I. is so grown up!

I. seems so old lately. I look at A. and see her getting older and then I look at I. and realize that she is so tall and just isn't a baby anymore. Very crazy.

H. said something funny

My sister lives in Canada and we've been talking about Canada. Last week when I was singing Fifty Nifty United States, H. said, "Canada is just part of America. How come you didn't say Canada?" SO, we talking about North America and that Canada is on our continent, but not one of the 50 states. I thought the wholething was so funny because Canadians, while visiting Eastern Europe always got so offended when they were told that they were Americans. I guess it is funnier to me, but there, I shared it.

A. cut another tooth

Her left bottom front tooth (the one last week was the left top front tooth). Orajel is our friend right now!!!!!

Happy Father's Day

I just want to give an early Happy Father's Day to my kids' dad (T.), my own dad, and to any others reading this.

The video at the top of this blog really tells the love of a Father to his family. I felt that growing up my Dad loved me (he still does), and that he would do anything for me. Even in college he would share stories and experiences with me that I needed at the time. My husband T. is a great dad and puts up with lots just to keep his family in bliss. Thank you T. and Thank you Dad. I love you both and HAPPY FATHERS' DAY!

A. just cut a tooth!!! (well, at 8pm)

A. took two steps at 11:25 PM on June 13th!!

She was so cute. She stood up at her little Winnie the Pooh tree toy, faced me, and carefully let go, moved her left foot, then her right, and then put out her hands to me as she gracefully fell forward into my arms. :-)

Congratulations T.!!

T. got an A in his numerical systems class!!

Disneyland pics

H and I with Sully. He couldn't sign our book because of his big-old claws. Pretty fun character! he's huge.

H. with his favorite character Lightning McQueen. This is the first time we've gotten pics with him.

I. showing off her cute tonsils after devouring a few plums. Yummy, huh?

I's tall enough for Splash Mtn. finally (I guess it had more to do with the shoes we bought her the day before). In this picture, she's just gone on it twice. :-)

Meeting with Chip and Dale. They were cute, too.

Homemade Jam

My Aunt J. gave us a couple of gallon bags of apricots. The firm ones I split, pitted, sugared, lemon juiced, and froze. The ripest ones I split, pitted, mixed with pectin and sugar and lemon juice and canned them in jars.

I feel so domestic today. :-)

summer cleaning games

Dear FlyLady and Crew~

I am so excited to go to summer camp this year. Due to the fact that I
am the matron of honor in my DCR (dear college roommates) wedding this
week, I am postponing our camp session by 2 weeks. We have come up
with a name and some fun filled activities that I thought might
inspire others to get their own camps rolling. Our name is Camp
Canyoubeatmytimer as my 4yo dd just loves to do anything that could be
considered a race. Here are our activities:

1. Soap-footed sock race: This race is done by sticking two warm, wet,
soapy socks on your feet and racing across the kitchen floor.

2. Freeze dusting: Everyone in this game gets a feather duster. We put
on upbeat music and dance/dust. Someone controls the cd player and
when the music stops, you must freeze in your current position until
it starts again.

3. 27 fling scavenger hunt: This one is self explanatory.

4. Goodwill fashion show/charity auction: In this game, we will try on
our summer clothes from last year and send any that don't fit to
charity. This can be made fun by hanging sheets over the clothesline
in the backyard and playing music and having an announcer describe
each outfit.

5. Vacuum cleaner limbo: This is where we literally limbo under a
stick while vacuuming. This is an easy game for the littlest campers
to win!

6. Bathing suit car wash/hose fight.

7. Clean laundry race: Mom will fold all laundry and dad and kids will
race to see who can put theirs away the fastest.

For rewards we will have a nature hike at the local trails, swimming
at grandma's, fishing with daddy and we will end the week sleeping in
a tent in the backyard, cooking out and making smores. We even found
some gummy flies to add to our smores in honor of FlyLady and FLYing.

Thank you for making housework fun!

Camp Director Kristen
Camp Canyoubeatmytimer
South Jersey

Forgiveness

Tomorrow I am giving a lesson on Forgiveness. I have been planning the lesson for a couple of months now. It is amazing how sometimes a flood of ideas will come to me while I am contemplating how to teach it and what parts to teach about it. So, that is what is on my mind. When I turned on the computer today, I saw that at Lds.org there was a new clip from General Conference about writing in your journal...but there is more, it is about seeing God's hand in the world around you. I think that this really increases your faith in God an His plan for us when you are able to witness for yourself His miracles. They are always there, but most of the time, we dismiss them as coincidence. God's miracles are there.

Cool quote

"Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly." ~Julie Andrews

LDS Church's Elder Russell Nelson, wife robbed in Mozambique

LDS Church's Elder Russell Nelson, wife robbed in Mozambique

Published: Saturday, May 30, 2009 6:41 p.m. MDT

Elder Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Wendy, were among church leaders robbed by armed assailants Friday evening in the Mozambique Maputo Mission home.

On a church assignment in Mozambique, Elder and Sister Nelson were having dinner with Elder William W. Parmley, of the Quorums of the Seventy and the church's Africa Southeast Presidency, and his wife, Shanna Lee, and mission President Blair J. Packard and his wife, Precinda, said LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter.

"We don't have complete information yet, but we understand Sister Packard's arm was broken," said Trotter. "In addition, she and others suffered some superficial injuries, mainly cuts and bruises."

Elder and Sister Nelson will continue their assignment over the weekend as planned, he added.

Local authorities are investigating the matter.

The LDS Church was legally recognized in Mozambique, a southeastern Africa nation, in 1996, with the first branch created in the capital city of Maputo. Missionaries arrived in 1999.

The Mozambique Maputo Mission was created on Jan. 1, 2005, the church's 339th mission.