John Deere

The kids are always doing who knows what! I try really hard to keep a handle on everything that everyone is doing, but the boys have freedom to mostly just "be" in the house. And the boys know way more than me about all electronics. The other day I get on my facebook homepage to see what things I have "liked" because I have seen almost all my friends like this same sight and I think it's facebook doing it, not them. Like they've been hacked. Anyway, I only had about 3-4 likes. And one of them was John Deere. Nice! My paycheck comes from Caterpillar. And the fact that I only had a few likes made it even worse! I also liked Mario Bros so I hope it was obvious it wasn't me. I just had to shake my head! No huge deal, but I've gotta watch these guys closer. They all got Ipod Touches for Christmas, and it's made me paranoid!!! They can get into so much trouble so fast. Caden bought something that cost me $21.19 within about 5 minutes of having them (stupid coins on a game!). Luckily I happened to get onto my bank acct and see it so I could shut all that stuff down before anymore damage was done. I'm so not ready for teenagers!

Driving

Today we made a day trip to Casper. First one since we about got killed on the ice rink. It was not good weather. But this time, we went slow. Real slow. I wouldn't have minded even slower, but I trust Chet to be a wise driver. But, the 2 hour drive became a 3 hour drive. We did, however, have some good conversations with the boys. These are some that I can remember.
1 - Carson informed Chet and I that we kiss too much. He said that we kiss when we leave, kiss when dad gets home, and kiss, kiss, kiss about 500 times per day. He says that it's gross. I said that I love dad soooooo much, and asked the boys if they knew that. Carson says, yeah, I know because you always kiss him.
2 - We were telling the boys on the way home that we were sick of them trying to hurt each other more than they were just hurt. I told them a story about a man in the ward that very much disagrees with Chet's style of handling the young men, and that he talks bad about Chet to the bishop and stake president. I told them that Dad doesn't get mad and talk bad about him, but is nice and invites him to everything possible to try to be friends with him, and I told the boys that all their lives they would have people be mean and hurtful, but we needed to be nice to them. Carson says, but it is fun being mean to each other. I told them that all their lives they would try to be convinced by their friends that certain things were fun, but that didn't make it right. They wanted examples so I was trying to give them examples. Caden says, well it's fun to bully people, but that doesn't mean it's right. Then he says, "you lose things when you are mean. Like the spirit." After not saying much for the next while, he speaks up and says, "I have just made a decision. I am going to go on a mission." (He has been telling us for a long while now that he will be going to college instead. This was a huge thing for him.) Then he says, I feel the spirit a lot today. I think that is the first time I have ever heard him say that. I loved it!
3 - Carter asked if you get to choose the college you go to. I said, sure you do. He said that he would go to a Wyoming college because they are cheaper with scholarships. I said that was true. I then told him that when he gets home from his mission, he might want to spend a little more money and go to a Utah school because there are a lot of cute Mormon girls there. He says, "Yeah, I think that I will. I want to marry a cute Mormon girl. But where will I live?" I told them about apartments in Utah. I told him that they could rent an apartment with friends or just sign up to share with someone and split the $1000 rent, so he would pay $250 for his room. He says while never taking his eyes off the ipod, "OUCH! That is a lot of money!" Chet and I started laughing and Chet says that Carter will share his room with 4 boys to save money, and Carter says, "Yeah. I will share with as many as I can to pay less than that!" My little money boy!
4 - Carson tells us that he quit GATE. That is the gifted program here (maybe it's called that everywhere?) He didn't test into it because he doesn't care about tests. He just answers A on everything to get done faster. When school started the teacher quickly saw he needed to be pushed more, so she was sending him. (Carter LOVES gate, and lives for it!) He says that the teacher pushes you way too much, and it was not fun. "She wants me to try really hard all the time, and I hated it!" That would be my Cars. Love him to pieces. Not my over achiever, that's for sure. If it's for a benefit he can see, he'll outwork anyone. But just because... no way!
SO many more things I am sure that I have already forgotten. We were sure laughing a lot in the front listening to them just kinda talk. I love to hear their thinking sometimes. They really do think about things. Some days I feel like it is one big no thinking day. They just go hog wild without a single rational thought. But that's not true! I love my boys!

Background Knowledge

Chet and I were standing in the kitchen talking about an issue with one of the boys. I was telling him some things that have happened in the last week. Chet then tells Carter to turn around and eat his lunch. I look over and Carter is cranking himself to be able to hear what we are talking about. Chet told him to worry about himself, and Carter says, "What? I am getting background knowledge, so that later when you are talking about something else, I will know what you are talking about." What!!! That kid! Our little parrot. We call him that but he doesn't understand why. We have to be soooooooo careful, because he listens to everything we say with his supersonic hearing, and then repeats it at the most opportune time! Gotta love it!

Witch Doctor

Chet calls me the witch doctor. For my birthday, my mom gave me a bunch of doterra oils. I don't know what I think of them yet. I think that they can be helpful. But that they are these AMAZING heal allers, no. I have been using them whenever I see a chance. My kids have been sick since Thanksgiving. Yep, that means I am almost in a depression! Sick kids for almost a month. I have had at least one sick kid almost every day. We have missed so much school. First the flu, and now headaches and sore throats with really high fevers and coughs. So at this point I will try just about anything, and really believe that it is going to work, I need something to hold onto. So this morning as I was applying peppermint to Cael's forehead; he was shaking his head at me, and I could just hear his thoughts. "Mom, you are crazy. You put these stinky things on my forehead that make my eyes water and I hate this!" I pulled out the onguard, and then he had had enough! He looks me right in the eyes, with those sad little sick eyes, and says very slow and calm, but stern, "I don't need those. Stop putting them on me! That is enough!" I just kissed him and hugged him, all the while rubbing oil he didn't know I had on my finger on the back of his neck. Chet has next week off, and I couldn't be happier about it. We can all just hermit in the house and get better. Dr Mario wars, here we come!!!

