Jot and Tittle

Where did my background go?

Blogger has decided not to remember me.

Have I been away for too long?

I should be really good and post some awesome pictures, but my camera is downstairs, and if I go and get it, I will get stuck doing something down stairs.

Oh, summer has been so much fun. When school starts the kids will either be so ready...or go into withdrawls from too much fun. We have a whole month left of fun filled activities..it is just the way I like it.

The children has been so much fun and so good this summer. I think they were needing something to do besides clean and organize the house. They are so amazing to me. I love each of their personalities, I am blessed to be their mother.

So many funny things have been happening, but since I don't write them down, I can't remember. But it has been a summer of laughs and late nights.

This past weekend we went camping up north with some friends. It was a lot of fun. The first morning Jeff and I were up early and we heard some elk. So he got his elk caller and we went on a walk by the lake, unfourtanatley no elk came running to us as Jeff hoped they would.

The week before that we went camping for a week with the Gile family in Colorado, just a little north west of Denver. It was so beautiful there. We had so much fun, it was a great family vacation. We go to the lake every week...we think it is ours. We spent a couple of days in Idaho for Bret Steven Jaques baby blessing. Of course they everyday of work, and home and church keeps us on our toes.

I really want to go to the Castle Dale pageant tomorrow. I really don't want to pay for a hotle room, or drive to Springville at 1am....we will see how that pans out. We have dentist appointments in the valley this week....we have a rafting trip, sister's reunion, and lagoon all coming up for the next couple of weekends.

I know this is so lame, but my brain is not in blog mode. Maybe someday. Have a great remaining summer. Go soak up the sun.

Do you think I should blog?

Me too....

But it is summer, and I have memories to make......

Savannahisms

Savannah is such a hoot! Here are some things she said this past week:

I don't like bread with skin (crust)

She asked Parley, while pointing to her bicep: "Do you want to feel my one pack?"

She said to me: "Mommy, I see your Irish dots all over your face."

I should have taken a picture of all the shoes on our porch. It was beautiful.

The house was busy,

people talking everywhere,

kids running in and out,

Bon Fire,

S'mores

Snuggly blankets

good food (if I should say so myself)

giggles

serious talks

not so serious talks

funny face pictures

Michael's jokes

mud

sunday clothes

cold showers

one exodus from the tramp at 1:30 because of rain

aunties

moms

cousins

grandmas

grandpas

dads

uncles

nieces

nephews

husbands

wives

boyfriends

girlfriends

brothers

sisters

Quartet by four baptized cousins

And one baptism.

When the shoes where gone, that meant all the family was gone and I was sad. The house was even pretty clean. Sunday Mike let me sleep in till 11am can you believe it! I don't know if I have ever slept that late. Can you tell I really partied? ( along with the prep the week before)

We went to church and came home and Webers got here. It was so fun to see them. I wished they lived close, we would hang out with them a lot. They left early this morning...too short.

Now, I am ready to have someone come visit...

I like people.

I like my family all hanging out.

I like baptisms.

Locks of Love

I am thinking about donating my hair to Locks of Love.....any comments?

Golden Slumber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e_j66mgTDE

The kids have been begging us to let them sleep on the tramp. Finally last night I told them they could. I didn't think they would do it. The last thing I remember is laying in bed at about 10:30 and Mike was in the shower. I also remember waking at 11:30 and Mike was telling the kids to go to sleep. And this is where I found them this morning.

Jeffrey's head, Katie is burrowed down in the same sleeping bag. I am not sure about the extra blankets, but yes, that is a rug at the bottom of Jeffrey's bag. It is usually in the doorway of his room. He likes to feel right at home.
Funny thing, but this is MY bed. Bana has come in three times this past week. I think she didn't have anyone to snuggle up to so she came to snuggle with me. The other nights she refused to wear jammies to bed, so I think she was cold. Glad they all look so peaceful.

