Sunday Photo: 41

We took five cute little pumpkins to Grandma today before church.  Of course, nothing these five little pumpkins do can be serious.

I am so thankful for my knowledge that families can be together forever.  I am so grateful to know we can see our Grandma again some day.  There are occasions when I still think, "I should call Betty and tell her that!"  I am so thankful she is watching over our little family.  I am positive whatever I occasionally want to call her about, she probably already knows.

~~~

On a completely different note, one of my favorite comments this week came from Mr. Eli.  In Target.  (And if you know the history of comments Eli makes while at Target you understand).

While picking up Noah's medicine at Target this week Eli, Lucy and I were walking around dreaming we won a shopping spree.  (Ok, maybe just I was dreaming that!) anyway, 

Eli turned and said...

"Hey Mom, want to know what I have underneath my pants?"

Me: awkward pause...and completely puzzled and a little scared....

"Uh...sure buddy?  What do you have under your pants?"

Eli: "I have on shorts.  Shorts AND pants today mom!  Isn't that awesome!  AWESOME!"

Phew!

Haha!

You never-ever know what a four year old will say.  That could have ended so different!  I absolutely love this funny age he is!

~~~

Have a great week.

And happy Halloween!

Sunday Photo: 40

I found a box of our scrapbooks in our storage yesterday and brought them in for the kids to look at.  What fun memories these books are.  I found a book with our first year of Sunday photos.

Just look at these babies.  

  

My first ever Sunday photo.

2011:

And today, after church.  

Lucy even has on the same dress Avery had on almost 4 years ago.

One thing hasn't changed:

Noah is still a big goof ball.

Today I has the opportunity to sub in relief society and teach a lesson.  It's not my favorite thing to do (teach) but I didn't want to call someone late notice either when our regular (super talented) teacher told me she couldn't do it.  It was a really good lesson.

My favorite quote.  

Go ahead, read it two times.  

Let it really sink in.

"I think if all men knew and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, and of the infinite potential that is part of their inheritance, they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth"

-Joseph Fielding Smith

We are ALL children of God.  

God loves us all.  

The world would be an amazing place if we could remember that.

Towards the end of the lesson there was this story from Joseph Fielding Smith's youth.  I love this story.  I can just see this in my mind.  It needs to be a child picture book.  And it has such a good lesson.

"When I was a boy, we had a horse named Junie. She was one of the most intelligent animals I ever saw. She seemed almost human in her ability. I couldn’t keep her locked in the barn because she would continually undo the strap on the door of her stall. I used to put the strap connected to the half-door of the stall over the top of the post, but she would simply lift it off with her nose and teeth. Then she would go out in the yard.

There was a water tap in the yard used for filling the water trough for our animals. Junie would turn this on with her teeth and then leave the water running. My father would get after me because I couldn’t keep that horse in the barn. She never ran away; she just turned on the water and then walked around the yard or over the lawn or through the garden. In the middle of the night, I would hear the water running and then I would have to get up and shut it off and lock Junie up again.

My father suggested that the horse seemed smarter than I was. One day he decided that he would lock her in so that she couldn’t get out. He took the strap that usually looped over the top of the post and buckled it around the post and under a crossbar, and then he said, “Young lady, let’s see you get out of there now!” My father and I left the barn and started to walk back to the house; and before we reached it, Junie was at our side. She then went over and turned the water on again.

I suggested that now, perhaps, she was about as smart as either one of us. We just couldn’t keep Junie from getting out of her stall. But that doesn’t mean she was bad, because she wasn’t. Father wasn’t about to sell or trade her, because she had so many other good qualities that made up for this one little fault.

The horse was as reliable and dependable at pulling our buggy as she was adept at getting out of the stall. And this was important, because Mother was a licensed midwife. When she would get called to a confinement somewhere in the valley, usually in the middle of the night, I would have to get up, take a lantern out to the barn, and hitch Junie up to the buggy.

I was only about ten or eleven years old at the time; and that horse had to be gentle and yet strong enough to take me and Mother all over the valley, in all kinds of weather. One thing I never could understand, however, was why most of the babies had to be born at night and so many of them in winter.

Often I would wait in the buggy for Mother, and then it was nice to have the company of gentle old Junie. This experience with this horse was very good for me, because early in life I had to learn to love and appreciate her for herself. She was a wonderful horse with only a couple of bad habits. People are a lot the same way. None of us is perfect; yet each of us is trying to become perfect, even as our Father in heaven. We need to appreciate and love people for themselves.  

