Random Updates...

So this post is a random, catch all for the past I don't know how many months. Clearly, I have missed posting about each of the kids most recent birthdays, and they all had one, but this is going to focus on noteworthy events that have happened since the first of the year.

 First, {k} had his tonsils out in Jan. Here is a before...

 and here is the after. :) Clearly, he wasn't all that worse for wear after the procedure. The following month was tougher for him than for his siblings when they got their tonsils out, but he recovered just fine in the end.

 The end of the school year brought {A} earning Honor Roll for his class. He was one of only a handful of kids in his class to earn honor roll. We are very proud of how hard he worked in school this year.

  

 {A} participated in the school choir this year also. He would meet about 40 minutes early two days a week, and practice. They had 3-4 concerts throughout the year, and were even able to sing at the Capitol Rotunda during Christmas time. He loves to sing!

 

{a} graduated from Preschool in May. She had a wonderful teacher, and a super fun experience! She will now join her brothers in school this year, as a kindergartener!!

 My Grandpa {G} passed away in July. He was 93 and had had a wonderful, long fulfilling life. He went rather quickly, for which we are all grateful. He is now celebrating with Grandma {L} in Heaven. Love you Grandpa!!

July also brought {K} turning 8. This meant he got to have a friend birthday party. He invited 8 friends from school/church and had such a fun time! The most favorite activity were these bubble snakes. They dipped the end of a sock into a light bubble/water mix and then blew in the end of a water bottle. These cool "snakes" would then appear.

{K} made the choice to be baptized. He was baptized and confirmed by his dad and we then had a small gathering of family and close friends for dinner after. We are so proud of you, {K}!!



The following is a synopsis of what I have had to deal with this summer: (I wrote this to a friend in an email)
 While we were gone camping the end of June, I ended up getting mastitis in my left breast. It is very rare for women to get mastitis if they arent nursing, but apparently it can happen. So far it has been two weeks.  They cultured it last week and it is staph. Not good. Last friday a surgeon cut a two inch slit just to the left of my nipple in hopes that the infection would have somewhere to drain. I head back to the surgeons office today for a checkup. It really isnt getting better. In the meantime i have had a rash from the antibiotic. I am so ready for all this to be behind me.
 Next, I wrote:
 Really long story short, we finally made the decision to see another breast care surgeon(who is 1000 time better than the first) and she was willing to try and diagnose the problem, instead of just trying to get rid of the problem. She did cancer biopsies and thankfully they are all negative. She did however, diagnose my breast infection/inflammation as glanulomatous mastitis(GM). It's basically mastitis in my glands. Then, on top of that, I ended up getting erythema nodosum(EN). This is basically an umbrella term for a hypersensitivity/inflammation reaction to (blank). The blank can be infection, inflammation, reaction to antibiotics or any combination of the above. It was extremely painful bruise-like sores all over my legs. I could hardly walk, kneel and whenever I put my legs down I could feel the blood rush to my legs. She put me on prednisone, and I am pleased to share that the meds began working almost immediately. The leg pain is completely gone, and the bruises are looking wonderful(compared to what they did look like).
The surgeon found an article that links the GM to the EN, so that proved to her that they are connected somehow. The GM is a pretty rare kind of mastitis, so she is sending me to a rheumatologist for further consultation to determine if I have an underlying auto-immune something going on.


So, there you go. Major update from our family. Now, on to back to school!! :)

follow up thoughts, and pictures!!

My friend left this comment on my previous post. Oh, she is so wise. :)

 “My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!”
M. Russell Ballard, “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” Ensign, Nov. 1992


 Just know that although I am not happy with the State of the Union, nor of it's current leader, I am happy with the State of my family Union and really do not plan to concern my time or thoughts about things I really have no control over. I will pray for him and hope the leadership as a team can work together.
I get to be a momma of 4 beautiful children, and so I will work on teaching and training them to be strong, courageous, thoughtful people instead of worrying about other things. :)



On a more fun note, we got school pictures back and thought I would share. I know lots of moms refuse to pay the high price of school shots, but I choose to because this way I know I have one really great picture of each of my children to document each year.

{A} age 9, 4th grade

{K} age 7, 2nd grade

{a} age 4, preschool

{k} age 2

thoughts and updates

I know I haven't posted much lately, but I did want to mention a couple of things. I have a pretty heavy heart this morning after yesterday. I am very disappointed that Mr. Obama has been reelected. I was so hoping for this country to wake up and see the good in Mr. Romney. I fear for this country. I worry about my children and the evil they will have to overcome. I will pray that Mr. Obama will make good choices for the better of the whole country and not for his socialist plans.


