Conference Weekend + Camp

This weekend was amazing! We just finished watching conference, at Nan's house with cousins. The am was at home with a conference packet & an after conference store to purchase prizes with their being good tokens. I am so excited to "Ponderize" a scripture...80% ponder 20% memorize. Well, actually the kids and I started tonight Helaman 5:12. Conference is always so inspiring and exciting, but this one was a little sad too, since Packer, Perry and Scott had passed away. Anyway the plan always just seems so real and easy in conference. We got to sustain Elder Rasbland, Steveson, and Renlund. I am excited to be better and dig in deeper. I am so grateful for the changes I've seen and felt in myself this past year. Especially as a mom. I am so so so grateful for the Atonement.

Here is Ollie, helping as usual. Here with strawberry syrup

 

 Saturday Cody's friend hooked us up with Angel's tickets. Which was cool because I had been wanting to take the kids, but then super cool because we had a rough end of the week with Rowdy and Elliot super sick. It was so sad to see them uncomfortable, and then Ezra had been feeling sad about feeling lonely at school, and Ollie was teething. He had three teeth coming in this week. My heart was hurting. Anyway it was so nice to have a fun family outing. Plus the game was really exciting too! yay! double yaay!

 Last weekend Elliot didn't have a game and the weather is finally getting nice, so I took the kids camping. Cody ended up having to work so it took a little bit of faith, but I am so glad we did. It was so nice to have the kids outside! Summers can be a little brutal hot especially at the end. They tromped around found tons of spiders. IT was just one night which usually is a bummer to pack and unpack for but I din't even mind. IT was liek we were supossed to be there and make some memories.

 Rowdy was a huge help! He was our activities director, wihtout me even asking him to be. He got the kids exploring and helping. I could not have done it without him. He is growing up so fast :(

What a stud though

 We love sand! This is camping at Lake Ray Roberts

 In the morning we explored some trails. the kids on their scooters and Ollie on my bike. He looooves his bike rides. he pats me on the back sometimes, and other times pulls my shirt out, but most of the time just checkin stuff out. so the only bummer about camping, besides Cody not beig there, was there was a burn ban. So that was lame becuase I only raw hotdogs, so we had to go out. but we ended up reading stories in the tent and that was prety fun too. and Ollie just kept walking around body slamming peole trying to rest. It was pretty fun

 

I did a little sewing this week, while trying to get Rowdy's badges on his cub scout uniform, I re purposed my old skirt for an Elliot dress. I love this picture of her. She is the cutest little tomboy.

I keep feeling that these times are fragile and precious.

September

September 2015!!
Yikes!! I am so used to my phone, which isn't a great blogger, all of the sudden it feels like walking into the computer room is so far away. So lots of pics on my hard drive and instagram posterity, in case you are missing this past year. So things have been really really good. Rowdy got baptized this past month. We are trying to read the scriptures together. Cody has been working in town, Ollie is becoming more independent. Elliot is being nicer to everyone, Ezra is also coming into his own, and being more happy. I have been trying to be a more patient mom. We have been getting used to our schedule. I just keep thinking I need to write this down. Because it truly is a happy Time. Heavenly father is definitely blessing us. But I also think we are trying harder.... To recognize & snatch the happiness, To keep the sabbath day more holy, be more grateful, read the scriptures, have dinner together, do Family Home evening. I can definitely feel a difference in our home. I can feel a difference in me. Thank goodness too. I am so much happier with the person I am becoming than I was at eh beginning of the year. Things were a little harder then, but maybe that why I feel a burning need to document this happy time. It really is a time of peace and prosperity. and I don't think it will always be this way, I want to remember. So much about life is so fragile. Thank goodness God make us resilient and adaptable. We can be tough cookies. even though sometimes its uncomfortable.

Man! My babies are growing up so fast.

Ollie is the cutest little guy already. Cruisin right into toddler hood. He imitates EVERYTHING! We have to be very careful. and we are fairly sure he threw away out dvd remote. We always have to check the trash before we put stuff into it. He mostly throws away dirty diapers but also shoes and other items laying around. He loves to have all the doors closed on everything. He is picking up words here & there but it is still super exciting to hear him try and say something! HE loves walking around with our phones. The best is when we call him to make the phone ring. He does his awesome surprise face and then starts laughing. HE is our constant entertainment at meals. We love watching him try to run. Rowdy, Ezra and Elliot are all so darling to him. HE is starting to really love them. You can tell because he goes after them to give them kisses and hugs, which he does not freely give away.  He is a pretty patient kid. He is a joy Can't imagine life without him.

