Now is your time!

Ok, for all of you lurkers out there, now is your time to finally post a comment. I want to here what you all think about the black and white pictures. I want to blow them up to 8x10's and have them displayed. I can't decide if the one of Joseph and me is ok even though his back is to me. He was not really wanting his picture taken that day so it was really the best I could do. I just was unsure because the other kids are all by themselves. I am also wondering if it is ok that my picture is turned the opposite way and if so how would you display all of these pictures with one going the opposite way? Would you use the one of the kids or is it just not that good?

We took these pictures at the park on Saturday. We were actually headed to take them where Ryan's family took their family portrait when Sarah was still a baby but there was a wedding party taking pictures. I was pleased with our location because there was a park for the kids to play at.

I will be expecting all of you to post your input so now is the time!

I think this one needs to be darkened still. It is a work in progress. Jared took this picture. Pretty impressive for an 8 year old.

The kids

I know I am partial but I think this man is so handsome!

I am not super hip on either of these pictures of me. I guess we are all most critical of ourselves. This one seems to close up.

And in this one I am arching my back weird so my stomachs stick out. I guess it could be left over bad posture from pregnancy.

Wow what a week it has already been.

We started homeschooling this week and I love to watch Jared learn. He has such an amazing mind and it is a privilege to teach him. I am blessed to have this time with my children. It is amazing that I have more time with them now that we have started to homeschool. I don't expect to get anything done during school time so I am able to sit with all of them. They have my full attention. So even though their are stressful moments it is so worth it.

This is Jareds science project we did today.
23feet make up his insides. I never thought I would learn so much from homeschooling.

Emma also loves what she calls, "home preschool" She has been my neglected child as far as academics are concerned . I am determined to teach her to read over the next few months. She knows all the sounds of the letters and what they look like. (Thank you Letter Factory) I now just need to teach her how to put them together. Every day she begs to do her work and never wants to stop. I love her thirst for knowledge and think we could all learn a thing or two from her desires. She is such a happy girl. It has been interesting to watch her enter an "off" year. She screams and yells but most of the time she is pretty happy. She loves books and will look at a book over and over again. She will even carry around books that have few pictures because she knows she likes the stories that are in them. When I was tucking them in tonight she was really sad. So I started to tickle her. She reminds me so much of me at that age. She wants so much to be loved and is thrilled to have her mom pay good attention to her. There are times when I will look at her and think how much she looks like me. It is so fun to watch her grow.
Joseph is all boy. Example? He is completely excited when it is time to feed the Dragon and loves when Jared cuts the heads off the meal worms. I am going to experience what it is like to have two little boys close in age and close in mischief.Joseph discovered raspberries today. He had the best time giving them to Joshua and insisted that Ryan and I do it as well. Before today I wondered if Joshua was afraid if Joseph. He would get a look of nervousness every time Joseph came near. But today he was watching him with new eyes. He seem truly curious. He would look where ever Joseph went and would even smile at him. Joseph was helping me change Joshua and Joshua was smiling so big. These two little boys are going to have so much fun together.

This is one of my favorite outfit this cute boy owns. I had to put it on him even
though it doesn't really fit. He is growing so fast. He cooes at you and smiles the biggest smiles. He has started to talk to us and tell us "stories." If you look away from him for very long he starts to fuse to get your attention but is all smiles again when you turn back. He recognizes my voice now and I love it. My most favorite is when he just stares into my eyes. There is nothing more endearing then those little blues eyes staring into mine. It feels as though he is trying to tell me something. Just letting me know he loves me and that I am doing alright by him. What a joy it is to be a Mom!

I bought Joshua a costume yesterday and had to try it on him. I think the kids were almost as excited as I was to see it on him. Joseph wanted to try it on to but it just didn't fit.

Now lets not forget about dear Sarah. I miss her. I feel like I don't get enough time with her. We do walk to school and sometimes ride bikes. It is about a 15 minute walk and it is good to hear her talk about her life. She has made lots of friends but is starting to narrow down who she really likes to play with. I asked her what made these friends more special then the others and she said it was because they have a lot in common. When I asked her what she told me, "We like the same color and we all live close to the school." Oh if only making friends was still that simple.

Family fun

Reeghan was over for family home evening the other night. Sarah started to lead them in some exercises. So cute. I love that we live so close to family. Cousins are so fun.

