Happy Holidays!

Yes. We are still alive and kicking! We have just had a few technical difficulties at our house. Nevertheless, here is the latest from the Lloyds....

After Nathanael had his wisdom teeth removed, he developed a secondary infection the night before Thanksgiving. His cheeks swelled up again and were very painful. Fortunately, we were able to clear it up with a stronger anti-biotic and he was able to really enjoy Christmas. Nat played futsal (brazalian indoor soccer) over the last few months. Travis coached this team and they won the championship the night before Christmas Eve. Both he and Travis considered it a wonderful early Christmas present. Nathanael also got into the holiday spirit by singing with Men's Chorus in a holiday concert at the school. I am not sure which he likes better-soccer or music! This year, I believe that Nat was grateful for pain medication and being able to eat normally again.

Lindsay participated in her school concert singing with SSA-the women's chorus. It was very enjoyable! She also participated in a holiday dance concert at school. Lindsay participates in futsal academy as well as plays indoor soccer with her team. She continues to improve and is learning a lot. I think Lindsay is grateful to be old enough to go to the stake dances!

Ethan also played futsal with his team as well as participated in futsal academy. It has really helped him learn some good ball skills that he can use in soccer. He sang in the little Christmas concert at Deerfield Elementary and did a great job! His face was very animated! He also found out that he gets to be the character, Michael, in the school play, "Peter Pan". He is really excited. I think that Ethan was just grateful for a break!

Clarissa sang in the little Christmas concert at Deerfield. She is very dramatic and really got into her songs! It was so fun to watch her! She has told me more than once in the last few weeks that she is sooo grateful for her family. I am so grateful that she feels that way!

Zachary was really fun to watch this year with all the Christmas festivities! He absolutely LOVES the movie, "Cars"! It was so satisfying to watch him figure out that when you get to open a present, it ususally has something in it that you like-almost all of which had something to do with "Cars"! I think Zac is grateful for "Cars".

There have been so many wonderful things that have happened in the last couple of months, it is difficult to pick just one "moment of joy". However, one of the highlights was on the way home from choosing a Christmas tree. Picking out a live tree is one of my favorite memories growing up and it is so exciting to me to go pick out a tree. On the way home, we had a tape playing. It was, "John Denver and the Muppets, A Christmas Together". We were all singing, "fa,la,la,la,la" along with the tape as loud as we could! It is a memory I think that I will treasure for a long time!

We are so grateful for this time of year to reflect on our many blessings at Thanksgiving and to enjoy family time together and fun memories at Christmas and New Year's. To me, it truly is the "most wonderful time of the year"!

Cathy

The Monday of Medical Mayhem

We survived!  It has been an interesting two weeks at the Lloyd home.  Here are some "notes" about it...

Two weeks ago, Travis and I took Nathanael in to an oral surgeon to have a tooth exposed that was not coming up.  The orthodontist said that they had done all they could do with his braces without that tooth.  When we got to the office of the surgeon, he recommended that Nat get all four wisdom teeth removed because he had to be "out" for the exposing anyway and it is much better to do this procedure when the wisdom teeth are there- but not totally developed and have large roots.  We ultimately left the decision to Nat and he decided it would be better to get it over with and have it behind him.  Everything went well.  When Nathanael woke up, he kept claiming that he was fine and kept insisting that we take him back to school.  He claimed that his brain was sharp and that he just couldn't talk. Really???  Then when we got home, he jumped out of the van, went inside the house, and ran down the stairs before Travis or I could help him.  He just kept telling us that he was fine!  Of course, the medications wore off and reality set in later.  Anyone who has had their wisdom teeth out can relate to how miserable one can feel.  Despite the pain and not really being able to eat, Nat was a fairly good patient.  He took his medications when he was supposed to and kept himself hydrated and rested.  He is finally doing soooo much better and we are all grateful that it is behind him and he can enjoy the holidays!

That same day, I had scheduled a dentist appointment for four of us to have some dental work done.  What a pain!  I did not know when I scheduled the appointment that Nat would have his wisdom teeth out that morning.  Lindsay needed a small cavity filled.  Poor thing!  She takes such good care of her teeth and yet she is the one whose teeth are not as strong as the others.  I felt like I had to keep the dental appointment because it is so hard to schedule that much time.  Anyway, she got her cavity taken care of and I don't need to worry about it anymore.

Ethan needed one tooth extracted.  It needed to come out to allow for some other teeth that are coming in and must have space.  His teeth don't come out!  Almost all of them have had to be taken out by the dentist.  When we see the teeth after they come out we realize why they don't just fall out on their own.  The roots are unusually long!  His teeth look like talons!  Ethan handled everything well and I don't think he complained at all.

Clarissa also needed to have her teeth extracted as well.  She had to have four little baby teeth pulled.  I overheard the dentist saying how easy it would be to pull out those little teeth. He was surprised when it took a little more effort because, like Ethan, Clarissa has roots that are extremely long!  Unfortunately, that night, Clarissa's bottom lip was extremely swollen and continued into the next day.  I wondered what in the world was going on because I had never seen this with any of my other children.  It ended up that because her lip was numb and she had never experienced that sensation before, she bit her lip over and over-hard and caused many canker sores as well as a giant cold sore.  It took several days for her lip to heal and be normal.  Even though she was in pain, Clarissa did not complain!  She was awesome!

While we were waiting during Nat's surgery, Zachary was breathing funny.  It wasn't so obvious at that point that something was wrong and I debated whether or not to call his doctor.  I finally decided that he needed to be seen, so that evening after the dentist, I took Zac into his pediatrician.  By that point, it was obvious that he was having trouble breathing.  The doctor gave us an inhaler and put Zac on an antibiotic and told me to come back in two days.  I took Zac back to the doctor and it was determined that he has asthma-triggered by a cold.  I had juvenile asthma but grew out of it and so I hope that Zachary grows out of this too!  I just need to watch him close every time he has a cold now.

As you can tell, it was quite a day, but I am grateful that it is behind us and that we can enjoy the holidays.  My "moment of joy" was when Nat was changing his cold packs on his cheeks every thirty minutes.  He asked Clarissa to go get the frozen one out of the freezer for him and take the one back that he had just been using and put it in the freezer.  She told him that she would be happy to and was a cute little nurse!  When she gave the ice pack to him he said, "Thank you sooo much Clarissa!"  I really thought their little exchange was so sweet!

Cathy

The Lloyd Characters

Once again, we have celebrated Halloween...already? Well, here are a few "notes" from the Lloyd home...

Nathanael decided to be Dr. Doofenschmirtz from Disney's "Phineas and Ferb" for Halloween. He really enjoys watching that show. It gives him time to laugh and "chill out" from his crazy schedule. Every year, our family carves pumpkins for Halloween. Nat really does not like cleaning out the pumpkins! When he was little, he would cry and cry when we tried to get hime to pull out the pumpkin "guts". It is so interesting that still after all these years, he carves out his own design but refuses to clean it out!

Lindsay was a "goth" this year for Halloween. She looked pretty convincing! At a ward Halloween party, an elderly woman came up to me and told me that Lindsay looked so much like me when she was all "dolled up" like that! I really was not sure how to take that compliment? Was it the black lipstick or black eye shadow? I know, it was the nose piercing! Ha! Ha!

