Longhorn Stampede

The kids no longer have catalog fundraising at school, which I am so happy about. Instead they do a run-a-thon. The kids can get donations for how many laps they run or just a flat donation altogether. The event is fun and the kids enjoy getting out and running. What I like is that they have other grade levels cheer on the runners; you just get a feel on school unity. Because of Madeline's heart condition she is not able to run without getting tired. Last year I carried her on my back, this year I was smart and used the jogging stroller. Though it was easier then carrying her on my back it still proved that I am out of shape. This year Grant was able to help and we tag teamed it because both of us is not in super great shape (we will have to do something about that for next year). I thought Madeline would want to run some and then sit in the stroller, but when you have your hat, sun glasses and your daddy's i-pod listening to music why would you want to get out of the stroller. For 30 minutes Grant and I ran along side the other second grade girls. Pushing a stroller on grass is not an easy task, but supporting a daughter makes it all worth it. At the end of the day we were surprised to learn that Madeline placed third in her class amongst the girls; the smile on her face was worth the 30 minutes of pushing a stroller in a grassy field. However, I am determined to get in shape so next year things will be a little easier.

After Madeline's race, it was Anthony's turn. Madeline was able to stay and cheer on her brother. I got several of the other kids in her class to cheer him on as he passed. Anthony brought his camel pack this which I think helped him to keep going. Anthony certainly is not amongst the fastest of the boys in his grade level, but when they were tiring out he just kept going. He never stopped to walk during their 30 minute time slot, he just kept going and going. He said he had one goal in mind and that was to do more laps this year than last year and he met his goal so he was happy.

Conference Time!

I know it has been almost a month since General Conference, but better late then never. We love General Conference time in our house, the kids actually get excited to listen to our prophet and leaders. Usually by the Sunday afternoon session they are all conferenced out and are just happy playing together in their rooms. What I love about General Conference is not only the spiritual feasting that we experience but the traditions that we have as a family. The traditions just make the weekend all that more exciting. This year I had great hopes in taking notes and starting the process of our FHE lessons based on the talks that were given; but I got slammed with allergies that turned into a cold or sinus infection. Because of this I was just happy to sitting up right with my eyes open. I was coherent for some of the talks and what I remember I felt that Heavenly Father answered every thing that troubled my heart. I just love that part of conference. I am so glad for the Ensign so I can go back and read and study what I missed during my brain fog.

For Conference our traditions include: 1. We start out the weekend with a trip to the donut shop and getting donuts for breakfast. 2. Getting out the 72 hour kits and updating them. It is during this time that we eat all the previous six months food, which the kids love. 3. Our Conference kits which provide excitement and learning for the kids and allows the parents to listen-a win win situation. 4. Pizza for dinner Saturday night. 5. Movie and desert making while Daddy is at Priesthood Session. 6. Enjoying our desert while Daddy tells us what he learned.

Something else this year that I thought was cute that the kids did was standing every time the prophet entered. I smiled as I sat back and watched them show their reverence and love for the Prophet. I didn't tell them, they did this on their own.

As always, after Conference I feel like I can go conquer the world; and though I was sick and felt like I was dead I was still able to raise my flag and say with excitement "I can do this!"

