Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Day 3- Rubics Cube Madness!

Katelyn got a Rubics Cube for Christmas because she has been asking for one for a long time now. I didn't realize that it meant her daddy and her would be up till all hours of the night trying to solve it. The first thing they do when he gets home from work is go to the internet and watch videos on how to do this. They haven't solved it yet and as it still consumes our lives!!!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Day 2- Clean!

The pictures I took today are of my almost never clean house. I love it when my house is all vacuumed, beds are made, floor is mopped, and my kitchen is clean. I feel like I can accomplish almost anything when I am in an environment like this. Of course, it's only a matter of minutes before the kids totally thrash my sanctuary, but it is good while it lasts.




Monday, December 29, 2008

Project 365

I read today on Becky Higgins blog about a new project she is starting called Project 365. It is where you take a picture a day and journal about it. It can be anything!! I am starting today, Monday, December 29th, as Day 1. Here it is.....



I just took this picture of Thomas.  I wanted to remember how we let him sleep next to our bed every night.  He used to sleep in his room upstairs but then would end up in our bed in the middle of the night.  I think it started one night when he was sick that we wanted him close to us all night long so we put some blankets down next to our bed.  We have not stopped doing that yet and it's been about 2 months.  I know that he is going to grow up and will not be our little boy forever.  I just want to remember how safe I feel knowing that he feels loved and secure.  He knows that he is in a home where he will be protected at all times and that his mommy & daddy don't mind him sharing a room for the moment.  Now, this will not last forever, as all good things must end.  

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!!!

This year was different in many ways for our family. First, we are in a new home after living in our last house for 4 years. It seemed a little out of the ordinary this year but hopefully over the years we can fall into a routine again. Second, Madie & I were under the weather yesterday. We literally stayed in my bed all day and just watched TV and napped. Thank goodness Bryan was home. I'm still feeling terrible today, I really think I have pneumonia. I hope not but it sure feels like it.

The kids were sooo excited to finally get a little dog this year. His name is Muffin and he is adorable!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas with your family and remember the real reason we celebrate.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Christmas Cookies

One of our family's favorite Christmas tradition is making Christmas cookies. This was one of my favorite things to do as a child, too, and I looked forward to it every year. It is very simple but the kids have a blast! I remember as a kid taking hours on just one pan of cookies. My mom was so patient about it and would just let me take my time. I loved making snowmen and snow angels.





Brayden's Birthday

Our sweet, little Brayden turned 2 on the 6th of December. We took him to Incredible Pizza and had our own family party. He loved his new Elmo Kitchen & eating his birthday cake.





Friday, December 12, 2008

Inspiring Story

Please take a minute to watch this. It is about a friend of a friend who is going through aggressive cancer. She is very strong. If you can think of any ideas on how we can help her please let me know. I would love to help with some type of fundraiser.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/health/health_watch&id=6528902

"What If"



Last night I was taking the 4 oldest children to the pet store and I was waiting just outside the garage in the car with 3 of them. Katelyn was taking her time! So when she finally came out the door, I closed the garage door but didn't realize the baby had followed her outside. The kids started yelling BRAYDEN and I started backing my car up a bit and then moved it forward. Then I heard crying. He was just outside the car. Thank goodness he was okay, but it was very close.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Provo Temple & Testimony

Today during Sacrament meeting, I was prompted to stand and bear my testimony. When I stood up there all I could think about was my trip to Utah a couple of weeks ago and how I took the kids to see the Provo temple. I did well at the beginning and then I started talking about my conversion while glancing at my kids and I COMPLETELY lost it!! I started blubbering in the mic, and I really mean I was blubbering. If you were there then you know what I am talking about and I am not exaggerating this time!! Let me explain what happened to make me go "basket case" on everyone. I was talking about how I was so grateful for the missionaries who taught me about the church and the gospel and that I didn't know where I would be without it in my life. That is when the major crying began. My life is so crazy right now with 5 children that I don't get the chance to ponder that. Where would I be if I hadn't joined the church? I certainly wouldn't be in a happy marriage with 5 wonderful children. I would probably be down a completely wrong path. I am soooooo grateful for those missionaries who gave up 2 years of their life so that they could meet me and teach me but not only that. I am thankful that they were worthy to hold the priesthood and that I felt the Spirit during their lessons. I am also grateful for the challenge they gave me to read Mororni 10:3-5 and to pray about it after. I am thankful to my father in heaven for letting me feel a peaceful Spirit confirming what I read was true. I could go on and on but I think you all get what I mean. I am just so stinkin' grateful!!!

Here are some pics I took at the Provo temple with my kids. You can see that Thomas was a bit of a grump that day. He actually fell and hurt his knee right as we got on property. That doesn't help pictures!!





Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Wednesday

I'm going to try to keep this blog updated better. Now that most of my family is on the mend life can go on. I have a few thoughts that I want to share today....

First, I just feel like a bad mom lately. I'm so busy comparing myself to all the great moms in my family & in my ward that I don't feel like I measure up to them. Oh yes, you will all say "Robyn, you are a SUPER mom" but I don't feel like that. There is one child in particular who I am struggling with. I guess you can say that the challenge started when she turned 2 years old. She is a very headstrong child, whom I adore, but at the same time I struggle because I don't know what to do. She has really started to back talk lately and no matter how many privileges I take away or how much discipline she gets she really doesn't care. She even says she doesn't care. I feel like we are trying to do the right things in our family, we have daily scripture study, daily prayer, weekly Family Home Evening. We do fun things with the kids, we teach them values, discipline, respect. I guess there is just this part of me that knows that I can only lead a horse to water but not force it. I know that all things will work out in the end, it is just the enduring part that is hard for me.

On another note about being a good mom. I wish I was a calmer person. I just have this energy inside me that pops out! When I am happy, sad, or mad I let everyone know. Wouldn't it be nice if I were just calm most of the time and didn't freak out for every little thing? I am grateful that Heavenly Father made me the way that I am but I struggle a lot because I know I am a lot to handle. I expect a lot from people/family so I am often disappointed. I should just lower my expectations, I know this, but that is hard for me and my "personality". I am going to try some essential oils from my SIL to see if they help me a bit. I just need to relax.



While I am saying everything that is on my mind can I just bring up bedtime & wake up time? They are both so hard for me and my kids. I know some of you will say, just get them on a routine. Can I tell you that I have tried that and that my kids are just HARD at night and the mornings. I hear so often others comparing my children to theirs making me seem like I do not know what I am doing. I truly believe that each child is different and if you have easy children that might just be a blessing for you and your family. I am not saying I do not have good kids because I was blessed with the BEST kids ever and I love them so much.

Okay, I feel much better. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Tree Trimming

Well, it is officially time for the Cardon family to get in the Christmas spirit! Going on a trip during the time where we usually set up the tree kind of threw us off a bit. Tonight during Family Home Evening we set up our tree. It's a little chaotic with 5 little children, I won't lie, but the end result is always beautiful.