Has it really been that long? I can't believe how much I have probably not written about in the last several months, and then again, they are typical daily 'goings-on' that I don't think one extra update can cover. I just have to be better at updating weekly at least. As of now:
Hadley is still reading everything and anything she can get her hands on. Currently it is the New Era magazine in my bed while I type this. She successfully created a pedigree fan chart to display her talent/interest in family history for an Activity Day Girls talent show a couple weeks ago. Today she sang beautifully as part of a trio of primary kids singing a Christmas song. She certainly has a pretty voice - many have told us this as of late. Piano continues as well as learning the multiplication facts so that division will seem less daunting.
Vincent is missing any and all time he can spend with his cousins both Landon & Dallin as well as Cameron here this last week. He can't seem to get enough of spending time with other boys. Poor kid. And yet he makes us all laugh around here and I know he appreciates that he can make the girls laugh (even if it means coming to dinner with his pants pulled down!) He wants so badly to be able to read that he is still working on Harry Potter - even though I'm not sure he understands it even when I read it to him.
Lauren is keeping up with Hadley and Vincent, which she likes nothing more. Preschool will be over for her this following year as the co-op I had her in just seemed to have too many kids in it. But it does mean, drum roll, Disneyland Passes!!!! in place of preschool. (Considering she is doing math facts and writing all of her letters at this point, I'm confident the time will be well used in pleasure before school starts.)
Gentry is coping with every cold she gets lately quite well. The girl can and will wrestle Lauren and even Vincent when they are playing. She mostly needs to be reminded to be soft as the others play softly with her but she holds no bar with them.
Chris continues searching for answers to his health issues. Too numerous and random to mention. A job search is another vexing task as many interviews have turned up dry.
I am looking forward to a new year of growing kids and working with the young women in the ward. Short of this starting to sound like a Christmas letter, I think I'll end it right here.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Update
Everyone is home in their own beds tonight (except for Chris, Hadley and me who are sitting in the office reading/writing) after a long and eventful weekend. The kids had a fabulous time with Aunt Molly and Gma & Gpa starting on Saturday morning while Chris and I stole away to Carlsbad for an overnighter. This was notable mostly for Gentry as it was her first sleepover. The kids always love to be with A.Molly!
It was nice to get away on a brief little one-nighter. It was short enough for me to not miss the kids and not too long that we ran out of things to do or talk about. Just relaxed and read a book and didn't load the dishwasher. It was nice.
Not much more of an update than that for this week. I'm afraid tomorrow the kids will be dragging - Mondays are always difficult, especially for Hadley. She is always so sensitive to the happenings of the weekend and time spent with those she loves. (Sounds like someone I remember being a long time ago . . .)
It was nice to get away on a brief little one-nighter. It was short enough for me to not miss the kids and not too long that we ran out of things to do or talk about. Just relaxed and read a book and didn't load the dishwasher. It was nice.
Not much more of an update than that for this week. I'm afraid tomorrow the kids will be dragging - Mondays are always difficult, especially for Hadley. She is always so sensitive to the happenings of the weekend and time spent with those she loves. (Sounds like someone I remember being a long time ago . . .)
Monday, September 24, 2012
Update
The school year seems to be in full gear now. Finally worked out carpools and the morning routine for the most part. We survived a Monday morning picture day today so, phew, that is finally over for the year. Let's see, now the next biggest thing is Halloween costumes. I've promised myself that I will not get out the costumes/decor containers until no earlier than October 10th. AND not until I pack up some of the toys and stuff we have around the house right now.
We had fun last night going to Upland after church to wait for the Kings to arrive and celebrate Cameron and Carolyns' birthday. The kids always seem to like to get together and the triplets are less and less scary to Gentry every time we see them because they are all getting older.
Hadley is having a rough start with 3rd grade math again this year. Not sure what it will take to convince her that she is smart and with just the right attitude, she can do it. It is so hard to motivate a child who has 'decided' she isn't good at or doesn't like math.
