Our Family's Favorite Olympic Moments :-)

We missed both the opening and closing ceremonies, but watching the Olympics has been fun for our family.  Kind of, you know, helping pass the extreme cold weather time and reminding us that winter can be pretty great.  Here's our favorite moments:
Okay, we love these guys.  Just for this:

http://photos.redeyechicago.com/chi-winter-olympics-sochi-day-2-pictures/#chi-oly8celebrate-20140208
and this:
 
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Sage+Kotsenburg/Staale+Sandbech/Snowboard+Winter+Olympics+Day+1/HpEBN7Cadnb

yeah, sure, they were amazing to watch snowboard, but watching Sage and Staale bounce on that purple thing and playing and then the surprised look on Sage's face when he realizes he won the gold- awesome.  We love that they seem to be best friends.  Happy and having a good time.  All three happy for each other.  I mean really.  Look at that hug!
And we love these guys:
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Davis-and-White-of-US-lead-Olympic-ice-dancing-5240306.php#photo-5893691


Again because they seem so happy!  Look, I think he even has a little tear there maybe??  Plus Charlie's hair is perfect ice skater hair.
 http://m.deseretnews.com/photo/700219994







Ever since watching their first performance of the Olympics Ana has been very conscientious of not missing Charlie.  "Guys, we're watching the Olympics tonight, Charlie's supposed to be on."  "we have to do family prayer NOW during the commercials so I don't miss Charlie".  Of course her younger brothers teased her about having a crush on him.  "What, no.  He's like 27.  That's way old.  That'd be weird.  Charlie and Meryl Davis are just REALLY good ice skaters and I don't want to miss it.  They could win the gold!"  And they did.  Which is pretty cool.  All of the performers/athletes were amazing, but there was something that bugged me about that Canada guy.  I know, I'm being totally snobby and superficial and judging a book by it's cover and making Jesus sad by saying that. Yes, every one of those is something a member of my family told me.  As well as maybe Canada guy is really nice and awesome and gets kittens out of trees...and maybe Charlie is not as nice and friendly as he looks and throws kittens into trees...  It could be.  I'm still happy for Davis and White.

I also loved when Noelle Pikus-Pace jumped that gate!  Wow!  And she takes being a mom seriously.  And she went to church while at the Olympics.  She just seems awesome.  Check out this video:
 http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/pikus-pace-mother-slider-olympic-medalist

And of course this was kind of awesome to watch too:
 

Book review/Covenant Motherhood

I just finished reading Covenant Motherhood by Stephanie Dibb Sorenson.  It is beautiful.  I absolutely love it.  A friend of mine's sister wrote it and I messaged her on facebook to tell her how much I loved it.  She suggested I copy what I said in my journal & well, this is my journal, so here it is.

• Conversation started February 4
• 

  2/4, 9:59pm

  Michele Holcomb

  I'm reading Covenant Motherhood- I can't remember if you said it's your sister that wrote it or someone else you know? I love it.
• 

  2/4, 10:00pm

  Rebecca la Peca

  Yep. My sister.
• 

  2/4, 10:02pm

  Rebecca la Peca

  Despite the fact that my sister wrote it (hahah), I think it's awesome. It helps if you know her (her blog is Diapers and Divinity) and know that she's a super sarcastic person. I really love her research. I really, really loved the book. I'm glad you're enjoying it!! http://diapersanddivinity.com/
• 

  2/4, 10:02pm

  Michele Holcomb

  Amazing. (You both are). I'm thinking I'm going to buy lots of copies for baby shower gifts.
• 

  2/4, 10:07pm

  Michele Holcomb

  Huh, super sarcastic...I suppose those good at recognizing the "realness" of life are probably cursed with it but that is fun to know too because I was thinking, "wow, she is some kind of spiritual giant", but we are all just regular people. . I appreciate all the research she's put in to really have the best of the best quotes in there.
• 

  2/4, 11:08pm

  Rebecca la Peca

  HAHA. It helps to know just what a sarcastic person she is. She's been a little sad at some reviews that say she's talking down to so many moms…because the whole point of the book is that EVERY mom is doing a major work!! But, she worries that it's getting lost in her sarcasm.

