Count my blessings...

Wet sheets: 6 Lauren:0

2012-01-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

We are not winning.

I CANNOT seem to help Lauren stop wetting the bed!

I usually just put her in one of Krew's diapers (cuz he has chunky buns) and don't worry about it, but a few days ago, Grandpa told her no more diapers for her when the new baby is born. He will need them.

She believed him.

She does try. And she's a good sport about helping me strip the sheets every morning and clean up the mess. And the thing is, she always thinks that she made it and is so disappointed to see the sog. Awwww.

I asked her pediatrician and she said not to really worry about it till she's about 7. (Seven?!?) Well, I'd rather not put a second grader in diapers, or wash sheets every day for the next 2 or 3 years.

Just sayin'.

So the forum has officially opened.

Help me raise my daughter.

Or at least, help her have that happy face when she can tell me her sheets are dry.

And they actually will be.

Happy early Heart Day!

2012-01-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

So browsing around online, I saw this cute idea for making your kids' Valentines! I thought to my little self... I could do that! And I need the practice!

So I tried my darndest. I did.

But I had to take them downstairs so I could hang the fabric backdrop and there are lots of flourescent lights. Maybe I should say ONLY flourescent lights.

Functional: yes. Flattering: no.

So I played the photoshop game with these:

Grandmas and Grandpas, look forward to Krew's cuteness, because he has no classmates. This was one of the two shots he let me take before he was off and running again!

And then Lauren spilled red soda pop all over the pink toile backdrop...

And I asked Jocelyn if we could take pictures without her glasses so we could see her sweet little eyes. We got lots of squinty, cross eyed pictures! Good times.

And Gage is getting too cool...

I took really adorable ones of his with a pinstripe fedora, but he said they made him too embarrassed to give his friends. I'm still going to edit them for me, though. Cuz they were kinda adorable.

When they saw the finished product, they seemed pretty excited! We'll put these together with a little treat and the whole project will be done!

(FYI: I did 9 cent prints from Walmart, and this will cost about the same as store cards. Handy dandy!)

One more thing checked off the list. Now onto laundry, deep cleaning, labor, whichever comes first...

A momentous occasion...

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

Nah, we didn't have our baby yet. Sorry to make it sound all exciting and then just let you down.

But look at this fancy pic of how our car would have looked when it was new! (I won't torture you with pictures of our actual car, because it is super dirty and half buried in snow.)

So what's the occasion, you wonder? Our car is finally paid for!

We have never had a "paid for" car before, and even though it's getting a little older, it's got barely 100,000 miles on it and is still working great! I think we'll keep her a lil' longer.

I know I'm just being silly, but isn't it true that sometimes just little things can make us happy?

Oh, it's you again...

2012-01-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

I had this lil' dream last night, we'll call it an old friend, because we've met before.

Oh, doesn't everyone have one of those dreams that they have more than once?

A few of the details change, but generally the same story, told to you by your own crazy sleep-brain?

I dreamt that my OB (not my real one, a fake crazy lady one my brain makes up. Think Steve Buschemi with 80's hair) starts my labor with an IV, only to tell me that I CANNOT have any pain medicine. I panic, then rip the needles from my arm and run and hide dramatically till I wake up.

That's it. My nightmare is having to muster the courage to face childbirth without pain meds.

I am such a yellow-bellied dirty dog!

Lucky for me, I don't think labor will be starting for a few more years though. At my appointment on Friday, my good doctor said, "This little guy isn't going anywhere. For awhile." Lie to me man. Tell me I'm close. And that my thighs look super slim and toned.

Then I asked him to make me an induction appointment with the hospital for my due date.

Because even with my apparent cowardice, I still cannot wait to meet my little man!

A grand gesture...

2012-01-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

For any of you who know my husband, I think we could all say that he is not an overly-exuberant man. It takes alot to get him angry, or excited, or overly emotional. And he expects the same poise and control from me. (He gets disappointed alot.)

But every now and then, he'll surprise me. Like when he signs my Valentine's Day/Anniversary card. ; ) Or when he chokes up whenever he bears his testimony or speaks in church.

Or when he goes beyond what I know we can comfortably afford to get me something I've wanted for a long, long time.

For Christmas, he got me that snazzy, fancy camera I've been drooling over forever. I was truly and completely surprised, and feel a little teary every time I think about the selfless sacrifice he made for me. It was his ENTIRE Christmas bonus.

So I've been practicing. I made Lauren be my model this day, because well, the big kids are in school during the day. She was annoyed after 5 minutes. I love my outside pictures like this a bit overexposed.

Loving my fancy lens! If you can zoom/enlarge the last one, you can see the reflection of our car (which was not that close) in her eyes. Amazing.

Do I need more practice? Um, yes. But I want to have awesome pictures of my kids! And I am going to have to learn how to use this puppy if I'm going to get those lovely pics. I love nothing more than their cute little faces...

Already need to put a little more effort into #3...

2012-01-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

You know how it was New Year's, oh like, 10 days ago?

And how everybody posted cute little resolutions about how their buns aren't perky enough, or how they resolve to squeeze in a weekly date night with the hubby? Adorable and admirable, right?

This version is much grittier, I'm afraid.

Perhaps it's because I have more personal development work to do. (Or perhaps it's because of some fatal flaw in my character that I will not disclose at this time, because it's likely that there may be more than one.)

#1: Birth a healthy baby and assimilate him into our family with minimal tears from either party. (Um, yeah, you can totally put this on a list and it will happen. You sillies!)

#2: Parent my children with INTENTION. Being a mom ON PURPOSE. Putting in an extraordinary effort every day. (This one is actually not going to be policed until about May, just so you know. Because I have some necessary couch-days planned until then.)

#3: Make an effort to end my chronic procrastinating, un-punctual, always late ways. They're sinful. And for heaven's sake, get the laundry under control!

#4: Read the entire Book of Mormon with my kids in ONE YEAR. If we do... we get an ice cream party! And I get a nap.

#5: Take my kids camping in an actual tent in the actual forest. Not in the yard. (Some goals start small, right?)

#6: Be a better record keeper: More journaling, more GOOD pictures, and dare I say it, more blogging and make a book with all our posts. It's kinda like our little family journal...

#7: Write down my delivery weight. Then subtract about 45. Then I'll just try to weigh that...

#8: Send birthday cards to all siblings, neices, nephews, and grandparents. Tony has a sister that does this and my kids look forward to her cards every year, because they know she won't forget. (No pressure, Shannon.) Disclaimer: I am already behind by 2 birthdays. See #3.

#9: Stop dressing my girls in identical clothes. They are old enough now that I think they find it a little embarrassing. But for me it's a process of baby steps. I didn't say they couldn't coordinate...

#10: This one is making a repeat appearance. And now it almost feels like more of a wish: get a place of our own. I am itching to paint something. That's all.

Bring it on 2012!

Four...

2012-01-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

Four weeks from TODAY! SCREAM!!! I am getting unbelieveably nervous...

What if Tony is working in Saratoga Springs or Harriman and doesn't make it home from work quickly enough and I have our baby in the car? (Which I would probably have to clean! Insult AND injury.)

What if the weather is awful and we can't get there at all?

What if our baby isn't healthy?

What if my epidurral doesn't work?

Worry, worry. It does no good, but I can't seem to help it.

My mother-in-law took this funny picture of me and my sister-in-law on Christmas Eve. We are standing about 3 feet apart and almost touching!

Another funny thing: she's due 3 days BEFORE me! I'm huge. Maybe it's the poncho? They're not very slimming...

Another funny: our last two babies were also born the same week, almost 2.5 years ago.

How can you plan that?!? Twice! You can't.

She's having another girl (same as last time) and I'm having another boy (same as last time).
Next time we'll plan better, right?

If there is a next time...

Proud as a peacock...

2012-01-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

Lauren had preschool yesterday.

She likes jam sandwiches before she goes. They're very gourmet, I know...

So I made Krew a sandwich too, which he finished, then ran downstairs to hurry and do Lauren's hair while he watched a cartoon.

About five minutes later, he shows up with this mess of bread with a giant glob of grape jelly in the middle, all folded into a giant jelly envelope.

My 2-year-old made my 5-year-old a sandwich.

Adorable, really.

He hands it to Lauren and then marches back down the hall, swinging one little arm and feeling like he was a pretty big boy.

Lauren says:

"Mom, I am not eating that."

I told her I would, but to tell him thank you and give him a great big hug.

I didn't eat it either. But I did take a picture because it was one of those moments that was so dear! I don't want to ever forget...

The belated pre-Christmas...

2012-01-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

I love to do something fancy before Christmas! (To me, fancy means something you cannot do in sweats.) It just makes me feel more festive, and I think everyone had a really nice time for our day in the city... Even the big boss!

Here's Jocelyn at the Symphony in SLC. She has been learning how to play the violin, and has never been to any kind of orchestral performance before. She loved it! And Krew took a little napsky for 75% percent of the concert. It was perfect.

Our token temple square picture... Notice how NOT dark it is. The lights come on about 5, we showed up around 4 and toured the visitor's center and the other buildings, took a quick peek at the lights and were outta there! It was chilly!

This is not completely chronological. Sorry. After the symphony, we took the train over to the Gateway center to go get a bite to eat. This was the highlight of the day for Krew. He LOVES trains...

The Christus... and my kids.
And a little treat for us to come home to. This was our first night home after returning from Washington. It was a little breezy. I don't know if we'll be able to save it. This is our fourth trampoline. I guess we know what we'll be saving our pennies for...

And check out the bare ground! It is so warm here, it is creeping me out. Makes me want to go buy food storage and water purifiers.

Pack, Pack... Barf, barf... Clean, Clean... Flush, flush...

2011-12-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

Krew got a bug on Monday. There was much yuckiness.

But he's feeling much better now. Because he gave it to me.
And we're supposed to be leaving today for Washington to see the fam for Christmas. And I'm in charge of Jocelyn's class party, sending treats for Gage's. Plus packing and loading the car (which could take me a week with my organizational skills) cleaning the house, and remembering every gift and where it is and what it's wrapped in and... having a tummy bug like this has given me another unexpected gift:
Contractions.
Timeable at about 6-7 minutes for the last 2 days. And they kinda hurt.
And you know how it makes me feel?
Afraid.
These are not baby-birthing contractions. They are just the kind that make me remember the baby-birthing contractions alot more clearly.
Since this is not my first rodeo, you'd think I'd be prepared and could deal! Right?!? But I am weak. And the realization that I am still a weenie after all these kids is, well, a big fat slice of humble pie. Sheesh.
For now, I will be treating any signs of pre-term labor with trashy magazines and junk food while I curl up in the seat next to Tony as he drives us all to Washington.
(Such a good sport, that one. Drives the whole way every time and never complains. I just have to worry about the kids and the snacks! He's a keeper.)
And hopefully, this little bug will have run it's course by the time we get there on Friday and we won't share with anyone else, because I am looking forward to the most lovely, yucky free, Christmas Day ever!
(I will be taking ziplock bags in the car, though. Just in case. For easy disposal of tummy messes, if you get my drift. I mean, I do have 3 other kids that haven't had it yet... Maybe that's why Tony offers to drive.)

Work Party...

2011-12-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Last night we went to Tony's work party, which is actually quite the shindig! We went to this westerny-themed place called the Timbermine, where I had never been before, but my steak was quite tasty. So was the red velvet cheesecake! Yummers.

They did however, use mannequins dressed as festive saloon girls all around as decorations. So bizarre, I should've taken a picture!

Anyway, after our scrumptious dinner they play games and give away awesome prizes! Like iPads and big LCD TVs, Kindles and Nooks, Playstations and Xboxs. Cash! Giftcards! There are over 50 employees, and everyone gets a really nice gift...

Tony wins 2 of the games. Which means he has two different opportunities to CHOOSE a prize or STEAL someone else's. TWO! CHANCES!

So what does he choose?

Out of all those goodies?

Nikon Monarch Binoculars. In Real Tree camouflage. Good grief.

He walked out of that party so pleased I thought he'd bust his buttons.

(And frankly, I was thinking he was an idiot till I googled them this morning and found out they retail for $299.99. Guess the jokes on me, right?)

For the birthday boy...

2011-12-07T08:41:00.000-08:00

Happy 33rd to Tony!On a rare moment, we were at the house together, alone with our children.

