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!