A Red Thread........

Just curious

2011-01-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

I don't understand the need for using psuedonyms or initials in the blogging world. This is not a criticism, just an observation. I know lots (and lots) of people who, in their blogs, will not identify themselves, their husbands or their children by name. They just use initials or fake names. I know this is sometimes a necessity-like when protecting the identity of someone who did something really dumb or protecting the identity of a victim. That's cool, I get that. I tried this once. It was a post about being frustrated with Maryn's grades. And then I thought "This is stupid. Anyone who knows my family knows who I am talking about." Also, why do people make all their facebook pictures private-even to their friends? I probably wouldn't be bothered by it if I wasn't slightly voyeuristic. I like having an inside peek at others' lives. It gives me something to compare to and makes me feel more (or sometimes less) normal. But, if your blog is private and only open to invited users, bring on the pictures and real names, I say. I know many who will disagree with me-and that's fine. Like I said, it's not a criticism, I just don't get it.

Give me a break

2011-01-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

I know this is way out of left field, since I haven't blogged in quite a while, but I needed to get this off my chest and facebook wasn't the proper forum on which to do so (you know, what with only allowing 420 characters. Is that really enough to properly rant and rave? I think not). I am so freaking sick and tired of seeing crap like this quoted, printed or posted on facebook:
Doesn't make much sense does it?? Our homeless go without eating .Elderly go without needed medicines. Mentally ill go without treatment. Troops go without proper equipment. Veterans go without benefits that were promised. Yet we donate billions to other countries before helping our own first. 1% will re-post and 99% won't . Have the guts to re-post this.I KNOW I'M in the 1% (Charity begins at home)

Really? Really people? If you think this, you are either ignorant or retarded; or a delightful combination of both. Here are some statistics for you to chew on:

U.S. military budget 2010: $663.8 BILLION
Health care (you know, for poor people)2010: $829 BILLION
Education: $159 BILLION
Veteran's affairs (and yes, this is separate from military spending): $87.6 BILLION
Homeless and Shelter projects: $48.5 BILLION

There are SEVERAL other programs that are funded by and available to U.S. citizens (literally, too numerous to mention); I haven't even touched private organizations like churches, salvation army, etc that assist with food, clothing, shelter and even Christmas presents. Now, you may not like our system; you may think it is broken or spending is out of control-I may be inclined to agree with you. Now ponder this: the United States ranks 18th in foreign aid committments. That means we contribute less aid than 17 other countries to the needy of the world, including Ireland, Austraila, Italy and Japan. Interestingly, we are FIRST in the rankings of all developed nations for national income. Some more statistics (because I love 'em)

U.S. aid to Haiti in 2010 (you knew this one was coming)$229 million (million, with an M)
U.S. aid for Global Health Care: $2.3 million
Foreign Economic Support fund: $6.5 million

I think we can safely put to rest the idea that the poor/homeless/veterans/soldiers in our country are suffering or going without because of our exhorbitant spending to help "those other places.". Have private citizens donated their own, personal, previously taxed by the U.S. money to help others in need? Absolutely, and good for them. Our country doesn't need more money donated in order to feed and shelter the homeless or arm our soldiers. We need to be more fiscally responsible and elect people to office that have some semblance of a brain. We need to hold our elected officials accountable for their spending of OUR tax dollars. Which brings me back to my original point, which I have a roundabout way of getting to because I think too much, talk too much, quote too many statistics and write too many run-on sentences. Is a person more deserving of compassion or help simply because they are a U.S. citizen? This attitude sickens me. I have children who, had they not been adopted, may have been recipients of some of that aid. I would not have begrudged them a single penny. Did those children choose to be born in a country with no clean drinking water? Could you honestly look a starving child in the eye and tell them they are undeserving of your help because A: the are not a U.S. citizen and B: We don't have the latest and greatest technology for our armed services (except, oh yeah, we DO!!)? Do not mistake my feelings as being anti-american or anti-military. I am as patriotic a person as you will encounter. I am also as compassionate a person as you will encounter. The two are not mutually exclusive. The fact that our veteran's don't have their benefits is not due to sending aid to other countries. Compassion is: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
I see no mention of qualifying factors such as nationality or race in that definition. Come on, people, stop reposting and regurgitating this mindless crap and think before you speak.

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?!?!?

2010-09-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Joseph and I are fairly naive. We anticipated there would be a few challenges in parenting adopted children. One of the challenges we did NOT anticipate was the continual stunting of our kids' academic growth by well-meaning, albeit misinformed, educators. I went to a parent teacher conference today for a child who shall remain unnamed (but anyone who knows me and my family will know exactly who I am talking about). This particular child has the same teacher for 3 classes. They are a math lab, science lab and english lab. These labs are designed to fill in the learning gaps so the M can function closer to grade level in her 7th grade math, science and english classes. I asked the teacher how she was doing in class. I was informed that M is fun, sweet and just wonderful to have in class. "That's nice", I said "how is she doing with her work?". "weeellllll........." Turns out that she is missing several assignments and has turned in work that she has obviously made a a minimal effort on. So those "B's" she got on her mid-term. Yeah, they were actually "F's". The teacher "just didn't have the heart" to put an F on her mid-term so she gave her all of her missing assignments and assignments on which she had gotten poor grades and gave her extra time to make them up! This has been the story for the last FOUR YEARS of schooling! Teachers just love her smile and sweetness and so she gets grades that she has not earned. I want to tell these teachers that I expect K (who is in the same grade) to be able to "smile" his way to an "A" as well. WHY WHY WHY do they not understand that by not having expectations of M other than to smile and be sweet, they are doing her a disservice? Why do they not understand that she will never make academic progress as long as she is handing in 2nd grade level work (she is in 7th grade) and receiving good grades for it-when she turns in her work at all!?!?!?!? Why do they not understand that they M is playing them like a freaking fiddle and they don't even realize it? Ok, breathe, breathe, breathe. I will be meeting more teachers tomorrow and we will see how valid the grades in the rest of the classes are. Ok. Rant over. And out.

Fair fun!

2010-09-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

So much for keeping up on my blog. Last Monday we skipped school and went to the fair. The kids had so much fun and I was happy to see them so happy. We saw a sea lion show, played in a cool science exhibit, saw lots of animals, ate lots of junky fair food and, of course, rode LOTS of rides. I can't wait to back next year and do it all again!

Real LIfe

2010-08-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

Who am I? I don't know. Ok, yes I totally ripped that line off from Derek Zoolander and I laughed as I typed it. But I am struggling right now. For almost 4 years, life has been pretty tough and I keep thinking we are so close to turning a corner and having life get a little easier. But instead, every corner we turn seems to bring more challenges.

This is me 3 years ago:

Skinny, happy, content. We had finished our house. I owned a great business and made amazing money while working flexible hours. Life was good.

This is me today:

Overweight, broke and generally unhappy.

It seemed like life was so easy. It seemed that things were so easy. Oh wait, things were so easy. Joseph's business was thriving. My business was thriving. We both had church callings we loved. We built a big beautiful house and filled it up with kids. We looked at each other and said "we are so blessed. Where are all those trials everyone's always talking about?" Well, we found out. Boy did we find out. Our income is a third of what is once was. We now have more kids than we bargained for. We live in a falling-apart house that isn't big enough. We have to make decisions every month like, "hmm, do we buy groceries or make our car payment this month?" But worst of all, I feel like the more time passes, the more I lose myself. I don't even know what I want anymore. There are many things I feel like I am supposed to want. But these days all I want is to be able to go to the bathroom alone. I tire quickly of reading blogs and facebook posts that are like scrapbooks of everyone else's perfect lives. My life is messy and complicated and there are no vacation pictures because there are no vacations!!! I don't want to hear how blessed I am and I don't want to hear what a good person I am. If you do the right things with the wrong attitude, are you still a good person? If you wish for someone else to have all your "blessings" for a while, are you still a good person?

Is this a whiney, self-pitying blog post? Yes. But sometimes I just need and outlet to vent before I turn into this:

ch ch ch changes

2010-07-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

It was brought to my attention that I have some new information to share. Even if nothing life-changing has taken place in our lives (it has), four months is a long time to go without blogging. I have made a end of July resolution (similar to the oft-utilized new year's resolution, but way better) to be a better blogger-in the hopes that I will garner thousands of loyal blog readers and make millions in advertising revenue. Or, at the very least, have some memory of this crazy time in my family's life. We have gone from a family of 10 to a family of 12. Is this permanent? I don't know. Do I want it to be? I don't know. Life throws these curves at us and I find myself wondering what our motivation is for all the things we do. We now have custody of my sister's two babies. DJ is 16 months and Isla is 6 weeks. I love these babies and I want to give them all the love, stability and opportunities they have not previously had. It is challenging raising the children of someone at whom you are so angry. The kids love these babies. I couldn't make it through the day without their help. Fetching me bottles and diapers. Holding babies while I make bottles. Taking the little kids on walks and to the park. Joseph is more ambivalent about the situation than anything else. I understand that feeling, though. It seems like life is just sweeping us along and we haven't had much say in the last 3 or 4 years about where it will take us. This is just another example of something that has "happened to us", rather than something we consciously chose. Don't misunderstand. I do love these babies and I want what is best for them. I don't begrudge them a place in my home, heart or family. But it also feels like no alternative was ever considered. The mindset of my entire family and everyone else we discussed the situation with was "of course Joseph and Kendra will take care of this". But is it what we want, or just what we know we should do? Just thoughts that occur to me in the seemingly endless hours I spend rocking, walking and feeding kids. I also feel that, for better or worse, I am judged because of our life and family. There are the naysayers, who can't understand why we would take on more kids when we already have "too many". We are irresponsible and thoughtless. Then there are those who (mistakenly) think we are some kind of saints who do nothing but sit around sweetly singing nursery rhymes and reading to these precious children while trying to conceal my halo so as not to make others feel inferior. Neither of those assumptions about us (me) is correct. I feel like I am having an identity crisis. I can't reconcile who I really feel like I am with the perception that everyone has of me, whether good of bad. Soon I will update with pictures and details of all our summer adventures (limited though they have been). But I just wanted to float that info out there and air my feelings. Wow, I can ramble.

I got nothing......

2010-03-17T20:39:00.001-07:00

Why do people have blogs if they only update them every 2 months or so? Soooo annoying. Not much happening in the Baker World. People keep having babies. This makes me want to have babies. I am not having babies. If other people would stop having babies, I would be able to keep my procreative impulses in check. I have had some serious computer issues. It is a bad virus called Ewan. He tore most of the keys off one of my laptops, then he jumped on the other, cracking the screen. I am waiting for my desktop to be repaired/replaced as it is under warranty, so I keep having to jerry-rig my older computers just so I can get my internet fix (internet is a must for bill-paying). Still slaving away....at life. "Adam fell that men might me, and men are that they might have joy" and all, but I am still working on finding the joy. So now, I shall say 5 upbeat things to end on a positive note, because I really needed to update this blog, have nothing worthwhile to say so I may as well be happy while I say nothing worthwhile:
1. Kellyn is really getting into reading. She knows most of her letters, can write her name and is sooo excited to start kindergarten next year. She asks, almost daily, "Mom, do you think I'll be the smartest kid in kindergarten?"
2. Ewan is mostly potty-trained. He stays dry all night and during naps and naked most of the day (I guess it is just too much hassle to put underwear and pants back on. I know the feeling. Just kidding)
3. A new radio station here in Utah plays a lot of hair metal and we hear "Paradise City" almost every day on the drive home from school. Thus, another generation has been introduced to the joy and splendor of Guns N Roses. we rock out every day.
4. Joseph and I took a ballroom dancing class and are gearing up for another. It was more fun than we expected. We had a great teacher and Joseph actually really enjoyed himself.
5. We have dodged the orthodontics bullet for another couple of years because my kid are agonizingly slow at growing teeth. Sadly, both Kaydin and Trevin will certainly need them once they get all those grown-up teeth.

Good times.

