HAPPY BIRTHDAY 1 of 5

Today is 1 of 5's birthday. Once upon a time, when 1 of 5 was little, i thought, "boy, you are old when your kids are in school and getting baptized" Doesn't really seem that way anymore. 1 of 5 was the most life altering thing that has happened to me. In the best way possible. DH and I were going the wrong direction. We had her, and from that day forward, we moved in the right direction, for her. She is truly worth it. She has always been sensitive to others feelings. She has always been willing to do something nice for someone, especially her brothers and sisters, to make them happy. She is always asking to help when I'm making dinner, or cookies. ( I can also guarantee that she will ask for candy at least once during the day)

She was the greatest thing I could have asked for. Heavenly Father knew what we needed when he gave her to us. I hope she always has the desire to serve others, and finds joy in the things she can do for others. She is a happy, bright 8 yr old, and I love her. She is very quiet, you may not no know she is there. But she has the ability to make you smile, and remember her. She is a wonderful part of our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 of 5

You are truly my sunshine. I remember when you were born, thinking, i have a son and a daughter, can life get any better than this. 5 kids later, it did..... but i can say you are one of the greatest highlights of my life. You have a sweet tender heart. You are an awesome kid, with the ability to play with anyone, whether it's your 2 year old cousin your 3 year old sister or your 25 yr old uncle. I love you more everyday. I am amazed at your ability to learn, you have exceeded my expectations already. I hope our Heavenly Father blesses me 50 more birthdays with you. My hope for you is that you find your own firm testimony of the gospel, that you can always remember that your Heavenly father loves you. I remember your dad giving you your name and blessing you with the ability to find the blessings in your trials. I hope that you can watch your dad as you grow, and use his example of what a husband and father are supposed to be. Always know that we love you, set a good and righteous example in you daily deeds. Happy Birthday.

It's very quiet/ free recipe friday 8 (i think)

It's the early morning.... on the last day of school. I'm mentally preparing myself for a long 6 weeks of no school. Honestly, i'm feeling a little excited. I have never been excited for summer break. What do you do with your kids all summer long. I don't like to be busy going and going all day long. I am a home body. I like to be in my home where naps are easily accessible, and if my kids are having an "off" day, i don't have to worry it effecting anyone else, or have to get after them in public. We have signed up for swimming lessons, and i love the park lunches, they feed them way better than i would. Plus, i think we will work on penmanship this summer. My kids could all use some help with their printing. I guess 6 weeks isn't that bad. I've heard a lot of people say they hate year round. I actually have grown to love it. Now, if we could just talk the school district into doing it with out those pesky 2-3 week long breaks in the middle of the year.
This picture is of my sisters visit this week. That is her son who is 17 days younger than 5 of 5. I didn't think they looked anything alike until i saw this picture. There is a resemblance in the eyes. I'm really big on the way families look like each other. I think it's the coolest thing when you have a kid that looks like one of your cousins. Or, 1 of 5 looked like her aunt when she was younger......
I think it's amazing.

I took 4 of 5 in for her pre school evaluation yesterday, and every one there kept commenting on how long 5 of 5 was. When i took this picture, it reminded me of...

this picture of 2 of 5 at 22 months and 3 of 5 at 2 months. They are almost the same length.
On the same note, the people that were evaluating 4 of 5 said really quietly, "she is below average intelligence" They touched very lightly on the subject of her "below average intelligence"It's okay guys..... i am very aware of the fact she has Down Syndrome. Actually, it's one of my favorite things about her. And i was pretty sure she would place about where she did, they were comparing her to "normal" kids. I am very excited that she is as high functioning as she is (I'm not a big fan of the term "high/low functioning" But how else would you describe it. )She is bright and capable and i absolutely adore her. I LOVE how she functions.

And a recipe for the day....
Raspberry jello
1 pkg cherry jello
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 sm can crushed pineapple
Mix jello, add blueberry and pineapple and chill

topping:
cream package cream cheese and 16 oz tub of sour cream sweeten with powder sugar, spread over the top and sprinkle with crushed walnuts

Happy Birthday to you!

