June

June brings lots of things to the calendar. This week I am working each morning on curriculum mapping for the district. I am working with a great teacher and our creative juices are meshing into awesome things. Just got the kids a little blow up swimming pool. Ben can hardly stand waiting for me to set it all up. Unfortunately, the boys reported that he was naughty to Emily, so he is in quiet time now and will have to wait a bit before enjoying the fun in the sun.

Just finished moving my craft and teaching stuff out of the room I have been claiming, and gave the room to Jake. He is thrilled. I think my new space out in the loft should work really well for me. Even with it all in a room, Ben still got into everything. We'll see how this goes. Michael and Chris are headed to Greenspeak next week for encampment. I think it is fun that he will go camping close to where I always went as a young woman. He will even be roughing it like we did with tents and everything. Imagine that!

Trying to finish up my class through rio salado and get things squared away here so we can head home for most of June. Today I passed a solitary alfalfa field and got really homesick. I think it will soon be gone and a temple will replace it. In my book, a nice alfalfa field is up there in peace, and hope--maybe the next best thing to God's house. Maybe it's like god's backyard? Those pretty purple flowers on long green stems waving hello and inviting me over for a hug. . .

It has almost been a year since I said goodbye, and it hasn't gotten any easier. I welcome the things like johndeere green and dirt that smells like the summer rain is about to visit soon. Christopher who walks a little bull legged like he did. I am so glad that I have these pieces in time to hold onto.

Things just keep coming

Well, I have not written in quite some time. I have been having a lot of difficulty putting words onto paper for a very long time. I miss my dad like crazy! I feel like I have lost so many people physically and emotionally. Right now I cry for myself and my neighbors. Two moms gone within the same week. I only knew one of them. She was mighty. She was strong. She was feminine and beautiful and the embodiment of what I wish I was as a mother. She didn't seek the spotlight, but was seen quietly by all. I will miss you Cindy.

Alfalfa

My dad grew this beautiful field of alfalfa that I am not ready to write about. But, here is a picture of some of his grandkids in it. Thanks Jeff for the picture!

Christopher's new look

Well, it is official that Christopher is a lollipop head! He got his helmet last Monday. Tuesday I spent two hours painting it black so I could create my Mickey Mouse hat masterpiece. When it was all dry I pulled off the tape that was protecting the parts that can't get painted when I was horrified. The paint dried onto the tape so it came off in a full piece of black stretchiness. So, I grabbed some stickers Jake and I bought and popped them on. Can't find my camera cord to charge my battery so, have no pictures to share right now.

:) Here's to a perfectly round head!

Hallways and Chili Peppers

We have gone back to school. It all started when Chris and Thomas invited the scouts/deacons to help paint my classroom. I also invited some of the kids I taught previously that I would teach again this year. I got the primer, paint and pizza and we were ready!

The kids worked pretty darn hard helping cover the awful paint that was in the room before--yes, I did paint it those colors two years ago and am still wondering, WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I forgot to take into account the drying time of primer so we sent the kids home, started fans blowing like crazy, and worked on the paint until we were getting too close to the alarm setting time.

That was an interesting evening. Can I tell you, I do love the way the room turned out. I will have to take some photos.

Outside my classroom door I have my well-know chili peppers hanging in the hallway--I am still pleasantly suprised that the amazing kids I teach are so kind and respectful of my chili peppers and they are still in the condition they were when I purchased them--

Have I ever told you about why I hang the chili peppers outside my classroom door each year? Well, it is from a little segment I heard one day on the food network. Apparently in the old days people would hang some chili peppers outside their front door signifying they had food and guests were welcome. I can just imagine some hungy person on his horse looking for those red chili peppers and feeling so hopeful for nourishment and company.

