New Years...

Look what greeted me on January 1st.

Beautiful!!!!

Ski time...

Daddy and Miranda went out and got some skis.

Do you think they are trying to tell me something?

Mark had to do a little work on one of the skis.

He enlisted the help of the little man and Miranda, of course...

What are you wearing on your eyes?

Safety glasses?

Hmmmm...

Are you trying to tell Dad something?




...or are you just trying to look cool?

Simple Woman's Daybook...

January 6, 2009

Outside my window...

The snow continues to blanket...everything. It is coming down faster than we can shovel.

I am thinking...

I am so anxious for my back to heal so that I can be a contributing member of this family again.

I am thankful for...

My family, who loves me no matter what.

From the learning rooms...

We studied atoms, electrons and nuetrons.

From the kitchen...

I smell toasted bread.

I am wearing...

a black skirt and striped 3/4 sleeve shirt.

I am creating...

a loving home.

I am going...

to begin standing for longer periods of time in the hopes that it will "help" my back.

I am reading...

about William Shakespeare.

I am hoping...

to be healed by the weekend (major wink).

I am hearing...

the sound of a fan blowindg downstairs to dry the area affected by the burst pipe.

Around the house...

all is quiet since it is nap time for the little ones... although I am not sure they are really sleeping.

One of my favorite things...

is having a real conversation with my kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Do as much as Mark will allow me to do. Get the ceiling and wall repaired... by hubby. Try to manage this massive amount of snow.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

...to remind all of those, like me, that are currently snowed in, what a summers evening looks like.

If you would like to participate...

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

hope...

Still no water here.

I don't function well without my morning shower.

It got too late last night and the stores with the supplies were closed when we needed something to do the job.

Hopefully this morning it will be fixed... please, God.


UPDATE: The pipe has been fixed. Now, the floor is being cleaned, the wall needs to be repaired (as well as a small portion of ceiling) and we have to do some major clean up... BUT... I have had a shower!!!! That is the most important thing, right?... right?... I don't hear you...

Yikes!...

When daughter number 5 went to bed tonight, she came running up the stairs to tell me that there was water pouring from the ceiling on her bed.

Needless to say, the husband had to be woke from his slumber and the journey to fix a broken pipe in the horrible weather has started.

We have now torn into the ceiling and the wall in that particular bedroom. Pipes are being replaced and hopefully the water will be on soon.

Ten people in the house usually mean someone has to use the bathroom. Water is needed here people!

The wonderful and sad thing is that my husband leaves for work at 2:30 in the morning. At the moment it is almost 11:00... the work isn't done... you do the math. I feel so sad for him... and yet so proud that he is able to fix... anything! What a guy. I know how tired he is, but he does this for us anyway. I just love that guy!!!!

Hopefully this will be resolved soon and he will get a couple of hours to sleep before facing the snowcovered roads that caused a huge number of accidents this evening including a 20 car pileup! I am so thankful all of my people were safe at home.

I feel so helpless. When I tried to go help, I was "ordered" to sit on the couch and not hurt my back anymore! That is so hard to do!

Right now...

Would you like to know what is happening at this very moment in our little corner of the world?

Mark is shoveling snow... yep... and as fast as he shovels, the snow keeps falling and covering up his beautiful work.

Why is he shoveling then?

For those of you who don't get the kind of winters that we do...
If he doesn't clear as much of the snow as he can now, it will be ten times deeper in the morning. Also, it packs down and becomes icy and impossible to move. That is when your driveway becomes impossible to get in and out of.

The kids are sledding on his mountainous piles. My son is also shoveling... but... he may not have gotten the memo from dad that the snow is to be removed from the driveway. He seems to be working in the oposite direction.

Miranda just finished a practice drivers permit test. She is almost ready for the real thing. Now the is getting ready to make mac-n-cheese for dinner (homemade of course... we really don't like the blue box stuff)

Lily and Ari are playing with a car and magna-doodle. I haven't figured out the game, but when you are 3 and 2 does there need to be a purpose?

Chey is lost in her room again. Who knows what goes on down there.

Cadi is back at her dorm. I will have to check in with her and see how things are going. She may be getting a new roommate.

What am I doing? Blogging, ofcourse. What else can you do from the chair where your back has forced you to stay for days?! Actually, my back seems to be a smidge better today... I think. Maybe that is just the pain killers talking, though.

Hair Torture...

