Busted!

I catch my kids doing some of the strangest things sometimes but I guess that's why they are kids.  They sure keep things interesting! 

Here's Aylee and Malekai discovering that batteries on your tongue is addicting even if it does hurt a bit.

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Here they are again playing pirate ship...how do they come up with these things!

Somebody gave Damon an oreo..were was I on that one?!

Look how happy he was though!  I'd say it was worth it!

And for some reason, Damon and Malekae had the same expression in two different

pictures.  Excuse thier nakedness!

 Its so fun to catch them doing crazy things...it makes me want to be a kid again.  So FUN!

Tiny Miracles

I've been debating on whether to or not to share my "tiny miracle"  mostly because a personal experience might sound silly to someone who wasn't there or feeling the same things I was but I have finally decided that I should record even my tiniest of miracles so that I can always recognize the many blessings I receive daily.  So here it goes...

It was last Wednesday night,  the rain, lightening, and thunder were full force and Andrew was still out of town and not expected back until Thursday night around six.  I had another one of those days and was unraveling into quite a mess (this happens frequently).  I got the kids into bed and despite my exhaustion, decided I better kneel to pray before collapsing into my inviting bed!  I tearfully expressed my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for Andrew and told Him how much I loved and missed him.  I felt prompted to ask for his safe return home even though it wasn't until the next night and then ended my prayer and jumped into bed.  It wasn't an hour later that to my surprise Andrew arrived home safe and sound.  It was a strange feeling  but I knew that Heavenly Father heard and answered my prayer, a lot faster than I had expected.  He explained that the didn't have enough work for a full day on Thursday so he and his co-worker headed back to St. George even amidst the storm.  Although it may seem silly to others, or even appear to be coincidence, to me it strengthened my testimony of prayer and also reminded me of my divinity and worth.  I know that Heavenly Father loves me!

This Too Shall Pass

It seems like Andrew is out of town all of the time!  If it's not for young mens its work.  I miss him a lot and I am running out of patience with the kids.  Malekai is having such a hard time letting me know what he wants (I can't make out the words he's saying..they all sound the same) so he hits and throws tantrums and screams a shriek like girl scream that can pierce just about anybody's ears.   Oh..so delightful.

Aylee loves to tell me what she can and can't do.  If I ask her not to do something she will shoot back with a comment like "I'm fine mom. I can make my own choices and do what I want to do."  If that doesn't add fuel to the fire!  It's aggravating how things that I teach her backfire.  I did teach her that she has to make her own choices and that she has to choose to do the right or wrong thing but I guess she's not understanding the consequence to every action part.

Oh, and when did reading scriptures and praying become such a chore?  I'm wondering if this is what people mean when they say its hard to do.  I always thought it was because you didn't always understand what you were reading and didn't always get answers to your prayers right away but apparently it is actually hard open your scriptures even to read only one verse and to kneel down, dig deep and express your deepest gratitudes to your Heavenly Father.  I'm also having a struggling knowing what I need help with to be able to ask Him for it.

Oh the humanity!

If it wasn't for sweet Damon I don't think I would be able to cope.  As I am battling the other kids, picking up, preparing meals etc...that sweet boy sits quietly and waits for his chance to be noticed and as I look over at him he gives me the biggest smile possible and looks at me with his loving eyes and reminds me why I chose this life!  I think it's Heavenly Father's way of reminding me how precious life really is.

Don't get me wrong, I do love ALL my kids!  I am struggling as I am trying to handle their different stages at the same and thats why I vent my frustrations but I do love them very very much.

I have a lot of work to do...with myself but I know that I can get through this and that my Heavenly Father will be there for me through it all.  I must remember......"This too shall pass."

Smell the Roses

Summer is coming to an end and I have to figure out what to do with Aylee. She misses the kindergarten deadline and is going to have to watch her friends leave her behind.  I am planning to do preschool again but how many days will keep her busy enough?

  The hard part is not paying a fortune just to occupy a little girl. She has been loving gymnastics which is another issue.  Do I keep her in or take her out for the school year?  Decisions, decisions!  Other than preschool, Aylee has really been such a good helper and girl lately.  She constantly reminds me of what things let Jesus be in her heart and what actions let Satan be in our hearts. She has really been a so kind and loving to her brothers.  She makes Damon's bottles now and gets Malekai sippy's constantly.  She doesn't like to see her brothers sad and is always willing to share her toys just to keep them happy.  She really is turning into a peacemaker!

Malekai is a handful.  If he's not pulling everything out of the closet or cupboard he is painting the stairs or something crazy like that. What am I to do with that kid?

If he's not getting into trouble, Malekai is playing in the water.  I can't tell you how many times he's jumped into the bathtub with his clothes on.  His favorite has got to be to jump in with his church clothes on.  I'm learning I have to bathe him last to avoid this problem although he usually finds other ways to drench himself like squirting the water bottle in his face or letting the contents of his sippy dribble out of his mouth soaking his shirt.  As much as this kid does this, I can't help but to realize how cute he is because he usually pulls some adorable face that can soften any anger which lets him get away with too much I'm sure!

