Aislinn's 2nd birthday party

The cupcake birthday cake that was a HIT! Good job Ashlea! :)
Aislinn having a good time. Notice all the sweat and red cheeks!
Eating her lunch.
Aislinn's birthday present from Mommy and Daddy, a Dora the Explorer tricycle. Now she is TOTALLY COOL!

We had a 2 year old birthday party today for 4 children in our ward. Ben was 2 on the 10th, Shep on the 11th, Grace on the 13th, and Aislinn on the 16th. We just had one big party and the kids thought it was the best. We all liked it too!

Memorial Day

We went to St. Augustine today to see Michelle and CJ. We went to the community pool at Palencia and there is a great water slide for the kids. Brennan and Kerstyn went right down but Lauklan was hesitant. I finally went up the stairs with him to try to get him to go down. He made the mistake of walking onto the slide and then getting scared, so just at the right time, a foot pushed him down. When he got to the bottom, he couldn't get up to the top fast enough to do it again. What fun!

Last Day of school

We had the St. Edward's preschool party here today. There were about 55 people here with the kids playing in the water. It was a blast for all. I was so busy that I didn't get to take any pictures. But, take my word for it, it was fun!

Brennan's Class Awards

Brennan and Mrs. Desourdy.

Brennan had his classroom awards today. He got the award for Most Improved Math and the Superintendent's Award for reading. I was so proud of him! He worked really had this year and his grades showed it! Aislinn and I had a blast being there to support him. Way to go Brennan!

Kerstyn's Class Awards

Kerstyn just beaming with Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Woodall!

Kerstyn had classroom awards today and it was a wonderful day. Aislinn and I went to go watch the presentation. Kerstyn was just beaming when she got the Excellence classroom award, the Math Superstar award, (which is a trophy), and both the Superintendent's and Honor Circle reading awards. I just hugged her real tight when she was done and told her how proud of her that I was. Great job Kerstyn!

Lauklan's Graduation

Lauklan graduated from Pre-School last night. is walking down the aisle. His partner was Lachlyn, a girl that has the same name, although spelled differently and went to school with him for 2 years.
Here is Lauklan and Trevor. Best friends.
Lauklan graduated from pre-school last night. He was so happy and we are happy for him!

Are you ready?

School is over next week. I plan on spending A LOT of time at Gold's Gym. They are having exercise classes for kids through the summer and I plan on enrolling Kerstyn and Brennan in them as much as I can. The other kids are too young to take them. All I can say is this is a mixed blessing. Chaos will still be here, but in a different way.

Mother's Day

Isn't this what it is all about?
I had a very nice day today. Chris fed the kids breakfast and got Aislinn out of bed so I could sleep in. They delivered cards to me in bed and wished me a Happy Mother's Day. After all of that, I made dinner in the Crock Pot and had a restful day at church since the Elder's Quorum was in charge of Primary. I enjoyed my day, however, I did miss my Primary kids.

I needed this!

Well, I had that cute thing where it talks about being a mother and how it changes you forever. It quit working. So, you'll just have to believe me that it was what I needed and that it brightened my day.

Pretty Day

It is in the upper 70's today and just beautiful! What a nice break in temperature. Just get ready, the days of the 90's are around the corner!
Another note. I started reading a book titled "Good and Angry". It is about parenting and using the anger that we experience to help us figure out what is bothering us and not exploding. I'll let you know what I think. Can it change me? That would be nice...

Where have I been?

I can't believe that it has been so long since I posted anything. I have been busy, I guess. Nothing new. Lauklan is healing nicely from his pavement kissing incident. Kerstyn ran a fever last weekend, but pulled out of whatever it was. All the kids seem to be feeling okay. I sure hope that continues! I read my book, The Myth of You and Me for the book club. I can't believe that I finished so early. I also ready I Am A Mother which I highly recommend. I am now almost finished with The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I am finding that interesting. Can you believe that I have read so much lately? I think I might of set a personal record! Go me!!!

GRUMPY!!!!!

Today, yes, all of today, has just been ONE OF THOSE days! All the kids are fussing. At me, at each other, at nothing. Please, someone just please tell me that it's going to be okay! Maybe that is why I got my Family Proclamation today of all days. Maybe, I just need to go read it. Okay, okay, I will. Yes, I know, it IS worth it!

