tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81351231472778768622012-02-14T06:55:45.544-07:00Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.comBlogger7131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-79900125969324007932012-02-14T04:33:00.000-07:002012-02-14T04:33:01.063-07:00

I don't think I have ever received flowers for Valentine's Day. Neither Mike or I are big fans of the day and I've never cared one way or the other about receiving flowers on February 14th. Yet this year a pretty vase of flowers sits on my kitchen table. It has absolutely nothing to do with the date and everything to do with a nice husband who surprised me with flowers last Friday afternoon.

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-15261334860589363232012-02-13T02:35:00.000-07:002012-02-13T02:35:00.716-07:00

Oh what sad news to hear that Whitney Houston died! I have lots of fond Whitney Houston music memories. It all started with the "Whitney" cassette tape I received for Christmas 1987. I LLLOOVVEEDD it. Upon hearing of Whitney's death Saturday night, I couldn't help but feel badly I don't have more Whitney Houston songs on my i-tunes library. Uploading songs to i-tunes is now on my to-do list for

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-42971676142882276032012-02-09T01:56:00.003-07:002012-02-09T11:19:07.760-07:00

About 6 years ago I nagged Mike to go to the doctor. I was convinced he probably had high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a plethora of other imagined diagnoses. Besides, he was long overdue for a checkup. Mike obliged my nagging, and dragged himself to the doctor's appointment I made for him. Mike returned home from the said doctor's appointment with "a slice of pie" for me. Humble pie.

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-81211487523226663762012-02-07T09:43:00.000-07:002012-02-07T11:50:35.264-07:00

I feel the need to clear a few things up that have come to my attention... First of all--going back to the breastfeeding/family bed post--the private comments I received from people were all very encouraging, kind and complimentary. Most of them sharing their own disappointments and feelings of guilt to do with breastfeeding. I was reminded how important it really is to be very careful what we

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-85086103127683157392012-02-06T08:54:00.004-07:002012-02-06T17:19:17.569-07:00

What a fabulous "nothing" weekend, that turned out to be a great one! An long-overdue lunch with my friend Allyson Mild weather with kids playing outside for hours A spontaneous afternoon date with Mike to the hardware store and gas station for a fountain rootbeer, a once a month indulgence (the rootbeer not the hardware store) A frantic phone call from Melanie with her laughing her head off

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-2788958888724497742012-02-03T03:51:00.007-07:002012-02-03T18:21:20.971-07:00

**Post-edit--there are now 3 ways to enter instead of 2** Being 8-10 years older than my two brothers, and the only girl in the family, I was often the designated babysitter. My two younger brothers weren't exactly well behaved when left in my care. I try to forget the time I was babysitting them and while I was distracted in my bedroom, Casey and James thought it would be fun to see what

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com209tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-8463628013700213652012-02-02T14:25:00.002-07:002012-02-02T14:26:56.951-07:00

Do you ever get to the end of a day, a week, or a month and realize you've tried your very best to make sure everyone's laundry is done, everybody has been fed and bathed, everyone has been taken to this activity or that, and you were even able to squeeze in moments of one-on-one time with each child and the husband! Everybody is happy and content! BUT...ever wonder who has made sure MOM has

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-4718040511532636152012-02-01T02:44:00.002-07:002012-02-03T22:14:53.089-07:00

One of my very favorite things about meeting with people through The Power of Moms are the fabulous ideas I get. So many of the systems we have in place in our home come from an original idea I heard from someone that I've tweaked to work for us. This one is no different. But let me give a background to why I've chosen to implement it in our own unique way. A couple of months ago we chose a new

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-90501265085629831912012-01-31T09:36:00.006-07:002012-01-31T10:07:46.349-07:00

For years my BFF and I have had a re-occurring conversation about homework. Although we have differing opinions on a lot of subjects, we agree 100% on homework. We both think it should be abolished and banned from every school worldwide. We complain to each other about worksheets, book reports, science fair projects and just about anything else that comes home in our children's backpacks. So I

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-24391456021604329792012-01-30T01:12:00.003-07:002012-01-30T07:58:40.130-07:00

It's official! Feel free to send me cards of congratulations. Send me flowers. Buy me chocolates. Call or text me to congratulate me. Make me a tray of Rice Krispie treats Announce it from the rooftops Sing it from the hills. It's official. After 13 years and 3 months, without so much as a week break in between kids--I am FINISHED with DIAPERS!!!!! Drew is potty trained. I can't even begin to

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-18453260854388151252012-01-26T11:16:00.001-07:002012-02-03T22:14:21.671-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, Drew entered my room at 5:41am. After turning on the bedroom light he declared, "Want bef-fast." I found absolutely nothing endearing about the moment. The next couple of hours didn't go so well either. It was probably no coincidence that at about 8:45 that same morning I read an article on the Power of Moms site that was timely. My friend, April authored a fabulous article

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-20161627901988426662012-01-25T05:36:00.009-07:002012-02-03T21:59:55.684-07:00

I'd let the pictures tell the story, but a. I'm not really a very good photographer and b. I'm really not good at not saying anything. But I promise to only say a little about... The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby I love Luke's individuality. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Luke doesn't care a WHIT about whether or not he has a fast car. He wants something he loves. He wants something that depicts him. And

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-83268217410569648602012-01-24T07:40:00.006-07:002012-01-24T08:21:00.728-07:00

