a task

it's been More than a month! A whole entire month!! Man- I am not getting better at this.

Today we were all sick, so we stayed home from church and well, vegged. We played a lot of games, made a lot of messes and surfed a lot on the internet.
We decided to not make it all a loss, so Cory and Aly created a lesson for the family so that we can say we had something spiritually uplifting today.
Two minutes into the lesson, I looked at Cory and said " We could be a skit on SNL" the kids were all over the place. Cory was reading a scripture, Kady was playing musical chairs jumping from seat to seat. Spencer was yelling at her, Aly was doing some skipping routine off to the side, and Chandler, well Chandler was trying hard to listen but the sounds of the other kids were bothering him so he was nodding his head with his hands covering his ears, not covering his ears, covering his ears.

It was hard to not start in with our favorite lines from some of our favorite skits. Man, we got so off track. It wasn't all for not. We only had two kids walk off mad and then come back. I think they did get something from it and not just the cookies.
Cory is usually out of town on Monday's so I have been holding FHE on my own with the kids. Cory's final comment tonight, was "well, that wasn't productive" Just so you know- they are almost always this way, sometimes better, sometimes worse. We probably get a gold star just for the effort though. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

I went through almost 6,000 photos today. Every year we create photo calendars as a gift for all the grandparents. We are a little late getting this one going this year, but it appears they will still be on time. :) I can hardly believe that I have taken that many photos of just my kids in one year. There were some days of downloads that I had to sort through 400 - 700 photos. Crazy.
We had it narrowed down to just the final 150. Then down to 53. We're getting closer. Cory promises to work on them this week- thank you Vista Print :)

Here are some of the latest photos that I took this last week on our snow days.

Playing around with my new toy

I haven't figured it out at all. There is way to much to do and not enough time yet. Here are some quickie shots while playing around. I need to re figure some settings- but it has been way too long since I have posted pictures- so here you go.

Nooshie- post head trauma accident.
He calls the staples in his head Screws- but oh well.

Kady- enjoying playing outside with this beautiful weather we have been having.

Chandler and Kady playing together outside. A Kind of love that every parent wishes for.

Aly- our little girl that acts as though she was born in front of the camera.
Oh wait, she was. That explains a lot. :)

Meet Chandler
AKA Jack O'Lantern.

Chandler lost another tooth. We have been teasing him that we should have painted his face orange for Halloween and that he just needs to smile. :)

Chandler's Baptism

Chandler was baptized today- and what a great day! I can hardly believe our oldest is eight. Time flies by way too fast. We are so proud of the choices he is making, way to go Chan! Grandma came from Washington to share this with us and we are so glad she did, we are having a lot of fun.

Grandma also convinced me to make the girls costumes for Halloween instead of buy the pre-made ones at the store.
So glad I did- they are just so cute. I never thought a witch would be so fun- thanks Grandma!
I'll post pictures later this week- after we wear them. :)

Catch up

okay- so "it's in the mail" really means something to us this week. $$$$. :) Yay!

Grandma is coming from Washington for Chandler's Baptism and she's going to be here for the next 5 days!! even more yay!

None of my kids have the swine flu (yet)

Halloween is almost here

and Halloween is almost over. Dentist appointments are scheduled for the first week in November.

Fall is playing tricks on us- is it cold, is it warm? what ever happened to something in between?

Chandler looks ADORABLE in his glasses. Shhh, don't tell him I used the word adorable.

Kady is walking around the house doing silly things and saying "LOOK!"
So awesome when the baby learns to talk- it's when they turn 3 we wish they would shut up for a while.

Spencer has done something by "accident" every day, and then claims he did it on purpose.
So honest.

My Washington Driver's License expires early next month and I have to get one from Iowa now. Does that mean after living here for 2 years I'm officially "One of them?"

I picked up the Iowa drivers manual to study, because when I took the free online practice test- I failed. Miserably. Twice.
Apparently I must be a bad driver since I can't manage to pass a written test. so don't ever accept a ride from me. Geesh!

Cory's work is going well- we are officially in business for ourselves, and by we I mean he. He travels about 3 days a week- every week and I so look forward to a relief pitcher by the time he gets home. It is also about this time that I have finally caught up on laundry for the week and he dumps more on me. Gotta love that job.

Chandler is getting baptized this weekend- we are so happy for him and the choices he has made. Saturday, 10/24- 10am at the chapel.

going private

In an effort to protect our family's privacy online from unknown lurkers, we have made the decision to make this blog by invitation only. You must have permission from us in order to see our updates. I will be sending out emails to those we know (and for the emails we have). If you want to continue to see our mundane stories of daily life and occasional funnies- and you do not receive an email from us within the next couple of days- please email us with your email address.

