Kitchen remodel....

We are getting closer!!!! I can not express how excited I am to have this almost done! We still need appliances, the granite, and the bead board around the island, but it is coming together. It is a lot more of a Country look than I have done in the past, but I do think I will like it. The green looks amazing against the cream! We also raised the microwave because my canning pot only just fit before, but I knew once I get my gas stove it would be too tight. I think that this helped break up the looong line of cabinets we had before! Now if I can just get the painter out of my house!!!! (It has been a month.)

Marriage is a CRAP-SHOOT!!!!

My sister came up with this theory: marriage is a crap-shoot! And I completely agree! How well did we really know the person we married? Being LDS most of us were young (I was 20), we dated only a few months (OK, I surpassed that one with over a year), we never lived together, chances are he was not into his career (Chris had only one semester of school done--much less a career). I knew he was cute, smart, and ambitious (hugh? what's that?) Eleven years later I saw my husband for the first time this morning--this time for who he really is!

Out my frost covered window I saw him as he finished shoveling my driveway. He took a moment out in the bitter cold to pull out the bright orange sled and push our little blond boy down the mountain of snow they had built together. I could only see the giggles that filled the chilly air, but I knew in that moment that I had everything. Five happy, healthy children, and a husband/father that exceeded all of my girlish dreams. I think I won in this game of crap-shoot.

Thankful...

Our family is talking in church in a couple of weeks. (ugh! it was bound to happen with being new to the ward, but I was hoping we could skip it.) I sat down at the computer this morning to start my talk. I read some great talks, and started writing some very profound thoughts. I was feeling very proud of my progress, so I took a break. I checked face book and my usual blogs, then closed the tab to return to my talk. Up popped another document. On the top was Anna's talk, on the bottom was Preston's. I was humbled, each wrote of their love and gratitude for their family and their Father in Heaven. They were written in their own words. Chris and I had told them we were speaking, but had not had a chance to guide them on what they were supposed to speak. They spoke from the heart, they bore their testimonies in a way that I could not. Nothing I wrote could be as profound as their beautiful and simple knowledge.

For children that remind me what true gratitude is... I am thankful...

A few pictures from our last Newport/Disneyland trip.

These must be my favorite girls.

Would you believe it took a little convincing that sand really is a wonderful thing?

Tell me that is not pure joy!

Crazy kids! I guess we will just have to go again next month!

Just a little laugh!

P-Dawg!!!

I don't know which brother to blame, but that is the nick-name that he got stuck with.
Yes, this is a pregnancy picture, taken just a week before he was born! (The things my mother can talk me into...ugh!!)
Perfection!!!

I can not believe what nine years has brought!!! When he was born, I had no idea what my life was turning into. I knew that there would be a few sleepless nights, a couple of stinky diapers, a cute boy to cuddle, a new name for me...It was going to be great! I had no idea!

I now know you don't ever sleep--even if they are. A clean diaper does not last more than a moment, but potty training only takes a day if you wait until he is three. He does not snuggle unless he is sick, but he gives the greatest hugs, kisses, and knows just the right moment to say, "I love you."

I never really understood how wonderful it would be to be a mother. (Don't get me wrong, it is hard, it hurts, and it NEVER slows down.) When I see this kid help his brother build a train, or pick up his sister after a fall, or feel my burdens lightened by his helping hands, then I am grateful for him. He has been a constant comfort when my life seemes very dark and confusing.

I am rambling again, but I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite NINE year old. (Just a couple days late, but...)

Off to School!

My baby girl started school today. I am 100% OK with this. No, really, I am! I only cried a little bit! OK, maybe I am lying. I am going to miss having her around. She is what keeps me going on so many days. The girl is full of energy and crazy ideas. She is always bouncing around the house, blond curls flying every where. Sigh... now it is just me and the boys.

But who is going to remind me to put on my lipstick?

so slow...

I am a little slow getting a picture posted of his bright green cast. (Just blame it on the food poisoning!) Everyday it gets a little less bright green. How do you keep a two year old clean? We have been keeping a bag on it when he eats, but the kid is two, which means he is into everything.

Did I mention this CHILD is trouble?

We had a nice long visit to the doctor today. I guess it was bound to happen to one of my kids eventually. His arm is broken (two bones just above the wrist), it is in a splint until the swelling goes down and then a cast. I kind of wish they would cast it now. I don't think the doctors understand how busy a two year old can be. How am I going to convince him to keep this one? Is it strong enough to really protect him from the life of a two year old boy that has three busy older siblings?