The other day I picked my boys up from playing at my parent's house. Joshua and Drew had a little "Town Mat" spread out with Hot Wheels cars arranged just so on it. Our need to leave seemed too premature to my boys, and so to accommodate a more timely departure I asked permission for us to borrow the mat for a couple of days. Oh boy has it been a big hit! It isn't that I'm really a big fan of

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-69418112165821076862012-01-23T02:49:00.001-07:002012-01-23T02:49:00.123-07:00

I am repeatedly asked if all three of my boys are cowboys. I pretty much give the same response every time. Through absolutely no influence of ours, Luke "became" a cowboy when he was about five years old. Despite my dad buying Luke his first pair of cowboy boots one summer evening, it really wasn't until I saw Luke dressed in Wranglers, a belt buckle and a cowboy hat a couple of months later

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-906035504614417792012-01-22T20:19:00.000-07:002012-01-22T20:19:10.184-07:00

What a wonderful evening Mike and I had on Friday night at another Power of Moms Couples Workshop. No matter how many times I attend or present at a Power of Moms Workshop or Retreat, I am amazed at the new stuff I learn from other great mothers and in this case, some great dads too.   While I love all the Power of Moms stuff, there is something really unique about occasionally, dads being a part

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-76066548461985712022012-01-20T08:44:00.000-07:002012-01-20T12:30:46.647-07:00

With a four day weekend around Martin Luther King Day, we decided to head south and visit my brother, James, and Kristin and Annie. We don't have fancy modern gadgets in our 12 year old car. Instead, we travel the old fashioned way. We have no movies, no DVD players. Just a good old CD player, a few road games, and most of all the DROWSY version of Dramamine required for each child. Our car

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-78406554003787769882012-01-18T17:19:00.001-07:002012-01-19T09:14:20.490-07:00

Far too often I get all jumbled up in a never-ending to-do list. In fact too often lately I'm not even paying attention to any type of to-do list, I'm simply running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I start one project or job, and then something else catches my attention mid-way through and I'm off to some other task while the previous one sits either undone or half done. Lately I'm

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-59773012223168790832012-01-17T02:25:00.001-07:002012-01-17T08:30:31.910-07:00

A few years ago Mike put in a couple of wooden posts to claim his "shed spot" in our back yard. Despite being cemented into the ground, they served no other purpose than an eye-sore, a conversation piece, or an odd backdrop to the trampoline as you can see here. (April 2011) As fall turned into winter, Mike found himself with a little extra time on his hands and even recruited his brother and two

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-78218565219884008732012-01-14T09:52:00.001-07:002012-01-14T16:20:51.524-07:00

(I have been amazed at the comments I received privately from my post about breastfeeding and/or the guilt that comes along with it. A lesson to us all about the greater need for unconditional support of fellow mothers... But I will say I still have a tendency to judge those sharing a family bed....) Anyway... on a lighter note here's an article that you can read below or HERE or HERE. Have a

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-4207198694218345472012-01-12T03:13:00.003-07:002012-01-12T09:26:42.060-07:00

Joshua has had a pretty legitimate sore above his lip now for a few days. As it began to scab over, he kept licking it and it was having a hard time healing. Mike (ever the Neosporin and bandaid Nazi) suggested covering the scab with some ointment and a bandaid to help it heal faster. Well, that just caused all sorts of commotion and excitement around here. Because if you remember, not long ago

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-32586524336772623292012-01-10T05:34:00.004-07:002012-01-10T17:04:30.447-07:00

June 1999--Please excuse the overalls. It was 1999! Recently I wrote an article "Happy to be a mother not a horse." (You can read it HERE.) Clearly, I referenced having had some "baby blues" following the birth of Megan. Fortunately for me, that was the extent of any post-partum blues/depression I ever had. I consider myself very blessed having come through five pregnancies and births hormonally

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-59052775433803635982012-01-09T09:39:00.000-07:002012-01-09T12:51:30.613-07:00

Last fall Megan helped our friend out with an open house at her store. Megan was thrilled that she was able to help with face-painting, constructing princess wands, and the clean-up at the end. She was even more thrilled that a Halloween bracelet she had seen in the store was given to her at the end of the night as a 'Thank you.' By the time Megan got home that evening, she couldn't stop talking

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-24863410393940753702012-01-08T13:32:00.002-07:002012-01-08T17:03:17.752-07:00

I don't have any control over the timing of my articles that are published in the Deseret News and the timing of them has never mattered to me before. However, today's timing of an article couldn't have been more perfect. Not just for me, but for my entire family. (Well everyone except for Mike!) Here's why: As I mentioned more than once last year we had ward (our local church congregation)

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-70240634698222937382012-01-06T12:46:00.002-07:002012-01-06T20:54:37.852-07:00

Speaking of love, change of hearts and being kind to others, now is as good a time as any to tell about a Christmas surprise that was very hard to keep... In April, Mike and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage. And with marriage comes the inevitable issue of... in-laws. You know that whole merging of personalities, traditions, families and so on. In no way will I dredge up past experiences,

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-60473631595686523012012-01-05T12:37:00.036-07:002012-01-06T20:52:40.493-07:00

My kids and I have a random, impromptu tradition around here. Oftentimes in the morning before school we will sit in the front room waiting until it is time to leave for the bus, and I will play on the piano my favorite Primary (children's Sunday School) song, "Kindness begins with me." "I want to be kind to everyone,For that is right you see.So I say to myself, remember this.Kindness begins

