It Paid Off -

I never thought my skill at being late for everything would payoff -

but today it did.

And thank goodness.

Luckily, instead of having my feet up in the stirrups when the fire alarm when off at my OBYN's office, I was simply only pulling into the parking lot.

:)

Can you imagine?

Say Goodbye -

to those lazy days of summer.

Oh sadness, not quite ready for that. :(

This summer our kids have especially loved building forts.

If there's a blanket and something to hang it on, before long it will become a home to the imagination of my children.

Outdoor Fort:

The Community Lower Level Resting Place -

Lou's new place of residence.

Little C's new abode in the neighboring tree.

Ruckus feeling a little bummed and confused as to why his fort must remain on the ground.

Summer always goes by too quickly and it is always a crazy, busy time, but I love it.

All four of my children are quite expressive and make me equally mental/filled with joy day in and day out.

Little C has started school and is adapting perfectly like usual. He is such a social butterfly but was a little disappointed when he discovered there are only three other boys in his class. The worst part came when he said, "and none of the girls are cute either."

Oh poor, deprived child. :)

Little C is trying harder every day to hide his sweetness, little stinker,  but it still out shines him by accident. My mom told me his attitude should disappear little by little by the time he's 19. I told her thanks for the comforting words :). When The Beloved and I attended his school open-house here is the letter he had written introducing his family:

I am going to tell you about my family. My Dad likes to tease a lot. He teases my mom, my brothers, and people he doesn't even know. My mom is the hugger of the family. At first it isn't that bad, but after a while it gets really annoying. My little brother Lou is so, so so, so so, annoying. He always asks in the middle of the night if I will draw him a train.

I like to play video games, ride bikes, skate boards, and watch TV.

The End.

I think he ran out of time to include Ruckus and the baby. On his brain storming sheet he did say the baby was nice and loving, but Ruckus got a similiar report to the rest of us.

I have decided that except for the portion re: The Beloved and the baby, he must have been copying his neighbor's paper. I happen to know first hand that we are 85% completely enjoyable, 10% disagreeable, and only maybe 5% annoying.

And although The Beloved teases, it should be taken as a sign of his never-ending love and affection. At least that's what I tell myself. :)

Lou and Ruckus are becoming better friends, but still appear to be at war more than play. Often during the day I find myself yelling over and over again,

"Just love each other!"

They are hilarious though, and I enjoy eavesdropping in on their little conversations.

Lately, Lou has been incorporating the words  - really kind of - into his sentences.

For example:

That bug was really kind of scary. I really kind of stepped on it hard though and killed it with my shoe.

When Lou speaks he holds his arms up in the air, pokes his neck out, and shakes his head a little bit. Kind of like he is always trying to prove a point. ;)

Ruckus has been adding the words  -all day - to the end of his sentences.

"Mom, I'm poopy all day."

"I can play trains all day."

"I eat chicken nuggets all day."

Also, imagine those sentences from Ruckus being said in a low, growling voice with roars in between each word. Funny little fellow.

 P.s. he hadn't been poopy all day, he just says that. :)

And, our baby is just still the sweetest dream ever.
 He is big. Big, big, big. But rockin' the cuteness.

He loves to cuddle and have long conversations filled with oooows and ahhhhs.

Farewell Summer.
See you in a year.

We're So Happy -

We could just Kiss YOU!

College Football Season!!!

BSU vs. Georgia

First game of the season-

The first quarter had us a bit nervous...

But we were able to relax and get a little shut eye after BSU pulled off a glorious victory.

Go Boise State!

Me as a cat -

If you want to see me as a cat go here:

http://ciscoanderin.blogspot.com/

Sunday mornings

Sunday mornings are rough.

I am truly my grumpiest on Sunday mornings. It takes me 2 1/2 hours to get myself and my children ready. And even though I experience Sunday mornings once a week, I still STRUGGLE with being on time to church.  Unfortunately my brain is of the mind set, even with this prior 2 1/2 hr knowledge, that everything can be accomplished in an hour.

It took me an hour to get ready when I was simply The Domestic Goddess in Training accompanied by my maiden name. Why in the world would it only take an hour for The married Domestic Goddess in Training, plus four lovely humans, to be able to get ready in the same allotted time?

But TODAY!!! - we were 5 minutes early for church and I believe I only yelled once this morning... maybe twice.

