Monday, May 18, 2009

Where have I been???

Where have I been the past week?? What have I been up to???



This...



Jerry and I have been hanging sheetrock everyday for the past week. Yes, I did say Jerry and I. I did try and help as much as I could. (However, I am usually the photographer so there are no pictures as proof that I was actually working.) Together we carried in every sheet and screwed them in. Luckily we had this jack that could lift it up to the ceiling so I didn't have to stand under it and hold it.



Kaysen was so excited to get a break and have the chance to run around in the irrigation water in Granma Millers backyard. He had a blast!









Both of them passed out on our way back from lunch. They were just working TOO hard.





By Friday we had most of the ceiling done throughout the house, plus the walls in th boys bedroom. (below)




Most of our living room (below) and our kitchen (on the other side of this wall).




Honestly, we got much more accomplished than we thought we would. But guess what?? Jerry has Wednesday and Thursday off so guess where I'll be again???

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Growing a Garden & Raising Children

A couple weeks ago Jerry and I decided to start our garden. We have done one every year since we have been married but this year we decided to do it a little different and we also chose to do it a bit earlier. (I'm too impatient and want some good ol' home grown veggies.)
We decided to plant, squash, zucchini, cantaloupe, watermelons, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, green beans, peas, strawberries, yellow bell peppers, habenaro peppers, jalapenos, radishes and green onions. (the last 4 plants are for Jerry, he wants to make some homemade salsa)


We chose to do the square foot gardening method. So far I love it.


As I was watering our plants the other day a thought came to my mind....Growing a garden and raising children are a lot alike.
You see, Jerry and I were a bit neglectful and lazy one night. We thought, "Oh it isn't going to get cold enough tonight. We don't need to cover our plants." The forecast said that the low would be 42 degrees. When Jerry came home from work that morning and the temperature on our car said 32 degrees. Jerry instantly knew that it got below freezing that night and he hoped our plants would not be ruined. When he came home we went out back and came upon this sight.

One of our zucchini plants was completely lifeless and frozen. Now, because of our neglectfulness we won't be able to enjoy any food from this plant.
It made me realize how easily we can get sidetracked and lazy. I soon realized the connection between growing a garden and raising children.
I have realized that many times I lose focus on what is important.
Jerry and I cannot simply say, "Oh it isn't a big deal that we don't have FHE tonight, read our scriptures today or go to church. It isn't going to make that much of a difference in our family."
For these are the simple things that make the biggest impact in OUR family life.
It is sad to say that I am now more committed to taking care of our garden. It had to take killing a plant to realize this but at least I finally realized it. Luckily, it was only one plant and the rest of our garden is growing like crazy.
But how sad would I be if I had to say, "Only one of our children forgot everything they were taught but the rest are okay." or "Only one of our children weren't taught the correct principles but the rest were."
My goal is to have ALL of my children with me for eternity. And it is up to me and Jerry to teach them the things they need to know so that they can get there.
I just pray that I will have the help and guidance to know what to do and how to raise them. I know that this is the only way that I will be able to raise them successfully so that they can be with me for eternity.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Another Battle...

This morning Kaysen & I had a little battle going on. He wanted to wear this....
If you can't tell, he is wearing his pj's, an old pair of my tennis shoes (on the wrong feet) and Jerry's socks. He thought that it looked pretty dang cool and begged to wear it to the store.
Of course, I did not want to allow this to happen so I let him wear it a bit longer at home then finally I had to bribe him by saying that if he would change into his shorts and shirt insted then he could help me water the garden...It worked!!
This seems to be the trend lateley ...whatever outfit he can put together he wants to wear all day no matter what it looks like. He just thinks he looks so cool!!