What a difference 4 months make....

This is home sweet home. We have been living here for two months and I can finally say I am glad we bought this house. I have been glad but had too many reservations to really say it.

We have four bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a family room and a swimming pool. It is not a mansion but it is in a culdesac and I am sure I prefer the latter.

Our life is completely different now than four months ago: Lucy turned one, we moved, Elaina started kindergarten, Pogi started preschool, Tommy and Nathan started soccer, and now that I start to list it it doesn't seem so crazy, but living life has seemed like a whirlwind.

I have my adjustments- cleaning three bathrooms versus the one almost says it all....but through it all the Lord has truly blessed us. After conference this weekend, I have pledged to be more grateful. So, no more murmuring until ...well probably tomorrow but I am going to try. All kidding aside, when I really stop and think about the tremendous gift I have in the gospel, it brings all other things into perspective. I am grateful for the hope I have in my ability to endure all things as I laugh at myself, more earnestly seek the Lord in prayer, and embrace the changes that come to us all.

I am still looking for my camera but when Dan's dad was here he took some pictures. My kids and I are so lucky to have others around helping to take care of the meaningful things like pictures.

This proves it....

No one can dispute that it takes a real man, to do this! My family competed in a Family Biggest Loser. In order to motivate themselves, they had monthly weigh-ins and prizes and punishments for the winner and loser of the month. In June, Dan lost the weigh-in and had to wash my brother Daves car in nothing but a speedo. This picture may not stay up for long but it was too cute not to share. David ended up winning the whole thing. Way to go Dave and Thank You Dan! (Out of respect I didn't put the video on our blog, but if you think you dare, check out www.thatcrazykishkumen.blogspot.com)

31 Reasons why Dan is the Man:

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1-he works to provide for his family 2-calms the psycho storm 3-he makes the best ice bags 4-dedicated dad 5-my favorite friend and hunk-of-a-husband 6-self motivated, once he makes his mind up to do something, he will 7-concentrates on the positive, he rarely complains 8-catlike reflexes 9-he can throw a mean Frisbee 10-comfortable company, I can't think of anywhere else I would want to be 11-great teacher, taught the kids to swim 12-belly laughs at commercials 13-beautiful voice 14-looks great in every kind of suit 15-helps put the kids to bed every night he his home 16-always puts us first, he still doesn't have his TV 17-good judgment 18-love of music and name that tune 19-"what's your high?" 20-reads to kids 21-can down any size of water cup in one breath 22-buying us a house and wants to design it 23- a great sport, wears costumes for Halloween, kids birthdays, etc. 24- wants to be around and always there when needed 25- he can "drive fast!" 26-handyman or at least learning to be one 26-a grill master, he has cooked dinner 90% of time since Mother's Day 27-plays with kids, they love to wrestle with their dad 28- supportive of my ideas 29-smart and quick-witted 30-genuine 31-he is OLD! and he can still dunk a basketball.
What a babe! I love you, Dan. It is an honor to share this life with you. Happy Birthday. I hope it is a good one.

Lucy Goosy

The blog update on the kids would not be complete without Lucy and all that she is into. That is not a typo I meant into. Over the past few months, she has become quite the joyful handful. Today, Dan and I noticed she was head-butting us. Apparently Elaina taught her. I guess she needs to know how to defend herself from her two big brothers.

Lucy had RSV in January and we have not been able to keep her well for longer than 2-3 days since. I took her to the doctor this week and she called her symptoms Reactive Airway Disease. The doctor said that it is a common side effect of RSV. So, the end of nebulizer treatments is nowhere in sight. Surprisingly, it doesn't slow her down much. She loves to pull out the videos as many times as I will clean them up, makes several attempts to crawl into the bathroom and climb in the tub, and climbs up and down on the furniture. I love her open mouth slobbery kisses and her little conversations, at least she knows what she is saying. She is so much fun and I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by.



