The Playhouse

When we got back from California the girls could not stop talking about their cousin Elizabeth's playhouse. We have built a couple of playhouses before. One was a log cabin style. Very cute and very indestructible! At our last house the boys really wanted a tree house. David and the kids built a two story beauty with glass windows, a loft, and a real roof. The stairs up the tree were unbelievable. But on both occasions we moved away from the play structures. David was not sure he wanted to build one thinking that the sign we move is when we complete a playhouse. But his little girls are very persuasive. We started drawing up plans and working out all the details. Then one of those unexpected blessings dropped right into our lap. A member of our ward was wanting to get rid of their playhouse that the children had outgrown. I was at the right place at the right time. I let him know right there that I wanted it.

The problem was moving it to our house. So on the afternoon after the father/son campout David borrowed a trailer and got a few men to help out. The missionaries happened along right at the right time and David got their help as well. A big thank you to all the men who helped out!

Now that it was moved in on the platform David built, (actually, on the tree trunks that were left from when we had to cut down our trees) he wanted to make a few additions of his own.
He built a porch and added the door. The girls helped make curtains. We still have some painting to do. All of the kitchen things were moved out there and an old table and some children's chairs added and now the girls have their dream house. They have had lots of fun playing so far and I know it will be fun this summer as David wants to add electricity somehow. I don't know about that but I sure appreciate his willingness to learn new carpentry skills to make his daughters happy!

Not my typical Tuesday

This has not been my typical Tuesday. Usually I wake up around 4:30 go walking, get kids up for scriptures and everyone off to school. Then violin lessons. Pick Autumn up from pre-school and off to the library and McDonald's with my friends and hers. Pick children up from school, teach a couple of piano lessons, get whoever off to baseball and/or youth night. Everyone home by 8:00, family prayers and off to bed. We do manage to eat in between all the activities.

Today started like all the other Tuesdays, up early to walk, scriptures, everyone off to school. Violin was early to fit in visiting teaching, picked up Autumn but then went to town to do mail for Uncle Steve. Also made a run to the bank so checks would not bounce. Several conversations with older children and husband concerning daughter Paige. Then 45 minute conversation with Paige. Back in time to pick up kids from school, but three blocks from home Hayden not feeling well and well she did not make it home to get sick. Children in car really grossed out! Got home, cleaned up car from Hayden, got her in the shower, cancelled piano lessons, continued with laundry to clean up from Hayden. Piano lesson comes, - did not get message. Teach piano, get Noah to game, Taylor to game, Autumn to swim lessons. Beg Chad to stay home with Hayden so he misses practice. Pick up Chloe from work - she does not feel well. Get them home and Chad to youth night. Then off to the end of Taylor's game - David went to Noah's game on his way home from work. Call from Chad - his youth night canceled got ride home - Paige shows up at home - Taylor finishes game and we go home. Autumn happy, smiling, telling all about swimming - runs to bathroom - you guessed it she got sick. Then David says he doesn't feel well - and he gets sick! Chad runs to room - does not want to get sick (state track meet Saturday). Me with more laundry to do - Paige leaves- Chloe in bed -Taylor -"I don't want to sleep in the bonus room" and Noah "Hey mom, What's for dinner?" AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Life, New Goals

Can you see the butterfly in this picture? One of the few moments in time that I was prepared and had my camera handy and was quick about getting the photo. I love the outdoors. Thus, my love of birds and butterflies and flowers. I am getting antsy to get my bedding plants in and my hanging baskets on my porch. I am not good at waiting. This time of year when everything wakes up and color comes back into our lives gives new life to me as well. I usually set my goals at this time of year. I did try to do it this year at the traditional first of the year but it just would not come. Every time I sat down to write out the goals they seemed silly and not very consequential. But now, today, as I see life coming alive all around me I am ready to set some goals.

1. Be more prepared. This means not only working on my food storage and organizing what we have, but using it and rotating it. I have plans to make this a part of my blog with weekly updates and information to organize and purchase items on a weekly basis. Also, get our 72 hour kits updated.