And here is Jared at his first pack meeting. He got a belt and a pine wood derby car. He also fell and banged up his shoulder were he hurt it at the last scouts.

I had a nice date with the girls tonight. I asked them what they wanted to do and they wanted to go to the mall. SO out we went. We stopped at the candy store and bought some of the most expensive candy I have ever bought. $5 for hardly anything, yes, I am aware that I am cheap. We then looked at the Disney store and the girls were in love with the princess costumes. Sarah was super excited because they have the new fairy dolls that go along with the books she has read. We then bought them each their first "real" necklace. I say real because they only have play jewelry and I let them pick out silver ones at Claires, $5 each. So for $15 Sarah said it was the best date ever.

Joshua loves the bath and had the best time. He laughs out loud and splashes all around. One more cute thing about this sweet little happy cheeks, carrying him around in the baby Bjorn is not a task for wimps. He is almost 16lbs and I just don't think my back was ready for that.

Scrappin once more

I was inspired by Shannon to do my first page in a long time. What better page then happy cheeks?

My little Happy Cheeks.

Sarah absolutely loves her new school and has made a friendship club with a make believe club house and all.
I was so relieved when Jared discovered their was no tooth fairy but now I regret that and now I see why my friend Shannon loves the idea of the tooth fairy. Jared keeps trying to tell the girls about the lack of tooth fairy. So Sarah asked me if she is real and I told her that she was. We talked about fairies and how when someone says they don't believe, a fairy might die. It was so fun to play along and I enjoyed the make believe. I will figure this parenting thing out sooner or later, right?
Jared lost another tooth and his mouth is looking pretty empty. His smile looks a little mischievous, in a cute way.

We attended Orchids, Tory's girlfriends baptism on Sunday. It was a very special experience for me. I have not gotten to know her much yet due to the fact that she is so shy. I am sure the language barrier makes it hard as well. At the baptism the people in her Branch talked about her and it was neat to get a closer look into who she is. After the baptism I gave her a hug and just really felt a special spirit from her. I am looking forward to knowing her better.

Jared's baptism is going to be on the 2nd of September and I am so excited for him. What a big step in his life to covenant with the Lord. He has asked me to speak and I am slightly apprehensive. I have not given a talk in so long. I am sure it will be fine though. I just need to prepare in advance so that I don't stress out.

Joshua is getting to be so fun. He gives such big smiles and even cooes at you. He gave Ryan what sounded like a laugh. It was so endearing. He is so chubby looking and I love it.

Emma and I were loving the baby the other day and I called him Fat Cheeks. Emma got mad at me and said, "No Mom, they are Happy cheeks." I have to agree .


When I was looking at the pictures the other day I realized their are no good pictures of Sarah and the baby so I took this one.

What a handsome man I married. I am so blessed to have him work at home so that we get to see him so much.

Since school is so close we get to walk Sarah there. Joseph was in the stroller in the beginning of the walk. We stopped when we were close to home so that Emma could get something out of her shoe. Joseph climbed right out of the buckle and started to push. So Emma got in. It was so cute because he really was not tall enough. He also put on Emma's shoes since he was barefoot. Then he realized that he fit just right in the basket underneath.

I love that he is so smiley.
Sarah and I were snapping the camera away as he was so delighted in us. Look how cute he is. Yep, Happy Cheeks is a much better term.

This picture is great. Joseph saw Joshua doing this in the car the other day and he thought it was so funny. He made the face to show me what Joshua was doing. He just kept laughing and saying, "Ook it mommy, ook it." Ook= look. He sure loves this little guy. One final note, Jared had his first scouts activity this week. They went on a bike ride. When he was gone the phone rang and I felt, "Oh no, Jared's hurt." The call was about something else but shortly afterwards the phone rang again and it was the scout leader. He had fallen off the bike and banged up pretty good. The handlebar went into his chest and left a nice circle bruise. He was all bloody on his shoulder and his side. He thinks it is cool now that he has scabs. When it happened he said he didn't ever want to ride a bike again. I want to get him out their soon so that the fear doesn't grow to big. It is amazing to me how connected we truly are to our children.

Arghh Mateys!

We had Jared's 8th birthday party at Grandma Chapmans. We also celebrated Grandma and Aunt Erynne's B-days. I decided to let him plan his own party this year. This was so much fun for him and way more relaxing for me. He planned the games I just had to put it all together. We had a pirates of the Caribbean party and I think it was a hit.




