My reflections

As I have looked back on our year, in pictures, I have come to find that the things that I have taken pictures of are those "stop and smell the roses" kinds of things. Having children has made me realize a few things about myself..the first being if I am to be giving away some food item, I hesitate to let the children help because I want it to be perfect. Another is that sometimes I say "no" to them, just because it is going to make a mess or I don't feel like doing that today. But I have to remember that they aren't going to be children for much longer, they are going to grow up and not want to blow bubbles in the freezing cold or point out the amazing sunset that you have been too busy to see. So my list of things I want to remember for this year are those that have made me focus more on someone else and those "stop and smell the roses" moments.
1. Cutting 10 inches of hair for Locks of Love. This Feb after a couple of months fighting with the new baby and long hair, I cut off 10 inches and donated it to Locks of Love. I will never know who got my hair, but knowing that because I CAN grow it, someone else can have hair too.
2. Bubble blowing at Grandma's at Easter. For Easter, Mindy gave the kids some bubbles. I wasn't too excited about going outside to blow them, because it was freezing cold, but I did. I have a wonderful picture of Jacob laughing as he tries to catch all the bubbles. It didn't kill me to go blow bubbles, but I did create a wonderful memory.....and the kids had a great time.
3. Paper throwing. I have a great staircase that lends itself to having things thrown off the top. At the top it is like a balcony to the entry way. The kids had found a carton of notepapers and were throwing them off the balcony to the floor below. Then they would race down the stairs, pick up the paper and run back to do it all over again. Normally I wouldn't have allowed this, but it was paper, and the kids were willing to pick it up at the end of the session---so watch the ticker tape parade.
4. Planting grass---we finally planted a lawn this year, it took a lot of work, but the end result is wonderful to enjoy, and we were blessed because just after we planted, Heavenly Father took over the watering duties, we didn't have to water for about 2 weeks.
5. Our motor home. I really didn't want to buy it, but Gabe convinced me that we would enjoy it, and we did. We took it to Jeff and Becky's wedding and the kids had a ball running up and down while Gabe was driving. We took it to Lander and went camping---one of the kids' favorite things this year.
6. Flower garden. After the lawn came in nice, we planted the flowers. With a little elbow grease and lots of care on my part they FINALLY bloomed and we enjoyed the colors.
7. New Excursion. See my post on that one, point to Gabe for a bigger family.
8. Sunset in Lander. Thanks to Wyatt I enjoyed a wonderful sunset that I might have missed trying to take care of the other family things.
9. Rainbows over the neigbors house. After one rainstorm I noticed that there was not one, but two rainbows over the neighbor's house, and then looking down the street, I found there were 2 more over those houses too!!
10. This one I don't think my dad knows I took . While in Sinks Canyon this year, I found him "resting" on the rocks. I think he was aware of all the kids around him, but he wasn't.

Katherine

Katherine's top ten list that she won't ever remember, so this one is more for me:
1. Sitting up
2. Rolling over
3. Crawling.
4. Walking
5. 1st Birthday
6. Eye surgery
7. 1st teeth
8. 1st words, both spoken and signed
9. Camping for the 1st time
10. 1st hair cut.

As you can see hers is full of first, because this was her first year. We loving having her and now you need to ask her if she is cute. Lately she has been nodding yes, or shaking her head no. So start asking her questions, and see what response you get.

Jacob

1. Haircut by himself.....gave me fits over that one.
2. 2nd birthday....he is getting to be a big boy.
3. Dancing at the 4th of July parade. He loved the parade this year. Every time a band or someone playing music would go by, he would turn to me and tell me that they were practicing and then start dancing and swaying to the music.
4. Swing set---need I say more.
5. Camping in Lander---again what more can I say.
6. Preschool with Amanda. Amanda is taking Home Ec and they were doing a preschool, she invited us. I took Katherine and Jacob and they had fun doing the activities that the kids had planned for them.
7. 1st snow without the older kids.
8. Independence Rock---he some how ended up on Grandpa Lyle's shoulders and loved that (got the picture to prove it)
9. Bunnies on the lawn. Jacob loves to look out the back door and check for bunnies. Living so close to the barn and the horses we get lots of livestock on our lawn. Jacob loves to look for them.
10. Sleeping with Wyatt---see Wyatt's posting on this one.

Jacob has been our miracle boy. We are enjoying having him here, and knowing that he is completely healthy and as normal as can be. He is loving nursery at church and is VERY independent. If something isn't done the way that he wants it, he will throw a fit until it is done his way.....this makes it hard because he doesn't always tell you the way he wants it until you are done doing it the way you think it should be done. He loves his little sister, but I think he loves the binkis there more. (that is a story by itself.) He is a very loving little boy and I am hoping that he continues to be that way for a while.

Mariah

Top Ten things that Mariah wants (and mom too) to remember:
1. Potty Trained----finally after lots of battles and lots of laundry, Mariah is trained. The key for her was telling her about school and that she wouldn't be able to go unless she was trained. Then sticking to that.
2. Starting preschool. Thank you to the Headstart program and calling me about my 4 yr old. They have been wonderful for Mariah and helping me get her going down the right road.
3. Her Birthday. She had a whirl wind weekend that week. She had her birthday, the next day had shots at the doctor's for school and then the next started school. Whew.
4. She too loved the wedding dresses (thanks Becky for that).
5. Camping in Lander. The whole family enjoyed that and hopefully we can work in a camping trip this summer.
6. Amanda's Make-up. For Amanda's 13th birthday she got some makeup and Mariah decided to try it out. Got some cute pictures there too.
7. 1st Snow without the older kids there. Mariah and Jacob managed to be outside for a matter of moments (not long enough for the effort it took to get them dressed up for it).
8. Independence Rock. She liked the fact that she could go all the way to the top and explore (as long as someone was right there with her).
9. Swing Set. What more can I say.
10. Laying with Daddy......see Bethany's post for the story there.

Mariah is loving school and I am hoping that she will be ready for Kindergarten next year, otherwise I am at a loss what to do with her (Bethany's teacher is encouraging me to make her wait as her birthday is really close to the cut off date--the rest is a whole other story). She is a sweet child and really eager to please. We are thankful for her spirit in our home. She is our lover---she loves everyone in the family.