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-63630296111014008292012-01-04T09:00:00.001-07:002012-01-04T09:02:05.387-07:00

We had a great turn-out for our Power of Moms Couples Workshop in November, that we've decided to host another one. It is a really great opportunity for a meaningful date night, and costs hardly anymore than dinner and a movie! We'd love to have you come!! The registration link is here. What is a Couples workshop? Check it out here? And here. If you're a mom in Southern California, you've got

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-84144223308174044482012-01-02T10:24:00.001-07:002012-01-02T10:25:25.635-07:00

When I was a child my mother started (and carried out) a rule that if you said "shut up" you had to put 10p in a little money bank that was almost identical to this marketing icon. I honestly can't remember how many times I may have been slapped with the fine (I'm sure not many, I was a very good little girl), but I will admit now I would be darn near poor if the fine was still in effect. I say "

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-46526907777654578452011-12-28T14:11:00.004-07:002012-01-02T10:01:26.255-07:00

Love what has turned into an annual baking day. Homemade caramels, toffee and fudge this year. Even if one tray of caramels had to be thrown out and one batch of toffee ended up tasting like onion from an unwashed pan! (Melanie's not mine!) I love the patient waits for dinner parties to begin. No photo but-I love that on Christmas Eve afternoon Mike sent me out to get a pedicure. I think he was

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-38231564856315707882011-12-28T03:03:00.004-07:002011-12-28T08:33:21.752-07:00

I read somewhere this year that someone had Santa came a day early to their house to avoid the chaos of Christmas morning. Wwwhhaatt? That's what Christmas is, and I absolutely can not imagine not wanting the chaos of Christmas ON CHRISTMAS? Oh well. We love Christmas morning around here, in all of it's chaos, mayhem, excitement and messes. My kids waited patiently on the stairs for about 20

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-91876812722358832752011-12-24T23:26:00.001-07:002011-12-26T14:59:03.620-07:00

Was certainly a different feel this year without my little brothers and their families with us on Christmas Eve, but we made do. Pretty much the same old thing as every other year--everyone required to dress in their Sunday best (well of course except for Drew...and Joshua...it was NOT worth the battle!) The trifle tradition in all of its anticipation was as always, one of the highlights of

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-14947045148787407512011-12-24T15:56:00.001-07:002011-12-24T16:02:23.906-07:00

As a young child, my parents had some dear friends who were expecting their first baby. I remember being picked up from school by my dad when he told me that Christine's baby was in intensive care after being born far too early. Their tiny baby girl lived only 19 short hours before passing away. I remember sitting on Christine's lap in our family dining room at a luncheon following her baby's

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-55837869508742218922011-12-23T09:36:00.031-07:002011-12-28T07:59:29.786-07:00

I absolutely LOVE having dinner parties in December. I love the different friends that come and the different activities we do with each. I love setting the table, cooking dinner, visiting and laughing with friends, and I even love the clean-up! Certainly one of my favorite Christmas traditions... We LOVE, LOVE our neighbors Kellen, Kari, Miles and Damon. (And I'm happy to report they join us

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-62760598637977038072011-12-22T01:49:00.002-07:002011-12-22T01:49:00.736-07:00

Who doesn't love Christmas music? (Besides Mike!) It is one of my favorite things about November and December. Fortunately, even though Mike would rather not HEAR any Christmas music playing, he is absolutely fine SINGING Christmas songs when I insist kindly encourage everybody to sing around the Christmas tree and/or piano each evening. Tomorrow I'll do a little dinner tour of all of our

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-24644811439864460612011-12-21T02:13:00.002-07:002011-12-21T02:13:00.568-07:00

Bet that picture makes you look twice. Winter clothes and life jackets to see Christmas lights? That's because Utah law requires life jackets on boats for children under 12. And when you're going on a Christmas Cruise you've gotta obey the law. (excuse Mike's hand--not sure why it is in the picture)Ellie quickly declared Santa a "helper" rather than the real thing. Guess the canoe instead of a

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-23000083005191733192011-12-20T02:41:00.003-07:002011-12-21T11:27:24.567-07:00

The other morning I drove by a local Southern Baptist and saw a notice advertising a "Living Nativity" this week. In my attempt to really soak up the last week before Christmas, I decided that paying a visit to a live nativity certainly needed to be put on our calendar. Last night was the night! Even though the church was less than a ten minute drive from our house, our kids were poking each

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-43659460068661770722011-12-17T16:00:00.006-07:002011-12-17T22:41:07.849-07:00

I rounded everybody up on Saturday afternoon for a quick trip to the local country store to visit with Santa. Two of our family members were less than thrilled to be going, but kudos to them for coming along anyway. I guess at this point I should mention that I believe every child should sit on Santa's knee. Tears and fear aside, it's part of Christmas. Kind of like me being obligated to

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-22002176680196257382011-12-16T13:06:00.001-07:002011-12-16T13:07:45.952-07:00

Remember my article that caused some to think I thought Santa was all Christmas was about... Click HERE to read my thoughts on what Christmas is really about. Don't you love the weekend before Christmas? Hope you have a good one.