Damon is growing like a weed.  He is such a good baby.  He's learned that I don't have much time to give him all the attention in the world even if I want to and he is so good to wait for his time with mommy.  He is a precious little boy.

I really am blessed to have the kids that I have.  They are such sweet things!  I love to watch them learn and grow and especially make good choices!  I wish that I could always remember how special they are instead of getting frustrated because they don't learn as fast as I want them to.  I need to remember that life is NOT a race!  I need to take time to smell the roses!

Grand Grandma B's House

Over the fourth of July we had the chance to go to "Grand Grandma Bischoff's" farm.  Yes she does like to be called grand grandma rather than great grandma.  It's kinda cute if you ask me to hear the kids refer to her as that.  It is always a breath of fresh air to visit Geneva.  We got to see Aunts and Uncles that we only see like once a year and that's if we are lucky. 

Andrew and Ryan someone became the designated entertainers and fireworks show coordinators.  Although we missed Ryan this year as he is gone on his mission...the show had to go on!  Andrew with the help of dad and Uncle Daren put on the show this year.  It was so fun!  We did resolve to  keep the fireworks on the ground this year since last year the boys almost destroyed the towns crops and livelihood by shooting them off in the air and having the wind take hold of them and send them soaring in all directions!

As always grand grandma asked me if I brought her pictures of the grandkids and I, once again said no.  I proceeded to tell her that I don't even have up to date pictures of my kids for myself and she responded with  "well when you take some pictures for me don't forget to make a couple of copies for you to keep!"  Yes, I was ROASTED!  So thanks to grandma B. I got on the ball and took some pictures of my kids.  I made the frames myself because they can get so expensive especially for odd sizes.  So these are the pictures I took of them and then the frames that I made for them.  Thanks Grand Grandma!

I really really want to be able to get our yard put together.  It is taking so long to get everything done in our home that I want to but it is coming a long.  I try to be creative but that usually turns into a really cool piece of furniture that doesn't match anything in the entire house.  Maybe someday I can make creations to fit!

I suppose I should get things accomplished today i.e. clean house, fold laundry etc.  It seems to never end and frankly I am tired of it.  How to people stay motivated to clean? Anyone?  Maybe someday I'll find a solution for that too.

I'm Back

Okay I know its been a while but I got another burst of motivation to keep my blog updated.  We recently had a relief society night on journal keeping and I've decided this is the best way to keep a record of our lives and incorporate pictures as well.  It's my scrapbook/journal and I'm going to call that good!

So Andrew finally talked me into getting a dog....aaahhh!  I'm not an animal lover and especially don't want an animal at my house but the kids and Andrew all love the Roscoe so I guess I'll be okay.

I'm not sure where to begin becuase playing catch up is just too hard so I'll start with a few things that have happened recently.  

Andrew took Malekai to the father and sons outing and they had a blast.  Andrew went with a friend that has a son the same age as Malekai and it sounds like they really had a good time together.  They sure came home dirty so I guess they found the dirt!

We got to visit mom and dad Stevens in California a couple weekends ago.  The car ride was surprisingly pleasant.  The kids did great and found several silly activities to keep themselves busy!

These are their kids meal toys!  Haha! I thought it was so funny to turn around and see them hanging out with their glasses on!

While visiting we also got to go to Lake Isabella.  It was so fun!  We were able to rent a boat and cruise around the lake.  Grandpa got out the fishing pole but had no luck catching anything! Tess jumped in the water and said it was nice so I thought I take a plunge for a nice swim also.  Needless to say the water was ice cold and I could barely catch my breath to make it to the rocks we jumped off.  Can we say FREEZING!  I'm not sure what Tess was thinking but it was not nice!

Malekai sure loved it though.  He is so funny in the water.  He would swim all day and take about 10 baths if I would let him.  I frequently catch him soaked from the spray bottle he found or dog bowl that he has played in.  What a twerp!

Damon is growing up fast.  He is seven months old now.  I can hardly believe it.  Time is flying by but it is getting easier to enjoy life.  For a while there I felt that every waking moment was going to make me lose it but somehow I made it through and am able to enjoy the time I have with the kids before they get all grown up!

I'm realizing as I am trying to find pictures to post that I need to take more pictures of the kids but that is just a side note for myself!

And speaking of getting all grown up..Aylee is changing every day.  Learning new things and understanding tough concepts.  Her latest topic of interest is Satan and Heavenly Father.  I find it difficult sometimes to explain things to her but somehow she takes what I say and makes it so simple.  She has said that "if I am naughty I have to live with Satan and be a ghost forever but if I am good I get to live with Heavenly Father and keep my body...I don't want to be a ghost, that's scary!"  Hmm...smarty pants!

Well I will be working on journaling/scrapbooking/blogging and hopefully there will be many frequently posted posts!