Lauklan update

See what his face looks like 3 days later! Awful. We go to the pediatrician's office tomorrow morning for her to make sure it is healing okay. AND, more importantly, to get his shot records so that I am register him for Kindergarten on Thursday!

I am just TICKLED!

I got my Mother's Day present in the mail today. I ordered it for myself. This is something that I have wanted for a long time. Good job Melody!!!

Trip to the emergency room

I woke him up to take these pictures. He's just sleepy, NOT drugged! :)
Notice the marks all the way down his face. Top of the nose, to the top of the lip. Serious pavement burn too!


After the activity, and after I kind of recovered, the kids were outside riding bikes. I was standing in the kitchen watching them while I unloaded the dishwasher when I saw Lauklan going down. Then, a quick turn to avoid a toy in the driveway ended in an awful crash. I watched him land hard on the pavement, face down and screamed "OH NO!" and went running as fast as I could. Lauklan and I met in the driveway with blood and flesh hanging down. I rushed him back in the house to Chris and Daddy took care of him. After getting him cleaned up, you could tell that his two top teeth went entirely through is top lip! Off to the emergency room we went. Good news however, the sent us off with antibiotics and said that he was very lucky, (we call it blessed) and that if the cut had happened just a little lower, stitches would of been needed, but he would not need them. Lauklan, you were a trooper! We are SO glad that you are going to be okay.

Primary Activity

The Bishop, Lonnie Peeler and Chris relaxing before the activities began.
The first clue to the scavenger hunt.
Reading one of the clues.
Waiting patiently for Sister Shipley to take a picture so the could run to the next clue.
Megan and Aislinn. All Aislinn did the whole time was eat! No kidding!


The activity was great! We had really good turnout, about 20 or more kids. The families came too, so I think around 40 - 45 people were here. The weather was beautiful! I only got pictures of one group, so they are limited, but the kids, and the adults, had a good time!

Aislinn fashion

Aislinn saw these blue shorts that she wanted to wear. She went right to work, taking off her shoes, and putting the shorts on. She forgot one thing, TO TAKE OFF THE PAIR THAT WAS ALREADY THERE! Too cute!

Not getting sick, AGAIN!!!

Well, I am afraid that it is true! Aislinn had to go to Dr. Soto this morning with a dry and gross sounding cough. She has to do the nebulizer every 4 hours, 4 times a day AND take cough medicine when the nebulizer is not enough.
By the way, Greyson had it earlier in the week and he as a nice little gag reflex, that when he gets coughing, well, he just goes ahead and throws up. NOT FUN!

Book Club

This month we read Pope Joan. I did enjoy the book. I was glad that I read it because it was not one that I would have picked out for myself. Interesting and thought provoking would be my comments to it. The discussion that we had tonight was fun. Some quite interesting comments were made. But, best of all, the four of us got to sit there and enjoy each other (until 10:20 p.m. even!). It was fun. Next month, The Myth of You and Me. I can't wait...

Primary activity coming

Primary activity coming, aka MUCH STRESS COMING!!
Stay tuned for details of survival or death!

Spring Break in a nutshell

Friday (Good Friday) - to the gym, home to watch the kids play in the yard while I try to get some needed sun - sunburn and fun 40's party
Saturday - gym and fence projects
Sunday - rain and church.
Monday - gym, Cici's for lunch and outside play
Tuesday - gym, outside play
Wednesday - gym, outside play trip to Sam's Club (not fun!)
Thursday - gym, outside play
Friday - gym, outside play Ethan comes to spend the night with Brennan
Saturday - gym, outside play followed by a date to dinner and a play (fun!).
Sunday - church, get ready for the other kind of craziness to return
Monday - "IT" returned!
Do you see the thing that I did every day to retain my sanity?
No pictures, but we DID have fun (overall).

