The Crazy 8

Bond- James Bond and my teenage boy

2011-09-26T08:10:00.003-05:00

I tried uploading his half time show but I am wondering if it is too big for blogs to deal with or something. They are doing James Bond for the half time show. And if I do say so myself my boy is more handsome than James Bond ever was!!! Band was my thing in highschool so to see him out there gives me such pride!!!

This is Calenda. She is in our ward. There is another member in the band as well who plays clarinet but it was crazy just trying to get these pictures much less add one more kid in there. I am so proud of them all!!!
Can you see my boy in action????

.

So many wonderful shows at Disney!!!

2011-03-18T13:16:00.005-05:00

There are sooo many wonderful shows at Disney. I have never had the opportunity to take my kids to see theater productions so these shows were such a treat for us. Finding Nemo was just wonderful. It made us feel like we were really under the sea with them. My camera doesn't take very good "night" pictures so it was to the video option on my camera to capture some of it. I loved it so much there I just can't wait to get back. They had a night time Electrical parade that was just oh just so magical. I know I keep using that word but it really is the best way to describe it. But I again my camera doesn't do good night time pictures and I was so mesmerized by it all that I just didn't have time to get the camera set up to do video. Tomorrow, The Lion King!!!!

Animal Kingdom, where we really fit in!!! Day 3

2011-03-17T09:20:00.006-05:00

After having two very full days at the other parks it seemed as though Animal Kingdom gave us just the needed "slow" day. We had heard so much about the safari that we really wanted to try that first so we did. We went on the safari two times in a row just hoping to catch a glimpse of the big lion. I love this picture of everyone waiting in line for the next truck to pick us up.

We were all speculating what animal we would be able to see. Emma really really badly wanted to see baby elephants. I really really wanted to see the big Lion.

We saw rhinoceros and

Giraffe and
Big mama elephants, and
even the lioness, but the big Lion was sleeping and we could only see the top of his mane and there were no baby elephants to be seen. However even though Emma and I didn't get to see the animals we set out to see it really was fascinating watching these animals in their natural habitat. They were completely at home where they were and we loved being able to see them.
We even saw this tree that grew upside down. These trees store water in their roots so they can stand to be leafless for 9 months out of the year.

Matthew actually took this shot. These were the trucks that we were in during the safari. Its what you would completely expect to be in if we were in Africa taking a safari there. The flamingos he got in the shot were actually babies and they told us that flamingos eat so many shrimp that is why they turn pink. Babies are all white until they eat enough shrimp to change their color.

This was the very majestic tree that was in the middle of the animal kingdom park. It really was very beautiful!!!

They seem to really fit in with the Gorillas !!!!

These animals were carved into the tree and the side of the mountain. They really were just beautiful!!! Matthew is just in heaven sitting near this beautiful fountain. They way they had everything set up was just very nice. It was as if they found room for us humans to fit into all the animals home.

Tomorrow, see all the video clip we got from the wonderful shows we saw at animal kingdom.

The most magical place on earth Day 2

2011-03-15T09:48:00.004-05:00

Magic Kingdom:Truly a very magical place!!!! This was my favorite park by far. There are so many wonderful things about all the different parks but this seems to feel like all the Disney movies you grow up watching just come to life!!!

First tomorrow land. Very fun are that bring Toy Story and Buzz and Lilo and Stitch to life. This was a rocket ride that Matthew just loved. He could actually steer it and really its the best ride for me. Not too much just right. Those of you that know me know that I get motion sick very easily.

The idea of being able to "steer" their own ship just excited them all!!!

The Stitch ride was not a highlight for me or Matthew. It actually scared Matthew. But we got to me Stitch afterward and that made it all just fine for him.

Who doesn't love Buzz lightyear??? There was this fun little ride that everyone could ride and be a part of Buzz's life and world.

Its nice to take a break and have something to cool you off!!! Ice cream can always hit the spot when you need to rest for feet for a minute!!

This was a huge highlight for me. I had really hoped that the younger kids would meet some of the Characters that they know really well. We just happened to come up on Mickey and Minnie taking pictures with everyone and the older kids took off to ride something the younger ones couldn't. Sarah is like me in the motion sick department so she hung out with me. Even as old as I am it was so much fun and magical meeting these Characters that you see so much and have grown up watching. Minnie was so cute and just loved Eliza. And Matthew gave them both the biggest hug I have ever seen him give anyone. Eliza wanted to tell Minnie about her flower on her head. So when we were done with the pictures I said Minnie, Eliza wanted to show you her flower. I swear she spent a good 2 minutes touching and smelling and just spending time with Eliza. Thats a very long time when you are talking about everyone taking pictures with them. She finally bent down and put her nose on Eliza's and then kissed her. Ohhhhhh it just made me melt seeing Eliza watch her and want to be with her.

Then the dreaded tea cups. There is no way I could ride these so we let them go on there own. They had so much fun just spinning them as fast as they could get them to go. I felt sick just watching them. But they all loved it!! Even Sarah.

This was Mickey's philharmagic show. It was this 3D show that brought Mickey's orchestra to life. There were instruments and animals flying out of the screen and water hitting us at times and puffs of air. Oh I absolutely looooooooooved this one!!!!!
Being behind the camera doesn't give me a chance to get very many with me in them but the ones I have I love!!! This was just sooo much fun I can't even really express it. It really was a touching experience for me. I was celebrating my triumph over my stomach issues I had in '09. This was our first really big family vacation and oh was it so worth it. I loved being with my family and not having anything be a distraction like work, laundry, phone, tv. None of that came in the way and it was fabulous!!!!
Stay tuned for a little piece of Hollywood Tomorrow.

Our Secret Family Vacation

2011-03-14T07:06:00.005-05:00

So I had been itching for a long time to just get away with just my family unit and away from all responsibilities. I mentioned it to my sister in law and she vowed she would help me do some research to put together a family vacation. Well she happen to find me a deal that couldn't be beat. So we secretly planned for several reasons. One we just didn't want to have to answer the questions how much longer till we go. But also just because I thought it would be fun. They didn't even think we were going to do anything for our Mardi Gras vacation time until just days before. And we have gone someone I think probably every year we have been here. So I came up with a plan to give them letters every hour so that they could unscramble the letters. They thought we we were just going camping in Florida

By about hour 4 all the boys had figured it out and we were just dying to spill the news and couldn't keep it a secret any longer. It really did kill Tom and I when it got closer and closer to time to leave to keep that secret. So once all the older boys knew we decided to let them together tell the younger kids where we were going. I uploaded the video twice and I can't seem to get it to work. Let me know if you can view it or not.

The words were spelled out on the window for the rest of the trip.

So first we went to Epcot. It actually was my least favorite park we saw out of them all.

They thought it would be cool to TRY and hold up the Epcot ball. I am not even sure what it is called. So we did split up some during our trip. I took the younger kids to see the under the sea nemo adventure ride. We boarded large clams and took a ride.

I couldn't get very good dark pictures with my camera but this is the one I could get. It looked like these jellyfish were going to touch us. It was very up and close under the sea.

I just love a lot of the sweet tender pictures of the family together that I got.

This was our first time on the bus from the hotel on our way to epcot. They were so excited they could hardly stand it.

I think everyone was so excited to get started I didn't take the time to take the picture the best way but this was the first thing we came across when we got to Epcot. Woody made out of flowers and bushes. Very cool looking!!!
At Epcot there is a whole cool section that is devoted to different areas around the world. Matthew loves the Eifle Tower so I had to get a shot of this. I think when they are a little older they will appreciate taking more time in this area of the park.

We actually ate lunch at Liberty Inn (American food) but I didn't get a picture of it for some reason. The other place we actually stopped and spent a little time was Marocco. Nathan really wanted to stop there and look around. He loved all the tile and just how everything looked. A man in one of the shops wrote his name in Arabic and a little thing he could keep. Nathan thought it was very cool they write from right to left. This is where we actually lost Matthew. Very scary but actually I was never worried. We stopped to watch acrobatic act they were putting on in the streets and as soon as it was over he got lost in the crowd that dispersed as quickly as it formed. We found him back in Marocco playing near the fountain. He loved that thing when we were there so luckily that is where we found him.
Another fountain. Matthew really wanted to just take all the money out of the fountain.

Day two of our fabulous family trip tomorrow!! Keep tuned. And hey let me know if you can see the video.

Havin fun!!!

2011-01-19T11:30:00.004-06:00

We went to spend some time with my side of the family after Christmas. It was probably the best trip we have ever had. It was so relaxing and just enjoyable. I hung out with my sisters.

The kids and their cousins hung out together.

We played with the only baby in the family right now. (Never happened so far with our family only have one baby around)
We played with each others hair(a must when there are girls around)

We just relaxed.
We goofed around(always a given when we are all together)
And we played LOTS of games. Totally my kind of relaxing holiday!!!! We actually had everyone at mom's except one sister. It was almost perfect!!!
What a wonderful holiday!!!!!

2010-12-15T16:51:00.002-06:00

One proud mama!!!!

2010-12-09T09:23:00.002-06:00

I think I might be the proudest mom alive right now. Well okay I know there are a lot of us out there but I just have to take the time to brag about MINE!!! Aren't they handsome? Don't they looks so good!!! They had their Christmas concert a couple of nights ago and I love watching them progress through each band and seeing their growth over the years. Nathan was first as a beginner band student. He sat down and immediately scanned the auditorium to find me. He sat for about 20 minutes before they actually began and casually looked for me the whole time. When he finally spotted me his face lite up like a Christmas tree. He didn't seem as nervous anymore. I love that affect I have as a mother and it can't be replaced by anything in this world. Daniel was more cool and calm going out on the stage. He has "been there and done it". He didn't really look for me. He was down to business and ready to do his best. Aaron and old pro by now I couldn't even see him. Since he plays bass clarinet he was hidden by smaller instruments. I did see him before he had to play out in the hall and have to say watching him grow into a teenager as been such a fun experience. They all go through a rough couple of years transitioning but he I think has finally figured out who he really is. Thats not to say he knows everything but he has a lot more confidence in himself and that is fun to see that develop. I love these talented young men of mine. And love that they have chosen to do something near and dear to my heart to keep themselves busy!!! Can't wait till the spring concert. It is always better than the first since they have had a whole year to learn!!!

My beautiful girl!!!

2010-11-28T20:21:00.003-06:00

I looked at my last post and its just seems so yesterday and I just had to change my post. Unfortunately I was so busy during Thanksgiving that I didn't take any pictures. But this is my baby. Sarah did a play and had to be a southern belle. I made this for her. I really wish that I had had a hoop skirt but I didn't really realize I needed it until after it was done and then she needed it that night sooo.... She is still so beautiful without it!!!
Emma was so proud of her sister. And was very excited about her being so dressed up.

2010-11-21T18:27:00.006-06:00

We all I think had wonderful Halloween celebrations and traditions. I had too many fun pictures to not share them all!!!

This is our friend Carol. The kids call her Aunt Carol and I just love this picture of the two of them. (Don't know why its underlining)
This witch actually talked to the kids. It was the highlight of our night. The girls were mesmerized by her. They couldn't figure out how she knew the things that she did. She actually was the owners daughter watching behind the windows holding the microphone talking through the witch's speakers. It was so fun watching the girls scratch their heads and carry on conversations with her.

I love this one. Eliza spent all night trying to figure this guy out and finally decided he was okay and then wanted to spend the rest of the night with him. It was too cute.

Aaron did his pumpkin all up and then carved the letter A on the back. Tom came behind him and changed it.
YOu would think that I only have 4 Children sometimes but the older kids did go out that night. They just went out with friends from the ward and I didn't get pictures of them before they left. Now we can sit back and enjoy the next holiday of ours!! I love Thanksgiving!!!

A Banquet and a Birthday

2010-11-17T11:25:00.003-06:00

This was Aaron's 2nd year playing football for the middle school. Can you see him in the see of kids?? He's probably the only one wearing a white dress shirt.

