Little Bits

There is nothing new, interesting or exciting to report and, honestly, I just can't think of anything cute or witty lately. The kids do and say funny things every day but I'm so tired I chuckle and forget. However, that also means that we are all doing well. I think we're in that funk that happens between Christmas break and Spring Break. We are just waiting. Just counting down the days... Will we make it? No one knows.

I guess I can't say nothing is going on. Brooklyn went on her fist temple trip to the DC temple. She was very excited and it was a bit last minute so I really didn't get to talk to her about it much before she went. She did say that she had a good time and it was, "like really spiritual and all that." She took her camera but this was about all she did with it.

We have had quite a bit of wind around here lately. I hate it. One day it blew down our basketball hoop and we found two huge black widows living under it. I took a picture but I don't know if you can really see how huge she is. If you click on the photo you can see it much larger. (Yes,Caleb's finger is there for comparison.)
Last but never least, Bobby's parents have been staying on the weekend quite often while they endure the limbo they are in with Bruce's job. We have enjoyed it very much. Dillon doesn't even cry when I leave if Grandma's here. The kids are thrilled with it and, of course, Bobby and I love the company. Just to give an example of how Dillon feels about Grandma and Poppy leaving I took some photos of him as they said goodbye.

Why don't we do this more often?

By the time I picked Ayden up from 'school' today it was in the sixties! In February! When Brooklyn called and asked if I'd get the boys out of the house so she could get her chores done more quickly, I decided it was high time to visit the playground. Everyone else in the neighborhood had the same plan. The weather was perfect, not so warm that we got sweaty and cool enough that a light jacket or long sleeve shirt was plenty. So Mother Nature, if you give me more days like this:


we will visit you more often...

About Time...

Yes, it's about time -- for so many things. The first big news is that Bobby got a new job. He is working a call center with T-Mobile. He is only in training right now but he likes the company. They have tuition reimbursement if he goes into a field that will be of use to the company so that is his plan. It doesn't pay bad for entry level work either! Not only that but our phone bill is going to be cut considerably. The other great thing about his schedule right now is that he has Sunday and Monday off. He can go to church with us! When working at Burger King he never went to church, not once, for eight months. It wasn't that he didn't want to go, it's that they refused to give him one weekend off. He had a Sunday off but worked until 3am Sunday morning. Or he had a Saturday off but had to open on Sunday. It was miserable on so many levels. No he is back at church with us and it feels wonderful.

Another big change we have made is scripture study with the kids. Silly that we haven't done this before, it's a very simple concept but always got put on the back burner. I won't say we understand everything we read, but we are sitting down and reading and discussing them together. The kids request it. I told Bobby we need to take advantage of this since, eventually, they may balk. So, we're trying to build good habits now. I love the family time it gives us after a busy day, even if it is just 15 minutes of reading together.

Speaking of family time, Bobby finally looked at Brooklyn's broken camera and guess what! It wasn't broken at all. So now we will have more photos of the kids taking photos of themselves... and of course more photos of the family in general. I hate posting with no photos.

However, some bad news regarding photos. Our computer did something weird upon restarting and all of the folders on the desktop were missing. Not only that but the photos were not in the right place. Bobby finally found them and, so he wouldn't have to hunt for them again, he put them in a folder that he named so he'd remember. When the computer was restarted again, everything on our desktop was back to normal and the folder of pictures that Bobby made was gone. It seems we may have lost all the pictures we had on here. There were a LOT. There are some on here, which is great. There are some on facebook and photobucket, but the majority of our photos are lost and I'm so sad. Guess I'm buying a flash drive just to hold our photos on from now on.

Here are some pictures we have taken lately though... they are in no particular order nor are they of any special event. These are just because.

Dillon is getting so big! He never looks at the camera so enjoy.
Bobby's parents bought him a few new duds so he spent Saturday night ironing. He wanted all 'the guys' to look killer on Sunday. It was the 'when you feel like you look good, you feel better' motto. He cleans up pretty well, I think. He even found a Poppy hat for $8!

Oh, this was funny. I caught Dillon climbing up onto the table. He pulled out an apple and was so happy with it. So I let him have it figuring I would cut it up if he didn't want it. You know he ate on that thing for an hour? Silly baby. He didn't eat all of it but no one wanted it when he was done with it.

May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be...

