Trick Or Treat

This was the first Trick Or Treat Experience without Bob. Since I made him take last week off to go to the Ward Harvest Fest with us, that meant he worked last night. No big deal - except that I was still crazy tired!


Juanita and her kids (after having a crazy day themselves) joined us for the trick or treat experience right here in our own (be it small) neighborhood.


So, this year... Gabi was Morgan LeFay (from the King Arthur stories - but, for her, it was from the Magic Tree House). She kept telling me we needed to "paint" her costume because in the Magic Tree House series, Morgan wears red! Yikes! So I told her she could be Merlin - since he wore blue! She decided to be Morgan wearing blue instead!


She had originally wanted to be Little Foot - but I didn't have the time this year to make a dinosaur costume. So when I saw this one at a reasonable price (knowing I didn't have to buy costumes for the others) I got it. She was tickles, though, to know she could be something from Magic Tree House - even if I did get the color wrong. BTW - They didn't have any other color than blue.


Beth - the fairy - was, more specifically, Prilla. She's one of the Disney Fairies - One of Tink's friends. She's the one who can "blink over to the main land" - the only one - therefore, the only one that children ever get to see!


I had so much fun putting up Beth's hair! She really is the cutest fairy I know! :)


Jeremy - He was a cowboy... or, more importantly, a "mustang herder"! That's right - from the Magic Tree House series as well! Don't ya just love the horse - sorry, no boots could be found!


He loved having the horse and rode it all around the house and deck. But when it was time to trick or treat, the horse got to stay in the wagon. Apparently that bag of goodies needed to hands to hold it! :)


Peter - well.... Thomas is still too big for him....Winnie -The-Pooh we sent to Libby last year and didn't think to ask for it to be mailed back in time (of course, we didn't think it would fit Peter this year given the way he had been growing). So, we had this really cute lady bug... so he was the lady bug from A Bug's Life!


He didn't mind at all. In fact, when he saw the costume the first time he was so excited that he had something his size to play dress up in! He loved putting it on!


The had so much fun. Peter was quite cute the first time. He insisted on getting out of the wagon (we took the double stroller and the wagon to contain the four little boys) and then remembered that he needed his own bag to do his own trick or treating! He had fun for the first 7 houses... then he and the baby were done. So Juanita brought them back to the house, I packed up the rest and head just little further up in the north village, then over to the west village. They did well enough...


Note to self - feed kids before trick or treating... that way they can just go to bed when they get home! :)

Award? Tagged!

So I sat down to read through the blogs this morning - because that's the only chance I'll have all day - when I came to Monica's blog. She was expressing her gratitude (I think) for being chosen for an award - a blogging award. I thought that was interesting... and then I kept reading. It was one of those "TAGS" - and then I started getting one of those feelings.....Thanks, Monica. Though I'm not big on following the "blogging community games", I like what this one asks, so you're in luck! :)

6 things I value and 6 things I don't. This might getting interesting... it's definately personal.

Things I VALUE - it's hard to stick to just 6:

1. The Gospel: Without it I would be a lost and lonely child. That may seem simplistic, but truly, I have been in places in my life where without the gospel - without the knowledge of a Savior and His love for me - I would have landed in compete and utter despair.

2. My Family: It is eternal! It is precious to me. The relationships I have with my husband, my children and my extended family give me great joy. And through blessed, sacred, priesthood power, we have been sealed together for eternity! Never to leave each other. Death cannot part us!

3. Freedom: It is the whole reason I am able to worship according to my beliefs. It's the reason I can choose to educate my children in a way that I feel is best for them. It's the reason I can choose how to live my life, and where. It's the reason we can choose how to spend or save our money. Freedom is the choice we are given to live according to what we know is right. And to let others do the same. It's what allows us to VOTE upon the government which runs this nation.

4. Living Prophets: I couldn't imagine this world of chaos and commotions without a living prophet for guidance. I love the prophets of old. And I love that the Lord does not leave us without a prophet today. He loves us just as He loved the people in biblical times. He does not leave us floundering. "We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet!"