I tell this story to my little ones each year and remind them that they are welcome and I will nourish their minds. :)

It's almost time

Well, I was waiting to read Fablehaven Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary because I have all these boys who wanted to read it. Then I started an awesome book my sister told me about called Hunger Games. I will finish tonight, so tomorrow is the day I begin my journey back to Kendra and Seth's world. Here is a photo of the boys with Brandon Mull at the school. What a great opportunity it was to have him come to Coronado! He is not only a great author, he is also kind and takes time to talk with each child personally.

My Dad

Well, I am not sure how I am supposed to act right now. Not sure how I am supposed to feel right now. I hear time is the only thing that will help--but then I hear that time is no healer. Things are not falling apart, but my heart aches. Here is what I wrote for my dad--

We see you Dad

riding on the green and yellow

John Deere tractor

waving hello as you jump down

to get a coke and snicker bar from your sweetheart

as you rest from baling hay.

standing behind the glass,

tall and concentrated,

counting by fives as you fill the

amber cyliners with multi-colored spheres.

looking over your glasses and waving hello.

reading the Sunday paper,

stashing a box of See's

under your side of the bed--

pocketing the Hershey with almonds

about 5:00 on a week night,

playing h-o-r-s-e on the hoop outside.

tall and stately,

even on those days wehn you were sitting down.

full of integrity and life.

taking notes on your 3x5 cards

and rubber banding them

to your date book.

sitting in your dungeon,

piles of memories hugging you.

dropping Valentines for your girls

with a ring and run,

fishing and teasing at Roosevelt;

simply loving your boys.

your arm on my shoulder,

my heaad on your chest

you letting me talk nonstop.

loving each of us for exactly what we are.

no comparisons.

I feel your hand on my wrist as you button

the sleeve of my wedding dress.

living life to the fullest

attitude is everything

family comes first

we're together forever.

I love you, Dad!

Glendale Day O' Fun

The boys and I went to visit my dear friend Nancy in Goodyear on Tuesday. We had SO much fun! We went to see her new beautiful home and chatted. Nancy and I decided we will meet again without the kids soon. :)

After we left Nancy's house we went to Johnny Rocketts by the Cardinal's Stadium and ate hamburgers and shakes. Then we went to the water splash pad in the little square there and the kids had a blast playing in the water.

We left and enjoyed (is that the right word??) a two hour, rush hour commute, with Christopher screaming 3/4 of the way, Ben fast asleep, and Jacob, Michael and me listening to "Gregor the Overlander" on tape.

It was a day with my good friend, tasty treats, and much laughter. I took a few photos on my cell phone--gotta figure out how to post it. :o)

What's been happenin'

Chris worked all night last night so he is trying to rest today before church. He has also been a breadmaking master! We love it. :) Those are loaves he made.

Here is what the rest of us are up to:

Well, Jacob had a successful nose surgery. His nose is straight and looks great again. He is thrilled that he can run and play without worry again. :)

Michael finished his softball. He will start swimming soon.

Benjamin is CRAZY! He is three and acting his age, so all is well.

Christopher is rolling over, eating rice cereal, and very vocal.

We are all out of school. The last weeks are always a whirlwind. The boys finished their final projects and reports and I had the opportunity to help with promotion. That was fun. Three amazing kids spoke. They all looked handsome and beautiful. I am currently writing the curriculum for a creative writing class I titled, Imagine Nation--I am having fun with it and need to wrap it up by Friday to submit! EEEK!

Jacob before surgery

Here is a picture of Jake a few days after he was injured. For those of you who don't know, he collided with a softball as he was sliding into a base. His nose broke in two places and his orbital bone--the one under the eye--was fractured. I will post one of him after the surgery when I downolad the other photos in my camera. He is doing much better! He is such a trooper and very difficult to keep calm and quiet for all of these days!

Taylor Fun

Meri came into town the begining of April and we all went out to a place called "Johnny Chicago". It was fun. We haven't been able to get a photo of all the grandkids for about 5 years, so this was a real treat!

Breaking the Sabbath?

So, it is something that happens at our house sometimes--okay frequently--the boys yelling and fighting with each other and getting annoyed with each other. I know, our perfect family image has now been exposed. Hehehehe.

