Taking a break

Last weekend we need to take a break so I took the kids out to have an ice cream cone and decided to snap a few pictures. The kids had fun pulling funny poses.

Samantha is still so excited she gets a cone like the big kids.
Oh, the joy!
Isn't she cute? Her hair is starting to come in and loves to curl on the sides.
Amanda looking so peaceful and ready for bed.
Christina, growing up too fast.
Jonathan or mini Clay. It was getting very close to bedtime.
Samantha is walking all over the place and realized she can move too.
Daniel (can you tell what kind of ice cream he had?)
Life is good, until you sit on your ice cream cone. She still needs to learn to look before she sits.
But life goes on, and we smile anyway.
I got the sprinkler system fixed yesterday. Luckily it was just a part that had slipped loose so I was able to fix it pretty easy. The hardest part was all the help I got to dig it up. Now if they just remember that we can't dig up the grass anywhere, I'll be doing well.

Christina's birthday party

Thursday, July 23rd we had Christina's birthday party. First, a HUGE THANK YOU to Rachel for watching Daniel, Amanda, and Jonathan during the party so I could focus on Christina. Samantha slept most of the time. Thanks again Rachel!

Here's the invite we sent. We printed envelopes with a magnifying glass and each "detective's" name on it. They were sealed and had a red fingerprint to seal them on the back.

We did a little decorating. I have received many questions about what was going on at our house since then. I guess I should have warned the neighbors. We had caution tape put up on the front door and also the front window.
And when you have a hole in the front hallway, you work it into the party theme. :) A funny note, the wonderful guy who's been helping us with the plumbing issues actually came over while I had the caution tape up. He was worried that things had gotten worse. I reassured him that nothing had gotten worse with the plumbing issues and that I was really grateful for his help.First we had the girls decorate their clipboards. This took a bit of time but they had a lot of fun.
Then we played a live version of the board game Clue. First the weapons--
We had made banners with each of the names of the rooms for the game and placed them in appropriate places. We don't live in a mansion by any stretch so we had to get a little creative. Our conservatory was the back bay window, the library was the corner with the bookshelves, the study was the corner with the desk, etc. A few of the girls we invited weren't able to come so I played too.

We had the detective sheets printed off that they carried on their clipboards. We had prepared envelopes with the remaining cards so we each had 3-4 cards with what we knew. The girls would take turn making accusations with the weapons and then see if someone could prove them wrong. I had gotten plain colored shirts for the girls so they could each play a role in the game.

The girls had a ball acting out the parts and figuring out the mystery. The game took longer than I anticipated so we had to speed it up a little at the end but it went really well. Here's the girls acting out their parts.

I had taken a local bakery a magnifying glass and told them to get creative with the cake after describing what we were doing. Here's what they did--

Christina opening the scroll--

And the cake--
Christina using the magnifying glass to figure out the mystery.
Blowing out the candles. I had gotten plastic champagne glasses from the dollar store and mixed up a 2 liter of pop with a container of thawed white grape juice concentrate. The girls like the "growing up" look of things but got really giggly towards the end.
She also got some nice gifts from her friends. Happy Birthday Christina!

Weekly update

I really wanted to be a little more consistent with this but I guess I'll do what I can.

Last Monday (July 20th) I took the kids to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. What a great opportunity to do 2 in a year! I forgot the memory card for the camera though, ugh! It was great to see the kids helping each other to make it up all the stairs. We had a good discussion when we got home about changes we needed to make to help our home feel more like how they felt in the temple.

That afternoon, one of the great guys in the ward came over and cut a big hole in the front hallway. Last Saturday night while the girl's were taking a shower, I went down to put things in the laundry/bathroom downstairs which is directly under the main bathroom upstairs. I heard a drip, took off the access panel above the sink and found there was a drip coming from the upstairs tub. I couldn't really deal with it until after church last Sunday. I went and did some testing and found that it didn't leak unless the shower was going.

