Flowers Galore!

Cullen and Eden are always bringing me fistfuls of flowers that they pick for me.  Dandelions and those purple field flowers are the norm, lol! They don't last long, even if they make it to a cup of water...so I figured a picture would be appropriate. :)

Little Miss Dress-Up

 This girl loves to pick out her own clothes and accessories, get dressed, and play dress-up.  (I'e been gathering different costumes, dresses, hats, accessories that I have been finding on clearance or very cheap and going to get her a cute little play dress-up center thing for her birthday this year.....I am very excited! I just know she is going to LOVE it!!)

Anyway, she is always asking me to take a picture of her when she does.  This particular day she got all dressed up and asked me to take her picture with the unicorn-y.  Sure thing!

 The poses she strikes are always awesome too.  Just like her. 

 This girly girl is just what I always wished for.  I cannot believe that I actually got two perfect little girls after trying for so long and hard.  They are sooooo different from my boys and that is okay.  Some things are easier and some are harder.  But, either way, perfect. 

By the way, don't you love the winter hat with her summer dress?!!?  Lol!

That's Terrible!

I have to type this out before it flies out of my head completely.  A few days ago, Eden had changed her clothes four times already and it was just barely noon.  I walked out of the bathroom to find her sitting on the couch in a shirt but her shorts or skirt was no where to be seen.  I said:"Eden, where are are your pants/shorts?"  and she was like: " I need new ones."  So, instead of getting continually more and more mad every time she changed clothes, like I had been, I knelt down in front of her and said with a half-smile, "Eden, I don't mean to be upset with you but, do you know that every time you change your clothes, it makes more laundry for me.  And did you know that I have to do laundry for NINE PEOPLE?" She looked back at me with her big eyes, dead serious and whispered, "Oh no, that's terrible." and gave me a hug!  I laughed so hard!  She totally made my day with that.  It's little thing like that, that can turn your day around for the better.

Tidbit

I am seriously annoyed with myself and what a horrendous job I have done keeping up with this blog for the past year or so.  I AM going to do better.  I also have slacked on printing the blog books.  That will happen too.  The past year has been different for me in so many ways. There has been a lot of discovery, learning, growth, introspective, and change in all areas of my life. I am going to try to keep a goal of posting one post a day to try to catch myself up a bit.

Yesterday I posted these pictures on Facebook of all the kids at Kelley Family Easter.  Grandma and Grandpa Kelley had gotten these super cute Minnie Mouse outfits for Eden and Viv for Christmas.  They hadn't had a chance to wear them yet and I thought, rather than get new Easter dresses, they could wear these and be freaking adorable!  And adorable they were!  Oh my goodness, I these two girls are just too much cute!

 My boys have totally made my life complete by giving me an awesome photo of ALL of them STANDING STILL, LOOKING AT THE CAMERA, SMILING, AND NOT THROWING SOME KIND OF FIT!!!!  I am in heaven.  I love the rainbow shirts I made them wear too, lol!

 

My Vivianne Lucille

I love this little lady so much.  This picture is from late in August but, as I try to catch up on my blogging, I will get some more recent ones on here too.  Anywho, she is growing like a weed in so many ways.  She is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY....and that is an understatement!  She is curious about everything she sees and wants to understand what it does, how it works, and wants it to be hers, lol!  She is extremely bright and catches on to words, actions, ideas, and just about everything super quick!  She LOVES to dance and sing, which is one of my favorite things about her.  She can shake her booty like nobody's business!  Whenever she hears a song or a beat, she will automatically start dancing!  She talks and talks and loves to imitate sounds as well.  One of Vivianne's favorite things to do is snuggle and boy oh boy, is she ever a pro at it!! She will snuggle on people, pillows, blankets, with stuffed animals, etc.  At bedtime or naptime, she will go around and collect all her doll babies and snugglies and toss them all into her bed first.  And when she gets out of bed in the morning, she must bring one or more of her "friends" and at least one blanket.  Then we snuggle on the couch for a few minutes or more, depending on how she feels, while she wakes the rest of the way up.  

