Things to Remember week of 11-15-15

TEACHING OBEDIENCE IN THE HOME
So.... I did it!!  I gave my dang talk in Stake Conference.  WHEW!!  Now it's over!!!  I seriously could not believe my ears when Bro. Muhlsteiin called to give me the assignment.  I think I even asked, "Seriously?" as my response.  How mature of me.  Course then I heard the topic and knew my kids were sitting there listening to my every word, completely aware of what was happening, thanks to Charity's narration.  I couldn't say no!!  Not that I would have I guess.  Still- AGAIN?!!!  I am SO VERY grateful that I only had two weeks this this time instead of two months!!  Makes a huge difference.  It was the perfect amount of time to think about and develop a talk without having WAY too much information.  Plus the panic attacks were kept to a minimum.  So it happened.  I think I might post my talk on here eventually. I was really glad I was able to come up with some ideas that didn't make me feel like I was trying to coach people on how to teach obedience.  It turned out to be nothing like my reverence one from four years ago.  I really wanted it to get across that ANYONE can teach obedience, not just parents.  I keep wishing I hadn't shared the examples from our house... that's what everyone keeps bringing up, but anyway.  I hope the camera didn't really add 10 lbs.  Glad I survived.  11-15-15

BOOK OF MORMON FHE
We finished the Book of Mormon again!!!  For Jack's lesson we read the last chapter together!!  Then went out for ice cream.  I really love it when we finish and are able to talk about Moroni's Promise.  I am pretty sure some of our kids actually go in their rooms that night and pray to know.  I hope they receive an answer.  We were trying to figure out how many times we've read it now.  We are pretty sure this is our fifth or sixth time!  I'm so proud of us!!  It's not easy to do, but it sure does bless our family.  I'm so grateful for the blessings the Book of Mormon brings into our lives.  I know I've said this before, but I KNOW my kids are better readers because of our scripture reading.  I know it's helped them learn faster as well.  So cool.  11-16-15

KELLY'S PLAY
We all got to go see Kelly's play on Wednesday night.  I wish I could remember the exact name of it.  It's basically a medley of musical songs.  Kelly wasn't AS thrilled with this as she had been signing up for the musical theater class, but she knows that it's only a matter of time before she's no longer a "sevy" and can do a real musical.  They did a great job though!  It was lots of fun to watch.  They made it really cute.  I loved watching Kelly have so much fun.  I miss her performing days.  11-18-15

LUKE ADVANCEMENT
While I was at KJH saving seats for the play, Nate was with Noah and Luke at his Pack meeting.  I was sure I wasn't going to miss anything big, but sure enough, while talking with Nate afterwards, I learned that he had gotten his Bear advancement- totally missed my pin!! INSERT HUGE SAD FACE!!!  I seriously wanted to cry.  I know that sounds dramatic, but I LOVE those moments.  It's like missing a paycheck!  Makes me sad thinking about it now, even.  We're super proud of him though, and he's been so dedicated to scouts lately, it's been nice.  I'm proud of him.  11-18-15

DINNERS
So, so far our dinners are going really well!!  I'm really proud of us!  We're keeping it going and we've only had a couple little hang ups!  I think this is the end of week three.  Pretty cool!  I must say, there's something wonderful about knowing that I will have company while I prepare a meal that was decided on by someone else :).  Choosing what to eat is half the battle!  They are making it so much easier for me, and I am teaching them how to cook.  All the while being able to spend some good quality time together.  And they think they're getting off the hook since we decided that making dinner relieves you of your regular job duties!  It really has been cool though, I'm loving it. I hope we can keep it going.  Thanks again, Jared, for jump starting my idea!  11-19-15

COLONIAL DAY
Bradley got to have Colonial day this Friday.  He was anxious to pick out his clothes to dress like a pilgrim, but didn't want to go overboard.  He really loves the candle that he made, but other than that, I didn't really get to hear much about it.  Kind of a bummer that I couldn't be there.  I loved that the year Kelly did it.  I did get to make some cornbread so I was able to contribute a little :).  11-20-15

MUTINY
So we started this new point system for keeping the house clean.  We get a score each night based on how clean the house is.  if we can get 50 points by Friday, we get to have late nights/movie nights.  Well, being that it was our first week, we did not reach our goal.  You would have thought we'd killed someone at the reactions some of them gave.  We've said no to late nights before, but never before did things explode like they did this weekend!!  We are having to learn the hard way how to clean up after ourselves.  I feel like this was a good learning experience for everyone and hopefully we will do better this week and earn the late nights.  Either that or I'm going to run away from home next Friday.  That was just awful.  Too much for this emotionally unstable mom.  11-20-15

