Weekly Update

Whew! I almost didn't get this done this week! But I did....that's one more week that i wont be behind. I'm happy.

There are three posts going back to the Day before Easter.  It's been a busy busy, super fun week! School is going great and I'm really looking forward to some ideas I have for summer and our next school year! I love teaching my kids and having them home with me....but even more, I LOVE when I get to play with them, have fun with them and spend one on one time with them. I'm working on doing that a lot more, and I find when I make time for that....even if other things don't get done, I feel better about what I"m doing and my day goes better!

Weekly Update {Sunday Best}

I don't have a ton of pictures again this week, I keep not pulling out the camera. Why? Because I'm too busy to even think about it! But no worries, I'm not missing pictures of important events..just the day to day school with the kids...but even sometimes those are fun, so I'll try to catch a few this week. We have so many things going on from now until Christmas...our normal school days are going to be rare! Lots of school on the road the next 3 months....ick! But....for starters, here's our Sunday best!!! (and can you believe it's almost been a year since we started!? Only about five more weeks!)

Update {Sunday Best}

Notta lot going on this week. Working hard on school, taking pictures and just trying to keep up with it all! I realized I didn't even really take any pictures for fun either.  I tried yet another attempt to take pictures of all 5 kids for my wall. although there might be a decent one...this time I'm unhappy with myself and where I set them up.  Why do I have to be so dang picky?  I need to just be happy with what I have, but I guess when I spend the money to put a big print on my wall, I want it to look GREAT!

I did however chase the kids around while they were playing (after group pictures) and take a few shots of them individually.  Emma really is my tough one right now. She could care less to get her picture taken. 











And here's our Sunday Best. This morning we had to stop on the way to church and say a prayer. That's what kind of morning we had. But my day certainly improved from then on. Gotta love the Sabbath!

Week Update! {Sunday Best}

(There is one post that didn't fit on this page, so when you get to the bottom, make sure to go back a page!)

Well, starting school is no easy task! We started a little later than I anticipated because of some things that came up out of my control the week before, but we got most of the organization done, and the kids have been pretty excited about starting, and especially their new books and subjects!  Even during quiet time, Maliyah will ask if she can take one of her school books and work in it.  SURELY!!!

We've had a lot of extra things going on, watching 3 adorable little girls who's family life is a little shifty at the time, but hopefully the mom and Dad will be able to pull it together so they can all be together as a family again soon.  In the mean time I'm grateful for the three sweet faces I get to see a few days a week.  Maybe if life allows...I'll try to get some pictures of them one of these days! I've been wanting to do it for their mom for months now!

This morning getting out to church was a little tricky.  I had visits to make for Primary and was willing to take a couple of kids will me, but had to meet up with Duck at church to get the rest of them off.  Well just as I was nearly ready to get the kids loaded up, (contemplating making Jayden go in his pj's because he refused to get dressed) Savannah peed in her pants (or skirt). So I called up Duck and had him run home so we could be on time. He got Jade dressed, I got Savannah changed and we still made it on time! I was actually 1/2 hour early to my visit because it was closer than I thought.  The farthest ward I have to visit is about 2 1/2 hours away so I get to travel lots!

Here's our Sunday BEst!

Week update {Sunday Best}

I don't even know where to start with this weeks update. This was supposed to be the week for me to completely get organized with the kids school as we are supposed to start tomorrow!  But with Monday being a Holiday we just did family stuff. We played at the park, played some ultimate frisbee with friends and then hung out with the kids.

That pushed my laundry and cleaning day to Tuesday, so really I only had then three days left to work on school stuff.  I did get Maliyah and Kyson's school curriculum all organized and scheduled for the year, but the school room (which will be a good two day job) still needs some revamping.  Friday was going to be my day to do that, but an emergency came up.  I won't go into details, but I had to go check on a family and in the process convinced the mom to let me take the kids for the day.  She later was found passed out in the car and taken to the hospital.  I had the kids most of Friday, the baby all of Saturday and then the 2 other girls Saturdy aftenoon/evening.  My friend Joann had them all the other times, and overnight.  I don't know what's going to happen next.  This family is dealing with a lot of issues and although I pray for the best, it's going to be a long time before things are back to normal for them.  Say a special prayer for those sweet children as they go through this difficult time.

