The Roelofs Story

Made it!

2011-09-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I know I wanted to blog more often, and I really had good intentions to do that. But when I sit down at the computer I don't have anything to say. It is while I am running around cleaning up, dropping kids where they need to go and taking them to the parkk that I have all the great ideas. I don't think I am a blogger by any means. But I guess this is here now for my friends in Iowa and around to see what we are up to....;-) We left Iowa in July. Drove to Wilsonville Oregon. It was a great 3 day drive. We made it, all 6 kids in tow. From the time we left Iowa and then ended up back in Wilsonville after our trip to Canada I had driven over 5000 miles in less than 1 month. CRAZY. But our summer was one I am sure I will never forget. But it will always keep me grounded. I was looking for an adventure but got so much more than that. Most of it has been good. I am just so happy that school finally started because I think the kids were going crazy being around each other every day. ALL DAY. Or mainly I was going crazy. But it started and they are doing well. Getting into the swing of things again. They all seem to like it here. Austyn is even showing little signs of liking it although I doubt she will let me know for a while that she likes it. The weather here has been GREAT. I love the weather. It has been fairly sunny which is nice...and yes I do know it will be cloudy and rainy a lot....;-) I miss a lot of people but happy to be closer to drive home if we need to. My mom ended up having heart problems this last week and I was on standby if I was to go up. I was so happy that I could pick up and go if needed to help them. Well, I will try and update my blog when I can. Hopefully more often. Well the kids came in and now I have to go break up an argument. Got to love it.

Leaving Cedar Rapids.

2011-06-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it is almost time that we will be leaving Cedar Rapids. There are times I cry just thinking about ALL the wonderful people that I know here. It has sure been an adventure. A 12 year adventure here. But it is time to move on and man I am so excited to leave these winters...haha. We have met many, many great people here that I will always remember. Neighbors, Best friends (you know who you are), people at the grocery store, gymnastics, church, school. So many people. When I feel sad, I think about how much closer we will be to family. We are still 12 hours away but that is 12 hours closer than we were. And a 12 hour drive is VERY doable. So as I say good-bye's and cry to myself about leaving I just think about the great adventure we are taking. The new people we will meet, the beach that is only 1 1/2 hours away, family, and just doing it as a family. I know we will be crying as we leave the city....and I can't tell you where we will stop crying...because it may be a while, but I am excited for this new adventure. For warmer winters....;-) I thought I would be writing more often but a lot of times I can't think of the right things to say. Things have been busy and I am trying to soak everything in while getting ready to leave our house and our belongings until we sell said house..(which hopefully won't be too long). All though my neighbor told me today that she hopes it doesn't sell so we will be back. I do hope it sells because that would make things a lot easier. Anyway, I hope to write before we leave. It will be soon because we are leaving in a couple of weeks. So I hope to say hi on here again! Take Care Everyone!

BUSY BEE...

2011-04-22T17:58:00.001-07:00

Well, I have been pretty busy getting our house ready to put up for sale. It is quite an overwhelming thing sometimes when I think of all I need to do. But with great friends who have come over and helped it has been GREAT!! I look at something and just want to crawl in a hole rather than do it. But when friends come over I just take it on. It is always nice having someone to take it on with me. Things are coming a long. Next week I will be getting rid of many of our things which is GREAT! I have been decluttering and throwing away and it is nice. I am not a hoarder by any means. (by the way that is a scary show...lol) but I have a BIG house and there are a lot of places to put things. So all my grand intentions are going somewhere else...;-) I also think the less we have the less my kids will have to mess things up...haha. Anyway, it is all good. I am excited for this new adventure in our life. I am sooo excited to be closer to family. I can't tell you how excited I am that our drive will be 12 hours instead of 24. Very excited!! Anyway, I will keep you up to date on how things are going. Our Realtor is coming next week and hopefully soon we will get it on the market. How exciting! I am taking in all the Iowa I can right now while I can! I have loved it here! It really is a great place! Well, Happy Easter everyone! Be Safe!

Change is in the air....

2011-03-31T18:14:00.001-07:00

I guess things can't stay the same forever...which is sad but also can bring on new adventures in life. We are moving to Portland Oregon. Iowa has been our home for almost 12 years. I love Iowa. There are GREAT schools, GREAT open land, GREAT corn....;-), and GREAT GREAT friends. People who have been my family for a long time. One nice thing is that we are getting closer to family. My family and I are SOOO excited about this because it has been a long time. To only be 12 hours away from them instead of 24 hours away from them is so wonderful and we are all giddy with happiness to think of being so close. I am hoping to see more visitors because we are now a lot closer and I know they have all said "if only you were 12 hours away..." haha...we will see.

But right now I am busily trying to get my house ready to sell. I actually have surprised myself with how much I have done. I was kind of in a slump for a long time and now am getting back to the old carrie...well not too old..haha. But I have been working hard and am very excited to get things cleaned up and de-junk my house. And yes you heard me say it...DE-JUNK my house...usually I have things that mean so much to me. But I am ready to let go. Ready to give it away.

I have to stay up on blogging so all my Iowa friends can keep in touch with our life. So I am really going to touch base every week and let everyone know how things are going..with the move, family, new job, etc. I just try not to think about leaving too much because if I do I start to tear up. So I just think of how great it will be to be close to family and NO MORE FREEZING COLD WINTERS!!! That is also something I am VERY excited for.

Well, I promise to keep everyone posted. Hopefully we have warmer weather around the corner for us all. It has been pretty nice here which is nice. But summer will be here soon.

Thanksgiving!!

2010-11-19T05:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have been living in the USA now for 11 years...I like it fine down here there are are few things I would change if I ruled the world, but I don't so I am happy with what is here. One thing though that I have really had a bit of a deal with is Thanksgiving. In Canada it is in October so after thanksgiving it can be all about Christmas which is nice because you can enjoy all that time of the season... Here you have Thanksgiving and then 4 weeks later it is Christmas. Just too busy....lol.. I am the type of person that wants to give thanksgiving its own holiday so I wait to put the tree up until the day after Thanksgiving, But it kills me sometimes to wait. This year the stores have almost seemed to cut thanksgiving out. At Walmart down there isle of season stuff I saw discounted halloween things and then christmas on the other side. Where is thanksgiving you ask..??? It was on the end of the isle and only had about 2 feet of room of things. There may have been another one on the next isle that big also.

Anyway, Enjoy the quick season of Thanksgiving and Christmas...I love this time of year. I don't like the cold but I love this time of year.

Cold......which brings me to my next thought. I think if it is going to be cold there should be snow. Yes, it is crazy to drive in but I think it makes me less mad about the cold when there is snow. (k maybe not). But if there is snow then there is a reason to be cold. Right??

Enjoy the season! and the cold (I guess)!!

I know what I will invent!!!

2010-10-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

As I am sitting here needing to fold the Mountain of Laundry that is sitting her I have figured out what I can invent. I AM GOING TO INVENT Disposable Clothes. I think it is great. They will be make of very earth friendly paper material of some kind and after you are done with it you can put it in your Fire place and burn it. Then it won't clog the garbages.... There will be no Laundry, no garbage... Win Win!!!! Yay. I need to get started....haha.

For my thought of the day.........I love days you can just stay in and get things done, especially when it is a little chili out. Enjoy your kids and make a nice warm supper. I have so many things to get done and it is nice to just have a day to try and get everything done. Or at least a few thing.....

Have a GREAT WARM DAY!!

The road to He%% is paved with good intentions.

2010-10-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

HAHAHA, I always think I am full of good intentions, and I asked Neil a few years ago what that saying was that talked about good intentions. When he told me what it was It was not what I was thinking.... Anyway, it just makes me laugh anytime I think I have good intentions.

I was going to blog the next day after my last posting. I had a great thought of the day and everything. WELL, here we are a month later. I now have a thought of the month that will hopefully end up thought of the week or maybe even thought of the day at some point in my life....

So, my thought of the day is the one that I was going to use 1 month ago. I was taking Regan to preschool as there was a sticker on the back of a truck that caught my eye. It was of a cowboy was kneeling down by a grave with a horse right behind him . First of all I love horses and grew up riding horses at my grandpa's house. Also I have a little bit of a cowgirl in me and loved that picture. It made me think of my grandpa, horses, home. Enjoy your family, friends, loved ones. People come in to our lives that make us smile. That is nice. I love smiling and think life is so much more enjoyable when we enjoy what we are doing. Even the crappy parts of it. So look for the happiness in your life!

Alright, so there is my thought for the month that will hopefully end up being sooner next time!!

Enjoy your Day, I am off to get kids from school!

Things to be grateful for.

2010-09-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know in June when I wrote I wanted to keep blogging and do it more often. Well summer has come and gone and now we are in a new school year and I really want to blog often and just thoughts. I might do a thought for a day or something like that although it might end up as a thought for the week.

Summer was GREAT. We went down to Florida and enjoyed a week on a beach!!!! It was so relaxing and just what this worn out mom of 6 needed. I even took pictures of my feet in the sand so everytime I looked at it I could go back there and imagine what it was like. It was great. We went with Neil's sister and her family and had a great time. We also stayed with them for a week and enjoyed being around cousins. We had a lot of fun.

School has started and yes I was very excited. You have to know I love my kids more than anything in the whole world but by the end of summer when they are getting on each others nerves it is time.... I also enjoy now that I can clean my house in the morning and it actually stays clean until they get home.

For my thought of the day today.... I think we need to enjoy the little things. This summer I bought a mint and lemon verbena plant along with a few other plants. When we have lemonaide and smoothies we love putting mint and lemon verbena in it. I just finished mowing the lawn and cleaning up and I went out to get myself some lemon verbena and mint to put in my lemonaide. I thought to myself this is something so little but it sure makes me smile and feel like I am taking a minute for myself. I think we need to enjoy those little minutes that bring a smile to your face.

Enjoy your day!!!

Summer

2010-06-22T10:37:00.001-07:00

Well, it is summer. How lovely!! I actually am always so excited for summer. I always picture us waking up slowly after I have slept in until 8:00 a.m. with my kids getting themselves breakfast and not bothering me in my blissful sleep!! Ha, Ha, Ha. The first week is crazy with Austyn having swim camp from 7-9 a.m. the getting Ridley to Cub Day camp then having the rest of the day which was nice and then getting Ridley again. There were more that happened in that week but I can't remember what it was. I have now blocked it out and moved on to this week where I am running all morning taking kids to Discover summer school which is a fun thing for Madison and Ridley to Gymnastics which he will now spend about 81/2 hours at the gym per week. It could be worse but he really wants to become an olympic gymnast so he loves to do it.

Well, there have only been a few times that I have cursed summer holidays!! But then I get the kids doing something so I can have a little break and then it is all good. I am happy Regan will be going to preschool next year. Anyway, I love them home and it has overall been nice. We have gone to the pool which they love! Reece even loves it now. He was not to excited about it at the start.

Thanks for all your comments. I am glad to see that people read my blog and care about "The Roelofs Story".

Enjoy your DAY!

Mountains

2010-06-16T08:12:00.001-07:00

I love the mountains. Well, that is I like to have them at least 1 hour away. Alberta is perfect. You can see the beautiful mountains in the background but you still have the beautiful prairies, harvest, etc. I changed my blog picture and I can see mountains. Nice.!!

We were going to go up to Canada this summer. Plans have changed and we are now going to Florida. We are going to spend a week on the beach and I am totally excited to soak up the sun in between watching 6 kids that is. It will be fun. I will miss Canada, Friends, Family and most of all slurpies with ice cream. No I will miss family the most but slurpies with ice cream are right up there!!

Summer is here and it is not too bad. Things are going well. The kids are doing a job in the morning and making sure their room is cleaned. That is nice. We get the things done during the day and also have fun. Especially today with the sun shining and looking like it won't rain. I think we will be heading to the pool today!

I have been thinking lately about kids growing up. There are times when I wonder if I will make it through the day with little kids. But I always can take a step back and relax. I know I will be sad when they are older but I can't wait for that time also. I think it will be a whole new back of having fun. I am preparing myself now to realize that they will grow up and I will miss it. I am really enjoying every moment, hug, cuddle, and I love you that I have with them right now. They are great kids and I am happy to be their mom!

