For Missy!

See, I told you! This is pretty much how she wears her hair every day! Isn't it just the cutest thig you ever saw?

Creatures, Creatures Every Where!

Okay it wouldn't be fair to end this night without introducing you to our latest addition to the family so here she is...

This is Olivia. "Livy" for short! Ammon has wanted a lizard for over a year now and things just worked out perfectly with this precious little girl! Weird to talk about a lizard a precious but no joke, she REALLY is sweet! She loves to be held and petted! She takes food right out of your hand and can even walk on a leash!

Livy is a bearded dragon (a species native to Australia, Will) and is just about full grown. from nose to tale she is about the same as Abby from head to hiny! She feeds on Romain lettuce (that's how she gets her water) carrots and crickets. Grasshoppers are her chocolate though! The previous owner seemed quite sad to give her up but was full of information about her. I should have taken notes!

Ammon is thrilled. He was a little nervous about holding her at first but he's just fine with her now. I took some video of them together but, some how, my camera messed it up. I'm sure you'll be seeing more of her.

Notice her tail doesn't end until well past his elbow! She's a big girl! Congratulations Ammon!!!!

Foster Care...

That's right, we thought the day would never come! But after filling out the necessary paper work, and waiting a few weeks, we were finally approved to be a foster family. We got our call on Wednesday! He is brown with the sweetest brown eyes you've ever seen!!!! We won't let our children play with him or touch him because he's a little to wild for our liking! I'm afraid he might scratch or bite!

There's not as much work as we expected. We just throw a little food at him and then we can forget about him until the next day! Yes that's right. It's fostering at it's best! The best part about it is that we get to take him to a park on Saturday and leave him there! Then we just call our case worker and let her know when we want another one!

All joking aside, I'm so glad that my children are having so much experience with the Lord's creations, because each one is so special in it's own way! (Except crickets! They're just evil!) They are learning to love and respect every living thing and it's creator as well. I hope these are the things they remember when they are adults. I hope these are the kinds of things that they look back on and smile about!

Freaky...

That's his name! My children woke me up this morning (While sticking this in my face!) to tell me that while they were in the back yard (at 6am) looking for snakes (the reason they are currently NOT allowed in the back yard) they found it! I kid you not, I have never seen a bug this big before! I feel like this picture doesn't even do it justice!!!! While we all think this IS one of the coolest bugs they've ever found, for me it kinda ranks some where between those big nasty roaches and crickets on my "ick" scale. We are letting it go in the morning (If it doesn't die over night) The kids have to show it to a couple more neighborhood kids before we do. I don't really mind. It was kind of a science lesson. We looked it up on the Internet and learned a little bit about them...It's a Giant California Piaphas (I think) I'm not sure I've got the last part right...that was one of the first things I did this morning and I am now working on one of the last things I'll do tonight.
Any way I just thought I'd share you all have a wonderful weekend!

The Spice of Life...

This is pretty interesting and I think it fits me a lot better than the Princess thing! (Of course I answered all of THESE questions honestly ... not just because I wanted a certain spice!)

You Are Oregano

You have are charming, funny, witty, and smart. You love to party - and people love to party with you. You are always friendly and warm. You are able to help people get along.

What Spice Are You?

The Date Is Set...Sorta...

I have a "surgical evaluation" set for July 1st at 2:30 pm. Then they'll let me know how soon I need this done. I hope it's one of those in and out things. I need to be better fast! You can only do so much in a given day when you're doped up on pain meds!

Thanks Andrea!

