Back To School We Go

Today was the first official day back to school! The kids have been very excited for weeks, counting down and even grumping about how it wasn't coming fast enough. Strange? Maybe. But they are my children and I ALWAYS LOVED going back to school. I loved learning, being engaged in creativity and mind growing experiences - not to mention being around my friends more often!


After baths were taken, family prayers and scriptures completed, each child, in turn, received a special back-to-school father's blessing. I love that Bob holds the Priesthood and is worthy to administer these blessings to our children. I never was that fortunate. It was special to listen to the love and council from the Lord specific for each of our children. Things to keep in mind, ways to reach out to others, things that would help them both in learning and in being great examples. Even Peter received one of these blessings - being home schooled for preschool. And myself - as the mother of these wonderful children. It was a great way to start the school year.


The excitement was full as we let Jeremy set his alarm clock. Good thing, too, since the girls' clock was set to pm instead of am and therefore didn't go off this morning. Peter commented that the alarm went off and it made him jump! The moment the alarm rang, the three school bond children were up and racing through their morning routine (clothes set out the night before, lunches packed the night before - just getting dressed, eat breakfast, brushing teeth, reading scriptures - which they did together. Wish I'd thought to grab the camera for that. - and practicing piano).
Our first school breakfast.... Homemade pretzels. I do believe the kids only ate the cinnamon sugar ones, but that's okay. Special and simple and ready to be eaten. Made for a nice start to the morning.
Bob took pictures of each kid - then off the family went for our first walk to school for this year! It was so cute to watch the three older children holding hands while walking down. And Peter was happy to ride in the jogger with Jacob - even though Jacob promptly fell asleep all cozy in his favorite blanket!


My big kids - 3rd grade, 1st grade and kindergarten. And I asked Peter what school he was going to and he said "Home School", with a huge grin. So I asked him what school Jacob was going to and he said "I don't know." To which I told him Jacob would also be doing home school. Peter raised his eyebrows in question so I said "Well, maybe we should just call it Baby School - since he's got all those baby things to learn." And Peter grinned!

It's A Mini Day

Today was Jeremy's Mini-Kindergarten Day - in other words, it's a day with a two hour block to get a taste for what Kindergarten will be like. Was he even a little concerned? I think not! He was so excited that he's been not only counting down, but insisted that he needed his alarm clock set to make sure he got there on time (no, I did not let him set it... he was going to be up long before the appointed time regardless).

When I was explaining to someone else what this day was all about and mentioned it was to meet the teacher, the other kids, and see the classroom and learn about the rules, Jeremy piped up with "I already know my teacher!" - His teacher was one of Beth's last year, and she's also the mother of Gabi's best friend here.

Anyway - the excitement had been mounting for all too long - all summer and part of last school year! Bob went back to work on Monday and the excitement was just too much for Jeremy - he was crazier than usual! I have no idea how he'll get through the next four days before school really starts... but we'll get there!

I'm glad he had a wonderful time. It was funny for me, though, because I found myself constantly looking around for him. When I took Beth last year, I did not have that problem. I think it's because I'm so use to looking for Jeremy who typically runs off - especially down at the school - anyway. It was so weird to look around and feel that I was missing someone - even when I knew he was right where he should be and it was not with me! I think I'll adjust.

Almonds or Walnuts

The nursery class was outside on the lawn under a tree during their lesson time yesterday. They were talking about things that grow on trees.

Nursery Leader: "Do you like almonds or walnuts?"
Peter: "I like Honey Nut Cherrios!"

Slaying Dragons...Or Not

All kids, at some point, have bad dreams. For Peter, the last several have been about dragons. He always comes in somewhat "calm" and quiet, but certain that his dreams contained REAL dragons. After expressing this, and cuddling with me for a few minutes, I'm able to remind him that dragons aren't real (and since the kind that are in his dream really aren't real, I'm justified in saying that). Then we go back to his bed where we "slay the dragon" - I tuck him in, and we say a special prayer and the we sing one primary song. Once this is done, he dragon is apparently conquered because he'll sleep peacefully the rest of the night and exclaim the goodness of this sleep in the morning.

Last night he was apparently visited by a dragon and I was told that he had "pinchy claws. And he pinched me. For real. A really real dragon. And he was red." This is the most descriptive he's been about the dragons.

