brooklyn's suprise party!!!

 DECEMBER 10 2013

So I put together a surprise birthday part for Brooklyn's birthday! It turned out awesome, she was so surprised!  She was at Bro. Flowers doing the birdhouse so she had no idea.  All of her basketball team came along with some other friends, it was quite the surprise.  Here are some pictures of the party! 

Scones and hot chocolate!

 Presents!

Charity

I did something today that I don't usually do.  It really made me stop and think, after I did it of course.  I took the little boys with me to Walmart today and while driving out of the parking lot I saw an older woman pushing a walker going into the store.  The sight of her broke my heart.  No gloves, so hat, just a coat.  And it is COLD here right now.  I had just put on my headband to warm my ears when I saw her.  I wondered why someone was not with her, driving her to town and why she wasn't dressed warmer, and the thought came to me that maybe she doesn't have someone to take care of her, which honestly made me teary.  So I stopped in the middle of the road, hopped out of the car and gave her the headband which was on my head.  I asked her if she needed some gloves as well, (mine were in the back) but she said she couldn't fit gloves over the wrist braces she had on both hands and showed me them.  I asked her if she needed anything else, she said, "No, I think I will be ok, thank you! Merry Christmas." I told her Merry Christmas back and felt bad there was nothing else I could do for her.  I wished I had bought some groceries in the store and could have given her some, I wish I had some cash stashed in the car for such an occasion, but I didn't. It really made me think, I need to have a gift kit in the car at all times.  So my goal is to get one and stock it with boxes of granola bars, gloves, toques and other things that people at this time of year might need.  Once the kids are out of school we are going to go to the dollar store and spend $20 and get 10 hats and 10 pairs of gloves and drive around town and see how many we can give away to people that look like they could use them.  I think that will be so fun and I am truly excited to see how it goes.  I hope that my children will remember this occasion and that we can do something like this every year.  After we left Beckett asked, "Mom when is that lady going to bring back your head thing?"  I told him that she could keep it forever because she needed it more than me. "Oh, ok." was his reponse,  I hope my children all remember that to give is really to receive.  I can't tell you how much this little thing has made me think about all of the blessings I have and enjoy each day.  I need to do better at looking past myself and truly looking at the world and trying to make it a better place.  Everyone needs the love of the Savior in their lives.  So to anyone who reads this, I challenge you to find someone, somewhere and let them feel the Savior's love through you!

Sledding

I just took Beckett and Carson out to enjoy the first snow, oh how I love it!!  I pulled Beckett in the sled and Carson rode with me on the 4- wheeler, I have such fond memories of doing that as a kid.  I love it when I see them enjoy it as much as I did.  Oh the magic of snow, I just love it!

Bread

Emree: "Mom, I like your homemade bread, just not the taste of it."
 Oh my gosh I about died laughing, as I was telling Chas about it later that night she said, "Mom that's not what I said, I said I didn't like it toasted." Whew that makes me feel better.!

