Our Extreme Home Makeover

This is our house getting a makeover. New windows in the front and new
siding.

This is what the siding was on the house when it was first built

We took the old iron handrails off the porch. It makes the pourch look so
much bigger.

Sister with the Most

I have felt so guilty as I have been needing to post an update on this girl. She's such a remarkable person. She sang in my choir for Stake Conference and was so excited. I had several women who were so surprised at how quickly she learned her part, how sweet her voice was, and how she stayed on pitch. I had to laugh at them, because she LOVES to sing. It's not surprising that she is getting better at it. I love her face. She brings a lot of joy to my heart. I love this next picture because you can see how banged up her knee is. She plays pretty hard.

We have been working on doing chores. Last week, I had to run errands and no one wanted to help me. So, I told my two oldest that they were going to stay home until I felt like they were willing to contribute. Now, understand that I run and chase after these kids constantly. I run to dance and back 3 days per week. This girl has dance 3 times a week!! I keep friends and cousins at my house twice a week. I volunteer once a week in school. So, I was needing a little help. I was trying to get ready for Stake Conference and had to run music around, etc. When I got back, she had harassed her brother into cleaning up the house. She even vacuumed. My house is much cleaner than it used to be, so it wasn't difficult. She said it took her about 45 minutes. Still.... I was so pleased. Needless to say, she is still getting run all over kingdom come.

This child has one of the sweetest spirits that has ever been born. Parents of friends (both hers AND HER BROTHERS) WANT her to come play at their houses. She's just so sweet and good. She encourages the group of kids that walk home together to be kind. When she recently ran for school treasurer, the girl who won was really rude about it. Sister was so graceful. She cried and then moved on. My heart broke for her, but she made the most of it. We talked a lot about people and winning. Her insights were astounding. When her siblings need mothering, she wants to do it. The Happy One gets toted everywhere by this girl. She screams in her carseat she doesn't get to sit by her sister. I hope they cherish that relationship and grow with it.

This week she had a space maintainer put in her mouth in preparation for braces. The orthodontist was pleased with the work that has been done so far in just pulling teeth in a certain order. Now, she had this put in and anchored around her two back teeth. It has hurt her. I hate that. She has been pretty tough about it. The surprising part of her is, that despite her sweetness, she is tough as nails. Anything her brother can do, she will do. It's crazy.

We've also been dealing with some acne. CRAZY!! She's 10!! So, we have her washing her face and I'm sure deodorant is next. She has been wearing a tank style bralette under her leotards when she dances. We cannot believe how fast she is growing up. I swear, yesterday she was a baby.

