This Week at Our House # 21

1. Nothing new job wise. John is looking out of state now. As of Friday, we finally got the first installment of unemployment. This sure has been hard. Everything seems to be coming together just before disaster. I am thinking that this will be how a job comes-- just as things get really, really bad.
2. I have 4 more weeks of pregnancy to go. I am starting to take evening walks to help prepare my muscles for labor. After giving birth this many times, my muscles aren't what they used to be. I am as tired as ever, but trying to spruce the house up for our new arrival. I have found that it works well if I work, then rest, then work, then rest.
3. Ruth has finals this week and then she is finished the 10th grade. Where has the time gone? I remember being excited for her to start pre-school. 2 more years now and she is done and gone. I used to try and fill my time, now I try and enjoy my time. Life moves more quickly than it seems when your kids are little.
4. Kate finished off her finals this week. She made another 4.0. She has come a long, long way from the little first grader who couldn't read and struggled to recognize her numbers 1 to 20. Now Kate will be starting calculus (college math) just as she turns 15!
5. Johnny had finals all week too. He made the high honor roll and is ready to begin the 9th grade just before he turns 13!  Johnny has one more play week of school-- same as everyone except Rachel. For the Legacy Prep kids, grades closed Friday and the final week, is a play week. Johnny is particularly looking forward to Lagoon Day (that's an amusement park) on Thursday.
6. Adam's soccer team finally won a game. He is improving with every game. John started practicing with him a couple of times of week too which is helping. Adam ended the school year with all A's. He has a playing week of half days ahead of him.
7. Rachel woke up in the middle of the night Monday with a headache. She spent the rest of the week down with a high fever around 103. She was so miserable, but refused to take any medicine because she does not like the taste. Rachel is the only one of my children that finds a high fever and a severe headache more tolerable than the taste of medicine. Saturday morning her fever finally broke. Rachel goes back to school on Tuesday and will be in school until July 3rd. I hate year round school and I am done being a school mom. I need a vacation too.
8. I love that Anya can read so well. Besides Johnny, she is my only other child to be reading at the end of kindergarten. 
9. Joseph has been working at reading in his own time. He picks up books and tries to read them. Joseph's method seems to be to memorize the book. My kids who did this usually began reading faster than my kids who focused more on phonics. No matter what I have done, all of my kids have had their own style and way to learn to read. I have given up on forcing one way. It seems to work better to let them tackle it on their own and be available for support and help. Joseph started getting a fever on Friday, but he is still eating, running, jumping, and playing. There is just no stopping that boy.
10. Arg, Josh pooped his pants several times this week. When will he just do it?
11. Arwen loves to sit and look at books. I always see her with a pile of books sitting and looking through them. She likes to be read to, but often prefers to just be left to look through on her own.
12. I am 36 weeks along today. We should get to meet Susan sometime in the next month. It's nice to have something wonderful happening during our otherwise time of trial.

This Week's Pictures

Mormon Women Stand Blog

Since March I have been very blessed to be a part of the Mormon Women Stand community. What began as a Facebook page to promote faith and unity for the women within the gospel of Jesus Christ has now become a part of Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and now a website and blog. I have volunteered to write doctrinal church articles for the blog. I am very excited for this opportunity to join with many amazing, diverse, faithful sisters. Honestly, it has been such a testimony to come together with many faithful, Latter-day Saint women who all have very different backgrounds, family lives, trials, and experience. It gives me hope for Zion.


Please stop on by. My first post is titled: Increasing Faith.

