Thanksgiving, Round 2

After Chris got home from the gym and I got home from running to the banks, we headed to Mom and Dad's for the day. We took two cars and planned for some crazy fun.

See how much fun we had? So much that we had to rest.

Thanksgiving, round 1

I went to work first thing this morning and got some things in order. We decided that we would shoot at eating round 3 when Mark, Thomas and Kylea were scheduled to arrive. Well, Mom and Ricky arrived around 2:30 - 3, but Mark got stuck on I 95 not moving but 2 miles in 2 hours so he didn't arrive until around 5. We ate and laughed and ate some more. It was a nice day.

I really like the picture above except for the bunny ears. Oh well. You can certainly tell below that Ricky and Chris are brothers, can't you?
Melody's B.A.G.

Blessing - I have been blessed with good health and some better perspective this year. I know that I have been blessed and I am doing better in trying to focus on the good instead of dwelling on the negative. It makes for a happier me.

Accomplishment - I continued my physical fitness another year. I am in the best shape physically that I have ever been it. It feels good.

Goal - I want to stress less and enjoy more. We'll see how that goes. ;)

Chris's B.A.G.

Blessing - success of my business in a down economy.

Accomplishment - weight loss and improved overall physical fitness.

Goal - enjoy instead of merely endure.

Brennan's B.A.G.

Blessing - Good grades in Algebra.

Accomplishment - Happier in school and sort of happier family life. Earning all the rockers at the National Jamboree and surviving it.

Goal - Earn the next rank, life, in Boy Scouts.

Kerstyn's B.A.G.

Blessing - I have such a wonderful family.

Accomplishment - Getting all A's.

Goal - To have a better attitude.

Lauklan's B.A.G.

Blessing - I am blessed that we've been doing better about arguing and that we have food to eat.

Accomplishment - Helped Dad do the fence and fans and am doing better with my multiplication tables.

Goal - Earn my Bear rank and do well in school.

Greyson's B.A.G.

Blessing - Got to see the Bishop and pay my tithing.

Accomplishment - Got to go to church and start first grade.

Goal - Finish Tiger Cubs and earn the badge.

Aislinn's B.A.G.

Blessing - Being blessed by Daddy when I was sick and having this house to live in.

Accomplishment - Finished pre-school and started Kindergarten.

Goal - Do well in Kindergarten and listen to my teachers.

Kerstyn is 12!

November 24, 1998 was the day Kerstyn made her debut! She's been full of excitement ever since.

Did you notice the flip flops that she made the Young Women? I finally convinced her not to wear them to Yoo-Ma's today.

I have on 3 inch heels, so you can see that Kerstyn is taller than me.

Happy Birthday Kerstyn! We are so proud of you and are looking forward to what your life brings. We brought you home from the hospital on Thanksgiving day and you are someone that we are ALWAYS thankful for.

I loaded up the van this morning with all the kids since they are out of school today and we headed over to Mom's to spend the day. We ate at Cracker Barrel and are going to enjoy some Dairy Queen ice cream cake. It sure sounds like a great birthday to me.

Tomorrow will be the first of 3 Thanksgiving celebrations for us. I hope that my clothes fit after all of this.

Elder Rasband

I started my morning of crying in the parking lot. Why, right? Well, I pulled in right behind my mom who surprised me by coming. She had said that she didn't feel up to it, but she ended up making it over and I was so happy to see her.

The choir sang beautifully! We sang prelude starting with I Have Faith, then He Sent His Son, followed by I Know That My Savior Loves Me.

The intermediate hymn that I chose for us to sing was 86, How Great Thou Art. The choir sang verses 1,2 and 4 while Brother Toronto sang a solo on verse 3 then the choir came in for the chorus. I thought it went really well.

Following the intermediate hymn, Elder Rasband stand to speak and come to find out, that is his favorite hymn! I was so glad that I felt we should sing that one. I really love it too. His message was based on family and filled with hope. He quoted 4 different prophets regarding family. The thing that I remember most is his saying in reference to David O. McKay's quote about "No success compensates for failure in the home". We only fail when we quit trying. I agree and find comfort in that because I know that I will never quit trying.

