Happy Birthday Seth

Okay, so it's very late, blame it on the laziness of summer time if you must. We did celebrate Seth's birthday on time though and I need to share all the details!

August 6th was completely devoted to Seth! He wanted to go to breakfast with just me in the morning but, unfortunately, I had to take my car to the shop. Yuck. He was ok with that though and we stopped at McDonald's on the way there so he could get the cinnamelts. We were at the car place for three hours! Seth was a trooper and we got to spend some time together. We even went for a walk and bought the candles for his cake and rented a DVD. Pop came and picked us up at this point and we picked Seth's cake up from the grocery store. We ran right home and celebrated with birthday cake and presents. Dessert first on your birthday, what could be better?
Seth opened his gift from Brooklyn, a big new lunch box, and his card from me and Pop. We decided to give him cash this year because he is saving up for an iPod. We went out to lunch to Cici's Pizza and everyone went to Friendly's for dinner. That place is insane! We enjoyed it immensely and I forgot the camera. He said it was the best birthday ever, he says that every year though. Seth got money from his Aunt Noreen, money from Papa and Grammy, Eragon on CD from Aunt Holly and Uncle Brian, and the second and third books from the Eragon series from his dad and Merritt. He could not be more pleased with his haul. The iPod savings went out the window when he found "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" on DVD though. He also bought a video game, another DVD, the Owl City CD and an MP3 player that looks very much like an iPod nano. I think there may have been some candy purchases in there too.

Seth is my sensitive, creative, cuddly soul. He loves being a big brother and wants to help with the little ones more than the older kids allow. He loves to say the prayer at meal time and bear his testimony on fast Sunday. He has no fear when it comes to speaking to a crowd, in fact, he loves the attention. He loves music and movies. I think he is a lot like his Papa Mills. He looks a lot like Papa so that makes sense. He is such a quiet, important part of our family and I love celebrating him on his day!

How Tired Would You Have To Be?

Lately, Ayden has been getting into trouble during nap time. He does not want to nap so he stays awake by getting into everything in the room he should be sleeping in. Today, he did get into something but then promptly fell asleep. It was Brooklyn's pink rain poncho! Caleb went to check on him and asked why he was on the floor and he said it was comfortable, then he fell back to sleep. Comfortable? The floor and plastic poncho are comfortable? Thanks for telling me that now kiddo, that knowledge would have saved me some money.

I apologize for the quality of this picture but it was too cute to pass up and the camera was doing weird stuff. The kids have played with the settings until I can not figure out what is wrong with them.

Do you know this man?

Well, you should. This is Robert Bruce Orr, aka Bobby. Yes, Bobby, even though he is a grown man, he likes the sobriquet and it suits him. This is my husband and today, on his birthday, I want to express to all who read my blog(well I know it's not that many but I can pretend) how amazing he is. Bobby is not the same man I married. He is immensely better than the man I married. His core, who he is, has not changed. The way he handles situations and the way he regards others has. I have always loved the word volatile and that describes Bobby. He was when I met him and he is now but he stops, he thinks, he considers those around him now. He is incredibly introspective; I love that about him. He learns from mistakes - his and others. He listens to me. I know how men joke about women babbling on. They joke about tuning us out. I admit, he does not hang on my every word ~ thank goodness. However, when it's a serious matter for any reason, he hears and remembers everything I say. That is amazing and wonderful to me. Bobby is a loving father. Just when I think he's tired and grumpy and has had it with the kids he will surprise me and do something amazing and kind. Anyone who has seen Bobby with his babies knows how much he loves them. He loves to get silly with them, tickle them and roll on the floor with them. He makes up funny names and songs about them. Bobby is not one to go out and do things, he is a bit of a homebody, but if the kids want a sleepover or a birthday party he is there in full force, entertaining them. I love that we can sit and have intelligent conversations with each other. I never tire of talking to Bobby and I love how he can make everyone laugh. Bobby is a hard worker. He may hate his job but he will do his best at it, no one can say he did not go above and beyond his duties. Is our life just a big love fest over here? Heck no. It's far from perfect but I love and respect my husband and I know he would do anything for us. I am so grateful to have him in our lives.

Friday Follies

I am starting a new idea of posting my follies of the week every Friday. I figured it would be funny and why not laugh at myself? Chances are there were ten times as many as what I post on here. I'd love it if you joined me and did the same! It would be fun if you left a comment saying you did the same on your blog and I can laugh at you too! Join me!

