Fat

Kids can be so brutally honest.

I really want to tell this story because it shows just how children think, how they really aren't trying to be mean, how culture hasn't shaped them. Yet. They just say it like it is.

We were eating supper together Sunday and the kids were telling about their Primary classes. They all have new teachers for this year.

Nathan told us a little about his class. Remember, Nathan is 4. He mostly told us about one of his teachers. And if you are this teacher reading this post, let me tell you that we love you. I am sorry I am posting this, but I can't resist. Nathan really enjoyed his class. He had a great time, I'm sure he learned great things.

Nathan's report back to us was mostly about the appearance of his teacher. Again, Nathan is only 4. He just says things like they are.

 He said, "My teacher is so fat! His belly is out to here" and he held his hands out how big he thought his teacher's belly was.

Then Nathan hops out of his chair, runs to the end of the table where Evan was sitting, and says to Evan, "But Dad, you are so much more fatter!"

I wasn't the only one at the table that couldn't control my laughter. Seriously, this was one of those moments that I knew how I should react, but couldn't get myself to stop laughing.

Evan even started laughing.

Nathan was looking around at all of us wondering why we were laughing. He really didn't know. He was simply reporting back about his class, just like everyone else.

I think it threw Nathan off a little and maybe he realized what he said wasn't appropriate. So he threw in, "But my teacher has so much bigger ears than you."

 

A Winter Day at the Beach

We decided to try another go at crab fishing.  Only problem is we have since had a hurricane and all the crabs have moved on. We went to the wrong beach. But we still had a great time finding hermit crabs.

It really wasn't that cold, a nice breeze was blowing. And the kids were getting a little wet. But they had a ball.

They caught probably 100 hermit crabs. When it was time to leave, the kids put all the crabs out in a line and had a crab race. Only problem was the crabs didn't race. Not really. But the kids had fun getting it set up. 

We rode the ferry to the Island. The seagulls were flying so close and eating out of people's hands. You could throw food in the air and the birds would swoop down and catch it before it hit the water. 

We hoped to see the dolphins jumping this time, but no luck there either. But when you go anywhere with friends or cousins, it is always fun.

And tiring. Almost everyone fell asleep on the drive home.

Nathan's Conclusion

Last night I was in the boys room trying to get Gavin to fall asleep in his bed. He is two, this shouldn't be such a big deal. But it is.

Of course Nathan now has my undivided attention, me in a dark room in silence  And although I want the silence to help Gavin fall asleep, I couldn't resist the questions Nathan was asking.

He asked why Satan wants us to do bad things.

Can Jesus do anything with his powers?

Is Jesus stronger than Hulk?

Can Jesus walk on clouds?

Why is Satan bad and Jesus good?

I explained that Satan wanted us to do bad things so we wouldn't be happy.

Why didn't Satan want us to be happy?

I told Nathan it was because he wasn't happy.

Nathan wanted to know why Satan wasn't happy.

Spencer, on the top bunk, decided this was his time to join in on the conversation. Spencer proceeded to tell Nathan all about the two plans presented to Heavenly Father by Satan and Jesus and how Satan's plan would force us to do things and Jesus' plan would allow us to choose.

I couldn't believe Spencer knew all that. Did I teach him that? We have gospel discussions all the time in our home, most of them unplanned and random. So maybe I did?

Spencer really understood all this and was able to explain it to Nathan. I was impressed.

Nathan still wanted to know why Satan wanted us to be mean and do bad things.

Spencer explained a little more.

And Nathan's conclusion?

"So, Satan wants us to pee in the sink. That would be bad. And he wants us to wash our hands in the toilet."

Nathan told me that conclusion in all seriousness. It was one of those moments that I was glad it was dark so he couldn't see my uncontrollable shaking with silent laughter. Of all things for Nathan to conclude!

And then Nathan said if we follow Jesus, we will not pee in the sink, we will pee in the toilet.

Makes you want to come visit my home, huh?

Seriously, if that kid ever peed in my sink I think I would die!

 

Bonnie's Baby Blessing

I guess it wasn't Bonnie's baby blessing, it was Sage's baby blessing. Sage is Bonnie and Jarom's new baby. And check out that cute baby and her set of cheeks!

All three of us girls got to come. And my parents.

Bonnie and I. And Sage.

The three girls

Here are several of my siblings that were able to come:

Bonnie, Me, Michael, Eric, and Dorias.

We had the family dinner at my home after the blessing. So fun to have everyone over.

I don't know that Eric was feeling the same way. The kids were all over him.

We had some of the most amazing food. The food was good, but the desert was memorable. We may have had banana pudding. But we did have chocolate pudding with layered Oreos in it. Seriously the most amazing dessert EVER! If you haven't had it before, you have got to try it. My mouth is just watering thinking about it!

Running

I'm not a runner. I don't run. And when I do, it is a painful, brutal experience. It is something I guess I can do, I just really don't like it because it is hard. And it hurts!

Peter, the 75 year old man on my swim class, runs marathons.

Why is running so hard for me?

Nicole, a good friend, runs daily.

At Summer of Seals, the 1.5 mile run about did me in.

See, running isn't my thing.

So when Nicole approached me and asked me if I would join her in her craziness and run a 1/2 marathon, I told her she was crazy and said no way. Didn't even consider it.

