On the 12th day of Christmas...

This post encompasses some of our days this entire month (not just the 12 days before Christmas) but it is a description of our pre-holiday fun, nonetheless.  December is always jam packed full of lots to do, isn't it?   Early in the month, John and I sat down one Sunday evening to do some Calendaring and laughed when we realized that we had something going on (some sort of Christmas event) each evening from Dec 1st- Dec 13th.   Under normal circumstances this would have had me whining and complaining the whole month long.  

But it was CHRISTMAS for goodness sake, so I tried to make the best of the busy feeling.  And it helped that most of our evening plans involved the entire family!   Christmas concerts, broadcasts, outdoor nativities and plays down at the theatre, just to name a few.   What better way to usher in the holidays then to get to spend every evening with the ones you love most.   

When I managed to look at it in that light - it was perfect!

Other fun happenings within December:

Lots of baking!

Nate was my main helper during this Christmas season and became quite the expert cookie maker.  

We spent a few days baking several dozen assorted cookies to give away to friends and neighbors.  

Nate was always willing to keep going.  (Even when I wanted to light the kitchen on fire;) 

(The picture of our piano in the top right corner features a banner that I received as a gift this year.   It became a favorite piece of Christmas decor to me, for sentimental reasons.)

We attended LOTS of Christmas concerts!

Jessica and Sam both performed in the annual CES Choir concert which is just cute as heck.   Abby has joined the Cardston girls choir this year and put on an absolutely breathtaking performance.  The song Carol of the Bells used to drive me crazy and now (thanks to them) it is a favorite!

Naturally, we tried to continue our annual tradition of eating supper via candle light for the entire month of December.    (Which subsequently meant we carried on our annual tradition of arguing over who gets to light the candles, who gets to blow the candles out, and who plays with the candles when they aren't supposed to.)    One of these years, this is going to bring peace and tranquility to our meal time.    I just know it!

Nate and I both managed to catch the flu.  Which again, would normally really stink, but since we'd all been so busy - I was perfectly happy for the opportunity to be immobilized for a day.   So, on this one blessed snowy Sunday morning, Nate and I skipped church, watched movies, cuddled in bed and caught up on some obviously needed rest.   Minus the aches and nauseousness, it was positively dreamy!

(Note:  When Nate asks for a pillow or two for a backrest - he doesn't mess around!)

Much to my dismay, Buddykins the Elf showed up at our house again this year.  (I sometimes joke with the kids that this is the reason we move around so much.   In hopes that Buddykins will not be able to find us;)   Our little Elf's antics were relatively lame this year, probably because a certain someone failed to consult pinterest for ideas, like she should have done.   This became apparent to me one day when I caught Nate moving her around with a set of kitchen tongs.  Clearly he was being very careful not to literally touch her, but it gave him the ability to move her around on his own.
Which subsequently gave me the ability to stress a little bit less over it;)  

(PS: I think it is cool that I've used the word subsequent twice so far in this post.  Cool beans!)

As you can see, the Christmas spirit oozed into all we did throughout the month of December.  

The kids were constantly crafting fun wintry scenes, like this Santa sleigh and Rudolf that Jess made out of Lego.    Abby started going to school dressed as though she belonged in Whoville (just kidding, it was dress up day;) and what would Christmas be to me without the obligatory kindergarten Rudolf hat?!
(For the record- it'd be nothing!  Much like Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the ol' turkey hat.  Both are a must, in my books!) 

By mid December, my brain was fried.   Which might explain why, when Jessica asked if she could have a Christmas party on the last day of school, I agreed.  The last day of school!!!  All those kids, hopped up on sugar from classroom parties and excitement that school is out?   That is pretty much the kiss of death right there and I should have known better, but like I said, my brain was too tired to think clearly by this point.    So...on December 18th Jessica and 12 of her best friends came over for a gingerbread house making party.   It was loud.  It was chaotic.  It was messy.   

And they were cute.    The end.

When Nates school teacher texted me this photo of Nate I almost started to cry.   He looks too big to be sitting on Santa's lap.  Stop growing kid.  You are making me sad!!!!!     

Our Christmas tree though made me happy this year.   It was a giant fir tree that John bought downtown.   It smelled great and (despite the fact that we argued mildly about how much shorter John should make it before setting it up) it looked great too!