This is Coach Gaunce. He has been my favorite coach of anything my kids have participated in. He is very religious and makes no bones about it. There was a kid on the team who's father died in the middle of the season. They prayed for him after each practice and then Coach made t-shirts in honor of this kid and his dad and the kids wore those shirts under their football gear every game. I really enjoyed watching Aaron admire this man. Aaron told me he wanted this picture framed for his birthday so he can put it up in his room. I love watching Aaron play football but I love even more watching him look up to and want to be like a man who is a stand up guy in such a rough rough world.
Now my baby has turned 14. I cringe a bit just saying it. He is totally growing up and I am not sure how to handle that sometimes. I am so glad that he is a part of our family. When I was pregnant with him I had an experience one time where I had a spirit visit me. I knew it was him. He was a man and was very strong and worthy young man. I think about that experience and see that happening. I am seeing the process happen and it is a wonderful thing to be a part of.
I asked him what he wanted to eat for his birthday and he said no cake no ice cream. He doesn't really care for either. So what he requested was a cookie cake. How can you deny a kid that when its his birthday!!! What a wonderful time to be a mother to this young man!!!

Explorium outing

2010-10-29T06:49:00.004-05:00

Well the kids had a day of not long ago. The explorium had the reptile exhibit showing and it would be leaving soon. All summer long I had wanted to take them to see it but it just never happened. I am so glad we did it. I had all the kids with me but as usual I hardly saw the older kids. This is a pulley system that you lift yourself up with. We had friends come with us and the girls loved hanging out with Eliza. THat is who is lifting her up. Eliza just hates all the attention of corse :0)

This is probably Matthew's favorite part of the whole explorium. It is a magnet puzzle where you put all the body parts back on the man.
These were some small snakes that seemed to be really iritated that Matthew was close to their cage.
Sarah really is a very strong girl.
Emma, Eliza, where is your body??

A harp that plays without strings.

These were probably Matthew's favorite reptiles in the whole exhibit. They were called snake turtle's. They had long necks like a snake and their toes were so sharp that they had such wonderful grips. The turtle Matthew is looking at had climbed up on the side of the wall and I really thought he would fall down but he never did. He griped the wall like a pro.
Who would have thought I could have this many pictures of Matthew. I think he loved looking at the reptiles and loved learning about each one of them. He even let me read the material about them to him. What a fun day we had with each other!!! I love days like that.

My Boys

2010-10-13T14:40:00.007-05:00

I think I have said before how much I LOOOVE Band and football and everything that goes with the two. My boys hummm hummm are proudly taking after me, well and their dad. They are all in the band. Aaron plays bass clarinet, Daniel-clarinet, and Nathan trumpet. I am so very proud of each of them. They love their instruments and we love watching them grow with their talents. Some of these are to show my sister so bear with me. They had a day where exceptional kids all got to be at the game. The band here is divided into several groups. And only the symponic band plays at the games. One day exceptional kids were invited to play. And beginner band (Nathan) got to get in for free.
This is the highschool band. They are huge compared to the band I grew up in. They cram in and fill a whole section of stand plus half another side for the percussion section.

This was the opposing team Petal. They had to bring their band in a semi trailer. They are serious of two things down in the south football and band whoot whoot!!!!
Aaron playing in the symponic band half time show.
Daniel the night they got to play at the game.
Aaron waiting to get the game started. I have to say most kids would be embarrassed having their mom come down and take a picture like this right before they could take the field. He was even teased very nastily about me. He was not embarrassed and it actually made him feel good. I love that boy!!!
OH isn't he handsome even with the sun in his face.
He plays football and is in the band. I pride myself very much to watch him play football and then at half time book it over to the band just in enough time to play with them.
I am so proud of them and I love watching them grow up. I love watching them make decisions about their futures. They are really good kids. Sorry the videos are sideways. I don't know how to fix that. Also some of them are shaky. I had kids hanging on me at the time. They didn't look THAT bad until you see them bigger. So just enjoy the sound!!! I certainly claim to be no videographer.

A Scout, Second Class,Star, and Scout Master

2010-10-11T08:40:00.005-05:00

My boys are so lucky to have their dad as their Scout Master. The boys have been working so hard on scouts. And its so nice for mom, not to have to do much cause their dad knows everything that is going on. So Nathan received his Arrow of light and is also now officially a Scout!!! He is well on his way to Eagle. He has everything planned out and knows how to accomplish it.

Daniel is now a Second Class. That sounds so second class but rest assured in Scouts its a very good thing. He couldn't find his shirt that night but that didn't stop how proud of himself he is.

And Aaron received his Star. He was so excited about that and all the badges he received. It was a long time coming but he is so proud of his hard work.

Tom had been feeling for a couple of months that he was going to be called the Scout Master. I have my own reservations but he has tackled this calling with such spirit. He loves these boys he is working for and wants to see them succeed. He as a kid was very close to finishing his Scout program but just got distracted. He really regrets it and doesn't want to see other boys like that. I love watching him with his boys and how much time they get with each other. I am proud of all my boys and the hard work they are doing. They are slowly learning to be men. Well and the man I have is slowly learning to be a better man than he is!!!! One day I will have back to back Eagle Court of Honors. Oh my!!!!!

Better late than never

2010-09-13T16:16:00.003-05:00

Alright Alright I know. Don't diss me about not posting in about a month. I have wonderfully good excuses. We came back from vacation and I got really sick for a good long month and then life was completely crazy with school starting and filling out paper work for school can take me 6 weeks alone with all the papers I have to fill out. Then all the school activities.... you know I could go on and on. So these are some I wanted to post for a while and well here they are.

How wonderful is it to be able to play video games with your cousin all day... that is the best thing about summer anyway right??
Then there are the boxes that can entertain little 2 year olds for hours on in. I must have about a dozen of these. They would pop out of the box and want to pose. They would come back out and each time they were all in a different position than the time they came out before.
I absolutely love the opportunity to see my Grandmother. I never know how much longer we will be able to see her. My sister flew her down for the baptism and we got to enjoy her being there. So My grandmother, me, my sister, my mom. The only thing that would have made it any better would have been having the rest of the siblings there. This was taken very late one night after we got done playing a nice game of Mexican train. Probably the only game we play when we get together.
Then one of the reasons we went up was for my nieces baptism. This was our last little horray before school started. I wanted to live it up. We stayed outside in a tent cause we would have taken over the whole house. It wasn't bad at all. We had two fans plugged in and we were camped underneath a tree.
Just after she came out of the water. Aren't they just beautiful!!!!
Its always complete chaos when we all get together but you can't trade it for anything!!!

Knock on wood no more broken bones!!!

2010-08-13T07:25:00.005-05:00

So we have been married 15 years and have had kids for 13 1/2 years and have now had our first broken bone. I had just been saying to a friend we have had countless stitches but no broken bones. I even knocked on wood but to no avail only a week later Nathan decides he is going to act like a spy. Well really he climbed up on the roof 4th of July and was waiting for the sun to go down. Officially its time to do fireworks in our house as soon as the sun goes down. Well he was trying to watch it and then inform us that we could now start the fireworks. He was by himself which was the scary thing I think. He came him with his arms dangling and the side of his face bleeding. He announced I need um some um help. He couldn't remember what happened at first. It took him a little while to remember what had happened. So off to the ER we went. 8 stitches, an mri, and a very temporary cast later we came home. We didn't get home until almost 1 am.

This is was his second cast. They put this on when we saw the orthopedic doc.

He had that cast on for a day and then the next morning they put him to sleep to set the bone. One bone was laying on top of the other.

The cast she is cutting of is the one they put on him after surgery. So that is cast #3.

The doc wanted to mold the new cast. He had such an unusual break that he wanted to make sure that bone didn't go anywhere. So this is cast #4
The nurse got to finish it. Orange his is favorite color and hallelujah it was water proof!!!
We are hoping he gets it taken off next week. That will be 6 weeks for him.
We later found out he wasnt' carefully trying to get down from the roof. He decided he would try these spy moves he's seen on tv. His plan was to jump from one roof to the other and then very skillfully fall into the bushes. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????? On a side not we just got back from the dentist with news that two kids have cavities that need taken care of. What next???

The Farm Life

2010-08-07T06:46:00.004-05:00

The farm life is all about driving big tractors.....

Wearing bit hats.....
Climbing on anything in site.....

And spending time with loved ones!!!!

The Chimney

2010-07-18T18:25:00.003-05:00

Well I finally took all my kids back to the farm. I grew up on the farm well and had lots of wonderful memories there with my Grandparents. I wanted my kids to really experience some of the fun things that I did. It was a bit different since my Grandmother passed away about 4 years ago and my Grandfather has since remarried but even with the difference we all had fun. It was a very short visit due to circumstances beyond our control and I regret how short it was. One fun memory we had growing up was going out to the chimney and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows on coat hanger wires. That is what we did the first night. Bonnie my Grandfathers new wife made sure that was the first the we did.

We hopped on the back of the truck
ALL of us.... and drove out to the chimney that's a little ways back on the farm. It use to be a house and the only thing left of it is the chimney.

And tried to start the fire....

and tired....(the boys really pushed me out of the way so they could get it started) BOYS....
And We have fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Success. They were so proud of themselves.

And finally we can eat
And just relax and enjoy each others company.
This is Grandma Bonnie and she made my kids feel so at home. I am grateful for her. And glad she is part of the family.

And this is my Grandfather. He so enjoys having the great grand kids around.

Part of the experience of "the chimney" is taking card board boxes out there and sliding down the hill. I didn't get any pictures of that becuase well I was just too scared I would fall down the hill and bust my butt . The kids got absolutely filthy doing it but had a blast. One tick in a very special area and 7 baths later everyone was fast asleep in bed. That much fun can wear anyone out.

Stay tuned for part 2 of our farm adventures!!!

B's and D's oh my

2010-07-04T08:00:00.005-05:00

Nathan our little man is now 11 years old. Yep 11!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it. This little dude, when he was born was born over 3 weeks early and gave me the hardest time the first week of his life. He was born and never really pinked up after delivery and I was so tired that I didn't realize something was wrong. I realized he wasn't crying really good but I was so tried I didn't think much beyond that. So they nurses very calmly told me they were going to take him and just have him looked at and they would be back. The next time I saw him he had already been intebated and had that taken out and was then under an oxygen hood. He was the biggest baby in the nicu. He was almost 7 pounds. I couldn't even hold him for the first couple of days. That was the hardest thing I think that I have had to do, well almost the hardest. He loves puzzles and origami ( he has even confiscated some of my origami stuff) He loves to read and has passionate about most of the stuff he does. He has bad eyes like his mama and is color blind as well. (his glasses were in the shop getting fixed the day of his birthday ) He doesn't want a lot of affection but when he is willing to give it its like a big bear cuddling you!!! He stepped up to the plate when I was sick and really helped the family out. He is a wonderful dude and I am so glad that he chose to come to our family!!!!!

He got an ipod and a CTR ring for his birthday. He wore the ring for a day and then started complaining about how tight it was. We had to pry it off with oil. I will be ordering him a new one becuase its sooo important to him.

My new projects: Top is the dress I have done for my niece. She will wear it after she gets baptized. I haven't hemmed it yet but you get the idea. Bottom: a dress for my other neice. She is such a little cutie and I have to add a few things to it but you get the idea. A friend suggested that I start selling my dresses at a boutique. OH the thought.... I can't even imagine. But I do LOVE sewing!!!

I'm BAAAACK

2010-06-26T15:21:00.006-05:00

Okay I know its been a while since I have posted and I completely blame... MY CAMERA
I would rather post with pictures and since my camera has been on the fritz I haven't been able to post anything. This one is mainly for my family. I have gotten everything painted finally in my house and just wanted to show them. I am what you would say decorator challenged. Anything that has to do with decorating, I don't do well. Most of my pictures that are hung are hung because of my oh so talented mother and sisters. They just have an eye for stuff like that.

