Birthday Boy's

Ya know I worried that our boys wouldn't like to have a birthday on the same day but it doesn't seem to bother them in the least. I think the four years apart helps. When they each open gifts we don't hear "hey, I wanted that".
This year they both thought a sonic cake would be cool.  I looked up his head online and this is how it turned out.

Happy Birthday boys I'm so thankful for each of you. Our family wouldn't be the same without you two!!!

Christmas Poem/story

The Bishoprics wives were asked to speak this Sunday for Christmas. It's actually a fun time to speak. Plus I'm thinking that not many people will be there ha ha. While writing my talk I came up with a poem.

Twas the day of Christmas and all through the house

The children were hussling and bussling about

wrapping paper scattered all over the floor

The little ones fighting and whining for more.

The stockings once hung with a great deal of care

Now lay on the floor, the loot taken and bare.

The children once nestled now up before dawn.

The parent so tired and starting to yawn

When what to my wondering eye's did I find

a cute little baby so gentle and kind.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his play

Reminding me why we celebrate this day.

Danika, Andrew, Luke, Jacob and BriLynn

Come and see Jonanthan, his cute little grin.

When you see the baby what do you think of?

It reminds me of Jesus and all of his Love.

A baby in Bethlehem lying in a manger

To him we should never be a stranger

He loves us so much he paid for our sins

So we can return forever with him.

This day as you play with all of your new toys

Remember the one who brings us great joys

The wonderous little baby so little and mild

We celebrate his birth , the holy Christ Child.

I love this story by Jack Smith. It's called Pattern of Love. I cry every time I read it.

I didn't question Timmy, age nine, or his seven-year-old brother Billy about the brown wrapping paper they passed back and forth between them as we visited each store.

Every year at Christmas time, our service club takes the needy children in our town on a personally conducted shopping tour.  I was assigned Timmy and Billy, whose father was out of work.  After giving them the allotted $4 each, we began our trip.  At different stores I made suggestions, but always their answer was a solemn shake of the head, no.  Finally I asked, "Where would you suggest we look?"

"Could we go to a shoe store, sir?" answered Timmy, "we'd like a pair of shoes for our Daddy so he can go to work."

In the shoe store the clerk asked what the boys wanted.  Out came the brown paper.  "We want a pair of work shoes to fit this foot."  Billy explained that it was a pattern of their Daddy's foot.  They had drawn it while he was asleep in a chair.

The clerk held the paper against a measuring stick, then walked away.  Soon he came with an open box.  "Will these do?" he asked.  Timmy and Billy handled the shoes with great eagerness.

"How much do they cost?" asked Billy.

Then Timmy saw the price on the box. "They're $16.95," he said in dismay.  "We only have $8."

I looked at the clerk and he cleared his throat.  "That's the regular price," he said, "but they're on sale for $3.98, today only."  Then with shoes happily in hand the boys bought gifts for their mother and two little sisters.  Not once did they think of themselves.

The day after Christmas the boys' father stopped me on the street.  The new shoes were on his feet, gratitude was in his eyes.  "I just thank Jesus for people who care," he said.

"And I thank Jesus for your two sons," I replied.  "They taught me more about Christmas in one evening than I had learned in a lifetime."

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

A thing of Beauty

So today I was in the kitchen and looked out in the backyard to see this.

 A ton of little black birds. It was so fun to watch them. Here is one up close and one I took when they were flying away. A thing of beauty.

I did the DARE program growing up and I didn't know they changed it. I don't know if it's different in every school but ours now does the NOVA program. It stands for Nurturing, Opportunity, Values and Accountability. This program is AWESOME! I'm so impressed with what Officer Bird has taught the students. They all got these cool wolf shirts. The story behind the wolf is that we each have two kinds of wolves within us. One is nasty and bad. The other is kind and good. Which wolf is the one that will live? The one you feed. 

Danika and the other 5th graders graduated from the NOVA program last week. 

As I was saying....

What comes to mind is Mushu on Mulan saying "my little girls all grown up and savin' China".

Danika had her Christmas Orchestra Concert last night. I'm amazed at what thee teachers have taught them. She loves to play her violin and I'm thankful for the program. I have signed her up for Piano lessons at the University. She starts at the beginning of the year, so we'll see how she does with both.

