would buy her the 3rd book in her Percy Jackson Heros series from her 4th grade book order, BUT I don't even care, it was so incredibly helpful!  It's amazing that someone did something FOR ME today.  I love being a mother, every little moment of it, even when it seems like a thankless job.  It sure is a good way to learn to be more like the Savior-putting others first.  It's not often that family members do truly helpful things for me.  I do think "thoughts" count, like home drawn pictures, dandy lions from the yard and crooked blankets spread on the bed in an attempt to make it (the last one is Jaron).  Savannah doing the dishes was one of those times that it felt like a big breath of air as I bob along the swift and tumultuous river of life.  And was just what I needed.

As Hudson said his evening prayers tonight:
(every phrase begins with "Thank Thee that..." despite Savannah correcting him numerous times to say "Please bless...")

"Thank Thee that the kids who have no home can find somewhere comfy to sleep and the kids who have no food can find something gooder than bugs."
Love that kid.

With Sawyer not quite 2 months old and the other kiddos bounding all over the place, free time is something that is very rare for me.  Today at 11 am, I was to be found still in pajamas, not showered and had just barely gotten Sawyer to sleep in my arms, when there was a strong knock at the door.  The older 3 were playing outside and I thought for a moment it was one of them.  I did not hurry to the door, assuming that was the case.  After a moment's thought, however, I decided that particular knock did not sound like one of theirs. Carrying Sawyer with me, I opened the door to find a young boy, perhaps 5 or 6 years old.  I did not recognize him immediately.  He asked me if our dog has had his rabies shot.  I stammered, very puzzled, yes, but not recently.  He said, "well my mom wanted me to ask because your dog has bitten my 2 year old sister and her head is cracked and bleeding."

Whaaaaaaaa??!?!!  I almost passed out.  I absolutely could not make sense of it.  Biscuit is such a friendly dog.  big and hairy? yes. annoying at times? definitely.  off his chain at that moment?  dang it-yes.  I asked where this happened. Who is this neighbor that I do not recognize?  He said he was visiting his (great) grandma across the street (Loretta, biscuit's favorite place to hang out when off the chain).

In a matter of seconds my mind is reeling with thinking this little guy must be mistaken, but the facts do come together that he must not be.  I tell him I will get dressed and come over.  I am shaken to my core to think we are possibly responsible for the life of a little girl.  And after all the problems we have had with that dog wandering.  Most people love biscuit, but there are a few people in Parker who feel very strongly against him I couldn't help feeling shamed that we didn't take care of him sooner, but who would have ever guessed?  I wondered if he had been bit by some rabid animal in the night and transformed into a monster???

I prayed with panic as I ran up stairs to lay down the baby and throw some clothes on.  I told Heavenly Father that I could not bear this burden.  It was too heavy, too traumatic.  I could not face the family.  After a minute I called Jaron at work.  He said he would call his dad and ask him to come over.  Immediately the Lord had answered my prayer.  I would not have to carry this burden alone.  I could go over and do what I needed to, knowing Jaron's parents were on their way.

Walking across the street I saw our dog.  He was not snarling, dripping with blood and baring his fangs as I had imagined.  As congenially as ever, he came to me and walked calmly as I chained him up.  So my confusion continued to mount.

Thankfully, thankfully, the tiny girl was not on the brink of demise.  She had a gash on the back of her head.  The blood had dried and scabbed over.  She was not laying lifeless on the ground (as I had supposed),  she wasn't even crying.  Katie (Loretta's granddaughter-the mother) was so kind to me.  She hadn't seen what happened, but it was obviously something to do with Biscuit who had indeed been over there.

She took her daughter to the doctor to be sure everything was okay and called me to let me know the doctor said it definitely was not a bite, but perhaps a collision with a dog's tooth.  I bawled on the phone and told her I was so sorry and thanked her for being so kind to me.  Her mom, Kitty, called me back to say no one in the family was worried one bit about it.  They love our dog and they love us and they are not concerned. 

