Singing Scripture Songs

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I wanted to note a new traditional we started this summer… to go along with Morning Devotional. It is one of my favorite things that we’ve done this summer.

My friend Jackie Day shared this vision and idea with me. I think it all began when she read President Benson’s ‘Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon’ talk. This quote struck her:She calculated how many scriptures her kids would need to learn each year to have hundreds of scriptures memorized by their missions. Then she chose some scriptures, put them to a familiar tune and started teaching her kids.

I wanted to do better at learning scriptures myself and because I love music and can remember things better this way, I decided to try a few. I sang them to my tots and they loved them. Now Abe – generally – he does not like singing… but he loves these songs. They are what he requests for bedtime songs. Even if it gets the kids a little more familiar with certain verses, I am all about this idea.

I recorded the kids singing the songs so we can remember how they go. They aren’t perfectly matched with scripture/tune but if the kids learn them, I figure that doesn’t matter too much.

2 Nephi 31:20 to some randomish made-up classical tune that I can’t place.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LqouvDExFI[/youtube]

Helaman 5:12 to Called to Serve[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhuHom-wo_c[/youtube]

Moroni 10:5 to Thanks to our Father[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ovM8hwcig[/youtube]

This is the one we’re working on right now (since I need it so much!). Joshua 1:9 to the chorus of The Spirit of God (not yet memorized – hence no video).

I love the occasions when after we sing one of the songs, I can teach the kids what the scripture means. I’ve found Abe is more open to my teaching when it involves a song he likes. Anyhoo…

I’m sure there are a bunch of Scripture Mastery songs already put to familiar tunes, and I need to research that. The Sons of Ammon also shared some fun ones.

(sidenote: The other thing I’ve loved this summer is how well the kids have been learning the Articles of Faith. Maybe it’s because we learned them last summer and everyone forgot them… but they were stored in the back of their minds somewhere. We’re on #10 and if I could just find my 8×10 prints of them, I could finally hang them on the wall for everyone to read and learn easier.)

“I wub you mom”

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…said little Max while laying on my lap and gazing up at me.

“Bye Wooby” said little Max to my belly as I headed out the door to a doctor’s appointment.

Who’s Wooby? Abe used to be stuck on the name Lily for our baby. Then, when he realized we weren’t going to name her that, he thought of a new name… Ruby. So now, even though we aren’t naming her Ruby, sometimes Abe and Max call her Ruby or “Wooby.”

Luckily Hannah hasn’t lost her charity and still has some smiles and spunk left. Here she is entertaining the boys before Morning Devotional. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjCMqQ4dN6U[/youtube]

And that is why I like being a mom.

(I must remind myself of the JOYS because lately I think being a mom is the hardest job on the planet and my poor kids have to endure nazi-mom who lost her fun. boo!)

Good Manners

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This summer we’re working on good manners… well, ok… we’re always working on good manners. But especially with Max… the please and thank you one is vital. And the “Be Kind to Others”… for all of us.  Aren’t these so cute? I ordered the Good Manners Prints in 5×7 from zulily.

We are marching, ever marching,
Marching onward, ever onward.
We are pioneers.
… We’re marching!!!

we’ve got DRAMA… yes, we do… we’ve got DRAMA… how ’bout you?

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between a
mom who is over-reacting and way too tense in the early morning…
and a
Truman who insists on touching the hot waffle iron even after mom’s 10 warnings…
and then
cries all morning about his cute little burned hand…
and a
Max who thinks he needs hot chocolate twice in one morning…
and
asks for marshmallows before breakfast (uhhhh… let me think? No.)…
and an
Abe who is bouncing around the house with so much energy…
and a
Hannah who is wishing she could actually sleep in instead of being woken by noisy boys…

we have ever-lasting DRAMA around here… and that was before 9 a.m.

After finally getting everyone ready we made it out the door by 10:30… why does it take so long? Oh wait – plastering abe’s turkeys … finding shoes for Max and Tru… snacks for everyone… finding a decent and clean shirt for Abe (there is no hope for the high-water jeans)… max shutting tru’s hand in the drawer… more wailing… water bottles… sunglasses… eye cream and teeth brushing for hannah… and finally when everyone is buckled in… we realize we need to take Max potty.

But – we made it out the door… to Target… and to SLC to join dad for lunch (with 100 senior missionaries staring at us like we were bonkers to leave the house and go out in public with the energetic tots (and occasionally a screaming toddler) and a huge pregnant mama.) But – we LIVE – and hopefully someone has some fun along the way.

