The definition of discouraging....

Doing 6 loads of laundry, only to have 7 or 8 more left to do, and probably 2 piled in your bedroom waiting to be folded!

I HATE LAUNDRY!!!

Where is my mom when I need her!! She loves to do laundry - really, she does! That is just one of the thousand reasons I wish I lived closer to her. I miss you mama!

No, it's not mine, but isn't this a beautiful laundry room! I don't think doing laundry would be AS bad if you could do it in a lovely room like this...wishful thinking....back to the dungeon I go!

Look out world!

Elise is now mobile. She has been crawling for a few weeks, but this past weekend she learned that she can leave the family room and go into other rooms. She does not like to sit in the play pen now. She knows that she is being confined. Today, she crawled into the kitchen and opened the lid drawer and started playing!! We are in trouble! It was so cute to see her in there. She was so proud of herself!

Bekah's First Concert

Tonight was Bekah's Fall concert for band and choir. Anna and I went. Unfortunately, Neil had class and couldn't attend. We were all disappointed about that. Here are a couple of videos from the band and choir. In the choir video, Bekah is on the right end of the 2nd row from the top. The lighting on that side of the choir isn't great, and it is hard to see her clearly. In the band video, she is the flute player on the right side of the front row. Don't forget to pause the music player at the bottom of the page....

More pictures

Here are some pictures from trick or treating last night and from us hanging out in the back yard today.

More August/September Pictures

Finally!

I know that it is hard to believe, but I finally got the pictures off of my camera onto the computer...about time I know! All is the same here. The kids are doing well in school, Anna is enjoying doing home preschool twice a week, Elise is growing faster than a weed, Neil is busier than ever with church, work and family, and I am busier than ever with the little girls, cleaning, cooking, laundry, and my second job as a Taxi driver after 3:00 each day.

Sarah is doing speech this year at school. They have several competitions between now and December. She and a partner are doing a comical skit. She is also in choir and is really enjoying it. Jake finished baseball in September and has been enjoying the free time he has after school. He has started working on his science fair project - it will take a lot of his time this quarter. Bekah is enjoying playing in the local youth symphony with her violin and in the band at school with her flute. She is also in the choir and is competing with literary. She and her friend Megan are doing a comical skit. They compete November 22. Isaac loves school. He has started cubscouts and LOVES it. He and Neil went today to a fall daycamp where they were able to hike, shoot BB guns and do some archery. Anna loves playing with friends. She would go to friends houses all day every day if I would let her. She asked me the other day why I didn't go to work so that she could go to the babysitter! She really misses the kids when they are at school. Elise is crawling everywhere, and saying a few words. She can say mama, kitty cat, ca-ca (for yucky), hi and bye-bye, and patty cake. I can't believe how fast she is growing up.

Well enough of the novel and on with the pictures...remember, if you want to see one bigger just click on it.

Here is Elise when she was content to stay on her blanket and play! She was almost 5 months.

This summer we went to St. Louis for a couple of days. One of the days Neil, Jake, Bekah and Isaac went to Six Flags, and Sarah, Anna, Elise, and I went to the zoo and shopping at our favorite mall. Here are the girls at the zoo on the carousel.



While we were in St. Louis, we picked Neil's dad up at the airport. He came out for a week and helped us remodel our basement. We are building 3 bedrooms downstairs for the oldest kids. I will be so glad when they are done!! It was a long, hard week, and I am sure Grandpa went home tuckered out! Thanks for all of your help Grandpa!

The basement all framed up...

Poor tuckered out Grandpa!

Pictures are coming soon!

I know I haven't been very good at updating lately. Life is just TOO busy! We recovered most of the pictures that were lost when our computer crashed - thanks to all of our wonderful family and friends.

A quick update...

Sarah is slowly getting used to high school and early morning seminary (luckily, we live 1 minute from the church). She has lots more homework this year, and misses what little free time she had when she was in Jr. High. She is looking forward to her birthday - she will be 15! She starts driver's ed next quarter and is very excited for that.

