I Love to See the Temple

I finally got Miriam over to the Payson temple in her baptism dress to take some pictures. I always put a picture of the temple up in the kids room and I wanted her to see herself there some day in another white dress some day. :)

 Miriam is my angel girl and am continually grateful for her.  She can get Melody to do a lot of things I can't and console her when others can't. Miriam is the best big sister in the world. She is a hard worker and willing to help out

 Rachel came along and insisted in being in some pictures too.

August Birthdays

 Happy Birthday Mom! We seemed to mostly have gone to celebrating with food it seems. ;) The kids helped Dad make a cake for her. We made traditional strawberry waffles and had a movie night at Ryan's. Though somehow we never got to giving presents so perhaps we'll do a half way celebration.

 

Happy Birthday Ryan! We actually had the kids be a part of his crepe production after the Salem parade (we got to be on the library float!). We also went out to see a movie together besides traditional lasagna dinner. Though we didn't do his cell phone cake (mom tried to copy his smart phone) till November 13 right before sending the kids back to Eric.

 

Happy Birthday Aaron!

 Upper left Aaron with his own German Pancake that we put candles in for him. Center him with his gifts: he got a scripture case with accessories of multi colored pencil and notebook (to replace his church backpack moving toward actually listening in Sacrament meeting). Right with his birthday balloons and bottom left eating his birthday dinner of pizza (still favorite food) after we went to the Fun center.

 

We went to the Fun Center on his birthday stopping at McDonalds on the way to play with their happy meals (don't know why I didn't get any pictures :( ). The kids had a blast and didn't want to leave forever though Melody had a rough time not being big enough for anything but the carousel. Though we didn't get around to having his Baymax cake till November 6 right before switching to Daddy's again.

Back to School!

Miriam and Aaron headed back to school on August 15 (YUCK!!).

Miriam is in 3rd grade dual immersion with Mrs. Becker & Mrs. Lambson and was excited to get back with friends and learn.

Aaron is in 2nd grade dual immersion with Mr. Monson & Mr. Cetz (has the same teachers Miriam did last year). He wasn't as excited to go back to school. Apparently school is no fun and cuts into his fun time.

Rachel started kindergarten (boo hoo, I've had a harder time with the idea than I did with Aaron). She didn't start till August 21 and is in the afternoon class (hoping our drives over to drop her off will get Melody asleep, like I did for the other kids). Everyone was excited for her to get her own backpack and everything.

 With her teacher, Ms Andersen.

They get to ride the bus again this year. End of the first day of school, still smiling.

 

Melody Birthday

I have the kids the day after their birthday this year. We get them from 8 am to 8 the next morning. Originally I thought Melody was too young for a day without her siblings, but the more I thought of it the more it sounded fun to just hang out with her. I got her at 8:30 then when we came home she helped me make german pancakes which I had noticed she can tuck away pretty good.

While the pancakes were cooking we played house and tea party downstairs. I finally retrieved our play food that I had left in the garage after the move because I didn't want to deal with cleaning it up. Though I realized we don't have much cooking or baking things.

I still prefer to strip her down to eat since she doesn't always keep a bib on, however she may be better about bibs then all her siblings. I served her up on the birthday plate and she loved it. (Lately she is wanting to move out of the high chair, but she isn't tall enough and makes great messes!)

Afterward we biked over to the library. As all my kids she loves reading and is always dragging around books in particular the Dr Suess little board books. The children's reading corner is the best thing about this smaller library with a tree to sit in.

After we picked books I just sat and read her a couple, both of our favorite things!

I had to dash home and let Grandma put her down for a nap while I did a half day of substituting (by May I was desperate to make as much money as I could to tide me through the summer).

Mom finished up her cake and then we picked up the rest of the kids to go to Chuck-E-Cheese! We got Little Ceasar's pizza on the way up (Chuck-E-Cheese pizza isn't worth the money). Played to our hearts content, opened presents and blew out the candles.

Melody received a pink car from Benjamin, a Minnie Mouse puzzle from Rachel (she also likes Minnie Mouse), Aaron chose the container of animals, Miriam gave her a little Frozen backpack (because Melody keeps stealing hers- Melody immediately put it on and wore it the rest of the night), I gave her a play broom set, and Grandma/Bacca gave her a baby Elsa doll (Mom loves giving dolls).