Katie gave me a heads up that the doctor required her to file a police report.  Katie notified the police who asked if she wanted to press charges and she said, absolutely not.  The police, however, still are required to come to our house and see the dog.  If it had been a bite, they would quarantine, but since it was an accident, they just need to verify  the dog is not vicious.  The police visit has yet to happen.

I am so thankful for my inlaws who came to my support and for the kindness of good neighbors.  Jaron and I will have to make some decisions about the best thing for Biscuit.  We've been in this conundrum for over a year now, but this even has brought it to the forefront.

Last fall Hudson brought home a wrestling registration form from kindergarten.  Being that Jaron never wrestled and no one in my family was a wrestler, it wasn't a sport I took much thought of.  I tossed the paper and went about my business cleaning the kitchen.  Three days later Hudson asked me if I saw that wrestling paper.  As is usual with anytime my kids ask me about something I have thrown away, I fill with pretense and try to act nonchalant.

 "Oh yeah...I saw that..."

With all the eagerness of innocence he replied, "Well, did you sign me up?"

My response, "uh...."  and I'm thinking in my head,  Dang it.  I don't want to commit to that.  How to let him down easy...

After looking in his wide little eyes I said, "Fine.  I'll go to the parent meeting and see if it is workable for our family."  It turned out it was not workable.  South Fremont was too expensive, practice times were too late at night and they wanted more of a time commitment than I was willing to give.  After mentioning all of this to Lisa Marie, she suggested that I put him in Sugar City wrestling in the Spring.  It was quite a bit less, better practice times, and more relaxed as far as time expectations.  So We let Hudson give it a try.  He went to one practice then his first tournament at Bonneville High School.  Two matches, double elimination.  We were done by 11 am.

Yesterday we attended his second tournament.  We showed up at 8 am for weigh ins.  By noon he still hadn't wrestled once.  We were all frustrated and tired of waiting.  I finally talked to some of the ladies in charge of running the computer program (new software to keep track of scoring and matching partners) and they explained that technically Hudson had won once because of a forfeit.  They asked that we keep waiting and his turn would be up very soon.  As I was walking away they thanked me for being nice.  I'm guessing they had already heard from a lot of angry parents.  That felt good.

When I explained to Hudson that they had given him a turn, but he won because the other kid didn't show up, he jumped up and down with excitement.  So funny!  I guess the idea of winning is more compelling than actually participating in the sport at this age.

One of the more positive aspects of this tournament was that Jason and Amber were there with Carson and so were Don and Millie with Logan.  So Savannah and Hudson both had friends to play with during the long waiting spells.  Ralph and Regena also came to watch Hudson and Carson wrestle.  They were able to see Carson, but ended up leaving before Hudson ever had a chance.  We understood.  It really meant a lot that they came, though!

Another hour or longer after I talked to the ladies in charge, Jaron noticed that some of the kids who were in Hudson's weight class were being called up for a 2nd and 3rd match and Hudson still hadn't had one chance to wrestle.  So I went back and politely explained that we had to leave and were really disappointed because Hudson hadn't got on the mat once.  By this time it was 2:00 pm.   Janelle (who is over the Sugar City wrestlers) pulled some strings and got Hudson in match right then.  He was pinned in less than 30 seconds but with the previous forfeit/win, he came in 3rd and got a medal.  His day was made!  Hudson is such a light weight and has very little experience (no technique) so he doesn't win matches (maybe a few in practice every so often), but regardless, he loves it.  He leaves with a smile and wants to go again.  So I guess that's all that counts, right?

Jaron on the other hand...wanted to go snowmobiling, but at my request, he sacrificed his plans to come and be with the kids and I.  He was extremely frustrated with how unorganized and time wasting the day played out to be...and to top it off, we had to go to Winco-a less favorite place of his.  But he was a good sport.  The day overall turned out to be pleasant spent together as a family and I can't help but be grateful for a husband who is present and giving.  I quite enjoy having him by my side.

