Butler Style: August 2007

Thursday, August 30, 2007

A Good Day

What makes Grace sleep so well?

A day filled with bug eyes...

Wild Pigs...

Climbing Tall Trees....and

Laughing at mom swinging like a monkey!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Fishing Weekend

The morning was spent here....

watching this guy swim while.....

Drew was fishing!

You've gotta love TEXAS!!!

Mother's Curse!

My mother cursed me!!!

I don't know how many times she said

"I hope you get the chance to raise a daughter just like you!"

I found Grace in our bed the other night talking on the "phone".

Boy, oh boy, we are going to have our hands full when she's a teenager!

I spent WAY TOO MANY hours on the phone growing up!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Dear Alia, I just finished reading Ashley's blog entry (dated August 20,2007) about snakes. After a chuckle and a nod of the head I remembered one of my favorite memories growing up. My younger brother, Tim, had learned about snakes during school. He was probably six. Tim was telling my mom all about the things he saw and learned. In the course of his narration he told my mom how to tell the difference between male and female snakes. This topic seemed to fascinate Tim because he spent quite a bit of time talking in detail about boys and girls. My older sister, Karen (12 years old at the time), was in the other room "listening" to the conversation. Now when I was growing up Karen was the one who always had a comment and most certainly knew more than anyone else on the planet! She couldn't contain herself any longer....Tim just kept talking and talking about these snakes. The lengthy description of the males and females was just too much for my dear sister. During a brief pause in Tim's informative speech we hear Karen yell from the other room... "The easy way to tell the boys from the girls is to look between the legs!" Everyone paused for moment stunned. Next thing I remember was hearing "SNAKES DON'T HAVE LEGS!" So there you have it Alia. Snakes don't have legs and they don't have bums. Sorry kid. At least you are learning these lessons while you are young and not while you are a preteen!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Sunday Promise

Attending church with wiggly Grace and unpredictable Anne has been quite the experience these past few weeks. I must admit that after church last week I wondered if it was truly necessary for young families to go to church especially when church co insides with nap time!

Sundays are less than favorable days at our home. Edwin leaves early for meetings and often times comes home late. Getting Grace dressed (and having her stay dressed) feeding and changing Anne multiple times and trying to dress myself in a pleasing manner is a bit overwhelming. Every week is the same routine and as much as I try to plan and prepare ahead of schedule there seems to be no way to minimize the Sunday morning panic. Dinner needs to be put in the crock pot, Edwin needs a lunch/snack, Grace needs activities and food, and Anne needs a plethora of diapers and clothes (just in case it's one of those days!) With all that I do for everyone else I find it a miracle I make it to church dressed at all!

Getting to church is only the first hurdle in our race. Once at church I feel compelled to keep my children quiet as possible. A hungry, tired toddler is no picnic to entertain let alone keep interested in sitting still for an hour. By the end of our Sacrament wrestling match my hair is a mess and someone is usually telling me my clothes are revealing a bit more than they should! Thankfully Edwin does a pretty good job noticing my skewed clothes, but people are polite enough to say something so I don't spend the entire day with my skirt turned around backwards or my blouse unbuttoned!

With all the finagling we do during the services I can barely remember anything that was said. Often times I can't tell you who spoke or their general topic for discussion. Even though Grace is now old enough for nursery that is no guarantee that I will be able to listen to the Sunday School lesson or Relief Society lesson. When Anne wakes up its time to eat or time to cry. Either way I'm out in the hall. Not a very uplifting place to be when you are actually interested in what was happening in the classroom.

I know I'm not alone in the Sunday crisis. I see other women struggling too. There is no way to know what goes on prior to church or after church in every one's home, but at church we are experiencing the same things.

In the midst of my distress and frustration I found this beautiful promise that will carry me through the difficult days.

"And every child, without realizing the full portent, can absorb much from a sacrament meeting. They will absorb something every time. " Spencer W. Kimball.

Thankfully my parents helped instill in me the habit of church attendance no matter what my circumstances may be. I too will join the hundreds of other parents who take their children to worship the Lord on His Holy Day. And I will do it with a joyful heart and a happy countenance knowing it is making a difference for my tender young children.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Failed Photo Shoot

We tried to have our family photo taken a while ago, but Grace was a little upset about having to stand still. This was the best family setting, but we will try again at a later date. Maybe we will opt for something indoors with fewer distractions.