  

under the bridge painting a mural w Mom. He would throw rocks in the creek all day

Elliot started preschool 2 weeks ago and is pretty stoked about it. She goes to the little baptist preschool for 2 days each week. All her buddies have moved on to kinder, so we are  on the scout for new daytime buddies. She is playing soccer too! She is on the dragonflies. She has become a best bud and helper. She also has started drawing beautifully, and not even whining when its laundry time. She is a good chicken mom. Takes care of them everyday. She stuck a ball in her shirt and innocently said look mom I have boobs, and balls! She just keeps getting better. She asked about states yesterday and wanted to know which ones touched Texas, and asked if Old Mexico also touched. Will work for candy. I fall in love with her more and more everyday. What a doll.

above painting chicken toenails. below seaweed in Santa Monica CA

above=jet pack plus gear plus fruit snack marshmallow sandwich Rowdy made her

 We went to Oklahoma to visit Dad & drop off skin medicine for him. and maybe do a little exploring. 

Elliot flexing her muscles

 Ever the adventurer

 

A girl and her Papa. 

Papa always asks her to flutter her eyelids, and also spoils her w sweets

Ezra is so fun. He has started loving to quote movie lines and is pretty good at imitating voices. Our favorite and Goofy and Mr. Cat man. Still totally into legos, although not so much mixels. But he could be fine playing with them almost all day. He loves to help change dirty diapers. He can be loud and fun with a contagious laugh, or grumpy with a gathered brow and no sunshine. He pays attention to detail, and always gives warm hugs. He has a tender heart. Cant believe hes already in first grade!

 sweet brothers. They ride their bikes to school everyday

 Santa Monica, CA...the waves were crazy

 Elliot got a hold of them....they loved it

 great at making crazy face

 first trip to dentist. No cavities!

 

Rowdy. Is such a go getter. We got him an alarm clock this year. He is up dressed and reading his scriptures by the time I am coming out. I think he's a morning person. He is also very goal oriented though. The kids have to read scriptures do a chore and their laundry before screen time. So he likes to get his stuff done early so he can have his screen time. School had been causing a little bit of a disconnect, so I'm very grateful for the weekends. and I am grateful scouts has started for him, and the faith in God, so he is getting other good people in his life throughout the week besides boring ole Mom. He is my activities director, and occasional babysitter. He is a great leader, and many times watching out for his younger siblings. He was baptised in September, and it was a really cool experience for all of us. I love him so much and am so proud of him!

 CA hike w Mom

 CA beach, not feeling so good

 Hike to Rowdy Rock with Yaya

Rowdy and I had to photoshop all the mosquito bites out of this picture for his baptism invite because he slept on the trampoline the night before and got eaten alive!

Holy Moly what great kids. 

 and I love their Dad

letter 9/21/15

So good to hear from you!! Sorry we've been slacking big time. But we love getting your letters & hearing how you are doing. Rowdy got baptized a few weeks ago we handed out invitations to dome non member friends and got to give away 2 book of Mormons, the spirit was awesome!! One of the books went to Santa! ;) remember the guy who is a van driver at work, his wife seemed stoked about it. I need to follow up. If nothing else they totally had sweet spirit exposure to the church. Ollie is waddling around pretending to talk, but he says some stuff, chick (for chickens he chases them & it's awesome and hilarious. Elliot is going to preschool and just started soccer. She kicks the ball good but is a tiny bit timid getting in there, but can you blame her when there are 10 other girls swarming the ball?
Ezra is still awesome cracking us up and obsessed with Legos. He's getting so sweet and tender hearted about gospel stuff, but 3 hours is still long!  Rowdy is doing good just started Boy Scouts I thought he'd be a little more stoked about it, but we will see. Cody, & I same ole' thang. But we are setting little goals together to save $ for missions & maybe starting a creative side biz after Elliot goes to school next year.. We shall see. It is also weird with Paige up at buy Idaho. But it was cool we got to spend time before she left working on a giant mural under the 156. I don't remember if I sent you a pic. I did go to an uplifting women's conference this weekend. One of my takeaways was this life is short, & I especially want to cherish my time w my kids & be a better mom. the adversary is real. One guy said, "the war in heaven was real & the only thing that has changed in the venue" and on the flip, Our Father in Heaven is so real and so badly wants us back, and to reach our potential. In my personal study I looked up a footnote for perfect, because I was reading be ta perfect even as I am. In Greek it meant.. Fully developed. Isn't that cool we can be our own person just the best fully developed version is what God want for us! anyway You are absolutely blessing our family with your service! Thank you! 