I think for a few minutes each day, I remember that we are a happy family. That moment came after dinner when I was resting on the outdoor swing. The weather was perfect. Jimmy was finishing yard work and fixing the swings on the playset. Tru and Max were actually happily playing in the sandbox. Hannah and Abe were doing some silly play and riding on each other’s backs while crawling around. And we were a happy family.

Then… it ended after bathtime and Tru peed on the floor in the pantry (I can’t keep up with that kid). While mopping it up, I started thinking of all the very many chores I never get done… (like scrubbing the floor of the pantry)… and was overwhelmed… oh, the tears. I just have to remember that sometimes JOY comes in moments and that all the struggles are building character… right?

See – here we are as a happy family…
oh – wait. I think Tru forgot to participate in that happy moment. He was too busy screaming and wanting down to play in the fountain. sigh…

so – to end the day on an inspiring note… I read this talk… Daughters of God … Elder Ballard

“Recognize that the JOY of motherhood comes in moments.
There will be hard times and frustrating times.
But amid the challenges,
there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.”

carry on… carry on… carry on…

p.s.  do you like how this post came right after the delightful “Enjoy the Present” post.  Oh – how I am so up and down and all around with things… loving kids one second… frustrated the next… delighted… in tears… up… down… all around.

Train Up A Child

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I somehow am under the delusion that I can buckle down and train and teach my children in ONE summer … and they’ll be perfect little people – able and willing to fully help and take over once our babe is born. Reality says… yes, I can Train and Teach… but I need to remember how young my tots are. They are still “in Training” for many more moons.

But – TRY I shall. We’re focusing on the basics this summer… the stuff that really needs to be done to keep this family going (a bit more smoothly!) on a daily basis.

My tots (especially Abe) work best with a checklist. They know all tasks need to be marked on their chart before privileges. We’re sticking with the charts in a frame so they can wipe clean every week. Here are the new charts for the summer… plus, the morning devotional schedule (I just hope I can be somewhat dedicated and cheerful in the mornings to pull this off.). Max gets his first chore chart. He liked the monkeys. He hugged me and thanked me for his new preschool workbook. Oh – the joys of innocent little people.

I’m not going to freak out about workbooks getting finished by summer’s end… but hopefully they’ll do 2-3 pages a day. I want them to write stories and keep their handwriting up. A major focus is reading. The kids are going to set a goal of how many pages they want to read each week… and maybe they’ll earn some new books. I also wanted the kids to set some goals… like to learn a new skill… or improve a talent. Hopefully they’ll see their progress at the end of the 11 weeks. All of those could be done during the daily quiet time (my sanity!).

My kids have not been overjoyed by all my talk of work, work, work this summer. L. Tom Perry has a motto that I wanted to focus on this summer.

… as well as this thought that Jimmy remembered as a kid from a Plumbing Company Truck in Georgia.

Ok – I can see why my kids wouldn’t be thrilled with all this talk of work. I just want them to appreciate the accomplishment that comes from doing a job quickly and well. We’ll have plenty of time for play… right tots?

Now that I sound like the meanest mom on the planet…
lovely.

I decided that I ought to read up on best ways to Train and Teach Children. I’m so glad I did. I tend to be lax for a while (’cause i just want to play) … then crack the whip and get fed up when things aren’t going as I plan (and the house is a major disaster). I was taught so many things to help me remember to lovingly nudge instead of forcing when it comes to obedience. “Follow me” and Leadership qualities of the Savior taught me how to be more gentle. It was also confirmed many times how important it is to teach children to work and find joy in accomplishment… but also to focus on building Faith and Love. I loved so many quotes that I wanted to remember so I put them in a pdf. Download ‘Train up a Child’ PDF (if anyone else is interested).

We’ll see how this summer plays out. Last summer I wanted to be out doing lots of activities in the valley (A Colorful Summer). This summer we’re limiting major outings since Tru is wanting to be independent and I don’t have energy to deal with him plus 3 others. I envision backyard play with swimming and popsicles… snow cones… walks on the river trail… sports with dad… quiet time inside reading… mellow time with the wii or movies when it’s too hot outside. Welcome… Summer 2011!

Seeing the Everyday

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So…. I’ve never actually seen a real copy of the magazine Seeing the Everyday … but I am in love already. I had a stinky attitude today feeling discouraged about my abilities in the home… so these cheered my heart and reminded me that it’s about relationships and loving & teaching these littles. So – tomorrow I better mend a few relationships since I was the oober-grouch mom/wife. Sigh… I might learn sometime. I do love that I can recommit to doing better tomorrow. That seems to be the story every night of my life.

