Box

I didn't think she would sleep in there all night. And never in my wildest dreams did I guess she would want to sleep there again. However, the way she was snoozing away, I'm convinced she actually sleeps better in a box. Ethan, on the other hand, prefers freedom.

Flour

It is just too bad when flour goes bad.

5 miracles in 5 days - A true story by Amy

The last five days have been such a great learning experience for me! The lesson is one that has been taught to me all my life, but it took experiencing it to actually start learning it. With the help of Elisa and her girls, I did just that! On Friday morning Elisa asked if I would watch her girls from Saturday 'til Wednesday. We owed them and so, of course, I accepted the challenge. Well, once upon a time I watched her oldest 3 while I had McKenzie. I had 4 girls total and must admit, I felt like I was in total never-ending chaos the whole week. I was completely non-stop stressed out and my home was a non-stop mess. This time, I figured it would be better because now with 3 kids of my own, I've adjusted to being able to handle a mess without it completely throwing off my inner aura. Still, I was a little nervous about the fact that Sunday was fast sunday and .... you know how it is, you come home from church completely famished in every way. Also, I had decided previous to Elisa's call to make my fast more real by actually fasting, not just feeling tummy-grumbling hungry during the three hours of church and then coming home and scarfing down everything in sight. Well, an amazing thing happened, a miracle really. I fasted - and longer than usual - and didn't feel tired or hungry the whole day. This may seem like a small thing to you, but to me, I can't remember a fast sunday in all my history of fast sundays where I felt energized and sustained without partaking of the actual sustenance. O.k., miracle number 2. My house was not the disaster I had prepared myself to accept. It was actually clean two or three times/day. The girls helped out extremely well and all the kids were so pleasant and easy most of the time, that it allowed me time to keep things pretty orderly. A little secret about me: I am a person that take naps - almost daily. I count it as part of my job description, right under diaper changing: "Take a nap once daily". It allows me a better chance at being a kind, patient, loving mother. Well, this brings us to miracle number 3: although I did take short naps during nap/quiet time, I felt more energized during these 5 days than I normally do with only 3 children. I actually could have remained kind without taking naps. Miracle number 4: There was not a moment the whole week (besides, admittedly, the very last hour during baths, getting bags packed, laundry done, etc.) that I felt stressed out. In fact, believe it or not, I thoroughly enjoyed myself with all 7 kids ages 7-and-under. I thought of it as 5 days where I could live my dream of having a large family. And, seriously, it was awesome. I could tell right off the bat that I was recieving extra help, but it wasn't until I talked to Elisa on Tuesday that I really understood why. She had fasted for me - just to help me out a little (she had fasted for herself when she watched my kids and I know that she recieved help). It was a combination of that and the fact that I spent our days the way that I've planned to spend with my own children - but just haven't gotten around to really doing: We started each day with getting dressed, saying family prayer, having family scripture study, and eating breakfast. Amazing how when you take the time to do the important things first you seem to have more time in the day - which can be counted as miracle number 5, since it doesn't really make sense scientifically or mathematically. After our days together were up, it was bitter-sweet to see the Hasslers go. Sweet that I had been taught a great lesson in employing the powers of heaven in motherly duties, and bitter that these powers were leaving with the Hassler girls since I didn't need them anymore. Or did I? This is when it dawned on me. These kinds of blessings are not one time things. They don't need to be called upon only when the measures are drastic. They can not be depleted. I'm going to work on using Heavenly Father's help more often in my own life - for my own kids. I'm so grateful that we are able to recieve help. I think Satan wants us to believe we should only ask for help when we are sufficiently spiritually prepared (which could very well be never for a perfectionist like myself), or ask just for special occasions. I'm going to start asking for help daily. This phrase came to mind while thinking about my ability ask for heavenly help: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without". And personally, I don't want to do without. I love the "make it do" part. No matter what spiritual level you're at, make it do. We don't have to be spiritually perfect to recieve help. That's a gift of the atonement. We just need to use the spiritual power we have - (even if it's a small tiny amount of desire to have enough faith) and use it. Use it up. Wear it out. make it do. The miracle of it is that you won't actually wear it out. It will be made larger, more brilliant, more evident. And then starts the process again with even more faith. I love this gospel. I'm thankful for the ability to recieve help from heaven because heaven knows I need it! In conclusion, Jason, maybe when I've mastered the art of employing heaven's help for our family on a regular basis, we really could have the 9 children I originally wanted? ... Jason? ... Jason? Are you o.k.?

With that, here are some pictures. Enjoy. And happy mothers day! I love all of you, my favorite mothers in the world. We are doing a spiritual work and can recieve spiritual help. It's easy to forget sometimes. I admire the mothers I know that have learned this already and who have figured out how to diffuse it into their lives. Here, today, starts my journey of diffusion.