NOAH'S BIG SHOT
Noah made the only basket today in his game!!!  He's the first one to score on his team (this was their third game!!).  He looked like a pro out there today, which especially compared with his teammates, he really is!  I am so proud of his assertiveness and how much he is getting into it and enjoying it!!  I love watching him play.  11-21-15

SCHLICKS AND MAYNESES
We finally did the photo shoot with Dan and Adele's family.  I haven't had a chance to look at their pictures yet, been a crazy evening, but I'm really hopeful that they turned out.  I was so disappointed with the sun.  We really could have used a couple clouds.  I hope we got at least one good one with the whole family.  I am anxious to play with the ones of just Ivy.  I think those turned out great to begin with.  I'm afraid the rest of them will require some editing.  We'll see.  I will keep you posted.  11-21-15

MOVIES
So I told Kelly she could call her friend Kalli and go see a movie with her today since she didn't get to have a late night when Kalli invited her.  I've really been wanting her to be able to hang out with Kalli, I really like that girl.  Well, this little friend hangout turned into a much bigger project once the movie started.  Kelly invited Cassidy and Erika as well, and since they were all going to a movie, Bradley got busy and invited Luke and Noah (Trenton couldn't go) to go see Inside Out!  Same theater, just ten minutes earlier.  Jack, Molly and I watched a few shows and started a movie while they were gone, then once Charity got home, we made our way to Taco Time for churros before picking everyone up.  It was a little more chaotic than it sounds, but made for a fun Saturday evening.  Something I needed!  11-21-15

Things to Remember Week of 11-8-15

FORGIVENESS
Had a rude awakening during Sacrament meeting this week.  I was really grateful for the talks on Forgiveness.  I needed the reminder.  I made a stop at my Mom's on the way home from the family meeting to tell her sorry.  I need to do better.  11-8-15

FAMILY MEETING
We finally made it to the family meeting.  We got to witness Caleb opening his mission call (not the first time, but that's okay :) ).  We all got to guess where we thought he was going to go and then whoever was closest got a prize.  Luke apparently inherited Nate's luck, because he won with his guess of Hong Kong.  Course I'm the one that told him to guess that, so maybe I've inherited it... who knows.  Caleb got called to the Cambodia Pnom Penh mission (I have no idea how to spell that apparently).  So exciting!!  I love how those mission calls always give me chills.  Kind of like baptisms. The Spirit is so powerful.  We're excited for him!  11-8-15

CCR
Went to Charity's College and Career Readiness meeting with her counselor today.  Kind of crazy to think about my baby going to college, but I loved that they are getting them thinking and planning for these things.  Charity is headed towards Elementary education for now.  Her counselor showed her a couple of scholarships she could shoot for and told her what she needs to do to be eligible for those.  It's crazy to think about the fact that she will technically be in High School next year, with grades actually counting!  This is the big league!  I can't believe I have such a smart daughter who has put forth the hard work and effort it has taken to get the grades and be the student that she is.  I'm really proud of her.  Can't wait to see what she does with her life.  11-10-15

SHOTS, KIM, AND GLASSES
Wednesday was the make up day for Molly's shots that they were out of when we went last week.  I was kind of mad that she had to go twice and they couldn't be combined, but what can ya do.  We decided to combine the trip and made it a three-fer by taking Noah's glasses back to the eye doctor (he sat on them the other day and busted them clean in half!), hopefully those are done soon.  Then stopped at Kim Ball's house for a bag of size 14 pants.  Lots of them!  I can't believe Bradley wears a size 14.  She's so nice to keep sharing her boy clothes with me!  I love that I got to visit with her this time too.  She's so amazing.  Someday I hope to be even half as amazing as her.  It was a productive afternoon.  I enjoyed the time with Noah especially.  11-11-15