Bethany

Top Ten for Bethany (again, not in any particular order):
1. Trip to Denver. She just loved being there with us, she loved getting a new teddy bear from Grandma Sherry before we left, and then at the hospital they gave her another one. She thought staying in a motel was pretty cool too.
2. Starting School--she started Kindergarten this year and for never having any formal school in her life, she has done pretty good. There haven't been many days where she hasn't wanted to go.
3. Birthday. I think that she thinks that the only place to have her birthday is at Grandma Sherry's. We went to Cody for July 4th and since her birthday is the 5th, we just had a party there for her.
4. Wedding dresses--this was the first time that my girls all had the same dresses, and Bethany loved it. Hers was a little longer than it should have been, but she figured out how to pick it up just right so that she wouldn't step on it.
5. Kindergarten round up---this is where the school invites all the incoming kindgergarteners to come to the school and meet their teachers and see the school and such before the year even starts (actually it is in May before they start). Our district also gives each student a box to welcome them to school with a few neat school supplies and some activities for over the summer. It was all I could do to keep her away from that box. Then she got another one when she went for a screening in August.
6. Camping in Lander. She just had fun hanging out with everyone. She loved going to Lander's park too and playing on the swings.
7. Homecoming Parade. She looked so little sitting there with her class, but she was having a ball. Someone painted a paw print on her forhead, and she was really proud of that.
8. Independence Rock---she thought it was sooo cool to be able to climb clear to the top by herself. I was a little worried, but she managed. Thank goodness there were lots of adults to help supervise my crew.
9. Swing set. Thanks again Mom for that, all the kids have enjoyed it.
10. Laying with Daddy in Thermopolis. After our trip to Cody for the 4th we stopped in Thermopolis thinking that we would go swimming for Bethany's birthday. After seeing the crowds we decided not to, but walked around the park that they have there. Above the pools they have a wooden walkway and paths that you can take around some pools of hot water. We walked around and around there and when we got back to the motor home, Gabe crashed on the lawn in the shade, and Bethany and Mariah, and then Jacob all layed down just like daddy. (got a really cute picture of that.

Bethany has been a joy to have in our family. She is a ball of fire, but a sweet girl. I hope that she continues to know that we love her just the way she is. She keep us on our toes. She might be little, but she has a huge heart, spirit and personality.

Wyatt

Here is Wyatt's top ten things for the year.
1. His 7th Birthday. Wow--that just reminds me that he is ever closer to being baptized next year.
2. Independence Rock---for him it was the boy thing of being able to climb to the top and explore and check things out for once.
3. Lost his first 2 teeth.....granted it was by force (the dentist pulled them) but it was needed as his teeth weren't coming in like they were supposed to. But now they are in the right place.
4. Beach concert. This spring they had a beach concert for his music program and he had a speaking part.
5. Amanda's first Piano recital---he thought it was fun to go and watch and it really got him excited about starting piano too. (Hey, Mom I need to tell you again thanks for the piano).
6. Baseball---he really enjoys playing, but when asked about next season he is reluctant to say if he is playing, I think it is because he is moving from T-ball to the pitching machine.
7. Memorial Day---I think it is more that we got to see Grandma Castro than visiting the cemetary, but I could be wrong.
8. Jacob sharing a bed....this is one that he only knows because we took some pictures of it. I am not even sure why Jacob was in his bed. We just went to check on the boys before we went to bed one night and there they were both in the same bed sound asleep. I just hope that friendship continues for a long time.
9. His bicycle accident. While in Lander for our camping trip, he was riding one of Grandpa Lyle's bikes and had a major accident. Really messed up his nose and was bleeding ALOT. I was ready to take him to the emergency room thinking that he had a broken nose. I will be thankful here for worthy priesthood holders in my family and for the blessing that they gave him when his dad couldn't be there.
10. Little 4-wheelers. Our neighbors got a couple of mini 4-wheelers that are perfect for the littles to ride. Wyatt loves to ride on those, and given the opportunity would ride them the whole day. His buddy, Eli, and him will take turns riding them and have the best time. This makes me thankful for good neighbors and friends who aren't afraid of sharing the fun.

I am thankful for Wyatt and his wonderful spirit that he brings to our home. He is an awesome big brother, and will take good care of the girls. I have seen him take Bethany by the hand and help her at school---I really hope that this love for his brother and sisters continues and he isn't afraid of showing it to others. He is a great help to me and I hope that he learns to love to play the piano as much as I do---he is getting really good.

Husband Tag

Okay, Becky you caught me. Here it goes!
1. Where did you meet your husband? at a church dance
2. How long did you date? 3 yrs
3. How long have you been married? 14 yrs in May
4. What does he do that surprises you? not much anymore
5. What is your favorite feature of his? his eyes
6. What is his best quality? His willingness to work hard.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? cute thing, honey
8. What is his favorite food? what won't he eat
9. What is his favorite sport? anything to do with Wyoming Cowboys---Go Pokes!!
10. When and where was your first kiss? Our first date, he kissed me on the forehead.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? anything without the kids right now
12. Do you have children? Yes, 4 girls and 2 boys
13. Does he have hidden talents? he is working at his best talent--woodworking, but he can also cook.
14. How old is he? 34 as of Nov 4
15. Who said I love you first? I think I did, but I don't really remember
16. His favorite music? country and anything from the oldies---70's, 80's, 90's
17. What do you admire most about him? his work ethic and compassion for others.
18. What is his favorite color? The color of his work shirts, as he doesn't wear anything but those.
19. Will he read this? probably not
20. Who do you tag? Tiffany, Tiffani, Jill, and Kelli

