proud parent.

I’m not a parent, but I feel like a proud parent right now.

Tonight, GroundHounds Crew threw a battle for all of the kids in the area. It was a battle for kids who don’t normally battle.

I somehow convinced seven of my kids to go up.
They were pretty nervous and hesitant to do it.

I remember my first battle.
I thought I was going to pee my pants.

Out of the 7 kids, 6 of them made it past the preliminary round!

There was over 20 kids who competed.

Keyko, one of my older students, actually won the whole thing.

Oh wow.
Watching every single one of those kids made me feel like a proud parent.
I know that they were the ones who practiced and worked hard to learn the different moves, but it was incredible to feel connected to them.

I have to admit, the youngest kid who went actually stole the show!
Jewelz KILLED it! You’ve gotta see this girl dance, she is adorable and is SO close to being able to do full-on headspins!
What a kid!

Yeah, I feel like one of those parents who gushes over how talented their kid is. I don’t even care! These kids are so talented, they deserve the credit and praise!

Can you imagine how Heavenly Father feels when he sees us succeed?

It has to be the ultimate in parental pride!
“And that he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them…” (D&C 20:18)

? Are you a proud parent?

the ultimate birth control.

I’ve heard lots of people say that the ultimate form of birth control is:

Babysitting.
4 hours of crying, barfing, pooping and general chaos should be enough to scare any couple into avoiding a prego situation, right?

Definitely.
But it just depends on the kids.

4 hours of laughing, running around, playing and general merriment could lead you right into buying diapers and baby clothes.

We had a family dinner last night at Grandma & Grandpas. I LOVE our family get togethers. They’re always fun.

My cousin Nic and his wife Brittani brought their three girls along.
Cutest girls.
EVER.

No, but seriously… See for yourself:

Every time I see these girls I think I might just be ready for a family.
(Whoa – ok, don’t quote me on that)
But they’re SO much fun to be around that it makes me get kind of excited to have little kids running around!

“And they have brought forth children…” (2 Nephi 2:20)
Well, we haven’t brought forth any…
But, for now, I’ll just enjoy spending time with other people’s kids!

? Do you think babysitting is a good pregnancy deterrent?

excuses.

I’ve been teaching breakdancing for about three years now.

I think I’ve heard every excuse out there for why a move can’t be done.

I’m too fat.
I’m a girl.
My wrist hurts.
I forgot shoes.
I’m wearing shorts – but I need pants.
I need a jacket.
I’m too thirsty.
I just ate.
My floor at home is different and I like it better.
I’m too sweaty.
I do it all the time – I just can’t right now.
The music is too soft.
The music is too loud.
etc. etc. etc.

There are TONS more…

I’ve started paying close attention to every time I hear an excuse to justify the words, “I can’t…”

I hate hearing those words.
If you can only breakdance on carpet, every 2nd Tuesday of the month, wearing your lucky underwear, while Run DMC is playing on a stereo (not an iPod) then there are some serious issues we need to resolve.

Everyone makes excuses.
It’s a daily occurrence.

I can’t go clean my car right now because I’m writing this post.

So, instead of just making up some lame excuse how about we call things as they are.
I value writing this post more than I value cleaning my car.
I value the competition tomorrow night more than I value painting our book shelf (sorry sweetie).
I value going to the temple with Leah tonight more than the incredibly amazing workshop going on tonight. (you’re welcome sweetie)

Nephi is the man – let’s take a page out of his book:
“Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself.” (1 Nephi 19:6)

He says he can’t because he’s weak.
Done.

Although – as I’m writing this post I’m wondering if I would like hearing from my kids that they just don’t want to practice and don’t value breakdancing very much.
Hhhmm..

Yeah – forget what I just said.

I’d rather hear that your dog ate your breakdance sweats and you can’t breakdance in anything else.

? What’s the best excuse you’ve ever used or heard?

baby fever?

Tonight I had the chance to go to a family activity with 3 baby blessings.

Grandma & Grandpa are going out of town tomorrow so they decided to do it before they left.

I was fortunate enough to stand in the circle during the blessing. I’ve stood in circles for other blessings and setting apart’s and stuff, but this was the first time I have been part of a baby blessing.

It felt different.
There was something special about being part of the blessing that sets the tone for the life to come of a child.

It wasn’t even my kid and I felt something special – I can’t imagine what it is like to actually bless your own child.

I’ve always loved kids.

My dance kids, seminary kids and now I see kids every day at work.

It seems like everywhere I turn I see some ridiculously cute kid and part of me wants one. (oh man – I can’t believe I said that)

The sooner I have kids, the sooner I can start my little bboy crew!

Ok – I can definitely wait. There is NO rush.
But man, I’m kind of excited to be a dad.

“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my aname receiveth me.” (Matthew 18:5)

? How long after you got married did you wait to have a kid?

craziness of a young family

What do you get when you have a 6 kid family that ranges in age from 2 to 20?

CRAZY times!

I got all packed up this morning to leave and was ready to go about an hour before we had to leave. Leah’s mom came out and made a joke about how I was ready to get away from all of the craziness from this past week!

It’s funny because several times I have had someone comment on how I’m “such a trooper” for “surviving” this week.

Parents always seem to think they have the craziest family.

There was always something going on and people awake and sometimes the two-year old was throwing a tantrum — BUT that’s about the extent of the craziness.

Let’s not forget that I’m the oldest of 6 as well. I can definitely remember the craziness of our home growing up. I still feel like our house is crazy. Haha

Ryan (her 2 year old baby brother) threw a crazy screaming fit in the car. I wasn’t bothered by it at all — and my first thought was, at least he’s not swearing at me and trying to punch me in the face (cue: my sister, who is 17)

Crazy family? Nope. They were wonderful.

Every family has crazy moments.

Technology has made things easy. When kids scream you can hand them a toy, or give them something to suck on. But what did they do for screaming kids back in the day?

I can’t imagine wandering threw the wilderness with a bunch of toddlers. Imagine taking the Sunbeams class across the desert?

Ok – I looked. I can’t find anything about young children throwing tantrums. This seems to be the typical description of a child here in the scriptures:

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” (Luke 1:80)

?  Can you find an example of a scripture talking about a young child’s disobedience or craziness?

You won’t be able to. Haha So here’s another question:

?  Tell me your craziest story about a young child/children?