Scripture power

Wow. 2 days in a row. I think I must be sick...

Today's topic: Scripture power! I know we've been told how many countless times that it doesn't really matter how well the scripture reading goes, what counts is that you do it, but really?? My kids aren't old enough for me to know if that's really true or if that's just something we get told to make us parents feel better about the screaming fits during the attempted readings of said scriptures. I certainly hope it's true because all we seem to do is shout the verses so we can be heard over the crying. I was doing so well at the whole scripture-reading-everynight-thing, until Nikolas came along. Dang it. Between him and Anthony, I'm quite sure hearing loss is occuring universally. I don't even remember the last time we got through an entire chapter in one sitting. It seems like such a monumental effort to have everyone read just one verse apiece.

I realize this is comlpletely normal. I'm told this a lot. I'd really like to hear abput other screaming stories, though, particularly from our general authorities. I think I'd feel a lot better if I knew that Elder Bednar's kids screamed through the scriptures. Or President Eyring's. Or how about Elder Scott's?? Maybe that's what really seperates the general authorites from all the rest of us - their kids actually behaved for these important religious traditions.

This too shall pass...

The triplets

I just read my best-friend-from-high-school's blog, who incidentally only blogs about once a year, and realized, oh, I haven't blogged in almost 3 YEARS!! I suppose I don't feel like I have much to say despite having a brain that never stops running and keeps me up half the night with random thoughts, not to mention the 6 darlings I'm trying to raise and that occupy all of my time. But my friend wrote about a duck and life lessons learned from one such mother duck and it was so profound I nearly cried. And then I decided maybe I should write on my blog, too. My boys are napping (sort-of), I managed to check my email for the first time in three weeks, so why not, let's blog:)

Today I would like to discuss my triplets. No, I do not have actual triplets, at least not of the born-at-the-same-time variety, but I do have Juliette, Anthony, and Nikolas. They all happen to be fairly dependent on me for just about everything so it feels like I had triplets. (Sorry to all the actual triplet mothers out there whom I'm sure would beg to differ.)

Here's why: I still get up with all three throughout the night. Juliette has to go potty and is too short to go by herself, Anthony likes to get up and scream for no apparent reason, although I think his legs are falling asleep at night because he sleeps in a sitting position hunched over, and Nikolas gets up because he's only 2 1/2 months old and always needs more food.

Next: Diapers and the butts they cover. Well, I already mentioned Juliette's too short to take care of her business on her own, so she might as well have a diaper. That leaves the two boys. Obviously Nik is gonna need a diaper change. But that kid only poos every other day, thank heavens. Anthony, though, where do I start? He does his #2 business at least 4 times a day if not more. I don't want to even talk about the urine. Let's just say that after leaving my parents' house last night and driving 1/2 an hour to ours, he managed to completely soak through his diaper, pants, and most of his shirt. 'Nuff said.

Now, how about the crying: They all cry. A lot. I'm not exactly sure why, but it seems to be a family trait. I'm thinking for the next ward talent show, we'll just put them on the stage and have a cry-off with other kids in the ward. Mine will win for sure.

Now for the plusses: Are there any? Just kidding, of course there are. The boys wil only be a year apart in school. Juliette will always be small enough to be man-handled, which could be a real bonus when she's a teenager, especially since my current teen is bigger than me so man-handling is out of the question. Anthony is already learning to protect Juliette, although he alternates that with bugging her to death. He squats down to look at her so they're on the same level and gives her little loves and kisses. I'm losing baby weight faster than ever before, I think because there is always some catastrophe to run after (mostly of Anthony's doing).

In short, I love the 'triplets'. Not sure I'd recommend it, but it certainly keeps me from getting bored:)

Race Day!!!

So, here I am with my brother-in-law, Chris Wigginton, last Sat. We were headed to our first race of the season. It was supposed to be an indoor 5k at UVU, but it didn't exactly turn out that way. Whomever was in charge of laying out and measuring the course really screwed up. We had a map to follow but really paid more attention to the orange cones that were laid out along the course. Before we knew it, we were back where we started and two girls clocked us and gave us a time. It was my one-mile pace. I asked if we were supposed to run the course again, two more times, and they said, no, we were done! What?!?!? 9:40 for three miles? Yeah, I don't think so. Anyway, we found out later that the measuring device used to guage the distance had malfunctioned. Um, that's kind of a lot to be off. Two miles off? The guy in charge suggested we tell everyone that we set new PR's and just not mention the jacked up distance...

Well, it was interesting and a different start to the race season!!! only 6 weeks left until the Provo Half:)

President Uchtdorf's Devotional

So, I'm finally going to try and be a blogger. Unless I have my friend Stefany standing over my shoulder, I can't seem to get anything done. Although it would help if I could get off of facebook:) But now that I have friends and feel special, I guess I can move on...

Last week was Justin's UTA weekend. (He's in the Utah Air National Guard.) On Sat. night he came home and asked if I wanted to meet Pres. Uchtdorf. Uh, yeah! He was invited to do a devtional for his unit that was originally only for the service people, but on Sat. the guys in charge decided to allow spouses to come as well. I got up at 4am on Sun. and left the house at 5 to get there by 6:30. Boy was it worth it. When he walked in, I felt all giddy, cause afterall, he's an LDS celebrity:) I was grabbing Justin's arm and trying really hard not to jump up and down. Pathetic, I know.

Anyhoo, his devotional was great. He talked a lot about a soldier' s place in the world, particularly pertaining to peace and the influence and impact they can unknowingly have on people around them. He shared a story of his wife's and her encounter with a U.S. soldier. When she was around 4, post WWII, she and her mother were walking through Frankfurt when they were approached by a blonde haired soldier who offered her a piece of chewing gum. Her mother was a little wary at first, but eventually she let Harriett have a piece. Years later, when two missionaries came to the familiy's door, her mother initially turned them away, but changed her mind when Harriett wanted them to come back. The two missionaries looked like the American soldier she had met years before and because he had been trustworthy, she trusted the missionaries. And voila, the gospel spreads!! Pres. Uchtdorf also told several KC-135 jokes and talked about his experiences in the German Air Force. It was a great talk. Afterwards, we were able to line up and shake his hand. We had our camera with us, but I didn't want to ask for a picture because no one else had, but after we got through the line, everybody behind us started taking pictures. So, we got back in line for a second handshake and a picture! It was a really neat day and an especially good start for a Sunday.