Well, I hope you have a great summer, enjoy yourselves and be safe!

"Did I make a difference"

2010-05-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

It has been such a long time. I actually didn't think I would blog again. I just don't seem have things to blog about when I sit down to the computer. But I just read a friends blog and it really reminded me of all the choices I have made and how I am mostly happy with those choices.

I recently taught a class at a Stake Youth Activity about Talents, Confidence and shining from within. I am passionate about shining from within and confidnece and talents. And I love how all of the them intertwine. We went over the parable of the talents and it really taught me a lot after hearing it for years. I quoted from someone about how it wasn't about how many talents we are given, but did we make a difference. It really made me think of one day if I am asked "Carrie, Did you make a difference." I hope to say "yes". I know there are some days we all feel we make more of a difference than other days. And that is okay. We are here to progress and to keep doing better.

I gave my older 4 children a little book each last week. I told them to start a "Grateful Journal". I loved Journaling when I was younger. I have books upstairs in a bin of my journals. I think it is so neat to go back and read things. I need to do it with my kids sometime. I am sure they would love that. But I also did one for me. 3 things I am grateful for everyday. Journaling has been not so good lately but I miss it. So I thought this is something to go through and look at the positives of my day. And it does not take but a minute to jot them down. It has been really neat and I can't wait to go back and look at how what we are grateful for changes at different times. It also lets me reflect and think, "Did I make a difference today" . Life can be hard, it can be so busy, and it can be frustrating. But there are also so much we have to be grateful for as we look at the moments in our day.

School is coming to a close in 5 1/2 weeks. I like the summer starting because it is nice to say you can sleep in. We never do but I like that we can just do whatever. I am however so excited to have school start again. The kids have done so well this year and I am so proud of all of them.

So, I will blog again.

Oh Canada!

2009-09-14T08:38:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been a long time. Half the time I forget what I was going to blog about but most of the time, I just don't have time to sit down and type it out.

Well, this summer was great. We did a lot of swimming (Well when the weather was warm) but it was fun. On July 23rd we also left Cedar Rapids at 12:15 p.m. and drove to Alberta! I drove it alone with 6 kids. It was fine. We got to somewhere (I can't remember where it was) around 6:00 p.m. and stopped for supper and let them run around. I was hoping to get to Rapid City around 10:00 p.m. but it was more like 11:00 p.m. so I just kept driving until around 12:30 a.m. and then parked at a hotel and just slept in the van. I was not going to haul all the kids out. I also wanted to keep going when I woke up. Which I did around 1:30 a.m. so we kept driving. Then I got tired again and so I stopped for about 1 1/2 hours. But by 2:00 p.m. the next afternoon we pulled into my parents. My sisters were great. They called me at 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning to make sure I was okay because they new I was going to keep driving. Heather said I could have whatever I wanted of hers just for driving up. It is a lot to drive up but you do forget about the drive after a while. Even thinking of it now it does not seem so bad. I think 3 weeks and you forget about the drive.

Well, we had so much fun in Canada. We visited friends and family and spent some great time together. I ate my weight in ice cream slurpies but THEY ARE SOOO GOOD! I loved the chocolate bars up there! Wunderbars, Aero, Big Turk, AAAAHHH! They are awesome. My mom actually brought me a box of wunderbars when she came for Ridley's baptism. Anyway, it was so much fun. Neil and his dad took 5 of the kids camping. That was great. I just had Reece for 3 days. It was very nice. I read a book, relaxed. Went out for lunch with Neil's mom and shopping. What a great little break. I NEVER GET BREAKS LIKE THAT so it was really nice. They even had a blast camping. I said we would not go up again for 3 years but I am wondering if we might change our minds. That was a lot of fun for the kids. Neil and his dad had a great time too.

Neil drove up a week after me. We had trouble with his passport in that THEY DID NOT SEND IT TO HIM!!! They said we didn't put his occupation and address of where he works. They said they called 3 times BUT THERE WERE NEVER ANY MESSAGES. Anyway, I was mad at Passport Canada at that point. I ended up calling the border and he got up with his Birth Cert. (since we are canadian) and a photo ID. To get back down to the US. They said he just needed his Greencard. I called 2 different borders 3 times to make sure. If you get someone who is having a bad day letting you through they can make your life miserable. Well, they let us through just fine. They just wanted to take our picture and fingerprints. YEAH!.

Anyway, it was a great time up there. I love my family and friends so much and it was so nice to see them. But I also LOVE Iowa with all my wonderful friends and it was nice to come home to Iowa.

1 week after we got home my mom flew out. She came for Ridley's baptism. Which was on his Birthday . It was so nice. I am so glad my mom was able to come. We had a few days together. It was so much fun. We laugh and laugh and pee our pants. It is fun. Anyway, SCHOOL STARTED which is GREAT!~ I was so excited to get school back in. I love my kids so much but I love when school gets back in. I have just enjoyed my days with 2 kids. We clean, and play and sit and relax and it is very nice. Thank you teachers for taking great care of our kids in school!!!!

Anyway, life goes on. We are enjoying our little family. Reece has started to walk. He loves to play with everything I would rather him not play with. I tell him he has 5 kids worth of toys to play with and he just will not play with them all the time. He would much rather play with everything I don't want him to play with.

Anyway, Austyn has been running in Cross Country and she is doing so good. The kids all love school and enjoy their teachers. They are such great kids and I love them so much. They can drive me crazy but I love them.

It has been beautiful weather. I have been running outside all summer and it has been great. I finally made the 4 mile run. I am so excited and I think I am really enjoying running I ache to go outside for a run. I know however there are days when I run that I don't think I will ever want to run again because it was hard but when I have a good run it excites me more.

Well, I am signing off. Have a great day!

The Friends we have.

2009-06-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

I am quite a nerd and I am totally okay with that. But there are times when I get thinking about all the people that I have met in our married life. Friends that are so great!! That we can be apart for years and then talk and get right back to talking like we were never apart. I have some really great friends like this. I always get excited to see the people I grew up with and went to school with. And especially since we are for sure going up to Canada this summer it really makes me excited to see everyone. It makes me think about the places we have lived and I would not have met these people if we were not there. I have some great friends here in Cedar Rapids and I am so happy to be here and be around such wonderful people. But I also miss the people I don't see all the time.

Sisters, I love my sisters very much. Cindy just had her baby and I am so excited to see the little baby. I need to go up and be an auntie. I am excited to do that. And to be around my sisters. We laugh and laugh. My mom was telling Austyn this morning about the time she thought I was eaten by bears in Waterton. We had gone up and along the way to Waterton Lake (I think that is what it is called) I saw a bathroom and I had to go quite bad. Well, when we got to the lake I asked if someone could drive me to the bathroom. They looked at me funny and said just go. Well, I started walking back along the road to where I saw the bathroom. I was a little scared to go in but I did and went and then as I was walking back my dad came driving up in our beautiful 70's or 80's green station wagon and he was quite worried. I had no idea, but they thought that a bear had gotten me because I took so long in the bathroom and apperently there was a bathroom 30 feet away from where we were. Anyway, there are many stories that we talk about that are quite funny. I can't wait to go and be around my family. Even though it can be dramatic and stressful sometimes because I am not always around them and we now have our life here but I do love going and being around them. There is nothiing like FAMILY!

Anyway, friends are great and I love them very much. I can even say my kids and my husband are some of my greatest friends all though I could ship them up to Canada sometimes. Ha, ha, Ha.

Well, there is my sentimental post for a while. As I am listening to my playlist of GREAT songs (so I think) It makes me think of friends and family and how exciting life can be.

So now I need to get back to life, putting the laundry away, cleaning the cupboards out (which I wanted to start today). It is too hot to make some yummy chocolate chip cookies that my neighbor Janet made. They are sooo yummy but it is sooooo hot and we don't have central air. We just have window airs. Anyway, I will go clean the cupboards out and eat some chocolate. Think of your friends and the impact they have on your life!!! Life is great!!

It has been a while.

2009-06-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I could not blog for so long. I have just been busy and I really think of things to blog but I don't spend a lot of time on the computer as of late.

Well, the kids have finished school. I always get to the end of the year and am very excited or it to be done. I was a little nervous because I didn't feel like I had enough off time during the year with Reece being born and so forth but I am excited. These last couple of days of summer holidays have been great. It is nice to kind of do what we want to do. Although we have been busy the last couple of days.

We are going up to Canada this summer. I am very excited about this. Not excited about the drive but excited to see family and friends and just have a great time. It is always so nice to be around family. I was reading a friend of mine's blog when she went and was with her family in Utah and how they laughed and had so much fun. I love that about being around family. We laugh and laugh and sometimes pee our pants but that is okay. It is so much fun and I am excited to have a lot of fun. We will be there for a few weeks and Neil will come up after we have been up there for a week and then he and his dad and some of the kids are going camping. It should be fun. They are excited.

Well, I RAN OUTSIDE AND I DID IT AND DID NOT DIE!!!!, I am running a 5K run this weekend with Austyn (my oldest daughter) and so we have been running outside the last couple of weeks. The last time I tried it I got around the corner and just about died. Well, I finished it by walking. Well, I started running 3 miles on the treadmill and did not stop so I thought I could run at least 1.5 miles without stopping. Well, we have been doing 2 mile runs and last night we did a 3 mile run together. It has been so much fun. I cannot believe how excited I am to run now. I told Neil I would like something to track myself now. He had asked me a few months ago if I would like something like that and I said it really does not intrest me. But I told him I am now a professional runner and would like something. I don't know what I need but we will find it. Something not to technological of course.

Life is good at the Roelofs. The weather has not been too hot which is nice. Life is good. Happy running!!!

I REALLY hate computers

2009-04-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am on a mission to figure out how to get the pictures off my camera and onto the computer. I got everything hooked up and got the disc(the handbook) put into the computer. I read it and was doing what it said. Everything is going good and then I am supposed to click on the DCIM something. I don't see anything that resembles DCIM. Then I attempt to call Sony to have them help me because I think they have to be more knowledgeable than me when it comes to cameras/computers. Well, they are not. Not only that but they don't always understand me and I cannot really understand what they are saying. Finally after being told "Thankyou for holding on the line" about 100 times(not really but many times) I tell them to forget it. It is not worth it to me to stay on the line for 2 hours while they go find something out after everything I say. So, It is all set up and ready to go and I will have Neil look at it when he gets home. Luckily we have nothing going on tonight so we may have some time. Now I just need to remember.

This week was also my 35th birthday. WOW. I can't believe I am 35. I think 40 will kill me. I just don't feel older. Anyway, I am at a loss of words on the subject. my parents are 55 and 53 and they don't seem that they could be that old. I don't know it is crazy. So I had such a great day and enjoyed seeing my friends and hearing from my family. It was really nice. People are really nice and I love my friends and family so much. They are great. Well, I am off to get Regan something he was trying to get on my lap as I was talking with Harvey (they guy from Sony) and I love how my kids do that NOT. So I got him off of my lap and then was done. So I am off to see what it is he needs. I was just a little huffy from my whole ordeal and now I am feeling better. Thanks.

IT HAS BEEN TO LONG.

2009-03-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I know it has been a while. I really think of great things to say that are also witty, then I forget them once I get to the computer. We had Spring break last week and that was nice. Neil took off the week, so we really did not do much. I need to get our passport stuff done. Since coming down here 10 years ago we have always had our passports and gotten all the kids done. Just because of all the greencard stuff we needed them done. I have to get Reece's in and renew Austyn, Me and Neil's canadian passports. It is kind of a job that you just have to jump in, fill everything out, get pictures and do. I started in February and it is still sitting there. I am GOING to work on it this afternoon once I stop playing on the computer and wasting time. The kids have been good. Well, my mind is blank and I have Regan (my 3 year old) on my lap and he is playing with his cars and sometimes likes to type a long with me. It is quite funny. He is such a big help. Well, here I go to get the passports done. I would like to get them done this week.

