Swim Lessons

Last year the kids took lessons from a young woman in our stake and had a good experience. This year we went back. Dyllan and Ephram took lessons together, but Braedi and Corbin were on their own (private lessons). They all worked on swim strokes, diving, jumping off the edge, floating, treading water, and other stuff. I was amazed at how much they grew and how brave they were when trying new stuff. The hi-lite for me was when I saw Braedi dive off the big rock.

Ephram was funny. He refused to put his face in the water. His crawl was more like a doggy paddle.

And his back stroke was just moving his hands around.
He grew in confidence, but still has a way to go. The poor skinny kid has no fat to warm him up. Every time he came in the house after lessons he would sit and shiver for 10-15 minutes.
Dyllan's backstroke was a lot like Ephram's--they both need to work on "big arms"
She decided to try and jump off the big rock. She climbed up and got ready to jump several times.
This is her climbing down. She just couldn't get up enough courage. I can't blame her. It would have scared me, too. Besides this situation, Dyllan was always willing and eager to do what Bria asked her to do. She loved learning new skills.
Everyday before swim lessons, Corbin would say that he didn't want to go. He was afraid of what Bria would make him do. But everyday after swim lessons, he would be beaming and say how how much he loved swim lessons. He was always so proud of the things that he accomplished.
He learned some new swim strokes and had to swim laps across the pool. He also learned how to tread water and how to dive.
Corbin wanted to see if he was braver than Dyllan and tried to jump off the big rock. First it was with a noodle and then without props.

Braedi went in with the most confidence and probably learned the most. She enjoyed diving off the side and diving for rings.

Like Ephram (and all the other kids) she had a hard time putting her face in the water. The whole breathing thing threw her off. She had to practice that skill a lot
You may wonder what we did while we waited--we were there for an hour and a half. When it wasn't their turn, they worked on math. Swim lessons took up a big chunk of our day (swim time plus a half hour driving each way) and bringing school stuff helped. Bria also had legos to play with and cartoons to watch. Faythe would watch or play or color or wander around the house.
It was a fun 4 weeks. Now we just need to get to the pool more often so they can practice.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today for cooking class we made a classic--chocolate chip cookies. Not my favorite type of cookie, but a favorite of many others. We did everything by hand--no mixers or blenders. That was a little different for me. I'm not sure if the dough was creamy enough or if we got the dry ingredients mixed in well (the cookies tasted a little flour-y to me), but that's not really the point. What is the point? I want the kids to learn how to read a recipe and measure ingredients. I want them to be exposed to different types of cooking. I don't care if things are perfect--this is a learning process. I want them to have fun and learn to work together. They look forward to cooking class (especially Ephram), and I think I might continue after summer ends.


When I was a kid my mom would only bake half of the dough. The other half was made into balls and froze. I could only stand the oven to be on for 1 batch, so we froze the rest of the dough. Besides, cookie dough is better than a cooked cookie. Don't you agree?

Piano

Braedi and Corbin started taking piano lessons a couple of weeks ago. We don't have a piano, just a little keyboard. Their piano teacher said that they should be using a full size keyboard, and after a week of practicing the cord for the keyboard started getting a short. So I thought I would keep my eye out for another keyboard. I didn't want to look for a piano because we don't have room in our house for piano. But, when a friend posted on facebook that they were giving away their piano I lept at the offer. I was second on the list so I was doubtful, but the other person wasn't able to take the piano so it became mine! Now my problem was where to put a piano in an already crowded house. We did a little arranging--moved a book shelf there and that bookshelf over there and put the piano here. It looks nice and I'm very excited to have a real piano to practice on.

Father's Day

Yesterday we celebrated father's day. We are super blessed to have Jonathan as the dad in our home. He is great with the kids--always wrestling with them, reading to them, teaching them.

Sunday morning during our rushed breakfast (no breakfast in bed when church is at 8:00) Jonathan read a note to the kids entitled "What I Want for Father's Day." In it he said that he didn't want breakfast in bed or special gifts. He went on to explain that the reason he's a good father (or even a decent man at all) is because of me and that what he wanted for father's day was for the kids to help me and tell me that they love me. He made a list of 9 things that he wanted them to do for me. It made me cry to hear all the nice things he said about me. I love how important it is to him that the kids recognize those things, too. I'm super lucky to have someone who appreciates me and is always telling me (and others) how much he loves me and how lucky he is to have me in his life.