I'm splitting up the tag! ABC: Steph H, Steph J, and John One word: Leisha, Shilo, and Will
ABC tag
A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Hmmm...At what point of my life are you talking about? Sooo many people pop into my head right now it's my Hubby. In HS Christi. If we're talking family... My MIL ranks right up there and I have two sisters and a cousin that I know I can call any time... do those count?
C-Cake or Pie: YES!!!
D- Day of the Week:When I started this...Friday. When I finished Saturday!
E- Essential Item: My diaper bag! I keep a spare one in the care most of the time...or at the very least extra diapers and wipes!
F- Favorite Color: emerald green
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears (I LOVED that show!)
H-Home town: Terre Haute
I- Indulgences: Brownies w/ vanilla ice cream and hot fudge!
J- January or July?: January - I live in AZ!!!
K-Kids: Rose 10, Sarah 10, Ammon 7, Malachi 6, Gabriel 4, Hannah 3 (in two days), Maggie 17mos, Abbie 6mos
L-Life is incomplete without: Hmm...I know I'm supposed to say kids or family here but honestly what came to mind is... a hot bath, a Barque's Boot Beer, and a Watchamacallit candy bar!
M- Marriage Date: January 16 (I think) N- Number of Siblings: 5 (3 sisters and 2 brothers)
O- Oranges or Apples: Apples...Oranges are my favorite fruit but I don't eat them very often because I ALWAYS have cold sores in my mount and it just hurts!
P- Phobias or Fears: Crickets and Driving! No lie! I have actual panic attacks that make me truly unable to cope with these two things! My husband thinks I need hypnosis or drugs...I say I have kids to kill the crickets, and we don't really need to use the high way!
Q- Quote: "It is a shame that women have worked so to hard to become mans equal... For they were once our superiors" ~My Uncle Don~ He was probably quoting some one else but he's who I heard it from and it has stuck with me all my life!
R- Reason To Smile: little giggles
S- Season: spring-my favorite
T- Tag Three: Stephanie J, Stephanie H, and John
U- Unknown fact about me: I sleep with three pillows...none of which are under my head! one over my head, one either between my legs or over them, and the other over or under my feet!
V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: I can hold my own with meat!
W- Worst Habit: Yelling...I do it quite well...wish I didn't though.
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasound! I truly do not know how many I've had!
Y-Your favorite food: JUNK!!!!!!!!! I pretty much like any thing that is not good for you!!!!! Chips, carbs, greasy fried stuff. It's all good!!!!
Z: Zodiac Sign: I think it's a scorpion or something.

AND

One word Tag,
1. Where is your cell phone?. . . . .N/A
2.Your significant other? . . . . . .Cute!
3. Your hair? . . . . . . . . . . . .bleh!!!!!
4. Your mother? . . . . . . . . . .Ummmm...
5. Your father? . . . . . . . . . . .sick
6. Your favorite thing? . . . . . babies
7. Your dream last night? . . . busy!
8. Your favorite drink? . . . . . Barques
9. Your dream/goal? . . . . . . . eternal
10. The room you're in? . . . . .school
11. Your hobby? . . . . . . . . . . . chainmail
12.Your fear? . . . .. . . . . . . . . .death
13. Where do you want to be in six years? . . .AZ
14. Where were you last night? . . . . . . . . . . .asleep
15. What you're not? . . . . . . . . .patient
16. Muffins? . . . . . . . . . . . . .cupcakes?
17. One of your wish list items? . . .nap
18. Where you grew up? . . . . . . . .trashy
19. The last thing you did? . . . . nursed
20. What are you wearing? . . . . . .clothes?
21. Your t.v.? . . . . . . . . . . . .none
22. Your pets? . . . . . . . . . . . .numerous
23. Your computer? . . . . . . . . . .crap!
24. Your life? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nice
25.Your mood? . . . . . . . . . . . .today?
26. Missing someone? . . . . . . . . .Shannon
27. Your car? . . . . . . . . . . . . big
28. Something you're not wearing? . . .shoes
29. Favorite store? . . . . . . . . .craigslist.com
30. Your summer? . . . . . . . . . . HOT!
31. Like someone? . . . . . . . . . .Yup!
32. Your favorite color? . . . . . . .green
33. When was the last time you laughed?. .today
34. Last time you cried? . . . . . . .today

I thought my tweens were bad...

Maggie isn't even 18 months old yet and she still loves to jam to Avril's "Happy Ending"! She stops as soon as she realizes she's being watched though!

The BEST Stinkin' Baby Seat Ever!

Okay, I'm not one to push products... I think babies have too much stuff today! BUT If you have a baby I HIGHLY recommend this seat It is called a BUMBO. Abbie is 6 mos old and doesn't sit up..at all. It might have something to do with the fact that she was a preemie but it could just be that she doesn't want to. Any way, This seat is awesome! It's molded perfectly to fit her. It supports her back and her sides but still allows her to wiggle. I truly cannot say enough good things about this seat! I wish I had it with my other 7!

