Don't be jealous

Don't be jealous your 10 year old is not the most handsome 10 year old boy ever. (no mothers bias here at all, he has grown over an inch since school started!)

Don't be jealous your 2 year old doesn't run his dad's office. I think they buy candy just for him.

Don't be jealous you don't have these amazing sunsets each night because you have mountains, cacti, or water in the way. (this photo does not do it justice)

Don't be jealous we got to demolish part of our kitchen on friday. 

Don't be jealous we got to cook on this 1950's wonder. (that when we were taking the electrical out  we realized were so blessed it never burned the house down whenever we used this)

Don't be jealous that you don't have carpet in the kitchen.

I mean 2 layers of carpet with the green/yellow one being glued to the awesome confetti linoleum. 

Don't be jealous your kitchen doesn't look like this amazing work of 1970's art. Yeah baby . . .

Our next project will not be flooring here (gotta save our pennies). We will be enclosing the stairs to the basement so that they are actually connected now. Hopefully that will happen before snow falls. I'm sure I'll add photos as we progress. 

Late, but it is still a day that ends in y

Im amazed at how life seems to never slow down. I assumed when my kids got into school things would slow down a bit. Boy was I mistaken. It may be "slow" from when they get on the bus to when they get off (maybe from 11-2) but other than that life is super full.

 Annmarie and Jeffrey started soccer games. Oh my. . . words cannot describe how disappointed I am with their "league." A friend called it glorified babysitting. they have 4 teams. Each team has 12 plus players. They play another team on a field the size of center and right field. UGH. it is huddle ball, only 1 kid on each team actually knows how to pass much less have actual controlled dribbling. I miss the 6v6 that they played in Des Moines. They have fun but I must admit I will not be sad to see this season end. One of the benefits is that it was very inexpensive.

Will's football team ended their season 4-0. only 1 team scored on them. Playoffs are this weekend and next (if they win). Last week he ended up punting on a HS regulation field. He punted the ball from the 50 and the other team received within the 10 yrd line. He loves it. Chris enjoys watching him improve. Chris said he thinks things are starting to actually click. As with all sports it is a learning curve. I think it has been hard from him since this was his first season and most of the other kids are on their 3rd. Glad that he is doing hard things.

Oh and Will turned 10 on monday! 10 how can he be 10. It has been a wonderful 10 years with him. I cannot imagine what life would be like without him. He knows so well when I need a hug, a pat on the back, or an I'm sorry you are having a bad day mom. What can I do? He is truly a special spirit that has blessed our family. Things he loves to do. He loves to play all sports, read, and play clash of clans. He grew an inch in just over a month. I hope we can afford to keep him and his brothers fed.

Will is in green and high black socks. 

As we have struggled with challenges of life this past week I have been reminded that Heavenly Father is there. That He loves us and is so aware of our circumstances. Watching the women's broadcast with Annmarie was a big reminder. The next day she got up and bore her testimony about President Ucthdorf's talk. She talked about how Heavenly Father is raining down blessings on us and we need to put our umbrellas down so we can receive the blessings. When you think they hear nothing, moments like this are wonderful.

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

Tuesday

Where to go with this today. 

We have been busy, it seems this will be reality for the next 20 or so years of our lives. But it is ok. 

What we have been up to

 - swim team

 - swim lessons

 - going to the pool

 - swim meets

 - canceled baseball tournament

 - watching World Cup action (Sundays tie was heart breaking)

 - preparing to go to NC and the beach for a family reunion

 - teaching a demo exercise class to my bosses

 - new callings in church

 - Chris working (and still enjoying it!)

 - kids back sleeping in the basement (happy days)

 - digging up window wells that have plastic under the rocks (water drains well when there is plastic in the way. . . It drains into the house!)

 - doing chores (oh yeah the kids love this one)

 - wrestling with each other

 - tickling fights

 - reading books

 - way too much electronics

 - and making friends

Life is moving forward and we are happy and trying to enjoy what we can. 

What we have been up to

In virigina still. 

My great friend Michelle and I at the national zoo. I would not have survived VA without her. 

Annmarie had a pinewood derby race. She didn't do so well but put on a happy face. 

The kids decided to play with water. Henry got his swim suit wet, and didn't like it. 

But mud was a-o-kay 

Jed had another scope to see if his medicine was working. 