I know this may come as a shock- but have you seen how cute our kids are?? :)

To see more clearly

It is no secret that Chan struggles in school. He does very well in mathematics, but with reading and writing they can easily frustrate him and send him into a meltdown.
He has been placed in a Behavior Disorder program at school because of this. C and I are not pleased with this decision and we have been making the school re-evaluate him from numerous specialist just to get their opinion on his placement. We believe that while he is in the BD program, he is learning more bad behaviors that otherwise he never would have tried. He is missing out on the routines and friendships that are being set in his general education classroom and it is because of their opinion that he would disrupt the class, that they do not want him to be with them.

This is frustrating for us and we work hard every day to help Chan make good choices so that he can be in a classroom with his friends and learning what they are.

During our last round of meetings with Chan's special teachers it was brought to our attention that he does not cross the center meridian of his body when he does work. He favors his right side. So when he writes or draws, the paper has to be to the right of his center. If you move the paper to his left and tell him he cannot move the paper, he will pause and think about it, then he moves his entire body to accommodate his center and right side. It is interesting to see the way he maneuvers his papers to accomplish this. Something like this could have easily gone overlooked for ever, but with the experience of one teacher, it did not. It was also pointed out to us, that while Reading and Writing frustrate Chan, it may simply be a vision problem and not a skills problem. It is amazing to me, that no one (including ourselves) has ever thought of this.
He gets frustrated easily when reading a book. He can read each word if you cover up everything around it and he can read usually one line of a few words at a time, but to leave him a whole page of words- he gets mad and will refuse to do anything.
An incident that occurred to make this teacher aware of a possible problem, was that he would lay his head down on his desk to try and see the page better. Many others, including myself just assumed this was his way of quitting, when in fact he was simply trying to get a better angle and see if the words became recognizable to him.

Heartbroken. The only word I can think of when I think that a problem that has plagued us for about 3 years could possibly be something so simple.

I scheduled an eye exam for Chan with a specialist (not just his pediatrician). Chan was reluctant at first, but he let his eyes be dilated. The rest of the what should have been a 15 minute exam was a long pleading for 30. "please, open your eyes" was repeated way too many times.

It was discovered that in fact Chan does need glasses. He has astigmatism in both eyes, along with a sightedness problem. It was not made clear to me near or far, as the doctor was clearly ready to be finished with Chan. We have been ordered glasses and will receive them this week.

I feel good thinking that this could change a lot for him at school. I only wish that we would have done something sooner.

Finally.

That's it.
Just a sigh and finally.

C is officially back to work. The best part. His office is in our house. Well, he may not appreciate that as much as I do. He is working for himself. He has a few clients (enough to pay the bills) and things are looking up. These past three months have been hard, faith trying and a little depressing at times.

I have found that while most stay at home mom's like having their husbands around, they still like their routine and space during the day. I don't quite feel that way. I enjoy every moment he is here. Even if he is too busy to talk, or watch a movie with me. Just having him here is like having a cherry on top of your favorite ice cream. But not the Maraschino Cherries because those are disgusting.

There is some travel involved, but that is something I am okay with. It is the sacrifice we make for being able to stay living where we are now, keeping the kids grounded.

The amount of faith it has taken these past few months has been more intense than I have ever had. I can honestly say that through this financial trial, this might be the first time that I didn't just do enough to get by. I worked harder, prayed more, and leaned on Christ more than I ever had. All the while keeping an outlook that I normally would not have. Hope.
I feel confident and am pleased with my attitude during these last three months. Now if I could only find out if that was enough to get me a free pass through any future trials. :)

To my dearest neglected blog:

Dear Blog,
First I want to say, it's not you. It's me. I hope we can still be friends, though.

September was a bummer. No good news to report. Life was mundane and unexciting.
One post. So Sad. For you, I mean. Really, what does it take to be more neglected and unnoticed than having no one care. You have hit rock bottom and I am afraid that there may be nothing I can do to save you. I might try, but that would involve some sort of effort and honestly- It's now October and I don't know if I want to put forth the effort, or if I would just rather enjoy the cold, windy, rainy dark cloud weather that has found its way to the armpit of nothingness. And by nothingness, I mean Iowa. Maybe this is just another excuse for the affair I have been having with Facebook, but let's be honest. It has more of what I want.

You have been a good way for me to vent, but I've lost my flow. I've lost the passion. The fire between us left along time ago and I am willing to work at this to try and make it better, but I can't do this alone. You have just sort of sat there and been unimpressive and boring and seriously, I'm gonna need more from you too.
Starting today, I'm going to bookmark you again. I know, this is a big step for me. See, I am trying. Let's do this together. More blogging the good times and a little bit of positive word flow. No more brain blocks and idiotic attempts of something sassy or funny. Just the real deal and happy endings. Nothing made up- the real stuff.

