3.22.16 chicks

Mark's birthday wish was to get a baby animal. We decided chicks were the least cost for the potential investment - baby animals are notorious for dying. These little babies were so cute listen to as we drove home. It was fun to hear them quiet when we played classical music and how they resumed when we switched to the regular station.

Hurrying to get the chicken house cleaned and sanitized.

The babies all situated. New chicks must be watered first. They have 24 hours from hatching till they die if they don't get water. So the first order of business is dipping each beak into water. After the first or second forced dip the chicks are self-sustaining. They then proceed to peck at the feed and huddle under the heat lamp.

The boys and girls spent many hours checking on, holding, and feeding the chicks. It has been an educational project for all involved. So far we have lost only 3 which considering all the novice care and extra love they receive we feel very fortunate.

3.10.16 Can I pray with you?

A friend shared her expereince with a pastor praying with and for her while she was in the hospital for an extended stay. I too remember people offering to pray for me when I was in the hospital. These actions made me stop an ponder my own faith and love for others. Why don't I do that? I've gotten better at offering to pray for someone but wouldn't it help them to hear my love and insure I remembered to rpay fro them if I did it right then?After pondering and having increasingly difficult situations that I was a part of- part of my job in the church right now I realized God is the only person who can realyl do anything for these hurting people and I needed to stop being so stingy and pray with them.

Well I'm writing to report that the experience of praying for someone with them is amazing! The spirit is so strong and the witness of their worth and God's love for them is truly humbling and touching. God knows each of us and truly seeks to comfort, help, and sustain us in our trials. He is the only one who can do this and we need to rely on Him more often.

How grateful I am for these experiences and for the opportunity to share my faith with others. God is real He is alive and He does care about all of us people on earth no matter how messy our situation may be. This is the true message and awesomeness of the Easter season. The recognition of the all powerful Savior of the World and the acceptance of his sacrifice that we might be with Him in His loving presence again and forever. Best to you today.

3.9.16 party!!

Monday after school the kids excitedly showed me an all kid invitation to a birthday party. The kids were super excited. The request was no present just bring a snack to share. We quickly decided based on our butter shortage, to make popcorn balls. And the busy week began. When I RSVP'd the mom hosting okay-ed all the kids coming. My little ones were over the moon with the thought of a party!
Well this party was one for the books. The mom invited the whole school because she has a child in each grade (like me). She ordered two bounce houses a climbing wall and the cherry on top self serve snow cones!!!! Awesome! Addie and Aliza helped crush and serve ice for the treats. Our popcorn balls were devoured and the kids had a great time!

John of course was in love with and spent the entire 2 hours climbing up and rappelling down this wall. They had a hydraulic boullet system so rappelling was a fun end to a challenging or athletic climb.

The other kids rotated between bouncing and swinging and eating! These bounce houses were pretty fun.

Now I can't repeat this because is would be old but what a great idea just stay after school parents come watch and visit, kids play and family birthday party is done! This was a memorable night and one will be pondering on what other activities could be similarly fun. Best to you today.

3.8.16 wedding

This weekend my brother got married! It was a quickly planned event, thus proving once again great things can happen when many people work together! Kevin asked me Thursday night to play the piano for the occasion Saturday at 5. I have not practiced the piano seriously for years.

I therefore spent about 6 hours in the next 30 practicing the piano. Addie told me Friday night "Mom your practicing is getting really old!" I would have slapped her sassy face but my wrists were too sore and I needed to keep my concentration on the piano. She did however settle comfortable into a chair and enjoyed reading for an hour while I played. Mark joined us as well laying on the floor near the piano bench reading. It was one of those golden mother moments where you can feel the spirit and goodness in your home even in spite of those that live there. This opportunity also reminded me how much I do love the piano, trying to make it a less sporadic activity around here. And how classical music does invite different feelings than even the ok classical music we usually indulge.

So we showed up after grabbing Anna and Aliza from a friend who had taken them to Pendleton Oregon (4hours away) to compete in a book knowledge competition. We rushed to the church got there 10 minutes early where I immediately commenced playing the piano. It was like a piano recital with unknown ending. I played for 20 minutes finally just starting the song she had requested walking in to and viola the bride appeared. She looked beautiful I think (I stared a minute during the long picture taking session) I didn't dare while they were getting married, didn't want to detract at all. I saw them start kissing and that was my cue to start playing again.

All photos courtesy of my enterprising Addie!

We adjourned to the gym for a lovely post wedding feast and lots of visiting. About half the wedding guests were under the age of 8. You might notice little people in or around most the pictures. These kids love their uncle and aunt. We posed for pictures and went back in for the cake cutting and finishing our dinner.

