Thanksgiving 2011

We spent our first Thanksgiving holiday ALONE as a family. It was a complete success. I don't want to brag or anything, but my turkey was unbelievable... it was flavorful and practically fell off the bone. Black Friday shopping (although I was so sad to go alone when all my sisters were shopping together in Utah) was so.much.fun! I literally got EVERYTHING I wanted in about 3 hours. Yes, I was tired the next day, but all my shopping is done. We aren't getting our kids very much this year, but what we did get, they are going to love. Zero video games and zero flat screen tvs. electronics are overrated, in my opinion.

We spent the majority of our weekend playing games, putting up Christmas decorations, eating pie, playing croquet at the park, laughing together, having dance parties, walking the dog, hiking, cooking and praying our hearts out for my sweet little niece, Kennedy.

My amazing brother, Tim, lives in Michigan with his wife and two cute girls. They were visiting my older sister and her family in Atlanta this weekend. On Friday afternoon, three year old Kennedy fell in the backyard pool (the pool was being drained and only had about 2 feet of water). Her mom, who is an example to me in so many ways, knew that something was wrong and went searching for Kennedy. She found her face down in the water. When they pulled her out, she was lifeless and blue-- no breathing, no heartbeat... she was gone. No one knows how long she was in the water. My brother was able to perform CPR on his baby girl and after 4 minutes, she coughed up water. She was life-flighted to the hospital and has been in the NICU ever since. She is now breathing, eating, talking and almost back to her old 3 year old spunky self. This is an absolute miracle. There is no doubt in my mind that prayer works and that God is aware of each of us in our greatest time of need. My faith has been strengthened and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for each of my family members, especially for our sweet little children. Life is so precious.

We are all doing fabulously well. Aaron's new job is great. Roma is chunking up nicely and we are nibbling on her fat rolls. Ben and Luke enjoyed the break from school, but are excited to go back tomorrow. Zack is still a total SPAZ and keeps us in stitches. Simon is giving us a run for our money and probably won't slow down anytime soon. I am feeling incredibly blessed. I have been given so much.

I wish I had more time to blog, but at this stage, it's more important for me to be living life than to be writing about it. Happy Thanksgiving. Love to you all.

career woman

When I was a little girl, I truly believed I was going to change the world. I wanted to become a writer, broadcast journalist and/or politician. The world needed strong, capable women, and I knew I was strong and capable.

Of course, I wanted to be a mother, too. But that would have to come after I had graduated from college and moved into the White House. It wasn't until I had my first baby that I realized that motherhood was my calling. There was nothing more important, more influential than rocking babies to sleep, reading stories and singing lullabies.

My baby girl is 6 weeks old. If I was a career woman, my maternity leave would be over and I would be back at the office. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home-mom. It's difficult and draining at times, but it's my dream job.

This week, Roma started smiling. Her smiles are quick and fleeting and she only offers them up a couple of times per day. But when she smiles, my whole world lights up. It's a better paycheck than anything I could earn outside the home.

My dreams of becoming a best-selling author or first female President have been replaced with smaller, obtainable goals. Today I hope to put away all the clean laundry, make a wholesome dinner for my family and take a shower. These goals may seem simple and pathetic to big-time career women, but I feel content, fulfilled and truly happy.

I will spend the next 20+ years trying to raise a strong, capable and confident little girl because we need more of them. And this is exactly how I can change the world.

mellow monday

our long weekend is over and life with a routine is back in session. Zack and Roma are feeling a bit under the weather and they are sleeping. Simon is busy playing with blocks but 20 minutes ago, he was putting "stickers" on in the bathroom... I ran to the car to get the camera and when I came back, he was at the top of the stairs saying, "cheese!"