To my sister Kristy.... the sister I shared a room with growing up.Her and i are the ones my brother Mikey would talk into turning the hall light on after we were sent to bed, because he didn't want to get in trouble for doing it. Quick.... pretend your asleep. dad's coming. We would jump from my bed to her bed (they were way too far apart to actually manage that feat) One time, she actually made it, and hit her face on the wall and made her nose bleed. I guess the nose bleed happened a lot though huh? My sister that can do no wrong.. ha ha. You've done well, you married a good man, and you have a beautiful daughter. I wish you were closer. That would make me happy. Do you feel old? Good (what ever your answer is) Have a good day! We had fun didn't we. I remember the day we moved, you in one direction, me in the other. The picture of you that day, is one of my sweetest memories. I love you!

8 things i would have never said 8 years ago

1) Get your head out of the toilet
2) Do NOT eat that booger
3)Would you keep you hands out of your pants
4) GOOD JOB! you pooped!
5) MMMMM Look how yummy this squash is
6)Yes!, I got 4 hrs of sleep last night, I feel great!
7)keep your tongue off your sister
8)Would you stop peeing on my carpet

Look what they did to her....

Yes, yes, i am a horrible mom.
1 of 5 had a school play last week, put on by her class. First of all, i really dislike school programs. I don't mind the ones that are musical, they have been practicing all year...
It's the practice for a week, teacher standing next to the stage shouting lines at the kids, and doing my daughter up like this, that I'm not a big fan of. Okay, no, i didn't say a word to her, i know she had a good time. But they used the school rubber bands to do her hair, i had to cut them out of her hair, and they took wads of it with them. And it took 2 days to get the lipstick off her cheeks. I don't know if it came out of the shirt it rubbed off on. But, she had fun. And i have 5 kids, so i guess i will look forward to many many many more of these types of things. I think this being my first, it was just a bit of a shock to my system. I will give a big thanks to the GMA and GMPA's that come to watch. You could be in all the plays in the world, but if there is no one there to watch, none of them matter. Support is the best esteem builder to a little kid. Thank you. And, you will have a lot more to look forward to also. You guys have been great at doing this for all of your grandkids. (there and 19 of them)

Good vs Bad

Okay, let me preface this by saying, 5 of 5, has NEVER put her self to sleep. never never never. I've been hoping, waiting and wanting. So, she gets up a 5:30. and hangs out, gets grumpy about 6:30, then gets quiet. I walk in and find this. I'm thinking, NO WAY! Then i go to the other side, and notice, she sucked her thumb to get to sleep. AGH! I've had a thumb sucker before. It's cute for the first few months, then you can't get them off of it. Can't she just take a binky? I know it's a pain to take from them. But a thumb? You can't take that from them. I've heard of kids sucking thumb until they were 8. Luckily 3 of 5 only did until he was 3, but that was 2 years longer than i wanted. So, blessing, she's figured out how to pacify herself? Or, bad thing, it's a thumb?
We also hit the 4 month mark and started food. It took a few times.... but she now likes it.

She looks so little in this chair.....

On My Mind Monday 6

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Absorbent and yellow and porous his he. His nautical nonsense is something you wish. NOW DROP ON THE DECK AND DROP LIKE A FISH! Sponge bob square pants, sponge Bob square pant, sponge Bob Square Pants, SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS!
I love sponge Bob. I think it is the funnies cartoon they have come out with in years! I mean where are the days of Scooby Doo. Not the one with Scrappy. really didn't like Scrappy. Or The Smurf's I mean Papa Smurf, Gargamel, Smurfet. My kids are truly missing out on the cartoons of yester year. Oh, He Man, GO Bots. But, never fear, Sponge Bob is here. Yesterday the kids picked out a Sponge Bob movie to watch for quiet time, and 4 of 5, who was upstairs, heard the song, and BOLTED down with a Yea Yea Yea ! So, i think we have a winner! My dad said i used to do that when i heard the Muppet's theme song. I couldn't quite picture it until yesterday.

PEAS!!!!!

