IT'S OFFICIAL!

I am a WITCH--- (with pink hair might I add)

Sterling was so proud to show off his picture when I came to pick him up from preschool...because it was a picture of his MOM! I was thinking how kind it was, as I noticed my name in big letters at the top MOM...AND then I read the bottom -It's a witch. I asked him if I was a witch and the response was AFFIRMATIVE.

Bet you wish I was your MOM! ha ha ha

The Shoe Phenomenon

Our BeAuTiFulLy Clean daughter (Dacie) has NOT Only started clapping at herself for staying so clean at meal time....she has a shoe fettish!
If ANY of us are missing shoes, the new person to ask where they are at is.... Dacie. Since she is vocal she can tell us right where they are at (we wish)

FIRST- Try the computer armoire, she manages to fill a few up in there somewhere...

OR randomly walk throughout our house and you will RANDOMLY find shoes in every room, in any place, at any time! Including shoes from mom and dad's closet
...IF you still have not found them, try outside as they are her new 'pet' she likes to take for walks, particularly close to home on the deck (as she wonders NOT very far from her mamma's legs!)
LAST but NOT least, they are likely in or around the shoe basket, just re-arranged, since she cleans it out at least 2x's a day (This is a meager destruction of the basket, she just got busted by her brothers before the whole thing was empty-darn it!)

Oh to be a GIRL, with her shoes!

The Toy Phenomenon!

Allright, you know your a mother when....the toys NEVER go AWAY!!!!

I read once in a parenting magazine that in order to sleep better , and to have 'my space', and romance space, that you should keep your (adults) room as the -"toy free" space. I 100 % agreed with that article, and have been vigilant about 'clearing out' my room every day MULTIPLE times, and MULTIPLE times telling my kids that our room is a no toy place.

Having to separate the kiddos for naps kind of curtails that plan, as well as the fact that our room is right off of the kitchen!So despite my every effort to have my own space, that is kid free...here is what I collected at the end of one eve (above). I particularly appreciate the variety of spread, do we really have all these kinds of toys around?
Surely, I can get reprieve in the shower-MY SHOWER (oh, but no-the pirate ship made its way in there too!) above
Then maybe when I clean up the house and have felt like I have escorted every toy to its proper place, I can sneak off to bed for some toys free dreams....aaah, but the toy snake wants to nap too!

I GIVE UP!

One day I will cry when I can't take a shower with a pirate ship or sleep with a snake...I KNOW it!

Bummer Week!

This week has been a little bit hard on me, especially after the last fun week I just had

Here is why:1. I have started a cleansing diet, which isn't so bad --BUT it is pretty hard core and eliminates allot of my comfort food that I would love to enjoy during stress. However, the blessing is: even in the short week I have done it my summer clothes are fitting a little better after a FAT winter
2. I started toilet training Ryland the exact day I started the cleansing process. I HIT toilet training HARD (we LIMIT activities and are home bound) and it is do or die! Patience was thin--if you ask me any day of the year I rank toilet training right up there on the list of my least favorite things to do.

The blessing: Ryland really has only had one BAD day and averages about one accident a day, and has gone a day and half w/ perfection (I have learned not to celebrate too early however)

3.Yesterday I held our last baby chick as it was dying (I will post a blog about the whole affair) It was heart wrenching and I have not cried that HARD in a LONG time.

The Blessing: I really believe that now my sons have a different perspective on the value of life in even the smallest creatures, and I had a tender, neat experience with prayer with the boys, the spirit was there.

4. I called home and found out this news last night: (Email sent out this morning attached below)

Blessing: My father is a walking miracle and continues to walk AND I have family that would drop everything to be together and help each other (Thanks Mind and Jas)