After we got the hole cut in the hall, we found that it was dripping from up at the top where the shower comes out of the wall. It took a couple of days but we got it fixed. It just needed to be wrapped really well with the teflon tape and tightened up well. It's not leaking so hopefully I can get the hole patched this week. One little boy (I won't mention any names) very quickly discovered that if you put things in the hole, they come out downstairs. He didn't catch on that mom could tell who it was by the white marks on his shirt from the drywall. Unfortunately, the hallway was too wide for the baby gate. Just a few more days.

We're also having fun with the roof. The gutter was falling off and everyone who has looked at it says that it's pretty bad. I finally had to ask for help when Christina got after me for climbing up on the roof to look at it. I guess she's right. Things could get very interesting if I fell. We're probably going to have to replace the roof. Oh the fun keeps going. Friday when I gave in and ran the sprinkler system during the day for the kids to play in, we discovered we have a leak under the ground in one part too. I haven't started digging yet. Hopefully this week I can get that fixed. I'm really learning some new skills these days.

Yesterday was Clay's birthday. It was hard not to be there to celebrate with him. He did go with a guy who he found who also doesn't drink to see a movie yesterday downtown. Wish I could have been there too. I was really hoping to get there for this weekend but I can't leave with the house problems. We went up to a family reunion last night for a few hours but had a hard time being able to coordinate times to talk yesterday until really late last night (he can stay up later on the weekends now). I also was able to finally get the last of the wallpaper out of the house yesterday. YEAH!!!! Now just to finishing preping and painting the room (and now repainting the hallway too). The fun goes on. 2 months to go!

Thursday we had Christina's birthday party. I'll do a separate post about that hopefully later.

She's walking finally!!!!

Lots of catching up to do. She's finally walking! This week she started walking, just a few steps at first but is now up to walking almost across the entire room! Way to go Samantha!

Big helper

Amanda has turned into quite the helper lately. She decided she can change diapers. I have walked into a room more than once now and found her changing either Samantha or Jonathan's diaper (yes, he's not potty trained). In fact, I've caught her "sniffing" them to see if they need a change yet. We're going through a lot of diapers at the moment but I am grateful for the help. :) The funny thing is that they hold still much better for her anyway. She won't touch the "yucky" ones yet though. Maybe that's a good thing.

Just venting for a minute

You'll have to excuse me for a minute. I just need to vent so you don't have to read this. It's just for me.

Last week while I was walking over to pick up a friend's children to watch for the evening, I passed a fellow sister in the ward. She stopped to visit, but it wasn't an uplifting conversation. I know a lot of people think I'm crazy, or that we're crazy. I really don't need people telling me about all the negative that they are certain will befall our family because of our choice of military life. This sister proceeded to tell me how our family will probably be like a family in her extended family and it will tear our family apart. Why do people say stuff like this? How is it supposed to help me feel better about our situation?

It's funny because while Clay was in basic training, I felt that people in our ward didn't really say much of anything. Since I've been to visit him after basic, I've had people tell me all kinds of things that really haven't helped. I've had people tell me that if that were they're husband, they'd kill him. I know these sisters are "more experienced" and lived a much different life from mine, but I really wish that people would be more supportive. This is hard enough WITH positive support. I already have such a hard time asking for help at all. This just makes me want to stay in my own chaos so I don't have to hear comments like this. Why do we have to be so mean to each other?

I really hope that I never say anything like this to others. I guess maybe this experience is just to help me better understand and learn how we need to watch our thoughts and our words. Even if we think something, we really need to give people the benefit of the doubt. I know it's something I still need to work on.

Okay, I'll be quiet now. Maybe I just need to stop talking so I don't offend anyone. Sorry for venting. It's been another long day, I'll have to post what's been going on later when I can handle it better. Time for bed.

Daniel's Birthday party

Today we had Daniel's 8th birthday party. Here's the invitations. I tried to make them look like boarding passes for a plane flight. I printed off the envelopes and then cut them at an angle.
The actual invitation was inside and looked like a boarding pass.
Gift bags I ran through the printer to look like barf bags. They said Stafford Airlines. Thank you for flying with us. We hope you enjoyed your flight. I filled them full of airplane stuff, i.e. paratroopers, airhead candy, planes, etc.
For decorations, I hung Daniel's big airplane outside to make it look like it was flying.
And I blew up white balloons, tied them together and taped them on the ceiling to look like clouds.