I had made his favorite "Party Chip" cake, the kind with the frosting with the little candies in it. We couldn't find the candles, so I just stuck a few matches in the cake and told him he could blow those out instead. It took us a couple tries because Krew kept blowing them out as soon as they were lit.

We sing.

Out go the matchstick candles.

"What did you wish for Daddy?"

"This is my wish," he says, grinning at our little crowd.

Mine too.

Love you. Hope we have many more happy years.

Neighbor gifts; So lame I don't even care if you copy...

2011-12-01T15:34:00.003-08:00

I love taking treats and goodies and cards to people! I keep my eyes peeled all year for things that spark my imagination! And this year I found so many! Too many...

But the thought of cooking over a hot, steamy stove for an entire day made me want to cry or throw up. These days I can go either way."We wanted to 'POP' in to wish you a Merry Christmas." I know. You get it.

So this is what the aunts, uncles, and cousins are getting: a 2-liter of soda.
I know.
Thrilling.
I did add some cute little tags and ribbons to make myself feel better.
I suppose I could also wrap a little box of popcorn to go with... but I think I will be busy that day cleaning marker off the walls. Again! Those little devils...

Eight is Great!!

2011-11-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

Look at my grown-up little man!! When, oh when, did he get so big? He and Jossy had lovely little birthdays, where we just invited a few friends and took them to a skating/bouncing/arcade/germ fest type of place... which they ALL loved! I loved that there was zero clean-up, minimal prep, and similar costs to doing a home party.

The big event was Gage's baptism! (We had it the Saturday after Thanksgiving since all the fam was going to be more available-ish.)
Somehow, I ended up not taking a single photo. Tragic, I know! My mom and sis took a few, so I will have to beg copies from them, but that morning was madness and whilst trying to deal with all hullabaloo: had to fill the font ourselves, so Tony goes early and Ta-Da! the font is still full with freezing, buggy water from the last baptism. Let's just say Uncle Brandon saved the day with some sport shorts and some mad swimming skillz. Bishopric member was late, and couldn't get the closet with the baptismal clothing to open, Krew has diarrhea during welcome. No wipes.
You know how it goes.
We got started a little late, but the service ended up being so special. I felt such an overwhelming joy that this was happening for our son, that Tony could be the one performing the ordinances and that we could all be there together for my big little boy! I will remember it always.
Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a special day for Gage! You're the best!

Caught red handed...

2011-11-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

Or black-handed! Har har.

Krew sure loves himself some markers! He also did his feet, his clothes, and part of our couch. I was sewing 15 feet away. Best mom ever. Lucky for me I only buy washable markers!

And I got these in the mail from one of my very fave online retailers. Could you not die of their tiny cuteness?!? Maybe we can leave the hospital in our matching sherpa booties...

Of course, I'll have to get Tony some...

The REAL lyrics:

2011-11-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Baa baa black sheep have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, 3 bags full!
One for my master, one for the dame,
One for the little boy who lives down the drain..."

Love,
Lauren

P.S. She also asked me why those first people on the earth always wore trash.
What would I ever do without her?

Delightfully above freezing...

2011-11-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Too bad it's snowing here this morning!

Last night was perfect though- the air temp never dipped below 55! We were done before the sun went down, of course, but that is fine by me. Here's a few pics of the kiddos in their costumes before school: Jocelyn is Rosetta (Tinkerbell's friend) and Gage is Ash, the Pokemon Trainer. (I tried for WEEKS to talk him out of this one. But, alas. Pokemon won.)

Silvermist, Tink's other friend.
(I was a pumkin. I'm sure you can only imagine how lovely that was. And you'll have to since there are no pics.)
I got to help with Jocelyn and Gage's class parties, which was tiring but I'm glad I could be there. Krew helped too. LOTS. ;) Lauren's preschool only did a treat. Grinches.

A really awesome group shot. Krew was a dinosaur. Wouldn't wear the hat (shocker) but LOVED the tail! He kept looking behind him as we walked to make sure it was still there!

He really had the concept this year: "Cheets!" and he then would delicately choose one piece of candy and then say his lil' "Deet doot!" which I think is thank you. Melts my heart.

So does this:

I have another appointment tomorrow, and I am so looking forward to seeing him!

100 day countdown!

2011-10-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Our little mister has less than 100 days left of cookin'! I'm getting more and more anxious to meet him...
In my head he looks just like Krew. My last appointment they did a few more pictures for me in the fancy 3D, and he was covering his eyes in one of the pictures. The bottom half of his face, cheeks, lips, chin could have been a photograph of Krew.
I guess we'll just see if he's a blondie/bluey or a brownie/brownie! Cuz we got two of each! It would be fun to have a blonde, brown-eyed baby or a blue-eyed brunette baby too! Or green eyes... Our genes could really give us any combo... We could even have one with black hair (My dad has black hair).

Another thing that's sortof all over the place is our name choosin'. We keep going the rounds and never really agreeing on anything.
Tony has a great-great-great-great-ish grandfather name William Wallace. (Not "the" William Wallace, but obviously named after him.) He thought that would be a lovely name. I told him it was fine if he'd perform the blessing in a kilt and use a fake Scottish accent. He's considering it.
We like Bode, but there's already a Beau in the fam. I think it might be too confusing since we've already got 2 Ashleys, 2 Marks, 2 Davids, and 2 Jacksons to try to keep straight.
Jocelyn suggested Tommy. I kinda like it. Alot.
Gage suggested Jaron, which is also very nice. Unexpectedly tasteful from Gage.
I like Dylan. Tony asked if I was stuck in the 90's? I told him yes.
I also like Hayden. But we have a Kaden!
I saw the name Boone on a photography blog. Kinda love it! Love how it sounds with Gage and Krew.
Lauren suggested Tootie. Which is our family's word for flatulence. Classic.

You'd think by this point in the game, we'd have it narrowed down! I mean, we have done this before...

Back when I thought this baby might be a girl, we had only few names we both considered: Leah, Aven, Bridgit, Alexa or Avery. (Well, I like Bridgit. Tony thinks it sounds like the name for a little fluffy dog.)

So I guess we'll have to just wait and see! Only about 100 more days...

For him, this is like a totally huge deal. Me... not so much.

2011-10-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

I guess it's just not quite as exciting for the ladies.

The best part of the day: Deer season for me is done! (Too bad for all you deer widows out there with an open tag.)

He has been looking for this EXACT buck several different evenings and again many Saturday mornings.

This morning he went up with my dad. Apparently he was the lucky charm!

Pictures of the cape Tony packed out. They were able to drag the carcass to a 4-wheeler and carry it out. I brought the truck up onto the range and we all came down together. After snapping a few little moments of the happy (and exhausted) hunters:

This was an OLD buck. Very gray and mature. Rare to find a truly wild buck this size/age.

(This is what I overheard the men saying. Didn't that just sound so smart?)

I love to see them so excited and truly giddy about something!

Way to go guys!

Spoiler ALERT...

2011-10-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

See that little gem up there? That is probably one of about 5 pregnancy pictures I have ever had taken. Ever.

Not my most attractive stage.

And just so you know, this little gem will probably be making an appearance on our Christmas cards. Sorry to ruin the surprise. I know you were all really excited.

My dad took it for me with my little point and click. Photoshop is so handy! It's a composite of about 4 different images. Lauren and Krew looking at the camera in the same picture is IMPOSSIBLE!! I was actually considering not even having Krew in the picture he was such a wiggler!!

Still, didn't Markus do a pretty darn good job for a 55-ish year old man? High fives to you!

Jack and Joss-o-lanterns!

2011-10-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Tony was hunting all weekend and having the time of his life.

We were at home, wishing he was with us. Sniff. Church by myself is less fun. Ya know?

He tried to make up for it by helping the kids carve their pumpkins. We started right after school, and the sun was out and the air was crisp. It was the perfect autumn day.

The kids drew on their designs and Tony was the official knife-weilder.

What did I get to do?

Scrape the guts!

Luckily, I have been completely desensitized to yuckiness after nearly 8 years (so far!) of diapers.

Krew was sitting there with us, watching me with my arsenal of spoons and scoops, Tony with his knives, and he runs in the house. He comes back out... with a wisk.

Which he used to smack the cat.

The finished art:

A choo-choo train

Ash the Pokemon trainer

and two girly girls! With bows!

(P.S. The cat is fine, and I washed the wisk.)

Now, I am not a professional. But...

2011-10-11T08:58:00.001-07:00

I cut Lauren's hair myself.

I was nervous that she was going to end up with a flat-top (me, circa 1983.)

She's constantly putting her hair in her mouth and chewing on it, so I thought if I made it harder for her to do that, maybe she would stop.

This is her at 8:30 in the morning, browsing a toy catalogue, choosing the 200+ items she would like from Santa:
I love this hair cut for her. Too bad she still chews her hair.

Let's just go ahead and cook him a little longer...

2011-10-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

This month at my monthly check-up the doctor surprised me with a 3D sneak preview!

(Have I ever mentioned how much I love this? Oh, I have? Sorry.)

There were some skinny little arms and legs, a beautiful top lip, and it looks like he's still a boy! ; ) I think this little guy needs to take his chunkies a little more seriously. Good thing he has a few more months to get squishier!

(And what is that weird thing that looks like it's pinching his nose? This is some bizarre, wonderful, miraculous technology!)

I wish I may, I wish I might...

2011-09-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

I want one. I have wanted one for about, well, 4 years.

Nikon D7000. Camera and lenses: about $1750. Sniff.

And I would need all the Adobe software to go with it, right?

Why do I not buy it? Because I would prefer a house.

(But don't worry, the wishing star heard about the house too.)

Still... I think every gal deserves a wish list!

2011-09-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

While my kids DO get their homework done every night, and I am caught up on the laundry, I have to say that lately my blog has been an...

EPIC FAIL.

We have been so busy, I feel like this has been put to the side for a bit. Which is okay... I will get to it. Eventually.

Doesn't he just melt your little heart? I know, mine too.

He hasn't been taking naps for months now and hardly sleeps at night because he crawls out of the pack-n-play lickety split! This is the hardest thing we are going through with him right now... Last night he went to bed at a quarter to 12 and was up before 7. He will be going strong all day. I wish I had his energy! And his golden curls.

So Krew turned 2 and Lauren turned 5 in August. They shared a dinosaur party, which was Lauren's idea and delighted them both! Easy Peasy!

Then school started, which is so busy but also so nice because it gets all of us back on a schedule.

Gage is doing a science club, football and soccer. Football is brutal! For the first 3 weeks it was 2 hours every night. Poor little Gage gets throttled pretty much every minute of those 2 hours. He is in the running for smallest guy on the team. He has asked several times if he can quit, but I'm the mean mom who says, "It's important for you to learn to do hard things." Then I feel bad. Still, there's only a few more weeks and we will BOTH stick it out. Then wrestling starts!

Jossy is doing soccer, violin, voice lessons and Science club. She tries so darn hard, it plumb near breaks my heart! She's pretty good at everything she tries, but I think that's because she gives 110% on everything she does, everyday single day.

Lauren is doing preschool and soccer. She is technically old enough to have started kindergarten, but when we took her into her assessment, I thought it was wise to let her grow another year. She didn't even know her last name! Best mom ever.

Krew does snacks and cartoons. But not naps. Sniff. He still doesn't talk very much, but seems to be quite coordinated! He does some awesome baby-ninja moves that are hilarious!

And the little man I can't wait to meet... you are making me fat.

I went in for another appointment, where they did their monthly ultrasound (which I love) and again the doctor said BOY. I am so excited for you to be here (not as excited to GET you here) and hopefully by then you won't have to share the crib with Krew. Tony and I keep debating names; mostly the same ones we considered last time for Krew, but we are open to suggestions! Middle name is still totally undecided.

Once we made it past that whole green stage that I just want to skip, I have to say I feel good! I feel strong and like my worn-out body is coping well! Hopefully, we can continue this blessing all the way to delivery!

Please adopt...

2011-08-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

Whatever, everybody gets rid of their cats this way:

They are ready NOW. If you know of anybody like your sister, or your grandma, or a neighbor, the principal at your school, your mailman, a cat lady who just can't say no, ANYONE who might need a kitten or six, just let me know. Kay? Thanks a mill!

My new countdown...

2011-08-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

My goodness, yes, it is there on purpose! Check out my new little ticker on that little sidey-bar there! I'd post a pic but I just still look kinda regular. Just a little thick-waisted is all.