And we love your guts!!

Celeste

letter 7/1/2015

Chase! Good to hear from you! 

Summertime is in full effect here. Hot & summery busy-ness, which is usually all fun. We had an Anderson slumber party yesterday. My brother is moving to Seattle Washington to work for Amazon :( We had fun. But it's super weird saying goodbye. 

We also finished our chicken coop. I don't remember if I told you we were goin rouge with chickens in our backyard, despite our hoa. we have 6 right now but some may be roosters & they'll have to go back to the grandpa we got them from. I mostly wanted Elliot to have a project because she has one more year before school, and sure enough, she loves being a chicken mom! ☺️ 

Cody's been home the past few days (getting forced around as an engineer) so he's been putting us to work with house stuff... And funzie kid stuff while cleaning out the attic we found an old giant inflatable pool which is now.... In our front yard under our shade tree (so redneck) but so nice not having to worry about sunscreen. Ollie is walking more & more & getting more bruises. Elliot Ezra & rowdy are getting along better most of the time & love to swim or jump on the trampoline with a new crazy sprinkler we attached to the top.
Well that's all from here we are taking off in a few days to go to CA.
Love you! Have fun!!
Celeste

This Morning

Rowdy asked me to wake him up a little early he wanted to go work on an extra curricular recycling project with a buddy at school this morning. So he got all ready by himself made breakfast himself and read us the scriptures while I got his lunch stuff ready. Then he rode his bike to school to work on his project! I'm so thankful over and over that He's such a trustworthy boy. He does have his moments of weakness, but He is such a good kid. & because he is obedient and careful it opens the doors for us to be able to trust him more. I'm sure that's how Heavenly Father feels about us.

Then Ezra is like the sweetest funniest kindergartner. I can't believe this year is almost over. I rode him down to school on our bikes, which he is passionate about. (He says he does not like walking!) And he made it up the big hill without even stopping. I thought,"yep he got it, just in time for first grade." Then I had a moment watching him pedal away.  He must've know. He didn't look back but he yelled ,"I love you Mom!" aww my sweet cuddly innocent boy. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. Ezra has a way of making people feel loved just right when they need it. His funny thing he does right now is, "First present," (he kisses me, he pulls my face down) "second present" (hug. he reaches my waist with his arms, or I'm squatting down) "third present" (then he kisses and hugs me at the same time). Melts my heart and makes me giggle. The other day everyone chowed down dinner and went to play on the trampoline. Ive been trying to get people to stay at the table so I can rest my feet after the dinner rush and we can talk more. Ezra just stayed and talked to me about his day. It was so cute, and I needed it right then.

Elliot is turning a corner, being so much nicer to people. Especially her brothers. Ezra and her have been such good friends lately and it is making our home so much happier. I think he is starting to give her a little more time and consideration. She is with Ollie and I all day occasionally other friends. and when the boys come home she just wants their attention and if they don't give it to her sometimes she can be disruptive to whatever they are doing. She does have a sweet heart though. Everybody needs to feel loved by their peers. She likes to pretend she is a cat or a horse and we are the "pet Owners"  She loves trying to help take care of Ollie, although sometimes she is a little rough. She still adores her Daddy, so I am always feeling the love when she picks me, or doesn't throw a fit about not doing Dad stuff, or sitting right next to him.

Ollie's birthday is this week. What a gem of a kid. He is so adorable. He makes the best faces and is so cute to everyone. He is starting to sign and talk and babbles all the time. My favorite are his kisses because I think he saves them to really show love. He doesn't kiss just anyone. So when he kisses us its really special. He was falling asleep on my chest one night, i had him in my room so he didn't wake up Elliot & Paisley. He was almost asleep and he popped his head up crawled up to my face kisses me twice and laid right back down. IT was the best. Then yesterday He hadn't seen Cody for a while and we discovered he was awake in bed and Ollie went to him and just hugged him so hard. It was so so so sweet. He knows a lot more than he can say. I am so glad he is in our family.

