some classics

So mom's aunt Lorna came over. I love it, her husband looks exactly like the BFG. Anyway I can never get over how much she looks like Grandma Vroman. I sure hope that one of my neices looks like me one day to bring back memories of their departed grandmoother. Doesn't that sound grand?

Oh here's a song I always remember Grandma D. singing

http://youtube.com/watch?v=X5pkkAhETYg

Here's one of dad and my favorites about Hitler:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=My9B4uQYJn4

and here's the german version

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iDU_8hnWcbE

and the german version of another of Dad's favorite about the pirate queen Jenny. It's kind of the scary stereotype german for you:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qvDWwm2MHlI&feature=related

this is the english version (watch out)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3eENWTA0bs4&feature=related

Some Good Advice

I wanted to share with you some good advice our Stake President just gave us. He said that he has been particularly concerned about the economy and how it will effect members of our stake. At his job he was brought a list of 50 employees that were ranked from the best to the worst. He was asked if he approved of the list and agreed with the rankings. He asked what the list was for and they told him that if the economy took a turn for the worst that this is the order in which they would let employee's go, starting at the bottom. He then went on to say that whatever our vocation, we need to be good workers. We need to come in early and stay late if necessary. We need to be productive and use our time effectively. He said that hard work is the great equalizer. It can make up for what we may lack in brains and natural ability. Our bishop has asked that if possible we increase our fast offerings to help those in our stake who are struggling with employment at this time. Right now Jared is in the process of looking for work, but I thought about how blessed we are that he can work and that there are opportunities out there for him. I realized that I also need to recognize the blessings of work in my life as well. The girls can be a handful at times, but I'm grateful that I am able to care for them. Trying to live frugally can also be a lot of work (I would much rather go out to eat every night rather than cook dinner), but the financial peace of mind it brings is worth all of that work and effort.

I have two book recommendations for you from the library and one children's movie.

Difficult to Delightful in Just 30 Days: How to Improve the Behavior of Your Spirited Child by Jacob Azerrad.

I haven't read the entire book yet but it looks really good. I have applied the principles and it already seems to be making a difference with Jonathan. Just one example: Jonathan has recently been running around in our parking lot and making me crazy. Prior to reading this, I would catch him, carry him and give him kisses telling him that I don't want any cars to hurt him. I realize that that is only encouarging the behavior because he wants my response. I have started to ignore his behavior which is just bad but not life threatening or hurtful to others and focus on recognizing when he does things right. Now I give him the attention and praise when he holds my hand in the parking lot and he seems to be doing it more on his own because it makes him feel like a big boy.

What I really like is it how they encouarge parents to not reward negative behaviors, but give ample praise and support and talk about 1. when the child shows self-control, 2. when the child is kind and 3. when the child shows empathy.

The other book is called, Help Around the House: A Mothe's Guide to Getting the Family to Pitch in and Clean Up by Don Aslett. All of his books are quite good, but this gave great ideas for teaching even young children responsiblity through household chores. We are making sure Jonathan is taking his plate over after meals and helping to clean up his toys and it seems to be a really good thing for him.

The Letter Factory is a great movie to help children learn the sounds of the different letters.

Okay, that's all for today.

Love,
Ruth

the more the merrier

http://thatrachel.blogspot.com/

I decided to also continue my other blog so you all don't become bogged down with Rachelness--though that would be difficult.


ohh I forgot, I really like listening to things while I clean or am doing mindless tasks. If you guys download itunes, go to the itunes store and type in "neat and dirty tips" and it will come up with a bunch of free downloads with are great and you can listen to everyday.

I downloaded the grammer girl one, the mighty mama, and mr. manners. I thought you guys might like it too.

This is one of my new favorite paintings. It's by an LDS artist Brian Kershisnik. Look at it first before you read the rest. What do you think it is trying to say? I didn't realize it's intended meaning the first time I sat down on the 4th floor of the JFSB waiting for a professor and reading the book. Well not much of the book got read, instead I starred at this painting. I simply couldn't stop looking at it, in fact I think I made the kid nervous sitting by the painting because he thought I was looking at him. Anyway, it's called Nativity. I love the faces and joy and wonder in all the faces. Before I knew its title I thought that they all might be ansestors or posterity.

