Ten on Tuesday

1. I love to see this! Nothing makes me happier as a mom or wife

2. Monday we went to the National Air and Space Museum. It is about 10 min from our house. It was awesome!!! Anyone who likes anything about air travel should come see us and visit this amazing place!

Hanging out watching planes land in an Air traffic control center

I was amazed at how big some of the fighter jets were. They looked so much smaller on Top Gun

Loved this big black one (I forgot the name)

My favorite photo of the day. An amazing Space ship with an amazing boy.

3.  Friday Jed, Henry, Chris and I went to DC with Carmen, Michelle, Marian, Jaycee, and Aiden. Needless to say this was some entertainment for Henry on the way there.

4. This is still the best place in DC. I love this building. 

5. It was my first time to the Korean War memorial. I loved this. 

Freedom is not Free. So true!

6. Do you see what is on the lawn? it blends in nicely with the grass and white building behind it. Yep Marine one landed and took off while we were walking. 

The front one was the one on the lawn. Sorry for the fuzzy, Michelle got better photos than I did. 

7. Gotta love the 2 blond babies.

8. The reason we had visitors (which also included my mom) Was Annmarie got baptized on Saturday. I was a sweet day with wonderful memories. Will said the closing prayer and made me tear up when he prayed that Annmarie would have happiness her whole life. I love my kids!

9. Chris and I both got callings in church. He got called as the Sunday School president, and I get to teach Jed's Primary class. Other than being in nursery 2 times I have never had a calling in Primary. 

10. Random fact - it is hard to exercise when life is not in the normal routine.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Fall is AWESOME!!!!! I love seeing how beautiful everything is around here. Love love love the colors and the brisk runs. nothing is better than running in 40 degree weather!

2. Henry continues to be "adventurous" HE decided he needed a cupcake while I was in the shower and he figured it out on his own.

He decided he loves sitting in the fire pit. 

3. Will got to go to The Kennedy Center!!!! what a special treat for him. The orchestra puts on a special concert for all the 4th graders. I am seeing some amazing benefits to living were we are living.

4. Chris and I got to go on a date to the temple on Saturday!!!! It has been WAY to long for me. It was so wonderful to go together. Plus we even got to sit next to each other!! 

5. Annmarie turned 8 on Monday. I cannot believe she is this old. She is an amazing help at home. She and Henry are best buds. She is wonderful, she is also hitting some emotional stages. . hope these pass fast!

6. Henry Found our bag of Halloween candy. He brought it to me

Tried to hand it to me to open

Then yelled MAAAAAM

This is just too cute!

7. Jed has been trying so hard to be good. I think this is a sign of him grow up!

8. Jeffrey loves loves loves school. I am hoping to finish his jean quilt this week. (we started it almost 2 years ago)

9. I cannot tell you how important it is to have goals!!! Since signing up to run a half marathon (with Chris) at the end of next month, I have been so much happier. I am enjoying running more ( I ran 8!!!! on Saturday). Chris and I will be signing up to run the Rock n Roll Marathon here in DC on March 14th. I'm excited for this huge challenge as well.

10. Random fact - I love running in the very early am. I ran at 5am this morning and it was wonderful, plus I get a lot more accomplished during the day. Like cleaning my room, laundry and posting to a blog :)

ten on Tuesday

1. Jed had his 5th birthday! it was Wednesday. It is crazy to think it has been that long. He sure is our crazy child who makes life at home interesting while the others are off to school. He did cuddle up with me this past week while I was reading (shock I know) and fell asleep. I love when he does that.

2. I read 5 Percy Jackson books in 3 or 4 days. I rarely read because I ignore everything that is going on. I enjoyed reading again I wish I had time for more.

3. Chris took his first test for school. He turned it in today. He spent all weekend working on it. Hopefully he passed :)

4. There was no school yesterday because of Columbus. I think we have to be one of the few states that still has this holiday. It was fun to have the kids home. We went for a run in the morning 3.2 miles. they did wonderful I am so proud of my kids.


5. Annmarie got to visit with our bishop on Sunday. She needed and interview to get baptized in less that 2 weeks! She is so excited! I'm so happy for her and this big event in her life

6. Last night after dinner we discovered a movie on TV. it is almost 25 years old. Karate Kid. Oh man did the kids love it!

