Wonderful people who make bedrest bearable :)

I feel so much happiness and gratitude right now for all my wonder friends helping us out right now. I truly didn't think bed rest would work, and I surely didn't want to ask for anyone's help. But sometimes it's so relieving to accept it. First, I must say that Eli, my awesome husband (who is still downstairs cleaning up the house), has spent 3 days doing all the kids' lessons with them, cooking, cleaning and putting the kids to bed AND taking care of me. Without complaining at all :) Yesterday, one of my sweet visiting teachers from church, brought us a delicious dinner and dessert. Today my sweet friend came by with her kids to visit, brought us another delicious dinner and beautiful cake, and a get well card. Tomorrow, another sweet sister from church is picking up all four of my kids to take them to a primary activity. And we have meals coming the rest of my bed rest week. I am so incredibly thankful for all the support of all my wonderful Relief Society sisters. I realized tonight, as my kids excitedly ate our delivered dinner, that they have really been lacking well rounded meals lately. With morning sickness constantly plaguing me, I have been throwing together whatever I can. They were truly overjoyed. (isn't that sad on my part? :) I am so happy that I will be able to finish out the remainder of the bed rest sentence with the help of such great, caring friends :)

Book Ends Book Club

My kids participate in a kids' book club, hosted by my awesome friend, Cindy Scott... This club has become one of my favorite things about our homeschooling year. It had kids ranging in age from 3-13, and we try to keep the books on about a 4th-6th grade reading level. Eli or I read the book aloud, for our little ones who can't read yet. We meet at the beginning off the year, and then again in January, after the holidays, so each family can pick a book. Every 2 weeks from there, we read a new book, then meet at Cindy's to have a fun discussion, games related to the book and treats. I always have great intentions to keep up with reading my kids good classic books, but book club has really helped me make sure I am reading on schedule. Deadlines are great motivators :) Book club is being wrapped up for the year, with Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, being the final book. My favorite book we read this year was Charlotte's Web by E.B White. The book by far, blows all the movies away. Linden and I actually cried as we finished it. All the kids were really touched by Charlotte's death. Other books from this year are:

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
Jess by Mary Casanova
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
The Holly Joliday by Megan McDonald
Dragon of the Red Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne

My favorite breakfast ever...

Mmmn.. Pancakes with whip cream and strawberries is truly the best way to wake up in the morning..