Peace

We decided this weekend not to buy the house in Ontario.

After much discussion, stupor of thought, head aches, illness and simply not being on the same page I am so grateful for the peace we have received in our decision.

Candid Cuties

Collection of moments captured that tell our life story right now.

Sneaking pudding snacks in Spencer's room.


Kurt spending time with Rooster making him the BEST DADDY EVER!
{I have never seen her so excited!!!}


Taking piano lessons from Lori Nelson




Always creating


Impromptu picnic


Constant Gymnast / Break dancer






Light reading over breakfast


Orange you going to Smile?!!!

Real Estate Ulcer

Back in October Kurt and I started talking about buying some land {70 acres} on 6th Ave West {right next to Jeff and Julie.} We would build {eventually} and make it into our dream spot. It felt like the life we moved to Vale to have {living close to family and teaching our kids how to work hard.}

We had a purchase agreement signed and ready for over a month now. The owner still hasn't signed it. Obviously he is not anxious to sell. Maybe it wasn't meant to be.

Tuesday night when Kurt got home from work he handed me the print out of a foreclosed house that had just gone on the market days before. He had already set up a time to look at in the morning with our Realtor.

It was built in 2007, 4000 sq ft with 10 acres and it is in Ontario. {I could get the kids to school in 10 minutes!} The 10 acres is all mountain with the house on the very top. The view is breathtaking! The walls in the kitchen, living room and master bed room facing the view is ALL windows to capitalize on the view. Breathtaking.

Ok so there are lots of things that I love about the house. And so does my husband. He has been back to the house daily, some days multiple trips, since the first visit. We signed papers the SAME afternoon that we first saw it {Wednesday.} Mainly to secure our options so no one else would take it from us. {If we decide to walk away we will not lose our ernst money.} Now we are suppose to be praying about it to decide if it is the right decision for our family. Even though I'm pretty sure my husband has already decided.

I really don't like being the practical one. The fact that we already OWN one house makes me hesitate {and stress out.} Did the boat really need to be rocked? And why does everything have to be so RUSHED?! We'll see what happens. Meanwhile I'm nursing my ulcers.

Sweet Miracles

It seems like a week of sweet miracles for Emma Lynn.

Tuesday was her FIRST CLOGGING class ever. This was nothing short of a small miracle in itself. It probably made me more happy than it should but I'm excited! :D Since her miraculous stage debut in December with 4 Rivers I have had wishful hopes that she would want to return to the stage. That coupled with some of her besties also taking clogging she agreed.

She was timid to start and I kept hoping that she would at least move. But slowly she got more into it. At least she started moving! Good progress. She is highly anticipating the the next class so I would say that is definite progress.





That night after we got home pain set in quickly. She was going to the bathroom frequently and it terrible amounts of pain. Yikes. Definitely all the signs of a UTI. Not fun for anyone especially a little girl. There was much screaming and wailing and gnashing of teeth {those of you who know Emma know that I am not exaggerating even slightly. I'm just grateful that she rarely gets sick.} This was about 9:30 pm and I had no idea how we were going to make it through the night. Neither did she. "I CAN'T DO THIS!!!" "I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE IT!!!" Man, it was going to be a llooonnnnngggggggg night.

I asked Kurt to give her a blessing because I didn't know how else we would surviving until the Dr. office opened the next morning. She managed to minimize the wailing to whimpers so we could hear the prayer. Austin was unable to fall asleep with all the commotion so we invited him to join us. Within 2 minutes after the blessing Emma was able to fall asleep. I definitely felt that was a miracle. Since Austin still wasn't asleep I used this opportunity to teach.

"Do you hear how quiet she is now?" "Ya." "The blessing helped her calm down and fall asleep." "The priesthood is cool."

The calmness continued through the morning as we had to wait until 10:30 to get in to see the Dr. {She didn't have a fever so I didn't take more urgent steps.} At one point when she was in a lot of pain she asked me to pray for her again. And the calmness returned. I'm grateful for her faith and that she was able to gain control of a hard situation for her.

She definitely had a UTI and the infection had already entered her kidneys. Luckily she did not have a fever so we didn't have to take more drastic measures {like shots and hospitalization.} I know the blessing aided in helping lessen the severity of her infection.