5. Personal Revelation: Yes, I greatly value the ability to pray to God and know that He will answer me. That He will guide and instruct me. And that everything I hear, I can have confirmed or denied through that direct connection between me and the Lord. I don't always understand - often I don't understand until after - but He always gives me the answer He knows is best for me. And He always confirms sacred council that is given so that I might know for myself that it is the will of the Lord!

6. GREAT FRIENDS: They are the ones who will "pick me up" when I need it. They are the ones who pray for me when I'm struggling. They are the ones who, next to my family, love me the most. They are the ones who help me see what is always most important. They always remind me that I am of great worth!

Things I DON'T value:

1. Clutter: I have a lot of this. It's in my house. It's in my van. It's in my life. I dislike clutter.. but I must admit that I'm not as good about getting rid of it. I'm getting better. Clutter makes me feel over-whelmed. It makes me feel irritable. It makes me feel helpless.

2. VERY Loud Noise: The noise level in my life is often too loud. It's not just the kids around me either. Sometimes it's me. And sometimes it's the constant noise of life that has been allowed to get too busy. I have found that when I am doing the things which are needful, those things which matter and which will build up eternal relationship, that the noise, no matter how loud it really is, is some how much quieter. I believe it's the Spirit shielding me from the over-stimulation of such noise. But when I am not focused on those precious things, when I let life take control of me instead of the other way around, the noise, no matter how small, seems to escalate to an unbearable level.

3. Distorted Views: We all have them. And most often it comes because we do not have the whole picture. I really dislike them. I always have - even when I was little and was publicly accused of being "perfect" - it completely angered me. I don't like it when I look at someone and then find out I've distorted their image for myself. And I don't like hearing such distortions about myself. It comes too close to judgment (and often is).

4. Stress: I am way too good at allowing way too much of it into my life! Stress can be good if it allows someone to get something done... that's me. It's a great motivator. But it's an even better health robber! Maybe I should have said "Excess Stress".

5. The Act of Traveling: This might be a "for now in my life thing" but I know I'm not huge on traveling anyway. I do like to visit and explore places. I don't like the actual act of traveling. I am forever dreaming up ways to "speed up the trip" through imaginary, futuristic means (very unrealistic). I especially don't like the fight, struggle, chaos of long travels with little kids. It's so hard on them... and thus hard on everyone else!

6. Unproductive Meetings: I'm not a huge fan of meetings in general... the time away from family is hard enough. But I understand and acknowledge meetings which are needful and which are purposeful. These make it worth while. The others, the ones where no one shows up, or it's all chit-chat and no business, the ones that are there simply to have a meeting and not really for any real purpose - those I could do without! (And I try to.)

And now For the Next (It's your turn now!):

Ashby Family Trio - Katie
Chez Nous in Maine - Kim
Hurley's Heaven - Melissa
I Am A Leaf On The Wind - Zarah
Monkey Business - Karyn
Ummmmm - Juanita

Here are the 'official' rules:

*Mention the blog that gave you the award and comment on their blog to let them know that you have posted their award. You also have to list 6 things you value and 6 things you don't value. Lastly, you have to pass the award onto 6 other friends! *

Precious Baptism

Thursday night was wonderful! For about a week I have had the honor of helping Juanita make a beautiful baptism dress for dear Olivia. It was a wonderful experience. It took a lot a patience. For me, it took patience to just stand back and only give the answers to questions. To not step in and help out as much as I have done in the past with other projects. But it was wonderful to be a part of it.

As with anything pertaining to getting baptized, the dress was more troublesome than it might otherwise have been.... even when I took over to try to make something work (which I've never had trouble with before)! But we kept heart knowing that the dress was important to Olivia as a symbol of the pureness that was hers at her moment of baptism. We knew that all would work out. And indeed it did.

Olivia was baptized Thursday night. I was so touched because I recall this sweet spirit before she had the opportunity to enjoy the gospel on a regular basis. She knew of it's truthfulness without a doubt and it showed in every part of her!