Singing Happy B-day to the birthday trio.









The kids lined up at the back door to start the treasure hunt. Here we have the cousins Kobe, Cade, Kai, Reeghan, and Ethan was already in the back, and Uncle Travis, we had not found Tim yet, and Aunt Kaylee.








This picture is great. Do you think Tim is having fun yet?























Kobe and Kai looking fierce.




















The birthday boy is set to find the loot.

A sweet moment with Jared's Aunt Erynne and Aunt Hope. I think it is tender.

They are watching the kids start the tresure hunt.















Here is Sarah on her first day of school. She had just gotten home from a fun filled day. Does she look happy to you?

















Here is my cake. I was proud of it. I love Familyfun.








And here is the best picture of the day. This is my nephew Cade. He really got into character.













I took this picture of Emma when she had been crying. I just thought I would share it because I think she is so cute.






Joshua turned 2 months on Saturday and he now weighs 15lbs. I love our little tubby baby. I will post more on him later. I am being summoned by a not so happy child.

Adding yet another member to our family!

And here he is. Climber!I was surprised to see that everyone wanted to hold him. Except Uncle Tim, he had no interest.

Just so cute pics

I love this little scowl. He has gotten to be such a pudge. Those are some kissable cheeks!
And here is our new Kitty (guinea pig)

I held her for the first time tonight. She is so jittery it has been hard to catch her. I waited till the kids were not around so that it was quiet. I don't think she was well taken care of before we had her.

Here is our trip to the beach! I love that we are back home in California.
Joseph was so sad when the water got him. Why are they so cute when they are sad?

Jared is having his birthday party on Saturday and I am hopeful that it we be fun for him. I had him read a bunch of party ideas of the this website. He came up with some great games I now have to prepare everything before then. I am going to try to make this cake. I'll post a picture once it is done. Wish me luck!

A few months ago I promised him a snake but since we have taken several trips to the pet store, he has changed his mind each time, he is now on his way home with a bearded dragon. It is 1&1/2 years old and Ryan says it is super fat and the tank weighs over 100 lbs. We find him in the penny saver for a great deal. The owner is going away to college. Sweet for us. We saved a ton. What have I gotten myself into?

I love my life!

I have spent over four hours at the health center in the past few days. The kids had to have a TB test to register for school and apparently it came out positive. So we then had to wait at the health imaging center for 2 and a half hours to get a chest x-ray that won't come back for a few days. They can't register until they get a negative result. The schools here are so full that it is based on a first come first serve basis. So even though the school is just up the street they will now most likely that the kids will be shipped to some other school in the district. The only thing that gives me comfort is knowing that God is over all and maybe the kids would have a better experience in a different school. I am worried about them and wondering if the rest of us have TB in our systems. I don't really know enough about it yet to feel very educated. I am sure everything will be fine.

Joshua is growing like a weed. He weighs 13 lbs already and is 24 1/2 inches long. No wonder my shoulder hurts. I always thought that my babies were fat because I feed them to much but Joshua is on a pretty good schedule. He eats every three hours for 30 minutes. At night he will sometimes go longer. So I guess I just make cream. He started out so skinny I was surprised to see him get fat so fast.

He smiled at me the other night. I was talking to him and smiling then he started to smile back. He kept doing it in response to me. It made my heart sing. Then today Sarah was smiling at him and he did the same thing. He is so delightful.

Joseph keeps taking off his diaper and sitting on the potty so I finally broke down and bought him a potty chair and underwear. We got home and set up his potty. He was so excited. So we put on the unders and I was waiting for him to pee is pants so he would know what it felt like. As we were eating lunch he had an accident and didn't even say anything. That was a bummer. I am hopeful that it will be easier this time around since we have waited so long. We'll see.

Tonight we are taking the kids to the beach. We are going to have a picnic, as Sarah says. It has been a cooler day so I am hopeful that it won't be too hot for the baby.

update*******

The beach was so awesome. We had a nice dinner of tuna burgers and chips. Then the kids played in the sand and the water. Joseph did not like the water and cried when the tide came in a little to fast and got him wet. He stayed far away the rest of the time. He kept running and pointing at the water. The older kids loved the water and wanted to go all the way in.

