Ethan's piano recital

Knock Knock You there? I'm here now. I've spent so much time at The Mom Nerd and The Giveaway that I haven't posted here in like a month.

At the beginning of this month Ethan had his first piano recital and I wanted to share! I have been teaching beginning piano lessons for the last year and this is my second recital. Ethan's actual teacher is my friend Emily. She teaches Ethan and I teach her son (the first boy on the video). You'll have to watch a few of my students before seeing Ethan and I. We played a duet of Old MacDonald. It was a very short and sweet recital but it was fun and the kids did so well! I'm really going to miss teaching them.

Something to remember....

The Daily Gem I got in my email today was one I wanted to share because it's so important to remember. (and I usually forget)

Time for Each Other

"We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. One mother told me of a time that her children had 29 scheduled commitments every week: music lessons, scouts, dance, Little League, day camps, soccer, art, and so forth. She felt like a taxi driver. Finally, she called a family meeting and announced, 'Something has to go; we have no time to ourselves and no time for each other.' Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together."

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109-110

Topics: Children, Family, Motherhood

Ode to a Butterfly

1. Put your music library on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG TITLE DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing this. Post a comment on their blog that says "You've been tagged! See my blog for details."

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS, "IS THIS OKAY," YOU SAY? Beautiful Savior

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Truly Madly Deeply

3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? I will remember you

4)HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Semi-Charmed Life

5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Pilgrim's Hymn

6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? I'll Melt with You

7) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS? We Might as Well Be Strangers (so not true!)

8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? It's all right

9) WHAT IS 2+2? Let's Never Stop Falling in Love

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Sunshine

11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? With or without you

12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Nod your head

13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Come away with me

14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? He is the Way

15) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? In Paradisum

16) WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? The Bird and the Worm

17) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Consider the Lilies (too funny!)

18) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

19) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? So Young

20) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Used to Love her (nice, whatever)

21) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Ode to a Butterfly

I was surprised how many of these were accurate. Too funny!

I tag: Emily, Liz M., Joy, Andee, Megan, Angela P., Brandee, Allison, Holly, Eli&Angela.

Happy Birthday Shelly!

So Shelly's birthday was actually yesterday but since I was with her (and not the computer) I couldn't post about it until today. We went down to Cedar this weekend and had a good visit. The trip started out bad because Eldon was at the school working on his classroom and sub notes for Friday until 10:30 Thursday night. (and I wasn't too happy about basically driving around with the kids for 3 hours waiting). But we got to Cedar okay and got a couple hours of sleep.

Eldon went down to UMEA Friday morning and I stayed home and spent the morning visiting with my Dad which I really enjoyed. I love talking politics with him. And really, every time I am with my father I learn something new about him and about life. I am so lucky to have him in my life and as an example and patiarch in my life. Then I went shopping with my Mom in the afternoon (and sweet Shelly took my kids). We had a fun time talking and being silly. After this weekend I realize how much I miss my parents and wish I was closer to them so I could see them more often.

That evening Eldon and Aaron came up from the conference and we had a family birthday party for Shelly. I did most of the cooking (although my Dad made these amazing bbq wings) and by the end of the day I really could barely keep my eyes open. It was ridiculous. It was fun for us all to be together, though, and I think Shelly had fun.

On Saturday Shelly and I went down separately to St. George and went to a Music Conference for Early Childhood Educators. It was really fun and I learned a lot of cool things that I want to use with my kids, my preschool and my piano and voice students. And it was so fun going to it with Shelly who is thinking about opening her own preschool. After the conference I treated her to Red Lobster because her boyfriend can't eat seafood and she's always wanted to eat there. Then we went to the mall and did some shopping before I took her back to Cedar for her b-day party with her friends. I wanted to take a picture of us on her bday and even brought my camera but still forgot! Dumb! We have like no pictures together.

I stayed up a little too late with my Mom again last night and then we came home today. Overall, a very nice weekend and for once I'm not more tired after than before. Probably because Eldon (begrudgingly) let me sleep in this morning. I hope all of you are doing well, sorry no pictures this time, I just forgot. Good night!

Sickness and Snuggles

This last Wednesday pretty much out of the blue Isaac got a fever and was really whiny and had a cough and just wanted to be held. Luckily his cold has already passed but I managed to snap a couple of shots while he was all snuggled up on the couch with daddy. He had to have his blankie and the little boy doll. It was so stinkin cute! (kinda looks like Daddy's sick too, huh?)