For those who don't know, in our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), no one is baptized before the age of 8. At that point, they are able to understand right from wrong and can make a decision for themselves if they want to follow Christ and accept His gospel and partake in the necessary, saving ordainances (such things as baptism by immersion, the sacrament, the endowment, and temple marriage (the sealing of families for eternity)) Before the age of 8, they are not accountable before God. And therefore perfect and innocent; and they are already saved in Christ.

Congratulations, Olivia, on taking such a precious and needful step and accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Conference With Friends

This weekend was good... well.. I wondered on Saturday... it started well... it went to chaos, and I must admit that I wasn't doing so well. Bob left for work, Juanita and I decided we'd stop the second session of conference in the middle, get the kids to bed, and then start back at the beginning of it to get anything out of it yesterday. But it was good.

There was a major Peter issue in there too... I'll tell you about that later...

Today was great. I remember several times thinking that it was so nice to have the family gathered around (most of the time) with friends and a shared love of our Savior and His gospel. There was a very special feeling of peace. It was really nice.

There is much that I took from conference... I always do... but the things that caught my attention the most centered on relationships, values, unity, courage. (Yes, though I heard it all, there is much that was not so "in my face" as I did have kids around to help and take care of)

I want to share just a couple of quotes from the weekend - really just a few of my personal favorites:

"Never let a problem to be solved get in the way of a person to be loved" ~Thomas S. Monson

"Not all angels are from the other side of the veil." ~Jeffrey R. Holland

"God never leaves us alone. Never leaves us unaided..." ~Jeffrey R. Holland

"Meekness is not weakness. It is the badge of Christian Courage." ~Robert D. Hales

"In the strength of the the Lord, I can do ALL things." ~Elaine S. Dalton

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." ~Elaine S. Dalton

"Exaltation is a family matter." ~Russell M. Nelson

And my personal favorite... not from conference, but still from this weekend while dealing with a very cranky, uncommunicative 20 month old:

"This is just a moment. And the moment will pass." ~Juanita Grant (What a great - and much needed - reminder!)

Farewell, Dear Angel

Yesterday was the final farewell to Dear Sweet Savannah's mortal body.

I cried. I laughed. I remembered. I loved more fully.

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory
of
Savannah B. Hurley

We will miss you. But we will see you again. This is for you.

By Heaven's Kiss
~Tara L. Nielsen

T’was Heaven’s kiss that brought you here
By Heaven’s kiss you’re gone
On angel’s wings you traveled
Your mission blazing strong

For when you first arrived here
A miracle was seen
A tiny little baby
A wished for, hoped for dream

A treasure and a blessing
A joy to all around
Your smile and your laughter
The most musical of sounds

So sweet and kind and patient
So tender, bright and true
So gentle, brave and strong
And so very loving too

I won’t forget your courage
As you fought this painful fight
And your faith and you’re example
Remain as beacons in this life

And then will come the day
When I’ll see you once again
And together we’ll embrace
As we unite as friend to friend

Then I’ll tell you once again
As the tears fall from my eyes
How I love you, my dear angel,
And we’ll have no more good-byes

A Great Mission

Never have I been more grateful for the gospel than I have been today. With the passing of Savannah in the middle of the night, I have felt a mix of peace, calm, and whirl-winding emotions. At times I have felt that I have no right to feel this way, as she was not my child. Still, the impact that she's had on my life leaves me in a bit of a roller coaster right now.

I have always, from the day I meet her as a baby, loved Savannah. She has been a light to so many. She loved life with such enthusiasm, taking every opportunity to do the things she enjoyed the most.

I am so grateful for the knowledge of the plan of salvation (also known as the plan of happiness). For it promises us that we can, through Christ's atoning sacrifice, not only return to be with our loving Heavenly Father and our dear brother Jesus Christ once again. But that our families can be united forever again.

The power of the priesthood, that magnificent power to act in God's name and under His direct authority, is so important. It is the means by which our families can be sealed (united for eternity) and allow us to be with our families forever.