Vivianne also is the cutest when she is saying Good-bye.  She waves the cutest little wave, blows kisses, and says "bye-bye" in the sweetest little girl voice.  She is super affectionate and loves to snuggle and play with her brothers and sister.  The boys are mostly pushovers with her still at this point and will do whatever she wants them to do for or with her, lol!  Eden loves her sister too but, likes Vivianne to not do, play, or touch anything, lol!! Although Vivianne has a little more attitude lately and is not afraid to show when she is mad at someone by very intentionally walking over to someone and hitting them to show that she is upset.  We are working on that. ;) 

At her 12 or 18 month check-up, Dr. Davis told me that it was time to take the pacifier from her while she was still at the point where giving it up wouldn't matter as much and it would be easier.  I laughed at him.  We all know that if there is an easy way to do something, that I will find an easier way that benefits me short term and make it more difficult long-term, because, ya know, that is how I roll!  So, what I am trying to say is, she still has her "paci-boom-boom" as I have somehow ended up calling the darn things after all these years. 

*On a side tangent here:  I think it is downright HILARIOUS when younger people, doctors, people that raised one or two kids, or just plain ignorant people try to give me advice on how to raise kids!  Like anyone REALLY knows, LMAO!  I am pretty sure that we are all just muddling through the best we can.  But, really, do people think I haven't tried just about everything under the sun and learned along the way!?!?  I might have ADHD, PTSD, Mom-brain, and quite possibly some kind of hormonal weirdness but, I am not stupid!! Haha!  And one of my favorite pastimes is watching all the new generation of moms have mental break downs over every little thing they have read and how it is going to either turn your child into a rocket scientist with no health problems or they will end up shattered little souls with all kinds of health issues.  I was the exact same way when I first had kids and couldn't fathom how in the world my parents raised me the way they did.  You know, with NO carseats (oh, the horror), didn't read to us before bed(and I STILL LOVE READING....how is that possible!?!?....I actually do read to the kids before bed though), feed babies formula instead of the clearly better breastmilk, giving kids medicine, blah, blah, blah. I was always up to date on car seat regulations, etc.  You know what is funny??  All those studies, those "do things this way because it the best and your child will grow horns and die if you don't do things this way" articles, the car seat regulations, the "put baby to sleep on his back-put baby to sleep on his side-put baby to sleep on his stomach", the don't eat lunchmeat when your pregnant and other such advice.....they have all changed at least three or four or more times since I had Tristan.  What I was "supposed" to do as a mom changed remarkably from when I had Tristan to when I had Vivianne. What I have learned along the way, is that we all need to do what works best for us and for each individual kid.  And whatever the newest studies have shown about whatever subject is great and good information and all that but, if you don't do whatever the newest trend is, your baby is still going to be fine.  I haven't med any formula fed adults that have any kind of effects that anyone can trace back to not being breast fed. K, well, that really was a tangent, now wasn't it!?!? End side tangent**

So, Vivi Lu has a pretty big vocabulary going and she is putting together short sentences too.  Like I said, she will try to repeat everything.  Her hair is getting long enough to start to "Do" it.  She has the cutest little curlies and the color of her hair is gorgeous.  I seriously have the most beautiful girls I have ever seen.  I know I am biased but, for reals, I can't believe that I made half of them!! I guess it helps that they have a super handsome Daddy too. :)

Insights From Cullen

"Whoever wins is the winner." 

Ferzagot

Just a little cute blurb about Eden Rose.  She likes to say: "I ferzagot." instead of :"I forgot."  It is adorable and I want to remember it. 

Cute Little Liam Pie

 These are photos we got taken at Sears back when we used to have more time and brain space.  These first few Liam was 6 or 7 months and we still had no idea that his hair was going to be so darn curly and cute because there was no indication of it yet.  

 In just a few months (these are his one year photos.....see how much more time we had?!!?) his hair was a all kinked up and super duper adorable! 

It all seems so long ago and yet, like it as yesterday.  Time goes faster the older you get.  I don't like it, not one bit. 

