Write-Downable of the Week

Write-Downable (n) 

"A statement that is cute, funny, priceless, sensitive, loving, one-of-a-kind, sweet, or spiritual; a word, phrase, sentence, or story that touches the heart of another and is deemed worthy to write down, thus recorded forever and not forgotten."

Word Created By: The Bushman Family

Definition By: Julie Bushman

I've talked about Write-Downables before. You can see past examples, here. There are plenty of precious and priceless phrases (love those alliterations) uttered in our home; thus, I've decided to create a weekly post entitled, "Write-Downable of the Week". 

Write-Downable of the Week:

 "I want to have kids when I grow up, like Mommy." (Age 4)

Making Sure Baby's Safe, Too

So proud of herself!

This just makes it all worth it! If I can be a mother that my children want to emulate for good, I have succeeded. Yes, I love the cute and funny phrases that my children say, but those that take true and deep thought, especially at such a young age, tug at my heart and soar to the top of the list.

This Write-Downable was spoken last night while tucking her in bed. I got in bed and thought to myself, "I won't forget this one. I'll remember." But, having thought that before and NOT remembering, I texted it to myself so I would have the reminder. 

Today's Stick-to-it Tip: Write it Down. You WILL NOT be able to remember it later when you try to recall it, unless you STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING and WRITE IT DOWN. 

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Sister Wives? Really????

Sister Wives, not-a-whit!

Father, Mother, Daughter...got it?

Father, Mother, Daughter Accused of Being Sister Wives

We had just arrived in Las Vegas from Southern California. Not enjoying the 100 degree weather at 9PM, we took our daughter to the grocery store to buy some ice cream for an evening treat. 

While walking arm and arm in the Smith's Food parking lot, a lady stopped us, looked carefully and declared:

"I was thinking Sister Wives, but uh....No." She hurried off to her car. 

Las Vegas Smith's - Hey, there's our white Yukon!

We looked at each other and burst out laughing. We were flabbergasted that someone would dare to say such a thing. While finding our ice cream, we continued laughing and feeling sorry for the lady who for sure felt really stupid.

Our daughter was grossed out on one hand, but flattered on the other that she was deemed "older looking". Dad still hoots about it. I was glad to hit the Utah sign on I-15. Weird things go on in Las Vegas!

Today's Stick-to-it Tip: Don't go walking around Vegas with a woman on each side of a man. You never know what strange comments it will bring out. 

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

We do Loud REALLY Well

Should I be proud that our family is loud?

Or wish for words that are soft, like a cloud?

Either way, I most surely am wowed

That I've been blessed with our ten-of-a-crowd.

Sometimes I feel like our family is misunderstood. We have some unique characteristics that probably raise some eyebrows, especially how LOUD we are. I was talking to my mom last night about it, perplexed that some families are so quiet. That is definitely NOT the Bushman Bunch. I can almost bet we're the loudest family on the block and our neighbors will testify of that. No matter how many times I encourage my children to lower the volume, speak with an "inside voice" (actually, I don't think my children know the difference between an inside and outside voice), talk in a whisper, decrease the decibels - however you want to say it - THEY DON'T GET IT!! 

So, it's always comforting when I discover something that validates this concern. Friday, Sam and I went to a benefit dinner and silent auction for a friend who needs a kidney transplant. (www.kidney4colson.com)

I found the following plaque that describes us perfectly, and I couldn't resist getting it!

In Our Home

We do second chances

We say Prayers

We do I'm sorry's

We play hard

We do loud REALLY well (caps added by me)

We give hugs

We do love

We are Family

Looking at this photo as I write this blog post, the question of the day is, "Does this just encourage loudness?" Maybe. When my kids read this plaque on our living room table, does it give them license to sing at the top of their lungs or laugh and laugh with gusto? Probably. But after 20 years of battling, I don't think a little sign can make life in our household any louder. So, do I just accept it and give up or continue to encourage? Of course, the latter. 

We try to have a quiet time for our young children every day and for all the children on Sunday. Quiet time consists of being by yourself if you can't be quiet with someone else. Quiet activities include napping, writing, coloring, reading, playing a quiet game, or crafting. It's a time for Mom to have some sanity and for the children to practice self-entertainment and quiet activities that hopefully result in some needed inspiration and revelation in their lives. Thus, no video games, computer time, or movies. Soft, uplifting music in your room is totally acceptable.

To fight the "we do loud really well", maybe the Quiet Time period should be gradually extended until it lasts all day. Now, that's a thought!

Or maybe I should just accept that our family does loud really well. If anything, it's just strengthening our self-esteem!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

 


 

That's a First

First Step, First Tooth, First Birthday 

First Day in Nursery (that's a big celebration) 

First Campout, First Day of School, First Day on the job.

I love Firsts. (That's a really weird word when you look at it and say it several times). Never having experienced it before, a "First" shows progression in life - a new stage that brings excitement and joy, but often times challenges, hard work, and even disappointment. Realism aside, the optimism in me is bursting. So many great "Firsts" have happened; it's time to celebrate, embrace and hold on for the ride.  It's thrilling, a bit scary, life-changing, yet wonderful...all at the same time.

First Day on the new Full-time job!

First Day of College Classes! He humored my with my request to have his roommate take his picture.

First Day of AHS!

First Day of a New School Year

First Overnight Campout! He's either nervous to go or annoyed that I'm taking his picture.

No, he's excited!

First Cruise, First Time in Seattle, First Trip to Alaska

Our First Son to Become an Elder!

First Day with just two at home to school and no baby.(More Later)

And last night (sorry, no picture), the first time in a VERY long time that we had no child sharing our bed, sharing our room, nor baby in womb...just us! It was weird but so nice.

