End of the Year

Three awesome things have happened today. 1) We are 18 verses from finishing the Book Of Mormon as a family for the first time ever (and my first time ever as well). 2) While reading today, we read about talents. I was asking the boys what they thought their talents were, and then asked them what mine were. Carson says, "being a really good mom!" It made me want to cry. Melt my heart. 3) I wanted to go to lunch at my favorite restuarant, but Chet was hesitant (with good reason, it's hard to keep 5 boys in check after running an hours worth of errands!) While we were there, a man came up and asked if they were all mine (a question I get asked EVERYWHERE I go!) I smiled and said yes. He said how cool it was to have all these little boys, his wife smiling ear to ear next to him, and then said something that was music to a mother of 5 small boys ears...wait for it..."they are SOOO well behaved." I wanted to jump up and give him a big kiss. Chet and I are paranoid to take them anywhere where adults will be trying to enjoy anything, like restaurants (because I hate when I am out on a date and have a kid hitting me in the back of the head, and screaming and making me feel like I am still at home. Why pay a sitter $10 an hour to go and get the same experience I get every night at my kitchen table). So, it was wonderful to hear that, especially because they were being ANGELS, and we didn't even notice it. They were all sitting talking and eating chips and salsa, and Chet and I were doing the same. I didn't even take the time to notice. What a great day. We won't mention the 20 bad things from today, glass if half full!!! Here's to a new year, hoping to have many more family dinners out and lots more activities added to our acceptable places to take 5 boys!!! And we are going to conquer the D&C in 2012. What a great life!!!

Mopping

I once had a friend tell me that she was mad at the school district for cutting the summer short, and starting school so early. It was the year that my twins were starting kindergarten, and as she said that, I thought she was CrAzY! Well, today I feel no different. I am one of those mothers that LOVES school, and breaks are hard. Today as I was cleaning I came across the new book for Relief Society lessons on Goerge Albert Smith. I opened it up and was immediately interested in the life story in the beginning. Soon I was crying as I read about the faith he had, and the respect and adoration he had for his wife. I was a little too much into the book, and as I finished reading a paragraph, I hear my boys all laughing and sounding crazy, you know...the sounds you never want to hear because you know they are destroying something! I run into the kitchen to see all of my boys on towels on their hands and knees "mopping the floor" with the water that they poured from a bucket onto the kitchen floor. That was their chore they were supposed to be doing. It was so bad Cael jumped up and asked if I could get him his swim suit. I calmly asked then to put the full bucket that Colby was playing in, in the sink, told them every drop of water better be mopped up by the time I come back. Time to go see who gets to nap with the babies today! ALL 5 BOYS!!!

Subway

Today we went and got Chet for lunch in between our 2 paper routes. I had Subway coupons, so we decided to go there. If you bought a 6" and drink, you got a 6" free. Chet and I were discussing how many 6" we would need when the boys started to complain that they needed a foot long each. We both told them that they could not eat a foot long, but they insisted that they could. Carter said, "If we eat our entire foot long, you have to pay us $10 (always looking to make a buck!)" Chet thinks for a while and says, "If you eat it I will pay you $5, but if you cannot, you have to pay me $5." Carson and Carter got really excited and told Chet, "You're on!!!" Needless to say, instead of lunch costing us $30, it cost us $40. Carson ate an oven roasted chicken breast with cucumbers, green peppers, pickles, and ranch. DISGUSTING!!! But he loved it, and finished off Caden's that he couldn't (about another 3"). Carter had a normal sub (for me anyways!) and proudly told dad that he owes him five bucks! The crazy thing is, they then went and delivered 140 papers, running most of the time. They weren't stuffed, that was no big deal to them! CrAzY stuff!!! Growing boys, gotta love it!

Dad

Today Chet called and said that he was going to the dump at lunch, and any boy that wanted to go (they are out for Christmas break) needed to be ready when he got home. All of the boys were running around frantically trying to find shoes and coats and jeans. When Chet showed up, he came in to give me a hug and kiss and he picked up Colby to kiss on him for a while. Colby does this really cute thing when Chet gets home at night. He smacks his lips together and rubs his thumbs on his fingers and gets all frantic until Chet comes and gets him. If he is down he crawls like his life depends on it to get to him. It is so cute and fun to watch. Well, Chet started walking towards the door and Colby waves bye-bye to me. I smile and hold my hands out to him to take him from Chet and he pushed me away. Chet handed him over to me and Colby starts crying and pushing on me to get back to Chet (he's never done that to me). As Chet was leaving he starts crying and was holding his hands out to him wanting Chet to come get him. It was so sad. He is growing up so fast. He is really starting to understand everything going on. He knows when it is lunch time, when it is time for the boys to go to school (he loves to wave to them at the door and say "bye-bye", you wouldn't know that was what he was saying unless you knew it), and today he obviously knew that Chet was leaving and the boys were going with him. He knows when we are getting ready to say prayers and he knows where to crawl to. He is also starting to fold his arms (puts his fists together anyway) and bows his head for prayers...for about 5 seconds max, but it's a start. Oooooo, he is so cute!!! I am still in a little shock that I have 5 boys. When did that happen? 5 BOYS!!! Whoa. Still amazed!

Skiing

Today was our first family ski day, sort of. Cael and Colby stayed at Nana and Papa's, which was wonderful I think. It was nice to get away, and it was nice that now Colby is saying Nana and Papa and Cael loved playing with Brody. So to the ski resort. Caden and I had a lesson set up, and Chet was patroling today. Carter and Carson took right to it like they were old pros. The guy on the bunny hill lift told me that Carson was the winner of the most frequent rider. They weren't allowed to leave the bunny hill, and so Carter and Carson were creating their own fun. They were racing, jumping, taunting their retarded mother taking snowboard lessons, and just all out having fun. Caden struggled a little, but Chet says that as soon as the fear left, he was up and running. He was skiing down the hill and riding back up alone by the end of the day. I struggled to say the least. While I was taking the lesson, my confidence was high and I was doing well, for a beginner. I could navigate down the hill for the most part, and thought it to be easier than skiing. Then the lesson ended, I ate lunch and everything fell apart. My boys would yell hi to me as they whizzed by me faceplanted in the snow. At one point, Carter asked if I wanted to race them down. I told him I couldn't even make it down the hill up, let alone race him. He just laughed and took off. After I couldn't move anymore, I went to the car. I was the first to turn in. Carson came next, followed by Carter and Caden together. Caden couldn't make it to the car, and as tears were about to fall I jumped out of the car and carried his gear in. Carter then had to go pee (surprise, surprise!) and while he was walking back, he had to stop and rest 5 times. I was laughing so hard, but had no energy to go help. Carter told me in the car that he was going to be a ski patroler when he was old enough. He said that he loved to help people that couldn't ski. He said he picked up poles and helped little kids stand up all day as well as encourage them and tell them they were doing great. He wants me to find out how old you have to be to be a ski patroler. I love how they want to be just like their dad! I don't remember being so tired. The boys are EXHAUSTED! But it was a great time! I love my family of adventurous boys!!!

Good Decision

Sometimes you make decisions, and you know immediatly that you made the right one. Sometimes...you wonder for a long time if what you did was right. Well, a while ago someone said that if you hold your kid that is old enough to go to school, you have one year of hell for many good ones. We held Caden for many reasons. I want him to be one of the first to drive, he'll be able to date at the beginning of his sophmore year, he'll be more mature for sports, and he would have it easier in school. That was the plan. The year that he was out was tough to say the least. He was bored, hated to go to any play dates because he said everyone was a baby there, and worst of all, he slowly got this attitude of entitlement to everything. I was so over him by the time school started. Yesterday while I was in his classroom helping out, the thought came to me as clear as day that we made the right decision. As I looked around the room at the kids doing an art project, it was very clear which kids were the young ones. There is the cutest little boy in his class that just turned 5 at the beginning of the year. He is sweet, respectful, fun, and everything else a parent could want. However, the teacher has to constantly help him. He was frustrated. He couldn't keep up. He is just not at the level of all the others. There is also a little girl that just turned 5 in Aug, and she is everything you would hope a girl to be. She was the last one to finish. She was frustrated because she was not as fast. She was frustrated the entire time I was there because of it. Caden on the other hand, was cruising through everything, and his looked GREAT too. Those kids were Caden one year ago. One year makes such a huge difference in their maturity. Caden will always talk, no matter what age he is (it's genetic!). But now, he is the leader. Last year he would have been a follower, and always lagging behind, struggling to stay up. Now I just hope that I have taught him well enough to be a leader for good! So grateful for that decision. It was hard, but I believe well worth it. One year of hell, for many good to come I hope!

Thoughts of a 7 yr old

Every once and a while, I will go down to the boys room and just sit and talk to them while they are supposed to be in bed. I don't do it alot, but it's a really fun time to learn alot about the boys. Here are some of the funny conversations we just had. 1) (Carter talking) "Mom, I know why I have to pee as soon as I drink something. (The kid cannot hold his pee for longer than about 15 min after drinking something) When I drink something it goes down the tube to my stomach. Then is swirls in my stomach twice and goes straight through my digestive system (didn't even know he knew that word) and that spot below my weiner, it doesn't hold it at all. It just drops straight into my weiner and I have TO GO!" Then Carson says, "Not me. It goes from my stomach to a holding tank and then the tank releases when we get home and then I have to go right away!" 2) We have made a little tradition of going to Texas Roadhouse when we go to Billings to the temple. Today we went so I was asking if they had fun. Carter tells me, "that steak is really weird. It is really small, but when you cut into it, it must have alot of nutrients, because it filled my stomach really full, really fast. How does it do that mom? (Without pausing for an answer) It must be really good for me!" 3) I went to the temple and Chet took the boys to the park to eat lunch and play (you know you live in Wyoming when 48 degrees was a beautiful day, park worthy!) Carson was climbing the slide from the bottom (a kid favorite for some odd reason, I did it too as a kid!) and tells me, "I just couldn't hold on any longer...so I let go (so matter of fact sounding). Next thing I know, BAM! Faceplant. I got up and asked Dad if I had a black eye, but he said no so I just kept playing. (Like it was no big deal. He has what looks like BAD road rash, first thing I asked about when I got out of the temple and saw him) 4) During our family prayers Carter asked Heavenly Father if we could be better next year and make it to the temple every month (we only made it 10 times this year. 3 hour drive ea way. Then I go in for 2 hours, Chet switches me and goes in for 2 hours, go shopping, go to Texas Roadhouse, and head back home...the whole time they are sitting in the car in their seats. They are AMAZING!) I have already forgotten many more things. I had a million things I wanted to write. They keep me smiling! I love the precious moments I get with them!

