The Days Are Just Packed

2012-01-22T15:51:00.000-08:00

Whoops! This was supposed to be posted in my journal. Not here. If anyone read it, sorry!

2012-01-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

This week I took Michael to the optometrist. While I was completing the medical forms, I was asking him the questions.

"Do you have high blood pressure?"

"No."

"Arthritis?"

"No."

"Are you pregnant."

(In the same bored voice.) "Yep. Sorry you had to find out this way."

And the Winner is...

2012-01-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of years we have given awards to the kids each week at family council. I like how it makes me look for good things they are doing and then come up with names for the awards like, "Be Your Own Boss" or "The Obedience Award." When we present the award, we tell about what the person has been doing and cite specific examples if we can. The kids like to guess who we are talking about. I like that after we present the award we all clap and cheer for them. It brings a smile every ones face. Yesterday, Nathan snuck in an award for me. It feels good, no matter how old you are. I love to watch Norah smile proudly as she holds her piece of paper and we clap for her. Even though I'm not sure she knows exactly going on, she still enjoys it. Last night she walked around with her little award certificate for a long time and got angry when she put it down and saw someone else with one, thinking they had hers. I've sometimes seen the awards hanging in the kids bedrooms. When we started this, I never thought a little piece of paper could mean so much.

bits and pieces

2012-01-12T07:35:00.000-08:00

There has been so many things I've been neglecting to write about and I'm beginning to forget them.

Here's a few odds and ends so I can stop thinking about them.

*Me: Michael, you get more handsome everyday. I didn't think it was possible...
Mike: (shaking his in mock sadness) unbeliever

*Norah has a bobble head. When she nods, it is a very big affair. Her favorite words: again! whee! juice and no. She says a lot more, but these are her signature words.

2011-12-17T10:42:00.000-08:00

Even if I need to work on remembering our blessings, Merian has a natural gift for looking on the bright side and being grateful. Her prayers are always full of thankfulness. I've been saving a list she made at Thanksgiving time so that I could record some of the things she is thankful for. Some of the leaves on her chain are missing but here is what is left:

the world

M.C.P.

Art

P.E.

science

music

history

writing

teachers

my house

my family

instruments

books

food

toys/glasses

school

"evryfing" (everything)

animals

pets

Repenting - Or Why I Love NPR/PBS

2011-12-15T23:08:00.000-08:00

If I could win one award, it would be for whining. I am a world class whiner. I try not to, mainly because I know my Mom and Dad will do what ever it takes to make my life easier and make me happy. Still, I'm ashamed to say I'm pretty darn good at it.

This morning I whined about having to go grocery shopping. I hate grocery shopping. Especially if I don't have a complete menu planned. If I don't have everything written down I know I will forget several items and end up back at the store too soon. (Please see a fore mentioned loathing of shopping.)

I've been very uninspired as of late when it comes to dinner. I'm beginning to see why growing up, dinner in my house was often a rotation of spaghetti, tacos, pizza and hamburgers. I'm tired of making and eating the few things most my kids will eat, even though they are quick and easy. Even more, I hate spending a considerable amount of time on a meal only to see it dumped down the sink and find my kids sneaking snacks in the pantry later. (At least they now know better than to verbally whine about not liking the food. Where did they get that whining habit from?) When the kids were little they would eat what ever I made. How have they all became so picky?

I put off shopping for as long as I can, but today I had to go. Shopping in December? I was not looking forward to it. I usually start stocking up in November so I don't have to enter the crowded stores. I couldn't come up with a menu that I was excited about and that I felt reassured that the majority of my family would eat. I also knew I would be getting tons of food to stock up throughout the holidays and I had no idea where I was going to put it when I got home.

So I whined about it. So much so that my awesome Big Edna (aka milk and banana fairy) offered to take care of Eliza so that I would only have to take care of one kid while managing two shopping carts. Yep, I whine; people help. It always makes me feel guilty, but apparently not enough to stop the whining.

On my way to Winco I was listening to a story about the living conditions of orphaned children (sometimes as early as the age of six or younger) working on cotton plantations in third world countries. I crumpled inside of myself. I was driving in my climate controlled vehicle to store filled to the brim of every kind of food imaginable. We are blessed for Nathan to have a good job so I can afford to buy food for our family. I thought of my little six year old and how he was comfortable learning about gingerbread men in his kindergarten class instead of begging for food or being beaten by the farming supervisors.

Not a day can go by that I listen to NPR that I do not realize how lucky I am to live in this country. My children are healthy. They are receiving an education. Nathan has a job that he finds rewarding. We have a home. After my shopping trip I had a kitchen stocked full of food and was so excited I couldn't decide which dinner to make first. What could I ever have to complain about?

When I walked into the produce section, Cyrus O'Leary pies were on sale. I'm still trying to decide if I regret not buying one. It doesn't matter. I didn't see any labeled "humble" and after recognizing my attitude this morning, a huge slice of that is what needs to be on my menu.

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Did I ever write about how Norah was addicted to Halloween candy? She wanted to eat it all the time. All the older kids also shared with her when ever they had theirs, so she had plenty. One day, after I refused her request for more, she stomped into the school room. I kept folding laundry in the loft but it only took a moment before she came back dragging Megan by the hand. Then she pointed at me and very seriously and sternly told on me. "Do do do do do," it went. Megan looked at me quizzically until I explained the reason why Norah was telling on me. Megan promptly pointed her finger at me and lectured me about how I should let that baby have all the candy she wanted. Just having someone sympathize with her was all it took for Norah to be happy. Isn't that what we all need sometimes?

Norah is out of candy and the rest of the kids have instructions to keep it away from her. She has gone through the withdrawal and rehabilitation process and is back to asking for "cawn" (corn) when ever she is hungry and wants a "nack." (When she's really hungry she puts her fingers in her mouth for extra emphasis. The other day she woke up from a long nap and must have been really hungry. For some reason she tried to eat my fingers.) Luckily, now she is letting me warm up the corn instead of eating it frozen.

Last week when she went to her doctor's appointment she wanted to leave after seeing the doctor and didn't want to stick around for the immunizations. She kept pointing at the door and saying, "go." When that didn't work, she stuck her whole fist in her mouth and said, "snack!" It was her snack time, and we had a few things to get, so we stopped by the store on the way home. She was so excited when I pointed to the Vanilla Wafers on the shelf and held them all the way home.

2011-11-27T22:03:00.000-08:00

Derek is ever the patriot. When Mike gave him some of his old pirate ships he traded Nathan until he had a complete American fleet and forts. He often colors things in red, white and blue. On the way home when Megan asked who wanted to play a choose your own adventure game Michael cried, "I'll be the wizard." Derek shouted, "I'll be an American." He also wanted to put an American flag on top of his birthday cake.

The other day Eliza wanted to play with something that Derek had and it was making her quite upset. Merian stepped in with a wonderful solution. Eliza dressed up like a princess, complete with a tiara and a wand and Merian wore a Little Red Ridding Hood cape. Then Merain guided Eliza through an entire episode of Super Why! (Eliza's favorite thing to watch.) I don't know what story she chose, but the story line is always the same and I heard them shouting out the familiar phrases with gusto as they moved through out the house collecting Super Letters. The answer to her Super Story Question was "w-a-i-t". Because of the fun way she was told the answer, she was happy with that and really didn't have to wait that long since her story had helped her past time. I think Merian is totally awesome.

Eliza was so excited to give the scripture in primary today. Just like the times when she was assigned to give her talk or give her part for the primary program, she practiced and had it memorized and couldn't wait to say it. Just like the other two times, when it came time to do it, she shrugged and looked at me with a smile and
I had to say it. Then, just like before, when we got home from church she complained that she didn't get to say her part! We had her say her scripture before family prayer tonight. Maybe if we have her keep practicing in front of the family, next time she will do it! Next time, I'm sending her dad up with her.

Tonight after reading her books I told her we only had time for one more. She laid them out and very scientifically chose:

"Eeny Meeny Mo Mo Mo, da da da da so, so, so. My mom told me to pick the one I want."

Eliza insists that her name is now pumpkin, but sometimes she is Little Red Ridding Hood.

Norah is currently eating nuts that she requested. She loves them. It is so strange to me that she can handle them. With her mouth full of teeth she can also eat tortilla chips. The other kids were so late at getting teeth they would always choke. Sometimes when I see Norah smile it looks like she is wearing dentures to me because I'm not used to seeing that many teeth.

Emma has been practicing the piano a lot. I love hearing her. She is very good at getting her school work done and using her afternoon time wisely.

Michael gave a talk in church last week. He came home from a babysitting job Saturday night and said he just remembered he had a talk. He worked on it right away and it's pretty good if I do say so myself.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is (state name) and I'm so grateful to be here. My talk is on gratitude, and how it is good to have a gratitude attitude. I am grateful for my family, our ward, our church, this world our Father in Heaven has given us, and for the small wonders of everyday life. Sometimes you see these wonders so much, that they become less, and less visible. You have to open your senses to the wonders of this world, and I quote from President Monson:
“a grateful heart,then, comes through expressing gratitude to our heavenly father for his blessings.” Close quote.
I have a scripture in Matthew chapter 15 verse 36, where Jesus is breaking the fish, and the bread to share with the crowd of thousands. The people were grateful for what little they had, and there was enough for everyone.. In the scripture it says, “And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. We all need to be grateful, for we can give thanks on any day, not just this Thursday. I bare my testimony, that if you can be grateful, and have a gratitude attitude, you will notice a change in your life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen

I hadn't previously given much thought to the fact that the food was blessed and thanked at the feeding of the multitudes, but it made me think that even though they didn't have a lot they were thankful and it was more than enough. In my life, if I am thankful it always seems like I have enough.

Megan got a dance card. There is only the New Year's Eve dance left that she can go to. That should be fun.
\
There's an update. Did I miss anyone?

2011-11-06T21:51:00.000-08:00

Bon Jovi lives in our house

Norah is so different than the rest of my kids. She is the only one that will not let me rock and sing her to sleep. Instead, we lay down in bed and watch the fish from the baby aquarium toy from Carrie's garage sale. I miss the rocking and singing but at least I still get to snuggle with her. On the plus side, she is different from everyone else because she actually usually sleeps through the night! If she wakes up she will just turn over and go back to sleep on her own!

Derek is constantly creating. We are keeping Costco in business with our paper and tape buying habits. The other day as he was building something he was enthusiastically singing, "We may not know if we'll make it or NOT! We've got each other and that's enough! Loooove....We'll give it a SHOT! Oh! Living on a prayer. Take my hand, we'll follow God's plan. We'll make it I swear...." I can't remember the rest of the words he used, but he sang them over and over, never losing gusto. I'm guessing he learned the song from Lego Rock Band. I hope I can record it before he learns the actual words to the song.

I've heard that the third year of homeschool is when things start to come together. Although I still have a long ways to go to satisfy my idealistic self, things are getting easier and I am a lot more confident that the kids are getting a great education, a good social life and we have quality family time. All those nights of staying up until 3 in the morning are paying off. I'm hoping I only have a few more of those left. It's not fun, but it is so nice to see progress and enjoy the accomplishments.

Our school room is the most put together room in the house. I suppose that is fitting since we spent the most time there. Today I wrapped an old cork board in fabric and hung it on the wall. It looks like modern art! I wish I could do more things to decorate our home. Patience, all those projects and dreams in my head will happen...someday. :)

2011-10-29T01:54:00.000-07:00

When we first got our pumpkins Eliza insisted on carrying hers around all day. She excitedly called "pumpkin" every time we left the house and she saw them after they were carves and we required that the toting around habit be stopped. Since the Trunk-or-Treat she carries around her bag of candy all day. She doesn't constantly eat it so I've been allowing it. I have hateful relationship with Halloween candy. I used to monitor the consumption of it but now I say the sooner it is out of the house the better. I'll just make sure every one's teeth are getting brushed good.

