Figuring out this blogging thing...

This is such a neat way to preserve our family memories and with Becky's blog book, it has motivated me even more to preserve our family memories so that I can have it in a hard copy too!

I've learned a couple of things (thanks for tutoring me Shannon, Kelly, Brooke and Becky!): How to add a link, how to change the date, adding music to a blog, adding pictures...and I'm sure there is so much more!

The most recent thing I learned from Brooke was how to change the date. I thought I was stuck with the date that I started the post. Nope! I can change the date to whatever date I want! I am going to start working on adding our past family news items...this is going to be fun!

Morning routine

Kendall and I have been walking Kerst to school and then finish out the block for a nice 1 1/2 mile walk when all is said and done. Some mornings it takes a little longer to finish the walk because of the new things Kendall discovers.

He is now on the lookout for the praire dogs

Touching trees and bushes along the way

Passing friends (Katie and Ben K)

Picking flowers

We do it rain

or shine!

And we will probably walk when it snows! Come and join us!

School really works!

The kids were playing around with John in the pool doing a modified version of Limbo in the water. The kids took turn swimming in between his legs. After each round, he would move his legs closer together. If they touched him with any part of their body, they had one more chance to swim between his legs before getting DQed (Disqualified).

Towards the end of the game, Jaley's ponytail touched John's leg. She came up out of the water saying, "No fair, that is a dependant variable."



She is so cute!

Piano is tuned!

We had a piano tuner come over yesterday to tune the piano. It sounds SO much better! I love listening to the kids play the piano, even when it wasn't tuned. Now it will be even more wonderful to hear them play!

Julia auditions today!

Julia is very nervous for her audition today after school for the musical You're A Good Boy, Charlie Brown. This is not normal for her...the nervous part. There are only eight parts in the musical with two of them being girls - Sally and Lucy - so I can see why she is nervous. She also mentioned that her teacher already has in mind who she wants for the parts so she has to really "WOW" her. She is trying out for Sally, Charlie Brown's little sister. She has found a monologue from Hello, Dolly! to present and has two songs from YAGB, Charlie Brown learned in a character voice (Belting).

It is a different sound for her and is amazing to me. Her voice teacher has been working with Julia in developing different genres with her singing. Broadway/stage voices are different from her choir voice. I have really enjoyed listening to her practice for this audition.

Good Luck Julia!

He is saying his name - sort of!

Kendall has started saying his name! He has recently started saying My and Mine (a four letter word in the eyes of a mother of a two year old). Another one of his favorite things are looking for school buses on the way to taking Kerst to school. Yesterday he pointed and said "My Bus" as a bus drove by.

Now we just have do work on his name...Ken Doll...should I get him a Barbie ;o)?

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child...

I found this on Cathy's blog and had to share it (and have it for myself too!). It is a great reminder for me!

The Price of Children

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down.

It translates into:
* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month, or
* $171.08 a week.
* That's a mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140?

* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, & warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sand castles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs, and
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* going to Disney movies, and
* wish on stars.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:
* first step,
* first word,
* first date, and
* first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no
college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God.

You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

That is quite a deal for the price! What a bargain.

Now, go give those little dollar signs a big hug!

Attempt at a family photo shoot

Since we were all gussied up for the reception (and it was cloudy; my kids squint with any hint of sun), we decided to take advantage and get a family photo and a kid photo.

We failed.

Kendall had a 30 minute nap instead of his regular 3+ hour nap. He DID NOT cooperate.

Here are our adorable, beautiful, handsome, goofy and sad kids.

This is in honor of Kendall's mood and it did not help the situation at all ;o)

Casey and Robert's Wedding

John and I were able to attend the sealing of Casey and Robert V. this last Saturday. It was a wonderful ceremony with some beautiful counsel and instruction. Each wedding sealing I attend, I leave wanting to do even more and do even better. She was beautiful; he was beaming.

The reception was held at Casey's parents' home. Yummy food all cooked on the grill. Sausage, chicken, Tri-tip, French Bread. WOW. They even grilled during the rain and drizzle.

And then the CAKE! On most of the tables set up inside their home, a cake was the center piece. Part way through the reception we were able to cut the cake and then go "cake shopping" at the other tables. There were at least 5 choices. Chocolate cake with raspberry, chocolate cake with cherry, white cake with strawberry and white cake with Bavarian Cream. I thought the cake on our table was the best. It was a sponge cake with a light lemony filling...it tasted more like cream cheese than it did lemon. The cake was HEAVENLY! I believe they were made at a local Dutch Bakery.

