Things to Remember Week of 8-23-15

DISTRACTIONS
Today the Bishop came to teach the youth about Same Sex Marriage.  I had anticipated a totally different kind of lesson and was so surprised at the direction he took.  It was interesting.  He started out talking about some of Satan's distractions.  Then ended with talking about how we need to be tolerant of others and their lifestyles.  We do not need to judge them but love them.  It was so interesting.  It was eye-opening to me to realize that Satan is also using these controversial issues to distract us.  He's creating contention among Heavenly Father's children aside from other things.  It's time to not let these things distract us from our goal and from what we've always been taught- to love one another.  I feel like I need to change my attitude a little and be more tolerant.  It was a cool lesson.  I feel so blessed to be able to participate in those kinds of meetings and be able to witness that Spirit with the youth.  8-23-15

KINDERGARTEN TESTING
Erika rocked it at her assessment today!!  I was so glad that she wasn't nervous at all (somehow I've managed tom ake some of my other kids nervous about this), she was so happy with how she did, kept telling me that she knew everything!  It was a fun time for her.  This whole waiting for Kindergarten to start has been a challenge for her.  She is SO ANXIOUS to go!!!  She's going to love it!  I'm so happy for her!  8-26-15

38 WEEKS
We had our last doctor appointment today!  Feels good to get that out of the way.  Feels like we're getting closer!  We had to bring Erika and Jack with us this time and Nurse Erica and Dr. Thackeray ended up making it a lot of fun for them :).  Erica is always so nice to Erika.  It's cute.  This time, Dr. Thackeray was running a little late, so Erica came in to measure me and listen to the heartbeat and ended up letting Erika do it all :).  She got to squirt the jelly on me and then move the monitor around.  It was really cute to see the smile on her face when she reached the heartbeat.  So sweet.  She is so excited about her little sister coming!!  Dr. Thackeray came in and proceeded to jinx us some more with the whole going into labor early business.  I don't know why everyone is talking like that this time!  I have NEVER gone into labor!  I don't do that.  And we already have an August birthday!  We have five more days before she can come :).  We'll see how it goes I guess.  It's just so strange that he keeps talking the way he does.  8-26-15

SMOKING
Nate's been smoking like crazy this week!   Pork, chicken wings, salmon, you name it!!  It's been fun for him I think.  Stressful in some ways, but for the most part, I think he's enjoying it.  He's catering a work party for Travis Maughan, and selling the leftover stuff to people he's rounded up on facebook.  Pretty cool!  He's so good at what he does.  I'm so proud of him!!  8-26-15

CUTEST THING EVER
As Jack and I were pulling out of the driveway to pick up Erika he screamed out to Nate a loud goodbye (Nate was cleaning the garage- bless him!), then this conversation followed:
Jack: Daddy funny (Nate had waved a fun goodbye)!
Me: Yeah, Daddy is funny huh!  Did you know Mommy LOVES Daddy so much!!
Jack: Yeah.  You Daddy best friends.
Made me so happy!  I almost teared up at the thought that my three year old KNOWS that I love his Dad and that we are best friends.  Ahhh.  It's like all I needed to carry me through the rest of the day.  8-27-15

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
I will admit I was dreading this night.  Two hours of sitting and listening are not my idea of a good time.  I decided to leave the kids home this year- good choice.  It ended up not being too bad.  I really like the teachers we got this year.  It's nice to know that they will all be in good hands and feeling happy and loved during their long seven hours away from home each day.  I need to write Mr. Hughes a thank you email.  8-27-15

CATERING
Friday was Nate's big day!  Travis Maughan had hired him to cater a little lunch at his work.  He's been working on the food all week and was finally able to get it all together and deliver it on Friday.  It was a pretty big deal!  Jared came over that day as well, to hang out, so Nate was multitasking all morning, fixing up sides (his mashed potatoes were as big a hit as the smoked stuff :) not surprised), and finishing up all the meat.  He was in the zone!!  It was fun to watch him work.  I wish I'd been more help.  I really didn't do a thing.  But he was able to get it there on time and they all loved it and this may become a new thing for him after a few of the conversations he had at the campout that night.  I'm pretty proud of him!  He's made a lot of extra money on top of it, which, who can complain about that :).  8-28-15

DADDY/DAUGHTER CAMPOUT
I shouldn't even bother posting about their campout- and let them do it- but since I usually forget- here's the plug- they went :).

