Moments

quick Hello..new baby.. Oct. 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 01:17:00 +0000

Hello!

I am not really sure I have any readers lately. Its been years since I've blogged on a regular schedule. I'm not saying this is me starting. I just set up a new computer and decided why not? Why not make one little blog post to say hello.

One new news to share is,

We've had a baby boy!

If you know me in real life then you know that.

He is ten months old and so cute. We all adore him. Baby number 7!

I am still homeschooling. All the kids are growing so fast.

This week ages are 14,11,10,6 almost 7, 4almost 5, 3, and 10 months old.

Five girls and Two boys.

wow.

So many years gone by without a trace of it on the blog. Makes me kind of sad.

I have to remind myself it's OK. Life has its bends and turns and there is a season for everything.

It just hasn't been my season for blogging.

Maybe in the future? I'm undecided.

If you see this please say hello in the comments.

I'd love to see if this actually goes to any eyes.

Old blog friends that I haven't connected with in years? Family that still gets the subscribe email?

Love to all.

Have a beautiful and joyful week.

Stories of Sweet Tobin and on being thankful.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 22:22:00 +0000

I Originally posted these little stories on my Facebook wall but I decided it would be good to share here as well. It has been a very long time since I blogged or blogged consistently for that matter. I noticed that my stories are often shared as a long caption with my instagram posts or on Facebook. Seems to be the easiest way to share thoughts these days. I miss blogging. I miss writing and hope that as I document some of those stories on here as well it will help me get back into using the blog again.

.......
posted Monday November 22, 2015 on Facebook

Tobin was super hyper today. I asked him to calm down so I could get Leela to sleep for her nap. I tucked her in and went back to my mom chores. After some time I realized I had not seen him for a while. Then he comes out from down the hall with this frustrated look and says,

"Mom. I am so mad. "Weela" won't stay in bed. I am trying to sing her songs to help her fall asleep but she keeps getting out of bed and acting so crazy!"

It was fun telling him that I know exactly how he feels. He did not appreciate that. His reply,

" No you don't! You never have this happen!"

Right,...Never.

too funny.

........

Posted Saturday, November 20th 2015 on Facebook

Yesterday we (5 of the kids and I) went to Costco for a "quick" run to grab a bunch of things I had on our list. It was so busy and there were so many samples the kids wanted to try, it took an hour 1/2. I was physically exhausted and could barely walk my 32 week pregnant self by the end of the time sucking Costco trap. Proud of myself that I stuck to our list I went to check out. Only to realize I didn't know my debit pin # to my new card yet. They don't let you run it as a cc yet if its not Amex. So there I was having to leave the store without our items. The kids were oblivious to the annoyance it was to me because they were still giggling about sneaking over for extra samples of Lindt chocolate unbeknownst to me. Costco promised me they would save the cart and put it in the big fridge as I promised to return soon with cash to purchase it.

When I returned they had put the cart away by mistake. Silly as it seems I started to tear up. Tears welling up in my eyes, pain in my body from a very long day I was in no way about to walk that huge store a second time. I asked kindly if one of the employees would trek to the back to at least get our two cases of milk. I think they felt bad for me. haha Very pregnant emotional lady obviously barely walking.

This morning I lay in bed letting the kids sleep in enjoying the quiet, pondered if I really wanted to go back for those items from Costco or if I wanted to just get the same items in smaller quantities at the local small grocery market. I was feeling so frustrated at the huge list of things I have to do today. Then as I scrolled through Facebook I was reminded of all the problems going on in the world. All of a sudden my problem of should I go back to Costco or not seemed unimportant.

So trivial I feel ridiculous for having let it stress me out so much. Most of us enjoy such a rich life. We worry not if we get our next meal but where we should go to get it. We let ourselves get worked up about the weather. Even though we know winter is every year (surprise!) and we have a place to call home that keeps us from suffering in the cold.

I felt motherly angels surround me this morning telling me it will be a good day for me today if I let go of the stress and spend my energy being thankful for my blessings. Today as the kids and I do housework, get groceries and play together I plan to be thankful for as many little blessings as I can think of. I challenge all of you to do the same as you prepare for your holidays. Have an amazing Saturday and Sabbath day! Have an amazing week with those you love and i pray antes to surround you and give you peace and comfort no matter what comes your way. Don't let little annoyances become so stressful they make you cranky to those you love. Life is too fragile to waste time like that. (And good luck to any of you braving the lines at Costco before the big thanksgiving meal)

......

Some of my favorite recent photos from Intsagram.

Wow! I am here!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 05:20:00 +0000

Hello world!

I have on my instagram profile this : J•E•N•N-L•E•E I ❤️ @uncledragon |mom2six|Homeschool family|Dreamer|❤️Vintage|❤️2travel|Aspiring prov.31Woman|occasional Blogger|Creator|LDS| WELCOME! Say hello!

That part about occasional blogger. Every time I log on to instagram I see it. It reminds me that I do in fact have a blog I did once write on often. It was fun for me. Sometimes I wrote a few new blog posts in a day. I had so many things I was thinking about and wanted to share. The year I started this blog was 2007. I had read a book by Cathy Zielske. She is a scrapbooker. She inspired me to spend more time writing my thoughts and stories down and less time worrying about the perfect scrapbook page layout. She combined digital and tangible. She spoke of something called a blog. I went to her blog and thought it was the coolest! I could have an entire website dedicated to my musings!?! This was so exciting to me so from there I went on to create this blog. My biggest blogging year was 2008. 190 posts. I consider that to be pretty amazing. Life was different then. Not better or worse. Just a different place. Different season.

I still love the idea of blogging. I think of things to write about but somehow over the years my writing confidence or inspiration has gone down. I have found it much easier to snap a photo and post it to Instagram and share a few lines.Easier to not open myself completely up like I used to.
Although I love using instagram I do miss having my thoughts somewhere else where they can go deeper. I do journal these days which is wonderful but there is just something so fun about blogging. I do not know if I will start blogging every week again. I do know however that I am making changes in my life. Changes that I feel will compel me to get back to blogging more. So I can share my journey and story with whoever needs to read it.

I am super excited because I finally feel my cup is starting to runneth over. I am filling my pretty little teacup with so many things and it is finally starting to spill over with extra that I can share. For a long time I believe I just wasn't putting anything in my teacup so there just wasn't much to share. Well, at least nothing worth more than a few sentences as a caption to a photo. Soon, there will be too much to share that I will have to come here to say it instead of a long winded IG photo caption. That will be exciting!

Until the next time I am on here to share I wish you the best! I wish for you have an amazing week full of awesome health, positive energy, fun and silly moments filled with laughter, safety and happiness.

Best wishes to you! Hope to "see" you soon!!

Love ,

Seven Gift ideas for 3-6 year olds!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 10:08:00 +0000

Guess what!? I hand picked these items to share just for you!

I am kind of a sucker when it comes to certain kinds of toys.

I love wooden toys. Beautifully crafted. Old fashioned looking. Educational and classic.

We love bright colors and unique books.

We are very picky about what we bring into our home. We are not big toy shoppers. When we do buy toys we really try to stay away from trendy items, plastic toys that will get trashed easily, and huge items that do not store easily out of sight in a closet. Most of all, we do not believe kids need an abundance of toys.
Less is more.
Quality not Quantity.

Often I am asked how we manage to keep everything so organized and tidy. First, it is not always such. We live life and messes happen. The best thing we did years ago was move across the country and sell or get rid of almost all of our stuff except what we could fit in two cars.

This is not a likely scenario for most people out there but a major De-Owning session could be just what your family needs if you find yourself searching often for great organizing tips.
This thought process is wonderfully explained here at Becoming Minimalist.

We store our toys in little shoe box bins or a couple of milk crates.They each have a shelf in the closet to hold their special activity kits, like quilling, origami, or spiral art.
Most of our time is spent playing games, reading books, doing arts and crafts or the kids playing outside.

We have don't have many toys but when we buy them we are very selective on what we get.

Below you will find SEVEN AWESOME gift ideas for your very special child that will not disappoint. If you don't think these are a good fit for your family, check the links out. You will be led on a wonderful adventure with many treasures to be found!