South

Tonight we were heading to the rec center for Family Home Evening. Carson says out of nowhere from the back seat, "Dad. Why is it only 2 degrees? We are heading south. It should be warmer when we go south." Sometimes when they learn things in school, they miss the critical part of the lesson. It's warm IN the south, not when you are driving south. Haha, it was too cute. Then, on the way home, Carson says in the most disgusted voice, "Dad. You are a liar. You said it would be 0 degrees and it is not! It is 2 degrees. Why do you lie? I didn't HAVE to wear my coat! (a constant battle with him!)" I had to laugh out loud at that and say "Gees Dad, you big liar!" Then we had the discussion of the difference between lieing and being wrong.

Lunch

Today is Sarah's birthday, and I must admit, my emotions were getting the better of me. Over the last 7 mo, since her passing, I have had so many things to tell her! So many times I have wished I could just call her and tell her my fun, exciting, sad, disappointing news, or anything else that might be going on. I had lunch plans that fell through, and Chet was busy today, but I really wanted to get out of the house, so I kept my sitter and planned to go to the school for lunch. I grabbed some Taco Johns tacos, all the boys favorite, and headed to the school. The twins lunch first, so I was waiting as they arrived in the lunchroom. Carter was in tears. He has not gotten enough sleep and was having a really hard day. I was so happy that I was there to hug him and tell him it was going to be ok. By the end of lunch, he was smiling and laughing. Carson was so proud to have me there. He was so proud to be eating tacos and talked a million miles an hour while we ate. It was fun to be in between my two big 2nd graders eating and talking away. All the boys that I know from their class were coming to sit across from us. Such fun. I know they will not always want me to be there. As they were in line I told Carter to give me a hug and kiss good-bye and he got embarrassed. I said, "Do you want me to hold you down in front of your class and kiss you?" He started laughing and the class was laughing too. Then I went to Carson and he wanted me to do the same thing. They are on that brink. They still want me to hug and kiss them, but they are a little nervous in public. Oh how I love them! Then it was time for Caden's lunch. He cracks Chet and I up as he talks about school. He is so animated and tells us his tall tales like they are fact. Caden was happy to see me and wanted me in the girl line of his class, so I got in the girl line and had his teacher count me in just like any other girl. He loved that. Then he made me sanitize just like him and then said let's go! He was telling the whole table, that was flocking to sit by him (the teacher had to come and move some because they were all cramming in too tight) that Taco Johns is the best place to eat in "all of town" Caden was just talking away, carrying on about 4 conversations. He opened 4 milks as we were sitting there. Everyone just kept handing them to him like he was the official milk opener. He was so kind to everyone, and you could just feel his enthusiasm for life and school oozing out of him. One of his good friends asked me what his (the friends) full name was and I said, "Caden says its Blaze Cool Awesome!" and the whole table bust out laughing. Caden was laughing so hard he could barely sit. He then tells me, "Blaze is so cool AND awesome! That's not his name!" These little kids were just so sweet and fun! It was so fun. He was so proud to have me there, and gave me a huge hug and kiss at the end. To say the least, I miss Sarah SOOOOOOO much. But this was just what the doctor ordered on this day!!! I feel so blessed to have my boys, to know that they love me and appreciate me. It's not very often that I feel that, but today there is no doubt. I. AM. A. MOTHER.!!! And I wouldn't trade them for anything in this world!

Bad Breathe

Caden's favorite cereal is the Malt-O-Meal Lucky Charms. I found a really good deal on the real lucky charms, so I bought a bunch of boxes. I noticed that they were not being eaten. I asked Caden why he was not eating them and he says that they give you bad breathe so he would only eat them on Saturday when he wouldn't be going around people. Seriously! Since when did a SIX year old know what gives you bad breathe and what doesn't???

chalkboards

Today while reading with some 2nd graders at my boys school, a little girl read a line about teachers squeaking on the chalkboard. She looks up at me with this funny look and says, "This book is weird. Teachers don't even have chalkboards. They only have whiteboards!" I, being SOOOO old, didn't even know that all classes have transitioned to white boards. I just smiled and said, "crazy huh?", and she just kept on reading. Makes you wonder what other things of your childhood will become completely obsolete. Love spending time with these little ones. They really can teach you more than you want to know! Another little girl told me that a cock roach can live for an entire week without a head! Lovely! Thanks for sharing!

Business

Over Thanksgiving we were driving to Laramie to see Morgan, and Chet and I were chatting in the front seat. We were talking quietly about something we did not want the kids to hear, when Carter says, "Mom, what did you just say?" I said back to him, "Carter, worry about your own business, ok." and he says back, "But mom, I don't have any of my own business...so what did you say?" Chet and I both had to laugh out loud. Kids...they only speak the simple truth, as they see it anyways!

Teenagers

Do you know what happens when you have 5 babies??? One day, you will have 5 teenagers!!! I am freaking out for the boys to be 8, let alone teenagers. My food bill is skyrocketing! Carter and Carson are now out eating Chet and I on a pretty regular basis (and they also eat a full meal after school at 4, then again at 6 with us). It used to be that if they didn't like dinner they would just eat enough to "make it through" or enough to get a treat after dinner. Now, they pretty much eat as much as I possibly can, sometimes complaining they hate this dinner in between mouthfuls, and sometimes that they love it, as they are getting their 3rd helping. Caden is still picky, so find him something he likes and he'll eat us broke (breakfast! Put syrup on anything and that kid will eat 5 of whatever it is!) When Chet and I didn't have any kids we ate on $150 a month. We are now up to approx. $600 a month. That includes me making almost all of our treats homemade and bread stuff and eating pizza about once a month. Today as the boys were walking up the street (I carpool with a neighbor so she takes them to school every day) I was watching them from behind remembering a time when they were in their diapers walking away from me at home, and then imagined these tall skinny young men of the future! It will be here before I know it! I just so hope that I am doing a great job now, so that they are great young men then! Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept! One lesson at a time.

Dentist

Yesterday we went to the dentist. I know that some people hate the dentist, but my family loves it! I loved going as a kid, twice a year - Thanks MOM - and my kids love going. Yesterday I had the older 4 seen. Cael was a champ. They tried to do x-rays, but he gagged, so we'll try that again next time. He sat perfect while they cleaned his teeth. She told him she was tickeling (sp?) his teeth and he thought that was funny. He also loved the suction. She would tell him to kiss it, so he'd close his lips around it and then bust out laughing. So cute. The greatest thing that came out of going to the dentist (we start going at 3 and go every 6 mo so Carter and Carson and Caden have had this talk MANY times) was that for some reason it clicked with them this time that they needed to start brushing (more than 4-5 times a week, yuck I know! Bad mom!!!). Every time they eat something, they ask if it has sugar in it. They have brushed 3 times in the last 18 hours. I love it. Carter even said that he didn't want a cupcake last night because it had sugar in it and he had already brushed for bed. YAH!!!!!!!!!!! Now I just hope it sticks for longer than 24 hours. I don't care how much toothpaste and dental floss (because they are flossing too!) I have to buy...I am sure it is cheaper than my dentist bill!!! Also, Carson has an absessed tooth on the top side tooth. They want to pull it, but it doesn't hurt him and it is slightly loose. I told Carson if he pulls it before next Wednesday, then I will pay him $5. Since he LOVES making money, he looks right at me and says, "Get some string. Lets pull it right now!" I won't do that to him, but I have a feeling that tooth will be out by then, and that will save me about $250!

Caels New Saying

So, Chet and I have always kind of thought that if we say it, the boys can say it. Whenever they say 'something" they learned at school, I pick my chin up off the floor and say, "Have you ever heard Mom or Dad say that? Then you cannot say that." If you learn a new word and Mom and Dad don't say it, just know that it's bad. Well, sometimes we use phrases that sound a little weird coming from a little boy. Carter has been using, "Take that sucker!" for a couple days now, I believe learned from Mom (oops!) So, just now I hear Cael playing monster trucks on the floor next to me folding clothes and he is saying to the cars he just smashed, "Take that sucker! Rrrrrrrrr...crunch, Take that sucker!" It is hillarious! I know that I should not think that is funny, and I would probably be embarrassed if he said that in front of some people, but I cannot help but laugh to myself how it sounds coming from him. Carter has not bothered me or sounded weird, but Cael it's really funny! Once again, what they learn by example! Good and bad.

Getting Married

Carter was asking questions about getting married the other day. He was asking about when you meet your wife, in high school, or college, or on your mission, and so forth. Well, I told him that most people will go on their mission and then meet someone in school or while working. He asks if that's how I met Chet and I told him it was. Then he asked what I was doing while dad was on his mission. I told him that I was in High School still. He was nodding his head and was processing that, so I told him that his wife could be in Cael's church class, the nursery, right now. He looks up at me and gets this funny look on his face and whispers to himself, "sick!" I busted out laughing so he looks up at me disgusted and says he is done talking about getting married. I didn't really know he was old enough to get all that, so I thought it was so funny that he thought that was sick. Funny stuff. I thought that because that was how Chet and I would have been. At what point is that no longer sick? Haha!

Potato Farm

Yesterday I was sitting on the couch snuggling (well, letting him crawl all over me. He's 11 mo, there is no more snuggling at this point!) Colby and I got a glimpse of his ear. I said, "Oh my goodness Colby, you are growing the biggest potato farm in Wyoming in there!" That's what my mom always called yucky ears, so that's what I have called them. Well, Carson was doing something completely different in the room and he jumps up and says, "No mom! (So and so) has the biggest potato farm. I was standing behind him in line the other day and I wanted to throw up!" Chet looks at me with a sudden glare and says, "Carson. You need to know that your mother is the only one that looks in people's ears. That is not normal. Don't look in people's ears!' Carson just looked at me and said, "They were so gross mom. You would have thrown up!" I was laughing so hard. He kept telling me he was really serious. I cannot see stuff on my kids faces. I do not even notice it. But...my kids ears are always being cleaned, and their hair is always done (when in public anyways). It's a crazy thing I have (because my ears have to be cleaned twice a day or they are yucky, it's CRAZY!) The things we teach our kids by example when we don't even know it. I just need to make sure that I teach him it's not OK to tell the little boy that he is growing a potato farm, right?

