Do you remember when?

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot. Anything you remember.

2. Next, post these instructions on your own blog and see how many people have a fun memory of you. It's pretty fun to see the responses.

3. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all :)

Can't wait to read your responses!!

By the way, for those that don't know how to comment you click on the link right under this post that says catchy comments and it will bring you to a comment form. If you do not have a blog or a blogger account you can click on name/url and just leave your name and the comment. PLEASE leave a comment!

No more acronyms!

So now my blog is private so if you're reading this you are one of my special select few! So now I don't have to do any more E's and A's and DE's and all that stuff. Yahoo! You all already know us and our names so welcome welcome to our blog!

Happy Fall?

Happy first day of Fall! Yep, in case you didn't know we are now officially in the autumn season. The weather didn't feel all that different around here today, but it definitely started cooling down a few weeks ago. Like my friend and Sis in Law Liz, I am sooooo not ready for cold and another 8 month winter. Last year the winter started early, ended late and was horrible! I am praying that we get plenty of moisture but that the freezing temperatures keep themselves to a few months. I can't believe it's already almost here! I'm already starting to stress about Christmas, we're going to be going to California over Thanksgiving so we're trying to save for that and of course if you read what I wrote a couple of posts ago you read that huge list of all the things I'm trying to do. And that wasn't including Christmas projects, craft projects, projects around the house and in the yard, etc. etc. I am determined this year that I am going to enjoy it. I am going to enjoy this time of my life, my sweet kids, the wonderful holidays and hopefully not let it bother me that my house is not the fairest in the land. So get out those sweaters, hot cocoa and rakes.....Fall is here!

Another bit of news. I had to get a new camera because our old one got dropped (and not by one of the kids or me ;) so DE let me get a new camera. Not that we could afford it but I told him I couldn't live without it. And besides, I use it so much for preschool it's a business expense. Anyway, here are a few pictures I took with my new Samsung s760. It seems to work great so far.

A and E coming over to see the new camera

Iz and O in their preschool jail. ;)

This is as still as DE could get O to snap a picture. Every other one I took has his little hand in front of his face trying to take the camera from me. Daddy just snapped it at just the right moment.

See what I mean? His hand really isn't that big.

My sweet little Iz. He's quite the flirt.

I know, he's a doll, but you can't have him.
(At least not at this moment while he's sleeping peacefully ;)

Going private!

Well, I think I'm going to jump on the train and go private with my family blog! I've been keeping track through statcounter and there are a lot of people visiting from places I don't know and not leaving comments. Sooooo....if you want to be able to still look at this blog send me an email or leave a comment with your email and I'll add ya! And remember, if you leave your email in a comment write it like this: eldonandsharla at yahoo dot com. That way your email can't be lifted by spammers. You have until Friday, Sept. 26 to let me know or you will be prohiibited from entering this wonderful blog!! Ha ha, right.

Baring my soul

I honestly don't know who reads this except for my friend Em who always leaves a comment. And Em already knows so much about me that most days I'm amazed she's even willing to be my friend. When I started this blog thing I thought of it as a kind of journal. I mean yeah, it's kind of creepy in a way that anyone can look at this and I'm honestly thinking of taking this one private but it was a good way to leave a kind of record and to stay in touch with long distance friends and family. (Can we say run-on?)

Until now, however, I've been hesitant to really open up. What if someone is reading this that is going to judge me and hate me, yadda, yadda, yadda? But I'm done with that. People reading or not this is my journal and sometimes I just need to open up and bare my soul. If you are a total creep and you're reading this please leave!

As you know if you've read anything on my blog I have four boys ages 7, 4 and twin 17 months olds. I have been married for nine years to the most amazing man that I have ever met. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I have a testimony that it is the ONLY true church. I know this with all my heart, might, mind and soul. My Savior, Jesus Christ suffered and died for me! On a regular basis I have to remind myself that not only did He suffer and die so that I can repent and be forgiven, He also suffered each real (and imagined) thing that I struggle with. This is going to sound ridiculous but when I feel like I'm going to go crazy if I have to change one more poopy diaper I can be comforted in knowing that He knows exactly how I feel. I really believe that.

