Thrown Outta School!

Tonight we went to Easton's German kindergarten's graduation ceremony. German children go to kindergarten until they are six. All the German schools begin their summer vacation this week and then the new school year begins in September. Because Easton will be going to the American elementary school on base in September, his kindergarten teacher wanted to include him in tonight's celebration.

Frau Wenig's daughter came and was our translator tonight. The ceremony began with a few words of congratulations from the teachers. The kids were declared graduated and officially big kids on vacation. The teachers made them these cute 4 leaf good luck necklaces and a certificate and then threw them out of the school. The dragged a big mat the size of a mattress and each teacher took an arm or leg as they sang and swung each child before tossing them out the door onto the mattress.

Then we all had cake and a lil' bubbly - sparkling soda for the kids and champagne for the adults. By the end of the evening, there was a 3 yr old little boy named Felix who apparently had been sippin' a bit of the wrong bubbly! He was being real silly and bumping into things.

Backyard Camping

Ryan set up the tent in the backyard last night just before his casserole came out of the oven. I thought it would be fun for the boys. After dinner, Ryan tried to teach the boys how to catch and throw a football with varying success. Morgan tried to eat everything she could find in the backyard, even caught herself a roly-poly although I was able to intercept it before it got to her lips! She's got fast fingers!



We finally said it was time to settle down at 10pm to the boys who had been happily playing with their light sticks for two hours in the tent. I think they fell asleep some time after 11. Knowing it could be a night of adventure, I grabbed one of the boy's mattresses and set myself up to sleep in the living room next to the door.

0415 McKay is crying in the tent. He doesn't like the dark. The sky is beginning to brighten on the horizon. I dart outside to bring him in before he wakes up Easton and the neighborhood, but he's demanding his rain boots! It's still "quiet hours" until 0700. I wish my life was quiet until at least 0700 every day!!! All in good time. McKay goes to sleep on Easton's top bunk and I settle in for some hopeful zzzzs.

0515 Morgan is awake and wrestling her blanket to the death in hunger. Note to self: Sucking on her blanket as she does gives her bad morning breath! After she's eaten, she's off to explore. First she hits the play room to maul her favorite horse and baby doll.

0530 Easton is at the door whimpering and wet head to toe. ARGH! He heads for the shower. I groan as I discover my washing machine is just a little to small to fit the sleeping bag. I console myself with a fork full of Ryan's amazing brownies.

0600 Morgan has done her morning business and now I'm positive it's truly a whopper of a Monday morning. Why have the diaper wipe fairies conspired against me this early in the morning? First the wipes box is empty with just three wipes in a clump at the bottom of the box - McKay's handiwork I'm sure. I grab the refill bag and WHY WON'T it dispense just one wipe at a time during such crucial moments of one-handed baby wrangling? WHY?!?!? I clean up the diaper explosion and she's off to scavenge for food under the dining table because I haven't swept since Saturday morning. It's a gold mine! Never mind the fact that we were gone all day Saturday! Cheerios, a stray green bean, and looks like some of McKay's brownie have been discovered judging by her slobbery chin.

For some reason, blogger just erased the rest of this post. Bleh. Plan for the rest of the day: drive Ryan to work in ten minutes so I can take the kids swimming in our local pool finally AND head on base to wash some sleeping bags. I also think I see a storytime nap in my afternoon.

Pink Underwear

I keep finding drafts of blogs I haven't yet published. Ooops! This one was written the day before we left for the 4th of July weekend in Garmisch. The pictures I posted of Morgan in the pool from Heike's belong to this post and since I just put them up the other day, I won't bother to put them up again.

July 2, 2009
Last Tuesday night, Easton took an evening shower and was told to go into his room to get dressed. He came out sporting a pink pair of what had once been white. This pair had inadvertently gotten washed with new red sheets some time ago but I didn't see any reason to throw away a perfectly functional pair of underwear. Easton exclaimed that he loved pink. He's been saying he likes pink for about a week and I haven't made any sort of fuss over it because for weeks and months before, green had been his ultimate favorite and still is. Ryan did mutter half-jokingly, "Over my dead body."

Last week was a hot week here. We don't have air conditioning and rely on our ceiling fans. Now when I say hot, I mean it was in the 80s. I love that hot means 80s!!! That's my heat threshold if I have my way. I prefer cooler weather.

Anyhow, as I arrived at the kindergarten the next day at noon to pick up the boys on this hot day, I ran into my friend Heike. She said the teachers had gotten out the slip'n'slide or sprinklers for the kids to run through in their underwear so they were all sportin' shorts with no undies on right now. I had to laugh and cringe all at the same time. My thoughts went immediately to Easton's pink briefs! Of all the days to have an underwear party! Thank goodness he's rather oblivious and even if the kids teased him, he wouldn't know what they were saying!