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-66488349694482722442011-12-14T08:58:00.006-07:002011-12-15T09:41:55.137-07:00

The Night After Thanksgiving... Mike's parents are serving an LDS mission in Washington DC and in anticipation of being gone for Christmas, they left presents for their grandchildren and children left behind. The day after Thanksgiving we had a family party with Mike's siblings and their children. For ease and scheduling reasons, Mike's sister arrived with the oversized  sacks full of Christmas

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-42055984681281232552011-12-13T01:46:00.001-07:002011-12-13T01:46:00.274-07:00

Tonight was a crazy night. My kids were all over the place--and I don't just mean the bouncing off the walls. We had poor sports in a game, unkind words, bad manners, tears, made-up jokes and obnoxious behavior. Of course we had company over to witness the whole spectacle. Except these people are really great friends, and it was such an enjoyable, relaxing evening that hopefully they'll only

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-75199259953582802412011-12-12T01:06:00.002-07:002011-12-12T01:06:00.177-07:00

To make a long story short, Hank had a room-mate move in the other night. Except the room-mate isn't just any old room-mate, it is a pregnant goat. At least we hope she is pregnant. It's kind of a long story, I'll make it quick. Paul (Luke's mentor) was disappointed Luke wasn't able to sell Hank at the County Fair. Not that he doesn't like Hank, or want Hank living over there, (Au contraire!) he

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-20887295923172801632011-12-08T11:44:00.001-07:002011-12-09T10:10:10.414-07:00

***Warning--Do not have a young child reading this over your shoulder please*** So I've stirred up a little bit of a controversy over at KSL's website this morning with this article... I was asked to write an article about "The transition from Santa to reality..." You get the idea... Here's my response to the comments that clearly have a few people riled up. #1 I wrote the article clearly under

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-31925001715198290892011-12-07T09:09:00.001-07:002011-12-07T09:11:28.542-07:00

I was thrilled a few years ago with the convenience of itunes, that I could add one of my old favorite Christmas songs to my collection. "Little Donkey" was a song I remember singing at school a lot. I laughed out loud the other day when I heard Joshua singing it while he was playing. Most of my children ask for it to be skipped when it starts playing--I'm not sure if it is because they really

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-67667887806730212442011-12-06T13:11:00.001-07:002011-12-07T12:26:06.182-07:00

Many people did daily thankful posts on their blogs throughout November. Doing so myself never appealed to me. Not that I'm not thankful and grateful though--I most certainly am! Just now I read a post from my friend who asked her readers to share favorite Christmas memories, songs, traditions, etc. And it just happened to take my fancy! I think it may just be an answer to my prayer--just last

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-47935508607047618002011-12-05T13:09:00.003-07:002011-12-05T14:11:57.839-07:00

A little over 3 years ago, I was called to be the Gospel Doctrine (adult Sunday School) teacher in our church. Though completely comfortable speaking in front of people, the thought of teaching from the scriptures to both men and women, many who were far more knowledgeable than myself was extremely intimidating. I was petrified. I was nervous. I was scared. I carried around my scriptures and the

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-79416072950782208022011-12-04T18:52:00.003-07:002011-12-04T19:10:03.098-07:00

Instead of three hours of church today, we barely even had one. We had a few announcements, the passing of the Sacrament and then a closing hymn and prayer. The same thing happened at churches throughout the county. Around here, we are bracing for round two of severe winds that did a lot of damage on Thursday. At our house, we only had a lawn chair and sprinkler head break in Thursday's storm.

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-84120780085102358282011-12-02T10:27:00.000-07:002011-12-02T12:46:42.296-07:00

Loved Thanksgiving! Loved it! Loved Megan's table decorating. Loved everyone at the table! (poor Mike was at the other head of the table and missed being in the photo-on a sidenote though, want to know how to get everyone to smile so big? Instead of saying, "Say cheese" say "Everyone say 'We're thankful for Tiffany.'" Loved the food! Love our 7th Annual Thankful Papers! (Even though one

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-69159739367706178592011-12-01T00:01:00.002-07:002011-12-01T00:01:00.080-07:00

To put it bluntly, Mike is pretty frugal. He always says, "I'd rather have money in the bank than stuff." For the most part, I agree with him and I certainly support him and love him for being so financially responsible. Last week when we were in Home Depot buying wood, screws and a metal shelf, Mike was very focused on his proverbial list. He is not easily distracted by end displays bragging '

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-77669693678496565012011-11-30T09:20:00.000-07:002011-11-30T09:20:22.823-07:00

I am not one to typically watch videos online, especially on Facebook statuses and blogs. But after having a few pretty crappy days in a row, I saw this video on the umpteenth friend's Facebook status this morning and finally decided to watch it. Oh boy was it timely. And I mean timely. (Except for the first part I really do disagree with. I don't necessarily think the girl hysterical across the

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-89434657292185226732011-11-28T02:46:00.000-07:002011-11-28T02:46:00.821-07:00

A few weeks ago in my Learning Circle, we discussed an article, 'The Power of Optimism'. We each shared different times in our mothering when we had chosen to smile/laugh when we really could have cried. Following our meeting, my good friend did a whole blog post about times as a mother she has been able to laugh instead of cry. After reading them, I admire her even more than I already did--she

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-81542322702621437322011-11-24T01:56:00.000-07:002011-11-24T01:56:00.203-07:00