Andrew got his Wolf badge last night for Scouts too.  It was a busy night.  I think it's fun that the Mom's get pins because you know we are the ones to help them finish up :)  He will be turning 9 at the end of the month...sigh, as I was saying, growing up fast.

Just on a side note....I was asked to speak in church Christmas day. We are talking about traditions and of course Christ. What Christmas traditions does your family do that strengthens your testimony of Christ?

Man, I don't remember that!

Tonight our FHE activity was watching home videos of when the kids were younger. I'm sad to say that I don't remember a lot of it. Their childhood speeds by so fast and I can't hang onto it. Do you ever wish you could freeze time? I love to watch them get older but it's happening so fast. Sigh....I'm so thankful for the technology we have to capture those fleeting moments of love and laughter.

Stop that rhyming now I mean it!

Name that movie?
I wanted to share some gift ideas. My friend Lacy posted some and I am always looking for new ideas so I thought I would share some as well.

I'm giving out these candy tins for Christmas. I got the idea while I was in Missouri. They had their Super Saturday table out. You can get the tins at specialtybottle.com. The cost depends on how many you order (because of shipping). I called around my family and we ordered 65, so the cost was 1.33 per tin. Anyway you just wrap Hersheys nuggets in Christmas paper, tie with a ribbon and voila.

I have a saying I put with them:

People are a lot like chocolates
You are never sure whats inside
They're covered with a protective shell,
And you must see what they hide.
Some folks seem to be very smooth,
While others are soft and sweet,
Still others can be quite nutty,
But having Friends like you is a treat.

If your kids want to give their friends something for Christmas, this would be inexpensive, just attach the poem to a candy bar.

These notepads are at square one printing for 20 cents each. Just add scrapbook paper to the top paper and wrap it around to the back and it makes a cute (very inexpensive) gift.

Wanna hear the corny poem I came up with for this one: I'm planning on giving these to those I go visiting teaching to in January

A new year's upon us,
the old one is through.
So here's a note pad,
to jot a thought or two.
A new year's resolution
for you to pursue.
Don't worry if you fail,
I always do.

I love to come up with poems to go along with gifts. Here is what I did for the month of November. (It was a mug that had a hot cocoa packet and a microwave popcorn bag in it) We had the mugs already and so to do this for those I go VT to and Kevin goes HT to, was only around 2 bucks.

Leaves are falling all around

The days of Summer gone.

Time for a little R&R inside

No more laying on the lawn.

Hot cocoa and some popcorn,

A mug to hold it too.

Sit back and enjoy it knowing

that we have thought of you

I told you I was corny. I usually come up with a new poem every month. Kevin says I should compile them all and publish them. I wonder if people would even be interested.

BriLynn turns 3

We had BriLynn's birthday at Grandma and Grandpas house. It was fun to have all the cousins there to celebrate with us. We took video of her opening gifts and blowing out the candles but these ones show her excitement. I can't believe my baby girl is 3. I remember coming home after the ultrasound and telling Danika she was going to have a sister. She was so excited. We were a bit nervous since we felt we were missing a boy so we knew we weren't done having kids after she was born. 

Dora is her favorite, so I made a Dora cake. I think it turned out good for having left the instructions as to what colors and tips to use at home. I had made it when Danika was three as well, so I was happy to use it again since cake molds cost quite a bit. 

Ahh BriLynn you brighten up our home with your contagious smile and laughter.  Happy Birthday Baby Girl We Love you!

