Udall Basement Band

After the boys and I came home from a bike ride , we found Don jammin’ away in the basement. The boys joined in the fun. They were having a blast.

Our Tiny, Big News

Here is a sneak peak at Baby Udall #4.  On June 19,2009 he/she is 7 weeks 1 day and about the size of a raspberry and a sweet little heart rate of 146 BPM. Hello Sweetie!

Hmmm...Maybe I Can Do This to Myself

I found a the How to Do Side Swept Bangs video. Should I do it? I think I can.

How to Do Side Swept Bangs in Women's Hairstyles: How to Cut Women's Hairstyles | eHow.com

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Fun Ideas for an Unplugged Playtime

Playtime

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DC Primary Temple Trip

I took the boys (Don was in Canada for a Nuclear Medicine Conference) to the Washington DC LDS Temple today for a Primary activity. I got totally lost so we ended up being late but did manage to make it in time for the adorable group shot with our friends from the Jones Falls Ward Primary.  The Primary Presidency is going to submit the pic. to The Friend magazine.

We walked around the temple grounds then stopped by the Visitor’s Center. I thought the boys might complain about it being boring, they actually really enjoyed it. Jayden especially liked watching the interactive movies about Helaman’s army and the journey of Lehi and his family.

Before heading home we had a picnic and checked out church’s bookstore. I got them cases for their scriptures and a piece of UT fudge, yummy.  It was a pleasant day.

Why We Don’t have TV

Parents need to watch this Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood.

We have decided to use our TV only for watching movies. I subscribed to FIOS and it lasted 1 week. The kids asked me if they could watch it all through out the day. They would turn it on themselves and pick a show. They started saying “I want that” to almost every commercial. I found it very annoying.  I am surprised I lasted a week.

After I unsubscribed to it they were bummed for a couple days and then forgot about it. They play together and make up things to do when they are not engrossed in flashing images and commercial brainwashing.

Click below to watch a great video. I totally agree.

Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood

Boys Love Fire Engines

Win a Lovely Bicycle

I dream about this bike. I just think of all the places I would go toting around my little guys in it.  If I am really lucky I might be able to win it! You can try too by clicking on the sidebar link.

 

LiveJournal Tags: Madsen,cycle,bike,tote,kids,bicyle

Mother’s Day

Mother's Day lasted all weekend for me. Friday night we dropped off the boys at the church for a babysitting fund raiser the Young Women put together. First Don took me shopping to pick out a couple outfits for me that he and I both liked.  I like getting his opinion. Then went to P.F. Chang's for a nice dinner.

Saturday, I woke up to a beautiful bouquet of red roses. Who doesn’t love a man who surprises her with red roses? We enjoyed the day together as a family.

On Sunday, all three boys got up in church with the other primary kids, and sang "Mother I Love You". Well, they didn't really sing they just watched me and smiled the whole time, but it was still touching. It was the first time all three of them got up on the stand together. Nicholas and Lucas are Sunbeams and Jayden is a CTR5 now.  After sacrament the Young Men passed out chocolate truffles to all the women. I put it in my purse and got distracted  chatting with someone. I looked down and saw chocolate all over Nicholas' face. Then up popped Lucas and Jayden from under the seat with equally messy traces of chocolate smeared around their guilty little grins. Don was very upset with them for eating mommy's Mother's Day chocolates. Lucas started to cry. I could tell he felt bad so I picked him up and we all walked out to the van. As he laid his teary head on my shoulder he said "Mommy, I am sorry for eating your chocolate". It was so sweet. He really felt remorse.
I felt very loved on Mother's Day. I am blessed to have a wonderful family.
I made a Scrapblog for my Mom and Mom-in-law, Kathleen. I miss my mom and wish I could see her more often. She lives in CA with Ser and her boys. 

LiveJournal Tags: Mother's Day

 