Ethan was Harry Potter this year. He was perfect for it with his new glasses! We were lucky because we already had a costume that some of our other kids had worn. It seems that every year we either have some character from "Harry Potter" or "Star Wars". This year we had both! Ethan really is into Harry Potter this year and has already said that he wants the Lego Hogwarts Castle for Christmas.

Clarissa was soooo cute this year as Junie B. Jones. She loves those books and I can often hear her laughing out loud in her bed as she reads at night before she goes to sleep. Clarissa took quite awhile to decide what she wanted to be for Halloween-but when she did-it was perfect for her! She was quite entertaining quoting phrases from the books. I loved it!

Finally, Zachary was Yoda from "Star Wars" this year. I had always promised Travis that we would have one of our little ones be Yoda because the baby/toddler costume was so cute. Since Zac is our last little one, it was kind of now or never! He loved Halloween!!! This was the first year that he got to go trick or treating. Travis took Ethan, Clarissa, and Zac this year because it was his turn. He dressed up as a Sith Lord to go with Zac. Zachary was his "little green friend". Travis asked Zac if he wanted to walk or be carried and Zac kept saying "walk". He walked for over an hour and did not want Daddy to carry him! I guess candy is a pretty strong incentive for him. Hmmm. Good to know for future reference! Because it was Travis' turn this year, the weather was fantastic- so just be aware that next year, the weather will be miserable because it will be my turn and the pattern has never failed! I don't really like trick or treating. I didn't even really like it as a child! I remember one year in which it rained and rained and I was so cold that I begged my dad to take us home ( I think it was only after one street). Anyway, he encouraged me to continue and as time went on, I noticed that my hands were turning blue and I told my dad that I was so cold that my hands were turning blue! He took me home and I realized that my hands were blue from the dye that was on my witch's hat! (I really was panicked that it was a permanent condition!)

Well, my "moment of joy" was when the pumpkins were all carved and set out on the porch. For some odd reason, I get a lot of satisfaction out of making sure each pumpkin is scraped very clean before a face is carved in! I know it is weird but that is just the way I am- a little weird!

Cathy

Nostalgia

Here are some "notes" from the Lloyds...

Nathanael sang in a concert for Lone Peak High. It was their fall concert. I couldn't go to the first one and so I was excited to go to this one. I really enjoyed the concert. They sang a couple of pieces that I sang in my junior year. The concert really took me back to some great memories-although I can't believe that it is now my son making those high school memories!

I was helping Lindsay pull a costume together this last week for Halloween. She has decided to be a "Goth". I remember in eighth grade that I dressed up as a flapper for Halloween. I think that that was the last time that I really dressed up for Halloween. Wow!

When I took Nat and Lindsay to the orthodontist this last week, I had Ethan get a free consultation. He needs A LOT of orthodontia work! I felt so bad for him! I remember having so many lovely problems with my teeth growing up! Oh, well! At least we can get them fixed and he will be even more handsome than he is now!

Clarissa has told me who she has a little crush on and how when she sees him, she gets a little shy and embarrassed. I thought back to my crush in elementary school-really it was one boy throughout all my years. However, I regret to say that I was not very shy or embarrassed around him, I probably frightened him off!

Zachary has learned the names of all the animals in the book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? It made me think of how many times I have read that book over the years...again and again and again....

My "moment of joy" this week was when I saw Zachary in nursery take his little cup for his snack and throw it in the garbage without someone telling him to do it! Yeeeaaaah! (Unfortunately, it probably won't last!)

Cathy

Apples and onions

I think when soccer season ends-which is soon, I will be able to be more consistent with this blog. Here are a few "notes" from the Lloyds...

"Apples and onions" is a tradition that we do at dinnertime as a family. Each child gets to go around the table and tell his/her "apple" or good thing for the day and his/her "onion" or bad thing for the day. True to the sense of humor of our children, some really like onions but don't like cheese and some really like cheese but not lima beans etc. So basically, sometimes its the "onion" of the day and the "cheese" of the day and so forth... Having said that, here are some "apples" and "onions" from the last couple of weeks...

Nathanael has been doing really well on his soccer team. It is amazing to see how far he has come from working so hard! He even scored a goal from about 40 yards out which arced up high and went in behind the goal keeper. This is his "apple". His "onion" is that he had scored a great goal along with his teammates and the referee called offsides on his teammate and so the goal did not count. Travis said that he was "robbed" and that it was a beautiful goal.

Lindsay's "apple" is that she got to perform in her first choir concert of the year. She is in SSA-the women's choir at her junior high. They performed a variety of songs from different musicals and they also got to do a little choreography with it. She had a lot of fun performing! Her "onion" is that she has had a really bad cold and has felt quite lousy. I don't know that she has felt that yucky for a long time.

Ethan's "apple" is that he is playing flag football right now and has scored a touchdown and extra points. Ethan is really fast and his coach calls him "crazy legs". His "onion" is that it took us forever to finally go and buy him some new shoes because his old ones were full of giant holes. At the store, the new pair that he had picked out seemed to fit, but the next day he tried to put them on for school and they were definitely too small. He was very disappointed not to have new shoes and have to wear his holy shoes.

Clarissa's "apple" was that she was able to save her money and buy a Junie B. Jones book at the book fair at school. Her "onion" is that she lost her homework this week and has to make it up. Her teacher is very positive with her and does not make her feel bad, however, Clarissa feels bad about it anyway -which I am so glad that she cares about it!

Zachary's "apple" is that he is talking up a storm now! He knows so many words and the names of things. My favorite little thing that he does lately is say "up top" and holds up his hand so you can give him a "high five". I don't really know where he got that from! His "onion" is that yesterday he was asleep on the couch and rolled off and smacked his face on the floor. He had a little bloody nose. I felt really bad and have not worried about him rolling off of something for a long time! I guess I will need to watch that more for a while.

My "apple" or "moment of joy" was the night of Travis' 40th birthday. I was so relieved that everything had gone well and that he felt really good about it and felt very "loved". I am so grateful and touched for our extended family's support in coming to celebrate this milestone!

Cathy

Pretty cool

Yes, we are still alive....here are "notes" from the Lloyd home....

Nathanael earned the highest award that you can earn for the Varsity scouts. He was the first one in our ward to earn it thus far. It was pretty cool. He also sang in his first concert in high school. It was a special concert in remembering the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Lindsay just celebrated her 14th birthday! To celebrate, she had a late night with her friends. She seemed like she had a great time. I hope she knows how amazing she really is and how grateful I am that she is my daughter. It is pretty cool that she is part of our family.

Ethan is busy playing soccer and participating in cub scouts. He is just about ready to receive his Webelos badge and then his Arrow of Light award soon after-pretty cool!

Clarissa scored her first goal for the season. A friend got it on camera and e-mailed it to us. She was really excited to tell her dad because Travis couldn't be there because he was coaching another game. It was pretty cool!

Zachary is talking more and more every day and turning into such a little boy! Right now he just loves cars! It is pretty cool how fast they grow and learn!

