Update

For some reason I seem to be getting worse and worse for updating instead of more regular.  I think about it all the time but then by night time I am too exhausted to come sit in the office and do anything.  I blame it on the new baby who is coming in May but making me awfully tired (not as sick-anymore).

Christmas season is upon us.  My most favorite time of the year.  And yet, for some reason I struggle to try and recreate the magic for my own children that perhaps I feel was so much more real to me.  My only answer is less television, less spontaneous treats like candy canes, really sitting down and enjoying the season together with them and trying to make it magical.  It won't help that this week we are having somewhat of a mini heat wave.  Temps in the 80's don't create that Christmas feeling.

Several weeks ago Hadley bravely sang a solo in the ward Primary program.  It was really beautiful.  When the primary leaders heard her sing they all told me how great it was and that she should sing in it.  She volunteered to sing a solo and did it amazingly.  Last week she performed in the Stake Creche children's choir and sang a duet.  Unfortunately Chris and I were out tending a sick, very vomiting Lauren.  At least all her grandparents got to hear it.  She continues to swim although reluctantly.  I imagine the cold weather doesn't help.  She is always the peacemaker in the home and tries to be positive.  Love that girl.

Vincent also performed with the stake choir.  He enjoyed it, which I am glad.  He misses spending as much time as he did in the summer with his cousins but when he is with them, we girls sure miss him here too.  He is always up to something or wanting to be around me.  He is loving playing games on the computer and such - but I'm afraid video games will not enter our household for some time still.

Lauren is as busy as usual being about everyone's business.  She hasn't taken to Kindergarten the way I would have liked or expected but I know she is working hard at learning to read and won Author's Tea at the school for writing last month! 

Gentry is enjoying a preschool-like center with me twice a week.  Mostly for the fact that I go with her.  She disdains school and talks about never going.  She only likes to go places where I can go.  Playdates are tricky unless her sister Lauren goes with her.  Otherwise she has her best friend Caroline come to our house where they ignore Lauren.  She does love going to preschool though and I know it is good for her. 

Chris and I are staying busy trying to gear up and get a kitchen/bathroom renovation plan before the baby comes.  I feel it is rather ambitious but we'll see what we can pull off!

Update

We enjoyed a beautiful Sunday today with rainy-like weather.  It is atypical obviously here for in July but a welcome change from any heat.  Yesterday Vincent, Lauren, Gentry & I went for a walk and it started raining.  It was fun to just meander home in the rain.  We came home, made hot cocoa & chocolate chip cookies and got ready to go to our Stake's Pioneer Day celebration.

Right now it is 9:50pm and I can still hear Hadley & Lauren giggling and talking while lying in Vincent's bed.  Gentry went to sleep hours ago & Vincent is trying to fall asleep in our bed because he will be having a sleepover with his cousins in Chino tomorrow night.  Those two girls have been laughing and being silly all evening but I love it.  I know that Lauren welcomes any chance she can be a part or included with the big kids.  And to have Hadley all to herself and the two of them enjoying themselves . . . I'm certainly not going to put an early stop to it!

This morning before church Hadley discovered that she was assigned to share a scripture and say the prayer in primary.  She became so anxious and fretted about it that by the end of sacrament meeting she was in tears and inconsolable.  I had a meeting and Chris was attempting to help her but had to leave for a moment to check on the other kids.  When we turned to go back to her we saw a sweet young woman, Sarah Jensen, the bishop's daughter, sitting with Hadley and attempting to help her or give her comfort.  I wrote Sarah a thank you note today for her Christ-like act in noticing someone in need and being confident in helping.  I write this so I won't forget to share/remind Hadley of an amazing example of the type of young woman she can try to emulate.

The kids are excited to hear of our plans for our first real family vacation next month.  Lake Mead with the cousins & Curtis and capped off with a trip to Utah to visit SLC and Provo among other places.  I am looking forward as well, hoping no one gets sick and that the plans can go smoothly.

Update

The Sawyers came to sacrament meeting with us and left right afterwards for mom's house.  We had an awesome three days with them starting on the 4th of July.  A lot of swimming, Ping-Pong, and a trip to San Diego as well.  It was so fun to have cousins come and stay here with us for three nights to escape the AZ sun for some cool weather.  After they left and we had to finish our church block - a few of us had a difficult time adjusting to the change 'back to normalcy.'

Vincent bore a beautiful testimony again today in sacrament meeting about how there was a kid at school who annoyed him and was always talking to him.  One Sunday he came home and read a scripture about being nice to our neighbors.  He read it over and over again and then he tried it at school the next day.  He said it worked and was happy for that.  What a sweet spirit he is!

Lauren has been in heaven having cousins all around to play with.  She and Gentry had a great time playing wit Colton when the King's were here as well this week. 

This next week starts our first one of 'real' summer as I call it because we have no obligations like swim lessons or anything.  Gentry finished swim lessons last week and it is absolutely amazing what a little fish she is swimming around in the pool now!  Hadley is missing Abby and wishing she could have stayed for longer.  I had a great time hosting a family with 'sleepwalkers' and we all got a very good laugh.