So, up he climbs to snuggle - I've only just put Jacob back to bed, but Jacob had been rather fussy off and on so I knew the time was limited. Sure enough, before I can even fully talk Peter through the dragon, Jacob is fussing. So I go to care for him. Peter gets up, still half a sleep and begins to walk back to his room - totally unaware that Jacob needs my attention until he realizes I'm not with him. So he lays down on the floor in my doorway while I try to get Jacob settled. Not working - so I told Peter to lay back down on my bed (since I know I can't get through the rest of the routine just then). Anyway - some how things didn't go as planned... There was no slaying of dragons last night - and Peter and Jacob were both in our bed.

To Hear It In Person

While Gabi practices piano...

"Hap - py Birth-day to you. Hap -py Birth-day to you. Agaaiin? Dashing through the snow. In one horse sleigh. Over fields we go. Laughing all the waayaayaayaay. Three blind mice. Three blind mice. See how they run. They all run after a farmer's wife who cuts of their tails with carving knife."

So it continues with all random songs... This is Peter Sunday morning! =)

The Four Points

Remember the day of the busted milk jug? The one I blogged about already? Well, I blogged it from my mother-in-law's that day because of my dear husband cleaning all the carpets. What I had wanted was to share it in the following way (an email I had sent out to the sisters in our ward) because we had had a lesson at church the Sunday before based on Elder Worthlin's talk "Come What May and Love It". So, for those of you who have already heard the details, feel free to skip on down to the four points. Because in order to love what comes, we must be able to use these four important skills. (I just wanted to make sure I had this where I would always be able to find it again!)

Written Thursday August 5th:

This morning we awoke to the early jabberings of the kids. Nothing to
worry about. They were even getting along and being happy. Then, about
5 or 10 minutes before 8am, as Bob and I are trying to talk about the
day and the kids and life, in comes running Beth and Jeremy yelling
"EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!" Completely and totally alert and attentive to
them, we learn that there was a "busted milk jug" spurting out milk...
where? On the carpet! Why? Peter (our 3 1/2 year old) had thrown it
because no one could get the lid off (it was a brand new gallon jug of
milk)!

Racing out to see how bad and to grab the jug before it got any worse,
I discover that indeed it is spurting out every where! But the bust is
one spot on the bottom of the jug, so I grab it and set it in the
sink. Back to evaluate the situation and to clean it up, I found the
spurting milk has managed to spurt from one side of the dining room to
the other in droplets. But where the milk jug had laid, well, that was
nothing more than a very large, very white spot (our carpet is a
medium tan). Trying to soak up the white spot with towels, we
discovered that the towels would become saturated, but the white was
still very white. In other words, the milk was way deep!

Eventually this particular carpet will be removed and replaced with
something more conducive to kids in a dining room. However, that is
not yet an option - the only other solution - rent a machine and deep
clean (or let it sour and stink forever)! We've opted for the machine.

So - in my frustrations and trying to calm myself down - I'm suddenly
reminded of Joyce's lesson based on the Talk by Elder Wirthlin "Come
What May And Love It"..... Here is my (LEARNED) perspective:

#1. LEARN TO LAUGH - Okay, I'll admit it, I was anything but laughing!
But, as I was typing this, I couldn't help but chuckle. The best part,
and this had Bob laughing right off, was that when Peter was asked why
he did it, his answer was "I wanted to show Beth and Jeremy how strong
I am." (He's 3 1/2)

#2. SEEK FOR THE ETERNAL - I'm figuring with a little one this strong,
he's bound to be the David who conquers the Goliath of his time. His
strength - I'm hoping - is a symbol of him being a Spiritual Giant
(which he usually is already).

#3. THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPENSATION - Such strength will be great for
much work and service later (when it is harnessed). The immediate
compensation is that the carpets will be cleaned - thoroughly.

#4. TRUST IN THE FATHER AND THE SON - They believe that I can raise
this remarkable boy. I must trust that they will guide me to
understand him and to teach him how to appropriately use his strength
for good and for righteous purposes. My first response to Bob when he
told me Peter's response was (with shake of head) "That boy's gonna do
me in!" - I must TRUST (and believe) that Heavenly Father and our
savior Jesus Christ will not let him "do me in" but rather will guide
me to mold him into what they need him to be.