Life Right Now

Jeremy and I have been taking half a day off on Wednesdays to go to the Carthage house and work on it until it is done.  It is coming together slowly but, surely.  We have/are painting every single nook and cranny in the entire house. (well, maybe not every nook and cranny....but, pretty dang close!) Yesterday I started in on trim and oh my goodness, it is going to take me YEARS to finish, lol!  But, it is looking sooooooo much better! It is amazing what paint can do!  I wish I had taken before and after pics.  When we are all done, we want to take everyone over to see what we did, lol!  I have to say that we are pretty proud of ourselves. *pats self on back* And if we get to do to the steps what we want to do to them, I will be thrilled!  There are some things we just can't fix right now or ever so what will be, will be. But, I sure hope this house sells for the price we want.  Knowing that we can swing two house payments and double payments on most utility bills is kind of comforting in a weird way, lol.  We certainly don't like doing it, and could definitely find better uses for the money but, there was a time when I thought we would never get to a point like this.  
But, I have to also say that we couldn't do this without my mom and Jeremy's mom.  They have been instrumental in allowing us the time to get this big project done by helping with kids and time.  I literally feel like I have never been so busy in my whole life!  We are constantly do/or worrying about doing something.

Tristan and Cedric have been working for Jeremy this summer at his store.  He wants to start teaching them more so they can help out with the store and earn some money.  Tristan also took the initiative and applied for a job at Pete's Place here in Nauvoo.  And....he got the job!! Awesome!  He is happy to be working there too!  Good job, Tristan!

I am now affiliated with a professional print lab for professional photographers!  Things are going really good with my business and I am excited about the future!  I will complete tomorrow a huge endeavor that I was asked to do this summer, taking team and individual photos of the Nauvoo Athletic Association's summer ball teams.  They had a total of 8 teams and I did photos for 7 of them.  It was so much fun!  I just made up four packages that they could choose from with some a la carte items as well and went from there.  I learned a lot and if I am asked next year or by someone else, I will definitely do things a little differently but, it was a great learning experience.  I am also excited about getting new equipment.  I plan on upgrading my camera to the next level.  I have it all picked out.  The body of the camera alone is $2400.  It is expensive but, it is so going to be worth it! I CANNOT wait, lol!  I am also going to get a new monitor that is specifically designed for photographers to get the best true colors and quality out of the pictures.
I also have quite a few people asking me about senior pictures.  This fall should be quite busy with photos as well.  I love it!!!!!

Eden is getting scheduled for surgery on her mouth in either August or September.  We had two options with her since we have no dental insurance.  The first option was cheaper but, more traumatizing for Eden.  The second is much more expensive but, much easier on Eden.  We chose the second option.  I don't like that she will be completely under or what is going to happen but, it does need to be done.  I am hoping that the house sells really fast because this is one of those things that the extra house money would be perfect for!  The whole thing is going to cost more than our cars. Good grief.

Vivianne is walking all around now.  She jabbers all the time and has so much to say!  One of the best parts of our day is when Jeremy is getting ready to leave for work.  When Jeremy says that he is going to leave she automatically starts waving, blowing kisses, and saying bye-bye!  It is freaking adorable!  We stand at the door and wave until Daddy is in the car.  And when she sees us come back from somewhere it is just as cute!!  She has an infectious smile that just doesn't quit.  Everyone gets the biggest kick out of every little thing she does.  She is pure joy.

We have not been doing Asher's meds much this summer.  I really don't like him being on the medicine.  It does help for when he is at school.  I wish I could homeschool again.  I am considering it but, I really don't think I can do it for at least another year.  Once we own this house and maybe have added on which, we want to do asap.  But, Asher seems to be doing really well without it most of the time.  I have been changing my approach with the kids lately. I felt like all I was ever saying to them was no. Or shut up.  Or telling them to stop or saying how annoying they were.  Not very uplifting stuff.  I was feeling overwhelmed with everything and taking it out on them.  I was even annoying myself.  When I stopped to think about why the kids were being so mean or misbehaving, it made me realize that maybe I am part of the problem.  If all you ever hear is someone yelling at you, then it can't make you want to be a very happy, kind person.  I am doing my very best to be patient and understanding instead of quick to temper and mean.  (Not that I am mean to my kids, don't take this the wrong way....it's just that I feel like I am not being the best example right now....I think everyone does it at some point.)  It is also very hard when you have 7 kids.

