How do you get your kids to listen to conference???

Every 6 months the LDS church broadcasts sermons from the prophet and church leaders to the entire world. Every Mormon in the world can watch the broadcast on their own televisions or on the internet. If those aren't available, they can go the their local church house. There are 2 sessions on Saturday and 2 on Sunday with one on Saturday night for priesthood holders. I love conference and the inspiring and uplifting talks that make me want to be a better person. In order to get the kids to listen to at least some of it, I printed out these bingo pages, made a trip to the dollar store, and WALLA!

4 children listening to the words of the prophets. Of course this only lasted about 3 talks but, hey, we'll take what we can get!

Plus it helps to have all the incentives displayed around the computer...

Happy General Conference!

I love Mini Cadbury Eggs.

I love, love, LOVE them.  And you can only buy them once a year! (okay, sometimes you can get them at Christmas, but they are red and green and ball shaped and I don't know why but they are not as good.) In fact, I am eating them as I type.  They are super creamy chocolate goodness surrounded by a crunchy candy shell that is coated in a cocaine-like substance. Seriously addictive and YUM. So once a year, I buy myself a bag every single time I go to the grocery store. Today I bought two (shhh! I hid them from Lohn and the kids!) And they are so wonderful, that I often bond with fellow chocolateers in the candy isles. Today I made a bosom friend in the in Walmart checkout line and had a rather extensive conversation on the many virtues of mini cadbury eggs.  I have heard people say that they don't like them (grrr) and to them I say- "You're not worthy," flick my hair back with my hand, put my nose in the air, and walk away.

St. Patricks Day Mischief and Birthday

I have been gone for the last two nights, so I missed the mischief the leprechaun made. From what I hear, he peed into the toilet (this picture was taken after it was flushed, it had green water. Pinned here) took all the cushions of the couch, opened up all the cupboards, and knocked over all the chairs.  The kids LOVED it.  And then Tamsyn made green mint cookies, pinned here. Over all, it was a pretty good St. Patricks day. 

St. Patricks Day is special because it is also Grandma Johnson's Birthday (And Caleb's too!). My computer crashed so I don't have a current picture of her. I did have a lovely one of her with my four kids at her house, but this outdated one will have to do. I like it because it was taken at our wedding, and Grandpa Johnson is in it :)

Great Grandma Johnson is one of the sweetest ladies I know. When I married Lohn, I was thrilled to gain Grandparents since mine passed away when I was 8. Whenever we are at Grandmas house, she is always cooking a meal, either to share with us or with a family in need. Grandma used to be a nurse, and I had the great pleasure of seeing her skills at work when she helped me take care of Grandma McKee (her daughter) after she had knee surgery.  She is a talented crafter, with fantastic needlework skills. She uses her skills for her grandchildren and now for her great grand children. She is forever the example of Christ-like service that I try to emulate. We love you and miss you Grandma Johnson, how I wish you were closer. Happy Birthday!!!

The last couple of weeks

 Here is our first snow day (We got 2!) Both times the snow was gone within a day. This was taken a few weeks ago. It was 85 degrees today. Weird Virginia weather.

 We went to the Metro Richmond Zoo. It is owned and operated by a Mormon family. It started out with just having a collection of animals on their yard, and it got bigger and bigger. And because we are Mormon, they gave us half off admission for the year for our family, and unlimited rides on the tram, train and carousel. Yes I went on the tram. And yes my hands were white and stiff when I finally pried them loose off the bar when we were done. I'm happy it didn't fall and we didn't die. The train ride was cool too, lots of great info.  I have to say this is the best Zoo we have ever been to. And we have been to a lot of zoos. But NONE of them let you feed giraffes. Look at that tongue!

 They even let us pet them.

 For a dollar, we purchased popsicle sticks with the end covered in bird seed. Then we took the kids into the aviary and the birds landed on the sticks to eat the seeds. I'm not sure why Tamsyn is making this face. She loved it.

 Two at once.

 Gunnar cried when we left the aviary. I could only console him by telling him that we would take Grandma and Grandpa when they come. I feel bad though, because he misunderstood me and thought they were coming the next day and he was disappointed when I told him it would be in a month.

Sylas just wanted to pet them. Not much luck getting them too close to him. The birds must have a radar for 3 year olds.

It was a bit of money, (sorry Dave Ramsey, we have to have fun too) but we will be going often to make use of our years membership. Best. Zoo. Ever.

Happy International Woman's Day!

This Video (WAY better than Gaga) is about Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. It's crazy what they endured for what they believe in. I am very grateful for the many women (and, yes, men too)  who paved the path so that mine could be one of freedom.

Something Tamsyn just taught me:

When Susan B. Anthony was a child, her school teacher (male) wouldn't teach her long division because she was a girl. Susan's dad was ticked off, so he decided to start his own school and teach everyone the same. (Awesome!)

Susan B. Anthony's friend, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was told often by her father that he wished she was a boy. (Jerk!)

Great women, each raised by very different fathers, who changed the course of the world. I thank you ladies (Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, Lucy Burns and countless others) for your contribution to society. May we never forget you.

Early Morning Conversations

Here was our conversation as we went to the bus stop this morning... time approx. 8:30 EST

Gunnar: "Mom, do you know everything?"
Me: "No, but I know a lot. "
Ander: "Really? Do you know what Kyle is doing right now?" (Kyle's a VA cousin)
Me: "Kyle? Why he is on his way to the bus stop."
Gunnar: "What is Liam doing?"
Me: "He's walking to the bus stop with Kyle. They seem to be fighting over something." (Giggles from the boys)
Gunnar: "Do you know what Jacob is doing?" (Village buddy)
Me: "Yep. He is eating breakfast at the table listening to his mama sing"
Ander: "What is Jack doing?" (Another Village buddy)
Me: "Jack is still in bed. He isn't going to school today because he has a cold." I'm on a roll at this point and having fun so I carry on.
Me: "In fact, I can see Grandma and Grandpa Dahle right now and they are still asleep in bed, Grandma McKee is awake, but she is still in her night gown and is doing laundry. Grandpa McKee is out at his job making sure it is done right." (Never mind the fact that it is 20 degrees in Victor right now and buried under 10 feet of snow)
Tamsyn, finally speaking up after listening to the whole conversation: "Mom, how do you know all this???"
Me: "Because I'm magic."
Tamsyn: "I think it's because of Facebook."

I smiled, keeping this secret to myself- being- That even though our dear friends and family are far away, you are close  in my heart. I know you and I can see and hear your doings in my mind.  And despite the 1,500 miles between us, we really aren't that far apart.  I love all of you!