Also, I am going to get some new running shoes. I am using ones that I have had for YEARS, I will not tell you the exact amount but they have been good runners. Now that I am running more, I am going to go out and get a new pair of shoes. I am excited to see how they are. I ran today and it was great. Last week was also good. I don't know why though I can run great and not stop on the treadmill and I stop tons when I am outside. I guess I need to do it more outside. ANyway, now Reece is crying and all HE^% is breaking loose. Sort of.

Happenings.

2009-03-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a while. I think of things to say while I am driving, nursing, cleaning, etc. But then I get to the computer and forget them all. Also, our internet has been not working right so it is hard to get onto anything.

Well, I have been trying to figure out if we can make it up to Canada this summer. I would love to go and visit our families and my sister is having her 3rd child in June. When we left the last time we were in Canada she had her second. Like 10 days after we left. I told her to keep walking but she would not. Anyway, I would love to get up there. But when kids start getting older there are more things that keep them busy. School will go until June 11 this year because of the added snow days we had. Then Austyn has girls camp a week after they get out of school. She is able to do the College for Kids thing for two weeks in the summer and since we cannot do session A because of girls camp it will have to be Session B which runs until July 24th. So we have August and I hope it works out. We will see.

Reece is coming up on 5 months now. Very hard to believe. He got his first 2 teeth at 4 months. He has been kind of fussy at nights the last couple of nights and I am wondering if it is more teeth or what the deal is. We will see. He is doing well. All the kids are doing well. We have had a cold a couple of weeks ago and Regan and Austyn were throwing up this past weekend but I am hopeing that is it! I took Ridley to his gymnastic competition on Saturday and it was a couple of hours away. He says the funniest things. He was asking if Canada or USA had the most fields. Anyway, here is how it went.

Ridley: I know who has the most syrup out of Canada and USA
Me: Who?
Ridley: Dah, the canadian Flag has a maple leaf on it and Grandma has a huge bucket of syrup at her house.
Me: Laughing.

He is quite funny and keeps all of us laughing. He came home from a Primary Activity on Valentines day and they had done coupon books to give to people. Ridley showed me his and they all had a video game written on it and various amount of money by it. Then he asked me if after this we could go to Best Buy and use his coupons to get Video games. I told him it is not a Best buy coupon. It does not say Best Buy on it. He told me he could write it on. We talked on the way home about coupons and how they work. It was quite funny.

Anyway, I have a baby who is starting to cry so I better run. Speaking of I told Neil I will run a marathon in Hawaii. He said okay. I have wanted to run a marathon one day and I think going to Hawaii would really, really get me motivated to train for one. It won't be tomorrow but I am wanting to do it in the next 5 years for sure. I am excited.

Ready for Spring.

2009-02-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

I am sure everyone is ready for Spring. I am ready. It was cold when I was taking Austyn early this morning and I cannot wait until Spring and Summer come but I am sure I will complain in the summer for how hot and humid it is. Hopefully I don't complain.

Anyway, work has been going well for Neil. He was promoted to a managers position over Christmas. He is leaving his project that he was working with Airbus with so he will not be going to France again. I am sad because I did think that one day we would be able to go but maybe we will just have to go one day. ONE DAY. He was also nominated as "Engineer of the Year" they picked 50 engineers and then he made it to the semi-finals which were 30 people. If we would have made it to the next level we would have gotten a trip which I was really wanting but he didn't make it past the semi-finals. But we are so proud of him. He works so hard and I am happy to see how well he is doing. He loves what he does.

Everyone is doing well, we have had a couple of colds here and there and luckily it does not get everyone but everyone has been pretty healthy. Reece loves to be held so I don't have tons of time in between of holding him and getting things done but I am here quickly doing the post. He is crying in his swing and I am doing this but I will hurry. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well. I know the economy has affected people we know and I hope everyone is well! Take Care.

Chicken soup for the soul

2009-02-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

Well, I am making some homemade chicken noodle soup. I love how Rachel Ray does things fast but I am fine to do this slow when I have all the time in the world. Some of us are coming down with colds. I have one and I don't think it is nice when the mom is sick. Oh Well, I got some throat drops, ice cream, and now making chicken noodle soup. I hope it gets better quick. I finally had friends of mine tell me how to put the playlist on my blog. So YEAH I did it. I have my So What song on their because it gets me fired up. After I listened to the lyrics I am sure I can see why. SHE WANTS TO START A FIGHT. I am not up for starting a fight but it gets me moving.

Anyway, life is good. It is finally supposed to be warm here for hopefully the next week. I went out this morning and thought you dang weather it better be nice like the weather man says or I will be very upset. (Okay I guess I will start a fight if it stays cold)Ha Ha Ha. Anyway, it is supposed to get nice today. I am so excited. I hate going outside when it is so cold. Anyway, I need to run and get Reece because Regan keeps coming in to here and telling me I need to get Reece because he is crying. So I will run. There are my thoughts for today. Have a great day!

RUNNING

2009-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well, I know, I am blogging 2 days in a row. I have to catch up from all the time I missed. Well, I just finished running on the treadmill. I have been running 3 times per week and do a 30 min run which includes a warm up and cool down. I have been doing the glute toner and waist reducer profile on it and it has been good. Today I did the glute toner and it just about killed me when I first did it because it goes to a 12.5 incline. But I finished it. Today I stayed on the Level 8 and I did not go down a notch. I am very proud of myself. I listen to the radio that is down there. I do have a ipod shuffle that Neil got me, for some reason all the songs are off of it and I don't know how to put them on. (I do have a finger and thumb shaped as an "L" on my forhead). I HATE figuring things out like that. computer stuff, camera stuff, ipod stuff. Anyway, I turned on the radio and "So What" by Pink (I think that is who sings it) was on. That is a song that really gets me pumped up (as they say in the cheer leading world) JOKES. It really does get me pumped up and makes me want to run hard. Next they played "More than words" by Extreme which is slow and a good song that I really like but does not get me pumped up. I figured I needed to get my i-pod going and get all they songs that make me move fast and put them on. The Island Getaway song that Weazer sings is also another one I like. Anwyay, it was a good run and It makes me happy. I tell Neil that my glutes are already showing signs of being toned and my waist is being reduced and he just laughs. Because I have only been doing it for a few weeks, he says it can't happen that quick. I can tell. I can't wait until the spring and we can run together. He likes early morning though. Now me. We will see. Now I am off to get on with the rest of the day.

Here I am.

2009-01-20T09:34:00.001-08:00

I know it has been quite a while since I blogged. I do think of great, funny things to say, but then I get to the computer and go blank but also I have not had time to get on and blog. I hear Reece starting to get upset, but I have a few minutes. I really enjoy facebook. I have gotten in contact with friends from high school and relatives. Neil's relatives and I think it is absolutely great. I love family and love being able to keep in touch.

Well, we got through last week. It was Monday, Early dismissal because of a storm; Tuesday, Late start because of said storm; Wednesday, No school because of cold and snow; Thursday, no school because of cold; Friday, NO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF COLD! We got to monday and it was a half day (yesterday). Well, my kids are still alive. No it was okay but after Christmas break not being that long ago I was getting tired of it. We got through and all is well. Today they are back in school. There is a lot of snow out and if there are any more snow days will be going to school for half the summer. Not really but we are already going to June 11th.

Well, things are good here. Reece is growing and no I still have no pictures off my camera (SORRY, SORRY). I know. He is smiling and starting to laugh and is really a good baby. He sleeps good at night also. Well, he is really starting to cry now.

Anyway, I just wanted to check in and let everyone know I am still here. I love to read peoples blogs and don't like it when there are large gaps. So now I am doing that. Anyway, the inaguration (however you spell it) is today and it makes me very emotional to see everything that happens with that. The leaving of the current President and then the coming of the new President. What a great planned out system it is. I really enjoy watching it. I am recording it and sharing with Regan. He watches some Dora and then I watch some of the things on today. Take Care. Everyone enjoy your day and this beautiful country that we live in. (Canada is also beautiful). We just are lucky to be here and have the opportunities that we have here. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-12-31T17:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it is the eve of 2009. I don't mind seeing a new year ring in, I just can't believe how fast it goes. It has been a while since I blogged, Sorry. Well, I hope everyone had a great christmas. We had a great Christmas. The kids enjoyed it. We have finished our New Years Eve "Spread". Just a whole bunch of snacky food and now we are waiting for the ball to drop. I think I will fold some laundry while I am waiting. We will see if I can make it. Well, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I wish you a very happy new year. To all my friends I want to thank you for your friendship whether near or far I really cherish friendships. I hope everyone has nothing but happiness for 2009. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tis the Season.

2008-12-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I had many things to blog about most of which I am sure to forget. Anyway, Thanksgiving - We had a great thanksgiving. It was just us and I made a nice turkey dinner. It was great. The kids did not eat tons and it was a lot of work but it was nice. We had a very nice week off school with them.

Reece had a cough that started on Wen. On Friday I thought I would take him to the doctor to get checked and we went to urgent care because our doctors office was closed. They did a couple of X-rays and said he had pnemonia at the base of his lungs. He got some anti-biotics and hopefully we be good. I did go to Black Friday shopping that morning at 4:00 A.M. Crazy I know but I am done for christmas which is also nice.

Eggnog. I never used to like eggnog but I don't know what has happened but I LOVE it. I bought a quart of it yesterday and pretty much drank the whole thing. I could go buy another one today and do the same thing but I am trying to not because I am sure it is very fatting. Oh Well, IT WAS GOOD.

I am so looking forward to christmas. I love looking at christmas lights. We got a fake tree this year. We usually go get a real tree but ended up get a fake one. It was so easy to put up. The lights were on it already and we just put the garland and the ornaments on it. Great and done.

Well, Reece is starting to get upset so I am going to go sit with him and get him to sleep. Josie and Regan are watching a movie and I am going to relax.

SNOW!

2008-11-22T05:46:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to see snow. I don't know why because I hate cold and we had enough snow last year to last about 5 years but in my mind it is easier to take the cold when there is snow on the ground. When there is snow on the ground there is a reason for it to be cold. Anyway, it is the start of thanksgiving week and I am really excited to hopefully sleep in but we will see. It will be nice to relax and have the kids play with friends and have a break.

What to be when I grow up.

2008-11-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

I always thought I was grown up and I thought you usually make that decision when you get out of high school and go to school then. But with Reece being our last baby I have been thinking of things I want to do when he starts school. I don't want to do anything full-tiime but something to keep me busy for some time in the mornings or something. I went to Austyn's first band concert on Thursday night and saw the band instructor and thought of the great moments I had with band. I loved being a part of "The Spirit of Alberta" marching band YEAH! That was a lot of fun more now when I look back at it. It was tuff getting up early on cold mornings to go practice in the field. But it was great. So it made me think that would be a great thing to do. Then I went and got a massage on Friday morning and thought of all the people I could help with being a massage therepist. How wonderful that would be. Then I would LOVE to go back and be an OBGYN doctor. Which I know would be very busy and A LOT of school but that is something I am interested in. Nurse, Teacher, Hyvee cashier. I think there are a lot of things that I can think of to do. We will see what happens.

My mom and Grandma just left yesterday after being here for a week. It was so nice to visit with them. For them to see Reece and enjoy the kids. We had a lot of fun. I know travelling is not fun and can be hard sometimes but I am really glad that they came to visit. The kids love to have my mom come and visit.

Reece is doing good. He is very sweet and a very good baby. We have a week of school and then it is a week off for Thanksgiving. I am somewhat excited to have a week off because we can relax and not have to get up early. But I will have the kids home for a week. I love them dearly but school has been nice to have somewhat of a little break. I am sure it will be fun and it will be great. We will see.

It is getting colder and I don't like that but what do you do. I know the kids will enjoy the snow and have fun in it.

Gas is down to 1.95 which is like half of what it was at one point. I am so excited. It is nice to fill up my van. Well, I think I am off to bed. Another week.

Life.