EIGHTEEN!

John and I had our 18th Wedding Anniversary this past Friday (August 22). While preparing for family to arrive, I remembered that our anniversary would fall right in the middle of the fun! It wasn't until mid afternoon while John was off swimming with his sister and her family (3 hours of tennis before that!) that it dawned on me that it was our anniversary!


I mentioned it to John when he got back from swimming. He smiled and asked if I would like to join him at a Hawaiian Loua that evening (the pre-wedding dinner/party that John's sister Emily was throwing).

We had a blast! And hey, the food was free AND yummy! So, Happy 18th Honey! I guess I'm not a very high maintenance wife...even I forget!

New Lights

I finally found a new light for our entryway! I really love the new look! John was such a great sport and hung the new light (I offered to do it! I hung the light in the dining room and the kitchen). His left hand went numb for awhile after hanging on to the ladder and drill in an awkward way. It is over 20' high!

Here is the old light in the entryway:
Here is the new light in the entryway. Thanks John!!!

Kendall's Nightmare

I was reminded of this today and thought I should write it down before I forget.

Kendall is starting to talk more but still does quite a bit of his communication with sign language. While visiting family in UT this past July, Kendall raided my Mom's garden and found her ceramic frog hidden among the flowers. He was SO excited! He came running out signing "frog" over and over. He would not leave the frog alone. He loved that frog! I ended up picking up the frog; Grandma hid it. He was very upset that we took away "Frog".

Later that night, Kendall got fussy so I threw him in bed between my sister Kelly and me (Mike was so kind to go sleep on the trampoline with the older cousins, so I snagged his spot). He would fuss on and off, but would calm down after I moved him around.

The next morning Kelly asked me "What does this mean?" and then put her hand to her chin with her thumb underneath and then open and closed her fingers several times. I told her that it was Kendall's sign for frog. Kelly told me that when Kendall fussed that night, she sat up to see what was wrong and she saw him doing that sign. He must have been having a nightmare about Grandma hiding the frog ;o) !


Here is a video I caught of Kendall signing Frog. He is holding a book that is in the shape of a frog.

Lost and Found!!!

I unpacked my kitchen and could not find all of my medium sized plates (for portion control ;o) ) and the majority of our forks. I had NO idea where they could be. A part of me thought that we could have accidentally thrown some away here and there when we were eating off of mainly paper plates and plastic ware due to our kitchen remodeling project.

Last night our old dishwasher found a new home at Sarah and Aaron's. John was preparing to load it up for them and he happened to open the dishwasher. There were my missing forks and plates!!! I am SO happy!!! During the rush of tearing out the old cabinets and removing the appliance, the dishes were left inside. I could blame this lapse of remembering to empty out the dishwasher on "recovering from my gallbladder surgery". Hey, at least they were clean!

Now we are in business for all of the family coming in to town for the wedding!

Wedding Collage Video for our nephew Robert

Our nephew, Robert V, is getting married on Saturday! It is so hard to imagine that I am old enough for him to be getting married! I remember holding him at the hospital when he was a brand new baby...and I was a Beehive (almost 14 years old)! What happened to the time?

I put together a wedding video for Robert and Casey. They are such a cute couple. Enjoy! (Their engagement pictures are really neat...at the end of the video...)

Here is the DVD case cover I made with my digital scrap booking program.

Strikers are FINALLY framed

In July, Mike and Kelly brought a soccer team (UC Strikers) with them on their visit to Colorado (Strikers_Strike_CO). As a token of their appreciation for us playing with them during the week, the team signed one of their jerseys (Yes, Thank You Sean for donating your jersey!).

I have an art nook in the basement that I had no idea what to do with. I found a jersey frame and framed it just before the guys left. I finally added the photos from their trip inside the frame.

It is fun to walk down and see this memory framed at the base of our stairs. It was a great week!

Enchords

Julia is starting a new music group at her High School. This music group will be student led (by Julia until she graduates) and will consist of 8 girls. Julia, with the help of her amazing voice teacher Lorena P., put together a packet to give to the girls that includes an introductory information sheet, sheet explaining their music interest and ability, and a permission form for their parents to sign acknowledging the commitment involved.

