Back to School Fall 2011

Monday night was back to school night. Steve took the big kids while Kristi stayed with the little guys because I was at work. When I got home, Steve, Jenn and Zac arrived shortly after. They were so excited and had McDonalds hot and ready. I swear that I was almost as excited as them. I liked school, except 6th grade, and so I was excited for them. Plus, I have to say that getting them into a routine, especially Zac, does wonders for him.
 The first morning of school was quite different than last year for me. For starters, I am not pregnant! Also, Steve is now home until 7:40ish before he heads to work. But besides those things, the sadness wasn't there. In fact, I was just very excited for them and almost giddy after they left. I thought that having just 1 was hard and each additional child was harder, but when you go from 4 to 2, it feels like cake. As a matter of fact, I have been a little lost. I made a list of stuff to accomplish while the big kids are away. We may even tackle story hour tomorrow for the first time since moving here. Plus a McDonalds run just got significantly cheaper for lunch!
Anyway, last year, it occurred to me that they were really growing up...riding the bus and all, but this year I was just happy to send them on their merry way. They are confident and love school. Zac's K teacher moved up to First Grade this year, and so he has her again. That is really great! She loved him and was very accepting about his perpetual motion. Jenna has a new teacher, of course, and likes her. She said that she made a new friend too, Olivia, and was thrilled that she was able to play with Robyn at recess even though they aren't in the same class.

I am excited for this school year. I get a little nervous about keeping up with their spelling words and homework each night (yes, people, 1st and 2nd graders have homework!). We did OK with this last year, but Jenna had her fair share of failed spelling tests because of lack of practice.  Jenna is a smart girl, but she has to work harder at it. Zac picks up things lickety-split but hates to sit down and write anything. It usually is a frustrating time when it's time to do homework. Steve and I have to trade off be we lose patience. I have a schedule in place that may or may not work, also I am just going to be working M/F and then Thurs nights, so I will be home more to keep things running somewhat sane at the homestead. It always looks good on paper, I am often times lacking follow through!

So here are Jenna and Zac just before school. They were both already up and at 'em at 6:30am.They were already dressed including shoes. They hardly ate breakfast because of excitement and nerves, Zac basically bounced to the bus stop. They both had a great day. I hope they continue liking school!

Ma Time in Utah

Mom flew out Aug 3-9. She was supposed to get here the night of the 2nd and ran into trouble with her flight and had to spend the night in Chicago. I am glad that she came anyway, it would have been easier to shrug and say, "I tried". She starts her school year pretty soon with the biggest enrollment in the preschool ever,  and she has a new boss, so I appreciate that she came despite the responsibility that she left back there.  I was very happy that she came for a visit and to be here for Jenna's baptism. Like she said just tonight, "A baptism isn't something that comes every year like a birthday..."
It was a big deal and very nice to have her here too.
 Of course she is gone back home now, but the first day that she was gone, I looked over at the passenger seat and missed her in the van. She is my friend. I missed her there with me, running around with the kids.
 My friend asked if we did anything fun. I replied, "we tried!"  Between the need for errands and meetings (the baptisms and Roman's blessing), tired kids, need for naps, a little work, and how times flies, we didn't do all that I had hoped.I wanted to go swimming and go to the Farmer's Market and spend an hour at the Quilted Bear, but hey, you can't have it all. We did shop a little, albeit with 4 kids. We did eat well, as always when we get together. We did have sunshine and the highlight of the entertainment was the Dinosaur museum...and watching Twilight with mom after the kids were in bed.

At the SF Splash Pad

Hi Ma

Trev, who was very possessive of Mom

A puppet Show

Even caught in a blink, this is happiness!

Sand table

"Oh Dear!"

 The kids had a great time with Ma and so did I. Thank you mom for coming and loving us so much. I enjoyed you and love you!

