memoirs of a mad woman

8 is great!

2012-02-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

So when you turn 8 in this house you get to do a few things. First of all you are baptized. Second you get to go to scouts. Ezra's 8th birthday fell on a scout night. And not just any scout night, but the PINEWOOD DERBY. It's a big deal. The boys (including Jon here) woked on their cars for weeks. Of course we had to document Ezra's big night in his brand new uniform and with his derby car.

Here is Ezra at his baptism. He was pretty excited about everyone who came to see him. He was also excited to get his own set of scriptures. He has been reading in them diligently. This kid is so good. He just wants to do these things on his own. He is a great example to me.

Running motivation

2012-02-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

I worked out a little as I watched Biggest Loser last night. I should have done more. But I started. And its better than nothing. ( I am really disappointed with the cast this time around. What a bunch of petty bickering people. I loved last season. This time...I could let it go.)

Some sunny day

2012-02-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

The weather has been so nice lately. We had about 2 or 3 weeks of almost constant down pour. Now the sun is out and its in the high 40's low 50's. So we have been taking advantage of it.

Ada was introduced to the swing. I think she liked it! She laughed and giggled and had a great time.

It seems whenever we play on the trampoline it ends up as a talent show of sorts. The kids all have to pull out their best tricks and wow the judges (usually just me). Anna showing me her best trick.

Eli didnt really do any tricks or anything. He did keep stealing my camera to take pictures. He is usually the ham in our family and wants me to take pictures of him. But yesterday he just wasnt feeling it. No more paparazzi mom! He is giving me the look. Or trying too anyway :)

On the trampoline there are also feats of daring and skill. Elliott had to show his bravery by jumping out of a tree. I am actually surprised none of the other kids followed suit. Very unlike my kids.

And of course, everything turns into a weapon when you have boys. What outing would be complete without finding the perfect gun, or bazooka or whatever it was.

One of the 50 zillion pictures Eli took of me. He would find the shutter button and just keep his little finger pressed down on it. Its a good thing its digital!

Jon

2012-02-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

So Its Jon's birthday. I thought I would share some things about him with all of you. Jon is a great guy. This first picture is from my birthday last year. We went to the beach and Jon made sure the fire was going so we could all make lunch. Then he patiently made the perfect roasted marshmallow for all of our kids and my nephews and me so we could all have the perfect smore! The perfect marshmallow takes some time and patience and just the right amount of turning...just ask Jon.

This is our family last year at the family run put on by our church. This was about a week before my due date and I was not going to be running. So Jon, who hates to run, said he would run with the kids who had all wanted to do this. We had my parents come out as well to help with the different running levels of the kids. But Jon did the 6k with Elliott and made sure Ezra was taken care of on the 5k. He is just awesome like that. If you look close in the picture below you will notice that he has sympathy for me in my pregnant state :)

This picture is Jon and Eli jousting. Jon serves in the youth program at our church and they had put on a competition like "American Gladiators". Jon had made these jousting sticks and of course had to try them out before hand. I love that he is so dramatic when he plays with the kids. They get a kick out of dad's antics!

Those of you who dont really know Jon probably dont know about his sense of humor. He went through a phase where he was always changing his gotee into different styles. He had a pencil thin moustache that he shaved (once again for a youth activity he was supposed to be in character for). But before he did that he had to do this "chester the molester" cut. Yea...I would have run from him too! I really had a difficult time taking this picture (that he insisted I take) because I just couldnt look at him he looked so nasty! Good thing it only lasted about 10 minutes and he didnt walk out the door looking like that!

Again, on Jon's humor...He has been waging a never ending battle against the gophers on our property. I think he has killed at least 10 or more each year for the last two years. Its like an infestation. Anyhow, he had me take this picture of his latest "kill". Why, you may ask? So he could take the picture and go post it on the wall of fame at the local sporting goods store. You know the one where everyone posts their most impressive kill with where it was shot and what they used to get it...yup that one. He cracks me up!

Here he is with two of our kiddos at the Scout trip to Hoodoo tubing area. This place is about 2 hours away. Jon willingly goes on these trips with the kids and has a great time doing it. Despite the times that he has to sit in the car with a kid who needs to warm up or take care of a whiny kid. He is an awesome dad.

Of course he is super dreamy too. I mean just have a look! I took this picture last summer when we went swimming up at Tim and Monicas. Jon and I were just talking and I just picked up the camera and snapped a shot. The lighting is amazing and Jon looks A-mazing!

I couldnt finish a post about Jon without mentioning his Bearded Men of the Northwest calander. He is taking pictures each month for his calander. This one happned to be taken by the ever talented Lindsay. They were at a youth service project and Jon happened to strike a pose! This guy is fun, funny, hard working, a great dad and I sure do love his stinking guts!

Ezra

2012-01-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

And here is Ezra.

So Ezra...he is funny, kind, tenderhearted. He is excited to be a boyscout now. He loves to do things outside. He LOVES his 3DS. He is a finder. When we go outside for anyreason Ezra is the one who finds the bug or plant that is cool. He is always the tailend of the line when we go hiking because he looks at EVERYTHING! He is excited to start reading his own scriptures that he got for his birthday. He loves to go fishing although he has yet to catch something. He doesnt enjoy reading a whole lot yet, but his retention level is amazing. I can read something to him and her remembers it almost perfectly. Elliott is his best friend for sure. We love this kid!

Anna

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to do pictures of the kids around their birthday and write a little about each of them. It was finally dry enough today to do them. So here is Anna...

She totally posed herself for most of these pictures. Anna is so fun. She is finally letting me do her hair. Its about stinking time too. She is good at reading and loves to play with her little people, dolls and barbies. Yes she has barbies and I swore I would never let her have them. However she has a grandma who gave them to her and she loves them. Anna is a sensitive little soul too. She hates to have people mad at her. She has a fear of being the center of attention. If she is asked to give a talk, say a prayer or read a scripture at church she ducks her head and clings! She even does it at home sometimes too. However at Christmas she and two of her friends got up infront of the whole church and sang a song. She of course tried to hid behind her two friends which didnt work out too well since she is taller than both, but she tried! We were so proud of her for doing it at all. She loves to be outside with the boys jumping on the trampoline and riding bikes. She loves dressing up and when I dress up. We love our little Bugalicious!

Is it she? Could it be? ....

2012-01-26T11:37:00.000-08:00

The Sun! It really does come out sometimes! Thats not what the kids were looking at (it was a cool bird) but I love this shot! This is at our kitchen window and it is the only window to the back of the house. This also happens to be where the sun breaks through most of the time. We now have some grass back there instead of a patch of dirt. The birds love to dig worms out back and our hummingbird feeder is on that window. So we frequently have episodes of the kids on the counter looking out the window. This morning was perfect!

Rain Rain Rain

2012-01-24T15:53:00.000-08:00

That's right. We have had nearly apocolyptic rain here the last week or so. Flooding everywhere, kids cant go out and play and its dark all day long. I better not hear anyone complaining about drought this summer thats all I have to say about that! So to help pass the time we have been doing school, taking pictures, canning chicken and making cookies! I am glad to say all the chicken is done, school is going well and here are some of the pictures. Remember its DARK oustide and we have all the lights on in our house plus some and I still had to use my flash. I also had my lens at a really high fstop, hence some of the fuzzy pictures. Anytime they moved it blurred...oh well. The worst picture of your kids are the ones you didnt take right?

So I included some of the boys from when it was nicer and we were outside. Actually Ezra is the only one I got a picture of playing in the snow. We did get snow for 2 days but it melted almost as fast as it came.

Rolly Polly Baby

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

5 months old! I can hardly believe it. She loves to have her dad and brothers make her laugh. She can sit up pretty well but still needs someone to catch her when she sporadically throws herself backwards. She can move her self around backwards, but hasnt quite figured out the whole crawling thing yet. She has turned over twice but again, doesnt show a whole lot of interest in it. She really doesnt like most food. We have tried all sorts of things to try and wean her a little from nursing (Jon needs to be able to feed her when I am out for runs and things) but she still holds firm with milk as her only real want! I know a lot of my posts have been about this cute little thing, but she is just too much fun. I am really blessed, she is such an easy baby!

Beach Trip

2012-01-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

During school last year we used "the bean jar" as a motivational tool for the kids. When they did something really well they could earn a bean. It took a while, but they filled up the whole jar. As a reward they asked to go to the beach and spend the night in a hotel. So here we are! It was a beautiful day. It was 50 degrees and so nice. Last night we got to the hotel and had hot dogs for dinner (kids choice of course). They spent a little while running around looking at everything and getting excited over it all. Then we went to.....FUNLAND. If you want to see those pictures head on over to my other blog (there is a link at the top of this blog). It was pretty fun. Since it was the off season the kids got to play whatever they wanted and pretty much had the run of the arcade. Then we headed back and stayed up late watching movies and eating popcorn. The next morning Ezra was really impatient to get out on the beach and look for treasure. So we headed out early and it was so beautiful! Not a lot of treasure (which was really a bummer) but some great pictures. We went back to the hotel and picked up everyone else and then headed back out again. Really it was so nice for January! We walked on the beach and found 2 whole jelly fish. Pretty cool. The kids decided to go swimming next. We spent about an hour at the hotel pool which was outside. Ada and I stayed in the hot tub, but Jon and the other kids played in the pool and had fun doing it. After that we went to the little aquarium on the boardwalk. It was very small but the kids had fun. After that we packed up and headed home. It was a short trip, but the kids loved it.