Eliza was pleasantly amazed every time someone knew she was Little Red Ridding Hood. At one place there was a little pavilion set up instead of a trunk. It was kind of scary for her to go inside especially with the witches in there. When they tried to give her a "poisoned" apple, she refused to take it. I took it instead and put it in her basket. She promptly tipped it out onto the ground. I had to put it in my coat pocket. She didn't want to be anywhere near it. I think there's an object lesson in that. If only I could keep away from that poisoned chocolate. Later that night I heard her talking about that poisoned apple. She totally thought it was real. She is such a cutie.

Merian's first day of home school is November 1st - next Tuesday. I've been getting things ready. I've been so excited to have her home. Just a little bit anxious.

Tonight we ate dinner on the family room floor and then played a game and watched a movie. It was so much fun I want to do it every week. At least until we get new carpet.

Chill Out!

2011-10-19T23:54:00.000-07:00

The article I got this picture from (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700096950/Life-goes-on-Relax-and-just-go-with-it.html) asked if you would grab the camera or grab the child.

The lesson is not to sweat the small stuff.

Rose Kennedy said she believed the broken arm a child might get from climbing a tree was not as great as the broken spirit by keeping them from exploring.

This is what I need to do. Stop worrying and enjoy my kids. Have faith that if we do what is right, they are going to turn out great.

That, and I need to take more pictures.

2011-10-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

Eliza has been very patient while I've been working at getting the kids into their new school schedule, however, I know she is feeling not having enough attention from her mom. Today I told her pretty soon I will be able to spend more time on her pre-school. She asked why I didn't just make the kids' school work easier. I asked her what she would suggest and she replied that I should let them paint all day.

She loves playing with play-dough and has been known to be occupied with that task for three hours at a time.

The other day, I can't remember what we were listening to, (maybe a conference talk?) that had big words that she couldn't understand. In frustration she asked, "what are they saying? Why are they talking in Spanish?"

She is so cute and I am glad the kids are finally getting settled into our new school routine so I can take time out and enjoy her.

I got to go to the pumpkin patch with Derek's kindergarten class. Norah loves pumpkins. She has been practicing and can say "pumpkin" pretty well now. She says it when ever she sees one and would like nothing better than to have me carry her around all day with her in one arm and her pumpkin in the other. I wonder what she is going to think when it comes time to carve them...

She did not like the hay ride. She tolerated the ride to the patch but did not want to get back on. That's when we started practicing the work pumpkin. She also learned how to say "corn" although she probably thought I was crazy pointing to those withering stalks and calling them corn. They look nothing like the frozen little yellow kernels she likes to snack on.

She also likes to say shoes. She likes to put them on and go outside. She will also bring me my shoes so I will go with her.

Although her words are still limited, she can definitely communicate. From Target's $1 section I bought Halloween and Fall plastic plates that have different sections in them. Earlier this week when I made Norah's lunch, I put a sandwich in one section, some carrots in one, and nuts in the other. (It's so strange that she likes and can eat nuts and carrots. My other kids only had a few teeth by this age.) That left one section empty. She pointed at it, looked at me expectantly and grunted. She got half a graham cracker there.

Emma played the piano while Emma Baugh played the violin for Activity Day Recognition Night. She is doing very well in school and with her enrichment subjects afterwards.

Merian is so dependable. She has been getting her homework done early and I don't even have to tell her. I am looking forward to having her home, when ever that may be.

2011-10-11T23:31:00.000-07:00

This is kind of weird, but after it happened Nathan commented it was a conversation to record.

I was snuggling with Derek the other night. We just don't get enough of that now that he is in Kindergarten. He's always telling me I'm the best mom ever and how much he loves me. After the usual, he told me that after I died he would hug my bones. He must have sensed that wasn't a normal thing to say and tried to make it better. "I mean I'll hold your bones with a napkin." Hmmm....

Merian and I have been talking about the possibility of her being home schooled. It has always been the plan to start in fourth grade, so she'd be coming home next year, but I miss her! She wants to be home schooled too and I know she's a good worker and a responsible learner. She has friends and cousins at school and is doing well socially and academically, but mentions the hope of coming home when ever she can. Her best part of her day is always coming home. She hasn't complained about anything, although I know she really wants to be home schooled. I don't want her to think she has to complain in order to get what she wants. Mainly, I just miss her and would love to have her home. We might have to move the rooms around again so that we can have a bigger school room...

I'm not a confident home school mom. I worry all the time if I'm doing enough for my children academically and socially. It's like some grand experiment and I won't know the results until too late. But I like what I see so far. My kids are learning. Not only are they learning the material, but they are learning how to teach themselves and focus on learning, not on merely making the grade. Emma always impresses me how she will work on math until she understands it, not just trying to learn quick tricks to pass the tests. Ultimately, the goal is for them to move from one subject to another without prodding, and they are getting pretty good at it, so they are learning self motivation and discipline. Megan is so good at it she always finishes her work before lunch and then has the afternoon to work on her talents and explore her interests. I wish she had more opportunities to be with kids her own age, and I curse PSD for not even reading our petitions for her to be involved in drama, but we're working on that. Michael has been putting forth a lot of effort since I told him about academic scholarships. :) Emma is also learning French, practicing the piano and doing other good things with her extra time.

Michael is thinking about playing basketball. I asked why he brought it up and he answered because I'm always talking about them needing to do things for enrichment (what they are supposed to be doing in the afternoon.)

I like that we are together. I look forward to this winter when we are done with our work being able to drink hot chocolate and read or watch a movie. I just always hope that I am enough for them all. That I am a good enough teacher and have enough left in me to be a nourishing mother. That I am still able to enjoy the little ones.

I'm getting too thoughtful. Time to go write in my journal instead.

if at first you don't succeed...

2011-10-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was impressed when reviewing Michael's literature answers.

"This is excellent, Michael!"

"I was thinking of you when I did it."

"Ah," feeling so special.

"I was thinking about how you would make me do it over again if I didn't do a good job."

Teaching has several components. I haven't been the best at following up and setting high standards in the past, but that has been one of my focuses this year. At first this was met with some resistance, but it is paying off!

2011-09-30T01:16:00.000-07:00

Tonight Derek came to me with a pool inner tube around his waste and informed me he knew what he wanted to be for Halloween. With a smirk on his face he cried, "a hover craft! or maybe a bumper car..." Kindergarten is when they start to get so clever!

Emma was very excited to finally begin French today. She has been wearing her beret since I bought it for her over a week ago. She is also making me so happy by practicing the piano TWO days in a row with out being told!

2011-09-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

Megan requested that Nathan and I start going on dates and for me to buy Mac 'n' Cheese, frozen pizza and other quick things so that she can teach Emma how to babysit. We never buy that stuff and I remember when Megan turned 12 how I had to teach her so she would be ready. I know I don't have to say it; it's just a fact. She's awesome.

2011-09-07T01:50:00.001-07:00

I was reading about when Derek would talk about America all the time and it reminded me if when we were at the state DI tournament Derek was separated from us. If your going to lose a kids do it at Disneyland or a DI tournament. All the people there are awesome. The lady that helped him reported to us that he knew his name, his parents' names and he told her he was from America.

I didn't post about DI. Both Megan and Emma's team got to go to state. Emma's won third there. That was perfect for me because then they wouldn't have to go to nationals. Mike and his partner Jonathan did an amazing job at regionals and were awarded the "Spirit of DI award." I am proud to have been there coach.

Emma and Mike are going to be on the same team this year! Yeah! Not as much running around!

First day - pictures to come -

2011-09-07T01:13:00.000-07:00

On the first day, Derek walked through the door of his kindergarten class and then back out to tell me the kids there were too big for him. Then after I reassured him it was fine, he walked back in, only to walk back out again. This time I held his hand and walked with him through that door and to his desk. He had been so excited and confident, but at the last minute a wave of being unsure hit him. I explained to him that his teacher was a very nice lady who would take care of him. I had to do the same today when he had a substitute. He is so sweet. I'm impressed with how he is paying attention to what is going on around him so he is always doing the right thing and informing me of important events. He even remembered to wear red on spirit day without me telling him to. He wants hot lunch next time it is his class's turn to stay at school and has commented that one of his teachers must be a builder because she comes in wearing a construction shirt. (The para-eds wear orange vests while on recess or cross-walk duty. :) ) I miss that guy when he is gone, but he is doing so well and tomorrow, (I guess it's actually today) he gets to stay home with me! I'll have to be sure to spend time with him even though there is so much to do with home school. I've been so busy but I know this is the time he needs extra hugs and reassurance that even though he is growing up he will always be my little boy. He also needs extra sleep! School can take a lot out of a little guy, especially when he is staying up late pondering such deep thoughts about his new academic life. The other day Lizzy kept saying she was older than him and he just didn't know what to do!

Derek's experience was so different from when I dropped the other kids off. Before, I was always the hesitant one, while they were full of excitement that comes with the first taste of independence. It's hard to leave either way.

Eliza is enjoying the extra attention of being the oldest preschooler at home. I'm looking forward to doing more preschool activities with her when the home school stuff settles down. She loves doing preschool and I am ecstatic that my mom has agreed to teach her and Marcus once a week. I know it will be the best part of her day and she will be looking forward to it all week.

Marian is in Brennan's class! We take the Lewis kids to school each morning. Kenna has reported that she loves riding the "Ahpa Express". I love watching her and Marian talk as they walk off to their classrooms. Last year she would keep hugging me goodbye and I was never sure if she wanted me to stay or go. Now we skip the hug and may or may not forget to wave and say goodbye as she is too busy in her conversation when we part ways. Reportedly, her signature good behavior is earning her privileges. Of course, it's those quiet ones you've got to look out for. When I went to tuck in the girls a few nights ago, Eliza had a look of terror on her face when she asked me if Santa Clause was a good guy or a bad guy. When I questioned why she would asked, Marian volunteered with a little embarrassed giggle how she had sang her the bad part of the song. And then, without reserve, she brought her arms up with her fingers curled and in a spooky voice sang, "he sees you when your sleeping, he knows when your awake." She is the most lovable, sweet, pure, interesting girl. Aunt Tallia picks her up from school this year and I miss how she would run with all her might and the bulldoze me over with a hug at the end of the day.

The home school kids are working hard. We are working to get things to run smoother this year, which means we have three computers (thanks Phil and Erin) and they are all connected to the internet (thanks Dad!) and they even are on a network so they can all use the printer. (That is if our printer would stop breaking. Probably time to get a new one, with wireless capabilities. Why did I stay up so late figuring out how to set up a network?)

I am impressed with their good working attitudes. Megan's classes didn't start until this week and she was beside herself! She wanted to get started! She was a lot happier today and wants more work. Today I learned when a word is a preposition or an adverb. Ex: "Derek walked through." through is an adverb. Think of it as adding to the verb: walked. "Derek walked through the door." Through is a preposition because it is part of the prepositional phrase: "through the door". Grammar was never a focus in public school when I went. I am so glad I am learning it now. When I began this post I kept thinking about grammar. It's getting too late!