Because it has been 3 weeks, I have a couple of "moments of joy". The first one is that Clarissa had to write a poem about someone at school. She decided to write her poem about me and one line says, "She is a beautiful as a peacock". She makes me smile! The other thing is a little odd. I have been very ill for a couple of weeks. I had to go to the doctor a couple of times and when he told me what I had-I was so grateful because I could do something to get well and not just "wait it out". The doctor listened to my lungs and told me that I had pneumonia-which I was grateful that I could do something about it! When I told the doctor thank you for figuring it out-he just laughed. I guess it was a little odd that someone was thanking him for telling her that she had pneumonia. Because I have been ill, many have really helped me out and been so kind-again I am so grateful.

One other pretty cool story I heard was when I was watching some shows about the rebuilding of Ground Zero. There was a man who told a story of a tree that had been buried under all the rubble and had survived. They wanted to replant it on the site and so they took really good care of it and in 2010 it was hit by a terrible storm and again were not sure if it would survive. This tree did survive and they did replant it in the new plaza. It has some scarring and you can see where it has been damaged by 9/11 and the storm-but there is also a lot of growth. I thought that was pretty cool!

Cathy

Birthday, Soccer, and School-oh my!

A few "noteworthy" things from the Lloyds...

Nathanael just entered the 10th grade. He is officially attending high school! I just can't believe it! In my mind I am still 23 years old. I remember well my first day of high school and it doesn't seem that it was THAT long ago! He has a pretty full schedule this year but he feels like the classes are going to be very interesting. (I hope this attitude stays)! He is also really excited about his soccer season coming up soon.

Lindsay just entered eighth grade. She has turned into such a wonderful young woman. She is really excited about her classes this year and feels like she has so many great teachers. Her first soccer game was yesterday. It was sooooo hot! I had Clarissa and Zachary with me and they kept wanting to sit on my lap. I do not do well in the heat and it was all I could do not to jump up and scream!!! Lindsay, however, handled herself very well (she usually has a hard time in the heat as well). It is some unfortunate genetic problem.

Ethan entered the fifth grade. He is growing up so fast! He has a lot of friends in his class which makes it a lot more fun. He also had his first competitive soccer game yesterday with Travis coaching. Ethan played very well and it was a good experience for the team (The heat did not seem as bad as well).

My sweet little Clarissa is now a second grader and just celebrated her 7th birthday. Wow! We had a "mini-carnival" for her party. I stayed up until 2 a.m. doing a carousel birthday cake for her the night before. I thought that it turned out really well-but it slowly began falling throughout the day and just before her family party-it fell over. I fixed it as best I could and she still loved it. We were able to borrow a lot of cute carnival decorations from Travis' sister Jamie. It was fun! Clarissa also played her first soccer game of the season yesterday. I was a little worried because my brother Paul had coached her the last two years and she had a different coach this year. I was pleased to see her dribble all over the field-something Paul and Travis had worked on with her previous teams. One could tell she had been taught some great ball skills!

Zachary got to spend a lot of time with me because of the kids going back to school. He loves cars and he loves to take Ethan's Phineas and Ferb toys (a show from the Disney channel). I know he missed his siblings but it was nice to have some "one on one" time with him.

My "moment of joy" this week was when I stopped at a gas station after Lindsay's scorching soccer game and purchased a strawberry slushy-type drink. Boy-it hit the spot!!

Little Pioneer Children...

Things learned

It has been a couple of weeks-but here are a few "notes" from the Lloyd home...

Nathanael took a soccer refereeing class. He had to spend three nights for 4 hours each learning how to be a soccer referee. He passed the test at the end and now can referee not only recreational soccer but competitive as well. The higher the level of play, the more he will get paid. He was really excited for an opportunity to make some money.

Lindsay and Ethan went on a pioneer trek in Wyoming with my parents and Paul and Marja's family. It was a really good experience for them! They both came home and told me how much more they appreciated their ancestors. They had relatives that were in the Willie and Martin handcart companies.

Clarissa learned that swimming can be fun! She actually enjoyed going to swimming lessons for the first time ever! She became really good at the "dead man's float", the 'jellyfish float", and the "watermelon float". She also learned that she can be brave and jump in the water (she had a really hard time doing this).

Zachary learned to climb out of his crib. I tried one night to get him to settle down and instead, he climbed out of his crib (thank goodness he didn't get hurt) and now he does not like his crib at all!

My "moment of joy" actually was today during Sunday dinner. During Sunday dinner, we always go around the table and ask everyone what they learned in church. The Elders had a lesson on family responsibilities and that each family member has a role in making our home a nice place to be. Travis explained that there was a discussion about how we need to teach our children to work and that the prophets have told us this and that it is not something that he and I just made up to punish our children. He explained that we were following the prophet's council to teach them this principle. Clarissa then asked where and when the prophet said this-she wanted to see the quote for herself! Ah, Clarissa. Don't worry-we will gladly show it to you!!! Clarissa brings a smile to my face. :)

Cathy

Little Victories

Just a few "noteworthy" things that have happened in the Lloyd home this last week...

Nathanael played in a soccer tournament with his team, Arsenal, this last week. The tournament was the Strikerfest. His team, unfortunately, lost their games (they were all very close). However, Nat scored a goal during one game and in another game he got a penalty kick which resulted in a goal for his team. His coach even commented how much he likes that Nat fights for every ball!

Lindsay also played some soccer this week. Her team has been busy training and getting more in shape. During one of the practices, they played a game called World Cup. She and her partner in the game chose to be Italy and won!

Ethan and Clarissa both had swimming lessons this week. Ethan has taken this swimming level a couple of times and was finally able to pass. He will now move onto the level that is the highest that I expect my children to go. I must admit, I was so surprised at how well he did this year. He told me that he was "determined to pass". He also washed his Grandma Jam's car this last week-something which he had never done before. Too bad that it rained that afternoon! Ethan also got his glasses this week. When we walked out of the store he remarked on the mountains and that they actually have trees and other things on them. He was so excited to see the leaves on the trees and see that they really are not just "big green blobs". He said that it was like a new world!!

As I mentioned before, Clarissa also took swimming lessons this last week. She has been terrified every summer and dreaded swimming lessons! She told me last summer that she was just going to be the "grandma sitting in the kiddie pool". All my kids have been very cautious but she has had an extremely difficult time! This last week, however, she actually allowed herself to submerge in the pool and try to swim. When she came up she said, "That wasn't so bad!" She also was able to do the back float for the first time!

One of my callings in my ward is the Nursery Coordinator. I bring the nursery treats to church every week (that is why all the kids love me-ha,ha). Anyway, one of the treats I bring is goldfish crackers. Zachary loves them and saw them in my closet. He figured out how to open the carton-which is not that easy and take some fish. He then closed it back up and hid it out of sight! Oh, Zachary! It took me a bit to find it. He was very clever and hid it right behind all the other nursery boxes-just enough out of sight!

My "moment of joy" came this week when Clarissa swam the front crawl for the first time! I was so relieved and pleased that she was able to really overcome her fear and do it! I hope that she remembers this experience and realizes that she can overcome her fears and do great things!

