One of many campouts this year with James and Micah.
Bruneau Sand Dunes
Bruneau Sand Dunes
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thomas and Gideon crack me up. They are the perfect duo. Thomas is very patient and kind with his little brother. Gideon is fun and adventurous.
This is were I found them after a shower one day. They were the naked boys sailing away in a laundry hamper ship.
Gideon is in love with trains but super scared of Thomas the Train shows. He hides under pillows and blankets whenever we try and convince him to watch Thomas the Train with Tommy. He has now converted to watching Barbie (non-threatening) and Bob the Builder, on occasion.Here is another funny movie of the two boys.
Zeitgeist Half-mararthon
A couple of weeks ago I ran with some fun ladies in the Zeitgeist Half-marathon. It was an exciting challenge with great company. It was the perfect fall weather. This race is growing every year in numbers. I think the 1100 ft gain in elevation is enticing to those athletes who want a tough race.
I signed up the day before and went out to enjoy the comraderie of these fantastic and athletic women!
The kids found entertainment, while I ran, chasing the seagulls. I think they loved getting out of Saturday chores, listening to the band and getting to enjoy the energy of the race atmosphere!
The kids found entertainment, while I ran, chasing the seagulls. I think they loved getting out of Saturday chores, listening to the band and getting to enjoy the energy of the race atmosphere!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Baby Einstein or something else????
A couple weeks ago at Gideon's birthday, I decided I'd better catch my letter prodigy in the act. Who knew that my seventh would be the one to catch on to the English language so fast. We have gone the full gamete with some struggling with letter recognition, verbal language skills and beginning reading. All of the oldest children are now heads and tails above where they academically should be, but they certainly didn't start out that way!
I now silently giggle when new parents worry, brag and work hard to develop baby Einsteins. I have realized, it all comes out in the wash, with nurturing parents and great teachers, eventually everyone learns at their own speed and interest. In fact, in my opinion, the toddler Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum often are the future genius'.
Although I am not a "new" parent, I do find this little boy to be pretty amazing, and worth recording for future laughs. Scott says he likes video two the best. Enjoy a good laugh, our son is certainly entertaining.
Happy Thanksgiving
Today has been a perfect Sunday!
There is something so miraculous about looking down the church pew at all your beautiful, clean children reverently listening to the prelude music...because, yes we were early to church.
There is a great deal of delight being able to hold your sweetheart's hand and scratch his back in church, only because nobody cried to go get a drink, asked to go potty, required a quiet moment in a neighboring classroom (with the threat of life if reverence didn't become that child's top priority) and a patient set of grandparents who were on the entertainment and row blockade committee...beautiful.
I love the meetings that you do not once look at the clock ticking, wondering when your stomach is going to stop grumbling (hot pancakes, chocolate milk, eggs and an O.J. breakfast made and cleaned up before church), the nursery leaders do not bring a sad baby and you come away from uplifting, inspiring and memorable lessons that prick the internal desires to want to be more and serve more, for the best reasons.
How often in life do we have diligent, prepared Home Teachers that come and share a heart felt message tailor made just for us. Unbelievable!
We had a Sunday roast with all the trimmings compliments of a sweet Grandma, Grandpa and brother-in-law, without any of the work...delicious. I even broke out our long coveted Pampered Chef present from years ago and watched my tart apples become perfect, core less, ringlets that became yummy apple crisp, the tempting smell of fall was in the air.
I actively picked out the best traits of my children today and focused on their strengths. I reveled in them all willingly playing hymns on the piano (something I've dreamed about since childhood), reading their own scriptures, playing board games without many disagreements over Monopoly properties, seeing my little boys sit together and read books and noticing little acts of kindness amongst them.
I even played games with the adults after the clean-up was done, which rarely happens, because let's face it when is the work really ever done.
The sweetest moment of the day, although there were many, would be when I sat down for a moment of quiet in the office, only to find an inspired missionary letter written by Grandma Joyce Eliza Forman. I am so grateful for the righteous service and growing testimony of this remarkable woman. She has truly been like a diamond, who under tremendous trial, grief, sacrifice, service, love and devotion to family, over many years, is now a brilliant precious stone of beauty, hand crafted by a loving Heavenly Father. I can only hope to continue not only her Legacy of Faith, but all of the great women and mothers in my life.
I am truly blessed. Today was a Thanksgiving gift, a breath of fresh air, a day of rebuilding and strengthening, allowing my heart to be filled with honest GRATITUDE. After all, Life is lived through the small and simple things.
