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.