1. Spinning Like a Top $7.95 from The Land of Nod

What child would not be entertained by this? A classic yet so rarely seen in homes these days.

2.Die Cast Metal Tea set $25.00 from The Land of Nod

For around the same price you can purchase a fancier tea set for your child to practice her princess manners. Don't forget to let them play with real food and real drink to practice their fine motor skills while carefully pouring.

3.Uncle Goose Classic blocks $36.00 from Uncle Goose

One of my favorite links here! You have got to check that website out. Blocks in different languages! This is a must. Stop! Don't go to toymartchina to buy blocks. 100% made in the USA and absolutely beautiful and book shelf home decor worthy too! Seriously.

4.Lately Lily ABC Travel Flash Cards $14.99 from Lately Lily

Adorable Flash cards featuring Lily the traveling girl. The cards help your child learn the ABCs while learning about traveling the world. (ONE of my favorite dreams!so, no wonder I love this! ) Have you heard of Lately Lily? It is a super rad tshirt clothing line for ages 2-10. Each hang tag is filled with observations from her travels.The flash cards are in the LL shop alongside other wonderful play items.

5. Lately Lily picture book $16.99 from Lately Lily

Need I say more? She is just adorable and her world travels are dreamy to say the least.

Fit for any child , or child at heart.

6. Stitching Block $8.95 from For Small Hands

Want to have your child learn to sew? This is a great first step.

Even if you are not going teach them to sew this is Great for hand-eye coordination,

concentration, and pattern design. A sure way to keep them quiet and busy in a Dr.s office, or at church.

7.Plan Toys Water Blocks $39.99 from Learning Toys

Great classic blocks. Perfect for hand-eye coordination,dexterity, problem solving , imagination and creativity!

Check back this week for more posts on:

Gift ideas for Ages 6-12 !

Favorite books gift ideas

Classic Gifts for Boys!

Have an AMAZING week!

What are you thankful for?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:00:00 +0000

I love this time of year!

I love the air when it feels refreshing and crisp. I do not love the freezing weather but I do love light jacket weather. Mainly because I always love layering and wearing vintage coats. I love when I get to dig in to my boot collection. Here are a few more of my favorite things about fall!

Who has made your own potpourri on the stove?

I grew up with my mom doing this and so it is just something we love to do here too.

Reminds me of growing up. Reminds me of my moms home.

I say add water when needed because we have had it simmer all the way to being gone (gone=burnt). That my friend is not a smart idea. yikes! so I make sure to add a cup of water every now and then. Usually it simmers on low. I love the way our home smells when we do this! Yummos!!!!

A pic of my first time decorating for Thanksgiving!

I love thanksgiving!

I have only hosted it once at my own place but I loved making everything pretty and we had such a good time picking out our menu and finding topnotch recipes to try.

What are some things you are thankful for?

I made this little image for my instagram (momentsbyjl)

and thought it would be perfect to share here too.

I wish you an absolutely amazing Thanksgiving !

Most important is spending time with your family!

Non-Perfect days and why I love them.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 03:46:00 +0000

Today. Our Sabbath day.
Today is supposed to be our day of rest. Minimal work and lots of family time.
Didn't turn out that way at all.

Life with six kids isn't always picture perfect. wait, no,...it is.

Here is how my days go on Sundays.

I wake up at 6am to shower, get all gussied up without forgetting the important detail of fuchsia or red lipstick. I then put on an apron and cook an amazing healthy breakfast for my family.
I then spend a bit of time reading and studying.
When it is 7 am I wake my darling children up. They smile happily and hop right out of bed running to the table with cheerful voices. "oh- I was going to sit there but you can. " while the other says "No- its okay. You can have the chair."

They perfectly work the miscommunication out themselves with smiles and love.
As I serve their breakfast they eat slow. Not too slow. But not too fast. Just a good polite pace complimenting my cooking as they go.

After breakfast I ask my girls to get ready in their Sunday best.
They do. Right away. I bathe baby girl, toddler boy and 5 year old girl one after another. They stay clean and beautiful as they calmly play while waiting for the signal to go to the car.

We gather in the car and everyone buckles up right away. Quickly and with no quarrels. My daughters hair bow lands on the floor. I see her carefully pick it up exclaiming " oh- no! my bow. I am so sorry mommy. Will you please put it in my hair? I don't want it to stay on the floor of the car and get ruined."

We go to church and enter the chapel. All the kids walk reverently and mannered. No running, or jumping. They sit in a row on our bench. We sit through one full hour of what we call Sacrament meeting with all the children ending in the same spot they began the meeting in. I held baby swaddled against my chest ever so sweetly while she quietly cooed and smiled at people behind us.
Little toddler boy was so calm and folded his arms often.

Primary (kids Sunday school with music) was just wonderful. Baby girl smiled and waited ever so patiently as I made her a bottle to help her quietly fall asleep.

After church all my children were waiting so happily at the door for me. They had their coats on and were ready for the cold walk to the car.

When we got home everyone took their shoes off and out them away in their shoe drawers we keep in the garage. Then they sweetly proceeded to change into comfortable clothes in their room where they hung their Sunday dresses up ever so perfectly.

They were hungry and ready for dinner. I had a roast in the crock pot and potatoes ready to roast in the oven. A prefect salad was made and in the fridge ready for us to enjoy to refresh our palettes before we enjoyed our scrumptious dessert of chocolate chip covered brownies with a dollup of ice cream on top.

The children happily played in their clean and orderly rooms together while they waited for dinner time. Dinner was the most delightful time. We enjoyed great conversation. The food was enjoyed and all who were present marveled at its beauty and taste.

After dinner we proceeded to get ready for bed. Children quickly did their bedtime routines of pajamas and oral hygiene. They took their sips of water and soon found themselves on their knees ready for prayer before I even had to ask.

Once all children were sang to, read to and tucked in I was able to go and sit on my lovely Victorian sofa and relax for a bit. It was all so perfect and smooth. I love my days and how perfect they are.

-----------

wait wait wait. scratch that. My day did not go like that at all.
I had pee accidents on the newly mopped bathroom floor. Kids hyper and jumpy knocking baby over too many times to count.

I ended up with toddler boys poo on my arm for accident number two of the day.

Breakfast was cereal. Milk spilled on the table. No problem. Oh- now a bag of cereal spilled on the table by toddler boy. oh boy. Everyone eats... except me. I forgot.

Everyone somehow ends up matching.Not planned. I feel happy they look darling. . ..until Teenager daughter is not thrilled. No teenager wants to show up at church matching not just her siblings but her mother too. oh well. its funny.

While I get ready, the school room is taken apart by toddler boy because he is going on a trip. To Tokyo and California and France. He wants to pack everything. Five year old daughter agrees. How do I not agree for them to dream up a little globe trotting??Plus I am too busy getting ready to care.

Lunch was leftovers because I was too tired to make anything. I tell the kids Leftovers are a blessing, and we should not let food go to waste. So I serve 3 different types of meals to my six kids to rid our fridge of macaroni, taco soup and I can't remember. I forget to eat....again.

We enter the chapel in three rounds because five year old girl has shoe issues and toddler boy wants to open doors all by himself. Teenager,baby girl and sisters go on ahead. We end up Sitting on a side bench against the wall hoping it will act as a gate for toddler boy. Baby girl is in constant wiggle, whine, smile, repeat mode. I wrangle her as I catch toddler boy doing headstands on the bench. Teenager daughter is laughing at him and thinks its funny.

Joy.

Primary, I could hardly stay awake. Not because I didn't get sleep. I slept 11 hours but because of my thyroid health issues I was not rested. I realize I need food. I need energy and forgot to eat. I teach a lesson on forgiving others barely able to talk and trying desperately to not fall asleep mid sentence. I've done that before at home in the kitchen.

After, kids all wanted to eat the kitchen. The table, the chairs, the doors, the tablecloth. Anything. They wanted dinner. Sent kids to tidy room while I cooked dinner , which ended up being something you could *maybe* call shepherds pie.

