Adoption

Have you noticed this on my side bar? Daren is Evan's brother. Daren married Shannon about four years ago. They met before Daren's mission, Shannon waited for Daren, and they were married about two months after Daren returned home (Hopefully I'm accurate on that, I know it was wonderfully quick) They have been chosen by a birth mother and will be able to have a little girl in January. We are so excited for them and thrilled they are able to be parents. They are an amazing couple and will be wonderful parents.

Texas Bloodsuckers

aka. Mosquito's.

Pesky, annoying, itchy, and allergic.

We've been in a drought. Summer water rations. We live in a place where we get almost as much rain as Seattle, yet our storms come and dump and leave. Rarely do they hang around and keep raining. Sometimes we will get a storm that lasts a few days, but we have sunshine and blue skies for a few hours here and there within that same storm. It doesn't leave the dreary mood like in the northwest Seattle. We got somewhere around 8 inches last week. Yes, we needed the rain. But what comes after the rain (Remember Hurricane Ike?) are the mosquito's. They need a few days of standing water to grow and then they become so hungry that we have to stay indoors. Our neighborhood occasionally pays to have planes fly above and spray mosquito stuff, which really helps, but the interim is horrible.

Nathan seems to be really allergic to mosquito's. Last Tuesday he woke up with a HUGE ear. It was red and swollen, stuck straight out and drooped. He kept touching it like it bothered him a little, but didn't complain too much. The next day we could see where that bloodsucker had gotten him. Poor kid.

Saturday Nathan was outside playing. It was a beautiful day. Later that night as I bathed him, I noticed a small welt right under his eye. I should have sprayed him before I let him go outside today. Note to self. Well, the next morning he woke up with his eye nearly swollen shut. It looked like he had been beaten or had some serous fall. I got pictures, but they don't give justice. I didn't realize just how bad it looked until we were at church and I don't know how many people kept making joking comments about how we beat our children. The swollen eye didn't really seem to bother him as well, but is sure looked bad.

Yesterday I noticed more bites on his legs and arms. They were hot to the touch. Last night he started running a fever. He doesn't have a runny nose, cough, or anything. I can't help but wonder if it is those nasty little bites on his legs and arms.

School Field Trip

Last week I was able to go on the school field trip with Taneal's class. I got to ride the school bus with all the kids. We went to a historic park filled with homes, barns, and equipment form the late 1800's and early 1900s. I got to be a tour guide to half of Taneal's class. We got to wash laundry by hand, see a working kitchen without electricity, ice box and all. We watched wool spun into yarn, learned how to make soap, and many more cool things. It was a lot of fun seeing Taneal learn.

Spencerisms

I love the mind of a 3-year-old: Their logic, their imagination, their thinking patterns. It is all wonderful stuff. I could sit and listen for hours and be thoroughly entertained.

Today, Spencer said to me: "See, mom, I'm fat. Because I am a boy, I am fat."

I said: "really? you think you are fat?" (Spencer is barely on the charts with his skinny bum).

Spencer: "yeah, mom, see my fat head! I'm a boy and I have a fat head!"

Had to hide the laughter coming from me on that one.

I don't even think the word fat is allowed in our house. Where does he learn this stuff?

Gymnastics

I started taking Nathan and Spencer to a gymnastics gym once a week. It is open gym time, mom's stay with the kids and the kids pretty much get to play on the equipment. Spencer thinks it is great and especially likes it because Taneal and Camie are quite put out that they don't get to go. This last week I decided to grab the camera and get a few shots. I wasn't able to capture many pictures of Nathan, he is such a busy-body, so most of his pictures were blurry. He was back and forth and all over the place. Once when I looked around for him, couldn't find him right away, and finally found him over in a corner sticking his fingers in the handles of a jump rope. His mind is working like crazy. I'm thinking his mind is like my dad's, the engineer kind. He looks at the world wondering how things work. He bounces a ball and watches it until it stops and then does it again. Cause and effect and how things work. Nathan really enjoys going to the gym.

Spencer really liked doing the balance beam, jumping on the cool trampoline, and swinging on the ropes. He played and played and was bummed when it was time to go. Of course when we got in the car I asked him if he had so much fun and he told me it wasn't any fun at all. And every day since we've gone, he has asked to go back. Hmmm. I think he really did have fun just wasn't happy to leave.

Books

One of my favorite things to do is hold a sleeping baby while I read, during the day. I love to read. I come and go with my frequency of reading, but my love for it never changes. I made a rule that I am not aloud to read while my children are awake (a general rule) because while I am reading I want to do nothing else. I don't want to change diapers, play, eat, sleep, anything. I neglect my responsibilities and everyone, EVERYONE gets cranky.

Tonight both my babies fell asleep at 5:30pm. WHAT?!?!? That never happens. So, as I held Nathan in my arms, I finished reading a book to Taneal, Camie, and Danielle. I try to read a chapter to them each night, we had about 50 pages left in the book. I was sure the boys would wake up, but they slept. And we finished the book and everyone was happy, I was content.

