But, But , But ...........

This is my Kindergartner Heidi -- on the very first day of school she had some hesitations, and was being kind of clingy. Check out that look !!

This was Kaylee my third grader and of course she had no problems at all -- actually she was all to anxious to get rid of me.
This is Katherine my 2nd grader and she was already to get to work with sitting at her desk and all.



My daughter who is in Kindergarten this year finally experienced three consecutive days in a row of going to school !! Poor thing, she so wasn't used to it because after she had gone to school on Wednesday and then on Thursday, she came home and was so grumpy and exhausted.

Being a mom, I could sense that something wasn't right with her, and asked her if she wanted to rest outside before attempting to do her homework? She wanted to, so I let her -- she was tired and when my children are tired they get "MOODY" much like their mother. So I had to change my whole approach with her that day and spent some time giving her some hugs and cuddle time. Maybe the long day is great for me, but to a five year old it might be a bit tough. But I think she just isn't used to it yet.

Now maybe she can learn to go to sleep at night when she is supposed to so that she will get enough rest for school the next day.

I've come to realize that children try their hardest and use every attempt at not going to bed. There are so many stall tactics !!! I need to use the bathroom, I forgot to brush my teeth, I'm thirsty, ---- and the list goes on and on, so I'm wondering what your favorite bedtime stall "excuse/tactic" is?

My oldest daughter is notorious for telling me --- "I didn't eat breakfast today!!" (SHE's 8)

FIRST FEEDING ........

Today we gave my son Ethan his first bites of real food!! We decided to do it today because he constantly grabs at my plate while we are eating and eyes the food as we put it into our mouths. I wasn't prepared to do this today, as far as having the high chair out of the cellar and cleaned up for the little guy to sit in while trying his first bites of food. The kids just kept saying how "HE doesn't like it MOMMY!!"
I had to reassure them that this is how all babies react to it the first time they try real food. Because they are so used to either breastmilk from nursing or formula that when they actually have something more than liquid in their mouths they don't know what to do with it.

So here is yet another milestone that means my little guy is getting older everyday and starting to learn how to use his body. He doesn't roll over a lot yet, but occasionally he does.

So I'm just wondering for those who remember feeding their babies for the first few times, how it made you feel? And if you thought or knew it was your last child how did that change your perception of the "baby"?

Eat, play, and WORKOUT!!

This is the gym I played in in High School !!






When I was in high school -- (over a decade ago!!), I was involved with high school athletics. I played volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and softball in the spring. I absolutely loved it!! I like how I felt physically because I was definately in shape back then. I loved competing -- although I wasn't all that good. I had fun while I played and basketball was my ultimate favorite sport!! I pushed myself and felt wonderful!!









Since then I have had five kids and don't quite get the "exercise" that I was once used to. So for the last three weeks, I've had the fortunate opportunity to play church volleyball on Thursday nights and absolutely love it. Most of the ladies haven't played other than in gym class, but it's fun, and it gives me the chance to help teach them something about the game they didn't know before. Most of these ladies that I play with are in my neighborhood and are my friends, so I get a chance to have a night away from the house and the family and get to go play!!









As a mom, I've found that if I don't take the time to take care of myself, mentally, physically, spiritually -- my family will ultimately suffer!! How can a woman take care of her family if she's neglected herself? I'm not saying that we should neglect our duties as a mom just to take care of ourselves but that we need to spend some time each day to focus on us. Make sure that we get the exercise or workout in, and eat!! I find myself not eating when I should because I've gotten to busy to feel like I can eat. So please remember to eat, feed your spirit, and exercise that you may be able to be with your family for as long as we can, as far as we can control it.

It finally happened my kids, ........

