Oh, Oaklee

I just had to pull chewing gum out of Oaklee's nose. Go figure!!

Cinnabon

Charlee has a webkin named Sparkles the cat. My mom has a gross, old, smelly dog named Cinnabon. I don't like Cinnabon. It is no secret that I don't like her. She is gross. She has a stuffed cat that is just as gross as she is. Her cat's name is Smelly Cat. So, when Charlee went to see Grandma today she said she had to leave Sparkles home so Cinnabon didn't think she was Smelly Cat and want to play with her. I keep telling my mom that Cinnabon needs to have a "unfortunate accident" and be buried in our back yard. She has not agreed yet, but if she wakes my mom up anymore at midnight, I think Mom may be coaxed. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

My "Twins" Playing Hop Scotch

Today I was asked 2 times how old they were. They, thinking that they had to be the same age. After all, boy/ girl twins, the boy is usually a little bigger than the girl. Imagine the looks I get when I say that she is four and he is two. Everyone seems stunned. Jaxson out weighs Oaklee by about 4 pounds now. He lays on her and laughs while she screams. Now he can get back at her for the first year of hiis life where she was able to bully him around. I don't think that will ever be the case again. Physically, anyway. I have a sneaking suspicion that she will always be able to out wit my sweet boy. We went to Charlee's school today and they played a little hop scotch. FUNNY!! (Oaklee still has a hard time jumping with 2 feet).

The Lessons I Needed To Learn

Conference was this weekend. Some of you may not know that 2 times a year, the leaders of our church have a general conference where they talk to the whole membership of the church (13 million+ members) via tv. Yeah!! We get t stay in our jammies on Sunday. Well, this year, I learned many things and I would love to share some them with you, my "Peeps".

1. Say I love You more.
Brian's mom always says I love you and at first, I was like whoa, what do I say back? Well, of course I love her, but do you say that to someone besides your husband and kids? I learned this weekend that I want to be more like Brenda and say it to all of the people I love more often so they KNOW that I love them. So, I love you, too Brenda!!

2. You can be strong without being abrasive.
I can stand up for what I believe and not be ashamed of it. I don't have to force my beliefs on others, but I can share. Which leads me to my next point...

3. Be slow to being offended.
Most people don't intend to offend others when they talk. Maybe they are not good communicators. Maybe they are just shy, not snobby. Maybe they need me to be a friend because it is hard for them to make friends. Sometimes we can change our outlook about someone when we choose to not be offended by them, but to love them instead.

4. Pride is the opposite of unity.
Pride tears families and friendships apart. Pride makes us want to be right. Satan loves the contention that brings into a home.It is when we think of others first, not ourselves that we can truly find joy. Let's be united as a country, as a family, as people.

5. Serve, Serve, Serve!!!
If you feel bad for yourself, find someone to serve. There is always someone hurting more than you. Help them. Love them. Don't quit. Some people (like me) have a hard time accepting service, but we need to. When we reject service, we are keeping someone else from receiving the blessings that they would receive through us.

6. Find Joy in The NOW!!
Enjoy the messy house, the yelling kids, the minivan... Well, a cooler car would be nice, but enjoy it. Our kids will grow up. We will never get this time back. Love them. Hug them. Don't wait till the kids leave the house to show your husband how important he is to you. Tell him now. Show him now. What if later never comes? Do it now. Share the gospel now. Share your love now!!!

I love you all. I get so excited to get on my blog and see who has visited it. My mom says people used to talk on the phone, but this is like having a big party line. I appreciate all of your blogs. Many of you inspire me. Some of you make me laugh, some make me cry. I am thankful for this community that we have here. I am so thankful that I have the knowledge that I have and that I am able to continue to learn from living Prophets we have on the Earth here today. Would the Lord really have his children on the Earth today with all of the crappy stuff without someone who is inspired to guide them? I don't think so. I am thankful for each of you!!

The Dredded "D" Word!!

