Moving and School!

The girls and I have been a bit fatigued lately; moving day--or week--came and went only one short week ago. The girls have learned how to hide in little corners of large spacious cabinets, only to have their child like mansion invaded by pots, pans, cereal, and noodles. Nevertheless, they always find a way to clear their tiny dens for some cozy sitting room, leaving me even more fatigued than they look below. My Lydia has decided that naps are overrated--following the steps of her brothers who both decided that shortly after the age of two, they were "grown-up" and in spite of tantrums and fits, her desire, stated plainly as "I wanna' say up" far exceeds her need to rest her little mind and body. I do not fight her...I simply find that a routine car ride will give her just enough of a break from this chaotic life to deal with another few hours before her long break ensues with night fall.

Maya, my growing baby, loves to nap...

Momma' loves Maya!!!

The first two things we focused on upon moving in were

1. Hanging our favorite painting...always a #1 in our opinion

and

2. Getting the kitchen in working order. So far, over the last week we have had take out pizza, chicken nuggets and fries (with our treasured smurf toys!), Sonic soft drinks, slushes, grilled cheese and corn dogs, and movie theater popcorn. You might say the working kitchen has been worthless for us, but we indeed have baked cake and brownies!!! I am now of the mind that a family in transition with a major move and lots of little kids is a family in need of meals...I will remember this the next time I hear of a family moving.

But it's a lovely kitchen, I'd say! It took a day and a half to unpack and get it in order...that is record timing for me!

The move looked kinda like this from my view every day on moving week--two to three times a day! Steve and I took a great deal of work on our own shoulders in order to lessen the load on the Elder's Quorum who met us on Saturday. I was delightfully pleased when one man from our ward thanked me for having been so prepared with this move. He claimed it was the best move he has seen yet with how prepared we were...how ready we were. I felt relief as I heard those kind words...knowing that our hard work day after day after day was recognized.

I was proud to see the young fella's working so hard...and having fun while at it!

And wouldn't ya' know...the first day of school was the second day of moving week! But...for the first time in my children's schooling years, they attended the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! I nearly cried as I brought them into the classroom. My heart was sad to see them go, but my tears were falling because my sleep deprived Lydia stood in Aiden's classroom screaming at the top of her squealish lungs because, for some odd reason, she felt like she was being left at school. The teacher looked at me in concern as I tried to hug my Angel Aiden goodbye. He was frightened; he looked at me, his eyes grew wide in fear as his arms laid at his body's side and his hands drew their palms forward--tears swelled up in his big blue eyes as he said, "What do I do Mom?" I looked to the teacher for direction and could only hug him and tell him to follow his teacher's lead.

Connor, this year, was confident as ever. He has a fabulous teacher who seems to have an enthusiasm for teaching. I went to the Open House on the second night of school. I raced my boys down the side walk...passing every parent and child pair as we ran! It was so much fun; the boys begged me to stay at the school with them longer--to run and play!

Yes, dear Aiden begged me to take them to school on the first day...he was fearful of how to get to his classroom!

And on the second day, his same big blue eyes swelled with tears as he begged me to take him again. I reassured him that Connor would be with him and had Connor commit to walking Aiden to class. Connor, being the good boy he is, was happy to help his little brother!

And on the 8th day of school, Aiden was helping me unpack some boxes and ended up with another corneal abrasion; he has been home since...healing. For some reason, my baby's eyes are a major source of trial for him; perhaps he has eyes that can "see" and will see many great and marvelous things!

Lydia misses her brothers when they are gone. We allowed her to stay up late with them, playing in the boys bedroom tonight. She walked out, timid and sweet, with two built mini Lego people in her hands, stating, "I like to play!". Yes, little princess, you like to play, but you especially like to play with your brother's; I believe you will be very influential in their lives as they learn to respect and honor the girls in their lives....they love you so very much!

My baby is growing up! My short little Maya walked with me to the bus stop today, asserting her little feet every step of the way! This gal is a handful! Shew ate my deodorant tonight...and then vomited a mouthful only seconds after consuming it! Never a dull moment!

The Love of A Sister...and A Brother

My children bring so much joy into my life...

The also are asking the gray hairs to come out!

Maya quickly found her way into every nook and corner of this house as soon as we moved in and started packing things away...

Then things slowly started coming out of the cabinets.

See, gray hairs.

I was asking the assistance of the kids this afternoon as I tried to organize and sort items in our sardine packed garage. These kids...every one of them, were put to work, and they loved it. They boys were red faced after their mile bike ride up the hill from the bus stop to our house. They kept their backpacks on as they admired the garage and all of their toys...semi organized, but ready for little hands to attack each piece, misplace the contents of the stuffed boxes and tubs, and find ways to place smiles on each little face as well.

They saw me fast at work, hauling items from the garage to the shed...in the back of the house. The boys quickly begged for a job...so i put them to work. Then Miss Lydia walked in her brother's footsteps, and screamed to have a job....so, again, I put her to work! The boys hauled paint buckets and tools to the shed while Miss Lydia had the privilege of taking sponges! She noticed her "light duty" was nothing compared to her brothers and thew down the sponges as she then grabbed the "grass catcher" from the lawn mower and walked three courageous steps and said, "Iss too heafy!" I laughed and told her to go get her sponges; she retrieved them and fulfilled her duties!

When I was walking around the house towards the back, I saw Connor and Miss Lydia turning the corner to come to the front of the house. Connor had his hand around Miss Lydia's shoulders and was bending down to give her a little kiss...on her binky! Lydia's face was so admiring and Connor's smile was so tender and loving. My heart witnessed such sweet sibling love.

