Beautiful

I've seen some beautiful sights in my life. I've been here:

Grand Canyon
I've toured Paris. There were some amazing sights to see.I've seen the Space Shuttle being launched in Florida.

I love the view of Mt. Timpanogos covered with snow.I've seen some beautiful things and some amazing places, but today I saw JOY!

My friend and her husband adopted a little girl and today they were sealed here:

When little Lily came into the sealing room in her white dress, I knew that I had witnessed the most beautiful sight on earth.

Congratulations Mitchell family.

It was an honor to see the start of your eternity.

My Little Tree Hugger!

Tuesday:
Kenley: "Mom, Friday I have to go to the Principal's Office."

Me: "Oh really, what for?"


Kenley: "Well, at school we use Styrofoam lunch trays and David T. is going to talk to Mrs. S about switching to something that doesn't take 500 years to disintegrate."

Elizabeth: "Oh my goodness Kenley, are you turning into a tree hugger?"


Me: "Styrofoam takes 500 years to disintegrate???? How did you become involved in this?"

Kenley: "Our class is given Styrofoam lunch trays everyday because we eat in our classroom and it's easier to throw them away than to go back to the lunchroom to take back reusable trays. David did some research and then we wrote a letter to Mrs. S. (Principal) She scheduled a meeting with us for Friday.


Friday:

Me: "How did the meeting with Mrs. S. go today?"



Kenley: "Mrs. S. said that when she read our letter, she was surprised. She is planning on talking to the lunch ladies and then she is going to meet with us next week. We came up with the idea of a recycling bin, but we need a parent volunteer to help with that."


Me: Thinking (Oh great, I wonder who is going to get that job?) "Oh, recycling them is a great idea."


Kenley: (After a long pause and thoughtful look.) "Mom, can you help take the Styrofoam to the recycling place."

Me: "Of course." (said with a genuine smile.)

I'm proud of you Kenley.

When you feel strongly about something,

you have to speak up, if it's a worthwhile cause.

This evening Elizabeth and Kenley put together their cute new bathroom cabinet from W.Mart. Styrofoam packaging everywhere.




This girl was not amused. Britton did his "little brother getting in the way trick."

Why Blog?

I guess the theme of the week is feet. My last two posts have contained pictures of feet. It hasn't been intentional at all. So, here I am again posting a picture of my feet. Last night, while searching for something else, Brent came across my favorite pair of flip-flops that have been missing since last summer. They obviously aren't attractive, but wearing them is like walking on a

"dreamy cloud of luscious puff."

So, needless to say I was thrilled when he pulled them out from under the bed. In the 2.3 seconds after I first saw them, I thought to myself,

"Oh, I've got to post about this."

A nanosecond after I thought that Elizabeth said,

"Are you going to post about finding them?"

Why would I think that finding a pair of my favorite flip-flops would be exciting to anyone else but me? The real question here is,

What's the draw to blogging?

This blog contains the fun times and activities we do together as a family. To think of actually writing these things down in a book and including pictures doesn't sound fun to me. I suppose that's why I have never kept a journal. But blogging about it and including a picture of my feet, bunion (hidden slightly under my left foot) and all, is exciting. I'm going to publish this into a book this summer, and that brings a big smile to my face. So, for what it's worth, I found my flip-flops and I shared it because it made me happy.

A big thank-you to those who read the comings and goings of the Spurgeon Family. Stay tuned tomorrow for a report on "MY LITTLE TREE HUGGER," who is going to the Principal of her school with her cause.

So, why do you blog? What's the draw?

14 years?

We took little 4 week old Elizabeth on our first anniversary date with us, so sweet! We went to the Red Robin on George Washington Way.

Our second anniversary date we took little terror Elizabeth with us to Sterlings Restaurant on George Washington Way. As we were being served, the waitress spilt one plate on the floor. No big deal really....

But that meant one plate of food ready,

one coming,

and one wiggly little girl.

So, Brent ate while I took Elizabeth on a walk outside. No real date.

Tonight for our 14th anniversary date we had a babysitter lined up. This is just incredible to me that my little ones are growing, old enough to babysit, and do an amazing job at that. We went out to dinner in the hour and a half after Brent got home from work and the time he had to be at his meeting.

14 years? How could that be?

lavish gifts? Don't need them.

Treasures? Got them thanks!

Lessons learned? Many.

I've learned to relax and have fun. See, I don't even care that Cameron's feet are dirty going to bed. He just has to hang them off the bed all night so his sheets don't get dirty.

(This is a forgiving picture, they are pretty filthy.)

Happy Anniversary Jungle King!

Memorial Day Weekend

(Warning: Corny Rhyming Post)

Britton woke with a puffy eye,

I thought for a moment it might be a stye.