2. Be more organized. This means to clean out closets, shelves, drawers, and papers. I have years of children's papers that need to be put together in containers for each child. I started this several times so it is not to bad, but the last five kids have everything thrown into one big box.

3. Be more spiritual. This means not only to continue with my personal studying but to have better prepared FHE and better Sabbath activities. Listen better for teaching moments that incorporate the gospel principles into what I want the children to be learning. (e.g. Are they using pray to help them? Could a scripture story or hero help to teach a principle that might come up?)

4. Be more loving. This means using a softer voice and more of a listening ear. Not to just my family but to all the sweet sisters in my life. This includes watching for more opportunities to serve. Not wait to be asked but just do it. I have started this and it is amazing how I have come out of myself a little bit. I have come to love more instead of judging more.

Well, like that butterfly time is going to float by if I don't put these goals where I can see them. I know I will wish I had done more. This year I want to look back and say I did do more!

Ashleigh Goes to Hygiene School

This picture was taken a couple of summers ago when we were in Alaska. It was such a fun time with the three older girls! Ashleigh has always been extra special being the oldest daughter. I know sometimes she probably didn't like that role but I could not have asked for a better second mom for my kids. I tried real hard to always let the older girls know there was only one mom, but in reality you can not raise a large family without the help of your older children. They are your second hands, eyes, and ears. I know that Ashleigh has taken the role of older sister very seriously. I am grateful for her love that she shows us all! I am so pleased with how hard she has worked to where she is now. She has worked and gone to school all on her own. She recently was accepted to Dental Hygiene School. That has been a dream of hers since high school. She has worked very hard to get to this place. It did not come easy for her and I know she is glad to finally get to achieve this long awaited goal she has set for herself. We had a few rough moments in her last couple of years of high school. What seventeen year old doesn't think she knows it all and parents are just an unnecessary annoyance? But I think she always has known how much we love her and have come to understand Ashleigh has to do things her way. Maybe that is one of the things I love the most is her determination to stand her ground even if it is rocky ground. Good luck honey with the next two years and we are behind you all the way!

Birds

These images are not very dark so I hope you can see what they are. I have loved birds my whole life. Recently I have noticed that bird images are everywhere in decorating, from pictures to fabric to paper. My sister Melissa turned me on to a cool podcast that I listen to when I have the time. She is an artist and so is the lady we listen to. Thanks, Melissa because I really have enjoyed this time I take to do some thinking and listening. Well, back to my drawings. I have never thought of myself as one who could draw. I think that is why I like to stamp. The images are drawn yet I can still be very creative with how I use the images. A few Christmas's (is that how you spell that?) ago my daughter Ashleigh gave me a drawing of an image from my stamps. It was beautiful and one I treasure. I have recently had this desire to learn to draw birds. Melissa will understand why. (I like that I have this connection with Missy) This morning I was looking for an image of a bird to draw. I don't know why this morning was the morning I choose but it was. I sat as I was listening to the podcast and doodled this bird. I could only find a red pencil (usually the case when I am looking for something I want it is not where I put it-thus no reagular #2 pencil in sight) But I really did not care about the color of the pencil. I wasn't even sure if I could make the image I was looking at come to my paper. It only took a few minutes. It is not perfect but surprisingly it looks like the bird I was looking at. Autumn came in to ask me a question and was in awe of my drawing. She asked if she could have it for a few minutes. Off she went with me secretly hoping she was not going to destroy my drawing. She came back with her vision of the bird I had drawn. Only hers has "two skirts and is wanting to fly away to be a dancer". I don't know if I will continue with my drawings at the moment. I know that I don't have any great talent for it - but I had a grandmother who learned to play the organ at a relatively older age. (I say that because I am coming closer to the age she was when she learned to play the organ). My grandfather was one who always was wanting to learn something new and took college classes to learn the "new" math so he could help us if we needed it. I have always loved their example of learning - that is why I knew I could learn to play the violin now- I don't play as well as I do the piano but I now know I can learn a new skill. Drawing is something I have always wished I could do. I know I can learn some techniques but I also realize there is some natural talent involved that I will never have. I won't let that stop me from trying though as it will give me a connection with those in my family who do draw - Anyway, I know Autumn loves my drawings!