This Week at Our House # 20

1. John had one interview this week, and he has a phone interview tomorrow. We have officially decided that we will seriously look at a move for a good/ long term job. John has had a hard time with employment the 4 years we have lived in North Salt Lake. We will begin researching states and jobs. We cannot move a big family to just any place for any job. We need to live in a place where we can afford a large home, food and clothes for 10 kids. We would prefer that it is near family.
2. I am slowing down. I will be 8 months pregnant in 4 more days and I sure can feel it. I've hit the,"It's hard to move around" phase of pregnancy. I am grateful for any exercise I did before this pregnancy because even as moving is getting harder, I am not having the hip and leg pain that I did with the last pregnancy.
3. Ruth babysat for us 2 days in a row this past week because Johnny had an orchestra concert one day, and Adam and Anya had their end of the school year singing concert the next. When we came home the first day, Ruth had the house perfectly clean and all of the kids fed, bathed and ready for bed.
4. Kate babysat alongside Ruth too, and then as an awesome treat, Kate and Ruth's friend Bonnie took them to the movie theater to see Captain America. I was so glad that they got such a nice break after a busy week with the family. My favorite part was Kate coming home and complaining how Black Widow flirted with Captain America.
5. Johnny had an orchestra concert. He did a great job. He has a really good orchestra teacher and has learned a lot this year. I have been very impressed with the entire orchestra. Johnny loves it and plans to continue with the violin. This is huge because he took piano for several years, hated it and quit.
6. Adam had his singing concert. I think this is the first one that he actually bothered to sing in. But he didn't do any of the hand motions or dance steps. I don't think Adam will grow up to be much of a performer. He is still in soccer and loves that. John has been taking Johnny and Adam and some kids in the neighborhood to practice soccer a couple of times a week. That has been good for Adam and boosted his confidence a lot.
7. Occasionally I feel like I get things right with my kids. This week, we found out that Anya had a talk to give in primary. Rachel said she wanted to give a talk on that topic. I asked Rachel what she would say if she had that topic. Rachel said she did not know, so I told her to go and write a talk. Rachel wrote a really good talk and Anya used what Rachel wrote as part of her talk.
8. Anya really enjoyed her singing performance. Afterwards, she sang her songs again and again for the whole family. We loved it.
9. Joseph's a real smart little guy. I am impressed at how much he knows for his young age. He can tell me a lot of scripture stories and he just knows about things and how to do things. I guess all of his annoying getting into things, taking apart things, and general exploration has a purpose. I think he will quite like school when he starts in the fall.
10. In church today I told Josh to sit on Dad's lap. He said, "not Dad!" I said, "but you love dad." Josh shouted out a reply of, "I hate Dad." John and I started laughing and I noticed the speaker and the Bishop looking right at us.
11. In church today, Arwen started to pinch my arm. I told her not to because it hurts. She looked right at me and said, "Shhhh".
12. Susan's moving around a ton. Her head is down and I can sure feel that. Her heart rate and growth rate are normal and consistent. My blood pressure and weight gain and everything has been normal and steady. It looks like everything is a go for a normal healthy labor and delivery. I am having contractions all of the time now. As of today, I am 35 weeks pregnant. My mom bought a plane ticket and will be here around my due date. This is at a sacrifice to her and the rest of my family as she will be here while my dad and sisters who live with my parents close on their house in Maine and move to North Carolina. I am glad I get my mom, though. Susan will probably be one of her last grandchildren and I am happy that she will be here to see her fresh from heaven. 

This Week's Pictures

I am not sure why we have a need for beds for these boys. They sleep on the floor more often than not

This Week at Our House # 19

1. John had 2 job interviews this week and 2 additional contacts. They may not end in a job, but they are certainly steps to one. John made Mother's Day really nice for me by making a very nice dinner and letting me rest a lot. I love my wonderful husband.
2. I felt big, tired, and pregnant most of the week. This pregnancy has been very rough. I am very grateful that my husband and children have been willing to pick up the slack where I am lacking and the house is as clean as it always is.
3. Ruth's friend drama is getting to her. She cannot wait for school to end. Just a little more than 2 weeks and it is over. 
4. Kate feels the same way. She gets a lot of slack from her friends about being honest and moral and trying to keep her media clean. She likes her friends, but she is looking forward to summer vacation. The end is so hard. We are so close, but not there yet.
5. Johnny is doing great. He's very kind, helpful, and respectful. He has an orchestra concert this week and will be playing a special violin number with 2 other people. He's been practicing pretty hard. He did not even know anything about the violin a year ago. He was nervous to take it, but has found that he loves it.
6. Adam is still loving soccer and getting better and better at it.
7. Rachel was off track and we have enjoyed having her home and hanging around. She made me breakfast in bed and had lots of Mother's Day gifts for me. She asked, and I let her make cookies by herself without help for the first time. They tasted good. I'll let her experiment more on her own in the kitchen now.
8. Anya helped Rachel get me breakfast in bed. She was so cute about it. Last night, she kept telling me to stay in bed and sleep late. 
9. Joseph really likes the cats and kittens and is pretty good and nice to them. He's such  a rough and tumble boy, it is sweet to see him being affectionate with the animals.
10. Josh seems to basically be potty trained, though he still needs reminders. He has been the toughest kid to potty train. Josh has been screaming about every little thing. It's a toddler thing that I have had to train all of my kids out of. Now it is Josh's turn. I miss all of his baby cuteness, but this just seems to be a normal step in growing up.
11. Arwen has been loving books and loving being read to. Whenever I sit down on the couch, she will bring me a big pile of books. If I am busy, she will sit and look at books. 
12. I am 34 weeks along! Only 6 more to go. I am at the point know where I feel stuffed and feel like breathing is a bit of chore. Though I am grateful to be getting little Susan here. Every child is so precious.