My apologies to anyone who feels out of the loop. We just started telling people this week. I was still trying to wrap my own head around the idea of 5 kids with the oldest one BARELY being 8.

Pretty much loving my new OB. He does an ultrasound every visit, even though I'm not high risk or having multiples. It's just their policy. Bless them for their policy.

He says he thinks it's a boy, but I thought it all just looked like toes. I am unconvinced. But luckily, we get to see again next month, so it's no biggy! (Tony, of course, is sure and always has been sure that it is a boy.)

February 3rd, you just got a great big red circle around you on my calendar!

Yay and Yikes simultaneously!

Back to the 'Burg...

2011-08-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

A little bit ago, we had an unexpected little run back to Rexburg. Tony had some work and a family reunion with some second-cousins (which we only really sneaked in for some grub). It was such a nice little weekend. We got to see some old friends and neighbors and Grandma and Grandpa Jenks. It was lovely. A few friends were out of THE COUNTRY. Byrams-to-not-single-anyone-out. Sheesh, the nerve!
Tony let me pick where we ate- two bowls of Creamy sausage pasta at Craigo's YUM- and he let me go wander around the craft store that I miss so much.
I bought paper.
And since I've had over a year to think about it, I made you a little list.

Where Idaho rocks the house:
Better fabric and craft stores, especially Home Fabrics.
Better parks
Better library
I preferred the tiny, neighborhood elementary schools.
I miss my friends and neighbors, and miss living on a street where my kids had friends. I still miss my house.
Better DownEast Home store
A TEMPLE in TOWN...
Better local grocery store
And I have to say I loved the big, active LDS population in Rexburg.
You don't feel like cooking? Fast food? Take your pick. It's a college town for crying out loud!
Cheap movies theater.
Fewer rattlesnakes. And maybe just fewer snakes.

Where Utah takes the cake:
It's prettier here. By FAR.
Taxes are seriously 1/7th of Madison County's. (Which is why they have better parks and libraries.)
I get to be by family and old friends.
Better hospitals. And seeing a specialist doesn't mean leaving the state!
Bigger selection of shopping within an hour's drive. For pretty much anything you could want.
Tai Pan Trading. My personal treat.
IKEA.
These guys KNOW how to do snow-removal.
The mountains buffer the sunrise and sunset. On that wide, flat plain the sun was up earlier and down later. Summer= LONG DAYS!
I get to see Tony every day.
Milder winters and LESS wind- I didn't say no wind. But less.
Not so many hobo spiders.
Immediate access to mountains and range ground. It's like therapy sometimes.
Better ball fields.
Easier to find places for swimming lessons. Since more than one person has a pool.

Honestly I could go on and on, but who else is going to change Krew's diaper?

Living both places I have been so impressed by the people I meet. We've met some wonderful folks who have enriched our lives. Such a blessing.
And someday we'll get a place of our own again and I so look forward to being able to make a home for our family.
We drove past a few of our old houses; we had such nice memories in each. We showed the kids some of our first apartments, mostly crappy ones, and they were like, "I don't remember living there." That's cuz you weren't born yet. "Oh."
It was strange for them to imagine me and Tony living a life without them. I can hardly remember it myself. Love them...
Cheers to Idaho!

Batter up!

2011-07-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

Last night of the co-ed league was last night... It's kind of bitter sweet. It was so fun to have something sociable to do with Tony and the family. The kids loved coming and getting a snowcone, I loved having a little "me-time." Tony loved just getting out and playing a little ball. This was at the championship game, taken with my awesome phone-camera, which seems to be the only way we get any pics on the bloggy: (Notice Uncle Scott coaching first base. Having him there cheering us on/coaching us made me feel like a kid again.)

AWKWARD. You know those couples who take adorable shots of themselves to record all their mischief and adventures? We will never be one of those couples. HA!

Some of the team:

Bonus:

WE WON!!

We got free tee shirts. Finished the season undefeated (not that I really helped. They only invited me because they needed girls and they wanted Tony to play.)

Still sooo fun.

I hope we can do it again next summer!

Did you know they have free parking at the zoo?

2011-07-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe it wasn't free. But we didn't pay, so hopefully our assumption was right.

The kids loved the monkeys. Gage noticed that there weren't any chimpanzees. Sorry that the twenty other kinds of monkeys didn't take the cake. (And how does he know that specific type of monkey? I barely do!)

It was so stinkin' hot, I thought we were going to be puddles by the end of the afternoon. We thought we'd hide out in the reptile house (shady and cool) but sadly, it smells. BAD. So gag or melt. Dilemma.... Do you like how I did a really good job of lining my camera's frame up with the background? Yup, awesome phone pic.

Right after this, Lauren fell off the dinosaur backwards.
She's awesome like that.

I believe in miracles...

2011-07-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

This is Jocelyn's baseball coach and his family.
Ian was on her team.
They are one of the most humble, gracious, fun, faithful families I have ever met, and they recognize this tremendous blessing.
iansinjury.blogspot.com

Summer Vacay...

2011-07-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Isn't summer supposed to time off? To me it feels like time ON! We have been so busy, that you must forgive poor little neglected bloggy.
The kids rocked at swimming lessons, we did Lagoon, and the library several times, and 4-wheelers, and playing with cousins CONSTANTLY since Jen's come to visit. Lots of yard work, and gardening, and the park and snow cones and BASEBALL out our ears!
For the last month, I have been at a ball diamond every night of the week. Now we've just cut down to Wednesdays and Thursdays for the adult leagues (Tony's mens' league is Wed, Co-ed league is Thurs.) I am embarrassingly bad. I used to say rusty, but that doesn't seem to quite capture the level of my ineptitude. Still, it has been so fun to sneak away for an hour and do something with other adults. I have some pretty fun cousins! Hopefully I can get a picture sometime during the season...

Long live summer!

My one-year-old can ride scooter better than your one-year-old.

2011-06-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

This isn't even him at his fastest! Such a funny little boy... Now you can imagine how we have so many accidents.

Soggy city...

2011-06-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

This post is only interesting to about three people. Sorry. But check out this flooding! No joke, this pasture had cows in it until about a week ago. They ran out of places to stand, and the farmer finally moved them.
Bye bye new fence.

This fence got pushed down by debris.

And speaking of debris- the septic tank at the folks place is full. It has been for roughly ten years. Last week it finally began rejecting new entries. One of the kiddos used the potty downstairs. It would not flush! I, being more resourceful and less intelligent, plunge the dickens out of it. DEBRIS begins backing up into the bathtub. Can't clean the tub because there is nowhere for the water to drain. Awesome.

I beg my dad to call the septic tank guy the next morning. Then cleaned the tub with the same vigor I used to plunge that toilet. I think I have chemical burns on my hands. But who wants to bathe their kids in the poo tub?

Happy Birthday Basement!

2011-06-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

We have lived with you for a whole year, as of today! Maybe Happy Anniversary would be more appropriate.

It has slowly gotten more and more crowded here in the bat cave because there are things I knew I wouldn't need for a few months, but as time dragged on- I brought in more of our stuff.

Because you can live without your IKEA kid dishes for 6 weeks. Not a year.

I thought by now we would be starting a house. And now I wouldn't be surprised if we waited another 2 years for all the red tape to untangle itself. So maybe we'll rent a place. Or stay. We'll see how it goes... The kids honestly don't mind it here.

It is harder on me; I read this little ditty in a house magazine and thought how did that author know how I feel and think even though I can't articulate it myself? She must be one smart lady...

"For those of us who hold the title, mom-ness weaves through our lives like no other purpose, tapping ever corner of our creativity, our determination, and our love. And, I might add, forever changing the way we view our homes. Because, for moms, houses are so much more that a style statement; they're an integral part of our ecosystem for shaping healthy, happy kids. In a hundred subtle ways, our homes communicate to our children about the things we value; the basket by the sofa for books and magazines, the stool in the kitchen that invites a chat, the art supplies and backyard games." By Gayle Goodson Butler.

I would add the music that you choose to play, the movies, videogames and entertainment we allow. Pets. The possibility of adding more brothers and sisters. Dinners at the table together. Having friends over and having parties for no good reason. Parking in a GARAGE in the winter. Choosing colors and details in a child's bedroom so they feel like I see of each of them as an individual; so they know that I KNOW them.

And I know this sounds like crazy-talk, but I kinda feel like renting whatever we can find is not the answer.
My kids need long term. My son, especially, needs to not change to a third school by his third year of school. (He is still traumatized by our last move.) My daughters need me to know other families well enough that I know when it's safe to say yes to a sleep-over. Tony needs somewhere to work at home in the evenings. Krew needs to get out of the Pack-n-Play in our room. The chunker barely fits. And he snores.

Hmmmm. Renting. It is an answer, I just don't know if it's THE answer.

Gage gets unexpectedly beat out...

2011-05-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

I know. This is getting so old. The slide at the park will never be as fun again. I anticipate a visit from Child Protective Services any time now. Which will be nice, I expect they will help me make a padded room.

(On a happier note, I am now pretty much a pro at closing superficial wounds. I'm going to bill Tony. I've saved us almost $2000 this month alone! Woohooo!)

I guess he's the winner this month...

2011-05-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Owwie of the Month Club winner, that is. This one was earned on the bus from playing too rough with kids who are too big. I guess it's like the chihuahua-that-thinks-it's-a-bulldog sort of thing. He was embarrassed that he had cried in front of his friends. The busdriver, thankfully, is a friend of mine who has 6 kids (5 boys) and didn't freak out... Instead of stitches, I went to the pharmacy and got myself some Steri-strips and superglue. Fixed him right up. And saved myself about a thousand bucks. And I gotta say, after seeing how they do it in the ER about 5 times now, I think I did just as good a job as they do. And what little boy doesn't have a scar of some kind by their eye? Answer me that.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2011-05-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my sweet sister who got her first daughter for Mother's Day! Four boys and a girl... finally!

And some tender, heartwarming words of inspiration from Elder Jeffery R. Holland to help us all remember the sanctity and challenge of the mothers' task:
(I highlighted some of my favorite parts!)
"You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you—He who resolutely goes after the lost sheep, sweeps thoroughly to find the lost coin, waits everlastingly for the return of the prodigal son. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be.

Remember, remember all the days of your motherhood: “Ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.” Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.”

You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, 'Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.' And it will make your children whole as well."

Yikes.

2011-05-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

So Jen took some cute pictures of the fam while we were up in Washington... I'm still working on getting them edited and posted due to technical difficulties, but it's still on the list! Don't you worry-

Things here are super busy. I feel like everyone is trying to fit in everything before school ends (Pet day and park day and field trips and we signed Lauren up for a second preschool, soccer and juggling 3 different baseball leagues and Primary presidency meetings and...) So we're busy. So my posts are lame.

I did want to share a scary story. I guess I'm just still amazed that we dodged this bullet. I'm honestly sick when I think about it...
Saturday night we had a hot dog roast in the back yard with my parents. It was very nice and of course, the kids loved it. We even bought those jumbo marshmallows that are so awesome! Afterwards, Tony said he was going to run down to the storage unit to get the kids' bikes; I was helping clean up the BBQ stuff. The kids were all playing in the yard. I take in an armload of stuff and think "I should go get Krew before Tony leaves." I walk out the garage and see Tony running down the driveway. So I run, because the urgency in his movement is obvious.
I see my little precious baby getting up in the driveway exactly where Tony had just been parked. He had a big, bloody scrape on his cheek and his hands were all black. Neither of us saw what happened, but we think Tony backed over him. The truck must have knocked him down and then passed over him. We don't know what happened. All the other possibilities are also scary: was he climbing up on the running board and fell when the truck moved? Was he standing by the tires and got his jacket caught and was dragged down?
For the last few days I haven't wanted to let him out of my sight. I keep kissing him and holding him and following him around and giving him extra treats. I wanted to sleep with him, but I don't fit in the playpen. ;) And I've said about a thousand prayers of gratitude for the narrow miss. Of all the blessings I've begged in my life, the prayers said for my children are the only ones that I really care are heard.
So hug your kids. It's been about ten minutes since I hugged mine- so they're due for another!

The low down on the lock out...

2011-04-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm. What a conundrum! Have you ever been anxiously anticipating your next blissful read of a dear friend's (or a secretly beloved acquaintance) next blog post, only to find that you did not make the list? And then it happens again. And again. Sniff. Tear. This is my email: allijenks@hotmail.com Please check for me on your invite lists. Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top??

