William is discovering himself and he thinks he is pretty neat. He is smiling all the time now and grabbing for things. He went to the doctor the other day and he was 13lbs 9oz and 24 inches long. He is in the 90% for height and weight - that is just how we make them, nice and sturdy. William really is just a sturdy boy. I am so glad because the kids really love to "love" him. A fragile child may not handle "love" so well. He is doing great and it is as if he has always been around, he just fits in so naturally. My baby doctor told me that the third child is the one that makes the difference, but after 3 it is a piece of cake. He has 7 children so he knows. I have totally enjoyed having three. The older two are SO helpful with retrieving things like diapers and wipes. They are getting so big and growing so fast. Sammi will be 6 in less than a month! Wow! She is a big first grader! So weird to think about.

The pictures are of William saying hi and the kiddos showing off their monkey abilities. They love exercise time. I try to do it with them everyday, some form of exercise. If we do not make it to the park I have them run around and do flips and cartwheels and fun stuff to shake their wiggles out. They love it. Sammi is going to LOVE gym class.

That is all for now! Sleep time!

Love, ME

Commentary & photos by Kary:

Stephen is 9 months old today. He loves chewing on string and anything else he can
sink his choppers into (ie, my neck, shoulder, hair, Sage's paws....) : )
He loves to rock and roll in his exersaucer. This gadget is one of the greatest inventions
for kids and moms. He can be totally engaged and entertained for over an hour in this gizmo.
I am so grateful Sister Merritt called to see if we needed one. She found it at a garage sale for
a steal of a deal. So, if anyone is looking for one, check out those sales. you might get lucky!

Stephen loves to play with his maraca. It is his first instrument. He shakes it now and then, but
his favorite thing is to chew on the string and see if he can pull one of his teeth out. when he turns
it the other way, it turns into an ice cream cone...mint flavor I think, yummy! I think he really does
take after Grandpa. Ray and I think he looks a lot like Dad (Elder Lindquist/Grandpa. ) What do you think?

Remember to behold your little ones, whether they are your own or someone else's children...they
are all children of God and they need you to build them, comfort and shield them, Remember the children!

hugs,
Kary

PS. If you want to see Ray's bike trip to Seward photos and commentary, go to www.forsythhafen.blogspot.com
He did it! Way to go Ray!

PPS. we're praying for you to pass the Bar Charles. press on!

I am still on dial-up so my postings have been less frequent. It really takes SO long to download pictures this way. There is something to be said for speed - especially when working with computers.

The kids are all doing well. They are dealing with this time well, I think. We are living in a half packed house and most of their toys are in boxes. We have been going to a park almost daily to make up for the house being not so fun. I also go out for my walk/jogs. Mostly walks this week. Pushing all three kids while running is still so tough without stomach muscles to help. I do need to build up my strength and not tear up what strength I do have. That is hard for me - to pace myself. I want to be strong now! I am trying. Walking can be enjoyable too, it is just that when you run you get an amazing rush of endorphins that last a long time. I do not get that when I walk, even when I walk hard. Running is special, as any one who runs can tell you, it is a great rush. I am excited to get there again. I will!

Not much exciting is going on now. Everything exciting is upon us in less than 4 weeks! I am trying to enjoy the time I have here now. I love this area, I will miss it here. I am trying to take in the memories and make them sweet. I am excited to move on though - I LOVE change. Anyone who knows me or has been in my home knows that about me. I normally rearrange my furniture at least once a month. I love new and exciting things and places. I do not get too attached to things because I know it is all temporary and one day we will have to sell everything anyway and go on missions. : ) That will be the good stuff. . . right mom and dad??

Well, that is all for now. It is about bed time here.

Lots of love!

Mari

We spent the day at the park trying to learn how to ride bikes without training wheels. It was quite entertaining. Sammi caught on after awhile and she really got going. Daniel tried really hard but I think his bike is too small and he needs to move up to a big boy bike so he can really ride. They love to ride bikes at the park. I just held on to the back of their shirts for support and then I would let them go. I even had band-aids in my pocket just in case! No one was hurt - I was glad. Practice, practice, practice - is what they need to do now. Soon they will be off and flying!!

Hi there,

No, I am not trying to neglect updating the blog. It is just that I am working with dial-up instead of wireless. It takes about 30 minutes (or more) to download pictures. Our laptop is being prepped for the Bar exam right now. That is pretty much all we are doing. Charles is gone all day studying his brains out. Monday-Saturday he is at school trying to soak in every ounce of information that he can. It is very stressful, yet we are hopeful and more than anything prayerful in everything that we are doing right now (and always). It is amazing how prayer can really sooth the troubled soul. I am so grateful that we are allowed Heavenly communication and assistance. We would be nothing without it - that I am sure.

Besides that, things are good here. Sammi is done with school so we have been hanging out at the park most days. Just counting down until the move. We are getting all packed up and ready to go. William is 2 months old now! Where did the time go??? I am feeling great. I have been running now daily, I put all three kids in the double stroller. I buckle William in with Sammi and she holds him so gently and sweetly - I love her for that! It is pretty hard. I just have to push past the blah feeling of starting all over and I just remember I have done it twice before and I can do it again - even better! My body feels weird sometimes, just trying to adjust to not being pregnant. It is weird because this time I can actually feel an empty feeling in my gut. I think it may be lack of baby but also lack of abs!! Running really takes a lot of ab muscles, and that I do not have right now, but I have begun my crunches now that it is safe to do again. Anyhow, it is a journey. I love it though.

That is all for now. . .

Hi Grandma!
Here are the mittens Mommy made for me so that I could go to Denali and sleep in a tent. She wanted to keep my hands
warm. She told me you laughed so hard when she called you and told you she got the sewing machine out. I thought it
was funny too. the sound of the pedal going made me smile. After the bobbin got all tangled up, she decided to hand stitch
these mittens. She even sewed on a tie (which I love to chew on) so that they wouldn't fall off (she is so clever, must take after
you!) I hope you enjoy these pictures. I'm sure they will make you feel happy! I feel happy when I think about you singing 'winnie the pooh'
to me. I love you and I'm grateful you are a missionary. when I have grown a foot or two or three or four, I hope they call me on a mission too.

keep smiling!
hugs,
Stephen

PS. Notice the fabric for the mittens is from the left over material from the Winnie the pooh blanket. Oh, how I love Winnie the pooh, but
for some reason, Mommy doesn't love it when I poo in my pants.
I love you Grandma!

I am going to keep this short since I am using dial-up right now - Blah! Anyhow, as you can see from the pictures we had some visitors yesterday. It was so great! Cheryl, Scott and family came to visit me. It was so good to see them. I love seeing friends (family really) from Alaska. Especially those who have red hair! : ) I loved it!

Sorry so short - this is taking forever!

Love, ME

Friends

Last night Sammi and Daniel had their friends over Julia and James. They were so excited all day for them to come. They love to play together. Usually, Sammi and Julia put on plays and Daniel and James are the props (usually Princes). It is so funny to watch them together. Sammi and Julia are so dramatic and silly. Daniel and James like to play with trains and be boys - though I think Daniel enjoys being Prince Charming. They had so much fun together. We are sure going to miss them since we are both moving!

mom and dad

Look how cute mom and dad are! Mom you look great and glowy. Sign me up for some of the Samoan air! I loved the pictures you sent. It looks like you are both doing really great. I am so proud of you! You are really setting an excellent example for the rest of us to follow. You guys are the best. We sure miss you but we all know you are where you are needed and loved. I am happy to know that the people of Samoa love you as much as we do. We pray for you and hope you can feel that when times are tough. All of our love to you !

Love, Us