Bye, Bye Binkie

This week we said good bye to this:
We lost them all I decided I wasn't going to buy anymore. Henry is 18 months. It's time to be a big boy! He also is not talking at all so before I consider outside help, I want to see if pulling this out of his mouth changes things at all.

Now we see lots of this:

And hear lots and lots of this:

He was really attached. He is learning how to console himself in other ways now and he is slowly learning that he really can live without his plug. It's been a really rough week though!

I'm really missing this silly little boy:

This is as close to a smile as we have come in over a week.

Is it worth it?

Helpy?

KATE: Mom, can I help you?
ME: Sure! (I hand her a bag of groceries to take in the house) Wow, Kate! You are such a great helper.
KATE: I know! It's because I'm helpy and strong.
ME: Helpy and strong?
KATE: You know, in our prayers we ask Heavenly Father to make us helpy and strong?
ME(laughing a little): Your prayers are working then aren't they.
KATE: Yep!

My brain hurts....

My kids aren't the only ones who started school this week. After taking 15 years off to live my dream job of being a stay-at-home mom and supporting my husband in getting through his education and a few solid years in his career, I've decided it's now my turn. I've gone back to school!

I am currently taking 17 credits. I have Intermediate Algebra, English 101, Music Appreciation, Health and Wellness, and Fundamentals of Education and the Field Study class that goes with it. They are all online classes except the Field Study class (it's one hour on Monday and several hours a week in a classroom) so I'm still home with my kids but instead of blogging all day, I'm studying. I haven't worked my brain this hard in years and it's just the first week.

I'm not sure why I thought I could do this. I've only broken out in tears twice (each day) so far. It's just all so foreign to me. They didn't even have the internet when I was last in school. We had to go to class and stare at the white pull-down canvas at the front of the room that was covered in BoxElder bugs (I went to Utah State). The lecture was done on an overhead projector. I remember when Ken came home from school and talked about this new thing called email and the World Wide Web. It all blew my mind. I couldn't even get my mind around what he was talking about. Then we moved to BYU and bought a real computer, got hooked up to the Ethernet, and I watched over his shoulder as he did research online and made class presentations using Power Point.

Ken gave his yearly back-to-school father's blessings to the kids on Sunday. I told him I was starting school on Monday also. He just laughed at me. I'm not sure that he realized how serious I really was. I'm scared to death! I'm just asking my teachers lots and lots of questions and making lots and lots of mistakes. (I hope they are patient!) I had to turn in an English paper to confirm correct placement. I submitted it in the wrong format. I've never even heard of MLA but now I know all about it and I'll turn the next one in correctly. Ken, who is an English graduate, started to read my paper and after completely tearing apart my first two sentences, I left the room in tears and he kindly closed the paper and didn't finish reading it. (I haven't heard back yet if she thinks I'm in the right class yet so I'm still crossing my fingers.) I just keep telling myself that "I'm learning!" and it's good to "DO HARD THINGS!" I'll figure it out. I'm determined! Next week will be a better week.

For now, tomorrow is Friday and it's our county fair this weekend so I'm going to go to the rodeo, ride the carnival rides, eat lots of greasy fair food, look at all the craft entry's (my favorite), enter all the free give aways and fill my lungs with the sweet, clean air of animals, dirt, and this great community of Twin Falls, ID that I call home!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-2009 school year has begun!

