These are a Few of My Favorite Things - Basketball, Family, Friends

Little C and Lou played basketball this past Fall for the Y. They both were attentive and soaked in the knowledge their coaches had to offer. Lou, adorably hopped around the court mostly - excited to be part of the action and Little C now says he has found "his" sport. Which I totally knew he would, but I cannot display my knowing smile or excitement for our shared basketball love because it embarrasses him.  Tweens are F.U.N. 

We had a surprise when we showed up to Lou's first practice. My best friend throughout my school years, Camille, had signed her son up as well and he was on Lou's very team. They bonded instantly and Ruckus and Moo enjoyed playing with her little daughter  - such an unexpected, fun, welcomed reunion.  

Little C

Lou and Little C

Same Number! Little C about died when I made him take this photo.
Again, I'm so good at unintentionally embarrassing him. 

Little C's Team

Little C shooting a free throw

Lou dribblnig

Lou and Cyrus

Moo, Ruckus, and Lilianna

Me, Lou, Cyrus, Camille

Back - The Beloved, The Baby, Me, Camille, Mark
Front - Ruckus, Moo, Lou, Cyrus, Lilianna

Major Fail

Our kids didn't believe us for a second when we told them that a leprechaun used our facility to relieve himself on St. Patrick's Day.

Seriously, they were all forensic about it; disproving our innocence -

like they think their parents play tricks on them often. :)

Sunday Stroll to Table Rock

I love MY PEOPLE!
Moo, The Beloved, The Baby, Little C Lou, and Ruckus in the front.

The Beloved with our angel baby

He's a dare devil

Ruckus and Little C - a few seconds later a badger ran by - freaky.

You know that ZERO sun dared  to get in my eyes with these bad boys on.
Me with Lou and Ruckus

Little C and his Mama

The Beloved, Ruckus, Lou, and Moo

Little C didn't want to be in the photo - that is why The Beloved is holding him with so much love.

You Remembered.

Do you ever wish your kids would forget about dinner? Like, totally forget it, not feel hungry and not remember it is missing from their evening?

Especially when your spouse is out of town and you know you're going to have to put your game face on in order for any bites to be consumed?

I do. Often. 

Awhile back we were having a R.E.A.L.L.Y. slow day. Everyone was feeling lethargic  - we ate a late breakfast, had lunch around 4:30 and by 6 I thought - 

I should probably make dinner.... but we just ate an hour and a half ago.....maybe they'll forget? 

I talked myself into our late lunch really being their dinner and I felt great about it. (awesome parenting moment #1)

The Beloved was out of town and I just vegged, catching up on my DVR'd shows, watching the hours go by until I could put my kiddos to bed and relish in the joy of getting out of cooking dinner. So sweet.

Until Lou walked into my room about eight and reminds me we haven't eaten dinner.

"What?" I say, all surprised. "We did eat dinner, just really early. Remember, around 4:30?"

"No, that was lunch."

"Are you sure? Because I really felt like that was dinner."

Then he starts counting through all the different meals we've consumed today, the number only totaling two . 

Lame and darn and busted.

"Do you really think you need dinner tonight? Are you hungry?"

He replied, Yes.

That sucks.

And to my great joy my second awesome parenting moment of the day happened when I opened the refrigerator, begging for some inspiration as what to cook and I spotted the Lunchables my children has talked me into buying a few days earlier.

And dinner was served.

Relief.

T.o.u.g.h.

Living in a household where the male population strongly outweighs the female  - this Mama's gotta be tough.  About once a year Little C will instigate a strength contest to see if his muscles will prove victorious over mine. I'm proud to give a big HA! to him :) because I TOOK HIM DOWN in our arm wrestling competition. The Beloved, on the other hand, killed us all. As it should be. 

Little C and I -
So fun.

Little C and Lou have a go at it. 

The Beloved and Little C prepping for their match.

 All the boys against Dad!

He conquered them all!

Not just once -

but twice. :)

Even when I sang my own theme music I still couldn't overcome the Big Dog, The Beloved.

Sneaksters

Do you like how Moo and Ruckus thought they could hide their consumption of soda by incorporating it into the decor?