Cathy

Varsity All-Stars

The Ides of July

A few "notes" from the Lloyd home....

Nathanael was invited to go with another young man from our ward to attend a High Adventure Varsity All-Stars scout camp. He left on Monday at 6:00 a.m. and got home Saturday about 3:30 p.m. It really was "high adventure". He did rock-climbing, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, etc. I am just glad that he returned home safe! They played some games and he won a game called, Poison Stump, twice. He also was elected to be the squad leader for his squad-the Foxes. He got to work with boys from all over Utah. It was a good experience for him and I am grateful that he had this opportunity to go. I am also grateful that all my "chickens" are now home for the summer!

Lindsay started her soccer training this week. She also got to go to the midnight show of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" with Travis. They had a good time. She got to go with her grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins.

Ethan had kind of a crazy week. He started out the week with a virus that mimicked strep throat. However, his fever broke just in time to go to the eye doctor. Ethan needs glasses! I did not realize how bad his vision really was until he was reading the eye chart and the letters DID NOT resemble the letters on the chart at all! Poor Ethan! We went and ordered his glasses yesterday. He wanted something completely different from Nat's style. I think we chose well-he will look just as handsome as ever! It is just too bad that we seem to pass on the genes that we would rather not-crooked teeth, poor vision, etc.

Clarissa enjoyed having her cousins come over this week for a Harry Potter party. She and Ethan also found an old "spell book" that they created and "practiced" the spells. They spent many hours this week dressed up as students from Hogwarts and learning how to do magic!

Zachary has impressed me this week by "cleaning up" after himself. He will eat his fruit snacks and throw the package in the garbage. After he gets a drink, he puts the empty cup on the counter. He also likes to help me with the dishes! It is totally cool!

My "moment of joy" came this week when I was able to use our microwave again. We have had a lot of things break down on us this last month. First, it was our vacuum. Then the clothes dryer was next. Then our van had a part that needed to be fixed. Next, it was the microwave. Travis also had to fix a leaky valve on our sprinklers and finally our computer monitor died. We were able to get the other things taken care of pretty quickly but the microwave took longer. It was very inconvenient to say the least. However, now it is fixed and working again and hopefully, we are good to go on everything else for awhile!

Cathy

Summer sizzles

Just some "notes" on the kids this week...

Travis took Nathanael driving for the first time this week. He took him to the church parking lot to help him get used to the "feel" of the car. Travis took a little video of when he started and I was so impressed at how calm and positive Travis was with Nat. I can't believe that he is old enough to do this (maybe I just can't believe I am old enough to have a child starting to drive)!!

Lindsay is taking a sewing class this summer because it is a skill that I have never mastered and I would like my girls to do better in that area. Anyway, I had to sew Nat's Eagle rank patch on his uniform because he has been invited to a special Varsity High Adventure camp with another boy from our ward. I had not sewn the patch on yet because the bobbin fell out and for some reason I cannot put it in right. I read the directions, I have had people show me how to do it and I just cannot do it! I get so frustrated that I want to "speak in tongues"! Thankfully, Lindsay put the bobbin in with ease and has helped me put patches on Nat's uniform and mend a few little items. It seems that she will learn to sew much better than I-thank goodness!

Ethan has been playing a computer game called Zoo Tycoon. He has really enjoyed "taking care" of the animals and watching them and their progress. Ethan has always liked animals and even though it is just a game, it is fun for me to watch him get so excited about what they do!

Clarissa is beginning her first novel. Earlier this week she told me that her "hopes and dreams were shattered". What? She told me that all the stories that she had written were falling apart in the book baskets or lost and that she wanted to be an "arthor". I told her that she can still be an author if she wants and we talked about some ideas that might help her stories to last longer. She then decided to write a book and the interesting thing is that it has the voice of Junie B. Jones books. She loves those books and checks out at least 5 a week to read. I have caught her reading in the dark when she is supposed to be sleeping! Hmmmmm, I'm afraid I know exactly how she feels-wanting to stay up and find out what happens.

Zachary has been teething this week and so he has been lovely. We have not gotten a lot of sleep and it has been hard to get anything done because he hangs onto my legs! Thank goodness for pain medication! He has also become a "daddy's boy" watching Travis fix sprinklers and work on other projects.

My "moment of joy" came this week when we were watching fireworks with my parents. They were sitting behind me and I turned around to see if they could see all right and noticed that they were holding hands. I am so grateful for their examples!

Enjoy the ride...

Just a quick "note"....

Nathanael has had a pretty laid back week. His soccer team did a scrimmage with another team for practice. Nat got to play forward-which he was excited about. He usually plays mid-field (which he likes as well). He just loves soccer! Hmmm, I wonder where he gets that from?

Lindsay went to girls camp this week with our ward. They went somewhere in Wyoming. It was about three hours away. She loved it! It was surprising to have her come home earlier in the day than expected. Apparently, their campground flooded and they had to sleep under a pavillion the last night. Early in the morning, the gentleman who runs the camp told them that another storm was coming and that they needed to go because if the levee broke, they would only have three minutes to get out. Lindsay wasn't too sad because her group got out of cleaning the toilets to pack up and go.

Ethan is once again experimenting in the kitchen. He and I were watching a show on the food channel about the "best pasta" places in the country. He turned to me and asked if we could make a macaroni and cheese pizza-he thought that those two dishes combined might be yummy. It sounds like a coronary to me! On the other hand, what a way to go!

Clarissa took over being the second mom to Zachary this week while Lindsay was gone. We had gone to the park to have a picnic and play. All on her own, she took Zac's hand and helped him climb up to go down a little slide that was just right for him. She did it almost the entire time. I did miss Lindsay and Lindsay's help, but it was good to have Clarissa "step in" and be my little helper.

Zachary is into the stage of closing his eyes when he is in trouble or does not want to do something. He is at that age where he believes if he can't see you-then you can't see him! It is actually quite humorous to watch-except when he is getting in trouble-and believe me-he is capable of trouble!

My "moment of joy" this week was watching Zachary ride the lawn mower with Travis while Travis was mowing the lawn. Zachary had such a look of pleasure on his face-and so did Travis!

Cathy

Little coincidence

Just a little "note" from our home this week....

Nathanael took the written drivers test on Monday and was able to get his Learner's Permit.  I guess we're going to have to start his 40 hours of driving...  Watch out everyone!!!

Lindsay is growing out her hair-for the first time and just needed a little trim.  The salon we went to were offering to put feathers in your hair-which apparently is the new trend.  Lindsay has wanted one for a long time and so we had a small, subtle feather put in.  Travis is enjoying teasing her about it!  It does look a lot better than the feathers that people put in their hair when I was in elementary school!  They were bright colors with beads on them, however, they were ususally on a clip and not "in" your hair.

Ethan and I had a chance to spend some "one on one" time together this week for his "day-off".  We were able to go and see  "Kung Fu Panda 2".  During the movie, he became quite emotional (I did too), so we had a little talk about how we are alike that way.  He feels very deeply and has to be careful of what he watches or reads because he internalizes it-just like me!  It is funny what traits and qualities get passed on!

