planting roots

Christmas recap

2012-01-27T21:35:00.007-07:00

This year I was so well prepared! Before Thanksgiving I went to a friends house and made some cute Christmas cards. I planned my Christmas crafts out week by week. I had the kids Christmas outfits six week early and knew exactly what we were getting them. I was going to make it happen! HA!

I made the cards but never sent them so they went back up in the attic with all the other Christmas stuff for next year. Maybe next year?!I only got around to a few crafts. This is the nativity I added this year. Pretty simple and compact. Just a paper cut out.

This year we hosted a super fun Christmas party. We were surrounded by people we love. It was so fun to enjoy the company of so many friends and neighbours.
We played some minute to win it games, ate and just enjoyed having a reason to chill together. So many good laughs!

Christmas eve we hunkered down and had our own family Christmas party. (There was no way I was braving any of the last minute Christmas craziness!) We played a few more games.

Took full advantage that all our doors on our Lego advent calendar were open

And the kids decorated the Grandma room and served us food and drinks while we watched movies all afternoon.

Christmas morning we hurried and got dressed for church. Peaked thru our stockings. And Why not get a good Christmas shot in while we are all dressed?! HA!

After almost 100 snap shots these are the best we got.
How do people get "the" perfect family photo?

No one photo has everyone smiling and in focus!
I guess we have that much documented...we lack on group photography.

After church it was free game

Liza with her loot. Not one dud in this pile!

Daniel and his goods

Rainey and his goods. This year he made it very clear about three weeks before Christmas all he wanted and has "ever wanted for (his) entire whole life" (all 4 almost 5 years of life) was a bath robe. That was easy enough!

Mikey opening her presents. She only opened one at a time. She savored it all day long! We kept having to prod her into opening them. She was so content with whatever the older kids were doing, or the present she had just opened. Super easy to please this year, and everyone of her gifts have been used daily!

This is what most of the rest of Christmas day looked like. Everyone on some sort of electronic.

Liza learning about electricity and circuits

Here the boys were setting up their Lego city. Putting their boards in just the right configuration so to accommodate all the things they were going to build.
(Too bad the lost ALL their toys 10 days later, for refusing 5days in a row to clean their room. And now have only books to read. Maybe Lego city can be build next month. If I go up to the attic to get them down.)

All in all it was a great year for memories! Some we laugh at and some we hold dear to our hearts. A fabulous year for us!
Hope it found you all in good health and as happy as we were!

Rollercoaster of emotions Deployment post #1

2012-01-04T22:26:00.010-07:00

I wrote this last week, its a bit of a babble-woe-is-me post but have chosen to post it anyways to document my emotions of pre-deployment. I still get weepy eyed when support our troop commercials come on or redeployment clips are shown but I think I have gotten most of the tears out and have moved on to acceptance now, I think...

The deployment list is finalized, and J is on it. Nine months somewhere in BFN Afghanistan.

As an Army Wife you know the possibility is always there. You prepare for it regularly. Separation is nothing new its a part of the job. But it never gets easier, maybe more routine, but never easier.J has spent the week in meetings learning about his tasks, his team, his locations, and been briefed on what to expect. Next up is training, issuing of gear, more training, more meetings and never ending late nights, and frequent travels all over the place taking our soldier boy away from home for days and weeks before his actual deployment, then the dreaded packing, unpacking and packing again.This isn't the first time we have done a deployment. This is by far not the first time we have been separated by 1000s of miles. This is not the first time we have gone through these emotions, but somehow it is so different this time.J comes home excited with the new challenge. Excited to be back on the contributing side of defending freedom. Excited about his team, and their mission. He has so much stuff he has absorbed and wants to share, AND wants me be excited for also.

I am NOT as excited as he wants me to be. I'd rather be curled up on the couch between my mom and dad sobbing. There is nothing exciting about staying somewhere so far from family with no husband and four kids (three of which have no idea whats coming and are having trouble comprehending what we are saying). There is nothing exciting about sending a loved one into harms ways, and praying nothing happens. There is nothing exciting about rearranging schedules and routines five thousand different ways to accommodate all the pre-deployment training that takes J away from home for weeks, then having to rearrange them to accommodate the late nights and training exercises that will have him pop in and out of the home for a few weeks. Followed by a few weeks of block leave where he will be all ours, to be followed by his departure. It drags out forever! In all honesty I' rather they just take him two months early and train him somewhere else so I can just start counting down and don't have to deal with the constant roller coaster of emotions and my kids constant confusion of whats going on. Don't get me wrong I will relish every day I get with my soldier boy until he leaves, I will survive the deployment, and I will do it with style! I just think I need to run pre-deployments for a while. What medical professional and top dog green suiter came up with the out, and in, and back out again routine?

This time there isn't the option to move home, with three kids in school and J leaving mid way through the school year. There isn't the option to have my sister move in with me as she is now married with her own family. The last time we did this we only hand two kids. I could put one in each hand or on each leg- that number has doubled. Luckily for us it comes on a year that nothing momentous will be happening, he will be back just in time for Daniel's baptism, and Liza entering Young Women's. For our family the timing as ideal as any separation can get.This week I feel a little frazzled and a bit of an introvert. J and I can't seem much to talk about anything- he's excited and I am not. So much to think about, and so many things to do, with no time as the army is fully occupying that. The kids are picking up on the stress levels and are super sensitive. Mikey is all messed up and making it hard for me to sleep, she is either up till 11pm or up at 5am and constantly into everything and trying to be independent but in constant need of Dad. She doesn't want to nap, if she does she is up until 11pm (which eats up what energy J does have) and if she doesn't nap and goes to bed on time she is up at 5am and I am NOT a 5am morning person!! Daniel who is just way out of sorts, he is aggressive, emotional and super sensitive to anything anyone says. Rainey asks lots of questions, and wants to be involved and understand but can't wrap his little head around it causing more than his normal amounts of aggression and temper. And Liza who I am sure is dealing with it in a way but for the most part is my constant and easy going child who has decided to escape into her books.

Time for me to cry my eyes out, let the emotions go then move on. Maybe then I can find a way to balance the kids out and find some energy for my self. I need to push on! I need go to work and forget about the what ifs. UGH!

Happy Birthday Rainey!!

2012-01-01T23:02:00.006-07:00

One year older and wiser too!
Rainey at this time in his life...
loves parkour
loves to cook
loves to create! An artist in the making
loves letters
Outside is the only place to be if you aren't inside drawing and creatinggoes to Pre-K
has a BFF that gets him, she moves in just a few weeks (he is going to be crushed!!)
has a bit of a temper
will do anything for money
loves dirt!eats anything you feed him
eager to please without loosing his true self
the jokster of our bunch
has a way of wrapping you around his little finger with "the look"
stubbornloves surprises
very patient
hates to hang up clothes or do any sort of cleaning involving his room/toys
my best shopping buddy
high energy
Loves to make others smile
Makes friends easily but rarely lets them into his heart (very sensitive and hates to be hurt)
Loves to imagine
responsible when it counts
loves to learn

Rainey you brighten up my days and give my a bit of laughter every day! You may be my greatest challenge as a parent but there is no way I would trade you for any other child. I love to create side by side with you, to watch you think things out and to see you grow. You definitely have tried my patience but are the greatest example in exercising patience. You are a people pleaser without staying true to yourself and your ideals. Your beautiful blue eyes dance as you face every day eager to see what the world has to hold. I can't wait to see you you accomplish this year, and what talents manifest themselves while you are 5!

Happy Birthday Rainey!!

Spiritual high!!

2011-12-17T21:35:00.004-07:00

Today was such an awesome experience. I am physically drained yet emotionally and spiritually edified!

I started my morning way earlier than normal with a portion of my youth group kids.

We drove the 90mins to the city to a homeless shelter/rehab facility we were introduced to back in March. One of the other leaders had gone there with her cosmetology class to practice cutting hair. She had such an amazing experience she wanted to share it with our youth. We decided to make quilts for every bed they had (80 beds). Everyone thought we were crazy! Four girls and four leaders and several members from our little congregation ended up with 91 quilts. We had a chance to deliver those quilts and show our love for our fellow men today.

Sorry it is a bit blurry, the person operating it wasn't too electronic savvy.
A group photo of some of the residents that spent a bit of time getting to know our youth and giving them advice on how to avoid the predicament they were in.
In order to qualify for this facility you must be dependent on a substance (drug or alcohol), and be homeless, and/or have a mental diagnoses (OCD, schizophrenia, turrets...).

The last of our quilts. A few of the residents went out and down the street to round up a few of the people sleeping on the streets. We were able to gift of all of them.

Then we served them brunch

This was one of our favorite residents, C. He really stood out. A former college baseball player. He had a special bond with our boys who are very into sports. He shared a lot of very encouraging advice on how to play sports and not get caught up in the things of the world.

We met many great people today that changed our lives! We drove home and talked of the many things we took away from our visit. Much to be grateful for and to think of! Addiction and tragedy have no social boundaries.

We ended our night with our church Christmas party, which the youth group was tasked with. We kept it very simple. Dinner, Santa, and a video of the primary kids we put together. (I'll share it another time)During part of the program one of our missionaries had a surprise presentation to the veterans in our congregation. His mother is part of a group (were kids design the patches and the ladies sew them) called Moms love quilts. They presented each veteran with a quilt. A good few of them were teary eyed and all were very appreciative of the support. (Liza had a small part in the presentation and helped hand out the quilts)The one in the middle of this one was my favorite! it read "Tank you!" How super clever!
Yes Santa served in the military at one point to, how else could he afford flight school?! :-PJ get a bit teary during the presentation.

We finished our program with a video we compiled of the primary kids talking to us about Christmas. It was humorous and profound at the same time. As the producer of the video I got to hear all of their stories. "Out of the mouth of babes!" No words can explain the love I have for each of the kids I interviewed and their special spirit! I can't wait to share it with you but neither of us have the energy to focus tonight on uploading it for all to view.

May you all find the peace the good Lord is waiting to share with you!

Dietary alterations

2011-12-15T23:06:00.004-07:00

I love Daniel. For the most part he is my easiest child.

He just goes with the flow and usually doesn't cause too much fuss. THat being said he has also been my most sensitive child. His feelings are easily hurt. On the flip side, he usually knows when someone just needs a hug, or where to fill a need. He pays attention to others and their needs, more than my other kids. Often very good at paying attention to detail. He has recently also developed a seriously sensitive stomach.

Daniel has missed several days of school this past few weeks while making really good friends with our bathroom porcelain and our plastic bowls. Something just hasn't been right with him. Today he was diagnosed with abdominal migraines. He has a history of migraines and this is just one of those things some kids get and will eventually, most likely, grow out of. The Dr prescribed some meds and told me to avoid MSG and chocolate, and lower his sugar intake. She made it sound so simple, it won't take much effort!

After spending most of the afternoon and evening researching it- HA! What can this boy eat?! I was rather discouraged. I can handle lower his sugars and chocolate intake, but MSG?! I mean I already won mother of the Year award for telling the boy not to eat sugar and explaining it all to his teacher an hour before his class Christmas party and not registering maybe I should have sent him something he could eat! WOW! Despite my cluelessness, he took it all in stride and brought home all his goodies and shared them with the missionaries tonight.

I was going to start with just focusing on sugars and then work in the MSG but had to revise that idea after feeding the boy chicken noodle soup for dinner and seeing him get sick a few times tonight. I taught him how to read the labels on food and to find the sugar content. He liked it and picked up on it rather quickly. But the MSG thing is going to be a bit trickier for him. There are so many different words it is listed under to include "seasonings" its just a matter of a lot of research and me doing my homework!

Finally tonight I came across one website where a lady who's sons name is also Daniel, who also must avoid MSG. After reading article after article of what not to eat, it was very refreshing to find a list of things he CAN eat. She has great suggestions for MSG free foods. A ray of hope! There are things he can eat!! Man this is so not going to be easy, but if any of my kids had to go thru this he is the best one. Lets hope the dietary alterations will eliminate his symptoms and I can avoid giving him any drugs.

One of our latest adventures!

I love my kids

2011-12-11T18:10:00.002-07:00

When I realized I married a man as stubborn as I am I never considered what effect that would have on our children. They are twice as stubborn as either one of us!

In late August Jake was tasked to organize a holiday family fun run/walk for the day befor Thanksgiving. The beginning of November we asked the kids if they wanted to run/walk it. They all agreed. Jake of course wouldn't be running it since he was heading the project, leaving me alone to run the 5K with the four kids.

Jake trained a bit with the kids running around the block every other day with them (abt 1mile). I should have gone with them to see how they were when they ran. UGH! After the fact I found out how really not into running they were.

I made a deal with E and D that if they stuck together they could run together ahead of me. Rainey and I made a deal that he had to run at least 5min befor getting in the stroller then it would be 5min in and 5min out. We were set and had a super plan that would work. HAA!

We WALKED fighting the crowd the first 200meters and Rainey sat down and refused to take another step! He was too tired. That punk! So I made him run screaming another 2minutes then let him in. He refused to get out! Around the 1mile mark there was a hill you had to run up, I really did not appreciate pushing 80+Lbs up the hill and kicked the whiny butt out. He cried the entire way up the hill and then hopped back in as soon as we hit the top. He never got out again, screaming every time I told him to get out. I just figured it was better to just leave him there and go at my pace than to drag him along at his begrudging turtle pace.I met up with the older two around 1.5miles. They had slowed down a bit, and I was able to speed up. We walked a distance befor Eliza and I got bored. Then Daniel started crying, and whining "I can't take another step." There was no way he was getting in the stroller even if I could coax Rainey out! So for the next ten minutes I listened to him and his displeasure.

With only half a mile left I left him behind so I could finish the race and told him I would be back for him. He really didn't appreciate that!! You would have thought I was beating both boys. Rainey was crying now because he was cold, and tired (he hasn't walked more than 400meters at this point), and now I was leaving his brother behind. Finally Daniel started sprinting and we were able to finish strong (the only part of the run I was able to pick up the pace).

