to remember

I was in Walmart with Enoch and Thad and Zeke.
I real sharp looking Hutterite with a nice wide brimmed hat walked by.
Zeke pointed and yelled, "Indiana Jones!!" with all the excitement a 2 year old can muster upon seeing their hero. So cute.

Tonight Thad was having bad dreams. I went up and he was still sleeping but coherent enough to talk to me. I asked him what was wrong. He said he couldn't get out of the house. I asked him if he was playing Minecraft. To which he responded in the affirmative.
No more games before bed I think.

Monet has decided that the perfect dinner for Halloween is Sandwitches.

its about time

This has been a fun year for us. No one really checks blogs anymore, but I figure I need to be jotting things down so that I can remember the good things going on in my life with my family.

I won't go recap the entire year.

Levi just turned 10 the other day. That means I have been a parent for a decade! Wow, I am old. And so is he. Levi is awesome; he has a strong sense of self and is happy (mostly), he is always such a big help at home with his younger siblings. Right now Levi LOVES Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit and of course lego. Levi's creativity is developing and he loves drawing and comics and playing hide and go seek outside in the dark with his friends.

Enoch got baptized this year! It was such a great day. Enoch has really grown up a lot this year. He is as smart as a whip and can sometimes spell words better than myself. He has a love for playing outside, which is helped by having a neighbour his age right across the street. Enoch shares a love for the same books as Levi, and is often found with his nose in a book.

Monet is my girl. So glad I have a girl in this life of boys! She is thriving in kindergarten, learning to read simple words and I have heard from more than one parent about how kind she is. That just warms my heart; to hear that my kids are kind. Monet takes her role as big sister very seriously and makes up hundreds of games for Thad and Zeke to play. Her imagination has not slowed down as she has gotten older.

Thaddy-bear is really no longer Thaddy-bear. Although he does like it when I use his name and sing the good ol' Gummy Bears theme song from the cartoon. Thad is in joy school and loves it so much. He dresses himself most days, and adds interesting details like socks on his hands or a cape and no shirt. He loves to laugh and to make others laugh. Knock knock jokes are probably one of the funniest things to him in the entire world.

My baby is growing way too fast. Just yesterday I was marvelling at how tall he was as Josh was holding him. He was a nightmare as far as sleep goes, but we took his bottle away a month or two ago and he is  (finally) sleeping through the night. He doesn't say a ton of words, but a few of them are Dada (or course), mum, baba---bottle, nah-nah---night-night, shoe, no, nose and nana--banana.  His first words were tick tock for some reason. He used to repeat that all the time.

I am starting an independent dental hygiene business. It has kept me plenty busy and has been fun as I am enjoying the steep learning curve of running a business and dealing with insurance companies. I try to only work 5 days a month or so, so I feel like at least it hasn't taken over my family life. Josh might say otherwise, though. I run when I can and avoid housework whenever possible. Just read my first e-book which I thought I would never do, but loved using the in-phone dictionary.

Josh has started a scripture study class with a few couples from our ward. It has been very enlightening and enjoyable. I guess I can't make as much fun of him anymore for being so anti-social.  He is really into listening to podcasts by James Altucher, Tim Ferriss, Eric Thomas and Les Brown to name a few. Josh wants to get a six pack and thinks a lot about cross fit and navy seals and such. But I think he'll reach his goal when I do the same and stop eating sugar of any kind.

All in all our family has had a good and memorable year. We are feeling blessed and watched over.

spring!

Had the most glorious outing yesterday. Just to the park. But all 5 kids went, all 5 kids had fun, all 5 kids got dirty and wet and a slurpee. OK, Zeke didn't get one. But the weather was warm and sunny, and not windy and cold.... just lovely.

Ezekiel finally figured out how to go up and down the stairs safely and by himself. We had the stair blocked for almost 4 months, keeping him away from the stairs. So nice to not have to hop over a big chair or a big board in order to leave the main floor. It seems like once this kids learns one thing, he likes to keep going. He took his first steps last Wednesday, and already he is starting to walk on his own often. Since then he has learned how to stand up in his high chair and crawl onto the table. Oh! And don't forget that he now knows EXACTLY what to do if he finds a toilet lid up. He is finally taking a bottle and will be weaned by the end of the month. tear.