Seating Arrangements

2012-01-13T07:39:00.000-08:00

In our house we dont have a dinning table. We have a huge island. Its about 9' by 5'. Its fabulous. When we were building this house we did a huge open plan since it is supposed to be temporary. We hope to build a larger house and turn this one into a 3 bay pole building/shop. So, we eat at the bar. All 6 of us fit perfectly around it. Then we decided to add one more and re arrange the seating. I really dislike the bulkiness of many of the baby things out there. I put up with our saucer since Ada loves it, but I really didnt want one of the standard high chairs. So I looked around and found this...

It is quite the piece of equipment. It jsut hooks onto our bar and I can take it down if I want to and it folds up and is put away. Ada likes being up with the rest of us and fits perfectly in it.

We are all a little squished now, but we fit!

Ada Grace

2012-01-06T13:58:00.000-08:00

I just cant get enough of her! I want to squish her cheeks and kiss her lips and just love her to pieces!

Have I mentioned before how drooly she is? No? Well she is amazingly full of drool. I am fairly confident in saying she is THE drooliest baby I have ever had. I will post a video I have of Jon making her laugh and the obscene amount of drool involved will totally gross you out!

Muscle Mania

2012-01-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

So Jon was admiring Elliotts muscles and decided to highlight his muscles with his face paint. It developed from that into a family affair. Then the kids decided to introduce super capes and what not and well...here ya go. Things like this happen when dad is around :)

Why it is that some of them feel the need to be in unders I am not quite sure. But there ya go...this is how it goes down around here!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Our tree

2011-12-15T07:57:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a friend of mine who posted about their "Hot Mess" of a tree, I thought I would share a little about our tree. It is a work in progress. Each year I take the kids to Pier 1 Imports and let each of them pick out an ornament. When we take down the tree the kids' ornaments go into a special box of their very own. When they grow up and leave the nest they will have a box of ornaments to put on their own tree that will remind them of each year growing up. That said, we really dont have many homemade ornaments. I dont know why this is. Our tree still looks pretty sparsely decorated too. You would think that it wouldnt, but it does. I guess eventually it will fill up. I mean with 5 kids (I also buy an ornament each year and we get an ornament from an anual ornament exchange) and 2 additional ornaments each year your would think it would. So here are a few pictures of our ornaments...

A fairy from the Walker ornament exchange

A very beautiful puffy owl from the ornament exchange.

This is a bell my sister Bethany brought me from China. I have 4 of these ornaments and love them all!

Anna's hummingbird

Elliott's owl

I am noticing that we have a lot of birds...weird.

2011-12-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

This is so true! I am so blessed to have the ablitiy to be physical. When I was in high school I broke my neck. It was a compression or compound fracture of my C6 vertebrate. If any number of things had happened differently then I would have been a paraplegic, possibly a quadriplegic. I can not imagine my life without the ablity to move. I was truly and miraculously blessed from on high. So on those days when I go out and the self doubt and fatigue start to set in I think of how blessed I am to still be able to do this and remind myself to take advantage of every opportunity I have to use my body. It is a gift.

night running

2011-12-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

Its hard to take a picture at night. Its even more difficult when its a self portrait with your phone and its freezing cold so your fingers are not working properly. But somehow, we managed to document our night running. Dont we look fabulous! Since it is getting dark around 4:30 now almost all of our running is happening in the dark. Its a good thing we have plenty of low traffic country roads to train on. We have a marathon and a relay coming up in June...gotta get started now!

angry raindeer

2011-12-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

Little fish and school

2011-12-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

Our kids have been taking swim lessons. Well everyone but Elliott. And Ada. Ok, so Ezra, Anna and Eli were taking swim lessons. They LOVED them. I dont know if its just our kids or kids in general but they love the water. We decided to take a break during the holidays since it just gets too crazy. We continue to utilize our pool pass thoug. I thought I should post some pictures of the kids in one of their favorite environments.

Jon took this one of Ezra

Eli...he looks so innocent :)

Anna showing me her "starfish" move.

On another note, school is moving right along. The kids are loveing our new history curriculum. We do history almost daily now. I am hoping they get excited about math sometime...although I dont hold my breath over it. Ezra is progressing well in his reading. He is more confident now then last year and reads much more fluently. He is looking forward to turning 8 and getting his scriptures so he can read with us during morning scripture time. He doesnt want to yet, I think he is just waiting for his own. Funny kid that one!
Eli had learned how to write his name

Now he writes it all the time, backwards, forwards, up side down. Occasionally right side up and correctly :) The thing that cracks me up about all my boys, they all have made their capitol E's with about 50 horizontal lines. Not sure why, but they have all done it without exception. I am guessing my kids are not the only ones. He also has memorized a few poems just by listening to the older kids practice their memorization. Its pretty amazing.

Anna, she is holding her own. She reads pretty well now also. She also spells well. Girls are such different creatures than boys. Anna has some mad memorization skills. She has much better recall than either of the boys at her age. She writes more neatly too. She is loving history. I think she just loves that I read to them while they color in their workbooks.

Elliott, he finally completed his second math book. He is ready to move onto his 3rd, but he really dislikes math. I dont know if its because he still hasent fully grasped the usefulness of numbers. You'd think he would since he is obsessed with money and how much it all costs. However when he does earn money it burns a hole in his pocket almost immediately. He reads at a 5th or 6th grade level now and really enjoys reading when its a good story. We bought the book Michael Vey and the prisoner of cell 25. He was hooked after 1 chapter and stayed up until 11 or 12 for two nights to finish it. He takes after his mom that way! He loves history and interesting tidbits of information in all sorts of subjects.

Ada is growing like crazy. She is so adorable. She laughs alot and smiles all the time. She is so pleasent. I cant get over it! I think its because I prayed that she would be a good baby :)

Jon is doing well at work. He is planning on riding the STP again this year. So in about 2 months its going to be hard to get some time with him. He will be riding probably 3 times a week. I guess that means I will have to go on rides with him. They will have to be short though since I am going to be training for a marathon. Jon is still serving in the youth program at our church. He gets a kick out of doing stuff with the boys. He really likes the other men he serves with too. Its nice that he finally has some guys he can hang out with.

I am still serving in the womens organization in our ward. It makes for some busy times around here. Like I mentioned above, I am training for a marathon in june. I really hope that between Jon's training and mine the kids wont feel neglected! It will be a busy first half of 2012.

I am running out of things to tell. I think I look at our life and think its pretty mundane. Not that I dislike that. I will take normal and boring over chaotic and stressfull anyday. It just makes it difficult to post an interesting entry!

Ada Grace 3 months

2011-11-20T21:43:00.000-08:00

Took some pictures of Ada today...I think she is adorable! Of course I am a little partial :) Ada is growing fast. Last time we took her to the doctor (about 2 weeks ago) she was almost 17lbs and 24 inches long. She is almost off the charts for her growth! She is wearing 6-9 month things and she is just now 3 months. This is how we grow babies around here. She fits the Walker mold for sure. She is becoming very vocal and is beginning to giggle and focus more on things. She sleeps like a champ and of course eats like one too. She has all of us at her beck and call. We are so glad she is here!

2011-11-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

I know I am probably not the only one that has these feelings. Maybe that is why I am blogging about how I feel, I want validation that I am not the only one. Yesterday I had some experiences that reminded me of how little I am. How even through my best efforts, there is always someone who does it better. Lately I feel constantly reminded of this. There are better homeschoolers, runners, moms, RS presidents, photographers, planners....the list goes on. Everything I do there is someone I know who does it better. Maybe this is something I need in my life so that I stay humble. God knows us best of course, so maybe this is his way of reminding me that without Him I am nothing. I really dont get too depressed or frustrated about it too often. I know that I am probably comparing my worst to someone elses best. So I really try NOT to compare. But there are those times when I wish I could just be really good at something. Not everything, just something. I dont even want to be the best at it, just really good. The funny thing is, my dear darling husband is usually the one to show me up. Seriously. He doesnt even try. He is just better at things. Actually most people who I look at and compare myself to just seem to be better at whatever naturally. I have to really work at being passable at what I do! I can laugh about it (I am right now actually), but it does make for a frustrating day sometimes. Maybe its the passive aggressive coming out in me? Or, I am a closet perfectionist? Who knows. I just needed to vent. I am not looking for pity or to be built up...I just needed to put it out there. Maybe I should look into one of those online journaling things...
P.S. in re reading this I have to laugh at myself. I start off feeling one way and by the end of my rant I am feeling a little different. Mental...thats the word that comes to mind!

reminder

2011-11-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

because I need one on days like today...

