GIRLS

I'm certain there are plenty of men out there who, upon finding out their wife is pregnant with a little girl, wrinkles up their nose and says, "A girl? What will I do with a girl?"

Well, have no fear. Here is what you do with a little girl. Two girls in fact.

First of all, you cut and stack wood. One little girl gets to push the lever on the wood splitter (isn't it every girls dream to help operate heavy machinery?):


While the other stacks:


Then, SWITCH! Give each little girl a rich learning opportunity:



And of course, every little girls dream is to set gopher traps with her dad. But the real excitement comes when dad lets them take the dead, smashed gopher home and squeal with delight when they shout out to show mom their treasure, "MOM! Look what we caught! And look at those HUGE teeth! WOW!"


And that, my dear fathers out there, is what you do with a little girl.

*Just to make myself, the mother, feel better, I MUST add that they do like to play with dolls and paint their nails. Whew.

Just Another Sunday

It's been a little over 3 months since I've joined the Sunday Single Mom Club. The kiddos and I enjoy trying to catch daddy's eye and give him smiles during Sacrament Meeting while he tries to stay awake up on the stand. Really, it's only been 3 months? I could very easily have a few more years of this. Ay.

Yesterday as I was driving to church, I thought to myself that I was finally starting to get a bit of a handle on being alone with the three amigos during Sacrament. It has definitely taken some getting used to. The girls- well, they really are great. They color quietly, read a little book, and sometimes even try to listen to the speakers. Ty- now he is another story. This little cherub does not like to sit still nor be confined. Hence, one hour of trying to be reverent, quiet, and somewhat still are a big challenge. Big. After a few weeks of trial-and-error, we have found the very best place for us to sit is in the back overflow area in the gym. This way Ty has a bit of an area to move around, and I don't distract the entire audience repeatedly during the most sacred hour of the block as I chase him up the aisles.

Yesterday was business as usual. We found a nice spot in the back and got settled in for a nice meeting. I had to pull Ty down from a chair occasionally, but for the most part it was going alright. The bread had been passed and the water was on its way back to us. That's when my little Ty man got my attention as he made it audibly known that he had just filled his shorts while standing next to the chair in front of us. I tried to casually look around to see if he had gotten anyone else's attention, then just giggled to myself that no one else had heard. I figured I could take the water, then head out to change the diaper. That was until Allie looked down at Ty, nudged me and said,"Mom, what is Ty standing in?"

I looked down and saw that Ty was in fact standing in what looked to be a little puddle of something. Almost immediately I was horrified to realize the contents of Ty's diaper were dripping down his leg and spreading out on the floor. Not to mention it was SO. SMELLY.

Someone pinch me and let me wake up!

I grabbed a diaper and the wipes, threw some wipes down at Allie and said, "Clean this up!" (Seriously, what was I thinking? She's 4!) Then I scooped up Ty so he was horizontal to avoid any more drippage and hurried out of the gym to the Mother's Lounge. The whole time wondering if this was for real!

I laid him down on the changing table to assess the damage. His shoes had poop on them. His socks had poop on them. His pants were soaked. His onesie was covered. And finally, the last article of clothing my son had on- his shirt- had poop on the back of it. Watery, slimy, yellowish, diarrhea. So what does a single church mom do?

SHE LAUGHS!

Yes, I stood there laughing at the irony of the whole situation. Just as I was thinking that I was starting to get used to being alone.....I spoke out loud to Ty and said, "If ever I need your dad, it's right NOW!" And then I laughed some more.

Thank heavens there is a little basket of extra's in the Mother's Lounge that includes some little bags that can be used to put dirty diapers in so they don't smell up the whole area. So, I had one bag for poopy socks and shoes, one bag for his pants and onesie, and one bag extra to take with me to put the wipes I would use to finish cleaning up the mess left on the floor.

Next dilemma: do I take a diaper-only baby back into Sacrament Meeting? That would be really....odd. But I most definitely couldn't put his pants back on. So, I did the best I could and put his little button-up shirt back on and tried not to put my hand on the part in the back that was soiled.