Elder Rasband also visited the Primary children at the end. He spoke with them briefly and mentioned that he was glad to be there. He said something to the effect that he knew that their mommies and daddies work for someone. He had a picture of Jesus Christ in his hand and he said, "I work for him, (referring to Jesus), all day, every day, and I'm glad that I can do that." I am so glad that he does. I'm thankful and blessed by all the people who serve daily. I know that every calling is important and all who serve are blessed.

I'll just say that this Sabbath day was definitely one of hope and thanks. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to learn today.

G.N.O.

I got to have a sweet girls night out last night with Debbie Clayton, Frances, Danette, Kelley and Kristen. We met at Chili's at 7 and visited for about 2 hours. We laughed and cried too, I think, we ate and best of all, we had fun.

I'm glad that I have friends that like to go out occassionally and visit. I'm also glad that I have a husband who doesn't fuss when I'm not home when he gets there because I'm out with these friends of mine. ;)

Come on!

I'm running and running and running and I'm almost out of gas. That isn't good since the mom can't run out of gas.

Work is super stressful which means Chris and I both are stressed. I think the kids are feeling it to and might be possibly feeding off of that. Not good.

I need a break. Hopefully Thanksgiving will give me that. I have much to be thankful for so I don't want to come across as I don't.

I know who I am. I know where I came from. I have been blessed with an amazing family that isn't perfect by any means, nor am I. However, we are willing to work at it and give it our best shot. My children push buttons that Chris and I didn't even know could be pushed, then turn around and do the most amazing things you've ever seen!

I'm going to try to focus on the positive as opposed to wallowing in what I would change or don't like, it will help me endure. Because, we are supposed to endure well until the end, right?

Pictures!

Have you been to my Facebook profile page? There are 19 pictures (out of the over 2,000) posted on my profile. I am even more excited now than I was before.

I'm so glad that I endure the fussing about getting pictures done, because the end result, being able to look at those pictures, makes me very, very happy.

You're going to love it!

We had choir practice again today. I really tried to recruit some new members during the 3 hour block.

I was kinda successful and several great new people to show up and sing with us.

We are singing "I Have Faith", "He Sent His Son" and "I Know That My Savior Loves Me".

For the intermediate hymn, we are singing "How Great Thou Art".

Elder and Sister Rasband are going to be here this coming Sunday and so we are really blessed as a ward to have them coming.

I can't wait. It's going to be great. You're going to want to make sure you're sitting in the chapel fifteen minutes early next Sunday, because you're not going to miss the prelude music.

This is rough!

We had a pretty busy morning of the boys picking up food for the Scouting For Food program. Chris and I went to the gym for a quick workout, then we headed home to change and get Grandma to head to the Magic Kingdom.

We spent the afternoon there and early evening. I believe that we arrived home around 9 p.m. It was nice to be there with a little bit of cooler weather. The park was very busy however, but the Christmas decorations were up and that was nice to see.

Here's the problem. The kids were fussing constantly. Fussing with each other. Fussing with us. Just fussing.

It was frustrating.

Man, Satan sure does want to destroy families, and he is doing anything and everything to do it. Chris and I talked to the kids about it, hopefully it will help.

Family Pictures

We all got dressed this afternoon for our family pictures. I would love to say that everyone was excited and glad to do it, but that would be a big fat lie!

I ordered clothes for the kids and Brennan, Kerstyn and Greyson's jeans did not fit. So, I had to have them go get some out of their closet. I think we did okay. We'll see.

When I got my top out, Chris said that it wasn't in the same 'family' or something like that, so he said I should go try to find another shirt. Really? The pictures were in 3 hours from that statement, and I hadn't showered! But, I did it, I went and I think I did okay with my find. I'll let you tell me when you see the pictures.

Chris and the three boys distributed scouting for food bags to our entire neighborhood this morning, they get to go back Saturday morning and hopefully pick up a LOT of canned goods for the local food pantry. We'll see.