Oh the pressure! I can not think of anything stupid I did this week. Guess I was brilliant or just walking around asleep most of the week. It was a busy week. Tuesday Brooklyn had to get a physical. Bobby took her but I promised to meet him there because he was freaking out b/c of the girl stuff. Wednesday night was scouts and a YW fundraiser for camp. Since Brooklyn can go to camp this year she gets to help the YW with the fundraiser. Thursday was a meeting for parents of kids trying out for cheerleader and today Bobby is working late and I told Brooklyn she could go to Cici's and play kickball with some friends. The result was a migraine for me three nights in a row and going through gas like it cost pennies a gallon. Don't I wish. How much are you paying for gas? I did manage to pay 2.43 a gallon at Kroger because I got .20 off a gallon. Not horrible.

Monday Memories

Every Mother's Day in our ward (church term = church family) the men would pass out roses for all the mothers. Eventually this tradition expanded to all the adult women because they all, in one way or another, touched a child's life. I only ever wanted to be a mother. I had a great mother and I wanted to be just like her. Mother's Day has always been a very special day to me to honor my mother and I looked forward to the Mother's Day where I would be a mother myself. My first official mother's day I was able to spend at my childhood home with my parents and my sister. My mother bought a dress for Brooklyn that matched one I had and we all stood together, in front of the house for the traditional shot for Mother's Day. I remember standing out in front of the tree, trying to keep Brooklyn still and looking at the camera. Not an easy task. I remember my mother standing in the middle. I remember how she smelled and I remember her laughter. She only ever wanted to be a Grandma. I love finding pictures of my mother with my kids. There aren't many. I love it even more when I am in them too!

Holy What?

I worry about some of the things my children pick up from me and my husband. What habits do they see that they will surely imitate, probably in a quiet library or their class at school? Sometimes I get a preview. Today was a good one. Let me set the scene, it's a tad tacky: I have entered the bathroom to take care of my three year old's bottom after he has gone number 2.

Me: Whew, that is stinky Ayden!
Ayden: Ewww! Holy crap!

I busted out laughing. How could I not? I was just thrilled he used it in an appropriate setting. This kid is smart!

Did You Ever Do This?

There is a preferred way to go down the stairs in our house, though I'm told it only works well in footie pajamas.

So I Lied, Again...

Why doesn't anyone tell you that having kids turns you into a liar? So much for no housework day. The kids were driving me nuts so I set them to work in the kitchen. The kitchen ALWAYS needs cleaning, right? It should be the cleanest room in the home since that is where we eat and store food. Here they are, on no housework day, scrubbing down.

This one is my favorite, because if you click on it and make it large, you'll see the truly disgusted look on Caleb's face.
Bobby said to keep them busy otherwise they sit on the couch and become 'as vegetables'. So, they're busy.

Happy Easter!

When you have little ones, you get through with all the silly and fun things about Easter early. There is more reflection on the true meaning of Easter later in my post, but the kids are pretty darn cute so I'm getting the pictures out of the way first.

Ayden came in our room at 6:30 to tell us the Easter bunny had been to our house. We managed to hold him off until almost 8:00. The four older kids had already ransacked the baskets and eaten some candy but the Easter bunny had left eggs out in the backyard! Ayden was ready to go get them. Bobby and I forced ourselves out of bed and down the stairs. The rest of this story can be told in pictures:

Dillon loved his bunny, well, before he realized there was candy too.
Caleb went after the Easter bunny's tail!
Seth has already had too much sugar.
Then Daddy helped Dillon discover the candy.
We headed outside to find some eggs, Ayden wasted no time. I couldn't even get a clear picture of the kid.
Caleb wasted no time and already knew what he was going for. The Easter bunny visited his bike.
Seth wasn't even looking for eggs, he missed one right in front of him. Can you see it?
Dillon wanted the candy INSIDE the eggs.
They weren't too hard to find for Brooklyn.
Ayden found the rest of his!
It was fun for the children to hunt for the eggs and discover the chocolate and jelly beans. I love to watch my children enjoy the beautiful spring weather after a cold winter. However, Easter is so much more than candy, toys, and the Easter Bunny. I know this. I have talked to our children about this, though probably not enough. All of the symbols: the eggs, the chicks, the bunnies, the lamb - they all celebrate new life, rebirth, starting new, clean and fresh. Because of the sacrifice of our Savior, we will all be able to be resurrected as he was. Many Christians use the cross to celebrate and remember this day. It is significant, I know that, but I was taught to remember two additional things on this day that represent, to me, what Easter is all about. First, I remember how Christ suffered and bled in the Garden of Gethsemane for my sins. That act is why my sins can be forgiven. I also choose to focus on the idea that even though he died, he rose again! He was resurrected on the third day and that is why we celebrate Easter. So, as we look for the eggs in the yard, we need to remember the women who came to his tomb on that third day to discover he was not there. I can not imagine how they felt when they saw the stone rolled away and the ache in their hearts, only then to actually see him, in the flesh again. This is what gives me hope. Even though I am imperfect and have sinned over and over again, I will have that chance to be made pure and perfect again. I am grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior and my Father in Heaven. I am grateful that He came to set the example for us and I love to have a special day each year where I can reflect on this sacrifice and what it means in my life and the life of my children. This is my testimony. Thank you for letting me share that and Happy Easter everyone.

