Happy 11 -11-11!! (a bit belated)

11-11

My personal holiday

I realize it's kind of a random day of the year to pick as my "holiday," but it is. It all started my Freshmen year of college. Actually, it probably all started my senior year of high school. I love 11-11. It's from a song I heard my senior year ("catch the clock it's 11:11")....and I happened to share it with my high school boyfriend. *cough* But that's not why it's important.
It just became something fun I do all the time. Try to do things at 11:11, or actually check the time at 11:11. And my Freshmen roomie (*awesome gal*) Allie decided that it needed to be a special little celebration for me. What a GREAT idea!
Thus, a tradition was born.

Now, let me clarify. I'm not trying to steal any attention from Veteran's Day. I very solemnly acknowledge the services, sacrifices, and commitments made by our troops both today and in past. I am so grateful for their willingness to serve our country...their families...in the end, me. So, rest assured, 11-11 did not become a personal holiday in an effort to mask the importance of Veterans.

It just happened to be the words to a song...

Now this year, it was 11-11-11. How could I pass that up?!? Being without money and much time, I didn't really plan anything. In the past, on 11-11 at 11:11 I would call 11 friends and wish them a happy 11-11; or eat 11 cinnabears (oh---that would be GREAT right now); or give 11 random hugs, etc. With my two kiddos in tow, I wanted to do something they could enjoy too. But I couldn't think of anything, and before I knew it, it was 11-11 and I hadn't planned a thing. It was so fun to have the creator of the special holiday (reminder: Allie, Freshman roomie) text me and wish me a happy day. Yay! a few friends on Facebook remembered my personal celebration, and that really helped make it feel special. But I still hadn't planned anything to DO.

Until Justin came home. He bought me $11.00 worth of flowers (which are still surviving, too). We decided to drive up to CiCi's Pizza. About a 40 minute drive. Unless you get stuck in one-lane traffic that moves about 1/2 a mile/hour. Yup. So, we were a little delayed getting there. But we made it. And, being CiCi's Pizza, I had to indulge myself in 11 different slices of pizza. "had to". Pft! It was so fun, so easy too I should say, and it was great being able to go somewhere with my family. Couldn't have planned anything better! Unfortunately, we didn't snag any pics of my "big towr pizza!" (Caleb loves big towers).


I just had to inform the general public of the special day of 11-11-11 and note the great celebration I enjoyed with my family. And the wonderful caring husband who wanted to make this arbitrary day of the year special for me because of tradition (and he says he doesn't like Fiddler on the Roof. riiiight).

Being a Mama

It seems like I have a constant struggle with patience. Some days (like yesterday) are just perfect...I feel truly blessed with an added measure of patience that allows me to just enjoy my kiddos for who they are!



But then there's today...where before 8:00a.m. I've already had to raise my voice at Caleb 3 times. I hate it when I do. I feel awful. I feel like a terrible mother. I just don't know what to do when he doesn't listen. And so I'm learning.

With that in mind, you can imagine why last week, after an especially hectic and baby/toddler crying morning that resulted in a reluctance to go to church (never happened before!), I was not too thrilled when I was called to teach Sunbeams. I love kids. I love working in Primary. and I finally have a calling! But man...it was not the beset morning to tell me I now have a class of three year old's I'm in charge of on Sundays. *sigh*

Luckily, those good days, even good hours, or even more so good moments are what help me get through those rough days.

Like when Caleb hugs me; or he puts his dishes in the sink; or he tries on my shoes and walks around (still); or when he spontaneously says, "I love you, Mama."; or when he gets up from his nap and sees me sleeping and plays quietly so I can finish my much-needed nap; or when he decides to take his pants off at the grocery store (I found it hilarious!)...he is such a nut and it's those precious moments that make me love being a mama.

In this picture Caleb and I took a Mama-Caleb date to Mcdonalds. He has a CTR-sticker chart that he gets to put stickers on every time he makes a good choice (like not screaming, yes picking up toys, no biting, and listening). Well, after forsaking it for a few weeks, we started it up again and he filled it up so quickly!! I was so proud. And I loved our date together.

And he loves his ice cream!

I love my children! I love being a Mama!
and I love having the opportunity to learn and to grow to be a better person.

Noah's Ark

For Family Home Evening last week we talked about Noah and obeying God even when other people laugh at you.



I had made a very rough "ark" out of a box. We put Caleb in it and put 2 of every stuffed animal that we could: 2 rabbits, 2 doggies, 2 monkeys, 2 Care Bears, and, yes, 2 Sesame Street Monsters. :)

After putting all the animals in, Caleb threw them all out and insisted that Mackenzie come in with him. Because of the sides of the box, it was one time he was able to successfully and safely hold her without help.

And best of all, they were all saved from the flood.

Meat Lover

Trick or Treat!

We're about a week behind, but here are our Halloween pictures!
Caleb is Nemo (he was so excited!). He has fins, but you can't really tell. And since it was cold I made a hat to go along with it. Justin was P. Sherman. Hence the goggles and scrubs (he's a dentist). I was gonna be Dorie and Mackenzie was gonna be first Squirt, then Pearl...but neither one of her costumes nor my costume came to fruition. So we weren't worth taking pictures of. Apparently.
The Ward Trunk or Treat was so much fun! We took turns manning our car for the other kiddos (and there's a lot...3 nurseries, 3 sunbeams...) while the other spouse took Caleb around. So much candy! He had fun saying "trick or treat" (sounds like a bird). And it was good practice for real Halloween.
Most of the houses on Halloween just had bowls outside because all the other parents were out with their kids too. So, first we took turns, but then I told Justin to just come on with us. Caleb had no problem just grabbing candy from the bowls. He loved being able to do it! And now he's always asking for "Halloween candy." I love how holidays are getting to be more fun as Caleb gets more excited about them!

Justin and I had fun carving pumpkins. The scary face one is mine. Justin did a fabulous job on his Jack-O-Lantern. He decided to go along with our Finding Nemo theme and carved Nemo. WOW! Caleb loved it (though I think he liked the big gaping mouth on mine)

It was a great holiday. I had fun making Caleb's costume and carving our pumpkin and just enjoying the time with my family. Here's to more to come!