COLORING EGGS
Since February 2010 to now.
Well, we haven't written for a few months. I took the Bar in February and I'll find out the results the middle of April. We decided that this time we would do everything different than before, because Andrea and the girls really miss me when I go to the hotel by myself for two days. The girls wanted to go with me and help me relax--yeah right. Actually, they were right--they didn't let me think about the Bar. I didn't have any minutes to myself. Andrea and the girls came to pick me up after work the night before the first day of the Bar. They brought Jack too and we stayed at the Hotel in downtown Salt Lake. They were fighting to see who got to sleep in my bed. Mom was out of the picture--it was just between Kayla and Mimi. They are totally messed up that Andrea was the one who married me. Even Jack was sneaking on the bed. Jack was totally excited about the trip too--he doesn't get out much. He was totally well-behaved the whole time. The motel was like two blocks from the Bar, so we went to breakfast all together, and then they took me to the Bar. The girls yelled, "good luck". Then Andrea, the girls and Jack went for a long walk around downtown. Then they picked me up for a picnic lunch at the Salt Lake city building. They even brought a Frisbee. So between the picnic, the Frisbee, and running behind Jack, I didn't have time to worry about the Bar. So I guess the girls were right in coming. Then they picked me up after and we went to dinner. Then we watched American Idol at the motel and girls were totally happy. Then another fight about who was going to sleep in my bed. It was good because I didn't have time to worry and I was much more relaxed for the Bar. I don't have any idea how I did, but this time I didn't get nervous. However, I feel way better this time because I studied really hard. I felt good last time too, though. But last time I only missed by three points, and I feel better about this time, so we just trust in God.
Then three days later, it was the worst birthday for Andrea because of the 8.8 earthquake in Chile. Andrea couldn't get a hold of her family for five days. She knew they were alive because she talked to a friend who had talked to them for five seconds before the lines went dead. Then when we got a hold of them, we knew how bad it was. It was 8.8 all the way from Concepcion to Santiago, which is like from Boise,ID to San Diego, CA in distance. There was also a tsunami, which affect the same area...it was huge!. Then we watched the earthquake on YouTube and it was amazing how strong it was. Her parents couldn't even run out of the house because it was shaking so hard. They kept falling down and Andrea's mom couldn't get up. Then there were more than 200 aftershocks the next day. Then two days after, they had three aftershocks of 7.7 in less than an hour. So now, if they are talking to Andrea and there is an aftershock, they immediately run outside. A 5.9 earthquake doesn't even phase them now, they are so used to it.
Also, Andrea's dad was taking the discussions, but after the earthquake, the missionaries didn't go back, and her dad has cooled off a bit on getting baptized. They haven't visited him again. But the girls still preach to him. Andrea gave her number to her friend to give to the missionaries, but they haven't called her. So, still keep praying for her dad, and if he dies, Andrea knows he will accept the Gospel on the other side. Andrea's mom is going to get surgery on her hips in about two weeks, and the doctor made her sign a waiver. But she doesn't care if she dies because it's better than walking with the pain in her hips. She really needs the surgery, but the anesthesia is dangerous for her at her age.
Andrea's family loves the Skype. Andrea talks to her mother every day for about two hours while she does her family book on the computer. They love when Andrea calls because she does it at lunch time and they are all together so they put the speaker and they are all able to talk so they always said: "Andrea comes to lunch with us everyday!". Andrea is so happy 'cause she feels close to them because she is able to talk and visit with them through Skye as if she were there with them. They also love to talk to our girls. The girls are doing so well in speaking Spanish. They say our prayers in Spanish and they talk to their grandma, grandpa, uncles and cousins in Chile almost everyday. Now Andrea doesn't have to translate that much for them anymore. It's like when we went to Chile for a visit.
As parents, we are so grateful of our girls because they love to talk to their grandparents in Mapleton and in Chile.
I was called as a Webelos den leader a little while ago. I love it!. It's nice after playing for nine years with ponies and Pet Shops to be able to do boy things again. We get to play with power tools and the boys love it. Andrea is still the 8 year old teacher in Primary and she loves it. They crack her up every single weekend. She always has funny stories to tell. Kayla is in her class. So is Bronson--her worst nightmare. However, he wrote her an apology letter, so she feels better now. Andrea was called to Activity Days too and she looooves it! They do it in our house.
Now we trade babysitting with a young family in our neighborhood. They have five kids. Sam has Down's Syndrome. He is so cute--he doesn't talk but he communicates with sign language. Kayla just loves him. Spencer is the oldest and thinks he is a Ninja. They are all so cute. Andrea is in love with the 5 months old, he is the easiest baby ever!.