The front door had a sign that said boarding gate. There was also a baggage claim sign inside where we put the presents. Here's his cake.
First we made paper airplanes. My friend Mandy came over with her kids and stayed to help. Thanks Mandy!!!!!
Then we took the planes outside and had a contest to see who's would fly the farthest.
Next we played around the world. I had signs of major cities around the world (New York, Paris, Beijing, Kenya, Mexico City). The kids took turns standing by each of these signs and flying their planes through the target. If they made it through, they got to go to the next location. They could have played this game forever.
Then we had a runway obstacle course. One person was the pilot (blindfolded) and the other was air traffic controller. They had to guide the pilot through the runway that had other planes (balls) that kept moving. If they hit another plane (ball) they crashed and were out.
Daniel with his cake.
Blowing out the candles with Daxton Nielsen and Matthew Brooks.
Then we opened presents. I actually kind of forgot about this part of the party but the kids helped remind me.
Then we decorated and made foam airplanes. We then went outside and played some more around the world games and other Pilot says games. The kids all seemed to have a wonderful time.

16 months!

My baby turned 16 months old today. Time flies so much faster with each one. She's a light in my life right now. Just a few things that she's up to. I introduced her to Oreos a couple months ago and haven't been able to get some pictures of it. She now actually takes a few little bites of the cookie too.When we first gave her Oreos, she would immediately break them open and just lick the frosting off. Who needed the chocolate cookies anyway? Aren't they just for holding the filling?Tuesday, July 14th I was watching 2 extra kids for a friend when Samantha decided to show off. I was getting her ready for bed and she decided she wanted to start standing up by herself in the middle of the floor for the first time.
I love this picture. The joy in her face (and in Jonathan cheering her on). She was so cute, she'd keep standing up and then sit back down. I'd tell her to do it again, so she would. She had a ball showing off to the other 6 kids in the house at the time.I tried to get a video of it but it's kind of crazy with all the kids. I have tried many times since with just her in the room, but she won't do it unless she has an audience.

Birthday party ideas

Well I'm running about a month late but I need some help with birthday party ideas for Christina. I've got Daniel's in the works, got the invites out tonight for his party on Saturday.

The problem is Christina's. She really wants to have a sleepover but I just don't think I can do that. I have to admit one of the hardest things is dinner/meal time at our house right now that I don't think adding more giggling girls to that mix for 2 meals is a good idea. I just feel like I want to be able to have fun with her but I also need to be with the other kids to keep them out of her way. She gets frustrated that they want to play with her still when her friends come over and often get more wound up.

So please, help! I need ideas and throw a party together for next week sometime. Thanks!

The good about today.

Life can be pretty tough some days. I'm trying to focus on what is really important right now, raising five kids and trying to provide for their needs the best I can. Some days this is a little easier to remember than others.

I arrived home on Tuesday morning and tried to listen to all their excitement even though I really just wanted to climb in bed and cry. I still have a backpack I haven't unpacked. I just want to get back on a plane and be with Clay. I miss him. I did get myself together enough on Friday to get my closet cleaned out and painted.

Some days it's hard remembering that this is what the Lord wants for us right now. I know this is making us all stronger in so many ways. I have to admit that when he left, I wasn't sure that I could do this, or rather I had no idea how I was going to be able to do this. I don't know if I still understand how I'm doing this. I just am grateful for each day that I have to try a little harder than the last. I've been thinking a lot lately about things that have changed since we've been separated. So here's my poor attempt at some of the things I am grateful for experiencing right now.