Maybe you need to remember this when you evaluate your parents or teachers or ward and stake leaders or friends—or brothers and sisters. This lesson has always stayed with me—to see the good in people even though we are trying to help them overcome one or two bad habits. …"

~~~

It's it such a good story?  

People are the same way.  

None of us is perfect.  

We need to appreciate and love people for themselves.

Just like another sister pointed out in the lesson..if we could all see each other as God sees us, this world would be an entirely different place.

That's my goal for this week.  To try to see everyone as God sees them.  Myself included.  

Happy Sunday.

Sunday Photo: 39

Snippets from this week.

and

these kids before church.

Lucy calls Wade mama.  This has been going on for months.  She can say dada, but she just won't.  Until this week.  Now she has started calling me dad and Wade mom.  She also calls both older boys Wo-ah (as in Noah).  She must figure she gets answers so she doesn't have to be specific with names.

Eli cracks me up.  His face in this series of pictures is just too funny.  He is such a character. Preschool age kids are just so funny to me. Eli says preschool is long, and the time at the snack table is short which is not fair.  He is very excited for Halloween.  And candy.  Friday he asked where he got his Cars blanket for his bed and I told him that Santa had brought it to him a few years ago.  He then said "oh yeah.  Santa.....Christmas. I want to do that again."

Avery is loving kindergarten.  She is sad on Mondays because it's a shorter day.  She is writing books and reading words left and right.  I was reading a book to her and skipped a few words and she caught me fudging.  She's a smart one.  She told me last week that her friend and her have been eating berries they find on the playground. (??!!!)  I talked to the teacher and found out it is probably one of the neighbor's grapes.  But still, we had a nice discussion about not eating things when you don't know what they are.  Her teacher even talked to the class about it.  So then this week one night at dinner she took a nut out of her pocket and told us all about how she finds these at the school too.  and she eats them. (???!!!)  I asked her what about our discussion about not eating things she said, "well you said not to eat things that I don't know what they are mom, and I know this is a nut"   I have now made a rule to NOT eat anything you find at recess without asking your teacher first.  I hope that is inclusive enough.

Gage works so hard.  He spent this evening working on his piano practice.  He gets up early every day and practices before I come home from work.  Wade says he barely  has to remind him.  Gage told me one night at bedtime this week he met 3 of his 4 goals for the day.  I had him explain this to  me and they all had to do with math.  Working at getting faster, finishing more problems, getting more right, things like that.  I asked if his teacher had encouraged goals and he said he just came up with these himself. (she probably has encouraged goals though, because she is pretty awesome) He tries so hard and is a good kid.  And growing up so fast. And from the look of these pictures he needs some longer church pants too!

(Just look at sassy Lucy in the back of this picture!)

Noah.  Noah turns eight in 3 weeks! Tonight he was practicing throwing balls while doing a headstand at the same time. He loves head stands. Tomorrow Noah goes to the neurologist for a second opinion on if he can go off meds or not.  Noah says he isn't sure he really wants to go off meds. He says he doesn't want to have any more siezures. I don't want you too either, little buddy.  This month we also discovered sour apple flavoring for his medicine.  Apparently he says this is the best flavor yet.  I just don't know what the best answer should be.  I'll guess we'll just see what tomorrow brings.  

But at least we know about sour apple.

~~

Here's to a new week.

Busy days filled with family and kids and life.

and finding out the right answers tomorrow.

{pumpkin patch 2014}

Occasionally I hear from people that I am such a fun mom, that I do so many fun activities with my kids.  

Which I tell them is entirely not true...I just blog and Instagram the fun stuff.  I mean who wants to see pictures of the boring stuff?  I mean, the last two days I've come home from work and we've stayed in our pajamas until 11:30.  Anyone want to see pictures of my messy basement to prove it?  I spend the majority of my time every day driving here and there.  Trust me.  I am NOT cool fun mom.  If you want to see pictures of my boring life comment and I will seriously post the boring stuff.

But today....today was different.

Today I was fun, cool mom.

Today...

Today we took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch!

It was awesome.

Here we go, walking off to find out perfect pumpkin....

Lucy decided to poor a water bottle on herself.  Then Eli helped Lucy.

Great pick little Lu!

When everyone finally had one picked out we did a little dance. Eli had some sweet moves.

It was a great time.  And after, we headed inside the grocery store and picked up some rootbeer and take-and-bake pizza for dinner.

Because I'm awesome, one stop shopper, fun mom like that.

Who needs a fancy trip to a "real" pumpkin patch anyway?

Sunday Photo: 38

This weekend was my church's Semi-Annual General Conference.  It is one of my favorite weekends of the year and we look forward to spending time together as a family, a couple traditions and being spiritually fed.

One of our favorite traditions we started a couple years ago (when a couple of the kids got old enough to really help us) is the conference puzzle.  In the spring I picked out a University of Utah puzzle and everyone groaned when they saw it.  HA!  (shouldn't let your Utah mommy go the store to pick out the puzzle!)

But they put it together anyway.

I got a big cheer when I brought home the puzzle this time.  

They better love me, right?

The conference consists of a hour and half women's meeting for any girls eight and over, which was last weekend, four two hour sessions (two saturday and two sunday) and then a two hour priesthood session for the men on Saturday night.  We women only have an hour and half meeting instead of a two hour meeting because we just are awesome and don't need as much instruction as the men

:)

Today in between the two hour session we went on a little drive out to the lake and got out and threw rocks in the water (annoying the fishermen) for a while.  I told everyone to line up so I could get a Sunday photo.  My free spirited Noah stood in the back and danced the whole time.

Then I counted to 3 and told them all to run.

And Noah took off the opposite way.
That kid cracks me up.

This afternoon we finished our puzzle during the last session.  We never claim to be fast at puzzles.  But it's a great way to keep little hands busy.

I took some notes and I have so many talks that I've put stars by to listen to and read again.  

(You can find all the archives here) 

But I think my favorite quote came this afternoon

"The best paths in life are rarely the easiest."

I know this statement is true.  Without a doubt some of the best and biggest blessings in my life have not been the easy way.  