I can't wait to see the pictures. I'm sure she got many great shots of everyone's personality.

mormon.org

I attended ward council last night for KC, who is our Activities Chairperson for the ward. While I was there, the bishop told us about mormon.org and educated us on how we can go there and create profiles under the section about "Meet A Mormon".

I went today, and created my profile. Once it posts, you should be able to find me. Have you created yours?

Super Sabbath

Today was fast and testimony meeting. I felt like I should get up, but I waited and then I ran out of time to get up. The meeting was great. I felt the spirit and was glad to have the opportunity to be there. I was pondering how 18 years ago this month, I as baptized. I love the gospel and the opportunities that I have been give to grow and learn in the gospel.

Chris and I had a nice talk with Kerstyn this afternoon too then I was off to choir practice. The Eustis ward is in for a treat on the third Sunday of November. I love the opportunity that I have to share the gospel through music.

Following practice, Ricky and Nancy came over for dinner. It was nice to have us all together enjoying our meal.

Garage sale fun

Mom Nancy came over bright and early this morning to participate with me in our community garage sale. I ended up have a super A.D.D. day and didn't do much out in the driveway with her. Instead, I was cleaning up the garage and several closets in the house. I also ended up doing some serious cleaning in Brennan's room, AGAIN! Brennan was off with his troop passing out the Scouting for Food bags for a few hours this morning and Kerstyn, Lauklan and Greyson were having fun going in and out all morning.

It was a productive day and we called it quits on the garage sale around 2. We loaded up the cars with what didn't sell and dropped it off at Goodwill.

Mom came back to the house around 4:30 and watched the kids for Chris and I to go out. We went down to the Mall at Millenia and walked around enjoying each other while we waited to eat at The Cheesecake Factory. We had a wonderful time, it was just what we needed. Thanks Grandma!

Friendly shopping

Debbie Carter and I headed out this morning to Nordstrom to check on the sale that they have going on. I had a really good time with my great friend and some great shopping.

Of course, while shopping, we worked up and appetite, so we ate lunch at CPK and then headed back to Mount Dora for me to do a few things at the office before I had to pick up the kids.

I am thankful for the love and support of Debbie. She's an amazing woman.

Report Cards

I got 5 report cards for the first time today. Overall, all the children did well.

Brennan squeaked by with a C in Algebra. He is doing better in that and I am glad. He did well in all his other classes with the exception of Technology class, which he enjoys but can't seem to turn his assignments in...

Kerstyn did wonderful as usual except for struggling in her Reading class which blows my mind since she is an amazing reader. Odd again...

Lauklan did pretty well in 3rd grade. It is a hard school year, so he has to stay focused which is hard for that boy, but so far, so good.

Greyson is really taking off in his schoolwork. I'm really proud of him and his behavior is almost always great!

Aislinn, well, Aislinn. She needs to improve quite a few of behavior things. She definitely has the aptitude, but an attitude with it. I'm hoping that Chris and I can redirect her in a positive way.

Needless to say, I have my plate full.

It's hard

Chris and I have made life especially difficult for ourselves at times. We haven't done many things the way the world would expect us to. We, well, I married young, at just 19. Chris was one week away from 27, but we were both in college working on our bachelor's degrees. We were focused though and pressed forward with Chris earning two bachelor's degrees, an MBA and a law degree. I completed my music undergraduate and the went to get a Master's degree in Elementary Education.

All the while we were going to school, Chris working full time and me working. We decided to start a family. I had Brennan at one year old when I started my Master's, and I had Kerstyn while I was in the middle of it. Chris kept pressing forward through all his college while working full time until he entered law school which you are not allowed to work in the first year.

To move a little faster, we had Lauklan while in law school. Greyson and Aislinn came a little after starting his law career. I worked teaching second grade for 6 years while trying to be a good wife and mother. It wasn't easy.

It still isn't easy. Our life is crazy, just like everyone else's. I expect too much out of myself sometimes and I get discouraged. I have a husband who has the work ethic of about 5 men, so his drive and dedication to providing for our family is unparalleled to anyone that I know. However, that can put a strain on our family life. It puts a lot on me to pull the weight of the family. I also work as much as I can at the office, dealing with all the money issues, coming and going.