Well, it finally happened!! My kids were able to go to school in the new building yesturday (Sept. 26th). That doesn't mean that it is completely finished though. My daughter who is in 2nd grade said that they were only able to use the porta potties. So that stinks that there isn't any indoor plumbing yet, but hopefully in the next few days or by next week for sure. So this is the first time that my children have gone to school consecutive days in a row since Sept 4th when this school year started for Freedom Academy. It's been a crazy ride, but I think it will be well worth it -- by the time they get settled in. My older two girls also had real homework finally yesturday!!! This is going to be a great thing now, that they are going M-F from now on. YIPEEE!!!! I'll be sure and post some pictures in the next day or so, so you can see the progress the building has made since my earlier post about the school!!

Whew!! It's not a ....

Okay so my baby, has been driving me crazy for about two weeks now. I'm absolutely drained of any energy that I have -- I finally took the little creature into the doctors office this morning. Which I think at this point in time the appointment was more for my sanity than for the actual illness or ailment of my child.

The doctor checked him out -- he weighs in now at 18 pounds and is only 5 and half months old. WOW!!

He doesn't have any ear infections like I was thinking he could have had. But the doctor did say his throat was a little red, so a mild sore throat and teething pain!!

I had intuition telling me it could have been teething pain or it could have been an ear infection since he was always grabbing at his ears!!

So yeah for me that he really doesn't have an ear infection, but sad for baby that he is in so much pain.

That's one of the difficulties you face as being a mom, that you don't know exactly what ails your child everytime they start acting funny. So you have to use your best judgement -- or to keep your sanity with an unconsolable child, take him/her to the doctor and let them reassure you that you are doing a great job!!

Because lets face it -- it isn't as glamourous as being a "movie star", and the pay isn't anywhere close --but the joy's you recieve, and the happiness your child gives you is all worth the time and sacrifice you give.

If she only knew sooner !!

I've posted this on my Myspace blog as well.


So a lady I know is currently going through a separation period, possibly a divorce, but is in the process of moving out of her current home with her spouse. She's moving into an apartment that she can afford on her own, she has her own car, and can get her own insurance through her employer. That is great !!! Since she is married her husband has her on his health insurance and he wants to take her off, he lied and told her that he took her off his health insurance and she proceeded to go in and investigate this. The HR department said that he can't take her off since they are married, unless she signs a paper asking to be taken off.



She was in a relationship that seemed to display love and affection, but all too sudden the man failed to return her affection. No matter how much she would arrange her schedule at work to spend time with him, he would do all he could to work an opposite shift, as they both work at the same place of employment. They never had joint bank accounts which is currently now a great blessing for this lady. But the man would have ways of being very manipulative and "con" her into buying things for his car or paying his bills, like back taxes that he hasn't wanted to pay -- but had her take a loan out just to pay these. So this goes on her credit now. Stinks to be her, right?



Poor lady!!! I think everyone close to her could see this happening a lot sooner than she realized that it was. So as she finally decided to leave him, he wanted her to sign the insurance papers at work to remove her from his policy, -- only for her to come back and say, " I'll sign those just as soon as you take the loan ( for his back taxes of about $1400.00) off from my credit!"



You Go Girl!!! She's hurting inside, because he was the first guy that payed any attention to her and she did give him part of her heart. Where I don't think he ever told the truth about anything.



I think it's so sad, that some women have to face this. They might not be the "brightest lightbulb" but they are sweet people, and they care about others, and are generally good. The fact that they are prey for men that are looking for the next innocent victim, is saddening, and downright sickening. I always wonder what it is that I can do for these women, but the best thing I could come up with is to just be there friend, and be there for them.



That's great you say -- but it happens to guys too!! Yes these same kind of things can happen to men as well, so for these men -- that get the unfortunate chance to end up with a woman with the same kind of "bad qualities" -- the best you can do is be there and be there friend.





I realize that some of these people may realize it but don't have the ability to just get away. I don't understand how one human being can be so evil as to manipulate, lie to, and steal money in some cases and just take one's innocence away. So cruel.



So if you were in this situation what possibly could one do?

Nine days before ......