There is some buzz at the school about this new A Cappella group. Julia is a little worried about a couple of the girls being upset if they don't make it (in fact, all of the girls who don't make it will be upset) because they know Julia. Julia was telling me last night that just by knowing her doesn't qualify an automatic "in" with the group. THIS group is based on ability. Julia's voice teacher will help Julia in screening the auditions for Call Backs. That will take some of the stress off of Julia.

Fliers are being hung up today and Julia will hand out the Audition Packet to those who sign up for an audition time. She will be super busy next Wednesday and Thursday screening the girls at auditions for a Call Back audition the following week.

She is really excited! Julia's voice teacher came up with this amazing logo for the group...

Name Calling about Mommy and Daddy

Name Calling about Mom


Kerst said, "teaching"

Jaley said, "Good Cook "

Jenna said, "social - She will be in church and we will be there like a long time after just waiting for her to finish talking with her friends." Editor's side note: What is wrong with my kids?!? This was a famous past time as a youth. My dad was SUPER patient and allowed us to stay for at least 45 minutes to catch up with our friends. I DON'T have 45 minutes anymore. In fact, I'm lucky if I get 5 minutes to say what needs to be said. We are pulling out of the parking lot 10 minutes after our meetings end. Geeze ;o)

Julia said, "Selfless - Whether it's dedicating her time, talents, or giving someone else the last piece of pizza on a fast Sunday, Mom always seems to put others before herself. Love ya Mommy-O!"

John said, "Steadfast"




Name calling about Dad


Kerst said, "sweaty...because he exercises a lot"

Jaley said, "Good Athlete "Jenna said, "Active - He is always running or biking"

Julia said, "Brave - Always willing to share the gospel even though the situation may be a little intimidating. He'll always be my role model for that! One specific time I remember is when this politician came to our door and he gave the politician Mr. Kruger's Christmas DVD from our church. I was shocked, but the experience has stayed with me."

Corin said, "Supportive and Generous - He is always willing to lend a hand to help others. He supports me with all of my crazy ideas (new kitchen, spontaneous trips to UT, decorating, etc). He has also shown me the wonderful gift of generosity. As a newly married couple and money being tight, I remember John giving his prized stereo system to a dear friend who needed something like that for his home. He was always sharing what he had with others without any questions. He is a great example."

Name Calling about Julia

Kerst said, "Loving"

Jaley said, "Musical"

Jenna said, "Beautiful"

Julia said, "Flippin' AWESOME!!! Do i NEED to elaborate?? Just joking...totally kidding guys." Editor's note: Can you tell she has a fun sense of humor?

Mommy said, "Loving - She is ALWAYS coming up and giving me hugs and kisses. She hugs and kisses me in front of her friends. At home, at school, at church, at camp, etc. She is not embarrassed to have me around, in fact she wants to be with me. Her school schedule for this year was completely messed up. Second Semester she was going to have 2 class periods empty. She wanted to come home and spend time with me...so sweet, but sorry...she has to go to school! She is also fun to be around. She makes shopping fun (I know, Kelly and Shannon would be disappointed that I am not a shopper like them, in fact, Kelly can share some stories about shopping with me and trying clothing on...). Julia can crack a smile on my face even when I am super tired."

Daddy said, "Amorous" Ok...enough of this cross word puzzle brainiac stuff! Yes, she is affectionate...and we LOVE it!

Name Calling about Jenna

Kerst said, "Tough"

Jaley said, "Smart "

Julia said, "Sharing/Generous - Always gives of herself to others. Looks around her to see those in need."

Mommy said, "Thoughtful - Always the first to jump up and get/do something for someone else. I heard countless examples at parent/teacher conferences of examples of Jenna doing this frequently throughout the day for her peers."

Daddy said, "Amphibeous" Can you tell he does cross word puzzles?!? Jenna loves sports on land and in the water...in fact, I think she is part fish. She loves loves, loves to swim.

Name Calling about Jaley

Kerst said, "Always nice to me"

Jenna said, "smart - she is in Honors Math and Honors Reading"

Julia said, "Determined - She tries her best to do whatever. Whatever as in basically everything and does it perfectly. Maybe I should have put perfect....okay. I'm just rambling now...

