Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Major Catching Up!
On mothers day my brother in law made some comment about our trip last year and something that had happened that had triggered a memory of Molly saying something funny, but I just couldn't grasp it for some reason. I thought I would NEVER forget it becuase at the time it was so funny! Well after that nagging at me for a few days the thought came to me to check the blog, and sure enough there it was. I was so happy and then the whole thing came flooding back and it was as funny now as it was then. Had I not blogged about it I would not have it. This being my only journal I realized I have missed out on so much the last few months due to not feeling well and just falling behind and then realizing that catching up is overwhelming so I thought I would just make quick notes of what has been happening over the past few months. So here come a lot of blog posts!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Conference Lovin!
Oh my gosh! I LOVE conference! It's really amazing and I always feel inspired and wanting to do better! I love the words that are spoken, but also the sound of the voices is amazing, and the choir is always so great! I really do love everything about it! Having kids I'll be honest I don't get half as much out of it as I would like, and i'm sure I'm missing Way more than even half. In an efort to help my kids be a little better during confrence I'm always on the look out for great ideas to keep the kids busy and occupied so I can enjoy conference. Sat I will be honest I was so not ready for. and it kind of caught me off guard. I had so much planned and I just was to tired to do anything friday night.
Sunday morning I got up and went to work on breakfast. My cute brother and sister in law had invited us to their house for breakfast, but my kids really are not quite enought to watch confrence with anyone and Stella wasn't really feeling up to pare so we stayed home, but the stuffed french toast sounded amazing so I found a recepe and that's what we did, It would have been way more fun and I'm sure better with Cameron and Siarra, but we were going to make the best of it. So I got up and went to work on the french toast. It turned out ok, but I have made a few tweeks that make it so much better!
the girls enjoyed breakfast and then went to coloring.
Again my kids weren't perfect on Sunday, but they were much better. I loved so many talks on sunday and was so uplifted and yet felt so guilty and felt the resolve to DO and BE better! Loved that talk. I also loved the child rasing 101 and 505. There were so many that I loved Sunday and was really uplifted and edifyed. I was so tuched when so many talked about Japan, hearing stories and reading others journals of all that has happed. All in all I loved conference again and can't wait for the may editon of the Ensign!
I was so bugged and frustrated with my kids. They were so naughty and loud and were honestly driving me crazy. So many of my thoughts were focused on "I'm missing so much because of these two." "Can we just shut our mouths for just a second so I can hear a complete thought from someone, anyone!" these are just a sample of what I was thinking and feeling! The humbling moment came when I was in the bathroom doing my hair and my makeup when the choir started singing "I Feel My Saviors Love". Kris and the girls were in my room watching and Molly started to sing with the choir. As I heard these words I was truly humbled. I started to bawl which was not so good for my makeup application.
"A long time a go in a beautiful place, Children were gathered 'round Jesus. He blessed an taught as they felt of His love. Each saw the tears on his face. The love that He felt for His little ones I know he feels for me. I did not touch Him or sit on His knee, Yet, Jesus is real to me.
I know He llives! I will follow faithfuly. My heart I give to Him. I know that my Savior loves me.
Now I am here in a beautiful place, Larning the teachings of Jesus. Parents and teachers will help guide the way, Lighting my path every day. Wrapped in the arems of my Savior's love, I feel His gentle touch. Living each day, I will follow his way, Home to my Father above."
As I sat listening to my little 4 year old sing this my heart felt sad. How was I so ornery and impatient and just mean. I was grateful for those amazing primary teachers that she and Stella have both had and song leaders that would teach her these truths though song, prayer, word and deed. My reslove was that I had two of our Heavanly Fathers choice spirits in my care, I felt strongly that they both had sat at their Saviors feet. I have not been the perfect mother since (and my children are far from perfect as well). I know I will fall short many more times in my life, and on a daily bases, but what I got out of that song and hearing Molly sing along was the most important message I needed at that moment and for that session.
That night when Kris had gone to priesthood session I was kind of feeling bummed that I wasn't doing something fun with my sisters for girls night, but thought I should turn my energies to doing something to prepare for tomorrows sessions. I realized that my lack of preparation had let to me feeling frustrated and all the other feelings I was having. Had I prepared better for the girls to have things to keep them busy things would have gone a little better. So I went to work.
1) I put up the tent. Friday night we had been on our way home and Molly and I had this conversation....
"Oh my gosh! Do you know what tomorrow is?"
Molly: "What?"
Me: "conference!"
Molly: "Yeah! We get to put up the tent!"
