Before Charles and I were married, we would talk about how many children we wanted to have. We settled on the number 12. :-) He even made sure that there were 12 tiny diamonds in my wedding ring -- to symbolize each child. Well, with 3 already here, and only 9 more to go (that is frightening!) . . . I think I may have to decrease my number just a bit! Perhaps a half dozen? :-) I suppose we will see what the future holds for our family! Perhaps, if we win the lottery, strike oil in the backyard, or have a rich relative leave us millions as their dying wish . . . maybe I would not hesitate to just go for it! For now, 12 seems like such a tall order! I (we) have also been "trying" to "purposefully" put a few years in between children -- for the healing of the body, which I have been grateful for. :-)

Cheaper by the dozen? Well, only time will tell! There are 12 diamonds . . . might as well at least try! ;-) wink!

Her birthday was actually on Saturday (the 26th). :-) She is our big girl now! I cannot believe how fast the time goes! It is amazing! She is so thrilled because she no longer has to ride in a booster seat -- a true sign of growing up! Sammi is our silly, sweet girl. We sure love her SO much!

Pioneer Day

We decided to celebrate Pioneer day by making our own little pioneer homestead in our backyard. Originally, I was just going to make a covered wagon . . . but then it was too much fun! The kids loved it, and really got into it. Daniel was fishing in the stream, and Sammi was gathering food for the people and animals. It was a fun day!! Our backyard was perfect for this activity. :-)

Don't forget to wash your hands, and . . .

I expect our water bill will be going up for the summer -- not because I have to water the grass -- but because I have to water the kids! Yuck!

Stormy Weather

We have had some pretty serious weather today! Last night I was awoken by flashes in the sky, no thunder, just massive lightning -- it was weird! This morning it was a little clearer, so I thought I would take the kids out for a run while it was somewhat cooler (it has been HOT!) We started on our journey, and it was fine. Then we got out a little farther and I could see a massive black cloud, which appeared to be heading our way. I stopped, took a good look, and after consulting with Daniel (who I deemed as my weather watcher) we decided we had better turn back early. Just as I turned around the wind started blowing, hard. I had over a mile to run back, and the dark cloud was moving fast! I ran as hard as I could (with the three kids in the stroller, who were all a little concerned.) I told them not to worry, we said our prayers before we left that we would be safe. So, with a powerful urge to protect my family -- I continued as fast as I could, occasionally peeking behind me to watch the dark cloud taking over the light sky. By the time we got close to home my arms hurt so bad! I do not normally run fast with the three kids, and it was definitely adrenaline that allowed me to go as fast as I did! Dust and debris were blowing all over us, but we made it -- we made it home!

After that it seemed to calm down a bit. Then I glanced out the window and it was pouring -- like I have never seen it pour here! Normally, I love storms. I will head toward them, or stay up in the middle of the night to watch them. I felt a little differently about this storm -- since we now own our home, and are responsible for it! I watched out the backyard as the water kept rising. The lightning was right on top of us, with an immediate shaking thunder as evidence. I watched the water pool up and start flowing towards the house. So, my S.O.S. response kicked in and I thought I had better save our ship! (house). :-) I got a shovel and went out into the storm to created damns and began diverting the water away from our home. (Our yard is all dirt right now, so it was not too hard to do.) From what I can tell, I think it really did the trick. I have not checked down in our crawl space, (I will allow Charles to go down there!) But I think I may have prevented some damage.

It felt good to be out there. It was a new feeling -- protecting my property. It felt good. :-) I sure hope it worked!

Friend or Foe?

I have been discovering that parenthood is not as cut-and-dry as it once was! When my children were small and mostly homebound (and home-safe) it was SO much less complicated! I am enjoying each new journey, and educational lesson, but some lessons are more difficult than others. . . . .

During this last school year Sammi had some trouble with one of her "friends". This friend would say things like, "You are not thinking straight! You are doing it wrong! etc, etc." while putting her hands on her hips, with a nasty look, and trying to degrade little Sammi. (I saw her do it, and corrected her quickly!) She would tell Sammi things like, "Being a mom is not a real job -- so you cannot choose that as what you want to be when you grow up." Anyhow, it was almost a daily thing. She would report at the end of the day what happened with this friend. I would encourage her to find other nice friends to play with, but it was hard for her to break away from this girl who actually started out nice, and friendly -- but then she turned sour!

