Sometimes they've got to earn their keep.

Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday.

I was totally unaware of this fact.

I invited the missionaries over for dinner.

Nate was not very pleased.

But he was a good sport about it anyways.

Honestly, I think Nate was mostly disappointed that I had made a healthy dinner.

He was very much looking forward to his munchy/crunchy/greasy/fatty/manly Super Bowl food.

The nerve... carrots AND salad? Are you kidding me?

Nate with his buddy Mark at the Boise State vs. BYU game. It's the only recent football picture I have.

After the missionaries left-

and yes, our visit turned out delightful-

I was suddenly exhausted.

Like exhausted.

I sat down on my bed to watch 'Once Upon a Time' with the girls

(or as Nate says, "Oh good, they're making soap operas for children now")

and couldn't keep my eyes open.

At 8:30 when the episode ended, I told the girls to hurry off and brush their teeth and then come back to tuck me into bed.

Tess gasped...literally.

"But Mom, you always tuck us into bed."

That's right darlin'... it's payback time.

So off they went and a few minutes later they were back...

Wrapping the covers around my body. 

Singing me songs and rubbing my back.

A mother could used to this.

It was heavenly.

(It made me glad that I do it for my children every night...it's a delightful way to end the day!)

And I was still smiling nearly 11 hours later when I got out of bed and found this waiting for me:

Totally worth it.

I think deep down she got the message.

Tess loves to write notes during church.

Do you think she's bored?

Never! Not my kids.

Shame on you for even thinking that.

Here's a recent exchange that took place during the sacrament...the most sacred part of our Sunday worship.

TESS: It's so quiet, I mean I know it's supposed to be quiet but...Ok who died?! 

ERIN: Jesus died. He died for you & me & everyone in this room. Perhaps that's why it's quiet. They are thinking about HIM.

TESS: No, but yes, but it's too too too quiet like we lost a war or somebody left to go somewhere.

NATE: See above. Maybe you should be thinking about HIM. :)

TESS: Dad, you need to work on your handwriting.

Ahh, those wonderful moments when you can sit with your family and all feel the spirit together.

Here are pictures of the Boise Temple Open House...
another event in which we were super-ultra reverent.

While putting these pictures together the kids and I had some fun:

 Tess' favorite

Will's favorite...we're guessing here. Will is on a snowboarding date with his dad.

 David's favorite

 Nora's favorite...oooh pretty rainbow!

The heavenly glow surrounding the temple.
Or as Tess says, "The light from the temple looks like it's killing Will."

From the Mouths of Babes

I love listening to my kids pray. 

I feel like I get a real glimpse into their souls. 

They are such genuinely kind-hearted people.

Like how they prayed for baby Jack for months after he was born.

They have never met baby Jack.

(Jack's family lives in AZ.)

He is their cousin that was born with Down Syndrome.

We talked about it as a family and from that day on they prayed in earnest that "Jack would be happy." And that "the other kids wouldn't tease him because he's different, but instead understand that he's special."

These are not words I gave my children.

They are genuine expressions of love from pure hearts.

My children understand so much more than I give them credit for sometimes.

I'm often moved to tears when I listen to them pray in their rooms at night.

....................

But anywho, that's not what this post is about.

This post is about the funny things that the kids say when they pray.

My children pray that "we will have a good day tomorrow" no matter what time of day it is.

It can be 7:00 in the morning and they are praying for the next day.

But I guess today was covered in yesterday's prayer... so we're good.

And David's prayers.

Forgetaboutit.

It takes some serious will power to not bust up in the middle of them.

You never quite know what is going to come out of his mouth.

A few gems as of late:

• Father, please bless that Mom will know that my shoes are getting too tight, but that I'm not complaining about it.
• Father, please bless that Mom will forget that we have to do chores tomorrow.
• Father, please bless that Mom and Dad will buy me a new skateboard...and that they'll let me take Freddie (the gecko) for a ride on it...just down the driveway...I promise he won't get hurt...because his hands are sticky. 

I think we are all secretly delighted when it's David's turn to pray.

I bet the Lord is too.

I'm pretty convinced He has a great sense of humor.

David's Baptism 12.29.12

The other woman in Nate's life.

The other day I listened to Nate have a conversation with Siri.
(You know Mom...that electronic lady that talks to you on your iPhone.)

Nate: Siri, do you love me?
Siri: You're looking for love in all the wrong places.
Nate: Will you kiss me?
Siri: Now Nathan.
Nate: Siri, what do you call me?
Siri: You are Nathan, but since we are friends I call you 'my hunk of love.'

He was cracking himself up.
It's the little things that keep us entertained around here.