Greyson in his Christmas play

Aislinn has to pose with her 'star' brother after the performance.

What a cutie!

Greyson was in his annual Christmas play at St. Edward's Pre-School. He was a shepherd this year and had a line he and a few other boys had to say. It was a great play and he looked adorable!

Watch out!

I have been baking and have plans to do more baking and cooking. Something MUST be wrong.

Today Kerstyn and I made Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies. It is a Pampered Chef recipe and it is really tasty. I also made some brownies, just ones out of the box, but I made them!

Tomorrow, after my dreaded dentist appointment, I hope to make some more goodies. Maybe a couple of Chess Pies and some Spinach Artichoke Dip. I know that they don't sound good together, but you don't eat them together, so never fear!

As long as I can read a recipe, and follow it, they turn out great.

The chess pie tradition comes from my maternal grandmother. I am not sure how far before that, but I am at least sure of her. There was never a Thanksgiving or Christmas without them. I think that it is a 'southern thing'. The pie is mainly sugar with a few eggs, evaporated milk, a tad of cornmeal, and maybe something else but tastes great with Cool Whip. Did I peak your interest?

Watch out Martha Stewart!

I just like this time of year (usually).

Here is the decorated tree. The kids did a great job helping me get the ornaments on.

It's quiet time. So, Greyson is in his room 'doing his thing'.

The front doors.

I just love being able to enjoy the Christmas season. I have to admit though, that I am just probably today, starting to really enjoy it. I have been worried/stressed about gifts, etc. But, I am done, I think, and now I can just really enjoy this wonderful season.
Things I like about Christmas time: (in no particular order)
I feel friendlier and try to serve others more.
I get to see Christmas lights and feel the excitement with the kids.
We get to focus on Christ's birth and share that message a little easier with others.
It's okay to gain a few pounds, even slightly expected!
The kids are home and we hopefully don't have to rush around as much.
We visit and focus on family.
Need I say more?

Cold front

This is the kiddie pool area where you can see that the ground has caved in and the dirt washing away.

This is/was the deep end of the pool. We just this morning could see the drains again since it was holding about a foot of water.

See the nice water ways on the way down to the deep end? They aren't supposed to be there!

Hot tub caving in.

WHAT A MESS!

I was very glad to hear the rain all night. However, when we woke up this morning, this is what we found!
On a nice note, I am glad to have the colder weather! It just doesn't seem right to be sweating profusely while hanging up Christmas lights. There won't be any sweating around here at least for the next few days.

Christmas Party and preparation

Our Christmas tree without any of the ornaments. You should see it now, with all of the great stuff Chris, Lauklan and Greyson got for it!

Chris and I went to Mike and Tricia's Christmas Party tonight. We had a really nice time there visiting with friends and eating GREAT food.

Earlier in the day, Chris played horseshoes with several of the men in the neighborhood. They have formed this horseshoe group and they get together once a month to play. Chris says that he is no good, but I just hope he has a good time and can forget about work for a little while.

While Chris was off playing horseshoes, I was busy putting the LED icicle lights on the roof around the front door. Why, you ask, am I just putting them on the eaves around the front door? Because, they are 17 bucks a string and we needed 4 strings just to do the front door area! So, I will buy more and more as we go, but since the 'regular' icicle lights are just around 7 or 8 bucks for a box, you can see that they are much more affordable. However, when Chris, aka. Tim Allen, saw the LED lights, we HAD to have them, the others just simply wouldn't do!

Funny note about the lights. Chris put them up earlier in the morning while I was out doing returns at the stores and Kerstyn was at a birthday party. I knew that he was working on the lights, and I was glad. However, when I got home, they weren't up. They were just laying on the ground near the entry. Odd? So, I asked him what was going on and he said that he put them up but when he attached the extension cord, they all came down! You know how they come down so easy, just a little pull and they all just came right down. So, I was perplexed. I hung them last year, and they didn't do that! I just told him not to worry, thanks for trying. But, I just couldn't help myself. I hung them again and got them to stay up. He didn't take some of the weight off the extension cord by hanging it on the eaves too. He just attached it, but the weight pulled them right down. :)

I did it, AGAIN!

I locked the keys in the van, again.
You can also see my other post about this happening the first time.
But... Aislinn was strapped in her car seat this time! It was a little more urgent to get into the van, since she was in there, and even though it is December, it was around 83 degrees outside. No telling what it was in the van.

I had washed my van and was vacuuming it out. While I was vacuuming, Aislinn was walking all around inside it. When I was finished, I put her in her seat and shut the door. Well, the doors were locked! I guess that she had pushed the button to lock the doors while I was vacuuming ever so feverishly and I didn't notice that she had done it.

So, I ran over to the car wash employees and pleaded for help. They came to the rescue!

They had my doors open in record time, around 2 minutes! Thank you Superwash Express employees for bailing out ditso mom!

House cleaning

I have decided that my Christmas present will be my house being cleaned by someone other than me. So... I set off asking and calling people that supposedly clean houses for a living.

I had it cleaned today by a cleaning company. It's better, don't get me wrong, but shouldn't THEY know how to clean better than I do? For example, I had to ask them to open up the microwave and clean inside it. Secondly, the bathroom sink in the boys bathroom was not totally clean AND the tub was not wiped all around the rim! Now that I am writing this, I want to go check behind the toilets. Maybe I shouldn't though, I just might get more upset. :(

Maybe I am just too picky to be pleased and I should either accept what they do, or just do it myself.

