Thoughts

This past weekend was full of thoughts.  Chris's computer decided to totally crash on him. With him in school there is no option to wait, he tried so hard on Saturday to fix it. We bought a a new one at Costco. All the while cringing that our money from student loans is getting smaller and smaller.  Saturday evening we decided to take it to Apple and see if they could fix it, and hope that the warranty that expired 2 weeks ago would still possibly be in effect. On Monday we found out the the hard drive had totally died, it was covered by AppleCare since 3 weeks ago Chris took it in with problems. So what did we get? A brand new hard drive, and a discovery that the bar testing program was a major problem for his computer. What did this all cost us? 0000! And we even returned the other computer back to Costco, which was never opened. Blessing 1 of many.

Our stake had stake conference this past weekend, the best advice we received was relaying council from president Eyring. In short it is, stop praying to change the person. Pray what you can do with a promise to act. We have been struggling with Jed ALOT! Lately. We have always been prying for him to behave  etc. our prayers started changing Saturday night. At this moment we are looking into preschool for him as he does so well when surrounded by his peers. Hopefully this will workout and some of the issues we are having with him will be resolved. By no way to I imagine that this will solve everything but I'm hoping it is a small step forward.

William has just been wonderful! I have had some hard days this past few weeks. He knows when to hug me, when to tell me he loves me, and most importantly when to calm down. I am so blessed to have him in my family. He has a way of calming my troubled heart.

Annmarie is growing up too fast. She was asked to a birthday party that was a sleepover. She was fine going until 10pm. Turns out the party was right in the middle of the adult session of stake conference. The girls father offered to pick up Annmarie. As we had no idea who the parents are, I had an uneasy feeling about allowing Annmarie to be picked up from our home, when parents were not there, by someone we didn't know. After we decided to tell her it wasn't going to workout, I was prepared for the tears and it's not fair.  Well there were tears, but not as much as I expected. hopefully she is growing out of her tantrum stage.

Jeffrey got to spend most of Monday, after school with Chris alone. You would have thought he won the lotto. He was so happy to be alone with one of us. He and Chris have started reading Harry potter and the goblet of fire. I love to see them do something special.

Jed has been Our challenge of late, he struggles to listen, to do what he is asked. He often resorts to yelling, or throwing things, or tantrums. All directed at me. Yesterday when I was sick in bed he was great! He kept to himself and did what small things he can to help. I'm thankful for him being good when I most needed it.


Henry is just Henry. He is happy, he loves to eat, chase Jed.  He loves going to the bus stop when the kids get home. He misses them when they are at school. He has started with tantrums, I public they are silent and throwing himself on the floor. At home they. Are loud and hitting and biting happens lots. He is usually wonderful we I go running. On Friday when I ran for 11 miles, he screamed from mile 6 to 10.5. It was great fun. We are so lucky that he truly is a  happy child.



I did this from my phone so sorry if there are more than normal errors.

a day late with a more positive attitude

1. I learned that you should never blog / email / Facebook post when you are the most upset/frustrated you have been in a long time. Yesterday was a very difficult day for me. A child of mine is just making life not so fun right now. But after a good nights sleep and a new start this morning life is better. I am so thankful I did not post last night and give you 10 negative things about the week. So lesson learned, sleep on it.

2. We went to Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and the fall leaves were everywhere. We got to show the kids the changing of the guards and other cool things about this amazing place. So thankful again for the many people who gave their lives for our country and the opportunity to live the way we choose.

I love this view. All the way to my favorite monument here in town.

3. Saturday I went on a beautiful 10 mile run (Chris and I have a half marathon in 3 Saturdays) I love the beauty of things here. And I now know where the phrase up hill both ways comes from. Virginia is up hill both ways. It makes running so much fun :)

4. Monday we had parent teacher conferences. It was so nice to hear things about our children. It was nice to hear that Jeffrey listens and does what he is asked with no problem. It was wonderful to hear from Will's teacher (who is perfect for him) tell us everyone loves to play with him. And to hear how he goes out of his way to help the kids with special needs who comes in to their class. Things like these make me fell like I must be doing something right.

5. Will is starting to use his bow with the Violin. It is so fun to hear him play.

6. As Annmarie and I came home from errands the other day this is what we found. Lets say they didn't even move when we got out of the car and walked to the house. Deer here have no fear.

7. This weekend we dog sat. Henry loved this cute little girl. It was so funny to watch him walk the dog. Almost made me want one.

 8. Chris found these for me. Oh they were soooooooooooooo delicious!!!! I don't think I can ever get enough of salt potatoes.

 9. Halloween - we went to a friends house and went trick or treating with about 3 families. We had
a great time

I went as a night time Ragnar Runner. (the head lamp actually was extremely helpful) the medals were way to loud and heavy. 

Half cow/half cowboy

Jedi Jed ? ragnar runner Jeffrey

Mulan Annmarie

Practice Tom Brady Will

10. I am so thankful for friends today. Days like yesterday make me miss Iowa and Nevada, and Arizona so much. But days like today remind me that I am on my way to making good friends here. It just takes time.

Day 1

Day 1: I am thankful for Jed. Even though you make me want to pull out my hair, I know you really want to make good choices. I love how kind you can be to me when I need it most. Thank you Jed for choosing our family.

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.