~~~

On to other news:

I took all the kids to the dentist this week (no cavities at all!)  All three boys picked bouncy balls as their prize.

Friday afternoon Lucy was taking her nap and the boys were upstairs playing. Eli was standing in the living room.  I had just told him to not bounce the bouncy ball because it would wake up Lucy.  It was only me and Eli in the room.

And then he bounced the ball.

"Eli!" I said.  "I just told you not to bounce that bouncy ball!" 

Eli shrugged his shoulders and replied

"It wasn't me mom"

"Oh really?" I reply.  "You are the only one in the room.  Who did it then?"

"Huh?  I don't know.  But it wasn't me!"

~~

ha! 

maybe we'll have a little review about telling the truth at our next family home evening.

{September}

September was a busy month and the year is just going to get busier and busier from here on out.  I love fall though and we are all so excited for the holidays!

~~~

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen in September.  Avery is a good little helper.

We got smoothie packets and sausage muffins ready to made to freeze one morning.

We made some homemade granola bars one morning.  Avery has always been the helper - here she is at 2 years old and 5 years old.  She is going to be quite a little chef someday.

We canned a lot of produce from our garden!  We did dilly beans a couple different times.

I bottled tomatoes. And more tomatoes.

Green tomato/raspberry jam a couple times and we also pickled a lot of jalapenos.   We have a couple more tomatoes still hanging on and I plan on making up some salsa with those this weekend.  

~~~

We spent a little bit of time on Labor Day at the pool.  We had to get in every last drop of summer!

~~~

Football season started!  I am so bummed that they are not having the holy war this year, but it's still fun to give Wade a hard time and dress the girls up in Utah gear.  He swears he didn't teach Lucy to chant B-Y-U, but she can say it.  We are a split family.  

Go BYU.  

Go Utes. 

And really it's all about what I can make to eat during the game, 

because that's what I care about

and it's so much fun.

~~~

Homework.  There is always homework.

Gage and Noah get out of school 75 minutes before Avery.  I thought this would be a great time for them to get homework done and out of the way before their sister got home and started to "bug them."  I didn't think about the littlest sister bugging them.  Little Lucy climbs up on a chair every day and scribbles and colors on any papers she can get her hands on while the big boys do their work.  She even sings the ABC song some times.  She thinks she is SO big and cool like them.

~~~

Eli.  

I don't even know where to begin with Eli.

He is my little buddy and always makes me laugh.

He isn't much of a fan of coloring.  But he has started to draw some simple people.  He drew this picture of five monsters last week.  I love it!