Frustrating.

Pet peeve

It really bothers me to get poor service at a restaurant. Don't you think that they are there to serve you, therefore they should not be bothered when you ask them for something? It just boggles my mind!

Christmas decorations

I might have the lights up by Christmas Eve. Also, NO, I was not kidding when I said in my Christmas meme that I started Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. I haven't gotten anything for the kids. I have only ordered Chris's presents.

I need to get going.

The tree does look great though. Chris, Lauklan and Greyson went to Target yesterday and bought the cutest ornaments. Then came home and decorated the tree. It was a lot of fun.

Running in circles

I feel like a hamster on a wheel. Going 20 mph but getting nowhere!

Tonight was the ward Christmas Party AND the Dave Lowe Christmas Party. We needed and wanted to attend both of them. However, you know how it is when you try to do too much at once. Neither one seems to go too well.
First mistake was that I did not feed the kids before the ward party. Even though I knew that it was not "dinner", I knew there was food, and I thought we would eat first. However, we weren't eating until after all of the rotations through the Christmas story. So, Aislinn and Greyson were trying to eat all of the Hershey's kisses and peppermint candies! Chris ended up leaving with them and going to Burger King while I stayed with the older three and participated in the Primary portion of the show. It all worked out okay, but not as I had planned in my mind. Know what I mean?

Then, we left the ward party early to make it to the work party only an hour late. On the way, Chris was over it all and had a bad attitude to put it lightly. However, after we got Melissa home with all the kids a little after 8 and headed to the party, just the two of us, I told him to get his work face on. He did, and we ended up having a nice time.

I wonder when, if ever, I will learn not to over-extend myself.

It's tonight

I am so excited to go over to the Carter's house to serve dinner to the High Council and the Stake Presidency. Debbie asked me for the first time last year and I had such a good time I told her that if she didn't ask me again my feelings would be hurt. So, because she is a good friend, she asked me again. I know that it could sound odd that I am looking forward to serving dinner tonight, but I am. The company is wonderful and the atmosphere is fun. Ashlea and Mary both did it last year and are doing it again with me tonight.

On another topic - I am VERY upset with Chem-Dry. I had an appointment scheduled this morning at 8 to have the carpets cleaned. They called at 8 and said that they were running late. Well, I couldn't wait around for them because I had to get the kids to school, so I rescheduled. However, I got upset because I was actually looking forward to having them cleaned and I called back to see if they could still come because Chris said he would wait for them for me. They were not very friendly to me and said that they already sent them somewhere else because I ONLY gave them 5 additional minutes. RUDE! I just told them to take me off the schedule and the mean woman replied, "10-4" and hung up. I cried. Silly, I know, but I was really upset.

Once again, Chris saved the day and scheduled someone else to come tomorrow. I am happy again.

I'm odd, aren't I?

The inflatable snowman

I don't know what Aislinn will do once Christmas is over and the inflatable Snowman and Santa get put away. She loves those things and even talks to the snowman. It is so sweet. It is wonderful to see the kids' eyes light up with Christmas talk, lights, etc.
It is great to have them bring back the magic in this time of year as far as the excitement is concerned. I haven't done much shopping, and I am not doing much this year because of the pool, but we are all still enjoying the sweet spirit that Christmas brings.

I'm such a dork!

I was getting all of my stuff ready to go in the gym this morning and I shut the van door. Just as it was about closed, I realized that my keys were still inside it! See what happens when I wear different shorts! I am such a creature of habit. I had on my longer exercise pants this morning since it was nice and cool and sure enough, they don't have pockets so I decided to put my keys in the diaper backpack. Well, I didn't take the backpack into the gym and my keys remained safely tucked inside the backpack, INSIDE the van.
I knew immediately that it was going to be, "One of those days". It is. Help...
I have already spilled a Danimals on my carpet and for those of you who know how I am about my carpet, you know that I am FREAKING out. :(

Parenting class

Today during the third hour of church, we were in a 'parenting class' taught by President Carter. I was glad to be invited into the class, because it consists of the parents of the 12 - 18 year olds, but the Bishop asked Chris and I to attend because we had one coming up soon. I responded with a thank you, because I can use all the help parenting that I can get!

We discussed ONE topic today. It was the first of 12 key issues that President Carter plans to talk with us about during the next several weeks. The first topic was that parenting is not easy! That, I do know without a doubt! I don't know how many times since I have become a parent, and a whole lot more since our children are getting older, that I have said, "This parenting thing isn't for wimps"!

Also mentioned was something that I have said a lot in the last 3 years, since I have been Primary President. It was said how important it is to be valiant in your service in Primary. It was mentioned how the children are so eager and malleable in those years and how we need good teachers and leaders for them. I must say again how I love serving the children. They are so sweet, their testimonies so strong, their faith so pure! I do know that my life is blessed by the opportunity to serve the children, my own children and the Eustis ward children. I know that Heavenly Father lifts me up and guides my counselors and me to do what He wants done.

Okay, back to the original topic. Needless to say, the class was wonderful today and Chris and I both commented that we look forward to the ones coming up.

Christmas

Tricia had gotten this in an e-mail and put it on her blog. So, here are my answers this year... By the way, I got a new tree today and I absolutely love it! I'll take some pictures of it and post them later. (It's not special except for the fact that it's pre-lit and big!)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon as I can after Thanksgiving. That would be today 12/1, this year.

