Come What May~ And Love It

Potty Training Update

2012-03-04T14:50:00.003-08:00

NOT ONE ACCIDENT!!! AT ALL!! EVER!

Miracle of all miracles!

2012-03-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

I was always so jealous of the couples that said their child pretty much potty trained themselves. Well, folks, we are one of those elect few now. Yesterday after changing Ty's dirty diaper he said he wanted to sit on the potty. He's been saying this for a few weeks with nothing to show for it, so I just assumed we'd sit on there for a second and then get off. Not this time. He pooped! We did our potty dance, sang our potty song, and couldn't believe our luck. Then, he said he wanted to sit on the potty again. Seeing as it had been 2 minutes, we again thought he'd sit on it for a second and get off. Again with the poop! So, we did our song and dance routine again and laughed. We put him down for a nap with a diaper and contemplated starting again with potty training. I've still had at least one headache a day and still feel the occasional overwhelming dizziness, so I didn't quite feel ready to take on the 10 minute potty rituals. Plus, we're going out of town on Thursday! So, when Shelby took off his diaper after nap time and he went pee all by himself, we again couldn't believe our luck. And now today, with no accidents we're counting our lucky stars. Our son potty trained himself in one day! He even has the control to sit on the potty and push out one little drop just so he goes each time we tell him to. Although, so far we haven't even had to tell him to! Ladies and Gentlemen, let me just say I'm a big fan of them doing it on their own:)

Happy Birthday Brennon

2012-02-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

The day has finally come when Brennon gets to celebrate his birthday on his actual birthday!!!!!!! Happy Birthday Brennon!!!!! We're still undecided as to what we're going to do to celebrate. Nowhere in town will let you put on a party on the weekdays- no matter that it's a special weekday! So, we're probably going to go out to dinner (his choice, so probably McDonald's) and then maybe go swimming. I can't wait for freezing hair in this snowy wind! Brennon has been asking for the past 29 days if it's his birthday. Today he was jumping up and down screaming that it finally was. Now he just has to wait another 4 years to be able to do that same dance again.

Funny story! Shelby and Keilie were arguing (surprise, surprise) about who was "Tigress" from Kung Fu Panda. Caden said, "I know, why don't you both be Tigress." Brennon said, "Yeah, and I'm Poo." He stopped for a brief second, realizing his mistake, and burst into his cute laugh. "I mean Po!"

Four is Fantastically Fabulous!!! Or is it One:)

Hair

2012-02-27T16:29:00.001-08:00

We have a Native American Sister Missionary in our ward right now named Sister Yellowhair. Shelby was talking with her the other night and said, "You know, you don't have yellow hair. I do. You should be called Sister Blackhair instead."

Arrogance

2012-02-24T12:27:00.001-08:00

When Caden was about 5, Randy bought him a play snowboard. One that is all plastic that he can stick his feet in to so he can learn balance. Caden used it maybe three times. So, when he heard he was able to choose between skiing and snowboarding for his field trip, he chose snowboarding. As he was getting ready that morning, he was so excited to be going at all. He was happy to do any chore I asked him to do while getting his gear ready. As we were getting in the car, he burst out, "I know I'm going to be the best one today." It made me laugh a little because of his innocent arrogance. He's been on a snowboard maybe three times in his life, none since he was five, and already he thinks he's going to be the best. I've been skiing all of one time in my life and HATED it, so I was nervous that he'd hate it as well. Not the case, he loved it. I asked him if he was the best. He didn't know, he was concentrating on doing the hill called "Black Diamond." This tells me he really is good! However, you won't get me on the mountain any time soon! It has something to do with the fact that you have nothing to slow you down. Other than maybe your whole body falling less than graceful into the snow and rolling down till you stop. Or simply sliding down the mountain on your backside, which is what I did most of my one and only time ever going. I just don't like speed! Or cold! Or falling!

So Much

2012-02-24T12:19:00.000-08:00

I have been incredibly tired the last few weeks. To the point that I've actually tricked my kids by saying we were going to play a game, they would sleep and then eat lunch. I was just too tired to fix them anything, so I made it fun for them to eat later. Lame, I know, but I couldn't help it. I'm just tired! Wednesday night I went to bed at 9:30 and pried myself out of bed to get the kids ready for school. I dropped them off, came home and told Randy I was going to nap. Randy woke me at noon for his conference call. I fed the kids lunch, put them down for a nap, and laid on the couch. I just feel so tired. And heavy. When Ty woke from his nap, he ran in, threw himself on me and said, "I love you so much." Although it didn't make me less tired, it did make me feel so much better. I love his sweet adorable cuteness! As a side note, I went to bed at 8:30 that night and slept through the night! YIKES!

