15 years

I hesitate to ever try to write about this, but here goes. Last weekend we celebrated our 15th anniversary. Craaaazy! It some ways it seems like yesterday and it some ways it seems we have never not been together. All I know is it was the biggest and best decision I ever made. I can't believe I made such a great decision when I was so young and new so little. All I can say is almost walked away from the best that ever happened to me. And yes, Darin does remind me of this. Thank goodness for last minute soul searching, and a God who really does love me. To celebrate we went far away to "downtown". We have done this quite a bit, as far as we were concerned we could have been in another country. That is, after the babysitter found the right party Savvy was attending, and Paris took the wrong bus home, and Ava contracted a fever. I could relax knowing I could get home if I needed to, but hoping it wouldn't be necessary. We rode our bikes through downtown, then to our couples massage. We have never done that before, and Darin always tells me to get two services rather than spend the money on him. Uhhhh, I think that generousity has just ended. We then biked to our hotel, left for shopping, eating, biking, and more eating. Then we watched a seriously stupid movie and enjoyed every single second of it. Nope, didn't take one single picture.

The Home Grown Party

This party was supposed in the backyard with the big bounce castle. On the day of the party it was raining and I hate to admit it just in case my family is reading, but eve a little snow. We had planned to change venues in case of inclement weather, but Madeline didn't like the idea of anyone being at the party that she didn't "invite." We scrambled the night before. Bless Darin's heart for all his help. Actually, bless Darin's heart always, but today I was particularly grateful. We made necklaces and I was a little surprised how much the boys liked it. I told them they could make them for their mom, each insisted it would be for "him."
Musical chairs, two chairs short...

The parachute: thank goodness no one broke a bone...
I had "big plans" for the cake, it's always a big part of the party for me. Madeline saw this one at the store and knew it was the one for her. Everytime we go to the grocery store she wants to head over to the bakery to pick out her Birthday cake. After a year of contemplation this was the "winner."

My Baby Dancing

This is short little video more or less epitomizes my sweet Madeline. Yesterday was her birthday, and my heart hurts thinking how fast time has flown. These past five years seem like a whirlwind of busy, productive, heart wrenching, and mostly beautiful , memories all in the same five years. We left Oklahoma 5 weeks after she was born, Darin graduated Easton had a birthday and we blessed her all in the same weekend. Monday morning at 10:00 am we were gone. I was doing real estate and closed on 11 houses between the time she was born and the time we left. It was "wild" to say the least. We packed up our growing brood and off we were. It was such an exciting time, knowing we were on our last let of our journey. We were leaving wonderful friends behind, but we couldn't wait to finish Darin's training. I don't believe there was a better place to do it than San Diego. Her first year of life was spent there. We spent our time at the beach, sea world, farmers markets and with our new friends the Joyces. They were our tour guides and nobody could do it better. We were so lucky to have them. Oh, yes, and they knew how to do it on a dime, which obviously proved to be very handy since dimes seemed to be things we were always fresh out of. Madeline is spicy and fun, and is always happy. She has been so independent and easy to entertain. I can't believe she is going to kindergarten in a couple of months. I don't feel like I have had near enough time with her, but I will be forever grateful for our long afternoons, when Ava is napping and it's just the two of us. Happy Birthday Madeline!

Off Track

Yes we are... Well, at least some of us. Paris and Madeline (pre-school) are in session. Easton and Savvy and of course sweet little Ava are out. Of course most days Madeline doesn't want to miss out on anything we are doing, so she is mostly out as well. We have had so much fun. This is quickly becoming my favorite time of the year to track off. The weather is absolutely incredible. Yes, I am all about the weather. We can ride bikes, hike, play outside and pretty much feel much more capable of conquering the world when the weather is great. Today was take your kids to work day... A lot of pressure for me, huh? Not that I don't take at least half the kids with me everyday. Today we took a tour and opened savings accounts at the kids bank in the city. I am loving the guy (haven't dug to deep, but still...) who started the bank. What a brilliant idea. I am always trying to come up with ways to help my kids learn the concept of earning, saving and investing money. Dad if your reading this please send us a photo of Kindred Kurbs:) More about that later. This bank is the best because they educate your kids which was great since I was chasing Ava around the whole bank trying to keep her mouth occupied with Dum, dums... They walked them through the whole process. Anyone under 21 can open and account. Best part about it, since I seem to be so gosh darn tight lately is it's free!!! Paris can now get a debit card and we are all very excited about it.

