first birthday flamingle

Last year, the wait for our baby girl to arrive was overwhelming. I'd been hoping for a girl, honestly, with every baby since miss E arrived. I have 6 sisters, and always imagined I'd have a house full of girls, but it's been boys, boys, boys. So, finally, I was getting another girl, and I just wanted her here. I mean, I had a timeline, of sorts, because I'm weird and want things to be orderly and patterns and I'm weird. And then she didn't come, was too cozy, each day that passed felt like it was taking forever, each night as I climbed into bed I hoped it would be the night, and each morning I'd wake after a full night of sleep and little miss wiggling around inside and feeling like she'd never come. But she finally did, with some coercion, but she came. Nearly two weeks late, but she came! All that waiting was finally rewarded with a sweet, tiny, perfect girl.

And then I blinked.

Now she's a year old.

And walking like a pro.

She is beautiful and bright, a little ray of sunshine, and a bit of a sassy-pants too, if I'm honest.

I knew the day was coming, but I still kind of let it sneak up on me. Thankfully, not so much so that I couldn't pull together a super cute, flamingo-themed first birthday party.

Number one in my vision was a matching headband and cake topper from one of my absolute favorite bow shops, Fancy Free Finery.

I especially loved how quickly they arrived, especially being a custom order, and as soon as I opened the box I died. They were exactly as I had envisioned, completely perfect. I felt like, no matter how anything else turned out, I would be happy with how the party turned out. Dorky, maybe, also totally true.

(PS - Not sponsored, I just seriously love this shop.)

The only other thing that I was super set on was making a birthday tu-tu for my girl, just like I had for E's first birthday. Of course, procrastination meant I was up until 4:30 am on her birthday making it and was a glitter monster by the end, since I'd gotten glittery tulle, but I got it done!

From there, everything else just came together. Along with sitting up and making a tu-tu, I blew up some balloons and hung them around the living room. Then there were birthday pancakes, once I was awake. A number 1, and a baby flamingo, naturally.

The rest of the day was spent somewhat frantically, as I tried to get a cake and a bunch of cupcakes baked and decorated, as well as ensuring that the house was in shape for guests. It would not have been possible without the help of Boss and one of my wonderful sisters. Not to forget the contribution of food in the form of pizza from another awesome sister. (You guys, sisters are the best. ...I need to have more girls!!)

Most everything was ready by the time our guests started arriving, so I was able to chill out a bit and enjoy the company. And every time I walked in the kitchen, I couldn't help admiring how perfect the cake looked with that beautiful cake topper. Like, I just cannot believe my baby is a year old, how could this happen? But everything turned out so perfectly, so it was hard to feel upset. Haha..

My aunt even got her (us? haha) a pair of flamingo moccasins from Freshly Picked! And grandma Rosie made her a super cozy flamingo blanket. And we were surrounded by family and friends, not everyone, unfortunately, but like I said in my last post, after 6 years away, it just feels magical.

But seriously, why/how/why, why, why is my baby girl already one?!

Hurricane Harvey – How can I help?

source.

Even people like me (the kind that generally live under a rock 😉;)) have heard about Hurricane Harvey and the devastation in Texas. And I know I'm not the only one who feels a desire to do something to help. There are articles all over the web sharing ideas of how to help, whether by donating time, money, or supplies, there are so many things we can do! 

A friend from church mentioned that she is helping to gather items for a truck that is heading to Texas. She listed all of the items they're hoping to collect - things like diapers and wipes, as well as canned food items, etc. Things one might easily have on hand in their pantry, closets, or otherwise lying around. And this isn't the first collection I've heard about, there are many others doing the same thing. 

But what do you do if you feel like you have nothing to offer, or like what you might be able to scrape together is so small, you wonder if it's worth the effort at all. That is generally my thought process in situations like this. I spend way too much energy beating myself up because I think there's nothing I could possibly do, nothing that would make a difference. It's a sad state of mind, and one I'd like to be free from. 