It is stressful. It is hard. Sometimes, it isn't pretty at all. So, I ask sometimes "why"? Why do I do this?"

Here's the honest truth. I'm stubborn. I don't want to fail. I want an eternal family. I want celestial glory. I want it all. So, that means to me that I have to press forward. Suck it up, so to say. Try to stay positive, but most importantly, I have to hold to the iron rod. I HAVE to hold and cling to the gospel and its teachings.

I have to. Or what happens? It all falls apart.

I love the gospel. I love my father in heaven. I love my savior, Jesus Christ. When I see them again and report, I want it all.

I have to hold on.

(I'm not writing this because I'm in a bad place, I'm writing it because it is the honest truth of what makes me tick. I know, without a doubt that all will be well. I can do this. I will do this.)

Pictures with the bird

The bishop has a bird that the kids think is really cool. Here are some pictures.

Chris and Brennan went home teaching this afternoon and the other kids stayed home with me to drive each other absolutely crazy!

Tonight, Chris has another meeting but Grandma and Uncle Ricky are coming over to eat dinner with us. We're looking forward to that.

Clean and ride

We woke up this morning and went over to the meetinghouse to do our part and clean. We are assigned here about every 3 months and today it was our turn again. After cleaning, we went home and then decided to go to Animal Kingdom for a quick visit. We rode Mount Everest and the safari ride, toured some crazy insects and animals and then worked our way back to the car.

Aislinn refused to get in the above picture initially and then she refused to smile, so that is her 'stern' face, she told Chris.

Chris and I waiting to ride Mount Everest
The kids posing after touring insects, etc.

We stopped at the Saunders' house on the way home for a Halloween party. The kids had a great time and Chris and I had fun visiting with our friends.

Employee celebrations

This afternoon we celebrated Brenda's birthday at work. She has worked with Chris for 6 years and we're glad to have her. She seemed to enjoy her day.

Twinkle Toes

This is what a VERY HAPPY 5 year old looks like with the coolest shoes ever. (According to her)

I was sad that I couldn't get the camera to do these fancy shoes justice. They have lights on the toes with silver stud things. Crazy, if you ask me, but totally amazing if you ask Aislinn.

Yuck

I spent today in a funk and even got in the tub to relax for a little. Following my tub fun, I got in the bed for about an hour. I just didn't feel good. However, after that, I felt a little better, so I got back up and ran some errands.

The kids didn't have school today, it was a teacher planning day. So, I put the elementary school kids in EDEP and Kerstyn went over to Sister Smith's, her Activity Days leader, for some cake and pizza baking. Brennan stayed home and procrastinated his chores until the last possible minute!

I didn't even feel like going to the gym today. Wow! Something is up with me.

Children's Sacrament Meeting and a visit from Mom

Mom arrived over here around 9:15 and she and I headed to church about 9:30. All the kids and Chris arrived around 9:55. Janie and Grandma were already in their seats.

All of the kids did a great job giving their lines and singing their songs. All except Aislinn who decided not to say her line or sing. Oh well. The spirit was strong and I survived playing the piano.

Here are some pictures from this afternoon. We had a nice visit too.

Happy Sabbath!

Stake Adult Dance

After a full day of cycle, getting a pedicure, picking up kids and taking care of them, Janie arrived at 5 to let Chris and I go enjoy our evening.

We had a wonderful dinner at JJFins and then a good time at the Stake Adult Dance. Chris said that the only reason he was going was because he loves me. Now wasn't that nice of him?

Kerstyn was kind enough to snap a few pictures before we left. However, it was quite breezy and I was having a hard time keeping myself from sinking into the grass, but here they are.

Chris says that I LOVE an excuse to buy a new dress. I think he's right. ;)

Aislinn's Family Picnic

Aislinn know pretty much every student in Kindergarten at Round Lake Elementary! It was the cutest thing to see her talking and telling me who everyone is.