An Overdue Update

Wow life for us here has seem to fly by. With everything going on the weeks seem to go by in a blur and the weekends are never long enough. Lately there is something going on every night as a family; I sure cannot wait for summer when everything seems to slow down, at least I hope it will. We sure have been busy with work, school, homework, piano, and running a household. I am happy to say we have not been busy with doctor or hospital visits. We did hit our first major asthma attack but did not have to go to the hospital, just missed a week of school. The cold has made it rounds through the house and we all agreed that we did not like it so hopefully "Mr. Cold" got the memo and will not come back for a visit. I have been adjusting to my new way of life, I am still waiting for me to come above the water so I can figure things out and put together a plan that will help to prevent me from drowning. I haven't come out of the water, but I am not drowning just floating along. This year Madeline has really needed me a lot at school for emotional reasons. After I drop Spencer off at school, I go up and join Madeline for lunch and then recess. This has helped her make it through the day. Since I have started doing this a couple of months ago she has stayed in school more. I know I am doing the most important thing, but it sure poses a challenge in trying to figure out how to manage everything else when you feel that you are always up at the school. Also to help her do better in school, I have moved her bedtime to 7:00. This has been a challenge. I start making dinner while they are in school and then finish when they get home. We have dinner at 5:00 and then start getting ready for bed at 6:00. We also have do homework at this time because I am busily making dinner and Madeline is exhausted from the day at school to do homework any earlier. With all of Madeline's medications and other medical stuff getting her ready for bed is a long and sometimes tedious process. This schedule has been a challenge but we are doing it because I have a lot of help from Heavenly Father; and everyday I am able to see that with Him I can do anything. On the flip side it is nice having 2 of the 3 kids in bed by 7, but getting there sometimes is a challenge. Here are some random pictures that I took with my phone.

1. Anthony and Madeline's school had their run-a-thon to help raise money for their school. Grant and I go and our Madeline's legs so that she can participate. Madeline sits in the stroller and we run along with the kids. At the end of the day I was surprised to hear that Madeline won third place among the girls in her class. It is moments like these that I am glad for a camera phone and more important that I actually remember to take it with me and that it was charged.

2. One afternoon before Spencer's school, I took him to McDonald's for a little Mommy and Son time. I should do this more often. He was beyond excited to be going to McDonald's with Mommy and not having Anthony and Madeline around. I think he was especially excited that we were going inside and not drive thru and that I let him play in their play yard, something I never do. It was fun spending time with him and participating in his excitement.

3. Here is another time that I am glad for phone cameras. While eating lunch with Madeline at the end of the six weeks, the counselor was passing out the awards to those kids that were selected as winners of the virtue for that particular six weeks. The virtue for the first six weeks was responsibility. As a side note, Anthony has received this award every year since Kindergarten. I was glad that I was there to share in his excitement and to be able to snap a quick picture. I have to agree that Anthony amazes me with how responsible and dependable he is.

Labor Day 2011

We take Labor Day serious, we do like to have fun but we take this opportunity to Labor because after all it is Labor Day. As parents we feel that it is important to teach our kids the value of hard work and the satisfaction that comes from working hard. And so on Labor Day we work hard and then we make sure that there is time to play hard after our work. This Labor Day Grant was ready to get outside and work on some much neglected projects. The heat has finally left us, well it isn't 100 degrees anymore and Grant's summer business travel is finished. With those two obstacles out of the way Grant now has plenty of opportunity to work outside and since the kids enjoy being outside I am left to a quiet house to enjoy till my hearts content.

Safety Patrol

For the first six weeks Anthony was selected in his class to be a safety patrol leader. He gets to school when the door opens and he monitors a certain hallway. His jobs are to open the door the passing kids and help direct any kids that are lost or having a hard time finding the cafeteria. Anthony was so excited for this job and every morning he prays that he will do good as a safety patrol. I think he is one great safety patrol person.

First Day of School 2011

Back to School Feast

Every year on the night before school we have a Back to School Feast. It is a night where the kids get the royal treatment. We make a nice dinner and we eat our dinner on our "fancy" china (we used regular dishes this year because "fancy" china is missing and we cannot remember where we put it). Each kid has their own crown because after all they are royalty. We enjoy a nice dinner where the kids are served by Mommy and Daddy. After our dinner I give a spiritual message and this year I chose I am a Child of God. I wanted to leave them with something that would help them with whatever challenges may come up during their school year. I felt that if each one had a testimony and a knowledge that they are Children of God then there wouldn't be an obstacle too hard for them to over come. After our spiritual message it was time for Father's blessings. This is always my favorite part of the night. The spirit is always strong before our Father's blessings and I feel that is calms the children and makes going back to school a time of excitement. Spencer this year felt that his blessing was overrated and was not interested in having one; maybe next year.

