BOYS!!!

Okay I've heard other bloggers talk about PMS (perpetual motion syndrome) or rowdy boys or boy humor and here is what I've come to realize...
There are no other creatures in the world like them!

Before I had boys I never...

• liked swords or guns.
• thought of a wreath as a crown and a broom as a weapon.
• thought the word "vegetable" was a four letter word.
• said, "don't make me tell you again!" so much.
• knew you could burp through your nose.
• knew it was possible to hang from a ceiling fan.
• saw a hammock made out of comforters and a bunk bed.
• laughed at bodily noises.
• realized garages were full of so many "amazing things".
• understood the fascination with being able to fry ants with a magnifying glass.
• plucked wings off bugs so that they could be looked at under a microscope.
• made chain mail.
• knew I could give so many baths.
• knew fixing a leak could be so interesting.
• thought I'd actually see a need for knee pads and helmets.
• got such a kick out of Weird Al.
• Thought of light sabers as a household necessity.
• saw poop smears on my bathroom walls!
• said "Get down from there!" 10 times in an hour.
• realized the importance of pizza in a diet!
• said "Don't lick that!"
• said, "don't put your hand in there!" quite so much.
• told some one they could pee in a bush.
• understood how it was POSSIBLE to pee in a bush!
• said "don't hit your brother THAT HARD."
• knew I could laugh so much!
• knew I could yell so much!

I LOVE THIS BABY! I just thought the little curl at the top of her head was so cute that I had to take a picture! She had quite a weekend. Apparently she got stung Saturday (Early afternoon) but we didn't realize it until that evening when we were getting ready to leave for stake conference. We saw her hand and thought she had a splinter. One squeeze and out it came. We wrapped it up and put Neosporin on it... BUT... When we got home from stake conference her whole hand was all swollen! Ooops! The poor little thing got all dose up with Motrin and benedryl and STILL had to sleep with her arm in the air 'cause it hurt so bad.

Then on Sunday she had some creepy face-swollen-hivey-red-hot allergic reaction to an unknown cause...Once again she went to bed accompanied with Benedryl and Motrin. My poor baby! I hope she doesn't end up with my sensitivity to stings but I'm guessing that's already the case.

By the way this is what a little of the pink stuff can do for a sweet, swollen, and already sleepy baby! ... Just had to share!

One Cute Blog!

(deep breath) As I am sure many of you know, Our favorite FREE blog template site has decided it can no longer provide templates for us! (sob...sigh...sob)
She put very detailed info on how to do it yourself...BUT...I am sad to say that my computer skills are seriously under developed! I am having quite a bit of trouble putting things from the kits together. Is there any one that can help me? (sniff..sniff)

Belt Your Kids!

We rarely have a problem with bickering in our home but when we do it is quickly remedied with a day of being "belted". The other day Malachi and Gabriel were picking at each other so much that by the time Daddy was ready to leave for work he said. "Mom, I think it's time to pull out the belt." So the boys were stuck like this from about 7:30 am until about 5:30 pm! They had to work together to do every thing! I did un-belt them long enough to let Malachi go "potty" but they even had to pee as a team!
You know, I don't think they've fought for three days now!

SCA Court Night

Okay I ALWAYS HATE pictures with me in them but I thought that most of the kids looked good enough that these were worth posting! As most of you know, John and I have recently joined the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) It's pretty much an excuse for a bunch of grown ups to get together and have fun dressing up in renaissance costumes and learning about historical arts and sciences. Rose and Sarah have their first archery lessons on Saturday and Ammon and Malachi will begin their Youth Combat training next month. (Gabie's not old enough yet.)
Any way, aside from our weekly meetings we have our monthly "court". This is where awards are given out and people advance in levels and all of that sort of stuff. Our particular barony happens to make this a pretty formal event. There was even a battle (adult) for a sword that is passed around from champion to champion. It's all in good fun!

Maggie went with Bill and Mary and Abbie was snuggled asleep in her car seat so we only took pictures of the ones in costume.

See what happens when you play with knives?