One Monday night, some friends in our new ward invited our family (as well as my sister Jewels family) over for Family Home Evening.   The Wolseys are such a kind family and it was such a fun evening filled with yummy food, Christmas messages and games.    I'm only mentioning this because my sister used her mad paparrazi skills to snap a photo of Nate and I snuggling by their tree.  

  I love it, so it needs a place in our journal!

Just a few days before Christmas (Dec 22nd to be exact) John's sister Rachel had her baby.   Her expected due date was only a few days away, but we were all shocked (in a good way) to hear of her arrival.    It was the happiest news of the day!   Jessica told me later that she had used up 10 pages in her journal writing about that happy news, she was that excited.   She wasn't kidding either.   When we were able to see little Vivian on Christmas Eve (more about that later)  - Jessica hogged her the whole time!!!    At one point I wanted to hold Vivian and Jess wouldn't give her up.  Thinking I could wield a bit of extra power, I told her that for every minute that it took for her to pass Vivian over, I would take away one of her presents.   Jess looked up at me and said flatly - "That's ok.  I like her more than presents."   

While Rachel was having her baby, we had invited a sweet couple of friends of ours over for dinner.   The Gladdings are so dear to us and we love them very much.   They gifted our kids with a chess/crokinole board that they used to use.   The kids had a blast that night learning how to play.   We also took this as an opportunity to read through the account of Jesus' birth (luke 2) and act it out.   Jess took it upon herself to be the set designer and turned our piano bench into a donkey.  My favorite part though is the sign she had hung on the door of her "inn" which, unfortunately can't be seen.   She'd mispelled the word NO and instead wrote, "There is now room at the Inn."   haha  

I'm pretty sure I will laugh about that a million more times before it stops being funny to me.

Is there anything better than sleeping under (or beside;) the Christmas tree?   (Nope.  There just isn't)

Well, that pretty much wraps up all the highlights leading up to Christmas Eve that I just don't ever, ever want to forget.    As great as Christmas Day is, it really is the days before it that make the season special to me.   

So, from our house (well not our house but our temporary house) to yours - 

We hope your Christmas season was all you'd hoped it would be too!

Magic mornings

The fall makes for the most BEAUTIFUL sunrises.    

Like, absolutely stunning!

There were a couple of autumn mornings when I actually got up and out of bed early enough to go for a morning jog around the temple.   (Seeing as we spent a large part of this past year leaving kitty corner to the temple, I really should have taken advantage of this opportunity more than just a couple of times.;)   Still, on those rare mornings when I did get up early enough to be greeted by the sun, I was always blessed with truly majestic scenes!

One morning a group of walkers (three sweet ladies) stopped me and told me that they had been walking around the temple for years and had seen so so many beautiful sunrises, but few people ever really see them.   Can you believe it?  What a shame!!!

I resolved then and there to never miss another sunrise again!

Of course, that goal lasted all of two days.  Now when my alarm clock goes off, I'm lucky if I don't hit snooze a billion times.    

But I do remember!  

Oh boy, do I remember.

There is absolutely magic in the early morning hours!

Tooth Fairy mishap

The tooth fairy in our home has dropped the ball more times that I can count.   It has never been unusual for one of our kids to wake up and bring us their unclaimed tooth, explaining that for some reason the "tooth fairy just didn't come!"  

No biggie, right?

I usually suggest to them lots of reasons why this might have happened:

* "I bet your room was too messy.  Perhaps you should go clean it and see if she comes tonight?"

* "Well did you practice the piano this week?   The tooth fairy isn't allowed to come when little girls and boys haven't done what is expected of them."   

...etc..

One day though a couple of months ago, our flaky tooth fairy messed up in an epic way when Jessica lost a tooth.   Not only did the tooth fairy forget to stop by on the first night, but even after she'd cleaned her room, practiced her piano, done all of her homework and done everything RIGHT - 

the tooth fairy forgot to show up - AGAIN!

Two nights in a row?!!  tsk tsk.   That is pretty inexcusable, even by my standards.

Seasons end

I never  did record how John's Volleyball season ended this past year.   It was a truly awesome couple of months for him and his team!   As I think I'd mentioned before, John had a strong group of players this year.   Many of them had been on the time for a few years, by this point.   One boy was one of the best setters in the league.    They ALL played great together and worked hard - which made it a really fun season to watch!!!