Hope this finds all well and now laughing! The story, when you're not
in it, is funny! Hope this brightened your day!

Turtle Bay

We went to Turtle Bay last week. It's a great place for kids the ages of ours. It's not very big, although there is a Botanical Garden across the Sun Dial Bridge for more to do. We did not go to the garden because we figured it was not something that would hold their interest. Three of the kids walked across Sun Dial Bridge with Bob while I sat, nursed the baby, and watched Gabi painfully fight through a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. (It took her over 2 hours to eat it)

The museum was interesting - although very small. Some of the exhibits were set up so kids could touch them or play with them. But others (like the Lego stuff) were behind ropes and were not to be touched. My favorite part of that was that Jeremy was sure there was a computer to play on and when we went in to find it, he ran up, ducked under the rope and was going to play the computer. It was completely built of legos - although with everything else on the table. And, I had to insist that he come back from behind the ropes. Peter figure out it was legos and thought he could play with them..... I managed to grab him before he took the legos apart.


The most exciting part was the "water park" as the kids called it. It was outside, one of those build a damn deals. They loved it! I just liked that we could stay in one place without kids running off to other things in all directions.

There was also a playground, a gravel play area, and animals that can't be put back in the wild. They did special "feeds" of the animals. The brought animals to where kids could watch and then they put food into items that forced them to scavenge. It was neat for the kids. Everyone watched the Raccoon and the Fish feed. Bob and the girls also watch a fox.


There was an old train (which Peter wanted to climb, but we couldn't) and a Butterfly Garden.

One of my favorite parts was walking back to the "water park" from the museum. Peter wanted to hold the map. He held it in front of him and walked, tell me that he was reading that map and that we were going the right way.


We spent nearly five hours there, and the kid would have stayed at the water section until they were kicked out.

Not a single picture of me... that's pretty normal. Family outings generally appear to not have Mom - and in this case, Mom or Jacob - seeing that I'm the one who generally takes the pictures. If I didn't write about these things, there would be evidence that I went!

That's Worth A Kiss

Peter: "When will Santa come again?"

Me: "At Christmas."

Peter: "When is Christmas?"

Me: "Four months."

Peter (with a huge grin): "AWESOME!" Then wraps his arms around me and proceeds to give me five kisses!

A Special Stake Conference

This past weekend was Stake Conference for us. I was very grateful that it was being held in our building because that meant we were only about 5 minutes away! No getting up really early to get kids ready - no late night going 2 hours away to be part of the adult session the night before! Priceless for this mom who'd had a rough three days without Bob - and still managed to get the house cleaned and put back together!

We had two visiting General Authorities. Elder Per G. Malm of the second Quorum of the Seventy and the Apostle Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Both were wonderful speakers - very down to earth and fun to listen to! We really enjoyed listening to them at the conference session.

In addition to these General Authorities, we had several other speakers. The first one at the adult session I missed because our sitter ended up with a flat tire - couldn't be helped and Bob filled me in some. But here are some things I remember - and that stood out amongst taking care of kids and the noise of the air conditioner!

One quote that stood out to me (coming from a member of our Stake Presidency who has dealt with a lot of health issue himself, as well as his wife) was "Be Believing!" He talked a lot about the importance of being believing - that such will allow us to endure the trials we are given in this life and help us to get through them happily in the end.

There was a story shared about how the bridge across Niagara Falls was built. It started with a kite flying contest - to fly a kite from one side of the falls to the other. I took 11 days in the winter to get one across without a broken string. From that little string, larger strings and ropes were brought across until finally a steal cable was taken across. And from there, a small bridge was made that then was made larger and was even able to hold a train. This story was likened to prayer especially, but also other spiritual grow actions like reading scriptures. When we do one of these things, it sends a small thread upwards toward heaven, connecting us with the Lord. Each additional action wind around the first and so on until it becomes a steal cable - a firm and strong connection between us and the Lord giving us the strength to withstand trials and temptations.