Clarissa tried to run away the other night.  Travis spotted her walking down the road with her backpack on and her little mouse house-her favorite toy at the moment.  We called her to come home- which she did reluctantly.  Someone had not spoken to her nicely and so she decided to leave home because her feelings were hurt-she is just "slightly dramatic" which is why we love her so much!  Anyway, I asked her why she would leave me when I would miss her so much!  She said that I could come visit her every day.  I still don't know where she was going but maybe we need to have a little talk in Family Home Evening about what we say to each other and how we say it!

Zachary watched "Cars" for the first time this week and was glued to it the entire time.  He kept saying, "Go, go, cars, go, vooom".  He loves it!  Yesterday, as we were talking, he started walking backwards and grinning from ear to ear!  We think he must like the character, Mater, who drives backwards.  It is fun for me to see him get so excited about something like that!

My "moment of joy" came this week when Travis hooked up our new dryer that we got from our bishop.  Our dryer had just completely died the night before and our bishop had just purchased a new washer and dryer because his washer broke.  Travis offered to have he and Nat help him put them in and after they were finished, our bishop asked if anyone needed a dryer!  How cool is that?  Anyway, Travis hooked it up and we were able to "clean sweep" the laundry room-something that needed to desperately happen-and now we can have clean clothes again!  (Sorry to those of you who had to be around us lately-haha!)

Cathy

Lloyds, est. 1994

Wow!  A lot of "noteworthy" things have happened the last two weeks in the Lloyd home....

Nathanael went on a trek with the youth of our stake.  They just went up American Fork Canyon.  He had to dress up like a pioneer and pull a handcart.  He had a great time!  He said that it was a good experience for him and that it helped him to appreciate his ancestors a little more.  We all went as a family to pick him up.  As the youth were coming down the hill with their handcarts,  "Come, Come Ye Saints" was playing in the background.  I could not stop the tears.  To think that my ancestors sacrificed so much and left all that they had behind to come settle here was overwhelming and touching!  I was so grateful that Nathanael got a little taste of what they had to do including dealing with a broken handcart.  We were told that Nat did "great" and he came down the trail grinning.  After we picked up Nathanael, we went to Midway to eat at a local restaurant-Scrappy's Timp Freeze.  The food and shakes were sooo yummy!  We decided that this is a new tradition when we pick up kids from trek.

Lindsay and the rest of us went to the Scottish Festival while Nat was gone.  Lindsay is named after Travis' mother's family.  Clan Lindsay happened to be there at the festival.  We had several members of the family wearing the Lindsay plaid and so they were invited to join in lighting the torches and be part of the ceremony.  Lindsay got a Clan Lindsay t-shirt and she was so proud to wear it!  As I mentioned, Lindsay is named after Travis' mother's maiden name but her middle name is Kaye which is my mother's middle name.  Lindsay is named after both her grandmas.  Lindsay has a close relationship with both of them and has learned so much from each one!

Ethan also enjoyed going to the Scottish Festival.  He was able to get a wooden sword and shield there.  Ethan has an active imagination and really enjoys playing with his sword and shield. The shield has a Welsh dragon on it.  Our last name Lloyd is Welsh.  I learned that they have a red dragon on their flag when Travis and I went to Wales three years ago while he was touring with the Utah Chamber Artists. 

Clarissa had her end of season dance concert.  The dances were based on a book called "All Around the World".  Watching the dances with the words on the screen behind them makes me want to get a copy of that book!  Clarissa was a tomato for one dance and a little girl going to bed and snuggling her teddy bear for the other.  She did a good job and had a lot of fun!

Zachary continues to learn so many things!  He is at that age where it seems like he is doing something new every day!  Lately, he loves to go outside!  He gets all excited when we say, "Let's go!" 

Well, there are some other things that we have done lately as a family.  We went to the Reynolds family reunion in St. George.  The first night we went to Tuacahn theater to see the production "Little Mermaid".  Clarissa really got into it and thought that it was very exciting to watch.  When Nat was younger, he went to a family reunion to San Antonio, Texas with his grandparents.  At one point, he ended up watching the Disney version of  "The Little Mermaid" twice in a row.  I teased him the other day telling him that he must need to watch some version of "The Little Mermaid" during a family reunion! 

The next day our family went to the St. George Tabernacle where President Lorenzo Snow gave his talk on tithing-it was really cool.  Then we went to the St. George temple visitor center.  The Spirit was very strong there and we watched a movie about the importance of families.  By the end of the movie, Travis and I were very emotional.  I am so grateful to have been married in the temple and that both of us have the same goals and are in this together!  Later that night we went to the Fiesta Family Fun center and played miniature golf and rode the go-carts.  Zachary especially enjoyed being his daddy's ball boy.

The next day we went to Zion's National Park which is truly amazing!  When I was growing up, we went on the hikes to see the sights.  Travis' family apparently drove to a sight, got out and took pictures, and then got back in the car.  I did not even know that that was an option!  Because we have Zachary, we took a shuttle to some of the places.  I wanted to do a small hike but Zac got sunscreen in his eyes and Lindsay was grumpy (mostly due to the heat).  Anyway, the family reunion was good and a fun little trip for us.  It was fun to see my cousins and aunts and uncles that I have not seen for awhile. 

Travis and I just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.  As I mentioned before, I am so grateful that we were married in the Salt Lake temple.  It is hard to believe that it was that many years ago that we began our journey together!  We sure have been through some ups and downs but we have both grown up together and learned from each other and have helped each other.  I know that I am a better person because of him.  I just can't believe that I have known him for half my life!  Where did the time go?  Back when we were first married we just wanted to be "settled".  Well, we are certainly "settled" now.  I've decided that I really need to enjoy this time with him and with our children.

My "moment of joy" came when Clarissa was crying because she was upset and Zachary gave her kisses and grinned at her trying to make her happy.  He then stayed in their bedroom and played with her!

Cathy

Topsy Turvy

Things have been so "topsy turvy" around here!  Some "noteworthy" items from our home...
Nathanael just finished ninth grade!  I can't believe it!  This last week he got to go to Lagoon Day with the other ninth graders.  He said that he had a good time but that he went on a roller coaster that was pretty wild and decided that roller coasters are not for him.  He didn't get sick-but he said that it made him feel pretty weird for awhile!  He also participated in a 5K run at school and really pushed himself to do his very best (I don't know why-I personally do not like running) and came home exhausted but satisfied.

Lindsay just finished seventh grade.  She adjusted so well from elementary school to junior high (much better than I did)!  She also participated in the 5K but she walked most of the way because of a friend who likes running about as much as I do, and Lindsay is a good friend.  At the end of the race, they found another friend who was walking it instead of running and Nat came back to jog with Lindsay after he had finished. I just knew he liked his sister!!!

Ethan had a "topsy turvy" week.  He finished the fourth grade-cool!  He got to go to Webelos Extreme where he passed off a lot of requirements.  We also hosted a soccer party for his team at our house Saturday-those were the highlights of his week.  However, on Tuesday evening, he was getting ready for cub scouts when he noticed something very sad.  He came running upstairs very upset and weeping.  It took a minute for him to manage to speak between sobs-his bird, Henry, was dead.  I ran downstairs and sure enough, there lay Henry at the bottom of the cage.  Usually parakeets last a lot longer than he did and there was no indication at all that anything was wrong!  Henry was chirping happily just that afternoon!  Needless to say, Ethan was devastated.  He thought maybe that he did something wrong-I explained that sometimes things happen and we don't know why.  We held a tiny little service for him and buried him next to Michael's tree in our front yard.  We all miss Henry and think he must be with Michael waiting for the rest of us!

