Singing Time Videos

Gameboard for "I'll Follow Him in Faith" that had a 'magical dancing bean' move from picture to picture as the song was sung.

 In August of 2020, I was called to be the Primary Song Leader.  Since we were not able to meet with the children due to the pandemic, I decided to create YouTube videos for families to use in their home.  It had it's challenges, but it was also fun thinking up different ideas on how to teach the songs and explain the doctrine contained in the lyrics. I'm always humbled by how the spirit can guide.  It has been a blessing to put together these visuals and videos and know that these ideas were not all my own.  I just finished my last video last week and am grateful to be meeting with the Primary Children in person this coming Sunday!

Here are two shorter videos I compiled during the pandemic:

Jesus Said Love Everyone

Conference Time

Mother's Day 2021

 

Becoming a mother is truly a dream come true for me.  Yes, there are crazy days, but those days are also packed with joy and yes, there are days filled with tears (which roll down both little chubby cheeks as well as my own), but there isn't anything in the world I'd trade to have these precious children who call me "mom".

Amazed at how accurate Eliana's answers are!

Hylie's big into giving me coupons!  The orange book on the right was presented to me weeks ago and then I got the "Spa Edition" on Mother's Day.  Hylie will often remind me if I haven't utilized a coupon for a while and she is always so eager to do a task to help out.

I admit, I teared up with I read that her favorite thing is my 9,999% happiness.  I found a quote a while ago that states, "Your kids don't want a perfect mom, they want a happy mom" and oh how I strive to live that.  I definitely have my "off" days, but how I pray they remember my good and happy days.

I was quite spoiled to be able to just "show up" for dinner.  Geoff and the kids prepared noodles (with sauce on the side), pizza, fruit salad, and kool-aid.  I also got my very own pint of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream for dessert!

So grateful I have Geoff to do this parenting thing with me

And my dream of being a mother all stemmed from this amazing woman: my Mother.  She continues to be my biggest fan and strongest support.  Mom is always willing to talk even if I've already called her three times that day.  What an example she is of cultivating talents, serving others, and going the extra mile.  Her testimony of Jesus Christ brings so much light to us all.  My favorite thing to do is discuss doctrine with Mom.  She always has so much insight, understands deeply the role our Savior, Jesus Christ fulfilled, and lives in faith no matter how chaotic the world gets.  I love you, Mom.  There will never be enough thanks for all you are to me.

I was asked to speak in church on Mother's Day.  My topic wasn't motherhood--but I decided to focus my remarks on women and the love Jesus Christ has for us.  I felt the spirit guide me the entire time I prepared my remarks and am grateful for all I learned in that process. I know the family is ordained of God and that my role of motherhood is such a sacred duty--one that I cherish and strive to fulfill the way Heavenly Father needs me to.

Eliana's Perfect Day

 On May 8th, Eliana got to have her Perfect Day.  It was a day of crafts, drawing, and an obstacle course.  And you guessed it...Breakfast for Dinner!

Eliana wanted to make salt dough creations

Getting ready to run the obstacle course

Dad explaining the course

Drawing on posterboard with Sharpies!

Can you tell we had Kool-Aid with lunch?

Painting the salt dough creations

My Stone Wall

 Upfront, I want to make it very clear that I love our home and am so grateful we call this place ours.  Having said that, I've never been crazy about the vaulted ceiling in the front entrance area of our home. I am one that loves architectural details and cozy spaces, and this area I felt was lacking both.  After years of doing research on different products and also spending lots of time convincing Geoff that this would be a lovely idea, I got to add an architectural detail--a stone wall--to our home.  In February I started contacting different masons and handy-men and finally in May I was able to get on Carlo's schedule.  He and his father, Sal, did an absolutely beautiful job!  This was their first time working with the product and were so gracious to me as I was constantly talking to them about how to approach the project and discuss options as different hiccups appeared during the install.  I am absolutely in love with the look and what it's done for this space!

I was beyond thrilled with how beautifully they cut the stone around this arched window

And this is just one of the reasons I was not willing to DIY!

And yes, there are times I just sit in this room and stare at the wall.

Lillian's Perfect Day

 Back on April 10th, Lillian had her "Perfect Day"...and because I'm blogging about it almost 2 months later, I don't remember all the activities she picked because I didn't take pictures of everything!  But she did want to have Breakfast for Dinner and play Minute-to-Win-it games, so I put together some activities that were a little more 4-year-old friendly and the kids loved it.  It was cute watching Kyron wanting to be in every part of the action!

Making a funny face without being able to see your work

Racing little "Wiggle Worms"

And, of course, Face the Cookie!

I may not remember all the activities Lillian picked, but one thing I do remember is how beautifully all the kids played with each other that day.  It was a rare moment in time where there was such peace and harmony in the air, no one was bickering, everyone just enjoyed each other and laughed together.  Oh, I went to bed that night with such a full, happy heart.

Easter Week

 Several years ago we started the tradition of reviewing the Savior's last week in mortality from Passover Sunday to Easter morning.  The kids look forward to our lessons each night and love looking at all the pictures we have that depict the many things the Savior did.  The girls also wanted to do stop motion videos about Jesus Christ again, so they each picked a different miracle and talked about what they learned from that miracle.  When the kids were ready to film their presentations, I realized I hadn't charged the device that had the Stop Motion app on it and I knew if I didn't work on it with them when they were ready to do it, it probably wouldn't happen.  So the stop motion was done without the app, making it super patchy--but the girls enjoyed learning and presenting their miracles.  Here is a link to the video we compiled and watched together on Easter morning:

Easter 2021 - Woodhouse Family

I also was able to sew the girls some new skirts and even make Kyron a tie--so we got all dressed up on Easter Sunday and I was hopeful to take some pictures.  That morning, Kyron didn't want to get out of bed, he didn't want to get dressed, he didn't want to put shoes on, and he didn't even want to go outside!  I prepped myself with the lowest of expectations and kept telling myself we could even try these pictures on another day.  Somehow we managed to get Kyron dressed and outside, Geoff helped set up the ladder to prop the camera on, we called the kids over, and miraculously Kyron ran over, stood where we asked him to stand, looked at the camera, and was this perfect little boy for the 1 minute and 7 seconds it took to get our pictures taken.  It was a complete miracle!  Every time I look at these pictures I'm still in awe at how beautifully Kyron cooperated when it was "go" time!

The more I understand about the Plan of Salvation, the more I realize just how much Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love us.  I am so thankful for Their love, for Their perfect plan, and for the opportunity we have the learn and grow with Their guidance.  What a blessing it is to proclaim, "He is Risen!  Truly, He is Risen!"

Easter Festivities 2021

We had a sweet, low-key Easter this year.  It was nice to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt that the missionaries of our stake put on for the neighborhood.  The kids were pretty excited about all the sugar they gathered that morning.

 

They also had a photo booth where we got family pictures taken

I'm quite surprised that they actually got Kyron in this picture because he kept grabbing all of their props and making a run for it!

It was General Conference weekend during Easter.  The kids enjoyed finding their eggs Saturday morning and listening to all the beautiful messages prepared for Conference.