Gratitude FOR a Happy Attitude

Today, I am so grateful for those persons who live life with a happy attitude. I have had a rough year and a particularly rough month. I am trying to prepare all of these wonderful, uplifting experiences/programs in the form of the Primary Program and Stake Conference. I had finally gotten in touch last week with a great violinist who happens to be my former visiting teacher. I love her. She's great!! When I asked her to help us, she said, a resounding, "Sure!" I was so relieved. She came to practice, took home my music and brought it back. She asked, with an honesty and certainty, "Can I do anything else to help you?" It was music to my ears. A lot of people say that to me, but I don't know that I have been recognizing it. Then, yesterday, I finally called the music department of the universityto talk to another lady in our Stake who has an unlisted number ( SHE TEACHES VIOLIN AT THE UNIVERSITY! I called her work in desperation!) . I couldn't ever speak to her bishop to get her number and I was getting frantic. I politely told her who I was and who gave me her name. Then I asked her to help us and I was so afraid she'd say, "Do you realize what late notice this is! And I'm a professional!" But she didn't. She was so gracious and kind to me. She went so far as to thank me for asking her to play. I about cried. I started to tell her that I was pretty sure the music was easy. She brushed it off. "Oh, I'm sure it's fine." Which, for her, it probably is. She even told me she was going out of town, but would be sure to come back early enough to practice. I cried in gratitude for her. I am determined to be more helpful, although, as I type this I realize that as a person who has twice the number of callings as most persons that I know, I'm probably giving close to my all right now. Still... I think I could be happier about it. I still have a lot to do. No one calls me back! Practices have had poor attendance! But I am confident that whatever we do will be simply amazing, just based on the faith and talents of the people who are happily going about doing good. I KNOW that the Lord is pleased by these women. They lifted me in a way I wouldn't have thought possible.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Looking back, it's been almost 2 months since I last posted. Our lives have gotten extraordinarily crazy in that 2 months. I still haven't posted an entire blog dedicated to The Sweet One, but I'll get to it this week. I hope. Things we have done recently:
1. Went to the pool. We only made it 1 time this entire summer. We also didn't make it boating, at all. Which is so sad. We have plenty (as in 4 siblings, etc.) that own boats and live close enough that we could have shared a special day. I didn't get it done. (I didn't get that done has become my standard, go-to answer recently.)
2. Went camping. Came home early with a very sick baby. All that work! The packing, the organizing, the planning! Did I mention the packing? The Happy One was running a high fever (about 103) and after the episodes she had last year, where she would seize with such a high fever, we decided to just go home. The kids were so disappointed. It was our sole camping trip this summer. While The Steady One's schedule has been fabulous! we didn't make use of his time to go adventuring.
3. Went to Island Park with my ENTIRE family. It was so lovely. A life-long friend of our mother's offered the use of his cabin. It was exquisite. Like nothing I've ever stayed in. We played in the town of West Yellowstone, played in the hot tub, ate a lot of good food, watched movies, played games, and played outside on four wheelers and dirt bikes. I ended up being "the mother" for the trip, and did most of the planning, and quite a bit of the packing, unpacking, cooking and cleaning. Oh, to be a child again and not to have to worry about it. I could write a poem about how much I hate going anywhere as the mom.
4. Started SCHOOL! I know, it makes me a horrible parent, with lax instincts and nurturing skills. I WAS SO READY FOR SCHOOL! If I had to force one more chore or complain about how much tv/computer time was being wasted..... well, let's just say I was ready to send my big kids back. They were ready, too. We had a great first day. We had an orthodontist appointment that day. I had made the appointment two months before, and it was for 2 weeks after school had started. Then the school district moved the first day of school. So... we went to our appointment. Still, at least they didn't miss anything. Right? The Funny One has the same teacher as last year, as our school does combined classes. I have loved that their teacher's have had a chance to get to know them and tailor their style to my individual kids over a 2 year period. The Sweet One has a new teacher, Mrs. Ward. She is so excited because her teacher also teaches dance at the studio where we dance. So fun. Which leads us to....
5. We started dance, again. I make the trip 3 days a week, M at 3:30, Tues at 4 and again at 5 (to pick one up and drop one off) and again at 6:30, and Thurs at 5 and pick up at 6:30. The Wild One is doing a little tumble class this year (it was really cheap by the time I had registered the two big kids, and I felt guilty because I so often neglect him). He LOVES it. He has shown me a crab walk, or a bear walk, or a forward roll so many times since we started! I am so happy that he has something to do. The two big kids also added a tumble class. The Funny One because it will help with the "tricks" he is learning in his hip-hop class. And The Sweet One because she REALLY wants to learn to do back hand springs. I wanted her to enroll in a fancy ballet academy, but she loves the jazz and hip-hop routines. So we stayed put.
