My little sister

My little sister came to visit us yesterday with her boyfriend, Cody. WE had so much fun! Cody wrestled and played with the girls. It was fun to get to know him. When I got home from church, we all hopped in the car and went to Cabela's. That store rocks! It's like visiting the outdoors, a museum, and a store all in one. Very cool. If you've never been, I suggest checking it out. When we came home we had a nice Sunday dinner. Pork roast, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, and rolls. YUMMY! After dinner we went to an ampitheater here by us and took some cool pictures. It would be a fabulous place to have our family pictures done. Annie wanted to have some pictures to do a scrapbook of her and Cody. It was freezing cold outside. We needed our coats! When we got home, we had some of the homemade oreo cookies that Annie made for us, and then sent them on their way. It's hard to live away from my family, but it sure is fun when they come to visit.

Leaves are falling all around

Our back yard is covered in leaves. It's going to take us hours to pick them all up and bag them. The mountains don't have any leaves anymore. Winter is almost here. I can't believe that Christmas is only a few months away. All three of my families have started drawing names so that we can begin our shopping. It seems like yesterday that it was July and we were watching fireworks. Time goes by so fast. (does that mean I'm having fun??) So, last weekend when my mom and grandma came they brought me some decorations. Fall leaves, gourds, colored corn, and pretend apples to put in a basket on my little bench. I decided to make it my little studio. For Christmas I'm going to make Mikaela's mom a cd with all the pictures that I've taken of Mikaela throughout the year. They turned out cute eh?

Busy, busy, Busy

Yesterday, grandpa came to spend the night with us. He brought his dog, Cricket, and a blueberry pie. *yummy* He also brought a package from Grandma with all sorts of fun things. The girls each got a trick-or-treat bag filled with Halloween socks, candy, and games. And what do you know? A new orange sweater just for me. I can't wait to wear it. Before bedtime, the girls hopped in bed by grandpa and gave him hugs and kisses so he could have sweet dreams.
We have been busy doing fun fall stuff. We decided to paint our pumpkins this year. It was fun.. and messy. Abby had her first real field trip last week, and I got to go. My friend, Jamie, watched Emma and Mikaela for me. I got to ride the bus and everything. It was fun. We went to pumpkinland. There was a corn maze, animals, playland, and a light alley. When we were finished, each child got to pick out their own pumpkin. It was super fun. Abby especially loved sticking her head in all these things. We had a great time and it was good for me to be able to spend time with just Abby. Okay, I take that back. I was in charge of 4 other kids, but Abby felt pretty cool having her mom there and her sisters weren't there to take away her glory.
The clown fits her well. Don't you think???

The fun just never stops

I have had a crazy life the past few days. On Wednesday, Tayvens mom called and told me that she wasn't going to be bringing him anymore. She made a few excuses, but I know the real reason is because Emma scratched him. My life will be a little less hectic, but we need the money. Thus begins my quest for a new child to tend. Emma hasn't scratched anyone since, so maybe I scared her enough that we're done with that. I was on the phone yesterday and went upstairs to get something and when I came back down, Emma had found her big sisters scissors and had cut her bangs clear to the top of her head. She looks ridiculous. It could've been worse, and I knew it, but I still had to freak out and let her know that it was not acceptable. Then today I was getting ready for the day. (make-up, hair, etc.) Her and Kaydien, (another little boy I tend) said they were going to play in the playroom. After about ten minutes, I go downstairs to check on them and Emma had gotten into a brand new box of cheerio's and they were spread from one end of the basement to the next. I feel like I am losing my mind! I do not know what to do with this child. I took her on a "date" last night, thinking that maybe she just needed some attention. Didn't work I guess. Maybe she needs T's memo, but I doubt she'd listen either!

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Visitors

Tonight my mom and grandma are coming to spend the weekend. I am so excited for that. Nobody ever really visits us, and it will be a welcome break for me. Tomorrow my church is doing a super Saturday. Basically, that is where all the women get together and do fun crafty things like paint, quilt, sew, and have lunch. They have a nursery provided for the little kids, so my kids will be occupied from 9-1. I ordered some new embroidery patterns. I'm excited about doing those. Tomorrow night Ray is going to watch the girls. The big girls are going to go to a movie. Then on Sunday, my girls are in a primary program. They have parts that they've memorized and everything. It will be fun for them to have their grandma's there to watch them. It should be a fun weekend.

Does anyone else have anything interesting going on???