Carson's Money

Yesterday was payday for the boys. They were gone on Thanksgiving week so they had a smaller check. Carson has been having a really hard time saving his money, and when he wants something, like money in Billings, I tell him no. So, I asked him if I could save his money, and I wrote him a "promisary" note. It said, "I owe you $15.00. Let's think REALLY hard before we spend any of it. Mom." He made me sign it with my signature, my name. (Luckily it has always been mandatory that he save 40%, so at least he has some money saved. But they are not allowed to touch it.) So about 10 minutes later he leaves with Chet to scouts. Chet ran to the store after for something, and Cars comes in with new sunglasses. He was so proud of them and how he looked. He told me that I need to pay dad $11 from his money. Chet knew nothing of our "note".  I looked at Chet bugged, and he just laughed. I asked Cars what the heck! He said, "Mom! I will save from now on!" And he won't. He better marry well. He wants to be a teacher or cop, so won't be making much if that's what he does. His wife better know how to manage money or they will be in FAT trouble. But hopefully we can teach him before then. We shall see...

Personalities

I walked into Carson's room for something right after church, and this is what I see. Church clothes everywhere. I turned around and got my phone, took the picture and walked straight downstairs to Carter's room (next picture please)

 

 

 This is what I see in Carters. I knew that it would be this way. If anyone thinks that twins are the same because they are twins, you are WRONG!!! Mine could barely be more different. Love them both like crazy, but for very different reasons.

Then these were Cael's. He is more Cars for sure. Carter gets his own room because he was sick of cleaning up after his brothers. Caden was sick this day, but had he went to church, you wouldn't get a picture of his. They just disappear, not to be found for weeks. We are ALWAYS struggling to find him church clothes!!! True artist, no dicipline! Free as the wind!

 

 

I am very curious to see if this is how they are as adults. I wonder how much they change as they age. Are these traits that they will always have? Only time will tell!

Caden's Talents

Caden was sick on Sunday so I stayed home with him. When Chet was trying to leave with the others, Colby comes running in with his church pants yelling, "church clothes! church clothes!" so Chet took him too. That left it just Cade-A-Babe and I here! It was a fun day. Being Sunday, I really felt ok just hanging out in our PJs snuggling. We talked, and talked , and talked. It is a lot different for the boys when they get us ALL to themselves. We talked about several things, and Caden told me it was the best day of his life. They are so fickle like that. Every day is the best or worst day of his life. Then, when I thought he had ran out of things to say, he tells me that he has 2 talents. I asked him what they were, and he says, "1- I am really good at art (and that is true. He is good at everything creative.) and 2- I am really cool!" I made a crazy face and said, "Who told you that?" (Chet and I don't ever play to his "coolness" because we don't want his head to blow up. We compliment his art and other "real" things, but we never tell him how cool and popular he is, and we don't allow him to talk about it either. Nothing more annoying than someone who thinks they are cool!) He says to me, "I do. My head tells me that. I can make friends everywhere I go." and he just continues playing like what he said was completely normal and I just kept on playing too like he hadn't said anything. He makes me laugh. "I tell myself how cool I am." He is too funny!

Scary

Tonight Chet and I needed to make a quick run to Casper. Chet has been REALLY busy, so I didn't want to sit home alone another night so we decided to all go. The kids threw a fit, so we called a sitter and decided to go together as a little date. Before leaving, Cael told us seriously about 10 times to not go off the road. He has never said that to us before. He is our little angel. Sometimes I think that he talks face to face with Heavenly Father. He tells me things that he should not know. Things that he has no idea what he is talking about, and says them like they make perfect sense. And to me they usually do. But he shouldn't even know the words or things he's saying. Tonight he was ADDAMET (I have no idea how to spell that word, but cannot think of another one that I can spell) that we not go off the road! The roads were perfectly clear. We flew down at 80 mph, talking just as fast. Our sitter has a 11:00 pm curfew, so we were hurrying to get out of town. We were making really good time at about 75-80 on Hwy 50. The roads started looking snow blown a little so we slowed to 55, when the truck went crazy! After fishtailing about 10 times, we finally went off. Chet did a great job, but he just couldn't get us stopped. We just kept going faster and faster, spinning harder and harder until we finally just went around and off the road. Chet did some peeling out and finally got us up on the road. He had to get out to put us in 4 wheel drive. He could barely stand. STRAIGHT ice! Then it happened! Another truck came up over the hill. I started yelling for Chet to get in the truck. He could barely walk and was doing all he could. A few cuss words later he was in and we braced ourselves for the hit. His headlights were coming straight for us, and he was doing the same thing we had just done. It was SUPER scary. It was slow motion all happening. It was a big truck! Last minute, he swerved, which he continued to do for as long as we could see him, unable to stop either. We peeled out, and peeled out, and peeled out. We were stuck in the middle of a complete ice rink, where everyone that hit it was going to spin out. Then a semi comes over the hill! I started screaming, watching him come straight to us. I had no doubt in my mind that he was going to hit us, head on! I just kept saying he's going to head on, Chet he's going to head on. I saw my beautiful little boys faces in my mind and pleaded that they would not be without parents. I was crying and was pretty worked up. Chet was calm and very rational. I was not. It too seemed like slow motion. I swear I said 100 words in that short time. The truck went by us with no close call. I knew that this was what Cael meant, and that we were going to die. I had a million things rush through my head about the way I want my kids raised. It was scary to think that they would not have us. I have never thought that I was going to die like I did tonight. Many other cars slid all over. We drove VERY slow the last 25 miles and made it home safe. Chet followed the sitter home on perfectly clear Gillette roads to make sure she was ok on curfew if she got pulled over. Have you ever heard a high school girl that has gotten pregnant, and they say to the phrase, "what were you thinking?" that they didn't think it could happen to them? Chet and I never check the weather. We just go and think that we will adjust our speed to the circumstances. I think after tonight, that will not be the case any more!!! More than my heart can handle!!! I kissed my kids a little more tonight, never so thankful to still be their mom here on earth!!! Thank you Heavenly Father for allowing us to stay and raise these beautiful little boys!!!

Flashback

Do you ever see your kids doing something that you did as a kid, and you seriously just smile and laugh inside. The other night I had moved the couches out of the way because I needed to make room for 24 adults to eat in my house. The kids thought all the extra room was so awesome. This soon followed! Brought back memories, only we used this little wheel thing. I don't even know what it is, or where something like it came from. It was truely a wheel barrow then!!!

My phone doesn't take great pictures when there is motion. These pictures are hard to see, but I took about 20 and these are the best ones. I finally made them stop and look at me, so I could get one half decent one, and then Colby and Cael wouldn't stop moving. O'well, you get the picture! They were all just laughing. No stopping, except to yell switch and then the pair would both start laughing hysterically again. Way too fun. Gotta love neighbors and brothers!