Last day of school photos

In Iowa

We made it to Iowa and couldn't be happier! The kids love the house. The older 3 are on swim team, Jed naked feet swim lessons, and Will is playing baseball. I have a job at the YMCA teaching exercise classes. Chris loves his job. So life is good. 

Oh plus we have found some fun parks, and have a summer swim pass. Love that the pool is .25 miles from our house. 

Joys of homeownership. Love wallpaper in every room. 

I got to go to Disneyworld and the beach with 3 great friends. I have not laughed that much in a long long time. It was fun to be a kid. 

Double layer wallpaper. 

The kids first swim meet. 

Jeffrey

Will doing butterfly. 

More joys of homeownership. Water came pouring into Will's room. It distracted us from the tornado sirens. But ugh, so thrilled about this. 

We are happy to be home, the kids are slowly making friends. This has been the hardest part of the move for them. Hopefully they will make some soon. 

Sorry for the absence, we have not had internet nor the computer set up. I did this from my phone so hopefully it is not too bad. 

Ten on Tuesday

1. CHRIS TAKES HIS LAST FINAL IN A FEW HOURS!!!!!!!!! This really should be the whole blog right here. We are all (yes all 7 of us) so excited to be moving on to a new adventure and done with this part of our lives. We have had amazing experiences and horrible experiences. We have had freezing cold days and hot days. We are so lucky to have a man like Chris in our lives.

2. Chris loves to watch his kids play sports. I have seen Chris watch his kids play soccer, but not until this year have I seen what he is really like. I got to watch him see Will pitch on Saturday. He was pacing, he was behind the fence cheering Will on. He was there after he felt bad about his pitching to tell him he did great. I love that about him

3. Chris has worked so unbelievably hard these last 4 (law school) years. I have seen the guilt in him that says I'm not spending enough time with my family, because of school. We knew it would be hard, but this year has been the hardest yet. I am amazed when I see how hard he works, and how tired he is trying to do the best he can. We are blessed to have a man like him in our lives

4. Chris helps out whenever he can around the house. From dishes to laundry to cleaning the bathrooms (that's right he is the bathroom cleaner). Once again so lucky.

5. One thing that I love so much about Chris is that he knows that I need a break from my kids. If it is going to the grocery store alone, to a girls night to running a Ragnar, or going to Disney with some friends (june 7th cannot come soon enough!!) he is the one pushing me to go and take a break. Love that he understands when life is hard for me how to make it better.

6. Annmarie says her favorite thing about her dad is, that he likes to tickle and tease me.

7. Will says his favorite thing about Chris is, he works hard for us, and lets me play baseball.

8. Jeffrey loves that dad plays catch with him

9. Jed loves that his dad tickles him

10 Henry loves that daddy makes animal sounds with him.


Thanks Chris for all your hard work. We love you and couldn't be more proud of you. Thanks for being an amazing example to us.

Update

Phew what a week. I'll basically let the photos tell the story.

Thursday night at Jeffrey's baseball practice. Annmarie got some needed one on one attention. So we worked on basketball skills. 

Friday morning Chris and I headed to Iowa to find a home. It was initially supposed to be just Chris but tuesday (3 days before) I decided to just look at prices and I found a round trip ticket same flights etc for 300!!! miracle #528,643.

After looking at a few houses (12-15) we both liked a different one. After talking with each other, Chris's boss, and then re-looking this will be our new home. We hope to close the week before Memorial day and then move in the following week. 

After a very very bumpy, long, delayed flights home I mowed the lawn the following day and loved watching Henry run in and out of the house. 

Henry was more excited to see Annmarie than me. I guess I should be happy he loves his sister.

Monday night Will had a game. He got to pitch. Wow being a parent watching your kid do that is . . . a bit nerve wracking. He did great. I was so proud of him. I only wish I had a better camera with me. 

Annmarie was "sick" last week, but she seemed much better in the mid day so we went for a bike ride. This is Jed's favorite park. This swing makes him so sick.

riding a bike was not Jed's favorite. After I told him we were going (I was pushing Henry in a stroller) he finally remembered how to ride his bike. 

last wed Chris and I got to do something I have been dreaming of doing for a while. We ran The Mall. It was great! a bit windy, and chilly but I loved doing this. I have a new goal to run in every state. I've got a bunch to go, and no running in an airport doesn't count :)

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Overall it has been a wonderful week. Chris takes his first final tonight. He has 3. We are so proud of him and cannot wait to begin our next adventure.