He still got cards from the kids and one of his favorite desserts and lots of back rubs, and he also got a little of what he really wanted.

And just because posts are more interesting with a picture, here are a few fun ones of Jonathan with the kids.

Jonathan got this hammock in Bolivia and recently put it up in the back yard. One night I found him asleep in it. He used to sleep in hammocks while serving his mission there.

This one wasn't sideways when I uploaded it. . .hmmm. Jonathan is always falling asleep on the floor. This time Faythe decided to lie down next to him and see if she could get his attention.
Like father like daughter.

This is Jonathan's newest hobby--making long boards. I love you, Jonathan!

Pretzels

Today for cooking class we made pretzels. My nephews were hanging out with us today and they joined in on the class. The kids measured and mixed and made a mess--there's something about cooking with flour.

They kneaded the dough and tore off pieces to roll into pretzel shapes. With kids, there is no such thing as a traditional pretzel shape. They made everything from motorcycles, to balls, to people, to daggers. The pretzel shapes are mine. Then they sprinkled them with salt and cinnamon/sugar and sprinkles and chocolate powder.

No one like the ones with salt, but the chocolate and sprinkle pretzels were a hit.

PS My picture taking has been horrible as of late. I can't keep my hands steady so all the pictures are blurry and out of focus. I'm sorry! Someone needs to teach me how to use my camera--I'm sure there's a feature to help with this.

My Oath To Defend Our Rights

I'd like to apologize. I promised to blog some of my political understanding and touch on certain issues that are hot topics of late (such as taxation.) I am humbled by the thought of attempting to capture with words the beautiful principles of agency and liberty, of how thoroughly the gospel delineates the proper role of government and the inevitable course it will follow to oppression and destruction if the people supporting it are not righteous, and the hope and direction that fill my heart the more I learn the truth. I will do so, but it is a work that is significant enough to me that I want to take my time and say it right.

For now, I'd like to share a video that I believe was compiled by Brian Mecham (of no known relation) at LatterDayConservative.com and LDSLiberty.org. This video captures quite powerfully the love that President Benson and other church leaders have for the Book of Mormon - as well as their understanding that a great purpose of this book is to teach us about liberty and proper government. This understanding comes with a warning that we must be diligent against personal apostasy and sin, secret combinations that exist in our government to destroy liberty and righteousness, and the promise that the God of this land has promised that it will be a free and prosperous land as long as it is righteous but will fall to violence and destruction if it ceases to heed His will.

The section of the video talking about Captain Moroni touched me. I have never made an actual oath to defend my rights. I have tried to do what I can to educate myself and others about, and fight for liberty. But I'd like to take this opportunity here to make this oath and to invite you to do the same.

I, Jonathan, to solemnly swear:

- To learn all that I can about the gospel and about liberty.

- To strive to live a more righteous life and seek the direction of the Holy Ghost in all of my efforts.

- To identify and fight against evil in all of its forms, even (or especially) when found in our government.

- To listen and obey when our prophets speak.

- To be more prepared physically, spiritually, and financially for what may come.

- To boldly share what I learn with others and invite them to do the same.

More Colorado

Kosette sent me some pictures from our last day in Denver--we visited the temple.


Here's some pictures of the kids playing by the water fountain




Jonathan and Kosette are always trying to get back rubs out of each other. This time everyone was trying to get in on the deal.

Friends

Every year for probably the last 5 years my friend's husband disappears for about a week during the month of June. He's gone to scout camp and usually my husband disappears for the same amount of time (though not always to scout camp). This has traditionally been the time for us to hang out and feel sorry for ourselves. Actually it's just a distraction for ourselves and the kids (to make the time go by faster) and an excuse to visit.

This afternoon the kids and I headed over to her house. The kids spent the whole time playing outside. We turned on the sprinklers and they had fun playing in the water and making mud and going down the homemade water slide. We fed them watermelon and nachos and they left us alone. We stayed inside and talked about important things like being a mom and finding joy in it, homeschooling and being able to feel success in it and food. I always enjoy visiting with my friend. She makes me want to be a better person. I know she'll go "yeah right" but she always sets a good example for me. She has a strong testimony and is knowledgeable about the gospel. She's talented in so many areas. She makes me think. She's always trying to be better. I'm totally grateful for her friendship.