Happy Easter

Hope you had a great Easter. It was nice to have today to really focus on the Savior. I appreciated the opportunity that I had to bear my testimony in Primary.
I also appreciated the memory I had of being in Atlanta last Easter with Turin, Jenn and Vivian. We had gone to Kentucky to be with my family for our Spring Break. Mom went up. Reed and his family were there. Mark and his family came over from Virgina. We took the trip up in 2 days. We stopped in Atlanta and stayed in a hotel on the way up. We had a BLAST while we were there. We went to Fort Knox, where Chris did his Basic Training. We went to Mammoth Cave and did the cave tour, cool! We visited with all my family that lives there and had a great time! We stopped in Chattanooga, Tennessee on the way home and went to the Tennessee Aquarium and stayed in a hotel there. The kids got to swim in the inside pool that they thought was the coolest thing ever. We then stopped at Turin's for the Easter Bunny's presents, and to visit. We arrived home late Easter night but the trip was wonderful. I just thought I would write about it since I wasn't blogging back then.
The kids in Mammoth Cave.
My Dad, Mom and my brothers.
Aislinn and Mom
Chris and the kids at a convenience store stop.
Reed and the kids on the 4 wheeler.
Lauklan on the 4 wheeler
Where Chris went through Basic Training
Patton Museum, Fort Knox

The 40's party

We had a party tonight for Chris, Gail Berge and Katie Sage. They all turned or will turn 40 the beginning of this year. Chris was 40 February 8. Gail was 40 March 15, and Katie will be 40 on April 17. So, we HAD to celebrate. The Garrett's graciously offered their home for the party. We invited friends and had all bring food. It was a fun time. Even a chill was in the air, so we visited outside and downstairs, when outside became too chilly. Happy Birthday all! I'll be there soon enough!

Leave us alone!

I received 2 phone calls this morning! Both from the home owners association about the fence that we are erecting. Please keep in mind that this fence was approved by the board over a year ago. We just are now getting to put up the sides because we are doing it ourselves, AND it is quite expensive. So, the phone calls today were to inquire about the fence. They said that there were complaints from others in the neighborhood that were worried that we were putting up a privacy fence all around instead of the ranch style fence that is allowed in this neighborhood. I answered them, that it was indeed going to be the fence that they had ALREADY approved, and that it was a ranch style fence going in. Do these people have NOTHING BETTER TO DO than to worry about our fence?

General Conference

I was uplifted, motivated and spiritually fed from this weekend! What a great opportunity that I had to sit and listen to the leaders of the church. It was plain 'ole inspiring. And yes, my question was answered! :)

The Cheesecake Factory

Chris and I took Holly and Dane to The Cheesecake Factory tonight for dinner. It was their wedding present. (I just love presents that I get to enjoy too!) We had a great time with them. The food was delicious and the evening was a bunch of fun. Congratulations Holly and Dane! We wish you an eternity of happiness!

Child labor

This in one of the reasons that I have 5 kids! If you can't see the picture very well, Lauklan is standing next to the vacuum. I am learning, that it doesn't have to be done the exact way I want it, just done!

A quick trip

We went to Lakeland today. We left the house at 8 to make it to church by 10. We made it! Thank goodness! We initially thought that Holly, Dane and Devin would be there to spend the day with us, but they had to leave at 12 to make it to Vero Beach for their honeymoon. Can you believe that their beach house was more important than visiting with us? :)

Tijuana Flats

Chris and I went to Tijuana Flats this afternoon for Randy White's surprise 30th birthday party. We had a good time but had to hurry home to get our babysitter to her Young Women's broadcast. We were glad that we got to go, even if it was just for a little.

They eloped

Holly and Dane eloped today in a Tallahassee courthouse. I hope that they will be happy. Congratulations!

Field Day, Take 2

Brennan had Field Day today. I arrived, again, a little after 9. Aislinn was a little fussier today, since I think that she already knew what was coming! Brennan had a good time. We enjoyed watching him. He went to spend the night at Daniel Manry's. He was very excited.

Field Day, Take 1

Today was Kerstyn's Field Day. I arrieved around 9 am and stayed until a little after 12. I had originally planned to stay for lunch, but Aislinn and I were quite tired. Only Aislinn got the nap though, bummer. Kerstyn had a blast and looked quite cute in her Field Day shirt. I didn't remember to take my camera (of course) so I didn't get a picture of her in action.

Gold's Gym

If it weren't for my new membership to the gym... who knows what would happen to me! I really enjoy my hour to two hours a day that I can sweat and HOPE that I am making some progress. It is GREAT stress relief too.

We found another baby!