Our weekend was a fantastically busy one. Thursday we spent out and about. Friday we stayed indoors. We SOCIALIZED all day! One of the biggest issues with homeschooling is "socialization". It was the topic that everyone asked me about.. But since being in school, I've realized that what my kids miss MOST about being in school is not being able to play with their friends. Yes, they do play at recess and they have PE twice a week, but they don't get to socialize like they used to. Having friends over just doesn't happen anymore. So Friday I told the kids to each pick a friend and we'd have a party. Well, their friends each have siblings and we love them too, so a party of 8 quickly turned into a party of 15. (thankfully not all were on the trampoline at the same time.)

It sounds a lot crazier than it was. The kids played and played and played and I was in the kitchen making bread and soup and goodies. At the end of three hours of play, 8 loaves of banana bread were out of the oven, two big pots of soup were simmering, and the kitchen was spotless.

After lunch, the three oldest boys went to a party with homeschooling friends while Simon, Roma and I took a long nap. Friday night was date night and the kids were THRILLED to go play at another friends house (party, party, party!) while Aaron and I did some early Christmas shopping.

The next day was SOUPER SATURDAY for our Relief Society. Roma and I spent the morning at the church making fun Christmas crafts!!! The event was so organized and fun. I absolutely LOVE the women in my ward. Roma was pretty grumpy (she didn't sleep much the night before) but I was able to get all my projects done because there were so many friends willing to hold my fussy baby. It's so therapeutic for me to be socializing with MY friends and being able to do something creative at the same time. Gurl power!!

When I came home from Super Saturday, Aaron and the boys were rearranging bedrooms. We've been talking about moving Ben and Luke downstairs for a while now (all FOUR boys have been in the same bedroom since the baby was born) but we just haven't had the time to do it. I just LOVE when my big strong boys are able to do all the work for me. Zack and Simon now share a queen bed upstairs and Ben and Luke are downstairs. They are excited about having their own room.

Saturday night Ben and Luke went to a late-night birthday party in Blue Diamond... Aaron and I took the three littles shopping. Everyone would see us with three kids and say, "you have your hands full" or "you finally got your girl" and we would smile thinking they don't even know the half of it. Truth is, we do have our hands full when Ben and Luke aren't with us. They are such big helpers, it's easier having 5 kids than 3. At the end of our date on Saturday night, Roma was partied out. Poor little thing was so congested. She didn't sleep at all that night and every time I fed her, I had to squeegee out her little nose. Zack went to sleep early and woke up Sunday feeling sick too. So we stayed home from church and tried to get better. There are so many germs going around and this time of year is the worst for catching bugs!!

Last night Aaron and I made the final decision to STAY HOME for Thanksgiving... which was not part of the plans. We're super bummed about it and won't know what to do all by ourselves! But after a long successful weekend at home together, I am counting down the days until Thanksgiving break... plans or no plans! Until then I will be concentrating on keeping my kiddies warm, clean and fed. That's not an easy task, but it's not so bad when they're this cute...

6 weeks old

worthwhile.

On Monday, while the baby was asleep, the two little boys and I turned on Christmas music. We danced to our traditional homemade Holiday CD and ended up listening to "the hippopotamus song" over and over and over. A flood of emotions came over me as we danced to this song. Every year, since my boys were babies, we've listened to this same CD. We've made a million memories with this music in the background. We've put together winter puzzles together, had hot chocolate by the fire, decorated the house with garland, cut snowflakes to this very song. If we made a soundtrack for the best moments in our lives, this song would be on it.

It's amazing how music can draw such deep emotions out of you-- feelings you didn't even know where there. I excused myself from the dance floor and went into the bathroom to breathe. I didn't want to start sobbing, but I missed my older boys. We were having a "moment" and they were missing it. How am I going to get through the Christmas season without doing our favorite traditions together? I decided to call my husband because he's my therapist. He always seems to say the right thing... When I got off the phone, I felt so much better. He reminded me that Ben and Luke had Thursday and Friday as vacation days at school. I could get through a couple of days and then we would be together for a looooong weekend. So I planned for the best.weekend.ever.

