SCHOOL CARNIVAL

 Sierra begged me to sign up for the school carnival. I have been in a sewing coma for the last few days, more to come on that. I didn't want to go. I did sign up to oversee the potato sack race. Sierra raced at least three times. She won every time. She finally got too tired and stopped racing. The ate pizza, pop and cotton candy and bounced in the bouncy house and went down the large bouncy slide. The did the cake walk and were disappointed that they didn't get a cake. They said it was a waste of tickets. James was so good. He just sat in his sling and looked at me every once and a while. The next morning I found out why, he had a fever and was getting another tooth. I thought he was just being an angel. (Excuse the last picture. The camera was on manual when I handed it to the old guy who offered to take our picture. He didn't change the focal point. It was on the tire of the truck. Sigh. I had to include it anyway.)

BANGS and THREE WAYS to KILL a CRICKET

What do you think of Sierra's new bangs? She likes them. A lot!

It really is just a comb over using the end of her ponytail. I will never do bangs or short hair again on this girl. She said to trick you... but I just can't! It mortifies me to think of ever touching her hair with scissors again.

We have had a bit of a cricket infestation lately.I call it the cricket house from (that hot place none of us wants to go.) I can't even begin to describe the noise a cricket makes when it is in your house. It is so loud. There seems to be at least one in our house chirping all night long, every night. I find it about mid-afternoon and kill it and then more come back the next night. Several crickets have meet there demise in various ways in our home. I will share with you the three best. (Warning: We are about to get graphic.)

1. I was talking to my sister, after my family left after Sierra's baptism. I told her how much I appreciated them coming to visit. James starts to scream. I look down. He has a cricket wiggling between his fingers. I know everything in his hand goes in his mouth. I threw the phone and screamed. I picked James up and flung the cricket out of his chubby, grasping hand. I heard my sister saying, "Hello, hello, are you okay?" I picked up the phone. I was shaking. "We are fine. I think James either attempted to or was just about to eat a cricket. I got it out of his hand and now I can't find it." Minutes after I hung up with my sister, I find the cricket between Sierras scriptures and my purse, which were laying on the kitchen table. It was dead. It had two tiny slits in its thorax, about the approximate length of baby teeth. It's guts were oozing out of the slits. Only heaven knows what really happened, but my bet is the baby bit the cricket.

2. Sierra was getting ready for bed and walked into the bathroom to brush her teeth and steeped on a cricket with her bear little toes. She screamed and spread its guts as she rubbed her toes clean against the tile. Then she washed her toes in the tub. Poor girl won't go into the bathroom unless the lights are on now.

3. Today, there was a cricket chirping all morning in the kitchen. I ran some errands today. When I returned home after picking up Sierra it was still chirping. I told her, "I think it is behind the fridge. Here take this spatula. I am going to move the fridge away from the wall and I need you to whack it." She got ready to pounce. I threw the fridge forward. She screamed, "I got it but another one jumped under the oven." I grabbed the oven door and said, "Now we are going to do the same thing again, are you ready." She said, "Ready." I pulled the oven forward and she jumped but she was too late. The cooling rack, that was wedged between the oven and the fridge, fell over and smashed that loud, chirping guy dead. We both laughed an evil happy laugh.

Can't wait for the first frost. The end!

CAPTURE the PRINCESS

Family night was tonight. I am trying to dedicate myself to doing family night more faithfully. It isn't like we don't do family night but we have a lesson maybe twice a year. Most of our family nights consist of just spending time together. It seems as though lately everything counts. We ate dinner together, family night! We watched an episode of My Little Pony's, family night! We stopped off at the library on the way back from school, family night! We made cookies, family night! I want to make family night, a night where I actually teach my children. Yesterday I rededicated myself to the purpose of family night. I thought about what I wanted to teach my kids, and put together a lesson for today. Wow! There was my once a year. Maybe next week, we will try for twice in one year.  I know family night is an inspired program. I know if we live it, we will be blessed. I am getting there.