Muscles

Today while the boys were getting ready for school, Carson calls from the bathroom for me. I was busy making lunches so I was a little bugged, but I walked into the bathroom anyways. Carson, with the proudest face a 7 yr old can muster, is flexing his bicep in the mirror. He says with all kinds of enthusiasm, "Mom! My muscle is now coming out of my body! Look at all those bumps (meaning his shoulder, bicep, and tricep)" It was so funny to watch this little boy be so excited about his skinny little arms. He was right, I was really impressed at how defined they were (I think from lack of one ounce of fat!) Every day has a learning moment (or two...or a hundred) in it for me. I didn't realize body image would start this young for them! They are the best boys ever!!! I love that they have so much enthusiasm for life. They will keep me so much younger for so much longer. Thank goodness for that! They want to ea start taking a night and running with me. (I thought that could be some fun one on one time with each of them as well as learning good healthy habits!) I love my life!

Money

So I posted earlier about my little money hounds. Well, the boys found a new way to make money! They are now doing a paper route. I always say "we" when I want a project done, and Chet is doing it. He always says, "that funny word 'we'" and that applies here. That funny word "they", but they'll get there. We are just delivering 140 papers, once a week. It is the advertiser paper, not a huge commitment. I stuff the papers for the boys during nap time, and then right after school once a week we go deliver them. Yesterday was the first day. Chet and I worked out a great plan for stuffing and it went super fast. Then to the delivery! Oh my it was painful. You just forget that people need taught how to be a good employee. I think it's been lost, so I am very grateful for the oppurtunity to teach them. I am pretty strict on it being done exactly right. They were good about it when I would correct them, and they happily walked around an entire neighborhood, walking papers to the porch of every house. They will earn $.10 a paper, minus their expense of gas (it's gotta suck to have an accountant for a dad, haha) and then tithing. Chet teaches the boys about taxes and all aspects of business. I love it. The boys probably know more about business that most adults do! I told them every 10 houses they get a dollar, and at that point you could almost see dollar signs in their eyes! Now the hard part will be waiting until payday, not until December 15th for yesterdays work. They don't like having to wait for payday!

Birthday Candles

Today is my little Cael-Bugs birthday. 3... 3! I cannot believe it. He wanted to have muffins for his birthday so I made muffins and then told the boys they couldn't eat yet, because I wanted to put candles in a muffin and sing to him (this is his first birthday that he really gets whats going on. He's been asking us for things for months for his birthday!) Well, Carson gets all excited and is immediatley on the counter fishing candles out of the cupboard. Now I need to give a little background. When the boys were young they played with matches and fire every chance they got. After catching Carter for the third time lighting fires in my closet, I called 911 on him and asked if it was possible to send someone out to scare him, sirons and all, because he was going to burn the house down if something didn't happen. The dispatcher calmed me down (because I was crying pretty hysterical!) and then gave me a number to call. Needless to say, Fireman Bob and my family became GOOD friends, as Carter was a HIGH risk level for starting fires. We had to have many "sessions" with Fireman Bob and the kids, and since he was such high risk, he told me to get rid of EVERY thing that could start fire. So...back to today. I didn't even think how to light the candles. Carson says, "Mom, I know where a lighter is. Do you want me to go get it?" I looked at him funny and said come show me. We walk to my closet (where they are not allowed to go) and he tells me, "Ok mom. See that pink box up on the top shelf. Get all of dads packs (little first aid hiking kits) out of it and then there will be the candles we use for Valentines dinner (tea light candles) and under those there will be a red lighter." He was standing at the door watching me do all of this. Sure enough, just as he said it would be, it was there! How in the heck did he know that??? I don't even know how he could reach it. I could BARELY reach it. Kids are unbelievable sometimes!!! All I can say is I am sure Heavenly Father helps me more than I could ever imagine. I think the things they do are crazy...I don't even want to know the things that I never see or know of!

The Social Life

Tonight the boys had a fall carnival at their school. Chet said he would stay home with the babies so I could take the boys alone. (It was very helpful, although I don't think that he was trying to help me!) The boys were so excited to come and all three were telling me all of their friends that were going to be there. As we are walking down to the school (because we had to park on the street) I feel like I am walking with a rock star! It was hillarious! People are screaming Caden's name from everywhere we turned. He was like a beauty queen, smiling and waving back and forth across his body. The girls were pulling on their moms saying all excited, "Mom! It's Caden!" and then hiding behind their mom's legs and Caden would say, "Hey!" as he waved and kept walking. He was so funny and confident. He can talk to anyone's mom, dad, boy, girl, brother, sister. You name it, he talks to it! He found his friend named Blaze, of whom I have never even heard of, and mom was no longer needed. He tells me, "Mom. I am fine. Just let me hang out with my friends. You can leave." Carter and Carson still don't do that. They are embarrassed when they see people in public and they are especially embarrassed to talk to friends parents. Caden knows upperclassmen, all the teachers, all the staff, and most definately all of the kindergarten kids, boys and girls. I am going to have my hands full with him! But it was also kind of cool I must admit. My little socialite!!!

Boxers

My kids have been asking me approx. 2-3 times a week when we will be going to the temple again. Chet and I have made it a goal to go once a month. It's not the easiest task with our family right now. We have to leave at about 6-7 am and drive 4 hours to Billing, MT. That is too long of a day to leave our kids here, so the boys all travel up there, sit in the car for 2 more hours with their dad eating lunch while I attend the temple, and then we switch places. Not ideal, but it works, and we are committed. So, when we drop Chet off I go to Old Navy with all five boys, and shop their clearance racks. The first few months it was really hard, but we are good at it now. Right before school I bought each boy a package of boxers (they were wearing whitey tightys). Package of two. Well, that is ALL they will wear now! I am constantly gathering boxers to make sure they have them the next day. When we told the boys that we were going to the temple this weekend, they all started cheering. All of them are so excited to go to Old Navy; they don't even care they will be in the car for 10-12 hours, shopping at Costco, eating on the fly (my kids would prefer eat at home, they all boo when I say we are eating fast food, where did these kids come from?!) and no doubt watching Cael new favorite movie AT LEAST once, Little Einstiens, which they all hate and call the baby movie. Aren't we parents of the year! We live such exciting lives that they are THRILLED to be making another temple trip. Chet and I just have to laugh. Like Chet always says, "It's the little things in life!"

Old

Thursday night we were reading scriptures and we are in 3rd Nephi reading about Christ visiting the America's. Carson asks me if I was alive when Christ came. I said no. Carter says, "Carson this was a couple hundred years ago!" Carsons says, " Oh, so was Nana alive then?" I laugh and say no. He says, "Then who? Grandma Smuin?" All three boys look at me like they are waiting for the answer. I said no! This was 2000 yrs ago, and nobody you have ever seen was alive then. They just say ok and back to reading. They really think we are ancient!

Tooth Fairy

So Carson lost a tooth last week. He was really excited for the tooth fairy to come. Well, the first night, Chet tried and he was still awake, and then forgot to go back down. Night two...forgot. Night three...forgot, and not because Carson wasn't reminding us 800 times that the tooth fairy hadn't come, we are just stupid like that! So on night number four Chet tells him that his three pillows are probably too much for the tooth fairy to see through, so he should ditch the extra pillows. Carson comes upstairs the next morning HOT! The tooth fairy STILL didn't come. Chet and I about died. HOW could we forget AGAIN! So Carson is mad all morning and heads off to school. The second he gets home from school he comes in and says that he knows why the tooth fairy didn't come. I said why? He tells me, "I have been thinking about it all day. He can't give me my money because when he tries to come to our house, you and dad are still up, so he skips me!" I looked right at him and said, "I bet you are right! We will have to go to bed early." Needless to say, we did NOT forget that night. He just lost another one last night, and we remembered on night ONE! Yeah for the Parker's Tooth Fairy!!! We are the worst tooth fairy EVER!!!

Money Hounds

So yesterday my boys were at the neighbors playing in the front yard, and I don't know exactly how it started, but they all started pulling weeds (new house, no landscaping yet). Well the neighbor was really nice and came and paid them $.50 each last night for pulling all of the weeds out of her front yard. The boys were in heaven. They came home today and worked so fast to get all of their chores done. I didn't even have to ask once with any boy. Then, minutes later they were out the door. Cars just came in and asked if I had some glasses he could wear because the wind is blowing and getting dirt in his eyes. I found him some little sunglasses and said what are you doing outside? He tells me, "Jennifer paid us $.50 yesterday for pulling her front weeds, so now we are pulling her backyard weeds and taking all of her rocks to the dirt hill (a dumping place of sorts that the boys love to play on the corner). We are working really hard and hope that she pays us another $.50!" and he was on his bike and off to her house, where her two daughters were also working in the yard with them. I don't know what to do. She's really getting a good deal, they are doing a great job (she LOVED that they did it too) but she didn't ask for it. I don't want to discourage them from working, but in the hopes someone who didn't ask you will pay you? I better do a little better job in Business 101 class tonight with them. Side Note: They are so excited to shovel snow for money this year. They are asking for a weed eater for their birthday so they can mow lawns for money next year, dad's is too heavy and big for them (and for me!) What have we created? Good workers or money hungry animals??? Only time will tell I guess.

9 months

Colby had his 9 mo check up today. When the Dr came in and started checking him out, he was asking me about developmental things. He asked if he says Momma and Dadda and I said, "Yes, show off for the Dr. Say Momma." He looks right at me and says, "Dadda!" really excited and then busts out laughing. He thought he was so funny. He seems too young to know what he was doing, but he sure thought he was funny. The Dr and I couldn't help but laugh though. It was mighty cute!!! On another note, he was 95% for height, and 25% for weight. Hmm...like someone else I know, and I wish it was ME!

