Chase-ing a Lizard

I found these pictures today, from back in July, and thought I would just toss in a random post...
Chase was playing outside with his little neighbor friend, Ruby, and looked over and saw a lizard in the garage. Of course, being a little boy, he wanted to catch it. So, with a yummy roll (that Ruby had brought him) in one hand, he still had one hand free--and that would do!

So the Chase is on!

Lucky for Chase, the lizard seemed to be injured and was moving slowly, so it was a job that could be accomplished single-handedly!

When he finally got it, he was so thrilled with himself...

Then the lizard started moving and tickling him.  He came close to dropping it, but managed not to.  He couldn't do anything but stand there and laugh and scream that it tickled.  This picture cracks me up--it looks like Chase and the lizard are old buddies, telling each other some good jokes!

Sweet victory...  And look at that tail!

Through the whole adventure Chase never did let go of that roll!!!  That's my boy! ;-)

What I Would Pay...

I was heading to bed last night and passed by something that caught my eye.  The house was quiet, my mind was clear, and this sight just stopped me in my tracks.  It was Ashlee's Book of Mormon, the same one she's had for about ten years now.  I've seen it a million times, I've picked it up when it was left where it shouldn't be, I've returned it to her room, I've set it on the shelf... but this time I just had to hold it and look at it for a minute.  And then, of course, I had to get the camera.

These scriptures have been used and abused.  I know that some of their wear and tear has come from their accidentally being dropped or maybe even sat on, but the pages are worn because the book has actually been opened and read.  This book wouldn't look this way if it were sitting on a shelf, remaining untouched.  And for that I am so grateful.

I'm grateful for Primary teachers, Sunday School teachers, Young Women leaders, and seminary teachers who have taught her to use them, to mark them, to love them.  And I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who has blessed her to feel her own witness that the words contained in this book are true.  When these scriptures were purchased years ago, I hoped and prayed that they would be loved and put to use.  And last night I was reminded that they have been.  As I stood there looking at them, in a way I never quite had before, the thought went through my mind, I would pay for these a thousand times over, to know that they're being used.  If any of our kids ever manages to wear their scriptures out so badly that they need new ones, I'll have that purchase made before they can even blink--one of few cases in which I would be thrilled to reward my children for wearing something out.



And then of course this thought popped into my head:

First set of scriptures                                  $73.95
Second set of scriptures                            $73.95
Third, fourth, fifth set of scriptures         $73.95
Knowing they're being used.....                Priceless =)



This is the Night We've Waited For!!!

I was organizing some pictures and came across a few that I've taken over the years during Family Home Evenings. We've definitely had our share of family nights during which the "Bedlamites" were out of control, and it seemed that our efforts were in vain. But pushing through the not-so-inspiring FHE's has paid off, and we now have many wonderful memories of spiritual as well as fun evenings spent together. We seldom reach the end of the night wondering--as we used to years ago--if our time or energy has been wasted. And the kids truly do look forward to each Monday as "the night we've waited for." As the Primary song says,

This is the night we've waited for;
Always a treat we have in store,
We love each other more and more
With every family night.
Stories and games for everyone,
Learning the gospel can be fun,
Father and mother, daughter, son,
Together on family night!

These pictures from 2008 are some of my favorites.  One night, as we played one of our favorite games, "Don't Eat Pete," Chase kept shocking everyone as he cleared the game board without eating Pete!  I love looking at these pictures, and the kids' smiles as Chase kept managing to avoid Pete...  The suspense is killer!!!  =)

The first chocolate chip... Safe!!!

...And safe again!

Safe again... and again... and again...  They can't believe it!

All the way down to the last chocolate chip!!!  Incredible!!!  =)

Everyone is hysterical over Chase's triumphant round of "Don't Eat Pete" - and of course Chase is thrilled with both his success and his tummy-full of chocolate chips! =)

Another night we played a game to see how well we know our family members--by their noses =)  We've also played this with hands, feet, and by a kiss on the cheek.  (I have to say that the older boys weren't too excited about kissing each other on the cheek, but it made for some laughs!  Too bad we didn't have the camera out then!)  =)

I'm not sure if this one was an actual "Family Night" or just a time when we made cookies... but we all know that no FHE is complete without treats of some sort!  So this is a favorite picture at our house.