Road trip!!

2011-04-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

For Easter this year, the kids also have spring break. The timing is ideal for us to go "back to the Basin!" And get this... Tony is even arranging to (GASP) take time off of work! OMIGOSH! All teasing aside, I am pretty excited about our little road trip. We're doing a baby shower for Jen (my double sister/sister-in-law) and I'm hoping she'll agree to do some new pictures for me. Hint hint. Then maybe you can all see my from-the-box hair color! So very much looking forward to seeing all the fam and doing fun Easter stuff! And since we will be leaving in exactly one week, I have lots of things to get ready. I'm honestly getting the kids' suitcases out and packed already. I'm pathetic. Combo of me being excited and it takes me that long to make sure we have everything washed and packed. Not so much looking forward to the 11 hour car ride. Not so much. But it's worth it.

Next month...

2011-04-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

Next month it will be a year that we have lived in the basement. I miss my Christmas decorations. My sweet little Easter garland. I miss my bed. I miss making a big sloppy breakfast mess and leaving it in the sink till dinner. So I looked at pictures of my old house. It cheered me up! Because I know most of this stuff is in storage and we'll all be together again soon. So until then, four-poster bed....

Mountains. Molehills. They're the same 'round here.

2011-04-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

April Fool's Day. Short of teaching my kids pranks that will likely get them suspended, how do you keep this day fun?

Answer me that.

Since pretty much our entire life revolves around eating, here's what we came up with:

We started the meal with pie. It was gorgeous and delicious with a flawless crust. And filled with chicken and vegetables. I know you're imagining it now.

(And you're going to have to because it got eaten before the portrait session. And the crust was ugly.)

For dessert we had hamburgers and hot dogs:

Notice the "Baconator" in the middle I made especially for Tony. Nilla wafers and peppermint patties. Circus peanuts and orange sticks. All trimmings were molded out of fruity Tootsie Rolls. (Throw those puppies in the microwave for 4 seconds; putty in your hands.)

And Krew's first potty training went so well we used it for a centerpeice!!

Okay fine. It's jello. And Baby Ruths. My mom was so grossed out she wouldn't even eat it. Gage would only eat it if I fished out the poop and showed him it was really just candy.

Apparently he thinks I am a really good cook.

Prank of the day: Bucket of ice water thrown on Tony in the shower. My kids helped. And they saw his bum. (They must still be really innocent because they didn't really seem to notice.)

Their squeals of laughter are extra delicious when it involves mischief.

Prophets and punches. Oh, and bite-marks.

2011-04-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

Can I just start off by saying how wonderful Conference was this weekend? Warmed my soul right down to my little soul-toes! I wish it could be monthly. Or even quarterly would be awesome... Now on to more grim matters: Someone in our house whose name starts with GAGE got into a fist fight at school. The principal called it "a pretty bad tussle for some first-graders." After throwing up at my own wedding and having four babies, I didn't think I could ever feel embarrassed again. Yet somehow, talking to the principal and the other mom made me want to excuse myself to go DIE. I don't know exactly what happened because I was not there, but apparently Gage was chasing a girl who is cute. Other boy didn't like it because he also thinks girl is cute. Boy bites Gage's thumb. Gage does a wrestling-style take down. Boy pulls Gage's hair. Gage punches and at about this time during the "altercation" loses his temper and his mind. Neither boy was seriously injured. Sheesh. Funny side note: Tony and I were BOTH sent to the principals' office in first grade for fighting. (I was framed.) And we both grew up to be relatively non-violent people with short criminal records. That gives me hope.

Is there a mouse in the house?

2011-03-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

This is not a new story, but I wanted to share before I forgot it...

Jocelyn's hair is pretty long. And it tangles somethin' fierce.
I always tease her in the mornings while we're trying to brush out all the tangles:
"Did you let a mouse make a little nest in your hair during the night?"
She always giggles.
"Uh oh. He had a little friend sleeping over here, too."
Brush, brush, brush.
You get the idea.
One night I was putting her to bed, and she had all her hair fanned out on her pillow, with a little shoe box with a Barbie pillow and a wash rag in the bottom. It was sitting on her hair, right above her head.
"Mom- it's to keep those mice out of my hair in the night!"
I laughed and told her she was a thoughtful, special little girl. Cuz she is.

Saint Pat's and all those sneaky Leprechauns!!

2011-03-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

We've been close lately, and me and the old man Pat.

I was informed that St. Patrick's Day is LAME by Gage, because I didn't make as big of a deal as, say, like Christmas. I am ashamed.
So we did try to make it more fun- decorations, green clothes, little cheap hats and necklaces for everyone in their classes, I hosted a preschool party for Lauren's class and let the big kids sluff school and come to the party.
Then we made little plates of treats to sneak over to the neighbors (Leprechauns are sneaky, you see, so we had to be too). We were just going to ring and then doorbell-ditch, but we got caught a lot. It was so funny to see them sneak up to the door all quiet and then once it was rung, they would all yell "RUN!!!" and hammer those little feet back to the get-away car.

I asked the kids if they had liked all the fun stuff we had invented, and by far the doorbell ditching thing was their favorite.
Me: "You guys want to do it again next year?"
Them: "Yeah!!"
Me: "Who should we make treats for next year?"
Pause.
Gage: "Who is the slowest person we know?"
He's always thoughtful like that.

We capped the night off with our local wrestling tournament. Gage took fourth. Out of four.
He did really good though, and wasn't sad about losing until the last match. He had tried his hardest, and looked up to the score board and saw that he had only made one point (the other kid only had a couple more) and he hung his little head and started crying. They held up the other kids' hand and he walked over to Tony and just buried his head in his neck and bawled. It broke my heart. (I could tell Tony was hurting for him, too.) So we took him out for a cheeseburger and let him stay up late with us watching the "Gnome-mobile". He has recovered completely. Just like I tell Tony, a cheeseburger will do it every time. Or Oreos.

We did have an interesting little conversation on the way home, though. Mostly just Tony talking and me listening, really, which is unusual. He said that if our kids are going to do sports, he has to be around. And he can't do it with the job he has now. (FYI his current job is in a city almost 2 hours from our house. Add a 4 hour round-trip commute to a full work day and you have yourself an absentee father.) He mentioned that when we took the kids outside to throw the ball around last Sunday, he noticed an improvement in less than an hour. I told him that I thought that would be wonderful if he could be around more.
So the conversation just sort of stopped there, because this is something that I have been just a hopin' and a prayin' for! It's not a bad job, but our kids are getting older now and they need him to be around. Especially Gage, since his only brother is a toddler and we do not live in a neighborhood where he is regularly around other boys. I am anxious to see if this was just passing talk to sooth his bruised heart, or if he actually intends to make some changes.

Maybe we'll get lucky and find him a job closer to home.
And isn't today the day to hope for luck?
Yes. Yes it is.

Hmmmmmm... Things to do Today.

2011-03-07T08:26:00.000-08:00

Gage wrote this yesterday at church. He followed it exactly:

1. Go to church.
2. Change clothes.
3. Eat lunch.
4. Clean dishes.
5. Go downstairs.

Things to do tonight:
1. Brush teeth.
2. Go to my room.
3. Get in bed.
4. Say prayers.
5. Go to "sleep."
6. Sneak my DS lite.

Apparently, he got my stealth gene. (Which is none, by the way.)

Awwwww..... twinners.

2011-03-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had the fortuitous occasion of finding a toy that looks like your child?

When Jossy was little, she kinda looked like her Dumbo toy, with those big, round blue eyes and tiny little mouth. (Their ears were nothing alike, thankfully.)

We were at the grocery store and saw these cute little piggy banks, and had to get one! The similarity is even more striking in real life.Do you like his new fake smile? Precious.

T.M.I. (But we're all grown ups here, right?)

2011-03-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

Remember all those cute little New Year's resolutions I posted? You do? Oh good, cuz I have actually been working on them! I knew you were wondering how that was all going... Sorry to have made you wait so long to find out...

I have been the non-snacking PRO for two months. I have made nutritious meals for my family and my parents (while catering to my mom's strange "allergy" to spices) almost every night and I no longer allow myself treats after dinner. I haven't drank soda in two months; only milk, juice, and water. Not that I was a big soda drinker before, but still... I have served salad with dinner 4 times a week, and often eat it for lunch.
SO GUESS HOW MUCH WEIGHT I'VE LOST????

3 pounds. In eight weeks. Boo.
That's the kind of weight I could gain back in one night with a good hearty Taggart's binge.

So this is what that number means to me: it means I have become a woman of a certain age. That certain age being the one where I have to get off my honey-bunners and work out! Be the woman sweating profusely with a face the color of an under-ripe plum while pushing a jog stroller and trailing children of various ages on their bikes behind her. The people who drive past, thinking "Should I stop and help her? She looks like she's not gonna make it..." or "That's a lot of kids. Oh look, there's another one crashed in the sage brush over there..."

All of this to be less embarrassed at the mommy-and-me swim class!

And to feel fit and strong, but mostly the swim thing.

So here's to the next 3 pounds; may you please not take me another 8 weeks to be rid of you. Cheers.

Curly Krew turns 18!

2011-02-24T09:36:00.000-08:00

My little big boy is 18 months old today. His personality is in full swing and he is such a joy to me and everyone else in the fam. He weighs in at almost 30 lbs., so I have one strong arm and one flabby arm. And he gives the BEST kisses. Check out this pucker!It will only be another 6 months or so till he passes Lauren in the weight department. She weighs 35 pounds. I gotta say, Krew still only has four teeth, two top, two bottom, and two more tops on the way. It takes a ton of work to maintain a physique like his with four teeth. He is constantly pulling on my leg and pointing to the cupboard or the fridge.

He LUURRVVSS to take a warm bath in the morning to wash off the night's peed diaper smell. On this day, he wouldn't even wait for me to undress him. You can't see it, but there's about 4 inches of water in that tub. Do you know what happens when an overnight, peed diaper is soaked in warm water. Nothing good. That's what.

He says three words:

Hot.
Owwie.
Uh Oh.

I will leave it to your imaginations to decide what his experiences with our family have been like.

He has also decided that he is too old for naps. Lauren and Jossy stopped taking naps about this age too. I'm so sad, because I love his naps. They are the only time when I can do anything that requires cleaning products, sharp things, or pens. Boo.
Or do important things like blog or shop online for things I'm not going to actually buy.
So, here's a happy one and a half to the one and only Krew-B1-Kanoobi, the Scooby Krew. I love you.

Hhmmmm.... Tin and Aluminum?

2011-02-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

The traditional gift giving theme for a tenth anniversary. And I'm stumped.
'Cause that's what today is. . . our tenth anniversary. And I think my gift for Tony of new snow boots is lame. (But he needed some, so I got him some. But they do not contain any tin. Or aluminum. At least, that is what I imagine. They do have little metal eyelets, I wonder what those are made of. Maybe brass? Now I'm rambling.)

So who'd have every imagined we'd put up with each other for ten whole years? I know. Lots of people. This post will probably be a complete shocker and awer to a few out there...
But I can't say I'm surprised. Even when he drives me crazy, or makes a mess, or delivers bad news, or makes another mess, I can't seem to ever forget that he is indeed my best friend. He puts up with all my crazies, even the ones I try to hide from myself.
And I love his twinkly little eyes when he laughs, and his wide hands that are like bear paws. I LOVE that he still has his hair! I also love that a minimal amount of that hair has migrated to his back. (Given his family history, this is a reasonable concern.) I love that he still wears the same size pants as when we were married. I love how he sleeps with his palm to his forehead like he's trying to hold a sticker on or something. I love that when he gets home from work, he always has an anxious look on his face, hoping someone will run to give him a hug and yell "Daddy's home!" So many things...
So I think we're having a pretty good life together.

Here's to the next ten! Happy Anniversary.

At the Pharm...

2011-01-31T16:47:00.000-08:00

We have had the sickies at our house. I honestly almost have a six pack from coughing so hard. Too bad it's covered by a couple inches of baby leftovers! Maybe it will inspire me to excercise a few of my other muscles...
Krew and Jossy have been feeling so yucky I took them to the doctor today. Lauren had to come with us, (she's feeling just as healthy and spunky as always) and we had another one of those cringe-worthy moments:

So we're waiting at the pharmacy for our prescriptions, and a heavy lady walks by with crutches. I'm a little unsure of what happens next because I ran to keep Krew from shoplifting pregnancy tests and multi-vitamins,

but it ends with me getting a dirty look from crutch-lady...

and Lauren telling me "I didn't say FAT."
Me: "Oh? Good."
Her: "I only said FAT BUTT."

