Balsmeier Family

That Baby!!

2012-01-22T09:33:00.001-07:00

So here I am, sitting (laying actually) on my couch, not at church on this fine Sunday morning. Why is that you ask? Well, John is at work and as much fun as taking all the kids by myself is, I just couldn't do it on two hours of sleep. Nope. Little Sis did not have a great night last night. She woke up at about midnight, before I ever went to sleep, and decided it was not necessary to go back to sleep. I brought her down stairs and we crashed on the couch. Well, we laid on the couch so Daddy could get some sleep, because the girl was up until after 4. What the heck?!

We have a problem in this house....little princess is spoiled. I know, I know, people will tell you that you can't spoil an infant...I beg to differ. The girl is ALWAYS being held or talked to or sung to or played with. If it's not me, it's John, or A, or J, or Ike or even little E-man....you get the point right? Because now she INSISTS on being held, or sung to, or played with all the time. She has also decided that sleeping through the night (something she has done since 5 weeks) is not something she is interested in either. Oh and this same baby refuses to eat rice cereal, or formula for that matter. Napping is also something of the past...20 minutes is about as long as I can get her to go and that is only if I hold her and 'rock' her to sleep. What happened?!

Baby S is a funny baby...but she is my last baby. So, even though my nights are not always spent sleeping like I would like, or I get a little frustrated that she cries EVERY time I put her down, or that I will be nursing her until she's three (not really), or my house is even more of a disaster all the time because I spend my days holding a baby.....that's all ok. I am so grateful that she is part of our family and that the older kids all just adore her and help so much. I am actually grateful I have gotten to a point that I will let myself put aside other things and just hold the baby (we are working on a better balance) because she won't always be a baby. She rolled over yesterday and while I was pretty excited about it, I was a little sad too. She's getting bigger. They all are.

I have a confession...

I think E-man's screaming kicking tantrums are hilarious. They are not encouraged but I definitely have to make a concerted effort not to laugh out loud at him.

A's drama over EVERYTHING drives me crazy but I love her for it. She knows what she wants and she is a seven year old girl...what else would I expect?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how protective J is of me. He is always getting after John or the other kids when they even tease me. My little boy that is just in love with me right now won't always be.

Ike is insane. I don't know what we are going to do with this child but he reminds me so much of his dad that I just can't help giggling at him sometimes.

And baby S stresses me out!! But I am so glad I have the opportunity to stay at home and kind of glad that she loves to be held, I only wish that holding included cuddling. Nope the girl with have none of it...she just wants to be in your lap so she can see what's going on. Oh, and that she thinks I am pretty much the only funny person on the planet.

So, in conclusion, I am losing it I'm sure, but baby S is not really the most convenient of babies, especially for baby #5, but I made it through another night and I am secretly grateful to have a day to just hang out with the kids, Sabbath or not.

kids

2012-01-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Christmas 2011

2012-01-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

This year we had the opportunity to stay in our own home for the blessed holiday. The kids made cookies, "gingerbread" houses and chose appetizers for dinner on Christmas Eve. They opened their new jammies and headed to bed. I actually had everything wrapped and ready to go so Santa just need to get everything out and stockings stuffed. I made it to bed fairly early.

A was the first one up...at 5 am I think it was. We told her to go back to sleep so she did....NOT. She proceeded to wake up every other child in the house. We all made it downstairs, read the Christmas story from the Bible, and A was pretty excited to pass out the gifts (J got to help). Some of the big winners this year were the bouncer for S. She was REALLY psyched about it.

E and Ike got a power wheel!! They were so excited when they finally figured what was in the big box. It wasn't wrapped but they totally didn't notice til Daddy started putting it together.

These two were also pretty excited about the Thomas, Lightning, and Mater playhuts that they got. J liked the remote control car and super hero stuff he got. And was thrilled with the MP3 player and sing along speaker she got. They are all spoiled!

We cleaned up a bit, I made (gasp!!) french toast and bacon, and we got ready for church. It was a lovely sacrament to remind us why we celebrate this season. Then we were able to host John's side of the family for an afternoon of eating and visiting and Christmas dinner. The only thing that would have made the day better was if we were able to see my side of the family too.

29 again

2012-01-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, early last month I had a birthday and my eldest has given me her express opinion that I should just be 29 again. It really was a WONDERFUL day. John had the day off and he and the kids treated me to breakfast in bed. Then older kids were off to school. The younger two came with us to the gym and later to do a bit of shopping. Then that night, John took me to a nice restaurant here in town. It was so delicious!! I had a great day and I was so thankful to have been able to spend it with my man! Thanks Babe for such a perfect day!

Big Man J

2011-12-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Well, we had yet another birthday recently. Due to yet another hospital stay for me, we paid to have his party somewhere to make John's life a little easier. He decided on a place here in town called Going Bonkers. It's an indoor playground with an arcade. He invited three friends, some cousins, a brother and a sister. I think that they all had a great time. J is really into super heroes right now, namely Thor and Captain America (notice the birthday shirt request), he was given a Captain America shield, Thor's hammer, Captain and Thor action figures (DO NOT call them dolls...he gets mad), a football jersey, a Spiderman shirt and car, and Grandma and Grandpa Love sent him some "cash" to pick out another toy, and Grandma Kathi got him some Angry Birds and a game to match. He was really excited for everything. When his actual birthday rolled around we had to cheer him up a bit because apparently it was "the boring-est birthday ever". Oh, how quickly the 6 year old forgets the big party six days earlier.

J is the sweetest kid. After his party, he promptly gave each of his brothers and sister one of the gifts he got...with the condition that he can play with it when he wants. He really is so kind to his siblings and tolerant of his little brother Ike that loves nothing more than to push his buttons, and of his older sister who constantly bosses him around. J is also a very smart child. He does great in school...when he can keep his bottom in the chair. He is reading and is so proud that he can count "so high". I love this little boy with all my heart and I am so grateful that his wonderful spirit was sent to our family. I pray everyday that John and I can be the parents that he needs. That he can learn to love the Savior and the people around him. That he can develop a desire to serve not only his fellow man but the Lord as well. To be kind and respectful, to learn and be humble. I am so grateful for all of my children and I know that J is a great example to all of his siblings. Love you Bud!!

Thanksgiving Eve

2011-11-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here we are (already?!) the day before Thanksgiving. I need to take this opportunity to post how grateful I am. I have a wonderful family, a home, food to eat, the Gospel, and the list could go on and on. These past few months have been so crazy for our little family. It's been one thing after another. Amidst everything else, I went in last Thursday to have yet another surgery done. I had a hernia (due to pregnancies) that needed to be repaired.

Considering that it's Thanksgiving, I need to tell all how grateful I am for my husband. He has been so wonderful through all of this. With three surgeries in three months, I have been out of commission for a lot of the time since I had Baby S. We have had a lot of help with the kids from my wonderful in-laws and John has been so great.

We have been married for over 9 years now and we have been through a lot. I am so grateful to have such a great man in my life. It's not very often that I am rendered useless in my own home but I have been several times lately and it has just made me realize, even more, what an amazing man I married. He is so fun and patient with the kids, done so much around the house, and has just been there for love and support. This last week, especially, he has been incredible. I am beginning to wonder what the surgeon told him after my surgery. ;-)

I really hate how Thanksgiving always gets skipped in anticipation for Christmas. I love this holiday and I know that it's so important to step back and realize how blessed we all are. I have so much to be grateful for and I am going to try harder to remember that throughout the year.

Daughters

2011-11-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

When I found out that our first baby was a girl, I was thrilled. Girls are very sparse in the Balsmeier family and I was so ecstatic to get one...my first too. Then with each subsequent pregnancy I prayed for another girl. Big Sis did too. She wanted a sister probably more than I wanted another girl. With the exception of J, she cried each time she found it would not be a sister she would be getting. Until pregnancy #5. After the ultrasound (during which I barely contained the tears), we went and got a big pink balloon and took it to her at school. The look on her face was hilarious...she didn't really get what was going on. After she figured it all out she was so excited!

Now that our Little Sis is here, A is in love with her. In fact, all the kids are. They all gather round and sing to her and talk to her, they all still get so thrilled whenever she smiles at them or 'talks' to them. All the older kids even argue over who gets to pick out her clothes for the day. What a lucky little girl she is!!

A while back A picked out these matching tutus and flowers. And I finally got around to taking them out to snap a few pictures of the Princesses. Aren't they beautiful!

October

2011-11-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

The beginning of October we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa in UT. I packed up the kids and drove out there (stopping in Denver half-way) and John joined us a week later. We spent time with G-ma and G-pa, saw new baby Baen and cousins, and we went up to ID to visit Aunt Jess and Uncle Travis and their adorable new baby. After John joined us, we were able to visit some of his extended family that lives that way. I always love going to visit my folks. They are amazing people and we always have such a great time.

We had a nice drive home, then it was time for Halloween. All that excitement started the Friday before the holiday at the church trunk or treat. A was a pirate, J a ninja, Ike a knight, E-man the elephant and S was the cutest lady bug ever. Even I dressed up...as a Goth person. I remember my parents would dress up a lot of the time while I was growing up and I thought that was so cool. I try to get into the fun and dress up and this year I just used some of the stuff I had and went as a Goth person. Black clothes, black hair, white-ish skin, nose ring, black lipstick...no one at church recognized me at first. Everyone had to do a double take to figure out who I was. Kids at church when they looked at me would get really wide eyes and back away.

John was actually able to join us but the party-pooper he is, he didn't dress up. He did decorate the trunk and got first place for the trunk decorating contest. Way to go Daddy-O!!

The Trunk or Treat was on Friday, then we had a Halloween party here at the house for the kids and their cousins. I decorated the dining room and we had some "spooky" foods for dinner and then we watched a movie.

Then on Monday, the kids had their costume parade and parties at school. Then we went trick or treating with our cousins. I think the kids had a fun Halloween and, boy, did we get a lot of candy!!

The Crazy Continues

2011-10-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

I never expected I would get appendicitis...but I did. A few weeks ago, I did. I went to the ER one morning with incredible pain in my side and left the hospital the next evening without an appendix. Fun times. Also in September, our little E-Man turned 2!! He is so adorable! He loves candy and throws massive tantrums. Like throw yourself on the floor and kick and scream kind of tantrums. E-man loves everything soft, including the cat...poor feline. This little guy has had a really rough time since baby girl came along but he adores her. I love that he is still baby chubby and has whispy baby hair that curls when it's wet. I love how he has to carry around every single toy car that we own...everywhere that he goes. I love him so much and I can not believe that he is already 2!

All of the in-laws came over for dinner and cake and ice cream. E-Town loved the cake and ice cream and all of his great gifts...aircraft carrier, lantern, car holder, stickers for his wall, Lightening McQueen, and a little laptop. Thanks everyone!! Happy (late) Birthday E-Man!!

Princess #1

2011-09-20T08:44:00.001-07:00

While I was in the hospital with Baby S, John took our eldest and seven of her little friends to celebrate her birthday! Due to the timing of everything this year, we decided to go ahead and dish out the cash for her to have a birthday party somewhere. She picked the Discovery Center here in town (it's a children's museum of sorts where they get to play and try all the exhibits and displays). Apparently, it was a great success. All her friends came, Daddy survived, the cake and pizza were good and she got everything her little heart desired. I am so sad I couldn't be there but I am grateful she had some time with her Dad. Oh, and a big thank you to the other adults that helped John out.

I did come home from the hospital later that day (Sat the 20th) and on Sunday we had family over for cake and ice cream. Aunt JJ made her a cake...she wanted a puppy cake.

Thanks J!! She was spoiled some more! There was a new bike, a guitar, Littlest Pet Shop Toys, a book or two...spoiled. She was very upset when Ike blew out her candles for her and we were all a little worried when Daddy decided to trip down the stairs and sprain his ankle. Anyway, despite one of the CRAZIEST weeks of our lives, I think she had a successful birthday.

A note to my daughter:
Abigail, you are one amazing girl. I remembering being so excited when I found out you were going to be a girl. My pregnancy and delivery with you were so smooth and you were such a good little baby. You were a little colicky for a little bit there but nothing some gas drops didn't relieve. You didn't stay a baby very long at all though. That is true for all babies, but it's magnified when you were walking at eight months and talking not long after that. You always wanted to be looking around and standing up and being involved. You are still that way. I am so proud of you. You do so well in school and I hope that you can continue to apply yourself there and enjoy the opportunity you have to expand your mind. You are a wonderful big sister and I am so grateful for all of your help. I want you to remember that you are just a kid though. Growing up seems like so much fun, and parts of it are, but you will be a grown up for the rest of your life...enjoy being a kid while you can. You are a very strong, opinionated person. Those traits will serve you well if you increase your knowledge and remember to be kind and Christ-like in your dealings with those around you. There is so much in store for you and I love watching you grow and learn and change. You are a daughter of God and therefore have divine potential. God made you the way you are and I pray that your father and I can do our best to teach you and guide you in the way Heavenly Father would like. We are not perfect but we love you and we are doing what is best for you. Remember that we are always here for you.
Mom

Back to School

2011-08-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

The 16th of August was the older two kids' first day of school. A started 2nd grade and J started kindergarten. A was not really excited at all which kind of surprises me. She has lots of friends and really excels academically. Despite my explanations to the contrary (and her own experience here at home), she is under the impression that we do some really awesome stuff here at home during the day and she misses out by going to school. I like to think that maybe she just misses me...who knows. J, on the other hand, was so excited to start. He was thrilled about everything related to starting school, and excited the morning of too. Here are my big school kids...

The first day went great. I am so glad it was not a repeat of last year. A actually had a good day...she has a really fun teacher and they have a bunny in the classroom that she just loves. J's teacher is such a sweet lady and I think she will be perfect for him. He was pretty overwhelmed the first couple of days and apparently knows the answers to all the questions so he has a hard time not blurting everything out. He is doing really well and adjusting to life at school. I almost didn't cry that first day...almost. They are just getting so big and I do love having them all home with me. I miss them while they are gone but I suppose it's something I better get used to.

PS Ike started preschool the day after I had the baby so all of his pictures are on John's phone still. He LOVES school and even more exciting...he gets to ride the BUS!! "That was so AWESOME!!!" were his exact words.

The New Princess

2011-08-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

SHE'S HERE!!!

I LOVE that they take decent pictures at the hospital these days!!

After no sleep last Tuesday night, we were up bright and early to deposit older children and made it to the hospital only 8 minutes late. We filled out the paper work, I got changed, and after poking (and bruising) me a number of times, the IV was in. My surgery was scheduled for 8:15am (we were there at 6:23) but it got pushed back for another c-section. We went back to the OR at about 8:40, they got the spinal in very quickly, did the other things to get me ready, and called John back.

SARAH KENDALL BALSMEIER

was born at 9:01am. She weighed 8lbs12oz and was 20in long.

The docs finished up with me and wheeled me to the recovery room where I finally got to hold her. Usually, you're in the recovery room for an hour but all the rooms were full. Apparently, everyone had a baby last week. After three or four hours in the recovery room, we finally got a real room (#425) that I would have for the next three days.

Things went really smoothly. My time in the hospital is always kind of bittersweet in a way. It's so nice to have nurses to care for me and someone else to cook and clean. It's a necessary time to let my body heal some but I miss my kids and my dear husband. My stay this time was very relaxing and much needed. I had some wonderful nurses and some not (ie Nurse Slacker and Nurse Nazi), but overall it was a nice time to relax, sleep and heal but I am always excited when it's time to come home.

I was actually looking forward for John to have some time with the kids....it never happens. He had quite an experience with them...

He was with me most of the day Wednesday. He left about 5 or so to go get all the kids from different places and brought them up to see me. A big thanks to my friend Katie and my SIL, Jennifer!!! They stayed for a bit to see us and take a few pictures then Daddy took them all home. On Thursday, we had an electrician to the house. The wiring in our home is a disaster and we kept having issues with it. John figured getting it done before I came home with a newborn was a good plan. Thursday was also Ike's first day of preschool!! He has been so excited. So the older three were at school and E went to Aunt J's house again while John and the electrician went to work on the house.

Thursday night there was a big storm. We lost power at the hospital for a couple hours and the house's power never came back on. John called me Friday morning with that news. He got the kids to school (all three at two different schools...Ike is supposed to ride the bus, but the school district screwed something up and it doesn't start til Wednesday), and came to the hospital when Ike got out of preschool at lunch time. Still no power at the house. E has been out of sorts for a few weeks now, but man...that kid was full out having issues. John got him to fall asleep in the chair in the hospital room. Ike was fine watching cartoons but I noticed he was talking funny. I check out his throat and see that his tonsils are so swollen they are almost touching in the back of his throat. John immediately takes Ike to the docs for them to do a swab and E stayed and slept at the end of my bed. John got Ike checked out then had to race to get ice in the fridge and freezers (still no power at the house) and then go get A and J. He came back to get E REALLY quickly and made the kids stay on the stroller in the hall so as not to spread more germs than necessary. Anyway, kids are out of sorts and ornery, no power at the house, a sick kid...John took the kids to dinner (which apparently was a terrible dining experience...not because of the kids) and got a hotel for the night.

On Saturday, we had A's birthday party. And by "we", I mean John. John got everything ready and made it to the party which was a big success. It's expensive, but paying to have the party somewhere was a wonderful convenience this time around. Then he came and got me and the baby from the hospital. The power did come back on sometime Friday night or we would have been going to the hotel. Luckily, we were able to come home. We hung out Saturday evening in peace...as much peace and four upset children can allow.

