Little Twins

#6 is finally walking everywhere! #7 started walking right at 12 months and #6 took 'til 16 months to walk. They are soooo incredibly cute although they don't look a thing a like. They follow each other around and I have been teaching them how to share and not take things away from each other. They also have strong opinions on what foods they like and dislike and I have to trick them into eating lots of different stuff. #6 is more opinionated that #7 in that way- much less willing to try new things. I sat yesterday watching a gardening video with all my kids and the babies on my lap- it was so precious. They were both so happy to just sit there on my lap. Later I helped the boys with their reading and the babies played with some blocks- they each had their own set and stayed on my lap. I loved it, it was so sweet.

I;m doing much better with the house, just doing my daily chores. Fly lady is awesome. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, eventually I will be able to follow all her recommendations. I am considering getting chickens for the garden and for the occasional egg. I think it would be good for the kids and I think they will take pretty good care of them.

Yesterday, #6 got up before #7 and I found him squawking (he's very loud- high pitched screams-- (he got in trouble for it a couple times yesterday- it's got to stop)) in his room, he had closed the door on himself. He wanted to play with his brother, but his brother was sound asleep. It was very sweet. #7 is curious about everything, but he was tired and his eye teeth are cutting through and it has been hurting. I think those are the last to cut through so we should be done with that soon.

#5 is really growing up. I have to coax him to do his chores, because he wants to stay a baby in that respect. All the kids are doing well and I feel very privileged to have so many and to be such a big part of their lives. I love being a mother. I am so happy. My children bring me great joy.

Great finds at the D.I.

I had a great time at the D.I. today. i bought an awesome oler sewing machine that works better than my regular one!! Yay! Now we can have sewing days easier, maybe I'll start getting to my projects and maybe the girls will finally like sewing. I just wanted to share!

Pride in my Ward

I am very sad to report that I see pride among my fellow saints. I have tried to give people the benefit of the doubt for the 7 1/2 years that I have lived in my current ward, but I'm past it now. I have different ideas on how to do things than the people in my ward-- I homeschool, I like to read, we hold regular family home evenings and read the scriptures together daily, we memorize scriptures and poems. My kids memorize their talks and they know the primary songs. I get a lot of compliments on how well my children behave and how kind they are to each other. We try hard to do the right things and to be kind, considerate and generous. But we don't fit in. I am not cool. I could care less about what I'm wearing, I care much more about what we eat- that it's real food even if it takes extra planning and time to make it. I really don't care what others think of me. It may make me sad, but it doesn't affect my decisions or what I do. I learned early on that the best course is to please the Lord because He is consistent ( and good and true, etc).

Anyway, the very same people who were in leadership positions are still in leadership positions just moved around a bit. They pick their friends to work with them and they pick the hip, cool people which I am not. My twins are almost 16 mos. now and I still don't have a calling even though I had 5 children in primary until last month when my oldest turned 12 and I am there at church with my 7 children, bathed, fed and dressed at 9 a.m. church every Sunday. It makes me sad every time a calling is announced that I could do especially the non- Sunday callings that I could do. I feel like I am really missing out on opportunities to serve the Lord and have a part in building his kingdom. I love the gospel. I love the Lord and I want to serve Him. I wish I could serve and be with my children in an official church capacity. It is not to be at least in this ward at this time.

Unfortunately I don't think it would be different in another ward. My ward may even be better than some. I think the "Mormon coolness" is everywhere in the church. I am sad. I am left out. But my testimony is strong. I will continue to go to church and have my children participate in the activities, but I will also have to find other outlets for them where they are not around so much "coolness and awesomeness". They are great kids and I hope they will be O.K. because they are not being raised to be "cool" and thus they will be left out just like me.

This scripture in Helaman 3:32-36 came to mind today:

33And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God—

34And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.

35Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

36And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day.

Recipes link

I'm taking some salads and dressings to share and taste for a Relief Society cooking class and just posted some of the salads and dressings I make a lot on my new recipe blog because I can't find my password to the really nice one and the template I used on that one is no longer available. Oh well! Here's the new link:

www.ambersfamilykitchen.blogspot.com

Great Article on Mormons and Satire

This is a masterpiece written by Michael Otterson, the Public Affairs spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/post/why-i-wont-be-seeing-the-book-of-mormon-musical/2011/04/14/AFiEn1fD_blog.html

I quite enjoyed it!

History of Byzantium

I have started to listen to Teaching Company lectures again when I clean at night. I just finished the History of Byzantium. It was fascinating. I understand now so much better what happened to Rome and how the Catholic church and Greek Orthodox church split up. I also understand the crusades better and how the Turks took over. The world and the history I teach my kids is making so much more sense and coming together. I understand better why the people in that area of the world are still fighting. It seems not much really changes. I love learning. Thanks teaching company-- what to listen to next?

www.teach12.com

Twins Update

The twins are just about 15 mos. old now. #7 has been toddling all over the place and is very curious about everything. He finds it fun to play chase and throw. We have to watch him extra careful. Last week both babies were playing on the back deck while I was helping #1 with her math. For some reason I thought they were both inside because I heard #6 playing behind the couch. But when I finished with #1 she asked where #7 was. I realized then that he hadn't come back in but somehow the back door was now closed. I ran outside frantically searching and found him in the front of the house!! I then knew I will have to keep an extra close eye on him.

A couple days ago as I was loading the babies into the van, I set #7 on the driveway while I situated #6 in the van. #7 never stopped walking and I caught him just as he was about to run in the road! Today I knew he had gone out front with some of the kids. I suddenly had a feeling I's better go look for him. I ran out front just in time to see him walk right into the road where he started running faster as soon as he saw me. I'm very grateful we live on a quiet street!

Both babies played outside for a while today. The older kids got pretty muddy so they took baths. I heard #7 playing in the bathroom while #5 was in the tub. I soon heard a splash and crying. I ran in to find #7 in the tub with all his clothes on. He didn't like that!! Never a dull moment with this sweet boy. My other babies have not been this adventurous and curious. They've all stayed pretty close to me and been nervous to try new things. Not #7!

#6 loves to be held. We have to trick him into walking while he holds our hands and sometimes we can trick him into walking while holding only one hand. As soon as he realizes he is standing on his own, he cries and sits down. He is way cute though with long, long eyelashes. He loves to push buttons and often turns off movies and cds. He fell out of the wagon out back today, but didn't cry much. He is very smiley and very cute.

There is never a dull moment around here with these babies. I have to assign older kids to entertain them so I can make dinner, because they are little handfuls. My life is rich. I'm so glad to have all these blessings in my life!