Slight Change

We found out on Wednesday night that our wonderful bishop--Bishop Purtymun was going to be released. And Brian was released as the second counselor and called to be the first counselor. So today we got a new bishop--Bishop Nally--and Brian was sustained as 1st counselor and Tyson Hintz was put in as the second counselor. I don't think it'll be much different for us other than Brian will just have different responsibilities.

Survived

This weekend was the big multi-stake youth conference that we were in charge of and have been planning ever since we were put in back in August. It was a LONG weekend, but it went well and I think it was a success. On Friday, I went early to help set up. We had it at the ball field at one of our stake centers. The theme of the whole conference was "Power of Believers." On Friday night we did a "Carnival of Power." Each stake did two activity booths and one food booth. We had everything from a rock climbing wall, arm wrestling, bottle ring toss and a pie eating contest to team challenges, swing dancing and jousting. The food was fun, too. There was kettle corn, hot dogs, nachos, lemonade and hot cocoa and caramel apples. We had over 400 youth there and it seemed like they had a fun time. Brian had the oldest four girls, and my mom came to help me with Ruby. I knew Brian could handle all of them, but I didn't want her to have two bottles in a row, so my mom came to sit with Ruby so I could feed her when needed. Because it was so cold, my mom ended up sitting in the car holding Ruby the whole time. She woke up long enough to eat, then she slept the rest of the time. I think she likes snuggling with Grandma! My dad came at the beginning, too, until he had to leave for work. My dad got finagled into helping set up a little bit, too, which was much appreciated! After clean up that night, I got home around 10:30, then I had to be back at the stake center by 8 the next morning. The first activity was for the youth to go around to nearby houses to collect canned food and to give out flyers for the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple. That was done individually by each separate stake, then everyone met back at our stake center to hear the mission president--President Beck--and his wife speak. Then they ate lunch, heard another speaker and had a short testimony meeting. That part was over around 2:30, then the last part was a dance last night. So by the time I got home from that, I was ready to crash!

Brian survived the weekend, too. On Saturday, Eliza had a soccer game, so they went to that. She scored a goal, so that was fun. Then they went on a picnic and a little hike.

Post-Traumatic Swine Flu Mist Syndrome

This week has flown by so far. On Monday we hung out at home. My visiting teachers came over in the early afternoon. My neighbor Heather was nice enough to let Ellie and Hattie come play while they were here. When people come over, for some reason, they think it's time to run around like crazies! I was not up for that, so they played there for a bit. After school, we went to Brian's office. Aleeda and David needed help moving a dinette set they bought, so Brian took three of the girls and I took Ruby and Libby to gymnastics. Libby was really excited to go and she had fun. Yay! Glad she is enjoying it. We came home, had family home evening and got everyone to bed.

On Tuesday my mom came over and we made bread. Actually I made bread and she made rolls. We have been wanting to try these rolls from Our Best Bites. They are indeed a lot more work that bread, but oh my...they are delicious. And incredibly delicious fresh, warm out of the oven. I will definitely make those again. We made a run to Target to get a few items, them we came home. My mom went home and I picked up Eliza and Libby from school. I went into the school because they were offering the swine flu shots at the school. Let's just say it was one of the worst experiences ever!!! After school wasn't too bad, it's when we went back later. After school we waited for our turn and I had to really coerce Eliza into getting into the chair just to do the swine flu mist. Not even the shot! She did it and was a little embarrassed about how easy it was. The whole time Libby was saying she was going to do it, etc. She cried and I couldn't get her in the chair. I didn't push it but figured we'd come back later when Brian could come with me. I went back and forth for how important it was to do it, but I figured with Ruby, I wanted everyone to have at least the swine flu vaccine. So we came home and did the normal after school stuff--chores, homework, etc. We had dinner and then decided to try the vaccine again. I wish we wouldn't have. When it was our turn, Libby wouldn't come. She walked off and Brian had to chase her around. He finally got her and held her (while she screamed) and sat in the chair (while she screamed) and held her down (while she screamed and cried). That went on for a bit. She held her nose, etc. etc. And it wasn't even for the shot! Then a another nurse came over and wasn't very nice, unfortunately. She was talking very stern to Libby (she actually kept calling her "Liddy" even after Brian corrected her several times). I should have told her to stop talking to her like that, but I was having a hard time as it was. Libby said she wanted me to hold her, so we switched, but she was just as difficult for me. She still screamed and tried to get away. We got her to the point where the nurse could get it into her nose--but not without Libby totally fighting it. But they got it in. By the time it was over though, Eliza was crying, Libby was crying and I was crying. I was sad for Libby that that is what happened just to get it in and I was quite embarrassed. The principal was there, the vice principal was there, another teacher we know was there, etc. I felt like I couldn't win. I was like--do I look like a TERRIBLE mom for forcing her to get it or would it be worse if I didn't make her and made it look like she walks all over me? It was just not a very good experience all around.