It was a little mortifying to walk out to the playground to retrieve his pink underwear from the fence. I sighed with relief that at least I knew he had clean ones on that day! Seems the only one embarrassed by the whole affair was me and good thing I found it more funny than embarrassing.

Then we were off to grab our swim suits and pack a lunch so we could enjoy the afternoon at Heike's house. Heike had inflated to little pools for her kids and we were joining in the fun. I should have been good and stayed home to finish packing, but it was hot, the boys were going to love it, and I hadn't gotten to hang out with Heike in some time and missed her. Besides there's a new friend in the mix. Heike's au pair (nanny), Janelle from Idaho/Utah. We had a fun afternoon chatting and watching the kids play. It was so cute to watch Morgan (8 mos) and Liam (6 mos) in their little pool splashing away. These two are pretty funny to watch together as any two little babies are! The boys love playing with Mason, Sammy, and Taylor and they're all great kids!

You Need an Au Pair!

"You need an au pair!" Frau Wenig blurted out. Hmmm. . . is it that obvious? Ouch.

I was chatting with the boys' kindergarten teacher about fun things to do around here at Christmas when McKay shrieked and we spotted him take a swipe at Easton. I turned my attention to McKay and told him we don't hit and that he needed to say sorry to Easton. At home it would've been an immediate time out, but I wanted to finish my chat and take the drama on at home. Upon my arrival, McKay had earlier swiped one of the toy animals from Easton and thrown a tantrum when Frau Wenig made him give it back.

I really hate disciplining in public and feel especially self-conscious in front of Frau Wenig because of the language barrier and I feel like I always appear the frazzled mother of three youngins. I have often referred to feeling like they all think I'm incompetent, but I know it's more that they understand where I'm at and know it's a big job. I just seem to show more overwhelmed moments than shining ones for this crowd. If they could just see the serene moments at home - really, they do happen more often than not! And I'm glad I've had my kids "close" together because they are already becoming great friends, all three!

As I've mulled over Frau Wenig's comment yesterday about me needing a nanny, a flood of responses have come to mind. "No, I just have a tired, hungry three year old who has reached his limit and will make life miserable until he's had lunch and a nap." "A nanny'd be great, but I don't have the budget or room to house one." Or, "No, I just need a maid and personal assistant so I can be the full-time mom I want to be."

It's rough being humbled, being seen in need of help and called out. The confident, people-pleasing part of me recoils at any suggestion that I might be lacking in any way. I don't know a mother who wouldn't want some sort of help for the endless list of functions a mother performs daily.

Frau Wenig has seen plenty of my need in the past weeks as I've been a little more frazzled than usual. Her comment was made in kindness. It did, however, make me analyze where I am right now. Funny thing was, on Monday, I had a great day and accomplished enough on all mothering fronts to be satisfied with myself. It's never enough, but I was, as I said, satisfied with what had been done.


Easton picked shapes for learning time Monday. He was tracing our various shaped blocks and writing what shape it was below. I'm trying real hard to play catch up on his writing skills, can ya tell? I've been impressed with how long he'll work on these projects lately! He's soooo ready for school, it's exciting!



I should have known, McKay was more interested in sharpening pencils the entire time. But now all the pencils in the house are sharpened and even some of the erasers too!



He's so happy to have been such a good helper! I had to be satisfied that his "learning time" is always much different than my objective. We're just going for exposure for him, right?

I was able to have a frank discussion today with Frau Wenig about McKay and whether or not this school was a good fit for him. Easton hasn't been eager to learn German and doesn't mind playing by himself or with his one English speaking friend. The kindergarten has served more as a playdate for the boys and an opporunity for me to knock out chores, errands, appointments, and exercise. It was good to get their teacher's feedback as I figure out what I want in the coming months.

Homefront Update

Just to document a few things each person is up to before we move on and I forget.

At nine months now, Morgan has two teeth! The boys teethed much later than this so I was caught unawares! I had just finished telling a mother of a walking, eight-toothed nine month old that Morgan didn't have any teeth when I felt a new one cut as she knawed on my hand in the pool. She's still cruising around the apartment, really likes to man handle a baby doll's eyes and hands. She's a soft toy and ball junkie. As I write this, she has pulled herself up to inspect her toy bin. I love how she crawls to come get me to say hi with her way of hugs and slobbery kisses. Babies are just one of my favorite things!!!

McKay - I really need to potty train this kid! The other day I could tell he needed a diaper change and asked him to come on over. He replied, "No mom. Set your timer for 3 hours an' den my poopy will be done." He was in the middle of playing, so I asked if he meant in three minutes. He gave me a down browed frown and scolded me, "No! Three hours!" I'm still debating whether or not I like him being in German kindergarten because he needs no help becoming assertive. Kindergarten gives him the outing/playdate he craves and MAKES me get out the door each day and interact with my neighbors and elements. It's a love-hate thing I haven't fully processed.