The kids are all over at the Charter School this year. Hooray! Last year Alexys was in a different school and while that was a good experience for her, I'm so happy to have them all in the same school this year. Zach was determined to play sports this year so he was convinced he was going to the Jr. High. We withdrew him from Xavier Charter and registered him over at Robert Stuart J.H. and we got his schedule and met his teachers and found all his classrooms. He started cross country and he thought life was really good. I struggled with his decision but I told him that if he would pray about it and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, I would support him in whatever he decided. Registration for Xavier was next day so I left Zach home babysitting and took the other 3 over to meet their teachers. While there, several teachers talked to me about Zach. I was told that he could actually do sports in the other school and still attend Xavier. They were proposing to the school board that night to allow the remaining 7th and 8th grade students on the waiting list to be admitted in and that if I put his name on the waiting list, he would probably be able to get back in this year. I went home to visit with Zach about this new option. At first he was very against going back to Xavier. By the end of the evening, he had thought about it and decided that if he could get back in, then he would go another year. The next morning he came into my room bright and early to see if I had received a phone call yet. I hadn't but I agreed to call them as soon as someone was in the office. The proposal was approved and we headed over to move his records back. He was still a little hesitant but willing to see what happened. He met with the principal, who is actually one of his favorite people over there, and she helped him work up his schedule. Then she visited with him about his decision and gave him lots of positive reinforcement, which as a mother, I am so thankful that she cares enough to take a personal interest in him. As he walked out of the building, several of his teachers saw him and asked him if he was returning. When he said yes, their responses were cheers and hugs and lots of hoorays! One teacher even pulled him in to meet a couple of the new teachers and introduced him as a favorite who was lots of fun and a great student. Once again, I was so thankful for these adult leaders who took a personal interest in my son. Sometimes as a parent, I can only take my children so far and then I find myself looking to other adults who will step in and take their hands when I can't. Zach seems to be at this point and I can't raise him alone any more but I'm not about to turn his life over to just anybody either so I find myself praying for good church leaders and teachers and that they will recognize his needs and be those answers that he needs. My sister just posted about her children's first day of school and she talked about how no one else will care for or protect her children like she does as their mother. I'm learning that I have to turn my faith over to the Lord and allow him to work miracles in our lives. So, as we drove home that day, Zach was so happy. I asked him how he felt about everything and he said, "It's like the decision to go to Robert Stuart was a good choice but Xavier is the better choice." After we discussed how answers to our prayers often come through our feelings, we then talked about how one decision led to the next and in the end his answer is that he gets the best of both worlds, the education at Xavier and the sports at Robert Stuart. (Ken says I'm wishy-washy. I say I like to explore ALL my options.)

Alexys- 1st grade


Shaelynne-3rd grade


Justyn- 5th grade


Zachary- 7th grade

I knew it!

You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I read through the other options and this one fits me perfectly. Since I'm up in the middle of the night washing Zach's church clothes that are dirty because he had to wear them all week out at the dance and he got home late tonight and now he needs them clean for the dedication tomorrow (Is laundry at 1 a.m. on Sunday considered breaking the Sabbath?)So, I'm feeling sorry for my very sleepy self and this little test has made me feel a little better about another sleepless night. Hey, you know the saying, "If the crown fits...." (I'm really tired, I'm rambling) Okay, What about you? Which princess are you?

YCC (Youth Cultural Celebration)

Tonight our youth performed their celebration dances for the prophet in honor of the temple dedication which will take place tomorrow. Yesterday was thier first dress rehearsal and our Bishop gave Ken tickets so that the kids and I could go out and watch Zach perform. It has been hard for me to let Zach go to practice each Wednesday evening for the last 3 months knowing that I would never see this performance. I know, selfish of me! I wouldn't have had him miss this opportunity for anything, as a mother, I just really wanted to see him perform. So, when the Bishop announced in church that he had a few extra tickets I nudged Ken really hard and he obtained 8 tickets. Since my parents were in Texas this weekend for David's wedding, we took Alisa (Matt's wife) and Holly (her daughter) with us since Ken and Matt were working marine patrol that evening. I loved the whole evening. This was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I know, I don't get out much, but the idea of 4000 youth from 14 stakes all coming together to make something so beautiful, it was overwhelming for me. My Zach had a grin on his face all night long. It was awesome!

This is the chior walking over from the high school to the fair grounds. It was a solid line of youth. Justyn said it looked like Helaman's Stripling Warriors. I had to agree. It was a beautiful sight!

They transformed our county fair grounds into this beautiful stage exquiped with sod, stage, wood floor and waterfall. It looked amazing.

(This is the Paul Stake. Amy, do your kids recognize anyone?)

The next several pictures are of Zach. He is the handsome young man in the middle. I think he's the best looking one out there, but then, I'm his mother so I get to think that.

