FHE: I Am a Child of God

I have decided to really start focusing on Family Home Evenings. We start them and then stop and then start and stop and REPEAT! The kids are now getting older and now is perfect to really start focusing on FHE (Family Home Evenings). Our first trial run was just about learning that we are Children of God.

We started by singing "I am a Child of God"

We then looked into a hand held mirror and asked who they saw. Of course we got the basic answers like "Me, Andie, Jake, Brooklyn, Mom, Dad, Girl, Boy, Etc" We then started to look a little deeper into it and told them that they were seeing a Child of God.

We watched an I am a Child of God video of different people singing the song while we explained everyone is a Child of God.

We ended by singing the big girl class song "If I Listen with my Heart", as Andie calls it.

We then colored pictures of us as a Child of God that we hung on the fridge for a week (don't judge our artistic skills).

Of course we couldn't miss a treat so we drove to Harmons. The kids rode in the cart and we picked up some Ding Dongs for the treat, because Mom wanted chocolate. It was such a good successful first official start of Family Home Evenings.

Family Updates

So many changes and fun things have happened lately with our family and I was going to do individual posts on everything but decides I do want to get caught up on the blog someday soon. List form it is then.

We had a switch of jobs. Mom is working full time still in the Sleep Center as a Receptionist. Dad is no longer with Heilos and loving being home more with the kiddos before school starts.

Speaking of school Zachary is going to be going to Weber in the fall. He has his classes signed up and should be starting the end of August.

Andie is also going to be starting preschool this fall and we are all so excited for this!

Free lunch in the park has been a hit for the whole family. Of course I haven't been able to join in on the fun as often as I would like with working more but its fun that Dad can take the kids to the park on days when they all want to burn off some energy. What a great program!

Free slurpee day is always so fun and this year we didn't want to miss it. Of course we still participate in slurpee day but just the thing is is that we pay for our slurpees the next day ;)

We had insurance issues once I started full time. Zach's insurance ended at his job and we have been stressing about insurance with us being so old (I'm getting kicked off my parents insurance the end of this year). So when I tried to get insurance my hours were all messed up and it took a lot of phone calls but we finally did it.

We started eating healthy and doing a lifestyle change for our eating. We are slowly trying to lose weight and its taking FOREVER but I guess the slower the better right?

Swimming is a past time in our family. We started swimming for exercise and the kids love swimming too so we make it to the rec center quite a bit.

Craft time is still one of our favorite times. We do so many different family crafting activities and the kids love it, I guess this is what having a crafty mom does to you.

Lazy days at home of course is something we are so very good at.

Of course there have been visits to Mommys work too!

Oh the joy of living a Wadsworth, doesn't get better then this ;)

Jake 2 Years 4 Months

Jake my handsome little man I love you so much. You are still as energetic as ever and bring so much happiness to your parents. You keep us busy but we love every minute of it. Jake at two years four months...

1. Jake loves going to free lunch. One of the best things about the summer is when the free lunch starts up at the parks. I loved it as a teen and never imagined one day that I would then take my kids to it. WOW! Jake loves the water fountain the best at the park and of course trying to go and play with the older boys. Cool race cars and sports, what a little man I have on my hands.

2. Jake loves having Daddy home. Jake has always been a Daddy's boy which I am totally okay with nothing cuter, but now that Daddy is home a lot more Jake is so much more happier. I love me a happy Jake!      

       

3. Jake loves the color red. Did you ever think that a two year old would be obsessed with a colour? My boy is. Jake loves anything red. Red paint, red crayons, red clothes, red toys, yes and even red food. Red has become a real obsession.

4. Jake is a teeth grinder. Jake has always been a teeth grinder and I don't think I have ever written that in his month posts. Jake has this thing where he just grinds his teeth when he is frustrated or angry with something/someone. We try to tell him not to because its the worst sound ever! Teeth grinding continues and his poor teeth I hope don't get to harmed.

5. Jake loves Gatorade. Jake has some weird allergies when it comes to juice. Powdered juices Jake's stomach can't seem to handle they have to be 100% juice. We don't want to overload on the apple juice so we started throwing some Gatorade into the mix and Jake is hooked. Gatorade is Jake's favorite and can you imagine which kind, red!

6. Jake gets into so much mischief. Jake has learned a new obsession, piling things. Piles start wherever he wants them to and might get moved around twenty times after that. Sometimes these piles have clothes, toys, diapers, blankets or whatever else he can find. Sometimes there are in corners of the room, middle of the room or even on his baby sister/Daddy. The piles are weird and crazy but he loves them like a master piece!

7. Jake can count. Jake is getting so smart and sometimes I forget with him being a middle child to teach him colors or numbers. I was surprised to find out that I don't have to sit down and actually tell this guy much he just started counting on his own. Jake is a genius little guy!    

  

8. Jake loves Buzz Lightyear. Jake is in a Toy Story phase with Buzz Lightyear and Woody being a favorite. I think with having Toy Story playing so much with Andie's obsession with Jessie lately has created Jake's love in the movies too. Jake also is crazy about Lightning McQueen too. It's so cute to watch what Jake is into with his personality and hearing him say Bigouw and yeehaw is the cutest thing ever!

Jake Oliver you are such a firecracker and I love you so much. Your energy keeps us all on our toes and we would have it no other way. Jake you are the perfect little boy and we love you so very much!

Brooklyn 8 Months

Brooklyn Riley our baby girl you are already eight months old. You are growing so quickly and are quite the little character. You bring so much joy to our family and we can't imagine our family without you right in the center of it. Brooklyn at eight months old...

1. Brooklyn is officially sitting. She has been sitting for a bit but I never really count it sitting unless they can sit longer then like a minute at a time. Brooklyn has hit that milestone!

2. Brooklyn loves baby food. Brooklyn is different then her siblings by loving baby food. Brooklyn loves to eat food over a bottle but occasionally we just have to give her the formula. Brooklyn is definitely our little food eater and no food is safe on the ground it all ends up in her hands/mouth.

3. Brooklyn want to be moving around so much. Brooklyn has mastered the sitting but now she wants to move around and play with her siblings but she isn't quite there. I am sure within a couple more months this girl will be nonstop. Brooklyn has mastered rolling around to get wherever she wants but it just takes a bit longer then she would like it to take.

4. Brooklyn is our little talker. Brooklyn is always babbling. She is always making noise and talking to herself or whomever else will listen. Brooklyn is such a happy bubbly talking baby girl.

5. Brooklyn loves her siblings. One think about having kids all close in age is the love they have for each other while young and growing up. Brooklyn can't imagine life without her big brother and sister to watch all day. She loves both Andie and Jake and always lights up when they are around.

6. Brooklyn is such a happy baby. Brooklyn is constantly smiling, talking and laughing. Brooklyn has such a bubbly personality. Brooklyn laughs so much and its the cutest little thing and her toothless smile is amazing! Brooklyn I hope your happiness never leaves you.

7. Brooklyn is sleeping thru the nights mostly. She will wake up once just for us to make her a bottle but will fall asleep right away again so I think it counts for sleeping thru the night. She is sleeping from 7pm to about 9am the next morning.

8. Brooklyn is growing so quickly. For my facts she is in size 6-9 months clothes. Brooklyn eats 6oz bottles every 3-4 hours during the day with some bottles replaced with baby food. Brooklyn is in size 3 diapers and did I ever mention that Brooklyn has been swimming and looks amazing in her suits :)

Brooklyn is such a joy to be able to call my own. She truly has blessed our family by coming when she did. Brooklyn Riley you are so precious and I don't think I can ever say that enough. I love you baby girl, always and forever!