As soon as I read my friend's post on Facebook, I thought of a pack of size 1 diapers that we never used, a pack I'd been meaning to take to Walmart to exchange for a bigger size, but hadn't gotten around to doing yet. One little pack of diapers. I think it said it had like 48 in the package. That's nothing. That's not even a drop in the bucket. But that's the thing, I don't have much to give, by any means, but when each of us puts in even the tiniest bit, we don't just fill a bucket, we can make a bucket overflow. (I really don't know why I'm using a bucket analogy, but I hope it's making sense.) 

There wasn't much notice, she mentioned it on Facebook last night, and she needs everything by 8 am tomorrow morning to be loaded on the truck at 9. I forgot to take the diapers with me to church to give to her and wasn't sure if I'd be able to drop them off before she had to take everything in the morning. I almost decided to let it go. I almost decided to keep silent. Because was it really a big deal whether that pack of diapers made it on that truck or not? Maybe not. But maybe that little pack of diapers will be a huge blessing to a mom in Texas. So I sent a message, and my friend was able to swing by and pick them up from me. 

Was my offering small? Uh, yes. Tiny. But I did something. Even though I didn't think I had anything to give, I found something. And that is what is making the difference. All of us coming together with our offerings, both big and small, that add and multiply together into an abundance that no single person could produce on their own. It's amazing. 

Every little bit helps.
Photo from my friend.

So, what can you do to help? Can you spare a few dollars, or even one? Donate it! Have a friend who knows about a truck collecting supplies to take to Texas? Look through your pantry, what could you share? Do you have an unopened package of formula? I know that stuff is expensive, but think how priceless that would be to a mom who is wondering how she is going to feed her baby. Heck, send a can of peaches! It doesn't have to be some huge, elaborate gesture. If we all work together, the donations will add up. No offering is too small. 

Lane Curtis, 3, who's father is a Dallas Police officer, pushes a cart around
inside the Hurricane Harvey donation center
at the Dallas Police Association in Dallas Wednesday, August 30, 2017.
(Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer)
source.

For more ideas, check out these articles:

Helping after Hurricane Harvey

7 Ways You Can Help With Hurricane Harvey Relief

Here's how you can help the victims of Hurricane Harvey

a favorite photo

Share a favorite photo of yourself and why...

I've been thinking all day about what picture I should share for this one. I went through all of the images on my computer from the last year, and there were some good ones, but none that I would say are my favorite. I started thinking of one specific shot, of me and baby E, sitting on my parents porch swing in 2009. I thought of that one because I loved my hair when it was taken. Short with some blonde -- oh, man, I want to have my hair done like that again... I looked through my folders several times, but I couldn't find it. But there were a couple of pictures that caught my eye as I was looking, and I finally decided on one. I chose it because (again) my hair looks awesome, but also my make up, and it was back when I had my red framed glasses that I loved. Never mind that it was taken in the car -- Boss and I went to a wedding reception that night -- and never mind that I'm not smiling. I still think it is a very flattering picture.

But, just as I was preparing to upload that picture onto a post, it struck me. I totally have a favorite picture of myself, and I know exactly where to find it! It's the picture on my school i.d. from my senior year.

As soon as I saw the picture, I knew it would be a long time favorite. I remember the moment it was taken. I was sitting on the stool in front of the camera in my high school's cafeteria. Mom was standing to the side of the photographer and was pleading with me to smile so she could see my teeth, but I didn't want to. I think one of my friends came up about then, and joined my mom in her pleading, only my friend was being more silly than serious. I was trying to hard not to laugh, and rolled my eyes, which is when the picture was taken. Every time I would look at my i.d. I would smile. And even after I had my senior picture re-taken (the i.d. picture and yearbook picture were separate, I never would've done re-takes if this had been the shot going into the yearbook!) and was issued a new i.d., I kept using this one. Aren't I cute?

missing

Catching up, this was Sunday's challenge: what do you miss?