SEPs
We have yet another wonderful SEP conference week under our belt!  I really don't know what I'm going to do if I ever hear anything bad at one of these.  It's so nice to know that our kids are doing well and that they are assets in their classrooms.  Like a big sigh of relief :).  It shouldn't surprise me anymore.  Noah's was first, on Wednesday, and the thing that stood out to me was that he is really good at talking to his teacher.  He was very professional telling her how much he likes having her for a teacher and also telling her the problems he has with his class and with school.  I loved it.  Erika was next.  This was a fun little milestone- first SEP!  She has been doing so good!  Improvement, improvement, improvement, ALREADY EVEN!!!  Just what we love to hear!  Mrs. Piper is amazing of course and Erika is her biggest fan!  I told her I feel like I'm driving her fan club home every afternoon with Erika and Kate in the car :).  Luke was next.  The thing that stood out to me was how he told Mr. Flynn he didn't really care which county or which dinosaur he did his reports on.  Kind of cracked me up.  But I guess I wouldn't care either if I were him.  He's doing SO WELL IN THERE!!!  YAY!  Mr. Flynn worships him.  Bradley was very professional in his :).  I love how they have them conduct.  I love hearing his take on things in front of his teacher.  Everyone got books from the book fair! YAY!  11-12-15

BASKETBALL
Charity and Kelly started going to the Basketball clinics this week in preparation for tryouts in a couple weeks!  I'm so excited for them to be trying out!  I really think they've got a chance.  Especially with the clinics and intramurals, I think they could really develop some good skills.  We'll see, keep our fingers crossed :)  11-13-15

Erika's Pony Party

Her big day had finally arrived!!  

Streamers courtesy of Bradley, Sign courtesy of Kelly, Luke and Bradley.  Balloons courtesy of Noah, Luke and I.

We messed up and didn't get her favorites for meals this time, but I still fed everyone so that was a plus :).  It was a pretty busy morning/day!  But we made it work and Erika was SO HAPPY!!

She got to take her cute poster to school with her pictures on it.  She came running out with a cute crown on her head and a big smile on her face.  She got to give her class dum dums.  She wished everyone would just take what they get and not throw a fit, but I think she learned a great lesson in manners.  I'm so glad Mrs. Piper makes birthdays so exciting.  I almost cried dropping her off for school.  I hate missing out on parts of their birthdays.

She got to play with Kate all afternoon which I was grateful for since I was still working on her cake.  The day was just not going as planned :).

Erika was counting down the minutes until Charity and Kelly got home.  She had figured out that the party started right after that, so that was what she was looking forward too :).  Kinda funny.

We got her pony cake done (kind of wishing I'd gotten a better picture... bummer.  

She had painstakingly picked out all the features of this cake, gathering ideas from several on pinterest.  I was pleased with how it turned out.  I think she liked it too.

This was before I realized everyone still had their coats on :)  that's what happens when mom is preoccupied as the guests are arriving!  But thanks to Kelly who totally took over on the Cutie Mark making...

Coat-free

The other angle.

While our Cutie Marks dried, we played a balloon game and then Pass Fluttershy.  They LOVED this game and even though Maya didn't stop screaming, I think it was a big hit.

She knows her friends are all nuts :)

that's what that face is :)

Nate was so patient with Molly the whole time.  She kept getting woken up by all the screaming.  I think Nate wanted to still be able to enjoy the party though, so he hung back a little :).  

One of the many helpers- Bradley was in charge of stopping and starting the music.

I love that in a lot of these pictures, people are covering their ears.  I'll never forget how loud this party was!  I hope some of the more sensitive guests were not too overwhelmed.  We had a lot of complaints from the peanut gallery.  Doesn't mean we didn't try to get the screamer to stop!

And another helper- Kelly seriously made this party!  I was so overwhelmed with things with Heidi, it was hard for me to focus.  I was so glad that they had Kelly to keep it fun and upbeat :).  She's so good at this type of thing.

Our Cutie Marks had dried so we played Pin the Cutie Mark on Rainbow Dash.  I am still laughing about the sticker Kate chose to put on hers.  It says Margueritaville :).  Why we have a sticker that says that and why it was on the table to decorate Cutie Marks, and why Kate chose it.... I do not know :).  But either way, it makes me laugh.  I hope she took it home and Emily got a good laugh out of it as well :).  

Poor Morgan.

Kelly even drew our pony for the game too... had to document that :)  It's so nice to not have to pay money for these kinds of things and have it be even better!

Morgan had to leave early :(.  Such a cutie.

Pinata time!  I can't believe we did a pinata in November!  Everyone was so cold.  And I can't believe we used a real bat!!  We're getting really careless in our old years!  We've had too much experience with these things to be making these rookie mistakes!  Luckily, all was well.

Time for presents.  I couldn't believe how long each thing was taking.  I had racked my brain for more game ideas or something else to fill the time, but came up short, so this was kind of a relief.  I think we had just the right amount of stuff for the time that we had.

I just love these two.  I love that they have each other.  I hope it lasts too.