Here he is making a face because Mommy is taking a picture. It's so sad when my kids are sick but I also love love love when they are all snuggly.



Here's my wild little man who didn't get sick at all and ran around the house like a crazy kid like usual. He got this little dump truck from Grandma and Grandpa M for Christmas and he spends most the day running around the house with it. That's also where he keeps his snacks, drink and horde of toys. He didn't appreciate that I was just taking pictures of Issac so he can up to me and gave me a grin while saying something that sounded a lot like cheese!

And here is my sweet Ethan. (sorry about the blurry picture) He is now missing his two front teeth! He is still adorable to me but is definitely in a bit of an awkward stage. He is loving scouts and piano lessons!

I thought I had a picture of Andrew on my camera too but I guess not. That's our update for now! Hope all of you are well and happy!

Oh where is my rubber ducky?

I have been a complete slacker with pictures lately. But I did happen to snatch up my camera the other day before taking Isaac and Owen up for a bath. They LOVE, and I do mean love bathtime. They would stay in there all day if I let them. As you can see, they don't even care if Andrew has taken all the toys out. They still splash and have a ball. And they love the rubber ducky song, even if there is no rubber ducky! Can I just say though, that bathing twins is not easy. Once they're in the bath it's okay but then it's getting them out and in a diaper and dressed that's the tricky part. I obviously can't leave one of them in while I diaper and dress the other. So I always have the towels right there, take them out at the same time and then one inevitably runs around the house naked until after I can finish changing his brother. Of course they love that part too. They are at such an adorable age right now. Their only words still are no (which is what I hear most), peease, tanku, and an occasional mama. But I really don't worry. They talk a lot, we just can't understand it. Especially Owen, he'll get into these little tirades that just have me laughing. And just this last week Isaac has started folding his arms when we say prayer. They both love attention and they have this amazing twin radar. It works like this: Isaac is upstairs playing in the boys room and Owen is down in the kitchen with me. I give Owen a cookie. Literally 2 seconds later Isaac is down whining for a cookie, even though he wasn't there to see Owen get one and hasn't seen him since. This kind of thing has happened so many times, and on both sides. It is so funny to watch. One bad development, Owen is now climbing out of his crib. This is really not good news. Well, I've ended up blabbing on for forever. Hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed being there! Owen is first, then Isaac.

The daily gem that made my day

A few posts ago I mentioned that I signed up to get daily gems from lds.org. Here is the one today that I really, really needed to read:

Mothers' Commitment to Children

Posted: 22 Jan 2009 01:00 AM CST

"We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. Through my own four-generation experience in our family, and through discussions with mothers of young children throughout the Church, I know something of a mother's emotions that accompany her commitment to be at home with young children. There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they have made. Sometimes even husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives. "As a Church, we have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve."

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109

I have been having many "moments of a sense of inadequacy" and they are usually much more than "moments." I work with the Young Women in our ward and I am always encouraging them to see themselves as the Lord sees them, and as I see them. And yet I feel like a hypocrite because I still can't do the same.
The good moments are so so good. I have so much to be grateful for. And yet I still feel lost in a fog. The real Sharla, the one I know is hiding out inside somewhere just can't seem to make it all the way out.
But all I can do is take it a day at a time and try to do my best. Is my best good enough for me ?
No. But I hope that it will be enough.
I know that it's okay to have my Savior carry me for a while.

If you like reading this blog you need to comment

Okay, hello to whoever might read this. Yes, I know that I've been slacking lately on this blog. I know that I've been doing a lot more on my other blog (including a $50 giveaway that already has waay more comments than I ever thought I would get), but I just need to know if anyone is even reading this. If not, I may just discontinue it. I would like to have a place where I can talk about my family and post pictures of my kids because I don't like posting those things on my public blog where any weirdo can see it. But I'm not sure I can keep up on two blogs if nobody is even reading this. I haven't posted much lately because we've just kind of been doing the same old same old school, work, etc. And I have no recent pictures.

So, what it comes down to is this....if you want me to keep posting here and if you want to hear about my kids and family and see pictures, you HAVE to leave a comment.