I loved this morning.

And here's the difference. I woke up with the strongest desire to share my testimony of the gospel during sacrament meeting. This task always makes me nervous, so I had a little prayer in my heart throughout the whole pre-church morning. When you're in a conversation with your Heavenly Father for 2 1/2 hours there is little time/desire for yelling. The Spirit was definitely in our home this morning and it was beautiful.

If Sunday mornings are rough, I can promise the first hour of church is rougher for this household.

But today was perfect.

 Even though I did realize a little too late that the finger I was bending down to kiss really didn't deserve my lips attention at all. It turns out my 3 yr old wasn't showing me an owie, just the booger on the end of his finger that needed to be wiped off on a tissue. Great.

But, that was the only minor fiasco.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about if I live what I know?

Am I just a knower or a liver?

I know what I believe. Do I live it?

I give lessons once a month to the young women on various things; daily scripture reading, personal prayer, not being judgemental or gossipy, etc.

I have a testimony of these things.

They are important, they are real, they are essential. 

But do I personally read my scriptures every day? Make sure I say my morning and evening prayers? Do I take the time to teach my children what I KNOW?

Not all of the time.

But when I make an effort to live what I know, I am so much happier. My testimony of the gospel increases, and I can have more meaningful conversations with my Father in Heaven and can receive direction from Him.

Living what I know makes me a better mother. A better wife.

A better me.

I am blessed to know that I have a purpose.

I love the gospel ya'll.

I am thankful for it.

I'll update you on how next Sunday morning goes.

And here's to saying No to kissing boogers. Not fun.

Happy Anniversary 2011

For The Beloved's final summer school project he painted the JAZZ Bear he proposed to me with, at the JAZZ game, 6 years ago.

It even looks fuzzy, doesn't it? So cool. And he finished it just in time for our ----

Anniversary.

Here we are on the way to our big date -

and can you guess where we are going?

Oh yes my friends, Michael Buble.

His vocals were amazing!

But this guy was NAUGHTY.

I was torn between loving his voice and trying not to laugh at his dirty jokes. But then they got worse and worse, and I am pretty sure I plugged my ears for a bit. A little disappointing. But the singing was fantastic.

 

Luckily, I was there with my best guy.

I call him Man Handsome - with that beard! It doesn't get more manly/handsome than that. :)

It's so cool being married to your best friend. I have lived the other life - where you're not - and I am so blessed to have been given a second chance.

Earlier this summer we went for a ride in The Beloved's truck, just the two of us. He held my hand and put in our song. We just sat there in silence enjoying the moment. I have never felt so content in my whole life.

I love you.

 Happy Anniversary.

Lagoon

If The Beloved could do anything, money no object, he would build and run an amusement park. He loves going on rides, being scared out of his brains, and then challenging our children to do the same.

The night before we went to Lagoon we first headed to Seven Peaks and had fun hanging out with The Beloved's sister and her family. The next day The Beloved's parents so kindly accompanied us to Lagoon. My Father-in-law said he was sacrificing his body for the sake of his grandchildren, so everybody could have a partner to ride with and have a good time. Funny guy. If that doesn't shout good grandpa, I don't know what does. My awesome mother-in-law took care of our youngest so I could be up close watching the younger boys and go on a few non-thrilling rides myself. (I only desire the non-thrilling rides... a couple of years ago I discovered that I don't really enjoy being scared. Nope, not in the least bit. So bring on anything safe and wonderful and close to the ground.)

The Beloved and Little C headed off for the big kid rides. The Beloved started him out with the scariest ride of all - The Rocket. Oooohhh - hate that one.

Little C acted very tough, but for some reason when they'd get to the front of the line, he'd proclaim his immediate need to use the bathroom. :) 

Our younger kids loved the train.

Ruckus hated it all. 

Lou and Ruckus even duked it out on the boat ride, fighting over who got to ring the bell. It was WWE at its finest. There were punches thrown, hair pulling, head locks and more. I think these kids have a real future in the business. 

Now Lou - was a MANIAC. He is The Beloved reincarnate. Lou would throw his arms up in the air screaming for more.

LOVED IT!

These kids are completely unpredictable. :)

Until next year - when we're ready for more!



Why?

Why only dress up once a year, when you can do it everyday like us?

P.S.