It is safe to say, I will never run a race with my four children ever again! Mikey was fine for the most part, and Liza was great helping where she could, but those boys are not invited next time!

On the up side Jake was able to raise about 70 food vouchers for the soldiers and the families in need this holiday season, plus $2500 for the local toys for kids program. He and many great voulenteers did an awesome job pulling off a fun, well planned event.

Liza's advancement

2011-11-09T21:08:00.004-07:00

I wish I could fly straight! I feel like I am buzzing from one activity/place/responsibility to the next. Nothing stands still. One of these days I will get on top of things and get back into blogging regularly!

Recently Eliza has begun to take horse riding lessons. Timing could not have been better. Her first reporting period of 4th grade was a bit troublesome, she had a bit of a rough time adjusting. Once she started riding, and she earned the right to go into the pasture by herself, she started to gain a little confidence in herself and her abilities. She started to learn that she needed to be trustworthy, responsible, focused, and apply herself. She was not only learning to ride but learning some life lessons each week as she watched how the ranch is run. As she progressed in her riding we started to see a huge improvement in her grades.Two weeks ago she was advanced from beginners to level 1. She loved to have the whole family, Auntie Di, Tek and her friend Sarah there to watch her ride as she should us what she can do, and was presented with a certification of achievement.

This is her beginners horse Sunrise. She loves to make this horse move!
My girl is not afraid of speed.She was so excited to show me, she can mount a horse ALL BY HERSELF!
No help necessary! Physically she is getting stronger.

One of Lizas favorite things to do other than ride is to groom them.
She loves to braid their main and brush them and wash them.

My girl was born to ride! Its in her blood (thanks to Grandma Jean!). She longs for the weekend where she spends every Friday evening and Saturday playing with her favorite animals. She loves to learn how to train, ride and care for the horses. She soaks up every little bit of knowledge they teach her. She walks taller and more confident. She is happier and more willing after she has spent time with the animals. I love to see her find things she loves and excels at!

This is her new horse Sky Thunder.

She has yet to ride him due to the jitteriness after last weekends earthquakes. Hopefully this weekend she will bond with her new beast and take him out for a some fun. I am proud of my big girl! She is amazing!
I guess we better make sure where ever we go next they have plenty of horses!
Looks like she has found her passion.

Mikey turned two

2011-10-07T07:10:00.004-07:00

Last month Mikey turned two!

Thats a thumb and a finger to make two
We celebrated her birthday the day befor on Sunday since Dad would not be home on her birthday. Each kid bought her a present and presented it to her.

This was her own gift to herself LOL
Daddy let her pick a gift out

Here Rainey is presenting Mikey with his gift
Helping Mikey put together Daniels present

We painted her nails in prep for her special day
That is Daniel in the background with a knife cutting into a box to make Mikey an airplane

Liza made Mikey an ice cream cake.
Homemade ice cream and orange juice concentrate in a graham crust.
Mikey loved it!!
Liza is great at making people feel special on occasions like these!

Another present came a few days later from Grandma and Pop-Pop R
And a day later a card from Grandma and Papa H. I have video of her opening her card and discovering it had money in it, I can't seem to get it to upload right now...

My baby is 2!!

Sept recap

2011-10-06T20:11:00.003-07:00

Here's a brief recap of our September happenings since I totally blew off blogging all month.
We started it of with the local tractor pull. The machines back home have nothing on these babies ;-P
The first few tractors raced down the track with no problems.
The kids got a bit bored, not to mention hot (It was 110F that day, don't miss that!).Then the wheels started to bounce off the ground. Thats when it gets exciting.
They had a tractor pull of their own, filling up on a bag full of candy!
During the early part of the month we had a FHE on reverence and the sacrament. We made a deal with the kids if they were reverent during sacrament for three weeks we could do something fun together as a family. They chose to do a picnic on temple grounds and read stories about the OKC temple and finish off with ice cream at Braums (dads tradition after a session).
It took me forever to get a photo of them all together and they all weren't happy but I did it LOL

Our yummy picnic! Crackers, cheese, Canadian bacon, carrots, cucumbers, grapes, apples and juice. The boys ask me all the time if we can do that again. We made some good memories!Someone got glasses!
I was called as the Young Womens President in our little branch. A little humbling! I am not really qualified to help teach and impress other peoples teenage daughters! I am a great follower but not the greatest leader.

I spent the better part of the middle of the month doing this-laundry! Two couch loads, as I washed every artical of clothing, and all the bedding, pillows, and stuffies in the house. Over kill prehaps- but better safe than sorry :-/While the kids walked around looking like thisWith some serious chemicals in their hairAnd the boys ended up like this...gotta love nasty bugs. Hope my kids never bring lice home again! I am still itching just thinking about itLiza started off her Honor Choir performance front and center as she sang a medley of good ol' rock and roll songs.

It wouldn't be complete without YMCA!!

With the weather cooling and swim lessons at an end we were looking for something Liza could do during the fall/winter. Thanks to a great referral we found the most fabulous ranch for Liza to train at. Here is Liza with the owner Allen.
She loves that she gets to take the horses out on her own around the pen. This is Sunrise a beautiful blue eyed horse! Have you ever seen a blue eyed horse before?
She spends every Friday evening and Saturday all day out at the ranch learning about, grooming, tending, and riding horse. She loves it! Her self esteem and sense of responsibility has increase immensely. They say she is a natural (but in need of a little patience lol).

Smashed it!!

2011-08-26T08:01:00.003-07:00

I don't know if any of you read this post here on goals, I accomplished one!!
So back in July I decided to run an Air Force PT test and pass it by the time school started again. For my age and gender the goal was 16:57/1.5mile. I didn't make it! :-( School started ten days ago and I still had to cut 1min off my run!

A week later (Wednesday) I ran it with the goal to smash it! Again disappointment! I was 3 seconds off!! 3 SECONDS!! UGH!!Well today I ran it and accomplished my goal!! WAHOO!!

Ten days late but I did it!
Now to work on running 2miles in under 21min before Christmas.
Now to treat myself to a delicious fruit shake and some more running to get a head start on my next goal.

First day of school 2011

2011-08-21T19:11:00.004-07:00

This year three of the four kids started school! They are all so super excited to make new friends, see old ones, and enjoy learning with their new teachers.

Our beautiful 4th grader! The only person I know that wears sweaters to school in 100+F weather- she says it gets cold in class with the air conditioners on all day. I just love photographing her!

Dan the Man started 1st this year. I love this boy! He is so quiet and reserved, but has so much more confidence this year than he did last. I love watching these two. Mikey fell and Daniel was comforting her. They have such a special relationship. If she gets hurt when the big kids are around she always runs to him for sympathy.Liza saved her allowance and worked extra hard around the house for six weeks to save up for these shoes. They came in the mail while she was enjoying her first day of school. As soon as dad got home they went for a run in their VFFs. She loves them! Rainey didn't start Pre-K until the second day of school. Here he is on his first day with his teacher Ms Heft! She is one of our babysitter's moms. She is great with him. She has seen already how different he is from Daniel (whom she had two years ago). LOL He has already shown her his stubborn determined side.Mikey was not too thrilled to leave all the kids behind at school. In fact she threw a fit the second day of school when all the kids were dropped off. Right in front of the principal in the hall way she threw herself on the ground not wanting to leave and go home. She has pretty much potty trained herself these past few weeks, running around the house bottomless, putting herself on her pot anytime she needs to go. The first day of school was the first day in panties where we actually left the house. She did good on our short outing. Still working on wearing panties all day (she is a nudist at heart!) but that's this weeks goal, she keeps forgetting to take them off when she sits on her little toilet. She really doesn't like diapers for the most part. I work on her terms and she does all the work. The easiest kid to potty trained!

I will have to play a little catch up to fill in what I miss this summer in the next few posts. I can hardly believe how fast summer has flown by!

back to school traditons

2011-08-15T19:42:00.005-07:00

What are your back to school traditions??

Ours generally start with shopping for school clothes and supplies, grocery shopping where each school age kid picks out their favorite snack food and drink box for their lunches, and then of course Priesthood blessings. We pack our backpacks a few days befor school and it sits in the hallway to remind us our days are short.

This year we started a new tradition, a definite keeper! Last year a friend had posted on her blog, the family night befor school starts they do a back to school fashion show. So fun! I stored that in my memory of family fun time activities and we tried it out.The kids each picked three back to school outfits and modeled them for us. Then as they readied for bed we downloaded the pictures and watched a slide show of them as we ate ice cream and laughed and giggled over their silliness. I think it really made them excited about school This year we have three going to school- WOW!! Mikey and I will have to find things to keep us busy!
Mikey even joined in the fun and put on a few outfits, but as usual never sat still long enough to get a few good pictures of her.

Way back Wednesdays at OKC Zoo

2011-08-10T21:02:00.006-07:00

The OKC Zoo thru the months of July and August has their "Way Back Wednesdays." Every Wednesday admition, hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, and the Sea Lion show are all only one dollar each. For less than $20 I took the kids to the zoo, treated them to lunch and then to a show. Fabulous!

It was the perfect day! It rained last night, so it was cooler this morning. We got there right as they opened so the animals were out and about enjoying their breakfast and the cooler weather. They were all rather playful, usually when we go they are all sleeping and rather boring.

We started by each kid picking an animal the absolutely had to see today. Eliza wanted to see the baby Elephant (as did they all but since she picked it, the others got to see two of their most favorite animal). Thanks to the OKC Zoo staff and the kids favorite TV show "Wild Kratts" I learned a lot about elephants today. This is Malee. She was born April 15th of this year, already weighing 600Lbs. She was so cute. She was playing chase around this rock they have in their pen. Mom would go one direction and she would hide on the other side of the rock, just like most kids, it was so super cute!Daniel had to see a Hippo. Thanks to Wild Kratts for info I had no idea about. I love this show! My kids learn so much and are so super entertained! It is one of the three shows I let my kids watch everyday and we actually have structure our routine around. Rainey wanted to see the Rhinos. This one was his favorite out of the five separately caged animals. No idea why but this is the one he LOVED. We went back to watch it a second time he liked her so much. (Unfortunately I didn't bring my second lens so I couldn't get a good shot of him and the Rhino as he gazed on.)This one was for Mikey! Our little Monkey girl. Liza said she had to go visit her relatives :-P This baby monkey was on the move today while the mama monkey sun bathed on her blanket (First time I have ever seen an animal at the zoo with a blanket!)Of course we took a little time to play on these every once and a while.

We had Rainey try to do some Parkour. Trying to find the most efficient way to climb from the rail over teh stroller to the floor. I think he failed the moment his pants got stuck on the side rail of the stroller leaving him hanging. LOL Mikey was quite concerned for him. The funniest bunch!

I was done and we had 20minutes to waist befor the Sea Lion show so we just sat around watching the little ones play.

This lady was wearing VFFs. My kids were impressed. They enjoyed the show too. Mikey didn't move. She was mesmerized!After the Sea Lions and on our way to the car we fed the birds. Not my favorite part! BUT the kids (minus Mikey) love it. I gave them the choice between a toy or feeding the birds, they chose the birds.These birds are highly trained mooches! They will pull the cup right from your hand if you aren't careful. They want nothing to do with you, normally, if you don't have a cup of nectar. Sometimes they just like to perch themselves on you and do your hair. (The lady wasn't fast enough to get all three birds that were "doing my hair") I think I'll stick with my normal hairdresser thanks!

Mr Bird man himself was nervous with these birds. He'll grab a chicken and walk around with it all day but one of these guys-Forget it! He said it was them climbing on him he didn't like much.This one wanted to call home I guessMy favorite Pics of the day. Liza my sweet Princess!

Daniel my quite peaceful boy!Rainey, laughter never stops with him! He attracts the sillies. This bird kept walking up and down his hat putting the rim right in his face every couple minutes. Mikey who never stopped moving long enough for me to get but a few pictures of her! Always on the go and ready to explore. Wanting the attention but only on her terms (not behind a lens!)

Worth every moment of my day! Thanks kids for not fighting, not asking for everything you saw, for being happy, and enjoying one anothers company! Good memories! Wish every day was like today!

Art tutorials

2011-08-06T09:19:00.007-07:00

It's time to squeeze in all the fun things we haven't done this summer. We only have 11 days of freedom left befor school starts :-( We started the day with learning how to sketch animals. I love spending creative time with these kids! Thanks to the internet I got a few step by step diagrams and we created some fun barnyard animals.
Daniels first horse

Daniels duck

Rainey's pig, then a bigger pig and a sheep

Liza drawing fashion designs. Liza loves to draw fashion and after getting a few tips from J's cousin Lizzie she can draw like a pro! She has spent the morning putting together five new models. I can see her spending many hours creating new designs now! Thanks Liz!

Now off to making stuff with modeling clay...

Goals

2011-08-04T22:00:00.009-07:00

This summer I have been battling insomnia. I don't know if it is the past two months of triple digits and the heat making it uncomfortable to sleep, the fact I have so much I want to do, or the daily inner struggles I have let take over my life. Whatever the case I have learned a wonderful coping tool, it hasn't helped me sleep better at night but it has helped me feel more at peace.

SET GOALS

After our vacation to UT this summer I decided to get into better shape. I needed something to work towards. I am not in the mood to diet so that was so not on my list of goals, even if I could stand to lose a few. So I started to run. I got a treadmill earlier this year and wanted to put it to use. I needed a goal or two.

I set a few but am tiring of them! So below are my goals. I am here to recommit. You can all see and hold me to my goals now! If nothing else I can see them in print again, they are public.

GOAL #1. By the time school started (Aug 17th) I would be able to pass an AIR FORCE PT TEST. (why AF you ask? because it is easier than an Army PT test. Shorter and slower)
Progress made I don't want to run any more! That is all I lack, the run. I have run out of desire but I keep running. I have shaved off 5+min off my run but I still am shy of my goal with less than 2wks to accomplish it. I have hit a plateau. I was sahving off 0:40-1min off my run each week, now I am lucky to shave 5sec off each time I run. I still need to lose 1min 40sec off my run. I may have to extend this to when my Nieces start school at the end of August ;-)
GOAL #2. Qualify for the Army 2Mile run by Christmas. (I don't do pull ups! Sorry US Army) That means shaving off another another minute per mile and running another .5mile longer.
Progress made I have started slowly adding the distance at my current speed, have managed 1.65miles before I quit once a week.