Amanda

So here we go. Amanda's top ten list of things that she would like to remember about 2008. (I don't think that they are in any particular order other than maybe when they occurred in the year).
1. Amanda had her first piano recital this year, did a wonderful job and continues to progress. Way to go Amanda!
2. Marching Band--she has been in band for 2 yrs now playing the clarinet(the first months were the hardest on me) but this year they were able to march in the Homecoming Parade.
3. Birthday--of course this one would be on anyone's list, but for her it marks the yrs of teenagedom, this yr was number 13.
4. Our Family Reunion in Lander---we took our new motor home and went camping for the week seeing the sights around the area---she mentions Martin's Cove(she got to pull a handcart), Independence Rock, and Sinks Canyon.
5. Band Concerts---she has really blossomed through band and playing in the concerts (it helps that they have an awesome teacher too).
6. She got a hair cut in May that looked really cute and she really liked.
7. Memorial Day--we went to Greybull to see Gabe's Grandmother and also went to the cemetary there and here (I took pictures of the headstones for our geneology.)
8. July 4th---always a favorite holiday, made even better by spending it in Cody with Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Lyle going to the parade and having a BBQ.
9. Swing Set---I am not sure why she would mention this as she is almost too big to play on it, but maybe it has been the time that she has spent with the other kids and helping to put it together.....Thanks Grandma Sherry!
10. Jeff and Becky's Wedding----Becky had gotten dresses for all the girls and ties for the boys and made all the little kids feel special. Amanda liked it because she was in the actual wedding party, on top of feeling and looking like a princess in her dress.
Now those were hers, but I am adding one or two that she doesn't want to mention---
1A. Braces---she was finally able to lose all her baby teeth this year, some by force, to get her braces on for good. If she does what she is supposed to by the time she is 15 she won't have them anymore----just in time for dating (oh joy).
Just to round it all off Amanda has been growing into a young lady, she is in the 7th grade and doing quite well. We are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to seeing what she will become. I am not looking forward to the time ahead when she stops wanting to be so helpful with the other children.

Our Christmas stuff

Okay so here is what I have decided to do for my Christmas cards this year. If I have your snail-mail address you will be getting a card from us (when is the question). If you really want to know more about us this year, then continue reading the blog because this is where it will happen. In the Christmas cards I send, unfortunately I am not going to be able to send pictures or anything but a generic greeting that just lets you know we are alive and well. If you want to see the pictures, refer to my last post, and if you want to know more about what we are doing, see the posts over the next few days. I have decided to post what the kids want to remember the most about this last year. Amanda and Wyatt have come up with their own lists and I did the rest of the kids' with things that happened to them. Although there might be ten things on the list it really isn't a "Top Ten" as there is no order to them, just fun things that they want to remember.

How Blessed am I?

I have been holding on to these pictures because these are the ones that I would normally send out in Christmas letters, but I am not making much progress on my annual Christmas letter. I am having a hard time deciding if I want to do our traditional one, or something different. So until I decide, here are the pictures. As I was preparing them to put on the blog, I starting thinking about this time of year and how blessed I have been over the past year. I have 6 healthy children (currently), a loving husband, and wonderful extended family, great friends and had lots of fun over the year doing things with those people in my life. But most of all I look at my children and know that I have been greatly blessed to have them in my life. I have enjoyed all the smiles, hugs, kisses and events that we have participated in. I would struggle to tell you what bad things they have done in the past, although give me a minute and I could tell you what they are currently pushing my buttons for. They have enriched my life so much, that I am so thankful for their spirits in my home. They make all the loads of laundry, all the dirty dishes, the toys stumbled over in the night, the runny noses, and any other irrating thing worth it. I am thankful to a wonderful Heavenly Father who knew me and what I would need in my life and sent my family these kids. Have a Merry Christmas.

Denver-revisited

Okay, so I posted a while back about our trip to Denver and how much I hated the traffic, but never told about our reason for making that trip. The reason was I wasn't sure of the outcome. But after last night I know the outcome and it doesn't change the status at our house one bit. You will have to bear with me as I have to tell it from the beginning, so I have to go back to July. In July, Bethany turned 5 and I took her in for a well-child check and so that she could get her shots to be able to go to school in a couple of months. At that visit it was discovered that she hadn't really grown much since last year (height or weight). So her doctor recommended that we have a weight check in three months and see what happens. She really wanted her to gain about 3 pounds in that time and told me to load on the food. Actually what she said was to load the calories....instead of giving Beth a plain piece of bread, put peanut butter on it type of things. So we went home and didn't really change her diet, becuase she is a good eater and we were doing those kinds of things anyway. So 3 months passed and I took her in Sept for the weight check. She had only gained 1/2 a pound. So the doctor asked for us to run some tests to see if there was something medically wrong with her, specifically looking at her thyroid, but also doing a bone age test. So I took her to the hospital where they drew blood for the tests and did the x-ray for the bone age test and went home to wait. The doctor called and told me that the blood tests looked fine, that her thyroid was working great ect, but the bone age test was the one they were concerned about. They told me that her bones looked like that of a 3 yr old (remember that she is 5), and this is indicitive of a growth hormone deficiency. So they recommended that we see an endocrinologist in Denver and check things out with him. I left that conversation feeling like she had a diagnosis and that we were just headed to Denver to confirm and get the proper treatment. When we get to Denver the doctor tells us that it isn't sure that she has a growth hormone deficiency, they will run more tests and that she may have Turner Syndrome have a nice day and we will call you with the results. (That is almost as fast as they did that too). So we come home wondering what Turner Syndrome is, what does that mean for Bethany and for me really stressing about what I am supposed to do now. I will admit that the internet is a great source for information, but can be bad when you are unsure if you really have that condition. Try it, look up what Turner Syndrome is and then put yourself into my shoes. We waited the time frame that they gave us before they should know the results, and still no call. The doctor had given me an email address, so I emailed her to ask about it....only to discover that they hadn't run all the tests that they needed to, and we had to have MORE blood drawn. Fortunately they could do it here at the local hospital and we wouldn't have to drive to Denver again. So they drew the blood and we waited some more. And finally last night, she called and gave us the results. Bethany does NOT have Turner Syndrome nor does she have a growth hormone deficiency. Essentially she is a perfectly healthy 5 yr old girl, just tiny for her age. So now what.....we are going to continue to monitor her with the specialist, but won't have to go to Denver, only to Casper as they do clinics every 3 months there. There may come a time where we might have to do more testing, but for now it is just a wait and watch her growth. It is hard as a parent to know that your child isn't growing normally (they told me that in Denver) but I know that she is perfect for her size (they told me that too). These past months have caused me to reflect on my actions during her pregnancy and after to wonder, could I have done something different?, but in my heart know that she is perfect and nothing is wrong with her, other than she got the raw end of the genetic battle and got Gabe's short side and mine too, and is therefore going to be really short. But for any and all who have met Bethany, you can astest that this little girl is little in body only.....she has personality and spirit that people twice her size don't have. I am so thankful that the tests right now have fallen in our favor, but still pray that she will be the child that she was meant to be.