For most part, these boys won more than they lost.  They went into the zone finals with a pretty good chance at making it to provincials.   Ultimately, they lost that opportunity when they lost to Eagle Butte (Medicine Hat) in the third set by just a few points!    

Arghh!!!!!   It was so sad.  

(Though I felt sad for John and the boys, I managed to feel better every time I pictured what that 12 hour drive to Grand Prairie for provincials would have looked like!)   All is well that ends well;)

Shortly after the season ended, we had the team over for one last get together.

We fed them Cafe Rio and John showed them a video he had prepared, highlighting their season.   

It was fun to watch them interact together, wrestle each other and do all that stuff that older boys do.    I'll admit, the Mom in me sometimes feels a bit nervous as I contemplate my kids' future teenage lives and I think I will worry less if they are able to find a good group (or team!) of friends that will be there for them!

It was a fun couple of months, watching them all, for sure!

That time Sam's hair was dark (and other Halloween fun)

The fall is my favorite time of year and I love all the fall holidays so much, but despite that, there is something about Halloween that makes my brain hurt, just a tad.   I'm just not creative enough to easily help my kids with their costumes.   We spend weeks planning and deliberating, gathering little odds and ends in hopes of building some awesome costume, and then the week of - they all change up their ideas on me anyways!  

This wasn't the case for Jessica, of course.   She went as an old granny, just as she did last year, and much like she will in the years to come.  (Or so she says;)   Jessica LOVES being an old granny and she plays the part so perfectly.   For example, without me knowing, she'd put some yarn and knitting needles in that big bag of hers, before going to school on dress up day.  Apparently during recess, rather than play with the other kids, she sat herself down in the middle of the playground and knitted away.    Without fail, as soon as she would don that wig she would begin walking at a snails pace.  Without breaking character, she'd inch along, hunched over her cane and move at authentic granny speed.  

Thanks to a autumn morning walk down to the Dollar Store one day, Nate settled on being a pirate.    This costume was actually pretty easy.   

Cheap dollar store hat and sword?   check!

White shirt?  Check!

Eye patch?  Check Check!

Parrot sidekick?   ....um, well...we couldn't find one of those, but thankfully Nate didn't bat an eye at the idea of wearing a cardinal on his shoulder;)  

Sam struggled with his costume the most.   He just could not decide what he wanted to be.   At first, he planned on going as Harry Potter, but that was only until he learned that one of the girls in his class was going as Hermione.  ;)   He thought of going as a storm trooper, Samwise Gamgee,  and a wizard.   Nothing really seemed to suit him for long.      Finally, after much contemplation (so much so that we'd almost run out of time;) and after the promise that he'd be able to color his hair for the part-  he settled on going as Waldo!

It ended up being a cinch and he had fun hiding throughout the day "pretending" to be unnoticed.  But really, how could anyone not notice this handsome character, right?    

(That dark hair kills me!;)

Abby decided on her costume simply because she has braces of her own.  Since (pretty much) the day she got her braces, she has planned to dress up as Darla for Halloween.  You know Darla, right?   That crazy kid from Finding Nemo (the Dentist's niece) who can't help but torture the little fishies.  Yeah - that girl.    I can't be too hard on her though - she did come up with the idea herself, which saved me from having to exhaust anymore brain power on costumes, and (as far as Darlas go) she was quite darling!

Here they are all dressed up before our ward Halloween Party.

This year Abby was busy canvassing for a Junior High food drive and was unable to join us trick or treating and John was in Edmonton at a Volleyball tournament.    That meant I was flying solo here at home.  I threw a couple of giant bowls of candy on our front steps with a sign that read, 

"Please take 1" and the kids and I headed out to some trick or treating of our own.  

The weather was perfect.   Granny inched along, of course, but that only meant that she got to fewer houses than the boys did.   By about 7:30 the kids were definitely running out of steam.   They were tired and ready to go home, but they still had their two favorite homes to visit!  

(Grandpas and Paulsons.)   

The kids love stopping by Grandpa's house because he always gives them extra candy.   