I loved what Bradley got for Erika.  He spent a good 20 minutes choosing just the perfect pole for her.  Then bought it with his own money.  And even made her some fishing coupons at Church on Sunday (must have lost them though, because he didn't give them to her).  They've got plans to go fishing tomorrow :)  He calls her his lucky charm and they've really done a lot of bonding going fishing all the time.  I love it!  I love that they are building this relationship and that it is growing into something substantial.  That is one of my many goals for this family.  Lasting friendships.

I just thought this was cute- Erika posing with "Morgan" who had left early, with the present she gave her.

Charity was a gem during this party as well!  She took care of Molly once Nate was needed.  She was so tough, withstood all of Molly's fussing before getting her to sleep then kept on once she was startled awake by some more screaming :).  Forced smile, but hey- she's smiling :).  We love her.

Is it not the cutest thing ever that she's got her arm around her little brother while she's being sung to!?  I love it.  I also love that Jack's face has four hour old frosting on his face.  

This is how Erika parties :)

A couple more presents after the party guests had left.

Luke duct taped his shut... took her about 5 minutes to open :)

This was such a fun party.  I hope Erika enjoyed it because I sure did.  I loved meeting her new friends from school and being able to spoil her.  I loved watching her eat up their attention.  She doesn't usually get into that, but she was, and it was so fun.  It was cute to see her being such a good friend to all of them at once.  That can be difficult.  She tried so hard not to favor any one friend and made everyone feel a part of things.  I loved it!  She's growing up to be such a cool girl.  I just can't wait to see what this girl does with her life.  I know she's going to do big things.  

Some of her interests include playing with Kate, playing with Jack.  Doing fashion shows with Kelly and fishing with Bradley.  We just discovered she's got an eye for fashion- helping Kelly pick out outfits :).  She loves purple, cats, meatballs, and rollerblading.  She doesn't like mashed potatoes (or anything potato-y).  She takes good care of her cat Cali, but doesn't love cleaning out the litter box.   She's getting really good at reading!  She's got about 20 sight words under her belt and get get through a verse of scriptures with very little help.  She loves school and especially Mrs. Piper.  She loves to cuddle with Mom and still takes a nap every now and then :).  We love Erika and are so blessed to have her as part of our family.

Happy Birthday, Erika!  We love you!!

Erika's Family Party

Monday night, for FHE we had Erika's family party.  

Erika wanted us to make these cupcakes for her birthday and since her friend party cake was so elaborate, I decided these would be "perfect" for the family party.  Look how cute they are!  Kelly gets all the credit- she's such a great help!

Apparently the kids didn't know about the wrapping paper I bought they all wrapped their gifts in blankets and garbage bags...

And apparently they forgot that we just got rid of a bunch of stuffed animals!!  

Jack loved helping Erika open her presents!

I'm not real sure what's going on in this picture, he's probably just turning her head to face him- that's the new Jack thing when he wants your attention- but I thought it would be great if we needed it for evidence later.

She got her Anna doll!!  YAY!

Oh, the blessed rollerblades too.  Grandpa had mentioned, back in like June, while watching Erika and Noah share his rollerblades, that that was what he was going to get Erika for her birthday.  Well, she made like a kid and didn't forget :).  She had talked about it so much the week before I decided I better see if my Dad was getting her some or not.  If not, we would, because she was VERY excited about them.  He didn't really remember it, but he delivered anyway :).  She was so happy.  

A picture of the photo bomber.  About every other picture on this download had his hand in front of the camera the little pill!

AWWWW  Such a cute couple!  Even after almost a whole year, they still look so cute together :)

This couple too :)

My mom wanted a picture of Simon's face like this :).  Just click on the picture, Mom, and then right click on it for save picture as.  Then it's all yours :)

Such a fun uncle!  He's going to make a great dad someday!

You can barely see Grandpa Russ in this one.  I can't believe I didn't get a shot of the party guests.  Well, I can believe it because it happens a lot, but even still.  I wish I had.  Grandpa Russ and Grandma Ruthie are so nice to come all the way up here to our birthday parties!  We love them so much and feel their love and support.

I can't believe this cute girl is SIX!!!  Blows me away.  She's grown up way too fast for me.  I sure love her though.  She's such a good friend.  I love the time that we get to spend together talking and cuddling.  She's such a happy helper and so willing to put others' needs first.  She is so easygoing and mellow.  She has a great personality.  She finds fun and laughter in almost everything.  I loved her excitement about her birthday and who would be celebrating it with her and how :).  She's such a big girl.