2008-10-29T09:23:00.001-07:00

Well, Life is good. I have not blogged for a while. But things are going well. I am bouncing back very quickly and doing well. Which is always nice. Reece is doing well. He is up to 8 pounds 12 oz and his is sure a great baby. There are a few times when life is crazy, getting the kids off to school or getting supper ready and he is crying. but I just take a deep breath and do what I can. The kids help out a lot. Regan has sure been great. He loves the baby. He is sure good in the mornings. It has sure been nice. Josie is loving preschool. I had to laugh the other day because she told me she wants to be called by her nick name which is Josie Anderson. I asked her why it was Josie Anderson and she said that is what your nick name is. My Maiden name is Carrie Anderson. I thought that was funny.

My mom and grandma are coming out on November 8 - 15 which I am really excited about. It will be nice to visit with them and just have some extra hands around. I am always wondering how I will do it after my mom comes but it is so nice to have her help when she is here. But I do it. It is the trunk -o-treat tonight at the church. So we will most likely do that. Neil and Ridley are going to a Minnesota Wild/Montreal Canadians NHL game tomorrow. They are staying up in Minneapolis by the Excel Center where they will be playing. I know they are both excited and will have a lot of fun. Then it is Halloween. We will get that over with and then gear up for Thanksgiving which I am excited about to have a turkey dinner. And then it is christmas. It will be a lot of fun. I always enjoy getting the tree and smelling that beautiful pine smell. EXCITING.

Well, things are going well. I get tired but overall I have really been relaxing during the day. I do get a lot done while Reece is sleeping but I try to relax a lot also. Good times.

Welcome our new addition.

2008-10-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

Well, on October 10, 2008 Reece Nevin was born at 3:36 p.m. I had gone in that morning and was 5 cm dialated and so he stripped my membranes. Hopefully that is not too much info but anyway, I started cramping and contracting right away. I went and got some groceries thinking it would be good to walk around and got Josie from Preschool and met Neil at home. I had friends stay with the kids while I went. THANKS CHAREE, ELAINE and POLLY for helping me out. Well, we got to the hospital and I was then 7 cm. It was moving along nicely. Then at 3:36 p.m. he was born. When they turned me on my side it only took a few good hard very hurtful contractions and I was at a 10. I did have some fentinol medicine which helped with the pain for the last little bit but it was bad. Anyway, he came out and I thought he was bigger a little because it was worse than any of the kids. Well, it ended up his weight was 7 pounds 15 oz and my largest baby before him was 6 pounds 9 oz. It does make a difference in that much weight let me tell you. Anyway, it is done and I am glad of that. We are so happy he is here and is doing well. We came home on Sunday afternoon and the kids had really worked hard at getting the house clean. They did a great job.

Anyway, it is good to be home. I love my hospital stay but I was ready to come home and I am okay if this is our last time at the hospital. I am good with that. I am moving onto our life of raising our kids now and excited for that. They sure are the greatest kids in the whole world and I know that as moms we all feel that our kids are the greatest. But that is how it is supposed to be.

Well, I think we will be off to bed soon. Good night!

Back to normal.

2008-10-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

Well, after our week of being sick it was nice on Monday to get everyone back to school. Neil stayed home one more day but then he went back on Tuesday. It is nice to get back to normal after that.

Well, this week was good. I have really had the nesting feeling going on. I really think (Neil would like it also) if we could bottle up the hormone that makes you nest. I can't believe how much I get done. We could make some really good money off of selling it. I would just like to take some every once in a while to get a lot done. And things I usually don't do. I cleaned the blinds in the kitchen and have gone through closets and rooms. It feels great to get things done.

It is getting colder out. It is okay still, you can just feel the chill in the air though. I hope it is a very nice fall and we don't have a crazy aweful winter. Last winter was so long and cold it honestly makes me want to move back to Alberta and at least feel the chinook once in a while. When it gets cold here it stays cold and it bitter bitter cold.

Anyway, I am going to go warm up in our nice new bed which is very comfortable and I actually have been getting some sleep on lately. My legs are feeling a little better. Hopefully within a couple of weeks I can blog about our new addition to our family. I am on week 38 this week. I am pretty excited for the baby to come but also my hospital stay. I love my hospital stay. 2 days of laying in bed, being served great food. What more could a girl want. Right? Anyway, I am excited for the birth of this baby boy. Our family seems complete after this.

What a week.

2008-09-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Well, what a week it has been. We started with the throwing up on Tuesday at 4:30.

Tuesday - 4:30 p.m. -Regan started throwing up.
Wednesday - 3:00 a.m. - Josie started throwing up.
Wednesday - 4:00 a.m. - Regan is most likely done.
Wednesday - 7:00p.m. - Josie should be done.
Wednesday - 10:00 p.m. - Ridley starts throwing up.
Thursday - 5:00 a.m. - Ridley should be done.
Thursday - 10:00 a.m. - I start throwing up.
Thursday - 12:00 noon - Neil comes home and is throwing up.
Thursday - 6:00 p.m. - Austyn starts throwing up.
Thursday - 8:00 p.m. - Madison starts throwing up.
Thursday - 10:00 p.m. - I start feeling better and a good thing because I am up with the girls all night.
Thursday - 10:00 p.m. - Neil starts feeling better also.
Friday - 5:00 a.m. Austyn done throwing up.
Friday - evening - Madison has thrown up during the day a few times also. I hope it all ends!!

It was VERY aweful. Needless to say we have not really left our house the past few days. I have bleached the house, washed sheets, towels, clothes, buckets, did not sleep for 3 nights straight and so I slept for a few hours during the day on most of the days after. But we were wiped out. We are not going to church tomorrow because I do not want to pass this on to anyone. We should be not contagious after that. I just don't want anyone to have to go through that.

On a fun note, we got our new very nice King size mattress and furniture for the tv room. The bed is so comfortable and nice. I just cannot sleep because my legs are so restless. So if I stay up until around midnight which is coming up then I can fall asleep easier because I think I am so tired and forget about the restless legs. Anyway, it has been really annoying not being about to sleep at night because of it. I hope it goes away after the baby. Just a few weeks away!

Well, we are better, and I am excited for monday to get everyone off to school and happy and not throwing up!! YEAH!!

I hope everyone stays healthy!!

SICK KIDS.

2008-09-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

Well, we have been safe from the throwing up bug for a long time. Some years we are getting it often. This last year has been very peaceful and we have not seen it. Yesterday as we were getting ready to leave for Gymnastics Regan threw up everywhere. Then he kept throwing up all night. Early on into the morning. Then Josie comes in at 3:00 a.m. and said she is sick. I got her a bucket and thought she just needed to go to the bathroom and laid her down and a few minutes later she came in and said she threw up. So she has been throwing up since then also. We are camped down on the couches. They each have a bed made and their buckets on towels and we are ready. It does amaze me that when they drink a few sips of water it seems that double or triple the amount comes back up. CRAZY! Anyway, Regan is asleep and Josie is hopefully going but she is still sick. Regan I hope is done with it. Well, now Regan is awake. He does seem a little better and I hope it is done. We will see. I also hope it does not go through everyone. Well, things are good. We will get this over with. I hope everyone stays well!

Sad.

2008-09-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

Family is very important for me. When we were up in Canada last year we got to spend time with our cousins from Utah. Shauna and I are 6 months apart and whenever we get together it seems like we have never been a part and we can talk and talk.

Shauna was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I went to the Team Shauna Blog and her family is working together to beat this. I hope everything goes well for them and for her. If you want to go to the website to see how things are going you can. I was just going to put that I have never really been touched by cancer closely but 4 years ago Neil had some tests done and we were told most likely he had hodgkins disease. It was very shocking and we were ready to do what was needed. He had 2 biopsies and later was told it was gone. Whatever was there is gone. It was amazing and we are very grateful for the outcome. You just never know what is going to happen or what things we may need to go through.

Anyway, All the best to Shauna and I love you and hope for everything to go well!!

Love Carrie

The Family is a comin!

2008-09-21T18:45:00.001-07:00

Well, I am going to be having a baby in the middle of October. My family (for some odd reason) find it very hard to get down here to Iowa. Las Vegas is usually the spot they go. Not Iowa, why not I ask myself. Anyway, everyone would ask if I had family coming when I had the baby and I usually said most likely not. Which made me sad because there is nothing like family. But then my mom and Grandma have ended up deciding to come down. YIPEE!!! I booked their flights for November 8 - 15. I am so excited to have them come and visit. I wish more would come but I take whoever I can. I am excited to have them come and see the baby and have my mom with the kids. They love their grandparents so much. I am so happy they are coming and we are counting down. It will be a lot of fun.

I think I have posted it before but Madison is even going to live by them when she grows up and has kids so her kids can be near their grandparents. Neil said, "But we will be your kids grandparents." She said oh ya but I want them by grandma and grandpa. Regan at least once a week tells me he wants to ride on Grandpa's tractor. They miss them. So I am excited when they get to be with them.

Well, Neil is home and it has been so nice. We went and ordered new King size mattresses to go with our beautiful wood King bed frame. I am very excited and hoping that they bring wonderful amounts of blissful sleep to me who does not always sleep until my legs stop being restless. I am hoping that it leaves after I have the baby (the restless legs feeling.) Anyway, we will see. We get it next week.

Well, the kids are in bed and we are down for the night. We are off to bed and hopefully a long nights sleep.

Out of the mouth of babes.

2008-09-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

I had to laugh yesterday when Madison brought home a paper from school. It has a spot to put your special place. She put home. That is sweet. Then around it it asks what do you see? smell? Hear?etc. Well, under smell madison put air - gross sometimes. then under hear she put yelling at each other, talking to mom. I laughed. She is always the one to write things like that. I thought it was quite funny. So at home which is her special place it smells grows and we yell at each other.

Anyway, today was going to be a busy day with a soccer game at 8:30 and then Primary activity at 10:00 - 12:00 and then Neil is going to be coming home at 3:30. Well, our soccer game was cancelled!!!! YEAH! Most of the kids were up getting ready when they called and let us know but they are enjoying watching cartoons this morning. We will go to the primary activity and then come home and get ready for daddy to come home. It will be fun.

Anyway, we are going to take a break and watch Ariels Beginning. Have a great Day!

Kids.

2008-09-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I dropped Josie off at preschool this morning and it was harder than I thought but I was still okay. She was pretty quiet when I dropped her off. We drop them off on the sidewalk in front of the school by the street. When I left driving down the road it started raining harder and I felt sad. I am sure she will have a great day and she will come home happy. I am happy she is doing this because I think it will be really great for her. Especially to go to full day kindergarten next year.

Anyway, Regan and I came home and it is raining which is a nice excuse to stay inside and relax. Regan was a little grumpy so he ate and then I gave him some ice cream. I am folding laundry and cleaning up. So it has been a good morning so far. We will pick josie up in a couple of hours and it will be nice to see how her morning was.

I am so glad that the kids are enjoying school. Austyn loves middle school and has been walking to and from school this past week. We live maybe 5 blocks from it and she has a friend she walks with. I am glad that she is enjoying middle school. She is such a great daughter. She is also growing up. I watched Father of the Bride with her yesterday and I cried a lot during the movie just even thinking about her growing up and moving away and getting married. I know it will be a while but I am sure I will look back and wonder where the time went. I am trying to enjoy every minute with the kids which can be hard sometimes when you are ready to send them away but I always try to think about every minute I have with them.

Ridley and Madison are also enjoying school. They are all well behaved kids so we never have any trouble with that which is nice. They get along with people and teachers. I talked with Ridley last night about school and how things are going. He really likes it. He was kind of asking questions about when I have the baby and what will happen with them when I am in the hospital. Neil is going to take 1-2 weeks off and so that will be nice. He is really good to have the kids when I am in the hospital (which I call my resort) I love my hospital stay. He will bring them up and then take them home when it is to much. Anyway, I think I had a great talk with Ridley.

They are great kids and it is when they are gone to school or asleep that I really can look back and miss them. When they are around and not getting along at times it gets very frustrating. They are great though and I am a lucky mom.

There are my thoughts for today. I will get back to putting the laundry away and then vacuuming and then we are done for the day. Have a Great Day!

Almost 2 weeks down.

2008-09-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Well, we are almost at 2 weeks down of Neil's trip. Then 1 more week. It has not been to bad. Things are going quite well. I sure am glad that the kids are in school. That has sure helped. I took Josie to her Preschool orientation this morning which was really fun and I think she will really like it. She starts on Monday Woo, Woo!!! I think she will have so much fun at preschool!