Family pictures (a retake in the making)

2011-10-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

We did family pictures the other day with my sister and brother and their families. It was crazy! I think we are going to have to do a retake. The pictures of the older kids turned out ok though.

I can totally relate!

2011-10-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

Can you?

5 kids and a beautiful sky

2011-09-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

The first official picture of ALL our kids! It was a beautiful evening and we took advantage of some great light to play catch on our lawn and of course get some great pictures :)

Over the shoulder boulder holder

2011-09-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

OK boys....if any boys read this, I am talking bras here, so feel free to skip!

So its been 4 years since my last baby. Thusly, my boobs shrunk up...ALOT! Now that I am nursing again, my bra size has gone up ALOT! Now, I am trying to train for a marathon in June. So I need to run. Running can be painful when you are full of milk and your boobs are DD. Yes, DD. Its DD-sgusting I tell you. Why people actually pay to have larger breasts is beyond me, but I digress. So I have had the same sports bra's for a long time. I think over 10 years. So it was time to find some new ones. Ones that have great support for mom's who happen to be breastfeeding as well. I found some here. They came in the mail today and I tried them on and did a few turns around the house in them. They are AMAZING! I bought 2 styles and they both hold things in place like nobodys buisness. I love them! So If you are a nursing mom, or just a woman with larger girls I highly recommend these bras.

This bra has adjustable straps as well. Now it may be that since it has been a decade since I last bought a sports bra that this isnt anything revolutionary. For me however, it is and I LOVE the fit and feel and support. This particular one is on sale too! Go and look through their selection and give them a try. I promise you wont be disappointed!

Ada's birth pictures

2011-09-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

Jon was trying to be both coach and photographer. My labor was so quick I hardly had time to arrange for my other kids let alone call the photographers who had offered to come do pictures for me (thanks you two). So I am grateful for the ones I do have.

this is how I labor...in the tube and as relaxed as possible. You can tell I am having a hard contraction because my forehead is wrinkly! See those neck rolls...ewww!

Taking a break from pushing.

Ada was covered in vernix!

Our big girl

Welcome Ada:)

more inspiration

2011-09-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

As things have gone a bit crazy around here (school starting, trying to get used to a schedual with baby agian, 200 pounds of peaches to can etc.) I sometimes need to take a break and remember how blessed I am. This video has been around alot, but I love it and it reminds me of what I am shooting for. I am officially announcing my intention to run the Newport marathon in June 2012. Hold me to it people!

Ada Grace Nuttall Walker

2011-08-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

She is finally here! 8 days late, 9lbs. 6 oz. 21 inches long. I came to the doctors office for my weekly check up. I was at a 4-5 when my midwife checked my and still not in active labor. She stripped my membranes and that put me straight into active labor. So I just stayed at the hospital. Checked myself into the birth center and waited for Jon. I was hoping he would make it since I have a history of moving quickly once I am at a 4. Jon was about an hour away. Luckily he made it with about an hour and a half to spare. Here she is....

Inspiration

2011-08-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this video and watched it I think 3 times. Each time crying more than the first. Truly this is what its all about. Or maybe its just baby hormones :)

Run Run Ye Saints

2011-08-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

Our family participated in our annual stake (a group of churches) run/walk. There was a 5k and a 10k. Daddy O and Elliott decided to do the 10k and both finished it in style! I had to have the kids and dad re-cross the finish line so I could get pictures. Eli had started out in good form running with grandpa. About half way through he pooped out and I had to walk back to the church with him. Ah well, you cant win them all I suppose. Ezra finished the 5k in good time and ran the whole way, and Anna walked/ran the 5k with Grandma. I think they all did an amazing job! I think most of us are going to participate in the town Harvest Festival run coming up in september too.

The clan with grandma and grandpa...Daddy O is feeling sympathy for me :)

Triathalon

2011-08-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Last year the two older boys participated in a tiathalon put on by a local town. This year Bugalicious and Legoman did it. They were joined by a few cousins and some kids from church. I think our group made up about a third or fourth of the overall participants. Next year I am pretty sure we will have 4 kiddos who do it!

Birthday Boy

2011-07-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

My oldest in 9. There really isnt anything particularly big about that number, its just hard to believe sometimes that its been 9 years since he was born. We celebrated his birthday early this year, since both he and dad had things going on his real birthday. We went bowling. I have to admit, I hate bowling allys. They are almost always old and dirty and smell like cigarette smoke and fried food. I want to take a shower when I leave. But we went anyway and the kids had a great time. Bugalicious beat everyone but dad who only won by 2 points. He was using the bumpers too!

I was digging on the lockers...they were so cool! If they ever sell this place or get rid of the lockers I want to know about it!

Hiking

2011-07-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Our family loves to hike. Not just the Walker clan, but my extended family. This year for the 4th of July we took a trip to Silver Falls State park and hiked. It was croweded in the park itself but once we got on the trails past the first fall it wasnt bad at all. The two little kidds and I did the 2 mile loop while Dad and the boys went and did about 5. This is probably the 4th time we have been since we have lived here and we continue to enjoy the hiking. One day we might actually remember early enough to make reservations and camp there!

All pictures taken on my iphone...i love that i dont have to lug around my real camera all the time. Particularly right now!

I wish...

2011-06-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

I had know this years ago!

I love you Nike! Thanks for the reminder that my stubby legs are awsome for lots of reasons!

2011-06-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

For my birthday I decided I wanted to do a fun family outing. We called up Grandma and Grandpa, Bethy and her kiddos, and Kade and went to the beach for the day. We could not have picked a more perfect day to go. It was sunny and warm and no wind. That combination of things doesnt happen too often at an Oregon beach in case you didnt know! We had a fabulous time!

Big Daddy O getting our fire started

Trouble just getting started

Bugalicious started rock hunting right away

The food

sand moving...I cant say building because you couldnt really build with this sand, all you could do was move it

It took some persuading, but we managed to get Grandpa to forsake his garden and garage, I think he was happy he did

Daddy O and Bug conquering the mountain. All the kiddos made it to the top at one point.

Boogymans crab, he caught two.

Also Boogyman...he is our finder. Its a perfect shell, another rare find for us!

Daddy O posing for the camera, he decided to start his own calander, Bearded Men of the Pacific Northwest...He is mister June!

Kade found a hermit crab running around in his shell, so cool!

determination

2011-05-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

I have to say that this pregnancy feels like its going FOR ever! I think alot of it has to do with the fact that most of my firends have started running. Of course they all started doing it once I was pregnant and unable to run. They couldnt start last year when I could run with them. Its a funny thing about running. While the longest run I have done is 14 ish miles I continue to dream about the ultra running. I want that so badly. I want to be an ultra runner. I dont know why or how to explain this wierd need in me. I crave it. I read about ultra runners in books and on blogs and I think "one day..." I dont really have anything to prove to anyone, not even myself. I just feel drawn to it. Maybe because when I run or walk I commune, with myself, with this amazing world, with God. The outdoors is my happy place. Perhaps, I just want to be cool...to be something not a lot of people are. Maybe I just want a healthy body that can do whatever I decide I want to do. I honestly dont really know. Maybe you get it maybe you dont. Thats ok. We all get to have our little quirks right? All I know is that I cant wait to have this kid so I can start running again! August cant come soon enough! Oh, and on a side note, despite the rain I am SO thankful for this cool weather! We dont have AC. If it stays cool for the whole summer the rest of you may be cursing but I, I will be rejoicing!

Thankful...

2011-05-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for...

good books, I am so inspired by a good book

good music, music does something to me, its magical

where I live...its so beautiful and that is something I need each day

kids who find wonder in all things...its beautiful to see

good friends who inspire and uplift

the sun...we have seen too little of this beauty lately :)

smell...I know it sounds wierd, but I cant smell things often so when I do its magical even when its cow poop!

bedtimes

my kids bringing me flowers. many a plant has been decimated for the sake of their bounteous blooms

the sounds of the busy birds in spring

the frogs that croak in the night...I am immediatly transported back about 17 years to my home in the woods!

I have many other things I could list. Thanks Heidi for the inspiration...its good to remember the little things and share those with others!

Summer fun

2011-03-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

We went to Utah last summer for my brothers wedding. The kiddos still talk about it and ask if we can go back for more. I finally found my transfer cord so I have a whole slew of pictures from last summer. So be forwarned...this post has a LOT of pictures.

One of the shirts I made for my kids and some of the cousins.

Bugs and her cousin on one of our hikes.

