29 again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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