Clarissa is happy AND sad to be out of school for the summer.  She just finished the first grade!  Clarissa has been a little author this week.  She has some dolls that she plays with often.  She usually is either their mom or their school teacher.  This week she decided to do an activity that she did in her own class at school.  Each child got to write and illustrate a story and then share it with the class.  Clarissa spent hours writing and illustrating stories-one for each of her dolls (each one was apparently written by a different doll).  The stories are very unique and I am amazed at what goes on in her mind!  Ethan and Clarissa also participated in the annual dance festival at Deerfield-she really got into the Twist!

Zachary loves being outside now that the sun is finally shining!  He loves to dig in the gravel and "pretend" to play basketball! (He thinks that he is doing what the other kids are doing!)

Of course with all the end of school stuff going on-we decided that we needed more craziness!  We put in new carpet in the bedrooms upstairs-finally- and have lived in a disorganized mess all week.  But that's not all!  We decided to add even more craziness and are doing a patio which will help us enjoy the backyard a little bit more!  Right now, we did get the inside of the house put together -but our backyard is still a mess and probably will be for a little bit-so our lives have been "topsy turvy" this week in more ways than one!

My "moment of joy" this last week came when we were at the cemetery visiting one of the graves of my grandparents.  Each year we like to take our children to visit the cemeteries that my grandparents and Travis' grandparents are buried in.  At each headstone we like to tell the things that we remember about each of our grandparents.  The last one we went to visit was my grandma and grandpa McMillan.  I told some of my memories about them and I felt so grateful for each of my grandparents and the good influences that they have had on my life.  They each contributed in a good way to the person that I have become!  As I was talking, I reflected on my memories and I had a moment of happiness that they were part of my life!

Cathy

"Crazy daze" of soccer

Here are some "notes" as of late on the "crazy daze" of soccer at the Lloyd home....

Nathanael was just called as president of his teacher's quorum.  It's been interesting to watch him learn from having more responsibility and take initiative when things need to get done.  He also has been trying out for several AAA soccer teams for the fall season.  There was one team that some of his friends were playing on and he wanted to make that team to play with them.  These teams have multiple tryouts and one night, Nat had a slight fever and was extremely tired.  He wanted to try out sooo bad so he took some medication to help him feel better.  I was anxious to find out how he did that night and Travis said that he had never seen Nat play better!  How odd!  Anyway, Nat did make that team as well as another one and had to make a decision.  He decided to play with his friends.  He is excited and I hope that it will be a good experience for him!  He also just took an AP test for Human Geography.  Hopefully he passed-we won't know until the summer.  Nathanael also just participated in his last concert with the Concert Singers.  It was fun to watch him because he loves to sing.  One song that they sang was, "You Raise Me Up" and they had a slide show to go with it where the kids submitted pictures of those that have influenced them for good in their lives.  Nathanael submitted a picture of him with Lindsay and Ethan at a Real soccer game.  I am grateful that my children seem to really love each other even though they know how to push each other's buttons and drive us all crazy!  I hope that when they are all grown up that they continue to have good relationships with each other!

Lindsay's little soccer team kind of fell apart at the end of the season and so she tried out for other AA soccer teams.  She was able to make one that we feel really good about.  We know this particular soccer club pretty well (Nat has played for them) and Travis is excited about working with an old soccer friend again. 

Ethan's team has decided to go competitive next year and Travis will be coaching them.  Travis is just as excited about it as Ethan!  Are we surprised?  Ethan also recently had pioneer day at school and then they performed class plays for the younger grades.  Parents were not invited (we almost went anyway but did not want to embarrass him) but Ethan felt good about his performance and apparently was one of the main characters!  I must admit, he is quite a little "ham" when he wants to be!

I thought that Clarissa would be the one that would quit soccer next year (I was kind of hoping...).  Anyway, uncle Paul can't coach this year (it has been a great experience for her) and because she will have a new coach and a new team, I thought that she would be done.  Instead, she surprised me by saying that she wants to play until she is 16 years old!  Really?  Are you sure?  I don't know that she really will play that long but I guess if she wants to keep playing....

Zachary is into balls right now!  Soccer balls, bouncy balls, basketballs etc.  He goes around the house making a "collection" of all the balls he finds and puts them together.  Then he takes one at a time and kicks, throws, or carries them somewhere else.  Needless to say, there are balls all over our house!

I am just so glad that this soccer season is finally over and maybe-just maybe things can settle down a little bit!  Right-ha ha!  It's all good!

My "moment of joy" came these last two weeks when Zachary was interacting with another little boy in church and the little boy handed Zac a toy to which Zacky said, "thank you".  Yay!!!!

Cathy

Tender mercies

Here is a "note" from me to you on my thoughts of May 15th...

It was three years ago today that I delivered a tiny baby boy that had died before he got a chance to be born.  Even though it has been three years, I still have a hard time during this week.  I don't sit and cry but I do feel more anxious and just kind of in a "funk".  I find that I am not as patient with my other children as I should be and then I decide not to just pretend that everything is all right and let myself "grieve" a little bit.  Despite the loss I still feel, I can look back and see how far I have come and the things that I learned from that experience.  That was the beginning of a very difficult year for me -but I got through it and I learned a couple of things about myself.  I learned that even when I feel so dark inside, I know what I know and cannot deny that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that I can continue to keep going and making right choices.  I also learned that for me, peace is not necessarily an overwhelming comforting feeling but comes from doing what I know is right and continuing to try to live as Jesus Christ has taught us.  I am not even close to perfect -but I keep trying and hopefully I am progressing a little bit. 

I remember the difficult times I had when I lost Michael, but I also remember some of the "tender mercies" that helped me get through that experience.  I was able to deliver him quickly and without any complications.  To me-that was a great blessing.  He came out whole and I was able to see through "spiritual eyes" his features that showed that he was my son (he looked a lot like Nat).  A brother in our ward is a mortician and donated much of his services so that we were able to have a sweet family home evening and a nice little burial for him.  I also look back and see how many people cared for us and helped us get through that difficult time.  Many people provided meals, did yard work, and let me just talk and grieve.  I still am so touched by all the love that was extended to our family.

Every year around this anniversary, we honor our little angel by donating Build-A-Bears to the hospital- since we had received that generous gift three years ago, going out to dinner (which we did after his little graveside service), and visiting the cemetery where Michael is buried.  Even though it brings back some painful memories, there are also feelings of gratitude for The Plan of Salvation and knowing that because of Jesus Christ, there is always hope.

My "moment of joy" this week came when our little family was visiting the cemetery. I was standing there looking at Michael's headstone and reflecting when Travis put his arm around me and I realized that I am not alone- and that he and I have gone through something together that has helped us each become stronger people and stronger as a couple.  We are in this together-the good times and the bad.  I was so grateful to have him standing next to me and supporting me.