While they were gone the boys and I tried to have some fun too!  I say "tried" because I am just overdone right now.  It's hard to find the energy and will to do most things.  I'm not very fun because I have thousands of lists of things that need to be done by Tuesday running through my head 24/7.  But we did try :).  We went to Subway for dinner.  That would have been more fun if Jack hadn't been on one.  He was really on one all day and I'm still not sure what it was!  He's just sensing change I'm sure, but it was not pretty.  After Subway we went to Harmons to get treats for our movie.  I let them choose between the small bag at It's Sugar and two bags at Harmons :).  I'm not sure why I thought offering them MORE candy to rot their teeth out with was a good idea, but it was still way cheaper than It's Sugar.  I just can't bring myself to go there.  It's Nate's thing anyway :).  I'll let them do that with him.  They were happy with all the crap they got at Harmons and we ran over to the movie (HA!  jk.  There is no running at this point ;).  Especially with Jack!  I waddle and since Jack insisted on carrying the bag of stuff, we barely walked to the car then DROVE through the parking lot over to a spot closer to the theater and then slowly made our way into the theater.... it was a long half hour to be honest).  We saw Craig and Karen Berthold outside the theater- that was cool.  I love them!  It was fun to see talk to them for a minute.  We saw the movie Minions.  It was HILARIOUS!!  I loved sitting in between Luke and Jack and their constant giggling!  I was so glad it kept Jack's attention the whole time.  He even got a little sleepy but fought it because he was loving the movie so much :).  It was cute.  I liked the movie too.  Bradley and Noah enjoyed it as well- I think it was the perfect movie for my boys.  We came home and the boys requested that they watch another movie.  Couldn't say no- so Sandlot 2 on Netflix it was.  Kind of a lame show if you ask me- a repeat of the first.  Jack fell asleep and I could barely keep my eyes open, so captain fun carried Jack up to bed and then went to bed herself.  I know, I'm boring.  It will all be over soon :).  The boys ended up going to bed shortly after.  It was a pretty fun evening I think.  Hopefully they felt like I'd at least tried!  8-28-15

NESTING
Well, one thing that has gotten worse with this being the 8th pregnancy is the NESTING!  And maybe it's just because we're finally in our own house again!  But I've been nesting like a crazy person.  And not just with the rearranging and painting and such of all the rooms!  Somehow I found the motivation to wash all the walls!  I started in my room and just went down through the house, the hallway and stairs (skipped the kids rooms since we just did those), and down to the living room and kitchen.  I was totally swimming in my sweat and had to sit down for a good half hour after each room, but I did it!  I'm pretty proud of myself and I'm loving that my house feels clean again.  I have a few more projects that I hope I can get to before Tuesday, with cleaning up the house, but with the baby's bed and clothing all ready,it's really not the important stuff that's left.  I even caught back up on the laundry which is a HUGE relief!  Hopefully I can still do laundry when I get home- I dread it getting backed up again.  We'll see :).  8-29-15

BEE STING
Erika got stung by a bee for her first time.  Pretty sad.  She was up at Cassidy's and the bee had been totally stalking her shoe, waiting for her, so when she put her food in, there it was!  According to Kelly and Cassidy it was a HUGE stinger!  Poor girl.  She was so bummed that she ruined her record of not being stung ever.  Hopefully it's the last.  8-29-15

HA HA!