Vincent is still happy to spend as much time as possible with the Johnson cousins. The cutest game he and Landon play is Cub Scouts. They work on earning badges and doing things for them. Very cute. I know he is anxious to join Scouts and happy that he has had the opportunity to see them on Tuesday nights when they kids have to come with me to mutual.
Lauren is recovering from another one of her 'colds'. Poor thing has been coughing at night so much that she is tired in the day. I had the fun of working in her preschool with her today and am continually amazed by what an old soul she is. The kids all seem and act soooo much younger than her. She is still well-behaved and focused on her activities.
Gentry has decided that she doesn't really need or want to use the potty. The only progress I made by getting out the training potty was that now she seems more aware of when she wets her diaper because she'll tell me. She is silly and will get a new diaper and throw it at you when she needs to be changed. Ahhh, maybe next month.
Looking forward to a little overnighter trip for our anniversary this weekend. So nice to have Molly to watch the kids. This will also be Gentry's first sleepover or overnight away from me. She is 3, compared to Hadley when she was about 1 and having sleepovers with Aunt Molly.
We had fun last night going to Upland after church to wait for the Kings to arrive and celebrate Cameron and Carolyns' birthday. The kids always seem to like to get together and the triplets are less and less scary to Gentry every time we see them because they are all getting older.
Hadley is having a rough start with 3rd grade math again this year. Not sure what it will take to convince her that she is smart and with just the right attitude, she can do it. It is so hard to motivate a child who has 'decided' she isn't good at or doesn't like math.
Vincent is still happy to spend as much time as possible with the Johnson cousins. The cutest game he and Landon play is Cub Scouts. They work on earning badges and doing things for them. Very cute. I know he is anxious to join Scouts and happy that he has had the opportunity to see them on Tuesday nights when they kids have to come with me to mutual.
Lauren is recovering from another one of her 'colds'. Poor thing has been coughing at night so much that she is tired in the day. I had the fun of working in her preschool with her today and am continually amazed by what an old soul she is. The kids all seem and act soooo much younger than her. She is still well-behaved and focused on her activities.
Gentry has decided that she doesn't really need or want to use the potty. The only progress I made by getting out the training potty was that now she seems more aware of when she wets her diaper because she'll tell me. She is silly and will get a new diaper and throw it at you when she needs to be changed. Ahhh, maybe next month.
Looking forward to a little overnighter trip for our anniversary this weekend. So nice to have Molly to watch the kids. This will also be Gentry's first sleepover or overnight away from me. She is 3, compared to Hadley when she was about 1 and having sleepovers with Aunt Molly.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Update
I didn't get around to update yesterday due to Hadley's baptism. The event was wonderful and I know it has had a lot of meaning to her. Hadley is such an incredible and inspiring spirit. I hope that she will continue to grow in knowledge and make even more covenants with her Heavenly Father in this life.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Update
We are officially gearing up for school starting this week. Feels like a ton of plans for the last two days of summer are coming together. We've been playing/getting together with our cousins so often that I don't know what we'd do with ourselves if we didn't see them again tomorrow on Labor Day.
Just got home late from an evening in Upland. I've always enjoyed those Sunday evenings for dinner out there. Played Tripoli with the three oldest kids, papa made chocolate shakes, hung out and got things organized for Hadley's baptism next Sunday. Chris was able to come with which was an extra bonus for us all. Ended the evening by him and papa giving Hadley a blessing for an earache and general congestion she is having. She is so sensitive to getting sick. I don't blame her - she gets upset when she doesn't feel well. Just like me.
Hadley is anxiously preparing for her baptism next Sunday. We are sad more of my side of the family can't make it but excited for all of those who can. It will be a short and sweet program - focusing on the the importance ordinances taking place more than anything.