Billings

The morning after our Christmas Party, we planned to hit the temple for December. It was not a very well thought out plan, as our kids were up until 11 at the Lee's house during the party. Everyone came home crying, but we got them to bed & got breakfast out for the next morning. We had told Baylee that she could come along if she wanted. So Chet and I were worried. This was going to go really bad or really good! We started at Charity's bball game. She did great and has improved so much since a few weeks ago. We are proud of her!!! Then we headed to Texas Roadhouse. It's become a tradition. We go there every time we go to Billings. When Baylee asked what we do in Billings, my boys said go to the temple and Texas Roadhouse. Memories! I love it! Cars is just too cool. He let Baylee wear his hat.

 

Then Chet and I switched off going to the temple. We love how small a world it is. We always run into people from the stake and from Casper. It is fun to see people there, in such a happy place!

While I was in the temple, Chet took the kids to Cold Stone. They love that place!

While Chet was in the temple, I took this kids, 2 weekends from Christmas in a major city, to Ross to find some jeans for Cael. Um... 6 kids 9 and younger in Ross, where you could barely walk 5 feet before having to wait to walk through a group of people. You should have seen the looks I was getting though! Even just one more made it pretty crazy!!!

 

The travels there and back were really good. Chet and I were talking in the front seat about how wonderful the kids had been, especially considering that they only had 7.5 hours sleep. A few minutes later Baylee asked if Colby was always this loud in the car. I said that it must be pretty different from when they travel. She said that she sleeps and her brother (7) plays his IPad. Nice! I cannot imagine traveling that way. I said that he had been really good, and she was shocked. A little bit of a difference with 5 boys 8 and younger, vs 1 boy 1 girl 9 and 7. Haha, but she was a champ. We had a great time!!! 

Christmas Party 2012

 

 

So Chet and I had our "2nd Annual Christmas Party" on Friday. Last year was ugly sweater, so this year was best t-shirt.

These were the finalists. All 24 people here voted on paper.

 

 

 

This is Clint, one of Chet's best friends. He serves in the Young Mens with Chet and took this on a campout. Nice!

 

 

Chet WON!!! Although, Clints was super funny!!! He wanted it to look like Chet's pants were around his ankles. Too funny! We thought Chet's was great too!

 

We played some fun games, ate super yummy food, had a white elephant exchange, and socialized. It was tons of fun. We grew from 20 to 24 this year. We cannot keep growing, or we will not have room.

 

This was everyone with a t-shirt on.

We love our friends. We really feel so blessed!!!

 

 Amy & Michael Himes

 

Erin & Clint Lee

These were our friends we dressed up with for Halloween!

Mark & Heather Chapman

(This was the gift Chet gave. Clint does NOT drink caffeine but

Chet took this picture of him drinking a Dew on a campout at the top of the

 huge peak theyclimbed for High Adventure. Chet always brings his blue cup to

Clints house full of Mtn Dew and they call it his "contraban cup"

(spelling might be shakey here!) So he gave the picture and the note

says we all know you are all closet Dew drinkers, so heres you a cup too!

Ryan & Stephanie Fuller

Stephaine brought me these as a hostess gift. Isn't that beautiful!!!

Nate & Robbie McLeland

Afton & Dave Porter

Angi & Tony Klamm

Clint gave this Mtn Dew gift. He put a note that said now Chet can drink

his Dew at church too. Obviously this is a theme. I asked Chet how he liked

being the butt of all jokes. He just laughs. It was HILLARIOUS though! Best white elephant!

 Mary & Mark Anderson

Look at this mans face, because he will be something amazing some day.

The most Christ like person I have ever met. He is AMAZING!!!

 



Carolyn & Stuart Matthews

This gift says, "Present not included" I thought that was super cute!

Brain and Carene Weinand

 

Rachel & Ian Scott

The sign says, "Fresh Frozen Road Kill, Rudolph?"

The Weinands raise their own beef and filled a little cooler

with beef. How awesome is that!!!

 

Chet & I. We truely are happy!

My kids saw this bag on the counter. I heard Carson

say to his brothers, "Mom and Dad had wine at their party, look!"

I was out of bed like a lightning bolt. I went right in to explain that

it was grape juice, and pointed out the non-alcoholic!

I think he took a huge sigh of relief. I was very hurt by it though.

I asked him if he thought I would drink wine, and he said no

but saw it and thought it was. Fixed that one quick!

 

We had a great time! We will be having the "Best Hat Contest" next year!!! So fun!

 

Working Hard

This morning in family prayers, I prayed that Chet would work hard and be worth his pay and be an asset to Wyoming Machinery. When we were done with prayers, Cars immediatly says, "But don't work too hard that we have to move!" Chet just looked, like what!?! Cars just says, "Don't work so hard that we have to move. I want to stay here." Ok. Not exactly what I thought. We might have to teach Cars a little more about being a good employee! Glad that he likes here so much though!

Unbelievable

I ate lunch with the boys yesterday. They had dentist appts (and all but Cael was GOOD! Best visit ever!) so we went and got Subway and went to the school (that's what the boys wanted to do) Caden was so mad that he had to sit with the 3rd graders. He said he didn't want to eat with us, but wanted to be with his buddies. Buddies, buddies, buddies. That's all I heard for the next 10 min as he complained. 3rd graders came in first so he was sitting with us waiting for his class to come in. When they got there, he starts wrapping up his sandwich in record time, grabs a drink from the "community/family" drink and takes off. As he gets to the table, 5 boys have already sat down. He hits the closest boy on the shoulder and everyone erupts in joy that he is there. Someone throws him the basketball. He so cooly and GQ ey slides his sandwich to the other side of the table and does his signature Caden walk (half strut, half who knows what) to the other side, all while throwing the basketball from hand to hand like he is one cool cat! He is instantly swarmed with people fighting to sit by him. He sits down and starts talking like he is king of the world, and everyone hangs on every word. I just shake my head in... confusion. I told Chet that he is cool. He is way cooler than a 1st grader should be. He just knows what is cool to do. The way he slid his sandwich, walked, played with the basketball, all of it. He is a very loud animated person, so he tells these outrageous stories with lots of personality. Problem is... he knows he's cool. We have to keep his heart the size of Texas, and not his head. He told me today that Zaine was crying yesterday at school because, "He likes me so much, and I just can't go to his party (because we are having a party tonight so he is going to another friends to be watched) and that made him sad." I don't know if that's true or not, but what the heck!!! Really!

