First Day of School

I just ran a marathon!

Well, not really. I just feel that way, after getting SEVEN kids off to school this morning!! It all started at approximately 5:40 a.m., when I heard Lexi and Sophi chatting away in their bedrooms. I wondered what had awoken them so early, but I didn't wonder for long, because after trying to settle them down and returning to my bed I heard the sounds of our neighbors chickens. Repeated every 15 seconds or so for the next hour. No, we don't live in the country-- our neighbors just happen to have chickens. And to be fair, I usually don't notice them. But of course they would be loud the one morning I wanted the kiddos to get enough sleep! (:

When I finally rolled out of bed at 6:40, I found that Graci was already up and dressed (no surprise there.) I thought I had plenty of time to get everyone off on time, after all, Jer and I stayed up last night getting lunches and backpacks ready. It seemed simple-- Taylor and Graci leave at 7:25, Parker, Jessica, Lexi and Xander at 7:45, Elli at 8:35. I'm still not sure what was so hard about getting them all out the door, but it was quite the feat!

It really hit me last night as I was making lunches how much food we're going to go through this year with three more in full day school (Lexi, Xander, and Elli are all in 1st grade this year!) I opened a box of Capri Suns and by the time I had seven lunches packed, realized that the two boxes I had purchased won't even get us through 3 days. Besides the amount of food, I have to really think about the type. I don't want to send anything very messy with Lexi, and Jesi and Elli are both pretty picky. This is going to be fun!!

So here I am, just me and Soph. It's so quiet! I should probably be excited, but I just feel kind of empty. I love summers and having all my kids home with me. I really, really miss them. Not only that, but the house is a mess, Soph wants to play, I need to go shopping, and there's so much to do-- so it's not exactly like I'm getting a break. Believe it or not, I'm just wanting the time to fly so I can find out how the kids' day went-- I'm always nervous for them on their first day1














Now that school has started, I am making a goal to blog every day. It makes me so happy when I see the kids sitting here at the computer, reading through past posts and smiling. I love how journaling helps me keep perspective and remember all of the blessings I have daily. I love having a record of this wonderful, crazy life of mine. So, here's to a new school year, new experiences, and lots of blog posts to capture them. (:

Christianne



Here is my attempt to get Sophi to watch a show while I blogged. I figured if I set her up well enough (she has to have her two dolls, two Minnies, and a drink) that maybe she would actually last through a whole show. Not a chance, but it did give me 15 minutes... (:

Quotes of the Day

From Lexi, at her IEP Meeting with her classroom teacher and four other professionals, in answer to the question, "What's wrong with your eyes?"

"I can't see." (giggle giggle) "But Jesus, when I die and go to heaven, will help me. And He will fix my eyes!"

Preach it, Lex!!

************


From Jeremy, serenading me with the song, "Amazing." Original words, "Girl, you're amazing just the way you are."

Jeremy's version, "Girl, you're amazing, except when you are not."

Wow.
Don't worry, I was laughing. (:

************



From Jesi: "Mommy! Xander almost tattled!"

Magnificent Sophi

I was looking at pictures and thinking of how much Sophi has changed this year. She came to us quiet and serious, so much like her referral photo:



I remember so clearly the moment she was handed over to me, all bundled up in her big yellow coat and screaming in protest about being put in my arms. My heart ached for her sadness, and I longed for her to know just how much I loved her, and that she was finally home.

Well, take a look at her now!!



These two are so sweet together. Usually.





Not sure the story behind this one-- I just found it on the camera.



I often walk into the kitchen to find Sophi has helped herself to "breakfast."




Sophi isn't always this messy, but sometimes she just likes to play with her food. I think this time she decided to forego the fork and just dump it out on the table and dive in head first!





Helping herself to breakfast again.





Graci opened the pantry door to find this.


Disclaimer: the pantry isn't usually so full of junk! This was after company and parties.









Sophi likes to help clean, and she is very resourceful in figuring out how to help!



Our little sausage.




Happy 8 months home, baby girl! You are sooooo loved!!


And, these are obviously not of Sophi. I just found them on the computer and thought they were funny. I'm not sure the story behind the bow. (:





--Christianne

For Teri

First, a run down...

