Goals for 2009!

With today being the last day 2008 I thought would write a few thoughts and a few goals and hopefully with the pressure of knowing someone might have read this blog I will actually make it happen.

First of all I have enjoyed this past year. Brian spent most of it home with us, and what could be better. I think this was a big year of learning for us as we experienced some of the trials that this life brings. The kids have grown so much and at times I wish we could go back and try some things over again, but in the same breath I am proud of who they are becoming and have loved watching them grow and learn.

I remember when Brian first joined the Navy and hearing our date to "get out" was (and still is) May 29, 2009. I remember thinking that date would surly never come. It was way to far off. And now I look at the past six years as a blur and wondering where all that time went. What we spent it doing? And what were the things that really mattered to us? As we are preparing to get out of the Navy and move on to something new I have been thinking about those questions in relation to what I will be asking myself in the next six years.

Having said all that here is THE list:

*Make “school time” with the kids happen as often as possible

*Take time every month for Brian and I to enjoy the kids one on one

*Daily personal scripture reading and personal prayer.

*Put more into my church calling.

*Go on dates with Brian weekly.

*Memorable family vacation.

*Make sure we are having family home evening every week

*Enjoy my kids at the ages and stages they are in.

*Pursue the photography business and try and enjoy every minute of doing something I have always wanted.

*Make fun and lasting memories for the kids!

Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see you all in 2009!

Then There Were FOUR!

Well, we are back to just me and the kids. Brian will be gone for the next two months on his last deployment EVER! I have so many different emotions, many different from patrols past but many the same. It is hard to believe that this is number 6 for us. We have done this SIX times! I guess that gives me a little reassurance that it will be over before I know it. My heart is broken for my sweet babies who lay asleep upstairs and have only a vague understanding that when they wake up their dad will be gone.

Now for the hard part, when the kids wake up! Just kidding we will all have a great time and make the best of the situation we are in. As I noticed the baby ticker count down is already to just 68 days, so I have much faith the time will go by faster then I even want it to. For those of you curious Brian will be home a few days before my due date. The boat decided a few weeks ago that due to “lack of manning” he will be making the whole patrol, and not be getting off for the baby. It will be close but either way I know that my Father in Heaven is watching over me. That He will make whatever comes bearable and that as a family everything will work out!

So, with that said I will wipe my tears, put on my big girl undies, and get ready for the next week that the kids have off school.

Brian we will miss you and are counting the days until we see you again.

New Pictures of the Kids

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas, I know that we did. The kids got more then they need,and we have enjoyed playing all the games, and fighting all the action figures. Brian was able to be home which was extra special because originally he was supposed to be gone. What a blessing! He is leaving soon and so as we prepare ourselves for that I figured I better get some pictures of the kids while Brian is here to help me wrangle them. It wasn't all I hoped for and more because they are after all my kids and are sick to death of taking pictures, but we got some cute ones! I don't know who pictures tortures more the kids, Brian, or ME!

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Well, not really walking but sledding in a winter wonderland! Since church was canceled we headed out to Emerald Heights this morning for some fun in the snow! Brian had duty, but I knew with this much snow I could never get away with not taking the kids out. I got the kids all bundled up and headed over with the Royston's. The kids had a great time and I got some cute pictures! SO WIN-WIN-WIN!

Olivia & Kai's Christmas Performance

On Tuesday we headed over to the preschool to hear Olivia and Kai sing with all the other kids from their school. Olivia has been practicing and waiting for the preschool party for at least two weeks. During her mini practices at home we had many conversations like this:

"Mom, what is the next song?"

"Olive, I don't know, how does it start?"

"You know mom, just sing it!"

"I really don't know, how does it start?"

"MOM!"

I would then start singing random Christmas songs trying to figure out what one she was talking about.

"No mom that isn't it. You know it goes like." Then she would just look at me.

So, after our not so successful practice sessions I was worried she would only know the words to one song. To my surprise her and Kai both stood front and center and sang their hearts out. I could hear their voices over all the other kids and both of them knew ALL the words. I couldn't believe it! Olivia often gets shy and awkward when tons of people are watching her, and Kai what can I say he is two!

For someone who doesn't love singing and musicals I think I have at least two kids on my hand that have a real LOVE for it!

Packing Peanuts!

First of all, I don't think there is a person alive that has opened a package, seen those HORRIBLE peanuts and thought "Golly, I am glad this was packaged well!" NO! What people say when they see those is "Oh Crap! What I am supposed to do with THIS!"