  And…baby shower gift?? Brilliant!
• February 5
• 

  2/5, 11:52am

  Michele Holcomb

  hmm. I'm not picking up on any "talking down". Maybe because I think seeing motherhood as a similitude of the Savior is a topic our world would like to entirely ignore, so it's a topic "near and dear" to me. Having friends with similar ideas to your sister and reading & cherishing so many of the conference talk quotes she shares is what helped me so much in those hard toddler years and a handful of small aged children.
  I have noticed though, now being "older" and out of that phase that "younger" moms don't seem too impressed when they are way stressed out about a behavior or want charts and plans for potty training and my advice is: don't worry about it. While it might seem like they will never stop sucking their thumb or never be out of diapers, they will. Often on their own without pressure or stress or guilt or treats and rewards. I get the "you don't know what my kid is like" or "your kids must have been easy" or just a blank stare. My kids were tough (creative children with a lot of energy are not easy). I went without sleep. I was depressed and anti social sometimes. I was worn out. I had lousy days. My house isn't clean. William and Henry were probably 4 when they finally wanted to use a toilet. I know exactly what it's like and I know choosing to see even the day in and day out mundane routine as being like Christ's life is the way to do it right. It's what gave me "purpose" and what made me love those good days so much get through hard days when I took time to think about it.
  Some people criticize that because they are tired and frustrated and would rather complain. I think some people just like complaining and finding fault instead of just changing what they do. I do that sometimes I suppose.
  I'm part of this parenting group a friend of mine started on facebook and once this mom was saying her kids had trouble going to bed and her husband wanted to just sit by them, but her fear was that when he is not home she would be stuck doing it, and also that by sitting next to the kids he's just encouraging bad habits and disobedience by not making them go to bed when they are told. I replied, that there are times when it seems like they will never go to bed on their own, and I had times where I was just too tired to do it and didn't, but sometimes (most times) when kids are being disobedient it's because other needs aren't being met. Maybe they do need the attention & enjoy that quiet time at the end of the day, maybe they need extra hugs in the day, there are lots of things, but I don't think kids are intentionally manipulative. Some day they will grow up and you will remember those times listening to them at the end of the day and cherish it. Especially if your husband is willing to do it. Let him.
  Not everyone likes to hear that when they are tired. Other people said I was wrong and kids will manipulate and kids need firm discipline right away and they are just being naughty and do just need to get in bed and her husband should not do that because he is only encouraging bad behavior. My point in sharing that is I guess to let your sister know that there are always critics. It's probably more them than her. I didn't read any of the reviews. When I finish reading it I'll write a nice one.
• Wednesday
• 

  2/19, 8:32am

  Rebecca la Peca

  I keep pondering everything you wrote, trying to come up with some awesome reply. But, the reality is, you nailed it. It's how it felt, it's how it feels. Even now when people say "it goes so fast," my answer is, yes, but the first two years were molasses. For me, they were. But, that's when the post-partum anxiety was the worst.
  Seriously. Just nodding my head through the rest of your words, and agreeing. Well-put. You ought to just copy/paste and put in your journal.
• Wednesday
• 

  2/19, 10:06pm

  Michele Holcomb

  Thank you

Happy Valentine's Day!

This year we happened to get the day off on Valentine's Day.  William was really sick, but other than that it was pretty uneventful.  Isaac went to a friend's house, Ana babysat, and Brian and I watched a movie with William and Henry.  It was the Lone Ranger.  It was okay.  Henry loved it and wants to watch the old tv series now.  We gave the kids (and ourselves) each a new t-shirt and Brian bought me tulips.  We like to keep it pretty simple.  Oh and we had fondue for dinner.
I loved it when Henry saw Isaac's tee and said, "Oh cool!  It's Iron Man but like Leonardo da Vinci's drawing!" How many 7 year olds would know that?  My other kids looked at me like "uh Mom. We live with you how would he not know?"

We made mice treats for Valentine's for William and Henry to pass out at school

Ana and her friend dyed Ana's hair pink awhile ago

A friend of mine wrote this for our Relief Society newsletter and I loved it so I'm sharing it here so I can keep a copy of it:

As I flip the calendar into February I can’t help but notice bursts of red and pink along with heart-shaped boxes of candy as retailers work to remind me that Valentine’s day is coming up.  And as I walked by a recent display, I did think of love.  The greatest love ever shown.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16).  What a great time of year to remember and celebrate Christ.  Instead of engaging in all the cheesiness February produces, why not give a little love this month – the real kind of love - the pure love of Christ.  Let’s forgive someone, forgive ourselves, repent, go to the temple to give the gift of saving ordinances, share our testimony with a friend or co-worker, drop off a treat for someone just because, turn the other cheek, let someone merge, stop to smell the roses, tell a joke, give some service, say thank you . . . the list goes on and on.  But most importantly, let’s remember how much our Father in Heaven and Savior love each one of us.  And let’s show them our love by giving a little of ourselves to someone else (Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me ~ Matthew 25:40).
With love,

