Self Improvement

I'm not very dramatic and I'm not a very good friend.  I have thought about these 2 things the past little while.  Last night my sister called and when I got off the phone, my husband was laughing at me because I had been so mean.  The terrible part is I didn't even realize it.  But I was mean.  I asked him what I said that was so bad and he continued to make fun of me.  Then he said, "Haven't you ever read that book, Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus'?"  

"No."  I haven't read that book.  I probably should.  Have you read it?  Is it good?   

"Women don't like you to solve their problems, they just like to talk about them," says my husband.  Anyway, I didn't know that, but I can see how it might be true.  All I can think of at this point is thank goodness for 4 boys and not 4 girls.  I am afraid I would not be a patient mother of girls.  Actually I am not really a patient mother of boys either.   

My lack of dramatics has also led me to believe I am not a very good friend.  I am not a good liar.  If your hair looks bad, I can't look at you and tell you how cute it is.  I just don't feel comfortable.  And at the same time, I think lots of good things about people that go unsaid.  I need to take time to say those things to people, but honestly, sometimes I just forget.  Of course no one wants a dishonest friend, but don't we all have friends who make us feel so good about ourselves by telling us how cute our hair is even when it isn't?  I know some days I really appreciate those friends.  

I have got a lot of work to do and apparently some books to read as well.  This morning my husband set one out for me.  I wonder if that is a hint.  It is called The Tipping Point.  All this reflection also caused me to be grateful for the friends that I do have, who put up with me.  Especially my sister and good friend Nicole.  My sister is family, she can't ignore me and sometimes I feel so bad about what Nicole had to go through living with me in college.  I am glad she is still my friend:)  The end. 

We've Been Busy....

It all started on President's Day.  The weather was a little gloomy and the kids didn't have school.  I went to Target for fun and while I was there, picked up a box of puzzles.  I thought it might be something fun for the kids and I to do that day.  It mostly turned into something fun for Kirk and I to do.  And it has been fun.  Saturday we went on a family date to dinner and Barnes and Noble.  We couldn't help ourselves and picked up another puzzle.  We haven't eaten at the table all week long.  We even had Sunday dinner at the counter.  But we sure have had a lot of fun at the table!

Surviving the Winter/Lots of Pictures

Last week while Kirk was in New York, I took the kids and we went to St. George and Zion.  We had such a good time and wish we could have stayed a little longer.  Unfortunately my parent's house is under construction and we had to come home eventually.  We enjoyed great weather, good shopping, yummy food (did you know there is a Brick Oven in St. George?), beautiful scenery, and fun friends.  It was a great trip and we look forward to doing it again!

At our hotel in St. George

Beginning the hike, Angel's Landing in Zion

At the end of the hike, we made it!  Not all the way to the top though, that hike is way too dangerous for little kids.  But I was impressed with how far they all made it.

I really am vacation/calendar oriented.  It keeps me going to have something to look forward to.  That is why I like planning ahead.  This was a great little get away!  And now the count down begins for our next adventure, I can't wait!

Switcharoo

This weekend we made the boys all switch bedrooms.  David and Jacob have been down in the basement since they were 3 or 4 years old.  I was thinking they were 4 when we sent them down there, but it could have been earlier.  And they have shared a room since birth.  Since their greatest skills are goofing off, we decided to move them upstairs where we could keep a handle on all of their nonsense.  This also meant they would be able to have their own room.  When we announced the good news to them, David about died.  He threatened to run away.  I told him I would help him pack and I think I scared my mother-in-law pretty bad:)  

After a week of letting the idea settle in David's mind, he finally agreed to it.  And he let me know that he wasn't really going to run away, his plan was to live in the garage.  So this weekend we moved the twins upstairs and Ethan and Tyler downstairs.  They opted to have bunk beds and share a room in the basement.  We told Ethan he could have the other room, but I guess bunk beds are too much to resist.  So we still have a guest bedroom.  So far it has been good.  The boys are having a hard time switching bathrooms and I think the stairs have been good exercise for Tyler.  Now if we can just get the twins to quit goofing off all of the time we will have it made!  

