Changes and Chandler

Chandler has been experiencing so many changes I can hardly keep up. His voice has noticably changed - sometimes it startles me! I think I have a man in the house and then I do a double take and its my Chandler.....yes he is becoming a man. He is almost as tall as I am and his foot is almost as big as his Dad's foot. He has gorgeous curly hair but he hates it. Isnt that always the way it is??!! He was determined to straighten it so I took him to a Beauty school and for about 3 weeks he had semi-straight hair but now the curls are coming back in full force. He wants to erase the freckles off his face - no longer am I convincing when I say they are angel kisses. He just rolls his eyes and says, "Get real mom!" He wants to throw away his wardrobe and purchase clothes only from Pacific Sun "Pac Sun". He wont leave the house without a hat on..."gotta look like Dad". He is testing the boundaries at school and has decided that being the smartest kid isnt so cool anymore. I have never had to stay on top of him and school work.... he has always been internally motivated. Not anymore! Social life is definitely top of the list and school is definitely bottom. So....I have had to find external sources in which to motivate. He is so intelligent and school comes so easy to him. He has good friends and gives me the opportunity to get to know them. He loves to be around anyone with a sense of humor and takes pride in the fact that he is "getting it" when everyone else is laughing. He loves to hang out with his Uncles and looks forward to the next hunting season when he can walk in their footsteps. He is getting his 1st class in Boy Scouts and is excited to do so. He thinks its "cool" that he will be given the gift of the ministry of angels as he is ordained to a Deacon. He went to his first planning meeting for his Deacon's Quorum and he is siked about the "crazy cool" activities that Brother Pecita (sp?) and the other guys are planning.

With all of the many daily changes my soon-to-be 12 year old is making he still wants me to sing to him at night, rub his back to help him fall asleep, and cuddle on the couch as I read him Christmas stories from our "Story, Scripture, Song a day" book that my Mom gave to me when I was a brand new Mom. He still gives me hugs and kisses when no one is looking and he still fights with his brother and sister about who gets to sit next to me. He helps me with whatever I ask him to - mow the lawn, take out the trash, clean and cook. He even is patient with me as I teach him things he really doesnt want to learn like sewing. He says, "Mom, you know I am doing this because I love you." My heart melts. So.....I guess I cant complain. He is becoming a fine young man and soon-to-be Priesthood holder. I love him beyond comprehension! He is and always will be my first.

Brigham's Birthday

Brigham's Birthday was a blast. We went to Breakfast with Santa at Wilmington University and he was non-stop smiles. We got pictures with Santa, did a craft, ate a yummy breakfast and recieved a goodie bag. He loved being with his cousins! Then we came home to ice cream cake and presents. He recieved some very fun gifts - Light Saber "Make your Own", Nerf Gun, Storm Trooper Voice Changer, Paints, and a Clock. He then went to Chuck E Cheeses with his Dad and some of his friends.

I cant believe my little Brigham is going to be 7 on the 14th of this month - he is my baby and he will be Baptized in one year. He is reading like crazy and doing Math well beyond his age level. He is my cuddle bug and I love his hugs and kisses. I am blessed!

Welcoming Warmth and PCA Service Projects

Chandler is going to his Scout Master Conference and Board of Review for his Tenderfoot, 2nd class, and 1st class ranks tomorrow. After the Court of Honor in October, he will be working on his "Star" Rank in Boy Scouts. For his Star he has to complete a 6 hour service project. We spoke to the principle of Chandler's school - Providence Creek Academy - and she said that Chandler could satisfy those hours working for the school in a variety of ways. He will be working with the Grounds Keeper, Ms. Lori, to do ground work - weeding, taking care of the facility, preparing for Open House and for the Winter Concert. He is also making bean bags for the Gym teacher, Mr. Beach. He said he could use bean bags for the lower grades. So I went to Mom's house and picked up fabric.....she has soooooo much fabric! Last night I showed Chandler how to use the sewing machine and he used it for the first time. He sewed three squares and did a great job. I did the rest of the sewing on the machine. He then took the squares and turned them right side out, filled them with beans, and pinned the top shut so that he could hand sew the top. He is making about thirty bean bags. If this doesnt satisfy the 6 hour requirement then he will be making instruments (like shakers) for the Music Teacher, Ms. Waldron. I think the other two will satisfy the six hours but we shall see.