I miss the last house we lived in before moving to Colorado. I miss the wide open living room and kitchen, I miss the yard and how well our landlord kept it looking.I miss the great big tree in the front yard, even though it made us a bit nervous any time it got very stormy. I miss the great big peony bushes that our next-door neighbor kept along the border of our two yards.

I miss walking around that neighborhood, and the veiw of the mountains from our street. I miss how quiet and peaceful that neighborhood was.
I miss my family. I miss being able to hang out with my sisters. I miss living within walking distance to my moms (We're going back about 6 years there.) I miss the neighborhood I grew up in, even though I didn't appreciate it as much at the time – always wishing for something better when I already had something pretty great. I miss the building I grew up going to church in, I miss the stain glass window at the back of the chapel.

I miss my high school art class, I miss having access to so many materials and time where I could just listen to music and make beautiful messes.

I miss California, and hope to go back for a visit soon.

I miss all of those things, and sometimes that feeling of missing hurts. But all I have to do is look around myself now, at my messy living room and giggling children, at my less-than-ideal neighborhood and the great view of the sunset that I get from my front porch... As I look around at each imperfectly perfect part of my life right now, I'm able to forget the pain of missing a little bit. And I know that, even with the imperfections of this time in my life, in a year or two down the road, when things have changed as they do with time, I will find that I miss this. And that is why I take a million + 1 pictures every day.

happy things

Even though I keep missing days, I don't want to give up on this bedim challenge. Obviously, I've failed the "everyday" part, but I really love the prompts. And, yes, seeing a larger number of page visits feels nice, too. So, I'm going to keep trying, and play some catch up. For starters, here's the post that should have gone up yesterday. Here are 10 things, from the past couple of days, that make me so very happy:

spring and advice

Thick grey clouds have colored the sky for most of the day. It's the sort of day that would normally leave me feeling a bit gloomy, but not today. Because when those great grey clouds released their moisture it was in the form of rain, not snow! Oh, glorious day! Not only that, but I'm finally seeing some sure signs of spring. The most cheerful being the forsythia bush around the corner, the one I told you about, with the blossoms that had shriveled up. It has sprung back to life, and little yellow blossoms are popping open all over it:

And this:Yay! Spring!

Today's prompt is a piece of advice you have for others. At first I was thinking that I could share some tips on what has worked for me as a mother. But I decided against that, because something better popped into my head.

Do what works best for you. I could go on and on about the things that have worked for me, as a mother, but also in other areas of life. Preparing speeches, writing papers, appreciating nature, blah, blah, blah. All that I could say isn't really any good. Just because something works for me, doesn't mean it will work for you. Just because something comes easily to me, doesn't mean it will to you. So, follow your heart, figure out what works for you and do it, and don't let anybody make you feel guilty or stupid, because they only know what works for them (and their children). Only you can know what is best for you (and your children).

Also: smile more.

facing my fears

Today's prompt is "the thing(s) you're most afraid of". I would like to say "Oh, I'm not afraid of anything." But the truth is, just like there are many things that make me uncomfortable, there are many things that I am afraid of.

My fears have such a wide range. I'm afraid of tornadoes and earthquakes. I'm afraid of spiders, even though I think it's silly to be afraid of something so much smaller than me, they make me jump and give me the willies. I'm afraid of embarrassment. I've got the fear that my phone is going to call somebody while in my pocket or bag, and that the person on the other line will hear me doing something which I would be embarrassed to do in front of others, like singing or losing my temper. I'm scared of dying young and not being around to raise my children. I'm afraid of being forgotten. I'm afraid of losing a child in a crowded place, of having a child kidnapped, or being seriously injured or ill. I'm afraid of teaching (which I've been asked to do again). I'm afraid of not being liked. I'm afraid of being judged by others.

Some of my fears make sense to me, others seem ridiculous and I wonder why I'm afraid of that thing at all. But my fears have a pretty tight hold on me, and try as I might, I can't shake them. I can pretend they aren't there, but they are.

