Last Day of School

Annika with Mrs. Broderick

Isabel with Mrs. Blackhurst

Mr. Bradford and Jaren aka E.R.

Mrs. Loftin and Hannah

Yesterday was the last day of school for my kids. Wow, where did the time go? I wasn't ready for school to be over. I love spending time with my kids in the summer and this year is going to be GREAT. I just don't feel as if I had the time I needed to prepare myself emotionally and mentally. Ready or not, here they come.
This school year was a fantastic school year. Jaren found a love for reading, which I am thrilled about. Isabel and Annika learned how to read. And Hannah figured out that she doesn't have to be the class clown to have fun. I am so grateful to their teachers, they were awesome.
I am crossing my fingers that my children get the teachers I requested for them for next year. Teachers make all the difference.

Fun with the New Camera

Sisters. Can't live with them. Can't live without them

Na, Na, you can't get me

Silly Hannah

Queen of the forrest

Annika just enjoying the good times

Peeking through the Iris'

Isabel, also Queen

Brent bought me a new camera over the weekend. SWEETNESS!!! I had a ton of fun taking pictures of the kids. Everyone wanted in on the action. Can you tell by all the posing that was going on? Now if I could just figure out how to correctly use the darn thing. It's so complicated I think i might have to take a class just to work it. Gone are the days of simple point and shoot. I am so excited to see what can become.

Skills

Chewing on my fingers skills

Push Up skills

Smiling Skills

Pouting Skills

Simply being cute skills

Forever Home

Several weeks ago I came downstairs to Beckham's Sweet Setup. Everyday, without fail, Beckham asks if he can play the Wii. We finally got a few games that he can figure out on his own so I give in. On this particular day he felt the inclination to get a little cozy. He pulled his pillow and blanket downstairs and arranged himself just so on the couch. Man, to be a kid again, with no cares.

Just the other day Beckham approached me and asked me this question, " When I grow up will I still live with you?"
Me: How old are we talking about? 16?
B: No
Me: 17?
B: No
Me: Tell you what, you get to live with Mom and Dad until you turn 19. Then you'll get to go on your mission. After you get home from your mission you can decide where you want to live.
B: I want to live you and Dad.
Me: Then you can live with Mom and Dad.

No wonder he wants to stay at home forever. He gets to pull his pillow and blanket down to the couch and play the Wii for as long as his little heart desires.

This conversation sparked a memory of mine. When I was a Teenager I was having a rather traumatic day. I told my Mom I never wanted to move away. She boldly told me that I could stay as long as I wanted. She would even fix up the basement to be an apartment for me. Relief swept over me and I was so grateful for those comforting words. As I left my Dad said, " Why in the world would you say that to her." Mom my replied with confidence, " She isn't going to want to live with us forever."

My Mom was right. But her words gave me the comfort I needed to get me through my week. Knowing I always had a safe place to return to at the end of the day was all I needed.

Lost and Found

This past Friday I Lost myself in the world of SUSHI and Found some sweet treasures at the D.I.

My friend Melissa has been telling me for a few years now that I love sushi. I kept telling her she was wrong. First of all, I don't like fish. And Second, I don't like fish. I have been avoiding this girls' day out because I didn't want her to be disappointed. I invited Amy to come along with us but unfortunately she was busy tagging along with the First graders. I talked to her before I went and she was sure I was going to be gagging and running for the nearest Mexican place.
Melissa prepared me very well. First off, all I had for breakfast was a protein shake and that was at 7:30am. Then she made me go shopping at the Quilted Bear, then to D.I. (more on this a little later). You so work up an appetite digging through other peoples unwanted items. So by the time we finally got to the sushi place I was ravished. Remember, I am a nursing mother who has to eat like every 2 hrs.
We quickly order one roll to make sure I actually like the stuff before we proceeded any further. I am very delighted to say that I LOVED it. And I completely lost myself in it. My favorite one was a Hawaiin roll. It had coconut shrimp on the inside and then a sliver of avacado and mango with this insanely good coconut sauce drizzled over the top. I felt like a complete fool with my mouth so ridiculously stuffed with the sushi. But it was quite the experience. Melissa likes to say it's an orgazim for the mouth. Although I don't quite agree with that comparison, it is quite the experience. Did I already say that? I look forward to my next sushi experience.
As for the D.I. I found some pretty sweet stuff. I few years ago I decided that I needed to start collecting rolling pins. Don't ask me why, I just decided one day on a whim. I think it had something to do with the most amazing rolling pin my parents brought back to me from the Amish people in Pennsylvania. The next one I collected was from my trip to Mexico, then one from Italy(thanks Mom and Dad), then from Switzerland(thanks Brooke), and now I have a solid marble one (thanks D.I.). The other sweet treasure I found was a Pampered Chef stoneware bowl. This item would normally go for like $30-$40, new, at a party. Mine, drum roll please, was just $2!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, could it get any better then this? I am proud to say that I used it this past Sunday to make a deep-dish Chicken Pot-Pie. It was divine.
Thanks Melissa, it was a great Lost and Found day. Wish you could have joined us Amy. Next time for sure!!!!