I guess this is what I signed up for when I chose to become a mother.

He is trying to teach me...or trying to break me!!!

I love this kid. Really I do, but...he is pushing me to the limits. I have never really experienced the terrible twos. Usually it does not hit until my kids hit three (I swear it was never this bad)., but this child is made for destruction (see those broad shoulders).

His thought process:

Everything is meant to be chucked across the room, down the stairs, or at your brother (the one that can't even try to catch)!

Find something to color on: wall, floor, furniture, anything but the paper Mom gave me.

Don't eat anything that Mom requests, wait until you are ignored and sneak into the pantry.

'NO' is the favorite word, and it is meant to be shouted with more attitude than Mother ever imagined.

When I don't shout NO, I make this terrible shrill sound that causes my Mother to shudder uncontrollably.

Pull my sister's hair if I feel she might be ignoring me (perhaps quietly preoccupied by anything else).

ALWAYS do the opposite of what Mom requests; get out of the car on the opposite side she opens for me, run upstairs if she says come here, scream when she asks for quiet, etc.

I REALLY LOVE this child, and I will learn:

He does better if I let him chose.

He will never obey if I command.

He has his own agenda, and I would do well to follow it.

Don't argue, or try to reason: he is TWO.

Hope he will outgrow this!

My little Beauty!!!

My new four year old got the chance to do a little modeling for a hair accessory company. Who wouldn't kill for blond curls like hers? I am excited because we got some great pictures. I will post more when I can figure out how to dummy the size down.

Just a few baby pictures...

After...and...Before

We are slowly making a few changes to our home. This one is my favorite!!!!

I really HATE all the peach walls we have in our house, and for the record, the before picture is from the previous owners.

I kind of like the decorating thing, but I am not sure my husband is very confident in my abilities. He looked at me cross eyed when I suggested painting a main room (and not a baby room) in powder blue. Then he got really conserned when I said I wanted to add bright orange accents to the room. I ordered some black and white chairs, but they did not work, so I will be waiting for something else to catch my eye. I am also waiting on a black chest. I am not usually a very contemporary decorator, but I wanted something unique for our music room. Any suggestions?

Two Weeks

Welcome Baby Creighton

A week ago Creighton decided to make his grand entrance into this world. Not quite perfect timing considering my parents were at girls camp, my best friend/on call babysitter was out of the country, and my doctor was in Alaska. But, thankfully my sister in law met us in the hospital parking lot, and I was blessed to have a friend from my old ward happen to be my labor and delivery nurse. (Thank you to a familiar face.) After 3 1/2 hours of labor (1 at home and on the way to the hospital and the rest in the hospital trying to convince him we needed just a couple more hours.) My labors come quickly, but I needed antibiotics so we needed more time. He was as patient as possible but...he still came in less than four hours.

After a couple of scary hours where the NICU was threatened for at least a week, then 3-4 days, then just a day or two. They finally just observed him that evening and let him come to the regular nursery that night. What a fighter!

I continued my fever for a couple more days and earned myself a few extra nights in the hospital--which is a joke if you have kids at home. They released Creighton Sunday night, which meant he could not stay with me--unless we had another adult in the room with us. Do I send Dad home to be a single father of five, including a nursing newborn? No, my parents stepped up and took the kids for the next three nights, so Chris could stay with Creighton and me. I am so grateful for them. I know they were exhausted from the week before, and to chase my four children around is not a low intensity job.

Finally Wednesday night the doctors (and I had many) decided my fever was finally under control and they let me go.

I would like to say, "I HATE hospitals!!!" Being crammed in a little room, while my family is somewhere else is not my idea of fun.

Again, we had so much help this week. Dinner, babysitters, visitors, and so much more. I feel blessed to know my family was WELL taken care of during this crazy ordeal. So many new neighbors that do not know my family well were willing to step up. I really hate to feel like a burden, but I do love the feeling of knowing what type of people surround me and my family.

Starting to settle.

It has been a crazy couple of weeks, but I think we are finally starting to calm down.

One crazy experience we had during the move included me realizing just hours before picking up the moving truck that I had actually booked it for august 28th instead of may 28th. Usually this would not have been a big deal, but everybody moves on Memorial Day weekend. So after calling six or seven truck companies we found one with a cancelation. It actually turned out to be a blessing, because it was a lot nicer than the truck I originally ordered through U-Haul.