By looking at these pictures you'd think that there was no way the school would be able to be occupied in just 9 days!! Well in that amount of time they were able to make a lot of progress.

I'll be sure and post some newer pictures of what it looks like after only three days of students going to classes in this building.










Well, it sounds official -- the new school should probably be finished and ready for occupation next Tuesday!!

The school is planning on the big move taking place this weekend -- I'm afraid that I won't be able to help out but we're excited!!!

I took a few new pictures on Monday of the new school and it still looks a long way from being complete -- but maybe later today I'll drive by and see what the progress has been made since Monday Sept. 17th.

I have bitter sweet feelings of whether I like the new building coming to pass or if they should have just not even bothered. Then I think about it and realize that a new school, that is officially owned by the school -- and a place where the students can have the amenties that they need for an optimized learning environment. I'll keep posted about the exact success of the move.

Aww -- I love the cooler weather!!

I am so excited that it's almost Autumn!! I love the changing colors on the trees, and I enjoy being outside!! It's starts turning into sweatshirt (which I love to wear) weather.



My kids seem to be a bit happier because it isn't 100 degrees outside -- they want to go on walks, and love walking through the leaves when they start falling of the trees. And they like this time of the year because they know that the "holidays" are right around the corner.



So first we have Halloween coming up in a little over a month!! I hate buying the costumes from the store so we try and figure out what they would like to be, and gather items from around the house or go to DI (thrift store) and put their costumes together for way cheap !!!

Than less than one month later we have Thanksgiving, where they look forward to Turkey and Apple Pie.

And one month beyond Thanksgiving we have Christmas --- well do I really need to bother telling you why they like Christmas?

For me I've decided that Christmas is my favorite, because I can decorate the house and I love Christmas lights on my house!!! Mainly because I never had Christmas lights on the home I grew up in, while living with my parents. I love Christmas Carols, and drinking hot chocolate!!! YUM!!!

So what about you of the next few holidays coming up, which is your favorite and why? What makes you enjoy this season of the year?

They're all in bed, Agh No they're NOT!!

I absolutely dread the whole bedtime thing. I enforce getting the children to bed because I know that they need their sleep but I also know that I like to have some unwind time in the evening. As a mother to five children ( YES I SAID 5 !!) I am quite worn out at the end of the day as I'm sure almost any mother is, unless your "Superwoman MOM". The kids drag on bedtime for hours and hours, and now I sound like the terrible, horrible, no good very bad MOM!! But I assure you I am not, or at least I like to think that I'm not. Here's a sample of the bedtime HOURS in our house :

7:00 pm ---- Okay kiddos, time to come in and get ready for bed. Let's get our teeth brushed, go to the bathroom, and put your pajamas on. While in the meantime I have little 5 month old baby brother, who I'm trying to feed (a.k.a nurse the baby) and get him ready and into bed by 7:30 if I'm lucky but more like 8:00. So between nursing the baby and trying to get the other children started on the bedtime "ROUTINE" a lot of TIME slips by. What I thought was only 20 minutes ends up to be over an hour!!

8:00 pm ---- So now I have to repeat the same instructions because my children didn't do anything the first time. Luckily for me the second time around they seemed to develop their sense of hearing again and actually go forth and finish the task this time. But they don't do it in about 5 minutes like it should take maybe 10 if you have to take turns using the one toilet in the house. They take at least another 45 minutes !

8:45ish --- Okay lets say our prayers --- oh boy, what did I just say?? Now we've tacked on another 10 minutes just to get them all gathered in one location for the family bedtime prayer. Then you have to deal with all the giggles and the wiggles and the "She hit me!!" "DON'T DO THAT!!" and a list full of other reasons of why it can't just run so smooth like a hot knife slicing butter.

By 9:00 -- We've managed to get all of the teeth brushed, most of them have used the bathroom, hopefully they are still in some form of "PJ's" -- My kids often strip extra clothes off and want to sleep just in their underwear. (We're trying to break them of that habit before they start looking more like mommy!" We've said the prayer now we say "GOODNIGHT!!" to everyone. This mission alone takes at least another 10 - 15 minutes -- I can't seem to figure out why yet.