It took a long time, but Thad is now potty trained. He was more difficult than the last two to teach (no one will ever be as hard as Levi was, knock on wood), but once we figured out what motivated him, it was a breeze. With Levi it was Cars. Enoch was candy. Monet; Disney youtube videos. And turns out for Thad it is over the top praise and recognition. When the older kids do something in primary, like give a talk or prayer, after church they get to stand on the table and we all clap for them. We then all enjoy a treat, while the child on the table gets a double portion. Well, we put Thad up there once after peeing on the potty, and overnight he managed to figure out how and when to use the potty. He is so cute on the table, raising his right arm up high like a champion. Yeah, Thad!

Monet has loved every minute of pre-school. I can't believe she will be in kindergarten next year. She is starting to get close to knowing how to read, being able to make the sounds but not put them together. She is my biggest helper and enjoys helping me in the kitchen or folding laundry. I love seeing her imagination at work and watching her play with her friends.

It is now November and I never published this. I guess I will now. Sorry Enoch and Levi, better luck next time!

ziki

I need to write a little something about our sweet baby that is turning into a 2 year old right before our eyes! He is just 8 months, but has been crawling for nearly 2 months already and is quite good at going up the stairs. He is also good at going downstairs, but when he does this he needs someone to catch him as it is a face first free fall.  Zeke got his first two teeth right before Christmas and stood all by himself holding onto nothing just the other day. He still gets up several times a night but at least he sleeps in his own bed now instead of ours.

This little guy isn't so little. By 6 months he was in 12-18 month clothes, and just today his 18 month onesie for church barely snapped up.  I had to really force it. This same shirt Thad wore in the summer time. As in 4 months ago. My family jokes that Zeke's head is a big as mine, but it really isn't true. Not sure why they think that is so funny.

Ezekiel walks with his walker and lights up when Daddy enters the room. He also recognizes when Daddy starts up the missiles and laughs delightedly. We all sure love this little guy. It's sad that he is growing up so fast.

mustard

Instead of ketchup. Get it????

Josh is back at it in school. He is pretty pumped for this years bb season. So am I. He has been into FB debates a lot, as well as studying up on Christ and the Bridegroom symbology.

I have been canning a lot. A LOT. It's been fun. I can even make salsa with strictly my own ingredients from the garden. Enjoying Eragon Inheritance series right now.

Thad is Thad. He is so very two right now. Good thing he is so dang cute, cause otherwise he might not be as bearable. He had an eye check up recently and is our first child to not need glasses. Knock on wood, I hope that lasts! Right now he loves to play with balls, loves to throw and kick 'em. He loves to play chase and loves to laugh. He is a monkey-see monkey-do kind of guy. He really loves his older siblings and will do anything they do.

Monet has started pre-k. Loves it. Loves her classmates and loves that she gets to wear a backpack to school and take out library books. She is growing up too fast. She has been seen walking around with earbuds in her ears, and I get an uncomfortable glimpse into the future. She loves to help me out. Just the other day she helped me skin 10 lbs of tomatoes. Happily.

Enoch is in grade 2 and enjoying it. After having a home reading nazi for a teacher last year (don't get me wrong, she is a great teacher), I never even have to tell him to read his books. He just always does it. Weird to have one so devoted to homework. I'll have to have him read this when he is 12. Enoch is loving Diary of a Wimpy Kid books right now, as well as baseball, Pink Panther, and of course, Lego.

Levi finds himself in grade 3. he has told me several times that he has the nicest teacher in the whole school. He is a great helper with Zeke. I have even gotten him out of bed to hold the baby when I've needed to get some finishing touches on canning done. Levi has been into drawing lately. He traced about 3 dozen different planes and has them all memorized. Josh and him can talk planes and to me it sounds like a different language.

Zeke is growing way too fast. He just got his first shots and is already 20 lbs. He is inching forward on carpet and scooting backwards on lino. He can spin around on his tummy and change directions. He can flip over from his front to his back. He laughed once, really awesomely, on August 28th. Haven't heard that perfect full laugh since, although we get super big smiles anytime we ask for them. I have to refrain myself everyday from eating his cheeks and those dimples. He was an awesome sleeper and now he is an OK sleeper. Oh well. I'll sleep when I'm dead.

fhe

FHE. The dreaded weekly event that can end up really wonderful, or extremely sour, depending on the mood of parents and children alike.
Last week was one of those Mondays where I really didn't want to make the effort. I didn't have it in me. The kids were playing nicely outside, should I really stop them from what they are doing and drag them inside, just to sit down and have a lesson when they already had a lesson at church yesterday????