Sunday, the electrician was back to finish what they started on Thursday. So the power was on and off, so they could work, but it was a fairly calm day. That night we had family over for cake and ice cream for the newly-seven-year-old. The electrician hadn't finished yet, and our house is kind of small for that many people but I am so glad they were here. A was thrilled to see her cousins. I went downstairs to get the ice cream and noticed the wires and such, and the freezer covered in tools and what not, so I enlisted John to go get the ice cream...bad idea. He tripped on some of the wire and fell down the stairs!! Poor man. I felt so terrible and there wasn't much I could do to help him. His brother helped him up the stairs and into the recliner, and he iced it. He insisted he didn't need to go to the ER or anything.

We had cake and ice cream. And Ike and a few cousins helped her blow out the candles...we did candles again. Then A opened gifts. Dad and I got her a bike and Grandma Kathi and everyone got her a Littlest Pet Shop toy, a sticker book and a guitar!! The girl was thrilled.

The swelling went down in John's ankle and it seemed to be feeling better. We wrapped it and hoped it wasn't broken. It was great to have everyone over for our daughter and we were ready for kids to be in bed.

Wow. That was a CRAZY week!!! Actually, crazy doesn't begin to describe it. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband. He didn't complain once (other than mentioning that things were CRAZY!) and he handled it all so well. What a trooper! I know the kids were having such a hard time starting school, losing Mom for a few days, getting a new sibling, not being at home and everything else that happened last week, but they are such great kids. J is so sweet, A is a huge helper, Ike was fairly good considering his sickly state and E is not even 2 so we don't expect much. I love my children and I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Sarah and I are doing well. She eats great and sleeps wonderfully too. My body is healing as expected. We are all so excited to have her here with us. All the kids just adore her. A and J argue over who gets to pick her outfit! We are all just ready for life to settle down a bit.

One Week

2011-08-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

One week from today we will welcome our fifth (and last) child into the world. It's very surreal. I had my first child seven years ago this month....a beautiful baby girl. It only seems fitting that we end in August with another baby girl. We are all so very excited. It seems I have been constantly pregnant for the last seven years and I am pretty excited not to be as such again.

Being pregnant is not terrible, I just don't enjoy it all that much like I know a lot of ladies do. I don't like being tired or sick all the time, the swelling, sleepless nights, the heartburn, headaches, or backaches. I don't like that I can't get down and rough house with the very active children I already have. I don't like that I don't have the energy or my body is aching so badly that the thought of taking them to the park or the zoo or the pool is a daunting one. I don't like that my house is in constant disarray because of the same reasons. Although, knowing the date and time of delivery is convenient, I do not enjoy going through major surgery every time. The recovery is dreadful. I do LOVE, however, the feel of the little human that we created moving inside my abdomen. I do love knowing that I have been given the opportunity to bring 5 of our Father in Heaven's spirits into this world. I love bringing a new baby home from the hospital and adjusting my life to accommodate another little miracle. I do love the excitement that's involved in the whole process. I do LOVE my children with every ounce of my being and I am so incredibly blessed to have them.

I know that this chapter of our lives is coming to an end and I am really trying to relish it and remember. Remember the feel of her kicks and even all the things I don't enjoy so much. I know I will miss them someday. I look at my eldest and remember what I can of when we brought her home, when she first smiles and laughed. She is only seven (almost) and still she has grown so much. It seems like she came into our lives only yesterday but at the same time, I can hardly remember life with out her. I remember my parents telling me that time goes faster the older you get...it's so true. My kids are growing so fast and I won't be having any more to rewind the process, so to speak. I am truly trying to relish the precious time I have with this pregnancy and with each of my kids.

I have a friend who said once, "I am ready to stop having kids and start raising the ones I have." I know what she meant now. While bringing those precious spirits here is so exciting and important, we both feel like our family is complete and we have done that work. I am excited to bring this princess home and enjoy how she fits into the dynamics of our family. I am excited that it's a girl I will be bringing home this time. I am excited for the soft sweet baby skin and experience all the "firsts" all over again. I am excited to have my body back, even if just to a slight degree at first. I am excited for all the things that growing up means. Trying to raise responsible, kind, faithful, honest people is a daunting and frightening task, but I am excited for it.

another post?!

2011-08-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

I know it's crazy. More than one post in a month....crazy stuff. I figured I better get 'caught up' before I have this baby. Also, my mom wants to see pictures!

Well, we did get another ultrasound. I was pretty excited because I was sure I wouldn't get another. The doc wanted to see how big she is getting though. They estimated her at about 7 1/2 lbs and that was at 36 weeks. HA! Why do I have such huge babies? I kind of like that they come out with some chubs though. I got a new pink swing and a new pink carseat...I have a problem, I know. And the nursery is all done and ready for the princess to make her debut.

The baby bedding was not difficult to do and I think it turned out well. Thanks Mom for the fabric! I have also made the baby several blankets, onesies, leggings and hairbows/flowers. I have also finished the birthday shirts for A and E as I didn't think that they would get done so soon after the baby. All I have left on my to do list is some cleaning. Only 2 weeks and 2 days!!!

J's News

2011-07-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

The reason the kids got their medals and treat on the second to last game was because of my son...J was having surgery the day before the last game was scheduled. The only other exciting thing that happened around here this summer was J's tonsillectomy. That's right, the boy is now missing body parts. The poor kid has snored since he was 18 months or so and has always had HUGE tonsils. After noticing that he rouses at night and doesn't seem to get a deep sleep very often, we opted to have them removed to see if that helps his sleeping at night.

Here he is all ready to go in the morning with Ruff Ruff (the mangy stuffed dog).

He is all decked out and watching cartoons before they take him back and start.

This is him right afterwards in the recovery room. He was so sad and miserable. He was put to sleep for the procedure and was given much drugs through the IV. When he started to wake, he was very uncomfortable and fussy for a bit and then fell asleep. We sat in the recovery room for another hour or so while he slept, drank some fluids and had his first dose of the painkillers that we would have at home. He got to ride out front to the car in a wheel chair and we were of to the store to get his prescription. He was complaining that his tummy was feeling bad but we made it to the pharmacy and the drive thru for a milkshake and then home without incident. He took a nap and spent most of the rest of the day trying to screw around and not sit still and rest. That definitely caught up with him later that night. Besides having to wake him a number of times for his meds, he woke MANY times very upset and needed to drink a bit and calm down before sleep came again. He also awoke to vomit much blood. Yuck. The next couple days he sat around and did nothing like a good little patient and the nights continued to be miserable for him. We actually slept downstairs so not to wake the rest of the fam. After about seven days or so he stopped waking at night. And now almost two weeks later, he is his normal rambunctious self.

Summer 2011

2011-07-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

This summer has been extremely uneventful. We usually have swim lessons and a fun Fourth, then we head to UT to visit Grandma and Grandpa. In UT we do all kinds of fun stuff and eventually head down to Lake Powell to camp and boat for a week. This summer...not so much. This baby just doesn't have great timing.

Therefore, this summer we haven't done anything really. We have made it to the zoo a couple times, the pool a bunch of times, the cupcake shop, Grandma Kathi's, hung out with cousins and friends, and that is about it really. Mommy has done a lot of sewing and crafting, the kids played in the backyard, Daddy's store opened, and A and J actually got to stay at Grandma Kathi's for a few days on their own.

There have been a few new things...the two older kiddos did T-ball this summer. From the very first practice, the coaches were very impressed with A's athletic ability. J was not diggin' it at first but by the end, he was really enjoying "hitting the ball hard"...which he did very well. A enjoyed the sport the whole time and really loved that she learned to throw the ball well, play first base a bunch and run faster than all the other kids. It really was a fun time watching all these 4-6 year old kids trying to hit the ball and run in the right direction, or miss the "grounder" and all run after it like a herd of cattle, or fight over the ball so they can throw it to first.

They were super psyched to get medals and popsicles at their last game. Well, it turned out to be at the second to last game, but that's for the next post....

Swimming Lessons

2011-07-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the summer, A, J and I all did swim lessons. A and J did them last year and they both LOVE the water. I was a little worried about the third child. He seemed a little nervous the first day but, after that, he did great. It turns out, he loves the water too.

ME

2011-07-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

After church today, my wonderful sister in law was kind enough to document my pregnancy for me. We took my fancy camera and just messed around in her yard. I noticed that most of the simple editing I have done in the last two hours was not saved. Grrrr. And I have decided that I like the pictures without my round face in them!! Here are some of my faves...

Pink

2011-06-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

So I am finally having another girl. What other color could I paint the nursery?

We have a home that was built in the 1920's and therefore, has a lot of character...and also some oddities. This little room upstairs is, of course, the nursery. It's a small room with built ins and a slanted ceiling. It works perfectly for a nursery. I have been so excited to do this room for the new princess and I finally started it...and almost finished it. It's painted (thanks for the help Jennifer), and most of the decorative things are roughly in place. I did move the crib and changing table in there as well after I took these pictures. All that's left is making the bedding for the crib (right now there is simply a blue sheet and an adorable little boy still sleeping in it...in the pink room. I don't think he will be scarred too badly). There you have it folks, the beginnings of the last nursery I will ever do. I will post pics of the finished product.

MT and UT

2011-05-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the month we went to MT for my brother in laws wedding, then we headed down to UT to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Love. We left at 9pm one night and drove for about 16 or 17 hours (and by "we drove" I mean John drove). The temple is in Billings so that was the first stop for the sealing and what not. It was so amazing to be able to be there to celebrate Scott and Laura. They are such wonderful people and make a beautiful couple. We also had the opportunity to stay with some friends from the good 'ole days in El Paso. The Tilleys were so wonderful, letting John and I and the kids take over their basement, feeding us and even offering to watch the kids for us. We stayed with these exceptional people for a couple days and then drove to Bozeman for the reception that night. First, we moved the happy couple's things into their new place then we changed and headed to the reception. The kids had a great time eating all the ice cream in the place and coloring on everything in sight. John and I didn't actually stay very long...we were headed for Rexburg, ID to stay with Aunt Jessie and Uncle Travis for the night before heading to UT.

So we left. Drove some more (a drive that would be beautiful to take during the day) and landed in Rexburg. The next morning we just had to try one of the great food places they have there. They actually opened early just for us! I am pretty sure it was worth their while because we wanted to try everything on the menu. Then I just HAD to go to Porters. I LOVE that place! Then we had to get out of town.

We drove another 3 hours and finally made it to Grandma and Grandpa's. That same afternoon was the baby shower my mom was throwing for my sisters and I. It was SO MUCH FUN!! Almost all of my extended family lives in UT so it was kind of a family shower. I got to see cousins, aunts, and uncles that I don't get to see nearly often enough. It was fun, good food, and I did get some cute pink things!! Thanks again everyone.

The next day was John's nephews baby blessing. We went down for their sacrament meeting and enjoyed the wonderful blessing and spending time with some more family. Given that it was also Mother's Day, we again didn't stay very long...we headed back to Ogden. My beautiful daughter made me some wonderful gifts for Mother's Day and my little sis and her husband made a delicious dinner for my mom.

I didn't take very many pictures at all. Especially, in MT. The rest of our stay in the Beehive State will be reserved for another post, this is getting long already...

Gifts for a baby boy

2011-05-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

While I am super excited to be expecting a girl, I was really psyched to make baby boy stuff for my sister in law. We spent a few weeks out of town, part in MT and part in UT (I will post about that soon) and while we were there my wonderful mother threw a baby shower for my sister, sister in law and myself. It was such a blast!!! For my sister in law, who we know is having a boy, I made a few cute things for her...

As for my sis, I decided to wait until she knows the gender to make or get her anything. Her ultrasound is on Monday and we are all really excited to hear some good news!

The shower really was such a great time. It was wonderful to spend time with so many family members that we don't get the chance to see very often. Thank you everyone for coming, thank you Aunt Linda for the use of your beautiful home and thank you Mom for putting it on!!

Easter

2011-04-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

Easter this year started the weekend before at the Easter Activity at church. There was a wonderful program, good food and the kids got to put together a nice Easter FHE activity. We did that scripture activity for FHE on Monday. The "festivities" were pretty low key. On the 23rd, we stayed home all day except for a nice egg hunt with the neighbors. We also dyed eggs that night...

(E was pretty upset that he wasn't allowed to 'help' after he dumped an entire bowl of dye all over himself and the table)

Sunday morning the kids got up and got to find their baskets. That was a new thing at our house and they thought it was a pretty fun time.

My Mom's package also came on Saturday. Just in the nick of time for the kids to look adorable on Easter Sunday...

We hung out at the house and enjoyed a quick visit from Grandma Kathi, Aunt Jordan, Uncle Blake and Rori. Then we had our first Easter dinner at home.

(I made ham, au gratin potatoes and kid's choice of vegetable...corn on the cob. Not very fancy but it was yummy and nice to have our own holiday dinner)

After dinner, we made resurrection rolls. The kids really enjoyed making them and seeing the "trick" at the end. I think that we will do them again. Then the Easter scripture chase again and kids in bed.

For our first major holiday at home as a family, it was a success. Daddy didn't work so he was able to come to church and spend time with us. I am so grateful for my family and, of course, the opportunity to celebrate the resurrection of my Savior.

Boys...?

2011-04-22T20:56:00.001-07:00

On certain Fridays I help my friend Katie with selling snacks for the PTO after school. I usually have the boys with me and A comes up front and meets us when her class lets out. Today was no different...J was being wild and crazy, Ike was being three and E just throws a fit for more fruit snacks the whole time. I am beginning to question what kind of "help" I actually am.

After we finished up, we let the kids play on the playground. The two little boys spent most of the time on the slide...fighting.

And we have a closer look...

When we first made it outside, all the boys immediately found the puddle of rain water at the bottom of the slides. Apparently, Ike's pants couldn't take the weight of the water. He really didn't mind though.

E spent the other half of his time sitting in the mud or laying on the ground trying to lick up the water puddles. He was covered in mud and I have no idea what he is going to catch from all that puddle water, but he enjoyed himself.

J made some new friends and they played Superheroes the entire time. He did actually "save E's life". J caught the baby boy right as he fell off the monkey bars...way to go Big Bro!

And A spent her time running around with her sweet friend...such a contrast from those crazy boys.

The kids had fun playing, and I love being able to sit and chat with a friend. Thanks Katie and Rachel for a nice afternoon at the playground! (and the post idea)!

What a Sight

2011-04-17T00:17:00.001-07:00

I wore a white shirt today. A white shirt that is cute and still fits for the moment, but it's WHITE. I don't like white shirts. Scratch that, I do like white...nice, fresh, clean, and bleach works wonders. The problem arises when I have the shirt on for a total of five minutes and it's already dirty. I, apparently, am a slob. After 30 minutes, the original color of the shirt is a distant memory.

I looked in the mirror this evening and saw a shirt that I remember as being white when I put it on, but is no longer. I saw that I have mascara, juice, smeared muffin, boogers, chocolate, dirt, mac and cheese, ketchup, blood, something sticky, grease, marker, a sticker, some dinner, and drool that was some odd color on my shirt (my pants too). I stood in front of that mirror feeling a little embarrassed I went throughout the day like this and my dear husband has to come home to such a sight. I stood there wishing my face wasn't expanding along with my waistline, that my skin was clearer, that my hair would cooperate, that my tummy would start to look more pregnant instead of just fat at this point, that I really need a tan and some sleep, that I had bought more stain remover, and that I had known I looked such a wreck.

My hairdryer on the wall reminded me that my hair was done this morning, but I laid down with A for a nap. Then I remembered that I have mascara on my shirt because I dropped the little wand mid-stroke as I heard a LOUD crash this morning, followed by screaming and crying. I have blood on my shirt from comforting my daughter as her brother had just climbed on, and ultimately pulled over on top of her, her tall desk. I have juice on me because, along with the aforementioned crisis, I was trying to bake bread, feed and clothe four children and myself in an hour so we could get where we needed to be this morning. Ketchup and mac-and-cheese because a lovey three year old has to give me kisses 379 times during lunch alone, marker and a sticker because my five year old just had to have my help while he made a picture, dinner mostly because cooking just gets a little messy with everything else going on and a belly that touches the stove (already!), and pink-ish orange drool because the happy and adorable E just adores starburst candy and cuddling on my shoulder. And the list could go on.

There is evidence on my shirt of what my day has played out to be...a day like any other around here. Evidence that I have one rambunctious five year old, a sweet toddler, a baby with a bit of a cold and teeth coming in, a daughter that will be upset with her brother for a while, and that I am in the process of growing another precious girl. Evidence that I am a mom. Someday I will be able to stand in front of the mirror at the end of the day with a shirt that is still white and I will wish that it wasn't.

A Glimpse

2011-04-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

This week and last I have been watching my niece. It has been really interesting for me actually. I have been carting around and caring for 5 children the last two weeks (basically). Short of the fact that Aurora and E are almost the same age, that is what my life will be like in a few months. Of course, having a newborn is a lot different than a 15 month old, but our new one won't stay tiny forever and this life of 5 kids is fast approaching.