When Chandler turns 12 and is a Deacon he has the opportunity to work on his Duty to God award. In order for him to get his Deacon's Duty to God Certificate he has to do a 10 hour service project. We discussed this opportunity and why it was important for him to serve in his community. We discussed all the many many ways he could serve. After much discussion and weighing his options Chandler chose to do a service project that we entitled, WELCOMING WARMTH. He will be creating a flyer that explains his desire to collect blankets for a local Homeless shelter and/or Battered Womens Shelter (we have yet to find one but we have a few months before we need to start this). He will distribute the flyers (during the 3 mile walk/jog/run he does everday) to our neighborhood explaining that he will be back in one week to pick up the blankets. He will also put a box on our porch or those who would like to drop them off and a box at school. He will then deliver them to the Homeless Shelter and/or Battered Womens Shelter. I am so grateful for these programs that help me direct my children for good.
So, if any of you have extra blankets hold onto them until January when he will be doing his service project - Thanks for all your support!

Our Halloween Masterpiece

In our kitchen we have created a Haunted House out of old boxes, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, construction paper, wire, paint, pipe cleaners and lots and lots of creativity. Paigey created a house that is pink and purple. It has ghosts that have eyelashes, dresses and even jewlery. She has spiders with pink goggley eyes and pumpkins with gigantic smiles! The trees around her house are pink, red and white. She told me, "I dont like scary things, MaMa (she still calls me MaMa) so... I made mine pretty!" In contrast, Brig's has a skull in the window, scary pumpkins, spiders and ghosts and his is black, green and yellow. The trees around his are green, yellow and orange. The big main house everyone helped with and it has bats coming out of the top. It was alot of fun to make. We considered using green skittles for the grass and a nerd rope for flowers around the house but we decided that when the cousins come to visit they might try to eat it, so.... we decided against that idea. We had a fun time making Frankenstiens also! We took our #10 cans from food storage, turned them upside down, used green felt for the face and black tissue paper or construction paper for the black hair. Paigey's has real earings hot glued to either side so she can "look pretty" and curly black hair instead of jagged hair like Brigs. She also has curly eye lashed and red lips. Brig's on the other hand, has scars on his face, jagged teeth, mean eyes and a gash on the side of his face. It was funny hearing them react to each others creations. Chandler's interest in creating like this is, is well, dwindling.....so he did not join us. He has enjoyed watching our materpiece grow and has been very complimentary to is brother and sister.

Brigham's Creative Mind - Amazing

Brigham came to me the other day and said, "Mommy, I need a few garbage bags, some rope and some wood." I said, "What are you going to do with those supplies, Brig?" He said, "I am going to make a parachute, climb on the roof of our house, and jump off!" AMAZING! The other day in the car he started to rattle off another long supply list. After he adjusted his list a little and retold me the list several times with the new adjustments, I asked him, "Brig, when you are sitting quietly in the car is you mind constantly thinking up new things to build?" He said, "Yes, I just cant stop my brain!" He is my little engineer.

TEMPLE TRIP - NEW YEARS EVE

I am so excited to go to the Temple on New Years Eve. We have an appointment time of 11:30 and we have the font until 1:00 p.m. The temple will provide Chandler with 10 names so that he can have his first experience in the Temple with his family! Won't that be awsome. I am thrilled. As a youth, I only did Baptisms once. I attended the trips but I only actually got into the water once. So, this will be Chandler's first time and my second time. I am in need of 20 -30 family names that can be done that day. If any one has names that we can have to take to the temple that would be awsome. If not, Chandler will be the only one doing baptisms and I would like to have him see us do baptisms also. Mom and Dad said they would like to do a session directly after the Baptisms. This will be the last time we can all be in the celestial room together before Mom and Dad leave on their missons. It will be a sweet experience I am sure. Since Chandler will then "officially" be a youth, he can help watch the children at the Stake Center. Paigey will be with Jen's family at Grandma Tricia and FaFa's house and Brig will be with his Daddy that day so, I will only have Chandler at the Stake Center. I am sure he will be happy to help with the cousins in anyway he can. Thank you all for being such an influence for good in my life and Chandler's life. This temple trip will be the highlight of my year, I am sure of it!