After that, Elder Malm got up and he shared a true story about a very big and very busy bridge that a large ship had passed under. On the ship some something that hit the bridge and took out a large section of it. The bridge was unlit. There was a truck driver who was especially cautious while driving at night, and therefore was driving slowly as he went onto the bridge. He was alert and watchful and noticed headlights coming towards him and then turning sharply and dropping down out of sight. He slowed down even more and watched the lights along the fence along the edge of the bridge. Suddenly there was no more fence - and because he was going slowly enough and was watchful, he was able to stop. He got out and felt along the fence and surely there was not fence at the end. He then felt along the edge of the road where he determined that it was really gone also. He had managed to stop 10 meters from the edge. He then backed up his truck and turned it somewhat sideways. Then stood waving his arms to get the attention of others and slow them down. All the while, he's watching headlights speeding toward him and then dropping off. Along came a police car - aware that something had happened on the bridge, but not knowing what it was - racing up the bridge. He was able to see the truck drive waving his arms and stopped. The truck driver was then able to explain that there was no more bridge. The truck driver saved the life of this police officers and many others.

Elder Malm then told us that we (and he) are the truck driver. That we have the knowledge and that when we see others starting down the dangerous path to destruction we need to help them see where they are going. To let them know "there is a better way". We were instructed that we need to, with the Lord's help, determine what we each can do. Not what someone else can do and not asking someone else what we can do. But to trust that the Lord will help us to know what we each can do. That we need to reach out to our friends and neighbors and not be fearful of what they might say or how they might react. It is their choice, but it is our responsibility to share and invite.

Elder Christofferson shared many different thoughts but what I remember most was his concern for those in the repentance process as well as all of us who at points in our lives need to repent. That though we have faith in Jesus Christ prior to baptism, repentance brings about a greater faith. He then read several scriptures which seem to point this out. He also spoke about the Temple and the special nature of the Temple. The wonderful blessings the Lord gives us by allowing us to serve the dead and thus learn more and access the peace within the Temple more than just the one time in our lives. The Lord blesses us through constant and repeated actions of obedience.

Sunday as the day that was hardest for me to hear - that's when the kid were with us and when we were very near the air conditioning unit. I must admit that although I enjoyed the conference there is little that stayed with me - probably because my mind was so divided from the noise. We heard more about the sacredness of the Temple and how it applies in our daily lives.

We were able to hear about an experience recorded in a journal over a hundred years ago about a brother who had two brother who passed on before him. They visited him and requested specific work to be done for them (work that could only be done in the Temple). They were at different points, having received different ordinances (the one having received more) prior to their deaths, and the living brother was able to see the difference in their glory when they visited.

The most touching story, though, one that happened about two weeks ago. A young family had their little girl at church. While the mother held the new baby, the toddler was laughing and playing and appearing very normal and healthy. Suddenly she began having breathing difficulties. The family left and gave her a treatment at home (she was a severe asthmatic). But upon finishing the treatment, the little girl's breathing was worse. So they gave her another treatment. When that one was completed, the little girl was no longer breathing. She was rushed to the hospital and was gone with in hours. The family requested that they be able to sit in the Celestial Room - the necessary arrangements were made - and as they sat, they felt peace and found the strength to be able to move one and deal with the grief they had.

The Temple is truly a special place - a place to bring us peace and strength, and a place where all can fully realize that we are each special to the Lord and that we each are loved and accepted. We are known.

When Elder Malm (who is from Sweden) got up to speak that day, he spoke to the families. He commented about the families with small children and then directed us to The Family: A Proclamation To the World" reminding us that the Lord's command to "multiple and replenish the earth is still in effect today". He spoke to us about how important it is to invite spirits to come to earth. To invite children to become a part of our families. My favorite quote from him was "Be bold enough to invite children into your families. And where circumstances permit, continue to invite children into your families. Have large families."

Elder Christofferson once again spoke about the importance of repentance - the cleansing that comes of it. And he spoke of Jesus Christ and how real he is and how important His gospel is. What I loved most, was the he asked all the youth and children to stand and then spoken directly to them. That he shared his testimony of the reality of Christ and His gospel to them. And then he invited them to come and shake his hand after the conference was done.

To me this was a comparison to when Christ came to the Americas and invited all the children to come unto and touched and blessed them all. Elder Christofferson spoke to each child, shook their hands, and was so tender.