When we hang it in our world-famous family art museum someday, we'll title it:

"Kids Waiting for Cookies" =)

This was our first FHE after Chase was born.  With our family officially complete, I decided I wanted to take this picture.  I don't know why, and Rob thought it was a silly idea, but I'm grateful that he humored me and participated.

This one wasn't taken during FHE, but was an opportunity to put a FHE lesson into practice:  Forgiveness.  This picture was taken after Emmee dropped and broke Ashlee's porcelain unicorn, which was very special to her.  Tears were shed by both.  We took a picture so we'd at least have that to remember it...

This was a "family talent show."  Rob wouldn't consider the accordion to be one of his talents, but he was willing to give it a try!  It's all just about having fun, right?!?

The kids always love to help by holding up the pictures during stories.  (And it helps keep them from jumping around, somersaulting, fighting, etc., through the lesson!)  =)

Of course decorating for Christmas is always a favorite FHE activity!

Even though our Family Home Evening pictures are relatively few, they're a reminder to me of my gratitude for inspired leaders, who realized--60+ years ago--the importance of families setting aside a night to gather and learn together.  Sometimes the most important lesson of all is simply remembering how much we enjoy each other.  The small moments may not seem to amount to much, but as they all add up they create unbreakable bonds that will keep us close throughout eternity.

A Time for Reflection

Today I was in the kitchen, busy with preparations for the RS Broadcast dinner. Ashlee was in the other room, playing the piano, and she had chosen to play from a "Sound of Music" collection. As she began playing "Climb Every Mountain" the words started through my head, and it related so much to my thoughts about her and her life lately:

Climb every mountain

Search high and low

Follow every byway
Every path you know

Climb every mountain
Ford every stream

Follow every rainbow

Till you find your dream

A dream that will need

All the love you can give

Every day of your life
For as long as you live

Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream

She's in her last year of high school, with so many decisions and so much excitement coming in her near future. She definitely has some mountains to climb, some paths to follow, and some dreams to pursue. We don't know any of the details yet--the order in which it will all take place, which experiences will be the hardest, which will be the most fun, which will bring the most growth...

She might find some of her dreams relatively easily. Others might take a lifetime of effort yet still be unrealized. As her mom, how am I going to handle watching it all unfold? In some ways I can't wait and I'm filled with excitement for her. In other ways, I'm terrified, sad, and find myself wondering where the time went. I think back to the days right after we brought her home from the hospital, when I just held her and stared at her and couldn't believe she was really mine. I think of that time in our lives and I just want to start all over and raise her again--she's been such a joy.

Every time she plays the piano I'm reminded how much I'm going to miss those sounds when she's gone from our home. As I stood there today, listening to the music, thinking of her future and how terribly I'll miss her, it felt like one of those moments when time stops. It was such an interesting combination of emotions--I love hearing her play the piano and I just soak it in whenever she does, but as she played this particular song the words began to play in my mind, which brought a lot of reflection and then, of course, some sadness.

I know it is what it is.  Children grow up.  Things change.  Life moves on.

I know her dreams will come true.  I know she'll have wonderful opportunities, beyond anything any of us can imagine now.  She has blessings awaiting her that will continue into the eternities.  I know she'll climb the mountains to get there, I know it will be amazing, and I know through it all, no matter where she goes, I'll still be her mom.  So it's all ok............

(Right???)

=)

... I Had a Mother Who Read to Me

THE READING MOTHER
Strickland Gillilan

I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath

I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Celert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such.

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

President Monson has quoted this well-known poem in Conference talks.

President Benson listed, "Read to your children" as one of his ten most important pieces of advice for mothers.

And I know other Church leaders have also addressed the importance of reading to children.

As our family has applied this advice, I understand why.  And I'm so, so grateful for wise parents and leaders who instilled in me a love for good books.  We still don't put this into practice as often as I would like to--my choice would be every night at bedtime.  But with teenagers going every direction and so many things pulling at our time, it just doesn't always happen.  (And NO, teenagers are not exempt from joining the family as I read to everyone.)  Sometimes we finish one book and [I] get distracted and don't find another to start right away.  So I'm going to keep a running list of good suggestions--for myself, as well as for anyone else who's interested.  Sometimes it seems like a challenge to find a book that ages 5-17 will enjoy, and I have to admit, this has held me back at times from putting forth the effort.  But I've realized that it's really not that hard.  Sometimes a book will interest the older kids more, which just means the younger ones will play around on the floor more as they listen.  That's fine.  And the books that captivate the little ones will bring out that inner child in the older ones--who grew up a little too fast anyway, in my opinion!!! =)  Basically, I've found that if it interests me it will interest all of them.  It's really not so hard!!!