Heartbreak

2010-01-20T12:23:00.001-08:00

Kellyn is sick. I was up with her last night-in tears the whole night. But not for the reason you might think. I cried and cried because I had Kellyn with me on my lap, laying next to me in bed and I could give her medicine and rub her back and sing songs to her and reassure her that she was going to be ok. I am able to make her feel better. I am able to make her feel safe. There are thousands of children in Haiti right now, some in hospitals, some in orphangages and some, sadly, just wandering the streets. They are scared and hurt and have nobody to hold them and soothe them and reassure them. This earthquake has given new meaning to the expression "keeping me up at night". I literally can't sleep at night for worry and heartache for Haiti. One voice in my head says "you have brought 3 children out of Haiti, you are rasing money for them and are praying every day for them. You can only do so much". But the other voice is telling me "No! You can do more and you must do more! There is so much to be done and so much help is needed. Find another way to help!" But I am at a loss. I don't know what to do. But what I can say is that if anyone reading this has ever considered adoption, please think about it seriously now, and think about the Haitian children. If you are able, start the process. Take some of these children into your homes and families. I am still going to look for other ways to help, but for now I feel compelled to ask everyone to really think about the possibility of adopting from Haiti. If not adoption, do anything you can to help. These are human beings. They need our help. For more information on adoption, please visit foyerdesion.org.

PLEASE HELP!!!

2010-01-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

Friends and Family,

As I am sure you know, Haiti has suffered a devastating earthquake. Three of our children are from Haiti and we want to do something to help. This country was unstable to begin with and the aftermath of the quake is catastrophic. With that in mind, we are having a bake sale. Jeremy Baker and his collegues at AutoSource have generously allowed us to use their building, so we will be at AutoSource all day Saturday and Monday with lots of yummy goodies to buy. Any little bit helps. Even if you are not interested in buying some of the best sweet rolls ever, stop by and say hi. AutoSource is just off the freeway in Woodscross (just barely north of Salt Lake). Please help the people of Haiti. Our children still have friends and family there and the family who runs the orphanage have lost their mother and sister. Additionally, their youngest child was kidnapped in early December and they have yet to recover him. Please help this family, this orphanage and people of Haiti by supporting our bake sale. Half the proceeds will go to Foyer de Sion and half will go to the Red Cross. To donate directly to the orphanage, go to foyerdesion.org. THANK YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

2010-Bring it on!

2010-01-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

2009 has come and gone
2010 is here
We'll have some laughs
And good, good times
In this brand-spankin' new year!

What does this new year hold for us?
Not sure, but we can guess
that 2010 will be, by far
the most awesomest year yet!

Kadyin will get the priesthood
A Beehive Maryn will be
And the young 'uns will be so well-behaved
with mom teaching in Primary

We'll have 2 junior high-schoolers
Off to kindergarten Kellyn will go
She'll dazzle every teacher
with all the stuff she knows

Rylynn will get baptized
these last 8 years flew by
She just keeps getting cuter
She doesn't even have to try!

Tristan & Trevin both turn 10
they'll be a decade old!
Fabiola will be 20
That's TWO decades (so I'm told)

Ewan keeps on growing
and in May, he'll turn three
He's grown so big! He runs and talks
and makes mom a little crazy

Joseph keeps on working
A giant mansion in Park City
He loves the work, although
he thinks the drive is kind of...crappy

So while we liked 2009
We think that you can see
2010 will be the best
In Baker Family History!

Wrastlin'

2009-11-23T10:24:00.001-08:00

Here are some shots of Trevin wrestling. Coming from a long and venerable line of wrestling royalty, we knew it was only a matter of time before the boys got into it. Kaydin has been out since first practice (you know, that whole broken arm thing), but Trevin has been going strong. He's won a few, lost a few and even tied one. Mostly he loves when his dad works with him and he is wishing Kaydin's arm would hurry up and heal so he'd have a practice partner. I tell you what, this is a tough sport. Basketball players and football players get all the love, but wrestlers work the hardest!

It's Broken!!

2009-11-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Three weeks ago, at Kaydin's first wrestling practice of the season, they were warming up by walking on their hands. Another wrestler fell onto Kaydin's arm while he was handwalking. It hurt. But you know, he could move it and he didn't cry. He hasn't been able to wrestle because it still hurts. A few days ago we also noticed a bump and weird bend in his arm. We took him in. It's broken. And not just a little broken-awesomely broken. The bump was from all the new bone growing on top of the break. So here is a picture of his new, cool, blue cast which he has to wear for 3 more weeks.

Kellyn is 5!!!

2009-11-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it, but it's true-Kellyn turned 5 on Saturday! She is so big! She picked all her favorite foods to eat and went to McDonalds on a date with mom for dinner. Then we came home and had cake and ice cream and opened presents. Here are some fun things about Kellyn: She tells everyone she loves her mom "too much", she is fascinated with math and counting and adding. I think she is going to be a math whiz. She is a good big sister to Ewan, and will always indulge him in his favorite game of "push me all over the house in a laundry basket", she has huge blue eyes, she loves to sing, she makes us smile every day! We love you, Kellyn!

Turkey's on strike

2009-11-09T09:08:00.001-08:00

Maryn's class and one of the other 6th grade classes did a program last week about the turkey's going on strike for Thanksgiving. My pictures suck, and I didn't get any video ( I got to the school and discovered the video camera wasn't charged. grrrr), but it was a pretty cute program. She hung her poster on her bedroom wall - "eat fish, not turkey". Hilarious!

Maryn is in the front on the far right

disclaimer

2009-11-02T11:11:00.001-08:00

I suck at blogging. I can't get the captions under the pictures the way I want them. Hope you understand.

Halloween and in between

2009-11-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

My pumpkin threw up, and Kaydin's was murdered

Rylynn really liked this hairdo and insisted I take a picture of her hotness

Kellyn-REALLY excited to trick-or-treat. It's all about the candy, baby.

Ewan was sick or a while and spent A LOT of time in the tub. He kind of looks like those things on Minority Report

Me and my Kellyn. Twins born 24 years apart.

Kaydin-a cereal killer. Truly frightening

All the Halloween dress-up fun.

It was a really sick pumpkin. Swine flu, I think

An aerial (and not very good) view of the super, mega mansion Joseph is building

Rylynn, with her two super-best friends-Macie and Kyra

Ok, so maybe once a week was a little ambitious. After all, I am a very busy, grown up, important, glamorous person with very busy important things to do. I can't be expected to spend all my free time blogging just to satisfy the insatiable appetite you all have for information about my life and family. We've not been up to much-hard to believe, I know. We are such jet-setting group.

Kaydin and Trevin started their wrestling season. Kaydin got hurt the first practice, so he has been out recovering and has done no actual wrestling. Hopefully he heals soon so they can both continue the Baker Wrestling Dynasty. The kittens should be ready to go and I can't wait. Seriously, never again. They are sweet and cute. And always underfoot and making noise and I am done.

I was able to go have lunch with my lover at his job up in park city. When I toured the house and saw the size of it and the obscene amounts of money being spent on it, I almost vomited up my lunch. Thirty million dollars. Including (but not limited to)a $30,000 faucet carved out of jade, a $100,000 dollar flat screen TV for the master bedroom, the components and wiring of which are all solid gold, a $400,00 theater room-with vibrating chairs, and surround sound, $1 million worth of landscaping rock work, and the piece de resistance- a ski room with hot tub, lockers, showers and lift that comes into the house and takes you up the mountain. Wow, how would it be? But, Joseph loves working on this house. He has learned a lot and gotten some neat ideas for building a house for us. It is really fun work for him.

Halloween this weekend. Mild weather. One thing I don't miss about Montana is Trick-or-Treating in 15 degree weather. The kids had fun. I must explain Tristan's costume. The other's are pretty self-explanatory, but Tristan dud through our costume bin and pretty much put on everything in there. He was a Harry Potter-Human Torch-Power Ranger-Ninja. Awesome.

I hope everyone had a great Halloween and are looking forward to the upcoming holiday season-I know I am!!

Look what I found!

2009-10-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

So, I cleaned out my craft and office supply cupboard and junk drawer (you know, where you stick all the stuff you don't feel like finding a place for right then), and I discovered that I don't need to buy any more pens for a while. Or scissors, or pencils or crayons or erasers or colored pencils or.........

Three day weekend fun

2009-10-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had one extra day off, thanks to parent/teacher conferences, so we headed to the Salt Lake Library (always a favorite) and one last trip to the aquarium before our membership expired. Good times. I think it is worth mentioning that during conferences I learned that Rylynn (who is in 2nd grade)is reading at a 5th grade level and has already passed off her math requirements for the year and it's only midway through the first term! Yay for Rylynn!

More fun pictures

2009-10-05T07:58:00.001-07:00

I was doing some of what Ewan call "putting the cheese on the computer" (what we all call transferring our photos from our camera to our PC-but I like his version better) and I found some more fun pictures. Yeah for pictures! Since I am computer retarded and can't figure out layout-this is Ewan trying to take his shirt off, Kaydin helping Joseph build our new deck, Trevin with a Snozzcumber(it is really a banana squash, but please, read the BFG and you will understand), Maryn and Rylynn, who just want to get in on the action whenever pictures are being taken!

New resolution

2009-10-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

Now that I am no longer a "working mom" (we'll see how long that lasts), I would really like to update this blog at least once a week. Is this because we are an exciting, fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants kind of family? No way, Jose! It's because my kids love to see our updated blog and I love to see our updated blog and keep track of all the mundane, day-to-day minutae that makes up our family life. Example: we are building a new deck in the back. Example: my sister-in-law (and one of my closest friends in the world) is engaged and I am having a blast helping her with wedding plans. You know, the good stuff. So, in the spirit of staying on top of things, here are some pics I love (oldies but goodies)!

You suck, Brad Pitt

2009-08-24T00:25:00.000-07:00

I want to use this blog to call Brad Pitt out as a cowardly crapsack who hedges difficult-to-answer question and responds with some bullcrappy platitude. I was reading last week's "People" magazine (yes, this is what I do at 3 in the morning at work) and there was an article in which "commonfolk" could write questions to Fantastic Brad and he would answer them. One woman asked "Brad, my husband and I have 2 children and are considering adoption, but I am worried that I won't be able to bond with my adopted child. How did you bond with your adopted children and is it different than with your biological children"? His answer? "well, that is a great question and I thank you for it. What I can tell you is that I love my children each individually and I can't imagine my life without them" HUH? How does that answer this woman's perfectly valid question? It doesn't. It makes light of and minimizes just how difficult adoption can be. Yes, it is rewarding. Yes, it is a wonderful thing to do. But it is often very, very difficult and not at all the smiley, happy picture people try to paint of adoption. Particularly older child adoption. Or transracial adoption. Or adoptions where there are cultural barriers. I try to stay positive when I post on this blog, but right now, I need to be honest. I deal with adoption related challenges every day. Multiple times. Yes, my Haitian kids are different from my biological kids, or even from Ewan, who was adopted at birth. They were raised, during the most important years of their lives, in a completely different culture with no secure attachments. You cannot expect them to be the same, or act the same. We have had hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of our property destroyed by our 9 year-old, and he does not appear to be learning that it's not ok. Our 11 year old refuses to try in school, and is functioning at 2nd grade level, despite 3.5 years of intensive academic help. Our 19-year old left for two weeks to fly to Kansas with a ticket she talked some guy into buying for her, to see a different guy, whom she had met on MYSPACE!!! She told nobody where she was going, or when she was going to be back, we had no idea where to find her, who she was with or what had happened to her. This is pretty routine, and even mild stuff in the course of adoptive parenting. Am I saying my bio kids are better than my adopted kids? Absolutely not. I marvel that these kids are as normal as they are, considering what they endured in their lives. But I wish someone had sat me and Joseph down beforehand and been brutally honest with us about what we were signing up for. We were very naive and figured that since we love being parents and loved kids, and we would have to do is "love" these kids and everything would be Norman Rockwell perfect. It isn't. I can't count the times I have had to go in my room to cry or scream out of total frustration. I love my kids. I know that our family is the way it is supposed to be. But I am not going to lie and say it's easy. I am disappointed that Brad Pitt is such a liar. But, maybe it's totally different when you have an army of nannies raising your kids for you. In any case, this isn't a bid for sympathy, I just needed to get that off my chest because these last two weeks have been very, very hard and Mr. Brad Pitt thinks he is so clever and sweet and admirable, dodging somebody's perfectly good question. You suck, Brad Pitt.

