I just adore my children. I enjoy being around them, watching their interactions with one another, observing their attempts to try new things or develop their talents. I realize because I have so many kiddos that sometimes they can feel lost in the shuffle or overlooked. I try to take a different child with me […]
Happy Father’s Day
To all the wonderful fathers in our lives. Mr. Ferrero Rocher Grandpa V Grandpa W Guelito (variation of abuelo) Avi (grandfather in Catalan) “Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!”~Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836 We love you all! © 2007-2013 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights […]
Had to play catch up
What I did today because I didn’t work on the computer: Washed seven loads of laundry, hung six loads on the line to dryOrganized my laundry roomGave six girls piano lessonsCleaned my bedroom, bathroom and Special Dark’s roomPlanted the last of the green beansTransplanted the watermelonWatered the gardenCut out all the pieces for two handbags […]
Bare Feet + Puddles
Not a Wordless Wednesday today. Rain, however it comes, is a rare thing for Northern Nevada, but rain for four days straight can be considered almost miraculous. It reminds me of living in Georgia. On days like these I loved to curl up with a stack of good books, a giant bag of peanut M&M’s, […]
Piggy Back Rides
I love this photo, especially because it is blurry and out of focus. Special Dark loves to get piggy back rides or I should say horsey back rides. He pretends to be riding a horse just like a jockey bouncing up and down. That’s why his face is totally blurry. He was moving so fast! […]
Comes With the Territory
I don’t know what the weather is like where you’re at but here in Northern Nevada it’s hotter than Hades. We’ve been breaking new high temperature records. The Boys ( that’s what we call my husband and his brothers) decided it was time to once and for all break out the swimming pool. Here’s the […]
To My Mother
Here’s my beautiful mother and I enjoying one of Barcelona’s beaches. Thanks forgiving me lifechanging my diaperssinging to mereading to meteaching me to readall the encouragementletting me splash in puddlesand squish Box Elder bugs in my neck Thanks foryour patiencethe discipline when I needed itthe hugsthe kissesa cool hand on a fevered foreheadtaxi rides to […]
Banished!
I’ve been banished to my computer room. I’m even locked in. While in town today the older girls took off to buy some Mother’s Day gifts. With perfect timing we ended up at the cash registers together. They all squealed “Don’t look, Mom!” It made those standing in line in front of them start laughing. […]
The many faces of Mr. FR
How perceptive do you think you are? I like to think I have a keen sensitivity to the needs of my husband and children, that I have an acute awareness of all that goes on around me. But the truth is there are some things that occur so often I kind of take them for […]
What Motherhood Means to Me
“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.” (the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) I love being a mom. I love all the crazy, chaotic days as […]
The Demise of the TV
Remember our TV that keeled over last week? It took the efforts of She-Ra and He-Man to carry it out of the house. That thing weighed a ton! But since I’m a body builder I was able to do it with no problem at all. Really! I think I genuinely impressed Mr. FR. The TV […]
Blast From The Past
My girls pulled out a box last week that had many of my old yearbooks, photos, letters, etc. Reminiscing about what I was like way back when has made me realize I haven’t changed all that much. Some interests have changed but deep down I’m pretty much the same. So here’s a little journey into […]
Creating a Family Library
When I wrote my Family Read-Alouds post I received several questions about our book list and how we got our family (my husband in particular) to participate. As with anything new there is usually some trepidation at first but over time persistence pays off. I can’t take credit for my husband liking the read-alouds though. […]
By small and simple things
I have trouble with wanting to do too much. I have so many interests – photography, music, cooking, gardening, sewing, quilting, blogging, homeschooling – that I can’t seem to find the time to do them all. Then add in all the things I should be doing – reading scriptures, exercising, writing in my journal, spending […]
Like a Hoard of Mormon Crickets
That’s what it was like for my parents the end of last week. Our family descended on them in one massive hoard, we devoured their food, made lots of noise, and then abruptly left after only two days. I have the best parents in the world! Our trip to Utah for President Hinckley’s funeral was […]