You know its been a while when the blogger formats changed....

Life has been so busy, and crazy...But, those things can wait. For now, I want to remember something sweet this boy says:

                                           ".... because we love each other very much."






Yes, Benjamin, we love each other, so very much. I hope you always remember that... (especially on days when mommy is stressed out and cranky).

Yesterday the kids and I had a fun day.

Benjamin went to Physical therapy, then a quick jaunt to the park and Michael's for some crafty things for Benjamin to do. Had lunch, and for "school time" I decided to throw out any "work", and just have fun crafting. Benjamin painted, decorated foam easter eggs and watched u-tube videos about Pysanky.(which might I add, he can pronounce much better than me!) After Vera's nap we ran around the back-yard pretending to shoot Battadroids (some starwars thing)?

Later that night, Benjamin  in his prayers, thanked Heavenly Father for having a "fun mommy." Glad to know he had fun....makes me wonder what Benjamin thinks of me on boring normal days!

The Weight family 5k/half marathon adventure....

This past weekend, Almost all of Rob's siblings and their spouses came down to houston to do the Woodlands 5k and half Marathon. It was so fun to see everyone, although, like most trips, it was to short.

Rob and I were really committed to our training schedule... maybe would run about 3 miles every couple of weeks.  Like I said, so committed. The night before the race, Vera had a 102 fever, so I graciously volunteered to stay home with the kids. To be honest, I was a little bit sad not to run, but at the same time, was really ok with not running it, especially the lack of preparation I had put into training for the race.

I was so proud of Rob for finishing the race! Him and his brother Curtis ran the whole race together!

Later in the evening we all went out for Thai food at a great little place Downtown.
 

Rob and Curtis

The 5K runners/walkers. Left: Tara, mom, Cheri, and Wendy. Can I just say Rob's mom has amazing stamina?

The Group:(Left) Curtis, Mom, Tara, Rob, Brita, Wendy, Cheri

Our huge group at dinner.

Had to add this picture. Best picture ever of Brian and me! Love it. We were really having fun, although it doesn't look like it :)

what would I do without her?

Growing up, my mother would always tell my sister ( who is 2 and 3/4 years older) and I that we were each other's best friends! When we were younger we played together, shared toys, and even some friends. We were friends, but  I don't think I would have called us "best friends." I defiantly lived up to the "annoying little sister" role.



My sister and are different, yet we are---- in Rob's words"Cut from the same cloth."
We have so many similar mannerisms and our laugh and voices are exactly the same!

 Over the past few years, I have appreciated my sister, and our relationship so much more!  There is something to be said about the value of having a older sister!  I realize now that my mom was right! We are eachother's best friends!

I won't lie...

this week hasn't been great

Dealing with two sick kids.

Up all night with Benjamin and the croup.

husband working super late.

 Vera's screams.  
I'm not exaggerating.  Those screams--- just resonate through the entire house at earth shattering levels. I can feel the energy draining out of me just thinking about it!

Benjamin and his tantrums (?)
I don't know if it was the steroid that they gave Benjamin at the ER--- but he was like another kid.
To top it off---- he cut his sister's favorite blanket with scissors. A blanket that was hand knitted by a dear family friend, which probably can't be fixed.


That's just a little preview of what my week's been like.

Today was a lot better. I'll admit. But over all it was pretty much a week straight out of hell--- yes I said hell... because that is what it was.


This evening, after everyone went to bed I had the thought that I needed  to work on my kids journals. It has been months since I've even touched them, and I had a lot of catching up to do. 

I think its funny that I am so adamant about keeping these journals for my kids. Its not like I am a huge journal writer. Never really have been---outside of my blog. And, even then, my blog is really just about my kids. I know most people don't even read my blog or probably even care about the things I write about. Yet, I still write these experiences down---mostly for my kids so I'll remember them later. Sometimes, when I have no desire to write anything, I tell myself, It could be useful someday in the future--- if anything fun for my kids to look back on their life.

But the truth is,  I need to do it for me. For me it is so important. It brings meaning and value to my life. Not because someone will read it, but it is a way, a process for me to reflect on my life, my children and our experiences as a family. Its one of the ways I make a conscious effort  to cherish them.

What I realized tonight, is how import it is for me to do this. Not necessarily for my kids, but for me. I need that quiet time to think, reflect and cherish the experiences I am having with my children. It is amazing how quickly I forget the tender, quiet moments when I am caught up in the chaos that ensues on a daily basis.

There is something to be said about reflection. About taking the time to slow down, and really think about the wonderful people in my life and how lucky I am to have them.

I am grateful for the prompting  tonight. I am grateful for the time I had to reflect, and have my heart softened. Another little reminder,of the greater work at hand, and that not every day, or week is or will be this insane.





"As you start to write, you could ask yourself, “How did God bless me today?” If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life."

Elder Eyring
(nov 1989 "remembrance and gratitude)

Benjamin's learning to write Capital letters.  However he insists on writing his name in lower case.He loves to write his name!