After we got home, I took off to a presidency meeting. We met with the camp directors, so that with all the normal stuff we needed to talk about made for a long, late meeting. We will all be so glad when this upcoming youth conference is over.

Today I couldn't get us out of the house for the life of me. (I mean to do some errands with Ellie, Hattie and Ruby.) Finally we left around 1 I think. It just seems like I feed Ruby, then get myself ready, then I don't want to leave because she'll need to eat while we are out, so I wait and feed her again...etc.

Tonight was our last YW in Excellence we had to go to. Terri graciously watched our girls again. I came home myself with the girls as Brian had to stay for a meeting. Bedtime was late unfortunately, but at least everyone is sleeping now. Now I need to get to bed!

Pics

I downloaded some pictures off my camera tonight finally...

Where have a I gone wrong!?! I have some teaching to do. LOL. I thought it was funny though.


One night, Ruby got to lay by Libby while she got to sleep. I love her arm protectively over Ruby. I had to sneak in to get a picture before moving Ruby.


After school one day...


The night Ruby got to go to sleep by Eliza. Had to sneak another picture!

Hattie loves to hold Ruby. (Or "Ruba" as she has been calling her the past couple of days.)
In a darling outfit Brian's on-call assistant gave to her.
OK--this needs some MAJOR explanation before you freak out. I was helping with Libby do her homework one afternoon. I forget what the assignment was, but I think she had to count pennies and pinto beans and put them into groups. She wrote the headings on the top and when I checked it out, I gasped! I guess that is the new plural form of "penny".

The rest of this week has been pretty typical. I guess Wednesday was a little different since the girls were off for Veteran's day. I ended up watching my niece and nephews for the afternoon while my brother did some shopping. They all seemed to have fun playing. That night I went to a another ward's YW in Excellence. Terri was nice enough to watch my girls since Brian had to go to mutual, too. I even left her house with a plate of these apple dumplings. They are so sinful and delicious!!

Thursday night was hectic. We had to drop our van off at the mechanic--it needs the timing belt changed among a few other things that we have noticed is wrong with it. The sliding door on one side quit working a couple of days ago and yesterday the check engine light came on. We are a little nervous what this repair job will cost. We are a little bit expecting to realize maybe it's time for a new car. We'll see. Then we had to do the chickens at Brian's parents and Eliza had soccer. We all went and watched. The parents played with the kids, so that was fun. Brian had a good time.

Friday was Ellie's sleepover with my parents for her birthday. That morning she told me she didn't want to go. I was like what?!? I guess she was nervous about spending the night by herself. So I took her over there in the afternoon and my parents brought her home to sleep, then they took her out again on Saturday. On Friday night they shopped for her gift--she picked out a few things--a Sleeping Beauty Barbie, a Cinderella tea set and a sleeping bag. She had a blast my mom said. They ate dinner at Elephant Bar and I guess she was in heaven and had a wonderful time.

In Ruby news, happily she has slept through the night three nights in a row (knock on wood). I am not sure how we've gotten so lucky, but I feel very blessed that she is sleeping well so soon. She loves to be swaddled--none of my other girls liked it at all. So it's fun to have one who does. Here is another picture from the ones Terri took a while back.