What we have been up to

The week before last we got to go to Springville and spend the week there while Mike was on his brother's trip. We had fun and as always enjoyed seeing family. We tried to go to This is the Place Park but it was closing an hour after we got there...off season, oh well. We decorated graves in Salt Lake and Santaquin. We went sailing. We hiked to waterfalls. Mike had fun on his trip. It was a rafting trip and he got flipped out of the raft twice, I am glad we still have him around.

That weekend my beautiful girls had their birthdays. Where did time go? We celebrated Sunday and Monday, and we still haven't done individual dates. I think birthdays should last a month. On Tuesday Katie had her interview with the bishop for her baptism. She was a little annoyed because when they called to schedule it, they asked to talk to me. Katie also got to officially attend her first Activity Days this past week. She has passed off 9 Articles of Faith to me.

Mike didn't have football this week and we really loved him being home and doing things as a family like watering the garden and walking in the cemetary...very exciting, I know.

Last week Katie and I went out YS on her B-day an d we got a motorcycle. It is battery operated, and goes up to 10-15 MPH. Katie and Jeffrey LOVE it. They take Bana on rides all over the property. One day Katie was supposed to be in her room cleaning and I hadn't heard her complain in a while and looked for her and there she was cruising all over behind the house. It is quiet...so was she. So she is off limits from it until Monday. Very painful for me...and her.

Since it warmed up this week, they kids have loved being outside. The Creek has more water in it. The kids have been working on a fort. We have some nice good neighbor kids who have come to help on it too. One is a 11 yr old boy...wow, they can work! It is a pretty awesome fort with a bridge and a rope swing. I have been down there to play because Mr. P thinks it is pretty awesome too.

Jeff caught a snake with his bare hands and kept it for a pet all day. Mike made him let it loose that night, he didn't like that.

So my kids get to play with a motorcycle, and a creek to swim in...I had a dry wash and a station wagon, oh how times have changed haha.

Yesterday I got a call to come and help a new mom with some nursing issues. It was perfect because Mike was home, and we didn't have anything planned. I spent about 3 hours there. Oh that baby was SO cute, and tiny...like 6 pounds. My babies are still cooking at that size. Katie wanted to come with me so bad...I can't wait until she can come.

When I got home Mike and I were upstairs talking...we were actually talking about CPS and an issue that an aquaintance is having with them, all of a sudden we hear SCREAMING! I run out in the hall and there is Bana with blood STREAMING out her nose. I am barking orders to everyone...get a rag! Get a wet rag! Get the comfrey root! Get an egg! Get the ear scope. Finally when the bleeding stopped I could see the cut on the innerside of the outerside of her nostril. It wasn't deep enough for stitches, but close. Jeff had tied a bear to her door knob and she was using Mike's pocket knife to cut it off. Obviously cutting towards her. Thankfully it was just her nose, and not an eye. It is healing well. So after she was cleaned up, and the carpet was cleaned up and the bear was down, I turned on the iron to finish ironing my quilt pieces. And then I hear SCREAMING! Mr. P had gone into the laundry room and touched the iron. Luckily he had just grazed it. Yes, I did say we were talking about CPS.

After we all recovered, we had errands to run in town. We drove past the I Love Drilling place and George was out getting people to honk. The kids have been wanting to go down there, but whenever Mike is with them, he is not out. And I am not going. But I told Mike if he wanted to take the kids, I would drop them off. So they went and stood on the corner and got people to honk if the love the USA. They were there about an hour. I ran home to get the phone and then came back and sat as Mr. P was sleeping and Bana was cold. So we hung out in the van. George did make me come out for a picture. They loved it.

Katie got a job for a couple of days taking care of a friend's chickens. We went to put them away lst night and I foolishly tried to get the rooster to shoo. Well, he told me! He came flying/running at me squaking. I screamed and peed a little. It brought back flash backs of Big Bird.

And to end the week on a good note, we put the mattress in the back of the truck and headed to the drive in. I rode in the back laying down with the kids there...so fun. The movie was dumb, but it was all about the experiance. Everyone fell asleep except Katie and I. When it was over I woke up Mike to drive is home and I laid in back with all the sleeping children, and since Katie fell asleep on the way home, he got to carry them all up the stairs when we got home. It was a good week.

