Our Christmas Party

I was a little apprehensive about our Adult Christmas Party that we did this year, wondering what the couples would think when I told them that for our activity we were doing a scavenger hunt in search of a Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings for a 2 families on in our church and one in the commuitiy. When I told every one what we were doing they were a little set back but we divided up into 2 groups and off we went. When we all came back everyone said they had a blast. We had did it found the true meaning of Christmas through serving. We all gathered around and ate snacks and then played games and had a great time until about midnight. To finish our dinners our family put the dinners in to wrapped chrismas boxes and delievered them to the bishop of our ward and to another family not of our faith. I hope that we all have a great year and remember that this is the season for giving not just this time but our journey here on earth should be our season to give.

Allison and Mom Learn songs for Christmas eve night

Allie and I are leraning some songs to sing for our family night on Chrristmas Eve. She is playing The first Noel on the piano from the Hynm book(top hand) I can not beleive how fast she picked that one up in a half hour. She has a great teacher she looks at the notes and learns it then memorizies the songs. Too bad she won't do that with all of her songs in her piano books. I guess she likes it if she likes the song. Any ways then Allie and the little kids are going to sing Little Jesus. I am going to see if I can get Joseph to play a song also. He does really good at the piano but is currentlly not playing because he as to many other things going on and until his behavior is better we can no over stimulate him or he gets out of control and very emotional. I am so excited for Christmas and to enjoy the season of our Savior.

Josephs Baptism

We have been so busy with the Holidays that I have not been able to take a break and write so I thought that I would take a few minutes before life gets busier. Well I can hardley beleive that my son is 8 and is now baptized and is a member of the church now. I can not beleive how fast life goes. It was just yesterday that he was placed in my arms as a newborn. And now he is again new and clean form sin. I love him. He as grown so much and and has learned so many things. I am so happy that our SAvior has entrusted me to be his mother. I love him. I am amazed at how much he has grown to love his Savior I hope that I can continue to provide the atmosphre for him to feel of the Spirit and the love of his Savior. I love the gospel and the knowlegde that it brings to us. What a peaceful feeling in these times of trouble that we feel in this world at this time.

Was that a yard sale

We were driving to a friends house to drop something off when my children saw a house that has a whole front yard full of christmas decorations. Allison and a Josephs asked Mom is that a yard sale!!!! I thought that was just so cute and funny.

Michael and his desires to onday climb a mountian

Ok so mabe just climbing on to the table chairs couches and the top rail of his crib. I need to get him into gymnastics so that he can do the beam, he will walk across very small boards, like it is no big deal while my heart is trying not to leap out of my throat as I race to grab him. Well Last Sunday he decided to climb out of his crib and lost his balance for the first time and caught himself with his hands, He cryed for about two hours and would not use his left arm much. He finallay started to use it, I gave him some IBProfen and he went to sleep. I hoped that he would be fine but he still would not use his left arm much the next day so finallay on Tuesday I took him in and the Dr. looked at his arm. He said that it did not seem broken he was not crying when he did the stress tests. He sent us to exrays and the results were that he had broken it. He had a buckle fracture on the top of his radius up by the wrist. He was lucky enough that it was not bad enough to cast it so we were sent home with a splint that I could take off and on when needed. Michael has sense learned how to unwrap it so it is a struggle to keep it on. He still manages to somehow suck his fingers. He does not seem bothered anymore by it.

Michael's favorite swiming pool

Well I have to say that michael loves water. When I turn the water on in the kitchen to do the dishes he comes running with excitment to play in the water. When he hears the bath start he comes running lifts up his shirt and trys his hardest to take it off. Sometimes he even just climbes in the bathtub fully dressed waiting for someone to turn the water on. Well he knows that I will not turn the water on unless it is bath time so to my suprise I walk in to the bathroom to find our 18 month old Micheal taking a swim in side the toilet, yes you heard me right Michael climbed into the toielt bowl and was sitting in the toilet just playing away like nothing was wrong. Of course I wanted to gag, luckly I had just cleaned the toilet eairlier that day. He his the only one of my 5 children that has had any intrest with the bathroom, so we keep the door closed.