We have been doing the tent thing for a few conferences. This is the inspiration for the tent. We have been doing it a while this is what we do with it. Long story short we read (In the childrens BOM the story of King Benjeman and how the people gathered to hear him give instruction and testify of Christ, then we talk about how conference is just like that and what we can learn form it.
2) Insted of putting up the bed in the tent I put a table nicely set for breakfast. Also would provide a place were they could color and do their projects.
3) Our darling Primary president (Really there is no one quite like her. LOVE HER!) send us all an email I think last confrence with a link to sugardoodle with conference packets for all ages, Nursery, Jr primary, Sr primary, Youth, and adults. I printed off the packets and then put them in folders with the girls names on them.
Sunday morning I got up and went to work on breakfast. My cute brother and sister in law had invited us to their house for breakfast, but my kids really are not quite enought to watch confrence with anyone and Stella wasn't really feeling up to pare so we stayed home, but the stuffed french toast sounded amazing so I found a recepe and that's what we did, It would have been way more fun and I'm sure better with Cameron and Siarra, but we were going to make the best of it. So I got up and went to work on the french toast. It turned out ok, but I have made a few tweeks that make it so much better!
the girls enjoyed breakfast and then went to coloring.
Again my kids weren't perfect on Sunday, but they were much better. I loved so many talks on sunday and was so uplifted and yet felt so guilty and felt the resolve to DO and BE better! Loved that talk. I also loved the child rasing 101 and 505. There were so many that I loved Sunday and was really uplifted and edifyed. I was so tuched when so many talked about Japan, hearing stories and reading others journals of all that has happed. All in all I loved conference again and can't wait for the may editon of the Ensign!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
My Mom, Dad, and Japan!
The last, what week and a half have been CRAZY! Two Fridays ago I was woken up by an early morning text from a good friend asking if my family in Japan was ok? Not sure why she was asking I pulled up the news on my phone. When the lead story was all about the earth quake in Japan I sat straight up and startled Kris. He was unsure what was going on and was asking me what was wrong. When I replied that there was an earthquake in Japan he non chalantly told me “that happens all the time in Japan”. (Kris served a mission in Sendai) As he rolled over and went back to sleep. Knowing that there was something more to it I called my dad right away. He answered after a few rings and after getting all of the details of the quake and making sure they were all right and their missionaries were all fine I was comforted and felt they were fine. Meanwhile I had one of the cute girls from their ward staying with me so we went about our day running from place to place to place. When we got back that night that was the first time either Ryoko or I had sat down and watched the news. That is when we were shocked and horrified by what we saw.
My parents have said that they have not experienced much destruction from the quake. Most of the missionaries were in the church in a missionary training meeting with my dad. My mom was in the mission home kitchen cleaning up after feeding all of those missionaries. She was feeling like she was going to faint and sat on the floor till the swaying stopped. The missionaries stayed in the church until it stopped. My mom said the quake lasted for several minutes. I know both of my parents have wanted to help in the relief effort, but for now they have a different calling.
With the nuclear stuff happening and the evacuation of other missions my parents were called and told that the missionaries that were scheduled to leave in the next 2 transfers were already scheduled to be on flights home. They had called with the same news for the Kobe mission. Both missions were sending home missionaries early to make room for the Tokyo missionaries. The Tokyo mission was being evacuated and my parents were getting half of the missionaries and Kobe was getting the other half. 43 missionaries sent to each mission. My parents and the AP’s worked very hard at getting ready for this massive “transfer” if you will. There were about 70ish people that my mom was trying to figure out how to feed. (and with the stores being bare even in Nagoya, that was not an easy task) I know she was so grateful for all of the help she received from the ward members. These pictures were taken by one of their AP's this was all of the luggage that just went on and on and then the church cultural hall full of futons that just were everywhere. They didn't have enough room to keep all of the missionaries in the mission home but all the sisters stayed there and then I know there were several missionaries bunking with the office elders as well, one thing is for sure... they were packed to the hilt!
For now my parents are doing well. They do get the aftershocks here and there, some bigger than others, but they are in a safe area and are thrilled with their new missionaries, I know they were sad to see their other missionaries leave and I know that their missionaries were sad to leave. You can see more of the story from 3 of their missionaries here. There is also another story from one of their missionaries from Australia that you can read here.
I know that all of my siblings and I have felt your love and prayers. Thank you to all of you for the sweet thoughts we have received though phone calls, text, facebook, and email. We have felt the comforting power of the spirit while my parents are far away and not being with them and being able to help where they have needed the help. Thanks for your prayers. We feel blessed everyday to have them serving were they are. We hear amazing stories of the faithful missionaries and members in Japan. The last conference call my parents had with Tokyo they said that though all of the missionaries have been accounted for and are safe, there are still many members of the church that are still missing or missing family members and to keep them in their prayers. We will keep all of those in our prayers. Thank you again for all of your support. It is so appreciated and we are grateful for such awesome family and friends.