Jacob and the Magic Clippers

What is a child's facination with sharp objects? Why do things that can cause bodily harm have such a draw to little fingers? I don't know if any parent can answer these questions, but I am sure most of them have a story to back them up. I now have 2 stories. Last year it was Wyatt and Amanda, this year it is Jacob. With all my kids you would think that I would have more....I am just biding my time I guess. So here it is for your entertainment "Jacob and the Magic Clippers" (okay so the clippers aren't magic, but I thought that would make a great title).

Saturday evening we are getting the children their baths and getting them ready for bed. Wyatt gets into the shower first and when he comes down I notice (again) that his hair is getting long and he needs a hair cut. Actually the top of his head is fine, it was just getting long over the ears. So I get the hair cutting supplies out and proceed to trim over his ears. Then I look at Jacob, who also has the same problem. I trim his hair and then think that I am great. By then it is time for me to start helping the littles to get their baths. I send Jacob upstairs to put the haircutting stuff away and ask who it first. No one wants to be first so I think, Jacob is upstairs, I will snag him and get it done. Besides I need to make sure that the stuff is put away in the proper place. So I go find Jacob in the laundry room with the clippers out by the outlet. I help him put them away and into the box. As I am doing that I notice some hair on the floor. I don't think much of it because I just cut some off his head. When I take him into the bathroom and start taking his shirt off, more hair falls off. It is then that I notice the neat cut in his hair, that is still parting with some of its buddies. It is then that my heart sinks and I wonder how can I fix this so no one will notice. Unfortunately I am not a wiz with scissors, so that was out of the question, it was Saturday night no one was open to do it and Sunday was out of the question. So Monday morning after dropping Mariah off at school we start looking for a place to have Jacob's hair fixed. I went out to the styling place in Walmart and in waiting for it to open spend 20 mintues roaming the store. When I get up there the stylist tells me that it would be another hour before she could get to him.......I am thinking can he wait another hour wandering through Walmart???? No dice. So we head home and I call Gabe's aunt (she is an actual hair stylist---just doesn't work on Mondays) and we get an appointment for today. Thankfully she was able to mask the diaster until it grows out and hopefully he won't do it again. So enjoy the before and after pictures----then go hide all the sharp cutting objects from the little hands. And learn from my mistake of letting a helpful child put something away.

Birthday and concert

We have had a busy week with Katherine's birthday and Wyatt music concert falling on the same day. We decided to have cake and ice cream today for the birthday as the concert was a must do and we didn't think we could do both. Wyatt did a really nice job at his concert. They sang all patriotic songs and it was fun. He didn't have a special part this year, although he did help the music teacher in moving the microphone. He was excited as his grandparents were able to come and see him. (Thanks for coming and we hope to see you soon)
We had a fun time celebrating for Katherine and she looked like she REALLY enjoyed her cake (see the picture). As per being a year old she wanted to play with the packages more than her toys. And as for having older siblings she didn't get to play with her toys much the first little bit. We had a good turn out and don't have much cake left, YEA (for some reason I don't like left over cake). Thanks to all who made it over--we had a nice time.

Time

You know the saying "time flies when you are having fun"? Well I really have to disagree with that. I have found that time does what it wants and when it wants. It will slow way down when you are looking forward to something, like Christmas, so that it seems to take forever to come. Or it will speed up so fast that you can't remember where it has all gone like when you are spending time with family. Or it just passes without any sort of acknowledgement. So as I am looking at the date today, I realize that this time time really has flown. My littlest daugher, Katherine, is now a year old. It doesn't seem like it has been that long since we brought her home, but that is time playing tricks on us again. She is indeed a year old and growing bigger everyday. She loves to love on the other kids, blow kisses and give hugs---if you get close enough. She is learning to walk on her own, but doesn't feel that she needs to because she has others willing to carry her (and crawling is faster anyway). She will laugh out loud, especially when others around her are laughing. We are celebrating her birthday on Saturday, because Wyatt has a music program tonight, and I will post pictures then. But I wish that time hadn't flown and that I still had my newborn, but yet I am enjoying watching her grow and progress day by day. She is such a sweet little girl that I can't imagine not having her a part of our family.

Pie Maker

Last night we had a mother/daughter Young Women's activity learning how to make pie crusts. I left most of the children with Gabe, but Katherine. He was planning on helping out his brother and wouldn't be able to watch her well, so I took her. It was a fun activity, but I think that I have a budding pie maker on my hands. Amanda made the whole pie herself with supervision from myself and her leaders, but she was the quickest at it. She had her bottom crust rolled out and in the pan before anyone else, filled and the topped before you could bat an eye. She made a peach pie (just for me) and was thrilled with her accomplishment. One of her leaders told her that she was an expert pie maker, but I just think that she is a natural. We still have to sample the pie, that will be our dessert for tonight, but she did a wonderful job. Now I know who to call on when I need a pie made from scratch (I can't do the crusts worth beans).

Happy Birthday!!

