Easter in Bastrop

We just got back from a great trip to Bastrop. We got there late Wednesday night and woke up to beautiful weather! The kids spent the entre day outside- digging in the dirtpile, flying down the zip-line, and playing in the water. We relaxed in the hammocks and took peaceful walks in the trees.
We took a trip to Buda to go to Cabela's. They had several different exhibits of taxidermy from all over the world. There was everything from birds to an elephant, lions, a polar bear, alligator, just to name a few. There was even a large aquarium full of local fish. It was a fun shopping trip- we didn't even buy anything!
We had a massive easter egg hunt with Catherine's kids. It took four adults just to hide all the eggs! The grand prize was a golden egg with a ten dollar bill in it which Aaron found of course.
Mom took Tod and I to their favorite eatery- a burger place that makes giant burgers. It was a good and bad experience. We placed our order and waited, and waited, and waited. People at other tables left because of the wait. Apparently they were very short-handed that night. Our order was delivered to the wrong table, and we never knew- I guess they were too hungry to complain! The waitress realized the mistake and after over an hour, we got out delicious burgers. They were fantastic, and the manager sweetened the deal by cutting our bill in half! Well worth the wait. It is a well known joke in our family that if you take me to dinner, something about the meal will be messed up- we've eaten at a discount many times!
Easter morning brought baskets of goodies and happy, sugar coated children for church.
Church in Bastrop...
Okay, picture this. There are all these nice people, eager to meet mom and dad's family. Most wards look at us like our hair is on fire when we visit- these small town wards need families with 5 kids so badly they nearly drool! Out of the corner of my eye, I see a lady with a hat. To call it a hat is to call the Titanic a boat- this was a HAT! A large woven garden hat with a full size Easter basket attatched to the top- complete with eggs and little pastel colored critters. Around the brim of the hat was a complete springtime scene; grass, eggs and little chicks and bunnies. Hanging at regular intervals around the brim were plastic eggs, suspended by fishing line, bobbing in the breeze. I am seriously considering re-creating this hat for next year! It was the perfect ending to the trip, I love a good comedy! The drive home was as to be expected- long and full of whining, mostly by myself.
Now all I have to look forward to is a massive pile of clay-stained laundry and an empty gas tank. Can't wait to go back!

Our babies

This week has been a blur of fever and snot. The flu is a delightful period in a mother's life. Last night as Tod and I were regrouping after a long day, we were discussing the people we knew who were currently expecting babies. It is an odd thing for me to be the observer in this area instead of an active participant. I asked Tod if he was sure we were done, and he said our #4 would be birth control enough for anyone- we could lend her out!
It is such a double edged sword to be faced with the limit of your family. On one hand, I am really enjoying the fact that I can put my kids to bed at night, and they go. There is no rocking, or pacing, and I usually get a full night's sleep. They can all communicate their needs, happiness, and desires. They are all to the point where they are somewhat self-entertaining.
Then I think of our friends who will be reliving an amazing experience. That unbearable pain, followed by sudden relief and overwhelming joy. It is instant love- they look enough like you that they are instantly yours, and enough like your husband that you fall in love with them. Looking into eyes that still have a little glimmer of Heavenly memory, overcome by the knowledge that you are everything your precious baby needs, and they love you for it. There's no back-talk, no rolling of the eyes, no stomping up the stairs. They just wrap their tiny hands lovingly around your finger, and drift off into a satisfied sleep. There's no other time in motherhood that can be compared to it.
I am thankful five times over to have been able to stare into the perfect face of a new and unknown personality, anxious to find out what their future holds.
And now that's where we sit- finding out every day what the future holds. Today it may be watching Josh hit a double, or Aaron pitching his first game, Emma skipping through the house with her latest masterpiece, Anna telling one of her famous stories, or Leah shakin' it to the radio when she thinks no one's watching- we glory in our babies all over again.

Update

Well, we are officially in the throws of baseball season (no pun intended!). The boys are excited to have their new teams. Aaron will be on the Rangers and Josh will be a Mariner. Aaron is thrilled, but Josh thinks he got stuck with a wimpy team name. What is intimidating about someone who sails around and catches fish? (Sorry John!) Practice has begun, and opening day is the last Saturday in March. I will post the boy's schedule so that anyone who has the desire can join us for the games.



Things have been pretty calm here otherwise. We went to a minor league hockey game last week- it was pretty fun. The only one who didn't have a great time was Anna. As usual it was taking "forever" and the people behind us thought her tirade was hilarious. Sometimes even as an adult I feel like sticking my tongue out at people! Emma thought it was funny when the grown men were slammed into the wall, and after each goal people threw carrots onto the ice (our team is the Jackalopes).



We are planning a little trip to Bastrop for Spring Break the middle of this month. Dad has turned "Grammy's Forest" into an amusement park- the main attraction is the zip-line. The boys are dying to get back on it, and think it would be fun to send Woody down as well. Sorry boys. Good thing we have insurance.



The big news of today at our house is of course, the much dreaded retirement of Brett Farve from the Packers. His name is spoken with as much familiarity as any member of our family in this house, and at least one of us is greiving heartily today. Subconsiously I feel like I know them personally- I even dreamed once that we went to visit them, and he made Tod drink beer. It was one of those mornings when you wake up and stick your elbow in your husband's ribs. But after having the crap beat out of him for 17 years, he deserves a rest. Good luck, and we'll see you at the Hall of Fame!