And lastly I'm grateful that it has continued to be a teaching opportunity as I can bare testimony of the power of the priesthood and how blessed we are to have a worthy priesthood holder in our home & family. Sweet miracles.

Cousins

After Christmas Elaine and the kids came for a visit. We are so happy they came to Vale. The cousins play hard and happily. Lorna and Emma Lynn are long lost soul mates. And Ruth is lovin' her little buddy Ethan. Elaine is pretty great, too! ;)


LOTS of Dress up!!!


And even more CRAISINS. Ethan LOVES them. Everytime we turn around he is carrying them around.






One of those moments that makes their dad proud! ;) It was Hiliarous!

WE LOVE OUR COUSINS!

Talking with Rooster

Sometimes, like lately, it seems like I forget how big my Rooster girl is getting. She'll be 3 next month. We have been having so many great conversations lately. Or maybe I had more time to talk with her this week (minus preschool in my life.) Regardless I had to record a few of my favorites:

Mom: Roost, thank you! You are such a big helper.

R: {matter-of-factly} Yes. I am you friend.

~~~

R: You baby in you tummy?

Mom: Yes.

R: The baby make you sick?

Mom: I'm feeling okay right now.

R: Can I sit on your lap then?

~~~

Her stomach started making noise, she looked up in surprise:

R: The girl in my tummy is talking.

Mom: Sweetheart, only mom has a baby in her tummy right now. Your stomach was just talking to you, teling you it is hungry.

R: Oh. Okay.

{her stomach rumbles again}

R: My stomach is thirsty, too!

~~~

This girl is so super silly. And the next minute so super sassy. It can be a whirlwind just to keep up. "Aye, hormonia" as her father would say.


"My head is too heavy."


Bedtime Tunes

Sleeping with coupons
{NO, this was not posed and YES, I am creating a monster.}

"I LOVE my coupons!"


Life certainly isn't dull.

Goals for 2011

Sunday during family council we set our goals for 2011. Kurt gave me a special treat and let me attend his one-on-one interviews with the kids so I could write down their goals.

FAMILY
1. Individual prayers {we are to ask each other how we're doing.}
2. Morning Devotional at 7 AM {on our clock, so really 6:50 normal time.}
3. Monthly Service Projects
4. Dinner together EVERY night
5. Keep the suburban clean! {Saturday is the designated cleaning out day.}

Each kid came into their interview with goals they wanted to accomplish. I love that they had thought about it and their ideas were great. For the 3 oldest kids they all came up with the first 2 ideas on their own.

AUSTIN
1. Keep my room clean every day. {love it!}
2. Read the Book of Mormon before I am baptized {he just finished 2 Nephi.}
3. Be obedient.
4. Practice the piano 5 days a week.
5. Learn one new Spanish word every day.

EMMA LYNN
1. Clean room every day {not as big a task as for Austin!}
2. Read 2-3 verses in the Book of Mormon every night.
3. Keep taking art lessons and put art in the fair this summer.
4. Learn one new Spanish word every day.
5. Piano lessons with mom.

Spencer
1. Use a Kleenex when I have a booger. {this makes me smile!}
2. Help my mom and dad.
3. Work on reading every day.

Ruth
1. Be quiet in church.
2. No accidents during the night.
3. Mom's helper when the new baby comes.

Freedom

Yesterday I made a big decision. Because of some current changes in our life I decided it would be the best option to stop teaching preschool. Not after the baby is born but right now.

It is not a decision I came to lightly. I have enjoyed the past 2 1/2 years in my preschool endeavor. It was a fun, busy and exciting journey that I'm so glad I could take. I love getting to know so many wonderful kids and their families.

I am also grateful for their understanding when I needed to stop midyear. I have always felt like the cream of the crop came to Kinder Bloom Preschool. I'm grateful I could rub shoulders with them.

As I called each parent yesterday piece by piece a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I have no doubt that I will miss it. But this was a necessary thing to do.

After I finished all the phone calls I gave Kurt a HUGE hug and said, "I can be just a MOM and WIFE again!" It's time.

Thank you for an incredible preschool ride, I will always treasure it.