I got my first picking of peas! My favorite veggie from my garden. I thought i planted enough plants to be able to freeze some, but it looks like its going to get HOT and stay hot. So, no great bounty of peas this year. When that happens i usually say I'll do a fall crop of peas. Well, by fall, I'm so done with my garden, the last thing I want to do is go put more in the ground. Maybe I'll do what my father -in- law did last year, and plant them in Oct. so they will just come up when it starts to warm, then i will have gotten a few pickings before June. I thought i got them in soon enough this year, maybe the cool Spring didn't push them hard enough. So, now I'm hoping it cools down about 5-10 degrees so my peas will start getting flowers on them again. On the other hand, our tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers, carrots, beets, squash, pumpkins and melons are loving the heat. The lettuce... not so much.

Happy Gardening!

I know great people

I would just like to say real quick, that i work with wonderful people. I love knowing that if i can't be there on Wed. or Sunday for some reason, things will be taken care of. No one person has had to carry the camp load, or Youth Conference, on top of their other calling, alone. Everyone has done a little bit of something, to make one big, great something. I have a great 1 st councilor that will do what ever needs to be done, even if it's the 3rd time that week, and never complain. I have a wonderful 2nd councilor that will step in and take over whenever there is a need, and keep an eye an what the girls are doing so that we can keep things on track. A secretary that no matter how busy she is with EVERYTHING else,
takes time for the girls and her calling. And our advisory, who is always volunteering to teach, and takes on the daunting task of personal progress, and does great things to make it fun for the girls.
Thank you so much for all you do. I couldn't survive with out you, and i am truly grateful to be able to work with you.

Free recipe Friday 7

Guess who slept last night? Yup, me. And the baby. Not through the night or anything, but when she did get up last night she at and went back to sleep. She hasn't done that in a week. So, yes, i feel so good.
Okay, now to the recipe.
These are The Worlds Best Chocolate Chip Cookies:
1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup margarine, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar. Cream together.
Add 2 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla.
Add 2 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp soda.
Mix well, add 1 pack chocolate chips. When i wasn't eating chocolate, I have also added white chips a macadamia nuts instead. Bake at 350 for 12 min.

remember yesterday?

When i posted how tired i was? Well, i decided to go get 5 of 5 checked out. I knew something wasn't right, she was screaming for no reason, not sleeping, and not staying a sleep. DH felt so bad for me, he took the first shift last night. I put her to sleep at 9, she woke up at 9:30, i put her back down, and she woke up at 10. He finally just took her so i could fall asleep and be able to take care of her the rest of the night. Although, you know, if you're a mom, you don't really sleep if your baby is crying.

Long story long..... I took her in to the clinic down the street. Not her usual pediatrician. She has an ear infection in both ears. Yes, again. There is a reason i drive across town to a ped that i like and trust. This guy down the street tried to tell me to use drops because it probably wasn't bacterial. Um no. I like that the antibiotice make my kids feel better in 24 hrs. I NEED that after 4 days of screaming 5 of 5. Not that i like pumping my kids full of antibiotics..... But, i have tried the drops twice. last time i took 4 of 5 into the instacare becasue her ear drum burst. The on call dr. told me, put these drops in her ear 2 times a day, then give her honey for the cough. I did that for 3 days before her other ear drum burst and took her into her real dr. So. I just told this guy, "look, just give me the amoxicillian, send me on my way". I think dr.s are great, but i really do know my kids, and what they need. But, that is another topic for another day.

back to sleep, exercise and quiet

5 of 5 is finally back to sleep. Just in time for me to go to the church to exercises. No, i am not going to wake her up. I should, but I'm not. I just can't bring myself to do it. It's finally quiet. She has had a few rough nights. DH tells me to remember this in a few months when i want another one. It didn't use to deter my wanting another one. It's starting to. I am so sleep deprived. I have 1 good night about once a month. Yes, i can count my good nights on one hand. Sad. i know i know, when she starts sleeping, i will singing a different song. Now, I'm too tired to sing. You know what's more painful than that..... 3 of 5 didn't sleep through the night until he was 18 months.

