I hope this works

We had a family council this morning during our scripture study. Kevin and I (Mostly I) have been having struggles keeping the kids on task. As soon as they come home they want to do other things besides chores and homework. I have been feeling like a task master and I don't like saying "NO" so often. We decided to make up charts. We already have chore charts and the kids have been doing well (after being told a few times).  I was always being bombarded with "Can I play now?", "What else do I have to do?" and so on. Multiply that by four (cause the younger two have very few chores) and it gets daunting.
So now when the kids come home they can get their paper. (I'll get a clip board to put them on) Mark off what they need to do and bring it back to me when it's complete, and I will give the final check off to play.
There have also been times that they have said their rooms were clean and beds made and after inspection they were not! We discussed this as well. The kids agreed that if they mark off the box without completing the task they will loose their game time.
I'm going to try and let things slide such as them not getting their tasks done (on my time) because in the end it's up to them when they are going to play.

Although we have talked that if Mom asks for things to be done and it's ignored they get an extra chore from a list I've made. Just little things such as, wiping out the microwave, fridge, toaster etc. There are some times when they have to complete a chore before others, like if one kid has to sweep before the other one can mop. It's not nice to make the one who has to mop wait when he or she has all the other items checked off the list. Well here's hoping this works!

What's mine is yours

I posted this on Facebook and my thoughts turned to so many wonderful friends and family in my life who have lost a loved one. Then my thoughts turned to other things as well.

I have had two miscarriages. One was a few months after Kevin and I were married. I was devastated and worried that I wouldn't be able to carry a child. The second was after I had Andrew. I didn't know I was pregnant which I'm actually grateful for or it would have been harder emotionally. I'm not sure how far along I was as I hadn't started my cycle since I was nursing. I've never been so scared though. I'm guessing I was around four months since I had to deliver. I let my body take it's course and thought all was well until the next month. I was heading up to take a test at the university and as I ran up old main my pants became soaked in blood. I had to go to the ER, there was a lot of tissue left from the miscarriage.
So that came to my thoughts as well as our family.
It's not easy to have Kevin serve as the Bishop. Am I grateful that he is worthy? YES. Is it easy? It's getting easier but I still have my days. I thought of this song in terms of him leaving us on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and the other times things come up.  What's mine is Yours. He's Heavenly Fathers servant. My time is His time. He may be my Husband but he's his Son. He may be our kids Father but he is also the Ward Father. I love that the gospel can put an easier perspective on things. When you think of things in an eternal perspective, life gets brighter and easier. What's mine is yours!

Trip to Missouri

I'm amazed every time how well the kids do on the long drive to Missouri. It gets easier every time. This year Christmas seemed super easy since we did it all online to be shipped there. Here are some photos of the trip.

Jonathan's knuckles compared to Uncle Mike's. 

We all went to the theater together on Christmas Eve and all got sick eating too much popcorn. 

We went to the George Washington Carver museum. This guy was amazing and smart. He came up with a ton of different ways to use peanuts and sweet potatoes. He help farmers who's lands were sucked dry of nutrients because cotton.  They called him the plant doctor. I think the amazing part is that he was born a slave and had moved around so much living with people as he went to school. He was also very religious. 

Jacob turned six and Andrew turned 10 on the 30th. It was fun to celebrate with everyone.

Eating cake and ice cream :) ummmm

Their Lego cakes I made.

We got to see the Civil War Arena that Kevin's parents bought recently. It was really entertaining to see how competitive people can get at kart racing. We were surprised how fast they went. It's like  mini NASCAR.

Christmas Recitals/concerts and Card

Andrew had his first Orchestra concert this last week. He started playing the Viola in September. Luke says he wants to play the cello when he starts 4th grade so it looks like we may have a whole orchestra in the family. Although I'm not sure if Andrew is going to stick with it.

The same night we had to run to the University for Luke's piano recital. He has been taking since September and is cruising. It was pretty chaotic as five minutes before we were suppose to leave for Andrew's concert, Jonathan fell and split his lip. Ahhh good times.

Andrew and Luke also had the singing program for the school this week. They spit it up and had the 1st and 2nd graders on one day and the 3,4,and 5th graders the next day. So I was at the school for three performances because Andrew performed with the orchestra for the school the third day. Let's just say it's not fun to keep a 20 month old and 4 year old entertained through those programs. I have Jacob's kindergarten one to attend this week, here's hope things run smoother.

Here is our Christmas Card this year. Flare wrote our Christmas letter.

