Ridiculously behind!

I am so far behind on this blogging thing that I'm a bit overwhelmed! So much has happened! We are still not completely settled yet, but we've settled into what we've got. The boys are sleeping in the family room because their rooms aren't finished yet. We've got a 'contractor' problem! So, Eli's bunking on the couch, and Kolbe's in the corner on his bed. I will be so glad when their moved into their rooms so I can offficially finish organizing closets and clutter. We love it here. The kids started school and are doing well. Avery has aunt Jen for her teacher 1/2 days, and Jen tells me stories! I love this kid! She is always in her own little world, unaffected by everyone else! Kenna is finally making some friends....she has had a tough transition-needing to find a fit of her own. She is such a smart little girl, but for some reason she's lost her self-confidence lately and has had a hard time making friend decisions on her own. Girls are TOUGH!!!! Kolbe is in football and is loving it. He's got knee high tie-die blue and white socks...so he's easy to spot out there! His first game was cancelled tonight and he's absolutely grumpy about it! Eli started his preschool this week. There are 4 boys and about twice that many girls! Poor things...Eli's little cousin Emma is in his class and when I asked her how he was she said, 'kinda good. He won't stopped kissing and hugging me!' Well, I'm thinking she'll have more than that to complain about soon enough! Nate is still busy as ever. He's started reffing and was asked to take whatever jr. high games he wanted....which is nice! Its all bonus money! Christmas money...
Its been a good couple months. I recognize the blessings of my Heavenly Father alot right now. I am hopeful! Sweet Landri is 6 months old. She has battled ear infections like crazy...right now we're on number 10! Thankfully we've got our appointment with the specialist next week to make some decisions...

Nate got called back into the Young Men's program and I'm back into the Primary. I have a very content feeling with life right now! My kids are not perfectly behaved, but, they probably won't be! I should probably take a little ownership in that one! :) But they are happy, and healthy, so for now we'll just work on the rest! I am so incredibly grateful for THIS time. I love my family.....I love my parents and my siblings and my HUSBAND!!! and my beautiful pack of monkies!

A bit behind....

So, I'm naturally just a bit behind! Lets see, where to start! Well, its been the most wild, unfun summer on history yet(for me)! The kids are in heaven, quite litterally. By bed time they are staggering to their rooms with exhaustion! They have never played so hard in their lives...its constant. Eli is in love with this new playground. Living across the street from the park is the best! He hangs out in the sand pit under the swings for hours...and rides his bike, for hours! Kolbe roams the park and town with a little gang of hooligans, having airsoft wars and playing basketball. Kenna is loving meeting new friends, she's got Taylor, Peyton and Kaylie! Avery can never decide how long to stay at the pool so she swims for an hour, or maybe ten minutes, and then walks across the street as if to just check on me...then back she goes! Her hair is bleaching out from the sun! I love the quietness of this life. I walk everywhere. My burb only gets driven to Great Falls once or twice a month. Nate is doing okay with the commute...he's a sport because he knows how thrilled our kids are to be in Fairfield. Really, it is ideal! Our house is coming along. Its been one project after another and we're exhausted....can't wait for this round to be finished so we can kick back and just play for the rest of the summer. Thankfully, our end of things are winding down! We just have to install the laminate in front of the front door...and I've got a few minor projects, but then once the carpet is installed we can finally bring the couches and dressers in and get settled.
Kolbe did his first football camp, he was nervous for 'his first day as a Fairfield Eagle'.
There are a few growing pains...its been so sad to be away from friends we love. But it will make girls' night for me more anticipated! And if the sun will commit to a few warm nights I think we'll have some friends for a potluck! Commit them to the promised land...

Things worth remembering:

Eli is not the best 'keeper'. That's what we call the person responsible for handing out the treats...so we often have to give him a 'chat' when he's the keeper. Yesterday on the way to Fairfield he had control of the pop. We told him to share. He told me to turn around...then he said, 'I gotta tell 'dees' guys da tooth' (tell these guys the truth)He then said, 'guys, here's the plan. don't be a piggie wiggie. If you're a piggie wiggie, you can't have any more!" Nate and I were chuckling.