Noah asked me if he could go swim at Josh's and I said, "yes".  To that he replied:
You are like the nicest mom ever!  You are so cool!  It's so awesome!  (I had a happy face on and felt all wonderful and as he turned to leave I heard him mutter something about me being awesome BECAUSE I always say "yes" when he asks if he can do something.... interesting :)- made me feel a little strange for some reason)

Jack was asking for a "nee nee" (drink) tonight and on a whim I asked him if he could say, "Drink".  Of course he spouted out with a perfect and distinct, "DrinK!"  He can say it perfectly!!  I told him he should start asking for a drink by saying drink, we'll see if we can get him to convert... so far... nothing.  Maybe with a few more reminders though :).  Still it made me laugh at how well he can say it.  Funny boy.  8-2-15

Jack kept repeating his request to watch Sophia, "MOM!!!  MOM!!!  PHIA!!!!" over and over and over again, while I was trying to do something with the playlist on the tv.  I started out politely asking him to stop saying it and that I would turn on his show, he just needed to wait a minute, and then slowly got more agitated so I barked out a, "Jack, I am going to turn on Sophia, if you say that again, I am going to get very angry!" Then out of his mouth came a little, "M....mmmm.....mmmmmm"  His almost "MOM!" turned into a humming of a cute little Jack tune :).  Made me laugh.  He's hilarious.  I love how obedient this kid can be.  He is VERY good at listening most of the time.  It's almost funny how good he is.

So I've been known to say a funny thing or two.  Maybe.  So today I am going to post about the funny thing I said :).  Mostly because it made Erika laugh, mid-cry, after getting stung by a bee!  So that should tell you how funny it was, just in case you're wondering after you read it for yourself.  So here it goes:
Erika: The bee was inside of my shoe and when I put it on my foot- it stung me!!
Me: That dirty dog!!!!
Then Buddy's ears perked up and he looked over at me (he was sitting right in front of Erika on the floor.
Me: Not you, Buddy, sorry, I was talking about the bee!
Erika totally busted up laughing :).  I loved it.  8-29-15

Earlier today I begged Jack to let me change his diaper.  This sounds weird because it's really getting hard for me to fight him.  Picking him up is painful and kneeling down to change him is extremely difficult and painful.  So it's had to be a group effort.  Nate's changed him way more than I have too, just for the record.  But anyway!  I was begging him to let me change him.  It was the diaper he'd worn over night, so it was well overdue, and he refused.  I gave in since Nate wasn't here, and just left him in his pee- I know it's horrible.  But a couple hours later, Jack walked into the living room where I was and with a look of surrender on his face says, "Mom..... I poop."  He was so disappointed.  He knew he needed it changed.  I said, "So can I change your bumb then?"  And he solemnly replied, "Yeah."  It was so dang cute.  He even went up and got the diaper and wipes for me.  Must have been really yucky.  It was pretty funny to watch though.  Poor guy.  8-29-15

First Official Day of Kindergarten!

FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!
She did it!  She survived the wait!!  Erika has had to be very patient, waiting for several amazing things to happen.  One of them being her first real day of Kindergarten!  It finally came!  She was thrilled.  It was fun to see her cute smiling face come around the kitchen corner this morning.  She was glowING!  She got ready real fast, had everything she needed all ready to go, new outfit, new shoes, she was so set!  It was so much fun for her!  I say "for her" because I was kind of dying inside!  My baby girl is growing up way too fast for me!  Losing teeth, READING, and going to school!  It's hard to let her go!  Jack is with me on this.  He is really struggling with the idea of Erika being somewhere that she can't entertain him.  But either way- she is going, and she LOVES IT!!  She was so brave when we got there, went right into her line, big smile.

Kate showed up and stood right there next to her.  When it was time to follow Mrs. Piper into the school they just walked off like a couple of big girls!  It was so cute and so sad at the same time!  If I hadn't been so busy today I may have lost it a few times.  So maybe it's a good thing my house is a wreck and I'm trying to get it under control before I have this baby.  Erika came out with the biggest smile on her face, gave me a big hug!  Told me all about her amazing day!  She just loved it.  Can't wait for tomorrow too.  I'm so happy for her.  She really has been looking forward to this day for a lot longer than just this week.  I'm so glad she finally gets to have her own thing and day to talk about.  It's fun to see her so happy with it all.  She made up for the lost time with Jack when she got home- they played so hard!  Giggling and laughing for a good hour before she ditched him again to play with Kate.  I was glad he got some time with her.  I can't believe she's so grown up!  8-27-15

"FWEE!!!"