Kids won't tidy room like asked so as warned in weeks prior I calmly bagged their stuff up in big black bags. Stuff is not important in the long run. Family is. Time is. They cry. Now their room is clean. done.

I will let them earn it back by obedience to their mother and keeping wherever they are playing tidy.
Whatever is left in one month they will donate.

I was calm but frustrated.

I was blessed with another potty accident from toddler boy. third one of the day. Toddler boy asks me on repeat a million times "mommy, you mad? you mad? you mad? You don't wike poop on the floor? you don't wike poop on you arm?"

yup. yup. son, I don't like that.

The Toddler boy. Today.

While I take care of that baby girl is screaming in her highchair for another bite of who knows what I made oh yeah. Shepherds pie wannabe. .She likes it. She will sleep well so I am happy.

Finally, all children are in bed. They know I mean business. Not because I yelled. I didn't yell. I actually was pretty calm. They know not to mess around though. I took their stuff. I compliment how clean their room is. oh wait...

I sit here now blogging for a few minutes looking at dishes needing to be done, a school room that really, just a day ago perfectly clean, and loads of laundry to be done.

But all the while, all of this "craziness" you would think would make me say "no more". The pretend day I wrote in the beginning sounds lovely but for some reason, I wouldn't trade any part of my day for that. Does that mean I am not striving to improve our life through teaching my children manners, patience, love, kindness, forgiveness ..? (all of which they know and are very good at) No. I want to improve every day. We tell our kids "Everyday in every way you get better and better." its true.

All of these experiences shape who I am. Shape my kids. Is every day as crazy as it felt for us today? No. Many days are not. They are never perfect but they are full of character. Full of moments that we can learn from and build upon.

I am grateful my life isn't perfect. I am thankful I can wake up tomorrow and start a new day. I may not be up at 6am like I would like, but I will be up and love on my kids and do the best I can tomorrow. They will know all is well and that they are loved.

I never want to make the impression via social media or blogging that life here in our house runs smooth. Nope. school library cart pretty one moment, next moment devoured.Thanksgiving decorations pretty one moment, next moment pulled down by bouncy toddler all the while he says "I didn't mean to!"

Moments change and life goes on. That's okay. I like it that way. Don't think I'll ever like poop on my arm but I will always look back on these days with smiles. So it is today that I remind myself, So why hate them now? No matter how rough the day was, in twenty years I will look back and miss it and ask why it happened all so fast?

Scrubby the bunny

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 04:58:00 +0000

When Anakha was five years old we bought her a pet bunny. We were so excited to get it for her. It was kind of on a whim. We were on a date and stopped in at a pet store if I remember correctly. Daniel fell in love with the little baby dwarf bunnies and got the idea it was just what our Sweetface needed for her Birthday.

She had so many invisible friends and often took in dead bugs as her pets. She loved them so much giving them a special home in little containers or shoe boxes. Her invisible friends were a daily part of our life. Talked about often.

So that night, 1 week before her birthday we took this sweet bunny home. Without even a cage for him. We had him in our bedroom on one side of our bed with a makeshift baby gate from some play mats we had. That week we had fun playing with him and being sneaky about it. She never knew there was a bunny in the house all week.
On her birthday we put him in a large tub with a blanket on top. She was so excited and happy when she uncovered him she immediately knew what she would name him. She was always very creative with names for her invisible friends. We knew she would come up with something perfect and on her own. She exclaimed " Oh! He is so cute! I will name him Scrubby Emerald Dopey Jasmine ....!!"

And so it was. That became his name. We just called him Scrubby. Her friend to play with and take care of. He comforted her when she felt lonely. He cheered her up when she was sad. He calmed her when she was hyper or mad.

She loved him so much. Sadly, he died on Saturday last week. She aches with sadness for him. She misses him so much. We all do. He was an awesome bunny. Everyone loved meeting him.

Some memories we have of him make us laugh. On our way out to move to Utah we got a leash for him. Except it was too big. We were in the mountains in Tennessee for a stop to stretch and we got him out to walk around. He slipped out of the harness and my husband and I were running around and through bushes to catch him. Thankfully we did not arrive in Utah to tell her we lost him in Tennessee. It was a scary but funny moment.

Last year he went missing and Little Mr. T told us that he dropped him off our apartment balcony. Oh boy. The tears were flowing. Our Sweetface was so mad and worried. I went outside and looked for him everywhere. Talked to neighbors, asked if they saw a bunny. It was a huge ordeal. She was devastated and very angry at Tobin who supposedly dropped him off the balcony. Well, the search was over. I gave up and we moved on with our day. It had been a little while and I hear laughing and yelling from the kids room. She completely forgot that she was playing with him and then had to clean her room so she stuck him in a drawer for " a few minutes". He was safe and okay and never was dropped off the porch thankfully.

At night when he was younger he would love to run and bounce and do little flips all over our apartment. It always provided great entertainment for us when the kids were asleep.

He was 7 yrs old which is old age for a bunny. Now we know he is playing and bouncing around once more. We know Heavenly Fathers plan of happiness was for all. Not just us. It was for animals too. Although it is sad when we have to say goodbye to family pets, we know we will see him again.

This has been an experience that has brought with it great lessons for the kids to learn. I am grateful we had Scrubby in our family. We love him!

..pictures of our little bunny that I have posted over the years on the blog.

in Tennesee just before we almost lost him.

She loved holding him. She cried so much when he died and is anxiously waiting for him to come back to life.

Let's RE-sensitize

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:25:00 +0000

Yesterday I came across by accident a very sad & disturbing photo connected to the news of todays horrible act of evil by the evil group I shall not name here. At first I did not believe what I saw was real. I thought it to be a scene from a movie. I did not flinch, I thought of course it was gross and kept scrolling, but not super fast. I again, just thought it was fake.

Realizing what it was after seeing the statements I quickly felt my chest tense, my eyes fill with tears and my heart ache for him, and his family. This is just so sad. Such an evil act. I know he is not the first victim of such evil, and they are not the first humans to commit such an evil crime. I am aware that there are many vicitms in this war going on right now. This was just the first thing that woke me up to it, and a few other thoughts.

My thoughts following are not to detract from his memory or the war that is going on over there right now. It's purpose is 1, for me to share some thoughts to get off my chest, and 2, to maybe, hopefully help someone re think things going on around us a little bit more. To take a stand in their own home, and make a change.

Why would I be so calm about such a disturbing horrific evil scene just because I thought it was hollywood? How sick has our world become? How sick have I become without even realizing it?! I do not think of myself as a sick person. Clearly I am sick in some way if my first inclination was not to immediatly look away and cringe at it. We live in times where so much is fake. So many videos are planned, prepared, scripted in a way to look like it was of the moment., To look like it was an accident. So many want to have theior photos or videos go viral for instant internet fame. Or maybe to get on a talk show. So much of hollywood is believed to need action, and real life scenarios including the horrible , unthinkable and just plain sad situations that happen in real life.

Let's think about this.

We have hated "t.v" our whole marriage and have only had a tv for movies on dvd for the majority of time. Only a few years we had cable in an apartment because it was free and I gave in to the idea that having disney jr. would help me in some way. (false) We have never been "tv" watching family. We stopped watching movies a whole lot too. I probably would have watched more but my Mr. started enjoying them less and less as he would see hidden agendas and strong themes that were teaching in sneaky ways bad thinking or un-truths. For many years we encouraged eachother to read books, listen to positive talks that uplift, inspire and help others. We would seek friendships with others who believed the same.

Then somewhere on the road we got side tracked. Netflix told us we could enjoy tv with out having "tv" We could watch what we wanted, when we wanted. Then what happened after that, looking back on it today, is sad. Something I believe has happened to too many of us.

I started watching different award winning, loved and talked about popular tv shows. I did not feel guilty. I thought I was not a tv junkie so it was ok. A few shows in one night. A season in a few weeks. A few seasons in a few months and finished all 7,8, or 9 seasons in about 5 months. THAT IS ALOT OF TV. no matter what excuses I made, no matter how good the excuses sounded, no matter how popular it is to watch tv or netflix, it was ruining my life.Subsequently my childrens too. How you say?