Just click on the catchy comments link right below this post and tell me if you read this blog. If enough people do I will keep it up.

Oh, and if you've got time go enter my giveaway here. (and check out the cool picture my brother Jay drew for me)

The Coolest Thing!

I have recently been subscribing to a lot of different blogs. What that means is that I get an email (since I sign up for email subscriptions, not for feed) every day or every time they post on their blog. I currently have it set up for people to subscribe on my other blog.

Anyway, today I discovered the coolest thing. I can subscribe to LDS.org. They have a lot of different options but I signed up for their email subscription of "daily gems". I am so excited about this! You might want to check it out too. You can find it here.

What if today was your last day?

What is the last thing you want to smell? No, not your last meal, or last dying wish, or last words..... but the last whiff.

I love many smells, pies cooking, a fresh warm rain, but for me there is one thing. One smell that starts with a deep breath and ends all the way down at my toes.

Maybe you moms out there know what I'm talking about. Fresh out of the bath, bundled and snuggled, tired and cuddly, curled on my lap. I'd pull them close, one by one, until I can feel their fine wispy hairs brushing against my cheeks and lips. Then I'd close my eyes and take a deep deep breath. I'd memorize that smell, that feeling, that soft smooth skin against my cheek. And that's what I'd take with me, until I saw them again.

What kind of snow is THIS?!!

We got snow here a bit before Christmas but with all the craziness we didn't have a chance to go out together and play in it. It snowed on Christmas and a few other days and then finally I said we have got to get out there and make a snowman! I had gotten some new gloves from Eldon for Christmas that were actually useful in the snow (a first for me) so I bundled myself and the kids up and we headed outside!

I grabbed my first fistful of snow and proceeded to pat it together to make a snowball that I could then turn into the bottom of our snowman. But no matter how hard I tried that silly snow just sifted out of my hands. This was supposed to be SNOW, not just cold white SAND! But no such luck. We stayed out for a while and did what we could but I am still disappointed. I want to make a snowman!

Eldon was the first one to get down and make a snow angel. The snow was good for that.

Ethan was next(and last) to follow suit. I would have but I was too busy taking pics. ;)

Then we buried Ethan as best we could. Too bad we can't see his face...

Andrew dug in the snow like a little puppy.

And Shelly and Jason did a synchronized snow dance.

No snowman, but we had fun anyway!

Life was Great in 2008

Well, it is now officially 2009. I haven't gotten a tenth of the things done that I wanted to this week (or year for that matter) but it was awfully nice to relax and enjoy being home with my family. We had some wonderful things happen to us this last month and I am so grateful for all of the wonderful blessings my family has been given this past year. We have definitely been watched over by our Heavenly Father. Here are a few pictures documenting the last few weeks. I am then going to get this last year of my blog put into a book and then kind of start fresh. This blog will continue to be where I post pictures and family happenings but I have a lot of fun stuff coming up and happening on my other blog so I'm afraid this one may not get as much attention. So you can always pop over there if you miss hearing from me. Thank you for taking this journey with me this last year and I hope the new year finds you all healthy and happy!

Trimming the Tree

Eldon's band concert on Thursday Dec. 18, 2008. He did a wonderful job as usual, even though he had to fix about six instruments ten minutes before the concert started. He never ceases to amaze me!


The big day! Ethan ZaneCarbine was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday December 20, 2008 at 1:00 pm. His father Eldon Zane Carbine was the one who performed the baptism and confirmation. It was honestly one of the most emotional and amazing days of my entire life. The warmth and love in that room was so strong. And as I sat there and watched him sit in that chair to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit I knew that we were on the right path. How could any child go wrong with such a circle of strength and love around him. I am so proud of him and his good choices and love him so much!

Christmas Eve! We had all of my family at my house except for Shelly and we each got to open a gift Christmas Eve. It was so fun to have all 10 grandkids here.



Christmas Morning! I hate to admit it but I was so excited to try out my new digital flip camera that I forgot to take pictures with my regular camera. You have video clips to look forward to!


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Grandma's birthday the day after Christmas! I usually feel sorry for her but what other time of year would she get to have ALL of her grandkids there?


And this is after Christmas. My kids are wearing their new outfits from the sweet Santa family who brought such wonderful cheer to our home. (See two posts previous)





Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!