GOAL #3 Complete at least 3goals with the youth by November! I am in need of a bit of a spiritual boost. I am involved with the young girls in our church youth group. They have a whole book of goals they are to accomplish during their 12-18th birthday. I decided I wanted to do this with them. They are to accomplish 6 goals in 8 different values that we want them to develop in their lives, and then they must do a 10hour project for each value.
Progress made I have one fully completed value and have started working on my second value.I want one of these necklace medallions for completing all my goals! My old one doesn't have a ruby on it!

Well there you have it! Got any running advice, any words of encouragement, any prodding you want to do? Do it now! I welcome all the advice I can get.

Well guess I better try to go back to bed...hopefully this time sleep will come.

Independance day!

2011-07-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

We decided this year there were a few things we wanted to do with the kids.
We decided to make ice cream the old fashion way (hand crack LOL) it was so fun! None of the kids could crank without looking thru the clear lid at the same time. We made raspberry and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Glad we broke this baby out. There is more of this in the future, however I think we will attach the electric attachment to conserve fighting over who's turn it is.

We then spent some time outside hanging out setting up or new grill.
We love her! Meat just tastes so much better grilled than it does baked in the oven!

She has been used every other day since we got her, reminds me of home...

We did some hanging out enjoying the milder weather. It was only 99F.

We spent some time kissing our new found friend- Toady...and climbing treesWe headed out to Anadarko in the next county over for their festivities. Our county banned all fireworks due to our extreme drought conditions. The next county however wasn't so bad off.
Mikey joined the rest of us and got her own set of feathers- Thanks Melissa!Now only in Oklahoma! Turtle races!
Everyone goes out and finds turtles on the roadside and then they toss them in a bottomless pot count to three and see which one runs out of the circle first. Very humorous!
These two just hung out until the officiator got near and then they took off with some serious speed.This is crush! He won first place. He entertained our kids for at least an hour!
Jake's grandma has a table she decorates with all the grand-children's pictures. Each family gets there own frame. We have been trying to get a group photo to print off for her. With our four kids-HAHA! This was our latest attempt.
MIkey wanted nothing to do with getting her picture taken! This was fun...Until they dropped her!After the bouncy houses, the park, the red white and blue cupcakes, the red white and blue jello popcorn, and plenty of juice we sat and enjoyed the fireworks!Great time with our small family and some great friends!
Hope everyone enjoyed celebrating Americas 235th birthday!

Canada Day Celebrations

2011-07-09T08:15:00.003-07:00

No big parties to celebrate Canada day here :-P Go figure American don't celebrate!
We partied it up best we could. This year we had an extra reason to celebrate, July 1st was also the offical date of Jake's promotion! Hello Captain! Hello pay raise! Back to Canada day...

We spent the day like any holiday should be spent- plenty of fun FAMILY TIME!
We all wore our Canadian shirts. Then we went up to the city (mainly to get my iPhone replaced since I washed it-Got to love Apple they replaced it for free!!). We took the kids to Cars 2, then out to eat at the Cheese Cake Factory. I love their Miso Salmon!!

What possessed us to take the kids out in the middle of Mikey's nap time is beyond me! We were exhausted after dealing with her all afternoon!

We returned home and enjoyed some of these delightful treats!

A small taste of home. Thanks to the drought here in OK there were no fireworks for the kids to play with but we let them pop some poppers. Hopefully we can get some rain soon!

Hope you all had a delightful July 1st!!

Family Vacation part 4 Squeezing it all in

2011-07-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

Once Jake and I got back from Jackson Hole I started not feeling well. That first night back I got cold chills and ran a fever. For the next three days I was seriously sick! I managed to pull off a quick outing on Thursday and to have finally have Daniels birthday party (three months late but he wanted to go bowling with all the family rather than have two friends over for a small party). The cousins after bowling enjoying a whole box of cupcakes to themselves! LOL I think there were only five left. ;-P

I didn't do much the rest of our time in Utah. :-( We cancelled all our plans with friends and tried to get healthy. The kids were stir crazy and running a muck.I had a few crafty things planned for Father's day but ended up with simply letting the kids each make one of these for their dad, Jake's dad and my dad. Not as pretty as I could have made them, but had no energy or foresight due to being sick.

Sunday night we did manage to all enjoy the out doors a bit! Grandma R brought out her volcano grill and we roasted marshmallows over it. It is a pretty efficient little thing!! Definitely need one of those before winter storms knock out power again!Enjoying our enormous marshmallows in a smore!

Whats better than that! Pure sugar!!Even Mikey got in on the delicious treats

Our last night we had FHE with Jake's brothers fam. A cookout on the driveway at Grandmas house. These two silly faces are quite the pair!
They are going to cause all sorts of crazy trouble when they get older!
I foresee them being best shopping buddies if they ever get the chance to live close enough and steal mom's debit card!

Aunt L drew them an amazing picture of the two of them together!

We all kept mixing these two up! With both of them wearing red they look fairly similar.
These two are the entertainers!

Lots of family time! Not as much seeing old friends as we had planned! But all in all it was a good vacation (even if I still can't hear out of my right ear). We are happy to be back in our own place but grateful we had the time to spend with the family! Thank you F&S for putting us all up! Thank you T&S for coming to visit us and help with the kids while we were gone. Thanks to D&L and C&K for visiting with us and letting us get to know you better. Thanks to V&M for keeping my kids entertained! We love you all! Miss you already!

Family Vacation part 3 Grandparent camp

2011-07-04T22:44:00.009-07:00

We finished our family vacation and then headed up to Smithfield to visit with Jake's parents. My parents joined us a day later and we spent Sunday together. Then Jake and I snuck out and left the kids with their grandparents :-) Should be easy peasy four kids to four grandparents.

We had a blast!
Jake's parents had recommended Jackson Hole WY as a close great getaway site. We managed to stay get a reservation at a B&B right before the peak season prices started!We took a unplanned trip here. Pretty cool. Jake wants to go back next time and walk away with a souvenir!

As we made our way to our destination I realized we were in Star Valley. Last I heard my old seminary teacher lived here, and thanks to a few families that had made their way thru OK, I knew where he worked. As we drove thru town we drove right past his work and stopped.
He is still Awesome, not to mention his adorable wife!Once we got to Jackson Hole we checked into our B&B and then took a drive thru the park to recon our vacation ideas and Hikes. Trees as far as the eye could see! Picturesque scenery.WIldlife...Then we finished the night with dinner to include a view of the TetonsDay two we were up early and off to hike one of the open hikes (too much snow still!most of the good ones were still closed due to Avalanche possibilities). We hiked up Signal Hill (about 10miles). It was great to go at our pace and enjoy each others company.

We got a great view of the Tetons!We found this place, we called it Moose lake (no idea what the real name was). It was so nice. We sat here just listening to the crickets, toads/frogs, and other insects talk back and forth. No children to interrupted it! No child to throw rocks in the clear water (we did that ourselves ;-P), no kids to hurry us up. Just peaceful sounds of nature.Later that night we headed back into town for a night at the Bar J chuckwagon dinner and show. LOVED IT! It was so funny. We ended up at a table full of people from OK. $$ well spent!
Thanks Theresa for the idea.I am a sucker for a base voice! The second to last guy on the right has an amazing bass voice.
What a comedic bunch!Our last morning there we decided to hit the shops and get something for each of the kids. We had to get pics in front of the antler arch way.

While at Bar J one of the guys had told us of a museum in Montpelier, ID, the National Oregon/California Trail Canter (it was on our way back)- so, we dropped by. It had a great interactive museum and a working model of one of the first odometer, one of the ones the pioneers used to walk across the plains with. It was very informative!

They have you enter the museum and start role playing as they explained how much it cost, the trails they faced, and plenty of random facts I had never thought of. I realized these pioneers that crossed the plains were not poor befor they crossed the plains. Most of them had money, $$ they worked hard for. They gave it all up! They sold all their household goods, family heirlooms, and homes for a great unknown. Humbling!In the museum in the basement they had whats left of a handcart that actually crossed the plains, and a quilt from the same family that crossed with the cart and its owners. It made me feel that much closer to the pioneers!

Then we returned home to four weary Grandparents and four energetic kids. The Grandparents survived, but doubt they will ever agree to watch four young kids for three days again! :-P However we greatly appreciate the time out!! It was fabulous! Worth that chance LOL

Family Vacation part 2 Family reunion

2011-07-03T18:45:00.006-07:00

No trip to Utah is complete without a visit to GG Hill's house! My kids walk right in and treat her with great respect! Liza and Grandma have a stronger bond than the younger ones (I think that is due to age). No trip is complete without a viewing of Cinderella! Liza snuggles in with Grandma in her chair and the two watch it together while the others usually play with the vintage toys downstairs. Then there is always ice cream or milkshakes and GAMES! We love GG Hill and her house!! Thanks Grandma for letting us stop by!
At GG's house there is usually a cousin or two she has arranged to stop by during our visit. Lincoln is Liza's new favorite baby! She mothered him just like her siblings. I don't know who was playing louder on the piano Liza or Lincoln LOL
Unfortunately our last visit with GG for this trip was halted due to the kids and I being sick. Jake managed to Lysol himself up, wash his hands really good and sneak in to give her a hug.
The Family reunion part of our vacation was awesome!! We are definitely putting that on the list of things to do again in the future on our own, maybe when Mikey is a little older! Jake's parents are awesome for putting on these family reunions every few years! The kids are old enough now to really enjoy being around each other without fighting over toys too much. And as adults I felt our relationships got stronger after a week of family time! This year we went to a really great family oriented camp at Aspen Grove (click here for their website). They have day camps for the kids. Each of the kids was able to participate in the days activities of swimming, games, crafts, rock climbing, hiking, more games, more crafts, songs, parks, and skits. From 9-4 every day minus an hour for lunch the kids were busy. The older three loved it Mikey was good for the morning but after lunch we decided not to fight her and just take her back to the room for a nap.
Us adults were able to go take classes, seminars, or participate in the activities of the day- pottery classes, ceramic painting, crocheting/knitting class, watercolor painting class, parenting seminar, marriage seminar, rock climbing, ropes course, paint balling, swimming, archery, hiking, and a ton of sport tournaments. We did some crafts, we played girls against boys paintball capture the flag, and then spent a great deal of time bouncing from each of the kids groups, and just hanging out together in the great room.

This was Liza's groups flag. I managed to not get a picture of her with her leaders. Her female leader Nikki was full of energy. Just the right person to spear head Liza's group!
She made friends with these two girls and during the last two days they were inseparable!

After our family night in the old town. Snow cones, leather branding, indian tales told in a tepee, face painting, train rides, whip lessons, wooden bull roping, and a ton of other fun games.

Makenna and Chris were Daniels group leaders. Daniel still talks about Chris. He was a real sweetheart. I can see Daniel being a lot like Chris when he gets older.

I never got Rainey with his flag either! This is the leader, Holly, he spent most of his time with her while we were around. He loved "class"! Each group had a song they sang at the end of the week as part of the skits. Rainey still sings his song as we drive into town.

Now Mikey wasn't in her class long enough for us to get pictures with her leaders. We had to drop and run in order to keep her from crying and then at pick up time she wouldn't stay in there long enough to say good bye. To top it all off she was sick the last three days of camp so she just hung out in the room.We did manage to take advantage of the kids being tended for and went on a beautiful hike!Jake's dad recently certified as a Ham radio operator. He was anxious to try it out. So he and Mom did a check every thirty minutes. It was pretty fun watching him get excited about something he has put a lot of time into.Stuart Falls the end of the hike due to snow.

Thank You Mom and Dad for providing us the opportunity to attend Aspen grove, to strengthen family bonds, and to enjoy ourselves. Thank You C&K for making the long trek up and spending time with us, and D&L for putting up with our kids always wanting to be at your place, and with your kids, and keeping us good company! We had some great late night talks, and game time!
Love you all!

Family Vacation part 1 Travelling

2011-07-02T21:12:00.003-07:00

We spent the month of June in Utah on vacation. Each time we take a long car ride I learn new tricks to keep the kids entertained. Each time they throw now things at us. They each pack their own in the car bag, with a few self sought out snacks. Then I pack a large snack bag and a surprise entertainment-I-am-at-whits-end-with-these-kids-bag.
This trip Michael decided two days before we left that she hate her car seat! She loves to play in the van, loves to walk around and find everything you try to hide from her, but hates sitting and being strapped in! When she wasn't screaming she was pleasantly watching a few new movies.
This trip I found a bunch of dry erase books and games. Love love love!! I will definitely be on the look out for more to add to our supply for future trips. Origonally I bought the books to add to our summer schooling supplies so Liza could practice her handwriting and Rainey could learn his lowercase letters and Daniel could just work on penmanship regardless which book he chose. The games I found were i Spy games. A list of things to find and circle. Michael even got in on coloring and learning her letters LOL (watch the video to see for yourself).
We also tried something new this time. We usually stop at Walmart along the way for Subway (usually in the same parking lot/building) and to stretch our legs while looking for some healthier snacks like fruit and juice or a small jug of milk. We gave each kids some $$ and they got to pick a new toy half way thru the long day to help hopefully entertain them the last leg of our travels. (Success rate was 50/50. Not sure if we will do this again.)
Of course our iPads came in handy when fights broke out on what to watch on the DVD player. Or when they got bored of watching movies and NEEDED to play a game. We discovered the robosockets game app this trip. Another two thumbs up!! Thanks Susan and Fred for introducing us to it!
While on vacation we discovered a new app for the iPhone Timelapse for $1.99. Fabulous! The video below was of our trip home. We would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone for fun family videos like this! LOL
Next up Family reunion! Great videos and photos to come!