I have loved getting the kids to bed and sitting. It is 7:15 and they are going to bed soon to read. Some nights they get to read for a while when they go to bed a little earlier.

Anyway, things are going well. I like to sit down and have some treats all by myself, Ice cream, licorice, chocolate, whatever is around. I don't eat all of that at once but some of the stuff.

Well, I am running out of things to say as I am feeling really tired and like I am starting to get a cold.

Good night!

Life

2008-08-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been meaning to write about this for a while but GAS IS DROPPING IN PRICE. It is now 3.55 here in Cedar Rapids. How wonderful is that. Anyway, I am excited to see it finally going down instead of up.

Also, we just took Neil to the airport today. So his flight should be leaving in about 4 min from Cedar Rapids where he will fly to Chicago, Germany, and then to Toulosse France. He will be there for 3 weeks. Wow. I think I will be very ready for him to come home. I will only have 5 weeks left though in the pregnancy when he gets back. So I am looking to that also. Getting it all done.

Well, school starts on Tuesday. I think we have had a good summer. We have gone swimming quite a bit. I do think that it will take Regan and Josie a while to understand that there is no more pool though. Regan today said Bever Pool and I told him it is closed cause winter is coming. Hopefully it is not right around the corner but that makes me sad that we will have to go through winter again. Hopefully it is better than last year. But I am really excited to get everyone off to school again. I find myself getting very irratated with kids not getting along with each other. And luckily it is not all the time but there are times I just say to myself that I cannot wait. It is time.

Well, hope everyone is enjoying the back to school time of year. Good luck!

Comments

2008-08-19T08:26:00.001-07:00

HEY EVERYONE I am so excited, I have comments. Sorry Shea and Chelle and Alicia that it took me till now to see you have commented. I am very excited.

Anyway, 1 week today until school starts. I have thoroughly enjoyed my kids being home but it is the natural circle of life (which is great) that brings the fall back and school starting again. IT IS TIME!. I am ready for them to get back to school, not so ready to wake up and make lunches but I am going to try and do a lot at night before we wake up. We will see how long I stay that organized. They are outside playing right now because it is not going to be such a humid day and I just needed a little peace and quiet for a minute. I am going to vacuum and will get to it as soon as I am done this.

Neil is leaving on Sunday for France for 3 weeks. School will start while he is gone, Ridley will turn 7 while he is gone (so we are celebrating his birthday tonight) but we will do it.

I got my haircut last night and I love it. It is quite short in the back and a little longer on the sides. I feel Sassy. I really enjoy getting my haircut and finding a cute hairstyle.

Anyway, Thanks for the comments. You made my day. Shea, I saw you had cancelled the supper. I totally understand why. Hopefully we will be up next summer. There is a Calgary Marathon that Neil was looking at running in but this year it was in July and next year it says it is in May. That would not work us. Anyway, we will see what happens.

Nauvoo and other things

2008-08-07T20:42:00.001-07:00

Well, on Tuesday I drove down to Nauvoo with the kids. There was a friend and her kids that went also. It was hot and we had a lot of kids together but it was really great. We got to sit and watch the pageant that they put on for I think around 5-6 weeks in the summer and it was wonderful. I saw it a few years ago and I really enjoy it. I love Nauvoo, I love the temple there even though the Alberta Temple will always be my favorite. I love the Nauvoo temple and all the history that surrounds it. I can remember seeing where the temple stood before they built it and then driving into Nauvoo after they had built it and it just makes you want to cry because it looks like the picture you see of back in the 1800's when the temple was there. It is amazing that they could have built this beautiful building with out all the things today that we have. AMAZING. I love it. Well, after the pageant which ends at around 10:00 p.m. we set out on our 2 hour journey home. We did not get going until close to 11:00 just getting the kids all together and settled and it is hard to stay awake but we did it. It was very worth while.

Well, things are going well. Neil has been off of work this week. He is taking a couple of weeks vacation and we have really been enjoying him. We have all gone swimming and it is so nice to have the extra set of hands. He has gone out and played football with the kids a lot, which they love. It has been really nice. He is going to be going to France again so we are enjoying him while he is home with us and not working.

Well, I put the kids to bed at 8:00 p.m. tonight. They just all seemed like they were having a rough day and when they seem sad and somewhat not getting a long I love to put them to bed early to get a great sleep. They all went down and I have not heard from them at all. Well, I saw Josie a couple of times but she went right back to bed and I have not even seen her for a while.

I went and got school supplies today and that is always an adventure. I took Austyn and Madison with me thinking they would help out and at one point I thought to myself I have really got to stick with just coming myself. But they did pretty good. The only thing Walmart did not have was pencils. They were totally out of pencils. So I will get some next time.

Anyway, we are getting ready for Back to school. Just a few weeks away. ENJOY THE REST OF SUMMER!

YEAH!

2008-08-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

There are two things lately that we have desperately been looking for. Ridley has not been able to find his Nintendo DS and Regan had lost Neil's other VW Passat Key, which I did give him in January to play with when Neil was in France and he wanted to hold Daddy's key. So really I blame Neil but anyway, on Friday I thought we have really got to find these two things that are not cheap. Well, I cleaned the TV Room and moved the couches and cleaned under the radiator and everything. Well, we did find the DS under the couch which I swear I have looked under at least 3 times. None the less, I am so excited to have found it. Then I told Madison to take the flashlight and go check for the key under all the radiators. She came running in so excited because she had found a set of keys. But Sorry Madison, it was not it. We thought nothing could have been better than finding those 2 lost things in one day. Well, at least we found one and we will keep searching for the key.

Well, this is the start of doing nothing for the rest of the summer. At least nothing that we need to get to. We are all done our summer activities. Now, Neil is home for a couple of weeks for a vacation and we are going to VEG. I think I am taking the kids to Nauvoo on Tuesday. There is a pageant going on and they love going down to Nauvoo. It will be a lot of fun. I am excited.

And that is about all we have planned. The only thing I want to do is finish cleaning the attic which I am really going through closets and cleaning or organizing the mess. I really need my sister here to tell me to throw things away, I physically cannot do it. So one day Heather we will go through my house. But I will finish cleaning the attic and I will get school supplies. Other than that we are swimming and enjoying the rest of our summer together.

I do think my kids are going to go into withdrawals when they go back to school because they do not have a fridge to run to at least every hour. When we go swimming and we are there for an hour they start dying because they are hungary. I just laugh because I tell them they are just not used to being away from the fridge. I know swimming can make you hungry but it is funny anyway.

It is quite hot here. It is so humid I really just feel like I am in a constant hot flash. And I don't even probably know what a real hot flash feels like. The dew point is very high and it makes is so uncomfortable. I feel like I am in a sauna. It is hard to breath especially after climbing a lot of stairs.

Anyway, I do hate winter, I do hate winter, I do hate winter.

Very nice story.

2008-07-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

http://largerfamilies.blogspot.com/2006/06/never-alone.html

I just saw this post on my friends blog that she took from someone else's and I laughed and probably would have cried if I wasn't so mad at the screaming going on behind me from Josie and Regan. Anyway, It was very nice and I love big families. I love always being there for each other although I am 1400 miles away from mine right now. But Neil and I have always wanted a big family. We do get funny looks when we go to restaurants like "OH NO look what we will have to deal with" but by the time we leave the waitress is always complimenting the behavior of our kids and what great eaters they are. THat is nice to hear.

I am always told I have my hands full when I go to the store. One day a few years ago Madison asked me "Why does everyone say we have our hands full". I thought that was very cute. I told her it was because we had a lot of kids and some people were not used to it. I love my hands being full. More when they are not screaming at each other (the two youngest ones) but none the less I take a little break and try not to freak out and deal with them and then it can be quiet again for a while.

Now I am not saying you have to have a big family. You can have whatever you can have. We have just been fortunate to have been able to have the children we have received and I wish I could have kids for everyone. Although not now at this point in my life because I am having a rough pregnancy and I think it is because I am getting older.

Anyway, enjoy your families and have a great Day!

Sisters

2008-07-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

I know I have talked about this before in one of my first blogs but I sure do love my sisters. I don't think there is anything better. I really would love to live by them. Friends are great and I love all the great friends that I have but when it comes down to it family will most likely do anything for you or help you in any way needed. My sister and I talked tonight about how nice it would be to live by each other. She is such a great cook and she could help me organize and get rid of stuff like no one else. She is great at throwing away things. I REALLY NEED THAT. Anyway, I just want my sisters to know I love them so much and I am so sad I am missing the Magrath parade with them tomorrow. I love to visit with them and see their kids and be around them. Luckily that bond will always be there even though we are 1400 miles apart.

I am totally ready for Neil to get home from France. I am really excited to have an adult to converse with. I love my kids (especially right now that they are quietly in bed). But it gets tuff doing it all by yourself every day. It is nice to have that extra set of hands around to help.

Well, one month tomorrow school starts and that is exciting. I am really trying to make the summer fun for the kids. We still have one week of swimming lessons and one week of Austyn and her flute lessons. I am really excited to be done everything so we can just do whatever. I would like to go down to Nauvoo to the pageant. It is a lot of fun. The kids love it and the only hard thing is driving late at night to go home. But it is well worth the drive to watch the Nauvoo Pageant.

Well, I am soon off to bed. Hopefully I will not be bombarded with kids on my last night of being in the bed myself. I seem to get them all coming in throughout the night some nights and it gets quite squishy.

Anyway, life is good and I am happy they are here and I love them. Goodnight friends, family, Sisters!

Lunch

2008-07-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a couple of friends that we like to go out to lunch around once a month. I stole the title from "The Office" for us and call us the "Finer things club" I think that is what they called it. Anyway, Gretchen and Charee and I have a lot of fun and it is always nice to go out and enjoy each others company. It was very nice and we had a great time.

I think we all have colds or something. I am sneezing and my nose is running and eyes watering and I thought it was allergies and now everyone is doing it. Either we all have the same allergies or it is a lovely summer cold. Whatever it is it is not very fun.

Neil should be home on Saturday unless the switch his schedule around but it is looking like they will not do that. Ridley has really been missing him and he will be taking a couple of weeks off in August so I told him today that him and Ridley can do a lot of stuff together. They will have fun.

Austyn is having a sleepover tonight and Regan and Josie love Micah. They are all in the TV room right now and can you say good nights sleep for me!!!! No I am just joking. We will see what happens but I am pretty sure Regan will end up with me.

Well, things are going good. I hope we get over this cold or whatever it is soon. I always think of such great things to blog about but I have a very bad short term memory and if I don't do it right then I usually forget about it. I cannot wait until August because we will have nothing to do. We will just have to have fun before School. I hope to get down to Nauvoo to the Pageant down there before it ends August 8. It is really a great pageant. I like it a lot. Although if we don't stay down there it ends up being a long drive home because it ends late but I might book something to stay down there and enjoy it. We will see.

Enjoy your summer everyone it is going quickly.

Here we go.

2008-07-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

Well, we were supposed to leave on our trip last Sunday when we were planning on coming. I am sad we are not going up and seeing everyone but also very very happy that I don't have to think about driving all the way up. Hopefully one day we can move closer to home but I would hate to leave here.

Well, we are on our last couple of weeks of swimming lessons and flute lessons. Not much else is going on. Thank goodness!!! August we have nothing going on so I am very excited just to have nothing to do. I need to go get school supplies at some point. We should also be hearing if Josie is getting in to preschool this fall within a couple of weeks. That will be nice for her to do that. We will see what happens.

Well, the weather has been great. Not very hot. We have had humidity but it has been worse in other summers so I am glad it has been fairly good. I feel like I can't breathe sometimes but I think it is just because I am at that time in the pregnancy. Anyway, I hope everyone is having a good summer.

KEEP COOL!

Spa Day

2008-07-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I just had a great Spa Date with my great great friend Sara. She is very wonderful and it was great for both of us to go and get this done. It was so nice. I was feeling guilty at the start of it because I feel bad doing anything for myself but I rationalized it by saying if Neil would give me back and feet rubs I would have have to spend money getting it done at the spa. Well, I really enjoyed it. I feel so rejuvinated and relaxed and excited. It was really nice.

