{ Thankful and Halloween? }

Thankful.  Yes.  Everyday. 

Because I get to spend it with the four specials in my life 

{well five but I'm talking about 4 today;) }

 So certain little 5 year old Halloween costume got me thinking:)

 I find Adoption fascinating and so I should right, since its how we have children and what our lives center on.

My Children. My family. My everything. 

I find genetics fascinating, personalities and tendencies that I probably don't know where half came from. In my own extended family think of yourself and your siblings, parents...

But I also find nature vs nurture fascinating. 

SO many times when people find out that ALL our children are adopted they can hardly believe it ........"because they look so much like each other" or "one acts just like his dad" or "she looks just like you" 

are a few of the things I have heard over and over 

{which of course I love to hear} .... 

why? because those are things that we as parents who don't have biological children {which that term doesn't exist or matter in our home}  don't hear much of that so and so has so so's nose eyes, ears, personality and well we throw that out here;) but sometimes quite honestly it hurts a little ....a twinge but these 4 far out way the twinges:).....

 they like each of us come in this form with a spirit full of personality likes, dislikes, attitudes  and quirks all that makes each one of us.

No matter where and how we come to be we all have generations and generations of genetics....

Anyway what fascinates me most is the likes of my children for example K loves and talks about hunting, golfing and fishing {three things of which D does not do} but that biologically his birth family does have huge interest in.....in the little info we do have!  That came with him and are strong personal likes that he wants to do. fascinating isn't it:)
he really is a "super" man:) 

most days;) growing so fast! 
oh and another football season done:( undefeated season & more growth:) in every way.

OR 

how about k2 he LOVES to draw and color and LOVES music guess what... his background and very beautifully, talented birth mother plays many instruments and is an artist........ K2 loves these things.... and there is the other side he loves TO BUILD things bob the builder is one of his favorite shows and guess what he wanted to be for Halloween a construction worker his birth father is a talented builder of big engineering projects interesting eh;)  fascinating isn't it 

I LOVE ADOPTION 

How about Ms. L a very strong desire to stand out, to stand up for what she believes in .......which sometimes can be a deterrent to others around her..... but will serve her very well in the years to come! She is a stubborn fireball and I might have a little idea that that comes from..... a strong line of hard working biological traits of her birth families yet she will do anything for anyone and has a sensitive, helpful side that yearns to be needed, praised and adored! and that we do!

and MR. M my strong willed independent softy 

who LOVES people! and helping people and has all these little quirks like the rest of us......

Who loves to sleep on the floor more than anywhere else! or who never sits still anywhere and always onto the next thing 
who loves his dad and the ranch and wants to be just like him

 I mean this has got to come from somewhere right;)

always making us laugh:)

That I find so fascinating also...because every part of us is a make up of so many other people...

So back to adoption in our family we love our children's birth families but we don't have visitation with any or anything like that....... we send pictures and letters {each to there own situations} 

Over the past years the face of Adoption and the openness level in adoption has rapidly changed to an open invitation of extra people in your family...... including birth mothers and birth fathers in some situations}

We have always loved our children's birth families always will....but when we got sealed as a forever family that became our family unit, for us. For all...... thats their own unique choice but for us this is our story. That being said we love running into any of them here and there! But as a family as each situation is so different from each other it doesn't matter we are one..... we are an eternal family unit..... best said by Miss L's primary presentation talk last Sunday pretty you bet I cried!! 

Here it is:  

{if you don't understand the terms go here} or ask:)

"We know that Heavenly Father had a plan for us, my parents and my brothers and me. Whether you were born to your family in the covenant, or whether you had the opportunity like me and my brothers to be sealed together as a family through each adoption in the temple, the knowledge of the temple sealing and faith in its blessings gives us all a greater desire to make good choices.

It has blessed our family each time we have gone to the temple to be sealed together forever and feeling the spirit there so strongly that we know we are all meant to be together forever. I feel blessed to be a part of my family forever and I am so thankful that families can be together forever like mine. I love the temple and

I know that by working together as a family, we can enjoy the blessings of the temple sealing right now, as well as through eternity......

