Eric's Baptism

As parents, occasionally we have moments that allow us to reflect on how our children are growing, learning, and maturing. When I look at this picture, I think how Eric is so confident. He knows so much about himself. He has very clear views of right and wrong which gives him confidence. He has always been attracted to truth. He can recognize it easily.

It was natural for him to decide to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He just felt it was the right thing to do. It was very special to have this important day on Easter.

After he was baptized, I asked him how he felt. I was expecting him to comment on how good he felt, happy, etc. Instead he surprised me with this, "Mom, I feel the same as always." I was a bit surprised and so I prodded more. "I feel the same way I always do. You always feel good when you do what is right," he answered. In that moment I was humbled to be trusted with a child so close to the spirit and intent on doing and being good. What a blessing he is in our home. A constant example of goodness.

This is such an Eric face.

Eric and his Dad

We are very proud parents

Jared's Family
(try taking a group picture with kids hyped up on Easter candy
and at church for the 2nd time in one day.)

Laura's Family

Lost Tooth

One month before he turned eight years old, he finally lost a tooth. There was no fanfare or drama. He just announced from the back seat of the car, "hey Mom, I just lost my tooth."



He was really, really excited to finally have a visit from the tooth fairy.

Generosity

We had a family home evening lesson on tithing. 10% to the Lord. Simple as that.

The kids were happy to give their little bit back, so we sat with each child and helped them figure how much money they needed to include in their envelope. I was helping Amy when I looked over at Eric. He had a pile of coins and was furiously counting. I motioned for Jared to help him. "No, Mom! I can do this by myself." he insisted. I knew he only had to pay twenty cents, so I was sure he needed help. I mean his entire piggy bank was empty and on the floor.

Turns out he didn't need any help. He had added everything up perfectly. He paid his twenty cents of tithing and then proceeded to donate everything else he had to various other areas of need like building temples and supporting missionaries.

Everything.

He might have learned a little about tithing last night, but I'm sure I learned so much more.

Eric's surgery

I took Eric into his doctor appointment to check range of motion and to schedule his surgery. They took x-rays and thought the arm looked great. That is when the surprise came. "We'd like to do the surgery tomorrow morning."

Um.

That would be fine if we didn't live out of town, if I had actually packed for an overnight stay, if I had babysitters for my other four kids, if my husband was in the same town, if I hadn't left one child in a different town at school, if I wasn't supposed to babysit the next day, etc. The list went on and on.

We did the surgery anyway because with a cell phone, wonderful friends, and a great family ANYTHING is possible.

He was a little nervous.

I bet Eric is thinking, "It should be against the rules for parents to take pictures pre-surgery"

The medicine they gave Eric to calm him down did the opposite. I have only seen him this wound up on Christmas morning.

Look at all the wires and wraps. It isn't fun having surgery.

waking up

The end result...pins out!

Singing, Dancing, and Nose Picking

My big kids at play

Sunday morning was the annual Primary Program for church. The children ages 3 - 11 provide the "sermon" for the day. The theme for this year is My Eternal Family. It was beautiful to listen to these children speak of their love for family and the gospel.

Tara was asked to sing a solo. She accepted and has spent a month worried about how the performance would go. Sunday morning she was in tears, so the family was trying to reassure her.

I attempted distraction, but I didn't think the whole picture-everyone-in-their-underwear would be helpful. I reminded her that no one would be looking at her because surely some one behind her would be picking their nose or dancing a jig, etc. People would be watching that instead of her. Tara found some solace in this and finally calmed down.

I continued getting ready and heard a conversation between my 3 program participants. "Hey boys will you act crazy during my song?" asked Tara. "I'll pick my nose," offered Eric. "I'm dancing the jig," declared Ian. (They totally have her back.)

Tara sang like an angel.

She was on key, on time, and beautiful to boot.

Eric pretend-picked his nose the ENTIRE program while Ian goofed off, danced, made silly faces and clapped despite repeated admonitions from his teacher to stop. They would NOT let their sister down.

I've never been more proud in my life of goofy, nose-picking boys or beautifully talented girls.

Gun Safety

Jared can never wait for someone else to buy him a gift. This is no exception. Last night he went and bought a .22 rifle. Whatever. For the 3 guys who read this blog I'm sure it is really cool and stuff. I really don't care. I just want to ensure the safety of my children while having a firearm in the house.