As I was trying to fall asleep tonight (didn't succeed, I'm back up and blogging), I was thinking about how peaceful it was to hold Nathan and read. It brought back a flood of memories. When Taneal was about 4 months old, she cried. I didn't realize she probably had colic, but I was tired, depleted, and needed a break. By 4 months Taneal had given up naps, only two 10 minute naps a day. She went to bed late and got up early. I was a first time mom. So, I sat around for two days holding Taneal (actually nursing) all day long while she slept (she was getting what she wanted) and read a book. She would sleep if I held her, but on normal days I wouldn't hold her while she slept. It brought peace and relaxation to my soul. It was my break.

As the years have passed and more children have come into my home, I occasionally take a needed break with a book and a sleeping baby in my arms. If I put them down they wake up, so I hold them and I rejuvenate. Reading during the day is something I do probably two or three days a year, life is too busy and I have to stick to my rule of not reading when the kids are awake, or I would do it all the time. But every once in a while I take a break and curl up with a book . . . and a baby.

Oh, my last read during the day was Goose Girl. I highly recommend it. It took me less then a day from start to finish. I couldn't put it down.

Halloween Costumes

One of my favorite holidays is Halloween. I like Halloween before dark. After dark it seems to change from the magical dressing-up to something dark. Last Halloween I drove home late and was quite creeped out by the parties and people that were out. I like the Halloween that sweet, cute children in happy costumes go trick-or-treating.

And I like to sew my children's costumes.

Before children, after college, I had about a year. For Christmas my parents got me a sewing machine with strings attached (not literally, sort of). I could have the machine on the condition I promised to take a sewing class. I was done with school, no problem. I signed up through Community Ed and took the best 8 week sewing class ever. I learned to sew. So, I have a little "know-how". Just a little. Over the last 10 years I have sewn several Easter dresses, many Halloween costumes, and a few things in between. I even learned to sew a suit jacket in my class.

I finished Camie's "Trixie, the Halloween Fairy" costume last night and Camie couldn't be happier. She hardly slept because she was so excited. That is why I like to make the costumes, because my children get so excited planning and then me being able to make their ideas come to life.

The problem is this. I can sew, I know how. The item I sew stays together. But if you look very close, it looks terrible! The zipper is a little crooked, the seams don't line up, the darts pucker, etc. So how do you make the garment look nice? How do you get from beginning sewer to one that isn't embarrassed to have anyone look very close? I like knowing how to sew and I really have fun with it. But, is it just not my talent? Is that why the fine details looks so . . . not so fine? I'm not giving up, will continue to sew as long as my children will wear what I make them. I was just wondering.

Spinach

What is the best way to get a 3-year-old to eat Spinach?

Tell him long-neck dinosaurs eat spinach like leaves (as shown in cartoons) and he should act like a long-neck!

Evan demonstrated and Spencer followed. It works! I couldn't believe how much plain, raw spinach Spencer ate!

Cookies

My children are getting so grown up! We made cookies last night and then decorated them tonight. They did so much of it on their own. And they even cleared the supper table and did the dishes so we could decorate cookies. I would have brought cookies to you, but my kids gobbled them up!

Taneal, Camie, and Danielle can pretty much decorate cookies on their own. Not decorate the kind to give away, but the kind that doesn't make too big of a mess, have too many sprinkles, or too much frosting, and they lick the knife a lot. They do really well. Spencer is so passive that he watches and copies and does a great job. Nathan just wanted the candy corns. He didn't care about the cookies or the frosting, they just get on his hands and feel yucky.

I love having big kids! I thought the best stage was the toddler stage, where Nathan is at. They are just so dang cute! But then I think about the stage that Spencer is at, the preschool stage, and I LOVE how they are sponges and soak up everything you teach them. But then again, maybe the 'bit more independent stage where my girls are at is pretty great too. And then sometimes I see newborns and want one of those too. I guess maybe I just like children, no matter the stage.

Conference

General Conference has evolved for me. I remember as a child going to the church building and sitting through the two hour Sunday morning conference broad casted from Temple Square in Salt Lake City. I looked forward to the potluck meal we would have right afterwards. As a teenager I even got lucky enough to leave a little early from the chapel and go to the kitchen and help with the set-up of the dinner.

I didn't realize that there were two sessions on Saturday. Either that or I don't remember that I knew.

And now I look forward to General Conference. I love hearing from a prophet of God. I know the Prophet receives revelation from God and delivers a message that He wants us to hear. And this is one of the ways that I know:

Over the last few months I have been a bit overwhelmed with having 5 children. The clean-up alone is enough to overwhelm. But there is so much more then that. I have five children because I love them. I love having children. Children are a breath of fresh air. They come with unique personalities, they love to learn, and they amaze me. I can sit and just watch for hours and be fully entertained. And they teach me so much. I am a different person then I was 10 years ago. I have learned patience, understanding, and my ability to love has unfolded.