Summer of 09

2009-08-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Some of the things we did this summer:
Went to a midnight show of Harry Potter
Checked out the fountains at the Salt Lake library
Went swimming in the backyard-a lot!
Rocked out
Looked cute for some pictures

Fun with Rylynn

2009-08-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, since I haven't posted in a while, and probably won't for at least another week, this will have to suffice in the absence of anything significant to put on here. On the other hand, it is pretty funny!

Tag for moms! Grab a kid (Rylynn, who is 7, was the first kid available for me) and ask them these questions. Don't edit their answers. Pass it along to other mom's with funny little kids. I am surprised at how well Rylynn has me pegged!

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you

2. What makes mom happy? When I find her phone for her

3. What makes mom sad? When she gets upset with the kids and then she cries

4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she asks me questions like this

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child? Go to Lagoon

6. How old is your mom? 20 (good girl, I have trained her well)

7. How tall is your mom? pretty tall

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Spongebob

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? French kisses my dad (mwahahahah!)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Singing

11. What is your mom really good at? being a mom

12. What is your mom not very good at? basketball

13. What does your mom do for her job? cashier

14. What is your mom's favorite food? watermelon

15. What makes you proud of your mom? when she dresses up pretty for work

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? sandy cheeks

17. What do you and your mom do together? laugh

18. How are you and your mom the same? we have matching eyes

19. How are you and your mom different? different hair

20. How do you know your mom loves you? because she says it all the time

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? he cleans her bedroom

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Lagoon

Catching up-again!

2009-06-11T00:56:00.000-07:00

As you can see, we've been a little busy! Where to start? First, the kids are OUT OF SCHOOL! WOOHOO! I really do enjoy having them out of school. Things are just so much more laid-back. Pictured above are Rylynn and Tristan with their teachers on the last day. They were awesome! End of the year reports were good. Maryn got a Presidential Fitness award, as did Kaydin. Kaydin, Trevin and Rylynn were on the high honor roll all year. Tristan made amazing progress this year. He has worked so hard! Kaydin's teacher and principal want to skip him ahead to 7th grade. They feel he won't be challenged at all in 6th. Kaydin is 100% not interested in doing this, so we probably won't do it. But, it is still pretty cool that he is so smart. If he changes his mind though, I will have a jr. high schooler on my hands. Crazy! We took a trip to the zoo and became members, since a membership was only $4 more than the cost of a one-time admission for a family of our size. So now we can go to the zoo all summer long! The kids attended an end of the year party, which there are also pictures of. They had so much fun, bouncers, pools, volleyball, slip-n-slides, food. Good times! Joseph and I went to our Flight of the Conchords concert. We went to dinner at Chili's first and then to the concert. It was hilarious. I have no good pictures of the concert, as "flash photography was prohibited" but there is a shot of me and Joseph (and yes, that is correct grammar, in this instance it is "me and joseph" not "joseph and I") outside of Abravenel Hall. What a flipping funtastic date. We now have 8 cats! No, I am not the crazy cat lady. One of our 2 cats had SIX kitens. She did Kaydin the honor of giving birth on his bed in the middle of the night, which effectively woke him up. They are super cute, so if anyone is wanting a kitten, they will be ready around the 4th of July. Rylynn turned 7! This is madness and I am not sure how it happened. She just keeps growing. It needs to stop. I love this girl and I am so proud of her. She is sweet and beautiful and smart and talented and I am so blessed to be her mom. Seven years of Rylynn! What did we ever do before she came along? Joseph is still building multi-million dollar homes in Park City, and in his spare time, is building a pretty sweet-looking deck in our back yard. I am still glamming it up at Walmart. Hopefully not for much longer. I am hoping to have my Walmart days behind me when the kids go back to school. I am looking forward to a fun, lazy summer. Maybe do some camping, a lot of hanging out (the kids still have to do school work because I am a nazi-mom), swimming, and just spending time together. Bring on the sunshine!

EWAN IS 2!!!

2009-05-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

On May 7th, Ewan turned 2!!! I can hardly believe 2 years have already gone by. It is hard to believe Ewan hasn't always been with us, but at the same time, it doesn't seem like he should already be TWO! Some of his latest accomplishments are: talking A LOT more. We were starting to wonder if he'd ever speak. We taught him to sign a little, and for the longest time that was all he'd do. No words, just signs. But he is starting to make up for lost time. His favorite word, which he always says loudly, is "NO"! He also says puppy, kitty, mommy, daddy, Tiny (Kellyn's nickname) and a bunch of other words. He wakes up in the morning and will sit (or stand) in his crib talking and singing to himself. He loves to be outside and takes about 3 baths a day, on average, because he gets sooooo dirty. He is such a love and gives hugs and kisses and blows kisses all the time. When he is ready to go to sleep, he just starts waving bye-bye to everyone and we will just put him in his crib and he goes right to sleep. We love your big blue eyes, conatgious laugh and all your loves, Ewan! We are so glad you are part of our family!!

Random

2009-05-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

What to do? I'm sitting here with a raging case of insomnia, my laptop overheating because it is on my lap instead of a "flat, stable surface", and I am trying to put myself to sleep. Why not blog a little? I had a date with Joseph tonight. We went to dinner and a movie-not the most creative, I know. But just getting to spend some time with him is good for me. Such a great guy-really! How lucky am I! Trevin had a run-in with some neighbors today. He and Kaydin and Tristan all have wands. Ok, they are really just sticks they cut from tree branches. But the looked for the best, wand-looking sticks they could find. A neighbor girl grabbed it and broke it into about 5 pieces. What is up with that? She knew it was important to him and that he was playing with it. It obviously wasn't "just some stick" to Trevin. And it wasn't even his wand-it was Kaydin's. This is how sweet my kids are: Trevin is crying and all kinds of upset because Kaydin doesn't have a wand and he doesn't want Kaydin to be mad at him. Rylynn stomps home and announces she will never play with that girl again-she won't play with someone who is mean to her brother! Kaydin gives Trevin a hug and tells him it's ok and he is not mad. For his part, Kaydin was all for egging and toilet-papering their house. I obviously dissuaded him from doing so (but it was hard, because in my secret heart, I WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING! HOW GROWN UP IS THAT?) But I love that my kids look out for each other and care about their brother and sister's feelings. Only 4 more weeks of school! I can remember being a kid, and that last day of school. It was so exhilarating to finally be FREE for 3 whole months, but also a little sad that you were leaving that teacher behind, and there was always that possibility that a friend would move away over the summer and you wouldn't see them again. But I love having the kids home. We are a little lazy, more relaxed. Swimming and camping and just hanging out. That's what I'm talking about! Ok, I feel sufficiently tired now. It's 3 am. Time to catch some Z's. Hope you have enjoyed this random blog entry, courtesy of my insomnia!

OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! AAAAHHH! I WON!

2009-04-25T05:20:00.000-07:00

As you may have read in my last post, I was terribly depressed that "Wicked" was in town and I could not afford the $300 a piece tickets. I had read the book and listened to the music from the original Broadway production and decided that the deepest desire of my heart was to see this show. But lo and behold, due to the popularity of the show, and the kindness of the Capitol Theater, the held back 20 tickets for each show, to be purchased for only $25 each! How did one go about purchasing said tickets, you may ask yourself. You simply had to show up at the theater an hour and a half before showtime and put your name in a drawing. If they drew your name, then TADA! you had the opportunity to purchase 2 tickets. I went by myself on Wednesday. No luck. Again on Thursday. Again, no luck. Friday I got smart and hauled 5 of my kids, my husband, my sister and her fiance down with me. All of them wrote "Kendra Baker" on their card-I had 9 entries in the pot. AND I GOT THE TICKETS!! They called my name, I screamed, jumped around like a pentecostal on crack (accidentally hit Kaydin and knocked his glasses off-sorry again about the Kaydin), and went and bought my tickets. My sister took the kids home for a movie night, Joseph and I grabbed a quick bite at Carl's Jr. and then we headed back down the street to the Capitol Theater and "Wicked"! It was all I had hoped for and more!!! So, so, so good. I would reccommend it to anyone. The music is so good, very clever and catchy. The plot, although it didn't stay true to the book, was still excellent. They wrapped it all up and gave it happy ending. I even got a little misty a couple of times! This has made my month!! Thanks to my family for going with to get my name in there as many times as possible! I am still riding the high from the win and seeing the show!! WOOOHOO!!

2009-04-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

Maryn's party

The boys at the Fablehaven release party
A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iOcXpbn7NJ4/SepgZCYmpWI/AAAAAAAAAYs/1_Bu6afWGdU/s1600-h/P4040580.JPG">

The devil puppy

Kids at the wedding

Young cousins

My concert!!!

catching up

2009-04-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

I have been the most craptastic blogger lately. Ok, if I am being honest, I have been pretty craptastic at most things these days -motherhood, wifeyness, exercise, spiritual things. But that's the beautiful thing about life, right? You can try again the next day to be a better person. With that in mind I thought it was high time I got this blog up-to-date. You may want to settle in with some popcorn and a drink-this could be a long account of our goings-on for the past little while!
The family in general: At the end of March, my entire family (except my dad) came to visit. We had dinner here on that Sunday and it was so much fun to have so many babies and little kids running around. Lots of laughing, and the first time we have all been together since all 3 of my siblings have joined the "procreation" club. I think there are 13 grandkids now on the Young side of the family. On March 17, my sister had a baby boy. She was staying with us at the time, and my kids were in heaven having a brand-new tiny baby in the house. On April 15, Joseph's sister had a baby girl. They haven't seen that new cousin yet, but they can't wait. Joseph's brother, Jeremy, got married on March 27th. It was really beautiful and his new wife is very sweet and, I think, a perfect match for him. The overall theme of the wedding was, well really that is was more like a funeral than a wedding. Ok, anyone who just read that and knows what I'm talking about-don't get mad! Come on, I had to say it! We got a new puppy in March. We haven't found Scout and we miss him, especially since his offspring is a terror. The kids named him Thunderkleez-after a favorite cartoon character. If you are reading this and have heard of that character and can tell me which show he hails from-you are my new best friend! HAHA! We had a lot of fun over spring break; going swimming, to Chuch E Cheese, to the aquarium. The kids taught me how to play the wii fit. Kaydin and Trevin have both gotten really into the "Fablehaven" series ( I recommend them), and we went to the realease of the 4th book, the author was there and they had a cool program. Hilarious.
Now for a rundown of each, individual family member:
EWAN - Our little man is talking a lot more. He is a handful, and as a result of my frustration, he will now answer to the name "Damien" Ok, not really. He is just much more impulsive and high-energy than any of my previous babies. But he is hilarious and smiley and we love his guts.I can't believe he will be TWO in a few weeks!
KELLYN - She has entered that stage of life where there is a stream of non-stop chatter and questions coming from her. From the moment she wakes up until she falls asleep. Love it. She is learning her letters and loves to read books and play with play-doh and color and draw and paint the entire bathroom with nail polish and all those regular 4-year old activities. Ok, maybe not that last one. She makes me want to have another little girl.
RYLYNN - Rylynn is still singing and dancing all the time. She has decided that when she grows up, she will be a pop star. Never mind the fact that when you put her in front of a group of people to "perform" she can barely move for all her shyness. But it the the sweetest thing in the world to watch her, unaware that you are there, singing and dancing her little heart out. She is well ahead of grade level as she nears the end of 1st grade and has made soooo many friends! She is just about the most beautiful little girl you will ever see! And that's not just a mother's bias, that's scientific fact.
TREVIN - This kid is my saving grace in motherhood. He is such a sweet-natured, sensitive kid who never lets a day go by without saying " I love you, mom" and "You're the best mom in the world" at least 50 times. He reminds me of how "worth it" all the hard work parenting is. He is finishing up the 3rd grade, again, well ahead of grade level. He loves the Wii (a little too much) and has started to display a real passion for drawing.
TRISTAN - Tristan is READING!!!!! I never thought that would ever, ever happen! I am so proud of him. He has worked hard in school this year and has made a ton of progress. He got one of those "how to draw" books, all about drawing Spiderman, and has used up hundreds of sheets of paper drawing, with surprising aptitude I might add, all the Spiderman characters. He and Trevin are both nine and looking forward to summer vacation.
KAYDIN - Kaydin continues to astound us with his academics. He is so advanced, we are hardly surprised anymore by anything he does. Still extremely proud, but not surprised. The other day, Joseph said to me "sweetie, I think Kaydin has a bigger vocabulary than I do". This is probably true. He also has better grammar than most adults. He is like a mini-adult in a lot of ways. We are going to try contact lenses this summer, and he is excited for those. He has also become Joseph's basketball buddy and is picking up the game pretty well. Pretty soon, he will be able to give Joseph a run.
MARYN - We are now experiencing the indescribable joys of the schizophrenia that is adolescence with Maryn. One minute she is sweet and sunny and helpful, the next she is sullen and pouty. Wow. She has struggled somewhat in school this year, but I think part of that has been the adjustment of being at a new school, with new rules and curriculum. She is a super-helper and has also made lots of friends at school. She plays sports alongside the boys, but still loves all things girly. She turned 11 in March, and we had a mani/pedi/facial/karaoke party with a few of her friends. Lots of fun!
FABIOLA - Fabiola has been at Job Corps for 2 months now. For those of you not familiar with the program, it would take too long to explain here (just google it, if you are really that curious). She seems to be doing well, although the initial novelty has worn off and she doesn't enjoy having to do the actual work. She is now working toward a GED, and should start driver's ed soon. She is also taking classes in culinary arts. She only comes home every other weekend, and the kids really miss having her around. She still loves Joseph more than anyone in the world, and I am happy to see that they have such a close relationship.
JOSEPH - Joseph is still working in Park City. He loves this house he is building right now and I am so happy that he is able to make a living doing something he loves. Of course, at church they put him in charge of basketball. So he ran that and played in 2 city leagues (one is still ongoing). He says it feels weird to be playing with "old guys", because he still feels 17. He still plays like a teenager too, by the way. I would pay money if I could bottle that energy to take as needed.
KENDRA - I entered a stage of deep mourning upon my discovery that the only remaining tickets to see "Wicked" were over $300 a piece. So sad. This depression was tempered, somewhat, my being able to get tickets (for my birthday) to the FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS concert! Yeah, baby!!!! If you have never heard of flight of the conchords, you need to look them up. Seriously. The funniest thing ever. I'm still working at my ultra-glamorous job, still tired. I took the weekend off to spend with the kids when they had spring break, and it was hard to go back to work after all that time off. But, hate work as I may, we are fortunate that Joseph and I both have jobs and I have met some really good friends at work. Still looking forward to the day I can quit, though.