Jake just fininshed up the fall baseball season for the Jr. High. He really loved playing for the school team. He got to pitch in several games and did really well. He has been playing baseball pretty much every day, except Sunday, since August 18. He is sad the season is over, and I am glad ( I cannot lie)! That game a day was killing me - just keeping his uniform clean and ready was a big job for me!

Bekah is enjoying 5th grade. She is taking advantage of all of the activities that 5th graders in her school can do. She is in chorus, band and literary at school. She is learning the flute in band. She also tried out for the Youth Symphony (with her violin) in our town and made it. Playing with the orchestra is taking some getting used to, but she is adjusting. I am hoping that she will soon love it.

Isaac is loving 2nd grade. He joined cubscouts at school this year, and loves it. When he turns 8, he'll participate in 2 packs - one at school and one at church. He loves to read and play with his friends. I was able to go work at his school this past Friday for Western day. It was lots of fun - we got to have lunch together afterward.

Anna is going to our co-op home preschool twice a week. She wishes that it was every day! She is a very busy little girl. She loves to play pretend and has two "friends" named Jason and Maddy who live in Florida. They are around a lot! She misses her siblings when they are gone to school.

Elise is growing up too quickly! She has 2 teeth and can sit up by herself and feed herself cheerios. She is such a happy, easy baby. We all love her dearly. It is so sweet to have a baby in our home - I love it!

Neil and I are just trying to keep our heads - no, make that our noses - out of the water! We are trying to enjoy our kids, fufill our callings at church, keep our house somewhat presentable, finish our basement, work, see clients a couple of times a week, have a weekly date and cart kids where they need to be and keep sane at the same time! It is hard, but fun. I wouldn't trade places with anyone. I love my family and my life.

I am hoping to be able to get our camera loaded onto our new computer sometime this week. As soon as I do, I'll post some here.

My three least favorite words in the entire world

"What's for dinner?"

New Family Motto

We can do hard things!

Life is a struggle.....but I'm holding on.

Ever have one of "those days"? Not fun. Necessary, but not fun. If we never had "those days", we wouldn't enjoy the others, would we?

Life is still good - good, but hard.

Great contest!

Hey!

There is a great contest over at the SITS blog. Check it out if you'd like to win a Cricut Expressions. Click here to see one and to try and win one!

Life is good

I am feeling very grateful this week. I don't know what started it, but a week ago today I started having a feeling of peace that hasn't left me yet. Big deal, you may think, everyone feels at one time or another. Well, we have been in a state of constant stress for a long time...I can't even remember when it all started. I guess maybe last year when I found out I was pregnant, or maybe when the kids started public school for the first time last year, or maybe when we lost Neil's mom unexpectedly and had to make a quick trip out to UT for the funeral (with me 8 months pregnant), or maybe when Elise was born 3 weeks earlier than planned (by emergency c-section) and not knowing for sure if she was going to live (if only for a brief few minutes.) I'm not sure - I could go on and on - let's face it, being a wife and mother of six is enough to stress me out on a daily basis. So, for whatever the reason, I have been blessed with the calmest, sweetest spirit lately. I think that it is Heavenly Father reassuring me that everything IS going to be alright - no matter what I may go through struggle-wise I am going to be OK. This knowledge has brought me to the grateful state that I am in now. I am trying to hold on to this feeling for as long as I can.

So, for now I am enjoying life and everything that it has to offer. I am trying to look for the good in EVERY situation - I'm sure I'll be able to find it. Here is a list of some of the things that I have to be grateful for - lucky you!!

My Faith, my husband, my six children, sweet family relationships with extended family, the comforts of life, beautiful indian summer weather, my job at church (primary music leader), wonderful supportive friends all over the USA, the beautiful world that we live it, great music, and the list goes on and on and on.

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! WE ARE DOWN!

Sorry that I haven't posted. Our computer died last week...I am posting from Neil's laptop right now. We are hoping to get our other computer up and running later this week. Until then, I'm not able to post pictures.