Gymnastics

Libby started gymnastics yesterday. We really have wanted her to be involved in something and since she won't do soccer or things like that, we tried gymnastics again. She would say she wants to do it and other days she doesn't. We decided to sign her up and see what happened. On Sunday on the way home from church she said, "Tomorrow is g-y-m-n-a-s-t-i-c-s." She tried on her pink leotard and wore it around. So yesterday after school, so got ready and even let me put her hair in a pony tail! She went right in and had a great time. She said she didn't want me to watch her though. I took a couple magazines and I told her I would be reading those. I ended up seeing a friend I hadn't seen in a while, so I visited with her the whole time. I peeked at Libby a few times and she was having fun. On the way home, Libby said that I could watch her next time. We are glad she did it and had fun!

Today was my six week postpartum appointment. It's already been six weeks since Ruby was born!

Barnum and Bailey

First, here are a couple pictures from the stake musical.

Today I felt like a circus act at church. We walked in about a minute late. Ruby needed to eat around 7:20 and I wasn't ready yet, so that threw everything off. Brian had saved us a seat, but I didn't see it and neither did Chrystalyn, so we had two rows of the hard seats in the back. Ruby needed to be held and she thought she needed to eat, so Chrystalyn fed her. Ellie was back and forth between the rows. The wooden box of wooden magnetic dolls fell to the ground. Even Brian heard it from the stand. He thought we were playing a game of Jenga in the back! LOL. Ellie's bag of books fell to the ground (she brought enough to start a library--several board books). Some crayons fell, Libby wanted me to read with her, Hattie was chatty and loud, etc. It was a nice circus act. I think we entertained several people.

The rest of church went well. Eliza gave a talk in primary. Last night after the musical, we were trying to get everyone to bed. It was a little stressful, then Eliza says, "MOM! What about my talk for tomorrow?" Ack!!! She said she would write it. She wrote most of it, then Brian helped her finish. She even drew a picture to go with it and found two pictures from her Gospel Art book to hold up.

Tonight we had dinner at my brother's house. It was my mom's birthday dinner. Kamille made pork and cheesy potatoes, my dad did a salad and I brought dessert. I tried the pumpkin crumble from Our Best Bites. It was delicious! Everyone loved it. I will make it again for sure.

Saturday

Today Eliza had soccer pictures and a game. She did great--even scored a goal. I think it was her first one. She kicked it far and over her opponents' heads. After soccer, we went to Brian's parents' to feed and water the chickens and collect our eggs. We hung out there for a bit, then I took Ellie and Hattie with me to the grocery store.

Tonight was Eliza's final performance of the musical "Legacy of Faith." My parents were able to come tonight along with Brian's parents. I enjoyed it again! Ellie came with me, too. I was really touched with how much the pioneers endured and all they went through. I enjoyed the rendition of "Come, Come Ye Saints." There was also a very touching song that three younger youth sang called "Prayer of the Walking Child." The girl who sang the last part was amazing. I think she is about 12 or 13 and her voice was out of this world. But the song really made you think about what the kids went through as they were crossing the plains. I'll post some pictures when I can access Brian's computer. It's not working tonight.

Week

This week has been rough! Sunday night after Libby got to bed, she started coughing. And it didn't end! She wouldn't take any cough syrup, so it kept her up and Brian and I took turns sleeping in her room. When I wasn't in with her hearing her cough, I was feeding Ruby. Libby didn't get to sleep until after four in the morning. I knew school wouldn't be happening with her that day, so I just let her sleep in. She didn't wake up until noon!!! I was glad she got her rest but for the next two nights, bed time for her was unpleasant. But we are managing. She had a good two nights, so hopefully she is on the up and up.

We've been busy this week with Eliza's stake musical practice. The performance is tonight and tomorrow. Last night they had me take pictures at the dress rehearsal, so I got to see it. It's good and touching about the pioneers.

I'm trying to think what else we had this week. Tuesday night I went to West Wing Ward's YW in Excellence. They did a nice job--decorated in golds to go with the new virtue value. They served soup and had some leaders speak. Terri did a really neat slide show of the girls as babies, then their current photo. It was another great meeting.

Today here is a conversation between me and Ellie:

Ellie: sadly "I don't like the name Ellie."
me: You don't? What do you want your name to be?
Ellie: Barbie.

ha ha! I think I'll stick with Ellie!

