Camie is getting baptized

Just a quick invite to all of you. Camie will be getting baptized next Saturday, January 9th at 5pm. I erased the address from the invitation because I was posting it on my blog, but it is at the Stake Center. If you need the address, please email me and I will send it to you.

Coyote Journal

It began last year. They had just started construction for the new school near where we live. They had cleared a bunch of tree from the wooded lot and I guess some coyotes lost their home. We were driving down the road and we saw a coyote cross the street, searching for a new home or some food. I guess Spencer was pretty intrigued, because he had all sorts of questions. And for the last 10 months he has made a comment about coyotes at least once every day. I finally started writing down some of the things he would say, but I only got a few because most of his comments were early in the morning while I was getting dressed or while we were out and about or when I couldn't get to a pen and then later forgot what he had said. But I did write a few down. Here are some of them:

"Mom, if you could do this (he closed his eyes and made snoring noises), coyotes will hear you. If you do this (he closed his eyes like he was sleeping and was silent), the coyotes won't hear you."

"Mom, coyotes don't have hands."

"Goldilocks can scare coyotes away."

"Sometimes coyotes say, "Boooo, Booooo, Booooo!""

"Mom, coyotes are strangers because we don't know them."

"Mom, coyotes can't see my lizards because it is dark."

"Coyotes sleep in trees and then they fall out with the snakes."

"I shoot coyote's houses. But it doesn't work. My gun is broken. It needs more batteries." (his gun doesn't take batteries.

We were standing in front of the Humphery's house and the kids noticed dog poop on the front lawn. Spencer came over to tell me about it. I asked him if it was Sister Humphery's poop. He gave me a funny look and said, "no". I then asked him whose poop it was. He got a very serous look on his face and said, "It was a coyote!"

And these comments went on and on at least once a day and even several times a day for about ten months. I love having a little boy. And especially one with an imagination.

Christmas Day

Over the last few months, I have been trying to figure out what we could do on Christmas day, once all the presents were opened. Usually I want to take a nap, but can't. Usually Evan wants to take a nap and does. And I find myself a little jealous, which I don't like. I wanted something that we could do together as a family to enhance the Christmas spirit already in our home. I asked around and got some great suggestions, but then I had to convince Evan to do something other then take his usual nap. I felt that was impossible to do. So, when I was planning Christmas Even with Evan's family, they invited us over for Christmas dinner. All I had to do was bring some pies. Here was something fun we could do that Evan would be willing to give up his nap to go and do. A great plan. We showed up at Troy and Becky's place around 2pm. Becky had a very nice ham dinner ready. We ate and then decided to go on a walk since the golf course behind their home was closed for the day. We got out the double stroller and headed off.

It was a very long walk, I think we were gone three hours. It was so nice to get out, stretch our legs, burn off some calories, and be out together. Evan took over the stroller, so that was even better. On our walk we decided to go over to the new church building that was recently built. We haven't started attending the building yet because it was only finished in the last few weeks. It was a real treat to walk the beautiful new building.

My poor little Spencer. He was so sick. I was so glad that Troy and Becky still wanted us to come over even though they knew he was sick. He was freezing and wanted to be held. I felt so bad for him. I ran out of Motrin so I had to go to CVS on Christmas day. I was glad they were opened. I thanked the girl working for working so I could get some medicine to help Spencer feel better. I was ready to take Spencer to the emergency room, he wouldn't take him medicine and had had a 103 fever for five days. I also got some benedryl to help him sleep, even though the label advised against it. I was at my wits end and didn't know what to do. Troy was so nice and came and took Spencer and calmly talked him into taking his medicine (I had been trying that, why wouldn't he do it for me?). Evan and Troy gave him a blessing and peace washed over me. We loaded up in the van and Spencer slept until the next morning. I did take him to an urgent care in the morning and he tested positive for the flu, but didn't run a fever after that.

Christmas Day was wonderful. It was so nice to have Becky cook us such a nice meal, to go out on a long walk, and to spend time with family who we absolutely love. They are a great family and we are so blessed to live close.

Camie got a new camera for Christmas. She chased Danielle all over the house trying to get pictures of her. I really liked this picture of Danielle running away from Camie.

This is Troy preparing the ham.

My nephew Austin. He is really become a young man.




Audrey playing with her new Christmas present, an IPOD Nano.

Spencer in the sand pit on the golf course.

Taneal running on our walk. I love the action shots Camie got.

Spencer. You can just see the sick look to his eyes.

Danielle. Man that girl has personality.

Taneal at the golf course in her new coat from Santa.

The adult table at dinner. Can you tell we are all adults? My kids love to be where I am. Danielle and Spencer both joined us. Nathan was sleeping or he would have also. Camie and Taneal liked being at the other table with their cousins.

