ten on tuesday

1. This has been an interesting week. no other way to describe it other than that. 

2. the kids spent lots of time in the car. At least occasionally they are happy with each other.  

3. I finally got Henry's 1 year book done. I've only got a ton more books to do. At least I have all the photos on the website now. If anyone is looking for service I'll give you my login and password and you can create the family and individual books I'm lacking. (i think Will has 3? He will be 10 next week)

4. I got a beautiful outside run in at the end of last week. It was a picture perfect day. I will be sad when the corn stalks are down. I have loved seeing them grow. Farming is way more interesting now that we live in the middle of it.

 5. Saturday was filled with stuff this week. I had stake meetings an hour and 45 min away. Will had football we had a baptism to attend. It was a busy, hectic and we felt the spirit at some points.

6. Chris and I actually got to go on a date. I can always tell when it has been too long. Hopefully we can find time to go out more. We went and got tile to fix our bathroom. oh yeah we have hot dates.

7. Sunday was our ward potluck. Henry really loves this sunday. He gets free reign over the desserts. lets just say this was not his 1st cupcake.

8. We were able to have family home evening at the actual time list night! it was wonderful. We had a talk about budgeting. We used semi made up numbers. But we had 150 left after all the normal bills were done. Lets just say we think some of our kids might have a bit more understanding as to why we cannot get candy bars every time we are at the store.  Hope it sticks

9. Chris started CrossFit at our Y yesterday. I think he is going to really like it. I have to resist the urge to push on his sore muscles. 

10. Random thought - a friend posted on facebook that if you are ever having a bad day google Jeffrey R Holland. I followed her advice and it was spot on. 

Ten on Tuesday

1. Wednesday I got to head down to Des Moines to drop some stuff off and pick up a trailer with 2 twin beds in it. A kind soul watched Henry so I did not have to make the journey with him. While I was down there I got to run some errands. Wow it was so nice to do them childless and in a "big" town. On a side note I towed a trailer home which is something I never have done before. I did pretty good I might add.

2. Wednesday night we got a visit from my mom. The kids were happy to see her and have her read then books. I love when my mom visits, I just need to figure out a way to have her visit not when I am going out of town.

3. Thursday Annmarie received the "CARE" award. What is it? I think it is a different name for student of the month. I must say that the Principal did the "ceremony" right. It was short. 2 sentences about each kid, then it was over.  Oh and she is her class student council rep. She had to write a speech herself. I love how motivated she is when it is something she wants.

4. Thursday night Chris and I drove to Ames with Aaron (my sisters, brother in law) and ran what was called Rival Game Relay. The Iowa, Iowa State football game was on saturday so we were part of the 11 teams that ran the inaugural race. We started at 10pm and our team finished at about 530pm a few miles outside of Iowa City. It was fun to do a race again with Chris. We both ran about 14 miles (he did a bit more).

5. Saturday Will had his 2nd football game. Chris took video for me (I was working). It was fun to see him running around trying to get into the action. When your team wins 48-0 and you are not the first line of defense you don't get too much action.

6. Sunday. . . lets just say sacrament meeting was rough. Jed was choice and Henry was also choice. Then in Sunday school the teacher brought up our family (in a good way) and said so very kind things that made me cry. Somedays it is just nice to know that other people understand what you are going through and care enough to say something.

7. Jeffrey and Annmarie are playing soccer in what I can only call an extremely small farmington league. They enjoy it and I love that it is on Mondays and thursdays and done by 6!

8. On Monday Chris and I started a 21 day sugar detox. . . oh man we are crazy!! It was just a way to help jump start some healthier eating. While I do not agree with all of the restrictions, I understand the benefit of the short term absence. WE have made it 2 days. Maybe we will make it 3!

9. Also in the exercise and weight loss area. I have recently learned that when you have family (or friends) who are there texing, hey should I eat this, or did you exercise today. It really makes a difference.

10. Random thought of the week - I love to hear Henry laugh. He has such a great one. He makes me smile.

I'm Back

Let's see what has happened since I last posted . . .

Summer has finished up and 4 of the kids are happily in school. We are all happy that things are a bit more normal. Jed loves kindergarten.

I began working at Hallmark a few nights a week and a few saturdays a month. I enjoy the time doing other things, but I do miss out on some things at home.

Will is playing tackle football. He enjoys it and is learning that sometimes getting hit is not very fun. He loves school and thinks he is so cool being in middle school.

Annmarie has taken to this new school so well. She already has friends and is making great choices. We are thrilled with her teacher (so far). She misses Henry while at school but is happy to be working hard again.

Jeffrey is adjusting and doing not to bad. He is our child who takes the longest to adjust. We are trying to work on making things a bit more structured at home for him. He started playing soccer last week and is enjoying that.

Jed loves school and is wondering why he had to wait so long to go. My favorite thing to do is scare him when he gets home. He says he wants me to stop, but he looks for me every day.

Henry thinks he has died and gone to heaven. He loves being home with me. He loves going to the YMCA, and he loves Super Why, My little pony and Barbie. He also likes to escape and go where he wants.

Chris is still enjoying his job. He likes the people he works with and likes what he does. What a win win.

We are doing well and hope to get back into the swing of things with the blog now that we have a routine in place.

At the Winter Quarters temple

Henry trying to be like everyone else

Jed showing me his "push ups"

We love our parks here

living in a small town is great, but it often means driving a bit more than normal. We see this lots now. 

I ran Ragnar Great River again. So glad I did it with Michelle. I love running with her.

First day of school photos

Jeffrey 2nd grade

Annmarie 3rd grade

Will 5th grade.

Henry wanted in on the backpack action.

Jed Kindergarten