Sledding

2012-02-24T12:11:00.001-08:00

Caden went with Randy to YM's this week sledding on the mountain. The next day he had a field trip with his class to go snowboarding. Keilie was so upset that he got to go up on the mountain two days in a row that she actually started to cry. She didn't care that it was a field trip, she still just wanted to go sledding. So, Randy took her out of school an hour early and took her sledding. He heated up some hot chocolate in a thermos, stopped by the store and bought doughnuts, and they were off. She loved every minute. Just her and dad. I'm so glad that when Randy's home from work, he's really home. He takes each child individually if he can and does something special. They stopped by McDonald's on the way home and she was ecstatic to actually be getting a Happy Meal. We usually only get the kids dollar menu and water. It was heaven. Before she went to bed that night she had to find her "most special frog" that she got with her meal and was more than happy to go to bed. Dad's are the best. Especially when they're Randy Dirks!

Friends

2012-02-24T12:05:00.001-08:00

We are having some friends come over tonight so their parents can go on a date. This is their last weekend before she has her sweet little Levi. I wanted them to be able to have just one last fling before he comes. I asked the kids to help me clean up the toys so that the house would be clean before they come. Shelby said, "Why? When we have friends come over it gets messy anyway. Plus, our friends will still love us even if we have a messy house." Wise words from my sweet five year old. However, the house still got cleaned:) And it will be a mess when they go!

Legs

2012-02-24T12:01:00.003-08:00

When I change Ty's diaper I always ask him "Who has cute legs?" It's just a fun excuse to squeeze his sweet chub. I don't think he'll have that much longer, he's growing so fast. Anyway, I ask him almost every time I change him. So, it surprised me and made me laugh yesterday when he said, "Kennedy."

WWotW

2012-02-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

I went to bed with a migraine two nights in a row. Which means that I also woke up with a migraine two mornings in a row. Since the kids did not have school on Thursday, I said they could watch a show while I laid down for a much needed nap. However, they chose to watch America's Funniest Home Videos. This left them bursting into laughing fits for most of the time I was laying down. So, naturally, this is when the Wicked Witch of the West comes out. As I'm storming up the stairs to get my ear plugs, I pass the kids with a mean face (that would melt anyone on the spot) and a growl, "Why did you have to pick a show that would make you laugh?" When I think of this now, I laugh out loud. What parent gets upset when their kids are sitting peacefully watching a show together and even laughing? Me, that's who! When my head hurts, there are no guarantees that I'll say anything nice. Or rational!

Trumpet Triumphs

2012-02-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

I remember the early-days learning to play the flute. I wanted to be good. I practiced hard to be the best. I already knew how to read music from years of playing the piano, so all I needed to do was learn the fingering of the flute and I was off. I love everything about music. It reaches me in ways that nothing else can. So, as I was getting better and better, I was thinking more and more about the flute. I remember playing the same song over and over until I had it mastered and then moving on in my books to master the other songs so I sounded perfect for the class. I'm a nut, I know, but I LOVED the flute. Fast forward a few years (*ahem*... 17) and you have my son. Caden is getting really good at his trumpet. He hasn't had many years of piano, but he does know how to read music. So, he just needed to learn the fingering and he's off. He is constantly humming the songs he's working on and looking for new things to play. He got the Children's Songbook from primary and has learned I Am A Child of God. He pretty much has his trumpet with him when he's got a free minute. The funny thing is, although I remember being exactly like him, it's still getting on my nerves:) I've heard The Fight Song, Star Wars, and I Am A Child of God about a million times a piece! He's going to be great. He's even been invited to be in an Ensemble Group! How glad I am he didn't want to play drums. And that his room is in the basement. And has a door!