The Wax Museum

Jaren as Gorden B. Hinckley

Close up. I can't believe he's 10

Jaren is constantly asking me to hold Grace
I think it's so sweet.

Jaren with his biggest fans

It was another crazy, busy day for me.
So a sweatshirt is all I was sporting.

The 4th grade did a Wax Museum of the most influencial people of Utah. Jaren picked Gordon B. Hinckley. I knew the day was coming up soon but hadn't gotten any notes from school. Until the day before the actual event. HELLO!!! How am I suppose to put together a costume with less then 8 hours notice. Thankfully Amy was heading to the D.I. and picked up the sweet glasses. Unfortunately they didn't have a cane. So what you see is what you get. As I walked into the school and down the hall way I noticed all the kids had these highly decorated poster boards. My immediate thought was, "Oh crap, I didn't help Jaren do one of those. We're screwed." Until I got to Mr. B class and no one from his class had poster board. THANK YOU Mr. B!!!! He thought they were too much work for the end of the year and just had them do black and white flyers. AWESOME!!! Jaren had memorized key points about Gordon's life and he did an awesome job. I am very proud of him.
The end of the school year is such a busy time. I am so done with home work and don't understand why Isabel and Annika still get sent home with it when they finished testing 2 weeks ago. That's why Brent stayed home from one of Hannah's ball games and helped Annika with 7, count them, 7 silly home work sheets. I am so glad I have a loving supportive husband who helps out so much and is so patient with me when I fall flat on my face.
I am so excited for NO HOMEWORK!!!!

New Favorite Recipe

This is my new favorite recipe Sicilian Chicken Stew, compliments of Rachael Ray. I was watching her show yesterday morning while nursing. Outside it was raining, which has been doing for 2 days straight. I thought to myself, I have most of those ingredients and soup would be so comforting today. I did tweak the recipe a little bit. My family doesn't like green olives, so I used black, in place of the cubanelle peppers I used a red and yellow bell pepper. And I used these kick-butt fire roasted tomatoes. I think the tomatoes are what made this dish so awesome. If you are trying to watch your carbs, this recipe is for you.
As we sat down to dinner my kids, of course, turned their noses up at it. But I insisted they try it. This is what Brent said, " Just because the food doesn't look Sexy, doesn't mean it taste bad. This is really good." Thanks Brent. Now I have to explain what Sexy is to two 7 year olds.

Priorities

This weekend I thought a lot about my priorities. What is at the top of my list and what should be at the bottom. As I sat and looked around me, I realized that while I have been blogging my house and home have fallen apart. As much as I love blogging, it is not my top priority. It has been a great outlet for me. But my family, home and self are more important to me then blogging. So I have to let my obsession with my blog go. Yes, I will still be posting. But just not as frequently. Reading my scriptures, exercise, cleaning my house, and doing homework with the kids all need to come first. Then if there is still time left in the day, I will contribute to the blogging world.

Jaren's Dance Club

It was so loud with all the grades that we
had to plug our ears!!!
It was so loud our ears were ringing

Beckham with his friend Boston.
How cute are they?

"Yo, yo, yo!!! What up?"
Look Jessica, Jaren's not the only one dropping gansta signs.

"Mom. Mom. MOM. Take another picture of me!"

Jaren is the one in the lime green collard shirt.
Doesn't he look Handsome?


Jaren joined the Dance Club about 2 months ago. A few weeks ago he wanted to quit. I told him he couldn't. When you start something you can't just go and quit. No matter if it gets to boring or too hard. I had no idea that the recital was yesterday morning until Jaren called me at 10:30am informing me that I needed to bring him some clothes. When I brought the clothes to I thought there might be an evening performance so I asked him if it would be alright to skip the one during the day. His head and shoulders dropped. After doing more research in the office I realized this was the ONLY performance and I knew I had to go. I canceled the plans that I had with my Mom and made it. I remember as a kid always wanting my Mom to be there for silly performances like this. And how it meant everything to me to see her there. I'm so glad I went. Jaren did a GREAT job. I am so proud of him for sticking with it.
Just as a side note: I can't believe how tall the girls are in 5th grade. And their hair is perfect and their clothes are so stylish!! I am SO NOT ready for this. I am SO NOT ready for a lot of things that I better start getting my head in the game so I can BE READY!!!