After she ate her 6 piece Might Kids Meal as quickly as she could, she took me over to the playground where she could demonstrate her mad monkey bar skills! Boy, she is great at that! So great in fact, that she has blisters on her hands because she does it so much!

We had a great Mommy/Daughter picnic.

It flew

This week has just flown by. I've worked and gone to the gym. I've helped with homework and cooked as little as possible. ;)

However, things are going forward so, I will too. It is quite a stressful time right now and I am trying to stay focused on the positive, which is things certainly could be worse! We are all healthy and we have jobs. I'm so very thankful for that.

I guess I'm just trying to keep my head above the water.

Can I just say?

It is much better to be just responsible for sitting and playing the piano than to be the Primary President the last rehearsal before the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation! I don't miss that stress at all! It is stressful enough just worrying and praying that I will hit the right notes...

Today is Kenney's birthday too. We sang her Happy Birthday this morning while all the kids were eating their cereal.

The choir sang prelude music and a special musical number today. I sure wish I could get some more singers...

After church, we had our tradition of grilled cheese. Then, Chris, Lauklan and I headed to Old Southern Bank in downtown Orlando to get the office furniture that we purchased in the auction. That was a WAY BIGGER job than we thought.

We finally got back to Mount Dora about dark and Chris and I unloaded all of the stuff that we could get off the truck. The fire-proof filing cabinet that we purchased was too much for me to handle and one portion of the desk we purchased so they will have to wait until tomorrow when Chris can get some help from another male. I tried though...

Dad and Kenney left around 7. I was glad that we got to spend time with them this past weekend. It had been too long.

Shop till you drop

Kenney, Alyssa, Kerstyn and I went to the Mall at Millenia today. We ate lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and then did some looking around at the mall. After that, we went to Nordstrom Rack where I did some serious damage to that store. Kerstyn got two outfits for church and some shoes. It is very difficult to buy age appropriate dress clothing for her since she is bigger than me and her foot is a size 10! Anyway, we were semi-successful.

After all that shopping, it was time to eat again and we ate at Moe's. Apparently it is one of Alyssa's favorite places to eat. I had never eaten there before, but it was quite tasty.

We arrived home after 8 and were just exhausted. Chris and Dad survived the day with all the other kids. I know they were glad to see us again though.

Family Picnic with Greyson and Lauklan

I ran off from the office a few minutes late and went through the McDonald's drive-thru as quickly as possible. I arrived at Round Lake a few minutes late, but Greyson was sitting with Mrs. Vallee patiently and he was pleasantly surprised to see me with a Mighty Kids Meal just for him.

About 30 minutes later, Greyson and I went down and met Lauklan and then sat on a blanket with Suzy and Trevor Bell while Lauklan enjoyed his Mighty Kids meal. Mrs. Bell was kind enough to snap this picture of the three of us.

Dad, Kenney and Alyssa arrived around 5 this afternoon and got the tour of the new office. We're looking forward to a nice weekend together. To start it off right, Dad, Kenney, Chris and I went to dinner at Cracker Barrel while Janie kept the kids. Nice!

Even warmer

I had a rough day yesterday. I started stressing and was just feeling like Eeyore. It wasn't pretty. I even started back up with the chest pains. But, today is a new day. And, we also received another beautiful floral arrangement for the office!

This beautiful arrangement was sent to us by Robert F. Vason's office. That is the office that Chris initially worked for. I thought it was so sweet of them and when I called to thank them, they expressed how happy they are for us.

To top it off, Chris called me on his way back to the office before lunch to see if I wanted to go to lunch with him. I couldn't say "yes" fast enough.

This day is DEFINITELY better than yesterday. Whew!

Office warming

Chris and I received this gorgeous plant arrangement this morning from the florist! I cried! Thank you very much Mom and Dad!This day is crazy, but we're here and it will be great. The office is beautiful and we feel so blessed.

Finished office and we're in!

Progress!

Medium sized conference room
Small conference room

Large conference room with pedastals for the granite conference room table that is being made. It should be gorgeous!
Waiting room

Another waiting room shot.