Anyway, Sara is going on vacation and so it was great to do this before she left.

I wish that everyone could go to the spa and relax. It is great. I am just walking around and smelling my wonderful Citris smelling lotion and feeling great.

OKAY, well we are slowly getting less busy in our summer. We are done Golf, we will be done Swim team this saturday at our last Swim meet. It is at 7:15 a.m. so it is early and I will be hauling all the kids at 6:30 in the morning to get there but FUN. Anyway, then we just have a couple more weeks of flute lessons and swim lessons and we are done. August there is nothing going on. Just getting ready for school and having fun.

Well, I just wanted to let you all know if you get the chance go to the spa.

BYE.

Summer, Summer!

2008-07-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is going great. It has been busy but I am excited for August because we have nothing going on. Neil is off in France. He will be there for a couple of weeks. We are on our last week of swim team and golf which is very nice. I think the girls are done with Golf. We will just have to get through swim lessons and whatever else pops up.

Anyway, the kids are kind of falling apart around me. We are getting ready for swim lessons and I better go get everyone ready.

The 4th of July

2008-07-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

Well, it is the 4th of July and we are having a bar-b-q with friends today. It think it is so funny that we as Canadians are hosting an Independence Day Party but it is all good and we are excited. I would like to get 2 children in particular to nap so I am hoping that will happen. I am going to get things really going pretty quick. We have been cleaning up the deck and yard and getting everything ready and I have started making some cupcakes. They are going to be red,blue and whilte. As for Fireworks we will see what we can see from our house. Most likely not much but I will pull out the good old sparklers and let everyone do that for a bit.

I call today a celebration for Canada and Independence Day. We will do one big bar-b-q. I hope everyone is having a great day!

HAPPY JULY 4th!

When I grow up.

2008-06-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well, summer has been really good so far. We are enjoying the warm weather. Other than the Flood of 2008 which shattered the previous flood crest it has been a very nice time. We have enjoyed the swimming pool, golf, playing at the park and I am sure there are some other fun activities that we have done. We are not going to be going up to Canada this year. We were going to go but with gas prices and the way I am feeling with the pregnancy and how tired I am, I just don't know if I can do the drive. I am excited to stay home and just enjoy our summer together.

There have been a couple things this last week in which is really hard for me to let my children go and grow up. Austyn (11) was invited to go to Adventureland in Des Moines with a friend of hers. She worked for her money that is cost for her ticket and was great. She left at 7:00 a.m. and all day I just had to think to myself that everything was fine with her. I stayed up until Midnight in case she called because she would not get home until then. She stayed at her friends house and they had so much fun. She came home safe and that is great. We just took Madison this afternoon after church to Camp Wapsie. It is a 3 night camp with the YMCA. She is with her Best Friend who is wonderful and I know they are going to have so much fun. It will most likely be harder on me than on her that she is gone but I am okay. I am not looking forward to teenagers because of the worry that I will most likely have. But I guess I will use baby steps to try and feel better about letting them go out in the world without me by their side.

Anyway, things are going good. Neil has his flight booked for France next sunday. He will be gone for 3 weeks. It will be hard not having him around. One good thing I get the bed to myself and I can lay out have pillows all around me and hopefully not be waken up by kids coming in so I can have a great sleep. We will see. It is also nice not to have suppers ready for him when he gets home. We are always excited when he gets home. He will be going a lot in the next few months. I think he is lucky.

Well, I have a child pulling on me so I will run for now.

Times at Walmart.

2008-06-24T12:43:00.001-07:00

I had a friend that blogged about her experiences at walmart and I was laughing today as I was there with my experience. I took the girls to golf which is 1 hour and thought I would run to walmart, take some pop bottles back and get a couple of things. Well, I drove up and got to take pop bottles and realized everyone had the same idea. There was quite a line up of people. I checked what people were taking back and got in line to put plastic bottles in. There was someone in front of me that had quite a bit so I sat and waited. There is another plastic bottle thing but it was full so you could not put more in. So I waited. Luckily Regan was happy. Then, we waited more and when she was almost done it was full so there were two full ones. A guy was there and he emptied it so she started again. Then something happened and it said not working get staff. Dang! So instead of waiting anymore there I went to customer service and returned them there. Great, one thing done. Then I went a got a couple of things I needed and by this time it was almost time to get the girls. I ran to the gas station to get my pop that is always cheap in the summer. (It is 32 ounce fountain pop for .69 cents) It makes my summer. I would love slurpies with ice cream more but since they do not have good slurpies here at all I get the fountain pop and it is great. Anyway, I ran and got the girls. MISSION DONE. We got everything done and came home.

Austyn and Neil went last night and shoveled a basement out downtown and they did say it was quite aweful. I feel so bad for the people that were affected and since we are not going to Canada we will have lots of opportunities to do some service. I know they would not even allow me to be down there being pregnant and they would not allow anyone under 12 to be down but Austyn has wanted to help so bad and so Neil went down with her. They were saying that there were teenage boys who were to cool to where masks that were throwing up after for a while because of all the toxic stuff they were breathing. Austyn and Neil wore a mask and I think Austyn was very happy to help out. Ridley was crying because he wanted to help out but I told him there would be other opportunities to help out.

Well, we are not coming up to Canada this summer. We have done a couple of trips, we went to Georgia for a nephews baptism during spring break, we went to Fargo, ND for Neil's marathon, and it all seems to add up. We love our family but I am somewhat relieved not to drive for 23 hours by myself with 5 kids and 6 months pregnant. I did do it last year but I was not pregnant. I think I am getting old and they are harder on my body. We are going to go to Nauvoo and go to the pageant down there one day this summer and the kids are in Swim lessons until the 1st of August, but we have a family pool pass and we do a lot of swimming. We will have a great summer it just won't be the same to be around our family. I hope they come and visit us sometime. Hint Hint!

Well, Make it a great day.

More gum

2008-06-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks like our night was not over with, with the gum. Josie came upstairs with Madison who told me she was trying to get Peanut butter to put in her hair to get MORE gum out. I could not believe that twice in one day she got gum in her hair. Josie is now banned from gum until I think she will not get it in her hair. She has never done this before so it is quite weird. I got some vaseline in her hair gave her a bath right there and washed her hair. Her hair is totally gumless and all cleaned. Hopefully today is a great day! It sure is beautiful out. Hope everyone has a great day!

What a day!

2008-06-20T18:08:00.001-07:00

There are crazy days. This was one of them. I woke up actually nice and awake and ready to get the kids breakfast. We ate and then I had everyone get ready to go get groceries. I took them to the dollar store to get a few toys for the summer and then we went to a couple of other stores and got groceries and then hit sams club for lunch. I was so excited to be driving home from our morning of shopping with all the kids and on the way home Josie informs me that she has gum in her hair. I asked her where she put her gum and she said she lost it. I imagine it somehow ended up in her hair. I just had to laugh because if I let it get to me I would have run off the next bridge. JUST JOKING! but I did laugh. When we got home I told her to just wait until I got all the groceries out and I would take care of her hair. There was ice cream that had been sitting for about 1 hour and I really wanted to get things in the house and put away. Well, Madison ran out and told me that Josie was cutting her hair. She was trying to cut the piece of gum out herself. I was not very happy. She luckily did not take too big of chunk off. I am sure if I would have let her have at it she would have. I got the gum cut out and got everyone laid down for a nap which was very nice. I also vaccumed up a WII cord for the sensor which was not great also. It will only cost 10 dollars to replace which is about 100 less then I thought it would cost. Lots of fun. I do love it when summer is out. This has only been our second week. I am still loving summer but it might get old it a bit.

Things are going well with the water. At least it is all going down. So many things are destroyed. IT is aweful to see and watch the news as they show the library destroyed and all the businesses. We will make it. Hope everyone is not in water and stays dry.

flooding.

2008-06-12T11:37:00.001-07:00

Well, we are totally flooding here in Cedar Rapids. Luckily we are still dry but down town is totally under water. It is crazy. I can't even believe the pictures are from our city. There have been so many evacuations downtown and I just can't believe it. Anyway, if you log onto www.kcrg.com you can see some of the pictures of what is going on. The KCRG TV 9 studio is downtown and they are without power, water and it totally reminds of a movie when the world is ending and they are staying to the end. Anyway, we are good so far but I can't believe how bad it is around Cedar Rapids and some towns all around. Anyway, hopefully we will stay above water and this will all get better soon.

ITS A BOY!

2008-06-04T17:36:00.001-07:00

Well, we are having a boy. We are all really excited, especially the boys because that means 3 girls, 3 boys. Ridley was very excited to have a new brother.

It has been really rainy here. Our spring has not been very nice. About as nice as the winter. Which was really not very nice.

I had a day today to do nothing. But when I say that I would love to just sit on the couch and do nothing all day but my nothing means we just don't have to leave the house. I was very tired this morning. I helped our neighbor to let her dog out on Sunday night around 11:00 and Monday morning around 6:30 a.m. and then Monday night again and Tuesday morning. So those late nights get to me. Also we stayed up until Midnight on Monday night watching the Stanley cup playoff game and went to bed after the 2nd overtime. I was happy to see that Pittsburg had won the next day. Anyway, I got up around 5:00 a.m. this morning because Josie and Regan are kind of not feeling good and kept coughing. So when all the kids went to school I laid down and kind of fell asleep for an hour. Then I was being woken up to much so I just got up and got the kids what they wanted and then started cleaning and then laid them down for their nap and then cleaned, cleaned cleaned. It was really nice. I got the bathrooms all cleaned and our bedroom really cleaned up. It was really nice to look at after it was done. Things just seem to be piled up in a few places. It was all cleaned. ANyway, my children are running around and I am really wanting them in bed right now so I am going to run and do our bedtime routine. Good night all!

Something to talk about.

2008-05-23T06:32:00.001-07:00

I always have great things to talk about on my blog and then I don't get to the computer and when I do I can't ever remember what it was I was going to say. It is really raining right now, which is okay. We laid some grass seed down and rain will be great for it. We lived in Victoria, British Columbia for a few years and so rain really does not bother me. We would just go on with our lives rain or no rain.

Last weekend we went to Fargo North Dakota. Neil ran a Marathon there. It was a lot of fun. The hotel was great and it had a great breakfast every morning, which is my favorite meal of the day. The kids had fun in the pool, and there was a GREAT king size bed that at times when I was laying in it surrounded by pillows it was a good as heaven or so I think. Anyway, it was great. Neil finished the race despite leg cramps at mile 5 but he did really well and we are very proud of him. He wants to do a couple next year. The Fargo Marathon and then there is another one in Minnesota sometime in June next year. He enjoys it. We went to the Red River Zoo in Fargo which was really cute and the kids had a lot of fun. We just made it a nice vacation.

Anyway, kids are doing well. I am watching the bus pick up Austyn and Madison right now. Ridley's already came. I am glad it is Friday and next week we have a 4 day week and then our last week after that with 4 1/2 days. YEAAHHHH!! I love it when summer comes!!! I am also equally excited when school starts again but I love everything to be done for the summer just to have a break and relax. I actually I always picture sleeping in a little longer in the summer and usually it never happens but I am always excited for it none the less.

I have started a jar of jobs that every day the kids will do one thing out of it per day. Some have FREE DAY written on them which Austyn was quite excited about and then I said you can't look through all of them and she was a little bummed. It will be fun and have them help out with something every day before we do something fun.

We are going up to Canada this summer. I booked Neil's flight. I will be going up July 20 - August 10 - 15th. Neil is flying up July 24th - August 5. The kids are very excited for it although after our drive to Fargo Austyn was a little not excited for the 22 hour drive. Fargo is only 7 hours away from us. But I have found as we go down to Georgia and Fargo and Canada, it really does not matter how far you go a trip is a trip. But I try and make it fun and enjoyable. We get to see a lot of things on the way. But I try not to stop very much for sight seeing. So anyway, we are all excited to come up and see everyone up there.

