No Need For an Alarm Clock

We have it on good authority that if you bang your head on your pillow ten times right before you go to sleep, you'll wake up ten hours later!  William has been using this technique to get up at 6 am to read his scriptures.  Maybe you should try it...

Fun in the Sun July 2010

Lyman, Oliver, and I hiked Fergusen Canyon early one morning in mid-July.  It was beautiful!

All the Jones grandchildren had a tea party in Spokane -with matching dresses and bow ties!

Fun times at Temple Square with Dale, Emily, Melanie, and Beatrice

This is near the Provo River in the Soapstone Basin.

We tried to go to Donut Falls, but it was being blockaded.  So we hiked to Lake Solitude instead.

We're still hiking.  Still reading lots and lots of books.  Oliver has been crawling for 2 1/2 months and thinks it's time to start walking.  Amanda earned a trip to the Zoo with her potty sticker chart.  William jumped off the railing next to the stairs onto the tile.  Thankfully he didn't try to jump down the stairs!  Gwen is swimming every chance she gets.  DJ is mowing the lawn - yay!  I'm in Cub Scouts again.  Lyman installed some sprinkler updates.  Until next time...

No Soliciting

Last week I decided I had had enough of door-to-door salesmen!  I started looking at Amazon for a "NO SOLICITING" sign.  I liked the painted wood ones, but figured I could make my own.  So that was my plan...

Today, the doorbell rang at 5pm.  It was a young man selling "No Soliciting" signs.  I laughed!  And I bought one.  And, hopefully, that will be the last salesman to darken my door!

This is not the sign I bought, but I like it!

Amanda is 3!

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

For The Birds

We spent Sunday afternoon underneath the apple tree.  It was glorious!  We enjoyed watching a family of hawks, with the two babies learning how to fly.  We noticed how quiet all the other birds were while the hawks were above.
Later, there was a bird in our living room that needed some coaxing to get out.
There is a bird's nest in the bricks under our mailbox.
I can only use half my clothes line, as the half under the maple tree tends to get bird droppings on it.
And yesterday, there was a robin under the kitchen table, having a feast!
We had a little chat yesterday about the importance of keeping the doors closed...
This morning, three of us were awakened at 4 am by the clamor of birds in our backyard.  yawn

Getting Things Done

Do Ye Next Thinge

“Lose this day loitering, and ’twill be the same story

To-morrow; and the next, more dilatory:

The indecision brings its own delays,

And days are lost, lamenting o’er lost days,” -Marlowe

Somedays it is hard to get up.  Especially when I've had less sleep than I planned.  But, not getting up until later doesn't solve any problems. 
So, we've made a goal in our house of being early risers and being productive.  Early for me means before 6:30.  The kids are up by 7 am. And it's great!  Even the two children who are prone to sleeping till 9 am are adjusting.
I've always loved mornings.  They are so peaceful.  I had a job once with flexible hours.  I chose to be at work at 5:30 am, getting off at 2 pm, and I had the rest of the day free.  It was so enjoyable and productive.
Each day I ask the Lord what my biggest priority should be, and I work on that first, until it is done.  Everything else, including dishes and laundry, is optional.
Yesterday it was getting the garden planted.  Today, it's reading.  Specifically finishing the book Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne.  I was surprised by that being the priority, until Oliver threw up on me this morning and I realized that my productivity would be severely hampered by a sick and clingy baby.
God should always be involved in our goal-setting and daily planning.  He knows what our final destination and the best way for us to get there.

The Kids are Working, too

It's been 3 1/2 weeks since we locked up 95% of the toys.  No one has complained once!  So, what do they do with all their time? 
In the mornings, we work.  Our house has never been so clean!  It is such a joy to have a child say, "I've finished that job.  What's next?"  They are more diligent because there are less distractions.
In the afternoons, we play games or play outside.  Some of us read or study.  Whatever we want.  It is fun to relax in a clean house!