My parents have said that they have not experienced much destruction from the quake. Most of the missionaries were in the church in a missionary training meeting with my dad. My mom was in the mission home kitchen cleaning up after feeding all of those missionaries. She was feeling like she was going to faint and sat on the floor till the swaying stopped. The missionaries stayed in the church until it stopped. My mom said the quake lasted for several minutes. I know both of my parents have wanted to help in the relief effort, but for now they have a different calling.
With the nuclear stuff happening and the evacuation of other missions my parents were called and told that the missionaries that were scheduled to leave in the next 2 transfers were already scheduled to be on flights home. They had called with the same news for the Kobe mission. Both missions were sending home missionaries early to make room for the Tokyo missionaries. The Tokyo mission was being evacuated and my parents were getting half of the missionaries and Kobe was getting the other half. 43 missionaries sent to each mission. My parents and the AP’s worked very hard at getting ready for this massive “transfer” if you will. There were about 70ish people that my mom was trying to figure out how to feed. (and with the stores being bare even in Nagoya, that was not an easy task) I know she was so grateful for all of the help she received from the ward members. These pictures were taken by one of their AP's this was all of the luggage that just went on and on and then the church cultural hall full of futons that just were everywhere. They didn't have enough room to keep all of the missionaries in the mission home but all the sisters stayed there and then I know there were several missionaries bunking with the office elders as well, one thing is for sure... they were packed to the hilt!
For now my parents are doing well. They do get the aftershocks here and there, some bigger than others, but they are in a safe area and are thrilled with their new missionaries, I know they were sad to see their other missionaries leave and I know that their missionaries were sad to leave. You can see more of the story from 3 of their missionaries here. There is also another story from one of their missionaries from Australia that you can read here.
I know that all of my siblings and I have felt your love and prayers. Thank you to all of you for the sweet thoughts we have received though phone calls, text, facebook, and email. We have felt the comforting power of the spirit while my parents are far away and not being with them and being able to help where they have needed the help. Thanks for your prayers. We feel blessed everyday to have them serving were they are. We hear amazing stories of the faithful missionaries and members in Japan. The last conference call my parents had with Tokyo they said that though all of the missionaries have been accounted for and are safe, there are still many members of the church that are still missing or missing family members and to keep them in their prayers. We will keep all of those in our prayers. Thank you again for all of your support. It is so appreciated and we are grateful for such awesome family and friends.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Church Bag Addition!
I know it's been forever since my last post. I really need to get back in the groove. But now that I'm feeling a little better I feel a huge push to get my house organized, dejunked, and cleaned out before this baby comes. My basement is almost totally done, just a few little things to get done in the workout room and then I can move on to the upstairs. Molly's room is done and ready for her new roommate to move in as soon as the beds arrive, the frames were back ordered and will be coming in April. What does that mean.... I honestly don't know! (start of April or end of April!) Well I decided to take a break and do a project that I have had in my mind for months and have just now got the energy and time to put into action! I'm so happy how it turned out. I have plenty of ideas, most of which are a total busts, but I'm excited about this one and I'm sure the novelty will wear off after the fist week of church, but hey what do you do?
So I went to Office Depot and found some Magnet sheets. They are the same size as paper! Then I printed some of my favorite photos of the girls and some other random ones off my computer right onto the magnet sheets.
My mom has a Cuddle bug cutter and they make a puzzle die cut that I found online and it fit a 4x6 photo perfectly! So I cut them into photos.
I also found the perfect size lunch box looking can for each girl that the magnet puzzle would fit perfectly on, then I could also store the puzzles inside them. I added some vinyl letters on the front so there is no fighting about who's is who (I'm sure my kids are the only ones that would fight about something that silly but I have to cover my bases). So then I put all of the puzzles in sandwich bags and shoved them in the box. Here was the problem with that... I couldn't tell what puzzle was what and the girls like to choose their own puzzles and it took up sooooo much room. So I printed off little thumbnail print of the same photos I used and went and had them laminated and found some awesome library card envelopes that would work perfect for what I wanted. I got home and there was adhesive on the back of each of the envelopes so I stuck them back to back and put the pictures of each puzzle on the front and then bound them together like a book! That way they can just flip though and find what they wanted. The books fit nicely in each can and keep it from the major digging and mess making with all of the baggies.
Really all in all I'm really happy with how it all turned out and hope it will keep them quiet for a few extra minutes during sacrament meeting!