In other news... we found out today that John got a promotion at work. We are both very excited for this change and we are incredibly grateful for this blessing. This good news means a raise and, hopefully soon, not so many hours at work for John. He has been working so much in the last couple years that the kids, especially A in school, don't see him much at all and I am usually asleep when he finally gets home most nights. I am really hoping it won't be much longer before he can attend church with us again too. Sacrament meeting with 4, soon to be 5, little kids is really not that much fun. Again, we feel incredibly blessed by our Father in Heaven and we are so excited for the positive changes this should bring to our family.

I am thinking PINK

2011-03-29T21:48:00.002-07:00

As mentioned before, we had the ultrasound today. Actually we almost didn't. For my own journal-ing purposes here's the story...

I had sooo been looking forward to my appointment today or dreading it-depending on how you look at it. The ultrasound was scheduled for 10am and then my appointment with the doc directly after. John and I showed up about 10 minutes early and checked in. The nurse called us back to a regular room shortly after. I mentioned that I was supposed to be having the u/s and she just shrugged and said, "Well, it shows here that that appointment was at 9:30 so we'll have to reschedule." I was not a happy camper. I stuttered over my words in explaining that was not what I had scheduled...she didn't say anything. Then she had the audacity to ask for my urine sample (gross, I know, but that's the way it is). I, not quite politely, informed her that I did not because I was expecting an ultrasound. This means, for those of you who don't know, that my bladder is full in a BIG way. I am assuming that she does know this, working in an OB office and all. She didn't do anything other than shrug and mutter that it was no biggie and the doc would be in soon. Oh. My. Goodness. I do not like that nurse.

Anyway, the doc came in a few minutes later (while I am seething with unhappiness) and gave me a strange look. I explained what was going on and she said she would go talk to the tech. She did and apparently, the appointment after me was transferred to KC so she was open for the next little while. Score for us. We walk down to the u/s room and the tech mentions to me that she may not be able to see everything because they usually do u/s at 20 or 21 weeks as opposed to 18 weeks like I am. Seriously? The tech was actually very good, I've had her before and I like when she does my u/s.

The first thing she checked was the gender and, lo and behold, it's a GIRL. She did all of the boring work like making sure the baby is healthy and has all of her parts. Then checked again for those all important girl parts. By the end of the u/s she was kicking and wiggling and trying to 'swim' away from the pressure of the sensor on my belly. She was very upset we had bothered her so long. It was so incredibly cute. Then it was back to the exam room for a quick chat with the doc and we were outta there.

I woke up this morning with the distinct feeling, for the first time, that if this baby was a boy that our family would still be complete and that I would not be disappointed with that news. At first, when she told us that it was a girl, I thought she's just got it wrong and there really are boy parts in there somewhere. The tech assured us that she would not tell us a girl just by lack of boy parts, but that she distinctly saw girl parts...the first and second time she checked.

We left there, went and got a balloon and stopped by A's school to give her the news. We snuck up behind her at recess and she had no clue what was going on. Strange, given the huge balloon, the huge pink teddy bear inside it and the "baby girl" written across it. A did catch on and the look on her face was priceless. John and I went to pick up the boys and they were just fascinated by the huge balloon. It made no difference what color the teddy bear inside was.

Well, that's the story... which probably isn't that interesting to everyone but it was a pretty roller coaster morning for me. I remember going from such anger and irritation to such overwhelming joy when she said "girl". I did get a little teary-eyed but I did not cry. We are so relieved that the baby is as healthy as they can tell at this point and I got some really great pictures of my baby girl...including a perfect shot of her foot and toes.
I am so happy that my little princess will get the sister that she has been wanting ever since I was pregnant with Ike. When she (she had just turned 3) found out Ike was a boy she asked, "So does that mean that we get rid of Jake? Can we throw him away?"

I also must admit that I am very pleased to be able to make and shop for things in pink!!

I don't know...

2011-03-26T12:09:00.002-07:00

I was thinking that I should post something, but I have no idea what...

We had a nice relaxing Spring Break...I love having A home all the time. We hung out with friends, and Daddy, we went to Manhattan for a night to see G-ma Kathi, and A got to spend a lot of time with a wonderful friend.

We seeded a big part of the front yard, and I think it may have died already. Hopefully not, but the freezing weather making another appearance can't help the poor grass.

The most exciting thing in my life right now is the upcoming ultrasound for baby number 5. I am feeling all kinds of things...I am excited, anxious, not excited, and just not wanting to have it for fear of hearing something I don't want to hear. There are a number of things a woman doesn't want to hear/see at an ultrasound. I always get a little anxious that there will be a problem with the baby but this time it's more stuff like "baby is not cooperating, I can't see the gender" or "everything looks great...you won't be getting another u/s" or "it's a boy". With every child so far they have been able to see the gender in the u/s and every subsequent one. I have already posted about our "luck" with ultrasounds. I have had the wonderful opportunity to see our babies SEVERAL times before they are born for fear of complications of some kind, but all have been born perfectly perfect.

I am just hoping that they will be able to see the gender, that I will maybe get another u/s at some point (not that I want something to be wrong with my precious unborn), and yes, I am REALLY hoping for a girl. I have two sisters myself and I would really love for my Princess to have at least one. Don't get me wrong, I adore every single one of my Frog Princes and I will be ecstatic to have another boy. We have been so blessed with four healthy children and I hope that streak continues. Not to mention the fact that I (and the princess) adore everything pink and lacey and little girl adorable. Oh and each of the kids (we'll just assume E too, although he does not express his wishes) wants a little sister. When the three oldest say prayers for meals or family prayers, they all pray that "Mommy can have a baby girl and our Aunt Jessies can have baby boys." SO CUTE!

Anyway, no matter what they can tell me, the ultrasound is this coming Tuesday. I am already losing sleep over it!!

When you know...you know.

2011-03-12T19:21:00.003-07:00

I have noticed that there is a certain instinct that comes with being a Mom. By no means am I an expert of any sort, but there is a little feeling that I get. Like what the infant is crying for (food, sleep, etc.), or that the silence of a toddler is not always a good sign, or when a baby has a simple cough or is really sick, or when the older child is not telling you the whole story, or when something bad has happened and they're not sure if they can/should tell you, and the list could go on. There are always certain signs too...lethargy and lack of appetite in a severely sick child, shoe polish on the wall after said silence, a lack of eye contact when "finished" with the aforementioned kind of story, or the look in their eyes of embarrassment and hurt and sadness.

I also experience this feeling when things just simply aren't as they should be. You know, like something is off, wrong, not as I left it. For example...

Exhibit A

When I come up the stairs to go to bed and see my door in this position, I get that feeling. That feeling that I will walk to the bedroom at the end of the hall and see this...

Exhibit B

The empty toddler bed that a certain three year old was tucked in to a matter of hours ago. And that feeling intensifies. I know that I will go back to that closed door, open it and find...

Exhibit C

That cute little boy snoozing in my bed!!

This is just a silly example that happens with my third-born fairly often but I have had some very real and very difficult experiences with this 'Motherly instinct'. I am sure to have countless more given that my children are young, but the one thing I have learned is to LISTEN to that instinct...it's almost ALWAYS right.

The Cut

2011-03-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

I have had requests to post pictures of my hair cut....

So this is it. For the first time ever, I didn't really want to cut it. But it needed to be done. I think that may be why I am not so keen on it. Oh, and the stylist was TERRIBLE. Anyway, I will let it grow some and maybe find someone good to cut it right. In the mean time, it's hair and it works without looking too terrible.

Ugh

2011-03-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

Life is pretty boring around here. I am slowly feeling better every day and all the kids are healthy at the moment. We went to the circus the other day and I totally forgot my camera. We had gotten the tickets for free but softie Dad paid for the kids to do everything there was to do once we were in the doors. Elephant rides, light up swords and all the overpriced food they could eat. The kids did great and we all had a blast.

I did, in fact, cut my hair short. I didn't really want to but the mop definitely needed a new start. I don't have pictures because I am not really digging it. The lady was not good (I really need to find a stylist I like and trust) and could not even understand what I wanted, much less accomplish it. After three redoes with her, I was done.

Exciting life, I know.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

The most exciting part of V Day was the party at A's classroom. I am a room parent and my so wonderful co-room parent really has been doing most of the work, so I was excited to finally be able to help with something. Anyway, A's hair was done and she was off.

I organized and did the craft for the class. They decorated and ate cupcakes, along with other goodies and then they passed out their Valentine cards. Oh my. That is an event. Her class has 26 students, that is a lot of cards for them to pass out. Anyway, we finished up, cleaned up and we were off... to Kansas City that is.

Yeah, that was our family activity for this romantic holiday. It all started forever ago when John mentioned he wanted a Suburban. It was easy to dismiss his manly ridiculousness because there was NO need for a vehicle that large and I was perfectly in love with the Odyssey. Well, when we found out we were expecting child number 5...the need was there, much to my my dismay. Now, a minivan seats seven, no problem right? Well, the problem arises when we travel. With my parents in UT, we travel long distances at least a couple times a year. Every time we do we don't have enough room. What with car seats, diapers, strollers, bouncers, suitcases, camping stuff and the stuff I buy while I am there that I have to get home, the minivan just doesn't cut it. We don't bring everything I would like and I end up leaving stuff that doesn't fit on the way back. To be honest, I can't even fit all the groceries back there when I go grocery shopping every couple of weeks.

Anyway, John pushed for a Suburban and I conceited that he might have a point about the cargo space. So on V Day we headed out to look at one that we thought to be very promising. Nope. I sat in that thing and I was sure there was NO WAY I was trading my van for this. So we headed to dinner and then home. The next day John was off so we headed down to Wichita to look at another one that we were really interested in. It was a little older but in great condition and had way less miles on it. We checked it out, drove it around, then drove it home. We really got a wonderful deal on The Beast and we sold our Odyssey last night and were able to save some money in the process. I am adjusting to driving something bigger all the time and the van will be missed. Here is The Beast...

Sorry the pics are in the garage. I am just not that excited about it to put any effort into the pictures. So V-day was non existent here. John and I didn't even say "Happy Valentine's Day" to each other. Sad. We were just busy I guess. Next year will just have to be extra special.

Birthday

2011-02-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

The two year old is now three!! As mentioned before, we were going to take the kids to a certain children's pizza joint but, with the stomach bug going around here last week, we decided not to go. Grandma Kathi came up and we had cake and ice cream for lunch last Saturday. He got some really awesome books from Grandma, a new GeoTrax train set, and some Buzz toys. Grandma and Grandpa Love's gift hasn't gotten here yet but the excitement will all be renewed when he gets a package in the mail.

Isaac is a handful. He is impatient, stubborn and he doesn't listen. Sounds like a two year old, right? He is also a sweet little boy. He still likes to cuddle and rub someone's ear. He adores his sister and brothers as long as they don't bother him...the affection must be on his terms. He is learning to count and say the alphabet right now but he still has a hard time with his colors. Ike loves all things Buzz, Lightning or Thomas. He is also conviced the cat must be locked in the basement at all times. Isaac is such a wonderful part of our family and I am so grateful to have him in my life. Happy Birthday Boy!!

PS His wrist is doing fine. I took off that fancy splint the other day and he has acted like nothing happened. I had to cancel his appt. on Tuesday so we'll see what the doc says when he does see him. I am guessing he was just sore and afraid it was going to hurt because now you wouldn't even know he had hurt it at all.

Not Much

2011-02-04T11:02:00.002-07:00

As in...not much is going on around here....still. Life is just sit back and not do much. I am still not feeling well at all. I have actually had a few OK days which have been welcome. I just picked up the last prescription for the progesterone which means I only have three more weeks on it. Once I am done with that, I should start feeling much better. Three more weeks!!

In other news, we are getting ready for A's Valentine party at school on the 14th and I's birthday coming up next week. He has decided on a Batman birthday shirt (we'll see if/how that turns out) and a Woody and Buzz cake. With John's crazy schedule, we just decided to take the kids to Chucky Cheese for lunch and maybe do the cake and presents there after we eat. The kids don't know yet, but I am sure anything that involves Chucky Cheese will be a-o-k.

J started karate last week and he loves it. I was really worried when we showed up, he was in such a bad mood. But he really enjoyed it and is excited to learn more. We are really hoping it will help him to focus all his crazy boy energy and teach him some patience and practice listening to a teach. He is also looking forward to some T-ball this summer and a basketball clinic coming up in a couple weeks. I just hope they go better than soccer last year. A is excited to try her hand at tennis and softball this coming spring and summer. She really loved soccer last year too so we might try a shorter season somewhere of that also.

So we're not doing much right now, but we're all excited for the coming spring season when Mommy is feeling better, the weather clears up and we have some fun activities going on.

The last two weeks at our house

2011-01-10T19:55:00.001-07:00

The last two weeks have been very strange. So, it's out there...I am pregnant and I am so miserable. I know this is normal goings on in early pregnancy, but this time around it has been worse...much worse. It all started the day that our company left. I am so grateful for that. It would have been terrible for them to come visit a cranky vegetable. I sit on my couch all day with a migraine that nothing I can take will make go away, and nausea that never lets up. 'Morning' sickness would be a welcome event at this point. I have done practically nothing for the past two weeks. I just can't handle it! There is so much to do and I am just so sick and lightheaded and tired all the time to do any of it. I go to bed every night thinking and praying that the next day will be better. That no matter how awful I feel I will mop the floors, play games with and read stories to the kids, make a decent meal, take the kids somewhere fun, do preschool with J, or fold the laundry that's been sitting in the living room. Then it takes all my effort to get out of bed the next morning, get A ready and to school, and maybe get lunch and dinner made for the kids. MY HOUSE IS A DISASTER and my kids have watched WAY too much TV. A even had a snow day today. John got up with all of them and I actually got to go back to sleep. Later, I managed to gather all the gear up for them to head out into the winter wonderland, got them ready and resumed my position on the couch. Then they came in begging for me to come out with them....ah man! I tried, I really tried. After, very slowly, putting on all my gear, all I could do was just stand there in the snow. They kept asking to play games or a snowball fight...nope, all I could do was stand there.

I have a really hard time having such a mess in the house and 'ignoring' the kids and not feeling up to doing anything about it. It actually makes me feel upset at myself and....guilty. Mommy DOESN'T get sick. Maybe a runny nose, a cough... you know, mild stuff....but not SICK. I am having an internal struggle with myself. "I am the Mom, I can't just lay around and be sick" and "I am not feeling well, this never happens" and "I am just preggo and this will (hopefully) only last another month" and " there is no way this family is going to make it like this for another month" or "I don't care if you don't feel well, do something with the kids, no more movies for them, you're going to damage their brains" and "oh my gosh, my head is going to explode" and "I really just wish I would throw up already, at least that would be some relief, however brief".

I am not trying to complain. In fact, I am so happy to be pregnant, I am just a little shocked that it has been the worst pregnancy so far. I know that some women have it so much worse and I know that I am blessed. Anyway, I know that it is what it is. I would really like to, on the record, apologize to my husband and children. I am sorry for the mess in the house and the obscene amounts of television. I hoping it will not produce life-long scars. I would like to thank John endlessly for making some of the meals and doing most of the dishes for the past week (The most housework he's done in the last 8 years!!) and just being patient with such an incredibly cranky and miserable wife every day. Please, try to understand I am not making your life miserable on purpose...I love you all and this is only temporary, I promise.
.

What?

2011-01-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I just posted yesterday. What kind of crazy shenanigans are going on around here. Well, I will tell you. Tonight was one of those nights. If you are a parent, you know what I mean. I have posted about how my life is crazy (not me) before and tonight was one of those nights.

It started out promising. A was in a good mood when she came home from school (she usually is) and the kids, all of them, played in the backyard while I laid on the couch. Blissful. Then they came in and played nicely in the toy room. Wonderful. Then it was time to make dinner...queue craziness. E for some reason breaks down at dinner time. I start to make dinner and he, all of a sudden, cannot live with out me. He cries, claws at my legs, follows me around and trips me. The. Entire. Time. Tonight was no exception. Luckily, we were having tacos...pretty easy. So it was about time to eat and E followed the other kids into the dining room and thought he could sit at the table like a big boy and even attempt to pour himself some juice apparently. There goes the entire gallon of juice all over the table. Fun times.

After dinner, I decides that he is going to shove three large baby carrots in his mouth at once and nearly joke a few times in the process. I finally make him SIT and finish what's in his mouth. This is all while he is crying about a toy that won't stay put together. Then the kids all wanted the tattoos they got for Christmas on. I know I doesn't really like them but he persists. Then has huge hysterics when the temporary tattoo is already in place. "It hurts" and "I dont' want it" and crying and screaming. My explaining to him that it will wash off in a couple of days and if I scrub it off now it will hurt (I don't have any rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover right now). So A, being the helpful big sis she is, takes him to the bathroom and starts trying to scrub it off for him. That didn't go over well either.

The little boys went to bed (we have taken I's binky away and bedtime wasn't pretty tonight for him...or me) and all I had to do was get the older two to brush their teeth and get jammies on. It would have been great if it hadn't have taken them 20 min to 'brush' their teeth, or when A knocked the crystal doorknob off into the toilet. J has a problem. He can remember EVERYTHING, except to flush the toilet. That crystal doorknob and, subsequently, my hand was met by an extremely unpleasant surprise in that toilet. While J can't remember to flush, he does remember to wipe and he was VERY thorough this time. I extricated the doorknob and flushed the toilet. Not good. The entire roll of toilet paper he used to get the job done, did not want to go down. The toilet over flows all over the bathroom with disgusting water from the toilet and the plunger is downstairs. I make a mad dash for the basement to get it and find that all of that mess was dumping into the basement now. In the cat's food no less. Along with the washer and dryer and the floor and everything else in the vicinity. Oh. My. Gosh.