Now we get to plan a baptism party. How do I possibly have a child old enough to be baptized?

Grand Central Station

That is what it was like Friday evening at Otter Creek Homestead.

I had some leftover Activity Day girls, 6 nieces and nephews, and my four.

The second counselor from the bishopric stopped by.

He has been to our home a couple of times to extend callings, invitations to speak and so forth. He is really neat, and knows all our kid's names.

Some of the kids were outside, and some were inside, and Mike and I were in the kitchen visiting while I was getting dinner ready. So that is where Bro. Cook was too.

He was telling us some thoughts he had had while in the temple recently...then he was complimenting us on how we are raising our kiddos. While he was on that topic "Whirlwind" (aka Katie) came in and got a drink then announced for all to hear..."I am going back out so we can rob Jeffrey." It was perfect timing, right in the middle of his "You're doing great" conversation. We were laughing so hard. It was something I wont for get for a while.

Yes, so Mike got a calling SCOUTMASTER

We laughed because he and Bro. Cook had already had a "There are huge problems in the scouting program, I am an eagle scout, but I am not fond of the program" conversation last time he was here.

But Michael is excited, and knows this is where he is supposed to be serving right now.

What we are up to: 5 foot 8

During General Conference in April I really felt like I could take the time I am on facebook or reading blogs of people I don't know and spent it doing better things. Specifically... indexing. It has taken me a month to go to the Family History Center and get the information I need. My next step is being off FB. I am not sure if I am going to wean myself, or stop cold turkey. I am still going to post on my blog because it is my journaling.

Somehow our days are filled to the brim, not that we are running around, but here at home working and playing. I am so grateful for summer.

Michael has been busy with football. He stepped in to play a down the other night and he came home saying that it really made him want to play. Of course with the warmer weather, he is busy at work, but we did get to see him a lot Monday afternoon and Tuesday. We got a lot done in the garage and outside. The lady who has been shelving and facing his water at Walmart quit so Mike took that over, another thing to his load, but he would rather it done right. We have been preparing the ground for our garden. We are so excited for it this year. Last year was the only year since we have been married that we didn't have one and I really missed it at harvest time. Mike still doesn't have a calling.hmmm

Yesterday we went to the fabric store and the lady was talking to us about receiving blankets. Then she said " So you have four and one on the way...so five, wow." I said "Oh, I am not pregnant, it is for my sister." I didn't think much of it since I was wearing a baggy sweater, and have had four kids, my stomach isn't exactly flat. So she was talking to the kids and they were telling her our life story. She kept telling me what a great job i did on their names, and what a great teacher I must be, and how smart they were, and how good they were being, and she gave them all scraps of fabric. So afterwards I started laughing wondering if she was being extra nice to make up for suggesting I was pregnant.

Katie is so ready to be baptized. She has a big dinner and party planed. It will be her day. She is miss smartie pants, and doesn't miss a beat. She made me smell her armpits last night to show me they were stinky...they weren't even musty smelling. So then we went over when she gets to do things...her favorite topic. Makeup 18, she asked if maybe 16..we'll see. Then she said, what if I get zits? I said so maybe some cover up? And she said no Mascara. That wouldn't looks good on zits. Marriage 30, she said " I might come home one night when I am 20 with a ring on" So we talked about 25. She loves life so much. She loves people. She is a blast to be around.

Jeffrey is always working, and if he isn't working, he is picking on his siblings. So basically, I try to keep him busy. He has dug various hole out side. He has been so good about being responsible about Jeep. His crying/whinning fits have pretty much stopped since he has been able to work out side and we have gotten settled here. I kept reminding myself the children were transitioning and then the transition went on and on for the year it took us to build. That is hard knowing you are moving. But here we are a little over a month later and they are doing good and I almost have forgotten what it was like.

Savannah says the funniest things. This morning she woke up and gave Parley a hug and said "Oh, I missed you last night" one day Jeffrey didn't fold his arms for prayers and she told him "You are ruining God's plan" She loves learning and spelling and counting and adding. She will give the other two quizzes...Jeff, what is two plus two, or our family's favorite. What is the highest number with three digits?