{she wrote her own first and then together we put it together but seriously she did an amazing job!}

So very PROUD of her!
---------------------------------------------

So this all came about because of K2's Halloween costume

 I just found it so cute that their wasn't anything well besides being olaf;) maybe that he wanted to be more than a construction worker...... as he sits each afternoon coloring and coloring and drawing while part of the time watching bob the builder or something equally exciting:) Now that is a beautiful mixture of genetics. Fascinating isn't it:)

Though for most of you, you see these things everyday you look into the eyes of your children..... like your looking into the eyes of yourself or spouse.  But for us its searching, seeing and trying to understand each other yet seeing the beautiful and probably not so beautiful;) traits or things we've taught them just by being us. But to me its an amazing journey that I really do love.  One day when my children if they decide to take the opportunity to look into the eyes of their birth parents, those little puzzle pieces will fit perfectly together like a forever circle made by all of us who contribute to these awesome spirits sent to us at just the right time:)  Feeling so
Thankful. Blessed. & Grateful.

So maybe halloween is good for something haha 

-----------------------------------
We had our ward Halloween party last night D & I channeled 
our inner 1920's....... a little downton fun:) The kids had fun and L will have her real costume on tomorrow so I'll add some more pics of Halloween tomorrow:) 
This is pretty much how pictures go lately...... people trying to escape .....K telling me constantly this better not be on instagram;).... and M wanting to run and happy smiley K2:) and L acting annoyed;) 
Oh the joys:)
Enjoy it all right:)

Just a few thoughts from this old fashioned gal:)
 Have a great weekend:)

Happy Halloween:)

{ Sometimes its lonely...}

Sometimes or every once in awhile lately I feel bored, lonely and alone...being a bishops wife is truthfully really hard some weeks ...besides the fact that he's gone pretty much all of the time and everybody needs him and in this day and age people call text or email his phone. {I'd love to throw it out;) I know there are blessings along the way but there's the other side too.... There's the fact that you get invited to less things, people stop talking when you come around sometimes..... or tell you things you know they want you to pass on. 

Sometimes you don't sit in the right place or smile at the right time or acknowledge the person you didn't even see. We're just human trying our best..... same as we've always been 

like everyone we all have our good days & bad days. We never know what people are going through and I try to remember that more than ever.

Sometimes I feel like everyone around me works or is super busy in their life and littles....while my little is only gone half the day he loves his quiet time after school and hates getting out or doing anything after being in school...this week alone he has spent 3 hours after school each day COLORING! pages and pages and talking and telling stories he is a child who entertains himself and I find myself begging to read to him or go the park...I guess so I can get out and he really just wants time at home quiet time....how I love that boy!!

I guess there is plenty to do around here but really laundry isn't that exciting and I get most things done for the day before 8 am as the kids go out the door.  Then at 4 on I'm busy rushing here and there, getting a snack, talking, dropping off at various activities and I feel useful 

{or like a cook & taxi ha ha} 

but I feel needed and they are my favorite times of the day when I'm here to hear about their day and we just talk...BUT its the in between I struggle with I guess its a transition period and finding my place..... me..... I will get over it by next year when its all day when I can sub at the school or whatever...but for now its quiet & lonely sometimes....

It'll be okay. 

We all have our moments good and bad... and right now this is mine.....

______________________________

T h i s  a n d  T h a t:

Kids:

Football is nearly done already crazy how fast time flies its amazing to watch the growth in our children as the time goes by to see them understand things and learn and grow. But the best is seeing them develop and see the right and wrong around them and learn from it.

We took the kids on a Sunday picnic to the ranch last sunday and enjoyed the warm sun and room to run... saw a beautiful sunset, threw rocks in the river .....saw elk, deer, and antelope, coyotes,  porcupines, skunks, cows and horses and enjoyed what God gave us and the stillness, peace and quiet of it all. 

So beautiful out! But most of all to take a breather and enjoy each other.

 

My cute sassy one decided she didn't want to grow her hair out anymore so she got a cute cute bob again it really does suit her so good....

 

--------------------------------------------------------

Book

I love based on/true stories and I loved this book.... I love people and knowing their stories fascinate me as does this time era and having been to Germany and seen a lot there and met the people its amazing! I'm going to have K read it because it is the perfect example of what some have gone through without getting to deep....
------------------------------------------------------

Tips: You know I love health stuff and loved this post full of hacks:)

---------------------------------------------

Recipe:

 We love soup around here especially on cold days here's a new one:)

AND above all...