We have had a great week or so. We went on a little family get away - Neil took 3 of the kids to Six Flags, and I took 3 to the zoo and shopping. We all had a great time. We also picked Neil's dad up from the airport. He spent a week with us - we LOVED having him here. We always go through a mini-depression when our family has to leave us. While he was here we started a big remodeling project on our house. We added 3 bedrooms down in our basement. Our large game room is now 3 bedrooms! The 3 oldest kids will be moving down there in the next month. As soon as our other computer is running, I'll post pictures.

We are also getting ready for school. It starts next week. Everyone is somewhat excited - some more than others. I am excited to get back into a routine around here. I am not excited for the early mornings and homework!

Caught BLUE handed!

Yesterday, we were all sitting in the living room, and Anna sneaked by with her hands behind her back. When we questioned her about what she was doing, we discovered that she had colored one of her hands blue and had started on the second one! It was so funny looking. She tried to wash it off before we found out, but she was unsuccessful (my bathroom counter and sink were blue too!). I was afraid that she'd have to go to church with blue hands, but luckily they came clean in the bath!

One more funny Anna story....

Last night we were talking to Neil (he was out of town) to tell him goodnight. When it was Anna's turn she asked him, "Dad, how do you be bad in Spanish?" Later, she asked me the same question. I guess she is tired of being bad in English - too boring. What a funny little girl!

Individual Updates

Elise

Elise is growing too fast! She weighs 13 pounds 3 ounces and is 25 1/4 inches long. She is such a happy baby. She has a smile for everyone, and she loves to sing and talk to us. Her laugh is the cutest thing. I am trying to enjoy every minute with her. I want her to stay a baby a little longer...can that happen???

Anna

Anna has enjoyed having everyone home during the summer. She has also enjoyed playing with her friends at the water park. She loves to play with Carson, Ella and Austin. When Aunt Melanie came Anna got her first hair cut. She was ecstatic, and I was hesitant. I didn't want to lose her cute ringlets. Luckily, even with her hair shorter, she still has her curls. She loves playing babies, barbies, coloring (she is amazingly talented at staying in the lines), and teasing Isaac (more like pushing his buttons - something else in which she shows great talent).

Isaac

Isaac finished up first grade with flying colors. He is excited for second grade. He played soccer AND baseball this spring (what was I thinking?) and improved a lot at both sports. He has enjoyed going to the water park as well as swimming in our little pools at home. He has spent many days out in the yard playing in the water. Isaac has grown lots taller. He loves to ride bikes and scooters, play video and computer games, reading good books, and swimming. He loves to help with Elise, and his cousin Devon LOVED him!

Bekah

Bekah is glad to have 4th grade finished. She loved her teacher and she liked school, but she loves being home more. She did great her first year of school, and she reluctantly is going to 5th grade this year. Bekah continues to excel at the violin. She is getting really good. I love to listen to her play. She is thinking of trying out for the youth symphony in our town. Her teacher is sure that she will make it into the symphony. She is also planning on playing the flute in beginning band at school. She loves to help with Elise, and she is anxiously looking forward to the day when she can babysit. She is practicing this summer by being a mother's helper. Bekah played softball this year and did a great job. She got lots of outs - especially on first base. She is also becoming quite a good cook, and often makes lunches for Anna and herself.

Jacob

Jacob turned 12 this summer! He went to scout camp for a week and loved it. He earned lots of merit badges. He played baseball this summer, he improves more and more each season. He is getting to be a good pitcher. Actually, he is good at most of the positions. It is fun to watch kids at his level play baseball. The games are often exciting. He has been spending time with friends, going to the water park, and doing jobs around here. He got a nitro powered remote control car for his birthday, something he has wanted for a long time. I like to see him drive it...it is SO very fast. Jacob will be going to Junior High this fall. He is excited for that.

One quick side note...while doing these updates, I have realized that I don't have nearly enough pictures of Jake and Bekah. They disappear when the camera comes out (or they are always behind the camera)!

Sarah

Sarah is doing great. She is excited (I think) to start high school next month. This summer she has been able to work 1 day a week out at the stables where she takes riding lessons. This pays for the riding lessons! I am excited because we don't have to fork out the $ for lessons anymore, and Sarah is excited because she is getting the experience she wants working at a stable. (I am also excited that Sarah gets to spend more time doing what she loves.) She really does love horses - I love to see her riding. Her teacher says that she is very graceful when she rides. She is also going to start piano lessons again soon. Sarah got a long bow earlier this year, and she has spent time getting in touch with her "elfish" side (think Lord of the Rings). She actually is getting quite good at target shooting.

