Prevention

My boys heard something about Smokey the Bear on the TV. Ethan asked what "prevent" means.  We go on to discuss the word and talk about things we don't do, like playing with matches, lighters...


Then Lincoln chimes in: ...or LAVA!

Going Places



...



Michelle has become our official business photographer.  And since we love each other and she's absolutely amazing, it works out really well. 

Thanks, Shelle!

http://www.emerykemp.acndirect.com/
http://www.gregkemp.acndirect.com/

A Mess

We spent a long afternoon in the back yard today.  Lincoln had devoted a lot of time making paper crowns for everyone at the house, which he LOVES to do.  When I hadn't seen him around for about 10 minutes, I asked PJ if he was downstairs making another crown, and then I laughed out loud when he rolled his eyes and answered with his hands on his hips:

"No, he's just making another mess!"

A Curious Epiphany

In our basement home with Dale and Elaine, there are no doors between family room, our bedroom and the kids' room.  When we need to get dressed, we usually just grab our clothes and round the corner, hiding by the closet until we're clothed.  One day, while Link and PJ were playing in their room (which looks directly into ours), I was getting dressed by the closet but had forgotten my bra on the edge of my bed, in plain site.  Before I had time to grab it, I heard Lincoln having an epiphany.

"Oohhh....so THAT'S what makes the humps!"

What can I say?  He totally figured me out.

Mother's Day - From Greg

So this year I wanted to do something different. I wanted to publicly tell the mothers in my life (I have 3 of them), how much they mean to me. You all have been amazing examples to me of what it means to be selfless and giving individuals. I love you all and appreciate all your sacrifices on my behalf.  But I especially want to tell the world how much Emery means to me. I don't tell her nearly enough how grateful I am for her. I usually keep my feelings pretty close to the vest, but not this year. Em the last 11 years have been amazing. Life often proves to be a roller-coaster ride, and our time together has definitely seen it's highs and lows, but there is no one I'd rather be strapped in next to than you. Anyone that knows my wife, knows that she is pretty much amazing at everything she tries her hand at, but for me the thing I'm most grateful for is the kind of mother she has become. I feel extremely blessed because the only thing that really matters to me is my family, and my kids have the best mother a child could ask for. I love you Em, happy Mother's Day!

An Anniversary Surprise

Shortly after the Rogers' Family Christmas Cabin 2011 came to an end, my siblings and I started plotting a surprise trip to Tahoe for our parents' 40th anniversary.  I remember having several conversations over our shared Christmas vacation about the best kinds of gifts, and the recurring theme from my parents was that time shared with people they love is always more valuable than tangible gifts.  And so it began...

Last Friday, all my siblings (except Sam, who was spending time with his kids out of state) and a few spouses met up for the surprise - without our children.  Our plan of attack changed about 8 times in the final 30 minutes before the reveal, and in the end, we just sat on the couch in the family room and waited for them to come home.  When they entered, unexpecting, there was shock, and then marvel.

We spent less than 48 hours together, but I have to admit that the time we worried would pass by too quickly was savored and milked for every moment.  We ate marvelously and walked a lot.  Then we ate some more and went on a hike.  We stayed up late playing games to stay awake, being rowdy and acting like our own children. 

It wasn't until Sunday afternoon, after I had returned home and hugged my boys, that I realized why the weekend was so magical.  There was no whining.  Not ever.  We basked in and savored each other's company. We celebrated my parents.  It was one of the best weekends ever. 

Mission:  Accomplished.

Old Timers

Eleven years ago I was in love and life was good.  I realize I didn't know much then, but I feel the same way now . . . magnified.  Happy anniversary, Greg.  You are my only.

The Aging Baby

I know, right? I'm not sure how this happened either. But it's true. Porter is 4. And what better way to celebrate a birthday than with Spider-PJ?

Some of Spiderman's 4-year-old favorites include:

Food: Peanut Butter & Honey

Treat: OtterPops

Color: Green

Movie:  Hercules

TV Show: Ninjago

Book: Spiderman books

Toy:  Thundercats Sword of Omens

Game: Candyland

Outside Activity:  Play Ninjago

Person: Momma and Daddy

Time of Year: When we go to the beach

In case you don't know Porter, he is hilarious.  Truly.  He loves to be the life of the party, and he is the BEST eye roller I have ever met, which makes thinking of his teenage years a bit foreboding. Oh yeah, and he is absolutely darling; a light in our home.  We love you, Peej.  Happy day!

A Mom Moment

Kassie was watching Lincoln and Porter for me yesterday while I did some work. While I was gone, she sent me a text that nearly made me fall off my chair. It read:

Lincoln just whispered into my ear saying "I was born to love my momma."

And THAT is why I love being a mom.

A Sweet Reminder

Lincoln's new primary teacher approached me after a stake Relief Society activity this evening.  She looked straight into my eyes, touched my arm and told me how much she loves Lincoln.  She loves him because he is so honest and speaks so freely, without guile.  He is sweet and tender.  She said she can tell he has been taught well.  My heart sang, and I wept. 

I thanked her for telling me.  Most of the time, day-to-day life is busy and crazy.  I know Lincoln is a good boy.  He is tender.  He is sweet.  He already has a marvelous testimony.  But I think sometimes those things get lost in the daily craze.  And an outside reminder of the goodness of one, or all, of my children renews me.

This is not a call for praise of my children.  It is just a sweet reminder to me, to be recorded in our little family's record, that my children are good.  They are kind.  They are special.

Another Year Bites the Dust

When we asked the littles if they wanted to try and stay up until midnight to ring in the New Year, they were ecstatic.  They put on their macho faces: "We can totally do it.  We don't sleep anyway; we're always faking."  Well, that was a lot of lip service if I ever heard it. 

At 8:55 p.m., Lincoln and Porter had checked out and Greg wasn't far behind. Ethan fought a good fight and made it until nearly 11:00, then asked how the New Year Elf would visit if he was still awake.  I told him to give in and go to sleep; 2 minutes later, he was gone.

I crawled in bed at 11:20, after all my boys were asleep.  I'm a strong believer that the best way to bring in the New Year is in your own bed, sleeping peacefully amidst those you love.

This was a great year for us. We expected to be apart a lot, and weren't at all. Greg is back in school and we're surrounded by family and friends. We're happy where we are, but admittedly, we've learned to be happy anywhere we are together.

Happy New Year, all.