School of Choice

2012-02-15T13:39:00.000-08:00

Casper is a "School Of Choice" city. This means that you can send your child to any school within the district no matter where you live. You can have one child in one school that caters to their needs and another child in another school. Each year they send out a booklet letting you know the statistics of each school. The statistics are for Reading at Grade Level, Reading Proficient, Math Proficient, Language Proficient, and Science Proficient. Out of those 5 categories, our elementary scored dismal. We chose to go to our "neighborhood" school for ease when we first moved to our house. I was going to have Ty in two months and didn't want to travel that many hours in the car each day with a newborn. Now Ty is older and Caden is going to middle school. We decided to take our kids to a better elementary, one that has higher statistics. Our number one choice is the school we came from, Southridge. We'll find out before the end of the year if our kids' got into the elementary of our choice. However, we found out yesterday that Caden got into the Middle School that he wanted. So did his three best friends that make up the "group." Brayden, Danielle, and Violet. They've been best friends since about the second month of Bar Nunn. So, although the school doesn't have the numbers we'd like them to have, we're grateful to have gone for these last two years. I got a text asking if I'd got my letter. I jumped in the car, sped to the mailboxes, ripped open my letter with fumbling fingers and did a school-girl squeal when I saw we got his number one choice. I then sped to his school to show him his letter. He did an air punch and said he couldn't wait. Can you imagine the bucket of nerves I'll be when a certain mission call letter comes? I'll probably upgrade my school-girl squeal to my "famous" tiger scream!

Roller Coaster

2012-02-15T08:36:00.000-08:00

I feel as if I've been punched in the gut. The funny thing is, there is really no reason. Some might even think me crazy. Here's the story. Three weeks ago I had that crazy episode where I rode in my first ambulance. That alone cost $1970.60, by the way! Not fun. The doctor came in and asked if I'd ever been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation? I hadn't. I had never even heard of it before. As he was showing me the symptoms I was getting more and more relieved. All of the symptoms that have been scaring me and making me believe I had a brain tumor finally had a name. I had 5 of the 6 symptoms. Then, everything started to come together and I was told I needed a spinal tap. That scared the sense of relief right out of me. Reality hit me pretty hard that I was possibly going to see more needles in the future than I ever thought I would. Not fun! So, I prayed. I got an EEG and found out that I have a beautiful brain and that the brain activity was perfect. I do not suffer from a seizure disorder. I never thought I did! So, while meeting with the neurologist, I asked if she'd actually seen the Chiari. She said yes, however, it was mild. She ordered me to once again get my eyes checked by an eye specialist, then we'd get an MRI, and then I'd be transferred to a neurosurgeon that specializes in Chiari. We were going places. I felt like I'd be getting answers soon. One of our friends in the ward monitors brain activity while in surgery. He talked to the neurosurgeon about my case and was able to get him to look at my MRI. So, I took it to his office and once again was left to wait. The news came yesterday. It's not Chiari. I'm in shock. We're back to square one. I shouldn't be so disappointed that I don't have a brain malformation. I will not need to take medicine for the rest of my life and I won't have to have a surgery that removes bone from my skull. However, I'm still left with these 5 symptoms that are quite debilitating and times. I'm seeing double vision with floaters and flashing lights. I have headaches that strike at a moments notice and leave me begging for bed. I've had a headache every day for three weeks, since passing out in church. I'm falling over when walking. I'm dizzy even when sitting or laying. I have to wear sunglasses while at the movies. And more! So, now I may be a person that has 5 different things that just happen to be the exact symptoms of Chiari. I just don't understand how someone found something that seemed to fit perfectly and that it's not even that! So, we're back to where we were May 2010. However, we now know through MRI, CT Scans, and EEG's that I have not had a migrainal stroke, I do not have a blood clot in my brain, I do not suffer from seizure disorders, I do not have thrombosis, and that I do not have Chiari. We just don't know what I do have!

Dreams

2012-02-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

Today was Class Picture Day. Shelby wanted to wear one of her new shirts purchased because she's growing like a weed! The shirt says Make Your Dreams Come True. Caden was telling her how cute her shirt was and asked her how she was going to make her dreams come true. In her silly almost-growl voice, she said, "You go to sleep, silly!"
On a side note- picture day was cancelled! Figures!

Expected

2012-02-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

Randy has been home for for almost 2 weeks. Tonight, he boarded a flight for Arizona for a National Sales Meeting. So, naturally, my car dies in the parking lot of the elementary while I'm trying to attend all four kids' Parent Teacher Conferences. I'm telling you, it's becoming a habit for things to happen when Randy's gone. Expected, really.

Dance

2012-02-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

I was having a particularly bad headache the other day. On headache days, I spend most of my time on the couch. Randy came in, pulled my legs onto his lap and played this song for me. My favorite verse says If you knew how much this moment means to me, and how long I've waited for your touch. And if you knew how happy you are making me, I never thought that I'd love anyone so much. As I'm crying, again, at this verse, Randy leaned over and asked me to dance. It was such an unexpected tender request. Of course, that made me cry even more. I'll never forget it as long as I live. I love him so much. That verse is exactly what I'd say! While in Billings I saw a Willow Tree sculpture of a couple dancing. Now each time I see that small statue I'm reminded of that special moment. I love him so much. It's those small and simple gestures that make me feel so much like a queen. Randy is the perfect combination of masculine/romance. He is my Mr. Darcy/ Peeta/ Ky/ Edward.