Persevere I did, and dragged them inside. Monet wanted to teach the lesson, and she chose to do it on reverence. We got a little lesson together and she did her thing. We talked about how reverence helped us to recognize the spirit. Daddy shared a bible story about how the voice of the Lord wasn't in the earthquake or in the wind, but in a still small voice. Next, we had an activity where we all made as much noise as we wanted to while listening to rock music. While that was going on, I called Josh's cell. No one heard it. No one. When I turned off the music and quieted everybody down (baby is now awake, btw), they were stunned to hear that the phone had gone off. I think they actually grasped that maybe, just maybe, that is why sacrament meeting can be boring, cause they aren't truly being reverent. It's more than just being quiet, its listening. It was good. I was happy, it wasn't so bad after all.

At the end we invited Monet to share her testimony. It was simple and sweet, and we could all feel the spirit. Significantly, we were all able to identify that we felt the spirit. What a wonderful evening we had, and I was so glad we took a few minutes to turn our home into a temple. FHE. Sometimes great, sometimes crazy. But that was a good one.

best ever

I had the best. birthday. ever. EVER!

As cool and collected as I am about most things, my birthday isn't one of them. I don't like birthdays. Haven't since I turned 20. I could have been 19 forever! Thankfully, I didn't get my wish and have continued to climb the ladder over the years. Of course, there are SO MANY blessings that I would have missed had I stayed 19. For example:

 and

 and of course, this:

Anyways, back to the best birthday ever. I got a garmin watch. Yes. I am happy over something so trivial and worldly. Do understand that it is something I have wanted for a long long time. Maybe 4 years or so. But the best part was that I got to spend the day with my family in Waterton. We ate at the park in town and then drove on up to Red Rock and walked around.

Oops. There was something even better. I got to ride into Waterton. On my bike (last years present), with my watch, telling me how fast and how far I have ridden. With the mountains slowly coming in closer and closer. With nothing but the wind screaming in my ear. It was heavenly and so much fun. Makes me want to bike all around Italy. But that is a dream for another birthday.

Thanks to my awesome husband for the great day. It was one to remember!

july

A few weeks ago, Erin's kids were here for basketball camp. I asked Shaylene to be in charge of the FHE lesson. She talked about fears and how prayers help. She asked everyone in the room to name something they are scared of. Most answers were pretty common: flying, spiders, etc etc. But Levi's really got all of our's attention. He said he was scared to kiss a girl! Ha!!! We got a good laugh and I had to get my plug in that of course you don't kiss girls till after your mission, so there is no need to pray for help in that area any time soon.

Thad is potty training. He is doing remarkably well for just turning two, but due to the lack of supervision on our part, he is not doing as well as I would like. I am happy that I only have 2 more to train in this area.

Zeke is so perfect. Actually, that is his nickname; Mr. Perfect. We all adore him and he is growing like a weed. Already 16 lbs.

Levi and I trained for a triathlon and just did the Stirling Tri yesterday. It was pretty fun. He did really well and really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to doing this again next year. 

Enoch lost his first tooth. Being one of the youngest and smallest in his class, he had really been looking forward to this event. He was SO happy when it happened. Thad just so happened to help with the process by pulling on something that was stuck in Enoch's mouth when he didn't want him to. Enoch was pretty upset until he realized how loose it made his tooth.

Monet and Zeke are sharing a room. At first it was Monet and Thad but that wasn't working so well. Now Thad is with the big boys, and Monet is with the baby. She is great with him. And as a bonus, now that she is sharing a room with someone, she no longer comes into our room nightly to cuddle. She sleeps through the night on her own just fine. 

We bought a trailer and have been camping lots. So much fun! So much work, too, but at least its bearable. In my mind I sort of thought that with a trailer camping would be easy. But things are never easy with 5 kids, as I was gently reminded on our first camping trip. It was so great to get away without phones and internet and nothing to do but play with the kids. We all had lots of fun both times. I did sustain a pretty sore injury falling off the playground playing tag, though. I need to be more careful next time. We've been getting into football and baseball with the older boys. They are really enjoying learning how to throw and catch. And both have a pretty good arm.

monet's eye view

Monet has a different perspective in life, and it is quite amusing at times.

