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.

Allergies?

I finally got Nathan in to see an allergist. And the outcome couldn’t have been better. I was surprised, but so happy. This little boy has given me so many new experiences that should last his and my lifetime.
Friday was his appointment. I was concerned that he was allergic to some foods. At 6 months when I introduced rice and oatmeal, he violently threw up and then broke out in hives. I tried homemade rice and oatmeal, still the same throwing up and rash. As soon as I quit giving him the cereal, his skin cleared up. The doctor said it was eczema, which runs in my family. Eczema can be an allergic reaction to something. This last year we have had more diarrhea then all of my kids combined. Also, at 3 months he got a ride in an ambulance from the doctor’s office to the hospital because he was having such a hard time getting oxygen. Diagnosis: Bronchialitis. They say 30% of all babies with Bronchialitis end up with Asthma. Camie has asthma. Asthma is an allergy. I guess all these things made me wonder if Nathan was allergic to something, maybe the rice cereal or oatmeal. I just felt I needed to be sure what was going on.
Last Friday I had the appointment scheduled but had to reschedule because the night before I went to check on Nathan before I went to bed, and he sounded horrible. He was sucking in air pretty hard while he was still sleeping and seemed to not be able to get enough air. I woke him up and gave him a breathing treatment and still his chest was sunk in and he was breathing so hard. Evan even agreed that I needed to take him in. It was midnight and we headed to the ER. Diagnosis: croup. All my kids have had croup and it sounded bad but was no big deal. Well, for Nathan, it was a big deal. After a breathing treatment (with a different medicine then what I gave him at home) and a nice big shot along with chest x-rays, we were sent on our way, breathing well and happy.
So this Friday I finally got that long awaited appointment. He had a nice “green” cold. They needed a bit of snot to put on a slide and look at under the microscope. No problem. Nathan had plenty of that. Then they wrote numbers all over his back and pricked him with all different kinds of things: dog, cat, milk, roaches, wheat, oats, eggs, rice, etc.
And, no allergies. Yeah! And since he turned 1, most of the above problems have seemed to disappear. I wonder if he outgrew some of the allergies or if his body just wasn’t ready for the stuff yet. I don’t know, but whatever the case, I am grateful to have a healthy little boy.

Aren't they pretty?

A few weeks ago I got up early one Saturday morning and fed, dressed, and loaded 5 sleepy children into the car rushing off to soccer games. As I was backing out of the driveway I noticed these huge pots sitting on my front porch. I was in too big of a hurry and so I didn't think about them again, until I got home. Of course as busy as Saturdays can be, I again forgot to even go check them out until Sunday morning when Evan asked what I thought. So, I took a minute to go look at them and I loved them. Last weekend Evan decided to go fill them for me, he took Taneal with him to the garden center and they picked out Texas Rose bushes with little flowers to go around.

And so I am posting to let Evan know I really do like them, it was very nice of him to get me these beautiful pots and fill them for me. Thanks. And aren't those pots gorgeous?

Taneal's Choir Performance

Taneal signed up for choir this year. She is in the 4th grade and finally old enough to do extra-curricular activities. The choir has been practicing all year and this was their first performance. It was at a local church and the choir sounded so good.
Can you see which one she is? She is right smack dab in the middle on the 2nd row.

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to wish ya'll a Happy Thanksgiving. Even through all the turmoil this nation is facing, we have been blessed. We have so much to be thankful for.

Sunday I taught a Sharing Time in Primary and I thought I would share some of my lesson:

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

I really liked the story. And then I followed up with a little lesson about the similarities between the Pilgrims, Lehi's Family, and the Pioneers. If you get a chance, it is a fun one to do:

Pilgrims
Came across a large ocean in a boat
Left their own land for religious purposes
Left their homes and possessions to be free
Said a prayer when they landed
Brought scriptures with them (Bible)

Lehi’s Family
Came across a large ocean in a boat
Left their own land for religious purposes
Said a prayer when they landed
Considered this continent the Promised Land
Brought scriptures with them (Brass Plates)

The Pioneers that crossed the country also did
many of the same things:
Came a great distance, sometimes walking
Left their own land for religious purposes
Left their homes and possessions to be free
Said a prayer when they reached the Salt Lake Valley
Brought scriptures with them (Book of Mormon & Bible)

I colored and cut out and then attached Popsicle sticks to make puppets and tell the story.

Bob and Stripey

Spencer is my first little boy, so all this boy stuff is new to me. Spencer found some long lost toys in the animal bucket. We have had these toys since probably before we had children. Something between these lizards and Spencer clicked. He named them Bob and Stripey, and they went EVERYWHERE with him. To the bathroom, slept in his bed with him, he carried them around in his little hands everywhere, even to the neighbors house. Did I mention they went EVERYWHERE with him? I was amazed he didn't loose them. And when with Bob or Stipey was misplaced, we had to go on the hunt and find them FAST or Spencer lost control. One day he was at my friends house being watched and he lost Bob. Thankfully Jana had a lizard that was very similar, named Herbert, who was able to take Bob's place until Jana found him the next morning.

And sometimes I wonder if Spencer thinks Bob and Stripey are real. He has me feel their soft belly. He tells me they like to be rubbed like this . . . One day he came up to me and said, "Mom, I think Bob wants me to let him go. I'm going to let him go." So, Spencer opened up the back door, set Bob on the patio, and came back inside and told me he let Bob go. Later, as I tucked Spencer into bed, I saw he had Bob in his favorite spot, clutched in his hand.