Trisha

I have been spending the past few months trying to find my place in the world again. I am finally getting there (somewhat!) The adjustment to 6 kids has been a hard one for us. I'm not sure why, Elise is a super easy baby, I think it could be having teenagers and babies at the same time. I am learning though. I have really been trying to enjoy all of the crazy moments instead of trying to manage them. After all, there is no holding back the tides! Life is just going to be chaotic for a while - I have decided to just hold on for the ride.

I set a goal earlier in the year to make a quilt, and I have finally picked one that I want to make. I ordered the material for it yesterday. I am so excited! Instead of a picture of me you will get a picture of my quilt.

Neil

Neil has been keeping busy teaching this summer. He teaches 2 nights a week. He has been working hard. He spent a week (minus the 2 nights teaching) at scout camp with Jake. I don't think he has been that tired in a long, long time. He is doing well, although we are both tired a lot (as you can see from the picture above!) Seriously, Neil works so hard for our family. I am lucky to have a husband like him.

Long time no blog!

I know, I know...I haven't blogged in a LONG time! We have been SO overwhelmed for the past couple of months. New baby, end of school year activities, baseball and softball practice for 3 kids (1/2 practices/games per week per kid), soccer practice and games for Isaac, church callings, scout camp for a week for Neil and Jake, YW camp for Sarah, youth conference with Brad Wilcox for Sarah, swimming at the water park, laundry, laundry and more laundry, chores, and visits with family, have all kept me away from the computer!

I really do want to catch y'all up on our family. Hopefully I'll make some progress in the next couple of days. That is my goal. Now if Elise will cooperate. Every time I sit down at this desk, she somehow knows and starts to cry!

Our summer is going by way too fast. I have enjoyed the past couple of weeks. We have had visitors from home. Melanie and her kids, and my Mom and Cal came to spend the 4th of July with us. It was so hard to let them leave. I enjoyed having them here. This past week Thad and Ginny came with their 2 kids. We went to Nauvoo to see the pageant that is there every summer. It was a wonderful trip. Anna is still asking for Eva. We had an awesome time with all our cousins.

The madness has begun!

Life has officially become crazy at our house! Soccer and baseball have started. Between church and sports, I think that we will have something every single night until the first of July.

Nothing new is going on here, and I don't have anything creative or interesting to type today. Life is good, I love my family - I think that they are awesome. We are way behind on everything, but I know that we'll catch up. Survival mode doesn't last forever - thank goodness! I will try and take some pictures of everyone in the next few days, but please don't hold your breath waiting!

Well, it's been over a week since I last posted...I am sorry. I wanted to post more often, but it has been one of those weeks. We experienced our very first earth quake! It was freaky to say the least. Everyone upstairs woke up from the shaking. The boys down in the basement slept through it. Jake was very disappointed that he missed it. He did get to feel a smaller version later in the day. There was a 4.5 aftershock while they were at school.

Elise is growing up so fast. She discovered her voice this week and has been cooing and talking to me. I just love her little voice. She smiles lots more too.

Here a few of pictures that we took today.

Spring has sprung - NOT!

OK, the weather here is ridiculous! Here it is almost the middle of April, and we had rainy snow last night! The high temperature today is supposed to be 42. I doubt we make that because it is supposed to be rainy too. It is 38 with a wind chill of 28 right now...

Even though the weather doesn't feel like it, it is beginning to LOOK like spring around here. The grass is getting greener and my very favorite tree in our yard has bloomed. It is a star magnolia. It blooms early, before any of the trees get leaves. Seeing its beautiful flowers makes me feel happy. We think it looks like a daisy tree!

Our "Daisy" tree against a stormy sky.


An up close blossom.

Have a happy Saturday!

