6.14.19 Viking Pride

Well we have a new adventure unfolding at our house. I've alluded to all the growing that is happening this summer, this might be the biggest for us and the participant. I have been pondering this for years and this year the prompting was too strong and persistent to ignore. So here we are a Viking Football player. The bigger one.

As always he is a kind brother and is showing his brother and sisters his new equipment. He is kind. THis is important as he is on the verge of finding strength he hasn't tapped into yet.

Even Lia got to try. He is so good with babies. Most men in my husbands family truly like babies my sons are no exception I am thankful for that trait. 

Bruce is in heaven, this is so cool for him. Harold has always liked football dressing up for Halloween as a football player. Now he finally has his own gear.

AFton too.

And with this radical departure from tradition the sun still rotates through the days and nights, we are still moving forward, working, and learning. I have had several opportunities to witness of the divine instruction of this choice. I have shared with them how much Heavenly Father is truly concerned about them and the details of their heart. I have pondered and realized lessons that could be learned no other way. I am confident this is a good thing. I have no idea how we are going to fit in all the supporting and such required but we are taking one day at a time and so far so good.

It's been three days. But I enjoyed going shoe shopping with Harold yesterday he drove all over the valley with me, and I was impressed with his sharp driving skills, his patience, and thankful for his strength while shopping. He is a good kid. He has made good choices and knows how to work hard. Just like those corn plants in the picture he is ready to grow a lot. Life is good here we come Friday night lights.

6.13.19 Summer chronicles

Pictures illustrating the last post. Millie's new shirt. The clean background counter thanks to my focused daughters. Oh to have only one or two things to think about at a time! A thought unimaginable at my current stage. Also note the faucet box is gone. The faucet literally broke off in a daughters hand so a kind cousin repaired the sink. Nice to have no leaks and a new faucet. 

Millie fell asleep one day while doing her daily two pages of reading and two pages of math. It's exhausting playing and working all day.

Trying out a new shape of hay bale. They were kind light the kids could roll them and had fun being on top. They really enjoyed riding with our cousin as he swathed the field. HE is not yet a father and was surprised at how pleasant little chatter is while working.

Oh my free loving son. He had been drinking the yogurt after a full day of naked enjoyment outside. He keeps his clothes nearby and mostly stays in the trees and shrubbery but his red back tells he spent time just soaking up the sun too.

The girls went to the library last week and brought home the best children's books. They are great book pickers. WE have all enjoyed what they brought home. Libraries are our happy place.

Bike riding is a skill we are working on. THis strong silly brother decided to add Bruce to the challenge I did say not to do this was ignored and so took pictures.

Cooking is another skill we are working on. These two make shell free eggs as often as I will let them.

And as is always the case with our rigorous apprentice program Alia is working on getting in the action. She loves eating off the floor. I know gasp! But it is handy she grazes as needs and all is well. 

 She also found she could walk between the buckets and thought that was high living. She is growing fast and yet not fast enough. She is heavy to carry around and yet I love to snuggle her and need the reassurance she still needs me while the others are getting big so fast.

I know so much that is shocking to see, I read in a book how your brain has to block out the shock and become numb or you just couldn't handle life, let alone know what was truly dangerous...I'm so there past numb just coping. Good stuff is happening a lot of it. Some strong spiritual experiences, maturity, confidence, and some rest. Life is good I am truly abundantly blessed. I do so love being a mom. I don't know how we fit school in with all the life we work on each day. For now I'm thankful it is not part of our days.

6.12.19 Strawberry time

As a kid I remember getting paid 5 cents a pint for removing the stems from berries that eventually became jam. Strawberry jam is my favorite. I've wondered since those days how we removed the stems that is not possible on the store variety not with the fingers anyway. Well these local fresh berries reminded me the stem cap picks right off a ripe berry. However, picking strawberries is not a favorite chore, it is hard!