Moments later My Maya walked around me...you see, she was in heaven freely roaming back and forth after her siblings, from the front, to the back...over and over. Mommy was allowing her to be free, and she showed her appreciation; I was bent over pulling a few small weeds I happened to notice on one of my trips to the front of the house. My Maya was sneaking up behind me when I noticed her tiny hand brushing my skin. She then came face to face with me and said, "Mmmmm....MA" which is what she says as she is about to kiss you, and I received a few sweet kisses before she walked away, happy as can be.

I'm thinking things are changing for the good...and everyone is feeling it!

Date Night!

Steve and I were lucky enough to have a date...afternoon, not quite a date night. It was good. Though, like anything in our life, the plans didn't pan out the way we intended. You see, we had a scheduled afternoon to ride the rail runner up at 2:12pm, walk the streets downtown, catch a bite to eat, see the final Harry Potter movie, and wait at the train station while holding hands (had to add a little romance in) for the train which was to take us back to our destination at 6:45pm.

On the way to the train station, Mrs.Frugality here decided to ask her husband if he was interested in stopping for snacks at the gas station. Her husband said perhaps the grocery store would be okay...but no, they both decided the gas station would be a quick stop! Never go off course...it only ruins your "plans"! We stopped at the gas station, waited several minutes for the lone cashier to trouble shoot her prior customer, and then another 30 seconds for her to read the fine print of a coupon I presented to her (see Mrs.Frugality!), and then I said, "We're kinda in a hurry...". We purchased our items and quickly ran outside and into the car.

When we arrived at the train station, Steve pulled in front of the tracks...and barely parked the car off the tail end of the last rail. He asked...no, told...me to jump out and tell then to STOP. I got out and slowly began to sit back in the car as I heard the train's whistle sound it's final tune. We missed the train. Darn!

But we still had such a fun time...playing pac-man at the pizza restaurant we ended up at.

Taking goofy pics!

Laughing!

And, of course, posing for my star crossed lover! HA!

This came after a cute little pose I couldn't maintain for his slow moving fingers...there were too many eyes watching. Mrs. Frugality is also Mrs. Conservative!

When a House is a Home

I consider the last 9 months of our life here in this home a blessing indeed. It has been intertwined with happiness and laughter, sorrow and disappointment, and even some pride with subsequent humility--all of the natural spiritual growth cycles we face in life.

We learned here that Miss Maya faces a childhood of daily antibiotics, that carrying water for a family of six is quite a process (for Mommy, that is), and that a kitchen will never be completely clean until the children are completely grown!

We found that warmth beside a fire place requires an aesthetically pleasing chair for Mommy and a cozy rocker for Daddy, and that fine art can say more than the picture itself when you dive into the emotions it instills in the owner or the hands which painted it's strokes.

We realized that happiness can begin anew each day by allowing "light" into the home--the light of the world, and the light of good righteous living!

We concluded that the boys are just fine in the smallest room of the house...the only care about having fun day...after day...after day!

And we learned that the girls NEED darkening shades to rest well. They also were given the biggest rooms of the house...one for each! They will be in for a small surprise next week!

We remembered how wonderful it is to walk into our spare bedroom (also Maya's room for a short while) and feel so close to our Baby Shane as we are wrapped in memories of him.

I am sad to be leaving, but excited to move into the next phase of life...in hopes that doors will be and remain open, hearts will stay soft and workable, and life will be a clean slate for memories to be made and dreams to come true.

Connor is 8!!!

Well, I'm only a day shy of a month...but it's better late then never! Our Beautiful Connor turned eight on July 5th. He has looked forward to this Birthday for years--first, because he will be baptized this year, and second, because it's the year that Cars 2 would be released!

We asked him where he wanted to eat, and he said, Applebees; of course, anyone who knows Connor well understands the deep meaning behind choosing Applebees for a Birthday meal.

Daddy did some last minute Birthday shopping while we waited in the car...

And then we had a very quiet celebration at home...in honor of sweet Connor!

Connor reminds me of a stripling warrior...always has. He is humble, kind, true, compassionate, and so very loving. It is my prayer that he uses this year to dive into righteousness...to truly make choices that will bring happiness to him and his Father in Heaven.

We love you Connor Dude!

Life Saving Secrets

It is clear as day that goldfish are a morning staple in the house when:

Your 14 month old daughter seems to find her "goldfish" cup (the one we take in the jogger every morning) and brings it to you, begging with an "uh-uh-uhhh", for it to be filled with the giant box of extra cheddar goldfish on the kitchen counter.

The girls DO eat breakfast every morning...but I would be lying if I said it wasn't preceded, or followed, by a large cup of goldfish and some ice cold water. For Mothers curious of some life saving secrets--this is the only way I get the girls to peacefully survive our morning runs in the jogger! I'd be lying again if I said I didn't eat a handful myself...every morning!

Lydia and Jesus...More Ordinary than not!

My Little Lydia walked with me in the bedroom the other day as I sang this beautiful song at the top of my lungs. I have been caught doing this...you can go HERE for an example of my silly singing stories. On this day , however, it was just me and Lydia. Recently having learned every line and transition of this soul searing song, I sang with my heart. Lydia walked nearby, in my high heels, and said, "Jesus, yes Jesus...do you want to walk? Do you want to exercise? (as she tried to manipulate her little body in high heels up onto the elliptical) Yes, Jesus!" I have never heard her speak with Jesus in play...outside of prayer. It was special. I am convinced that as we DO what is right, in word and deed, and as we emulate who the Savior is in our very countenance, we can better "walk" with the Savior and prepare our children to do so as well.