This Christmas has been about as perfect as they come. I was feeling discouraged. The money just wasn't there to buy the gifts and do the fun, festive things that I would love to do. This time of year it is so easy to get caught up in the commercialism and the idea of what your holiday should look like. I admit, I got caught up in it big time. But, things begin to come together, as things often do. We had two snow days on the two days just before the winter break. That was a bright spot. Slowly Bobby and I filled up the closet with all kinds of goodies that our kids would enjoy. Bobby's parents are living close this year and they made several trips down to drop off their gifts and the food that they would make for Christmas dinner. Relatives from far away sent us cards with their thoughts and love. Christmas Eve was a time for eating sub sandwiches while watching "Joy to the World" about the Savior's birth, then hot chocolate, cake and opening a few gifts. The kids quickly put on their Christmas pajamas from Grandma and Poppy and played with what they had opened. I couldn't believe it but Brooklyn has grown so much this year she couldn't wear anything we got her except the jacket! I guess it's gift cards from now on for her! After the babies went to bed we put on a movie and sat up late in order to help Santa. The result was modest but everything they had asked for. Bobby and I slept in the living room and, it seemed, that just as I fell asleep the kids had crept down proclaiming it was 7am! They tore into stockings, exclaimed over gifts and stuffed their faces with candy. I was so exhausted that I took not one picture! Then they played and we visited until Bobby's brother David arrived with his wife Kim and their four kids. The kids quickly paired off and disappeared as Grandma readied lunch. Bobby and his brother picked up the missionaries and we sat down to a wonderful meal. We had more food than we needed and funny stories were exchanged. Then Bobby, David, the missionaries and the kids went to the park for some football while the 'womenfolk' relaxed. It was such a nice day that ended with a picture perfect snow. We watched another movie and sent the kids off to bed after they declared that it had been the best Christmas ever.

The children were talking about Christ being born in December and I reminded them that really, his birthday is thought to have been around April. December 25th was just a day chosen to celebrate his birth for numerous reasons. Really though, I'm glad the we celebrate Christ's birth at the end of the year. It's a time to reflect on what I have done with this gift that Heavenly Father has given us. It's a great time, better than New Year's, to reflect on what I'm going to do differently in the coming year so that I continue to grow as a person. Christmas is such a special time, I love that it's in the winter when we can cozy up in our homes and share memories and good times with the people that we love.

And now, the photos...

Brooklyn helped me make some cookies. They were great fresh out of the oven but not good the next day - I'll have to work on that.
I forgot to mention we did drive around, singing carols and looking at lights - this house was on the tacky lights tour - cool huh?
Christmas Eve sandwich time with all the fixin's - an Orr tradition.
Ayden is first to dig right in to the presents!
The boys got a gift of really neat science books that have interactive games and such.
Grandma helped Dillon open his gift.
Then he showed Daddy his puppets!
Caleb started looking at the books right away.
Santa's little elf.
Brooklyn wearing her new Christmas PJs and opening the pj bottoms I bought her from her school.
Bobby loved his Kentucky sweatshirt from Mom and Dad.
Seth's pjs were a bit big on him - but hey, that's even better right?
Grammy and Papa sent the kids Christmas sweaters! The boys are so excited to wear them to church - they were disappointed it got canceled due to snow.
Ayden got right to work with his new tools from Aunt Holly and Uncle Brian.
Brooklyn helped
Seth ran into the room to read the new graphic novel from Aunt Holly and Uncle Brian.
Caleb got right to work on the Lego race car from Aunt Holly and Uncle Brian. I debated about the kids opening these on Christmas Eve but it worked out perfectly, giving them something to do before bed.
Bobby couldn't resist pitching in to help with the model of an X-Wing fighter from Grandma and Poppy.
Then, after kids had gone to bed, Santa came...
Santa decided family centered gifts were just right for Christmas. (I can't wait to play that game)
Yes, that is a mower. It is all Ayden asked for. Santa was so happy that with online shopping you can get items that are normally hard to find in the winter.
Seth wanted a basketball and Caleb is collecting footballs. Perfect - they can share!
You can barely see them under the scarf and gloves but Santa found Brooklyn a great pair of boots... that were too small. Mom has already rectified the situation.
And, I thought we would end on an "awww, isn't that too precious" note: (You'll need to turn it up to hear him say Merry Christmas)

Double Whammy!

Ah, November 19. The weather is crisp, the leaves are gorgeous, fall break is next week and we are celebrating one birthday as we remember another.

Mom... she always loved fall so it's fitting that this is her birth month. I love living in Richmond during her birthday month because seeing all the leaves change colors reminds me of her. She missed the leaves so much this time every year. We miss you everyday Mom, we love you.

I really miss my mom BUT.... two years ago today, Dillon was born. I can not tell you how happy I was that my water broke around 11pm on the 18th of November. I knew it was meant to be! Dillon is such a super smart little guy. He has places to go and things to say. I swear he says about five new words a day. I put him in time out for the first time last night and when his two minutes were up he wrapped his arms around me, put his wet, little cheek on mine and gave me a kiss. He is not into sharing right now, it's all 'mine', but he is a sweetie none-the-less. We love you Dilly Bill - Happy Birthday!
Today: