Photo Friday

I downloaded my camera today, which has pictures of visits during this year--2013.  Thought I would share a few with you.

Ethan's Birthday Ride to School.  So cool!

Ethan's Baptism

Itty Bitty Living Space!

Time to waste at the outlet mall!

Princess Julia Belle

A new activity at Grandma's House

Playing on the Deck--Sunday Activity

More playing

The new cut!

Hope you enjoyed the journey.  I certainly did!

Marquie, Ethan, and Chloe

The log ride. Can you hear Chloe screaming "I'm alive, I'm alive!"

Congo Rapids

Everyone but David and me. I did it later though...no worries.

Just Fun Photos

Here are some more fun photos from our trip to Nauvoo I thought you would enjoy, and well, I didn't know if Michelle would get around to it.  She did take these photos, so no credit to me.  I just posted them.  :)

And what do you do as soon as you get out of the temple?

You check your phone/e-mail, of course! 

The bus driver offered the kids a tour of her bus.  Given that most of them don't ride a bus to school they said yes.  She even took them for a ride.  It was hilarious, but they loved it!

Most impressive photography from Michelle!

Carl Sandburg College

This footage made its way to Inside Higher Ed (a major online publication for higher ed professionals). It shows some of the flooding that recently took place at Carl Sandburg College.

April and Chloe Videos

These are some great videos. 

Here is the link to my online server.

https://www.box.com/s/3y9c6dw753on94y1vygb

More photos...

...of the vacation home for you ladies. Guys, if we want to get together sometime, we can use it to.

Beijing Roast Duck

Nuf said!!

OK, just a bit more.  Perhaps one of my favorite meals anywhere in the world and a dish the Chinese take very serious.  You can get roast duck in many places but to get the authentic you have to go to a certified restaurant.  I guess you could liken it to Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Anyway, dinner was wonderful.  Duck liver, duck feet, lotus root, pickled spicy cucumbers and of course, the duck with all the trimmings.  Yum!

Fun in the Grass

Hyrum and I were waiting for the boys who were at soccer practice, and all I had was my purse.  Fortunately for me that was enough to entertain him for 45 minutes.  But while he was playing I was bored, so I took some pictures and played with them.  I am by no means a great photographer, but I thought you all might enjoy, and I had fun doing it!  

Photo FriSaturday

Justin's work had a company party last night and hired a snow cone stand to come and make snow cones for all of us.  The kids loved them, and used their smiles and charms to get a second after theirs were finished.

We Should Remember, Shouldn't We?

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored or neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few notable exceptions since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, , on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place on approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights.

 

I saw a burial with a bugler playing taps;
       I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked.
He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his voice,
      he began to explain and his eyes became moist.

“My daughter” he said, “this is rather difficult for me;
     a soldier like myself this is tough to see.
In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior,
an American soldier.

I listened in awe as my father spoke,
      it seemed as if his heart were broke.
           I suddenly remembered when he went to war,
              and  when he returned I thought nothing more.

I never asked why he walked with a limp,
      and I didn’t care about why he was sick.
I was too busy enjoying the life that I had,
      to realize that I had it because of dad.

I finally understood what my dad was about,
      and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.
He sacrificed so much so I could be free,
      and his battle scares were suffered for me.


         That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always regret;
                  and I pledged that day to never again forget.
I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior;
    I’m honored to be the daughter of an American soldier.

Family, I am personally very grateful for those who have given our family what we have.  Please teach our family well.  

Wet your appetite

With Michelle's post about swimming on her blog, I thought that I would post a picture of the salt water pool that the girls will have for their entire stay here in Florida for there girls weekend. It even has a waterfall but it is not turned on at the moment. Enjoy.

Still here

Haven't posted in..... forever, so I thought I should give an update.  We have been busy here trying to survive the remainder of the school year.  I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to not having to pack 5 vegan lunches every morning.  Some have loved the school year (Ethan), some have not (April).  The other two enjoyed it for a while, but are now bored.  I have learned there is so much drama with public school.  Still not sure what the plan is for next year, but I don't have to be yet.

Joe has an interview Friday with Busch Gardens and is also waiting on another potential.  Until then, he is trying to survive.  No, really.  He can barely move by the end of each day and is super tired of being yelled at.  He is however, very grateful for the work. 

I just got another calling.  Yes, this makes three.  I am the compassionate service person.  I am soooo looking forward to summer and hoping to get to see family.

April hates school and is done with it.  I keep having to remind her there  are still 11 days.  She just finished her last recital on Saturday.  We are working on putting them all on drop box or something, because they are too big for the blog.  She is very much looking forward to our exchange student.

Chloe is sick of doctor's appts and happy we are done with them.  She is going to miss her teachers, but happy to be done so she can learn again....

Ethan loves, loves, loves school.  He was blessed with a truly amazing teacher.  He is growing like a weed and I can't keep up with it.  He loves scouts!

Collin is really bored since he has done all required and more for the year.  He has become a great reader who doesn't like to sit still.

David is discovering independance in decision making.  Dang.

There you have it.  Corn, cantaloupe, blueberries, and tomatoes are in season, so I think the next few weeks will be busy!

Things I took for granted

I know that long ago we used to live in a smaller house or in an apartment, but it is amazing how 5 years in a pretty nice how makes you forget.  So, here are some things that I realized I have taken for granted (in no particular order).

1.  Dishwasher.  I hated my old dishwasher, but I sure do miss it now.

2.  Counter space.  It is almost impossible to have more than one or two of the boys help me with dishes  or anything else in the kitchen anymore.  And that second one only fits if it is Jacob.