There was a lot of play time...swinging was a favorite

Bridal Veil Falls was great for cooling off.

Bugs was practicing her wink

There were a few boxing matches...

Lots of food....

At the end of each day they were so tired they didnt mind that they all had to share a bed.

Playtime with cousins went well...

monkeying around (har har har)

cuteness...

scary faces...

sweet faces...

more monkey buisness...

more swinging....

and even more swinging....I told you it was popular

basketball

he's working on his gameface...

and yea...even some pouting! (I LOVE this picture, it make me laugh!)

not so bad for 10 kids at once

there was even a water fight.

some enjoyed it more than others...

even my mom got in on the action

and some were just happy to be unclothed and running free :)

We had a great time!

Tonsils, Adenoids, and hospitals oh my!

2011-02-21T09:33:00.000-08:00

Bugalicious had sleep apnea. Pretty severe sleep apnea. She has had it since she was 2 or 3. I finally took her to the doctor about it. The end result, her tonsils and adenoids came out. We went up to OHSU for the procedure. The nurses there were so fun and Bugalicious wasnt nervous at all. They gave her some medicine before they took her in for the procedure to help her relax. She was so funny I couldnt stop laughing at her. She was trying to grab the cartoons out of the TV and smiling and falling over in the bed. I couldnt look at her when the doctor came because I would bust up again. She was pretty miserable for about an hour after, and then was really fine the rest of the time. She didnt want the powerful pain killer they sent her home with and was happy with just tylenol on occasion. The best thing about the whole experience...no more sleep apenea! She has really started to burst with personality. You could catch glimpses of it before, but now she is even more funny and personable than before. Its amazing what a good nights sleep will do for you!

before medicine

after medicine

heading home

a run in

2011-02-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

Lego man had a run in with one of his cousins and ended up with a nasty black eye! This was taken the night it happened. Then next morning he woke up with his eye completely swollen shut and over the week turned a dark dark purple and then a lovely shade of green. It was pretty cool! I dont think they will be turning out the lights and running through the house any time soon!

I dont know if I ever posted about this, but Lego Man's first year in the pinewood derby was a good one. Daddy O's, I mean of course, Lego Man's car took first place!

bleahhh

2011-02-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhh, the Blog. I have been so neglectful lately. It is like its own entity...a pet you might call it. The longer it sits untended the more pressure you feel to DO something with it. I know I have said this before, but I would love it if somehow when I click on my blog page I could just stare at the screan and all my thoughts would just write themselves. The Blog would be updated alot more.
Life has been busy for me. Lots of little things. I was attending and teaching childbirth classes. They were very time consuming, but a lot of fun. However there has been a battle brewing in the industry between two factions (one which I had attended the training for) and I decided to side with one over the other for various reason. This bickering and fighting took alot of the fun out of the teaching aspect. I have been trying to decide if I should jump back into it and start looking for more couples to teach. Another thing holding me back from teaching is the time. It seems that anytime I start to do something to try and earn some extra money things get too hectic for me. I think God is trying to tell me I should worry about home and not making money. I have a hard working hubby for that anyway! I think anything I take up now should be strictly for my enjoyment and not for monetary gain.
Speaking of enjoyment, I got out of running for a little while. I have started walking again though and I have to say I really need that. I need to be outside and physically active to keep my sanity. Some people dont. I sure do. I NEED to be outside.
I am sure most of you who are local or family have either heard or noticed that I am pregnant. Baby number 5. And before anyone asks, yes we know how it happened, No it wasnt an accident, and I really couldnt tell you if we are done (dont you hate it when perfect strangers ask you those questions!). I thought we were, however, obviously we are not. Baby is due sometime the middle end of august.
School is going pretty well. We decided in January to put Lego Man into public school. I had continued to feel like he was supposed to go. He is doing really well there and loves his teacher. The other kiddos continue to be happy with our little homeschooling adventure and have no desire at this point to change anything.
Daddy O is still working with his brother Tim. They are hoping to make a few things happen this year with the buisness. Daddy O is looking forward to sunnier drier weather so he can take his bike back out.
That is really about all that has happened the last few months. Hope you all enjoyed the update!

Family

2011-01-26T08:18:00.000-08:00

After oh...6 years, we now have an official family picture. Thanks Lindsay!

Ramsey...

2010-12-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

I read a blog about a year or so ago. They were in the process of following Dave Ramsey's financial peace program. She called him Damn Ramsey. If you have ever tried doing his baby steps you'll know why. Currently we are trying to implement some of those steps to rid ourselves of our debt. We do not have 1.2 million in credit card debt or anything but we do have some and feel it is prudent to get rid of it. Now everytime I want to purchase anything I have to justify it. ANYTHING! Not because of anyone being a stinker about it but me. Once you know and your comitted...its hard to blindly buy. That candy bar at the store is calling my name, Damn Ramsey on my shoulder asks if its more necessary than paying off my debt. I want to go out to dinner with my hubby, Damn Ramsey and his beans and rice, rice and beans. You get the picture. Sorry for the language, I just have to tell ya like I hear it in my head. I sure hope you all have a great day and live like no one else today so you can live like no one else tomorrow!

bonding...

2010-12-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

the two older boys get along pretty well...I love seeing them like this.

This week we went to the carousel...its a magical place

mighty hunter

2010-11-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

we have gophers...lots and lots of gophers. behold, the mighty gopher hunter. confirmed kills, 9. oh yeah, thats my man :)

potty training

2010-11-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

we use bribery around here. trouble loves pudding so in order to get him to go potty on the toilet we bribe him with it. he was so happy to get pudding he stirred it all by himself. the whole time. pudding takes a while...

wowza!

2010-11-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Its been a while. Life has been crazy. I know all of my adoring fans have just been pulling their hair out and gnashing their teeth over where I have been. I have been teaching and attending Bradley classes, Legoman has had football and what with one thing and another, blogging has been the last thing on my mind. We had a fabulous time in Utah this summer when we went for my brothers wedding. We went to temple square, seven peaks and watched Jon finish the ULCER. When we got home I was busy reading and writing and turning in my packet to become a provisional Bradley instructor. Then school started and since we homeschool I dont have a lot of time for other things. We did take a really fun trip up to Fort Clatsop and Cape Disappointment as we were studying Lewis and Clark. Anyhow, blah blah blah....excuse excuse excuse. So here are some pictures of the kiddos.

the most wonderful time of the year!

2010-09-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

I personally think it is from september all the way through the end of the year. The last few days have been amazing! I heard leaves crunch, smelled a good fire, smelled the wet grass, watched a few football practices, and bundled up! It was divine! I love it when I can smell things. I dont smell very often anymore. Not sure why, but it is what it is. So it is especially wonderful to smell things that bring back memories. I think fall is fabulous. I love everything about it. Well maybe with the exception of all the gross halloween costumes and all the candy my kids get trick or treating! On the trick or treating thing...we never get trick or treaters...we live WAY too far out. So we always take our kids into town and dont have to worry about being back or having someone man the door. Anyhow, I digress. I love the Thanksgiving holiday which I personally think gets way to over looked in the commercialization of halloween and Christmas. I also love Christmas. I love to decorate my house. Christmas is the only hoiday I really buy decorations for. Last year we really didnt want to buy the kids a lot of presents. They dont play with most of their toys so we didnt want to just "waste" our money. So we made them most of their presents. I think we are going to do the same thing again this year. I already bought an old cradle from Goodwill for Anna and am going to re-paint it and make a blanket to go in it for her babies. I think all the kids are going to get a "rollie pollie" bean bag. I bought the pattern from Dana at Made. Now I realize that homemade doesnt always mean cheeper. But I feel like the things we make them are more useable and serviceable then a toy they will play with for a few weeks and then all it does is clutter up their room. So anyhow, I am gratful for this time of year when I start getting ideas about Christmas and I get excited about the change is seasons and the beauty of this world. Have a fabulous day!

happiness

2010-09-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine posted on her blog about the things that truly make her happy. I thought I would give it a try. So I thought for a little about what makes me happy. The sad thing is, I don't know. Its hard for me. I am not sure why. I am not UN happy. I think I would call myself content really. The things that make me TRULY happy, well they are kind of personal. For instance, when I really feel inspired. That makes me happy. I feel a real feeling of joy. Being out in nature, on a hike or something and witnessing the grandeur of the world. That makes me happy. In our church you go in for a temple recommend interview every 2 years. When they ask me if I am honest in my dealings with my fellow man or if I know and accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer and I can answer YES! I feel true joy and happiness. But these things don't happen every day. So in my every day life do I feel joy? I dont know...I think I do sometimes. But to be perfects honest, cleaning the house and cooking food do not always bring me joy. Sometimes they do...most of the time not so much. As I said before though, I am not UN happy. So what does this make me? Am I normal or do I need to work more on finding joy in the mundane things of life? Am I a pessimist? I think it is something for me to think about, work on even. I think we can have real joy and happiness each day. I think it takes effort. I think God intends for us to be happy, and not just occasionally. So I tend to think I need to work on it more. Thanks Melissa, for the post!

