Nail Clippers

I have nail clippers. 
They stay in my purse, 
for when my nails need a clip, of course.

Wait...no. Now I remember! 
They're in the bathroom, 
Used before the kids bath when they needed a groom.

No? hmm... yeah...
My husband used them last night, 
For crusted toe nails before he turned off the light.

Oh look!
It's my daughter's nail polish box.
Clip your nails, paint, then put on your socks?

No... well... uh...
Are they on the living room floor?
Or perhaps they beelined under the door?

Got it! I know.
This time for sure.
Nail-clippers are for sale at the grocery store!

I am the great and powerful OZ!

Pay no attention to the blog behind this post... uh... I can fix it...

Grandma Rich

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?pid=171101557

Yesterday we attended Grandma Rich's Funeral in AF Utah. She passed away May 16th at 99 years old- 5 months shy of 100. Her son had just joined her for lunch an hour prior, they had chatted pleasantly, she ate cheddar soup, potatoes and pistachio pudding. Then the nurse took her back to her room and had her sit in the comfy armchair she had there. A few minutes later another resident found her slumped over

I love this lady.

The first time I met Grandma Rich she greeted me by asking, "What's your name again?"

I answered, "Amy Tolson." (my maiden name)

"No it's not. It's Amy Rosenvall." - Grandma

"Ha!" I laughed, she got me, "What's your name?"

"To you, Grandma."

She was unhappy when she and her husband moved from New York state to Utah state, proclaiming: "They took away my driving license."

Full of wit.

She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at age 89. After all her children planned their vacations and gave her the missionary lessons over the course of a year. She'd said once, "If I get baptized too soon they'll make me Relief Society President."

Andrew and I attended their sealing.

I thought I would be sad at her funeral. However, though I did shed a few tears, she lived a long full life. She was happy, only in a care center the last 4 months of life. Confined to a wheelchair- 2 days only.

We went to her graveside services in SLC with the family. Gave grandpa a hug.  Afterwards attended a luncheon at Ed and Morissa's house (Andrew's Uncle).

Grandma loved to travel. So, Andrew and I took the kids to the Zoo afterwards-- we got in just before they closed the gate no allowing anyone else in. It was a pleasant, sparsely attended day. The lions, tigers, snow leopards were out and walking around. The reptiles peeking their noses up out of their tanks. Bears rolling on their hills.

Then we took a drive through Guardsman's pass. Over the mountain down through Midway where we bought dinner for the kids and let them play at Two Tower's park in Heber.

We drove home through dusk.  As I tucked the kids into bed, I told them constellation stories and placed glow-in-the-dark stars on their walls. The boys have the constellations: Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Andromeda & Perseus. My daughter has Taurus and Orion.

Daniel's Court Day

On Daniel's adoption day with the 3rd District Court. Sarah woke up bright and early, turned on the computer and blasted "Coronation Day" from Frozen. After having the kids nicely dressed in nice street clothes. We spent several hours getting the kiddos to stay entertained at the courthouse. They ran down the hallways, splashed water from the drinking fountains, counted the number of blue or red cars they could find, ate goldfish crackers, drew pictures and the babies had a crawling competition.

The Judge complemented us on the task we have decided to take on. After a brief question/answer with our fabulous adoption lawyer - Frank N. Call. Judge James Mitchie, Andrew and I signed the paperwork. March 24, 2014.

After signing the papers, Judge Mitchie gave each of the kids a stuffed animal, Daniel picked first from the pile of stuffed animals the judge put up on his desk--he dove for this cute purple/grey raccoon. Sarah picked a bright yellow manatee, Michael a little red dog, James a green froggy, Peter a Rhino.  Their was one stuffed animal left-a pelican, it stayed for the next kiddo adoption.

Then we chased down our kids again while papers were processed, drove to Chuck-a-Rama for an adoption dinner feast. The kids were excited that we allowed them to eat at much soda and dessert as they wanted. I ate a delicious beef stew with carrots/potatoes.

Exhausted and tired, we returned home.

Having an adoption recognized by the State of Utah and in court though nice, is different from a Sealing in the Temple.

Daniel's Sealing Day

The day started out quiet. Sarah whispered to Daniel in hushed tones, "It's your sealing day, we get to keep you forever." We had a light cream colored dress picked out for Sarah, but on that morning, I decided to go look one more time for a white one. (We had looked previously, the best we could find was the light cream one.) Sarah came with me and I had a feeling to go to a store called "Dressed in White" which I had actually never been too, I wasn't sure if they had kid's clothing. They did, and we found a gorgeous white dress. Sarah fell in love with a pair of white shoes so I got them too.

