My Boone

He's very cuddly. He sleeps best when I'm holding him up. I think his tummy hurts him sometimes, so he prefers to be on his belly or up. He smiles in his sleep. He smiles so often that I wonder what he may be dreaming. He will take a binky, but he'll find his thumb occasionally. He's very tolerant of his sibling's affections, and also their noise. It is so noisy here. His eyes are blue and getting bluer, and he is slowly putting on that baby fat that fills out his cheeks and makes rolls on his thighs. 

I wonder if he remembers heaven. If he remembers being excited to come here, to our family. I hope he knows how happy we are to have him here, here with us. 

We love you Boone. 

Apathy

So... I'm thinking that maybe it's hormonal. Maybe my desire to do nothing is my body's way of telling me that I need to just do nothing. Sit and rest. I am tired. I look at recipe books and I see yummy meals that I'd love to eat - if someone would just cook them for me, and while this Mysterious Person is at it, would you clean, too? Do you happen to do laundry? And what about toilets? The kid bathroom has reached that point again that I'm afraid to enter it. If I have to pee while I'm up in (what we are now calling) the Kids' Loft, I come back down stairs and use mine instead. And bedtime, Mysterious Person, can you read to the kids, and then do the whole fighting that ensues afterward to get them to actually lay still in bed? I'll come up and sing to them - that's a tradition that I'll still hold up, but everything else... I'm tired. So tired.

Back to cloth

Cloth diapers come with all sorts of interesting adventures. I enjoy the ones that include admiring cute covers, or finding some great deal on Nikki's Diapers. I also enjoy the feeling of knowing that I've saved another $40 this month since I didn't have to buy yet another pack of the cheapest brand I can find. But, Cloth diapering in South Dakota is a totally different experience than in Texas. It's cold up here. Really, really cold. And that makes the water coming through my pipes - though not frozen - really, really cold. My fingers are like ice. The toilet bowl has become a torture device for one self-inflicting mother. I finally decided to run the bathroom sink with luke warm water so that I could thaw my digits in between rinsing off the diaper and the cover. I'm somewhat concerned with the wasted water that is just flowing down the drain, but I'm grateful that I'm avoiding the near frostbite that has painfully consumed my fingers yesterday. It has given me another reason to look forward (with great anticipation) to Spring.

Quiet on the Homefront

Jeff's asleep. All four kids are asleep. I had an hour and a half nap this afternoon... I guess I get to blog! So... It's been a while since I've posted anything. Important updates from the past few weeks: My due date has been changed to July 4th - sadly the first ultrasound that I got was way off, and I have to be pregnant for three more weeks. My mom's recovery from her second hip replacement seems to be going well. After a tough fight, Jeff's dad is cancer free. The lights in our hall are working again, and the fridge now spouts water and ice thanks to a handy husband. ... I suppose that's the important stuff. :)

I was really worried about coming back to South Dakota after my trip back East for the holiday. (To my Maryland/Virginia friends, sorry I didn't make it down to visit - sick kids, sick mom, exhausted holiday... that's my excuse) Life in a quiet neighborhood is just so lonely compared to all the excitement and random visits of Texas Family Housing. But, coming back has been pretty nice. I'm actually catching myself appreciating the scenery, and the life that we are starting to fall into. I had a distinct impression when we first moved here that our years here will be some of the happiest years of our life... and for the first time, I'm starting to believe it. 

The kids are having a pretty good time here, too. Though they miss their friends like crazy. ( I think it's hilarious how Daven still asks why all of his friends up here are white. He keeps asking me why there are no kids the same color as Mazin - one of his good friends from Sudan. I think he misses the diversity) Paul and Daven are in wrestling right now, but we are having a tough time getting Daven to understand that he's actually allowed to knock the other guy to the ground, he just wants to give 'em hugs. Paul actually has some talent there, he just needs a bit more practice. Ruthie is in gymnastics twice a week at a great gym downtown. They actually work on skills with the little kids - not just playtime. It's right up her alley and she now has a reason to do all the crazy stunts that she loves to do. Lillie is trying so hard to be just like her big siblings. She climbs onto everything, jabbers on and on, and is trying to potty train herself. Which really just means we have another girl that likes to run around naked all the time. It's all pretty amusing and our house and car are still the mess that it always was. I guess that's just how we do it. :) But there's a lot of laughter and a lot of hugs and I guess that's all I can ask for. I'm so grateful for the quiet times like this that I can recognize that after such a long and crazy time of my life in Texas, the Lord is letting me have a Season of Peace. lol as peaceful as life gets with four rambunctious kids. 