My girls really do love puzzles. I found a bunch when I was in Japan. There were like 6 in a package for $1! Japan's dollar stores are so much better than ours. Well they have been in the church bag and my girls LOVE them. The only problem is they fall all over and we lose pieces and I hate when they are almost done and then they move the puzzle and it all comes tumbling down. This is where the idea started to form. I thought I would get a can and then make magnetic puzzles so here is what I did and how I put it together.
So I went to Office Depot and found some Magnet sheets. They are the same size as paper! Then I printed some of my favorite photos of the girls and some other random ones off my computer right onto the magnet sheets.
My mom has a Cuddle bug cutter and they make a puzzle die cut that I found online and it fit a 4x6 photo perfectly! So I cut them into photos.
I also found the perfect size lunch box looking can for each girl that the magnet puzzle would fit perfectly on, then I could also store the puzzles inside them. I added some vinyl letters on the front so there is no fighting about who's is who (I'm sure my kids are the only ones that would fight about something that silly but I have to cover my bases). So then I put all of the puzzles in sandwich bags and shoved them in the box. Here was the problem with that... I couldn't tell what puzzle was what and the girls like to choose their own puzzles and it took up sooooo much room. So I printed off little thumbnail print of the same photos I used and went and had them laminated and found some awesome library card envelopes that would work perfect for what I wanted. I got home and there was adhesive on the back of each of the envelopes so I stuck them back to back and put the pictures of each puzzle on the front and then bound them together like a book! That way they can just flip though and find what they wanted. The books fit nicely in each can and keep it from the major digging and mess making with all of the baggies.
Each little envelope holds a different puzzle. I love that they stick to the can so we don't have them falling all over and they are pictures of themselves so they will love to put them together.
Really all in all I'm really happy with how it all turned out and hope it will keep them quiet for a few extra minutes during sacrament meeting!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Party Time!
I have not posted forever! I need to get back in the swing of things. I have missed so much and have so much catch up to do that I thought I would start with something a little more recent, and I wanted to post some photos for my mom & dad. So to start off....
We are expecting! That's right! Another baby for the Rosander house hold! I'm just a couple days shy of 18 weeks along. This has been an eventful pregnancy to say the least. That is another post one that will probably take more though and feeling, and way more emotion. Due to certain circumstances (another post) We now know the sex of the baby! We decided that being as this will most likely be our last baby we would change things up and do something a little more fun than just the it's a boy or it's a girl kind of thing. So we (ok, I. We all know where Kris stands on the party thing) decided to though a "Gender Revealing Party" for the family. So although we knew on Tues the 18th (my b-day) we made everyone wait until that Sunday. This was pure torture for some, but pure delight for me!:) I know totally evil! Here are all of the photos and details for my mom! Disclaimer: the photos are crap, I know! Don't judge! I was lucky to get the few shots I did get, I didn't get a shower and I looked HAMMERED, but I got shot for you mom! So here was the party. We did kind of a circus theme being as
"3 will be a circus"
We had a set up as you came in the front door with pink girl pins and blue boy pins with a big sign that said "Pin on your pick"! I also put a boy and girl vinyl sticker on the windows of the study. So once everyone pinned on their pick they headed down stairs were we had dinner all set up.
We made the dinner super easy with just a bunch of frozen pizza (my all time fav is Frecheta) then did a big chines chicken salad and big pasta salad! Lot's of drinks.
All of the pizza was not done yet, so there are a few empty plates. Kids plates were on the table.
Grown up plates.
Not all of the drinks had been put out.
The kids table was set up in the kitchen with a chalk board tablecloth on it with a bowl of chalk and a rag to wipe of what they wanted to !
For the treats we kept it really simple as well. I didn't want to have to make a lot or have people have to bring stuff, So we did kind of a candy bar. We had suckers, skitels, big sweetish fish, mike and ikes and then I made cupcakes. We had bags on both ends of table that the gusts could fill up and enjoy during the night or take home with them.
The last touch was the photo booth. I hug a big curtain from the ceiling and then got a hug box and covered it with a table cloth and put all kinds of photo props on there mustaches, boas, necklaces, crowns, helmet and shield, and cowboy hat. Then I put my point and shoot camera on the box with the props and let people take pics all night long.
Here are just a few of the fun snap shots from the night!
Then came time for the big reveal... We took team pics.
Team Blue
I think we missed a few, or they got cut out. Sorry!
Team Pink
Once it was time for the big reveal I took all of the props off the box uncovered the box and here it is! DON'T JUDGE ON THE CLOTHES, SIZE, HAIR OR LACK OF MAKEUP. I didn't have time to get ready! Really scary I know! Just love me for me! xoxo
Friday, December 3, 2010
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