The Email sent by my mother this morning-

Thought you should know: Kent has been doing great with his new knee, cancer remission etc, but last night at the end of Brendon's volleyball game at Elk Grove, he started to have horrific head pains. Not any different than the ones most of you have seen at some point. He still usually (but not always) has a few days of pains each month. Actually hydrocodone has seemed to help in most cases. Last month he did have to lay on the floor for awhile and they were stronger than normal. However, last night they escalated very quickly. He went out for fresh air and it didn't help. He came back in and within a few min. he went white and looked like he'd pass out. He was too weak to get up or go to the car and his head was literally exploding with pain. I had him put his head down and then he put his head on my lap. I didn't realize at first that he was passed out until I saw his arm hanging limp twitching. By calling his name, slapping his face and shaking him, there was still no response. I couldn't go get help either, because he was on my lap. Some girls finally noticed (luckily the match was over by now), and got Brendon's attention. I was hoping he could help Kent out to the car. No such luck. He was out cold. Then people really started noticing. Two men hopped down. I remained calm and giggly (I laugh when I'm uncomfortable). They helped put Kent out on the floor gently. He did NOT want to call 911 because of insurance reasons. (He told me this before he passed out) However, he was not doing well at all. In about a 20 min. span he came too partially twice and went into convulsions and immediately passed out again. A woman in the crowd said I'm calling 911 anyway. So we had the high school gym full of people, the fire truck and ambulance, etc. Brendon is pretty stoked he'll be popular at school today. (Just a light side touch) I was on the phone with 911 and the two men from the crowd stayed with Kent following the directions of the 911 call until the paramedic showed up. The paramedics checked him out and of course asked questions. A lady ran Brendon home to get the name of his neurosurgeon and other info we didn't have with us. Kent came too partially again with oxygen and some other things, but when they tried to sit him up, he convulsed and went big time out again. It took 6 men to get him on the gurney. The ambulance took him to the hospital. I went to drop off Brendon and follow, but realized Kent had our car keys in his pocket in the ambulance. Amberlyn came to the rescue and brought us keys and took Brendon home and took care of dinner and the family. By the time I got to the hospital, his home teachers were there. They gave him a blessing later on when they let us in. They did not let me go in until he was registered and all fixed up. A little disturbing since I had the medical info they needed and the neurosurgeons request was to get a CT scan WHILE he was having an episode. Didn't fall in their protocol. Kent was in and out of consciousness for a total of 40 min. to an hour. Longer than he's ever been. I felt very calm and peaceful, but concerned at the same time that this episode may not turn out ok as far as being alive, or not having permanent brain damage. However, he slowly came out of it and by the time they let me see him, he was fully conscious and could talk- although still in lots of pain and not really ok. His normally very low blood pressure was high and his blood oxygen was very bad. Mindy and Jason also got wind and came to the hospital and stayed with me several hours. They stayed until after midnight so we could sing happy birthday to Mindy. We thought it fitting for Kent and I to be in the hospital with her on her birthday as that was the setting of her birth. ha They ran several blood tests and a CAT scan. Nothing critical or abnormal that they could see was there. (Besides all the shunts and several things they don't understand of course) They kept us there until morning, making sure Kent was stable and ok and let us out around 2 am. We need to contact his neurosurgeon and follow up. Sometimes when this is this severe, he will have continued days of problems. I need to keep an eye on him. The one possibility they could come up with first hand, may be that his shunts may be working too good now, as his spinal fluid in his brain (ventricles) is very low. I say- rip em out. We shall see. We are home doing fine. Just thought the family should be aware and ask that you remember Kent and the family in your prayers. We'll keep you posted. Most likely he will be fine again- who knows maybe for years. Once again, your son, dad, brother, uncle or whatever relation he is. is a walking miracle. I'm grateful he's still around. We have too much in our life to get straightened out for me to do it solo.... but we don't really get to choose that either do we? I do count my blessings. Lots of love, Jeanie

5. It is my sisters birthday and my daughter has formed and unnatural attachment to me, as well as discovered a high pitch scream in protest. This has ALL been since her first birthday. I just always remember the kids getting a little easier, not worse after year?!!!! It is my sisters b-day today and I will NOT have time to get the photos and thoughts collected until, that daughter of mine, is asleep for the evening!! Not much gets done anymore

The blessing: I got my girl that my heart has always desired. She is the healthiest of the bunch, and she LOVES me and I LOVE her!

SHOUT OUT TO MINDY! YOUR B-DAY POST IS COMING....

Allergy medicine and emotions have me pretty tired today. Not to mention trying to get stuff together to sell at a garage sale, help sell the items, and bury a chick at the pet cemetery by the river on my list of things to do today. Oh well, we are going to the temple tomorrow and the whole world will be brighter after! I am really OK, just tired! DUH-that is the number 1 symptom of motherhood!

VALIANT CoLtOn!!!

Sweet Colton has had a few instances lately where he has surprised me with his genuine desire to do what is right, and it has my heart so happy!