"FWEE!!!"
I can't believe Jack is three!!  My baby boy is growing up!  Lucky for me, he still seems little :).  He's been milking the baby stage for all it's worth :).  We're glad.  He had a pretty easygoing birthday, since we had celebrated the night before, there wasn't a whole lot on his actual birthday.  I loved watching his big brother and sister (Noah and Erika) making his sign that morning and everyone doing their best to make it a special day for him.  We did have to go visiting teaching... not his favorite part of the day... but then we rewarded ourselves with a delicious churro :).  Jack and I spent a lot of our time reading and cuddling while Erika was at Kate's house.  He doesn't love it when Erika leaves, so we try to make the most of the time.  I think his favorite time of the day was opening all of his presents from his big brothers and sisters that evening.  I wasn't around, we had a fireside for the big girls and I, but Nate took everyone to the dollar store and they all showered Jackie with gifts.  I loved it when I got home from my meeting after the fireside, pretty late at night, he was so excited to show me "my stuff"!  It was so cute.  He loved the claw thing the most.  Slept with it even.  He's such a sweet little guy.  I love him.
Jack has grown up a ton in the last couple months.  Most likely because he's getting a little sister soon- that's how it usually goes- but it's been fun to watch him kind of break out of his little shell.  He's been talking a lot more, loves to play with his little friends on our street, Liam and Will.  He's been way into the toys lately, keeps him busy for hours!  He loves the park, walks, the "driving game" with Daddy, reading books, sleeping in mom's bed, his sister "gah" (he shortened ga-ka to just gah), chips, yellow, bubbles... he's really just a fun, easygoing little guy.  For the most part.  He's very interested in what is going on around him.  He always asks, "What you say?" or "What say?" when we're talking on the phone or through a drive thru.  It's cute.  He is the best cuddler.  Awesome hugs and kisses (even on the lips!).  He's just a fun little boy.  We're so lucky to have him in our lives.
8-25-15

These pictures are actually from the day after- I can't believe I didn't get ANY the day OF!  Bad mom.  But he had a lot of fun with his gifts that morning after, making bubbles and grabbing things with his claw thingy.

Finally got a picture of him doing his "three" with his hands and his sign that Noah and Erika worked so hard on :)

And Kelly surprised him with yet another gift (she had missed out on the shopping trip the night before so she bought him something the next day.  He loves his "pooh".

Jack's Pre-Birthday Party

PRE-BIRTHDAY PARTY

We had too much going on the night of Jack's actual birthday, so we planned his party for the night before. He was all for it once we started talking about what his party was :).  It was so cute to get him all excited about it and have him looking forward to things.  He was THRILLED about his cake!  He was right there with me almost the whole time I was making it.  The look on his face when he saw the finished product (after falling asleep and missing the actual train making part) was priceless!  That's always the cherry on top for me :).  I loved that he loved it.  He was anxious for presents once we filled him in on that.  Once Nate got home, it was time to get ready to go.  We planned to have the party at Heritage Park with the splash park.  When we got there there was only one person under the pavillion and she said she didn't mind letting us use two tables because she was getting ready to leave anyway.  Shortly after that, a big group of people showed up and took over the other 4 tables in the pavillion and put up balloons and banners.  I thought I was being so generous, letting them use the other half and all of us just sharing, and of course, WAY later on in the evening, it was pointed out to me that THEY had reserved the pavillion!!!  I hadn't even seen the sign that said reserved.  So embarrassing.  I felt so dumb.  It was so nice of them not to say anything to us and that they were so generous with the tables.  Never again.

Anyway though, back to Jack :).  He was such a happy little camper at his party!  He was anxious to eat his cake, mostly the clouds and the train, so we quickly blew out the candles and let him at it.  We did need to kind of hurry with it being a school night, but I felt kinda weird just letting the little birthday boy call all the shots.  He blew them out in the middle of the song so Nate re-lit the candles and we let him blow them out again at the end :).  He loved it.

He then requested that it be present opening time :).  I loved watching him open his presents!  He was so happy with each gift and so pleased and thankful!  It was so sweet!  I loved it.  He got a lot of fun stuff!  It's fun for Jack to get his OWN toys.  He has so few of his own.  He was so happy about the whole thing and all the attention he was getting.  Kind of unusual for a 3 year old!  I'm not complaining though.