I think one of the things that scares me the most, though, is having sons. In part because boys are so unfamiliar to me. I have seven siblings and only one brother. Girls are familiar, boys are foreign.

Having girls is pretty scary, too. With the way that the world looks at women, I worry about how I'll teach my daughter(s) that they are of divine worth, I worry about how to help them understand that they are amazing and beautiful, just as they are, despite what the world would have them believe. I worry about that, especially, because I have a tendency to forget my own worth. I don't want my girls to struggle with their self-esteem and self-worth like I have and do. But even with those worries, having daughters doesn't strike fear to my very core the way having sons does.

I feel like there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of mothers of sons. Women are bombarded by fake ideals in the media of what we should look like and be, but those images and ideals are also seen by our sons. We live in a hyper-sexualized world, and I don't know how to protect my boys from that, short of locking them in a cupboard, which I obviously cannot do.

I think of a story from the Book of Mormon, of a man called Helaman and his 2,000 stripling warriors. Young men who's fathers had sworn an oath not go to battle, because they didn't want to take the life of another, even in the defense of their own lives (Alma 23:7, Alma 24:6). But these young men hadn't made this promise, so they volunteered to defend their people. These boys had incredible faith, but the part that sticks out to me the very most is this:

"For as I had ever called them my sons... even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go...

"Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

"And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

Alma 56:46-48

I want to be like the mothers that these boys had. I want to be able to teach my boys in a way that they will know for themselves what is right and what is wrong, that they will do good, and that they will know because I know. And I'm scared that I won't be able to be that for them. I read the post of another blogger participating in this BEDiM challenge, and at the end of her post she shared a quote by President Thomas S. Monson, he said:

"The future is as bright as your faith"

That along with the second quote I shared the other day, help remind me not to let my fear take over. Which is so hard sometimes. But things really will work out in the end. I know they will.

So, yes, I am afraid of a great many things, but I don't want those fears to rule my life. Which is why I'm telling you about them. I am facing my fears, owning up to them, and kicking them to the curb.

But spiders will forever give me the willies.

this is what I do.

Whoops, I missed a day. I actually didn't turn the computer on once yesterday. From church, to tidying up, to having a guest over for dinner, evening strolls and some tasty treats, there just wasn't a minute to sit down and try to create a post. By the time the children were in bed and our visitor was gone I was ready for sleep. I sat down at my desk for a moment, though. I was seriously considering trying to post. But my eyes were so heavy. I turned to Mr. Boss and asked, “Sleep is more important, isn't it?” He told me that it is, so I stepped away from the computer and got ready for bed instead. Good thing, too. I'm pretty sure I was asleep before my head hit the pillow, and I slept solidly all night.

So, I'll just skip yesterday's prompt, and move right on to today's. “If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?”

Sometimes I'll look back at my day and think, “Gosh, I didn't do much of anything, did I?” But the truth of the matter is that, even on the days when it doesn't seem like I did much, I still did quite a bit.

The question is what do I do? Without the easy answers of “wife”, “mother”, “homemaker”, “woman”, on any given day, this is what I do:

I do dishes and make breakfast. I change diapers and dress little bodies. I cuddle and feed my littlest buddy. I read my scriptures. I watch something with the children. I sit with C and with E and listen to them sounding out words, I cheer them on when they get it right, and I help and prompt when they struggle. I gently kick Z's little bum every time he pulls down the baby gate and runs into the kitchen in search of a little snack. (That happens a lot.) I put the baby down for a nap (if he lets me). I make lunches, I scoop macaroni or pasta into three little bowls (plus my own), or make three sandwiches and a pack of ramen for myself.