Okay, so when you get as old as I am you really don't want to celebrate any more birthdays, but this one is not mine. Today is Gabe's birthday. I didn't realize how hard it was to buy presents for him until a good friend of ours called to find out what he wanted for his birthday. Gabe is a firm believer in getting things that you need for any gift giving occasion. (that is why the kids gave him socks, a belt, and some aftershave lotion.) But when he has everything that he needs, what do you get him?? I even asked him about making him a cake--doesn't want one. I asked about a special dinner (we have the tradition of the birthday person choosing the meal for that night) and he just said he wanted something to eat. But I think that he really enjoyed this morning. I woke all the kids up a litte early and then took them into our bedroom (as Gabe was still sleeping) and then the all climbed up and wished him a happy birthday with hugs and kisses. I am really thankful at this time though for his companionship, his ability to fulfill his duties as a father and at times his sense of humor. (Ask mom about this because she doesn't like that about him sometimes). So Happy Birthday Gabe, your family loves you a bunch.

Trunk or Treat

This years winner. And the whole gang.

Last years winner.

Every year for the longest time (actually about 13 yrs now) our ward and/or wards has hosted a Trunk or Treat party for the kids on Halloween. I love it because it gives my kids a chance to go trick or treating without the worry and hastle of actually going trick or treating. They have games for the kids to play along with dinner and a costume contest. Then after it gets dark, we retire to the parking lot and pass out candy from the trunks of our cars to all the kids. They tend to get a lot of candy and it is fun for them to do it. This year was no different. At the appointed hour our family appeared, had the dinner and then they judged the costumes. We had a winner for the 2nd year in a row for our family. The funny thing was it was the same costume that won last year, just a different person wearing it. Mariah won for her LadyBug costume. We had a fun and safe Halloween.

Busy Day

Jacob and Katherine at the Library trick or treating.

Jacob and Katherine at Amanda's "preschool" activity.

Today I feel like I have been running and only running. Amanda is in a Home Ec class (although they don't call it that) and has been studying child development lately. So this week she asked if I could bring Jacob and Katherine in for a preschool time at the school. I agreed. So after jetting Mariah to school and then realizing that I had some time to spare before going to Amanda's school, I ran and got gas for the Excursion. Then we went to Amanda's school for an hour. It was fun to watch some of the kids around Jacob and Katherine and the other little ones that were there. You could almost tell who has been around littles and who hadn't. Then after we were done at the school, we went to story time at the Library. But today was a special story time, they had a Halloween party for the kids. I brought Jacob and Katherine's costumes, but Jacob didn't want to put his on, he only wanted to carry it. Katherine was more intent on pulling all the stuff out of her bag and then putting it back in...she was content. They both had fun this morning and I am now too tired to do more than just sit and read something, so unfortuneately the rest of the house work is going to pot. Oh well, at least I had fun with the kids....to me that is more important than having a spotless kitchen.

Halloween Ghouls playing music

Amanda and Wyatt had a piano recital yesterday evening. It was pretty fun. They got to dress up in their Halloween costumes and play their Halloween pieces. They had fun and I was impressed with some of the students. Amanda and Wyatt both did a good job on their music. I was proud of Wyatt because this is/was his first recital. He got right up there and played like it was the millionth time that he had done it. Congratulations to the two of them. I didn't get many pictures, for several reasons: it was dark and my camera wasn't working too well, everytime I tried to get a picture Jacob was leaning on me and they all came out blurry, and I was also in the wrong place to be getting pictures of the kids and didn't want to make a huge scene to get to where I could take some.

The Mighty Hunters

Gabe's Deer from last year. This year's deer.

Lance's Deer. Hanging of the deer.


Hanging of the deer.

This morning was one that I tend to dread when fall hits, it is one of those days when I become a hunter's widow. If you are married to a hunter then you know what I mean. The day when The Hunter goes out and spends all day trying to find something to shoot at and you spend all day doing the usual things at home, for me it has been cleaning house. If you are lucky The Hunter comes home early with his kill, if you aren't so lucky then you spend half the night wondering where they are and what is going on. Today we were lucky, my hunter was home by 2:30 with his kill and now we have meat for the freezer this winter. YEAH!!!! Actually we were doublely lucky because his hunting partner also came back with a kill. I know that Lance's deer is bigger than ours (his rack), but that doesn't surprise me. It seems that whenever Gabe goes hunting with someone else, he will encourage them to take the shot on the better of the animals that they see. This year's deer wasn't as big as last year, but I am thankful for that, because now we won't add another mount to the wall. And actually I really don't mind becoming a hunter's widow because that means less I have to spend on the grocery bill for meat later. Congratulations! For all those hunters out there who haven't gotten your kill yet, good luck.

My Hero

I know that sometimes as parents we find ourselves wondering if we have given our children the tools that they need to survive the world. At times like this one I am beginning to say, yes I did, at least for this one child. The school has a "Stars" board where they will post pictures of students who have gone out of their way to help others and to be kind (all the things that we want them to do). This afternoon I was going through Wyatt's bag and found his picture along with the sheet that tells who nominated him and why. He told me, after questioning him about it, that it happened last Friday. It says on his sheet that he went over and ate lunch with another boy who was eating by himself. I am so proud of my little boy (who I guess isn't so little). This isn't the first time that he has done something like this. Last year he pushed a little girl around in her wheelchair for the longest time (she had broken her leg) without being asked and because he wanted to (not for the attention). So today my hat goes off to my little hero, who is trying to make his part of the world a better place and make those around him feel better too. Thanks Wyatt, for your shining example. Way to go!

Homecoming 2008

I don't know about you, but Homecoming seems to have lost it's granduer since leaving high school. Maybe it is just the fact that I was never big into those social events in high school because of the possiblity that there might be drinking involved and I don't do that. But then again maybe it is the fact that the sports that I happened to be in during that time were never at home for the parade. I never did go to a homecoming parade in high school because of my chosen sport. As a freshman I was wary of doing anything where the upper classmen would/could haze me, as a sophmore I was a swimmer and we were at an away meet, as a Junior and senior I was a cross country runner and one yr was away and then next was at our home meet---which was starting at the same time as the parade. Since having kids, things are different. I take my kids to the parade because they love seeing all the kids and hearing the fire trucks and getting the candy. This year however was different still. I now have a child old enough to get involved in these things. Amanda marched in the homecoming parade with the 7th and 8th grade band. I did try and take a picture, but if you have ever tried to track a moving band with a slow firing camera, then you know my delimma. I did get a picture of the band, and of Amanda's shoes, but not her full face. But even having children particpate is not the same as doing it yourself. In a way it makes me long for the days when I was there, to do it over again, but then again maybe not. Will the thrill of going to the football games ever come back? Maybe if Wyatt or Jacob play or other boys their age that we know, but for now the Homecoming thrill is dead. Or maybe my problem is the fact that I am not a native here and that their way of celebrating is different from what I know---but I have lived here long enough that I don't have any ties to CHS anymore, but I haven't really built ties to RHS yet because none of the kids are that old. For all that matters though, the parade was nice, Amanda did a wonderful job with the band and in the end RHS lost the game dispite the hype and hoopla before. Better luck next year.

