Sunday, September 15, 2019

I got a lot of catching up to do.  First off…..school is back in session.  Teagan is in 2^nd grade, Xadia is in 4^th, McCabe is in 7^th, and Jacinda is in 9^th.  (My babies are getting so big!)  I took some cute pictures before their first day.  The Squire children are also in the pictures because they are temporarily living with us until their house sells.  It has been fun having them.

The Squires like a lot of the same thing my children like.  They play the computers.  I think they play Minecraft, Roblox, and Fort Nite.  They are also good helpers with the lawn care business.  They have made a few dollars also.  Brinton will not miss an opportunity to mow a lawn because, “it is his only source of income.”  Kate and Jacinda like anime.  They dressed up as Hetalia characters for Fan X.  Jacinda was Prussia and Kate was Germany.  I was so impressed with their costumes.  They made them from D.I. clothes.  Jacinda’s boots were originally black and she covered them with a white vinyl material.  These kids are super talented.

Labor day weekend was no vacation.  Someone started a fire in the mountains and we had to be evacuated from our house.  Luckily the fire did not touch our house.  It was about 150 yards away.  However, three people lost their homes all because a campfire was not fully extinguished.  It was so said seeing the losses on t.v.

McCabe just got braces.  He is suffering through the pain.  The first 3 days meant soft foods.  He lived on mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, and ice cream.  He is very excited to have straight teeth to compliment his good looks.  He is very much into trying to create a six pack.  He likes to flex his muscles in the mirror.  He is a cute kid. 

Xadia set up her “squatter’s camp in the hallway.  She got lots of blankets, chairs, and pillows to make a nice bed.  Teagan and Canda also joined in the fun.  She slept there for 3 nights.  It is fun to see what Xadia will do next.

Caught Teagan the other day putting his “babies” down for a nap.  My heart pretty much melted at the sight.  Teagan still shows some of that sweet baby boy side while being a tough adventurous 7-year-old.  It is so fun being a mama to all these wonderful children. 

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

It is an exciting time in our lives.  After nine years of renting, we are going to sell our Longview, WA home.  It has been a great home.  Three of my four kids lived there for a season.  Tim and I built it with the intentions of living there forever.  It is just over 4200 square feet.  It has an intercom system and HDMI cable all throughout.  We had missionaries living in the basement during our occupancy.  I love the double headed shower and that the laundry room is on the floor with all the bedrooms.

Our last set of renters really did a number on the place.  They painted the walls and got some of the paint on the ceiling and carpet.  One of their children decided to paint the outside of the house.  There was markers and writing on doors and walls.  Pieces of candy were stuck in the carpet and it reeked of urine.  That was really frustrating.  They did not take care of the yard.  There were over grown weeds and moss on the roof.  My heart dropped when I saw the condition.  They tried to blame the previous renters but Tim and I visited the last set of renter and saw the condition of the home.  It was not that bad.  It also did not smell nasty.  It was frustrating to see that the current renters did not keep their side of the contract to do $300/month of home repairs.  Needless to say, we helped the renters move and did a major overhaul on the house.  It took a lot of time and money to restore the house.  Now it looks beautiful.  New carpet will be laid in 2 weeks.  Part of me wants to hold on to the house.  The other part says to let go.  I took lots of pictures to keep as memories.

Something really cute that has happened this past month is Teagan copying Tim with pen placement.  Tim always has a pen.  On Sundays, Tim puts the pen behind his tie in between two buttons on his shirt.  Teagan does the exact same because he wants to be like his dad.  It is the cutest thing ever.  I just love it.

Thursday, May 16, 2019

      Well a lot has happened since my last entry.  Easter was a blast because we got to do the egg Olympics.  Uncle Matt and Aunt Mimi were good sports because they did not come down too hard on Xadia’s BYU decorated egg.  In fact, they had a lot of fun tossing it around.  I almost won the luge but got beaten out by Vaughn.  I found out that the shot put and I don’t mesh well.  This is the event where you put a shelled egg in your mouth and spit it out as far as you can.  My egg did not go very far.  Roxanne (my sister) thought it was hilarious.  Every time I was up, she would gut laugh because I looked so funny.  We go some good pictures.  I think the best event was the 400 meter dash.  Aunt Roxy is super competitive.  As soon as the race started, she whacked my egg off the spoon along with anyone else who got next to her.  That did not stop us from having a good time.  We would pick up the egg, put it back on the spoon and keep running.  The kids all had a good time.  Uncle Tim was in hard-boiled egg heaven.  It seemed like every time I turned around he was salting an egg and eating it.  I think the egg Olympics is one of the best Easter traditions ever.

     The weather in Utah is absolutely beautiful.  The kids walk to school every day.  When the weekend arrives, as a family, we like to go to a park or ride bikes.  The flowers are so beautiful.  I love seeing the phlox on the rock wall.  It looks like a vibrant floral waterfall.  God sure knew what he was doing when created this earth.