Halloween

Luckily I was feeling better tonight so I could help out with the Halloween festivities. The girls were pretty excited about getting their costumes on. I got some better pictures than last week. Ellie didn't want me to curl her hair this time--so she had straight out of the bath hair.









Bags my mom made.

We walked down and visited with some of our neighbors for a bit--Ellie and Hattie scored some pizza which was good since they didn't eat much dinner. Another set of neighbors did a haunted house and have been working on it for several weeks. All night Eliza said she wanted to go in, but wouldn't. Finally after we had been home she and Brian went down and she did it. They told the people inside that it was a little girl, so they were easy on them, but she liked it. Brian said it could have been pretty scary if they went all out.

When it was time for trick-or-treating, I took the girls around while Brian sat our front to hand out candy. Ellie got tired out pretty quickly. She said, "My neck hurts from trick or treating." Funny girl. So we went back and by then, Brian was across the street sitting with a couple other sets of neighbors and they all handed out candy together. I sat with Ellie and Ruby while Brian took Libby and Hattie to more houses. Eliza went around with a friend's family. Libby and Hattie filled up their bags! I had a great time visiting with the neighbors. It was a fun night all around.

Now that Halloween is over...guess what that means?!?! Start up the Christmas music!! Can't wait!

Friday

On Friday morning I took the girls into school. Brian stayed home and helped a guy from our ward put in the dishwasher. I am so grateful to have a dishwasher now! I had taken it for granted before. Later in the day, we did some errands--Costco and Wal-Mart. The rest of the day was pretty typical....

We decided to get a sitter for a couple of hours while we went out. We just went to Payless to use the 50% off coupon from Oprah. I didn't realize it was off your entire purchase, so that made it all the better. As Brian was sitting there with Ruby he said he didn't think he had ever been in Payless that long his entire life. We were there a little while. We saw my aunt with two of her daughters there and she held Ruby for a while and even fed her a bottle. I ended up with a pair of shoes for me--they were only $5. I got Libby a pair of church shoes. Those were the splurge at $10, but she really needed some whether or not they were on sale. I got Eliza a couple pairs for Christmas and I bought a fun little hat. I've wanted one for a while, but haven't been willing to spend the money on it. It was a good deal being half off and I had a gift card from a couple Christmases ago, so I figured I could justify that! We also went to Target and browsed around before coming home.

This morning I woke up with a TERRIBLE headache. I didn't get any of the pre-headache symptoms like I usually do with migraines, but I did have to run to the bathroom once. Ugh. I even had a good night's sleep (two in a row!). Ruby slept from 7 until 4:30. Nice. I was planning to take Eliza to her early 8 AM soccer game and was actually looking forward to it, but Brian ended up filling in. He took Ellie and Hattie thankfully. I stayed home with Ruby and Libby. Libby was a big helper with Ruby. I was on the couch and Libby listened for Ruby to wake up. When she did, she just held her until she got too fussy. I fed her, then Libby helped out more. When Brian got home, I went back to sleep and tried to sleep it off. It was slightly better. I just took it easy all day. Brian had to go to the stake baptisms--he took Eliza and Ellie. Luckily Hattie was pretty mellow and watched TV and I drew pictures with Libby. By the time Brian got home I was feeling much better.

Song

Tonight I was driving to the grocery store to buy some things the girls need for Halloween festivities tomorrow at school and the song "It Won't Be Like This For Long" (Darius Rucker) came on. I thought it needs to be Brian's and my theme song right now. I looked up the lyrics and my eyes starting stinging with tears...

Here is a video of him singing it...makes you enjoy the moments--even the hard ones. Seems like there have been more hard lately, but hopefully we'll look back and laugh and that "it won't be like this for long."

Halloween Fun

So lately I've been trying to think of ways to help Libby feel special and important. I'm not sure if it's having a new baby in the house or what, but she has been a bit harder than normal. So one thought I had right after I had Ruby was to do a little Halloween get together with a couple of her friends. It wasn't the best timing after just having had a baby, but I just felt like it might be something to help her feel important, so it was worth it. So with the help of my mom, we've spent this month brainstorming things to do and getting things prepared. Today was finally the big day of the actual party. She just invited three friends--two of whom were able to come. Sadie and Jillian were the lucky guests!