For awhile she was always talking about what her Grandma would say. She would tell me stories about the world or people, and say that Grandma had told her. At first I thought she was referring to her "Stirling Grandma," the wife of our home teacher who is pretty awesome. But then I realized that she wasn't. Turns out Monet has a make believe Grandma, Grandma Flimp, who tells her all sorts of interesting "facts" about life and science and food and church. She refers to her often when telling me stories.
Then there is Alla. Not Ella, Alla. Her friend who has 29 brothers and sisters, and a house with 29 bathrooms, and has done many cool things and been to many cool places. She has lived with bears, hiked across wheat fields, stayed up really really really late at night, and taken care of many babies. Monet's friend always has experience in whatever field we are talking about, and can always share insight into any conversation through Monet.
I am amazed at how Monet can come up on the spot with stories about these two characters. It really cracks me up and I am impressed with her imagination. I have heard that kids who can make up stuff are really smart; here's hoping.

the baby

We have a new arrival, and he is so darling and precious!

It all started last last Sunday. Cinco de Mayo. Josh and I went in early to be induced to have our baby. Around 9 o'clock they gave me the drip and the contractions started right up. I immediately asked for an epidural, knowing that I never got a chance the last 2 times going through this because I always asked for it too late. By noon I was in a LOT of pain, and still waiting for that stinking epidural. I hate having contractions when you are tied up to all those machines/heart monitors etc. Around 12:30, the anesthesiologist finally arrived to do his work. As he was inserting a needle into my back, between and among contractions, I heard him say, "I went too far, I'll explain what that means in a minute." At this point I really didn't care and let him poke my spine all over again, waiting for that blessed relief. Relief came, and about a minute later I was pushing the baby out. 2 pushes later, I had a 9 lb, 14oz, baby in my arms! A baby boy! A huge baby boy! Too big for newborn diapers baby boy. Now it is no secret that I was hoping for a little girl so Monet could have a sister, but seeing my baby, I really didn't care and was so happy to finally meet the new addition to our family. The only problem was we had a girl name and not a boy name, so Baby Stone it was to be for a while.
In the meantime, we learned what the Doc was talking about when he said "I went too far." Apparently his little needle went too far into my spine, leaving the epidural space and going into my spinal space (proper medical term not applied). That meant that my spinal column was now leaking minute amounts of spinal fluid, leading to the pressure in my brain area dropping, which produces the WORST headache imaginable. At first I wasn't sure about the headache, of it was bad enough or not. My doctor thought it might be related to all the blood loss. But as the second day wore on, I realized I could no longer stand up or even sit up. The only way to get away from the headache, which didn't respond at all to drugs, was to lay down. (Laying down returned my brain pressure back to normal, and made everything better (or mostly)). We went home Monday night, and that night it went from bad to worse, and by Tuesday morning I found myself back at the hospital, waiting to get what is called an epidural blood patch. That is when they go back in and do another epidural, only this time they flush your epidural space with your own blood to patch up the tiny hole in the spine with a blood clot. This worked for me for a day. Wednesday was great, but by Thursday I was all pain and headaches again. Back to ER. I was told to wait it out and consume lots of caffeine. Luckily, it worked, and by Friday I was finally starting to feel like myself.
Throughout all this, our poor little baby was nameless. It is sort of hard to pick someone's name for life with your head feeling like an axe is slicing through it every time you have to go to the bathroom or change a diaper. Thursday night, when I was starting to feel better, Josh and I were finally able to come up with a name. He was leaving the next day for a coaching clinic in Vegas, and we knew we needed a name before he left. I wanted Ezra, and he wanted.....not sure what. We both agreed on Ezekiel. Which is weird cause its a name that neither of us had ever really considered before. But we love all the nicknames that can come with it. Josh likes E-z (easy). I like Zeke. And it suits him. And so, after almost a week, we had a name for our not so little Ezekiel Joshua Stone.
With my other children I never had a ton of help. My MIL stayed for a few days when Monet was born, but thats it. This time around I told my mom I just needed her there for a day or two after I got back from the hospital. And its a good thing! My mom came with 2 of my nieces and they took care of me and my kids for the entire week until I could get back on my feet and stay there. So grateful for the help of family, and also for the all the help I have been getting from people around town. Feeling blessed to have a new little one in our family. Love him to pieces.

hockey injury

The unbearable happened a week ago and Monet fell down the stairs at the hockey rink while the big boys were skating and had to get stitches. In her words she said, "I rolled down the stairs." From what I got out of her (I wasn't close by - still feeing guilty about that), she was trying to jump over a garbage can that was in her way. It was so sad to see her cute little chin bleeding profusely, but by the end of the night I think I was the one more shocked and tired from the event.