Today....on a much lighter note, was my first assignment in my new calling as Stake Primary President.  A ward, about 30 minutes out of town has a new presidency and they were having a meeting and wanted me to come and hopefully help give them some help.  It was really neat meeting these sisters and seeing their amazing efforts.  I also got roped into speaking in their Sacrament meeting.  It was a great meeting and then I got to enjoy spending primary time there.  I even got to help teach the music! That's definitely on the top of my list of favorite callings!

I did though before heading out of town this morning, get the kids to church on time and get a picture of them. It's been a busy, exhausting week/weekend, but ended with a great Sabbath.

Week Update {Sunday Best}

I've been busy this week, taking lots of pictures, trying to get things lined up for school...ordering curriculum (yes weeks later than I should have) and just trying to keep sane.  I'm afraid I think things are only going to get busier, but with major cutting back with photography, music and organizing more....hopefully this school year will be fantastic!  I got set apart for my new calling last Sunday.

I may be a bit overwhelmed by it.  It might just be the timing. I'm sure it's going to be great! But ooooh, how the scouting will be a lot of work. 

I am the new Klamath Falls Stake Primary President.  I might have a presidency...I might not.  Lol, it's been a long process. They called me in April.  I'll admit it took a long time for me to come up with my presidency, but it's been even longer getting them called. That poor past presidency that has thought they would be released since April! Well today was finally the day for them.

I know as a stake calling it's not nearly as busy as say a Ward Primary President on a daily basis...but scouting is really going to take a lot of my time, and travelling to the other wards will as well.  I think the farthest branch from here is about 3 hours.  I hope I can always have a travelling companion!  I already know some reasons why God put me here in this calling. There is much I need to improve on in my life and I know this calling will help push me there.  I begged to keep at least one of my music callings in the ward (I love it!) but there is no way I'll be able to continue Choir Director, but in the mean time I am.

This morning Jayden didn't want to get dressed.  I told him he wouldn't get breakfast and he would have to go to church in his PJ's....Five minutes later he came out of his room dressed.  Glad that worked!



Oh! And by the way...Potty Training is going great!  Still gotta work on the pooping, but I don't even have to ask her to pee...she tells me.  What a big girl! (well she is three I guess!)

Weekly Update (4 weeks I think?) and Sunday Best!

**There is a second page of posts this week! Don't forget to look at those too!**

I can't believe soon it will be a year doing our Sunday best!  We have about 9 weeks left!  Crazy. It's been really fun, and especially fun to look back and see how the kids have grown over the year, little by little.  I just might keep doing it even after the 52 weeks!

I'm so behind on here because we spent a Sunday in Denver, the next Sunday visiting with great friends, then last week I started to get caught up, but just didn't quite have enough time and since I POTTY TRAINED Savannah this week (yes I'll have to share more about that later)  I didn't have time to work on anything during the week!  But today I was determined to at least post what I had been working on.

So although this post won't be completely caught up through this weekend...it's a great start! 

We did though have a great week working with Savannah. I love the time Potty Training forces me to spend with that toddler child.  She is so funny and such a joy to have in our family!

I also had a few pictures from celebrating the rest of her birthday that I never got around to last month.

Dressups from Grandma Duck



Her Yummy Watermelon Cake! Oh, I'm drooling just thinking about it! And she was afraid of the flame on the candles.

   

But! She loved the cake too!



And one more for kicks......how to entertain your one year old while you are trying to clean house? Stick her in an empty bathtub with all the bath toys!   She was happy forever!



This weekend we have also had company! My old roommate Rhonda (and great friend!) and her family came down from Corvallis for a visit. It's pathetic to think we have lived here in Oregon for 6 years and I have only seen her one other time about 4 1/2 years ago, breifly at a wedding reception!  So pathetic. It's been an awesome weekend and visit with great friends. They have two adorable kids that have gotten along great with our kids.  Lol, I don't know if Emma would agree after spending the weekend trying to escape Ellie's arms (who's constantly trying to pick her up)...lol, it makes me laugh every time!  I can't wait to share pictures and details about our fun weekend next week!