 I found a local grower this spring and have been anxiously awaiting the berries to arrive. We happened to be in town the first day they were available- everyone was going on meds for strep here. We waited for over 2 hours like maybe 4 at Walmart for medicine. Eventually we ran some other errands hoping for notification that our prescriptions were done. Granted it was medicine for 11 but seriously. Anyway we did get this super sweet treat, already picked.  

So after sitting all day in the doctors office then the car and finally just roaming wal-mart we came home and made some jam.

Then a cousin posted he also had strawberries ready for sale, and I wanted my kids to get a taste for picking berries so we headed the opposite direction to get a lot more berries. And made more jam! a lot more jam we are stocked until fall I think, well atleast through summer (10 weeks or so) then peach jam then raspberry we do consume A LOT of jam!!

We worked through about 40 lbs of berries. We discovered strawberry milkshakes, oh my so good!!! I told the grower it is very fortunate that we live so far away or we would be picking berries for fresh milkshakes every night. Now the kids make milkshakes whenever, I am gone and I have yet to be home an entire day this summer so they are having a pleasant summer experience. Let's just say spoons litter the downstairs and there are never enough when needed at a meal. And buckets of ice cream are always disappearing.

Oh good ol' summertime. I have visions of reading, art projects, swimming, peacefully enjoying my family. Instead I am a yelling monster always cracking the whip trying to keep them all going in a productive direction. I have a chart, I have created lists, I have taken a break, offered rewards etc but I still am not liking the mom I am right now. There's always plenty to do, but there has to be a better way to do it.
I thought we had Alia independent in her own bed... that has not been the case after those three glorious nights without her by my side. Oh well I guess sleep is most important not comfort.
In light of all the severe tragedies around it is petty to complain of small problems, I am grateful, I'm just noting summer held a lot of tiresome finding hiding kids, re-dressing of the boy who loves to feel the sun on his entire body, and trying my best to make sure all are growing and gaining the experiences they need to mature in these summer months. Oh and buying enough food to keep them satisfied. Cases of bananas I tell you seriously one a week along with about a case worth of other stuff apples, oranges etc. Good for the body no doubt but not growing outside my door either. I keep finding the prices I will pay so I am thankful for that mercy too. Life is good we have mostly small problems.

6.7.19 Learning to Do inspires confidence

One of the comments Livy's teachers made this year is that she just didn't seem to know how to do things. Especially in PE. When I explained no one had ever really played an organized sport with her my heart hurt. Really we don't toss/kick/or hit balls around here. We don't go to games. We don't do that stuff. However, being she is number 8 she also doesn't have a heavy load of work responsibility either hence she was lacking in ability to work hard. We are going to fix that this summer.

 The older kids have jobs they go do a few hours here a few hours there, that leaves me uninterrupted time with the little yet not so young girls. We are learning to be responsible. This day we were learning to clean the bathroom. A friend asked if I worried about chemicals. When I heard the repeated spraying of the foaming bubbles and then found them up to their armpits spreading it all over the counter...it was a little late for that. They have experienced no negative side effects from their natural curiosity. Thank goodness we have two bathrooms so they can really practice and thus remember what they are taught!

Yet life is not all work and no play, they also have swim lessons and a quick dance class. They had earned that by doing their school work, they really enjoyed the dance time.

And another sweet daughter got forced to get her drivers permit! I threatened to make her pay for all the tests so she should pass on her first go. She studied and prepared and of course passed just fine. Now to get her to drive. Her towering stubborn status makes this a lot more of a conundrum. She's signed up for drivers ed where she can be slowly and methodically instructed on safe and technical driving, so I'm sure she will be a careful chauffeur later this summer.

Ahh mom life forcing my kids to grow and take over. I keep repeating I am firm in my resolve! I am firm in my resolve to make them work, drive, read, work, save, budget, learn... oh the list is long. But it also relieved some stress on my list and I am hopeful that they will be better for the lessons we are trying to teach.