The ability to withdraw and not think ruined my thinking. It is known you have to practice something to be good at it right? Well, how do we expect to be good at thinking if we dont use our brains often? Use our minds not just for work, or for church but for ourselves. For our own personal growth. How is it possible for me to be creative if I stop practicing crteativity? My motivation for seeking knowledge was almost entirely gone.My motivation for a clean home was easily trumped by a desire to "relax". I mean, heck, I deserved to relax right?! I have six kids, I homeschool, I just moved, blah, blah blah... My motivation for a better relationship with my husband. Wow. That is a whole blog post in and of itself. Actually all of these are.

How can one strengthen a marriage by staring at a screen? Seriousy. In todays hectic life some nights he would go out to play a board game with friends. Some nights I might be out with a friend, and some nights we all may be bsuy with a church event of some sort. Then some nights we are home together after kids are in bed but often I would say I didn't want to think or do anything and we would enjoy a show together. Spend a year doing this... how many converstaions, or moments of laughter did we truly experience with one another? For a family who believed they were a n\"non tv watching family" it was a lot.

I have a hunch we are not the only family out there like this. All I have to do is have a conversation with a handful of casual acquaintances or close friends to hear the same kind of statements.

"oh we dont like tv but we do have a few shows we like on netflix" or

"yah, we LOVE all the same shows. We cant stop. We just watch all the episodes as fast as we can"

Often someone asks on FB

"what shows do you like on netflix? then EVERYONE and their mother loves to chime in all their favorite shows to watch.... But,..."we all don't watch tv that much."

I did not want to think, so I let the TV do the thinking for me. I got used to scenes I thought were more mild then other shows I've heard people watch. I thought I was doing okay. In my mind, I didnt watch nasty looking zombies eat flesh, I only watched Jack Bauer (24) torture a suspect for information. I didn't watch CSI crime scene investigations, because surely that would be just too horrific to see,...but I did watch Bones, because it seemed more scientific and less morbid. (false) Oh- I did not watch reality shows because that was just full of drama but, spend a nigth watching Pretty little Liars to figure out who "A" is that was ok.

I enjoyed shows such as prison break, bones, 24, Alias, Fringe etc. I became used to seeing horrific scenes and believe.... actually, I know my senses were dulled. I was becoming de-sensitized. So much that when I saw the photo yesterday of the U.S. photo journalist beheaded I did not believe what I saw was real and DID NOT FLINCH.

I am upset about what happened to him. What this means for his family. What this means for our country. I will pray for his family this evening just as I have for the families trapped on that mountian and for our country to take the right actions in conflicts such as this. However. If I pray but then go about my life changing nothing how much am I really wanting things to get better?

How can I , How can we go back to normal life after such horrific wars go on? How do we raise our children by example to know that weather fake or real it is inspired by the same. We must stop in our tracks and take a look at what we allow into our minds. Our homes. I believe we must all ask ourselves "Am I infected with the hollywood and the media disease?" The invisable disease that dulls our mind, and blinds our senses. We as a society are becoming de sensiitized.It is so difficult to know if this is you or not. I did not knoiw I was desensitized until yesterday.

I am so thankful for my husbands wisdom in canceling our netflix a few weeks ago. He asked me about that many times in the past 6 months. He would tell me he wanted to cancel but I kept saying I would rather not. Then a few weeks ago he came to me and asked what I would think about a family fast of it for one month. To me, one month wasn't forever so I agreed. I thought sure, why not take a break. So he cancelled it and at first that was hard. We had kids begging for a cartoon that I didnt have access to anymore. So, what did we do? We pulled from our dvd collection.

Almost immediatly after it was cancelled my Mr. went on a business trip to GenCon in Indianapolis for almost 2 weeks. I wished a few times we had a way for me to watch something. Admittedly I downloaded the fox app so I could watch something. I just felt so bored. Then That was no fun and I started (amazingly ..sacracastic tone) spending time doing what I used to do. Read, study new topics I want to know more about, craft, sew, and even write in my journal. Its only been a short while and as each day passed without netflix I felt the spirit in my home change. I noticed when the kids were bored they easily found something to do non electronic related. I also became increasingly annoyed at the tv when I had kids whine that they wanted to watch it.

After yesterdays experience, the hymn "I need thee every hour" kept popping up in my head.

It gave me hope and peace.Something we need to feel during these difficult times. Not too long after I felt frustrated at a child interrogating me as to why I did not like one dvd I asked her to turn off because it sounded not nice. I told her how I felt and sent her to read. Then without even really thinking about it or even really acting upset I just went downstairs and unplugged our ps3 and Tv and hid them away in a different room in storage. I rearranged the room to look normal and filled the area where the tv was with our keyboard and some classic books. Then went on my way to feed my children dinner. No one had noticed as they did not go downstairs to play. I didnt want to make a big deal out of it, but I was done.

I knew after my experience of being woken up to the fact that I was de-sensitized and after the way my kids were begging for the tv we needed a complete detox. We needed to enjoy a life with board games, books, gardening, outside play, writing, art, dancing, music, sewing, crafting, cooking, baking, laughing, wrestling,tickling, exercising , using our imagination and playing toys with our toddler and baby siblings. We do not need a tv to do our thinking for us.

I know there are many wonderful virtuous and lovely videos out in the world by righteous and loving people. I know the tv is a tool and it can be used for good and it can be used for bad. We will decide if and when the tv comes back out and what rules need to be in place. For ALL.

Today I challenge you the same challenge I have for our family. I challenege you to unplug your tv. Pause your hulu, netflix, amazon prime subscription or whatever you use for tv and detox from it. If you can hide your tv. get it out of sight so it is out of mind for all. If you cannot move it, maybe just cover it. Classy I know, ;) but if people ask just tell them what you are doing. Make a list of things you enjoy doing for fun and a list of what your family enjoys doing together. Seek those things out. Do it as an experiement if you will. See if you can go a month. We can be in this together. Share with me your experiences or thoughts on how it is going. we can hashtag it #Resensitize Share your thoughts on your blogs, fb, twitter, or IG. Share pics of your no tv room , or your kids doing something else when they otherwise would have been watching tv.

I believe stepping away from it and seeking out the better things in life we will find our spirits more sensitive, our hearts more open, our minds more busy with ideas and our hands more creative. We will be awake again, awake enough to see opportunities around us to serve others. To see moments we can have with our children & family that we would have missed if they were watching tv. To feel again. To RESENSITIZE instead of de-sensitize. Lets do something wonderful. Something in memory of those lives lost by the hands of evil. The same evil that seeks to darken the light that shines within all of us through tv, movies etc. #resensitize

Feel free to use the #resensitize photos to use in social media.

Images made in #rhonnadesignsapp

We love flash cards..and baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:03:00 +0000

Try again. Written originally last month but it would not publish. ;)

This sweet little gal is 10 months old this weekend!

I am amazed at how much she changes eachand every day.

She is a fast crawler and quickly moves abvout the house to anything she thinks looks fun. Or yummy. She puts everything in her mouth. She has taken up to two steps recently but still prefers to crawl and sit down. She has been mastering the art of standing without falling this week. But when we encourage her to walk she sits down. She will be walking by her first birthday thats for sure.

She is a whopping 13 lbs.

Let that tiny size not fool you. She is getting chubby underneath. All her bottles of formula and baby food has certainly helped. I am sad we finished nursing this month. 10 months isnt bad though. I have had babies nurse less time. I just didnt have very good milk supply and my milk apparantly wasnt fatty enough for her to grow. Once we put her on formula she started to gain a pound a month.

These photos are where her new favorite place to hang out is. She knows we keep all our flash cards on the bottom of the red library cart. Its pretty common to have a bunch of those cards strewn about around the cart. We are deciding where we can put them so they are up and away from her but not out of sight ( out of mind)

I tend to forget about flash cards if we put them away where we dont see them everyday. When we see them its so easy to pull a deck out and go through it for a fun activity. My favorite pack of flash cards are places around the world. (of course!) Target is known for having some awesome flash cards in their dollar section usually around July-August. I always keep my eye out for new packs around this time. ( one of my favorite times of the year, shopping for school supplies for cheap during back to school sales)

New boxes of crayons for .39 ? YES please!

