Independent Kids

A couple weeks ago I went downstairs in the morning to see what the boys were up to. They were both in the kitchen and I found them sitting on the counter with the toaster and a loaf of bread. I asked, what are you guys doing?

"We're making toast."

I ran back upstairs to tell Taylor how excited I was that we are raising independent children. "Yeah, or kids that will burn the house down" was his response. Thanks for the support! Seriously though, check out this book. I have enjoyed it very much and it's all about raising independent kids, and not another discipline book.

Princess Hannah

We were very happy to have a lot of our family able to attend Hannah's blessing. Since we moved here to be closer to family it was wonderful to enjoy that benefit. The blessing was beautiful. I am so grateful for Taylor being a priesthood holder and the joy it brings to our home. And Hannah was of course so beautiful. We had two photo sessions...one the night before and one right before church. Whenever she was wearing her dress she was very calm and quiet and looking around with the amused expression on her face. It's like she knew she was the prettiest thing. And she was right...

Matthias Chatter

(Note: Matthias had this entire conversation with me totally dead pan. The kid didn't even crack a smile. I think we're in trouble.)

Me: Where are your shoes? I haven't seen them for a few days.
Matthias: Crocodile.
Me: What?
Matthias: Crocodile eat mine shoes.
Me: I haven't seen any crocodiles around here.
Matthias: (pointing to the back door) One crocodile. Eat mine shoes.

(And, yes it has been since Monday that we've seen Matthias' shoes. We were on lock down trying to finally shake Hannah of her month long cough.)

Easter

Because of Hannah's blessing, I had my parents, all my younger sisters, and my younger brother in town. They stayed with us. Taylor's parents, youngest sister, younger brother, and Chipper were also able to come and stay at Bryan's sister's.

The weekend was a lot of fun and we had a great time with everyone. Playing games and eating ice cream until 11:30 every night...unfortunately I still had to get up with Hannah. But the boys usually had some entertainment in the morning before I had to get up.

We visited the Denver Mint on Friday and then Barnes and Noble on 16th Street Mall. Then everyone headed to Cheesecake Factory for Lunch. The rest of the weekend was spent having Easter fun with family.

Saturday is Easter Bunny day at our house and we were able to spend it dying eggs, having egg hunts, finding baskets, and playing with family. One Sunday we had a big Easter dinner with my family as Taylor's family had already left. And then made Easter cupcakes with Grandma Urie. A great weekend!







The boys decided it would be a great idea to hang their baskets on the stocking hooks for the Easter Bunny to find. They are pretty funny.

Next on Harvey Happenings

Hannah's blessing was this weekend. We had family and fun! I'll post more about Easter and more pics of Hannah's dress later this week. Currently we're recovering from having ten people guests and one dog!

James Speak

James' prayer a while back...
Please bless Daddy's lung to get better. Do everything we say. Help Matt. Help Dad a lot.
(Looks like we need a lesson on submitting to the will of the Lord)

Taylor: What are you doing? (as James is stretching on the stairs)
James: I'm just getting my exercise so next time there is danger I can growl at the danger and bite it.

Mom: I'm glad I get to stay home with you guys. It's so fun. Who wants to go to boring old work.
Matthias: Dad.
James: We hate our work.
Mom: What is your work?
James Guarding the house. And sometimes bad guys shoot us and we fall down.

You Can Help

Last night as Taylor and I were talking this move by Salma Hayek came up. I for one think she did a wonderful act by feeding a starving child. As I thought about that starving child and the millions more like it throughout the world my first thought was "you're getting out of your bubble. as if all those terrible stories during general conference weren't sad enough. get back in the safe bubble."

Then I thought, no, I can handle this. Violence, murder, atrocities...those are what destroy my fragile mentality. But starving children, I can take this. And more importantly I can actually do something about it. Nothing huge, but something.

And so we discussed what we could do. And my wonderful husband who is amazingly up to date on current events (which I feel makes up for my avoidance of the media on sanity grounds...he knows enough for both of us) directed me to Hugh Hewitt's website. Where he discussed poverty of children around the world and how we can help.

For just $22 a month you can sponser a child in need through Children International. 80% of your donation actually goes to the child, the other 20% is for finding more funding, administrative, etc.

I encourage all of you to sign up to sponser today. For just $22 per month you can make such a difference in the lives of these children. And all you have to sacrifice is going out to eat once, or using less water/electricity/gas, saving $5 a week on groceries, etc. For an insignificant change in your life style or maybe none at all you can vastly improve the life of another.

James helped me pick out our child who you get a picture of and letters from. I really like this idea as it will make this service more real to the boys.


James: I want to help all the boys.
Me: Well, right now we're just picking one.
James: And then we can pick another when Matt gets up.