Happy Anniversary...

...to TheSwensonFamily5 Blog.  It has been home to my musings for one year.  Thanks for sharing in our life.  I think this calls for cake!!

The Perfect Man...

I am married to the Perfect Man.  I know you don't believe me, but I really am.  I spend many hours bragging about my children.  I also try to record all the memories that we make as a family, but today I am going to tell you why I am married to the

Perfect Man.

Yesterday, he had the day off.  He could have done anything.  

He was invited to out to a deer camp to go hunting with his good friend.  He could have slept all day (which is what he needed to do), or he could have watched Sports Center.  He did none of these things. 

Instead, he got up early and played with the kids.  He allowed me to have a morning nap.  He went to school and had lunch with Jex; which was a totally wonderful surprise for him.  He went to the grocery store for me, because 30 degrees is way to cold for me, and I didn't want to go out in that.   Then he helped me in the kitchen all afternoon as we prepared a dinner for the missionaries.

... We can't forget that he helped me put the kids to bed.  Then we laid in bed and talked about what a wonderful day we had.  I love spending time with my perfect man.

My husband amazes me every day.  When I stop to think about it, I realize just how wonderful he really is.  Here is my chance to brag about him.

He is:

kind beyond words

the most loving father that you will ever meet

a very hard worker with so much compassion for those he takes care of

a wonderful friend (I am lucky to be the best friend)

so spiritually in tune that it blows my mind, he is a man of great faith and taught me what it means to be faithful on many occasions

so athletic, and good at everything he tries (He's Safe!!!)

Jonathan:

makes time for the kids and me (even when he works 120 hours a week, I don't know how he does it but he does.)

finds time for his calling (ward mission leader)

takes care of himself, he looks the same as he did the day we got married. (I wish I could say that, but I have 3 kids as a good excuse)

is a strong leader, and makes good decisions

still gives me butterflies   when he walks in to a room

does what he has to, to support his family

knows that family always comes first, and teaches others about that important truth.

Now you know a few of the reasons why I have the perfect man; and believe me these are just a few. 

You may be thinking to yourself nobody is perfect.  However, I beg to differ because he is the perfect man for me.

Windows Dressed

I finally got around to making curtains for my kitchen window.  It has been on my to-do list since we moved in.  It feels so good to cross that off.   Here is how they turned out.  I love them.  Thanks to my husbands hard work, I was able to hang them from these beautiful vintage looking glass knobs.  With a little bit of teamwork our project looks great.

 

The Challenge...

This year for Family Home Evening we are studying the Book of Mormon.  Our first FHE of the year we took on a challenge.

"The Book of Mormon will change your life."  President Ezra Taft Benson

We wanted to see if that was really true.

We all agreed to participate in a daily reading of The Book of Mormon.

This quote is a powerful resource for our family:

"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin serious study of the book.  You will find greater power to resist temptation.  You will find the power to avoid deception.  You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.  The Scriptures are called the "words of Life" (D&C 84:85), and nowhere id that more true than it is on the Book of Mormon.  When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."  Ezra Taft Benson

So..  the kids have to wake up a few minutes earlier, and we always have cold cereal... but we are finding life in great and greater abundance.  What peace the words of the scriptures can bring in to your home.

We hope to complete the Book of Mormon by the time Jex is baptized.  We have a year and a half.  That is such an attainable goal, and he is reading some of the verses himself.  It has been a great challenge and blessing  for our family.

I fell asleep last night...

with this hunkie man cuddling with me, and smelling me.  Because he says, "You just smell so good."  I will take that any day.  All cuddled up.... with someone who loves me for who I am... and for the way I smell.

TWO funnies...

1.  Jex had has school honor roll program the other day.  They awarded the kids for completing skills, and for working on skills.  Along with those awards, they handed out certificates for perfect attendance in the first semester.  I succumbed to the fact, and hung my head in shame knowing that Jex wouldn't receive that award.  He had never been tardy, but we pulled him out for a few days to take a vacation.  However, much to my surprise they called his name and he got the attendance certificate.

He came and sat back down, and I was thinking to myself well they must have been mistaken. We were sitting next to the principal.  She leaned over to Jex and said, "I am so proud of you, I didn't even make it to school every day last semester."  Jex said, "I know, and I only missed two days of school." 

She got this dumb-founded look on her face, and I proceeded to explain.  She put her hands over her mouth and said, "don't tell anyone."

So here is our perfect-attendance fraud in all his glory.  He really was so thrilled. He didn't deserve it, but he thought he did.

2.  Conversation with the kids:

Jex: "Today is  a day for history."

Me: "Why?"

Jex: "Because in all our history we have only had white-skinned Presidents, and today we got our first black-skinned President."

Me:  "You are right."

