Airplanes

With the house, move, projects, and stress that goes with it all, I have missed our kid-Os.
So, I took some time the other day for a little field trip mommy time!
We hit up Xtreme Sports with some friends and played in the foam pits, trampolines, and trapeze. 
Then, we got the grand tour of where our friend-more-like-family Jer works on airplanes!

The children thought it was SO COOL!

And buddies Cade and Cam were pretty excited to show off where their daddy works :)

Jer showing the boys all the different parts...

It was all Sport could do to keep from touching anything!

Up into the private jet the kids went for a peek...

The boys got to sit in the cockpit and pretend to fly...

It was all very exciting!

"I'm going to fly this one day, mom.  Do you want to be the pilot or co-pilot?"-Sport

Thanks for showing us around, Jer!

You have a very "cool" job.

Movie Night With Him

Sport has been begging to watch "The Odd Life Of Timothy Green".

Apparently,  one of his buddies at school told him it was such a cool movie!

But, it wasn't a movie I thought our younger children would enjoy, so we watched Madagascar 3 for movie night instead.

Sport was pretty bummed.

We have kind of reached a frustrating stage for him.

He's interested in big boy movies, but mom doesn't think he's quite old enough yet, and his younger siblings just aren't interested.

Anyway, after our movie was over, and I had tucked the girls and baby T in bed,

I pulled Sport aside and asked him if he wanted to have a movie night with mom.

His face lit up and he whispered, "You can't joke with me like that, mom!  You're kidding, right?"

He was SO excited!

I grabbed some blankets and we cuddled up on the couch together and watched "The Odd Life Of Timothy Green".

It was a sweet movie, and I even saw Sport trying to hide a few tears :)

We had great night together!

I love my time with our boy.

He's growing up too fast.

Poor JP spent his night working on our house.

He has an amazing work ethic.

I don't know how he fits everything in that he does.

I'm in love with my boys!

Another One Gone!

Sport told me he had a loose tooth while I was tucking him into bed tonight.

The next thing I knew, he was running to the bathroom yelling, "I've almost got it!  I've almost got it!"

He ripped it out like a man!

Ripped being the key word here...I watched him do it.

It gave me the heebie-jeebies! 

I was never that way as a kid.

I would wait until my tooth was hanging by it's last possible thread!

Not Sport.  He wanted it OUT.

Now he has the cutest toothless smile :)  

 Our baby's growin' up.

They Want A Puppy

The children and their daddy have been working really hard at convincing me that we need a puppy lately.

I've always had the excuse that we just can't, because our landlord doesn't allow it!

But, that excuse may be useless here soon...and then what?

Do I give in?  Or be the big ol' meanie!

 

 I got this picture on my phone from JP today. 

It read, "M. got a new puppy today. Isn't he cute??" 

"Yes," I say,"he's adorable!!"

But, who will have to take care of him?  And feed him?  And bathe him?  And clean up his poop?

ME.

I'm not sure I can take on another cute little baby at the moment.

Five against one...

This could be tough.

Lazy, Winter Days

{Playing in the Christmas snow with neighborhood friends}

The children are out of school for three weeks! 

The snow is coming down and it's absolutely beautiful. 

We are counting down to Christmas and enjoying lazy days with the family :)

Tea parties with dad by the fire are pretty special!

I caught little Minnie making up tunes to the "magical snow falling down outside", while looking out the window this morning.

She makes me smile.

"Look, mom! All those push ups I do at night before bed are really paying off!!" said Sport while flexing his his bulging muscles!

Warming little feet by the fire.

They take after their mommy!

Mickey Mouse sings of his birth! 

Gave me a good chuckle tonight after tucking the children in bed.

I love finding gems like this around the house...

Sleeping by the fire in the family room is such a treat!

Sport tried to keep his eyes open until the very last fire burned out in the fireplace...He almost made it.

 

I'm loving these days with no homework or schedules to keep! 

Primary Program

It's pretty much my favorite Sunday of the year!

Once a year, the children in our church treat us to a sacrament meeting program.

They sing songs and bare testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Their little shenanigans, the silly faces they make, the loud singing and talking into the microphone..etc... etc...

only add to the joy of it all!

The children memorized their parts and felt so important about being asked to speak in front of EVERYONE.

They did SO great!

Some of my favorite moments during the primary program:

*Winking at Sport and watching him try to sing and wink back at me.

 *Watching Princess open her mouth really big while trying to sing (something she's been practicing in Junior Choir).