4. When do you take the tree down? The first weekend after Christmas or around the first of the year.

5. Do you like eggnog? Not really. I'll drink it if it's there sometimes, but I don't miss it if I don't have it. Make sense?

6. Favorite gift received as a child ? Remote controlled car.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No. Sad, isn't it?

8. Hardest person to buy for? Chris

9. Easiest person to buy for? Mom and Dad. They just want a family pictures. Done.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, to me it is way more personal.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Is there such a thing? NO!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? When I was a child I love to watch all of the ones that came on network television. Frosty, Rudolph, etc. As an adult, I still love all of them, but The Christmas Shoes gets added to that list. Oh, Polar Express, too.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day before?

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? Not a nice question!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Dressing

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song ? Mary did you know?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home to open presents Christmas morning. We used to travel before all of the kids came along, but now, it's way too much fun to see all the excitement Christmas morning.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star ? We rotate each year.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People pushing you to donate. We donate all year.

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? The ones the kids do at school or at church.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? My pool! However, I am afraid that it's going to be late.

While I was at my other job...

Aislinn was playing with her friend. Check out Ashlea's blog and find out about her morning with Grace. It looks like it was A LOT of fun!

Please TOTALLY ignore the Gator attire that Ashlea loved to put on my daughter! We love the Whites and we won't hold it against them that they are Gators. Not everyone can be a Seminole you know... :)

Coughing, coughing and more coughing

That is the sound that I hear about every 5 seconds. Between the 7 of us, we have quite a little cough chorus going on.

Also, I am trying to stay motivated about going to the gym. I have pretty much stayed within a two pound spot since June! How frustrating. However, I need to mention that after my trip with my mother to San Francisco and New York City, I had to come back and lose around 5 pounds!

I guess that i just need to focus on the positive. I haven't gained any weight and mentally I feel much better. Yes, that sounds good...

Did you know that prayers are answered?

We had family home evening tonight and the lesson was on prayer. We discussed the correct way to pray, who we pray to, how often to pray and other good stuff.

We also sang these songs to help with our lesson:
A Child's Prayer
I Pray in Faith

I recently found myself on my knees with the children one morning during family prayer (Chris had already left for work) and out of my mouth came a request. I asked Him for the firm to get more real estate deals. (The real estate market is very slow and half of the practice is real estate.) Well, He answered! They have gotten at least one deal a day since then. That is nine in the last week. Not a coincidence! I am indeed grateful!

How do you like it?

I had my parents take some pictures of our family before we left for church this morning. Which one do you like the best?

Happy Birthday Kerstyn!

Nine years old!

Blowing out the candles.

Nine years old today. I just can't believe it! You have been a blessing in our lives every day since we knew you were coming. In your blessing, it said many times about joy. You have certainly been joyous in many ways. You brighten up the room.


I want to write this, even though it is very personal, because I NEVER want to forget it! I February of 1998, Chris and I attended the temple together. We had gone with specific questions about attending law school, and we knew that we could get our best opportunity at an answer at the temple. So we went.

As soon as I set down in the room, I had the spirit tell me that it was time to have another baby. I thought to myself, "No, I already have a baby. Brennan is just 13 months old." And again, "It's time to have another baby, and it's a girl!" I just couldn't believe it. I was thinking, I know this and now I have to sit here for 2 hours before I can tell my husband. On top of that, I knew exactly what he was going to say. "We came here to pray about going to law school and having another baby doesn't fit into that very well." I agreed. We did feel good about going to law school too. However, I knew what I felt about having another baby, and he said okay.

About 4 weeks later, we went to some seminar put on at the law school for anyone that was interested in attending. After it was over, Chris and I had a talk, and decided that he should try to go and that I probably shouldn't get pregnant given the demands that would be placed on us attending law school. Well, the next morning, I found out that I was pregnant!

Nine months and 4 days after our temple trip where I felt that it was time to have another baby and it was a girl, Kerstyn Rebekah Shipley arrived! I could never and will never be able to deny that she was supposed to come at the time that she did.

P.S. We did go to law school, but we put it off until the next year.

The day after

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Chris's family today. All of his siblings were there and his mother. It is always nice to see them all together. We ate way too much food, just like you are supposed to on Thanksgiving and the kids had a blast playing with their cousins. Well, I am saying they had a blast, but to me, they were playing, fussing, whining, playing, fussing, whining. Get the idea?

Kerstyn has been doing a countdown to her birthday for the last several weeks. Did you know that it is tomorrow? Well, you sure do if you have talked to her. :)

Happy Thanksgiving

We spent the morning getting ready to go to Lakeland and then to New Port Richey on Saturday. Chris participated in the ward Turkey Bowl and came home with a messed up knee. I did not do a good job packing because I left all of our vitamins and medications at home. It kind of felt weird today, not having any traditional Thanksgiving food, but it will come tomorrow. We had cereal for breakfast, Whataburger for lunch and spaghetti for dinner. Definitely not traditional Thanksgiving food, huh?

I am going to take the BAG idea from the Carter's and do it this year, so I hope they understand.

Melody's B.A.G.

B - Blessing - I have been blessed this year with good health and the opportunity to do some work on Melody for a change. Going to the gym and taking care of myself has been fun.