Becky

The boys helping with the stroler.

Audrey, my neice.

Christmas Morning

We decided to make a few rules this Christmas. Nobody could wake anyone up before 6am. If they all happened to be awake that was okay, but NO WAKING ANYONE UP BEFORE 6! Camie came into my room at 5am and I told her she needed to go back to bed. I felt so bad having her do that, but experience has taught me that if my kids get up too early, they are super grumpy and they do NOT take naps. I wanted a nice Christmas, so I sent her back to bed. I am sure she did not sleep. At 6am Taneal and Camie both came into my room. I told them not to wake anyone up yet, but they could go downstairs and look around but they could not touch any of their presents. They could check out their stockings. So, they did this and Camie came upstairs announcing that Santa had brought her a guitar! She was so excited.
Since it was after 6am, I let them wake Danielle and Spencer up. Danielle woke up the instant Taneal whispered in her ear "Santa". It was cute. I told them to hang on while I got the camera ready. They all came tearing downstairs and excitedly opened their gifts.

It was a great Christmas. Taneal got some speakers for her MP3 player, clothes, a cool alarm clock that projects onto the ceiling, a messenger bag, Inkspell, and a few other little things.

Camie got a guitar, CD lessons, a camera, Flyte, shoes, and clothes. I know she got some other things, but they aren't coming to mind right now.

Danielle got a Leapster, My Little Pet Shop toys, clothes, and makeup.

Spencer got a camera, a remote control car, little turtle, lizard, and frog toys, a cool dinosaur shirt, and some books. The only think Spencer asked Santa for was a turtle and he was happy with a plastic one! Whew! Of course Spencer had been running a 103 fever since Monday night, so he wasn't quite feeling up to par. He was miserable. I finally took him into the Dr on Saturday and he tested positive for the flu and an ear infection. 6 days of a fever. Poor guy really didn't care much about anything on Christmas. He held onto the reptile toys he got and just wanted to watch Diego and Dora all day. I felt so bad for him.

Nathan got a car road map and cars, a big dump truck all to himself, and no clothes. He was happy with his dump truck and really didn't care about anything else.

It was so funny how the girls really just wanted clothes. Taneal didn't know what to ask for other then clothes. They also got some wii games to go with that wii they got last year that only has the game it came with. They got Mario Cart, The Biggest Looser, and Sing It.

They were all happy and I thought it was a little too much. I think I want to simplify next year, REALLY simplify and focus on the true meaning of Christmas and giving, not receiving. I know my kids didn't get nearly as much as a lot of other kids got, but after reading stories from President Monson and others and then watching my kids, I think I could really teach them some wonderful things to simplify. I'm going to have to think on that one a little more. I think I still want to get them nice gifts, just not as many.

I know there are a lot of pictures, but how can I possible choose just one? I have the cutest kids in the world.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve. I LOVE Christmas Eve, the whole day, all of it. It begins with the excitement as the children wake up, knowing that this is the night Santa will come. Then comes all the last minute wrapping, shopping, and cookie making. It is a nice and relaxing day full of magic.

The last few years we have spent Christmas Eve with Troy and Becky, Evan's brother and family. And so we did this year as well. I love living so close to some family so we can easily get together without the travel. They came over for a light dinner. We then read from the Bible the story of Jesus' birth. We sang Christmas Carols. I love to sing Christmas songs. They have such power to them and instantly bring a warm feeling.

After the singing we began a game that has been a tradition in my family growing up for as long as I remember. We did a Chinese exchange. Everyone participating brings a gift under $10. They are all wrapped and put into a pile. Everyone then draw a a number out of a hat. #1 gets to pick a gift from the pile. Then #2 can either take #1's gift or get a new one. The game continues on until everyone has opened a gift. Then, #1 gets to go again, can either take a gift from someone or choose to keep what they have.

What made this so much fun this year was how I wrapped the gifts. My kids went shopping with me so they knew what we bought. I wrapped the small gifts in large boxes and put my weights, baby wipes, towels, etc to throw them off. When they picked up the gifts they couldn't figure out which gift was what and so the game was all the better.

I think Camie was most excited to begin the Chinese Exchange game.

After the Chinese Exchange game, we all did a gift exchange. Spencer got his cousin, Tyler, two matching shirts, one for Tyler and one for himself. Spencer thought that was pretty cool.

And then of course after Troy and Becky left we did our usual pajama gift. They love getting new pajamas.

And then they put out the milk and cookies for Santa and I tucked them snug into bed, kissed them good night, and waited up for a while.