A Treasure

My kids are off track again!  In order to break up the 3 weeks, and have some fun, we headed south to see the sun and play outdoors.  We had a blast!  While I was vacuuming this morning, I found this in my son's bedroom.  I had to grab my camera and get a picture of it.  I should do this everyday, there is always something fun on his board.  

Afternoon Adventures

The kids are off track and we have enjoyed being lazy.  Yesterday we went to visit my grandma.  She insisted on buying the kids a Valentine treat, so we went to the bookstore.  The boys were so excited to get the Fablehaven books.  Tyler even got one and asks me to read to him all the time.  I am glad the boys all enjoy books.  I love the quiet sound of everyone reading:)  My grandma is a sweet lady and I enjoy spending time with her.  She likes to talk and some of the things she says make me laugh.  Cheerioats=Cheerios, I guess it sounds healthier if they are oats.  It makes me laugh inside every time she says this.  Yesterday she was talking about a haircut that one of my cousins got and she referred to the hairdresser as a beauty operator.  That one made me laugh inside too.  Although hairdresser is a funny word as well.  Anyway, she is a neat person and I am glad my kids and I get to see her and spend time with her.  And now we have lots of reading to keep us occupied while we are off track!

On my way home from my grandma's house, my husband called.  He had to go to Dallas on Monday and was on his way home.  He was excited because he ran into my mission president and his wife, they were on his same flight.  He got to visit with them briefly and then I got to hear all about it.  It was a fun little surprise:)  I had a super mission president and his wife is truly the most loving and humble person I know.  I am so glad I got to serve a mission!

Wintery Weekend

We spent the weekend at my brother's cabin.  It snowed a LOT.  It was the perfect backdrop for being in the mountains, at a cabin, with a fire, food, and family.  We had a great time together and we can't wait to do it again!

Although it would be ok if we didn't get stuck again, thank goodness for all the manpower!

  

About Last Night

We are still loving our snuggies.  Especially on lazy Sunday evenings in the basement.  We got a new camera last month and I am so excited to figure it out and learn to take good pictures.  However, I am learning that good pictures=good lens and good lens=lots of money.  The camera already cost lots of money so good lens is not an option.  I am going to have to get down to the nitty gritty and do the best with what I've got.  I am excited to take more classes.  Lucky for us, we can take as many as we want for free, and I will be needing all the classes and help I can get.  

Among other things, last night I learned to do this to pictures in my camera.  Pretty scary huh?

This is what the original looked like

And while I was in class, Kirk was in Chicago eating this:

That would would have tasted really good last night.  

Sometimes You Are Just Born With It

My kids wake up early every morning, like 6:30 am.  Every single morning.  You would think that with this schedule they would get a lot accomplished before school.  That is not true however because they are all such buddies and goof-offs.  I am constantly reminding them, get some breakfast, get dressed, brush your teeth, get your shoes on, etc.  And I have to do this every single day.  This morning I sent Jacob out to the fridge in the garage to get some more milk.  About a minute later he came out of the bathroom.  "Where's the milk?" I ask.  He had already forgotten.  It is like this all of the time and it drives me nuts!  

Today I was a little late getting out of the shower.  Which meant I hadn't made their lunches yet.  Without me even saying a word, Ethan got everything he needed and made his own lunch.  I just about died of happiness.  He had made a peanut butter and honey sandwich, got a water bottle, chips, and an orange.  He had even peeled the orange.  What a kid.  I love that he can be responsible and do things independently.  I have always liked doing things for myself and have always been independent.  I remember being about 6 years old and insisting on doing my own hair, and I always did.  I thought everyone was that way until I had kids.  The twins are not this way.  Too bad for them they inherited some of my less desirable characteristics.  Lucky for them they were blessed with such goodness from their dad.  I think we would all have more kids if we could pick their habits and characteristics.  