A - Accomplishment - huh??? I guess that I have done better at taking care of myself and therefore I have done better at being there for my loved ones.

G - Goal - In the next year, I would like to have increased patience with my husband and children and continue to improve myself both spiritually and physically.

Pool update

Cliff putting the drains in. (Sorry Cliff, I posted the one where you weren't posing. I thought it was more 'natural'.)

Standing at the shallow end looking to the deep end and hot tub.

The shallow end with the kiddie pool.

They came this week and worked on putting the steel in. Next will be the gunnite. It's starting to look like more than just a big hole. We're so excited. Can you tell?

A sweet comment

Today during closing exercises, Maria was talking with the primary children about being thankful. Several of the children had comments and/or questions and they were really paying attention. At the very end, Maria needed to wrap it up, and she said the last question or comment would be Kerstyn's. I was sitting in the row in front of Kerstyn with Jared and Lauklan, and I hear from a familiar voice, "Mommy brought me home on Thanksgiving Day."

I looked up and Maria looked at me to see if it was accurate, and it was. As I heard that out of my dear daughter's voice, a sweet spirit touched my heart and I teared up. As did Maria, and Sister Lugo as I looked at them.

What a blessing each of my children are in my life. Thanksgiving has not been the same since that day in 1998. I did bring Kerstyn home from the hospital on that day. I thought then, and still do now, that it was a really neat thing, to bring a child home for the first time on Thanksgiving Day.

Just thought I would share that with you. I am so thankful for the blessing of the spirit. That I can feel it often and know what it is. It keeps me safe, comforts me, and is a friend.

Saturday is a special day

It's the day we get ready for Sunday. We go to the gym, we wash our face, we go to a baptism, on this fun day!

There is no time to rest, they day is full.

Daddy is off doing moving chores.

We shop at Publix on the way home, and bring home dinner for the fam-i-ly.

Then was wash again because we played in the dirt and try to get presentable for church the next day.

Saturday is a special day, its the day we go crazy before Sunday!

Crazy, but fun...

Scratch that...

Not going to Tallahassee. :(
No shower.
No Thanksgiving with Tallahassee family.
No church in our old ward.
No dinner with friends.
No leisurely drive home on Monday.

Sad, sad, sad.

Trying to get ready

Since we will be leaving tomorrow night for Tallahassee, I am trying to get stuff ready to go. Like, washing and putting clothes away, getting my car aligned and 2 new tires, etc. This is VERY stressful! Only stressful because I let it be, I know that, but still...

I am looking forward to our weekend back in Tallahassee. We will be giving Holly a baby shower Saturday at 11 a.m.. Then we will be having a Thanksgiving with our family there Saturday night. Sunday, we will go to church at our old ward which I am looking forward to. Then, Sunday evening we are going to have dinner at Matt and Leigh's who were in the singles ward with Chris and I and got married about 8 months before Chris and me. It is going to be a busy weekend, but I am sure it will be fun too.

I can't wait for Thanksgiving day. It is hard to believe that it is only one week from today! There goes all my hard work at the gym. Oh well.

Don't you love this song?

We'll Bring the World His Truth

In Observance of Veteran's Day

Today Chris's office is closed in observance of Veteran's Day. At the last office, the employees would sometimes decide that they wanted to work today and get another day off at Christmas. Chris downright refused to do that! Now that he has his own office, he can do whatever he wants. And he does.

I feel that I need to take this opportunity to tell the veterans that are close to me how thankful I am for them.

Chris - served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield in 1990 - 1991 as an Army Medic. I was still in high school, but I remember how I was concerned about the United States being at war. Not knowing Chris at the time was a good thing. I am sure that I would of been a basket case if I knew that my future husband was over in the war. I love you Chris, you are certainly MY hero!
Daddy (Jim Cottingham) - Served on an aircraft carrier during Vietnam. I know that you are great Daddy. Thank you for serving our country.
Ryan (my nephew genetically, but like a brother) - Served in the Army in the 82nd Airborne in Operation Iraqi Freedon twice and Afghanistan once. Ryan, you are a true soldier and a wonderful person.

Chris, Daddy and Ryan - thank you for your sacrifice and dedication to the United States. You are an example to many. Also, thanks to all the others that have served and are serving our country.

Primary

One of the happiest places to serve on Earth!

The Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation was today. I felt like I was in the middle of my cardiovascular workout before it started. But, as soon as I sat down and we got underway, I felt totally at peace. The children were just wonderful! The talks were sweet and the songs were sung with feeling. I couldn't ask for any better.

To top it all off, I had my parents in the congregation to hear the sweet spirits of the children that I serve. It is a great feeling to have your family with you at church, especially your parents, spouse and children. Isn't that why we do all of this anyway?

I love those kids! What a blessing to serve the Eustis ward primary children. It has been three years and three months since I was called to be the Primary President and I can sincerely say that I love it more and more each day! I KNOW that they teach me more than I teach them. No question about that.

Garage Sale and Fall activity

The community had their annual garage sale today so I drug out a lot of the stuff that I didn't want or need anymore. I made around $140! Not too bad for a morning's work.

After the garage sale, I headed off to Publix to get the stuff that I needed for the Fall Festival and the children's treats after their presentation. I could not believe that Publix did not have any fall cupcakes! Well, too bad, I just bought generic ones. You all know that I could NOT make them myself! It's against all that I know. :)

We went to the fall activity and it was a great time. The kids got to play on all of the farm stuff and they thought it was great. The adults go to play too and visit. The primary/ward activity was fun for all.