I was amazed at how tough this little girl is! Initially she was crying, of course, but as soon as we got some paper towels put on the cut she stopped. Then we had to run back and forth from emergency in Raymond to the clinic in Raymond, as there were no doctors present at the hospital. She barely even flinched as they washed the cut and then put freezing on it. A few hours later she was stitched up and ready to go home. I still had Thad with us this whole time, so he was losing it by this point, but she was happy as a clam. When we went back a week later to get the stitches out at the clinic, she was more upset we weren't back at the ER so that she could watch TV than she was about the incident itself initially.

Monet is now a Sunbeam and loving it. She has grown maybe two inches since the end of summer. All her pants are short. I keep meaning to put them away, but after I wash them she always gets a hold of them and continues to be ready for floods throughout the winter. She has stopped cutting her own hair and the bangs she gave herself in the summer have almost grown out.


When we do family scripture reading, Monet ALWAYS wants to go first. This is really important to her. If she doesn't get her way, the entire time is spent with us listening to her scream. She has recently gotten to the point of saying her own prayers. They are very cute prayers, she loves to say family prayers, but oddly, asks me to leave when she says her own prayers. Monet is in Joyschool and loves it. She takes school very seriously. She loves My Little Ponies and Dora and Diego. Barbies aren't too exciting for her, and she has a bunch of dress up clothes that her friends get into when they come over but she never touches. She does loves dress up shoes, though, and has mentioned how much she loves her Cinderella slippers she got from Santa more than once. She goes to sleep in our bed every night reading stories and often sneaks back into our room in the middle of the night. I can't sleep with her in bed cause I am too uncomfortable, and she is happy to sleep on the floor as a compromise. Monet is full of spunk and smiles and tantrums. She is, as she loves to put it, one in a million.

on my mind

I had my routine ultrasound done mid December and I really didn't think much of it. I haven't had Josh go with me to these appointments since Levi. But when I got to my doctor's visit next, I was surprised to hear that there were some concerns with the baby and they needed an additional ultrasound in Calgary to get more information. They had found some edema on the skin as my doctor put it.

I wasn't too concerned; the doctor didn't seem to be. But when Calgary called back and booked me first thing the following Monday, I thought, yikes, maybe this might be a big deal. I was strong and didn't google anything and kept my thoughts from worrying and wandering. Then my dear mother decided to google what they saw on the ultrasound, and found out that what I had was a marker for Down's Syndrome. When I learned that, I can honestly say that it wasn't really a big deal to me. I was happy the baby had a full heart and lungs etc. So then I googled it, and learned way to much info, and that swelling on the skin can mean a whole boat load of complications and birth defects. Reading up on it, several of these women were encouraged to have abortions by their family members or doctors for the complications that my ultrasound was flagged for. Without getting into gruesome detail, some of these mothers were told horrifying stories of the suffering their babies would endure upon birth.

So I drove up to Calgary and Monday morning my sister came with me and got to see her first ultrasound. At this point I still wasn't too worried. When the tech came back the second time to get more pictures, I really started to worry. Then we had to wait and wait for the doctor to come and give us the results. Blah! Did I ever feel ill. But he came in and gave us the great news that he could see no complications or markers or anything at all on the ultrasound. He said that what was there the week before either cleared up on its own or was never there to begin with.