When the girls arrived, we had printed off a cute Halloween coloring page for them to color until everyone was here. Our first activity was making a glittery pumpkin. I got small, foam pumpkins from Hobby Lobby and they painted on glue then added glitter. They turned out so darling!

Our second activity was to make ghosts. They dipped nutter butter cookies into white chocolate, then added mini chocolate chips for the eyes. I thought they turned out so cute and they are so very delicious...think peanut butter and chocolate! Next we made witches wands (chocolate covered pretzels). Once they dipped them, they added Halloween sprinkles. While those were setting up, they had dinner. I made mummy wraps (crescent rolls wrapped around hot dogs) along with chips and juice. The last thing was painting nails...I did orange with black dots on Sadie and the opposite on Jillian. Libby didn't want hers painted tonight. After that they ran around outside until their moms came. It was a fun party and I think they all enjoyed it! When they left, they got to take home their "crafts" in their goodie bag. I had my mom make trick or treat bags from some cute fabric I got. Inside we also had put a few things--Halloween bowl, pencils, a card game and some button covered ponytails.

One Month

"Grandpa--are you serious!?!?"


Today Ruby went in for her one month appointment. She was 8 pounds and 22 1/4" long. I don't think we'll ever know what her real birth weight was. She was 7.2 at her last appt. so her dr. says she is gaining well, but if she was really 8.1 at birth, she would be emaciated by now because she hasn't gained. Anyway...he said she is looking good. She got one shot today.

Sleeping Baby and Other Randoms

I've really been trying to savor every moment with Ruby. She might very well be our last child, so I'm trying to not let her grow up too fast. Today I went in her room to check on her and she looked so cute sleeping in her bed. I had to take a picture.


I read this article today and thought it was really good. "Why is Coveting a Killer?"

We bought a new dishwasher today. It won't be here until tomorrow or the next day. I've really missed having one lately. I have to do two to three sinks full of dishes a day to keep on top of it--I won't miss that for sure!

I didn't think it was too fair to go through a Halloween not being able to have chocolate. It keeps me out of the girls' candy bags though! Lately my treat of choice has been anything caramel. Market Pantry caramels, caramel sauce, etc. My favorite lately has been Mrs. Richardson's butterscotch caramel sauce over the Safeway brand of pralines and cream. YUM!!! Safeway's ice cream is really, really good. Speaking of food, Brian made a late night run to Taco Bell the other night after one of my late night meetings. I had left without dinner and there really wasn't anything to eat. They had a couple new menu items that I thought were really good...I had a Black Jack Taco and a New Chicken Burrito.

Random Pictures

Here are some pictures of Ruby's room. I had fun doing it. We used the same crib we've used for all the other girls--it's been a good one! My friend Rachel made the crib bedding. I love how that turned out. We bought the dresser from Craigslist and it started out white. Leslie's husband Kory painted and stained it for us. I added new knobs and i LOVE how that turned out. I added a few owl touches--the vinly owl I bought on etsy, and I stitched an owl and "framed" it in an embroidery hoop. I also did a little owl collage on wood. That was so fun and is one of my favorite parts of her room. We repurposed the frames that were in Hattie's room--I just covered them in different paper and used a different flower at the top. I also love the prayer rug my grandpa made her. I gave him a swatch of the fabric bedding and he couldn't have matched it any better!


When Terri took pictures of Ruby a couple weeks ago, Eliza wanted her to wear this, so I snapped a pictures of her in the dress (which was a little big!).

The other day, Eliza had Ruby join her in her bed while she read. She loved sleeping on the pillow!