Denver

Okay, so when you almost have a panic attack when you mention places like Denver, Salt Lake City, Washington DC .......you know that you must be (through and through) a country girl. I took my first trip to Denver with Gabe this last Thursday/Friday (Oct 16-17) and I must say that I don't think that I want to do it again anytime soon. I am waiting to blog about the trip more because of the whole reason for going, so keep watching as that story will follow later. Right now just know that we went and I don't want to go back. We actually left Thursday evening and made it as far as Fort Collins when we decided it was time to stop and take a break. Because it was night and all, the traffic wasn't horrible. Fast forward a couple of hours as we were traveling to Denver to make it there for our appointment at 9:30, I must say it never got as bad as Gabe said he has been in, but it was bad enough for me. Gabe said that he has been there when it has been wall to wall red tail lights in front of him. I am most decidedly NOT going to be moving to a big city any time soon. I can understand the allure of having the shopping that you can't get here, the activities that a bigger crowd can attract, the better hospitals because there are more people but I don't want to be there myself. That is just TOO many people for my tastes. I told Gabe that if we moved there (or somewhere similar) that I would become a hermit and not leave the house until he was there with me. The driving there was horrible. Of course some probably say the same about here, but I would disagree. We were sitting at a red light in one lane and saw a car almost rear-end another because it was slow to stop. It came just millimeters away from the accident, and they probably didn't bat an eye. NO THANK YOU!! So the test, for those of you who are wondering, who want to know if you are country through and through---go to a bigger city during the rush hour and see how you react. If you are like me and cringe at every turn and stop and want to just get to your desitnation and not leave, then you might be country.

13 candles

Wow, I can hardly believe that 13 yrs have gone by. Yesterday my oldest turned 13. I don't feel ready for that, nor can I believe that I am old enough for that, but it has happened. We decided to do things a little different this year. Amanda had a friend over Friday night to spend the night. Then we just hung out Saturday and had her "party" this evening. Most of that was because I was lazy in getting a cake mix and frosting until Friday. And then because we had been to another party Friday evening I just didn't feel up to have cake 2 days in a row. But then the weather had a lot to do with it too.....it snowed all day Saturday, and when it is like that I just like to hole up in the warmth and not have to go many places. It is all over and done now, and she is celebrated up for another year. All I can say is that I am dumbfounded, what do I do with a teenager?

Let it snow!?

Okay so I have mixed feelings about the weather today. On the one hand I am excited that it is snowing and bringing much needed moisture to the area, but on the other I am not really ready for winter as it is really NOT my favorite season. I don't mind the snow, it is the cold winds and the cold temperatures that I don't like---I know that is a contridiction because in order to have the snow you have to have it cold outside, but that is just the way that I feel. Personally if I could combine summer and fall that would be the perfect season. So it is snowing here and has been all day. Weather forecasts say that we are supposed to be getting from 8 to 12 inches. I decided that my kids needed to go outside for a while this morning. I spent at least 20 minutes searching for hats and gloves, helped them get boots, coats, gloves and hats on and sent them out the door. My intention was to have them outside playing while I tried to get Katherine down for her morning nap. Less than 5 minutes after sending them outside I hear knocks on the door--"Mom, it is freezing out here. Is it alright if we come in?" I wasn't going to make them stay outside when they didn't want to because they were right, it was FREEZING especially with the wind blowing. But I guess that it didn't hurt to try. But in the process I thought that I would document with some pictures of the kids ready for their first snow day of the season. It was just Mariah and Jacob because the rest were in school and Katherine is too small yet to be out there. So I guess that I am resigned to say "Let it snow, let it snow let it snow!"

Yummy---Chocolate!

So this is how the story goes. I went outside to talk to our neighbor for a minute. When I came back in Katherine was sitting in the family room with the gate up. Then I noticed that she had something in her mouth. Usually when I ask for whatever it is she freely gives it to me and there isn't a problem. This time was different. I asked and she refused. Then I realized what was in her mouth. Thanks to Jacob she had a mini reeces peanut butter cup in her mouth. Gabe had gotten some Saturday and left them on the counter, hence Jacob finds them and shares them with his sister. She thought that this was the best thing to have in her mouth. She was sucking and smacking her lips as she ate it. Then we ultimately have the after pictures. These are just about as good as giving the child an oreo cookie. She wouldn't even give up her binki, so I had to take it and wash it. Unfortunately she wouldn't give me a good smile and when I did get one, I cut off the top of her head. Thank you Jacob, you couldn't have given her a better treat.

A to Z Tag

A-Attached or Single: Attached
B-Best Friend: Gabe
C-Cake or Pie: Peach pie
D-Day of Choice: Saturday
E-Essential Item: diapers/wipes
F-Favorite Color: purple
G-Greatest Accomplishment: raising 6 kids
H-Hometown: Cody, WY
I-Indulgences: sweets
J-January or July: July of course
K-kids: 4 girls, 2 boys
L-Life is incomplete without: family and good friends
M-Marriage Date: May 27, 1995
N-Number of siblings: 6
O-Oranges or apples: apples
P- Phobias or fears: not doing to best job with the kids
Q-Quotes: (every morning as the kids head out the door) Remember who you are, be good and your dad and I love you.
R-Reason to smile: children's laughter
S-Season: summer for the sunny days, but fall for the cooler nights combine the 2 and I would be a happy girl.
T-Tag 5 friends: Gina, Becky, Mindy, Kelli, Jaylynn
U-Unknown fact about me: I am a lefty living in a right handers world
V-Very favorite store: any one that I can shop in and leave with all 6 kids without the clerks thinking I am losing my mind or am some freak
W-Worst Habit: failure to follow through
X-X-ray or Ultra-sound: I like ultra sounds better, but that might be because I have had more of them
Y-Your favorite food: right now anything that I don't have to come up with and cook too.
Z-Zodiac sign: Leo

And the Winner is........?????