Cathy

Things that make you go hmmmm...

Here are some "notes" from the Lloyd family last week...

We registered Nathanael for high school next year.  I cannot believe that I am old enough to have one going to high school!  Weird!  Also, in in P.E. the boys learned how to shoot bows and arrows.  They then held a competition for long-range and short-range.  Nathanael was one of two that qualified for both the long-range and short-range as a finalist.  Then he won the long-range competition the next time that they had P.E.  It was kind of funny.  (Too bad he didn't get a kiss from a fair maiden! J/K)  Nat said that it must have been his Welsh heritage coming through because they are known for singing and being good bowmen.  Hmmmm...

Lindsay played in her last soccer game for the year.  She is now deciding what she wants to do for next year-to play competative soccer or recreational soccer or just be done.  It is a difficult  decision for her to make and honestly I am amazed that she has stuck with it all of these years!  We have video footage of her playing in her first season.  She and another little girl are holding hands, skipping down the field and singing.  The ball goes by and they do not even look at it!  Hmmmm...

Ethan continues to experiment with food.  I found him the other day in the kitchen eating a graham cracker with Nutella on it and dunking it in a cup of milk.  It actually looked pretty tasty- but a little odd!  He also likes to salt and pepper hard-boiled eggs (not unusual) and put a little garlic powder on them as well.  I don't know where he comes up with these ideas!  Hmmmm...

Clarissa had to give a talk in primary this week.  She usually has no trouble speaking in front of others, however, this time she became very nervous and instead of speaking-she started giggling!  It took a little bit of time for her to settle down.  It reminded me of how when I was young, I would giggle and laugh when I had to speak in school- and the worst was singing with my dad and brothers in church!  We tried to sing, "Teach Me To Walk in the Light" and somone got the words a little mixed up.  Well, that got me giggling as well as a couple of my brothers (you know who you are!) and left my dad basically singing a solo!  Needless to say, we did not sing a lot together after that for awhile.  (Thank goodness we got over that-for the most part anyway!) Well, it seems that Clarissa has the giggle gene.  Hmmmm...

Zachary continues to be quite entertaining for our family.  When he accidentally gets knocked over, he tightens his abs and his neck so that his head does not hit the floor.  However, lately he has been doing little "protests" if he does not get his way.  He falls forward on the floor and bangs his head.  He then starts to cry because it hurts-go figure!  Unfortunately for him it does not work, we all just kind of stand there and laugh to ourselves.  Hmmmm...

My "moment of joy" came this week when I came home from helping out at a baby shower.  (Travis was gone all evening as well for his calling.) It had been a very stressful night and I was not looking forward to going home to clean up the mess that had been left.  When I got home, I took a deep breath before I entered the house to remind myelf to be calm and just "buck up" and get it done.  When I entered the house, I was totally surprised to find everything CLEAN!!  I instantly knew that it was Lindsay.  I rushed to find her and tell her that I love her!  She just smiled and said "Happy Mother's Day!"  Wow!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I know that I am so grateful for my mom and all that she still does for me!  She is such an amazing woman and such a good example of a woman of faith, strength, and wisdom. 

Cathy

random spring things

I am having a hard time being as consistent as I was when I first started.  Oh, well!  Just a few "notes" from the last week...

Nathanael's soccer season finally started and he was able to play in his first two soccer games for the Lone Peak freshmen team.  The very first game was against Pleasant Grove and his coach was unable to be there -so he asked Travis to coach that first game.  It was cold and rainy but they came home victorious!  I think that it will be a great memory for both of them.

Lindsay has been working on her Personal Progress goal to help plan meals, help at the grocery store, and then cook dinner for the family for two weeks.  She has done a fabulous job and I am sad that it is now over.  I enjoyed having a break from making dinner all the time!  Cooking is definitely not my favorite things list!

Ethan's soccer season has also started.  He is a good little player on defense.  In his first game, Ethan got hit in the face and came home with his nose a tiny bit swollen on the tip.  He said that he was tough and was able to keep playing even though he got hurt.  Poor Ethan!  He is always getting hit in sports.  One year he was quite a ball magnet by getting hit with the soccer ball (more than once), the baseball, a baketball, etc.  It did not matter what he played, the ball seemed to be attracted to his face!

Clarissa has been totally looking forward to Easter!  She wrote a letter to the Easter bunny asking him to bring a brother and sister for Jenny in her Loving Family dollhouse family.  Jenny is the only one with red hair and she specifically asked that the brother and sister also have red hair.  The Easter bunny left an older "cousin" and her horse in Clarissa's Easter basket with a note.  It explained that the Easter bunny had a little hole in the bottom of his bag and that he would send the dolls by post (it kinda rhymed with lost)-anyway, that seemed to please her and she is excited to receive a package!

Zachary loved Easter this year!  We learned that he loves jelly beans and that anytime he sees a plastic egg, he thinks that there is candy in it!  He also enjoyed moving all the eggs out of the basket and putting them back in over and over!  It was fun to watch!

My "moment of joy" this week was when we were driving back from my mom's house after doing some fun Easter traditions.  Travis put on the group, They Might Be Giants, and all of us started singing along to "Make A Little Birdhouse In Your Soul".  It was fun and it was the end of  a great day!

Cathy

My growing garden

Yes!  We are still alive and kicking (some of us screaming as well)!  I have been a slacker and not "noted" anything the last two weeks.  It has been a little crazy (I dropped a ten-pound weight on my foot!)-but I have found that my children are continually growing -like tender plants in a garden.  I hope and pray that I am providing "good soil", enough "sunlight", and enough "water" for them to grow strong and happy!

Nat is getting ready to register for high school next year.  I can't believe that I am old enough to have a child that will be attending high school!  Yes, I am in complete denial.  He also recently turned 15 and is anxious to get his permit so that he can start getting his 40 hours of driving.  HE is anxious-Travis and I are not!  Oh, the joys!

Lindsay is growing up into an amazing young woman.  Last week I was extremely tired after a rough night with Zachary,who had a virus, and slept in (I don't get to do this too often).  It was spring break and Lindsay heard Zac and got him out of his crib, fed him, and took care of him until I got up.  I am so grateful for her!  She had also tried out for the dance company at her junior high for next year and did not make it-she was so disappointed, but was able to quickly get over her sadness.  Another sign that she is growing up!  It was a lesson that I am afraid will happen at other times in her life-we don't always get what we want and things don't always work out for us the way we think that they will-but somehow things always work out for the best.  Whenever my children try out for things, I pray that if it will help them and be good for them, then they will make it.  However, if they do not need that experience or if it will not be good for them, I pray that they don't -and obviously, this was not for Lindsay next year. 

Ethan is growing up a little bit as well.  He is learning that sometimes we have to follow through when we have made a committment, even if something else comes up that we would like to do as well.  It is difficult to choose between good, better, and best. 