Hopefully I don't have to do a long, drawn up blog post to assure everyone that we are indeed grateful and thankful for the abundance of blessings we enjoy daily. We've had our '7th Annual We Are Thankful papers up all month, and it is great to see the children's innocent and sincere expression of thanks. Last week Mike made a list of 'miracles and things we never could have guessed would happen'

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-90277047938633942232011-11-22T05:42:00.000-07:002011-11-22T05:42:00.205-07:00

According to a ten year old, it is the day the 'Mom bring McDonalds Lunch to School' coupon is redeemed. My plan was to meet Luke at the doors as he was going into lunch and pass off a McDonalds Happy Meal. Luke's plan that morning, was for mom to get McDonalds for her and the two little brothers and all eat lunch together in the school lunch room. WWHHAATTT? My ten year old wants to be seen

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-88538886485971230832011-11-20T20:38:00.003-07:002012-01-31T18:34:12.741-07:00

Today is Ellie's Half Birthday. You can be reminded of the details of a half birthday here. They are a very simple day, and in no way resemble the pomp and circumstance that surround real birthdays around here. Ellie though, must have forgotten the simplicity of half birthdays, as she was quite disgusted this morning at breakfast when she declared, "Nobody has wished me a happy half birthday yet

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-58241028202281132902011-11-18T09:36:00.000-07:002011-11-18T09:36:08.415-07:00

Dear Grandparents- Somehow the extra time this morning before school turned into an impromptu talent show for grandparents before leaving for the school bus (thus the coats). Even though Ellie forgot to count, Luke was irritated Drew was singing in the background, and Drew got distracted with a cough and an Indian hat and forgot his words, it may be worth a few minutes of your time. Joshua

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-60942237676411924782011-11-16T09:41:00.000-07:002011-11-16T09:41:02.777-07:00

Yesterday I dragged Joshua into preschool crying. And I mean crying. I had to pry his hand off of the car-seat, and pull various body parts as they wrapped themselves around any object in an attempt to stop us from wending our way into preschool. Now before you all start wondering why in the world I would essentially 'force' my child to go to preschool amidst such tears, I had a pretty good

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-83771235243196276972011-11-15T07:39:00.001-07:002011-11-15T11:43:42.383-07:00

I love, love, LOVE the megaphone I received for my birthday a few weeks ago. I really do. I love saying goodbye to my children WHILE they are at the bus stop, I love being able to call them home from dinner, and I love telling my husband I love him while he is upstairs in the shower and I'm downstairs in the kitchen. (Okay, well I haven't done that last one yet--Mike isn't a huge fan of the

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-15045350704202015352011-11-14T06:37:00.001-07:002011-11-14T06:37:00.154-07:00

What a wonderful evening Mike and I had on Friday night at a Power of Moms Couples Workshop. No matter how many times I attend or present at a Power of Moms Workshop or Retreat, I am amazed at the new stuff I learn from other great mothers and in this case, some great dads too. There is something so uplifting about being gathered together in a room, with parents focused on their families and the

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-84686481835037676682011-11-11T04:28:00.006-07:002011-11-11T04:28:00.363-07:00

I've been working on an assignment tonight, and it made me get all sappy and sentimental about the passage of time. And then while looking for a particular photo, I stumbled across this one that I had NO IDEA I still had copies of, let alone on my computer!! I couldn't help but oooh and aaah over these two little babies. I once had only TWO kids?! It seems like a lifetime ago. But then at the

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-648977307587691252011-11-09T09:59:00.002-07:002011-11-09T17:33:23.713-07:00

The other night as I climbed into bed, I began listing a long list to Mike of why I was a horrible mother. Most of them revolved around my voice becoming just a little too loud that day. Interrupting me, Mike declared, "You're a good mom, you've just got a short fuse." So I re-committed myself to relaxing more, and I don't mean by spending hours on the couch. (Although I do have to say I stayed

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-30811610908224266662011-11-08T01:12:00.001-07:002011-11-08T08:30:40.966-07:00

Guess we may never really understand each other's passions and dreams. But I certainly hope while pursuing my own, I have more flattering facial expressions than my boys. Okay, so I don't necessarily think jumping on a trampoline is Drew's passion, but I am beginning to wonder if him being half naked is. Especially during the first week of November!

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-88676372424288191852011-11-07T05:13:00.009-07:002011-11-07T08:35:52.497-07:00

"Remember, remember the fifth of November with gunpowder, treason and plot.I see no reason why gunpowder, treason should ever be forgot." My English blood requires me to not only recognize and acknowledge November 5th as Guy Fawkes Day, but to celebrate it in good old English style. We've had all sorts of Guy Fawkes Day parties over the years, including our one last year where we had upwards of

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-850940008271002432011-11-04T07:57:00.000-06:002011-11-04T07:57:34.076-06:00

Years ago after visiting with a family whose mother had suddenly passed away, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for positive mental health. (Depression had ultimately taken it's toll on the lady who passed away.) It jump-started me to finally start something I had been thinking about for years, a Gratitude Journal. It sits by my bed, and at least 3-4 times a week I get something written

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-29403417550480341362011-11-03T07:48:00.001-06:002011-11-03T07:48:00.412-06:00

In September, I was able to be a part of the first Power of Moms Couples Retreat. It was a wonderful day spent learning together with both moms and dads. Many of the men came to the Retreat somewhat dragging their heels, yet the men were the ones who did most of the talking during each of the small group discussions I was a part of. It was fairly difficult logistically for a lot of those