In the mean time, here is our Sunday best from the last 4 weeks!

DENVER  (just outside our hotel)



LAYTON  (oh man looking at the light in this picture hurts my eyes!)



BACK AT HOME



WITH FRIENDS!



HUGS!!!

Week Update July 22nd through 29th {Sunday Best}

{This week there are two pages of posts so don't forget to look at the second page...Duck and Savannah's birthday!}

What a fun week we have had. Filled with crazy busyness as well, but at least we were able to schedule in some fun activities too! Some things not pictured: Softball is going strong and even though we lost our two games this week, it's still been fun; Friday we had Dinner with some friends and tried something new for dinner...a tin foil dinner buffet! WE laid out various meats, veggies, seasonings and sauces...built our own dinners then cooked them up in a fire pit. It was so delish!

Duck had a golf tournament yesterday for the Home Builders Association and Won! the only bummer was the 1st place prize issued this year. Free entrance into next years tournament and to play with the same team. Does that seem like an odd first prize for a Golf Tournament to anybody else?

Here's our Sunday Best Today! I got these outfits for the kids in Hawaii, to get pictures done in...ya know those ones we took at the coast that didn't turn out (but this is our Sunday version)? I still wish I could re-do them so I could print one for my wall, but oh well...I'll have to do something else because I'm not driving them all the way to the coast to take a picture.

Weekly Update, Happy Pioneer Day! {Sunday Best}

Happy Pioneer Day this week! I'm kinda sad because our ward isn't doing anything for Pioneer Day this year, but last year we had such a fun activity! Remember these pictures?







And remember this one!? Oh my gosh so cute!



Either way I wanted my girls to wear their bonnets to church! Although they didn't keep them on their heads long enough to be in our picture...just hanging from their necks



Before church though while we were eating breakfast, I was in a hurry so decided to see what Emma would do if I just gave her cereal to her. I poured most of the milk out once it got a little soggy. Amazingly...she picked up the spoon and used it!!!

After a few minuts I caught her using her hands to put the cheerios on the spoon, then the spoon to her mouth. So cute!

Week Update {Sunday Best Weeks 35, 36, 37)

One of these weeks...things will slow down enough for me to post weekly. I guess summer has a way of changing things up a bit huh?

This week though it was busy in a different way....I actually tried to set aside a LOT of things I needed to do, and instead spent time doing what I want to do! Playing with my kids! We went to the park every day, the lake, took a trolly ride and went camping! It was definitely needed. I'm afraid this next week won't be as enjoyable....I'll have to share more about it next week...if I'm still alive!

In the mean time Here's our Sunday best from the last three weeks, some peeks at photography sessions, and all the pictures of our fun this week! (oh and I'm adding more details about our Kauai trip so click here if you want to read that, or if you missed the video and want to see that.)

Week 35: I love when it's overcast and I can take pictures in a different spot!



Week 36: I was home sick this day so took the picture in the yard. I honestly can't remember the last time I stayed home from church for being sick.



Week 37: The kids Were NOT listening this morning and I was NOT in the mood to deal with it.  I didn't pay attention to who was looking, or even if the camera was straight!  And it wasn't....I cut off their feet.  You get what you get!   (Emma does look really big in this picture though!)

Week Update and a few other pictures {Sunday Best}

So, I know many of you (my family frequent readers) are totally anxious to hear all about our trip....but there was NO way I was goign to have time to go through all 1600+ pictures, pick out my favorites and get them all posted today. There are too many I want to share and it's going to be hard to weed out the best! So I'll post everything else today and leave you with a promise of Hawaii Pictures and adventures next week! It was an amazing trip though and I'm soooo glad that we got the chance to go! I really needed the break!

Here is our Sunday best for the past three weeks:

Last Sunday before the trip!