Oops Book

Today my boys came blasting in the house all talking at once. Everyone was yelling over each other trying to tell me something. Caden has a book at school for his kindergarten class called the "Oops Book", that they have to sign when they are doing something they are not supposed to. I could hear oops book being said, so I slow everyone down and ask Caden what happened. Come to find out, Caden and all of his friends would gang up on Carter and trip him and Caden would take his shoes and throw them over the fence. The little terd did this more than once. Carter has quite a temper when he gets mad that we call the "Inner Hulk." Caden was trying to get Carter in trouble telling me that Carter Inner Hulked him and hit in the face and belly and butt. I just looked at Caden like he was talking crazy and said I would have Inner Hulked you too. I told him that if he had done that to anyone but someone that loved him, he would be in the hospital about now. Seriously, those are some gutsy kindergarteners!!! How did he possibly talk them into that?!? Who thinks it's a good idea to swarm a 2nd grader in the middle of football and trip him and hold him down??? I'll mark it up to Caden is one heck of a leader! What skills to convince the others to participate. (He did get into trouble at school and will have a disiplinary night with Dad and Me) His teacher must think that he is an animal. Sometimes I wonder what barn he was raised in!

Really Old

This is Carter and I's conversation yesterday in the car.
Carter: Mom?
Me: Yeah.
Carter: Have you ever been in a car that you have to roll down the windows yourself?
Me: Yeah.
Carter: Whoa!! You must be REALLY old!

I had to laugh out loud. I had a friend that just turned 30 and he was telling me the weird thing was remembering how old he used to think his parents were when we were teenagers. I remember thinking the same thing about my parents, and looking back now it seems crazy!!! The perception of old is in the eye of the beholder I guess!

Carson's Deal

This morning before school Carson was particularly bad. He was pretending to hit (sometimes not just pretending) everyone, and was flat out just being a punk. I told him after school he would not be playing with his friends (kids in the neighborhood play and ride bikes for hours every night). So, after school once everything settled, just Cars and I sit down to talk about what happened this morning. I asked him what happened and he said that he was really bad. I asked him why he was so bad. What things did we need to work together on to make things better the next day. No joke, this is what he tells me. "Well mom...I made a deal with Caden. When I was in the shower I told him that if I got in trouble today, that I could punch him in the face. And he said deal. So I did!" Then he just looks at me like duh mom, that's it in a nutshell. It seriously took everything I had not to bust out laughing. I had to sit there forever and then when I did start talking, I had to stop three times because I couldn't resist laughing if I didn't stop. Finally, after about a minute of silence and him looking at me like, "hello mom...talk!" I finally said, "Carson, you are not to make any deals with Caden unless I am present. Deal?" He said sure and he was up and off to do his chores. Seriously??? I will pretend that Caden misunderstood him when he made that deal with Carson.

Modesty, Mothers Pay Day

I remember as a teenager my parents demanding that I not wear tank tops or short skirts and other such things. But I don't remember when the "switch" flipped (and by that time I was NOT going to listen to them tell me what to wear. I had no testimony of modest dressing). I have always told Chet that our girls would NEVER wear immodest clothing because at what point do you no longer let them wear it? When do you "flip the switch" and make them dress modestly? Well, when I had all boys I thought I would never have to worry. I only let them wear sleeveless to the pool or when they have on their swimsuits. Easy enough, they are cool with that. Well, the other day I was watching a show and Caden came in. He said, "Mom, that girls dress is not good. I can see her whole back. You shouldn't be watching this." I looked at Chet and said yeah, you're right Caden. I never even noticed the clothing as being immodest. Thought it was interesting that was the FIRST thing he noticed. Well today when they were getting ready for school Caden told me that he looked like a geek because his shorts were longer than his knees. Carter says, "No Caden. Heavenly Father just doesn't want us to wear shorts above our knees. It's ok if they are longer than your knees." Caden just looks at me and says, "OK. Thanks mom for helping me get my clothes." and runs off. I was in total shock. Two minutes earlier I was literally in tears because they were just being animals! I just threw my hands up when I started crying and said, "What did I do so wrong. Why are they SOOO bad?" I think Heavenly Father just answered my question for me. Boys will be bad. They will be naughty. They will be disrespectful sometimes. But what's most important is what they know. What they have been taught, and have testimonies of themselves. Caden was TOTALLY ok with that answer and Carter said it like it was absolute fact. He knew it was true himself. I've never told him that, he just knows that Chet and I will not wear them, and so therefore HE knows. What a great mothers pay day. They don't need to be perfect, they just need to be gaining a testimony line upon line, precept upon precept, and everything will work itself out. I LOVE being their mom!!!

Helmets

Caden just blasted into the house on a dead run for the back yard. I asked him what he was doing and he said that he needed his snowboard as he darts out the door. When he came back in with it, I asked him what he was doing with a snowboard and he looks me right in the eye and gets this dumb look on his face (like I was asking a dumb question) and he says, "Mom! It's ok. I have my helmet!" I said so what are you doing then. He said, "Zooming down. But don't worry mom, I have my helmet too." said like I was so silly to even ask. Oh whew, you have your helmet. I won't worry about your teeth, arms, legs, or anything else. You have it all covered! Crazy boys. Any bets on when our first broken bone comes?

Cute Notes

Carson was especially bad at church today. When we got home we told him that he needed to sit on the couch and sit forward and fold his arms for 30 min. When he starts to spiral out of control, I have learned that we have to remove him from the situation, and start over. Well, it quickly was spinning out of control, as he started shouting things at Chet and I that were not going to fly! I calmly grabbed his hand and went to lead him to his room for some quiet time, and then start the time over. (This has been our new routine and it has worked WONDERS, especially on Caden! A few families that have kids that sit like angels taught us this) So, he just brought me a note. This is what is says, spelling and all.

frum carson,
sorry mom for
oll the trubul
I cosed today.

When I was finished reading it I looked at the door and there he stood smiling at me and then walked away, back to him room in the basement. I love my kids! They love us so much, and if I just take the time to dicipline them correctly (in my opinion, not yelling or spanking or any other harsh thing) then they respond so much better!!! What a wonderful turn of events.

So Proud

If there is anything that I know for sure, it is that Gillette is serious about their sports. The parents are hard core, the kids are taught amazing skills really young, and the town stands behind their athletes. It's kinda crazy, but kinda cool too. Small town feel with everything we need. Last night at Carter and Carson's soccer game, Carson was playing goal keeper. He loves this position, and I must admit, he is really good at it. Someone shot on him and he ran out and scooped it up and drop kicked it really quickly. He kicked it all the way to mid field (forgive me, I don't know all of the soccer language!) and the player that runs out from the group is Carter. He ran it all the way down the field and kicked an amazing goal. It is crazy to me that they can dribble the ball while running at full speed and then launch it in mid air through the net. I guess I thought at 7 they would still be running in circles (like Caden's league) and the ball would not leave the grass. Not the case, but I was so proud of them. Cars was excited because the coach told him the assist was as important as the score. So on the way home they asked if we would pay them for scoring or assisting, "because the assist is as important as the score!" Cars said. I told them sure. I would pay them $.50 for a save, assist, or score. They were instantly counting up how much I owed them. They are amazing! I now know why boys are so much better than girls at sports as well. Since my boys have been in kindergarden they have spent every recess playing something sports related. Football, soccer, tag, basketball; anything to just run and compete!!! It runs in their blood!!

Who Would Have Known

Today I was having a THRIVE party at my house. I hate having parties, at least the kind that someone is selling something. I hate it!!! I decided that I needed something for the kids to do while we listened, so I dug out all of the Halloween costumes. I buy them on clearance for $1-$2 after Halloween for future years. Well, they were all left out from the party when my boys got home, and they have not stopped since. It was like Christmas morning. They were flying through the bins looking for "their" costume and they have been playing swat and iron man and batman and everything else they could find. I would have never thought my boys would want to dress up. At least they are still playing "boy" games. Crazy!

Stations

So my boys have invented a mothers dream. They call the "game" stations. This is how it works. Each boy takes a station to do something that pampers mom. One boy will comb my hair, another will rub my feet with lotion, and another will rub my back. Chet thinks that I am aweful, because I love the game. Every time they want to play, I say SURE!!! The other night Carter and Carson were trying EVERYTHING to stay up later, so I told them I would make them a deal. If they wanted to rub my feet, then they could come in my room and talk to me and stay up later. When Chet arrived a few minutes later from putting Colby to bed, he was not impressed. I sit and talked to my boys, and it was good talking, for about 20 min while they rubbed my feet. I loved it, they loved it, and Chet should love it too. It saves him from having to do it. I do credit him for it though, because they have seen a great man do everything he can to make his woman happy. He has succeeded, and continues to everyday. I feel like the luckiest woman ever!!!! Great husband, great boys, and great husbands in the making...right?
As a side note: Tonight they wanted to clean the house instead of go to bed. I said sure why not. Before I knew it, the floor was mopped, and mopped really well at that! The kitchen was clean, the living room was clean, and everyone was happy, all by 8:00 pm. I love these little games!

New Words

Kids are always coming up with the funniest words to use, and then the way they use them is even funnier. Well, Cael's new words are honey and sweetheart. Cael loves to say the things we say, like calling all his brothers the "Parker boys". So lately he has been calling his brothers honey or sweetheart. Like for instance, he hit Caden in the face with a seat belt (the middle lap belt that is between them in the back seat. We didn't feel too bad for Caden because he taught him how by example!) and then when Caden is screaming at him and so mad he could break the hand that hit him, Cael in a really sweet voice says, "It's ok honey. Let me see it honey. I'll kiss it better." Then Caden goes crazy yelling at him to stop calling him honey, so Cael says, "It's ok honey. Calm down." It is the funniest thing we have seen in a long time. The boys HATE it when he calls them that, so he does it even more. He tells them all, "See ya sweetheart. Have a good day at school honey!" The boys hate it and I love it!!! He is so darn cute!!!

Cael's Chore

We were splitting up chores with the three older boys. We have six chores and they each have to pick two and then we negotiate until everyone ends with two chores. I think they then feel like they have ownership in them, and they picked them. It also helps them to learn to negotiate fairly. So, this is a process. Cael was in the room the whole time watching all this. He climbs up on Chet's lap on the bed and asks if he can have a chore. Chet tells him that his chore is to look cute. He then gives the cutest smile I have ever seen. Now when he asks what his chore is we tell him to look cute and he looks at us and smiles the same cute smile. So cute. We love our boys! Every day is something new! Something cuter! Something that reminds us why we love being parents (because sometimes we forget, or it's so loud we can't think long enough to remember)!

Flies!