Easton - Watch my moves! Fascinated with Kung Fu Panda some time ago, he's lately taken to having us watch different air moves like balancing poses, punches and kicks. Ryan's coworker teaches a twice weekly Tai Kwon Do class at the fitness center on base so we thought we'd give it a try. Easton LOVED the first class and it was so cute to see such concentration on his face as he intently followed directions. Not so fun was keeping McKay and Morgan out of the way after the swimming pool excursion in a HOT upstairs room!

We'd love to do a team sport like soccer for Easton but we'd miss Saturday games with our frequent traveling. I was actually more reluctant to do a sport because I think full day kindergarten beginning in September will be enough of an adjustment for Easton. I could totally be over-thinking this, but I tend to cling to the less-scheduled life while l can! I think I'm raising happy home bodies, but do they want to be? I just love seeing how happy my lil' ones are when we return to their stomping ground, it's bliss.

Here's some recent pictures of fun we've had on the homefront.

Mason and Sammy came over to play one day and they all had a great time!


Our attempt at doing sprinklers in the jungle, uh - I mean, back yard. I bought the dumb sprinkler but it doesn't attach to the hose so Easton has to hold it together. He actually enjoys holding it together, but I think it's partly to terrorize McKay with the element of surprise.





In Heike's backyard the boys were avoiding Mason and Sammy's splashes. Easton recently told my mom that his favorite place in Germany is Mason's house! Too true! I wish I was better at getting together with Heike's family because we have a great time!

Morgan and Liam (7 mos) splashing in the pool. They are so cute to watch together! I have no idea where I inherited this swim suit for her but it's been fun to have something to put her in!




Ryan is steadily running to prepare for his September marathon in Berlin. I think he said he did a twelve mile run yesterday during his lunch hour?! I'm so impressed! He's still teaching Gospel Doctrine and may I brag for a moment about him? A member of the Primary Presidency pulled me aside last week to tell me her friend was gushing over Ryan's teaching. She's married to a non-member and they often fight on the way home from church over what gets taught in this Sunday School hour class. This friend was so pleased with how Ryan conducts the class and was able to stick to doctrine. Ryan admits this is the hardest thing about teaching this class and is trying to make a very conscious effort to live up to that compliment. I just wish I was able to attend his class and see him in action - I love hearing him teach the gospel! He was raised by faithful, intellectual LDS stock and what a blessing!

And me? In seven months I've already exceeded previous year's blog posts due to all these new travels and experiences. Beyond the normal mom routine of trying to hold the house and everyone in it together, I've been trying new recipes (mostly Indian), started walking more regularly, and am loving my attempts to delve into European history through biographies of notable women. I finally finished my bedtime reading of "The Life of Elizabeth I" which took four months to get through 500 pages! I also just finished "Marie Antionette: The Journey" as an audiobook and really enjoyed it. I felt like it was really well-written and was a good intro to how royal life was led in a time of great transition and revolution. Sad end to the story and interesting how the press vilified her to her death. Now I'm trying to read about her mother, Maria Therese the determined Austrian Empress. I frequent the library every couple of weeks to stock up on whatever audio books look interesting so I'm never without my daily cooking and kitchen cleaning entertainment.

After a lot of recent outings and some less than stellar mothering, Ryan knew I needed a break. He gave me the day off on Saturday! I'd felt a bit penned in by my routine, car-lessness, and travels with children. So I ran errands and browsed to my heart's content without children, the survival kit of diapers and food and with no respect to time, feedings, or nappy schedules. It was great. I scarfed down a sandwich while listening to a sappy Nicholas Sparks audio novel. I got kinda lonesome wishing Ryan could be shopping and running errands with me because I like his company and his input. So I got home "early" at 7 and he'd made dinner! Dad's meatloaf and mashed potatoes - YUM!!! And now I'll go help myself to some more of his apple pie!

What's 20 Minutes?

The boys love to be read to every afternoon. They prefer it to watching movies or cartoons so that's saying something! Easton is getting the hang of reading which is a lot of fun. It's such a cozy feeling to have my lil guys by my side, hanging on my every word. I love how the corners of their mouths turn up in a grin when I dramatize the story. My only problem is that sitting to read to them puts me to sleep without fail! Yesterday, we had to be at their German kindergarten for a family BBQ at 4pm so at 2:30 I figured I could catch a mini-snooze.

