Crazy Kids

So after reading this you will know why I gave it the title: Crazy Kids. Yesterday (Sunday) as I lay in bed, I can hear Ashlynn running around the house screaming. Not a death scream, but a funny ha, ha, Cade is teasing me scream. I get up about 5 minutes later and remind her that while people are sleeping she needs to not be screaming. She then tells me, "Mom it was because Cade was chasing me around with a sharp knife." A look of shock comes across my face and I dart my glare to Cade's direction. He then defends himself and says, "I did it because Ashlynn had one too." I can't even think of anything logical to say, except, "Get up in your rooms, NOW!" They go off to their rooms and are there for awhile when I include Rusty in on what's going down. I tell him he needs to go talk to them, because I'm at a loss of as to why they even did it. Shortly later, Cade comes down the stairs and Ashlynn is still in her room. Pretty soon you hear, "But Cade had a knife too!" Rusty then confronts Cade about lying and Cade says, "I didn't have one." I then have to help Rusty see the truth, I tell him, "Rusty why would Ashlynn be running around the house screaming if she's the only one with a knife". (She's a little crazy in the head, but not that bad) Rusty asks cade one last time, and Cade's response is this, "I didn't have a knife... at first." So off Cade goes to his room for a very long time for lying. What on earth were they thinking when the did this! I can see if your unloading the dishwasher and all of sudden you start to do something dumb with the sharp knifes, but to go into the kitchen and just grab a knife is beyond me. And it's always these two, they are always teasing each other, getting into trouble, and fighting. (Sigh) Anyway, I'm sure this will make my mom smile as she remembers her own frustrations with things we did.

Rusty and I have to speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday, and in preparing my talk I came across this story. My talk is on gratitude.

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. I have a quote that says, "The secret to having it all, is knowing that you already do."

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm on a roll with this blogging stuff. Well yesterday was Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful day. It was the first time in over 11 years that we were able to spend it with my family. My brothers, mom, sister and their families were able to drive to our house and eat here with us. (Still missing my little brother and older sister, and one sister couldn't eat with us because she was sick) We had a great time. We had all the adults eat at a table and then the kids were all together in the kitchen. I was worried the kids might spill drinks or something and all the mishaps from the day happened because of me. I spilled my drink all over Rusty as I was getting up to yell at my kids, and I broke a dish trying to get something out of the cupboard. Oh well. The turkey turned out GREAT! I've never gotten it so moist, so I was very happy about that. There was more than enough food and everyone walked away from the table groaning because they were too full. The kids did crafts, paper dolls and Aunt Ryan had a great idea to make chains as a count-down to Christmas, they all liked that idea. Tessa almost made one as a count-down to Baby P, but decided not to. Kids seemed to get along well and that's always good. The cowboys almost won the game. I didn't stress about the house and that is always nice to just be able to sit and enjoy company. It was a wonderful day and am very grateful for the family I have, the family I came from, and the people who have married into this cray family. Have a sign in my living room that says "Remember as far as anyone knows, we're a nice normal family" That's us to a T.

So this past weekend we were able to go to see our nephew Brady's baby blessing. It is so nice to be close to family and be able to go to things like this. Our nephew Nick was getting baptized this weekend in Utah and we would of loved to have been to that too. Anyway, we left after Cade's basketball game on Saturday. (Not a good game, the ref was awful) We drove up and ate dinner as a family at my brother Ryan's house. The kids got to play and be crazy with their cousins and had a great time. After that we went to my other brother's house and stayed the night with them. The kids were able to have a sleep over with their cousins which is always fun. Cade got his poor cousin Connor up so early in the morning that he fell asleep during church. The blessing was wonderful and Brady looked so handsome. It almost makes me want to have another boy, but we rolled those dice and got girls so we are done. My grandparents were able to fly out with my dad and step mom and so they were able to be there too. Sunday night we drove home and my dad and step mom followed us and stayed the night with us. We played apples-apples and the kinect. Monday was fun too, we went to this old Indian place. I know I won't explain it very well, but the Indians made their houses into this side of a mountain and they are still there today, and you can walk through it. It was really neat. Came home and played some more and then they left for the airport. Now it's time to get ready for thanksgiving. We will be having dinner here with my family and so there will be 18 of us. Never cooked for that many and I don't think I've ever had that many in my house at one time. Here's hoping it goes well. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

October 2010 - My brother Josh took some pictures of us, out of 70 we got a few keepers. I keep thinking one day I will have that family picture I want, where everyone is happy, smiling, looking at the camera, and I didn't have to bribe them to take the pictures. Wishful thinking I'm sure.

Okay so some things I am great at, some I'm good at and keeping up a blog I am horrible at. Here's to doing better. We have been very busy moving, unpacking, and getting into a routine. I'm not going to go back and discuss things only "now" things. Cade is playing basketball and really enjoying it. I wish I could figure out how he is able to play basketball and be nervous, but can't play baseball or football, when he's nervous. I'm glad at least there is one sport. He had a 3 pointer his first game and 2 blocks. Saturday he got a basket, a steal, and a block. He even went in and forced a jump ball. He is able to go to Rusty's work and practice a few times a week and this has helped. Taylor is also playing basketball. I know, I know SHOCKER! This girl is not my athletic one, but when she heard about it she wanted me to sign her up so bad. I've always told them I'll let them try anything once. Who knows she may surprise me. Her being short can definitely come in handy when stealing away the ball. I just hope it's a good experience and she tries her best. She is playing the piano and enjoys it very much. She can pick up on the sound of a note better than she can read them. Ashlynn also plays the piano and she is the complete opposite. She can read the notes, no problem, but can't get the sound they should make. Ashlynn was upset I didn't put her in basketball, but it was a school team and you have to be in third grade. She is the one who has adjusted the best to this move, I'm sure it's her age. Brinkley will be starting dance in January and she is pretty excited. She loves to wear her dance clothes. She goes to preschool 4 days a week because of her speech delay. It's nice and sad at the same time. I'm glad she is able to go, but it sometimes makes it too quiet at home and then when they are all home, I want the quiet back.