Morning at the Doctor

Maddi had been complaining of a sore throat today so I made her a doctor appointment this morning. She wanted to go to school because they were having testing so I let her go. The little kids and I had to leave about 9:30 to go get her from school. Then we went to the doctors. We had to be there 30 minutes early to fill out paperwork (lots of fun). Then we had to go wait for the doctor. It didn't take too long. We were put in the smallest room but at least there were toys in there. The docotor about fell over when he opened the door and saw so many kids in there. He started asking questions about the number of kids, if they were all mine, how old they were, etc... They did a strep test on Maddi but it turned out negative. Afterwards we went to Walmart to get throat spray and other stuff. Maddi had to get a new pair of shoes. Hers had holes in the bottom and her feet would get wet when she went outside because the water was leaking in through the soles. Everyone was tired, hungry and grumpy when we left so we grabbed something to eat on the way home. Zeke said he didn't feel good. He got really pale so I took everything away from him and moved the groceries from under his feet - just in case he started puking. We made it home with no problems. It was almost 1pm when we got home. Maddi will stay home the rest of the day. Olivia will take a nap while the others watch a movie and I will go get some exercise in. Long morning for all, but at least we don't have the nasty snow to contend with like the rest of the state does today!

Fun with Friends

Yesterday we had a fun afternoon with the Olsens. They came down and we got to play outside, drive the horse and cart and play in the newly finished basement. We had pizza, treats and tons of fun. It was definitely a visit that we all needed and enjoyed. Here are a few pictures from the day.

5K

Saturday I ran my 5K. There was quite a few people there. There were some pretty serious runners. I was one of the few not so serious runners that did the 5K because they also had a 2 mile run/walk that most of the people like me did. It was fun though. I did my personal best and shaved off about 30 seconds per mile. The weather was good, I actually overdressed for it and ended up extremely hot about half way through. Anyways, it was a good experience and the first time I have run one. I hve only been running for 5 weeks now so I feel good about my accomplishments. Next up is a 10K in April. Hopefully I will be able to make it there. For now I am focusing on the current task of 4 miles in the morning when it's cold!

WOO HOO!!

WE FINALLY HAVE CARPET DONWSTAIRS!! They just left a few minutes ago. I am so excited. It has been a while waiting for this to happen. Now we can finally finish moving in!

Another WooHoo for me today. I put on a pair of pants this morning that previously created a muffin top (if you know what I mean) and today - no muffin top! They actually fit. I feel so good. I still have a long ways to go, but I'm slowly getting there.

Tomorrow is my 5K race. Wish me luck!

Little Artists

I am so frustrated with my children and their coloring habits. I shouldn't say all the children, mostly just the boys. For some reason they find the need to color on EVERYTHING! Makenna does from time to time but has gotten better, the boys on the other hand... Dillon a while back colored with red crayon all over the wall in our dining room and hallway. This house was just freshly painted before we moved in. Dillon spent some time scrubbing that off. Later, after Michael and I had spent a weekend painting the basement, we went downstairs to find art work on 3 of the 4 walls. This time done by scratching a nail over the wall. After several finger points, we learned that Makenna, Zane and Dillon did that. That had to be painted again because it wouldn't wipe off. They all had to pay Michael for repainting it. This morning I found an ink circle on the brand new kitchen floor. Zeke finally confessed to that one. Then tonight as I went to snuggle the boys up, I found that Dillon had ink scribbles all over his sheet - I mean all over! It was his cowboy sheet. Dillon and Zane had done that while they were supposed to be cleaning their room. They denied it for a while and then finally confessed to it. They both got spanked - once for telling a lie and once for doing it. I was so angry! It's not like I don't provide these children with paper! They know the rules - they've all been punished in the past for it. They know it's wrong because they lie about it! Anyways, I am so frustrated! I don't remember any of us coloring on the walls, or floors, or bedding when we were little! They have coloring books, paper, contruction paper, notepads, why do they have to color on the house and their belongings? After getting in trouble they did go to sleep very quickly, so at least I have some peace and quiet while waiting for Michael to come home. Maybe one of them will be a famous artist! Get your autographs now.

