Little Nathaniel

has been a really good boy this week. He has learnt to say 'thank you' in sign language, we have played, hugged and worked hard together. He has helped me tidy and dust and even load the washing machine and dryer. We had fun shopping for a few goodies earlier in the week, his little bandanna, or Skib, came from Coochy Coo our local children's boutique. They have so many beautiful children's clothes and goodies for new mummies and babies, definitely our favourite little shop in Weston-super-Mare.

Grateful

My grateful picture for the week. Jason and I had a day cleaning and tiding yesterday, and I was so glad to see things looking clean and almost new again. I have a great cleaning schedule these days, just an hour on a specific cleaning area each day is just about enough to keep our home clean. Monday's - Bathrooms, Tuesday's - Bedrooms, Wednesday's - Office, Thursday's - Living room and halls, Friday's - Kitchen.

YW Personal Progress Night

Last year I was called as an advisor in the young women's programme at church. My specific responsibility is over personal progress. I help and support the young women achieve their goals and each month I organise a young women's activity on a specific young women's value experience. Last night was the turn of Divine Nature (hense the blue) and we held a mother and daughter 'Pudding' evening, (each of our activities have to have a 'P' theme). I had worked hard on this evening, not just preparing the chapel, but preparing myself and the spiritual insights I wanted to share with the young women.

I started praying about this activity several weeks before General Conference, so that I would have talks to share with the YW for part of their goal. I was so grateful that the Lord blessed me with to great talks, one by Sister Julie B. Beck, and one by Elder M. Russel Ballard. I really do feel that my prayers were heard and answered. I've enjoyed reading these talks over several times and I'm so impressed with the council given. As well as having inspirational talks to read we had inspirational mothers to listen to. I invited each mother to share her feelings on a quality of motherhood/womanhood that she most admired. Mothers spoke about - being an example of strength, and about fulfilling our potential, about faith, humility, spiritual strength and patience. I was truly touched by these thoughts.

So to complete my goal I simply need to live one of these attributes for the next few weeks, then record my thoughts. I have chosen to live with more faith, it is something I have been striving for a while to achieve. I'll record how I get on. Then maybe you could sign me off on my goal.

Skater boy

Jarom has taken up a new hobby recently thanks to his uncle Tim. I have pictures to post of his new board, just haven't gotten around to posting them yet. The stake boarding has really helped him spend more time outdoors this holiday, and he's loving learning tricks and is gaining confidence riding the board.

We're so glad that he has this to focus on. After several months of hospital appointments and waiting, Jarom was diagnosed last week with 'Partial Onset Seizures'. We're still learning about his condition, but it has meant some changes for Jarom. He's not able to spend too long on his DS for example and also needs to restrict his time playing computer games and TV. I'm personally pleased that this condition is helping him to focus on other activities, although I am also sensitive to Jarom's feelings, he hates being the centre of attention, or being different, and however much he tries to hide it, this is really hard for him. Jarom has been seizure free for several months now, so the outlook is good. We'll just have to keep a close eye on him over the coming months, but I'm confident all will be well.

All my boys...

We've all enjoyed having a nice Easter holiday together. It's been wonderful to have Jason at home with us. We've simply spent time playing games, doing the garden, and Jason has been making a shed (I'll have to post pictures of that). I guess my Gratitude Picture for this week has to be this one. Each of the boys are so wonderful and unique, it's a privilege to be their mother. It almost scares me how the time flies and how big Jarom is growing. This week we felt he was responsible enough to walk down to the local shops and back without an adult with him, just a friend. He also seems to have grown out of all of his jeans - they're all several inches too short for him. We can see the teenage years fast approaching, wow, where did the time go?

My fabulous boy

Just loving this boy right now. He is such a character and just lights up our lives with his positive attitude and thoughtfulness. A quote from yesterday "Dad, you know we're all just like peas in a pod. I'm just a bit different from all the other peas!" Oh how we love this positive attitude, and how glad he's not the same as all the other peas!

More positive news is that Tayler's treatment went really well over the holidays. He managed his two weeks in plaster, and didn't let it hold him back. Although he couldn't got to the beach (just imagine the effects of sand inside his casts - horrible) he played on the trampoline, skateboarded and went on bike rides with his Dad! The treatment of having his legs set in plaster has also had a marked improvement on his foot & ankle muscles and he has regained much of his former flexibility - well done Tayler!

So we're looking forward to more swimming lessons and possibly even some horse riding lessons? we'll wait and see about that. I'd like Tayler to try them, he's not so sure.

Dinner time... and world's worst home baked cookie.

My boy is so hilarious. At dinner time this evening he did something I have never seen my boys do. Not the messiness - that happens every day! Earlier today we made some crunchy oat cookies, (I think I put the recipe on an earlier post and few years ago) they're a family favourite. The boys weighed and mixed the ingredients and Nathaniel woke up from his nap in time to add the chocolate chips. He thought his was great, and cried when there were no more cookies to add chocolate too. He had a small taste of a cookie when they were cooked and cooled, he wasn't so sure, and would shudder each time he took a bite.

So I decided to try him again with a cookie after dinner. He took a bite, then held the cookie in front of his mouth the hide the fact he was attempting to spit it out, he then looked at me and smiled and actually faked chewing his cookie. He did this 5-6 times. Can you believe it? What a character. Did he want to please me by pretending to eat his cookie? I'm not so sure. He was laughing and smiling and jabbering away, I think he just thought this was an incredibly funny way to avoid eating what he considered the world's worst home baked cookie.

Grateful for the Easter Season

Easter really has been lovely this year. We have enjoyed so much being together and especially enjoyed watching conference. Just a few of the things that have made me happy this Easter.

Beautiful girly...

My beautiful niece came to stay for the Easter weekend, of course she brought her mummy and daddy along too. We all had a really lovely time together hunting for eggs, eating yummy food and watching General Conference. We were so sad when they had to go home, we'll miss you little bubby, the boys especially enjoyed having you around, you got so stuck in with them, just like one of the gang!

Kid with a cold

So much for longer naps and giving mummy more time to herself, he just had to go a get a cold didn't he! So he's grumpier than usual and not even sleeping well at night. What is a mum to do?