I'm grateful for repentance.
I'm grateful to realize that each moment I have with my husband is a moment not to be taken for granted. Of all the relationships we have in this life, our relationship with our spouse is the only one we get to choose in this life that we will be eternally tied to. We don't choose our parents, siblings, children, or other family members but we get to choose our spouses. Pretty powerful when I stop and think about where we were when we first met and where I feel like we are today.
I'm grateful to recognize all the ways in which Clay and I need each other. Amazing how many of these we took for granted before.
I'm grateful for the improved relationship with his family.
I'm grateful for children who give me big hugs and smiles and laughter when I just want to cry inside.
I'm grateful for the joy and wonderment and faith of our children.
I'm grateful for being home with my children.
I'm grateful for watching my children learn to help one another more.
I'm grateful for wonderful friends, both far and near, for being there to help us in more ways than I could say.
I'm grateful for the promptings of the Holy Ghost, both for the promptings I have received as well as for the promptings he's given others on our behalf.
I'm grateful for technology. We've finally been able to video chat today so the kids could see their dad again. Sure beats the reel to reel communication my grandparents had during their long separation during the Korean War (14 months, I think).
I'm grateful for the power of the priesthood, especially for the priesthood blessings my wonderful husband was able to leave with our children, myself, and our home before he left the first time.
I'm grateful for the blessing of comfort Clay was able to give me in the parking lot before we said goodbye again. It helped so much to get through the pains of grief and loss.
I'm grateful for friends who hug.
I'm grateful for eternal families.
I'm grateful for the strength I've given that wasn't my own to make through yet another day.
I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the strength that you can receive by reading that wonderful book every day.
I'm grateful for love and the power that love can change a person forever.
I'm grateful for faith and hope. For fasting, prayer, and patriarchal blessings.
I'm grateful for testimonies and the sharing of testimonies.
I'm grateful for the gospel and the peace it brings into our lives.
I'm grateful for change and knowing this won't last forever.

I know that I could go on forever. I do feel so blessed. This isn't the easiest thing in the world, but I'm doing it. I'm doing it not alone. I know He is there everyday and every step of the way.

A couple of weeks ago, I faxed all of Clay's transcripts, resume, etc. over to a Captain who is over the education department. He has since faxed it all over to a person he knows in the recruiting office for medical officers. Apparently there was another way to do this but not the path we were supposed to take at the time. We tried calling everyone we could so I know there must be a reason things are happening the way they are. We're anxiously awaiting to hear what they can do now to get him over to the officer's side of the army. Clay's been told that he's too over qualified for the PA program, they'll probably make him go to medical school. At least we can be together longer that way, we hope. The deployments for medical doctors are usually only 6 months, compared to the 12-15 month deployments for most people.

Hopefully we'll hear something in the next few days. We've fasted today and keeping all our fingers and toes crossed that we might be led to a better path. Hopefully our version of a better path is close to what Heavenly Father's version is. Time and faith until then.

Bowling

I was going through some pictures today and realized I hadn't blogged about going bowling with my kids. This was part of the Jensen family reunion (my mother's brothers and sisters). I hate to admit this but there are many things we don't do regularly or even not so regularly as a family, mostly because of the cost. I guess I'm too much like my parents in this regard. I have a hard time sometimes spending money on more than the necessities of life when money is so scarce. I need to learn that we can do things like this, in fact we need to every so often just so our kids have more experiences.

So this was our first experience bowling as a family (minus dad). I really don't like having new family experiences without the entire family but I also know that I need to keep moving forward, even when our family experience isn't the way I would like it to be.

Here I am bowling, thanks to my photographer, Christina. Don't look too close at the form. I haven't been bowling in about 14 years I think. Sad, I know. I actually took a bowling class at BYU and actually could bowl somewhat descent, although nothing like my Grandpa Jensen. I bowled the lowest for my age bracket (too bad this isn't golf) and got a great bomb award for it. I wish I could blame my emotions/hormones on this day but that's not entirely true.
Jonathan bowling.
Amanda thought this was wonderful.
Bowling with cousins and other family members in the background. Christina bowling. She's been a couple of times with the school so she did really well. In fact she won the highest score for her age group. Not a talent apparently from her mother.Christina helping Jonathan. I didn't even know they made things like this for kids. I thought bumpers were the extent of help for kids. Who knew?Daniel taking his turn.It was a lot of fun for the kids. I definately need more practice. My kids just got a Wii for their birthdays thanks to grandma so I guess I better practice with that after the kids are in bed so I can do better next time.