That is right, followers of my crazy blog, tomorrow the DIET starts. I knew this day would come, but I am officially ready to start being healthy again. For me, healthy is synonymous with eating better and exercising. Both of which I abandoned at the beginning of my pregnancy. I am sad to see how fat I have gotten lately with no baby to show for the "baby weight" (No baby here on Earth, with me... You know what I mean). I am not stressing about it because I want to get back in the "Pregnant Way" whenever Heavenly Father wants to grant me the opportunity. Well, salads, healthy chicken, and Craisins here I come!!!

The week of the sickies

Well, we have had the cold from H-E- double hockey sticks this week. Oaklee started it with a cough and runny nose. I quickly followed with the crappy feelings. I took Oaklee to the doctor and she was put on antibiotics because she developed an ear infection. Since she gets her tonsils out in 10 days, they want to get rid of it quick. Jaxson developed a nasty little cough by Thursday. Charlee has a sore nose, but since I am a "Mean Mom", I keep sending her to school. (Her words, not mine). I caught Brian sneaking Vitamin C today, so maybe he will join the rest of us in this misery. I don't know why, but when we get sick, Brian very rarely joins us. If he is sick, he doesn't complain like a big baby like the rest of us do. Well, wish us luck in kicking this cold!!

This is a video of Oaklee with her hoarse little voice. It is so cute. just ignore the grouchy Charlee at the end. Push pause on the music pad before playing the video!!

My New Obsession!!

So, April told me about a website called blurb.com. You download your whole blog on it and it puts it in a book for you. A 40 page book starts at around $13.00. I was so excited. It is like having a journal from the year in a book. I told Brian that I am not blogging, I am journaling for our posterity!! Pretty good reason to be on the computer all day. j/k

Snow Cones

Yesterday right after breakfast, Jax and I has the following conversation:


Jax: "Snow cones Snow cones!!"
Mom: "Not today, Jaxson."
Jax: "Snow cones, please"
Mom: "We are out of Ice"
Jax: "No, ice Garage" (We have a freezer in the garage)
Mom: "Nope, it's all gone"

Next, I hear the alarm sound that means the garage door opened and Jax came in and grabbed my hand. He pulled me to the garage, opened the chest lid and pointed at the bag of ice.

Jax: "See, mom, I told you"

Needless to say, we all had yummy snow cones at 9 am yesterday. Healthy breakfast, huh??

The Barry Family Band

Originally I came in to find Brian and Jaxson playing their tennis rackets, but when I got back with my camera, I found this sight. Brian was too embarrassed to be in the group with his tennis racket. Jax was the wii guitar player, Oaklee was the flute player, and Charlee was the lead singer. We sure make beautiful music.

Random Thoughts Thursday

So, my random thought of the day is about something my dear mom said last night while I was reading Jaxson his goodnight farm book. Why do we teach our kids the animal sounds first??? After Mom, Dad, and food, then we go to Moo or Oink. How often will these words actually come up in everyday conversation for our kids? How often do we use Neigh or Baaa? I know that in the recent past, I have not used these words at all, except for with Jaxson. Charlee who is only 5 has lost all need for these special words. So, why do we as parents put such an emphasis on these words in the first couple years of life?? Just my weird mind at work again.

Moments in the blue van

A lot of funny things are expressed while riding in our car. Here are a few of the conversations happening in the blue van. I record them on my memo on the phone so I can write them down later.
Today in the car, it was quiet. No radio. No talking kids. Then Oaklee says, "Who's in the mood for chicken wings? I know I am". She has never eaten a chicken wing in her life. I asked her where she heard that one and she said that it was from iCarley.
Last week in the car Charlee blurts out, "Oh yeah, well smell this." Then she proceeded to lift her arm to expose her armpit.
Oaklee had a sore on her foot and Jaxson said, "Oakee Pokee". I thought that was so clever.

The joys of younger siblings!!

Charlee tried to sing me a song, but everyone wanted to be involved. Push pause on my music pad to the right before you push play.