We also love to stock up on supplies to put in Operation Christmas child shoe boxes.

For now Leela just loves to eat the cards but one day shell get to read them herself. Who doesnt want to know all about Turantulas!?

Thats all for now. Sorry Ive been MIA. Life with six kids is busy. An adventure for sure.

Love, hugs, Best wishes and all that jazz!

Jenn-lee

A few more Photos just for fun: Follow me on Instagram if youd like. momentsbyJL

DAY 2 OF gym

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 14 May 2014 12:20:00 +0000

So it looks like blogger decided to post what I wrote yesterday morning this morning. So as mentioned in the other post I had a personal training appointment this morning. AT.....5:30 am. Now, This is not my usual wake up time. Usually I wake up around 7:30 when either leela or Tobin wake up. I have known I wanted this to change. Actually, I know it needed to change. So I made the apointment early so I could have time to get home and enjoy some quiet before the whole house is up. It feels wonderful and quiet.

How did my PT appointment go you ask? Well, ...He didnt show up. yah. discouraging and frustrating. They called him and he talked to me. He felt bad and wanted to reschedule. I did but I was a bit mad and felt like switching to try a different one but decided sometimes people need a 2nd chance. So tonight I'll meet with him. I have not set specific goals yet as I dont really know where I am at with stats etc on my body. I am excited to get all that down on paper so the real fun and hard work can begin.

I have not exersised in 8 years. This is so foreign to my body. Today I did 10 min warm up of a brisk walk on the treadmill and after the whole PT reschedule I went to do 15 min on the eliptical. Its easy to feel dumb only doing such a small amount but I will have to remind myself its okay. Everyone is at different levels. This was a push for me. All of it. To get up at o dark 30 and to do that cardio. I forgot my music so I just watched all the super strong people workout. haha Motivating.

Well, I am going to go read a bit ( might as well start more new habits with mny early rise) and then get ready for a rockin day with my kiddos.

xo,

Hello there!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 14 May 2014 12:06:00 +0000

I am so excited! I am all set up to blog with my mini Ipad. I opened my Birthday present a few minutes ago and this is me trying it out. whoohoo!!!

I have been missing blogging but have not had a computer that works properly for a while. When deciding on what kind of computer to get we ultimitly decided to get a tablet and eventually get a keyboard cover I could use to blog with. Its so exciting to be back connected! I told my kiddos I would try this out while they watch me and eat their cereal. haha So far this is great. I love that its a cover/stand for the tablet then a separate sleek apple keyboard to type. Easy for travel and great for homeschool too.

I hope to be sharing my new journey with you very soon. What would that be? Well, I joined a gym last night and decided recently that I want to start body building. I have a few friends body building and have inspired me so much. I am tired of feeling weak. I just want to be strong! I need to be able to br strong enough to have more kids. I want to be strong enough to work hard. Go on missions trips and help do hard work. Go hike with my sister to her property in Costa Rica one day. Ride a bike and not get winded, heck, get on a bike without fear that if I crash all my bones will break in a million pieces.

I have felt like I can barely open a jar. That is sad. Just wrong. I have felt my bones feel like they are going to break in half. Thats scary. I have been to my Doctor and am working with her on everything. We found out I have HYpoThyroid so I am on meds to help with that. Plus on lots of vitamins everyday to help where I am defficiant.

Anyhow. More on my goals and progress later. I am just here to say Hi and try out my new setup but that new and exciting things are happening!

Thanks sweetie. I love you and am so blessed you treat me so good!

I hope you all have a great and fantastic day!

Want pictures? I'll leave a few for you. ;)

Leela misses me all the time. I have not started baby wearing her and she does not like when I have to leave her on the floor to make lunch. She is getting to be a fast little crawler. I love it. Too adorable! She does not cry all the time. She really is a great little baby. She loves attention and snuggling. So she is happy to play for a while but then she wants to suck her thumb and have her face in my neck. Weird I know but so cute,

We snuggled on the floor Sunday night. I LOVE how snuggly she is. MAkes my day to feel her warmth and feel so needed and loved by such a little human being.

I started using a fun new app called Paper. I LOVE sketching fashion designs out with it. Its been great doing that again. I hope once we are settled in the new house I will be able to pick one and sew it into real life. ( oh yah. We also recently moved into a bigger place. A house! We LOVE the space and yard and neighbors. Its been SO nice having a yard fenced for Tobin to run and play in.)

Its me! Have not taken many pics of myself over the past while. Less selfies happen when I am without my iphone. Which I gave up because I was on it way too much. So far The ipad has been an easier fun electronic to have but too inconvient to hold when nursing or cooking and such. I will continue to keep a goopd balance. Blogging again will be so much fun. Kailani insisited she take my photo. She did a pretty good job too.

Finally, Some words to inspire. Its true. When I had Leela Naturally I repeated in my mind

" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. " I found so much comfort and strength in that during the hard contractions. It was amazing because I truly would not say labor was painful. It was difficult and uncomfortable but it was not pain that I know. I use this to help me with anything else. I know I am capable of hard work when I remind myself that I had a baby with no drugs. To me that is an amazing feat.

I am excited for my future. I am excited to achieve results but patient and know they will happen in their own due time. I will share Before and after / current pics and updates here. be on the look out! I have my first PT appointment tomarrow at 5:30am! So exciting.

Well, Thats all for now. I'll share more pics another day. I need to get back to my kids who just finished their breakfast. Because....I love them and .....

Miss you all friends and family.

xo,

Jenn-lee

Needs sanity

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 23:29:00 +0000

Today I came home after church ready to have dinner. We were all soooo hungry. Kids and husband were all reaching for snacks as I sent them all to leave the kitchen so I could heat up the quiche I had made.

Flash back to a few days ago I told Daniel to make sure nothing is in the oven when hen he started pre heat because I had caught Tobin putting Sophie's dolls in there a few times. I knew I needed to get a baby lock but figured I'd just do that at the he new place since we are almost moved out.

Today I turned the oven on and had the thought to check like I had recommended and just as I was about to I heard Sophie scream. She fell off the bunk bed ladder and hit her head on the floor and was pretty upset. I consoled her and helped her change out of her church dress into her favorite kind of outfit to cheer her up. (Pants and a skirt)

I remembered I needed to get back to cooking and walked into the kitchen to see lots of smoke coming out of the top vent of our oven. The vent that's under one of the range burners, yikes. I opened the oven to see Sophie's doll burning to her doll death inside. Lots of fire.

I freak yelling to Daniel there was a fire. I knew to keep the oven closed but other then that I for some reason just freaked out. (Totally horrible example to my kids) we used to have an extinguisher but I am not sure where it went during out last move. Anyhow. Daniel threw some baking soda on that poor doll and it was out right away.

Meanwhile Tobin keeps asking what happened and "bire scary bire hot" he said he was sorry to Sophie. Sophie had a good cry. She is so sad her Sonia doll is gone. Luckily they have the same doll still for sale at Target. They really are cute dolls.

this was her doll before: so stinking cute.

This is her doll now...

Sad right!? Seeing a cute doll burning is really freaky looking too. Guess we'll be going to Target soon. This was Sophie's favorite doll.

What's more sad is how It completely freaked me out and my kids because I forgot to stay calm. Now I know. I'll be better next time. Wait.. There better not EVER be a next time. Yikes.

This is Tobin now...

He knows what he did and is obsessed with standing by the oven to talk about it. Hard to stay mad at his cute face for too long. I will be definitely use a oven lock at the house.

He says "needs" before he tells me what he wants all the time. "Needs food mom!"

"needs drink mom!" This has been a tough week for him. He has been a bit naughty and really trying for attention in all the wrong ways. I feel a bit crazy because of it but I know we will be back to normal life this week and things should get better.

This is me saying

"Needs sanity"

Scrubby the bunny

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:42:00 +0000

Crazy morning.

Lost Anakhas bunny Scrubby. We had not seen him all night and this morning. How does one lose a bunny?

Tobin insisted he threw scrubby off our 3rd floor balcony.

Anakha was so so upset to think she would probably not see him again. We looked for him outside but did not find him.

