Sleeping Partners

I know your mind might be heading a certain direction with a title like this, reel it in we are about to go another direction. For about two weeks my three year old has been crawling into our bed every night. This is a new thing for me, none of my other kids have done this and it's kind of getting on my nerves. For one thing, we have a queen bed and it wasn't built for three. He's squishing me. Then there is the occasional kick, not to mention that he has had a cough and keeps waking me up with his hacking. You might be thinking, "Why don't you just put him back in his bed?" Well, he's real sneaky. I don't know he's there 'till he's there. The annoyances mentioned above aren't bad enough to really full on wake me up just be this thing in my subconscious that interrupts my sleep. Then I wake up and say "Okay, this has to stop." So I decided I'd tackle this head on. I'll just ask him why he's coming in and then maybe we can fix the problem. Maybe he's getting cold or having a bad dream. I asked this morning and the answer took me completely by surprise.

Me: Luke, why are you coming in mommy's bed at night?
Luke: Cause I just wuv you.

Talk about melt your heart! Now what?! I could nip this in the bud so he's not doing it at age 10 or maybe clean up my bedroom floor and put a sleeping bag down for him oooooor send him to Mark's side of the bed....I like that idea!

Anyone know a Lawyer?

I have a question and any input would be helpful. After spending 20 or so minutes waiting for someone to help me in the fabrics department at Wal-Mart...(Grrrrr), I purchased some military themed fabric I intend to make into a quilt and then hopefully, sell. I returned home and while showing it to my husband noticed on the selvage (edge of the fabric) was printed the following statement: THE LOGOS APPEARING ON THIS FABRIC ARE PROTECTED TRADEMARKS OF AIR FORCE. THIS PRODUCT IS INTENDED FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE IS PROHIBITED.

After finding the company's website I found that indeed this meant I was not to resell anything made from this fabric. So here's the question...Do they have any legal right to say this? I bought it, shouldn't I be able to do with it what I want? I'm a third party, can they tell me what I can do with my fabric? I can understand not making physical changes to the logos and then selling it, but I'm not doing that. Is this legal? I don't want to be dishonest, and won't sell it if it is. I bought another military fabric with the same logo but designed differently from another company and no such statement was on it. What do you think? Any suggestions?

Banjo Boy

Here's Liam jamming to one of our favorites from Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand.

Conference Quotables from the Chapins

Our family thoroughly enjoyed General Conference this weekend. It's such a great time to take a break from the world and reflect on our lives, where we are and where we're going. Along with this came some great quotes from my darling family I thought I'd share.

In response to Elder Scott's comment on the speed of light Jackson said, "Wow, that's faster than a cheetah!"

After spending the Saturday afternoon session at the Merrell's, Savanna came downstairs the next morning and said, "I want a table full of snacks like at Ben's house."

As we watched the Tabernacle Choir sing Jackson mused, "I wonder why the boys sit separate from the girls." After a lengthy explanation from me about different ranges of voices and the need to sit near people that sing similar to you he exclaimed, "I know another reason. So the boys can't talk to their girlfriends."

As one of the Sunday sessions started Savanna informed us to "Let me know when Pres. Hinckley comes, he's my favorite."

And my personal favorite, from by dear husband. At the conclusion of Sister Beck's talk on the duties and responsibilities of mothers I said "Wow, that was a wake up call." and Mark replied, "Ya...it's about time the women got a talk like that!"

Hope you enjoyed the last two days as much as we did!

"Dad, are you watching Veggie Tales?"

Does anyone but me have a hard time being consistant with Sunday rules? I'm constantly finding myself making exceptions for rules that have been set. It's got to be confusing for the kids. For the longest time our TV rules were the worst because sometimes we'd say Disney was ok and then we'd decide to have no TV then it would change again. It's the same thing with what is allowed during Sacrament meeting. Maybe my kids are just getting too smart. They are calling me on stuff now, "Mom, you let me bring Spiderman last week why can't I color in my Spiderman coloring book this week?" I just want to be consistant so I don't have to keep changing and broadening the rules. I just want a Sunday that's seperate from the world as much as possible and that's tricky.
Slowly we have set down certain non-negotiable rules, (This is just what works for us, I don't want anyone to think I would judge how their family does it. We're all different with different needs.) like we don't play with friends on Sunday, it's a family day and TV is ok as long as it's nature shows, church movies, AFV or Veggie Tales. We've been pretty good on those, we're still working on what's appropriate at church.
Yesterday I was hit over the head with how closely our kids watch us. After the kids were in bed Mark went downstairs to watch some short films he had checked out from the library. He got caught when Savanna came down and said "Dad, are you watching Veggie Tales?" Ouch! I guess that's when I realized that consistancy starts with me. We set the rules and the example. If we can't follow our our own rules how can we expect the kids to. They learn so much from us. They mimic everything we do. So where does that leave me? Still trying to come up with the perfect yet realistic Sabbath day for our family. I suppose that's what it's all about, live and learn.

We Need Each Other

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about what these blogs have done for me. Reading your blogs and comments have given me a spiritual boost that I have been seriously lacking lately. As most of you know, being the mother of small children can leave you wanting more (spirituality, I mean) after church so I am so glad to have this supplement. It's not just the spiritual thoughts you share but the struggles and joys you find in life that boost me. So please keep it up and know that you are making a difference. Here is a quote by Sister Hinckley that expresses best what I am trying to say.

We are all in this together. We need each other, Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth.

~Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Favorite Things

I attended a "Time Out for Women" conference recently and Hilary Weeks did a very funny rendition of "Favorite Things" from Sound of Music with a parenting twist. Anyway, it inspired me to write a version of my own.

Before I begin, I'd like to thank all the little people, like Julie Andrews for the original version. My mom, for singing it to me at night when I was scared. My kids, for asking to have it sung to them, thus passing on the tradition. Oprah, because I love her Favorite Things show...you get the idea. So, without further ado, here are a "Few of my Favorite Things".

Summer and good books and chocolate and road trips.

Porch swings and hiking and Graeter's ice cream.

Nights full of thunder, the smell of the rain

Camping and planning don't make me complain.

When it's cold out, when I'm hungry.

When I'm feeling sad, I dance with the kids or

have dinner with friends and then I don't

feel so bad.

Fireflies and girl's night and walks in the woods.

A date with my husband sure makes me feel good.

A laugh from Savanna and Liam's smile.

Jackson's inventions and Luke's crazy style.

When I'm tired, stressed or cranky

When I'm feeling sad.

I chat on the phone, have a hot chocolate fix,

and then I don't feeeeeel sooo bad!!!

I hope that wasn't too awful. So, what would you put on your favorite things list?