Joy

I taught Relief Society a couple of weeks ago. The topic was scripture study and prayer. I thought about this lesson for a long time. In the process I learned some interesting things about myself. I have become really aware of how the spirit works for me. When I am thinking about a lesson that I am to teach it seems that I hear and see things that pertain to that subject. It was something that happened when I taught Seminary so that part was not new to me. Teaching Seminary was different though because it was daily that the promptings had to come, this time I had three months to study, ponder, contemplate and let the spirit work its wonder on me. This is what was new for me. Having so long to think on one subject. I have not had that many opportunities to teach in this ward. Teaching is what always kept me in the scriptures studying and learning. I have had to come up with some pretty creative ways to get myself to stay invested in the scriptures without the crutch of studying to teach. I think that is why I loved working on this topic so much. I had a new awareness of the spirit in a completely different way. I have been thinking about this for the last couple of weeks since my lesson. I have been doing my "14-day walk with Christ". And even though I typed it up and worked on the handout I have been amazed at what Heavenly Father wants me to know right now at this moment. As I have struggled with one of my lovely teenagers, this experience (the walk with Christ) has let Him be able to talk to me through the scriptures. I know He loves me and knows my heartache. But I also know that I cannot wallow in self-pity, that is not where my joy can be found. The amazing thing that I have thought about is that each of the sisters who took on this challenge will find just exactly what she needs with this experience. I am humbled to think that my Heavenly Father loves me so much that He saw fit to give me a gift (that of the scriptures) to help me on my journey here on earth. I have set new goals. I am going to try a little harder to do what He has taught me over the last couple of weeks as I have let myself walk with Him. That was the point of my lesson, to learn to make time for Him in my life on a daily basis. I have new things to study for and new experiences to have with the scriptures, but I hope that I never forget that for a couple of weeks I let Him walk with me through an amazing experience. I hope that when I need it, I will remember to invite Him in and walk beside me. I hope that I don't try to do it alone and think later I should have gone to Him first. I have found a new kind of joy that I never want to let go of; even if a certain teenager decides to try and test that joy. Or for that matter, if anyone gives me grief I know where my joy lies. What is so funny about how I feel is that I have known this . I have taught this principle. But I have not always lived it. I think after all these years I am finally really understanding how a daughter of Heavenly Father can become one who knows and acts on what she knows. I am grateful for all that He has put in my path to bring me to this point - I love my new found feeling of joy!

Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day

Happy Birthday David! Happy Mother's Day to me! What a great day. All the children came and celebrated with us. They cooked dinner. Made dessert. Brought presents. It was the best day ever!

David has wanted some particular things for a long time. This year I wanted to make sure he got a few of the things on his list. Thanks to Chelsea and Seth he got his rock polisher he has wanted. He had one a long time ago but wore it out I guess. It has disappeared. I got him the hummingbird feeder he has wanted forever! And Toshia and Andrew and Adrian got him his crochet set that he has wanted. The funny thing he says about that is he doesn't remember the rules he played as a kid being what the directions say they are. Humm.....he couldn't have possibly made up any rules to give him the advantage could he?.....Ashleigh gave him an awesome picture of the grand canyon she had taken over spring break. The little kids made cards and Hayden was very proud of the granola bar she wrapped and said would be very healthy for him. It was fun to share the day with David and with all the children. Future posts will share some photos of the presents in action.