Glad its over now. Time to panic about tomorrow...

Not too much better

I had to call Dr. Soto this morning to tell her that Kerstyn is not much better at all. She called in Amoxicillin.

I also told her that Aislinn was running a 102.2 fever last night before bed. I was worried that she shouldn't be running a fever after 4 doses of her Augmentin. Dr. Soto wants to see if it will be gone by tomorrow. If not, I am to call back. I sure hope she will be doing MUCH better by tomorrow morning.

Halloween pictures - Better late than never?

Aislinn in her Halloween costume. Do you like her shoes? She wouldn't let me wear them for days. They are now hidden.

Greyson and Aislinn at the St. Edward's Preschool trunk or treat.

All of the kids outside the house waiting for Daddy to arrive. Aislinn still wouldn't take those shoes off. It kept her from being able to go to many houses, but she DID NOT care! Brennan was Jak, a video game character. Kerstyn was a Mommy (see the baby?). Lauklan and Greyson were Darth Vader's. Aislinn, the cheerleader. These costumes might look familiar. Lauklan, Greyson and Aislinn all wore them last year. But, under protest, I told the kids that I was not going to drop $100 on Halloween this year. They recycled and used their imaginations. I liked that.

Pool update

The guys in action. This was quite fun to watch. The round part at the bottom of the picture is the kiddie pool.

After the hole was done. Notice the pipes at the end. We had a nice gush of water and had to turn the sprinkler system off at the well head. Greyson said that it was a bubble bath. You would sure would have needed one if you got in that mud pit!

This is standing at the back of the house. The shallow end is nearest and the hot tub at the far end.

What a mess!!!

105.2

That is the temperature that Aislinn had yesterday when I got home from church! I was very worried, to say the least. I gave her Motrin, 2 popsicles and a bath. It came down.

Then this morning at 6:45, she was crying from her bed and it was 104.7. More Motrin and off to the pediatrician. She has an ear infection in the right year and is wheezing. Augmentin was prescribed for 10 days and Albuterol 3 times a day until the cough goes away.

Also, the last practice for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation was yesterday and it was SUPPOSED to be better than last week. Well, it wasn't! :(

Let me just say..

I LOVE Megan Berge! She sure knows what to say. You're too funny Megan, but thank you. You are always there to make me smile.

Does anyone read what I blog?

If you actually read what I blog, please let me know. I read all of my friends blogs and they have all of these comments, and look at me... hardly any!

Please give me some hope. Or, am I just that boring?

Comment, please. :)

Just plain crazy!

I worked in the office today for a little over 3 hours and got quite a bit done. However, not all of it was done, and already more things are piling up for the next week! I think that this job will take as much time as I will give it and I am not able to do more than one time a week right now.

No wonder Chris was constantly overwhelmed with the accounting issues and the administrative duties that the firm requires! They NEVER end! I hope that I am helping, even though I am feeling right now that I can't do enough. That's not what I need! I already feel that I don't have enough time or do well about being a wife and mom and keeping up with all of those duties. Now I get to add on the office duties too? HELP!

Happy Halloween!

The whole family went to the Peeler's subdivision last night to do Trick or Treating! We had NO idea that so many people from the ward would be there. It was really nice. We got to walk the street with the kids AND visit with our friends! It was a late night, but we all had a lot of fun!
I'll post pictures later.

Happy Blogger Birthday

I have been blogging for a year! Horray! I haven't quit either. Impressive...

Thanks to Debbie, Tricia, Melanie and Cherylyn for their inspiration! I am sure that I will appreciate it even more as the years go by.

We might make it

We had practice in the chapel today for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. The presentation is on November 11 and we always practice the 2 weeks before in the chapel. The kids ALWAYS complain about how boring it is and that they have to stand up too long, but I kind of agree. It is a long time (2 hours) for practice, and they do have to stand longer than they ever have to, BUT, we have to practice.

I got a call on Saturday night that my music leader was having to go out of town on Sunday to visit her Grandmother who is very ill. Ok, I can handle that. I can do the music, it's not ideal, but we will survive, AS LONG AS my pianist can make it. And, she did, thank goodness.

After church, at the linger longer activity, Debbie Carter came up and asked me how it went. Here was my response, "It was better than I had feared". And it was! We still have another week to practice, and the kids actually did pretty well considering I changed the presentation this past week and ended up assigning talks to the Senior primary.

I was conducting the music to Families Can Be Together Forever and when it was finishing, I looked over at Bobbyn (our pianist) and she was all teared up. That got me going too. The children's voices are so angelic. Then a little later, while the girls were singing the first verse to Love is Spoken Here, I totally lost it! Then the boys, piped up for the second verse and it was just beautiful. I am tearing up as I am writing this, just remembering the sweet spirit as they sang. You must click on the song links and listen to the words if you are not familiar with the songs. They are powerful.

Stay tuned, the kids are going to be just great, I can feel it!

A busy Saturday

First thing this morning, was off to the ball fields for Lauklan's game. He enjoyed himself, and I am glad. I left Kerstyn there for her game that started at 11 and Chris returned at 12:45 to pick her up.