Well, I am signing off. I have my 2 year old wanting to go eat. He already got some waffles but I guess that did not do it for him. He has been really clingy lately and I just think I need to go away for a week and get him over that but it would probably kill me to be away from the kids.

See you later!

SPRING

2008-05-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

Well, it is getting warmer here in Winterland Iowa. Actually the Snow is all gone for a while now and it has really been nice this week.

The kids are doing well. They amaze me so much all the time. I really enjoy them in my life. I love to take every minute with them and enjoy them and help them or do what I can to make life fun for them. There are times I like to just sit but I really like to do things for them.

Today is a cleaning day since we have not one thing to do. I do not have one thing on my calendar for today which amazes me. I am so excited just to do nothing but catch up and enjoy the night.

Well, I had more things to say but now I cannot remember anything because I waited to long to write it. I sure enjoy reading peoples blogs and how things are going with them. It is a lot of fun.

BACON

2008-04-26T17:24:00.001-07:00

Well, the other night I think I totally could have eaten a whole package of bacon. I had fed the kids supper and I totally was craving bacon so I cooked it up. I did share some with the kids because I know they like it also but I really could have eaten it all. The unfortunate thing about being pregnant and eating bacon is you don't feel like it after and it is all you can smell for 2 days. Oh well.

Things are going well. I found my first varicose vein and I am really sad. I thought I was free and clear of them because I have not had them with any other pregnancy. Well, I had a pain on my leg and I just thought it was leg pregnancy pain and then I saw it last night. I was pretty sad. I called my sister because has dealt with them more than I have. Anyway, I guess we are starting that. Not fun.

We had a crazy week but luckily soccer has been cancelled most of the week. The only problem is they keep rescheduling it. Oh well, the kids love it.

I took them to the Coralville Mall last night because the children's museum was free and so was the merry-go-round. They had a lot of fun. We got home and got to bed by ten and I was hoping they would have a good sleep in. Most of them did which was nice. Right now everyone is bathed and ready for bed. Neil is reading Narnia with Ridley, Josie is watching a movie laying down. Austyn is reading Nancy Drew, Madison is cleaning the attic while she watches tv. (I hope anyway) and Regan is down here pushing a truck around. It is very quiet and we are winding down and going to get to bed early. Life is great!!!

Spring may be on its way.

2008-04-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

Well, spring may be on its way. We are supposed to get warm this week. It was very nice and sunny today but still cold. We will see. We went down to Georgia for Spring break. It was nice. Very nice weather which was nice to see. The kids had fun playing with each other. The drive back was long. I have kind of felt lousy all week. Hopefully it starts getting better.

Josie asked me the other day "How the baby got in my tummy?" I was kind of stumped for a bit. Actually I still am. She is 4. Anyway, things have been going well.

It was Stake Conf. today. I went with Josie because some of the kids were not feeling good. The choir sang "All Glory Laud and Honor" It is very pretty and I love it. There is another song that we sing in the choir that is "Praise to the Man" A very neat arrangment of it. I love singing in the choir.

Anyway, I can't think of anything else that is going on.

My Van looks so Pretty!!!

2008-03-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have not been in Iowa for this long, long, cold snowy winter it has been that. It was finally a day not around freezing and I went out after I laid down Josie and Regan and cleaned it. Inside and out. It looks so pretty and I am so happy. My poor Lilly (my van's name) has had a hard winter and there are lots of bumps and bruises on her. But I think she is okay. There is one little dent in the back that I just got the other day because I ran (for the 100th time) into our neighbors behind us Yardy (that is what we call the big green bins that hold yard waste and nothing else.) Anyway, I always run into it and end up with no dents but alas this last bonk was pretty good. I kept thinking they are made of plastic and they just bounce off the van anyway or at least that is what I have been thinking since I never kept getting a dent. But this last one must have got it just right. I love my Lilly. She is a great Van.

I am glad that winter is over. I think I can say that without another snow storm coming. We have had quite the winter and I am glad to have some warmth today. I just looked and it currently says that it is 53 degrees with the wind chill at 47 degrees. Let me tell you this is a nice day. My daughters had to wear capris to school and it felt quite nice this morning at 40 degrees so they wore them.

It is off to gymnastics tonight and I will take the 3 older kids to do their class and I will help them teach. Fun fun.

WHO I AM!

2008-03-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

I am getting better at technology. I have finally put a picture on my blog. I am happy to know how to do that. Neil figured out how to get all my pictures off my camera and that was really nice. Now I need to get to know how so I can do it. I picked this picture because I have been thinking that we all have ideas of how we want to grow up. Maybe at this age to be princesses or other wonderful things. I am a Mother and I love being that. I don't know if you would have ever told me I could have 6 kids one day that I would have believed it. We are expecting our 6th Child in October. I am scared, only to have 3 kids home next year and keeping sane but mostly excited to be the mother of 6 great kids who amaze me and who I adore. We have so much fun together (most of the time). Sometimes I lose my cool but mostly I try to have fun with them. Anyway, I love friends and I could not survive without great friends who mean a lot to me.

We had a great enrichment tonight. We had a great meal which is one bonus but they also did a play on how Relief Society was started. It was so neat to see or picture how the sisters got together and helped each other. It still happens like that today at least in our wonderful ward. There are many great sisters who would do anything for each other. Well, it was really nice and I loved being with my friends. I would do anything for them.

Life is good and I hope everyone thinks of happy things they are thankful for and enjoy in life!

It has been a while.

2008-03-15T06:19:00.001-07:00

I apologize for it being a while. I enjoy reading blogs of my friends and wonder why it sometimes is a while between blogs. It has been a while for me. Things have been fairly good. Everyone is feeling good. Regan is on Antibiotics. So he is feeling great. I hope after this last round that he is finally free from them. The weather is getting better outside. YEAH!! It looks like a mess with leaves and dirt outside but at least it is getting warmer. I still get chills at times so I cannot wait until there is 80 degree weather. We are in the high 30s and 40s right now. I cannot believe we actually go outside in our swimsuits in the summer. I can't imagine it when it has been so cold.

My days have been going well. We are going to a french restaurant tonight with people that Neil works with who are from France. So that should be interesting. I hope it goes well.

I love my kids and when I look at them I can't imagine my life without them. Sometimes Josie pushes the limit but most of the time I couldn't live without her either. They are a lot of fun and I love their happiness and love. They are great kids. Well, that is it here. I will try and not be so long getting another blog on!

Happy day

2008-02-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

Well, we just had a foot of snow dumped on us within the last 24 hours. It is very beautiful I must say. The kids had a snow day so that meant we did not have to go anywhere. After lunch the kids bundled up and went outside to play. I think they were out there for a few hours. The younger two were sleeping. It was nice. I did my run, which just about killed me but I did it. I am very happy about it. But we had a great day. I think I shoveled our front walk and steps 3 times today and the sidewalk in front of our house and my neighbors house. But it was great to be outside and it was very peaceful and beautiful.

I finally got my permanent implant tooth in on Monday. I was so excited to have it done. It was February of 2005 when I went in to ask the protodonist Dr. Haganman about it. Then I went to Dr. Parks the orthodontist for Braces, then I went to Dr. Fredricks the oral surgeon for my bone graft and my surgical implant and then I just went to Dr. Haganman again and got my permanent tooth in. I am really happy with it. Before it was on my retainer since I got my braces off and so I knew if I didn't feel my retainer then I knew I forgot to put it in. It has happened a few times that I have left the house to go to HYVEE and realize it was not in. Now I don't have to worry. There will always be a tooth there. A pretty expensive little tooth for everything I needed done but it is very nice.

Anyway, I was singing songs with Josie tonight and we were singing Jesus wants me for a sunbeam and when she sang the sunbeam part she said sunbeep. It was so funny. I tried to keep singing without laughing because it was so cute. we did get through the song but I think she thought it was a pretty funny song the way I was laughing a little. Very Cute.

If anyone would like to buy snow from us I will sell it to them quite cheap. We have quite a bit of it to get ride of. It is pretty and I do like winter when it is not -40 degrees out. That is not fun. But when it is around freezing I don't mind it.

Well, I am off to let our neighbors dog out to go to the bathroom. THis is my last night to do it because she will be home tomorrow. I am happy about that. I have been doing it for the last couple of weeks. I don't mind doing it at all because she is such a great, sweet neighbor but I am always glad when she gets home. Good night!

Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired

2008-01-27T19:02:00.000-08:00

I got the title of todays blog from my friend Elizabeth. We were talking today and said that and that is what I felt when I started to write this entry. Regan was really sick last week, they thought he would need to be hospitalized. I was worried and Neil was in France but he ended up not having to go in. It is Viral and he just needs to get over it. He has been sick so much this winter it is aweful. I just want him to feel better. He will get better for a couple of days and then be sick again.

Anyway, I cannot wait for Summer. We are actually having a couple of nice days that are 36 degrees today and around 40 degrees tomorrow. After what we have been having that is Wonderful. I don't like cold. I enjoy the snow but this year it has even been too much for me. It will not stop snowing. It is fun to look at though. I am just done with the cold. I have to go over and let my neighbors dog out for the next couple of weeks while she is gone. I have the 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. time. Another neighbor and friend has the 6:00 a.m. shift and then someone else takes care of during the day. I am glad it is a little managable out there. Did I say I don't like the cold?

Well, Neil got home on Friday night. It is sure nice to have him home. Ridley had a Gymnastics competition on Saturday and I took him. Just me and him it was so peaceful. He did really good. I love the energy at competitions. It makes me want to put on a gymnastic suit and get out there and compete. (Okay, kind of). It is sure a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the 2 hours of driving each way with just Ridley in the car playing his Nintendo DS and I just listened to the Radio and enjoyed the peace.

Well, we are starting another week. Fun. Fun.Fun.

France

2008-01-17T16:45:00.000-08:00

Well, Neil is off to France. He left last Sunday. We have been doing okay. There may be a chance in the summer I can go with him if he ends up going. We will see. I would be very excited to do that. We will see how it goes. It is getting very cold here. I don't like dragging kids out when it is cold. Also, I took Regan to the doctor for the thousanth time this winter and he now has tonsilitis and brochitis. I am tired of cold and sickness. I am soooo ready for summer.

HAIRSPRAY

2008-01-06T15:03:00.001-08:00

Well, I finished watching Hairspray and that is such a great show. It makes you want to get up and dance first of all. I loved seeing John Travolta as a girl and couldn't help staring at him and chuckling how they can make him look like that. It was great. It really made me sad about how segregation was such a part of history and that I am glad that people have moved on and hopefully it doesn't matter what you look like. I LOVED IT. It was really a great movie.

Well, back to school tomorrow. We moved to 11:00 church today and that was great. It was nice to have time in the morning to eat and get everyone ready and then get to choir. I even put a chicken in before I left so we came home and ate a nice big lupper. That is what we are calling it now because it is between lunch and supper. We came up with Lupper on our way home from church. Anyway, it was a great day.

CANADIAN

2008-01-01T19:18:00.001-08:00

Okay, I know this is my second post with in Minutes but I had this on my mind earlier and I just remembered it. We are from Canada and no matter how much we love it down in IOWA it is not our roots. Sometimes I think it could be but today as I watched the outdoor hockey game with the Penguins and Buffalo and all the Hype that went with it being an outdoor game and how all these guys grew up playing on outdoor ice made me long for Canada. Then they sang the canadian national anthem and I said to Neil,"Doesn't that make you want to go back to Canada". He just looked at me funny. Anyway, in Canada every little town has an ice arena and I can remember when the one in our town was outdoors and it was cold but there is nothing like it. Plus when you are a kid it doesn't matter how cold it is. If you are having fun it is great. Anyway, there are times when I long to be back up in Canada. Just because that is my home. Although we do love it here in Iowa and I do consider this home. It is not like home in Canada. Eh!! Anyway, that was just on my mind. Good night!

NEW YEAR

2008-01-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

Well, Happy New year everyone! How wonderful Christmas was. We did not do anything. Everyone took turns being sick but it was not throwing up sick it was just cold sick. It was Great to have nothing to do and we just did that. I love new years. A time to reflect on life, on things to do better, or work on.