7. General Conference was wonderful! ( I know I am way behind). I have reread 3 talks already and cannot wait to read more. Do any of you find Conference easier to read than the scriptures? I know I do.
 
8. My mom celebrated her 70th birthday on Friday. I cannot believe that I was so blessed to have a mom like her. My goal is to be like her. Hope I am not letting her down.

9. Henry is talking more and more. Sadly he has started using NO more and more. I really liked when he said "dop it" (stop it).

10. As I get older the more and more thankful I am that I can have the job I do. Sometimes I think I take it for granted and don't appreciate how lucky I have it. I know we make sacrifices and hopefully they will make a difference in our kids lives.


Random photos

Henry loves to play in the shower!

I love this photo

 I think there are days Annmarie would prefer to have no brothers. But she would always choose to have Henry.

this sums up why I do what I do

Life has been crazy (i'm sure it will slow down in 20 or so years) but this week I was given a glimpse of why I do what I do (be a Mom).

I dropped the kids off at the bus stop and I left before they were on because I wanted to make it up the hill (with no side walk) before the bus got there and had to wait for me. Well once I got to the sidewalk the bus pulls up. As It passes I stopped and looked for a kid of 2 of mine. Annmarie was at the window waving wildly, giving the I love you sign. I returned the waves and sign and then ran ahead of the bus while it was at another bus stop. I then crossed the road and turned and waited again. Again the bus pulled up and I looked for another child of mine. Will turned and saw me. His face lit up and he waved then gave me the I love you sign. I again returned the signs and then went on my run once the bus was gone.

Even though our life is not ideal right now, there are many many things we want and some we feel we need. I realized a wonderful thing. My kids love me. They are excited to see me. They love to give me hugs and a kiss each night. Even Will. I will be sad when he no longer thinks it is cool to give his mom a hug and kiss at the bus stop. But I will cherish everyone until that sad day comes.

I'm sure I do not say this enough but I am so thankful for my kids. They really are amazing people. I am so thankful to be a stay at home mom. I am so thankful I have these 5 amazing kids that Heavenly Father has trusted me with. I hope that I will not disappoint Him or any of my children. I am thankful that He was willing to let me see that my kids love me. Thank You.

Thoughts

As someone who has moved a bit there are always something's that I wonder. No I am not looking for pats on my back etc I just have been having a hard day and have some genuine questions.
When you move and come back and visit how many people actually truly care that you are 1 back for a visit and 2 truly missed you.

Do people miss me as much as I miss them? I'm going to go for a no on this one. Mostly because your (person who moved) whole world has changed. For those you left behind it stays the same.

Will your friendships ever be the same? This I think is also a no in 99% of the cases. Most often the effort to keep in contact is only made by the one who moved. When you find a rare friend who also tries those are the friendships that last a life time.

A few things brought this on. 1 obviously was our trip back to Iowa and 2nd it was wishing I was having a girls night with girls from Vegas or Iowa or even NY or VA. It has been a hard day with Jed he has hit me many times called me stupid many more. What I wouldn't give for a great night out with my friends tonight. If you have ever considered us friends know I would love to have a night out with you. Know that I miss our friendship. Know that you are loved by me and are in my prayers.

What a week!!

This past week here as has been  wonderful, busy and crazy!

Jed swinging on a beautiful fall afternoon.

Annmarie decided to grow up over night. Why do they do that?

We found another park. Jed loves this one because of this "donuts" swing. It never stops. I will not get on it for fear of tossing my cookies.

Thursday I was mowing the lawn. I asked Annmarie to make the rice for dinner. I said 3 cups rice 6 cups water for 17 min. well 12 min later she runs out freaking out and I go into the kitchen stop the microwave, open it and see this. She forgot to add the water and ruined my rice cooker/veggie steamer. The smell is still around. There was smoke 5 feet and above in the kitchen and dining room. It smelled sooooo bad!  

what the inside looked like

Friday we hopped in the car and picked up the kids from school. I had emailed their teachers in advance so they knew we were coming. The kids did not. I got there right before they were going to do a fire drill. Jeffrey and Will came down right away. Annmarie was in PE and her teacher did not know we were leaving. The principal asked how we were settling in etc. I told him we were leaving just them to dirve to Iowa because Chris was getting sworn in, and it was a surprise for the kids. Since Annmarie was not prepared to leave I just took the 2 boys to the car to wait. 2 min later Annmarie came running out. The principal delayed the fire drill to let us leave! I love this place. 

