5.2.17 The next round

We just keep starting back at the beginning of life. Because we have done this so many times we have worn out the first supplies and have had to reinvest in our new #1 or #11...From new onsies, to a new high chair Bruce has had a rare privilege, in a large family, of new stuff. 

It took a while to find the chair we wanted, or one that matched what we have used for the last 10-15 years. Thank goodness for Craigslist and grandma. Because some of the essential developmental skills take time that a high chair affords. 

Thus, Bruce is transitioning from helpless baby to toddler. He is doing well learning to feed himself. Even beginning to reject some foods that aren't his "favorite." High chairs are such important sanctuaries of self-reliance, contemplation, and as shown later adventure.

If you have willing assistants your high chair can travel anywhere! It is a great cart high enough to see out windows. Wheeee!

When he's on the ground sometimes he gets to be the horse...

Many hands make light work. Aliza decided during the snow days that she would make her own quilt to replace her worn out one. This has been a long project as she got involved in other projects, grandma was traveling, and life is just generally packed full. We finally got it on to tie a few weeks ago and she and grandma got another step finished. The kids are securing one side while they roll their completed work. Yes the background is a mess, oftentimes you just have to prioritize other projects over the never ending maintaining.

But I learned this Sunday success is not a perfect family rather success is measured as a family that doesn't quit! Harold B. Lee. Phew we aren't quitting and we have plenty of things to try again on.

5.1.17 A journey of 4000 miles

On Friday I got a strange call from a distant cousin asking for lodging for a young man walking from Canada across America. I was surprised and stunned. I said no. After checking around I arranged for him to stay with some more free spirited friends. My curiosity got the better of me and on our way home from a quick trip to the temple we stopped to meet him.
Skyler Roberts is a young man who played video games with people around the globe. Mostly Americans. He kept telling them "Someday I'm going to come see you." Having no license he would have to walk. The idea kept coming up so he made plans and set out. From Toronto Canada into New York down to Florida across Louisiana into Texas and New Mexico. Up through Colorado, Utah and Idaho...into Oregon. Just a kid on an adventure. I was enthralled. Truly I feel like a hamster on a wheel. The Same things every day! To live with the freedom of just moving on was interesting. I worked for a while on Saturday morning to get him lodging in the next town 20-30 miles further on his quest to Seattle then finally into San Francisco.

I love challenges! I love people, mostly, and I love chances that break up the monotony of my life.
That Saturday was LONG. Back and forth load-unload-load kids mine and other's. I even tossed my own out literally at the train tracks because I was going to be too full to take the ones I'd promised rides to. Thanks to our nice, unlucky, neighbors to be coming home and willing to help at that moment. Bruce and Anna fared well in their hands.

Yet while my family isn't walking literally thousands of miles, days like Saturday are every bit as strenuous. I will make short note of a few other journeys that are part of our 4000 mile adventure.

1. This guy passed his state English TEST! That is huge considering where he was just 2 years ago. He was so happy, we were so happy, his teacher proclaimed an inability to sleep as she was so happy! It has taken A LOT of patience, "nagging", creativity, love, and endurance to get this far. From her, from him, from us... oh the struggle! But it paid off and he is good to go!

2. This guy. Marriage is such a journey of countless steps through a variety of terrains. The commitment to keep on keeping on is the best quality of my Husband. He forgives, he doesn't engage in fighting back to me, and he just keeps loving us all. Giving Bruce some stories, a first for them together.

3. And when I came home from said Crazy day I found this little girl. And while I wanted to title a post "how to spot a youngest in a large family....the ballooning underwear!" I was pretty sure that was inappropriate so I will bury it here late in a long post. She must have dressed herself after her bath. She got the job done... but lets just say she is 4 these were 12's. She was fine, the job was done, the bases covered so to speak. Oh how we just learn to roll and deal with it at our house. An older brother suffers?, lives with?, or thinks it's normal? to be breezy. Just glad she's in underwear and not diapers. A big milestone in the journey towards self-reliance and independence.

4.28.17 Funny Kids

The promise of the future is alive and doing very well at my house. This spring has been tempered with a lot of rain and blustery spring weather. While we enjoy the green of our surroundings we are getting a little cabin fever! So when the sun shines we head out to work and play and snap pictures of the strong imaginations and team work happening. 

Watching me prepare something to eat. They love to observe. A more solid piano use to hold this spot giving them a good solid perch to observe from. These days they hang as shown observing



My big helper boss!

I came into my room to put laundry away and found Afton reading my Stephen Ambrose book getting ready to nap. Kids are such amazing copy cats.

Reed showing his prize winning bridge. His bridge held the most weight off all the bridges in the 1-2 grade classroom. This might not be fair to the other kids as Reed has watched and been part of bridge building here fro the past 3 years. So good for him to have school success though as this has not been an easy year for him. Yet he is happy after school and has enjoyed the independence of the experience.