Update

Gentry gave her first scripture & prayer in junior Primary today.  It was very cute as I whispered the words to her and urged her to speak more into the microphone.  She enjoyed it and seems to come out of her shell little by little.  I mostly worry how she will do without her siblings, particularly Lauren there with her to encourage her or make her feel safe.  Gentry & Lauren seem to have a bit of a love/hate relationship.  I'm not quite sure Gentry realizes how much she relies on Lauren's outgoing personality or that she would do/try half the things she does if not for Lauren.  Tonight Gentry begged to play a game on the computer - which I set up for her but Lauren immediately comes and begins to play the game 'for' Gentry bc she can't really do it.  But Gentry is happy to have that help bc technically, she can't play it by herself.

Nine days left of the school year before three of my 4 children are in school.  The summer will come all too quickly I'm sure but I hope to have a jump on plans and for using every day well and growing my relationship with each child.  It will take more effort no doubt but well worth it.

Chris and I have be easing ourselves into talking to a business about renovating the kitchen.  It sounds all so exciting and yet so daunting.  As of now, we are going to continue our efforts in replacing the windows for the house and keep considering options for the kitchen. 

Baseball Life Lessons

A week or so ago Vincent relayed the following to me:

He told about how at school he was shushing some of the other students to be quiet for the teacher.  Then the teacher thanked the other kids for quieting down but did not thank him for doing the 'shushing.'  He related this experience to being like hitting a sacrifice bunt play in baseball so another guy could advance bases . . .

Deep baseball-related thoughts for a 1st grader.

Update

(took pictures - will try & update post when I figure out how to get them off phone camera)

Had a nice Mother's Day Sunday.  It helped that I cleaned the house on Saturday evening so as to have a more relaxing morning.  The kids & Chris were sweet but the morning still centered somewhat on getting ready for church.  Got a pitch-fork-thingy from Chris for turning compost in our new composter - not entirely romantic - but very practical which is the way we like things (most of the time :)

We enjoyed a nice dinner over at Bryce & Sharon's house.  Sylva and Curtis came.  A nice walk after dessert felt great except for the mini heat wave we are having.  Was 7pm and still hadn't cooled down quite enough.  The kids played happily - Dallin & the girls out back playing make believe Swiss Family Robinson and Vincent with Landon & Wyatt playing ball on driveway. 

Chris and Vincent had Father's and Sons campout this week.  Vincent loves nothing better than getting out and being a real 'boy' with the other boys in the ward.  Played a baseball game as a 'filler' for his old t-ball coach who was short players and caught three fly balls!

We girls went to downtown Orange on Saturday with Grandma & A.Molly to do some unsuccessful antiquing and toy shop, then lunch.  The heat drained most of our energy so we ended early, caught the last bit of Vincent's game and came home and tried to keep cool.

Hadley's Confirmation

A friend gave me notes from Hadley's baptism confirmation blessing:

Blessing to remember most of all how you felt today;
This day will be a foundation for further spiritual growth;
Understand the importance of the Holy Ghost;
Be able to discern good from evil;
Stay on the path leading to the temple;
Recognize that you have a warm, friendly spirit;
Continue to be a good example to brother & sisters;
Bless you confidence in your learning.

Update

One of my deepest regrets will always be the lack of good, quality, consistent, & meaningful family pictures.  I decided today right before church that at the very least I should be able to take a picture once a week.  Then, when I looked that the quality of the picture, I hesitated - 'is this really how I want to remember them?'  The pictures don't do the children justice and the lighting, the quality - everything about the picture is wrong.  But, it IS a picture nonetheless and someday I will hopefully not regret posting this one and waiting for the 'perfect' picture to come along. 

So for this week, this is the family update.  A bad picture.  A regretful mother.  And hopefully four little ones who will grow up and just be glad a picture was taken.  (Now if I could just figure out how to put pictures from my phone on here - they are better than my old digital camera.)

I'm sorry children.

Update

Tonight we are coming off of Spring Break for Hadley & Vincent as well as General Conference yesterday & today.  Hadley best expressed how I was feeling too tonight when she was in tears and missing the weekend, the fun & family when we came home from Chino tonight.  Hadley reminds me so much of myself when I was young, how deeply she feels the Spirit - but I don't know that I ever identified it to be the Spirit.  Something I hope that I help her to articulate at a young age is that she is feeling the Spirit.  And that it is a good thing.  It is a good feeling to have.  It wasn't until I was much older that I recognized why and what was making me feel that way.  For this reason I try to tuck the kids into bed with the question "did you feel the Spirit today?"  I want for them so badly to feel it and to identify and know when they are feeling the Spirit and desire it for the rest of their lives.

So back we go into the swing of things - or back 'into the world' to try and not be 'of the world'.  Tonight I quoted the phrase to Hadley: I'm Mormon.  I know it.  I love it.  I live it.  This week now we have to go 'live it'.