It has been fun to watch my boys learn about the election and how hard the teachers worked to help them understand the electoral system.

Also, {K} started in a new classroom this week. He was tested for the full-time GATE program recently at school. He is now in a 1/2 combo class. So far, I am really impressed with his teacher and hope for the very best for him!!
{A} has been in a 3/4 full-time GATE class since the beginning of this school year. He has struggled adapting to the rigors of a much more difficult program, but I have seen progress in his organization skills. Next, we are working on helping him to listen more intently to the lessons at school, and to use his time more wisely during class. I am still convinced he is where he needs to be though. He received high marks on his report card which tells me he is learning the material, we just need to work on time management. I am excited to see what he can learn this year.
{a} is LOVING preschool. She has a wonderful teacher who is helping her to be completely prepared for kindergarten. There are 8 kiddos in her class, which is a great size. She is the oldest in her class. I love that she loves it!!
{k} is ready to have his tonsils out. Unfortunately, he is not old enough yet to do so. In the mean time, he is miserable and snoring all night long. He wakes regularly and makes noise. It has been a rough couple of nights.

End of School

I thought I published this in June, but apparently not. These are the teachers for 2011-2012 school year.

{K} with his first grade teacher Mrs. O

{A} with his 3rd grade teacher Mrs. C

we have had this trike for a while now, but we recently replaced the tires so the kids all ride together.

i can do hard things

It's hard.
Really hard.
and yet, I still desire to get out and do it.
whenever I hear my "running songs" I yearn to be out running.
but, it's hard.
like really hard.

i have started Couchto5K over and am on week 4.
only this time i get to run while pushing 95 pounds of wonderful kids.
so, today we needed to return some movies to the library. why not kill two birds with one stone, as they say.

we set out.
i thought, I can do this.
but, it was hard.
really hard.
i didn't quite run all the time i should have, but i did almost all.
and between running and walking, we made it down 1.2 miles to the library, and back 1.2 miles home.

and now, i am exhausted.

here's to tomorrow, because i know i can do hard things!!!

6 quick things (well, ok, only 4)

1. I went running this morning. It's hard. I run with a double stroller and about 55 pounds worth of kiddos strapped in. I decided to restart couchto5k at week 3 with the hopes that I can build up my endurance since I am running with the stroller. It's going ok.
2. We are making plans for a family vacation early June. We don't want to travel more than a few hours from home. We plan to camp. Where should we go?
3. Mother's Day was nice. Two adorable gifts and breakfast in bed. {K} made a mug decorated by him, and {A} painted a really pretty vase with flowers in it. They then had the painting laminated.
4. {a} has one chore. Empty the Dishwasher. She earns $.50 each time. It's a FIGHT nearly every day.
5. guess I only have 4 things to talk about this time...

6 quick things.

Saw the idea of 6 quick things today on another blog, and thought, that is something I could do. Get some thoughts out there, share what's up with us without the pressure of any pictures. We'll see how it goes...

1. DH is out of town for business, again. It feels like a very regular occurrence lately.
2. Next weekend is Scout Overnighter, again. It definitely is a very regular occurrence. (for the past 4 years)
3. {k} is crazy busy. He REALLY wanted to go outside today in the pouring rain, so I let him. I honestly thought he would stay on the covered patio and play on a bike or in a car or something like that. He didn't stay on the patio. He meandered all over the back yard, through the mud, to the rocks, all without socks, shoes, or a jacket. Silly boy was loving life. He told me it was "wet".
4. {a} can't hardly wait for preschool. She knows that it will start after {K}'s birthday. His bday is the middle of July, and preschool starts after Labor Day. It was the closest milestone I could think of.
5. I have been baking up a storm lately, and have really been enjoying it.
6. {A} got some great news recently. It meant some big conversations between DH and I. Not ready to share, but it means a fairly large change for him in the coming months.

quick update

I can't believe it's been since July that I have posted. Here is a quick update of life around here since then. School started. {A} is in 3rd grade and is loving it! He finally lost his first tooth early in the summer. And not long after school started he lost his 2 front top teeth. He is working to earn an allowance. His goals for allowance are to make kinder choices and to not have attitude toward Mom or Dad. He has tried for about 3 months and has made wonderful progress. He will earn his first payday tomorrow. {K} is in 1st grade and is doing very well! He is quite the reader. He works so hard every day. I am amazed at his reading skills. {a} is in a music and movement class right now and after about 6 weeks of class, she is finally warming up to being there. Thank goodness there are 2 classes left for her to show the class her fun personality. She has recently learned to write her name. She is quite the corker. {k} is 16 months. I can hardly wait for nursery so I can actually join even 1 hour of class at church. He is SO busy, and SO noisy. But, he is also fun and funny and loves being the center of attention.

budding photographers, and burned hand

Recently, I let 3 of my kiddos have a chance to take pictures around our yard. It was fun to see what they found important enough to take pictures of. Here are my 1 fav from each child.

