mean mommy...

I made Molly cry a few days ago. I'm sure I made her cry today too, but I'm only going to tell you about ONE time right now. I was kind enough to let her put sprinkles on her cheese, but then she wanted me to taste it. I faked a bite. Then I had the nerve to tell her I didn't really love it. I FAKED the bite, then gave up on the lie. Why didn't I just tell her how scrumptious it was? Living and learning here.

a prayer...

" Dear Heavenly Father,

thank thee for this nice beautiful day.

Please help Margaret to have a good time sleeping,

and not to wake up early anymore,

like at 1:30.

Please help me not to have any bad dreams.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Fingers crossed. :)

some details...

1. She speaks. Well, Dave thinks she's trying to. To me it sounds like an Olympic weight lifter. She grunts and shouts. Loud. I'm going to be honest and tell you it is not cute. By the end of the day yesterday, after hearings hours and hours of grunting, I was done. And I told the kids. I was just letting her cry. Scream, actually. I was right at the edge of my sanity. The kids were wonderful though. They tried everything to calm her and make her (and thereby ME) happy. I love them. I hate when I'm in a place like that though. Took each one aside this morning to apologize. They think I'm wierd.

2. Her pointy little tongue is always sticking out. Like some little creature trying to taste the air. Cute...but wet. VERY wet. All the time. I'm not one of those moms who has a bib on her all day either. Generally before taking her out in public, I'll put on a dry shirt and slather her sweet little cheeks with baby lotion, to cover up any possible slobber smell.

3. She is sitting up really well. She just can't get herself up or down. So, if a toy rolls away, she'll grunt until someone comes and hands it back to her. She's doing the army crawl too. Yipee. Time to get a gate.

4. She smiles a lot too. And laughs. There is not much I love more than hearing her laugh. She kicks her legs wildly and flaps her arms. Completely out of control, but completely cute.

5. She's not a cuddler. :( Just like Miss Molly. Why didn't I get one? One that will sit on my lap, lean her head on my shoulder and melt into me. They do it when they have the flu, but I can't really wish for that.

6. She has a funny face that she does all the time. She pulls her bottom lip down, stretching out her face. Then she grunts. Another of her "not super adorable" traits. I have GOBS of pictures, but none that I'm willing to share here. :)

7. She is a doll baby. We love her. I love to watch my kids care for her and adore her. She has brought so much joy to our family. Yay for Margaret!

*Know something that has a really cool crinkly wrapper that babies love to play with? A tampon. She wanted to play with the phone on the bed today, but I wasn't having that. So, she grabbed a tampon. She loved it. I laughed...until she got it unwrapped and went to stick the thing in her mouth. Try it when you're in a pinch. You'll be amazed.

ham neem neem...

Family Home Evening. FHE. Ham neem neem as sweet little Emmy used to say. Growing up, I don't think my parents ever missed a single week. Our teenage eyes would be rolling, we'd murmer, complain, revolt, but we still had it. I realize now, as a parent, just how crucial it is. We've struggled with it though. Let's be real honest. It's tough when it's just 2 of you, or 2 of you with lots of little babies. Many Monday nights would roll around, and I would panic. Shoot! We don't have anything planned. Let's drive to Sonic for slushies and read a scripture on the way. Sound good? We meant well. We really did. But preparation eluded us.

I made this FHE do-dah years ago at a Super Saturday. I bet you have one just like it. Where is yours? Ours was collecting dust in the toy room. For 5 years. The kids kept asking when we'd hang it up. I put it, and them, off. A few months ago, after the girls went to a stake Activity Days program, I was re-inspired. I hung that baby up, and things have never been the same. We hold Family Home Evening weekly. Without fail. Complete with a lesson, songs, prayers, a scripture, activity, and a treat. Tonight we have the pleasure of hearing Molly teach. I love it. The kids love it. Dave and I have such a responsibility to raise these children well. To teach them gospel truths. FHE is part of that. These sweet kids are like sponges. They absorb what we say. They believe what we say. That is so beautiful to me. Last week they all bore their testimonies. If we keep filling them with truth and light, maybe there won't be enough room for darkness.

these kids...

This picture was taken about a year and 1/2 ago, but I just wanted to talk about these kids. Ally, Emily, Matthew, Jonathan, Alex and Elizabeth. Half of them belong to Kristin (actually more than half if you count little Cortney peeking through :)) and half of them belong to me. They are dear friends. They love eachother intensely. They fight, tease, get feelings hurt, but they love eachother. This morning I was driving them all to choir practice at the school. We have the primary CD for this years sacrament presentation in the car. The first song on it is I Know That My Savior Loves Me.* I have listened to them learning it for the past month. I love it. Molly asks for it for opening AND closing song for FHE. We listen to it on repeat in the car. It's message is sweet and so true.

This morning it came on and I suggested that the kids sing it. I told them it would start their day off wonderfully. It was silent for a second, then I heard my girls start to sing. Within a few words, they had all joined in. I was completely overcome with emotion. I was driving and crying. I couldn't believe they sang it. And they didn't whisper, they actually sang. For 30 brief seconds, I feel like I was transported. I felt like the van was about to burst being too full of these beautiful little spirits. They started getting a bit silly by the second verse, but for that brief moment, the spirit was there. In my mini-van filled with 6 rowdy kids. I love them. Of course I love my own, but I love the Frey's too. All six of them are good, valiant children. I'm anxious to see what the Lord has in store for them. Whatever it is, I'm sure they can handle it. They can handle anything, especially together.

The music that these kids learn in Primary is the basis for their testimonies. The songs are simple, repetitive, and beautiful. They teach perfect gospel truths. I am so grateful for the music, for Sister Gulbrandsen and Sister Call (the music leaders in our ward primary).

Lizzy sings like an angel. Her voice is soft and pure. Sometimes I will play the piano just so she will come sit by me and sing in my ear. I think all the children sound gorgeous when they sing, even when they are off pitch a bit, but Lizzy...oh, Lizzy. If there is a sound in heaven, it's her sweet little voice, bearing testimony through song.

The gospel is true. One way I know, is how I feel when I sing or hear these songs. A burning. A warmth. Peace. Tears.

*Not my kids singing, by the way.

Molly's thoughts...

The two people I love the most is Lauren and Jesus. I love Lauren because she's the one that gave me and Annie our favorite song, a Battlefield. That's why I love her so much.

Do you know why I love Jesus so much?

I think about Jesus all the time when I'm in bed. I'll never be scared when I think about Jesus.

sitting pretty...

Sittin' pretty...and paci free!

She's done. Through. Finished. We are thrilled! About a week and 1/2 ago, we lost her pacifier. We really did. So she slept that night without it. We found it the next day but kept it a secret. She has slept without it every day since then. Naptime. Nighttime. No crying. No tears. No begging for it back. On her birthday she asked for it once. Dave asked her why. She said it makes her happy. She asked if she could PLEASE suck on it for one minute. SO...Dave set the timer, and it hasn't been in her mouth since. Woohoo.