So, there's the up-to-date rundown on our family. We are a busy, crazy bunch, but we have a lot of fun. I can't waith for SUMMER!!! Below are pictures of some of the above mentioned activities. Enjoy, and please, be generous with the leaving of comments. I need to feel some love, people!

SOOOO Proud

2009-03-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

So, the big news in our family is this, which Kaydin got last week:

Dear Parent,

I am thrilled to inform you that, based on his academic achievements and leadership potential, your son, Kaydin, has been nominated to attend the Junior National Young Leader's Conference to be held this summer in Washington D.C.
Kaydin was nominated by his teacher, Mrs. Donni Baase, who recognized him as one of a select group of students with the scholastic merit, maturity and strength of character to represent Syracuse Arts Academy and the state of Utah at this unique leadership program for exceptional 5th and 6th graders. On behalf of the members of the United States Congress who serve on our Honorary Congressional board of advisors, I congratulate you on Kaydin's achievements. You must be very proud.

Well, I tell you what-I am very proud. Kaydin works so hard in school and is doing work at 8th grade level. At PTC last week, his teacher informed me that they have had to modify the curriculum for Kaydin and have purchased new materials just for him because he is so advanced and was bored with the regular class work. Dang, that kid is good. He will head off to DC for six fun-filled days in August, where he will get to tour the White House, Capitol Hill, the American History Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, all the war Memorials and will get to stage a mock trial. We are excited for him to go and he is totally excited about it. Way to go, Kaydin! We are so proud of you!!!!!

My adopted hometown!

2009-03-05T13:01:00.001-08:00

I am so sad. This is a picture of downtown Bozeman this morning. A gas line exploded and leveled half a city block. They haven't reported any casualties or injuries, but they also said the buildings (5 of them destroyed) were too unstable to search. I truly hope there are no casualties or injuries. Maybe I am too emotional, but this just made me want to cry. We lived here for 10 years! I have been in some of those buildings! This is where they have our annual Christmas stroll! So, so sad!

Kellyn

2009-02-27T09:51:00.001-08:00

Kellyn was sad that the kids get school pictures taken and she doesn't so this morning we had our own little photo shoot. I am in love with this girl. She is so flipping cute!

Science Fair

2009-02-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

working hard, thinking hard
Kaydin's experiment

This week was the science fair. Projects were due on Tuesday. Did the kids have 2 months to prepare? Yes. Did that stop us from staying up all hours Monday night (I even called in to work) to get the posters done? No. In any case, they turned out ok, although I didn't get a picture of Maryn's display. She did hers (or rather, I did hers) on left/right side dominance. The poster that you see here is Kaydin's. I did the lettering for him, but he did all the work and even drew a diagram of how he wanted the display laid out. His experiment was about negative inflation. In a related subject, the kids are all kinds of excited because a Utah Jazz player is coming to visit their school. They met a school-wide goal of reading over 500,000 minutes in a month, so the Jazz player will come and their principal will dress up in a chicken suit and wear it all day. Kaydin read the most in his grade (just over 4,000 minutes for the month), so he gets his own prize. The school year is half over-I can't believe it!

Puppies!

2009-02-11T01:52:00.001-08:00

These are Scout's babies. Back around Thanksgiving, I took him to a friend's hosue. She has a female Shih-tzu. Her dog and my dog had a date. Scout was very romantic with her and made sure to bring flowers and chocolates. He would never do something as ungentlemanly as start going to town on that poor dog the minute he walked in the door. Anyhoo, 2 months later, these little darlings are the result. So cute. We are taking one when they are ready. Probably the black and white one that Rylynn says looks like a cow. On a sad note, we still haven't found Scout. He has been missing for 9 days and the kids are pretty sad. We have called the shelter and he hasn't been turned in or cleaned up off the road. We have put up posters and ads on craigslist and ksl.com, but no luck. I think someone took him. I hope whoever has him is taking good care of him.

Movin on up

2009-02-11T01:47:00.000-08:00

Hey George! Where's Weezy? Ok, if you don't get these references, then that just means I am old. In my defense, I have never actually watched the Jeffersons either. Anyway, yes, I did this to my son and then Joseph and I almost peed ourselves laughing. He needed a haircut badly, so we usually just get the clippers out and buzz him, but I had the presence of mind to stop halfway through this time and take a few pictures. No, we did not let him go out in public like this.

Birthdays, haircuts, good times!

2009-02-05T08:13:00.001-08:00

At Joseph's b-ball game

Aunt Amielle took the kids to Krispy Kreme. Yes, I know they look homeless.
Trevin's #9

Tristan's #9

Haircuts!

Ewan's favorite toy!
It's not like I'm encouraging this

Happenings lately:
Tristan turned 9
The next day, Trevin turned 9
After much pleading and bribery, Kaydin and Trevin let me get their hair cut
Scout's puppies were born (4 in all). Yes, Scout is a boy. These are his offspring
We can't find Scout. Not at the animal shelter, hasn't been cleaned up off the road. Where is he?
My friend David came to visit. Thanks, Dave! Seeing you made my week!
Kaydin's on the honor roll.
Rylynn had straight E's (the 1st grade equivalent of A's).
Trevin's report card was amazing as well!
Fabiola went to Job Corps.
Ewan has leared how to tell us NO! I'm so happy.
That's all, folks!

Already?!?!?!

2009-01-21T08:08:00.000-08:00

The kids are back in school. I miss them. I am pretty sure they miss being home. We are finally going to start using our piano. Tai Kwan Do should start next week. Except Rylynn. She will be enrolled in tumbling to in preparation for the cheerleading glory to come. This is her idea, not mine. Parent teacher conferences were last week. Kaydin is on the honor roll. All the teachers had good things to say. The kids are finally acclimating to this new school. I hate that we had to uproot them from their friends and the place they had grown up and move away. They still miss it terribly, but they are finding good things here too. Why don't I have any pictures? I need more of those. Joseph and I had our 11th anniversary on Saturday. I mostly slept. He took the kids swimming. We went to Zak's wrestling match. If that doesn't scream "romance" I don't know what does. Actually we have a trip planned a little later to celebrate, so Saturday wasn't terribly imbued with meaningful romantic gestures, dates, presents and dinners. But holy cow! Eleven years! How did that happen? We have had a pretty good time for that past 11 years, so I am pretty confident there are more good years to come.

Resolve

2009-01-07T02:58:00.001-08:00

It has been really hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact the it's 2009. How can this be? I can still remember 1999 like it was yesterday. It is just unbelievable to me how fast time goes. And it is only going to get faster. In the interest of not wasting any more time, I have made some resolutions for this year. One is staying on top of keeping this blog updated. It is a great way to keep a history of our family and is like journaling. Also, if I tell myself that, then I don't have to make another resolution to keep a journal this year, which I have failed at every other year! I need to take more pictures and we need to have an updated family picture taken. Yeah, it's been a while. I resolve to have Nikki married by the end of the year - hahaha how do you like that one, my BFFF? (that's not a typo, that exra F is there on purpose). Ok, but seriously, there is the potential for there to be 3 weddings this year. That, in addition to my dreaded pending birthday (30 freaking years old), have forced me to add to my list of resolutions. So I also resolve to get my face botoxed and invest heavily in cosmetic surgery. The goal is to be able to pass for 20 on my 30th. But in reality, I will settle for being 30 years old and having a husband who still thinks I'm a catch and kids who tell me every day that I'm beautiful. Oh, I love this family so much. My real resolution is to be more Christlike. Especially in my parenting. I start to tear up even typing that on a blog. In primary the kids learned a song and one of the lines is "If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do"? I want to be able to say yes to that, particularly in regards to how I deal with my kids. To have more patience, be slower to anger and be the kind of mom that I always imagined I would be before I was set upon by the reality of actually being one. But right now, I resolve to put my insomnia to good use and do some dishes and some exercise.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-07T02:20:00.000-08:00

Choir performance
After the choir concert (Tristan is in trouble so he won't look at the camera)

Trevin's "Christmas around the world" program
My
Kaydin didn't want to audtion for the play, so he was the lighting specialist
5th grade play
Choir concert

The Baker family had a great holiday season in 2008. As usual, I took no pictures Christmas morning, but here are some highlights of our holiday:
I spent the week before the kids got out for Christmas break living at the school (well, almost). There were 3 choir performances, a 5th grade play, a 3rd grade program and a geography bee. Lucky for me, the 1st and 2nd grades didn't have their own programs, or I may as well have parked the van at the school and slept in it. I was so proud of each of the kids at their performances. Kaydin won his class geography bee and went on to compete in the school-wide one. He didn't win, but we are still very proud of him and he has been studying like a maniac because he is determined to win next year. Trevin was to only 3rd grader who had his entire speaking part memorized (and it wasn't short-about 5 paragraphs). The kids all did beautifully at their choir concert, and I loved it. Then, we were all home for 2 weeks. I actually love when the kids are not in school. Things are so much less hectic. We had our traditional Christmas eve dinner of crepes and made our cookies for Santa. It is so funny how excited the kids are to open their one present Christmas eve, even though they know it is going to be pajamas. And they still love it "oh my gosh, I LOVE these pajamas"! I won't regale you with gag-inducing stories of how much crap the kids got for christmas. Needless to say, they were a happy bunch. With my signature grace, on Christmas morning I stabbed a knife into the palm of my hand cutting some caramels. Did it need stitches? Yes. Did I get them? Heavens no! I had too much to do, and I didn't feel like a $500 ER visit. So we wrappped it up, and went on with life. And luckily, I didn't get any blood on the caramels! Grandma Young came over for Christmas dinner and my brother Paul got us a Scrabble game, which Joseph and I have been playing like maniacs. During one of our games, the kids - who were upstairs with popcorn and treats having a "movie night" came downstairs to find out if something was wrong because there was so much yelling. We really get in to our Scrabble. We spent New Year's eve at Joseph's parents' house. It was pretty low key. We just played some board games and smooched at midnight. New Year's day a neighbor brought us a traditional Haitian soup called Joumou. Haitians eat this soup on New Year's day. It is to celebrate winning their liberation from slavery, so they made a soup with all the things they were forbidden to eat. It is pretty tasty, and Tristan had 3 bowls of it. But now, it's back to real life. Back to school, back to work. We had a wonderful holiday season and we were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of friends and family. I really wish Christmas could last all year. Not the presents or the decorations and music (ok, maybe a little of the decorations and music -and the food), but because of the shift in attitude and behavior, the change of heart that takes place in so many people but seems to disappear once the tree comes down. Myself included. It is my absolute favorite holiday for that reason. And this year was one of the good ones!

