Broken bones!

For some reason whenever Dan leaves on a trip something bad usually happens! I can't explain it but it usually does. For example his Step Father died while he was on one, Dallin went to the hospital with a concussion when he was on one, Lilly went to the hospital when he was on one, Our pipes broke twice while he was on one, my back has gone out while he has been on one. Can you see a pattern? Anyway, We had moved to Idaho and it was time for Dan to go on his first trip since moving. It wasn't bad since he left around 4pm. After he left I went over to My mom's house with the kids and buddy to hang out and have dinner. Since it was a school night I left to go home around 7:50 pm to get the kids home and in bed. Lilly was really tired and had just pooped as we were heading out the door and I thought to myself , "Oh I'll just change her when we get home" Famous last words! We live 5 min tops from their house. I herded the kids to the Burb and went to get buddy off of the chain in the front. ( They don't have a fenced yard so we call this his "outside time") I had to do it because Dallin can't push the clip part on the chain very well. SO with Lilly in one arm I knelt on one knee and tried to undo the chain and put on his leash. I couldn't quite do it so since she is 20 months I let go of Lilly on my knee and tried to undo buddy with both hands. That's when Lilly fell off my knee on to the grass. Ok, I don't know how it was possible, and how it really could of happened since my calf is only 2 feet tall tops but in that short fall she broke her arm! I knew she had broke it instantly too, the way the arm didn't move as she cried ,and they way she was crying was different too! I grabbed her carefully holding the arm straight because I didn't want her to move it and ran back in the door. I yelled "Lilly just broke her arm!!!!", And this is why I am grateful for family because in those few minutes after I yelled that my family did exactly what they needed to do. Mom was on the phone and hung up, Rachel got my car keys from me and took my kids home, Dad ran me to the Hospital and mom directed it all perfectly!It turned out as Lilly fell she some how straightened her arm for the fall and cracked her elbow! In this moment I missed Spokane because we had to drive 15 min to the hospital because the urgent care closed early that night! 15 min could have easily been 3 hours in my mind! She screamed for half and then fell asleep for the rest. I carried her in with one of the worst poopy diapers ever! Wow I regretted that one!!! The ER wasn't busy though and 2 long hours and a clean diaper later we went home with a cast and an exhausted little girl! It was difficult for her for the 3 weeks to have the cast on because it was her right arm and Lilly is a thumb sucker for her right thumb. But it has healed nicely and she is back to thumb sucking( but now sleeps in our bed (UGH))! Sarah Dan's sister also came with me for the follow up DR. appointment so I had someone to help me hold her arm while they took x-rays! Wow I needed her too! I am very grateful for family and that even though it was another "Dan is gone" experience, It was wonderful to have the support that I needed! Dan has gone out of town twice and only once did another bad thing happen! here is our beauty!! She is even cute with a cast on!!!

New Moon

Yes we bought our tickets weeks inadvance, got dolled up, waited in line, and screamed like little girls when the shirts came off!! It was awesome and worth the wait! What is now a for tradition for us , Rachel, Mom, Rebbecca, and I had a great girls night out to go and see The New Twilight movie New Moon! We went to Olive Garden and then ran to the theater only to stand inline out in the cold for 1, 1/2 hours! It was freezing but so much fun! We had great seats! And loved the movie!! I should apologize to Rebbecca and the rest of the theater for talking during the whole movie and giggling like a school girl anytime Jacob took off his shirt and than laughing when Edward took off his! I was a die hard Edward fan when I went to the theater and came home a die hard Jacob fan! Anyone who has seen the movie knows why! We already have plans for June when Eclipse comes out!!!! Yes we are crazy, and we had a great time!!!

So much to say......