I am feeling so much better from the surgery. Sadly, I woke up with the cold that our family can't seem to get rid of-- of course, right? My throat is so raw and my body aches. I visited the surgeon today and had my bandages removed. There's still some swelling, but I'm definitely on the mend. AND, I was able to take a hot bath tonight now that my bandages are off!!

Jeremy is feeling better and won a work contest today-- woo hoo! He's been good to do all the lifting of the kiddos (which is a lot) and even gets up in the night with them. (:

Graci is fabulous! She got her stitches out yesterday-- all 22 of them. It wasn't pleasant, but not too bad either. The doctor also took an x-ray of her swollen hand (she injured it a few weeks ago trying to do a handstand) and we were happy to find it isn't broken. We so didn't want to add a cast to the mix...

Taylor has a horrible cough. He's milking it for all it's worth by getting lots of TV and reading time.

Parker is working his tail off to earn money for an ipod touch. He has been saving for a VERY long time and has just over $100. He checks KSL every hour or so trying to find a good deal. I'm loving his desire to earn money-- then I don't have to feel quite so bad when I ask him to help out so much while I'm feeling crummy.

Jesi had a frenectomy on Monday. Luckily, our dentist has a laser, so it was done without putting her out or putting her through too much pain. We're glad to have it overwith and it's healing nicely.

Lexi is bored. She needs to start school! It's so tough when she can't do so many of the things that the other kids can relax and do (read, watch tv, etc.) And she's got the cold too.

Elli is Elli. Her two favorite words are "flip flop" and "stroller." Don't ask me why. She says them over and over hundreds of times a day and laughs and laughs when we say it with her. Last night when I tucked her in, I said, "Flip flop! Stroller!" and she got the giggles, so we kept saying it back and forth to each other for about 20 minutes while I cuddled her in bed. It was fun to have her go to bed laughing.

Xander is having fun with Jessica. They are hanging out a lot lately, playing spy kids and jumping off bunk beds. I love it.

Sophi is just charming us every day. I am so in love with her. She comes up to me multiple times a day and says in the sweetest voice, "Mommy tummy owie? Oh, I sorry!" and kisses it. Oh, and she has dazzled us with her new skill-- getting UP the stairs!!! We call her our little butterfly, but she looks more like a cute little caterpillar as she wiggles her way up the stairs.














People continue to be so, so good to our family. Meals keep rolling in, laundry keeps getting picked up. I am amazed and grateful-- more than I can say. All the food has been great, but the dessert tonight deserved a picture:




It's a cheeseburger cake, made by Xander's primary teacher. So cute, so yummy.

Oh, and then there was the pretty fruit bouguet from my girlfriends:



Once again, feeling so so grateful.



I know this is late (I'm behind on posts) but I wanted to journal Jessica and Graci's birthdays. Graci turned 13 (yes, we have a teenager!) on August 4, and Jessica turned 8 on August 6. Graci had breakfast in bed, went shopping with me, and had Kent and Terri (her Make-a-Wish granters) come over for a barbeque that night. Just before we were going to start, there was a knock on the door with a surprise visit (and presents) from Grandma and Grandpa. I didn't even know they were coming! It was such a fun night.








We thought Dad needed Graci's hair extensions more than she did. (:





Since the girls have such close birthdays, we had a combined party on the 5th. We decorated in pink and purple, had the girls wear pajamas, played "pucker up for the prince," had a princess pinata (which malfunctioned), made paper bouquets, had pedicures, ate popsicles and popcorn, would have eaten pumpkin pie if it hadn't turned out so badly (forgot the salt), and watched "Princess and the Frog" on a giant projector. You're getting the theme, right?? It was perfect. Jesi has a favorite babysitter that she always asks to her parties-- her name is Kylie. This year, Kylie AND her parents came (her dad let us borrow their big projector screen) and I was so grateful for their help.
































Jesi loved her breakfast in bed, and was especially happy to have her cousins there to enjoy her day with her!! Alissa, Charity, and Mariah got to spend a few days with us. We LOVE LOVE LOVE them and just wish they could have stayed longer.








I'm so blessed to have these two sweet girls in my life! They bring us so much joy, and I love every single thing about them. Love you, Grace and Jes!!!


And now, off to get the big kids to bed-- I let them stay up waaaayyyyy too late just because I was too tired to get up from the computer and tuck them in. (: Goodnight!