Garage Sale

Wow! We have had several people tell us they're gathering their stuff...so far TWO have dropped it off. And.oh.my.heck.

So far there is:
Maytag oven
Maytag dishwasher (listing appliances on Craigslist as well...)
old fridge/freezer(perfect for a garage extra)
girl clothes from infant thru 4t NAME BRAND and DANG CUTE
womens/mens clothes
tons. of. toys. and. books.
high chair. potty chairs. ride ons.
brand new wall art.
prom dresses
luggage
trampoline pad and actual black tramp
humidifiers
boys clothes/coats
shoes
bikes(small/boys/large youth)
Ok....there's a teaser...

The power of prayer...

This weekend we loaded everyone up and headed up to Holter Lake for a few nights and days of secluded family fun. No cable. No internet. But we made up for it with swimming, hiking and good old fashioned s'mores! There is nothing better than taking your family away from the things that easily distract and distort priorities. Well, secluded is probably the wrong word though. Because I distinctly remember Nate's caution to me: "we're going ALONE. I don't care if you ask your parents. But no one else. This is my one weekend off for just our family." So, I kept my word. And asked no one but mom and dad. But, word spreads like fire. And within ONE day mom had mentioned our plans to Annie...who excitedly joined the party. And on day two of our secret plans...my sister Jen texted me to tell me we should come to Holter because they were headed up. Yep. Secluded. But just perfectly secluded with the people I love most! We've all got our own campers so we each had our own space. We had a blast. Even Nate was happy everyone was there...There is a great beach area, where a little creek runs down from the mountains into the designated swim spot. Trees provide shelter for those wanting it...and are a constant reminder that some of us are dumber than we should be for staying out from their cover for way too long! We swam, ate, laughed and played. Other than the occassional cousin dunking another...there was complete happiness! The kids...big to little...were entertained entirely by each other. No friends to show off for. Just family.
So, on day two our family convinced the troops to head to a little cove we'd discovered on a hike we took during our last campout here. Trevor and Ethan(Jon's boys) and Kolbe, being the oldest three, decided they'd trek out before us. Its about a 15 minute walk from camp...so with this many kids it took more like 30 minutes! When Jen and I rounded the hill with a band of littles...we saw the boys on the other side of the cove. Its a giant 'U' shape, but the trail kind of dies off and you've gotta just rough it to get to the other side where a rope swing hangs out over the water. Only, something was definitely wrong. Kolbe was hysterical. The other two were almost at the point...but something had Kolbe held back up the trail. He said there was a rattle snake in the bush. Now, he's always been a little dramatic. And overly emotional. So, I tried to yell things to calm him. It didn't work. I finally convinced him he'd have to come back the way he'd come. So he started back up the hill and instantly froze...sure there was another snake in the bush. He was desperate! Everyone's hollaring at him to move. He's scared to death. And so am I. So...I quickly gathered the rest of my kids around and we offered a prayer asking for immediate assistance. Protection. Courage. I felt a calming presence, and yelled at Kolbe to scale down the front of the hill...which was not a nice hike. It took him a few minutes, but he eventually reached the water and swam to the point where the boys were. He surprised us and gathered his courage again to jump from the ledge several times. We who were watching began to think he'd just overreacted to some crickets or something. But when my dad got there, he traveled the same path the boys had taken...and we watched as he stopped, picked up a large rock and began throwing it down over and over. Jon had swam over to jump with the boys, climbed the peak and joined him. Within a few minutes, they held up a large 4 1/2 foot rattler. Immediately a feeling of grattitude rushed over me. Such a direct answer to our prayers! Kolbe was relieved that he had proof and didn't have to live down his hysteria with the boys...however he was sort of fried for the day. We had a little more fun in the cove and headed back. The rest of the weekend was fairly uneventful. But I wonder tonight if Kolbe knows that Heavenly Father protected him? That He answered an immediate request for help? I wonder if my other children recognize the same things? I hope they do. Because they need to know that in that moment of immedite need, our Father will be there. That He should be their first call. I am eternally grateful that I personally know the power of prayer!

Swim Day loot...

I am cheap. Ridiculously so. I just can't stand the thought of wasting good money on junk. So my kids hear alot of 'not a chance' when it comes to buying trinkety junk that I'm just gonna pitch when they're not looking! So, this weekend at Swim Day, the annual fundraiser our town holds to fund the community pool, the kids held their little hands out to get money for games. With 5 kids, this can be pricey. So they got 5 bucks...I bought the tickets and sent them on their way with the firm assurance they'd get no more. Don't share. Don't give away. And don't blow it all on one thing.
By the end of an hour, Avery and Eli had blown their stash of tickets(.25cents ea) and had armfuls of delightful stashes of plastic sunglasses, noisemakers, curly straws ect...Oh, did I mention woopy cushions? Yep, they both had 'em.
So last night and today proved to be very 'gassy' at our house. Its been a non-stop entertainer. Apparently I've failed to teach my children any real manners... :)
Today while Avery was playing with hers on the fireplace I listened to her toot toot toot. And then she sighed and said, "oh.......I love my little fart machine."
Sadly, this little fart machine is probably the only bit of the swim day loot that will survive my garbage sweep tomorrow!