Well, Chris says, "I think we should take them and sell them at Costco"

I say, "We tried that--it didn't work" (Yes, last Thursday I told the lady at the exit door that I was in the market of selling three of the kids--I would keep one, but they would have to guess which one I would keep--Michael did not find that funny.)

The boys hear our conversation and Jacob says, "Hey, you can't do that. It's Sunday. You'd be breaking the Sabbath."

I love how witty Jacob can be. He just might be the one we keep! :)

Bath Time with Ben and Baby Christopher

Well, I gave Ben and Christopher a bath together this morning. I took Christopher out and let Ben stay in. When I went back to get Ben he had dumped out all of the baby bath soap and had filled up the bottle with water. He looks at me and hands me the bottle and says, "I filled it up. I am you good helper." He's right. He is my good helper.

My Family Time

I spent the day with my parents, my sister and my two youngest boys yesterday. It was so much fun! I went over thinking we were going to do some chores around my parents' place but we ended up just spending time. That was nice. My dad was on a break from preparing his tax info., my mom and Lisa did some family history work, Ben played with the toys from the cupboard and we colored a Dora picture, and Christopher ate, slept, and pooped. :) It was nice to be around my family. We ate some sandwiches together and chatted. I worked a little bit with my mom on facebook. Lisa made the sweetest smelling cupcakes for her webelos that were chocolate and made with real butter--it was heavenly. The gathering ended too soon.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Well, Michael celebrated his 11th birthday on the 31st of January. I can hardly believe my oldest child is 11.

We invited our Anderson Grandparents and the Whaleys to a picnic at the Riperian Preserve--no spots were available! Then we all traveled to Freestone Park--again no spots available--so we headed to Spectrum Park--you guessed it: no spots available! So, we checked the little park by Lisa's house and BINGO--it was empty!

We had a nice little picnic with sub sandwiches, sun chips, and a lemon cake that Michael made. It was great! The kids climbed, ran and played and both Michael and Jacob got celebrated by the Anderson Clan.

I love you Michael!

Jacob is Nine Today!

Look how you've grown kid! I have always felt that Jacob was sent to our family as a ray of sunshine. He is fun hearted and loving. He is sensitive and intelligent. He has smiled from his first day on earth--he is naturally a happy and positive person. Jacob, I love you more than you can imagine. I admire your adventurous spirit and I am so grateful to be your mom.

Scouts

We have been scouting like crazy at our house for the past month--yes, we got behind and had to catch up. What fun! The result was Micahel earning his Arrow of Light and Religious Knot and Jacob winning the uniform inspection for his Wolf Den--there were 5 Arrow of Light boys last night, so the other awards will be given out in February--Jacob will get his recognition there.

Benjamin, Christopher and I went to the park the other day for a walk and some fresh air. Christopher enjoyed some time chilling out. Benjamin played on the slides and swings. I breathed the fresh air. It was a nice day.

Welcome Christopher

Well, I went to the hospital on Wednesday the 7th and had a very different experience bringing Christopher into our family. He was born via c-section and I went to the operating room at 9:00 am. He arrived at 9:06 am. I left the operating room at 9:32 am. Wow! Can you believe it? I almost joked with my doctor to make sure no one was eating Jr. Mints--Those of you who watch Seinfield know what I mean--but thought better of it as he is not really the joking type.



My parents were there to see me before the surgery and they waited in the waiting room until they could come to my room and see me and meet Christopher.



I know that you may be wondering about the name Christopher. It was not even in the running until neither of us were sold on the other two names we liked, so we followed my dad's advice and we came up with a new list. I do think it is a nice name and I do kinda like the person who he's named after, so it was a go with me.



I stayed in the hospital for three nights and was ready to come home when discharged on Saturday. I would like to say that Banner Gateway is a wonderful hospital. It felt a lot like being at a nice hotel--except for the pain.

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!