One Room Down . . .

While we're thrilled with our new house, we're on a mission to repaint just about everything. The rooms need a good freshening up because I don't think anything's been painted in 10+ years, and there are maintenance issues to address everywhere. And it just helps to make the home our own! I know some of us feeling this way is because we tend to be picky, but every little project we get done makes me feel so happy! Brandon does such perfect work, which takes a little longer but is worth it in the end! Jacob and Sarah FINALLY got their bunk beds they've been wanting for years! I went ahead and got new boys' bedding because Jacob will share this room with Jonah once Jonah is ready for a big bed. More decorating will have to come later. So one room down and a whole bunch more to go!New bunk beds in slate blue room. This room (AND ceiling) were electric blue!

2 happy kids anxious for their first night's sleep in bunk beds!

My Dad

My dad is in the middle receiving his Eagle Scout award.

This week my dad received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America! I'm so proud of him! His life is a great example of service in the church and to his family. It's nice to see him recognized publicly for being as wonderful as I already knew he was! My dad has always been a great source of wisdom that all of us kids tap into when in need. He studies the gospel of Christ diligently, and has become our walking encyclopedia for church talks and lessons. Because of his example of being a good husband, all of us girls in the family (except for Kristen, but her time will come) have married wonderful men as we have grown to expect a high standard. I feel so blessed to have been raised by such a Christ-like man. Thanks, Dad, for everything. And Happy Father's Day!

Vacation at the Hospital?

Wow! Reading my last post I can tell I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant! What a grouch I am! You've gotta feel badly for my poor husband and kids that have to put up with me daily! I know and remember how miserable that last month of pregnancy is, afterall, I've already done this 3 other times. Is it too much to ask to be able to see my ankle bones again? To be able to bend my ankles? They've been swollen for 3 months now. Is it too much to ask to want to sleep on my stomach or even my back would be nice? And, what does it say that I'm looking forward to going to the hospital because at this point it sounds like a vacation? I don't have to cook, clean, watch kids, or change diapers. The nurses are there to take care of the baby, bring me food ON a tray IN bed, and I can nap WHENEVER I want! If I were expecting my 1st or 2nd baby I'd probably be anxious about having a baby and all that comes with it. Maybe I should be more nervous because I know so much can go wrong. But right now, I can't wait to not be pregnant anymore and be waited on hand and foot. It sounds heavenly! Sad, huh?

Am I A Bad Mother?

We enrolled Jacob in his first season of baseball this year. Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but it's SO BORING!!! Am I a bad mother for thinking that? I find myself sending Daddy to the games alone to support Jacob because I just end up chasing Sarah and Jonah around the fields because they're bored too. Plus, let's face it, for the whole hour the game lasts Jacob is only up to bat 2 sometimes 3 times (depending on how many innings they play). And each time he's up to bat only lasts 1 to 2 minutes! The rest of the time he's playing around with his teammates in the "dug-out" or swatting at imaginary flies in the outfield, picking dandelions, or even rolling around in the grass. Last night a ball landed right in front of his feet. But he wasn't prepared to pick it up and throw it to first base because he was too busy pulling his gum out into a long piece of string! He had to wind his gum back up, put it in his mouth, THEN throw the ball to 1st base! Soccer and basketball were much more fast-paced and entertaining to watch. I don't know, but this could be his last and only season of baseball just out of sheer sanity on my part. I'm going to have 3 boys! That's a LOT of games over the years to sit through. What kinds of unsupportive, selfish mom am I? Sorry kids, but if Mom isn't happy, nobody's happy!

Sarah's Preschool Graduation

Sarah has had a wonderful preschool year with the Young's. We just love the Young's! Now that we've moved I don't know if I'll drive kids across town for preschool once it's Jonah's turn, and that makes me so sad. We'll have to see if there are any options closer that compare to the Young's (I doubt it). They had 1 giant graduation this year with all 5 of the their classes. The weather barely held for their darling little performance. Each child got golden Mickey Mouse ears for graduation. Sarah's been waiting and talking about those little hats for weeks! She loves it and takes such good care of it.

Here is Sarah (in the light blue shirt) singing in her program with some of her friends. The highlight was when she announced into the microphone (who put her by that microphone anyway?) for all to hear that she needed to go potty. Does it matter that she went RIGHT before we left home? Nope!

And here's Sarah with her beloved teachers! They have an amazing capacity to love, especially children. I really do look up to these good people. The next day Sarah cried because she didn't want to go to Kindergarten with new teachers and friends. I was ready to cry too, because it's going to be a long summer. Do you think the Young's would like to teach summer preschool?

Postponed Easter Egg Hung

Every year Nanny and Papa put on a fabulous Easter Egg Hunt in their yard for all the grandchildren. But this year there seemed to be lots of conflicts with several of the families. So they postponed it and we got to all enjoy it a little later together.

Here are all the grandchildren getting ready to hunt for candy! (Poor Naomi got woken up from her nap a little too early.)

There are always some money eggs and Jacob always seems to find the big winner (this year a $10 egg!), much to the dismay of his cousins. Enjoy it this year, Jacob, because next year it's somebody else's turn!

Nanny and Papa get each child a small toy. Jonah got a ball this year. Don't think that's gonna fit in your basket, Buddy!

Sarah so badly wanted a princess umbrella! And Jacob got an art project kit he'd been wanting! Thanks, Nanny and Papa, for another fun year!

Just Like Daddy

It's so endearing to watch my boys try so hard to be like their dad. After all, why not? He's one of the best role models of a man that I know of. Five years ago I took this picture of 2-year old Jacob following his dad with his little mower wanting so badly to do it like Daddy does. He would watch so carefully and when Daddy turned around, Jacob would turn around too. He'd follow his dad back and forth, back and forth all over the lawn.


And here we are 5 years later with Jonah, also as a 2-year old, mowing again with Daddy. Back and forth, back and forth he follows Daddy trying so hard to be just like him. It's amazing the innate qualities that the boys possess to be just like Daddy. I truly hope they continue to follow in his footsteps and turn out to be men just like Daddy!