Yesterday was the first day of our looooong weekend. We woke up to all five kids in our bed. It was heavenly. We stayed in our pajamas until 10 am. We played games, took our time getting ready, laughed at the baby's silly faces, cleaned up a little and then headed out for an adventure. We met Daddy for a lunch date at California Pizza Kitchen. It was crowded with yuppies and we stood out like seven sore thumbs. I could see people counting our kids as we sat down and several asked if they were all ours. Yep. We claim each and every one. We had a great meal together. Simon managed to spill his apple juice with the lid on (?) but that was our only mishap. By the end of the meal, anyone who walked passed complimented us on our well-behaved kids. Even the woman who gave us the stink-eye when we were first seated next to her table. Unfortunately, Daddy had to go back to work after lunch, but we will take what we can get. It was SO nice being out together as a family. We don't get enough of that these days.

After saying goodbye to Dad, the boys and I walked around Town Square. Town Square is a beautiful outdoor mall with a playground in the middle. We spent over 3 hours there, going in and out of shops, eating cream puffs in the courtyard, talking to strangers about our little baby girl, and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I loved not having anywhere to be! This is what I dearly miss now that my kids are in public school!

We walked back to the car and found that Daddy had left a nice note on the dashboard of our van. He wrote that he loved being out together as a family and that he loved almost everything about me. Ben read it outloud and wanted to know what he doesn't love about me. I explained that it's an inside joke between Daddy and me. When we were "just friends" I told him that I loved almost everything about him and he's never forgotten it. The boys asked more questions about our dating/engagement, which led to stories about when they joined the family. It was such a wonderful drive home. I looked at them through the rear-view mirror of my minivan EVERY seat was full! I love each of these children and I am so grateful they are mine. They are such blessings in my life.

When we got home, we put the babies to sleep and played cards. We made dinner together, walked the dog and got ready for Daddy to come home from work. The first day of "vacation" was a complete success. No homework to do, no one else's agenda to fulfill, no rigid schedule to follow. It was a perfectly beautiful day.

After the kids were tucked snugly in the beds, Aaron and I stayed up late talking. I ended up shedding a few tears, but not out of sadness. If I had it my way, my boys would be homeschooled for always, but I am grateful for the lessons I have learned while they've been "away". I am less likely to take them for granted and more likely to treasure the time I have with my boys who are still at home. And our family time is that much more important and sacred. Saturdays have become THE ONLY day we can be together anymore and we've tried our best not to let anyone or anything split us up. These kids are only going to be here for a short time and we'd better start making the most of it before it's over! The days are very long but the months and years fly by....

I have pictures to add of our adventures together yesterday, but my baby is ready to eat and I must go. Before I do, I wanted to link a video that captures my feelings on the role that we play as mothers and explains them more beautiful than I can do myself. Nadia says on motherhood, "You'll never do anything more worthwhile in your life." I agree with her 110%. Take a minute to watch it HERE.

halloween school party

Ben and Luke had a class party at their school and they were so excited to show off their basketball baby. This is a picture of the students and teachers in their entire school (along with a few siblings who came to the party as well.)

I wish I could record a daily "adjustment to public school" update, but I just don't have the time because we're busy doing homework :) Overall, it's been an incredibly easy adjustment. We LOVE the school, we LOVE visiting the little town & donkeys on a daily basis and we LOVE the family we carpool with. I feel so blessed it's been such a great experience for everyone. Ben and Luke have yet to complain about a single thing. They are such great boys and are still the best of friends. Zack is looking forward to attending 1st grade in Blue Diamond next year.