Saturday Nov. 23
Went to the church to play basketball around 9 stayed till 11:30, it is getting so fun to take the kids to the gym.  I have very fond memories of my Dad taking us when we were little and it was so much fun!  Brooklyn and Brady are getting better everytime and are working hard.  Brooklyn loves it, Brady just loves to play anything and the little kids love running around crazy.  We had some races at the end which was really fun, Emree is going to be quite the athlete we think, she has good form and has a deep desire to win and will work hard to get it.  After we came home I found her in the living room doing pushups, she can do 20, which is 19 more than Brooke and 10 more than Brady, hahah!!!  Even Carson got in on the action and loving racing with everyone else.
Came home had lunch and Chas worked down in the basement some more.  I am so thankful for him!! He knows how to do everything.  Last weekend we tore all the ceiling off, can I say disgusting!!! I think mice must have lived up there at some point, thank goodness we did not see any though, just had to clean up their mess!  Chas took all the old light out and put in 8 can lights, which is so, so nice!! He asked me if I wanted him to wire it for a projector and sounds system! Sounds fun, but I would rather spend the money on something else!  The kids and I spent most of the day outside, Brooklyn got to ride her horse, was a little chilly, but nice enough.  Brady and I cleaned out the chicken coops and cleaned up around the yard.  Hauled some wood over and such.
When it started to get dark we came in and decided to go and do some Christmas shopping which was fun.  I love watching the kids pick out their gifts for each other. Came home had waffles for dinner and got ready for Sunday.
Sunday 24:
Went early to church to practice with the choir for our musical number today.  Chas and I talked in church about missionary work, we need to be better!  Home teachers came at 2 and Chas didn't get home until 3, so they visited with the kids and I and left before he got home.  Had dinner and went out to Sister Fieldings.  She is now living alone as Darla went back to Pendleton.  She is oh so lonely in that huge house, but she has finally sold it.  So glad for her.  She will be moving in Spring, which we will be sad about her leaving, but happy she will be closer to her family so they can help her out.  Pretty good at 80 something, she takes no meds, and lives out on the farm by herself.  She is such a great woman.
and now it is Monday and back to the routine, 8 loaves of bread made and raising and just finished a batch of rolls for Thanksgiving, so thankful for all that I have! Happy Monday!

Random

Not sure how I can keep up with everything, but this is what we have been up to.
Brooklyn has b-ball practice 4X week, I go with her on Mondays and help coach, which by the way I LOVE!!  I have found there are not many things that I do for myself and decided that that would be a blast and would be worthwhile.  I love it! I get to run around and play ball with my daughter, what could be better.
 Last night I asked Brady about the girls that have a crush on him, he told them " Too bad I can't date until I am 16"  Awesome buddy, just keep saying that!! MAybe we should change the age to say like 20?  Brooklyn invited a friend to mutual the other night and she had a blast and asked if she could come every week, ummm ya!!! Brooklyn is not technically old enough, but goes with Chas after practice, plus she'll be 12 in 2 weeks, crazy as it is!!!  Her friend got on the bus yesterday morning and said, "Remember I am coming to mutual with you tonight, I am so excited!"  Missionary work doesn't get any easier than that! and it is so exciting, I keep hoping she will be the key into her family!!
Emree is loving school and came home with a huge smile on her face yesterday.  "Today was sit by a friend day at lunch and Kenai and Daniel were both looking for me, I said 'are you looking for me?' and they said yes! where have you been?"  She was so excited to have someone want to sit by her and made her feel so special.
I am teaching the kids piano, which is no easy task mind you, and they are all doing pretty good, I am making Brady stick to it this time and he is actually doing quite well

New Year, Big Changes

School has started once again and I am feeling a little nostalgic these days.  I think I am going to try every year to write down how I feel about these children of mine going on to the next grade.

Brooklyn: This is her first year of middle school.  Wow!! I actually was not sad for her to start.  I am feeling more excited than anything.  All of the new things she is just starting to learn, so many opportunities and just an air of excitement.  She was nervous, which is unlike her, so that was kind of new to her.  I love her confidence.  She is such a great girl and takes the world head on.  There is nothing she can't do, well she informs me except draw.  She really is not looking forward to art, but hey can't blame her on that one!  She is growing up so fast and has become such a joy.  I love that we can chit chat, play catch, ride horse and do all of the things we love to do, together.  She is my right hand man.

Brady: He started at a new school this year as well.  He fits right in and already has a lot of friends there because of playing sports with them.  A couple of weeks ago he went in and got all of his football gear to play tackle football this season, when he put it on and came and showed me, I almost cried.  He is growing up.  Sometimes I feel, "where was I when all this happened?"  But am so glad I can look back and know and remember that I really have been here for it all.  For every single step of the way, I have been able to be home and enjoy these precious little spirits on loan to me from our Heavenly Father.  There is something about watching the kids practice whatever sport they are playing, I just love to sit and watch them, if I could I would go to every practice and just watch.  So I go to the ones I can and enjoy it while I am there.  I love watching them work hard.  I love watching Brady bear crawl, hit pads and run out for a pass. There is just something about watching them learn new things, try it and succeed that is so rewarding.