Ummm.. I disagree

I have seen so many friends talk about the Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  I was curious about it so  I borrowed it from my friend down our street. I love self help books. I remember when I first started having kids, I was constantly reading books about how to discipline in love.  Anywho...I was happy to know we have already been doing the things he suggests. I'm really enjoying it.  Given...I'm only a little over halfway through the book but, so far so good....all except for 1 thing.
I can't get over all the negativity about Credit Cards. I believe it's wise for those who use CC foolishly to cut them up and get rid of them. I know that he says 75% of airline miles are never redeemed etc.etc...I've read that but I see what has worked for us and I don't agree with it.
We use our CC like a debit card. As soon as I make a purchase I take it out of our checking account, just like I would a debit card. We pay it off every month (because it's already out of our checking account, of course I match the #'s first). We have never had CC debt, we don't pay late fees or any other penalties because like I said, the money is already taken out to pay it off every month. The difference is, at the end of the year we have over two hundred dollars in cashback to use for Christmas. Whereas, the interest from the bank would be umm...two bucks? umm....2 bucks to 200 is a big difference. I feel like I'm using the CC company instead of them using us. Make sense?
We have been doing this for the last six years or so.  We don't use our CC for emergencies...that is what the rainy day/emergency fund is for. We don't buy frivolously either.  Like I said before, we use it like a debit card.  So that's my disagreement, thoughts anyone?

Feelings

My feelings have been on the surface this week. My thoughts first turn to a family that just lost their mother. I do not know the family very well. I've just known them through the scouting program, but I can't imagine the heartbreak they are going through. You are always reminded how precious life is when these kinds of things occur.
Second, today I was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award for our school.  I don't deserve it as there are so many that have helped me in my duties as PTA president. I don't need to be recognized, they do.
I got a book from my sisters called Side by Side. It's about helping your spouse in their church calling. I was reading last night how the load of a calling can be lightened by others doing their jobs. This works in everything. A mothers load is lightened when her children pick up after themselves and so on. My load is lightened by those willing to support me in my duties. So, thank you to all who lighten my load.

11/11/11 Party

I thought it would be fun to throw an 11/11/11 party for the kids.  I let them invite 11 friends, there were 17 kids total. Thank goodness again for my neighbor who helped with the kids. That and the nice weather so they could burn off some energy outside.

  Every time I said 11 in the story I made up they would pass the prize. Like the left and right story for Christmas. 

Doing a word search to find eleven, 11 times.

 Jumping on the tramp 11 times

 Doing 11 jumping jacks. Watching BriLynn try to do it was so stinkin' cute!

The prize after completing the treasure hunt that had 11 clues. Well...except the I love you cake, that was for Kevin :)

Maybe next year I'll do a 12/12/12 party since there won't be a 13/13/13

A day of bonuses

Yesterday in Relief Society a girl had mentioned that we should focus on the good stuff and our blessings. I'm going to try doing that...

My morning started out great. Got the kids and hubby out the door by 8. The three little ones were still asleep so I could shower. Bonus one (a quiet shower...so nice and rare). I got the kids fed and dressed, did some laundry then dusted the house. As I do my housework I like to listen to the radio. There was a contest, the 11th caller would get a prize if they answered a question correctly.
I was the 11th caller and here was the question:
How many players can be on the field in Football? Uhhh...yeah I'm not a big football fan. The DJ said "I'll give you a hint. 11/11//11 is coming up."
Well I get to choose a  tie or woman's necklace at a local store for free. Bonus 2! Good way to start off a day.

I headed shopping to Smiths because I LOVE the play land the kids can go to. Shopping with one is much easier than three. The baby fell asleep in the cart cushioned by all our coats. Bonus 3.

In the afternoon I watched my friends kids. It was a half a day of school so I had my six and her four. Danika called from the school and asked if a friend could come play. Lets just say I'm not cut out to have 11 kids 10 and under. A 5 month old, a 7 month old, 2 two year olds, 2 four year olds, a 6 year old, a 7 year old, an  8 year old and 2 ten year olds. My neighbor, a 13 year old girl came over to play. She helped a lot with the kids. Bonus 4!

Sure I had to clean my two year old and her sheets since she had peed the bed this morning, a kid got their fingers slammed in the door, kids snuck green sugar sprinkles and made a mess in my pantry, had to clean mud off my carpet and floor, a kid got whacked with a bat,  had to clean up flour from a two year old jumping on the flour can,  found marker on my wall, and the list could continue but...I'm going to focus on the bonuses that happened.

Bring on tomorrow :)

She can be taught!