 

H a v e  a  beautiful  d a y:)

{ Life around here...}

Somehow the days are passing and the time I thought I'd have more of is filling up but such is life and thats a good thing.  But a few things around here:) to catch up.... We got our family pics back some great ones {I was so super sick for them that I feel like I look sick but probably I only notice that right because were all our own best critics right..and I needed a haircut and color blah blah I know;).....} I can't get over how big the kids are getting but thats why I do yearly pictures so we can remember every step of the way. How I love these miracles, they bring so much joy, laughter love and blessings to our lives and can not imagine a life without any of them in it!!  

{I know if your on my fb and Ig your probably sick of me but gotta document here too:)

 best picture ever..... probably this one;) ha ha

-------------------------------------------------

Mr... K2 grew this pumpkin from seed in the house for a couple months before we planted it outside he watered it, checked and saw it through he's mighty proud of this pumpkin...I'm kinda proud of my my pumpkin too;)

 We took the kids hiking last Saturday we try to take the kids on one every September but this year our warm weather keeps lasting so we went on the 11th it was awesome to get out together and have some fun:)

In Other amazing news.... D's parents got their LDS mission call and we are so excited for them!! The Washington Tacoma mission is getting the best of the best we'll miss them, but I think we might just have to plan a trip that way;) SO happy for them I seriously can't wait to go on one with D when the time comes:)

_________________________________________

R a n d o m 

K have you read this article on how to be a mean mom I love it:) Guess I'm a mean, old fashioned mom and I think I 'll keep going and add a few more things to my list:) They'll thank me someday right:)

Made this recipe this week and loved it! Well me and the two kids I had home at the time did:) I grew my own spaghetti squash and we gave it a try so good and so good for you!!

Recipe here

 

 I got my visa number stolen and junk charged to my visa this week so I had to spend some time on the phone to get it straightened out! Such a violation seriously sickening:((

Have a great weekend:)

{ TEN on Tuesday}

 

1. Conference weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year to be Spiritually uplifted and to gain a greater resolve to improve, be a better stronger person, mother, wife, and sister.. I loved all of conference {what conf? go here} but Saturday sessions seemed to speak right to me some of my favorite talks were Elder Oaks, Elder Tad Callister 

and I really loved Elder Klebingat's super direct and clear talks telling us to shape up and telling us EXACTLY what we need to do to be more Christlike. 

LOVED IT! The whole talk is found here:)

Here are a few points from it:

1. "Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being." Stop blaming others or your circumstances, stop justifying and stop making excuses for why you are not fully striving to be obedient.

2. "Take responsibility for your own physical well-being." Decide today.

3. "Embrace voluntary, whole-hearted obedience as part of your life." Make the Church and the restored gospel your whole life, not just part of your outward or social life.

4. "Become really, really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly." Establish an attitude of ongoing, happy, joyful repentance.

5. "Become really, really good at forgiving." Forgive everyone, everything all the time. Don't hold grudges, don't be easily offended, forgive and forget quickly.

6. "Accept trials, setbacks and surprises as part of your mortal experience."

It's an amazing recipe for a happy, Christlike life.We all have things we can work on, but its nice to have a reminder and a clear guideline of what we should be doing!

Loved this talk and quote too

2. Elder Oaks said "KINDNESS IS POWERFUL" pretty sure my kids will get sick of hearing it from me:)

His whole talk is here

3. AND the talk that really made me think and evaluate....... take a few minutes to listen or watch it here loved it and my favorite quote from it is

"Do we give our children our best, or our leftover time and talents?"  

 -Elder Callister

Lots to work on and think about.

4. Sometimes we have to give up a dream..... big or small..... sometimes it creeps up unexpectedly, sometimes it takes a good cry it out and always requires me to move on.... accept things as they are and remember what we have and be {grateful} everyday....