See what happens when mommy gets bored and is stuck sitting in a chair...day in and day out.

Guess what...

Miranda has been studying her drivers manuel.

She wants to get her permit soon.

Watch out, everyone!

This family will have yet another driver on the road soon!

Cadi's home...

Cadi is finally home. The flight was late but she made it home to our freezing cold weather. She was in cold shock for a little while. I don't know why. It isn't that cold... 13 degrees right now.

(If you know me, you know I hate the cold weather!)

Sledding in 2009...

If I could get my back to heal, I might be able to shiver my way through one of these marathon sledding sessions.

The kids have a blast! I don't sled anymore due to tail bone and back issues, but I love to watch the kiddos.

They have such a blast.

No one complains about having to buddy up with one of the little kids either.

That is such a great aspect of a large family... somewhere along the way, your children learn not to be selfish and think only of their needs and wants. They learn to think of others and they can run a house with the best of them!

Luckily, Mark captured some fun moments so that I could be a part of the action.

Way to go, Miranda!

Show no fear!!


Uh oh...

Is Daddy going to show them a thing or two?

Oh, good...

No one caught those moments.

They either would have shamed the kids or showed the old man how "old" he really is.

I think I caught a picture of half of his body sliding off of the sled on the way down the hill. Who knows maybe it was a figment of my imagination...

Back Update...

Yesterday, we ended up at the hospital. I have been downplaying how much pain my back was giving me. However, the pain finally got so bad yesterday that my husband got worried and took me to the emergency room.

They told me that my back is having severe back spasms. While at the hospital they gave me valium, tordal and morphine. WOW!!!! I don't even remember leaving the hospital. Aparently getting me in bed was something out of a comedy. I was feeling zero pain! I woke in the middle of the night and threw up (sorry that may be TMI). Mark said he had trouble staying asleep because I was shaking so hard I was shaking the bed and my teeth were clicking together. I don't think the heavy stuff is for me! I don't like feeling that way... although the zero pain thing was good.

Today they have me on three other meds to try and get my back to settle down. I am not allowed to do.... well, anything. Anyone who knows me, knows that isn't very easy to do around here, but.... well, I need to get better!

I have slept a lot!!! The meds make me dizzy and sleepy so... turn out the lights!

Mark is taking a nap now because he didn't get any sleep last night. Poor, good husband.

So... if I don't get on here very much for the next few days, you can make an educated guess that I am sleeping.

Meanwhile...

Cadi called today and said she is having a great time in Nevada. She always does. If JaNae reads this, she has tried to get a hold of you through facebook but hasn't been able to. She is only there until sunday so...????

My back is still giving me a lot of trouble. Now, though, I am so bored and sad that I have to sit here doing nothing! I have surfed the web as much as I can stand, read, played the guitar... What else?

Chey lost her phone...

She has searched every couch, chair, room, car... This isn't the first time she has lost it. Once we even had a really nice lady call us and say, "Did you loose a phone?" Yep! Who knows...

Syd is getting the end of Christmas vacation bad attitude. I guess I need to find her something to do. A chore is always a quick way to change a bad attitude.

Aubrey has been causing a little argument here and there... Isn't that what younger sisters are for? I always thought so!

The little ones just came inside from playing in the snow. They are frozen and begging for hot chocolate. MMmmmm... that sounds good.

Mark is out making a television table for Cadi. She needs one in her dorm. Her bed sits to high for her to be able to see it if she is laying on the bed. Those are some really small dorm rooms. Mine was quite a bit bigger and that was really small!

I keep praying that I will wake up and be all better.

Meanwhile, the search for the phone goes on...

This picture has nothing to do with any of this, except...

this is what our days seem to be filled with right now.

Snow and frozen hands!

Happy New Years Eve...

What will this day bring?

Hmmm...

No nap for the little ones...

(because I want them to sleep really good tonight)

The bigger kids will all be up until midnight... to ring in the new year.

That is such a big deal when you are a kid... at least it used to be for me.

I will stay up as late as my poor body (and still injured, but slooowwwlllyyy healing back) will let me.

We will snack on... anything that isn't good for us. ( I know...)

We will watch television way too much tonight. I will read until my eyes pop out of my head.

Mark will be snoring by eight... even though he will try to stay up with the kids.

The poor dog will hide in the bath tub when the fireworks go off around here. (yes, a lot of people set off fireworks around here)

I will reflect on this past year. The first year with out my mom. The year where my little man became a little boy who is potty trained. The ups and downs... the highs and lows. A daughter who graduated from highschool and is now attending college. My second daughter passing her two year mark after a severe car crash... she is finally healed. A third daughter who taught herself to play the guitar and blesses us with that gift often. A daughter who learned to ski and another who learned to somersault...

Overall, we have so much to be thankful for.

I look forward to the blessings awaiting us in 2009.

The Simple Woman's Daybook...

December 30, 2008

Outside My Window...

There is a foot of snow tainted pink by the sunset.

I am thinking...

I am a very lucky person to have this wonderful family.

I am thankful for...

All of God's provisions.

From the learning rooms...

I am looking forward to Sydnee's eyes lighting up as she learns about the blessing that this country was founded with.

From the kitchen...

I smell pasta and garlic...mmmmmmm.

I am wearing...

a jean skirt and striped top...and a icy hot patch for my back.

I am creating...

a family that is overflowing with love for each other.

I am going...

to put my pajamas on soon because I have no where to go since it is cold and icy outside.

I am reading...

The book of Titus.

I am hoping...

for an early spring.

I am hearing...

cooking, playing and discipline.

Around the house...

we are making plans to finish some in progress projects.

One of my favorite things...

is the smile on a little boys face.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

- recooperate from back injury

- stay warm

-enjoy the kids excitement about the snow

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

If you would like to participate in the simple woman's daybook, go here...

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Say a little prayer for me...

The day after Christmas I started having some pretty intense back pain.

I thought it would go away in a day or so if I just rested it.

NO!

It is awful. I can barely get around and that is not good... really not good!

I can't stand going to a doctor, but I may have to if this doesn't end soon!

Okay... enough ranting... I just feel so helpless and like such a burden to my husband and kids.

Say a little prayer if you get a chance...

Thanks.

Oh the Joy...

Someone told me that I don't put enough pictures of myself on here, so this is to satisfy that person!I thought this was hilarious...

We were driving around town for 2 or 3 days after Christmas and couldn't figure out why we hadn't seen any snow plows. The roads were horrible and people were sliding all over the place.
Well, we finally found out that the state/city is struggling with their budget and decided that the good folks in Utah should know how to drive in the snow... I mean, after all, we do live in Utah! So, our roads are a mess! People are sliding and spinning.
Thank the good Lord that over the next couple of weeks I will be at home more than out.

My brother did remind me that we haven't really hit the worst weather around here. That generally comes in January and early February.

Oh the joy!!

This is what it is like to live in a winter wonderland...

By the way, my brother said it was 83 degrees in Florida the day after Christmas!

Christmas 2008...

The snow started coming...

and it came and came...

These pictures really don't do it justice, since I stopped taking photos before we received half of the snowfall!

My hard working man came home from work (Christmas Eve) and started shoveling.

The snowblower broke after last years record breaking snowfall and we opted to go old school with a shovel this year. If it keeps falling like this we may regret that decision.


Meanwhile, inside the house cookies are baking...

Mmmmmm....

Can you smell them?

Normally, we eat our big dinner on Christmas Eve night.

This year, Cadi had to work so we moved it to Christmas Eve day (lunch really).

We don't mind. We just want to be together!

Aubrey sprinkled reindeer food around the yard to attract the little boogers.

Dad and I made the finishing touches on the presents...

The big chair is covered because Cadi was supposed to work till 2 a.m. and we didn't want her to see what Santa had delivered for her.

The kids stay downstairs watching movies until I can be convinced it is time to open presents. With the little ones still sleeping, we held them off until about 6:30.

I made some orange muffins and we ate a little breakfast, read the Christmas story from the Bible and...

...started to dig in to the mountain of presents that a family of ten creates.

Daddy hands out the presents.

We open them one at a time starting with the youngest to the oldest.

This way, everyone gets to see what the others received and it isn't a free -for -all.

This is about halfway through...

...and it is finally daylight... no sun... the snow is falling fast!

We have shoved the dog out of the room about ten times and he manages to sneak back in every time! He is showing us that he is so over this present opening stuff!

We had a great day!

Everyone was happy and relaxed!

...just the way I like it...

Still here...

Yes...

I am still here!

Christmas was wonderful! Truly!

I am so glad to have the house back to normal, though.

Yes...

I am one of those people who says...