Vincent. And Vincent today surprised us by bearing his testimony in sacrament meeting. At the age of 6! I am trying not to be too proud, as I believe bearing one's testimony is a personal matter - some don't mind doing it publicly while others do. But what Chris and I loved is how he seemed to be prompted by several primary-age children (two of which read their testimonies) who bore theirs and two boys on the stand who he knows. He marched up there and waited his turn - then did it. He talked about temples and how when we are young we can be preparing to go to the temple.
Lauren got another cute little short bob haircut that matches her personality so well I cannot express it. She enjoys so much out of life but is constantly looking for more. I have a feeling preschool is going to agree very well with her!
Gentry, I feel, is going to have a rude awakening this week when the kids go to school. Never has she been left alone with just me for so long. I am hoping that she will get a little bit more imaginative play time by herself but I know she will miss the older kids.
Just got home late from an evening in Upland. I've always enjoyed those Sunday evenings for dinner out there. Played Tripoli with the three oldest kids, papa made chocolate shakes, hung out and got things organized for Hadley's baptism next Sunday. Chris was able to come with which was an extra bonus for us all. Ended the evening by him and papa giving Hadley a blessing for an earache and general congestion she is having. She is so sensitive to getting sick. I don't blame her - she gets upset when she doesn't feel well. Just like me.
Hadley is anxiously preparing for her baptism next Sunday. We are sad more of my side of the family can't make it but excited for all of those who can. It will be a short and sweet program - focusing on the the importance ordinances taking place more than anything.
Vincent. And Vincent today surprised us by bearing his testimony in sacrament meeting. At the age of 6! I am trying not to be too proud, as I believe bearing one's testimony is a personal matter - some don't mind doing it publicly while others do. But what Chris and I loved is how he seemed to be prompted by several primary-age children (two of which read their testimonies) who bore theirs and two boys on the stand who he knows. He marched up there and waited his turn - then did it. He talked about temples and how when we are young we can be preparing to go to the temple.
Lauren got another cute little short bob haircut that matches her personality so well I cannot express it. She enjoys so much out of life but is constantly looking for more. I have a feeling preschool is going to agree very well with her!
Gentry, I feel, is going to have a rude awakening this week when the kids go to school. Never has she been left alone with just me for so long. I am hoping that she will get a little bit more imaginative play time by herself but I know she will miss the older kids.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Update
I cannot believe the summer is so close to ending. I feel like we started out with so many plans and staying busy and structured, lagged a bit in the middle, and now I feel a rush to do a bunch more things with the kids before they go back to school. It will be tough however because we start things like soccer practice (Vincent) and preschool orientation (Lauren) this week. Well, at least we all have very nice dark tans to show for all of our hours in the pool this summer.
Hadley gave an excellent talk in primary today on the 13th article of faith. She even used our saying (from the primary) that we practice around the house of "Reading, watching and listening to wholesome things keeps my mind clean." I was so proud of her that she thought of sharing that all on her own.
Vincent is absolutely loving the new set of brothers he's suddenly come into by having the cousins move here to Tustin. He enjoys every one of them for different reasons and I enjoy watching him follow their examples that they set for him. I hope the example of serving full-time missions will also sink-in, although I know right now, Vincent is anxious to go on a mission AND play major league baseball when he gets home.
Lauren in all of her fiery independence and confidence insisted on walking by herself into the baseball stadium last night for the Quakes game we went to with Gma & Gpa and A.Molly. If you offer your hand to hold, she won't but if you don't, she will hold it. She is my first specimen of raising a child with reverse psychology. I was so proud of her today when she asked to turn off a show they were watching because they were using the word 'stupid' too much and it was making her uncomfortable.
Gentry - well, she may make it through going to nursery the fewest number of times than all of my kids combined. Thankfully she will be entering primary next year so Chris and I don't really push it but I do hope that going to primary will be easier for her. She even takes her blankie with her to nursery when she goes - something I would have always frowned upon for other children.
Serving as 1st counselor in YW is becoming more and more enjoyable each week although it still brings its challenges. I hope that my daughters have caring, loving and giving leaders when they are in YW someday. In this world - I am sad to say I think they are going to need all the help they can get.