We actually had her cake on her birthday, hooray! She got the traditional Strawberry Shortcake all the girls included myself got for second birthday. We love  you cutie pie!

Miriam Baptism

My baby is old enough to be baptized! When did that happen? April 9 was the big day, 2 days before my birthday. She was baptized in Spanish Fork by her dad. That stake is very young so they have things done to precise moments and I felt a little rushed through. We were so grateful for all the support we had.

 I am so proud of Miriam. I have worked hard over the last year to give family home evenings on basic doctrine such that she would know what she was getting into and plant the seeds of testimony. She is a smart and the best big sister anyone could want. Her brother and sisters could look at no one better for a good example.

 Newly baptized as we came back to change clothing. She was baptized with Jackson (pictured below). Jackson's mom played piano, while Grandma Nicie conducted the music; opening song of "When I am Baptized". Jackson's uncle gave the opening prayer, and an aunt gave the baptism talk. Jackson and his mom played a duet "I know my Redeemer Lives" for the musical number. I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, then Miriam gave her testimony (mostly on her experience reading the Book of Mormon) followed by confirmations. Brother Spotten from the Bishopric concluded the meeting commenting on her desire to serve. Closing song was "Baptism", and her brother Aaron gave the closing prayer.

We were so excited for those who have came to support Miriam. Top left Eric's Uncle Norman, Aunt Carolyn and son Spencer, they made time before a wedding they were attending. Top right Jessica's Aunt Hazel, cousin Floree, sister Jennifer, brother Ryan, mom, dad, Aunt Maureen, Uncle Craig & Aunt Jamie, cousins Clint & Russell, and Uncle Bruce. Bottom left Miriam's school friend Natonya (we got to go to her baptism in the fall). Bottom right Eric's mom, nephew Daniel, brother Marshall, nephews McKay, Mason, Joseph, Max, Myles, and sister-in-law Melissa. Not pictured our ward mission leader Howard & Alli Chuntz, Eric's neighbors Megan and kids Stacy, Jonathan and Max (all similar to our kids ages), Nicole Mangum (Jessica's friend), and Krista (Eric's friend) besides primary president Michelle Fraser and counselor Amy Spotten.

Choose the Right Miriam!



Family Field Trip

Miriam got to go on several field trips for school, first to the Museum of Natural Curiosity then Harwood Farms. The other kids got a little jealous since I packed her a special lunch that she got to choose. So I decided to go on a family field trip Saturday March 12 if we could get our work done. We managed it so off we went to Temple Square to take in the sights. I wanted to reinforce the feelings of the Spirit and church heritage before Miriam was baptized. First we had lunch on the grass near the reflecting pool.

Then we took in the visitor center where we saw the presentation including a neat multi room one on the Family Proclamation.

We then collected Grandma and Melody (who had been napping) and headed to the Church History Museum. I don't think we have ever taken the kids there before and I had heard of some children's exhibits there. We found the room below that focused on art and Christ's life.

Left top is Melody at the book station checking out a quiet book they had. Left bottom is Miriam and I working on pattern block shapes, they had a book of simple pictures relating to things in Christ's life to recreate (like a camel, or ship). Center all the kids in a partial boat while another lady told stories with puppets. Right top Miriam and Aaron at a temple block building station. Right bottom Miriam and I were making origami doves like when Jesus was baptized (Miriam really caught on fire and made lots!). Other is 3 little kids in the toddler play area playing on big stuffed camels. We all really enjoyed hanging out there. We tried going through the interactive Church restoration exhibit, but it was still a little old for all of them. We finished the day with a quick run through of the other visitor center where they talk about the history of the SLC temple. The kids were quite interested in the 3D model, asking what all the rooms were. We got Little Cesar's pizza on the way home and counted the day a success.

Yes, I dropped off the map due to baby number 5 with oldest only being 6. I struggled a great deal that summer. I went ahead and published what I had on her birth, we'll see what else gets added. Then the bomb dropped late September 2014 when Eric handed me divorce papers. Now the divorce is final as of January 29, 2016 also the day my parents and I moved to Salem. We have joint custody of the kids meaning we do a week on with them and week off when Eric has them. I hope to start recording life again especially for those family members who don't get regular updates on the kids. I will probably only focus on kids here so if you want to know what I'm up to in the other half of my life drop me a line would love to hear from you.