This is the girls' room. They are now in what was the old boys' room. Its pretty big and the girls couldn't come to a good agreement on color so I did half the room a light pink(Emma's favorite) and the other half in a light purple(Sarah's favorite). Leighanna brought up a bedroom set(shelves,bedspreds,sheets, pillows,) last year that a friend of hers was getting rid of. This is the only room in the house that has curtains.

This one is Daniel and Matthew's room. I painted this with the same color as the kids' bathroom. Its not as dark in the picture. Its pretty dark and is perfect for Daniel. He is rough on everything. Including his walls!!! Those dressers are the ones we got in Alaska, I painted them black.
Okay this is my bathroom. The pictures don't do it justice. YOu remember the first room when you come up the stairs?? That is the same green I used on my bathroom. It matches my bedspread to a T!!!!!!

I did these stretch frames myself. It was actually pretty fun. THe only thing I wished after I got them up was that I had made them more square instead of rectangle. I couldn't find exactly the kind of fabric I wanted but I do like this fabric.
Okay this is the butt ugly lamp. I was planning on just replacing the lamp shade but after I got it home I realized it doesn't come off. I thought of recovering it but my sister said she did that with one and it was a nightmare and she can transform anything.
This is some of the furniture in my bedroom. All from IKEA!!!
Tom's dresser. LOVE IT!!! If you scroll in closely you will find a huge scratch mark. Guess who? Yep one of the kids. Go figure. We didn't even have it that long and it got scratched.
My sister painted all my bedroom and hung the beautiful mirror when I was super sick. SHe came to help out and she is so good at this I asked her to do my room. The nightstands are from IKEA as well!!!
Okay after 4 I finally got the sitting room painted. Its cream like the main walls. I changed things around a bit and now it feels a bit open. Thank goodness!!! The picture my sister and mom hung.

This picture I hung. It hung in my Grandmother's house. And my grandfather recently remarried and she did some remodeling. I am so grateful I took this. It is just beautiful there and it fills the room out just nicely.
So just a little side note. I was almost done getting this sitting room put back together this morning as I found marker marks over some of the other walls in the family room. I was sooooooooooooo mad. I wanted to just beat her butt. I yelled really good and made her clean it up. I am going to have to paint over them now cause they wouldn't come off the wall. I didn't have any magic erasers at the time so they sat on the wall till this afternoon and now they won't come off. GRRRRRR I felt like I am trying so hard to make my house look nice now that I feel good and here she goes as I am working and marks over everything. I will paint soon just so that I am not mad anymore.

A time out ... for me???

2010-05-11T07:18:00.006-05:00

An official time out starts out with a fun road trip with just me and my sister.
Gotta get some gas for sure
Okay this picture I felt like I still needed to post but no I am not pregnant and I have no idea what I am doing with my hand.
Then a little bathroom play. YOu have to know when my sister and I get together we always goof around like little kids again. Sometimes we all need to act like a kid again.
Then who could have a road trip without the snacks of course.
We asked other family members if they wanted to come tag along but everyone else had something that prevented them from going. So this is my sister Allison. Her and I are connected at the hip. We talk just about every day. She is the sister that actually would bathe me when I was so sick. I know that is a little too much info but you have to know what that means to me when I couldn't do it for myself. She did it and that takes a lot of love!!!!!
Like I said we turn into little kids again!!! thus the "stinky" face.
I had to put this picture in here. This is a bus we saw on our trip and thought it was very fitting. We surely are sweet lips and felt it fit our personality!!!! Plus its just down right funny that there is a town called sweet lips.
So the road trip let us to our much needed TIME OUT!!!!!
Yeah were here!!!! Memphis here we are!!!!!

Okay I turned into a blubbering crazy woman at Time OUt. I was given such a spiritual upliftment and there were so many emotions connected to this special time I can't even explain it.

THis is AManda Dixon. She was a favorite of mine. She spoke about change and how change can be a good thing that we need to welcome. What was more important for me to hear her say was that My best is Good Enough!!!!!!!!! She also said, I felt she was looking and talking only to me, you are the best mother that your children can have!!! Not just the best but the perfect mother. YOu see I have had such hard feelings about being sick a year ago and not be a mother at all. I was just a body in the house. I couldn't connect with my kids, I couldn't play with my kids, I couldn't cook for them. I was "just there". I am not like that anymore but I feel a lot that my disease make me not the mother that I really want to be. I am a mother again but I still get tired easy. Thats just part of my lot. So to hear her say that MY BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH, its true. I have to remind myself that alot.

Okay this was funny. They let us break for lunch and due to unexpected circumstances with the venue and the city, we were very limited to our lunch choices. We ended up in the hotel bar to eat and thought it was funny all the LDS Women eating at a bar. Its just a contradiction right??? We still have fun and the people that worked there I think appreciated our kindness and patience. We overwhelmed them so much that they had to shut the doors and have no more come in cause they couldn't accommodate anyone else.
For the life of me I can't remember this lady's name but she had such a wonderful story. Most of her family she had seen killed. One raped and arms and legs cut off and then she found the church. She went on a mission and has grown so much from the experiences that she has had. She is just a wonderful statement of faith and hope.
HIlary Weeks, who doesn't love her. Her songs are so uplifting.
Okay this is John Bytheway. He is also an LDS modivational speaker. OH our family loves him. My boys really connect with him. He is so good speaking with teenagers. I felt like a silly "fan" I was so nervous when I asked for his autograph and he gave us such a squeeze in this picture. He was telling us how much he appreciated us. What a good man he is.
And last but not least. Jennie Baker Oaks. She plays violin and what a talent man!!!!All of the people have a testimony that is so strong and need to be shared. THis was a gift to us from our husbands for Chirstmas. What they don't know is they have created a monster in us and we are going to need to go every year. This is just a wonderful spiritual time out literally. I get away from my kids for a couple of days and I get my cup filled so that I can be a good mom and give them what they need again. I felt so good about myself after having some really cruddy years with my health and I felt me again. We don't even know what the Time OUt scedule is for next year but TIME OUT FOR WOMEN here we come, don't know where but we are coming!!!!

Meet Ben Franklin aka. Our Nathan Man

2010-04-22T09:06:00.004-05:00

This is Ben Franklin but we know him at our house as Nathan. For connections they had this final project that they had put about 6 or 7 weeks into. He had to do a lot of research on a famous American that has influenced the world for good. So it couldn't be just a Hollywood star or anything like that. He chose Ben Franklin. He asked me to make his costume. So for me the thought of him asking me to sew it was such an honor. I haven't been sewing that long and he had the confidence in me to help him. What a sweet boy. It took a little adjusting but it was done. I didn't have time to learn how to do button holes so snaps came in very handy. What a thinker Ben is.

Here he is with his "babes". Everyone knows Ben for the inventions he came up with but what a lot of people don't know is that he was a babe magnet and he went around boasting about how many girls liked him.

I am not sure why I have two of these pictures but I was afraid of deleting one for fear of deleting both of them. They school had a bald cap, glasses, and a vest for him to wear.
I think this is my absolute favorite of him. The bald cap is a bit worn and makes him look totally fake. I say this is Ben in his prime!!!
Now I have to say (a little pridefully) I think Ben's costume was the best one there. They put on a play completely surrounding all the characters the kids in connections had chosen. There were a lot of influential people there. Ranging from Teddy Roosevelt to oh well now I can't think of any of the girl characters but it doesn't matter anyway because Ben was the best one there!!!
They were taking questions from the audience and Nathan was always in his character of Ben. I am very proud of all his hard work he put into this project. Good job Nathan!!!!

Here is the thrill and fear

2010-04-14T10:09:00.006-05:00

And some of the fun memories we made: We went to Six Flags for the kids' spring break. As a little back ground we all felt a bit jipped out of spring break last year. Our plan was to go to six flags as a family. Well that time of my life was a very very sick time. I was so very sick with my crohn's disease. I thought I could make it because I wanted a piece of happiness with my family among such a sad time. Well I just couldn't do it. I couldn't get away from the toilet. So Tom went with the 5 older kids and it was freezing cold for them. They ended up coming home early. My mom stayed with me and took care of me and the two younger kids. So this trip was more than for the fun and thrills. It was JUSTICE!!!! I am much better now and we all went as a family. My mom came too and we had a full day of sun, fun, thrills, and fears!!!!! Most of the pictures I have are of the younger ones. The older kids went with dad to ride the scary rides!!!
This however is the last ride any of us rode. I never did get to ride the one ride I wanted to and as we were leaving the park the kids realized the Georgia Cylone was open so hurridly we ran to the opening. The kids wanted me to ride and with a little pushing from my sweet husband, I went. After all I didn't get to ride the one ride I wanted to. Yeah I figured it would be a close second. Oh I must have been crazy for agreeing to go.
Look very closely at what we are wearing.
Look closely at the blurr of what is me. One of these days I am going to blow this picture up so that we can really see my face. Let me just describe to you. I have a death grip on the handle of my seat. I have my glasses off because I am afraid of loosing them, I am praying that I will live through this ride. I am also talking myself into breathing, after all we must have air to live. I am not made for these rides anymore. Life is so different as a kid. All I could think about was, what if something happens to me and I can't take care of my family anymore. OH I AM GOING TO DIE!!!!!!!
Alright I can say this is a little more my pace but to be honest the carousel makes me feel a little nauseous. But really this is the kid of area I would rather be in. Slower paced is my style. I know I won't die on a carousel.
This is nice too. The train rides all over the park. So you can take your time and really look and the park. And the people, I think I am a people watcher. I tried coloring the picture of the girls and my mom but I was just too close to them with the flash. I still liked it.

This is a new spot at the park and if you have a boy you know you will be visiting. Its the Thomas exhibit. You can ride Thomas and climb all over the other characters in Thomas the train.

I never could get a real good picture of them on the train.
For a boy who loves Thomas this is just heaven!!!!
Who wouldn't love to drive a big truck???

Okay just watching this one makes me want to loose my lunch but this was just Matthew's thing. He loved all the younger rides.

I have to laugh at this one, it just went a little up and down and that was it. But it was a fun memory for the kids.There were many more rides we rode and we spent all day there. I am so glad we got to go and I am so grateful for my health that it has so much improved since last year and that we could make this wonderful memory together as a family. It was JUSTICE and proof that the Lord has blessed me so much. Stay tuned for the Ben Franklin, and the time out and the many more memories we are making.

Intrigue!!!

2010-04-08T08:05:00.001-05:00

There have been so many things going on and I am actually off to get on a plane today. So I don't have time to say more. I will have to report on everything when I get back. Just some words that might give you some hints: thrill, fear, work, Ben Franklin, a time out for mom, and great memories for all!!!! Can you guess what we have been up to??

Wrestling fans!!!

2010-03-08T14:11:00.003-06:00

Well its official. We are Wrestling fans!!!!!! The older boys have been wrestling with a team for the past 4 months. They are now at tournament time. They had their first tournament this weekend and we had an absolute blast!!!!! It was exhilarating and stressful all at the same time. With three it was good we were both there because Tom and I bounced from mat to mat to mat. We made sure we were listening for their names to be called and at one point we were on opposite mats watching to different kids wrestle at the same time. I felt like I needed a Valium or something to calm my nerves.

This was Emma as we were outside eating lunch after all the boys had had their turns and we were waiting on others to finish.

Aaron placed 3rd in his weight class even though all the kids he wrestled totally outweighed him. He fought hard for his last win. The other kid was actually his teammate so both coaches were had their own kid to coach on the sidelines and it was hard having teammates wrestle. Although I was so glad that two of my own kids didn't go against each other (which was a very likely thing to have happen at this tournament)
Matthew pretending to be spiderman during lunch.
Nathan doing the tight belly laces drive thing. Idon't know what the proper term is. Nathan was very surprised after his matches at how big the kids seemed while he was wrestling them. They were actually his same weight. He almost won his last match, he was one point shy. He did a wonderful job and I think over time he will really be grow with the sport.
I don't know why we don't have any action shots of Daniel but his comment after his very first match up was it went by so fast. He did much better in his second match. I think the first one made him realize how fast he needed to think. I was very suprised at how different each kid was on the mat as opposed to just practicing. Aaron was a dang tiger as opposed to steady at practice and Nathan was a bit timid as opposed to a natural at practice. Daniel was slow on the mat where as practice is slower so he does better at thinking about the moves. Daniel is my gentle teddy bear so I have been really surprised at how much he has enjoyed wrestling. Its so much fun watching him try new things. We had so much fun as a family. I have really enjoyed watching these boys over the season grow and learn new things. I can't wait till they get into high school and wrestle. In fact Aaron will be on the high school team next year. It will be good for him and he is totally excited. He even said he likes wrestling more than football(gasp!!!!) We both commented to eachother how we agree that we would rather see our kids in wrestling than football anyway. We were all on a high coming home. The kids actually all did good and it was a nice family trip to be able to spend some fun time together and we didn't have to pay very much money for. We are officially wrestling junkies!!!