So I felt thankful, and guilty. Not everyone going into that maternal ultrasound clinic that day was going to receive such great news. But I also felt sort of indifferent. I had accepted my baby the way he/she is. I was praying for strength to have the capacity to deal with whatever lay ahead, not for the baby to be perfect and healthy. So now I felt guilty not only for receiving the good news, but also for not being properly grateful for it. It was a very emotional week sorting out my feelings. I feel so blessed to have the guidance and reassurance of the Holy Ghost in my life so that when things aren't going the "right" way, that I can still feel peace and love coming from my Heavenly Father.

thad

Thad is growing like a weed. He is just too cute and I am afraid that the kids have asked me more than once, "Why is Thad your favorite?" I sort of feel bad but I reply that this is how I feel about all babies and that I was this nice to them when they were babies, too. I tell them that just cause I make them do chores doesn't mean I don't love them (actually, I tell them the opposite is true, the more I love them the more I get them to clean....), and I also say I am always nice to Thad cause he never says anything to me with attitude and is never rude to me. What no one else gets just yet is that they have no need to feel jealousy towards this baby brother. 'Cause in just 4 short months, he, too, will be booted into big kid territory, and there will be 4 kids to clean and do chores while I change newborn diapers.

I don't really think that they are jealous. And I do think I could improve on my patience with the older children out of fairness to all.

Here are Thad's words that he is saying at 18 months.
cracker
Dada
Ma
ball (ba)
bath (ba)
thank you (ga goo)
love you (la lou)
car
poopoo
moo
puppy
ruff
bye
n'night
milk

I am always amazed at how babies, even though they can't say much, they can certainly understand a lot. For instance, I can tell Thad to take his sippy cup and go give it to Daddy and he will get you milk. And he does.

He also will go and open the fridge and just pull out the milk himself. He is a milk junkie and I am trying to subdue that the best I can.

Other Thad highlights:
- he pulled the Christmas tree over onto himself this year. Screamed like a banshee and didn't go near the thing again. Lesson learned.
- he now goes to nursery!
- he gives kisses when he is supposed to say sorry. it. is. so. cute. I almost want him to hit me so I can get one of those little kisses.
-he loves baths, balls, canned fruit, Daddy, and hockey sticks

middle syndrome

Enoch is such a delight when he wants to be. I can also say the opposite is true.

After having a very difficult day last Friday, he and I ended the day together by making no-bake cookies, playing Sorry, and watching Anne of Green Gables together. It was so cute to see him hide under the covers because Diana Barry was about to drink alcohol! He was shocked enough to almost make me question my choice in movies.

Some things about Enoch that I want to remember lately are:
- He made 3 New Year's resolutions in school, they are to 1) be a better basketball player, 2) skate more, and 3) to eat more food. And he has really been following up on that last one there, he has been a much better eater around the house all of a sudden.
- Recently Enoch was kid of the week in school. This is what we all learned about his favorites:
Food- Mandoo
Subject- Science
Color- Purple
Book- Chapter Books
TV show- Garfield
Movie- Avengers
Animal- Cheetah
Sport- Basketball
Game- Starwars
Treat- Rockets
-We also learned that Enoch wants to grow up and be a science teacher. What a great choice!
- At church last week, Enoch quietly asked Daddy for some of the candy in his pockets. Josh replied, "How did you know that I have candy in my pockets?" Enoch answered, "Well, NOW I know that you have candy in your pockets."
- At the dinner table the other night, Enoch was sitting by Thad and was not being the best example of proper table etiquette. I told him kindly that he needed to be an example to his little brother if he wanted to sit by him. His instant retort was, "OK, Mom, I'll be an example. A bad example."

Enoch really is awesome, and if I am really honest, probably a little too smart for his or my own good. I hope I can match wits with him when he is a teenager.

baptism

Ever since my oldest was born I sort of dreaded the day that he would turn 8. Accountability sounded a lot worse than automatic ticket to heaven. Sounds appalling, I know. But as time would have it, luckily, we have a healthy and happy 8 year old boy and he turned 8 last month. On the 24th he was baptized and it was really a wonderful day.

Josh and I were talking on our way to the stake centre, and remarking how really it wasn' t that scary or crazy and just felt right and good that our Levi is making this choice and step in his life. Instead of feeling like, uh oh, our kid might not make it anymore, we were so happy that this opportunity is available to him and that he took it. Like all baptisms, the spirit was there witnessing to us that this is the right thing and what our Heavenly Father wants. What I wasn't expecting was the emotional side of things to pick up the pace, watching your own son and your own husband walk down together into the waters of baptism is a very surreal experience. And of course that's not enough, now you get to see him sit in a chair and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was wonderful to see him sitting there, in his new suit and tie. All handsome and clean and pure. He sat there reverently and my mind flashed forward to 10 years from now when my little man will be a missionary. Is that even possible? 8 years has flown by fast enough, I can imagine the next 10 will go by in a heart beat.