All this was going on, and A is just getting upset left and right asking, "Mommy, why are you so upset at us?" Well...well...Mommy was just not a happy camper this evening. I am really not sure how to explain to a 6 year old that I have just had my limit for the day and I am not upset at them, I am just done, ya know. I tried, I hope she understood, I had a nice cuddle session with each of them as I tucked them in and here I am.

Tonight was crazy. It was one of those nights that I REALLY wish my husband were home. It was one of those nights that I was asking myself "Am I really ready to do this all over again?" That's right people...we are expecting....again. It has taken us a while and some medical help, but we are expecting. I am not far along at all and I normally don't 'announce' it to the world this early. A friend mentioned that it is kind of nice for people to know why I am miserable and cranky and tired all the time....and I am. That is why I was so happy when the kids entertained each other so beautifully for a couple of hours this afternoon...I got to lay on the couch. I know they are just kids and none of what went on this evening was any one's fault and that I am so much more irritable right now. I LOVE my children so entirely. I am so grateful to have so many little ones in my home and in my care. I love that they have each other to play with and that they all just adore each other (most of the time). I know that I will laugh about tonight at some point, but for now I am grateful they are in bed this evening and that my hubs is finally home.

It's All Over

2011-01-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

Well, the holidays are over. We had such an amazing time. My parents, my grandmother and my two sisters and their families came to visit us for a while. It was so much fun!! They all rolled into town early morning on the 23rd and we made preparations for the big day. Christmas Eve was crazy trying to get things ready for the next day, we always make gleise (a german soup), we had a gingerbread house competition, and the kids get to open their one gift.

Every 'family' had their own house to do and great grandma was the judge. This was ours...it's not actually finished in this picture. It really doesn't matter, it wasn't really that pretty. Of course, Mom and Dad (mostly dad) had all these huge plans (they ended up with Shrek's swamp), Jess and Travis made the Rexburge temple, Manda and Terron did the house kit and it turned out really cute. John and I decided to just let the kids do whatever they wanted to do to it...you could totally tell. We lost the competition to the Temple, but the kids had a blast and everyone is already planning for next year.

Don't they look adorable in their new jammies?! They were all so ornery. Trying to get them to even sit next to each other and look at the camera....not fun. They LOVED having everyone in town, but their schedule and bedtime and normal routine went out the window. They were pretty excited for the visit from SANTA but they went to bed pretty easily.

This was the scene when they came down (at 5:30am...thanks Jess!!!)

They are four of the most spoiled kids on the planet!! The kids came in at ...ahem...5:30am. And then by the urging of the seven other adults in the house already situated around the tree downstairs, the kids kept coming up to bug us. I think we finally came down at 6:30...I don't really remember. We read the Christmas story out of Luke in the Bible and then the older kids got to pass out the loot.

The rest of their visit was filled with shopping, watching some TV, playing cards, eating and working on my house. My wonderful parents bought and installed a new ceiling fan in my kitchen with other lighting, a knob in my van and purchased a new bookshelf for my living room and helped me re-situate my house. It was such a wonderful visit from all of them. I miss my family dearly and I wish my children had the opportunity to see them more often. I am so grateful that they all travelled so far (my 90 year old grandma lives in Washington State) to visit us. It meant so much!! Thank you for visiting and for all that you do for us! We love you and we miss you already.

The big day

2010-12-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well, my big day has come and gone. I am another year older. Not really, I decided I am just going back to 25...and staying there. I always kind of get my hopes up that my b-day is going to be some awesome happening for some reason or another, and it never is. It's really no big deal...just another day. I momentarily forget, I guess, that another year's passing might not be something I want to celebrate. I am not complaining...it was a fine day and I got so many wonderful well wishes that were very much appreciated. I also just have to mention that my birthday and my birthday eve were spent being completely pampered by my five year old. He was so sweet getting me drinks and a blanket every time I sat down. He gave me so many hugs and kisses and he even 'cleaned' the kitchen for me. He is such an incredibly sweet boy.

The other happenings in our life right now...
E has decided to walk!!! He just decided to start walking everywhere. It's a little sad that he is getting bigger, but so great that he is happier and can be a little more independent (if you know him, you know this is a problem).

I is saying the most hilarious things. He told me the other day that his eyes were cold and that's why he needed to wear his sister's pink sunglasses. Every time he wants a candy or a treat he makes this pained face and says, "my tummy hurts." I don't know where he got the idea that he gets candy when he has an upset stomach. If that doesn't work, he takes to begging-"peez, peez". A asked him the other day if he needed more juice and he said, "No, Ayi. I good. I good." The two older kids just started talking and there was not really a period of cute toddler talk. I does it and it is so stinking adorable.

Finished

2010-12-04T16:34:00.001-07:00

I thought I would post pictures of a few of the projects I mentioned.

This is the gift for A's teacher. I found this christmas tree jar at a thrift store, I got some glass ornaments and decorated them with some silver vinyl snowflakes I already had and red glitter on the inside. We put the ornaments and the candy in the jar and added a bow and a card. A was super excited and she loved helping. I think it turned out pretty cute and it cost less than $11 (with the candy being the most expensive thing, by far).

Every year the kids get to open a gift, of Mommy's choosing, on Christmas Eve after dinner. Guess what it is EVERY year....new PJ's, of course. They love getting a gift early and I love that they look so cute in their new PJs Christmas morning. This year I decided to make them....

The rest of the projects are going to have to wait for their blogging debut because they are gifts for people who actually check the blog. I hope everyone is enjoying the Season...we are!!!

Lately...

2010-12-02T10:30:00.001-07:00

We haven't been up to much lately. Thanksgiving is over and we are getting ready to welcome in the Christmas season.

I did up getting to do some Black Friday shopping...I think it should be a national holiday. It was fun times, definitely. We got our Christmas tree and lights and all that put up. We only had two casualties with the ornaments...not bad with four small children.

I am also working on/ finished with some holiday projects and gifts that I am super excited about. I really would like to post pictures but that would kind of ruin the gift part for a few of the readers. The kids' Christmas PJs should be done in the next day or two and I will post pics when they are.

Oooohhhh, and I have to say what a wonderful birthday I have had ....and it's not even here yet!!

Exhibit A

My wonderful MIL and SIL noticed that I was loving this coat while we were out for a bit on Thanksgiving. Yay, for early birthday gifts!!

Exhibit B.

I don't actually have a picture but John came home the other day with a new Kodak printer. I am so excited to still do all the cool stuff I already can, plus print awesome pictures at home, plus not pay $70+ bucks when we need new ink!

Aaaand, I got some packages from my mother but she made me promise to wait until the actual day!

Jacob

2010-11-27T20:03:00.001-07:00

A few days ago was my oldest son's 5th birthday.... I remember being so miserable, pretty much the entire pregnancy with him. I was to be induced and the date finally settled on the 25th, the day after Thanksgiving that year. My parents were out for the holiday and for his birth. We had a nice low-key holiday and then I was at the hospital bright and early. Everything went wrong. The pitocin was not as effective as it should be, I wasn't progressing much at all for a long time, the anesthesiologist was on the road to getting kicked by a pregnant lady, the epidural was mostly ineffective, and then the boy had his hand on top of his head. I remember the nurses feeling his fingers move on his head a few times when they checked me earlier in the day. Not wanting to injure his arm or shoulder, they told me to NOT push. So NOT fun. I didn't push and tried several different positions to see if he would move his hand. Two hours later, I was in surgery getting this troublesome child out of me.

His poor hand was purple and swollen but, other than that, he was perfect. He was the longest baby the nurse had ever measured. I was so tired and hurting a lot, they had me on morphine for the first while and I really don't remember much from his first 48 hours or so. I was so happy to have him home and he was such a sweet baby. I was trying (unsuccessfully) to heal and he ended up being sick for the first month. I finally healed some but he did not get better until after surgery at a month old.

J has grown into a healthy happy little boy. He is very kind and generous. He is so boy! He loves anything Spiderman, or Transformers, or Batman, or "rockstar". He is a little apprehensive about new things and he hates vegetables. Although, now he will say that he likes them and then sits at the table for an hour before he chokes them down. Batman, as he likes to be called most days, is also a constant source of laughs. He always has something hilarious to say.

This year J had to share his birthday with Thanksgiving. We had John's side of the family over for the day. We started with a yummy breakfast and then cake, of course. He had his own little cake for his special day and then we opened gifts. What a spoiled little boy!! He was thrilled with all of the super hero toys he got, his swords, the movies and the Batcave. He also got some clothes and a new "rockstar" blanket. We had so much food all day and a delicious Thanksgiving feast. Some of the company had to leave a little early due to Uncle Blake's asthma attack. But we had a great and crazy day with everyone over. I am so grateful to have such supportive and loving families on both sides. I am grateful to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and the knowledge of a living Father in Heaven. We are so blessed! I am grateful to have the four beautiful healthy children we have. I am so thankful for my sweet Jake. He is truly a special part of this family and he has so much to offer to us and to the world. Happy Birthday my boy!!

Goofy kid!! He actually saw the picture of his "birthday rockstar shirt" one the computer the other day (my mistake for having it up while he was in the room) and he said, "Mom that is the shirt I want for my birthday! It has stars and a 5 and guitars! I want one just like that!" He was so excited!!

He was so excited about his own personal cake.

Super heroes!! What a boy...

AAHHH...the Batcave. He has been asking for one for months!

Sunday

2010-11-21T12:50:00.001-07:00

Last night John and I had the opportunity to attend the adult session of Stake Conference. It's an opportunity for all of the adults to hear wonderful messages and be enlightened. We were so privileged to have Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak to us. It was wonderful. We left the kids with a babysitter for the first time. I was actually really nervous. It's not that we have never left the kids, it's just always been with a family member. Always. We left Jake for a couple of hours with a babysitter once when he was about a year but that is seriously the only time. I was a little scared but the kids were super excited. Our babysitters were awesome, the conference session was extraordinary, and apparently the kids behaved beautifully. I am so glad John was off early enough and we were able to go.

Today we made it to church an hour and a half early to still not get a pew. The kids waited pretty patiently. We walked around and went to the bathroom. I met Elder Scott in the hallway...what a sweet, wonderful man he is. Then it was time to start. There were wonderful messages shared and the kids did very well for the two hour session. A had some issues at the very end but we all had an opportunity to hear the Apostle and enjoy some spiritual enlightenment.

It has been a truly wonderful weekend. The only thing that would make it better would be if John didn't work through most of it. Oh, and if he weren't sick! Now I just have to get ready for the coming week....Thanksgiving at our house and a little boy turns 5!!

I love Fall

2010-11-13T11:26:00.001-07:00

Yeah, I love the Fall. I love the cooler weather. I love living in a place that you can see the changing of the seasons when you walk outside. I really should have taken some pictures a couple weeks ago...it was so pretty.

This is looking up in my front yard.

This is the view down one side of the street.

I also love to have a fire going so I can cuddle up with the kids, and John if he's here, in the evening. I love the fashions of fall, and I really love getting ready for the holidays. I turned on Christmas music today! I never listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but I couldn't help it. I am so excited for the Christmas season this year. I know that a lot of my excitement comes from being in our home and getting to spend time with just my hubs and the kids. This year, though, I have the wonderful privilege of hosting Christmas for much of my side of the extended family. I. Am. So. Excited. I have nearly all of the shopping done and I have started (and even finished) a couple of the projects I have on the to-do list...

This is J's birthday shirt.

A little box to hold one of A's Christmas presents.

Cute baby playing with pumpkins (yes, I made that too!).

This is the one and only draw-back to fall. With 9 mature trees on our property, we rake A LOT of leaves!!! But they are beautiful...

Halloween

2010-11-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Halloween this year was a long weekend of fun activities. On Friday A had her school party...fun times. The whole school has a little costume parade that marches around the school. The Topeka High School marching band actually leads the way. Then the classroom parties start. A friend of ours and I are the head room parents so I helped (emphasis on the help this time) plan it and it turned out really well. They made cute little spiders, decorated cookies, played a game and had sooo much sugar. So many parents showed up and were so willing to help....it was great. I, of course, forgot my camera so the only pictures I have of her are on my phone and I should just email them to myself but that hasn't happened.

Anyway, Saturday night was the ward trunk or treat. I am on the Activities Committee so I got everything we needed and headed to the church two hours early (John was at work). The kids ran around, I helped set up, E kept trying to make a break for it out the open doors...once again, I wasn't much help. Anyway, the chili feed/contest was delicious and then the trunk or treat started. My kids went around once and decided they would rather pass out candy at the van with Daddy...strange kids. A was a Chinese Girl, J after much debate was Batman, I a puppy, E a bee and Daddy and I were hippies. I, once again, forgot my camera and actually sent John home to get it, only to realize after it started that I had not put the memory stick back in it. Thanks for the pictures Bidwells!!

Then on Sunday we headed down to Manhattan. My sister in law, jordan, threw a Halloween party for all of her nieces and nephews and some friends. There were all sorts of creepy and delicious foods, games, crafts and candy. The kids had a great time...Thanks Jordan! And I actually remembered my camera.....

All in all a very fun holiday. A was super excited that there were still trick or treaters coming around when we got home from Manhattan on Sunday. She begged and begged to pass out her OWN candy that night, that is seriously her favorite part. She is such a funny girl. J didn't want to wear his mask, and really enjoyed Goonies. We don't let them watch PG-13 movies but G-ma Kathi didn't have any 'Halloween' ones that weren't and I didn't think that it would hold their interest anyway...true for the other three kids. J liked it. The two year old was a stinker, as usual. Man, it's a good thing that kid is cute. E was just there. John was at work, except for Saturday night and I am so happy he was able to join us for one of the activities and that he humored me and the kids and dressed up!!

Halloween is done, now on to Thanksgiving, which also happens to be J's birthday this year. I asked him the other day if we could just put some candles on a pie. He said, "Mom, I have to have a cake since it's my birthday. Pie is not for birthdays. We'll just have both." So it's settled then...cake and pie for Thanksgiving this year.

The Princess and the... Hay?

2010-10-24T18:31:00.001-07:00

So A had a field trip and I was priviledged enough to go. It IS fall so, of course, they went to a pumpkin patch. The hay ride, pumpkin, hay jump, playground and the "not so" Creepy Tunnel...the kids had a great time and it was a long day!!

P.S. Thanks for the great pictures Katie!

We also had A's Parent Teacher Conference. I have to say I LOVE her teacher. Ms. Howard is the perfect combination of discipline and fun. It's always great to sit and talk with someone about how wonderful my daughter is!!! I could be a little biased but she really is doing great at school. A is at the top of her class in all criteria...I am so proud. They have her in the top reading group and the new para in class will be an opportunity for her to stay challenged in math. She does need to do some practice on her handwriting. I was slightly concerned about her socially (just given her experience at school in Topeka before) but that was for naught...she apparently is the same happy, talkative girl there as she is at home. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. I just hope that we will be able to keep up with her!!

A Moment

2010-10-19T19:24:00.001-07:00

Well, I just feel like I should post something and I had a really great moment today that I just have to share. Today started as a chilly overcast day, the two-year-old woke up sick and John had a normal work schedule today. The boys and I did absolutely nothing except watch movies (good Mom, I know), snack (even better), and rough house. Oh, I did some on-line Christmas shopping/browsing. After A got home from school, her and J went over to the neighbor's yard to play. When dinner was almost ready, I walked down the driveway to call them back home and I was simply over whelmed.

I have the knowledge of the gospel and, with that, a living prophet. This wonderful man, President Thomas S. Monson, instructed us a few weeks ago to live more grateful. I had a moment of true peace. That peace came from recognizing all that I have been blessed with. I am so grateful for my family. I have four healthy, beautiful, wonderful children. I have a husband that is loving, supportive and hard working. I am incredibly grateful to live in my home...that John and I live together in our own home. I know what a blessing it is that John has a job that can support our family. I am grateful to live in a place where we can enjoy the changing of the seasons. The fall is just so beautiful.

It was such a small fleeting moment where all of those things came to my mind, and tears came to my eyes. I am going to try so much harder to have more of those moments (maybe not the tears) and live more grateful.

Cute baby....or so it would seem.

2010-10-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

I always get the kids picture taken at their birthdays. I decided since I have a fancy-shmancy camera now that I would try to take some of the one-year-old myself. Great idea, right? Oh. My. Gosh. I think maybe he just skipped a year and is really two. What an ornery boy he was!!!

He's One!!

2010-09-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it!! My baby is one!!! E celebrated with a second bath...

We had family over the following Sunday for dinner, cake and ice cream, and presents. We had a wonderful time having John's side of the family over to celebrate our sweet little boy. We had a wonderful dinner, the kids played and the cake was good. A and J decorated the cupcakes for the occasion. And, although we no longer have a sprinkles left, they were delicious. Birthday Boy wasn't really too sure about what to do with the cake at first, but he got into it. All of the siblings and cousins were super excited about all the wrapped packages, E, on the other hand, was really mad that I wouldn't let him escape me. His first opened gift was a bouncy ball that lights up from his Grandma Kathi, he got a hold of it and just sat there with it. He was pretty much content with the ball. He got some really great toys: an activity table, a ride-on fire truck, a baby laptop, peek-a-boo blocks, a remote control car and a super soft stuffed animal blanket among other things. It was a great evening! Hopefully his Daddy can be there for the next one, we missed you babe.