Mommy said, "Mothering - She is amazing with Kendall. She is always conscious of his whereabouts and on top of his needs. She is concerned for others too. At the age of 2 she would become upset if I told Jenna that I was leaving and then start walking away. She wasn't familiar with the "I'm leaving now" trick at that age, in fact, she still doesn't like it when I do that. She still insists that I wait."

Daddy said, "Artistic" and she is amazing! She is always drawing floor plans, people, etc... I will have to post some of her artwork. She has won recognition for a lot of her artwork back in Chicago at the school district art display.

Name Calling about Kerst

Jaley said, "silly..."

Jenna said, "cute - When I am sad he cheers me up! Laughable...always giggling"

Julia said, "Loving - Can always spare a hug or a kiss which I MORE than willingly would accept. Always cares for others with his whole heart. I don't think it is in him to dislike anyone."

Mommy said, "Honest - He tells you how it is without worrying about what others might think. He is still in the stage where he is learning what questions are appropriate to ask. I hold my breath sometimes when I hear him asking a question of someone other than our family. We understand his curious nature. I also hold my breath when he has constructive criticism (if I can call it that) of something or someone. He is honest."

Daddy said, "Funloving" He always has a smile and a giggle to share!

Name Calling about Kendall

Kerst said, "likes babysittin' "

Jaley said, "cute/adorable/silly/creative just like his big sister (he he he)."

Jenna said, "Playful - whenever I seem him, his is always playing"

Julia said, "Smelly...just kidding...ADORABLE...not much else to say...."

Mom said, "Teachable. He is at a really fun stage where he is finally starting to mimic what we say and do. We have to be very careful (not that we say or do anything bad...but). The girls have recently taught him a cute high five trick from Finding Nemo. He has also started jamming out to songs while we are in the car and has even begun singing...hmmm I wonder who taught him that?!"

Dad said, "Cute" need we say more?

(Here is Kendall doing "Fin, Noggin, Dude!" with Jaley)

Here is Kendall singing Bom Bom Dee Dah

Name Calling

I saw this on Wendi's blog and had to do it...so this is a bloglift! Wendi and Brian attended a wedding/sealing in the Manti Temple. The sealer asked the mom of the Bride and Groom to come up with one word that describes their child. Wendi and Brian did this for their kids; it was fun to read. You can read it here.

We did this "name calling" activity for Family Home Evening. It was really fun to do! So, here's ours!

More Misery for Julia

Julia caught on to the contract idea after her girl's camp experience. She had the bright idea to create another contract (aka misery) so that she could go out to Utah to cheer on Uncle Mike's UC Strikers soccer team at the UC Striker Fest.

She came up with the contract idea late on this particular Wednesday. She showed her Dad just as we were heading out the door to our mutual activity, an Eagle Scout Project where we were putting in a flower garden at a local elementary school. It was agreed upon with a slight modification made by Dad.

We got home from mutual and packed up in 15 minutes and headed out the door. We gave Aunt Kelly a call warning her that we were going to be at her place by 4:30 a.m. to help her cheer. She was excited. So was Julia. More misery...but it was worth it.

WORK

I don't see it as a four letter word. I see it as an opportunity! My kids probably feel the opposite.

We still have not installed a dishwasher in our kitchen. We are still waiting for the countertops - 3 MORE weeks! At least we have a sink! We have turned dish duty over to the kids again. I'm glad I did, but I can't believe how quickly they forget! Yes, we wash the dishes in HOT water, not COLD! We don't run the water the entire time; one side is soapy for washing, the other for rinsing. It is also a great time for them to do something together, even if they don't like the chore. Maybe we shouldn't get a dishwasher....hmmm.....

I came home from an open house last night at one of our schools and Kerst was STILL faithfully drying and putting the dishes away. It is a challenge for him because everything is up high and he is still trying to figure out where everything goes; me too!

The kids all have their own after dinner chore and we rotate weekly. Washing, drying, setting the table/clearing, and floors. I need to figure out where to put Kendall in the cleanup chore process. Not as a particpant, but as a chore. He is a MESS.

I have added another chore to the floor and setting/clearing people since school started. Making lunches. That takes a huge burden off of me in the morning. It will be really nice once Early Morning Seminary starts on Monday.