On a different note, I think being a mother of four has been my hardest but most rewarding transition, but I am far from feeling transitioned. I heard myself say the thing I hated hearing when I had my first child. I said to a friend with one child, "When you have four kids, you won't worry about that stuff so much." Does that mean I have arrived or unplugged? I love Lucy as much as I love Elaina, Thomas, and Nathan, I just don't seem to be as intense as I was with the other babies. For example, I barely let Elaina down to crawl because I didn't want to her to scrape her knees, whereas, Lucy crawls everywhere and at night we have to scrub the black from her knees. I am trying to accept the reality that you can be angry or you can roll with it, so choose to roll with it. I think it is a blessing that I am not wound quite so tight, but the trick for me is finding the right balance. Mothering is not easy but the blessings that come from caring for children are innumerable. I guess that is one measure of something valuable--did you work to gain it or was it handed to you? (duh right?) Perhaps that is why the family relationship is so expensive in time. It truly is an asset of incomparable value. One I hope to have for time and all eternity, so I will roll up my sleeves with a smile.

The 3rd Article of Faith is....

Tommy was asked to give the scripture and opening prayer in Primary on June 15. The theme was Jesus Christ is our Savior so we chose the 3rd Article of Faith. Tommy memorized it. He did a great job and we are so proud of him. (Stay tuned as soon as I find my camera I am going to record and post it). We have been working on learning the Articles of Faith. Tommy's favorites are the articles that say the Holy Ghost (#1 and #4).

I would like to report that our family nights and scripture study are reverent and productive, the truth is that I often wonder why we try? However, it is amazing what these little ones pick up when you don't think they are listening. An example- the other day I pulled some sad looking carrots out of the fridge and Tommy says,"Mom you need Green Bags!" and then something about how they release the harmful gas so your fruits and vegetables stay fresh. I cracked up, it was like I was watching the infomercial. It also made me realize how careful I need to be about what I say and do because he is always watching.

Tommy is such a fun energy in our home. Every time I get the slightest bit frustrated, he looks at me with those big brown eyes, smiles and starts laughing. Most of the time I am really trying to be serious, but he just puts everything back into perspective. His newest and funnest to watch tricks are the air guitar and push-ups, yes, I mean full body push-ups. What a ninja!

The Four Greatest Words

"Mom, you're the best!" It tells you what kind of mom I am that it only took 5 1/2 years and four children to hear this without bribes or prodding, but the wait totally paid off. It still brings a smile to my face when I think about it.

Nathan, my 3 year old, came running into the kitchen about three weeks ago (yes it takes me this long to write it down), threw his arms around me and cheered, "Mom, you're the best!" My reaction must have been what he was looking for because he has repeated this same scenario about eight times since. It is like the experiment where they ring the bell and then give the dog food. After a while all they have to do is ring the bell and the dog salivates. Let's just say Nathan has "found my currency." Now it has become, "Mom, youre the best (hug for 10 seconds)...Can I have some yogurt?" or "Mom, you're the best (hug for 3 seconds)...will you hold me instead of making me go to bed with everyone else?" How do I say no to that!?!? I am sure this won't last and soon it will be "You're the meanest mom ever." Don't you love it!

My dancing princess

May was a busy month for Elaina. She graduated preschool on May 9. She had a part in the school program and received a diploma. They dressed the kids in caps and gowns and everything. I thought it was a little over the top in theory, but once the program began and it was my little girl up on the stage I couldn't get enough. The kids did a great job and I was impressed with all of the things they have learned this year. The "high" for Elaina was going on to kindergarten. She has been waiting to start kindergarten since about October. Grandma Gibson and Dan were able to attend along with the boys, Lucy, and me. I was surprised that Tommy and Nathan were so well behaved during the program. They were mesmerized by their beautiful, bright, big sister.



She also had her year end dance recital on May 29. She did a great job. It is so fun to watch her dance. We all appreciated that Grandma and Grandpa Anderson were able to come for the weekend. Her class performed four numbers, two tap and two ballet dances. She and her cousin Grace did a great job. My favorite performance of the year was not performed at the recital; it was performed at the Art fest in Henderson on May 10. It was a routine to the 12 dancing princesses. The class choreographed the dance on their own and Elaina was queen of the stage. It was so cute. She twirled and leaped with the best of them. We are sad to say that she has decided to hang up her dance shoes for gymnastics. We will really miss watching her perform but look forward to seeing her tumble. She loves to do handstands and cartwheels, and we know she will be great.