Parley is almost two and has gotten a little worse about getting into things. The other day he got my mascara (A NEW one) and I was in the closet hanging up clothes and he had it on his face hands and all over the bathtub. Yesterday he, Mike and I went on a walk while the others were at a Primary activity. After he got over the fact that he had to survive without them, he was pointing out every bug, bush, dandelion and rock. It was very fun. He reminds me so much of Katie when she was little. They both are little fireballs. THEY say that nursing through terrible twos helps the child not throw many tantrums ect. I don't know if that is the reason or if it is because I am more experianced, but it really doesn't bother me when he has a little fit, and he gets over it fast.

I love being a wife. I appreciate that Michael takes his role responsibly to be the provider and makes the sacrifices so I can stay home and fulfill my responsibility as blogger, JK as the one to nurture our children and nurture him and nurture our home. I have been studying "Nurture" lately...such a good word.

I love being a mother. I can honestly say that I haven't always loved being a mother. I regret the times I murmured about it when Katie and Jeffrey where really small. I still have to take one day at a time to try to get through that day with out yelling, or losing my patience.

These are what I dreamed about and prepared for. I am glad I still have a lot to learn and a lot of ways to grow. I am glad everyone is patient with me as I do so. They volunteered to be my children, Mike volunteered to be my husband...what troopers! I better make it worth their while.

Lonely lookin' night

Do you know what song that is?

Since I am leaving for Women's Conference tonight, Mike has had to pile up work. Yesterday he worked from 5am and got home at 10:30pm.

I don't do well by myself that long.

I cut my bangs even shorter than the trim I had done the week before, and I picked my face.

Today is not a good face day.

The headstone

While we are at it

This is a grave Jeffrey made for a dead mouse he had found.
Katie, Savannah and Parley dressed up. (I think P's outfit is for a girl)
Handsome boys I get to be around, and cute puppies.
It is in the genes.

He is such a stud! Looking off our back deck.

Savannah was being quite the turkey for these so there were a couple of times she was giggling and we realized it was because she had crazy faces in the picture.

Here they are!

I just realized that there isn't one of Katie and Michael, so we will have to get that at her baptism. Also, I really wish I had chosen a different shirt. There were a couple that it looked like I was pregnant because of the way the wind billowed it, not okay when I am not preggers.

Family Pictures

Update

Last week was a good week.

I asked Mike what I could do for him for the week and he said "Get rid of the puppies" So I added something and decided to not complain about football. Monday we spent 40 minutes at Walmart and got rid of the puppies (I was sad) and I did great not complaining about football. Me not complaining always makes for a good week.

Friday night Dad and Rosa came to visit, they got in late. We woke up Sat and went GS for a while then we had family pictures. My friend was nice enough to come do it for us. I wanted to do something a little more formal this year and have them taken at the temple. (Can't compete with the temple grounds). Afterwards dad took us to lunch then they headed home. It was a short visit, but nice. Our first overnight guests!

Mike had a game last night so we left here about 3:30 and got home about 9pm. It was long and started out as a beautiful day, ended as bitter cold wind.

Now today we have talks in church, so this means I wrote 4 talks throughout the week, and Mike wrote his this morning...unfair.

I think the kids will do great, they have theirs memorized. Mike will do great...he can give a talk out of his head, never looking at paper, have it be a great talk, and long. I have a huge zit on my chin from stress about this. I am prepared, but who knows how long I will speak for. I guarenteed (okay, can't spell that) Mike 10 min between the kids and I.

I'm gonna wash that soap right out of my mouth...

The other day we were driving and Katie started singing...normal. The song she was singing I had heard before, but one of the words she was saying definatly was not the word I heard on the radio. The song went....The party .... connected to the stayin' out all night long. I thought I heard her wrong, so I asked her to repeat herself, and she did. Then I repeated it too see if what I was hearing was what she was saying...sure enough.

"The party bong's connected to the stayin' out all night long....

I laughed and told her what the word really was.