WOW I know I have been horrible at bloging! I really don't have a great excuse either, other than I just haven't felt like it. It's not because of lack of things or events to blog about, Those have been none stop! Such as, we sold our house in Spokane and have moved to rigby Idaho (yes we are crazy!), we live in a small 3 bedroom apartment ( yes we are getting crazier!!!!), and have been in the process of buying the same house since August! Lilly has broken her arm, Dan has taken 3 business trips, Dallin was put on a school bus and then lost for two hours and the police called, our crazy dog buddy bit off the neighbor's cat's tail, we have had one round of flu but no not swine, We have had 3 birthdays and 2 holidays and a lot of yelling and laughter (most of the yelling was at the dog!(Whose Idea was it to get a dog anyway?! ))!!!

I promise there eventually will be a post for all of those things, But for now I just wanted to let you know we are suriving one day at a time and loving being close to family! We miss our friends in Spokane a ton!!! And miss everyone in the manito ward even more! (I really miss going to church there!)

I will try harder to post more and keep our friends and family informed! We love you all and hope you are all doing well or at least better!

Pity for myself

I was having pity for myself and my situation! I was frustrated this morning and if I could have would have never gotten out of bed. As Stewart from mad tv said when asked who he's mad at, " The World"! If you ask me why I can't really say I am just mad! I came home from dropping the kids off at school, looking at all of the skinny moms walking there kids to school and hating them. I drive home to my house thinking on how I am tired and don't want to pack today, but am reminded I have only two weeks and Dan heads out of town on Tuesday. Instead of working I sat down on the couch to look at blogs! It's my new favorite pass time! They have such amazing ideas, crafts, and sewing patterns that I can't get enough of it! But I mad at that to because I am instantly reminded I am not moving into "my" house I am moving into a small apartment! Ugh! I'm just done today!!!
Then I see Nie Nie has posted. I click on it excited by the title of her post, My perfect life! I read her post and I cry. My life IS perfect and amazing! We are healthy and happy(ok the happy part, working on it!)! We are trying to buy a beautiful home in a place I am excited to move to! We are starting a great new adventure and though it is not all the way I would have planned it, it is working out in the end! My life is Perfect! I needed someone else to help me see that and to help me to stop having pity for this perfect life and start enjoying it! Once again Nie Nie you did it! Thanks!

The Lord's Will (click on the picture to see the full view)

Dan and I had a discussion a while back. I was telling him about something when I said the phrase, " Doing the Lord's will". He commented how he thought people used that phrase as a "filler" because the truth was it was really their own will they wanted and not the Lord's. I was shocked and stunned that he would say such a thing! But that started me thinking, do we really use The Lord's Will as a filler or do we sincerely want his will to be done in our lives?
I thought about my life and everything going on with it. I realized I was wanting my house to sell, to move to Rigby, and all of it in the time frame I wanted. Dan had been right! I was wanting my will and I was wanting the Lord to sign off on it! So I stopped and thought about my prayers. I sincerely wanted the Lords blessings in my life and for my family, and I realized that His Will was apart of that. I also realized that,that meant my house might not sell or Rigby might not be the place for us or it might not all happen when I want it to.

That was a sobering moment for me to realize the Lord's will is not always our will. ( I know some of you had realized this before, but I can be a slower learner some days!) But then it made me think some more about how far are we willing to go or do to do the Lord's will? If He said to drop everything and head back to Missouri would you go? Or what if He asked you to get a two years supply of food storage, or give up tobacco, coffee, or Alcohol? Easy some of you are probably saying, well what if it was more like asking you to give up your job and your home to move in with Family to take care of them, or have them move in with you? Or what if it was to give up the thing your love doing to make a better life for your family by doing something you didn't enjoy? Could you do it? Or moving to the place you hated the most because it was best for your family ( and no I am not meaning us)? Or having 2 babies instead of 10 or 10 instead of 2? or giving up the life or your child or spouse?
I realized that sometimes it is easy to say, " The Lord's will be done", as long as it is my will also, but if it goes against what I want than not such a good thing anymore! It is hard to give up things we love and things we want in order to do what the Lord wants. But I know that the blessings we can reap are more than we can comprehend or imagine!
These changes in our life the last few months have put me on a spiritual journey I never expected but am extremely grateful for! I know I have changed and all of it for the better! You might say well what i wanted happened. But I don't know if that is true or not. I do know that my prayers have become very personal and my desires for my life and my families have become much more Christ Centered!
One more thought. I recently read the book, the Shack by W.P. young! It helped me in this journey! It is not by an LDS author though. But I know it is an amazing eye opening journey! I loved it! I recommend you read it! Your won't regret it! I also hope that each of you will think about the Lord's Will in your own lives and what that means! Thanks for Listening!