I had run off to nurse Jacob and then, upon trying to join my family, Jacob spit up every where (something he rarely does) - he was drenched and the carpet was covered. In taking the time to clean up the carpet, Jacob over filled his diaper - thus being even more drenched. The spare clothes and diapers had been left in the diaper bag with the family. As I came out to find them, I saw the kids coming down from meeting both Elder Malm and Elder Christofferson. Once again, I thought, I won't have the opportunity to shake hands with an Apostle or a General Authority. But I quickly reminded myself that I was a mother, and there was nothing greater than caring for God's children as they grow. So I found what I needed, went back into the mother's lounge and changed Jacob.

Our family was visiting in the lobby when Elder Christofferson, followed by Elder Malm, came out of the chapel. He looked at me and headed my direction. After being caught for a moment by someone else, he walked over and "shook hands" with Jacob. Which, of course, made me smile. And then shook my hand. Elder Malm did the same. With tenderness and smiles. And I realized, in that small moment, how amazingly in tune these men of the Lord are. Did I need to shake their hands? No. But to meet them in person - not just to hear them - had been a desire I held. And even though I had not been in the receiving line, they recognized I had not been there, and came to me. I was not forgotten. I know that the Lord would have done the same.

Stake Conference was wonderful - I always love the spirit felt in these meetings. But I especially love the confirmation that comes that the Lord knows what I need to hear. That he does indeed know me and care about me personally. And that I matter. I'm sure the others who attended felt as much.

Have You Ever...

mopped your floor on hands and knees using a Swiffer?

I have... it broke within a very short time of starting on the floor - the handle just snapped. So I had a small head to work with. I was determined to clean and I had the new pad already on. I was not going to waste it. So down on all four, I scrubbed away.

I will say... Swiffer mopping on hands and knees results in a much cleaner floor than when Swiffer has a handle. A blessing? Maybe.

The Chaos Keeps Coming

So Bob left yesterday morning for another Scout backpacking trip. He loves these - he really just loves to be out in the wilderness and camping and hiking and all that. It wouldn't matter (much) what excuse, he'd be a part of it if he could.

For me, I normally don't mind much.. but we did just have a baby a month ago. And he's been gone with Scouts three weekends (okay, two of the them were gone three days and two nights, the other was only a 24 hour period). Still, that's three in a row. That doesn't count that he has work and meetings the other nights of the week. And even now I wouldn't be complaining.. but, well, let's just say I'm really glad this is the last for awhile.

The night before Bob left, Jacob decided it was time for his first REAL growth spurt. You know, the kind where you nurse what seems non-stop and you nearly pull your hair out because you're too tired to do anything else and all you want to do is cry. Yeah... that kind. Started between 10 and midnight that night - then, as noted in the post below, it was every 30-45 minutes until 9pm last night (not quite a full 24 hours). So I woke up already thinking... "what the heck! I'll be lucky to survive him being gone" Little did I know just how right I was... but for different reasons.

The house was still in need of being put back together from the milk spilled carpet cleaning adventure last week. It's been a process - a little here and a little there... never mind that life continues to happen. Needless to say, I wasn't getting very far.

Then... a cabinet door "fell off" - it's broken. As in the glued section that keeps the wood paneled.. yeah, one side is still attached to the hinges and the rest is clear off. The result of "we were playing a game and Peter bumped Jeremy into it". Sure.... But I wasn't there to see it... so what can I really say? - Anyway.. inconvenient, but not serious, really. Annoying- absolutely and just another thing to add to Bob's list when he returns - not so fun.

Then... amidst the laughter and joy of Jeremy and Peter in a game of "make you laugh", a suddenly, ear piercing scream! Along with the "ting" of metal. The homemade (it was a bucket of sorts first) bent up, metal "drum" had been thrown by none other than Peter and hit Jeremy in the back of the head! After a quick discipline when Peter is now on his bed awaiting further punishment, Jeremy removes his hand from his head and begins hysterical screaming because his hand is covered in blood and it's running down is neck and back! - I look at it and determine he needs stitches... which puts him in another series of hysterical screams and sobs about not wanting to go to the hospital.