Oh.

Christmas Shmishmus...

2011-01-24T14:25:00.001-08:00

I know that if I have any hope of recording Christmas 2010 for scrapbooking purposes, I need to do an actual post. But the thought of finding all the camera stuff right now makes me feel exhausted. So I might get to it... I might not...

But Happy New Years!
This year I plan to...

Teach Lauren the alphabet (because she's old enough to start kindergarten this year, and I'm still undecided if she's actually going to go because she's stubborn as a dead mule and refuses to learn.)

Lose ALL my baby weight. (Yes. Krew IS almost 18 months old. But I'm saying I've still got some chunkiness from when I was a baby!)

Move out of my parents' basement. (This one is kind of huge. I should've put it first. Having your mother tell you how to do your hair while you're doing your daughters' hair will kill your soul.)

I kinda like to start with low expectations. Then we're all less likely to be disappointed... Yes? Agreed? Hopefully I'll be able to do a few other things I have in mind too, but if I talk about it then I have to do it... so shrouded in silence they will stay. Just in case it turns out I have to drive carpool or blog or something.

Welcome 2011!

Eat, Pray, Love

2010-12-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

I used to have a hard time getting into things that were overly popular... it made me feel like a follower. A sheep. A lemming.
Even if it was something I would have really enjoyed. So stubborn.
Then I read Harry Potter. And Twilight. And now I have no problem picking up a best-seller and gobbling it up.
So of course I bought a copy of Eat, Pray, Love!
And thought it was lame. Maybe a 6.
The I rented the movie because I was sure that 3.4 million people couldn't be wrong! Boo. They were.

It wasn't a complete loss; there were two points of the book that I am keeping in my back pocket:

Regard everyone you meet as a teacher.
(When a person comes into your life, they are there for a reason. What is that reason...)

Flexibility is as important to divinity as devotion.
(We have to be able to fill all the different roles we are given. Become something new. Reinvent. Repent.)

Skip the movie because the only thing I found I'd like to keep in my back pocket is Javier Bardem. ; )

The pirate's demise...

2010-12-15T13:01:00.000-08:00

Gage drew this at school and brought it home to show me. Do you think I should be worried?

Happy birthday to TONY!!

2010-12-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday!! 32 really great years.

(Too bad we're not 20 anymore, though. Bummer.)

Hiking with the kids in Jackson.Symphony in Deer Valley. (The truth: Eating junk food in Deer Valley.)

May we have many more wonderful, silly, playful, happy years together!

I love you!

(P.S. Don't be too mad!)

I've been sayin' I would for like, forever...

2010-11-30T07:51:00.000-08:00

So this is a picture of Krew and one of his sweet little cousins, Addison, on the day after she was born. He was born in August, she was born the following February.

He looks like he could roll over and eat her!
Can't wait for these two to get together at Christmas time- hopefully by then she can hold her own because now he has teeth!

He's 7 now... but I can't bring myself to tell him!

2010-11-15T07:48:00.000-08:00

This one is more for me than for you guys. Sorry. But Gage says some dang funny things. Things that he is too old to say, but I can't stop him because I want him to stay little a little longer:

"Vajamas." Says it every night; Makes me smile every time. Borderline indecent.

"I can't wait for the firecrackers to kasplode!" Explode. FYI. He also says "Kestroyed."

"I wish those planes would stop flying so low... they are costracting me!" Gage to Tony as he was playing soccer and NOT focusing.

"From now on, I only do money jobs!" Me asking Gage to pick up his clothes and put them in the hamper. I made the mistake of paying him a nickel to pick up all the toys in yard.

"Mom, you had better wash his face. I think he feels embarrassed." Gage to me after I had carefully applied white halloween make-up to Krew's entire face.

Background on this- I had just spent 25 minutes doing Darth Vader's face on Gage's even though he was going to be wearing a mask. (You know, white with dark circles, heavy wrinkles, the works. He looked in the mirror and said HE was embarrassed and made me wash it off.)

Marker. He JUST figured this one out. He has two family members with the name Mark. He has called them Uncle Marker and Grandpa Marker since he could talk. My Dad set him straight and I was ever so sad.

Jossy has a few good ones too:

"Please help us be healthy and survive till we are grown-ups." Jossy's prayer last night. Amen, sister.

"Mom, I never watch the kissing parts on shows." We're talking Cinderella and Belle here, people.

"Mom, did you know that Chuck-E-Cheese is the place where a kid can be a kid? Unless it's their birthday and then they get to be a star!" Jocelyn.

Me telling the kids that their Daddy's birthday was coming up right after theirs.
"How old do you guys think I'm going to be?" Tony asks.
I whisper 49 into Jossy's ear.
"49!"
Tony does his fake shocked "What!?!"
Gage says "Okay, 48 then."

"Would you guys rather go to Disneyland or Chuck-E-Cheese's?"
Jossy and Gage yell: "Chuck-E-Cheese!"
Poor, deprived kids.

Lauren's comments always leave me speechless:

"Mom, why does that man have girl hair?" Really loudly to a guy wearing leather chaps and a fringed vest. Brass knuckles at the ready in his leather fanny pack. Pretty sure his Harley was parked outside.

"MOM! Her's FAT!" Screaming. In Walmart. Beyond mortifying.

"Mommy, how old will I be when my boobies hang down on my chest?" Truth spoken from the mouths of babes. Lucky for ME, this one was in the car on the way to church, not actually at the church. Phew!

Life's like an hourglass glued to the table...

2010-11-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

My biggest babies are having their birthdays this week. I CANNOT believe Gage will be 7. And Jossy will be 6! It breaks my heart a little because time is going so fast! Gage was just a baby...Then a toddler.

Then before we knew it, there were two!

It wasn't that much later we bought this beast!And we got our little Polly Lolly. Gage was 2 and a half.

This is Gage and Lauren. She was such a tiny little thing!.

We were quite the circus! This is when they 1, 2, and 3.

Gage's kindergarten graduation!

Jocelyn's preschool graduation. She is awesome at remembering the actions...

The girls tormenting #4; who is a complex combo of Gage and Joss.Now they're all so big. I can hardly stand it.

But Jossy will always be a wonderful, special, sweet girl. Lauren couldn't wish for a better sister. And Gage can't wait for the day when he can play catch with his baby brother. (I've been getting this pouty face a lot lately.) It is such a funny thing; I wish they could be my little sweethearts forever. But I am so proud of how they are growing and learning. I love them so much.
So a happy, happy birthday to Gage on the 12th and Jossy on the 17th!

An unexpectedly nice day...

2010-11-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

When Tony said Friday night that he was getting up to leave for Idaho at 3 a.m. to go hunting, and that he would TRY to make it home for Halloween night, I was a little disappointed. Of course I wanted him to be with us for Trick-or-Treating!

My dad said he would help me, but still, it wasn't the same. The forecast was rain, and I was wondering how in the world I was going to get all 4 kids down the street in any manner of funness. (Nope. Not a real word.)

So we did laundry in the morning, made some treats, colored some pictures, hung out and watched some Ichabod, and then started costuming up! I was feeling good; Checked a few things off my list, the kids had been pretty happy with my minimal planned activities... Then Tony showed up about 4:30 with this poor guy! And then we could get to the real fun! Have you ever seen a cuter, more big boned skeleton?

I know- me neither! Can you see the little treats on the tummy? Accuracy is key...
All my cuties. Lauren is a musketeer, Jossy is a witch, Gage is Darth Vader, and Krew is adorable!
(I was a butterfly, and Tony was a hunter with authentic deer-musk smell.)
We were super lucky in our timing- the rain stopped, we ran down the streets in our ward and got some tasty treats, and the rain started back up when we were at the second to last house. The kids had a great time. We came home and my dad grilled up some hamburgers and hot dogs, we dug into the candy, and watched Harry Potter.
I was expecting the day to be less than ideal, but it couldn't have been more lovely. Tony got his deer, the kids had a good time, I got some laundry done, we ate a lot and nobody cried too much.
Just another day to remind me how wonderfully and completely lucky I am.

So Happy BOO to YOU!

For all you crafty crafters out there...

2010-10-22T07:38:00.001-07:00

So there's this adorable little website I must tell you about:

http://www.thelittlefabricshop.com/

Cutest stuff you ever saw! And I know the gal who is the boss at said website, and somehow that makes me feel just a little bit famous!

I want to buy this whole collection and do a girl's playroom. Which is too bad, since I do not have a playroom for either gender. Here's to hoping!

Side note: Just read a series called "Ember" by Jean DePrau (sp?). I would give them a 7.9- again something geared toward teens, so of course I read it. Her books are not written in chronological order, which I thought was a little confusing. Their order was: 2, 3, 1, 4. Maybe just read "Prophet of Yonwood" either first or last. Not third. There is also a movie of "Ember" which much to producer Tom Hanks' chagrin is admittedly poo.

No, no. He's a boy. That's why he's in blue.

2010-10-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

We were having a case of serious girly hair. But it honestly made my heart ache to cut it. I keep thinking he might be my last baby, and I want him to stay little as long as possible. Plus, when I would touch the back of his head it felt like a little lamby-bum! In this picture I had just combed it out- it is so curly, I didn't really know where to start. I thought if it was a little straighter it would be easier, but this is as straight as it gets.

Got the back all trimmed.I took off over an inch all over his head.

And he knows that he is one handsome little devil.
Please note his hilarious Goofy teeth. It has taken him 14 months to get them! He has one on the bottom and two HUGE teeth coming in on the top! They are almost the same size as my teeth. Gage had the same thing. He did grow into them so they don't look so strange now. I'm assuming the same thing will happen to Krew.

I kinda like to look at it too...

2010-10-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

I had a few requests to reopen my "house for sale" blog. I had it set to private now that the house has sold, but I'm going to open it up for a little longer. I will probably take it down eventually. I'll put it on the to-do list. ; )

www.rexburghouse4sale.blogspot.com

"I have pumpkin skids on my hand!" -Jocelyn

2010-10-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a cute picture of the kids with their jack-o-lanterns? Oh, you can't see them? They're standing right behind their pumpkins... Gage did two-face. Very clever.
The Jossy-lantern!
I came up with that all my own.
You can't see it, but it has a bow and lovely hair.

And Lauren's needs a better candle.
Joss thought Tony's interpretation of pumpkin hair was sub-par. "It just looks like grandpa Jenks."

Many a pumpkin has been carved in this kitchen.

And I'm starting the Ouch-of-the-Month club. Lauren is president.

Look how nicely her golf club hole is healing!

Which is good, 'cause now she has room for a goose egg. You can't really tell, but she also has a black eye. Goose egg is from jumping off Gage's bed onto the trundle. She missed. Black eye is from trying to balance on the headboard and falling, smashing her cheek on the desk.

I moved her upstairs to David's old room. There is no furniture. Just a mattress. Hopefully there she will be safe(ish).

Lookey there... I got a bite!

2010-09-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Tony and I took the kids fishing for the first time on Saturday. We went to a little bend in the river, completely secluded, and so beautiful. Tony even busted out his waders and fly rod.I got stuck on the bank with this mess maker. And these ones...

Notice they are all wearing their rain boots... I guess they thought they looked like waders?

Contrary to the title, we did not, in fact, get any bites. From fish, anyway.
We also had MHS Mini-Cheer on Friday night. We had a great time at the game, but I have to say it was a madhouse!! I was shocked at how many of the parents just dropped their kids off with the freshman cheerleaders at the beginning of the game and then left to go watch!! There were over a hundred girls, and there were 4 babysitters. I let them sit in the bleachers and then stood near the fence where I could see them but they couldn't really see me. True helicopter-mom style. It was a good thing, too. Lauren tried to wander off about six times to go play and no one even noticed she left. (They did have a couple of little girls get lost. They were found in the bathroom and concessions.)

Still, I think we'll do it again next year. Jossy LOVED it! Lauren tolerated it.

Brain feels younger, body feels older.

2010-09-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

I've been 30 for almost a month now. I purposely didn't want to talk about it, so don't feel weird if you didn't know. I think 24 was my last "excited" birthday.