6.4.19 Sunday

On Sunday I took a mom break and when I woke up I was concerned I had not heard from Alia for a few hours. It is nice that she is getting bigger and more independent but I was a bit alarmed. When I went looking this is what I found. 

I was majorly shocked she NEVER sleeps unless riding in the car or in my arms. This was a major step forward. I had to touch her again and again to make sure she was alive!!
I even uncovered her just to see. Note the aids to help her sleep. An apple or two, play toy, dolls, nice blanket. The little girls were so proud of their accomplishment. 

Later she spent time doing dishes with Harold. HE found good use for the apron. She could sit up there and watch/wash yet not get in the water too much.

A baby is such a blessing to a family, especially to older siblings who need to love, care for, entertain, and love someone so quick to smile and appreciate their offerings. Life is good!

6.3.19 Photo Shoot

I have 11 photos on my wall, that is one short of what we have now. I wanted some pictures of this amazing crew of mine so I messaged a friend through facebook and we made an appointment to capture where we are right now. Then I realized we had to match and look a lot cleaner than is the normal summer attire. Panic! Add to that my car acted really weird the day I was going to go shopping and we ended up digging through our clothes storage bins sewing and hoping for the best. I think it turned out okay. A few outtakes with my phone.

This lady has definite ideas about who she is and how she wants to be seen.

The lovely ladies. So diverse and so full of power, potential, positivity and so much more!

The brothers helping make that picture happen. They were dancing in the background so funny!

Being handsome is so much fun and the weeds were so inviting we just had to lay down. Bruce is using Lia for a cushion.

Mark to the rescue. Such a nice brother.

A snapshot in time of what we look like now. No tears, a minor mom melt down as usual when trying to get 13 others out the door with me. We just don't agree on how long it takes to get that accomplished and why we would need to work together. Oh well like I said no tears well one minor accident that caused some tears but even that was short lived. Thankful for all these faces to put on my wall to look at all the time even though they run around my feet and house it's still nice to have a perfectly preserved part of them on my walls.

5.30.19 end of school

This was a huge growing year! I had my doubts and many reservations about what would happen with all of my kids educationally. I always do. August I'm nervous as all get out and MAy I am wiped out. This year was no different with some bigger worries than usual, but by May after a lot of work and a lot of time passing we have some very measurable gains. The kids got a lot of awards I cannot name them all. 

This lady will forever be remembered as an angel of mercy and motivation. She is a master teacher and is sadly retiring. A good chapter is closed for her and us, but she will sorely be missed. She was the needed fertilizer that caused Reed to become proficient in all areas this year. She gave him challenges and believed in his ability and he took off! He is the student I have always believed he is capable.

Swimming in the cool air. Thank goodness for a heated pool. Note the lifeguard in sweatshirt and towel. It was cool until almost June here.

Livy again got the best penmanship and perfect attendance award.

Mark and Addie reading awards.

I'm so glad that the school year is complete. It takes a lot to keep the show going, the hours I spend worrying, working, and planning for when the kids get home are long. Yet we do school away from home because they need to learn independence, there are a lot of nice and nurturing people out there that will positively teach them in ways I can't. There are people that are more difficult and they also offer lessons that are important to learn. School encompasses so much more than just education it is our sociality, our work ethic and grit, our confidence and finding new horizons. I thought Mrs. Robertson was a fine teacher when I had her but having her teach my children was a blessing beyond words. I'm finding I so much more fully appreciate many experiences as I know the work and effort that goes into them as an adult.
Yet, this year wasn't just about that teacher, there is a group of dedicated PATIENT aids at the school who worked so creatively and lovingly with Alivia this year too. She doesn't have a lot of desire yet but she progressed tremendously because of their careful instruction. Sometimes they were sweet and sometimes just as stubborn as her but they kept coming up with new ways and new skills and never backed down from moving forward with her. I am working with her at home and she is very able. I'm working on her confidence and mostly just staying consistent so far so good!
Life is good we are learning and becoming and thankful for all the help we get on our way.