Priesthood Preview

The spirit was so strong at Chandler's Priesthood Preview. "How can a young man go wrong with so much support?", I thought to myself. He has a Young Men's President, Deacon's Quorum Advisor, Bishop, and two Counselor's, a Grandpa, an Uncle, a Primary President and, of course his parents. What a perfect gospel! Heavenly Father has certainly NOT left us alone to wade through life's stormy paths, has he? Absolutely not. What a powerful support system. I am overwhelmingly grateful for these worthy priesthood holders who stand as examples to Chandler and who will guide him to paths that will ultimately help him become a righteous man of God. He has yet to decide for himself if this is the path for him. He has many forces around him pulling at him. I feel the advesary in his life. He is asking me questions and exhibiting behavior that scream, "Leave me alone! I will make my own choices! I dont want to be like you!" I have felt the urgency and have stepped up my efforts on the Lords behalf. Our scripture study is exactly that - a study. I believe Chandler needs to know right now how the scriptures apply to him personally. In an effort to help him, I incorporate our Heavenly Father's theme of an eternal perspective into everthing we do from prayer to FHE to Sabbath Day observence to friends, music, girls, and family. I am mindful of specifically praying for each child, hoping they will be aware that I see there personal struggles. My personal motto is, "Resistance if futile" (smile) but I know that ultimately he has his freedom to choose and I am working on cultivating gentle persuasion.. boy is that a hard one!!!! I have faith that if I live the principles of the gospel that I will reap the promises that come with them. I am relying on the Lord to keep his promise. It is a full-time job keeping up with all of it and so everything is secondary to it - sports, music, after-school activities - everything. My mission is to convert and save my children and it is taking everything I've got. I am so grateful for the support system of the gospel and my ever present support system of my family. What would I do without them?

FRIDAY FAMILY FUN NIGHT!

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU ADD..... 11 CHILDREN, 7 FUN FILLED CENTERS, 1 ART AND CRAFT, 1 DINNER AND DESSERT, 1 MOVIE, 6 HOURS OF QUALITY TIME, AND 1 AUNT DAWN??????

GREAT MEMORIES FOR A LIFE TIME!

( and one very happy A"nut" Dawn - he! he!)

Its so fun to be a Girl!

Little girls are full of life and precious beyond compare! Paigey, Kristina, and I spent our Saturday together - 13 fabulous hours of fun! It started with Kristina's soccer parade - "work it girl!" (ha! ha!) She then played a double header - GO KRISTINA! After our sunny morning, which left us all sunburnt - we headed to Grandma's house for an invaluable lesson in quilting. I am EXCITED...quiliting is going to be my new hobby! We started by looking at a quilt Grandma is making for (soon to be) newest addition to our growing clan, Adam Robinson. She explained how to plan out your quilt on paper and how to choose the fabrics we will use. We then went fabric hunting from Grandma's gigantic assortment of fabrics... the girls were quite impressed (so was I!) !!! It was like a shopping spree - a little of this and a little of that and they were ready to create...... up the stairs we climbed with our piles of fabric. We then explored different types of "piecing" and how we wanted our "squares" to look. Finally, we decided our color pattern, back piece and size of the quilt. Kristina's quilt is a rainbow of colors - beautiful! Paigey's is a variety of pinks and browns - so Paige! I will be making a Red (what a surprise!), White and Blue quilt to match the decor of my bedroom. It was a productive and educational experience all around and I look forward to the next time we get to go and do some more!!!!!!!