While the kids were at home with Chris and Kerstyn was off playing baseball, Mom and I went to the Craft Fair for a few hours. We had a very nice time even though our visit was brief. It consisted of a quick walk through the streets and lunch at The Frosty Mug. However, Mom found a vendor that made artificial foods and she was very excited that he would make her a fake piece of cake to put inside her cake dish. Interesting... Glad you were happy about that mom. :)

In the afternoon, our neighborhood had a block party and we went down for that. They had games for the kids and a bouncy house, and the adults could visit or play horseshoes. There was a good turnout and we had a really good time until it started pouring down rain. Well, we'll try again next year.

Arrow of Light

Brennan received his Arrow of Light award last night at pack meeting. This is the highest Cub Scouting award and it is the only thing that carries over onto his Boy Scout uniform.

They had a very nice presentation tonight for Brennan and Nate Sage. It was given by Jon Sage, the Cubmaster, and he and his wife Katie went above and beyond! They made a plaque for the boys to hang on their walls with an arrow and seven feathers all with different colors representing the seven rays of light on the Arrow of Light badge. It was impressive! When we get it hung up, I will take a picture and post it.

I was beaming from ear to ear! I have found out already, in my short time so far of being a mother, that this is an emotional roller coaster! How challenging, rewarding, frustrating, trying, wonderful, crazy and WELL WORTH IT a ride it can be and IS! Do we ever get it figured out?

My other job

Last week I started working for Chris' office for real. I say for real, because I have been an employee since he opened on August 1, 2006, but I haven't been physically working in the office. I was just making the daily deposits and running errands as I could.

Well, last week, he pleaded for more help! He asked, "Can you please find someone to watch Aislinn tomorrow for just an hour so you can do some insurance stuff for me?" He asked with this look on his face that I knew he was desperate.

So, I called Kristen Higley last Thursday morning and asked her if she could help me out for an hour or so watching Aislinn. She said yes, so I dropped her off, then Greyson off and went to the office.

Three and one half hours later, I had to leave and Chris offered me a job. (Cute, huh?) I told him that I would come in one morning a week to keep his corporate stuff up and current and he was elated! I spent the whole morning making copies for unemployment compensation insurance and faxing them the completed job and working on the professional liability insurance renewal.

Today was my time to go in for this week. I spent my morning inputting deposits and paying bills. I think he is quite appreciative (at least he is until he sees how much I messed up the books not knowing where each little thing goes). I sure hope so...

Family Home Evening

Tonight we had a nice, brief FHE. What was really great about it was the children singing. We let Lauklan and Geyson pick the songs that they wanted to sing. Geyson wanted to sing Families Can Be Together Forever, and Lauklan wanted to sing The First Article of Faith.
It was so sweet to sing as a family and to share that with one another.

Sacrament Meeting Presentation Practice

UGH! Does that say enough?
Can I make it?
Will it be ok?
Can we pull it off?
Will I lose my mind?

Baseball again...

I woke up this morning to a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL sound! It was rain! Now you ask, "Why was it so wonderful to hear rain?" Well, it is because it meant that it was likely that Lauklan and Kerstyn's baseball games would be canceled. And...they were! :)
I felt bad that I was so happy, the kids were not happy! But, I sure was! So, what did I do not having to spend from 8:30 - 1:30 at the ball fields? I went to Publix, ALONE!

Baseball and more baseball

Well, guess where I spent the night? I dropped Kerstyn off at the ball fields for warm-up and then a game and decided that I did not want to get home at around 8:30 and still have to make dinner and give baths. So, I left with the other four and came home to feed and bathe them. Around 7:30 Chris called and said that he was heading home. He then graciously volunteered to watch the remaining part of Kerstyn's game and then bring her home.
I was so happy! Small things really do make a difference!

I am trying

I haven't been keeping up on blogging lately because I am just doing well to keep everyone fed, clothes washed, and try to get where we are supposed to be! I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed at times. Many prayers have been given up from myself asking for help to get it all done, and to try to do better than I am.
I know that General Conference was perfect timing for me. When I am feeling discouraged, I think of the mother talk, or other ones that apply and try to regain my focus. I am SO thankful for my testimony!

Pool update

Chris and I have designed our dream pool and here it is on it's way! We are all SO VERY EXCITED!!!
I took this picture standing on the Lanai. The end of the pool is where you see the boards. It is 8 feet of decking on the left and the right. The pool is 17 feet wide and 34 feet long with a 6 foot kiddie pool in the front (closest to the house), and a 6 foot hot tub on the end that is elevated. That is why there are boards up so high.
The kids ask EVERY day, "Mommy, is the pool done yet?" Can you imagine?

General Conference weekend

I just LOVED every talk this weekend. I felt that each person had a message just for me.
My favorite talk was the one given by Sister Beck called "A Mother Who Knows". It was so uplifting and empowering. If you didn't hear it, you should go read it.
Another moving moment was in the Saturday Afternoon conference when Elder Wirthlin was giving his talk. He started shaking in the middle and I sat straight up and started to cry. I was thinking, "someone go help him!" Well, guess what, right after that, Elder Nelson walks up behind him and stands there right behind him and literally held him up so that he could finish his talk! On top of that, Elder Wirthlin was talking about the greatest commandment, to love one another. WOW!!!

Aislinn released

Aislinn a year ago after the first cast was put on. What a trooper!

Aislinn being two, but perfectly healed!