Megan had dreamed about being involved in Drama at the high school just five minutes away from our house, but we are in the boundaries for a high school 15 minutes away. Home school is a huge time commitment so I went through all the hoops to try to get an exception. Since she was only going to be in one class I would have had to stay at the school, with the little kids in the car, hoping the other kids were doing okay with their work, while she was in class. It turns out the school she is supposed to go to doesn't even have a drama class and doesn't produce plays. The school district is still unbending, even though it would mean additional funding for them, a happy voter, and only cost a space in one class that has openings. I've tried everything. Everyone at both schools are supportive. It's ridiculous! I feel frustrated because they won't meet with us, won't talk with us on the phone, and from their responses, I don't even think they are reading my e-mails. In my most recent e-mail I merely asked for advice for how to proceed next year. I even said, "may I please." I received a very curt reply that said, "I've already told you there is nothing I can do, leave me alone." Not really, but that is how I felt. She didn't even read my e-mail. If our school district is too big and too busy to serve their constituents and do what is best for every child, maybe it is time to divide the district. That would show them. Then our whole neighborhood could go to the school down the street. Note: I had no problem with sending Megan to the other school. It's my Alma Mater and I think it is a fine school. They just don't offer the class or plays and I find it ridiculous that no one is listening or understanding us. Am I unable to communicate clearly? Hmm...maybe Megan shouldn't go to that school if writers like me are the product. :)

Megan has been a good sport through it all. Ultimately, we decided to try again next year. (Which the superintendent would have known if she had read my e-mail! Yes, I'm bitter!) She has a summer birthday and after visiting the high school and seeing the other freshman, I wasn't ready for her to go anyway. We are considering options like hiring a lawyer or taking her to another city for that class and plays. I shake my head in disbelief knowing that we are paying taxes to our district and I will have to leave during the school day to drive her over a half an hour away when there is an amazing program down the street. I know I sound like a silly mom but Megan's dream is to be a drama teacher. She has put on several productions with her cousins and neighbor kids. I want her to be able to be a part of a group in high school like I was in band. Enough ranting. All will work out. Oh, one more thing: students who want to take shop are allowed to transfer. The injustice of it all just makes me want to scream! Okay, now I'm dramatic.

I'll write more about Emma's and Michael's partnership activities later.

2011-08-28T22:12:00.000-07:00

Meeting Derek's kindergarten teacher at open house was like meeting a princess at Disneyland. We had to stand in a long ling to talk to her for only a minute, but it was worth it. Her beautiful hair and smile and how she would stoop down to talk to the kids reminded me even more of the Disneyland characters.

When we met Marian's teacher she asked Marian only for her last name and then replied, "you must be Meredith, but I understand you like to go by Marian." Her teacher had also sent a post card before open house.

It is going to be an awesome year for those two.

Bananas for Bathtime

2011-08-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

When we built our house I requested a big single sink instead of a divided one and I love it! I've always hated cleaning the divider. I know that is lazy, but it is just more to clean and it gets in the way. A single sink is great to wash big pots and pans and I can even fit all the refrigerator drawers and shelves in it. It's so easy to spray them off when it's time to clean the fridge. But the best part about this sink is that it makes a great tub for my babies.

Because the bananas are on the counter near the sink, Norah spied them while taking a bath one day. I gave into her request and now if there are ever bananas when she takes a bath she has to eat one in the tub.

The Strangest Things Happen Around Here

2011-08-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

Emma likes to come up with new ensembles by piecing together articles from the dress up clothes. She usually comes up with some pretty cute ideas. Apparently, Norah brought her a scarf and wanted to wear it. This is what she came up with: (Norah was already in just a diaper.)

(I should edit Derek out - he's not going to like that look when he gets older.)
Norah thought it was pretty funny and paraded around the house, loving it when I got the camera out. Normally I'm a stickler when it comes to modesty, even when they are little, but it was so much fun to watch how excited she was about this.

2011-08-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

Saturday, we were invited to a BBQ at some friends house but Norah had a miserable cold so I stayed home with her. Nathan and the kids had a great time, but I am so glad I stayed. Norah and I read books, sang songs, went outside and I pushed her in her swing. Then we came back in and I rocked her to sleep. It was so peaceful! I am thankful I had that special alone time. It has been almost 13 years since I've been able to just focus on and enjoy one baby!

Summer is winding down and I am gearing up for school. This will be our best year ever! Megan is practically independent with her school work and I'm trying to prepare things in hope that Michael and Emma can do the same. When ever I dreamed of homeschooling I would think of all the great projects we would do together. I know that works out for some people, but I just can't get it to work. I never have time to prepare as well as I would like and I get too stressed out with all the commotion. I wish I was a more gifted mother and could magically incorporate the little kids into the projects, because they really do want to be a part of it and I would love to include them. I also feel guilty a lot of the time if I'm spending too much time with the older kids. I feel like the little kids are being robbed of a mother, and truthfully, they should get first priority. So, now Megan is in high school, Emma and Michael are middle schoolers, I feel that they can be given more responsibility and be more self directed.

The other thing that is different than I imagined about homeschool is all the driving. I'm not going to lie. I thought one of the advantages of homeschooling would be to relive those days when I only had little kids at home and we could call it a pajama day and snuggle while we watched a movie or read books and then made cookies. But the problem with homeschooling is that you want to make sure that your kids get social and leadership opportunities. That requires a lot of driving. If there is one thing I don't like it is spending all my time in the car. The only thing I like less is making my little ones spend all their time in the car. I'm just going to need to put on some fun music and we can all sing together.

My dad always reminded me, "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." Nathan likes to say, "action conquers fear." So I'm preparing. The third year is supposed to be the best, right? It's going to be awesome.

2011-08-16T23:15:00.001-07:00

Summer is busy! It has been so packed, in fact, that part of our family has missed church for the past two weeks. Part of that is because it has been a cold summer and swimming lessons in the morning don't help.

One day Derek informed my that he wasn't going swimming. Not for the rest of the summer. "I get very cold," he stated. "I am a warm blooded creature." It is true. He loves to swim, but he usually stays on top of the big blow up whale to keep him out of the water and in the warm sun. The image I have of him swimming is that of a huge chattering smile on his face and his skinny little body uncontrollable shaking. He specifically asked for me to buy him long sleeved shirts for school. I am going to go even further. I've already asked the Kindergarten teachers stationed in the portables to make sure it stays warm out there just in case that is where he is assigned, and plan on buying him a set of long underwear for every school day of the week.

In spite of his unfortunate thermal regulating condition, he stuck it out to the end of swim lessons and is enjoying the fact that he doesn't have to wear the life jacket any more. (It's probably warmer without it.)

He is excited about starting school and especially about his new back pack. I don't want to see my little boy go.

Eliza has requested no long sleeved shirts; she will not wear them. She loves to shop for clothes. Norah had just as much fun. I wish I could have captured a picture of her excitement as she chose a pink shirt or how she pointed her toes to try on new shoes. How helpful! I hope to be completely done with school clothes shopping this week. It is my goal to have next week be a great last week of summer.

Emma and Michael have already started math. Last year we started with one subject and added one a week until we were up to a full day. I liked how that worked and had planned on catching up on the subjects added later throughout the year, but it didn't happen and the end of the year was hectic. So we are starting a little bit earlier. Both Emma and Michael are doing well and it makes my heart soar to see their awesome brains working again. It feels good! "Quality" and "consistency," along with having them take more responsibility and be self directed are going to be my focus this year.

Megan and Michael were able to take part in our stake's Trek. I so wanted to go with them! I'm glad they had that experience. In preparation, our family read Fire of the Covenant each night. Even Derek and Eliza enjoyed it. Derek asked me if that story was real and how we know what happened. I told him the pioneers wrote in journals and asked if he would like to have a journal. In a light blue (his favorite color) I try to write down his words exactly as he dictates them to me and then he draws wonderfully detailed pictures. He is all about the details. I prompt him to tell me about the fun stuff that we are doing. Otherwise he wants to record, "we woke up, had breakfast and went to swimming lessons." He is so diligent he will bring the journal to me before breakfast so that I can write that!

Today Megan, Terzah, Emma, Kenna and Merian went to see Harry Potter. The younger girls dressed up like Gryffindor students and looked quite quaint. I think I'm going to institute a uniform policy in my home school. They are adorable and impressive in that look.

Merian and Derek are going to be heading off for school. What will I do without them telling me I'm the best mom ever and their snuggles? I love summer. Let's move to Hawaii.

On the other hand I am organizing recipes for the fall. MMMmmmm....

Strange Happenings

2011-06-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

Eliza and Norah like frozen peas and corn. They request it for snack and object if I try to warm it up. Maybe I should try it; I like to freeze my grapes...

Norah is the only one of my children with an outie belly button. (If you don't count Derek, who had one when he was a baby and cried really hard. When it would stick out it looked like a pencil eraser.) Her belly button is quite prominent. (I hope this isn't embarrassing you, future Norah.) My grandma said that they used to tape a quarter to babies tummies to get them to go down. If there is any truth to that method of correction, Norah doesn't have a chance because she loves to pinch her belly button as she walks around.

Derek goes to bed with Michael every night. Mike is such a sweet big brother and tells him stories to get him to go to sleep. Then Mike will move to the top bunk to have more room. (Michael reports that Derek likes to spread out and snuggle when he sleeps.) Sometime during the night Derek wakes up and notices Michael is missing so he moves to the top bunk too!

2011-06-21T00:07:00.000-07:00

It is summer time again and I couldn't be happier. The best part about being a mom is going to the park, pool, movies, chilling in an air conditioned house, reading books with the kids, and more. I feel guilty that I get to enjoy this and Nate has to go to work. Will we do all the summer school stuff we planned? I'm starting to lose my resolve. I'm wondering if it would be more important to enjoy each other not in a school setting and have a fresh start in the fall. But if I keep it fun...maybe we'll just start after our camping trip to Rainier.

Norah loves going places, but especially to church. She laughs when I start to put her dress on and holds up her feet for her shoes. She sings during the songs. One Sunday I wasn't feeling well and decided not to go after we had already gotten ready. She cried when everyone left without her and me.

2011-05-27T09:21:00.001-07:00

When I pick up Merian from school she runs from her classroom and almost knocks me over with her hug. I love to see her smile. When I used to pick up Emma I recognized her by the bounce in her step and I loved how she would tell me all about her day. Picking up the kids from school is the best part of my day.

You Will Obey Me

2011-04-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

One day Norah decided to raise her arms in the air. To be good sports, we followed her. That game lasted for more than half an hour and has continued sporadically for more than a month. A few Sundays ago after we sat down at church she looked at the rows behind us an expectantly threw up her arms. Sorry babe, it's not going to happen.

Momisms

2011-04-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

When I was little my mom told me that her dad liked to say, "Don't be a jerk; get to work," or, "Don't be a fool; get to school." I've come up with a few of my own and every time I use them I think of my Grandpa Harris.

Don't be a slob; finish the job.
You're not a snail; don't leave a trail.
Get the work done so you have time for fun.
I'll have to add more as I remember them. My kids tell me I have too many slogans.

I also have some that don't rhyme:

Don't follow the leader if the leader's going the wrong way.
Do the right thing, at the right time, in the place, in the right way.
Work hard, play hard.
I can do hard things.
I'll have to add more here later. Gotta go help Derek get his shoes out of Ahpa.

2011-03-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when I was in the school room with the older kids Eliza rushed in.

"Mom! Our house is, is, is (searching for the right word) a dump."

It turns out Derek was destroying Styrofoam packaging and making a huge mess - one of Nate's less favorite things. Recently I've been asking Derek and Eliza if they want to live in a palace or a dump to motivate them to pick up after themselves. I guess it is working and it was so cute to hear her say.

2011-03-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone out there reads this blog I want to do my part to spread the word. Nate, Philip, Michael and Chris Baugh made a rifftrax to this movie. It's like MST3k.

So if you're interested in a cheap, at-home date night: pop some popcorn, grab a pack of root beer, and settle down with Ominous Project's version of "10,000 BC."