Now You See Her

Now you don't... Yep, Ruby or "Ruby Tubes" when she isn't peeing or pooping on my floor, usually the carpet. Seriously, why do we have a dog? I wanted to be the "cool" mom, that decided I could handle this, instead I have become the crazy mom, who all too often threatens to get rid of the dog. Whoa, she has been a ride! If you are thinking of getting one, seriously call me. So, today we took Ruby to dog obedience school. Prison dog school that is. Yes, on take your kid to work day. It was a little more traumatic than I had anticipated. Paris and Savanna both started crying. As I sad holding and comforting them as the inmates lovinly escored her out, I had joy for two reasons. One, I am poop and pee free in the house for one month and hopefully forever after, and two my kids love that dog soooo much they are crying at the thought of leaving her for a month... Maybe it wasnt' a mistake. Truth be told I guess you really do love those you serve, because I miss her just a tiny bit. This obedience seems like such a brilliant idea. I think she is going to be the best dog ever when she comes back, and I am pretty sure that our dog trainer/inmate will love her as much as my kids do, which is great for everyone. Look for our success story in 4 weeks.

Freeze Time

Our little "chooch" as she is affectionately called joined the ranks of the nursery babes at church today. It might not sound like a big deal, but I have always known that while one is settling into nursery, another babe is on it's way. Not this time. It's hard to believe this chapter is ending, while I feel at peace about being "done", I feel the pain of knowing this part of our journey has ended. It feels like it's all gone by too fast. Every single day I am grateful I went to bat to get this last sweet little baby into our home. I must admit it didn't take too much convincing, but at the time it felt like we just held hands and jumped off a cliff, hoping for a nice soft landing. We had a 80/20 rule. That meant 80% everything was perfect and we felt in control and the other 20 was pretty much just chaos. After Ava was born, that changed to 70/30. Now that things have calmed down. I would say we are back to 80/20 and maybe just maybe 90/10. I love every one of them so individually. They are all so incredibly different and each one simply perfect to us. If I could freeze time, I would definitely do it riiiiiight, now! I love having a tween, and all the fun and excitement of her life. Yet at the same time, I still have a little baby to hold and watch the magic and wonder of each new discovery.

Hot Water

This is something in the states most of us take for granted. While we were visiting the DR something went wrong with the pipes and we didn't have hot water the entire time we were staying at the beach. Okay, I had one very low pressure medium warm shower, but that was it for the duration of the trip. We called the manager and he was trying to get it fixed, but there was some difficulty seeing that, number 1 it is the Dominican Republic and no. 2 it was Holy Week. We were feeling pretty sorry for ourselves and even a little frustrated until I asked Andrea (our helper) if she had ever had hot water. Nope to that one! Never in her life. We didn't mention it again and I have thought about it each time I have bathed my kids in warm water or taken a hot shower. I am afraid I will soon forget how lucky we are to have this luxury we think is just a "basic need."

The Temple

We took Paris to the temple for the first time. She was so excited and it was a great experience for all of us! The temple is absolutely beautiful. I didn't get a great picture, because I was always up to close. It's such a stark contrast to everything else surrounding it. Darin's parents are so lucky to live on the temple grounds!

The Villa

The villa exceeded every expectation we had. You never know if it's going to be all that the pictures show it to be until you actually show up. Part of the thrill of the vacation. This was so much better than we imagined, we loved it! The food was also amazing.

A Trip Highlight

This was a definite highlight of the trip. It's called 27 waterfalls! We left the little ones behind, which in and of itself was a bit of an adventure for me, just leaving the babes in a foreign country. They were in excellent hands with their grandma, but still... We hiked up 12 of the 27 waterfalls and the jumped or slid down them, it was so fun. I love it when the kids get to see the parents having fun too!

The People

The kids got to hang out with the natives on the temple grounds, they loved the games we brought for them...
This woman sells used clothes in the streets.
These kids sell yummy candy!
This picture does no justice to the amount of people that are in every car! Oh yes, gas there is $5.00 per gallon!
Sweet Andrea! Savvy spend an entire day helping her clean.
This women set a bbq grill on the side of the street for hot dog sales!

Amazing fruit!

This is an avacado! It's the size of a cantaloupe. We couldn't get enough of them!

The Dominican Republic

Taking family vacations for us is a relatively new idea for us, but this was the best one yet! The place absolutely exceeded every expectation we all had. This trip provided so many unique opportunities for our family that we will never forget and our lives will never be the same because of it. You can't see people living like that and not look at your own life and see what you don't need, and look at the things that really make you "happy." The people, although they have so little in some interesting ways they have more... It was a stark contrast coming back to the U.S., seeing a man in front of us ranting and raving because the line wasn't moving fast enough and he was afraid he was going to miss his connecting flight. Sure enough he did, and sure enough we ran into him again (after we missed our connecting flight) and he was demanding a rental car, a hotel and a transfer to another city. It seemed no compensation could equal his burden of missed time! One thing the Dominicans seem to have plenty of is TIME!