Thanks!

2008-12-12T09:23:00.000-08:00

When I got on the computer today, I noticed that several of you had updated your blogs. So, thanks! I love when you all put new things on there for me to read! Makes my day!

Husbands

2008-12-12T08:41:00.000-08:00

I normally despise tags, but if you are a reader of this blog, you know how I feel about my husband. So I can't pass up an opportunity to say great things about him!
5 Things he loves:
- BYU football
- Jazz Basketball
- Playing basketball
- His kids
- His wife
5 Things on his to do list:
- Make out with his wife (just kidding)
- Christmas shopping (yes, this isn't done yet)
- design our new house
- clean up his work trailer and surrounding area
- make out with his wife (ok, Joseph doesn't really have a to do list, so I am just
making crap up)
5 Foods he enjoys:I must preface this section by pointing out that Joseph feels eating is a burden. He doesn't really enjoy food. That being said.....
- chips and salsa (only Santitas chips)
- gummy bears (the breakfast of champions)
- cheerios and corn chex (with no sugar on them, ewww)
- Sobe Adrenaline Rush (while not technically a food, he can't make it
through the day without this
- Hot and sour soup and lemon chicken (only from China Town)
5 things you may not know about him:
- He loves to do karaoke (only with family, not in bars or, ahem, on cruise ships)
- He can build ANYTHING. Seriously, anything. Without plans. Just looks at it,and says "I can build that", and then he does.
- He never swears. Ever. In the 11 years I have known him, he has never once used a
swear word
- He is a freaking awesome basketball player. Really-he's good.
- He knows A LOT about church doctrine and theology. Those are his favorite kinds of
books
5 quirky things about him:
- He says "forward fast" instead of "fast forward"
- He has to color coordinate his basketball clothes with his shoes
- He has really sensitive nail beds on his toes and fingers, so he has to keep his
nails a little longer than normal, because if they are too short, they hurt.
- He has a bad habit of interrupting. This is borne of ADD, not bad manners.
He is working on it.
- He has a nose thing. First thing he looks at on a person. Can critique noses
like you wouldn't believe.

There are a lot of other things about Joseph I could write (brag about), but in any case, he is amazing. He has so many good qualities and so few bad ones. What a great guy!

What's going on?

2008-12-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

I was going wait until I had my pictures to include in this post, but at this rate, that won't be until next year, at which point I will have to do Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Joseph's birthday all in one post. So here's what we've been up to, minus the pictures (I promise I'll get to those).
The week of Thanksgiving was wicked fun. We went to Zak's wrestling tournament (he took first, of course) and showed our support in the form of custom made (spray painted in the parking lot) T-shirts and a "Zak Baker rocks my world" poster. I am pretty sure he won because of that. Just kidding-he's freaking awesome and he is going to take state this year!
Nikki and I went to the Twilight midnight show the Thursday it opened and I thought it was really good. So good in fact, that I took the boys to see it the next Tuesday, and went with Joseph and Zak and a whole group of people on Thanksgiving. We have Thanksgiving dinner at Joseph's parents house. I was glad to not have to make dinner, although I did make 4 different kinds of cheesecake and pumpkin pie. So now we are back to normal life, at least until Christmas break. I will get some pictures on her soon of our Twilight/wrestling/thanksgiving fun!

Thankful for.....

2008-12-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

I know Thanksgiving was a week ago, but I a little slow (you know). So here is what I am most thankful for at this "most wonderful time of the year"!

Joseph- I have posted about him before, and I could post about him every day. I am thankful to have a husband that I am still crazy, head over heels in love with after 11 years. And I am thankful that I can be 100% positive he loves me right back. He is everything I'm not, but wish I could be more of - smart, kind, compassionate, patient, smart (did I say that already?), and a great dad. But aside from all that, he is just a great human being. He is truly one of the most generous, decent, honest hardworking people I have ever met and I am so, so, so blessed to be married to him.

Fabiola-I am thankful for all the help you are around the house and with the kids. I am thankful that, in spite of all you have had to endure in your life, you haven't let yourself become a bitter person. You are so generous and thoughtful.
Maryn-I am thankful that you wake up every day with a smile and are everyone's friend. You try so hard at school and you are learning so much.
Kaydin-I am thankful that you are my best bud. I would take you out of school every day just to hang out with you if I could. I love your analytical personality and your love of learning.
Trevin-I am thankful for your sense of humor and your compassion. I can't have a bad day or you will cry right along with me. And when you're done crying, you always have a joke ready to make me laugh. I don't know what I would do without you.
Tristan-I am thankful that nothing gets you down. You are like the little engine that could, and you just keep going, even though I know it is so hard for you sometimes. You are braver than I could be - I probably would have given up a long time ago.
Rylynn-I am thankful for having such a sweet little girl who sings for me. I love your singing and your happy personality and I am thankful that you love to read and are learning so fast.
Kellyn-I am thankful to have time with just me and you while the kids are at school. I love reading with you and talking to you and getting to see your awesome personality develop.
Ewan-I am thankful that we got to have you be part of our family. I am also thankful that you started talking and I love your little boy laugh.

I am also thankful to have a home to live in and for my extended family(parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws) for all the love, support and especially the laughs you provide me with!

The Right Stuff

2008-11-19T21:22:00.001-08:00

I feel I can now die a happy woman, having fulfilled all my 4th grade fantasies. On Saturday night, after only 20 years of waiting and pining away, I got to go to a New Kids on The Block concert. Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I sang along with every song, and still remembered all the words! And even though I am no longer 9 years old, I can say with all honesty that it was the funnest freaking concert I have ever been to. I went with 3 sisters-in-law and 1 brother-in-law, who filled in at the last minute when we found ourselves with an extra ticket. And yes, he did have a good time. And no, he is not gay. Natasha Bedingfield was the opener - also good. But come on, nothing compares to the New Kids. Here are some pictures of the most fun I have had in really long time. I am still riding my New Kids on the Block high. I would go again in a heartbeat and have considered abandoning my life to become a boy-band (no wait, they're a MAN-band) groupie.

Behold,the New Kids in all their middle-aged glory.I'd still make out with them.

Me smooching Nikki. Yes, I was that excited. Zak-wearing his New Kids memorabilia as only he can. We actually bought these for Jeremy to wear while he works out, but Zak broke them in for him!
Oh yeah, the right stuff indeed.

Lovin' the stars and stripes

2008-11-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

On Veteran's day, we were treated to the most awesome program, by all the first graders (of which Rylynn is one). I was very impressed, and almost moved to tears at how hard they worked to honor and show appreciation to the men and women who serve our country. Rylynn was singing these songs around the house for weeks because she wanted to have them perfect for her program. They had a slideshow of all the veteran's that were relatives of the first grade kids. It was very sweet and I was proud of both these beautiful children singing (especially mine) and our amazing country and servicemen and women.

Kellyn!

2008-11-10T05:35:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, I love this girl! Our baby girl turned 4 on Friday, and if she could read this, she would very adamantly point out that she is NOT a baby, but a big girl. And, since she is 4 now, her hair is almost blond (her words). When she was born, we prayed so much that she would live, but we told ourselves that if Heavenly Father needed her back, then that was how it was supposed to be. I am so grateful he let us keep her! She lights up our home with her personality and I don't know what we would do without her. Here are some fun things about Kellyn:
1. She can't say her V's. So, I am told at least 20 times a day "Mom, I lub you".
2. She is the only "mommmy's" girl. The other 3 "lub" Joseph, but I got Kellyn!
3. She had so much red hair when she was born, but she is right, it is all blond now
4. She can name every latter-day prophet.
5. She screams when she laughs! She also screams when she cries!
6. We love her "a million billion" as she would say!

Happy birthday my sweet girl! I love you!

What the funk!?!?!?!

2008-11-05T22:42:00.000-08:00

I have been in kind of a funk lately - physically, emotionally, spiritually. Life is hard. I sometimes get tired of reading other people's blogs, which often seem like they are advertising how great their lives are..."Look at my wonderful kids, look at my perfect husband, look at my immaculate house, check out my perfect life"!!! My life is so far from perfect, it is laughable. I guess it is on my mind because in the past week, I have been in situations where my parenting, family, marriage, etc have been somewhat under scrutiny. Nothing big, but things like parent teacher conferences or visiting teaching. In these situations, I invariably hear comments like "You must be doing such a wonderful job with your kids" or "you are so organized and have it so together - how do you do it all"? I am not congratulating myself. When people say these things to me, I feel like a big, fat fraud. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder in what way I am permanently damaging my childrens' psyche; and organization and having it together are not concepts I am at all familiar with. I desperately wish these people's perceptions were true, but the fact is - they aren't. So when they say these things, which are meant to be compliments, I just feel even more lousy. My life is loud and messy, and I have managed to (unintentionally) trick quite a few people into thinking otherwise. Please don't misunderstand. I love my children more than anything, and I couldn't wish for a husband that I love more than Joseph. But life if still hard. I usually feel I am just barely scraping by, making it through each day. So, just for once, it would be nice to hear that it is not just me. That maybe everyone else's life isn't as idyllic as it is made out to be on their blogs and Christmas cards. For someone to just say, yeah, life is hard. I am reminded of that saying "I didn't say it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it". I know it will be worth it, but I wish I didn't have to expend so much enery trying to make it look like it is easy. Ok, enough of this emo crap. I need some ice cream.

Why Hello there!

2008-10-23T23:05:00.001-07:00

I have been absent from the blogging world for a while. Well, I am still lurking around, reading everyone else's blogs, but not bothering to update my own. Here is what is going on in our world:
Joseph: Working - a lot. Loving football season. Didn't love the BYU last week. His hair is getting long. I love my husband.
Me: I started a job about a month ago working at.....Walmart! I know what you are thinking, and yes, it is that glamorous. I work 4 nights a week from 9pm to 6am. That way I can still be home to put kids to bed, take kids to school, have FHE and do all the mom stuff, while still contributing to the gross national product.
Fabiola: Still working at Subway. Will be enrolling in Job Corps soon and will be able to get her GED and driver's license. She is pretty excited about it, but also a little nervous.
Maryn: Fabiola braided some super long extensions into her hair, and she is looking fabulous! Still as social as ever, she is making slow but steady improvement in school and has been so helpful to me lately. She is such a good girl.
Kaydin: He needs new glasses. I had parent/teacher conferences yesterday and his teacher is very impressed with him. She said he is one of the most intelligent, if not the most intelligent kid in the class. He frequently tutors other kids during recess. Has decided he wants to be a vetrinarian.
Tristan: Is also making progress in school. He is working independantly and is really trying. He is starting to recognize some words and knows all his letter sounds now. For those of you who don't know Tristan, you don't realize what a big deal that is, but it is HUGE! Good job, buddy!
Trevin: An academic wizard. At his PTC yesterday, I was informed that his is testing at 10th grade levels in his reading and vocabulary. He is in 3rd grade! He also feels the need to tell me multiple times a day that I am the best mom in the world. It isn't true, but it is still nice to hear!
Rylynn: She has already gotten to end of year levels for first grade! Her teacher is in love with her and just went on and on about her. I was even blushing! But I can't argue - she is a neat kid! One day soon she will have TWO front teeth - she has been missing one since she was 18 months old.
Kellyn: I love having some one on one time with her. She is so fun and she makes everybody laugh. She tries to mother Ewan all day long while the kids are gone, and she is so funny with him. Fabiola likes to take her to work and out with her friends and show her off! So funny!
Ewan: Still only answers to "Goob". He is running all over the place and is developing more of a vocabulary. He likes to climb on the table and get into the dog food. he can say "mommy" "daddy" "what" and a whole bunch of other stuff that I can't understand. His Aunt Amanda gave him his first haircut, so he no longer has a baby mullet.
So that is the short version of what is going on in this part of the world. We aren't sure we're ready for cold weather, but the kids are jacked about Halloween. We are going to Lagoon for Frightmares during the day and will come home in time to Trick-or-Treat that night. Woohoo! I have put a bunch of new posts down below -with pictures! so scroll down for a look!

