Devouring popcorn & good literature

For both our families growing up it was a tradition to eat popcorn on Sunday night, so it wasn't hard to keep that going with our little ones. Last night we set up the popcorn in the kids room. Even Emma got in on the fun.

Jason keeping the girls occupied.

Isn't Andrea beautiful? She joined us at the end for family scripture study and prayers.

Sweet little hands enjoying the treat.

When I say devouring, I mean it!

2 people who have the most contagious smiles I have ever seen. I sure do love them!

Sweet little Emma!

Our Handsome David!(he would crinkle his nose to do his cheesy smile, but stop just before my camera would take the picture--little stinker)

How's that for cheesy smile? She saw that I wanted one from David and he wasn't working with me, so she helped me out. How observant and sweet!

Our little girl isn't so little anymore! What a beauty?

Running

I had a very detailed dream last night. It was very insightful and frightening at the same time. I am trying to write this down before I get so distracted that I forget. I have already forgotten enough already. Here is how it goes.

I am jogging/running on a residential road. Running past houses and
feeling the cool air breeze across my face and make its way through my
hair. I am enjoying the time alone and the feeling of accomplishing a
goal. All of a sudden another female runner passes me. Not really
fast, just a steady pass. She doesn't seem to notice me until I say
'hello'. She politely says hello and to enjoy my run. As I am
running behind her she slowly gets farther and farther away, but I begin to
realize that she is me. Not me as I am now, but a perfect version of
me. I began to examine her closer and was able to see her deeply.

She was in great shape. She had a real, happy smile. She was
enjoying her run, but was excited to spend the day with her children. She
never raises her voice to them and always uses a gentle hand. She never
complains about her chores. She cheerfully cuts coupons and pinches
pennies. She lovingly supports her husband's work/school/church
obligations without any complaints. She magnifies her own
calling. She recognizes when she needs help and asks for it when the time
calls. She offers help to other mothers who are struggling. She
provides healthy, delicious meals to her family and patiently helps her children
eat them. She never moans about personal sacrifice for her family and
loved ones, just readjusts her schedule and life for them. She sets goals
and works very hard to reach them. She studies the Gospel everyday for an
hour just after her run. She makes sure that her family does FHE every
week and reads/studies the scriptures daily. She has family prayers many
times a day. She bears her testimony to her children and helps them
to find theirs. I could go on and on. Like I said, she is the
perfect version of me.

Eventually she is so far ahead of me that I can no longer see her. I
am then left with the much less perfect me, almost hobbling along at this
point.

That is the last thing I remember before I was woken up this morning.

I think it is interesting that I was running in the dream because I want to be a runner. I have wanted to be a runner for quite some time now. I try to force myself into it, but lose steam. It is like I am trying to be something I can't. Just like the dream. I am trying to force myself to be this perfect Mindi, but I will never catch up. There are times when I can be a little closer to her, but only in 1 or 2 ways at a time.

So I am torn today. Was this dream a way of telling me that I can never be her, or was it showing me what I could be if I keep pushing myself. I guess it could be both, huh?

I will settle on this: If I keep working diligently to accomplish my goals I can accomplish remarkable things, but I will have to put my trust in the Lord and His atonement to actually catch up to 'perfect Mindi'. With the Lord in my life/heart I CAN be her.

"Mommy, I don't want to take a nap. Can I please watch a movie?"

"Sure honey. Let me lay David down."

Then I walk in to find Jess like this.

She may not have wanted a nap, but she obviously needed one.

Isn't she just so sweet?

Carefully holding on to her new toy.

I love you Jess!!

Totally disgusting, no good Roaches!!!

Da went to a robotics convention a while ago and came home with bugs. Ugh! Texas and its bugs. I thought that I would show y'all a video of the icky roaches Da brought home. Enjoy!

Robotic Roaches. We were still ironing out the rules while playing with these cool new toys during that video, but have gotten MUCH BETTER since then. We set up the "house" differently each time. I have had to replace the batteries already. They have even been on a trip to Cailyn's classroom. The kids will sit and watch the roaches for the better part of half and hour(before we start to forget the rules). So lets just say that Mommy is happy that Da brought home bugs. I wish I had taken a video of the first time we got them out. David was more than a little unsure of them. He was mesmerized, but he didn't want to be too close. He has since then relaxed, but it was hilarious to watch him.

For the record, I have never seen a real roach in Dad's house. I have seen a few(only a few) spiders, and of course mosquitoes, but NEVER ROACHES! I am truly grateful for that. I loathe roaches.

Museum

One of the things we love to do is go to the museum. We have it down to a science. We usually only have an hour and a half due to Cailyn's afternoon school, which means that we can only go to one floor(and usually only one wing of that floor. So on the way in we have to decide what we want to do. If we do not do this we end up with a huge fight and usually a fit. We also take MANY bathroom breaks while there. Overall we have a blast every time we go.

Officer Cailyn

Firefighter Jessica

Bus Driver David

David's favorite rooms are the animal rooms.

Cailyn's favorite room is the village.

Jessica doesn't really have a favorite, but this vehicle room is definitely on the top of her list.

A Tribute to the Mothers in My Life: Part 7

Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to
be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and
service next to the angels.
--Heber J. Grant

My final dedication goes to my mother, Becky Gropp(Meme). I love her dearly and am so honored to have had her as my mother. She always took care of those she loved. She made it a point to help others feel important and special. She never tired of mothering. Mom taught me many things that I strive to do daily. Some of the most important things she taught by example. For instance : daily prayers, daily scripture study, healing hugs, church attendance, magnifying callings, a happy marriage(not always easy, but happy), cleaning house, Temple attendance, sharing the Gospel, getting an education, family dinners, striving to better oneself, and the list could go on and on. I know that I am who I am today because of her influence and am grateful. I try each day to be as good of a mother as she was(is).
I would never give up those difficult last few weeks with her. I cherish those memories and that time. What a blessing it was to care for such a remarkable person. I love her and ache for her deeply. Happy Birthday and Mother's Day Mom. I miss you!