It's one of those birthdays that I casually call an "Assessment Birthday." You know what I mean, it's officially an age where I can no longer make excuses about being a dumb teenager, or an inexperienced twenty-something. Officially adult. (The government says 18, but I think that was a typo.) One of those milestone ages where you must decide if you are where you thought you'd be when you were growing up.

So I've been thinking about it, and I've got a few things checked off my list:

Graduated college. (Phew!)

Married. (For a lot longer that I thought I would be. I was picturing 26.)

Kids. (Double what I thought I'd have when I was a teen. When we first got married, however, I said I wanted five kids and be done by 30. Idiot.)

House. (That one is tricky, because we don't have a house now, but we have had several houses.)

Gospel. (Still important to me. And I'm seeing the little seeds of faith grow in my children. Warms my heart.)

Bonus: I still have my driver's license!

And there's a few places where I've found myself falling short:

Travel. Since I've been married, Tony and I have taken ONE vacation. I am not counting road trips to Washington, which we did for our honeymoon and usually a couple of times a year.

I thought we'd see the world together. I think we should work on that.

Career. I used to have a decent head on my shoulders, but my kids are too important to me to leave in the care of someone else. Plus, I really like heels! And pencil skirts! Maybe someday...

House. (What! A repeat?) I thought we'd be done with moving by now. Settled and steady. Not the case.

Master's degree. Have not even started. I'm too scared to take the test because, as referred above, I am now an idiot.

Even with the above list, I feel like I am in a good place. I feel exhausted but decently happy in bed at night, and I find so much joy in my role as wife and mother. Even as maid and cook. (I do sometimes feel like I could be switched out with Rosie from the Jetsons and things could carry on just fine.) I like to think most days, though, I add a little something extra.

So I went to this baby shower...

2010-09-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

So today I went to a baby shower for my cousin Lance's wife. They are having a little boy. I took Krew with me and we had a lovely time.
When I got back, the girls were riding their bikes in the garage, wearing gowns. Jossy asks me, "So how was it?"
"Very nice, thank you."
"Did Krew like his bath?"
Huh?

Then it dawned on me that maybe I should explain what a baby shower really entails...

Oh, the leaves they are a changing.

2010-09-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

Can't you just smell the autumn? A view like this almost makes up for living in the parents' basement! (Almost.)

If we have to sew her up anymore we'll call her Franken-baby

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

These pics were all taken with my phone, and are all sideways. Sorry.

This one's funny...Marker Measles.

I believe we had watched Nanny McPhee the night before.

And this one's not so funny.

That is one FAT lip. Teeth exit wound. You can't see the stitches very clearly. They're blue. The entry point where her little teeth punched right through.
I still love her face. Those little brown eyes melt my heart.
She is just wild and to say "not careful" is an understatement. She did this when she fell from the monkey bars. She was swinging from the last rung trying to get her feet on the ladder and hit her face on the ladder on her way down.

I was outside with them, just a few steps away watering the tomatoes that seem to never ripen. I sweep her up and run inside to assess the damage. Blood is everywhere and I'm not sure she has all her teeth. Looking out the kitchen window while I wash her lip, I see Gage kneeling by the swing where I had left Krew, eyes squinted shut and his little arms folded in prayer.
"She'll be okay Mom. I said a prayer for her."
I couldn't even talk to tell him he was right, for the lump in my throat.
And she is alright.

I was even able to save her favorite shirt, that I was sure was lost to the blood stains!

Ahh, the scent of chalk and paste...

2010-09-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

This picture was supposed to be at the end of the post. I found it in the cat's mouth this morning. I thought it's leg was a mouse tail. I wish it was. I HATE spiders.

The kiddos have both started school now and I think they are going to really like it. This is Jossy's first time riding the bus. She said she got to sit with Gage and his girlfriend. What?!? Big brothers first...

Getting dropped off the first day. It looks like someone else wishes she could stay too...

Mrs. Stevens- Jossy's teacher (who actually taught when I was a kid).Getting set at her new desk. (Tag along still in her post.) I'm excited for Jossy to have school. I think it's a place where she's going to do really well. She loves having friends and being the smartest she can be. I think she will thrive in school!

Handsome boy on his first day. Sorry the picture is sideways. Oops.

And two summer highlights I forgot to post:

Jossy won a photo contest! It was at the fair, and their photos were voted on during the week. I told her to do something funny, because everyone likes funny. So she painted Krew with watercolors and took his picture. I was honestly shocked when they pulled her photo off the wall because none of us had gone to the fair during the week to vote! She is loving her prize: a real digital camera!

And Gage won first prize at the home run derby! Also at the fair- he was so thrilled. They told him he could choose a baseball bat or a trophy. Of course he picked the trophy. I'm okay with it though- I can buy him a bat.
(It may be of interest to note that he was the only 6 year-old to enter. He was guaranteed first prize. Of course, he doesn't know that!)

The kids start dance and soccer next week!

I'll be sure to post some photos because you know it's gonna be funny!

It's starting to feel a little more real now...

2010-08-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

The move, I mean. Now that the house is sold and emptied of our things I can now officially (and legally) not go there anymore and spend the night.
There is no reason to browse the home aisles at stores in hopes of finding an adorable little holiday-what-not for my house at a fabulous price. It's a strange feeling; not having a home but not being homeless. I still feel uncomfortable inviting over friends to a place that is not mine. Making dinner with pots and pans that I didn't choose, with food I bought but is in someone else's fridge. Unsettling.

Gage started school last week, and it seems that he will be alright. We don't know one other person in his class but he has not come home crying yet and he likes picking his own food for lunch in the cafeteria. On Friday the dessert was donuts and the little rascal admitted later that he ate that first. Yeah, well, me too.
The first day he got off the bus, I was trying to be cheerful and encouraging, you know... really peppy... "How was it?" I had to swallow hard when he said, "I miss Nate." Me too.

I have to remember though, when we started kindergarten last year we only knew 2 other children, and by the end of the year we knew all the classmates first and last names and I knew most of their parents. I felt like it was a place where we could spend our lives and that place could be the "village that raised our children" and that was only after about a year.

I think it will only be a matter of time before we feel the same way about this place. I know many of the adults from church or rather remember them from my own growing-up (I'm still deciding if this is a good or bad thing because I am unsure of how they remember me). We've already got the kids signed up for soccer and dance and gymnastics, and I hope we'll have a few friends before too long.

I'm still really looking forward to the days when I can ask the kids what colors they'd like for their rooms and I can look at the Pottery Barn catalog with the intention of actually ordering something. We would start today if the golf course would hurry and finish the road... and if we had a few hundred thousand dollars. Ugh. Details.

In the meantime, everything I see, everything I watch- I am taking mental notes. Colors, shapes, sizes, windows, plants, patterns, textures, prices; everything is a jumbled mess of ideas in my head. Have you seen the handrail from the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith? Or how about the gorgeous Georgian-esque mansion on the front of Shannon Hale's Austenland. (Read it, it's good, by the way.) Driving to school, I saw a white 3-plank fence dripping with brilliant yellow bush-roses. They're the wild-looking kind that have slightly darker, smaller foliage than cutting roses. So sweet.
I cannot wait to plant a few of my own.

I feel like I'm ruining a fabulous surprise!!

2010-08-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

I'm using the family picture from the header as my Christmas card photo (which, yes, I have already ordered and am anxiously awaiting) and I didn't want to spill the beans but how can I not show off these little lovelies:Krew's one year old (almost) portraits. Saw this edit online. Loved.
My gorgeous girlies.

My melt-my-heart boys.

It's a good thing Jen comes to visit so I can put her to work! Thanks a million!!

Goodbye to the house where we spent 2 Christmases.

2010-08-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn wanted a picture with our house. She will miss her pink room.
We sold our house.

I can't really believe it yet...
Let move #14 begin!! And then be over as soon as possible!!
Tony and I went up and back three times in the last four days to pack/clean the house and shop. If I never drive again that will be fine with me. Or pick up a box. (And how is it he gets to ride by himself and listen to the radio while I have four kids all SCREAMing? Riddle me that.)

We sold it to a man from our ward who was going through a divorce. It was actually kindof a sneaky covert operation (he didn't want us telling anyone) and I know for a fact his wife wanted our house because we used to do a preschool carpool together. So he moved in, and then when we showed up on Sunday morning to clean, she was moving in, and he was moving out. It is awkward and strained to say the least.
I was feeling kindof sad about the whole deal because the price wasn't near what we'd hoped and I wanted a happy family living in the house that I had loved so much. But when I was up there and saw how many houses are still for sale and how much people in our line of work are still suffering, I realized truly how lucky and blessed we were to sell at all. At any price.
So I think we'll count our blessing and be thankful this is the path for us. It will take us awhile to get back on our feet, but this is a big step in the right direction.
I already have a notebook full of clippings and articles and drawings and ideas for the next house. Tony keeps rolling his eyes and letting me dream, cuz he doesn't know yet that I'm making him build me another.

Ouch. And somehow, she has dry eyes.

2010-07-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know what to say to prepare you.... I can't tell you how much I wish she had just peed in the tree again.
This was totally an accident. She and Gage were in the yard hitting golfballs down onto the fairway, and she just leaned over to pick up a ball and Gage got her on his backswing.
He was using real youth clubs with real steel heads.
When they cleaned the dime sized hole in the ER we could see the white of her skull and tendons/nerves? running down her forehead to her eyebrow. I was a little nauseous.
She didn't really cry very much and we got her fixed up right as rain. I think she's such a pretty little thing (I know I'm biased) and it's too bad she'll have that big scar. But seriously, I'm just glad she still has her eye.

I've heard everyone gets one...

2010-07-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

I mean one of those kids who can't seem to remember all those little details.
Like to wear their clothes. Regularly.

Lauren is ours and what a week she has had.

My dad has gotten to the point that he says he's gonna swat her little bummy if comes home from work again to find her little outfit on the floor and the only peice she's wearing is the hair bow. (He won't though because he is a big marshmallow.)
Yesterday she climbed a tree. Then she shed her sundress. So, she's hanging out in a tree in her undies with rumpled little pile of fabric at the base of the tree. Then she pees. On purpose. While still in the tree. And I'm wondering how to get my nakey, slippery little girl out of the pee soaked tree. I decided to leave her there, grinning at me, till things dried out a little.
Today she put our cat in the chest freezer. That was one hairy popsicle and one chilly little kitty.
She also put the kitty in the thin little drawer in my dad's tool box. My mom went out to find duct tape and got the scare of her life. I didn't see it but I bet that was pretty funny.
Her swimming teacher makes her sit on the side regularly because she just dives off into the deep water. By deep water, I mean the shallow end only that she still can't touch and is supposed to wait on the stair until it's her turn. Yesterday they had to rescue her about six times.
Before dinner tonight, Gage punched her clean in the mouth. She had a bloody lip and he had a cut knuckle. Yesterday he shut her hand in the car door. He claims both were accidents but when you say it with a smile it just doesn't seem like the truth, does it?
So I think I'm gonna start watching for gray hairs. And more piles of clothes.

One is tan and one is orange, and I have no camera.

2010-06-19T13:59:00.001-07:00

One of the most fun things that has happened for us since we've been here in Morgan is the kids' little kitties. We've had them for about two weeks, and I gotta say we might never get a puppy. Ever. These little kitties are so easy, it's like they're not even around. And they were free. And one of them has already caught two mice before my very eyes. And they've used their litter box since the day we got them (with one exception of a poop on the stairs that my dad stepped in at 5 in the morning in his SOCKS. I'm laughing smuggly into my sleeve.)
The kids LOVE them. They take them on the swings and down the slide. They've been stuffed into the sprinklers and dipped into a bucket. They have been squeezed and tossed and squished and kissed. LOVE them.
I let the kids name them, which has been the only challenge. (Keep in mind that they are both male.)
We started out with Sammy and Flower.
Then Sam and Dandylion.
Then O'Malley and Dandy.
Then Oliver and Seraphina.
Then Garfield and Figaro.

This is where it stays for now. I've just kindof started calling them Kitties as their formal name. And they can stay as long as they like. Ecspecially if they help us out with the mice.

Forgive...