Why I love Kaydin

2008-10-23T22:59:00.000-07:00

Kaydin has a blanket. He may be upset with me for posting this, but it is pertinent to the story, so I must. His blanket is actually MY baby blanket, passed down to him, and it is pink. Today as I was doing some laundry and I discovered some items of clothing that had been inadvertently bleached, Kaydin asked why I bothered with bleach at all. I told him that bleach kills germs and bacteria, but it will also, in some cases, remove dye. But some things will hold dye, even with bleach - like your pink blanket, I said.

"but my blanket is really faded" says Kaydin
"Yes" says me "but I think that has less to do with me using bleach on it and more to do with the fact that is is almost 30 years old"
"30 years old"! exclaims my son.
"Yeah, well how old am I"? I ask him

Without missing a beat, or even pausing to think, my darling oldest son says "22". I love this kid.

Squishies

2008-10-23T22:50:00.001-07:00

I have been a little sick and have been taking some cold medicing and massive doses of antibiotics. As I was napping today, Trevin came into my room and asked if it was ok if he did some "squishies". I believe I must have mumbled something like "do whatever you want just let me sleep", and then willed myself to lapse into a coma.
Hours later, I was up and feeling moderately better, going about my mom business of feeding kids and having them shower. I sent Maryn up to shower and she came back down with red stuff all over her pants. I asked (slightly alarmed) if she was bleeding, and she said she didn't know. She sat down on the toilet and something squirted her. Trevin was in the kitchen, and I noticed he was having a really hard time keeping a straight face. Turns out, a "squishy" is when you put ketchup packets under the seat of the toilet, so that when someone sits down, they explode on the unsuspecting victim. I had apparently ok'd this in my drug-induced stupor. I tried mightily to be a stern disciplinarian. Believe me, I really did. But I just couldn't do it, and I died lauging. Kaydin was laughing, Trevin was laughing, I was laughing, even Maryn was laughing. I did have Trevin clean up the bathroom and take the ketchup packets off Fabiola's toilet before she sat on it. What a bunch of pranksters I am raising.

Mermaid man and barnacle boy!

2008-10-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

We went to the Living Planet Aquarium over UEA weekend. It wasn't very big, but it was big enough. The great (or not so great, depending on your perspective) thing about having a gigantic family, is that a membership for places like this are about the same price as a one-day admission, so we are now members at the aquarium and can go whenever we want.

Me and Ewan. Petting a stingray!

That is a shark. Kaydin knows the name of every shark there is.

I don't know what kind of fish those are, but the kid is Rylynn
All the kids (minus Fabiola, who was working that day) at the aquarium

Fall Fun

2008-10-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from the fall carnival at the kids' school. A good time was had by all, and we went for some ice cream after.

Kaydin is always the best big brother to Kellyn. He watched her the whole night and took her everywhere with him.
My beautiful Rylynn, waiting in line for the bounce house, which her teacher went on with her!
Tristan, coming down the giant slide. The other kids came down so fast, I didn't get their pictures!

For Shannon.......

2008-09-24T20:12:00.001-07:00

This is for Shannon and any of my other Wyo high school friends who read this. If you are not from or familiar with Wyoming, this isn't as funny - but it's still pretty funny.

WYOMING BARBIES

Jackson Barbie:This modern day homemaker Barbie is available with a Mercedes 4WD SUV, a Prada handbag and matching Nike Yoga ensemble. She has a masters degree and double-majored, but has the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom with Ken's generous salary. Comes with Percocet prescription and Botox. Starbucks mug and traffic-jamming Blackberry internet/cell phone device sold separately. Husband Ken is into fishing, golfing, baseball and is often "working late." Available at all Seattle-area Starbucks retailers.

Teton Village Barbie: This princess Barbie is only sold at Nordstrom. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, your choice of a BMW convertible or Hummer H2 and a long-haired foreign lapdog named "Honey." Also available is her Cookie cutter development dream house. Available with or without tummy tuck, facelift, and breast augmentation. Workaholic, cheating husband, Ken, comes with a Porsche.

Rock Springs Barbie: This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, switchblade, '78 El Camino with dark tinted windows, and a meth lab kit. This model is available only after dark and can only be purchased with cash--preferably small bills, unless you're a cop, then we don't know what you're talking about. Boyfriend Ken is in rehab. Available at many pawn shops.

Rawlins Barbie: This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie comes with a pair of high heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased Beer Gut Ken out of Cheyenne Barbie's trailer. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, strawberry lip gloss and a see-through halter top. Purchase her Mustang convertible separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free. Boyfriend Ken is in the State Prison. Available at Army/Navy Surplus.

Cheyenne Barbie: This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans 2 sizes too small, steel-toes cowboy boots , a Willie Nelson T-shirt and a Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has fake fingernails, a six pack of Budweiser, and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over a distance of 6 feet and kick PRCA cowboy Ken's ass when she is drunk. Also available is the gold-toned cubic zirconium ring Ken gave her after another one of his "episodes" with his boss's daughter. Comes with Barbie's Dream Double Wide Trailer. Available at Wal-Mart.

Gillette Barbie: Pregnant at purchase, this Barbie cones with a stroller and bus pass. Also included is a G.E.D. and a completely filled out food stamps form. Construction worker Ken and his '82 Caddy are optional. Available at Value Villa.

Laramie Barbie: This Barbie is made out of recycled plastic and tofu. She has long straight brown hair, archless feet, hairy armpits, no make-up, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She does not want or need a Ken doll. If you purchase the optional Subaru Wagon, you will receive a free rainbow flag sticker. Available at REI.

Lander Barbie: This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or removing snap on parts. Walks to work. Likes to "experiment," but will never commit. This model is being phased out and is only available from the manufacture.

Cody Barbie: This Barbie is a transplant from California and moved into the area to "get away from the big city." She comes with a 10 acre "ranch" on the South Fork and a 1-ton crew cab diesel truck that she drives the kids to school in. She moved here to live in the beautiful and low populated west, but now doesn't want anyone else to move here because they will ruin the area. Retired lawyer Ken comes with his own cowboy outfit so he can act like he is a local and "fit in." This model is sold at any main street art gallery in Cody, and there are several to choose from.

Green River Barbie: Comes in 2 choices, 1) See Rock Springs Barbie, 2)Comes with Ken and 10 children, minivan and Sunday best clothing. Optional LDS church and missionaries are sold separately. Available at any Deseret Bookstore. A free copy of the Book Of Mormon is also included with Choice 2.

Pinedale Barbie: Comes with oily coveralls, muddy work truck, can of Cope,and Tool-pusher Ken. Optional drilling rig also available. Sold at any roadside gas station.

Evanston Barbie: Comes with years of mental instability, and a straight jacket. Accessories also include a bottle of morphine, a bed pan, and an imaginary friend. Psychologist Ken is sold separately with Ken's happy-time psycho couch. Available at any hospital

Bridger Valley Barbie: Comes with 5 sheep, a llama, and her blue '82 Chevy pickup with a brown door. Boyfriend/cousin Ken sold separately. Available at any feed store.

2008-09-15T09:33:00.004-07:00

I have put a bunch of new posts on here today, so you'll have to scroll down to see all of them!

From the mouths of babes...

2008-09-15T09:33:00.003-07:00

I have been meaning to write a post recording some of the funnier things my kids have said. These are not things I want to forget, and maybe you will smile at them too.
#1: Christmas Eve - Kaydin is 4 years old. We tell Kaydin "You need to go to sleep, Santa won't come unless you are asleep." Shortly thereafter, I go stand outside Kaydin's bedroom window and ring some jingle bells. I return to the house and say "Kaydin, did you hear those jingle bells? That might be Santa - you'd better get to sleep!" Kaydin's response? "Or it could have been someone outside my window ringing some bellls". The kid was 4!
#2: Afters spending a long, summer day outside at the annual Foyer de Sion orphanage reunion (this is a reunion for all the kids who have been adopted from the same orphanage our kids were)- Kelly has a sunburn and says "mom, I was in the sun too long, I think I might be turning black!" And Maryn, who is Haitian, says - completely serious, I might add "I think I am too!"
#3: An exchange between Rylynn and Joseph, who were shopping together:
Rylynn: Dad, I need to try on some clothes. You don't have to buy them, I just want to try them on.
Joseph: Rylynn, we don't have time for that!
Rylynn: Dad, I think you need to show me a little more respect, and show me that you love me!
Rylynn is 6.
#4: Another gem from Kaydin, who came home from his first week of first grade with a frowny face on his behavior report. "Kaydin, why do you have a frowny face"
"I wasn't following the rule" says Kaydin. "But it's a stupid rule"
My mom response is "Kaydin, rules have to be followed whether you think they're stupid or not. What rule did you break?"
"I was running out to recess and you can't run on your way out to recess. That's just dumb, I am way more likely to get hurt AT recess than running out to recess."
How is that for 6 year-old analytical thinking?

Ha ha!

2008-09-15T09:33:00.002-07:00

Rylynn wanted me to take a picture of her on our monkey bars. As I was snapping away, and she was swinging away her pants started falling off! Priceless!

Random fun-ness (Is that a word?)

2008-09-15T09:33:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics of what we've been up to this week. A fun girls' shopping trip in Provo. It was supposed to be in Park City, but we couldn't find it. Yes, I am that dumb. We are members at the Clearfield Aquatic Center (it's sweet) so we are there almost every weekend.

Joseph, Kellyn and Kaydin.

Trevin holding Goob (aka Ewan)

Rylynn at the Aquatic Center. You can't tell, but I swear, it's her!

Tristan swimming. He is SOOOO dark it is hard to photograph him!

Kellyn, modeling a necklace in Rue 21.

Kellyn, Mom and Aunt Nikki on our shopping trip. Holy Kanye West!

WHOA!!! Calm down, people

2008-09-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

Here are Rylynn and Ewan with Scout. I am not pregnant

Perhaps I should have clarified sooner. I am NOT pregnant. The new addition to our family is a DOG. Did everyone get that? A DOG! I am not stupid enough to be pregnant right now. Let me clarify: being pregnant is not stupid. Having more than 8 kids is not stupid. But since life is almost more than I can handle right now, getting pregnant would be very stupid right now for me. So all you prego ladies, don't get offended. No, no, our new addition is a shih tzu named Scout. Aunt Stina was kind enough to find him for us, and we love him. Even Neville (our cat) loves him.

Life at the Baker house

2008-09-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

We are now three weeks into the start of the new school year. I really enjoy the question "aren't you glad to have the kids back in school?" People who ask this don't have kids, or maybe they're just not smart. Having the kids in school makes my day much busier. Picking up, dropping off, volunteering, homework, keeping track of permission slips and other forms, washing and ironing uniforms - oh yeah, I am way more relaxed these days. Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad. I love seeing how excited the kids are when they learn something new, and they are participating in the school choir, which is a lot of fun. Our rides to and from school have become music appreciation time. I loaded my ipod with a bunch of songs for a special "kids playlist" and we listen and discuss the songs. I am also loving my one on one time with Kellyn. She is such a fun kid - who talks nonstop. Joseph is still working a lot, and driving to and from work a lot. I will be going back to work here pretty soon. House still hasn't sold. But life is good. We are all healthy, relatively happy and we have a roof over our heads. I will have some new posts on here soon with our newest addition to the family. It's not what you think!

Happy Birthday Nikki!!!!!!

2008-08-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my sister-in-law's birthday. She is 21 now, so if we were drinkers, we could have gotten drunk last night! But since neither of us has ever tasted so much as a drop of alcohol, it probably wouldn't have been a pretty sight. Nikki is more like a sister than an in law. I love this girl - one of the best benefits of marrying Joseph was getting Nikki for a sister. My kids lover her too. Today I was teasing Kellyn and I asked her if I was her favorite or if Joseph was her favorite, and she goes "wellllll.....actually Nikki is my favorite"!!!! I love you Nikki! We are taking our trip to Vegas soon! Happy Birthday!!! This is for you:

Back to School-can you believe it?