3.  Extra freezer.  This is definitely a luxury but it is one that I am missing and grateful I will have again soon.

4.  Air conditioning.  Need I say more.

5.  Two bathrooms.  It is always interesting in the morning when someone needs the bathroom but someone else is in the shower.

6. Gas stove.  We do have a stove, but I am sure trying to remember how not to burn things on this glass top electric stove.

7.  A dresser in my own room.  This one makes me laugh, but my dresser is in Michael's room.  I don't think he likes the setup either, but it is where it fits.

8.  Kitchen pantry space.  There is a chance that I have macaroni and cheese in my living cupboards.  It is a good thing they have doors!

9.  A convenient laundry room.  There are some pretty scary stairs down to the basement.

10.  Cleanliness.  The yard here has old garbage and stuff that previous tenants left.  The inside also had pets and smokers.  We have been able to get rid of most of the odor but every once in awhile I can smell it and I sure do not like it.  

So, there you go.  I have been very blessed and this little house is reminding me just how blessed I am.

Also, just as an update, we are hoping to close on the 28/29th.  Then, we begin our construction and move in in August!

(Late) Photo Friday

For Mother's Day we went on a walk along the Provo River Trail.  My favorite moment was being given an underdog by Justin on the TALL tree swing we found.  My second favorite moment was when Vida leaned over and snuggled up to Jaime in the double stroller.  Too cute for words.

Happy Mothers Day

Just wanted to say happy mothers day to my sweet mother and wonderful sisters! (Liz and Jodi, I consider you sisters)

Photo Friday

I did it!  I posted on Friday!  Here is a fun picture from Family Home Evening last week with 8 kiddos!   Jacob is reading a scripture and not just playing.  :)  It was fun and I can't wait for them to come back!

Photo Friday

Here are the real faces I get most of the time when I try to take beautiful, serene pictures of my always pleasant children.

Also, Jaime attempted to do Vida's hair the other day.  It turned into a spirited wrestling match and really entertained me.

The House That Is Our Home

Tonight we moved.

We took all of our valuable possessions, packed them into a storage unit and took a step into the unknown darkness. We don't yet know if the numbers from the bank are going to line up, we don't have a closing date on our new house, but we are closing on this beast on Monday, and out we had to go.

This was quite difficult for me; it was a day of emotions and physical exertion and rain. Lots of rain. This house has become part of our home, and an important part at that, and as we slowly dismantled it without another to take its place yet, it felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind. This house is our first family house, and not just for our little family. Every single adult member of this family (except Patrick—sorry, Patrick!) has not only been through this house, stayed a while, and laughed into the wee hours with us, but every single one of you has helped it to become what it is. 

Justin and Jodi helped us move in on that first day when Jodi was expecting Jaime and wanted nothing more than to be with her husband whom she so kindly loaned us for the move. Jodi, I think you were pregnant both times you visited us. Hmmm. . .   Joe and Heather were there too, and they came back just a couple weeks later to help us do some projects and get our school room together. Michelle and Bryce made the trip out when it was time to redo the kitchen, and they spent days with us eating on the patio and nights trying to figure out how to get the mud to dry faster. Michelle wasn't so helpful (pregnant!) but Bryce performed a small miracle when he prayed to know how to get the mud to dry faster in our high humidity. The answer? Thin it down. Dad showed up for one late night at the end of that week to help us put in that beast of a sink and assemble the cabinets. We all ate pizza together some time after midnight that night. Mom has helped me decorate, and Marquie has baked by my side (Chocolate Chubbies, anyone?) and now all the hard work, all of the creativity, and all of the love that was poured into this home has run its course and performed its function as far as the house is concerned.

For us, however, all of those things live still, because we have laughed and cried and screamed and eaten and built and painted and patched and floored and mudded and stripped and framed and gardened and sewed and debated and created. Those things are the things that make a family, and when that family does those things together in a house, then that house becomes a home. It is with heavy heart that we bid farewell to the home that we share with all of you, and it is with sadness that we acknowledge that we may never have the chance to do it just like that again. Perhaps that's how life works, though, to have each special experience just once so that it will remain special and unique. 

We hope that soon we will have great news and progress to share about our new home in progress. Even more, though, we hope that soon we will have all of you in our home again to strengthen, teach, eat, laugh, scream, and cry together. It will be a glorious day.

Photo Tuesday

Better late than never.

Ethan's a chip off the old block.

Photo _______

Yea, blogging and moving are not really jiving in my world, but Bryce and Michelle are visiting and we are having a fabulous time in our completely paced home!  Here is a fun picture I took.  I hope everyone is having as much fun as we are!

It's Not Friday, But...

Jodi, Sure appreciate you keeping the Friday going.  Perhaps I can help.  And while mom does not think I am "that interesting"( I am wondering about this comment) I think she is wonderfully interesting and exciting.

 Marquie in a Russian Submarine docked by the Queen Mary.  This was significant because Sasha was with us on this trip.

 Christmas 1984

 Family reunion 1985 in San Francisco.  We were just going to tour the U.S.S. Pampanito, a WWII submarine

 Flying kites in Prescott on the River

 Chef James at scout camp.  Who would have thought his desires for culinary genius would have been born camping.

Looking for treasures in our back yard on the river.

Photo Friday! Again!

Does anyone else get the feeling that this blog has been mostly my photo Fridays lately?  Post!

One of spring's joys so far is homemade popsicles.

Vida saying "cheese!"

Homemade popsicles are her new hobby.
The girl is obsessed.

This is one of her deliberate poses.  No joke.