Info: In ages past the world was a hostile place where mankind eked out an existence in constant fear of giant birds and monstrous shag-carpet elephants. But among these troglodytes arose a man whose destiny would lead him to unite the various tribes, tame the hordes of furry beasts, and establish a new way of life among his people. That man was Jim Henson, and this unfortunately is not his story. Instead, Ominous Projects invites you to join us for a commentary that makes watching 10,000 BC marginally less painful.

I copied this from Carrie's blog (thanks Care!)

2011-03-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

Norah has been starting to say words. For some reason her first was dog. Nate was reading a book to Eliza while he was holding Norah and she pointed to a picture of a dog and said it. She has also said Megan, Emma, Merian and very clearly: Mike.

She loves playing pat-a-cake. She's a happy happy girl and very independent.

Derek's Thoughts

2011-03-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

"Was I born on my birthday? Sometimes people are born on their birthdays."

"Is Nephi still alive?"

"No, Derek, he died a long time ago."

"But he came to our church after Christmas." (He was remembering when Bishop Pierce came as Nephi and talked to the kids at a primary activity. We had a great discussion about Nephi's story after that.)

2011-02-24T22:14:00.000-08:00

With the kids getting older and involved in more activities, we decided to move scripture study to morning. When someone was complaining about getting up early, Michael told them to trust Mom and Dad. How awesome is that? He is excited about giving his first talk in Sacrament meeting this week. Coincidently, Uncle Mike is also speaking. Michael has also been enjoying going on Scout camp outs.

Eliza has Pinkalicious memorized. I need to record her "reading" it. She loves pre-school. She loves going to her locker and getting out her work books. She is so cute!

Derek is doing well in math. He teaches himself! The other day he found out that if he entered in math problems into Google, it would compute them for him.

2011-02-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

Merian is quite the climber. We were impressed when she was four and could quickly climb to the top of the rope in the Tarzan Tree House at Disneyland. This week she climbed to the top of the rope at school. She said everyone was chanting her name and after P.E. she heard people in line talking about it. She is such a fun, cute, exciting, loving little girl. I'm happy for her talent and wish we had a rope for her to climb at home since she thinks it is so fun!

Merian is always ready for school on time with out me reminding her to get her stuff done. This week she has asked to make her own lunches! She is very responsible when it comes to doing her homework and getting ready for school on time without being told. I know she is always striving to do her best.

She wants to go on an adventure like the Box Car Children. When it gets a little bit warmer, we'll have to see what we can do about that.

2011-01-30T21:44:00.000-08:00

To have the self image of a three year old. Two of the things Eliza said this week were: "I love being cute," and "I was cute in the bathtub."

I like our new laundry system. I do one person's laundry per day plus a tub of something else. Then they help me fold and put the laundry away. Since I don't want to miss out on that one on one time I don't often have a pile of laundry in my hallway. But I've been behind since we went to the lodge so there are three loads there now. When I went to check on Derek tonight he wasn't in his bed. I couldn't find him anywhere! Finally he popped out of the laundry. I must have walked past and over him at least three times. I can't believe he stayed so still and quiet. If he had waited any longer to reveal himself I would have found him when I started folding!

2011-01-14T00:17:00.000-08:00

Eliza gets her pj's on when ever it gets dark, so that's been before dinner. It's so cute. If she forgets, it's so easy to get her ready for bed because I just show her it's dark outside and she hops upstairs. I hope we don't have problems with that in the summer.

2011-01-02T21:35:00.001-08:00

"Derek, I'm your mom, your supposed to respect me!"

"What does respect mean"

"It means when I ask you to stop doing something, you stop, not keep doing it and smile at me."

"I have a nice smile."

......

Every time I asked Eliza what she wanted for Christmas she answered snowflakes and snow and that she would put them outside to share.

Eliza had her first time in Sumbeams today. She did a good job sitting in her seat and didn't cry even though there was a lot of that going on around her and a few times she looked like she wanted to. She is very brave at getting through things - like going to the dentist. She has great teachers. It's going to be an awesome year for her.

Norah is crawling with her knees now, not just scooting and she is pulling herself up. She loves to laugh and to get attention from the kids. She will now eat baby food not just junk she finds on the floor!

Nathan took Megan, Michael and Emma skiing while we were at his parents cabin at Schweitzer. It was Emma's first time but she caught on really quick and they all had a good time. I wish we could take them out more often!

Introducing Our Newest Addition

2010-12-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

We haven't been able to go somewhere as a family since we had Norah. Mostly it is not a big deal, but it can be annoying. Sometimes we've even stuffed Nate in the back of the van or I've ridden on the floor. Who would have thought big vans were so hard to find? It's consumed a lot of our time, especially since it was our goal not to get into debt and we had a lot we were looking for in a van. But we finally found it and it has everything we could want and more. Fifteen passengers, running boards, it's not white....it has been so great for our family. There is so much room; we love it! It's really not that hard to drive either.

The kids wanted to name it. Their suggestions were: The Ark, Ahpa (from Avatar the cartoon - I don't know how to spell it), Thomas (for the train - that was Derek's), and I can't remember the others now. I pushed Ahpa because it is big, it is gold, and it can fly. Not really. I really wanted that name because I thought it was so cute when ever we started it Merian would say "yip, yip!"

I just have to say again that it has so much room! When ever we drive the Silhouette we all wonder how we fit/got into the seats. Especially since after we had Eliza we added another seat to fit her. We can get in and out so much easier and I know our upcoming trip to Grandma's will be so nice and we all will actually have room for our feet and my lap won't be holding anything! Now if we could just get a bigger house...

We found the van in Nampa, Idaho and had a fun trip to go get it. The roads were pretty bad and we saw quite a few accidents, but we were excited to finally be getting a van and we got to try out Tucano's. On the way home the freeway was closed and it took us and hour and a half to go 20 miles. We ended up staying in a hotel. Derek forlornly remarked, "I miss Grandma, we are so far away from America." (He's really in to the whole American thing lately. He'll use it as an excuse: "American's don't do that" when he doesn't want to do something.) It was a much better trip than when we went up to Seattle but decided not to buy the van that was obviously a convict carrier and spent all afternoon in a Krispy Kreeme parking lot using their wi-fi to try to find another one. Memories.

The kids sang for the ward Christmas program today. Eliza wanted to be a part of that and she did a great job.

I should write more of what is going on but I am so tired I can't think of anything that makes sense!

2010-10-13T23:34:00.000-07:00

Oh, it's late and the house is a mess, the laundry that was piled in the hallway now has expanded to the loft and even the part that once was in piles has shamefully been scattered for days now. What is the deal? I really thought I had the laundry situation solved, either by doing one load a day starting at 5:00 before my morning run or by doing gobs of laundry and having folding parties with the kids. But once I am behind in laundry it is so hard to catch up. Laundry that has been sitting out on the floor, being trampled on, gives me the creeps. If I had the money and time I would collect it all up, plus the dirty laundry and head for the laundry mat, completing the task all at once and getting caught up. It would be quite interesting. I've only used public laundries owned by the apartments we lived in and I have a feeling this would be a bit different. I'd also be afraid of losing articles of clothing.

Homeschool is going well, but it is so time consuming. I want to do it right. I don't want my children to forfeit anything academically or socially and that takes a lot of effort and scheduling. Because the kids have different days of MCP I'm having a hard time going shopping. With Norah still waking up through the night 5:30 in the morning just isn't happening, even though I've had good intentions. Hence, the laundry clog up.

We have added a subject every week. I like this. I feel like I almost have Algebra/Math perfected and Science is getting there. Those are the hardest. The rest should be easier. Our current subjects are: Algebra/Math; Science; Spelling; Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics; Vocabulary, Novel Study (Treasure Island, for which I was excited to find pirate gear to wear at the Dollar Tree), Literature, and History. We just have to add Composition, Spanish, Art, and Music, although we've done a little in those areas. Someday this will be easy, right?

Algebra is pretty easy for Meg. She's had lots of experience with it. She graciously consented to take again since being pregnant made me such an inconstant teacher last year. It is challenging for Mike, but I think he can do it. He is one smart guy when it comes to math and I want him to be stretched. I'm grateful because it is more efficient to be able to teach them together. Emma loves division. Go figure! She really enjoyed long division last year and was excited when we started reviewing it again. I find that perplexing.

We've been studying the Mayans. I think we'll try to speed through the Incas and Aztecs so we can get on to American history or we won't be done by the end of the year.

We broke out the microscope the other day and I must say it is awesome. It is of impressive quality and we've been looking at all sorts of things under it. I can't wait for someone to get hurt so I can see some blood.... I mean.... maybe I'll just prick my finger. I'm really not sure it is that great of a microscope, but wouldn't it be cool?

I've learned about reflexive pronouns, antecedents, and how to diagram sentences. Um, is there any purpose for this? I'm pretty sure this all means nothing to my kids and that they forget it the minute they take the test. Today something funny happened. I've understood the whole, first, second, third person thing for as long as I can remember and have never even question why speech was labeled that way. Today when I was explaining it to the kids I drew a stick person pointing to himself/herself and gave the examples of "me" and "I." Then I drew a person talking to another and pointing to them saying "you." Finally I drew a person talking to another and pointing to a third for "him" etc. Then it hit me. Oh, First person has one person, Second has two and Third has three. I think I already knew that. I think I need to get more sleep.

This really isn't an exciting family journal, and this isn't really what I mean to write here, but maybe it will be an interesting pit stop for the kids to read when they are older.

Merian is becoming a great reader and has good friends at school. Please say that means you'll stay at public school at least until middle school! :)

The only thing I really regret about homeschooling is that I am missing out on a lot of snuggling time with the three youngest. I hope it gets better as we get better with our schedule.

2010-09-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

Friday, Michael was away babysitting. When we were putting Derek to bed he asked, "Mom, where did you put Michael?"

Derek-isms

2010-09-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

These are all from today:

Why is there an "ick" in my name?
Why are all the people that live in Pasco and Costco and Mount Rainer our cousins and neighbors and friends?
I like grandmas better than bad guys. (He said this after I told him Grandma Johnson was coming tomorrow.)

Sometimes I have a hard time understanding this kid.

2010-08-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

I recently painted the boys room. We took out the red race car bed and set up the bunk beds in its place. I wish I would have gotten a picture of the boys in the race car bed. I thought it was cute how they liked to share it, even though there was another bed that most nights remained empty.

When I was taking the bed apart Megan told me how surprised Michael was when we first got it. He didn't think we could afford something like that. That is why he asked Derek to share with him. I'm so glad he did. Every night Michael would tell stories to Derek to help him go to sleep. We need to thank Aunt Carrie for letting us use the car bed.

Slow Down Kiddo

2010-08-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

Eliza is so full of energy. She is driven and determined. She gets hurt several times a day. She runs into walls, falls off of things. She just can't seem to slow down.

A Little Dramatic

2010-07-11T18:15:00.001-07:00

Last night Derek wanted a Lego piece that Lizzie had for the airplane he was making. Overheard: "But if I don't have that piece I will DIIIIIEEEE." I tuned out for a while while he continued. I wish I would have kept listening because a few minutes later I heard, "and if I die...."

Derek was excited about me painting his room last night. Since Nate and the older kids are at the Johnsons' for Christie's homecoming I let him stay up and keep me company. He talked and talked until about 10:15 when he finally layed down on the floor and mid sentence fell asleep.

We've had lots of fun while the rest of the family has been gone. Derek didn't not want them to go. "Our family should go on trips together." I agreed with him, but we don't have the transportation. When it was dinner time he didn't want to eat without everyone else. He's a tender guy. But other then that he's been okay. We have read a ton of books, made a tent in the toy room, a pretend fire, and roasted marshmallows. Then I cut up hot dogs for dinner and let them use their roasting sticks (bamboo skewers) to dip the pieces into ketchup and mustard.