     In the beginning of May, Tim, myself, Aunt Amy, and Uncle Ethan went to Rome and Italy.  What a fantastic trip.  The landscape and history are unbelievable.  The pictures do not do it justice.  I was so amazed at how advanced the Romans were.  They had their own little sewer and plumbing system.  Their roads had speed bumps to prevent chariots going too fast and hitting pedestrians (saw that in Pompeii).  I was really intrigued with their tall buildings and short doors.  However, the buildings dedicated to their gods were super ornate with huge doors.  I believe it was the Pantheon door that is 23 feet high.  Another church/baptistery door in Florence was decorated with gold and depicted bible stories.  There is a lot of religious influence in Italy.  It was bizarre to see interpretations of hell in the murals.  It looked like a scary place with some very strange creatures doing weird things to people.  I was glad we were able to go to the Rome temple.  It was very powerful doing a session and hearing people respond in different languages.  Humans have not changed much over the course of thousands of years.  Some strive to be close to God, others choose to live a different type of life.  I am so glad I was able to go and see and learn the history of Italy.  I could not help but think about the age of the structures (some over 2,000 years old) and compare it to the U.S. only being about 250 years old.  It made me laugh.  Here is a fun fact, Michelangelo did not want to paint the Sistine chapel ceiling because he considered himself a sculptor not a painter.  However, the pope kept asking and so eventually he said yes.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

     We had a fun week with the kids.  We did so many things.  We made cinnamon rolls.  Teagan has reminded me that Saturday and Sunday mornings there should be cinnamon rolls or a ring-a-ling.  The kids always like to help make the food.  The cinnamon rolls turned out delicious.

McCabe threw a scone and potato chip party.  He invited some friends from school and they came and made potato chips and scones.  They also had a good time playing in the basement.  The party was to go from 6 to 8.  But the kids were having such a good time, they did not leave until 10 pm.  I am glad they could hang out at our house.

Teagan celebrated birthday tables this month at school.  He was able to invite one friend.  He invited Amelia.  She was a very quiet but nice girl.  Amelia's sister was also at birthday tables and her sister, Rhea invited Xadia as her friend.  It was so fun to see my kids at school.  I like celebrating their existence.

Jacinda had her first day at work.  She stood all day taking money and allowing people into Lagoon.  When she got home, her feet were so sore.  I am very proud at her enthusiasm to work.  She gets to go back the next day and stand some more.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Seems like the days blend.  Nothing too exciting to report.  I have been exercising more and as a result, eat more.  Also met with the accountant and now need to pay some hefty taxes.  Tim is getting the lawn business ready.  This weekend he will change the oil and lawn mower blades.

This past weekend, we drove by the Farmington house.  That was an amazing experience because the owners were outside working.  They invited us in for a tour.  It was so incredible to see that much of the work Tim and I did 15 years ago did not change.  We but a lot of sweat equity and good memories into that home.  The owners were so nice and come to find out, I went to high school with Adam Jensen.  It was funny to find out that Michelle Jensen lived in Longview, WA and knew many of the same people we did.  Side note: we moved to Longview, WA after remodeling the Farmington house.  We hit it off so well that they are coming over in May for a BBQ.

Jacinda has surprised me this past week with taking the initiative and cleaning the house.  She even mentioned that she needs to focus more on her school studies.  I don’t know what sparked this change but I love it.

McCabe is doing his thing which is playing fortnite and doing evening math with me.  He likes to get me just before going to bed to review his math.  I have told him that Tim can review it, but for some reason likes it when I check.

Xadia is working on her marionette.  She made a puppet of Malala.  Just the other day we made a vibrant dress for her puppet.  Now we need to make a head shawl for her.  Xadia is also working on identifying adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and verbs in a sentence.  We had a short review yesterday as we were chopping hard boiled eggs for egg salad sandwiches.

This past week, Teagan has been wanting to sleep in my bed.  That is a big NO because he likes to flail his arms.  History shows that I have been hit too many times in the face by him while I slept.  I know better.  So we came to an agreement.  He could sleep on our bedroom floor in his train tent.  Oh the simple things in life that bring joy to a seven year old.  He ran down the hall and in 10 seconds was back with his tent, 3 blankets, and a giant teddy bear.  He laid on our bed as we watched the news then once asleep, Tim put him in his tent.

Egg Master Teagan has mastered cooking eggs in bread.  He likes to surprise us with his specialty dish.

Tuesday, March 13, 2019

I cannot believe March is half way over.  We celebrated Tim’s and Teagan’s birthdays last week.  We threw a pizza party for Teagan.  He had 10 friends over for games and cake.  Two of the friends were handfuls.  The ninety minute party felt like three hours.  We did run out of time.  He had to open his gifts after his friend’s left.  Two really fun presents received were a giant slinky and Bey Blades.  It has only been a few days and already we have untangled the slinky 3 times.