For Gama

2011-07-01T19:03:00.002-07:00

Decked out in our Canadian shirts

We had a blast! The kids had fun telling several people when asked if they were from Canada that they were half Canadian and that it was Canada day. LOL

Fun (long) day!
Thanks again Mom for the new clothes!

Happy Canada Day!!

2011-07-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Canada Day!!

We are spending the day in the city (mainly to get my phone fixed HOPEFULLY!) and then off to see Cars 2 and out to dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory.
Here are a few versions of the Canadian anthem for your enjoyment

Sickies

2011-05-29T20:44:00.001-07:00

This past week we have been taking turns getting sick, getting better, and then getting sick again.
Liza spent her time on the couch reading.

Daniel slept all week.
Rainey did this all week.I know it's blurry but it depicts how he has felt the last day or so. "My ear hear differently" "My eyes are leaking, and makes it look fuzzy" he would whine between his crying, screaming outbreaks. HE so doesn't do sick well!

Now it is Mikey's turn. I'll take her snuggles any day (especially today when we are both under the weather)! Let's just all hope we get rid of this bug before we leave for Utah on this week!

Special bond

2011-05-28T20:14:00.003-07:00

I love watching these two play!

Each of my kids have a special bond with each other. Each bond is different.
Mikey and Daniel have a completely unique relationship. He knows he is older and is suppose to share with her, but I think he actually LIKES her company. He is the sweetest older brother. He shows her how to do things and watches out for her. He protects her (most of the time).
It makes my heart melt!

They were so proud to show me what they had made together!
I love MY kids!

Daniel funnies

2011-05-22T20:45:00.003-07:00

This boy cracks me up!

Tonight Jake was audio taping the kids and mixing their voices, laughs, and banter.
Jake: Thanks Rainey, I stole your laugh
Daniel: Your names not on it!
All the boys erupted in laughter
What a quirky bunch

Last day of school

2011-05-18T15:15:00.003-07:00

As part of the older kids last day of school they had a Super kids fun day, with lost of fun filled field activities. By the end of the day this is how we all felt. It was lots of fun just one of those days were the kids were over stimulated, over sugared, spoiled, and sad that it was their last day (not to mention this little one is getting her eye teeth UGH!).Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow befor I start summer home schooling, and slavery summer!

Culturing my children

2011-05-10T21:06:00.002-07:00

We have been blessed the past few years to have a babysitter in the local High school band. My kids love going and usually scream out "GO Ada!!" during applause. This year was Michael's first time going were she is conscious of what was going on. She loved it. We got there just as the drums started. She sat and watched the whole thing- at least an hour of music! It was so super cute to watch her the whole time.
She was sitting so cute I told Jake to pull out his phone and get a picture of her, but as soon as he did she moved-UGH oh well. Here is her watching the third drum number.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

2011-05-09T19:16:00.003-07:00

Its my daddy's birthday today!!

I love you daddy! You have always been an example of determination!
Always pressing forward and letting go of the unimportant issues.

You have the magic touch! No matter how old I get, a snuggle with you always seems to make it better-the grand kids figure this out way earlier than I did.

My dad has a great ability to retain knowledge. He reads faster than any of us girls and always seems to have his nose in a book. He loves to learn.

He loves to travel!

He loves to train (don't ask me what version of Karate he does, I can't remember right now). He has visited a few overseas groups and loved training with them. He has also helped host a few groups in Canada. He has also done several self defense classes for church and female groups to help give back to the community.

I love my daddy! He has done well putting up with all us girls these many years. He is always willing to let us back home (kids and all) for long extended visits. He has a natural touch with the babes that we mommies love!
I hope this year is better than the last. Full of joy, health, and happiness.
Happy Birthday dad!

My first 911 call

2011-05-08T19:36:00.005-07:00

I have never called 911 befor!

I got to do something new and exciting on Saturday!My lil monkey Mikey was eating breakfast at the table with Liza. We have a bench on one side of the table. It was pulled out on one end and pushed in on the other. Mikey was trying to reach Liza's iPod that was on the end pushed in (Liza's attempt to keep her away from it). Well Mikey was a little too daring and had a great fall. She sucked air in and I was waiting for the scream to follow but there was nothing. She passed out, eyes rolled back and she went limp. SECOND TIME THIS YEAR!!! AHH!!I scooped her and up (I know bad mom!! should have left her lying down), and tried to make her come to. After a few moments (I'm sure it was less than a minute but it felt longer certainly less time tahn last time this happened) she came to but couldn't catch her breath. She was gasping for air and wasn't getting any. I rushed to the phone and fumbled to unlock it (LOL no need to unlock it if you are calling 911 silly me). I finally got the dispatcher who took my info and brief explanation of the situation. She told me to check to see if her airway was blocked, nothing. As the dispatcher ran thru a few ways to hold her as there maybe something lodged that I couldn't see, she started screaming. I've never been so relieved to hear that sound!! She gave me suggestions on how to keep her awake as her eyes kept rolling back into her head. Then once we had her good and awake humming to songs she knew the dispatcher told me the ambulance was close and if I had any issues befor they got there to call her back.

I live in rural Podunk OK. Google maps and GPS systems are way inaccurate around here and obviously not many people call 911 in this neighborhood. 20minutes after I hung up with the dispatcher the ambulance finally showed up. By this time Mikey is good to go and just wants to snuggle. They examined her bonk and asked if I had ever dealt with concussions. Yup got that covered!! They call the hospital and asked for their advise. They said they would just put her in an observation room for a few hours. I opted against them taking her in and would watch her on my own. They explained that some times shock sets in and causes the body to freak when you come to, hence the gasping for air, but I did right by calling and if she had any issues to call them and they would be here faster LOLMikey has been banished from the kitchen table! She has her own kiddy table to sit at now and the kids take turns eating with her. If this girl grows up with any brains intact I will be impressed! I am thinking of fitting her for a foamy helmet!I love my beautiful little girl! I can't imagine life without her!
She is all fine and dandy now. Acting like nothing ever happened.
Will someone tell me this Monkey stage ends soon!!!

And next time I know it is faster for me to scoop her up and drive the 3minutes to the fire station than to call 911 and wait for an ambulance or else give directions (being a pizza delivery lady for 9months can have it's advantages).

Happy Mother's day

2011-05-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's day goes out to all the ladies (with or without children), your influence is appreciated!

I Have been blessed with the most wonderful Mother!!
I love her!She was definitely hand picked for me.My Moman has been the best mother and friend I could ask for. She taught me thru example. Always sacrificing for others, she is determined- just gets down to work to gets the job done, she is a person of great character in my books!

I have also been blessed with the best Mother in-law!
She raised my husband, and survived!She has been blessed with a great talent to say the right things at the right time, always encouraging and caring.She makes the best birthday jingles, is always optimistic, and always generous.

I love you MOMS!!
And a shout out to my sisters who are amazing mothers also.
Love you two!

Another season almost done!

2011-05-07T19:47:00.003-07:00

One more week of soccer left!

which I will miss out on :-( but will be having fun in OKC with 11 other women at TOFWThis season for Liza was a good one. Her ability to handle the ball improved remarkabley. She understands the game more. She has developed a sneak snake approach to the ball-she sits back while the other team lines up and then she puts on her super speed befor they are able to pass, and steals it. She is still nervous once she gets down to goal. She speeds with her teammates all the way there and then freezes when it comes to kicking it in goal. Things to practice over the summer!

Liza's team has only won one game but the group of kids on her team and their parents are AMAZING!! I had the privilege to coach them while Jake was gone. I fell in love with each one of them.

What a crazy bunch! They all have such a great sense of humor.

I had the opportunity to coach most of the season with Daniels team. He has grown leaps this year. They had a stacked team, with lots of players (a big change from his first season 3on3 and there were only 3 kids on his team). Daniel started picking up positioning and where he needs to be. He knows to stay open and is no longer able afraid to steal the ball from the other team. He loves to be in the goalie, but is a good forward too. Daniel's team grew a lot this year. We started with a few that didn't want to play much but are right on top of things now and want to be out there just as much as the next kid.
Unfortunately there were some very strong personalities on the side lines that clashed this year, making it hard to enjoy the games.
BUT next season is a new season and we are hopeful for a fresh new start and plenty of new experiences! Can't wait to see what Daniel accomplishes in the fall! He can walk away from this season with the feeling of accomplishment and of few new friendships. Plus we had some good times during practice, I loved coaching the boys and the challenge of finding new ways to teach them skills and keeping them entertained.

Thanks ESC for another great season of Soccer. We will see you again in the fall!

Food drive

2011-05-05T20:41:00.003-07:00

FOr the past few days Rainey has been talking about a food drive. I had no idea where he got such a phrase from. He would fill up my gift bags from past birthdays with cans and line my hall. I would get a little frustrated, and tell him to go put them back. When I asked him what a food drive was he could explain it pretty well.
"You get a wagon. You ask people to give you food, and you take food from your house. Then you give it to someone else who gives it to people with no food."
Today I on my way into to town he asked "IS today a good day for a food drive?" LOL I answered YES! So I called the local food bank and asked what they were in need of today. I got a list and gave Rainey some money. He picked out his favorite cereal, his favorite granola bars, Mac'n'cheese (with a few extra boxes for himself which is a big treat in this house!), Ramen noodles, oatmeal, and a few other things. I drove straight to the food bank and Rainey delivered his eight bags of groceries.
He got in the car and hid! He was so excited and embarrassed. The lady came back out and asked if he would like to see what they had inside. He got back out and was so excited to find all the things they had. He even helped put a few of his items on the shelf. When we got back in the car I asked him how he felt. He replied "I think we need to go get more food now!" If only! He has agreed to do one chore a day for food. Then on every payday I will give him what he earned to go buy more food, lets see what he can accomplish this next week or so till payday.
On our way home I kept asking him where he got this idea. All week he just fed me "I don't know." Finally he told me it was on Barney. As much as I hate the big purple singing Dinosaur I appreciate the life lesson and good memory I just made with my son today!!

Story Boards

2011-05-04T18:30:00.004-07:00

Rainey has been helping me out of my lack of crafting funk lately. We have been doing a once a week paint a story. He tells a story as he paints a picture. It has been rather fun and exciteing to spend this one on one time with him doing something he loves! This was last weeks story board...

There were five magical fruit trees (we used chick peas left over from lunch to paint the fruit on the trees), and an evil bone-ato or pornato (however he chooses to say Tornado that day). The bone-ato is the big round circle on the right, and the trees on the left.
The magical fruit trees used their magic (the lines from the trees to the circle) and the bone-ato tried to get stronger and stronger until they killed it. BUT not befor he had a baby bone-ato (the squiggly line beneath the big circle). And some of the fruit started to fall of the trees but in the end the magical trees won. (very abridged version of the story!)I love how animated he got as he told me and then retold his siblings later when they got home from school. The olders have requested we do a story paint day as part of our summer home schooling program. I can't wait!! I want school to finish now so we can get started on all the fun things we have planned! Work books, geography, arts and crafts, paint story time, and lots of fun learning.

Rainey has learned to spell his name just in time for Pre-K!!

Last night the boys fought going to sleep but they were being so good, and working to together we just let it slide for a few extra minutes. Sitting side by side, Daniel was instructing Rainey on which letters to write and then focusing on his own paper. After a few minutes they came to show us what they had been working on... LOL I guess it is never too early to start writing letters to Santa! :-) Daniel says he is lonely this time of year and just needed an I love you. Rainey finished his letter this morning asking me how to spell words so he could send his off. For the most part he knew how to write each letter. I am so excited for him to start school next year and see him catch on in school!

Translation-Santa I (heart) you Dear

I have important thing for you!
Please decorate my bed and Harry Potter Wii
Rainey

I love being involved in my children's learning process!

A time to express myself

2011-05-03T18:21:00.005-07:00

Over the past five weeks I have learned a lot about myself, my relationship with my husband, my relationship with my children, how I want my house to run, and the course I want my life to run. More than I can put into words, more than I care to put into words. I have taken offense, caused offense, felt resentful, felt less of a person, felt betrayed and been in need of some serious soul searching.

What I have learned from my experience is that if I am resentful I am more likely to take offense. We are all human, we all make mistakes, sure we will be hurt from time to time in our dealings with our fellow men but if the Savior can forgive me I need to be able to forgive others THEN forget. If I forgive and view the person as a brother or sister, a child of God, I am less likely to dwell on every little mistake they make and appreciate them for who they are. I don't need their forgiveness (it would be nice, but not always possible) to move on with my life.

I have had to take a deep look into my life. I don't need to be liked by everyone I come in contact with. Why is it we feel the need to feel acceptance from everyone? I am who I am! My family is who they are! I am trying my best to be who the Lord has molded me to be, and to find out who that person is. What more can he ask of me?

While talking with my clergyman about feeling inadequate he simply stated "Sister, by their fruits you shall know them." He went on to expressing all he has seen in me and gave me a little pep talk. No finger pointing, just a simple God loves you speech. Just what a broken heart needed.

May is a new month! I vow to use this month to going back to doing the things I love, to focus on finding out who I am, to moving on, and to loving those who matter most in my life-my family!
June is a month I get to surround myself with people who lift me up, who love me for who I am and never take the wind out of my sail! I truly have been blessed! Pressing forward

Mikeys first hair cut

2011-05-02T19:33:00.002-07:00

Here is a befor and after 360degree view of Mikey's first hair cut. What better way to get her to show off her hair than to make her dance?!

Befor

After

Easter weekend

2011-05-01T20:37:00.005-07:00

So I have been MIA. Had a little of my wind removed from my sail last month. BUT it's back!

Every Easter my mother/Papa would make sure we got a new dress every Easter and Christmas. Those were my favorite holidays. Granted our dresses were "Mini world" dresses (ones you have to wear a crinoline to puff it up), my girls aren't that lucky ;-P This year Jake wanted to take the girls shopping for their dresses. So we let each kid pick out their own outfit. It was fun seeing their personalities come out while shopping and how it made them all feel special.Lou is way into black and white lately. She is growing up way too fast!My Stud-man!
The Silly one of the bunch
He really wasn't in the mood to have his photo taken!
The lil princess
This one reminds me of those super hero cheesy movies were they are walking away from destruction. It makes me want to make up super hero names for them.