All the kids have had swimming lessons the past week. Derek would rather not, but has stuck it out. On the second day Asher did a bob and so Derek had to follow. Way to go! Also, at lunch afterwards, Asher ate his broccoli, so Derek did too! On Friday they went off the diving board. (One guard threw them in and another caught them.) I was a bit worried about that, but after he did it he screamed, "that was fun!" Merian, on the other hand kept moving to the back of the line and avoided getting her head under water. How is she going to be baptized? I think Derek's main problem is that the kid has not meat on those bones and he spends the whole time shivering.

Asher, Eliza, Merian, Cecily, Derek

Kenna, Emma, Callie Emma and Kenna

Uncle Mike and Norah

I've wanted to write down things we usually do during the summer because this summer I forgot and we missed the Reptile Man.

* Sign up for the library summer reading program. This gives us coupons so we can go roller skating and out to dinner sometime later in the year.

* Library programs such as the Reptile Man and Recess Monkey.

*Free summer movies

*swimming and tennis lessons

*splash park by the baseball field

*Howard Amon Park to play in the sand and go swimmin in the little round pool. (I remember going there when I was little when he came up here from Utah for a family reunion.)

*I want to try the "free" bowling.

*We are finally starting Cousin Camp this year

*Last year we picked blueberries. That was fun, expensive, but fun.

*I know there is more. See I'm forgeting and we do these things every year. Too little sleep. I'll add more as I think of them.

More Lizie-isms

2010-07-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

The other day we were reading a book and Eliza was pointing at naming everything. When we turned the page to a picture of a snail, she obviously didn't know what is was, but she was willing to take a crack at it. "That's uh, that's uh, ... a rollersnake!

Today she was "reading" a book to herself, (Purplicious - current favorite along with Pinkalicious) running her finger along the bottoms of the words. "Hey Mom, look what I found," she said holding up her pointer finger and wiggling it.

"Your finger?" I asked.

"Yaaaah," she replied with a smirk that quickly changed into a smile.

"It was right here!" she said pointing to her book.

2010-06-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

Derek: When I grow up I'm going to be a dad and go to work.

Eliza: When I grow up I'm going to be a mom. When Norah grows up she's going to be two. (Pause) Hey, I'm two!

Derek has been very interested in adding lately. He figured it out by himself and is teaching himself all the combinations up to ten. (That's only because he only has ten fingers.)

Out with old...

2010-05-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

I want to do all I can do to stop pollution. When I grow up, I want to write adventure books, and i iz vry cmart.

Micheal is a mean lean video game playing machine. He also is an excellent reader, amazingly thoughtful and a very funny guy!

For the past three months you could not see Emma without a Harry Potter book. She is currently breezing her way through the sixth!

Marian is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. In her prayers she is thankful for rainbows and butterflies, princesses and mermaids....

We're glad he's finally starting to talk! He loves to say prayers and is quite the singer. Of course he loves the Beattles.

Eliza is a very happy baby. She has a special talent of reaching out to others with love.

Lizie-isms

2010-05-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

We have a strict rule about all food and drinks being consumed at the table, but since I was nursing Norah, I brought my water with me to the rocking chair. Eliza followed me and I reminded her to go to the table. Of course she protested that I was drinking water in the toy room. My rebuttal was, "But I'm Mom." Her immediate response, "But I'm Lizie!"

Another time I was nursing Norah I was giving directions to Nate in the kitchen. I asked if I was being bossy. Eliza, playing on the floor a few feet away responded, "Yep! I am too!"

Just as Derek gave her a nick name, she might have nick named Nora - Norie.

Derek loves to hold her, he wants to do it by himself.

Once Michael offered to burp her, but at her first burp he quickly passed her back to me.

Megan loved to rescue her from her bassinet when she wakes up (she's excited that she gets to walk around with her) and Emma comforts her when I am busy.

2010-05-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

When Derek came to the hospital he said he got to ride on the crocodile. (elevator)

2010-03-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

Derek is a thankful guy. The other day when he was getting dressed I told him he picked out a cool shirt. He thanked me for getting it for him and then thanked me for his socks when he put them on.

He loves Sunbeams and works all week on the papers that Sister Powers sends home. He says he is one of Jesus's knights. I think he'll love learning about the Armor of God someday.

We have been going to Lowes for their Build and Grow workshops. On Friday when I told him we would be going the next day he turned on the computer so I could show him what we would make. Early Saturday morning he jumped in my bed with his clothes and started to get dressed. He kept telling me to get up so we could go to "Woes." He's even asked me to tell him a bed time story about Lowes and every day he asks me when the next "Woes Day" is.

For St. Patrick's Day, Merian made green foot prints and placed them around the house. They stopped at each bedroom door and left a tiny origami frog for each occupant of the room. (She loves making frogs and taught her class how to make them when they were studying frogs.) I was dually impressed when the next morning she had cleaned them up!

Derek wasn't ready for them to be gone, however, so he made his own to scatter around. Every time I would clean them up he would make more. One time they were orange and he called them volcano footprints.

He's also been ripping up white paper and dropping them from the loft. Then he goes downstairs and makes angels in them.

Get Aboard the Potty Train

2010-03-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

The easiest way to potty train a kid is to have one of the same gender about six years before. Granted, it will be up to you to potty train them. but it will all pay off.

When it was time for Derek to be potty trained I just asked Michael to take him when ever he went. He would call out, "Come on Derek. Let's go shoot some bad guys." And he would happily go. It was the quickest any of our kids were potty trained and without any accidents or relapses. All I had to do was supply the candy for both boys. Michael also taught him about modesty and to this day Derek is very private. (Except sometimes, when he is in there for a long time, he gets bored and calls for Eliza to keep him company. Poor girl!)

Now it is Eliza's turn and Emma and Merian were more than happy to help out. They were so excited to show her the new potty chair and panties how could Eliza not be thrilled at this new adventure? It is only day two, and at risk of jinxing our luck, she is doing great. Emma and Merian are too. They jump at the chance to take her; I don't even remind them. In fact, when Eliza went today and picked up the inside of the chair to show me the results, Merian whisked them out of my hand to go clean up and help her wash her hands, lest she be at risk for not earning her share of the candy.

Our old chair was dangerously broken after so many kids so I went to find another one. It's hard to find any basic baby things now days. I guess they want you to buy two of everything: one pink and one blue. I debated a long time about which one to get but decided that the ones that make noise might just freak her out and hinder her progress. I got a frog chair like the one below, except with a pink insert. Today when all the kids were gone I asked her if she needed to go and she said, "I'll go hop on the frog!"

It's good this next one is a girl. Maybe by then Eliza can potty train her!

dahaha hellow!

2010-03-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

ewmo [elmo] here! ewmo likes to play imaginary! lately ewmo pretend he in play! ewmo take break from sessame street and be in "beuty and the boot"! it fun, and elmo wear a ton of makeup to make me look innattural! ewmo awso go to di! we win second place, and top secret extra instant challenge! in chawenge, we have chawecter, and i selfecsly greedy person and we win second! we so good at the videogame of wife.

-michae-i mean elmo

The REAL D.I Champions!!!

2010-03-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

By Megan

I did D.I too! My team name was "The No Name Team." (We had a tough time agreeing on a name) The people on my team are: Tirsah, LaNae, Ryan, Kaitlin, and Jeffery. Our challenge was to make a skit that involved a puppet: ours was about "Goldylocks and the Three Bears." I was Momma Bear (who was a hippie), Jeffrey was Pappa Bear, and Ryan was Baby Bear (a jobless 28 year-old who still lives with his parents). After the bears left the home to find Baby Bear a job, Punkylocks broke into the house. A pizza (our puppet, puppeteer-ed and voiced by Tirsah) convinced Punkylocks to stop breaking into houses.

Tirsah was so nice and bought us all pins with this year's motto ( WADIng in Creativity; the WADI stands for Washington Destination Imagination). Tirsah is also going to be home schooled next year!! Whoohooo! I'm super excited!!

D.I.

2010-03-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

By Emma Johnson

I participate in a activity called D.I. (Destination Imagination). Two weeks ago was the regional tournament at East Valley High School in Spokane. The night before the tournament I was recovering from being sick. Megan, Michael, and I were in Beauty and the Beast for A.C.T and if you saw it, we were villagers in the village scene and mob scene. Michael was also in the tavern and battle scene. We were also serving trays in the "Be Our Guest" scene. Megan and Michael were finishing a performance and everyone else in our family was watching. I was staying home with my mom and she was trying to brush my hair (I had tons of tangles from being sick!), finish packing, and cleaning the house. We were going to spend the night at my Aunt Kim's house because she lives close to the tournament. That way we wouldn't have to wake up very early to drive to Spokane. When they finally got home then we got in the car and set off.

When we got to Kim's house then we set up our beds and went to sleep. It was 1:30 in the morning and we were going to have to wake up early! We couldn't go to sleep because Skitter, their hamster, was running on his wheel. Luckily, Aunt Kim came and brought him downstairs.

In the morning, we had scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon and hash browns that Kim made in the crock pot for breakfast. Then we had donuts! We packed up and went to the tournament. When we got there, we had to look for my team. Our team name is the Red Radical Rockets. I'm the only girl on our team. We found them and we got ready. Before we performed we watched other teams.

Our challenge is called DIrect Deposit. We had to get some objects over a six foot barrier into some targets. We couldn't touch or look over the barrier. We made a crane and I made the targets. I sawed and hammered the wood and painted them red. We also had to perform a skit which we made a recycle truck because our skit was about recycling. We didn't get any objects into the targets but we did a great job on our skit. Then we had to do an instant challenge, but that's TOP SECRET! We got third place! I even got a medal.

Why?

2010-02-15T17:56:00.001-08:00

Derek and I have had many discussions about the water cycle as of late. He is so full of questions. (Mostly "why"s; those are the hardest. Gotta teach that kid "how,"; much easier to explain.) When we go over the Blue Bridge after taking the kids to school he'll ask if the water is going to the ocean. He knows that the water came from the waterfalls and streams in the mountains. The other day he asked why there is snow on the mountains and it again reminded me how miraculous our world is. I explained to him that it snows on top of the mountains in the winter and then melts in the summer and comes to us by the river when we need it most. Natural water storage! The Creator thought of everything.

However, as most often is the case, he kept asking "why." I'm starting to ask him what he thinks. This time I told him because it's pretty and we can play with it. Then came the other word I hear a lot. "Oh."

2010-02-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

Tonight on the way home from taking the three older kids to play practice Merian was telling me how she wanted to ride a taxi. One of the questions she had was where they were located so she could catch one. I told her that in places like airports and big cities, like New York, they just waited around for when people needed them, but in other places you have to call for them.

Without missing a beat she starts, "Here Taxi, Taxi!"

I meant with the phone, Merian.

2010-02-03T19:14:00.001-08:00

Eliza has been kind of bossy lately. I know, that's shocking for a two year old. Today she was quite upset because I wouldn't let her do something she wanted to. I was ignoring her tantrum, but Derek calmly explained to her, "Lizie, if Mom says no you can't do it because you need to be good and choose the right and then you'll be happy." I loved watching him calmly explain things to her just like his older brother and sisters reason with him. He's becoming one of the older kids. He's always proudly proclaiming, "I choose the right!"

2010-02-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

Megan had been studying hard for her semester final in vocabulary. However, because of our slow/late start she crammed a whole semester into a few weeks and was having a little bit of a hard time remembering everything. I convinced her she needed to move on and just take the test instead of spending more time studying. She reluctantly agreed and did pretty well. It made me laugh to read the questions she bluffed her way through. It reminded me about when we first moved to the Tri-Cities and she was introduced to a whole new way of doing math, where explaining why your answer was correct was just as important as getting the right answer. I admire her for always taking a stab at it and it makes me smile to see what she comes up with.

