Sunday, June 29, 2008

The most important thing...

Lately I've been complaining a lot about everything. I have become the type of person who I used to avoid. My children have been driving me crazy, my house has been a mess, etc. etc. After reading an experience tonight that happened to a family with small children I am very humbled and blessed for all that my Heavenly Father has given me. I am going to start right now with a fresh new attitude of gratitude.

I love my children. This past month, during Summer vacation, I have felt very overwhelmed with the noise and chaos. I feel blessed that my children are healthy and active. Here are some pics I took of them tonight while they were sleeping. I am going to take my camera with me all the time like I used to and capture moments that will make memories.





It's just a little dryer, right??



Today we were reminded that we have to watch our children 24/7. I went in the laundry room to get something when I realized there was a pillow in the dryer and a little blanket right in front of it. I went around asking which of my children had been playing "in" the dryer. Madie & Andrew admitted it was them. This isn't the first time either that they have done this. Bryan & I gave them a HUGE lecture on how many children in America die from dryer accidents just like this. It really scared me thinking about what could have happened. I watch my kids SOOOO close!! It just takes 1 minute then BAM!! That's it!!! I guess this also has taught me that I need to stay behind on my laundry. I was caught up, for once, leaving an empty dryer in the process. That will teach me to never do that again!!!

Ally & AJ Concert- Part 2

After we rode a few rides we went and picked up a babysitter and took Brayden and Thomas home. We then took the oldest 3 kids and went back to Frontier City to see Ally & AJ in concert. We had such a fun time!! They are so good in concert. For those who are not familiar with Ally & AJ, they are Disney Channel stars who have their own band. We have their first CD and have loved it for a long time. Here are some fun pics.





Our Busy Saturday Part 1

Yesterday was a very busy Saturday for our family. We had a lot packed in to a very short amount of time. It turned out to be a very good day!!

Started out......... I woke up and still felt like junk! I've been sick since Monday and thought it would be gone by now. No such luck!!! I took Madie to a birthday party at a friends house while the rest of us got ready to spend the day at Frontier City. Here are some fun pics I took.











Friday, June 27, 2008

Better

Well, my goal is to be a better family blogger.  This will kind of be like my journal minus the personal and spiritual experiences.  

I am still very sick today.  I thought that my cold would be gone by morning but it was the worst day yet.  I just can't stand being stuffed up, sneezing, and coughing all day.  I'm a horrible mother when I do not feel good.  Just ask my kids and they will tell you the same thing.

About 3 weeks ago now I got a Macbook laptop computer.  I love it!!  I earned it, if you are wondering, by working for Bryan a couple hours a week for the past 5 months.  I cannot believe I have lived without a Mac for so long.  I was missing out!!  If you want a user-friendly computer this is the one for you.  I figured out pretty much everything in a few days and am constantly amazed at how easy it is to use.  I LOVE it!  Did I already say that??


Did I already mention that it was pink??
Okay, life is tough with 5 kids.  I think people look at me and think I am just this perfect mom on the outside but if they got a glimpse of how I really am they would be shocked.  I have a short temper with my children, especially when they don't listen which is pretty much all the time.  I am still looking for the right way to discipline.  I take away privileges and they just don't seem to care.  What more can I do???  Really, there is just so much noise in my house that I almost think I am going insane but.......... sometimes I really surprise myself that I am actually doing okay.  I know that I will look back on these years when they are young and wish for them back.  Right now I cannot even imagine that!

Hmmmmm, what else is new??  Bryan's practice is doing pretty well and we have been able to pay off some debt.  That is a really good feeling!!  We finally payed off my mini van and then, yep, you guessed it, it broke down a month later!!!  We ended up buying an 07 Honda Odyssey LX-R with Navigation & Entertainment.  Wow!  What have I been missing??  We got a pretty good deal on this car considering it already had 40,000 miles on it and it was only 1 year old.  We love it because it has an 8th seat and we always seem to just need "one more" seat.  Now we have it!!  

My mom came out to visit us for 10 days from Utah.  We had a really good time.  We didn't even argue once, which is a big accomplishment for us.  We watched a couple movies, went shopping, scrapbooked, watched Camp Rock, and I showed her how to make jewelry (now she is hooked!)  It was a really good time and we actually miss her around here.


One of the days she visited we were able to go to the OKC Temple.  It was a very special experience for me.  I love my mom and I was so happy to be able to share that moment.


On the first Saturday in June we drove up to Kansas, in our new car that fit everyone, including my mom.  We were able to participate in the Little House on the Prairie Days.  Those of you who know me well know that I LOVE Little House on the Prairie.  I am reading the series for the 2nd time right now and I own & have watched all 9 Seasons from TV.  It was a very neat experience to see the little log house that Laura's family lived in when they lived in Indian Territory.  You will have to read the books if you haven't already.  Here are a few pics.

Nope, I'm not pregnant!  It's just the shirt and I still need to lose that extra 20 pounds!



On the Friday before my mom went home we went to lunch at Inspirations Tea Room with some girls from church. It was such a neat "girls" place. We really enjoyed ourselves.


Thursday, June 26, 2008

I need to do better!!

I am going to try to do better at updating my family blog.  I have been so wrapped up with my craft blog that I have not thought about this one at all.

Here is a few pics of my kids at the OKC Zoo.