This is the final number "Carry On" (from the hymn book) and it was all the youth together. It was an awesome site. Zach is in the dark blue in the center of the picture next to the turquiose blue.

This is the choir. I couldn't get up high enough to get all the youth in one picture. I needed a helicopter but there wasn't one there so I just ran to the top of the bleachers and then wished I knew how to do that stitch thing with my camera. I don't know how so you just get to look at two pictures. You get the idea though that it was a pretty awesome site!

Zach just got home and he is flying high on adrenaline. He just got to see the prophet and he loved it. His exact words were, "This has been the best day of my entire life so far. That was so awesome." He said President Monson stood up and clapped after each performance and he said he was so proud of them that they did a great job. When it was over, Zach said they just kept waving their "Carry On" flags while the prophet stood and clapped for them. Then he got in his little golf car and drove away. I'm sure this is a day he will never, ever forget! What an amazing experience for the youth of this valley. We are so blessed to have a temple built here in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Ken got to work security tonight with SLC and escorting President Monson to and from the temple. I haven't heard from him yet tonight but he called home earlier today and asked me to iron his uniform. As I ironed his clothes to perfection, I thought about what an honor this was for Ken. He has always dreamed of doing church security and now he has gotten the chance of a lifetime. Tomorrow he will be in the temple during the dedication. I thought, "This is the ultimate. I'm ironing the uniform that will be worn when Ken sees the living prophet of God." I'm a nerd, I know, but like I said already, I don't get out much so this is pretty big stuff for this stay-at-home mom of 6 little munchkins. I didn't get to do anything up front and exciting during these last few weeks around here, but like so many other women and mothers, all the little things I did here at home made a difference in the lives of those around me and helped to build their testimony's as well as my own. This has been an amazing experience.

Update: Ken is now home and he had a wonderful evening also. He and Matt(his cousin) along with his Uncle Don and another cousin Terry (all local law enforcement officers) spent the last 5 hours providing security for the Prophet and the other General Authorities that were with him. Ken had the opportunity to shake President Monson's hand and visited with him for a few minutes. He also breifly spoke with President Eyring. Life is definately good!

Lowder Family Reunion

Last Saturday we drove out to the Grandpa's farm for the Robert Lowder family reunion.

We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon with alot of my extended family. Grandma counted up 103 people in attendance. Considering she has 8 children, 47 grandchildren and 97 great-grandchildren, I think she had a decent showing. She was really really tired when it was over though and said that this is her last year hosting it. If this reunion is to continue, someone else will have to step and be in charge. This makes me sad because I'm not sure who is strong enough to keep it going. Grandma and Grandpa are the glue. All right family, let's put our heads together and figure this one out! We went one year without this reunion and I went through Lowder cousin withdrawals. Email me your ideas. We'll make this work. I'd love to hear what everyone else's family's do for reunions and how you keep them going each year.

Now for some pictures:

This picture has Seressa(Ben's ex) and her baby, Grandma, Cali (Brian's wife), Joel and Deb and little Tanner, Jami is way back there, ME! and my Dad. The boys standing in the background is Cindy's son Alex. Aunt Janice is way back there talking to Lyle who is holding his beautiful little Lauren (she has the brightest blue eyes and the prettiest red hair. She really was very cute!)

This picture has Kaylee(Sariah's daughter) and Sariah sitting next to Lyle's wife, Linda, Aunt Janice is standing next to David, Jenny is sitting at the far table, Uncle Bob and Kimbol and Casey are all at that table also, my Ken is way in the back wearing the ball cap and Heidi is in the stripes up front. Not sure who the other little girl is and look at all the people in the sun room.

These are our gourmet chef's, Uncle Dennis and Monte, and Heidi's husband Todd has his back to the camera.

This is Kurt and his fiance Leandra and their son Jaydin, Aunt Cindy and her husband Loren.

And this is the returning deadly bounce house. My Alexys is in the pink and my Shaelynne is in the blue. I think that more little kids fell out of this thing hurt and in tears and my kids said that the conversations that went on inside were a little rough also. I'm not sure I vote for this toy to return.