And so, four clean ups and three huge trash bags full of packing peanuts later they are out of our house! I have to say I think I hate those little suckers more then anything in the WHOLE world! I just wish my kids had the same hatred for them!

Baby Update!

Well, I guess it isn't really an update just a picture. It was taken last week, so I was 27 weeks. The time is going fast and I can't believe that in a few short months there will be FOUR! We are excited and need to get a major jump on the name situation! That is right we have a big NOTHING! A few days ago Brian said I could have my name Keifer, but then proceeded to tell me that he wouldn't call him Keifer. Instead he would call him K FED. You read it right, K FED. The problem with going with the name and hoping the nickname will wear off is that we are talking about Brian he WILL call him K Fed, and probably for a very long time! Even worse he will get the kids to call him that!

Also, normal Danae would NEVER have dreamed about posting a picture while pregnant or even taking one for that matter, but I am trying to embrace the pregnancy and enjoy it. So, in effort to do that I am allowing my photo to be taken this time.

Since seeing these pictures I have realized that the problem is NOT my growing belly but my HORRIBLE hair. I am in the process of getting that taken care of so there is no need to comment on that issue!

Giving Thanks!

Well, my dessert is almost done, my ham is going to start in a half hour, my green bean casserole doesn't need to be started for a few hours, the kids are watching TV, and Brian is off playing football. That leaves me with a few minutes to think about all that I have to be grateful for this beautiful Thanksgiving Day!

As this month has gone on we have been talking with the kids a lot about what they are grateful for. We have gotten a lot of standard answers my family, my friends, my toys, and school. We have also gotten some unusual answers like my teeth and bunny rabbits. It has been fun and I really think the kids have learned even more the importance of "thank you" not only to friends and neighbors, but also to our Heavenly Father.

I have also been thinking about all the things that I am grateful for and to be honest my list looks a lot like the kids. I love my family dearly. Brian is amazing and works for hard me and the kids. He does more for us each day then would be possible to thank him for and I love him dearly. Ethan is the best big brother, always ready and willing to help when it is needed. Olivia is just as beautiful as can be on the inside and out. She loves more then any child I know, and is so caring to others. Kai brings so much life and laughter to our family. He will do ANYTHING! I feel so blessed that I get to spend each and everyday with these four great people. I am also grateful for wonderful friends to laugh, cry and confide in.

This year I have also thought of things that are difficult for me to be thankful for. For instance, "I am thankful for Brian being out to sea" has never been apart of my prayers. I know last March when I lost a baby that the word "thanks" wasn't anywhere near my prayers.

While I recognize the difference between being thankful "in" hard circumstances and being thankful "for" hard circumstances. I have come to the conclusion, through searching the scriptures, we are asked to be both.

This year I want to try and be grateful for things that I am not really grateful for in hopes of learning lessons that need to be learned, growing closer to my Father in Heaven, and actually being grateful for things that well, I just don't want to be grateful for.

I know that one day I will understand the big plan and that everything will make since to me. While I wish that day was today, I know it is not. But I do know that if I put more faith in my Lord and Savior things will slowly become clearer in my mind. And that knowledge alone is something to be grateful for.

I hope everyone has a great day! Enjoy the food, family, and friends!

Olivia's Daily Battle

Since school started two months ago Olivia has been frustrated with how awesome Kindergarten is and the fact that she is NOT in it!

It all started with school supply shopping. I was hoping this would be a quick trip to Target, but turned into a battle, and Olivia's first realization that Ethan was moving on and she was not. Of course I allowed her to pick out a few new supplies for school, but that was not enough! It was the list that she really wanted.

That day finally ended and then she realized that he got to eat lunch at school! I am choosing to pretend that she didn't throw a MAJOR tantrum that only two year olds should ever get away with, and tell you that she expressed her frustration yet another time.

It seems that as time has gone on she finds more and more things that Ethan gets to do in Kindergarten that she doesn't get to do in Preschool.

Well, this week is Parent Teacher Conference week. A week that Ethan gets home at 11:45 everyday. A week that he doesn't get to eat lunch at school, and a week that she gets to wave goodbye to him on her way school in the afternoon.

Needless to say this has been a VERY good week for Olivia. Finally, she has won! At least on her own mind!

Happy Birthday Shama!

Shama is now the big 31! As she would say she is now engulfed in her thirties! She is:

A beautiful woman inside and out

Married to Jon and mother to Caden and Ella who are all so in love with her

Primary President who stays busy trying to meet everyone's needs

Her phones rings at least 15 times a day, and she answers them all!

ALWAYS running a little bit late

Has a great since of humor

Kind and loving

Honest and trustworthy!