*Laughing at Minnie's scrunched up face as she watched the little friend next to her pick a boogie.

*Hearing Sister W. laugh out loud at Sport's actions for the foolish man while singing The Wise Man and the Foolish Man song (It's hilarious!).

*Seeing Minnie's great big grin after she recited her part without any help (This was her first Primary Program).

*Princess's thumbs up after she made it through her talk without saying "I" instead of "We" (something she kept doing at home).

Yup. They brighten my life.

Here is what they said:

Sport: "Jesus Christ taught us the right way to live. In His Sermon on the Mount, He taught us to be righteous; to let our light shine for others; to be peacemakers; to be humble, and to be pure in heart. We feel our Savior's love when we try to be like Him."

Princess: "When we choose to obey our parents, we are blessed to have peace in our home."

Minnie: "I choose the right when I obey my parents."

I'm hoping they remember these simple testimonies forever!

This evening, while sport was off running around with his cousins, the girls sang a few of their favorite Primary songs from the program at church for Grandpa and Grandma...

Love it!

BYU Cougar Run

Sport looks forward to running the BYU Cougar Run with his school every year.

He's getting fast too!
1st-7th graders from schools all over the valley run one mile with Cosmo at BYU.

His school placed 2nd and he was pretty darn pleased with himself.

But, next year they are going for the gold! 

At least, that's what he tells me. 

I don't doubt it :) 

Dad's his biggest fan...(So he says.  I'd say mom is!)

#674 has become Sport's buddy.

There's a long story behind their friendship...

To keep it simple, D. use to be someone Sport tried to steer clear of at school (for good reason). 

It took some time and a lot of work on Sports part to get to where they are now. 

I'm so proud of our little man for trying so hard and very grateful for answered prayers.

They are great friends now.

Lining up for take off! 

Sport giving the boys some pointers...

He made it!! 

"Mom, my stomach started hurting SO bad right in the middle of the race.  I just wanted to die!  But, I knew I had to finish, so I just kept going."-Sport

Way to not give up, buddy! 

 

You rock!!

Sept. 2012

Off We Go!

The summer just seemed to fly by so fast this year!
And we've had such a fun summer too.

I'll be honest, I dread the school year.

Missing my little kids, early mornings, carpool in the snow, and homework just isn't my thing.

But, the last two weeks of summer nearly killed me.

The children were antsy and took it out on each other...and me. 

So, the first day of school was an exciting day indeed!

I'm sure the excitement will wear off really fast once homework hits full swing. 

Until then, I'm going to enjoy their enthusiasm and look forward to their stories at the end of the day. 

To start off the school year, I asked each of the children 20 questions.

It will be fun to see how many of their answers change a year from now!

 

20 questions* : Answered by Sport-2nd

Tell me three words that describe you.
Smart...and I like to run.  What's a person called that likes to play sports?  Athletic?  Yes!  Athletic, and a handy man!

What is your favorite color?
Blue and Green.

What do you not like to eat?
Tomato Soup

If I gave you $100 right now, how would you spend it?
I would buy a house for you and a car for me!
Do you like your teacher?

Yes. She helps me with my math when I'm confused. 

What food could I make or order that would make you happy?
Omelets with eggs, bell peppers, cilantro, tomatoes, and bacon!  Dad makes them really good.  I want some right now!

Are you afraid of anything?
Nope.  Well, I might be afraid of...cliffs.  Looking down from it.  Maybe I'll get use to it sometime.  But, for now I'm scared.

What is your favorite type of music?
Piano music and that Fireflies song where all the toys come alive. (Owl City-Fireflies)

What is your favorite toy?
My Electronic Kit from Grandpa Kimball.

What is your favorite subject at school?
 Science.
What is your favorite scripture story?
The man with the bad spirits and Jesus told the spirits to leave and they went into the pigs and ran the pigs into the water and drowned! (The Man with the Evil Spirits-New Testament Chapter 22.  We've been reading the New Testament stories).

What is the best thing our family has done together?
Going to Oregon Beach.

What sport do you think you might like to try?
Wrestling and football.

If you could pick any pet, what would it be?
A dog.

What makes you laugh?
America's Funniest Home Videos.  Some of them are funny!

Who is your best friend?
Cade M.  
Do you like going to church?
Yes.

What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
I would get on my motorcycle and start scaring the police!  They will wonder how that motorcycle is riding by itself, and I would make it rock from side to side! 