Don't mess with Papa Bear or his cubs!!

Dan and I ran to look at a rocking chair off of craigslist tonight. We decided not to get it. Since we had all the kids with us, He said why don't we get a treat at McDonald's and let the kids play at the playland. We were out at Post Falls so we went to that McD's. We unloaded everyone and went in to order and let the kids head into the play land. We quickly placed our order and than headed back to the playland. We were shocked to hear some boys screaming at the top of there lungs and parents not doing anything. We checked on our kids and Dan asked if I just wanted to leave. I said no, because we had just got there. 2 seconds later I here yelling and then Emma crying! I started calling to her and sent Dallin to help her come down! She came down sobbing that a boy had pinned/wrestled her down and had hurt her! Dan was up out of his seat! He was furious!
A little girl said it was her brother who had hurt Emma. The other Dad came over and I called all of our kids to our table. Our food came up so I ran to get it thinking I would just take our kids and our food and leave the playland. But that was not good enough for Dan! Someone had just hurt his baby! Within the first 5 minutes of being there! He asked Emma who hurt her and Emma pointed to this boy while she sat sobbing! Dan saw the Dad of the boy ( 7-8 years old) not react, Dan stood up and said it was not ok for his son to go around hurting kids! The man responded with, "they were just being kids"! Dan said "My kids don't act like that! They don't run around hurting people!" The other Dad said Emma had hurt his son. Dan pointed out she had been defending herself! The other parent's kept saying it wasn't a big deal. Dan walked back over to me and said we we're done ,we're leaving!
I was stunned and did not saying anything except to the kids to hurry and get there shoes and we were going! Dan said because of everything we would head to a park close by! We did, and had a great time! We talked to the kids about what happened. Emma said she was trying to help her friend from the boy when he hurt her. We told her next time she needed to yell STOP! and get an adult to help! Dan and I also talked. He said he just wanted to see the parent reprimand their child. But the Dad and the Mom acted like it was nothing and he wanted them to know it wasn't nothing, it was wrong! I was soooo proud of him! There has never been a doubt in my mind if Dan would protect or Defend us. But I have now seen it in person how he will stand up for his family! I think it was a good thing for his kids to see! Their Dad really could kick another dad's butt!!!

First day of school (Washington version)

Yay!!! First day of school arrived! I would say that I am Sad to see them go but they are excited and I am so happy they are going to get out and have friends at school to play with while they crazy life of moving is going on at home! Emma woke up at 6:45 and got dressed and then woke up aliya and Lilly ( who was not ready to get up). Dallin woke up around 7:15 a little less excited about the day and got in the shower! the were both dressed with their back packs on by 7:30. I told them to calm down and lets do hair and eat breakfast first! They rushed through it and then were ready to go ( Emma even asked to say the prayer so it could be short and they could go to school faster!) We got shoes on Emma then headed outside for pictures! Can you tell Emma is excited??
Kindergarten here I come!!
I'm to cool for 2nd grade

Was the wind strong this morning? nope just them!

Daddy and his big kids!!
We have a tradition in our house that Dad takes the kids to school andwalks them in while mom stays home with the others. It might sound weird to some, but I love it! Dan is not always able to be around for all the first but He has always made the first day of school an important thing! I get them ready and snuggle them at home and then kiss them goodbye as Dad drives them to school and reminds them where to go and then watches them grow up in an instant! He gets teary eyed as he watches them run to their new class, and watches them get settled in! It is a special moment for Him! I love it!! So Dan is the great Photog for all these next pics!!

Dallin meeting his new 2nd grade teacher for the first time ( He asked me if in 2nd grade they get more recess, I sadi probably not! Bummer!)