Not wanting to waist 13 hours of our lives at the ER, (not to mention $100.00) we opted NOT to go to the hospital for this cut. Our dear Hannah decided to copy her older brother and cut a carrot. She cut her thumb instead! The bandage makes it look a lot worse than it really is. It just wouldn't stop splitting open and bleeding again. Also, it's right on the tip of the thumb witch makes keeping the bandage on a little more difficult than normal...Hence the tape around her whole hand.
All in all she's taken it pretty well (except for the normal "I'm gonna die" type scream that she does every time a new cut arrives) She tells all of her brothers and sisters "I got uh owie!" when ever she wants sympathy and they are happy to oblige!

Look Who's 20!

The fact that I can say "I remember the day you were born..." to a 20 yr old is a little hard to swallow. The truth is that this "boy" has always been more like a brother to me than a nephew!

I know you're not able to see this right now but...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JED!!!!

May the force be with you!

I Rock!!!

Have you ever just had one of those days where you feel like you just did something awesome as a parent? Well, after last night, I can honestly claim to be a cool Mom! I mean come on, How many Moms do you know that can say "My son wanted chain male armor so we learned how to make it?" That's right, I wound wire around a pole and cut it, to make the links. John did most of the patterning, but then, he showed me how and I did quite a bit too. There are 240 links in this section and about 3 hours of work! The average adult tunic takes 10,000 links! We don't know how many we need for Ammon's because we're making it up as we go! I LOVE rising to a challenge!

Bath Time Fun!

Just some cute pics of two of the cutest little girls you'll ever see...I happen to be lucky enough to be Mom to the top five in the world!

A nest in Malachi's dresser...

I was putting laundry away and discovered a "nest" in Malachi's dresser. These are "water horse eggs"! Apparently the Mom forgot that it's only supposed to lay one at a time!

Sweet dreams...

Is there any thing sweeter than a cute baby all snuggled and asleep in a pile of dirty laundry?

A Bed time story...

John went to bed while I stayed up with Hannah, who had a very late and very long nap today. She crawled up on my lap while I was typing the blog I just finished.
"Mommy can I seep wif you and Daddy, in your bed?"
"No Hannah. You have to sleep in your bed."
"Ohhh... why?"
"Because I'm a mean and horrible Mommy."
"Okay I will go ask Daddy den, cause hes a nice good guy."
...and off she went!

-good night-

Amazon Cheese and the Magic Mirror

At the dinner table to night my sweet Ammon asked very politely, "Can you pass the Amazon cheese please?" I was happy to oblige... but I passed him the Parmesan instead.

AND

After dinner I heard Hannah in the bathroom chattering away...
Me: "Hannah, get out of the bathroom please."
Hannah: "I have to go now.. my mom is caw-ying," (not directed at me)
Me: "Who's in there with you?"
Hannah: "No, MY mom." (again, not directed at me)
Me: "Hannah?"
Hannah: " No. MYYYY mom!" (now I could see that she was on the footstool, leaning over the sink, very focused on her reflection, and looking rather irritated.)
Me: Hannah who are you talking too? (I already knew the answer and had just explained to John what was happening)
She crinkled up her face in a very disappointing expression and pointed at her reflection "Da Magic Mirror keeps saying 'MY Mom'!"

Kitty Heartbreak!

About a year ago my kids found a sweet fluffy little kitten in our back yard. It turned out it was our neighbor's, so we gave it back. A few days later, the neighbor kids came back and asked us if we wanted her because their mom didn't want a cat in the house. Sooo... Sasha came to live with us.

She was always inside. At night she slept with which ever child she chose. Ammon often shut the bedroom door so she wouldn't bother him at night. She would lay on their pillows and suck on her tail like she was nursing and PURR very loudly!

Well, as all of you know I went on bed rest while I was pregnant with Abbie. With so many kiddos to look after, there were LOTS of helpers coming in and out of the house. Some one accidentally let her out while I was in the hospital.

My sister made up fliers and John posted them on mail boxes and telephone poles. No one called. That was in October. The kids especially the girls) miss her SO MUCH. While John and I had excepted her 'fate" the kids were constantly on the look out for her.

Tonight I heard the typical "Mommy, It's Sasha!" I barely even glanced at the cat and stopped mid sentence! "No it's n---Oh my Gosh!" There sitting 10 feet away from my van (in our WALMART PARKING LOT was a very ratty looking SASHA!