It was much to my pleasure to find out that their family would be moving away -- no more nasty friend troubles! At least not this particular one. So, the other day, her mother called to invite Sammi to her birthday party. I (of course) did not want her to go. Not after all the trouble she had caused her! So, what did I do? I did not return her phone calls. . . I just let them slide by the wayside. Then the day of the party came, her mother called again (she had called many, many times.) She said she had not heard from us, so she was going to stop by our house to see if were there, so Sammi could go. Luckily, we had moved! Then I got another message, this time saying she had gone to our house, forgotten we had moved, needed our new address, and she said she would drive around and look for us, because she knows that I take morning runs -- yikes! After hearing these messages I was about to call and say, "leave us alone!" but my decision was to just not answer, or return any phone calls -- and maybe she would eventually get the idea! It took awhile, but she did stop calling . . . for now!

One of the reasons I did not call her back, was because I did not want her to know where we live now, to prevent future stop-bys. Still, I felt so guilty about it. But, I was also trying to protect Sammi, and our sanity! This lady is high-stress, high-strung, and just a really quick mover (I do not know how else to describe her.) It seems like she must live on coffee or something. She is a very pushy lady. My personal hope is to just end the relationship, and move on. There is nothing worse then friends that drag you down, and make you feel horrible!! If I can help in preventing Sammi from a relationship like that, I will! I would rather she had no friends, over mean, abusive, "friends".

Perhaps, I am over-exaggerating this child's meanness? But I have seen Sammi with true friends (thank you Julia!) and I have seen how different Sammi is with friends that are kind, as opposed to those who are not. Anyhow, my guilt is slowly withering away with time. Guilt, because I should have been big enough to call and just tell the mother (kindly) what was up. But I was too chicken. I wish I had called the mom earlier on (during the school year) and expressed my concern for her child's behavior. (I had talked to the teacher about it, many times, and the teacher agreed with me, and tried to help.) But, what should I have said to her? "Ummmm, lady, your child is a brat?" or "Your child is rude, and mean?" I am just SO grateful they have moved -- a very direct answer to prayer. I will take one for the "team" if I have to. I will just have to deal with having people not like me. If it is about protecting my children and family -- watch out!

I searched, and prayed, and searched some more for what I should have done, what the right course was . . . I received no answer. That "no" answer was translated into "no action". So, that is what I did. Whether it was right or wrong, I still do not know. . .

My new prayer is that Sammi will find new friends this coming school year. Friends that will lift her up, and not drag her down. Friends that will let her be Sammi Sunshine . . . and not take her glow away!!! It is truly rough out there for the young kids now. It was when I was young, but it continues to grow more extreme -- at much younger ages. The children are exposed to too much, too young. I am so grateful for the gospel! I am so grateful for the constancy amidst the changing world. I am grateful that our home can be one of God's many workshops throughout the world -- where God-fearing people are being crafted, and they can be used as tools for good! I love my Sammi. I love her sunshine personality. I pray she will always keep it through the storms of life!

A little fresh air

We decided to spend the morning at a park. The kids have been SO good through this whole moving process. It has been hard on them, and I have not been as gentle as I am normally. Lots of, "NO! Don't touch that!"and my voice has been raised a little more than normal. :-) William has been especially confused as we had to go back and forth emptying one house and filling another. He seems to be much better now, we are starting to clear out lots of boxes, but the house is still pretty much a mess. I am excited to get it all put away and on order. :) It is fun to do. We just finished moving out of the other house, and spit-shining it. That was an interesting thing to do with the three kids with me. Scrubbing the kitchen floor, scrubbing the fireplace, scrubbing everything, trying to keep the window spotless -- all very interesting task to do when they would be undone in 2 seconds! Oh well, it is done. I am grateful. We are now in one house, and I can focus my attention on just one. :-) Yeah!

