5.14.15 Troubleshooting

22 years ago my husband won the state troubleshooting competition. He and his teammate Randy were the first from Vale to achieve this success, they went on to win the National competition. From that accomplishment they both received tool boxes and tools and skills that led them to their current occupations. Since that time Vale has won 6 national titles one by younger brother Matt. Well this year the team was strikingly familiar with Greg's youngest brother Jay and Randy's stepson Morgan making up the team.
I'm always looking for ways to get Greg out of Vale so I thought this might have enough pull to drag him away. We ended up traveling the 6 hours all of us in the Van on a very pretty Thursday night. It was a blessing that we were traveling with the sun and during daylight savings time. we were able to view the majestic and beautiful diversity of Oregon. From rugged desert to high plains to beautiful forest and the tranquil Columbia river it was quite the trip.

We stayed in a hotel for roughly 9 hours. The kids really enjoyed the pool and the waffles. I wish we could have slept more but I'm always begging for sleep and they are wailing at that request.

Comfy beds for the 5 hour we used them. Always fun to sleep on a hideaway!

The next day was sunny and gorgeous. We headed to the competition.

Teams of two are given 1.5 hours to find any number of "bugs" or problems with a car. The teams all work on their individual identical cars at the same time. The contestants are given a work order with a few listed complaints but there may or may not be more problems. This year they found 5 bugs. They were the first team to close their hood and go for a test drive with their judge.

 The boys did not have the same wide confident grins that Matt and his partner did 4 years ago when they won. But Jay and Morgan had no other leads so they turned in their car. Then the waiting began.

This is the first time Randy, Greg and the instructor had a chance to talk to Jay and Morgan. The boys knew what they had missed at this point. We all had to wait to find out how the other teams did in comparison.  It was a LONG wait. Jay began talking to each of the other teams comparing what they had found and how they had played in the competition. I was surprised to see Jay be so outgoing. I guess I still think of him as a shy kid. But he is a smart man easily talking to all the contestants and mentally figuring out where they might stand in the rankings. Finally the host served the BBQ lunch and we ate while we waited. Some speeches by college dignitaries took up some more time and then they began announcing the award placements. Vale took 1st in the test taking (a traditional win). With each placement I breathed a small sigh of relief. I had faith in their skill and training. This is Vale's contest these boys are no strangers to this and knew what had to be done. This was theirs to loose...Finally the #2 team. They had been the second finishers and the ones with the demerit for no seat belt on test drive. Whoa!
Yeah team Vale!

Tradition and carrying the torch.

Mom's finally breathing after many tense days of worry and praying. Notice how the boys are much more relaxed by their mom's?

It was a nice time to stand in the shade of the pine trees and watch the fruition of years of hard work and practice. These skills will last a life time no matter how they are applied.

It's an interesting full circle. Mr. Saunders (no relation) was a pesky kid who was my dad's close neighbor and friend growing up. He always wanted a job but my grandfather said no for quite a while before giving in. When he did he demanded that Mr. Saunders do things his way. Keeping things orderly, clean, cared for, respecting the machines, and paying attention to details. These very traits are what made Mr.Saunders a different teacher. This contest and the hope of all car customers is that their mechanic will care, know, and be able to do or fix the problem. So Dick Corn taught Mr. Saunders, Mr. Saunders taught Greg and Mr. Barnes and they taught (by example and instruction) Jay. You never know where your legacy will reach.

5.13.15 BIrthday Fun Flops

Addie is a girl with the plan. Not a grammatical error in her mind there is one way to do things. Sometimes its hard to make that a reality. She explained her wishes for her birthday crepes for breakfast  special birthday glass, treats at school- talked her out of pie and ice cream into brownies and ice cream-and then a hot dog roast.

We don't normally do hotdogs here but I figured we could make an exception. To prepare I got the crepes whipped night before- breakfast went well. Addie made her brownies before school. Got all my town running around done quick enough to even get 30 min downtime before heading to school. School was fun. Her classmates are cute and enjoyed the brownies and ice cream. They were impressed Addie made them herself. I'm not she is just that kind of kid Nothing is out of her reach especially if there are instructions.

However the day started slipping from there. We had planned to do hotdog roasting in between school and all the Wednesday night mutual stuff starting at 6. Harold was instructed to do the fire he sort of had one going and then the wind began to blow. And then it really blew and then it blew that fire out. I had placed the hot dogs in a pan to pan fry somehow this got accomplished but Addie was not a happy camper she wanted stick roasted hot dogs. Oh well no sticks, no fire, and it was a no go. As she moped into her dinner she declared "this is not how I planned it!!!" I told her that's how life is it just doesn't go as planned.

My parents were here for dinner and the kindly did the running of mutual kids so I could stay and rest. Addie got the exact presents she had asked for and was excited. Purple cowboy hat, purple cowgirl shirt, and a wowy I think the word nowadays is bling belt! She loves that outfit and wore it all day Thurs and Friday I have to admit I think I know where Addie got her attitude from but that's the next post on our big long fast trip to Portland.