This is my reliable attention to detail sister cutting the delicious and beautiful cake the brides mom whipped up. Mary made sure the cake served everyone equally. She is such a great sister to make sure things turn out right.

Anna caught the bride bouquet (this was a mini version) and lucky Reed (age almost 6) caught the garter. Never saw that so I think he may have just tossed it in the nearby garbage can. Guess I need to talk to that boy.

And our favorite part the clean-up. This gym was organized a bit different than most. The tables had to be lifted on the stage and the chairs had to be stacked 2 to the Left 2 to the Right all night! But the kids are well practiced and made quick work of the take down. Along with some strong dads! Thank goodness for manly men.

And the great dads did the final spit polish- I mean mop. Love these guys. Always one to make the task more pleasant the one in the white shirt played some good ol' Chris Laddeux on his iPhone and the job was done perfectly and quickly. Greg was vacuuming the halls and we were loading cars.

It was a great night and another fun chapter in being a family. So thankful for all these great people that are my family. I'm grateful for the good they bring and their individual talents. Each person contributed in their own way to make it a good day!

3.4.16 birthday cake

Everything is a team effort here. Livy and Mark had birthdays close together so we shared a cake. Livy went first on the candle tradition. She was studying the situation when John blew out the candles.

So we re-lit them and Mark told her she could help him.

It obviously takes a lot of help and instruction to light candles.

Again studying the situation not sure. She really likes to figure things out before proceeding.

Mark showing her how. A special candle and one on the cake for her to blow out. The deep concentration she works up to blow and success Livy blew out her candle for the year. Hopefully next year is easier after observing everyone else for a year. Thank goodness for help.

3.2.16 Be not weary

Addie has quite the knack for photography. Thank goodness she takes my phone and captures some of our adventures. Sunday night was the last Sunday of February thus is was home teaching time. The girls had made a deal with our home teacher to bake him a pie. This turned into a dinner invitation after some quick unexpected bartering on Greg and I's teaching route, landed us with some Jersey steaks. Jersey's are a bread of cows that some people think is the premium beef. We are not convinced yet but as our home teacher spends a lot of tiem and energy providing fun  memorable experiences for our family it was the least we could to share his favorite meat with his family.

We traded some smoked salmon and chocolate chip cookies for the steaks. They were happy we were happy! And Aliza didn't have to eat salmon which she hates. Funny kid.

So after a 10 hour day of church service we came home did chores and made dinner and dessert for 20. No big deal, all in a Sunday!! Sundays are long days for me, I don't look forward to them anymore.
But it was thoroughly enjoyable to have the company and enjoy visiting. And some important conversations came from the experience.

Our home teacher who our kids adore!

Pre-attention activity, as the lesson was on airplanes and turbulence the kids and dads made paper airplanes.

My sister and her family came. Love how cute these two little girls are, becoming friends.
And I love John's dimples can you see them. They are deep and defined. He is a cutey, unfortunately growing up and dealing with stuff that is the garbage of modern living. How thankful I am to be able to hear my children and to be blessed with insight and inspiration to be able to teach them and hopefully help them navigate the muddy waters of perversion that are ragging unchecked at this time in our society.

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to listen and listen and question and listen to kids these days. There is much going on at each age that is not okay. We have to teach them to be better and how to handle the things they hear and see.

Some of dessert. We had apple, coconut cream, blackberry, and berry cream. Lots of people means lots of selection.

The little jersey steaks are on the bottom corner of the pan. Our main complaint it takes forever to put meat on a jersey. That breed gets a great big belly- which is good for nothing and little cover on the flanks and hips which is where most cuts of meat are. But again it was a special treat for our guest of honor so we were glad to share. And a very kind present from our other friends who gifted it to us.

3.1.16 livys day

Livy had a pretty spectacular birthday. First off she got sang to at church and received her candy necklace. She was delighted!
Second her Sunday school teacher dropped off valentines cookies for her. Livy graciously shared them around. She loves to be noticed might have something to do with being child #8. But she loves to be listened to and to have the light on her for a while.

Then we had a birthday dinner and presents with grandma and papa. Yeah!! Livy loves new clothes.

In the midst of all the action Reed lost a tooth.

And thanks to some intense training with her big sisters Livy has learned how to pose like a emotionless model. No smiles just blah I'm so cool. She loved the belt and jacket. She loves to be fancy!

Yes we love this cutey of ours. Can't believe how fast time is going but love all the added maturity and handling of life. Less crying more doing. For all that encompasses we are grateful.