What is your favorite drink?

Root Beer.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A motorcycle racer!

 20 questions* : Answered by Princess-K

Tell me three words that describe you.
Dancer, artist, hilarious...that means I'm crazy funny!

What is your favorite color?
Dark blue

What do you not like to eat?
Green Bean Casserole 

If I gave you $100 right now, how would you spend it?
I would pay my tithing and buy a house!
Do you like your teacher?

Yes. I like Miss G. a lot.

What food could I make or order that would make you happy?
Ramen Noodles 

Are you afraid of anything?
I'm afraid of spiders and rattle snakes!

What is your favorite type of music?
I like the songs we are singing in Junior Choir at school.  

What is your favorite toy?
All my toys are kind of getting boring, but I really like playing with my Dora doll.

What is your favorite subject at school?
What is that? Oh! I know PE or writing.
What is your favorite scripture story?
The Lost Coin (The Second Parable in the New Testament Chapter 36). 

What is the best thing our family has done together?
Play games at the church Pioneer party when we walked in the parade.

What sport do you think you might like to try?
Gymnastics!

If you could pick any pet, what would it be?
A pet cheetah! 

What makes you laugh?
When people say funny things.

Who is your best friend?
Ocean, Minnie, Mae, and Cami M.
Do you like going to church?
Uh huh. 

What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
I would go to Natasha's house and see what she's doing.  I really miss her!

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?
My pink blanket.

What is your favorite drink?
It's really special punch that's red.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A Hula Dancer in Hawaii!

 

20 questions* : Answered by Minnie-Preschool

What is your favorite color?

Yellow and pink.

What is your favorite toy?

My Strawberry Shortcake toys.

What is your favorite fruit?

Strawberries and peaches.

What is your favorite movie?

Strawberry Shortcake.

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?

Macaroni and cheese.

What is your favorite outfit?

The one I'm wearing! (Sparkly purple skirt and shirt from Grandma Edie)

What is your favorite game?

I like every game!  The Hippo game is fun though.

What is your favorite snack?

To eat at school? Fruit Snacks. But at home I like all of them!

What is your favorite animal?

Kitty cats and bumblebees. 

What is your favorite scripture story?

The blind man and that man who couldn't hear or the man who couldn't talk and Jesus made him better.  (New Testament Chapter 31. We've been reading the New Testament stories).

What is your favorite song?

Hinges (Children's Primary Songbook).

What is your favorite book?

Ponyella.

Who is your best friend?

Princess and Cami M.

What are you excited about? 

Cami M.'s Birthday party!

What is your favorite thing to do outside?

Ride my bike.

What is your favorite drink?

Apple juice.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?

My little yellow teddy bear.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Marshmallow cereal (Marshmallow Mateys).

What do you want for dinner?

Macaroni and Cheese. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a mommy and a Gymnastics girl. 

My babies just keep growing! 

And I'm just trying to keep up without bawling my eyes out at every new milestone.

Aug. 2012

YESSSSS!!!!!

I'm freeee!!! 

On the last day of school, Sport came running out the front door grinning, throwing cheers in the air.

Mom's cheering too! 

She's just as excited (if not more) for a break as he is.

It's been a year of big adjustments for you.
1st grade is nothing like Kindergarten!
Becoming a great reader, excelling in math, exploring biology, learning all about your heart, brain, and ears (a favorite), gaining an appreciation for your country and those that serve/served it,  being a good friend...even when it was hard, getting your first love note, and making your dad and mom so happy are just a few of your awesome achievements this year.
Way to go, little man!

Let Summer begin :)

May 2012

Today Is Now...

A few things about myself have come to my attention recently.  Things that, for most of you I'm sure, has always been common knowledge.  But, for me...recognizing something seems to hit in a sudden moment.  And when it does, it's like a jolt, an awakening...  kind of like when I discovered at four years old that "there's chicken in this chicken!!"

It amazes me that it's taken nearly eight years of marriage for me to realize that when it comes to my role as a wife and mother, I tend to just "go with it"...to do what's expected of me, get things done, and not complain about it (too much) because noone wants to hear my boo hooing anyway!  I have noticed that this is not always healthy.  In fact, it seems to make me a much more tense, over the top, stressed out mommy and wife.  I miss out on the little things that bring life joy, because I'm looking ahead to the next step, worrying about what needs to be done right this minute or tomorrow.  Bottling up my emotions until I'm ready to explode with tears of frustration. 

