Happy Fall Y'all

October 2012

Most days, during the fall, and especially after a good storm, I almost curse our "mature landscaping".  Almost.  There are so many leaves.  They track into the house.  They clog our gutters.  They manage to get in our cars.  They are everywhere.

But...

There is no cursing today.  It is one of those days that makes me want to be a kid again...if only for a few hours.  

Nothing screams happiness like jumping into a big ol' pile of leaves.

Good Kids

Every once in a while, I get a chance to sit back and just watch.  Watch what my kids are doing, how they are treating each other and how they are interacting.  I have to say, when I get those moments, (that is when I am not having to correct unruly behavior) and when they don't know that I am watching...I find joy.  

I have good kids.  And I believe they came to me that way.  

I am truly blessed to be their mother.

And I really hope I don't screw it up too bad, because therapists are expensive. :)

Time to change focus...

There always seems to be a quote that hits me at just the right time...and it usually sticks with me because it was what I needed to hear at that moment.  I have tried to do the same with my blog.  I have it posted up on the right side of the screen.  That way, every time I open my blog, I am reminded of what goals I have set for myself.  2013 is no different...


2010 Focus:
"The joy of life comes in moments" - Pres. Monson


2011 Focus:

"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." ~Roald Dahl.

2012 Focus:
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
– Dr. Seuss



And now without further adieu...



2013 Focus:
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine


I would love to say that I have some thought-provoking resolution for the New Year - but alas I don't.  Not because I haven't set any goals.  I have set some.  It just seems to me, that each year I think I have found new resolutions, when really they are just different versions of the same ol' goals I always strive to work on. 

I know that 2013 is going to be busy and honestly, it will be all about survival.  

I just have to give it my best.

Sadler Reunion

The week of Labor Day this past September, we were able to accomplish the impossible.  The entire Sadler clan was able to get together in one place.  Taking into consideration: the amount of kids and their kidlets, and varying jobs/different locations (West Virginia to Idaho and a whole lot in-between) to travel from, this was quite the accomplishment.  In fact, it is a feat that hasn't happened for over 13 years.  And the last time it happened was when Trace and I got married.  Back then, there were no grand kids, and just a few out-laws in-laws.

My how this family has grown.

 - We all met in Sedona, AZ.

 - We stayed at a time share for almost a week.

 - Us grown-ups talked and solved the world's problems.

  - The kids/cousins played and swam.  Ate and slept.  Then repeated it all the next day.

 - We went to "Out of Africa" - a safari type place.  (Way more awesome than just some zoo - especially at feeding time.) I did have pictures of this adventure...on my phone.  The one I killed before I had a chance to download any of it. :(

But my favorite part was just being together.  Laughing and joking with/at each other's expense.  It was just like the good ol' times :)  Man, I already miss everyone.

We also managed to get some family pictures taken:

The whole fam-dam-ily in the bright, beautiful AZ sun...I think there was permanent damage to the retinas just to get this pic :)

I think we've come a long way since these two families blended to make one.  I also think the experiences throughout those painful growing years is what makes this family so special.

All the great-grandkids gathered around Grandma Baker.  I just love how thrilled mine look :/  Why is it that when you say "smile", they don't?!

My grandma Baker.  Truly a great lady.  She is the glue.  She has always been the constant.  I am proud to be her grand-daughter.

Jerry's kids.  We may appear to be "normal"...

My little family.  So happy to have an updated family pic.  Even baby #5 is there...albeit in my tummy...but still there :)

Tru Wuv

Me and Tessa.  And my 13 week belly.  I thought I was sucking in the gut...but I think it was already past the point of  no-return :)

Introducing Mutant Sheri trying to take out the beautiful Tessa.  Seriously...it looks like I could eat her for breakfast.  How is it that we could look so much alike, and yet have that much of a size difference?!  It's my parents fault.  Yes, I blame them.  They saved the best for last when it came to the gene pool.

Yes, I was done with all the picture taking - smiling pretty - posing so I don't look fat - crap.  At least we can laugh about it :)

The End.

Santa delivers laughs via MHFD

The Mountain Home Fire Department does this awesome thing every year.  When Santa is too busy readying his sleigh, they take on the responsibility of delivering Santa's letters to all the good little boys and girls that have taken time to write him.  Hannah did just that in preschool a few weeks ago.  Her letter was delivered to the fire department.

Well, last night they came to our house.  I saw the flashing lights from the firetruck through our front window, and it took me a few seconds to connect the dots.  I jumped up and and opened the door, while telling Hannah that someone was here for her.  Trail's a blazin', she made it to the door.  And then came to a dead stop.  Once she saw the firemen and flashing lights, she took a b-line the OTHER way.