Andrea got a Parenting Book from our neighbor, sister Wilson...the bishop's wife. She is a parenting teacher for "Love and Logic" at the Legacy Center in Lehi. She and Andrea have been talking a lot about parenting and she has been helping us tons with some "issues" with our girls...I shouldn't even say "issues"... our girls are WONDERFUL!!!...but I think is more a help for us so we don't mess our girls up. We want to be the best parents we can for them to guide them and teach them what they need in the right way...without fighting, yelling or spanking. It has been great since we have been implementing all the techniques the book teach. Besides Andrea and me are going to a parenting class in our ward the very last Wednesday of each month. It funny and interesting to hear how every single couple has the same issues with their kids. Some of them have shared: " We thought something was wrong with our kids, but we are glad to know they are totally normal and that we are not THE only one in the world with those issues"....of course they were a young couple!..hahaha...everybody was laughing and telling them not to feel bad...all normal kids are the same and used the same tricks to get what they want...hahaha.
So talking about the book and kids trying to trick you to get what they want...here is one example of Andrea's typical day dealing with our girls...this time with Kayla.
Here's how it went for Andrea after telling Kayla she couldn't get more ice cream.
Kayla: why mom?! why!? I'm starving!
Andrea: oh honey, well, there's some apples.
Kayla: but I'm hungry for ice cream! don't you understand!?
Andrea: oh honey...well you can have more ice cream tomorrow...now you can have some
apples.
Kayla: (totally freaking out and yelling) I want ice cream!.
Andrea: Mmmmm...I know...The apples are right on the table honey.
Kayla: (this time right on Andrea's face) Don't you get it...I WANT ICE CREAM!
Don't you understand English?!
Andrea: Mmmm...I got it honey...the apples are right on the counter if you are
hungry. ( Andrea trying really hard not to freak out...using all her strengh
not to yell and strangle Kayla...haha)
Kayla: noticing she is not getting what she want or even getting close to make her
mom mad...tries another thing so this time she gets on the bed getting a huge tantrum right in front mom's face pulling her her and getting her face "red" and her eyes almost popping out of her face yells again at her mom.
Kayla: I hate you!...you are the worst mom I have ever have!...You hate me!
Andrea: mmmm...I can see you are really mad at me, honey. When your voice is calm and nice as mine you can come back to my room and we will talk.
Kayla: totally freaking out: I hate you!.
Kayla: Took mom's book and said threaten her mom... "I hate this book!...I'm
gonna burn it! I will reap it off!...putting the book right in front of
mom's face.
Andrea: that's OK with me but right after you are done with the book go right next
door and let sister Wilson and ask her what can you do for her to pay for
the book. You know its her book not mine.
Kayla: why did you have to get this book mom!? Why?! we were a happy family
before and now look!
Andrea: I know...you can go to your room and when you are calm you can come back,
Thanks honey.
Kayla: left the room crying...went to her room still freaking out, slam the her
door.
10 minutes later...
Kayla: came back to Andrea's room...lay down by mom and using her sweetest voi
ce, touching Andrea's face...: mom please don't read that book anymore.
Andrea: biting her lips just said...mmmmm...I love you honey.
then the same day in the evening.
Kyle came back from work. Andrea took a trade with Kyle's dinner to the family room. Kayla got close to Kyle checking what was he getting...when she saw barbecue chicken in Kyle's plate...(she already had her dinner with the same stuff)...said...I want chicken! in a demanding voice.
Kayla: I want chicken!
Kyle: honey, you already had dinner, if you are still hungry go and get
some fruit.
Kayla: I want chicken!
Kyle: mmmm...ok you can get more chicken tomorrow for lunch...now you can get a
fruit or something else.
Kayla: I want chicken...I told you I want chicken!!!
Kyle: in a really calm but strong voice:... mmmmm...Kayla do you wanna go to your
room by yourself or do you want me to take you?
Kayla: got stand up on the couch, hand on her hips and giving THE LOOK, really mad
at Kyle said: have you been reading THAT EVIL BOOK too?!!!
Then she left to her room and came back when she was in a better mood.
Tell me if the book works!
So since then we have been a really "sad" family as Kayla recalls every time she doesn't get what she wants anymore unless she follows OUR rules! which it is...be nice and be obedient!. I have thousands of stories to tell after I got THE EVIL book however most of them are the same thing..."you are not gonna get what you want if you are not nice and obedient." I LOVE THE BOOK!!!...ha
Today we did our Easter eggs with the girls. The bunny will come tonight. For Conference we're playing Conference talk bingo. Well, we'll wrap it up now because the girls just got back from their babysitting. We're watching Conference with all the mattresses down in the living room and having the time of our lives.
God bless you all. Have a wonderful Conference weekend!
Love,
The Lehi Czirrs