{"Move forward when trials come."}

5.  I find my greatest peace when I make time here and leave it all behind...

6. A few Saturdays ago we had a stake service day and then watched the womens broadcast that night ...L and I had so much fun {the boys were all at football all day so we had all day together} We made apple pies with the girls 8-11 in our ward and delivered them to people , then there was a luncheon and then we went to Maleficent finally loved it for the second time:) It was a fun day:) and little lady L enjoyed some mom time:)

7. Finally got my stove fixed and I think the kids missed some baking they sure put in a lot of orders;) SO nice to have it back now onto the garbage disposal!! Slowly but surely getting things down the basement is finally all put back together too!! So nice to have that done well I'm sure the kids are much more excited to have there rooms back:)

8. Lately I can't stop thinking about my growing children K will be 13 in 3 months and HOLY!A TEENAGER ! THEN its only 5 years till a mission and I can hardly wait........ but I dread the time in between getting them all to that stage is the hard part. But I love this quote 

{ because its a great reminder to stop WORRYING and enjoy today and I know that but its hard to do sometimes:) 

I do have great kids and for that I am so thankful we do the best we can to teach them all we can in the home!! It starts there! 

"Don't let yourself become so concerned with raising a good kid that you forget you already have one"

9. I have this up in my kitchen reminding me everyday to be count my blessings with thanksgiving next week I am so aware of all that I have been blessed with and continue to be blessed with...

 

 

10.  D and I went to "When the Game stands Tall" great movie and message loved it... Also saw the fault in our stars sat night and really liked it... love movies that keep you thinking afterwards.. 

I am so grateful for my family, my children and our life but I really hate how fast it flies by K is getting so tall, thoughtful and is figuring things out that if he does the dishwasher he gets time on something he wants.. win win its finding the things that mean something to them... I'm figuring things out along the way to its hard being a parent, a mother and letting go slowly of the things you could hold onto forever.... before they become just a memory. 

M is the sleepless child, the floor sleeper cave man boy who gets up so early every morning ....but I've figured out how to have a win win too with him. That he he has to do certain things before he gets something he wants he has be showered, prayers said bed made, have a clean room and then quietly read a bunch of chapters from a scripture reader and answer questions on it so I know he read it.... in that he gets reading in early and minutes for school:)  And then we are both happier:) He loves his teacher and cubs and is always helping somebody:)

L is discovering that being snotty and hard done by is the way to achieve complete miserableness on both our parts .....so a little 10 going on 16 drama is going on around here somedays... but we are figuring out what works good aka dad works wonders with her and of course knows the right things to say...Of course it depends on the day and for the most part she is lovely.....growing up and is fun and funny she comes up with some pretty random funnies sometimes:) She can be a doll and when she figures out all the things we do and are teaching her are to help her grow up to know a few things;) She'll thank us:) It's a girl thing right;)

K2 is loving taking the bus and going to school everyday all the newness of it .... yet he gets tired and loves quiet time when he gets home too. He loves having new chores to do and expectations, and knows how to snuggle which of course I love since he is my baby still he has such a tender heart and knows that I miss him everyday so he always makes sure he gives me a hug and kiss before school. 

I really do miss him especially everyday...... 

me thinks

I get up at 5:30 go to my basement gym get a good sweaty workout in for an hour, I shower, listen to my scriptures as I get ready and pray all before they get up. Then I wake them up or get them moving faster, make lunches and breakfast and have scripture study and prayer with them and that makes me feel accomplished all before 8 am when they leave me with a hug and kiss and I love you's and a wave out the door .....

and then its quiet so quiet and

I sometimes find myself a little bored  but I think its just the quiet, quiet house...so.. I putter around doing the dishes..... cleaning the smudgy hand prints on the fridge, doing the piles of laundry that are always calling my name and clean something else that needs it... I answer emails, check FB instagram and do parent council stuff or yw stuff.  

But above all I thank my Heavenly Father that I have a smudgy fridge, piles of laundry, dirt on the walls and odd socks everywhere....because it took a lot of work, prayer and miracles to have these children and there is never, never a day I take that for granted. 

So these quiet moments are my moments to feel appreciation and gratitude for all that I have been given. For my plan B.....for the time to learn how to tweak the things I don't like ......how to be a better me..... a better mother and all the other titles I hold . 

But the one I hold closest to my heart is my Mother title.

{Speaking of mothers its my mothers birthday today too Happy Birthday to her. She is my greatest example of loving, teaching and raising us through her example! I am blessed with a great mother who taught me what matters most and who matters most above all and continues to live her life in such a way.. Love you mom! }

HAVE A GREAT WEEK:))