Finally some fun

After a week of Mom being down and out. We got down to some serious business... Painting pumpkins for Halloween. Daven decided he wanted to carve his, and I think we'll be doing that tonight. Ruthie and Paul wanted to paint theirs, and Lillie just wanted to be painted. And yes, that is snow that you can through the back window. We got 3 inches last week, and it hasn't completely melted yet. It will be quite a different Halloween this year, instead of the sweating hot Texas version.

Ruthie got a kick out of painting her sister instead.













Lillie thought that it was hilarious.

Humility

Last week I got some kind of stomach bug and had a miserable Thursday night. It was the first time that I had passed out because of being ill, and I got some fantastic bruises from it. Friday I decided to call a friend to see if she could help me with the kids so that I could get some rest as I had not slept all night. She obliged and came to my rescue. So... then last night I hurt my back - worse than I ever have before, and so I was back of the phone again asking for help. She has been fantastic today, as well. She came and helped with the kids this morning, took me to the doctor, watched the kids while I was there and then came to pick me up. She brought me home, watched the kids until Jeff came home from work, and now as Jeff has to go teach a class tonight in Rapid City, she has the kids again for me until bedtime. At which point she will come and help me get them to bed. I had to ask for help so often in Texas I was hoping that I could not be that person constantly in need of something. But, here I am again, being so grateful to a brand new friend whom I hardly know. I am forever in the debt of those around me who help me at a moments notice. So to all those who have ever been there for me in a pinch - Thank you again and again! I will do my best to pay it forward, and be there for anyone who might need ... anything... I think the cyclobenzaprine is starting to kick in... I'm getting sleepy. Thank you Melissa for letting me get some rest.

All of us

I look at these pictures and I'm so glad that we have another year before we have to do it again! :)

The Daven Do

Is he just a heartbreaker or what? 

Daddy's Princess

Some where in that smile you can see her mischievous plan...

The Big Brother

What a handsome guy!

The Lillie Bug

We got these pictures taken two days before we left Texas. Thought I'd share. :)

Gratitude

My life has been full. I am amazed at the blessings that have been given to me in my life. My oldest son was baptized this weekend, and it has made me reflect on the blessings that the gospel has brought me. my knowledge of our eternal existence has helped me have courage to develop talents and pursue seemingly impossible goals. Truly, the Lord has done more with my life than I ever thought possible. I have been blessed with the understanding of the eternal nature of families, and have been able to build my relationships with my husband, children, parents, and siblings based on this. Not that all my relationships are perfect, but I understand that my family will be with me forever, and that I should be quicker to forgive and more anxious to find ways to serve them. I have been blessed with the comfort and guidance of the Holy Ghost, which has told me when I have strayed and comforted me when I have thought there was no way back. I have been able to discern solutions within problems. I have been blessed by my membership in the church as well. The programs developed by the church have given me the opportunity to learn through seminary and Young Women's, they have given me the opportunity to develop life long friends through Visiting Teaching, and Home Teaching, and they have given me the opportunity learn how to repent and return to what I have always known to be true. I am so grateful for these blessings. I am so grateful that my son will have the opportunity to receive blessings like these in his own life. I am ... grateful.

8 Years Old

Today Paul turns eight. It's amazing to think that he is that old already. He's lost seven teeth, and I really should know how tall he is. I know he weighs about 48 pounds. He's sweet and sensitive, he is a great big brother and loves to take care of his little sisters. He is a wiz at math and sciences. He has an amazing way to think through problems logically to find solutions. He loves computer games, gymnastics, running, and learning about the Gospel. I am so proud of this kid... can you tell? :) He is an amazing example to his siblings, and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent him to our home.

P.S. If anyone is interested we are going to Pennsylvania this weekend, and Paul will be baptized on Saturday the 29th at 3pm in the Doylestown Chapel.  If you happen to be in that neck of the woods - the more the merrier.

Homeschooling and Garage Sales

So, we are homeschooling. (Please refer back to the title of my blog - crazy) But this week went better than last, and I have hope that it will just keep getting better. I was originally only going to homeschool Paul, but Kindergarten is only half day here and I felt like it would really complicate my life even more having to shuttle Daven to and from school everyday. So, we are homeschooling both boys. On Monday we went to the park and learned about standardized measuring units (inches, centimeters) and we measured stuff. All sorts of stuff - each other, benches, platforms, seats, monkey bars. We made estimates as to how big things were, and Paul learned how to measure to the nearest eighth of an inch. Probably my most successfully fun lesson of the week.

We've also been furniture shopping at our local neighbor's houses. So... we don't get things quite as cheaply as we did dumpster diving at UT, but Garage Sales have proven to be pretty fruitful. :)  Last weeks' great find was a bench press and weights, but this week we scored this beautiful coffee table! I was pretty psyched! 