Ella  

Lego Movie Mania

We went to see the Lego movie a week or so ago.  The day it came out.  Henry was very specific that it had to be the day it came out.  So much that he did not even want to go to the school carnival the same night.  He wanted to see the midnight premier, ...but I don't think they had one.  All of his money he was working hard to earn and save for book order books he has decided to use to buy Lego Movie Lego sets.  One he HAD to have because it has a "frog" piece from a Star Wars set he has seen in his Star Wars Lego Encyclopedia.
We loved the movie.  It was very fun.
Henry is a "master builder" no doubt about it.  Isaac is more the President Business type. ;-)

Hey look! I'm finally feeling like I'm getting a bit of a routine going and accomplishing things I want to do...

Of course that should be a huge clue that God is going to change that for me. ;-).  Also that He told me change was coming.  He also told me we'd be getting a new Young Women President.  I thought it was just because I really like her being that and it would give me time to adjust to whoever would take that spot.  Silly me.
I've always thought I'd get to skip a church calling in the Young Women's program.  I never felt like I "fit in" as a teenager and definitely don't feel like I fit in with teenagers now.  (Sometimes I wonder if they even speak English- it certainly isn't complete sentences).  I suppose I should have known better.  I'm the one always saying, "If you are a member of this church you will get a turn doing pretty much everything eventually."  So, yes, I was surprised, even though I shouldn't have been.
At first I was very nervous about this calling.  There are so many what ifs when it comes to being the leader of the girls' youth program.  What if I'm not cheerful enough?  What if I'm not huggy or smiley enough or out going enough?  What if I'm not Broadway (I don't sing or dance or like very many musicals) enough?  What if I offend someone and they never come back to church?  What if girls' parents hassle me for not doing it "their way"?  What if all the girls hate me?  Or yikes, what if I don't like them?  What about all the meetings?  What about all the time this is going to take?  What if I don't get to spend enough time with William and Henry?  What if Ana and Isaac get annoyed that I am always there?  SO many what ifs!
What ifs are kind of silly I guess, but what ifs also give us a chance to open our eyes and hearts to God's answers to those what ifs.  To get a glimpse of the way He sees us and what He wants us to do.  After a few tears and praying on my knees out loud even (I don't always pray out loud, more often my prayers are frequent and said in my head) over this (and a couple other minor ground shaking under my feet events for me, okay just a very small handful of things bothering me), my prayer was answered immediately.  Immediately does not usually happen for me.  As soon as I lifted my head my phone buzzed.  A friend sent me a text that she and another friend (two of my many favorite people) wanted to do lunch at her house. That very day. And just as I was replying my good friend and neighbor was walking to my door.  I couldn't hold back my tears, oh God does love me, he sent me my people EXACTLY when I needed them.  I felt a little silly (I'm trying not to feel silly about that kind of thing) crying and telling them they were an answer to my prayers.  So often I cry because I just can't hold it in-- I feel like I have been blessed with God's love so much that I don't have room enough to receive it ...and it pours out my windows (eyes).
Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
I felt comfort and peace during my prayer and confident, and then I was also able to have that confirmed visually, audibly, physically through others.  It was a huge blessing for me in a small time of need. 
It took awhile to get counselors and leaders called, but after prayers, a blessing, and inspiration, I feel confident in saying the Young Women leaders in our ward are who God wants to be there.  Including me.  I love, love, that we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are encouraged to ask God our Father our questions with an open mind and heart, to verbally communicate with Him, that everyone can do so, and that we get asked to do it a lot. It's very confirming to me and can be very visible in times of receiving and accepting others in assignments in our all volunteer church... that it isn't just someone on a whim asking for volunteers in certain spots, but is the role our Father in Heaven desires. 
This experience will answer a few things I've been thinking about lately (I know, not even praying about, just thinking about, how awesome is that?).  Like wondering: should I think about going back to school not even go back to school just think about it or prepare to and what would I even do maybe art teacher with counseling as a background or I have a huge interest in learning disabilities but I've never thought of teenagers as being my strong area that's more Brian's skill set so maybe I shouldn't and Ana's most likely going somewhere far in a year and half and how well do I really know her she spends most of her time at school and church things and work and with friends and I'd love to see the side of her in class or with her peers that I don't get to see because I'm Mom and a year and half from now things are going to be so weird.....and I'm sure you know my mind wanders even farther than that. (I purposely did not punctuate that paragraph to emphasize the meanderings).
I'm really happy and feeling like my job is going to be very easy because I will be working with very good people.  I am also feeling very blessed to get to be the president of a smallish group and a very wonderful group of girls.  They really are great and come from great families.
I got a text the other day with smiley faces with heart shaped eyes.   I had no idea you could that, I'm entering a new realm.  Way out of my comfort zone, but I like it.  ;-)

Chicken party!