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-68998369930242027422011-11-02T08:16:00.003-06:002011-11-02T13:46:48.767-06:00

I don't have to remind you that birthdays are a big deal around here. One of our funny traditions is to watch the clock for the 'exact time' the birthday person turns their new age. (Poor Joshua's is usually before anyone wakes up.) We usually remember, but the odd time we forget, like last month on Megan's birthday, we all lament and moan as though without the recognition of the time, the new

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-59071435131503670342011-11-01T05:39:00.006-06:002011-11-01T08:45:42.691-06:00

I know I really shouldn't get started doing a post about one friend, if I can't do one about all the others. But when my friend of six and a half years and I FINALLY get a photo of us together, I can't resist. My dear friend Lesley. Where do I begin? We began our days as visiting teaching partners six and a half years ago, and for some reason we just clicked. I've had a lot of visiting teaching

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-10978099293422588512011-10-31T23:44:00.000-06:002011-11-02T12:57:59.956-06:00

I detest pumpkin carving, and usually (if we do it) put Mike in charge. But this year I must have caught a nice bug or something, as I not only allowed my kids to carve pumpkins, but I did it right along with them!! Ellie, bless her heart did every single part of it herself. She turned down every offer of help and instead stuck with it, sawing, cutting and digging away until she had a darling

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-16827177638857879152011-10-31T09:26:00.000-06:002011-10-31T09:26:15.046-06:00

Halloween is my least favorite holiday ever. My kids aren't really big fans of it either. (Hmm-imagine where they get that attitude from.) Last week was Joshua's Preschool Halloween Program. I sent a picture text of Joshua to Mike during it and he replied, "Why didn't he dress up?" (excuse the bent cowboy hat that was found stuck under the bed three minutes before preschool departure time) My

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-51357840507327722502011-10-27T05:51:00.000-06:002011-10-29T17:32:19.904-06:00

Luke's 4th grade class had a creative assignment last week. They were asked to bring a home-baked dessert cut into the shape of Utah. The brownies, cake, rice krispie treat or dessert of choice needed to be frosted with white frosting and taken to school on Friday morning. The students would then decorate the cake with 'mountain ranges', 'lakes' and flags marking important places in Utah.

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-80934398120113683292011-10-26T03:57:00.000-06:002011-10-29T17:33:10.330-06:00

I'm not ashamed to admit that while in college, I was an avid watcher of the television series Beverly Hills 90210. Further, I'm not ashamed to admit that if I had cable television, it is quite possible that me, a non-television person would probably spend far too much time watching re-runs. I'm also not ashamed to admit I still have a Beverly Hills 90210 beach towel (with portraits of Brandon

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-16335807301378790842011-10-25T05:30:00.012-06:002011-10-25T10:14:25.574-06:00

Forget all the sentiments about thoughtful homemade gifts or handwritten notes I wrote about yesterday. I received THE.BEST.BIRTHDAY.PRESENT.EVER. a couple of days late. Yesterday, my brother James and sister-in-law Kristin, gave me this: I love it. Some of my kids love it because they were able to come in promptly at dinnertime because they heard the first call. Drew is scared of it. Megan is

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-49499273345332768692011-10-24T02:49:00.002-06:002011-10-24T09:20:13.182-06:00

I guess while shopping at the store for my birthday, my kids reminded Mike that I wanted some new hand-weights. To which Mike replied, "I think we have enough things for now." Luke, ever the thoughtful gift-giver, couldn't bear for me to go without them. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when just after I'd unwrapped my gifts, I was presented with some '91/2 pound' weights. To which he

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-55715049241721364302011-10-22T14:47:00.000-06:002011-10-22T14:47:08.697-06:00

My dear friend, Lesley just stopped by to wish me a Happy Birthday and expressed shock that I didn't have a birthday post up. So, I will quickly use a small portion of part of my birthday present (personal time alone in a quiet house) to wish myself a Happy Birthday. (Megan was slightly disappointed that I didn't want a fancily decorated cake that she makes so well. Just chocolate cake and

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-8953154754750437612011-10-20T03:07:00.001-06:002011-10-20T03:07:00.164-06:00

My friend recently referred to her years as a mother having 'worn her down'. She was specifically referring to the fact her youngest son was playing with a toy gun, which was something she would never had let her older son do. I couldn't have agreed with her more. Though I actually laughed out loud at her musing, there was a part of me that didn't know whether to keep laughing, or start crying.

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-1865207216494340822011-10-19T09:07:00.000-06:002011-10-19T09:33:29.911-06:00

I've mentioned before, I love the fall. Last year it seemed the fall season came and went and I didn't enjoy the leaves as up close and personal as I was used to in years past. This year, I committed to Mike that we were going to take a family fall drive and enjoy them. Mike kept telling me they were now past their peak due to the snow and rain a couple of weekends ago. Every time Mike would say

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-79858394659355072552011-10-18T02:51:00.034-06:002011-10-18T08:22:45.301-06:00

I've mentioned on more than one occasion how opposite Mike and I are. Yet with all our opposites, we complement each other well. Mike is more of the hard parent and I'm the soft one. (And I don't mean our abs.) We balance each other nicely though. Although, I wish I could have had more of Mike in me this morning. I had all the best intentions to, but then the softy came through and I didn't do

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-18612995799837936822011-10-17T05:41:00.001-06:002011-10-17T07:18:19.006-06:00

Another one of those times I wished I had a photo to capture the memory, but will instead forever be a 'mind memory'... A few weeks ago, as an outdoor party with a live band winded down, Mike and I found ourselves sitting in a chair each with one of our little boys asleep on our laps. The fall air was crisp, the sun had gone down, people were slowly anticipating the end of a grand evening. As

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-44187976334974739212011-10-16T17:25:00.000-06:002011-10-16T17:25:06.517-06:00

Nowhere near as good as 'The Man' (that you can watch here), but grandparents will still appreciate it... Happy Sunday!