I guess there isn't a whole lot of excitement happening up here in Spearfish... So I guess I'll just post some really cute pics of my kiddos. :) Until next time - smile everyday! 

Spearfish, South Dakota

We have finally arrived and unpacked and started making our place a home in Spearfish, South Dakota. I had never been to South Dakota in my life until this June. Never had I imagined living here! But so far we are enjoying the little town of Spearfish. We've been impressed with the parks and the recreation trail that goes through the town. There are some great hiking trails just minutes from our house, and the weather always seems to be perfect. Actually, it's pretty idyllic. 

Jeff is enjoying teaching at Black Hills State University. The culture of the university is a great fit for him. I'm keeping myself sufficiently busy homeschooling the boys, gearing up to start teaching voice lessons, and unpacking. I am enjoying the stay-at-home life with the kids and I think we are going to really like it here. Spearfish, South Dakota. Who knew? 

A typical Saturday

Today I woke up to silence.... Okay, that part really isn't typical, but Jeff's adventures with the kids just happened to start rather early this morning and he let me sleep through the first part. (Thank you Honey, you are the most amazing husband ever!) He had taken ALL the kiddos to the Nature Center at about 8 this morning. There they walked the trails and dug through the sand for dino bones. (did I mention that he took the stroller walked there?) From there they walked to Zilker Park and played there until about 11:30 when I met up with them and brought snacks. From there we drove to the YMCA and parked the van. We walked to How Do You Roll and ate lunch. THEN we walked to the Children's Museum on 2nd Street and played there for a couple hours. By that time all of us were getting pretty tired so we headed back to the van. All in all, I think that Paul probably walked about 5 miles. He did get into the stroller for the last 200 meters or so, but really he basically walked it all. Daven did about 2 1/2 miles and Ruthie about 1. This is a typical day when Dad's in charge of the activities... I think he's SuperDad!

What's new

So... It's been about two years since I've posted anything on here. Very Very Sad... But, here's where we are in life right now. Ruthie is 2 and a very opinionated female redhead. Daven is now a wonderful sweet 4 year old has been getting into trouble at school for kissing 6th graders. Paul has just turned 7, lost his 2 front teeth and has expressed his frustration that everyone at school knows his name but he can't possibly remember everyone else's. (You can see what kind of trouble will be headed my way as these three get older... LOOKOUT!) There is now a new little one who, according to tradition, will not be going by the name on her birth certificate. Eleanor Elizabeth was born on August 5th, and we are calling her Lillie. She is the happiest, most contented baby we have had yet.

And Life is (still) Good.

Sweet is the peace

I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. I am grateful for the perspective that it gives us. The time here on the earth is so fast, so fleeting. I have been so overwhelmed with projects and assignments that will be done in a matter of weeks, and it will all be over. I need to enjoy every day and minute that I have here - so why should I let anything drag me down? I am happy today, filled with the sweet peace that is found when I realign my priorities to what really matters. What a beautiful day!

My Adventures... Revisited

Paul's Birthday (We also had a party for him later, but I'll have to get those pictures on another time.)

Paul got to take a friend to the football game!

It was pretty sunny and hot.

Isn't she just adorable??

So this morning I set out thinking that I had the day pretty well planned. I was getting ready in a timely fashion, the kids were dressed and eating breakfast, I had even had a chance to read my scriptures. When all of the the sudden (Oh NO) I realize I have a quiz this morning that I had completely forgotten about!! I quickly look up all of the songs - which I am supposed to have committed to memory by now, and ruch to listen to them and try to pick out their defining qualities. We all run to the car, because now I'm 15 minutes behind schedule, and at every stop light I manage to get one more song, composer and date memorized. I run Paul into school and then it's back to the apartments to drop of Daven and Ruthie. I have to quickly feed the baby, while I'm furiously trying review the crammed info from the drive there and back. Once the kids are settled at my wonderful and amazing friend's house - whom I dearly love and don't know how I would survive without her! - I rush away again to get myself to campus before class starts. Of course there is the usual traffic on the way there, but then there is this guy in the parking garage who takes FOREVER!! I'm so close - SO CLOSE and yet so far. I know we won't find a spot until we get to the 4th or 5th floor, but somehow he thinks that just around that next corner is going to be his lucky spot, and he doesn't want to be going to fast to miss it! I find a spot on the 4th floor of the garage and I sprint in to my class and somehow I make it on time. I take the quiz, after class I take a midterm, the it's off to run some paperwork to the pediatrician, clean the car, pick up the kids, meet a lady from Craigslist, pick up some vitamins, get home, feed the kids, do the laundry, bathe the kids, and finally... FINALLY it's bedtime.

This is my crazy life, and really... I'm pretty happy. :-)