We're MOVING!!!

After weeks of contract negotiating, we finally have a signed contract for this house! We are supposed to close the 14th of September- so it's going to be a really crazy couple of weeks. We are so excited to be home owners again, and just in time with baby #5 joining us in the spring. Anyone want to help me pack?!?!

Glasses!

Cassidy is now proudly wearing glasses. At first she was really sad about it. But now she's really excited to be able to see better at school. She only has to wear them half time- so she won't have to wear them during sports, etc. She looks so grown up!

Luke's wish

Luke told me this morning he thinks the baby is a boy because he wants to name the baby "Anakin." Then later on Cade told me he wants a baby girl so he can call her "Leia." These boys and their Star Wars!

Number Five

Coming to a family near you!

March 2011

Father's Blessings

The night before the new school year starts, for FHE, Warren gives each of the kids a father's blessing. It's a tradition I look forward to every year. We're very blessed to have the priesthood in our home. I love to hear the love our Heavenly Father has for our children and their strengths and promises. This year we were going in birth order, starting with Cassidy. Jake could hardly stand it, he was so excited (remember this kid hasn't even turned 2 yet!). After Cade, he decided he needed to cut in line. He jumped off the couch, and ran over to the chair the kids were sitting in for their blessings. He sat still as a mouse through the whole thing (and it was fairly lengthly). At the end he hopped off the chair, gave Warren a big hug and ran back to the couch. He was so precious! He just seems like he is born with a testimony. Such a stalwart little guy already.

Thoughtful husband

I am so grateful for a husband that is considerate of my feelings. He always seems to put my comforts above his own. This really dawned on me this week as I saw him cutting up a cantelope from our garden (we have had some SUPER TASTY ones!), I noticed as he was cutting, he saved the slice from the very center for me- the sweetest part. I took note another time, when he was cutting up cucumbers and gave me the least bitter end. He also does this with blackberries, he saves the me the biggest ones. I don't know why it's taken me over 10 years to realize this, but better now than later, I suppose. I need to be more unselfish like Warren! I love being married to my best friend.

First Day of School

Ah, the first day of school. Such a bittersweet time. It's nice to be back in a schedule and fun to see the kids ready to learn and be excited for the new year. Cassidy is in 4th grade and Cade in 1st this year. How do they grow up so fast?! Tears were flowing this morning. Luckily, just my own, and not the kids'. I can't even imagine myself next year when Luke will start Kindergarten. Time sure flies. I love having my little ones around me. Thankfully I still have Luke and Jake. After we dropped the big kids at school, we went for a walk and to the park, and then I felt much better. I can't wait for C & C to come home and tell me everything that happened in their day!

Jakey loves babies

Jakey has been so cute with babies this week. He carries them around, feeds them, gives them kisses. It's so fun how 18 months- 2 year olds always seem to go through this baby phase. So sweet. Everytime he sees one of our friends' new babies, he gets so excited and loves to go in for a closer look. I couldn't resist a photo shoot of him with this baby today.

Last day of summer vacation

Well, I'm sad to see our summer be over already. I LOVE having all my kids home with me. But, I know we could all use a little structure and there is definitely a magical excitement that comes with the beginning of a new school year. We went to Meet the Teacher night last night and I'm really excited about the teachers Cass and Cade have this year. I also signed Luke up for a private preschool and absolutely love the school. The head lady is so cheerful and fun. She just wants these kids to be filled with joy. I love it. It's out in the country and they have goats, donkeys, horses, etc. the kids can feed. They also have a school garden. It is really neat. Luke has several friends that will be in his class, he is going to love it!
So, to celebrate our last day, we've tried to pack in as much fun as possible. We went to aerobics this morning, and then headed over to the pool. Then we invited some friends over for the boys and made some gak. Cass has been asking to make this all summer- it took me to the last possible minute- but we're doing it!

"Hide in the tent"

Jake has mastered the art of climbing in and out of his crib. First he figured out the port a crib, then the big one. After a face plant, with the wind getting knocked out of him, we had to figure something out. He wouldn't stay put in a big boy bed, so my friend let me borrow her crib tent! At first he was really excited and wanted to play in it, "I want to hide in my tent!" He kept saying. Then when he realized we were zipping him in for the night and that he couldn't escape, that joy and jumping instantly turned to screaming and tears. But after a half an hour, he'd cried himself to sleep and woke up happy and refreshed this morning. We have the full size crib tent on order- but I'm just so glad we could borrow this one in the meantime. What piece of mind it is at night to know he's tucked in and safe. Plus, we're all getting the rest we need. It's so handy to have a friend with triplets! She always has spare baby items we can use! I don't know what I'd do without her.

Back to School Parade

I love our elementary school. They do the cutest Back to School Parade every year the Thursday before school starts. All the teachers and staff are in cars, trucks, buses, etc with a police car escort. They go all through the neighborhood. The kids make posters with their teachers names on them and wave like crazy as they cruise by. We met up with friends at the park before hand and had donuts and muffins. It was super sweaty in this Texas heat, but tons of fun!

Samuel the Lamanite FHE lesson

My mom sent us a fun package full of Family Home Evening (see link to see what FHE is) Lesson ideas and helps. Inside was this fun book: Helping Children Gain a Testimony of the Lord's Standards BEFORE they turn TWELVE, by Deborah Pace Rowley. The first lesson was pretty long, so we just did half of it. We did the Samuel the Lamanite portion. You start by telling the story of Samuel the Lamanite (see link to read the story) from the Book of Mormon. Then have the kids act it out. Warren was Samuel, standing on the city wall preaching to the people, and the kids were the angry, wicked people throwing arrows and stones at him - or in our case MARSHMALLOWS! They thought it was so much fun. (I don't know how many Jake ate, but we all regretted it in the middle of the night when he threw up from all the sugar.) It was a fun way to tell the story and definitely memorable! Afterward we made a batch of rice krispy treats with some fresh, clean marshmallows. Thanks, Mom!

Pudding Paint Fun

This is such an easy craft. Instant vanilla pudding and food color. We did this with Luke's preschool co-op and it was a huge hit. My bigger kids missed out since they were in school at the time, and had been asking to do it sometime this summer. So during naptime, I decided it would be a good quiet activity while Jake and I took a nap. It kept them busy eating and creating, and I didn't have to feel guilty about taking a little snooze.

knocked out

Another Soccer Player

Cass decided it was time she tried out soccer this year. She had her first practice today. It was pretty brutal for an hour in 102 degrees with humidity. Hopefully it will start cooling down from here on out! As you can see- Jake wants her ball. Can you tell this kid is obsessed with balls and sports?

The Lizard

I was lying in bed the other morning, when Warren comes into kiss me goodbye for work. His final words before leaving are, "Jake's poopy and there was a lizard in the house. It was hiding under my bag and ran for cover under the computer desk. Love you!" Well, from that moment things were pretty exciting at our house. The kids went crazy trying to catch this little lizard. They finally succeeded and put him in a jar. They wanted him on the counter next to our jarred caterpillar with a cocoon on his back- trying to grow butterfly wings. Cade then says to me, "Our house is becoming like a pet store! We have a dog, a caterpillar and a lizard!"