Going to the Farm

This picture is just for my sister, Jenny. The corn is growing! It's so tiny and cute! This was taken on our way out to the Sodden's farm. They invited us to come out for a bbq and the kids had a blast! The Soddens are friends and we are so thankful they had us out...what a good time!

Matthew is showing me his moves on the tramp....jumping with him are Joe, Gavin and Gabbie.

Megan is holding a little kitty.

Josh is being a dork.

I wish I would of taken more pictures but we had such a nice time. There were chickens and the next door neighbors had cows, Josh and Zack enjoyed mooing at them. There were all kinds of fun things to get into. Hannah and Jeremiah (the Sodden's two year old) had a sawdust fight, they were both covered. We brought Molly and she was running like a crazy dog the whole time...she even got a hold of some hamburgers and hotdogs..little stinker. She had two German Shepherds to play with along with three kitties. After dinner we were sitting and chatting while the kids were off playing. We could hear Hannah and Jeremiah playing close by so we weren't too worried...there were some big bushes blocking our view of them. Well, when we did discover them......well, just watch the video. Isn't playing in the mud what childhood is all about?

We all look forward to going back for another fun time...thanks Soddens.

A Big Day

Megan...Fifth Grade Graduation

Megan graduated from 5th grade on Wednesday. She will be going to middle school next year. I brought Hannah and Joe with me to the ceremony. It ended up being an hour and a half long and was during nap time...it started at 1:30. And it was hotter that Haites in there! When we first got there Hannah saw Megan sitting up front and she kept saying "I want my friend Megan" over and over...so I let her walk up to see Megan. She almost made it there but then a well intentioned teacher tried to intercept her and she started to cry and ran back to me. All the kids got a big kick out that. Anyway, Megan looked so beautiful and she sat so prim and proper up there with her skirt on...I am very proud of her.
When we got home Hannah wanted a snack, so I sat her at the table and gave her some cereal and the next thing I know, I look over and she's sleeping right there at the table...she looks like an angel.


Later that evening I came home from taking Zack and Matthew to scouts. I also had Joe with me. I took him to sign up for gymnastics. Anyhoo...I came home and the first thing I see is Megan in the kitchen on the phone with her girl friend. Then I hear Hannah "mommy, put me over the gate". (We have a gate up going into the hallway to keep Molly out). I look over and there is Hannah proud as can be standing at the gate with black stuff all over her hands...I go a little closer and smell that oh so familiar smell of nail polish! Hannah had "painted" her nails, just like Megan! What could I do, but give her a bath and take pictures. Hopefully this will be a lesson to Megan to keep her things put away...even though she doesn't think it's very fair because it's "her" room....such is life with a toddler. Oh, and notice the ring on Hannah's finger. This is a baby ring that was either mine or my sister's. It fits perfectly and she kept that on her finger for almost 4 days in a row!

It was all so different before everything changed.

On Sunday I gave the lesson in Relief Society. The subject of the lesson was a talk given by the Prophet Thomas S. Monson from the Sunday morning session of conference. It's a great talk, a very inspirational talk. As I read through it I reflected on all the change that happens in our lives, through out our lives. Our one constant is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think even our faith goes through these ups and downs...these changes. I know mine does. I feel that I've gone through such a hard time lately with my testimony but, I finally see some light at the end of a long dark tunnel...My faith feels renewed.
When I look back on my life I see so many changes some of them good and some of them not so good....though, I guess perhaps all change is good in a way. I've gone through such a long period of reflecting BACK and now I want to look forward. I'm excited for what the future holds for me and my family. Struggles are part of life. I will continue to strive to see these struggles as a growing opportunity instead of just a pain in my backside! My favorite quote from Pres. Monson's talk is this: "In the private sanctuary of one's own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and measure up to the stature of true potential." I'm so thankful for a dear friend that reminded me that I don't need to understand everything right now....some of it can wait.

There's a storm a brewin'

So, while we were eating dinner we noticed how the wind had picked up outside. We went out to check it out. The kids had fun playing out there until it really started to come down. Yesterday there was actually a tornado warning! I've been assured that there hasn't been a tornado in Lincoln,Nebraska for 60 years..but it doesn't stop me from being a bit freaked out!

Moments

Don't you just love those moments when you know it will be funny someday, but not when it happens. This morning I handed Joe his church clothes and then left him to get himself dressed, which he did. When we got to church we were walking down the hall to go into the chapel and Joe looks at me and says "my pull up just broke". Joe still wets the bed sometimes so he wears a pull up to bed. He's supposed to change into underpants in the morning...well this morning he did not. So, my four year old son went commando at church today.....I suppose a prepared mother would of had an extra pair of underwear hid away in the van, or in her purse...but I never claimed to be a prepared mom. I just hope he didn't share his nakedness with anyone.....