During this, I ask Gabi to call Grandma and let her know I need some help. The internet (of which our phone runs through) is completely down! I don't have a cell phone! So, Gabi runs across the street (this is the silver lining) to let Grandma know what has happened. They both run back, and Gabi is sent back to get Grandpa (a foot doctor, but a doctor none the less) to come and look before we figure out how to deal with a nursing like crazy baby and a little boy in need of stitches and therefore a Mom in the hospital with him and the other kids. Silver lining number 2 - Grandpa looks at it and say we don't need stitches - all we need is to close it up with some hair which he can do himself at home. He carried Jeremy across the road and when Jeremy returned, it wasn't closed with hair because Jeremy couldn't deal with the pulling - so he had a patch of hair removed and a band-aid holding things closed.

It's still "open" today, but the band-aid is doing what is necessary - and I learned that the scalp actually heals without much scarring in a situation like this without the necessity of stitches (unlike Peter's eye which was not quite as wide as the opening on Jeremy's head). So.. no back of the head pictures for awhile.

Anyway - Bob's leaving yesterday was not well planned.. assuming anyone had been able to look into the future. But there is a silver lining number 3.... suddenly, though 8pm at night, kids began cleaning up and most of the house is done!

As for Peter - if he throws something, it's gone... and he was sent directly to bed for the night. As for the "drum" - it found a new home in the town of TRASH!

So far, Day number 2 has been relatively uneventful. Now.. if day 3 is the same we just might all survive.

Moving Along

Must be another growth spurt - a big one... he's been nursing every 30-45 minutes since about ten last night... He's also noticeably skinnier (as told by the way the diaper fits around him) which would seem to suggest he's gaining height! He'll be out of 0-3 too soon... he's only 4 weeks old! JACOB - What are you doing? Don't you know you're suppose to stay little FOREVER!?!

My Thoughts For the Fall

This school year I'll have three in school. Number four insists that he needs to go to - sorry, Peter, you have to wait two more years. Anyway, I'm realizing (the the huge gap between Peter and Jacob) that this will be the first time I'll have a child at home who doesn't have another child to play with (or fight with) all the time! I'm thinking "quiet"..... but it might turn into "disaster" if he suddenly thinks I need to "entertain" him all the time. So far, Peter's still good at playing by himself.

I plan to do "school" here at home with him. He's ready to learn basic, simple reading. He loves to manipulate things - so we'll have the math stuff out more and I'll be providing him with lots of just random things for him to "create". BTW - seeing that he loves to take things apart, if anyone has broken items that they would normally just junk, let me know. We might be willing to take them off your hands for Peter to take apart and put back together.

We'll continue with the library - though we might just go on our own. We'll see if he settles back into listening to the stories at reading time before we make that decision. But really, I wouldn't mind the time to just snuggle him and read to him myself! We're also planning to go to the park once a week and probably picnic there too. At least while it's nice. And if all goes well, then we'll be getting together with at least one friend at that time.

For myself - aside from housework and baby care - I'm hoping to continue being crafty. Not at the rate I was before the baby came, but enough to feel I'm accomplishing things - and staying on top of (and ahead of) the Christmas projects. But I'm also determined to really do some digital scrapbooking. I've not done much, and haven't really had the time (or felt like I did) to figure out everything I needed to. But I plan to do this... Gabi is 8, after all, and Bob and I've been married for 9 1/2 years, so it would be nice to finally get some of these pictures done up in a way I like and bound in a book we can actually enjoy. I'll be going back through journals to figure out some of the journaling for the books... it's amazing what is forgotten over the years!

Saturday Outing

We took the kids on a outing Saturday! First stop was Great-Grandma's where we visited with Grandma Sylvia and she was able to meet Jacob. We also took pictures in her back yard. Then off to the planetarium - where we watched a really neat movie on the Nile River! It was very well done - especially since this was a very small planetarium (although larger than the one we went to last year). I have to admit that I didn't handle it as well as most of the family - see, I get seriously car sick - okay, only when I'm reading for a long time - but apparently being able to see the edge of the dome, while laying back, watching a movie that is designed to take you through as though you are in it, well... it was a bit rough!


At the end of the day, we dropped Bob off at the Temple. The kids had a wonderful time walking around - we saw a large rabbit and a small rabbit. I even got a picture of all the kids together while there. No one wanted to leave, but there was storm coming in, and mostly I wanted to get home before it was too late - being Sunday the next day - before I was too tired to safely drive home without adult help! Next time we'll plan to stay longer - I just love how much the kids love the Temple.
Peter told me "I don't want to go. I want to stay at the Temple. I want to live here forever and ever!"