Giving Tree

Yesterday I went to lunch at the school. When I got there I noticed that they had a giving tree. I told each boy to grab an ornament. All the things that had been returned were there below the 3 threes. Most things were like sample size. I thought that was sad. If someone needs laundry detergent, they need a lot. So I go to Walmart and buy my huge can of formula and 2 of the largest laundry detergents I can find. I did, however, buy the cheapest big things I could find. This morning when the boys were getting them ready to take them in, Carter was bugged. He told me that this was NOT the formula that I fed my babies (parents choice instead of similac), so why was it ok for the people that didn't have enough money to buy their own. I was instantly bugged at him. Cars and Caden said, "yeah, this isn't what we use. Why didn't you buy the good stuff. They want to smell good too." I was getting mad at them and told them that we did a good thing, and Jesus would be happy for his present, that we are giving to others. As they all unloaded from the car (which I know looks funny. The teachers on arrival duty always look at us funny as about 6 kids come piling out of my car. They just keep coming!) I was feeling a little embarrassed. I don't know if they are right or not? I love the way the kids make me think outside of myself. Would I have still done 4 ornaments (Cael too), or done fewer, or just spend the money and buy the "good" stuff for everyone. Instantly my judgements of the other things brought in small sizes were slapping me in the face. Is something better than nothing? When you have been so blessed, do you just freely give, and buy the "good" stuff? Do you burst with pride that your boys are worried about others "smelling good" too. They thought that the items were really dumb yesterday. I explained to them that they never have to ask for food to eat, or laundry detergent, or snow gloves for their birthday or Christmas. They just have those things without thinking. They wanted to buy toys for someone. After explaining, they were really happy that we were buying those things. Or, do I need to give them a lesson on money??? It's so hard sometimes to know what's the "right thing". I think it is good to give. And as long as we give... I hope that's enough. Next time I think that I will buy the exact things I would buy for us. Love my boys and their giving hearts! Cars donated more money than he paid in tithing last year. I love that!!! If they are respectful and giving (still working on the respectful part) then I think the odds are in their favor to be amazing men and husbands and fathers. I love them!!!

Colby Turns 2

 

I know that's it totally lame that these are all the pictures I got. Chet says it sucks being number 5 born in December! We didn't wrap any of his presents because I thought it would confuse him as to why he cannot open the ones under the tree. He had no idea what was going on. We didn't even do a cake, just some really good ice cream, that he LOVES! We took him to Walmart and let him pick out his own presents. The boys were funny trying to convince him he wanted what they wanted. He would pull something off the shelf, sit it on the ground, make some truck sounds, and either put it in the cart, or back on the shelf. After the things he had there, he was done. He just wanted to play with what he had. Cheapest bday ever, and he was HAPPY as a clam!!! Most everything was a dollar. The big truck was the only thing that wasn't. Colby is all boy, and loves to play with trucks. He makes all the sounds. He loves to have a trailer behind his truck. He will ask me 20 times a day to attach his trailer to his truck. They don't always go together, so we have gotten bread tie creative a few times. Colby loves "nacks" and asks for them all day. He will bring me a bag and go open the pantry door. He understands almost everything that I tell him. He has gotten very snuggly as of late. He is a HELLION on wheels. He cannot get bored, or I pay the price. I have to watch him like a hawk. He is a good shopper though. As long as he has a snack, he will shop for 3-4 hours with no complaints. I forgot to buckle his bottom buckle, and he LOST IT, screaming "Buckee" as I backed out of the garage. He wants TERRIBLY to sit in Caels seat. He tries everytime he is let loose in the car. He LOVES gum, and will sniff it out ANYWHERE. He talks REALLY well for his age. He loves nursery, and waves bye while he runs to sit at the table to start. If we talk after sacrament, he will pull on us to take him. He wants to play with the boys all the time. He will run to me yelling, "socks and shoes mom!" over and over when the boys are going outside. He loves Baylee, the neighbor! When he sees her, he starts waving and saying, "Hi Bayee, hi Bayee, hi Bayee" over and over again until she notices him. He loves to laugh. And be kissed. And to wrestle. And he LOOOOOOOOOOVES his DAD! Dad is the ultimate HERO in his eyes. We love him with all our hearts. He has been SOOOOOOOO hard, and he is such a ripper, but I love him even the more for it!!! When he sleeps he likes to feel your breathe on his face. I will read to him for naps and then we roll into each other and smash our faces together, and he dozes off moments later. He is my patience builder. I love him more than words can say!!!

Dr Mario

The day after we drove home from Utah we were EXHAUSTED! We are usually pretty good about fellowshipping and doing good (service, meetings, scout books, lessons, cooking goodies for a family, etc) on Sunday, but today we were just lounging! Dr Mario has been my favorite game forever. The boys asked why we get to play my favorite game on Sunday (maybe once a month or less!), but never any other game. Hypocrit? Probably! It is just a great family game. Cael and Colby were watching Mormon Messages (is that what they are called???) with Chet while the rest of us were also laying in our bed, playing Dr Mario. I never thought we would want a king bed, but this is why we have one. The best times we have are when we are all just talking or laying on the bed. We don't get as many snuggles from the older boys as we used to, so it's nice when they like to snuggle up with you! Sometimes a little family down time is just what the Dr ordered (hehe)!!!

 

(my flash worked in one pic and not the other. It was the same room, same day, same time.)

Tired of Waiting

Cael was sitting right here by me as I blogged one day when Colby was napping (the only time I can blog, while he's sleeping! I pay too big a price if I do while he's awake!) He was really mad at me because he wanted me to do something. I kept telling him to hold on two seconds. Soon he stopped whining! He was DEAD asleep. I picked him up and transferred him to his bed and he never woke. Kids are so funny sometimes!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2012 was awesome. Taylor was playing his season opener in Vernal Tues before the holiday, so we asked Steph if she would host Thanksgiving. Chet worked his way down the state so we took a few days to get there. It was incredibly hard and so fun!!! Cart and Caden with the star! He is soooo tall. It was fun to see Chad and Cara and watch him play!

 

 

 

 

 

This is Chet telling the boys how it was going to be in the restaurant. We always make them sit and listen to "the rules" before we go to a public event. They do really well considering. We do get lots of compliments on how well they do. Chet and I actually get to sit and talk now. This was my birthday dinner we were heading to (I was spoiled rotten this year! Chet bought me the cutest, hottest bright pink North Face ski coat, my mom got me a TON of oils, my dad gave me a gun, Randi gave me some earrings. I haven't had presents like that since way before becoming an adult!)