Again we were blessed with a ton of help from neighbors on both sides of the move. People were so generous with their time on a holiday weekend that it really did amaze me. Especially coming into a neighborhood that does not know us at all. We had two families that specifically stayed through the entire process. The children (all ages) were even caring some of the smaller boxes. (This was hard on my pride because I had been benched--being 8+ months pregnant--blagh, blagh blagh...) My brother and dad worked all day on both sides, while my mom and sister in law took the younger two for the day. (Again I don't know what I would do without my family.)

Well, we got all of our physical belongings into the home, but did not have much of a chance to unpack last week. I promised the kids I would commute them up to school for the last four days. This turned out to be a little more work than I originally thought. I hate driving (for obvious reasons), but rush hour...let's just say my blood-pressure is still struggling. Then we had baseball games and parties in the evenings, so by the time we got home, it was time for bed. I was exhausted and no help unpacking. Saturday was spent in Farmington for a double header baseball game--luckily both games were lost, so we are out of the tournament. YEA!!! No more commuting...

So, yesterday was our first day of summer and my chance to help unpack (gratefully I have a husband with a lot more energy than I have, so a lot has been done after I have gone to bed). I am still a little overwhelmed at this home. It is a lot bigger than our last one, but I think in the long run we will appreciate that. For now I am trying to see past a lot of the little/big things that I want to do to make it MINE. (like maybe take my own pictures, these are from the listing)

Close...but not quite

Did you notice it looks familiar?

This is it, our new home!!!! (as long as the funds come through this morning...) We signed our lives away yesterday afternoon.

The greatest perks of this house.

1. 1.5 miles from Chris work

2. 8 houses from the walkway that enters schoolyard.

3. The yard is done.

4. We have storage!!! Lots and lots of storage.

5. It is ours!!!!!

Can't wait to move in, do a little bit of painting and updating to make it really OURS!!!

Two types of people in this world...

So, the past couple of weeks I have come to a pretty strong observation/opinion.

There are two types of people in the world of service. There are those that are really good at saying, "Give me a call if you need help." These people are good at changing the subject when the realization that help my be required. They avoid it at all costs. They truly believe that they offered, but don't realize that the truth lies on the table.

Then there are those searching for ways to help. These are the people that are really available--even if they should not be. (Example: a friend that is going on vacation the week we are moving thinks that she is going to somehow provide a couple of meals for my family. She will find a way--even with my begging her to enjoy her much needed vacation.)

I am amazed at the true generous offers we have had from friends lately. I know that many of them live VERY busy lives, but they insist they are available to help pack, watch kids, prepare meals, etc. I hope that I can be this kind of person. Honest, helping and kind...even when my own life seems too busy/hard to handle.

Ten Years...

Next week is our Ten Year Anniversary...who would have known we would make it that long? (jk)

I have been fussing about what to do, I want it to be something special. I want it to sum up what we have been through together.

10 years ago we were married in the Salt Lake Temple.

9 years ago I was pregnant with P and getting ready to graduate BYU.

8 years ago we were heading to Europe for not quite a month.

7 years ago we had A, and Chris was graduating from Utah State.

6 years ago Chris finished his Masters, he started his career, we overcame Breast Cancer, and we bought our first home.

5 years ago we got involved with the Hero Foundation, and found our passion for non-for-profit organizations.

4 years ago we were expecting C.

3 years ago we hoped to move out of state, but were humbled by the Lords 'greater plan.'

2 years ago we were expecting Z.

1 year ago Chris stood by me through my car accident (and the hardest month of my life.)

Now this year we are waiting for baby ?, buying house number 2 (hopefully) and celebrating ten years together.

What do you do for the man that has done all that? What do you do for the man that has been your best friend for 11 years. What do you do?

Give a sincere thank you, and honestly say, I look forward to the next ten.

My beautiful Anna

You are the the peace maker, always willing to compromise or share with your brothers and sister. You are also the little mother, smothering Chloe and Zac with more attention than they want.

One favorite memory is of your Preschool teacher commenting that the kids in the class show you their artwork first for approval (a spot usually reserved for the teacher). But, I could tell she did not mind, because you had won a special place in her heart--just like you manage to with anyone you meet.

I also love the fact that for the first several weeks of school you would come running home to tell me how you had made ANOTHER friend. I meet parents at school functions, and they have all heard about "Anna."

Thanks for being my little tender heart.

PS I am OK with you turning seven. I just dread the day that you turn 13. Oh, the emotions!!!