Tonight Grandma and Grandpa Miller are having a sleep over for the girls.  Morgin, Jordin, Savannah and even little Avynlee have gone to spend the evening roasting marshmallows, playing, watching movies and having a grand time.  Jaron and I went on a date with some of his friends from work.  We went to see Taken 2 after a yummy meal at Costa Vida and followed by blizzards from Dairy Queen.  That buy one get one free card we purchased in support of a high school band member has sure gotten it's use.  I had a pumpkin cheesequake blizzard, different from my usual Reeses, but I had to seize the the moment of the season.  That left Hudson to squeeze his way into someone's night.  Mom had to work an event at the college, which is often her lot on weekend nights, but Dad was happy to let Hudson come hang out with him.  Dad thought he and Hudson could go see a male vocal group on campus.  Before we started delivering all the kids to their determined destinations, Hudson came down with a headache.  I fed him some food and gave him a good dose of Ibuprofen in hopes he would feel better.  He tends to be like me, if we don't catch the headache in the beginning, it progressively gets worse.  We told him what grandpa had in mind to do that evening and he immediately responded with a protest of the potential boringness of it.  We offered him to get a babysitter at the house, or even we stay home with him for the evening, but in the end, it was decided that if he were given a green dollar bill, he would be a good sport and go with Grandpa to this concert.  I asked him in the car on the way over how he was feeling.   "Better and better by the minute," he replied with very apparent disappointment...in which he followed by asking if it was okay to trick Grandpa and say he was still not feeling good and maybe Grandpa wouldn't want to go to the boring concert.

At the end of the night, we pulled into my parents drive at almost the same time as my dad and Hudson.  I asked Dad if Hudson was good, since our deal was he only got the dollar if he was a good sport.  Dad's reply: Hudson was VERY well behaved.  He let it be known that he was very bored, but as the vocal group began to harmonize, Hudson began to blend his own voice in.  I eventually had to give him a signal to quiet down although I really didn't want to because he was in perfect harmony with the performers!

I was quiet happy with that report on more than one level.  Hudson climbed in the car with his ice cream treat Grandpa has gotten him and eavesdropped on mine and Jaron's conversation the whole way home with an occasional question of "why?" or "what did you say?"  He really is a cute, little impish fellow.

Spud Harvest is here.  The kids are out of school for two weeks.  They take it easy and Jaron picks up double load.  I am amazed at what lengths he is is capable of in the world of a working man.  He works his full schedule at the college, then goes straight to helping in spud harvest.  Yesterday he squeezed in mowing the lawn and filling in a grave (another "little" side job he picks up from time to time) in between everything.  I admire, as well as feel grateful for the efforts he makes in supporting our family.

My good friend Heidi Pehl loaned me a jogging stroller.  Yay for me!  I have always wanted one, but haven't wanted to spend the money.  So the older kids rode their bikes and I pushed Avynlee in the stroller and we went for a little jaunt through Parker.  The weather has been incomparably beautiful-mid 70's, sunny, calm....don't want to relinquish a grip on these good days. We stopped for a break at the school and what do you know? Savannah lost a tooth!

A few Sundays ago (dare I admit this was a Sunday? eek), Jaron had two rental four wheelers from a ride he did with some work-friends the day before.  We loaded up after church and took a leisurely roll through the desert.  I remembered how when I moved to Idaho, I fell in love with the skies.  They are so expansive, so many different hues of blue and brush strokes of grey, with white cotton stretched across and rolled together.  A true artistic masterpiece from Heaven.  I have no doubt that here is the only place I would want to raise a family and be settled.  There is not a more perfect little town than Parker, with a school and a church less than a mile away and everyone waving to each other as we pass by.  As much as I love my home and would never want to homestead anywhere else, I do yearn for the lush, tight surroundings of the forest (Jaron might throw in the word suffocating).  I sometimes see movies in the setting of Oregon/Washington and ache to be where the hills roll and twist, rivers and waterfalls weave, and the sky is like a grey flannel blanket.  Perhaps we will be back to visit, but I now look for beauty in a grain field, beginning the change from bright green to gold, and the silhouette of the rugged Tetons, and an area where the vast majority of the people are saints of God.