I am also so glad to know that all who are sealed and return to be with our Father in Heaven are also connected through this great power and plan of our Heavenly Father. This means that friends can be united with friends, as families can be united with one another.

Though I grieve, for I am sad, I do so because I already miss Savannah. I miss her dearly. But I find great comfort and joy in knowing that she is no longer in pain. That she is with Jesus and Heavenly Father. That she is happy. And that she will be reunited with everyone. I am also grateful and happy to know that her body will be made perfect and that she will be resurrected again, just as our Lord was resurrected.

Until that time, the time of reuniting, I know that she has a great work to do on the other side. She is a missionary. And she will be a great one. I only hope that we can assist her in her work. That as she prepares the spirits of those who have not yet accepted or had the opportunity to even hear the gospel, that we will be able to complete their work in the temple. She has her mission, but she will need our help.

Busy Day - Double Rainbow

Yesterday was a long day. Bob had to finally begin the major fix to the electric issues at the apartment, so he was gone all day. The kids got to stay home and do fun projects - like paper lanterns and necklaces and play trains - with a good friend of mine. And I made a run to Portland.

I was picking up my sister, so I figured there were a few other things I wanted and needed to do while I was at it. For starters, Jeremy needed a twin mattress. Peter has learned to climb out of his crib, and although he's pretty good about not doing it, he does, every so often, climb out. He's also the same age the others were when we moved them to the toddler bed - only a lot bigger. So, in order to move him up and out, we had to get a twin mattress for Jeremy. So, thanks to craigs list, I managed to find one! I also managed to find a futon mattress... and since Bob is going to be building us a futon frame, and I was going to be in the area any way, and the mattress was a great price, I made arrangements to get both the twin mattress and the futon mattress while in Portland.

Then, since Savannah had entered the hospital for what will be the last time, I rearranged my schedule to leave earlier so that I would have a chance to stop in and see the family. I must admit that I couldn't bring myself to actually say good-bye. She was just so peaceful sleeping there. But more over, I know that although she'll be leaving this life for now, I will see her again. Her spirit will live on. She will be doing a marvelous work for our Savior. She will no longer be in pain, and when we reunite, it will be in love. And it will be eternal.


It was a hard. But it was also a wonderful opportunity that I am grateful to have been given.

As a wonderful way to end the day, a way to lift spirits and to (in my mind) mark the beauty of the Lord's magnificent love for all of us, we were blessed to see this beautiful double rainbow right out our front window. This, I believe, was the first rainbow we've seen from this house (at least the first double rainbow) and it was just the perfect ending to the day. I hope you enjoy the pictures. You might have to lot closely for the top rainbow because it was much more faint. But it's there!

Faith - Peace - Sorrow

First can I just say that I've, in many ways, avoided blogging about this. It's not that I'm insensitive to the situations around me, but rather I felt I'd be doing an injustice to those who are most effected by it. As one whose mind never turns off, I am always full of thoughts, of questions, of insights usually left unshared. And in such, I have felt inadequate in my own ability to reach out to others - never really knowing what I should or shouldn't say or do. But with too many thoughts running around, I need to do this now.

As many of you who read this know, or have read from other blogs, a young girl is dying of cancer. When she was first diagnosed I remember a feeling of complete denial. I had just returned from visiting my mother, had only been home about an hour, when the phone call came. I didn't recognize Melissa's voice on the other end, and when she told me what was happening, I was in complete shock. All I could think of was "What? No, it was Jeremy who had the close scare. This can't be happening to my friend. It's not real."

For a period of time, we took care of the siblings while the initial tests, surgeries, and beginning chemo were run. All the while I was stealing myself, praying, and doing what I could to try to calm the noticeable fear in Kiara. She didn't know or understand what was happening. All she knew was that her family, at least for a time, had been pulled apart.