After the party at school, we stopped by Sam's Club to get a few items for our trick-or-treating party in the neighborhood. I honestly wanted to run in and out (because we had things to do!) but because the kids were in costume, everyone wanted to stop and chat... and a dozen people asked to take pictures of our little Roma-ball. We literally spent 2 hours in that store!! By the time we paid for our 10 items, it was 5:00 pm and the kids were starving. We decided to stay and eat pizza there. Lesson learned-- do not go shopping in costume if you're in a hurry..

it's been a long day.... I wish I had time to do things that I WANT to do, but with a two year old and a newborn, I am barely surviving around here. We had a little party for Simon tonight. We made pizza and he was super jived about the presents he opened from the dollar store. We sang happy birthday and he blew out his big 2 candle on his Elmo cake. when the lights came on after the song, I kind of felt like crying. Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful for our family and I just adore my little 2 year old........ but I am so.darn.tired! Dishes were everywhere and the boys were hyper on sugar and I just wanted to push the mute button. where is a magic wand that will make your house spotless when you need it?

Instead of crying, I stood up to load the dishes in the dishwasher. my husband followed me to the sink, turned me around, gave me a big hug and said two things. 1st: "You're doing a great job." and second, "This day is almost over." Then he announced that the girls have to go upstairs and cuddle in bed and the boys have to clean up the kitchen.

i love my life... but mostly because I married the right guy.

two

This big boy is TWO today.

Simon wants to do EVERYTHING himself. He is a tough guy and can wrestle and jump on the tramp with the big boys. He talks and talks and talks all day long. He will follow me around and repeat every word I say... unless Aaron is home, then he becomes Daddy's little shadow. We've been calling him Peter the last week because you can't say anything without him repeating it. Simon Peter sounds pretty righteous!

He is such a handsome, confident, athletic and determined little boy. His eyelash have always been a topic of discussion when we're out in public. They're truly amazing. He is friendly and charming and will say hello to anyone we pass at the grocery store. He knows he's two and says it proudly-- his kissable lips come out as he says it. Too bad he wouldn't look at the camera for me. He was too busy coloring!

He has been talking about making an Elmo cake for several days... yesterday in church, he pulled out the Hymn book, opened it up, pointed to a few words and read, "I turn two. I make a Elmo birthday cake." And then because we all laughed, he repeated it about a hundred times... We are going to have a low-key FHE tonight with a homemade Elmo cake to boot! It doesn't take much to make this two year old happy!

Anyone who wishes him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY gets a big smile and a "Happy Birthday Cake" response instead of a thank you. We also LOVE to hear him say, "Good Day, Hun." when he leaves the room pretending to go to "work". He has been such a delight (and such a handful) these past two years.

Happy Birthday Cake, SyGuy. We love you!

Halloween 2011

I have way too many pictures of our Halloween events that I totally feel stressed about giving a recap, but I am just going to do a little and maybe add more later... ? You can't eat an elephant in just one bite.

We had an absolute BALL this year. Our costumes were a hit! I made them (mostly) before the baby was born. I bought 5 yards of blue jersey net and 4 yards of red striped fabric at JoAnn's. I think I spent $30 total... and then another $15 on our sweatbands. A friend with a vinyl business did all the lettering for me and I helped put them on with a heat press. The hardest part was deciding on everyone's name... the best part of it all was how perfectly Roma fit into an old basketball pillow we had. The first time we stuck her in it, we laughed and laughed and laughed. She completely stole the show.

These are pictures of our second trunk or treat. Keyonna was at a high school competition and couldn't join us.. and Sunny (our referee) needed to stay home because she's a crazy, hyper dog.

I do have pictures of the ENTIRE gang, but they are so cute that I am thinking about using one for our Christmas cards this year.... not sure yet. Anyway, it was a busy, happy, crazy, fun-filled Halloween for our family. But I am relieved that it's over. (don't tell anyone I said that.)

one month old

I should be posting Halloween pictures, but they'll have to wait. Our little Roma girl is ONE MONTH OLD today. We don't know what we ever did without her. We absolutely adore this little 8 pounder. I have a lot of fun dressing up my little Dolly, but I love her even more in snuggly jammies. yummy!