Random thought

I was out in the garden this evening with DH, and i started to think about this little boy, about 4 of 5's age, that is in the hospital this evening. He's actually been in the hospital a lot these past few months, with various different problems. (rhettsjourney.blogspot.com) And it reminded me that i needed to take a minute to count my blessings. It wasn't that long ago that we were wondering if we were going to be able to keep our little girl. She was born with a few of the same things this little boy has. I'm a bit sad when i remember the thoughts I had about keeping her, the shock of the whole situation caught me off guard. It's funny, you know, the "process" you go through to get where you are. The situations that cross your path, that make you who you are. I remember about a month before we got pregnant with her, feeling like i was in a rut. Not a real strong testimony, just kind of hanging out. And i actually asked for something to strengthen my testimony, and help me build my faith. I chuckle to my self about it now. Life is much different now. I would have never guessed. My parents would have never guessed. And my friends from my late teens early 20's would never recognize me.

But honestly, could you ask for anything better? Could life get any better? I now know better than to ask for a trial to build my faith.... Although, hind sight shows me it was the best thing i could have ever done for myself. I would do it over again. My sweet family, my sweet 4 of 5. (markers and all, can you see her signing color/write) Healthy, happy, smart, kind, she brightens the lives of many. Honestly, what else could you ask for.

We're back

Yes, we were gone.
















We went to Yellow Stone for a few days









What a fun trip. We stayed at a cabin in Island Park, then drove into YS on Friday. Then on Saturday we went into Montana to Earthquake Lake. We crossed 4 state lines in one day. Our last record was 3.


On Sunday we went to a mission "farewell" in Rigby ID.

And Monday we left the cabin at 8:30, went back through the park, through the Tetons, and Jackson, and Evanston, coalville.... Then here. Yes, a 5 hr trip took us 12.



Now we're home. I like to take trips because i love to come home. We went with my in laws, which includes 13 adults and 14 kids. The kids all got along the whole time, even with no naps and about 6-7 hrs of sleep at night, and 6-7 hrs a day in the car.







I have to hand it to my parents. They would take all 6 of us on summer trips,sometimes 2 week camping trips. And to GMA and GMPA's house at least once a month. (you don't really appreciate those things until you have to do them as a parent) It was hard. Even with the great help i had. Keeping the baby quiet when she woke up at night, keeping her asleep for her naps. Not to mention the fact that she doesn't like her car seat.


Other than that and the fact that i lost a filling..... what a good trip. it'll be nice to do something like this again when the kids are a little bit older. I'm hoping for a trip to Navoo.
Oh, the last picture is my favorite. There were these 2 HUGE ravens picking through these guys stuff. They hopped all over the bike digging through different spots......

Blogger break

I'll see you when I get back. going on a sabbatical.

SMILEY

I finally caughter her on camera with a smile. These are the moments that make being a mom so worth while. I only require 1 or 2 a day, but i get so many more from her. These are the things that make it okay for them to grow up. Or when your 5 yr old is throwing a temper tantrum about not getting to sit next to dad for dinner, and your 8 yr old says "that's okay mom, i'll move so he can sit next to dad tonight." Yup, that's all i need.

Okay, this one honestly grossed me out. Chickens.... yucky. But, they really like them. And who am i to ruin being a yucky kid, right? It's weird because the one 1 of 5 is holding, is a rooster. It lets you pet it and carry it around. We're going to eat it next week. She said she wants to eat it for her birthday. I know, I know, weird. But, what ever. After having these birds for almost a year now, we've decided the only thing they are really good for is eating. You know, food storage. Oh, and they are good weed control too. We need to get a dog kennel and move it throughout the yard. There is not 1 weed in their whole coop.
Unless anyone wants a rooster......


