three year old help...

I know that most mothers would agree with me when I say...

the most fun a three year old can have is to help clean the house with the big people.

My little guy just loves to clean the baseboards. He's really good at it too. He makes sure he does each and every one. Then he wipes them all down and shows you what a great job he is doing. He loves the praise he receives for a job well done.

... and Mama gets another chore done.

guitar...

Cadi has taken up the guitar.

I think she just couldn't stand watching mom and little sister learn something without her.

She is doing really well and has even bought her own guitar.

days like this...

The weather is too cold today for outside play. You don't normally hear that from me... we can play outside when it is frigid... but today there are to many sniffles and coughs to accompany the cold. I don't need any more sickness in our house. I think we are paying (this year) for how healthy we have all been the last 3 or 4 years during the icky part of the winter.

Mark got home early today (before 10) and now he is napping. We are going to be moving some furniture around later. The house has already been cleaned and now it smells so nice. I love pinesol.

The kids are chilling out... watching a movie and playing with some puzzle cards. It is quiet... for our house. I love days like this. Everything feels very relaxed. Almost like I could kick back and take a short nap... right here in my chair........

Ouch...

Our little man ran straight into Miranda's guitar today.

It is actually a lot deeper than this picture shows, but not deep enough to need stitches.

He is very proud of his owie.

... and very angry at Miranda's guitar.

A Phone Conversation...

Tammy picks up the phone and hears...

Mark: Ummm, Tam... I'll be home pretty soon.

Tammy: Why?

Mark: I just got out of the doctors office.

Tammy: Why? Is everything ok? What happened?

Mark: I'm fine. I just hurt my ankle. It's not broken, but the doctor said I tore three ligaments in the side of my ankle. It is pretty swollen.

Ummmmm... Ya think?

...and this picture was taken before it really swelled up!

My poor baby.

Finally getting serious????

My beloved Cheyenne...

This picture is a rare thing.

Why...

Because she is studying.

I know... pick yourself up off of the floor. She had to break out the smelling salts when I realized what she was doing, too.

She told me that she wished she had realized how important all of this "school" stuff was years ago. sniff. sniff.

I am so proud of how hard she is working this year. Her senior year.

Good girl, Chey. Good girl.

Look who turned 4 last weekend...

Lily (the hillbilly)!!!

She received her cheerleading outfit just in time to cheer for the Superbowl.

Her favorite gift was the blanket that Grandma Carol made just for her!

(Although a little jealousy from sister Aubrey did poke its head up... I guess that would be a good gift come June, Grandma.)


Happy Birthday, Lovely lady!

You make everyday a Happy day!

At the well...

When you read the Scripture found in Titus 2: 2-5, how do you see this playing out in your own life?

I see... wow, I see how God has taken me from a selfish woman who had to be in charge of every single aspect of my life... including husband, kids, etc and he has begun a major shakedown of my ideas and perceptions of what a woman, wife and mother truly is.

What are your areas of strength? Of weakness?

My strengths are that I truly love my husband, children and the Lord. I want to follow Him and all that he has abundantly given.

My weakness would be that, like so many of you, I was raised in an age of me, me, me. Even when we don't immediately recognize our selfishness, it is there.

If you could set some sort of goal in relation to this Scripture, what would it be?

My goal would simply be that I teach my own young ladies (7 daughters) what God's plan is for wives and mothers. Even when the world tells us that we can't exist unless we do things their way, the Lord calls us to something higher.

February 2...

Phil saw his shadow...

I am hoping that means more winter on the east coast, NO winter on the west...??????

Yeah, I didn't really think so.

Slide Show...

Togetherness...

As I see it, a large family lacks several things that the common man thinks are a necessity.

Some of those items would be a bedroom all to yourself, spending as much time (uninterrupted) in the bathroom, a couch to lay down on without having a sibling lay beside you-on you-around you, copious amounts of alone time, going to the dentist or doctor without having the "team" tag along, not knowing how to change a diaper or care for an infant until you have one of your own, and toys-computer games-and gadgets coming out of your ears.

To that common man, (or the nosy ladies in the grocery line, or the people who believe it is their job to inform us how we are doing it all wrong and should be ashamed of ourselves for having this many children and possibly wanting more), it seems a shame that we would deprive our offspring of these basic necessities. How dare we force our children to live piled on top of each other (without a television in their very own bedroom)...

