Generations

I think we have all had at least one person in our lives from an older generation that we have formed a bond with. I ahve had several. One was an elderly widow that I lived next door to for 4 years. I spent many hours at her house, helping her clean, reach things she couldn't, and talking. Occasioanlly she would bake cookies for me and often we would bring her dinner. I cried when we moved away because I knew that I would never see her again. But her memory lives in my heart. Another was a widow in the nursing home that I delivered papers to. We became good friends. I would make her things and take them to her and she would make me things and give them to me. We did our piano recitals there and she always came. I loved seeing her everyday. Anyways, despite our different ages and backgrounds, we were able to form friendships that lasted through many years. Today I heard of a little boy who just lost some one like that in his life and it made me think of all the times that I shared with these special women and this is what came to my mind:

Two sitting together in quiet conversation, so different yet the same
She has hands showing wrinkles and age, he has hands youthful and smooth
Two separated by many years and many of life’s experiences
Are brought together through a love and friendship that cannot be broken
Many afternoons spent together, both seeming to need each other
She, being reminded of youthful fun – a life lived long ago.
He, feeling special from her undivided attention as they talk and play together

The quiet conversations have now turned to prayers from deep within the soul.
Instead of sitting side by side they are walking heart to heart.
Though she has left his side here on earth she still stays close by him.
Their time together is cherished and will never be forgotten.
Her legacy lives on in his heart; her teachings live on in his life.
And when all is calm and quiet, he can still sometimes feel
Her aged, wrinkled hands holding on tight to his, so youthful and smooth.

Right now the pain is great, but as time passes the hurting will ease
The tears will fade and his smile will return for love, in the end, brings joy
Fond memories will bring happiness and contentment
The sound of her name will bring nostalgia and warmth
And as his hands begin to show wrinkles and age, he will find as she did
Someone with hands youthful and smooth that he can hold on to
And he can be to that young heart what she has been to his.

Poor Little Zekie

Along with all the preparations for Dillon's birthday came an unexpected trip to the doctor. I had taken the two little ones to the park that morning and when we came for lunch Zeke started complaining about his side hurting. Well, it went from there to rolling around on the couch in pain, hurting to breath and uncontrollable crying. He also got a fever. I called Michael and then the doctor. I ended up having to take Zeke in and Michael stayed home with Olivia to finish getting ready for Dillon's party. They told me he has pnuemonia and gave me a prescription with instructions to let him rest for a few days. He had a few more painful episodes during the evening (probably because he was not resting). Today he has been better. He still hurts a little and has a fever. He even decided on his own to take a nap (after he swept the driveway - so much for resting:). I fee so bad for him. It is so hard to see him in so much pain - especially after all we went through with him last November. Hopefully he will be on the mend and be back to his old self soon!

Dillon turns 5!

Yesterday was Dillon's 5th birthday. He was so excited for it to come this year. We did a western theme, of course. Everyone got a sherrifs badge and a boot mug. Dillon got to wear a cowboy hat for his birthday hat and I found him a cute shirt that says, "Mom's lil buckaroo" that he got to wear to school (they still like that stuff when they are this age!) We also had a horse pinata that the kids got to hit open. Michael took us on a wagon ride and all the kids that wanted to got a turn sitting up on the seat with him and got to help him drive the horses. I even got a turn to drive them. It was a lot of fun. He got a surprise after school from our friends, the Olsens, from Hendricks. They came up for his birthday and were waiting for him when he got off the bus. All the kdis were excited from that surprise! We played all evening and had a great time. Happy Birthday Dillon!This is a poem I wrote about Dillon. It, of course, doesn't portray all that Dillon is and all that I feel about him. It is so hard to put into words how you feel about someone who is so special, but this is my attempt.

It seems like yesterday when I first held you
Your tiny hands, perfect face and pretty eyes of blue
Your special spirit brought a change to my life
Your sweet smile still melts away the strife.
Each hug that you give me fills me with love
I know you’re a special gift from heaven above
Your gentle ways are pure and true
You bring joy to my life in all that you do
Though young in years, your spirit is wise
The light of Christ within you lies
Best buddies forever, me and you
I love you, little buckaroo!

First Tooth

Zane lost his first tooth over the weekend. It has been loose for months and he finally got it out - with a little tugging from me! He was so excited for the tooth fairy to come and loved walking around showing everyone the new hole in his mouth.

Rodeo

Saturday the ranch had their annual bull riding rodeo. They also had some barrel racers and some mutton bustin'. The four oldest got to do the mutton busting. It was fun. We started watching the barrels at 9am and didn't go back home until 9:15 that night. It was a long day but we had a great time. The weather was beautiful. Some of us (especially me) got fried and all of us got filthy dirty. How much better does life get? Dirt, horses and concession stands! Anyways, here are a few pictures of the days events. I didn't get good ones of the mutton busting. I had help from an 11 year old with the pictures because I was holding a sleeping princess.
Princess Lala in her royal hat and boots! This was at the beginning of the day.

