Vacation time for Auntie Suzie

Ok, so my sister Suzie asked me if I would tend her 3 little girls for her while she went to Idaho for a few days. Since she is forever and always my backup plan when we go on vacation I said heck yes. Her children are very well behaved and trained that when it is 8:30pm it is bedtime. I am hoping that a little of that early bedtime routine will rub off onto my kids. Suzie has 5 children of her own and is also raising 4 girls from her husbands previous marriage...AND also watches this lady named Ilene's 4 children 5 days a week. SO>>>>um, Yeah she definitely has to set some rules in order to maintain some sense of control. Suzie is 6 years younger than me and it's amazing how when you get old and crusty 6 years doesn't really make a difference. I look up to Suzie so much and am constantly amazed at how organized and together she is with raising 13 kids. I am sure she has her moments like everyone, but she definitely deserves the "Mom of the year award" in my book. This little vacation is the first time Suz and her Hubby have rodded off into the sunset together ALONE since they were first married...like 10 years ago. It was a much needed and deserved vacation. Any hew,....my blog was going to be about taking 6 girls to church.(Lindsay stayed home with her friend Adree from SLC) When we walked into sacrament meeting I was seriously wondering what am I doing? I am going to be pulling out my hair ....but since Valerie and Ollie had never been to an LDS church before I figured it might be interesting and fun for them. Valerie was very emotional when we first got there because Alley had told her that when you are a visitor you get to get up in front of the class and make music. Well, Valerie started thinking about that and decided that wasn't her cup of tea. After explaining to Valerie a few hundred times that she didn't have to do anything she wasn't comfortable with she was able to relax and enjoy sacrament meeting. To make a long story short..huh hummmm It all went well and the kids all came home happy and glad they went! Suzie called last night and said they decided to stay a few more days...So, I am finding out what it's like to have 7 kids...all girls at that and so far so good, knock on wood. jokes

5th Grade field trip to Zions!

Last week I went with Lindsay on her 5th grade field trip to Zions. Lindsay said," Mom this is my last field trip I will EVER go on because next year I am going into intermediate school".....So, Even though it was a little hectic figuring out a babysitter for my kids and the babysitting kiddies I am glad I went. I have never regretted any decision that I have made when I put my kids first. Everytime I attend a school field trip with any of my kids I am reminded of my childhood and the prescious innosence of youth. Maybe I should be a psychiatrist or something but I often find myself studying people and wondering why kids act the way they do...especially kids. There is and always has been the "popular" kids, the "dorks", the "wanna be popular" kids, the "loud mouths", the "quiet insecure kids", etc... Through my quiet observation of the fifth grade class I came to the obvious conclusion that everone has this desperate need to be accepted, loved and acknowledged. I think that's really all any of us want in life is to be loved and accepted for who we are. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the underdog...don't ask me why? ANYHEW>...We hiked up to the top of emerald pools... at which time my legs felt alot like jello. I decided my body just ain't what it used to be...lol But I made it, YEAH!! It was a great workout. After we returned from the hike we all sat on the lawn and ate lunch while Mr. Ekker and Mr. Thomas had a water fight. They have way to much fun...and get paid for it:) I am very thankful that Lindsay had Mr Ekker for her 5th grade teacher! He made learning fun and incorporated alot of exercise and laughs into his learning.I am however glad that school is out and that summer vacation has begun. Alot less "Mom Taxi" for 10 weeks YEAH!

It's A GIRL!

On Monday, May 19 at 6:27 pm my little sister Janetta gave birth to a beautiful little girl. Sonja Renee weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. It was one of the most peaceful, and spiritual births I have ever been to and I have attended quite a few births. Nettie invited me,Suzie,my Mom and of course Shawn...(the baby's Daddy)to be there. We all met at the hospital at 6am and the nurses started Nettie on pitocin to get some contractions going. Shawn, Suzie and I rotated turns pushing on her knees to relieve the contractions...(that is a good biceps workout...I was seriously feeling the burn after 5 minutes or so.) hee hee at around 2 pm they gave her an epidural. At 4:30pm the Doctor broke her water and at 6:27pm Sonja was born. She came out wide eyed and looking around the room at everyone. The nurses had to rub and squeeze her to get her to cry. Everyone was crying and couldn't believe the eyelashes on that baby. She has some serious sweepers. I hope the best for Nettie and Shawn as they begin a new chapter in their life as a family.