2010-09-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

All four kiddos on the "miracle round" yesterday!!

Even more UT

2010-09-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

We did so many things in UT, I am trying to remember them all. After the birthday and the train, we went to Lake Powell for a week. Well, it was almost a week...we had to cut the annual camping/boating trip a little short this year. My Grandma turned 90 this year and we had to have a party to celebrate. My wonderful cousin organized the first family reunion for Grandma's kids and their families. We went to Willard Bay again (I did not drive like a maniac to get there this time) and had pictures and dinner the night before. We went boating and tubing and had a blast!! It was really great to see that side of the family, it was kind of nice that John finally got to meet most of them too.

After John came out, we decided to head to ID and go to Yellowstone. Oh yeah, my sister and her husband live in Rexburg so that was an added perk! We went to some fun places in Rexburg (hello gourmet cupcakes and hot chocolate, Porters is my all time favorite store... ever, and a couple really fun places to eat) and then headed to Yellowstone. It was amazing! We saw buffalo and deer and elk. No bears...Jess was disappointed. I didn't realize that there are so many geysers there and they are all so different and cool. J called the Paint Pots "Gooey Geysers". There were seemingly dry ones that roared and steamed. There is a whole lake (Fire Lake - I think) of water that sizzles. There are stops where you get out and walk on a wooden path through mazes of steaming holes and boiling water and shooting water spouts. The falls and streams and pools of water make amazing colors on the rock and ground, and the water is crystal clear.

The day we went turned out to be pretty cold. It started just a little chilly and by the time we made it to Old Faithful it was downright cold. John even talked of calling it quits and watching it from the windows in the big lodge they have. I was not having that. We got outrageously over priced sweatshirts from the gift shop and made it in time to get front and center seats.Then we waited. John got us hot chocolate, and we waited. Then...it went. It was pretty darn cool. Because it was so cold you could see all the steam and that made for a neat effect. When we drove back after Old Faithful, you could see countless spirals of steam out in the distance that you wouldn't on a warmer day. Such a cool experience!!

The cute restaurant we ate at right before going into the park.

The awesome buffalo that was taking a stroll down the side of the road. Later we saw one jog across the road. The kids thought that was silly, more silly were the 'jokes' they came up with about it.

Jess, A and J next to a gooey geyser.

crystal clear water

Muddy ones (Paint Pots)

Us in front of the Paint Pots

You can see Jess and the two older kids walking in the sulfur smelling steam.

Cool colors and patterns on the ground under the water's surface

(Most of) Us in front of Fire Lake (on the bridge over it actually...the kids LOVED that)

Nice and warm in their newly acquired apparel. They look happy don't they? It was COLD.

Old Faithful

Hoodies are not a good look for me- unfortunate...the man and I in front of the end of Old Faithful

P.S. I will have to get pictures from my Mother from the aforementioned activities. We also went to Antelope Island when we first arrived in UT. The kids were highly disappointed they didn't see any antelope. They enjoyed the drive "on the water" to get there and the visitors center with all the cool stuff and pictures in it. There were spider webs and their owners all over the windows and building...the kids thought that was equally amazing and creepy. They were super excited to see a buffalo taking a rest on a hillside. Then A could not stop worrying about that buffalo because he wasn't with his herd. Oh. My. Gosh. It would be nice if she could show the same concern for her brother J as she did that buffalo. That experience made the few close encounters with buffalo at Yellowstone a very exciting time for them.

About that toe...

2010-09-06T20:53:00.002-07:00

On Thursday, J was trying to sit at the table. Innocent enough right? The problem arose when he didn't quite make it onto the bench at the table. Instead, he knocked it over right onto the big toe on his left foot. OUCH!!

His poor toe was immediately black and purple and swollen. There was actually a cut in the skin below the nail too and it was bleeding all over the place. I realized it was pretty bad when I noticed the blood all over his foot and the floor. I set him on the counter to inspect and clean, he noticed the blood and his crying turned into complete hysterics.

It looked pretty bad but I was pretty sure the doc wouldn't do much for a smashed toe. (Not to mention the fact that his new insurance didn't pick up for another two days) We sat on the couch for two hours with crying and going back and forth with the ice: "It's too cold."-take the ice off, and, "Mom, it hurts."-put the ice back on. On Friday, it was still bleeding and Mommy got pretty concerned. Sooo, for the first time in our family, Urgent Care here we come.

It turns out that Jake hit his toe harder than anyone thought. He had a temperature and they were concerned about infection under the nail. There was a bunch of blood and fluid built up under neath it. They cauterized eight holes through his nail so the fluid could drain. The cut in his toe went down to the nail underneath. It wasn't deep enough for stitches but they cut back the skin for a clean wound. They took x-rays and his poor toe is broken. In two places!! He has to keep it in the splint until we hear more. One break is down at the growth plate and the urgent care doc was concerned about it healing correctly. The radiologist person will take a look and either confirm or deny what the doc saw and we should hear back this week. If it is what the doc thought, we have to see an orthopedic specialist and possibly go through a re-break or surgery so his toe will heal and grow correctly.

A few funny things...A) the doc was highly impressed with J's pain tolerance, that's actually what lead to the splint. She was concerned he would injure it further with his lack of attention to it. B) When they gave him "shots" to numb the toe, I laid him down on the table and gave him my phone to play a game. He picked one that records like ten seconds of sound and plays it back in a squeaky cat voice. He noticed he was laying down and everyone was holding him down. He's no dummy. He started yelling, "Don't hold me down. I don't want shots Mom. I don't want you to hold me down." Then it was all played back in a high squeaky cat voice...as was all of the yelling and crying and shrieking. It was hard to see my son so unhappy, but kind of amusing to have all of his screaming played back in such a way. He was even smiling at it occasionally.

Look what I found...

2010-09-03T21:15:00.001-07:00

I found this the other day as I walked into the dining room.

I found this in my bed the other night as I was trying to get in it.

I (it was really John in this case) found these shudders in the shed while cleaning it out a few weeks ago. I am super excited about them. I know with some work they would be so cute back on some of the windows in the house.

I found this boy hanging out in my backyard, on my playhouse.

I found that I CAN cook fish and it didn't taste half bad. Oh, and the kids even liked it.

And I found out today (after much crying, blood, anesthetics (aka shots), cauterizing, x-rays, and three and a half hours at urgent care) that a smashed toe is not always JUST a smashed toe.

2010-08-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

Our trip to UT actually started with a boating trip. The kids and I pulled into town on a Saturday. My parents had taken Aaron, his family, and some friends to Willard Bay to boat so we were just going to meet them there. I am lucky we made it....

Apparently, the Utah Department of Transportation believes that there must be much road construction on I-15 at all times. Traffic was terrible !! On a Saturday!!! So I am headed up to Willard with my trusty GPS (I had never been there, it's actually not hard) and traffic comes to a stop. We sat there FOREVER. The kids have been in the car all day for two days and we are all so ready to see Grandma and Grandpa. So I decide, since the GPS has just told me that the exit is in .2 mile, that I will follow the van in front of me and go onto the shoulder up to the exit that was surely just out of reach.

"This was such a bad decision," is all I can think and say as we continue for a mile and a half down the shoulder. Then, "Oh. My. Gosh. Please no, please no, " starts to escape my lips rather loudly as we pass a cop. Granted he was in the median, on the other side of stand still traffic, but you never know. Then those same words "Please No!! Please NO!!" come even more frequently, and loudly, as the brilliant mini van in front of me pulls over onto the newly developed shoulder of the off ramp with a flat tire.

Stressed I was. I have never done that before and I will NEVER do that again. How blessed I was not to suffer a major ticket or a flat tire. Both of which I surely deserved due to my total lapse in judgement. Don't worry though I did get a parking ticket picking Abbi up the second day of school!!! I guess I had it coming.

More UT

2010-08-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

My parents live in Harrisville (north of Ogden) and my mother actually works down at the U. It's quite the commute and they pay for her to have a pass on the commute train. Since the second my kids found out that Grandma gets to ride a TRAIN to work, they have been dying to go for a ride.

One special day, with aunt, uncle and some cousins in tow, we rode the train. Grandma had the afternoon off so we were going take the train down and meet her down town Salt Lake. We woke up, got everyone dressed and ready and made it to the train station. The kids were so excited!!

The train ride was about an hour and the kids all loved looking out the window. They also found it kind of cool that the train would make stops and you didn't have to get off, you kept riding until you got to the right stop. Weird. Anyway, we made it to the downtown station. It was hot so, naturally, we decided to walk the couple blocks to the Gateway. I do love to shop!! Grandma met us there and we shopped, ate lunch, and shopped some more. FUN TIMES.

The purpose of meeting Grandma down town was to take the kids to Temple Square. So after the shopping at the outdoor mall, we walked to our destination (remember...it was hot and all persons two and up walked). They were troopers and we finally made it. After we drank enough water (from the courtesy drinking fountain) to float a whale, the kids thought it would be a good idea to try their hardest to get into one of the real water fountains. I, of course, disagreed. After that struggle, we were able to go into the tabernacle, walk around the grounds, and enjoy the temple.

As much fun as the walk was on the way there, we opted to take the bus back to the train station. Good idea, everyone was exhausted. A bus and a train all on the same day-madness!! It was a long hot day, but the kids enjoyed their train ride (bus ride too) and we all had a great time (and found some good deals!). The kids thought Temple Square was "pretty", "nice", "quiet" , and A said she was going to get married in the Salt Lake Temple because it looks the most like a castle. Logical really given her princess status. I was hot and tired and stressed trying to keep kids safe and hydrated and respectful while we were there, but it was wonderful to take my children somewhere they could appreciate the history of the church, and hopefully, between reprimands, the spirit.

Happy Birthday to my 6 year old!!

2010-08-21T07:15:00.002-07:00

Can you believe it!?! I can't really. Today is her birthday, but she chose to have her party in UT with her "other" cousins. We went to Hill Air Museum early in the day, then we went to dinner at Chiles (her choice), and we went to see Despicable Me. Grandma and Grandpa, Manda and Terron and their kids, and the kids and I all went to dinner and movie. We met back up with Aaron and his family at Grandma's house for ice cream cake and presents.

The Air Force Museum was fun (and free!). The kids thought all of the manikins in uniforms were cool, A had like 20 favorites. They have two huge rooms full of planes, choppers and bombs and things, then the huge yard with more planes. The kids got to go into the back of one of them. I turned my back on I for a second (bad idea, I should know by now) and he was on the other side of the rope pushing all the buttons on one of the cockpit sections they had sitting there. This lady was standing there telling her kid that he couldn't cross the rope, and it doesn't matter what that kid was doing....then it hit me..."where's my toddler?" Fun stuff. Anyway, Jake found the whole thing absolutely fascinating. They even had this kids room there where kids could play simulators and dress up and get into a cockpit and play. It was a pretty fun time and after all of the walking the kids were ready for a good nap before the big night ahead.

Dressed in her birthday shirt we were off...Chiles is always good and we all loved the movie, it's really funny with a cute message. J giggled for a solid 90 minutes while he watched the minions fight and be silly, then he got up at the end and started shaking his stuff in the aisle. A picked a chocolate mint ice cream cake (which we drove 20 miles for the night before) and she is incredibly spoiled...as usual. I had brought a box of clothes and shoes with us to give to her and we got her other presents while we were out there. I should have gotten wrapping paper. I don't just carry spare wrapping paper in my van and with my parents move their supply was sad. It was slightly amusing that her gifts were all wrapped in wedding and Christmas bags that I could scrounge up at Grandmas. We are so glad to have had a wonderful time with our excellent relatives. She was so excited that Cousin Lin and the other Loves would be at her party.

A is such an amazing girl. She is now loving school and her teacher. I brought the birthday treat into her class yesterday and she thought that was pretty fun. She insisted on searching the school grounds after the bell for a "teacher" that she promised an ice cream sandwich to. It took us a while considering she doesn't know this teacher's name or where in the school she worked. We finally found the "teacher" who turned out to be the counselor in the office. A is getting bigger every day and I am having a hard time wrapping my head around this concept. I love her so much and while it's so fun to see her grow and learn new things, I really wish she would stay little and (mostly) innocent forever.

PS Thank you to my wonderful MIL. Grandma Kathi came up today to take A out for the afternoon. She was so excited for her surprise and had such a great time. G-ma asked A what she wanted for lunch and she promptly replied, "Chinese". She's a funny girl. They went to lunch and a movie and I know that it made A's day so special. Thanks again Kathi!!

It's been a while...

2010-08-18T09:36:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I have slept in my own bed, taken my dog out to do her business, cooked an actual meal in a kitchen (much less my own kitchen), dusted my living room and it's been a while since I have posted anything. All this is because we just got back from a month-long, multi-state road trip. The kids and I left for UT on July 16th and boy did we stay busy. We did so many different things out there...and then did even more when John joined us out there August 5th.

I will be posting pictures and accompanying stories but today the big news is that we have a first grader in our home!! We drove into town just in time to make it to A's school for their sneek peak on Monday evening. We dropped off her supplies and met her teacher and saw her classroom. She even picked a desk (at the very front of the class). That night we got things together for her big day, her daddy gave her a blessing and she picked out her "first day" outfit. Then she cried. My poor little princess was very distraught. At first (when she is supposed to be in bed asleep, of course) she was just complaining that she was scared...we tried to calm her fears and reassure her and then sent her back to bed. Later, we heard her crying upstairs. I know that she was definitely hamming it up a bit...no doubt...but I do feel for the poor thing. If you count her preschools, she has been to four different schools...making this one the fifth. She was scared that she wouldn't know anyone-again, that she would have to make new friends-again, and that it was a new place all together-again. Who could blame a five year old for being upset about that? OH, how our hearts were aching for her. She calmed down and finally fell asleep.

Her first day of first grade...the alarm didn't go off. She was sleepy considering her late night. I apparently sprayed hair spray on her pancakes and she didn't finish them. She wouldn't stay put at the classroom when I walked her in to drop her off and cried when they got up to go into the classroom. She didn't sit at the desk she picked out the night before...she sat in the corner ( I am not sure why that is). Let's just say that it wasn't the best of mornings for her, she did look awfully cute though...

Despite her terrible morning...you'll be happy to know, she was all smiles when Jake and I went to pick her up. She said she had a "really fun" day. She likes her teacher and her classmates. Best of all...no tears this morning!!

2010-07-10T18:22:00.001-07:00

When I was little my mother made my sisters and I some night gowns out of some of my dad's dress shirts. Given John's career, we have an abundance of dress shirts around here and I decided to make my princess a few dress-shirt night gowns of her own...

Please don't mind that they aren't ironed yet, I was excited okay.

Oh, and here are some pictures of my cute home.

You will notice that the porch railings are MIA. Well, it's kind of a funny story that ends with John falling off the porch onto me. Literally...I broke his fall. I am such a good wife. Anyway, the whole porch is in desperate need of a remodel and that's one of the many projects lined up for next summer.

Part of my kitchen.

The window seat in the dining room that I will one day make adorable drapes and pillows for.

This is the chandelier in the dining. I love love love it. (Not a good picture of it though)

And the built-in in the dining.

The built-in, the arched doorways, the window seat, the original floors and windows, the fireplace...I love the charm of my house. I just wish we had the money to really do what I wanted to do to it and transform it from cute and charming to simply perfect. Ah well...in all honesty it is perfect...to me anyway.

Lightning McQueen

2010-07-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

This is Lightning....the cat. Not two weeks after we moved, we were given a kitten. A friend of a friend's barn cat had kittens and we got one. I think that it is actually a female cat but Lightning it is. I feel a little bad for this animal. Very often I look over and the two year old has the cat by 'his' head and is trying to stuff him in the potato bin. I am actually very impressed with the kitty though...he doesn't scratch. He just kind of takes it and waits for Isaac to put him down so he can make a run for it.

BTW this is my handsome little man and his goofy grin in his specks

The 4th

2010-07-06T14:09:00.001-07:00

The 4th of July is a big event around here. John's side of the family can no longer contain the urge to set things on fire and blow them up....so it's the perfect holiday really. Every year my mother-in-law has a BBQ and a fireworks show. The party started about 4 or 5 years ago when John and I lived in KS the last time. Kathi (MIL) invited us and the rest of the fam over for a BBQ and a fireworks show. A few friends were also in attendance. She counted Saturday night and there were almost 200 people there!! That isn't even as big as it was last year I guess. Anyway, the kids looked adorable in their home-made 4th of July apparel...

A even rocked a star...

and stripes in her 'do.

We stopped at a stand to get some small firecrackers for the kids...and John...

Then on to Grandma's with the cute cousins....

Fun friends and bouncy castles....

After the food, it was time for the firecrackers....

And of course, someone had to get shot with one...

It's just good that it was not A getting shot by her own mother with a fairly dangerous firework. She still hasn't forgotten that!! (Turns out Roman Candles aren't that dangerous after all)

After the kids had some fun and darkness fell....the real show started. It was pretty awesome. I didn't get any pictures because John had to help light things on fire, of course, and I was the pillow for the four kids on our blanket. They all watched and enjoyed, E even fell asleep. We also had a wonderful surprise from some of John's extended family. A couple Aunts and a cousin came in for the party to surprise Kathi....and us apparently. We didn't know they had made the 16 hour drive until we were almost to Manhattan that night!! It was great to see them and BTW thanks for the wonderful gifts!!