Here's a short list to start with.  I'll add more as I think of them:

The Miracle of Miss Willie, by Alma J. Yates
The Little Britches series, by Ralph Moody
The Little House Books, by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series, by Betty MacDonald
That Quail, Robert, by Margaret Stanger
Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls
Goodnight Mister Tom, by Michelle Magorian


Our oldest could potentially be leaving home in just 18 months, and it makes me sad to look back on the times we haven't been involved together in a good book.  Reading together is truly the frosting on the cake, the cherry on the sundae, the sauce over the noodles... =)  Maybe I'm hungry... =)  Anyway, it's motherhood at its best!!!

Dinnertime Humor

A couple nights ago, during dinner, Chase didn't want to eat his salad.  Everyone knew there was cake for dessert, so when Chase said he had just eaten two bites of salad, Rob told him that he could have two bites of cake.  Chase then said, in all seriousness, "Actually, I'm gonna eat 16 bites of salad." =)

Turkey Waddle

Our Thanksgiving Day this year began with the Turkey Waddle, which was organized to benefit Breanna Peña, a girl in our ward fighting leukemia.
With Rob and our older boys gone hunting, and Ashlee doing her own thing, the younger kids and I represented the family for the event. I thought this would be a simple task, as I would be walking, going slow, to wait for the little kids--no big deal. Well, was I in for a surprise! When the race started, apparently Chase had made it his personal goal to stay ahead of me and the girls. Not only were we not walking, sometimes Chase had me full-out running to try to catch him! He brought lots of smiles to people as he passed them, especially since he was wearing a black leather jacket. =) We wished we had made him a shirt that said something like, "You just got passed by a little dude!"
It was a great experience to be there with members of our ward/stake/community, to support the Peña family. A perfect start to our Thanksgiving Day!

Baptism Day

This was Kaybree's special day, a day she'd been looking forward to for years.

Our family is so blessed by such good men who hold the Priesthood...
... and wonderful family and friends who show their support and come to every event.

Kaybree is so blessed to have a daddy who holds the Priesthood and can baptize her.

Kaybree loves the song "When I Am Baptized":

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain,

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again,

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain,

I want to be the best I can, and live with God again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,

And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day,

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain,

I want to be the best I can, and live with God again.

So we made her a rainbow cake for her special day:

In keeping with tradition, Grandma Nelson made Kaybree a very special quilt, with fabric chosen by Kaybree herself.

To make sure the morning didn't go TOO smoothly, Blake injured his nose just before it was time for us all to get ready for the baptism. It happened while he & Spencer were on the trampoline. Somehow he hit his nose on Spencer's behind! We've teased Spencer ever since, for having "buns of steel." =)

This is how it looked by the evening. What a mug shot! =)

Kaybree's baptism day also happened to be Blake's birthday, so all afternoon and evening was one big party!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaybree requested party subs from Krazy Sub--always a favorite!

The girls played 4-square with Tucker while the boys partied with their friends.

How many boys can be on a trampoline before it will break? Apparently more than this, cuz it survived!

Blake requested the famous Watermelon Bomb cake, a Ferrin Family tradition started by Aunt Shari years ago for the 4th of July. Not sure it's as fitting for November... but it was a hit!

Everyone enjoying their slices of "watermelon":

What is it about watching kids sit around the table together and laugh their heads off? One of my all-time favorite activities! =)

Ashlee, Tucker, & I played Quelf, the most randomly ridiculous game ever!

And a game of Cops & Robbers is the perfect way to end a great day!

I'm not gonna take the time right now to write a new post, so for today (okay, for this month...) I'm just reposting an old one that brings me smiles every time I look at it:



http://robferrinfamily.blogspot.com/2008/12/arizona-christmas.html

Tonight I'm reminded of a simple (and all-too-rare) occurrence that brings me joy: Putting clean children to bed on clean sheets. I wish it could happen every night!!! Oh, I could just lay right next to them for hours, smelling their scrumptious, soft hair, and then smelling their fresh sheets--alternating back and forth til I fell asleep.