Sunday in church Jacob fell asleep (David and Jacob definitely got their fall asleep anywhere gene from their dad).  It is very common for he and David to fall asleep in church.  Last Sunday was particularly embarrassing because when I looked down the row, he had both of his hands down his pants.  Maybe that just comes with boys...I was wishing I had my camera.

Army Guys

We see a lot of these little green men around our house.  We have definitely gotten our money's worth out of them.

And while I am on the subject of men, I must say a few things.  First of all I watched a few snippets of the Bachelor the other night.  Disturbing is one word that comes to mind.  These girls are so fake.  The hair is fake, the boobs are fake, their personalities are fake, and their clothing leaves NOTHING to the imagination.  And they give girls around the world a bad name.  I don't know where they find these people, but they are not real.  About the same time I read this blog and this blog.  Both of them were very real to me and made me grateful for my unglamorous, simple, and imperfect life with my own man.  

Some Favorite Things Since Christmas 2009

Don't laugh, the snuggie is awesome.  I use mine everyday.  If you pass me going to the gym on cold mornings, I will be wearing mine.  I love it.  My only complaint is that my special bonus reading lamp didn't work, oh well.  My mom and sister got this for me as a joke, but I was really excited.  My boys all got them as well and I am surprised at how much they use theirs.  They really are handy little things this time of year.

If you went to the mall over the holidays, you probably got attacked by a salesperson who wanted to work some "magic" on your fingernails.  I didn't buy one.  But I couldn't stop thinking about it and I decided I wanted one.  I was secretly planning to go to the mall after Christmas and see if I could get one for less.  My mom got one for Christmas, I was happy for her and jealous.  Then my brother surprised me with one too.  That little buffer is the bomb.  I love it!  If you don't know about this, it is worth a trip to the mall.

Besides a surprise, this food chopper was another Christmas wish.  Kirk got it for me and I LOVE it.  I can't even remember how many times I have used it already.  I have sliced carrots, celery, chopped onions, and sliced apples.  It took some figuring out, but now that I got the hang of it, it works great.  Love it! 

After all the junk I consumed during the holidays, I knew it was time to start watching what I eat.  One day while at Costco, they were sampling these sandwich thins.  They are soooo good.  I couldn't believe how good they were.  So I bought them and have made myself a sandwich everyday since.  For as good as they taste, you would never know they are only 100 calories.  They also have 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.  I bet they are great with burgers...

Saturday Mornings

We are right in the midst of basketball season.  Kirk is coaching this year and it is very serious.  He bought a clipboard/whiteboard and a whistle.  The team has learned and runs plays.  I think it is funny to see these little boys so complex.  This Saturday our game is at 8:00 in the morning.  Bummer.

Family Time

Kirk took time off work between Christmas and New Years.  It was great having him home.  He took the kids sledding a couple of times. 

That is Tyler headed right for that girl.  Luckily she got out of the way in time:)

We also spent a lot of time playing Band Hero.  What a great game!  My little David is quite the singer and Ethan loves those drums.  

And you should hear Kirk sing, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," it's classic.

Too bad he had to go back to work and the kids to school.  It was fun while it lasted.

Christmas 2009

We enjoyed a really special Christmas Eve with our family tradition, according to my kids, of watching Nacho Libre.  At least he knows about the gospel:)

Christmas morning, waiting to go down the stairs, in their new pajamas, which they have also informed me is a Christmas tradition.  My kids taught me a lot this year:)

Santa was very good to us, we had a wonderful Christmas.  We even managed to pull it off (barely, I forgot our stockings and a few presents) out of town.  My Christmas wish was for a surprise.  And I was surprised with diamond earrings.  Christmas was really good. 

Christmas Dinner With My Grandmas...

This year we ventured out with both of my grandmas.  Neither one of them can drive, so we thought it might be fun to take them out.  My brother and his family picked up one grandma and we brought the other.  We met downtown and went to dinner.  It was a fun little outing.  I always like being downtown (or at least seeing it) during Christmas.  