Emree: She just started first grade yesterday.  She is my shy child, which I don't really know how to handle.  I ended up staying in the classroom yesterday for 1.5 hours because she cried everytime I said I needed to go.  She ended up having a great day and came off the bus happy and so excited to go again today.  So I am glad for that.  She is such a sweet girl and has such a tender spirit.  I wish I could give some of Brooklyn's confidence to her, but realize I just need to be more patient, kind and gentle with her.  She is such a great big sister and I can always count on her to be keeping an eye on Carson, I am sure that is why he hasn't fallen down the stairs yet, she is always looking out for him.

Beckett: Of course is still home with me, thank goodness.  He is feeling kind of out of place now that everyone is gone and he has been vying for attention.  I hope that we can have a great year together doing lots of fun things.  He has such an imagination and loves building things with legos and flying them around the house.  He has such a fun personality and is so loveable.

Carson: What can I say? The kid is a tornado.  He is into everything, but is so much fun.

First Day of School

First Day of School pictures.  Can't believe how much bigger these kiddos get every year.  New schools for all of them.  Good luck!!

learning and growing

I have learned some things this week
1. As much as you think you are in control of your life, you're not.
2. As much as I didn't like living in an apt. in the city for 6 years, life was a lot simpler then.
3.  It's nice to go on a trip, then you don't have to feel guilty about relaxing.
4. I am not good at relaxing, working is fun for me.
5. What is wrong with me?
6. Taking it easy is not in my vocabulary, and makes me grouchier than keeping busy.
7.  Sisters are the best friends I could ask for.
8.  Cousin relationships are important, no matter the age difference.
9.  Appreciate the NOW.
10.  The most important thing; that I still have so much to learn and it's not always easy.

I have 5 because I want them

I loved this article:
 http://mommamindy.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/things-i-would-never-say-to-a-parent-with-two-kids/ .

While thinning fruit out in the orchard yesterday, (3 little ones were sleeping) I was really enjoying the peace and quiet, these are the times when I really get to think about my life and what is going on.  Yesterday we went into a local second hand store to get some jeans for Brookie and some presents for my sisters' new babies. And yes I took ALL (it's only 5) of my kids with me.  While walking in the door, the lady working the front desk made a comment like, "Wow here they all come, that's alot of them."  I even know her, she wasn't too derogatory, but I still felt a little annoyed at the comment.  So many people have been asking me if we are done having kids and all of those fun questions.  Honestly I find it rude.  When I don't even remember your first name because we don't really know each other what business is it of yours if we decide to have more?  And furthermore why do you think you can ask me that question? Rude.  Anyway after having lots of those conversations lately, I have really been contemplating why we had so many in the first place.  And it all comes down to this: There is not ONE of my kids that I would give up because I have too many.  And life would be empty without EVERY SINGLE one of them in my life.  They are my joy and they are what brings me happiness.  What would I do with only B&B.  Well let me tell you, we would be rich! and have tons of time, and they would be spoiled rotten, they wouldn't ever have to share because she's a she and he's a he.  I wouldn't know what to do with myself while they were away at school all day.  I wouldn't have to prune the orchard with a baby strapped to my back, I wouldn't have to clean the house 50X a day, anyway you get the picture.  But my life would be empty.  Now, there are people that chose or can have only  a couple of kids and that is up to them, but having 5 is also up to me.  And yes people it is by choice.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  While having all these thoughts running threw my head, I became overwhelmingly grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to raise these little kiddo's.  Speaking of which Carson is now awake and screaming upstairs... but hey it is now 7:30 and he is just waking up! Miracle of miracles!  That's my cue....

School is out!!