His school was giving away free tickets to an NHL ice hockey game, for those students who exemplified good behavior, or noteworthy acts. The rest of the family could purchase highly discounted tickets along with his free one. We are ALWAYS advocates of good behavior and CHEAP outings..so we encouraged him to work at getting the tickets. I asked him the other day if anyone had been offered tickets, yet, in his class (as it is teacher picked). He told me everyone had, and that he told them "no". I was surprised and asked him 'why'? He said, "because it is on Sunday mom!" as if I was silly to even ask why. I ask him if he was sure the game was on Sunday, and he told me he was absolutely certain it was-- and that when his teacher had offered him tickets Colton told his teacher that he did not want them because they were on Sunday. I guess his teacher continued to tell him that she was going to church, AND then the game. Colton proceeded to tell her that even after he goes to church he does not do that kind of stuff on Sundays and it was during his nap-time(ha ha ha). I was so proud of him at that moment, standing up for what was right at the cost of being uncomfortable, out of the norm, and against what even his leaders were doing!

The second experience was on Valentines Day, Colton got a few tattoos from friends in his Valentines... and after school we were all goofing off with them and putting them on. The next day Colton came to me and said, "mom, I washed off my tattoo because we are not suppose to have tattoos on our bodies." I told him he was absolutely right and that I was proud of him for setting the example for our family!

I was taking a shower yesterday while they babies were napping and Ryland woke up while I was showering. Ryland sometimes will tell us he has to go to the bathroom in the toilet and actually do it! So, while I was in the shower I guess it was one of those 'moments'. Colton took off his diaper, put him on the potty, wiped him when he was finished, washed both their hands, put back on a new diaper and gave Ryland a treat for going in the potty! I could NOT believe my ears or eyes when I came out of the shower. How wonderful that was--I know why Colton is suppose to be the oldest!

Colton is growing up so much and sometimes I look at this little man and wonder where time went too. He still is my baby and, in fact, last night when I went to girls game night he left me a note on the counter that read, "Dear mom, I was crying when you wher gone I love you so much Love, Colton" Dan told me he was insistant that I wake him up when I got home. I tried, but he was in a deep sleep. So... I wrote him a note back telling him that I loved him too, that Dad takes good care of him when I am gone, and that I had tried to wake him up. He came in my room this morning and told me he was crying so hard because he just wanted to cuddle with me and not Dad. He DOES still want to cuddle every so often. Does it get much better than that? A responsible little man that still loves his momma!! AAHH! Please don't ever change!

Dacie's 1st year PoRtRaITs!

Walmart and I have a love/hate relationship going on, and that includes the photo studio..since there is nowhere else to go in our tiny town, and because the prices are unbeatable. They have super sweet deals on packages that include quite enough pictures to satisfy our LARGE families desires. However, the draw back is that you have to choose the first photo you like, and that is the photo you get in your package. HOWEVER, they still have to take 6 more shots AFTER you pick your pose, AND the poses taken after your pick CANNOT be your package deal, even if they are cuter. To purchase extra sheets is mucho expensive--this is where they snag you, because to no avail they are able to catch a cuter one after your original pick.

I also hate it because, sometimes your kid has had enough and they HAVE to take 6 more pictures or the photo studio cannot complete the photo shoot (see picture below) and you DO NOT get any pictures. I also feel pressure, because the first time one picture is semi-cute I feel like I have to hang on to it(they erase them on the spot if that is not your pose shot), or by the time I absolutely think one is perfect--we cannot get another six out of the kid, or the child does not give me anything to work with if I erased the semi good one. It is enough to drive a normal mother mad, as we want the BEST picture to capture our child's life, let alone a mother with OCD or anxiety--it would push them over the edge. To dress up a child and find time to have the other children watched is already and impossible 'feat', and to have a photo shoot go bad...is not good news nor an OPTION at this point!

You also are NOT allowed to have more than one child photographed for a package deal on the same day...WHATEVER! Anyways-despite all my complaining allot of my children's first years have been recorded under their camera and I do thank them for that!

The AbOvE picture is the extra poses, and the BeLoW picture is what happens when you go too long with a bAbY and the camera!

However, despite the tears, I appreciate the way this pictures catches her red color in her hair, the hair that flips up on occasion in back...and this is a Dacie face I AM Very FAMILIAR with! Sorry the pictures are not the best quality, I am having to take a picture of a picture because we DO NOT have a SCANNER! This is my FAVORITE pose...however, it was NOT my first pose I picked, so it is in addition too!
And here is the winner! The pose of all poses...or the first of all the poses I should say!
OK, and I was taking down my Valentines decorations--we had this one hanging on Dacie's door, it was given to me when I was super young, from my,now, deceased grandparents. Don't you think it appropriate whose door it was hanging on? Who does it remind you of (hint: you have just seen other pictures of the cherub)? She is our sweetheart still!