They love going to the Paulsons house because they always get to step inside and watch the cool toy train run along its track in their kitchen.  It's seriously a Halloween highlight for these goofy kids;)  

The kids were finished and home shortly after 7:30.  They all dumped their candy into piles on the floor and took inventory of what they'd earned before stowing it away for the night.   

Naturally, I snuck some of it once they'd all gone to bed;)

Oh and I have to share this photo of Abby's Halloween Party.  She's held a Halloween party for a few years now and it always makes for a fun time.   I love how willing her friends are to dress up and they sure are a funny group of girls.  This year they spent their time eating, playing air hockey and board games, and competing with each other in a lip sync battle that even Jimmy Fallon would have been proud of.   Too fun!  (unfortunately a couple of girls had already gone home before I thought to snap a photo, but aren't those some fun costumes?)

Halloween was also John's birthday, but seeing as he chose to spend it in Edmonton and not with us, I figured he doesn't deserve much air time;)  

Just jokes.  

We missed him and were so happy when he finally walked in the door late Halloween night.  It was the perfect way to end a very fun day!

That's one way to end a game...

John's Volleyball season is almost over.

It has seemed to fly by and has really been a most ideal season.   

His team started out so strong and won most of their league games.    They've been tough contenders against some of the leagues best teams the whole season through and now they find themselves approaching zones ranked third in the league.   That really isn't too shabby.  

A couple of weeks ago we had a most adventurous experience watching his team play at a nearby tournament.   The kids and I had gone to Magrath that Friday evening to watch a few of the games.   Everything was going just fine.  And when I say "fine" I mean that  I was watching John's team and the kids were all running around the halls of the school.  (Yes, I was that parent;)

Anyways, about halfway through John's second set, Sam came to me and whispered to me, 

"Mom.  Can we get out of hear.   I really want us to go.  Right now!"   

Feeling a little annoyed, I brushed him off and explained that he just needed to be patient and wait as Dad's game wasn't even close to being done.   At that point Sam grabbed my arm and said, "Mom.  The police are here.  There is a man in the school with a gun."    I could tell that Sam wasn't kidding.  he was genuinely afraid.   I got up and started to collect our coats and get the kids ready to leave out a side door.   At this same moment, a few police officers and a school administrator entered the gym.  The principal shut down the two games and got on a microphone.  He explained to us that there was a serious situation going on and that everyone in the school was to stay in the gym.    There would be no going out or coming in.   They told us that under no circumstances were we to text or phone out.   We just needed to hang tight until they could guarantee our safety.   

The kids and I were up on the mezzanine and John was down on the floor with his team.   Several school staff immediately began to tape black paper over the windows.  We all sat in silence and wondered what was going on outside those doors.  It was such a scary feeling and I regretted not listening to Sam earlier.   (Apparently he'd been in the hallways when the police entered.   They told the kids to go find their parents and stay with them.   As Sam was leaving he'd heard the police exchange a description of "a man with a gun wearing camo."    Gulp!!!

This all began shortly after 8:30 pm.   By 9:00 the kids and I began to relax a little.    Actually, they began to relax so much that I began to worry more about their levels of boredom more than the possibility of a raving lunatic with a gun.   ;)    In truth, after a couple of hours) and with three police officers guarding each door, we did really feel perfectly at ease.   

Despite the fact that the rest of the games for the night were cancelled, a few of the teams began tossing around a volleyball.   We watched, and visited and eventually everyone in the gym started getting on their phones and taking pictures.   

(Everybody say Cheese  "Lockdown!")

Just after 10:30, one of the officers told us that they felt it was safe enough to begin evacuating us to our vehicles.   We were given instructions to gather our families and line up at 1 of 3 exits depending on where our vehicles were parked.    They were going to let 20 people out at a time and we were to get to our vehicles and drive away.  No stopping.  No looking around.   Just go.  (Suddenly the idea of sleeping in the gym seemed like a pretty comfy idea;)

We all gathered by the exists and visited for another 40 minutes as we waited for the first group to go.   We were all so anxious to just be home!

John and his team were one of the first out, the lucky ducks!   There seemed to be a good 20 minute wait in between each group that got to exit.   I was really starting to wonder what was going on outside that would cause things to take so long!    

Just before midnight we (the last group) were allowed to leave.   My friend Betsy had so kindly offered to stay back with me to help get my kids to the car.   As our turn to leave approached they had grown increasingly nervous again, and frankly, so had I.     As we ran to the van I was fully prepared to throw myself into a Rambo style dive roll, should the need present itself!   

Fortunately, all was fine.  

As we left the building we did as we were told and walked straight to our van, but not before noticing the dozens of cop cars, the police dogs searching the area, and the officers lining the street with how powered rifles.   

We shut the van doors and the kids all helped each other buckle up (that's a first) as I drove away.   

We were so tired, but really kinda wired too.   As we drove home, I enjoyed a comforting conversation with Betsy and felt reassured that we are all blessed with family and loved ones on the other side of the veil who will protect us in times like this.   I plan to remember that when future scary moments arise.   

We got home just before 1:00 am and the kids fell asleep without even brushing their teeth!

They woke up the next morning still reeling from the drama of the night before.   (John of course was only reeling from the fact that his team had been forced to forfeit their game.  haha)  

The police report was released later in the day shedding more light on what had actually happened.   Turns out, a father of one of the Taber players had gone hunting for pheasants in between his daughters games.   A Calgary coach had witnessed him transferring his gone from his vehicle to his wife's and had called to report that there was a man on school property with a gun.    

The reality is that by the time the lockdown really actually happened - this man was most likely already back home in Taber. 

I could not believe it!

All of that - for nothing!!!

I'm not saying it should have been handled any other way, I'm just saying it all felt pretty anti-climatic, you know?     

And so was.  My kids' first experience with a real lockdown.   I hope and pray it will be their last!

Grateful for it all

I've got about fifteen hundred million blog posts that I want to write, but every time I sit down to do a little journaling - something else comes up!    Either Sam needs help with some piano work, or Abby needs to be picked up or dropped off, or we realize Nate is AWOL and must be retrieved from the park, or Jessica comes in and insists on helping with dinner - which happens to be occurring an hour later than normal these days.   (Not that we tell my Father in law that though.   We still have him come at 5:30 just so he can watch mayhem ensue;)     If none of the above is happening, I've probably become too engrossed in some Netflix movie and can't be bothered to journal the dearest part of my days.   (Our new place has cable people!   I fear for the future of this blog.)

It occurred to me the other day that I may, perhaps, talk too much about how busy I feel.  No really, I've been thinking about this a lot lately.   After lots of existential consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the problem is not that I am any busier than any other Mom of four that I know.   The difference is though,  that my capacity to handle "busy" with - grace is dismally and painfully small.   

That's all there is to it.   

 This would explain why, when Thanksgiving weekend rolled around, I could not WAIT to pack up our van and head out of town on a holiday adventure.    The kids were in need of some cousin time and I was looking forward to - a break!   A reprieve from the six little schedules I was responsible for.   

Oh, and Turkey.  

I was also looking forward to some of that.

Nate insisted on wearing his pilgrim hat (that he made that day in Kindergarten) the entire way to duchess!   He'd planned to wear it all weekend long but as soon as he saw his cousins - all was forgotten.

It had been way too long since my family had gotten together.   Early summer at least!   

Since we'd seen each other last, my brother had taken his entire family to Thailand for a month, my sister had made a huge amount of progress on the home she'd built and all the kids had grown probably two feet taller!    It was so nice to catch up!!

(My niece Ella had brought the older girls back some comfy Thai pants that probably have an authentic name.  If only I knew it?)

My sister Crystal had worked for days preparing a delicious Thanksgiving feast!   (The only thing I had to be responsible for was the stuffing.  Holla!!!)  

It always seems so strange to me that it takes hours to prepare a meal like this, yet it is over in just a few short minutes.   For the rest of the evening we were entertained with photos and stories of Thailand.    

Crystals house had more than enough space for all of our families to sleep and plenty of room outside for them to play.  Jessica found herself a shovel and spent nearly every spare second digging a hole.  I don't know why, but I think it had something to do with the fact that we'd recently watched "Holes" for family movie night.  (I'm sure my sister appreciated the 3 ft crater Jess left behind;) 

The next morning we all drove the short distance to Dinosaur Provincial park.   It is truly a spectacular place!   It's so weird too.   One minute you are just driving along a prairie road and then the next you take a left, and enter into a stretch of badlands like no other!   

This scene went on for miles and the kids could have roamed for hours!

We read on a trail sign that if you threw a stone, you could count on there being a fossil within 20 ft of where it lands.    I thought of John's family and I shuddered to consider the time they'd spend digging and exploring in a place like this.   (Our beloved St. Mary's is nothing in comparison!)

The kids loved climbing around on these hoodoos.   I don't know if you noticed, but there are also 3 dogs in this picture below.   It has been brought to our attention that John and I are the only ones in my family who have yet to add a dog to the family.   I feel sad for my kids.   (just jokes.  I don't;)

We've yet to get together as a family without taking a group photo together.   I love this about us.  Even some of the Dads who may normally be inclined to complain or protest know it would be absolutely futile.   (You'd think we'd grown up without a lot of family photos or something;)    

These moments when we are all together are definitely worth remembering!

John and I had to leave on Saturday morning much earlier then we would have liked.    There was lots of garden work back home (not to mention an impending move) that was calling us back to reality - but we sure were grateful for the fun time we had.   

It was such a pleasant time with my family and a weekend full of Gratitude.

I don't know how John and I have managed to be so blessed but I really do have a heart full of gratitude.    Grateful for the schedules, the messes, the moves, the to - do lists, and definitely the family.    

Sometimes when we are laying in bed, and just before we both doze off, one of us will say, "I love our life" and the other will sleepily agree.   

  To know you love your life is the happiest thought to fall asleep on and is the perfect way to end even the busiest of days!

Autumn in Waterton

For weeks Jessica has been begging and pleading with me to take her to Waterton.    She lives for Mommy/Daughter time in waterton and I LOVE that about her!   Unfortunately, September has continually gotten in the way of our best made plans.   This past Friday though we were blessed with a PLC day (which is really just another form of PD for teachers) which meant my Jess was off school and ready to play.  Woohoo!!!

I tried to talk the other kids into coming with us.  Sam readily agreed, with scout book in hand, as he had lofty ambitions of passing off the final requirements for his "Hikers" badge.  Abby on the other hand begged and pleaded to stay back (how can two girls be so different?) and Nate quickly joined "Team Abby."   With all the disappointment I could muster up, I said goodbye to my two slackers and  left for Waterton - determined to make sure Sam and Jess had the best time ever!!

Waterton was absolutely DREAMY!

I really mean it, September and October are the two.best.months of the year to enjoy this beautiful park.  The tourists (that's not me;) all go home, the wildlife is out making final preparations before winter, and the beauty of the fall season abounds.   (Doesn't the word "abound" make me sound so poetic?  I thought so.)  

We drove up Cameron Road and, straight to my favorite set of falls.   Jess and Sam both had their cameras with them and the three of us snapped photos from different angles and explored a bit.   The overcast sky was beginning to release it's moisture a little, but while the raindrops were small we took as many pictures as we could.   

It rained on us quite steadily while we drove back down to the town site.  

And while we ate at Zums;)

But then, then it all stopped, just as we were debating whether or not it was nice enough to swing by the stables.

I took that as a sign!

Initially I had told Jess that we would just be looking at the horses.  As we pulled up to the barn though, that plan was quickly upgraded to a short pony ride around the parking lot and meadow by the barn.  By the time I'd gotten to the counter to sign us all up though - I'd been talked into a full blown guided tour.   But only a half hour one!  (See?  I can be strong;)

Our guide was a friendly guy.  A high school student who, when finding out that we were Mr.Hardy's family, insisted that "Mr.Hardy was the Best!!"  According to him, Mr. Hardy made him almost want to take physics.   haha   He chatted lots with the kids as he led us back behind the tree line where we usually go to watch the Elk each fall.  It was pretty cool to see this part of the park, which we normally never would.   

Jess and Sam were absolute rock stars with their horses.  Jess was warned that hers (seaba) stops frequently to eat and that she would need to do her best to not even let Seaba get one bite.    Jess handled it beautifully and would occasionally turn back to me and let go with one hand, long enough to shoot me a thumbs up or peace sign.  She was in heaven!!!!

Sam did great too.  He made me laugh when we were headed home and, for no reason at all, said, "Mom.  You looked really pretty riding a horse."   haha.   Again, I took this as a sign.