Last Friday we loaded up the kids at 5:30 pm and headed down to Rigby Lake for the evening-just the 5 of us.  Jaron and I relaxed (well, I mostly read..."The Goose Girl.." very good book).  The kids just played and played in the sand and water until the sun started going down and the breeze turned cool.

Saturday was mine and Jaron's 11th anniversary!  Eleven years of great fun, friendship, love, support and companionship.  On the way to dinner I talked Jaron into taking me the scenic way to Idaho Falls.  I was expecting to go through Ririe, but he turned right off of the highway (North?? I never know).  We passed through the cute, little town of Menan (or is Roberts??  I'm pretty sure Menan, but I always get those two confused).  Beautiful farms and old restored houses. I always get so excited driving through new places.  Its kind of bad because we almost can't hold a conversation because I'm constantly stopping mid-sentence to point things out or ask question about what I see out the window.  We ate at Yummy House Chinese in downtown Idaho Falls.  I love the city and that's as close as it gets for now.  We then picked up a few school clothes items for the kids.  Not a huge, momentous anniversary celebration, but quite enjoyable. 

Tuesday was the official Pioneer Day.  Jaron had the day off from work.  With the idea of doing something fun together as a family, we took the kids on their first motor ride that wasn't in our yard (Hudson on his little dirtbike, Savannah on her own little 4 wheeler, Jaron on his dirtbike and me and Avynlee on a 4 wheeler).  We parked the pick up and enclosed trailer on the intersection by Coy and Emilee's house and unloaded.  Savannah apparently had forgotten how to steer (what???).  She almost went into a canal, but stopped and corrected and did better the second half of the ride.  Hudson did great.  We went up past George and Linda's house and headed toward the sand dunes.  It wasn't our intention to actually get to the sand dunes, but the Crapo's have good farm roads to ride along (and beautiful green and golden hills of grain).  Once it started getting too sandy, we turned around because Hudson's training wheels were not conducive to the sand.  Back at the trailer, Jaron rode his dirtbike up and in and Hudson just followed right up (he had never done that before, and was never given permission to try).  His front tire went off the ramp and he was luckily caught by the cables that pull the ramp up.  I was a ways back and yelled for Jaron who had his back to the situation.  He quickly put his bike down and rescued his son.  Hudson slowly walked down the trailer ramp with big tears in his eyes and came to my comforting arms.  He was pretty shaken up.  I thought well, I hope he learned a little something about being more careful...I'm obviously so glad he wasn't hurt.

Fast forward to the next day (so far in the future, I know).  I am driving Hudson over to play at Creed's house and pass the intersection where we had parked yesterday.

SAVANNAH: There's where we parked yesterday.
ME: Yep.  That was a fun ride, huh?
HUDSON: Savannah was scared to ride her 4 wheeler.
ME: and you were scared when you almost went off that ramp.
HUDSON: No I wasn't
ME: yes you were
HUDSON: No I wasn't
ME: I should hope you were.  If you tell me you weren't scared, that tells me you didn't learn about being careful and I won't be able to let you ride anymore. 
HUDSON: fine.  I did a tiny gasp.