For a brief moment I feel like everything is clean and that I'm a really good mom. (And then I walk out into the rest of the house...) =)

I know I'm a big goofball, but it really doesn't take much to bring a smile to my face. And sometimes I just have to share!

To My Sweet Friends (but not to imply that my other friends aren't sweet...) ;-)

Ok, so I just decided to share a reflective moment of humor a few days ago, and suddenly THE TROOPS have come out to save me from my perceived self-deprecation. Oh you guys... I don't even know what to do with all these comments! You are all so sweet to try to make me feel better. I really was just trying to share some humor about myself--and possibly make anyone reading it feel better (since that's what I'm here for). =) I really should email all of you individually...

Anyway, you guys really are great friends.

Jessica, anyone who can handle having 6 children under age 8 HAS IT TOGETHER! I honestly can't even imagine...

And Wendy... you've always seemed to have a "what really matters" perspective on things--you teach me something valuable every time I'm around you. Thank you for the reminders. =)

Shari... I've figured out YOUR life's mission: You must have signed up to be my cheerleader. You always make me sound much better than reality! I'm so glad to be in a family who knows me so well and loves me anyway. Please don't tell people how much I pay you. =) Seriously, though, you're so great at giving others a boost when they need it! Thanks for being such a great sis-in-law!!!

Crissie, you're so sweet, and I'm glad the story went over well. =)

Crystal, you have a newborn, for crying out loud!!! (I really didn't do that on purpose--but I'm leaving it now, since it fits so well... although your little one is so sweet, she probably never cries.) Anyway, your home is supposed to be upside-down when you have a new little one! I don't know what mack truck you were talking about--your home looked like a perfect place for a family to be comfortable and happy. I should tell you that I feel the Spirit every time I'm in your home. I really do. I'm glad you felt loved and cared for--because you are!!!

And Melody... I truly miss our Primary days. You guys were always so patient with me! Thanks for overlooking so much and teaching me more than I could ever put into words. I love your quiet, humble, yet so capable way! I really miss you!!! =(

I have the greatest friends and family!!!!!!! But please don't think you have to tell me I'm wonderful every time I feel the need for some honest reflection. It will wear you out!!! ;-)

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!

Passing Along the Joy

Just thought I'd pass along a couple of good book suggestions. Awhile back I read these books to my kiddos, and we had some really great times in the process. Over the summer we read Goodnight Mister Tom, by Michelle Magorian, and before that we finished The Miracle of Miss Willie, by Alma J. Yates. My goal is to always be in the middle of a good book with them--but I fall far short of that. I don't know why I don't make it happen every night, since I love it so much! These moments are what mommyhood is all about!
Anyway, these books are SO GREAT--we laughed, cried, and had lots of discussion on topics that never would have come up otherwise. The reason these two books were especially good were that my older kids liked them. The younger ones are always up for a story, but the older ones often have homework or other activities going on, and have to be "persuaded" (and yes, sometimes forced) to sit down and listen. My kids know that one of my rules is that "you're never too old to be read to."
As is often the case, the first few times we opened these books the older kids grumbled and said they didn't have time. I have to admit that even I questioned myself a couple of times as I made them join us, knowing they really did have homework that was going to keep them up late. Sometimes I just told them to work on their homework while I read. I was only asking for 10 or 15 minutes--and I knew it could possibly be the most worthwhile few minutes of their day.
We didn't have to get too far into either book before we began to see some changes in attitude. The kids were gathering faster than they had at first. We had comments like, "Don't read Miss Willie while I'm gone!" as they headed out the door to mutual. And my favorite was one night when we started reading Mr. Tom and Ashlee popped her head up (from her pillow) and said, "What's going on?!?" (She had fallen asleep during the story the night before.) The other kids started filling her in on what she had missed. They were all trying to talk at once, and Ashlee was just as caught up in listening to them as I've ever seen her watching American Idol. By the time they finished telling her about what she had missed she was sitting up, ready for the next chapter. Actually, my ultimate favorite attitude change was the one that happened in Rob. He's always been a TV kind of guy--(why spend days or weeks reading a book when you can watch the movie in 2 hours?) But after overhearing us a few times he actually started joining us, especially toward the ends of the books--and even doing the reading some nights!
There's nothing quite like the excitement of a good book--and reading as a family just makes it 100x better! I can't wait to find our next good read! Any suggestions???
Oh, one more I just thought about: That Quail, Robert, by Margaret Stanger, is a really great book for all ages too. Especially for animal lovers! Your kids will start begging you for a "Robert."
Goodnight Mr. Tom has some hard issues in it, so if you're concerned you can pre-read it before reading it with your kids. And FYI--you'll need tissues for these ones...