2010-07-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

With A and J getting bigger (sad but true), I decided they were old enough for chores. So I made a chore chart. I think it turned out pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself. I am surprised at how much they don't mind doing chores. It's still fun to help out I guess and they like that they can help do the little boys' chores too. I am just crossing my fingers that the wonderful attitudes on chores can last a little bit.

Summer is here...

2010-07-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Nothing says summer like swimming lessons....

A and J had a great time at their lessons. They were both signed up for level one given niether had had swimming lessons before. After the first day, A was moved to level 2...she was very proud of herself. A can now swim and was thrilled to be able to jump off the diving board all by herself. J was just happy to get in the water and practice front floats and back floats.

Weddings are also commonplace in the summer. John's lifelong friend got married on June 12 (it's a good month for a wedding!). What is not so common is that Abbi lost her first tooth later that day at the reception!!

And, of course, summer wouldn't be summer without lounging in lawn chairs around the disgustingly murky baby pool!!

pictures

2010-06-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

After the last soccer game (which they won, of course). Each of the kids got a medal and A was so excited!! The kids and I went out for ice cream afterwards (John was at work).

This is my lovely Abbi at her Kindergarten program (when her inner diva made her debut). And her cute hair for the occassion.

This is just a picture of my handsome baby!! He loves the bathtub!!

2010-05-26T19:53:00.001-07:00

No pictures right now, but so many things have been going on....

We have moved!! All of our things made it successfully to our house in Topeka a couple of weeks ago. Tomorrow, the kids and I will make it to our house in Topeka (successfully as well, I hope).

Which brings us to...TOMORROW. Tomorrow is the last day of Kindergarten for A. She is just so ecstatic to be a first grader. I am not as excited as she is. I am in shock, yeah, that's a good way to describe it. There is no way that my little baby girl is finished with Kindergarten!! I refuse to believe it.

That brings us to item three....loose teeth!! Abigail has been dying to have some loose teeth. All of her classmates and cousins and everyone she has ever known (okay that's the 5 year old talking) has lost teeth, why hasn't she? Well, I will tell you why...her permanent teeth have decided to grow in behind her baby ones. You can see a good portion of her two bottom front permanent teeth. And there are her adorable little baby teeth in front of them, happy as can be. The girl has claimed (amongst other things) for weeks that one of her top teeth was loose--wishful thinking. I am happy to report though that those adorable two bottom ones are wiggling and it won't be too long before my oldest loses her first tooth, or two. Even if she loses both of those baby teeth, I still don't think she'll have enough room for those permanent ones- they look huge. I also refuse to believe that her mouth is big enough or old enough for permanent teeth.

Lastly, my handsome little Jacob is also sporting the specks. It was decided to get the kid glasses so his eyesight wouldn't worsen, he wouldn't have to stand exactly two inches from anything he wants to see, and given that he is also color blind I thought we could just give the kid a break and help him at least SEE things, even if they aren't the right color. He is such a handsome boy and the glasses make him look older. He is excited about them and hasn't broken them yet...it's been a whole week. We'll see how long that lasts.

That's our life right now in a nutshell. I do have some pictures and video to post, but with all the moving and what not, I don't even have my camera with me now......soon.

As if

2010-05-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

As if my life wasn't stressful enough. As if I didn't have enough to do. As if I didn't already wish there were more hours in a day. We go and do something like this....

Meet the newest member of our family--Zoey!!

Somehow I was talked into getting a dog. I swore up and down that I didn't want a dog (I still don't) in the house. I had no problem refusing my children when they have begged in the past. For some reason I had a much harder time last week when John kept bringing it up. He kept mentioning how nice it would be to get the kids a dog since we'll be in our own place. I am not exactly sure what happened really. One minute I am thinking, "Yeah, it will be really nice for everyone else to have this cuddly pet because Mommy (me) is going to be doing all the work to take care of it..." and the next minute we are at the shelter getting a dog. Of course John wanted the largest and loudest "puppy" in the joint. I did have my wits about me enough to put my foot down and say no to that one. I picked the smallest and quietest one they had. I do prefer big dogs, I just can't handle one right now. HA, that's implying I can handle the little puppy.

Anyway, Zoey is two months old and is 1/2 shihtzu, 1/4 corgi, and 1/4 Heeler. She is quiet, unless locked in the bathroom by herself at night, and she adores Abigail. I wish I had had my camera when Abbi first saw her and realized she was ours. We are working on the house trainings (any suggestions?) and she is a pretty good puppy. The kids LOVE her already and we are happy to have her.

Update

2010-05-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

The, I mean MY, house is cleaned and painted. We have moved some stuff up there already and I have even started to put things away. Our stuff moves in two days, the kids and I to follow in two weeks.

Oh, Abbi had a singing program the other day. All of the kindergarteners sang for the parents. Their little gym was packed. I decided to take the boys to the back row where I could stand behind them and record the program for John. I noticed part way through that she was frowning and not really singing. I asked her afterwards what was the matter and she informed me that she was upset that I had taken the camcorder off of her for a moment. I politely explained that I had to take care of Ethan, he had started to cry. She says to me, "I expected the boys to be perfectly good so that you could keep the camera on me every second while I was singing." Wow. First, can you say DIVA? Second, yeah...that would be nice wouldn't it? I do have pictures and even video, but I am not going to post it right now.

Random things...

2010-05-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

The other day the three older kids were playing with John. Abbi says, "Jake, we'll go biggest to smallest. Me, then you, then Ike." Jake replies, "No. Then it will be biggest, man-sized, then Ike." Man-sized?! I am not sure where he comes up with this stuff. He does have one "man" thing going on all the time though....he's got the plumber's crack down to a science. My poor son has no bum to keep his pants up. I think it's actually concave... a belt doesn't even help the situation.

Also, our tenant moved out!! Yay! I have my house back, even if it was left in a mess. I walked in last Saturday and my excitement was battling with my disappointment with the state of the place. I am super psyched we get to keep the deposit though. We took a whole day just to clean the place. My brother in law and his son, another brother in law, a sister in law, John and myself spent the day cleaning up after this guy. My other wonderful sister in law watched all the kids for us. Thanks everyone!! I have spent two more days up there painting. We have our new frontloader washer and dryer hooked up, the kitchen and bathrooms are spotless and the place is coming together. We move our stuff on the 15th and John will be there after that, Abbi's last day is the 27th and then we will all be together again!! And finally, in our own place-- I am so excited. I miss my husband.

On Sunday (clean up day--I know, I know, not a very reverent activity for the Sabbath) evening we had gotten everyone dinner and we ate at Jennifer's house. John was helping get all the kids their food and Isaac kept asking for things. He would say, "On," and then ask for something. "On, On". John could not figure out what that meant so, of course, he asked me. I got it immediately and I couldn't help but laugh. Isaac calls his Dad "John". He is serious. If you play the little game "Where's Mommy" and he points, "where's Abbi" and he points, and so on. When you get to Daddy, he looks at me and is not sure what I am asking. If you ask "where's John" he points to his dad. It's hilarious. It's wrong and a little sad, but so funny!!

2010-04-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend started off to be terrible. I took the kids to the Tulip Festival in Wamego. Super fun!! Well, it would have been had my eldest child not brought her bad attitude. Abigail has the attitude of a 16 year old latlely but it wasn't even that really, it was the screaming stomping tantrums, you know--like a two year old. Like she can't decide if she wants to be a toddler or a teenager. I won't go into details but I was completely embarassed!! Here I am at a crowded festival by myself with four kids, three little boys happy and excited as can be, and one five year old screaming and yelling and crying and stomping here feet...on more than one occassion. I should have just left at the first melt down but I had promised the boys things if they could behave and they were...oh well, at least it was an outdoor festival.

The tantrums were new and bad for Abbi but I have witnessed much much worse from other children. I did still have a great time with the kids and so did the boys. Upon talking to John when I got home, he informed me that he had booked a hotel room for the night up in Topeka. A mini vaca...for me mostly. I spend too much time at home with the kids by myself. The kids loved swimming in the pool and going to dinner. The nexty day John had to go to work for a couple hours and I took the kids swimming again and when Daddy was back we went to breakfast and to see How To Train Your Dragon. All the kids had a blast and loved the movie. And the icing on the cake was the BBQ we had with their cousins in the evening. It was a great weekend!!

My Girl

2010-04-14T21:18:00.001-07:00

Abigail is loving soccer. The games got cancelled last week so she was dying to "win again". She scored like four goals or something like that. She is pretty aggressive out there and persistant. I want my children to be involved in sports or other team activities to teach them valuable lessons...you need to do your best, it's ok to lose, be respectful if you win or lose, if you fall down get back up, the game doesn't wait for you, and have fun. Abbi is off to a great start and I am so glad she is enjoying it. She's also pretty psyched about getting a trophy, although I am not entirely sure they get one.

I do have one wonderful Princess. Abigail is amazing. Abbi's lists of attributes and favorite things is an interesting one. Abbi was walking at eight months and talking in sentences by the time she was one. She has always wanted to be up and running and doing things herself. I forget she is only 5 sometimes. Abigail is very independent and wants to try everything. She is also very bossy. She knows the rules and she feels it is her responsibility to make sure all around her follow those rules, especially if she feels it's unfair or she benefits in some way. Abigail is on the Accelerated Reading program at school and she is writing well too. She has always loved reading. I have read to her almost every day since she was born. My dad was reading Tales of Depereaux once when we lived with them and Abbi wanted him to read to her, so, of course, he did. She sat and listened for an hour. Abigail also loves to 'discuss' things. She genuinely wants to know how everything works and why it works that way, and you better tell her the truth because she will remember how you answered her questions and she will ask me or Grandpa if it's true. She would ask her father, but she knows Daddy is more interested in making her laugh...she needs facts.

Abigail loves to play outside. She would spend all of her days completely outdoors if I let her. She asks me all year when the annual camping trip to Lake Powell is coming. She is a fearless warrior. There aren't many things that scare her, really scare her. She petted and held a six foot albino python when she was four, she likes tubing (snow and water), she went to her baby cousins viewing before the casket was closed, also at the age of four. She was sad her cousin's spirit was gone but re-informed us that Shelby was with her Father in Heaven. Abigail likes to rough-house and play karate and superheroes with her brother. She also loves Barbies and princess movies. She likes to have many pairs of shoes, and too many dresses. She also likes to have her hair and nails done. Abbi also loves to sing. She makes up songs about everything and I mean everything from dinosaurs to barbies, to what she likes to do, to her brothers and everything else. She has done dance since she was three and she loves it. Her newfound love-soccer. I think these two sports of choice fit her well. Two contrasting sides of one astounding whole.

I have one amazing daughter. If I am destined to have just one, that's OK. I am incredibly blessed to be the mother of one smart, independent, brave, kind, well-rounded, beautiful little girl.

Boys will be boys...

2010-04-11T21:30:00.018-07:00

I have four kids...the thing is....three of them are boys!! Jake, the oldest, is so many different things. He is, first of all, a boy. Climbs on EVERYTHING, can't stop himself from bouncing the basketball in the house (or jumping on the couch), likes all things cars or superheroes, and loves to play outside. Jake is also incredibly sweet. He will stop playing and come all the way inside to where I am just to say "Mom, I love you" and give me a kiss. Jake is also very kind to his sister. I can't count the times when I have seen this four year old humor his older sister and watch the umpteenth princess movie, or agree to play princess with her (although he insists on being named Spiderman or something similar in these games), he has also, on occasion, offered to fold her clothes or do her chore. Jacob can be very sensitive at times, his emotions are pretty close to the surface a lot of the time. Jake also says the funniest things. Everyday something comes out of that kid's mouth that just cracks me up. Jacob is my handsome little man. Second, we have Isaac. Ike is a quintessential two year old. He gets mad when you take something from him, don't give him his way, or even when someone has something he wants. He is a stinker!! He took half the bread from the sacrament tray today and shoved it in his mouth before I could stop him. He then proceeded to dump two of the little cups of the sacrament water down the front of my dress...not his cup. He drank his cup and then thought it would be fun to stick his fingers in two more while the tray was in front of him and pull. A simple plan really and pretty amusing....to him. Isaac loves his older brother and sister, he just doesn't want them to get close to him...or help him....or touch him in any way.....or look at him.....or look at the toy he has. Ikey adores all babies. At 18 mos, when Ethan was born, Ike would sit and 'hold' him in his lap for ever. If you want Isaac to calm down or sit still, just offer him a baby. If I want him to sleep, I offer him my ear....he has a fettish. He likes to play with ears, especially when he is tired, and it puts him right to sleep. My Isaac looks more like one of my sister in laws kids than one of my own, but he is quite a Momma's Boy.

Then along came Ethan. My baby boy is adorable!! With dumbo ears and chunky cheeks, his whole face lights up when he smiles. He thinks Grandma Kathi's dogs are hilarious and he finds my hair fascinating. Ethan started sleeping through the night at two weeks and now sleeps a full 11 hours every night but he thinks cat naps will do the job through out the day. Goofan is enchanted by Abbi but isn't too sure about Jake, and tolerates all of Isaac's kisses and pets. Ethan loves the bouncers that we have, and he is sitting up unsupported. He makes himself fall over by reaching too far for things and absolutely hates being on his stomach. We'll see how long it takes him to figure out another method to get what he wants. Ethan is my chunky baby and I don't think that he even knows who John is.

Easter

2010-04-09T19:34:00.001-07:00

Easter was pretty fun this year. It was General Conference this year too. For the first time in a long time I actually listened to all four sessions. 'Tried to' might be a better description.....kids. My sister in law, Jennifer, and her family came over and we forced all 76 kids to watch conference. We had a yummy lunch and then an Easter Egg Hunt. We don't do the Easter Bunny at our house, we just don't. We always do an egg hunt with extended family and friends so the bunny just never came up. Jake doesn't even know who or what it is and Abbi just doesn't care I suppose. This lack of Hare-ness means that the egg hunt is all the festivities my kids get for Easter and they really love it. Isaac thought it was absolutely amazing fun and would not take his hands off his basket to save his life. Jake lives on his own planet so he still needed some assistance and Abbi was just upset she didn't find the most eggs. Anyway, then we watched the second session of conference and had some friends over for a scrumptious dinner. Over all a successful holiday and conference was great, of course.

A few things

2010-04-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

So Abbi had her first soccer game last night. She did so great! I am really proud of her...she played hard and didn't give up, and she even scored a goal. They don't actually keep score, but if you ask her "We won!!" will be her reply. I think her team actually did win. She did awesome and she is having a blast. Of course, I forgot my camera, so I will take pictures next week.

AND......the move to the Taj Mahal will be sooner than we thought. Our renter's last lease was up in January and we had verbally agreed on a new lease ending June 30, but we never got around to having him sign anything. We were planning on letting him stay until the end of June as per our 'agreement' but he emailed John today. Apparently, he was laid off. I feel really terrible for him, we know what it is like to lose a job. Terrible. BUT, that means that he is out April 30th and we are free to move in. We will start moving stuff once he's out I think. Abbi's last day of Kindergarten is May 14th and that is exactly when we will move once and for all. I am psyched!! The count down has begun

Children

2010-03-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

So, I got an awesome new camera the other week and I wanted to try it out. I got the kids all dressed nice and we went outside to take some pictures. At this point in motherhood, I am aware that getting all four small children to look at the camera and smile at the same time is impossible but come on. Abbi and Jake were great. Isaac, on the other hand, is two of course and therefore started crying. I have no idea why he started crying after about two pictures but he did, and he wouldn't stop. Then the baby started fussing, naturally. Anyway, I love my camera and my children and here are a few of what I got. Now I just need to figure out a good editing program (and how to use it, of course). Can those things edit out screaming two-year-olds? Hhhmmm, I wonder.

Taj Mahal

2010-03-15T21:27:00.001-07:00

John got his promotion!! Along with that promo comes a transfer to the store in Topeka. Ya, we are moving back to Topeka...again. Awesome, I know. You are all jealous of how entirely cool we are. Not many people have the ability to move to the same city three times in three years. It takes talent, I am not going to lie. We are moving in June and will not be moving again for a good long while, at least that's the plan...for now.

Besides the promotion, there is one positive about the wonderful city of Topeka, we happen to own a home there. I will not break down our past living situations for you all. I'll just say that we have had someone live with us or lived with someone else for a whopping 90% of our marriage. This is where the title of the post comes in.....WE WILL BE LIVING IN OUR OWN HOME!!! That is exactly how a super-cute 4bed 2bath 1920's Cape Cod style home with a terrible paint color becomes this lady's Taj Mahal!!

YAY for me

2010-03-11T22:12:00.002-07:00

I know that being wordly is a sin and all and I really try not to be BUT getting new stuff is so much fun!! And I have a whole list of NEW STUFF

1. Our camera had a fatal accident and a nice perk of working for Best Buy, we got an awesome new one for a steal.

2. That whole jogging thing I mentioned...ya, it didn't last long. John has been talking about getting a gym member ship, but that is a monthly expense for however long and I couldn't use it (childcare isn't included anywhere here and I have too many kids to afford to pay for it!) John and I got an elliptical machine. I can use it at home, anytime, it totally kicks my butt and I love it!!