I made Grace's outfit and I just wanted to show off my developing sewing skills!!!

Beautiful at Two

Anne is 2 months

The more kids you have the faster time flies!

Bye-Bye Baby Loogie

Saturday was lizard day! On our morning walk we saw 5 lizards! We thought that was pretty impressive for 30 minutes outside. Later that day Edwin caught a lizard on our porch. Edwin and Grace put the lizard in a jar and spent much time trying to find the right food for our new pet "Baby Loogie". However, Baby Loogie didn't eat anything offered him. Sunday we decided to let Baby Loogie out of the jar to return home to his mamma.

"Bye-bye Baby Loogie!"

Sisters

Grace and Anne are 20 months apart. When discussing more children part of me totally freaked out at the thought of having two babies. I wasn't sure I wanted to mother two little children so close in age. However, I have always held close to me the hope that my two children would be good friends who needed each other. We didn't find out Anne's gender until delivery so throughout the pregnancy I hoped for a girl and rationalized that I would be happy either way. But I won't deny the fact that I envisioned sewing matching dresses and decorating the room with "girlie things". I wanted so much for Grace to have the kind of playmate my sister was for me while I was growing up. When Edwin and I talked of the future and the mischief our children would discover I would smile and say, "but they will look so cute with bows in their hair and mud up to their eyeballs."

These past two months have been delightful. Grace loves her baby sister. If Anne is on the floor Grace lies down next to her. Grace helps give Anne baths. Grace sings songs to Anne. (One day I overheard her singing 'Love Anne, Love Anne'.) Grace has shared her favorite toys, snacks, shoes, and mommy's lap. Yes, Grace loves Anne, but how does Anne feel about all this?

There have been numerous occassion when Anne has been upset and I have tried my best to calm her. Grace gets upset when Anne is flustered and often wants to hold or kiss Anne. In the attempt to temporarily pacify Grace by fulfilling her need to show affection to her baby sister I will place Anne within Grace's reach. A kiss from Grace, a sweet hug, or a tender pat on the tummy is often times all Anne needs to settle down. Anne knows her big sister Grace and accepts and needs Grace's love.

I am so glad I have my two babies and I'm thrilled that they have each other.

Swimming Adventures

Growing up to be an 80s Rock Star!!!

Anne goes swimming

Tuesdays

Grace and Best Buddy Alia

(Note: Grace's combover is the result of licking her pancake and syrup plate.)

Tuesday is our day to have Alia come and play. The girls discovered many uses for kitchen tools and playdough. So much fun!

In Bloom

After three long years our plumeria finally bloomed! We are so excited. We had no idea it would be this beautiful.

Breaking News

Breaking News in Grace's World:

DEATH BY DECAPITATION

This tragic incident happened around 4pm Thursday, August 16, 2007 in the local grocery store. Parents are not sure what lead to Dolly's tragic death, but there was no consoling Little Grace as she tenderly held Dolly's head in one hand and Dolly's body in the other hand.

Dolly has been a part of the family for several months and parents stated that they noticed signs of attempted beheading two weeks ago. Jen, Grace's mother, tried in vain to revive Dolly with superglue, but her futile attempts only prolonged the inevitable.

Services for Dolly will be held this weekend over the family trash can where best friend, Little Grace, will bid farewell. Dolly will be greatly missed.l.

Grace's mother said this of Dolly early this morning. "Dolly was my guarantee to quiet Grace when in difficult situations. Dolly's permanent residence was in my purse and she only came out during Grace's greatest needs. Dolly has been instrumental in helping Grace sleep on her own pillow in her own bed. She showed Grace how to fold her arms reverently for prayers and church attendance. All in all, Dolly has been a great example for Grace and we will miss her unyielding love and companionship for our daughter. Dolly was well loved considering her brief life. Thank you, Dolly."

The family plans to spend time this afternoon searching for a new companion for Grace. Dolly will be difficult to replace. Best of luck to everyone.