A Tribute to the Mothers in My Life: Part 6

Let your first business be to perform your duties at home. But
inasmuch as you are wise stewards. . . you will find that your capacity will
increase, and you will be astonished at what you can
accomplish.
--Eliza R. Snow

I honor my paternal grandmother, Grandma Gropp, with this quote. When I think of her life and what she did and accomplished, I am honestly astonished. I grow weary. It seems that she has been doing hard labor since she was a little girl and I don't remember her ever stopping. After only being married for a short while her husband was hurt in a bad accident leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. She never tired of caring for him, which she did until his passing in May of 2004; a relfection of her love for him. Grandma only slowed down when her body wouldn't allow her to do it anymore. I am grateful that she knew how to work and taught that to her children(and all who knew her). She loved her beautiful/yummy garden, a clean house, and something to keep her busy. She was constantly going or doing. She was not always the most affectionate person; she was known for her hard work. What I see is that she loved deeply and cared unceasingly. She always wanted to help in some way. I have many fond memories visiting with her and wish I could now. I love you Grandma. Happy Mother's Day!

A Tribute to the Mothers in My Life: Part 5

If I had the choice of educating a boy or a girl, I would educate the
girl. If you educate a boy, you educate one, but if you educate a girl,
you educate a generation.
--Brigham Young

This quote is in honor of my maternal grandmother, Memema. She lost her husband in 1971, while she had 2 daughters at BYU and 3 children still at home. I am so impressed by her. You see, I lived in her house for 10 years growing up. I wouldn't say that she was the easiest person to get to know during those years, but she has grown to be one of my favorite people. I love to talk to her about what is going on in my life because she always seems to be so excited when my kids hit another milestone, AND she has a very insightful way of looking at things. Sometimes if feels like when I am struggling with a decision the light seems to have been turned on while talking to her and I can see the options more clearly. I value her as a grandmother, mother and friend.


Memema I love you and miss you terribly. Thank you for listening to me, laughing with me and helping me grow. You are truly a choice daughter of God. I love you and Happy Mother's Day!

A Tribute to the Mothers in My Life: Part 4

"The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is
the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who
can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions,
deserves the admiration and plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully
a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose immortal souls will
exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded,
and books and statues shall have decayed or have been destroyed, deserves the
highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God."

-David O. McKay

I share this quote in honor of my beautiful Mother-in-law, Anita "Lita" Holloway. The more I get to know her and her children the more I am impressed with the mother she is. From the first moment I met her(8 years ago) she has been nothing but sincere and loving. She is a wonderful example of Charity, the pure love of Christ.
I am truly blessed to have you as my Mother(in-law). It is wonderful to be able to confide in someone and know that I am not being judged, just loved. Thank you for raising Jason the way you did, teaching him the Gospel, and for your unconditional love. You are an amazing woman and I love you. Happy Mother's Day!!

A Tribute to the Mothers in My Life: Part 3

Mother to Child

Look--
Your littel fist fits mine
Like the pit in a plum.

One day and one size
These two hands
Will clasp companionably.

Help me, child.
Forgive me when I fail you.
I'm your mother, true,
But in the end
Merely an older equal
Doing her faltering best
For a dear, small friend.
Carol Lynn Pearson

I dedicate this poem to my beautiful Aunt Tricia. Over the years of raising 7 children she has supported and struggled(as most do). Now I see a strong, loving, and ever serving mother/Nana. I grow tired just thinking of everything she does for her children, grandchildren and husband. She is a wonderful example of someone who puts others before herself.
I cannot begin to think of how hard it would have been for me(not to mention Memema) through those years(and final months) of Mom's life. You are a beautiful, talented, and compassionate daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves you and is proud of you. Thank you for your continual mothering and your friendship. I love you. Happy Mother's Day!

A Tribute to the Mothers in My Life: Part 2

The Vow

How could I hide you from hate?
I would, though my arms break with the trying.

Life leans in at the window there
With its bag of dark treasures
Trying for your eyes
So utterly open, so unaware.

You will see men smile over blood
And you will know there is hate.
You may see bombs and butcheries
And you will know there is horror.

Against all this what can I do?
Only vow that before you leave my arms
You will know past ever doubting
That there is love, too.
Carol Lynn Pearson


I dedicate this poem to another beautiful mother in my life, My Aunt Kathy. Knowing and watching many of the struggles she has had with the evils in this world attacking her children and those she loves, I have been impressed with her ability to still see the beauty in life. She knows how to love and protect deeply. I admire this in her. Her strength and compassion. Thank you Aunt Kathy for everything you have done and do for me and my family. Many times you have stepped in and been my mother right when she would have if she had been here. I love you. Happy Mother's Day!!

A Tribute to the Mothers in My Life: Part 1

Stop waiting to be happy--
Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your new job comes along
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you lose 10 lbs
Until you gain 10 lbs
Until you get married
Until you get divorced
Until you have kids
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die
Anonymous

I dedicate this poem to a beautiful mother in my life, my Aunt Dinah. She is such a fun person. She doesn't wait to be happy or have fun, she enjoys life now. She has a remarkable ability to see the good and positive aspects of every situation. I love her example of experiencing joy along the path of life. Thank you Aunt Dinah for your love, your friendship, and most of all for being a good mother(which includes to me). Happy Mother's Day!!!