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