Taco Bell

I think that last night I got a taste of what feeding three boys (and Jeremy) will be like as they get older.  The boys had a fun time completing a quest Jeremy had created for them and part of the treasure was to get some dinner. They wanted to stay and play in the cave -  I will post some pictures later - so I went and drove through Taco Bell. This is one of the few places we go out to eat. Sad, I know. But, I ordered their usual, a cheese roll up.  We had dinner and Andrew asked if he could have another one. Then two minutes later, Jacob asked where the rest of his dinner was. Jokingly, I asked if I needed to go back to Taco Bell. Jeremy sheepishly told me that he could eat more. So, I made a second trip. And the woman working the drive through, asked if I had been there earlier. What will it be like when they are 18, 16, 14?

I like this quote by Sister Tanner. I hope I can live up to it and shout for joy about my role as a mother instead of all the times I just shout. :)

I take great delight in my role as a nurturer, which allows me to express my deepest identity as a woman. I never fail to be struck by the way that women, young women, and even little girls seem to have an instinctive interest and ability in nurturing. It is not only a mother's primary responsibility but also part of our 'individual premortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose' ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). To nurture is to teach, to foster development, to promote growth, to feed, and to nourish. Who would not shout for joy at being given such a blessed role? "The scriptures use the word nurture only twice and in both cases speak of the responsibility of parents to raise their children 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord' (Ephesians 6:4; Enos 1:1).

Susan W. Tanner

Little Boys

On Sunday, we had a bit of a transition. Jacob is now officially a sunbeam. He is in Primary, the children's sunday school - like portion of our church. He was a little thrown off, but once they made into their classes, he had a great time. And Michael went into Nursery. He is 18 months old. I went in with him, which I will most likely do for a while. But, he had a fun time. I just can't believe it happened. I have two children in primary and one in nursery. How does this happen?
Today, four members of the Selim family left our house dressed and breakfasted at 7:38. We did it. Andrew made it to school on time and he didn't even have to run to make it in line on time. Then Jacob, Michael and I preceded to Michael's therapy and were even there before the therapist. It is a rare thing to be so ready to go in the morning. I am proud of us. Before Michael's therapy changed times, usually Andrew was the only one out of pajamas when we took him to school. So, here we go 2009 - we can do it. I can be a little more on top of things. I think. :)

Home again!

Jacob had a crazy accident in the snow and this was the result. Only pink skin remains now. :)

Making a gingerbread train

I love this picture of Eva

Lots of Texas spirit

He was so excited about his dinosaur :)

Michael and Joy

Jacob couldn't believe his luck

Our little wise men

Four babies in one year

Joy, Michael, Aurora and Victoria

We are glad to be home and for real life to resume. We got back into Tucson late Sunday night due to an extended stay of the stomach flu keeping us in Phoenix. But, we had a great Christmas break. We drove to Texas and had a wonderful Christmas with my family. I realized how much I miss Texas.  All of my family was there, except for Bob and his family. The boys loved playing with their cousins ( and their aunt and uncle :), depending on how you look at it ) and we were sad to go.  We then drove to Phoenix and spent time with the other side of the family. We had fun having sleep overs with Lynne and  Taylor and Justina's family - the boys loved sleeping in their own little tents. :) We spent a crazy day in the snow in Flagstaff and enjoyed our time at Grandma's house until we got sick.  I  feel blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. And for our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth gave us a reason to rejoice together.

Mama

I just found out that my Granny is on life support. She didn't want that and so sometime tomorrow when her family is gathered around her, they will take her off. Although I don't like some of the decisions my Granny made as a young woman and the effect it had on my mama's life, she was the parent and the constant in Mama's life. And I ache to think of the pain Mama is feeling now. I am sure she is remembering her right now and seeing all the good things she did for her. And it has made me remember again why mothers are so important and that no matter what, the deep love you have for them. I want to remember some of the good things my mother has done for me.
I know she loves me and thinks that I am important. And some days when I am not sure if anyone else feels the same way, I can call her and she will listen to me and lift me up.
She has always been my cheerleader. She and I started my journey as an actress together. She was the one who took me to all the classes and auditions and sets. I will always remember her confidence in me and the fun times we had together. Now when I have an audition (very rarely) I have to go by myself. :) She is a part of every one of my successes.
She taught me to be strong. She has taught by example and has turned out five strong women. She is so capable. She can do almost anything. I always had the best costumes of everyone on stage when she was the making my costumes. She makes beautiful blankets and she was telling me of the matching suits she made for Daddy and Bobby when he was little.
She holds our family together. She is the connection between all of us.
When I got married, I subconsciously tried to become her. I knew if I could do all the things she can do, I would be a good mother and wife. I love my Mama and want her to know that I think she is a wonderful woman and I am so grateful for her and that she is so many things to me. And that if she ever left this earth, I would be left with a void in my life. And so, I hope the void for her own mother won't be too painful and too hard to overcome. I love you, Mama. And I love Granny and am glad for the good changes she made in her life and that she did the best she could to make the most of a hard life. I wish her joy and peace.

Beautiful messes

On thursday, Michael had therapy. The therapist pulled out her original report from October 7 and we evaluated the goals we had set for our little Michael. And in 7 weeks he had accomplished all of them! Hooray, Michael! So, now we are celebrating the mobility and thus the messes that Michael can now create. He loves to crawl to the bookcase and pull out all the crayons, pencils, etc. and make a huge mess. And I can't help but smile. And we are working on cruising and standing up on our own. The therapist says she isn't in a hurry for him to walk, because crawling really helps with strength building and he is still weak. 

Testimonies

Last week after church, Andrew told me he wanted to go up and say something at the pulpit. So, since Fast Sunday was coming up we had a Family Home Evening on testimony.  We each practiced bearing our testimonies behind the rocking chairs aided by pictures of Christ, prayer, etc. So, today Andrew told me again he wanted to go up there. Then right before we got up, he told me that he really wanted to bear his testimony, but wanted to wait until he was a little older.

He decided to come up with me anyway, but was too scared. Then tonight he gathered all of his snakes and stood in the doorway and said, hello, everyone. I want to bear my testimony about snakes. He talked for a while about snakes and then said, I am thankful they can be a family and that God created them. I choked up a little. :) Sometimes, it is nice to see when they are really getting something. :) This is his school picture. I can't believe he is old enough to have a school picture. 

5 joys, fears

I am a little slow on this tag. :)

5 joys:

3 little boys

1 big boy

Christmas time

My family

My Saviour

5 little things that make me happy:

crawling

smiles

reading

dragonflies

holding little hands

5 fears:

losing someone in my family

never settling down somewhere

being a bad mother

not progressing from who I am now

giving up

5 surprising things:

I sometimes forget to brush my teeth

I'm scared to have a little girl - if we ever mange it!

I almost like the Arizona weather - the winter is great!

I don't feel like a grown up, even though I have three children, been married for 7 and a half years and am nearing 30.

I don't love jelly beans anymore. I still like them, but in college I might have been a little obsessed!