While I was driving she said "Mommy, you should play fancy music, for this fancy day." I changed the radio to Classical and that seemed to suit her. She came with me while I had a hair cut then afterwards we picked up treats and candy from the grocery store--after the Sealing we invited everyone over and the kids had a 'Candy Bar' we gave everyone a small bag that they filled with various candies. We also had peanut butter bars, butterfly sugar cookies....

When we got home it was time to dress all in white. All of our children were allowed to attend the sealing. Though not required we dressed all the children in white. Michael, James, Peter, Daniel each had white pants, white shirts, white ties, white socks (white underwear too).  Sarah wore her new white dress, tights, shoes. I made her hair pretty and put in her white bow.

We drove to the Draper Utah Temple arriving at 6pm. My parents took a few pictures outside the Temple. Inside the desk already knew our names, "Rosenvall Family, we have been expecting you." We took the kids to their youth center where they played with toys. We also left all the kids attendants with them (Grandma Tolson, Grandma Hardy, Grandpa Hardy, Grandma Rosenvall, and my sister Becky.)  They took Andrew & I to double check paperwork and dates. Ried..... something Sbonjom (sp?) double checked everything. Then they took me to the brides room. The chandeliers in the bride room are silver and look like flower petals falling into place. When I was dressed in my Temple clothing my attendant lead Andrew and I to the Celestial room. Andrew & I were able to sit and ponder with one another.

The sealer retrieved us and brought us to another waiting area so he could ask about name pronunciation. Then he took us to the elevator to wait for the kids. The Temple Matron came over to watch and commented "I'm so excited to see children inside the temple." A group of couples passed us and said, "Congrats on your marriage." we smiled. The kids came up with their attendants. Sarah asked me about my temple clothing. Michael took my right hand and I carried little James on my left arm. Andrew carried Daniel & Peter.

We walked down the hall, Michael was so enthralled by the scene around him he walked into a wall. His head made that coconut sound, but he didn't cry. In fact all of the children were calm and quiet. Family & Friends were already seated in the sealing room. Andrew & I sat down with all our kids where the bride and groom normally sit. The Sealer spoke to us about his sealing power and Eternal Families. And to be honest, I was so overwhelmed with seeing my 5 children all dressed in white in the temple, happy, calm and smiling that I don't recall much else of what he said.

We were invited to the altar. Daniel's biological grandpa Hardy (we have an open adoption with him.) assisted him. I held Danny's hand.  Afterwards I lifted up Danny and gave him kisses on his cheek.  Our friends and family greeted/hugged us as they left. The sealer had all the kids come and look into the mirrors to see their forever family. I showed Sarah the crocheted covering on the Temple altar. The kids assistants took them back downstairs to the Youth center and Andrew and I changed our of our Temple clothing.

Outside we took more pictures. The kids walked reverently smelling the flowers and exploring the Temple grounds quietly. Said Michael, "This is my forever family."

The Year in Review: 2013

Jumping from a family of 4 to a family of 7 in a mere fifteen months is insane.

I question the sanity of any who attempt it.

Rosenvall 2013 Year in Review

(Hopefully pictures if I find the camera cable, which has walked away.)

Andrew has been working at Wencor, LLC. as a Quality Inspector. His company was impressed with his work and quickly promoted him to a full time Quality Engineer. The work he completes on aircraft is both fascinating and enjoyable. In his spare time he enjoys playing Star Craft and reading.

Amy is discovering her new niche as a stay at home mom. Her days are filled with taking kids to and from school, making lunches, providing snacks, changing diapers, teaching reading/letters/numbers/hygiene, and overall trying not to have her house in constant disaster mode. On Wednesdays she helps coach Science Olympiad after school and in the evening attends Iaido (Japanese Samurai Class--basically she plays with swords.)

Sarah (6) loves school especially reading, and writing. Math is not her favorite but she works hard at it. She constantly reminds us that she fully intends to be a nurse and adores all things medical. Going to the doctor in her opinion is a treat, and if she can watch the nurses giving a shot it's almost like Christmas for her. She enjoys playing with My Little Ponies.

Michael (5) likes his preschool. He graduated from Speech at the local elementary school but still needs elocution lessons. To help with his speech the therapist suggested that he take trumpet lessons- apparently it helps with tongue movement. Though he's not quite ready for lessons yet (needs to read) he can properly buzz on his trumpet mouthpiece. Rusty & Rosy (computer program) has greatly helped him with recognizing letters

James (1 almost 2) is still 90% percentile in height and weight. He is the largest child in nursery. He will attempt to repeat back any word you say. He likes reading books, calls all cars choochoo's, adores balloons (baloo!), and loves outside.