The Last Day of Preschool

Wednesday was Joe's last day of Preschool. Hannah and I went to enjoy the activities. The kids played for a while then glued some shapes on visors. Then they made some bracelets and had a snack. Then they played some more and then colored. It was fun and I think he will miss all that fun time with friends and his teacher, Rhonda. He is at a fun age right now. He's very rambunctious but at the same time he is so loving and sweet. The other day he came in from playing outside and came up to give me a big kiss. He then went downstairs and announced to Josh "Mom and I just kissed on the lips!" Josh came right up to tell me about it because he thought it was so funny. He's just sure he's going to marry me when he grows up and doesn't care that Dad and I are already married. All too soon he'll think I'm the biggest dork and be embarrassed by me and annoyed with me all the time. So, for now I will enjoy every moment and every hug and every kiss on the lips.

For the millionth time!

It's late..the kids are in bed...Aaron and I are up watching Lost..or something.
Aaron: Kim...stop popping your knuckles
Me: no...pop, pop, pop....
Aaron: You are going to have arthritis
Me: No I'm not
Aaron: It drives me nuts
Me: They are my knuckles and I'll pop them if I want to.

This is a conversation that has played over and over through out our marriage. I LOVE to pop my knuckles! Aaron hates for me to do it. I hope someday when I am old and my hands are gnarled from all the knuckle popping that he will refrain from saying "I told you so" too often.....

I Just Have to Say.....

I started watching American Idol because I thought is would be something fun that the kids and I could enjoy watching together. Well, I think I started to like it way more than they did. We DVR'd each episode and then we'd watch it later. (Fast forwarding through the commercials is so NICE!) Right from the beginning I really liked David Archuleta and Carly Smithson, those were my favorites. I still think it should of been the two Davids and Carly for the final three...but that's beside the point. What I want to say is I just love David A's voice..it's so pure. David Cook has such a unique sound and he's such a good performer. I think both Davids did so good last night and I'm on pins and needles waiting to see who wins...I hope it's David.

Thee Most BORING day of my life!

TRAFFIC SCHOOL STINKS!

Garage Sale Heaven

So, I love a good deal as much as the next person does. I love the idea of garage sales but have the hardest time actually going up to one and rifling through other people's things while they sit in chairs and watch me...it's just somewhat unnerving to me. Well, yesterday I was out for my walk/run and as I began I noticed several people getting all their stuff out for their garage sale...I must of passed like six of them in the first five minutes. I guess this neighborhood has a tradition of everyone having a garage sale on the same weekend. Well, I saw an easel for the kids and I've been wanting one, but they are so expensive. I ended up finishing my run and hurrying home to have Aaron go out with me to get the easel, it was only 7.00...we also found a bike for Joe for 10.00. The kids have been loving using chalk on the easel and Aaron put training wheels on Joe's bike. Then again today my friend Stephanie and I went out....and we had a lovely time. For some reason going to the garage sales is not as unnerving when other people go with you. In fact it's kinda fun!

Looking through other people's stuff...almost painless
A boy's bicycle........................................$10.00
My son's joy in learning something new.....Priceless!

six words...my life.

My friend Julie wrote on her blog about an article she read in the newspaper. This article was written by Ann Cannon about writing six word biographies. Julie wrote some of her own and challenged her blogging friends to do the same...so here's my try at it.

Two Girls, Four Boys, I'm Done!
Hate Onions, Love Onion Rings, Huh?
Four Browns, Three Reds, One Bald
Love Spring, Love Fall, Hate Winter
Dishes, Laundry, Dishes, Laundry, Dishes, Laundry
Teens, Tots, Tweens, Makes our Family

So, now I have to challenge my blogging friends to do the same, write your own six word biographies.

Hannah

Our little Hannah is growing up so fast. She loves to sing songs and loves for us to sing her songs. Each night at bedtime either I sing or Aaron does. We have to limit the number of songs or she will have us sing all night. Some of her favorites are ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baby Mine, I am a Child of God, and Row Row Your Boat. She sleeps on the top bunk of a twin over full...so we stand up on the bottom bunk while we sing. There are nights when we leave the room and Megan continues the singing. One night Megan told us Hannah woke up in the night telling Megan she had an owie and would not go back to sleep until Megan got up there and kissed it. Megan is so patient with her and is such an awesome big sister. I hope someday Hannah will know just how blessed she is to have her. This video clip is quite cute if you can overlook the "train wreck" in her mouth....She really is just the cutest girl and we all adore her around here.