I'm so glad they are all in our family. It's crazy around here A LOT. but I know "I'm gonna miss this." This is a special time of my life. We have a lot of meltdowns and disagreements but we also have a lot of victories and teaching moments and life lessons. What a wonderful group of people to be growing with.

letter 4/28/15

So Good to hear from you tonight!! I'll write a better letter soon. But we had to represent tonight (even though our team was a lil embarassing  ☺️) 

Love you! Have a great week,

Celeste

Elder Bowler!! 

It's so good hearing from you this week. your good energy is contagious here too! You are making me happy! And that's such a good reminder to be happy around other people. Sometimes I get a little too comfy in my zone of people but I need to be more friendly and put myself out there. We are revisiting our family mission plan this week. That cheesecake Atheist guy feels the spirit around you! He just doesn't know it what it is!! :) that's so awesome and it's so cool the members are getting you teaching appointments. It is so good to be busy with the work! Have you ever been so good tired in your life?!! The spirit sucks it out of ya ;)

Things are good here. Cody has never gotten called back to Tulsa or any place wierd! Our prayers have definitely been answered there. The kids are good. Rowdy was over the moon he got to see the national team play Mexico (I think Cody was too) he wants to play soccer all the time but he's only played 3 games and the seasons almost over! Just because of weather or soggy fields. Texans are a little overprotective of their grass. Ezra is hilarious... All the time. His school was having a super hero fundraiser. He wanted to dress up like a ninja turtle (of course I had just given his old green jeans to the thrift store ) and he would not accept that a ninja turtle would be wearing jeans so he comes out wearing some of Elliot's green leggings. "Mom! These are soooo comfortable!"  Just don't make it a habit buddy! He totally ended up winning a very informal costume contest & a free large pizza. He was the happiest kid on the planet. Elliot is being super nice to everyone. She loves her cowgirl boots she has some pink n brown ones that are on their last leg. Cody found some pink & white ones and now her favorite thing she is very animate about wearing one of each. we call them her chocolate & vanilla boots. Ollie is so smart copying everyone and learning words here n there. Sign language and a few word words. My favorite is when he tries to chirp when he hears the birds outside of our window (we have a nest of swallows) he hasn't  been feeling good the past few days but hopefully his lil body is getting it figured out. 

Ok friend. Super good to hear from you! Love you and are praying for your success. Thanks for the letters. I know Heavenly Father is answering our prayers. We watched the widow of Nain(one of the bible videos) watch it when you can it looks like Christ is walking with a purpose into the city. He arrives right as this widow is going to bury her only son. Christ blesses him & he rises from the dead. Then she bears her testimony. And Christ leaves. It was almost as if he came all the way there just for her. It touched me because I know he will. For any of us. He is there. Even though we may feel small or insignificant. He knows. 

Love you Elder Bowler,

Keep up the happy! 