His new desk!

Already working hard!

Emma in line outside the school! Isn't she soooooo cute!!

With a friend from church! "Oh a familiar face!!"

Oh Our beautiful big girl!!!! Don't ya think She is stunning! And so ready for this day!

We are done!!!!

We are done! We accepted the fixes they requested, and we have sold our house! Dan at first was a little unsure if we had made the right choice but as we look around and see all the little things that still could be fixed or changed or improved upon we are excited that we don't need to do it!!! It is a wonderful feeling! We only have three weeks to get out so we are needing to hurry and pack! We do have a lot already done because we staged the house, but we realize we have sooooo much to do! But I am excited about all of it! We have a beautiful home we are in the process of buying. It is a foreclosure, so we are waiting on the bank. They have already said they would respond next week, which is a big deal for a bank! Keep your fingers crossed!! We will let you know what happens!

Do you love the sign?? Brian was awesome if you need a realtor call him!!!!! He is great to work with!!!

Excited, but, Not!

Tomorrow we find out! The home inspection was on Friday and tomorrow we find out what they want or that they walk! I am excited about all of this and not at the same time. I have done so much praying and thinking and wanting and hoping in the last month! Now that we are this close I am still hopeful that the house will sell but sad if it does and happy if it doesn't! Make sense? No? OK let me explain, We have lived here in Spokane for 5 + years! We have lived in this house 5 years in October. We have loved this house (and hated it ) for all of the work we have put into it! We made this house our home! It was our very first home that was ours! we ripped down walls and built new ones changed plumbing and stairs and doorways! we painted every room at least once and some twice! we have watched things grow and change before our very eyes! we have added two babies in our family and brought them home to this house! we have had so many firsts! dallins first day of school and emma's also! first broken arm, first pet, first lost teeth! it has been amazing here! and tomorrow we find out if it's over! ( daniel is reading this blog post and hoping they back out or wishing he could!)
But the truth is we have outgrown this house! it is a beautiful home but we have been trying to make it bigger for the last three years! And we are (very hesitantly) ready to move on and let someone else make memories here!
It is not a perfect house and we know that and as we look around at the future projects realize we are ready to not have them to do on the weekend. I am also ready to make more memories with family close by! I am already thinking about family dinners and game nights and going out trick or treating with cousins! I am excited for what the next chapter holds and yet at the same time not!

It's official we are for sale!

We are officaially for sale! We have scrubbed and cleaned and painted and finally we are showing! We have a great realtor Brian Smith. We have the sign in the yard and the lockbox on the door! We are keeping th ehouse clean and ready to show. The kids have given up most of the toys and are excited to move. Especially ALiya who talks about moving to Idaco (Idaho) every day! Dan and I have prayed hard and have done lots of soul searching and thought long and hard about what we want and need for our now and our future! We have put everything into the Lords hands! We feel great about it but don't know what the future holds which is always scarey! This is a link to the house http://www.windermere.com/lid66208224 If you know any one who would like to buy a house in a great neighborhood in spokane let us know!!

My sick Emma

I went to bed last night knowing I had a ton of stuff to do today. Emma was the first one to come into my bed last night. Since Dan was out of town I told her to go to the bathroom and then get in. She did and snuggled down and we went back to sleep. Much later Aliya came into bed snuggled in and went to sleep. Around 6:30am Emma woke up telling me her tummy hurt. I started to rub it and she said it was hurting all night. I told her to try and go to the bathroom and see if that would help. She came back saying she felt much better. And we went back to sleep for a little while. Dallin woke up around 7:30 and came and woke emma and aliya up to come and watch tv with him. I rolled over not wanting to get up yet. Next emma came to me telling me she still didn't feel good and was going to take a shower. Surprised that she didn't want help I once again layed back down, only to have emma come back in and say she changed her mind she wanted a bath. Emma and Dallin both know how to start a bath so I slowly got up and went to the bathroom. Dallin ran up the stairs and said Emma was throwing up in the bathtub. I ran down and she was standing up saying she still didin't feel good. I started the shower for her and then ran and got her a towel and also picked up Lilly who was awake now (with a nasty diaper). Emma got out feeling better. Dallin and aliya where yelling at the tv because diego was asking them to repeat what he said. I had to laugh. Lilly inspite of the nasty diaper was excited about life! Emma decided food didn't sound good and went to lay on the couch. Dallin and Aliya and lilly had banana's and cereal for breakfast. I thought it would be easy on the stomach.