My mom and Sister were awesome to make sure and get a Sunday Best picture of the kids! I also took one of Duck and I, that I'll post with the rest of our pictures next week.

Pretty amazing considering they had to get 8 little ones out for church at 9!



Today! It was a busy morning lemme tell ya! After a late family fun night and not preparing at ALL for Sunday, we had to get up early to pull it all off an still we were running late. It was amazing I made it to church (with three sick girls) before Sacrament started. Although I sent them home with DUck after!



The Sunday before we left we celebrated Fathers Day, since we were going to be gone ON fathers day. It was a fun day and the kids of course loved showering their dad with love, service, notes and gifts!





Monday before we left, I was watching my friends little boys and her youngest son was totally in love with the tadpoles! I just love love love this little guy! He's not a huge fan of me, so when I can get a smile a hug or a laugh, it just melts my heart!

   

Week Update {SUNDAY BEST}

So, I'm kinda going crazy.  You see it's been very busy around our house. Good busy, but nonetheless VERY busy.  I have a list of a million things to do, even more things to clean, and my mom and sister get here in 1 week to watch my kids while Duck and I go to Hawaii!  Oh my gosh! WE go in 1 week and 2 days. I don't know if I'm ready!?  We've done the shopping, got I think what we need, reserved our activities, flights, hotel and rental car...but I still keep thinking there is something I'm forgetting about!  Let's hope it's not something super important!

Well...besides that and being totally crazy and yet stoked for a Super great trip...we've had a good Sunday so far and a good week (did I mention busy?).  We had our last day of School on Thursday followed by a short little fun Friday. maliyah and I had to go to the Dentist on Friday and were both numbed up and crazy smiling buddies for the afternoon.  I'm still a little sore and can't quite open my big mouth all the way, but perhaps that's a good thing!

Our Sunday best this morning was cute. The poor kids couldn't open their eyes because even though cloudy...it was so bright!  So instead of trying to deal with eyes, I just told them all to give kisses to someone! Of course both the big kids go for Emma, but I love that nanna and Jade still gave kisses even if it was someone back or arm!  Happy Sabbath!



Oh, and have I mentioned that I love my new camera! And I think I'm getting the hang of my new lens although it's taken a bit of time.

Week Update (well two weeks) {Sunday Best}

Last week I didn't post much of Mothers Day. But it really was a special day and I appreciate a time when I can just sit and enjoy my kids. That doesn't happen very often. I know some people have issues with it (MOthers Day) a time to honor mothers and that is only  happens on a specific day, once a year. Well....I love Mothers Day. I feel like my husband and family show me plenty of times on a regular basis their appreciation to me, but to have one day, set aside where they honor me, and let me do whatever I want is awesome. I love it. So sad to those that can't just enjoy the day and run with it. Poor pathetics. Go cry a river cause at this house it was quite enjoyable!

Maliyah and the kids had wrapped up about 10 different notes and presents. Getting some of them open was quite tricky!  We are now out of tape.





I love that she has no idea that this is upside down!



One of my favorite things EVER!  My baby's open mouth kisses.





Being a mom might be challenging, I might have more tear my hair out days than not, it's exhausting and never ending work, but it's also the best work I could EVER be given. It's what I've wanted all my life and I've been soooo blessed with the full time job of motherhood. 



Here's our Sunday best for the last two weeks.

I love this picture...how they are all interacting, patiently waiting for me to get my camera setting ready.  Although my kids fight like normal siblings, I think homeschool has also allowed them the opportunity to become very good friends.  I'm so grateful that they like each other so much!




This morning started Duck's new calling as Ward Mission Leader. That means he is leaving at about 6:45 Sunday morning for meetings. That means Sunday morning is left up to me....we might have more late days than early ones, maybe not! But it's okay. I'll keep trying to get the hang of Sunday Best by 8:30!!! (And then once I do get the hang of it, it will be next year and church will be at 11!!)

I just loved this...she was mad because she couldn't touch the next step with her feet, thus feeling a little tipsy where she was sitting.





This is the picture I meant to post last time and somehow didn't.