Ultrasound

Well, the fluid levels looked great, and THERE'S ONLY ONE BABY! For some reason, I've been paranoid it would be twins.

The tech said she would bet it was a boy, but it's too early to be certain.

And last night? Well, let's just say I didn't get more than 30 minutes of sleep at any given moment. And I only got a few of those. We'll see how long I last until I ship the kids off somewhere for a nap.

Oh, and Josh is sick. Poor Josh, who lost a day to emotional crap instigated by someone in his program, and lost two afternoons watching the boys for 3 hours each time while I had doctor's appointments. Poor Josh, who has 8 tests in the next 7 days.

Say a prayer for him, eh?

This Week

This week has been a rough one. I slacked on Monday and read a novel instead of going grocery shopping or doing laundry, both of which could easily be put off at least a day or two. Tuesday I felt a little funny, had no appetite, did 5 loads of laundry, and a 2-hour dr's appointment with 5 vials of blood drawn. Tuesday night I couldn't eat, puked anything I did try to eat, and since then have generally felt gross.

Today I went grocery shopping, prepped for and taught playgroup for about a dozen rowdy kids, and now Leo is napping. I have to do the dishes, make focaccia bread, butternut squash gnocchi, a pie, and clean the house by 5 p.m. as we are having company for dinner.

Tomorrow I have a valentine's day party for the kids and then an ultrasound. Then I will come home and eat chocolate pudding.

I feel more tired just thinking about it. Better get cracking.

Connections

According to the Hallmark ad on PBS, Connections Make Life Meaningful.

I have to say, I agree.

Today has not been one of my better Sundays. The kids were up at 6, and I was not ready to go. We made it to church, where I missed most of the meetings for one reason or another.

But when I look at one of my boys smiling up at me, the enormous mess he just made seems unworthy of anger. When I express frustration, and Guy hollers back with, "I'm TRYING!" it's a slap in the face that his independence is worth encouraging.

So today as I was kneading the focaccia for dinner, as the rest of my family napped, I pondered the very special connection I've always felt to my maternal grandmother. I'm sure she wasn't always patient, but everyone knew she loved them fiercely. Her bread may not have always turned out, but she kept feeding her family. She very surely felt exhausted some days, but she kept fighting for that which she valued.

So to all my friends who are struggling, just keep at it. Right now is the chance to do great things, if we seize it. Perhaps it will only be seen by one soul, but I'm certain that soul is valuable.

1-2-3 Magic

My friend Tarmy lent me her copy of 1-2-3 Magic, Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 by Thomas Phelan, and I just finished it this morning.


It has changed my parenting philosophy a bit, and I'm pleased.

The 1-2-3 rule: No unnecessary talking (by the parent), and no emotion. When your kid needs to stop a behavior, you simply say, "That's 1" (pointing out what needs to stop, if necessary. Wait a few seconds to give them a chance, before proceeding to 2. On 3, they get a time out, or a time out alternative.

The book also goes into tactics for encouraging positive behavior, and ways of improving our relationships with our children so that the majority of the time we spend with them is enjoyable instead of frustrating and full of discipline that's only half working.

So far it's working really well. I'd highly recommend the read, especially the last few chapters focusing on strengthening your relationship.

Love Book Club!

I absolutely adore my book club. So much fun, and such good friendships with the women who come.

This month we discussed Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, and as always the discussion was lively and enjoyable.

I thoroughly enjoyed the theme of self-reflection, and the adventure into an author's dystopia where the only object valued is entertainment. The author is skillful in intimating the dangers of seeking happiness free of conflict or thought.

I have to admit, the novel has had a significant effect on how I have examined my leisure time. I feel inspired to read more books, develop my talents, and spend time developing real relationships face-to-face. I am less inclined to watch reality television, or channel surf, or meander the internet in search of someone else's life to observe.

So go out and read something! Do something! Stand up and let your voice and opinion be heard, in whatever form suits. I love the internet, but am trying to use it more thoughtfully.

Blogging is great, but what I really want is fulfilling relationships. So say something to me! Let me know you're reading this, or if you're interested in my life, or if you have anything to mention to me.

Send someone an e-mail, make a phone call, or write a note to someone whose relationship you value.

PSA: This month we will be reading C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce. Interested in joining us here in Provo? Send me an e-mail (emmilee@gmail.com) and I'll make sure you get the details and a copy of the book, if you so desire.

Missionary Fireside

I had the joy of attending a missionary fireside with Josh this evening. Thanks to my visiting teacher, the boys were snug in bed and I was free to join him at the BYU 57th Ward.

Unfortunately, his Ward Conference was cancelled today due to an explosion earlier in the week in the Clyde Building. I'm sad because I LOVE President Child, and was excited to hear him speak. The upside was that Guy got to go to Primary!*

The fireside this evening was perfect. The Ward Mission Leader has set 3 goals for the ward.

1) Serve regularly at the MTC, at the call center or TRC.
2) Share our testimonies once a week. If our lives are not in line with our testimony, straighten them out.
3) Use social media to share the gospel regularly.

Loads of people read Facebook and our blogs. Amazing how I'd never thought of this.

So in an effort to share a bit of my testimony, I wanted to share my thoughts on the fireside. Namely, that the gospel is so precious that I can't help but want to share it. The internet is a wonderful way I can get over my fear that those who are dear to me will reject the one thing I hold in highest esteem; my life raft in difficult waters; my salvation; my Savior and the gospel.

Those of you who are believers, put your testimony out there for the world to see and hear.

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

*Guy memorized the 1st Article of Faith in less than two weeks. Amazing. I'm thinking of instituting daily scripture memorization time, maybe at breakfast. I tried 18 months ago for my own sake and failed. So, try again! Right?

So cute, right?

This was Guy's Christmas present from myself (Josh gave him a nerf gun).

I LOVE how they turned out. It took less than 2 hours, including shopping for fabric. I bought $2/yd fabric at Walmart and used less than a yard, and used a small remnant my mother had, and a remnant of fusible interfacing to make the pocket stiffer.

I found the tutorial at Stardustshoes and it was surprisingly straightforward.

Now I just need to relax and let him cook with me more often! He's learning the fine art of peanut butter & jelly sandwich-making. The irony is that he won't eat PB&J, but Leo and I will, so it works out.