All that separates them...

My sweet Avery has always been a peanut. She's teensy weensy petite...While all my other babies  campaigned for the right to be the poster child for childhood obesity, I worried and fretted over this one! I nursed her longer thinking my magic fat juice would eventually kick in and she'd 'catch up'! But...we're 8 1/2 years into this little peanut and she's gaining no ground. I was bound to get one child who inherited Nate's side of the genepool...and she's it. In all of her well-child checks she's hit the growth chart ONCE. She made the 10% percentile for height. She was 4.

Now Eli on the otherhand, has NEVER been petite. My friend Reece said once that my babies are small when they're born, but its like delivery pulls their rip cord and they just blow up(get fat). Eli was shaped like a tellytubby. He was a triangle from his shoulders to his waist. And...honestly, this kid inherited a little of Nate's genes too...its just that Avery is got the benefit of not only being short! She's itty-bitty! Eli is short...and totally solid....a bit of the both of us I guess! He's stretched out over the years, lost ALL of his chub. But he's built like a tank...entirely square.

Yesterday Avery had a doctor appointment. The highlight for her, and all the other kids, was being weighed and measured. Weird, considering it was this part of a doctor appointment that always stressed me out! But she weighed in at a whopping 52.4 lbs. So, Eli shed his shoes and jumped up there next. Avery started her hilarious giggle/cackle and danced around with excitement to see she had the lead. She squeaked by with a whopping 4 ounces on him! 52 lbs! Then my little princess cocked her little head to the side and very proudly says, "well....I have been eating so well lately!" I didn't have the heart to tell her its likely the diet coke she downed before going in...

Sad quiet....

I miss my boy. Even though I feel like I'm constantly asking him to stop drumming on the table...to quit 'be-bopping' weird noises....to stop pestering the girls....it has been SAD quiet at our house. Kolbe went to Canada Friday morning and is staying there through next Thurs. night when we will join him and we can't believe how much we miss him! I seriously teared up when the sacrament was passed today because HE wasn't there! Even Avery and Kenna have separately said to me that they miss him and wish he was here. It is funny how much his being gone changes our family dynamic. And PROVES how integral every person is to our happy ever after! I want him back....but, it will be a fun week for him. He's doing a b-ball camp in Cardston with Nate's old coach and so both he and Nate are looking forward to it. I just hope this kid knows how much he's loved...and missed!

What you might miss....

 This is my sweet boy Eli. He's the perfect mix of my stubborness, Nate's unending wildness....my temper, Nate's love of life....my 'stock' and Nate's height. But this boy has melt your heart chocolate eyes. Seriously, every where we've lived he's been the crowd favorite. And sometimes its because some of the antics this kid has pulled are, well, legendary. He's a tough one sometimes. But let me share a secret. I am thankful every. single. day. that Heavenly Father gave this child to ME. Because the days that rain are growing farther and farther in between. And the joy this child gives...well, you just plain are missing out if you don't take the chance to love him! Through being his mom I've been given just a glimpse at my Father's love for me. And an understanding of what it is to love EVERY child. Eli Samuel, you are my handsome prince! When I watch the goodness, the tenderness that you have...the charisma, and ability to charm....you really were blessed with so many beautiful attributes.  So, it breaks my heart to see you step into the shadows. At 6 years old you have already associated the 'spotlight' as something undesired...and I HATE it. When the kids perform with bible camp kids this week, Eli sang along, but in trying not to draw attention by not doing the wild and fun actions, he stood out nonetheless. He refuses to give the scripture and prayer or talk at church for the fear that someone will see him. Seriously? I love this boy...

I will be a better mom. I will teach you how to stand proudly as the son of God that you are. I will GLADLY work to instill a confidence in you. Because I am forever thankful that each night you kiss me goodnight...you ask me to snuggle.
For a 6 year old, your circle of acquaintances is pretty impressive. But there are some that have an opportunity to share in your life....to love you and be loved by you. To know you. To understand you. To share in the joy you bring to our family. Sometimes our greatest blessings are our greatest opportunities for growth.
 I'm grateful for a loving Father who tenderly reminds me of where my greatest joy is found...and has allowed me to be a mom to 5, soon to be 6, beautiful children. This is my life's work. And, if I must say so myself...this one (as are all of them) is PERFECTly mine!!!