I set my trusty timer for 20 minutes to catch a power nap. I'd used the day to bake and clean, but just needed to put the finishing touches on my basket of goods. But 20 minutes could be spared I figured and I'd be the better for it. All was well in my little plan until a friend called to chat while her new baby finally took a nap unattached to mom. I love this new friend. She thinks I'm funny and I LOVE her sense of humor! We like to swap our stellar mothering moments and such instances of sharing our trenches buoy me up every time! I need a good laugh daily and a chance to put this season of life in perspective.

My favorite story of hers thus far is when we were relating recent tantrum stories. Her four year old was hollering at her for something and descending into a full-on tantrum. At her wits end and standing against the dining table, she forcefully hollered back, "We [pounds fist on the table] Do Not [pound] Throw [pound] Tantrums [pound]!" Lesson learned by toddler? He who hollers loudest wins the tantrum war. Yup, she's my kind of gal! But we keep trying.

I was relating the previous day's mishaps to her. I had taken the kids to the Sindelfingen pool all by myself. I think I've mentioned this fact before - Germans do pools really well!!! But, WHAT was I thinking taking all three kids by myself on what looked like the busiest day? I swear the entire country must have descended on the pool on what I'm finding to be the few sunny, hot days of summer. I really should have had reinforcements! The little pool at home in Leesburg suited us well and would have been enough of an adventure for me. This was a kiddie pool on crack! The kids had a great time, but I felt a bit anxious trying to keep my eye on all three in a crowded multi-level kiddie pool. If I hadn't been going slightly insane or had an extra four arms, I would have taken out my camera to snap some shots.

Easton swam in the deeper kiddie pool with a new buddy who lended him an inflatable tummy tube. McKay wanted to be with Easton but the water was chest high for him in there so he wandered to the lower kiddie pool. He tried to be patient for his turn on the slide until he couldn't stand it anymore and pushed his way to the top of those other pansy, wannabe sliders. I really should google how to say "I'm sooo sorry!" and "Excuse Me" in German! Morgan had a great time at my feet as she squealed with glee splashing in the water and attempting to drink the pool. I tried to carry on a conversation with two moms from church that I'd really like to get to know, but . . . I was trying to also be a vigilant mom and the two often don't coincide. My friend on the phone lamented with me. Good friends do that well.

I didn't get a chance to tell her about going from the pool to Easton's first Tai Kwon Do class and wrangling hungry, tired Morgan and McKay. I hated to cut our conversation short as we were having such a good time, but I had to go finish my BBQ prep.

Remember the disaster that ensued the last time I tried to go to a kindergarten event? Tried, being the operative word because I didn't make it there. I'd been warily watching the dark clouds all day hoping the rain would at least wait until my crew had dryly arrived at the school. We started our trek with the stroller loaded down with a pasta salad, chocolate chip cookies, our mess kit and other baby-toddler survival kit necessities. Not 50 feet from our door, I'm watching, cheering, and fearing as McKay takes off in a sprint to show us how fast he can run. His arms are pumping back and forth and just as he's admiring his own body's wonderful mechanics - SMACK! He trips and falls hard on the sidewalk! With a small breeze kicking up as a fresh wave of rain is about to descend upon me and my three un-rain clad munchkins, I scoop up McKay and run . . . while pushing the stroller and trying to make it sound like a fun game to Easton.

We arrived 20 minutes late for the kindergarten BBQ. 20 minutes. And apparently there was a little program we interrupted in all our arriving glory. I swear my German neighbors think I'm the most incompetent mother on the planet! So much is lost in translation!

Attending a kindergarten BBQ by one's self with three kids under age six is unadvisable. Arriving late is also unadvisable. Easton joined in the program while I sat on the now muddy floor with Morgan who desperately wanted to get down and crawl among all the active, singing legs and McKay who was still nursing his wounds and sucking every ounce of motherly patience and love from this disheveled, now profusely sweating mom. WHY DON'T they have air-conditioning in this country?!

After the program, everyone headed outside to put their meats on the grill, let the kids play on the playground and hover over the kids roasting bread on sticks over smoldering wood coals. They called that delicious bread "schtuck-bough" and many stopped to try and explain it to me in their broken English. They are really nice and really must have thought I was crazy to come by myself. My German friend and her kids that I know were gone for the weekend to visit her mom, so this time I was really on my own. One of the teachers helped the boys with their bread and I weathered the rain as best I could under the big canopy umbrella covering the BBQ area.

Once inside, another teacher took Morgan so I could get the food plates ready. McKay kept descending into fits of tears or ear-piercing screams if he didn't get what he wanted when he wanted it OR it seemed if someone even dared look at him, let alone play with him. Yup, that was fun! I tried chatting with one of the other mothers in between but eventually hit that wall of exasperation due to managing McKay's fits and Morgan's desire to be underfoot eating who knows what on a muddy floor in her cute strawberry dress. Oh let's not forget that I was sitting at one end of a long bench and when the final other person on the other end got up, it was like Morgan I were on the heavy end of a see saw! Up went the other end and we just about ended up on the floor! All eyes on me and my now filthy baby and tearful three year old. Where's my cave when I need it?