Family History is a lot of work!!!!!!

Sam, Janae(our cousin),Sally, Lanny, Seth

Jacob and Cousin Rachel

Lanny

Sam, Seth, Sally

Well tonight after the kids went to bed I started workin on a project that is on going. Let me tell you how fun it is. I have been scanning pictures of my family as we have grown up so that we can preserve them and so that all of us kids can have copies via a CD (did I ever mention how much I love the computer and all the many things that it does)!!!!!

I am working on this and another project and hopefuly it will be done by christmas. Any ways I thought that I would give a sample of the pictures just a few of what is to come. enjoy

Sleepy Little Michael

Today was turn to clean my carpet. That meant thatSpencer and Maddie were excited because they were going to beable to watch T.V . on moms bed. Now Michael is attached to me and concequencly he likes to follow me around every where if he can not see me he is sad. I was having difficultty trying to get the carpets cleaned with a cute little short helper so I convinced him to watch tv with his siblings I though that this would not last long. I came back 5 min later to check on the kids and there was my cute baby folded over sleeping like an angel. The other kids were peacfully watching a pbs show. It was just so cute.

Our Halloween Dinner

So the kids could not believe that mom was letting them have a cupcake for dinner. Ok well it is halloween so we may as well fill them up on sugar right? ........ wrong we knew what these kids were in for. Maddie she could hardley wait to eat hers she had to wait for the prayer to be said and she kept picking it up and trying to sneak a lick of course we were watching them all like hawks. So the prayer was said and them the first thing they did was lick the orange frosting!!!!!
Suprise the frosting was Mashed potatos and the cake was really meat loaf. Maddie slowly put the cup cake down and replied "this is not a cup cake" in a matter of fact voice. She ate her green beans and later picked up her Meat and ate it all. The kids thought that it was a fun dinner.

Our new family picture is finially here!!!

If They are Moving then we have to move with them

Today we were driving in our car to a doctors appointment when Joseph said Mom why are the Harleys moving and I told him it was so that Bro and Sis Harley and their children could all live together in the same house again and be together as a family again. He thought for a second and then replied so when are we going to get a big moving truck and move next to the Harelys. I love the truthfulnes and innocence if a childs question and their wishes. They have so much hope and faith in their little souls. I pray that we may be able to find that Christ like faith and know that one day we will all be reunited again together as friends and family when Christ comes again. I love the blessings that we recieve as we are obedient to the things that our Savior as asked of us.

To All of Us Mothers

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it. Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox. Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids. Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets. Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up. Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.' Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother 4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Where did Spencer Go?

Today I was cooking dinner Joseph was making cookies Allie was playing school with Maddie And Michael was trying to climb on any thing he could lift his leg up on. That is a whole other story!! David and I about the same time wondered why it was so quiet, where was Spencer, what was he getting into and what was he doing? We looked in our room, the bathrooms, the back yard the garage, we even looked in the front yard, his bike was put away and the door was chained so he had not excaped. So we all called his name and were farnticly looking for him then David said; come here Sally. I went and there they were two little bear feet pocking out from under neath his bed. Sound asleep dreaming underneath his bed. Children I guess can fall asleep when ever they are tired and where ever as well. I love all my children and it amazes me how much love and concern they each have for one another. That two is another story that one day I will share with you.

I want to talk to my Grandpa

I told Maddie that her Grandpa was going to come and see her so all day she demanded to talk to him on the phone. She carried around a toy cell phone and talked to Grandpa all day and occationally she would let us say hello and ended our conversation by telling us to say good bye. She has a great imagination and is continually making us smile and laugh. I love my children for they are truley a divine inherantance sent form our Father in Heaven. I am greateful for the chance that I have to shape and mold these little souls in hopes that as they reach that age where they can stand on their own testimony that they will run with it and develop a great love for thier Father in Heaven.