This Week's Pictures

Happy Mother's Day from Ruth and Kate

For Mother's Day Ruth and Kate wrote a parody to "Let it Go" for the Zombie Apocalypse I love it!!! I have some pretty cool kids.

Undead Know

wind blows loud through the empty streets

not a human to be seen

the city of the undead

Where the zombies run free

the wind is howling like my dead heart inside

couldn’t keep its beat though I breathed and tried

lock, load, and run away

don’t let them get to you today

conceal, don’t scream, don’t even breathe

and then I screamed

undead know, oh no!

not human any more

undead know, oh no!

run away and lock the door

I don’t care

what they’re going to say

let the war rage on

I’m already dead anyway

funny how one bite

makes my life seem gone

and the thirst for blood controls me

although I know it’s wrong

It’s time to see what I can do

to attack and then eat you

no breathe, no blood, no life in me

Zombie!

undead know, oh no!

I’m dead yet still alive

undead know, oh no!

and now you’re going to die

the dead stand

yet dead they stay

let the war rage on

our power grows as we come from the ground

I am rising like the walking dead all around

and though the guns shoot super fast

no longer human

that hit was not my last 

undead know, oh no!

I’ll rise, though my life wasn’t long

undead know, oh no!

that human girl is gone

here I stand

eating a man

let the war rage on

I’m already dead any way

And just to keep track of how clever this is, here are the original lyrics.

Let it Go

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight

Not a footprint to be seen

A kingdom of isolation,

And it looks like I’m the queen.