Needless to say, it was soon time to go home. I kept hoping Ryan would pick up on my exasperated telepathy and come to our rescue in the van. Work days are long for him and I know this event was the last thing he wanted to do after a tiring week at work. With the rain coming down in buckets, I gathered my brood having McKay hold Morgan in the stroller and we ran for home. McKay LOVED this fast ride and I know I will forever be begged to duplicate it. I don't know that I will brave another one of these outings by myself again with this sort of track record. Or at least until my memory fails me and, like childbirth, it sounds like a good idea again.

Heidelberg Castle Fireworks!

You know my cute man is a lover of fireworks, right? He’ll even travel for fireworks. And we did this weekend. Some of the castles here in Germany, like Heidelberg, have special firework shows during the summer and we’re all over that! And we took our new friend Janelle along for the ride. She’s come to Germany to be a nanny for a year to my German friend, Heike, and be near her army boyfriend stationed in Heidelberg. But he was in training this weekend so we got her all to ourselves.


Here we are at the top of the Holy Ghost Church tower to see the lay of the land. This time the whole crew went up, not just Ryan and Easton. Although when it came time to climb up the hill to the castle, Ryan hefted the stroller straight up the cobblestone road and it was steep! My hero! Wish I had a picture of our crew on that jaunt! It was bad enough going up that we took the funicular (mountain tram) down when we were done exploring!

Heidelberg’s castle was built as a medieval fortress up on the hill, but saw great renovations and destruction over the centuries. It was sacked by invading armies, tragically caught fire, and then was even partly dismantled by the lower townsfolk who used some of the stones to build the town which had also burned. Having seen quite a few castles now, it wasn’t our favorite but the tour was given by an informative guide.






This castle is also home to the largest wine barrel in the world. People back in the day paid their taxes in wine. The wine was used as money. The wine collected paid the army and other servants of the crown. A soldier, for instance, was rationed 6-7 liters per day which he in turn could use to go to town and barter with for goods. I find that sort of stuff pretty interesting.

We walked up and down the main street looking at shops and chatting. Ryan found a pair of shoes and finally we sat down for a great Thai dinner. Hearty German food is good, but when we’re out, we seek out some serious flavor. Or at least Ryan does and that’s one reason I’m glad I tricked him into marrying me! He’s the spice of my life! Ryan enjoyed his pad thai, I loved my curry, Janelle had some sort of fish dish, and I should have just gotten the boys a big plate of rice because that’s all they wanted to eat off our plates instead of the big plate of yummy noodles, chicken and veggies. Lesson learned.

We did some more strolling to kill time until the fireworks were to begin. Heidelberg just finished renovating their old bridge and it looked fabulous. We were able to find a good patch of grass to call our own. We snacked on popcorn and cookies while trying to keep Morgan from rolling down the hill. After being in the stroller all day, she was ready to cruise! And then the show began! I loved hearing the boys giggle with glee. We start our pyro training early here. Morgan seemed to really like this show too. She clutched my arm, but uttered a huge round mouthed “oooooo” when it began and couldn’t take her eyes off them fireworks!




We didn’t get home until almost 1am which made waking up early for church and WAKING the boys up rather painful. Luckily, Sunday naps were in order after church and Ryan even made us all dinner and dessert! I love my man!!!

Comfort

Ryan asked Easton what he wanted to learn about at FHE tonight. Easton said, “Temples!” And Ryan gave us our first multi-media family home evening lesson. He hooked the laptop up to the TV and away he went. We looked at the two closest temples to us, Frankfurt Germany and Bern Switzerland. Ryan showed us the youtube video of “Why Mormons Build Temples” which the boys enjoyed seeing all the temple images. We discussed who can go inside the temple and what we learn there. We ended with the Angel Moroni statue atop each temple. I think FHE lessons will never be the same again. We even sung our closing song, “I love to see the temple,” with itunes in stereo still connected to the TV. Kinda funny.


While the boys settled in to watch “Bolt,” I grabbed Morgan’s blanket to I could get a couple shots of her with it. This is her one and only comfort item. See what she does with it? Stuffs the nice soft silky part as far into her mouth as her little hands can manage while uttering a nice, satisfied moan! When she’s tired, she does chew on her thumb like she will eventually be a thumb sucker, but it’s only as a substitute for her true love, the silky edged blanket. I only figured this out a month ago! And she can fall asleep without it which is also great!