To say the least, it was a very special day. We had lots of family come and visit and show their love for us and Levi.

just sayin'

"Mom, riding down the hill is so fun. It's even more fun than reading!"

"That's not magic, Levi, that's science!"

"Yes, Granni, I love this Dilly Bar. I like eating garbage."

"Mom, did you ever climb on the car when you were little?"
"No, I did not."
"Is it because cars weren't invented yet?"

"We all need food, we are all growing."
"We are all growing up but you are growing out."

july

This has been such a fun and busy month for us!

It all started with me leaving the kids for 4 days and going to YWs camp. What a blast!!! I felt like I was seventeen again. Probably acted like it, too. My highlight was getting dunked by a fellow leader into the lake. Love immaturity like that. I know the kids enjoyed their time with Dad lots, too. Not sure how much Josh enjoyed it, but he survived quite well and never complained.

Then we went to Montana to spend 10 days camping. We camp right on Flathead Lake. The weather was great and the water warm. My highlight would be training for my tri with a swim that didn't require turning around twenty times. Thad was quite grumpy the whole time; he hardly slept, and acted pretty impossible on the most part. By day 7 or 8 he finally started to feel at home and enjoyed playing in the dirt and swimming and splashing in the lake. Levi loved getting to play with all his cousins, and Enoch loved the hills he could ride his bike up and down. Monet (she's asleep, but I am assuming) loved playing with Jaymeson and having big cousins dote on her. I had a really fun tube ride with Josh that ended with a few crashes but no sore vertebrae, so that would definitely be another highlight.

Next in line we just finished a week of basketball camp. My parents came down from Calgary with a car loaded with 6 kids. We carted them all (including Levi) to Magrath everyday for camp, and then came home and went swimming in the pool here in town. It was crazy but lots of fun at the same time. All these city kids thought the way things are done around here were a little odd. They were amazed that if you wanted a snack, you could go outside and pick some fruit or grab some veggies from the garden and indulge.

Oh, and somewhere in all this we had our first ever Settler Days that we were able to attend, inlcuding a 5k race in my pyjamas and Josh's band playing during dinner at night. We also had a niece get baptized and a youth temple trip. I will add some pictures to this post soon. I just wanted to write something before nothing ever happens.

ode to ten

Awhile back Josh and I celebrated 10 years. I tried to post about it, but everything was too corny and cliche. All ya'll can thank me later for sparing you the drive on the cheesewagon.

One of my favorite things about being married for 10 years is that I am still learning awesome things about Josh. Last year around this time, Josh sung a solo in his school's musical. This year, he has impressed me with the following:

I have wanted matching night tables forever! Well, maybe just 10 years or so. And now we have them!! This photo is before the stain and varnish, and believe me, they look even better now.

right now

Last week of school looms before us. Call me crazy, but I said yes to Levi when he asked to have a year-end school party. There are 26 kids in his class. Sounds a little daunting but I have awesome YW that are coming to help, and what good is a big backyard if we never use it, right??

Thad refuses to go down the stairs. He is great at climbing up, but when he wants down, he just sits at the top of the stairs and screams and waits for me to come and get him. Yesterday at church he crawled up the stairs to the stage and clambered back down like he'd been doing it his whole life. This past week he has started taking steps, the most being 5 in a row to Daddy the other day.

Father's Day was yesterday. It was pretty low key- Josh had to speak in another ward and was gone most of the morning, but the kids all tried their best to be super good just for Dad. So in a sense we both got a break.

A week ago I was busy in the garden weeding and it was bedtime for Monet. Levi offered to put her to bed for me. He did an amazing job, reading her a story and making sure she said her prayers. Enoch did it last night, even remembering to make sure she brushed her teeth. He read her 3 stories. I love that they are enjoying taking care of their younger sister.

I am training for a half marathon. Never thought I would, but here I am. Ran 12k on Saturday and not feeling too bad. It is much more fun running with other women outside instead of on my treadmill by myself. The other highlight for me would be women's soccer. We play every Thursday night. We are terrible but it is so fun!

Despite all the storms and weather warnings last night, doomsday has come and and my baby is one. In one year he has gone from this:

to this:


Thad, your sweetness is beyond reason. You bring a smile to anyone who sees you. Your big brothers and sister absolutely adore you. You are such an important and wonderful addition to our family. Happy birthday Thadman.