Hailey came to our house straight from a party where she had recieved bubbles and a hula outfit. She had seen a "real hula girl" at the party. Well, I think Hailey has the gift of dance 'cuz she looked like a real hula girl when she showed us the moves she had just learned. Cute girl! She was such a huge help to me - always coming up with fun ideas for all of us to do together.





The girls made "hats" during quiet time one day - thanks to Elisa for bringing the stuff. I wish you could see how jam packed full Alexa's visor is with foamy sticker upon foamy sticker! :)


This girl is the most content baby I've ever seen. All I did was throw food to her at meal times and then throw her in bed at bed time (o,k, I actually rocked her and snuggled with her, if the truth be know. But, she was easier than a pet.) The girl was perfectly content to explore her surroundings with her chubby little self and muse at all the comotion.

There were two of four days that I was motivated enough to do all 5 heads of girl hair (while neglecting Ethan and Asher - I love boy hair). Why didn't I continue on to the 3rd day? Well, on the second day, I was mocked. After doing Alexa's hair, she said "Hey, why did you make me a bunny?" Admittedly not my best performance. However, don't all five girls need something a little different? And, well, she was last so I was running out of ideas. All the girls laughed when they saw it. However, they immediately had to figure out which animal their hair made them look like. So it actually turned out to be a hit.

"hop, hop" as she's jumping up and down

Everyone ready for church - no small fete for 9-o'-clockers. Ethan was unwilling to participate in this kodak moment.


This is where the girls were forced to remain for quiet time. "A dungeon?", you ask in horror? Well, it was good enough for playing "American Idol". The girls took turns singing and then gave eachother comments at the end of their performances. Hysterical!

Every little kid needs a good hiding place. This was fun until the big terrible giant-of-a-monster named Ethan stomped all over the top of it, wrecking it - twice.

Oh, Alexa, I forgot to clarify that we're painting on paper, not on arms. Oops, sorry!

Another blessing that I forgot to mention: we had the longest streak of good weather this year while they were here! Definitely nice. There's nothing like the thought of 7 kids couped up in a 1500-square-foot space for an extended period of time.


Hailey made me excited for the stages of childhood that we haven't entered yet. It was so much fun listening to her read Junie B. Jones books at night, with voice inflections and all. And, seriously, you know you've entered a new world with your children when you are no longer the sole egg-cracker in the house.

During the week I had two rules: #1 When you leave your seat, your done eating. And #2 Be patient with me. If you want something, ask ONE time and then quietly wait until I can get to it. This provided me with three lengthened moments of pure sanity each day.


They helped out so well! We pretended that I was Cinderella and they were the little birds and mice that were helping me.


I will always look back on these hopefully-life-changing 5 days with amazing, fond, blissful, happy memories. Thank you, Hailey, Heidi, Alexa and Ashley! I love you girls!

Wheeler farm

Jason was at work until 10 p.m. last Friday for a school film festival. We absolutely needed an escape from our routine so I took the kids to Wheeler Farm. It was more fun for them and more relaxing for me than I even expected. I love experiencing things through the eyes of a child! I know, I know, I'm a camera freak. But, can you really freeze time enough when your kids are at these cute little chubby-faced, full-of-wonder, ages? I can't imagine this stage ending. I'll cry.





I think Ethan is actually saying "moo" here. We'll have to work on that.



McKenzie and Ethan were excited about this rooster that had wandered out of it's pen. McKenzie went to touch it first, not quite sure whether she would be in trouble or not. However, upon contact with the animal her excitement immediately outweighed her fear of punishment as she exclaimed, "I touched it! I really really did!"


Poor turkeys - they don't get any respect!

Ethan, the Bird Whisperer




The sheep were a definite favorite. This baby lamb licked Ethan's finger and he couldn't have been more pleased.

They couldn't take it all in fast enough.

If you have a cute picture that is a little out of focus.....make it black and white. It helps - a little.

Asher was just happy to be there. Notice his cute little helmet. The back of his head is flat so we're helping it out. One thing I didn't expect with the whole helmet thing is that Ethan is jealous. Can you blame him? It has cars and helicopters on it. We couldn't satisfy Ethan with a regular hat so Jason tried to find a football helmet for him, to no avail. Does anyone know where you can get a football helmet for a 2-year-old?

Needless to say, we enjoyed every magical moment at the farm.....(*the sound of rewinding to an abrubt screeching haunting halt*) well, every moment except for that one couple of non-magical seconds by the pigs. This is as close as McKenzie and Ethan would get to stinky things before retreating into a less polluted animal kingdom. Poor pigs.