Maybe I could earn it?

We've started a new thing here at the Nielson house. Because Ambree is always wanting a new toy or dress or movie or barbie, I have made her first "job chart." When she helps clean up a mess or does any sort of chore, she gets a sticker to stick on her job chart. When it's filled up, she has earned her toy (or dress or movie or barbie!). So now, whenever she sees something she wants, she says "Mom, I want that. Maybe I could earn it?" What a good girl.

It's up to YOU!

I love being in Young Womens. Tonight we had a mother/daughter fireside, and the focus was on finding your individual talents and using them to help others, and being yourself because you are the best you, and the only you. Everyday we have so many choices that nobody can make for you, so you can choose to be positive or negative. You can choose to be happy and have a good day or you can choose to be miserable. It's entirely up to you! Some people are beautiful on the outside, but on the inside they are rude and thoughtless, and it goes the other way too- some are not so beautiful on the outside, but on the inside they are kind and considerate. I want to be beautiful on the inside!
Anyways, I wanted to share that because I realized that I have the power to choose my attitude. It's up to you!

It is what it is

I took the girls in to see their pediatrician today.
The verdict is...

All 3 have ear infections.

I have never dealt with an ear infection in my entire mothering career.
I was on a roll. My streak was broken times 3!

Oh well. It is what it is.
They are now on antibiotics and I'm hoping they work fast!

The Many Faces of Ambree-Dee

I feel like a freakin' pharmacy!

As some of you may know, the girls have all been sick these past few days with a horrific cold/cough/runny nose/fever. No fun at all. I feel so utterly cooped up in the house I could SCREAM! I don't know whether to give them the cough syrup, or the Tylenol for the fever, so I have been issuing both (but not all at the same time, I'll have you know). I have been keeping a daily log of who gets what meds when, and the dosage so I know when they are ready for more. Our kitchen counter is lined up with about 5 different medicines and I tell you, I feel like I live in a pharmacy! Here's to a speedy recovery!
PS- Joe and I have been very lucky to have stayed healthy through all of this!!

I was TAGGED!

A. The rules are posted at the beginning.
B. Each person answers the questions about themselves
C. At the end of the post, the person then tags 5 people and posts their names; then goes to there blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged.
10 years ago: I was a senior in high school and my Dad's favorite thing to say to me was, "When you graduate, IF you graduate..." I wasn't exactly a scholar but I had a fun in high school.
Snacks I enjoy: Oh boy, okay here goes: rice cakes, veggies and ranch, string cheese, anything involving chocolate, dry cereal, and grapes, sometimes frozen.
5 things on my to-do-list today: fold some laundry, play with my girls, bathe the girls, clean the kitchen, and put clean sheets on the beds. Sounds fun, huh?
Things I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire: I would build a new home, hire a housekeeper (so I would never have to clean another toilet or tub), buy myself an H-3 and Joe a Rubicon with all the works, I would make sure our parents were very comfortable, and I would take our families on a Disney cruise. Oh, and of course I would go on a major shopping spree.
3 of my bad habits: I pick at my cuticles, I finish others' sentences, and I have been known to get frustrated quickly.
5 places I have lived: Santaquin, Taylorsville, Murray, St. Louis, and South Salt Lake.
Things people don't know about me: I am pretty darn flexible; I stretch every night- otherwise I can't sleep; I love rollerskating, especially disco skating and I own my own skates; and sometimes I wonder if I have a small case of OCD.

There you have it. I'd love to see if you can tackle these questions- it's kindof fun!

Update on the girls

Our little Brielle took her first steps today!! She has been standing on her own for a while now, and she balances pretty well. We have been trying to get her to step forward and she never would, but today she stood up,and took two steps toward me! I was so excited, and Joe came running in to see what was going on, so I stood her back up, and she did it again! All the while she was smiling so big. It's amazing how much joy such a thing can bring to a parent.
Bailey doesn't really care to stand, but she has quite the vocabulary. She will mimic words that you say to her, and she tries so hard to communicate.
Ambree is our American Idol. I don't know what it is about being cooped up in the house during the winter, but she sings to the top of her lungs ALL DAY LONG! Now, some of you think it is so cute when she sings, and you love that she knows the words to songs that you wouldn't expect a 3 year old to know, but I tell you what- sometimes a little peace and quiet would be LOVELY! Usually I just bite my lip and let her keep going. Just like the Energizer Bunny she keeps going and going and going and going......

A Tribute to Our Prophet

My Mom called me the other day and told me to listen to a tribute that the radio station Arrow 103.5 did to Gordon B. Hinckley. It was very short, but very moving. You can listen to it by going to www.arrow1035.com. You will have tears.