Pretty in pink

It is hard to believe that Elise will be 6 weeks old soon! She is still pretty tiny, but she is really alert. She smiles at us, and really holds her head up well. We sure love her!!! I really think that she has grown a lot. However, last night I held the cell phone next to her head, and it is still just as big as in the picture from our earlier post! She is filling out though. Her little legs aren't as skinny anymore.

Hey Everybody It's Family Night!

Our church leaders have always counseled us to hold Family Home Evening (FHE) on Monday nights. Traditionally, our family has been very good at holding FHE, but with homework, dinner, baths and earlier bedtimes our family nights have been shortened drastically. We usually do something, but not like we did when the kids were home. They have really started to complain about our less than quality family nights. So, we decided to make FHE more of a priority. Here are some of the things that we did:

• Neil leaves work at 5:00 and no later.
  
• Kids must be home by 5 from friends' houses.
• Dinner is served promptly at 5:30
• FHE starts at 6 or 6:30
• We re-did our assignment chart, and everyone has a job to do (which should be prepared in advance).
  

Well, this past Monday we did it! We had a great FHE. For the activity Neil took the kids to the park near our home to fly kites. I stayed home with Elise and made homemade pizza and the treats for FHE (snickerdoodles). After dinner Anna did the lesson, we sang a couple of songs, had milk and cookies and got the kids to bed by 9:00 (a little later than normal, but lots earlier than other FHE nights). All in all, I feel that it was a big success.

Here are some pictures from the kite flying activity...

Let's go fly a kite!

A couple of my favorite talks

I liked Elder Ballard's talk on mothers. You can listen to it by clicking here.


I also really liked President Eyring's talk to the Young Women the weekend before conference at the Young Women's broadcast. You can listen to it here, or you can watch it here.

I feel renewed

We had General Conference this weekend. It is for our church, we get to hear from our prophet and other church leaders. The conference is broadcast all over the world. Our family watches it over the internet. I feel renewed and ready to face my challenges. I love hearing our leaders give us counsel, and I also love the time with my family. We have a tradition of having lots of treats and watching conference together all weekend. There are 4 two hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday. We get lots of treats and watch conference. This year we did fruit and vegie trays, crackers, cheese, chips and jelly belly jelly beans. I print off activity packets to entertain the kids (conference related). It is really neat to see the older 4 kids take notes on conference. They get lots out of it too. It amazes me how much they take in.

Today I am tackling the laundry mountain in our laundry room. It is no longer a mountain. I have done 4 loads already, and I have 5 more to go. Even if I get it all done (I won't), in a few hours when the kids get jammies on, there will be 2-3 more loads! I just Love laundry! As a matter of fact, I am off to the laundry dungeon right now! Have a great week!

My it sure is foggy in here.....

Or is it just my mommy brain???!!?? People keep asking if we are all adjusted to the new baby, and I just have to laugh. We aren't even close!! We are in survival mode more than ever. I am lucky to get Anna, Elise and myself dressed by lunch. Our laundry looks like this (BTW, not my laundry, I got the picture off the web):


And I feel like one of these:


I know that this adjustment period is just that...a short period relatively speaking. But when you are in the middle of it - boy, does it seem impossible. I know I have already said this, but I keep telling myself that it is OK, and that I need to spend as much time as possible with the little girls while they are still little. This will be over before I can blink!

All of the other kids are doing well. Sarah and Jake are going to a dance at the Jr. High this weekend. They are both looking forward to it. Bekah and I have made a deal that if she practices her violin for 100 days in a row, I will take her out on a date. She loves challenges like that.

Neil has been such a support through all of this. He does anything in his power to make sure I have a little time to myself. He is so behind at work, yet he takes time off for me to go to lunch with the ladies. He stays up late doing dishes and laundry and wakes up early to get the kids ready for school. I really don't deserve all of the royal treatment I get from him. What a good man!

Spring is in sight! It has been a little warmer here (not warm mind you - just warmer). The temperature this week has been in the 40's and 50's (sick and wrong to consider that warm, but my kids do!), and for the next several days it is forecast to be in the low 60's! I am so sick of cold wet weather and mud, and so excited for the warm weather to arrive.

Well, I am off to work on that mountain of laundry before Elise wakes up. I miss you all!