By 9:20ish -- I'm really getting "short" with them, because now that they are needing to lay down in their beds -- the nighttime routine of "excuses" starts. You know, "I need to go potty!!" "I'm thirsty!" "It's hot/cold" "I'm hungry!!" " I didn't eat any breakfast today!" and the list goes on and on!! So everytime they ask I tell them to stay in their bed, and they can do "whatever they want at the moment" in the morning. I turn off their lights and the talking lasts for hours easily. I'm constantly going in and telling them to stop talking, and stay in your own bed.

By 10:00 they sometimes are still awake, I'm going CRAZY by now!!

Maybe the problem isn't with them but more in myself, since children seem to expend so much extra energy when I tell them they need to go to bed, I should put them to work and then not let them go to bed until the "CHORE" is done. Maybe I need to wake up myself around 5am and wake them up after I've taken my shower and maybe that will cause them to go to sleep by 8pm at night.

I mean really, there just kids -- they are supposed to be full of energy, so why would it even be a natural thing for them to slow down and go to sleep? But I'm a MOM, and the mom knows best!! I was once a child, I have taken some child development classes, and now I have children, honestly I do know best.

I know that if you want to keep MOM happy you need to go to bed when Mommy says so or you will be

1. Still tired in the morning
2. Not want to get up in the morning.
3. You'll be cranky tomorrow.
4. You could get sick because you aren't getting enough sleep.
5. SORRY!! WHY? BECAUSE I SAID SO

But why should they be SORRY? Sorry for what? - that I'm not getting my "relax/kickback/hanging with Dad time?"

And from this I wonder why did I become a mom? And why did I decide to have 5 kids?

I'll tell you why? Because when I'm so tired that I cause myself to be upset by their misbehavior I get one child that comes out and gently walks over wraps their arms around my neck, (because by now I'm sitting and watching a little TV or I'm on the computer checking email or blogging or something) and tell me in the most innocent, sweet, childlike voice, " I love you Mommy!" Which fills my whole body with a tingling that can't be duplicated in any other way. Their eyes are so innocent and full of love for a person that has been "quite loud" or "yelling almost" at them and occasionally a swat on the bum -- for fighting with a sibling, and they have completely forgotten about that, and it's only been within the last 20 - 30 minutes or so.

It's just one of those things that as moms we have to deal with, some moms have it down as an art and some really struggle with it, to others it isn't that important, and yet to others it can be easy some nights and hard other nights. But just know that the little child you are a mother to, loves you all the more. So make sure every night you hug, kiss, and tell them "I LOVE YOU".


So every night I repeat this almost the same, some nights being great, some nights are worse, believe me it can get worse, but I'll do it because I'm a mother and I love my children, and I like getting hugs from them.

Still Under Construction

Okay so here we have the site of where the new school is being built. I took these pictures Sept. 7, 2007 -- we thought this was a big improvement considering that just that two weeks ago there were big mounds of dirt all in front of the school. What you see below is the front of the school and where a parking lot will be poured. When I took these pictures last week, I thought for sure that we would still be going in the old building because the new one wouldn't be ready.
As a parent you almost have to wonder why we even have to go through things like this. Delays left and right of the new school being able to be occupied. I just recieved an email from the school saying that the "Big Move" will now take place on Sept. 22, 2007 instead of the foretold Sept. 15th, 2007. So for the last two weeks almost my girls have been going to school only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So by the time our school will end its third week of being in session our kids will only have 8 days of school in. So that puts them going to school a few more extra days into June at the end of the year.
We're excited for the opportunity to have a new building but I really wish that they would have planned for the best -- meaning the school will be 100% complete and finished by the first day of school Sept. 4th, and that all things will have been moved over, but prepared for the worst, meaning that we should just start school on Aug 20th and occupied the old location and then when the new site was ready for occupancy we could move over at that time. As it is nearly two weeks of school have been wasted where the students could have gone but were told to wait. If the decision to start on Aug 20th was made I think that the students wouldn't have to go to school into June, when they are used to getting out in May.