6. The Wild One also started pre-school. We decided to do it more for a social aspect than an academic one. Let's face it, this kid is stinkin' smart. He knows and identifies all his letters. He can put a 50 piece puzzle, with tiny pieces, together all by himself. The only thing he can't do, that is needed for Kindergarten (in two years) is write his name. The only reason he can't write his name is because I don't practice with him. He navigates the computer by himself and can run Netflix for his baby sister. It's nuts!! My mother keeps commenting on what I should do with him, because it's bizarre how quickly he figures things out and puts them together. I think the puzzles satisfy his OCD, that need that he has to put everything in a place. I think it's wonderful.
7. We all got new callings. Our ward was recently split. Population wise, it was split pretty even. (Or so we were told) Unfortunately, the other ward seemed to get 75% of the active members of the ward. I'm now so busy that I can't function without a huge list of to-dos on my fridge and a neighbor (our dearest Chelsey) who checks on me and makes sure I'm getting everything done. I'm now the 1st Counselor in the Primary. I am in charge of the music, the Primary Program (which is in a couple weeks and HADN'T EVEN BEEN STARTED!), and Activity Days. I have the program mostly written and complete. I hope it turns out well. I'm also our ward organist. Apparantly, the other ward now has 5 competant organists and we have, well, we have me! I am barely adequate. Still, I'm willing to learn and grow into a better organist which is more than anyone else in the ward can say. Finally, I am our Stake Music Director. I also have Stake Conference in a couple weeks and am in charge of that music. I got heckled at choir practice last night, for picking music that was simple and allowing people to come and sing after however many or few practices they could attend. I was told, "That's simply not right! It's an insult to those of us who came to practice! I just won't come anymore, because if they don't need to practice than neither do I!" I was completely taken aback and am not yet over it. I finally quietly told her that everyone has different lives and since this was a volunteer, Stake choir, we would accept anyone and everyone. She was very upset and huffed away after telling me that she'll be complaining to the Stake President. Sheesh! My darling husband is the 1st counselor in the Young Men's and has become my counselor when I can't do it all. HA!
8. We had two birthdays!! The Sweet One turned 10 and The Wild One turned 4. It was so great. We had little parties for them and it went well. We just had two little friends over for the 4 year old's big day. It was so sweet and we just let them run around and had cup cakes. The Sweet One's party was a little more high maintenance. I ended up giving pedicures to 6 giggly, little girls. She was so insistent that we have a party, because she didn't get one last year. I was so flustered trying to take care of all those girls, I didn't get a single picture. They had a blast, though. I was so happy to have them. She has good friends.
9.We are also going through some interesting phases:
The Steady One is adjusting to his new job. He is well loved at his work place. I'm so thrilled that he loves it. He has put off work on his Master's Project as he has settled in, but hopes to get into a good groove and finish the Project by December. Then he'll be all set to graduate with his Masters. We are very proud of him. It's been a difficult journey. He finished teh coursework in 3 semesters and that is a HUGE accomplishment. I'm afraid I ask too much of him sometimes.
The Sweet One is having a little bit of a defiant stage. She is asserting her independence and growing up. She bought herself a CD player with a gift card she got from my mother. She now listens to music in her room, really loud. So funny! I remember doing that! The Funny One continues to do things his way. It's been such a battle. He hates doing chores and wants to play the computer or the Wii constantly. I'm at my wit's end and have decided to just ride it out. He may not ever grow out of it. Sigh. The Wild One grows a little more every day. I love his age!! It's so great! And The Happy One is my devil child. She makes a million messes a day. She hits and punches and kicks her brothers. She is completely in control of my life (she thinks). I spend a lot of time listening to her cry. She is FULL BLOWN A TERRIBLE TWO!
I have been struggling to accomplish all I need to. I seem to be in a bit of a funk and am tired. Very, very tired. I still work every day from 5 am to 7:30 am. Then come home and be a happy housewife. It's difficult to juggle the cleaning, the playing, etc. I get tired of telling the kids, "I'll be there in a minute, I just want to pick up the kitchen." or "I'm changing the laundry" or whatever I'm doing. I have had a crappy summer and seem to be judged and found lacking at every instance. I'm clearly not a good parent, I don't discipline enough (WHAT? It's all I do!) and my kids are naughty, while my house is a mess. I can't take the kids anywhere and I am sick of it!! So, I am here to say! People, quit judging. Quit making definitive statements, like "Oh, if my kid did that..." Quit being so harsh. It's hard enough to be a parent without all of that. Be supportive. Share the load. Laugh it off. Be grateful it's not you! That is all. I'm finished. Wow! What a long blog post! I hope to have pictures posted of the few things I got pictures of. :D Oh, well. I guess add lack of pictures to my failures as a mother!!! However, despite all of this, I am happy. (It doesn't sound like it, though! Weird! I really am!) I am adjusting to my new schedule and life style. I've been grateful for what I can do. We keep moving forward and hopefully, adjusting and becoming better.