We spent the afternoon session on general conference in Chino, as we almost always have done.  Vincent had a wonderful time playing baseball pretty much the entire time with his cousins.  I felt sorry for the girls who can't seem to find a place there amongst us all.  Hopefully having baby Lincoln around in the next few years will help and make it more fun for them after he is born.

My Son

Vincent still holds my hand.  It warms my heart so much to know this.  Yesterday Molly took the three girls to Upland with her so they would not have to endure yet another baseball game.  The rest of the day was great fun as I got to spend a lot of one-on-one time with Vincent.  I hope to always remember this day and to make memories like this with each of my children.

Chris and I went to Vincent's baseball game.  He played great, as usual.  My favorite part is how Vincent wears his batting glove tucked into his back pocket like the pros.  Chris had to leave early so I sat and enjoyed the second half by myself.  After his game we watched a majors-game and some of a single-A game together.  Just the two of us.  Then we went and had lunch together - ran into friends, the Kings, and chatted with them.  Then we went to buy some new shoes for Vincent.  He held my hand whenever I offered it throughout the day and it felt great to hold my son's hand so much before he turns 7 years old.  I am so glad he still doesn't mind.

After coming home and putting some things away we headed out to Upland to see and pick up the girls.  Vincent read a book so pridefully most of the ride there - which was fine because we had chatted so much during the day.  It was so much fun.

Update

The kids are all outside playing in the extreme wind we have been having since last night.  Soon they will have to come in and get ready for church.  I am loving this 11 am church these days!  The kids all play with each other the entire morning so well.

Hadley's finger surgery is beginning to heal although it looks somewhat swollen still.  The stitches are beginning to dissolve.  She stayed up late last night making up stories for me about language arts characters: consonant cat, vowel owl, punctuation panda - she is so imaginative and funny.  She told me a bedtime story while I actually fell asleep.

Vincent played his first Little League game of the season in the rookie division this year.  He had a double-play all by himself - caught a fly ball then tagged first base.  He seems to still love baseball and likes this year because it is more 'real'.

Lauren went skiing this year for her first time with daddy.  She loved it but it is never clear whether she genuinely likes something or because it is a rite of passage for her to be growing up and more like Hadley and Vincent.  She is excited to go again sometime soon.

Gentry has had a bad case of crabbiness it seems this past week.  Most likely due to waking early before Hadley and Vincent even leave for school.  She used to sleep in later than that.  Either way she is growing up.  Yesterday MJ came to cut hair and Gentry hid from her.  Literally hid so I looked all over the house for her and she wouldn't answer.  That was so unlike her as she is usually right by my side.  She was proud of having had her haircut afterwards though.

Chris starts a new job this Thursday with hopefully better flexibility and hours to give more time to the family.  He is finishing up work for his other job before then though but we'll hopefully get a "Fhe Disneyland" trip this week.

Update

Gentry gave me a pat and wave as she went off to Sunbeams today!  A breakthrough for our shy little one who barely attended nursery in the whole year and half she was of age.  Makes me sad to think I have no little ones in nursery and very glad at the same time.  I love that they all get to attend well-structured, unchaotic primary.

Lauren got to spend another eventful sleepover at grandma's house and spend the next day with grandma and then aunt Molly.  She has always been the most extroverted and excited to go - anywhere.  I love that I know she is alright.  (Whereas Gentry happily will wave goodbye to Lauren, but if you mention her going on a sleepover, she wants nothing of it.)

Vincent is kicking off Little League again this week - playing for the Tampa Bay Rays this year.  Several of the same teammates from last year and I am co-team mom again this year. 

Hadley had the most eventful week of all, I imagine.  A while back Chris and I noticed what we thought might be a callous on her left middle finger.  After watching it for sometime, I took her to the doctor who referred us to an orthopaedic surgeon who recommended surgery to remove the bone mass.  We jumped on doing it sooner than later - mostly to prevent her from being stressed and preoccupied about it.  Met surgeon on Tues, another on Wed, and surgery on Thursday.  She did it with flying colors - I was so proud of her, and happy that she was made drowsy and asleep for the worst parts of it.  Her entire hand (except for a thumb) and most of her forearm now in a cast for two weeks - school should be interesting, seeing as she is left-handed.  Tomorrow will tell!

Update

Disneyland disneyland disneyland!  We finally broke down and paid the exorbitant price for Disney passes a couple weeks ago - and I couldn't be happier.  I truly love going and visiting the place and exploring all the new places and shows to go to.  It helps that Molly got a pass as well.  We have spent the last two Friday nights there as a family and A.Molly.  It was a difficult decision but after deciding to pull Lauren from her preschool and then not finding another one that I like and realizing the cost per month was nearly the same as purchasing passes for the entire family for a year, we took the dive.  In the last few weeks since we've had them, I've taken the kids after school and just Gentry and Lauren before school let out.  It has always been great and I hope that the little ones remember our season of passes (mostly due to the fact that it is unlikely we will get them ever again.)