Back in Business

Today I went from having no dishwasher to this....

This picture is proof that men do read the instructions occassionally!
It didn't take Dirk long to get the new dishwasher in. I am so excited to not have to wash dishes by hand anymore. I was failing miserably at trying to keep up! Here is a pic of the new one.

Thankful Thursday

1. Hugs-I went scrapbooking this last Friday and Saturday with my mom and sisters in Salt Lake. We had a blast! When I got home Lexi came running up to me and gave me the biggest hug. She didn't want to let me go when I had to go back out to get my bags. When I finally got settled inside she climbed on my lap again and hugged me so tight. She told me she wasn't ever going to let me go. It just makes me feel so good to know that she missed me while I was gone.

2. MY RING!-Seriously I am excited about this one. Three months ago I took my wedding ring in for it's semiannual cleaning. They gave it back to me informing me that one of my prongs was broken and the others were in bad shape. I was devastated. I had them give me an estimate and I called Dirk. He told me to hold off for awhile. I was thinking awhile meant no more then a couple of weeks but after about a month I realized that Dirk had no immediate plans of having it fixed. I had kept my ring on a ring stand in the bathroom but I ended up putting it in it's ring box. I was actually really shocked at how much it upset me to put it away. I just bawled! So then I started telling Dirk every other day that all I wanted for my birthday was my ring fixed. I didn't think was listening most of the time but last weekend while I was gone he took my ring in and had them remove the cage around my diamond and put a new one on. They also redipped the white gold on my bottom band and polished the heck out of it. Dirk suprised me Monday night telling that for lunch on Tuesday we were going to pick it up. So yay, yay, yay! I have my ring back!!!!! Doesn't it look beautiful?



3. My Mom-My mom is the best. Yesterday was horrible. It started out fine but about a half hour after I woke up I realized that I had a migraine coming. No big deal. I took some tylenol and figured that once I had Lexi off to school Ray could watch cartoons while Simon and I took a nap. Usually after tylenol, a good nap and a few more hours they go away for me. Not yesterday. I got Ray's cartoons going and Simon in bed and I went to lay down. My migraine exploded into the worst pain of my life! I couldn't move my head without throwing up. I called Dirk and told him he had to come home NOW! He did and he took the kids to my mom's house. Mom thank you so much for taking my kids on short notice. I know it is hard to have them all day but I REALLY, REALLY appreciated it. I don't know what else I would have done with them. The kids had a blast and I was able to calm down knowing they were in good hands. So thank you, thank you, thank you Mom. I love you!

Thankful Thursday

1. Girls and Curls-I love having a little girl. I love playing with her hair and trying new things out with it. I'm not very good with some styles but I love any style where I can put a flower clip in her hair. I have been having fun making some cute flower clips this week. She is so patient with me and sometimes we reverse roles and I let her try stuff on my hair. I have to admit she is better at it then I am most of the time!

2. Preschool Games-Why because Rayden has finally found the way that he loves to learn! He is still having trouble with his colors and we think he is probably color blind but he is still loving it. I will willingly play the games he brings home over and over again. Last week was two color games that he adores and won't let anyone touch. Today he brought home a shape game and he knows all of the shapes. I'm so proud of him!

3. Sleep-because I have finally caught up on it!

Busy, busy, busy!

This weekend was so very busy but fun! Friday the kids and I went to my mom's house and scrapbooked. Lexi brought all of her scrapbook supplies and did quite a few of her own pages. Rayden did one page without pictures. He glued pieces of paper he cut onto another piece of paper. He was very proud of his 'house.' He originally tried to glue it to the table but we helped him out before it was stuck permanently! Simon couldn't cut paper or glue pictures but he sure did have a great time with his first lollipop! I love how it is the same size as his mouth. He wouldn't let it go.

Friday night Lexi and I went over to our friend Britney's house for a sleepover with our Young Women. I know we were released back in July but we had promised the girls a sleepover when Brit's husband Brett went hunting so we weren't about to back out! It was great getting to see all of the girls again. We have missed them SOOOO much! We stayed up late watching movies and eating nothing but JUNK! Don't dare fall asleep or you might just get steamrollered!

