We've grown

And we're moving to a new blog. Just follow this link to see the new little guy.

Big Brother/Big Sister Class

On Saturday, we took the kids to the hospital for a class about welcoming our new baby. We've been doing sort of a mini-unit on this at home, so I really didn't know if the class would be overkill. Turns out it was a great experience; even the reluctant biggest brothers walked away with (mostly) good things to say about it! I only teared up twice (well, only noticeably twice)... when we were shown two brand-new babies. But I'm nine months pregnant, watching my three oldest children carefully toting around baby dolls while we tour the hospital I am about to give birth in, and listening to visitors and nurses coo about how sweet they were. I really don't think it counts that I teared up when the nurse approached the nursery window and held a precious little newborn to the glass for our children to see. I wish I had remembered my camera; they were all very sweet.

...Except when Gabe wanted NOTHING to do with the baby doll. He pretty much freaked out and practically threw it on the ground. It was pretty large and floppier than most of his sister's dolls, so I am choosing not to read anything into it. He did thank the "home teacher" for the cookies and movie before we left, and is still wearing his "I'm a Big Brother" button he received for passing the class.

I'm also choosing not to be concerned that Micah repeatedly shook his doll, held it upside down, and was generally ridiculous in his handling of it. The teacher eventually suggested he not be allowed to hold the actual baby. But he was the sweetest with Gabe and loves babies generally. So, please. He's 7 and dolls aren't his toy of choice.

They are all very anxious for their little brother's arrival. I'm nearly ready; we just have one more day of schooling to finish up, then it's time for me to really get serious about preparing for this little one. Wish us luck! :)

blog change

Sometime in early June, we'll be changing the name of our blog, because someone new is coming to join our family. We'll wait until it's official, and then plan to change to sevenredheads. [And that will be this blog's final name. :)]

Also, I want to tell my family and Clint's thank you for their prayers and their fasting so that this little one could stay with me. Several weeks ago, we thought we had lost our growing little baby, and I am humbled by the answer Heavenly Father chose to give to our prayers. I felt I would have accepted if He'd said no, but I also tasted the difficulty and sadness that would have resulted. My heart aches for those who have experienced miscarriage, and also rejoices in the tender mercies of my Heavenly Father.

Last of our Summer

Just before we dove into our new adventure of homeschooling, we took a much-needed vacation to California. Of course, we mostly visited my family. The kids had lots of fun playing together, and so did the grown-ups. So much so, I didn't even stop to grab my camera for a single picture. Except for when we took a couple trips on our own. First, we went to the beach. What trip to the coast is complete without a beach trip?? This was also a perfect springboard for our first unit on the ocean.

having fun being chased by waves...



playing in the surf some more...
not sure what m was doing here, but i'd bet it involved some trash-talking to the sea...

gathering treasures...


and here's g -- sandy, happy, and about ready to head out...


We gave ourselves a day to recover, then treated the kids to a 13-hour day at Disneyland. I have to admit I was pretty worried about the masses, the heat, and the horrible lines. But we *almost never waited more than about 25 minutes (for which we can, unfortunately, probably thank the economy.) Anyhow, M's dreams came true when he was chosen to be a Jedi trainee.

fighting Darth Maul...

apparently, Darth got in G's face (and scared him pretty good!)...


*I say "apparently," because while the boys were doing Jedi training, I had the distinct honor of waiting with A to see the princesses. For 90 minutes. To see 3 of them. And is Minnie even a princess?? A didn't buy it. So I guess we really waited 90 minutes to see 2 princesses and a fancy mouse. The camera battery died right when we got to the front of the line. Luckily, I had my cell phone... but who knows if I'll ever figure out how to get the pictures off. Later in the day, A said, "So, the princesses here aren't the real ones from the movies."
Me: "Ohhh, why do you say that?"
A: "I just figured it out."
Me: "How did you do that?"
A: "Well, when we went to see Belle, she was wearing the same clothes as the real Belle. And her hair was the same. But her face was different."
Me: "Oh, what was different about it?"
A: "It was a lot fatter."

There was also this conversation, after watching the Celebration parade (which was just after she met Belle, Mulan & Minnie):

A: "In the parade, I heard a man say, 'Disneyland is the place where dreams come true.' But I don't really think it is. Because, once, I had a dream I met Jasmine. And I haven't seen her."
M: "Well, once, I had a dream I came to Disneyland."

At least someone's dream came true that day! We really did have a great time. And we can't wait to go back, see our family, and take some pictures of them all!! :)

Spring Break

Today is day 9, the last one, of M & J's Spring Break. We've enjoyed almost every minute of it (just keepin' it real), and i really am not looking forward to tomorrow, when they leave and i return to my former position of taxi driver. Luckily, summer vacation is just around the corner!

