Satan's grasp

I've just read an entry on my sister's blog about her opinions on the family. (I agree with her). With that in mind, I just read this on the internet news site I read daily. The country referred to is England.

COUPLES who have more than two children are being “irresponsible” by creating an unbearable burden on the environment, the government’s green adviser has warned.
Jonathon Porritt, who chairs the government’s Sustainable Development Commission, says curbing population growth through contraception and abortion must be at the heart of policies to fight global warming. He says political leaders and green campaigners should stop dodging the issue of environmental harm caused by an expanding population.
A report by the commission, to be published next month, will say that governments must reduce population growth through better family planning.
“I am unapologetic about asking people to connect up their own responsibility for their total environmental footprint and how they decide to procreate and how many children they think are appropriate,” Porritt said.

I am stunned! How dare he say how many children we should have! I firmly believe part of our responsibility here is to procreate and provide bodies for the spirit children of our Heavenly Father. I believe the earth is here for man's use and that there are enough resources if we are wise stewards. I am appalled that Satan is getting hold of the heart's of men and causing them to actually think that having more than 2 children is "irresponsible."

As for the moment, Scott and I DO NOT feel we are done having children. Yes, we have four. Yes, I know they are ages four and under. Yes, we want more. Yes, we understand that is a large family in today's standards. Yes, I believe that our decision is the RIGHT decision.

I am not eloquent and do not know how to express myself well, but I hope you may have grasped in a small degree the passion that I feel on this topic.

socks

Most people put socks on feet. I put socks on my baby's hands. Marie thinks sucking on her fingers is great fun. I don't want her to get in the habit, because I can't take fingers away!

I put socks on Peter's hands, because he keeps scratching his face every time he gets angry. I can't attend to his needs the second he wants something, so he spends a fair amount of time crying. So, alas, he's getting scratches all over his face! Socks. Great for hands!

I'm getting the bug

I've always preferred meals that are more from scratch than say Stouffer's lasagna. My mom and sister have been angels and have been making 75% of the dinners in our house. I go through recipe books, recipes on-line, and recipes that I've cut out of various locations to find things for them to make. I have seen so many things I want to try! I am getting excited to cook again, because some of those recipes are too complicated to ask them to make. I was quite burned out of ideas before and so now I feel like I have some fresh stuff to try.
Now, lest you think all the recipes I want to try are for dinner, I must confess that at least 50% of them are for desserts. Yea for family night dessert and dessert night! I have a hard time narrowing it down! Cheesecakes, tarts, pies, bars, cookies... Yum!
I have also rekindled my interest in baking breads of various shapes and sizes. Marie and Peter are starting to play on the floor on their own a little better so I have a chance to do something. Granted, it will probably be a few more months before I can really bake like I want to, but I'm definitely getting the bug. I just bought some dough enhancer at the store and was thrilled with how it improved the bread I make (I don't buy bread.) The crust was so much softer and the center was so much more moist and not nearly so crummy!
Ahh, now I just have to wait for the TIME to do all these things...

It's 7:30...

...and all the kids are in bed! Three of them are asleep! Richard always stays in his room, so that means I'm FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To do what? Nothing important! Never mind I have stuff to do for Primary. I am reading blogs that I haven't read in weeks, checking e-mails that I've ignored, and actually updating my blog. What a glorious night!

Laments

Do you ever feel like you are doing your best and it's just not enough? I wish I had six more arms so I could take care of the needs of ALL my children.
I hate that Richard wants me to play games with him and so often I have to say, "Richard, you'll need to wait. I'm feeding the babies."
I hate that Audrey brings me books to read and I struggle to read them to her because I'm taking care of the babies.
If I'm not taking care of the babies, I hate that I am bothered that they want my attention because I'm finally doing something I want to do (like type on my blog).
I hate that so often one (or both) baby is crying because I'm feeding the other or finally doing something for my other children.
I guess we all feel that we should be able to do more than we realistically can.

Smoothies

I've had the luck of purchasing berries for an excellent price and now have a ton of frozen strawberries and blueberries in my freezer. I am planning on getting some blackberries tomorrow. Does anyone have any fabulous recipes for smoothies? I have been making one that's OK, but I am not that impressed with it.

Sorry

For those of you who care about my life, I'm sorry it's been so long! I keep thinking, "I'll post when I can put up pictures." However, I can't seem to find the time to get the pictures from my camera to the computer. So, we are picture-less. I'll post the pictures later. Life is just busy, busy, busy. I feel like the days just fly by.

Back to work with a twist

Scott actually had a fabulous night my first night back to work! The babies ate at 6:30 and didn't eat again until 6:00! That's right! They slept for about 11 1/2 hours! Crazy! I was quite jealous, but I'm glad things went well. I need Scott to have a good night so he can watch the kids the next day for me to sleep.
Then, my third night back, Marie decided to throw a little wrench in the process. She refused her bottle. She screamed (or that's the story I hear) at the mere touch of the bottle. I guess she acted like she was gagging. He tried fast flow and slow flow nipples. He tried formula and breastmilk. He tried cuddling her and keeping her on the bouncy chair. I guess she finally cried herself to sleep. She had a total of 1/2 ounce at best while I was gone. Needless to say, he had a hard night! We were surpised, because Marie has taken the bottle with no problem quite a few times and as recent as Thursday! Audrey also refused the bottle when she was a baby and the rejection was just as sudden, but she was 4 1/2 months.

Play mat

My mom gave us an additional play mat so Marie and Peter wouldn't have to share one. They just don't quite fit in the one I had. They aren't always that thrilled about being on the floor, but how will they ever learn to roll over if they're always strapped to the bouncy chair?

Audrey is such a girl!

Audrey is such a cutie! She is an example to me of how gender roles are not taught on purpose. She and Richard both watch me take care of the twins. However, Richard will play with them for a while and then go on his merry way. Audrey hovers near me while I care for them. She wants to help me burp them, give them baths, and dress them. She is always concerned and will let us know "Peter's crying!" as if I couldn't hear. She will also share her special things. You can see here she distributed her blankets, bunny, doll, and bear between Marie and Peter. This is her way of showing ultimate love.

Work

Tonight is my first night back at work. So far it's been pretty nice! I've been able to talk to friends and have some good intellectual stimulation. My night seems like it should be pretty quiet and so therefore not stressful. I have yet to talk to Scott, so we'll see how his night is going!

Play food

Scott and I went out on a date shortly before Christmas to go last minute Christmas shopping. We saw the cutest wooden food! I, being the frugal one I am, decided to see if I could find it cheaper on-line. Yes, I could! Not only cheaper, but I didn't have to pay shipping or tax! However, it didn't arrive until a week after Christmas. The kids had so much fun! The pieces are velcroed together so they can "cut" the food. There are more sets, but I can only buy so much at once. I wish they had cute stuff like this when I was little!

Richard in the snow

Richard likes playing in the snow as much as I did when I was his age. He's always asking to go outside and play in the snow. I'm glad SOMEONE else besides me appreciates the snow.