Jex:  "and I don't care about that because I learned about Martin Luther King Jr.  In a poem, he wrote about how he wanted peace though all the land.  Even if you are black-skinned, white-skinned, man or women.  And you know mom, there has never been a women in that NOBLE office."

Stella:  "Well, I better go there then."

hahahaha  I laughed till I cried. I hope she makes it to the Noble office.

Speaking of Comfort...

The post below this one is all about Isaac's comforts in life.  Now, I have to share a story of how my kids tried to comfort me yesterday.

IT HAS BEEN A ROUGH MONTH FOR ME!!  I am just going to lay it all out there for you.  No pretending.  Sometimes I think that as bloggers we portray this amazingly happy wonderful life.  This is expected since we blog about the good things that happen to us.  Our children's milestones, funny things they say(such as this post), and ah-ha moments that we have along the way.  It is so good that we have blogging that allows us to capture the good in our lives but.... lets face it; it's not always good.  It isn't always a walk in the park. 

Well... I haven't been walking in any parks.  I have had some struggles this month.  It's nothing to worry about, I will bounce back.  But for now... let  me wallow in it.

Anyway on to the kids... and the comfort...  When Jex came home from school yesterday, Stella mentioned, "Mommy was sad today."  At that moment Jex walked over to me and said: 

"So what happened here in the 7 hours that I was away?  Is there anything that you need to talk about?"

I proceeded to be honest, because I think honesty is good.  I think it is good for our kids to see that we have real concerns and feelings too. 

I mentioned things like: "Mommy feels lonely."  "I don't have many friends here."(which I do, I was trying to explain things in a way that they might understand)  (In my world, it's I don't have time to spend with my friends here.) "I miss my Mommy in Utah, and your daddy while he is at work all the time."

Jex in all his wisdom said, "you do to have friends."  I said, "who?"  He named a few.  Then I said, "You are right, but I don't have anytime to spend with them."

He said, "I know mom, you are busy taking care of us, but..(and here comes my problem solver in action) you could also go out after you put us to bed, and see a movie with your friends.  Make sure it is a night that dad is not on call." 

Then at the exact same time Stella and Jex said simultaneously, "see, you don't need to feel lonely."

I am thankful for my little comforters.  It is so nice to know that your children love you, and want to help in any way that they can.  I am glad that they are both sensitive enough to recognize when their crazy old mother need some words of comfort.

I enjoy getting advice from a 4 year old, and six year old.

I think I am going to take their advice.

Anyone want to go to the movie?  

What more do you need?

Mimi, Blankie, Puppy  ahhh....  Comfort

Project Complete...

I'm in a Funk.  

What is wrong with me?

I have a list of projects that I want to complete.

Chair rail up in Laundry room with hooks

Curtains for pantry

Curtains for kitchen... I already have the fabric cut out

Sew an apron

Make silhouettes for my empty wall

Color and cut my hair.

I'm in a Funk.

All I want to do is sleep.

I am tired.

I have been working hard.

I think I need to hibernate for the winter.

NOT A GOOD IDEA SO...

I put myself to work... and here you have it folks...

PROJECT COMPLETE!!

This has seriously been on my to-do list for months.  I thought it would be harder then it really is.  SOOOO EASY!!

I enjoy making the things that hang on my walls.  It is such an accomplishment to look at your work everyday.  It is fun to look at this and think that I might be out of my funk.  Look at these profiles, could you be any more adorable?

Here is the result.  This wall has seriously been staring me in the face for months.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  I just needed to do it.  So here it is:

 

... and here is the wall finally complete.

If you are interested in learning how to do this check out the instructions  that I posted on The Errand of Angels.

Happenings...

There is always something Happening when you have children.  This is what has been Happening at our house.

Jex lost his first tooth... we are on to those awkward phases that come with being kids and adolescents. Missing teeth, and then before you know it... Zits, Braces, and their own personal style. 

He still looks adorable.  It took about a week before he would trust me to pull it out.  I guess he figured it wasn't going to come on it's own.  I was able to get it out in one gentle tug.  He enjoyed having the tooth fairy come.  Big changes, BIG BIG Changes. He is growing up.

Now this next one might get me hurt. 

Disclaimer:Grandparents & aunts... she wanted to do this!! This was Not her crazy mothers idea. 

Stella has been asking me since I cut my hair off if we could cut hers.  It has been a long time coming, and I finally gave in.  She was so excited.  I think she looks adorable, and I feel it was a great change.  A much needed change.

Here is the Before and After:

Everyone has been pleased with the results.  Stella is in heaven.  Her classmates went crazy this morning.  Jonathan was a little hesitant about it, but once he saw how cute she looked he couldn't resist.  Our only sour note was Jex.  He was not happy, and even cried some.  He doesn't deal well with change.  I hope he can learn to love her anyway.  I told him,

"Girls sometimes need

a change, and that is

something you are

going to have to

learn to live with.