After family night we played a game. (I remembered this one night playing a game with my father. He turned out all the lights and dumped a bunch of pennies in a doorway. We had to crawl, if we stood we were disqualified. The object was to get the pennies before we were tagged.) I played with my kids tonight. I was a little vague on the rules, so I made up my own. The girls had a riot. I have a rug burns to prove I played hard. James fussed the whole time. We need to play again when he is in a better mood because I think he would enjoy the game. (Nate was of course resting his back on the couch. Poor guy!)

We had chocolate chip cookies and milk for dessert. He really liked his. Yes, I let him have one. He devoured the whole thing. Yummy!

 

I have no idea where I got this girl. She begged me for all my national geographic magazines. She jumped up and down for ten seconds when I brought them into her and told her she could look at them while she fell asleep. She made me find my old geology book from my college days and her fathers. Those are in the pile too. She mostly looks at the pictures. She must be her father's daughter.

POOR HUSBAND

His back has been out for a week. He could hardly baptize his daughter he was in so much pain. He has asked me to put on his socks every morning. Yesterday, when he asked me to help with his pants too, I told him it was ridiculous and he wasn't going to work. I was grateful he conceded. I drove him to the chiropractor. He went and checked the schedule at work and was sad that he couldn't work. He has been resting and icing his back ever since. I haven't decided whether I am sad or not. Of course I want his back to be okay, but I am glad to have him around. He is at our mercy, which is kind of nice. He doesn't have an opinion about what I cook, he is just grateful to have his meals brought to him. The girls love having him home and so does James. Anyway, he wants to be better, so pray he does get better.

I wanted to take the girls to the pool, but James has been fussing so much with his teeth. He got a new one and I think two more are about to break through. He will most likely have five teeth by the end of the week. I knew I didn't want to put him in the pool and I was afraid he would fuss the whole time we were there, so after I committed I backed out. Poor girls. They watched Pete's Dragon and we made homemade pizza. Then we took our Saturday baths and I put the girls hair in rollers while they watched Chitty! Chitty! Bang! Bang! As I was tucking Sierra in she said, "Isn't it weird that I prefer old movies over new movies? I told her, "No. I do too." I am so glad she does. It is so fun to share all the movies I grew up loving with her.

A BOYs LIFE

 Sharing applesauce with sister.

 "You like that buddy-boy? Mom, he likes it!"

 Happy to be free.

 Mom, do you need help with the dishwasher.

 I will help.

 Bath time is my favorite time.

I giggle when my sister plops my rubber ducky into the water and it makes a splash.

SWEET SIERRA's BAPTISM

 

In case you are wondering why this event isn't well documented, note the lack of cooperation between two co-conspirators to thwart my efforts. Nate, Sierra, I am calling you out.  I love you and it is your choice, but if you ever wonder why their aren't a lot of pictures of this beautiful day these first two pictures will remind you. Crazy kids!

I love you so much little girl you mean everything to me. I got to stand up before you baptism and talk a little bit about you. It was precious. I want you to always remember how truly loved you are. You came into our life at the perfect time. Your daddy and I are so blessed to have you as an oldest daughter. You have been such a sweet friend and companion to your father. You have always been enthusiastic about engaging in all of his adventures from scorpion hunting to fishing. You are the dearest big sister to Madison and James and a great example of choosing the right. You are the best helper to me. You assist me in everything from cooking dinner to scrubbing the toilets to bathing your baby brother. 

 

When you were baptized and your daddy was standing with you in the baptismal font as he started to say the words, "Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ." He got chocked up because the spirit of our Father-in-Heaven was so strong and beautiful in the room. As I was waiting for you at the waters edge, my mind was called back to our wedding day. Your father was given a special blessing when he was a young man and was told that when he married his wife, "the glory of the Heavens would be poured out upon him." He expected to receive that promise in one beautiful moment in the temple as we were married for eternity. Our wedding day came and I have to tell you your daddy was so nervous we were grateful to just make it through the day. He was a little disappointed this miraculous moment was never felt. When he was standing there in white with you and pronounced the words of your baptism, the spirit said to me, "This is the moment and there will be more." The glories of heaven were felt. I hope you felt it.