~~~

Afternoon kindergarten means I have a lot more time to play around with Avery's hair.  I will NEVER be the hair mom...the one that can do fancy stuff.  But I am trying to teach myself to french braid.  Avery always loves it when Grandma comes to town and can do it for her.  Don't let this picture fool you, it took 4 attempts on both sides to get it this good and it still wasn't perfect.  

~~~

My sister ran a marathon and we went to the end to cheer her on.  Eli held this poster for one second.  Then he laid in the middle of the road and yelled loudly, "I am SO tired!  I had to walk SO far from the car!  When can we go!"

Really Eli?  

Your Aunt just ran 26.2 miles.

~~~

My best friend Anne-Marie made me this awesome quilt.  She has such a talent.  I can't even sew a straight line!

~~~

Avery started dance class. She does love it, although she really didn't want me to take her picture.

Gage started piano.  

Dance, piano, scouts, reading, preschool.  I am constantly running.  I don't think the kids themselves are overscheduled.  It's only one or two activities each, but when when it's all five (only four kids actually) it all adds up for a lot for me to coordinate.  It's all jam packed into Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so when I get to Thursday I can  finally breath a sigh of relief.

~~~

Wade went pheasant hunting with his Dad and brother in law one Saturday.  They had a good time.  Can't say I was crazy about the pheasant meat, but it wasn't horrible either.  The bird was really pretty though.

~~~

We have this random rooster that wanders around our neighborhood.  The kids love when it comes up on the porch.  It comes and visits a lot lately.  Once it pooped on the porch.  Lucy loves to stand at the door and yell "CHICKEN POOP!  CHICKEN POOP!"

~~~

We went to the Lehi High School Mascot Bowl.  The kids LOVED it last year and they were looking forward to it this year too.  It's super crowded and we didn't have as great seats this year as last, but it was still fun.  Eli had a blast riding in the Chick fil-a cow train.  He even convinced all the big kids to do it with him.  HA!

~~~

Gage earned his Arrow of Light in Scouts this past month.  He was pretty excited about this and very proud of himself.  He should be, it's a lot of work.

Lucy always tries to steal the show.

~~~

I didn't order school pictures, (I did order class pictures) but I did take a picture of the proofs. ha!  

When did these kids grow up?

~~~

The school had movie night last Friday night and they were showing The Lego Movie.  I am pretty confident that the older boys have it memorized word for word, but we still "HAD" to go.  It was supposed to be outside, but then got moved inside because of the weather.  Sitting on the cafeteria floor for 2 hours is not my idea of fun.  But Noah did win the raffle and got a new lego set!

~~~

Cute Little Lucy.

~~~

We saw a pretty awesome double rainbow one day after reading.  We drove around for a little bit trying to chase the end.  We never could catch it.

~~~

We got up SUPER early (and you know that's early if it's early for me!) on the last day of September and went to the temple as a Relief Society presidency.  These ladies are so much fun.  It made me so happy to go with them.  The temple is awesome.  Relief Society is awesome.

~~

Most days you will find me here at 4:30 in the morning.  SO early.

But I go to work before 6.

So I've got to get it done and I've decided..

making it blog official...

to run the St. George Half Marathon which is in January.

My sister directed me to a training schedule and I'm almost through with week 3.  

I think logged pretty good miles for September.  If I could lose just a pound or two, or five it might make all this work feel a little worth it.  But whatever.  I'm trying to enjoy the journey.

Because that's what it's about, right?

I mean who really needs to be at the their pre-five-pregnancy weight when they can run every day and still look like they are having baby number six (which is NOT ever happening!) anyway, right?

~~~

One of my favorite parts of September was a new app!  The Becky Higgins Project Life app was released this month and I am SO loving it.  I can make scrapbook pages in minutes, anywhere anytime.  Literally.  The other day I was riding the stationary bike working out and working on a scrapbook page.  Eli asks me all the time where his baby book is and my response is always that it is in storage.  What he doesn't know is it is not the storage where our stuff is at...it's my mind.  

The boy just might get his book thanks to this app!

~~~

got to love Target!

Bring on October, fall and Halloween. 

We're ready and excited!