I just didn't know what to do. I threaten Rosie with her life if she got out! I still wanted to be sure. I got out of the van and called to her. Now I was close enough to see her pink collar...much shaggier and tighter now. IT WAS SASHA!...only different. She wouldn't come to me. She was too afraid.

It's odd I truly believe that she recognised me but she has changed. I followed her in a walking chase all the way to the Walmart Outdoor center...which was locked. (she got in through the fencing) Rosie at this point was with me. We went all the way around to the front entrance and tried to get into the garden center from there but it was locked also. We ran (Rosie was balling at this point) to an employee and quickly told him that we needed to get into the Garden Center because our cat that had been missing for several months was in there. He was almost as excited as we were and took us there immediately!

It was too late. She was gone by the time we got in. Rose was crying I was crying. Even the two guys helping us were obviously upset. One told me he first saw her there around Christmas! The other told me that he's been working there for seven weeks and that she's been there every night as he locks up! Here's the thing...He's been trying for seven weeks to try to get her to come to him and she hasn't!

We talked to the manager and he said it's okay to set a live trap for her. But, I don't think it's going to matter. I think she's gone ferrel and it's not going to be the same. We have to catch her to at least remove the color that is far too tight because of her growth. I just don't know what to do and I've tried to explain it to my girls but they just think that if they can bring her home she'll remember them. It's so sad.

I can't believe I am this torn up about a cat that wants nothing to do with human beings! But I can't stand how heart breaking it is for my girls! They just don't understand why their Sasha wouldn't want to come home! Another cat is not an option and if we don't figure this out we'll never hear the end of it. I just don't know what to do, or how to help them understand.

How'd THAT get there?

Have you ever looked around your house and thought "How'd THAT get there?" Here are some of the things I come across today and yesterday...

A steak knife on the stairs
A "nest" in Malachi's dresser drawer (pictures to come)
Abbie in a toy stroller
Sarah's toothbrush in the toilet
Maggie asleep in my pile of dirty laundry
A stroller (the real one) full of rocks
A package of warm string cheese in our couch
$2.00 in my pants pocket
The piece to a puzzle that I just thew away because we couldn't find a piece...In the middle of the living room floor!
Deodorant in the dryer

How To Write Something Like The Book of Mormon

My husband and I were discussing the truthfulness of the gospel tonight and he showed me this video. I think it is well worth watch...especially if you doubt Joseph Smiths virtue!
I am so thankful for the gospel given to us in this day. I truly believe it is a GIFT and consider myself blessed to be able to study, learn, and grow more in my faith each day!

Apparently I'm getting old!

While Gabie was looking at my last post he said, "Mommy, Hannah is 2 and I am 4. How many years are you?"
I said "I'm 29."
He raise his eyebrows and yelled, "WOW! THAT'S A REALLY HIGH NUMBER TO COUNT!"

Lady in Red

The other day the twins got showered and dressed in a couple of new matching shirts I had picked up for them. Hannah very quickly realized that they had "parkly shirts". She wanted a "shirt wif parkles on dem". Well I looked through her clothes and couldn't find a sparkly shirt. So I started going through some of the hand-me-downs that my sister had brought for her from Indiana.

When Hannah saw this RED dress there was going to be no telling her she couldn't wear it! She wore it and a pair of very sparkly silver shoes all day, and told every one she met, "I am pretty. My shoes hab parkles on dem!" (Which turned out to be quite a few people because we had to be out and about for errands!)

This girl is one of a kind and makes me laugh like no one else can. I LOVE my Hannah Banana!

Sleep...brain fog...and being happily insane!

So a friend of mine and I were talking on the phone last night. We were talking about the fact that as mothers we don't get enough sleep so it's no wonder we're going insane! In our conversation she told about a study that had been done on human beings in which they were not allowed sleep. Some of the people LITERALLY went insane. My friend had come to the conclusion that it was her lack of sleep that was causing her issues!
I can't wait until I am at the lords feet because I sure have a lot of questions for him. For instance: Why would he give children so much energy? Why doesn't he save the excess of energy for us Moms that NEED it?