3. I started sewing again and then my sewing machine broke. Sad, I was. All the projects lined up in my head were put on hold and I wasn't sure when I could get a new one. But John came home with a new one for me today. What a good husband!! It does so many cool things and I am so happy to be able to keep up one of my few hobbies.

Now that I have a camera again, here are some pics of some of the things I have made lately...

Some belts for the kids.

A play dress, a "princess" shirt, and a "rockstar" shirt. (Let's pretend we don't see the dirty carpet K?)

The quilt that Ab's made for Ethan or Goofan, as she call him. She is so adorably proud of it.

Jake again

2010-03-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

John and I were watching a movie during the kids' quiet time. Jake walked in and sat down right near the end of the movie while a couple was making out and John tried to cover Jake's eyes. John says, "You don't need to watch people kissing. Kissing is gross. You can give me a kiss though." John puckers up and Jake says, "OK. But Daddy don't kiss me like that."

that one...no wait, that one...wait.....hhmmm

2010-02-26T21:39:00.002-07:00

Life is just so crazy. There are always so many decisions to be made. This, of course, is to be expected what with being a responsible adult and all, but what really gets me is when all of the options are good. What then? John and I have been in positions where there was an obvious choice and where the pros of one option just made more sense and even in the position where we didn't really have any other choice.... and I almost would prefer that.

There are just times when life is being good to you. When there are several options and each one has different but equal pros and cons. But these are the situations where I have the hardest time. I just have to rely on prayer alone, and then pray that I am recognizing the right answer and really sticking to it. Man, that's just hard sometimes...stressful. We pray about all of our big decisions, it's just that that process is simplified sometimes by outside circumstances or even common sense. I do believe the Lord gave us a brain for a reason and we are expected to use the things He has given us. So when my brain has tried to come up with a logical good choice to bring to Him for approval and they are ALL equally good and I don't even necessarily personally prefer one over the other--what then?? Then I have to simply ask "What should we do?" That is just a harder question to get a clear answer to. And then, not to second guess what answer you do get- just forget it!

Anyway, we will be at a crossroads soon as to where we will move to at the end of the summer and we just need to come to a decision. We have weighed the pros and cons and, like I said, different but equal. None of the options are what I truly want, but still very fortunate none the less. We are also in the process of praying about this decision and, therefore, the stress insues that we are really recognizing the promptings of the Spirit. I am excited for the opportunities we hopefully have ahead of us and let's all just pray that we can decide on the RIGHT one.

Me again.

2010-02-21T19:49:00.001-07:00

With all the moving this year, all of my crafting stuff (scrapbooking, sewing and general making or re-making of things) has been packed and almost forgotten. I have missed it. I purposefully dug out and kept all of my crafting boxes so I could do it again when we moved in here. It's all here and most of it is out, I just haven't done anything....until now that it is.

The last few weeks I just haven't been feeling myself so I decided to do something about it. I started getting up early to jog (we'll see how long that one lasts), and I started making things again. I made some super cute bows/flowers for my princess, some ties for the boys and some really cute belts for all of the kids. Oh, and a dress for Abbi and I re-purposed a pretty cute tee for her as well. Oh yeah, and today I helped Abbi sew a good sized quilt for Ethan. This was all since last Thursday....I haven't done anything in so long, I am really gung-ho. And they all turned out so cute.

I am so excited to be doing all this stuff again. I really need to get some scrapbooking done too. Isaac has half a first page in his.

This all turned out to be really great timing. My eldest son decided it would be cool to color all over the bunk beds in his room. Of course, these are the bunk beds that made it ALL the way from my childhood mostly unscathed, until Jake. And of course, he didn't pick the washable markers or the color wonder markers, both of which we have a bazillion, he chooses the one that we have that doesn't come off. And also, of course, it took a lot of restraint on my part, to let him live. So......good timing, you see, because I am going to have to refinish some bunk beds soon.

PS I should have pictures of ALL of this, but I don't. My camera had a fatal accident. Hopefully it is fixed or replaced soon so I can visually document all of the wonderous happenings in my life once more.

V-day

2010-02-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

Valentine's Day is on Sunday. A lot of people (my husband included) will tell you that it just a dumb, made-up holiday to make guys spend money and look bad, and besides, you should cherish your sweetheart all the time--who needs Valentine's Day. Well, to all who say that, I say this--WHATEVER!!

The same statement(s) could be made about any holiday. Christmas-shouldn't we remember our dear Savior's birth everyday (the 25th of December isn't the right date anyway)? Fourth of July-isn't it great to live in this country every day, not just a certain one mid-summer? Easter-the death and resurrection of the Savior is definitely something we should carry with us every second, is it not? Thanksgiving-grateful one day a year, anybody? St. Patrick's Day-let's face it, this is just a reason for people to get drunk. Halloween-well, if you have a problem with holidays, we shouldn't even start on Halloween. Birthdays-I am pretty sure I will remember the birth of my children forever, as does my mother with her children. The list of designated "days" goes on.

I feel like men say this so they are justified in ignoring the holiday. I know John would have a coniption if I were to say this about the Fourth of July (you know -- the one day a year he gets to play with fire and blow things up?) So why do I hear some women saying this? I am sure I don't know. Reverse psychology? A game? Maybe their partner says it so they know Valentines will be ignored, so they say it to feel better. I don't know. Unless, you people are going to be equally skeptical of all holidays and their origins, give February a break.

All holidays have their purpose. They give people a chance to slow down and remember what's important. I wonder by what percentage church attendance increases at Christmas or Easter. These people should probably be attending services every Sunday, but at least they went once. At least for one day a year the world (over generalization, I know) can stop, sit back, and think about the Savior. (Twice, if you count Easter). It's better than none. I am not saying that Valentine's is not blown out of proportion.....it most definitely is...just like Christmas. I am not saying I expect John to buy me a tennis bracelet every February 14th, just like I don't expect him to buy me a diamond ring every year on our anniversary. NO. I just expect some thought. I nice heartfelt note would be very agreeable to me. No, I am not just saying that either!! Just some thought people and maybe a little time.

I don't even have a personal overwhelming passion about this heart filled, pink and red holiday... I am just saying. The whole point of Valentine's Day is to remember the ones we love, a designated time to remember someone we care about. Just like anniversaries, Mother's Day, Christmas, etc. So what if it is a completely fabricated day of importance ( I know there's some significance--St. Valentine--I don't know the whole story). I know women (myself included) can get their hopes up and be bothered if disappointed--but that's not the point (besides can't the same thing be said of the anniversary, christmas, or birthday present?). The point of February 14th is just another opportunity to express your love for someone. There is nothing wrong with that. I recommend to the men that swear it's all about the $ with their girl to write a song (John) or do something truely romantic, not expensive. Put time and thought, real thought, into it and see how she re-acts. If after that, your one and only still has complaints about how much dinero you did or didn't spend....you might want to look into the girl's priorities... you might have bigger problems.

2010-01-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

Another Jacob gem...

We were rough-housing or wrestling (whichever you want to call it) the other day and I was laying on him, squishing him. He is laughing histarically then this comes out of his mouth....
Jake-"Get off me woman!"
Me- "What!"
Jake- "Get off of me you old woman!!"

Really? That kid may live on his own planet, but he is friggin' hilarious.

A match made in Heaven...

2010-01-25T21:35:00.002-07:00

Isaac has an ear fettish. He loves ears, what can I say. He likes to touch them, rub them... especially when he's tired. It was designed in the pre-existence, I am sure, that Isaac was to have a baby brother with rather large, floppy, dumbo type ears. While Isaac loves ears, Ethan likes to cuddle. I have found that my newest baby likes to have someone/something touching his face while he sleeps. He is just a cuddle bug, which I love. God obviously has a plan. This is our daily nap-time arrangement, I lay down with my baby boys. Me, Ethan, then Isaac. Isaac reaches across the baby's head to my ear, then as he succombs to sleep, he moves to Ethan's adorable Dumbos. In this picture Ethan (you know, you can see the binky under there) is fast asleep.

I had to snap a picture but, as you can guess, this is not the safest position for an infant.

Ethan doesn't agree! Apparently he likes his big brother's arm across his face while he sleeps. He can't sleep without it! This truly is a match made in heaven!

For you Mom

2010-01-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

This is Ike with marker on his face.

This is Ike with princess shoes on.

And yes, this is Abbi and Jake in ballet leotards. (You'll notice Jake is in the one with a skirt. At least he looks slightly embarrassed!)

And this...this is just one cute baby!!!

More Princess Hair

2010-01-22T12:58:00.003-07:00

We have been doing super cute do's from that awesome blog just about every day now. These are a few I got pictures of...

A four year old boy

2010-01-08T16:35:00.003-07:00

Kids say the funniest things. I think that particularly the three and four year old range it really hits an all time high. Jake is my oldest son and he is full of hilarious things to say......

"I wear rockstar underwear because I am a rockstar"

"I want to be a prophet when I grow up"

J- "Mommy, don't you love me?"
Me- "Of course I do sweetie."
J-"Why would you ask me to go upstairs if you love me?"

"I am going to ask Santa for a flying saucer. That's what I want for Christmas, a flying saucer"

"Mom, my butt itches"

"Abbi, I could only like girl stuff if I was a girl but I can still play the Mommy"

(About Ethan) "Mommy, he is so cute because he has a little tiny head."

I hear a rumble from Jake's direction. Me-"Jake did you tute?"
Jake-"Yes"
Me-"What do you say?"
Jake-"Ike did it"

I swear everyday something new comes out of that kid's mouth, these are only a few I can remember. He is so weird. At least he keeps me laughing.

BTW

2010-01-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

The blog with the hairstyles is listed on the side there...in my new section...Blogs to Enjoy. It's the one and only member of that section...so far. Abbi wants to try the rose do for Sunday.

Princess Hair

2010-01-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

So my mom sent me a link to this blog. It's a whole blog on hairstyles for little girls. I am so excited. Much to Abbi's dismay, I love doing her hair. She enjoys it to a certain extent. Not the extent that I do, it also makes matters worse that I am quite a perfectionist so doing it over and over til it's right does not appeal to her. Anyway, she is actually pretty excited to try out some of these "Princess" do's so here is the first....

2010-01-05T21:09:00.002-07:00

So....it's over. All that build up, anticipation, and preparation and the 2009 Holiday Season is over. We had a good one. We were able, for the first time in our family's history, have our 'own' Christmas morning. We have our own space here in my mother in law's basement, so the kids woke up and we did our thing. Abbi was super excited to be Santa's helper and pass out the gifts. They were all pretty excited about the things they got (they are all incredibly spoiled) and even more excitement that their cousins were coming over later. We all had a really great Christmas and a good New Year too. I made John stay up (yes that's right, made him, he is such a stick in the mud) so I could get a New Year's kiss from my hubby for the first time in 6 years (the last couple of years my kiss has been from my children--still not too bad, just not the same).

Anyway, great holiday season. It's just always over so fast and here we are, 2010. I am so incredibly glad 2009 is over--I can't even put into words how much it pleases me that that cursed year is over. I have to say that my family has grown much from the plentiful trials we have had, I am just not at the point of being grateful for those trials....yet.

For the sake of prosperity, I will write down the goals I have for my family this year...

We have really done well with family scripture study and family prayer in the evening, so firstly, I want to have family prayer every day in the morning before everyone departs for the day. I would also like to make Family Home Evening a habit. Of course, I would like to keep the moving to a minimum this year, and get in a better financial position, and maybe get into a home of our own again. As always, I would love for more patience to rain down on me from heaven, or maybe I should just count to ten.

Well, there you are....and here we go 2010!!!

so soon

2009-12-21T23:26:00.000-07:00

Christmas is just days away. I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven and my Savior. I love this time of year to celebrate the miraculous birth of Christ and the opportunity to concentrate on family.

I am so blessed in that department. This year has been very challenging and it has brought one thing to my attention... I have a wonderful family. It's not that I didn't realize this before, I really just have a newfound gratitude and admiration for all of those loved ones in our life. My husband is wonderful, of course, and I love my children to death always, but our extended families have done so much for us in our times of need and I don't know that I can ever fully express the impact that has had on me. My dream is to, one day, be as kind, generous, loving, selfless and Christ-like as these precious ones in our lives.

I hope all of you wonderful people in our lives have a Merry Christmas. I hope you make great memories with your families and remember the true reason for the season. I will be missing my parents and siblings this holiday very much. Have fun in Idaho!!

Crazy?

2009-12-10T23:15:00.001-07:00

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly. President Thomas S. Monson

I stole this quote (well, technically from President Monson) from my Relief Society President's blog--thanks Amy! I love it. Just love it. I was at church the other day and some one asked

"You have four kids?"

"Yeah"

"How old is your oldest?"

"Five."

"Really? Wow." (accompanied by a look questioning my sanity)

I proceeded to have a similar conversation after church with someone. I seem to have that conversation a lot. Is it really that hard to believe? That someone....that I, would have decided to have four children in five years? I suppose it could be a possibility that John and I are not educated in the many different methods of birth control, this is not the case. We planned and expected each pregnancy, in fact, there would have been less of a gap between a couple of the kids if we had had things our way. No, I don't like being pregnant. No, I am not particularly silly about babies. No, I am not crazy.

Yes, my life is crazy. There is more cleaning, laundry, sticky messes, ouchies, whining, crying, kisses, band-aids, playdates, Happy Meals, toys, yelling, hugs, cartoons, mac and cheese, diapers, bottles, noise, carseats, wipes, fighting and frustration than is probably healthy... but I am not crazy. Our house is usually clean, the kids (and myself) are bathed, they have good manners considering their ages, we aren't late too often, I even get time to myself occassionally.

It's so amazing. I love that they have each other to learn from and to grow with. I am so proud that Abbi loves reading to her little brothers, and Isaac is so sweet to everyone (most of the time), and Jake is more boy than any boy I have ever encountered, and Ethan is just so entertained and adored by all of the older kids. I am proud that they are well behaved, happy children. I am so grateful to have them in my life and I will never fully be able to express that. So yeah...Wow. Really.

28...Ugh!

2009-12-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was my birthday. UGH! Not that I didn't have a good birthday, as far as birthdays go. I got some awesome gifts and my hubby took me on a great date. There was a blizzard. It doesn't get much better, really. What is really upsetting to me is that I am closer to 30. Why does 28 seem so much closer to that dreaded number? I mean, I was 27 less than 48 hours ago, but 28 just seems leaps and bounds closer to the big three-oh. I don't get it. I really never thought that I would care-I do.

I really think it's just hard to wrap my brain around. 30 is middle age ( I do still have two precious years) and I am not middle age. I am a kid. I am a teenager, a college student, a young adult, a young wife, a new mother....where has the time gone? I just feel like my life is passing before my eyes and I am on the sidelineswaiting for it to get started. I need to get in the game-I am just not sure how, I guess. I need to work on that one.

Thanks to all my loved ones for making my big day a happy one...numbers aside!

Magic...

2009-11-21T19:50:00.001-07:00

I have to tell you all how much I love this time of year. I love the music, the weather, the good feelings, remembering the birth of our Savior, and I love being SANTA to my children. (Being SANTA to myself isn't so bad either) I remember being a kid and feeling that 'magic' that surrounds this time of year. That wore off a long time ago...until I had kids to re-create it all for.

I absolutely adore shopping, so any reason to do that is a good one. I am so proud of Abbi and Jake when they show that they actually understand the reason for the season. They affectionately call Christmas "Jesus' birthday". I think it was Abbi who asked once why we get presents if it's Jesus birthday. Good question. I like that I have 99.9% of my shopping done so I don't have to stress...just sit back, relax and enjoy it with my family.

I am grateful that, although our situation is not ideal, we are together--our little family of six. I guess that's not so little. I am grateful that I have had the health and ability to have the four wonderful, healthy children that we have. I am thankful everyday that I have such an incredible husband to share this life, and the eternities, with. John is loving, hard working and fun. I love him so much. I look back on this crazy (and in some ways awful) year, and I really just can't believe it. We have endured several trials of different sorts and although I am not quite at the point to be grateful for those trials, I am grateful for the growth and strength in my family that has resulted from them.

This is going to be a wonderful holiday season, and I am so excited for it. I love my family and I am so grateful for all of my many blessings.

P.S. The pics are all from last year and earlier this year!

2009-11-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Jake had a birthday party. Yes, a party. . .not an actual birthday. . .yet. His big day is not until the 25th but we had some awesome family in town, so we had the party early. My wonderful parents came into town, along with my sis and her kids. I was so happy to see them. I have missed them all so much lately.

Why is it that we always seem rushed when family comes to visit? Rushed to do what? I am not sure but I always wish we had more time.

Jake wanted to go bowling for his Spiderman party. Strange, I know. We had much of our extended family there, along with Jake's friend Koy. Watching all the kids bowl is so funny. We had cake and ice cream in their party room and we were done. Given my history, a very simple party and I think the kids had a great time.

We also had Halloween way back when. We went to the ward trunk-or-treat that Thurday and went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood for a bit. I think the kids were most excited about passing out candy though when we got back.