Liza Trying to pose the group LOL

Liza holding the boys hands so they wouldn't run

My pretty little girls!

The brown eyes

I was grateful for the opportunity to remember the sacrifice of our loving Savior- to talk about it with our children and watch movies about His life and death. Grateful to take a deeper look into his life and all the many blessing we have because of Him, his life, and his teachings. Hoppy belated Easter!

BULLY

2011-04-08T10:15:00.003-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA
Jake was gone for four weeks, and I tried to keep myself quite busy!
A few friends recently suggested a few books on bullying. It has caused me to look at my own children and their personalities. It has encouraged a few conversations between Jake and I and then between us and the kids. It has me squashing any rude, spiteful comment and watching those my children associate with. I understand kids will be kids and they don't mean half the mean and hurtful comments they say, they are merely trying to express themselves and exercise their social skills to find what is merely acceptable. If I didn't hear "I hate you" from one of my kids on a weekly basis then something would be wrong. LOL I am suggesting a more consistant behavior over a period of time. We all have bad days, or a bad week, we all have highs and lows that effect the way we interact with others. I am not suggesting we jump right in and label every bad behavior as bullying, I am however taking more mental notes of consistant behaviors of those we associate with. One of the books suggests looking at one's personalities, their physical well being, and watching how one interacts within their relationships with others. As you learn to subcategorize each person you will be better able to watch for warning signs and the type of bullying. A few mere comments don't categorize one as a bully, but a pattern of consistant behavior does.Another book suggests we aren't aware that there are different types of bullying, and when we are bullying others. When I asked my own children what bullying was they replied with the typical "pushing" "shoving" "pulling hair" "tripping" "hitting" "hurting". I explained to them that bullying wasn't restricted to physical bullying.

Recently a dear friend singled a family member out as a "bully". Those are not the words you want associated with any loved one. In the past we have also dealt with a few situations where we have been on the receiving end of the bullying also and know how that feels. Being labelled as a "bully" or labeling someone as a "bully" is not something one should do lightly. But if you suspect bullying you should confide in someone removed from the situation and have them observe the situation in person. In some schools their are bullying boards in which they interview both sides and then discuss their objective opinions. In real life as an Adult it is not that easy! YES bullying doesn't stop when we leave High School! Bullying is nothing new. It has been around since the beginning of time, and won't stop till the end of time. It affects every age group. It is everywhere! In our homes there may be an unhealthy relationship between siblings, or neighbors. At school in the classroom, on the bus, in the hallway, in the special help class where kids feel self conscious about themselves (speech, reading, or therapy groups). Within social groups like FRGs (military spouses groups), church groups, athletic groups, and CYBER bullying (social networks make this real easy!) but that doesn't mean we should continue to let it happen!Our best combat is to educate ourselves. To educate our children. To be actively involved in our children's extracurricular activities and classrooms. My favorite combative tools I have read about so far is called "Strip Tease". It gives a variety of ways to deal with being bullied. Begin by using " I want..." phrases. "I want you to stop taunting me" or my favorite "I want you to repeat that so that the teacher hears you." If that doesn't work one can use "bargaining" techniques using "if, then" phrases. "If you are going to say rude things about me, then please do so loudly so I can hear what you are saying" (and of course, so that the adults can hear too). "If you leave me alone, then I won't report you." And then my all time favorite and last combative tool is agreeing which I am going to couple with the agreeing method, "Yes, you're right I am a geek. I know that already." or "Yes I am strange, strange means extraordinary, out of the norm, unusual. Would you rather be a dime a dozen?" "A loser? I am not the one proving to be a socially failure." It is however hard to come up with "come backs" in six year old language. One we have heard a lot of lately is loser. What kind of response using this method can you use in six year old language for the word "Loser"? Any suggestions?

Anyways back to my reading. Next up how to teach and train our children not to be bullies!

Slavery Saturdays

2011-03-05T18:49:00.004-07:00

So two weekends ago I was listening in on a conversation the oldest was having on the phone with her friend. She was explaining that she couldn't play until her chores were done because it was "Slavery Saturday".

It being Saturday today, and having spent the whole morning doing slave labor we all needed a little craziness. The oldest escaped to said friends house, so the younger three and I made silly faces, dressed Mikey in anything she would let us until she decided on an outfit, and mom got camera crazy toward the end.

I love my kids!! Today i was especially grateful for their beautiful eyes and the way they look at me!

D-man and I were play hide and seek with the camera.

I love his dark brown eyes that sparkle.

He is the best big brother the youngers could ask for! He really likes to make Mikey laugh and help keep her happy. Daniel is great with little kids and babies. He recently announced over dinner all he wanted was to be a dad when he grows up. (tear, sniff, sniff)

Daniel loves to read, and it has come much more naturally to him than to his older sister.

I rearranged the living room last week and ended up with a chair I didn't know what to do with, it has been in the laundry room waiting for a new home. Today He asked if he could have it. I agreed. He moved it to his room right next to his book shelves and has named it the "reading chair" This boys eyes are thoughtful and mischievous!

Rainey boy with his steel blue eyes, jet black eyelashes and bushy eye brows

In a song that Jake's mom wrote for his 4th birthday it describes him as

"I am Rainey, I am four,

I have blues girls adore..."

That must be it! This boys eye seem to say "I'm cute, love me!"

Rainey and I have had a good week hanging out and cooking together at lunch. He even made me lunch one day all by himself (I dozed during Cat in the Hat one morning-Oops!). Tomato soup and cheddar cheese soup actually taste rather good mixed. He wants to be a chef when he grows up.

Then there is MIkey! Look at those blues! Her eyes have almost a hint of violet in them most days. My little ape baby. She loves to stay close. She is always helpful (sometimes too helpful). A joy! She is by far the easiest toddler so far. I say nap time and she goes running for her bear then off to bed. Her eyes dancing the whole time knowing that she understood what I told her. What a sweet "princess" as the boys have named her this week.

However she better start protecting that beautiful little face of hers! She is never without a bruise as you can see. Always climbing, then falling, tripping, or slamming herself into things while she throws a fit. I wish she would start using words! She picks up signs pretty well, but my knowledge of signs is slowly coming to its end. Today she learned water. She was so excited. But it is no wonder she can't talk when she keeps having accidents like this one...
The black eye was from earlier on in the day when she tripped at a friends house. Then she bit a few small wholes in her tongue, gave herself a fat lip and bloody nose as she fell between Lizas bed and the wall. That poor tongue has had one heck of a rough start, if it ever works to produce words we will be blessed! But in the mean time her eyes say it all when I lie her down at night. She loves me!

Then there is the ever so kind and loving almond shape eyes of Liza...guess I will have to catch her next time. She is off at a friends, avoiding the rest of us crazies.

Grandma and PopPop's LEGOcy

2011-01-24T21:25:00.005-07:00

If there is one thing my inlaws have instilled in my children it is the love for LEGOs! When Liza was one they bought her a duplo train set, then over the years added a ton of extra tracks. Then once Daniel come along and got a little older they got him a Thomas train to go with it. They have since out grown it a bit, and have taken an interest in "big kid" LEGOs.

The last time we were visiting the in-laws pulled out all the old LEGOs from when Jake was a kid. They spent many hours building things with them (and I am sure Grandma and PopPop spent many hours finding all the little pieces after we left!).

Grandma and PopPop came to visit shortly after Christmas and brought a huge box for the kids. Something for them to interact with the kids and keep the kids entertained. It was the ideal thing! "Building" memories over thousands of pieces of LEGOs. They spent the better part of three days assembling one project or another.

Once again I was not on top of my game. I didn't bring out the camera until the last night UGH! I always seem to do that. Wish I would have thought of it while they all huddled around the kitchen table working on piecing these things together!

Liza got this baby. Her and PopPop put this one together. She loves space and Star Wars the perfect mix! We had to super glue a few pieces together so she could keep it in one piece and still play with it. She loves it!

Here are the boys trains. Daniel got the grown up tracks and new train. He is very possessive of it and very careful to keep it all together or in the storage bin out of his little siblings hands.

Rainey got a Toy Story train. To keep the younger kids out of the big kids train, Jake got the old Dublo train out of the attic. The new Toy Story train fit on the old tracks! Bonus for Grandma and PopPop (that was unplanned)!! The new train even hooked up to the old train set! He attaches it to the old train that has a motor and we build tracks around the kitchen table, the island, throughout whole the kitchen and sometime in the bathroom if M is awake. The Dublo train comes out almost every day! We call it math homework, as we try to build a different layout every day for the tracks.

Here Grandma is helping build tracks on the carpet.

Here's PopPop supervising the building of some tracks while snuggling with Daniel.

Here's grandma enjoying the mess M made while enjoying her dessert. Amazingly enough Grandma walked away without any on her! M wears her food proudly :-)

We are so glad they came to visit and hope we didn't wear them out completely. Can't wait to see them again hopefully this spring and then again this summer!

Thanks for visiting!

...and bringing more LEGOS!

Christmas overload

2011-01-23T17:50:00.003-07:00

Here is a quick photo update. We stayed home this Christmas. It was nice not to have to pack up and go somewhere but at the same time family was missed.

As close to a kid picture as we got

The best photo of the family this Christmas season

Our Christmas tree

M's favorite Christmas present and Daniels favorite

Jakes favorite

Rainey's favorite. After I had finished shopping Rainey announced all he wanted for Christmas was an airplane. I wasn't about to buy any more presents! J went out to the garage and put this baby together. It is still one of his favorite toys!

Liza's favorite present. What was I thinking, I am so tired of listening to the radio adventures of Doctor Floyd while she does what she does in her room. I guess its better than music I don't enjoy!

My favorite find. I can't wait to enjoy it next Christmas!! I LOVE NATIVITIES!

Jake contributing to our homemade Christmas

The kids with Santa at the church Christmas party.

THis is Liza who recognized the man under the beard

Rainey was the one to pull Santas faux beard off to see who was under it LOL

Michael wanted nothing to do with Santa LOL Maybe next year...

Hope you had as much fun as we did!

Hanukkah

2011-01-18T16:40:00.002-07:00

For all those who don't follow my craft blog I decided to post our Hanukkah celebrations over there. If you are interested in checking it out click here

I am working on my Christmas post...maybe by the end of the week.

Case of the Crazies!

2011-01-10T21:04:00.003-07:00

December always seems to leave me so worn out, and every year I just add more to it.

The end of November with Thanksgiving and Liza's birthday begin the whole month of chaos!

how dare I ask them to pose for a pic when there was candy involved!

Since I was a nanny in Germany over a decade ago, I was determined to celebrate St Nikolaus each year since. How fitting I would return to Germany and live there for 6 more years. On the evening of the 5th you put out your shoe for St Nikolaus to fill with goodies and gifts. This year as St Nikolaus helpers we decided to make Christmas PJ's the gift left along with their shoe full of candy, stickers and tattoos.

Daniel in the back row, was demonstrating his elbow licking skills befor his Christmas presentation LOL That boys got skills!!

The hats I made for Daniels class presentation. I ended up making 7... super easy but I was so not in the modd that day!

This year we also decided to learn something new. (I think sometimes I don't quite think thru all my GREAT ideas.) I decided I wanted the kids to learn of another culture. So some how I settled on Hanukkah (thats a whole other post). The kids LOVED IT!! they have requested Kwanzaa next year, we will see if I can pull that off.

Chickasha lights

Well to add to the insanity of Christmas concerts, parties, work gatherings, shopping, light shows, baking, crafting, and making sure everything was in order for Christmas, I was tasked with our church CHristmas party. (THATS THE LAST TIME THE YOUTH ARE UNREPRESENTED AT A PLANNING MEETING!!) WIth three weeks notice I had to pull off some sort of party. With lots of help I managed. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures. I love to cook but I hate doing the same mondane dinner party every time we gather. SO I went for the good old fashion family dance, with light refreshments, hot cocoa, hot apple cider, and of course Santa. It worked well.

Then a few days after Christmas we had some special visitors! Pop-pop and Grandma came to visit form Utah! Fun times and lots of memories! Of course as always when I am with family I never pulled my camera out till the last day-UGH!!

Shortly befor Christmas I got sick and have had a rough time getting over the never ending leaky nose and horrible cough. It took all the energy I had just to get over Christmas, some how we pulled it all off. I am over the most of it now and enjoy having a bit of energy back now!

Well, be prepared for a few more updates coming soon!

PS My little nephew Tek is thriving now! He is a fighter. He was in the NICU in Tuscon for a few days with a collapsed lung but made it home shortly after Christmas. He is such a good baby, I can't wait to hold him in a few weeks!

I'm an Uncle!

2010-12-23T17:59:00.003-07:00

Voitek Konrad Kalani Stewart arrived today around 16:00. 7lb 8oz, 20 inches.

Baby Tek is being flown to Tucson tonight as he has a whole in his lung and air is escaping into his chest cavity. Please keep Baby Voitek and his parents Dian and David in your prayers as they deal with the uncertainty of the next few days!
They are hoping to release Dian tomorrow so she can drive up and be with the baby for Christmas.

PLease keep them in your prayers!!! No parent wants to be separated from their child within the first few moments of birth especially for medical reasons.

Hippopotamus for Christmas

2010-12-16T06:52:00.003-07:00

This morning as I took our house gust to school I heard this...

"Here's an interesting fact about the popular Christmas hippopotamus song - in 1953 a ten-year-old girl from Oklahoma, Gayla Peevey sang the song as a way to raise money for the Oklahoma City Zoo's first hippopotamus. It became a nationwide hit after that."

I don't think it was written specifically for this event but it was this event that made it big!

I guess every year they put on a free performance and showing of their hippopotamuses. It will be this Saturday at 2pm, I wonder if I could talk the hum-bug into fighting the crowds and seeing the Hippos.

