Then and Now

Our house hold is growing up.

I admit that I have been very deliquent in blogging. I don't have any really good reason, just lazy I guess. I looked at the cat the other day and noticed how big it has gotten in just the few short months that we have had him. And it struck me how fast my children are growing. Some days it feels way too slow...... but other days it hits me just how fast it is flying by.
I haven't gotten any pictures of Annie when she was tiny, but I didn't want to leave her out either. She is so beautiful, and she is learning and growing up each day right before my eyes.

My stupid computer put my pictures on backwards so you will actually get the Now, and then the then. Joseph is so excited to ride his big boy bike and loves to go out and take a spin. He is very good to remember his helmet. I am glad to have one more year with him before Kindergarten.

He was such a tiny little thing. Always so good natured and easy going. Always LOUD. He came into to this world saying " I will be heard!!!!"

Trever is always thinking. Always smiling about something. He has gotten a little anxious as school has approached and started. He has some tender feelers...... sometimes.

He has always had something he seemed to be up to. He is a jokester and an adventurous little devil. He loves cats, and he loves to pester. He really doesn't like to be pestered though.

I can hardly remember when Caleb was a baby. It seems several lifetimes ago. He is so mature for his age. He is loving, kind and tries always to please and be his best. He is smart, and very sensitive.

I didn't have a digital camera when Caleb was small. I tried to scan a smaller picture in, but I was not patient and couldn't get it to work right. This is one I scanned in a more patient time. The candy bar he stole from Dad is almost bigger than he is. Such a cute little boy. So precious, the light of our lives. Always, Always moms big helper.

It seems as if our baby days are coming to an end. It make me sad, and yet I look forward to my children growing up and becoming great adults. They are full of potential and goodness. I hope and pray every day that they won't need too much counsiling to undo my damage and reach their potential and dreams. I miss my babies...... I love my children and I hope for my grown children.

The great Outdoors

I find it odd how these things got on backwards. Anyway, this is what we all looked like after all the other pictures were taken. These are from our Palmer family campout at Rockport. We love the trailer and are really enjoying the lake. We have been to pine veiw a couple of times, at to east canyon, and now to rock port. We are all ready to go again.

If you look, close that is Annie and I on the jet ski. She kept begging for another "ide". It was so nice that all the kids had life jackets and just played and played. Very relaxing. Trever would swim and get cold, then lay out on his black tube and warm up.... over and over and over.

Joseph was amazing this year. Last year he would barely get his toes wet without crying. This year it was NO FEAR! He was rarely out of the water. So so so much fun. When I wasn't on a jest ski, I was relaxin on the beach. I did get to go for one wild tube ride and I made it up on skis. I was feeling like an old lady, but after my short trip on skis and my many jet ski trips, I feel much better about myself. What fun summer this is.

I am scared to get my camera ruined so I don't have much pictures. Caleb will ride the jet ski with me, but his favorite was to tube behind the boat. He didn't want to at first, but I was mean and made him go. It only took a few minutes at the right speed...(fast enough to get on top of the water) and he was a believer. I wish I had a pic of him tubing, but I didn't take my camera on the boat. I was working the ropes, being the flag person, and holding Annie... didn't really have a hand to spare anyway. Thanks to the Mertens for sharing their boat and the Palmers for sharing their jet skis. Give us a few years to save up some moolah and we are ready to get a three seater jet ski.

Lazer

Well, it has been decided that the cat shall be called Lazer, for that is a manly name. It is getting fat, and frisky. So far it seems to know that if it goes for my legs or feet it will be given to Shadow as a play toy. So far the new has not worn off either. I still have to solve the fights over the cat several times a day. Jason however loves the cat, and even though I keep threatening, it appears that the cat is staying. Four kids, two fish, a dog and a cat. The house is full. I keep thinking "I need to enjoy the full house because it won't be full forever." Some days it is easier than others. The summer seems to be flying by. It has finally warmed up here and today was a great summer day. We slept late, lounged around this morning. After lunch, we ate Ice cream cones at the park. Now Annie is down for a nap, and the boys are jumping on the trampoline while taking turns spraying it down with water. I hope you all are enjoying the fleeting days of summer.