Summer

2010-09-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

So we have had a fun and busy summer. I still need to get the pictures from our trip to Utah posted, but until then here is a glimpse into some other fun summer activities!

Ickies

2010-09-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite of the kids

I have been sicker than I think I have ever been in my life...I was laid up in bed for the better part of 2 days. It has taken me a week to breathe through my nose again. Anyhow, I am neglecting all sorts of things trying to get the reading and things done for my Bradley training. So I apologize...soon I will be back with more and exciting things to share. Until then, I just wanted a new picture on my blog :)

Love

2010-08-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Big Daddy O and I have been married for 9 years today. He loves me..STILL! I know I can hardly believe it either, but its true. He is the best. The hottest. The most amazing guy. I love you too!

photot by Sister K.

Photo by Jon Canlas

photo by Legoman

I do have some other photos of us, however I cant get them off my camera until I get my cord back...so enjoy these few.

triathaletes

2010-07-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

Legoman and Boogyman did a triathalon.

cousins M. and L. came to help out at the transition stations and be cheerleaders. They also took on the job of my camer since I had a different kind of camera...

me filming so big dady o can see it after work

the boys letting loose before the big race

Boogyman went first...

lucky thirteen...out of the pool

onto the bike

finished! Boogyman was 4th out of his heat...

I love the look on his face! yea baby!

next up, Legoman

out of the pool first!

onto the bike

and he is finished! first in his heat...he was determined not to be behind ANYONE!

oh yeah!

and after its all over.

They both had a great time...Legoman wants to do it again. Boogyman not so much. He did really well but he is just not into that sort of thing. Good job to both of my boys for doing so well! Your awsome!

princess party

2010-07-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Bugalicious wanted to have a princess party...

they dressed up and learned how to curtsy...

posed for head shots

ate milk and cookies (instead of tea and cake)

and one little prince snuck in

Bugalicious had so much fun! We love having a girl in our family...

a birthday

2010-07-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Legoman turned 8 this month. This is a big deal in our family. 8 means you get to go to scouts, and be baptized in our church. We believe that 8 is the age of accountability meaning you understand that you make choices and that there are consequences to those choices. Needless to say my guy was super excited to reach this milestone in life. It was a great birthday and a great baptism. I love this guy a lot and appreciate how much he brings to our family. He is a fabulous worker and can outwork any cousin on the hill! He loves to invent things to do for the kiddos and is the best big brother. He is the go to person for owies now (he learned how to properly take care of cuts and such in scouts). We love you Legoman!

Legoman in his scout uniform

Dad and Legoman

Our family!

Goal #2

2010-07-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

I DID IT! I finished the Seattle to Portland bike ride! No pictures since I tried to take one with my phone and I was shaking too badly for it to turn out. Daddy O was going to have one taken at the car but by that point all I wanted was some real food. I hadnt had anything but cliff bars, GU, some jerky, and a few blueberries for the last 100 miles. Anyhow, as I have said before you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. Daddy O let me draft off of him for the first 100 miles. Thank goodness he did. I was freezing cold. The skies were overcast and I was not dressed for cold. So besides blocking the wind to make it easier for me to ride it also kept me warmer. The last 100 I did with my brother in law and his brother in law. Kind of. I did alot of it on my own. So I can claim some credit. Let me tell you though as I hit the 175 mile mark I realized that I was going to do this, and I started to tear up. I said a silent prayer to Heavenly Father. I had prayed about this ride. I knew it would be hard. I also knew that I needed to do this for me...so that I would be able to change. I am truly humbled by all the love and help I recieve all the time from those around me and from a loving Heavenly Father. I am so blessed! So...goal #2 ride the STP 204 miles...check! Last goal is a marathon.

P.S. you can follow this link and find official pictues of me.

Swim!

2010-07-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors a.k.a. relatives (because they almost all are) have a pool. Last week it was blazing hot. We have no a.c. So when Big Daddy O came home from work he wanted to go swimming. It seems we picked a popular night to go since almost every other cousin on the hill was there too! So there was lots of throwing of kiddos and squirting of kiddos and all that buisness.

Lego man..for some reason he has to have his goggles so tight his eyes are all caty wompus!

Trouble in the water :)

Grrrrr....who is that sexy man! (even without the beard)

Bugalicious looking her most adorable

Poor Boogyman! His goggles are pretty tight too!

Uncle Max launching Bugalicious

Big Daddy O launching Legoman

I of course took my time getting in for a few reasons. 1. I was in a swim suit. 2. I only shave every other week. Most of the time I dont shave..ya know...the swim suit line. So I had to wait for all the adults to get out or go somewhere before I hopped into the pool. Boys and kids have it easy. Just sayin.

Lazy, hazy, dazy, mazy, shmazy, etc. etc. etc.

2010-07-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

This has turned out to be a busy summer for me. Birthing classes, family reunion, wedding, camping, hiking, cycling... I love these days where I have nothing to do but sit around and clean, play the wii, swim, tan, read, make food, ya know..all the fun stuff that is hard to do during the school year. Today was so, idylic almost. We went to town to see the new neice who is absolutely perfect. Then we went to the store and bought a pool and a some ice cream sundae stuff. Came home, filled the pool ate ice cream and lazed about the hot house! We dont have air conditioning or fans so its pretty hot in this 95+ heat. I suppose that the day could be better, ya know, we could have a lawn and a porch swing to enjoy. Maybe the play area could be done and fenced in...we could have a bbq to cook on. A garden would be awsome too...but you see, we dont have any of those things yet and still...it was a perfect day. I think too often we want lots of things. None of them bad per say, but we let ourselves worry too much over what we dont have and what needs to be done and we dont enjoy the here and now. Life is to full of little memories and experiences that could be amazing if we just see them as tender mercies from the Lord and enjoy what we have and not fret over what we dont. Enjoy your summer with your family close by and the beauty that that is. You will never regret it...

New man

2010-06-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a 4 day class in Washington. I came home to a few surprises. First, Bugalicious learned to ride her bike without trainers! I will get a picture of that later. Second...well, there are no words. Well, at least until after you have seen the pictures...so have a look.Yeeaahhh...in his own words..."I look like a big toe!" He really really does! I still love you though Big Daddy O!

Price Cut

2010-06-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Apparently our lives have gotten cheeper. According to an article on Yahoo! the price of things like toys and tv's have dropped since 2000. Did you know toy prices have dropped 44% since 2000. Really! So is that why legos still cost 10 dollars for a little car? I cant imagine paying 20 dollars for it back in 2000, but I wasnt looking for legos then either. A baby stroller for Bugalicious is around 35 dollars. 70 bucks back in 2000! NO WAY! Music is supposedly cheeper too. I wish itunes knew about this. They might retract their .29 cent increase in the cost per song. I suppose that is only on "new" music. Or anything that is slightly popular. Well, the cost of playing your music has gone down. The music players themselves have dropped in price by 43%. Thank goodness! I dont think I would have paid 78 dollars for an ipod nano (this is the one your kids dont want...its too small) back in the day. According to one source I found the ipod 5G when it first came out was around 400 dollars. The nano today is 2G. So this one might actually be accurate. Anyhow, lets move on to something else...like your bedroom set. Say you pay 5000 today for a bedroom set. Well back in 2000 you would have paid 5200. Take that! I suppose I could go on and go over everything on the list. They cover things like electronics, appliances and such. My point is...I think they are a bunch of liayas! Well, maybe not liars, but they make it sound like its so much cheeper today than a few years ago and its simply not true. What isnt reflected in this article is the fact that most people today have less job security and less income and more debt thanks in large part to the ecenomics of the last few years. So if you were to adjust for inflation, factor in ecenomics, you really are paying more for things today. At least that is my belief. Anyone want to weigh in?

A day late and a dollar short...

2010-06-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

I love you!

You love me

(we are a happy family!)

You love our kids

You make everything fun

You are so dedicated

You are reliable

(albeit late often)

You are my best friend

You are a hard worker

You are the best dad

Happy Fathers day!