The kids always fight over who's who in a movie. "I'm her...no I'm her!" Yesterday we were watching Harry and the Hendersons. A personal favorite. Kolbe yells out, "I'm Harry!" To which Eli said, "no, I"M Harry!" I thought this was funny...who gets to be the sasquatch? Then Eli said, 'Oh....fine! Me and 'tobe'(Kolbe) both are Ha-wee!' Seriously died laughing!

I'm thankful for the simple moments where the kids remind me that laughter fixes everything...and that my happiest moments come from being their mom...and Nate's wife! So blessed...

Dance Recital

Another year has come and gone! But what a cute way to bid farewell to dance! Since we're moving to Fairfield, we won't do dance again...so one last year of sparkle and glam was super fun. The girls were great. So excited to show off for grandma andgrandpa! My parents are the best: they are here for everything!

Landri Hope: May 2 2010

One of the most beautiful things with our religion is the day that our baby's get blessed. Today was that day...I am so fortunate to have my husband, because he always does the most amazing blessings...he's emotional! Love it! We had so many people here. Nate's grandparents, his parents, his sister Felice and her husband Brett and fam, brother Nick and his wife Chelsie and fam, my parents, uncle Terrell and his wife Nancy, my brothers Jon and Jerry, and my sister LeAnn and my dear friend Tami and kids.

I know that I am incredibly blessed. I love my good husband, my 5 beautiful kids...I love my parents and my brothers and sisters.

Landri's blessing was beautiful. She was promised many things...I love this gospel!

Change

I hate change. I am a sucker for monotonous routine. In fact, there are those that say I'm anal about certain things. And it doesn't deter me. I hate change.
Having my fifth child has proved utterly blissful. She's the most perfect baby. Chubby, happy and sleeps well! The other children adore her almost as much as I do. And I have to admit that I'm not a pleasant mom with a new baby. I am very high stress. I hate germs, and the possiblity of sickness and injury completely freaks me out and I am often cranky with the kids. So, while baby Landri is an incredible 7 weeks tomorrow, I think we're finally settling into a nice routine. So, why not throw a little real change in the picture?
About a month ago Nate and I decided to move to Fairfield. Its been the kids' dream for years now. And about a year ago Nate started to encourage the move. And don't get me wrong, I love Fairfield, but I love my identity as Julie Pitcher. Not Julie Schenk. I love my family...and its been so wonderful to carve our nitch in the world as the Pitchers. And I doubted that possible living in Fairfied. But a month ago a light switched, and it became obvious to Nate and I that the move was the best decision for our family. From that moment my excitement has been ridiculous! I can't get there fast enough now. So, we listed our house and 8 days later it sold for nearly full asking price. We've found our dream house in an old friend's home....its old. But its a diamond in the rough! We can't wait to start painting and replacing(a slow project on a budget!)...but most of all, we can't wait for our family to carve our nitch in Fairfield. The Pitchers. I am TERRIFIED of turning little Eli out on small town life. You know the first thing they're gonna say? " That's Julie Schenk's kid!" I'm only teasing...I adore this kid. He just does some questionable things sometimes...
I'm gonna miss our life here though too. I love our friends. We have good friends. I'm not a perfect person, and I've made some dumb mistakes...but I have been blessed with a group of GOOD friends. People of all ages, stages and places. Thankfully we're not moving far...because I can't image my life without these people. For some reason, this is part of what scares me about moving home. I wonder what friends I'll have there. I am excited to live by my brother and sister...and Jer-Bear....and we've got some friends. But, like I said, I hate change.
Well, my reflection time is getting sketchy. I am starting to drool over my need for chocolate!

need to go PAY for real ones...but, til then

so cute! the girls have been dying to try these tu-tu's out! we did the fairy one too, but by then our subject had lost her patience...

so much...