I recall when the news came that the tumor had burst. I was on my way to a dentist appointment, but collapsed on my deck in tears I'd yet to shed. Things looked bad. My emotions, kept in check to that point, were too much to deal with. Though I was not the mother involved, Savannah had been apart of my life since a couple months after her birth. She was like another daughter to me.

This was not my first encounter with cancer. But it was the first time the person I knew was so close to me. That night I sat, in the arms of my husband, and cried, asking all the questions there were no real answers to. I somehow figured he'd have the answers since he'd watched his brother die of cancer when they were boys. But such answers are not given or found so easily.

Not long after Savannah's diagnosis, we learned that my step-mother had breast cancer. I was already watching another dear friend go through this, so I had some idea of what would be happening. But my own emotions have swirled around in disbelief and lack of understanding as I started seeing the real world of cancer move in around me.

Eventually, though not willingly, acceptance rolled in. Hope showed its head as treatments appeared to be working. Remissions came and went. Some how it was all just the way it was. Part of life. But at least it was still life.

I'll admit that there have been issues that crept up which I have allowed to push me further away. As I mentioned before, I had a sense of inadequancy. I still do. Never knowing what to do or say. Never knowing if I should do or say anything.

As a seudo-writer, I find great healing in putting my words and feelings on paper. After learning about the tumor bursting nearly 3 years ago, I started to ask questions about what Scott was like and what it was like to watch him go through cancer. I began writing. A year later I finished a piece which I know was inspired by the Lord. Though it was written as a way for me to heal, a way to understand what was really happening, and though it was started because of a dear young girl's fight with cancer, I did not know then how close that story would really come to telling her story. I only knew it was one of the most touching stories I'd written... and one which I could not read very often for the tears it would bring.

Our family learned that the end was near for both Savannah and my step-mother around the same time. A double whammy. Something one does not want ever to hear. And though I still have not figured out how to do more than offer a hug, and a few tears, I have learned so much over the last year.

With my step-mother dying, I have had the opportunity to speak with my father indepth throughout the process. I've heard the pain, the wishing, the acceptance, the frustration, the lack of understanding, and the peace. I've learned to love beyond myself. Accepting another even when there has been history or anger to prevent it in the past. And I've learned to understand certain things which would likely make another cringe or think a person insensitive.

One such thing comes from the comments of "I wish she'd just die so she'd not be in pain". Understanding that it comes from love and not wanting to see the individual suffer any more helps. But more than that, hearing the words "I just want it to be over" makes all too much sense to me. One might see those words as hurtful, selfish, and as though a person did not value the sick individual. But having lived through and heard these words, I understand it has nothing to do with that at all.

There is the part of not wanting to watch a loved one suffer any more. That's a large part of it. But there also comes a point when one finally accepts there is nothing more that can be done. Nothing will make the person better. They will only suffer more. And it is God's will to have this person return home to Him. When you accept this, and when we've been told "two more weeks" or "two more months" or "this is the end" and yet the end continues to go on and on and on and on, you suffer in a whole new way.

It's hard enough to accept that death is coming. But when you've been given the time line, you brace yourself, and prepare for the end to come within that time frame. You have the opportunity to grieve, to accept, and to prepare. When it doesn't happen, there is nothing left to do. You wander in a stupor, waiting. Not knowing how to proceed with life. In fact, life seems to stand still. Though there are things happening, it's not the same. It's almost as if you're dead while living... just waiting... waiting.... waiting... not ever knowing... yet knowing it will happen.

Eventually you move on... living and feeling like things might continue. Then something else happens to remind you that the end is really only around the corner... you just don't know which corner that is.

Peace does not come easily to all. Understanding sometimes does not come at all in this life time. But knowing our Savior loves us, has died that we might all live again, brings comfort. Knowing that families are eternal, and that saving ordiances have been preformed makes it somehow easier to accept at the final stage.

But the thing I've been most fasinated with, have seen the most, and think that I've finally begun to understand is the role of faith in such situations. We've been taught that faith is a hope for things not seen that are true. That, I believe, is a very simplified explanation. A much more advanced definition, I believe, is that faith is accepting the Lord's will even when the answer is no and we do not understand. It is accepting that the Lord really does know best, although we often cannot see how in the moment.