Zeke on the fence watching the horses and picking out all the ones he liked.

Dillon sitting on the fence post during the warm ups that morning. He, too, had several horses picked out that were his favorites.


Fried mommy and the sleepy little princess at the end of the day.

All the bull riders on the fence waiting for the rodeo to start.

Dillon after he fell off his sheep. He's not too sure he'll do it again next year. The sheep were "weally big and filfy," and the ground was "weally hawrd."

Maddi sitting in the dirt. She enjoyed it the most and was the only one who didn't get tears in her eyes from being "bucked" off. She's a tuffy!

Makenna in the process of being dumped. She definitely earned her free pop from the concessions!

I didn't get a picture of Zane but he was out there too. He was the first to go. He's got his eyes on the trophy for next year!

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school. They were all very excited to get to go. We went last night to the open house and found all their classrooms and lockers, met their teachers and put their stuff in their desks. During the night the Backpack Fairy came and left them a bag of goodies. Maddi and Makenna got a watch and treats and the boys got a toy and soem some treats and Olivia got some Dora coloring stuff with her treats. Michael and I had also gotten them each a new shirt to wear to school today. I took them this morning instead of them riding the bus. It was kind of strange to leave Dillon there. He has always been my little buddy and now he is off to school. The other kids I got to slowly work into it because they had half day preschool. Dillon didn't get to go that. I will miss having him around but it will be fun to have just Zeke and Olivia at home too. It will be fun to do things with just the three of us. I am hoping to get to go to the gym every morning - if I can get over my asthma, and get to ride or drive horses on a regular basis. We are also plannng some picnics and park days while the weather is nice. Anyways, here are some pictures from this morning.

Last Day of Summer

Today is our last day of summer vacation. Some of us are really excited and some are just sort of excited. Tonight we have the open house at school. They can take all their school supplies and meet their teachers. They are excited for that. Unfortunately, it's supposed to rain all day so they won't get to go outside and enjoy their last day of freedom.

Driving Hallie

Last night I got to go to the fair and drive Hallie in the ladies cart division. She is one of our draft horses. That was only my third time driving a horse and only my second time on a cart. It was a lot of fun. The lady I drove against had been driving all her life and her horses were amazing. I knew there would be no competition but it was fun to go out and get the experience. Plus, the boys think I am really cool now. They even said I deserved a new pair of cowboy boots:) I am quite lucky, this is the second time in one week that my kids have thought I was cool. Once for teaching David Archuleta Sunday school and one for driving the horse. Michael rode with me on the cart in case the horse acted up. He even gave up his opportunity to drive so that I could. I hope I get to drive more in the future. It is a lot of fun.

Catch up

Okay, this blog is catch up time. I finally got pictures donwloaded so I can show you all what we have done for the last month or so!

This is Olivia's hair straightened. We had extra time one norning so I did it to see what it would look like. It was wild! She sisn't like it straight either because it got in her face more. The curls kind of help keep it out of her eyes.

These are from when we went to pick up Maddi. We met Mom and Dad at the Mormon Trail Center. It was an exciting time. The bottom picture is of all the kids trying to sleep in a bed that the saints from England would have had to sleep in. Not too comfy!

Fun at swimming lessons. Olivia didn't take lessons but insisted on dressing the part. She was obviously having issues this day! They had fun and we are going to try to sign them up for lessons in the fall too.

We got the chance to go to the races one more time before the season ended. It was a lot of fun. Ben was there and the kids had fun torturing him on Friday night. Saturday we went back to the races and ended up seeing friends from Ivanhoe. One was one of Maddi's best friends, Mitchell. They had fun playing on the playground together and I enjoyed visiting with his parents. It was a great weekend.

This is Hunter, our new lab puppy. Isn't he cute? I must say, labs make some of the cutest puppies in the world. The kids love him, even Olivia and Zeke. Sassy gets along great with him, which is a huge plus since they share the same kennel. Dillon helped name him. The shelter named him Karter but we didn't like that. He is two months old and very sweet.

Well, that is most of the latest with the Christiansen clan. Hopefully I can keep up a little better now:)

American Idol Fans

I don't know how many of you are fans of this show, but if you are you will never guess who came to church today - David Archuleta! Yes, my kids were so excited. They know him. They watched him on Idol and they've seen him on several of their Disney shows that they watch. I even got to teach him in Sunday School. Maddi chased him down after sacrament and asked him if he was David Archuleta. He got a big grin and said yes. Then she got too embarrassed to talk any more and left. Not sure what he was here for. One of the missionaries said he had some sort of singing engagement and he had a cold so he had asked the elders for a blessing. Who knows. Anyways, how cool is that for the kids to see someone that they know from TV and love, and see him in church? I know it probably is no big deal for him, but it's something my kids will remember. It just goes to show that all of our choices can make a difference in some one else's life. We don't have to be famous, we just have to be trying to be obedient. I wish they would have had him do a musical number! Kind of glad my musical number isn't until next week:)