I’m a big believer in putting my babies to bed awake and letting them figure out how to sooth themselves to sleep. We go through rough patches now and then, but on the whole it’s really worked for us. However, once that door is closed and I don’t hear a peep, I stay out until there is a peep so I never quite know how they do it. Their sleep positions always crack me up, it’s always just so cute isn’t it?!


Easton was a thumb sucker pretty early on as you can see. I just found a great video clip of him sucking away as if it was his life's work, which let's be honest, at four months, it probably was! But as soon as he could crawl, which was by the time he was six months actually, he became a garment stealing fool!


This picture was taken when he was two and I was still figuring out how that camera worked, sorry. I had brought up the laundry to fold and he did his thing collecting all his favorites. He was always pulling my silkies tops out of the hamper or clean laundry pile to amass a collection. He loved the elastic on the camisole which he’d run his fingernail up and down as you can see. It was pretty adorable but not when we had guests or needed to be out and about. When Easton was three, he’d sucked his thumb so hard he’d broken the skin and stopped cold turkey on his own. Last year we broke him out of the silkies but every time he has quiet time or time out on my bed, he comes out with a silky. Old habits die hard.


McKay is still our quintessential thumb sucker. He uses the other hand to caress either his ears, arms, or legs – he loves skin! I have no idea how we’ll break him of the habit although getting him potty-trained is more terrifying to me at the moment. It’s gotta be done soon, I just gotta buck up and do it! All the traveling we do just adds to my sense of foreboding doom.

I know my comfort item as a baby was my thumb and what became a ratty cotton edged yellow blanket. Eventually I believe my parents had to hide the blanket to try and break me of it. Thus far I’ve just been grateful that none of my kids have been pacifier kids or diehard comfort item fanatics. I may be silly, but I like the thumb sucking because they’re free and we can’t lose thumbs on an outing! Keeping them clean, well that’s another subject entirely.

Alright, time for bed!

Why I Believe: Role of Women

I really love preparing my Sunday School lessons! We're studying the Doctrine & Covenants and church history which is not one of my fortes. I learn so much each week and wish I was more diligent in regular study.

As I read the accounts of all the amazing meetings and topics being discussed in those early days of the church being organized, I can't help but wish to have been present. Oh, to see the prophet Joseph Smith receive revelations and feel the Holy Ghost confirm his words in my heart! I admit that in the back of my mind, I'll note the meeting was attended by a small group of men and a little sadness will settle in for all those hard working women who were also sacrificing along side the men but may not have been able to be present. Inevitably, however, by the end of my readings, I'll have come across at least one account each time of a woman who yearned to be present and was able to be there too.

For instance, tomorrow's lesson is on the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Very young children were not permitted to attend and when I read that my heart just sank for all the young mothers like myself. Then I read that a second dedicatory session was to be held the following week. Swaps anyone? Then I read about a young mother who had traveled a long way, couldn't bear to miss the dedication and was upset she couldn't find anyone to watch her six week old baby. Joseph Smith Sr., the patriarch, told her to bring the baby and promised her that the baby wouldn't disturb the meeting. His words bore true, even though the meeting lasted seven hours! HURRAY FOR HER!!!

I wonder what challenges lay ahead for this young mother that she was able to endure because of the things she saw, heard, and felt in this meeting. We know the Saints were driven from their homes a number of times in the coming years and endured losses of everything in this world they held dear. Many even buried spouses and children along the way.

I relate to this young mom. It reminds me of the life of Abigail Adams during the American Revolution. She wanted so badly to be present at all those meetings of the Continental Congress shaping our Independence and new nation - often so she could box the delegates' ears and make them see reason! What she faced on the home front and wrote to her husband, John Adams, helped ground him - and thereby the Congress - in the harsh realities faced by the young nation's constituents. I know she and many others were blessed in the lives they led even if they couldn't be where all the action was. The Lord needed her and used her where she was. He needs each of us, men and women, where we are to do our part and give it our best shot. As I go change yet another diaper, I'll try to remember that.

I am humbled. The Lord loves us all and knows our hearts. Simple as I am, He knows I need those sections in the lesson. I have a very small class most Sundays, just three girls usually. We've had some great discussions as they are able to ask questions and are often curious about women's place in the church. I am so grateful for my testimony of the role of women in the church. I know many have encountered difficult situations and been offended. My heart breaks for them. But I know that the Lord's gospel is true. A comment by the late Elder Wirthlin always pops into my head when I hear about these hard situations and I can't believe it's from 2001! Seems like it was just last conference.

"Some mistake the Church for a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, think perfect thoughts, and feel perfect feelings. May I quickly dispel such a thought? The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to help and strengthen each other as we strive to return to our Heavenly Father. Every one of us will travel a different road in mortality."