This summer is cruising by with out slowing down. The kids and I went camping In a tent for a week at Green Canyon. The kids did a swim camp. Two hour-long lessons each day and several hours of free swim. It was great fun, but I was definitely reedy to come home by the end. We are leaving tomorrow to camp for two days, this time with jaron, yay! To Red Fish Lake by Stanley, ID. I also did Relay for Life a few weeks back-always an amazing experience. Before all this camping and other activities began, I set up a Miller Family Summer Camp. Each day has a theme. Miracle Monday (be someone's miracle by doing an act of service). Tell-a-tale Tuesday (go to the library). Wet Wednesday-play in water. Theater Thursday (either catch the children's matinee at the cheap theater, or make our own theater at home). And Free Friday- to do any fun thing we want. A few weeks ago a new family moved into our ward. I kept having the thought to invite them over to dinner. I kept thinking, that'd be fun...but didn't take the thought seriously. Finally it hit me that maybe this is an impression...act on it! Then I thought oh no. I don't have the courage to do these kids of things. Especially since I was getting Ready to leave town in a few days and needed all my time for preparations. But it was Monday morning and we hadn't thought of a miracle to do yet...so before mentioning my idea to the kids, I told the Lord that I didn't have anything good to make. If he would help me think of something good to make, I'd comsider it more seriously...yep, the idea came...i had everything for fajitas. So I went on the quest of getting a hold of this family, feeling dumb about being so last minute. I called the mom at her work, which inalso felt dumb for doing. She didn't answer so I left her a message. She took a few hours to call back. She actually wasn't in her office that day, but luckily got my voice mail. They were more than happy to come, which was a relief...I hate thinking that I've been presumptuous, or put someone on the spot. It was a wonderful, comfortable dinner. A nice littl miracle to feel the blessing of reaching out, even when I'm not sure of myself.

We have had beautiful weather this week!  On Monday the kids and I went with some friends to Egin Lake.  I used my kayak for the first time.  It was awesome!  Did you know you can see the Tetons from from there?  Tuesday Savannah had her tournament games.  They lost two in a row and were eliminated.  She actually got a foul ball.  That's the most ball/bat action she's had all season!  I told her I'd pay her a dollar if she hit the ball.  After she struck out, she was walking back to the dug out, all happy about hitting the foul and yelled to me, "Will you still pay me a dollar?"  I was a little embarrassed as I was sitting next to a few moms I didn't know.  They both looked over at me and said, "Don't worry, we've all done it."

Power of Moms

I just found this as a draft, but decided to finish it and post even though it's a few years old.

Last July I was "coerced" :) by a good friend of mine to attend the BYU Idaho education week.  I was only able to go for a half day, but was privileged to attend classes that had a big impact on me.  One class I attended was taught by Saren Loosli, daughter of parenting experts, Linda and Richard Eyre.  In the class Saren mentioned the website Power of Moms (powerofmoms.com).  I jotted it down quickly and actually remembered to check it out a little later.  I was immediately drawn in by the down to earth, uplifting, principle-based articles.  I also found it fun to read the blogs of the co-founders of the website, one being Saren and the other a girl named April Perry.

Another resource that really appealed to me was the podcasts put out by the Power of Moms.  They only had about six and I went through them fairly fast. I really enjoy putting them on my i pod and doing late night cleaning when everyone else has gone to bed. So I emailed the website requesting more.  A few days later I had an email from April Perry herself asking me if I would be willing to participate in a podcast with her.  I was floored!  I did not have that in mind at all, but felt quite honored, so I accepted.  You can listen to the entire podcast here.  I felt like I made a good friend that night as we recorded the podcast as a telephone conversation.  We planned to make it a quick 20 minutes, but it turned out to be closer to 45.

I also have been honored to have the Power of Moms publish an article I wrote entitled "What if it's Enough?"

I love this website because the thing I very most wanted to be for as long as I can remember was a mom and this website helps me to do it deliberately and with intention.

The two parts of parenting that I dislike the least so far are potty training and removing training wheels off of the bike.  Especially in the first child.  It seems like they will never get it!  But they do :)  Savannah has been trying for 2 years to be able to ride without training wheels.  It's hard where we live, we have a very big driveway that WOULD be perfect, except its all gravel.  Hudson actually taught himself last summer (he actually potty trained himself, too).  It turned out to be a good thing because Savannah thought if my little brother can do it, so can I.  Every year for the the last Accelerated Reader celebration at school, all the classes go on a bike ride through Parker.  Last year I let her stay home because she couldn't ride without training wheels.  This year it was our goal to be ready for it.  We were lucky to have a mild winter and snow melted early which gave her a chance to practice a lot.  I was so proud of her when she finally got and and she was so excited!  We did a couple practice rides though Parker-one being on a very random hot day-92 degrees sandwiched in between 50 degree days.  After the school bike ride I took Hudson's bike to the school to pick up Savannah and let the two of them ride home while I drove behind very slowly.  Switching to the words of Hudson, "We were riding past some bigger boys.  They were talking very quietly.   They thought I couldn't hear, but I could.  They said, 'What a tiny bike'." (Hudson happens to be riding Savannah's first bike we bought for her when she was three years old-spray painted black-and it is small for him.)  I asked Hudson how he felt about that.  His response, "Medium."  Love that boy.

