Journaling

- Kelly just came down from bed (the kids have been in bed for almost an hour now and I don't think any of them are asleep, they keep coming down with new excuses and needs.... the usual) and told me this conversation between she and Erika after getting after Erika for pushing them around in their bed:
Kelly: I'm going to go tell.
Erika: Are you going to tell Dad or Mom?
Kelly: Dad.
Erika: NO!!!  (crying)
Kelly: No, I'm just kidding, I'm telling Mom.
Erika: (crying immediately stopped) Oh.  Me not care.

Nice.

- In the car, driving up to my Dad's, we were talking about something that obviously confused Erika because she said, "What talking about?"  And when I went to explain whatever it was, she started chanting, "UHHH- NOOOOO-IIIIIING!" (Annoying), it was ADORABLE!!!  8-7-12

- Tuesday we spent the morning getting ready to go to the store, trying to nag kids to get jobs done.  Then finally just gave up and left.  We did all of school shopping and even managed to get a few things to start organizing our house a little more.  I started out in the kitchen.  Moved the cups and plates to the drawer all the cooking utensils were in, and the silverware just above that.  It's different, and probably not the most convenient way to have things, but it works SO much better and it's SO much easier to find things!  I'm anxious to try it out :).  Then I moved the school supply organizer from the office to the kitchen back door.  We'll see how that goes.  The office is just so full of stuff, I think this will help alleviate some of the traffic, and some of the clutter.... plus the kitchen is where we usually use most of the stuff anyway, makes more sense really.  Then, I was SO happy to finally have little compartments for everything in my hallway drawers!  I got all 4 drawers cleaned out and organized, and then the two shelves above!  They look fantastic!  And I did have to throw away a LOT, I think it was a whole garbage bag and two small grocery bags.  I hung up the new shower curtain, got rid of some of the extra things in the bathroom, now that I had room on the shelves in the hallway, laid out the new bath mat!  Looks a lot better and feels somewhat refreshing if you ask me.  I love the new shower curtain that Nate picked out.  Now I just need a new bathroom :) HA!  I'm kidding.  This really does help me, and I feel so much better in there for some reason.  Sometimes change is as good as an upgrade.  I didn't get to the last two closets I had planned on doing, or the desk downstairs, because it was time to go to Grandpa Hatch's house for pizza!  It was a nice relaxing evening there, the kids LOVE it there, and we all have such a good time.  Grandpa left with the girls to get some Rootbeer for Floats.  That was yummy too :).  I attempted to show my Dad how to use Lightroom, but I don't think I was much good.  I totally just play around with it, I don't actually know what all the buttons do.  He's way more knowledgeable in that area than me anyway.  He humored me though and then I suggested that he call Brent and Sarah :).  It's fun to hang out with my Dad though.  I appreciate the calm relaxed atmosphere.  I need that so much lately!  I'm becoming the hugest stress case!  8-7-12

- Charity did her friend's paper route today.  Nate took her, so I'm not sure how it all went, but she did it!  Makes me wonder if we shouldn't get one for our kids.  Sure is a good way to teach responsibility.  8-9-12

- Noah's been doing this for a little while now, so hopefully I haven't posted about it, but I kept wanting to, so I assume I haven't :).  Every time he says the prayer he always makes sure to "bless Heavenly Father and Jesus".  It's so adorable!  And no matter how many times we try to reinforce that we're TALKING TO Heavenly Father, he still says it :).  I think it's about the sweetest thing on the planet.  He's so thoughtful and loving.

- And while I'm at it... we've had to have 2 prayers on every meal, every bedtime, every prayer time, for the past month or so because Erika wants to say the prayer EVERY TIME :).  It's so cute!!  We call on someone then she puts her hand in the air and flaps her little fingers saying, "Me say it atoh?" (me say it after)  And you can't say no!  So you have the first one, then Erika goes about hmmmm-ing over who she's going to pick to help her say it :).  The kids love to be chosen.  They say it together, and then she's content :).  It's adorable.  I love that she's interested.  I love that her older siblings allow it, nobody has ever complained (and why would they, they're innocent little people who LOVE prayers, and couldn't care less about food getting cold or anything else), and they all just sit and hope she picks them :). Happy Mom.

- I just had the sweetest little time with Luke during his "10 minutes" tonight!  (the kids all have a day where they are my "Special Helper" and then they are responsible for doing the dishes at least once during the day, and then they get to stay up for 10 minutes- or so we say! it usually ends up being much longer- with Mom and Dad at night doing whatever they want- it's been really fun for them, and something they look forward to.  I'd say it's a little more work for us, but it does encourage a little bit of one on two time for us and each kid.  I like it.)  Anyway, he was just so adorable.  We were trying to get his games on the church website to work since those are allowed on Sunday :), but they weren't working, so we ended up chatting.  Out of the blue, he asked, "Do you think Mrs. Buttars is nice?"  I love that he is thinking about school and getting excited for it and I'm glad that he voiced that that might be a concern of his.  We talked about her.  I think she's a nice teacher, but I think he's seen her get after naughty kids before (we all have, she gets mad!).  So we talked about how good kids don't get in trouble and don't make their teachers mad, so he should have no problems.  He asked how she was compared to Mrs. Savage who he loved, and I said, "Well, she's younger." and he quickly piped in, "WAY younger!"  Which is just adorable.  Then we talked about how she's smart and will teach him lots of new things.  He seemed to be getting excited about the idea of First Grade and the things he will get to learn.  He's hoping to learn times tables, he said Bradley learned his times tables in First Grade, so we'll see :).  It's fun to get a little out of Luke, he's usually so quiet and doesn't ask many questions.  He seemed nervous about school lunch and how that will go.  And he seemed really excited about more recess!  Who wouldn't be :).  I wish he had more friends that he knew in his class, but I'm sure he'll make more really quickly.  So anyway, then we turned on Cupcake Wars for Erika to fall asleep (the little staller) and Luke got all into that for the first time I've ever seen and since it was a Baby Shower event, he was asking a lot about babies and baby showers.  It was fun.  Earlier tonight he said that Buddy was probably climbing up on me because he could smell my baby :).  Not sure what that means, but one thing is- he has his baby brother in mind.  And I love that.  The little guy is just so sweet!!  Then he gave a sweet kiss and hug good night as he went to bed like a good boy at the end of his "10 minutes".  I loved it.  8-12-12