Elder Wirthlin says more great stuff on this subject, but I'll leave it at that.

Happy Saturday! We're off to see an old castle be lit up by fireworks tonight in Heidelberg with our new friend Janelle!

Holy Mortification, Batman!

It was a little rough around here today. Upon returning from taking Ryan to work, I saw our hausmeister (building manager who lives across the hall) and said Good Morning! He got rather red faced as he approached me and began visibly shaking as he attempted to control himself. My boys had thrown jagged fist-sized rocks into his yard yesterday afternoon and he was very upset about it. He motioned that I should go see it with him and acted like he was going to go with us. I turned to call the boys out of the van and when I turned back, the hausmeister had jumped in his car and was speeding away!

I don't do well with confrontation. I'm a people pleaser to a fault, unless you're family that lives with me. (Boy do I wish I could reprogram this!) Anyhow, I was really shaken up by this confrontation and took the next twenty minutes crying off and on while getting the boys ready for kindergarten. How could I rectify the situation? Would I need an intermediary to convey enough humility? If I called my friend down the street, would I just be more embarrassed in front of my new friend by whatever accusations might fly? I had made the boys come in yesterday because I found them throwing rocks in our yard, but it hadn't crossed my mind to check next door.

My neighbor, the hausmeister, has an immaculate yard with really nice furniture and ornaments. My jungle leaves much to be desired and I'm embarrassed. I had great intentions this spring, but it's just not coming together for me right now. I left the house trying to figure out a game plan.

I went to visit my friend who recently had her baby when Ryan called me there. I was a little surprised and when I heard him say "police" I almost had a panic attack. I thought the hausmeister had called the cops! I'm telling you, he loves his yard! Then I calmed myself down to listen to what Ryan was saying. I was to meet with the German police about the accident I had in April. [My mind begins swirling over that unfortunate event and what I would say and was it accurate?] Oh what a doozy!

It was a day of running here and there. I ran and got the boys from kindergarten, fed them lunch and we were on our way to the police station in Boeblingen. We arrived on time looking completely confused trying to open doors the wrong way and when I got the receptionist, she must have thought I was quite the loony. Apparently Ryan had just called. I was supposed to meet the German police on the American base, not at the police station. This meant I was now going to be at least a half hour late. Oh joy, kiss the babies one last time just in case they lock me up! Actually, maybe that's not such a bad idea. Can I bring my book and some chocolate covered almonds?

It turned out to be the shortest meeting in history. The two policemen were there to tell me my charge through a translator - failure to yield the right of way causing bodily injury - and take my statement to that fact. I signed a paper saying I would like to speak to a lawyer and now the public defender will decide whether or not to press charges or assess a fine. The other driver decided not to press charges and was not injured badly I was told. [When the accident occurred, he was more concerned that it had been his fault but in the end, I am held liable for the road rule. Bad intersection, obstructed view.] We shall see what happens next.

Got done with that and grabbed the boys from Ryan in his office. We now had a couple hours to kill on base until he was off work. After going a couple places, we headed to the commissary to pick up some groceries. Oh I should never shop with the boys!!! They consider the aisles as their personal racing lanes. Easton has taken to running and then sliding-into-home-plate maneuvers for which he was almost run over twice. If looks could kill from those women to me and from me to him! McKay just likes to take off to run "super fast" or is lagging 15 yards behind sucking his thumb. No matter how many time-outs, threats, and scoldings I gave, they just would not behave for more than a minute! Then I turn around and McKay has grabbed a peach and is happily eating it! He just looks at me and says, "I like it!" Oh, where is the nearest hole I can crawl into?!!

Once home, we tried to go do our apology over the rocks and were successful on our second attempt. I was so glad Ryan was home to do it with me because I wasn't sure what to expect. This man is very sweet and has been very shy to speak what good English he knows. We caught him coming home from work. He was very apologetic and said something about how this morning he had not been amused, but now he was better. Not amused, eh? He had even brought the boys a soccer ball and shook their hands. I felt bad that Easton was doing the apology when I KNOW it was McKay throwing the rocks, my little destroyer.

In the end, all of the day's goings on weren't that big a deal. I'm sure this was a piece of cake compared to what I have yet to experience. That's a real comforting thought. But it sure made for one roller coaster of a day!

He's Perfect, Folks!

Lately, McKay has taken to saying, "Mom, I look Perfect!" once he's been dressed for the day. Sure is quite the three year old!


This was taken one afternoon the first week he started going to kindergarten with Easton. I had sat down to read a book to Easton and McKay grabbed this pillow and was listening to us from this spot on the floor. Besides their car seats, I can count on one hand places besides their beds where they've fallen asleep. They like to sleep in their beds only.

