Home Again, Home Again, Jiggitty Jig

We made it home in one piece, well, more like 8 pieces.....I have so much to tell about our trip but will have to wait until I get the pictures downloaded. I heard that we missed a tornado scare..I'm so glad we missed it and so glad no one was hurt here in Lincoln. It will probably take me a good week or two to post our whole travel log, but I will get it done. We had such a fun time but we're glad to be home....

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!