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...