It was a very sad stressful morning.

Then....

Kailani found him.

In an empty bedside table drawer. Anakha put him in there last night while she tidied her room and forgot about him. Lol

poor bunny.

Every one is happy now that he is not gone forever.

Baby haircut and thoughts.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 20:34:00 +0000

Her hair was growing so funny and patchy. So we decided to give it a short buzz to let it all grow out evenly. She now looks even more younger. I sure adore this girl. Lately she has been a major mamas girl only wanting me to hold her. Crying lots if I am not. She has been fighting naps and having lots of diaper blowouts. (Result of adding formula in to help her grow) All this amongst packing up for a move makes for a little bit of a difficult situation on my time. I think she can sense change is happening and I am more stressed and busy then usual.

I am thankful my older girls help out so much when Daddy is at work. She will be seven months old next week. Wow. Time flies.

I made this as a tablet wallpaper to remind me I can do it. That no matter what tough days there are I can wake up and have a good attitude and try to embrace my best. If I fall short at least I tried and it's better then not right?

Also made this one to remind me to get rid of excuses. Those darn excuses get in the way every time. Enough with them.

Is any thing too hard for the Lord?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 04:44:00 +0000

We recently found a home we will rent nearby. Our lease was up soon and we are not ready to buy yet. We know this is still whats best for our family. I prayed and looked prayed and looked. After a few homes I was starting to feel frustrated. I could not let my frustration show to my children who were watching my every step.

"Heavenly Father has a home prepared for us. I know it. It's okay that home was stinky and gross and not right for us. It's okay this home had too many rose bushes we cared to take on responsibility for. (yikes) Its all okay. Why? Because it means we are just one step closer to finding the right place. "

I would tell my children.

I thought I found the perfect adorable little cottage. It was in an up and coming historic district of our town. It was so cute. The owner was a contractor. They took such great care if this adorable home. It was old but renovated so nicely. It was in our right price range. It had a beautifully landscaped backyard perfect for entertaining and endless hours of outside playtime. I loved it and asked for an application. My Mr. liked it too. I wanted to apply for it so bad but in my gut I kept feeling frustrated about two things.

It was on a busy road and had no storage or garage space. I need my little ones to be safe and we need a place to store even a lawn mower. I kept trying to convince myself solutions and that it would be okay but no matter what this battle in my head was going on. I prayed for help to understand what was best. I asked God to help me know the solutions to those issues if this was the right home for us. (Did I mention this home was adorable and I really wanted it to be the right place?) That night around midnight I was up nursing Little Leela-LaRue and had the impression I should go back online and browse homes again. It was then that I found the home we now will move into in a few weeks. When I looked at the pictures online I knew it was right. I felt like God was telling me, his child just as I was telling my own children,

"Its okay that other home was on a busy road. Its okay. Because I have prepared this home for your family"

I have not been able to stop thinking about how grateful I feel that once again God has sent his blessings pouring down. Yesterday, I taught a Sunday school lesson about how with God all things are possible. It was so fitting to be able to teach this lesson to these sweet children. Not only to teach it but to also bear testimony of it. In Genesis, we learn an important lesson that God taught Abraham. Abraham was told he and Sarah will have a son. When Sarah overheard and laughed (probably rejoiced as well) she asked if it really was going to happen (she was really old) The Answer given to her was this important question "Is any thing too hard for the Lord?"

All things with God are possible. NOTHING is too hard for the Lord. He can move mountains. He has more blessings then we can ever imagine waiting for us when we show faith in him.

I am not only so excited to move for so many reasons but I know that we were able to find the right home for us for the next few years because of Faith. Because I believed Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He answered my prayers and has sent us a home with not only what I was praying for (safety and storage) but a few little perks thrown in the mix just for fun to show how awesome he really is.

One scripture I love and want to end this post with is a great reminder to all. We may not understand how it will all work out but it does. It will always work out according to his will. His will is what is always best for us. God knows whats best and with him all things are possible.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

XO,

20 things I see right now from my sofa

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 06:23:00 +0000

Just felt like documenting my crazy life in a silly way tonight. Sat here exhausted and frustrated with kids not going to sleep. Finally got the hyper toddler boy asleep. I look around and in one way I see it as crazy. Then I looked again and while it is messy and needs tidying up it shows our life. A life I would not trade for any other. So for now I will sit and share the first twenty things I see. Then I will go to sleep and clean up tomorrow with the kids of course. :)

Vintage Mega blocks on the floor. broken up but still showing the stairs design made before dinner.
Scattered pet shop toys from Kailani having them play on the blocks.
wooden train conductors from Tobin having them play on the blocks.
a wide awake 5 month old Little Leela on her belly in the bouncy chair. she refuses to lay on her back in it.
stack of books I am reading on the edge of our media dresser, My scriptures, my journal, The 17 second Miracle, The Thomas Jefferson Education, Gift from the Sea.
bag of library books on the floor. about 5 cobblestone magazines, 5 faces magazines, books on Egyptian science, KingFischers encyclopedia of History and one on Life. Plus many others along those themes. Its a very Heavy bag.
scattered kitchen chairs. As if the kids just jumped out of them.
couscous crumbs on the floor. Haven't vacuumed yet. we had rotisserie chicken, couscous, and peas for dinner. yum.
Ikea straws (my favorite) in glass cups from dinner.
plastic bag of books to donate to our local thrift store. getting ready for a move. Gotta spring clean. parting with books is so hard for us.
un matching throw pillows all over my sofa. still no plan for my LR style. I need help.
drool on the bebe's hands. She is in teething mode. Its gross. haha
Two crates of homeschool supplies we use daily. Binders, paper, hole punches, pencils, crayons, notebooks, books, and more books. fun stuff.
my unused and lonely sewing machine. I miss it but have had no energy to start a project lately. One day we will be best friends. but not today. or tomorrow. when we reunite I think I'll sew something I see HERE.
my favorite diaper bag from Petunia Pickle Bottom.Seriously. My first real diaper bag and worth every penny.
an old 1920's dresser nasty and ready for a makeover. somehow I still love it. Its like THIS except red and needs major TLC.
baggie of m&m's next to me. Got the kids a treat at costco of these. Now I sit and they tempt me even though I am not a fan of chocolate.
our front door covered in art held up by magnets the kids are so proud of. Oh-how do I choose when to take them all down and freshen up. They are all so darling.
my toe nails half painted. uh. yah. This mommy needs a pedi.
papers. papers in the stacks of books. papers on clip boards. papers are like a virus here. We love doodling. we love writing. We love taking notes. We need to find a better way of keeping these papers under control. I think they are having babies and multiplying while I sleep.

Well. That's all for tonight. Time for this mommy to go to sleep. All the babies are sleeping now. Thank Goodness.

xo,

Why I gave up my iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 07:11:00 +0000

Its quiet. Finally. Somehow it took a while to get all the children asleep. Anakha did the dishes while I sat a read this awesome magazine called Cobblestone and nursed our little Leela. I learned all about George Washington's home. I am convinced I want to build a home like it one day. You know as our home away from our French home. :) My dream also. We can discuss it another day.

Back to Anakha's dishes chore time. Technically its her dads day but she promised him she would do the dishes on his assigned day because she playfully kicked him but actually accidentally hurt him. She offered immediately that she was so sorry she would do his dishes for two months. wow. two months of dishes on his days (weekends). She is a sweetie. We all have dishes days now. To say I love it is an understatement. The whole family loves it.

We are finally getting a system down. Why? Because I finally broke down and decided to implement one. My sweet man lovingly reminded me that it would be a great idea. He's reminded me a few times over the years but understanding that I am the one home with them the majority of the time it would be best if I come up wight he system.He is patient. He is so kind to me and I am forever grateful. I Love that man.

If you have known me for a while you know I love GRAND ideas. I am a dreamer I am great at ideas and have not been so great in the past at making them happen. I let them sit. I am working on that. You see, I have this idea. I've had it for a year now and have finally taken steps to make it happen. I was working hard on it many nights and my dear sweet husband reminded me of something VERY important.