We got a gerbal the other day. It was totally free. The cage, food, treats, hay and vitamins. He is long haired and he looks like a mini dog. Emma says he looks like the dog max from little mermaid so she named her Ariel. She is afraid of the kids and jumps if you try to touch her. Hopefully she will get used to us soon. Joseph calls her Kitty and shows her everything he has. He was reading to her this morning.

We got the chest X-ray back and the kids do not have the disease just the virus or infection. Which translates to mean they have it but can not give it to anyone unless it becomes active. In order to prevent it from ever becoming active they have to take this medicine for nine months. The medicine reacts strangely to a ton of foods like cheese, fish, and avocados. There were a bunch more but those are the only ones I remember because we eat those often. We will wait until we get back from St. George to start the treatments and through trial and error we will figure out what foods affect them.

Sarah is finally registered for school and it looks like they had so many 1st graders that they will be making another class. So she gets to stay at the school by us. I am so glad I didn't over stress it like I could have. Everything always works out. Jared decided it was best for him to be homeschooled. Actually it is a charter school that helps with planning and fieldtrips and extra activities. We will met with the teacher about once a month to go over all his work and get help if we need it. The also have monthly carnivals or other big activities and every Friday they have labs or special classes he can go to. I think it will be fun for the both of us. I might enroll Emma also but I have not decided yet. She makes the deadline but she still seems so young.

I let the kids make it a matter of prayer weather they should go to school or be homeschooled. As I prayed about it I had such a peaceful feeling that they would get there own answers and that their answers would be right. We had neat tender moments as we knelt in prayer together. First I prayed with Jared and he said he felt instant peace for he knew that he would get an answer. He told me it was ok for me to cry. So naturally I then started to tear up. I expressed how tender it is for a mom to get a glimpse of how much Heavenly Father loves him. I then testified to him how special he is in our Fathers sights and we then enjoyed a wonderful embrace. He first prayed to know if it was right to go to school and as the next day past he came up to me and told me he didn't feel like that was right.

Sarah and I knelt in prayer as well. She was in kind of a goofy mood so I don't think her prayer was very sincere. The next morning she asked If I got an answer and I told her I hadn't really thought about it much. She said. "Yeah me either" She understood that she had to put forth effort before she could be ready to receive an answer.

We had a family home evening lesson where we talked about prayed and how to receive answers. We explained to them that we had to study it out in our minds first then we would know if it was right because our heart and our minds would be one. We then wrote out all the pros and cons for each and then they decided what it was they felt was right. We then again knelt one on one in prayer. Jared knew right away and went to bed feeling at peace.

Sarah on the other hand had a different experience. After her prayer she got very sad and so I just held her as she cried. It was not a wailing kind of cry just a very real sad cry. I asked her what was the matter and she said she didn't know. After awhile of just holding her the baby started to cry so I left her alone for a moment. When I came back she said she was scared because she wouldn't know anyone. We talked it over and she asked if Ryan would say a special prayer with her. After he did she felt at peace. Shortly afterwards she ran up to me with joy on her face and said, "I got my answer! I get to go to school." You could see it in her face and energy that she had received an answer from God. How special for her to have that experience. Sometimes it seems God lets us have those discouraging moments so that we will turn to him then our joy and happiness is all the sweeter. I am so blessed to have these special spiritual children who teach me so much.

My run.

I have been so excited to be able to go running. I walked on Friday and I felt winded quickly. I know it just takes time and I am excited that the process has began. Yesterday and decided that I would run for 10 minutes. I started with a brisk walk, then started on my little run. The first few steps I felt like I had lead in my feet. Even my shorts felt heavy. I decided to persists remembering that the first little bit is always hard. It did get easier and I ran a full mile. Not bad for taking so much time off.

I have this little trick I do to get through a hard run. I set up markers in my mind that I will run to, like a light post or a street sign. I do this thinking, "Ok, I will run just to that point, I can do that. Then I will stop." Usually, I can keep running beyond that point but I give myself the option of stopping if I feel like I need to. See, I have give up points when I run. Points where I feel like I can't run any more. But usually these give up points do not coincide with my markers so I am able to run farther then I originally thought I could.

Like yesterday, for example, I first said I would run for ten minutes but then when I got started I felt like there was no way I would be able to do that so I then said two songs. I can run for two songs. When those two songs were up I felt I could run still so I then said to myself, one more song. After that I was so close to ten minutes that I decided I would go the full ten minutes. Then I saw the end of the road and I figured I could go that far. Then at that point I was done and I walked the rest of the way home. I felt so accomplished and proud of myself. I think that is why running is addictive.