Aislinn was finally released from Dr. Radnothy's care today. She broke her arm a year ago in September and just now, a year later was released from her Orthopedic surgeon's care.
They took several x-ray's today, even ones of the arm that didn't brake to compare and they said that she looked good.
What a blessing!

Order of the Dolphins

Brennan was initiated in the Order of the Dolphins today. It is Round Lake Elementary's honor society. I was very proud of him. This picture was taken after the ceremony with his friend Daniel Manry. (I also taught Daniel when he was in second grade. He's a great kid!)

Happy Birthday Greyson!

Greyson is the big 4 today! We went to church today and sang to him in Primary. Yesterday, he had his cake and got his birthday dinner. He wanted chicken nuggets! He also got his presents from Yoo-Ma and Papa and Chris and me today.

Isn't it odd?

When I go to the gym 5 days a week and work my tail off, I don't lose a pound, and sometimes even put one on.
Then, I go 4 days a week and take it easy and lose 2 pounds!
Talk about backwards! Also, you have to eat junk food on your easy weeks, and try to be very good in your eating on those weeks that your working your tooshie off.
Odd...

GO ME!!

I would just like to announce how wonderful it feels that I have cleaned my bathrooms, yes all 3, this morning and polished my counter tops. Also...I organized my laundry room. I still have to mop the kitchen, entry and hallway, but I am well on my way to smiling the rest of the day.
Now, I know, this is NOT what it is all about, however, this is better than going to the gym as far as 'happy' feelings go. I just love to see clean bathrooms, kitchen and floors.
I know, I know, I'm crazy, but I hope that you all still love me! :)

So many changes

Today there were several changes in the Primary organization. I lost Debi Peeler as our first counselor, Karen Brooks as our secretary, Barbara Seng as a teacher, and Cathy Brooks as our Faith in God leader. I will truly miss each of these women as their contribution has been great and their friendship wonderful. On to different pastures for each of them.
With that said, you know that Primary now has SEVERAL missing pieces. So, the good news is that we got Maria Valentich as our first counselor, Mary Gronlund as our Secretary, Lurlene Lawton as a teacher and Faith in God leader AND Kristen Higley as a primary worker in the nursery!
WOW! For a time being, we are fully staffed and are blessed with valiant teachers and help.
However, with all those changes, we, meaning Bobbyn and me, have to get a decent Sacrament Meeting Presentation figured out. The good thing to us working together is that Bobbyn is AMAZING!

Close call

Last night we had quite a bout with severe weather. I am truly grateful for some loving friends that called me at 10:33 pm to say "turn on your television, a tornado is on the way"! Well, it would of been nice to turn on my t.v. to see what was going on, but I had NO signal since the bad weather was not far away! Quite distressing!
I then ran into the bedroom where a weather radio was that Chris had just won two days ago at some business thing. I got it out of the package as soon as I could and plugged it in and it started going off immediately! Tornado on the way, with some other sever weather. Well, Chris popped right out of bed when he heard the weather alarm and I was glad since if I needed help grabbing kids, it would sure be faster with two of us instead of just me.
Well, we were blessed and the tornado missed us, but our neighbors around 5 miles away were not so blessed. The tornado did touch down and several buildings/houses were damaged, but I don't think anyone was seriously hurt.
That was an eventful night. It sure was not a good feeling to be hearing the warnings and just praying that all would be OK. However, in my prayers last night after the severe weather passed, I was SURE to thank my Heavenly Father for keeping us safe and blessing me with friends that cared enough to alert us.

Potty Training

I am quite excited because Aislinn is in the beginning stages of potty training. She has gone pee-pee on the potty the last two days. Now, not every time, but once each day and she initiates it herself. I hope that she will be as easy as Greyson. However, I am going to have to skip my gym a few days so that we can stay in the house to get this done. I am not looking too forward to that.
It is raining as I write this and it rained almost all day yesterday. We certainly need it!
For dinner, mac and cheese with hot dogs. Last night was Hamburger Helper, and the night before... Ravioli and Spaghetti O's with meatballs. Now don't all of you line up outside tomorrow night for dinner, I know you want to, but we have to stick to just us. :) (I am not in the cooking mood lately, but I guess you could tell that already.)

Our own Grandparents lunch

Mom and Dad came over for lunch with the kids today. All of them were just ecstatic! We ate lunch with Lauklan, then ran so Dad could see Chris's office. Then back to drop off Mom and Dad for lunch with Kerstyn while I ran to St. Edward's to pick up Greyson. Aislinn, Greyson and I arrived just a few minutes after Kerstyn got her lunch and we all enjoyed visiting with her. Around five minutes after Kerstyn left, Brennan came in and had lunch with us all. It was a lot of fun for all of us. Aislinn was past tired though when we got home.
This afternoon, pick up the kids at 3:00, homework, ball fields at 5 until 7 for Kerstyn, then home for baths and showers, eat dinner, a quick FHE and then off to bed. Hope I make it.

No crying today

Thank goodness, none of my kids disrupted church today crying at the threat of me having to reprimand them. OK, I hope the trend continues.