I break up fights and attempt to mediate arguments. I text my husband throughout the day. I give hugs and kisses. I smile and sometimes I shout. I investigate silence. I rescue one child or another from dangers and entrapments. I clean more dishes. I put clothes in the wash, and fold the laundry once it's dry. I clip nails and give baths. I reorganize furniture. I open windows and to let in the light. I enlist help in putting toys and clothes away. I take photographs of my little ones, and will them to stay tiny, like an image – but they don't listen. I anticipate 4 pm. I give kisses and details of the day to Boss as he walks in the door. I hand off the baby and let my arms rest a moment. I send him off again, a bitter-sweet goodbye. I whip up simple dinners. I send children to put on jammies, and help the ones who can't yet do for themselves. I gather my babies and read scriptures and pray with them. I tell stories, give hugs and kisses, tuck blankets around little bodies, and turn out the light. I breathe a sigh of relief. I spend some time cuddling and nursing my baby, willing him into dreamland. I place him, gently, in his bed. I breathe another sigh of relief.

I read. I write. I knit scarves, and attempt blankets. I doodle and draw. I browse pinterest and facebook. I read blogs and sometimes write on my own. I bake and enjoy treats. I watch a movie by myself. I wait and wonder what time Mr. Boss will be home from work. I leap to the sound of the baby's cries. I attempt to keep a tidy home, but usually fail miserably. I put together the program and bulletin for church every week. I make sure bills are paid on time. Sometimes I create, sometimes I mend. I listen to music and sometimes I dance. I cuddle sick babies, take tempuratures, I comfort. I kiss bumps and bruises. I clean wounds and apply band-aids. I wipe away tears and banish monsters.

I notice beauty in the world outside my door, I capture it with my camera, I share it with my children, I try to enjoy it. I play with my children, have conversations on phones made of duplos by pudgy hands. I chase, tackle, and tickle. I laugh. I tease. I love. I encourage and uplift. I enjoy my children, I marvel at them. I listen to my children, I love the jibberish and mumblings and sounds made by little S. I cut hair. I sort through clothing, put away what is too small, send away that which is of no use. I create life, I grow babies, I give birth in my home. I hold little hands and I lead. I wear wraps to keep my tiniest baby close to me. I run errands, get groceries, visit libraries. I miss far away family. I take children on walks and to parks. I teach my children about Jesus, that they are children of God. I try to set a good example and I worry that I fail more than I succeed. I dream and I wish and I wonder about what the future has in store for my children, and for me. I day-dream. Sometimes I lose my temper. I try and try and try. I rest. I pray.

quoting

Today I am sharing a "favorite quote and why [I] love it." I'm actually going to share two.

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

Henry David Thoreau

I saw this one every day of my freshman year of high school. My English teacher had it put up in her classroom. From the first time I read it, it spoke to me, and has stuck with me. At first I think it merely inspired me, or put a desire within me, to be one who heard a different drummer. I wanted to be different.

Later, as I began to really search out who I was, it encouraged me to not be afraid to be myself, even if it was unusual.

It also reminds me to be careful about judging others. Reminds me that, perhaps, they just hear a different beat than I do. Doesn't make them right or wrong, just... different.

*****

"Don't give up. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead... You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."

Jeffrey R. Holland

read the talk or just watch the video

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I recently taught a class at church. As I was preparing my lesson, this quote came to my mind. It fit in well with my lesson, but it's also just plain good. Because life is the sort of thing that can really get you down. Big or small, we all have problems at one time or another. This quote reminds me to keep my chin up. It gives me hope. Even when it seems like everything is going wrong, and the light at the end of the tunnel is so far and so small that it can't yet be seen, there is hope. It will be all right in the end. I will be okay. I just love that.

how to cut your own hair

I've been thinking all day about today's topic, "educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at." I was having a hard time coming up with anything, so I was just going to skip it. But a thought finally came to me, and I know just what it is I'd like to share.

I wasn't really specific, when I posted about my recent hair cut, but I actually did that myself. And now I will share with you some tips on cutting your own hair.