Savannah has been playing softball this spring.  I have really enjoyed going to her games.  It got me thinking about why I love baseball.  I've never played on a real team before (I think I'm going to add to my bucket list--to play on a co-ed team with Jaron), so why does playing baseball feel so natural to me?  Then I remembered where I really learned.  My fifth grade teacher at John Rogers Elementary, Mr. Macaneny (Mr. Mac for short), used to have us play all the time.  I wish I remembered more.  I imagine that we were rewarded for good behavior and school work by kickball or softball outside. I think he was quite influential in my appreciation for sports and physical activity.  I ran track under his coaching.  My main event was triple jump-I even got the highest score in all-city!  We were also required to participate in other events like the relay (I've never been the fastest runner, though).  When I went to sixth grade they didn't have triple jump so I didn't do track anymore.  I should have stuck with it, even though I knew I wasn't the best.

Savannah plays a lot of outfield, which she has figured out is slow.  It is kid pitch, which can be discouraging, also.  She has been hit by the ball at two different games, which was exciting because she actually got on base!  Both times she ALMOST made it home (which she calls a "home-run") by stealing, but was tagged out.

I'm going to encourage her to stick with it.  Her team and the opposing teams range from 2nd-4th grade.  There is a big difference in those ages and what an 8 yr old is capable of, verses a 10 year old.   She's cute in her uniform and she's smart about strategizing, so I think she'll grow into it, if she's willing to stick with it for a few years.

Memorial weekend has been productive!  We stained and put in all the plugs to our stair banister (finally finishing it after almost 5 years).  Jaron did half of our brick mail box.  We had bids to have it done for $600-1000.  We had enough brick left over from building our house just sitting.  I'm glad Jaron decided to just try it himself and save all that money.  It may not be perfect, but in my opinion it looks pretty dang good for just watching a you tube video and giving it a first time try!

Savannah has a school bike ride fieldtrip coming up.  They did it last year as well, but she couldn't ride without training wheels, so I let her stay home.  This year we have been working hard since the snow melted to get her confident without her training wheels and she has done great.  I wanted to take her through Parker to practice since the school just rides around the town.  So Hudson and Savannah rode bikes, I jogged and Jaron took Avynlee on the 4 wheeler.  It was a beautiful morning and so much fun!

I also got a green accent wall painted that I have been wanting to do ever since we moved in.  My mom got me motivated and offered to help, so I took her up on it and I am sooo happy with how it turned out!

Took the family to Pizza Pie Cafe in Rexburg (their all time favorite all you can eat pizza bar).  Avynlee told me she had to go to the bathroom once, then began eating pizza again.  I figured I'd take a few more bites then take her to the bathroom.  Two seconds later.  "Mommy, I wet."  "What?!?? No not here!"  Yep.  nice little puddle on the restaurant floor.  So I was able to whisper a request to the bus boy for some antibacterial spray and a rag.  He brought it (such a nice boy, very discreet).  I cleaned up the puddle, wrapped her in my raincoat and we finished our dinner.

This morning I went to the temple to do some initiatory work.  The Spirit was unusually strong.  Three different workers got emotional while performing the ordinance.  Specifically when talking about the protective power of the Holy Garment.  It was weird.

