Austin Soccer

Abby's Baptism

Halloween 2009

I'm not sure why Autin is showing up so small? For Halloween Austin was a skeleton and Abby was "Scary Spa Girl".

Austin's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUTSIN!! 6 YEARS OLD!

Abby Soccer

Abby played soccer this fall. She did a wonderful job! She is going to be on a traveling team in the spring!

Sweet ELIZA is 7!

Eliza's birthday was Aug 11. She turned 7. Nothing rips my heart strings more than watching my baby girl grow. This is our conversation.

Me: "Eliza! Quit growing or I am going to have to use my magic wand and shrink you or put you in time out!"

Eliza: Mom, I am growing up. (and just to crush my heart a little more)I want to grow up so I can get my own house and get 7 cats and 4 dogs.

Me: Eliza, if you get cats, I can't visit. I am allergic to them. I hate cats.

Eliza: Well.... then you will need to stay outside when you visit.

Me: What if it's cold outside?

Eliza: Then I will come visit you. Mom, I need my 7 cats.

And so, during the next 11 years of Eliza's life, my job as Eliza's mother is to teach her to not like cats. (wasn't I nice to not say hate. Sorry to all the cat lovers. :)

Breanna, of course, "beauty shopped her up" for her grand entrace to the breakfast table where her 7 pancakes (and under her plate $7) were waiting.

Here's my 7 year old princess!

Pancakes!

Love you, always my BABY girl!

First Day of School

First day of school was on Thursday, August 20, 2009. All of my kids couldn't wait! Okay, Justin wasn't thrilled, but everyone else wanted to see their friends. Here is a picture of everyone on the first day:

Justin after school!

Breanna! How did she grow up so fast!
The four littles! So, so, CUTE!

But these are my favorite! So glad to come home! I hope they are always this excited to come home.


These are the moments I will treasure!

I've never been six before...

On the way home from dropping Caleb off to football and Abby off to soccer, Austin talked non-stop about his birthday.

Austin: Mom, I am so excited for my birthday!
Me: Me, too!
Austin: I am so excited to go to bed tonight, I can't wait. I only have to go to bed 2 more times after this night and then I am six.
Me: Great! I am so excited for you to go to sleep tonight, too! :)
Austin: It's going to be a day all about me. First we are going to eat pancakes, I'll get my dollars under my plate (a tradition in our family, they have to eat all their pancakes, one for every year, the they get a dollar, under their plate, for every year). Second: We go to the baptize (a little girl in our church is getting baptized, he's excited to watch); then we go to school WAIT....no... then he repeats it again. First: pancakes, second: baptize, third: change clothes then school. Wait, no..... First....
Me: Austin, your birthday is on Saturday! No School!
Austin: YAY! I love birthdays more than school but don't worry mom, I don't love them more than Jesus (so sweet, I know). Okay, so it's first: get dressed, second: dollars,third: baptize, four Chuck E Cheese fourth, presents!
Me: Sounds fun!
Austin: Mommy, I am so excited. It is going to be the best day of my life, I've NEVER been six before! I am so, so, so excited. Six is going to be so much fun!

I'm going to remember Austin's excitement on my next birthday and be so excited to turn 39! I have never been 39. That must mean it's my best birthday ever!

Scripture and Prayer

On Sunday our ward kicked off a new program. We were asked to memorize the Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery Scriptures and to Read the Book of Mormon by December 31, 2009. As a family we decided to take on this feat and support our Bishopric. I, personally, feel very close to the Bishop and I know he is inspired and that if we follow his counsel he guide us to Christ. (he's also very good looking, I love to watch him on the stand)
We started our daily reading of 2 chapters of the Book of Mormon on Sunday, August 30, 2009. After checking every one's schedules, 6:00 AM was the only time available. YIKES! I'm tired already! However, we are serious about our commitment and we are up to the challenge. Like Nephi, I was raised by goodly parents who also had scripture in prayer in the wee hours of the morning, too. (thanks Mom and Dad!) I remember bringing my blanket and reading with my family half asleep.
I am happy to announce... We have accomplished two days rising at 6 AM! Our rules are: only one blanket and you must be in the room. We hope, as we continue to do our program, our kids will start participating a little bit more than what you see in this picture. Good job, Abby and Eliza!

Justin at 5:55 AM

Disclaimer

Today I decided.... I need to blog. I just need to have an exit point for all the thoughts that are constantly going through my head. I thought, if I start to record the ramblings of my mind then perhaps I can reflect on them during my times of insanity and get a good laugh and remember, seriously, Who I am, Where I am and Where I am going.

Remember, these are my thoughts. I am not representing anyone but myself. If you don't agree or if I offend you in anyway please, simply click the red x on the right hand side of your computer. I promise, it will all go away.

This is my DISCLAIMER. :)

Two clips!

Justin suprising everyone at his voice recital. What? Who knew? OUR BOY CAN SING!!



I was going to post Eliza's recital but the uploading has taken forever!! So just Justin for now...

The best big sister ever! BREANNA!

This post is all about BREANNA! I love you, Sweetie! Breanna is the best big sister in the whole world! She also is such a help to me. She is a bright star in our family. Heaven knew I needed her!! She is the BEST!

A day at Breanna's spa!

A Blog UPDATE!!


This blue writing is part of the reason why I don't blog. Why is it blue? I DON'T KNOW??
What can I do to stop it? I DON'T KNOW? But I will proceed updating my blog, even though it looks to me like one big web link!!

This first picture is of Abby and Austin with their CPS social worker Evan when she brought them to us from Texas. They came to live with us May 2009.

Yeah....now it's black. What the hay? Why? I DON'T KNOW! Anyways.... back to the update.
This picture is of Eliza. She had her first dance recital this year. So cute!!

Caleb..... Caleb is always happy playing sports. He had a blast on field day in May and came home with lots of ribbons.

Breanna attended her first YW girls camp this year. We missed her horribly!!! She didn't miss us too much! :) Before camp she told me she was excited to go and that she wouldn't be homesick at all! At first I was so sad, but them a quick flash back to 30 years ago reminded me that I said that same thing, too. I am thrilled she had so much fun! I am also grateful for all the wonderful leaders she adores. Thank you so much!

Justin loves water!! He is very proud of his Santa gift this year (life jacket) and has loved wearing it this summer. He loves to wake board. I thank heaven everyday for giving me the gift of a wonderful older son to help lead the way. Love you, Justin!

Rick needed a family picture to update his work profile so we took this quick family picture after church today. Not too shabby of a group. Look how each of their personalities shine right through!