Peter (6 months) has acid reflux and prefers to not roll over if he can avoid it. He does love to talk and baubles, smiles and coos constantly unless it's time to eat or sleep.

Daniel (6 months) loves to roll over, has recently started scooting forward and uses his mobility to grasp everything so he can taste it. He prefers to grunt when he 'talks'.  His adoption should be finalized in February/March.

Stories

"Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Sarah who went hiking into the woods to find lollipops. And she found amazing lollipops with spots. They are ladybug spots. She picked 3 lollipops and then was very sad. Because the spots disappeared. Only when the lollipops were in the sunlight did they have spots. So she ate 1 lollipop while at a picnic in the sunlight. So 3 lollipops subtract 1 because she ate the lollipop is 2 lollipops left. The end." - S

(Her homework was to draw and tell a subtraction story, I expected something shorter-but loved what she came up with.)

Peach & the Giant James "One day James found a peach.  The peach looked yummy. The peach smelled yummy. The peach was soft and squishy yummy. James took a bite of the peach. It was very yummy. James took two bites. James took 3 bites. Uh-Oh, James found a worm. James took 4 bites. James found half a worm. James took 5 bites. Oh good! No more worm. Yummy peach. The end."

"I came home from school today to find my room was changed. Mom & Dad had switched it around and added one enormous cage. A pile of dirt in the corner and thing all over the floor. But what was in the cage today was really very strange!"

"There's a Dragon in my bedroom!"

Mommy & Daddy put him there! and enormous Dragon with a long bright blue tail! His tail goes swish and knocks my toys everywhere!

"There's a Dragon in my bedroom!"

He snores all night long, and lets out loud bellows, and leaves ringing in my ears!

There's a Dragon in my bedroom!

He's not pleasant at all! When he throws his water across the room and smashes crackers in the floor!

There's a Dragon in my bedroom!

with a huge grin and long snout! but Mommy says he's here to stay! and can't read my sign-"Keep Out!"

There's a Dragon in my bedroom!

He's staring right at me! This Dragon has got to go! A Dragon isn't right you see!

There's a Dragon in my bedroom! Now I'm sure he's getting chunky, and little tasty me would surely be good for a Dragon that's getting hungry!

Just wait, I'll be asleep and then become a midnight snack.

Or maybe for breakfast the Dragon will eat me with a side of morning toast. Gulped down in one big bite, Just for Dragon--me a child sized roast.

But not for me! No! I'll teach this Dragon and take all his things away!

So getting on my outfit for I have a Dragon to shoo! Making sure to have his favorite treats to lure him out, I carefully open to the door and smell---- DRAGON POO!

MOMMY!!!!
Mommy helped me clean my bedroom,

She picked up the toys upon the floor, Helped me fix my Keep Out sign and put it on the door, Changed the Dragon mess and made my room smell good again.

Then showed me that Dragons' can be cuddled, and when Dragon went to sleep- he didn't snore too loudly, nothing to keep me awake. And Mommy scrubbed the crackers out of my bedroom floor, and we wiped up all the messes, it wasn't a really hard chore.

and Mommy gave me a long hug,

And whispered "I love you." Then glancing at the Dragon said, and I love you too.

Seeing that lovely Dragon curled and happy and asleep,

Made me realize that being bigger is really very sweet. so standing on my tiptoes and quiet as a mouse, I whispered to the Dragon, "Welcome to our house."

The Dragon grinned, and happily sucking on his tail,

reached out a sticky claw and held my hand real dear. I suppose if the Dragon really has to stay, Then it will be better if I treat him best today.

Dinosaur
A dinosaur is awesome with spikes or with scales,

They have mighty strength from their heads to their tails. A dinosaur splashes with swirls and with waves, He makes gigantic drawings inside of his caves.

Dinosaurs roar! and Dinosaurs growl,

Dinosaurs stomp and dinosaurs scowl.

A dinosaur eats with crunches and quakes,

They screech over mountains and everything wakes.

Dinosaurs roar! and Dinosaurs growl.

Dinosaurs stomp and dinosaurs scowl.

A dinosaur plays in mud and with sticks,

When a mommy dinosaur comes they have to be quick.

And when mommy comes....

Dinosaurs play and Dinosaurs share. Dinosaurs are quiet and Dinosaurs care.

Dinosaurs help, and Dinosaurs clean

Dinosaurs yawn and Dinosaurs gleem.

Goodnight Dinosaurs, and in their dreams?

Dinosaurs roar! and dinosaurs growl.

Dinosaurs stomp and Dinosaurs scowl... Until they hear their mother howl/Yowl....