Anyway, as I thought about this I realized that life is much the same way. When we think of the overall goal sometimes we feel overwhelmed and wonder how we are going to make it, whether it be 5 small children or simply a big project like moving. But when you break it down in to small chunks it then becomes easy and manageable. You are then willing to try something you once thought incomprehensible.

On cute note.

Sarah wanted to help burp Joshua yesterday. While I was holding him he burped really good for her and then spit up all over the floor. She got really excited and said, "I got the special prize." What a crack up she is.

The beginning of a new chapter

I know, I am so far behind with everything that has happened in the past month. I will try to update just a little and hopefully from now on I can stay more on top of things.

We are moved in, well mostly. I love the house Ryan picked out and the neighborhood is great. When the kids and I walked to the park on Monday I felt like we had come home. It was a very peaceful feeling and I was glad for it. They have the best park just up the street from us and the school is just around the corner. I am still not sure what I am going to do about school but I am not really ready to think about that yet. One thing at a time.
I have most of the necessary boxes unpacked and I still have a garage half full of stuff. I imagine I am going to be furnishing the local thrift store with the things we don't or won't use any more.

There are so many stores and restaurants. I have 4 grocery stores within 5 miles. And I found the best natures market I have ever seen. Complete with deli and bakery. This is very exciting to the vegan I have become.

People here are so friendly and it feels like a very family oriented place. Every one does look at me crazy because I have 5 children. I am getting used to that and I just shrug it off. I am still not sure why people feel it is there business to talk to me so bluntly about how many children I have. To each his own, right?

I will try to share some moments of the past several weeks.

Our new home
Jared takes another picture. What cute boys I have.
Can you tell by my eyes how sleep deprived I am?

See the beautiful sunlight shining on Joseph? Yeah, no blinds still and it
was 112 a few days ago.
I thought we left the heat behind in St. George?

Jared loves being a big brother.

He is so cute to watch when sleeping.

So, you may ask what this is? We chopped of all of Jareds hair. He has been asking to get it cut and I told him once we got to California. Well there it is. All of his hair. I think I prefer it longer but not as long as it had gotten.

And here he is, no hair.

She thinks she is big enough to rock him. It still makes me a little nervous.

I was unpacking all of the bathroom stuff the other day. There was a lot of stuff that just needed to be thrown out. I made a pile while I finished arranging the rest of the stuff. Then Joseph found me and played for about an hour with my trash pile. If only I new how easy it was to entertain.

Joseph loves Joshua to death! He hugs him every chance he gets. Joshua doesn't seem to mind to much. I guess it is good for Joshua to get used to being pinned by his big brother.

The kids and I stayed at my parents house on the way to our new home. We had such a nice visit and I felt so proud to have them as my mom and dad. Laura and her family visited with us while we were there and it was a nice break before we got here to the new home and where we have had a little dose of chaos every day.Sweet moments are forever cherished.

I want to bottle this moment in time.

Joseph was helping Grandpa prepare his talk for church.
"I think that part would go nicely at the end"


The kids with there cousin Zach. Emma really enjoys Playing with him.

On the 4th of July Ryan's brother Trent and his family came to help us pack. They were amazing. There is no way we would have been able to do it with out there help. Early in the day Ryan took the kids to the park with his brother Trent and there daughter Reeghan. They had the best time at the carnival. Then that evening we went to watch the city fireworks. We had let the kids go to bed and then woke them up when it was time to go. They were not so happy about being woken up but I think all things considered they had a good time. Joseph was not sure at first but by the end he was much more comfortable.

Ryan took some really good close ups of the kids. I was sad that I couldn't be with them to enjoy the fun of the day.

Riding the rides. Life is good. It was so hot that day. I bet it felt good to feel the breeze.

The kids enjoyed some mini popsicles. They are so small that the kids can't make to much of a mess before they are gone.
Watching the fireworks from outside the movie theater.

Our new park

Jared has discovered that he likes to take pictures. So here I am with Joshua. on our way to the park. The baby Bjorn is great. I was able to swing with the kids and push Joseph on the swing.

We all loved the swing.

Walking home was so fun. The kids walked in the water and enjoyed the warm summer morning.

Jared has become an expert monkey. He was proud of himself. It is so fun to watch them learn something new and then to see the satisfaction on there face to show it to you.