My Buddy!!!

Thats my tough little buddy. OK he is not really tough, but he tries. Today he got a little banged up at recess--hit the four score wall. He is OK, but he did have to call to talk to me. It broke my heart to only be able to talk to him on the phone. I had to tell him he will be OK, when I don't even get to see him, or be there to give him a hug. Dumb, thats a mom's job. Now I get the to spend the rest of the day missing my buddy, knowing he is fine, but still fussing.

A little longing..

BFF!!!!

Just another picture that makes me happy.

This was the first day of school August 2009, when they were both a little nervous about the day. Where do they turn for support? I love their choice. When I can't be there to calm the nerves, it is nice to know that they are looking out for each other.

A little pick me up...

How I wish I had a small portion of the spunk she carries. This was taken over a year ago, but I can't help but smile when I see the picture.

Save the Date...

I can't figure out how to paste the link, but I can GUARANTEE this is where my husband will be June 18th. We just hope #5 does not chose that day to come into our home. Dad would sure hate to miss something like his child's birth, but choices must be made. Just a bit of trivia...Do you realize that Toy Story 2 came out over 13 years ago. Luckily it was released to VHS (you remember those terrible things, right?) the day before my husband went into the MTC, October 30, 1996. That was a close one, to think my husband almost had to postpone his mission. Luckily, he had a good mother that ran out and bought it for him before he left.

I need help...

I am trying to compile a list of people I follow, or want to follow--but can't because I am locked out. If you don't see your blog listed on my blogs that I follow list. Please email me your address, and an invite if necessary. I have been really bad at keeping up on my blog stalking. (SP?) I am hopping this will make it easier.

That is $1248 year!!!!

I was just thinking that...

one hair cut...

every two weeks...

for each of my boys...

yes, all four of them...

is going to cost me...

4*26*12=$1248

(and thats at the cheap $12 place)

I think I might take up beauty school at nights, or at least learn how to do a decent boys cut.

I am thinking this may be more valuable than my Economics degree at BYU.

Experimenting again...

One of my favorite things to do is to cook. It is away for me to relieve stress and to find a little bit of peace even when my house if full of things I want to ignore (yes, sometimes that includes my kids). My mom has always been a great cook and trying new recipes. I love it. She has made some things that will be part of my family memories forever.

Part of cooking should include a few healthy choices. (Again, my mom engrained in me the fact that there will always be at least one vegetable (but more likely two) with dinner. To top that off, they have to be different colors--oh, and potatoes don't count.

The last nine months I have been involved in the greatest vegetable co op (Bountiful Baskets--thanks to Sara). We get a ton of produce at a great price. It is fresh, beautiful and ready on hand. But, it does provide things that are not in my usual meal routines. This has turned out to be a great thing. I add a yellow squash to taco soup, or a little zucchini to my spaghetti. I even cooked brusel sprouts for my husband and kids. (YUCK!!! But, they loved them. Again---YUCK!!!)

So... tonight I am making chicken enchiladas, but with my own tomatillo enchilada sauce. It is green and smells great, but we will see if it is any good. Good thing my husband (and kids believe it or not) will try almost anything.

just a moment to brag...

look what I did...

Do NOT compare it to ANY quilt done my friend Kelli, or any of the cute stuff that my mom does, but I DID THIS. ALL BY MY SELF!!!! Also realize that I did not have a pattern--I have never made a quilt top before, and I had two children home with me all day (and two more in the afternoon).

I think I am getting excited about another little boy to run my house.

Number 5 is a....

We are having another boy!!!! REALLY NOT what I expected as many of you know, but I after a few shed tears (and an extra trip to Fetal Foto), I can honestly say I am excited.

I just keep thinking I about the possibility of two missionaries. I already have that problem with Chloe and Zac, but now this one will be exactly two years younger than Zac. That means the possibility of an overlap.

I am excited for Zac to have a best friend. I know my brothers have always been very close, and I hope that these two will be as well.

Chloe on the other hand is not excited. She wanted, "A girl baby, a Princess!"

Preston is playing the I already knew it card. And Anna, I don't really know what she thinks, but she has been very helpful in offering up name ideas.

I know many of you are asking if this means another in our future, but that is a question that I am not ready to ask (if you know what I mean) or answer. I am still thinking that a family of seven is HUGE! --far bigger than I ever expected to have.--

Dad's favorite...

My husband loves Toys Story and is holding his breath for the third one this spring. So when the kids got Woody's autograph...