I'm not opposed to charter schools at all, in fact, we love the curriculum, the staff, and everything about the school. We just have the unfortunate experience of the "Big Move" and it seems to really be putting a damper on things. They say the construction crews have extra men and are working extra hours to get this project finished. I hope that we don't need to extend yet another week beyond the 22nd of September.

I think after seeing all of these delays and the decisions that have been made not benefiting the majority of the population, that I will start attending the "meetings" that discuss such issues. Before I started my kids in this charter school last school year, I was way involved in the previous school, but for some reason last year I didn't get involved really. Why? Oh yeah, I was pregnant at the begining of the school year and tend to get quite ill, plus I was babysitting to earn a little extra money. I didn't have the time available.

So this year as long as I note when the meetings are and go -- I'll be more involved and have a better idea of what's going on.

I'm just curious for those of you who have school aged children -- How involved in school are you? And what makes it so that you can't "help out and be involved" ?

RASPBERRY - PEACH "NO CHUNKS OF FRUIT" JAM

Oh my gosh, I just made the best jam that I think I've ever tasted!!! My in-laws have a small peach orchard on their property and we love to go and pick our own peaches. But in order to prevent the peaches from rotting, we need to either cut them up and freeze them, but we quickly run out of freezer space, or make some jam. Which is what I decided to do.

This is a Raspberry - Peach "No chunks of Fruit" Jam !!!!

We used a vegetable peeler to peel the skins off the peaches, pitted and sliced them. When I had about 4 1/2 - 5 cups of sliced peaches I put them into the "Blender". I then took a pint of raspberries and washed them off and stuck them in the "Blender" as well. I pretty much "pureed" them -- mainly because I don't like eating gigantic hunks of fruit in my jams, so I made sure to eliminate that.

After blending, I put them into a saucepan and added a mixture containing 1 box of Sure Jell fruit Pectin in the PINK BOX, with 1 cup of sugar and grabbed a second small bowl to measure out two more cups of sugar, which I sat aside.

I used a canner that I was able to borrow from a neighbor who was kind enough to lend it to me. I had 12 ounce jars with lids and rings. I washed the jars with hot soapy water and placed the lids in a separate saucepan and poured hot boiling water over them until I was ready to place them on top of the jars.

With the mixture of peaches, raspberries, fruit pectin, and 1 cup of sugar I also added 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Stir this until it boils at which time you add the rest of the sugar and I used a whisk to make sure there weren't any clumps in tact in the pot. Once you add the rest of the sugar bring the mixture to a roiling boil -- one that will not go away when stirred. And while constantly stirring to prevent scorching, boil this for 1 minute.

When the 1 minute is up than remove from the heat and "stove" and let it set for 1- 5 minutes. Skim the foam off the top of the jam, and then use hot water from the sink to get the jars hot before you ladle the mixture into the jars. When the jam is inside the jars wipe the rim and threads of any jam that would prevent a good seal. Then place a flat lid ( one that was in the hot boiling water) on the jar and then screw on a ring to help hold it in place. When you have used up all of the jam, and put all the lids on and the jars are wiped clean then place in a water bath to process for 10 minutes.

When the 10 minutes is up then remove the jars of jam from the water bath onto a towel or cooling rack to allow air circulation all around the jar. Wait till the jars cool off and check the lids for a seal, if you push on the lid with your finger and it "pops" then the jar didn't seal and that or those bottles will need to be refrigerated, the other jars as long as the jar sealed may be stored in the pantry for up to 1 year.

I had so much doing this recipe -- now I have the biggest mess to clean up !!! But I've been rinsing and washing as I've waited for the second batch to process.