My Sweet Baby

Per Brent's request I have been laying Grace down on the floor more lately. She really does need to start learning how to roll over and be by herself. It is allowing me to get a few more things done during the day too. This afternoon after she was done crying I peeked over to check on her and she had fallen asleep. Ohhh, she looked so sweet and gentle just laying there, so vulnerable to the world. At any minute one of her sisters or brothers could have pounced on her with their loving affection. I couldn't help but pull out my camera. I loved her feet.

The Magic of Counting to 10

My mom the other day learned something new at a conference that she attended. I liked the concept and tweaked it a little bit to make it work for me. You gently ask your child to do what ever it is that you need them to do. Today it was folding their pile of laundry. After you are done asking them you count to 10 slowly in your mind. It might seem like and eternity. If after 3 times they don't come and do what I ask them to do I politely put them into the "Thinking Corner". It was AMAZING. I didn't scream and yell at them. It did take them 3 times to come and do it, but they DID. It was so much better then what I was doing before. And I've taken to counting to 10 when I am just about to lose it with them as well. I generally have to close my eyes when I'm doing this, it helps to not look at the child. The kids know that their consequence for not coming is the "Thinking Corner". I came up with the "Thinking Corner" rather then the Naughty Chair or Stair. I would rather them THINK about what they did, and emphasize that rather then that they were Naughty. Besides, I have a hard time with the word Naughty. To me, it sounds like your getting ready to get jiggy with your husband because he's been a naughty boy. So "Thinking Corner" it is.

Part Three - The Road to a Bridal Shower

Oh no, my day wasn't done. It ended in a crazy trip to American Fork for my Cousin's fiance's Bridal Shower. Did you get all of that.
After much confusion in Springville on where we were to meet up with Aunt Sandy, we were late getting to American Fork. Aunt Sandy was driving like a bat out of hell. Except when crossing intersections. I had to look the other way as a white car came barreling towards the mini-van. Aunt Gaye had to call to get directions and in the confusion a poor pigieon decided to walk across the road. I thought Sandy was going to slow down and maybe even honk her horn. Oh no. Instead she took her hands off the wheel, closed her eyes, and I thought for sure I heard her hit the gas pedal. I quickly looked behind us and there in the middle of the road was a flatten bird with feathers flying everywhere. Yup, she had just ran the poor thing over. In front of us were some boys sitting in the back of a pick up truck and they were laughing and giving her the thumbs up.
Quite the ending to such a crazy day.

Part Two -- The MTC

Directly after the Dentist appointment I dropped Isabel and Annika off at school and picked up Hannah. Brent made it home in time to meet everyone at Wendy's. We quickly dropped Beckham off at a Neighbor's and made it just in time to place our order's at Wendy's. There were so many of us that there was total confusion with the order. MADNESS I tell you. Among all the caotic noises I hear my sister-in-law Brooke say she ordered the spicy chicken sandwich without the lettuce or tomato. Hello, you should have had a V-8!!! I stood up and bopped her on the forehead. Silly girl.

The last time I had been to the MTC was 9 years ago with my youngest brother Deric. And one thing is for sure, it has not changed since. We were in the second row and the wait to fill the room was agonizing!!! But I love how short, sweet and to the point the Presidencies message are. I was so proud of myself for not crying during the opening song, which is of course, Called To Serve. But every single mother in that room had wet eyes. I loved how upbeat and cheerful the piano made the song!!!
The MTC President compared saying good bye to ripping a band aid off. You can make it painful and slow, or you can do it fast and just rip it off. Brent and I chose to make our good byes quick. Many tears were shed by both Brent and I. Donna, on the other hand chose the former. She chose to go slow and painful. I realize that this is her last son to go on a mission and how hard it must be to see him go and to have him gone for 2 years. But how proud we are of him and his choice. He is now in the Lord's care and he will be very well taken care of. Cory ended up having to pull Donna away. I don't think it makes it any easier for the Missionary if you choose to stick around. I'm sure all of my logic will go out the window when Jaren goes. But I hope to remember.
Brent and I decided to bring Hannah and Jaren. We really wanted Jaren to experience the MTC and get excited for his own mission. There is no denying the feelings you have when you are in the MTC. We hope this will be a stepping stone for our own growing missionary.

Part One -- Dentist and Barefeet

This is what I stared at the entire time Beckham was in the Dentist Chair.
Yes, he has some funky feet.