What these people miss is that my kids, and most children that I have met from large families, are learning lessons that our world seems to have forgotten. They are learning how to truly share. They know how to be compassionate, loving, helpful. They must figure out how to get along with others. They are go getters that will not only care for their own families someday, but for anyone else that may need their help. They are cognizant of people who need a helping hand. They have learned that the world is not about "fairness". Through this, they are learning to be joyful in the good and the bad times. They learn that the world does NOT revolve around them.

Somewhere in the midst of all of this (what some people would surely choose to see as chaos) their parents are learning as well.

We are learning to truly love, not buy our children's affections. We are learning that time spent with one another is priceless (the cost can never be replaced by things). We are learning that ultimately God is our judge and no other opinions matter. We are called, as His children, to live to a higher standard than the standard the world has set. We have learned that God is concerned with every single aspect of our lives and he longs to spend time with His children just as we long to spend time with ours. He does not "buy" His children with gifts either.

He wants us.

Our time.

Our talents.

Our hearts.

no less...

Where does the time go?

When this photo was taken, Cadi was just 16.

Now she is a big, grown up 19 years old!

She attends the local university and lives on her own.

The hair has been cut to shoulder length.

She doesn't like to "pose" for photos.

She cracks you up with her "jokes".

She is an amazing young woman.

Even at 16, I knew she would be no less...

Photo from 3 years ago...

Everyone needs one child to be their look alike, right?

I am blessed that this one is mine!

Sparkling...

I think it has been well established that I could do without snow.

However, even I can admit that when the snow is freshly fallen and the sun is peeking through the clouds... and everything is sparkling... it is beautiful.


Then 5 minutes pass and I realize that, yeah, I really like green grass, warm days and the smell of freshly cut grass.

Summer will return, Tammy... but for now...

enjoy the sparkling beauty.

At least until the cars turn the snow black and disgusting.

Heaven...

Children are the hands by which we take hold of Heaven.

~~ Henry Ward Beecher

Do you Remember...

...when you were 17 and getting invited to the Valentine's Day Dance was so important?

Cheyenne came home all aglow today with roses and a bear that clearly says "I love you".

Hmmmmm....

The funniest part of the whole thing...

she doesn't know who this is from.

Apparantly, the young man doesn't want to be revealed yet.

This could be good... or really, really bad!

I truly thank God that I am not 17 anymore...

So hard...

Seeing yourself as the "middle" child can be a major problem sometimes.

You see everything as a result of where you fall in the birth order.

Most of the time you fit in just fine...

but on that rare occasion, you think you are being left out or looked over.

It is so hard to be 10.

Oops, I mean almost 11.

The Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY 1/26/09



Outside my window... Winter still has it's hold on our part of the country. Although we have seen quite a bit of fog and rain instead of pure snow.



I am thinking... that healing can be a serious lesson in learning some patience.



I am thankful for... love.



From the learning rooms... we are studying the periodic table of elements and the 8th president of the United States of America.



From the kitchen... We will be having chicken tacos.




I am wearing... a jean skirt and brown shirt.



I am creating... an atmosphere of love.



I am going... absolutely nowhere.



I am reading... Bridges of Alaska.



I am hoping... to be up and moving around before many more days go by.



I am hearing... the quiet of a house where 3 of the 8 children are out.



Around the house... kids are playing games, painting art, and braiding hair.



One of my favorite things... hearing and reading about other large families. It is amazing how many things we all seem to have in common.



A few plans for the rest of the week: Heal, take it as easy as I can manage. Rent Fireproof.



Here is picture thought I am sharing...

If you want to participate in this meme, go to
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Sunday...

Part of the family just left for church.

At home today is... well... Me and Chey, Ari, Aubrey and Cheyenne. Besides my back issue (that is still slowly getting better) we all have a raging cold, allergy issue. Yucky noses, coughing, and major sniffles abound around here.

It is mixed rain and snow today. The rain of the last couple of days has helped to melt a lot of the snow that was outside. I think snow in the mountains is wonderful, but not here in my front yard. I know... I live on the side of the mountain, but, that is the "side" of the mountain. smile

Mark has been leading prayer in our sunday school class, but I have missed it all. The girls informed me today that it has been one month exactly since Christmas. That means that I have been hurt for one month. YUCK! At least, I am having more success at standing up straight and at actually standing for more than 30 seconds. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday.

Chey is on a major countdown to her graduation. Only 4 months! Way to go Chey... It will be really nice if my brother and dad get to come. My brother is planning on it, but he wants to try and convince my dad to come along. His business really starts cooking around that time of year, so we will have to see.

I have really been missing my mom the last few days. I just miss talking to her, you know?