So here are the stats on the total amounts of food ingredients used in making two batches of "NO CHUNKS OF FRUIT" JAM

Peaches 10 - 11 pounds
Raspberries 2 pints
Lemon Juice 2 Tablespoons
Sure Jell - 2 Boxes ( The PINK One) It's for lower to No Sugar recipes.
Sugar 6 cups

Total Yield: 8 - 12 ounce jars

We're getting a jump start on Christmas Gifts this year.
Sad thing is -- I used all the fruit pectin (2 boxes) and we still have a ton of peaches to use!! Guess I'll have to acquire more pectin in order to make more jam and then I'll have to get more raspberries also.

I tasted a bit of this and WOW!!! It's good tasting stuff!!

If you like peaches and you like raspberries this is a combination sure to win over your taste buds.

And you might be wondering with 5 kids -- how on earth did I have time for this? Because it did take more than an hour to do, but maybe because I am an amateur and didn't really have any clue as to the whole process. Well my kids were all in bed, and yes I'm missing out on some precious beauty sleep, so I'd better go get in there and sleep before I don't get any tonight.

I highly recommend trying this if you aren't afraid to try new things. This gets 5 out of 5 stars with me, now all I need to do is make some home made bread and have home made jam and bread together.

I'm A Breastfeeding Mom and Proud of It!!

As a child I never understood or really knew what "breastfeeding" meant or what it
was. Not until I had my first child did I even consider that I would breastfeed my children.
My husband was very supportive of breastfeeding and therefore he encouraged me to do so. So I attempted it.

With my first few kids I was always too nervous to feed my baby anywhere in public,
-- covered or not! But as the years have gone by and more kids have been added to my brood, I now feel comfortable breastfeeding in any situation. I always cover up and keep "modest" per se, but I can't help but wonder what others around me might be thinking.

Of course, keeping covered is ideal, but I know that sometimes you get stuck in public
without the "cover" and need to feed an ever demanding, screaming little child, what does a woman do? Yes I know some stores provide a few chairs in the "Bathroom" to nurse their babies, but come on and get real!! Who really wants to eat dinner in the bathroom?

I know with my own experience that nursing my son in public can be quite intimidating, because I try to make sure I stay covered but those little "guys and gals" get to the point of squirming right out of the cover and accidental exposure happens. I don't know if anyone actually sees, but boy if they did I would feel so embarassed. But only because of the ideal that breastfeeding in public is "GROSS" and shouldn't be done. I don't know why anyone would object to a mom feeding her child and a "boob" accidentally gets exposed, but they won't get upset about a half naked woman walking down the street or in the store and showing more of her bosoms, than a nursing mom who is actually providing nourishment for her child.

The half naked lady is trying to be "sexy" I guess, and seeing the "boobs" in that instance are perfectly fine. But somehow a warped opinion has been developed about a mom nursing in public. Besides if you were in a third world country somewhere, clothes aren't the norm. I support all nursing moms, and if a person wants to complain about a breastfeeding mom FEEDING in public than the same should be done with a mom who gives her baby a bottle in public and should cover up just to FEED her baby.

A little ridiculous I know!! So you wouldn't ask that mom who is feeding her baby with a bottle to cover up, so why should you tell a mother who is breastfeeding her baby, to do so, behind a closed door for simply feeding her baby as well.

Here's are a few links for those that want additional information :

http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=4751

http://www.007b.com/breast_versus_bottle.php

Whether breastfeeding or bottlefeeding the mother should not be judged. Support her in whatever way she chooses to feed her baby. To all moms of "babies" YOU GO GIRL!!

Are you offended by moms, covered or not, that breastfeed their babies in public?