He reminded me that he loved me. He supported my project idea completely but had a difficult time supporting it when there were so many areas of my responsibility slacking. I want to make this idea happen so bad it kind of hurt. I cried. I cried a lot. I cried because I knew it was true. I had let so many things slip in my life and get off balance.

In order to achieve success with my dream I needed to have success in my home first. After all, that is what is most important. My relationship with God, My marriage and my children. I decided I would work hard to gain better control of my life. In all aspects before I take on a huge undertaking. Something that will truly inspire and be exciting but something that needs me to be disciplined and ready for success.

In my effort to gain control of my life I decided that my so called smart phone was ruining my life. Smartphones are a great tool and super fun. They really are. If you use one and have been able to keep your screen time in check I admire you. I admire you a million times over. I however became hooked. I do not play games on it. I found myself suffering with F.O.M.O. Fear of Missing Out. :) I wanted to check Facebook often. Instagrams latest and greatest pics. I loved sharing photos. I loved browsing Amazon and making wish lists to help plan Christmas or future books to read or my dream kitchen. One appliance at a time.

All of that time. wasted. It hit me hard. Smack in the face this week when was nursing my little peanut of a baby Leela. She is five months old now. She is 10 lbs and super attentive. She started reaching for my phone. She wanted it. I realized she was born and was being raised with a screen within a few inches of her face while I nursed or held her. I looked at it and realized how horrible that is. How she deserved better. She deserved to see me reach for a book instead of some cool electronic. She NEEDED me to be with her not with a screen and her on the side. My older kids. wow. What an annoyance they must have felt it was. How patient they had been. My toddler boy acting out. For attention. My attention.

So I gave it up. I am not saying those who keep using smartphones are bad. No. I just encourage as I share this, for you to think about how much you look at it when its really not needed.

Today was my first full day of being without it by my side. I took my husbands old non smart phone and it felt weird. I paid attention to how often the thought came to my mind "wheres my phone?" Too many to count. I realized how at those times if I had my iphone nearby I would have spent a few minutes on it.

Guess what? It ADDS UP.

Every time I felt the need to grab "the phone" I picked up a book. I read half the book today. I feel free. My kids have me back. I am so excited for what this week will bring.

Am I against Instagram? no. I love it. I will still sneak a pic up here or there when my hubby is home at night. Am I against Facebook? For now. No. I have a great support system in form of groups for homeschooling, book clubs etc and enjoy seeing posts by friends. For now I will just access it like I used to many years ago via computer. Not as convenient but once a day is fine. plenty.

One day off the phone and I am blogging. Not planned but I just felt I had something to share. I had the thought many times this past year that my smartphone stole my blogging mojo.

I think I got it back.

Hope to see you around. Leave a comment. say hi. share your thoughts.

xo,

Today I am thankful

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 21:05:00 +0000

I love this photo. I do not remember taking it. I just saw it in my camera photo stream. This little gal makes me smile. She is our first Utah born baby. Moved here when I was 8 months prego with her. Now she is FOUR!?! Wow.

She is a delight. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that he has blessed our lives with this sweet angel. She truly lights up our lives with all her shining beauty inside and out.

Today I am thankful for our sweet Sophie.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:36:00 +0000

I just spent a half hour writing a post to say Happy New Year and share our new baby with you. Then my computer shutt off and I lost it all. 😩

So I am now blogging using the app on my phone. I hope this publishes right. I would be so excited! 😍

Now here is the condensed version of the list post.

We had a new sweet baby in 2013!!!She is now almost 4months old now! Baby #6!!! 😮

We adore her and wish you could meet her! Here are a few pics I used on my Instagram. The link to my IG is at the top of the blog. ( or momentsbyjl is my profile name)

She is such a doll. She smiles and babbles often. Everyone loves to help hold her, feed her, soothe her etc. Tobin was a bit difficult when we had her but I am happy to say he is gentle with her now and loves to blow raspberries on her belly. He loves to check on her and give her his beloved blanket "tagtag".

Wishing you a Happy New Year! I would love to blog again soon with her birth story , the story behind her name and also a few posts on homeschooling.

Just need to find the time. Actually, more like find the energy.

Miss you all!

Love,

Jenn-Lee

The Lord is My Light

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 20:24:00 +0000

We sang this song at church today and I felt I needed to share it. I love this song. I hope it can bring you the same peace it gives me.

The Lord Is My Light

Resolutely

1. The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?

By day and by night his presence is near.

He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;

This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.

[Chorus]

The Lord is my light;

He is my joy and my song.

By day and by night he leads,

He leads me along.

2. The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,

Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies

Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.

Then how can I ever in darkness remain?

3. The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.

I know in his might I’ll conquer at length.

My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r,

And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour.

4. The Lord is my light, my all and in all.

There is in his sight no darkness at all.

He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.

With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.

Text: James Nicholson, 1828–1876

Music: John R. Sweney, 1837–1899

Psalm 27:1

Isaiah 12:2

(The Lord Is My Light)

The best Lemon cleaner. Seriously. I am obsessed.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:44:00 +0000

I am seriously obsessed with this product. J.R. Watkins lemon all purpose cleaner spray alongside the hand soap and dish soap.

I am known to try any lemon scented cleaning product I can get my hands on. I LOVE lemon! I know there is many different natural all purpose cleaners out there and you may even love them as much as I love Watkins brand. I am telling you, if you love lemon this is the freshest most natural smelling lemon cleaner I have tried yet. (yes yes Meyers is great. I used to say I LOVED it. It smells like chemicals compared to Watkins though)

This is not a sponsored post. I seriously just love this stuff so much I had to tell you. The spray degunks anything if you spray and let it sit for a few minutes. It really cleans well and the fact that it smells amazing is a bonus.

Sad news though... The only place I can find it (sometimes) is at Target. Only some Targets.You can order online from amazon or from Watkins directly though if I remember right.

(They also have an amazing line of first aid as body products too)

Okay. That's all. For all you Lemon Lovers out there this is for you.

Hugs and high fives to all lemon obsessed humans.

Jenn-lee

No more MIA

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 03:26:00 +0000

I have been MIA on my blog lately. I have decided to just start blogging in the moment again. Having the blogger app (that actually works using iOS vs. android) will be super helpful. Ever since starting to use a smartphone January 2012 I got in a horrible "everything instant" habit. It became easier to post longer then normal Facebook status updates then to get on our computer and blog about it. Often I forgot about the moments by the time I had time in the evening to blog anyways.

I also am in the habit of posting instant pictures. Especially now that I use Instagram. I am always editing photos and sharing them right then. I am excited to start sharing more on the blog with the help of this app.

It would be too overwhelming if I thought to try and play catch up with our life before I start blogging in the moment thoughts so I am just going to go forward for now and if I feel like going back and sharing the past I will.

As always I love when you leave comments to say hi. I always love when I meet new visitors or old blog friends and get to stop by and say hi back on your blog.

Here are a few of my most recent favorite photos. You may have already seen them on Instagram or Facebook. I'll try to save some surprises just for the blog in the future so it's not all repeats.

As always

Hugs to all!

If you are wondering who the new babes is if you are not friends with me on Facebook we had a baby girl in September. She is #6baby for us! I will share more photos and a bit of her birth story here soon. Her name is Leela-LaRue. We usually just shorten it and say Leela. ( Middle name we keep private. )

Test

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 01:01:00 +0000

Hi! This is me testing a post using the blogger app. If this publishes well I will be a whole new blogger! ;)

Play like a kid.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 05:57:00 +0000

(looking in my blog drafts, I found this post that never got published for some reason.

Written back in April I believe)

Yesterday I had spent the morning doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen. Sophie begged me to play dolls with her. Sadly, after sitting and playing dolls with her I realized I had not done this before. Just her and I pretend playing having the dolls do the talking. I loved it. It felt refreshing.

They then went on to play with play-doh as I worked on laundry. As we cleaned the mess up I had this thought that I should suggest we go play Ring around the Rosie and Duck Duck Goose. This is not like me. I often forget about little things like this. Not when teaching nursery at church or preschool in the home just when I am at home "being mom" I struggle to just stop work and be playful WITH the kids. I also thought since Tobin is now 18 months old and will go to church nursery its about time he learned how to do these simple activities and that I wanted to be the one to teach him. Oh- how I am so happy I listened to this thought. It was pure JOY.