I loved all the sweet gifts the kids gave me as well. I love the homemade cards and projects made from school. David had two dozen roses sent to me. First time ever if you can believe that he has ever done that. He has picked flowers for me or bought them from the vendor on the street corner but never had them delivered. That was special. Seth gave me a couple of bracelets. Ashleigh an Oil Diffuser. Toshia and Andrew gave me a book on the parable of the ten virgins and Adrian a picture of himself (very handsome grandson I might say) But, I have to say this year Chelsea and Dan did something though that was extra special. My father has acted in several feature films. It was a hobby I guess of his. Anyway, a movie that he made in the 1970's was one of his biggest roles. It has been very hard to find. Not exactly a big box office hit. Anyway they were able to find it on VHS. Another time I will post more about it but for now I just wanted to say thank you to them for taking the time to look for it. It means a lot to me!

Thank you children for everything!!!!!! We love you all very, very much! Our family would not be complete without each and everyone of you.

Side note to Chad

Just a little side note to my last post about Chad. We had this conversation in the car on the way home from track practice yesterday.

Mom: So, I got your progress report, It was so boring all A's again.
Chad: I was worried. I struggled with Science this time. We were studying geology and I just couldn't get all the rock stuff down. I only have 108%, so I hope that now that were are studying meterology it won't go down more.
Mom: Yeah, I would worry about 108% Isn't that more than you need for an A?
Chad: Yeah, but if rocks on earth were hard for me to get then I don't know how I am going to figure out all the rocks in space!
Mom: Yeah, that would be hard for me to get to.
Chad: One thing I just don't get though is what cloud formations and weather patterns have to do with meteroites?
Mom: (Finally, clueing in to what he had thought meterology was) Hey Chad, I guess you better do a lot of extra credit to keep that grade up if you are going to keep waiting for the teacher to show you the rock formations in space!

I guess that even a bright, brillant child can be a little bit airhead sometimes:) Love ya Chad!

Some of Chad

Yeah Chad! You are awesome! First of all he has had a 4.0 all through middle school. This year he went out for track as well as playing baseball. He said he had always wanted to try it and wanted to do it before high school so that if he liked it he could do that instead of baseball. He is loving it! But he says that he is having the funnest year in baseball as well. I think he he is leaning towards track though. The events he runs are the 100 meter hurdles, 200 meter hurdles, and the 400. He did the 100 meter dash but dropped that so he could improve in the hurdles. And that he did! He broke the school record Tuesday at his track meet. His time in the 100 meter hurdles was 16.68. He was amazing to watch, he clears the hurdles and runs so fast. He qualifies for districts in both the hurdle events. That will be on Saturday. He is excited about that because you get ribbons. The other thing that Chad does well is write. He has been writing stories and poems since he could write. I have a couple of his stories that I have been wanting to have Ashleigh or Seth draw illustrations for and publish. They would make the cutest childrens books. Anyway, he was published this year in a book of poetry created by his school. I know that the middle school has made this book for the last five years, but to see his words in print in a book was awesome! He wrote three poems. I liked the one he wrote called "Green Paint"
"I used to live in the city. My house was all that I knew. Her peeling green paint seemed to catch your stare and guide you through the front door into her loving arms. Even though she was peeling and saggy, I loved her.
One day you say the city is getting bad, so we're going to move. Come on, a small white trash hick town. All I could imagine were farm animals, beat up old houses, and broken down trucks in front yards. I was completely wrong.
My new house is better. She cares for our family. The same shade of green paint had somehow brought a piece of our old house to us, but she is a newer, younger version. Stronger, more stable, her chest swells with pride. A vision of pure light.
Now, you may ask if I belong here. I'll say this is my home; this is my place."
I love that he loves our home and realizes that it is not the building itself that makes it home but those that live within the walls of the building. He does belong here and I am glad he is having such a wonderful time with school and sports. You rock Chad!

What could be sweeter than this?