I excused myself, and had to hunt her down.  I found her in the linen closet with eyes wide, almost in tears, saying "But I didn't do it!  I didn't do AN-Y-THING!"

Trying to compose myself and not die of laughter, I explained to her that they were here to give her something, not take her away (I am saying this as Trent tells her "They are not the police.  They don't take you away - they save you"...What exactly have  I been teaching my kids?!).

It took a bit of convincing, but she finally made her way out and greeted the nice firemen.  Her expression was priceless.  They handed her the letter and explained how busy Santa was. She drank it all in with the magic that is St. Nick.


They made her night.

And my night too.  I sure love this firecracker of a kid!

That awkward moment...

Well it's official. I got the first "when are you due" question. You know, the one when they sympathetically look at your belly, with raised eyebrows and assume it's any day now... Um ya, the expression on her face changed rather quickly when I told her early March.  There was a muttered "Oh", and that was the end of that.   After the last week I had, I REALLY needed to someone to ask me that...said me, n-e-v-e-r. 

Guess it's the last time I wear that shirt...

For the record, I am 27 weeks.  And my body reminds me of that e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y.  

I got this ultrasound when I was 23 weeks...we already know that she'll have chubby cheeks (shocker, I know).  Can't tell about the nose yet, it was all pixel-y (is that a word?), because she kept moving.  This was our first time getting a 3D ultrasound, just for fun.  How cool is that?  

13 weeks and counting...

Trent's 20 question game

I love my Trent.  He keeps me on my toes, and makes my heart grow.

Trent is a very curious kid.  He asks a lot of questions.  And he isn't satisfied with lame answers.  Don't believe me?  Ask his teachers.  If they try to put him off, he'll call 'em out on it.  It makes for very interesting parent/teacher conferences.  I learned long ago, my answers better be thorough.  And if I don't know - I need to admit I don't know, and then go and help him find the answers.  Google has become my friend.  Well, more like my frenemy...it enables more questions at not very convenient times.  Such is life :)

A brief sample of the questions Trent asks me on any given day:

- If I lost my foot, would you pay for a bionic foot or a peg foot?

- Is the hydrogen field the same thing as the gravity field around a red dwarf star?

- How come there are some chemicals that don't make bubbles?

- How old do you have to be for the bump in your belly button to go away?  Because Hannah still has a bump in hers, but I don't in mine.

- Are the circuits on the Christmas tree lights a parallel or single circuit kind?

- Why are dog years multiplied by 7 and not 12?  Who said it has to be seven?

- Why do I have to show my work on my math homework?  It's already in my head - and I already know the answers.

And the questions go on and on.  Sometimes, I am very grateful for google, it makes less trips to the library.  And I am very grateful for bedtime...all the time - because my brain needs a rest from all his thinking :)

Aleana - Spring 2012

My little Aleana Mae isn't so little anymore.  She continues to amaze me.  

What a wonderful experience I had to be her track coach.  Getting to see how she is around her friends and how hard she works meant a lot to me.  I am very proud to be her mama.

She may be growin' up, but that little smirk will always mean she's my little girl.

12 Years old - celebrating her birthday with her mama, shopping at the mall.  Heaven help us all.

Happy birthday my crazy girl!

Luke: April - July 2012

Luke is my chill kid.  Being that he's 4th in the pecking order of things, I am not sure he has a choice on the matter.  He's a cute little man that has all of us wrapped around his little finger...but shhh don't tell him that ;)

Who else would I let wear MY sunglasses?

And then do this to them?!

He has a slight obsession with eye wear.  He found these at JC Penney

His other obsession is Mickey Mouse.

Slow ridin' under the lilac tree...

Floor time with Dad, and his cars of course

More easy riding, enjoying some Buzz time ;)

He's very energy efficient.

Chill baby, chill

Guess I let him chill at little too long :)

Hannah: April - July 2012

Our little Hannah...what can I say?  What you see is what you get with her.  You know exactly what she is thinking...and most of the time it's good things :)  

Crazy Hair Day at preschool

She loves her daddy.  He's the only one that can get her to sit still.  If she sits still long enough, the results are peaceful :)

One of my favorite pics of her...sums her up in a nutshell

She's my shoe girl

She found my boots...she's quite talented to be able to walk in those, because I scared to walk in 'em and they're my size!

Monkey

Hammy Hanny

That's the sound of silence...

A normal day