It would be better if

you learned it now."

As for me...

I am thankful for the

 Happenings.

 

Lost, but hopefully not forgotten...

Yes, I have been lost from the

blogging world for a few weeks,

but I am back in full swing now

(as you can see from my list of

posts.) 

I am grateful to reconnect with

some old friends; my computer,

words, and you.

Resolutions...

As the New Year approaches, we all start thinking about the resolutions that we want to make for the New Year.  I must say that I have a list that is quite long myself.  We must be realistic in our goals,and so I have set my sights on just a few. 

This year, I have decided that I want to learn new tasks.  I want to gather knowledge from those around me, and then put it to use. 

My list includes:

Learning how to sew more then the four things that I know already that means learning how to follow a pattern.

Learning how to plant a garden and have it thrive

Learn sign language

Refresh my memory on the English language, and become a better writer.

I am well on my way to crossing a few of these off my list.  I have spoken to a friend about my garden. She is coming to help me get started this month.  I have researched sign language classes on line, and I am hoping to do the same with an English course.  I took a writing class in 2008, and I can't wait to put what I have learned in to effect.

As for sewing, I already got my first lesson.  While my MIL and SIL were here for the holidays, I was able to learn from them.  Believe me when I tell you this is not the first time they have tried to teach me.  I know the basics, but not really enough to make anything look great.  My MIL is wonderful at the sewing machine, and has taught her children well(yes, including my husband who up until this last weekend could sew better then me.)

(Lorinda sewing her apron)

They taught me how to read a pattern, a few tricks of the trade, and wha-la... I made my first apron.(and I did it all on my own) I love it.  I am in love with sewing now, and I can't wait to start my next project.  I still have a lot to learn, but I am understanding it so much better then I did even just a few years ago.  I guess it comes with age for me. 

I'm hoping that this new-found passion will help in my quest for happiness in our new home.  I find myself lonely,  missing family and my resident husband.  I hope this will help with some of that.(I must say I am happy most of the time, just sometimes lonely) 

I am inspired by President Uchtdorf's talk at the last General Relief Society meeting.  This is what he said:

"We know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep our heads above water. In fact, in our world of change, challenges, and checklists, sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed by emotions of suffering and sorrow.

I am not suggesting that we can simply flip a switch and stop the negative feelings that distress us. This isn’t a pep talk or an attempt to encourage those sinking in quicksand to imagine instead they are relaxing on a beach. I recognize that in all of our lives there are real concerns. I know there are hearts here today that harbor deep sorrows. Others wrestle with fears that trouble the soul. For some, loneliness is their secret trial.

These things are not insignificant.

However, I would like to speak about two principles that may help you find a path to peace, hope, and joy—even during times of trial and distress. I want to speak about God’s happiness and how each one of us can taste of it in spite of the burdens that beset us....

The Work of Creation

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children.

You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.”

If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination."  For the full talk click here.

Thank you Lorene and Lorinda for helping me

create!! What a wonderful  fulfilling feeling it

is.

Isaac...

In the past, I have recorded on how difficult this little guy is at times.  He is so spunky that he has been a different sort of challenge then our other two.  Over the past several months he has out grown some of his screaming and is on to other things.  I just love this little boy.  I want to bottle him up and keep him forever.  Everything about him right here, and right now is so wonderful.  Everyone should have a toddler.

I love your...

Language

Attempts to communicate

Funny personality

Ability to tease

Love of sleep

Hugs and kisses

When you say "Mommy" a hundred times a day

Cute little body(pot belly and sway back)

Abilities to play with your siblings, and how you are just one of them now.

We love you Isaac!!

 

Holidays...

I haven't taken the time to write in a while.  We have been so busy with family, entertaining and the holidays.  It was a wonderful time here in our home.  I want to share some of the events: Christmas Ham, and all the extras to share with Jonathan's parents.  It was so nice to have them here for Christmas.

 

Anticipation, excitement and surprise...

Christmas through the eyes of a child...

Time with Grandparents

Time with cousins.  Jonathan's sister and husband came to share the New Year with us.

Strengthening Bonds... Jex and Caleb 6 (Born three weeks apart), Stella and Ivie 4 (Born 10 weeks apart), Isaac and Norah (Born 9 months apart) 

Playing for the first time.

Excursions, outings, time together, eating out, home cooked meals, Traditional Holiday spread, banging on pans to welcome the New Year, talent shows, tall tales, and birthday celebrations...

Enjoying 55 to 70 degree weather and then....  this is what we are enjoying now. We had such a wonderful time.  We are so thankful that we had family to share the holidays with.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Swenson  and Wes and Lorinda for taking the time to come and be with us.  We love you!