I appreciate your attempt at helping me, but I was looking for a more meaningful relationship with something other than my own mind. Sad- for you, not me. I have really great friends and a supportive family. So great in fact - it has led to your neglect. I'm a bad blogger. my smooth moves and fast typing have all but dried up. But like I said, I will try to give it another go, if you'll have me back.
So what do you say?
Are we good?

Let's just take this slow at first, I don't want to rush this.

I still love you, just not like I used to. (We'll work on that too.)

Love,
your sister from another mister.

it's about time

no, we haven't fallen off the face of the earth, although there are days when that sounds like more fun....

Its been a rough go for us. So we are trying to see the positive in it all. We have decided to keep our faith and be thankful for what we do have. Wonderful Friends and family who love us and support us. A house over our head and food to eat.

And, well I think that's it. Aside from being tempted to sell everything we own just to feel like we are actually doing something, things are good.

The kids are all back in school. KD misses them so much during the day. When we arrived home the other day, she screamed for joy and wouldn't stop clapping- seriously, so cute.
I would have taken some pictures or video for you to see- but this post is going to be picture less. My Camera has finally taken a nose dive and is in the crap shoot. Yep, I just said crap shoot.
(It will not acknowledge me changing any settings, so anything I take is blurry. YUCK!)

I have decided that if nothing changes for C on the job this week- I will return to the work force to make pennies compared to my love, but something is most certainly better than nothing. I have decided to see what is out there right now, and thinking maybe I would just stick it out in retail for a while until C's comes through (in case we have to move) and realized that even Target only has cart collector positions open. This is going to be harder than I thought.

I re-did my resume today.
Um, I'm not sure what is more sad, my work history, or acknowledging that I might be a perfect fit at Target collecting carts.
I haven't worked in over 5 years. I have forgotten how to even write a resume and the one I used to use- well, it's like 9 years old. I'm in over my head I think.

I also applied for SSI for Chan today. That's a process. Thankfully, I have learned to save every scrap of paper for his diagnosis. Every doctor ever seen, when we saw them last, what they said, and what they had for breakfast. Okay, maybe not the breakfast part. :) I spent two hours online just filling out the application, then we have to print it, sign it and mail it in. Then wait 3-5 months for an answer.

I think I have lost my sense of humor for awhile. And without a sense of humor- less blogging. Because if you can't laugh at yourself, then you don't deserve to share it with everyone else who will.

This last Sunday (Fast Sunday) after Sacrament, the kids were all in their places, except for KD, and I had gone into to nursery to hang out for a few minutes. C had expressed to me that he was starving and that he might go get something to eat. I snarled at him, like a good wife and let him be.
When I returned from the nursery, I was genuinely shocked that my dearest was still sitting in the foyer like a good boy. I was giving him praise, when he asked if I wanted to go get Sonic with him. I hesitated, for like 13 seconds before we casually got up and walked out.
It was sooo good. Technically, we didn't break our fast. (we didn't start one for medical) so we're good, but shhhh, it's a secret. We got back to the last class after it started. KD was still eating a tater tot and I scooted into the last row next to a friend. She saw the tot and then quoted the ever so funny line from Napoleon Dynamite. We quietly laughed.
Oh, how irreverent we were. She asked if we had just gone to Culvers, I smiled and said Sonic. She was upset that she was always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Oh- How I love the girls in our ward. I am sure I could have found a half dozen of them willing to do this small act of breaking the sabbath, but don't tell anyone.

While waiting in the drive thru at Sonic, C began to joke about how God would punish him for this. He used a voice and said "So, C tell me about the time that you skipped church on a fast Sunday and went and got Sonic?" We laughed, (probably another note we will have to explain in Heaven.) Then sarcastically C commented that of all the things that God would bring up, this probably would not be the first thing.

Thank goodness.

So, here's to a better week- a blessing of a new job, and to health.

Tooth Fairy: Imaginary or real?

The tooth fairy is very much real in our house right now. Chan has lost 2 teeth in less than a week and is on his way to lose two more very loose teeth.

The best part was Chan's comment that was ever so mindful of our situation: "Good thing the tooth fairy pays me, because you guys don't have any money."

um, yeah. good thing.

Happy Birthday BEANS!

SIX!!! We can hardly believe how fast they grow.
We Love you Beans!

Table Top Dancer???

Not a term I was ever hoping one of our girls would have us use to explain their behavior- but in fact it is true.

I cannot say that I am all that disappointed, it has provided endless amounts of entertainment in our house and well, she's good at it :)

KD has discovered the art of climbing. She has yet to master pulling the chair out by herself, but if you leave your chair pulled away from the table- then lets hope you have at least cleared your plate.... or she will.
No less than 4 times a day we are scooping our talented little girl up off the table and putting her back on the floor. She will dance, sing, or clap once she has arrived at the top of the table and she is so proud of herself.
Earlier today, when I came in to the dining room, found KD on the table. Before I could pull her off, she reached for Nooshies sippy cup and off the table she went. I looked at her. She looked at me. She was laying on her back- didn't cry. Then she turned over, grabbed the sippy, started to suck and got up and walked away, like it was no big deal. Mission accomplished.