My office

The kitchen with 2 of our employees.

Client restroom

Chris in his office just working away.

Watch out world! ;)

The moving has begun!

We started having the office moved today. Mary was at the new office all day and I was back and forth. This is seriously stressful, but I know it will be worth it.

Keep tuned for pictures and updates.

Almost in!

We're moving in this weekend. It is so exciting and stressful at the same time!

I know this purchase is a blessing. I know it makes Chris happy, therefore I am happy.

Good things will come.

Aislinn lost a tooth!

My baby has lost a tooth! I guess my 'babies' are growing up. I have mixed feelings about that.

STRESS!

I made it to cycle class today. I had a crazy busy day. This was kinda how it went.

I overslept by 25 minutes. Not good since I don't give myself much room in my rushed morning schedule.

I got the elementary kids to school, went to the dry cleaners and picked up and dropped off.

I took the middle schoolers to school.

Went to work.

Ran to the banks to make deposits for the firm.

Stopped at Publix to buy over $200.00 of groceries, which is about normal.

Took those groceries home, put them away, worked on the laundry and rushed back to the office for a few minutes.

Picked up the elementary kids. Rushed doing some homework with the elementary kids and then stopped off at the gym to get my bike for cycle class.

Picked up the middle schoolers and took them home. Finished homework with the kids that had it and folded laundry.

Changed clothes for the gym, got all the kids loaded back up and headed to the gym. Called Janie to make sure that she could get Brennan to the church after taking Kerstyn to piano because I found out at the last minute that Brennan had a scout activity tonight.

Arrived at the gym to cycle. Cycled my heart out and developed some chest pains.

Continued with chest pains as I stopped at the office to go over the punch list.

Took the kids home, bathed the ones that needed help. Cooked dinner. Had family prayer and got the kids in bed.

Realized that I am seriously stressed out. I have never experienced chest pains before. Guess I'm not as young as I used to be.

I can make it. Right?

Coming back

Chris and I flew out of Salt Lake around 10 this morning. On the plane with us were about 6 more members of our Stake. That was pretty cool. We arrived in Orlando around 4:30 and Chris and I decided to go have dinner before we went back home.

Once we arrived home, a little before 8, we visited with the kids and learned about all the weekend happenings for them. Thanks to Grandma, they were all safe and sound.

Aislinn even lost a tooth this past weekend, her first. The boys constructed a fort and climbed some trees. All was well and we feel blessed.

Now for a crazy week of getting ready to move this office! I sure hope I survive!

General Conference, Day 2

Chris and I left Orem at 6 a.m. We arrived in the standby line a little before 7 and were standing in the standby line until about 9:35. We were thinking that we would be able to get into conference in the standby line. However, about 9:35, they ushered us to the Theater and we watched conference from there. So, we were at the conference center, but not "in" the conference center.

This afternoon, we sat in the Terrace level, which is where I took this picture from. The seats were pretty good, not as good as the seats we had yesterday morning, but it was in the conference center, so we certainly weren't going to complain.

After the last session, we went up to Bountiful to have cake and ice cream for Hayden, one of my cousin David Wade's boys then we went back down to Orem where we had a nice dinner with Gail and David then we were all off to bed.

General Conference, Day 1

Words can not express how wonderful today was!

We sat about 8 rows away from the pulpit in the morning session and we were in the balconly in the afternoon session. I must admit that sitting that close to the pulpit was purely amazing. The spirit was so strong and Chris and I both feel very blessed that we were there to attend this wonderful conference in person.

We can't wait for tomorrow!

Family fun

Last night, we met Grandma and Uncle Ricky at Lampu. Greyson had initially picked Cici's but changed his mind to Lampu at the last minute.

I left with Chris this afternoon and went to his hearings that he had scheduled in Orlando. Following the hearings, we went to the airport and left for Salt Lake City at 6. We landed there around 8:30 their time and then drove south to Orem. We're excited for General Conference this weekend. It is a much needed spiritual recharge!