Hadley gave an excellent talk in primary today on the 13th article of faith. She even used our saying (from the primary) that we practice around the house of "Reading, watching and listening to wholesome things keeps my mind clean." I was so proud of her that she thought of sharing that all on her own.
Vincent is absolutely loving the new set of brothers he's suddenly come into by having the cousins move here to Tustin. He enjoys every one of them for different reasons and I enjoy watching him follow their examples that they set for him. I hope the example of serving full-time missions will also sink-in, although I know right now, Vincent is anxious to go on a mission AND play major league baseball when he gets home.
Lauren in all of her fiery independence and confidence insisted on walking by herself into the baseball stadium last night for the Quakes game we went to with Gma & Gpa and A.Molly. If you offer your hand to hold, she won't but if you don't, she will hold it. She is my first specimen of raising a child with reverse psychology. I was so proud of her today when she asked to turn off a show they were watching because they were using the word 'stupid' too much and it was making her uncomfortable.
Gentry - well, she may make it through going to nursery the fewest number of times than all of my kids combined. Thankfully she will be entering primary next year so Chris and I don't really push it but I do hope that going to primary will be easier for her. She even takes her blankie with her to nursery when she goes - something I would have always frowned upon for other children.
Serving as 1st counselor in YW is becoming more and more enjoyable each week although it still brings its challenges. I hope that my daughters have caring, loving and giving leaders when they are in YW someday. In this world - I am sad to say I think they are going to need all the help they can get.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Update
The week was filled with cousins, moving them into a new house, swimming with them, and birthday celebrations. Bryce & Sharon arrived late Sat night and stayed while waiting to get the keys for their house thru Tuesday. We helped move them in and swam here everyday afterwards. They left for Utah and we spent time with Gma & Gpa Tigger on Thursday night celebrating Hadley and Gentrys' birthdays.
Hadley is all about whales so for her 8th birthday she chose to go whale-watching. Chris and dad went together and had a great time while we prepared for a little birthday party here at the house.
Saturday I took the kids to Upland's Grove Theatre to see Cinderella with mom, Molly & Pat Skousen. Then it was on to Pat's house for sno-cones.
The heat has been really bad and we've been blasting the air conditioning all day and sometimes at night as well. All four kids are currently sliding down the stairs in sleeping bags and laughing and giggling the way I imagine me and my siblings did when we were younger. If they weren't getting so sweaty though I'd think they are going to sleep well tonight. I love and always have loved how well all four of the kids often play with one another. I am always hesitant or reluctant to stop their playtime for anything else when they are having a such a fun time and being so cooperative. Fortunately Hadley has such great game ideas and imagination for the others to follow. When she is in a good mood - all is well for the other kids. They can't get enough of playing with her.
Chris left for the office to get more stuff done even though it is Sunday evening. The work has never ended for him on the weekends - and this one is no exception.
Hadley is all about whales so for her 8th birthday she chose to go whale-watching. Chris and dad went together and had a great time while we prepared for a little birthday party here at the house.
Saturday I took the kids to Upland's Grove Theatre to see Cinderella with mom, Molly & Pat Skousen. Then it was on to Pat's house for sno-cones.
The heat has been really bad and we've been blasting the air conditioning all day and sometimes at night as well. All four kids are currently sliding down the stairs in sleeping bags and laughing and giggling the way I imagine me and my siblings did when we were younger. If they weren't getting so sweaty though I'd think they are going to sleep well tonight. I love and always have loved how well all four of the kids often play with one another. I am always hesitant or reluctant to stop their playtime for anything else when they are having a such a fun time and being so cooperative. Fortunately Hadley has such great game ideas and imagination for the others to follow. When she is in a good mood - all is well for the other kids. They can't get enough of playing with her.
Chris left for the office to get more stuff done even though it is Sunday evening. The work has never ended for him on the weekends - and this one is no exception.
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