Soccer

For the past eight weeks we have been enjoying the soccer season. Dan is head coach of Tommy's team and Asst Coach to Nathan's team. It has been fun. Tommy is great at defense and Nathan loves to score. They truly are salt and pepper in every way. They are unique and distinct but create the perfect combination together.

For those of you who wonder....

why doesn't Tiffney post on her blog very often?????

There are the parents who have it all together. They blog, they take pictures, buy new Halloween costumes each year instead of recycling the same costumes from at least two years ago(hey if it fits wear it, right??), they do crafts with their kids like carving pumpkins, and they on top of it--keep their house clean.

I am the parent who has just put her boys, Tommy and Nathan, in time out while I sit in the puddle of bubbles they just poured down my back and write this vent. I am the parent who buys all of the supplies to make fun ghosts and spiders, sets up all the needed equipment to play traditional Halloween games, and somehow runs out of time with nothing to show for it but a pile of supplies for next year. I mean Halloween is over now right? Is it technically too late to have a Halloween party? I am the parent who is going to refer you to her sister's blog (The Lamoreauxs) to see cute pictures of my sweet energetic family. I am the parent who has just noticed the pile of foam stickers on the floor for the twentieth time in the last two days- RR RR!!! how many times do I get to assist?? (harhar) with picking those stinking things up. I am the parent who now finally calms down, chuckles at my completely saturated wet seat- they were just trying to get my attention, and wonders do I even post this? Why not if I don't it may be another four months before I ....let my boys out of time out- time to go....HAHAHA isn't life grand. Happy Halloween everyone, it's on to Thanksgiving! Really we had a great night and my sister does have cute pictures!

Elect David Gibson

I am endorsing David S. Gibson for Henderson Justice of the Peace. I have known this candidate all my life and know him to be a knowledgable, respectable, and good man. He is a good judge of character and he cares about keeping our city safe. He is the best candidate to serve our community. For more information please visist www.ElectDavidGibson.com.

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.