I have been really thinking alot lately about things that I have learned this year...
This is what I want to make note of:
1)Faith. This has proved to be another roller coaster of a year for our family. I am beyond words grateful that I have strong rooted faith in my Father in Heaven. I am less than excited to continue some of this trek, but again, grateful that I understand some purpose in life comes from the unpleasant!
2)Family. I married ridiculously young and I got lucky. I met this goofy, loud, green eyed prince that convinced me to marry him at 19! Agh! It freaks me out to her Kenna say she wants to follow my footsteps! I got lucky...he's a gem. He's patient...loyal...hard-working...and MINE! I know now that not everyone is this lucky. And again, I'm thankful to my Father in Heaven!
Then there are my 5 beautiful...perfect in every way....happy children. Its amazing what I thought gave me joy before children. Now I could care less about traveling the world, having the big house, shiney car...or being 'fancy nancy'....sometimes an escape is hugely needed, but this is where I want to be! Each of my children is different than the others...but together are the perfect blend of pest, trick, tease, snuggle, noise, kiss, sass, weird/akwardness and sheer JOY!
3)Perspective. This one is very much tied to the first two. I have seen a real dose of ugly and heartache, but see now, much like the weather, that spring is coming. Oh...how I love spring! I love knowing that all things pass, the ugly dies, and healing is possible. I know what is important.
4)Health. So thankful to be alive and well to enjoy the sun today. Happy to watch my children skip into school, perhaps a few minutes late! Grateful for blessings of health...
And while this post is generalized...I can't resist the need to brag on my newest angel Landri. She is precious...she has completely captured our hearts! She smiles...and stares so intently. She is pleasant...so quiet we almost don't know she's here! She recognizes that mom will be happier with a little sleep, and has been happy to oblige! She eats well...and smells like heaven!
Every single one of my children has a family name for their middle name. We struggled with this for her...couldn't find one that fit. And then we did. HOPE. Her name is Landri Hope...heavy on the hope!
I'm so thankful for so much...

monkey toes

I don't think the pic does these things justice. But seriously...I joked that she was just hanging by her toes inside, refusing to come out. And everyone who sees these feet laughs (some more than others:Jen) at her toes! They are freakishly long. So, its entirely possible that this was the hang up...why I was pregnant SO long. There's like an extra joint...not really, but her toes are super long. We love to play with her monkey toes!

Round One: Fashion Fairy

So, Landri had her first run in with the fashion fairy today. She lost! Kenna is so gonna love dressing this little girl!

Landri Hope Pitcher

I'm exhausted tonight...so this is a quick one! Landri is FINALLY here. With the help of my favorite medicine in the world(and some pitocin) she decided to unhook her toes from around my ribs and made her big appearance March 8, 2010 at 10:46 am. She's got a pretty powerful scream on her and didn't sleep super well last night. I'm home and hoping for a little better night tonight. Anyways...there are tons more pics and I'll get to them later! Here's a start.

Thanks to the best friends in the world...and the best ward...we can't tell you thank you enough for all your help...visits...yummy dinners and love!

Updates

Just a quickie...I really thought I'd have been 'un-pregnant' quite some time ago...and I've been unhappy about it, but I've reconciled myself to the fact that this is my current reality. And I've been pretty pleasant if I do say so myself. But seriously, after my appointment on Tues I would have thought for sure that Tues night would have been the big night. But contractions died out...and nothing happened. Now I'm sick and Eli's coughing .....I've walked and walked the neighborhood the last 2 days so hopefully lil Miss is planning a trip soon. I'll keep you posted!

Oh, I was so excited yesterday at the doc because I asked him to tell me how much weight I'd gain...not what the big fat total added up to....just a total gained. And he said 15 lbs! I burst out laughing, which he didn't understand. And then I informed him that it was hilarious because the only things safe from me this pregnancy had been small children and my shoes! So....I'm ballooning with fluid like crazy...and my face and feet are super duper swollen....but, I'm wicked excited my REAL jeans might not take months to reacquaint with. (This isn't my first time....I'm not kidding myself that it goes back right away...just feeling hopeful)