How many?

2012-02-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

While at a doctor appointment this week, I was getting all checked in with a seriously cute nurse that was so happy and jovial. It made it easier to put aside some of my anxiety. Some. It was so refreshing. She was joking and we were simply having a great time. As she was asking me all of the questions and typing the answers into the computer she said, "You have any kids?" "Five." She started laughing, shook her head as if I'd said the funniest joke and said, "No really, how many do you have." This is where I started laughing, shook my head and said, "Five." It was fun watching her face sober, seeing her look at me in all seriousness and say, "Really?"

When the doctor saw diapers in my purse, she asked how many kids I have. After my response, she asked, "Are you Mormon?" She then asked why Mormons have so many. Randy gave her some of the answers that are somewhat textbook. However, I got to thinking why we had five. It's not because we had to. It's not because of the tax breaks. It's because we wanted that many. And our loving Heavenly Father blessed us with our kids. Yes, our hands are full. Yes, most wouldn't envy us. Yes, it's not the norm in today's society. But, it's what we prayed for. What we got. And our lives are richly blessed! We know we are lucky!

Later, Randy took us to dinner so I wouldn't have to clean the house after. It was perfect! As the hostess was showing us to our table, she asked, "Are they all brothers and sisters?" That's a different way of asking. Usually we get the cursory, "Are they all yours?"

Swim Suit

2012-02-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

The last time we pulled out our swim suits was in December when we went to Utah. Shelby complained that the suit was too tight. It is a 3T after all! Last weekend when we went to Billings, I tried to find another suit in our "Keilie" hand-me-downs. Nothing. So, I had to bring her small one. When I got it out to give her, I started telling her how I knew it was too small, but that I'd forgotten to find her a new one. In my defence, have any of you started looking for a new swim suit this winter? See, I'm not totally to blame. Anyway, before I can get a good defence in with Shelby, Keilie pipes up, "Yeah, Shelby, once mom made me wear a swim suit that was too small and it pinched my butt," in this completely judgemental tone that made me feel SO small. Now, in my defence with that one, we were at the Schliterbahn and I had NO idea it was that small. She ended up having her thighs/butt rubbed raw! Apparently it's rubbed into her brain as the worst swim suit incident as well! I'm the worst ever.

While Randy was at his temple session I decided to take the kids shopping in Billings to get Shelby a new swim suit. We found a suit that she loved. And let me tell you, it was NOT cheap. I just felt like scum for "making my daughter wear a suit that pinched her butt." As we were trying to figure out where we wanted to eat while Daddy was at the Temple, Shelby says, "Guys, don't worry. I get to choose. I'm the one with the new swim suit." So, if you want to choose the place to eat next time, you'll have to buy a new swim suit. Preferably one that doesn't pinch!

Time?

2012-02-06T20:35:00.000-08:00

Since having kids, we've always done lunch time and then nap time. Basically till they leave for Kindergarten. There have been few times that it hasn't been like this for each of our children. So, when Randy asked after lunch, "Brennon, what time is it?" we thought he'd say naptime. Instead we got, "10:04?" Ran.dom!

Shelby

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

I was texting back and forth with a friend yesterday. I left my phone for a moment to answer the door. When I got back to my phone there was a message that said, "I didn't understand your last text. It simply said 'shelby.'" Apparently, Shelby knew the answer to my text:) shelby! I knew it wasn't a mistake on my part because I would have capitalized her name:)

Boingy

2012-02-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

"Who knows what Groundhog's Day is?" "Brennon?"

"It's when my Daddy goes boingy, boingy, boingy!"

The second the teacher finished her questions, Brennon shot his hand to the sky. He knew the answer to that question:)

Not Ready

2012-02-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Although I was super excited to have some answers, there are other answers I don't want to find out. Like when I have to get a spinal tap on Tuesday at my EEG appointment and consult. I HATE needles. I'm terrified. So, hours ago when I heard I had to wait 6 days until my appointment, it felt like an eternity. Then a few hours later I hear I need that spinal tap and already I'm having heart palpitations and nausea. I only have until Tuesday? It's all about perspective! I'm so scared for what's to come. I thought it would be so relieving to know, now it's time for the work and I'm not so ready. It's so stressful being on the other side of medicine. I can hear all about how Randy works with the spinal cord and spinal taps all the time, but when it comes to me, I'm terrified!!