Games Games Games, Lets play some games

2010-02-13T10:54:00.004-06:00

A family holiday tradition is many many games.

Twister with all the cousins
Books, Well they aren't really games but they sure are fun. All the cousins love it when Mutta reads books to them. The was a regular siting during the holidays.
Jumpin Jelly Beans an absolute must when we get together. We love this place. They are so very family friendly place. They don't mind that we have a hundred kids and their is a very nice room for the parents to rest when they get tired.
And the finally of our game playing. I know she is going to kill me but I just had to do it it was soooo funny. My sister is the life of the party. She can cheer anyone up and make them laugh. I on many occasions during the holidays have to have a change of clothes cause I laugh so hard. (hey now if you gave birth to 7 you would have the same problem) So we as adults were playing canasta and my sister started teasing my mom about her "Grandma glasses" You see we as kids never imagined that my mother would ever need any eye seeing aides. But she does a little bit need them. Anyway enjoy the next few and Sorry sis. (not really I had to do it you know)

Fun Holiday Traditions

2010-02-07T20:20:00.004-06:00

I know I am a little behind but I couldn't go withouth posting our usual Holiday traditions.
Getting ready to do gingerbread houses with all the grandkids
Don't they just love helping!!!
A little playing with the cameras never hurt anyone. Gotta do somehting to keep us interested while were waiting on the process
Gotta hole that roof on some how!!!

I think the kids would rather taste than wait for it to set up

The absolute best part of gingerbread houses is decorating it.
Nope I was wrong. The best part is eating it!!!!

Emma my little sugar lover couldn't help but get the frosting off my hands. EWWWWW GROSS!!!!!! Despite the slimy hands we still had lots of fun!!!

End of an Era

2010-01-25T14:23:00.003-06:00

Well I had to document this. We are officially at the end of an era for us. Yes yes its a little bit sad but after having such a rough year I am at a point in my life where I am just excited and grateful for what I have. All my little ones and no desire to have more.

We thought that she might be a little upset as she watched everything being taken down.
She watched happily and even danced all around the room as we were doing it.
We talked the whole time about how big she is and how she gets a bed just like her sisters.
We sang and danced with her and just tried to make a game of it. And wala- big girl bed here she comes. She loved it and was totally excited. Now ask me how bedtime went after a week of being in her new big bed???? As you would expect. A bit of a nightmare it became. But a little adjusting of the door knob and she got the idea real quick that bed time was in her bed and naps were in her bed. She is my little prize. She may have had a rough start in life but she is my little prize for all the nights staying up with babies and all the heartache I had with some of my kids potty training. Easy Easy Happy Happy. I think the Lord knew I needed an angel and that is what I've got. She is just precious and I am glad she loves her big bed!!!

P-j Christmas eve

2010-01-13T15:46:00.004-06:00

So for a couple of years the kids have gotten pajamas for Christmas and its nice to open that up on Christmas eve. I am dedicated this post just to pj's because I have lots of sweet babies and I just can't leave anybody out. They were all very excited about them. I was able to very quickly hem the boys pants because they were all too long. Its so nice to make them shorter so that they aren't tripping over them.

Goffy I tell ya!!!

She wears these every night and doesn't want to take them off in the morning. I was hoping to find some more but when I went back to purchase them they had no more warm pajamas. Goes to show you we are not prepared for the cold weather anymore.
We have taken a couple of kid pictures each Christmas before everyone heads of to bed. One silly one of corse and then one sweet one. Aren't they all beautiful!!!
Notice Matthew does everything his older brothers do.

ThirTEEEEEEN? oh my

2010-01-06T16:58:00.002-06:00

Okay like I said things are jumbled up and our festivities are in no particular order. Also I forgot that the pictures get posted all on the top and there are just too many to change so the funniness of it is less but you still get the picture of our life. So this is the after math of the birthday party. Eliza thought she could get better access to the cake if she sat in the box.

YOu can't tell very well but it was all over the cabinets and it was just a huge mess.

As you can see even an old foogie like me can skate. I was much better in my day but a few pounds and babies later I was a little wobbly

I can't believe he is 13. Its kinda scary. Daniel will be 12 in less than a month and that is scary too. They are pretty good boys though.
Everyone had fun skating except of corse Eliza. She slept for most of the party which acutally worked out well. I guess she must have felt left out for not getting any cake thus the pictures at the beginning.

Christmas festivities

2010-01-03T16:52:00.003-06:00

So I haven't blogged in such a while and so much has happened that I don't know where to start. So in no particular order:

So the beginning of our festivities all started off with band concerts. Both Aaron and Daniel play clarinet and a little pride wells up inside me becuase that is what I played growing up. They sounds wonderful and I was so proud of the both of them. Daniel is in beginner band and as usual they didn't sound like it. Aaron is in concert band and they had some pieces that were difficult but sounded so good after much practice. I secretly hope that everyone wants to be in band and we will have our own little Porritt band. I love music and it would be wonderful.

These may seem a little random and they are but we were on our way to church. We were all dressed up in out matching clothes so that someone could take our picture for the cards that I sent out. That is another Christmas activity that gets done when the holidays roll around.
It really is the best way to take a picture for us. Just having it a part of our Sunday dress. Although the first time we tried this it didn't turn out so good and then the second time we did it, we succeded in the picture taking part but then we had to leave church early because one of our kids ended up throwing up. I am just grateful we got the picture cause in a family our size sometimes you never know.

Guess the art work

2009-12-12T10:58:00.002-06:00

This picture I was so surprised at. Can you guess what it was and maybe who drew it. Hint of hew drew it, look at the little fingers holding the picture.

Wonderful Temple Experience

2009-12-06T12:32:00.003-06:00

If those of you that follow my blog and you don't know as part of our religion we believe in eternal marraige. If you and your spouce are worthy of entering the LDS temple then you can go and be sealed for time and eternity. He are earth when a coupld is married they are married for just this time on earth. We believe that if you are sealed to your spouce you can be married even if one of the spouces die. It is a very special spiritual experience to be able to participate in.
Friends and loved ones checking out a menu for lunch.

Some of the guys gabbing about the football game going on in the background.
Gals talking about their sons
Sisters waiting to be seated
Close friends enjoying in their special day. This is John and Carol our very dear friends. We were so excited to be able to be a part of their special day. John joined the church a little over a year ago and they wanted to be sealed for all eternity.
You have an escort that will help you through the temple. John's escort was Victor. We were so glad he could come back and be a part of it. Carol had her mom and her sister in law as her escorts. They are there if you have questions and you need help.
Carol's family Brother and sister in law on the left and mom and dad on the right.
And just a few special moments with the bride and groom just after their big day. How cute do they look!!!

One Word- EWWWWWW

2009-11-29T16:51:00.002-06:00

The kids found this lizard crawling around while we were outside one day. They decided to pass him around. The put it on me and I just won't put that picture on here cause I look like a silly person. At least the kids were brave.

A great piercing

2009-11-13T13:37:00.003-06:00

Welp we have got our first piercing of the family. Sweet Sarah decided she really really wanted her ears pierced. She kept asking and asking. I asked other mothers opinions and why and why they got their daughters ears done. The we asked what Dad thought. I thought that she was a little bit young but let me tell you I was obviously wrong. She did so well getting them and cleaning them. She can't wait till she can start changing them around. I was 12 and thought that was a good age. I had a friend that had her daughters done at 5. And she had a friend who let her daughters get theirs at 8. Her reasoning was if she can make the decision to be baptised then she can responsibly make the decision to get her ears pierced. I loved that reasoning!!! So one night as our friends were over she got it done. Carol is a beautician and all the stuff to do it in her car already.

The is the before shot of her ear.
Waiting paitiently listening to the explanation that is about to happen.

Marking spot where the whole was going to go.

I think this was a cleaning and numbing of the ear.

Here we go. Are you sure your ready Sarah?

Her reaction to them in the mirror. I LOOOOOOOVE this shot.

And the two after shots of each ear. She looks beautiful and she was sooooo ready. Emma really wanted hers done that same night but I think we will make it an 8 year old tradition if they want them. Emma would be wearing make up and wearing high heals right now too if I let her.

What a beautiful girl!!!!!

First scout campout

2009-10-29T09:28:00.003-05:00

So this was Daniel's firs scout campout. He was so excited. He ready to go and waiting for a long time for his ride. Aaron on the other hand has been on many campouts. He was not near excited as Daniel was but he needed to go to get some merit badges and was so glad that he went. I think the first two pictures their faces were alittle bit dramatized but those packs were very heavy apparently. The bottom picture I think was a little more acurate.

I stood still and was grateful

2009-10-14T13:50:00.007-05:00

Grrrrrr. I have had so much trouble trying to get this post going. All of the pictures posted are just silly little pictures of my family. I read a comment on facebook this morning about how he thought the church made a mistake in saying what they said about prop 8. He said because of the results that have come about and the persecution that many memebers face because of their belief both as memeber and politically. It sparked something in me. I didn't even know this guy and I had to comment about what he said. It really got me to thinking about how grateful I am for my family. You get going in the day to day life, did you do your homework, did I sign all your papers, did you make your lunch, did you do your chores, dinner, go to sleep and wake and busy busy busy all over again. I get so caught up in that, and luckily the Lord brings to my attention in such small ways sometimes how wonderful I have it. I have a big family and wonderful kids who yes make mistakes and irritate me sometimes but they are learning so much right now. I hope when they are older they are my friends. They are my friends sometimes right now but at the same time I still have to be their parent. I want to make it very clear especially if you had any question as to what I stand for. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, yes a Mormon. I believe in the sanctity of marriage. It at times can be bad and ugly I am sure for every marriage. But for the most part it is sweet and beautiful. I feel very strongly that there are 2 things that we and I are to fight for, the sanctity of marriage and free agency. Just because I believe so very strongly about marriage, doesn't mean that I will beat up another person for believing in any different, that of coarse would be taking away that persons free agency. They have the right to believe in what they want. However I know what the sweetness feels like when you are in the temple of the Lord and have been sealed to your husband for time and all eternity and you sit quietly together feeling so grateful for what the Lord has given you. My brother in law is a very straight forward kind of guy. He is the type of guy that would say right is right and wrong is wrong. And thats that. My opinion and strong knowledge of right and wrong does not change the fact that others have the right to believe what they want but it doesn't mean that I will sit by and keep MY shout. I have the right to believe and stand up for what is right just like other people have the right to fight for anything otherwise. That is what is so great about our Country. I will not apologize for offense. If you disagree, great you are entitled to that opinion. Doesn't mean we have to hate eachother over it.

The "Stage" has begun

2009-10-05T09:32:00.003-05:00

I am so very sad. Very very sad. The "Stage" has begun in our family. I am no longer publicly loved with my older two. Its just private love now. It was down right pouring this morning and even if you did have an umbrella you would still get damp. So I offered to walk the boys out to the bus stop with an umbrella and they both declined. I said wait are you embarrassed of me in front of all those kids? Yes was not the answer I was hoping to hear but unfortunately my ears deceived me. YOu would rather get drenched than to be embarrassed of me walking you to the bus stop? Yes was not the answer I was hoping to hear but yet again my ears deceived me. Dang it I think I might have to have my hearing checked. Now they told me I can still come eat lunch with them and that is not embarrasing but for me to walk them to the bus stop would be embarrasing. Whats up with that?? I do love them so much but it actually hurt to think that they are at that stage. Please tell me all kids their age go through this????