Dear Landri

When will we see you? We are all so excited to meet you that we're getting impatient. We've decided to make a game of this. Here are our predictions for your birthday!
Kolbe: March 12th. I think you'll be 7 lbs and 21 inches. I think you'll look like mom, and have dad's nose. She'll have black hair and be a chubba-lunka! I love you and hope you come out soon...
Kenna: March 3rd. I think you'll be 8 lbs, 4 oz and 21 inches long. I think you'll look like me, my pretty nose, green changing eyes and dark black curly hair. I think you'll be kinda chubby, kinda skinny. I'll love you!
Avery: July....(at this point I interupted her) March 9th. I think you'll be 3 oz. (Crap-I've gained WAY more than that) and 5 feet long. (hmmmmmm....)I think you'll have my color of hair and that you'll look like MEEEeeeeee!And your nose will look like MINE!!!!!! Curly hair too!
Eli:March "four" . Her have my nose and my hair. My head. I think you'll be 'dis big~(his hands are pointing to the sky!)
Dad doesn't get to vote again. Because he was onery the first time we did this and voted for March 2nd, just to spite me wanting you out early. And apparently he jinxed this process. So, we're not letting him play! I don't really care when you come, or who you look like, or how big you are...just as long as you come soon, and that you're healthy~ okay, I'd lied...I do care WHEN you come.

I'm trying....

every person who has ever met me knows that patience is not my thing. Not even close. In fact, I am so used to the idea of being done with pregnancy by now that I have managed to cry myself silly multiple times over the last week. So, this must be when other people start to complain about pregnancy. I get it now. My feet are so swollen I think I've got elephantitis. Its sexy. In fact...that would definitely be the word to describe me right now. My stomach is HUGE. She is sitting super low but apparently not low enough to do anything worthwhile in the scheme of getting OUT:) My face is fatter. I'm looking good. My good husband is so tired of my constant whining that he's resolved to be super quiet! But today I woke up(well got up...because waking implies that I slept) and resolved to behave. I showered, CURLED my hair, put on my favorite shirt and went to work. I've decided that I can do this pleasantly. It is afterall, the last week I'll ever be pregnant again.
So here's what I decided to do: I want to enjoy every single movement she makes. Because this is what I love most about being preggo. I love the miracle of feeling life inside me. I love feeling her respond to me. I've been able to grab her little bum as she pushes it against my stomach. I've held a foot or leg after she kicked me silly. I've watched my husband laugh as he shook my stomach and watched her dance away from him. My children have drawn faces around my stomach, using my gross belly button as her nose. Their faces as they watch my stomach shift and the 'face' move are priceless!
I realize that everything is changing, and that this brief time is something I might actually miss. Soon my family will change forever. And I'm completely looking forward to it. I'm even ready. But perhaps my Heavenly Father thinks I need a few more days to practice being patient. So....I'll work on it. At least for another few days: because my doc said he'd induce at 39 weeks....and that's only 9 days from now!

4 today...

I can't believe my crazy man is 4~ it has been a really interesting 4 years! He is the funniest kid. But he definitely knows how to push a button or two too...But there is nothing I wouldn't give for one of his koala bear squeeze you to death hugs...or super duper wet kisses...or to hear him say, 'i yuv you mommy!' or 'what's UP mommy?' He's the best...and I may be too lazy to post any pics right now...but I love him.
I took him to my doc appointment today. When I lay flat I'm pretty much toast...my broken tailbone has caused such terrible siatic(sp?) issues that I can't move my legs if I'm flat. I need to be rolled over or helped up. Its fun. Anyways...I laid down today on the table before the doc came in and then when I tried to move...yep, totally stuck. Its awful. Anyways, he's seen it a thousand times and he said, "I wish daddy was here to help you get up. I'd try but you are just too h00j...."I stinking love this kid! Thank you a thousand times Heavenly Father for giving me this strong willed little spirit!

Nursery: Part one

This is the first wall of my nursery that's done! Two more projects....I can't wait! Thanks to my mom for making the flowers! Now the girls' think they've been jipped in their room...

lets hope the ultrasound is right......