Spring Fever

Spring has sprung and we love it! Kansas was way colder in the winter than we could have imagined. To think that school can be cancelled due to freezing temperatures and ice storms- quite a change from Memphis. So to say the kids have been excited for spring is an understatement. We have an amazing park about ten minutes from our home and have spent countless hours playing, running, and enjoying the spring breeze. We find ourselves picking the girls up from school, playing at their park for hours, and returning home too late for a real dinner so bowls of cereal and toast have become commonplace. I would feel guilty for that except, when you know before long the temperatures will reach limits that only a swimming pool can relieve you learn to take advantage of every day you can. The creation of this beautiful world will always continue to amaze me. I am in constant awe as various seasons come, offer "their" part, and then, right when you could really enjoy a change, it appears. Heavenly Father is wise and kind.

The "Nesting" War

Our van has been through some pretty intense treatment over the past year. The three long road trips alone were enough to "bang" it up a bit, not to mention the daily wear and tear of driving four children to various activities and outings. When it truly couldn't get any worse I would clean it out the best I could and for a while that was enough.

Recently however the "nesting" phase of pregnancy kicked in. You scrub, clean out, and disinfect every inch and corner of your home and when that is complete you begin the whole process over again. The cleanliness issues of our van however laid on an entirely different level of disgusting. Each day I would climb in the car, my nesting instincts raging, and pray we could make it from point A to point B safely with my eyes shut tight. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get the van to look as clean as I needed the van to look. Perhaps my expanding belly and not being able to maneuver well between seats was a contributing factor. What ever the cause I knew I had to take action immediately. My saving answer? Google "car cleaning" and let the wonderful, talented, incredibly brilliant people at "Showroom Shine" have a go at our poor mistreated van. Seven hours later, yes - a full seven in the detailing area, I returned to pick up my "showroom shined" vehicle.

I am so excited I could scream. I know your not suppose to love material possessions but at this moment........I do! I find myself going out to the garage only to sit in my newly cleaned vehicle and take in the wonderful leather scent and carpets I could eat off of. I know it won't last forever. I know eventually I'll have to face reality and allow some leniency with certain items.....like children. For now though, in this brief moment of time........not a crumb, cracker, or fruit snack stands between me and my nesting enjoyment. Life is good!

Girls Weekend '11

Girls Weekend Out was able to take place once again due to awesome hubbies, and the fact that Steven is not yet in fellowship. Our five days together were spent shopping, eating, and laughing, followed by more shopping, eating, and laughing. With my Dad gone Mom often gets lonely and I'm so grateful for a husband whose willing to hold down the fort in hopes that his wife can head her direction and fill part of that void.

When my Dad passed away is when Steven and I began looking at life from a whole different spectrum. Perhaps that's how it happens with most people. Someone you love passes from this life to the next, or maybe they get sick, and whether they recover or return "home" you have instantly learned a valuable lesson about life. To live each day for all it's worth, and while living those days, to be grateful for the little things. A home, food, healthy children, the sunset, freedom, a car that runs, sunshine, hot water etc.... It doesn't mean you miss them any less. My heart often drops as I pass grandchildren being chased at the park by grandpa or watch them read stories in the library. I have to remind myself to have faith. Faith can build on either side of a spectrum, whether something miraculous happens or when things don't necessarily go the way we had thought or hoped. The miracle I believe comes when your heart knows with an absolute certainty that no matter what happens in this life, everything will work out...everything will be alright.

Dion's, of course.

ABC bakery cake, of course.

Mexican Food, of course.

Mom making the babies quilt.

Since we don't find out gender she makes a blue and a pink.

The blue is finished so now on to the pink, but I'm not allowed to see.

Super Seven

Kadyn turned the big seven this past week. She followed in her sisters footsteps and had her first "friend" party on the weekend, followed by a family party on her actual birthday. Once again we entrusted the wonderful people of Gymnastics Plus to worry about all the details and once again it was some of the best money we've ever spent. It was especially nice to have both parties planned due to Haley J coming down with croup the day prior to Kadyn's friend party. Steven was able to keep her at home knowing that a few days later we would still have the chance to celebrate Kadyn's big day together as a family. Kadyn has a tender, sweet spirit, with just a twist of spunk. She brings such joy to our families lives and we are so very grateful to have been blessed with her!

This is what Kadyn has to say about herself at age seven:

I Love....

...my new Scooba! Steven gave this to me for Christmas and I will honestly admit I didn't think it would be something I would utilize. I am a creature of habit and LOVE my swifter jet mop with scented pads and wet jet action. Scooba however has stolen my heart and not only mops my floors to perfection but offers 45 minutes of pure entertainment for the kiddos. He makes his way all around the kitchen floor, goes around any furniture in his way, and, knows when to stop when the stairs drop off into the living room.

...how much these two kiddos love each other. Five days a week they play, read, paint, sing, and color together until it's time for lunch. As lunch begins they grab their sandwiches and enjoy a cartoon while snuggled up on the chair. It will be interesting to see what Haley J does when Thatch heads to school in the Fall with his older sisters. Hopefully she will enjoy "ruling" the roost for the seven hours they are away.

...these two crazies. Haley's personality is fun and goofy and her facial expressions bring us to tears of laughter.

Why Didn't I Think Of That?

Steven has always had a way of teaching our kids various life lessons in a fun and unique manner. While kind and gentle, when it comes to learning, cleaning, or every day tasks my mind is very "one tracked", very focused. Steven on the other hand can take an every day task and turn it into a fun filled time for everyone.

For example, Ryley is currently learning her multiplications. I would have just sat her on my bed and gone through flash cards until she had it down. Steven brilliantly makes a chart for each kiddo, offers rewards, and plays various games throughout the week to teach ALL of them their multiplications. Why didn't I think of that?

Then there's bedtime. We have our normal family routine of all the nightly essentials, after which I just assume a nightly ritual of the children climbing into their beds and being kissed goodnight by Mom and Dad. This is a frequent occurrence, however, Daddy in all his cleverness remembers to shake things up once in awhile and throws in games like "Tag to Bed". That's when you run around the house free from bedtime until Dad tags you. A short game before bed that's not necessarily essential? Yes. A game that the kids talk and giggle about for days following? Yes! Why didn't I think of that?

Finally there's cleaning. Oh, cleaning. In my mind this task is either easier by myself or.........well, it's just easier by myself. When we have destroyed the house over a weekend and Saturday night I begin to clean up, again, not only does Steven enlist the entire family for reinforcement but he also thinks to put a "spin" on the whole dreary idea of cleaning. He literally "enlists" the kiddos and as drill sergeant and soldiers they all work together as a team to clean up various rooms with time limits and penalties included. The kids eat it up and have such a fun time taking their cleaning seriously, a lot better then if Mom had said, "go clean your room". Once more, why didn't I think of that? I often commend Steven for his cleverness. He say's that's what makes us such a perfect team - my drive and his ability to make it fun. I'd have to agree 100%.

Baby Ballard #5

It's a...............................big baby! Once again the element of wanting to be surprised won out. I stared at the wall most of the time. Steven took his chances since watching them find and measure various body parts was exciting to him. The tech did great however and by the end of the hour even she was not aware of the gender! Thus far this baby appears to be very active, favors my left side, and teased the tech by refusing to show his or her backside and spinal area until the very end. I think the baby was just trying to be modest. :)