If ever I was grateful that I was in the back part of the gym, NOW was that time. I was able to sneak in the back with my partly-dressed baby where the majority of people in the ward didn't see me. And of course I just HAD to sneak a peak up in the front of the chapel to see Jacob with a bit of a puzzled look on his face.

When I came back, someone had gotten some more paper towels there for me. So as reverently as I could, and without trying to draw extra attention to myself, I pulled out a bunch of wet wipes, kneeled down on the gym floor (in my dress, mind you) and proceeded to wipe up the puddle of poop. One of my visiting teachers offered to hold Ty- I tried to whisper a sort of thanks-but-I-could-never-do-that-to-you. FINALLY I got it all cleaned up, grabbed my car keys, and headed off with my three little bags of goodies to take home and wash or throw away. My two little angel girls were brave enough to stay in Sacrament and wait for my return. Many thanks to fellow ward members who were more than happy to help keep an eye on them.

I was able to change Ty and make it back to sit in the foyer for the last little bit of the meeting.

I tell you what, that was an experience I will NEVER forget! The funniest part was that people sitting near us thought it may have been throw up! Haha haah haaa haha ha! How disgusting is that?

And in all honestly, it's probably best Jacob wasn't there. Because then there would have been throw up.

Sunday, a day of rest? Mmm, not yesterday.

Another Vacation

Jacob and all the Israelsen fellas had been wanting to do a boys trip for quite a while, so a few months ago they finally decided on booking a trip back to Madison, Wisconsin to go see the WORLD DAIRY EXPO.

Yeehaw!

They headed out the first week of October and were gone from early early Monday morning until late late Thursday night. From what I can gather they had a great time together and got to see some great things.

One of the highlights of the trip was watching Daniel's heifer in one of the shows where she took 3RD PLACE! Quite a prestigious honor for Sir Daniel, we were very proud of him. Here she is strutting her stuff:




And of course what else is there than checking out larger-than-life machinery? This little gadget is probably worth at least twice what our mortgage is:


Kinda makes you think of when you were a little kid on the playground. Can't you just hear some little farmboy saying, "Oh yeah? Well my dad's tractor is bigger than your dad's!" And, well, he'd probably be right.

When it was all said and done, I think they had a great trip together. They were bummed a few of the brothers couldn't make it due to other obligations, but I guess that means they'll just have to start planning another one.

I, on the other hand, took a little vacation of my own. Since I didn't want to spend nearly a whole week home alone being a single mom, we followed Jacob up to Cache Valley and stayed there for the first part of the week.

We had a nice Sunday evening out at the Israelsen's before the boys flew out the next morning. Uncle Benson, Uncle Ross, and Ty guy:


And of course Ty giving dad one last good love before he leaves. Must be a boy thing:


And while I'm sifting through my pictures here, I forgot to post some pictures from the weekend before when we were up for Grandpa's funeral. These are from out at the Israelsen's also. The girls and Ty were having an absolute blast playing out on the grass with their Uncles. Here they are trying to see if they can tackle Uncle Daniel:


Daniel would spin around with Ty and then put him down on the ground. We just laughed and laughed watching him while he was dizzy. As I write this, I sound like the meanest mom in the world to find humor at my son's expense! But really, Ty LOVED it. Then he would try to spin himself on the ground, it was absolutely hilarious:

Whilst Jacob watched cow shows, I thoroughly enjoyed a few days with my mom. She took a day off from being librarian to spend with me- what a treat! My sister was even able to come up for a night to hang out with the girls. We did lunch and just loved chatting with each other. My sister had to head back home for a shift at work, so we decided to keep Claire with us for the next few days at Grandma's. The the girls loved playing with each other, it was so fun they had some time together. It certainly doesn't happen often enough. I must have been on vacation from taking pictures, because I didn't end up with any of the girls.

The girls decided they wanted to be angels for Halloween. I wasn't sure how I was going to pull this one off, but many thanks to my talented mom, the girls now have some darling angel costumes to wear for Halloween. Here she is sewing away. I have to be perfectly honest here- my contribution was cutting strings. I am not a master sewer.