First, consider what you want your hair to look like when you're done. Are you planning on cutting off just a few inches, or are you going for a more drastic cut? Have an idea of what you want, or you will probably end up disappointed.

Are you ready? Then you'll need to pick your location. I chose the bathroom. The important thing to consider when picking your location is mirrors. If you're lucky, your bathroom has the three-way fold-out mirror. (That helps you to see the back of your head as you're working on it.) If you're like me, then you'll be dealing with a flat, wall mounted mirror, and a hand-held mirror. Not the easiest thing to work with, but it is possible.

Next, gather your supplies. Scissors, squirt bottle, comb. Also, consider bringing the broom in with you before you start, so that you don't have to walk through the house with loose hair falling off of you to get it afterward.

Now that you have everything you need, let's get started. If your hair is half way down your back, and you just want to cut off a couple of inches, then this will be pretty simple. Grab a section, twirl it, and begin snipping away. Your main goal is to create some slight layering at the ends, while keeping an even length over all. Use your hand mirror to check the back. If it's all even, then you're done! If there is a spot that is a bit shorter than the rest, don't worry. Try to match up your other sections of hair to the shorter area, to get an even look all around.

If you do it the way I did, you'll find that you keep having one section that's just a little bit shorter. Each time you try to get the rest of your hair to match up, you'll manage to get one section just a little bit shorter than the rest. At this point you have two options.

1. Set the scissors down, and go pay someone to finish the job properly.

2. Keep trying for a uniform look.

Option 1 is best for those who really don't want to end up with their hair too short. Option 2 is for someone, like me, who wouldn't mind if their hair wound up being super short.

So, you're going to keep going, huh? Then this is where it get's tricky. Unless you have, like I mentioned before, the 3-way mirror that allows you to see the front and back at the same time.

Before now we've been working with dry hair, but once you decide to go for a shorter cut, you'll need to get your hair wet. It allows for a bit more control. Using your hand mirror, check the back of your head and pick an area that you want to work on specifically. Set your mirror down, grab your scissors, and blindly feel around for the area you were just examining. Cautiously grab bits of hair and snip away. Periodically grab your mirror to check your progress. Cleaning up the hair at the back of your head is the most difficult part, just keep checking with your mirror, to make sure you haven't given yourself a nasty bald spot.

Once the back is done the way you want, you can work on the front and sides. This is much easier, since you can see what you're doing in the mirror at all times. Remember, you always want to keep the top and sides longer than the back. We're not going for a mullet, here.

When you're finished, use your mirror to check your head from every angle, making sure things look nice and even. Touch up as needed.

If you feel like you've just made a mess on your head, you have two new options.

1. Tie a scarf around your head so you can go out in public, head over to the salon, and ask them to fix your work. Preferably without laughing at you.

2. Grab some electric clippers and give yourself a clean slate. It's hair, it'll grow back.

Or, you could save yourself all of this trouble by going to a salon in the first place.

250 words.

I've just finished getting all of the babies to bed, (little S takes a bit longer to go down,) and Boss is at work, so I am going to do a little something I learned about just today. There is a gal who is hosting a "blog everyday in May" challenge. Now, I know I did this same sort of thing back in February, but this is a little bit different. Mostly just because there are 31 days in May. And also, because she has created some "prompts" to help inspire these daily posts. And I really liked the idea behind today's prompt, to write "the story of your life in 250 words or less". I'm not sure if I want to take the on challenge of daily blogging again, but I'll start here and see where it takes me.