The

2009-10-05T09:31:00.001-05:00

Kangaroo's

2009-09-28T09:49:00.002-05:00

Emma and Matthew were invited to a friends birthday party. The party was at a place called Kangaroos. It was this place with big inflated jumping things the kids could jump around on. Mr. Kangaroo decided to make his apperance and Emma was suprisingly very excited. I didn't think she would care much but she wanted to shake his hand and have her picture taken with him. I hardly saw Matthew becuase he was jumping his heart out.

As you can see his whole head was wet from sweat. He had a blast. It was a nice fun activity.

Sarah's baptism

2009-09-21T17:16:00.004-05:00

So its tradition now that we get a group family picture to go in a 3 set frame for the baptism child, a picture with the Bishop, and a picture with dad. We had technical difficulties at the baptism and didn't get all the picture we wanted. So the other pictures came later. We usually get one with the whole family with the kid in the white clothes. My batteries went dead and we only got one and that was with Tom's eyes half closed. That is one big thing I regret not having fresh batteries "just in case" and not going out and finding a baptism dress for her to wear in the water. They have a very limited selection at the church and they only had a jumper that swallowed her whole. But other than that it was an absolute wonderful day. We tagged on with another family in our ward and she thought of things that I didn't and she filled in the gaps and I was so grateful for that. The spirit was soooo strong. She came down stairs the morning of and was so excited. I said sarcastically what are you sooo excited about. And she said to me in a tone like I really had forgotten or something. Mooooommmm I am getting baptized today. What a wonderful day.
Sarah and Bishop Drewes

Sarah and Dad

Cougar Fans to the Core!!!!

2009-09-14T11:54:00.005-05:00

So if you know us a little bit you know that Tom went to BYU and we are huge cougar fans. Well a once in a life time opportunity came up. They were playing Tulane down in New Orleans and Tom, Daniel, Aaron, and Nathan all went. When I first found tickets they wanted $100 bucks a ticket. There was no way. Well a couple of weeks went by and they had more reasonable prices. I would have love to have gone but I just felt like the younger kids were a little bit too young to take. So my family , Uncle John(our friend that we have become so close to the kids all call him Uncle John), Quinten and Kyle another couple of guys from a family in our ward all car pooled. They saw several other people from our ward. The Bishop and a few of his kids and he even saw a guy that he graduated BYU with was there too. This was a place they ate lunch before the game began. They raved about the food. It was just hamburgers and stuff but apparently it was the "best burger I have ever had" each one of the boys said.

This is the huge Y flag they run around before the game and every time they make a touch down.

Daniel saw Quinten decking himself out so he thought he would do the same. What spirit they have!!!

The boys were able to go to the bottom of the seats and actually slap the hands of the maskot Cosmo. They had soooo much fun. It was a wonderful experience for all my boys. They came home talking non stop and talking over eachother to tell me what had happened. They were so excited they didn't even realize they were talking over one another. I am so glad they had fun and that they were able to go together!!! GO COUGARS!!!!!!!

Braces

2009-09-07T19:13:00.003-05:00

That is one beautiful boy I have there. Well maybe beautiful is not the right word for a boy. He is completely and totally handsome!!!!! This was his before shot of his teeth. He was sooo nervous about getting braces once he was in the seat. He just didn't know what to expect so I think that is why. I have never had braces so I didn't know what to tell him. What I did tell him was that the Lord knows and he can help you through it. He said that he was just fine after a few minutes and with a silent prayer. I had no idea that he wanted me to be with him when they did it so I had planned to run an errand and had the two youngest with me and couldn't possibly stay because of them. He did just fine!!!

I told him I wanted an after shot and this is what he gave me silly boy.
This was not the smile he had on his face after they were put on. He was in lot of pain. He didn't eat for a whole day. And for him at this stage is big for him. But he is now use to them and has been back for them to put a new wire in. He says his mouth hurt for a few hours and that was it. I know at least one other kid for sure that will have to have braces. But for now its just Aaron. His teeth weren't so much crooked but apparently he has a huge over bite or under bite or something like that. Anyway my boy is growing up. Sad but exciting at the same time.

A friends visit

2009-08-29T07:36:00.002-05:00

Nathan, Aaron, NOah, Lilly, Sarah, Emma, Eliza, Kendra, Matthew, and Daniel
We lived in Kenai for 5 years and the Green's were some friends that we had while we were there. They had been to Destin for vacation and were going back home and came by to see us. Kenai we made such wonderful memories and had such wonderful times and the Green's were part of that. They moved out of state the same summer we did. I think I can say for both of us that we certianly do miss Kenai and the awesome friends we made.

Tim, Stef, me, and Tom

Explorium Day

2009-08-21T10:58:00.004-05:00

Building a Body out of many parts.....

Doing cool science experiments.....

Building your own roller coaster rides..... are all just a few things we did at the Mobile explorium.
Daniel was the only one who didn't get to do something fun this summer so I asked him what he wanted to do and we would do it. He chose to go to the explorium. He loves that place. We are going to get a family memebership so that we can go anytime we want. They have various different exhibits throughout the year. If you follow us you might remember him going there with Tom on his birthday a couple of years ago. I had picture of them with their heads on platters and apples in their mouths like pump pigs. Just a fun thing to do when you have nothing else to do. What do you do with your family when you have nothing else to do?

Fun Date

2009-08-13T14:15:00.003-05:00

I am not sure how many people know that I was in marching band all throughout high school. I loved it. My junior and senior year I was drum major(the one whole conducted the whole band) I had a blast doing it. A thrill of performing, chills when you play a piece with great emotion, tears when you make a score not as high as you had hoped for, joy in the adrenaline you feel just before you step on the field. OH man it was fun. Well here in the south it is an understatement to say that both football and band are big. In fact they are building a new high school and guess what are the biggest places of the school, the field and the band room. They had about 8 bands come from all over the place to compete. They don't compete against each other really it more against themselves. They want to get the best marks to be given. It was hot and sticky but we went and totally enjoyed ourselves. No one else wanted to go except for Aaron. He had fun. I had so much fun screaming for band. I liked that I ripped a muscle. I was still healing from the surgery.

This picture below was one of the bands we saw as we were parking. They went all over the place to practice. I can't remember now what they called them but they didn't have any woodwinds. It was only brass and drum section, and flag core. NOw I have two kids who are following in my footsteps a bit. Both are playing clarinet. The best instrument around!!!!! Although I really wish I would have tried to play oboe after I got the clarinet down. I wanted to play both.

If we are friends on facebook go and see the band picture. I am sitting dead center of the whole band. If not I have to figure out how to get the picture from there to here.

Cool Resturant

2009-08-07T07:02:00.003-05:00

I know that some of my southern blog followers will know where this is at but what about my northern- Alaskan blogger friends?

If you guessed Cracker Barrel you would be right-y-o!!! I really like this restaurant. We went there after our fun little trip to the beach. This is a place that serves southern home cooking. It doesn't seem like restaurant food. It seems like you are eating at grandmas house and she has just served you some fried chicken and fried okra. Then there is the little store that you walk through to get to your table. Its got lots of old timie things that you can't find just any where. Old fashion candy and huge sets of checkers. My kids love it. This place sells rocking chairs that southerners would have on their porches and if you want to take a load off then you sit. Everyone sits out there waiting for the rest of the family to show up or in our case so they can wait on mom to pay the bill.
This was not my first time eating there but it was my first time bringing the camera there so thus the blog post about it. The kids love this place too. As you can see we are all pink from our day at the beach.

Gulf Shores Beach

2009-08-03T09:58:00.003-05:00

What a blast!!!! I love the sand in my hands and the thrill that the waves give us. I love watching my babies run with joy when a wave crashed on their legs and even when a couple of my babies run with fright when the waves come crashing at their legs. I have a couple who stay on the shore most of the time building sand castles and then I have some that never come out of the water unless we are leaving. I had one who layed in the sand trying to find sea shells.
We weren't even sure if we were going to be able to play at the beach because of the rain. We had alternate plans if that was the case but we got there and it really was the best time to be there. Lots of people left because it had rained and the clouds were still all around and so we spent most of our time not in the direct sun.
The only thing I don't like about the beach is the fright I have as a mother over the possibility of my babies drowing. Or the pain we feel on the drive home as the sun burn gets a little worse. Or the sand that gets in every nook and cranny.
This is the only picture I got of all kids most of them were in the water the whole time so its hard to get pictures of them.
What an awesome day we had. And isn't that the most beautiful family you ever did see????

Post Surgery Get Together

2009-07-28T15:31:00.003-05:00

So I was able to see some of my family that I haven't been able to in a long while after I had surgery. They thought that I might die or something so they decided since I didn't that they would come and see me. (said with sarcasm but in reality the Lord blessed me greatly. And with that I was aloud to stay here with my family) My sister Carla and her son Everett and Chloe(not pictured at top) are staying with my mom while her husband is working. My Grandpa came and was able to give me a wonderful blessing.
My cousin Brian, whom I just adore. We became much closer after my Grandmother died. I was so glad that he came and we were able to visit. I long for him to be happy and realize that he is just one awesome guy and the Lord knows that about him. We are missing a picture of my Aunt who was actually there too.
My niece Isabel celebrated her birthday while we were together and she asked me if I would come with her to American Girl store. She picked out this cute doll that looked so much like her. I felt so honored that she asked me to come. The only adult girl we were missing was my sister Marie. We were missing obviously my family but during this time I was staying with my mom still recovering from the surgery. I am so grateful for all of my family. Some of us are scattered all over and that is hard but I am still so grateful for family and the part that they play in my life.

Splash Pad

2009-07-21T07:24:00.001-05:00

Well everything that I have wanted to do with pictures and text is not working out. I have never had this much trouble getting a post posted. Anyway so if things are weird just ignore it. We went to the new splash pad last week. It was really nice. I didn't know that they were planning on having a splash pad at this park. It is a very nice park for the kids to play at. This was such a nice way to cool off. I never could get a good picture of Matthew without him wiping his eyes.

Daniel said he didn't want to get in the splash pad before we left the house but I told him he must wear his swimsuit just incase he changed his mind. I knew that he would like it and he had a blast along with everyone else.

Eliza was very apprehensive at first but once I got wet she was okay with it. She didn't like getting hit in the face with the water but she got use to it.
I love this picture even though its blurry. I would love to know how to be able to capture the water clearly and then her head blurry. I need someone to teach me some basic photography skills so that I can have awesome pictures instead of just okay pictures. Any suggestions? Allison, Melissa, anyone else with photography skills?
I just realize I don't have one of Aaron.There is always someone that I dont' get a picture of. The girls are with my brother and sister in law and I am hoping to see some pictures of all the fun things they are doing soon.

Sweet picx of sweet babes

2009-07-19T14:44:00.003-05:00

She loves feeling like a big girl and getting up to the computer. She usually creates for of a mess than she is productive however.
How handsome are these two?? I love watching my boys play together.
What is better on a hot summer day after you have sweated like crazy cleaning up scraps from the freshly cut hedges??? I don't think that you can beat a good popsicle.

Hair Cut or No Hair Cut

2009-07-16T12:58:00.003-05:00

When I got home from my little surgery outing, I came back to some changes in my children. Well you would think they would be clinging and just down right irritable since their mother was gone for almost a month and then in the hospital her in town away from them for probably 2 weeks. But no the changes I am talking about is their hair. Emma got hers cut really short. I don't think the pictures do her justice. The back is just adorable. And its so her.

And Aaron well I thought he was the new shaggy dog. Let me give you a little backgroud info. He expressed the desire to grow his hair out a while back and I finally gave in and said as long as I can see your eyes and ears then we are good. Well he has now let it grow and I am not sure if I like it. The more I see it the more I think its okay. He is a good kid and I am not having to deal with much attitude from him or drugs or an other bad approaching teenage-hood idis. But as you can tell it is over the ears and that is what I hate the most about it.
So you tell me adorable or shaggy dog?

