Flexibility

With six kids life requires flexibility. Things don't always go as I plan them, in fact it's a rare occasion that things go even remotely like I plan them to. Let's face it with eight diffrent schedule plans, overlapping and being flexible are a must. I sometimes feel like I make it through the day only by the skin of my teeth, and feel like I do lots of things half-way. That old saying "do what you do and do it well" I think that person probably only had one or two things that they did. That saying has caused me some grief, because I can't say NO. If someone asks me to do something, saying No doesn't really register as an option. So, I wind up doing lots of things, but nothing perfectly or up to par. Then I get so down on myself for not being perfect at everything. Times like these require me to step back and realize that I have complete trust in my Father in Heaven. I know that he knows me and I know that he will give me only the challenges in life that I need to mold me and refine me and make me into who I need to be. I am so grateful that I understand, in part, his love for me. What I understand is: that he loves me no matter what and that I can't comprehend just how much He love me. That understanding though, helps me to see people in a diffrent light. It helps me to be more patient and tolerant and love them for who they are. It even helps me to do that with myself, on occassion.

Emma's First Walk

We were so shocked when we put Emma behind the stroller and away she went! She has been letting go of things and standing, but she has never dared take a step until tonight. What a nut she thinks she is so big...let's face it she is so big! I can't believe she will be a year next month.

My Max!

I was creating a bullentin board for the primary room and I was taking pictures of all the kids. Everyone just stood there and smiled, and then it was Max's turn. He immediately grinned from ear to ear and put his two hands up in "thumbs up" postion. He makes me smile! Oh! how that kid can make me insane and adore him all in one breath! He was having such a hard time sitting still in primary and I could tell he was trying with all his might to stay on his seat, and he says to me in all seriousness "mom, it is sooo hard to sit still." The truth was I was right there with him. Sometimes it is so hard to sit still. Kudos to him for trying.

-11 Never Stopped Him!

Boys don't ever grow up and by that I am speaking of the Father in this household. Sometimes I wonder what goes on when I am not home....other times I am just glad to be left in the dark. Ryan dared Sam to go outside in his underware in -11 temperatures. So of course, Sam did it!

Celebrating Caleb's Birthday

Holding up his seven fingers!
Night vision goggles! He waited so long for them....seriously all he wanted!

blowing out candles on the Indiana Jones Birthday cake!

All the kids so excited to finally be opening presents! Caleb had a great Birthday. Ryans parents and Sister Jamie and her family came for the big day...you know the day everyone in the world celebrates January 1st ........Caleb's birthday.

(What? Did you think I meant New Year's Day?)

We went and saw "Bedtime Stories" at the theater!

We sure love this kid!

CALEB IS SEVEN! What?

I love this outdoor kid. He loves bugs and snakes and fish and learning about animals. He is an excellent artist who loves to doodle and take lots of time on his art projects.

He is a great soccor player, and an awesome "shred head"(skier).

Where has it gone. I feel like it was just yesterday that Caleb was a baby and we were living in my mom's basement awaiting the completion of our house in Farmington. Now he's seven! How did that happen? Did I blink? I am so lucky to have Caleb for my own. He is always good for a laugh and such an easy go lucky kid who takes life as it comes and runs with it.

CHRISTMAS JOYS!

We had a great Christmas Eve dinner complete with Chicken Alfredo(the kids fav) and Crab Legs(Ryan and my fav..the kids actually ate them this year which I was glad for and not, less for Ryan and I). I told the kids that I wanted them to look nice for dinner, and Caleb and Max came out with shirts and ties..Caleb even did his hair and it was slicked down with gel. So funny. Sam and Noah thought their shirts were nice enough. We had a great time and after dinner I asked who was ready to open their Christmas pajamas...... Everyone was ready.

This is at 6:15 a.m. Emma is wondering why we woke her up and Mara is livid because I put a rubber band in her hair to keep it out of her face. Sam and Noah woke up at 3:48 and turned on the computer to find out what time it was. They claim they laid awake until 6:00a.m. Noah got a watch, so now he is the time keeper! He loves the watch, and keeps time of everything now...how long it takes me to make something, or get to the car, or drive somewhere...

Emma was loving all the wrappers and boxes!

Santa brought Emma a new high chair! Yeah for her and mom. Now she can't crawl out onto the counter and scare her mom to death.

The kids got a wii from Ryan's parents, and Rock band from my parents! They were so excited they screamed like little girls-they have played it all day.

Mara got a little table and chairs and the kids set up her tea set and had breakfast in the living room. An absolute NO NO any other day! All stops are pulled for Christmas

Mara got hair glitter and thought Emma needed some in her hair.

What a disaster! I really have cleaned up a lot, but you'd never know it! I really don't like the eternal wreck that Christmas leaves your house in, but it is so fun for the kids! Hope you all had a great Christmas too!

~Family Home Evening Nativity~

Family Home Evening tonight, we did the nativity! It was so much fun. Sam organized it all, assigned all the parts, and found all the costumes. Ryan says he's just like me! Whatever, I think it's a good thing. He likes to organize games and plays and all that...great for me. Mary and Joseph riding the donkey...I wasn't really sitting on Sam, he just had to make that face like he was getting crushed.
The Shephards and then later the wisemen.

Baby Jesus in Emma form. Don't ask me what I have on my head, notice the grinning donkey in the background. Caleb made the perfect Joseph, he is always so kind and caring and considerate of his sisters, so it was a perfect part for him.

Baby Jesus wouldn't lay down in the manger. What a stink, she is too young to be standing up!

Caleb with the "animal" ears on. He makes me giggle when he does that face and says..."what!"

Mara! What can I say! She was supposed to be Mary but refused. She wanted to be the Roman solider. I am still wondering about her. She likes girly, but with all those brothers, she likes to be like them as well.

Max the Shephard!

Sam as "Samuel the Lamanite" luckily we had ran out of aluminum foil and we only had enough for two stones. Caleb had Sam's new bow...with no arrows, so Sam was never hit. At the end, the kids sang the verse of the song that they had to sing for sacrament meeting, even Mara knew the words.

Mewwey Cwrissmass!

3 Days until Emma's first Christmas!