Later that evening we went Rollerskating at the Dover Skating Center - It was soooooo much fun! We all fell a couple of times but got back up and tried again. Paigey and Kristina looked so stylish in their matching sparkly rhinestone earings and their goucho's swaying to a fro as they glided across the rink. We ended the day with the purchase of some fish net gloves and a large gem necklace to go with there Punk Rocker Halloween Costumes!

Paigey and Kristina mean the world to me! I am so thrilled that I get the chance to watch them learn and grow. It is one of the highlights of my life right now!

Halloween is Upon Us - Spooktacular!

Our home is abuzz with Halloween talk.... Brigham is having a difficult time deciding what he wants to be but at the moment it is between a Ninja, Batman, or a Bionicle. Chandler is definitely going to be a Rock Star - I am not sure what that is suppose to look like but we shall see. Paigey is going to be a Punk Rocker. She was going to be Queen of Sheeba wearing a beautiful costume I recently purchased but she changed her mind. So instead of beautiful jewlery, cascading curls, high heel shoes, and a glittering gown she will be wearing torn nylons, teased out multi-colored hair, black nail polish and black lipstick. WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE? I know, I know its only a costume but still..... I am not dressing up this year. I got to many funny looks last year and so after wearing my clown costume for 13 years (I purchased it the year before Chandler was born and have worn it just about every year since) I think it is time to throw it away and grow up..Boo! Hoo! We are early birds with the decorating - we have our scarecrows up and have purchased our pumpkins. I made some ghosts that are hanging from each pillar of my porch and we are still deciding where to put "Pog". He is our friendly skeleton. We named him "Pog" when Paigey was little because she was afraid of him so we made him a friendly skeleton who we would wave to when we arrived and departed from our home. She would even throw fishy crackers to him because she said he looked hungry... kind of funny since he is a skeleton - she was happy, though. One time she went up to "Pog" and folded his arms and said, "Look, Mommy, Pog is praying". Now "Pog" only has one hand, is a bit more mangled and no one is afraid of him. How times change! As for the inside of my house I am using my food storage cans to make pumpkins and frankensteins - with tissue paper and some creativity. It has been a lot of fun being creative with what I have around the house. So far I have only spent $10.00 on 6 pumpkins at a corner veggie stand.

1st grade with Brigham

Wow, have I heard an ear full from Brigham about the ongoings of 1st grade. 1st there was a girl who got a write up for CUTTING OFF HER PONYTAILS - thats right, both ponytails.... Can you imagine her mothers reaction to that one? 2nd there were the two boys who wet there pants because they were afraid to ask to go to the bathroom.... I am sure the classroom had an interesting aroma that day. 3rd there is a boy in class that wouldnt keep is feet out of Brigham's face....so.... Brigham tried to use the RULES OF CONFLICT (which I will include at the bottom of this entry) that I try to teach my children and then he had it! Brigham about dislocated the boys foot from his leg. Needlesstosay, Brigham did not get to go to Friday Fun Centers on Friday. He said that was okay because he played with his eraser with the teacher wasnt looking. We had a little talk about that...just a little one...OH MY GOSH!

RULES OF CONFLICT:

IGNORE
MOVE AWAY
TALK FRIENDLY
TALK FIRMLY
FIND AN ADULT

Brigham apparently forgot the last one.

The Three P's - Priesthood Preview and Preparation

Chandler is going to his Priesthood Preview next Sunday - September 14th at 6:00 p.m. I am looking forward to it! I am learning so much about the Priesthood - more specifically the Aaronic Priesthood. My testimony is deepening and the spirit has witnessed to me the truth of it. I pray that I can convey that to Chandler in a way that will be helpful to him.

Children are a Gift and HORRAY FOR THE TICK LIST!