I have decided that I am suffering from a serious case of BRAIN FOG. (this IS an actual term) Hence my inability to keep it together (smile) Honestly, I am perfectly happy. (mostly) I feel like my last post might have miss led some people. I LOVE my life, my children, AND my husband! I just don't do well on no sleep! :) Just ask my husband about my 2 1/2 hr naps? A cousin of mine suggested lots of b12...It's worth a try.

I do get a little bummed when I start to examine my faults. I always backslide a bit before I figure things out and improve myself. I know I'll be fin and happy in the end. Each time I go through one of these "phases" I come out a little further up the mountain. I guess it's kinda like the song..."You take three steps forward and one step back, and you come a little closer. Take three steps forward and one step back and you've started on your way...Now look around see how far you've come. It's hard to remember where you've begun..." duh duh dum... I forget the rest but you get the idea.

Well any I just wanted every one to know that I am okay. I Don't need a suicide watch or any thing. :) All is well in the Land of Leschorn! The queen just feels a little off her rocker. She will be found competent enough to rule eventually!

Just Thinking Aloud...

I've just been in such an odd mood lately. I'm not really depressed. I'm just more...thoughtful. I've been searching out distractions and nothing is working. Though I must admit that I have learned quite a bit about the FLDS cult, the SCA, baking and sewing; none of that is REALLY what I've been looking for.
I don't know how else to describe it except that it's like when you want something really yummy to snack on but can't quite put your finger on what you want so you start pulling out ingredients to see what you can come up with. Cookies? Nope. Out of butter...Pie? Uh, not enough eggs...So you go for the cake stuff...can't be chocolate, no cocoa! You end up closing up the cook book and leaving every thing you pulled out, on the counter. You walk away unsatisfied and discouraged, thinking about how you were just missing one thing from each recipe. It's very FRUSTRATING!
Well, that seems to be my life lately. Not just in one or two aspects but every part. I find my self thinking "if only" quite a lot these days:

• If only I had more dresser space my little girls' clothes would be more organized.
• If only I didn't have the two youngest so close together I would be able to expect my children to be able to sit through a devotional with the older kids in the morning (you try teaching 6 kiddos about peace in the home when you have one baby in your lap crying while the other is whacking them in the head with a toy!)
• If only I had some help during the day I might actually get through all of my kids' school work for the day.
• If only I weren't so tired all the time I wouldn't yell so much!

I could go on but I'll spare any readers who haven't already fallen asleep while trying to follow my ramblings...Any way, as I was thinking tonight, I found my self throwing an "If only..." pitty party. I feel like I'm just missing one thing from each part of my life to make every thing perfect. Why is that? I leaning towards the maybe that's "how God planned it" answer (my old stand by) But, I'm not sure that's gonna do it this time around. Because if "there must needs be opposition in all things" where's my opposite?

Where's my perfect. Wheres my one perfect morning devotional? Wheres my one peaceful, non-exhausting, slept all night, day? Where is that moment that I walk through my house with out seeing piles of "too small", "too big", "good will",or "to be folded" clothes?

Doesn't it make sense that we would need a little perfect every now and then just to keep us going? So I could say "Hey, you know what? I got all the school work don one day last month maybe I could do it again."

All I want is ONE of those ingredients so I can make my treat and ENJOY it!...I'll take laundry surprise...or a homework pie... or my personal favorite, how about brownies with a side of peace and quiet?

Any was sorry for boring you. To be honest I'm so tired that I don't even know if this post made any seance. No great words of wisdom to put here at the end. Just a some what troubled feelings that I'm still not happy about or at peace with...blah...blah...blah...

Johns Blog...

Would all of those people who agree that John should be writing more on his blog (instead of watching old Star Trek reruns via the Internet) please make themselves known! LOL!

Here's how it goes...

