ToTaLlY rAnDoM!!

Not a ton going on with us, just day to day things, school, playing and having fun! We are still looking and praying for a job, but feel totally at peace with where we are at right now. So we know it is in the works and when it is the right time we will get the call! The kids are doing awesome! The boys are rockin' school and being fantastic students! Coleman is Loving pre-school!!! It has been such a good thing for him to get away from his family and learn he can have fun and be okay on his own! Delaney is still working through the potty training, she has taken a few steps back but we have hopes she will turn it back around! We are still waiting to hear back on her speech evaluation. Kahle is running around and climbing on everything, smiling and loving life! He has started saying shoes, and wanting to put shoes on (totally reminds me of Grant)! I am helping out in school as much as I can, and Jeff is being awesome as always!!

Here are some random pictures....

This is what happens when you give Kahle a chocolate chip cookie!!

Kahle has a long torso and so we had to pull out the 18-24/2t clothes. Coleman couldn't have been more excited to find that Kahle had matching PJ's!

These two are best buds! They are adorable and looked too cute!

Getting caught climbing on the table :) We now have to make sure the chairs are pushed all the way in.

Yeah he is adorable!!! And I believe he knows it!

Again, too cute to watch!!

Here are some random/funny comments by Coleman and Delaney....

~ Coleman was doing sommersaults and when he was done he said 'I was doing a supersault'!

~ Coleman and Jeff were teasing and Coleman said something not so nice and Jeff told him to not say that. Cole said 'My brain is mad, it is controlling me and making me mean!' He's already learned to make excuses!

~ Delaney call's her flip flops with polka dots, her coconut flops.

~ Coleman was talking about going to pre-school and wanting to show his teacher something, he said 'I want to show Mrs. Harmonica'. His teachers name is Mrs. Monaca :)

~ Jeff was talking with Cole about the different kinds of sugar there are as he was making cookies. When Jeff showed him the powder sugar Cole said 'that's what Mom's put on their face'! I have to wonder where he saw that because I don't use powder on my face :)

~ Delaney was jumping onto the couch from the ottoman and yelled 'candy ball'!

Anyway, life is good! And I couldn't be more happy or proud of my cute family!!!

Speech Eval

Today Delaney had her speech eval. Her and I climbed in the car and headed out, we got there and she immediately got quiet, and we hadn't even talked to anyone yet. It was like she sensed it before it happened. They called us back and got her started with some play doh, which she enjoyed, but wouldn't talk to anyone and whispered to me. The speech pathologist came over, we talked for a bit and then headed over to a table where she was set up. Delaney climbed up on the chair and I had high hopes! The lady pulls out some toys from a bag and started asking Delaney what they were, Delaney just stared at her. So she asked her to repeat her, yeah that wasn't going to happen either! So I tried....nothing! This lady didn't seem to thrilled Delaney wasn't cooperating (the only one who wasn't sweet about her being shy and not talking) but what could I do?! They decided to have her see the nurse first and see if she opens up. We get in there and Delaney followed directions and smiled, but that was it. She was not talking for anyone! They decided instead of just a simple speech eval. she was going to need to a more detailed eval....okay let's do it! So after the nurse we went to another table where a lady tried to play ball, skip and jump with Delaney....nope not happening! She stood there and watched this lady do it all, but didn't move! So she moved her back to the table, and did some more things with her. Delaney did what was asked to the best of her ability, and when moving on I told her to say thank you, she did! YAY! She said something, lol! They took her into another room and asked me to sit and talk to a psychologist and fill out a very detailed form. She would follow directions and do what was asked, but there was no talking, when all of the sudden something switched! She started to talk! I believe the prayers said on her behalf helped, so thank you! I am not sure how much or what she said, I will still filling out forms. But they were all happy she talked! Now we wait....They will be calling within the next week to set up an appt. for us to go over how well she did and what/if they recommend anything! So after 2 hours of evaluations we wait some more! I know some people may question me taking her in, but I had a gut feeling that I needed to take her in. Whether they tell me she is fine or they start with some sort of something to help her, I am glad that I took her in!

Keeping Up the Faith!

Thinking back to January and getting the dreaded phone call, it was Jeff on the other line and he had been laid off. I tried to keep it together, and be strong, but the tears fell! The feelings of worry and stress filled my body, 5 kids to take care of and no job are not the best mix! We knew it was coming but didn't expect it as quickly as it came! I knew that Heavenly Father was aware of our situation even before we were, and he would be there for me, so I prayed! We have been down this road before but this time it seemed to hurt a little more than the other times. As soon as I began my prayer I was filled with a warmth that went from my head to my toes, it was a familiar feeling. One I had felt many other times in my life when going through something just as hard! I am grateful for that feeling, one I have to think back on and know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and my family! He knows what is coming and is preparing us for things in our future! I know that this is something we have to go through at this time! Now to be real, it is not easy! It is hard to trust and have faith that everything is going to be okay when your future is unknown. I have thoughts of 'is it really going to work out and be okay' all the time, but I have found that the moment I have those thoughts, I say a quick prayer and Heavenly Father immediately comforts me! We have a strong feeling that a job is just 'around the corner' and is coming, we just have to be patient, trust our Heavenly Father and know that HE is taking care of us!