Some random pictures

A view of our house. Joe doesn't want us to spray for the dandelions because they are wishes waiting to happen!

A view from our front door. I just love all the "popcorn" trees....we don't have one in our yard but at least we have a tree, so that's nice.

A "popcorn" tree in our neighbor's two doors down yard.

A pink "popcorn" tree in a parking lot close to our house.

North Star High School...where Zack goes. Notice the "non mountain" scenery in the distance....this is what you will see when you look in any direction here in Lincoln...just a big sky, it's kinda strange after being surrounded by mountains for so many years...

Joe

Joe is a rambunctious four year old. He's very into video games right now...this is a new thing for him. He's always watched the kids play and they have even given him a paddle so he could "play". Now he understands how to do it. His favorite game is lego star wars. He also enjoys playing games on nickjr.com. He has a very vivid imagination and loves to pretend to be super heroes. Yesterday he made a wish on a dandelion that he would turn into iron man......

It's About Time!

Jason Castr0...Gone!! You should of heard the whooping and hollering at our house!

I must add that I have nothing against him as a person...just think it's high time he was outta there!

Funny Story

Last Friday Aaron took Molly to doggie daycare. We have found that this is a wonderful service offered that we like to take advantage of every couple weeks. It's only 7.00 a day and she gets much needed doggy socialization and we get a break from her, though she's really not that hard to have around. Anyway, the kids came home from school and all wondered where Molly was (she hasn't attended doggie daycare much lately). Aaron just could not pass up an opportunity to tease the kids (this is something we both enjoy engaging in). Well, I need to give some backround info here. Molly is a skinny beagle. We feed her all the time, meaning she always has food in her dish. She just sticks her nose up at it..she will only eat when she figures we are not going to feed her some other lovely tidbit from the kitchen. As a rule she does not get table scraps but with little ones around she does hit the "treat" jackpot whenever Hannah and Joe are at the table. Anyway, she is so skinny. Well we have several beagles in our neighborhood and they are all fat!! I seriously have never seen such a skinny beagle as Molly. So with that information the rest of the story will make sense. Aaron told the kids that we took Molly over to the neighbors house, the neighbors who own the big fat beagle we always see walking around. He told the kids we took her over there so the fat beagle could teach her how to eat properly. I was trying so hard not to fall on the floor rolling with laughter...I did play along for a few minutes then could not help myself and began giggling. The kids were skeptical but I really think a couple of them believed Aaron's tall tale, or maybe "fat tail" is a better phrase.

Love Me Tender

I'm such a big American Idol fan this year. I have to say that David Archuleta's performance of Love Me Tender tonight was very moving and beautiful. With that said...I also would like to say that I hope hope hope that Jason is done after tonight......

Happy Cinco De Mayo......

It's officially very springtime here. I love all the green and will have to take some pictures to post. There are tons of "popcorn" trees all over town and the pink ones are my favorite. I'm not good with the names of them I just know they are so very pretty.
The kids are busy with everything...Zack just finished another play. He did so good in it! Aaron and I were pretty amazed at how well he did, not that we didn't have faith in him, it's just really the first time we've seen him do more than a couple lines. He was a major character in a one act play. Josh is getting ready for baseball, we have a meeting with his coach this Wednesday. Megan is excited for school to be almost over. Next year she will go to middle school...my baby girl is growing up! Matthew is out the door every day after he does his chores and homework. He loves exploring outside and has made a good friend next door. Joe is almost done with preschool and I'm seriously thinking of putting him in gymnastics this summer...I really think he'd love it...the way he is always bouncing all over the house and all over the furniture. Hannah is potty trained and very rarely has accidents...she has no qualms about using public restrooms...it's very nice. She is also getting over her ear infection and is back to being our sweet little princess with the occasional tantrum. Aaron is working a lot this week as his assistant manager is on vacation. I'm trying to figure out how to come up with the money to buy some new running shoes....I really need to get myself back out there...I started but my shoes are old and I really don't want to get shin splints right off the bat. I have to say that for the most part life is good...we have many many things to be thankful for.

Conversations....

Megan: Mom, do you know where any socks are?
Me: I put some bootie socks in your pile (folded clothes) downstairs.
Matthew: BOOTIE SOCKS???
Me: You know, ankle socks.
Matthew: Oh, I thought you meant socks that go up to your bootie.