1st for Everything

2012-01-30T19:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday started out with a very excited newly 5-year old little girl. As is our tradition, we had cake for breakfast. Thanks again, Kimberly:) We got ready and made it to 9:00am church with moments to spare. We quickly realized that Randy would spend the entire Sacrament meeting out in the hall with a very boisterous Ty. The Youth speaker was amazing, the next speaker was wonderful, the musical number had me in tears. It was going perfect after missing church so much this year. However, my head started to feel quite weird. I've had moments over the past 6 months where I get extremely dizzy, even while sitting down. So, knowing that I was probably going to pass out, I got the heck out of the chapel. The last time I passed out in the chapel, it was during the water prayer during the Sacrament during Ward Conference with us sitting on the row directly behind the Deacons. To make matters worse, I was beached-whale pregnant with Brennon so it took SEVEN men to carry me out of there. SEVEN!!! I was so traumatized by that last incident, I bee-lined it to the doors. I made it out just in time for Randy to catch me as I went down and had a seizure. My body couldn't stop the convulsions, so an ambulance was called. That's the first 1st! I did NOT want an ambulance called. It turned out to be a good thing. More on that later. So, here I am getting lifted onto a stretcher (only two arms instead of seven men!), actually getting strapped to the thing, and fed into the ambulance. As we're pulling out of the parking lot- literally being jostled enough for the medic to need to hold the handle bars- he's telling me that he needs to start an IV to get meds into me to stop the convulsions before I had another seizure. UM... EXCUSE ME? Does he not know how stressed out I get having one put in when I'm laying on a bed in the hospital? Not moving? That's the second 1st! Actually getting an IV put in while I'm riding in and ambulance on my way to the hospital. Not my favorite. We made it to the hospital, got hooked up to all of the machines, and waited for the results to come back. However, in walks a cute little nurse with that wicked "blood work" cart. The sight of that evil cart instantly made my hands sweat. "The blood that was taken while on the ambulance didn't work." Um... What blood? I didn't know he'd taken blood. That's the third 1st! I had blood taken while in a moving vehicle. Yikes. So, this cute little nurse went straight to enemy of the year as she attempts to take my blood a second time; first time for her. Then she was upgraded to Satan incarnate when she has to prick me a second time because she couldn't get the vain to cooperate the first time. That's 3 pokes in an hour, folks. Talk about seventh circle of hades!! On Shelby's birthday no less!! The results came back normal. Of course they did! The Dr. sent me in for a CT scan. This is where the story gets good. It turns out that I have a problem with my brain. No jokes, please. It's called Chiari Malformation. To make a long story short, I don't have enough space at the back of my head/top of my spine for my brain. All that reading has finally gotten too much:) I'm not getting enough spinal fluid to my brain. Or something like that. I now know why I've been so dizzy. I now know why I have been having vision problems. I now know why I get dizzy even sitting down or simply turning my head too fast. There are more symptoms that are starting to show up. Some show up in adolescence, mine in adulthood. I like to consider myself an adult! I will be getting an EEG this week and talk to a neurologist about my condition and hopefully get more answers and meds. For now, I'm trying to get past the fatigue and exhaustion of the past two days. It's great to finally know that I do not have a brain tumor (what I've wondered for the past 6 months as more and more symptoms have come up) and that it's not life threatening. So, with all of my 1st that I never wanted to EVER happen, I'm thankful for it just the same! Here's to technology that allows me to start getting healthy again!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Shelby!

2012-01-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

Shelby turns FIVE today!!!

Happy Birthday Shelby Girl!!!

Kimberly made her AWESOME cake. It was so moist and got SO many compliments. We wish you could have heard them all, Kimberly! Thank You So Much for such an amazing cake!!!

The Gang minus Carter.

It was so much fun watching her blow out her candles. It was like she was whispering to them. I didn't realize they were trick. It didn't matter, she blew them out like a champ!

I had to get a pic of her in that hat. Please excuse the pizza face:)

At one point she asked someone to hurry up and eat so she could open her gifts! Um... hold your horses girl! Thank you so much Kennedy, Braden, Haylie, Brooklynn, Laci, Carter, Cade, Jackson, and of course, Caden, Keilie, Brennon, and Tyson!

Happy Birthday Shelby!!!