The kids are excited for school and it is hard to believe that I have a fourth grader, a second grader, and a child in his last year of Pre-K. The kids are excited to start off their new adventures and I cannot wait for Summer Vacation. Having my kids around me brings me lots of joy; but the time to myself during the school year is also a welcome treat. We just have so much fun together as a family that I cannot wait for the next adventures to begin.

The Aquarium

A new aquarium opened up in our area and originally I wasn't going to take the kids because I knew it would be on the small size and I wouldn't want to the pay the price of admission. However, the summer heat was not letting up and the kids were starting to get stir crazy. We had season passes to the water park, but the water was really hot because of the heat; and also Madeline because of her health cannot be out in the heat. So I gave in and took the kids first thing in the morning before it got too crowded to check out the aquarium. Though it is small and the price of tickets I think is a bit much the aquarium was actually nice and had lots of good features. They sure do advertise the 360 degree shark tank as being this over the top main attraction, but don't let advertisement fool you. The shark tank is really small and before you know it you have walked through the tunnel and you are left with saying "What shark tank?" The kids really enjoyed themselves and I did too. Afterwards we had a nice lunch and then home to our nice air conditioned house.

Cyber Chase

It was near the end of summer and I was trying to figure out what activities to do that would interest all the kids and more important was inside. The problem with growing up here is we have done most of the museums and with that comes a lack of interest in seeing the same things over and over. I was lucky to find a new museum near the airport that had a Cyber Chase exhibit. My kids love Cyber Chase so they were excited to learn of our adventure. The museum was done by the American Airlines and was basically a history of the company. They had different airplane parts on display and had an old airplane that we were able to walk through and explore. They even had a volunteer at a flight simulator to help the kids fly their own plane. The volunteer kept things pretty controlled so the kids didn't have a chance to crash their plane. This didn't sit well with Spencer, for Spencer wanted to crash his plane in the water and he didn't understand why the volunteer wouldn't let him. I thought the same thing, if the kids want to crash their plane then let them crash their plane. There are times that crashing brings excitement to kids; I don't understand why but it does. We spent most of our time in the Cyber Chase exhibit and then when that started to fill up with kids we went and explored the rest of the museum. The one thing I remember is seeing Madeline next to a tire from an airplane and to see the tire taller than her, I know that doesn't say much but she looked like a speck up against that tire. The kids want to go back to the museum and explore it again but this time they want to bring their dad.

Tie Dye

I had bought some t-shirts and a tie-dye kit before our summer vacation. The goal was to tie-dye some shirts that we could wear as a family at our Family Reunion. Well life got busy and that activity didn't happen. However, after our vacation our supplies were waiting for us and so it made for a fun Friday night activity. I was a little worried about fabric dye and Spencer and how all that would play out. I was surprised to see Spencer listening and following what we told him. I am happy to report that with enough trash bags and gloves we all came away from the activity without any marks. The kids really enjoyed making their own designs with the rubber bands and then using the dye to finish off their creation. Now we have fun shirts to wear to bed or just around the house. I see more tie-dying activities in our future.

I Scream We All Scream for Ice Cream

To carry on with my creative and imaginative ways to make the miserably hot summer weather exciting and fun, I decided as a family that we would visit a different ice cream place every day. A lot of the ice cream stores have dollar nights so that helped out a lot. The kids were totally on board and at times I felt like visiting ice cream stores was the best thing that ever happened to them. So every night after dinner off we went to a new and different ice cream place. I noticed that Anthony pretty much was consistent in his ice cream selection no matter what place we went too. Spencer was all about color and that is how he chose his ice cream; flavor for him came in second it was the color that mattered the most. Madeline at times got creative in her ice cream selection but she mostly played it safe. As a side note, Madeline was excited to go ice cream hoping but what is ironic is she doesn't like ice cream. Madeline would take her couple of bites and then pass her ice cream off to Anthony. One would think I would just let her share with someone, but I have learned there is great importance in holding and having your own ice cream, even if it is only for a couple of bites. The one in our family that was the most adventurous with the ice cream, was Grant but that isn't a surprise. I went for the ice creams that had chocolate and peanut butter combined how could you go wrong with that. Ice cream hoping was fun and it allowed the kids to look forward to something that day. I believe the highlight for the day was when I revealed which ice cream we would visit. We will definitely keep this in mind for next year, it might become a new tradition; but I hope we can do it under better temperatures.