Food and Fitness Planner

Web MD has a great Food and Fitness Log/Planner HERE

Family

This morning was Fast and Testimony Meeting at church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). I was feeling the Spirit particularly strong so I got up and bore my testimony. I shared my testimony about the importance of staying together as a family and of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". It is a very touchy subject to talk about because everyone has such unique circumstances. My testimony however, is just that, MINE. I realize that I can never please everyone so I said what the church teaches--families should work it out and do their best to stay together. That is HIS plan.
These days it seems almost "old-fashioned" , as my mom called it, to stay married and have a "traditional" family life. She was talking about my sister, Serri, and her social life. Unfortunately, it also seems to be the attitude of about half of the US as well. It all has made me think about WHY it is important to stay with one partner and be together to raise your children. I have heard many different ideas about the topic.
After I bore my testimony and sat back down, I began to feel prompted to expand on what I said. See, I mainly said how Heavenly Father wants us to stay together. I then realized how hurtful I might have been to divorced or single people or whomever did not fit into that mold. After others got up and bore their testimonies I got back up on the pulpit (I know, I know people don’t usually do that), but I had to. This time I mentioned my own broken family growing up. I told them about how difficult it was for my Mom to sit in church after her divorce, especially during the song, "Families Can Be Together Forever". I was specifically talking to the members who were vulnerable to my topic when I said we’re a ward family and all brothers and sisters. I said a little more and sat back down.
After church ended I was quite a surprising reaction from some members who caught up with me to thank me for getting up again. These members were mainly ones who had or are going through a divorce. One story in particular touched me. A young man approached me and said with tears in his eyes how grateful he was to me for getting up and sharing my testimony. He came alone and was 18-years-old. He said his family broke up and his mom, the only other active member, can not come to church because she is usually ill. His other step sibs. do not come to church anymore either. He said that I made him feel like he really did have a "ward family". WOW. Talk about a compliment. I was so touched to hear that what I said may have really helped him.
The church is true!

Body Pump for Your Booty

I am now a huge fan of BODYPUMP by Les Mills. It is a great workout no matter how ripped you are.  Even the guys in the class had a tough time. I definitely recommend it! You choose how much weight you lift for an HOUR! The time flies because it is so fun.

Water Play

I am so happy it is warming up. The kids played in a river at the fabulous Meadow Wood Regional Park and also in the sprinklers in our back yard this weekend. We are looking forward to spending much of our days outside.

LiveJournal Tags: park

Computer Love

Just look at this print. Who do you see? We see us! Isn’t it sooooo romantic?

It is by Rosie Music for Red Velvet Art

Something About Charlie

I love Charlie Harper. His work is so fun, simplistic and original. and

“Funny Guy”

Here is Nicholas. He loves doing things to make people laugh.

Super Dad and Boys

My husband ROCKS! I just got over a mean virus and he really did an awesome job taking care of everything. It lasted two miserable days. I seriously could not stand up without vomiting. One one the hardest things about parenting is being sick and trying to keep things together.

I am also very proud of my boys. They knew how I was feeling because they had it (the buy) right before I did. They were so sweet and I think they tried their hardest to be good.

Jayden helped get his brothers snacks. Lucas said “You are sick? I am sorry about it” sincerely. Nicholas was his normal helpful self. They are really maturing.

Star Wars Party Link

I was never a Star Wars fan but, what I wouldn’t do for these boys.  After the party my boys wanted me to stay Princess Leia, so funny.

Click here to see the pics

Jayden's Jedi Training Academy Birthday Party

For Jayden's 5th birthday he really wanted a Star Wars Birthday Party. I got some really great ideas from other moms who have done Star Wars parties for their little fans. I borrowed a Princess Leia costume from my friend, Michele and Jayden wore his padawan cloak I made him for Halloween. Basically, the two hour party went like this:
Arrival 2pm-
-We gave kids their "Jedi Training Badges".
-We gave each guest their own light saber. I made these by cutting pool noodles in half and wrapping shiny silver duct tape around the bottoms for the handles. Each child decorated his/her handle with black strips of tape to make it unique.
-Don aka "Jedi Master Trainer" did a great job teaching the kids how to use their light sabers for defense and attack. It was so funny and cute. He totally made this up on the spot and the kids took it so seriously.
-They played "Hot Meteor". We paired them up and gave each pair a balloon. They used their light saber to keep the balloon up and off of the floor while batting it back and forth.
-Then we gave them little flying star wars discs and they took turns tossing them through a hanging hoop.
-My favorite part was "Destroy the Death Star". A few days before I (with the help of Nicholas) made a big paper mache pinata Death Star. To do this I used a big punch balloon, strips of newspaper and a glue/water solution. Once it was dry and hard, I spray painted it grey. I filled it with treats crumpled newspaper.
After each kid had a couple wacks at it with their foam sabers we gave them a harder plastic toy light saber. A few hits with this and it finally broke. It was so fun watching all the kids scramble to get the treats.
-They played "Duck, Duck, Vader" (just like it sounds)while I was setting up for snacks, Yoda Soda and cupcakes.
Each child got to keep their light saber, flying disc, goodie bag and I also made Jedi Certificates for completing Jedi Training Academy and become real Jedi Nights.
It was lots of fun!

I Gave A Talk in Sacrament

Today, I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting on...The Sacrament. I actually was excited when I got the call from Brother Hales to speak. I am getting much more comfortable speaking in public the more I do it. If you would like to read the talk, let me know because I can not figure out how to post a Word doc. Does anyone know?