We kicked the break off with a pizza lunch after picking J up from school last Friday. Then we enjoyed a wonderful Conference weekend, when we squeezed in some gardening, planted 6 fruit trees and invited ourselves over to my SIL Monica's house to watch the Sunday afternoon session on their TV. (We cut off our cable a couple of months ago after getting fed up with the disgusting commercials.)

Monday was spent at home, inside as well as out. Spring is finally here, and we were blessed with some wonderfully sunny weather! J, M & A built a teepee in the garden spot, made of metal t-posts and sheets. J took out his pocket knife to cut some branches just right, then tied them together to form a smaller teepee for Creamie (our cat.) Later that afternoon, Gabe called for me. i found him on the stairs, where he was pointing with a ladle (he loves carrying a kitchen utensil around the house.) The late afternoon sun was shining through our entryway window, illuminating the glorious dust which i love to nourish and cultivate in my home. My efforts were not wasted on Gabriel, and he just sat in awe for five or ten minutes...long enough to grab the camera!



Tuesday the children held a much-anticipated "Wii Day," and spent their afternoon hours video gaming.

On Wednesday, we headed to the SLC zoo. It was the first time Gabe's really been interested in the animals, and i just loved watching him notice each one. He found the monkeys especially wonderful and hilarious.



On Thursday, we met up with Aunt Monica and cousins Kadin and Natalie for bowling. Everyone had a great time, but keeping Gabe off the lanes kept me from taking any picture.

Friday was spent running here and there, relaxing at home in the afternoon and waiting for Grandma & Grandpa's visit. They were so kind to watch the kids while Clint and i went out for his birthday. We had a delicious dinner at our favorite local Indian restaurant (where i vowed that we will not buy lamb or chicken tikki masala again until i try to cook it here...maybe it will be a disastrous failure, but we love it sooo much, i have to see if i can do it!) If anyone has a great recipe, please send it my way. Anyway, then we went to the temple. It was so peaceful, so serene...we lingered.

Saturday was Clint's actual birthday, and we threw in a soccer practice, a primary activity, a fishing trip and our first outdoor easter egg hunt...in very windy and somewhat rainy weather. We may move back indoors next year!


here Gabe is doing all the work (w/ a little help from me). The plan was for the children to all decorate eggs, but a fishing trip with Daddy and the neighbor girls lured them away. Oh well... more dunking for Gaby.


the lists. a little short on baskets, but the toy tool box worked just fine. ;)



Yesterday, we headed to Grandma & Grandpa's after church, ate way too much food and candy, and loved on little baby Eleanor.




And today was "Friend Day". The kids invited 3 siblings that match up perfectly with their ages (and genders), and had fun playing for what was not nearly long enough for them!! (In fact, they just headed next door, to find some replacements.) All that's left is ballet, dinner, soccer & family night. i guess we're easing back into the madness!

Family Fun Night

One thing I love about blogs is how fun and easy it is to find great ideas... and steal them! Every Monday night, we gather our little family for Family Night... we sing, we pray, we have a lesson, and then comes our favorite part -- games & treats! A couple Mondays ago, we tried out my stolen, flour-cutting game.



You fill a plastic cup with flour (make sure to really pack it in), dump it upside down (I put it all on a cookie sheet to cut down on clean-up) and place a coin on top. Then you take turns slicing the flour, until someone eventually causes it to collapse. This sends the coin falling into the mountain of flour. At this point, the person who last sliced the flour has to find the coin with their face.


It was really a big hit, so thank you blogosphere!! ;)


Autumn finally cut the mound right down the middle, so that she could indulge in a flour facial!


And why no picture of me, you ask? Well, let's just say I rock at flour-cutting... we all have our talents! ;)

Baptism Day

Jonah has been looking forward to and preparing for his baptism for years now. This was completely his decision, and he has tried hard to study and learn as the time drew closer. What a tender experience to watch my first child be both baptized and blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. He has always been a sweet boy, always willing to help when asked & often without even needing an assignment. Having a boy first sort of concerned me; I was worried he might be a bully. From a young age, I taught him the roles of an older sibling: 1. to protect 2. to be nice. He has taken those roles seriously, and I think he is following the examples of Jesus Christ and Hyrum Smith (the ultimate big brothers) very well.



We were able to have a separate service (as opposed to the group, or stake, baptisms they usually do where we live), and that was extra special because he knew and chose everyone who participated in the baptismal service. We felt grateful for friends and family that took the time to be there. It meant a lot to him, and to us. And of course we enjoyed eating and visiting with everybody at our house afterwards. My only regret is not taking more pictures of friends and family... oh well!

Saying goodbye. Is it just me or does Nana look a little too happy about this? She was in sort of a hurry to leave this time. Hmmph.

A friendly game of war with Papa


Autumn keeps talking about that cute baby Sam, who is younger but bigger than her little brother! (She's having a hard time reconciling that one.) ;)