Clarissa is learning that just because we want something, it does not mean that you can just get it when you don't have the money to pay for it.  We recently watched "Tangled" and I told her that she looked like Rapunzel at the end of the movie (I won't spoil it for those who have not seen it!).  Anyway, when we were at the Disney store, she wanted the Rapunzel doll but did not have enough money to buy it.  She was very angry that I just did not buy it for her!  However, when we got home, we had a great little talk about not spending money that we don't have and that it is okay to wait for things that we want.  When we get them, it makes the object that much more appreciated.  This is a hard lesson for a little girl and sometimes even when you are an adult!

Zachary is growing and learning constantly.  He came with me to singing time in nursery today at church (just to get him used to coming little by little).  The nursery that he will attend in a few months invited him to stay and have snacks.  He sat up to the table just like he belonged there!  I can't believe how fast they grow!  It seemed like Nat was just that age-where does the time go?

My "moment of joy" during this last two weeks came when we finished cleaning out the toy room and reorganizing it!  Whew!  Spring cleaning is awesome!!!  We also cleaned out and reorganized the bedrooms-which is partly why I have been such a slacker in posting this blog.  However, the work is well worth it!  Learning to work and accomplish goals is just another lesson that I am trying to teach my little garden.

Cathy

warm Sunday dinner

Finally, I have a little time to sit down and write a few "notes" about last week...

Without going into any details, Nathanael has realized that he needs to do his homework even if he can Ace his tests!!  Travis and I honed in on his "currency" and we have seen dramatic improvement!  Only time will tell...

Lindsay enjoyed the start of the soccer season.  Her team won their first game 1-0 and Lindsay was the one that scored the goal.  They lost their second game 0-2 but she felt really good about her individual performance!  She didn't make the Student Council for next year but I am so pleased that she is confident enough to put herself out there!  I regret not having more confidence in myself at her age to try to do more things that I had an interest in-I am pleased that my children all seem to be more confident than I was and that is a great thing!

Ethan asked for and received a mini-doughnut maker for Christmas this last year.  This week he has been "The Doughnut Maker" by putting on a Krispy Kream hat and making batches of mini-doughuts!  They are especially tasty with a little Nutella on them!  Ethan has been telling me lately that he wants to be a chef when he grows up.  Why not?  He loves to experiment in the kitchen!!

Clarissa has been "practicing mommy" this last week.  She has asked me to babysit her dolls several times.  When she gets home, she grills me to find out whether or not I have fed her children and taken good care of them! 

Zachary has been learning so much lately but he has also tried to give me a heart attack!  He has been saying so many new words and also signing to communicate some basic wants.  It has been so fun to watch him grow and develop!  He says, "hello", "let's go", "I love you", and "thank you" (Sometimes they are a little hard to understand-but most of the time I get it!)  I just cannot ask him to do it on demand-he is as stubborn as all my others!  However, he is definitely my most wreckless child!  Last Saturday he almost made himself pass out throwing a fit, fell down the stairs and cut his mouth, fell off a step stool, and tried to drink some dishwashing rinse!  In all cases, I was quite near-I did not just leave him to entertain himself!  He is going to make me turn gray and I realized that I need to be right on top of him every minute!!

My "moment of joy" came this week when we were eating dinner at my parents' house just after general conference on Sunday.  My mom finally sat down to eat dinner and my dad leaned over to her and whispered, "Very good Dearie!" referring to the dinner of course!  Then he told her that he loved her!  What a good example!  They have been married for 37 years!  I felt so grateful to have such great parents and it gives me something to shoot for in my marriage.  Thanks Mom and Dad!  (Lindsay saw this little exchange as well and said that she thought that it was really cute.  She said that it is cute when people are young and when they are older.  I then asked her about the middle-age people like her dad and I-she didn't say anything and looked away!  There was my answer! Middle-age couples-especially Mom and Dad-are not cute!)

Cathy

Not sure if Lindsay was more excited for the donut or the championship...

Rain

Just a "note" from the Lloyd family this week...

It has been raining outside our home as well as inside!  It has not been the best week-nor has it been the worst.  However, sometimes I feel like I just am not the greatest mother...

Nathanael has been doing his soccer training this week-although a couple of them were cancelled due to the bad weather.  He has also been getting ready for a solo and ensemble festival with a small group of boys from his choir.  Nat is doing okay and I believe he is the only child that has not really been mad at me this week (yet).  Thank goodness!  (Travis was asked to help out with coaching the Lone Peak freshman team-he was so excited!)

Last Saturday Lindsay's Young Women's basketball team won the Stake championship!  Lindsay also started out the week well by telling us that she made SSA for next year (the girls choir in her junior high).  However, later in the week she decided that she really, really, really wanted a cell phone.  Our answer was "no".  She does not need one at this point.  When she is older and driving and dating and has a job-that is the time for a cell phone in our family.  She did not like that answer at all and there was much " weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth!"  She has now softened a little bit (It only took her 3 days!)  It was just difficult to see her acting like a teenager!

Ethan was in the school play, "Young King Arthur" this week.  He played his little part as an evil minion very well.  We had fun putting a beard on his face and a scar.  We also did his hair "spiked up" on top.  We call it his "angry hair."  We thought that it added to his minion character.  This morning I did his hair that way for school-that way we just have to worry about the make-up tonight.  He did not like that!  He slammed the door when I dropped him off this morning at school.  Lovely.

Clarissa has been mad at me this week because I have decided that she is not allowed to play dollhouse or anything else until her room is clean.  I have spent hours helping her clean her room and it is not that hard (in my opinion) to clean it up when you are done!  I do try to tell her to clean her room often and she does go in there with the best of intentions, however, minutes later she is distracted by putting on a show for her dolls or reading them a story.  Maybe I need to hold her dolls "hostage" until it is done.  Needless to say, there was also much "weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth" from her as well!

Zachary is learning to speak more and more words.  This week Travis was taking him while he dropped the kids off at Young Mens and Young Womens and said "Let's go!"  I was told that Zac started walking towards the door saying, "Let's go!  Let's go!"  Maybe there was a little bit of sunshine amongst the clouds this week!

The week did not start out so good.  I was kind of ill on Monday-but not so bad that I had to stay in bed.  I got up and got dressed and put gas in our van-which only had one mile left to empty and then ran over to the junior high to pay for Nat's AP test coming up.  I thought that I was doing good until lunchtime.  I realized that I had forgot Moms and Muffins at the elementary school.  They have had Dads and Donuts for years where the dads get to go and read to their children and have donuts.  This was the first one for moms and I forgot!  It was on my calendar-but I did not look at my calendar until it was too late!  I felt awful!  I usually NEVER forget things like that!  Ethan and Clarissa were so hurt and sad when I picked them up and I pictured them at school looking at all the other kids' moms and felt a little sick to my stomach.  I tried to make it up to them.  I picked up some big, chocolate yummy muffins and brought them home.  We ate them together and then I took Clarissa and read to her snuggled in my bed with no one else around for thirty minutes.  I then did the same with Ethan.  We had a great time and the kids forgave me but I still felt bad.  That is the day it started "raining" in our house and the clouds have not really gone away-hopefully the sunshine will come out soon again!

Despite all of the rain, I did have a "moment of joy" this week when Clarissa told me that she forgave me for forgetting Moms and Muffins because that is what we are supposed to do-forgive eachother.

Cathy