Any time Chet is "running errands" the family tries to come with him. I like to be with him as much as possible when he is not at work, so even going to the dump becomes a family activity. Well, we load up into the car and go to the dump, pulling a trailor of junk behind us (this is about a quarterly activity, I am a trasher. I HATE holding onto things that we are not using on a regular basis. We are also ALWAYS doing some kind of project as well.) Well, we get to the dump and Chet and the boys all pile out. As Chet gets out he leaves his door open, and dumb me just sits there and doesn't get out and close it myself! After about 5 minutes of unloading, they all pile back in. As we are driving away I start getting mad at Chet for leaving the door open and letting all these flies in. Then, two flies land on the dash in front of me and I proceed to be mad at Chet and say, "Chet! Get these humping flies out of the car!" Carson then says, "Mom, what is humping?" Chet laughed so hard I thought he would pee his pants! I just sit there wondering how to answer that question, so the great mother I am that answers all my boys questions (NOT!) just says, "Carson, don't leave the door open at the dump." He says, "Ok, but what is humping?" I don't know how I got out of it, but I couldn't think of a good way to explain to my then 6 yr old what humping was. Oh the words we use, choose wisely my friends!

When Exactly Can I

Chet was out of town this weekend (in Minot, ND cleaning up flooded homes again. I so love that man and all that he does for everyone!) and Carter and Carson wanted to sleep with me. I told them that they could not start out in my bed, but if they woke up and all the lights were off and I was in bed, then they could climb into bed with me (they always have to sleep on the bed on the floor when Chet is home so this was BIG time!) Carson gets this puzzled look on his face and then says, "What if you are kneeling down beside your bed saying your prayers, but your body is leaning on your bed? Does that count as you being in bed?" What do you say to that? We have to know EXACTLY where the line is. That is Carson in every way. If he knows the line...and the consequence, he will way it out and see if the consequence is worth the risk of getting caught, because, "I only get into trouble if you catch me mom!" (As a side note, I have realized almost every post is about Carson. The kid is so animated and smart. He really will be a wonderful man someday if he uses all his natural abilities for good!) Second thought on this occurance. I was so happy that Carson knew that I would, at some point that night, be kneeling next to my bed saying prayers, no matter if Chet was there or not. I love to know that THEY know that about me! So happy for that!!!

Fun Ride

In the house that Chet built, we wanted a LARGE garage. So we made it about 1400 sq ft. Typically the wife keeps the house, and the man gets the garage for all of their treasures, at least in my family. Well, Chet likes LOTS of stuff in his, and I like NOTHING (I am the same way in the house, I hate clutter. It makes me anxious and crazy)! I HATE trying to get a kid out of his car seat while dodging all of Chet's treasures (we"ll call them that). So, on my two car stall, I had a fridge and mini deep freezer, and that was it! Well, it made a great place to play for the kids we learned really fast. I liked to keep it swept and fairly clean, so the boys used it like a playground. It was fabulous!!! One day I was in the kitchen doing dishes and I heard all the boys laughing. I went to the door to see what was going on, but I was having a hard time turning the handle. Someone was holding it. I rip it open to find one boy standing watch and holding the handle so I couldn't open it, one standing watching, and one boy almost to the very top of the garage "taking a ride" on the garage door. By this point he is too high to drop, but I am freaking out. What does he do??? He just drops and says, "What? That is a really fun ride!" No clue that he should NOT be able to drop like that.

Shoveling Snow

(Dec 2009)My boys have always been early risers. I have no idea where they come from though, WE.ARE.NOT early risers, Chet and I that is. So we trade off who gets to sleep in, and reluctantly drag ourselves out of bed every morning to get these growing boys some food. We had to tell them that if it is still dark outside, it is NOT time to get up. Lay back down! One morning I pop my eyes open because I think the garage door is opening. It is still dark outside, but the clock says 5:10 am. Sure enough, it was the garage. I jump out of bed and run to the door as the last boy is walking out the door. All four boys, even Cael (who is 14 mo at this time) with the help of his brothers, are dressed in their footie jammies, snow boots, coats, gloves, and hats out snoveling snow. (Carter & Cars would be almost 6 and Caden 4) Can you imagine being a neighbor and seeing this!!! hmmm... Which law do I turn the Parkers in for? Child labor, neglect, not fit to be parents, etc. I could not believe it. When I say that I have an alarm to keep my kids in...I am not kidding!!! At barely 0 degrees outside, that could have been really scary had I not heard the garage open!

Skinny Jeans

We just got a box full of school clothes. We are pulling everything out and trying on things. Carter is trying on his jeans and this is our conversation:
Carter: These are skinny jeans
Mom: NO they are not! Skinny jeans are for girls
Carson: Why don't you have any skinny jeans?
Carter: Because mom is fat. Skinny jeans are for skinny girls Carson.
Mom: Thanks Carter
Carter: your welcome mom (like he has no idea what he said. He really thought I was complimenting him!)

Soaking Wet

My boys are master manipulators, as any young kid would be. They are just too smart for their own good, but also so dumb it is funny. Chet always says that when there is silence, you know they're up to NO good. It's a funny thing kids do. Well, one day after I dropped the older boys off at school, I was busy cleaning the kitchen when Caden comes running up the stairs to his room. He comes out with a different top than the one he wore to bed. He quickly says he was too hot and wanted a short sleeve and was gone again. A little later I call him to the stairs to check on him, and he has no shirt on and is SOAKING WET. When I say wet, he looked like he had just stepped out of the shower and put on some pants. His hair was dripping and sweat was rolling down his chest. I asked him what happened, and he tells me that the basement is really hot (the basement in the middle of the winter, he really thinks we are that stupid!) Upon some investigation I learned that he was down playing the Wii, something he is not allowed to play in the middle of the week. I was shocked at how wet he was and asked what he was playing. After watching him play the Wii, ANY game on the Wii, it was crystal clear why he was wet. That is entertainment alone. He jumps and swings and jumps and jumps and laughs and grunts. It is hillarious. Chet and I love to watch him play. He is ALL over the room. As long as he plays that Wii, we will never have to worry about him and child obesity. We love our Cada-Babe!

Perception of Time

There are alot of things that kids say that you know they don't know what they are really talking about. Every kid does, right. I did, and do, because when you have not ever really been there before, you don't really know what you are talking about. Make any sense? Well, Carter made the comment to me that I do nothing but play on the computer all day. True, I do things on the computer. Check my e-mail, bank acct, update my blog when they do or say something, watch an episode of something once a week (because we don't have cable so I watch it online the next day), check facebook briefly, and other little things if I need. That totals I would say about one hour a day total that I am on the computer. So, I told Carter that he had to shadow me for the day and when I am "playing" on the computer, he could play. After about 2 hours of normal day stuff: laundry, sorting laundry, dishes, cleaning babies rooms, cleaning the living room up for the 10th time, folding, cleaning the bathroom, etc he said, "I am exhausted mom. I need to lay down. I cannot bend over and pick up one more thing. You are making me do everything." I just looked at him and said, "No, but you can now." He instantly starts saying, "No, no I take it back. I didn't mean that! You do way more than I can! I need to have a break, I take it back!" I smiled and asked him if he needed to take anything else back, and he smiled really big and said, "YES! You don't play on the computer all day! You have a really boring job!" I reminded him what the house looked like a few days earlier when I hadn't made it out of bed for 2 days because I was sick and had a bad back, and he said it looked like we threw a grenade at it (which was a funny word choice because I have never said that, I always say it looks like a bomb went off) I think it was a good learning moment. Even Chet said it's hard to imagine everything we both do all day. He was running like crazy from the time he got home from work trying to get things half normal. We really need both of us doing our part, as well as the kids doing theirs to make it all work! I am so thankful that I have Chet that does his part and more, so that I can do mine and have a HAPPY family in the end. I also think that I do have a boring job...if I let it be that way! If I work at not letting it be that way, I can have the best job in the whole world! Chet once reminded me that I chose this job, and it changed my perspective forever! I did choose to be a mom, and I don't feel one ounce bad for taking one hour on the computer while my baby sleeps! I think Carter is ok with it too!!!

Potty Training!

I HATE potty training. I hated it with a passion with my twins, (then Caden potty trained himself, that was amazing!) and I'm hating it with Cael. Had I not learned with Carter that if they are NOT ready, you cannot train them, I would be forcing Cael to right now. With Carter I went two months of washing out underwear everyday. I tried everything, but he was NOT interested. I would put him on the toilet for 10 min, and within 1 of getting off, he would poop his pants. Well, Cael is the same way. I made him run around naked for 2 days, so he didn't poop for 2 days. The second I put something on, boom! So today Cael comes up stairs and says, "Mom, I stink. My brothers won't let me play with them." I say then go on the potty and that won't be a problem!!! So, knowing that changing his butt is not going to be my priority while I'm fixing lunch and feeding Colby, he says, "My butt is burning! We have to change it now!" The little terd. Master manipulator! They are so smart at such a young age! Did I mention that I HATE potty training!

Wet Blanket

One day a while ago, I was in the laundry room doing laundry. I had a wet blanket draped over a bin. Carson comes through the room and steps on the blanket. He is instantly bugged and with all the drama he has (which is more than you can probably imagine, DRAMA king!) he says, "Who peed on this blanket???" I was bugged but also nervous, because you never know with them, and ask why he would think someone peed on it? He says, "Because the blanket it wet. (Talking to me like I'm an idiot that he is having to explain this me!) That means someone peed on it or spit on it! So which one is it?" I just shook my head and said get out of here! Only a boy, and probably mine at that, would think those were the only logical reasons for a blanket, in a laundry room, draped over something drying, to be wet. You never know what you're going to find with them...or smell!

Held Hostage

Carson comes in the door looking like he could literally tear someones head off, dripping wet. Half laughing, I say what happened to you. He didn't know if he wanted to cry or scream or just go crazy. Barely understandable because his teeth were clenched so tight, he says, "Carter soaked me!!!" Come to find out, Carson and Caden and Cael were all on the tramp. We have the net around it, so there is only one way to get out of it. Carter took the hose and was just squirting everyone, and there was nothing that they could do about it! Finally, Carson, with the hose being squirted in his face, jumps off the tramp to come for help. The funny thing is, we have been trying to get them to understand the difference between tattling (just to be a punk) and telling (if someone is hurt or doing something VERY wrong), and also working things out between themselves without violence. Also, if they get hurt doing something that was wrong, we ask them how bad they think we feel for them, in which they reply, "None at all!" If Carson would have beat the crap out of Carter, and I think he could have while the inner Hulk was out, I probably would have told Carter that he deserved it, the little punk. All I could do was laugh, and tell him to go get his swimsuit on then. He looks at me, all anger now gone... OK! And the water fight with all joy was on!