Saturday morning was an early start despite the late night. Dirk went to Star Valley to help his friend Nate load up so scrap metal and bring it back here. Instead of walking around like a zombie I decided to keep myself busy. I made waffles for all the girls at Britney's. This required us to WAKE them up! After breakfast and a nice hot shower I headed to town with Brit and her parents. Lexi has been talking about getting her ears pierced for some time and we decided that Saturday would be the day. I am SOOO glad that Pat and Britney were with me. They helped Lexi focus on the end product instead of the actual piercing. She was so scared at first but she was determined to get them done. She sat on my lap like a little statue with her eyes closed until after they were done. They luckily did both ears at the same time so she didn't have time to think about it. She LOVES her pretty earrings and was so excited to show everyone she knows! For church we had to wear her hair back so everyone could see them, especially as she said her part for the Primary Program.

I LOVE Primary Programs. I LOVE seeing all the kids up and say their lines. The Sunbeams (3 year olds) crack me up when they get to the microphone. I LOVE to hear about what the kids have been learning this year. This year's program I got to be a little bit more involved. I was called as the Junior Primary Chorister in late July. I love music so this is a good calling for me. It was a little hectic at first having to learn all of the program songs while the program was being finished, especially 'I Am A Child of God' since they kids were singing the first verse in Indonesian! I want to know who's idea that was! The kids did great and I didn't forget that I had to turn around and lead the congregation on 2 of the songs so I have to say, 'Whoo Hoo!' I am very proud of my two munchkins also. Lexi said her part perfectly! She had such a long part too! Rayden said his part with all of the enthusiasm that he could and still be understood. He got to pick what he said and this is was his line, "I love my family because I DO!" So Rayden!

Big Shipment

YAY!!!!!!!! All of Dirk's product has finally come in! In came in this past week and a whole bunch of it is headed right back out the door today! We had quite the week of unbagging and unhanging a bunch of the boxes to specially package them up for a big company. My living room is still set up like a shipping department but it will be all worth it in the end!

Thankful Thursday on Saturday!

The last two days have been crazy! I didn't want to forget the things I am thankful for this week so I am doing it on Saturday. I guess you could call it a nice little twist to the week! Here we go!

1. Big Sisters-Thursday was my eldest sister Gretl's birthday. Growing up we didn't really do a whole lot together since we were 8 years apart but since I've been married and she moved to the valley we have gotten extremely close! Every Friday for the last 4-5 years we have gotten together. It started out as doing Genealogy and then turned to an errand day but lately we have either been scrapbooking or doing something fun together. My kids LOVE Fridays! So Gretl I hope you had a great birthday and I wanted to let you know you are the best! You are always willing to help me and Dirk out and I don't think you have ever turned down an oppurtunity to watch our kids. I just wanted you to know we appreciate you TONS and LOVE you to death!

2. Members of the Military-Thursday was also the marker of a sad day in history for us. When I woke up in the morning it didn't immediately hit me why I had a Flag in my front yard. It took me about 2 seconds though to remember the sad events of 7 years ago. 7 years ago Dirk and I were living with his parents while we built our house. I will NEVER forget that morning. I ended up alone in the house watching the news all morning and just feeling sick to my stomach. To all the men and women who have fought for us since, I am thankful, thankful for the life Dirk and I have been able to have since that horrible day. Without them to protect our freedoms our standards of life would have disappeared and my children would be living a life of constant fear. THANK YOU, for risking your life to protect us, people you don't even know! As I drove down our flag lined streets I prayed that the Lord will continue to look out for you and for those that you love.

3. Patience-No not me. This is a quality I need to work on. Thank you Dirk for having patience. This week was suppose to be a week of playing catch up. After having Liesl's 4 kids last weekend I was going to catch up on everything around the house this week. It hasn't completely happened. The odds have been against us and I want Dirk to know how very, very much I appreciate his patience with me as our house continues to look like a tornado went through it. I WILL get this done....as soon as I go buy more dish soap! :)

He's Gonna Kill Me Someday!

Yeah I know, Simon is going to HATE me someday, but I couldn't resist! I went scrapbooking last night with some friends. I found this picture of Lexi when she 7 1/2 months old. It hit me just how much her and Simon look alike! I had given Lexi the headband forever ago when she found it in some baby stuff. I went and fished it out of her room this morning and took a picture of Simon wearing it just to compare. Already at 4 1/2 months his face is chunkier than hers was at 7 but they look so darn identical! Sorry Simon but I just had to do it!