We have a really busy week coming up. Every single day is filled with some activity that must be taken care of. I don't like those kinds of weeks, because it can start to feel like we are neglecting the kids, but sometimes you can't help it. I mean most of the activities are about them in one way or another anyways.

Brysen got a pair of handcuffs for Christmas... they came with a whole police outfit. Ari is currently walking around the house with her ankles handcuffed together. She is so funny.

Okay, I know this is a really rambling post... a little of this and a little of that... but that is what this day feels like so far.

I hope you are having a really great day!

Allergies...

A trip to the doctor.

Runny noses, coughs and dark circles under the eyes! We can't breathe, people.

Closing the house up in the winter can be bad for your health, but the haze in our area can kill ya.

I guess we need a storm to come along and blow it away.

I would only wish for this to save my babies... truly!

A regular occurence...

Hair.

With 7 girls in the house (all with long hair) this is a regular site in our house.

Today, I was just so happy to see the sun shining through the window while this was taking place. We have been missing the sun.

I know that right now we are having a really bad inversion and the haze is as thick as... potato soup, but I don't want any storms... I want the sun!

By the time this hair-do was finished, their were blue, purple and pink additions to the hair and Aubrey thought she was stylin'. Is that a word still?

Big Attitude...

This girl has got it!

I know that when she grows up she will be in charge of... everything!

This face...

I woke up this morning and found this...

My husband had been up early.

(And when I say early, I mean EARLY. He goes to work at 3 in the morning so on his days off it is sleeping in to stay in bed until 5. I think he was up at 4:30 this morning.)

He had set up the camera and taken a photo of himself.

We were laughing at how different we both look compared to some photos we have sitting around of when we were first married...it will be 21 years this summer.

The funny thing is, that as much as I loved that face 21 years ago, I love this face even more.

This is the face that has been through thick and thin with me.

This is the face that held my hand while I gave birth to our children, paced the halls when those children were sick, cried with me when we lost our first baby, understood exactly what I was feeling when we almost lost two of our kids a couple of years ago in a car crash. This is the face that simply held me when my mother died, because he couldn't understand the pain of that loss but he wanted me to know that he loved me and was so very sorry. This is the face that I love to see smile and laugh. This is the face that has worked so hard to support his family.

This is the face that I want to walk beside as we face each day that the Lord gives us.

I love this face and all that it represents.

Sunday...

With Cheyenne's help, I was able to feed my family some sticky buns (yummm...) and chocolate milk this morning. Oh yeah, bananas too. Does that sound like a really nutritious meal? No? Well, to bad! They were a hit. Even the picky little ones ate 2 or 3! Yummy!

Mark took all of the kids to church, except Cheyenne and Ari. Ari has a really bad cough and runny nose. She is on the mend, I think. Chey and I went at the laundry like crazy people. I can't carry the basket, so I am stuck with just folding. We are at this moment down to only one load needing to go in the machines. Yippee!! I know that people with a regular size family don't understand the joy that comes from seeing you laundry room floor, but if you miss a few days of laundry in our family it will take you 3 weeks to catch up... literally! It has taken us 3 weeks!

When they came home from church, Cadi came with them and we got to spend about 3 hours with her, then she had to go to work. We played the guitar and sang a little.

Mark is making bbq chicken, rice (with our new rice cooker) and corn. Thanks, lovely husband.

Miranda and Chey went to the store to get some running shoes for Miranda and when they got home... TADA... they brought us coffees from Hastings! Oh so good! How sweet!

Well, that is about all for today. I hope your sunday was great too.

All Boy...

Somersaults

crashing planes and cars

standing on his head

jumping flights of stairs

singing at the top of his lungs... really!

atomic body slams

guns

cowboys and indians

cars

trucks

loving the garbage truck

wrestling

swords

fights

grunts

kicks

All Boy!

Proud Mama...

My role around here the last few weeks has been very different from its usual capacity.

I have been much more of an observer. If you haven't been reading the blog, let me tell you that this is due to the "dreaded back injury".

I have had a chance to step away from the laundry and phone, dishes, snotty noses, cleaning toilets and chasing small and big children around the house.

In this new role, I have watched what a truly wonderful group of people this family contains. They are loving and caring and helpful... most of the time.

I mean, who can be that way all the time? I fail at that!

Sometimes, when you are in the midst of the daily "raising" of your children, you can't really see the picture clearly. My husband is a gem. YOu all know that. But, He really is! I am not just feeding you a line. He loves his family and tries... always... to make his choices with us in mind. My children have pitched in and are doing their best to keep things moving around here. They take the time to stop and kneel down at the level of a 2 or 3 year old sibling and play or just kiss an owie. They ask if I need anything. They jump in to do chores, even when I know they don't really want to. They do it, because we are a family... and as I have been told several times lately...