Pies that Stephanie made. I was sooooo impressed. They ended up tasting horrible because the pie filling was bad, but they looked real good. (I hate pie so I didn't even taste them!)

 

 

 

It seemed like there were A LOT more people than this. I think that we counted 34? Plus 2 babies.

Then we went to a baptism for Madison, Chad and Caras 4th of 5. She is a DOLL. And taking after mom and dad. She dwarfs our kids. She'll be tall!

 

Then we drove home in 9 hours, record time. We left town at 3 and pulled in right at midnight! It was a great time! We loved being at Stephanies. We loved going to the city. Fun times!

Sunday

(Long but worth the read!) So I posted a little blog Sunday morning, I think to put my energy elsewhere so that Carter could survive (from the ceiling fan incident). That day was the day from HELL! Let me tell ya about it. Early that morning Chet and I woke up to running water. Colby is now in a bed so we have to really listen for when he is up. I jump out of bed and run to the bathroom. He is sitting on the counter, sink plugged, water running watching water flow all over the counter and onto the floor. I turned off the water and yelled for Chet. After about 15 WET towels were pulled out from under the sink, and 4 drawers emptied of water, we cleaned up the water and started the day. Then Carter was yap, yap, yapping all morning. Chet left. Carter fought with everyone and everything. Then the ceiling fan incident. Then I finally get ready. Chet text me and tells me that he needs sacrament bread. I tell Carter to get everything in the car. He takes my church bag and bread and phone and puts it in the car. Then comes in for Colby. As he goes back out, Cael has locked himself in the yukon. He looks at us and smiles while we attempt for about 10 min to get him to unlock the doors. The boys were bringing out candy and trying to bribe. He holds up a bag with a cookie and says he already has candy. I pound on the window. Yell at him (all the while I am sure my neighbors are thinking, wow, she NEEDS to go to church. Clock ticking (luckily we head there early every week so we had this time to spare). I have sacrament bread, I am speaking, my phone and spare key is in the car. Cael is searching through my purse and eating gum that he finds. 12 min until church starts. I finally break down and start to cry, something my kids RARELY see. I hold up my hand and start to count down from 5. Cael mimicks me and when I get to "0", which I have never done in the 200+ times I've done it, he just says it with me and then just half smiles, like whacha gonna do? I tell the boys to close the garage and get inside so it's dark on him. He says, "I have the door opener" with TONS of attitude as he points to the opener on my visor! We shuffle inside and close the door to the house and garage. I am TOTALLY panicking, not having a clue what to do! I cannot even call to warn Chet that he needs to get some other bread. Caden is crying and pacing frantically asking how we are going to get to church on time (I love that they don't even know how to react if we are late. They dont EVER walk in late, we are usually 15-20 min early!) He says, "We need to say a prayer!" Me, so mad that I don't even feel worthy to pray, says then go! Caden says an amazing prayer. We all say Amen... and wait. I tell them to be quiet. We all sit in the laundry room and wait some more. About 2 min later the door opens and there stands Cael. What do you do with the kid? You are now about 8 min until church starts, with the bread, and you need to be on the stand. I was not nice to Cael, he got the message that I was BEYOND mad at him. I am supposed to have the spirit, thinking about "joy in the present" that I am getting ready to speak on. Closest I have ever been to being abusive. Now I am sure the neighbors are thinking I am not worthy to go to church as I freak out yelling at him while his feet are 12 inches off the floor nailed against the wall by my forearms as my hands are wrapped up in his nice pressed church shirt. All the boys eyes are big as saucers. Colby is now crying, probably scared of his own mom. I drop him and tell him to get into the car. He obeys better than ever. We get to church, I drop the kids at the bench and tell Chet he is going to LOVE the way I start my talk today. Chet was asked to be in the circle for a baby blessing, leaving my 5 boys on the bench alone (the "helper" that I arranged for Chet slept through church that day, leaving him alone with them all). Telling that story was a good way to then say, "So how can we have JOY in the present when this is your life?!" It was probably the best talk of my life. I think everyone just liked it because they were all laughing and dying at the same time. Some really sassy young women told me that they would have never come out of that car if that was them, all while laughing so hard they can barely speak. They would have been scared of me (I have a good relationship with both the girls). Cael had the worst punishment of his life, and hopefully that will never happen again. Spare key no longer in the car. Rest of the day/week was great, really! The end! (Oh, except Cael is now a celebrity. Everywhere he went people were asking if it was him that locked the doors. He stood up in front of Primary and told them why he did it.)

Crib

 

Taking down the crib, FINALLY!!! I hope this never goes back up until my grandkids are sleeping in it!!! Happy day, happy day!

3X

Since the day Colby was born, he has always stunk!!! He smells like sweat ALL.THE.TIME!!! I have put lotion on him, used a million different baby shampoos (well all the kinds they make anyways) and finally I pulled out the big guns. I bought him this. The boys were always wanting to use my shower for 3X. I had no idea what that meant. Finally, after about 3 weeks, I learned this was why. The boys like to use "3X", because then they smell hot. Too funny! Now Colby always smells yummy!!!

 

Hero Night

For the boys program at school, they were supposed to dress up as their hero. Carter is the church side of Chet, and Cars wanted to be the baseball cap and casual side of Chet. It was cute that that was what they wanted to be. Cars is too cool for school!!!

 

 

Melt a Mammas Heart

Last night when I went into check on the boys after all was quiet, this is what I saw. It made my heart sing. At the egde of his night stand is a stack of books, that he had read to Colby before they crashed. Cars is SUCH a good brother to the babies. I sure love all that he does to help. They love him!!!

Mad Skills

The boys were playing Tony Hawk Downhill Jam after school today. Caden has a loud problem. I think that the neighbors probably always know what he is doing. He yells EVERYTHING. So I came into the room and told him that he was done playing because he was being WAY too loud (I gave him several warnings). So I stood and watched Carter play, something I rarely do. When he was done with the race I told him that he was really good. Caden tells me, "I have mad skills. If you would let me play I will show you my mad skills!" He was so serious. Where does he come up with this stuff. He thinks he is so cool!