I think Spencer discovered Bob and Stripey back in the beginning of September. He somehow managed to loose Bob about two weeks ago, but replaced him with Sunny, a yellow lizard. Spencer has also taken a liking to Soft Shell, a little soft shelled turtle that he got as a prize at the dentist.

I sure love that little boy and his cute imagination. He pointed out that Sunny's tail makes a "s", just like Spencer starts with "s". He was excited that Sunny would do that with his tail for him.

Camie turns 8

We had Camie's party two weeks before her birthday so we could have a Halloween theme. It was loads of fun. It was a lot of work, and I told her I would only make her one fancy cake. I was willing to make her another one, just not decorated. She decided she wanted pumpkin pie and I was willing since I LOVE pumpkin pie. We had Troy and Becky and cousins over for a special lasagna dinner, Camie's favorite meal. I learned to make lasagna in the crock pot and thought it turned out very well. Thanks, Nicole, for the recipe. We have late church, so all our Sunday dinners have to be in the crock pot so it is ready when we walk in the door from church. And the nice part about having the birthday party separate from the birthday is Camie got two days of attention. Whoo hoo!

So a little about Camie. Camie is great. She is a super helper, has a compassionate heart, and loves to serve. She loves getting little gifts and collects things. If you give her something, she will have it until the day she dies, or until I help her declutter, which is a day she feel like dying. To get rid of something is very hard for Camie. I think it runs in the family on the Black side.

Camie is super smart. She has always impressed me with her ability to grasp concepts, how she can read so well and at such a high level, how little she has to study to learn things. Learning comes so easy to her. She can get all A's at school and never have cracked a book or done a worksheet at home. Of course she is always reading books open for pleasure.

Some of the books she likes have been of course, Harry Potter. She finished A-Z Mysteries (all 26 of them) in about 2 weeks time. She kept telling me they were too easy for her, but they were "sooo, soooo good" and that she just couldn't put them down. She is love with these fairy books like Pet Fairy's, Rainbow Fairy's, etc.I bought a couple of them and she had each one read in 30 minutes or less, but she loved them. She read the Doll House People, Spiderwick, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and so many more that just aren't coming to mind. One of her favorite birthday presents was from Bailey, a gift card to Barnes and Noble. I took Camie yesterday and her eyes were practically popping out of her head looking and the selection. She had such a fun time deciding where to spend her money. She finally bought 3 books and started reading as soon as we got into the car.

Camie turned 8 this birthday, which means she is now old enough to be baptized. She really wants to be baptized and is so excited. We have talked and she understands exactly what being baptized will mean. She is ready to have the promptings of the Holy Ghost in her life to guide her. She is excited to go into the waters of baptism and be washed clean and take upon her the name of Christ. She understands all that and is excited to do it. Her testimony is growing.

Camie is an amazing young girl with a heart of gold and a temper that can sure flair. She is your best friends and with the flip of a switch can be crying, yelling, and hugging you. Check out our Easter pictures, and you will see the other side of Camie that she only shows with a choice few.

I have had a wonderful 8 years with Camie and feel I am the luckiest mom to have so many great children, Camie being one of them, who fill my life with so much richness and joy. Camie has taught me so much. I think Camie is the most like me and when I see her temper flair, I understand how she feels. When I see her break down and cry because her heart is hurting, I know how she feels. And when I see how giving and kind she can be, I know how she feels. We can laugh together, cry together, and smile at one another. She is my friend. But more then that, she is my beautiful daughter that I have been so blessed with.

Camie's Birthday Party

Camie REALLY wanted a Halloween birthday. Her birthday isn't until half-way into November, so we decided to have her party two weeks early and embrace the Halloween theme. And it was so much fun. I think Camie will always have to have a Halloween party from now on.

She wanted a haunted castle birthday cake. Check it out. It was so simple to make but I was happy with how it turned out. Camie was especially excited, which was my goal.

Camie and I had fun designing the invitations together, planning the food, and thinking up activities and crafts. She had it all well planned in advance, I just had to make it work and do all the shopping.

I limited the number of friends she could invite to 4 church friends and 4 school friends. All but 1 came, and Camie was one happy girl. I love when they are so excited and all the attention is on them. Camie doesn't get that too often with all her siblings, so it was fun to have a day to focus on her.

Just the two of us

It isn't too often it is just the two of us. My children all sleep in their own beds, but at the crack of dawn someone (usually Danielle) comes and joins us in bed, sandwiched right between Evan and I. Then Nathan awakes and is on the other side of me usually followed by Spencer, who crawls in bed and lays on TOP of me. Camie then comes and lays at the foot of our bed and Taneal joins us in the room sitting in the chair. Evan just shakes his head and climbs out of bed and gets ready for work. The patience and sharing that man must endure with 5 children. He takes it all in stride. Coming from such a large family, it is all normal for him. I imagine he was the one climbing in bed with his parents, kicking his dad out of bed so he could cuddle with his mom. Maybe not, but Evan is pretty understanding.

Evan is a wonderful husband. We have been married 13 years and I have learned so much. I thought I came into the relationship with a wealth of knowledge and understanding, but he has taught me things I never imagined I would even need to learn. And through it all he has loved me, let me "throw my little temper tantrums", and refused to fight with me. I don't think he has ever been mad at me (except when I painted the playroom a beautiful shade of dark tan which he repainted over within days). He is very easy-going, the complete opposite of me. Of course opposites attract. That is why we do so well together. Where he is lacking, I am strong, and where I lack, he is strong. Of course I don't want to turn this into mushy stuff, so I will stop, but I love being married to my man. He is a great example to me, helps keep me level-headed, and loves me no matter what. I am blessed.