 

You came out of the water shaking. I felt bad. (I will remember to bring a blanket for Madison.) You couldn't get warm. I tried to run you a hot shower but the water wouldn't turn hot, so I scratched that idea and got your dressed really quickly and held you tight until you were warm. I asked your dad, "Was the water cold?" He said, "No." You said, "Mom, why did they heat the water for dad and not for me?" I giggled because you were in the same water.

 

 

We went back into the chapel and your Grandpa Craven talked about the guiding power of the Holy Ghost. Madison started whining she was hungry and thirsty, so I could barely hear. Then she got this look of absolute fear on her face and cried out, potty! I was sad I missed grandpa's talk. I hope you remember his words.

 

Grandma and Grandpa Craven took you out for a sundae afterwards.

 

I wish I had of gotten a picture of everyone who was there. Your Grandma and Grandpa McKnight came at great sacrifice. Your grandma was really sick and Aunt Bonnie just had a new baby. They could only stay for the day. Uncle Brandon and Aunt Heather came and brought Caleb and Jarom. They could only stay for the day. Grandpa and Grandma Craven, Aunt Kimberly and Aunt Tamara, and Uncle Derrick and Aunt Jennifer and baby Charlotte, all came for two days.

 

By the evening, all the McKnight family had gone home. We made fajitas and chocolate chip cookies and sat around playing a game where you say the names of fruit without showing your teeth. You were always the first to laugh.  

 

 

 

JAMES and CHARLOTTE

I was so grateful Jennifer and her husband Derrick made the long trip from Utah for Sierra's Baptism. James loved seeing Charlotte. He said hello by grabbing her binky out of her mouth and popping it into his and crawling away. Little punk.

JAMSEY that is JESUS

I still haven't anchored this picture to the wall, so it sits in my living room on the floor. I watched James crawl across the floor and climb up and stand against the picture and look at it really closely. Madison was sitting on the office chair watching her baby brother. She said, "You know what Jamesy that is Jesus. You can live with him forever and ever if you choose to be good." Then she looked at me seeking to confirm her words, "Right mommy?" I replied back, "Right, Lu."

Don't you just want to eat that face up? I am so glad I get to snuggle it every day. Best job ever!

MY BOY

Before the sun breaks through my window each morning, I will hear this little boy calling to me from his crib. Most of the time my tired eyes don't want to open, so I drag my unwilling body out of bed and across the hall. I see these beautiful blue eyes peeking through the slates in his crib. He gets the biggest grin on his face. I sigh, my tired face breaks into a smile, as I lean on the doorway and say, "Good morning blue eyes." I can't imagine a more glorious sight to greet me each morning.

MUD

This little girl loves mud. She loves it. I can't keep her out of it. I can't keep it off of her. I am so glad, most days. Although, on occasion I have to banish the anal retentive side of myself that wants to yell, "Don't get muddy! Please don't get muddy. I don't want to clean it up today."  But look at that face, she is just so happy.

SURPRISE VISIT (I GOT TO SEE SHELLY!)

My sweet friend Shelly from Pittsburgh stopped in to say, hi. I haven't seen in her three years. She has four beautiful children now, two of which I hadn't even met. I was so excited to see them in person. We spent the evening eating a simple homemade meal, talking and letting our children play. James, Nate, Sierra, Hailey and Beckett went scorpion hunting on dinosaur hill. Shelly and I opted to spend time hanging out and attempt to get the children to bed. (Who doesn't love a good scorpion hunt, but hey someone has to tend to the little ones.) Madison wanted to bunk down with little Audrey but she too excited to actually sleep. We eventually had to split them all up. I was a bit sad knowing it maybe the only evening they spend together....ever, but sleep is necessary. Drat.

 

They had to leave early the next morning. They have a busy month ahead of them. I don't envy there schedule but hopefully everything will go smoothly. I gave Shelly a big hug and she was off. It was like a dream. I am still not sure if they were really here, thankfully I have pictures to prove it.