Yesterday was so crazy and busy I need to split it up into three parts. So this is the first part.

4 of my children had dentist appointments yesterday morning. 3 of them for the first time. 1 of them went to school by herself. It was a mad rush. I asked Beckham where his flip flops were and he assured me they were in the suburban. I told him to hop in, get them on and then buckle up. As we were getting out of the suburban I noticed that Beckham didn't have any shoes on and our appointment was in 5 minutes. What is a mother suppose to do? I couldn't drive all they way back home. So I unbuckled him and prayed that no one would notice my 4 year old didn't have shoe on. I'm sure someone noticed, but no one said anything until the Dr. came in to check his x-rays and teeth. As he pulled him further up in the chair this is the comment the Dr. gave, " Someone's decided to go Tom Sawyer a little early this year huh?" Complete embarassment has just set in. On the way to check out one of the nurses asked where his shoes were. This is not the end of it. As I was talking to the receptionist I felt a little dribble on my foot. To myself I thought that Grace must have spit up a little bit. She is always dribbling on my feet. Then the realization of what it really was hit me when I went to hand Grace to Isabel so I could find my keys in my oh-so-unorganized diaperbag/purse. I noticed on Graces leg what looked to be her curdled mustard poo. Sure enough, as I inspected even more she had blown out her diaper, up her back, down her legs, all over my WHITE shirt, down my capri's onto my foot and sandles. HELLO!!!!! I totally get the award this day for being the biggest W.T. Mom!!!!!

The BEST Tilapia EVER

Okay, I just had to share my newest favorite recipe. I am trying so hard to eat healthier. If every meal could taste as good as this one, and be as healthy as this one, I would for sure be super model thin. Nothing but the best in this recipe. It's a parchement packet. Inside you layer fresh slices red, yellow, orange bell peppers, red onions and green beans. Sprinkle those with salt, pepper and rice wine vinegar. Layer the tilapia fillet ontop, sprinkle with asian style seasoning. My friend Melissa bought me an amazing mix from McCormick. Finally top the fish with lemon and orange slices. Fold the parchement into a packet and a bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. You will seriously be in heaven when you eat this dish. I am, and I can't wait to make it again and again.
I was thinking that you could also do this mexican style too. Add some chiptole seasoning on top of the fish and then shred and add to a corn tortilla!!! YUM!!!!

My Mom

This is my Mom, Penny. When I was in High School people would ask us if we were sister. I would get so irritated by this. No, she's my Mom. Of course, she was so flattered and excited about these lovely comments.
I don't think you can truly appreciate what your mother does for you until you become a mother yourself. I never realized how much work my Mom put into my happiness and well being. I never knew until later in life how much went on behind the scenes. How many times she went to the school to talk to a teacher or talk to a church leader. She gave me a voice when I didn't have one, defended me, and faught for me. That's what mother's do. We don't care what other people think when it comes to our children. We just want them to be happy.
So thanks Mom!!! I love you. Happy Late Mother's Day. Thanks for taking the kids over the weekend. I know it's not easy. But they love it and love you for it.

My Mother -in -Law

This is Brent's mom Donna. Yes, he looks just like her. I wanted to take some time and let her know how much I appreciate all her hard work in raising my husband. He is the man he is today because of her devotion and dedication to him. I want to thank you for constantly putting up with his crap. For being a great example of a faithful church goer. Children rely on their parent's testimonies. I am so grateful to Donna, for her testimony and sharing it with her children. Even though the Wood's have a very hard time being serious, we know that you always mean well.
So Happy Mother's Day, late, Donna. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

An Interesting Mother's Day

Saturday afternoon my Dad called me and invited all of my kids except Grace to spend the night. He had already talked with Brent and thought that would be fine. I was excited to have some time by myself with Brent. Then I realized that I was going to be without children on Mother's Day. My heart ached. I wouldn't get all the "Happy Mother's Day" or hugs from my kids. Then my thoughts went further. I wouldn't have to fight with them to get them dressed, to brush their hair and teeth, to settle down, to stop this and that.
It was nice to go to a movie that night with Brent. Having the house be so quiet in the morning was very unusual, and not feeling the rush to hurry and get ready was nice. But I missed my kids!!! As much work as they are, I missed the hustle and bustle. I really did miss the exclamations of love. It was a sweet reminder to me how much I truly enjoy being a Mother.
Several years ago I had a friend point something out to me on Mother's Day. I was feeling very down. I waned Mother's Day to be perfect. I didn't want to have to lift a finger. I didn't want to still have to clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner. I wanted home made cards that had verses of devoted love written to me. As I was feeling so down about this some what crappy Mother's Day she said to me, " Mother's Day is a day for you to be the BEST mother that you can be." From then on I have expected nothing from Mother's Day. So anything I get is special. I am grateful that my parents are so willing to take my brood of children, it's not easy. I don't think I'll agree to it again over Mother's Day weekend. I missed being their Mom that morning.

