Strength through Trials

To me, trials become more manageable if I remind myself often, that through them, I become stronger. This has been my challenge and life lesson recently. Today, I am more introspective and faithful, because of recent health issues that I have been struggling with. I am by no means out of the woods at this point but on an upward trajectory that hopefully will lead to full recovery within the next few months. And then, I will be stronger :).

Sawyer, was recently awarded for his grades on the National Honor Society. We are proud of his efforts and labors in school.

Dave has been able to take the boys snowboarding several times recently. They always come home experiencing a wonderful time on the mountain and full of stories and adventures.

Silas and I recently went to Southern California for an extended weekend to see my parents, serving a mission there. It was fabulous spending time with them, observing and participating with them in their service to the Lord, and soaking in some much desired pampering! Thanks Daddy for taking care of my babies while I was away!

Mini Mouth

Silas has discovered his vocal cords and likes to use them, taking a close second in sounds to his older brother Asher (nicknamed Mouth for his active verbal skills). Silas loves to 'talk' while looking you directly in the eye. Makes me wonder what he is thinking....

Dave celebrated a birthday recently. He got two cakes. The first on his actual birthday and since he had been out of the country for weeks prior to the day, he received a Halloween Funfetti cake on the actual day due to the lack of time and preparation on my part. He also got his much coveted German Chocolate cake, four days later, on the day he was supposed to return home.

Still waiting to hear on our departure to France. Getting anxious....

I'm Back

Big Man Sawyer

Asher taking Liam for a ride

Liam in the snow

Macy and Asher ready with their snowballs

A new year. A new goal. A new adventure to blog. Add all reasons together and here I am again. This blog is for my history. For the kids to one day look back on and read, remembering our good times and bad times. Hopefully I can stay true to my hearts desire and keep it current! It's late already, so for tonight just some fun pictures from the past week of snow snow snow!!!!

(I'll only briefly mention the loss of power, doctor visits, zero working vehicles, or no school for a week all without a husband in the country!)

The Box

I can remember when we would purchase something new and the kids would get a bigger kick out of the box than whatever it was in the box. Seems that is still the case, even with the kids being 11, 9 and 7! Liam's new car seat came with a nice large box. The kids spent the better part of the afternoon playing in, on and around the box. Since they are bigger, they did have to pull out the duct tape to make some major repairs but it remains intact, now relocated to the playroom for more time entertaining them tomorrow. Unfortunately, I didn't pull either of the camera's out for shots.

The kids have found a new hobby that they enjoy since being out for the summer. The Skate Park. We have two within 15 minutes. Everyday, it's a request. One morning, it was misting. The skate park was empty. The kids loved having it to themselves. I love the energy it expells from their small bodies, they love the thrills. Liam is a keen observer. He loves watching from the grass with me. Here are a few pictures from that wet day...

A new dishwasher

"Hey Mom!

My tongue does as good a job as the dishwasher!"

Asher

Just by stating that, the boy (and his coworker) earned

a new job in our house!

Anyone wanna join us for dinner,

our dishes are REAL clean!

Our Cheap (but priceless) Entertainment

Growing up, as a source of entertainment and laughs, my parents would do a ritual with each of their babies that consisted of several different hats/buckets/etc that were placed on the head and then photographed. All the while, the current baby would make disgruntled faces, blow raspberries, etc. They had eight children. Lots of entertainment. Thus far, our children, as babies, despised anything put on their heads. So much so that they would throw a tantrum if a hat even came close. Liam is different. He is our calm child. Our child that briefly may resist something he doesn't want and then give in. Thus, he takes a pacifier, even if he doesn't really want it. He wears a hat, even if it isn't wanted. Liam also readily shares a smile at faces, blank walls, etc. He is an easy going baby. So today, we got out some hats. Initially I thought that he would just endure a few and then be done. He kept smiling and we kept bringing them!

Here he is hatless (sporting some leftovers on his face too)

Peering through the strainer

Enjoying a scarf with this one!

Asher's 'Moose' Hat

His summer hat that was supposed to last longer!

His newborn hat that fit at birth!

This was a Macy style

Room to grow!

Beanie baby

His current fav

Big brother getting in on the attention

Thanks Liam for the good laughs and yummy baby that you are!

We'll take 5 more of you, please!

The Problem with Poles

During our family dinner last night, Macy turned to me and wanted to know if I could see a bump on her forehead. I ran my fingers across it and told her that I felt a small bump and asked her what happened.

"Well, at recess today I was chasing Chloe in tag, Britta was behind me so I turned to see where she was and I ran into a pole. Mom! I was out for two minutes!"

From the other side of the table came Sawyer's voice,

"That's nothing Macy, I run into poles all the time."

Dave and I looked at each other, I am sure thinking the same thing about our two oldest who don't struggle with academics but apparently have a big problem with poles.

Here Liam is sporting his first shiner. He isn't even walking, sitting, or even rolling on a regular basis. It wasn't even me that accidentally ran him into a door way. No, I am a little embarrassed to admit that Sawyer gave him this marking. We were all laying on the bed, I was reading 'Lightning Thief' (one of Sawyer's favorites). Sawyer must have gotten quite engaged in the text because I saw him giving Liam what I thought were kisses on the forehead. Turns out he was sucking on the poor boys' head! This is what remains...