If you haven't already noticed, when we do parties, they aren't the usual.
Invitations:  I can't seem to find the photo, but it was a picture of a chicken with the words:  Keep calm and love chickens.  On the other side was all the party info.
Party favors:

The food:  A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, a few thighs, chicken nuggets, and only because I said we had to: fruit, veggies, and potato wedges.  Oh! and for cake we made chicken cake pops. :-)

We started with games, then opened presents quick,

then ate while watching the movie Chicken Run (just because it's a movie with "chicken" in the title- we hadn't seen it in a long long time).

William and I found a few games we adapted to the chicken theme.  The favorite game seemed to be "Hatch the Egg".  You sit on a balloon and try to pop it. 

We played a game where you cluck the tune of a song and everyone tries to guess it.
We played guess the cluck- where one person is blindfolded and someone clucks and  the blindfolded person guesses who clucked.

William came up with folding white origami jumping frogs, coloring them like chickens, and then jumping them to cross the road while someone else pushes a car down the road.

We played another game where we read the first sentence out of a book and then everyone wrote a second sentence as if the story is about a chicken.

First book- "The year that Buttercup was born the most beautiful woman in the world was a French scullery maid named Annette."
What kids wrote:
"The year that Chickencup was born in Florida on a farm and a farm chicken helped her a year long."
"The year that the first chicken there was chicken The End"
"Buttercup is the most beautiful chicken in the world"
"Annette was going to eat chicken the next day buttercup killed annette because buttercup loved chickens the end"
"Annette had breeded and then she laid an egg but then it hatched into a chick was born."
Second book- "Otto woke up to a start as the whole world seemed to tip beneath him."
What kids wrote:
"A boy next to him said hi my name is wing i like chicken"
"Otto woke up to a start and he farted"
"Chicken woke with a start. As the world started to tip he was scared so he jumped off a cliff and then he flew and died. The end."
"but then Otto realized he was riding a chicken."
Third book-"The bomb had been timed to go off at half past three."
What kids wrote:
"as the chickens were cooking"
"when all the chickens will explode"
"The bomb had timed to go off at exactly half past three.  Chicken was stuck he didn't know what to do! And he died. The End"
"Hancken the chicken tick bloow up the bomb and survived"
I think with a good editor there might be some potential there ;-)

The last game we played was pictionary telephone.  A family favorite.  Everyone started with drawing a chicken doing something then passed their stack of paper and the drawing to the person next to them. Then everyone wrote what they saw in the picture then passes again.  Next everyone draws what is written, and so on until your stack of paper comes back around to you.  It took a little bit of time for the kids to catch on to what we were doing, but once they did I think they thought it was pretty fun.

William's Birthday :-)

a frozen Mississippi River

Ships sail into the bay.

Birds fly above, on their way,

And build their nests for their eggs to lay.

Flowers bloom, where they may.

This looks like a peaceful place to play,

For children on a Summer day,

 But since it's cold, it might pay to wear something warm, I'd say?

:)

Happy Birthday William

From 

The crazy poet

Great Grandma Sharp

Last week William celebrated his 10th Birthday.  He was even lucky enough to get the day off from school since the weather was predicted to be frighteningly cold*.  He was pretty excited; not everyone gets school cancelled on their Birthday.
We decided to celebrate by going to the science museum.  Even though it was very last minute we tried inviting a few people, and fun for us, at least one of our friends could join us.

 views from the musical stairs

Here's two videos of the musical stairs (sorry they aren't the greatest quality or edited- I haven't taken the time to figure all that our yet).

 Something you don't see much of in the suburbs

 

William decided to open his presents very slowly

 

 

 check out that excited face for books :-)

 Everyone loves Aunt Melissa's cards- this one has a sliding owl

a strategy game I forgot the title of but the kids love it and Isaac had his friends over to play it

 

 snap circuits add ons

 the joy of being buried in wrappings

 

 

William's primary teacher even stopped by to give him a card and a gift card to Chick-fil-A.  William is kind of going through a chicken obsession phase right now so it was a perfect surprise. :-)  He even wanted a chicken theme party this year.

*In January the kids had a total of 5 days off for the weather being too cold, and three planned vacation days (New year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, and a teacher workshop day).  If you add in Saturdays and Sundays the kids spent more of January out of school than in.