Wisdom

2010-06-16T20:51:00.001-07:00

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2 : The world doesn't care about your ... See More

self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. ... See More

Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss

Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault , so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Goals

2010-06-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the year I set a few goals for myself. Mostly because I feel that too often I set a goal and then when things get a little difficult I just let it go, or if I start to feel that I bit off more than I can chew, or if ....well you get the picture. This is a flaw in my character that I have wanted to overcome for a long long time. So I set my goals and went at it. On saturday, I accompilshed one of those goals. I ran a half marathon. It was a very small event. Only 10 people ran. However, it was a mapped out route and it was 13.53 miles and I did it! My sister Bethany and brother Kade did as well as my running partner Lindsay. Bethany and I were the slow runners and came in dead last. Well to be truthful I came in dead last. Bethany sprinted to the finish. My feet were too sore at that point to sprint. Bethany and I also got lost on the route and I think we added a mile or so to the run. So we over achieved! I dont feel different today then yesterday. I just know now that what seemed like an impossible feat last week is not. The lesson I took away from yesterday is that most limitations we put on ourselves are only there because we allow them to be. Our bodies and minds are capable of so much more than we allow. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we limit ourselves? I stlil have 2 more goal to achieve this year. They are big ones. I have a lot of other things going on that I still need to do as well as working toward those goals. Even after the realizations of yesterday I still doubt. You see why I desperately need to do this? I need to stop giving myself limitations. I can do all things through God who strengthens me. And He did. And He does. And He will.

Rockhounds

2010-06-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

We went to Beverly Beach to go rock hunting with my family for Memorial day. As we left our house and headed to the beach it was drizzling and cloudy and not to promising. However once we were there it was a perfect day. Overcast and warm and hardly a soul on the beach but us. The kids had so much fun looking for agates. I think the dad's had more fun than the kids though. We had a BBQ/campfire and roasted hotdogs for lunch. I really love where we live. So beautiful and so many things to do.

Me

2010-05-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have a good friend I run with. We usually do a 5 mile run. I love it. I love running. I wish I was better at it. Tonight we had a good talk while we were running. Well, this is how I talk. something something....breath hard....something something....breathing harder....cut it short and let her talk. It works for us. Anyhow, we were talking about analogies. Sports to life stuff. I was recently called to be the Relief Society president in our ward. All that means is that I am in charge of looking after the women in our ward and plannning stuff for them. But it is a lot of work and time consuming. I have great councelors. They are amazing. So here is my analogy. If you watch cycling at all you will understand a little better. In big races you will have 5 or so guys on a team. At the beginning of the race they pick one guy they are all going to help win and do all they can to get him that win on each stage or leg of the race. There is someone who is the "domestic" he works HARD. He is the one going back and forth from the support car to each of the riders on the team getting them water and what not. The other riders are sticking by their guy riding in front of him and letting him "draft" off their efforts so he doesnt run out of steam. The last mile or so of the race you really see the team work kick in. The racers are flying...literally going like 40 miles an hour toward the finish line. And their man is sticking like glue to the back of them being dragged along. Then the last 100 yards or so you see the draft men peel off and the guy they want to win sprints to the finish line. This seems really crappy for the other guys who have worked their tails off to get this guy the glory. But they know they will have a turn in the end. That is a lot like my calling, or life in general. You are only as good as those people who support you and fling you to the finish line. That is why it is so important to surround yourself with people who love you and will help you as you go. That is why you are only as good as your presidency. Anyhow, my running buddy shared another good one with me that I will share at another time. So, have a fabulous night...or day...or whatever. Go and do something athletic, you'll find some inspiration you can pass along!

Aprons

2010-05-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Every year our ward has a scout auction to earn money for the kiddos to go to camp. This year Big Daddy O. is part of the scouting program and asked me if I woul make some aprons for the auction. Now I am not a great sewer by any stretch of the imagination. However I love aprons and love to make them. And it was for the scouts so I said yes. My sister in law was kind enough to model for me so I could get these pictures. Thanks Chris! Your a fantastic model :) I have thought about selling aprons online before, what do you all think? Are these aprons worth 40 a pop? P.S. my favorite is the last one, I love the colors...

Homeschool

2010-05-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

I homeschool my kids. Most of the time we love it. There are however beginning to be challenges. Legoman really needs to be with some other kids sometimes. Its just a natural part of being a kid and growing up. I get this. Totally. I have looked into so many different things homeschool related and none have worked out. I have tried to get a co-op going. No interest. I have tried to get ahold of other co-op's in the area. No response. I have looked into going to the largest co-op around here. They have a statement they want me to sign saying that I believe a certain thing. And while I feel comfortable signing it, it seems as if it were made to specifically leave out Mormons, which we happen to be. Maybe I am just being paranoid. We have joined 4-H which I had high hopes for. It has been an utter flop as far as I am concerned. It may be that when they can actually join the groups they have it may go better, but the class they have for under 8 is so boring the boys hardly want to go. I want to put Legoman on the swim team, but the money they expect for that is exorbitant to say the least and we dont have it. So we are left with local sporting activities. Which is fine I suppose. But I want something that will allow him to interact with other kids in an academic setting. Now we could go up to Beaverton or Portland to engage with the groups up there. However that seems too far to drive on a regular basis. Is there no other alternative? Can we not find even a few local yocals who also homeschool who want to do something? Is there no one out there who has a group who would love to have us join? Geesh what does a girl have to do to make the homeschool experience awsome for her kids? I am willing to go to Salem. We can afford a small sum of money, but we are by no means rich. So this is a plea to anyone out there with suggestions and information. We need something!

new do

2010-05-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

I recently got my hair cut in a very similar style. Bugalicious decided she wanted to be just like me (awww). I love it when she wants to be like me. So I cut her hair. It took me a while to get used to it, but I LOVE it now. Its so much easier for her to take care of and it has a style. And the bonus...its all the same length now. Before she had patches of really short hair where she had tried to cut it herself.

TCP

2010-04-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Oh Childrens Place....what am I going to do when my kids get to big for your clothes? I mean, ties for a dollar, shoes for 5, dresses and pants for 5, nifty messanger bags for 2, really. And with my extra 10 and 15 percent off...its like robbing you only legal. So I ask you...what am I going to do? Perhaps you could kindly extend your sizes through, say 18, years that is. I would love that. I mean really really really love that. You fit my budget beautifully. So while I know that the chances of you extending your merchandise line is slim to none, I will just go on enjoying the smashing deals I get from you on a regular basis. I will go on stocking up on jackets, pants,shoes, dresses and what-nots for my kiddos at a fraction of the price I would pay at a regular retailer. A better deal than I can find and thrift stores or consignment shops for that matter. So thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my deal finding heart. TCP...I heart you!

Rant...

2010-04-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Just for a minute I promise. Jon and I finally got our tax returns yesterday, 500 dollars less than we thought. The reason, one of the social security numbers has a name that doesnt match the records...really? We have had this problem forever...its Legoman's number. The social security office misspelled one of his names by one letter. ONE letter. That however has never stopped us from getting our return before. ALSO, when I went to the beloved social security office to change the name, I waited for over an hour with two toddlers only to be told once I did get to the window that a birth certificate wouldnt do to change his name. I needed to bring in something from his doctors office that had his name on it. What? Where the blankety blank do they think the doctors office gets their info from? ME! And the doctors office doesnt ask for birth certificates, I could tell them anything I wanted to and they would write it down. I LOATHE government offices and all their red tape...I am mystified that people want more of it!

One of those days

2010-04-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

The weather was fine, we had friends over. Bugalicious and her friends made grass nests in our beautiful green field. Then we went for a walk and threw rocks, took rock showers, jumped on the trampoline and visitied Big Daddy O building Tim and Monica's pole building. It was a fine day. That is until Daddy O and I went for our bike ride. Then the wind picked up, the clouds rolled in and it rained. Of course!

Life...

2010-04-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

I love to read blogs, books, scripture, anything that can be inspiring. I need a daily dose of inspiration. Lately as I have been reading I have been noticing a theme from women. Often we look at our lives and are disappointed with what we see. I am guilty of this too. I am a gypsy at heart I think. I would love to travel the world taking pictures all along the way. However God in his infinate wisdom has placed me where I am today and not in Singapor taking pictures. I am so grateful for this. I look at myself and my growth since becoming a wife and mother and am amazed at the transformation. I know some of you who have known me a long time are scratching your heads and wondering "what transformation". But its there. When we first got married I told Big Daddy O that I had no idea how to cook. He said "we'll learn together". Its taken a while, but truly we have both learned together. Now I know that most things "homemade" just taste better. I am also a very impatient person, but I am learning to be more so. 4 kids will do that to a girl. When I was in school I made fun of those girls who were majoring in something like sewing or cooking or home ec or whatever they called it. Now, as a sewer myself I wish I had taken some of those classes. I really enjoy poetry, good classical music, I want to learn how to wear make up and dress myself nicely. I am learning how to build things and creat new things for my kids. I have learned so much by homeschooling my kids and the oldest is only in "2and grade". I would never have really gotten into photography without a husband who lovingly saw some potential and was determined to buy me a nice camera so I could have at it. As I have served in church callings I have also grown and expanded spiritually.
I am beginning to realize the purpose behind all of these small and simple changes in me. It is to bring about a greater purpose. I believe that each of us is on this earth for a unique and divine purpose. As we allow our life to follow the path that God has chosen for us and all the amazing experiences and changes that come along with it we begin to see how our lifes purpose is being played out. I am not saying we have no choice in the matter, we do. All of the changes I have had in my life are because I have not been afraid to change who I am and let go of my old "identity". Sometimes letting go has been harder than others. For instance with me it has been changing my appearance. It has taken me almost 33 years to change from tomboy to just sort of tomboy. I think as women we are so hard on ourselves. We are afraid to embrace our individual beauty and talents. We are all creators in our unique, divine way. We all have the opportunity to change the world through our children and those that come under our sphere of influence. We have such mighty potential!
I am so grateful for the changes I continue to experience. Some are hard (clothes shopping and high heels) and some are easier. Some of the experiences I want to have will come at a later time and thats ok. I am ready to embrace the good and the bad of today and love the changes these experiences evoke in me. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you" Ezekiel 36:26 I dont always love me. Today I do. Today I feel like I can see myself through God's love and I want to share that with you. We are amazing. Just for today, try and see how amazing you are. Try to see the unlimited potential you have. Love yourself! Its ok. I promise :)

Big Daddy O.