Pictures

I've been trying to gather good "wall" pictures of our family throughout the year. I need some serious updates on the kids - we did get a family one done in December - maybe two people managed to print out copies for themselves - oh, and the one we gave great-grandma at Christmas. Nothing more came of that. Then we when the family was visiting, we had more done - and though they certainly aren't bad, it was a week and half before I had Jacob and, for me, that just doesn't make sense to put on the wall... I need one with Jacob here in person and my not looking like a big old ball.


Anyway - today - amongst other things - we took (or I should say, tried to take) a few pictures. I have one picture of the kids which I think I really like (considering I've got two who have hit the "I barely ever smile, especially for pictures" stage - and thank goodness Gabi has come out of it).

And the family one - well... the best one has my hair across one eye - anyone know how to take that out without the picture looking crazy? There's another - but you'll notice the rather odd look on Jeremy's face. And, of course, Jacob had just fallen asleep - no eyes for him!

I did break down a kid picture into just the boys - because that part looked cute and I thought a just boy picture would be nice. I took the other kid picture and the two family ones and tried them out in a couple of different ways - Tell me which ones you like most... I need to finish up these pictures this week and get copies off to family! (Oh - and I still don't have a good picture of Peter aside from the sweater one by himself, so I'll probably end up using that... we'll see!)

If I Only Had The Camera

Since the milk incident this morning, the kids and I got to spend the day at Grandma's house. The girls were invited up the road for a play date and the boys were playing with the slip and slide (which Peter calls a Slippery Slide). Not using it quite right, they were rather running, hoping and such up and down the slide. Which would result in landed on their bottoms and slipping along from time to time. Then they were running the wrong way - down the slide - and flopping down towards the end that opens to the grass.

During this, Peter runs along singing and talking as he goes. Apparently he forgot to flop down soon enough because when he attempted to do so, he jumped up a little, his feet slipped and went flying, and he landed, face first, in the muddy grass! His whole body bounced and flopped over and he came up with a mouth and face full of mud - and I could hardly stop laughing.

When he came to me for help to clean off his face, I was still laughing and he asked rather innocently, "Why are you laughing?" Oh to have had a camera and shown him an instant reply - he'd have been laughing too!

Morning Drama

Welcome to a day in the life of a mother of five 8 and under! Though this is not a typical day, it shows some of the drama that can and often does happen in our house!

Being a summer morning, I got up to close some doors / windows after feeding the baby some where around 6:30am. All four older children were awake. I went back to bed to be interupted several times about random, meaningless things. Then, I was kept from going back to sleep because I got to listen to Bob and Peter in a morning "hug trap" routine. Off goes Peter and so Bob and I begin a simple discussion of life - you know, kids, morning, life...

Enter Beth and Jeremy as fast as little feet can run yelling "EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!" Full attention is turned to the two and we learn that Peter has thrown the milk and it's busted and spilling out all over the carpet. Yes, that would be one type of emergency and so I sprang out of bed - none too happily I'll admit - and raced out to see just what the problem was. Sure enough, there's the milk jug, upside down, pouring and spurting milk out as fast as anything. I grab it and run to the kitchen sink, where I discover the hole is on the bottom, the lid fastened tight - keeping it upside down, I then leave it settled in the sink to address the real problem - a milk soaked carpet! AND IT'S NOT EVEN 8AM YET!

Where the milk had been, the carpet was now bright white instead of the medium tan it should be. Towel after towel is being saturated and still the carpet is very white. I look around and notice there is milk splattered all over the entire dining room. (And yes, the dining room has carpet in it... not our choice, but we're currently renting) Despair is now setting in - I'm imagining the horrid stench we will soon be smelling - and never be able to get rid of and trying to figure out what would possess a three year old to throw a full gallon of milk!

By this time, Bob has come out to help me. He wasn't there before because he was beginning to discipline Peter - who was, I was told, sitting on our bed in time out. A very quick assessment and some water and it was decided we needed to deep clean the carpets - oh what a way to spend the day! But, the alternative was not pleasant in any form, so renting a cleaner was the only real option. Clean up quickly shifted from the milk soaked carpet to clearing out that room (and several others - hey, if you're going to rent a carpet cleaner, you might as well do everything, right?).