We have 2 of them, and you can't have 2 roosters. When we got the first 2, it looked like a rooster and a chicken. But they both crowed. Which i've heard of before. Then we got 6 hens, and all heck broke loose. We discovered quickly that we had 2 roosters. (cock fights at our house 8 pm) There's one really pretty one, but he's mean to the kids, nice to the hens. then the one in the picture, he's nice to the kids, mean to the hens. But, since that is the one that used to get out and come to my patio window and peck at it, i have grown a hatred toward it. If one of them is going, it's that one.
Anyway, that's it for today.


And as long as we have kid pictures posted, might as well include all of them.

Beware of the poppy

Last year, i thought it would be fun, and easy, to plant a wild flower seed out side my patio door. Just in the flower beds off the patio. Well, poppies were the only flower to emerge last year. This is what we have this year.
My disclaimer..... We bought this house as a HUD home 2 years ago, after it had sat empty for 2 + years. Therefore, the yard was and is a disaster. But, the inside was worse, so we started there, so our work on the yard has been slow. That's is why there is only a small patch of lawn in the back of the first picture. It's actually not that small, we have a half of an acre, so it just looks small.

This picture was taken 2 weeks ago, so the poppies are even worse now. DH did a round up on the places where we are going to till to put grass seed down, but left the flowers because we wanted to see how big they would get.
They are in the front, they're in the garden.... I'm sure that if we let them go another year, we Will end up will a poppy lawn.
You can see in the last picture, 3 of 5 is standing in the middle of them, well, he is standing in the middle of all of the pictures except the first one. They are taller than him. He's 5, and in the 90% of 5 yr olds in height.

So, there you have it. Poopies. ha ha

June 9th

Today is 5 of 5's 4 month birthday. We actually have her check up today, too. And for a birthday party for her, we stayed up all night last night with her. Yes, WE. DH was up with her too. What a celebration we had. It started about 12:30 last night with a full diaper. The cold wipes made sure she was completely awake. (I was already awake, because the skate boarders came to the party early, and played outside with their boards and squealed the tires on their cars for about an hr) Then she ate, but i think she ate too much because she couldn't get comfortable after that. About 2:30 i thought we should start winding things down, but she had other ideas. I had to leave the party about 3, I was tired, but she didn't like that, and it made her so sad, that she cried and cried and cried. But, i finally won at about 3:30. Hooray me, right?

Rollin

I want this back. Not the screaming newborn 5 of 5, but the sleeping new born 5 of 5. She rolled over for the first time this afternoon. She's been trying for a few days, but she's finally done it. You know what happens next don't you. Sitting. Then Crawling. Then walking. Then running. It goes so fast. Although, i am enjoying the smiley 5 of 5, that;'s nice. And she is very smiley. That really does make up for the months that she spent every waking moment screaming. It's kind of funny, both of my Feb. babies have been like that. None of my June babies were like that. Or my July baby. Just the Feb. ones. Anyone else have Feb babies?

Free recipe Friday 6

Any one else having issues with posting pictures?
Gotta soup for this Friday recipe. If you like Olive Gardens spicy sausage soup. you'll like this.
Cook 1 lb spicy sausage, set aside. Bring to boil 4 cans of chicken broth, add your sausage and 1 can evaporated milk. Cook for 30 minutes. The last 10 minutes add a hand full of spinach leaves, or any other greenery you like.

OH Costco, how i dislike thee

First off, let me tell you, it was my idea to get the Costco card. we have had one before, and i hated it, we have one again, still hate it. But, every one else has one, and loves it, i thought maybe it changed, maybe i was just not "getting it" Or maybe there was a free sample of money that every one knew about that i hadn't discovered yet. Turns out, no, no one is giving away money, and yes, i just don't get it. can i tell you the "flaw" of Costco. Can you leave that store with out feeling like you've just wiped out your savings? Can you go to that store and buy grocery's with out saving your grocery money for 6 months? If you can, tell me the secret. Yes, milk is usually a good price, but Smiths is a lot closer. I went last week, and spent a chunk of change and came out with a box of food. I COULD FIT THE WHOLE THING IN 1 BOX! Okay, yes, i do get gas there, i just make sure if i'm on the belt route, to get off and fill up, even if i have half a tank. And i did find a really cool father's day gift there, and i did get a huge flat a strawberries there. Oh, and their bread is actually a super good deal. And, i Love the night lights that change colors. Okay, see where this is going? I thought i would use it a lot more for my calling, but i think that there are enough people out there with Costco cards that i don't need one, and i really don't want one. so, needless to say, we will not be paying 50$ to renew. Which brings my to my other gripe. I'm pretty sure that i spend enough money there, along with every one else, that they should be paying US to shop there, not the other way around.
The Picture is 3 of 5 at 4 months old. Holy Hair huh?