Lauklan told one of his preschool teachers, Mr. Tony, yesterday morning that "We found another baby!" Greyson told Miss Shawnie that I would probably be late today to pick them up because I "have two extra babies". The kids think that it is just great for me to be babysitting Evan and Ethan. Those 'extra babies' sure do keep me hopping! If you don't see any blogs for a while, you might want to call and see if I am still breathing! :)

Playtime!

The boys have been sent to their room for quiet time (which to them means playtime). I went in to check on them. This is what I found. They have been doing a pretty good job until about 5 minutes ago, when they decided to start fussing at each other. They aren't allowed to wake their sister up, or Mommy gets grumpy. So far, so good... the baby is still asleep, and there isn't any fussing at the present.

Lesson learned, I hope!

Brennan was assigned a talk for Primary today. I gave him the slip Saturday morning that stated his assigned topic and told him to prepare his talk. He said okay. I asked him later in the day if he was ready, he replied, "yes". Okay, this morning. I ask again and remind him. Still the same reply, "Yes, I'm ready". Well, sure enough, he gets up there to give his talk and he doesn't know what to say. I just made him deal with it himself. He actually did a pretty good job considering he said he didn't know what he wanted to say. Hopefully this WON'T happen again! On a good note however, he did bear what I thought to be powerful testimony of his love for the scriptures and how they can get us back to our Heavenly Father. So, I won't tell Brennan that I was happy that he was not as prepared as I wanted him to be, but I will say, "good job for the testimony".
Love you Brennan, you're the best!

Temple Trip

We got to go to the temple tonight for the ward temple night. We had President and Sister Carter and Gail Berge in the car with us on the way down. It was good that we had people riding with us because Chris probably would of had a harder time leaving work if they weren't there. Chris had to talk with a client all the way there, but we made it in time to be waiting in the Chapel at 6:30 as instructed. Well, good news to us, we all got in the 6:30 session. It was wonderful. And the added bonus? We went to The Cheesecake Factory after for dinner with the Carters and the Berges and had a great time.

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,
I am sorry that you read my blogs and found no mention of you. :-( I just can't believe that. However, if you look in December and earlier in February, you're there, of course.
You're the best! Now, everyone knows, if they didn't already. Of course, all they would of had to of done is ask one of the kids. They ALL know that Papa is the best.
To you Dad,
I LOVE YOU!
Mel

Sunday Dinner

Here are the kids enjoying their chili and grilled cheese. I had the chili simmering in the crock pot while we were at church. It was nice to come home and have dinner ready except for doing the grilled cheese. I think they look happy.
Church was nice today. It was fast and testimony meeting and the testimonies were nice. Chris also bore his testimony. The children and I love to hear him do that. It is wonderful that we have the gospel in our lives and that we know that it is true.
Thanks Mom, for the chili and grilled cheese tradition. I will NEVER make grilled cheese as well as you do, but I guess mine will do.

Happy Birthday! I'm 33 on 3/3

The kids already ate half of this before I have even gotten the chance to taste it. That's okay. Their cute chocolaty faces were adorable, and I certainly don't need to eat too much myself. Thanks Chris, Brennan, Kerstyn, Lauklan, Greyson and Aislinn! I love you!

I was quite grumpy today. I'm sure I will be better tomorrow. Tricia Desourdy came and picked me up at 11 and took me to the Mall at Millenia. I had never been there. I now have it confirmed that it is a place that I will only window shop. Everything looked quite expensive. We at lunch at Brio and I really enjoyed that.
Brennan and Chris ran to Publix this morning to get me a Cookies and Cream birthday cake and adorned it with candles that said 33. I tried to blow them out after the kids got done singing. It was very nice.
Chris and I left for the temple around 5:30 for the 6:30 session. It was neat to go to the temple and be in a session with only members from our stake. We will have the opportunity to go again on Friday for our ward temple trip.
I will be going to Capillo next Saturday for my day at the spa that Chris got for me for Valentines and my birthday. I can't wait.
Happy Birthday to me. I can't believe how old and chubby I look. Hopefully next year's picture will look better. Below is "the girls". I am glad my girls look so pretty and are so sweet.

Mary Gronlund

Mary arrived around 7:45 this morning with a homemade Chocolate Chip cheesecake for my birthday. It is just delicious! (Which of course you know, since it is over half way gone!) Thanks Mary!