Love Thy Neighbor

As bad as our world can be sometimes, if you pay attention there are all sorts of good things going on too. I have awesome neighbors. They are so friendly and always willing to share what they have. Today our neighbor across the street from us brought us a whole big grocery sack full of yellow apples. They are so yummy! We don't know them super well. They are an older couple with grandkids. Glenda and Herbie are their names. Glenda tells me sometimes of how she watches my kids out the window. She laughs at all the struggles I have and remembers how her kids used to do the same things. They watch our house for us when we are away, or just when I am off taking the kids to school. Glenda has had to come several times to shut the front door because one of us forgot. Two weeks ago our neighbors, Brent and Noreen, had planned to put a couch they got from a friend down in their basement. When they learned it wouldn't fit, Brent came and asked me if we wanted it or knew anyone who did. The couch we had was old and worn. This one is in great shape and even has a hide-a-bed. Jack and Idona Barnes are another couple in our church who I just love. They remind me of my great grandparents. They have an awesome garden. They planted quite a few tomato plants and have been so willing to share them with our family. I LOVE tomatoes. Their generosity has fed our family many tomato sandwiches and lots of homemade salsa. We've gotten peas, peaches and all sorts of good stuff from other neighbors. I just feel so blessed to live around such giving people. Just when I start thinking how bad things are and how rotten people can be, someone shows an act of kindness and reminds me that the world isn't so bad and that there really are angels among us!

Terrible three's

Why is it that when it comes to age, two year olds get a bad rep? I have never had problems with my two year olds. My trial begins when they are three. At least when they are two they are still little enough that they don't know they are doing something wrong, or at least don't quite understand the consequences. Emma, it seems, turned into a monster about the time she was turning three. She is always scratching and pinching everyone. Today she scratched Tayvens face. (he's one of the little boys I tend.) His mom was pretty upset, which I don't blame her. I'm pretty upset about it too. The two older princesses have scars from their encounters with their little sister. I just have no idea how to stop her. She even does it to her dad and to me. Spanking, time outs, long talks, and threats have not solved the issue. If she keeps doing it, Tayven's mom will stop bringing him. The most frustrating thing is that most of the time she is a sweetheart. I don't know what could be bringing out this naughty side of her. Is it just her age? Whatever it is, she's not going to like the consequence that happens next time she does it. I'm going to scratch her back and I won't be nice about it. We'll see if that tames the little beast!

Blowing Some Smoke

This morning my littlest princess, Emma, woke up at 7:30. She came into my room and crawled into bed with me. She wrapped her little arms around my neck and said, "I'm fweezin." We cuddled under the blanket for a minute to get warm. We had only just begun to get cozy when she says to me, "mom, I hear the garbage truck." I knew it was only the road construction, but today was garbage day and I never know quite for sure when they are coming. Sometimes it's 8:00, sometimes later. I crawled out from under my warm blanket and put my shoes on. "Whatcha doin mom?" I explain to her that it is garbage day and we need to take the garbage cans to the road. "I want to help!" We zipped her coat up, and put her Clifford the Big Red Dog slippers on and went outside. You know those moments when your child does something so cute and for a moment you just get this overwhelming feeling of joy and you could just squeeze them, never wanting to let go. This was one of those moments. As I pulled the garbage cans out, she grabbed onto the handle and helped me pull it all the way out to the street. On the way back into the house I chased her and picked her up. We were looking at the snow on the mountains and she starts giggling and says, "look, I'n blowin smoke." It was so cold outside you could see your breath. It continually amazes me how things are so fascinating when they're viewed from the eyes of a child. I wish moments like those were like the ground when it snows. It freezes and nothing changes. It makes me want to slow down, not be so busy and worried about having a clean house, or the errands that need to be done. I wonder how many things I miss because I let other, less important, things get in the way. I need to pay more attention, be more aware, because then I wouldn't have to wonder. I would know, and I'd be ever so grateful that I didn't let it pass me by.

Is it December?

It was freezing cold here yesterday. It rained all day. I think that fall lasted two whole weeks. It wasn't too long ago that I looked up and saw all the red leaves. After yesterday, I can't see any leaves at all because there is snow covering the mountains. SNOW! Holy cow. That means, unless it warms up, that winter will be at least 6 months long. We pulled out all of our winter coats last night and I had to go buy my oldest princess a new coat because all of a sudden she went from a size 6x to a size 8/10. How and when did that happen? I can't believe how fast they grow and it's right before your eyes. We had a fun time picking one out. She ended up picking one that is two zipped together. The inside of it is fleece all over, so she should be nice and toasty when she goes out to recess. Today I am going to buy another tote for all of their summer clothes. My toes are cold, and I had to turn up the heat. I think I will go write Santa Claus now. Maybe I will ask him for summer. *hee, hee*

BUT MOM... I REALLY GOTTA PEE!

We were out shopping tonight for the girls' halloween costumes. We were almost finished when Abby came to me telling me she had to pee. "Okay, just a minute.." which usually is fine. I continue to help Whitney pull her costume off to put it back on the hanger and all of a sudden I hear this sad little cry and here comes Abb with a trail of pee behind her. I felt so bad. I could tell she was so embarrassed. Luckily, my hubby was with her and took her out to the van. On the way home, it was late, and so the three of them fell asleep. When I woke Abby up, she started just crying. I didn't know if it was because she was wet, or just sleepy. Turns out it was neither. She said that she was sad and embarrassed because the people at the store were laughing at her. I didn't see anybody, but it must have been horrible for her. She's never done that in her life, but next time I don't think I'll tell her to wait a minute. For her sake and mine...