Blog List

I finally added a blog list to the side of my blog. I only put first names (hopefully I spelled them right). I hope I didn't forget anyone--let me know if I should add you.

Lemonade for Sale

For the past 3 days I have had a 10 gallon orange cooler on my counter filled with lemonade (left over from the ward activity). Everyday for dinner the kids get a glass, but at that rate it will never get empty and off my counter. So I decided that the kids could use it for a lemonade stand. They were very excited. (Don't worry--the lemonade was not purchased by the ward.) We made a plan of what would be needed to make a lemonade stand and sell lemonade. Then they got to work making signs and pulling stuff together.

It was slow going at first ("why is noone stopping?" and "all they are doing is waving."), but each time they made a sale they got the biggest smiles. They waved at cars as they drove by (we have the prime spot for this business--a corner house) and tried to get them to stop. Several cars were from neighbors who parked at home and then walked back. Most of the people would buy 1 cup ($.25) and pay with a dollar and give the change as a tip. One lady gave the kids a roll of quarters for 1 cup. Another guy just stopped and gave the kids a dollar and didn't buy any lemonade. The kids might have sold 15 cups, but they made over $20. It was great to see them talk to and interact with strangers.
Afterward Jonathan taught a lesson on taxes (what I've recently learned is legalized plunder). He had the kids show them all the money they earned and then he took $2.00 from each of them. He talked about how that made them feel. He went on to teach them about how the government takes money from us to help others and how it shouldn't be that way. We should be able to choose who we give our money to and how we want to spend it--it shouldn't be forced on us. I'm not sure if they really understood, but at least we are planting seeds. (sorry, this picture is really blurry)
The kids were happy for the rest of the evening and made plans for how they want to spend their share of the money.

A Day at the Lake

Last Tuesday we went to the lake to celebrate Grandpa Mecham's birthday. The plan was to meet there at 8:30. Around 7:00 I get a phone call from Lola (my mother-in-law) saying that they were running late and she would call as they were leaving. That was OK. I was hoping that a later time meant that Jonathan would be able to come. (I just didn't think it would be that much later). Jonathan was at work late the night before and was on-call that night. A day out in the sun (after a late night) would make staying up all night difficult. We waited and waited and waited. Around 10:00 I get a phone call from Jeremiah (my brother-in-law) asking if we were going to come to the lake. I said I was just waiting for the phone call to leave. He said that someone talked to Jonathan and that they were all there waiting for us. I thought that maybe Jonathan had answered the phone and fallen back asleep, but caller id said no one had called and the phone wasn't even by the bed. We were confused, but hurried to the lake.

Jack and Lola have a boat (actually had a boat--they sold it, but get to borrow it whenever they want) and a couple of tubes that they pull behind it. We took turns riding for awhile then headed to an island where they had set-up a base camp for lunch and swimming.
Here's Jonathan playing "king of the hill" with the kids

There was a bird that got freaked out when we unloaded. She looked like she was protecting her territory and it turns out she had some eggs nearby.
The ants were biting like crazy and after we went out again they took advantage of our absence and invaded all of our stuff. They chewed into plastic bags and drinks--they were everywhere.

During lunch the mystery of the phone call was solved. Turns out Lola called Jeremiah on his cell phone to tell him they were leaving and then called his home phone (thinking she was calling us) and told him again. Funny! I'm glad that we made it to the lake. It was fun riding the tubes and visiting and the kids always enjoy playing with cousins.

Getting ready for a ride
Ephram was a little scared--actually all of my kids got scared if grandpa drove too fast. Jeremiah and Christy's kids kept asking to go faster.
This is Matthew and I waiting for out turn. We got going pretty fast on the ride and I was totally scared. I didn't want to fall off--I hate getting my hair wet.
Faythe was never far from Jonathan or I
Corbin driving the boat
Here's Braedi driving
Corbin riding with grandma
Corbin was able to talk his dad into riding with him
Jonathan trying to get a few minutes of sleep

Too soon it was time for us to go. We needed to get Jonathan home so he could get ready for work. The kids really didn't want to go (neither did I, but I'm not allowed to complain). It was a fun day.