"Just like you tell us, Mom, We are a family and that is just what a family does... because we love each other."

I am a proud mama!

I am truly a proud mama

Saturday...

Last night, we hung out and watched a little television. It was kind of nice since we don't do that very often. It allowed my back to rest and yet, I could still be in the same room doing what everyone else was doing.

We laughed and joked and enjoyed each others company.

I really feel bad for the people in the midwest who are having such cold temperatures. I am thankful, however, that for a change it isn't us suffering the incredibly cold termperatures. We have actually been having unseasonably warmer temps in the 40's. For January, that is really nice around here.

We went grocery shopping yesteday. I actually was able to make it through, with Mark's help. I was ready to sit and do nothing when we got home, but it was nice to get out of the house for a bit. This morning I had high hopes of making some caramel pecan sticky buns for breakfast (I can do this if I sit while I cook). However, I quickly realized that although we spent a huge amount of time shopping yesterday, we did not get butter! How do you make... well, anything in this house without butter? Oh well, maybe tomorrow before church.

This morning Brysen is walking around in Miranda's shoes while playing his "guitar" (a tennis racket). Ari keeps trying to get my house shoes off of my feet so she can wear them, but I am cold. The two oldest, in the house, are working on some chores and planning to go running in about an hour. Aubrey is doing some artwork in her room, since she is suffering from a grounding from all electronic devices for a couple of weeks. The litle ones are watching Sesame Street. Yep, it is Saturday!

Amazing...

I was reminded of the beauty of God's creation when I saw this sunset.

Sometimes, I can get so focussed on all it takes to keep a big family rolling that I forget to stop and smell the roses, so to speak.

We are so blessed.

Not only with the love of our family and friends, but more importantly by the love of God who "knit me in my mother's womb."

I have been focussing on Deut. 31:8 (NLT)

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

I wish I could share all of the things that this verse means to me, but even more, take the time to find out what it means to you...

We are never alone.
In this tiny floating speck of dust you can feel so very small,
and yet,
YOU were knit together by God.

Amazing!

GRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr........

Let's just say that I need a little extra prayer today.

I won't go into details, but I will say that 17 year olds should be placed in a padded room until mature enough to make good decisions!

Okay, enough said!

Just Pray for me and for some extra patience!

Dancing Queen...

My oldest called yesterday and excitedly informed us that she, a mere freshman, was chosen to participate in the Weber State University Orchesis Dance Theatre!!!!

She is one of the understudies for a dance.

She seemed a little embarrassed by that, but I reminded her that it is such a priveledge to be chosen at all!

And she thought she was the worst dancer at the try-outs!!

Way to go, Cadi!

We are so proud of you!

Back update...are you getting sick of this yet?

I know I have mentioned this about a thousand times lately. However, this blog is about our lives... mine included. Lately this back trouble has been my life, so... sorry!

The back is doing better. This has been the slowest recovery from any injury that I have ever experienced. Thank goodness it is recovering, though.

Today I have been able to get up and move around a little. I can finally stand up straight... at least for a few minutes. I am able to fold laundry if someone brings the clean laundry to me. For any of you that are familiar with our home... that is huge! We have to do laundry every day or there will be huge mountains of it in a very short time... like 24 hours. We are working on it, though. Now that I can get things moving a little, hopefully we will have the mountain down to a hill in a few days.

There are so many things I can't wait to get to. It is funny that when I am able to move around, I don't want to do these "chores". Right now, I would love to do some of those "chores". All in good time, my family keeps telling me.

Amazing Adventure...

The back is about the same as it was yesterday. sigh. I guess I should be rejoicing, though. It could be what it was two days ago, right?

Anyway...

I was thinking today about how people in my age bracket... turning 40 at the end of the year... fall into some interesting categories.

When it comes to their children, they either started having a family around the same time we did...19 years ago. These people have a couple of kids who are both at the end of the "childhood" years. This couple is starting to run around a bit and take trips alone or in general, start their "after children" lives.

Another group waited a few years and they are in the dreaded middle school years. Once again, they have a couple of children and they are in the midst of pulling their hair out with the drama that goes along with that particular age group. These couples are looking forward to 4 or 5 years down the road, when they will be in the previously mentioned group... awaiting the exit of their children.