The newest Member

Preparing for Baptism.
We have been having FHEs on baptism on and off since January, knowing that Jenna would be baptized this year. Our home teachers have had lessons, we have encouraged conversation about the Holy Ghost and, of course, Jenna learned about baptism in Primary. The Primary also had a great "Baptismal Preview" Program too in early July.  The problem is that we don't always make Primary because of traveling and illness and stressfulness, we don't always do FHE for the same reasons, we don't always have the Spirit in our home because there is fighting and irritability and fatigue. We are imperfect people, trying to prepare a little girl for something perfect. Thankfully the Lord doesn't expect perfection on our own. He knows that we need the atonement. Sheww! In the end, Jenna was interviewed by the Bishop and found "ready" for baptism. 

A few weeks before her baptism, while the little boys were asleep and Zac was awake but quiet downstairs, I put some acoustic hymns on the CD player and laid out on the counter every picture that I had of Jesus. Most were clippings from the Friend and some were cards that I had received or bought along the way. I sharpened every colored pencil I could find, gave her a piece of paper and asked that she look at all of the pictures and draw a picture. She chose to draw something original instead of try to duplicate a picture. It was quiet in the kitchen as she worked quietly. As she drew, she said over her shoulder, "Mom, is this the Holy Ghost that I feel?". It made me smile, and I said that "yes, the Holy Ghost does make us feel good." It was just a sweet moment that I didn't know would happen, but I am grateful for. It was an uncommonly quiet time in the house and she could feel peace as she listened to that music, looked at pictures of her Savior and did something that she loves, drawing. I am grateful that she was blessed to feel that peace. Anyway, we used that picture for the cover of her program. 

The Big Day
The day that Jenna was baptized was really a great day. That morning, I panicked that she didn't understand the gravity of the event. I wondered if I had failed her. I think of my 9 year old Primary class in Kentucky full of true and noble gospel scholars and shook my head. But, no one really understands what a big deal it is and what a responsibility it is at first, do they, especially at the early age of 8? Line upon line, we learn things. We don't have to be scholars, we just need to have faith that Jesus is the Savior, that God lives and that the Holy Ghost is real; know what it means to repent and then be baptized. That much she is getting and so it was a go.
 We went to Steve's youngest cousins' baptism that morning which was great for her to see and feel.

Before changing into her jumper

Perhaps a favorite of mine. Jenna and daddy.

At 2:00 we arrived at the church. The two little ones were struggling a little. We had to wake Trev from his nap, and Gage was suffering from separation anxiety, or anxiety that we may be separated, and was cutting 2 teeth- he was needy too. But Jenna was a little angel in her white jumper awaiting her program and baptism to start. She was so beautiful and happy and surrounded by sooo many that love her. Scads of supportive relatives, friends, teachers, leaders, her babysitter, and of course her mom and dad, even my mom flew all the way from Indiana.

The inside of the Program

 Her program was very nice. It was nice that no one else shared the program, it was like her special day. Mom brought the dress that I received my first communion in when I was a second grader, and it fit her very nice. She thought she was very fancy and quite liked the 1988 dress with puffy sleeves.She was pretty in her new shoes and flower in her hair. Even her ear rings seemed to sparkle a little more.
 Let me tell you that it was a tender and special moment when she came up out of the water. She was beaming with joy. Jenna was so beautiful. Her countenance shone and her smile was pure joy. What a testament to me. I hope that I never forgot the feeling I had as I looked at her coming out of the water. I hope that she remembers that good feeling too.

Jenna and Grandma Great

Jenna and her Primary Teacher

Grandma Julene, Me, Jenna, Maw

Showing Grand dad her new scriptures

Calvin and Jenna were both baptized that day. Calvin is the last of the grandkids, and Jenna is the first great grandchild to be baptized.

 The program was beautiful. From the opening prayer to the closing prayer it was very special. I am so proud of Jenna and grateful for the gospel in my life and all the rich blessing that it brings. I am especially grateful for family. Little angles watched and entertained the boys, for that I am still very grateful. Thank you to all that helped us, especially the Merrel's and Kristi!
After her program we had cake and frappe with some nuts and butter mints at our house. Simple, easy and quite a hit. Who knew that Costco cake and some sherbet, sprite and berries could be so good?

Jenna and Aunt Lissy who spoke at her program about Baptism.

Jenna and her cake

 

Happy Day for me!