Socks

Socks, socks, and more socks. Where do they all come from? I'll tell ya, 14 different feet. I don't think this picture gives it justice, but the pile was as tall as the laundry basket, taller then all my folded kitchen towels. I looked at the pile of left over laundry and got discouraged. I even told my kids I needed them to fight or do something to get into trouble so that I could give them the job of folding socks. None of them did, they all behaved, they didn't want to fold that tower of socks any more then I did. I think Taneal actually started to tackle it for me and then I joined her. My mom always told me when something makes you mad or before you react, always get a picture. And so, because the pile was something I really didn't want to do, I figured I'd get a picture and then change my attitude.

Caramel Popcorn

Last night I realized I had not gotten teacher gifts for my children's teachers. Oh, no. And, I had 5 teachers to buy for. Well, I decided to make them homemade caramel popcorn and put them in a 5 cup containers with a red lid and a bow on top. I used a recipe that I had gotten at an Enrichment Meeting about 5 years ago and never used. Oh my goodness. It was sooo good. The popcorn is very sticky and good and so delicious. I thought I would share.

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup corn syrup

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup butter

Stir in a sauce pan and brink to the soft ball stage (235 degrees). Pour over air popped popcorn. I used 1 cup unpopped popcorn, popped. Mix and enjoy!

Bedtime Stories

I love to read. I don't read as much as I would like, because I really don't have the time. Children need to be read to. My solution? Read the books I want to read to my children at night. So, I found somewhat age appropriate books that I was interested in and away we read. And as this year closes, I want to write down the books we read together this last year so we can remember. I am surprised at just how many we managed to read together doing only one or two chapters a night:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The Egypt Game

Where the Red Fern Grows

Old Yeller

Fablehaven

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague

Fablehaven: The Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Magyk

The Box Car Children

The Magic Half

Typical Sunday

I keep this blog for journaling purposes, so I thought it fitting to write about a typical Sunday.

6:30am all the kids are awake and begging me to get out of bed. Me rolling over and begging Evan to get out of bed and let me sleep longer (I wonder where the kids get the begging thing from?). Evan finally giving in and going downstairs with the kids. And when I finally roll out of bed the kids haven't been fed and the house is a wreck. It really isn't worth the extra hour of sleep I get, but for some reason I keep doing it.

11:00am. My phone hasn't been ringing. Problem. I am a counselor in the Primary of the best ward ever. And the Primary President is out-of-town. We have 125 children in our Primary, most of them active, not including the nursery. We have 5 nurseries that are bursting at the seams. And, with my 5 young children, we fit right in.

I remember moving to this ward two and a half years ago. It was the first Sunday my children were not the loudest and the only ones heard. There was noise all around. Of course I don't hear the noise, I think everyone is relatively quiet, or maybe I am just used to it. But it was wonderful coming to a ward where I wasn't the only crazy one for having so many children so close together.

The year Nathan was born, so were 25 other babies.

Again, the Primary President is out-of-town. And if my phone isn't ringing, whose is? Makes me a little nervous about showing up to church only to find a handful of problems. Two hours before church started, I got a call from the President. She said her cell phone had been ringing, but she was in church and couldn't answer it until Sacrament Meeting was over. And on it she had several messages. That's whose phone was ringing. We were short four teachers, they couldn't find subs or didn't find subs, could I take care of that. I spent the next hour and a half on the phone finding last minute subs. Either they have a baby and really can't teach a class, or they already have a calling that won't allow them to teach, or they checked their caller-ID and realized why I would be calling Sunday morning and wouldn't answer. Just kidding about the last reason . . .

I must say the people I called are amazing. They are so willing to serve in anyway they can. I was asking quite a bit. My calling and only giving them a two hour heads-up isn't much. They still have to take care of their own small children and get them ready for church, feed them, etc AND prepare a lesson. The ward I am in is truly amazing. It is because of people like we have in our ward that we are able to have the best HUGE primary ever.

And I am only 1 of the three counselors. I know the others had mornings just like mine.

1:30 church begins. I make it through the Sacrament and have to leave to set up two Primary rooms. Yes, we have two sharing times going on at once. Jana, the president is gone, and she usually sets up one of the rooms. And then Sharing time begins. This is where I get my reward. I love to teach Primary. The children are amazing. They know all the right things, are so willing to learn, and so easy to please. I don't like the preparation, because usually I have children crawling all over me as I color, cut, and assemble. But it works out and I love being with the children. It is my favorite calling ever.

5pm we get home. My feet hurt because I wore some very pretty shoes that HURT! The crock pot is finished and the aroma of lasagna has filled my house. We quickly set the table and then eat. I love crock pots on Sunday.

7pm I pull the caramel brownies out of the oven. Chocolate always makes me feel better. Thanks Brandi for the recipe. It is to die for. Mmmm! So good I'll have to share it another time. We sit around singing Christmas carols, one of my most favorite parts of the season. I love to sing and I love singing even more when only my family has to hear me.