Lastly, there is the group that waited until their careers were in full swing and they might have had a little nest egg set aside before they started having children. This group is in the early childhood arena. They have small children. These parents are still kidding themselves into thinking they have this "parenting" thing figured out and it is going to be easy.

and then...

there is me.

I fit all three groups. (except the figuring this parenting thing out stuff)

I have children in all of the groups. Each one amazes me, changes me, makes me better than I would have been.

I don't want anyone to think I am criticizing any other parent for making different choices. I fully believe that not all of us are destined to take the same path... thank goodness. I mean, some of your lives scare the living daylights out of me.

I am just so thankful that God, in all of His infinite wisdom, put me right where I never could have seen myself... here, being a mom to this amazing group of people. Each day with them is a blessing.

And above all, I am so thankful that beside me walks the best husband and father I could have asked for... even if I could have thought ahead and forseen this amazing adventure.

Afraid to say it...

But... maybe if I whisper, it won't count...

So far today, my back pain is tolerable. No tears. I am taking it
r e a l l y easy and just resting... promise!

I will let you know how it is all going tomorrow.

I wish I could post some pictures, but right now I am relying on the kindness of my children to upload photos onto the main computer since I can't get to it.

I need to get busy...

Been There, Done That!

A fun Meme!

1. Started your own blog (ummm, ya think?)
2. Slept under the stars (many times)
3. Played in a band (for years)
4. Visited Hawaii (High School Senior Trip)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (many times)
8. Climbed a mountain (when I was a kid)
9. Held a praying mantis (Yes, and my daughter was bit by one)
10. Sang a solo (That was my job for 13 years)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (c'est la vie)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (many)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight (I'm a girl, I have kids... of course!)
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (sadly, yes)
24. Built a snow fort (I grew up in Alaska and currently live in Utah...so about 100)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (no further info... my kids read this)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (when I was a kid)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (one of my favorite things...)
31. Hit a home run (I was a great ball player in my day, sonny)
32. Been on a cruise (When I was a kid... sort of... long story)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (God supplies all of our needs)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (an amazing site, I want my kids to see it, too)
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (yup)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (my dad used to have a dive shop)
52. Kissed in the rain (yeah, baby)
53. Played in the mud (the mud pie queen)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (many times)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (2 of them)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (those mint ones are great!)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (someone must love me)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (embarrassing!)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (I am a sentimental girl...)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (working on one now)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (only about 6 times)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (I used to like speed, too)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (a mistake I only made once)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (singing stuff)
85. Read the entire Bible (a few times... not sure how many)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (my husband says fish counts)
88. Had chickenpox (when I was 2)
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club (more than once)
93. Lost a loved one (too many)
94. Had a baby (does 8 count?)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit (hit by a car when I was 12)
98. Owned a cell phone (several)
99. Been stung by a bee (several)
100. Read an entire book in one day (several)

Winter...

patient...

I am trying very hard to be patient with... well everything, right now.

My back continues to plague me. In fact for a few days it seemed like it was getting worse... if that is possible and still be able to walk.

The doctor and my loving hubby have me laying on the floor with my legs up on the couch. I am trying to be good, but really, how long can one person be this still?

I know, I know... patience.

There is just nothing like it...

Our smallest just turned two last month.

She is very fond of falling asleep during our evening devotion time.

It is truly one of my favorite times of the day.

I love holding her warm little body while the rest of the family shares in the devotion. I sit quietly holding her, listening to my husband share from the Bible. I listen to the kids share their thoughts and sometimes, I share my thoughts as well. I sing softly while we sing our chosen song for the evening. I listen to her even breathing and look at the older kids and remember how fast these moments pass by.

It is a special time and there just isn't anything like it.

Boys Job...

"Raider, get in the bath."

Click, click go his toe nails.

He jumps into the tub.

This job is a "boy job".

What does that mean?

Well, this job is always done by the boys.

Pretty simple.

The girls give him a quick wash in the back yard during the summer months, but a deep cleaning is the boys job.

Brysen loves helping daddy with this job!

He loves getting wet.

He loves going in and out of the bathroom door to tell the girls every step that has been done to wash the dog.

Most of all, he loves to play with daddy's hat.

Brysen thinks these boy jobs are fun... at least for now.

Comment from a 3 year old...

Little man: Daddy, you aw vewy handsome!

Dishes...

Awww...

Do you see what I see?

It's a beautiful thing when an older sibling chooses to spend time with her younger siblings.

And we all know that teaching a skill such as doing the dishes can be (for the older ones) a major pain sometimes. For the younger kids, it is all fun. They just love being with the bigger kids.

Good Job, kiddos!

Great Job, Miranda!