3 out of 4 recent candid shots

2010-12-13T21:48:00.004-07:00

Time for some updated kid photos. Liza volunteered this weekend for four hours of face painting at Jake's Christmas party. SO I don't have one of her.

My handsome brown eyed goof ball.

He has realized when Liza isn't around he is the oldest and has really taken that job seriously. He loves to help out and take care of Mikey and Rainey when he can.

He is definitely a responsible little man!

This silly little boy blue is always making people laugh.

They all think he is funny but they don't have to live with the attitude.

I love him! He has so much love for everyone, except maybe the cashier at the grocery store who said "Hello Cutie!" and he came back with "Hey there Poottie"

My sweet littlest princess has such a sense of curiosity! She is into to EVERYTHING!

With all the holiday running around, I have had to remind myself she needs time to play. I have enjoyed my few minutes each day I spend playing with her. I love to watch her learn how each toy works. I can't wait to see her face Christmas morning!

We have a house guest

This young man sits Moby when we go away on holidays. Now it is our turn to return the favor to his family. We is with us all week long! Daniel is in heaven having someone to play with every second of the evening. Rainey crashed his pad tonight. Greg read him stories until he fell asleep. What a great young man!

Motherhood

2010-12-02T23:36:00.004-07:00

Every mother (at least every mother I know) has one of those children that make them question their ability to parent. Since I can remember Rainey has been the cutest but also the most difficult child to keep my cool with. One moment he bats those baby blues and his blond hair shines in the light, and he says in his cutest voice "I love you!" wrapping his arms around your neck, or he draws you the sweetest picture of the two of you playing together, or snuggles right up on your lap. The next moment he is throwing himself in the middle of the hospital parking lot screaming about how bad a mother you are and how much he hates you, as you attempt to visit a friend.
Tonight I relish in being his mother! With all his tantrums and tears he is my crafting partner and daytime buddy boy.
As we went to take him potty tonight we found him outside his bedroom door like this.

What a crazy boy! I think he was trying to use his invisible super powers, and failed.

Now as I sit at the computer I listen to Liza humming Deck the Halls in her sleep, Michael tossing in her bed, and Daniel yelling "Snacks please! SNACKS!" while he obviously dreams of food, I am enjoying being the mother of four fabulous kids!

Liza's 9th Birthday party!

2010-11-19T22:10:00.002-07:00

Eliza had a grand day! We celebrated her birthday today! She came home to a surprise room make over (For details click here). Then came the party!
She felt like a princess! She was so polite and and a fabulous host. She planned the whole thing out! Thank goodness! I was so exhausted from the room makeover I don't think I could have made a big deal over the party too.
She made her own invites! She planned activities, delivered invites and was so very patient with me thru the whole thing.
The only thing I contributed to this party was a game and the funds for the food and party favors

I don't know the real name for this game. We just call it the M&M game.
We used to play this with our friend Bry way back in the day when Liza was the only kid.

You have to suck the M&Ms of your color off the plate with your straw, and transfer them to your cup.
Then Liza planned a little play time and then on to silly face contests!

LIke I said it was her party! She planned it! But it was fun, everyone participated even if not everyone wanted their picture taken...

But I got one anyways! This poor boy was the only 8/9yr old guy for most of the night until the last part when another one showed up. He says that is his plight in life. "The girls are always chasing me." He just blushed when I told him it was because of his dark brown eyes and dimple (plus he is just the most friendly, polite young man- who doesn't want a friend like that!)

This was round two of blowing out the candles cause Daniel and Rainey took care of round one much to Liza's dismay LOL
I love this girl! Happy birthday Lou!!

Lady Like

2010-11-10T22:23:00.004-07:00

I love when kids start to learn new things! Mikey wants to eat what we do, and is learning to feed her self. She refuses to use a high chair! She won't let you spoon feed her! She has to do it herself! and she seldom uses a fork or spoon for anything other than balance.

She gets so excited when we eat something easy to eat, like noddles.
(We had soup the other night and she was disappointed with her inability to feed herself and really didn't like the peaches I tried to feed her instead!)

Sometimes it is hard to tell if she is eating any of it!

Who says little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice? There is nothing nice about this face LOL!

Another Monday night

2010-11-01T19:34:00.003-07:00

I have pondering why I even try to spend time as a family and instill moral in my children! Every time we plan a family night (every Monday night), I feel exhausted before it even starts. The kids usually start fighting and tearing up the house before I even get them an after school snack. Tonight was no different!

It was quite humorous that the topic of discussion for tonight was going to be "rules." The moment the older kids got home all rules were forgotten.

Hitting, putting dents in moms walls, throwing the clean clothes on the floor rather than taking them to their rooms, an egg thrown at the back door because a sibling locked the other one out, pretzels and the crumbs left in the bottom of the bag were fed to Michael in MY bed, anything I said they did the opposite of.

This has become a recurring habit lately. Yesterday Daniel almost jumped in one of our rain barrels "for fun" instead once he was caught he dunked a stuff animal in.

By dinner time I was frustrated and we had to find something to keep them moving yet make them realize they were in trouble. So we made them do exercises. YUP! the sat up against the wall for 30seconds, then the held cans over there head, then they did arm curls when their arms got tired, then push-ups, then sit-ups...anytime they got in trouble they were back at it. Liza was not disobeying but loved every minute of it! She was doing it with the boys, enjoying the exercise LOL It had us laughing.

Anyways, Jake is great at planning lessons. He often invites MR. Family Home Evening guy. (WHo has a whole lot of energy considering he gets up at 4am!). Tonights lesson was precious (in a rumorous way)!

Lesson
three jugs of water
three measuring cups of three different white substances
three packs of kool-aide
four cups (one for each kids)

Read the kool-aide packets directions. Have kids check water level and white substance levels to make sure they are correctly measured. Have each kid pour a cup of white substance into their jug, and kool-aide packet and mix. Then have kids sample each jug at the same time.

Our kids mixed the first jug and were so excited (after all they never get kool-aide)! They tasted it I loved their faces. I wish I had had the camera out!! Substance #1 was salt. Michael cried for about five minutes she was so disgusted with it. LOL it was priceless. Only Daniel and Rianey tried #2 (flour) and everyone had 4 glasses of #3 (sugar). We talked about rules and how they are there to help us and to keep us safe. We have the option to not do as all the other do like Eliza trying jug #2, and we can warn others of the dangers. Or we can follow directions/rule/procedures and enjoy our delicous kool-aide.

Yet another one for the books babe. Good job!
Have a great week!

Craft blog

2010-10-29T09:39:00.002-07:00

It has come to my attention some of you are interested in reading my craft blog. So here is the link
My most popular page is here with over 1000 hits

second is this one

and third are these two are neck and neck with 483

and 480 hits

Joys of parenting

2010-10-27T21:24:00.002-07:00

You just know your day is going to be great when one of your kids wakes up 45minutes early throwing a tantrum.
WHy he was up 45minutes early?! Who knows! He says it was cause he was "dreading going to school." So he didn't want to go to school. I told him to go back to bed then, he didn't listen! He got up turned every light on in the light and started banging around the kitchen waking everyone else up! UGH
I had to ask him what this was all about. "I want to HAVE recess!"
"OK?" I was a little confused.
Well it turns out he hasn't had recess in a few days because he and his wonderful friends are always caught goofing off during class, "not following procedures" and then have to walk laps during recess instead of playing. LOL
So follow the rules and you won't get in trouble!
"I don't remember what they are"
Oh boy!

Later on this evening after school as we were getting ready for church activities Daniel disappeared into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later with spiked hair all neatly styled and hair sprayed. I commented on how I liked it. His reply "I did it for you. I just wanted you to like me today since you really didn't want me this morning." Poor boy! I assured him I liked him even loved him even when I was mad at him.
this boy cracks me up!!

Happy Birthday Darling

2010-10-23T04:25:00.005-07:00

Dear Chrissy:

Your blog has been successfully hi-jacked by your husband for a birthday post!

Happy Birthday!

Today you turn 32 years old and for the next about-six-months I’m not “older” anymore, we’re the same age. :-) This has been the hardest birthday yet to buy a present for you. A few months ago you decided that you needed to attend a “time out for women” and this year I agreed that you needed some “time-out” for all that you do. Well, when those plans fell through everything else got so busy, that today is full of things for everyone else, and I want you to start your day knowing that today’s still about you, and you're special.

If things slow down today you’ll likely glance in the mirror and look at what you’re not. You’d probably think that after four kids your shape has changed. A gray hair or two has crept up now and again, and there’s hints of wrinkles on the horizon.

If your glance in the mirror turns into an obsession, today will be spent missing all of the things that really matter.

We’ve got a busy day today. During the course of it we’re likely to see the many friends we’ve met in this area. You know, the one’s that think I’m slightly crazy and love you for putting up with me. Those who consider themselves your friend are among the best of humanity. We’re scheduled to see our friends at church, soccer, soccer, a party, and a barbecue. By the time tonight rolls around the house will need to cleaned but we’ll be too tired do much but go to bed.

It has been my privilege to be your husband for nearly 1/3 of your life. I’m more in love with you now than I was when I married you. It’s not much of a present—I can’t put it in a box and wrap it up—but it’s what I have to give. In that last third of your life you’ve gotten to see four beautiful and healthy children who each love you in their own special way. Everyone of them enjoys spending time with you and 9 times out of 10 when I ask them if they have a super-mom or a regular mom, they say "super!"

I’ve been wracking my brain for weeks now and I still can’t think of a present that’s worth giving you. The best thing I could think of was to throw you a party, but last night was the branch temple trip, today is full of activities, and I can’t see any time on the horizon when we could pull something off. I wont stop trying.

Whatever memories you do end up with today wont compare to the memories the kids and I get to make. When we look over our shoulders, you’re there, and you put more love into us then we deserve.

Happy birthday Chrissy. We’ll get breakfast in bed started closer to the time you wake up. We love you!

-Your loving husband.

Pumpkin Patch field trip

2010-10-18T19:20:00.005-07:00

We were able to tag along with Daniel's field trip to the T&G pumpkin patch. We had a blast! We learned about pumpkins, fed animals, enjoyed the company of good friends, played on a fun playground, rode a hay ride around the farm, and enjoyed one another's company.

He was so excited to be on his first field trip!!

Rainey LOVES pumpkins! He loved holding the different types and asking questions. I think it took him 20minutes to decide which one he was going to take home with him, he wanted them all.

Mikey was just excited to be out with all the big kids!

This is the look of sheer delight! My kids were meant to grow up with animals! They all love them. We spent the majority of our time with the animals. Goats, ponies, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, cows, pigs, and ducks.

We pet every animal there.

This lil' miss was so upset we had to leave the beasts!
Maybe one day we will get you a cow.

It was a day well spent, even if by the end of our trip my broken toe was throbbing!!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

2010-10-11T18:07:00.004-07:00

Since we have been married J and I have celebrated two Thanksgivings every year- one for Canadian (in Oct) and one for American Thanksgiving (in Nov). Over the years we have refined our celebrations. Tonight we got to do our traditional Canadian Thanksgiving dinner.

So this is Michael's new way of drinking out of a cup. Notice the shirt! LOL

My sweet princess

My besty crafter

Silly boy started playing with his food. By the end of the night they were all making corn skewers.

Family times! Good memories talking about traditions.

Now on to the food! Celebration drink

Delicious food! Love the colors

Our traditional stuffed turkey breast. Stuffing, walnuts, and cranberries stuffed inside a turkey cutlet-yummy!!

My favorite! Sweet potatoes!!
We started a new tradition this year. We made nanaimo bar pie instead of pumpkin pie. Nanaimo bars are a delicious Canadian dessert. We will save the pumpkin pie for November.
Happy Thanksgiving!!

spoke to soon

2010-10-11T08:15:00.002-07:00

I guess in my search for "ME" the good Lord heard my prayers and thought He had the most perfect solution. It really isn't the answer I had in mind, granted i really had no idea where to start, but He did.

I our church we have several auxiliaries. One for the men, one for the woman, one for the girls 12-18yr, one for the boys 12-18yr, and then the kids from 18months-11yrs old. Well since February I have been working as the secretary in the woman's auxiliary, the Relief Society. I have loved it. All I have to do is take attendance, which forced me to learn the ladies names. I design the newsletter, and distributed, and then once a quarter I had to fill out a paper, and enter a few stats for sister visits. It has been the perfect calling for me.

Well, that all changed this weekend. Change is good. I like to serve. I like to have fun and do fun girlish activities... So I accepted the position in Young Womens (12-18yr girls). My free time just got harder to find, but I will enjoy the constant reminder "I am a daughter of God." I am so excited to work with the other two leaders! I haven't had much oppertunity to work with the girls but I am sure I will love them! I enjoyed my time with the big kids now back to the land of teenage drama! WAHOO!!

Lost not Found yet

2010-10-07T20:32:00.005-07:00

Lost!
I feel somewhat lost these days. I love my life!! I am a stay at home mother of four beautiful children and wife my prince. I have never enjoyed parenting as much as I have recently. I have enjoyed finding ways to think like my children, encourage them to be their best, to watch them grow and explore the world. I can honestly say I have THE best kids!! They were saved just for me.

My husband chose me to be his wife, that says something about him! He has never once laughed at my projects, discouraged me from trying new things, or learning. He loves ME...
ME!
ME- I just don't feel I know who me is. I know what I am, but not who I am. I can quantify myself as a being-I know most of my weaknesses and my strengths. I know my accomplishments, I know my failures. I can tell you my likes and my dislikes but does that tell you who I am?

Have you ever listened to Dr Laura when she says "I am my kids Mom." I have never really thought about that saying much until of late.

MOM! I spend every waking moment of the day focused on something for my family. From the time the alarm goes off till the time I drift off to sleep I am a mom. I am my kids MOM- I cook for them, I wash their clothes for them, I do the grocery shopping for them, I make sure they comb their hair, brush their teeth, and wear change their unders. Help with homework, teach them life lessons, and provide taxi services to and from where ever they may need to go. Mom means service, and I honestly love to serve! I love to help others BUT on my own terms. If I see a need I will try and fill it. I love the feeling of doing something nice for others. I will gladly do your dishes if you are having a rough day just don't ask me to do them let me find the need. I will gladly be someones friend just don't suggest I need to be. I'll gladly help clean my kids rooms but they better not ask me to. But service doesn't define who I am as a whole and neither should the title MOM.