Funny Rachel

Well, I actually had never thought of most of those names to begin with, but I find myself actually thinking they might make nice children's names after all. I don't know about Gywntheaina or whatever that one was but I think Rachel is so fun. I feel a little spoiled that I get to have her so close and I wish everyone else could live close too. Then again maybe we wouldn't love eachother quite so much, I really don't know.

I wish Jared and Mary the best with their job searching and upcoming graduation. I really think Jared and very smart and will make a wonderful PA, Mary is amazing with her two little girls so close together. Emily just started taking her diaper off and starting to unzip her p.j.'s so I'll keep my fingers crossed that she won't start following little Mary's and Abigals example and I have to start putting her p.j.'s on backwards.

I think Ruth and Mike are wonderful and am so excited about Ruth's upcoming little guy, she has been wonderful with Jonathan and will love this little baby so much too. Mike is a hard worker and just an all around cool person in so many respects. I think about how frustrating it must have been when he broke his leg a year and a half ago, just with Gordon's inconviences and frustrations with his arm cast after just breaking a pinky finger.

I wish Andrew and Nikki a happy anniversary and a wonderful year ahead for them and am happy for their marriage and beautiful little Clarity. Gordon and I just celebrated our 12th year anniversary (no it's not till the 26th offically but Mom and Dad offered to watch the kids on an over-nighter). We had a wonderful time and actually went someplace and realized we like eachother still and had a good time, and really appreciate Mom and Dad and Rach helping out, it was needed.

We congratulate Joseph's graduation from Medical school and are so happy for them and wish them well on their move to New Orleans. Again, I feel so bad that both Joseph and Nichole had to experience arm/wrist casts and how annoying that must have been, now that we have more sympathy with Gordon's little accident. I'm sure Nichole has had her arms full with her two young ones and getting ready to move. I've been pretending we are moving, trying to simplify and organize my home, getting rid of stuff and knowing whats actually in our house. It is amazing what you can accummulate in a span of almost 5 years in one place without moving.

I love my family so much. I am so grateful for Mom and Dad having and raising us six little rambunchious kids and I am so grateful we have eachother as siblings. I am grateful for family and the gospel, for my children and my life, even though it is four o'clock in the morning and I can't sleep I'm thinking of all of you and how much I love you all.

I just came from having a conversation with dad and my friends.
I have discovered that I have a special love for some names that I don't even want you to think about stealing just because I'm the youngest and am not close to having these 29 kids:
1. Atticus
2. Akbar
3.Wilberforce
4. Andrew Grant
5. Joel
6. David
7. Nathan
8.Gideon
9. Gwyneth (Gwyn)
10. Thea
11. Thais
12. Vroman
13. Margarette (Meg)
14. Ella
15. Georg
16. Eliza
17. Lilian
18. Edward
19. Edmund
20. Emerson
21. Hannah
22. Rebecca
23. Jay
24. Daniel
25. James
26. Maren
26. Josepha
27. Lazarus
28. Raphela
29. Marcia


There. As you can tell, I may just have to put some of these too normal of names as middle names ;)

Hey Family,

I just read a little section of the website I sent you and it is really neat. Really, it is worth checking out.

http://education.byu.edu/youcandothis/

The part I read was about consequences in being consistent with both good and bad ones. It had great tips and explained that even though it is tough, it is easier in the long run - so true.

Thank goodness we can change. For example, I sometimes give Jonathan milk or water in a sippy cup if he seems to be really upset before I leave the room at night. Mike never lets him have milk or water in bed. . . so it isn't good for him. I need to decide now that I'll let him cry while I break the habit of giving him milk or water in bed. . . Okay, you'll have to see how I do.

-Ruth

Whether or not you want it

Yes, I am creating a blog for my service to family for the year. Aren't you all grateful? Well, I hope so. I thought this would be easier than always e-mailing things, though that practice can continue so I have purpose in checking my e-mail at all.