By afternoon he was feeling better,

weather so nice, no need for a sweater.

We visited the memorial of our "little lamb"

This memorial day with my little fam.

Cameron didn't like the swans,

that swam on the little ponds,

He protected Britton from the birds,

I must agree, they were quite absurd.

Stepping in potatoes on the floor,

I thought to myself, I'd rather see-saw.

We made a pyramid six people strong,

But Britton couldn't sit still for that long.

No snow for sledding this time of year,
Cardboard and a grassy slope work just great, so you needn't fear.
We climbed the mountain, our annual hike,

Peace to all, and have a great night.

Told you it was corny!

Ever felt the need to take your pants off and plunge them into the toilet?

....Britton has.

I think we'll concentrate on some outdoor water activities this weekend.

Keep It Balanced

Sunday we were given a small paper lunch sack and asked to put inside three things that help keep our lives balanced. We brought them to last nights Enrichment meeting and shared what we had. I was asked to speak for a few minutes about what those items mean to me.

( sorry 8th ward ladies for the repetition, but I wanted to share what I have learned about myself. )

#1 I showed some papers that had my thought bubbles on them. They said such things as:

* ...She always looks so well put together....
*.....She is so kind hearted and thoughtful, I really need to do better....
*.....Her children are so well behaved, and mine????......

I think that we sometimes compare ourselves to others and end up feeling inferior. These are thoughts that I have all the time. I have come to the conclusion that as long as I am trying my absolute best in the things that I choose to do, then that's all I can expect of myself. Without selling myself short or not working hard, it's Ok not to be able to DO IT ALL. Importantly though, if there is someone you admire, you can follow the righteous example of others.

#2 Relationships. I have to feel as though I am trying my best in relationships, especially with my husband.

Elder Nelson said,

"An indispensable element of any successful family life is the cultivation of the love affair between husband and wife."

I loved that he called it a "love affair." (No one appeared too shocked when I said this.)

I need to feel like I am giving my ALL to my relationship with Brent. I need for my children to witness this devotion and I don't mind making them snicker or say,"OH, GROSS" to make sure they know I love their dad.

#3 I need to feel appreciated. In Elder Ballard's Conference address he urged the young children to:

"Put your arms around your mother often and tell her that you love her."

Maybe one day I'll get this, but for now I look for small expressions; a smile, an excited look. One of my children ran in after school the other day to tell me some exciting news. This is something was had been talking about and anticipating, and there was great success. The fact that they were so excited to share the good news with me meant an appreciation for efforts.

What was in my bag? According to this list, my bag would be empty. The things that bring fulfillment and balance to my life are not tangible. For me, the things I know, believe, feel, live and learn are what balances me out.

Not wanting to be a troublemaker, I put a few things in my bag to show what I enjoy.
1. My computer mouse for blogging and keeping up with friends and documenting our family's life.
2. My recipe index: I love collecting recipes and trying out new things.
3. A ceramic tile: I am on such a home improvement kick lately.

What brings balance to your life?

Archuleta Mania

My kids went from no real commitment to any American Idol finalist, to die hard David A. fans. They walked in from school yesterday with dozens of these signs to cut and color.

Kenley had a sign taped to her back.

And they wanted to make shirts. So we did.
They proudly wore them to school today. After the final performances, Kenley rushed to the phone and stayed there until she had voted for David A. exactly 200 times. Yes, you read it right. She voted 200 times. She came in to me and let me make the 200th phone call over an hour after she started. I admire her determination. Cameron, not usually bothered by such craziness, wanted a shirt of his own.

This is going a little too far guys!!

Last night's performances were outstanding. Personally, I loved them both.

FHE

What are we doing for Family Home Evening?

The same question I have been asked every Monday for the last 11 years or so. My kids are perfect in remembering and unfortunately we don't own a chart that assigns the jobs out, we just go with it. When they are asked to prepare a lesson, they go ALL OUT.

So last night over dinner when I got the question, I pointed to my head and gave the look like:

"I know and wouldn't you like to and you have to wait because it's a surprise."

Actually, that was my cue to start wracking my brain to come up with something at the last minute.

Here's my thought bubble:

(What do these little ones need?

They need to learn how to speak kinder to one another

and notice and appreciate the good)

So we sat in a circle outside and tossed the ball to each other. It's a corny FHE standard game, but it worked for us last night and it was emotional and enlightening. Some of my favorite lines,

*Cameron I am so proud of you that you love to read and let me help you learn (Me to Cameron)


*I like you (Cameron to Brent)


*I'm glad we have a teenager in our family (Dallin to Elizabeth)


*Thanks for helping me with my math homework (Elizabeth to Brent)


*Thank you for letting me (Brent right back to Elizabeth)


*Thank you for taking Britton and playing with him after school so I can get some things done (me to Kenley)

So our camera is now an extension of my right arm, so here's a snapshot of Cameron receiving his compliment from Dallin. I love the look on his face. This "my favorite pic of the week" says it all. Last night everyone felt good and proud and grateful.