Malachi: I have a bloody nose.
Me: Quit picking it. (with out turning to look)
Malachi: Okay...Uh, Is this enough to stain a wall?
(enter blood soaked tissue...note blood spatter on clothing and blood covered hands)
Me: Is there blood on my wall?
Malachi: No...(looking very thoughtful) just on mine.
Me: Why is there blood on your wall!?!
Malachi: Because I drew a picture.
Me: With blood?!
Malachi: Yeah! I wanted it to look like a battle like at the Renaissance Festival. (sweet toothless smile)

Note: There are no pictures because I did NOT want a repeat, and nothing gets a good encore like a photo op! Just know that it was gross!!!!

PS This is why we stock up on Clorox Wipes and Magic Erasers!

Blogging Beauties!

I recently allowed my daughter Rose to start a blog. (let me know if you haven't received an invite yet and want one) Considering the fact that she is only nine I have been really surprised to see how well she has done. It helps with her writing and typing at the same time. She is able to express her feelings in a way that she has never done before.
Now that she has started getting replies and comments from people she is excited to write more! My Sarah has now caught on to the fact that this is fun and she is missing out. Sooo...She got a blog too! (let me know if you want an invite for that one too!)
Any way I am just so happy that both of my girls are journaling (in a way). It sure beats holding them to a table and using a traditional pen and paper! Instead of insisting that they have to write at least five sentences and having it take an hour. I am finding that I can limit them to 15 min of blogging time and expect a paragraph. I LOVE IT!
Keep up the good work girls! I love you!

Kids at the petting zoo!

Okay so I'm working on spacing issues...BUT ANYWAY... Here are some promised pictures of the kiddos at Rawhide's petting zoo. They had a blast! Maggie just kept chasing the baby goats around and trying to climb on the pony!


The baby goats were obviously a favorite! Who doesn't love babies? My personal favorite was the baby Camel !

Just for Laughs...

... I thought I'd let you know that I experienced one of the most embarrassing moments in my mothering yet!

The other night we were at the Rainforest Cafe with my sister, her husband and their two girls. All went pretty well except for the fact that my Hannah and Shannon's Kira were afraid of the storms.

Any way, as we were leaving my Gabriel walked over to another table, smiled sweetly, leaned down and licked a chip on a man's plate! I thought I was going to DIE! The people at the table took it well and even offered him the chip that his tongue had touched!

I offered to pay for their meal but they just laughed and said it was okay. The two tables near by were laughing as well! One guy teared up! I did too but NOT because I thought it was funny!

In hind sight it is pretty funny but I must admit that at the time I would have paid someone else to claim him as their child!

Jail Birds...

I'll post more pictures of our trip to Rawhide when I have the time. But for now, these were so cute I just had to put them up! Grandma paid 5.00 to be locked up with all of her grandchildren. Hannah wasn't feeling to good (she's been in bed with a fever all day today) so we didn't make her go in. We even added Abbie at the last minute but the masses were scattering at that point!

PS. Doesn't Maggie look right at home behind those bars?

Abbie's Among Us!

Just thought I'd take a moment to post these pics of Abbie since she is normally just hanging out in the stroller durring all the fun activities we're doing while everyone's in town! She really is with us. Aunt Missy took these while we were all hanging out at the pool on Thursday!

There will be no pictures posted of that day because none of them came out good!(sigh...)

A Great Day to be Knighted!

Our whole gang went to the Annual Renascence Festival last Saturday! There were 12 kids age 9 and under! It was so much fun! There was a knighting ceremony that was taken very serious by several of the kids. Where they all promised to do one good deed during the day to prove their loyalty to the crown.

We loved all of the characters that were walking around! This was a pirate. He was impersonating Jack Sparrow but my kids have never seen that movie. So Frankie and Josh were happy to tell them all about it.

While Daddy took the boys to look at "guy stuff" the older girls rode on the big swan swing and the Kira and Hannah got to ride on the butterflies.

The dancing was one of my favorite parts! I loved watching the kids learn how to do it!

Hannah was THRILLED to see a "real PRINCESS" coming toward her and suspended her normal shyness to give her a huge hug. Kira was there too but did not step out of her comfort zone to get to close.

Aunt Missy spent most of the day holding babies (as usual) and attracted the attention of a court jester who was quite impressed with what a "great aunt" she was!

There was a live action joust and we got to meet some of the knights afterward! The picture didn't turn out great but I love my boys faces...You can just tell they had a BLAST!