I was born in Utah 26 years, 3 weeks, and 2 days ago. Third child of eight -- one of seven girls. We lived in the same house until I was 13, then moved to another within the same neighborhood. In school I loved english, writing, and art. Had my hair cut short just before junior year, and kept it short from then on. Started working at the chocolate store around the corner near the end of high school. Which is where I met a boy with long, curly hair, shredded jeans, and a leather jacket. After graduation I visited family in Costa Rica. Returned to the chocolate store when I got home. Began dating the aforementioned boy, who had since cut his hair. Fell in love quickly. Got secretly engaged two weeks before I turned 19. Got married five months after that. Shortly after we were married we moved into my childhood home. We started our family right away, C was born 3 months after I turned 20. Moved when he was 6 months old, and then again 8 months after that. E was born 15 months and 10 days after her big brother. Moved again, just before E turned one. Z was born at home about 9 months later. We loved that home and neighborhood, but life happens. Boss decided to go to school which moved us again, this time out of state. Colorado has been our home for nearly 2 years, and is the birth place of baby number 4, also born at home. It's far from perfect, but it's a good life.

And that is my life story in 250 words.

the end of the month.

It feels like it was a hundred years ago, or maybe it was just last April, that Kara tagged me to do a blog questionnaire. I was outrageously flattered that she tagged me, which maybe sounds ridiculous, maybe not. Anyway, I tried to play it cool, saying I'd get to it "eventually" when really I had every intention of filling the thing out right away. Except that I didn't. I filed it away in my mind as something to do when I had no idea what to blog about. But even when I had nothing to write, I still failed to use that questionnaire...thing. Well, I'm going to do it now.

Eleven things about me:

1.

In my high school art class I pretty much did whatever I wanted. I mean, I did the assignments, but in between those projects I would just do my own thing. I loved having access to so many supplies. It was a happy time. I remember one day I found a board, I like the size that it had been cut to, so I decided to paint it. It was some messy, colorful, abstract type painting, and to this day, I think it is my favorite piece. But I get a little knot in my stomach when I remember my art teacher getting after me, because apparently that board had been cut specifically for someone else. (How was I supposed to know, it wasn't labeled, which it should have been.) I'm also sad to say that it is currently sitting in my sister's basement. Every time we've gone to visit, I forget to bring it home with me until it's too late. I miss my painting.

2. I celebrated my 8th birthday in Costa Rica. We were living there at the time, we stayed for about 10 months, my siblings and I even attended school. 10 years later I took my little sister (then 8) for her first time. We stayed for about 3 months.

3. I'm the 3rd child of 8. (And there's only one boy in that group.) The oldest and youngest are 20 years apart.

4. 2 of my babies were born at a hospital (one with medication), and 2 were born at home. I love home birthing and would prefer never to do so in a hospital again.

5. I had never been to Colorado until the day my little family moved. It is a very strange experience to pack your bags and drive to your new home that you've never seen in a place you've never been. I thought to myself a few times "what if this place doesn't even exist?"

6. I've never been pulled over (I know it is bound to happen someday...) But I have had a couple of accidents and I realized the other day that each of my little accidents has involved a Subaru. I love Subarus, I have no idea why I keep hurting them...

7. This boy of mine is ridiculously cute. (All of my babies are, but he's currently the one who I take the most pictures of....)

8. Speaking of boys, I don't think I've mentioned that having sons scares the crap out of me. I have 6 sisters. Girls are familiar to me. Boys are foreign territory and the fact that I have 3 terrifies me. Boss is sure that E will be our only girl, and I freak out a little bit every time he suggests this. (Because I want 10 children, and to have 9 boys would be insane.)

9. I can name all of my teachers from pre-school to the 6th grade. There were two male teachers at my elementary, but all of my teachers were women. (pre-k: Hobbs & Winder, k & 1st: Dixon, 2nd: Westphal, 3rd: Miller, 4th: Singleton / Hadden & Kelly-Buxton (I was moved to a new class part-way through the school year), 5th & 6th: Cummings)

10. I haven't had a hair cut in 2.5 years, but I used to cut my own hair. I loved having it short. I loved doing the cutting myself and would do so frequently. It was a huge stress reliever to me on more than one occasion, the most memorable of which was December 25, 2005 -- the night that Boss kissed me for the first time. That was a weird night...