Busted my friends. Busted.

What if the Good Just Stood Together?

The Beloved and I are still kind of new to the Facebook life (I kind of wanted to call it "The Facebook" right then - like "the Twitter" or getting on "the line". My dad refers to these things as such and it brings a smile to my face every time) and the things I like and dislike about it aren't really what I was anticipating. I was surprised by all of the interesting articles at my disposal- whether they be about politics, raising children, religion - I dig this wealth of, hopefully useful, information. I also enjoy seeing this other side of people, What they technically "like" or I guess dislike if they don't "like" :), what they're passionate about, what's relatable, funny, or touches them deeply enough to "share", (Not sure why I'm loving the quotation marks so much right now.)

Once in awhile a post will pop up in my news reel that a friend has liked. If the topic perks my interest I'll read it but typically I just keep doing the scroll down. The other night there was one headline that significantly stood out to me though and I can't remember the title exactly but it was basically why Mormons are crazy and the wild things we believe.

I read the article. Nothing really new or surprising was found. Same old things taken out of context, made up, or exaggerated. One thing that made me laugh was a confused question that the on-the-brink-of-becoming-an-anti-mormon-person commonly shares, "but the Mormons I know are so nice" implying if you're telling us they're cray cray why do we find them kind and enjoyable? The answer from the author as to why: Mormons are nice because they have to be. If they're not they won't get into heaven.

HA! Can I just tell you that The Beloved had a New Years Resolution one year not to hate people? It hasn't appeared on his list since because he failed so miserably at it.  I like him.
But, I'm pretty sure he'll still go to heaven because in the end, he's a pretty fantastic guy who's working on becoming a better human being. 

I hope we all are.

The point....

I was very sad that one of my friends who I thought knew me pretty well would "like" an article attacking my identity.  I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is my Purpose. My Life. I am a Mormon. If I am nice to you it is because I genuinely like you. Plus, I really like nice people. Some people don't - I think that's weird :). I naturally want to be nice. I think it's important to be kind and Christ-like because I care how I make others feel and I want them to know I think they're of great worth.

Sometimes I accidentally forget all that and can be a real beast. 

There's no secret agenda. 

Right now we are studying the New Testament at church and I couldn't find it more glorious. I love my Savior. I love His goodness, service, strength, endurance, example, and the love He has for every single one of us. 

I also love The Book of Mormon. And if my sweet friends have questions about my beliefs or this great book I invite them to have a conversation with me. Ask questions. Let's chat. But not attack or assume to know we understand the depths of a person's soul or their religion.

Why do we get caught up in the trap of the good vs. the good? That idea just enables us to forget this:

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

“This is the first and great commandment.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).

That means, Mormons, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Christians, Gays, Black, White, Who-ev. 

We love each other, take care of each other, embrace the good in each other, even though maybe at the end of the day we disagree -
We're neighbors. Pull out the stick. And let the good stand with the good.

P.S. Sorry I'm the Love Preacher lately :)

My, How He Loves Them

Ruckus is lovin' him some girls my friends. Which can become super complicated when there are so very many to be fond of.
The other day we had this conversation -

R - Mom, how do you decide which girl to marry first
Me - What do you mean?
R - Ya know, who to marry first, then second, then third....?
Me - Well, you only get married once sweetheart. You only choose "the one".
R - But you didn't. You got married twice.
Me - Right (shoot dog) , but that's usually not "the plan". What you do is date a lot of girls, figure out which one will make you the happiest man, be a good mama to your kids, love the Lord, and then you ask that one to marry you.

He walked away looking overly burdened with the decisions looming in his future.

Later on in the week one of my friends forwarded me this overheard conversation between her daughter, Londyn, and Ruckus:

R - I love Emma
L- You love Emma and not me?
R - No, I love both of you!
L -How do you love both of us?
R - Well, I am dating Emma and marrying you.
L - What is dating?
R - Hanging out, and marrying is forever.
L - Well I'm glad you are marrying me forever.... and I am glad you are marrying me without Emma.
R - Ya well....

Big smiles from this mom. Oh, how I love the ponderings of these little people I'm surrounded by.