2008-08-25T09:52:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday, the kids went back to school. I had gone to register them could not believe how quickly the beginning of the school year had come up! I am so excited about the school they are going to-there are so many awesome art and music activities and programs and it is a small school, so the teacher to student ratio is really good! Syracuse Arts Academy is a charter school - it is touted as a private school education without the cost of tuition. We were really lucky to have had the kids' names drawn in the lottery to attend. I think it will be a good year - and they are building a SAA jr. high which will be open next year, so if we are still here during the junior high years (also known as the armpit of life), they can stay with SAA!

Maryn and Rylynn before the start of the first day of school

Tristan on the monkey bars

Kaydin and Trevin, before the first bell rang on the first day of school

The first day of school-in their uniforms!

The night before school started, with our fun "back to school" cake, and Kaydin is striking his smarmiest, used-car salesman pose!

More summertime fun

2008-08-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics of things we've been doing this summer. We took the kids to the Hill Aerospace museum, which they seemed to enjoy. It kind of makes you wonder though - the technology they have on display there must be so old as to be almost obsolete, or it wouldn't be on display, right? So, what kind of new technology do we have that isn't made known to the public? I would bet it's a lot. Anyhoo, then we went to Layton park. It was also fun, but Tristan got (accidentally) hit in the face and got a massive nosebleed. It seems like I can't take my kids anywhere without one of them getting hurt.

Ewan, looking very dashing in just his diaper - which, unless we are going somewher, is his usual outfit

Kellyn and Tristan practically live in the sandbox

Kelly playing in our backyard sandbox. Yes, she has to have a bath every day.

The kids' seriously spun on this thing for 30 minutes. Just watching it was making me sick.

This is (I think) called and SR-71 "Blackbird"

The fam (and the girls' friend, Jordan) in front of a gigantic airplane!

Catching up!

2008-08-24T23:37:00.002-07:00

I am happy to report that my family is finally FINALLY all together again. I have been down here for almost a month (which is why there has been no blogging - the last month has been nonstop craziness). It is nice to be, in the words of Peaches and Herb "Reunited, and it feels so good". Yes, I miss having any time to myself, but it feels so normal to be crazy busy and stressed out and cooking enough food at each meal for a small army. Joseph is working in Park City, builing ridiculous houses that cost a bazillion dollars and loving it. Not loving the commute, but loving the work. I am still getting the house organized and reintroducing structure and routine to my children. Fabiola has a job working at Subway - which she doesn't love. My kids names were drawn in a charter school lottery and on Thursday they all (well, the 5 of them that are school age anyway) started at Syracuse Arts Academy. I am thrilled. It is such a neat school and they integrate the arts into every aspect of the curriculum. Also, they wear uniforms, which I think is fantastic! Maybe that makes me a nazi mom, but I love the uniforms. It takes all the guess work out of school shopping and makes getting ready for school in the morning much easier. I took some first day of school pictures, which I will post soon, but for now, you can enjoy pictures from the rest of the summer if you just scroll down!

Summer fun - good times!

2008-08-24T23:37:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of the rest of the summer. We had such a good time at the Baker Family Reunion. Swimming, talent show, tent being ripped open and blow over by a windstorm - need I say more! It really was fun, though. We also got to take the kids to Lagoon. Taking kids to Lagoon and watching them on rides is hilarious. Maryn will ride ANYTHING. Kaydin won't. Trevin is in the middle. Kellyn and Rylynn cried (more than once) because they weren't tall enough to ride a lot of rides. Joseph took Tristan on the new roller coaster - Wicked - and he was silent for almost two hours after that. I think we should build this roller coaster in our yard. I went to the release party for "Breaking Dawn" with Nikki and Shannon. Shan gothed us out with makeup and we laughed so hard we were almost peeing our pants. I wish I could show you all the video. Here are some pictures of the fun!

Kaydin and Kellyn at Lagoon - good times!
Reunion fun at Lava Hot Springs - we took over the pool! Those people are all Baker's!

The Fair!

2008-08-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

I made it to the great Gallatin County Fair. It's just not the same without the kids. And they didn't have the cow with the exposed internal organs this year. But still, a pretty good time was to be had!

Can you guess what this is? It's....a....chicken! I am not making this up!
It's Wilbur - just like in Charlotte's Web!
Wicked fun rides (I love rides)

Uh Oh! Maybe I do have mad cow!

Top scientist or Mad cow??????

2008-07-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

This week is the Gallatin County Fair (yeah! what fun!). I looked through the newspaper insert last night to find out about all the fun goings on at the fair and saw that the Red Cross would be there, having a blood drive. In a burst of civic-mindedness, I decided I would go and give blood while at the fair. I have never given blood before - every time I have had an opportunity to, I have been pregnant of nursing (except for our senior-year blood drive, which was the day before we cheerleaders left for our competition, so they wouldn't let us give blood because we weren't allowed to participate in "strenuous" activity for at least 24 hours following our blood donation, or some such nonsense). I decided to check online to make sure that there would be no restrictions which would hinder my ability to give blood this time! And guess what I discovered? I can't give blood -ever. Never ever. Know why? Because I lived in England for 4 years, and during the time I lived there, they had an outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - also known as MAD COW DISEASE! So anyone who could have potentially been exposed to this can't ever give blood. That's stupid. I don't have mad cow ( I didn't say I'm not a mad cow). Which brings me to this:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

This should be fun!

2008-07-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

I got this from my friend Lindsay, and I had so much fun leaving my comment on her blog, I though it would be fun to do it on mine. Also, I have no family here to take pictures of and blog about, so instead I get to put this kind of mindless (but fun) filler on my blog. I really need some comments on this - you know, to keep my morale up, so I want to her from all or you! Her directions were to pass it along!
Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! I guess good or bad, but be nice!!!!!!!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I will comment on my page about you!

How predictable

2008-07-16T03:56:00.000-07:00

Because Joseph and I are huge Jane Austen fans (yes, Joseph - the man loves chick flicks & literature), I thought this was fun. I am not surprised that I turned out to be an "Elinor", but that's ok. Enjoy!

Take the Quiz here!

2008-07-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

In response to some comments and questions I have had, I thought it would be prudent to have a little introduction/explanation of my family. I know we are not a typical, nuclear family and since I consider you all my friends I don't mind explaining to you how our family came to be. That having been said, I DO mind when complete strangers in Target, or people with whom I am only casually acquainted ask rude personal questions like:
Why did you adopt - can you not have kids of your own? (These are my own kids. But no, I am not infertile. In fact, usually all Joseph has to do is look at me and I get pregnant. I still have a uterus and ovaries and they are perfectly functioning. I am just not utilizing those functions at present time)
What happened to their real mom? ( I can assure you, I am their real mom. I do their laundry, cook their meals, attend their parent/teacher conferences, help with homework, hold them when they cry, teach them to pray, love them with everything I have in me. What happened to their biological mom is none of your business and in an intensely personal story).
Are they all yours? (Yes they are all mine -see above response. However, this isn't really what people are asking. What they are really asking is "did you grow them in your womb and do you share DNA with them? Let me just say that biology and childbirth does not a mom make)
You are crazy! As in, only a crazy person would have so many kids. (this makes me want to go have/adopt 50 more kids just to spite these people. Second of all, that is just plain rude. You don't say to a person with no kids, or only one kid "what's wrong with you? Are you barren?)

Ok, so for all my friends and family, here is the story:

Joseph and I have 8 kids - 4 girls, 4 boys; 4 adopted, 4 biological. Please don't call my bio kids my "real" kids. They are all real, I can assure you. We have a great marriage and wonderful family and have always wanted to adopt to add to our family. Maryn, Tristan and Fabiola are adopted from Haiti. They were true orphans, though many children in Haitian orphanages are not. Women who cannot take care of their kids take them to orphanages because they know it will give them a place to live and food to eat. This is typical in Haiti, and more than half of the country's "orphans" have two, living, biological parents. My three Haitian children are biological siblings, meaning they all have the same mother. We have had them for 2 1/2 years. They are sealed to us and are officially and eternally part of our family. Ewan is also adopted. My younger sister became pregnant and was not in a position to care for or raise a child. She was hesitant to give her baby to someone whom she did not know and whose parenting practices she was not familiar with. We felt very strongly that Ewan was meant to be a part of our family. I was lucky enough to be in the room when he was born and stay with him for the 2 subsequent weeks in the NICU (he was 7 weeks early). His brothers and sisters all love him, and he is their brother, not their cousin. I am his mom, Amielle is his aunt. I know for many people, this situation would not work, but it does for us. We are wrapping things up legally with his adoption and as soon as it is final, he will also be sealed to us.

So that is our family in a nutshell, I hope that clears up any questions/confusion for some of you that I am just becoming reacquainted with throught these blogs. Like I said, I don't mind you all asking questions. I just don't want to explain our family repeatedly to, for example, the cashier at walmart. Take care!

Nothing new to report- Kaydin

2008-07-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Well, Joseph and kids have departed and I am now alone again (sad music playing in background). However, this time I am not falling apart quite so much, because we have come to the decision that I will be moving down at the beginning of next month, house sold or not. We just can't live like this. Joseph needs a wife, the kids need a mom and I need to be "anxiously engaged in a good cause". That good cause, of course, being to terrify my kids into behaving themselves. The visit was a good one, although the kids were bored with nothing in the house. We celebrated Kaydin's birthday. I went to snap pictures of him blowing out his candles only to discover my camera batteries had died. Ahhhhh! So, no pics of Kaydin's big 10! Here are some thoughts about my birthday boy though:
Kaydin was an amazing baby - never cried, always very content
Kadyin is an even more amazing kid. I would take him out of school every day if I could, just to hang out with him. He is the coolest kid!
He is such a bookworm! He will sit and read ALL DAY!
He is soooo smart! He remembers everything and had straight A's all 4 quarters this last school year.
Kaydin is a perfectionist who gets very frustrated when he can't do something right the first time! He keeps trying, though.
I love Kaydin more than I can possibly describe. He makes me smile all the time and I am so proud of the person he is turning out to be. I love you Kaydin!!!!

The most exciting news in weeks!

2008-07-07T21:41:00.000-07:00

Ok this is probably not the MOST exciting news for anyone but me, but anyway.......Ewan finally started walking today!!!! Hooray! At 14 months exactly, he is by far my latest walker. The sweet part was that my sister was here to see it. For those who may not know, Ewan is adopted and my sister is his biological mother. I know to some it sounds like an akward situation, but we have made it work with a minimum of drama. And, no, since I know you are wondering, there is no confusion about who is Ewan's mom and who is his aunt. And his Aunt Amielle was very happy to have been here to see him take his first steps. I was just happy that he took his first steps - I thought he might go to kindergarten still crawling around on the floor! Yeah Ewan!!!!

Family, Fun and the Fourth!

2008-07-06T18:15:00.001-07:00

I know how disappointed I am when I check other blogs and they haven't posted anything, and I now realize that I have not posted in quite a while. Not that there are legions of people salivating for my next entry, but I still need to keep this thing up to date, or it defeats the whole purpose of having it. My family arrived on Thursday! I was just giddy with happiness at seeing them! I swear those kids have grown in 3 weeks, and Ewan remembers who I am. All is right with the world, except for the fact that there is nothing for the kids to do here. All of our stuff is now down in Utah and I have been living very spartanly here on my own. So, we have had to get creative with entertaining them. We bought some cheap puzzles and a yahtzee game. Kaydin has just had his nose in a book the whole visit - if only I could get them all to read like that. For the 4th, we had an all american lunch of hot dogs, chips and watermelon. Then it was off to the splash park. The kids love this. Except for Kellyn and Ewan. They are not very excited about getting wet. We then went and staked out our traditional fireworks-watching spot and played football and mad libs while we waited for the pyrotechnics to begin. This has become a fun tradition and I will miss it when we are not here for the 4th anymore. But, we can always make new traditions! Rylynn and Maryn have lost a tooth each since they have been here, and I was glad to be able to play tooth fairy for them. We will be having Kaydin's birthday party tomorrow so there will be more posts and pictures to come. Here are some of our time together so far this weekend.

