Perspective

So, I hardly posted my miss the boat post so people could post how wonderful I was doing! But thanks...you're too kind. There is no doubt that each day I mess up, usually the same thing over again! But I'll keep trying. I do feel like a better person today than I was six months ago, so that is progress!

We had a great weekend in Canada with Nate's fam for his baby brother's missionary farewell. Can't believe he's old enough...stinking kid was 8 when I married Nate. Does that mean I'm aging...ALOT? He's the cutest...such a good kid. The kids love him and I'm so proud of him...what a good example!

All of Nate's siblings/spouses(minus Cheryl) got to attend a temple session. It was pretty awesome to look around and see an entire family there because family is the point of this all. I have had my struggles with Nate's fam, and I still struggle with my own wretched ability to be honery sometimes. But it was nice to see them in the temple, and know that we are a family forever. I am grateful they've given me a chance, and that we've formed a mutual respect and love for each other. Some things take time...but are SO worth the effort! Love you guys.

A quick shout to my sweet family. I see such powerful spirits in my young children. They have a special purpose here, and I'm overwhelmed and grateful to be able to help direct their lives. The sound of Kenna's naughty giggle makes me laugh at the thought of it. Avery is my sunshine...so pleasant and happy you take for granted she's around. Eli is the spice of life. Everything is MUCH more potent when he's around, but so much more entertaining and fun. Oh....my handsome Kolbe. His quirky half smile, his love of strange facts, and his calm, laid-back personality reaffirm just why I 'chose' him to be mine! And lastly....I love my sweet husband. I have truly learned what a good man he is. I know I'm the weight around his ankles...but I'm glad he patiently pulls me along.

I have a blessed life. I love my family and I'm thankful for the blessings of each day. I am thankful for every experience. I am thankful for my mom and dad. And I love my siblings. There is a perspective in my life that brings calm to struggles...peace to trials, and happiness in everthing. I am thankful for what I've been given!

Just FYI

So, we've moved Kenna's baptism from this weekend to next. Not sure, but I believe its Saturday @ 2 pm, the 14th. That's what we're aiming for, just have to confirm we can have the church.

Thanks for everyone's support...we hope this works out well for everyone. Cause Kenna wants all her friends and family to be able to make it...

Do you ever feel like you've missed the boat

and then you seemingly miss it again? I just feel like I can't seem to get this mommy-hood thing right. I'm too busy. Too crabby. And I find myself feeling guilty every night for moments of impatience and irritability. Why is it that my most important job keeps coming in second to the busy work of life? How does one make time for books and cookies when there is work, laundry, and thousands of things on my TO-DO list? I am feeling like a failure tonight. When I rocked Eli to sleep, and then stared at his sweet face, lips all pooched out, all I can think of is the moments I missed today when I could have stolen endless kisses. And how do you motivate your kids to work when they are best at avoiding it? Because I fail....miserabely. And say things like, 'don't be lazy...do it right!' then worry I've branded them 'lazy'. Okay...so I'm rambling. But tonight I find myself feeling like motherhood is so much harder than anything else. I have got to balance things better so I don't turn around and my house is clean, but my kids are grown, and remembering their crabby crabby mommy! UGh......depressing.

WHaaaaaaaaaahhhhh....

As far as the actual baptism goes, I'm very excited and proud of my beautiful girl. But...what is the rush to grow up? You know, I made each of my children promise they would stay my babies forever but there isn't one of them who's making good on it! Kenna is beautiful and kind. She is so much of a little mommy already, complete with nerves and worrying! She was a bit anxious for her baptism interview with the bishop tonight...thought she might want mom there with her. But, we went for icecream tonight, just she and I, and she very cutely explained the questions he asked, and what her answers were. "Mostly I said 'ya' mom!" And she bore her sweet testimony of the Holy Ghost! I love her...and, its official, she passed! So, her baptism is next Friday. I'm gonna have to figure out how to keep them small some how...it is wonderful to see them make certain committments, like baptism. But, I think I could be happy freezing time.....

before I forget...

Tomorrow, Friday May 22nd, is a big day! My little brother, who I am SUPER proud of, is taking his MCAT tomorrow. Now, I know that he's gonna rock the test, because he's prepared for it and worked his nerdy butt off in college.
Seriously Willis....love you more than life! I'm incredibly proud of you, your life, your family and your choices! You deserve it all....so good luck! I'm praying for you!!!

"Don't" is just a dare....

I went visiting teaching yesterday to my friend Suzette's house. She is super gracious to allow me with my two crazies, and my companion with her 3 crazies, to come into her house....

She had puzzles all set out for the kids...and everyone but Eli was happy with that. But she also has a parakeet. Eli was daring the poor little thing...and of course, we said "Eli, don't put your finger in the cage...it will bite!" So, he looked at us, and stuck that finger in the cage. I can't stop laughing as I picture his face! He jumped a bit...his eyes got huge....and he said kinda goofy....."stupid burrrrd!" then hid behind the couch so he didn't have to see us laugh! Normally the word 'stupid' is not okay with me. But I couldn't help but laugh at him. This isn't the first time Toby's bitten him....and I'm sure not the last, because he's gotta keep trying to test the limits!