2010-06-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

When Elder David A. Bednar gave his first talk as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. He began by expressing feeling inadequate, and then asked forgiveness. "Please forgive me for the times when I was less than I should have been."
That last post was less than I should have been. Every now and then, you get a glimpse of yourself on the journey that is a life, and you don't always like the person you meet. Please forgive me for my whining. I am embarrassed.
This time in our lives is just one of those challenges that everyone meets. We will recover and be wiser and stronger than we were before. We will be able to move on with our lives, resolve our obligations, and emerge on the other side as stronger people.
Which will be good because by then we'll have teenagers.

So we are working on that move...

2010-06-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

Moving = misery.
I do kind of like the chance to look at each item our entire family owns, and ask "Do I need this?" to which Gage says "Yes I need that leg to my Transformer that I haven't seen in a year!! All the other parts might show up!" Then I toss it. Me likey. I'm not sure why. (I still like going shopping too. I wonder if that means something is wrong with me.)
The house hasn't sold. It's just gonna be empty for a while. I just brought clothes and toys this trip, so we'll be going back alot for furniture and stuff. It totally bums me out to think of my lovely house sitting empty while we're chillin' in the folks' basement, which has a mouse problem and where we're all squished. Tony starts this line about how we both grew up sharing rooms and we should be grateful and how I'm spoiled now.
So be it. Spoil me up. Spoil me rotten with a side order of brat.
I am grateful that my parents are willing to share the basement while we "transition" but I really am missing my home this week. I thought we would move down here and get to see Tony all the time and we'd be a happy family again! Yay! Puppies and roses! Reality: we see him late at night and only late at night, at which point he is exhausted and goes to bed.
I kinda liked being alone better when I had the space for it.
I also liked being unsupervised.
I think I could cope alot better if there was a sundown to this arrangement. An end in sight. Pot of gold and a rainbow, ya know?
Plus I'm afraid the kids have hantavirus.
Pray for me. Or I might start throwing my mom's stuff away.

And we are still alive...

2010-05-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

I feel like such a slacker. I am all excited to go private so I can lay on all the heavy details, and yet I have not posted once since then. Boo to me. We have been super busy, though. And one point I have not made earlier is that we have no internet here at the house. It is misery. Think of how many times a day you think, oh, I'll just hop online and google that... Weep. And here's something else that keeps me busy... The Krewzer. Wrecking Krew. Frooey. (Lauren's nickname for him.) He is little Mr. busy. Cheerful and happy, though. Not a napper and is into everything. Up the stairs and then down then very quickly and usually on his head. He is 8 months old and very nearly walking on his own. Little stinker. The girls had their dance recital. Which was adorable. I cried a little. These were the little costumes that we were able to patch together. A little background info; the dance studio burned down with half the students' costumes inside because they had pictures the day before. We did the best we could, and to be completely honest, and slightly cruel, I wasn't that sad to see the costumes get burned up because I kinda thought they were ugly. They were flourescent green and orange. Ew.

Tony asked Gage what he wanted to do this summer. Gage says "build a fort." I'm thinking, sweet, we have an old tarp we can tie to some rope. Maybe just throw it over a dead branch. But oh no. Tony says go big or go home. This is our "fort." There's a cantilevered balcony off the back where we're going to attach a slide. I would love to integrate some swings and just make it into the jungle gym too. Maybe we'll add a half bath and a steam shower.

Maybe it's good that it's so big. Then we can live in it after we move.

We still haven't sold our house. We reduced the price a TON and have only got one person through since then, and they didn't bite. It's so frustrating. I didn't want to have to do the rental thing, but if we don't sell we're going to have to do it. It's so exasperating. I want someone to blame so I blame the government. I'm only half kidding.

Maybe we'd have more luck trying to sell the fort.

Good books I've read since I posted last...

Percy Jackson series. Not too bad. I'd give them a 7.5 of 10. Very Hercules meets Harry.

The guernsey literary and potato peel pie society. Endearing. I liked it. 8.

The tomorrow code. Pretty good, but I think it should have been a book for adults, not YA. 6.5.

The Undaunted. 900 pages anyone? This should have been two books and they should have let me edit it. Still, Inspiring story. 8.

Georgia Nicolson series. I can't get a few of the books yet, but what I've read so far is hilarious. Don't expect to be intellectually stimulated. Just expect to laugh. Like when you were shallow and in high school. Me likey. Because I am shallow.

I think that's it...

Oh wait. What am I thinking.

These is my words. Written like a journal. I liked it. Made me feel like a pampered weenie. 8.

Gregor the Overlander series. Written by the same author as Hunger Games. I like Hunger Games better, but this was still a good series. 7.5

Witch and Wizard by James patterson. Skip. 5.

Lake house. Also by James patterson. I'm actually surprised this guy sells so many books. 6. And that I keep reading them even though he's not my fave.

The Dangerous days of Daniel X. 6.5.

Good grief, I am a dork. Let me explain my dorkiness.

Tony has been working in Utah since October. I see him on some Saturdays. I read at night instead of watching TV because it's usually crap. Except for golden programming like DWTS and Batchelor. So I read a lot.

It's been really hard with him gone. I miss him and often I am afraid at night. He has missed most of Krew's infancy, which is tragic. When he gets here after a long work week and then the long drive, he's so exhausted he only wants to sleep, and I want him to help me, so we fight and it's sad. We have to make some changes before I lose my mind. We plan on moving to UT this summer so we can be together. House sold or not. So cross your fingers for us!!

Try, Try, Try, Try, Try Again...

2010-04-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

We are still trying to sell our house. If anyone knows anyone who might know someone who is in the market, please send them this link:
http://www.rexburghouse4sale.blogspot.com

Sooo...

2010-03-29T12:34:00.001-07:00

I think I'm going to do the switcheroo to private here in a week or two, but honestly, how do you do it? I haven't fiddled around with blogger enough to know all the little tricks. Tips please?
I miss blogging and venting and letting all of you know my drama... but I don't like my friendly neighborhood sex offender knowing my business, either.

I do however enjoy chinese food...

2010-03-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

So there's a creepy comment in chinese on my last post. This has been the third one. I guess the time has finally come for me to go private. I'll leave this post open for about a month, to collect emails and a list, but after that, I am afraid it will be no more. Bummer.

First fight...

2010-02-20T13:01:00.000-08:00

It was baked salmon with lemon pepper, for those curious few. He wouldn't even try it. I said he wouldn't eat fish because his dad didn't like fish and that was his only reason. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that's what it was, but after 9 years of marriage, he has still to my knowledge has not eaten fish. Stubborn.

My early Valentine for my sweet husband.

2010-02-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

It's been almost 9 years. Sunday is the big day. I can't believe it has been so long and that we are still putting up with each other. The fact that we are relatively happy is just amazing.
It seems like just yesterday we were still dating- spending every spare moment we had with each other. Sneaking in lunch dates and late night walks. I couldn't get enough. I like to think that he was equally smitten.
I remember our wedding day: my mom was a nervous wreck. We were almost late getting to the temple. (What!?! Me late?) I remember I didn't love my dress, but it was a little late to do anything about it. ; ) I remember the soft floaty snow that fell. I remember smiling the whole day, and falling to sleep with tired cheeks. I remember Tony looking so young and strong and handsome.
After the reception, we took a carriage ride from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to the hotel. It was breezy. Cool, but not cold. It was the first time we were alone together as a married couple. We just kept giggling and saying how wonderful the day had been. I couldn't believe I'd actually married him. And that he'd wanted to marry me.
I remember our first fight. (It was over something I had made for dinner that he refused to eat. I'm still a little irritated.)
I remember our first anniversary, when he bought me gifts far more generous than what our meager income could justify.
I remember our first house together. I remember all our houses together.
I remember him looking at our first baby, then at me. He was completely lost. We both were. I remember him getting so frustrated with the car seat he accidentally broke it. I remember driving home at 15 miles per hour. I can't believe they let us take him home unsupervised. Or that we have been sent three more.
I remember the day Jocelyn had her surgery. Five years ago on the tenth. I remember he was sick and they wouldn't let him come to the hospital. I remember the doctors taking her and me crying alone in the hallway.
I remember the days when I thought we would be in love like newlyweds forever, and the days when I thought it had all been a mistake. But there is no denying it, he was meant to be mine and I his. And I love him and the incredible little family that we have built together. Being married to him has changed my soul, not just my life. But what a wonderful life it has been.
So to my sweet husband, who is surely embarrassed, I love you. Happy Anniversary.

Completely outmanned...

2010-01-23T10:29:00.000-08:00

I think it's funny that I thought I could handle 4 kids. It seems like I run around like a crazy person, and still someone is crying or angry because their needs, or wants, are not being immediately satisfied. Let me just say as a side note that I consider my wooden spoon to be a very valuable parenting tool. : )
Christmas was a huge hit, as it was I'm sure, for most children. Gage got a Nintendo DS, and this is not unusual for me to find everyone watching him play, but no one else actually getting to play.

When we left for Washington, we told all the kids that they could choose one toy to take. Lauren got this new horse, which she decided was more essential than her big sister. Sorry Joss.

And this is the last picture I took with my old camera. Tony sat on mine and it broke. But not to worry, since Santa (Mom) got me a new one. My dad went wakeboarding for the first time. He's in his 50s, so I have to give him props for even trying. It didn't turn out so hot. I'm completely surprised he can still walk. I better get him some Osteo Bi-flex. Regis uses it.

And this is the little Krewzer rolling over. He started doing this last month (3 months old). He weight 18 pounds at his 4 month well check, and is already starting to get on his hands and knees and get the vibe of crawling. I need him to slow down, because I can't handle the crawling baby stage just yet.

November is over?!? WHAT??!!??

2009-11-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

Did I just blink and lose an entire month? Why yes, yes I did. Thanksgiving was a blast. I am now back up to my delivery weight. Yay.
School is going great and the kids are loving it more all the time. Tony still works like a madman, so it was so nice to have him home for a long weekend. (Is it just me, or is your house always messier when men are around? Hmm.) Krew has officially hit the three month mark. I wish he would slow down in the growing department. At his 2 month check up he was already 15 pounds. I'm sure he's added a few more since then. Little oinker. Luv him.
I, however, seemed to have wandered around in a daze for the last few weeks, dreaming of naps and hot baths. I did sneak in a book, or two: Dreamcatcher and Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox. Steph, Stephanie Meyer, my good pal recommended these on her website. They are bizarre. Skip them. I could barely wrap my head around the ending. Maybe it's the lack of sleep.
I put up our trees for Christmas! Now all I need is some cinnamon rolls and I'll be set!! Anyway, just wanted you to know I am still alive, but just barely. Merry Christmas and Happy Late-Thanksgiving!!

'Tis the season. . .

2009-10-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

...for family pictures! How could a girl get so lucky? I just don't even know... My cute little man. Two photo shoots in his first 7 weeks. He's gonna be a pro. And pretty little Lauren:

Sugar

And mild spice.

Oh my Jossy. Her pictures are always hard to pick, because almost every one is usable. She is such a little shutter-bug. She'll smile and strike a pose and 9 out of 10 shots will be adorable.

This one is Tony's favorite:

When did my baby boy get so big?!?

Almost done... you can see the relief on Tony's face.

Thanks to Jen for her awesome skills!! Anybody in WA who needs a good photographer, call her- she is especially good with kids.

6 whole weeks...

2009-10-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Krew turned 6 weeks yesterday. I feel like we just got him, and also like he's always been here... Does that make sense? He is growing so fast! I would guess he weighs about 12 pounds now- even though he looks like he has doubled his birth weight. I'll have to get some pictures up- it's just one more thing on my list. He is still not really sleeping- he was up 4 times last night. He just wants to eat. I think I'll play along for a little while longer before I implement any Nazi scheduling that makes him cry it out.

I read one of the books Stephenie Meyer recommended: The girl who could fly by Victoria Forester. I thought it was kindof dumb. I wanted to know what happened to Piper while I was reading, but at the end I realized I would have rather had my 4 hours of sleep. Maybe I'm the one who is dumb...

Lauren is still struggling with the potty. It has officially been a year of peed pants. Why is she not catching the vision? She will poop in the potty just fine... I need suggestions.

Three weeks sure goes by fast when you can't remember it...

2009-09-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

So. . . tired . . . must stay . . . awake.
Krew no like sleepy. Boo.
He's actually screaming right this very moment. Just like for the last 5 hours. Doesn't colic usually happen at night, not in the morning?

Still, I love him and am going to keep him. Heaven knows we're not putting him back!