McKay gets so tuckered out, it's easy to get him to nap each day and he and I NEED him to nap! There's some ugly melt downs around here. Bedtime is not so fun. Easton likes to avoid falling asleep at all costs and the two egg each other on. Now they've got Morgan in on their bedtime games. It's all fun and games til someone's screaming and separations ensue.

A 4th of July in Bavaria

My patriotic pyro husband MUST have 4th of July fireworks. We headed down to the base and resort at Garmisch for their show and to see the quaint towns below the Alps without feet of snow.

On our way down, we stopped at Linderhof Palace which is like a petite Versailles mixed with a bit of the Orient built by crazy King Ludwig II in the late 1800s. This guy built the Cinderella castle Neuschwanstein and a few others, but was a loner and died young. You just shake your head at all this ornateness sometimes!

Our camera has been acting up and stopped taking pictures for the rest of the weekend. It was actually quite liberating! Ryan just asked if I was finally posting the rest of our Paris trip. I said, “Nope. Garmisch. Less pictures.” [Also an apt sample of my communication skills post-dinner.]

On Friday, after a yummy breakfast buffet where my boys ate their hearts out, we braved a rainy day determined to be undeterred. Back to the buffet though, my boys typically don’t actually eat much when we’re out. But there they were, starting off with a bowl of cereal while Ryan and I gathered the other buffet items. They’d do pancakes, bacon, watermelon, a hard boiled egg, and orange juice. It was fascinating to me! They were so happy and content it was actually not a nightmare to be eating in public! And I got my omelette made to order, Yum!

Alright, Friday we headed to Eibsee Lake to go out on a boat but we had to wait for the rain to subside as Ryan insisted it would. I don’t know why I haven’t taken this weather seriously yet and outfitted us all with proper rain gear. I’m still a doubting desert girl deep down. The rain stopped just long enough for us to do a motor boat ride and then it was back to rain.

We headed into Oberammergau, famous for it’s Passion Play held every ten years for almost 400 years now. We were there to browse wood carving shops which are just amazing! We scoped out favorite nativity characters and backdrops but the children ruled out any real concentrated effort which must have really annoyed the shop keepers. I’m the idiot that picked up one piece despite “Don’t Touch” signs posted everywhere. Just about gave the proprietor a heart attack and my cheeks were flushed with embarrassment for at least a half hour! Tired of dodging the rain with our troups, we succumbed to their pleas to go swimming at the hotel.

On Saturday we were in search of adventure! We took the Eckbauer cable cars and hiked down the mountain in an effort to do something until the “sommerrodelbahn” opened at 10. We like rodelbahns , or alpine slides or summer tobogans!!! I loved hearing Ryan hoopin’ and hollerin’ all the way down the mountain! And the boys all grinning from ear to ear with wind parted hair was pretty cute too! We found another rodelbahn and zipline in Oberammergau with goats looking on. We also ate some “fire cheese” at a cheese factory in Ettal, saw a wedding in their famous cathedral, and watched a wood carver and some other artisans in Oberammergau.

The boys got a bit of swimming in before the 4th of July festivities began. The hotel had “carnival” games for the kids, but the real fun was the magician and Bavarian culture program. The boys have been doing “magic” tricks since then with any types of ropes they find. We got a kick out of the Bavarian costumes, long horns’ music, dancing, and yodeling but were anxious for FIREWORKS!!!

Luckily, our room faced the show so we watched from our balcony. We’d gotten little party horns earlier at the carnival, but Ryan’s horn made this forlorn honk that had us all in fits of laughter. Morgan was in awe and a scared stiff by the fireworks while the boys loved and laughed through the whole thing. Happy Birthday, United States of America!!!

Pea Bowling

I made a particularly horrible chicken curry recipe tonight. We still tried to get the boys to eat a full meal. I had left the table and had been hounding Easton to finish his dinner. Once again, I heard the boys playing around the table and the words caught in my throat because of the game they had invented with Morgan's leftovers on the floor.


Sorry for the horrible picture, I didn't want to interrupt and alter their game. Easton was directing McKay's stacking pea-to-Cheerio efforts. When all available peas and Cheerios were stacked, they went "bowling." McKay would swing his arm and knock those peas off their perches to the both of them cheering! I should note that we took the boys bowling two weeks ago on a rainy Saturday. I got a real kick out of each of us hollering for the one who was up. Nothing like hearing your kids cheer for you or for each other!

Ugh! Now they are eating their creations! Ewwwww! And Easton is back to eating what's on his plate, sitting in his chair like the nice young man I'm working to mold. Boys are weird! And the moment is over. Easton is feeding McKay his leftover peas and McKay is eating them like a puppy right from the table. I should intervene, but no mess is being created so GO FOR IT! Eat them peas! Play-doh is more of a mess than this!