No. 1 not 2

This is the sign Madeline and Savvy made for me tonight! If you look closely you can see the status I have achieved not number 2, but numero uno! I am not sure which is more fun with the kids actually going on the trip or getting ready for the trip. Every spring break we try to go somewhere fun... The kids get sooo excited and we can't wait to have them all to ourselves! This time we are excited to share with Darin's parents!

Seriously!

For the second time this week Easton I have been summoned to this little guy with blood spurting everywhere. This is one week I am glad there is only one of him!!! This was a vegetable peeler fight between he and Madeline, Easton being the clear loser. I do have to say Madeline cried harder and longer realizing her firm grip on the peeler had caused such a wound. Maybe a lesson learned...

Thank You, Thank you!

Madeline has started saying this to me all the time. "Thank you, thank you mommy so much for getting us the sweet, sweet baby." She says it as if we picked this brand out from the store... I couldn't have said it better myself...

Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory

It would be completely wrong for us to go to San Francisco and not go to the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory. We have so many memories from San Diego. The chocolate factory was right next to our family's "all time favorite" restaurant, Royal Thai. A perfect evening would be Padres game, Royal Thai, and Ghiradelli Chocoalte factory brownie sundae. Every time we go to San Diego it's top of the list.

I am a wife

And for this I am grateful! I have a hard time leaving the kids at the current chaotic state of our life. I can't ever imagine leaving it to to someone else. Lucky for me, my mom was ever so willing to come spend time with her grandkids. I didn't feel I could leave everyone, because we want her to come back! We took Ava and headed to San Francisco last weekend. I think I got a total of 9 hrs. sleep in three days, but it was worth every bit of the sleep. Besides like my dad always says, we'll catch up in the next life... It was so fun, just being with the three of us. I never realize I need a break until I get one. I never realize how often our conversation gets interrupted until it doesn't. I love these convention trips because it's the perfect allocation of time for me. Darin goes to about 4 hours a day worth of education and I get time to do anything in the world I want to do. This time that meant staying in the hotel reading while Ava slept. Reading during the middle of the day, a complete novelty and a great way to spend an afternoon. SF is a great city and we loved being there together, just the three of us.

One thing I know for sure!

Boys get hurt more than girls. We have had minor cuts and bruises with the girls. Easton has had stitches four times and broken his arm. It has been so lucky for me that every time Darin has been home. One of these days he is not going to be there, and I am going to have to be pony up. Every time an incident occurs I scream for Darin and he runs in like the knight in shining armor to save the day. He is always so calm and I can't imagine him being in a field more useful to our family. We actually have never even been to the E.R.

Easton's Current Obsession

Easton is my one child who gets absolutely fixated on certain things. I am happy to say that he couldn't have been more thrilled about getting his scriptures. He kept asking me for his "own." I kept giving him the families copies and it just wasn't cutting it for him. I got him is own paperback quad with his name on it, and he had the prize to be one. He couldn't wait to get home and get started. He even wanted me to read while I was driving. When we got home we couldn't get lunch over fast enough. For an entire week it seemed he thought of nothing else. We would read up to twenty pages a day and it still wasn't enough for him. Try telling a kid you don't have time to read him scriptures. He is such a great kid! Lucky for me he is still excited about it, but doesn't ask so many times a day for me to drop everything and read to him. This is a picture of him reading to the neighbors, that have absolutely no idea what he's talking about. He couldn't wait to read some more. He saw the kids out playing and decided to go read. They all quit playing and went to get their "own" books. I was happy no parents called to complain...

Is a Puppy necessary?

So, this is a question I asked myself over and over. Some swear it's the best thing you can ever give a kid. I think a sibling is the best thing you can give a kid. After Much, much thought we gave in and neither Darin or I ever thought we would. This was the best Christmas present ever! The kids made all kinds of promises, and contracts we promised to get them a dog after a 6 week trial period. They did countless hours of research in search for the perfect dog. The girls had their heart and souls set on a Cavashon, and I found one that would be available at christmas time. I will post the video later of the actual surprise. We will be hard pressed to ever top this one. It was complete with tears from both the older girls and "giddy" excitement from the others. I didn't blog about her before now, because I wasn't sure she would really end up being part of the family after all the poop and peeing in my house was done!! I definitely have had my moments when I have kids crying, dinner to make only to turn around and see the dog peeing on my carpet. Are you kidding me, how did we end up here? Even still somehow she gets to stay another day, however not without "doggie school" at the prison. More on that later... The jury is still out, but we are pretty sure she was a good idea...

No Flowers for me please....