It has a trigger lock, is stored in a combination lock case, and is hidden somewhere in the house that I don't even know. We had a lesson on firearm safety last night for FHE too.

This morning before the sun came up, Eric came into my room and saw this.


It is the empty box Jared hasn't discarded yet.

Eric said, "Uhm, Mom, Dad didn't do a very good job putting his gun away. Even Kyra can reach that."

See, they do listen.

It smells fishy

I served talipia, steamed vegetables, and wild rice for dinner. I was really, really proud of myself for serving such a nice dinner. I'm attempting to move beyond ground beef, chicken, and pork. Some of my kids have a hard time with change, so I told them we were having flat chicken...don't judge me. Getting kids to eat dinner around here is uhm, entertaining, if by entertaining you mean full of crying, threats, and refusals.

Things were going really well (nobody was declining dinner) until Eric mentioned how good his fish tasted (he can handle the truth).

In unison three plates were pushed aside, crying commenced, and the editorial on my cooking began.

"This is so disgusting. And I will never, ever eat fish in my entire life," said Tara
"You had fish sticks a week ago," I reminded.
"And I hated them. I'll never eat sea food, or anything that once swam in water!" she screamed.

The only kid to eat his entire dinner was Eric. Bless his little heart, he even told me it was good!

Then at 2:30am he woke me up and began vomiting. Should've had fish sticks...

Frugal vs. Cheap

I think I just crossed the line, the line between frugal and cheap.

We don't do allowances. Ok, that is an understatement. To be honest, my children's monetary increase usually occurs when they find a penny in the parking lot of Target.

Tara has been asking to earn money for chores lately, so I've been looking for things she can do that deserve payment...because making your bed doesn't count. Today I made my kids clean out their rooms. You know, throw out treasured pieces of scratch paper and toys with half the pieces missing. It was traumatic.

As a reward for finishing this task the kids wanted to go toy shopping. Eric wanted to buy a GI JOE and Tara wanted a BEANIE BABY. I agreed as long as they used their own money. That's when it hit me. I could totally make this work. I remembered the '$2 off any GI JOE' coupon I had just received in the mail and the $5 Walgreen's rapid reward coupon in my purse. It was like hearing a choir of angels singing.

I simply paid my kids in coupons.

Broken

It was dinner time, and in our house that means chaos. The baby girls were at my feet as I worked in the kitchen, pulling on my legs, emptying drawers, and angry when I moved them away from the hot oven. The boys had all the couch cushions on the floor. Their fort destroyed in exchange for a make-shift trampoline/mosh pit/leaning tower of Pisa.

"Boys, you better knock it off or some one's gonna get hurt!" I yelled from the kitchen.

Then I heard it. A thud that means trouble. A cry that had never escaped his lips before. There on the floor was my baby boy cradling his arm, lips white, and face full of pain.

It took less than 2 minutes to make arrangements for the other 4 kids and get out the door. We were in the ER waiting room within 5 minutes and on a gurney receiving treatment in 15 minutes.

X-rays were excruciating and showed us what we already knew. Eric's arm was broken, both bones snapped.


Don't look at these if your stomach is squeamish. Remember, I warned you.

this is what his arm looked like when I scooped him up off the floor

a close up

miserable and doped-up on morphine

We find out Monday morning if they can set it in the office or if it will need surgery.

Eric said he would never jump off the arm rest of the couch and onto a stack of four cushions again. He did mention that three cushions would probably be ok...

There's strong, and then there's ARMY strong

I got a phone call Sunday night from a wonderful lady from church asking if she could bring something to Eric. She knows how interested he is in anything military, so she asked her army-recruiter-son to pull a few things together for Eric.

I had a little boy in hog heaven. He has been playing with the stuff for 2 days straight and even managed to share or give some things to Ian.

Oh, and he keeps reminding me that "there's strong and then there's Army strong."

15 seconds after this picture was taken the poster was on his wall.


pouring over his army stuff

Thank You Kathy and Josh!

Problem Solving

Everyone has a list of things they want to teach their children. I'm no different. I listen and watch for evidence that I'm doing something right, so I can feel validated put little check marks on my list.

Yesterday I found some evidence!