2010-04-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

What does my hubby do while I am metering for light? Well...now you know the dirty truth! He is a total ham and loves to mess around. I cannot tell you how many times I have found pictures similar to this on my cameras. He cracks me up. Just one of the many reasons I am so in love with this guy!

Do you ever...

2010-04-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

I check this blog regularly to see if anyone has updated on the links. Sometimes when I check it I get annoyed because there is not a new post. Annoyed? And then I remember, I am the one who posts on this stupid thing! Am I alone in this? I would love to post every day. To have a fantastic blog that is new and fun and something that I want to look at. I just dont have the time. And then there are days like today where I want to post but I just cant think of anything I think anyone would want to read. Just for the sake of trying to keep this updated...here is the update. I have started jogging again after a 3 or 4 week hiatus due to injury. The weather has been kind of tumultuous (as in rain, snow, hail, and sunshine within minutes of each other) but absolutely stunning! I am loving this light and the sky is phenomenal. I wish I had someone I could just drag out and pose in the middle of the fields with the dark sky behind...stunning! Anyhow, the sun is out and the kids are getting dirty again and I love that they play outside. Today was an especially marvelous day in our house. The kids did AWSOME with school. Ezra did all his math without his manipulators and completed his primer book. Elliott spelled all his spelling words correctly and wrote his sentances with minimal help from me. Anna loved her preschool stuff and Eli had a great time cutting. It was one of those days that you live for as a homeschool mom where you finally feel like you are doing things right and your kids are learning and becoming more of a self learner. That is my goal, I want my kids to be self learners. I want them to be excited about education and what the possibilities are for learning. I am still working on becoming a better photographer and I love it. I wish I had new lenses and differnt cameras, but I know that will all come in due time. Jon is working and happy and life is just good. When I say my prayers I am always amazed at how thankful I am for all that we do have and just how blessed we really are. Life is good, I am still here just busy with school, running, cycling, and family. I will try to get some pictures posted soon!

What I am…and not.

2010-04-06T10:42:00.001-07:00

I am a conservative, a christan, and a decent person. I am not a bigot, a hatemonger, or a racist. I am worried about the direction this country is taking because I do not believe in socialism. I do not hate President Obama because he is black. I disagree with the direction he wants to take the country, he could be purple, yellow, green or orange and I would still disagree with his policies. I own a gun. I do not and never have believed in or promoted violence in anyway to get what I want. I believe that God created man and women to be together in marriage and that it is a sacred institution. I do not want gays and lesbians to be denied basic rights as partners because of their sexual orientation, however I also do not want them to have special rights because of their sexual orientation. I am trying to be responsible with my money and get out of debt. I would like for our government to show some fiscal responsibility in their spending as well. If it doesn’t work on a small scale you are not going to convince me it will work on a large scale. I am not stupid. Please stop treating me that way. I am a decently educated person who is truly trying to do what I believe. Please stop acting like I am not smart because I believe differently than you do. I am a TV watcher and radio listener. This does not make me a robot nor does it make me brainwashed and completely taken in. I am someone who can and will listen to what both sides are saying and will follow what I believe is right. I am someone who prays. I am someone who reads and studies. I am an American. I am not the enemy.

Family pictures

2010-04-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

Legoman took most all of the pictures with me in it...didnt he do great? My sister in law came down and helped with the family picture. Thanks Monica! This is the first family picture of all of us ever. We tried....this is as good as it got, trust me...

O. and Sydney

2010-03-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

For all you that know my brother Owen, he finally braved up enough to bring his girlfriend to meet the rest of the family. Thankfully we all really like her. We wouldnt want to have to scare another one off :) Anyhow, while they were here (well really like 5 minutes after they arrived) I dragged them kicking and screaming out to do some pictures. You see I have had this spot picked out for a while waiting to find a couple willing to go out and do some pictres. So I twisted their arms and threw them in the car and made them come and take pictures. They had a good time though since they were laughing and joking the whole time. I dont think it was too painful. So if you want to see the pictures you can go here.

Sauvie Island, our first hike of the year

2010-03-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

We had our firts official hike yesterday with my sister B. and her kiddos. We hiked on Sauvie Island. It was ok. They charge 7 dollars to park on the island which is more than a state park pass so that wasnt great. Also nothing was really alive yet and the hike we did was a marshland loop. So not many flowers or greenery. We did see a bunch of boats and a barge on the river side of the island and there were bird markers all along the path. I think it was a 2 mile loop which was perfect for a beginning hike and I only had to carry Trouble once. Not bad!

Trouble collecting pine cones before the hike

Bugalicious the official water drinker! She was a thirsty girl.

Boogyman was the spy guy.

Legoman was our official guide complete with map and compass.

B. and her baby, he did so well aside from trying to climb out of the backpack.

B.'s other little guy, he's a serious bird watcher!

The hike was fun, and warm. I think we were all wishing we had a few less layers. I am so glad spring is here and summer is almost here :)

What a day!

2010-03-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

It was such a fabulous day today. It was warm and overcast and absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The kids and I had a great time outside enjoying this awesomeness while it lasts. I am sure there is rain right around the corner..this is still offically winter!

We are so ready....

2010-03-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

to get hiking again. We love to go for hikes as a family and last year it just didnt happen as often as we would have liked. Between building a house and girls camp and the STP we just didnt have time for it. This year though, we are going. No more excuses! This first pictures is from our last hike last year and is possible the only picture in existence with everyone in our family in it!

Money Money Money ....

2010-03-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

Big Daddy O. and I have been contemplating him going back to school for a change in careers. Since things have been really really slow with construction it seemed the right thing to do. Then pretty unexpectedly two job offers came in for full time employment. Big Daddy O. has decided to take on of the offers from his brother T. who owns a landscape buisness. I dont know that they have worked out the details yet, but eventually Jon will be doing most of the hardscapes (I think that's what T. called it). They are also planning other things that I am still not clear about, but needless to say I am excited. I am excited for Daddy O. who is finally going to feel like he can provide for his family again and excited for us to finally have a steady income. Now I can get to work doing the things I have wanted for a while, like 72 hour kits, expanding the food storage, actually decorating the house (maybe) and building up our savings again. I am so thankful for blessing that came our way the last 2 years and I sure hope they continue to come our way. Horray for a steady pay check again!

Moments

2010-03-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a "moment" with my kids. We were at a baptism and the three older ones were all sitting quietly and with their bottoms on the chairs. It was so nice and I felt like maybe just maybe I was doing something right as a parent. On friday I had another of those moments when I took the 4 kids by myslef to the Maritime Museum. They all were pretty obedient and good and were occupied for a good 45 minutes before we had to settle into throwing rocks till dad came back. My kids are getting older. And while this is a blessing in a lot of ways its also intimidating and sad. I dont know that I am ready to deal with the problems that come with the older crowed. I still love that our problems have to do with sharing and taking turns and learning to be nice even when someon else is not! Intimidating because that means I have to adapt how I parent again! I love my kids and am so grateful for all of them. They are such a blessing to me and part of me wants them to stay little forever....

Beach trip

2010-03-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

We took the kids up to Astoria to Fort Stevens. It was an amazing day 60 degrees and perfectly blue skies. I have decided that the best time to go to the beach is during the winter. We had such a blast. The kids loved the meritime museaum and the Fort and the beach.

Banana Pancakes

2010-02-26T18:34:00.000-08:00

You know that song by Jack Johnson Banana Pancakes...Well I always wondered if they were any good and why someone would make a song about it. So I decided to try my own pancake recipe with bananas. This is how it goes...smash up 3 bananas. These were too good still, they needed to be more ripe, ya know all brown and spotty on the outside kind of ripe.

Add a heaping cup full of flour, and about a 1/4 cup dry milk

1 Egg

1 tsp of vanilla, salt and

a HEAPING tsp of baking powder

Then add some cinnamon, and a bit of oil and then all the water you need to make a good batter consistency. The boys wanted to add blueberries to theirs...they were ok.