Out of all my favorite holidays. Valentine's is definitely very high on the list. I love that it has not become completely commercialized. At least not for us. I think come February I am always feeling like we need to be a little less indulged and therefore Valentine's is just a day to remember why we love each other so much. I told Darin no flowers. Flowers mean more every other day of the year than they do on this day. It feels like a check mark. I don't mean to make it diffucult for him, but to me they become meaningless on this day. I didn't feel I needed a darn thing from him because he is sooo great at the random and genuine expressions of love every other day of the year. We were able to steal away a couple of hours in the evening, and the day felt like a perfect celebration of all that we love. We always get flowers and small treats for the kids and they love it. Easton woke up early to make us all breakfast. He came in about 5:00 a.m. and asked how to turn the oven on... yikes!! He was disappointed to find the table all set and food ready for him. He wanted to do it for us. I love that boy. This is what I am loving about each of my kids.

Paris: She's becoming a teenager, but always still kisses me and tells me she loves me. She couldn't be a better example to her siblings.

Savvy: For having the biggest heart in the world. She cares for everyone, and is always doing nice things for people.

Easton: For loving Jesus

Madeline: Because I only have a few months before she starts kindergarten, and I am cherishing every moment and trying to play house as often as I can, because soon she will be able to say her "R's"

Ava: For giving me something to hold for some many hours of the day. She reminds me where we all came from.

With the kids on the trail

I have always been interested in  politics, although never so much as now.  Just like a good game, its' so much more interesting when you know something about he players.  So when we heard about the "Romney Rally" coming to town I knew we had to be there.  My kids couldn't have been more excited if it were Hannah Montana.  Here are some pics of the event.  Sorry, no pics of me, the kids and my sister Shauna with the man himself.  He did come up and talk to us and shook all of the kids hands.  My brother was caught with the camera in hand and completely..... "starstruck".  Not to worry my kids won't forget it anyway.  The long rally will also keep it etched in their heads.  As Romney has now "suspended", Paris thinks we should move to Canada.  I think we are the luckiest people on the planet to live in America.  I am reminded of that daily.  God please bless America...

The nice "Grandpa" who held my sweet baby....

Who is he.... I don't know, but there was this strange sense that you had seen many of these people before.  Definitely a large LDS base here!

the kids trying to get a glimpse

Idaho

What a great trip!  We just got back from McCall, Idaho.  What an incredibly beautiful place.  We snowmobiled, went to the hot springs and chatted and chatted.  It was the perfect vacation.  We feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

Reuniting with "old" Friends

I get so busy in the "everyday" and "present", I have to say I am not great at keeping contact with many friends that I love. We had two families we knew from residency in Oklahoma. They really were such an integral part of our lives there. They know so many things about us, other people we know now couldn't imagine. Things like the fact that we used to own an "ice shak" to make an extra buck. I actually made ice in our garage!!! We laughed and cried. It was sooo fun to reconnect. We look forward to doing it again soon. I also learned that Karen really knows how to travel!!

Not really the rodeo

So for a whole week now, Darin has been telling me how excited he is to take the kids to the rodeo.  He told me he knew I was that excited but thanked me for ponying up anyway.  Saturday morning Easton and Darin came in with breakfast in bed and note outlining the days activities.  It was all a big surprise to me.  The kids have known for weeks and were in on the surprise.  So the "rodeo" was in fact a night out at a great hotel, spa and great food.  I couldn't believe it when they told me.  No one ever slipped, not even Madeline, who is notorious for not being able to keep a surprise!  I adore my husband for so many reasons, but today this is my favorite!  He is so great about involving the kids in thinking of ways to make me feel loved and appreciated.  I have a hard time booking any kind of pampering service for myself, but go oh so willingly when someone else does it for me.  I always feel like there is so much going on out there, why should I be the one who gets to be in here relaxing.  I did have the thought that I want my life to be so full of hard work that I always have something on my body that feels a little pain.  Right now, my fingers are raw and scored from washing my hands so many times during a day, between poopy diapers and poopy dogs, I am getting a lot of handwashing in.  Thank you to my wonderful husband for a perfect night out, and my beautiful sister for watching 7 kids while I was relaxing!  I will post pictures soon.

Cooking Contest

Darin's brothers are all so competitive.  I figure if you want something done, make it a competition!  Someone came up with the fantastic idea of a cooking contest.  Most likely Darin after he lost at darts and pool.  He has so many other talents boys!  The bummer thing is now he is going to have to spend hours practicing so he can win next time.  We had a great pre-christmas trip with his family.

Gotcha!!

This tree looks small in the forest, but seriously we had to cut about 3 feet off!

My kind of Hunting

We are always looking for ways to solidify old traditions and make new ones.  This is a definite keeper to add to the rapidly increasing list.  The Christmas tree hunt.  Who knew the trees you buy have actually been chopped down sometimes months before they ever go into your house.  The fresh ones don't actually shed too much and you don't even have to by a fir scented candle!

The best part is going on a hike with the family to get the tree!  It was all fun and games until the beautiful day turned into a blizzard!