 

 

(BACK ON-LINE!) YEAH! TOAD

 

 I have been cleaning the windows in our basement apartment. There seems to be a plethora of toads down in the window wells. Madison is thrilled every time she spots one. She names the toad Fred and keeps it as a pet for the day. Sierra sets it free at night. Then Madison is begging to clean another window the next morning. The master bedroom window well was a bit creepy. We found five toads petrified in various froggy positions; jumping, crouching, mouth opened, and mouth closed. Madison was giddy. She kept giggling and proclaiming, "another stick frog!" I wasn't as impressed.

She loves playing with these toads. She has raced them across the floor and helped them jump from amazing heights. I love listening to her little voice say, "Now mommy we have to make them a habitat. Okay mommy? We need something tall so they can't jump out." I let her use the tub as her habitat for a little while, until she found a box and put a few rocks in it. She would let the toad jump around and then say, "No, no, Fred not that way!"

KIM's BABY SHOWER

Lily and I threw Kim, a young mother of two boy's a baby shower. Lily is really close to Kim and asked that I make a special quilt for her new little girl. I have never made a quilt like this for anyone except my sisters, not even my sister in-laws, sadly. I want to make one for everyone of my nieces and nephews, but they are expensive to make. Lily said, "I will pay for it if you make it." We went to the fabric store and picked out the fabrics together last Saturday. The baby shower was in one week. It wasn't much time and with a clingy baby it was hard, but I got it done. It turned out beautifully. 

Saturday morning as I was getting ready for the baby shower I was running around like a nutty mommy again. My girls were hungry and teasing. I had Sierra sit down and sew a simple skirt for the baby and Madison made scrambled eggs. She made two batches. She did it all herself except turn on the oven. Her daddy came home and said, "I hope some of those are for me." She said, "There are some for everyone cause no one will starve while I am cooking." I thought she was so precious. Sierra did a beautiful job sewing the skirt for the baby. She wants to sew another one for her sister and her. We will see. She is so talented. She can sew a straight line just as well as any adult. The skirt was beautiful. She was so excited about it.

The shower was a bit overwhelming and I dropped the ball on a few things. I don't think I will attempt to help throw one again this year but it was fun. Kim was so sweet and grateful. The blanket was beautiful, although I don't think the picture does it justice. You could feel that Kim loved it, which made every crazy second I spent on it worth it.

When the shower was over I came downstairs to crazy children who were overtired and hungry and a husband that was frustrated. I handled it with grace. I sent Nate to get a few things for dinner and had him make dinner while I bathed our babies. Then after they ate, I tucked them all in bed.

Madison has been asking for stories about her unicorn. I have to get a picture of that thing. (Side story: My sister and brother-in-law took Madison on a little day date while she was staying at Jennifer and Derrick's, to get better after that awful sickness. Karalee and Benji won a stuffed unicorn. When we meet up with my sister in Price and brought Madison home, Sierra burst into tears because she was jealous of all the attention and stuff Madison had. She said of the unicorn, admidst her tears, "Well, it is a little weird looking, but still it isn't fair.) Madison has slept with that unicorn every night since she got back. I started making up stories about the adventures of the unicorn. She wanted a quick story before she went to bed. I was telling the a story and said the word "poof" and apparently it is the funniest word on the planet because baby James giggled hard belly laughs over and over. I was still smiling about his giggles as I tucked him into bed that night. I was overwhelmed with how grateful I was to be the mother of these three precious souls.

MADISON'S LULABY

The other morning James was being very clingy. I really couldn't get anything done. I had spent all week making a quilt for a baby shower. I needed to go and buy the back and the binding. I was running around trying to get out the door. James was fussy. I just put him in his crib while I finished getting ready. I knew he was going to fuss for a little while longer but I didn't care. I didn't have time. He screamed for a while. Madison often seems to regard James's screams as background noise. Most of the time it is like she doesn't even hear him. She came in to the bathroom while I was quickly doing my hair and she said, "Mom, is it okay if I try to calm down Jamesy Boy?" I said, "If you want to." I heard him stop about the time I finished up my hair and so I went to check on them. She was sitting in his crib singing to him. She was singing random songs she had made up in a really sweet quiet voice. It was so precious. I had to take a picture. He wasn't asleep, but was just laying there peacefully. I love moments like these.