Family Summer Fun

2009-07-12T18:14:00.003-05:00

So the first thing that we did when I came home from TN was celebrate Nathan's birthday. I called him on his birthday and asked how he felt and he practically yelled through the phone, "MOm double digits, I am finally double digits!!!!!" I didn't' realize he was THAt excited about it.
So for a very long time I had been serching for a board that could keep his puzzles on that he loves doing. I found this one in TN at a hobby shop and I was just so excited about it. He loves it. And it was half the price that I could have paid to get one from London(the only place I have found one around)
My mother in law got the kids a coupld of fun water pool things to play in while I was gone and we spent time outside together just hanging out. I got some fun pictures of the kids playing.

I am so glad to be home and with my family I have really enjoyed watching them and just taking them in. What summer family fun things do you enjoy???

Wonderful Blessings

2009-07-08T14:57:00.002-05:00

I don't have pictures to post and I have been pretty been out of it for months and months. And it is a little overwhelming to think of backtracking but I will just say that I am doing sooo much better. Some know of the situation and some may not. I had surgery in TN and spent almost a month recooping at my sisters before coming home. I had 8 inches of my intestine cut out and a blockage the size of a softball cut out as well. I have had many things that I have learned through this long long trial. It has worked up to this since November of last year. I would not want to have anyone else go through it nor do I want to go back and do it again but I have learned an aweful lot. I can now eat(I am still scared with many things but...) I can eat and eat without throwing up every day!!! There have been sooooo many wonderful people that have helped us through this trial. OUr big family has really been through a lot and it will take time for all of us to adjust again but we are a family and will be stronger for this. So having said that my goal is to get back to my normal. Which includes keeping up with everyone and the blogs. Also blogging my self.

Colonoscopies and Carts

2009-04-22T09:54:00.002-05:00

This is the most modest picture I found. I figured I could put a more detailed picture of what a colonoscopy is but I figure if you want you can go do the research. How many of you can say at the age of 31 that you have had a inch wide tube shoved from your back side all the way up to the end of your large intestine? YOu see I have Crohn's as many of you know. Its a disease that affects my intestines. It has been quite painful and honestly a pain in my rear(no pun intended) lately. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and started realizing how funny it was that I would go in to see my doc yearly and would be sitting in the waiting room with much more "mature" people of advanced age. I use to think this is crazy I am so young and don't really have many problems with it. NOne the less I would do as doctor ordered and take regular medications to help. So I have now had my second colonoscopy. I had the best experience. I was abruptly woken up by my nurse and I really didn't want to wake up. I had an overwhelming urge to go to the bathroom. She ran and got my husband. As I was waiting I heard the man next to me snoring. I started laughing uncontroably. It was the funniest thing that I ever heard. So off we go to the bathroom. I sit down and start to loose my balance. It was the funniest thing I felt. I procedded to laugh uncontrolably. My husband asked what was so funny. That was the funniest thing I had heard anyone say in my life and procedded to laugh uncontrolably. He helped me get dressed and I couldn't control my leg enough to put it into my pants. That was the funniest thing I have ever tried to do. I laughed my head off. We finally get out of the bathroom and they put me in a wheel chair. I couldn't lift my own leg to put it on the foot rest. That was the funniest thing and I laughed my head off. I waited by myself as my husband went and got the car. Two woman walked in with a gurny and they had those little blue surgical caps of their head. That was the funniest thing I have ever seen and proceeded to laugh my head off. I over heard my nurse saying to them she's been really giggly ever since she woke. That was the funniest thing I heard her say and proceeded to laugh my head off. I couldnt' control it. Tom heaved me into the car and I wasn't expecting it. I laughed my head off. I couldn't control it. What was wrong with me. Why did I find everything so funny?? Its a side affect to the anestisia. I loved that feeling. Everything was good and everything was happy. If I could get my hands on that kind of medicine I would be in trouble because I would want to take it all the time.
How many of you can say you at the age of 31 have needed to drive yourslef around in Walmart with a moterized cart? I can say I have had to do it on several occasions now. These carts are suppose to be for wiser more mature people in advanced age. Not 31 year olds. I have had several hospital stays this year and its soo nice to be wheeled around after almost dying at least once and coming very close another time. The disadvantage is you can't shop for a big family with one of these. Little tip: bring a helper and you can just point to the things that you want and they push the heavy cart and do allll the work. That is the life. I wondered what people thought of me being so young in this thing but with my energy deep down really didn't care. All I could think of was that at least I wasn't spilling out of the motorized cart and didn't have twinkies in my cart. That seems like a contardiction in terms or thoughts rather. Despite having to do the things that advanced mature much wiser people do, I am so grateful for my life and the things that I have learned through out being sick. I take every day as it comes. I am so blessed to have the good days as I call them and know that one day I will have more good days than bad ones. I do pray it comes sooner rather than later however.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T18:24:00.006-05:00

These are just a few picture that we took of our wonderful day. We had such a wonderful day. Tom says I always pick unflattering pictures of him but I think he looks great no matter what. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I am so grateful for the Savior's sacrifice. Its so awesome that we have the joyous thoughts of his resurrection instead of having to dwell on his crucifixion

a nice day at the park

2009-04-02T08:38:00.002-05:00

Emma 6 years old

We had a nice little day at the park. I can't ever seem to get everyone's picture unless its a kids birthday. So I have to settle with various children. It was a beautiful day and I was so grateful I felt well enough to take them. They had a good time.
Eliza 1 year old
Matthew 3 years old

My Daniel man

2009-03-25T08:24:00.003-05:00

So I finally uploaded my pictures onto the computer. THat is one reason why I haven't blogged lately. These are just some of the pictures on my card. I singled out DAniel because I never get any pictures of him. He is such a quiet person. He sticks to himself and you rarely hear anything out of him or even see him for that matter. He can blend in so easily and get lost amongts all of my other loud children. He is a big teddy bear a loves hugs and loves to be tickled. When he does open his mouth it is to say something very intellegent. He such a sweet kid and I love the pictures I got of him.

Long Time no Blog

2009-03-12T09:41:00.003-05:00

It has been a long time since I have blogged. I have not been feeling well and I got a break and am feeling a little bit better so I thought I would try to add some things that we have been up to. My mom came during her winter break for a week. Its always fun when Mutta comes.

Sweet kids

2009-02-28T09:07:00.002-06:00

I know its blurry but I still think its sweet.
Here's a few candid pictures we've taken lately. I am realizing the older boys are never still enough for me to take their pictures. I have to really pin the down to get their pictures.
I absolutely love this picture of Tom and Eliza. It is just so sweet to me.
Here's our youngest Mardi Gras fan. Mardi Gras is huge here and it can be really fun.

Picture Tag

2009-02-25T08:44:00.003-06:00

Go to your 6th file and take your 6th picture and use that as your picture tag. Its fun to see what pops up.

This is Aaron when he was 8 years old. We were living in Kenai and it looks like he was working on his homework. We loved that house.

I tag: Christine B., Kim, Candi, Dawn, and anybody else who wants to do it because it was fun seeing what comes up.

Peek-a-Boo

2009-02-23T10:36:00.001-06:00

Eliza has really changed alot over night it seems like. Here she is doing one of her favorite things. Climbing in the cabinet playing peekaboo. She is into all the cabinets in the house. She loves getting tuperware out and my pots and pans. The toy basket rarely gets played with anymore.

What?

2009-02-20T09:38:00.001-06:00

Please tell me what in this picture doesn't belong?

My sweet girl

2009-02-12T09:33:00.002-06:00

We are quickly approaching Eliza 1st birthday. It has been a very long year for her and me. She was so sick from the very beginning of her life and she suffered for so long. We finally got her all well and the poof I get really sick. I am feeling better now and she is changing so much. I am really enjoying her. She is standing up wanting to walk and is so proud of herself when she pulls up and furniture. She jabbers like no tomorrow and really is confident that we can understand everything she is saying. She waves goodbye and has gotten chunky. This little girl struggled for so long gaining weight and now no longer on any baby food except formula she is gaining like crazy. She loves men. I am not sure why but not just any woman can console her but just about any male can. She prefers her oldest brother over me any day. And when her dad gets home oh man its over. She is all over him and he just loves that. Its a bit sad seeing her growing up but at the same time it is soooo much fun. This is the best age I think starting at a year all the way till just before terrible twos. I love her so much and am glad to have her in our family. I know that I will miss having a little one around but life must go on and one day she will be crying her eyes out because her baby is sick and she doesn't know what to do to help her.

Lucky 7 Tag

2009-02-10T07:58:00.003-06:00

I know this post isn't about them but I love this picture of Sarah and Emma.
This might be harder than I thought!! Here goes.

7 things I can do:

Listen- I am a good listener
Have babies- I seem to be good at that even though that is not going to happen ever again
laugh so hard I pee my pants- don't get me with my family becuase you will definitly see some wet pants
crinkle my tounge
multi-task
drive
watch tv all day long when I am not feeling well

7 things I can't do:

decorate- I have no talent what so ever for decorating
play video games - they make me sick to my stomach
fly with ease- I have horrible motion sickness and I hate the whole idea of getting up in the sky in a big old metal thing filled with fuel- once your up you must at some point come down and what if everything isn't working just right
ski- have never even tried
ice skate- don't think my ankles would even do that
be creative- I am really good a copying an idea but to come up with the idea myself is another story
hummm I can't think of anything else

7 things I say the most:

did you make your lunch?
did you make your bed?
did you brush your teeth?
did you wipe your butt?
did you wash your hands?
are your chores done?
where is your underwear?

7 goals for the new year:

Okay for this one you may say this is a cop out but if I make goals for myself and don't meet them then I put too much pressure on myself. THe biggest thing I strive for is to have less stress in my life in hopes to keep myself healthy. I am not yelling anymore, I am cooking almost every night and have it done by 10 am so that I am not too tired at dinner,I do some kind of laundry every day to not get overwhelmed, I breathe more and think about what my body is doing. All these things I must do to not have stress in my life. I guess you can say all those are goals.

7 reasons I fell in love with Tom:

He made me laugh
He intrigued me
He had the things that I wanted out of a man, went on a mission, loved the gospel, was worthy to take me to the temple
He treated me with respect
Of course he was the most handsome man in the world, sorry ladies its true
He was knowledgeable in the gospel(that was sooo important to me)
He accepted me and still cared for me after knowing all of the stupid mistakes I had made as a teenager

7 things I love to eat:

italian food
breakfast- just about anything breakfasty I looooove
cookies(I can't eat anymore or they hurt me)
ice cream(I can't eat anymore or it really really hurts me)
I don't know- everything who doesn't love food all the time!!!!

7 people I tag: anyone of you that want to do this would be aweosme. Its fun learning new things about every body!!!! THanks Candi!!!

Living on the "wild" side

2009-02-06T10:29:00.003-06:00

This is John our friend. He and his wife Carol don't have any kids of their own so they have adopted mine. My kids adore them and I love them as well. What kid doesn't want to take a ride on a motorcycle?? As you can see the kids all LOVED it!!! The older boys were at a friends house at the time and they missed out on the ride. BUmmer!!

Birthday celebrations

2009-02-04T14:22:00.005-06:00

We try and take a family pictures(minus a parent) at each kids birthday. John and Carol were here and they have become part of our family. We just love that they could celebrate with us.
This is something that Daniel wanted to do for his birthday. Helium balloons. Its just a fun way of celebrating. Daniel's gift was something we wouldn't usually get but it was the only thing he wanted and he was totally excited about it. Can you tell??

YOu need what???

2009-01-29T13:14:00.001-06:00

YOu need what??
Feel them mom, I am serious. My toes are scrunched up again.
Are you serious??
I just bought you new shoes like 2 months ago.