This will be sort of random but I'm super excited about what I learned today. I was craving pumpkin chocolate chip cookies today but unfortunately I didn't have canned pumpkin. I  called my neighbor to ask her if she had some. She did but she said she also had a small pumpkin I could use to make my own. Huh....I've never done that.....well we have pumpkins that we got in Missouri. She told me how to make my own pumpkin puree so I got to work.
First of all I had to ask which child would be willing to give up the pumpkin they decorated. Thankfully Jacob though cookies were more important than a decorated pumpkin on the doorstep. He claims they are all "his" cookies and said he would share.
While cleaning out the pumpkin I was going to throw the seeds away and Kevin mentioned I should roast them....yet another thing I've never tried. Who knew throwing salt on pumpkin seeds and baking them would be so tasty. The kids think they taste like popcorn.

Here is the pureed pumpkin, I'm so proud of myself :) I'll definitely be doing this with the other pumpkins instead of just chucking them.

Now for the finished product.....yummmmmmmmeeeeeeeeee

I wanted to also mention something funny that happened last night. It was the adult session of  Stake Conference. I was busy mowing the lawn and getting carrots our of the garden and Kevin was on the roof fixing some shingles. We didn't have time to eat before it was time to go. 

When we got home we hurried getting the kids bathed and in bed. After I was finished feeding the baby I came downstairs to find a candlelight dinner on the table. AWE So sweet! I love my hubby! Even a frozen burrito is romantic in candlelight he he. Well the mood lasted up until the kids started showing up one by one oohing and ahhing the candles. They were upset that they never got dinner with candlelight. While BriLynn was at the table she got a little to close and singed her hair. Burnt hair is pretty nasty smelling. We are just glad her whole head didn't catch fire.

So tonight we will have our family dinner over candlelight. I'll cross my fingers that no one gets hurt :)

Just Crazy

Crazy hair day was on Wednesday. Danika was pretty bummed because the plan was to use red hair coloring all over her hair. After looking at the bottle it said to not use on light blond hair so we didn't take any chances.  Can you see the pumpkin face on the back of Lukes head?

Tonight Kevin and I went to an annual party of our friends. It was super fun and we played a bunch of "minute to win it" games. Can you guess our costumes?

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

The Trip

We usually stop and get a hotel on the long drive there but Kevin wanted to make it the whole way. We left at 5:30 Friday morning and we arrived at 4:30 Saturday morning. I can't believe he was alert enough to make it. Thank goodness for books on CD! The kids did really well, I'm always so nervous but they always do great. Thank goodness for DVD players too :)

Here are the events of the week...not necessarily in order.

We helped Kevin's Aunt and Uncle move into their new home.
We played some tennis and went and looked at the devastation left behind from the tornado that hit Joplin. It's amazing to me that only a block away from the tornado's path the homes are fine but those in the direct path were completely destroyed.
Kevin helped put in a fireplace in their backyard. I have video but the video doesn't seem to want to load. Anybody else having problems? I haven't been able to upload a video for so long, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.


We went to a Discovery Center in Springfield. It was the coolest place! They had so much to do you could easily spend the whole day discovering things. Some highlights were the static ball, a giant bubble machine, the newsroom, and the high wire bike.

We went to Texas Roadhouse...I had seven tokens that were for a free kids meal with a paying adult. With Kevin's Brother Matt, his wife Kristine, Karin, us and Mom and Dad we had enough for the seven kids to get free kids meals. SWEET! I don't know if they do this every Tuesday and at every Texas Roadhouse but it was a kids night. They had facepainting, games, chalk to color the floor, etc... it was a total bonus that all that was going on.

We went to a pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins. Grandma had ordered fun faces to use on the pumpkins. I found a perfect gourd that I made to look like a character from Veggie tales. Can anyone guess who it is?

The last evening there, the adults went out to eat which was really nice. It was also nice that we had finished dinner before we got the call that BriLynn had locked herself in the bathroom and couldn't get out.

Family...isn't it about time.

We had a great trip to Missouri. As I haven't had time to go through all the photos yet, I'll just post one of Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandchildren. It's always so sad to leave, although, according to Andrew we will be moving there in 4 years. Grandpa says he'll count down the days :)

Gotta love kids

Our conversation tonight before family prayer:

Kevin: (irritated voice) Danika, stop talking we are about to say the prayer
Me: Look at how nice Andrew is folding his arms and is quiet
Danika: Boys are always better than girls.
Me: No thats not true
Luke: Yes it is
Me: No it's not
Luke: Well Daddy is better than you
Me: No he's not
Luke: uh huh, cuz he's the Bishop
Me: Yeah...well I'm the Bishops wife.