The Bathroom

I was just telling the boys that when school starts we will be getting back into a routine, and they will be responsible to do all their chores everyday. I said that they would have to do homework, snack, chores, and then they could go play. Carson said, "No!" (while lowering one eyebrow and all kinds of attitude) He said I will do: homework, snack, chores, bathroom, and then play. (so matter of fact now) I said because you have to poop everyday after school. He, as serious as ever, says "Yeah! I DO NOT poop in random (which I thought was a funny word for him to use here) toilets. Only in Nana's, Randi's, and my own...oh yeah and yours too." So funny, those are the only people's houses that he has ever had a sleepover at without me. I guess that's where he feels safe and in the mood to poop! Haha, love ya Randi and Nana (enough to poop there)!!!

Chicken

So tonight while I was preparing my chicken for dinner, Carson asks if he can help me. I NEVER say yes to that, so when I did tonight he was REALLY excited. He rushed to wash his hands, (without a reminder, I was proud of that!) and then grabbed a perry knife and his own cutting board. He sits down next to me and I tell him to cut off all the white. I had already cut off most of it, and was just leaving him VERY little to do himself...I wanted to have dinner cooked within a reasonable time. He starts cutting away and being very meticulous. Then he asks me if I was leaving the hardest part for him, because this was hard work. I told him no, look at what they start like, and I procede to turn the breast over and show him the red and white "chubbles" on it. He gets instantly disgusted and says, "what is that red (stressing ea word)!" I told him that's where they cut it from the chicken and I just like to make it cleaner. He gets this disgusted look on his face and says, "We are actually eating a chicken!?! This is from a real chicken!?!" I stop and look at him thinking he is kidding, and it becomes very clear he is not. We eat chicken for about half of our meals, for his entire life! I started laughing, and he tells me, "Don't laugh. That is disgusting. I cannot believe we are really eating a chicken." Oh my, I have alot to teach this week. Where does our food come from 101. I hope we can get them to eat next week. I might have just produced some vegetarians!!!

Caden's 6th Birthday Celebration

We do things a little different in our family. For Christmas, we very much drive home the fact to the boys that it is NOT their birthday. It is Jesus's birthday, and we do things that Jesus would want for his birthday. Santa brings one family gift and then mom and dad get one gift per boy and their siblings give them a gift(2 gifts total for ea boy). It was really hard the first year, we felt like total cheapskates! Now, three years later, we think it is a wonderful gift we have given them. They know the TRUE meaning of Christmas, EVERY year. Well...come their birthday, we spoil them rotten. They basically get ANYTHING they want.(Until they realize how much more is out there!) Caden couldn't think up anything that he wanted to do, but wanted water. We decided to take him to a water park in South Dakota. We left the babies with a sitter, and just the three older boys went. We drove the 2 hours east to Rapid City and asked Caden where he wanted to eat lunch. He said anywhere with ice cream. We took them to TGI Fridays. Caden ordered chicken strips and for a side wanted carrots with ranch and cucumbers (I told him he could ask for ANYTHING he wanted, the waitress was shocked that was what he picked) He was in Hog Heaven eating away and making deals with the boys so they could have some of his cucumbers. So cute! Then he got this huge ice cream sundae, which he ate all of. We took him to Toys R Us and let him pick one of his own presents out. He picked a suped up Nerf Gun. Then we headed to the water park where he ran and played and ran and played. (As a side note, my heart broke for the little kids that were overweight and couldn't climb the stairs to get to the slides. I watched kids climb on their hands and knees up them, and then stop short and take a smaller slide. So sad! What a disservice their parents have done!) Then when we were done he wanted some ice cream. We went to Cold Stone, and told him he could have the biggest size he wanted. He chose the large, of course, and told the girl he wanted as much as he could get. She had that bowl over flowing with strawberry ice cream, sprinkles, and gummy bears. He ate the WHOLE thing. Never complained a bit! He just said thank you a hundred times! We love our little sweetheart. We call him junk gut because he can put the ice cream down! He loves his ice cream. He told us this was his best birthday surprise yet! He is so greatful for us. He has no interest in hugging most others, but he would hug Chet and I all day if we let him. He has a heart the size of Texas and is the toughest little teddy bear ever. We couldn't imagine our lives without this little sweetheart!!! Now it is killing him waiting until next week when he gets to open his presents (we had to go over this weekend to miss the Sturgis Week in Rapid City) We're having a break the fast next week and having over all the families that can come from our ward, and throwing in a little cake and ice cream celebration for him. He is so proud to be turning 6, and to be entering Kindergarten soon! We love you Cada-Babe!!!

Mom, He Told Me Not To

A recent problem I am having is my boys pouring WAY too much cereal (they pour exactly how their dad does it, but Chet can eat it all!) in their bowl. It makes me so mad when I am pouring out bowls full of cereal. I figured up this morning, trying to make myself chill a little, how much money I was pouring out in cereal. At most it was $1.50, but then I decided it is not the cereal cost, but the whole idea. I just kind of snapped this morning on the idea of it all, and told Caden and Carson that they could eat everything in their bowl, or they could lay on their bed until dad came home for lunch. NO NEGOTIATION!!! I left the kitchen and was cleaning my bathroom up when Caden came in to talk to me. He looked at me dead serious and said, "Mom. There is a voice in my head talking and it is Jesus. He told me not to eat the cereal because it will hurt me because it is molded." Then he just got his puppy dog eyes and nodded up and down. I had to stand there for a little while to keep myself from laughing and just looked him right in the eye and said, "Go eat, or go to bed." He said, "Dangit!" and went back to the table. Little worm. The sad part is is that I probably would have let him off with that one if he hadn't thrown in the molded part. The things kids come up with...I am in so much trouble!!! How do you say no to things like that. That is creative!

Going to Church Alone

First, I have to start by saying how proud I am of Chet. He is an amazing father and husband. But even more than that, he is such a hard worker. We have been trying to conserve our few days of vacation left when he hears that Minot ND is in serious need of able men to help out with all the flooding problems. He didn't even hesitate to use 2 days vacation to go. We know that we are beyond blessed, and we know that it could all be gone tomorrow. So...he is in Minot today, leaving me all five boys to take to church alone. I was probably a little over confident, but I also knew this would be the hardest hour that he was gone. OH.MY.GOODNESS. Hard is not a strong enough word. If I were a cussing women, here is where there would be more than one naughty word to describe Sacrament Meeting today. Luckily someone behind me took Colby, but then they wanted a burp rag, a toy, anything to entertain him, a blanket...holy crap just give him back!( I was just glad all five were on the bench still!) Haha, I just wasn't prepared to fly solo. Chet and I always tag team this, so I was short a few supplies. We were there on time (8:58 am thank-you), two of the five had ties on, all five got breakfast (barely) and all five had their hair done! I don't see crap on their face anymore, so who knows if their face was clean! We invented new games. Flying Book of Mormons, hit and run Book of Mormon, Build yourself a head fort with hymn books, write each other hate notes on the announcements and several others that I have surely blocked out already!(Each one got to be played for about 1 second ea, followed by the look of death from me!) At one point I was short one boy, so before I can stop them, two go looking for him. Crazy! Pure Crazy! Afterwards I had alot of people telling me how cute my family is and how wonderful they are. I told one that she needed glasses, and the couple sitting behind me says, "You weren't sitting behind them!" I just smiled and thanked them for all their help! Oh how I love that my husband comes and gets to sit with me every week! Someday we will look back and miss this...NOT!!! Everyone keeps telling us that, but I think they are delusional. Needless to say, we played how do we sit in Sacrament Meeting when we got home, BEFORE they could eat lunch, pure torture for boys!!! Sit and fold your arms and face forward with your feet down for 30 min straight, or time starts over. We'll see how next week goes...with Chet thank goodness!

Fat

(Every once and a while I remember things from the past, and want to add them too). Once when I was cleaning out the basement, I came across alot if High School pics. My boys thought they were cool to look at, and they loved laughing at how Nana and Papa had changed. So I thought that was funny what a kick they were getting out of Papa's not gray hair. Well, then the tables turned. As we were sitting at dinner a little later, Carter says, "Mom? Remember how skinny you were in those pictures? (then he pokes my love handles, Cael is about 1 yr old at this time) Look at you now." Chet just looks at me like a deer in the headlights, and does everything he can not to bust out laughing. Then Carter says, "I don't like fat. I think that it looks disgusting on people." His father, who doesn't and never has had an ounce of fat on him just busts out laughing. He couldn't hold it any longer. Carter was dead serious. I start tickling him and saying that is baby fat so I could bring his butt into this world, and he was not buying it. Now, everytime he catches a glimpse of my fat, he'll say to his brothers, that's mom's baby fat. She had to have it for us, but she will get rid of it. The little turd!!! But it is so innocent and cute that I cannot be mad or hurt. Kids speak the truth! I just told him if he ever says anything to ANYONE else, he will sit in his bed for a week.

Beating the System

Anyone who doesn't like Gillette, hasn't ever lived here, or if they did, didn't REALLY experience it! This place is AMAZING. Chet and I LOVE(D) Casper, it was a great 6 1/2 yrs. But we love it here too. They have SOOOO much money that they make on all the energy (mostly coal) and they give it back to us! The library is amazing, the city grounds are beautiful, the school programs are wonderful, etc. You think if you move to a city half the size, you get half the city, right? No, we have everything but Sam's club and the mall (Bath & Body Works) here that we had there (that I used anyways) Well, my boys are going to FREE, you heard that right, FREE summer programs paid for by the city. These are not slum classes. Fun, fun things. Well, they attend a Gym 60 class, a PE class basically, everyday for 2 hours. Yesterday they came home with pedometers. Really nice ones! They told me that they have to bring back their favorite cereal label and their pedometers to see how many steps they took. Caden decides to run all over the house with his "thermometer" to get more steps. Carson had 3957 within about 2 1/2 hours just doing normal things (no wonder my kids are twigs, I myself try to get 10,000 a day!) Well last night I go down to give them hugs and kisses before bed and Carson is shaking his pedometer as fast as he can. I say what are you doing, and he tells me, "I just found out that everytime I shake it, it adds a step. So I am shaking it as fast as I can." I told him that was not right and he says, "I know, but it's cool!" That would be my Cars. Who cares if it's right, honest, correct, etc. If it's cool, he'll learn it and he'll do it. Gosh I love that boy!!! Carter will do well because he is just smart, flat out smart. Carson will succeed because he will never sit behind a desk and climb the ladder. He will go 100 miles an hour to make just what he needs to play, and then he'll flat out LIVE!!!