Henry entertaining him self "texting" with an old phone.

We got to the Allion's at 4:45am. They kids woke up and were soooo excited, did I mention we didn't ever tell them where we were going? This was the following night. They were out!

My white shirt and tie boys with their kacki pants :)

The reason we went to Iowa. Chris getting sworn in as an attorney in the State of Iowa. I'm so proud of him. 

I love his smile here. He worked so hard!

Will was not so entertained with the first half of the "program"

neither was Jeffrey

This is how we say thanks to our friends :)

Henry passed out with in 5 min of being in the car Monday to drive home. 

Surprisingly we didn't watch too many movies on the way home. I guess driving all night helps

We got back to VA at 5:45 am. Chris went straight to school. The 4 kids to their beds and slept. I got in bed and tried to encourage Henry to sleep. He didn't want to. He found a bag of Cheese-its. When I woke up at 8 I saw him like this, hand in the bag of food and all. We are all still trying to recover. 

We are so blessed to have been able to go back with Chris. I love him and am so thankful for all his hard work the past 12 plus years of our marriage (although he has worked extra hard the last 3 yrs).

ten on tuesday

What a crazy, busy, fun, spiritual week.

1. I love my new library, mostly because they have about 12 sister ones that they share material with and they have some great books!!! See the Miss Mallard mystery books! I love them. PLus they have some great BBC masterpiece theater movies that I love!

2. Jeffrey wanted to match Henry and this was the best photo of them matching. Did I mention he wanted to cut his hair like Grandpa Sherwood, a horseshoe hair cut. needless to say we just buzzed his hair :)

3. Saturday our ward has been doing a day of service for the last 3 years. They host a 5k and kids dash. It is a peanut butter run for hunger. Cost is to donate PB or other canned foods. We had a blast. I ran with Will and Annmarie. Chris pushed Jed and Henry, while running with Jeffrey. I cannot tell you how proud I was of them. The kids did amazing!!!! Most of the photos are from the races blog.

 Pre-race photos

Jeffrey finishing!!

He was so proud!!

The kids Dash.

Jeffrey and Jed's age group ran 1st. 

I wish I could have this original. I love his face. I think Jeffrey had the time of his life on Saturday.

Jed loved it. He told me very proudly he got a sucker and 5th place. 

 Jeffrey with his gold medal

Will and Annmarie's age group was last. Will got 2nd. 

4. Saturday night Chris took Will and Jeffrey to a Nat's game. They rode the metro (train/subway) and loved it. Needless to say the weather didn't cooperate very well and the game was delayed. Although now they get tickets to a game next season. At least the train ride was fun.

5. Sunday Chris and I got to talk in church. The scripture we were given was Choose you this day whom ye will serve. I think this was the hardest talk I have ever given. It is so broad! people told us we did well, so you can take that for whatever it means.

6. Monday was the day of all days. We found out that CHRIS PASSED THE IOWA BAR!!!!!!!!! It is amazing how months and months of stress can melt off in a matter of seconds. I am so proud of him and all the hard work he put into school and the test. We are so lucky to have Chris in our lives.

7. So to celebrate I asked a lady in our ward to watch the younger 2 so Chris and I could go out for lunch yesterday at one of our favorite Vegas places to eat. Texas de Brazil. Well needless to say lunch in only served on Fridays. This photo was taken before we discovered that. So we went to Cafe Rio instead. It was great can't complain.

8. Monday for family home evening we wrote some letters to people. I loved reading Will's. In one of them he said I hope you have the spirit with you. How cute is that!!! I love my kids.

9. Will has been waiting for this day for a long long time. He gets his first Violin lessons today. He is so excited. Hopefully this excitement continues through the year.

10. As Chris and I were talking last night I said how did our marriage survive the last few months. WE had him studying for the bar, waiting to hear about the bar, the worst move in the history of moves, starting new schools for 4 people. It was just a bit stressful. He Said Heavenly Father was watching out for us. I know this is true. I know that we as a family would not have made it through these past few months intact without help from above. I am so thankful for anyone who at any point said a prayer for us. It was truly something that helped us. Thank you!