All in all she is a great friend who I love and feel blessed to know. Happy Birthday!

Friends

Well, since Kai was taking a nap and Ethan and Olivia were at school I figured I would work on getting the office downstairs ready for my new monitor. As I was cleaning out the room I came upon my pictures from Junior High and High School. I couldn't help but laugh, shake my head, roll my eyes, and enjoy all the great memories I have of great people.

I was the first one of our little group to move away, and so as a result many of those great friends that I spend so much time with growing, learning, and making mistakes with have dwindled away. I feel very fortunate to have found a few of them in this blogging world, and am grateful for the few phone numbers I have left.

Well, after looking through all the pictures and enjoying people that have meant so much to me over the years I have decided to make a greater effort to reach out and have better contact with the wonderful friends I have so many wonderful memories of.

Thank you for all the fun and mischief that we had together. Thanks for all the memories that I can look back on and enjoy. I feel so blessed to have had great friends at every point in my life this far.

I hope the pictures don't embarrass or torture anyone too much! I was selective in my choices! I love and miss you guys!

GOOD BYE MY LOVE!

As said by Jim Carey in Dumb and Dumber!






Today I am send off my lens to get fixed and in three business day I will have it back good as new! It broke this summer when I was in Nashville, and every time I saved up the money to get it fixed something big broke or we NEEDED something else more. But not this time! I have the money and I am going to quickly use it before anything else comes up!

Projects!

As Halloween has ended and we anticipate Thanksgiving and Christmas I find myself with an ever growing list of things "to do". Now I will admit right away that I am one to write something down after I have done it just to check it off. That's right! It isn't good enough for me to have just done it, but it needs to get written down and checked off no matter how small and insignificant.

Last year around this time we had an enrichment activity that talked mainly about getting our homes organized and clean. So, being the reason we had that lesson I listened closely and took notes. When I got home I went strait to the Fly Lady website that they suggested, read a little and signed up. I was ready! I made my notebook that next day and was on my way to little or no mess and chaos. Immediately after signing up I think I had 10-12 emails from fly lady, and then the next day at least ten more. As it went on and I tried to keep up Brian decided to give fly lady her own folder in the email, and before I knew it there were hundreds then thousands of emails "flying" in that folder. Now I only needed one a day which specified that days task, but it became such a chore searching for that ONE email that I just gave up. However, I didn't give up until making a Holiday notebook filled with things I never even thought of that needed to get done in time for Christmas. So, I decided this year that I wasn't going to let Fly Lady fill my mind with all these things that I NEED to do.

Instead, I found this blog to fill my mind with ideas and things that must be done in time for Christmas like this and this.

So, I have decided it isn't the fault these crazy website that have me running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It is the fault of the people who tell me about these websites, filled with great ideas, that are only good for people who have self control and are reasonable about time management. After all I am the type of person who doesn't do things because they need to get done, but so that I check them off a list!

This is Halloween NIGHT!

This summer Kai decided that he was going to be the Joker (from The Dark Knight) for Halloween. He had seen many previews and just fell in love with the character. Eventually Brian convinced me to go see the movie with him and so off we went. It wasn't until then that I had any objections to Kai costume choice. The Joker, in my opinion, is the worst of the worst when it comes to bad guys. I would much rather have a run in with The Green Goblin, Darth Vader, or even Charles Manson over THE JOKER!

So, my decision was to not sweat it. After all when he had come to the decision we were a good three months away from Halloween, and really we are talking about a two year old here. He was bound to change his mind at least 10 or 20 more times before the actual day came, right? WRONG!

We spend just under two hours in the costume store trying to make the big decision for all of the kids. Ethan and Olivia were just so excited to look at all the costumes and make their choice, but not Kai! He just sat in the cart glancing over the options, but responded with "that not duh joker," over and over as I showed cute age appropriate idea. He just wasn't going to have any of. His mind was made up and he wasn't going to settle. So, we left with face make up so I could paint him up just like The Joker.

Now onto Olivia's choice! We ended up on this super cute Zoo Keeper, but what she really wanted was to be a Cyborg Alien. I was just heartbroken to tell her that they didn't have it in her size and then refocus her to the girl section!


And Ethan my very reasonable costume picker found the blue power ranger and it was perfect for him.

We of course started our night with a spooky dinner made of roast, ghost shaped mashed potatoes, slimy salad, corn, and monster apple mouths. We drank blood of course with missing body parts somewhere inside, and I didn't finish the cupcakes desserts. Lame I KNOW! Sorry this is sideways, I tried to fix it but I couldn't!