Class 31 Valedictorian

2012-01-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

Randy got home yesterday from his last 2 weeks of training with Boston Scientific. It was HARD, to say the least, to have him gone, but a few things that happened made it all worth it. Mostly.... This! Out of 22 reps in the class, Randy got Valedictorian. His total percentage for the 10 tests applied was 97%. He got 633 points with the runner up getting 623. He worked hard and achieved his goal! Congrats, Randy. I'm so proud of you!! Some of the other awesome experiences are as follows.

1. He was asked by a pretty well-known rep if he was a "Mormon." Someone overheard Randy say yes and asked how the other guy knew. "Mormon's just have a glow. My best friend growing up was a Mormon. Randy just has the glow."

2. "You're the best Mormon I've ever met." This coming from a girl that had dated a "Mormon."

3. A girl was struggling with the class. She called her manager in Oregon to talk about it. He said, "I've heard about a rep that's doing well. Search out Randy Dirks and ask him to study with you." This is a man from Oregon that Randy has never met before! We're still unsure how he heard about Randy.

4. Countless people would thank him for his comments, ask him to help them study, or simply want to be around him. He really did help people out. Many night sacrificing his own sleep or time to help others.

5. After everyone had been tested, a trainer had a meeting with all of the reps. He told how he'd done everything he could think of to mess Randy up. He said, "That type of knowledge only comes from experience in the field." He was amazed that Randy could multitask by telling one person how to do something and catch a mistake from another person all within seconds. Things were coming at him at an accelerated speed that would never happen in real life, so it impressed them that he could really do it.

There were many prayers, sleepless nights, and stressful situations these last few weeks, but we're glad to have this out of the way and know that he did his very best. Congratulations again, love! YOU ROCK!!!

Happy Valentine's 2012

2012-01-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

After looking at my pictures of pictures, you can now see why I call Kimberly for EVERYTHING! Thanks for the wonderful Valentine's Kimberly!!! We LOVE them! Happy Valentine's Day!

In 2 weeks of course! I just couldn't wait to show you:)

Shelby Stage

2012-01-27T08:00:00.001-08:00

"Mom, did you know that when I'm in my bed and I close my eyes, I can't see? ANY.THING!"

"Mom, did you know that mom's are girls and dad's are men?"

"Mom, this is seriously the most wonderful day!"

While looking at anything but me, "Mom, you are so beautiful."

"Brennon, you are my big brother because you are so big. You can write your name and that makes you big."

"Mom, don't you remember? I don't like yucky food!"

Shelby has been in the stage I love the most about kids. She has been saying some of the funnest things. Since her birthday is Sunday, she's been getting cards in the mail. Wednesday, she got her first one from Grandpa and Grandma Dirks. I opened the envelope and handed her the card expecting her to look inside. She squealed and just stared at the card. She walked around for 10 minutes before Caden asked her if she'd opened it. When she saw the money fall out, she did another high-pitched-little-girl squeal. However, the card was enough for her! I love her innocence so much! Still can't believe she's going to be five!

Slaves

2012-01-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

A woman came to my home for the first time this week to talk about food storage and Shelf Reliance. Her first question was if my "income" with Shelf Reliance allowed me to live in our big home with nice furnishings. Um... no! Her next question was if I had any kids. Um... yep! I was surprised by her question. How could she not know that I had kids??? I looked around the front room and had to admit that it was pretty clean on the surface. I could easily see the hand prints on the piano, the dirty mess that is our microfiber couch, the sheer curtains that are no longer sheer do to the stains, and on and on. I loved how her eyes bulged when I told her I had 5. Then, as if a light turned on above her head, she said, "Oh, with five kids to clean, your house must always be clean." Um... no & yes. I have at least one toddler at all times in this house. Most of the day there are three children under the age of 4 (3 more days!) running around. Then, for the rest of the night, I still have 5 kids that make their own kind of messes. I'll admit, not all of the messes are caused by the kids. So, it feels like there is always something going on in this house; from making forts, to emptying the toy box ("playing"), to simply just investigating the house, there is always noise and mess at the Dirks'. So, no, the kids aren't the reason the house is always clean. Just the opposite in fact. However, they are the ones that help clean up said mess. We have our "games" to help "the medicine go down," but for the most part, it's still a struggle. Brennon's "stomach hurts when he as to clean out the silverware from the dishwasher." Keilie ALWAYS has to go to the bathroom when it's her turn to clean out the dishwasher! Shelby ALWAYS says the mess is too big. Ty just walks around taking out what the kids' put away. Caden really should be complaining because he doesn't do most of the mess, but I still make him clean. Tonight the house was pretty trashed. Before our bedtime routine, I said we all had to clean up 100 things. Shelby cleaned the 4 decks of cards she threw all over the front room. Brennon cleaned up all of the toys from the toy box that he'd emptied. Ty just walked around. Caden cleaned out the dishwasher. Keilie did random stuff. Let me tell you, the house is clean! So, my argument is this. 5 kids made a HUGE mess. However, 5 kids are wonderful slaves. After all, why else would a sane couple have so many?! That's how the world views our choice! We've heard as much. Maybe not in so many words:)

In Bed...