11. When I was in high school I taught myself how to play they hymn I Stand All Amazed on the piano. I would practice it every morning on one of the pianos at the seminary building at school. After weeks of practicing came the moment of truth, when I played it in front of my seminary class. There are a few hymns that I consider my favorite, but this one is my #1. This kid plays it so much better than I ever could, and then some. Enjoy.

photo challenge day 28:
the braid!

Now that I've posted every day this month, I think I am going to take a little break from blogging. From social media entirely, actually. Just for a week. See you later!

today.

We had our taxes done today. We left the older 3 babies with a sitter, but my boyfriend tagged along. We're inseparable. At one point, our tax professional looked over at baby S, who was smiling widely, with a mixture of drool and spit up spilling from his lips. Well, those little chunks of white confused the heck out of this woman, and she exclaimed "Oh, wow! He has a tooth?!" I was thinking, What? No way. Maybe it's because of the spit up. But, oh! I have to check! Then, I stuck my finger in my baby boy's mouth, using my fingernail to rub his gums. And I swear, I felt one. I was a little frustrated at this point, because I just didn't want to believe that, for the second time, a child of mine had sprouted a tooth without my noticing.

After we finished, we got in the car, and before strapping my boy into his seat, I took a second look at his gums. No tooth. No teeth. Then Boss and I had a good laugh, because some lady thinks she discovered our kid's first tooth.

Today, Z tried to climb on my back, and it was funny for a second, but mostly it hurt, because he was pulling my hair.

We visited a new library after we picked the children up from the sitter. All because this particular library had the first full season of Hogan's Heroes. We used to watch that show all the time, when C was little and E was tiny-sized. C loved that show, and would go around shaking his fist and muttering "Ho-gaaan!"

The library was the tiniest library I have ever seen. Not much bigger than my living room, if that. But Boss was happy, because they had comic books there. "Fresh ones", apparently. Such a nerd, that one. Boss told me how one of his classmates called him a bad gunsmith. Because, when we needed a little extra cash, he sold one of his guns, and not any of his comic books.

I am joining Kara, who has challenged herself to blog every day this month. Hopefully I don't bore you to death as I attempt this.
I have also decided to try to do Fat Mum Slim's daily photo challenge again.
Here's day 1:

farewell 2012

JanuaryC and I got to go ice skating and the children and I had our pictures taken at church.
FebruaryWe discovered a glorious chocolate shop, I also tried to eat healthy food.
MarchI came out with news of my fourth pregnancy and was able to feel my baby move for the first time.
AprilWe were able to take a trip to Utah, to meet a new niece and attend my brother's wedding. I also turned 25.
MayThe beginning of May marked the half-way point of my pregnancy. When the weather was nice, we'd spend our time outdoors. We also were able to watch the solar eclipse.
JuneMr. Boss started school. My baby boy turned two, we celebrated at the zoo. I discovered that one of my heart-burn triggers was
tootsie rolls.
JulyWe celebrated another birthday, C's fifth. We went on a little nature-watch adventure, and were able to visit Utah again, to meet another niece.
AugustI predicted that I'd have an early baby. I talked about feeling content with my life the way it is right now. Mr. Boss and I celebrated six years of marriage. We nearly wiped ourselves out preparing for the baby.
SeptemberOur baby "Cupcake" arrived and Z had to get stitches.
OctoberI posted Cupcake's birth story in three parts. My baby girl turned four. We went another year without celebrating Halloween, but I couldn't resist pulling out C's first costume for baby S to try out.
NovemberI continued my tradition of daily gratitude posts, this year I added gratitude quotes to nearly every post. Baby S giggled for the first time.
DecemberBaby S reached his third month, I celebrated 12.12.12 in my own way, and the children and I got to spend Christmas in California with my family.
It feels strange to see another year go, this one seemed to pass by more quickly than any before.
There were some wonderful ups, and a few downs as well, but overall 2012 was good to me and my little family.
Now a new year has begun! I'm excited to see what 2013 has in store for us.

Happy New Year!

last years "review"