Stupid burrrrd!

Temple Trip

Not sure what Eli was doing here...looks like he's about to bite Nate's bum! Thanks to my favorite junior photographers for this pic!

Everything that's important to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoops....did this one twice!

Smelling the flowers! He was funny, alwasy unpredictable. I was worried he'd be ransacking the pretty flowerbeds. As it turns out, we couldn't get him to stop smelling them!

Checking out the inside of a tulip. So pretty and delicate!

Love my little monster!

Nate and I took the kids to Billings this weekend for a quick temple trip. The kids were thrilled because it meant motel with swimming pool for them. For a week, they packed and unpacked their things. Friday morning, it was no longer enough to have a swimming suit packed, Eli decided he had to wear it. So, he wore one on his bottom, and one on his head ALL day Friday! The waterslide was a hit....they swam way longer than I wanted to!

Mom and dad tended kids while Nate and I did a session on SAturday morning. BIG THANKS! Mom ended up going for a fully-clothed swim, as she had to fish Avery out of the pool! I forgot lifejackets...wooops! Mom stood at the base of the slide and grabbed kids as they came off, but Kolbe gave Avery a shove down the slide and mom had her back turned because she was getting Eli out and Avery flew past her into the pool. Mom said she tried to not panic Avery, and 'encourage' her to just swim...but after she bobbed twice and had the look of real panic, mom dove in! I'm giggling...because my mom showed up at the temple in sweats and a t-shirt, her only dry clothes! Apparently dad hurt his arm lunging for Eli as he dove in the deep end. I'm thinking the pool wasn't a good idea for grandparents with no swimming suits!

Nate and I had a very uneventful, very wonderful time at the temple. I am so thankful for each time we can return there and feel the peace of being where we should be. I love that place and the promise it holds for us. We walked the temple grounds afterwards, talking with the kids and looking at the beautiful flowers.

A perfect weekend, but I must set the record straight: Dad said to me a while back that mom doesn't snore anymore. WHATEVER!!!! She snores and moans and basically makes some awful noise from the time she lays down until she gets up! I think separate rooms await us next time!!!

Mushy Again!

So I realize I barely did a post on my sweet husband, but I've gotta do it again! For six years now Nate has been the Young Men's President. He served first in Miles City, and he absolutely loved those boys. When we moved here, he was apprehensive about which calling he'd receive, and he struggled when asked because he so sincerely loved those boys. But, just like we assumed, he stepped into this calling and fell into groove just like in Miles City. He has loved it to death. He genuinely cares about each kid...and so when we got a call two weeks ago that we needed to meet with the Stake Presidency...we knew change was coming. Its not like Nate doesn't fully intend to love his new calling...but this one was such a perfect fit! But, there are only a few 'perfect callings' and you can't have dibs on your perfect fit forever, right??? So, Nate has been called to be the ward clerk, which will be a huge change from the Young Men's program. But I'm thankful beyond words for his dedication to the gospel. He is amazing to me. And I am so thankful my children can see his example. They have been confused by his tears over being released...and I've tried to take the opportunities to tell them that tears mean daddy did what he was asked, he magnified his calling by loving it so much...and that he's going to do the same with this calling. It just will be on a much much quieter, more reverant assignment! Haaahhhaaa! I seriously love my husband so much. I am forever grateful that he's mine!

My mom

I feel like I have been blessed, as Nephi, with goodly parents. If I don't thank them enough, I'll do better. I'm glad to have today to celebrate my mom! No one within their right mind has ever had anything bad to say about my mom. How could they? My mother is the most compassionate, selfless, perfect example of service I have ever known. She works ridiculous hours to teach 3rd graders...willingly tutors anyone who straggles behind, even if they aren't her student. She tells the most outstanding tales to the kids of 'slit eyes' and 'saw tooth mountain'. My children love her more than any grandma is loved in this world! They all know her cell number and Kolbe and Kenna race to the phone to call her every morning before school, just to hear her voice. She goes out of her way to know my children individually...and the fact that my children love her so intensely is evidence of the person she is. My mom works to the point of exhaustion, every day. She is the reason I'm addicted to diet coke, and am incredibly fond of YORK mint patties. She is brave. She is constant. She is my dear friend, who I love with my entire heart! I want to be like my mom when I grow up. I want people to think of me as highly as they do her. I want people to recognize that I am Denise's daughter. I have made mistakes, but I hope to make my mother proud. She is the most beautiful mother in the world...love you mom! Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Cooties: Continued

Its Mother's Day! So, I am being hugely lazy! I am gonna sneak to sacrament with the older kids to listen to them sing, then I have to trade Nate so he can go for Young Men's. Eli's eyes are still disgusting. Today its in the other eye, which hopefully won't get as nasty since we've been treating it from the start. Have you ever heard of pink eye making your eyelids bleed? Yeah...poor kid. Last night after pinning him to put his meds in he was just crying so sad, and he said, 'mommy, you mean.' Stinking broke my heart! I had to go get the expensive meds today so hopefully we see some quick results or we have to make a trip to the ophthamologist tomorrow. Maybe we can sneak Nate into the same appointment-save myself a trip!!!