Our kids know that we are in need of a job, and nightly they pray for it! I am so grateful for their prayers, their examples! Haden has prayed to get out of Vegas many times. Which when looking at reality that may be just what is going to happen, since Vegas is slim pickins for a job, Jeff is applying all over the country! (which is kind of exciting, scary, but exciting) But whatever the situation may be, wherever this job takes us, we are ready for it! We are praying for it to come quickly, we know that Heavenly Father is aware of that and also will bless us with that job when he sees fit. And to be honest I have to have that faith, I couldn't survive through trials without it, I would be a mess, lol! It's easy to try and control the situation, but for me that just doesn't get me anywhere, since I am not the one in charge, and I am aware of that!

Anyway, I guess I just needed to ramble off some thoughts today! If you have a few minutes can you please spare a prayer or two for my family, and for a job for Jeff?! We would really appreciate it! We love you all, and are so grateful for your constant love and support! As soon as we know Jeff has a job, we will definitely let everyone know!

Primary Program 2010

Today was the Primary Program in our ward! I have to say a big Thank You to the Primary Presidency and to all of the teachers who sat on the stand with the kids. I know from experience it isn't the easiest! The kids all did a Fantastic job!!

My mom asked me to video them saying their parts, so here it is! It isn't the best quality, I took it with my phone!

Haden's part is: When I am confirmed I receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I am excited I will be 8 years old soon.

Grant's part is: He is our Redeemer because he paid the price for us.

Coleman's part is: Being kind to my friends.

Here are some pictures of the kiddos before church:

He is just getting too big! And is such a handsome kid!

Love his smile :) He is such a good looking and sweet boy!!

He always looks like he is up to something! Way adorable!!

Love it! She is such a beautiful girl who makes us smile!!

I can't help but smile looking at this cute kid!!!

Couple of highlights from the program....

- Haden 'needing' to tell his teacher something in the middle of the sacrament being passed.

- Coleman decided to show his true colors today! I guess he is feeling more comfortable with his teachers! He was pretending to conduct the music, making circles with his fingers around his eyes and looking around the room, him and another kid bumping into each other while they were standing to sing.....yeah I could have died!

- Grant got to hold up a picture of the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, during the song 'Follow the Prophet' and he held the picture up upside down for part of it, until someone got him to turn it right side up :) Totally made me smile!

The boys said their parts without any problems and we are so proud of them!! My Dad came to watch the boys and they couldn't have been happier to have him there, Delaney and Kahle LOVED getting to sit with him. After the program we headed home and made a big lunch for us and my Dad and the kids enjoyed having him over! If you can't tell from the pictures :)

Kahle LOVES getting rides from Haden! Doesn't seem like too long ago when Haden was giving rides to Delaney and she was that size!

Thank you Dad for taking the time to come watch the boys! We sure love and appreciate you!!!

Coleman's Turn!!

Today was Coleman's first day of Pre-School!

He could not have been more happy to be going to school! It will be so good for him to get away from his family and have his own 'thing'!

When I asked him to show me how excited he was to go to school, this is what he did! I don't know about you but that looks like he is pretty excited!!

He is going to pre-school at Miss Monaca's (a lady in my ward), and he LOVED his first day! He is looking forward to going back, lucky for him he will be going each morning Mon, Wed and Fri. :) He can't stop talking about school and just had a blast! His favorite thing he did was painting! Although he can't stop talking playing the instruments either :)

Here are some random pictures I have taken the past couple days:

Coleman lining up his guys :)

Kahle's game he likes to play! He hides his face and then when you ask where he is, he smiles huge :)

Building a fort with the couch cushions!

Thank you all for the advice on helping Grant! I am so grateful you would all take the time to share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions!

Delaney is doing AWESOME! She stayed dry last night, and has only had one small accident today. We even took her to run some errands with us and she told us in the store she had to go potty and made it! We are so proud of her!!

Please Help!!

I love this child with everything in me! I love this handsome happy face!

However I do not love the he cries over EVERYTHING and you can't reason with him. We have tried everything to work with him, but just can't get him to use his words and talk to us instead of crying. He cries if something isn't going his way, he cries if you tease him, he cries if he gets in trouble, he cries if he gets bumped by a sibling, he cries when they are all wrestling and having fun, he cries when he is asked to clean up, he cries when he wants something (or doesn't want to do something), he cries....well you get the idea! He cries, he can't just talk to us to express his feelings. He has now started to cry...no sob when I drop him off for primary at church. And others have had to just take him and I feel awful for just leaving, but I don't know what else to do!

We have tried ignoring it, letting him cry and express his feelings, getting mad, we have tried everything we can think of and NOTHING is working. And it's not just little crying or whining or even faking. I mean he is sobbing crying. Grant is a very 'sensitive' boy, and I just really don't know how to handle him!

So I am turning to YOU! Please help!!! Any and all advice is welcome and very appreciated! I know I probably sound mean, I am not wanting to be mean or awful, I just am not sure how to get him to use his words! I feel like I have a lot of patience, and can put up with a lot, but am feeling like I am ready to loose it! Thanks in advance!