Hi, I'm Flare, the Westwood's new dog. They let me write the Christmas letter this year because...well because I'm cool. I've had 6 great months with these people and they treat me really good. Even when I steal food out of the hands of the littlest one. Let me tell you about my people.

Dad: He's gone quite a bit, I'm not sure why but he's always in a suit. I've been a good outlet for him to release some anxiety since he switched from his job that he's been at for 11 years. I can tell he likes his new job by the way he pets me.

Mom: She's the one who gets mad at me for stealing food. One time she left some raw chicken on the counter to thaw and left to  pick up a couple kids. The oldest boy let me in and I stole one of them. I've never seen a white woman turn so red. Other than that she is nice and plays with me when the kids are off to school. 

Danika: She comes outside sometimes and plays me her violin. I like it.

Andrew: He lets me in when he's not suppose to so I like him  a lot.

Luke: He likes to do tricks with me. I can sit, jump, roll over, shake and bark.

Jacob: Ya know he just mauls me. He's my friend.

BriLynn: I don't like it when she sticks her face in my face, just sayin'.

Jonathan: Well what can I say, he's my pal. I like to lick his face. The big people especially don't mind when he has a runny nose. That way they don't need to use a tissue. 

I like my family and I'm glad they chose me from the Humane Society to be a part of their family. You should come and visit me, I would love to lick your face.

Love Flare the Dog

PS Bring me treats.

Santa Clause is Coming to town!

Our ward Christmas party was this week. 

Can you tell Jonathan really didn't want to sit on Santa's lap.

 I absolutely LOVE this picture. Her age is the best at Christmastime!

 The kids were dancing to music.  Lorisa Pulotu came to sing to us.

It was a great night! Attending these kind of events get me more in the mood for Christmas!

BriLynn is FOUR!!!

Our baby girl is FOUR today. She is a girly girl and it was so fun to watch her opening gifts. We planned a birthday party but had to cancel because she got sick. She wasn't too hurt about it which was good. I figure we will have to do one when she is five. We LOVE our BriLynn!

Parenting Wo's

I really thought children would get easier as they got older. I'm finding out that you just face different challenges. We have struggled with our kids bickering. Sure they always play fight but now they can really hurt each other and it turns into real fighting.  Kevin and I went to the temple tonight with full purpose. The answer we received: Love them more. Praise them more. 

It's so hard to do that when they are doing something that drives you crazy.  When I can't think of anything nice to say I think of what Glen Lathem says in his book The Power of Positive Parenting. "GOOD BREATHING SON". 

Our new family scripture: D@C 121:43

So there will by more hugs and love shown by this Momma and more complements/praise.

I CAN DO BETTER

I WILL DO BETTER because

OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER.

Jump Zone

For our FHE activity this week we went to the Jump Zone trampoline park. Holy cow it was fun! 

 Andrew thinks it's fun that we both can back flip together.

 At a couple of the foam pits they had a camera that would replay a minute or two after so you could watch yourself jumping into it.

 We had a good game of dodge-ball. Although maybe it was more of an attack daddy game.

 Even little Johnny had a great time. 

We will definitely be doing it again.

Piano Guys are amazing!

Danika and I went to the Piano Guys concert tonight. It was supposed to be a date night for Kevin and I. We decided to take Luke and Danika since they are in piano lessons but when I called to get tickets for them they were sold out. 

Danika is suppose to attend two concerts for her orchestra class per trimester. We planned on her using her recital but, she couldn't count them and since the trimester was ending next week Kevin said she could take his ticket. (I have the best hubby ever) 

We were on the third row....wooo hoooo

It was kinda fun too since they asked if there was anyone in the audience who was a professional Jazz piano player and Kevin Olson (The Youth Conservatory director, that's where I take the kids for piano) Got up and played with Jon. 

It was great too because we were the first in line to talk and get an autograph from Steven.

He said he started out as a violin player which we though was neat.

Jon played upside down for the kids. Danika got a kick out of that as well. 

Seriously the BEST concert I've ever been to, it was so entertaining. 

Problems keep coming

I have had an overwhelming feeling of sadness lately. There are so many problems going around with family and friends. Financial, physical, emotional problems. I wish I could fix it all. I've told Kevin many times how I feel guilty because we've been so blessed.
I feel like Satan is trying harder and harder to break families apart. A couple of friends have recently divorced. I feel for their children. I see contention rising in our home and it scares me. Everyday I pray for the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Then there is sickness. There is absolutely nothing you can do to help with this but it's hard to see those you care for in pain. I just pray for them, that they will be healed. 
I may be sad about things but I know Our Heavenly Father  wants us to be happy. I know Satan would want me to dwell on the problems. I'm not going to let him win.