Touching It

Today I am talking in church. My subject is "Finding Joy in the Present" I think that you are given subjects sometimes because you need a good reminder. You need to remember or study certain things. Since I have found out that I would be talking on this, life has been more than frustrating. The latest... as I am in my bathroom getting ready, Carter is arguing with me about anything and everything. He has been in his room, and has already made the run of fear as Chet chased him to his room for speaking to me innappropriatly. As soon as Chet left for his meetings, Carter starts yapping again. I told him to sit on my bed and not touch anyone. Next thing I know he is hitting the pulls for my light and ceiling fan. I told him to stop touching those as I see my fan swaying from side to side. While looking in my mirror, I can see him getting ready to hit the pull again, this time with his book. I turned around and yelled that he better not touch it again. He looked and me and said, "Mom! I am not physically touching it. My book is. You just said not to touch it!" and was looking at me like he really should be ok. It took every bit of restraint I have. Chet swears that our boys will be lawyers some day. They twist words until they don't even mean close to the same thing. And I think that they fully believe what they are saying. Needless to say, Carter will pay for his little punk attitude. And I will continue to try with EVERYTHING in me to have the spirit of "finding joy in the present!"

You showed Me

Colby has been sick for the last few days. When babies are sick, and other kids are throwing up, Moms get way behind. I have A LOT to do today, leaving Colby unattented for too long of periods. First thing this morning he pulled everything out of the "baking" cupboard. He climbed a chair to get on the countertops and emptied the flour, sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, nuts, salt, syrup from the cupboard. Somehow, amazingly, barely any of it spilled. That was a great blessing, because that could have been a disaster!!! Well, as I was scrubbing the boys bathroom, with my hazmat suit on (not really but I could make a pretty good case that I need one EVERY.SINGLE.WEEK!) Colby was left unattented for about 30 min. Bad idea! Chet has a "church drawer" of sorts. Scriptures, his blessing, ensign, etc. That drawer was emptied and EVERYWHERE! Then the little turkey found some VERY hid sharpies. He had to have thought he hit jackpot when he found them, because he should have never been able to. Well, he made his body his paper. And my bed spread his holding place for the used, but not capped, markers. I was so mad at him that I yelled at him and shook my finger in his face and told him that he knows thats not allowed. I snatched him up and took him to his bed. After I got everything cleaned up I went in to talk to him, where he was crying still. As I sat down on his bed, he closed his eyes so that "I couldn't see him and therefore he doesn't have to talk to me". (Aren't 2 year olds funny like that. If they can't see you, you can't see them, haha) I started talking to him calmer now, and he would open his eyes only to hurry and close them again. Soon, the eyes weren't opening anymore. The turkey fell asleep. Boy he sure showed me by not talking to me. Now I have to run and finish all the other things during his 2 hour nap. I love that kid to the ends of the earth and back, but boy how he tests me! I learn way more patience and love through him than any of the other boys. He is a turkey!!!

Kisses for Colby

Colby has been struggling lately. We took down the crib, and he might not be getting enough sleep. I know that I am not since we took it down. He has been really whiny. Then, I hurt my back and couldn't pick him up at all. Then he wanted nothing to do with me, only dad. He likes me if dad is not around, but the second Chet is home, he is attached to him. Last night Chet told him that he would be gone for 4 days, and Colby started crying. He seems too young to understand, but we thought it was sweet. Anyways, so today when the boys got home from school and my attention was no longer on him, he pulled me over to a chair and wanted me to sit and hold him. I did and gave him lots of kisses. I was wispering in his ear that I love him and that he was very special. Then the boys started talking to me and I got distracted and was interacting with them. Colby looks at me, pulls my face to his, and says, "No. Kiss." and put his cheek right there for me to kiss. So I started kissing him and he was just moving his face for me to kiss him everywhere. I love when my boys just tell me exactly what they want. I kissed him like crazy, something more fun was going on, he jumped down and was off.

Bullying

I don't intend for my blog to be a "dirty laundry" center, but a reality of being a mom to five crazy boys. I want to remember the good, bad, and ugly. I got a call from the school to let me know that my son was in trouble for bullying a boy and would be missing a recess. My first thought is not writable, but my second thought was, a RECESS! Every day teenagers are killing themselves because they are being teased, and all he is missing is a RECESS! I informed the lady that he will be missing a whole lot more at home. My boy was hitting this boy in the face with a football T, while his "popular" friends stood behind him and laughed. I have always thought and said that about 90% of bullying can be prevented if the parents were a little more aware. Make sure their clothes fit. Make sure their hair is done, and they look like someone cares about them. Teach them to match and wash themselves. Well, if he had been bullying for any of these reasons, I still would have come down on him like a mad hornet, but oh no. The kid is a little socially behind. He always looks good, always well groomed, well behaved, and is just a little behind. And... this is the second time. The first time we talked to him, we told him (my son) that we knew he (the other boy) was a little annoying, but he WAS going to treat him with respect. He didn't have to be his "friend", but he would stick up for him whenever he was being bullied at school, and he would never again treat him like that. We made cookies and took them to him and apologized. We thought we had taken care of it. 5 months later, here we are. Last night we went on a double with some good friends, and doubled on babysitting. My kids love when the Lees come over like this, and he sat in his room alone. Today he missed Charity playing basketball in Gillette, as he sat home in his bed. Chet is shooting with the other two boys, and he sits in bed. Tomorrow we will be going with about 10 families for a "Break the Fast" for fast Sunday, and he will sit in the car or corner, depending on the weather. We are carrying on without him, and it is sooooo hard for him to sit in his room alone. None of my boys are used to EVER being alone. They sleep with a brother, and are almost ALWAYS with a brother. He is even eating in his room. I told him that Monday he would be going to school in the most hideous clothes I could find. He will be wearing clothes that are too small, with holes and that do not match. He will not get to do his hair. He was crying hysterical saying that he would not get out of the car. Oh but he is. He will see just how it feels to be made fun of (Something that I honestly don't think he knows. I don't know that he has EVER been disliked or teased by anyone). To know how it feels to be sad or scared to go to school because you don't know how someone is going to treat you. He will remember this, and be scared for what will happened if I EVER get another call that he is bullying, ANYONE!!! As a mother I have always thought about what I would do if my kid was bullied. And when one was after school, I waited for the bully the next day and told him that he better not ever touch my son again. I have read about what to do and how to talk to your kids when they get bullied. Never did I ever think that it would be my son. A little teasing, or taunting, sure! A little boy being boy, no problem. But I will NEVER be ok with them acting like that to any other human being. So sad. So sad. Luckily the boy wasn't too upset about it, and the mother wasn't at all upset about it, at least that's what she said to me. He has wanted to even come to the house and play since. Our son has so much potential and social power to be AMAZING, and I hope that we can teach and show by example how to do that. How to build people around you, even the ones that aren't like you. He told me today that he thought that we were being bullies to him. I had to explain to him that we are, and we have not spanked, or hit him in the face (like he had done to the other boy), and that he should remember how bad that feels. Hopefully it sinks in. Chet and I are pretty relaxed and easy going about alot of things, but we will never be ok with PUNKS!!! I pray that my boys are not mindless punks. Oh how I love them, and how my heart hurts when they do something like this. Hopefully we have fully taken care of it this time!