I have seen such faith. I have seen the peace that seems to flow so naturally from such faith. I do not understand it. I don't think I ever will. For I could never imagine being in the situation of watching my own child or spouse die in such a painful and sad way. But I also know that such faith is needed in other situations within our lives; not just at trials involving death.

The words to a Janice Kapp Perry song "The Test" come to mind - the third verse, I believe:

Tell me love
Why must you die?
Why must your loved ones
Stand with empty arms
And ask the question why?

Tell me friend
If you understand
Why doesn't he with power
To raise the dead
Just make you whole again

It would be so easy for Him
I watch you and in sorrow question why
They you, my friend, in perfect faith reply

"Didn't He say He sent us to be tested?
Didn't He say the way would not be sure?
But didn't he say we could live with Him
Forever more, well and whole
If we but patiently endure
After the trial
We will be blessed
But this life
Is the Test"

Indeed, this life is the test. A test for each of us. And part of that test is learning to have perfect faith.

And for anyone who might not be able to grasp why, as Latter-Day Saints, we are able to fully accept what to the rest of the world is a tradgety, here's another poem - one used at the funeral of the brother-in-law I never met, and also used at the funeral for a cousin who also passed of cancer several years ago.

God's Child On Loan

"I'll lend to you for a little time,
A child of mine," God said,
"For you to love while she lives
And mourn for when she's dead."

"It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you till I call her back,
Take care of her for me?"

"She'll bring her charms to gladden you
And should her stay be brief,
You'll have these precious memories
To comfort you through grief."

"I cannot promise she will stay
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn."

"I've looked this world over,
In my search for teachers true.
In the crowds of this great land,
I have selected you."

"Now will you give her all your love
Not think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
To take her back again?"

I'll leave you with a quote from my story, one which rings true and which speaks to the heart of the message:

"What love gives to life, Death can't undo"

I Love My Four

I know it's been a very long time... at least for me. Things have just been really busy and though some things have slowed, we're going to continue to busy for quite some time to come. This week's projects include cutting, sewing, organizing, packing, laundry, dishes.... I'm sure there is much more. It's mostly a catch up week before vacation settles in on us!

I've been very blessed to be jolted back to loving the chaos of my own family. I always go through moments of "self-pity" when I find things just too much... running too much, doing to much, schedules too much... life... too much. Sometimes it's easier to get back to the "grateful" side and other times it takes awhile... this time... well, it's taken awhile. I was getting there slowly, but having seven kids (6 and under) in the house (without Bob to help... expect Sunday and a couple hours on Wednesday night) really put things in perspective.

It was fun, and the kids got along rather well (which helped a ton), but then there would be moments when we'd need to go some where (like baseball) and I'd freak out... seven little ones is a lot to get ready, together, out the door and hope you haven't forgotten anything. Thank goodness Courtney and Matt have raised such helpful kids (still kids, but it didn't add much time to the out-the-door-routine)!

Running from that to Vermont for my sister's graduation was incredible, to say the least... I was running on empty... as in tired. Coming home Sunday I had to stop four or five times to stretch my legs, breathe fresh air, and cat nap... but, we made it. I slept great Sunday night, took a nap on Monday and felt a sense of peace and calm.

Service is great. Especially when you can see the Lord's hand in helping you out. And when you can look back and see that not only have you helped someone else, but the Lord has blessed you to have helped yourself as well.

Seven is fun... for a while... but, right now, I love my four! I think I'll wait until they're older before thinking about adding to them.... And now my chaos doesn't feel so much like chaos any more!

Reid State Park

So Gabi had a field trip... almost a week ago now. It was fun... we drove down in the van (Gabi, Beth, Lucy, Emma and myself) even though we'd been invited to ride down on the bus. We liked the idea of being spoiled with the air conditioner and DVD players!