Last week I decided I have taken this title "mom" a little too far. I need to be a little more selfish at times. So I set 3 goals I must accomplish each day just for ME! I thought I would start small.
1.exercise- park at the end of the parking lot and walk the extra ten spaces, do ten jumping jacks, I even started to coach Daniels soccer team on Thursdays (my favorite!!) just move more.
2.brush my teeth first thing in the morning and last thing at night- laugh if you must but I lock my bathroom door and take two minutes to brush MY teeth
3.read something-usually in the scriptures. I ask a ? during the day and then look for an answer in the scriptures or in a book at night

Reading got me on the ? of who am I. I haven't been able to find the answer yet. I wish I knew.

I know who I was but I am not her anymore. I don't even know who I want to become. I wish this were an easier ?, something someone could slide me the answer to. Unfortunately, this is more personal than that... So I have started my search for Chrissy. If you find her please let her know I am looking for her.

2010-10-03T15:57:00.003-07:00

I spend a great portion of my day with this lil man. He is so goofy and a great companion. He is growing up to be the cutest little man with blue eyes around!
This past week he talked my ear off while I cleaned out my dresser drawers (it's reorganize time for our master bedroom!!). In one of the drawers I found every pair of glasses I have owned. He wanted to keep one. So I gladly took a break and removed the lenses. He looks so stinkin' cute in his glasses. He wears them everywhere. It seems odd when he doesn't have them on. I am going to miss him when he grows up!

Birthday bash

2010-09-26T20:07:00.004-07:00

Due to church callings (the third Sunday of the month is a long one for J) we postponed Michael's birthday party to this weekend. We had a small gathering of families that we love and have been so good to Michael and us! It was the perfect end to a rather long over scheduled week. We really have been blessed!
Here are few really bad photos of the day.

Our little monkey all ready to party!

She was so excited we were singing to her.

Look at her delight

OUr little monkey's cake

She isn't much of a messy eater, nor does she eat much!

And of course no party is complete without playing outside.
Sorry no pics of all the adults. Liza took point blank photos of everyone who was in attendance. She has a thing or two to learn yet when it comes to photography.

At her one year appointment this week her stats are
heighet- 29"
weight- 18Lbs 9oz

OUr last little one turns one!

2010-09-20T09:47:00.004-07:00

Our precious little girl one year ago, so snugly and soft. Since the day we brought her home complete strangers would describe her as a "doll". She has the cutest little face and most gorgeous pale complexion. At times we are hopeful she may be a red head like her dad, she carries an ever so slight hue of strawberry blond that just adds to her spunky attitude.

Michael was my smallest baby weighing in at 7Lbs 3oz. and measuring somewhere around 19" long. Today she is still a petite little girl. How we have grown to love our little ape baby!
Here she is today, a ball of energy.

Always curious as to what we are doing, how we are doing it, and what's over there. She loves music! This Sunday I was subbing in Primary and Michael was running wild all morning, I brought her to singing time and she sat still and sang along in her cute little babble. We love to play music and dance the day away while the older two are in school.

Her little face is so full of expression. We love to watch her face as she explores the world around her. She is always so happy, and smiley (especially if she is being held). We love to make her laugh. She has teh most unique laugh of all my kids. It just fills your soul and makes you want to join her.

Here she is all decked out in her birthday outfit (chasing the cat of course). My last chance at celebrating a 1st birthday with one of my own, so I took advantage of the opportunity to make her something new.

Full of attitude already! Life without Mikey would not be complete!
Happy birthday little girl!

Jake put together this little video of Mikey for her birthday. The kids always love watching our little videos of them growing up! It has become a tradition to watch all our family movies on birthdays and to create a new one to remember the past year.

Rainey quotes

2010-09-13T16:41:00.004-07:00

Mom- How did you get so cute?
Rainey- With Lipstick

Mom-Rainey is growing through a growth spurt
Dad-Why would you go and do a thing like that?
Rainey- I'm not telling you!

One of my favorite times of day is when the older kids are at school and Michael is asleep. It is just me and my fashion/craft consultant. I love you Rain-man!

Back at it!

2010-09-08T07:02:00.002-07:00

Now that the 100 degree weather is behind us I am trying to get back at living healthy. Jake comes home two mornings a week now from 720-830am. Those are my mornings to get my move on.
All week I have been looking forward to today. I got up got the kids dressed and fed and kicked them out the door to realize IT'S POURING!! UGH! not cold just wet so I suited up and I did it!!
If I start making excuses now it will only get harder to get out next time. Working on those last ten pounds...again!

KIds say the darn'dest things

2010-09-07T18:45:00.003-07:00

Liza's latest phrase has been
"That makes me red in the face MAD!"

Daniel's school is having a Grandparents day celebration next week. Knowing that most of the kids are military and don't have the luxury of living near family have suggested inviting a "special friend" instead. I asked him who he would like to invite.
D-"Like an Aunt?"

Me-Yup but you have no Aunts near
D- If I can't have a grandparent or an aunt. I want YOU!
Me- They are suggesting friends D. They want you to pick a special "friend" like Miss Kathy
D-(defiantly and very emotionally)Mom you ARE special to me. If I can't have you I want to stay home that day and cry.
All I could do is hold him and cry with him, how sweet!

Rainey was caught playing in the bathroom sink today. Upon asking what he was doing he replies with "I am panning for gold!" If only he found some!

She doesn't say more than Mama, and key-tee (kitty) but she sure is living up to her nick name these days. Our "Ape baby" is constantly climbing onto chairs (Yes kitchen chairs!) stools, beds, and the couch. She climbs up the front of the couch and then gets down off the to the side sliding down the arm. My little thrill seeker!

I know he is not a MY kid...need I add words?!

CHCIKENS!

2010-09-03T10:23:00.006-07:00

We love having chicken!

I never thought of myself as a country folk type of person.

But I love sneaking out of the house and listening to the birds as they purr at night. I love waking up to the crows of the roosters. I love watching their lovely colors as they run around the yard periodically.

Recently Jake thought their home needed some attention. So we painted the coop.

Jake had found some cheap oops paint at the store. The kids had a blast! The chickens love their newly painted home too I think. Well this week we started to love our chickens more!

Look what Daniel found! He was so excited. I personally am hoping Jake will get around to making some nesting boxes and the chickens will start laying in them, cause that coop is heavy. I had to left it so the kids could retrieve the egg.

So guess what Daniel had for breakfast?

Yup a yummy fresh home grown egg!
Thanks Chanda and Mike for the chickens and the coop!
We are grateful!

This boy rocks!

2010-08-27T06:20:00.004-07:00

I love this boys!

He is the sweetest little man!
Who could resist those eyes and that smile?

He loves to craft with me

On lazy days he loves to snuggle up with me on the couch and watch movies all day.

Rainey quote of the week
"I think Jesus is going to come down and use his super powers on this."

Favorite stage

2010-08-22T22:44:00.005-07:00

Look at me! I am old enough to have pig tails!

Aren't I pretty?

I love this little girl! I am so excited she finally has hair I can play with!
So far she even lets me style it

Stepping

2010-08-21T08:27:00.002-07:00

busy week

2010-08-19T22:00:00.004-07:00

It has been one of those weeks I intended to just sit around and finish some projects and keep things low key. So far that hasn't happened. There really isn't much to report in all our activity, we just had meetings, play dates, and an unexpected trip to the ER.
Daniel had a bit of head trauma on Tuesday night before bed while playing on the tramp with some bigger boys. It didn't look like much and he seemed fine. Wednesday morning around 530-600am Daniel started emptying his stomach. He dry heaved all morning. I didn't think anything of it until about 700-730 when he complained his head hurt were he had hit it the night before. After some prodding from two great ladies that came by and picked up the pieces of my planned out day I took Daniel in to the ER. One of the ladies husband works up at the hospital, and had arranged for a CAT scan already. As I was admitting Daniel he throw up on the lady's desk and she wanted none of that so we were moved right to the back at which point they recognized the name and we were off to radiology. It was all pretty quick!

To make my already too detailed story short Daniel has a mild concussion. On strict Dr orders to be a video, TV junkie for the next week. So back to taking the week easy I guess!

Tonight I opened up a box I have neglected for a few weeks now and started my family preservation project. Here's a sneak peak.

First day of school

2010-08-16T20:33:00.003-07:00

On the first day of school I planned a Jammie party to keep Rainey entertained and help with the transition to the two older ones being gone. We started the day with Toy Story 1.

Then we colored alien stickers

I packed him a back pack with his lunch in it. (Love the double chin. I am no good at taking pictures of myself.)

Mikey got in on all the fun too

Us eating lunch together enjoying our time together.
While Mikey napped Rainey and I enjoyed popcorn and Toy Story 2 until the older kids came home. There was lots of love and plenty of laughter and many good memories if for no one else but me.

FHE

2010-08-16T20:01:00.004-07:00

Tonight we let the kids lead FHE. Jake picked the song and I cooked apple pie for dessert the kids did the rest.
Rainey-activity was the game upset the fruit basket. Once again Kumquat was the envied fruit
Daniel- memorized our scripture mastery for the week and presented it to the family John 14:15
Eliza- lesson on Ammon. She dressed all in white and pretended to be a sheep. Daniel was Ammon and Rainey the Lamanite. They reenacted cutting off limbs LOL Great fun!!

Aren't they absolutely adorable!!

Friends of ours graciously shared their harvest this year with us. We were a bit hesitant, okra is rather sticky and slimy, but we weren't disappointed! DELICIOUS! Definitely better steamed rather than fried.

Back to School

2010-08-11T19:51:00.003-07:00

It was time to say good bye to summer and hello school today

Rainey wished he could go to. He was excited for them and later very interested to hear how their day went greeting them as they got off the bus. We had a fun day planned for him too (blog about it later)

My goof balls!

Liza Lou third grade here we come!

My stud D-man ready for his first day of Kindergarten!

Wheels are turning

2010-08-09T18:31:00.003-07:00

I am grateful for a great end to a great day. We had a FHE lesson on the priesthood followed by school time father's blessings. We then got to talk to Grams and Papa on Skype. They got to watch Mikey take her toddling steps toward them as she recognized them wanted to maul their picture on the computer. She wouldn't leave them alone!
Life is exciting and it never ceases to amaze me what the Lord pulls out of his hat to keep us on our toes. He has blessed us with more than we deserve and keeps giving us more...

She's toddling

2010-08-08T20:56:00.003-07:00

Look at ME!!

Now enters a new stage of baby proofing

(Don't you just love that shirt she is wearing!)

Sickies are not for the weak stomach

2010-08-05T19:14:00.004-07:00

Growing up I watched my mother gag at the slightest thing. She was unable to change diapers for the few kids she sat from time to time, she could never clean up after our sickies, she had the strongest gag reflex I have seen. It turns out I inherited that trait, and so did my kids. If my kids see poop or puke they start gagging. It is often times humorous!
Daniel has been sick today. The first time Daniel got sick Rainey witnessed and immediately emptied his stomach too. Upon Liza seeing it she started gagging. Later Daniel was sick again and we needed Liza to run and grab the bucket. Turns out she ended up delivering it just in time and had to hold it while Daniel filled it. She was close to gagging but braved it out and managed to serve her brother in his time of need.

(she was close to gagging here LOL My poor boy!)

She is so great and helpful! He is trying to brave it out :-( I hate seeing my kids sick

One of those days...

2010-08-04T20:21:00.003-07:00

Have you ever noticed how one persons moods effect the mood of the rest of the house?
Or how a chain of events seems to slowly wear you down?

This morning I had one child screaming and being rather clingy. I escaped for a few moments of peace and quiet with my favorite porcelain bowl upon my return I discover a helpful older sibling had fed the screamer rice crispies ON THE CARPET by just dumped them out. The screamer traipsed right over them crushing and spreading them across the living room floor. I gently escorted the helpful older sibling down the hall and to show him the vacuum and give him a lesson on how to use it. Upon our return I find the screamer in a large puddle of milk (from the helpful siblings breakfast he had to have on a chair so he could watch TV and eat "in the kitchen") the milk which was being played in and smeared across my freshly (OK so two days ago) mopped floor. By this point I was starting to crumble!!

I rush the screamer to the bathroom in hopes of entertaining the screamer with a bath while I mop the kitchen floor. I am flabbergasted by what I find! A very independent child had decided to brush his teeth and couldn't get the cap off. In his attempts to remove the cap he had a brilliant idea! If you jump on the tube the pressure might dislodge the encrusted toothpaste cap. Guess what? IT WORKED!

By this point I am ready to string them all up, hang them upside down and leave them there for a few days while I decide what to do with them!
Lucky for them I have the most amazing people in my life! A sitter who can handle my herd so I could take the big girl out to have our hair done, a dear friend who offered to take all the kids (I only let her have the two boys as I wish to keep her friendship and didn't want to ruin her day), a great big girl how helped me with a sewing project and giggled and laughed with me for a few hours, a baby girl who napped for two hours to give me a break, the boys who were good for my dear friend, and then my lover boy who came home early and bought pizza for dinner.

What will tomorrows adventures bring?

Come across old photos...

2010-08-03T03:35:00.001-07:00

We have been in Oklahoma for two years now. That means we are on the count down to our next move (no date yet, we just know it is coming in as soon as 12months). We have begun to love our little home and our neighborhood! Oklahoma is not where I want to spend the rest of my days but if I have to live here we have the prefect little home.
I have been looking thru old photos and came across these...

This was the first day we looked at our house

This is what it looked liked befor we destroyed it!
Look how white the grout is between the tiles
We came to find out the tiles were never sealed. Red dirt and white grout are not a good combo. After many unsuccessful attempts we found the right sealant and have done our best to strip the floor and seal it so it looks decent again.