My Sister Velvet's experience

I have hesitated adding this onto my blog for fear of offending someone....so please don't be offended.This is where I came from and some might find it interesting....who knows? It is a sight I check regularly because I have alot of family and friends involved in this travesty. I do have alot of mixed emotions about the raid on the Texas polygamist group but it puts a new twist on it when it's your own family involved. I found out just recently that my little sister Velvet who is 31 years old has a little 13 month old girl who was taken in this raid. Velvet was still nursing her when she was taken. When I found this site on the FLDS I was able to see my sister for the first time in 10 years....and yes I used a half box of kleenex. If you click on my link that says "Velvets Experience", then the top right hand link (Captive flds children), and then click the video (happy children), my sister Velvet' little girl is in the first picture wearing a green dress and Velvet is the second picture shown wearing a yellow dress with her little girl on her shoulders. My heart goes out to these Mothers and children. I can't imagine what I would do if someone took my children away from me....they are my life!! I do NOT agree with underage marriages for sure but I grew up in Colorado city and I know these people are genuine,good hearted, hardworking, loving parents. I was never abused as a child. There is never a day go by, that I don't wonder how on earth my Mother raised 13 children and remained as calm, sweet and loving as she was. She is my angel. My brother Carl has hired an attorney and we are trying to get temporary custody of Velvet's little one with her blessing. Velvet would way rather someone in the family have her instead of the Texas CPS.....that is, if she is not allowed to take her back. After a month of being seperated, Velvet was finally able to see her little girl last Monday for one hour and she said her little eyes were glassy and glazed as if CPS had been drugging her.(They have proven this because there are 5 children in a coma today because of overdoses given by CPS....no kidding) When "Velvet Rose" noticed her mother she threw her arms around her mommy in a tight grip and would not let go. It breaks my heart to imagine what she is going through...both of them. Any hew...thanks for listening to my rambles...just another experience in life that will either make me bitter or better:)

Our new little econo cruizer

Wahoo....Well, we finally broke down and bought us a little econo cruizer. It is a 2008 Honda fit. (Brand spankin new) mmmmm I love the smell of new cars, if only it would last with fifty million kiddies ridin' in it everyday:) Not my first pick if I was to choose my favorite but it has been a great little run around so far....lol...5 days... I am spoiled!! We have been debating for the longest time about what to do. On one hand we needed a bigger vehicle...or one that seats 6 instead of five. On the other hand we needed one that gets good gas mileage and we have found in our searching that ya just can't have both. SO....with the way gas prices have sky-rocketed and the amount of "mom taxi" rides I do in a day we finally decided to get a run around. We have only had it since last Saturday and have already put 250 miles on it with one tank of gas. It gets 44 mpg...which is sweet compared to our envoy that only got 14 mpg. Anyhew..I am sure enjoying only filling up once a week...one less thing to stress about. Now we just have to make the pmt...

Anyone want a kitten?

On April 5th, 2008 our cat Abbey had 5 kittens.It was quite the event. My children and I sat quietly in the garage and watched the delivery. I even videoed the event....thats kinda weird I know...but it was very interesting for the kids. After a quick call to Ginger, our next door neighbor who is an avid animal lover, she and her hubby joined in on the celebration. Abbey had three kittens and we thought she was done but to our surprise we found two more kittens in her crate the next morning. Six weeks have passed now and they are just the cutest little things ever... BUT ewwwww does the garage ever smell fresh! They are really playful and have their own little personalities.We are going to have to find homes for them in the very near future. My plan is to sit outside of Lins and give them away hopefully to good homes unless we can find someone who wants them first. Come on you know you want one....

Still learning the ropes:)

Hey guys...I am new to Bloggers so I'm still trying to figure out the ropes. I finally figured out how to add music...YEAH! I love Music! I invited Ginger Machrone, Lisa Nielson, Amanda Jocelyn, Jennifer Cooke, Wendy Fenton ....hummmm and a few more to join our little neighborhood blog. This has been alot of fun so thanks Maren for inviting me:) I have a myspace as well so I have to say NO to the computer until I get my house work done....It can be addicting:) Hopefully this summer I will have more time to twink with it and hopefully lots of fun memories and pics to post.