And the Winner is...

Round number one of today goes to Colby! He is down right kicking my butt today. I cannot keep up with this little tasmania! He is bored. And that is a really bad thing. He has been doted on all his life by his brothers. So with them at school, and Cael busy watching a movie, that he has tried to watch several times but only last about 2 min ea time, he is desperately trying to find something to do. While folding clothes he came in and yanked all the towels to the floor and ran. This kid doesn't care about being spanked, yelled at, put in time out, or any other form of punishment. He just fake cries and looks at you with a mad face, and then goes at it again. Next, he came into the kitchen where I was mopping and flopped on the floor right in front of me and started fake crying. When that and several others attempts to entertain himself did not work, he turned his attention to Cael. I think that Aunt Randi taught the boys about his next trick. He came and jumped on Cael's shoulders (who was sitting on my bed watching a movie) and grabbed his ears and fell back onto his back and yelled motorcycle and started making reving sounds. Cael, at the mercy of a ear steering motorcycle maniac, started screaming. I couldn't help but laugh, which actually made Cael laugh (I don't know how, it looked pretty painful) which in turn made Colby laugh. Colby is yanking his ears everywhere, and we are all laughing. Mother of the year I tell you! Next, my little crazy decides to watch with Cael. I go and do some laundry and clean his room, to come back into my room to see him eating chocolate frosting with his hands out of the tub from the fridge. Luckily it was on Chet's side (hehehe), so mine doesn't look like someone pooped everywhere. I was so mad that I was not being gentle wiping him down. I told him that I was so mad at him, and without him even taking his eyes off the TV the entire time says, "uh... WHY?" all whiny. That only took about 30 min of scrub time to get the comforter somewhat clean. And now.... he has been in the kitchen while I have been writing this. I better run and see what my next task is... until then, I start round 2!!!

Ha

The Parkers have a problem. We cannot keep a disc from scratching. This is caused because Mom and Dad do not watch the kids with DVDs and we have not been consistent with them when they do touch them. It just is not a battle we have ever picked. So... when we are on a trip and they want to watch a movie, it's a little rough. Cars was really frustrated because we would get them going and then they would start skipping, and we would have to start all over with another disc. Cars, very frustrated, hands Chet a disc and says, "Just ha it!" Chet was like what the heck are you talking about? Cars repeats it to him again, this time with more emphasis on ha. I started to laugh because he was talking like we should know what he wanted and Chet and I were confused, to say the least. Finally, even more frustrated, he pretends to be "ha-ing" hot air from his mouth onto the disc to clean off fingerprints (which is the problem 90% of the time) We got a pretty good laugh out of it. "Could you please clean off the fingerprints?" would have worked pretty good too. Instead, we ha it off!

It's Just Logical

Cars was sitting in my bathroom watching me get ready. He was talking about how the kids at school think Justin Beiber is gay. I asked him if he knew what that meant and he said yes, when two boys or two girls love each other. I asked him if he thought that was right? He said, "No! If two boys got married, they could never have a baby. If two girls got married they might could have one, but they would not be good parents. The one would just scream all the time and the other would probably just cry all the time. They wouldn't be good for each other." He just shrugged his shoulders, like, "There ya go folks. There's the facts!" Oh my, gotta love how he views girls. He does think that we are crazy... emotionally. He always talks about how girls cry instead of just say what they want (Luckily Chet taught me a LONG time ago that if I just tell him what I want instead of cry he would almost ALWAYS do it. It's been fabulous!) I love to see the logic in kids. Most of the time, they are more right than not! Chet and I do balance each other out. I'm more emotional and irrational, and Chet is more factual and black and white. I think we do a good job together!!!

Jesus Want Me For A Sunbeam

I really couldn't tell you what Cael will seem to gravitate towards for a career. He is probably my most liked boy as a whole. He is very personable and happy. He smiles at everyone and will talk to strangers at WalMart. He talks to all of our cashiers and tells them all about life. (I have no idea where he gets this from... hehe!) Every time he sees you, even if you have only been gone for 30 min, he gets really excited and says, "MOM!!!" in a high voice and runs to you and gives the biggest hug ever. (Chet rec'vs this EVERY day when he gets home for lunch and home from work.) Everyone at church, the play area, the neighborhood, LOVES him. He is a very special boy!!! He tells me things that makes me believe that he is in "close contact" with Heaven. (Oh my, when he says his prayers every time he starts out with "Heavenly Father, we have some things to say", which I have come to believe is misinterupted from his brothers saying, "We thank thee for this day." It is SOOOO funny!) Cael has been really good to entertain himself too. For a while I had to keep him within arms distance, but I think we have moved past that stage. So yesterday he was on the back porch playing. The next thing I know, he is singing at the top of his lungs, "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam!" Then he was performing too, putting his hand out to help express himself as he held the note. He knew every word to the song, and kept repeating it. It was cute! I love his innocense! He says what he loves most about me is that I love him to lots of pieces (I always tell him I love you to pieces) I do love that boy to pieces! Since turning 4 he has become KING BRAT, but I tell him, "What happened to happy Cael? I sure do miss him." And then he will smile and say, "I am right here. Sorry!" It usually lasts about 5 minutes. Love him, love him, love him!