TeaseR!

So is the weather going to stay this way, or is it TEASING us?! It has been beautiful the last few days and I have been so RELIEVED to have my children be outdoors most of the afternoons, fenced in, and not too hot!
PARTICULARLY since Dacie is going through a new phase where she wants to do little else besides hang with her mom, in her arms, poking her nose, and chasing me around the house. I thought for awhile that she must not be feeling well...BUT then it has stuck. Whoever told me that girls were easier than boys was not entirely truthful.
If the boys are close by her then she is pretty content outdoors, so that gives me a little breather to get, lets say,...dinner done!!! Her hair is growing in without much curl and the lack of holding it in, despite friends recommendations--so we played with ponytails!

HAPPY SPRING!...maybe

The ForgetFul FaiRy!

I don't know how my mom did it! (with nine children that is)
It seems like there is always something I could be doing 'more' for my children, and I ONLY have FOUR. 'More' meaning...not forgetting to "help" the toothfairy out when that is all my son (Colton-yes, he has LOST another tooth) has TALKED about all day and is DREAMING about at night, for starters. Then top it off, with making it TWO nights of forgetting. I never remember getting neglected by the toothfairy growing up--maybe memory FADES me (I just don't remember the forgetful fairy-who indeed was forgetful)and SAVES me (my children will have the same forgetful memories of their forgetful fairy)!

I finally had enough of trying to get things done amidst children the other evening, so I sat down in their room and played HARD. I mean kid hard. We rode trains, made dinners, sang with ice cream cones, sorted food by colors and health... and made a night of it. I enjoyed it, but really, if I had to do that all day for the next 'umpteen' years I may lose any education I gained! I wish there was a healthy balance between getting things out of duty done, things out of personal enjoyment accomplished and childrens' needs met all in one activity.

I feel loved and that I had a healthy and happy childhood--so one day, my kids will hopefully look back and have some compassion on their forgetful fairy of a mother, trying to get it all done!
I LOVE being a mother-- where else could I learn about the delicate balancing of priorities, forgiving yourself, doing things you don't enjoy for the sake of others, patience, trying harder, and becoming the next ice cream american idol!

Fun Family Home Evening-President's Day!

Since the boys had no school on Monday I thought we would do a family home evening to explain why--we did our President's day FHE. Thank heavens for old teaching files. We read two children's books on Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
Then we played pin the hat on Abe Lincoln.
ha ha ha Dad got a little topsy turvvy!
Dacie did NOT like the blindfold
We relieved her of her serious stress.
BUT, her feelings were hurt. Note to mom: 1 yr. olds are not fans of pin the tail on anything!
We finished the evening off with a worksheet acitivy on cherry trees (for George Washington's story)
Earlier that day the boys went outside FOREVER. That never happens, so I peeked out the window to see what got them to stay outside so long...and I saw this! A collpased box! They would run from three different corners of the yard and slide into one another on the box. It reminded me of the hours my siblings and I would slide down our front lawn hill on boxes. It made my heart so happy to see a pile-up of boys in the back yard. This was one of those moments I had been waiting for, having four kids in five years! Siblings, as each others friends, playing together-- Happy President's Day!

Dacie Update

Babies grow so much the first year--I just have to post what Dacie is doing for posterity's sake! I found these sandals/shoes for 4 dollars and could not pass them up, it is spring-like weather around here and I know they will be put good use in the summer! So, I had her try them on and I LOVED it! Her newest thing to do is this: When someone says hello or hi she puts her hand to her ear like she is talking on the phone and says hello the best way she can, it sounds something like "hiyoo".
Dacie's hair has started taking off these last couple of weeks! Check out the back, I think I see some curls!! I sprunched it all up in back on Sunday and was in HEAVEN!! But, it did not last long. I have to find a product that will last!
She is standing on her own now, and will go into standing postition from sitting, all on her own as well. She will also push around our little push toy, and walk around the house with no help from any of us. She loves to stand and get her brothers to cheer as she claps and claps!
She is also giving the sweetest open-mouthed kisses upon request, or if she is being silly and playing with you. She has started flirting with Dan and I LoVe watching it! Oh-how I love her!