Purpose #1:

Purpose #2:
(sooo… I had to look up what PROSAIC meant in this context. It simply means “Everyday, ordinary”. Perfect!)

This one I recreated as an 8×10 since I NEED to hang it in my home… perhaps the bathroom mirror.

munchkins and letting go

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I’m trying not to be such a clean control freak with all these kids. It’s hard. I like order and quiet and tidy and yummy smelling little people. But such is not reality these days, especially with summer coming. So I’m trying to let them just enjoy themselves and we’ll throw them all in the bath at the end of the day. I want them to have fond memories of their childhood and not of mom hollering at them to stay clean and tidy. Hopefully I’ll find a good balance. Jimmy is better at these things than I am.

Today was a good example of this for my munchkin Tru. He had a ball digging in the dirt. He and Max throw dirt on each other (not supposed to happen – but it does!)… which means dirt is stuck in their hair, ears, and clothes. Poor Tru even had dirt in his diaper yesterday (which I didn’t realize for a few hours – oops!).

Today Tru-Tru woke from his nap with the craziest turkey’s there in the front. It was so funny. Then he ate a yogurt which he tried to drink and it ended up all over his shirt. His sunglasses are goobed with sticky fingerprints. His hand, knees, and shoes are clobbered with dirt. And that darling little squishy face has salsa smeared all over. I’m afraid I just can’t keep up with scrubbing these kids all day long. But he doesn’t seem to mind too much. He’s still smiling – after all!

His bath tonight made him a brand new baby! So grateful for bathtubs, warm running water, and sweet-smelling baby soap.

Here’s to a summer of fun… with a pregnant mom trying not to be a clean freak. (wish me luck… as I know my house may be a complete disaster since we’ll spend all time outside!) I will survive… and enjoy all the fun and silly moments with the munchkins…. I hope! And may oxiclean and my washing machine do their duty to this family!! We’ll need all the help we can get!

Motherhood Matters

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I liked this quote that Becky Higgins shared today. Yesterday morning I was having a hard time positively embracing my role as mother. After a break from the littles (thanks to my sis-in-law) and time spent in Abe’s classroom, I felt a bit more rejuvenated. Then after an afternoon playing outside (next time – remember sunscreen Heather!) and having some one-on-one chats with Abe, I was overwhelmed knowing how important my role is to guide and love these little ones. Not that I know what I’m doing… but hopefully my efforts will be blessed.

indeed … it’s a dangerous job

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Now I know I’ve never been extremely graceful. Perhaps I’m a little clumsy… especially when pregnant. But today I was like a walking disaster.

My zany back is freaking out with this pregnancy. I couldn’t sit or stand this morning for 5 minutes without pain that took my breath away. It’s been killin’ me for days. Ouch man! I hope the chiropractor can fix it… permanently.

Then, as I walked down the stairs I stepped on a small cup that Truman left … man was it a sharp one. I completely biffed it on my behind while landing on bent toes. My toe is black-n-blue. Did I break it? sigh…

Then, I ate Frosted Mini Wheats for breakfast. Seriously – I completely choked. I nearly lost it all and died (kidding on the death part). Even Tru asked if I was “ok?” What’s up man?

Luckily, after 9 a.m., I was a little safer. I didn’t even slice myself when cutting watermelon with the gynormous knife.

I was whining to Abe about all my clumsy woes. He said, “Sounds like you had a hard day.” Then at supper he prayed that tomorrow would be a better day for mom. Nice!

I was thinking about how many times a day I get hurt in my job as mother. Between Truman hitting or pinching (someday he’ll learn to be soft!)… Truman ramming his car into my ankles over and over… Max elbowing me when we’re reading… Toddlers pouncing on that baby inside… Not to mention all that kicking going on inside… Motherhood – it’s a dangerous job. Good thing I love these tots.

Finding my calm

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I just saw this quote scratched on an envelope in my purse… from when we visited the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU. I like the idea he shared – so simple. I’ve been trying super-dee-duper hard to keep my calm in the chaos of the evening hours. Blow up I do… sometimes. Keep calm… and carry on… is my goal. This is a good reminder that when I rely on the strength of the Lord, He will help still my soul… and keep it calm… even amidst the storm of getting dinner on and putting 4 tots in bed.

Hummmmm…
focus…
calm…
hummmmm…
still…
love…
quiet inside…
i am a tree…
strong and firm…
resolute and still…
hummmmm…
(like my zen-yoga-thoughts? ha-ha.)