There has been an unspoken debate going on at my house for about 8 months now between Gabe and I and currently there is no resolution although each side has scored some points. The debate is on the current size of our family.....no there is no addition coming soon.....that is what the debate is about. Gabe would like to have another baby and try for a boy, I am currently on the fence as to if there is another baby in store for our family. My biggest point was the fact that our current car doesn't/wouldn't accomodate another person as it only seats 8 (our current family size). So what happens---Gabe finds another car that seats 9. So now I have a new (well, new to us) Ford Excursion sitting in my garage. So now my main point that I will continue to hang on to for a while---Gabe wants a boy and he can't guarentee that we'll get a boy the next one. Our track record for boys is not very good, as a matter of fact if you wanted to get mathematical about it and look at the pattern for our children G, B, G, G, B, G,...... So here is your homework----tell me how many more children we would have to have in order to get one more boy and the sex of each child in order following our current pattern. Besides that there are other factors that are a little too personal to share that we are debating too. So currently the NO MORE side is winning---if there is a winning side and a losing side to this debate. But because of this debate I am now enjoying a 2002 Ford Excursion.

And because a lot of my posts have been about medical news here is the current status at my house: Jacob's ear drum seems to be doing fine and his hearing is returning; Wyatt is no longer complaining that his neck hurts and is recovering nicely from strep; Mariah's excema seems to be coming back under control; Katherine's eye has not even bruised although her hands did from the IV and she isn't having any problems with her eyes; Bethany seems to have contracted Wyatt's strep and we are waiting for the doctor's diagonis tomorrow morning.

When it rains....it pours

No this isn't a post about the weather, although I do have some good pictures of early this year....but that is a different story. In all the comotion about Katherine it should also be noted that she wasn't/isn't the only one on medication right now. I am feeling like I should be given an honorary medical degree just so I can dispense all the medications that are being taken/used in the house. Earlier this week, and at the end of last Jacob started running a fever, and we were just going to wait it out.....until Wednesday. On Wednesday (actually for me it started late Tuesday night/early Wed. morning) Jacob woke up and had a ton of fluid leaking out of his ear. I called the doc and got him in that morning. I had to take Katherine with me of course, but I also ended up taking Wyatt because he wasn't feeling so good either. The appointment was just for Jacob, but now I am glad that Wyatt was there.....it will become a little clearer as I finish the rest of the story. So we get to the doctor's office and sure enough they confirm my worst fear....Jacob has an infection in that ear AND has burst his ear drum. Now, she told me that this wasn't going to be much of a problem as this is the first time that he has done this, but it could be if it continues to happen. I know that his hearing has been affected as he will repeat things and doesn't seem to listen as well....but as for the long term we don't know yet. I am really hoping that this doesn't mess with the progress that we have been making in terms of his hearing "loss". Then after she was done with Jacob she made a comment about Wyatt, he was looking really puny at the time. I told her that he had come home from school Tues with a fever and saying that his neck hurt, and that I had kept him home today because he just didn't feel well and still had a touch of fever. She said that she was going to look at him, and looked in his ears and then his throat......then the dreaded words, it looks like he has strep. So she swabbed his throat and 7 minutes later we had the conformation that it was strep. So 1 visit, 2 boys, and 3 medications to fill later.....and I feel like I need a DR. in front of my name to deal with the boys and Katherine's meds.....and Mariah's. (She has excema on her elbows and we have some cream to put on that).
So the illness have ben pouring at our house and hopefully it can stop raining soon.

Let the rejoicing begin

I don't know how many people can say that immediately after surgery that they can see the results and know that it was a success....but I know that I can say that. Yesterday was a pretty traumatic day for Katherine (and an emotional one for me). We took her to Casper to have surgery on her eye for the blocked tear duct. Before the surgery, I was still hoping that it would clear up and we wouldn't have to do it, but now I am glad that we did. Katherine was a trooper. She didn't bat an eye at what was to come, the nurses were coming in and giving us information about things and having us sign papers and she would smile, blow kisses and just be all-round cute as only babies can seem to manage. The nurses were just in love with her. They did give her some medication before they took her back to help calm her and make it easier for them to take her back to the operating room....and it worked. The picture of Katherine with her hands in Gabe's mouth are taken after that medication started to work and man she was relaxed. The procedure itself was only about an hour. The most trying time for me was after she was done and waking up they let us go back and be with her. She was crying, trying to rub her nose and eye and making a big fuss. I took her and couldn't get her to stop, Gabe took her and had a better chance and getting her to settle....at least enough for me to be able to interest her in feeding, then she settled. That is until they came to take the IV out. After they did that, we had to work again to settle her down. Then she was just happy as a clam. I did notice that right away her eye was swollen, but it wasn't runny. With all the crying that she was doing, it wasn't running down the side of her face----it was actually make her nose run!!! The doctor wanted us to spend the night and we had planned for that, but we were still undecided. We went to lunch and ran a few errands while keeping a close eye on Katherine. There were no signs of a bloody nose (which we were supposed to be watching for) and the swelling actually got better without doing anything. At 5 the doctor called us on our cell phones to check. We discussed with him what we were seeing and with his permission started for home. Now after 24 hours, her condition is still improving. I was pleased to be able to get her up this morning and NOT have to wipe out junk from her eye. She doesn't even seem to know it is there, but we do and given the right angle you can see the stint in her eye. In 6 months that will have to come out, but it won't be nearly as much of a trauma as yesterday was. The picture that I did take of her eye today is a little blurred, but I am including it mainly because you can see that her eye is probably going to become wonderful colors, as it is starting to bruise. She will also have bruising on her hands (yes, you read that right hands) because of the IV, they tried to put it in one hand, couldn't get it and so then put it in the other-----I thought that maybe they would get it as they put the IV in while she was sleeping, but I guess that didn't help and they still poked her twice.