Seth's baptism part 2

I realized that I posted that slide show on the day of his baptism and never got around to posting pictures of the actual event. It went as smoothly as an event like that can go. Everyone was there on time, including us. We remembered towels and underwear (for after the baptism, I forgot that with Caleb). There were more people there than I had thought there would be, which was great. Brooklyn did a fantastic job on her talk and Craig Giffin finished off the day with his talk on the Holy Ghost. Seth beamed and Bobby gave him the most beautiful, thoughtful blessing. Ayden and Dillon were loud but not overly so and it was controllable. It was such a wonderful experience and very sweet. I wish I had posted about it sooner so I could relate more of what happened but life marched on and I just have not stopped. Whenever life is slow, I get restless and wish we had more going on. Then, we do get a lot going on and all I want to do is crawl in bed and sleep! Here are some shots from the day. We didn't get too many because Bobby was rushing me to start on time :D

Seth arrives at the church, suit on, hair only slightly messy.
All of the boys kept running over to watch the font fill up with water. The water started out very hot but the hot water ran out before the font was full and Bobby and Seth both agreed it was rather frigid.

We took the "Mormon Baptism Photo" once the boys get on their jumpsuits. (They were borrowed and Seth's was huge! It was pretty funny, this was the smaller of the two)
Seth, Brooklyn and Caleb in "I love my sibling" mode, don't worry it was short lived.
Seth, only slightly damp and definitely looking more mature.
I love this kid!
If you have been baptized, what do you remember most from your baptism?

Maybe there is a reason I don't stay home

I only ever wanted to be a stay at home mom. I have always loved children. I did get my degree because it seemed the wise, logical thing to do and my parents paid for it. Thank goodness they did because I have had to work outside of my home my entire adult life. I did not do it so I could afford a nice car or a better home. I did not do it because I did not feel satisfied being home with my children. I have worked out of necessity. I figure teaching is great because I get to be home with them on my vacations. It's kind of like my consolation prize. However, after days like today, maybe there is some bigger reason out there that I've never been able to stay home. Maybe my Heavenly Father knows something about me that I've never had to find out. I am just not equipped for it.

I was home today because of this little guy,
Ayden got sick Saturday night and just when we thought he was all better he got sick Sunday night. He slept most of Monday and wouldn't eat for Bobby so I kept him home today. He has been a handful. He still really won't eat. He sure does ask for food but, then, will not eat it. Nothing frustrates me more! He also broke the lid off of the toilet. He was standing on it, for the millionth time, and I was telling him to get off, for the millionth time. Well, the toilet lid took care of Ayden by itself and just slid right off and broke. I was thrilled. He told me it was, "just an accident it ok Mommy.'

Knowing that I was home was too much temptation for this one,
He went to the nurse's office twice. On the second visit the nurse pretty much insists that you pick them up, even without a fever. Shall I vent here about elementary schools? No, I'll save that for another time. He is not sick. Do not feel sorry for him. His temperature is normal. He ate all his lunch and snack. He is fine. But he is home. That frustrated me too. He asked if I was mad. How can I get mad? Everyone likes a mental health day I guess.

Since Ayden is home, this one is home too,
I have wiped his nose more times than I can count, snuggled his head, rocked him, kissed him and listened as he has tried out all his new words. He asked, 'where da da', he yelled, 'thank you' about ten times and said, 'hi' as he waved to all the children at Seth's school. Now, after three tries, I think he is down for a nap.

Am I cut out for this type of activity day after day? Actually, I really think I am. How do you moms that stay home do it? If you don't stay home with your kids, would you?