Clearly, I'm meant to spend my days in Waterton.

Or with a horse.

Or maybe, just with my kids.

Something made this a day great for Sam, and made me beautiful to him.  

I'm hoping for a repeat experience sometime soon.

If I'm lucky, hearing about our adventurous trip to Waterton will make Abby and Nate feel excluded and extremely jealous.   Perhaps even enough to make them want come with us next time!  

A great start!

The family has already been back at school for almost a month!  I wish I could say that we have ironed out all of the kinks and got the whole "routine" thing down pat - but that would be a lie.

The truth is, September is flat out kicking my butt!

Twice I've dropped Nate off at school twenty minutes early, smack dab in the middle of his teachers lunch break; more than once I've been a half hour late picking up Abby after volleyball practice, and Sam and Jess are already complaining that their school lunches are boring.   haha. 

  Clearly, I am off to a good start;)

  It's all good.   I'll get everything down pat sooner or later, and I'm starting to realize that this quest for simplicity and balance may be a little bit delusional.   At least for now;)

Two weeks ago, John helped the school host the pre-season tournament.   Nobody could remember the last time it has been held here in town and John was excited at the prospect of hosting future ones.

His team played GREAT!  In fact they took second place after losing to the winning team in the 3rd set.   This is a huge thing for John as his team is usually not super strong starting out, but already these guys are accomplishing lots and winning lots too!   They've beat teams that they never have (or rarely have) in the past, and that alone is exciting for John.     He thinks it's great that already these boys have proven to themselves and others that they can pull off a victory against some of the strongest teams in the league.    

The kids are really enjoying every chance they get to watch John and the team too.    A couple of times this month, I have had to attend a Moroni's Quest fireside or be somewhere else during a home game.  The kids (determined to go) have gotten themselves to the games to cheer Dad on.   Granted, it's just a short walk down the street, but I think it shows great motivation on their part!  (Granted,  there is a well stocked vending machine there that the kids have "cart blanche" access to when I'm not around - but still - they are motivated, Ok!;)

Another highlight for the younger kids each Volleyball season, is of course, the weekends when John has an away tourney.   An "away tourney" means only one thing to these kids - Dad is likely going to be bringing home a bus!

Without fail, when they see this big huge thing pull up, they drop what they are doing and run around the house screaming, "Dads got the bus!!  Dad's got the bus!!!"   They storm out of the house and on to the bus, each assuming a role, whether it be to "drive the bus" or simply be a passenger - the make believe play begins.  Of course they always beg and plead with John to take them joyriding around town.   If they are lucky, he'll take them with him up to the bus barn.   And that is all it takes.  

 Their life is fulfilled.

Nate has been enjoying kindergarten.  I've heard from his teacher that (aside from his lunch break interruptions;) he's been a "joy to have."   A joy to have?  I sometimes wonder if that is just what teachers say.   I mean, he's a joy to me, definitely, but I can actually picture him being quite a little turkey in class.  Jessica once told me that she walked by his class one day while he was having snack and he was hanging upside down on his chair talking to others from under the table.  I guess that could be considered joyful?   She has told me that he is a leader in class (which could be code for "Turkey?") and I'm Ok with just leaving it there.   He is a Joy and a Leader;)

Abby has been enjoying her braces this month (sarcasm intended;) and is constantly reminding us of all the injustices that are now hers to bare as a result.  (ie: others get popcorn during family movie night and she does not.   Others get to chew gum at church still and she does not.)  Sigh...it's hard living such a privileged life and having to deal with 1st world problems such as this.  

She has enjoyed being on the volleyball team and has her first real game this week.  On top of that, she's this close to talking me into let her join girls choir.   She auditioned last week, on the fly, and has been trying to convince me that her schedule will permit this added commitment.   To tell you the truth, it is not her schedule that I'm worried about;)

For a young Women's goal she helped me preserve peaches AND pears this year.   She still has to help me do salsa and relish, but the darn girl keeps running off and doing other things!  It's been fun to visit with her while we work together and I am proud of that fact that she already knows more than I ever did at that age.   And she doesn't hesitate to tell me so, either!;)

I realize that Sam and Jess were barely mentioned in this journal entry, but stay tuned - the next one is all about them!

Adjusting...