I woke up this morning to Chandler saying, "Its 6:00 a.m., Mom. Rise and Shine!" I think we have reversed roles! Directly afterward he headed to the shower and I jumped into bed with Briggy showering him with kisses. The bunny "Snowball" (Paigey calls her this) or "Mrs. BunBun" (Brig calls her that) was nibbling on her cage. Clearly she wanted out so I told Brig and he got out his bunny and gave him a bunch of love. I then woke up Paigey and told her the Bunny was out....she sprung out of her sleeping bag and zoomed to Brig's room. She loves that bunny!

Often, Paigey will set up camp in a sleeping bag right next to my bed. This usually transpires in the middle of the night when I am sound asleep. I have learned to carefully get out of bed in the morning for fear that I will trample on someone who has decided to set up camp right next to my bed. I have found this to be a good alternative to waking up with two - three extra bodies in my bed - TALK ABOUT BRAKE NECK!

MORNINGS ARE GREAT NOW! I finally have found a system that works for my family! Horray! Last school year the mornings were soooooooo difficult and someone was always forgetting something. You could cut the frustration in the air with a knife. As school approached I reflected on these mornings last year and I did not want a repeat so I came up with a plan. I decided that I would have a Family Home Evening on Personal Responsibility, Time Management and incorporate the idea of a "TICK LIST". After discussing Personal Responsibility I told them that they were going to create there own reminder charts. We discussed last year and everyone agreed something had to be done. We then discussed what it was to create good habits. Finally they individually made a list of things they would need to do in the morning. Each persons was a little different for example, Chandler had to add "Take Medication" and Paigey had to add "Put on Earings". But, most of them were alike for example, "Say Morning Prayers", "Make Bed", "Brush Teeth", or "Fill Water Bottle". There were many more on the list but you get the idea. We then turned that list into a chart with a box for them to check next to each item and listed the Days of the Week on top of the boxes. They each decided on a spot they could keep there list and a colored pencil/ crayon to put beside it. OH, HOW WONDERFUL MORNINGS ARE NOW! I no longer need to ask a million times if something has been done or continously forget things that need to be done. I simply ask "Did you check your TICK LIST?" and they run to read it and mark it off as they go. We do have a few guidelines that go with the morning Routine: 1. The TV does not go on until all things are done on the TICK LIST. 2. Breakfast is served at 6:50 a.m. if they choose to have breakfast at home. They can choose to have it at school if they want to.
3. We leave at 7:20 a.m. sharp. I explained to Chandler, Paigey, and Brig that not only are they learning Personal Responsibility but they are also learning Time Management which are two great qualities that will later help them be successful at whatever they choose to do with there lives. I work hard to remember to offer up compliments every morning that reflect there behavior, like "You are being so responsibile." or "Thank you for managing your time wisely and getting to the breakfast time on time". The TICK LIST also takes me out of the picture and allows for them to be independent. This is so important to my "TWEENER", Chandler, because he does not want to be told what to do. It has been so helpful to my state of mind. I have less stress and smile alot more. It just goes to show a little (or alot, sometimes) planning can make a huge difference!

Say Goodbye to Summer and Hello to School

School started on August 25th and I was sad to see summer end. We got up at an early hour of 6:00 a.m. to prepare for the day. We sure have enjoyed sleeping in through the summer and that first day was a doozy! After filling lunch boxes, water bottles, bookbags and the car with all the millions of supplies the kids need on the first day of school we left. This was Chandlers first day of Middle School and he was nervous. Paigey was excited that she got the teacher she wanted and Brigham couldnt care less. Right now school is not Brig's thing. After arriving we unloaded and made our way to the teachers who were outside holding their signs with their names on them. I took everyones supplies into their classroom and said my good-byes. "Another year has started," I thought with a sigh of relief. As I sat in the silence of the car I had a great desire to slow down time. It is moving to rapidly for me. They are growing up to quickly. I went back in my mind to the day I left each of them with their Kindergarden Teachers. Then in a split second I saw, in my minds eye, them graduating from High School and moving out. I will miss them very much the same way I missed them when there hand left mine at that Kindergarden door, I suppose. "Now is the time," I thought. I am grateful for my time with my children and I adore them beyond anything I have ever experienced.