I am doing well on my weightloss journey that I started in January.  I started out at 210(I think) and am down to 177!  That is 33 pounds since January.  That is almost 5 pounds a month.  I am trying to not be annoyed that it isn't happening quicker but, I think this is actually a healthy rate to lose it.  Having a fitbit is great for motivation.  It is also great to make you feel like crap.  When I am editing pictures, I HAVE to sit at a computer for a long time.  And I don't get as many steps as I like.  But, it is still good to have, to make myself accountable and more aware of my activity.  I need to find something to do during the winter to keep my activity level up.  I thought about getting a membership the YMCA or something.  I don't know. We said we were gonna do that a year or two ago and never did.  Completely forgot about it.

Tristan is also getting ready to go on his great Boy Scout adventure to Philmont!  They are all taking the train out to New Mexico(an adventure in itself) then will spend a week at Philmont and ride the train back home.  He is saying that he really doesn't want to go anymore.  But, I know once he does it, he is going to love it.  It is already paid for so he is going, lol!

A Few Funnies

Eden loves graham crackers.  She knows that they are rectangular shaped (she knows all her shapes really well) too.  Well, whenever she wants graham crackers she will come up to me and say:"Come on, Rectangles!" LMAO!  Now, I know that she is not call me "Rectangles" but, the way that she says it, she IS! It is hilarious if you hear her say it!  Then when you give her the graham cracker she will say:"Two long, Two short, has four sides."  That is one of the little rhymes that Mrs. McConnell teaches the kids to help them learn their shapes. 

Cullen has been obsessed with China lately.  I don't know what prompted it but, he wants us to go to China on summer vacation so that he can get some chopsticks to eat with.  I told him that we could get chopsticks here in America and he was blown away.  Last night Trisha and I got out for a girls night and went to Shokai for Sushi.  I picked up a few sets of disposable chopsticks.  This morning I gave Cullen a set and he was so happy!  He said:"Thank you, Mom!  Now the next time I eat spaghetti I can use my chopsticks!!"  Bahahahahaha!! SPAGHETTI?!?!!?  What the what?!?!  Oh well, he was thrilled to have a set of chopsticks finally!

Cullen also came up to me the other day and told me that when he gets bigger he was going to work on computers like Dad.  I told him that would be nice.  Then he added:"I will work on computers when Dad is dead."  Oh.  Nice.  Lol!  Then when I got home last night, Jeremy told me that Cullen told him that he wanted to be a train driver.  And if he couldn't be a train driver......well then he wants to be a Roman soldier!

Fresh Picked

 This girl LOVES to pick flowers for me!  And once she starts she doesn't like to stop until all the flowers are picked.  LOL!  One day I had to get a big mixing bowl to put all her flowers in!  And she must do this at school too because I find bunches of flowers in her backpack all the time too!! :)  I love her.  She knows just how to make me smile.  

Happy Valentine's Day

 I spent an afternoon trying to play with Vivi and get pictures at the same time but, she really was making it difficult, lol!  She had such a yucky nose and kept spitting up all over. I did manage to get a couple of cute ones though!  I love her! 

I Love This Girl!

 This morning Viv and I ventured out of the house and to my "studio".  We only got a short session in because my batteries died.  I knew they were low when I left home but, thought I would go ahead and chance it.  I'm glad I did because I got some really cute shots in a short amount of time.  It was nice.  Now, tell me she isn't the cutest thing ever! 

Fickus

I love it when Eden asks me to fix something because it goes like this:"Moooom, can you fickus?"  Hahaha!  She is awesome! 

Random Pictures (Circa: End of August 2014)

 Eden and Liam were playing dress-up-sword-fighting and Viv was enjoying the show! 

 I love this one!

 Vivi Lu is such a good little baby.  She always has smiles for everyone!  We have been comparing baby pics of Liam and her, and boy is it ever close!  She is so much fun to be around too!  

 

Eden's Minnie Mouse Dress

 She is hunting her brothers.  Barbie and bus in one hand, laser gun in the other. 

 Tip toe, tip toe! 

 She just loves dressing up!  And I love the things she comes up with! 

 How cute is that!?!?  SUPER CUTE! 

These pics were taken the day that I took Sarah and Matt's pictures.  She followed me out to the car like this!! lol!