RamPaige!!!

What I think went through Paige's mind when she woke up Thursday:

Hmmm...sometime today I absolutely want to use Avery's red nail polish. I love it and I will have it. The problem is Mom. I know she won't let me have it because she thinks I'm not big enough. Ha! I draw beautiful pictures on the walls and have even made circles so I don't understand what Mom is thinking! She is going to be a problem though so I'm going to have to think of something.

(laughs deviously) I've got it!!! I will distract Mom by taking the pistachios and putting them all down the kitchen heating vent -- which I just figured out how to take off!!! Perfect!!! She'll be so busy trying to get those darn things out of there that she won't notice me climb up the shelf, get the polish and sneak into her room to make myself look beautiful!

Of course, now that I think about it, I don't just want to paint my nails, the color is too pretty! I absolutely need to cover, and I mean cover, my hands and feet and maybe my lower legs for good measure. Red is soooo my color and I really need to play it up. Come to think of it, Cooper's bed could use a little decoration so I'll just add some there, too. And maybe a little on Mom's walls because I know she likes red, too.

It's going to be a great day! Can't wait to get started!

Mayan Adventure Here We Come!

After many mornings (and evenings, and nights and whatever time worked best) of "reading" the Book of Mormon with the kids -- and I use the term reading loosely -- we finally finished it, again, and we're going to celebrate by going to the Mayan Adventure restaurant tomorrow! However, I was just looking at the menu and realized the prices have changed since we were last there -- ouch -- but it will be worth it.

I don't know how much the kids got as far as plot, story line, deep inspiration, etc... but I do know that they were, in fact, paying attention most of the time. I know that because sometimes in the middle of a story or verse I would simply say, "And, he died. The end." Heads would pop up with confused looks on their faces and question what I had just said. Of course, some story lines were more interesting than others -- Ammon cutting off Lamanite arms with a sword was definitely a story talked about for awhile by my son. Also, the kids thought Abinadi's courage in standing down the wicked King Noah was amazing. And they couldn't believe the Jaredites could be so full of hate as to completely wipe out their entire civilization and wondered how anybody could do that!

Most reading time, however, consisted of us reading while Paige and/or Jack was crying or someone's dirty diaper needed changing, or big girls poking each other and me saying, in a not so nice voice, "Hey! We're trying to read the scriptures here so knock it off!" But, for those times when it was somewhat quiet and the story could come through or some great scriptural thought could be talked about, it was great. I felt like I came to understand the Book of Mormon even that much better and that my kids added a little more to their testimony foundation. I even think they liked it. In fact, when we reached the end we kind of looked at each other like, "Now what do we do?"

This morning we decided to embark on The New Testament while interjecting verses from the Book of Mormon that coincide with what we're reading. The kids are already looking forward to hitting a Greek restaurant upon completion. Can anybody say, "Cheap Gyros here we come!"

A Challenge for the Verbose

I am currently in a classics study group which has the end goal of establishing an academy for kids ages 12-18. We are reading and writing and trying to hone our study skills in order to teach the kids the same skills.

Our most recent book discussion was on Les Miserables. If you've never read the book, I encourage you to take six months (yes, I said six months) and read it. It's 1100 pages of beauty, depth, description (if I ever get to Paris, I'm going to visit the sewers), triumph, defeat, tragedy, generosity, and every other human emotion possible. Our discussion leader challenged us to write ONE sentence which summed up the entire book! She talked about how easy it is to have an abstract "idea" of what a book is about, but how much more difficult to actually think about what a book and then to articulate it in writing. I'm still working on my sentence, but so far I have:

Les Miserables is a story about justice and mercy and the difference an individual can make in the lives of others by choosing to be merciful or just.

My challenge to you is to take a book you have just finished or are very familiar with and do the same thing. I would love it if you would post your books and sentences here.

A Five Year-old and Three Year-Old Discuss Marriage

I overheard this conversation between my son and daughter as we were driving one day:

(Five year-old girl) "When I grow up I'm going to be a Mom and an Artist because I am really good at coloring. What are you going to be when you grow up?"

(Three year-old boy) "A cowboy with a REAL gun so I can shoot bad guys."

"Don't you want to get married?"

"No!"

"Well, don't you want to be a Dad like Daddy and have kids?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to get married!" (a pause) "What is 'get married'?"

"It's when you have a wife and have kids."

"Oh. Well, can I have a gun?"

"Yeah, but only if you shoot bad guys."

"Ok, then I'll get married."

"Good. Then you can buy my pictures."

It was so cute just to listen to them try to figure this whole thing out. It was also interesting to hear the difference between the girl (already relationship oriented) and the boy (action oriented). Anyone who says boys and girls aren't different, but that we just socialize them to be that way has never had a son and daughter. Men and women are different from the start and I'm grateful for it.