I must be really mean

Last Sunday, while I was presenting Sharing time to the Senior primary, I heard a familiar wailing. Yes, it was Greyson in the next room crying his eyes out. I sent my first counselor over there to see what was wrong. Come to find out, Greyson was acting up and his teacher told him she was going to go get his mommy and the boy started crying and screaming! When she then put him on her lap and talked to him, he calmed down. How's that to make you feel bad?
Take two...I get a message on the answering machine today from Kerstyn's third grade teacher telling me that Kerstyn got a "C" on a science test today and when she found out she went hysterical! She begged me to take it easy on her and that her average was still a "B". I went up to school at her lunch time to give her a hug and tell her not to worry about it and she started crying again. She told me that Brennan gets in really big trouble when he gets lower than a B and that she was going to get in trouble too. I tried to explain that if she was trying her best, it was okay.
I don't think that I am very good at this... I don't want them to be upset like that. But they do need consequences, right?

It is really annoying

It is really annoying that every time I turn around in the fall and spring, I have sinus issues! I don't have time to feel poorly! The world doesn't stop when I do, and I don't have a time out to take. Do you all feel my pain?

I must be crazy!

I signed Lauklan up for Coach Pitch Baseball. Kerstyn is going to be playing in the minor league baseball. Of course, this means that I will be at the ball fields on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Did I think that I was just sitting around with nothing to do? Oh yeah, Brennan and Kerstyn are going to start piano lessons next month (hopefully) and I have a husband is never home. Luckily Brennan wanted no part with baseball and Greyson is too small, but, it won't be too long until I know that I will be going 5 different places for 5 different kids! Chris warned me, I'll have to admit.
The things we do for our kids... Gladly, I might add.

Pee in the toilet?

Why is it that my dear, sweet Greyson must pee around the toilet not in it? It never fails, I have just cleaned the toilet and walk by the boys bathroom and smell urine! That just makes me fiery mad! I walk in there and low and behold, it is on the floor, or even better, in the garbage can that is right next to the toilet! Help me please! I have asked nicely, I have fussed, still, there is pee to be found. Good thing that I love that boy...

Labor Day

Well, I have to admit that we did a DARN GOOD job of relaxing on Labor Day! I believe that I was the only one to leave the house today. I went to the gym for some peace and quiet and exercise. Everybody else, well, they played video games and watched television. Hope they got it out of their system, because tomorrow is back to school, homework, and very, very little of what they did today. :)

Webelos Badge

Brennan received his Webelos badge tonight with several activity badges in the areas that he has completed.
Way to go Brennan!

Webelos Badge

I am really proud of you Brennan! Tonight he received his Webelos badge and several other activity badges. Way to go Brennan!
He only needs to earn is Outdoorsman activity badge and a few more things to earn his Arrow of Light. We are getting close.

First Day of school

Here they are, all ready to go!

Brennan is starting 5th grade with Mrs. Parker. Kerstyn is starting 3rd with Mrs. Lavigne. Lauklan is in Kindergarten with Mrs. Platt. Greyson is back at St. Edwards for pre-school. And, well, Aislinn is taking care of Mommy!

Back home

Glad to be back home, I'll have to say. However, thank you Mom, Carole and Gail, also known as the Golden Girls, for a WONDERFUL trip. I throughly enjoyed every minute with all of you! Can't wait for the next one...

New York City, Day 4

Gail with her 8 purses. I don't think that she will need any more for a while.

We went to the Brooklyn Diner for lunch today before the Broadway play, Mama Mia. Gail, Carole and I all ordered the 15 bite hot dog! We expected something totally different than what we got. The hot dog was about 1 inch in diameter and about 15 inches long! I didn't have my camera with me, but I'll tell you, it was CRAZY!
The play was wonderful! Mom and I truly enjoyed it!
For dinner, we went to Stage Deli and had a great dinner and cheesecake that was delicious! Everything there is large, large, large and tasty too!
After dinner was back to the street for more purses, watches and sunglasses!

New York City, Day 3

All of us in the carriage for the ride in Central Park.

Gail at Tavern on the Green.

Mom at Tavern on the Green.

Today we went shopping! I purchased gifts for the kids at FAO Swartz! I had them ship them home. We also got to buy some knock off's from people. Purses wrapped in sheets, watches in bags, sunglasses hidden! What a different place up here in New York City!
We ate lunch at Tavern on the Green. It was neat to see the place. Of course, the service was wonderful! However, a bottle of water was 8 bucks!!!

New York City, Day 2

Tiles for America. Children painted tiles for the people of 9/11. It was moving to see it.

Grace and I at dinner.

Mom and I went on a city tour this morning and early afternoon. Since we had been freezing in San Francisco, Mom was worried that she would be cold on top of the double decker bus. Well, we DID NOT have to worry about being cold. On the other hand, we were sweating like crazy! Gail and Carole went to a Yankees game. Then we met up later to go to dinner at The Tribeca Grill with Grace, my friend from home. Grace is a vet and lives in New York City, so I had to see her. We went from 3rd grade through 12th together.
I rode on the subway to dinner. It was so hot under there, but I wanted the experience of riding the subway. All I can say is I am very glad that I have my own car!

New York City, Day 1

Times Square. WOW!

The Empire State Building.

We flew from San Francisco to New York City today. We were so excited because we didn't even think that we would make it on the flight. But we did, so good! Flying standby is a whole experience within itself. We had a blast though. You just can't worry about getting there, just have a good time. We ate at Serendipity for dinner, the frozen hot chocolate was DELICIOUS! We also had a waiter that was a model. So, of course we had to take a picture with him. But, it was with Mom's camera, so I don't have it.