New Furniture!

Last night Michael and I brought home our new couch and chair and 1/2 with an ottoman. I found them on Craigs List and fell in love with them. I got $150 off the asking price, which I was excited about. The little kids and I went and looked at them yesterday morning. They are almost brand new. The couch is about 2 years old and the chair is less than 1 year old. They are sage green, microfiber, and have been scotchguarded. It was just a young girl that owned them. She has joined the National Guard so needed to sell them before she headed to Texas. Anyways, I benefited from it and am very excited. I have wanted couches like this for years and never thought I would get them. The kids like them too - especially jumping from the ottoman to the chair or pretending to get stuck in the hole between them. Great fun!

I also got to go pick out carpet for our basement yesterday. I am excited to be one step closer to getting that done. Hopefully it will be soon. That is pretty much all we need to finish it all up down there.

Michael left early this morning to head to Waverly, Iowa (I think) to a horse sale. He went with a few guys from work. They said they would stay until they ran out of money - either tomorrow or Friday. Kind of throws a kink in my running but hopefully it won't throw me off track too much. The kids and I will be looking for fun ways to pass the time.

Thanks for Lupper

The kids always complain because on Sundays we eat an early lunch ( about 10:30) before church and then we eat an early supper (3:30) after church. In the evening they want to eat supper again and they get popcorn instead. We tell them that Sundays we have to eat at different times because church is in the middle of the day. I told them that we eat Lupper - it's in between lunch and supper. They think that's a funny name. Well, yesterday Zane said the blessing and in his prayer he was thankful that we could eat Lupper (at which Michael and I started laughing - Michael so much that he had tears streaming down his cheeks) and that who ever didn't like the mashed potatoes (which would be Zane) could eat them anyways. When he finished he wanted to know what was so funny and the others wanted to know why daddy was crying. I told them Zane gave a wonderful prayer and Daddy was overcome with the spirit. That satisfied any more questions and we made it through the meal. Aren't little children so innocent yet aware of everything? Zane has said some pretty good prayers in his day.

Be Careful What You Ask For

It might come true! As most of you know, I have wanted out of the nursery since I have been here. Not that I don't love the little children, I just wanted to be bale to meet people and I do nursery all day every day. Well, yesterday it happened. It was my lsat Sunday in nursery. The catch? Now I am the new Gospel Doctrine teacher for the adults. YIKES! That is the one job I hae always said I would never want to do because it intimidates me so much to get up in front of everyone and teach them about the scriptures and the gospel. One good thing is that I have have 4 weeks until my first lesson. So, my words of advice, when you are wishing for something make sure you spell out all the details otherwise you might end up the gospel doctrine teacher!

The day is over

Well, we didn't get to everything we had planned today but with six kids that is not unusual. The kids decided toplay outside instead of get out the horses. Then in the afternoon we went to the horse show but they fizzled out before the ranch rodeo started so we grabbed somehting to eat and come home. They played outside for a while until it was time for bathes and bed. It was still a fun day even though we didn't get to do everything and we're glad that spring is here because that means shortly we will ahve many more nice days to enjoy (I hope! The last two years we have had our worst blizzards hit in April. Hopefully not this year!)

Beautiful weather!

Today is supposed to be beautiful. I went for my run this morning in shirt sleeves and it felt great (the shirt sleeves, not the run). I went 5 miles this morning and cut 3 minutes of last week's run. Next Saturday is my 5k. I increase my miles again starting Monday. Anyways, it was a beautiful morning. We had pancakes for breakfast and now Michael is out riding horses while we try to do chores. Later on we'll get out the horse and cart or else go to the zoo and then we are going to a horse show in town and a ranch rodeo this evening. It should be a fun day and it's good bribery to get the kids to do their chores!