NATIONAL ENTITLEMENT AWARENESS DAY

About a year ago I discovered a resource that has been a lifeline for me to hold to.  April Perry and Saren Eyre Loosli run a website called the Power of Moms.  I love being a mom.  It's all I've ever wanted to be.  I am also a big advocate of intentional living.  Through this website I have found a set of principles called the powers of motherhood.  The articles and podcasts are strengthening and guiding to me.  I find solutions and answers to how to raise my children and strengthen my family.

Last April I was lucky enough to attend a Power of Moms Retreat.  It was AMAZING to meet in person April, Saren, and Saren's parent, Richard and Linda Eyre (NY Times bestselling parenting authors).  The concepts taught and ideas I took home were very influential in my life as a wife and mother. 

Today is National Entitlement Awareness Day.  I think entitlement is a pretty important topic.  My personal opinion is that many of the problems we see in the upcoming generation stem from entitlement.  Kids today don't have to work like they used to.  Life is pretty cushy. This can cause a lot of problems as people emerge into adulthood and expect they should never have to cut back financially, compromise in relationships, or find joy and fulfillment in the small and simple things of life.

As a mom it can be very hard to find the balance between giving stability/nurture/love and overindulging/spoiling.  I've heard the Eyres talk about the fact that helping children take ownership in their lives can be a antidote to this problem.  I am excited to read about strategies that will help me teach my children become responsible, appreciative, contributing people as well as taking ownership in their lives in the Eyre's new book, The Entitlement Trap.

Richard and Linda Eyre are promoting their new book through an exciting giveaway!  Click here to read more about how to win a chance for some awesome prizes!

I know it's been a year since I last made a post. I thought I would quickly type something cute Hudson said to me just now as I sit outside the kids bedroom working on the computer as they fall asleep, and I will do that at the end of this post. The last post hit me as very ironic, though and has made me stop to think for a moment.

Avynlee is 18 months now and still not walking. My family doctor suggests we start her in physical therapy and get her walking asap. I'm not opposed to that, but I have decided to consider all avenues to addressing this situation. Two very good friends of mine whom I highly respect and admire are each taking one of their children to a sensory specialist in Idaho Falls, both for completely different reasons. Each friend has noticed Avynlee scooting on her bum and not crawling and mentioned to me that I ought to have Dr. Monika Buerger (Eagle Canyon Wellness Clinic) evaluate her because scooting instead of crawling can be a sign of a neurological disorder.

After procrastination because of the expense and the fear of having to commit to a treatment plan that would greatly interrupt the flow of our lives, I finally brought her in for an evaluation. It turns out that according to Dr. Buerger, Avynlee missed critical neurological development as a young baby due to not enough tummy time. She was very late in rolling over and when she finally did, it wasn't from the hips first as it should be, but from the shoulders. I attribute that to the fact that I put her in the bumbo chair far too much and for too long. I have never read one bad article on the effects of letting your baby sit for long periods in a bumbo chair. Everyone knows that tummy time is important for infants, but I always thought it was so they didn't get a flat head in the back and so they could strengthen their neck muscles (which are both true), but it seems the more important effect of tummy time is the brain development. It is absolutely essential that babies lay, roll, push and pull themselves around on the ground for healthy brain development. Make sense, but Avynlee was always much more content to be sitting up, whether it was on my lap, in the bumbo, propped up with a pillow, ect. If I'd have known, I would have made her spend more tummy time on the ground, but I didn't and I do the best I can (AND she was child #3, that's hard in and of itself).So we are starting a not-too-intense treatment plan with movement exercises meant to help fire up those critical neurological pathways and help her to let go of some of the primitive reflexes she is hanging onto (go google primitive reflexes to see why it is significant).

Here is Hudson's cute thing:

As he was falling asleep he popped his head up and said, "Mom! I have exciting news! I don't have to say beeskwetti (spaghetti) anymore! Now I can say bssget....bssget...the real word!"

If she isn't the dang cutest baby you've ever seen....

This little "bumbo" chair was a Christmas present from Jaron and I for avynlee. It's such a cool concept to help babies sit up really early. Santa brought her this little book. She loves looking at books.

Christmas picture