It was raining yesterday but that didn't stop this troop. They booted up and threw on some sun hats and went to tour the farmyard. They are so inquisitive and comical. They make me smile and groan.

4.27.17 Cousin Time

Whenever I see pictures of this cute large group of kids I just smile! My children are blessed to be part of such a kind energetic group. It has been a pleasure to have children in the same years as my sisters and in-laws. My kids have friends on both sides who they truly enjoy getting together with.  I truly enjoy being able to share the mom journey with these talented, spiritual, funny sisters of mine. Last week we enjoyed a birthday party for our cousin Trey. 

The 5 year olds are tall! Although this cute guy doesn't talk to adults much I hear him talking to Livy she loves playing with him. 

The two on the right will be 4 this year the one of the left is about 16 but disgustedly only 3, she keeps up just fine though not much passes her by!

Another sweetie who is so gentle and fun, added bonus a red head cousin!! My mom always hoped for red headed children but instead got a lot of red headed grandchildren.

And on the way home Bruce somehow managed to hold the watermelon we did not eat for lunch. He doesn't look to upset by that occurrence.

And my camera girl. She loves to snap pictures. I love her innocence and insight. She is a deep thinker and sometimes a stinker. Today I'm so thankful for each one of these cuties in my home and for the strong family support we enjoy.

4.26.17 A Random Act of Kindness

Last week while we were shopping, just me and the 4 little kids we had an unexpected first. We were in the checkout. I had Bruce strapped on my front and the little girls were helping bag and wandering around. A kind African couple was in the next lane. The man noticed us and smiled. I continued bagging and organizing, when all of the sudden he came back candy bars in hand and handed one to each little girl and then gave me one for Bruce! I was surprised.

I said "Oh you don't need to do that,"
He said pointing to Bruce "He is so cute. I want to. Here you go."

In all my years of shopping with kids no one has ever bought candy for all of them.  It was so kind. The girls were obviously delighted. They wasted no time enjoying the unexpected treat. In the next store I saw the family again and told the man he had really made our day and thank you again. He said he just hoped we had a good day.

Kindness is so refreshing and invigorating. I'm going to look for an opportunity to do that in the future

4.25.17 Reaping

My brother taught me today the main thing he is learning from older and wiser farmers: It does no good to get mad when things go wrong. This observation was MAYBE driven home this weekend. 

A mere 4 months ago I had a not too happy confrontation with leaders about this guy. Since that time I have stewed and fretted,  we have worked hard at home and tracking down lost information,  and worked together  with leaders to get him where I thought he was then. 

As I sat at the meeting last night listening to the telling of adventures and thinking about his enjoyment in the program, I realized AGAIN (as I have been realizing through the work of the 4 months) he has gained far more than a lot of badges. He has earned true friends, good memories, and learned a lot from patient men who willingly take these boys on outings.
As I watched my next son eagerly listen to the possibilities I'm thankful he will have this opportunities too.

A few days before we were here. A long short walk down memory lane. Anna got her greenhand degree then got the star greenhand award. I think all of my siblings and my dad got this award. She gave the creed before the ceremony and did her best recitation to date.
Exciting events to end her inaugural year in FFA. There are so many possibilities in her next 4 years. She has traveled many miles with that blue and gold jacket this year. She is preparing for another big trip! So fun.

This lady is beginning her trek into teen hood. She is a willing cook, although too often is left to her own novice understanding and the end product isn't normal. She did this casserole perfectly though. I love her eagerness to try! And am so thankful to come home to food ready to be eaten!

The best part of bigger kids is their ability to get things done! Often more timely and creative than I would dream.

Part of lunch this weekend. The girls are so much better at presentation than I. Thank goodness. I often wonder what we are turning out here?  I'm thankful to see they are doing just fine and although there are many days and nights of hand ringing and even some fighting and lots of patience. Nonetheless and usually for the better than I could hope for, life is working out. I mostly write that because I read my blog the most of anyone and so I need the reminder, it's gonna be okay eventually even when it's not today.

4.24.17 Mechanics

Our dad is busy. He works long hours providing for us, so consequently we don't get him at home to love and squeeze on much. The little girls particularly miss their dad. The other kids get him in the morning and some time with him after school but the little girls are pretty segregated. Thus they eat-up time at his shop. 

I was talking to Greg and noticed this sweet little terror loving on her dad. 

She was up half the night so can't say she is my favorite today but she is sure cute.
My little Harold has morphed into tall as dad big helper! Time has gone very fast looking back. Forward seems eternal but back is almost the blink of an eye. I sure miss having Harold around. He had become my go to muscle fix it guy here and now he is learning more skills from dad. We are thankful he is able to do so much as Greg is very short handed. Even though we have a large group when it comes to enough hands able to do the work there always seems to be a shortage.

I love watching these two work together and am so thankful for the time they have had to learn how to work together. Harold has gained understanding and appreciation for his dad's skills and work ethic and Greg has gained understanding and insight into who his son is. Win win!