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.

Scripture Stories

Sometimes I cry when I read the scriptures with my children. But mostly, they're tears of hilarity. In the early books of the Book of Mormon, I remember reading one night about the Whore of the Earth and damnation and being cast down to hell.  Oh my.  Without hearing it yourself, it's not as amusing, but Porter's little voice repeated innocently every phrase I offered him, without qualm or hesitation.  I know we're supposed to read the scriptures with our families, but his little voice often makes me ponder, and chuckle.

But wait.  It gets better.

Last night, we were reading the story of Abinadi and wicked King Noah.  We each read a few verses of Abinadi's sermon, and then it was Porter's turn.  As soon as I started reading, I saw it coming, but by then, there was no turning back.

Mosiah 12:5

Me:  "Yea, and I will cause ..."

PJ:  "yeaandIwillcause..."

Me:  "...that they shall have burdens..."

PJ: "thattheyshallhaveburdens..."

Me:  "...lashed upon their backs;"

PJ:  "lashedupontheirbacks..."

Me:  "and they shall be driven before..."

PJ:  "andtheyshallbedrivenbefore..."

Me:  "like a dumb ass." [Greg and I are attempting to stifle our laughter, Greg less successful than I]

PJ:  "like...a...dumb...ass?  Um, Mom, what's a dumbass?

Hilarity ensues.

Rusty Bucket Does It Again

My yearly tributes to Michelle continue.  This photo shoot took 5 minutes - maybe; it could have been less.  Honestly, I could spend all day trying to get my kids to smile and take a mediocre picture, but Michelle, well, she has the magic touch.  And I love her.

Happy Birthday, Linky-Doodle

Lincoln is 5.  It's weird to me that he's older now than Ethan was when our house burned.  Life moves quickly onward. 

Lincoln is busy and creative.  He would rather play with toys or draw/color than watch TV.  He sits quietly in primary and charms all the adults in his immediate vicinity.  And can I tell you about his eyes? Or his cheeks? Or how he steals hearts like it's nobody's business?

Happy birthday, Lincoln Dale.  What a blessing it is to have you in our home.

5-year-old favorites:

Food: Apples

Treat: Every treat (it's true folks, he's definitely my kid)
Book/Author: Mo Willems
TV Shows: Go Diego, Go
Place to go: Disneyland (to which place he has never been...yet, but we all dream, don't we?)
Person to visit: Samantha in Pinedale
Halloween candy: All of it (smart kid)
Song:  Down in the River
Color:  Rainbow colors

A Funk and a Promise

I've always thought daily scripture reading with my children would be a nice idea. In theory.  Only recently have I felt a strong desire to pursue it actively.  I had been in a little bit of a funk and after giving a Visiting Teaching lesson about bettering your family by first bettering yourself, I thought that reading my scriptures alone every day might not be enough.  So a few months ago, I formulated a plan and we put it into action.  And I waited for my in-house struggles to disappear.  Or not.

True story:  For nearly the first 2 weeks of reading scriptures each night as a family, my funk worsened. My patience was tested, my temper seemed short; I was overwhelmed. 

Then, I was running with Michelle early one morning, during which time we seem to have a lot of epiphanies.  And I had one.  I was telling her how I was striving to read each day with Greg and the kids, but didn't feel like it was paying off.  And then it hit me.  Of course I wasn't.  In this life, when we up our game and try to be more righteous and obedient, Satan ups his too.  It was suddenly very clear to me that this was the reason I was still struggling.  If scripture reading is too inconvenient, too rowdy, too frustrating, why not just quit and try again when they're older? Because it will be hard then, too; harder, maybe.  Also, in that scenario, Satan gains a small victory over my home.  BUT, if we will perservere and be diligent, we will be blessed.  And we were.

It was as if, immediately after my realization came, the change began to happen.  My temper wasn't so fragile, patience came a little easier.  The battle for peace in my home was more personal.  It's been a couple months now; I think we've only missed 2 nights of reading.  And one of the perks of incorporating something new into my family's schedule is that my children are like elephants - they never forget.  Even when it's late or we're cranky, somebody always remembers. 

When we started this new ritual, Ethan was just beginning to take off as an independent reader.  And when we began to read the Book of Mormon together, he soared; now, he is essentially fluent with scriptural language.  The little boys are more wiggly, but even they like to have their turn to read. 

The lesson:  In retrospect, it was hard to start.  Even though we are committed to doing something righteous and productive in our home, we cannot expect Satan to stand idly by while we slip farther from his grasp.  We have been told that the most important work we will do will be within the walls of our own home, and we have been promsied that if we will be obedient, we will be blessed.  We're working hard to have the Spirit in our home, to do the things our Heavenly Father has asked.  And we have been blessed - in more ways than I ever anticipated. 

Satan hates to lose. But today, in my house, he will.  And tomorrow. And the next day.

Veteran's Day and a Mother's Tribute

To all the veterans in my life and those unkonwn to me: Your service and perserverance in preserving this country's extraordinary freedoms will never be forgotten. Thank you for giving my children the opportunity to grow up knowing freedom. We live the way we live because of your service.

"I also wanted to pay tribute to my father, my mother, my Shirl (my other father) and to my son, Greg....all veterans. Greg joined the army right after 9/11. The first 9/11. He wasn't pressured by a draft....he did it because he loves his country. He served in Iraq during the very scary times. Greg, I am humbled to be your mother. Thank you for your service to this country. I wish I would have told Boyd Bronson, Gladys Bronson, and Shirl Kemp more often how grateful I was for their patriotism and service. God bless all veterans."  ~Elaine.

"Thanks mom....we come from good stock."  ~Greg

I'm so grateful to have this kind of patriotism in my family...and that my boys can learn gratitude for and the price of liberty from their father.  What a special gift.

Happy Birthday, Ethan!

My oldest kid is 7.  I'm not sure how that happened, but I'm sure glad he's around.  Happy birthday, Ethan. We love you. A lot.

7-year-old Favorites:

Food: Quesadillas
Treat: Rainbow Sherbet ice cream and snickerdoodles
Book: Dr. Suess
Movie: Harry Potter (all)
TV Shows: Johnny Test and Looney Tunes
School subject: Science
Place to go: 7 Peaks
Person to visit: Grandma and aunts and uncles
Halloween candy: lemonheads

I love to see the temple...

We had Family Home Evening up at the temple with Mike and Michelle, Kassie and all the kids.  Shelle was nice enough to take pictures for a project we've been talking about, and this is the result.  When I saw it for the first time, I almost fell over.

It was a marvelous family night.  And how about another shout out to our family photographer.  Part of what makes her so amazing is that she doesn't know how amazing she is. 

And so it begins...

Greg had a good talk with Ethan. He was stern and Ethan listened. Then later, when we were alone, I giggled and told Greg I would keep this note forever. He reminded me that Ethan had to turn it in to his teacher the next day. And that, my dear friends, is why it is emblazoned forever on the blog.

Gross...and cute

PJ put his darling little face right up next to mine and, looking straight in my eyes, asked: "Mom, you wanna know why always I pick my nose?"

I had to bite my lip so I wouldn't laugh in his face. "Yes," I said, poker face on.

Wide eyed and innocent: "It's cuz I just wanna see what cowor [read: color] dey are." 

Euw. That's gross. But at least it's honest.