Okay, get the tree out of the house the minute all of the presents are unwrapped.

We put it up the day after Thanksgiving so it was time... the fire hazard.

That tree was so dry I think dry wind might have set the thing on fire.

We have had tons of snow... there is probably close to two feet sitting out there right now.

Now compared with last year, that is a drop in the bucket. It actually snowed on Christmas day! It does not do that often... so it was nice. People keep getting stuck in the road in front of our house since all roads in this town are a two or three inch sheet of ice.

Cadi is in Nevada visiting friends. We took her to the airport yesterday. The roads were awful. We have never seen the freeway that bad. The latest storm had dropped such a huge amount of snow in such a short time that the plows couldn't keep up with it. They were working hard though.

I will try to post some pictures later today or tomorrow.

I hope you all had as wonderful of a holiday as we did!

Merry Christmas...

Since I probably won't be on here for a couple of days...

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!!!!!!! (that is an exclamation point from each of us)

Is it strange...

...that I love to wash the dishes, but absolutely loathe unloading the dishwasher?

Lessons...

Time is quickly slipping through our fingers.

This child, born so small and fragile, is getting ready to step out on her own in a few months.

I keep asking myself if she is ready. Have I taught her all that she needs to know?

Will she succeed?

I won't lie, out of all of our children, she has been the hardest. As I write that, I can picture you all thinking she must be a bad kid, but she isn't. She is a great kid. She just dances to her own music. She has always followed her own path. That isn't always easy for a parent... me especially.

Where this daughter is concerned, I guess I will need to learn a few things as well.

I can't always rescue her.

That's a big one. She will have to learn to sink or swim. She will have to learn to do it on her own. Do what you ask...

Live...

Getting To Know You...

5 Things I Want My Kids to Know...


1. The disagreements you have with others (friends, siblings, parents...) are a good reason to practice saying "I'm sorry". No issue is ever too big for these words.

2. Invest in people... that market never fails!

3. Look before you leap! Sometimes the fluffy top layer of snow is covering something the dog wants to hide! (Right Aubrey?)

4. There is plenty of time to listen to the quiet when you are dead... now is the time for laughter, fun and family chaos... you know what I mean!

5. Love... Faith... Hope... The greatest of these is LOVE!

They're loving the snow... for now...

I think this boy was born for the outdoors!

Maybe all boys are. I wouldn't know. He is my only boy... and very like his dad!

The snow keeps coming.

At this time of the year, the kids love it.

Snowball fights

snow angels

sledding

snowboarding

skiing

Eating snow (gross)

To a kid it is so much fun...

until mid February comes around.

Then the snow gets boring.

The cold seems colder.

Then they start to agree with me!

Spring can't come fast enough!!

A Real Hero...

Have you ever met a young man who so impressed you, that you could say that you loved him like your own son?

Have you ever been able to say that you trust him completely (as completely as the mother of the daughter can) with your daughters heart?


How often these days do you meet a young man who is kind and considerate and behaves like a gentleman?

How often do you meet a young man who makes your daughter (who you think hung the moon) at better person?




How often do you meet a young man who, on concert night, will fan your extremely sick daughter... who will care for her when she is sick with the flu...who is more concerned with her wellbeing than his own...who will anticipate your child's needs as if they are of the upmost importance to him... as if it is a life or death situation and he is the rescuer...


How often can you say (even if you have known this young man since he was 3 years old) that you would trust your daughter in his care...that he would never let her fall...knowing he would do the right thing for her... always?

If you ever find what we have found...
hold on to him!

These kind of young men are to be treasured and honored.

They are heroes in todays society of disrespect and shallowness.

Happy Birthday, Galen!

...and thanks for making us love you!

Fifteen Already?...

Turning 15?

Already?

Isn't this the little girl that I gave birth to on the living room floor?

Yep, but that is a story for another time...

I love this picture.

Why, you ask?

Can you see the two little ones all filled up and ready to blow out her candles?

Too Funny...

All gifts are great...

But...

What is better for a 15 year old than CASH!



Thank you Bampa and Grandma!

You Rock!



Now this beloved child is old enough to get her drivers permit!

I don't like that at all!

I want her to stay small and be my buddy.

Deep Sigh...

With each birthday, she gets closer to leaving our home.

I guess I will have to suffer through it and wait until she brings her little ones to me to hug and kiss and snuggle with.

Oh... doesn't it sound joyful!