And then everyone attacked each other to get the ball. "We are a Happy Family?"

Here's what's making me smile today. Some lilacs from outside that have made our whole house smell scrumptious.

Here's the finished tile work around the Master Bath tub.
On to the next project!

Celebrate the Individual

What are little boys made of?

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails.

We snail-sat six garden snails this weekend

Cameron couldn't resist exploring this huge hole in our yard dug in preparation of our "this is really going to get done soon" workshop. My boys LOVE dirt and tractors, and Britton loved wearing daddy's safety glasses while driving his car.

Boys, you'll grow and change. You won't always want to sit in toy cars and climb into holes.
I love watching you enjoy these things.

What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice.

Once into princesses and pink frills, interests now include:

Zac Efron

and

lip gloss.

Girls, I love watching you grow and seeing you change into beautiful young women.

What is this guy made of? Sweat and a tool belt.

Working long and hard this weekend to get our bathroom tiling project underway. We'll be finished this week.

Children grow and change because they are learning about themselves and others.

I love watching the change.

Brent, no need to change! :)

Britton's Acting Future

This kid just might have a future in acting. We just returned from his 18 month check with Dr. C. Here's the actual reenactment in

"Britton's Way of Explaining Things."

"My Mom made me go to the doctor. I know she loves me and wants me to be healthy, but I didn't like it."

"What? I gained 2 1/2 pounds in 3 months!!!" (Ok, I added this one)

"I laid down on the exam table and Dr. C checked my eyes, my nose, my ears and my tummy."

"Look, right here on my leg, Dr. C poked me."

"I know it's on this leg somewhere."

"Whaaaaa, I WAS NOT happy. Please don't make me go again."

Not bad acting skills for an 18 month old, huh?

Yep, I knew that!

Did you know that.....
....Sentences that begin with, "Mom, you know that formula........."
"x equals negative B plus or minus the square root of B minus four AC over 2 A.....?"
is going to end up with the mother feeling like her barely get by math grade in High School isn't cutting it as the parent of a brilliant mathematical genius. (Good Job Elizabeth.)

Did you know that.....
.....If my dad reads your blog and you have a misspelled word, he'll e-mail you the correct spelling: just so you know for next time. (Thanks Dad.)

Did you know that.....
.....Lingering to talk outside Wal-Mart to talk could result in getting MOONED. (No Thanks juvenile delinquent.)

Did you know that.....
.....A frozen bag of chicken that doesn't make it into the freezer, but placed on the floor next to the freezer will start to emit putrid odors that radiate the whole house about three days later. (Thanks child of mine.)

Did you know that.....
.....5th grade teachers that have a "open the lock race" to prepare the kids for middle school when they have lockers make me grateful for teachers who care. (Thanks Mrs. K.)

Did you know that.....
.....When someone comes over Monday afternoon with a plate full of delicious chocolate cupcakes with chocolate cream filling, delicious frosting and chocolate shavings on top and says "I was trying something new" we're more than happy to try them out. (Thanks Phyllis)

Did you know that.....The word Haptodysphoria means: An odd sensation felt by certain people when handling peaches or other fuzzy surfaces? (refers to my last post: Good job Jodi and Jan and Amy too!)

Party Central

When Elizabeth was 5 years old, she came to me one day and said,

"Can we have a Groundhogs Day Party?"

I told her that I had honestly never heard of a Groundhogs Day party to which she replied,

"SO?"

"How about a Valentine's Party?" I asked her. We did have the party and that was the beginning of party central at the Spurgeons. Any excuse and we're partying.

So, yesterday when I received a snow cone maker as my Mother's Day gift {and I feel pretty confident in guessing that none of my readers have received a gift such as this for Mother's Day} we had no choice but to have a Snow Cone Party. So,

Cameron blew up some balloons,

Kenley made a menu,

Elizabeth planned some games. The three legged race...
musical chairs,

and some amazing tricks.

For the sugar conscious, Raspberry Ice Crystal Light is delicious over shaved ice.

For Family Home Evening we played BALDERDASH. We have entered the phase where it's a blast to play "more grown up" games. Here's an example:

The word was HAPTODYSPHORIA

Here's what we came up with, plus one of these is the real definition.

1. A rare liquid rubbed on the upper arm to get rid of the Giant African Spider bite.

2. The fear of black bears.

3. Some people get this odd feeling when they touch a peach or other fuzzy objects.

4.A epidemic which was brought to the American continent by immigrants from Fiji.

Any guesses what this crazy word means?