Early Morning Seminary

Another school year, another early morning seminary year. This year we have two boys in High school and boy were they ever grumpy this morning. It was so hard to get them up. Took almost 15 minutes. I started out by just softly whispering, "Time to get up boys!" Then turned their light on, then did a load of laundry, then walked in there and talked louder and told them how they were wasting "getting ready minutes" Then I talked louder and tickeled their feet.

After Caleb had showered and was somewhat of a better mood, or so I thought he says, "Why didn't you wake me up at 5:40a.m.?" I told him I did and it took him a while to get up and that I had gone in his room three times before tickling his feet. He was mad that it was 6:11a.m. and he hadn't eaten anything yet and we have to leave by 6:20a.m. so he can get there in time.

I just continued making pancakes and mixing up the orange juice so they would both have a nice breakfast. I tried to ignore the fighting going on between them.

Caleb then says, "Why did you wash my white t-shirt?"

I told him that it was gross and on the floor of his room and I thought I'd be nice and give him fresh clothes.

Sometimes you wonder why you even try to be a nice parent because the lack of respect and the fighting just continues.

While in the van on the way to seminary the fighting between Caleb and Daniel continued. Caleb couldn't take the mouth of Daniel anymore and took his front seat, loosened it and smashed it backwards into Daniel's body, then Daniel said words that are less than nice to Caleb that I seriously can't write on this blog, then the punching started. This is all while I'm trying to drive just 3 miles to seminary.

Seriously I don't deserve this kind of contention. Glad tomorrow is Jason's day to get up with the boys. I will be teaching an aerobics class at 5:15a.m. so I get to escape.

Caleb and his I-pod cake

As you all know by now Caleb turned 16. He wanted an I-pod cake. Heather Gibbons my friend from church did a fabulous job once again making another cake for our family. This I-pod has every detail on it, down to the earbuds and everything you see is edible. So cool. Caleb loved it.

Caleb and his girlfriend Bailey before their date on Friday.

No way is this happening.

We were informed today by Caleb that he has a date tomorrow (his 16th birthday). How is this possible? I was just teaching him how to throw a ball, to ride a bike, to mow the lawn, etc... Now, some girl thinks she can sink her cootie-ridden claws into my little boy. I know that it is inevitable but can't it wait for just a few more years? Three more years and Caleb will be on a mission and in 12 years we will be empty nesters. I am a little saddened by this but again, it is going to happen whether I want it to or not. Don't forget to create good memories. I have all too frequently been buried in the day to day stresses of raising 6 children and have not spent enough time enjoying them. It's time to change that.

School Starts in 8 days

And we aren't counting. Ok, yes we are.

Summer seemed to fly by, but because of that School is almost back in session. Caleb and Daniel had professional haircuts today since my haircuts are less than desirable from everyone that views them.

Although i feel like I do a really good job on hair since I haven't had any "formal training" and I don't have sharp scissors, which do help a lot.

Anyway, so to make Caleb and Daniel's high school pictures look fabulous I took them to a real place to get their hair done. They both look great. I was hardly home when they bolted to go play with friends, so I haven't had a chance to take a picture of either of them yet.

Tomorrow I will get the two registered at High School. Can't believe it.

Then next Monday Jared and Brenden get registerd at Middle School
and on the same day Scott and Alyssa get registered at Elementary school.

Lots of paperwork to fill out for all involved, so I can't stay on here. So much to get ready for, but I will post pictures soon of everyone's new "professional" haircuts and their sporty backpacks on their first days of school!!!

Ouch

Yesterday I was sweeping up a mess in the kitchen. I bent down to use the dustpan and didn't realize that the cupboard was open above me. I stood up and slammed my head into it. It hurt so bad I just sat there for a minute. I felt like I was going to pass out. I got an ice pack then layed down.

After a little while I taught Body Pump then worked at HyVee till late last night. I could feel my head, but it wasn't bad and I never took any medicine so I figured I was fine.

This morning there is a bump and it hurts so bad. It is throbbing. I'm going back to bed since I hurt so bad, hope my children don't eat everything in sight.

18.5 Hours

At 11:45 P.M. Central Time Jason walked through our front door.

He made the drive home from Utah in exactly 18.5 Hours.

I missed all my boys a lot!!

Surprise in a Box!

Update on the pillow. The second box from Fed Ex arrived from the hotel I stayed at. I never got my pillow back, but I was sent the 2nd feather pillow that they found at the hotel that they thought was mine. I ended up washing both pillows with their accompanying cases and now they are my new pillows. I figured I couldn't waste them, something had to take the place of the lost "Squish"

This summer has flown by, it seems like all of July we didn't have "JULY Weather" Now don't get me wrong, I don't miss the humidity, but I did miss the hot weather. We had 60's most of the month and even though having the air conditioner off was super nice, not being able to take the children swimming was a real bummer.

Now it's August and the children will start school in two weeks. Where did the time go? This year the elementary schools have decided to charge fees. So now I'll have fees for all the schools. I feel that since you pay your taxes to send your children to public school that you shouldn't have fees to go with that. It will be over $600 in school fees for us this year and that's just an estimate. I'm not sure how we will swing all that. Then, Caleb has All-State camp this week, that's for Choir and then Band Camp next week. Both of those programs need money as well. Maybe I'll need a 5th part time job?????????? Donations accepted at our home anytime. :) Feel free to send Large bills. :) :)


Caleb turns 16 in just over a week. I can't believe it. This means dating and driving and all that comes with age 16. In our family we don't let the children date until they are 16. Since that is drawing near, Caleb has been counting down the days till his first date. He is very excited. I told him he should date his sister for his first date (I was kidding, he thought I was serious and he said , "Oh No Way MOM!"

Two weeks after Caleb's birthday will be Brenden's birthday, he will be 12. This means little Brenden passing the Sacrament at church. I can't believe I'll have 4 boys passing the Sacrament.

I'm still playing piano in Primary at Church. It's amazing what you learn in Primary. However, I do miss Relief Society.

Jason is still in Utah. I miss him greatly. It will be so nice to have him home again. Mainly because we didn't get to finish celebrating our anniversary. It was actually a very disappointing anniversary since he had to leave. I just hope this trip doesn't set us back financially. I'm worried with all the birthdays and school fees. Children sure do cost a lot to raise.

Meanwhile Alyssa has been reading like crazy. She read the 2nd Twilight book in less than a week. She is so into that series. However I had to put a halt on her reading since I heard that the 3rd book has less than desirable things in it that I should read first before letting her read it. So I'm working on reading the 3rd book to see what the heck is in there.

Today the plans are to go to the Devonian Fossil Gorge in Iowa City/Coralville area. It's a great FREE activity to go do. Then we are off to the beach at Lake McBride in Northern Coralville for a swim.