Basically, mom needs to CHILL OUT.

Its okay to slow down.  It's okay to enjoy little moments.  It's okay if the house is a mess.  It's okay if dinner isn't perfectly placed.  It's okay if the kids go without their hair combed.  It's okay to to cuddle with my husband for five minutes while an argument is taking place in the back room.  It's okay to take a moment to talk with baby junior and enjoy his companionship in my womb.  It's okay to let my four year old fold the laundry.  It's okay to stop what I'm doing to listen. It's okay to be late for soccer.  It's okay!  What's the rush?  Time flies by too quickly as it is.  I don't need to help it out by flying around like a mad woman.

So, I decided to make a few changes.  It's never too late, right?

I'm not saying it's been an easy transition.  But, I'm letting things of little importance go undone.  IE: The husband could hardly believe I actually left the kitchen a mess the other night and headed for bed.  That's right.  I didn't even look at it.  I just read stories to our babies, cuddled and loved them, then went to bed. I'm not a fan of washing crusty dishes the next morning.  But, there was something satisfying in knowing that I went to bed with no regrets.  Our kids knew that mommy loves them more then she loves a clean kitchen.

I'm taking the time to remember how to play.  As a result, mommy dates have become much more frequent.  I take advantage of my one on one time with Minnie while her big brother and sister are in school.  For example, ever since Grandma Edie got her a happy meal a few weeks ago with a "toy", she's been asking to "go eat food inside with a prize".  Instead of telling her "another day...when mommy has money",  I thought, what the heck!  I'll find enough cash to make this little girl smile today.  So, we splurged and got a happy meal with a prize, and ate it together on a little table just her size.  She smiled and beamed all week over that happy meal and time with mom.  Also, Princess and mommy went to the mall and rode the carousel, got an ice cream cone, talked about her future plans to be a doctor, marry dad, and have ten babies, then learned about modesty while shopping for a new Sunday dress of her choice.  She makes me laugh and reminded me how quickly our girl went from a toddler to an energetic, spunky little girl in the blink of an eye.  I'm happy to say that it doesn't take much to make a sweet memory with my little girls.

{Dad and Sport at the BYU vs. University of Idaho game.  FYI:  BYU wins it 45 to 7!}

Sport prefers daddy dates these days... It's all about rock climbing, 4wheeling, hiking, sports, or some other activity that his big ol' pregnant mommy can't handle at the moment.  So, we have our one on one time after the girls are tucked in bed, and I look forward to it!  I sit on the edge of his bed and he tells me aaallll about his day and his plans for tomorrow.  Lets see, the other night I learned that he asked his all time crush (since kindergarten) to marry him in a "special place" on the playground.  When I asked him what her response was, he said, "Well, she said that getting married is kind of expensive...with the wedding clothes, gas to the temple, and finding a ride.  So, maybe you could drive us, mom?" HaHa!  Oh dear...smart girl!  I reminded him that he still had a mission to serve before he could even think about that!  His response? "*SIGH  That's going to take for-ev-er!!!"  At least he hasn't tried to kiss her yet.  He promised that those are still saved just for me.  Phew!

I love our kids.  I love my time with them.  I love their quirks.  I love their stories.  I love their hugs and kisses.  I love watching them grow.

Speaking of growth... baby number four is growing!  And I'm determined to enjoy this pregnancy.  I feel like I nearly missed my last three.  They happened so fast that the new born faze is such a blur in my mind.  I had to be in so many places at once and they just grew in the process.  I'm going to take the time to enjoy having a new born, to cuddle our kids and eat up my time with them.  Tomorrow will come, today is now...and once it's gone, only memories remain.  I want to be a part of their memories.

I'm also paying more attention to my superhero of a husband.  The small, simple things that let him know I love and appreciate him are so important.  Especially since life is only going to get busier with a new little baby!  It's not always easy to stop in the middle of doing homework with the kids, washing dishes, folding laundry, fixing dinner, etc. to hug and kiss him when he walks through the door after a long day at work.  But, it only takes a moment, and he IS the most important person in my life.  I would be incomplete without him, and taking five minutes to let him know that has made a world of difference in my connection with him.  It's easy to allow ourselves to get wrapped up in our kids lives and forget to wrap our arms around each other.   

So, here's to chilling out and taking time to enjoy being a wife and mommy.  There's no hurry.  I'll worry about tomorrow...well, tomorrow!

Entertaining Sunday Service

There's nothing like a Primary Program. 