Earlier this morning I found her on the table- eating other kids leftover french toast and drinking a cup. A closer look revealed the cup was the little one that was full of syrup. Too late. She was now drenched from head to toe in syrup.

I guess as long as she is only looking for table scraps instead of tips- we'll be okay.
Thanks for keeping us on our toes little girl!

The picture shows proof of her rummaging with the syrup mess to her right and part of Nooshies lunch to her left. :)

First day of School

Introducing Mr. Smarty Pants and his sister, Teacher's Pet!!


First day of school at their cute school in our little town in the armpit of a Midwest state.
Ahhh, have I ever told you how much we like it here (just a tad bit of sarcasm)

Our days are now filled with just one child at home. C embarking on a new adventure, and me attempting to pack the house (does thinking about packing count??)

Life- still good.

A little more faith required, a little less pride intact- a new year, a new direction- Cheers to 2009- 2010 school year!

just in case you missed us...

We're Back!

We had a great time on Vacation and really enjoyed our time in the NW.

Home is not necessarily where you live- it is where ever YOU are.

Chillin

With my peeps in the Couve- be back soon.

And by peeps, I mean my mom, my sarcastic and hilarious brothers and sisters and all of their children. Life is good.

I really like living in Iowa, but I was sure that coming back to the Northwest would make me wanna move back here. And while a little bit of me does want to live here, the other bits of me cannot get over how BROWN everything is in the "Evergreen" state. My mom has been reminding me that it is only temporary and come September it will be green again. I am just having a hard time getting over how disgustingly ugly brown is for a color of grass.

The weather has been very summery here. high 90's. perfect. They are of course complaining as Iowa has been holding the cooler summer weather hostage, but I am sure the Northwest will get it back soon.

No pictures yet. They will come and I will share- but later. :)

Quality Family Time

Author Unkown

Adversity is not a punishment, but rather a blessing, for it is through adversity that we become strong.

This week

Washable paint on the couch- only to wash it and find out it is not so washable.

Walked to the neighborhood park so the kids can play -only to be told, they are still bored.

Washed the dishes, only to realize I have to wash them again after we eat again

Dreamt of a vacation and time away from the kids only to wake up in my own bed

Wanted to go for a walk every day, but ate a milky way bar instead

Weening myself off of caffeine- now I have a caffeine headache.

mmmmm, caffeine :)

Bribed the two year old to go potty on the toilet, only to cave and give him the bribe even when he doesn't go.

Swept the kitchen floor only to have the baby dump a box of cereal all over it. Then have the rest of the kids step on it.

A nosy women at the fast food joint tried conversing with me. She was trying to figure out if a parent just dropped their kids off in the play area and left because it appeared that there were too many kids for the amount of adults. I proudly told her that my friend and I brought 8 of them. Not sure why she asked, Beans was wearing a shirt that said "Mormon girl in pursuit of perfection"

Bought a pair of squeaky sandals for KD only to have the squeaky part fall out within 3 hours after getting them. Now they don't squeak.

Told the kids to be quiet because KD was put to bed. When we asked the kids why they were still being loud after we told them to be quiet, we were met with: "I didn't know you put KD to bed" then proceeded to be loud. Again.

Wanted to curl my hair only to remember my curling iron broke last week. So I put it in a pony tail. Again.

Heard the kids say a lot of funny things that I wanted to put on the blog. I have forgotten everyone of them.

Dreamt of a new hair style. And some new hair.

Decided to update the blog only to Procrastinate 3 more days.

Wishing C had the day off tomorrow so that I could sleep in, take a longer shower, ignore the children and not feel bad about it, and have him make dinner:)

Had my husband ask me get off the computer so that he could show me the results of a quiz he took on Facebook.

Forgot we were 12.

ok- I'm done.

Randomness...ess...ess

Berry is here for the next month and she brought the Northwest weather with her!!

I love the rain and the cool weather. Thanks Berry!

Beans and Berry hanging out at the museum.

KD Shaking hands with the Kangaroo at the museum

Chan and his friend Pickles at what I can only assume was their favorite exhibit??

Noosh- Our lean, mean and super green machine! He is now insisting on wearing something green everyday! A perfect day would be everything to be green.

Beans and her fashion sense?

She kicked her shoes off too fast- but it honestly was the best part of her outfit. Pink, blue and red striped long sleeve dress with BRIGHT green socks and purple glitter shoes in 80 degree weather. She must get it from her dad:)

Happy Fourth of July!

It's been raining today, but that's okay.

Hamburgers, corn on the cob, homemade potato salad, root beer floats and quality time with the ones we love the most. What a perfect day!

Happy Fourth of July from Iowa!!