Goings on

Caleb was riding his bike with his cousin and they found this kitten by the road. It was pretty gross looking and very scared. So they took it to my in laws house. There my wonderful sister i law and friend bathed it and cleaned out its nose and ears, and then she promptly put it in a kennel and brought it to my house. I know, she is so sweet. Anyway, I was holding it for just a minute thinking about it and Trever comes up. He sees the kitten, holds it for a second, and then hugs me saying " OH Mom, thank you thank you. I have been praying and praying for a cat. Now Heavenly Father answered my prayer. Thank you for getting me a cat. " There were almost tears in his eyes. So after Jason got the story and looked at the kitten, Trever and Dad promptly set out to get food, and litter. Have I mentioned my feelings on cats. ..... It is cute, and Trever seems to want to call him snowball. I guess I can go with SB for short. This picture is hard to see, but I had to post a picture of all the rain. No matter where we go, or what we have planned, we seem to get thunder showers to go with it. We were at the dinosaur park and the kids were playing in the sand on the play ground equipment when this cloud burst came. They were all very wet, and sandy, but it provided a great time for all.

Here is Annie and mom under the awning trying to stay dry while all the kids were having a great time in the rain.

We are all having a great time with lots of cousins this summer. The days stay busy and we are getting excited to go camping again. I will try to post more pics soon.

Fun Weekend

We had such a fun weekend in Twin Falls. Caleb went shooting for the first time, and loved it. I tried to get more pictures uploaded, but the computer and I aren't getting along. Uncle Pat and Grandpa taught Caleb about gun safety and the he shot two different .22 pistols, and a rifle. I even got to shoot and it was a blast. Caleb is not the only one who wants a gun. : ) We had alot of fun with April, Ashlyn and Collin, Brent, Amber, Carter and Brooklynn, Pat and Jan, and Terry, Ana, Michaela, Andrea, Tiana, and Steven. The weekend went by fast, but we all had fun. We sure missed Jenny and Dan and the kids.
Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us all overrun your house. Thanks Mom for watching the kids while we went shooting. Trever and Joseph absolutely loved being with you at the fish pond. I will try to post more when my computer isn't acting retarded.

Welcome home Pat

Ok, so I know I haven't seen you yet, but I know you finally made it and I am so glad. I have read about how arduous the journey out of hell can be http://afghanistanshrugged.com/2009/02/09/the-land-that-war-forgot.aspx and I am just so glad your home now. We can't wait to come to Idaho for a visit.

I know that this isn't my normal thing, but I have heard about Osama's ideas on Vets and insurance. I am deeply disturbed and ashamed that our country could even entertain such and idea. If you don't know what I am talking about go to http://afghanistanshrugged.com/2009/03/18/for-wounds-suffered-purple-heart-and-a-bill.aspx . I actually heard about this on the news before I read this on the blog. I will be contacting my goverment officials to let them know that it is not ok to do anything but bluntly reject anything like this ever.

I don't consider myself especially involved in politics, but this is outrageous. I have a deep respect and appreciation for those who put themselves in harms way for our benifit. I have the same respect for their families who sacrifice, and risk so much.

Anyway, I hope that in our efforts to get out of this cruddy economy, we do not loose all that is right and good. Can't wait to see you April, and Pat. Miss you all.

Out of Control

Do any of you ever feel like your life is spinning out of control? Every where I look there is a stack of stuff to put somewhere else, or something to clean, or something to paint. Every day there is a list of errends to be run, kids to feed and keep track of and homework to be done. And there are the bigger things that come up, like taxes, and painting, and new cars and getting ready for this or that. It just feels like I am running and don't seem to be finding the finish line.
Caleb had his scout blue and gold banquet tonight. It is almost May, and he still has so much to work on for scouts. I can barely keep him caught up on his homework, doing his chores, daily reading, school projects, practicing math and spelling, piano, playing with the dog, and finding time to be a kid, let alone scout projects that aren't getting done during scouts that I faithfully take him to on Wed. nights. I am told it only gets worse as the homework increases. If that is true, I am in trouble.
I swear my kids need more sleep. (at least the two younger ones) They are grouchy, and whiney, and not really very nice to each other sometimes, but do you think I can get them to even stay in bed at night, much less go to sleep at the designated time of 8 pm. It is a battle I am loosing.
Jason is sick again. Its a cold that seems to be going around. But I can never get myself to not worry when he gets sick.
I am so sick and freaking tired of hearing about the crappy economy. I have done what I can to be prepared, and we really are in a pretty good spot, so I am done with the news for a while.
After two very late nights, the apartment side of the basement is painted. (except the baseboards and moulding(sp)). I guess that is the real problem, I am tired. It is cold, or at least I have been cold all winter, and it is very grey outside. I need a sunny beach and some R and R.
I am sure tomorrow will be a better day.
I hope you all are feeling in control and well rested.