The Funny One keeps growing and growing. He hates doing chores and likes to do things on his own terms. He maintans the voice that carries like no other. I know you are cursed to have kids like yourself, and he is like myself. During swimming lessons, he dove like a champion. The teacher was impressed. He almost flips himself too far backward! It's unbelievable. He swims like a fish. It's great. I love how his little brain works. And I love his little sound effects. Everything he does right now includes sound effects. He'd be the best beat boxer ever. I cannot believe the sounds he can make. He truly makes everything good in our lives. You can count on him to be clever and quick at all times. Even though he is SUCH A BOY you can tell he feels things really deep. There are times that I see it in his eyes. Of course those times are fleeting and far between. Mostly what I see is mischief in his eyes right now. And questions regarding why I am such a mean mother.

"No Crocodiles in that Water."

Last week, the kids started swimming lessons. On his first day, I saw that the Wild One had to dunk his head under the water. I asked him if that was scary, and he replied, "No, I checked, and there were no crocodiles in that water." His personality and sense of humor are so great. He frequently surprises me with his thoughts and jokes. He loves knock knock jokes. With his brother, he often makes up jokes.

I guess I'm not his favorite person. The boys watched an episode of SpongeBob where SpongeBob gets teased for loving his Gramma. Now he tells me, "kisses are for babies." Why must they grow up so fast?

I love this picture. REALLY love it. He is a very thoughtful child. I don't see if very often, but he can really be still and figure things out. For an almost four year old, he is SO observant. He watches things and looks for things. Our time in the car is playing 'I Spy' and he is so upset if he loses. He speaks so well and so clearly. You know how sometimes kids remind you of others? Well, this boy reminds me of a combo of the Steady One's brothers. In fact, at the Steady One's parent's church last week, someone who has known the boys for a long time remarked that the Wild One reminded her of the youngest brother. I was so thrilled because I've said this for some time. Except he has a similiar OCD personality trait as a different brother. Better examples don't exist, though. I pray he turns out like the Steady One's brothers, as they are truly remarkable men, which I've said before.Oh, and he's fascinated with his tongue. It's always wagging out or licking someone. Sick.
His aunt took these pictures. That look, that one right there, is "I'm done and you can't make me do it anymore." Another child with an iron will. Great. As if one wasn't enough.

Being the Boss

Currently, my littlest child has become the ruler of our household. I'm really not sure how it happened. She is very bossy. If you ask her, "Who's bossy?" She'll reply, "Me!" Not a very good start for her, because now she has to figure out that the world doesn't revolve around her. Since I have been home all day, she has developed an insane attachment to me and goes wherever I go. She's a lot of work. She loves to run and play outside and swing. The chickens belong to her. The television belongs to her. Mommy belongs to her. She's also very funny. She's a great little singer. A great mimic. If one of the brothers does something, she's right there doing it, too. I remember being that way as a child. Her worst quality is her fearlessness.

Absolutely nothing frightens this child, except the thought of not getting what she wants. Watching her on the playground equipment at the park is an exercise in control, because I don't believe in being an obsessively controlling parent. Our previous parenting beliefs and skills and practices are all being tested by this little tiny child. She knows just how far to push it, throws endless tantrums, blinks and smiles and says, "I wuv you." "I do it," is both my favorite and most despised phrase.

At the same time as all of this, she is adorable. Absolutely precious. A pure spirit, with radiant blue eyes, and an impish grin. I don't know how she pulls it off.