We had a lot of fun visiting with all of his party guests, and everyone had so much fun on the playground together.  I felt so blessed to have so much support from our family.  I don't know if I give them enough credit for all the love and support they all show us and our kids... I mean, we have a birthday almost every month!  And most of them come every time.  It's really cool.  We are very blessed!  8-24-15

First Day of School!!!!

Charity Marie 8th Grade- favorite class: Office Assistant

Kelly Christa- 7th Grade  

Favorite Class: Mr. Bridges

 (he has a microwave and toaster in his class room so if you want to bring food that needs to be warmed up you can do it in his class and eat it :)  He's SO COOL!)

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

What an exciting day it was!  It was like Christmas Eve the night before, and then a little like Christmas morning the day of!  Noah went to bed an hour early, then woke up around 5:45!  Everyone else had a hard time falling asleep but woke up way sooner than they needed to :).  They were so excited!  There was a special feeling in the air- Jack could sense it so he decided to be extra squeaky so as not to miss out on any extra attention he may have needed ;).  Everybody got ready so fast!  We had so much time to kill it wasn't even funny!  I was happy I remembered to write my little letters to the kids and had those ready to go.  Charity and Kelly were first.  They wanted a ride and I was happy to give them one :).  Tradition.  (well, what am I saying... the tradition is to walk them to school on the first day... not happening this year :) )  It felt so much better this year to drop Charity and Kelly off together.  They are nothing alike and I'm seeing that more and more everyday, but they really are two peas in a pod still- they're like a set- they go together.  Didn't leave me in quite the funk that I was in last year.  I was still nervous for them, don't get me wrong- heck, I'm nervous for myself just walking around in a Jr. High- but I feel better knowing they're together.

Bradley Nathan- 5th Grade

Mrs. Moncur

Luke Daniel- 4th Grade

Mr. Flynn

(he's weird)

Noah Cole- 2nd Grade

Mrs. Lindsey

Just a funny picture of Noah to blackmail him with later :)

Erika Ruth- KINDERGARTEN!

Mrs. Piper

We drove everyone else really early too- I couldn't think of any more antics to kill the rest of the time we had.  Worked out pretty good because I was able to walk them all to their spots around the school to stand in lines.  They all gave me hugs and then we made it back to the Kindergarten just in time for Erika's orientation.  

Erika and Kate- big school kids now!

  I was so pleased with how orientation went this year!  For the last... well... I don't know if I've ever been able to sit and enjoy Kindergarten orientation.  I've always had a grumpy little toddler with me!  In fact, it's created this block in my mind for enjoying it.  So I was pleasantly surprised with how well Jack did today!  He is getting to be a GOOD, big boy.  He followed Erika around and talked about everything.  That was it!  I was so relieved!  I needed him to be that way today.  I love Mrs. Piper.  This was reconfirmed today.  I think she is the best teacher I have ever witnessed.  And that's saying a lot!  Erika LOVED school!  She is going to die waiting for Thursday!  She looked like a pro though.  I was so proud of her cutting job on her little apple that she colored- for a minute there I was worried she didn't know how to cut- thank you big sisters!  Almost made me cry a little when I realized that I just have awesome kids.  Heavenly Father has blessed me so much!  We finished up at the school, went to the store for cake stuff, and then spent the rest of the day making Jack's cake and watching Princess Sophia :).  It was a short day!  I was glad I looked at the clock when I did- we almost didn't pick the kids up on time.
Everyone seemed happy still!  I think it was a successful first day of school!  I loved hearing about all the box tops Mr. Flynn's class already has and how he told Luke in confidence about the ACTUAL total.  Bradley reassured me that Mrs. Moncur is VERY nice.  He seemed to enjoy the whole day, gave me lots of details!  That was fun.  Noah didn't say a whole lot, but he was happy- that's all that mattered to me!!  There was a new friend he talked about who kept talking too much :), one of the important things of the day :).  Charity and Kelly came home a little later, and filled us all in on the happenings at the JR. High.  Lots of power outages, no air conditioning, in fact, heat coming from the vents in the gym, Charity gave us the ins and outs of office assisting, and Kelly's new favorite teacher is Mr. Pozzouli!  It was a very good day!  I think we are going to have a good year!  I feel very optimistic about it all!