And that's it! I'm so bummed. I did not have my camera so these are shots from my mom's camera and I have no idea who was even taking them. There were so many more people there. Janice, I know you had a camera. I'm wanting to see what you got. Please post them or send me some.

Now for some family business:

For the first and only time this year, Aunt Janice is filling her pool up and rumor has it that she is planning to party hard on her water slide the next two weekends. The more the merrier! Talk to her or Jami for more details.

AND in January, Brian's wife Cali is having Great-Grand baby #100!!!!! So we are planning to do something super fun to honor that milestone! I will be putting that together so if you have any ideas on that one, let me know also!

(How did this post turn into a family email? Oops!)

Funny, funny Justyn

I just have to write these down or I will forget them.


Justyn: I can't wait for the first day of school.
Me: Why?
Justyn: Because then I am finally one day closer to the last day of school.



On Monday, before David's wedding:
Justyn: Mom, Grandma is so weird. She won't let David and Kimberly sleep together.
Me: That's a good thing. They aren't married yet.
Justyn: What does that have to do with sleeping?
Me: Are you serious?



Justyn: Mom, David told me that he has never kissed a girl before Kimberly. He said he never even had a girlfriend until after his mission.
Me: Really? Cool!
Justyn: I think that's kind of strange. He said that he set a goal a long time ago to serve a mission and the only thing he could think of that would keep him from going was girls so he set a goal to never have a girlfriend until after his mission. That way he would be sure to be worthy to go.
Me: Wow! Very good idea. What do you think of that goal?
Justyn: I think he's crazy! He's a guy! Guys like girls!
Me: All the better reason to set that as a goal. Then you'll be sure to be worthy when you turn 19 to serve a mission.
Justyn: I don't know about that. I told him I would have to think about it and see what I thought about girls when I got a little older. I'm still way too young to commit to making that kind of a sacrifice. I may really like girls when I get bigger. After all, I am a guy!
Me: Yes, yes. Well good luck on that one.
(thinking to myself: what in the heck??? wow! what am I in for? it should be lots of fun. I hope I survive!!)



Justyn: Mom, I had a strange dream last night.
Me: Oh yeah?
Justyn: Yea, I dreamed that you told Nick, Jacob and Kayla that they couldn't play with Sara.
Me: Really? Who are all those kids
Justyn: I don't know. I was just thinking I was glad that my name wasn't mentioned. I thought you were a little strange though. Do you know any of those kids?
Me: Hello! It was your dream, not mine.
Justyn: But you were the one not making any sense.

Kathryn is 4!

Tuesday was a busy day. Besides David's wedding, it was also Kathryn's 4th birthday. My sister Melanie did the wedding luncheon so for the dessert and Kate's birthday, she had purple and yellow cupcakes as the centerpieces. It worked out well because even though purple and yellow were the wedding colors, Kate's favorite color is purple so she thought all the purple ones were for her and the yellow one's were for the wedding. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to her and she didn't like that much attention so while she liked it, she wasn't sure how to handle it. We didn't do her presents until after the reception was over and all cleaned up. It was pretty late. She was so happy though. She kept saying to me all the next day, "That was my favorite day ever!" An entire day filled with lots of family, food and fun....Life to a 4 year old really doesn't get much better than that!

4 fun facts about Kate:

1. She is a big tease! Her favorite person to tease is her Daddy and because she is his little princess, she is the only one who can get away with it.

2. She loves being a girl. She likes to wear pretty shoes and clothes and wear fingernail polish and make up and play dolls. She dreams of growing up to have big boobs and a boy to love her.

3. She loves having two big sisters. She calls them the "girly girls" and she goes everywhere and does everything with them. They are honestly her best friends.

4. She is a princess in-training. She loves to dance and sing and watch princess movies. She is not going to pre-school but pretty-school. Someday she is not going to kindergarten but pretty-garten. She makes us laugh.

Happy Birthday to my Kitty Kat! Thank you for always making me smile. I love you, baby girl!