The kids start back to school tomorrow and I am sad because it has been so nice to just veg with them and have fun. I think they are excited though to get back to their friends and away from me. Well, it has been great to have them home and I DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE ANY LUNCHES FOR SCHOOL OR GET UP AND GET EVERYONE READY. That is great. Well, 5 more months and we are done for the summer. I cannot wait. There is a lot of snow here in Iowa with all the Ice and snow storms. It is very pretty. Today it was cold. I just ran out now to get Neil and I a hot fudge sundae and it was -15 degrees Celcius. COLD.

Well, I hope everyone has a great year and we wish you all the best.

Carrie

SCHOOL CLOSED

2007-12-11T05:38:00.000-08:00

I am so happy there is no school today. It will be fun to stay at home and look at all the ice around. I don't know why I am so excited for no school. I think I get to a time that it is just nice to not do anything during the day.

I went to the outlet mall in Williamsburg yesterday and that was great. My two friends and I had a great time. I can't wait to do it again. I even found the pants I wanted to get Neil for Christmas, Although he tried them on when I got home and they I should get a little bigger size, Darn I have to go to the outlet mall again. FUN FUN.

I feel bad when I look at other peoples blogs and they have great pictures throughout them. I have been trying to figure out lately why I am so technologically not with it. I think I have come to a little bit of a conclusion. When I was young my little sister always wanted to marry a doctor. Me, I wanted to be laura Ingals (that could be spelled wrong) I wanted to live on the prairie with a dirt floor house and raise chickens and so on. Also, things AMAZE ME. Like Cell phones, Cars, things like that. It just amazes me you can talk to people anywhere and when you drive you are sitting and hitting a pedal. I know this blog thing is making me seem nerdier and nerdier. But I have been wondering what my deal is with technology. So that right now is my deal. I want things to work right when I do it. I hate to have to figure things out. Maybe I don't have the time to sit and figure them out. Anyway, whatever. That is my thought lately.

Hope everyone is having a great before christmas feeling. I wish the best and safest holidays to everyone!!

Energy of christmas.

2007-12-04T20:24:00.000-08:00

I think there is an energy about Christmas time. As I was getting Ridley off the bus today it was snowing and quiet. It is so quiet when it is snowing and there is something about it that really makes me happy. We have our decorations up and hopefully tomorrow I will get out and get the tree. We are really behind this year. We usually have it sooner than this. I love to sit in the dark with the christmas lights on and just sit. I have a big smile on my face just from the energy of the season. I am kind of a nerd but that is okay. It is a great time of year and there is only 2 weeks and 3 days of school until Christmas break and that is also exciting. No more making lunches, getting kids up, making breakfast, pushing kids to move faster so they can be ready for when the bus comes. Good times. I love christmas and everything that it is about and that great energy that you feel. Enjoy!

THANKS

2007-11-21T12:10:00.001-08:00

Well, it has been a few weeks since I wrote on my blog. My mom came on November 10 until the 17th which was soooo nice. It was one of the most busy weeks of my life though which I feel bad for her but she helped me get through it which was nice. We had a great time. I ended up getting an implant in my mouth that was supposed to be done in December but they called and had a cancellation. Anyway, between joyschool, lunches out, activity days, gymnastics, babysitting and the implant and the baptism it was a crazy week. Thank goodness my mom was here to help me.

Well, thanksgiving is tomorrow (Down in the USA) We are going to a friends house which will be nice. I don't mind doing a dinner for just us but it is a lot nicer when you can be with people and have a lot of fun. It has also been nice to just not do much this week. We have really taken it easy after last week. I got a couple of movies today and we are just going to relax. I am doing some baking for tomorrows festivities. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2007-10-31T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well, the kids are out in full force trick-or-treating. What fun. There is a lot of excitment as we get ready for trick-or-treating. Make-up, candy, costumes and finding time to fit a healthy supper in there. We had homemade chicken noodle soup tonight because it is going to get cold. Oh, I am glad I remembered, I quickly went and lit the pumpkins. Thank goodness I remembered. Okay, I got sidetracked from writing and have pulled the vacume out, got a batch of fresh buns in the oven and the kids came and needed gloves. But I am going to vacume. Anyway, Halloween is fun. I am tempted to take all the decorations down as I am sitting here but I will hold off until tomorrow. I hope all of you had a great and safe halloween. ENJOY!

my Day

2007-10-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I woke up this morning. Got the kids ready for school. Neil went to work and I started to Clean up. I like to get the house cleaned early so I can try and relax while the kids are sleeping but I end up doing something like raking or cleaning the van out or cleaning the attic or something. So I vacumed, got firewood brought in for the fire place, put the dishes in the dishwasher, took out the garbage and recycliing, started a load of laundry, ran over to our neighbors house to let her dog out to go pottie, and then came home. I just grabbed a couple of cookies to eat and then thought I really should eat some breakfast and the chocolate cake I made for me to snack in is all gone so now I am eating a bowl of cereal. I figure that is better than cookies. Well, soccer is FINISHED for the fall season. It is going to be nice not having to add in soccer practices into our schedule for the next 6 months and then the spring season will start. I will be ready for it. I have the fire going and it is so relaxing to sit and watch. I enjoy fire in the fireplace.

We got the pumkins carved over the weekend. The kids were excited to do that. It was fun. I cooked the pumpkin seeds which they love and of course I over cook them. But in my defence I had hamburgers on the barbque, and fries going in the oil so there are 3 things you need to watch carefully and at least our supper was great. Susie,(my neighbor/friend) said you need to sit and watch them so I will be going that next year. Sorry kids. Well, life is good. My mom is coming out in less than 2 weeks and we are all excited. It will be a lot of fun.

Well, enjoy the season of falling leaves, colder air(I don't enjoy that), fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate, fleece blankets. It is a beautiful day!

Not much going on.

2007-10-22T13:48:00.001-07:00

Hi all. Not a lot has been going on. I guess just life. Kids, Soccer, I guess the usual stuff. Regan woke up with a fever this morning so that is not fun but nice because it is nice to stay home and sit and hold him. It is getting colder here in IOWA our 70 degree weather is gone for now and probably until next summer. The kids are excited for winter. I think they really like the snow but if it is like last winter it took a while to come. I think I am going to make a nice toasty fire in our fireplace and curl up after I go teach gymnastics. Life is good and I hope everyone is doing well. It is funny that I think of a bunch of things to say when I am not at the computer but as soon as I sit down at the computer I go blank. Well, this is our last week of soccer. I AM SOO EXCITED. The kids love soccer as I have said before which is good but I am just happy to not have to get up saturday morning and that is all we do all day. So it will be nice. Our last week of soccer practices every night. Great! I am also excited to have our evenings back. Well, I am going to run and see how Regan is doing. He is playing with the kids. I don't like it when my kids are not feeling well. I feel bad for them. Well, hopefully it does not last long and at least he is not throwing up. Knock on wood.

Stumped.

2007-10-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

I am a little stumped on things to say. I think of a little thing here and there and then I get to the computer and really can't think of anything. We are getting ready for soccer tonight. Madison has a practice from 5:30 - 6:30. Ridley's is 5:30 - 6:00. I am the coach. Then we have to run home grab Austyn, Josie and Regan and then run to Activity Days. I am the leader and tonight I will be hauling all my kids. FUN. NOT. Anyway, things are going well. Neil had a big presentation today that he was doing to Airbus in France and I hope that went well. I have not talked to him yet. We are excited to have him home. But I think he will be home for a bit and then back off to france. Can you say, AIR MILES. That at least is one thing that is good is he is racking up some airmiles. Except Austyn has been watching the news to much and seeing airplane crashes and now does not want to fly anywhere. She said the other day, "Who needs to go to Hawaii, we can just to California. That will be so much fun. There is the beach and hotels and Disneyland." She really does not want to fly anywhere. I told her she may change her mind sometime. And if not we will just drive wherever we want to go and we obviously won't be going to Hawaii or France or somewhere you have to fly. Oh well. We are a happy family that is what matter. Well, most of the time.

WEATHER AND SOCCER AND FACEBOOKS

2007-10-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all! The Weather is so hot it is almost 90 degrees out. Okay maybe 85 degrees but dang it is hot. We had soccer today. Austyn's game was at 8:00 a.m. that meant we had to leave our house around 7:30. Austyn had a sleep over last night and we ended up going to bed around Midnight. So I was not to excited to get up and wake everyone up to go. We went and it at least it was early and cool out. Then this afternoon we went back for Ridley and Madison's game. Of course everyone is tired. But we watched Madison's game and then I went and coached Ridley's game. And now we are done! YEAH!!! I know, why put my kids in if I don't like it. They love it and that is why. 3 more weeks though and we will be done until spring. I have sure enjoyed Facebook. It has really been nice to get a hold of friends who I went to school with. We grow up and kind of keep to our own lives. Especially if we move away from everyone. I have really enjoyed seeing pictures of kids and learning what everyone is up to. Neil is going to be in France until next Saturday so we are just hanging out. He is missed but again. I guess I don't have to make suppers. Well, hope everyone is doing well!!

Friends.

2007-10-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just had a great cry. Thanks to my friends Sara's last blog entry about her daughter (it was her 13th birthday) and it just made me cry. Anyway, I just had a thought about friends. Also I am rocking out to Weezer (Island in the sun). I enjoy it and pumps me up!!! Okay that was totally cheerleaderish. Oh, well. Anyway, whenever I have a good cry it makes me think of friends and family. Sisters. I love my sisters and wish I could be around them more to do things with them. They are great and although growing up I would have given them away at times I would gladly do anything for them now. COME AND SEE ME SISTERS! I would love to be living closer to them to be able to see their kids and enjoy their company. Okay. Friends. Living away from family, friends help me out so much. Even when I talk to Friends, it make my day better. Especially Sara. She is such a great friend and it is wonderful to have someone around that is so close to a sister. I love friends!! Of course my husband is my best friend. There are also times I could have given him away but I think that is always the case with people we love. I would not give him away now. He is great. Well, there is my emotional stance on friends, sisters, husbands. I love you all!!

I'm off to France, Oops No I am not.

2007-09-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Neil was supposed to leave for France this afternoon. I think of all the peace and quite I will get. I can lay the kids down. Have my house cleaned and have no one mess it. Not that Neil makes a big mess, but our house seems to get messy when he and th kids get home. So I am thinking of the week off of suppers and not having to think about them and then I call his cell phone coming home from church and he said the flight was canceled and he was coming home. I immediately thought, Crap what am I going to make for supper. Oh well, we have him home and it has been nice and he will leave tomorrow to go to France. Anyway, I thought I was with computer but it looks like not right now. Hopefully Neil will get it working today. He has been doing a lot on it. It is the mac mini and as you all probably know I know nothing about computers. Anyway, Another week of soccer games done. It is fun watching the parents all around the TUMA soccer fields. Dragging chairs, blankets, kids, strollers, camera's and whatever else they may haul with them. It is a lot of fun. I think there are only 4 more weeks left. I don't know what we will do when we don't have 5 soccer practices during the week and 3 games on the weekend. Nauvoo Temple here we come!

The Joys of computers.

2007-09-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

I really dislike having my life on computers. I think our hard drive is gone on the computer that I use and that means there are a lot of things that are gone. That is why I cannot do calendering or anything on the computer. Anyway, we had soccer over the weekend. We had a game at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. , and at 11:30 a.m. At least they were all in the morning because we could be there all day if that is the way it works out. Anyway, not much else is going on. It is hot and I cannot wait to see if we have a little fall or a lot of fall. I don't want it to go straight to Winter. Enjoy!

I'm plunging into the Blog!

2007-09-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

To whomever might read this, hi. I enjoy reading other peoples blogs and thought I might get into it and tell you our story. It is always full of humor, drama, mystery, we have it all. This should be fun. Thank goodness it is so easy to work. Well, I got my kids off to school today. I love them all so much but it is quite nice to get them off and start getting the house back in order. It stays in order for the day and then I really can't say what happens but I keep doing it everyday. Weekends are more messy. Anyway,I hope you enjoy the Roelofs Story.