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-29076422531652913642011-10-14T11:02:00.001-06:002011-10-14T11:28:50.873-06:00

Now that Megan's birthday is past, the countdown to mine truly begins. My birthday is ten days from Megan's (EIGHT FROM TODAY) and Luke's is then ten days from mine. Fortunately, Luke's birthday is a different month than mine and Megan's and so there is hope that HIS birthday will not be skipped from our church birthday calendar like mine and Megan's were!! Yes. Remember this year here, when my

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-954134494382396752011-10-12T20:14:00.000-06:002011-10-12T20:14:24.828-06:00

I get melancholy and focused on the stark reminders that reflect how quickly time is passing that I often don't reflect on the more subtle occurrences. Yet somehow in between the 'stark' and 'subtles' of living, today I find myself with a THIRTEEN year old. Yes. A 13 Year Old. I don't keep it a secret that I rushed the newborn and baby stage with my first two babies. It is one of my greatest

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-11959873071230676272011-10-11T11:44:00.001-06:002011-11-27T22:42:33.371-07:00

Today, I'm excited to be guest posting over at 'Our Garden Gate'! If you're interested, you can see what one of our very first fights was about as newlyweds... Happy Reading!

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-40521200210934565872011-10-10T20:46:00.001-06:002012-01-31T18:34:36.246-07:00

Bless Joshua's heart-it was a long day. From the minute he woke up exclaiming, "It's my birthday!" to the kids finally coming home from school so we could do his half cake and half present seemed like an eternity. Half birthdays are supposed to be non-stress, but seriously, answering the question "When will the kids be home?" every five minutes for over seven hours, was not exactly non-stress. (

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-8087063779975635692011-10-09T20:43:00.002-06:002011-10-10T13:44:21.226-06:00

Drew insisted on walking to church and in a kind gesture, I obliged. I walked to church with five children while Mike stayed home and had fifteen minutes quiet time before he met us at church. (His comment: "We really ought to have a car at church." screamed 'I want some peace and quiet away from you all.') Upon taking our seats on the church pews, as is customary for Joshua, he laid down to

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-27817388319075571492011-10-05T13:03:00.001-06:002011-10-05T19:33:56.955-06:00

Though our visit to the Salt Lake Temple grounds last week was certainly a highlight for our little boys, the anticipation of also 'riding the train' was every bit as great. Our tri-annual treks into Temple Square always include 'riding the train.' We're simple. We're cheap. It's what we do for a good time around here. Our train destination was to take us to the 'Pipes' that Megan and Ellie

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-32172468925178937192011-10-04T12:04:00.000-06:002011-10-04T13:00:30.341-06:00

I love the fall season. Every spring I say I love the spring, and I do, but I think my heart belongs more fully to Fall. And regardless of when school starts, or the leaves turn, or what an almanac says, October is the start of the fall season for me, and I love it all the way up to bedtime on Thanksgiving day. Then in my mind, winter begins. I am amazed that we are as far into the year as we

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-72404702344279138962011-10-03T03:02:00.001-06:002011-10-03T09:09:44.136-06:00

This last July, while teaching Sharing Time during Primary I gave a lesson on Temples. Even to the youngest children within our church, we recognize and understand temples to be sacred, holy temples. Not only do we believe temples to be the House of God, we believe temples to be places of refuge, security and ultimately the key to our eternal salvation. As I taught the particular lesson that

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-15502425627155623872011-09-30T15:49:00.001-06:002012-01-31T18:35:01.047-07:00

(To see how our Half Birthday Tradition started, click HERE) See why we don't always spend big bucks on presents, ESPECIALLY half birthday presents. Check out that smile from a dollar store gift!? True to Half Birthday Tradition, Drew had a half wrapped dollar store present, a half chocolate cake, with a half a candle and we sang half of 'Happy Birthday' to him. Drew, the musician serenaded

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-2741907424108449272011-09-29T10:04:00.001-06:002011-09-29T10:06:14.026-06:00

I have nothing to say! These poor lighting photos say it all. Thank goodness my kids know how to use a camera...