Greatest fear.

My greatest fear just came true. (almost)(besides wrestling with alligators, yes that is 2 of 5, such a cute boy) Have you ever put on a pair of gloves, or shoes, and hesitated for just a second because you just know something has crawled in there. Something smaller than a kid but bigger than an ant. Then talked yourself into putting it on, because that is just silly. I can get it on, after iv'e shaken it out thoroughly. well, i didn't, and i did. And yes, i got bit. Luckily it was only a bee, and i'm not allergic. So, although this is one of my fears, i probably would have literally fainted if it would have been my ultimate fear, and a black widow crawled into my glove. (yes, that was my first thought) I absolutely HATE black widows. I could care less about wolf spiders or daddy long legs, or funnels, but there is something just wrong about the black and red and how big they get, and they come inside...... I grew up in Vegas, and those suckers would get big. And they would hang off the cider block walls half way across the sidewalks. I get creeped out for a week every time i see them. I usually go get DH if i see one, and make him kill it. Although i had 2 come inside when we lived on Melville and had to get rid of them my self. Luckily i have taught my kids how horrible they are, and they came and got me when they found them. Creeps me out just thinking about it.

So, do you want to know the story about the beautiful couch 2 of 5 is sitting on in that picture? Honestly, this was my favorite couch ever. When we were just getting started, the Bishop wrote us a DI order to go pick up a couch a book shelf and a dresser (that we still have) We ran across this couch and fell in love. It was yellow and floral and valour, and it looked like it came out of an elderly ladies house, and out of the room no one was allowed to go it. It was clean, bright, comfy and perfect. Well, the bright and clean part didn't last very long because, well, it was yellow and valour and comfy. And we had 2 small kids. But i Loved that couch. and i actually miss it. I shudder to think what it would look like now if we still had it...... but i miss what it used to look like.

Oh, and last, i found the smell. It was a potato under the sink. Back behind where the compost goes. (see post below)

WHAT IS THAT SMELL

Okay, the title says it all. For the past 2 days, every time i walk into my house, i smell this smell. It has gotten progressively worse though out the days. I've taken the garbage out twice, i've smelled under the sink where our compost is, and i've smelled in the fridge. All though that isn't pleasant because someone left the lid to the feta half off, that was easily fixed. This is driving me crazy.
I think this morning i have pinpointed the smell. It's starting to get that familiar "potato gone wrong" smell. During the winter i kept my potatoes in the lazy Susan, i have narrowed it down to a potato that has fallen behind the lazy Susan, Which, is probably the worst possible outcome, besides maybe an animal in the walls that has died. How will i get it out of there. Potatoes take a LLOONNGG time to break down enough to not stink. So, i guess as long as no one comes over for the next week......

On My Mind Monday 5/ Free recipe Friday

I have a lot on my mind today. But none of them are very nice or upbeat. After a miserable week of feeling crummy about the choices i have made, and the things i've been given to work with , that caused me to make these decisions, I have decided to spare you my grumpy attitude, and give you my recipe that i missed on Friday.

Lets do a salad. I love salads. Fruit, lettuce, pasta, I'll take anything.
So this is a crunchy chicken ramen salad.

Mix 1/4 cup salad oil and vinegar with 2 tbs sugar and 1 packet of the bullion from a chicken ramen packet. Put in a jar and shake.
Crush up the ramen into a bowl and add 1/2 a head of cabbage, diced bell pepper ( I like the red) green onion, and 2 tbs sesame seeds.
Pour jar over salad before serving.

You can make it as a side, or add cooked chicken to it to make it the main course.