Drastic times....

call for drastic measures! I'm a huge germ phobe....its just a fact. But Eli has pink eye, which is DISGUSTING! I stayed home all day today, but I am a woman in dEsPERaTe need of an out tonight. So, since its Friday, I've got the serious itch to go to play ball in Vaughn...so how do I do that with a kiddo that has cooties? HEehheeEEE! This is my game plan! Its not contagious if you don't touch it....so, I'm covering it up! He actually prefers this(shocker) because he hates the fact he can't open it easily. I took him to the doc, got new eye drops(mine expired in 2006) and I think we're good to go. I'll just change the bandaid every time I put in drops and it should save me the yuck of everyone else getting it too! Yeah for me!!! Its just an added bonus that it makes me laugh my bum off!!!

"Fire powa!" Its from a commercial, apparently. But its cute! Dollar store shades...such a dude.

Kolbe's new glasses got here today. I think he looks very handsome. Very Bradley! But, very oLdER!!! That I don't love!

And, last but not least....the divas! Thank heavens for the dollar store. It has Kenna off my back about getting the sunglasses the eye doc said she needed. Plus, I don't think I'll have to sell her if she loses them!

Can I just say its been a rough week for the eyes at our house? What's the deal? Nate still doesn't know what's going on with his eyes...more doc appointments to come. But, after 15 minutes modeling glasses today, I think I'm opting for contacts! And cooties to boot! Bring it on!

Global Warming and Goggles

These are the 'sunglasses' that the eye doc gave Kenna today. She has worn them FAITHFULLY, because the doc said we should. She even wore them to bed, in case the sun was to bright! She is such a worry wart!!! But, she's hysterical!

I left my camera unattended and this is what I found~

Avery lost in the snow. She is usually a big wanny in the snow but with it being so warm out she loved it!

Apparently all the politicians need to make a visit to Montana...because, where is the global warming they are crying about?

This is after the snow started to actually melt and pack down a bit. There was probably 4 feet on our deck, and it stood probably 7 feet deep where our patio table is. It wasn't cold so it was perfect for playing!

Nate opened the patio door and pitched Eli out. He totally got stuck, and only when he cried did Nate dig him out. I had to go back and look for his missing boot!

4-EYES!!!

SO, AFTER TWO FUN FILLED HOURS AT THE EYE DOCTOR WITH ALL FOUR KIDS, KOLBE, KENNA AND MYSELF HAD EXAMS. KENNA HAS BEEN STOKED ABOUT THE APPT SINCE WE TOLD HER LAST WEEK. SHE WAS PRAYING FOR GLASSES! dORk!!! SO, DOESN'T IT JUST MAKE SENSE THAT THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTED GLASSES IS THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN'T GET THEM? YEP, KOLBE AND ME ARE OFFICIALLY GONNA BE 'FOUR-EYES'! KOLBE'S LITTLE FRAMES ARE SUPER CUTE, THEY HAVE A BLUE(I THINK) FRAME ON TOP AND NOTHING ON BOTTOM. I AM STILL TOO BLIND FROM BEING DIALATED TO HAVE PICKED ANYTHING FOR MYSELF! NATE HAD HIS APPT ON SATURDAY AND HE STILL HAS TO GO BACK TO GET DIALATED TO FIND OUT JUST HOW BAD HIS EYES ARE...HE TOO NEEDS GLASSES. THE DOC SAID I COULD PROBABLY WEAR CONTACTS, WHICH I'M SERIOUSLY OPTING FOR! NATE CAN'T(DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHY) AND KOLBE CAN WEAR THEM AS SOON AS WE FIX HIS EYES. YOU SEE, MY FAMILY HAS THIS HEREDITARY THING...ITS A LITTLE FREAKY...THAT WE SLEEP WITH OUR EYES CRACKED OPEN. APPARENTLY ITS SUPER BAD FOR YOUR EYES...AND ALL OF MY CHILDREN DO IT. THE BOYS ARE THE WORST!!! THEY HAVE TO PUT THIS STUFF IN THEIR EYES MORNING AND NIGHT FOR 2 WEEKS, THEN EVERY NIGHT BEFORE BED INDEFINITELY! NICE HUH? SO AS SOON AS KOLBE'S EYES ARE NOT SO DRIED OUT, WE CAN DO CONTACTS. I THINK HE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE OLDER/MORE RESPONSIBLE FIRST. THE WORST PART WAS WHEN THE DOC SAID, KIND OF MIFFED....'HMMMM, I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE HE HASN'T BEEN COMPLAINING OF HEADACHES.' WELL, TRUTH BE TOLD HE HAS. BUT HE IS A FAKER DELUXE LATELY TRYING TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL SO I WAS IGNORING HIM! NICE RIGHT? SO, TOMORROW WE'LL FIND OUT HOW BAD NATE'S EYES ARE AND PICK OUT HIS NEW SPECS! THANK HEAVENS WE OPTED FOR VISION INSURANCE THIS YEAR!