Those sweet, silly, energetic kids are sure to entertain, while uplifting their audience with testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The children's Primary theme for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this year was "I know the scriptures are true".

They sang songs, gave little talks, read scriptures, and shared their testimonies with us.

The goofy faces, flapping arms, and ear deafening words said against the microphone only added lots of smiles and laughs to our meeting.  

The kids have been practicing really hard for weeks and did an amazing job.

We look forward to it every year!
Because, lets be honest...some church services can drag on and on and on and on and on...

When it came time for the children to find their seats on the stage, Minnie jumped up and followed big brother and sister!

It nearly brought her to tears when we sent her back to sit with dad. 

Poor girl!  She'll have her turn next year (can you believe I'll have three kid-Os in Primary? AH!)

Sport and Princess worked hard to memorize their parts and nailed them! 

This was Princess's first time to be in a Primary Program, and she could be heard throughout the building telling her teacher (near the microphone), "I don't need your help.  I don't need your help.  Ok?  I don't need your help." 

She was determined to do it herself.   That's typical of our independent girl! 

Sport had a head cold and nearly forgot his lines, but somehow pulled through.

Way to go little buddy.

Their testimonies: 

Princesses-"The words of Christ will tell us all things we should do."

Sport-"Heavenly Father's plan gives us freedom to choose right or wrong.  Good choices give us freedom and happiness.  I will follow God's plan for me."

I pray they never forget :)

I'm Doing Alright

I'm not a complete failure! 

Our kids really do love me.

You know how I know?

Because I got the "thumbs up"...

Totally random, and just what I needed to find on our camera tonight.
I'm still laughing. 
Thanks Sport :)

Missionary Prep.

According to our Sport, he's got to learn how to cook now before it's time for him to serve a mission. For some reason, he's been really concerned about it! So, he came to me the other day and said:

Sport: "Mom, will you teach me how to make my very own cheese crisp?"
Mom: "Are you hungry? I can make you one really quick."
Sport: "No mom. I HAVE to do it myself. I need to learn how to make stuff for when I'm on a mission without you!"
Mom: "Ooohh. Well, that's not going to be for a while. You have time to learn. But, I'll show you how."
Sport: "I know. But, it's coming really fast!"

Where did this come from? I'm not sure! But, I thought it was pretty darn cute that he had thought all of this through.

There it is! The Cheese Crisp made by our future missionary.

At least I know he'll be capable of making something when he grows up and leaves me for two years.

You Said It Kid...

Frustrated with his sisters:
Sport:  I like girls not boys.   When I grow up, I'm not even gonna marry!
Mom:  Well, we will see about that.
Sport:  You're going to make me??

Family outing: 
Mom:  Do you want a hamburger Sport? 
Sport:  No way!
Mom:  Why not?  I thought you loved hamburgers.
Sport:  Weeelll...Dad, what are you going to eat?
Dad:  I'm having a burger!  Mmmmm...Guys love burgers.
Sport:  Ok.  Then I'm having a BURGER, not a HAMburger, mom.  Please?

While looking at a globe of the world:
Dad:  Do you want to see where dad served his mission?
Sport:  Yeah!  Was it far away?
Dad:  Yup.  I served a mission way over here in Chile.
Sport:  Oh. Chile.  Hm...  Is it cold there?

Golly, I love that 5 year old :)

It's A Hay Ride!

What would fall be like without a trip to the pumpkin patch? Hm... I don't remember. Because for the past five years, we've gone! And it's never been penciled in our planner, especially on a very cold, snowy, windy day (Mom was secretly hoping for a re-schedule).  Anyway, this year we went because it was Sport's first field trip as a Kindergartner.  Of course, he had been looking forward to it for weeks! 

Sport and C. getting ready for the hay ride...

Some of the sweetest kids I've ever met are in Sport's K class.  They were all smiles and curious about everything that day too...

Anyone that knows Sport, would know how much he loves nature.  He was totally content to stare out at the apple groves, gardens, corn patches, and animals all the way to the pumpkin patch...

Batman stuck in a pumpkin...

He got to pick out any pumpkin he wanted to take home.   As planned, he found the biggest one he could carry!

After the maze, picking pumpkins, eating donuts (mom's favorite part), and climbing hay stacks, the kids were ready to head home with their prizes...

Piling into the wagon... Giddy up!

Mom: "Was that fun, Sport?"
Sport: "That was totally wicked!"