I got mine at Walmart. You can also order it on line at http://www.bumbobabysitter.com/ . The price is the same. It has a little optional tray that attaches to it for toys (which they don't carry at Walmart) but I haven't ordered it yet! (money and all)

*Cutest baby in the world - not included!

Happy Birthday!

My sweet darling BABIES are 10 now! I couldn't post this yesterday because we were so busy with their party and going swimming TWICE!

I can't believe how absolutely stunning these two are! Yesterday Daddy was dancing with Rose to the song 100 years and I just started bawling!

When I was younger I was told that I would most likely not have children. Then I lost our first baby... That was the saddest and most depressing time of my life. I truly believe that finding out 12 weeks later that I was 7 weeks pregnant is what SAVED MY LIFE!

These girls are so much more to me than my oldest children! In a way, I'll always think of them as the blessing I was granted for struggling through that time. While I know spouses are supposed to be best friends, I can honestly say that no other relationship can compare to the one I have with "The girls" (how I still refer to the even though I have three more girls!)

Sarah (above) is so beautiful! She is giggles and sunshine! She loves fairy tales (especially Peter Pan) and she is one of the most compassionate and loving people I know. No animal (or bug for that matter) will go unfed, uncared for, or unsheltered as long as Sarah has knowledge of it! Her compassion and love are equalled by her desire to please and obey! You will never meet a child who tries harder, loves deeper, or smiles sweeter than my Sarah Bear!

Rose is my all American girl! She is truly a joy in my life! She is equally as beautiful as her sister, and very quick witted! Always the first to crack a joke or tell a funny story, she can light up a room. She has a big interest in art and has truly stepped up her ability lately. She takes pride in accomplishing new things and loves learning! Being the oldest, she like for people to treat her like a little adult, but the truth is, she will always be my little Rosie Posie!

Both girls are accomplished sketch artists and their minds seem to be exploding with more and more information every day. I love the way they look at the world. They have an opinion on politics (probably because of my talk radio) that any conservative mother can be proud of! You should hear some of the comments they make while I'm listening to Glenn Beck! Today Sarah informed me that she loves the name Hillary, and that if she ever names a little girl Hillary, it WILL NOT be after Hillary Clinton.

Any way, I just wanted to get some of my thoughts out while I could so that years from now when I am crying because I've forgotten what it was like to have little ones I can look back and remember... their smiles... their faces... there giggles...and their antics!

Abbie's First Food...and then some!

This was supposed to be a video about Abbie's first solid food. It ended up being a snap shot of life at lunch time in the Leschorn Home! John and I couldn't help but laugh when we watched it later.

Things you see in this video:
-"Under the Sea" playing on the computer
-Hannah tearing up her lunch
-Gabie running laps
-Rose's eating habbits
-Rose asking questions
-Gabie asking for a movie (knowing full well that we were distracted)
-Oh yah...and Abbie eating her fist solid food! (squash)

My Sob Story...

Okay...
I went to the surgeon yesterday, only to find out that I DO NOT have a tumor! YAY! It's a cyst! (start rant about idiot doctors)
Any way the surgeon said I have three options:
1) Leave it alone and live with the pain. (not working so well for me)
2) Drain it with a needle... supposedly to give me 3 to 6 months of relief.
3)Have it surgically removed and never have to deal with it again.

Being that I am one of those "afraid of dying on the table, and leaving my husband to raise all of my children as a single parent until he meets some crazy woman who marries him and locks the children in an attic" types...I went for option #2!
No big deal...He jammed a 3 inch needle into my wrist and sucked out 3 tubes worth of junk. (this was a LOT LESS PAINFUL than it sounds!) There was instant relief and the bump disappeared immediately!

Then three hours later...IT CAME BACK! It is now twice the size and you can see it even when my hand is strait...as opposed to only when I bend my wrist.

EVERYBODY CRY WITH ME!

So what do I do now? I get to schedule surgery...Yay. (note hint of sarcasm) I was really hoping I could put it off...oh...FOREVER.

Just Goofing Around...

I am experimenting with different colors and trying to come up with something I like so just bare with my over the next few days while I figure every thing out...

blah...blah...blah...