Oh yeah, and we moved. . .again!! I am not kidding. We moved down here to Manhattan to be together as a family all the time (John has been working, and staying here most of the time, for the past two months). We have our own little space in my mother in law's basement. And believe it or not, it has been a vast improvement for our children. I am not sure how long we will be here, or where we will go after. . .I have no clue. If this past year has taught us anything, we'll just go with the flow and keep praying.

oh, so much fun

2009-10-24T19:19:00.001-07:00

Life with a new baby was going very well, until John decided to get sick that is. You might think, "A sick husband is not a huge deal, Clara." Especially if you remember that John doesn't even live in the same house as me most of the time. The problem is that he got sick while he was in Topeka with us.

A couple weeks ago, John was home for Sunday and Monday. On Monday, we took the kids to a Pumpkin Patch place to do all the fun little activities and let them pick pumpkins. They rode the little train which they all loved, went down the big bouncy slide, and we took the hayrack ride. On the last part of the ride, the farm had staged a wreck from "the last hayrack ride" complete with plastic body parts and an oveturned trailer. Abbi and Jake were highly concerned that the place didn't call some "doctors". I let them believe the scene for a few minutes but had to explain things once Abbi wanted to ask the tractor driver to turn around so we could go help the victims of the crash. Abbi loved the hay jump that was set up but Jake insisted that Daddy caught him every time he jumped. John moved out of the way last minute once and Jake was appalled that Dad would do that to him. Maybe someday I will tell him it was my idea. Isaac just wanted to play on the teeter totter and Ethan slept the whole time--what else?

Later that day, we decided to give in to the pleading and go to the BMX track that is a few blocks from the house. I thought it would be fun to take a family bike ride. It was. Jake has a little 12" bike and no matter how fast he peddaled, he just couldn't keep up. I think someone will be getting a new bike for his birthday. On the way back we let Jake pick the trail home--bad idea. John and I switched bikes--I took the bike with the two little boys in the trailer and John took mine and rode with Jake (he's really slow remember?). That was the plan and then we started home. Jake's way home was the way home that kept getting longer. After another two miles, Abbi and I made it home. We got everything put away and I went inside and waited and waited. I look out the front window after another 45 minutes and here comes John...carrying Jake's bike....pushing Jake on his bike. I am sure that ride with Jake was as fun-filled as they get, but John was a trooper.

That Monday was one of those days that was just perfect. The kids were well behaved so excited to spend a day with Daddy, John and I kept the positive attitude we woke up with and we had so much fun. It was so wonderful. That day is, however, was the day the misery started--we just didn't know it yet. John got sick the next day. Sick husband (mine at least) are so not fun, but it gets worse...germs spread. Jake got sick, really sick. Abbi got sick, Ike got sick, I got sick and Ethan got sick. Not to mention the several members of my sister in laws family that were inflicted by the epidemic. The infirmary we call our house was then invaded by pink eye. Jake is the only one of my children that doesn't have that on top of the severe cold or flu or whatever.

My sleep intake takes a steep decline when my kids are sick. They are all coughing constantly, the older three wake up crying randomly, the oldest two have to go potty a bazillion times and for some reason have to inform me of it every time. That would pose a problem, except I am awake anyway due to the noise and stress of watching the newborn to make sure he can breathe despite the snot and mucous. So to sum it up, I have not slept, like really slept, in two weeks. And I thought I was going to have it easy with this baby because he sleeps so well. I am sure I will--when we all recover!!

Life with Ethan

2009-10-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Ethan was a week old yesterday!! Okay, so I know that a week is not long but it doesn't seem like a week since I had him. I am recovering okay. It is nice to know the day and basically the time that your baby is going to be born (a few perks of a C-section) but the recovery is terrible. John has been back in Manhattan since Tuesday night and I am still not supposed to pick Isaac up or the monstrous baby in his infant seat--oh well! What am I supposed to do?? Anyway, Ethan is doing very well. He is nursing every three hours or so and does really great with that. I think we have a pretty good routine at night. . .he nurses, gets changed, etc. and falls asleep by 10 or 10:30. He doesn't wake up until 3:30 or 4 then goes back to sleep until 9. I really love that he sleeps in a little. The other kids and I are up by 7 and then we proceed to eat and get everyone ready and off to school , so it's pretty convenient to get through all of that before I have to stop everything to nurse the baby. He is super cute and all the kids around here adore him. We have to be a little cautious with the little boys. Their idea of soft is not exactly everyone else's idea of soft. Isaac is so in love with babies. He insists on holding his little brother often and will sit still and quietly with Ethan on is lap for quite some time. Isaac gets very upset at Ethan's feeding times when he can't hold him. Anyway, welcome to the family Ethan! We love you!

P.S. I was going to post some pictures, but my stupid computer is not cooperating so there will be pictures to come--promise.

Ethan David Balsmeier

2009-09-24T18:44:00.001-07:00

He's here!! Ethan was born on September 23rd at 11:42am. He weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 7oz and was 22'' long. I know--he's huge! Not my longest baby but definitely the heaviest, by more than a pound. Everything went well. I had a C-section, of course, but they had to do some manouvering to get him out. They were concerned about his blood sugar levels because of his size but both tests came back good. He nurses well and is utterly adorable. I am feeling as well as can be expected after major surgery, but as long as I stay on top of my pain killers, I am doing alright.

Thank you, by the way, for all of the name suggestions. Some of you might be wondering where we got Ethan from, well. . .I have always liked the name Ethan and kind of never really thought of it until last week. John and I were searching on the internet for names and we did a 'biblical name' search. Yes, people, Ethan is in the bible. . .who knew? Okay maybe a lot of you did, but I did not. The name is mentioned in 1 Chronicles. He is reffered to as a musician and in 1 Kings it's implied that he was a wise man. Although all the previous kids have biblical names-- we did not plan it that way. We liked Abigail, Jacob is my g-grandfather's name, and Isaac just went well with Drake. We decided to stick with that 'theme' and I liked the way Ethan went with the other kids' names--it was just very convenient that a name I love just happened to be mentioned in the bible. David, of course, is John's middle name and there you have it--Ethan David.

2009-09-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

I so wish I had a picture of my pathetic looking little prince to post...

Jake fell out of one of the many little coupe cars that are around here and he, of course, had to land on his mouth, where else? He came in screaming and crying and bleeding all over the place which is to be expected. He scraped up his upper lip pretty badly and I noticed that he was also bleeding from the gumline on is upper front tooth. I couldn't tell if he had knocked it loose or not (mostly due to his histerycal screaming if I even came near his mouth for the rest of that day or the next). Today his lip is not three times it's normal size anymore, good sign. I thought he might let me check his tooth (it still is bothering him when he bites into something)--still a no go. So I ask my little boy, "Jake, if you won't let me try it, can you? Can you wiggle your tooth and see if it is loose?:"

You know what he does? He starts wiggling. . . wiggling his whole head and body!!! I could not stop laughing. Then he said, "See Mom, it wiggles." Of course, how could I have been so blind!!!

Some things. . .

2009-09-17T12:56:00.003-07:00

Jake went to the other Optometrist today and surprise-- he is color blind. Not red/green or any specific 'kind' just color blind. The Optometrist actually said that it seems that Jake sees everything in varying shades of gray. He can see a difference in shade of the basic colors and will learn, with time, to correspond a certain shade he sees with the color-name someone assigns to it. He will not see differences in shades and tones of colors like most people do. This is similar to what my father has been able to explain to me that he sees. Although, my father does say that he sees colors--it' just that many of the paint chips in Home Depot, for example, all look the same. He can't distinguish many of the different shades or tones, they look the same. The Optometrist assumed today that Jake just sees in gray, and while I still have hope that maybe he does see color, just not all of the colors, he won't be able to communicate that until he gets older. We'll see.

On a more positive note. . .I got my maternity pictures today. I am so excited and so grateful to my dear friend Rachel in Longmont. I felt so bad during the shoot before we moved--Jake was being such a snot and Abbi didn't want to do anything other than play and Isaac wanted to just run around. Rachel was very patient and got many shots that were not set-up but show the true personality of my children. Rachel, you were amazing and I love so many of the shots. Thank you so much and if any of you need a photographer for anything contact her http://racheldemartinphotography.blogspot.com/.

The Princess and I

2009-09-14T19:34:00.004-07:00

As promised, here is a picture of my beautiful princess in her new specks. She says she is excited about them but I think the most exciting thing for her is cleaning them with the spray and cloth that she got. She takes very good care of them and is adamant that no one else touches them. I am a little impressed with how responsible she has been with them.

As far as school goes. . .she is still struggling a little with the I miss Mommy syndrome (so weird) but she really likes school and her teacher. She tells me about her days and all the kids in her class. I am really thinking that with the crazy-ness in our family right now, we just need to be consistent and patient and she will be over it soon.

And this is me, of course. Who else's tummy gets this humongous? This is me with sixteen days left until the actual due date, but really I only have to wait nine days until the C-section. So close I can taste it!!!

In other news. . .Isaac is in need of some speech therapy. He is 'normal' in every other way, he just won't use words to communicate. I am grateful that we can get it taken care of early and to hopefully reduce the yelling and screaming very soon. I love the boy, but I can not handle his frustration level lately. Jake actually goes to another optometrist appointment, one that I have heard will do the color blind test. We will update on that after the appointment and hopefully I know one way or the other about my wonderful genes being passed on to my son.

random

2009-09-05T17:41:00.003-07:00

We have had a lot of things going on these past couple of weeks...

First, Abbi started school. Kindergarten at the ripe old age of 4. Sigh. I already posted about what she thought of her first day. She really seems to enjoy it but she goes through a little separation anxiety every morning. Which, really is weird for her. I feel a little guilty quite honestly. Our poor kids have been through so much the past few months, more than most four and three year olds go through in their entire lives. On top of all that, they don't see their dad more than one or two days a week. No, we are not separated, or anything of the sort, just trying to save on gas for his job that is an hour away from where we currently live. I am not sure which/any or all of these is contributing to her sadness every morning, but her teacher assures me that she does well at school except for an occasional, "I miss my Mom." Wow, even more sad, my poor baby!

A week after Abbi started, Jake started preschool. My handsome little man is so excited and he loves it, especially that he got a Spider Man back pack. Jake is doing well. Like I said, he really enjoys preschool. "We played on the park inside and the one in the backyard!" he tells me. I am relieved the he is really enjoying it, I was worried about him and the separation-- not abbi-- ironic, huh? We visited the optometrist the other day and I discovered that my two oldest children need glasses--poor kids. Abbi will get hers next week when the pink ones she ordered come in. Jake actually has poorer vision than she, but he is a little young for glasses and their vision can change quite a bit still at that age--so no glasses for the little man. . .yet. He was highly disappointed when his older sister 'got to' pick out glasses and he did not. It was a little amusing (and relieving at this point) that they think glasses are fun and cool, they don't realize the pain that they actually are.

To my disappointment, they both need glasses, and more disappointment. . . the optometrist wouldn't give Jake the color blind test. Color blindness runs in my family (my father and other relatives are) and we have suspected for a long while that Jake might be. He has always done really well recognizing shapes and numbers and even letters--not colors. He knows black and white and pretty much nothing in between. The doc wouldn't test him. My sis-in-law found a couple of sights on-line and had her three year old try it and he got every one of them. Then Jake tried. . .Poor kid. He had no clue there was anything in all those dots. He got the ones that everyone should get, the ones color blind individuals can't see, he couldn't see. It's definitely not a professional diagnosis but my suspicions are confirmed--the kid is color blind-- poor thing. So with his glasses (at some point in the future) and the color issue. . .well, I just feel a little bad for the kid.

A week and a half after Abbi started school, she had a birthday!! She is now the big 5. Her birthday was on a Friday and she was very excited to bring her special treat to class. We drove down to Manhattan to meet John to go out to eat for her big day. She chose Chili's and she did get to open some gifts given that her party wasn't until the following weekend. She was very excited about the Thumbelina barbie sent from Grandma Love. Her party was on the 29th and she had a big bouncy castle, a pinata and a BBQ in the backyard. All the kids had a good time and a new friend from school came--very exciting. Thank you to everyone who helped and came! Mommy and Daddy got her a new "big girl" bike so her knees are no longer in her mouth when she rides. Today, Daddy took off the training wheels and started teaching her to ride a "two-wheel bike". She did well, we will practice more tomorrow or Monday.

Isaac is here. . .and that's pretty much it. He is so super cute, but definitely trying my patience lately. He refuses to talk so he just screams and yells about everything. I can not handle all the noise!!!! He actually get evaluated to see if he needs speech therapy next week. We'll see how that goes.

My C-section is the 23rd now and I am feeling terrible. Just the normal-- tired, huge, hot, impatient and really ready to not be preggo anymore!!

Why is this so hard?

2009-08-20T19:23:00.002-07:00

Names, people, I need names. Our (our? why do I say "our", I am the one having surgery, right? I mean, I know John has a hard time with blood and needles and all that, but let's face it--he's got it pretty easy for my c-section) C-section is scheduled for Sept.24, for now that is. . .

There is some confusion as to my actual due date (the 30th). Changing docs in the middle of a pregnancy is not a whole lot of fun. I really loved my doc in Longmont, I do like the one I have here, it's just weird changing doctors. Anyway, my cycle and my due date don't align. In CO they did an early U/S to get a really accurate date and it put me two weeks back (the 30th), remember? Now I am measuring exactly what the cycle date (15th) was--weird. And our last U/S had the baby right at the cycle date too. Well, she is going with the ultrasound date and hopefully I don't go into labor on my own before that.

The thing is. . . John and I can not think of any names we both like. He wants to use some weird ones and I am not going there. I do have some really amazing girl names I want to use. . . too bad. I want a name that "goes" with the other three but not old man-ish or dorky. Any ideas?

Busy Life

2009-08-17T07:07:00.002-07:00

I was kind of waiting until I had pictures ready before I posted, but not having my own computer to use slows that down tremendously.

I bought school supplies with (and for) Abbi before we left town. It was actually pretty fun, she really cracks me up. She was so excited to do it and she had to get everything off the shelf and put it in the cart--I was not permitted to help.

We left town Wed the 22nd and the concert was on the 23rd (I think that's right). Amanda and I had so much fun!! Last time I went to Cheyenne Frontier Days it was all drunkards and crazy. This time it was all teenage girls and their parents. I understand her music is geared to that audience but I have to say that I love her music and really admire her talent. It was a lot of fun. When I told Abbi that I went to the "Juliet" concert (that's what she calls Taylor Swift because of her one song "Love Story") she was actually a little upset that she didn't get to go. One reason I like her music--I can listen to it in the car with my kids!! They actually know some of her songs.

We hung out the rest of the next week at my Mom's house. We went out on the boat, we visited Grandma at work and we visited some friends. It was nice to relax at Grandma's. Then cousins came into town also and we prepared for the Lake Powell trip.

The Lake was a lot of fun, it always is. I have to say it was a lot different with non family members there and about a bazillion kids under the age of 9. It wasn't quite as relaxing as usual, but still lots of fun. On the way back, the boat trailer blew a tire. Of course my dad wasn't there, he had just headed back up to Roy, UT straight from the lake. We got that taken care of and finally make it back to Longmont. I found out the next morning that the keys to my van were still in the glove box of my parent's car, you know, the one that my dad drove home with. Genius, Clara, genius. So after four hours and almost four hundred dollars...we were on our way home-to KS.

Abbi started school last Wed. She was so excited. We picked out her clothes and she got all ready, John made her pancakes (per her request), we took some pictures and off we went. The boys and I walked her in and we waited in the Gym for all the kids to arrive and sit in line with their class. ( We had actually gone the night before to the school's Sneak Peak where we saw her classroom and met her teacher) Then we walked with the class down to their room and we left her. She was fine, with me leaving her, that is. She was a little apprehensive in line at the gym but we walked down, she gave us all a hug and kiss and she was good. When I went to pick her up, well, she wasn't there. Her cousin had come and gotten her, so we waited for them to come back to her classroom. She told me that "it was so boring. We didn't even play with play-do. It was just so boring. We just sat and listened and walked around and sat some more-so boring, Mom." I have never heard the word boring so many times in one conversation. I tried to appease her by explaining that the teacher had to go through all of the rules and all that boring stuff on the first day, but it will be a lot more fun tomorrow. She would hear none of it, "You said it was going to be fun and it was boring."

You will be happy to know the next few days went a lot better. They didn't have to sit and listen to rules and regulations and procedures all day. They did get to play with play-do, thank goodness. She is having a good time, she says she is making friends in her class but she can't remember their names.

The summer was absolutely nuts but it has drawn to an end. My oldest has started Kindergarten and I survived. It's just a little saddening and weird to only have two kids at home all day. Jake starts Preschool this Wed, which leaves us with one-for the mornings anyway. John found a manager position with Best Buy, it's just that the position is in Manhattan, KS. About an hour drive. He stays down there at his Mother's for two to three days in a row to help save on gas. The raise is helpful , I just don't like being a single mom most of the time. Right now though, we will take what we can get.

Out of the mouths of babes

2009-07-15T13:12:00.002-07:00

So we were playing outside this morning before lunch. I was sitting on the front porch and Jake was standing in front of me when he pointed to the area between my eyes and my cheek bones. He points there and asks, "Mommy what color is that?" I am thinking he is referring to the mole I have below my right eye and respond, "Well, honey that's my mole and I think it is brown." Jake corrects, "No. What color is this right under your eye?" That's when it sinks in that he is referring, not to my mole, but the huge circles under my eyes--"Purple."

I guess I am in desperate need of a nap!!