And that's a wrap of the Bushman "Firsts", at least for a day or so.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The Great Hunger-Determiner

Bananas: Not really my favorite food.

But they're a great hunger determiner!

Last night reminded me of one parenting frustration - hungry kids at bedtime. I made a HUGE meal last night: homemade refried bean burritos with chicken and all the fix-ins, with corn, watermelon, pineapple, and chips, salsa and guacamole. There was PLENTY of food, and finishing up at 6:45 PM, you would think that one would be satisfied for the night.

9:15 PM rolls around and what do you know? Little Miss Muffet is STARVING. What??? How can you be hungry after that dinner? I try to tell her we had dinner already and it's bedtime. Some times that appeases. Not this time! She continues whining and fussing. I really was not in the mood. She already brushed her teeth, and once you bring out the food for one, they all want to eat. Serious bedtime buster!

Being sensitive to hunger, especially at bedtime, I pulled out my "have a banana" trick.

It goes like this:

Child: "Mom, I'm STARVING."
Mom: "Well, if you really need to eat, you can have a banana."
Child: "No, I don't want a banana."
Mom: "Well, you must not be very hungry then."
Child: "I want a sandwich."
Mom: "You can have a banana or go get in bed."
Child: "I don't want a banana."
Mom: "OK - go get in bed then."
Child: "No, I want a banana."

Bananas are a great filler food, quick to eat, no mess, no preparation. If she's really hungry, a banana will do. If she's not that hungry and she's avoiding bedtime, stalling, or "kind of hungry", the banana will not sound too appealing and bedtime will be the choice. This tactic has worked for years to determine, "Are you really hungry or just giving me fits at bedtime?"

The only catch is you have to have bananas in the house. No bananas? I use applesauce or a piece of bread as a replacement. If you let her make her own choice, basically a free for all, you'll have the "Hungry at Bedtime" battle every night!

Back to last night - she quickly ate the banana and got in bed. I should have had her brush her teeth again, but I was already in bed and my kids know that rule. More on that another day!

Bananas...the great hunger-determiner. Hey, Chiquita, what about that for a slogan??

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

A Story of Sweet "Justice"

Grab your pillow and blanket...it's story time!!!

I have a feeling this will be a family favorite!

Let me tell you a story:

Not long ago, a 19 year old girl and her father 

were driving down a residential road in a small suburban town. 

With the radio playing their favorite tunes, they were on a quest to accomplish the errands they had been assigned. Their favorite pastime, listening to music, was interrupted by the flashing lights and dreaded siren of a police officer. 

Pulling over, the girl braced herself for the news; she was speeding and would receive a citation. 

Certainly not the least bit happy, she drove off with a green paper in hand - a speeding ticket. The father tried to cheer up his daughter with a berry smoothie from Costco and jovial conversation. 

The frustration slowly began to dissipate. 

Driving towards home, they noticed a police car on the side of the road. Looking closely, they realized it was the vehicle of the same police officer that pulled her over. The officer was changing a flat tire on his squad car. 

The girl started laughing. The father suggested they turn around and offer to help.

They got our of the car and approached the officer. Their offer of assistance was appreciated and noted by the man, but he was almost finished with the task at hand. The father and daughter returned to the car. Just moments later, the police officer appeared at the girl's window. 

Rolling it down, she was surprised to hear the officer say, "I like to reward good behavior. Can I have that citation back?"

The girl and her father were shocked. Yes, he could certainly have the ticket back! The police officer thanked them for their goodness and walked away, ripping up the dreaded green document. Completely speechless, they drove off laughing but grateful for their good fortune and sweet "justice". 

Moral of the Story: Always show kindness, no matter who it is. You never know when some sweet "justice" will come 'round.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

A Half Cent Bargain?

Your, You're

Their, There, They're

To, Two, Too

Improperly Used = One of my biggest pet peeves!!

Shopping at Smith & Edwards is a highlight for our family. Located over an hour away in Northern Utah, it is a most unusual store. The boys especially love perusing through the camping/survival/knives/preparedness/tools departments. I enjoy the low-cost school supplies, random gifts, and kitchen gadgets. You just have to go there to understand.www.smithandedwards.com

One highlight is the candy section. They have bins and bins of unusual finds, including the most coveted Sunkist Fruit Gem at 10 / $1.00

I have loved these since I can remember. One memory includes buying a tub of the sugary yumminess at Costco and eating them all with my cousin, Emilee, while having an Anne of Green Gables Marathon - another favorite. Now I have passed that love on to my children, which is probably not a good thing. When I brought them home, my oldest daughter (who wasn't with us) almost jumped up and down. Yes, I feel like doing that myself sometimes. But I digress...

Smith & Edwards has aisles of tables covered in bins full of fun randomness - bins of pocket knives, small spatulas, crayons, coloring books, long pointy things which I have no idea what their purpose is, little cool flashlights, toys, luggage tags. Like I said, random. 

While passing the bins, my son stops and says, "Mom, can I borrow your camera?" He took a picture of this:

Do you see anything wrong with this picture?

He proceeded to explain that the price of an item displayed with a decimal point and a cent sign means that the item is really a half cent, not 49 cents, as shown in this example. His math teacher told the class they would receive extra credit if they brought in a photo that showed this common error. 

I was so proud! I love seeing education in action, when my children apply the knowledge they've been taught. It especially brings me joy when they point out grammatical and punctuation errors 'cause that means I'm rubbing off on them, and hopefully, proper use of the English language will be important to them as well. 

We didn't buy any air fresheners. I actually expected Sam to challenge the sign and try to get them for one half cent, because if you know Sam, that's just something he would do. Instead, we purchased our Sunkist Fruit Gems!

Today's Stick-to-it Tip: Take joy in the little things your children learn and apply in the "real world" (think Cosby Show).

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!