2012-01-24T07:08:00.000-08:00

This morning Shelby was SUPER excited to tell me that she hadn't thrown up in her bed. Funny, since that hasn't been and issue for months. Now, if she would have said she hadn't had a bloody nose in bed, that would have been monumental. She has one almost every night. Winter is the worst! I'm just glad that we're finally getting snow!

Over-thinking

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

I love that these two haven't come to the stage where they over-think their smiles. Handsome devils!

Green?

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

When we started the photoshoot, Kimberly commented that she'd never seen Shelby's eyes so green. Look at those emeralds! Her eyes change drastically depending on the day. Blue, Grey, Green. No matter which, she's always so beautiful!

Spring 2012 Photoshoot

2012-01-21T18:15:00.000-08:00

Spring 2012

Aren't we the luckiest parents in the world? Do these not scream "BEAUTY"? Could these kids actually be mine? Thank you Kimberly for once again capturing these memories!

Hard work produces "ulcers."

2012-01-19T07:25:00.001-08:00

"Mom, my belly hurts because I have to clean out the dishwasher."

Middle School

2012-01-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the surreal opportunity to take Caden to a Middle School Open House. He is SO excited!! Me, not so much. I felt so old walking around, meeting the teachers, looking for the library & gym, and just being there with him. I still can't believe that my oldest is so old! I know he'll do well, I know he'll be fine, I know he can't wait, but a serious part of me wanted to take him away from that place and hide him away from the world forever. I'm scared for the influences that will be introduced. We're entering a new chapter in our kids' lives and I'm just a little nervous. He was counting on his fingers as we were on our way home. I asked him what he was trying to figure out. He said, "When I'm in 8th grade, Keilie will be entering middle school." I'm not ready for that either! The year Caden enters High School, I will be enrolling my youngest in Kindergarten! I know I'm getting ahead of myself by a couple of years (like 3) but man, reality hit me pretty hard last night as I was taking my sweet baby boy to a big boy school! It's like his short life passed before my eyes and I was powerless to stop him from growing once again. I remember thinking that time was going by so slow when I was excited to be grown. I remember hearing that it would go fast. I've blinked and now my son is old.

Uni...?

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Last night we had some friends come to play while their mom went to a Dr. appointment. Shelby was so excited to show Claire her Pillow Pet she got from Grandma & Grandpa Dirks. It's a seriously cute Unicorn. Shelby was showing her every square inch of that thing. When she was showing the horn, she actually called it a "corn." Claire said, "It's actually called a 'Horn.'" Shelby said, "If it was really called a 'Horn,' it would be called a "Uni-horn" not a "Uni-corn."

Master

2012-01-16T19:24:00.001-08:00

It always amazes me how each child learns differently. Caden does well with song while Keilie does well with watching and doing. Shelby just kind of always watches. There have been many times I didn't think she was listening and ended up surprising me with her answers. After our 10 Commandments Lesson, she was always asking to play a game for her to remember them. She was spot on each time. It surprised me. Today, Keilie said, "Number One- don't say the Lords name in vain." Shelby said, "No, Keilie, that's number three. Number One is 'No other Gods before me." She then proceeded to remind Keilie that you put three fingers over your mouth for the Lords Name in Vain. She listened! She learned! She teaches!

Skin

2012-01-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

Randy surprised me with a 90 minute couples massage today. It couldn't have come at a better time for me! This week was so stressful while he's been gone. I got a total of 13 hours of sleep in 3 nights. I don't know why, but when he's gone I simply just stay awake. I lay on my pillow totally awake. When he gets home, it's like my adrenaline shuts down and I'm exhausted. So, with the stress of having him gone, plus the stress of not sleeping, this massage was perfect. I've had 3 others in my life and can honestly say this was the best one yet!! Randy needed his for another reason. The winters are always the roughest on his skin. I mean wipe his leg see the "snow" bad! So, he was excited to get oiled. About 75% into his massage he asked if it was lotion or oil that she was using. Oil! She needed to use what my girl was using because his skin was soaking hers up too fast. She said, and I quote, "Your skin is the driest I've ever worked on. Hands down!" So, I'm the "scariest patient imaginable" when it comes to blood draws and Randy is "the driest skin a massage therapist has ever worked with." We know... We're extreme!