It has been nice to get our kitchen partially together so that we can do more of these "opportunities" together as a family. They have even started helping me with the cooking again! My kids love to cook. When it comes to the clean up and they complain, I remind my kids that it is my job to teach them how to do all of these chores (imagine their eyes rolling as I tell them this). And yes, it is more work for me, but I see it as more teachable "opportunities".

Jenna auditioned!

Jenna auditioned for a music group at school. Only 22 singers made it and she was one of them! Way to go Jenna! She has a beautiful voice; I'm glad she can share it with even more people.

History of my name - by Jaley

Jaley was asked to write a short summary of how she got her name. She did a great job! She wants to be just like Julia and went over and above the expectations of her teacher. She did a digital scrapbook page for her assignment. She did it all by herself!!! I had to instruct her on how to add shadowing to each element on the page.

Here is her work:

Journaling: My parents were originally going to call me Linley, but a realtor changed it all. My mom and her were talking about what their kids names were. The realtor shared the name of her children, and my mom thought one of the names was pretty. My mom tried to remember the name the realtor told her that night. My mom thought it was Jalene. In the morning she asked the realtor what that name was again. She said "Jalane" but my mom thought Jalene was prettier. Kay is my mom's middle name so she wanted me to have the same one as her. So my real name is Jalene Kay. And that is how I got my name, Jalene Kay Meibos.

Editor's note: Yes, we were planning on naming her Linley (although the spelling hadn't been decided; Lynnley, Lindley, Linley, etc). John's mom mentioned that the baby might feel left out if when she gets older if she doesn't have a "J" name like her older sisters. John and I decided that if we found a "J" name we liked, we would change it. We didn't have any luck. Just 2 weeks before Jaley was born, we put our house in Texas up on the market. John was changing jobs and moving us to Ohio. We had a realtor come over and give us her marketing strategy and it was during that conversation that she mentioned the "J" name that struck me. It took my mom a couple of months to call Jaley by her new name.

Julia's misery = our happiness, Huh?

Julia brought to our attention an observation she had the other day. She pointed out that everyone else's happiness in the family is based on her level of misery. Let me explain...

Julia's found out at a 4th year girl's camp meeting in February of this year that her camping experience was going to be TOTALLY different than what she was going to have in Chicago. In Chicago, the 4th year girls do a 1 day canoe trip. She was really looking forward to doing that with her friends. At this meeting, her enthusiastic (overly enthusiastic according to Julia) leaders explained the table display of gear to the girls. Water Filter, shovel, 2 lb sleeping bag, 5 lb two man tent, Mountain House Food (dehydrated food), dressing in layers, DO NOT wear cotton, wear the same clothing, packing everything in zip lock bags, 35 lb limit, etc.

What? Did I hear that right? A TWENTY-FIVE MILE FOUR DAY BACKPACKING TRIP?

Julia looked at me with fear (or should I say a glare) in her eyes and said under her breath, "I'm going to die."

For the next several weeks she was miserable. We were all miserable. I know it was hard enough taking her away from her friends in Chicago and her singing group, but then to add this backpacking trip on top of it. We were not going to back down. She needed to go on this trip. I knew it would be a very empowering experience for her. If she did this, it would give her the confidence and knowledge that she could accomplish anything. For those of you who know Julia, this would be a very difficult experience. She would rather read a book, play the piano or sing. She also has asthma.

John came up with a solution and typed up a contract with Julia promising to give her unlimited texting on the cell phone for a year if she changed her outward attitude about the backpacking trip. She could still be terrified about it, but not make us all miserable.
Julia and her friend Blakelee. Julia's backpack ended up weighing 36 lbs, 1 lb over. When Julia heard that she turned to me and said with a twinkle in her eye, "I guess I can't go." No such luck...she got to carry 1 extra pound.

This is when the 4th years march in to camp after four full days of backpacking in the Colorado mountains. It ended up being longer than 25 miles because they took extra hikes during the day. Notice she is still wearing the same clothing?!? That is how they were to pack to keep down the weight.

She went. She survived. Thanks for the texting Julia!!!

Another Kendall First - Shoes

Kendall put his shoes on ALL BY HIMSELF for the first time on August 12. His first's are starting to dwindle....he is growing up too fast :o(
Notice they are on the wrong feet... Hey, he had a 50/50 chance! I swear with kids the probability is even higher at getting them on the wrong feet!