We spent the time on the beach... at first it was wave jumping... or more accurately, it was getting their feet wet and turning and running while yelling when the waves came in. :)
















We spent some time on the rocks... which were slippery in some areas... and since the kids weren't all that sure-footed, we stayed mostly on the dry ones. It was pretty to look out around us.... even with all the fog.














A favorite part was collecting sea shells... which were mostly broken... and which we've saved for projects.












Emma and Lucy really enjoyed playing in the sand... building it up some times, and then drawing in it other times.












We even saw this neat fort made out of driftwood. I have no idea who made it, but it was neat!

A Little Storm

Just real quick....I have permission to post pictures, so I'll do beach pictures later. Gabi had a field trip and I took her, Beth, Lucy and Emma. I'll tell you about with the pictures.

But... we have not had out the sprinkler yet... too many thunder storms.... Last night was a real adventure! Gabi had a baseball game that I ran her down to. I took the two babies with me (since I'd been away from them all day... and Jeremy was fine staying behind). As we're watching the game, I suddenly see lighting....four times... the game got called. By the time we were in the van, the storm was on top of us!

I got to drive home in the thunder and lighting, trees-bending over, windy mess (don't freak, Courtney, the Lord loves us!).

I only had to stop once for a tree across the road...and thankfully it was in between a farmer's long wrap around driveway... so we got by just fine and got home.... to no power! We were out of power for 10 hours more or less. Not too bad, but usually our power is back on within a couple of hours.

The kids did well with it all... we got out candles... Lucy and Emma were exhausted and went to bed before my kids...though I'm thinking mine probably should have gone to bed that soon too...since they really got cranky at each other later one. I felt bad for Lucy because the storm picked back up in the middle of the night with very bright lighting. It woke her a couple of times.. not all the way, just enough to know that those bright flashes in the middle of the dark were scary. But she calmed down when we'd go in and sit with her until she'd fall asleep again (which didn't take long because she was so tired).

My favorite storm thing yesterday: Lucy was telling us about black outs back home and what can and cannot be used (ie...stoves, fridges, microwaves, etc) She started by saying "when we have blackouts with white thunder..." I just love the "white thunder" comment. No thunder and lighting.. just white thunder! :) Very cute.

Okay... pictures and beach fun later... when I've got another minute... time to get things ready for the day... before more kids are up!

Some Cute, Sweet Things

Well... two days down... five to go. Okay, so that sounds awful...count down and all. The count down isn't really about the other children leaving so much as it has more to do with when I'll be on the next adventure, then the next, then then next... yes, it seems they have piled right up.... but that's not what I wanted to share.

Lucy is very concerned about why people feel the way they do. I'm not use to those kinds of why questions. Today I was having an especially hard time with Jeremy... Lucy didn't understand why I was so mad at him. So, in brief, I tried to explain the situation. She just looked at me, then offered a suggestion. (If I hadn't been so tired, I would have smiled...it was really sweet) Never-the-less, she continued to speak sweetly and politely as I tried to deal with Jeremy (screaming in time out on my bed while two babies tried to take a nap) while also trying to get lunch together. She looked me over and said "You look really pretty today." (And that time, I smiled.)

Emma has such a great smile. She likes to do things at her own pace and by herself.....though she's watched the others from a distance and then decided to join in a few games too. She and Bethie were born the same year, and so, they've spent a lot of time together. Between yesterday and today, I caught Emma (six times) at random saying "Bethie....(pause)....I love you." That makes Beth smile... and me too! Bethie, of course, replies in kind. But I just love the sweet, sincerity in Emma's words as she just randomly tells her.

I was letting Spencer have his binky (I'm not sure how much of the day he's really suppose to have it) this evening after dinner. While the kids were picking up, Jeremy found that Spencer had dropped it somewhere... He brought the binky to Spencer and said, as he put it in Spencer's mouth "Here you go, Spencer-Butter" (This, of course, is sweet and cute to me because that's one of Peter's nicknames... Peter Butter....see how it works)

Okay... well that's the fun that's made me smile most these last couple of days... the kids are so excited about getting out the octopus sprinkler tomorrow! The Beach (for the girls) on Tuesday with Gabi's class... and then... they don't know it yet... we'll celebrate Jeremy's birthday Wednesday! Thursday and Friday we'll spend making Father's Day gifts and then getting packed up! We've got a busy... fun.... week ahead.