Braids

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Love me some braids on two cute little girlies!

Feelings

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today in school the kids were learning about telling others' feelings by the look on their faces. The teacher had 5 different pictures with different expressions on each picture. One was of a man leaning over his car looking under the hood. Mrs. G asked what this man might be feeling. Some of the answers were "mad," "angry," and "frustrated." Brennon raised his hand and said, "heartbroken." I had to smile. He didn't learn that from me. Since these last few months have been filled with car troubles, I thought he would have said, "TICKED!" He'd have learned that from me.

New Specs

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's been two years since Shelby got her first pair of glasses. We've loved the little round ones she's had, but needed to get new ones to fit her face. It actually shocked the doctor to hear that she'd kept them that nice for two years. And at age 3 no doubt! Every night she'd rub her temples for a few minutes because the frames were pressing on them the whole day. She had indents:( So, with her yearly checkup last week we ordered some new frames. We tried to stick with the round frame- I just love how they look on her face- but the company had discontinued them. She really didn't care which ones we chose as long as they were pink. She's in love! I asked her if she could see better (her Rx had changed a little), to which she replied, "Yes. They're huge!" I guess she can see more because they cover more of her eye:) I'm still stunned at how we found out about our kids' eye problems, but grateful we caught hers when we did instead of at 8 like Caden! Shelby's isn't as serious as his, but it's still nice that she can see. "All the better to look at you my dear!" She has an appointment to get her Kindergarten shots in March and we're all set. She's going to Kindergarten!! *Sigh*

New Ride

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

The day we left for Utah Randy sold his Dodge Charger to a woman from Colorado. We thought we'd leave by noon, then 1:00, and then finally at 4:00. It made for a long day of waiting and then driving, but it also allowed us to get a larger family vehicle while in Utah. Randy had to work, so it only left us about 4 hours to really look for something. My cousin works at Larry H. Miller- Riverdale, so we took our business there. This is what we came home with! We love it!! It's a 2004 Yukon XL Denali. There are a few cosmetic scratches, but for the most part it's super clean. They had added DVD's to the headrests, so the kids are happy. Caden commented that the drive home felt shorter than it's ever felt. Now we just have to convince the kids that we don't need to watch TV while driving the 1 mile to school! It's nice to have the space. My only stipulation was that it had to have bucket seats for the center so that the kids could walk through the "isle" instead of crawling over the center seat to get to the two in back. Now, we have two in the center and three in the back. Perfect! New project? I just need to learn how to park the beast:) It's always so much fun to get a "new" car.

Undies

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Ty has been in undies since after church yesterday. I thought he'd LOVE being in them since he's been asking for a few months to "go to potty." Nope. He's fought me with every "potty time." We'll see if this works. With Shelby and Brennon being potty trained in 1 to 2 days, I might just be lazy and wait until he turns 3. Anyway, this morning he slipped in the kitchen and fell on his bum. He came crying into me, "I fell on my undies." Cute!

Boots

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

I HeArT cute little skinny legs in big pink fluffy boots with sweet skirts in the winter. Or summer. Or when we're staying in. I'm going to miss these legs! I remember loving them just as much on Keilie!

10 Commandments Lesson

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

For Family Home Evening this week we taught the kids some hand signals to help them remember the 10 commandments. It went so well, we thought we'd show you, too!

1- One God

Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me

2- Bull Horns

Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image

3- 3 fingers covering your lips

Thou Shalt Not Take The Name of The Lord Thy God In Vain

4- This is the Steeple

Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath Day Holy

5- Sign Language for Mother and Father

Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother

6- Guns

Thou Shalt Not Kill

7- Keep all others out of your marriage

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

8- 8 Fingers "bars" in front of your face

Thou Shalt Not Steal

9- 9 Fingers "telling" lies

Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness

10- Sign Language for "Want." 10 Grabbing Fingers

Thou Shalt Not Covet

Mistakes

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Last night at dinner, Randy made us Tortellini Alfredo with his own recipe. We had peas as the side dish. Shelby said, "Dad. I'm not going to eat these. Remember when I tried them last time and didn't like them? I'm not going to make that mistake again." I completely agree on this one. Every time we have peas, we always comment on how much I don't like them, but that I eat them anyway. I usually gag them down and have to think about not throwing them up! She's a girl after my own heart:)

*Come What May~ And Love It*