I typed a long ... boring ... post ... and erased it...
I'm going to see the hand surgeon tomorrow. (insert whining here) I have to have surgery. (insert "fear of going under the knife" comments here) It's going to cost money. (insert more whining) I have to drive there by myself. (insert looong story of roll over accident and chronic panic attacks here)
I'm sad (insert all the reasons a vacation is not an option this summer... and more whining) I'm tired (throw in some comments about insomnia and how much it sucks!) I'm lonely (This is where I talk about the ward members I have, and how I just found out yesterday that I "intimidate" most of the women because I can "handle" so many children)
The rest was really to personal to post on a public site and probably wouldn't interest any of you any way.
The end.

6 months Old!

Well it's official! My last little baby is half way through her first year. (sigh)

It's so hard to believe. Looking back, it has all been worth it. She can just make my day by smiling at me. She gets a huge smile on her face when she notices you looking at her.

One of the little things that makes Abbie, Abbie is how easily she startles! She doesn't like loud noises. This after noon she was asleed in her bassinet and I accident stepped on hannahs water bottle. The crunching sound it made caused her to just about jump out of her skin. I had rock and cuddle her untilshe felt safe enough to be put back down again.

She is just my sweety!

I can't believe how big she's getting and while am sad to see her grow. I am also so happy. Happy for her...happy to celebrate her achivements and her life!

The truth is, even though I always say that I should have lived in the age of the pioneers, i am so glad that I don't . John and I have discussed over and over the fact that were it not for modern medicine we would most likely have never had 8 chiildren.

I am so thankful for the miricles that our Father has provided

Family...

This is a little late but I really wanted to tell every one what a wonderful family my husband has. This is his Aunt Edie, Uncle Thomas, Aunt Delores...and you all know Nana! They came out to visit Nana from NY and joined us for dinner a few Sundays ago. We're just now getting around to uploading all of the pictures from our camera!
It was just such a wonderful time and I can't wait to see them all again!

My Favorite...

It has been brought to my attention that I post more pictures of Maggie than any of my other children. AND it has been insinuated that perhaps she is my favorite. Here's my take on that...

Rather than my favorite child. I think perhaps she is my favorite AGE! I have MILLIONS of pictures of ALL of my other children at this age. However, I have never had the benefit of a blog to share my pictures so publicly before. So, if she is in fact my favorite child I think it would only be fair to say that she is just taking her turn! Let's face it guys, there is no other time when children grow, learn and giggle as much as they do when they are toddlers!

Watching my children discover the world on a daily basis is truly witnessing the MIRACLE of the Lord's Plan of Happiness. Add to that the Innocent smile and precious curiosity that accompanies toldlerhood and it could possibly be the closest thing to Heaven on earth.

So there you have it "MY FAVORITE" in a nut shell!

My tumor...

This is so creepy...I thought I had broken my wrist during a fall and just not realized it at the time. It didn't hurt until a couple of days ago so I finally went to the doctor this morning. After some x-rays we found out that it is not a fracture but a benign tumor on my nerve endings in my wrist.

No big deal... it's a genetic thing... it's called Neurofibromatosis... and I have an appointment for Thursday with a hand specialist. They will most likely remove it via surgery. The knot on the top is the tumor.

Ammon's Chainmail

John and I haven't had much time to work on ammons chainmail lately but I thought you might like to see the progress. We're making it a little big on purpose so that we don't need to make another one after his next growth spurt! He loves it and we are all very excited to see how it looks when it's all done!

I'm Megara

Charming and witty. You are always the first person to come up with a wisecrack. Sure, you have an attitude, but that's why people love you. You keep them on their toes. Sometimes you can be misleading, but always end up doing the right thing for the people you love.
Which Disney Princess Are You?

The BEST Dutch Apple Pie EVER...

By now you know that when I succeed at something I like to share it! Well I wanted to make apple pie so I did a lot of reading about it, mixed a few different recipes together, and came up with one of my own! I have to say I have NEVER had a better tasting apple pie!!! I wrote every thing down as I did it! So Here is my recipe:

*ALL measurements are approximate!

Crust:
-3 cups flour
-1 cup shortening
-1/2 cup cold water
-6T brown sugar (I like dark)
-salt (maybe 1 tsp)
-cinnamon to taste

Mix the salt, brown sugar, and flour together. Then add your shortening and mash it together with a pastry cutter or a fork. Add the cinnamon as desired ( just used a few sprinkles)
Roll it out immediately-I haven't tried refrigerating this yet.
Place ti in an un-greased 13x9 pan or 2 9-inch pie pans.
Set aside.