That is all for now . . . off to unpack some more boxes!

Before and After

Here are just a few before and after pictures of what Charles did with the house . . .

Charles is using special floor treatment to make it pretty and shiny. :-) It works really well.
BEFORE: white wall, no trim

AFTER: Tan wall, thick white trim
Just a picture of the kids room . . . (no furniture yet . . . tomorrow)
Kitchen

BEFORE: Dark green wall, no trim. White wall, no trim
AFTER: Lighter green wall, trim. Tan wall, trim

Before: Mint green wall, mint green closet -- not so pretty
AFTER: Tan walls, white closet, trim -- lovely! Yea Charles! :-)
Charles worked so hard, and got it done! Yes! We will move in tomorrow, and then we can start "normal" life again! Hooray! He really did a beautiful job! I love it, and I am so glad he convinced me to let him do it. (I was not sure at first.) I am so grateful now! He cleaned up the whole place so nicely, it really feels like our home now. The other people who lived there had a dog and cat -- so it was kind of animal lived in. Now it is spotless, bright, and beautiful! Love it! Thanks Charles!

Comments . . .

I have not been commenting much (or at all) on the blogs of others. It is not because I am not reading -- I am! I love reading about the things happening in the lives of friends and family. I just want you all to know I DO read, and enjoy it -- even if I do not comment. :-) Please keep writing, so I can keep reading! Love it!

Mari

The Office

Here is a picture of the kids hanging out with daddy in his office. They were eating the most enormous hot dogs! Charles is sitting on a box of appeals. He mentioned that sitting on them is about all they are good for anyway. :-) It was great to meet some of his fellow attorney's -- who were very happy to tell me stories about Charles in the courtroom. :-) Loved the stories. :-)
William is so funny now. He has a really silly laugh -- I will have to catch it on video sometime. :-) He has learned to say, "cracker" and "Jesus". He does his sign language really well, especially when he wants a jelly bean! He does the sign for "more" as if his life depends on it! It is such a great way for babies to communicate. He signs milk, please, thank you, more, and yes. Which sign does he use the most? More, more, more! Of course!
Brother buddies. :-)
Another thing William has been doing lately is laughing hysterically during family prayers. He thinks it is so funny that we all have our eyes closed and arms folded. He just laughs, and laughs! It is so silly! Silly Willy!

Today we got to go and visit daddy at work. Apparently, his boss said he could leave early -- if his family came to the potluck lunch that they were having. So, what is a girl to do? Of course, I woke up, showered all the children (and myself), cut fingernails, rubbed lotion, brushed hair, etc, etc. Then after we were all groomed we got to drive downtown during lunch hour (not so fun). Normally, this would not be such a chore -- but we are living out of boxes, and trying to find clothes, shoes, etc. -- is interesting! But, I love Charles, and I will do anything for him. :-) It was a fun time. The people at his office are all very nice, and down-to-earth, (don't you just love that phrase?) The kids loved it because people were giving them candy. :-)

Anyhow, it was good to meet all of the people at his office. I have been there once before, but I was not able to meet everyone. It is good to know that he has good people around him during the day. He is very lucky right now -- his boss is a member of the church. His family was there too, so it was nice to talk with another wife and mother (she has four children.) :-) The attorney ladies were interesting -- but there is nothing more spectacular than a woman who bears children, and then loves them. I kept thinking while I was there how I once wanted to be an attorney, or some sort of "business woman". I have made certain choices in my life, that have sent me on a very different path. I chose a much more challenging and fulfilling career . . . ;-) I am SO grateful! I truly find just as much fulfillment from the things that Charles has accomplished. Or I should say, "we" have accomplished together. It brings me so much joy.

Charles is doing great work on the home. He goes there right after work, and keeps working! But I can tell -- he loves it! I make sure to gush over what he has done when I pop in. ;-) I keep forgetting to take pictures when I am over there. He never ceases to amaze me. Yesterday, he fixed some of the Pergo(ish) flooring (not sure what it really is.) There was a place in the floor that had risen up, and was very rough, because a dog had an "accident" on it, and they did not find it in time. So, luckily, they left some of the flooring in the garage. Charles thought he would try his hand at floor repair/installation. He did it! It looks great! Now he is putting up the thick trim around the bottom of the living room -- it looks really nice. Tomorrow he will paint and be finished. YES! I am very anxious to see it, and move in. I think this has been a great experience for Charles to "bond" with the new home, and make it truly our own. I am so grateful for him, and that he is a jack of all trades!