Since then Emma has thrown up 3 more times. She knows her body so before she would even say something she was in the bathroom hugging the toilet. she would come out and lay back down. She is very independant though. she went and got herself a throw up bowl and then came and sat back down on the couch. all I could help with was holding her hair while she threw up. She is soooo beautiful evenwhile she is sick. I am amazed as she gets older how she goes from this crazy little baby to my amzingly helpful big girl! She can not tell a lie either! The minute she does something wrong she has to come and tell you! Yesterday she got into my makeup and before she came down the stairs she was saying ," Mom don't be mad!". She is compassionate, loving and works to help others. And She is a talker like no other! She is very stubborn though. But I try and remember that we want that! We want her to not follow the crowd and to be willing to be different and stand up for herself!

She is feeling a little better! Hopefully she can stop throwing up and feel great! I love my Emma and am very thankful I have her!!!!

I love lettuce!!

I never thought this day would come! My girl loves Salad!! Dallin would scream at anything green when he was this age. I would try and make healthy things but hated when it came time to eat because he would always scream! Thankfuly we have gotten over that with much patience and enduring he now eats lots of veggies and fruit and is willing to try almost anything once ( we have realized that after him throwing up every time he tried to eat green beans that they are not worth it!)! But lettuce has never been something he likes. So I never put it on their plates ( I know shame on me). Then one day dan and I had Salad for lunch. Dan went back for more and Aliya saw him eating some and asked if she could have some of it. He said yes and gave her a bowl of lettuce with a little ranch on it. She gobbled down the whole bowl and than asked for MORE!!! I was so happy! Of course I had to take pictures! It turns out she and Emma love lettuce (with ranch) and eat it all the time! I am a veggie lover so watching my kids eat healthy veggies makes a momma proud!!

I sometimes forget.....

It has been a rough month for me. I have been very emotional and no I am not pregnant! For no major reasons I have just felt frustrated with my life and my family!

Daniel, when I feel like this will remind me that I am very blessed! That I am lucky to have what I have. But it is hard to remember that each of these little souls is a blessing, when I haven't slept in a couple of weeks and they are kicking me and telling me that want another popcicle. Or when they are screaming at each other because non of them like what I made for dinner! Or when I have put them to bed nine times and it is now 10:30pm and I hear them again! Or when I have spent all day folding laundry and they want to help by unfolding everything!
I sit down and think why did I want this and why would I want more???!!!!
But they all do finally fall asleep!! And at times they look at me with those trusting eyes! And whenever they are hurt they want me to fix it, whether it is emotional or physical! They go missing for five minutes and my heart races and I fear the worst! Or I hear them cry at a neighbors house and all of a sudden I run like I am in a race!
I do realize I am blessed! Sometimes it takes more than Dan saying it to me though! But I do thank the Lord every night for my four little miracles and my wonderful husband!! I am blessed! and sometimes all it takes is a quiet moment for me to be reminded of it! And I am thankful for all of it!! Even those frustrating moments or those tiring nights! Because without it all I would have nothing!!

Friends, Food, and Floats

We had a great time at the parade this year! We had great seats thanks to our friend Jessica who saved them all day! They were right next to the honey buckets which was great with 20 little bladders! We had pizza and friends!! Aliya could not get enough of all of the princesses and cheer leaders! She thought everyone was waving just to her!! Emma had a great time but was worried about when we would see a her "friends" that were in the parade! Lilly did great guarding the strollers and then loved waving once daddy got her out so she could see better! it was a great time and a ton of fun!