My Life's Mission

Someday I'll write another post that includes pictures. But not today. =)

This title might have led you to believe that this would possibly be a deep and uplifting post. If that's what you're hoping for, you might want to look at someone else's blog this time--I'm in more of a silly mood today. =) My thoughts are real, and I mean what I'm going to say, but there's a lot of humor to be found in all of this as well.

I discovered my life's mission years ago. At first I wasn't too thrilled about it, because it required me to go through many, many humbling moments. But once I came to grips with it I decided I could and should go ahead and embrace it. Some of my friends have already heard me say it, so I'm going ahead and sharing it publicly:

I was put on this earth to make other people feel better.

It's true, and I've proven it time and time again.

If your house is a mess, come over to mine. You'll leave feeling better. Guaranteed.

If your child's hair hasn't been combed yet today, I can top your story.

If you arrive late to a function, you can count on me to be just a few minutes behind you.

If you made a stupid comment that is horribly embarrassing to think about, give me a couple hours of your time and I'll share a few of mine with you. Maybe I'll just go ahead and post them sometime, for the whole world to enjoy....? =)

I could go on and on with examples, but what it comes down to is:

I'm perpetually a day late and a dollar short.

per·pet·u·al (pr-pch-l)

adj.

1. Lasting for eternity.

2. Continuing or lasting for an indefinitely long time.

(Just decided to throw a quick definition in) =)

I've worked my whole life to try to dig my way out of being the way I am. I've read books, I've devised new strategies, I've prayed, I've tried to try harder. Sometimes I can "get it together" for a day or two--even up to a week!--but sooner or later I'm back to the same old me.

But just this morning a friend called me and said she just needed to talk to me because I always make her feel better. She said she can always relate to me. And I was reminded about my life's mission, and the fact that, in all my moments of embarrassment and even deep humiliation, I've had opportunities to make others feel better. I really think that I'm one person no one has to feel intimidated by. And maybe in all my struggles there's a hidden gift underneath it all, that has given me the ability to relate to the things others are dealing with. I have no room to ever judge other people who can't seem to "get it together." And I hope that they feel that, and know that I understand.

So for today I'm reminded that I need to embrace what I've been given, and to view it from a different angle. For me, life will probably never consist of looking my best, being organized, saying all the right things in just the right ways, and inspiring others to want to be like me. Instead it will be a series of opportunities to show others that life is about continuing to try, and that a perpetual ;-) sinkful of dishes doesn't mean you can't still have fun.

So the next time you need to feel better, give me a call. I'll have a story ready for you! =)

Murmur, Murmur, Murmur

A couple weeks ago we were gathering at the table for dinner one night, and as the kids sat down, one by one, the comments started: "What is this?" "Why does it look like that?" "I like it with more sauce." "Why didn't you keep the noodles separate?" I don't know if everyone was lacking sleep or what, but the grumbling was unbelievable!

Just as a rude comment was developing in my mind, Chase said, "Well, it's better than nothing!"

The laughter got us all through the moment, and--miracle of miracles--everyone even survived eating the sub-par meal!!! In fact, by the end a couple of them even called it "yummy."

Thank goodness for five-year-olds to bring us all back to reality and help us remember how much everyday life requires a sense of humor.

;-)

Just have to post a conversation that took place in the car the other day:

Kaybree (in a sad tone): Mom, are we REALLY not going to have any more babies?

Me: Yeah, I'm pretty sure we're not having any more babies.

Emmalee: Oh, that's so sad.

Chase (in a very serious tone): Mom, ALL I've EVER wanted was a baby, or a Webkinz.



(Maybe it's just me, but one of those choices sounds much easier than the other!) ;-)