      Don't be fooled, these smiles quickly turned to cries. Best friends one min, the next pushing each others buttons. Don't let vera fool you, she can be quite the instigator.

Always the enthusiast! He might just be the happiest person I've ever met!

I have no comment...  Lord of the Flies

Vera is the Artist! She loves to scribble and draw--- she even holds the pencil (almost)correctly too! I have to watch her so much, because she always seems to have a crayon or pen in hand, and creating some "artwork" on anything she can.

At grandma gails. No doubt having her third helping of strawberries and cream!

painting

this is what I've been working on lately, and I feel like its starting to come together. Granted its a work in progress--- its hard getting back into painting and the mind set of it all, but after much frustration, I feel like this will finally come together. Still much more to do, but I'm happy with it so far. I've always appreciated abstract expressionism. Maybe I like the challenge of it? Let's just say, I appreciate De kooning more and more!

Sorry for the bad photo--- it was take in the garage with poor lighting with my i phone.... and I didn't even take the picture square on...

The meaning of christmas (according to a three, almost 4 yearold)

Benjamin was very excited about Christmas this year. All he could think about was Santa. We tried to teach him the real meaning of christmas, about Jesus's birth and what it means to us.... but... it seemed like he was all about the presents and santa.


But, sometimes he surprises me. I think some of it must have stuck with him, because when Tammy (rob's sister) asked us to write her son  (our nephew, who is serving a mission in Brazil) a Christmas letter this is what Benjamin had to say:


Dear Edler Skiles,                                                                                                     Dec 6th, 2011

Your mum asked us to send our testimony and thoughts about: Christmas, the Savior and our favorite Christmas memory. Since Benjamin is only 3 years old—turning four in February. I thought the best thing to do with him was a “Question and Answer” format. This is Benjamin’s message for you this Christmas :)



“Benjamin, how do you feel about Jesus?”

“Happy. Because He wants me to be happy. “



“What else?”

“Christmas.”



“Tell me about Christmas.”

“Snowman’s. And Pop corn. Movies—Cars2.”



“Why do we Celebrate Christmas?”

“Because Santa comes. Because he got’s lots of presents.”



“What is Christmas really about?”

 “Jesus’s birthday! Having a Birthday. Jesus’s Birthday.”



“Why was Jesus Born?”

“Because He died.”



“What do you mean?”

“Because the earth. So we can live with our families.”





“What has been your favorite part about Christmas?”

“Toys. Making Crafts about Baby Jesus. Decorations---Blue kinds.” 



“What do you want to say to your cousin, Mark, who is on a mission right now? Maybe like, Merry Christmas or something?”

“Uhhhhh….nothing.” (I think he was done with the interview at this point)



“He’s a real life missionary!
“No, I am.”



“What do you want to say to him?”

“I want to talk to him.”

Updates:

Novemeber:

We had my mom and dad come down for thanksgiving. Sadly, my mom had a kidney stone attack, so the trip was made short....

Had amazing thanksgiving dinner at the sals home. I think it was the best dinner I've had!!! Lynda did an amazing job of entertaining so many and there was more than enough food to go around!

Rob's work continues to be insane.... every few weeks he is  having to work 24 hour shifts to watch drilling.... that wasn't part of the job description, but rob has done well doing what is asked of him.

December:

Seemed to fly by. Rob had his birthday on the 4th, and we had his sisters and their families over for home made spaghetti sauce and meatballs and kiersta made a wonderful dessert. We made way to much food, so we ate spaghetti and meatballs for the next 3 days (lunch and dinner). Surprisingly we couldn't seem to get enough of that stuff!

I had good intentions. The first week of December i thought I was on top of everything! I had half of all my christmas cards ready to go and half of my christmas baking done. Then, it wentsouth after that.

Life got busy. The kids were sick. Christmas parties. Then I got super sick with a terrible sinus infections.  I was so sick Rob had to take a couple of days off to take care of the kids. Before I knew it, Christmas was almost here! In a mad panic, I finally got my cards mailed and had to do a lot of on-line Christmas shopping for gifts because I was running out of time.

We then headed up to Wichita, KS to spend the Christmas vacation with my parents. It was so nice to have a longer visit with them, especially since their visit at thanksgiving was cut short. My parents were so kind and helped with the kids a lot. Robert and I even got to go out on lots of dates-- even got a overnight get away! My mom made amazing meals, and of course an amazing Christmas and New Years Dinner. My dad also made his special spaghetti and meatballs (which I don't know if I can ever replicate because it is so good) and his yummy omelets.

The kids were in heaven.
Benjamin adores his grandpa dave. Everyday, my dad and Benjamin would play trains (I secretly think my dad was enjoying every min of it too!). Vera loves her grandma Gail. It might be that my mom is the only one that really understands everything Vera wants and says.... it also could be that my mom gives Vera 3 helpings of strawberries  with whipped cream after every dinner.

We also went to the exploration Museum which the kids loved!

It was nice to have a break from the regular routine of big city life, and to have a low key vacation.