Why did Peter throw the milk? Well, according to Beth and Jeremy, it was because the cap was on too tight (it was a brand new gallon jug of milk which Beth and Jeremy had tried to uncap - but they broke off the ring thing that keeps the cap sealed tight). When Peter was asked, he said "I wanted to show Beth and Jeremy how strong I am."

Still Growing Well!

Had our second dr appt for Jacob today - He's a whopping 22 inches long and 11 pounds 11.5 ounces! Still growing like a champ - though a little slower than before - doing just perfect! My favorite part of the day was when we were in the room after Jacob had been weighed. He was wrapped in a blanket in my arms so as not to have to undress him again when, with a huge smile, he looks at me and starts cooing and babbling. It was so sweet! I loved every minute of it. That was a first... and, so far, it's not happened again..... but what a sweet boy!

Jacob Was Blessed

Only two and a half weeks old and we had him blessed. That's not uncommon for us - we normally try to have our little one blessed on the first Sunday of the month following their birth. It was bitter-sweet for me. If we had waited a month, there was the possibility of my dad being able to come - though it would have been a whirlwind if it was able to happen. But, that would also have meant we would have been in the middle of the start of soccer, dance and school. All of which are chaotic - especially at the start. We figured that would have just been one more thing and we needed to not pile it all on at the same time.


My mother has been to all of my other children's baby blessings. Of course, she lived only hours away by car at the time. Since we moved, it would require several hours by car and many more by plane, plus more by car. That in and of itself would not have been an issue, but she's caring for one of her grandsons and at the time we discussed this (and that was long before Jacob arrived), my nephew was struggling with tantrums that were more difficult and self harming than we'd like to think is normal. Putting him on an airplane might have been fine, but should such an episode arise on the plane, well, that would have been way too much to deal with. I can certainly understand and do not begrudge her the decision at all.

However, my mother made the blessing suits for both Jeremy and Peter. I was going to make Jacob one of his own since everyone else had their own outfit. I knew I could, I waited until he was born to be sure it would be the right size. But I hated the fabric I had for choices (when I finally got around to really looking at it) - and part of me felt odd because my mother had made the other two. I'm sure if I had realized how much it meant to me, I could have asked my mother to make one for Jacob and she would have... but it didn't really sink in until the night before.

So... I opted to put Jacob in the blessing suit made for Peter. Peter was very happy to share his special suit. And I felt good knowing it was still from my mom. I don't know how that will all work out when the kids are grown and on their own having their own children, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

The blessing, was, of course, very special and wonderful. I love that Bob is worthy to hold the Priesthood and able and willing to bless his children. It's always a special moment for me to watch him with his new child.

Jacob slept through it - so it was a peaceful, quiet and easy to listen to blessing. I tried to take pictures before church - but the lighting was off for what I wanted and I couldn't get the flash to work. Bob pointed out that I had not changed the setting back to normal from burst (I was trying to catch Jacob's smile and dimples first thing in the morning). So I might redress him sometime this week and try again. We'll see. And I got the picture of Bob with Jacob after we got home. I kept trying to get Jacob to open his eyes, but in the end decided it was fine that he was sleeping for the picture because he had been asleep during the blessing.

We missed many of our old friends who have stood in the circle with the previous babies. But were grateful to have Bob's dad and several family friends here to join Bob for the blessing. Thank you all.

Whatever It Takes

I love having "older" children. They really enjoy helping with Jacob. Right now that often just means talking to him, singing to him, or giving him a binkie. And, if you're Gabi, picking him up when necessary. Fortunately Jacob really only gets fussy if he's awake and no one appears to be around, needs to eat, or wants his diaper changed. And when he needs to eat, he can take a binkie and be patient until I can get to him, when necessary. I thought Peter was patient - and he was amazingly so (just ask my mother who couldn't believe it and she had a daycare). But Jacob is by far much calmer and much more patient.

The kids often argue over who gets to be on Jacob Patrol. This makes everyone feel important when it's their turn - and makes life so much easier for both Bob and I to get some things done. But my favorite thing that has come from this is from, of course, Peter.....

I love it when he announces he's on "Jacob Control"!