This conversation has taken place more than I want to admit. Aaron needs new shoes again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What happen to the good old days when a pair of tennis shoes could last a kid all school year? Every time I am turning around I am having to buy new shoes for someone. Aaron is growing so fast right now he needs new shoes just about every two months. Right after school started we bought him new shoes and he had grown 2 sizes. I felt like the worst mother. But between 3 growing boys its CRAZY!!!!!!!! When will the growing feet stop?? Don't misunderstand I love shopping. Here we come again!!

Our First Temple Trip

2009-01-25T19:51:00.002-06:00

This is the Angel Moroni that tops most MOrmon temples. This one is Baton Rouge.
John and Carol(my dear friend who bent over backwards to help me while I was sick) And me and Aaron.
This was the day after I got out of the hospital the first time. But I couldn't miss his first temple trip ever. He was so excited and so was I. I was still in a lot of pain but it was worth going to see my sweet boy partake in such sacred things. My friends John and Carol was their first time through the temple also. He is a recent convert and he was just as cute and giddy as Aaron was. What a wonderful special day we had. There were lots of family names for people in our ward and it was a very wonderful day. I am so glad I had my camera.

New Found Appriciation for Life

2009-01-20T07:25:00.002-06:00

I couldn't find the perfect picture for all of the things that I have been feeling. This picture was taken at the Baton Rouge Temple the day after I got out of the hospital. It was Aaron's first temple trip(more to come on that). As many of you know I have struggled with Crohn's disease for about 5 years now. This year has been so very hard on me. Eliza was so sick for so long and as soon as we got her well my body took a turn for the worst. I have struggled really hard since the beginning of NOvember. I stopped eating for months because it just hurt so bad. I have just gotten out of the hospital again on Saturday after being in for 3 days. My heart is feeling so many things it is just so hard to put into words. I was at deaths door and the Lord saw fit to save my life. THe last night before going to the ER I had such clarity(and my brain had been so deprived of food that I couldn't think well for a long time). The Lord told me to get to the ER and do it NOW. As soon as I said it I got even worse which I didn't think could even be possible. My friends and family have watched me loose so much weight and I have become someone I don't know. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days and every day I feel like I have more and more energy. There have been so many people serving me and my family through this time my heart is overflowing with gratidute. THey have come and cleaned my home(which hasn't done in I don't remember how long) THey have washed my clothes and brought countless meals in and taken over the children. Matthew has had playing buddies and friends to hang out with and he has had so much fun. I have learned so many things from being this sick. I am doing what I have always wanted to do as a mother but I need to remember that DAna is just as important as my children are and I need to take time every day for me to reflect on my health and keep in check with it. I can't put into words the Christlike attitude these sisters in my ward have had in so willingly being able to help and they do it with no regard to themselves. I am actually scared to say it since I have been sick for so long but I feel like my health is on the road to recovery and I pray that I am not wrong about that. I love my family and the joy that they are to me. WE all get caught up in the day to day that I was not taking time to enjoy them. I was just enduring and we can't do that any more. When we pass on from this life we will not have the worries and schedules we do and one day I will look forward to enjoying every minute but on this earth I will steal all the chances I get to slow down and be a Heavely Family. I already new this but the Lord knows me and loves me. There are so many people and he knows ME.

HSM's youngest fan around

2009-01-06T08:43:00.003-06:00

THis is High School Musical's youngest fan. I hope you can hear the music good enough. And if any of you know how to turn the video let me know. I can't figure out how to do that.

Christmas Day

2008-12-31T16:05:00.002-06:00

Since several have asked, and I was very unclear, I was in the hospital last week for Crohn's. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago and ever since I have had Eliza it has been out of control. I can't keep food down. I went 2 months without eating becuase it hurt so bad. It has been really hard being mom and being so sick. It has changed our lives completley. I felt pretty hopless for a while but now I have some good doctors and I am confident that they can help me. I didn't understand why people would give me their sympothy after finding out, (becuase it use to be not bad at all) but now I understand the sympothy. I have lost a lot of weight and feel so guilty when people say man you look so good becuase I haven't been trying and honestly I would much rather be completly fat than to deal with what I am. Right now I take everything day by day. My goal is to have more better hours in a day than bad. This Christmas has been very strange for me becuase I am the one busy busy busy but I have just had to take a back seat and let others serve me. I am so grateful for a sweet husband who becomes mom as soon as he walks in the door and older children who see the need to help the little ones. And what was suppose to be a simple explanation has now turned into a book so without further adooooo.... THE CHRISTMAS PICTURES!!!!
What can be better than Christmas chocolate? She could care less about the presents but she loooooved the chocolate. She kept batting her eyes at Tom and he would share his chocolate with her. SUCKER!!!! WHo could resist those eyes though??
Maybe now she will stop messing with my camera?
These were a huge hit even though he doesn't like wearing clothes.
NOw this picture must say it ALL!!! This was Santa's doing. I am going to have to have a talk with that big man. Seriously it is a fun little game. Even I have played. Despite the gifts it was a nice easy going Christmas. We felt like it was just right. FUn with gifts and family time getting to know the Savior. I am so greatful for him and the example he is to us. I am so grateful for the strength that he has become in my "sick" times. I am constantly amazed that when I am really needed then I have the strength and when it can just wait then I am sick. He has done that for me. I am grateful for healthy children and modern medicine that can help when we need a leg up. I love Christmas and everything that we feel during this time of year. I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!!

Christmas Concert #2

2008-12-26T08:15:00.002-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been really sick and in the hospital. I have had very little energy to do the daily things in life. I am praying that all the new things the docs are doing will help me. So here is our 2nd Christmas concert. Only I went with him because we had sick kids at home. They have to hold it at the local college because they are just too big to do it in the school. I was quite impressed and proud of my beginner band student. They were more disciplined than my high school band was. They take it seriously and prided themselves in doing a good job. I played the clarinet in school and so a little of my pride came out seeing my son up their playing "my" instrument. I wish you all could have heard them. They really sounded good. The only thing that closely made them sound like a beginner band was an occasional squeek but even those numbers were very low especially considering how many beginner band members there are. There are 54 clarinets alone!!!!!!!!! That was my whole band gowing up basically. Crazy. The picture below was just a small part of the band. The beginners sat in the middle. The Jazz band was on the stage. The concert band was to the right. And the symponic band was to the left(not really seen in the picture) The symponic band was my favorite. Aaron told me that is the one he wanted to try out for. Secretly that is what I was hopeing for. They seem like they get the most diverse music to play. Can you tell I am proud?

Christmas concert #1

2008-12-12T14:21:00.002-06:00

I know its a little dark. I couldn't get any picture that were any lighter. Daniel is the one in the back with the striped sweater. So he was invited to participate in his school Choir directors church choir. (thats a mouth full!!)There were a select few who were asked out of Honor Choir and he was excited. He loves to sing and be in the choir. They were having an orchestra play as well. All in all it went well. I was a tad disappointed because I thought it would be lots of Christmas songs but half way through they did a little sermon on even passed the collection plate around. It was nice being among others not of our faith who really do love the Lord and want to celebrate his birth. The childrens choir sounded wonderful and were not at all intimidated by the huge number of people on stange from the church choir. They sounded wonderful and I love watching my children perform. He took everything his teacher taught him to heart. YOu could see his little chest rising filling up with air in the end to get ready for the big finale. The little things make them so happy and proud of themselves. The fact that we came to see him and made a big deal of it makes him so happy. We are proud of him.

2008-12-10T10:05:00.000-06:00

Another great give away at Simply Sweet Marriage!!!

Parades are suppose to be calm right?

2008-12-10T07:38:00.004-06:00

We went to one of the many Christmas parades that they have around the are. It was chilly and Eliza was sick so unfortunately Tom was at home with Eliza. As it turned out it warmed up a bit and I had wished they had been there. Either way we had a good time. We got there just before they closed the road down. But it still took about 15 minutes for us to see any parade.

So what else would any normal person do while waiting for a parade to start?
Walk on their hands of course!!! Both Sarah and Emma were really good at this.
Then we were so excited to see a friend of our is the parade. The kids shouted with excitement in seeing someone that they knew from church.

Then comes my favorite part of any parade. Some how I realized my chest got a little bigger and I stood a little taller when the band came along. Pride comes out and I start talking about my "glory days" in the band and leading the whole band down the streets during parades in my little town. This one was a little bit smaller than my band but they played with just as much heart as we did.

Last but not least we saw Santa coming down the lane in his big old red chariot. What parade would be complete without Santa!!! Parades are suppose to be calm and exciting and if I could have cocooned my little children then that is what it would have been like. But all around us there were people running out almost getting hit for candy and everyone had this mentality of give me give me more. Yes its fun to get candy thrown at you but I draw the line at fighting with other kids over some little piece of candy. One lady was worse than all the kids. She would walk up to everyone in the parade, say Merry Christmas, and expect them to give her anything they were throwing at the crowd. She on more than one occasion sent her children running down the street to catch someone whom they had missed and get the "things" they were passing out. It made me sad but still somehow I was able to mentally cocoon my children and we all had a good time despite almost being plowed over for candy. Life is changing and it was testament to me that we must continue to be in the world but not of it. I know that my children had a good time and they are still so innocent enough to be oblivious to what happened around us thank goodness. I love the Christmas season and a good parade helps kick of that spirit of Christmas.

2008-12-06T08:59:00.001-06:00

I won!!!! I can't believe that I won something. I won this stuff from Simply Sweet Marriage. I never win anything. You guys check them out!!! Go see what I won.

2008-12-05T09:16:00.001-06:00

I signed up for another give away at Simply Sweet Marriage. YOu guys go check her out!!

I HEART Cousins!!!!

2008-12-03T09:36:00.003-06:00

Kate just loved Eliza. She would go around and kiss her and hug her. She even would try to sit on Eliza's lap alot. We think that maybe she must have done that in the womb with her sister Anna. It was so sweet to watch the two of them together. When my sister first got here with the kids Eliza didn't know what to think about Kate's affection but by the end of the trip(when Kate wasn't feeling good) Eliza was the one to shower the affection.

I know that this isn't a very flattering picture of me but I love how everyone piled around to get into the picture. And it turned out just so cute. If I could add makeup and have my hair done magicly it would be the perfect picture.

After seeing this picture I realized that we don't have even one picture with all of the kids in it. this is the closest that we came to having all the cousins together in one picture that were at my house at one time. All of my kids are in the brown shirts, then there is my mom and dad, and Isabel. We were missing Gabe(who hates taking pictures) and then Anna and Kate (who were at home with their dad who also hates taking pictures. I love the holidays. It is a nice excuse to be around family and eats lots of good food and not have to work and just spend nice time together. We didn't do a whole lot but we still enjoyed one another. We just wished the rest of the family would have been with us too. We miss you all!!

2008-12-03T07:30:00.002-06:00

Hey you guys just a little awesome plug for my friend. Simply Sweet Marriage Is a website that my friend has put together that is designed to help marraiges in a non pornographic manner. She is doing lots of give aways this month so you guys go check her out!!!

A tag

2008-11-23T16:43:00.003-06:00

* Link to the person who tagged you Allison I don't know if I really truly have weird quirks. Maybe you all should tell me if I do or not!!!

*Post the rules on your blog

*Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself

* Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them

* Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog* Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

Okay, here goes:

I have no memory what so every(I stole this one from my sister in law but it holds completely true to me!!) I feel weird around people sometimes becuase I can't remember hardly anything. The older I get the worse it gets. Sometimes I really think that there is something wrong with my brain, maybe something missing?!?!
The bedroom closet doors must be shut after use. I know that alot of you know that about me but I don't know that many people feel the same way. I hate it when they are left open. If you are in there then fine but when you are done then by all means shut them!!!
I will not drink after my children!! I think that this one is a common one. But it totally grosses me out. I can have a full cup of an good drink and a child take a drink nope its not mine anymore. GROSS!!!
I have silly little piles everywhere. Things like mail that I don't know what to do with or am not ready to file away. One big one is always around the computer area. Tom hates it but its something I am working on but haven't mastered yet.
I still walk outside barefooted if its for something quick like getting the mail or chasing down an escapee child. That must be why I have such ugly calusus on my heals( that and I am getting old too)
I hate plucking my eyebrows!!!! I know its a must and looks so much better when its done but I am not very good at it so I always end up pinching myself. That is maybe one of two really horrible places I can think of on the whole body that should never be pinched!!! I really only started a couple of years ago when my sister convinced me to wax them. Well once you do that you have to keep up with it becuase it just looks horrible if you don't.