Joseph playing football with the kids

The kids loved the splash park

Rylynn with the water cannon at the splash park

Check these out!

2008-06-17T23:37:00.000-07:00

For Father's day, I had my friend, Tyson take pictures of my kids for Joseph - and here they are! (Sorry the layout is crappy - I suck at this!)

Fabiola

Maryn

Rylynn

Kellyn

Kaydin
Trevin

Tristan

My girls

My boys

All 8 of them

Ewan

Dads

2008-06-15T18:59:00.001-07:00

On this day of honoring dads, I wanted to pay tribute to the important men in my life:

My Dad: My dad taught me the value of hard work. He always worked hard and he would never give me an easy answer. When I asked a question, he would always try to lead me to the answer, instead of just giving it to me. I miss him a lot - he lives in West Virginia and I haven't seen him in over 3 years, but I look forward to seeing him again and being able to watch him get to know his grandkids! I love you dad!

My Father-in-law: What can you say about a guy who has raised 14 kids! Loyal would do anything to help his kids. And he has helped us more times than I can count (like driving 6 hours to Montana to help us pack up our house last weekend, only to turn around and drive right back the next day with a van full of my kids). He has a great sense of humor, and I know where Joseph gets a lot of his laid-back qualities from. The grandkids love him -even when he can't remember all their names! We love you, Loyal!

My husband: I know I posted a while ago about how much I love my husband. And I could probably write about it every day. I wish I were more eloquent and had a more expansive vocabulary so that I could adequately express just how much I love and adore this man. But since I don't have that firm a command of the English language, I will most sound pathetic and sappy, but here goes anyway. Just being around Joseph calms me, and makes me feel more centered. I can honestly say, without hesitation, that I would not be the person I am today without Joseph. He is kind, compassionate, funny, smart (very smart), easygoing, non-judgemental, forgiving, and just all-around wonderful. I marvel everyday that I was blessed to meet and then get to marry him. As a father, he is amazing. His best parenting qualities are his patience and lack of temper. The kids all adore him (especially the girls). Joseph has the ability to read people and tell, almost immediately, what kind of a person they are. This is truly an amazing gift. He knows sooooo much about church doctrine and theology and is fascinated by it. He set a fantastic example for our kids with his enthusiasm to learn about all things spiritual. He is good at EVERYTHING. This will probably end up giving me a complex. But he is really good at so many things. Art, sports, woodworking, studying doctrine, making people feel at ease, and he can learn anything-fast. I love him - love him! As a husband, a father, a person. As everything!

Happy Father's Day!

What to do with myself?

2008-06-15T18:59:00.000-07:00

Do you ever imagine all the things you would do with your time if you didn't have any kids around? Perhaps fantasizing about how much you would be able to get done, or how many books you would be able to read? If you are anything like me, you have imagined these very things (usually after a long day of hearing the word "MOM"! for the five billionth time). Reality check. Life with no family sucks. Joseph and the kids left on Friday. They have officially moved out. I am supposed to follow behind soon (as soon as our house sells). Most of our home is packed away and in a different state (Utah) now. And so are my husband and children. And so are the million little things my kids do that seem mildly annoying on a daily basis, but that I now find myself missing terribly. I like to fancy myself a strong, in control person who is able to handle almost anything life throws at her. I have been kidding myself. Just walking through the kids' clothing at Target brought me to tears yesterday. And they've only been gone 2 days. I can't imagine how I would handle a more permanent separation. I just feel very adrift without people to take care of and without a husband to hug me 500 times a day and tell me he loves me. He still tells me over the phone, but it isn't the same, And now all the time that I used to spend taking care of my kids, I now spend worrying about them. Ok, enough of my pity party. Just know that single life isn't all it's cracked up to be!

Post Script

2008-06-11T07:47:00.001-07:00

The snow is now sticking

What the.....?

2008-06-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes things happen that make you just shake your head and wonder what the heck is going on in the world. Today is June 11th. It is snowing outside - right now. Big, fat, stupid snowflakes. I know this shouldn't surprise me. I live in Montana. But it still kind of sucks.
Another head shaking occurrence. The universe has revealed to me in the past little while that I am, in fact, old. First, I had my birthday and turned 22. For the 6th time. Then, as I was flipping through the stations on the radio, I happened upon a delightful ditty called "Doctor, doctor" sung by the Thompson Twins. Maybe you've heard the song? (just as an aside, the Thompson Twins were neither related, nor were they a duo). Imagine my horror when the song ended and I realized I was listening to the OLDIES station!!! How can this be? The final confirmation that I am old came in the form of my 8-year old. He brought me a movie to ask if he could watch it and I told him "Yes, of course you may watch that video in the toy room." To this, Trevin replies "But the DVD player in the toy room doesn't work" I let him know in a kind, motherly fashion that he needed to put it in the VCR (all of our machines are dual dvd/vcr combos). A confused look washed over Trevin's face as he inquired of me "What's a VCR"? ......WHAT"S A VCR? Where has the time gone? Does it ever feel like this to anyone else? I think having 8 kids by the time I was 27 may have also contributed to the overall feeling of "oldness". So many weird things happening. Snow in June, Thompson Twins on the oldies station, repeatedly turning 22. After our next election, apocalyptic visions of the end are sure to come.

That's all, folks!

2008-06-07T11:24:00.001-07:00

They kids' school playground (note the dark sky, it's been raining nonstop for 2 weeks!)

Rylynn's last day with Mrs. Gibson (she is like a part of our family!)

They don't want Trevin to move away!

Trevin and Mr. Grady - a phenomenal 2nd grade teacher!

Yesterday was the last day of school for the kids. I tried, mostly unsuccessfully, not to cry and embarrass the kids. I always cry at the end of the school year - I get so attached to the kids' teachers and I hate goodbyes. This year was particularly hard because the kids won't be back next year, so we had to say goodbye not only to the teachers, but to principals, secretaries, lunch ladies, librarians. With 6 kids in school, I have practically lived at the school for the past 4 years, and I have gotten to know the entire staff really well. We will miss everybody from Belgrade schools! On a more upbeat note: Kaydin, Rylynn and Trevin all had straight A's (or, in Trevin and Rylynn's case, the elementary school equivalent of an A) all 4 quarters. Good job, guys! Here are some pictures I took yesterday. I realize they are just Trevin and Rylynn. Tristan's class was at the park, and I didn't make it over to the intermediate school to get pictures of Maryn and Kaydin with their teachers. Just in case my kids see this and cry favoritism, I thought I should clarify.

All you need is love, love is all you need?

2008-06-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have come the the conclusion that the Beatles had no idea what they were talking about. Love is not all you need. Sometimes you need therapy - and possibly medication. Case in point: Ewan, my darling 13 month old son (whom I really do love) is making me crazy. Love him, love him, love him, but want to tie him up and throw him in a closet. He is going through a fun phase called "getting into everything" which is a cousin of the other phase he is going through - "won't hold still to get my diaper changed". Oh, and lest I forget, there is "I want to eat all the time and will be very particular about my food". His favorite activity is getting into the cat litter box, taking handfuls of it, and putting it in that cat's water, which makes a lovely kitty litter paste. Ewan is a big baby (about 25 lbs), so the thrashing and rolling he does while getting his diaper changed means that I have had to develop miraculous strength and reflexes to not get poop everywhere, multiple times a day. As for the eating thing, well, I guess I could go on all day. But, I do love him - so much it brings tears to my eyes. Hopefully he grows out of this soon, or I develop more patience. But who knows, maybe it will be worth it. Trevin was demonic from the age of 10 months to 4 years and now he is the most angelic, sweet, smart, sensitive, dare I say, delightful child in the world. Maybe Ewan will be the same. I can hope.

Hunk 'o burnin' love!

2008-06-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my love right before church! He is still so foxy! Even at age 33!

Five things I love about Joseph:

1. I am still as wildly attracted to him as I was when we first me. ( I know this sounds shallow, but it's true). He is still the same weight, has the same amount of hair and he could easily pass for being in his (very) early 20's!

2. He has no temper. He doesn't yell -ever. I have never heard him use a curse word. And no, it's not because I am not around when he says them - he never says them.

3. He is so funny. But not in an obvious way. He usually seems quiet and unassuming, but then he will hit you with his wry, sarcastic sense of humor and you are completely caught of guard.

4. He is a great dad - of 8 kids. Enough said.

5. He is truly one of the kindest people I know. He never has an unkind thing to say about anyone. He will go out of his way to help people (case in point: he framed an entire 2500 sq. ft basement for some friends of ours and didn't ask for or expect them to pay him. He just wanted to be of service). He is a good friend and really cares about people.

I love you, sweetie! Thanks for the camera - I am really starting to enjoy it!

Rylynn - Aloha!

2008-06-01T05:03:00.002-07:00

Today was Rylynn's birthday party. She turned 6 on Tuesday, but we held off on the partying until today. We had a luau. Rylynn - bless her - is still young enough to indulge my need to throw elaborate theme parties. And she even enjoys them! It is sad to know that when I am old (or dead), the only talent my kids will remember me having is being amazing with crepe paper streamers and balloons. Oh well, you work with what you are given, right? The funniest part was that the hula girl pinata kept falling. The loop to hang it on broke, and then we hung it from a plastic loop in the back, which also broke. So Kaydin, my brilliant (and somewhat macabre) son, tied they string around the poor hula girl's neck and strung her up like she was being lynched. This time it held. But the darn pinata just wouldn't break. We gave her a vicious beating and her legs finally came off. But not before Trevin wound up with a bloody nose. It was like a gang fight. Ok, it was really an accidental elbow in the face that caused the bloody nose.

The scene of the crime. Ok, I went a little crazy with the decorations. But kids freaking love this stuff!

Here, Rylynn is "surfing" in the ocean we set up (it consisted of a tarp, inflatable palm trees and flamingoes and an ironing board) All the kids got their pictures taken surfing.

This is a beach-wear relay, where the kids had to dress in all the hawaiian clothes as fast as possible and then do a quick hula!

Here is the ocean cake. I was pretty pleased with how it turned out - I even made some lovely, white-capped waves and surfboards out of fruit-striped gum!

Here is Rylynn's friend, Mackie, giving the pinata a beatdown!

Some thoughts about my beautiful (now 6 year old) daughter: She makes me smile every day and melts her dad's heart every moment he is with her. How blessed we are to have her as a part of our family. She is a sweet big sister to Kellyn and Ewan and a hilarious little sister to the older kids! We love you so much Rylynn Emma!

Old stuff

2008-06-01T05:03:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to my other family website. It has lots of pictures and whatnot. But I will probably not be updating it anymore and will instead just use this blog.

familylobby.com/baker98

Hard to believe, I know

2008-06-01T05:03:00.000-07:00

I have done it. I created a blogspot. I have had another family website up for quite some time, but it is hard to navigate, and even harder for people to find. So I decided, for the sake of networking, I would hop on board with the google blogs. This was not, however, without challenges. Time being one of those. How was I to find the time to transfer all pertinent and entertaining information from one blog to another. "You can do it", I said in the the little pep talk I gave myself. Another challenge? How would I overcome the fact that when it comes to computers, I am semi-retarded? There is a learning curve for everything. Just think, 10 years ago, I couldn't play basketball to save my life. And then I married Joseph - a basketball fanatic. And here I am ten years later. I still suck at basketball, but I know the rules so much better now! And then there was the issue of coming up with a name for the blog. I know this is not important to some, but it matters to me - a lot. It had to be something semi-cute, but not gag inducing. Something that alluded to my love of family, but didn't scream, in obnoxious capital letters "Look how much I love my family". Not that there is any shame in loving your family. But I am all about subtlety. Ok, that's just not true. To explain the name of the blog, however - in case you were wondering, Chinese folklore says that when a child is born, invisible red threads extend from the child's spirit and connect to all of the significant people who will be part of the child's life. As the child grows, the threads shorten, drawing closer those people who are destined to be together. Since our family has grown in somewhat unconventional ways, I like this idea. No matter how we came to be a family, we are all connected and we will find each other and end up where the Lord wants us to be.

So, enjoy my blogging efforts. I shall try to overcome my blogging challenges and sacrifice all that is necessary to make this blog the most amazing blog in all of history.