Onto Reed- Found pictures of his birthday so I might as well report. We do a few things as birthday traditions that save my parenting status from total failure. One is the birthday cup.

 Reed is shown proudly using hte new birthday glass he thought was all his. It's a big deal to have the fancy glass for your birthday. Additionally you get to choose the menu items. Interesting what each kid chooses. He was eating cocoa puffs, the girls chose crepes.

Nobody has got a cake on their birthday this year too much other stuff going on and the school kids got treats at school so we are postponing till another day. That's about it I'm usually stumped on finding a gift they want that doesn't turn into junk immediately. I liked when we could go do a swimming trip or bowling. Maybe someday it will happen again.

So Aliza's birthday. There are no pictures because it was just a long busy day and I had no hands between baby and potty girl and rushing and trying to make it and just falling flat. She announced last night it would be a bad day because the weather was cloudy. Thanks for the curse.

Started off ok got the crepes prepped last night but went to bed before getting the pudding topping done. Got it ok this morning had enough cooked to start breakfast and everyone got out the door on time. Success! Then had to run pigs to Ontario in the single cab slow diesel pickup with 3 kids and a car seat and a mom and a trailer with no side mirror. Lovely. Got it done multiple stops and no potty accidents!

STRESSFUL success. Got home backed up the lane and into parking spot with time to spare to nurse baby and get some lunch, do one potty clean up... and even got some laundry going. But then we went out to go and nothing. Had to figure out how to jump the van. Bless my father-in-law for his run to the rescue. Really running down with the battery back. He helped me hook that up and jumper cables. Diesels are HARD to start. After waiting an eternal 8 minutes finally got going and headed to the school a mere 20 minutes away. We made it in time to rush into passing out treats scoop up the scouts and head back to town for cubby scouts. Then to the store for last day of add groceries. Reed didn't get hit in the parking lot because a distinguished citizen saw and heard him running away with the cart holding the groceries and little sister while his mom shouted for him to stop. The man stood in the middle of the road traffic was crossing and stopped traffic while Reed escaped. GRR!  We visited a sick friend, started dinner, got the teens to town for a talk, and back to complete dinner and manage the homework, clean-up and general nightly stuff.
There were no pictures, no cake, no presents (need her body and no big trailer towing behind to park to get what she requested), there was not even much comment from the birthday kid Ugh! Not a success. Later we will do something for her. Hopefully later with less stress and more focus we can pull out something that makes her feel special.

Birthday season is not always wonderful. No big fun memories and not how they were planned. I remember well each of their entrances and the unique way they each manifested themselves even in their birth style. I'm grateful for each one, even though I'm consumed trying to keep the overall daily show going. Hope they appreciate that too.

5.11.15 3-Day Focus Method

Millie is a little more than 22 months. Time sure flies. Usually we start thinking potty training about this time, however being super on the ball I read the 3 Day Potty Training method e-book and have been psyched to try it for over a month. However one BIG hang-up. The method requests total focus and dedication to the one learning child. Nothing else, no meals, other kids, commitments or the life I mean like. That said I have struggled to find a clear 3 days in a row. But this Monday decided the time was now and we needed to get on this potty train. So we broke into the underwear stash and began.  That was new thing #1 we usually just went sans- diaper and proceeded to watch for signs setting the timer and giving lots of opportunity to go to get a reward.

Worn out from no nap (thanks Livy for springing her from bed) and thinking about keeping her panties dry all day.

Well Millie true to form loves the big girl underwear. She has been sneaking underwear over her diaper for the past few months. One major bonus of further down the line kids is the powerful example of older siblings. Just their very being makes the youngers want to do everything they do NOW! Addie is dying with this she wants to be 13 so bad. She is 7. So hard to wait FOREVER she says and NEVER get to do anything fun. Although she does much more fun than Anna ever did at her age. Oh well.

Learning to undress herself knowing she needs a potty visit. YEAH!! Recognition and putting it together. Love the shoes Livy's church shoes so highly sought after by little sister too.

Millie also likes to be completely covered down to shoes on. So that said every visit to bathroom is undress and re-dress complete. This makes for funny, long 30 minute increments. So far she is doing great just one more day. Afton is surviving mommy not paying a lot of attention (read sitting and holding time) to her. And the other kids are loving all the candy and treats going on. We all cheer Millie is good. I'm tired and can't stand up straight from lugging Millie to the potty 50x a day. Oh well. They said not to try to exercise or do any normal routine stuff... not that I was exercising but I would love to and well someday I hope I will have a second of me-time, or a chance to use the said potty. We are running out of potties here. We really could use another one. Oh well.

Maybe when I get this one trained I could get another potty- you know like a reward?! Dressed up courtesy of Livy.

This is one of my greatest accomplishments in life- teaching my children to be toilet trained. That along with my opinion on quality of socks makes me a thoroughly entertaining person to talk to. Oh motherhood you wear so many faces.

5.10.15 Mothers day tea party

Today is a special day! Mother's Day. A day that can make one hang their head in shame, not feeling that they live up to the lofty accolades that are thrown out to mothers everywhere. As I was contemplating how to shower our mothers with some TLC, two special ladies concurred that we needed to feed the women and why not take it up a notch and make it a tea party!