I am addicted!!

2008-11-20T17:00:00.003-06:00

72%
Okay is this sick or what? I have just stumbled upon a Mormon collection of blogs. I have spent so much time looking at everyone's blogs I don't know. I do that on a regular basis but to know that they are members and to see church stuff around their house was so much fun. So I stumbled on this survey to find out how addicted I am. It was fun. Yes you do have the option to sing up for free online dating when you take the survey and maybe that should have been a clue for me that I have no life? OH well I have enjoyed my time seeing lots of different blogs today. HOw addicted are you?

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Online Dating

My first Deacon

2008-11-17T08:28:00.002-06:00

All I can say is you wouldn't know how a mother feels to see her son pass the sacrament unless you have experienced it. My sister in law told me about my nephew who is 3 months older than Aaron about him getting the priesthood and going to Young Mens activities. I was happy for him and her but I didn't really realize what that felt like until Aaron turned 12. He was ordained as a deacon and given the Aaronic priesthood yesterday. I am so proud of him words can not express. Before he passed the sacrament I asked him if he was nervous. He very calmly told me no I'm fine. We let me tell you I was nervous for him. He was so reverent and I was the proudest mama in the congregation. I can't wait for my other sons to experience these same things. He was so excited about being ordained that he was dressed for church hours before we were ready to go. He had his first fire-side last night as a Young Man. He loved it. He will be teaching the lesson next week in priesthood too. There are just so many first that my joy is over flowing for him. I am so proud that he is worthy to hold the priesthood. I am so proud of how he was so reverent at passing the sacrament. I am so proud that he brought the bread for the sacrament without reminder. And I am so proud that he agreed to teach the lesson without being scared out of him mind. I am just so proud of my baby. The picture is (l-r) our Bishop Drews, Dad and son, John a friend in our ward who was only baptised 6 weeks ago and was the first time he layed his hands on anyones head, and Ron Hearn a grandfather we just recently discovered was living very close to us. There are so many of you that I wish had been there for this wonderful day. Just know that I was proud enough of him for all of you combined!!!

Chevron picknic

2008-11-11T06:57:00.002-06:00

Every year Chevron puts on a family picknic that is just soooo much fun. There is yummy food and treats and games galore to win cute little prizes. There are all kinds of inflatables to slide and bounce on. As you can see from the pictures. I can't get too many of them becuase the kids are so busy to stop and slow down. This year Daniel, Sarah, and Aaron went on this flight simulator ride. Its a commitment becuase you wait in line for a long time but they all came out saying it was worth the wait. Daniel actually threw up afterwards. He had just eaten lunch.
And if any of you know Matthew well at all you would know that this is the only thing that he wanted to do the whole day. The train is slow and boring for an adult but a wonderful ride for a kid who loves trains. It was a very nice weekend family event.
Daniel was fixing to get on this big alligator slide when I caught him long enough to take a picture.

Me? an Award? Cool

2008-11-07T07:24:00.006-06:00

I can't believe that I have won an award. I never win anything. Its pretty cool!!!!

This is the site that nominated me.Life's Treasures Melissa, She is my sweet friend and I have really gotten to know her more through our blogs. Blogging has become so much fun for me and I am learning computer skills that I never would have learned had it not been for blogging. Thankyou Melissa!! So here are the rules:

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

All of you my sweet blogging friends. It is so hard to just pick 5 and I want you all to know that I admire you all and wish I could be like you. YOu make me want to be a better woman. !!!!!

Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

•Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

•Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

•Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

Unfortunately now I have to pick just 5 of my wonderful blogging friends out there.

Stephanie: She is my friend who we will always both be connected to Alaska. She makes me laugh and I admire her. She is happy despite struggles she has. That is hard to do and I admire that.

Tracy: My friend who cried with me as we were leaving college not knowing what life would bring us next. She has 5 children and I wonder how she does so much with them. I wish I could be like her. I just try to survive the day and she thrives the day.

Heidie: OH man Heidie is amazing. She has accomplished so much and overcome so much in her life. She has an amazing family as well.

Leighanna: My sister in law who I am learning more and more about and am so glad that she is in our family. She is creative and always says shes not. She is a wonderful mother.

Gina: Sweet friend in the cold Trundra who always was willing to serve and be a friend even when its hard to get out of the house.

What was he thinking????

2008-11-03T06:36:00.002-06:00

He may have a big smile on his face but I wanted to kill him. He claims he was in there getting his clothes out of the dryer because he couldn't reach them from the floor. URRRG!!! Only my boys would think of something this crazy to do. Or am I wrong???

3 years old

2008-11-01T08:28:00.001-05:00

For some reason I couldn't figure out how to get this picture with the other post. I couldn't find these on my computer so I had to use my picasa and anyway this is the solution another post. Enjoy!!!

Matthew the big 3!!

2008-11-01T08:17:00.000-05:00

He asked for a Octopus cake and this is what he got. It is just so cute even though it got smashed a little. He had a good time and that is what matters.

Witches Hat Soiree

2008-10-25T15:05:00.000-05:00

My friends threw this little mother daughter witches hat party. WE had such a good time. WE made braclets and boo baskets and candy necklases. WE decorated cookies and made cute little halloween decorations.

It was fun without being scary. I think that is what Halloween should be all about. Just fun!!! Thanks girls for a good party.

Family Corn Maze activity

2008-10-22T07:11:00.003-05:00

Daniel must have thought milking this cow was fun or somthing???
We went to a corn maze a couple of weeks ago. We had a good time. They had some other activities to do as well. The kids rode in the cow train(that was the favorite) and they had cannons that shot corn and you had to try to hit the target.
We also we on a hay ride. I don't know what I expected out of the hay ride but it definitely was not what I expected. Maybe part of it is when you think of hay rides you think of cool crisp air. But our hay ride we were sweating and coughing from all the dirt the tractor kicked up into our faces.
In the corn maze we had to answer questions to get out of it. If you answered a question wrong you would end up getting lost. I think we did pretty good. But it was hot and we were all pooped out by the time we hit the end of it. This is what everyone looked like after the maze and before lunch. It was fun but we won't be back. Starting next year they won't let you bring you lunch to eat. They want you to spend your money on their food. They had this nice area to eat lunch and everything. Maybe we should do this often becuase eveyone was nice and quiet for a few moments after.

My little Miss Eliza

2008-10-15T16:59:00.002-05:00

Miss Eliza just had tubes put into her ears this morning. I was thinking of describing what my life has been like since she has been born. She has suffered and been in pain from the day she was born. First she dealt with colic, then acid reflux, then as soon as we get her acid reflux under control she started having cronic ear infections. The poor baby has been in pain her whole life. My life as a mother has stopped completely. She has cried her whole life. So the natural thing as a mother would be, to do what it takes to make her happy. So she has rarely left my arms since birth. My life has stopped. I have watched others lives go on and I sit in life standing still. I don't know if even what I am saying make since but a nurse at the surgery center had a granddaughter with the same problem and she new exactly what I have been going through and understood. I pray with all my heart that these ear tubes will finally bring her out of pain and into a whole new world for her. I have caught glimpses of her true sweet spirit and I know there is a tender happy girl in there. She had a blessing last night that said she would be happy again and out of pain.
I have had a blessing that has told me that I have lessons to learn in helping her and that she is preparing me for later trials in life. At first thought you may think oh heavens what trials will she be going through but I feel okay about it all. I feel grateful to have her in my life and grateful that she is helping me learn things that I need to learn. We came home from the surgery center this morning and she smiled so big. She smiled like I haven't seen her smile in months. She has been happy and has played on the floor without me needing to be with her every second. She has been exploring instead of looking to see where I am at. She is showing signs of the baby I know that she is. The first picture is my baby. My Eliza. The sweet little spirit I grew to know the day she was born. I pray with all my heart that my lessons are over and I have learned what I need to. I pray even more that she will be out of pain for good and can enjoy her life on this earth. I know that life is about trials but she is so little to have to learn from the painful trials.

Anniversary

2008-10-06T14:16:00.002-05:00

I sit here only hearing the hum of my computer and the wind blowing outside. What a wonderful sound to hear sometimes. I now have a new favorite flower. Lillies. These flowers are absolutely beautiful!!!! Why flowers you ask? Well Tom and I just celebrated our 13 wedding anniversary about a week ago and this is what he sent to the house. They are absolutely beautiful. I just can't get over how pretty they are. The only draw back to flowers is that they end up dying and what was once a beautiful lovely exciting bouquet turns into this yucky pile of wilted brown stuff. But they are still worth it to enjoy for a week the beauty they bring. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband in my life. I never questioned weather or not I would marry him. When I met him I just new that I was going to marry him. He asked me to make sure because he didn't want me regretting my decision down the road because I was so young and hadn't done a lot. I was 17 when we were engaged. I have never regretted my decision nor will I ever. He is a very loving man who works his butt off to provide for our family and very righteous man who strives to be his best every day. I am especially grateful that he has the priesthood and can give me a blessing any time I need it. He rubs my back when he is tired and puts away the laundry even though he doesn't want to. I am so glad to have him in my life. He is my best friend. He's a wonderful man and I love him dearly. He gets better and better with time. I just hope he can say the same for me!!! Happy anniversary to us!!!

5 facts/habits tag

2008-10-02T08:02:00.005-05:00

5 Facts/Habits about ME

I am good at birthing babies. It may seem weird but for me it is a talent of mine(even though I will not be doing it any more, you gotta stop some time right? ) I love being pregnant and I love the whole birthing part and everything that comes with that. I can totally see myself becoming a midwife one day.
I would love to have the talent of decorating but really I have not one decorating bone in my body.I just don't know how or even what looks good. I think maybe it stems from having so many kids so fast that it was never a priority and thus I have never persued anything like it.
I have a really bad habit of sweeping stuff into a pile and just leaving it there for someone else to get in the trash. It all stems back from being pregnant and having a hard time bending over to get it in a dust pan. I figure now let me get this mess in a pile so that its out of the way and then I can run off to something even more important. Tom really hates that habit.
I must have the closet doors closed. If you get something out close the doors!!! And under no circumstances should the doors be left open all night long. For me its like locking the doors-it must be done. Tom could care less, closed open what does it matter, but for me its a pet pieve.
I am a tv-a holic right now. Eliza demands so much of me holding her that I might as well have the tv on to have something to see also.

Tag: Cristin, Melissa, Stephanie, Gina, Tracy

My Elementary Babies

2008-09-28T16:16:00.002-05:00

So I have been meaning to post this for a while. When they started school this year, I was planning on taking pictures of everyone especially Emma's first day. Well the day came and I didn't have time to grab my camera and she got on so fast that she was gone in no time. How depressing. So I took one the next day. Aren't they precious! I say that especially when they are playing and happy and not fighting with each other.

Trouble with a capital "T"

2008-09-22T06:45:00.002-05:00

I was telling my friend yesterday what a hard time I am having as of late. I have hit my match with child #7. My attention is always on her thus resulting in many other .... busy things should I say. Little ones marking on walls all over the house and not cleaning up after themselves, playing in a sink full of water and not cleaning up after themselves, making their own food and not cleaning up after themselves, making projects and not cleaning up after themselves, playing with puzzles and not cleaning up after themselves, scrounging through the whole house to find a lost item and not cleaning up after themselves, making their lunches for the next school day and not cleaning up after themselves, you get the picture. My life is one big mess right now and I just don't know what to do to get it under control. Anyone out there in my same boat?
I , for the life of me, can't remember what Emma did but she was sent to sit in a place that she could think about what she did wrong and I guess she got tired of thinking and went to sleep.