I DID IT!!!

Around Jan I decided, with some gentle pushing and permission from Jaron, that I needed to do something with my time for myself. I have always loved accounting/bookkeeping. I know those of you that read this are probably rolling your eyes and wondering WHO likes that stuff...I DO. My first experience with numbers came from my father who from an early age taught us how to budget and balance our accounts and prepare for expenses. I didn't always follow that advise, but I am grateful for his lessons. I then got a job at a local clothing manufacture and after working there as a receptionist I got promoted to Accounts Recievable. I really loved it, I loved how everything fit and if something was off you could go back and figure out why and trace your mistake. Since then I have kept books for a couple of companies, namely my father in laws and my husbands. I have never recieved formal training or school in accounting and as I thought of what I would do with my time I wanted something I could do from home and have a flexible schedule to still be available for my family. So I found a program online that gives you training and has a test you must pass with 80% to get their bookkepping certificate. I have been working since Feb. on my training, taking baby steps since my time is limited, but setting goals so I don't just blow it off. I am happy to say that I took my final test a few weeks ago and passed with a 99%. I am excited as I go forward with this venture and start my own bookkeeping business. So if any of the few that read this hear of someone looking for a small business accountant, send them my way. My goal is to have everything up and running by the end of August, right as the kiddies get back into school:)

Picture time!!

Here are some misc. pics that we have been taking the last few days. Most of them are before church one Sunday! The babies are getting bigger each day. The boys continue to be huge helps and love to watch them discover new things. Tyson loves to have Jessica play peekaboo with her fufi (blanket). Braden loves to make them laugh at him while he chasses them. Nathan is great at reading to them when they are fussy. I am so glad I have the older boys to help out, I think I would loose my mind if I had to do it all on my own!

The babies love to play with the mirror. They are so fun to watch as they try to figure out who that other baby is staring at them.

Beautiful girl

A happy pic of Justin...he is not very photogenic, so he doesn't have as many pics as his sister.

Me and the princess

The crew before church!

NO MORE SPORTS!! (well at least for a couple of months)

Today marks the last game of our spring season. We had two in soccer and one in baseball this season. It was quite crazy with games and practices for all three and it seemed that every weekday night we had something going on. I am looking forward to having some evenings just kickin back with the family. But I will say that the games were sure fun to watch. Here are some pics!

Tyson was all over the field this year. He mostly played the center defender position and was an animal. He has improved on his footwork and can control the ball beautifully. As much as I hate to admit it, I think all his skateboarding has helped with his fancy footwork:)

Braden is super fast and learned a ton about baseball this year. This is his first season playing and he started out hitting left, but switched to right midway through. After his switch, he seemed to get a hit almost every time up to bat. He also was great at stealing bases and getting himself out of pickles. He improved so much he got moved up in the line up to 2nd at bat! He played mostly outfield, but was brought in to play first base during the later part of the season.

Nathan is so aggressive for his age. He is constantly scoring goals and controlling the ball. He knows how to take an angle on the other players and get the ball. He has improved also this year and is loving soccer. He is very fast and a good player. We look forward to next year where he will learn more about positions and teamwork in the game!

Good job to all my boys, I am so proud!!!

Cousin Time

The rock picture, every year Bry and Nat have come we have taken a rock picture, it is fun to see how much the kids have grown over the years...man how time flies!

We had to get a girl picture since we are overrun with boys...9 boys to 4 girls in our crew

The twins, Justin and Jessica, with the twins, Zach and Jarod:)

Bryan, Nat and family came out this past weekend to spend some time with us. We were thrilled to see them and hang-out. With nine kids you can imagine the constant noise and fun that was had around here. We also enjoyed going bowling together and to the airplane museum. We also did our usual activities that we do at our house, obstacle course, dunk contest, baseball, tornado, and lots of basketball - tramp and regular. We also watched movies, and the adults were even able to slip away for a bit to enjoy some adult time!! We wish they lived closer, the house is just so quiet now. Thank you Bry and Nat for making the long drive just to see us, we love and miss you all!

Nathan

Nathan and I had a great conversation the other day that went something like this:

Nate - Mom I like being small, I am one of the smallest kids in my class

Mom - Oh I am glad! Why do you like being small Nate?

Nate - For two reasons, one I can run really fast, faster than some of the second graders at school and two, I can hide from you when I don't want to do my chores.

Nate - Mom, I can't believe how big Joe (a friend) is and he is only 6

Mom - yes Nate we all grow at different times, isn't it wonderful that we aren't all the same, that would be pretty boring.

Nate - like your favorite color is yellow and mine is blue

Mom - right and you like Mac and Cheese and I like Spagetti, you are small and Joe is big, Braden has blonde hair and you have brown...

Nate - I know something that is the same no matter what

Mom - What Nate

Nate - LOVE

Oh, I just love that boy:)

I had to write this, not for those that read this to hear but for me to remember!!

Our Adventure

Yes I did it, I successfully took all 5 children on a vacation, that is if you call a condo in St. George a vaca, it is for us:) We had a wonderful time down in sunny St. George. We had a wonderful condo right by a pool so the boys were able to go in and out as much as their little hearts desired. We spent some time with our cousins that live down there now. We swam with them and even went up to Snow Canyon to do some sand diggin. We loved hangin out with them and wished they lived closer!!

Megan and Ty on the waterfall

Baby Justin, he didn't really like the water. Braden jumpin off the waterfall with Braxon waiting for his turn. Nathan is number one...he took his turns too jumpin off the waterfall that little daredevil!

Baby Jessica in the floaty, she liked the water!

Tyson and Logan in the sand at Snow Canyon. You would think I would have pics of Ty in the pool since he LIVED in it. We call him our fish, takes after his mama!!

The older boys were wonderful helps and very patient when we couldn't always do what they wanted. On our way down we stopped to grab some lunch and went into a packed Burger King. It seemed that all eyes were on us as we walked in. Tyson had Jess and I had Justin, after we got them all situated into the highchairs, I went to order lunch. Braden decided to feed the babies their baby food, so he got out the bibs and started the feeding. After lunch was ordered I came back to the table and continued the feeding. Before we left we had 3 different older ladies come up to us to tell us what a beautiful family I had and what great responsible older boys I had. I couldn't agree more. I really could not do it if it hadn't of been for all the help I got from the older ones:)

Nine Months

Today was the nine month checkup for the babies...thank goodness NO shots:) They are doing great and right on schedule.

Justin is 19lbs 11 oz and 27 1/2 inches long. He is right in the 25%. He is crawling on his hands and knees, but if he really wants to get somewhere he goes back to the good old army crawl. He loves to stand and pulls himself up beside the couch. He is our sweet boy and can give you a look that just makes you want to hold him and protect him. He loves to wrestle with dad and crawl all over you...a typical boy! He loves to have you down on the floor with him so he can come over and sit on your lap from time to time.

Jessica is 15lbs 11 oz and 26 inches long. She is right in the 10%. She is crawling everywhere and loves to crawl under things, the piano bench is her favorite. She loves to sing and do itsy bitsy spider. She continues to love books and will sit content for a while. They both love to be outside and watch the world around them. Jessica will even sit on the grass for a while. We love these two and even though they are getting harder to keep up with, they bring us lots of joy!!