Monday we went out to eat dinner for the boy’s birthdays.  Nana and Lynn Hansen took us to Texas Roadhouse.  Teagan was so excited to sit on the saddle as the birthday.  On the other hand, Tim did not share the same enthusiasm.  He could not be convinced to sit on the saddle.

Xadia started girls on the run this week.  She is getting conditioned to run a 5k race.  I think she is really going to like it since her best friend Izzy will be joining her.  When she runs the actual race, Tim will be running with her.  Last night I tried helping Xadia with her multiplication.  She is learning her fours.  She knows all of her multiplication up through 12 except for 6, 7, and 8.  After about 30 minutes of whining and crying, I called it quits.  She begged through her tears to keep going and kept saying she was not tired..  Ha…moms know when kids lying.  She was sent to bed. 

Something funny about Xadia and Teagan, when they are out of school they like to play school.  Saturday they had flipper over laundry baskets and used them as desks.  They also got out paints and were going to town on an artistic picture.  I was not thrilled to find drops of paint on the carpet.  Oh the joys of being a mom.

McCabe is working hard to complete his school projects.  Thank goodness for parents.  I read a book with him (Lincoln’s Grave Robbers).  He did a book report and I spent a good hour proof reading and making corrections on his report.  After he submitted his report via computer and receiving a passing score I felt so relieved and good.  I was ready to move on.  The next day I get a call and he tells me that he read the directions wrong and has to re-do his book report.  Noooooo!  I helped him again with proof reading and minor corrections.  Once again submitted the report.  I love going through the sixth grade for the 3^rd time (first time was for me, the second time was for Jacinda, and the third time is for McCabe).

Since it is starting to warm up, McCabe is contacting his clients for lawn service.  Yesterday, he and Thorin went door to door and sold lawn aeration services.  When they got home, Tim asked how many they sold.  Thorin said about ten.  When Tim checked the app, he only saw 4 new clients.  I don’t know where the other six went but somehow they did not make it in his client app.

Jacinda is gearing up for her job at Lagoon.  She has one more training.  She will be a cashier.  I am kinda freaking out because at the last training she learned what to do during a robbery.  I never thought someone might rob Lagoon but it could happen.  It made me panic and worry about her safety even though the chances are very slim.  I guess mom’s never stop worrying about their babies.

Tim is a changed man.  He has discovered the Walmart grocery app.  He loves to order his groceries and then have them delivered.  Sure it costs $8 to deliver but he says, “it is the best $8 I have ever spent.”  This is a total game changer for him.  No more impulse buying.  No more nagging kids.  Of course this also means, no more hot dates to Walmart.  I guess we will have to find something else to do.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

      The weather is starting to turn warm and the box elder bugs are appearing.  Jacinda got a job at Lagoon.  Today is her first day of training.  I am very proud of her.  Work experience will only refine and make her a better person.

                McCabe just registered for Jr. High.  The reality that my babies are growing too fast hits me hard.  I am happy for his next chapter in life but sad that he will no longer be in elementary school.  As he registered for school, two of his friends (Thorin Carlisle and Ben Anderson) were there also.  They decided to film and act funny as McCabe was receiving his immunizations.  They were hoping McCabe would cry when the needle went in his arm.  They were sorely disappointed.  McCabe was a champ.  No tears from him.

                Xadia is enjoying spirit week.  I think her favorite was crazy hair day.  She wanted her hair to stand up.  It took both Tim and me to construct a mechanism that would hold up her hair. I think she liked all the silent attention. 

Xadia is also wanting to get into running.  She has decided to try her abilities at “Girls on the Run.”  A program that coaches and prepares girls to run a 5K race.  Of course she will need a running buddy.  I think Tim will be the perfect fit since I am suffering at the moment with dizzy spells.

                Teagan is wearing out his shoes like no other kid.  His shoe was so worn that the sole bent half way back.  Of course we could not find the match to his cowboy boots and we could not send him to school in his socks, so we found a pair of soccer cleats that did the trick.  Unfortunately they were 2 sizes too big but it worked for the day until we could get some new shoes.  Never mind the cleat flying off his foot when playing tag.  He is a happy little boy.

                We started having the kids plan and help cook dinner meals.  Jacinda chose pot stickers with rice and orange chicken.  McCabe fixed mashed potatoes, steak, and rolls.  Xadia had chicken nuggets, fruit salad, yams, and a vegetable salad.  Teagan chose spaghetti, garlic bread, and pears.  I have never had spaghetti quite like Teagan and Tim made it.  The noodles were like a big pile of mush as a result of overcooking.  It was a very strange consistency.  I did not care much for it.  I focused on dipping my garlic bread into the spaghetti sauce.  That made dinner palatable.  It has been a huge relief having kids help with meals.  I like that they are eating the food and it does not get wasted.  They are also helping clean the kitchen after the meal which is also very nice.