In the end you will have a huge stack of banana pancakes that should taste like banana bread, OH YEAH!

My kids love these. Its kind of nice to change up your old standby every once in a while.

Primitive instincts?

2010-02-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

Since we moved into our house we have lived on a big pile of mud. At least the kids are enjoying it. Here's hoping that this year we will get some grass. And yes that is mud filling his unders too....I know!

Mexican Chicken Chili

2010-02-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

I found this recipie on line somewhere and have made it a LOT. It is my favorite chili recipe.

The first thing you do is cook about a pound of chicken and cut it up. I like to salt and pepper mine.

So I am just going to list the recipe.

1lb chicken breasts
1 Tbsp olive oil (I never use)
10 cups water
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 potato, peeled and chopped
1 small onion diced
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 carrot, sliced (I dice)
1 celery stalk, diced
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, PLUS liquid
1/4 cup diced pimento
1 jalapeno, diced
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley ( I never have it so I never use it)
1 colve garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp salt
dash cyanne pepper
dash basil
dash oregano

Saute the chicken and chop it. Add all other ingredients and let simmer without a lid for 4-5 hours. Eat and enjoy.
*It is very important that you do not use a lid or the liquid will not reduce. It should reduce by at least half. To double this recipe just double everything BUT the liquid. Once the liquid has reduced (about 2 hours) add the remaning liquid and continue to cook.

Sorry the pictures are a little out of order :)

Race Time

2010-02-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

So my friend Lindsay and I are running some trail runs. This was our first one. It was a 10k. This is us getting pumped!

So Lindsay came in about 15 minutes before me...I am slow! So slow infact that Legoman was starting to loose faith in me and was upset thinking I was going to come in last, believe me he wasnt alone! Anyhow, notice the smile on Lindsays face and the spring in her step...then look at me. I have the big sweat spot on the arm pit and I even needed help from a bystander to finish the last little stretch. She was a pretty cute bystander too If I do say so myself!

Breakfast Cookies

2010-02-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

So I found this recipe from All Recipes.com however I have modified it...or course. My kids thought it was great.

1 Large Banana or 1/2 cup (I used applesauce, however next time I think I will use zucchini)
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup honey (I used agave nectar)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk (you can substitute a hot chocolate or chocolate milk mix for this too)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup dried fruit (I added chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients until incorporated. Drop a big spoon full onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 14 minutes. Eat UP! This recipe is so easy to change. I think zucchini would be really good in place of the applesacue since this is a sweet recipe anyway.

one of those weeks...

2010-02-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have one of those days. Or weeks. Yeah, its been like that for me. Not because everything goes wrong per sey, but just because I feel rotten. Maybe I need some more vitamin D, or some Fish Oil or something like that. Who knows, all I know is I am in a slump and cant seem to get out of it. For instance, I have been running and biking quite a bit. So you would think I would lose weight, nah... gained 2 pounds. Or perhaps ya know, feeling like I had recieved an answer to prayer and then..not. The list goes on. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about feeling like this is feeling so alone and feeling like this. I know that everyone goes through periods like this. I know this too shall pass. I know we each have our "burdens" to bare. I just wish sometimes I could share it. The thing about sharing it is leaving yourself exposed...and I dont know that I can do that. So, I know this post is kind of depressing, I didnt start out to post something depressing... I will work on posting something more upbeat soon. Till then, know all is well. This is just my yearly (or bi-yearly) pity party. I am working on it. I am good, I am blessed, I am F.I.N.E. fine! Wierd I know...sorry!

AHOY!

2010-01-27T13:23:00.000-08:00

The kiddos were supposed to be folding the clothes...when out of the blue

such adorable little pirates...I especially love the hand towels and makeshift belts!

Boogyman

2010-01-26T08:24:00.001-08:00

B. turned 6 yesterday. Some of the things he loves are his video games.. playing dress up and pretend with his brothers and sister

and posing in his unders for me :)

Really, B. is on of the best kids a parent could ask for. I have 3 very rambunctious children and he is usually the mellow one in the bunch. He has such a tender heart. He loves animals, bugs and people. His best friend is Ella and he is already sure he is going to marry her. He loves to tell us how much he loves us and is a very affectionate kiddo. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing little spirit in my home. Happy birthday B.

Super Athlete

2010-01-07T21:36:00.000-08:00

Confession time...I have ALWAYS wanted to be a superathlete. Not the kind that goes and wins olympic gold medals, but a hardcore, down and dirty superathlete. The kind that runs in the 100 mile super distance races. Or the chic that can do a triathalon or two a year. Or that does those wierd week long treks in all kinds of terrain with a team that pushes you to the limits of your endurance since you race almost non stop. The very thought of this just thrills me like very few other things do. So why havent I done any of these things? Well I am sure I could come up with a million excuses. Kids, homeschool, just being mom, wife, teacher and all the other titles you could attatch. But I am tired of all the excuses. I am tired of not doing what I feel in me I am destined to do. I am ready to start the very long and arduous process of turning this currently soft, round, and often a little too "plump" body into a lean, sinewy(sp), not necissarily skinny, but very fit machine! I have a friend who challenged me to run a marathon with her this year and I have commited. I also have promised my sweetheart that I will ride the STP with him again, this time the whole thing and in 12 hours. So if I can do these two things this year, I know that next year I can set my sights on a triathalon. I will just have to master the art of swimming. Bummer...I hate swimsuits. Although thanks to living in Florida I have come to realize that all shapes, sizes and body types wear a lot less than I do so I think I have come to terms with that. Well, wish me luck, join me, or just make this the time when you decide you are going to start working towards your dreams and discover what is really inside of you.

Happy Birthday Bugalicious!

2009-12-30T08:03:00.000-08:00

Our little girl is 4 now! Buggies is so much fun to have around. She is starting to play so much like a girl it is amazing. I love to see the difference beteween the boys and girl in our family. Although she does do alot of the things the boys do, she still loves her whoopsie doo that she got for Christmas. She loves to dress up and wear make up. She also loves to play mom and dad whenever she can rope a boy for the dad part. She loves to wrestle with her daddy and has just learned how to write her name. She loves to do school and her favorite subject is art. She loves to paint and play with playdough. She also really loves to go on our family outings. We love that she is a part of our family!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2009-12-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

well, this is actually what it looked like LAST year at Christmas. We keep hoping for it this year and they did say we had the possibility of snow, but most likely it will be dry and sunny. Bummer! This is heavenly, magical, and mystical. Sunny, eh, not so much.

Big Daddy O and I

2009-12-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

Doesnt Big Daddy O look fabulous even in his work gear! He is so photogenic. I on the other hand....well that is why I usually take the pictures. However, we havent had a picture together in a while and I thought we aught to at least try for something. Legoman was generous enough to brave the cold and a picky mom who kept telling him to take another one! What a great bunch of guys I have, they must really love me!

On the road again, just cant wait to get on the road again...

2009-12-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

This is from our Seattle to Portland ride this year. Big Daddy O. in the front me next T. Walker next and T. Ptter on the far right. We have started riding on the trainers again. I am also running and doing P90X so as to stay in shape enough that I can ride it in 12-14 hours. That is our goal for this year. Well actually I quit at 120 miles last time since my knee was really bugging me, however this year will be different. I did a really good job of eating and keeping hydrated last time so I am mostly focusing on getting my knee to hop on the bandwagon with the rest of my body! I am trying to figure out how to change my stance so as to not have as much pressure on my knee. I am also going to have my brother J. who is a chiropractor give it a few go overs. Anyone else up for riding with us?

Post Script...

2009-12-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

ok just to clarify...Boogyman was not doing anything inappropriate! I think he was just trying to rearrange. Sorry that the post sounded less than ok...oops!

Maggie

2009-12-07T15:28:00.001-08:00

This is our (actually more like Big Daddy O's) faithful pooch Maggie. She is a labradoodle. We actually really love Maggie. She is such a good dog. Very obedient, doesnt shed much, is fun to play with, and plays fetch. The only complaint I have about her is one I would have about most dogs. She stinks! We will give her a bath and the next day she comes in smelling like a dog...how dare she! Anyhow, just thought I would post this picture since I like it and I have been trying very unsucsessfully to get one of her for a while. She's a little camera shy.

Kids say the darndest things

2009-12-05T16:47:00.000-08:00

While we were at the store I see Boogyman scratching himself.
Me: Stop itching yourself in the store buddy
Him: I'm not itching mom, I 'm stretching out my penis
I giggle as I walk away and pretend I didnt hear him :)

JUST TO CLARIFY...Boogyman was not doing anything inappropriate! He was just rearranging himself. I didnt realize how..uh...bad the post sounded until I read it again. So no ickiness here ok!