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-69129325330267137232011-09-28T02:59:00.000-06:002011-09-28T02:59:00.348-06:00

Apparently the annual Scouting Food Drive that supplies the local food pantry each spring, has already run out of food. So the LDS church chose Saturday for some community and neighborhood food drives. For whatever reasons, the announcement of this particular food drive touched my heart more than any others, and I donated more generously than I typically do. Upon seeing the

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-63154639792781926882011-09-27T02:36:00.003-06:002011-09-28T07:44:13.218-06:00

Dear Grandma and Grandpa in Washington DC- My family hopes by the time you return next Spring, I will be past the 'Praise to the Man' phase. I sing it non-stop. If I'm not singing it, I want someone else singing it, or I want it playing on the CD, or I want Luke practicing it on the piano. Furthermore, my mother hopes by next spring I will be potty trained, like clothing, and be able to

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-29129535798785572662011-09-26T02:35:00.003-06:002011-09-26T07:28:52.925-06:00

I'm not much of a music radio listener, most often I am in the car with my two little boys, and the CD with Primary songs on it is always demanded. (by Drew!) If I am driving in the car with Mike, I prefer conversation, and the few lucky times I am driving alone, I favor talk radio. Except on Saturday mornings when I drive to the temple for my early (early) morning shift. The talk radio stations

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-62405446549089705532011-09-21T14:12:00.000-06:002011-09-21T14:12:40.204-06:00

Around here, we aren't afraid to try new family systems every now and then. Some last for just a little while, some last for a lot longer. But for a couple of summers now AND all through last school year we had a 'Pick A Chore' System. When school started this school year, I decided to try something new. There was public outcry!!! Okay, well that is a slight exaggeration. Just a couple of kids

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-20653744624699781172011-09-20T11:19:00.005-06:002011-09-20T21:24:50.875-06:00

Last week I tried to fit one too many things into a small amount of time. After picking Joshua up from pre-school, I hurried and fixed Drew and Joshua lunch alongside with making some cookies for my Learning Circle that evening. As the cookies were just about finished, I figured that between my children each having one after school AND my husband likely having way more than one, there was no way

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-53736130500695721982011-09-19T00:35:00.001-06:002011-09-19T00:35:00.566-06:00

Recently I spent a day attempting to catch up from the events of an extremely busy weekend, plus the myriad of regular routine tasks that fill up a day. After putting Drew down for his afternoon nap, I unashamedly put Joshua in front of the television with a small bowl of candy to guarantee me at least a few minutes of uninterrupted time. It didn't last long. (I try so hard to get my kids

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-364504911111121732011-09-14T05:27:00.016-06:002011-09-14T05:27:00.700-06:00

I'm not a huge fan of the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, or even Santa Claus. Even though all of the above dutifully visit our home at the appointed times, I much prefer birthdays. No having to make sure all of the children fall asleep quite as swiftly and quite as deeply... Perhaps my lack of unconditional love and acceptance for these much adored visitors is a result of a little run-in Megan

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-69612387747805523912011-09-13T05:27:00.003-06:002011-09-13T06:12:10.916-06:00

I remember as a child going up to London with a dear family friend, 'Auntie Sue' to see Mary Poppins at a movie theater. Before the film, we got a 'take-away' from McDonalds and unfortunately, when my brother, Matthew unwrapped his hamburger, it was not the plain hamburger he had ordered. Now if you knew my brother, there was no scraping ketchup, pickles, and mustard off and eating it anyways.

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-89428376840949338272011-09-12T12:51:00.003-06:002011-09-13T13:48:23.352-06:00

While in the midst of organizing the recent Power of Moms Couples Retreat, a fellow Power of Moms Board Member asked, "Is your husband really into this kind of stuff?" ('Stuff' meaning hanging out at a Retreat, not deliberate parenting!) My reply was no, not really, but he was going to support me. I ventured to guess that the vast majority of men that would be attending with my husband, were

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-50462840896264148152011-09-11T06:36:00.001-06:002011-09-11T06:36:00.409-06:00

(Photo sent from my mother-in-law with the caption, "Don't miss this stunning view across the river where many tall office buildings in Arlington are draped with flags honoring 9/11") As the anniversary of September 11, 2001 has been approaching, my two oldest children have talked repeatedly of the event. With information gleaned from a grade-school,'Children's Weekly Reader News' Luke has been

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-38956519871540037372011-09-07T09:28:00.017-06:002011-09-07T15:31:37.726-06:00

You know it is mediocre parenting when you... tell your child to pull a pair of shorts out of the dirty clothes basket to wear put your child in front of the television with a bowl of candy to afford you just a little time to accomplish a task kiss your child goodbye and then with a hand on their back push them towards the bus steps repeatedly respond to your toddlers demands to put syrup in

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-63230773993993064132011-09-06T06:28:00.005-06:002011-09-06T06:28:00.428-06:00

I was completely supportive of Mike last January, when he offered our home to the ward (church) choir director as the weekly location for choir practice. But I had NO IDEA it would mean pencils everywhere. Our musical son, has spent one too many weeks staring at the choir director's hands waving in air as he leads the choir. Doesn't matter if it is a weed from a hay field: His breakfast spoon:

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-91162529230186860112011-09-04T21:48:00.001-06:002011-09-07T11:53:38.708-06:00

Today at church, a lady visiting mentioned she was there to witness her seventy sixth great-grandchild's baby blessing. That's right folks, 76. I can't remember anything else she said after that, as I was mentally calculating how many children and/or grandchildren she had first, to produce that many great-grandchildren. Perhaps in preparation of our extended family party after church, I began to

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135123147277876862.post-60968825408859731702011-09-01T05:35:00.003-06:002011-09-01T10:49:46.427-06:00

It's pretty sad that for how often my BFF and I still get together, we rarely have any photos of us in the last few years. Now years 1990-1997, we each have ALBUMS full of us in dumb poses, or at random places, or doing the immature things we did for so much of our high school and college lives... This photo, although taken in 2009 on Melanie's birthday would not have been much different if it

Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619765384788233274noreply@blogger.com2