Part of the test asked questions involving the vocab words (in italics). The object was to answer the question in a way that would show she knew the meaning of the words.

Q. Do you plan on studying humanities when you matriculate into a university?

A. That depends on whether or not I'm interested.

Q. Would you expect members of the gentry to be genteel?

A. It is likely that some would. (I gave her a second chance on the one's I felt she needed to describe more and she did pretty good except for this one. She then added: There is often genteels in gentrys.)

I love having my kids at home and learning with them!!!

2010-01-31T15:29:00.000-08:00

i loved going sledding and playing "do you love your neighbor?We had mp3 player parties on the the bunks. usually on my top bunk.We all sat together and listened our mp3 players till late at night.We also switched our mp3 players around. usually i listened to the phantom of the opera Kenna's mp3 player.then when the grown-ups told us to go to bed and Kenna,(who slept on the bottom bunk) climbed up to my bunk and we listened to Alyssa and Brennen loudly talk noisily.

-Emma

Camp Zarahemla

2010-01-31T09:55:00.000-08:00

We didn't take any pictures so I snatched these from Carrie's and Tallia's blogs. We had a fun couple of days sledding and eating and playing. Grandpa Lewis kept the lodge warm. I want to have the kids write their favorite parts, since that was the whole idea when we started this blog.

2010-01-14T03:02:00.000-08:00

Derek is a builder. He spends most of his day with his train set, castle set, marble slide, and blocks. When he isn't playing with toys he rearranges the furniture and stacks it us to create things. He has made airplanes and submarines out of paper and he's begun to draw planes. All the kids keep telling him to be an Imagineer when he grows up. That would suit him, since his other favorite pass time is watching You Tube videos of Disneyland rides. In fact, a lot of his creations are Disneyland rides.

Derek is constantly asking questions. Most start with "why" which I find the hardest to answer. He is very thoughtful and I love watching his face when he is concentrating or trying to understand something. He absorbs so much. After Kenna's baptism I asked him what happened. I couldn't understand it all but he said "Holy Ghost" a couple of times. He has also started asking lots of questions about Heavenly Father and Jesus.

I love how full of life he is. When he watched Kenna's baptism he was surprised when she was dunked under water and he laughed out loud! For the past couple of days he has sat on my lap and sang as I played songs like "Popcorn Popping" on the piano.

He is growing up so much. Today when I asked him to clean up so his friends could come over to play he started immediately and worked so quickly. I asked him if I could help and he said he wanted to do it by himself. I love that "do it by myself" faze. Today at speech he had earned enough stickers to get a fun size candy bar. For some reason he likes to choose Baby Ruths and he calls them monkey bars. Unfortunately, it wasn't Porter's time to get a candy and that made him sad, but Derek offered to share his. I was beaming with pride and wonder at my little boy as we went out to the car. I told him it was nice to share and that maybe it will be Porter's turn next time. Derek agreed and said then it wouldn't be his turn. I was relieved that he understood that so he won't be disappointed when the tables are turned.

When ever Derek is hungry he takes matters into his own hands. Most of the time it is a bowl of cereal that he makes for himself. Eliza is pretty good at following suit.

Since Derek turned four I tried to take him to the dentist. I thought he would enjoy it. He is always disappointed when he doesn't get a toothbrush or a toy like the rest of the kids. When we got there he watched Michael go first, but wouldn't even sit in the chair on Michael's lap to try it out. He kept telling me he turned back to three and he hasn't admitted he was four since. Eliza thinks she's three too. She is her little brother's shadow and she is hard to argue with.

They are quite the team. I am so glad they have each other and hope this new little one will fit right in with them because I do not want to be pregnant again. If Derek is going to be in the bathroom for an extended period of time and decides he wants company he will call out, "Eliza, I need you," and she will come and sit on the bench and visit with him. He has tried to get me to do the same, but I'm not as obliging.

Eliza is all princess. She announces it to everyone and if you ask, "are you Eliza," or "are you two" or anything like that she'll disagree and say she is a princess. Every morning the first thing out of her mouth is that she wants to wear a princess dress and shoes. She must have shoes. I doesn't matter if they match or if they are even hers. Sometimes her princess dress goes on over her pajamas and if we are not going anywhere that is how it stays. I figure it keeps her warm. Today she added her Strawberry Shortcake hat. Paired with the old fashioned dress she was wearing she kind of looked like Holly Hobby or like she could be in Avolnee. She also likes her purse and she is know to carry up to three babies at a time. Of course, they must be wrapped up in a blanket.

She likes to practice speech when Derek does. She loves my gum. She is constantly singing, either real songs or ones she is making up on the spot. She is a very happy little girl from the moment she wakes up. She is easy to reason with. She is full of love.

Merian is doing well in first grade. On the first night of Christmas break, she was wrestling with Michael on her bed and fell off. Yes, she was pretending she was a monkey. She broke her collar bone and has been in a sling ever since. She looked forward to getting out of P.E.

Merian's best friend right now is Emma, (from school). I'm glad she has someone she gets along with so well.

Cheaper by the Dozen???

2010-01-03T09:26:00.001-08:00

I'm beginning to be awake enough to have the state of the house really bug me. Nate and the kids have been doing a great job, but it just needs some deep down cleaning. I decided to start with the laundry room because it is the smallest and easiest. After that, and practicing calligraphy with Megan and the new set she got for Christmas I attacked the kids bathroom out of necessity. Still a small room, but by no means easy, thanks to Derek's and Eliza's creating a pink tooth paste original mural all over the wall a few months back. (Yes, it's been there a few months. That's how badly that bathroom needed a good cleaning.)

While in the bathroom I started wondering about my kids' dental habits. I hadn't been paying attention. I knew Megan brushed and flossed every day, but I wasn't so sure about the others. The fact that all the toothpaste was on the wall and there were no toothbrushes to be seen in the bathroom started making me feel extremely neglectful and slightly disgusted.

I made a chart (I feel like I'm always making charts, must be my parenting style) and headed off to WalMart for new toothbrushes and stickers. I grabbed a couple generic four packs of toothbrushes like usual and then saw the fairy and cars toothbrushes. If we were making a effort to do better at brushing, why not make it more fun? Besides, it seemed like my kids were always losing there toothbrushes and I never knew who's was who's. No one would misplace a Tinkerbell or Lightning McQueen toothbrush, right? I knew it would be a big treat, since the kids hadn't had special toothbrushes for a while and usually only got them in there stockings or Easter baskets. (Aren't I a fun mom? Don't answer.) I also had to buy special princess toothpaste and train toothpaste for Derek. Besides as a medium for expressing his artistic talent, Derek doesn't like toothpaste and will not use it. I hope this new kind would do the trick. New habits do not come cheap. Who would have thought new toothbrushes could cost close to $30?

When the kid saw what I brought home they were excited. I worried about them losing the toothbrushes and germs when they wanted to play with them, but I showed them the package of plain toothbrushes and told them that is what they'd be getting if anything happened to their character ones. Derek was thrilled about his toothpaste and not only has used it, but puts the tube back in the box when he is done. Tonight at family council I'll introduce my chart (oh, no, mom has another chart) and the stickers and we'll see how it goes.

In other news: Megan, Michael, and Emma all have parts in Beauty and the Beast. They also are on Destination Imagination teams. Merian broke her collar bone, Eliza loves to sing (Jingle Bells HEY!, being one of her favorites.), and Derek is always inventing. He found a glow stick inside a paper cup makes a handy lantern.

Everyone enjoyed playing in the snow and getting in the hot tub at the Johnson's cabin and I'm not ready to get back to school tomorrow!

It's another girl

2009-11-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

We took the kids to the ultra sound. Even though they were all hoping for a boy, they have been good sports about another sister. I'm glad that the ultra sound means we are half way done and hopefully I'll be feeling relatively better soon. Seven is a good number: lucky number seven; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; seven kids in the Von Trapp family; the Magnificent Seven. I don't think we'll have another chance for a boy.

The kids have been AMAZING! The last few months have been a blur to me, but somehow the house is staying pretty clean and when I had to fill out their monthly home school report I was surprised at how much they have gotten done. The credit all goes to them. They've been carrying on without me.

Emma loves to dance. I can't wait to see her in the Nutcracker. Megan loves mutual and Michael has Chris Baugh as his new scout leader. Merian's teacher told her at conference that she is the best writer in the class. Derek loves studying geography. He was in heaven when we had a unit with pictures of mountains last week. That inspired me to make a mountain/volcano cake for his birthday. We formed a vanilla ice cream mound and covered it with brownies. The candles on top were the fire. Eliza is a very cheerful girl and is constantly singing. Her life is a musical. There's a quick update. I need to write more often because I know there are things I've wanted to write, but can't remember now.

2009-10-11T19:12:00.000-07:00

I got to go to Michael's soccer game on Saturday. He is really getting into it and doing a great job. It was FREEZING! but all the boys still did their best. When it was time to leave he pleasantly surprised me by picking up my camping chair and carried it to the car for me. What a gentleman! I love that guy.

Emma also had her first Nutcracker performance on Saturday. She said it was so much fun. She was really cute in her part.

Megan has been memorizing her part for Tombstone Tales. It is a living history program put on the CREHST museum. I can't wait to see her performance!

2009-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

I'm not writing as much as I should! I need to get the kids to do it.

But I just wanted to record that after I took Marian to school I was laying down on the couch. Derek went upstairs, got a blanket from the girls bed and covered me up. Then he asked if I wasn't feeling well. He is so sweet.

One of Eliza's favorite things to say lately is, "what are you doing?"

2009-07-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

Uncle Philip and Aunt Erin, or Big Edna as she has the kids affectionately call her, are here for Aunt Kim's wedding and we have been busy. Yesterday we went swimming at Memorial while Michael was in swim lessons. (He is getting so muscular with all the marching and swimming!) Then we had a picnic of Little Caesars pizza before going to pick blueberries. The kids imagined they were Indians. Our family alone picked eight pounds. We've been eating them all day and even had buttermilk blueberry pancakes for dinner.

Today we went to the sprinkler park. Eliza saw a seagull and grabbed my hand. As we followed it she kept saying "bird." She was excited to see it closer but careful not to scare it away.

2009-07-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

I've been giving the kids each a night to plan and help prepare dinner. They have fun looking through the cookbooks and making their lists. I hope this is something we can make a habit of. Merian chose to make a whole chicken, something I have never done before. I always just get the boneless skinless chicken tenders from Costco. I feel they are healthy, a reasonable price and I don't have to mess with all the junk the icky that comes with a whole bird. So the kids were pretty impressed when Merian and I got it out of the package and into the crock pot. Derek took it all in. He and Emma were a little bit grossed out, I think. Merian was very excited and happy. When we got to dinner she said, "we're eating a real live chicken." Derek, who usually loves chicken refused. "I'm not going to eat a dead bird," he said with disbelief each time we asked if he wanted some. He served himself some mashed potatoes and then asked for the "sauce" (gravy).

Megan has been babysitting a lot lately and Michael even got to take a job that she was called for because she was at another job. With all their activities and things, it's kind of ironic. Just as soon as I got babysitters, they're gone all the time! I'm excited for them. It's fun to see them become more independent and watch their abilities increase.

With Megan and Michael gone all the time Emma has stepped up to be a wonderful helper. She makes my life easier and more fun! I keep telling her she makes me heart smile while I watch her do all the nice, mature, service that she does.