The Prairie, The Mess, The Kids

Today marks the first of several days with 7 kids. No, they are not all mine... so, no, you did not miss anything! :) Some friends of ours are getting away for a little while, so we offered to take their children. Two girls and a boy... all friends with our kids.

Considering how little Bob has been able to be home to do anything with our own children over the last several weeks do to apartment renovation and repairs, our own children have gone into their own "coping" stages. Coping, of course, being used rather loosely. Jeremy is suddenly having trouble getting to the potty on time; Gabi is almost always crabby and cries at everything (even before you can talk); Bethie doesn't seem to understand what sleep is any more... and thus is cranky and crying most of the day; and Peter has decided mom can't be out of his site for more than 5 minutes, and most of the time has to be carried!

With this going on, I'm hoping the distraction of friends will pull them back together for a little while (since Bob still has a roof to replace)! Bob did take the morning off from the apartments to spend with the kids. And we'll be spending the whole day together tomorrow (originally Bob was going to travel to his speaking assignment without us so that I could be at our own ward working on Primary music....but this is more important for our children right now. So, someone else will be filling in for music).

Bob started by mowing the "prairie" out back.... with all the rain we've had, there hasn't been sufficient time to get the lawn mowed....and, of course (also because of the rain), it's grown rapidly! But with it freshly mowed, the kids will have a nice large yard to run around in...a swing set to play on.... balls to throw and kick.... a frisbee to work with...and whatever else their wonderful imaginations can come up with! Let's just hope the rain is done for awhile... they need to get outside!

Welcome, Baby Anna

Okay, so I thought I was done posting! Nope! I have to say welcome to Anna! Her family knows I'm talking to her! To me this is special for so many reasons.

First, a birth is always a special thing. It's one of the few moments we have in life where our Spirit is connected to the other side of the veil, even though for only a small moment. That moment when a new life enters into this world! The Spirit within the room is always so strong, there are never words to truly describe that peaceful and amazingly strong love! A birth is indeed so awe-inspiring. It's special. Each one is very special.

Second, this is my best friend's first! I'm not there... we live far enough apart (and I'm sick enough) that it's not possible. But my heart is with her. Throughout this week, I have continually thought about her and wondered when that call would come. Not wanting to push that emotional envelop (which all pregnant women manage to have overflowing at the end of their pregnancy anyway), I've just prayed for her and waited. I know she will be an amazing mother! I watched the way she was with kids of so many ages all growing up! She's incredible! Now the little one whom she'll be helping along in life will be hers! I'm so happy and excited for her! (And for the Daddy too.... they are best of friends, so together they're an unbeatable team!)

Third, with so many sad things creeping up on our family, it's so nice to have that bright happy something to remind us of the true value of life! A new birth is a symbol of so many things. A symbol of baptism as we commit ourselves to follow Christ. A symbol of death, as we leave this life to go on to the next - for our spirits live on and we will be resurrected one day! A symbol of love - for out of sorrow and pain have come the greatest love ever (out of the Atonement, has come Charity, the true love of Christ).

So, welcome baby Anna! You are a precious gift, already loved beyond measure! And your birth is a symbol of the love that surrounds you and the love you possess, ready to assist and aid those in need! You are a treasure!

Thanks To All You Blogger Friends!

I just have to say that I love Sunday nights... Monday mornings. My highlight is all the blog notes that go up over the weekend... yes I check them through the week and many are updated more often than the weekend, but some how, after being filled at church, the joy is ten-fold!

I just love that little bit of everyone and their families which makes me smile. We all have such wonderful stories to share with each other.. laughs enough to go around... things to make you say "ahhhhhhh". It's great! And when you're at home without an adult to converse with, well, who can beat that!