VaLeNtiNes Sorensen StYLe!

THAT WAS THEN... February 2000-Valentines
This is the valentine my youngest sister wrote me that year! Incidentally we were a month away from taking a month "break-up" from each other...yet, she was right!
Yes, these are cupid wings we have on. We went and delivered goodies to mine and his siblings that were going to BYU, while wearing these LoVe WINGS! Now that I know Dan better-that was TRUE LOVE!

THIS IS NOW....
Valentines-February 2008
Valentines starts the night before while the kids are slumbering, and I am up making sugar cookies for Colton's class (1 dozen) some for the kids, one for my LOVE, and the ladies I visit teach! (Note to self: Stealing these kind of boxed cookie mixes from Mom-in-law they DO NOT rise they spread (unlike Great Grandma Roths recipe)-next time I use this kind, make one sheet cake cookie, or spread them out!)
I also wrote the kids their annual valentines 'card' telling them why we love them. It turned into a late night. I learned these traditions from my mom, now I know why she never slept the night before when there were 9 kids in my family! I am not the only one who worked hard on Valentines--Colton hand-made all 23 of his classmates Valentines cards, by choice! He started over a week before, with just crayons, glue and white paper--he was so creative..some were pop-ups and all!
However, when the table was set with their valentine books, cookie, and card I couldn't help but be excited for them to wake up and see it!
Dacie got heart jewlery-we figured she would only tear a book! ha ha
Remind me NEVER to decorate the sugar cookies with this type of icing. It got in hair, clothes and our carpet! (Note to self: These TYPE of sugar cookies taste good without icing (unlike Great Grandma Roth's recipe)! None needed)

I had too much fun putting stickers on Dacie, earrings, cheek tattoos. This was right before her nap! No camera mom, just a bottle!
I saw the shirt and thought it appropriate! ha ha
There is the smile!
I found a local pizza place that makes heart pizza's-we went and took one to dad at work..and left a little present and card in his car! We also went and delivered goodies to three ladies I visit teach!
After reading books, dancing, playing a game of operation...I think the boys were sick of having ME on Valentines. We also had two of my friends and some of their kids over in the morning (and Dacie caught the serious 'runs' from one of the babies, her bummy and temperent are not doing so hot today!2/16) Dan came home to a house full of sugar...literally, as my family (m&D, and sis) sent pixie sticks and fun dip! Our floor was caked in sugar, our counter full of cards and kids bouncing off the walls! LOVE IT! We ended the evening with a Valentines dinner. I shaped the hamburger patties like hearts, and we had pink salad, pink crystal light, and red chips! We let the kids watch a movie in their room and we watched one in the living room!BTW- I got a heart necklace with my birthstone and family represented on it, new earphones to exercise with my shuffle ipod, chocolates, pj pants and a card--I am spoiled too! We all collapsed in bed! Happy Valentines to all, and to all a good night!

SterLing's SpEciAl DaY!!

Sterling's special day at preschool was last Wednesday, January 30 (we get to do it about once every other month). What that means is, he brings the snack for preschool that day and I get to go help out in the classroom. I have a fellow mother that we swap kids during that time so that the other one can go in the class to help. Well, my friend called that morning to tell me that her family was sick and so it was up to me if I wanted to bring my kids over. I should of, since we got SICK anyway--but I was hoping, so I started making calls to my other buddies. We were able to get Dacie to a friends home and Ryland just got to go to preschool that day too(he was in heaven). I just had Stelring and Ryland wash their hands and change their shirts when they got home. I was glad it all worked out because Sterling LOVES me there (that will not last forever, much to my heart breaking) and looks forward to his special day immensely (like talking about it for weeks before and looking at the calendar every day to see when it is coming...kind of like Christmas)
This month for snack we were suppose to bring something in that is from our family ancestory. So we brought in blood pudding (choclate pudding) from England (minus the cows blood), and "pirate gold" rolo's (since I have pirates in my lineage) . It was not the healthiest snack, BUT in my defense we did miss Sterling's birthday at school and chocolate is one of his favorites for sure. Besides the fact, that this is about as good as it gets when I just got home from vacation and have 22 kids to provide snack for! Sterling LOVES school. He always tells me he hated preschool (what he calls our home swapping preschool we have done the last two years-my feelings are a little hurt since I got to teach him myself) and loves school (he refuses to call this preschool)! Funny kid--We LOVE him