Friday, May 6th, the secretary at work brought flowers back to me, and I thought, "What is this?". It didn't dawn on me that they were for me at first. I ripped open the card, and, sure enough...to me, from Steve: "Happy Mother's Day". That was so nice, I managed to get them home, the vase only tipped once, and I only cussed them a little. The lilies and carnations in the bunch are still alive and pretty. So very nice to be loved.
Saturday was Derby day. I managed to pick the worst night of the month to go to Orem's walmart that I already hate because the lines are sooo long. I don't even try to take the kids anymore, it's just a break-down waiting to happen there. Anyway, I went the night before Mother's day. It was so packed that I opened a coke in checkout and was nearly finished by the time my stuff was scanned. I do love Coke! Saturday night I put away groceries and stayed up late getting some stuff squared away from my class (tell you later about that). I woke up Sunday morning and Steve was out of bed and the kids were up and at 'em. That, in itself, is nice that I wasn't invited. Then I awoke from drifting to 2 very cute kids, a 5 and 7 year old to be precise, that were followed by their daddy who held a tray of breakfast. Ah, breakfast in bed. Scrambled eggs that they cracked, toast, fruits (even bananas that Jenna hates and Zac loves) with cut up strawberries, yogurt, a wine glass of milk and a beautiful flower and folded napkin. They were all smiles and so proud. They had made cards and gifts at school for me. I love how pleased they were, and I love that their daddy made it happen. After I was full as can be, I went back to sleep until 10! We missed church and with 4 small kids, that is a gift in some ways! It was just such a nice day. I enjoyed my family.  Zac said,  "Maybe when it is Children's Day, you can serve me breakfast in bed." Trev told me a few times "Happy Birthday!", until he got it right! Gagey would smile and slime my face with a slobbery kiss...and I love that from my baby!
Love them!
 PS: Happy Mother's Day, belated, to all mommies. What a hard job! Love you, MOM!

Easter

There it was Friday before Easter and Easter itself had snuck up on the Easter Bunny. It was payday so I knew that Saturday I would be going out to get a few things. By 1pm Saturday I was frustrated... the problem with pay day is the urge to spend it like mad because I have been waiting on the money to land in my account, but then there is this hesitation because there are 500 things I want to spend it on. I look at a basket and think, "I can probably get a cheaper one", then I see a dress for Jenna and think, "there has to be a better one at the next store". I would go to buy something for their basket and be sure they would just end up ripping it or breaking it. Before I know it- my time is nearly out, and I am empty handed. I was feeling like a cruddy mom, after all, what kind of mom was I? the babysitter had even stole my opportunity and colored Easter eggs with the kids earlier in the week. I was useless!
I called and whined to Steve that shopping, somewhere along the way in life, had lost it's luster. Indecision was crippling. Like a good man, he advised me to get it together, make a choice on what I wanted, and just go do it. After the Easter party at Lana's, and after bedtime, I went to Target. I took Steve's advise and had so much fun. They had an Easter basket and at least partially new clothes for Easter Sunday.
The Easter party was fun at Lana's. It was an indoor hunt confined to a few rooms in her home with over a hundred eggs and lots of kids, they didn't seem to care that it wasn't outside. They had a blast. I am so grateful that the Easter candy from the party and from the Easter bunny is finally gone!
We had some good discussions on the Resurrection as we have been reading a bit from the New Testament this year. We even watched Testaments and Jenna was way into it- things are clicking.Church Sunday was nice. The talks about the Resurrection, eternal families and the love of our Savior were nice. Since church is at 11am,. there was time for the kids to hunt for candy that was hid in the house from the Easter bunny (per Steve's fun family tradition) and play some before getting ready for church. We also managed to get some pictures with the camera timer of the family. It is a rare occasion to have a picture with all of us, and I just love the picture. One of my favorite things about Easter is your "Easter best".

Gagey with daddy at Lana's. He got an egg!

The booty of the egg hunt.

Trev was not that interested in collecting eggs- he ate candy as he came upon it, and had fun with the boy toys.

The Easter Bunny pulled it off

Half the fun- looking at the goodies

In the end, it was a nice weekend. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son and the Resurrection that makes it so we can return and live with Him and our families one day.