A couple days later we were again in the van driving a long and Jeffrey made Katie mad so she said "Jeffrey you F word"

Mike and my mouths dropped. I asked her what the F word was and she said "Freak". Mike and I told her never to say that again.

Today I told Jeffrey it was time to do a chore and he said "What the hell" Yep, he said it! I know that he has never heard it at this house. Luckily Mike was right there again and we explained never to say that...and he got soap.

Tonight I was singing "Old MacDonald" to Parley and said "Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo" And Savannah said "Mom there isn't a moo moo everywhere." I thought I was singing it wrong or something so I asked her what she meant and she said "Well, there's not a moo moo in the road or in our house."

What is up with these kids?

I remember twice getting soap in my mouth. Once I don't remember why but I think I was about three because we lived in NY. But I do remember having it in my mouth, and teeth marks.

The next time I was 7 or 8 and all of us girls were in the bathroom brushing our teeth and Julie was practicing whistling and I couldn't handle the noise and yelled "SHUT UP" Yep, got soap. Other than that, I honestly don't think I said even stupid, shut up..or anything.

Then I got married..

Okay, I really don't say bad words now, but stupid is in my vocabulary, and freaking. And this past volley ball season a very naughty word that started with sh and ended with it slipped out. The bad thing was, someone heard me and laughed because she knows I don't say things like that.

Why do my little angels have such potty mouths?

Lessons

I feel like I have been the receiving end of many learning opprotunities lately. I am going to be able to go to Women's Conference at BYU in two weeks...it just happens to be the one week Mike doesn't have a football game so he can be the daddy day care.

I got a phone call today that I am being sponsored for a Breastfeeding conference in Australia..luckily they are trying to go green and it will be online conference.So I get to attend that in May..for FREE! It is 180.00 a ticket.

I get to learn the ropes and everything about Achievement Days for girls since I am the new AD leader in our ward. I haven't done anything with that since I was 11.

I am now 31 1/2 (I think...yeah) and still learning and growing. I never want it to stop. I think Heavenly Father knows when I have a little spare time that I can spend formally learning. I am so grateful for these opprotunities.

Trials

I have felt so much love from my Father in Heaven lately. Lots of Little tender mercies. General Conference was the spiritual boost I needed to go forward for another 6 months. I also really enjoyed sitting and doing nothing besides listening to it.

I have also seen how Heavenly Father gives us trials and hard times to help us and to strengthen us.

Why is it so hard to remember His plan and that he loves us more than we can understand in hard times?

Last week friends of our had their fourth baby. He was born with Downs Syndrome. They didn't know before he was born, so they are struggling with the new turn their life has taken.

My sister is having health problems, and has been for a long time. They finally found what it is, but it still means that she will be having symptoms for a while. She is so young.

I visited with a girl around my age who was married to a man for 8 years then the morning of their anniversary he died of a heart attack at the age of 34 leaving her to care for three children.

I try not to dwell on the trials in life, but this week I heard of a lot that people were going through. But I also got to learn a little lesson in faith.

I have this fear of my children falling out the second story windows in our house. So I have been only opening the windows if I am in the room. We had this tote that was in front of our window that Parley would stand on and watch the dog and her puppies. So one day I opened it and did things in my room, we were getting ready to go somewhere. When I was walking out the front door I remembered the window, and I felt the spirit say it was okay to go and leave it open.

Parley fell asleep int he car and I brought him upstairs sleeping and laid him on our bed. When he woke up, I came upstairs and he was on our bed, and I realized the window was still opened. My heart skipped a beat and I was a little mad and thought "I thought the spirit prompted me that it was okay" I then distinctly heard "It was okay, and if it wasn't going to be okay, I would have prompted you to close the window" Wow, that was a lesson in faith and listening to and trusting in what we are prompted. I thought I knew better than the spirit..oops.

I know that our Father in Heaven knows us individually and loves us more than we can comprehend. I know I love my children more then they can comprehend. Katie always tells me " I love you more than you love me" I tell her that that isn't possible.

He loves us, I KNOW he does.