Ian: I have to go to the bathroom.
Eric: Me too, but someone is in Mom's. (that would be me)
Ian: I have to go. (with increasing amounts of whine)
Eric: I know! We can pee at the same time in the kids' toilet.

Looks like I can check problem solving off my list.

Defining Characteristic

I gave Eric a much needed haircut about a week ago. When I tried to trim up his widow's peak, he begged me to leave it alone. I relented when his explanation marveled me.

"You can't cut it Mom. It's what makes me, me."

I tried to determine if I have one physical attribute that makes me, me. I'm still working on it, but I'm glad Eric has found his.

GI JOE Birthday Party

I survived, in case you were wondering.

Finally the boys' birthdays and parties are done! This year we did the boys party together since they wanted some of the same friends to come. I don't know why I stress out so much beforehand (actually I do, it's because making cakes stresses me out.), but it was really easy and fun once we got started.

The recruits

Grenade Throw

Grenade water balloon fight

Backpack relay

Basic Training Obstacle Course

The Tank Cake

Blowing out the candles.

Fun had by all

Mission Accomplished

Official GI JOE Soldiers

So much fun and SOOO glad we didn't get rained out!

Preferences

Eric had a birthday on Friday (I know, I am really slow on that and I promise to rectify that soon). I decided to surprise him by eating lunch with him at school...without ANY of his siblings. Every kid deserves some special one on one time, right?

I walked into the lunch room to a chorus of "Eric, your mom's here." Oh, those kindergartners were so excited to see me.

Except Eric.

The first words out of his mouth, "where's Ian". Sheesh. I told him it was just me, and we could have so much fun eating together and playing on the playground. "Okay Mom, but next time bring Ian because he is more fun to play with."

I guess I know his preference now.

Eric's 6

We had another birthday at our place. Eric turned 6 years old and it seems like yesterday I had him. Where does the time go?

Man I love that kid. He has been a huge blessing in my life. His calm spirit has brought peace to mine in times of need. Heavenly Father was very kind when he sent Eric to me. I thank him for that. I appreciate Eric's love, humor, and happiness. Before I get too sappy here's his birthday glory!...

sharing cupcakes with his Kindergarten class

McDonald's for dinner

Making a wish

Every one wants to look at Eric's GI Joe toy

Camo pants are so cool that he put them on over his pjs

Big Brother

Eric holding a newborn Amy

When I was pregnant with Eric, I was thrilled to find that I was having a boy. Why? Because all the rest of my kids would have a big brother. I have a big brother. I adored him as a child (sheesh, I still think he's awesome).

Big brothers pave the way. They protect you. They also coerce and torment you.

Bri, remember the time you convinced Daniel to give his one "paper money" (a ten dollar bill) to you in exchange for your two "paper moneys" (two dollars)? Yep that falls under coercion.

Eric is taking his role seriously, the coercing part. Yesterday driving home from school I heard Eric urging Amy, "go ahead do it, do it." Then he started laughing, hysterically. He successfully convinced Amy to eat her own boogers.

YUCK!!

Random Picture

Ok, Kim this one is for you...

Eric goofs off for the camera

Finally, its cold...

enough to justify hot chocolate. Yum!

Naughty Note

Eric got a note sent home from his Kindergarten teacher.


I showed it to Jared and the first thing he asked me was, "Who is the girl?"

Her name is Jamie.

Eric always has a girl he is giving or getting attention from. Teenage years should be full of fun around here!

weekend fun and iphones

Jared and I caught the Christmas spirit during our Carol of Lights weekend and treated the kids to an afternoon at Holland Gardens picking out Christmas ornaments for the year and visiting Santa. Yes, that was the best picture...jeez it is hard to get 5 kids looking at you at the same time.


We also treated them to a movie, in the theater. That is a BIG deal at our house because it has happened, counting Saturday, once. We saw Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. If you ask the kids what movie they saw you will get that entire title. It was fun to have that experience as a family.

As the day was winding to a close, I asked Eric what his favorite part of the trip was. I'm expecting accolades for allowing him to go to the Carol of Lights, visit Santa, get a Christmas ornament, or watch a movie...in a theater no less. His answer:

"Playing on Uncle Brent's iphone. The car racing game is SOOO COOL!"



Nice, we could have done that for free!