Day 3 - Lovin' It!

Her face says it all, we are THIS excited with how today went!!! I was praying that it would click and she would 'get' is. Well today was that day!! She did have an accident in the night, but also got drinks later than she should have. But the rest of the night was great and we started off the morning awesome!
She made in on the potty a total of 9 times, 4 of which she told us she had to go all on her own!!!!!! We couldn't be prouder!!! And there was only 5 accidents! She has so got this!! Each day just gets better, things are clicking and she is amazing! It has been such an easy process, everything is being positive and just happy for her for each and every success, try or even accident!

Things we have learned:

- If Delaney says she is peeing it can mean two things she actually IS peeing, or she is GOING to pee!

- She likes to 'go' potty (try and sit on there for 2 seconds) to get M&M's (the treat she picked out) for her and her brothers!

- She does not like to be in wet underwear, and tells us as soon as the pee hits it. Which is great for us and for her :)

Onto Day 2....YAY!

Delaney started out Day 2 of Potty Training by waking up DRY!!! Yes, you read that right, she went the WHOLE night in underwear and was completely dry! She wasn't going to the bathroom every 10 minutes today (like she was yesterday), she is learning control!! There were a few times today that she would tell me she was peeing only to find a drop or two in her underwear and then she held the rest until she was on the potty!! There was one poop accident today (BUT only one!), there wasn't a lot in her underwear, so I am okay with that!

She only had 8 accidents today, 2 of which were barely anything! I was a little worried with how today was going to go, this morning she was fighting it. She didn't want underwear, when I would ask her to tell me if she had to go she would tell me no, lol. But that quickly changed and she got excited to go and be a big girl! She is doing awesome and we are all so proud of her!! Looking forward to day 3!

Day 1 Down.....

After waking up and eating breakfast, Delaney put on some underwear and we got started on potty training! She is drinking her juice in the photo above, and is just adorable! We are doing the 3 Day Potty Training and we are hoping that she just catches on to it and it is easy going! So far I am thinking this is going to work!

She, on her own, straddled the toilet and sat backwards! I didn't tell her too, and she would switch throughout the day, but more times than not would do it this way. Whatever works and makes her want to go potty!! I don't do potty chairs, totally a personal opinion! And we had a little seat that went on the big toilet seat, but she didn't care for it. So on the big toilet she went and did fantastic!

We had about 10-11 accidents BUT there were 4 or 5 times where she told us on her own that she needed to go before she did in her underwear!!!!!! And many other times after being reminded to tell us, that she went!!! Also all of her accidents were peeing ones, which I don't know about you, but I can handle those!! And she did poop a couple times in the potty, so that is not a problem, yay!! I dedicated my day to her and we played, sang songs, read books and enjoyed the time we got to have together! We did have a time or two where she asked to wear diapers or just be done with underwear, but we stuck through it and at the end of the day she did Awesome! It was fun to watch her get so excited and be so proud of herself!!

Today we learned:

-That having 4 brothers (3 of which go potty) makes you think you should stand up to pee :) Having to explain that girls are different and we have to sit down can be funny!!

-That girls have to wipe a lot more than boys!

-That Delaney LOVES to be praised and cheered for, and has the cutest little girl smile ever!

I am looking forward to seeing how she does throughout the night (Yes she went to bed in underwear!), and to see how tomorrow goes!! Way to go Delaney! You are amazing and we are so proud of you, our Big Girl!!!!

Slippin' and a Slidin'

First off I have to show you this adorable little boy who LOVES to lay on the skateboard and roll around. He totally cracks us up......

See how funny he things he is?!!

Tonight we went over to Nate and Jenn's house to do our monthly birthday celebration. Since Jeff is the only September birthday we brought the food, but they were nice enough to let us go to their house since they have such a fun backyard! Thank you guys!!! We ate yummy ribs, cooked by Jeff! And they set up some plastic to use as a slip 'n slide. Baseball was played and lots of FUN was had!!!

Kahle checking things out!

LOVE this water toy!

Haden and Ethan didn't skip a beat! They were playing and wrestling not long after we got there!

The 4 oldest cousins!

Kahle giving it a try :)

Haden was playing on the trampoline and somehow bounced himself off, he got a small cut on his lip and bumped his eye. A few minutes after this picture he was back playing and having a blast!

He is our climber and makes me a bit nervous! He climbed in all by himself, we had to move it to the grass in case he fell out!

LOVING corn!!!

YUM!!!

Playing baseball and the slip 'n slide was how you got to home base! Haden got a 'little' muddy :)

Up to bat!

Waiting on base to run!

I just loved how these three lined up with Adri, way too cute!!

Grant's turn!!

The boys waiting in line for their turn!

Playing and having a blast!

Grant and Kate, such great friends!!

So sweet :)

Sam, Oh how I love your eyes!!!

Nate and Ethan sliding :)

More sliding fun!

Adri and Lacy!

Adri twisting as she slides :)

Go Trent!!

It was so much fun and I am so sad my battery died, or there would be lots more pictures! Thanks for such a fun night!!!