The Six of Us

I miss the kids.  They have been back to school a whole week and I have missed them so much.  I am so out of a schedule but in the next few weeks it will get better.  My mom's group starts Thursday and then preschool starts the Wednesday after. Library story time a week after. So for the next few weeks the little boys and I are hitting up as many parks as possible..  I think it will be good once all the fall things start "falling" into place plus it will be just in time for the weather getting colder so less park weather. Jake will start soccer soon and I just signed Victoria up for a great program called "Girls on the Run".  So that will be Tuesday and Thursdays.  Life is just getting busier but it is good.  Kids have really started out the year well. We are heading to Kamiah on Friday so lots to do this week.  Packing and cleaning.  I really have a hard time coming home to a dirty house.  So I try and clean more then no...

Started this post a while ago but forget to post it.  Andrew turned three.  Our crazy Andrew who we were never sure we were ever going to get, turned three.  He loves life.  He wanted to do everything the big kids do.  He is mostly happy although is struggling at tiimes to get along with his little brother.  Probably going to be a life time struggle.  But for the most part they get along well.  Andrew is running all over and LOVES swinging on the swings.  He loves laughing and has this deep belly laugh.  He enjoys watching the "Mother Goose" on Netflix and can't go to bed without stars.  He recently has taken to wanting to wear his older siblings clothes to bed.  Speaking of bed he doesn't like to stay in his own room at night.He calls Victoria "Toria"   He has really been such a joy to in our lives since he was born.  The terrible twos were so terrible but the threes are starting to have some moments.  We...

The last ten days have been crazy.  Last Friday-Sunday we went to visit family iin Kamiah.  Cousins had a great time running around.  Lee had a great time running around like a kid with his brother.  I got to play Capture the Flag for the first iin forever.  Even Andrew played.  Monday I took the older kids and my neice to Lagoon.  It was a scary ride down there.  I blew a tire driving 80 miles an hour down the free way.  Two angels stopped and changed my tire and I can never ever repay them.  But after two expensive tires we made it to Lagoon.  We had a blast.  However, I never got to ride the newest roller coaster but Jake did twice and really enjoyed it.  We stayed in a really nice hotel that I am certain we would have never stayed at if it wasn't for the fact it was free.  Thanks to bad customer service the last time we stayed there.  We came home and a few days later then Lee's sister and her daughter...

Have I really survived nine bike trips?  Has Lee? Well almost he will be home in the afternoon The honest reason I struggle with the bike trips isn't because I am home alone with the kids it is because I worry Lee won't make it home.  My biggest fear is I will get a call saying Lee was in an accident.  Is it logic?  Maybe.   Lee is my bestest friend and the thought of raising these four holligians without him is overwhelming at best.  I really miss him when he was gone. he balances me.  I come up with some crazy ideas and he can bring me down to earth.  Do we survive without him here ?  Sure but that is all we do.  Next year we will for certain be going somewhere.  Even for a few days.   I am glad Lee can go on these trips.  He gets to see some pretty amazing things t I love hearing about his adventures.  I hear some scary stories as well which is probably why I worry.   So here is o another adventure done and to...

I listened to talk today that hit home.  The person talking said we need to ask God once for something and then act like you are going to receive that blessing you asked for.  He talked about praising God for future blessings. He used the example of a child asking over and over again for something they aren't ready for but something you are going to give them at a future date.  He talked about how annoying that would be.  I am going to try this.  For the next few weeks I haven't decided how long I going to ask in prayer for a specific thing one time and then act and pray like I already have the blessing. He said it much better then I did.  Another thing we listened to is the concept of not getting frustrated with things we can't control the example he used.  We are stuck so we have two choices get upset or roll with it.  Just so happened at that time then we were stuck on the freeway so it worked as a good object lesson for the kids.  Tod...

Last Sunday when I was driving home from McCall I was listening to BYU radio station and there was an interview with Sister Hinkley.  President Hinkley's daughter who use to be the general primary president.  I listed to a half hour interview and the one thing that stuck with me was she said that we always talk about what a strain children are on marriage.  Which she admiited they were but she said we fail to talk about the strengthing in a marriage that happens with children.  Children have the ability to bring us to our lowest lows yet our spouse has the ability to help us out of those lows.  She didn't say it but I think moms often feel the stress of raising kids more then dads. she gave an example about how she was stressed about raising several young children when her husband was busy working long hours.  Her husband was able to hire some help for her.  She said she was at her breaking point.  Been there done that.  Luke's colic Andrews ...

Last night as Lee was packing for his trip he made a comment about how every thing seemed to be going wrong. He made a comment about how maybe the adversary was trying to stop him from this trip and I said or maybe God is.  We will never know which is which.  :)  Lee left 12 hours ago and I am already ready for him to come home.  Tonight has been tough but I think me working all day played into that.  Even thought I wished I could have gone to Pocatello today it worked out that I didn't,  We have been praying for Lee's aunts family that they may find some comfort in this that maybe with time they will be at peace. We are counseled to mourn with those who mourn.  I think we don't always do a good job at that,  So while I may complain about the bike trip I won't complain about Lee leaving early to go to Pocatello, although other people did.  I grew up where funerals were important and although my dad despised them he would always encourage ...