Over all we had a great Halloween. The kids scored pretty big between trunk or treat and regular trick or treating. I was too tired last night to confiscate my favorite candies from each so I am saving that for tonight!

Phone Call from the Principal

Today at 1:13pm I received my first phone call from a principal. Mr. Cleaven said that Ethan had pushed a little girl in the stomach during recess and was now going to miss lunch recess tomorrow. Now, I am a believer in crime and punishment however, I think there was a little more going on then what good old Mr. Cleaven's detective work came up with.

Since school has started Ethan has been complaining about a little girl in his class who is "mean to him." These complaints are almost daily! At first I really thought it best for him to just ignore her. There are going to be people like that the rest of his life and he needs to not let it bother him. Brian and I were just discussing the need to talk to Ethan's teacher, Mr. Mike, about what he is saying and try and get his perspective of the whole situation.

So, today while I was talking to the principal I expressed that Ethan has been saying this little girls is mean to him. Then he asked me what he means by "mean." My thought was WHO CARES IT IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM, FIX IT! But I just gave a few examples of little things he has mentioned. Then he said when he talked to Ethan he didn't give an example of what she was doing that was mean he just said "she was being mean to me." So, in his mind that makes Ethan the guilty party!

This little girl already had to have a conference with her parents, teacher, principal, and many other people regarding her behavior and Ethan has NEVER had a problem! So, I think that he should look more at the past two months to come to a conclusion of what is happening instead of going with a five year old who knows he is in trouble couldn't give me any specifics!

Also, if Ms. Nancy from Kai and Olivia's school had called and said either one of then had pushed hit kicked you name it I would have just thought they were being beasts. Ethan on the other hand is just a much shyer nicer personality. Where hurt feelings are more of an issue then getting punched in the stomach.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

This is the most beautiful costume I have ever seen! Do you think I could get Olivia into it?

Hunter Farms

Brian had today off so we decided we better head to Hunter Farms or we weren't going to get the chance this year. It is about 45 minutes away but it is so awesome and totally worth the long drive.

There is a lot of stuff to do at Hunter Farms but we wanted to pick our pumpkins first. The kids took this quick picture with the "huge bird" and then we were off to catch the tractor ride over to the pumpkin patch.

The tractor drops you off and then you have to follow the path a ways before you even get to the pumpkins. We told the children they could each pick one pumpkin but they had to be able to carry back to the tractor.

Kai changed his mind almost every time he saw another pumpkin, which was about 2 a second.

Me claiming my pumpkin!

Ethan trying to carry his pumpkin back. He picked such a big one!

Olivia carrying Ethan's, and Ethan carrying Olivia's. It must be nice to have such a strong sister! HA

Finally to the tractor. The kids really couldn't carry their pumpkins so Brian and I carried them a little ways and went back to the others, and so on! It was exhausting, but we got the most awesome pumpkins.

After we got off the tractor we headed to the fun!

The kids spent most of their time at the hay maze. They loved it and went down the slide over and over again. We had lunch the played in the maze more.

Bottom of the slide smiles!

Happy Birthday To ME!!!!!

IT'S A BOY!

We got back from the Ultrasound a little while ago and we are happy to report that the baby looks great!

Now onto the boy part! Olivia and I both were in shock and Ethan just said "I told you guys." Ramona was holding Kai and he was very interested in everything that was going on, and laughing when he saw a part of the body he recognized.

It should be easy to convince Olivia that a boy is good. She was meant to be the only girl in the family. It fits her so well.

So the real issue is that we are back to square one on names. Hopefully we will come up with something soon because I hate not having a name and then saying things like "it."

Ultrasound Day!

It has finally arrived! We are so excited to get to see the baby and make sure he/she is growing perfectly. I made the decision to take the kids today with us for the appointment. Ethan and Olivia are very curious about the baby and I think will love it. That left Kai! I couldn't leave him out of such a great family moment and he too is excited about the baby, but he is 2 1/2. So today if you could take a second to pray for our little baby that everything will look great today, and we will be able to see if it is a boy or girl. Also for the kids that they will enjoy the moment and that Kai won't get super board! Thanks and I will update as soon as I get home!

FHE Corn Maze

About 10 minutes from the house is an awesome corn maze. Since I was lame and hadn't made any formal Family Home Evening plans, we decided it would be perfect! The cool thing about this maze, is that there are 6 places you have to find inside the maze. Everyone gets a little card and there is a hole punch at each stop along with a maps so you know the general direction to head.

Here we are at the first one!

Which way to go?

Found another one!

It was a great Family Home Evening! I love being with these four crazies!