I thought Christmas was in December

How worldly are consumers becoming when it comes to Christmas? At the rate the stores are going they are going to be leaving Christmas merchandise up all year. I was in the store just this afternoon at Walmart, and noticed that there was shelves being set-up and containing Christmas merchandise while on an adjacent shelving unit sat Halloween goodies. How crazy is the country starting to get. And what I don't get is why consumers support this and buy these items four and half months before Christmas. That is insane!! I would like to make it through one holiday before I see the one coming in the future on display as well. I feel strongly that Christmas is about the Savior and what he did for us, but somehow the focus of Christmas turned into one of commercialism.

How do I as a parent explain to my children why they see Christmas merchandise on the shelf with Halloween items, and that Christmas is still four months away --- at least!! To a child I imagine this to be very confusing and frustrating. I remember as I was a child that when I started seeing Christmas products in the stores that it was about a month away, and now my kids get excited but only to be upset because I have to tell them it's still four months away. I'm not against Christmas decorations and merchandise being in stores around Thanksgiving or the middle of November but when it's being placed on shelves in stores as early as the begining of September that's a little overboard on promoting Christmas "things".

So I'm refusing to buy any lights or decorations related to Christmas until at least Thanksgiving time.

I'm wondering how you feel about seeing Christmas in the stores in September?

Our Trip to the Utah State Fair

This weekend we went to the Utah State Fair in Salt Lake City. It's a family tradition we've done every year since 1999 - the year we moved to Utah. This year I was lucky enough to notice a paper at the Provo City Library, that said if a child ages 6-12 read 10 books by a certain time and had recorded these on the paper supplied and mailed back to the Utah State Fair Committee "something or other" they would get a free admission ticket to the fair. My kids know how to read so we had them keep track of 10 books, mailed in the paper and received their rewards in the mail. So we went this last Saturday the 8th of September. We went basically for the PRCA rodeo, but also get to take advantage of the exhibits in the various halls and buildings. We made sure to look at the building with the bunnies, and then let each of the kids take a ride of some kind and then went to the 4-H building that my kids just loved. The main reason -- because the items on display were made by kids their ages and that was amazing to them. Now they are eager and want to learn to sew. I think it's great, but I know very little about "sewing" . I can make a blanket and simple items of clothing --- but even those aren't perfect. We'll see how that "talent" starts to develop.

I'm glad I became a mom

Here are a few quotes and a poem that I just read that made me feel I made a good decision to become a mother. Sometimes I need these little reminders and I'm glad that I found these.

"The phrase " working mother " is redundant."
-Jane Sellman-



"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."
-Jennifer Unlimited-



"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother."
-- Lin Yutang



"To understand a mother's love, bear your own children."
-- Chinese Proverb



"Mothers reflect God's loving presence on earth."
-- William R. Webb



Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day
With little time to stop and pray
For life's been anything but calmSince
You called on me to be a mom
Running errands, matching socks
Building dreams with building blocks
Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose
Gitting lids on bottled bugs
Wiping tears and giving hugs
A stack of last week's mail to read
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet when I steal a minute, Lord
Just at the sink or ironing board
To ask the blessings of Your grace
I seen then, in my small one's face
That you have blessed me
All the while
And I stop to kiss
That precious smile

UNKNOWN

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

If you live anywhere near Provo, Utah -- you probably heard the thunder going on Wednesday morning (5th of Sept.) Well it sure woke me up that morning and it was to be the first day of school as well. My kindergartner (Heidi) is kind of shy and has a "clingy" tendency in new situations. So that morning while at home I hoped and prayed the thunder would stop before school started, because my kids were awaken by it as well only they were scared to death of the loud noises. So if I were to have left my little Heidi at school while she was already nervous with the thunder and lightening plus add to that lots of new people and mom not being there. AAGGHH -- Its kind of scary!!

Luckily by the time they needed to be at school the thunder and lightening had ceased and we went to school just fine. Although once we were there Heidi started acting clingy and had a hard time. It took about 15- 20 minutes for her to relax and be just fine. Tomorrow they go back again and I sure hope that she is okay. So my first day home with just the boys was so 'Relaxing' I was tired and didn't do anything that didn't "NEED" to be done or that I didn't "WANT" to do. Hopefully soon I'll catch up on some much needed sleep, and much needed laundry folding.