I always love the beginning of summer vacation.  Not having to get anyone out the door in the morning is just so wonderful.  Not that my littlest sleeps any longer, but now I can enjoy that couple of hours, (yes I said hours) I have with him.  5:30 the little stinker still gets up.  The last couple of weeks have been better, but he is back to his ole sweet early morning self.  So this summer I decided I was going to try something new.  I am not much of a schedule type person, I like to be very...flexible, so I usually have no set plans just lots of work to do.  But this summer I decided to do some homeschool with the kids.  Obviously it has only been a couple of days, but the kids are loving it.  On Sunday we wrote down themes for each week of the summer and what we wanted to study.  This week is cool places in the world. Yesterday we did Death Valley, today Crater Lake and Mt. Rushmore.  Tomorrow the Great Wall of China, and then the VAlley of 10,000 smokes.  The kids came up with these places all on their own and it has been fun.  They have spelling lists, which is kinda hard to find hard enough words for Brooklyn, but super easy for Emree!  We got a world map and a map of the US and put them up in our kitchen.  Anyway it has been lots of fun and hopefully it stays this way!

Brooklyn's Photography

Damming up the Stream

I love that my kids can go outside and think of things to do and play and make and explore.  WE have this little stream that goes across the very back corner of our land, nothing big, but the kids have spent hours playing in it.  Brookie and Brady used their creative juices to figure out how to dam up this stream.  They used a tarp, a dish like stone rain catcher thingy and voila!!! They covered up the culvert as best they could and waited for the magic to happen.  It was so fun watching them go and check on it every couple of hours to see how much water had backed up.  They got the camera and even recorded when they let the dam up.  The water "gushed" out, (not really) but it was pretty fun for them and I love that they are able to do things like this out here.  Some days I feel overwhelmed at all the work there is to do, but this is the reason we decided to move out here.  Along with learning how to work hopefully our kids will also learn how to play together, explore and love the earth that we have been given.

The Orchard

I am always amazed at the beauty of the earth.  What a blessing Heavenly Father has given us to remind us of His love for us.  

WE go from this.....

to this.....

We have loved watching our orchard bud, then bloom and now the leaves are coming on, life truly is a miracle!!  I can almost taste those sweet peaches already!

The Many faces of Carson

Oh how I love this little guy.  He is so much fun! He has  contagious smile and a cute little giggle.  He is pulling himself up on furniture, crawls everywhere and loves to suck on rocks!  His favorite place to play in the house is in the dishwasher, he bear crawls on grass so his knees won't touch it, he is now sporting 25 lbs. and is the life of the party around here! We love you Carson!

 Don't ya just want to squish those chubby little cheeks!

Easter Dresses

I love making dresses for the girls every Easter, good thing each year my sewing skills get a little better! I LOVE how these turned out.  My cute girls made them look extra good!  

random spring break pictures

Here is Carson on our way to Boise, we went and spent the weekend with Ezra and Lindsey.  We went out for dinner for our anniversary, then to the temple the next morning.  It was a great weekend!

Beckett sleeping on the way, he falls asleep in the car all the time!

Brooklyn loves this shot she took! We went down to our neighbors and got a whole bunch of free wood, after we took the fence down, we brought it home and took all the nails out of it. That was a long day, I so love having the kids being able to help now, Brooklyn stuck with me till every last nail was out!  Now they are making me some beautiful garden beds!!

We always call these guys twins.  "Carson say hi to your twin!"

Same eyelashes as Brady, doesn't he look so peaceful, looks are deceiving!

scenery

Brooklyn is getting really good with her camera, here are some awesome shots of the sunset.

She loves clouds!

more spring break

We had a great spring break.  Kayla and Thomas came down for the weekend and we loved spending time with them. 

Kasen, cheese!!

This kid, Layton,  has the funniest facial expressions! He is a ham!

Looking at a worm, fascinating!

Look at Layton's face!

Loving the sunshine!

Layton hunting for a deer with his gun, so cute!