Emma and Merian are done with tennis and, along with Megan, will start swimming lessons next week. We went to Memorial pool as a family last night to let Merian try out the pool since she was a bit nervous. She was brave, learned that she can touch the bottom with her tippy toes and it now excited to go again! Derek kept wanting to go down the slide. I'll have to get him into swimming lessons starting next session.

Michael is going to march in the Fourth of July parade tomorrow. I think he is enjoying himself. I'll have to see about getting him private lessons for next year.

I love eating lunch at the park each day. Because I'm not busy fixing lunch or cleaning up afterwards, I get to talk with the kids and really listen to them. It is so much fun!

2009-06-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

I love, love, LOVE summer! The greatest thing about being a mom is staying home with the kids in the summer time. I get to go to the pool, the park, the library, out to Sonics, the free movies, to play in the sun, to occasionally relax in the warm afternoons by reading, taking a nap or watching a movie with the kids. I'm looking forward to our camping trips and any other day trips or adventures we decide to take. I am so lucky! It's like being a kid again!

On Thursday we went to the wading pool while Michael was in swim team. I was surprised by how brave Eliza was. The water does not bother her at all. She could fall or have a wave go over her head and she's just up and laughing. She wanted to crawl around like Emma and Merian and wanted to be in the middle like them, even though it is deeper there. When Emma tried to lead her closer to the side she gave her trademark, "no!" She doesn't really shout it but she is sure of herself. Later that day while we were eating lunch at the park she was excited to finish so she could throw her garbage away. She had so much fun she threw everyone else's away too!

Megan got back from girls camp today. The leaders all told me how cute and happy she is. She's just everyone's favorite!

Michael is enjoying summer band and swim team. I'm so proud of all his hard work!

Derek has been telling knock, knock jokes all day. He is so funny!

Emma and Merian recently got a queen bed from Grandma Lewis. It worked out great because they were sharing a twin bed anyway. Now they are even off the ground! To celebrate they have been doing an extra good job of keeping there room clean. They're awesome!

Did I get everybody? Here is a sample of our daily summer schedule so we can remember it years from now.

5:00 I get up, go running, clean the house
6:30 Nate leaves for work so he can get home early and be with us!
Wake up Meg and Mike
7:00 Meg and Mike leave for summer band
7:15 Wake up Emma and Merian
7:45 Leave for tennis
Derek and Eliza ride scooters and play with Asher during tennis
9:15 Get home, tidy rooms, practice piano, laundry (the kids are starting to do their own, I hope this helps with the piles that sometimes/often accumulate inside/outside the laundry room), school work, Grandma Lewis comes over to work with Merian
10:00 Snack
10:30 Leave to pick up Meg and Mike
Swim team/play at Memorial park or in the wadding pool
11:45 Kids eat lunch at the park
12:30 Reading time/nap time
Quiet time/chore/project
3:00 Snack
Start dinner, the kids are going to take turns helping me
5:00 Dinner

We are planning on making each night of the week for something. Monday is FHE, the rest of the nights can be designated for yard work, swimming, family bike rides, and other fun things.

I didn't include going to Sonics for Happy Hour (this usually co insides with mowing the lawn), the bookmobile and park, mowing the lawn, the water park, and other fun thing we are doing.

Like I said in the beginning, I love summer! I hope I love home school just as much!

2009-06-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Megan left for girls' camp early yesterday morning. She was excited and happy to go. It's like the first day of kindergarten. I was kind of sad to let her go. It's just one of those things that force me to realize that she'll not be here forever and that the rest of the kids will too quickly follow. On Sunday she graduated from primary. The bishop called her to the front during sacrament meeting and she recited the third article of faith. She also sang with the Young Women.

Meg and Mike are both in summer band and Michael is in swim team. He is going to be gaining some muscles with all the exercise they have him doing!

Yesterday Eliza wanted something that Derek had. She was whining so I reminded her that if she asked nicely Derek might share. Derek followed our usual ritual: "Lizie, say, Derek...(she copies along, usually it is "may I please...) is...awesome." He shared with her. That kids is amazing with a scooter. We have to get him one of his own.

Gotta go wake up the girls for tennis!

2009-06-17T05:10:00.001-07:00

In the nursery, we are not allowed to have very many toys. This Sunday Derek decided he would take matters into his own hands when it came to his boredom. He wanted to bring his blanket to church. I thought that maybe the overcast skies made him think it was cold outside. During sacrament meeting he put the blanket on the floor and sat on it. He wanted Asher to come and sit on it too, but made him get back up on the bench. He seemed so happy to have been able to bring his blanket. When we got to nursery, he arranged chairs in a circle and then put his blanket over the top to make a fort. He and Asher played in it mostly, but other kids did too. He was so good and didn't really get mad when Ella kept trying to stand on the top. He shared it with the other boys and when it was time to put it away so we could use the chairs for snack he didn't mind. I love that guy!!!

He has gotten so easy to reason with which makes life a whole lot easier. He is always thinking. He has interesting ideas. Yesterday he put two of the little bush plants on the back of his tricycle and drove around in circles. He takes really care of "Lizzie" and I love that he gave her that nick-name, it's the name she prefers.

Eliza is now sharing a room with the girls. She has been in there for three nights and slept all the night in there for the past two. When she woke up yesterday morning she pointed out the butterflies on the walls. Maybe being in a big girls room will help her like this change.

Yesterday Megan turned 12! Today she gets to go to mutual and next week she will be leaving for girls' camp. We had Aubree and Marinda over for pizza and then went to see Up in 3D. (Aubree had to leave after dinner because she had a softball game.)

Michael and Nate went to Cub camp yesterday. Both Michael and Megan are growing up!

Emma and Merian are in tennis right now. They seem to be having fun.

Emma is becoming so wonderful. It's amazing to me to watch the princess she is becoming. She is helpful and kind. She always does her best. She is so fun to have around!

My Mountain

2009-06-09T22:19:00.001-07:00

Have I written about how Derek loves mountains? Just about as much as "train tracks." When we are out he points them out and one day while we were driving home from taking the kids to school he asked if we could see his mountain. We ran errands later on so he could get a good look. One day while I was making his peanut butter and jelly sandwich the bread was really squished. I asked it was okay if he had a triangle sandwich instead of a dinosaur sandwich and he explained to me that it wasn't a triangle sandwich, it was a mountain sandwich. I can't wait to climb Badger Mountain with him or show him Mt. Rainier.

He is so amazing. It is so easy to reason with him now and that makes life so much easier. He is a smart guy and loves to be involved. When Nate was adding a filter to our sprinkler system he showed my a neat nozzle he was planning to add also. When it was time to put it on he found it already attached to the garden hose. Derek knew exactly where it went. He is so snugly and I love him!

Eliza is talking a lot. When she gets excited she jumps up and down and giggles! She gets really excited to eat sometimes. Her and Derek are best friends and I love to see them hug each other in the morning. Derek takes good care of her. How lucky she is!

I can't believe Marian is almost done with kindergarten! She has had a great time and made many friends. I don't think she minds that she will still be going to school while everyone else is home schooled. She seems more grown up every day. On Sunday we had a piano recital and she did so well. She was the first one to play but she was so cute and confident. I wish I would have recorded it so I would have her introducing herself and her songs.

Emma had a birthday cooking party. The girls got aprons for their favors that they wore throughout the party. They looked so cute! They played games and made pizza and lemonade. I'm glad we were finally able to have Emma's party.

Michael is such an amazing helper. He is so willing to lend a hand, often without being asked. He is responsible and will practice the piano and do his homework without being told. (The other day when he was practicing I even heard him say, "this is fun!" YES!!!) He really enjoys baseball and does really well during the games. He also is pretty good at marbles. I'm planning on getting him a hacky sack and yo yo. That will give him something to work on during the summer. Derek idolizes him. Most nights Michael puts him to sleep and Michael single handedly potty trained Derek and did a much better job then I ever did. Derek is almost perfect at it and it didn't take any time at all! We didn't even go through a whole package of pull-ups. It's amazing! I love my boys. They are so sweet; they will make the perfect husbands and fathers someday, just like there dad.

I am proud of Megan and all she had accomplished in her first year of middle school. She will be getting another 4.0 and her schedule was packed with high cap classes. She even opted to take algebra instead of a fun elective, even when she knew is would entail a lot of homework and that in the past math hadn't always been her strongest subject. I am proud of her for taking the challenge and doing the work that was needed to succeed. This year she also had a leading role in the school play and received a perfect score at Solo and Ensemble contest for her solo. In a week she'll be going to mutual and then girls' camp. How did that happen?

Yeah, maybe I'm bragging, but when my kids read this I want them to remember what they did and that their mom is proud of them.

2009-05-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Derek is an amazing worker. When he saw Nathan tinkering on the bug he asked if he was fixing his bug. (I love his voice!) To be helpful he grabbed "daddy's new blue vacuum cleaner" (the sandblaster) and wheeled it out to him. Nate then left to mow the lawn but Derek grabbed his toolbox. He must keep it right next to Nate's. I heard banging near the bug and when I went to check it out I wasn't surprised to see him "fixing" it with his tools.

But he didn't stop there. When Nathan was done mowing, Derek grabbed the big broom and swept the sidewalk and the drive way. He is so awesome. I think he's our hardest worker!

2009-04-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

This morning Eliza asked Emma for a piece of paper then she went to the art cupboard and collected the markers and scissors It looks like we have another artist. The amazing thing is that she put the top on each marker and put it back in the bag after using it. When she was done she put the bag back in the cupboard.

2009-04-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Eliza is a girl who knows what she wants. Today at the grocery store I was holding her when I picked up a block of cheese, she snatched the adjacent cream cheese. She didn't put it in the cart like she had with all the other groceries I had handed her. Instead she held it even after she went to sit in Grandma Lewis's cart. When Grandma went down the cracker isle she pointed to the wheat thins until she got to hold them as well. Grandma bought her the snack she had chosen and she happily started on the crackers as soon as we got the the van (and her hands had been washed with Purell.)

Yesterday Derek brought Eliza a gift he had made by ripping lines in a square Kleenex half way up. He made one for himself as well. He told me they were octopi. (Actually, he said octopus. He's smart, but not that smart. I taught he the octopus verse of "Slippery Fish" and he happily sang it all morning as he played with his Kleenex. Who needs toys? I think it's sweet that he thought to make one for Eliza.

I picked up Megan from play practice today and was in awe of what an amazing young women she is becoming. She is excited to go to camp in a month and a half and even got to go to a camp night at mutual. She is going to have a great time. She has decided to be home schooled next year and we are all getting excited about that!

Michael is an amazing young man. Derek idolizes him. He always has to sit by him and do everything he does. Michael happily includes him. The other night when I went to tuck them in they were in there room playing Legos together.

Grandma Lewis has been coming over to "play" with Marian every morning. It has been great. Her reading and math is really improving and she enjoys spending time with Grandma. She is looking forward to Grandma taking her to the fabric store so she can pick out material for her summer skirts/jumpers/dresses.

Tonight is the Activity Day recognition night for Emma and Megan. Emma is making one of her darling cats to show and Megan is bringing one of her amazing pictures.

2009-02-24T18:22:00.001-08:00

I'm always hearing people say they are waiting to go to Disneyland when their kids are older so they will enjoy the experience more and remember it better. My opinion is that Disneyland should be attended often so it really is irrelevant what age you take them.

When we were heading off to go to Grandma Johnson's, Derek watched us pack up the car with our bags and sleeping bags. When we got to the stoplight he said excitedly, "I going to Disneyland!" He remembered! He has said, "Let's go to Disneyland tomorrow," and once after we took Emma to school he wouldn't get out of the car because he was ready to go to the Happiest Place on Earth. He finally agreed to leave when I told him we could go to Asher's house later that day.

