theater for 6? um not quite.

we decided to attempt the movie theater to see Horton hears a Who with all 4 children today. definitely not the wisest parenting decision we've made! the older 3 have been enjoying "theater" movies for as long as i can remember and we just thought it would be fun to all get to go, instead of one parent staying home and the other attending the show with the kids. we talked it all out. we'd go at nap time when he'd be more likely to not be full of energy. not to mention there are days we he doesn't nap and he isn't overly crabby. we'd take not one but 2 sippy cups. and of course we'd stash the diaper bag with all his favorite candies. oh, and of course there would be popcorn. we knew he might not make it all the way through and we were okay with that, we wanted to give him the exposure though and hope that a few times and he'd be hooked and we could now do family movies. he isn't one to totally zone out in front of the tv like justin and ashley were (which i confess i loved) but he will sit on my bed in the mornings and watch barney. i figured he would be mesmerized by the big screen for at least 20 minutes. honestly, i don't think he looked at that big screen for more than 3 minutes. he was constantly shuffling in his chair, turning this way and that, down on the floor and up again. wanting to sit with ashley and then wanting down. he did sit and eat some popcorn and gummy bears, but could never allow himself to zone into the movie while doing such. so, after about 45 minutes in the theater (half of which i think were previews) josh took him out and the big kids and i finished the movie together. we were bummed. i knew he wouldn't be great, i expected to leave part way through, but i did think he would watch SOME. oh well. lesson learned. i want to say "one day" like it is so important that we do this or something. it is really not such a big deal. he's 2 and i still love him :)

one month anniversary.

mom reminded us all that today was she and josh's one month surgery anniversary. it has been quite a month for us. we are happy that all of josh's reactions have subsided and he seems to be on the mend and has returned to work. he is not quite 100% but is doing much better. still sore and more tired than normal, but all in all doing really well.

mom's new kidney is working nicely and we have loved seeing the sparkle in her eyes and her chipper disposition return. she is still regaining strength and is not totally out of pain or discomfort, but she is doing so much better. she has an appetite and her hope of the future is bright. this makes me happy beyond description.

it has been quite the experience being an "observer" to this whole process. really can't be put in words.

mom is already back in action with her selfless giving. she called just after dinner and said she had josh a surprise. he went and picked it up and returned with this.



the little note says, "cheers to the kidney king"! josh came in the house grinning from ear to ear and said that made his whole day, maybe week. mom has always been a fabulous cook, but she is really getting good at making everything from scratch since she cannot go to the store! i am here to say she is making some tasty stuff.

not to mention, last night she cooked me dinner - i dropped her a movie to watch and she gave me my favorite meal - quiche :) have i mentioned she is simply incredible? she amazes me. i'm so lucky she is my mom. she said she is getting little bursts of energy. it is so exciting.

crayons and puzzles.

the essential ingredients to an enjoyable evening for kids and mom. doing puzzles and coloring with the kids are 2 of my favorite ways to spend time with my kids. i love that they are calm and quiet things to do together and simply put, they are things i enjoy doing.

sometimes i get so caught up in the chores of keeping the house clean and laundry etc. that i put off just enjoying being a mom. i couldn't help but watch their little faces, catch their fleeting expressions, take note of the little fingers and hands.... when i looked at mitchel's hands i couldn't help but notice that they are still small. sometimes i forget that even the "big" kids are really still small and i need to remember that when i am parenting them.

looking for pictures of justin? well, i was letting him play PS3 :) he actually did join in on the coloring after his game, but the camera was put away by then. sorry for all the pictures... i just couldn't leave any out :)

Easter Sunday.

We had an enjoyable Easter. it was filled with lots of good times, just not many photos.

the thought occurred to me to get out my camera and snap some pictures that morning, but i was just too lazy and wanted to enjoy the moments without trying to capture it all. in hindsight of course, i'd love some shots.

we did manage a family picture. i think it is impossible to get a photo these days that i like of everyone, but that is life right now and i can't forgo all photos just because someone is always looking so not natural!

Josh's brother Johnny and wife Kaley came up from Salt Lake. It was great fun. We enjoyed dinner out all together on Saturday night. we played lots of games and snacked way too much. the kids LOVE them and love all the extra attention they are given. As they were packing to leave today, Ashley asked why they couldn't live with us. She said they could be like her big brother and sister and she needs a big sister. she was so serious. she then said Kaley was her best friend. man, it is so good to live near our families. seriously, look at the pictures - my kids look way better with aunt and uncle - so happy and carefree, do you think they like them more?? :)

we missed our fun time we had last year with grandma and grandaddy on our first Easter in Idaho, but are so glad mom is healing and regaining her strength and will be ready for a great celebration next year! we did drop by, washed up and masked up and took them some Easter goodies.

i always think of some great ideas at the last minute, things i could do to make it more special or fun and memorable. my new self-talk is always, " add that to the file and I'll do it next year!' if i really come through, next years holidays will be amazing :)

good morning.

in the hustle and bustle of getting everyone ready for work and school and babysitters , I saw that the sunrise was beautiful. so i stepped outside and snapped these pictures from my from step. the scene kind of brightened my day, even if it was cold and more windy than I prefer.

I live in Idaho and I know this is how spring is, but I want warmth! now. i do not feel like being patient. it has lasted long enough.

snacktime. in pantry.

turn stock pot upside down for stool and help yourself to all the snacks your heart desires.

I laughed so hard when I found him - he thought he was so clever. he jut grinned at me and said he was hungry!

he must have been listening to me and josh informing the older kids they could start helping themselves a little more and relying on their servants (aka mom and dad) a little less. I guess Coleman was just trying to comply with the rules!!

movie night.

we are slowly building traditions with our kids. I desperately want traditions that my kids will remember forever. I seriously look forward to one day hearing, "hey mom, do you remember when we....". so we're slowly adding to our list of traditions - ones that happen frequently enough to forge those memories. Movie night has been an almost weekly tradition for nearly 5 years. This isn't to say we've never missed a weekend, but the kids look forward to it and that makes me happy. So, on either Friday or Saturday night, we have "Movie Night". This involves blankets, and popcorn and water bottles and candy and some movie that the entire family will enjoy. the lights are dimmed and the volume is turned up and we spend 2 hours just enjoying the movie and each other. Tonight's feature was the Bee Movie. Cute show. Another memory. Happy mom.