Kids and Funerals

This Saturday we took the kids to their first funeral. We thought that it was important for them to go, since they knew the little boy and are friends with his older siblings. Of course it was sad. It was the largest funeral I've ever been to- over 700 people in our tiny chapel; they spilled into the gym and up onto the stage. I think the sheer number of people there was a help to his parents. I tried to explain to the kids beforehand about it being a solemn occasion, how to show respect for his family, etc. They all vowed to be very respectful, and well behaved. It became an interesting lesson for me.

I have a theory about kids and funerals.

Anna threw a fit because I wouldn't let her lay down across the chairs with her feet in the laps of the people behind us. I barely got my hand over her mouth and bolted out the door before the outburst. After some calming down, we went back in. Leah was jumping up and down on my lap. Aaron was provoking Leah. Emma kept tapping my leg and whispering "This is taking FOREVER!" Josh was wiggling, like usual. I should say in their defense that the stake president talked for 30 minutes, and we were there for almost 2 hours.
I should also say that the night he died, the kids were very upset. Emma cried for the broken heart of her beloved primary teacher. Aaron cried for his friend's loss of a brother. Josh cried because he can't stand to watch anyone else suffer. We all cried together and it was a wonderful opportunity to talk again about forever families

So either little kids have a better understanding about the plan of salvation, and funerals are just an opportunity to grieve openly, or kids will be kids. When his dad would relate funny memories of him, the kids would laugh. When people around them were crying, they just didn't seem to understand why. Maybe it is that MY kids will be kids.
At any rate, we wont be taking any children to any more funerals.

So my theory- Funerals aren't for children. One, because they don't know how to show 'appropriate' respect, and two, funerals are for adults to remember what kids grasp so easily. Yes, life is fragile, but it doesn't really end. We saw our loved ones before we came to this world, and we will see them again. For kids it is that simple.

Valentine's Day

Sitting here this Valentine's Day, I can't help but be grateful for my family. Last night, the 14 month old son of close friends, was struck by a car, and died as a result. As we share their grief, I hold tighter to my own little ones and the opportunity I have to share their time on this earth. We are so grateful for the blessing of a forever family. If you are reading this blog, we count you as one of those that we are grateful to know and love. Thank you, and I love you all!

Oh my gosh!

Okay I have a confession to make. I am just as bad at keeping up with the blog as I am at housekeeping, journal writing and being patient. A lot can happen in four months. A quick summary is the best I can do!

October:
In October we celebrated Aaron's 10th birthday. He is an amazingly helpful, fun and interesting kid 99% of the time, but we can see little bits of what it might be like in a few years as he becomes a teenager. It is a horrifying thought.
Josh celebrated his 8th birthday and we got to have another baptism. It was good to have people come and enjoy it with us. Josh still has a heart of gold. He would rather die than hurt anyone. He would give you the shirt off his back (but not the food off of his plate- the boy loves to eat!). He is a great friend and an even better brother. He is great!
Tod's birthday, Halloween.

November:
Anna had her 4th birthday. Well, where Josh is self sacrificing and innocent......how to put it nicely? Anna is just Anna. Dr Jekkyl or Mr. Hyde- you never know which one wake up in the morning. She is so sweet and funny and smart, but the naughty spot is called "Anna's spot" for a reason. She tells great stories and is very creative. She could play all by herself in her room all day. Anna is her own best friend!
Tod got the chance to go to Dallas with his dad to attend a Packers game. Even though the Packers lost, he had a great time.
Thanksgiving it snowed- pretty wierd for Midland, especially when it was 70 degrees the next day. Anna thought no one would notice if she scooped bits out of the pumpkin pies and nibbled them on the kitchen floor.
December:
My birthday (who cares?), and Christmas. Christmas brought more electronic toys. Aaron woke to find a Wii game under the tree from Santa and was extremely put out sice we didn't even have a Wii to play it on. He pouted until we opened all of our family gift, and the Wii suddenly appeared! It was priceless! The Wii was a great investment, even if I had to buy it in early October before they ran out. I had great fun teasing the kids about the impossibility of getting one for Christmas because there weren't any for sale anywhere. We all play it, and the kids are now experts in the field of Heavy Metal music. I never thought I would hear my kids singing Alice Cooper.
January brought our 11th anniversary followed by a trip to Albuquerque to celebrate Christmas with Tod's family. It was a very long drive! Sign-ups for baseball and more Wii playing. The Packers didn't make it to the Super bowl and I got released from my calling as the first counsellor in Primary. The next week they called me to be the Laurel advisor in Young Women's, so I get to try that again! I am so excited to get to know another group of girls and have those great lessons again.
We got back last night from going to Hobbs for a baptism. It was so fun to sit and talk to our old friends. Some things never change- except for people's kids. I can't believe how grown up everyone is! Life continues even when you're not looking.
Hopefully I can recommit myself to regular updates and not slip back into my usual laziness!

Where has the time gone?

With school starting at the end of August, all the stresses of life begin again. Emma started school, turned six and became a big girl seemingly overnight. Josh is loving second grade and new friends, and Aaron is learning to balance two schools, tennis, Webelos and friends as he begins the second decade of his life (gasp...!). Anna and Leah are quickly becoming the best of friends as they spend endless days together without Emma to function as activities director. Tod and I struggle to keep up with it all. Okay, there are a few minutes for distractions like Football, reading Twilight series, video games, church callings, bookclub, etc..........
We celebrated the birth of John and Shelly's daughter, Lucy on October 5th! She is beautiful of course, and we cant wait to see her in November! Baby fever............I'll have to live vicariously through them:)
We are anxiously anticipating Josh's baptism on the 20th and the family we will see then. Of course you're ALL welcome- come on over!