I'm the Worst Mom!!!!!

I can't believe that I forgot today was early out! I was doing so good this morning. I was able to get 7 kids and myself all ready and out the door on time today. Everyone was on time for school and I was helping Dirk at work. I told Dirk that I had to pick up our nephew Connor at the same time that I had to pick up Lexi from school so he volunteered to get Lexi. While I was getting Connor our neighbor called Dirk and said Lexi was at her house and was a little shook up. She walked home from school all by herself and found the house empty! I am so glad that she thought to go to Sarah's house. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sarah for helping her out. I was so close to losing it when Dirk called me. I can't believe I forgot her!!! I am a horrible mom! She was still so upset when I got home. She kept saying, "I couldn't find you Mom and I was scared." I just want to cry! I promise Lex that I will NEVER do that again!

Thankful Thursday

1. Tuesday and Thursday Mornings-These are some of the busiest mornings with the best reward. After Lexi heads off to Kindergarten we get to take Rayden to Preschool. That leaves just me and Simon home alone for two hours. I am so thankful that I get this time to spend with my baby. One of my concerns on having a 3rd baby was not being able to spend as much time with him as I did with the other 2. These hours alone are so precious to me! He is getting big so fast and I love being able to sit back and play with him! He does sometimes sleep during this time but we have so much fun together when he is awake. Sorry Hun but the dishes can wait!

2. Little Helpers-Yesterday I decided that I needed to get down on my hands and knees and give the floors a good scrubbing! Those of you who have been in my house know that the entire first floor is either wood or tile except for the two bedrooms. It takes me a good couple of hours or more to scrub the floors! My sweet little Lexi decided to help me. She went and got 2 brooms and first helped me sweep then she got me rags and the bottle of floor cleaner. She was so cute helping me spray and then wipe away the dirt. So to my beautiful little helper, THANK YOU!

3. Early Starts-I have such a wonderful outlook for the day. Since school started last week I have been getting up at 7am. This is pretty early for me. I usually stay up late and get up late but I fear those days are over for awhile. Here I sit at 9am fully showered and dressed. Two of my kids are learning lots at school and the baby is fed, dressed, and taking a cat nap! I've already been for a walk and now I am sitting down in the peace to a bowl of Raisin Bran and a cold glass of orange juice. I feel great and am thankful for everything at this moment in time!

Ray's First Day

If you had asked me two weeks ago whether or not Rayden was excited about school I would have said he didn't want to go. He never would talk about school and he would get his grumpy face on if you tried. Then we went backpack shopping. He had a heyday going through all of them and picking out his perfect backpack. He LOVES his Spiderman! He got even more excited when we took Lexi to her first day. I think he kinda missed her around the house in the morning. He still didn't seem super excited though. Lexi always gets so excited that it almost makes me want to grab a hold of her and make her stay young for a little longer but with Ray he just didn't seem to care if school started or not. That has made me feel more anxious for him to go and learn! Yesterday morning we set off to school and he was actually excited to go. On our walk there he did have one request, "Mom, you will come inside with me, right?" How can you turn that down when he is looking at you with those big blue eyes full of worry? I couldn't so I told him that of course I would come in. He was the first kid to show up with his friend Alyssa close behind. They walked in together. Ray went right over to his cubby and showed me the bee there that marks his spot. He hung up his coat and backpack and stood there for a second like he wasn't sure what to do next. Teacher Billye Sue came in with play dough and I had lost him! I was no longer needed so I made my way out the door.

I feel so old now! When did I get old enough to have two school aged kids?! The house is empty without all that noise. Simon actually took a nap longer then 20 minutes while Lex and Ray were gone!

When I picked Rayden up he couldn't stop telling me about school. He loved it! He played with play dough and cut it up into shapes. They read a story about a mouse who went to school and went downstairs to play. He played with the cars! They also made cookies that he couldn't wait to go home and eat. The first thing he asked though when I picked him up was if we were going to go to the park. Hmmm....I guess he remembers last year when we stopped at the park everyday after picking Lexi up. We of course stuck with tradition and stayed to play. Ray had a bonus though of having two friends stay and play with him, Allie and Cole. He didn't complain when it was time to go and get Lexi from school. He is excited to go back to school tomorrow!