So Much Excitement!!!

Ok, so there is something seriously wrong with my computer and I'm having trouble posting, but it looks like I've at least found a workaround for now. So on to the exciting news. Yesterday, after much hard work, Kellie made cheerleader for next year. She was the first one picked up by the 9th grade cheerleaders and so I missed that part, I'm so sad about that. I had to pick up Jacob, Mailaya and Mckenna from grandmas (which is about 2 min. from our house). Anyway, I went to the local restaurant and got pics of the girls. This gorgeous downs syndrome girl tried out and is an honorary cheerleader. She was so cute at the mock tryouts and even remembered her personal cheer. I'll see if I can post a pic later. Kellie really wants to be cheer captain or co-captain so we'll see what happens with that. She'd make a good captain.

Next, Brent has lost almost 10lbs from doing the P90X. He also is getting a little flexibility in his feet and ankles AND he even jumped. Okay, so I wouldn't actually call it jumping, but his feet almost left the floor, LOL! Anything that can help his pain and flexibility is awesome. I have also lost a little weight, 2 lbs. Even better, I'm gaining muscle.

P90X

Anyone ever heard of this? If you haven't, it's a 90 day workout program designed to kick your butt! Well, Brent and I are on day 2 and I'm feeling it. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm hoping to lose about 15-20 lbs before June. I've got my 20 year reunion and I want to look decent.

Penny Boat Fun

Our family is trying to do a family activity each week to get closer and have fun together. We planned an activity. The planning goes like this: everyone throws out a bunch of ideas for the activity and we vote on it. Connor wanted to make penny boats. His won because we had votes for 3 activites (all had two votes) and Mckenna had the deciding vote. I think she liked the sound of money being involved. The kids whose ideas did not win were not too happy about the activity and one complained all day that it would be boring. What are penny boats? Well, everyone gets the same size and shape of tin foil and designs their own boat. The boat goes in water and the one that holds the most pennies before sinking wins. Guess who won? If you guessed the child that complained, you are right. Jacob won with over 20 pennies. Kellie felt he cheated because she was winning and then Jacob changed his boat design and beat her, LOL! Brent decided to spice things up by having tin foil boat races. He had two boats in a cookie sheet of water. Kellie and Connor were on opposite sides of the pan and were supposed to blow the boats to the opposite side, the winner being the one who got the boat there the fastest. Anyone ever heard of this one before? Well, the kids were in position and Brent slapped the water and sprayed the two of them pretty good. That started a mini water fight in the house.

Stake Conference

I really love Stake Conference. The themes are personal to me and those I go to church with and associate with. Our theme for the year is based on family. Our family has really been working on strengthening ours in many ways. Listening to the speakers at Stake Conference made me want to work harder and with more urgency on that goal. I had recently been feeling overwhelmed and a little tied to home. Homeschooling kids is difficult in that regard. It feels sometimes that I can never get time for myself or adult conversation. I then remembered why I am homeschooling and realized that during this time of my life I SHOULD be tied to home and my kids. My kids are growing very quickly and it won't be too long until they are not here anymore. The messages shared brought back to focus my purpose as a mom. Oh, and we had to be good and listen because our family was part of a "family" choir and we were sitting on the stand. The conference was broadcast to all the ward buildings in our stake. Poor Brent had the camera right on him the whole time. I do need to set some time aside for myself to rejuvinate and do the things that fulfill some of my needs and also time to keep my marriage happy. It was a good weekend!

Guess Who's Three?

Or firteen or sixteen or fourteen (she can't make up her mind). If you guessed Mckenna, you're right. My sweet little princess is three today. Mckenna is our joy. She always has a smile that lights up the room. Her eyes twinkle when she's happy, which is most always. We found, early on, that she looks very similar to her grandma Pat. Grandma died several years ago and it seems that Mckenna and grandma must have been very close. Mckenna and grandma have the same smile and contagious joy! I love you Kennaboo

Valentines

Last night we had such a fun FHE. We made valentines for each other. It was so cute to watch each child spend so much time and make each valentine individual for their brothers and sisters. Connor did a cool drawing and sort of poem for each person. Connor surprised me the most because he used to hate writing. Since homeschooling, he is actually writing stories and things on his own. Even Mckenna got into it. She was gluing, cutting and drawing circles on her cards. I love seeing my kids using their creativity in such a loving way.

Can You Feel the Love?

It's February! The "love" month. What do I love most? My family. I love that Mckenna heard Brent pull up in the driveway and ran to the door, "daddy's home, daddy's home!!!" When he walked in she excitedly told him that she was drinking hot cocoa. I love that Jacob had 6 days of good behaviour. I love that Connor still loves to cuddle. I appreciate that Kellie leaves notes on the mirror for everyone to read and know she cares. I enjoy Mailaya telling me that she needs a hug. I love watching everyone want to make every waking moment of Karlyn's a happy one. I love that my dh is getting pizza tonight because he knows I don't feel well. I LOVE my FAMILY!