Fry an Egg

This Summer has been one for the record books. I would like to think it was one for the incredible fun things that we did, but the record goes to the heat. Texas is already known for how hot it is in the Summer time, but this year was beyond hot it was just plain miserable. You got all your outside stuff done by 8:00 or else you would just melt in the heat. Lucky for us the heat wave came after our two week long vacation and so the kids were more than willing to stay inside and happily play. One has to get pretty imaginative on what to do when such heat presents itself. I thought it would be fun to fry an egg on my car. I picked a day where the temperature was suppose to be 110 degrees and then let the pan sit outside all day and then at the heat of the day I braved the temperatures to fry my egg. Taking my cues from Mr. Genius I set out for my adventure. I didn't really ever managed to fry the egg, but I did scramble it. Don't worry I didn't eat the egg, I don't trust mother nature that much. It was fun and it made one miserably hot afternoon a little more exciting.

Welcome Home

It is always nice coming home to a nice clean house after a well deserve vacation, too bad it doesn't stay clean for long. Here is to hoping that I can get unpack, organized, and cleaned up before school starts.

The Nation's Largest McDonalds

On our way home from vacation on the Turnpike in Oklahoma you pass by the Nation's largest McDonald's. The kids just had to try it out and it was past lunch time so the parents reluctantly gave in. Now doesn't that say yum to you eating at the Nation's largest McDonalds.

Corn Syrup Paintings

Before we left for vacation the kids and I had some sticky fun with a new type of painting. With a little corn syrup and some food coloring you can really let your imagination go. The kids had fun letting their imaginations lose on paper and with some extra time to dry we had three wonderful paintings to show. This was a lot of fun!

I Love to See the Temple

Nauvoo is simply beautiful!

He Is My Best Friend

That is what Madeline said when she saw the Christus Statue.

Peace Out

Just In Case Mario Cart Gets Dangerous

Lake of the Ozarks Day Two

Day two and our final full day on the lake found ourselves being lazy and enjoying a slow and simple life in our nice and spacious condo. For the two week vacation we have had jammed packed days full of lots of fun adventures and Grant and I were ready to just sit and be still; to use the time to relax and gear up before our long drive home and back to reality. Madeline and Spencer enjoyed painting pet rocks, Grant and Anthony enjoyed time watching the original Tron movie, and I enjoyed a relaxing morning on the padio overlooking an amazing view listening to Mormon Tabernacle Choir while updating the blog world about our amazing vacation. At one point all the kids were watching tv in their own rooms, but the kicker was they were all watching the same show but they each had a remote that they could control. Grant and I thought that was really funny that the kids would get a good kick out of the fact that they had their own tv with their own remote. They didn't care that they were watching the samething, it was all about the remote. Too bad that in reality they will not have their own tv in their rooms, the kids are lucky enough to have their own rooms. After spending half the day relaxing and just lounging around we emerged from our condo for lunch. After lunch the kids went off with Grant to try one of the 7 pools here and Mommy enjoyed a nice relaxing nap. Though we didn't do anything amazing and didn't see something spatacular I enjoyed this day the most. It was nice to slow things down rest and relax and spend time doing the simple things. However, all great things have to come to an end. After all the fun and the relaxing time we had it was time to pack the car and to get ready to leave early in the morning.

This vacation has been a blast and I am so glad that we took the two weeks to be together as a family. I feel that lots of memories were made and that great times were held by all. I am so glad that for two weeks there was nothing in our way or nothing to distract us from spending time together as a family. Getting back to reality will be hard, but I will count my blessings at being able to take the vacation that we did and to be able to give the kids a magical and memorable summer. We were able to see lots of new and different country and we were able to learn and be edified along the way. This vacation is just what the doctor ordered. And this is one doctor orders that I was glad to follow.