My Grandma B was all dressed up, I think she looks so pretty.

My Grandma D ordered a salad.  It was almost as big as she is.  

Fiery Darts and Cub Scouts

Our sweet neighbors invited us over for Family Home Evening.  They prepared a great lesson on the Armor of God.  But first they had the kids talk about some of the "fiery darts" that might threaten them.  For some reason our son David had gambling on the mind and immediately brought it up.  We all laughed.  The lesson went well and we discussed things they encounter like cheating at school and so on.  They we talked about the Armor of God.  It was great. 

Yesterday I was driving the kids home from school.  It was snowing and lots of people were out shoveling.  As we passed a neighbors house, David unrolled his window and yelled out to him, "Hey!  You owe me $5!"  I was a little embarrassed, but luckily, I don't think he heard David.  I asked what that was about and apparently David had bet him $5.  David had to pay him if Utah won and he owed David if BYU won.  BYU won and David wanted his $5.  As he told me this story, Jacob, his twin brother says, "Uh-oh David, you just did a fiery dart."  Those boys keep me laughing!  

Last week we had pack meeting.  It was awesome.  One of the leaders invited his friend who teaches ceramics at a near by high school.  He brought a spinning table and made pots right before our eyes, I was thoroughly entertained.  Along with being very talented, he was great with the kids.  He talked to them about how when they make something with their hands, it is unique and there is not another one in the world just like it, and that is why hand made is so special.  He gave each of the kids some clay and let them play with it/make something with it.  It was such a nice night.  At the end, they handed out the kits for the pinewood derby.  The boys were all so excited.  When we got home, Jacob said, "Even if my car doesn't win the pinewood derby, it will still be really special because I made it."  I was so pleased he was able to make that connection, what a great kid!

Merry Chrismtas 2009

Merry Christmas!

This is what has been going on at our home...

David and Jacob got baptized earlier this year.  They also played tackle football for the first time and LOVED it!  They are now avid football fans and know more about the NFL than their mom.

Ethan is loosing all of his teeth.  He looks forward to being baptized next year as long as it doesn't interfere with the 4th of July race in Richfield.  (His birthday is July 1st)

Tyler learned to ride his bike without training wheels.  He just turned 5 years old and can't wait to go to kindergarten next year.  

Kirk has traveled to Japan and England this year for work.  He enjoyed visiting some of his mission and reuniting with old companions and members in Japan.  Lara was lucky enough to go with him and hopes she gets to go to London again!

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season!

*I ended up making Christmas cards this year, so much for the Costco ones.  It is a lot of work, but I really enjoy it.  They might get to you before Christmas, but they might not.  If I don't have your address and you want one, send me an email laradlangston@gmail.com

Things to Love This Time of Year

Writing letters has become a lost art and I think it is so sad.  There is something so wonderful about getting a letter in the mail, addressed to you, that is hand written.  Nothing can quite replace that.  Emails and texts are so quick and convenient, but letters got lost along the way.  Even though most Christmas cards don't really count as letters, I LOVE getting them in the mail this time of year.  It is so fun to see pictures of friends and family, even if they are from those of you I see often.  I love Christmas cards and I really hope they don't get replaced with emails, blogs, etc.  By the way, my Costco Christmas cards didn't turn out so good.  Maybe I will pull it together and do something else...my Christmas cards might turn into New Years cards this year, oh well.  

Getting Ready For Christmas

I usually enjoy making my own Christmas cards.  This year however, I sort of ran out of time.  I guess I will go ahead and blame it on Thanksgiving being so late.  So I went online, used an old picture, and ordered Christmas cards from Costco.  It almost killed me (I think they are so unoriginal).  Until I realized how easy it was to cross Christmas cards off of my list!  Now I am on to the next thing.  I don't know how my parents ever did Christmas with 7 kids!