Our living room before

A year ago this month a friend took Jake flying over our sub development
Now, there isn't a lot open! All the houses are built and only one is up for sale.

This is our lot right after we double the sod we had.
Our property goes just out past the trampoline ten feet on the left and the green box on the bottom right is the property line on the other side.
There isn't much we have changed about the house but I thought I would share a few of the things we have changed...

This is the first time we have painted a house, since we own we now have the privileged. But I refuse to paint any other room, as I don't want to personalize it too much and not be able to sell it. It took us a year to finally decide which color to paint it.
We like it!

About the only decorating I have done. SAD!

This is the kitchen now. Notice above the sink! For mothers day Jake had a plate rack built and installed freeing up a few more cupboards for food storage and fixing the awkward void above the sink. I absolutely love it!!

We love the zoo!

2010-07-21T21:34:00.004-07:00

During the month of July the OKC Zoo is hosting "Way back Wednesdays"
Admission is only $1, the sea lion show is $1,

hot dogs are $1 and drinks are $1.

My type of fun-CHEAP!

The kids felt spoiled and the pocket book didn't hurt too much!

Totally Thrilled!!

2010-07-20T21:23:00.002-07:00

Going thru my usual night time craft blog updates and to my astonishment I am looking at my own pictures on someone else blog! (Squeals with delight!!!)
Check her site out!! A great source of my inspiration as come from her site recently!

It's all fun and games till....

2010-07-16T22:48:00.001-07:00

Played until someone get hurt! My dad installed one of these on the tree out frontWe spent many hours on this swing. The kids loved it! When we got home they wanted to put one on our wimpy little trees LOL. Well all good things must come to an end...or there is opposition in all things...
One morning Liza took Michael out for an early morning swing. Some how Liza fell backwards while holding M. Liza had a good sized goose egg and M ended up with two feet of sutures in her mouth.

We joke that next time I should just fly mom and dad down, pay for a hotel and rental car- I spent over $2300 between the trip I made with Rainey when he dislocated his elbow five days prior, and this one with Michael! We should get it all back from our insurance company but it is all a matter of time. UGH!!

Canada trip

2010-07-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

In May we made our way to my home town to spend five weeks with my parents.
I love going home!! Good memories are always made!
Five weeks may be a little long for all involved but we managed and I miss home already!
We played till someone got hurt then came home LOL literally that is how it worked out...

Daniel loved to hold Gram's ear in the morning while she did her puzzles and he sucked his thumb LOL

Mikey's bestest pal!! We miss Papa!Planting Gram's gardenCan anyone spot Daniel? Love that he is holding Rainey's ear in this one LOL
Gavin is quite focused on the task at had :-P

Our little dance party! Al, Pimmie and I were busting out the moves. I need a little more practice before I do that again. I was so awkward LOLRylee and Mikey hanging in the spinny thing
Liza, my lil mother hen taking good care that Oryn didn't fall offMy silly boys helping me do some gardening at GG's houseThe kids and our bestest buds Rylee and McKenzie. Lots of fun in the sun.

Thanks everyone that entertained us and kept us busy during our visit! We had a blast! Can't wait to do it again! Thanks Grams and Papa for putting up with us all invading your space.

Craft Wednesday

2010-07-14T20:59:00.009-07:00

During the summer I have kept the kids doing worksheets and engaged in learning. Each day I have the kids doing something different. Monday are generally reading, Tuesday writing, Wednesday to break things up crafts, Thursday math, and Friday is field trip day.
Each Wednesday I plan a craft not only for them but also one for me. The kids look forward to craft days! as do I!

Our first craft day was pipe cleaners
This is Liza's doll walking her dog and her duck

Daniel and his doll with his Dinosaur

Rainey's doll and duck
(they still ask each week to make dolls!)
We have beaded necklaces, painted rocks, nail polished washer necklaces, made paper flowers, colored little wood picture frames...
I have wrapped a vase in hemp twine (sorry no pics battery is dead and still haven't found my charger), also made wasehr necklaces, and beaded necklaces, stamped the kids names in washer necklaces, made a Canadian door hangy thing, and today I started a refinishing project.It started out something like this (I had already disassembled it and started to sand before I remembered to do a before pic)I did a lot of sanding!

My intentions were to stain it black but once i got it to this stage I liked the distressed antique white washed look it had. So i left it, covered up the Duck Unlimited logo with some scrap paper, and ended up with this

I love it...even the chime it makes on the hour!

ON a crafting roll

2010-07-10T14:29:00.004-07:00

While I was home and then while my sister was here visiting I was able to abuse the extra hands during the day and create. I am not one into make my own clothing, but have been super into learning how to re use things. I will admit I bought these materials for these particular projects but have a few of my Grandmas old shirts I wish to refurbish now that I know how.

My mom and I saw these hand crafted skirts at the farmers market and we recreated them. It was a good learning project for me. I was glad to have my mothers sewing knowledge.

This dress was next. We got our inspiration from here.
I love this dress!
(I also love the old window pain I made into a US flag! Can't find where I got that idea from)

We couldn't make one for Michael and not make one for Liza. (She is super into Zebras lately).

Then Auntie Di made Michael one of these for 4th of July weekend.

Our last one is this adorable shirt. I put it all together, and Dian helped me with the flower applique since she is a pro at applique. I got my inspiration from here. It is seriously the cutest thing!
While shopping we were stopped a few times with "That is the cutest outfit!" "Where did you get that shirt?" "How adorable!"

There is nothing more satisfying than to have someone admire your creation or to have someone enjoy wearing it! Liza was upset I was unable to finish a shirt for her before she left for two weeks to spend time with first my sister then with Jake's brother. Already trying to think of "what next"

There are a few more things we created but need to recharge my camera battery first. I can make a whole blog on washer jewelry!! So FUN!!!

Happy Canada Day

2010-06-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

We will talk later about Medical fees!!

This little man

2010-06-16T23:31:00.002-07:00

This boy is my greatest trial most days.
I look into the boys eyes and just melt! All he has to do is flash you that mischievous smile or shares some of his insights with you or simply give you a hug and say "I wuv you!"

But man can he be a dare devil!
He knows just how to push your buttons, and manipulate you so he can get what he wants.

He is ultimate silliness!
He loves to scream!

He is so easy to entertain, just give him a stack of paper and a pencil and he is busy for hours!

The boy loves bugs!
This is buggy. He was Rainey's best friend for a day. He went shopping with us, he went on bike rides and even ate lunch with us.

This is buggy playing with his toy that Rainey made him.

My tank knows how to eat!
This past week he made himself a sandwich- a butter sandwich!

I don't know how my Mother in-law raised three boys!
I have a hard time dealing with just this one (let alone his brother too). This past week we made one trip to the ER for a dislocated something or other in his elbow ($750 later, that darn gov run medical in Canada is expensive. At least we will be reimbursed once we get back to OK). Then the very next night he probably should have gone in for stitches after jumping off the bed into a dresser but I refused to pay another ER bill.
Girls dig scars right!?
I haven't left him out of my site for long since.
He is very much his fathers son! Maybe that's why I love him so much!
Hat's off to you Rains!

Summer fun!

2010-06-14T09:16:00.003-07:00

I love summer time for the food!! MMMMm! Yummy!Love being at my parents house and grilling every night!Too bad it isn't Taber corn :-( Won't get any of that this year

Soccer

2010-06-09T10:43:00.001-07:00

This is our second year in soccer and we tried something new...Coaching! Jake coached Eliza's team and loved it. The kids were great and Jake told all the kids if they were to sign up next year he would be their coach again

The "Screamers" weren't very competitive but they were such a funny group of kids!

"Who wants to be team captain this week?"

Liza came into her own this year with ball handling! It was fun to watch her use her body to maneuver the ball.

I love this action shot.

She figured out she is pretty fast. All those laps dad made her do helped her build up speed and stamina

She is such a great team player

My passive Daniel

Daniels team started out with 5 kids but never stayed there. No matter how much recruiting we did, we couldn't get the team to grow. These three boys played every game all season long 3on3 for 2-20minute halves. THEY ROCK!!

Daniel was a bit neglected by the coaches. He had two coaches, the parents of the other two boys. With M and R to manage and Jake coaching E's team, I was able to watch him practice from a distance most days, but not participate. However, Daniel managed to learn a thing or two and contribute a goal at least once each game. Towards the end of the season a few of the moms from E's team would tend the youngin's so I could spend some time with Daniel (Thanks Karen and Abi's Mom!!).

We managed to finish up the last game the week before we drove to Canada! We can hardly wait to start our next season come August!

Family photos

2010-06-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

While on vacation in April we had our family photos taken. After a long wait we finally got them a few weeks ago (I am a bit slow on the posting) and I can't wait to get them hung up on our wall

For a husband who really wasn't into taking pictures out in the cold and only getting a few shots, I think she did a great job with what she had to work with.

She even made the best of Jake being his ADHD self

My Lou

My D-man

Rains

Our Mikey

Garden Party

2010-05-27T14:07:00.008-07:00

Another themed party!!
Theme- Garden partyOur flapper hat invitations

At church we wanted to plan a nice spring party for all the ladies. Some how we were able to incorporate the ideas of us four ladies planning the party and make a lovely evening of laughter and fun.Caterpillar

Everyone was to bring a hat that represented who they were or something they like to do or wish to become. We then guessed who brought which hat. It was great fun!! Lots of yummy finger food, fruit and veggies. The weather even cooperated with us providing the most lovely evening of sisterhood.Our spread- choco dipped strawberries, triangle sandwiches, ants on a log, lots of fruits and veggies and the most delicious variety of salads

See all our hats on display on the trellisEveryone went home with one of these beauties. A flower broach.This was my favorite hat of teh night! It was her mothers gardening hat. I am thinking of making myself one of these babies. I wish I would have gotten a better picture of it!

Back tracking

2010-05-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

We have neglected our blog for sometime now. So I suppose it is time to do a few updates.

April was Daniels fifth birthday. Because it fell on Easter weekend we decided to do a family party and hold his first friend party a few weeks later. Daniel chose Mexican food for his family dinner. They made him wear this hat while they sang to him and he really didn't like all the attention!! LOLDaniel wanted pirate invitations this year. I have never been one for themed birthdays, but as soon as he said pirate I had a few ideas for this party. I now LOVE themed parties!

Daniel had a blast and I had fun preparing it for him!

Temporary teenager

2010-05-23T22:40:00.004-07:00

In our desires to be prepared for the future, we entertained the thoughts of temporarily parenting a teenager. One brave family took us up on the offer! They lent us their 13yr old daughter for five weeks. A learning experience for all.I am sure we bored our house guest to death at times, she was schooled on government, choices, and shooting by J. He lectured, discussed and taught many nights. J loves to mold young minds!Between her night owl tenancies, soccer, church and church callings we never made it to half of the things I had intended to take her. But I hope she felt like she got some of the OK experience.As temporary parents we learned the importance of just talking to teenagers. They want to be involved and understand our adult decisions. We also learned the importance of schedule, boundaries, and rules. As parents we can set our home up the way we want but it may not work for everyone and we need to be flexible in our approach to accomplishing our goals without giving up on our goals.We had fun picking our house guests brain for ideas on how to raise our children. We got a lot of ideas to incorporate into our summer homeschooling lessons. Thru her interaction with the kids we saw how her family strengthens their bonds as a whole unit and have encouraged our kids to draw more on one another. She also taught the kids toys aren't always necessary! They are blessed with imaginations and she helped them start to explore them more.When we asked the kids what their favorite parts of Seri's visit was this is their reply
Eliza " I like to play the Wii with her. She always let me be the princess! I also liked sharing my room with someone"
Daniel "We played Star Wars on the trampoline. She let me win lightsaber wars. She also liked to shoot. She hit the bottles of water and helped water the plants. I liked her gameboy! and her new hair"
Rainey "Playing house! I got to be the brother or the puppy. She liked me."
Seri made some good impressions and was a welcome addition! Hopefully we can learn from our experience and apply our new knowledge to raising our own children. Thanks Matt and Jen for being so brave as to lend us your daughter and trust us with her for so long.

Mary Elizabeth- My Grams

2010-05-22T12:55:00.006-07:00

Death has a funny way of changing your relationship and view of the loved one who has left this life. During our grieving process we often times immortalize the deceased and make them into something or someone they were not.
I am not the type that cries in public often! I am not the type that is going to show my weakness or love to complete strangers. Grief is such a personal thing.
Mary Elizabeth (Donkin) Hovan, My Grams passed away a week ago at the age of 89yrs. We were able to make it home for the funeral and have had plenty of time reflect on things as I see them.My Grandmother was never one to beat around the bush. She told it like it was! "Boy, girl you have packed on the weight!" "My gull what have you done to your hair." "Don't you think you have enough kids." "Don't be so stupid." It was often times hard to hear what she had to say.
Many of my memories of growing up were at her house or on a vacation with her and Papa. She loved to knit. She knitted baby hats for the hospital until her sight went on her then she made the pompoms for the tops of the hats. She tried on several occasions to teach me to knit. Being left handed, I proved to be a challenge for her that she never conquered. However, in her quest to teach me to knit she passed on her love to serve in quiet and small ways, and keeping her hands ever moving.Over the years distance provided a perfect excuse to neglect our relationship. We would chat a little every few months but we would always keep it short.
During Jake's first deployment I got my first glimpse into who my Grams was. During the onset of the war on terrorism Jake was going off to war and we had little idea what he was going into. I didn't hear from him for six weeks and then it was sporatic and short. Grams was one of the few people in the family that understood that. I would chauffeur her around during the time I spent at home. She would share her WWII experiences with me on our drives to the hair dressers or the grocery store- what she would send Papa in care packages, how she would wrap pickle jars in toilet paper, or she would rummage a few cigarettes to send so he could barter with them. She shared her many feelings and fears that she had during that time. It was a time we shared a common bond, a time we got along best.As we lay her body in the ground today I had a chance to reflect on my feelings for my Grams and the time I spent with her. I loved the lady!