Growling

When Carson was 4 he started growling at me. It would instantly make my blood boil. I HATED it to say the least. Every time I would say something that he didn't like, he would growl at me. Well, after about three weeks of being furious at him for doing it, he did something that I did not like. I growled at him. Chet and I just look at each other and he starts shouting, it's you! You taught him that! It's you! We both started laughing. Now, before I get mad at him for doing something really annoying, I stop and look at myself first. He does SOOOOO many things that make my blood boil, and unfortunately, he learns most of it from me.

Wal-Mart

I have told Chet that when you get a certain number of kids, people can no longer count them with just a normal walk by. They have to bounce their head and move their eyes from boy to boy. It cracks me up to watch peoples reaction to my little crew. Needless to say, Wal-Mart is the worst! People feel it their mission or their need to tell you about the birds and the bees there. I think people are afraid that I might not be busy enough, that I need a reminder from them that I should be very busy. I get told about 5 times every trip that I should be very busy. I have been asked twice, by cashiers none the less, if all of my boys are from the same dad. I want to say, "Are you serious!!!" Besides they are all little clones, who asks that! But, to me it's just my life, and sometimes I need something at the store bad enough that I have to take all five. So I just smile and say that I love all my monkeys and yes, I am very busy!

Not a Nice Word

When Carter and Carson were about 3ish, Carter told Chet to shut up one day after he got home from work. I don't EVER say that word so I was immediately embarrassed hoping that Chet didn't think I had taught them. I get very sad and tell Carter that that is not a nice word. I then ask him if he has EVER heard me say that? (that's what we always say when they say something inappropriate) He just sits there and I say to Chet that I DO NOT use that ever, and Carson says nope (as he stands up on the chair for major affect) mom says, "ZIP IT!" as he runs his hand with fingers pinched across his body like zipping a zipper sideways. I never even realized until then I even said that with that motion. The things kids teach us about ourselves!

Grimlins

When I was young, we had grimlins. Those darn things used to always do things to get us kids in trouble. I always remember my mom saying, it must have been those grimlins. Well, they followed me!!! I now have grimlins in my house. I put some paint supplies in the bathroom so that I could paint it. Someone poured blue paint all over the sink. When I ask the boys who got in the paint and poured it into the sink, they all in unison say, "it wasn't me!" They say it so much in fact, Cael told me the other day, "It wasn't me mom. I am really sure! You are being so unfair." He doesn't even know what all that means. He is just repeating. I said it must have been those grimlins, and Caden gets instantly scared and says, "What are grimlins? Are they in our house? How did they get here?" He was so scared of whatever grimlins were that poured the paint into the sink!

Are You Kidding Me!

You know how as parents you have this idea in your head about how things are going to be. You make a plan and invision it unfolding that way. Well...I did not EVER imagine having to have "the talk" with my SEVEN YEAR OLDS! The twins were born via c-section, so I used the easy way out. I told them that they were cut out of my belly. They were happy with that. Well, a couple of months ago they came home from primary and informed me that babies can come out another way, in which they tried to discuss in primary but their teacher (a male) said they needed to talk to us (he's the last bishop of the ward, SUPER awesome!) Somehow the boys forgot about it the minute their bellies took over, and as boys do, would rather eat than anything. However, there has been a constant stream of questions since. Finally, yesterday in Costco as I was buying feminine products, it came to a head. Carter would not be brushed off with generic answers anymore and demanded to know everything! So, we had the whole baby and girl part boy part lesson. I told Chet to prepare, because he gets the condom talk! I know it's coming soon! There should be some clause that says if you don't have any girls, you shouldn't have to have the talk, your husband should. I am just glad they want to talk to me, so I won't complain! Being a mother...wow!!!

The Hardest Things in Life

There are two things that are DRIVING ME CRAZY lately. It's not like they are new, or anything different from our normal lives, but lately they are just killing me! 1) Leaving the doors open (I think because then Cael could escape and I wouldn't hear the alarm announce that a door had opened) 2) Not flushing toilets (I am sick of smelling pee and having a pee ring every day because they are too lazy to flush) Well, I have been harping on the boys for about a month now pretty hard about these things. I have found out that Carter is the worst one, AT BOTH! I just got mad at him for leaving the door open and this is what he says to me, "What mom! Those two things are like the hardest things in life. Every body has things they are bad at." I couldn't help but laugh. Oh how I wish those were even CLOSE to the hardest things in life!!!

How Does He Do That???

Chet and I constantly marvel at the things Carson can convince his brothers to do. It is amazing! He is SUCH a good leader. Everything he does his brothers will follow. Now we just have to work on leadership for good, not naughty things. The latest...they are his race dogs, and he is the rider, on a blanket, behind them. For two days now, every time Carson wants, he gets them to wrap a jump rope around their waists and take off running around the kitchen and around the table. He pull on the "reigns" and tells them faster, in which they run harder and faster, until they just drop. Carter is so strong that Carson is flying around the kitchen having a total ball for serval minutes at a time, and has any other boy had a turn???? NO! Just Carson, and there are no complaints either. Caden and Carter haven't even asked for a ride. So Crazy!!! Good for Cars for using his imagination for his good; hopefully he always does and makes himself very successful for it!!!

Gold Teeth

It is a constant battle to keep everything done. Always...everyday...I miss many things that could be done better. I try so hard to make sure the things of "eternal importance" are the top priority: reading scriptures every night even though sitting and trying to feel the spirit when I am just DONE for the day with the boys, still do it. Saying prayers even though two seconds earlier I was so mad at the boys for kicking each other in the "quadee". Those kind of things. Sadly to say, I have given each boy a tooth brush and tell them to brush in the shower, which Chet and I both do every morning, but I don't follow up every day to make sure they have actually brushed. At times I catch a glimpse of some disgusting teeth. I told Carson to get his butt in the bathroom and brush those snaggles, and he smiles at me and says, "I am not brushing anymore." I tell him that is obvious and he says that he is not going to ever brush again because he wants gold teeth. I just stop and look at him thinking that is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. I have had many conversations with him about it and he just doesn't understand that is not how it works, and he will not always want gold teeth. He doesn't care, so the battle wages on. Everyday it's a fight to prevent gold teeth, very much against his will!

Carson Sick

Last night Carson got sick. He spent the night in the bed on the floor that has become a permanent fixture lately, for "sick" kids, nightmares, scratchy throat, and anything else they come up with in the middle of the night. Today he got up at 7:30 am, which told me that he was still sick. Very sick. The kid has an inner alarm clock that beeps sometime in the 6's every morning, and he doesn't know where the snooze button is! He then asked if he could stay home from his activities today as he crawled into bed with me while I was feeding Colby and snuggled. That was another BIG sign he was sick. He never wants to "snuggle" anymore, and he never wants to skip activities. I have decided that he is a good sick kid. Some of my other kids wine like crazy and pout and wine and pout some more. Carson turns into this ultimate softy. He loves to just rest. He never gets attitude, just politely asks me for whatever he needs. He smiles and talks kindly to his brothers, which is hard to come by lately. I just sit and watched him while he was napping thinking, I have got to be the luckiest woman on planet earth. Sometimes they are so hard to control I don't know what to do but cry. Sometimes I think I am raising complete disrespectful monkeys, and then a day like today comes. I see the true goodness in him, and true love he has for me, and this thankless job we call motherhood becomes all worth it!!!

Getting a Bug

Today I pick Caden up from a "PE Class" that the boys are attending this summer. He is really excited to see me and jumps up on the running board and says hello with a big smile. Then he jumps off the running board and starts smacking the car with his hand. I say Caden what are you doing? He looks down at his hand and says with a big Caden smile, "I got ya bug!"(He was beating the crap out of a bug on the Yukon!) Oh my, where's the line between cute and respecting things? I know that we are WAY over the line!

The Mother of Boys

You know that you are the mother of all boys...in everyway, when you see them doing something very wrong, yet you watch to see how it turns out. I was busy cleaning when I hear Carter and Caden whispering. You know that is never a good thing so I secretly watch them. They are hooking up to their snowboard...at the top of the stairs. Caden takes off, and you hear nothing for a while, and then the biggest laugh he can produce followed by, "You have got to try that!!!" Carter sees me at that moment and gets the mask of fear followed by, "what?". I just smiled and said, "be careful." Awwww, boys will be boys!

Colby's New Trick

Colby has been a tough little baby. He cried constantly, and ALWAYS wanted to be held. In the last three weeks or so this total personality has emerged! We are loving our smiley little boy. He has always loved to have him bumb changed, which we thought was odd, but he would go from screaming his head off to smiling in 2 seconds. His newest trick is to pee the instant you take off his diaper! (This has been the third time in a row that I have changed him this has happened) I lay him down in his crib to change his bumb and clothes before his morning nap. He just smiles real big at me and I smile back talking all cute to him as I get ready to change him. The second I take off the diaper pee goes flying! He then busts out laughing. I don't know if it was my reaction (jump and a little yelp!) or what he did but he sure thought it was funny. Besides the fact that I had to change his bedding for naptime, I must admit it was/is pretty funny. It's just funny to watch his reaction too! I love being a mom!!! Who would have ever thought being peed on would make you say that. Motherhood...a strange but wonderful experience that changes everything about who you are and want to be. I love it!

Counting

When Chet and I want to get the boys attention, or want them to do something, we count. For some odd reason, when we start counting backwards, starting at 5, they come running, even if they don't know why we are counting. (I know it won't last forever, but we are loving it for now.) Today while I was at a check up for Colby, Cael was standing at the large fish tank in the waiting room. I hear him saying, "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" while he was counting the fish! We have our 2 yr old thinking that is how we count. Oh they are cute!

The Power of Music

So I love to listen to music. I listen for the majority of the day. It just seems to move things along faster and happier. Some of the boys enjoy this, and some don't. While driving in the car, I was listening to my favorite music station, mostly hip hop kind of music...anything you can dance to basically. The boys were all in the back being loud and fighting with each other and driving me CRAZY! I couldn't take it any longer, so I turned on my "spiritual" music to try to help me stay calm and rational. To my surprise, all of my boys attitudes changed as well. The car just got quieter, and calmer, and more spiritual for lack of a better word. It was amazing. I couldn't believe it. The music we listen to really does have an effect on the way we think and act. On Sunday morning I turn on our Mormon Tabernacle Choir music, and it just brings a better spirit to our home. I love it!!! The church is good. They always teach us the truth, it's just a matter of if we listen/apply the things we learn.