Love,

Celeste

This week of April

This week was busy mama fun week. Last Friday Katie and the Anderson's came over and we had a slumber party on the trampoline. Elliot Ezra and Rocco made it the whole night. I think Rowdy was at Degan's Birthday party. Saturday we made pillows &  I had crazy tummy pain, but hobbled to Ezra's game anyway. I felt bad we had guests but I was hurtin' Then felt much better on Sunday. I teach Rowdy's class. The seven turning eight year olds and I love it! I was so excited to teach them again  the lesson went really well too. We all really felt the spirit. I love my calling right now. Everyone is so sweet with Ollie at church too. He is such a good kid (except the kids did take a toy from him in Sacrament and he did scream bloody murder! a couple times (yikes!)
Monday, I was racing to get the kids to school. they rode their bikes, I came in because Ollie & Elliot were fussing at each other and was going to go help them get across the street but then it was too late. I later got a text from Kari saying Ezra had gotten honked at by a car. She was scared he was going to get hit! Thank goodness we prayed for safety that morning. I know father answered that prayer for us again and again, sometimes we take it for granted. That was a crazy wake up call.
 Cody and I got to go to the temple on Tuesday while Elliot went to pre school and Ollie stayed w Martha Funk. It was so nice going w Cody. We even got to sit by each other. I felt like I needed to prepare and plan more and make Fhes more fun. The kids are growing up so fast and things are getting so busy around here, I feel like especially Rowdy who likes to do his own thing a lot need a little more one on one time before he starts resenting a Mom who relys on his help a lot. Then on the way to the temple we got a call from Tad who had tickets from a buddy on the national soccer team. So Cody and Rowdy got to go down to San Antonio with Grayson and the Bobby & Tiffany Bowlers and watch the US team play and meet a bunch of the,m too. Rowdy was over the moon... and Cody too :)
The kids and I had a great time here but I couldn't tell you what we did. I think sometimes the three older kids but heads probably because there is three of them so someone gets feeling left out. Oh yes we ended up going to the Angels v Rangers baseball game in Arlington on Tuesday. It was so lovely. we met the Byrds and Tad and Amelia Bowlers there. The kids were so good. Even Ollie sat and watched. Elliot ate and ate and ate and her and Ezra let me explain the game to them a little. I felt all grown up taking them out at night all by myself. I loved it! One of my favorite parts was after we started heading off to the parking lot, the kids and I heard the song!! so we ran back to sing the seventh inning stretch. and the walk to and from the parking lot being goofy with Ezra and Elliot was so fun. They were great.
I am having a spiritual revival. after conference there were so many talks about casual worship and i realized that is what I am doing.. eww. and i listened to an inspired girl about making goals and choosing the better part. So I  was feeling it this week. I am trying ot listen to the spirit better and leave some ponder time and wake up earlier to read my scriptures and ponder. I have already had some neat experiences with it. It feels good.
Thursday Rowdy had a play thing at school he came back from San Antonio with  few hours to spare before his performance. He had a bunch of lines. He did great. and Cody was able to see him too. and he asked me to walk home with him, while Cody drove home. Which was very out of the ordinary but I loved that he asked me so he Elliot and I walked home from school together and I loved it.
Friday was the Boosterthon fun run for the kids. They ere over the moon to call Papa and Yaya for a donation. They both ended up running a ton. I think Rowdy ran 57 and they changed the location on me so I didn't see him, but Ezra was very entertaining to watch. 38 laps for him.
Friday we also met up with our preschool people fro a trip to Henrietta Creek orchard. It was so fun. The lady ended up not being there but i thought that was even better so we cruised around with our little friends and got to See the inside of a beehive the lady had hooked up in her pre school area. It was pretty cool. Its not apple season though but it was lovely to be outside.... except for the ants. Elliot and I had a great time. I think Ollie did to but he was being a lil trooper in the stroller. HE is such a good kid.
Cousin Kellie came over for a play day after school. Then we went and grabbed the Anderson kiddos so Katie and Locke could go to the temple. It is eminent that they are moving so I am wanting to be near them every spare moment I have. The boys games were cancelled on Sat so we went to magic Mountian and took Katie and Carys and left Ollie with Letti. We had a super fun day. week. etc. Time is flying by Ive got to get some info on these sweet babies of mine logged in here before they are all growed up and sassy pants :)

Spring Break 2015

Our quickie art project at Hope park in Austin

letter update 2/24/2015

Hope you had a good week! It's good to see pics of you smiling! I just finished
studying my Book of Mormon for the morning! & I was thinking about how you are
already blessing our family. Everyone is a buzz about reading it even the little
boys & even Cody (the big boys :) isn't it so awesome the power that comes from
it?! Ezra does his best to read it too and his reading skills have improved
exponentially because of it! There is more peace in our home as well! Anyway I
remember feeling addicted to it :) & I'm starting to feel it again. Because it
helps you REMEMBER Gods love. So in a way it's like nibbling  the fruit in
Lehi's dream.

We don't have school today because of an ice storm! It's nice.
I'll try & send a video of Ollie eating snow. 
Cool you got to golf! Love your
comp! Keep up the good work!
Love you!!
Aunt Celeste

 

3/10/15

We just read your letter,...and saw you pic (obviously) so glad things are going better! And we just sent you a letter in the mail! Keep up the good work!!

Love you!!!

Ezra & Aunt Celeste

One loved little bro

Ollie is a lucky little guy to have such doting fans. He knows who the littles are and sometimes batts their faces with a warning smack. Or if hes in his high chair he puffs out his chest like a gorilla and gives a warning grunt. Sometimes we have a little too much love from Sister Bear. but most of the time she is just so eager to help and make him laugh and snuggle him and hug him and squeeze him and never let go :)