I just wish I didn't seem to forget it on such a regular basis. In all honesty, my life is so so good. I am blessed beyond what I ever imagined possible. And yet every day, so many times a day, I forget this. I get stressed and overwhelmed, feeling like I can't make it through one more minute. I start feeling like I'm being buried under a mountain of responsibility. Budgeting, debt, trying to buy a house, laundry laundry and more laundry, dishes, millions and millions of messes, piano and voice lessons, dirty diapers, getting E to do his homework, getting E to practice piano, soccer, preschool, my calling in Young Women, my calling as Choir director, DE's three callings, DE's work, getting my kids fed, dressed and bathed each day, getting Andrew potty trained, being a good wife, going to the temple, doing visiting teaching, teaching my kids, playing with my kids, reading to my kids, food storage, family prayer, family scriptures, having my kids say their own prayers, saying couple prayers, saying personal prayers, exercising, eating right, making healthy balanced meals, trying to be a good friend, yard work, house work(oh, maybe I mentioned that one but I think it deserves being mentioned twice;), keeping my car clean, gardening, canning, taking care of myself, finding time for myself, spending at least 15 minutes each day with each child, story time at the library, helping in the classroom, being prepared, developing my talents by writing, practicing the piano, practicing my singing, practicing guitar, crafts, and of course always striving to be more like our Savior. And that's just what I could think of off the top of my head! I'm sure I've forgotten a million things I should be doing.

And of course it is so so easy for me to find every single thing that is wrong with me and that I'm failing at. But what it comes down to is that I won't be perfect at everything today. My kids ate dinner, even if it was Mac and Cheese. They know that I love them even if they didn't each get their own 15 minutes with Mommy. We didn't read scriptures tonight but we did say prayer and I read them a story before bed. My car and house are dirty, my laundry isn't done, I missed story time at the Library, my garden is pathetic and I refuse to even think about canning, and that's just to name a few! However, my kids were all dressed and clean(ish) today, I had a blast teaching preschool this morning and loved hearing Iz and O laughing along with the rest of the preschoolers. Andrew is FINALLY almost potty trained and doing very well in preschool. And I have achieved the one goal that I determined for myself a while ago. I feel that I did better today than I did yesterday. I have made a difference(I hope) in the lives of my family and others. And my testimony is stronger today than it was yesterday.

So welcome to the inner workings of this very imperfect soul. If you made it this far I want to tell you that you are amazing! I really truly hope that you will hear more from me because it sure feels good to write and get all this out just like it was a real true journal. I'm only doing it because I can't get myself to actually write in a real bonified pencil and paper or word document journal. And if I can help motivate or touch one life out there it's worth it.

Too bad you all know how imperfect I really am now. Oh, well. Good night.

Living my childhood dream

I have always, well ever since I can remember anyway, wanted to be a teacher. Well, that and a mother. I am living my dream! Today was really the epitome of what I always thought (or hoped) my life would be. I started teaching preschool on Tuesday here in my home and can I just say I LOVE IT! It helps me get more organized and up and completely dressed first thing in the morning along with my kids. I bring the babies down and put them in the play yard with toys, drinks and snacks and then greet my sweet preschoolers as they come. We start off the day with centers; book nook, writing, science, etc. Then we have circle time where we talk about our theme, calendar, letters, numbers, color, nursery rhyme, etc. Next is art and I love watching their creative little minds at work. Following art is outside/exercise time. Then we have reading time while they take turns washing their hands after which we have snack. Next comes writing/cutting and then singing time! So today while we were singing Mary Had a Little Lamb one little boy sang it opera. He had his little hand flapping in the air for emphasis and I am telling you it was the cutest thing I have ever seen! There are no words. Already I love each of these darling kids and I love having A and my babies in there too. We read the Hungry Caterpillar and I have a giant book with a stuffed caterpillar that wiggles through holes and those kids just couldn't stop laughing. And neither could Iz and O! Today was such a good happy day! I love my life and my jobs! It just couldn't get any better.....except maybe if I had a maid and a cook. ;)

There is beauty all around

There is beauty all around, when there's love at home. Sundays are a special day here in our home. No TV is allowed except for church movies or (and this is pushing it, I know) Veggie Tales. So after my older boys asked if they could watch about five different non Sunday approved movies they settled on "The Testaments" where they excitedly watched for Jesus. I was sitting watching with them thinking that we were doing pretty well today in the Love at Home area when A decided to get in front of the TV. So of course E had to be the boss and tell him to move which made A mad and say: "I'm not your friend." E's most delightful response was: "I'm not your friend, I'm your brother and I'll be your brother forever!" So you tell me......are we teaching them right? I can't decide. I sure love every one of these delightful moments, though.