We have a puppy

Thanks for your comments gals. I know there are others who have troubles far worse than mine. It's just always nice to vent it out now and then.
Things did end happier than they began. We took the kids to a family fair held at the court house. You can't go wrong with free face painting, cotton candy, pop and Creamies!

How can you not smile bringing home a cute puppy? Get this....she doesn't shed and she's potty trained. Oh and she doesn't chew my shoes, she just tries to wear them.

Can I Vent for Sec?

Sigh....I feel like things are piling up.

The weather doesn't look so great for the carnival this week which means we will be inside the school. I'm a bit bummed since I wanted to avoid it being crowded. I'm going to stay positive about it though....either way it will be fun for the kids and that's what it's for.

Conference for me wasn't spiritual. yeah...umm.. at all. When you have little ones fighting with each other, it's hard to listen and feel the spirit.

I also haven't been as supportive as a wife as I should. For Example:
(door bell rings a couple times at 4:30 AM yes AM, I had just gotten to sleep after feeding the baby)
Kevin changes into some jeans (he did have other sweat pants on thankfully..that would have been awkward ha ha)
I tell him "It's time to move"

The phone calls at 7 in the morning or 10:30 at night I'm fine with but I'm finding it hard to find a positive spin on the lack of sleep last night.

The kids slept outside in the tent Friday and two wet the bed. Unfortunately they were sleeping on top of two other sleeping bags so that leaves four sleeping bags that need washed. I can't use my washing machine, the tag says to use a front loading washer.

We are leaving for Missouri next week and I'm not looking forward to the 20 hour drive with six kids.

I need to get the lawn and garden taken care of before the colder weather hits but I don't have the energy. You know picking all the tomatoes, carrots, onions, squash and fertilizing and mowing the lawn. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

Speaking of crying, baby's awake. I guess the cow needs to be milked.

Yep...venting does help. But I'm still tired!

Gee Thanks

This last weekend was a lot of fun. I got to spend time with my twin, my mom, my other two sisters and sister in law at Time out For Women. I took Jonathan with me since he is still nursing. Here is a conversation I had with my twin sis Susan.

Me: I'm so excited, I had two people ask me if Jonathan was my first baby.

Susan: Really? Couldn't they see all that gray in your hair?

Good feeling gone...gee thanks sis ha ha.

Well that was nice

Last weekend we went to Ryans Place park to play. We didn't know River Heights Apple Days was happening but it sure was nice. They had a bunch of things for the kids to do for FREE :) There wasn't huge lines which was great. The Army was there also giving the kids free name/dog tags. Afterwards we played at the park. We may have to find out when it's happening next year to go again :)
Jonanthan's face in the bottom picture sums up how it went.

Schools in

I have to admit that it has been nice to get on a schedule with school being in. The kids love their classes and teachers. I feel like things with the PTA are going well also. We had around 25-30 parents at the last meeting which is the most I've ever seen in my six years being a member.
Here is their first day of school picture.
Danika is in 5th grade with Farmer, Andrew is in Mr. Smiths 3rd grade class, and Luke is in Mrs. Ballams 1st grade class.

Jacobs first day of Preschool was today. He was sooooo excited. His teacher visted us a few weeks ago. She gave him a puzzle piece to decorate and a bag that says "Jacob's sack about Me". He put five things in it that he liked (his blanket, his monkey and puppet monkey, his hexbug and a notebook calculator book he got out of the mommy and daddy buck store.)
He was all smiles as I dropped him off.
Notice Andrew and Jacobs shirts. Ummm...I wonder what they like to play?

Family Pics 2011

I wanted to get family pictures taken since we don't have Jonathan in any. I'm so grateful for my friend Amy. She does such a great job, doesn't charge much and gives you the disk to make as many copies as you want. LOVE HER! Thanks so much Amy!


I love Mother she loves me, We love Daddy yesiree
I love brother, he loves me.

We love sister yesiree

They love us and so you see...


We are a happy family (your singing it now huh? he he)