8pm kids teeth brushed, family prayer, and two chapters of out MAGYK read to the girls. And I am ready to crash. And yet here I am blogging.

It has been a busy day. I am tired. But oh, how rewarding it all is. And it starts again in 7 days.

Gingerbread Houses

I have got to start having some better luck.

I made our annual gingerbread houses, a process of three days. day 1: make the dough. Day 2: cook and cut out the houses. Day 3. Assemble the houses. Quite a lengthy process. It isn't too hard, just take a little planning and some time. I also invited 3 families over to decorate the houses together.

I assembled the houses. Then, I got a call from the school. Taneal was sick with a 103 temperature. So not good. I called and cancelled the friends coming over, didn't want to share the germs. Oh, I was bummed. Sorry Taneal felt bad, but bummed about our annual tradition.

And then as my luck would have it, the gingerbread houses completely collapsed. Huh? How's that happen? I have made these the last two years without any problems. But, I guess it was misty all day and the humidity was really high. That combination made the houses fall.

This is the picture of our lovely gingerbread house. Nothing fancy. Just dilapidated. Fallen. Ruined. Disappointment.

I must say I am learning a thing or two. I have no control over anything but my attitude. Tuesday night we had a Relief Society Meeting. Our Relief Society President had a Christmas message to share about how she was ready for Christmas. No, she hadn't done any shopping, but she was ready for Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas. What Christmas is all about. I have made a few traditions for my family because I think traditions are very important. The gingerbread houses are one of them. And no, they didn't work out, but it is really okay. I will try again next year. We will move on, I won't give up. I will remember the true meaning of Christmas. I will enjoy the holiday and try to stay as stress free as possible. I really am not trying to convince myself of anything, at least that is how this is beginning to sound. I am too gitty with excitement for the other things we are doing this season and with Christmas morning on the horizon. I have five very excited children who can't hardly contain themselves because of the season. Life doesn't get any better than that.

Wrinkles

Today wasn't the first time that Danielle told me I looked like a grandma. I decided to investigate why she thought I looked like a grandma, and she matter-of-factually said, "you have so many wrinkles on your face."

And I'm not even half-way to forty. Remember the comment she made about me when I was pregnant?

That little girl. What am I going to do with her?

Christmas Cards

So many things have been going on, so little time. It all seems to come at me at once, but then it keeps coming and coming. Christmas isn't what seems to be keeping me busy, although I am enjoying the anticipation of the wonderful holiday.

Today was another one of those days that I could have done without. It wasn't bad, just things didn't seem to go my way. And by the end of the day I was done. My kids are tucked into bed, all but one. Spencer, who fell asleep while picking up kids from school, is watching Dinosaur Train because he isn't ready to go to bed. Those late naps are killers for moms.

Each year I enjoy creating Christmas cards with a lovely family picture and a nice, tidy note on the inside of the card. They have always been hand-made, I really like doing them. Last year was the first in 14 years that I did not send Christmas cards. We had just been laid off from the oil fields and had only been employed for four months since the last unemployement period, so I decided I should invest my money into Christmas for my children instead of cards. Plus, the price of stamps has really become outrageous. And, we didn't have a family picture, Evan had been gone since the birth of Nathan.

So this year I was determined to make my Christmas cards. I wrote the letter and it turned out so good. I was so pleased because it flowed well, was a little silly, but still told of some of our struggles. Left you feeling warm and fuzzy with some reality of life. I printed it and knew about Word autosave, so I left it to come back to later. And later it was no where to be found. It didn't save on the computer and I couldn't find my only copy. AHHHH! In times like this I wish I wasn't so quick to clean-up.

So I wrote another card. It's okay. Not the warm fuzzy letter as before, but it gives a synopsis of our family in a nut-shell. Good, not great. We had our family pictures made and I was so pleased with the results. I designed a folded card with the letter inside and cute little pictures of the kids to go with their paragraph. I ordered some awesome velum snow-flake envelopes that arrived last week. I even got the laser printer cartridge refilled so I could print them.

And then I went to print them. That so cool laser printer is not so cool. The dpi must not have been what I remembered because the cards looked terrible! So bad that there is no way I will send them out. Good-bye to all the time creating the card, ordering the envelopes, etc. I was mad. I kept my anger in, I've been practicing on that. But oh, how I had a hard time being upbeat today.

I got on Costco.com and ordered my cards, one-sided that don't include my cute little letter. They come with envelopes, so I don't need my snowflake ones. They are pretty, just not what I had in mind, and a total waste of all the effort I had put into the failed cards.

So, just to make me feel a little better, I am going to post my card and letter here, although it won't have the same effect as getting it in the mail. When you look at it, imagine it as a card. It is simple, but I really liked it. It was going to be so fun to mail out. I guess I should have taken the loss of the original, really cool Christmas letter as a sign.