The Lehi and Sariah Family: The Story of Us All

The kids and I are coming to the end of the Book of Mormon once again. Together we've crossed the ocean, fought battles, buried weapons of war, witnessed the coming of the Savior, and watched as an entire civilization destroyed itself. Truly an epic story, and one I'm so grateful to know about.

However, this means we will be starting, from the beginning, again. We will once again immerse ourselves in the troubles, triumphs, and tribulations of Brother and Sister Lehi and Family. They could be the "family next door." He's a successful businessman and she's an upstanding mother trying her best to raise her children in difficult times. When Lehi receives the inspiration that it is time to "leave the world," he faces incredible opposition, even from within his own family. His sons are at times righteous, judgmental, divisive, loyal, faithful, full of hate, worldly, etc... as they try and follow their parents on their quest to follow the Lord's instructions. Even Lehi and Sariah have their moments of triumph and failure which is written down for millions of us to read about. I don't know about you, but I'm glad my failings aren't etched in gold for the world to read.

One of the most famous stories in church history is how Joseph Smith lent his good friend, Martin Harris, the first 110 pages of the translated Book of Mormon so Mr. Harris's wife could see them. Although the Lord had warned Joseph against this course of action, Joseph chose to go ahead. The pages were lost and the Lord forbade the re-translation of the work. Thus, the overall order of the book was changed moving 1 Nephi to it's place of prominence as the first book in the Book of Mormon.

Looking ahead to those who would be reading this book, it was clearly an act of wisdom to put the story of this family first. We all have the struggles they do, though maybe without some of the more dramatic elements. The part I find the most fascinating is how many times people read 1 Nephi, over and over, because they "resolve" to read their scriptures again, and of course, start at the beginning. There are all sorts of reasons why 1 Nephi is read and re-read, but I think there is great purpose in the placement of this story. Heavenly Father knew we wouldn't be perfect scriptorians, spending all our time in study, and therefore, placed this story first so it, at least, would be read.

In fact, I think we can find ourselves in every single one of the characters at different times of our lives. The faith of Lehi, the hope of Sariah and their sadness as they watch people they love make terrible choices. The courage and leadership of Nephi who spends some time later in life crying for those he, perhaps, pushed away by the zealousness of his youth. The loyalty of Sam who doesn't earn great amounts of glory, but just quietly goes about trying to obey, but perhaps didn't do his part to help mend the rift among his brothers. And then there's Ishmael and his family, but that's another post for another time.

The Lehi Family saga is classic in its story and timeless in its truth. Although I'm glad we made it all the way through, I'm looking forward to heading out into the dessert again as they make their way to their "promised land" helping me make my way toward mine.

Another Weekly Round-Up

Avery asked me if I thought she should find a sneaky way to get a boy's email she thinks is cute. In my shock I told her, "No way!" and then calmed myself down enough to have a rational conversation with her about it. I think I was able to make her see that she should wait longer before doing stuff like that. She also wore a little bit of eyeliner to church today! Am I ready for this?

Addison has a real talent for playing musical instruments by ear. Her Grandpa Elvin gave her his harmonica and she has been figuring out all sorts of songs on it! I can't even come close to that! She started figuring out how to play the soundtrack to Pride and Prejudice on the piano the other day. However, as a result, she thinks she doesn't need piano lessons anymore. I'm trying to tell her she still needs to learn how to read music so she doesn't always have to wait to hear a piece before being able to play it. Any suggestions?

Sydney learned how to braid he own hair and put her own pigtails in for church today. She is my most independent kid by far.

Jack had the "binky fairy" drop by, which he wasn't too thrilled about. The binky fairy gave him a cool fake aquarium which lights up and the fish swim across. It serendipitously showed up in a D.I. pile and was just what the "fairy" had been looking for. We're on day 4 and it's going better than I thought it would.

Jack and I were talking about the movie "Chicken Little" and he asked me if he could watch "Chicken Big" instead. :)

Paige's latest new phrase is, "two minutes" which sounds more like "ooo inits" and is her answer for things like having to clean up or having to go somewhere. She wants two more minutes.

Super Cooper started eating mashed bananas this week. He seems to like them. I can't believe he is old enough!

The Law of Attraction as it applies to Mothers

Recently I have been studying laws of Physics, one of which has to do with attraction, and have observed a subset of laws. These laws seem to primarily relate to mothers, which makes me wonder if becoming a mother introduces an entirely new set of laws? Anyway, the law is this:

A mother with a phone to her ear attracts all the children in the house who must begin fighting within a two foot radius. This law also seems to apply to the mother using the bathroom as well.

Anyone who has called me recently has been the unlucky observer of this law in action. Sorry everybody!