Just a side note to the previous post. I am a firm believer in the saying,

It is silly to take offense when no offense was intended.

This cashier was clueless and completely had no idea how to relate to my life. Obviously :).

Sometimes I think, am I on camera? Okay Ashton, come out - you got me.

I promise throughout this whole conversation I was laughing on the inside and thinking how somebody couldn't have written the dialogue better for a movie.

She was strange. But not knowingly unkind.

I don't want the world to become 100% impersonal but I do agree with Annie that some employees should stick strictly to the shopping experience and not the history of your family.

At Costco the other day a complete stranger said,

Look at all of these beautiful boys. Someday you are going to have a bunch of wonderful daughters-in-law to love.

And I thought -

How beautiful. She's right. And I love that she took the moment to share that with me.

That's when I thought about making a badge to say,

"I was completely tactful and marvelous today."

So we can balance out the dumb with the good badges to be passed out.

The Checker

I have a friend in IL who has a favorite cashier at every local grocer. No matter how long the line, she will wait patiently for her kind little checker to assist her.

I think she may be the smartest woman I know.

I have come to the conclusion that someone has secretly stuck an invisible badge on me, that only cashiers are capable of seeing, that states, ask her any dumb question you can think of within the confines of her family.

And this is where our story begins...

It was late.

About 10:30 p.m.

I thought it a safe time to venture out, into the night,

 for a quick shopping trip.

Just me and the baby.

No way I would be detected as the stressed out, stay at home mother, who...

HAS HER HANDS FULL.

... but then I was pleasantly reminded that, that wish is impossible.
And, that I am pretty sure it is a qualification for all cashiers to have a sixth sense in determining if you have a large quantity of children -and after that is established, to then proceed in asking you every question under the sun.
It's that or the invisible badge my friends.
Such a toss up...
So the questions roll in:
 (Remember this happened about a month or so ago)
Cashier (C) : You're out shopping pretty late.
Me: Yep.
C: How come?
Me: Sometimes it's just easier that way.
C: Is that your baby?
Me: Yep.
C: How old is he?
Me: About 6 weeks.
C: So you just had him huh?
Me: Yep.
C: You have more children?
Me: Yep.
C: How many?
Me: He has three older brothers (pointing at the baby).
C: Wow, that sucks. Crazy. Do you like them?
Me: They're pretty cool. Just not when we're grocery shopping.
C: Do you have a husband too?
Me: Yes, yes I do.
C: Wow. You are brave.

What the H just happened? Seriously?!
So, in my pretend, delicious response life that I dream about having, here is how my wonderfully sarcastic, lack of tact back at ya self would have responded:
C: You're out shopping late.
Me: Yep.
C: How come?
Me: Sometimes it's just easier that way.
C: Is that your baby?
Me: (Now I could say no, but then I wouldn't have the possibility of answering the next couple questions, so we'll stick with yes)
Yep.
C: How old is he?
Me: About six weeks.
C: So you just had him huh?
Me: No. No, it's been a year or so.
C: You have more children?
Me: Yep.
C: How many?
Me: He has three older brothers.
%%%%%%%% (Elder Patton remember this is your sign to read no further... and maybe yours too mom) %%%%%%
C:Wow. That sucks. Do you like them?
Me: Gosh no. I don't even know if they're mine. I'm still trying to figure out who the mother is.
C: Do you have a husband too?
Me: Well, I am glad you asked. The answer to your question is no. I am actually performing a study on how swiftly I can contract sypha-ghona-herpal-aids. It is coming along rather smashingly if I do say so myself.
C: Wow. You are brave.

Okay. I am sorry. That was SUPER naughty.
But honestly -
What the world?
I love my babies.
I love my husband.
And,
To all evil checkers of the Earth -
Be nice.
I really am a decent, married, STD free gal who believes in multiplying and replenishing the state of ID.
And though at times I may appear a bit mental due to extreme fatigue, you should be embracing me, because quite frankly my Pepsi addiction is probably supporting your livelihood.
Thanks.
Take Care.
Until we meet again. 

My Handsomes

The Baby

This little baby of ours is such an angel (except in the picture below :). He is constantly full of smiles and his curious eyes soak in all of the busy-ness around him without complaint.

He is such a blessing and we are so thankful for him.

All my Boys

It doesn't get much cuter than this, does it - :)