Ring Around the Rosie :

Holding hands we sang and the three of us went in a circle. Tobin would not fall down on his own. I could help him a bit and he would fall but without my help he would stand there and laugh at us. I would fall all the way down kicking my feet up into the air exaggerating greatly my fall. I think this was way more entertaining to him then to fall himself. We had some great laughs. It felt great to be more active then just doing laundry or dishes or making a bed too. hahaha Toddlers and Preschoolers love repetition so naturally we repeated this probably 10 times. I was out of breath by the 10th time. (yikes, out of shape a bit?)

Next, on to Duck, Duck, Goose.

Sophie and I both took turns. Because it was just 3 of us in our living room I had to make chasing Sophie a little harder then it really was to help the game along. She loved it. Tobin sat and watched and laughed. Then I had a turn. Duck, Duck, on and on I went in a circle tapping their two little heads while walking around them. Both were laughing along the way.

Next up, Tobins turn. I sat in front of Sophie and did my best to tell Tobin what to do. He refused to say "Duck" Even though lately he will repeat most anything we ask him to say at least once. Standing there with a big smile on his face as I said Duck I quickly felt like I was a mole in the wack-a-mole game at chuck e cheese.
"Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck,.." Each time I said Duck He'd stand in the same spot in front of us bopping us each back and forth on the head with his right hand, then left, then right. When I said Goose He giggled and stood in the same spot but turned himself in circles smiling and laughing along the way.

We had a good laugh. It is hard to explain on the blog but I knew I had to get it written down so I could remember this sweet time with them. Many days I am filled with work to do and miss out on opportunities like this. It took just 10 minutes but added so much laughter and happiness it was so worth it. Only 10 min of stopping my work to spend time with these little ones still so new and learning what the world is all about.

It was just the reminder I needed as to why we sacrifice so much for me to stay at home. Its not so I can do the dishes, its not so I can make sure Laundry is done, it is because these little ones need me. Whats the purpose if I co-exist next to them? Working along and giving them things to do to keep them "happy" as time passes by.

Yesterday I resolved in my heart to spend more time each day playing WITH them. If the dishes and a messy kitchen, or a dirty bathroom gets a half hour or an hour of my time don't my kids deserve the same if not more then that? If I spend a total of only 10 minutes every hour of the day checking email, facebook, etc easily adding up to 80 minutes of my day I NEVER can get back then is it too much to ask to take 10 minutes here or there and FOCUS entirely on each child doing what they want to do and talking to them?

We have only the time God grants us here and never know when a day will be our last with a loved one here on earth. I am grateful I had this experience to remind me again how special family is and what is truly important.

They deserve that and frankly, I deserve to play like a kid too every now and then right?

Update! (it's about time!)

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn Lee) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 05:52:00 +0000

Hello!

I thought it was time I updated the blog. I never would have thought it would become so hard for me to do. I really blame my smartphone. It has become so easy to post facebook status updates & photos on Instagram in well, an instant. Really, My facebook updates could have been the start of many blog posts. Recently I have found myself typing a little story or thought and think how I should save it for the blog. Then I think, nah, its easier to just do this now. Blogging does take time and effort. Commitment and it is not for the lazy. I think my smartphone has made me lazy. I have hardly used the computer in the year and half that I have had the smartphone. Access to the Internet, blogs, facebook, pinterest, photo sharing accounts have all been so easy. Addicting really. It has been something I have decided needs to be managed better. Less time on the phone. More time with my kids, being productive and accomplishing my goals and dreams. I cannot really do that on a phone. It just doesn't work that way. More time carved out in the evenings for meaningful blog posts and work and crafting instead of netflix or dilly dallying on my phone.

It would be nice if their was an app that let you accomplish dreams in an instant. Then the dreams wouldn't be so gratifying when reached right? One dream I am starting to work on is a new website. I know, I know, How can I be starting a new one when I have not posted on this one in forever? This new site has a different purpose. Its for you and about you. It will be less mommy stories, photos of my family trip to the zoo and more pics and stories and things to help you. I have a few projects I felt inspired to start and am super excited to finally get them going. They will help many people and I hope you will jump on the idea and be as excited as I am. The beginning of the year I mentioned this then I got Prego Sick. I just stalled. I have had a hard time getting it going but I feel now is the time. I need to get it started now. If not now, When? (I have a ring with that on it. I wear it and love the reminder. Time to start listening to its advice. :)
I am in the process of getting the site designed and ready to go. When it is ready you bet I will share the link and launch date. :)

PREGNANCY UPDATE:

I am about 30 weeks prego now! I cannot believe how fast the past few months have gone. I feel huge and ready but of course, I have at least 9 more weeks. Sophie asks me everyday when her new baby sister will get here and when is Halloween. She is excited for both. I love how a 3yr old thinks. I have been feeling a bit more exhausted and my walking has been more labored. The back pain and hip pain I experience has hampered our summer days. The first month or so of summer I had been going, going, going. Taking the kids swimming and all kinds of outings but it just got to be too much.

Things changed when I went on a mini-pioneer trek with the kids. It was only a mile walk but it kicked my hip problem in high gear and left me looking quite pathetic for a few days. Barely able to walk. In fact that day I got stuck in the middle of a field with Sophie far ahead of me. The kids were running around to different booths of pioneer activities/games etc. I could not walk, My right hip just hurt so bad I could barely move. It took me for-freakin-ever to move. Finally this nice man from our congregation came to my aid asking me if I needed help. He told me he thought I was just standing there looking around until he realized, no, shes moving. I was so slow he thought I was standing still. Just call me a Sloth. lol After that its been a problem here and there when I walk around too much. Thankfully I avoid mile long walks now. So it shouldn't be too bad of a problem.

I am at the point to where if I do all that I need to do in the home and take them out I feel so much pain at night I regret doing too much. Then If I rest and take care of myself I feel the kids get stir crazy, the house gets messy and I regret not doing enough. Its a hard balance. Its okay though. All worth it for this sweet baby we are so excited to meet.

When we are out I am constantly counting and looking for my children so I don't forget or lose one. It seems funny but honestly I always feel we are missing one. Tonight it happened, I kept looking and looking. All were right in front of me and I mentioned we were missing one. They all pointed at my belly. :) Sure enough they are right. We are so excited about our growing family. We do not feel 5 kids is a big family and it is a blast and will be a blast adding another sweet spirit to the mix.

Do we have a name yet? We do ,...sort of. We have a first name we are almost 100% certain on but we are still trying to find a middle name we agree on. I am not stressed though. The names always work out and it is so fun to see the process. The kids like to suggest ideas and this time my mom as well. She has given us many ideas. Oh- on Facebook I asked for help and were given some awesome suggestions. We will not announce full name on the blog but I will share the first name. So if we are friends on facebook you will learn her middle name too once we know it.

I am currently still looking for a crib/bassinet and new baby car seat. I also am looking for ideas on the first baby photo shoot to use for a birth announcement and blessing dress designs for when I start to sew that. It is so much fun thinking we will have another little doll to play dress up with soon.

School:

Kids start full 5 day school program in a few weeks. They miss school so much and are so excited to get started. When school let out they were so bummed. Kailani cried many nights for her teacher. She gets the same teacher again this year I believe and she talks about her all the time. Her motivation to get better at reading has been her teacher. She tells me she can't wait till she gets to show her teacher how awesome of a reader she is in just a few months.She has done so well with reading she proved to us she is officially a reader. No more asking us what things say. She knows how so she earned her very first set of scriptures. She was so excited to get her name inscription on the cover. She carries them proudly to church in a little tote bag she bought with her own money at DI. (local thrift store)

Well, I think I could write more but I'll stop here for now. This post is much longer then I intended but I am glad to have posted it. I sure miss you all. I hope your summer has been amazing, safe and full of great memories.

I'll be back with a little update on the kids for those of you interested in that. Photos and all. They grow and change so much. This blog needs the update anyways for archive purposes. :):)

Hugs to all!