Village Inn

Saturday mornings are my favorite. Chet and I used to switch off who got to sleep in. Now, we both usually do until about 8. By then, the boys have been in a hundred times asking what's for breakfast, can we ride the four wheeler, when can we play with friends, are we going anywhere, etc. This Saturday, we ended up with all 5 boys in bed with us, moving a hundred times a minute, all jockeying for a warm spot next to one of us. It made me smile! Then, I remembered Chet's boss telling us the night before about a great place for breakfast. We have never taken the boys out for breakfast unless we were out of town. The place was a business that allowed smoking, so we passed on it, but I asked Chet if we should Village. He said, "Sure!" I jumped out of bed and told the boys to all get dressed. There was immediate excitement. They all wanted to know what we were doing. I told them we were going to take them to a village. Caden thought that meant the rec center. He thought that was my code. Carson thought we were going to Casper. Carter thought we were going site seeing to some old desserted village. It was funny to hear them, and made me excited (I LOOOOOVE experiences, and this was going to be a new one!) We all got loaded up and headed there. I asked each boy what there favorite thing was about Mom, Dad, and that we have done as a family. It is so telling when you listen to them. They really just love the things that take time. Love spelled T.I.M.E. Carter loved most about Chet that he comes down to help him say personal prayers every night. All the amazing things he does and is, and that was what Carter loved most. I love it!!! We all went, ordered what we wanted, had a super grouchy waitress (about 60 and not impressed with my cuties!), had everyone in the restaurant stare at us for at least a minute (trying to figure out if they were all ours I am sure!), and I enjoyed every minute of it. The boys were FANTASTIC! No spills. No breakdowns. No fighting. Just laughing and talking and joy! Pure joy!!! I love my family! I love that Chet is willing to make memories! It's not easy work, but worth every minute and penny!

Deodorant

Chet has early morning meetings every Sunday. It seems to be the highlight of the week for the boy that gets to go with Dad that week. He takes one boy every week, and it rotates. This Sunday was Carson's turn. On Saturday night he had all of his church clothes out, they have to be able to get themselves ready to go with him. He came into our room and made sure that the Kindle was plugged in so that it would be ready for the next day. He was excited it was his week. When Chet got out of the shower Sunday morning, he yells from the bathroom to see if I had seen his deodorant. It dawned on me that I had seen it the night before in the boys bathroom. Chet yells for Carson, who is in his bathroom fresh out of the shower. He asks him where his deodorant is. Cars replies, "I have it. Hold on." Chet tells him to get his butt in there with it, and Carson, totally bugged informs Chet that he is not done yet and will return it when he is. I was laughing so hard. Chet was just looking at me like, you have got to be kidding me!!! Carson walks into the room and hands Chet his deodorant about 30 seconds later and tells him that he cannot find his, and turns and walks out. Chet was a little shocked I think, just standing there wondering if that just happened. I was laughing so hard, Chet didn't know what to do. He finally just looked at me and smiled and walked back into the bathroom and closed the door. Hey, at least they are clean and care, more than he can say for some of his young men. Nothing is really his own. The father of five boys! It has been known a time or two that his tooth brush was used by a boy or two. They act like it is no big deal, since they just can't find theirs. (I am really laughing out loud writing this. Just imagining Chet's face, and imagining the boys just taking everything like it's common property. Chet usually doesn't know until much later when they inform us like it's nothing that they used it a couple times last week. Too funny!) I love my husband and his relaxed personality! Who is ok with that! I would be a crazy women, freaking out at them! Maybe they use mine, but know I would lose it at them, so they don't tell me... ooooo, no longer laughing out loud! Gross!!!!

Live Through It

Today while walking out of the gym, Cael runs right in front of two ladies to push the handicap button and automatically open the doors. (Sorry Chet, I know you would hate that I let him do it, but he LOVES it!) I was a little embarrassed that he cut them off but then he put out his hand like he had just served them something and ushered them through the doors. It was quite cute. He was proud. I love to see his excitement for little things, especially if he is helping someone. These women were probably high 30s, young 40s. They looked good. Not like they had 5% body fat, but I would have taken either body. One said to the other, "Do you remember those days?" while chuckling. The friend says, "Yeah! I never thought I would live through it. Every day felt sooooo long. It went so fast! Glad it's done." I am so sick of hearing that I will miss these days some day. I do believe that I will miss them, bits and pieces. I wanted to hug these women! I wanted to say, "Thank you for remembering every day felt soooo long, and thank you for saying it went way to fast, and thank you for reminding me that I need to CHERISH every good moment, and laugh more at the bad, so that when it's gone, I can say, That was fun, but on to a new stage!" When I hear from every old lady that has ever went to Walmart that I will miss these days of taking 5 boys to the store, I laugh. I hope these ladies are right, but I will take the good looking 40 somethings passing comment, and try to remember that it will pass too quickly, and even though Chet seems to work each day for 40 hours, I need to enjoy the now for what it is! I am so lucky to have 5 AWESOME boys! They are amazing boys, and they deserve the BEST!

Cheating

As we were kneeling down for prayers tonight, I see that Caden has green pen all over his leg. I asked him why in the world there was pen all over him. He told me that he just likes to draw on himself. Chet takes a closer look and realizes that it is math facts. He instantly accuses Caden of cheating. Caden gets all this attitude and says, "Dad! I'm not gonna be all uhhhhhhh...(as he pretends to lift up his pant leg and crank his leg to his face and look geeky at his leg). Do you think I would do that? No!" and then just rolls his eyes like Chet was sooooo stupid. He also informed us that he didn't need to cheat at that because he already knows them all. Usually that kind of attitude would not be ok, but I tell you what, I had to laugh out loud, A LOT!!! I was cracking up so much Colby was putting out his leg and saying leg and then laughing. Caden cracks me up. He is way too cool for school! Sometimes he frustrates the crap out of me, but man he is cute too. I pinned him down tonight and asked him why he was so cute. He was just laughing and I said, "Because you have an awesome mom, and every time I kiss you, you get a little cuter. That's why you are so cute!" He just kept laughing but didn't up much of a fight. He loves my kisses!!! Love my Cade-A-Babe!!!

Misc

 

 

This was Chet trying to check on something he was making. Can he even see in there? The story of our lives trying to do anything! Too cute. He is so patient and SUCH a great dad!!!

Colby is SOOOOOO messy. He is the definition of mess. In everything he does. I told him that I wanted to take his picture and this was the face I got. He is sooooooo darn cute!!

 Wait... lets pull a Kimber and one eye it! (I know that's what you're thinking Randi!)

We let them have complete free hand control over the carving of their pumpkins. Carters is throwing up. He was throwing up a few days earlier. Caden is such a dork!

Just another mess from Colby. Powdered Milk. Again!