The picture of that little pink thing, is the stuff animal that they gave Katherine. When they first gave it to her, she really wasn't thrilled about it, she could have cared less. I thought that it was just a toy that they were going to let her play with while we waited. After the surgery they gave it back to her and I found that it was hers to keep....AND that she really liked it. It is a pink orangutan

I am glad that yesterday is over and I am glad that Katherine is doing better and knowing what I know now, I would have it done again if we were ever in this situation. I need to thank Grandma Sherry for holding down the fort while we were gone and making sure the kids didn't tear the house down, and thank the doctors and staff of the surgical center for helping with Katherine. But I also know that if it weren't for a blessing the night before that Katherine wouldn't be doing this well.

Rantings from my stressed out mind

Talk about stressing....that is what I am doing right now and have been for the last couple of days. Katherine's surgery is Thursday and I am really feeling the crunch. Gabe called today to remind me that I need to keep Katherine away from the sick kids because if she gets sick, then there will be NO surgery on Thursday. Do you know how hard it is to keep a 10 month old away from anything that could potentially get her sick and kill the much needed surgery? Okay now multiply that hardness by a factor of 5 (because she has the 5 siblings) and then mulitply that by 300(just because that seems like a good number) because Bethany came home sick from school Friday (threw up in class---but then nothing after that) Jacob has been running a fever, Wyatt came home from school today with a fever and Mariah has developed a cough--somewhere along the lines someone forgot to tell the world that we need no sicknesses in this house for a while. And to add to my stress, I don't know what time her surgery is and won't know until tomorrow afternoon. So I can't even run through time senarios as to where we need to be and at what time. The surgery center called today and added to my stress to remind me that she can't eat solids after midnight tomorrow, but she can still have breastmilk up until 4 hours before her time. They really messed with my mind to because they started talking about her surgery and had the right procedure, but they were saying it was both---then just the left when it is really supposed to be the right eye......but they got that straight and the nurse told me it is all because of the codes that they use-----they don't make sense. They also gave me a few tips and requested that we do a few things for them before we show up.
Then if this stress isn't enough I added to it (of course when I did some of these things I didn't know we were going to be doing surgery on Thursday): Amanda has an all day field trip to Yellowstone today and we have to pick her up from the school @9:30 PM, Bethany is riding the bus home for the first time all by herself (because Amanda is on the field trip and Wyatt is home sick), we are feeding the missionaries tonight (still don't know what to feed them), and the other kids have a primary activity tomorrow.
So now that I have downloaded all my stresses for you to read----thank you for taking the time to share them with me. I have always found that I can think a little clearer and function a little better if I can share all these things with someone else. It is like I have just lifted a weight off of my shoulders and put them onto yours----to help me with that burden. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And for all those who might also be stressing, do like I have done----tell someone, then take a few deep breaths and know that you're not alone and that if you take it one thing at a time you will make it through. So I am going to tackle the first thing that I can control-----Dinner for the missionaries.

Kisses for all

So this has been a couple of days since she started doing this, but I haven't gotten around to posting about it until now.....mainly because after getting these pictures, she stopped doing it for a few days and just started again yesterday.

So here is the scoop. Gabe has been teaching Katherine how to give "High-5" and she has been loving the praise that she gets for doing it. So I thought that I would teach her something that Grandma's would love---blowing kisses. And she gets a big kick out of doing it, and can actually make the kissing sounds as she does it. It is something that she is now doing on her own without prompting, at which time I try and blow kisses back to her. I guess it is great for us because she doesn't want to wave bye.....we'll just blow kisses instead.

"How does your garden grow?"

A few days ago as I was looking at my flower beds, I began to say that rhyme to myself "Mary, Mary quite contrary, How does your garden grow?". And as I was looking at my garden I thought "Hey, I am not such a bad gardener. Look at what happened from just a few packets of seeds, watering and some elbow grease picking the weeds." Of course I can't take all the credit because Heavenly Father has blessed us with some nice sunny days, some rainy ones and every sort of creature possible to help them pollinate once they bloomed. Isn't life wonderful. I am really thankful that I have those flowers, Gabe hates them and would rather have planted more cement there, but they sure do brighten up the day. And I know how everyone loves before and after pictures so I will include some of my own. We have come a long way. At one point I was stressing because I thought that my big cosmos plants wouldn't bloom before it froze---how wrong I was. Now I am dreading the first frost because I don't want to see my flowers die. So enjoy the pictures of the garden---and remember it all came from just a few packets of seeds.

Hello, braces.

Well, yesterday was pretty stressful for me. I toke Amanda to Lander for a visit to the orthodontist....I was under the impression that it would be a longer visit, but not all afternoon. We started the appointment at 12:30 and didn't finish until 4:30. And if you hadn't guessed by now, she now has braces. We weren't sure that it would happen as she still had/has a few baby teeth that she needs to lose, but they did it. As they were putting them on, I had to stay in the waiting room because the sights and sounds of them working brought back too many bad memories. I can totally understand where she is headed, as I went down that road too. Although she is going to have it easier than I did. She won't have any teeth pulled, but the 3 baby ones that we are still waiting to fall out----they are just going to help them out. She will probably have to wear the for about 18 months, but the average is usually 12......they aren't going to pull them into position as fast because she has small roots on some of her teeth that if they pull them too hard it would damage the roots. She also doesn't have the bands all the way around her molars---they have just put brackets on them......for those of you former braces wearers you know exactly what I mean----for those of you who aren't the backets are ones that are glued to the front of the teeth where bands were metal sleeves that went all the way around the tooth and they usually made you bite them onto the tooth to push them on. But we are using the adage----No Pain, No Gain. We have to think about the gain that we will get for the pain we are experiencing right now.

This also brings to mind all the names that were thrown at a braces wearer (feel free to add to this list with your own)---brace face, tinsel tooth/mouth, railroad tracks, metal mouth........But I think that she will be just fine.