Pie filling:
-Granny Smith Apples (I used 11 but you can use more or less if you need/want to)
-1/2 C brown sugar
-1 c sugar
-1/2 tsp nutmeg
-1tsp ground cinnamon (you can use more but I don't like too much)
-lemon juice
-flour
-salt

Peel and slice your apples and toss them in some lemon juice. (a couple of Table spoons) You'll need a LARGE bowl for this. Then add both sugars, your nutmeg and the cinnamon. Mix that all together until the apples ate good and slimy looking. Add your flour I just kept adding table spoon until I thought it looked right. (I ended up using 6)
When that's all mixed in put it in your crust. It won't fit, but that just fine, just pile them up on top.

Topping: I took this directly from another recipe...It's perfect!
-1 1/2 c all purpose flour
-1/2 c dark brown sugar
-1/2 c sugar
-2/3 c butter

Mix with a fork until crumbly.


Finishing Up:

Sprinkle crumbs over apples (if you haven't already eaten them all) Bake on a baking sheet at 375 degrees until you see bubbles forming under the crumbs (about 50 minutes) You can test with a fork to see if it's done by making sure that your fork can go through the apples pretty easily.

This stuff is good to eat warm but it's also really yummy cold too. It takes a few hours for the apples to settle and cool enough to be even across the top.
ENJOY!!!!

Everbody sing!

"This is the way we crush the baby... crush the baby... crush the baby. This is the way we crush the baby...early Saturday morning!"
I heard Abbie screaming and when I went to check on her Maggie was in the exersaucer with her... happily bouncing up and down!

Abbie got a bunch of hugs and cuddles after her Mean ol' Mommy took pictures of her torture.

For Steph...

Why we got TWO kittens...

Twice the purrs!

Twice the hugs!

Twice the snuggles!

Twice the fun!

And besides...

If Maggie kills one...We have a spare!

Our Marine!

As promised... a picture of the whole gang. I haven't figured out how to make it larger because I received it by email. For those of you who don't know, this handsome Marine is Private Jedidiah Williams. He is my nephew. He is a SINGLE, 20 yr old, Melchizedek priesthood holder. Applications for permission to date him will be excepted by me via email...Please send picture for initial screening!

In all honesty and seriousness though, this boy...I mean MAN... has grown up so much over the past couple of months that I can't even tell you! He has lost 90-some pounds since he decided to join the military.
Aside from that, he came back with a confidence and self esteem that he needs to succeed in life---That was something none of us family members have been able to give him! We are all so proud of him! It warms my heart to know he has finally met a goal that he has wanted to meet since he was a little boy playing "battle" in the back yard with imaginary enemies. (Oh wait, that was just last year!)

Growing up Jed was always more of a little brother than a nephew. I am only 10 yrs older than him. I have watched him grow from the annoying-brother-type to the grown-up-man-type over the past 2 years and it has been very...interesting... to watch. I love my guy and I can't wait to see him married and settled down! He'll make an excellent husband and an even better father someday!

WE LOVE YOU JED!

Abbie's Blessing

Today was a great day! Abbie was blessed by John, and Jedidiah was able to stand in the circle acting in his first ordinance as a Melchizedek priesthood holder. The blessing was beautiful. She was blessed that she would have "strength of mind and of spirit" and "bare many children"(Yay, grand kids!) She was told that she will be "strong and continue with good health" and that she would have "the desire to follow the Lord and marry in the temple"...I was crying about then.

There's a little story about the gown she is wearing...I made it yesterday. Even though I've known since before she was born that I was going to have her blessed I couldn't bring myself to spend the money on material for her gown. My MIL had given me a bunch of Nana's sheets so I just used on of them to make the gown. So all that was spent was the $$$ it took to by the trim and buttons.
I know this will probably sound a little weird but there is something kind of sentimental about the fact that this gown (kind of pioneer styled) was made from one of Abbie's Great grandmother's sheets.

I am still waiting for some more pics from Jed's camera (mine is broken) with all the kids but I wanted to get these up as soon as I could.

Thanks Nana, Grandma, Aunt Missy and Johnson Family for coming for Abbie's special day!