His siblings adore him. It's like they don't really hear the crying until it escalates to the point where it drowns out their cartoons. He has already acquired quite the list of nicknames: Scooby Krewby, Krewser the Bruiser, Krewton (like crouton- thanks Kara), and Baby Koo (Lauren's).

He eats like a little piglet and is growing like a weed. His little double chin puts Dad's and Grandpa's to shame. Apparently it's a family trait. I had to laugh because when he was born, he had a double chin. Not enough fat to make a decent butt crack- but he had a double chin. Who knew...

Jace Leatham

2009-09-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Some friends of ours, the Leatham family, got some really scary news last week: their little boy Jace has leukemia. If any of you also know this wonderful family and want to help or read more about what's going on with his treatment, Amy has set up a blog for him at www.ironmanjace.blogspot.com

Pray for Jace. And his family.

Getting used to life with four...

2009-09-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Tony grew up in a family with seven kids. Seriously, how did his mom do it?!? The transition from 3 to 4 has been easier that 2 to 3, but still, yikes. I haven't done my hair and makeup on the same day since Krew was born. My house is also a disaster. Tony gets Gage ready for school in the morning (the bus comes at 7:30) and his hair is usually looks super.

But I do what I can, so I embrace my disasterness.

A sidenote: Krew had his 2 week check up this morning. He has gained over a pound and a half. I've been feeding him butter. And nothing else.

Another disclaimer: we are rockin' it old school. Tony sat on my camera and broke the little screen on the back that I used to cheat and see if I had a cute picture or not. I feel like I'm using one of those disposables or something. We can still take pictures, but I don't know how they're going to turn out till later so we have lots of strange pictures. Like this one:

Jossy and Lauren started dance lessons again and I thought this would be a mighty fine picture. Oops.

My birthday. Party by Mom. The first of many 29ths.

Krew was less than a week old = why I look so tired.

For Labor Day, we went up to Island Park. Even though we live really close, we hardly ever go up there. We took the kids on their first official wilderness hike, and I think they were mighty fond of the woods. I was on paranoia level 5 while on the lookout for bears. And now I should probably start worrying about wolves. There's plenty of them around now, too.

Our little hike through Box Canyon. I'm wearing shorts that do not have an elastic waist. To me, that makes the day a success.

The kids were loving it. Even Krew had a good time. I think you can see his feet. My sweet little family picking wildflowers.

Our sweet little boy, Krew

2009-08-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is one of the sweetest, cuddliest little boys ever! I've never had a snuggler before, and I have to say I can't get enough of him. He is another mini-Tony, with slight variations.

Our sweet little boy

Um, don't take my picture yet, I look like hell. Click. Never mind... Krew looks a little scared.

The proud daddy, admiring his work. Or my work that looks just like him.

Jen took some really cute pictures of him last night, which I will post when we get them edited.

I totally should've done this post already...

2009-08-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

This has been one busy summer! This is kindof a highlight reel, but still...

Lauren's 3rd birthday was last Thursday. I had been putting off her party, hoping that the baby would arrive, but when it was the Monday before and he was still quite some time from showing up, I threw together a little party and all her little friends. It was horsie/pony themed, which is her favorite, and I think she had a great time. We played "Pin the tail on the Pony" and had a "Pony Prize Pasture" which was totally a fishing pond but I had to make it go with the theme (of course) and always a pinata!

Lauren is such a fun little girl. She is spunky and energetic and mischievious and independent and we love her so much. She has a special way of doing something totally naughty, and then somehow making it so funny that I'm not really mad and have to laugh at her. She loves horses, cheese, olives, dressups, anything outside related, swimming and boating, yogurt, oatmeal, chocolate and strawberry milk, and her Daddy. I think Tony and Lauren share a special bond, they adore each other. He always calls her Polly, even now, because when she was born she was so teeny tiny we called her Polly Pocket. She'd be totally confused, but he's done it since she was born and I think she's used to it.

We also took the kids down to Lagoon one day, minus all the men/dads. My dad came for half the day, but it was just us girls and 8 little kids! Yikes! It went pretty well, considering, until we did Lagoon-a-Beach, where we had a near drowning and a couple wander-offs. We didn't stay there very long.

All the little kids waiting in line for a ride: Ben, Kinsey, Lauren, Jocelyn, Detton and Gage. It made a good arrangement for all their little rides.

This is what we've been doing most other days when we had a little spare time. There is a little reservoir about 25 minutes away where we go boating. We have this oldish (1974 ha ha) boat that we have fixed up and it has been really fun. The kids love riding on the tube and when we find an open dock, we pull up and let them swim and fish. It's something I would love to do every summer, as long as we can keep at it and the boat doesn't completely die.

He is finally here!!

2009-08-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Krew Greyson Jenks

7 lbs. 4 oz.

20.5 inches

Monday, August 24th 2009

10:45 a.m.

He is adorable and perfect. I will post pictures soon!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

2009-08-18T22:47:00.001-07:00

Ummm, maybe you've heard of a little book called Hunger Games? Yes? The next book in the series is called Catching Fire, and I procurred myself an advanced readers copy (and how I will not say) and I must admit it is every bit at good as the first one. It goes on sale September first. What?!? You haven't read Hunger Games yet?!? Go. Go now and get yourself a copy. Then you don't have to wait very long for the sequel. Instant gratification. Almost.

If only I could get book three.

P.S. Obviously, we have no baby. Otherwise I would be posting about a hundred pictures of adorably tiny toes and I would have normal sized ankles. No such luck.

Don't get too excited...

2009-08-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

We have no baby yet. I know it's been awhile since I've posted anything, even though so much has been going on I feel like I can't keep up!
I didn't want anyone thinking they were out of the loop on a delivery, because there has been no such joy. I am officially "at capacity" and there is not any more room, (and yet somehow I still gained two pounds this week) and I am ready to be done. I'm about the same size as when I delivered Jossy, but this time I started out 15 pounds lighter. What does that tell you about my healthy summer diet?
I haven't slept in weeks and I have about five things that I can still wear. Baby, please come soon.
But not tonight, I'm too tired.

So forgetful...

2009-07-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

I thought of a few more names we had considered, but have been vetoed by Mr. Boss:

Kaitlyn
Georgia

Andrew (This is the name of the first member of my family to be baptized into the church about 200 years ago. I still like it alot, Tony not so much.)
Santa Clause. This was Gage's first pick. This one was also vetoed by Mrs. Boss.

The countdown is on!! I feel great: lots of energy, a little heartburn, lots of stretch marks. I'm having a little anxiety about Gage starting school the same day I'm due; I could not have timed it worse. Seriously?!? What if I miss it?!? I have this recurring nightmare of going into labor and leaving for the hospital. I lay out his clothes and leave him home alone with a note to get on the bus. YIKES!! Can you imagine?

I love when Tony forgets his laptop...

2009-07-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Then I can post during the day instead of the middle of the night! Yay!
Gage's T-ball ended last week, and I must say, he had a case of the saddies. He so enjoyed playing with all his little buddies, making new friends, and getting a treat after the game. Learning basic baseball skills was obviously secondary to playing in the dirt. His sweet coach made them all little treat bags and medals on their last day, and Gage wore it for the rest of the day and took it with us to Washington.But no worries, now soccer has started! Gage has no clue. I tried to explain to him about kicking the ball into the other teams goal, passing, out of bounds, not using his hands. I obviously got WAY too technical. He was running around asking for the ball, and no one would pass to him. Maybe I should say, no one could pass to him. The kids were thrilled if they kicked the ball in the right direction. But that's okay- I think that Gage will learn alot and it was only their first game.
"Hey Coach- can I be the goalie?" "What, we don't have goalies?" Seriously doubting whether or not his mother has a clue about soccer.

For the 4th we were in Washington. We had such a wonderful time. A special thank you goes out to Verdene, Vard, Jodi and Matt for all their effort in making the trip fun for us. Thanks to everyone else (ecspecially the cat) for putting up with all those extra little fingers and voices that made the place a veritable mad house. My kids already want to go back.

Joss and Lauren squished in a tube at the Moses Lake sand dunes beach. This might have been their favorite day. This was the afternoon of the fourth- the BBQ and fireworks later were a total blast, but my memory card filled up and so Jen has pics of that for me. (I had already deleted the non-adorable pictures. Shoot.)

The Basin City Parade the morning of the fourth was actually much better than we were expecting. Lauren had a good seat. She loves her Daddy.
There were so many treats we had to leave most of them in WA. Jossy loved the float with the dancing girls (junior miss or something) and Gage did not like being sprayed with ditch water. Lauren's favorite was anything horse related. I was reading other people's blogs and apparently this parade was a hot spot. How did I miss seeing all of you!?! We were parked in front of the Napa auto store- probably yards away from cousins and friends that we didn't get to see. I'm so sorry we missed you. Still, we had a fabulous fourth and the kids had a blast.

Funny story: the day we were supposed to leave, I was sitting in Verdene's kitchen chatting while the kids played outside with the new kitties. Gage comes tearing in the house yelling that Lauren had killed a kitten. I'm horrified. I run out there and sure enough, there is a little kitty lying on the step, totally unresponsive, lying in its poop. I'm sure that she has broken it neck, because she claims to have "hugga kitty SOOO tight." All the other kids instantly dub her the kitty killer. I'm asking myself if we should hit it with a shovel- it's obviously suffering (how horrific is that?!?) and decide instead to put it by its momma and check on it again later. (I secretly asked Vard to put it in the trash after we leave.) Anyway, after lunch I go out to finish loading the car and to check on the kitty, and wouldn't you know that little kitty traded in four of his nine lives and was just fine. Apparently she just put it in a killer headlock and knocked it out.

We had promised Jossy and Gage kittens when we sell our house. I don't think our family can handle kittens. Or fish. Birds seem to not have great luck either. Do we dare try a dog?

Happy Birthday to Dave, Detton, Sawyer, and Mom Rees! Busy, busy July!

Wanna play the name game?

2009-06-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

When my parents were expecting me, they were also playing this game. Their finalists were Allison or Brianne. Obviously, you know which one they picked. But how weird would it have been if they had picked Brianne?!? I have always kind of liked knowing the name that I almost had- Is that strange? Anyway, I wanted to remember all the names we have considered for this baby. Each has been the front runner (if even temporarily) but we do have one we're leaning heavily toward. This will be revealed at a later date...

If the baby is born a boy, like we are expecting, we will choose one from this list:
Nicholas
Will (William)
Eli (Elijah)
Charlie (Charlton)
Gavin
Zachary (soon to be taken but I still love)
Garrick
Emmett
Krew
Aiden

P.S. I have a thing with shortened names, apparently.

Girls names we considered before I peeked:
Alexa (This name has been runner-up three times now. I still love it, but it just didn't quite fit.)
Lily
Sophie
Leah (Tony's fave)
Tessa
Carly
Brooke
Eva (Recently taken)
Morgan (taken, sadly, but I still love it)
Kate (Soon to be taken. It's beautiful.)
Addison

I had planned on using the middle name Bell, or Belle, in honor of my mother (Debra Bell Rees) but we'll just have to wait and see if we ever make it to 5. Don't hold your breath.

American Goldfinch

2009-06-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

"The American goldfinch is the state bird of Washington, New Jersey and Iowa. Females are more dull than males, but with identical conical bill shapes. Goldfinches of the same mating-pair will have virtually identical flight calls, and identify one another by these calls."

Our big back window is very reflective. Birds splat on it all the time, ecspecially in the afternoons. The bigger birds that we usually see, like robins and magpies, can take a hit and usually just sit there on the porch stunned until they fly away. (The loud window-thud scares me every time.)

This sweet little guy must have really hit hard. He didn't make it.

At first I thought he was just stunned, so I went out to check. He was obviously dead. Since he was kind of unusual, I called for the kids to come see and I wrapped him in an old rag. They were all fascinated...

and sad.

Lauren was particularly interested. She even waited for me to go inside for a minute before she unwrapped him and picked him up, patted his head and then rubbed him on her little cheek. I know- eww. We washed. Lots.

Gage made a sign for all birds to watch out. (I taped it to the window- you can see how reflective the glass looks.)
The next morning I had Gage bury him in the yard. Each of the kids got a rock and decorated it with markers for little headstones. They did a great job.

Today I caught him and his little buddy Nate trying to dig him up. Gage insisted that Nate wanted to see. More washing has ensued.