Nasty weather calls for a good, warm dinner

Monday we had no school. Yesterday we were back for a full day. It was the day my cold, or whatever I have, decided to hit me full force. It was a good day, but I felt horrible! As I sat at my desk, head pounding, nose stuffy, coughing and sneezing, all I could think about was being on the couch at home, under a blanket with a steamy bowl of soup. I called Bobby and asked him what he thought about having that Italian sausage stew that my friend, Stacey, posted on facebook. This stuff is not only delicious and filling but it's pretty too.

I had to stop by the store since we didn't have the sausage and it began to rain. Isn't that always the way? I did get lucky in that the sausage was on sale for more than $2 dollars off! I bought three packs. I made it home a tad wet, sicker than when I got up that morning but totally looking forward to dinner. Bobby had everything else out, ready to cook. I wrapped up on the couch with a blanket and breathed in the sweet, spicy aroma of sizzling sausage. It was ready quickly and at the same time sleet began to fall. On a night like this (there is sleet, the camera just didn't catch it)

I had picked the perfect meal and Bobby delivered. Everyone enjoyed!

2 day weekend in the snow + 3 snow days out of school =

We Love You and We Will Miss You

Austin Lee Mills (August 1994- January 2010)

Respectful. Kind. Thoughtful.

You will be greatly missed.

Austin Lee Mills, of Craig, died on Monday, January 11, 2009, at his home. He was 15.

Austin was born on August 15, 1994, in Ft. Morgan, Colorado, the son of Dawn Finley and Wade A. Mills. He was raised in Brush and Ft. Morgan where he attended local schools and most recently Riverview Christian School. He moved to Craig with his father and stepmother in August of 2009.

Austin was a freshman at Moffat County High School and was on the freshman football team. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, fishing, playing golf, baseball, running track, playing video games, reading books and learning about cars. He was also very close to his extended family.

Things That Have Made Me Cry Today

No, I'm not pregnant or hormonal in any way. Anyone who knows me knows I rarely cry. This week it's been a sob fest for some reason. These are the things that made me cry in just the past 24 hours.
This blog post:
Nurse Heidi's Spot

This child:

This movie:
And this show: (I don't know what is up with that!)
Maybe I just need a bit more of this:

Getting Around To It

Finally! I keep looking at my blog, thinking about Christmas then getting pulled away by a sad child, a chore or a husband who wants on the big computer. It seems that today is finally the day I can get this done!

Christmas was wonderful. It always is even though each year I get nervous that it just won't be as nice as the year before. We opened family gifts on Christmas Eve since we had early morning plans on Christmas day. All the kids said that they got everything they wanted. They didn't, that is why the gift cards and cash from family came in handy, but they said they did.

Brooklyn asked for a pair of Sperry topsiders, I told her no way, too expensive...
Ayden did not ask for a Magna Doodle but since he's been coloring on everything Bobby figured he needed one - good call.
Oops, should've gotten one for Dillon too. He used some of his money for a little one for him.
"But this isn't what my brother has, I don't want it." I imagine that is what he was thinking...
Aunt Holly made sure to get Seth the book he asked for.
and the game Caleb asked for....
And the motorcycle Ayden likes...
Then she made these beautiful letters for Brooklyn's room.
And got a chew toy for the psuedopuppy of ours.
And because Bobby is, who he is, they all got games!
Papa and Grammy sent each child an afghan, made by Grammy and a book to snuggle up with. I forgot to get pictures of all those, they turned out so beautiful, but I will. Then Bobby and I got a surprise too!
A SNUGGIE!
Can you tell how thrilled Bobby is? He really loves it!!
And that was just Christmas Eve....

Christmas morning Ayden woke up quite early and he and I decided that we needed to wake the others up too! Come to find out the others were asleep because they were up at 3am, sneaking down to check out their gifts. This is the first year Ayden has been excited with anticipation for Christmas. When he woke up he knew Santa was supposed to have come and he couldn't wait to see if Santa brought him a truck, like he asked for. Dillon slept through most of the excitement, which was fine with us.
After going though stockings and eating beignets, we got in the car and headed to David and Kim's in West Virginia. It was a gorgeous drive. All the snow we'd had the week before was still on the ground. Everything looked beautiful under that soft white covering. Luckily too, the day was overcast so we didn't have to battle the sun reflecting off the snow. I wish I had brought a camera because there were many scenic moments. At David's the older kids played with one another, the two little ones explored and the adults were able to visit. Kim made a great dinner with turkey and ham! It was wonderful. We came back home exhausted but totally satisfied.