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside

Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I tried

Don’t let them in, don’t let them see

Be the good girl you always have to be

Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know

Well, now they know

Let it go, let it go

Can’t hold it back anymore

Let it go, let it go

Turn away and slam the door

I don’t care

What they’re going to say

Let the storm rage on,

The cold never bothered me anyway

It’s funny how some distance

Makes everything seem small

And the fears that once controlled me

Can’t get to me at all

It’s time to see what I can do

To test the limits and break through

No right, no wrong, no rules for me

I’m free

Let it go, let it go

I am one with the wind and sky

Let it go, let it go

You’ll never see me cry

Here I stand

And here I'll stay

Let the storm rage on

My power flurries through the air into the ground

My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around

And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast

I’m never going back,

The past is in the past

Let it go, let it go

And I'll rise like the break of dawn

Let it go, let it go

That perfect girl is gone

Here I stand

In the light of day

Let the storm rage on,

The cold never bothered me anyway

This Week at Our House # 18

1. We've heard nothing from jobs, even though we are sending out applications. We did hear that in the last quarter the U.S. economy only grew .01% and is looking like we are heading into another recession (blah). We have officially decided that a move for a job will be a possibility. However, we will not just apply and move anywhere. With 10 children, we absolutely need to make sure we move to a place where we can afford a large house, the taxes, enough food and clothes for our family etc., and that is not every state in the U.S. On a happier note, John's brother Jeremy took John and most of our children to a lego exposition in Sandy. They all loved it a ton!
2. I had a busy week. My kids sure keep me going and going. Adam has soccer now which takes up 2 week nights. (One for a game and one for practice.) He loves it though, and I am so happy he is able to play this spring. I had a fun time Friday night meeting up with my mothers of many friends. There were 9 of us who got together and among us we had 80 children. It's so nice to have a group of friends that understand big family logistics. I haven't had a girls night for more than 6 months. It was a great escape.
3. Ruth is tiring out as the school year comes to a close. She is still making up some work from the week she missed due to a kidney infection. It's hard to make up a week's worth of school once you get to the middle school years. Ruth will be applying for jobs and hopefully she will find summer employment. I can't believe it is only 2 years until she graduates high school. Life moves so fast.
4. Because of Sage/common core testing Johnny and Kate's teachers are not allowed to give them much homework for another 2 weeks. Kate is very happy about this, but I feel like testing is a huge waste of school time. They spend so much time measuring students against other schools/nations it really takes a lot of time away from regular learning.
5. Johnny completed his history project without being nagged or reminded. That was a wonderful first. Johnny has been very sweet and helpful. He just comes up and gives me hugs and tells me he loves me everyday after school. I understand this is pretty normal for 12 year  old boys. I am loving this stage.
6. Adam is LOVING soccer. All day Monday he reminded us that on Tuesday, he had a soccer game. The first thing Adam did Tuesday after school was to put on his soccer uniform. He did real well this week and went after the ball and defended his goal. 
7. Rachel got baptized on Saturday. She looked beautiful in her all white as she entered the waters of baptism. Rachel had a couple of parties at school this week and is now off track. She has the next 3 weeks off from school. She goes back 3 days before everyone else gets out of school for the year. Then Rachel will have school until July 3rd. I hate year round school. I am glad we will not have to deal with this next school year.
8. Anya enjoyed the nice weather and playing outside all weekend. It started out cold in the beginning of the week and ended up nice by the end. The little kids just do so much better when they can get outside and play everyday.
9. Joseph had a pretty good week. He is always happier if gets outside and plays a lot. If we have to move, I think I will be willing to buy an older house with a bigger yard to give Joseph the outdoor exploration space that he really needs.
10. Joshua pooped his pants one day and peed his pants 2 days and the rest he made it. He has been my hardest kid to potty train. I am just relieved that he is finally willing to do it.
11. Arwen spent the week being cute. She loves her pretty spring clothes and gets excited to get dressed. She has been dancing a lot when ever she hears music she likes. She is just so cute and knows it.
12. I had my midwife appointment on Monday. The next one is just 2 weeks from that day. Time is sure flying. it feels odd to be at the point of 2 week appointments. After that the midwife will visit me at our house. Susan is moving around normally, her heartbeat is normal, and everything seems fine. I am 33 weeks today, which means that Susan is due on a Sunday.

This Week's Pictures

Rachel's Baptism

Dear little Rachel got baptized yesterday afternoon. The morning was a bit eventful. Rachel woke me up and I noticed she had bangs. I asked her if she cut her hair and she immediately said, "no!" Bomb!!! Not the best way to start your baptismal day. In the end, of course, everything went well.

Rachel is a very sweet and Christ-like little girl. She is one of our most creative children. She loves to craft and make things. She loves to sing and dance and make up songs. Rachel has the best voice of all the members of our family. Unlike her mother and father, Rachel always befriends the friendless and helps those with disabilities.

At school Rachel is friends with all of the kids who do not have friends. She makes a point to be with those kids, play with those kids, and help those kids feel wanted. Rachel has had her other classmates tell her not to play with those children for various reasons. But Rachel always tells the other kids the reasons why the friendless children are good and worthwhile kids. Our whole family can learn from Rachel's Christ-like acceptance of other people.

Rachel spent the week preparing for her baptism by studying covenants, ordinances, Joseph Smith history, the 4th article of Faith. When we asked Rachel if she had a testimony, she whole heartedly said that she knew the church was true and seemed annoyed that we would question her on that. I think Rachel was ready to be baptized.

The ceremony was sweet and beautiful. Rachel will always remember this sunny May 3, 2014 when she made a covenant with our Savior and became an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.