I love to watch other moms with their children. There is so much to be learned and ignored. My church is full of moms with only one, two, and three children. They are amazing mothers, love their children so much, and are able to read, play, and really enjoy their kids. That is how I was. Then I got more children and more, and now I don't even really scrapbook. Days go by that I am so busy with the business that comes with a big family that I didn't get a chance to brush Spencer's teeth, or I let Nathan eat chalk, I didn't read with Danielle today, he has been wearing that dirty shirt all day.

The message from last Conference was there is good, better, and best out there. When we have to choose what to do, always choose the best. That has been on my mind. I wanted to make the best with my time. I quit farming on Facebook Farm Town because that wasn't the "best" way to spend my time. I don't really watch tv. I blog because it is sort of a journal. I try to choose wisely how I spend my time, but still relax and not run faster then I have strength, to have some down time for me so i don't get burnt out. I want to be a good mom and let go of what isn't important and focus on what really is.

And as I have been pondering what is most important, I had thoughts come to me. Smudges on my children's face are fine. If I miss a day of brushing teeth, they will live. If my dishes don't get done tonight, they will still be there in the morning with even more. The laundry can wait, usually. What is more important? My children. They are growing up so fast and I don't want to miss a moment. But, having a lot of children means I will miss something, I have to choose the good, better, or best. This was the thought that came to mind: I need my children to know how to recognize and feel the spirit. Each of us feel the spirit in our own way. And knowing how the spirit feels and speaks to us is what will guide us the rest of our lives. I must teach them to know for themselves of Jesus Christ. They need to know that He loves them. That He atoned for their sins. That He was resurrected so we can live again. This is the stuff that will carry them through the hard times in their lives. There will be many bumps for them, but knowing about the Savior and trying to become more like Him will make the bumps a little smoother.

As I flipped Conference on Saturday morning, the first talk was about exactly the thoughts that had been so heavy on my mind for months. Then the next talk was about the same thing, just a little different. And so was the rest of Conference. God lives. He speaks to prophets today. He leads and guides us. I don't think it a coincidence that conference was about exactly what had been on my mind. I needed to hear it, have my thoughts clarified. He spoke to me through the mouth of a prophet, a latter-day prophet that leads and guides us just as Moses of old.

I need to choose the best. I need to teach my children to recognize and feel the spirit. And I am so thankful for His inspiration and guidance.

Chalk

My little Nathan, or "Nater" as he has been nicknamed. He loves to be outside. I can let him loose in the backyard and he can stay out there for hours. I'm not sure what is so entertaining, I took down the ladders so he can't climb up the play set. He just pokes around looking at everything, peeking through the fence, and eating chalk.


Yes, chalk. He LOVES chalk. Maybe he is vitamin deficient. They say that about children who eat dirt. He gags with the dirt, but loves the chalk. Several of my other kids have liked chalk, but I was a good mom back then and would take the chalk away. I was taking the chalk from Nathan, but he continued to find chalk hidden in the grass. I finally gave up. Hopefully it can't cause damage, seems to come through quite well.


Don't get me wrong, it isn't a ton of chalk, just a few nibbles and scrapes from his teeth here and there. This picture is the worst, which is why I took a picture. It was just after a good rain and he found a small piece in the yard and it pretty much disintegrated as soon as he put it in his mouth. He was even grossed out.
Little kids. They can be so cute.

Soccer Season, Again

We love soccer. Taneal and Camie are both playing again, and I should have had Spencer and Danielle play if I had been on the ball. We have practice twice a week with games consuming Saturday mornings. It really is fun, Danielle, Spencer and Nathan really enjoy playing at the park (not playground) collecting sticks and bugs and frogs. It gets them outside and out of the house. It is a good thing in almost every way. And so here we go again. More pictures are sure to come and you now know the happenings in and out of our home. Next time I need to get pictures of what my other kids are doing.

Rise and Shine

I am not a morning person. I survived four years of early morning seminary with nearly perfect attendance. I have 5 early birds that are my alarm clock. Evan loves mornings. And I try to love mornings, to get out of bed and start my day before anyone else in the house does. And then I drag all day. I love to burn the candle light on the other end. My mind is clearer in the evenings. I always studied well in college in the late evenings. I've tried to change and my body just is what it is. I am not a morning person.

Again, my children are. They rise at the crack of dawn which means so do I. Our morning starts at 6am and if I'm lucky, I don't have to until 6:30. I remember well when Camie was a newborn and Taneal wasn't quite 2, laying in bed after a sleepless night and Taneal putting her feet to my back saying, "Up!" I remember thinking it was cute, but still not wanting to get up. I did, though. Others don't need to suffer through my morning problem.

And what brings me to this post: 6am this morning. Nathan is at my bed side. He is 13 months old and just beginning to talk, has a handful of words he says. He pulled on my covers and clearly said, "Get up!" over and over. I was sure I was imagining it until Evan nudged me and asked if Nathan really just said, "get up!" Yep. Some of his first words were to tell me to GET OUT OF BED!

Maybe in the next life I will enjoy mornings. Maybe not.