Thus the seed was planted and began to grow. I had ideas and recommendations sent from Aunt Brenda who attended tea at The Plaza.  After reading and viewing her suggestions and a few recipes from the internet, Sue and I made up the menu. I consulted my fabulous counselors they were on board. I asked them to make different sandwiches and to cover different responsibilities and we were ready to go. I got the shopping done, played with making sandwiches in different shapes and methods all week, and gathered fancy dishes.

It was so fun to work on a special event for so many faithful, fun, friends in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is our tea...

Watermelon cut in fun shapes

Pretty cut glass hostess sets were pulled out and used to emphasize the divine heritage of each of the women there.

Chicken Salad, Roast Beef, Benedictine (Cucumber), and Tomato Mozzarella sandwiches

Mini tarts- my Aliza helped make them for Alena's wedding she is a whiz at tarts.

Mini- Eclairs bought from the store

It is my firm testimony that motherhood as revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a divine partnership with God. That these children can be with us forever and that this job alone is the most important in all of our mortal experience. I likened it to peanut butter snadwhiches.

As a mom they are a staple of life. They get the crowd fed and they are easy and plain. Many say motherhood is similar. Anybody can have a baby, its just a passing stage on your way to something better. A necessity that's not a big deal. However we know that it is made up of small successes and failures and that it is our most important work. Work we do in partnership with our Heavenly Father who loves us and is grateful for our willingness to bear children and be moms.

It always swells my heart to hear and see the sisters in our ward visiting- lifting, encouraging, and laughing with each other. It is through these interactions that we are better able to go on. It was a delightful and stretching experience for me. Only possible thru the many hands that helped make it a reality. Sue in her planning, my counselors for their enthusiasm and willingness, my kids for their help and patience, my husband and Brother Philips for man-aging the tables, chairs and general heavy stuff and for putting up with the fancy, Alena and Bryce such a handy pair, and Anna for being my right hand. It worked out great! God loves women, I have felt his love for me and his conformation of this love when pondering how to love the sisters. It has been a good day!

5.6.15 Days of our Lives

Doesn't that sound dramatic? My friend used to be hooked on days and would hrry home from school to catch up. Such a silly show. Around here our days are filled with cleaninup, cooking, cleaning, nursing, texting, researching, teaching, etc. It's busy tiring and good.
I struggle with how to harness and occupy the littles so they don't make huge messes. Milie loves to help and be big but is not quite skilled enough to do a lot of the work. She did like this project however.

A website  I read suggested Montessori tools for children. After reviewing their website and getting a feel for their intent I realized Millie could do more than I was realizing. She was filling some jars with beans for me. It's nice to grab and work instead of having yet another bucket cluttering my pantry. She loved this!!! Left alone with enough empty jars she could have worked for quite a while. She got interup[ted others wanted to help and it turned into a bit of a bean mess but job was done.
Some of my other personalities here like to play and imagine. One instance today was using the boxes I had got out to do some sorting/dejunking. Instead they became airplanes. My best laid plans put to rest again.

Oh well we are raising kids not castles here I'm sure I can sort when they are gone. And then I will wish someone would come take the job away and play with my 'tools.' Life is good, life is happening, and I'm living it upwards! Best to you.

5.4.15 Horses

At our house horses are a big topic of discussion. With 6 girls horses are a major love. Girls love horses. Now of course Ann sets the tone of our home. Being the oldest, coolest, and of course most knowledgeable she of a sort rules the roost. Well I may have discovered her love of horses stems from her love of her dad.
 Exhibit A.

I had forgotten about this. I mean completely that we were the playmates of these two. My hat off and my heart out to my fabulous husband who has so completely loved and shared himself with his children. From his dinner to his bed to his hats, gloves and flashlights he is a master at sharing!

Livy thinks that's her in the picture. It is not. It is about 10 years ago when Anna was 3 and Harold was two. Must have been Winter as his hand is burned from touching the hot iron and he is wearing his potty training kilt.  Oh the days!
Fast forward to today. Promise this wasn't staged.

I guess we are uber boring or it's just what 3 and 2 year olds like to do. I will say the bigger kids are now the horses I haven't seen Greg crawling around for a few years. Thank goodness as we continue to age as the kids do and it's not so comfortable to crawl around- add in random legos and its about paralyzing.
Anyway traditions are good. Stages are fun and this is another reason why I blog to capture and remember our life. Boring as it maybe. I think the kids enjoy it.
Love to you today.

5.1.15 My girls

These cute girls are as different as can be but they are also close sisters!

That is a blessing and a curse. To live closely together but see the world so differently. Families are a great design to teach us tolerance, patience, and to expand our horizons. I love being a mom and hate being the referee. These three get a long really well. I'm sure we will have our scrapes and challenges but I love that they will have each other.

I'm thankful for my sisters. They are wise women who teach and support me as I live my life. I am inspired, elevated and broadened by knowing them. Life is good and families truly are a gift from God.