Ruby's Blessing

Today was Ruby's blessing day. I was a little worried about getting everyone up and ready and on time by myself. ...and trying to time it right with Ruby's eating schedule so she would be content during her blessing. We got all ready and left around 8:30 so I could feed her a bottle and get her in her blessing dress before church started. We got to church and Ruby was hungry, so I fed her a bottle. SHE WOULDN'T/COULDN'T DRINK IT. I am not sure what the problem was but we tried for like 25 minutes and she didn't drink any of it. I am not sure if the hole in the nipple was not working or too small or what, but I was so frustrated! And there wasn't time for me to go feed her. So we got her dressed anyway and tried to feed her more. I knew it wouldn't be good during her blessing, but there was nothing I could do. Brian did a great job on her blessing even though she cried the whole time. The people in the circle were my dad, his dad, his granddad, his brother Danny, my brother Brian and our bishop and Brother Brown. Ruby looked so darling in her blessing dress. She wore the gown that my dad was christened in when he was a baby. He was Catholic and he and his siblings were all christened in this dress, so that was so special that she got to wear it for her blessing. I got her bow from etsy, and I just love it.







(note to self: call Brooke and get a new hairstyle!)

Today was also the primary program. Unfortunately Libby wouldn't even sit up front. Oh well. At least she did it during the practice. Eliza and Ellie did well. Ellie was so funny to watch--she really got into some of the songs. I told my mom that I think she forgot she was up in front of people because she had a little attitude singing. Then I guess--I didn't see it--but two of the primary presidency counselors told me after that Ellie and Bryson--the boy who was standing next to her kissed! They faced each other and puckered up. I asked Ellie later and she smiled and said they did. Nice. Guess we'll have a good story to tell when she is older!

After church we came home and changed clothes, then went to my parent's for lunch. Brian met us over there later, then we went to his parents for dinner. It was a good day all around.

Primary Program Practice & Trunk or Treat

Friday was early release again. After picking up, we came home and had lunch. Then the girls had to do three chores each (Eliza and Libby). Libby was the first one to do them and did them without complaining. I took Libby over to Carson's for a play date. The rest of us were just home the rest of the afternoon. In the evening, Eliza, Libby and Ellie had a practice for the primary program that is tomorrow. Since Brian is over primary, he went, too. They practiced the program a few times and fed the kids pizza for dinner. Brian texted me and said that Libby had actually said her part and did it. A miracle!! Even if she doesn't do it on Sunday during the actual program, the fact that she did it every time they practiced was enough for me! Brian said she was very quiet, but I am so amazed and glad that she got up there and did it! That is huge for her.

While they were gone, I took Hattie and Ruby grocery shopping. Ruby started being fussy at the beginning, so I had to hold her and try to shop and push the cart one handed. We survived, but it wasn't easy!

This morning Eliza had a soccer game. They didn't win, but Brian said she played really well, especially defense. I stayed home with Ruby and Libby. We met at his parents after that and did our cleaning/moving of the chicken coop duty and checked out beds for Libby. Brian's mom had one that will work, so today we got it all set up and got a mattress, so she is good to go!

Tonight was our ward trunk or treat. This year for costumes, Eliza was a 50's girl. She was going to be Taylor Swift, but we had a hard time finding a wig and a dress. Libby was a hula girl. Kind of. She wore jean shorts and t-shirt with a flower on it. She did wear a shell necklace, so that was an addition from what I thought she would wear. I was a little embarrassed thinking that people probably thought that I didn't get a costume for her. Believe me--we tried!! She wanted to be a hula girl and that is what she picked out to wear! Ellie was Aurora (when she wore the blue dress), although everyone thought she was Snow White. (P.S. Snow White has a yellow skirt on her dress.) And Hattie was Tinkerbell. She has been telling everyone for the past month, "I be Tinkerbell for Halloween." And she has been wearing the costume around for the past few weeks and loving it! Ruby wore a little Halloween sleeper. Eliza thought she looked like a boy, so we put an orange flower in her hair. The night started out with the traditional chili dinner (hot dogs for the kids), then they had games. Bishop and his family did a haunted house that was pretty good I hear. There were strobe lights, so I'm sure that would have done me in! I also had to watch the little girls who would be too scared. I think Eliza only made it through the first room and then screamed to come out! LOL. After that, they loaded up on candy going around trick or treating. That is always a fun activity and a fun night!

I need to take better pictures on the real Halloween, but here are some from before the trunk or treat.