Josephs middle of the night escapade

We all went to bed around 10:30 last night butJoseph just was having a hard time falling asleep. David and I woke up at 12:30 1:00 to to find Joseph rustlling around out in the living room. David came out to see what was going on and to his suprise, Joseph had completly dismantled our computer and was moving it to his bedroom. When I asked him this morning why he replied" I didn't want to wake any one up. I could have been mad but I found my self thinking in his shoes. How concerned he was about everyone. A year ago he would not have thought that. He has become very aware of those around him and is starting to see others outside of his little world. So remember that children are only children once and remember to use moments like these as teaching lessons not only for our children but for us as well.

My Family is so Wonderful

I am so grateful for my family. They are the world to me. A family that we know in KS. just lost their little girl that is Michael's age to a 6 month battle with Lukeima. I know that this life is only a short time in the eternities, I can not imagine my life without any of my children. I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood and the sealing power that has been restored to this earth in these latter-days. I know that if I live a righeous life that I will live with my family not only here in this life but in the next life as well. I am learning that day by day my family is more and more important to me. The only thing that I want in this life is the spirtual gifts. Have a great day, and remember that the reason for this life is to grow closer to our Father in Heaven with our family.

Our Conference weekend

We had fun even though daddy had to work sataurday morning. We listened to conerenfe. Mommy went to a produce stand and found these huge bell peppers no joke. and they were only 3 for a $1. Any ways that was a side note. We got our first family portrait so now we have one with baby Michael in it. Yea!!!!!!

Sunday morning mommy got up and made Cinnamon rolls and we all had hot chocolate and watched Sunday conference. I love listening to conference. Being able to hear the words that Christ wants us all to hear, is amazing to me. I feel blessed to be able to hear the words of our Prophet and follow his counsel. I know that Christ does speak to his Prophet to day and gives us direction for our day.

Now all of you that know us know our very rambuncious 5 children and wonder how we listened to conference. We found a packet for our kids to do with all sorts of ideas. They really liked the bingo , they got candy of course, but they had to listen and they were trying their hardest to get candy so it was very quiet. Any ways our weekend was great.

Allison

Allison is learning the piano and is just loving it. She amazes me. She has been playing for 1 month and is almost through the first set of books. Way to go Allie

Two Peas in a Pod

Spencer and Maddie are 13 months apart and best friends. They are inseperable. In fact the other day I was out side watering and it made a puddle of mud so maddie and spencer proceeded to take a bath in it. Apperentlly they were having fun.

This is our beatiful little Maddie She loves the camera.

I'm not Charley, I'm Spencer

Well the story of Spencer and Bedtime is usally a piece of cake, but tonight was different. 10:30 and he is still going strong. We put him to bed and said if you want the door open then you need to stay in your bed, He said no and daddy said "Sorry Charley" which Spencer replied "I not charley I Am charley". I love the funny things that our children say. One more thing about our funny Spencer. He had put his pants on backwards so I asked him to turn them around. OK mom he said and tired as hard as he could to twist them around his little waist so that the zipper was in the front. To his dismay "they are broken mommy" he said. I told him that he needed to take them off and then put them back on. Oh, OK mommy. And to his suprise they were all of a sudden fixed.

Maddie's Surprise to us

So today I had an eairly meeting at church so David got the kids to church. When my meeting was over I joined the family and was greeted by all of my children. Maddie insisted that I pick her up and I did to find out that all she was wearing was her dress, nothing else. You got no underwear Just her cute buns.
What a suprise good thing I had diaper a little small but it worked. We all had a good laugh.

I am a blogger now

I never really liked blogs much, but then I realized that my life is getting busier with five sweet children. I don't have time to call everyone and tell them the things that are happening in our lives so here I am typing it. I hope that you all will read and enjoy.