The Tree by {A}
Corn by {K}
Baby by {a}









Also, I wanted to mention for journaling reasons, that {k} had his hand burned recently. We had a hot small bbq grill out, and he touched it with his right hand. It blistered right away, and popped that evening. He has had it wrapped in a bandage for a week now, but seems to be healing nicely. Poor little guy. We feel so horrible, but are grateful there shouldn't be any scars.

update

So I know it has been way too long since I updated, so this post will be lengthy! scroll down to the bottom for commentary on the pictures. :)


































































































































































































































































































































I have caught {A} reading to his brothers more lately, and I think it is just wonderful! His class performed Fairy Tales recently, and also, I have put in a pic of {A} and his wonderful 2nd grade teacher! She has been fantastic for {A}!!


{K} graduated from kindergarten today, and I also have a pic of him with his teacher. She is also a wonderful teacher. I am pleasantly surprised at how well he is reading! {K} was chosen as Citizen of the Month for May. His teacher said he was such a good boy and definitely earned this honor! They performed a kindergarten "informance". It is where the kindergarten students show what they have learned this year. He was quite shy and embarrassed by all the attention. But, that is {K} all the way! They made enchanted eggs with his 3rd grade buddy. He was so proud to place it in the place of honor next to my enchanted egg that I made in kindergarten! {K}'s teacher taught with my kindergarten teacher at the same school for a few years while I was still in elementary school. I remember her being there... :)


I signed {a} up for a little "Dance Class". It was 4 classes long, and super cute! I tried to download a couple of videos, but it didn't work. I will try again later. She loves to climb in {k}'s bed and torment the poor guy! I put in her first picture of a person. She was drawing on the details, and said "finger, finger". I am amazed at how much more she wants to color and draw than either of the boys wanted to at that age. We bought an atv recently, and the kids are loving it!

she is FINALLY pottytrained!

Yup, about a month ago, she came running upstairs and announced that she had to go potty. We ran, put her on the toilet and sure enough, she went. Ever since then, she has done a wonderful job! A few accidents here and there, but for the most part a very seamless training. It just took her a bit longer to get started, but she is even night trained. HOORAY!

Recently, she climbed on the wood box that I keep by the fireplace, and announced in her sweetest girl voice, "I'm here for a dance, if somebody will pick me."

update on {A}

{A} has had a busy couple of months. First, he turned eight in Feb! He had his first friend birthday party. We had 3 friends over, and those 4 boys were crazy and noisy! But, boy did they have fun!



















Because he turned 8, that means he gets to join Cub Scouts.














He quickly earned his bobcat award at the first pack mtg.













Next, he chose to be baptized. He had lots of family join us for this special day! Congratulations {A}! We are so proud of your choice to be baptized!















The next pack meeting was the annual Pinewood Derby! {A} and his Dad built a really neat Hummer car to race! He raced very well. While he didn't win first, he did get the "Best Big Rig" Award. Way to go!































Finally, {A} and his 2nd grade class had a program entitled "Think Spring".





















I just had to add these cute pictures of {a} and {K}. I am sure there is more I need to write about, but this will do for today. Enjoy!

{a}'s birthday

Sister had her 3rd birthday right before Christmas. She was so cute about the whole thing. She got a high chair for her doll...
a rocking horse...a dump truck.
Here she is telling us that she's 3!

I LOVE this picture. She is blowing out her candles. But, what I love most is the expression on her brothers faces... :) HAPPY Birthday Sister! We love you! We love your crazy, funny personality and can't imagine our little family any other way!

Here is a video of her dancing and singing with some Christmas ornaments. Sorry it's sideways. Can't figure out how to change that...

ETA: I thought I would add a few things about what she is into right now. Her favorite song is Twinkle Star(twinkle, twinkle, little star). She LOVES her little brother, and her doll. She is in Sunbeams now and absolutely LOVES it. Her teacher is Sister Smithee and she calls her Sister Smoovee. I love the way she says it. She enjoys reading books at night especially her "sandwich book" and Silly Sally. She can be bossy at times. She still uses her hair as her lovey and twirls it to no end. She also sucks her tongue and has since she was very little.