Today he said, "I need a Disneyland paper." He climbed up on the computer and drew a picture, cut it out and hung it on the fridge, replacing Michael's map he made from school. When he brought me by the hand to see his new display he told me it was a princess. I was impressed.

My Mom says that Disneyland is in our blood. Maybe she's right. I'm glad that all my brothers and sister has married people that agree so we can understand the need, especially this time of the year for some strange reason, to migrate south.

2009-01-16T13:52:00.001-08:00

Derek is his father's son. His favorite thing to eat any time of the day is cereal.

Long Underwear

2008-12-15T08:42:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'll fix the pictures later.

It's been snowing all night and it's supposed to be in the single digits all week. So at five 'o clock this morning I trekked out to Walmart to get my kids some long underwear. They were pretty excited about it.

I thought the outfit Marian came up with was pretty cute.

(Marian is licking Carrie's yummy divinity off her fingers.)

Oh and it's a two hour delay, although I think we're all still hoping for a closure.

2008-09-04T22:07:00.001-07:00

Derek is off and talking! Like yesterday when we visited the park and he poked his head through two bars only to realize his ears would only fit one way: "MA, I stuck!" He wasn't worried, he had a smile on his face and we both enjoyed the funny situation. I reflected later how happy I was that when he needed help he knew to call me.

Derek carried his "BABY DOLL!" with him all the time. (He says most things so loudly, I suppose that is because we have such a hard time understanding him.) He will put it in the baby backpack, making sure it looks comfortable and change it's diaper. Once he woke in the middle of the night screaming for it. Sometimes he will put up to four babies in the baby bed and carry it around. He is going to make such a good dad!

He'll make a great husband too. Yesterday when I was vacuuming he helped me move furniture, vacuumed with his little Dirt Devil, and then dumped his canister and stored the vacuum in the garage right next to mine. He puts his dishes in the sink and can often be found replacing the garbage bag when the kids take the garbage out.

He is so determined to be grown up and I'm glad the other kids are such great examples for him to live up to. Last night he rode/walked the three wheeler all the way to the park and back all by himself. I was surprised at how he kept up with everyone and, as I watched him play at the park, impressed by his miraculous body. I was in awe watching his muscles work to make him jump from place to place and grateful for such an amazing creation.

I love how he calls Eliza, "LYZIE!" (again, he rarely says anything quietly) and watches out for her.

I think Eliza is saying things like "cracker" and "I did it," but it has been so long since I've had a talker I could be delusional or overly optimistic. She loves everyone and everyone loves her. She also loves clothes and brings them to me to get her dressed.

Marian is enjoying Kindergarten. She gets to ride on the bus with Brennan. Megan is finding middle school easier than spectrum, as I predicted, even though she has high math, high English and AP pre-algebra for her elective. I'll have to be sure to give her more responsibilities around the house now that she has it easier at school. Emma and Michael have impressed me by doing their homework as soon as they come home with out being told.

2008-08-23T09:25:00.001-07:00

Eliza knows she is a cutie. When we were at Michael's doctor's appointment the other day she was sitting on my lap until another lady came and sat by us. Then she hopped down and started walking around, looking at the lady the whole time. When the lady finally looked up from her Reader's Digest she was rewarded with a huge, adorable smile from Eliza. "You gotta love me, I'm the baby!"

She loves water. Yesterday we went to Howard Amon Park and played at the park and in the wadding pool. She had no fear, going chest deep towards the center. A couple of weeks ago I set her on the side of Grandma Lewis's above ground pool. She jumped right in and had a great time, with me holding her.

Derek loves showers and will hop in when ever he catches Nate taking one. Once he even hopped in with Emma and took charge of the hand-held shower head. I can't keep the kid off the counters! He is a sweet guy and is often seen carrying around two baby dolls. He is very clean. He'll come tell me when he needs a diaper change, get the stuff if I ask and lays down. Time to potty train! He doesn't like having his hands dirty and he puts his dishes in the sink. He cleans up the toys at nursery. He also has learned some of his letters and sounds. He loves to sweep and vacuum. He's always happy to lend a helping hand.

Megan is starting Middle School next week. It looks like it will be great. She has good teachers and is in the High Cap classes including a very special pre-algebra class. She has been babysitting Madalyn Walker twice a week. It's a great entry-level babysitting job and she is earning money for college, her American Girl magazine subscription, Christmas presents, and our upcoming Disneyland trip.

This summer has been so full of fun! swimming lessons, Seattle trip, swimming at Grandma's, Bookmobile, free movies at the theater, watching a movie outside at grandma's, the ward camp out, finishing our swing set, sleeping out on the trampoline, going to the spray park, Sonics' Happy Hour :) , and just being together as a family enjoying lazy days. The kids have been marvelous. Michael has written some wonderful reports and made awesome accompanied power point presentations. Everyone has pitched in to keep the house somewhat clean.

I know it's almost time for school to start. The days are shorter and more golden. They shadows are longer and the air is colder. The backpacks are packed and new clothes are bought (except for shoes, gotta go do that!), but I'm not ready to give up summer or my kids yet. We'll see how much we can pack in the next few days. Whenever I start wishing for more summer I just remember we'll be going to Disneyland soon and that time is passing so quickly, it won't be long until next June!

Seattle Trip

2008-07-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

By: Everybody

We went to Seattle. We had a blast!

On the way there we stopped in Ellensburg and had a picnic dinner at the park on Manitoba. At the park there was a swing that we could all sit on.

The hotel had a really cool swimming pool. It had two sprinklers and a really deep end and a really not deep end. It went from nine inches to four and a half feet. Derek and Eliza mostly liked playing in the shower. The food was great. There was waffles for breakfast and lemonade and sandwiches for dinner. They also had croutons. Michael liked watching Sponge Bob. Our hotel had a personal bathroom and a bed in the couch that Emma and Megan slept on. Michael and Merian slept on a blow up mattress and Mom and Dad slept in the KING bed with Eliza and Derek.

On our first day there we went to the Seattle Aquarium. The otters gracefully swam. There were seahorses. We saw a presentation with a scuba diver! We also saw the octopus being fed. We touched starfish, coral reef stuff, and crabs. There were also tiny sharks in a dome room with a lot of cool fish. They also had an activity where you could rub impressions of animal foot prints.

After eating PB&J in the car we went to Tukwila park. There was a playground and so many plants! We went on a little hike on a path.

That night we went to the Rainforest Cafe. There was pretend lightening and the animals moved. There was a statue that had a sign that said, "save the rainforest." We shared two volcanoes that had a sparkler on top and when they brought it out they yelled, "volcano!" There was a tree with a face carved into it with eyes that moved and it talked.

The next day we went swimming and to a park that had a giant spider ball to climb in. It also had a slide that had a cool way to climb up. We also took a walk around the pond there.

At night we went to the Seattle Center and saw Laser Beatles at the Pacific Science Center. Laser images were projected on the ceiling while Beatle songs played. One of Michael's favorite ones was "It's Been a Hard Day's Night." It showed an owl that found a earthworm and did nice things. He also liked "The Yellow Submarine" that showed pictures of a yellow submarine.

We also saw the Space Needle and we touched it!

The next day after swimming and checking out of our hotel and eating lunch at a park we visited the Defiance Point Zoo. There were lemurs, meerkats, and puffins. The beluga whales always smiled. The walruses were huge. So enormous they are hard to imagine. They would swim right by the glass. We saw a zoo keeper holding a tarantula, another one holding a snake, and another holding an owl. We saw huge sharks and sea dragons! They had a playground with a climbing spider web. They had crab shells so you could pretend that you were a crab, a nest and a coral reef thing.

Then we picked Dad up at his training and went camping at Zion's Camp. Everyone did a good job helping set the tent up and we sang songs and roasted marshmallows at the camp fire before going to bed. The next morning Michael, Emma, and Merian kept the fire burning bright. Megan discovered a few ripe blackberries and sent the kids on a hunt.

We played at the playground at the big rope swing and barrel swing. Merian found a secret room at the tree house. Then Dad took Megan, Michael, Emma, Merian and Derek out in a row boat. The water was so clear that sometimes you could see the bottom. Marian thought it wasn't safe to go but she did it and it was fun. We ran into a rock. Michael put a fishing bob from the boat in the water and later Emma caught it. Megan, Emma and Merian carved pictures into tree bark. Michael, Emma and Merian learned how to skip rocks and they swung out over the lake on the rope.

After we left Zion's camp we visited Port Orchard and ate lunch at Sidney Glenn where Megan went to Kindergarten. She remembered a huge rock covered by moss and surrounded by trees, but it wasn't quite how she remembered it. There was a huge slide on the hill and a playground.
We also went on a quick hike at South Kitsap park.

After driving around we went to Bremerton to catch a ferry. Michael almost got sea sick but really liked hanging out on the deck. He liked watching the water. Megan, Emma and Merian collected travel brochures. Merian remembers the water fountains at Bremerton's ferry dock. We saw star fish but Megan was disappointed she didn't see any jelly fish like she had as child.

Michael thinks this trip was "specticalelar!" because the food was great! Merian thinks the best part was finding the secret room in the tree house with the benches and table and the cement head. Emma liked seeing the seahorses and sea dragons. Megan liked not having to wake up at 6:30 to go to band camp. Dad's and Mom's favorite part was being together as a family.

Mexican Bakery (Panderia)

2008-01-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

By: Master Mike

The whole family went to a Mexican bakery today. We all ordered some pretty wild donuts and a little pan dulce. We learned that "Quisiera pan dulce, por favor" means "I would like some sweet bread, please." While we were there we saw some pretty awesome cakes. The donuts were huge!

Megan was excited while Emma was nervous. The food was great. We all had a good time together with our family at the bakery.

Whitman Mission

2008-01-19T10:05:00.000-08:00

By: Mom

For the past few Sundays we have woken up Eliza from her nap and carried her off to church. On the way there Derek always falls asleep. Instead of sleeping through sacrament, which would be ideal and is what Marian has chosen to do the last few weeks, he wakes up - upset. The kids have been marvelous sitting by themselves in sacrament meeting while Nathan and I are holding and rocking the babies in the foyer. Derek finally goes to sleep on the ride home, misses dinner and wakes up when it is time to go to bed. It is miserable.

This Sunday was no different and as we walked into the building, the half awake Derek was screaming and kicking. As I thought of the three children in need of a nap and the evening that lay ahead of us I let my thoughts slip out of my mouth. "Everyone back in the car. We're going on a drive!"

"Yeah, I don't get much out of that part of church anyway," came Megan's reply. (One would never guess by looking at her during the meeting. She sits so still with her arms folded and keeps her attention on the speaker.) I wonder what the librarian, who saw this whole escapade, was thinking.

I was thinking we'd just drive around for the first hour, let the kids get an adequate nap and then go back for primary. I suggested a few times, "shouldn't we turn around now?" but we ended up only stopping when Eliza woke up crying for a snack. When we stopped the car, we were in the Whitman Mission parking lot. After feeding Eliza and debating whether or not it was kosher to visit on a Sunday, driving out of the parking lot and then changing our minds and going back, we woke up a sleepy Marian and all went to the visitors center. We were there almost at closing time so at least we didn't have to pay - if that helps make it more Sunday appropriate.

Because of the fog and wintery colors it didn't quite look like the picture above, but we did see the Oregon Trail. Mostly we stayed in the visitors center. Our walk was cut short by the freezing cold.

Sometimes doing the wrong thing seems so right. We were in desperate need of some family time. It felt wonderful to be together. The kids acted so well behaved in the visitors center and had a great time being with each other in the car. I enjoyed talking to Nathan, having our family all in one little space and the beautiful foggy countryside.