The Official Weiss Photos

These are the official photos that my Dad's friend Kirk took of us. He did a GREAT job and we couldn't be happier with the results. Yeah for family photos.

3 months old

Grace is now 3 months old. Isn't this the cutest picture of her? It highlights her orangutan hair, dark eyes, long fingers, her all around beauty. I love having Grace in our family. It is so much fun to watch everyone's eyes light up when they see her. It's so great now that she is smiling a ton and being so observant. It's even better now that she actually takes naps during the day and sleeps from 10:30pm to 7am.
It's amazing how time flies when your having fun, and when your NOT having fun. There is only 3 measly weeks of school left. I can't believe it. I need more time to prepare. I am excited that I don't have to get 4 kids ready and off to school in the morning and even more exciting is NO MORE HOMEWORK!!!! This summer is going to be so much better. I wont be sicker then a dog with pregnancy and we'll be able to follow through with all my grand plans. Lots and Lots of hikes.

Such Confidence

Isabel insisting that I glue the flower onto the ribbon
so she could wear it to school.

While my sister was here she told Annika that she looked really cute. This was Annika's response, " I look cute every day." I just about fell to the floor. What a great response!!! This is coming from a girl who insisted on wearing black hooker boots with shorts. And where does all that confidence go when we get older? I would love it if I could look in the mirror and tell myself everyday how cute I look. Just yesterday I was getting ready and looked in the mirror and realized that I have hit an age where I can no longer get away without any make-up. I thought to myself, "Dang girl, you need to do something with yourself." I have been blessed with the Edwards dark rings around the eyes. And this is just magnified by having a new baby and more sleepless nights. When we were first married Brent did not want me to wear make-up. He told me I look beautiful without it. Gone are those carefree days. After covering up those brown spots with some concealer and powder and putting on some eye shadow and mascara I looked like a new woman. Welcome to being thirty-something!!!

Grace's Blessing

Brent with Grace

Grace in her pretty blessing dress that Grandma Penny bought for her.

This past Sunday Grace was blessed. It was so great to have all the family there. Sean missed being in the circle, going a little too fast on the freeway. And we missed having Aunt Brooke be a part of this special day. But it was so great to have my sister and her husband and family there. Brent did a great job blessing Grace. I love to watch Brent with her. He is constantly holding, talking, and just loving her all the time. Grace has been a huge blessing in our lives. When I was told to have another baby, I very well could have shoved those thoughts into the back of my mind where cobwebs grow and never thought about it again. But if the Lord has enough confidence in me to tell me to have another child, how could I not. So instead of ignoring those promptings I chose to be obedient. Knowing that obedience brings blessings. Even though Grace hasn't been without her challenges, she has been such a blessing. The Lord will always provide away for us to accomplish those things which he asks us to do. This is so true. And I am so grateful for that knowledge.

Thanksgiving Point Take 2

Jessica with Soren, Jaren, Beckham and Annika

Monica & Quanah, Penny & Asher, Jamie & Soren

Jaren and Grace

All the Weiss Cousins. Yeah for cousins, my kids
had so much fun hanging out.

Asher and Soren, so stinking cute!!!

Jessica and Jamie with the boys

Fun group shot

Hannah and Jaren with their favorite long distance Uncle

For some reason, I just love this photo

Jessica with her set of twins

Yesterday we took Jessica and her family up to Thanksgiving point. What a difference 2 weeks can make. Thanks to warmer weather the grounds were beautiful and so were the tulips. We were so excited to spend our last day with them in such a beautiful place. I took the kids out of school early, which they were thrilled about.
I was so happy that Jessica could come out for a visit. It was so great to visit with her and her twin boys and Jamie. Jamie is always so sweet to compliment me on my cooking. And Jessica is so great to keep encouraging me to be a good mother. I loved watching Jessica with her kids and to see the joy and love that she has found in being a mother. I also loved watching her with my kids. The joy that she finds in spending with my kids is such a huge compliment. I am also amazed at the amount of patience that Jamie and Jessica have for my kids. They were all over them, climbing, jumping, hugging, kissing and not once did they show frustration. Thanks Jessica and Jamie for a GREAT visit. I miss you already and ache to have you live closer!!! I felt bad that I was a little grumpy this day. I hope they will all forgive me for that. We look forward to your next visit!!!