School Starts in less than 24 hours

I'm so excited because my kids will finally start school tomorrow !! I've waited for this for a long time, okay not a really long time but just since ummm SCHOOL LET OUT IN MAY !!! They go to Freedom Academy in Provo Utah and we love it!! Here is a link so you can check out their website. This is only the second year my girls will have gone there but even still it's a great place. So today we do the final preparations for school -- make sure all the clothes are washed, socks and underwear in the drawers etc.... http://www.provofreedomacademy.org/

I'm quite relieved to know that I'll be at home with three less kids for the bulk of the day, but then again they are only going to be a school Monday, Wednesday and Fridays for the first two weeks. Time for the 8pm bedtimes YIPPEE!!!! I can make them go to bed that early and actually have a legit excuse.

The Start of many firsts !!!

This was Ethan when he was two months old. June 2007
Pictures taken at TARGET PORTRAIT STUDIO




My four month old Ethan -- okay so he's nearly five months on the 10th of September, he rolled over finally at my mother in laws house just this evening. He rolled over twice. From his back to his tummy, and then I placed him on his back again and a few minutes later he rolled to his tummy again, although -- he kept getting his arm stuck under his tummy and couldn't get it out. So he's getting closer to being the mobile child who can turn into a holy terror right before my eyes if I don't watch him carefully. So when he rolled over I got all excited and clapped and said, " Yeah Ethan !! " in the high pitched baby talk voice. Mind you I hate doing baby talk but this was an exciting moment for me!! All you first moms out there who witness this stuff first hand and watch your babies grow -- it's almost like a milestone for us too!! He's just growing way too fast !! I took him in for his four month checkup the beginning of August and he weighed 16 pounds and 13 ounces and grew 2.2 inches from his two month check up -- HOLY COW!!! I mostly nurse him -- but occasionally he gets formula -- Enfamil or Similac because I have lots of samples in my house right now. We haven't started him on solids yet and like to wait as long as we can -- closer to 6 months if we can. He eyeballs my hand and watches the food go into my mouth and then he tries and smacks his lips together as if to chew. So pretty soon we'll venture onto solids!!

It's so totally amazing to me how babies grow up way to fast!!!
The time it takes for them to get here always seems to crawl for the expecting parents or at least that's how I feel, and then BAM!! One day they are born and in a few blinks they are 8 years old and about to start 3rd grade!! Enjoy your babies while they are young.

Here's a poem that I've seen in many Doctors Offices -- its so cute and I think really lets us as well those around us that while they are little -- don't expect perfection with the cleaning but to enjoy the baby while he's a baby -- because pretty soon he won't be but the cleaning will never end.

Babies Don't Keep

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow...
For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow...
So quiet down cobwebs-dust go to sleep...
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep!!

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Heidi's 5 year old pictures

This is just to let you see the kind of things that JCPenney Portrait studio can do. This isn't the sitting I've described in the previous blog, but these were done -- with all of the kids once again. They do amazing work and really try and work with you as long as you let them know what it is that you want.


Look at her long eyelashes!!! She's so beautiful and I'm glad that they could capture something so precious as her eylashes.


Mommy and Me Poses -- They like for parents to get involved and I agreed just so that when they aren't little kids anymore I can have these to remember them little. Check out the dimples!!!

She hurt her finger just minutes before we needed to leave for the studio -- I would have ordered some of these but when I noticed the bandaide I changed my mind. Although when I brought the printout home and showed my husband he said I should have bought them because it shows her personality -- because she loves bandaids ( but what kids doesn't?) and she is always getting hurt. Darn -- I wish that I'd have been on that one a little sooner.


These are shots that I'd never have thought of, someday her hands will be big like mine and not these cute little things anymore. My how the kids grow up fast.