Last night after FHE the kids still had a lot of energy. David was home early for once and so FHE was over at a decent hour. The kids went out to play a little ball in the backyard with their dad. Chloe even wanted to play catch and I don't think I've seen her pick up a baseball in quite a while. Taylor and Noah of course were out there too. (Hayden was sick inside with the flu, poor girl). Chad opted to be the photographer. The cutest thing ever though was a few minutes after they were all out there Autumn came running in the house saying "Hold on guys, I'll be right back." Then she caming flying by me with my baseball cap on and a whistle around her neck. I asked "What are you doing?" To which she replied, "I am the coach, you can't have a game without a coach!" I just had to laugh and I hoped that the whistle would not get to annoying to any neighbors. She really had fun trying to keep everyone throwing the way they should. The fun only lasted just a few minutes as it was getting dark. But as they were coming in and putting things away I kept thinking about a song that I had heard yesterday, "Sweeter Than This" (I have it on my playlist now). And really it just cannot get any sweeter than this: A perfect spring day, Daddy home early, FHE without any arguments, and A little baseball in the backyard:)

Prom

Last night was Prom night! The girls both got to go together. They really had a lot of fun and they looked so grown up!

Here they are with their dates. Brennen's parents (Chloe's date) had everyone over to take pictures at their home.

There were 9 couples that went together. I think they all had such fun together.

This was Daivd's favorite part, when the limo drove up. It was a pink Hummer. I had never seen anything like it before. Chloe said she thought that was probably the funnest part of the whole evening. Paige said that she had a lot of fun and danced almost every dance. They started getting ready Friday evening - nails, facials - then most of the day Saturday. By the time the dance started Chloe said she was pretty tired. But thought it was pretty cool to get to go. I remember when these two girls watched as their older sisters got ready for their proms. I know that they loved watching them get all dressed up. The little girls were so excited for them and could hardly wait to see all the pictures. This is one of my favorite parts of having girls - getting to watch as they play dress up.

Thinking

To today I was thinking that I want to do more thinking. I was reflecting back on my 26 plus years as a mother and how much time have I put into just thinking? I know this might sound funny to some people but most days as a mother of small children it was all I could do to stay awake through the day because there definately was no sleep at night. So I went through the motions a lot of the time but did not have to think much about changing diapers, feeding babies, washing clothes, doing dishes, etc. Then teenagers entered my home and my thinking had to change gears a little but not much - a sixteen year old throws the same fits a two year old does when they don't get their way. My time was (or is) spent getting them all the many places that children need to be. The taxi cab driver part of my job is for me the most exhausting now. I do think some while driving but that could be really hazardous to the other drivers on the road. So the real introspective thinking that I am talking about I have not put much effort into. I have pondered the scriptures, read lots of good books and thought about them but not really thought about how I fit into it all. I love good writing. I do not know that what I think is good writing others would, but if it makes me think then to me it is good. I recently finished the book "The Secret Life of Bees". The story was good, but what has got me thinking was how the life of a bee works. The author was good at putting some little fact about bees at the beginning of each chapter and as you read you could see how the girls life resembled that of the bees. This was something I had never thought of before. Today I was listening to a podcast that I like and I really got to thinking about what she was saying related to me and my life and how I do things. I don't think I have any real talents but the perspective she put on things made me see that even if I am borrowing the idea I am still creating. I grew up with really creative people. My mother and sisters and daughters just blow me away with how they see things and can create, draw, write, and cook (I mean create from scratch the most delious food you ever tasted). My friends all are as awesome and talented. So I never considered that I had any special talent other than that of copying from those around me and making it my own. The bees in the hive all have special talents, they all contribute to the hive in their own special way. The hive could not exist without each of them. I am surrounded by busy bees all working hard to do what they need to to live and love. This really has got me to thinking what is my job in the hive? How do I fit into my surroundings and do my talents contribute as much I as I feel others do? Am I contibuting in a worthwhile way or spending my time and energy in lazy ways? I am just thinking about all of this and have not come to any conclusion yet but I am so happy that I am at a place right now where I can take the time and have the energy to think about it. I love all of my life and feel like I am entering a new phase of life as a grandmother. So as a grandmother it is my time to think! (inbetween running everyone everywhere and cleaning and making dinner and folding clothes and, and, and, and,)