And here is Grandpa Kerry having some manly bonding with Ty:


"Ty, can you give Grandpa kisses?"
Aaah, so sweet!

We headed home so I could make it back to spend the day with a family in our ward who was going through the temple for the first time. It was such an AMAZING day. I was so glad I didn't miss it. I was able to join them when they were all sealed together as a family. Words don't describe the feeling in the room. Watching their three young children walk in the sealing room all dressed in white was a scene I will likely never forget. They truly looked like little angels. How amazing it is to be able to participate in ordinances that bind us together forever. The promises and blessings in the temple never cease to absolutely astound and amaze me. Thank goodness for opportunities to return and remember all the incredible things the Lord has in store for us. It reminds me of the picture of the Savior knocking at the door that has no handle. He has so much to offer, all we have to do is open the door.

The only down side of the day was Jacob wasn't by my side. He was pretty bummed he was out of town and missed it. Needless to say, we were all VERY glad when daddy came home.

Grandpa Floyd

Still trying to catch up.....

I can't miss out on dedicating a post to Jacob's Grandpa Floyd Israelsen who passed away last month.

Jacob grew up working daily on the farm with his Grandpa. Those are some of Jacob's most treasured memories. He had such a great love and respect for Grandpa, and it wasn't too long after joining the family that I too developed a soft spot for Grandpa. He was always so kind and loving to me and made me feel like I had been in the family forever. You always felt special around Grandpa and he always seemed to slip in a compliment that made you smile.

Saying goodbye to Grandpa was an especially tough one for my Jacob. We knew when the day came it would be difficult. However, when we think of the reunion Grandpa had when he reached the other side, the tears of sadness turned to tears of absolute amazement and joy. During his lifetime, Grandpa buried two wives and 5 babies- the thought of which absolutely breaks my heart. He was never a man of great material goods, but I have no doubt he has built an incredible reserve of "treasures in heaven." Now it's our job to live up to the great heritage left behind and be ready to meet him again when our turn comes to see what treasures we've stored up for ourselves on the other side. Thank you Grandpa for all you've done and the thousands of lives you have touched.

Here is Grandpa with Kenna as a baby:


And with Allie:


And a four generation picture when we blessed Ty:


It couldn't have been a more beautiful day for the funeral. The sun was shining and it was the perfect temperature. The graveside service was done at the Logan Cemetery.



Many thanks to my mom, Ty man got to stay at Grandma and Grandpa Otte's house and have a great nap and play his little heart out. That meant the rest of us could enjoy the day and time with family without chasing a very active little one-year-old. It ended up being a fairly long day and Ty would have never lasted. The girls, however, were super. Many thanks to a very special friend of Uncle Karl's (who we finally got to meet and just thoroughly enjoy) the girls got some paper airplanes to throw around:



Speaking of Karl and his "friend," here they are. I can't get over how much they look alike. She looks like a sister!


We love Grandma and Grandpa Israelsen!


The girls LOVED playing with cousin Olivia:



The ever-handsome Uncle Ross with cousin Olivia:


And the dashing Uncle Benson with cousin Kylie. I have to throw in a word for sweet little Kylie girl. This lady just celebrated her first birthday. She is a beautiful, healthy, happy little girl. You would never know that just one year ago she was born at 28 weeks gestation and was weighed pretty much in ounces. We can't get over what an amazing year she's had and the progress she's made. She will probably actually beat Ty when it comes to walking. Way to go Kylie!


The much-loved Aunt Marlene:
And I of course have to put a good word in for all our other Aunts and Uncles who, for who-knows-what-reason, didn't make it in my pictures.

My joy, happiness, and my whole world (minus Ty guy, of course):


The entire Clark Israelsen Clan (with honorable mention to Hermana Maria who is serving so dutifully in Argentina, and Ty once again). We hate to brag, but, well, we are one good-lookin' bunch!


Here is Grandpa Clark in the middle surrounded by his siblings who all, in one way or another, contributed to a beautiful funeral:


It's an honor to have married into such a wonderful family. Thanks to you all! Especially thanks to Grandpa Floyd for setting the bar high, and giving us the love to let us know we can definitely make it.