And then I read her email, clicked on the link, and saw that it was a run along the ocean. The beautiful water.

Then I remembered this was 13.1 miles and was brought back to reality.

I made the mistake of telling Nicole that I had clicked on her link and was actually a little interested. Yep, she committed me to the run.

The very next day I ran 3 miles and thought I was going to die. The day after that was only 2 miles and I decided to do it on the treadmill and listen to conference. It was actually an awesome run because I had enough sleep the night before and I accomplished something while I was running. I was uplifted and happy. A day off and then another 2 miles run. Saturday was the long run.

Isn't 3 miles already a long run? Nope, Saturday Nicole and I ran 4.5 miles, the longest I had ever run in my life. And again, I wanted to die. It was so hard!

When I say I am going to do something, I do. Monday was 2 miles. Tuesday 3 miles. Wednesday 2.5 miles. Thursday was a day off. Friday 2 miles. And then the long run on Saturday. 5 miles this time.

Only this Saturday, Nicole hurt her ankle, so she was out, no longer able to run in this half marathon craziness. I was left to finish this on my own. I had committed to myself to do this, I couldn't back out just because Nicole couldn't compete, right?

That is where I've been for 4 weeks now. I ran the long run of 5 miles that Saturday. Ran 4 times that next week and completed another long run on Saturday of 6 miles. This last week I did the same and completed the long run of 7 miles, a total of 19 miles of combined runs that one week.

Monday I ran 3 miles, Tuesday I ran 4 miles, and then this morning I ran 3 miles. I get tomorrow off and then I run 3 miles Friday with an 8 mile run on Saturday. That's a total of 21 miles this week. That's a lot of miles and a lot of craziness.

I still haven't signed up for the half marathon because I have still been debating in my mind if I should do it. But I think I will. It will be by myself, but so are many things in my life.

I'm almost there with the training.

I no longer am listening to conference talks, I ran out of this last conference and needed to change things up for my long runs. I already listened to The Invisible Thread while running and loved it. Now I am listening to Crossed, which isn't the most interesting book, but good enough.

 I'm really enjoying my runs.

I never thought I would ever say that. I like the time I get to listen to a book. I like the time it takes to not think about anything. And I like that I am accomplishing something I thought was too hard for me. I just hope my body holds out and that I can seriously finish a half marathon and get that cool bumper sticker that says 13.1.

That would be something awesome.

The first 1/2 mile still hurts. Hurts every time  But once I make it past that, it isn't too bad. I've heard running is all mental. I think they're right.

 

Books I Read in 2012

• James and the Giant Peach
• The Beyonders by Brandon Mull
• Daisy Chain: A Novel by Mary E DeMuth

I was pretty pathetic for reading in 2012. I wonder if' it is because I'm too busy. Or maybe because I am working 2 part-time jobs, have 6 kids, am the Primary President, have 6 kids, etc.

Either way, it doesn't matter. I love to read, and this shows me I need to slow down. I need to be able to enjoy life. I love reading, it gives me something to look forward to. And I am not okay with it taking the back burner.

Goal for 2013, read at least an average of 1 book a month or 12 books this year.

I can do it!

Christmas Pictures 2012

I found the Christmas pictures. I thought I had taken them. 

Nathan got a leap pad. That he got dirty and stuck under the sink to wash. And ruined.

Happy Gavin

 Danielle got a 360 raser. Super fun bike that spins. She played and played with this toy on the back porch for hours and hours and hours. Best gift ever for Danielle.

Camie got horseback riding lessons. Can you tell she was excited?

Taneal got piano music. I think that might be a fake smile. She also got a blue tooth speaker for her bedroom. And clothes.

Spencer got skates. He really wanted them from Santa. He likes to withhold his excitement. Always keeps his excitement to himself. But I know he was excited.

Camie got a kindle. She can show the excitement.

Gavin got a Mater shirt. He loves Cars.

Nathan really liked this book. Until he found some girls in it that were "not being very modest". Christmas really wasn't very long-term for him. His presents not such a success. But he had a great Christmas. At this age, they don't need much to make them happy.

Merry Christmas 2012

I know it is only 4 months late, but we had a merry Christmas. 

Santa did the "need it, want it, wear it, read it" again this year. Makes Christmas so much more organized and simple. It is a fun, manageable way to have Christmas. Still so in love with the idea.

The boys got this geo-trax train set. So much fun and lots of play time.

Seriously don't know what this picture is of and why Camie has something hanging out of her mouth. I was really lousy at pictures and this is as good as it gets. Oh, I remember now. It's whipped cream. We had reindeer pancakes and they had whipped cream as the eyes. 

Camie got a kindle for Christmas and was very excited. She also got a cello stand. And clothes. And k'nex.

Spencer and Nathan enjoying their train.

Taneal got clothes. She LOVES clothes. Must be she is a teenage. And Gavin? Loving not having clothes. I think that's why I liked this picture so much.

Spencer's favorite gift was this pocket knife he got from Aunt Katie at the Chinese Exchange on Christmas. Pocket knife trumps anything Santa could bring. Probably because this Santa wouldn't bring a 6 year old boy a pocket knife. In a Chinese Exchange game is this only way this young boy would ever get e knife. I was planning on waiting until he was 18. Okay, maybe 11. But definitely not 6.

Christmas dinner at Troy and Becky's.