He IS Listening

Yesterday we had a special church meeting. We had the president to the seventy come to speak to us, so it was a 2 hour meeting just like stake conference. We felt as if we were playing musical chairs, everyone want the same pencil at once, annoy your brother if at all possible, get right in Colby's face until you get a reaction from him, and any other game they could think up that was loud and disruptive to everyone around us. As we knelt down for prayers last night, I asked the boys if they could tell me anything that was talked about in the meeting today. To my great surprise they started rattling off things. Caden could tell me 2 of the 3 three things talked about from a talk (the 3 things that will keep us safe/guarded from Satans grasp) and Carson retold in detail a story told by the Stake Relief Society Pres. about getting stuck in a cabin and having to live for 4 days and walking to safety where they were picked up by their home teachers. It brought instant tears to my eyes! When we think that our kids aren't listening to a word we or anyone else is saying, we are wrong. They are little sponges, taking in EVERYTHING we put them around. I am so proud of them, and love to see their little testimonies growing everyday. I pray every night that I can teach them what they need to know before they hit that magical age of 8. Although I know its impossible to do, I still work my very hardest at it everyday of our lives, and hope that I have taught them enough.

Snapshot in Time

I thought I would document the seperate personalities of each of my boys at this given time. They all seem to have their own personalities, but they are also forever changing.

Carter - My little caregiver. He loves to take care of me. He loves to do what he thinks his dad would do (which I love because he couldn't have a better example of what a Man/Gentleman should be.) We were leaving town to attend my dearest friends funeral and I was kinda scatterbrained. As I would pack a bag I would take it to the livingroom. He wanted to help me pack them in the car, but I knew the back was full. I said what the heck sure. You have to clean out the back and put everything in. About 10 min later he was there saying what next. I just started rattling everything off that I needed. When I was all ready to leave we climbed in the car and drove off. About 30 min outside of town I remembered I hadn't even checked the back. EVERYTHING was there! He didn't forget one thing. He takes great pride in his work. He wants to be the BEST. His chores are done exactly as I would do it. His handwriting is wonderful, and he likes for me to recognize his efforts. He loves to take care of his younger brothers. I think him and Colby will have a special relationship. He takes extra care with him and enjoys making him happy as well. Carter is very observant. He watches everything, listens to everything, and analyzes everything. He loves math. He is healthly; he told us the other day he hates how his body feels when he eats junk. He is very worried about how he looks and smells all the time. He is very interested in money: how to make it, save it, invest it, spend it, he wants to know everything about our family finances. We love him!

Carson - Carson throws all caution to the wind. He loves adventure and adrenaline. Anything that has wheels or a motor, he LOVES. He would ride his bike all day long if he had a buddy to ride with. He loves to be outside, no matter the temperature. He knows the art to crashing. He never gets hurt, but crashes all the time. He loves to jump and push his limits. I kept telling him I would teach him to ride his bike later(barely 4) so he taught himself in our backyard, on the grass, and has never stopped!) He pushes the limits of EVERYTHING! He NEVER stops talking. I mean NEVER! Chet always laughs and says that I cannot get mad at him for talking. He will never stop talking, but will still know everything that everyone else has said too. Deadly combination. Carson is a natural athlete, but gets bored with it easily. He LOVES music. Almost every song that he has ever heard he can sing. The minute he hears the first couple notes he can sing the song. He stays on tune and loves to listen to music. He is very motivated by catchy music. He will walk around with his IPOD in his pocket and listen while he does chores. He says he hates everything I cook when we are dishing, but then tastes it and eats almost everything. He is very proud to be like Papa, whom he is named after. He loves to eat the fat I pick off everything (Chet says its not fat, but good meat, I disagree), LOVES raddishes (and loves to eat them with Papa even more), loves steak and sausage. Hates ice cream and frech fries (what! I know) He is my best kid when he good, and the worst when he is bad. Carson is never in the middle. He rarely turns in his homework...until the teacher made it mandatory for recess access. Then he never forgot! Carson is VERY interested in girls and picks some hotties! He knows the cute ones already. Go big or go home!!!

Caden - My little teddy bear. He is the most tenderhearted kid I know, but he is also the toughest kid I know. He tests a pediatricians knowledge. We once had three peds at one time looking at something he was doing in complete awe, none knowing what was wrong, and Caden was oblivious that he was walking like he was impaired. So weird! He is the only boy at this point that has had stitches, twice. He almost bit his tongue off and had to have it surgically fixed. He has had two sets of tubes. He talks like he is an adult, with all the emotion he can muster. I always tell them that something they are wearing is inappropriate for "public". He always wants to wear his snow boots everywhere. We were getting ready to go to Pizza Hut and I was putting on my boots (high heal boots, not snow boots like his) and he says, "mom, those shoes are not appropriate. You need to change." He "eats" the weirdest things. When he is nervous he chews on things. Some things he has eaten like a little beaver: drum sticks, clothes pin, headphones, pencils, etc. He talks like we are a mile apart. He has no sound control!!! His whisper is louder than most peoples normal voice. He is a very creative kid. School is all about social time and social time and social time and oh yeah art! He is VERY intelligent, but he doesn't care about learning, unless you are in a group talking about it! Great athlete! Very aggressive but very kind hearted too. Great combination!!! He uses his BIG BEAUTIFUL BLUE eyes to his every advantage! He kisses me on the cheek and tells me he loves me about 6-8 times a day. Love it!

Cael - My "little ham". He is so cute!!! He has always been ALL boy. He will dig in the dirt, play with trucks, play with balls, and LOVES to be read to. When he is tired, he tells me he wants to hold me or grabs my hand and asks to go to bed. When he goes into nursery, he waves over his shoulder without turning around. He has never been jealous of Colby, and loves to "help" with him, which is amazingly helpful. He is very gentle and kind to him. I just have to watch what he "feeds" him. He always wants to share his snack with him. Everytime you walk in the door, no matter how long you have been gone, he gets really excited and says in a high voice, "Hi MOM!" like you are his favorite person in the world. Every morning I wake to him 2 inches from my face saying I slept in my own bed. Come cook breakfast. So cute! He loves applesauce, french toast sticks, waffles, yogurt and crackers. He could get full on these alone if I let him. He wants them ALL day long. He is loving a kind and very personable. He walks off ALL the time. He has no fear so he just walks down the road. Four times he has wandered off. Some were very scary situations and he never shed a tear! He is very loving all the time!

Colby - By far my worst baby! He cries all the time if you are not holding him. But when you are holding him, he is the cutest thing EVER! He loves to give kisses and smile and laugh. He eats like crazy!!! He is on Soy milk. He hasnt said his first word yet, but we work daily on mom. He just smiles at me like I am crazy when I try to get him to say it. He is so fun and loving! He has many expressions and uses them all the time. He is starting to recognize when dad gets home and is starting to join in the excitement with the boys. He kicks and squeals really loud. We love it! We love him to pieces!!!

Mission Fears

While riding in the car Caden randomly asks how long a mission is. I tell him 2 years. He asks if that is from August-September and I say no, from 19 yrs old to 21 yrs old. He slowly starts shaking his head and his eyes well up with tears. He is in deep thought and finally says, "Can we have sleepovers with you and dad on my mission?" I tell him no and after some deep thought he says "I am not going on my mission (shaking his head no the whole time). I am not leaving my family for 2 years. If you and dad will come have some sleepovers every week, then maybe I will...no, I'm not going on my mission. I can't leave you for that long!" He was doing everything he could to hold back the tears. Sweet boy! I told him when he was 19 he would feel differently. He loves his family so much. He would always rather be with his family than friends! I love him to pieces.

Sarah

One of the most amazing people I have ever known passed away this month. We have been very good friends for about 4 yrs now. She died of cancer. She was/is amazing, and I learned so much from her. I hope my boys are old enough to remember her, and the wonderful feelings you always got when you were around her. Since we were together so much I have some great memories of the boys with her. I want to document just a few

Once we were driving in the car and Carter said that I was a good mom. I said yeah the best ever! He said, no not the best. I was like what the heck. Who is better than me. He says Sarah. I smiled in the mirror at him and said why is Sarah better than me? He said, "because she has really good food everytime we go over (she was the BEST cook I have ever known) and she is really nice and she has fun toys." I said, "ok, I'll have to take 2nd place to that." He just shook his head. It was so cute!

Right before Sarah found out she had cancer, she had a hip replacement and was down for a while. She has 6 kids and was needing some help. I had 4 boys 5 and younger still at home. I wanted to go help was unsure how much help I could really be for her. So, I made her dinner and loaded the kids up and thought, as long as they are good, I will stay and clean, when they are making more messes then I am cleaning, we will leave. As we are pulling out of the driveway I stopped and asked Carter to say a prayer that we will be good and helpful to Sarah. He says sure and starts, "Heavenly Father, please help Sarah to get better really fast so that my mom can stop making her dinner and cleaning her house so she can make our dinner and clean our house. Please help us to be good." We laughed and laughed about that. Carter has this "thing" that he has to have a clean house. He is a GREAT little helper, and will do anything to help things to be clean and tidy. A wonderful triat his wife will no doubt love and appreciate!

When Cael (her favorite of my kids) started getting to the age that he was pretending to talk on the phone he would walk around her house with phone up to ear all the time. She would say who are you talking to, and he would say, "Sarah". She would laugh and say you can't be talking to me I am right here, but he would just walk away talking a million miles a minute and fake laughing. I think he saw me "more than once" (ok about 5 times a day) talking to Sarah and laughing. When she would babysit him he would get some match box cars and sit on her top stair and play the entire time. He knew where to get them from and where to return them. Soo cute!

Every Priesthood Conference Session, we would do dinner together. We would get together and do waffles. Although, just waffles was not Sarah style. She would make this huge feast that we would all love! Fun times!!!

I could go on forever about all the great times that we had together. I am forever a better person because of her. My testimony is forever stronger. It will be a great day in heaven when I get to see her and hug her again! Thank you Sarah for making my life THAT much better!!!