Yup, I was right. 

The first day of school played out exactly as I thought it would.   

Called it! 

...or did I create it?  

 (I could spend hours analyzing that question;)

Bottom line - it was crazy.   It was hectic.   It was (in my opinion) a month too early, still.

Despite my resentments - the kids were all so very excited.  John pretended that he was sad summer was over, but he wasn't fooling me - he couldn't wait either.  

 Sigh...  Run along little ones.  I'll be fine.

The rest of the week has been spent adjusting.  (Mostly to a new schedule, but there have been a few extra adjustments for our family that have made this past week extra exciting.)

First, Nate started going to "real" school.  (Not just that silly preschool stuff;)   He has woken up all week long, made his bed (sorta) and spent the morning anxiously watching the clock.  He knows that, for him, kindergarten starts just after noon.   He loves the fact that he now attends every single day and he also thinks it's pretty cool that is older siblings pick him up and bring him home.   When the whether is good, Nate and I ride bikes to school so that he can ride home with the siblings.   The little turkey always insists on riding in front of me and reminds me often that I have to "ride far back."  (As in, far enough behind him that it doesn't look like he's riding to school with his mommy.)

Ouch!

When we get to school, he throws me a coy little wave and tells me not to come in with him.    I watch for as long as I can to make sure he gets in the right door and hopefully down the right hallway, and then he is outta site.   I've been reduced to some sort of "Mommy Paparazzi," it's ridiculous!!    Of course I have to ham it up and act like I'm devastated that my little boy is growing up (because he loves it when I'm devastated) but in reality - it kinda thrills me to!   I LOVE not having to walk him into his classroom as it saves me from having to reveal the bed head that exists under my bike helmet;) Three hours each afternoon I now have to catch up on things (or not) hasn't been too shabby either.    Run along little one.  I'll be fine.

Another excited event this week came when this happened:

Braces!!!!

I can hardly believe how much this girl has changed lately.  She just entered grade 7 and thankfully loves it, so far.   (knock on wood)   I worried that getting braces the first week would embarrass her greatly, but the darling girl has taken it in stride.   She even mustered up the courage to run for Sports Rep during the school election.   She worked hard making posters, gluing notes to Hi-Chews (bribery perhaps?;) and wrote a sweet speech.  She didn't win the election, but John and I both knew that she likely wouldn't (sports rep and other similar positions usually go to kids in the older grade) but I was so.darn.proud of her for trying.

And really she is going to be busy enough playing volleyball, anyways.

(Now this girl growing up on me does make me sad.  She needs to knock it off!)

Other crazy adjustments for us:

*John is in full swing with the volleyball season.  He's expressed more than once that he doesn't feel like an experienced coach yet, but I think he's the bee's knees.   (whatever that means;)

* As of this week - Young Women's, Young Mens, Cubs, Activity Days, choir and piano are all back in full swing.   Time to dust off the ol' Calendar!

*  I received the call this week to serve as 2nd councillor in our Stake Young Women's Presidency.   I have about two months total experience ever serving in young women's.   I've prayed all week that I could learn my role fast.

* I also got hired as a substitute EA (Education Assistant) here in the school division.  During my interview, the super intended I was talking with, encouraged me to instead consider going back to school and getting my teaching certificate.   "Dare to Dream," he said.    

* This beautiful autumn season arrived in a blustery way.   Leaves are beginning to turn yellow, the air is cool, and we've even seen SNOW!    Waterton's Red Rock road closes today for the season and I had so badly wanted to drive it one last time this year.    I'll just have to look forward to spring;)

Tomorrow is Labor Day and we plan on enjoying our first Holiday of the school year in a big way. 

I mean, seriously, I feel like we could all use a break!;)

A long walk to water

John took the kids out to Wally's Beach one.last.time before school officially began.   

I stayed home to get some things done, but I wish I hadn't.   I've never seen Wally's like this before!

Poor Nate seems a little confused as to what he should do.  haha.   

See those trees back there?   There is usually the slightest beach between those trees and the lake.   The kids had to walk for quite a ways before they found a deep enough water hole;)

John's excited to explore this place a little more this fall, in search of fossils and ancient artifacts, of course;)

Smoky Skies and dry dry conditions.

It seems like a good time to welcome a cooler season.