Tomorrow we will be having another garage sale. Well, actually, we had ours last week, and did really well. We had other members of our ward come to our house and join in the selling "fun". This week we are going to their home to have one last go at getting rid of our stuff. We do not have much left, mostly kid clothes, toys, and some random shelves. Last week we sold most of our furniture -- with the exception of beds, dining table, couch, a desk, and some shelves. It is always interesting to see who comes to garage sales to scoop up unwanted items. There are real professional garage sale people too! So funny!

I have been so tired lately. At night I wonder why I feel so sleepy, then I look back at the day, and realize why! I have been doing lots of lifting, scrubbing, raking, and things my body is not use to. My favorite is scrubbing out an oven, while using my leg to block William from climbing in. Packing and cleaning is much more interesting with 3 children. The two older children do pretty well, it is mostly William who provides the "fun" moments. :-) We have also been staying up way too late. We normally go to bed around 10:00, and it has been more like 12:00. Also, running is one thing -- manual labor is totally different! I am discovering muscles I have not seen for awhile! I have been putting my running on hold -- on purpose. I do not want to wear myself out during this process. I am trying to be wise. I will pick it right back up, as soon as we are settled. :-) Can't wait!

Well, that is it for now . . .

Mari

Getting my hands dirty . . .

We have been moving into our new home this week. We are not living there yet, we are still in our old home. We have been going in and cleaning out, and now Charles is prepping the living room for some fresh paint. He has been dying to paint, it has been awhile. :-) So, we are sort of in limbo right now, living in boxes, between two places. I am getting anxious to get into our new home and start setting up shop, and giving the kids a little more peace. They have been SO good though. However, William is really confused. :-)

The picture above is of our backyard. Before the sellers moved out we asked them to "remove all the junk" in the backyard. Well, they did remove the huge piles of wood, but they did not clean out the leaves/piles of random gunk and dirt. So, I have lots of dirt under my fingernails now. I have been "playing" in the dirt (working hard, sweating profusely, and getting blisters). It has been toasty too, in the high 90's -- HOT! Anyhow, I am discovering my inner pioneer woman and I have this great desire to till the land, and make it beautiful. So this is the before picture . . . I will post the after in a few days, probably weeks. :-) I will conquer this beast! So far I have 3 heavy duty garbage bags full -- I think I only have about 20 (literally) or so to go! Yikes!

I love how private the backyard is though. Our back neighbors are on a few acres and their house is way far away from our's -- really nice. It is so peaceful at the house in the morning. We have been living on a main road, with a pretty steady flow of traffic -- it is amazing how quiet it is on a side street! I love it!

Well, I am only writing this now because I am waiting for Charles to get home (it is about 11pm). He is still at the house prepping for paint. I should have done before and after pictures, I think I have some before pictures though. I will get some good after photos. It should be nice. :-)

Well, I am pretty sleepy. I was up at the crack of dawn raking my arms off, while the kids played in the house. Then I returned home and got a phone call from the landlord -- who wanted to show the house we are in now to someone (this has happened about 4 times now). Anyhow, my house was a HUGE mess, boxes everywhere, etc. So, I hauled all the boxes (of course they had to be Charles Law books boxes--HEAVY!) into one room, so at least part of the house looked decent. Anyhow, that was interesting, then they came to look through, then back to the new house to do more raking, and I sanded down the entire living room, to prep for Charles. Anyhow, blah, blah, blah . . . manual labor is great -- I love it. :-) I really do. We were in the backyard and Daniel was "helping" me rake. He said, "Mom, this is fun!" You know, he was right! :-) I do love working hard and seeing the results of the effort. However, it definitely makes it more interesting when there are 3 young children around! What fun!

Over and out!

Mari