There is something so miraculous about looking down the church pew at all your beautiful, clean children reverently listening to the prelude music...because, yes we were early to church.
There is a great deal of delight being able to hold your sweetheart's hand and scratch his back in church, only because nobody cried to go get a drink, asked to go potty, required a quiet moment in a neighboring classroom (with the threat of life if reverence didn't become that child's top priority) and a patient set of grandparents who were on the entertainment and row blockade committee...beautiful.
I love the meetings that you do not once look at the clock ticking, wondering when your stomach is going to stop grumbling (hot pancakes, chocolate milk, eggs and an O.J. breakfast made and cleaned up before church), the nursery leaders do not bring a sad baby and you come away from uplifting, inspiring and memorable lessons that prick the internal desires to want to be more and serve more, for the best reasons.
How often in life do we have diligent, prepared Home Teachers that come and share a heart felt message tailor made just for us. Unbelievable!
We had a Sunday roast with all the trimmings compliments of a sweet Grandma, Grandpa and brother-in-law, without any of the work...delicious. I even broke out our long coveted Pampered Chef present from years ago and watched my tart apples become perfect, core less, ringlets that became yummy apple crisp, the tempting smell of fall was in the air.
I actively picked out the best traits of my children today and focused on their strengths. I reveled in them all willingly playing hymns on the piano (something I've dreamed about since childhood), reading their own scriptures, playing board games without many disagreements over Monopoly properties, seeing my little boys sit together and read books and noticing little acts of kindness amongst them.
I even played games with the adults after the clean-up was done, which rarely happens, because let's face it when is the work really ever done.
The sweetest moment of the day, although there were many, would be when I sat down for a moment of quiet in the office, only to find an inspired missionary letter written by Grandma Joyce Eliza Forman. I am so grateful for the righteous service and growing testimony of this remarkable woman. She has truly been like a diamond, who under tremendous trial, grief, sacrifice, service, love and devotion to family, over many years, is now a brilliant precious stone of beauty, hand crafted by a loving Heavenly Father. I can only hope to continue not only her Legacy of Faith, but all of the great women and mothers in my life.
I am truly blessed. Today was a Thanksgiving gift, a breath of fresh air, a day of rebuilding and strengthening, allowing my heart to be filled with honest GRATITUDE. After all, Life is lived through the small and simple things.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Choir
We love North Star Charter School and all the fantastic programs they have to offer. Recently Micah made the Northwest Children's Choir and James Kyle auditioned and has been selected to participate in the Northwest Honor Choir this spring in Washington. I appreciate our choir teacher that looks for opportunities for her students and passes down a deep love for music.
Check out the fun song recently performed by the 7th and 8th grade NSCS choir. (Grandma's the videos don't work if you don't go directly to the blog stevens9history.blogspot.com )
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Moving
So often the windows of heaven open and shower out blessings, when we least expect them. This past week we have once again moved, for the second time this year. It may not seem like a big deal, but 9 people and 14 years of marriage can fill a few trucks...U-hauls that is! We have moved a hop, skip and a jump away from where we were renting this past year. An opportunity has fallen into our lap to have a house to call our home, hopefully for many years. We received much needed help from the top negotiators and realtors we know, securing the home, Jim and Lori Stevens. We also benefited from both sets of parents and a helpful sister spending time boxing, moving and cleaning. We feel very blessed to have security and stability once again. Our children are in the same neighborhood, with the same bus stop, the same peers at church and a beautiful home to grow up in.
We spent Halloween moving and then the days following cleaning and un-packing. The big boys have a quote "schweeet" teenager pad. The room is huge with a walk-in closet, isolated from the other bedrooms, in the basement. Both kids have their own desk, dresser, bookcase and lamp. They feel cool. (Good thing they have never known anything other than hodge podge second hand furniture)
The pictures that follow are for my sister who requested pics of the new pad. I figured I would post each room as I slowly find order again.
This is the highlight of the home...a huge rec room. I finally got my way and we do not have a T.V. in the main gathering space of the home. All movies can now be watched in the sound proof basement...awesome.
The garage set up is tight. We organized all day last Friday. Everything is in a small third bay because the two car garage barely fits the huge van. It works.
More pictures to come as we organize and arrange our new home.
We spent Halloween moving and then the days following cleaning and un-packing. The big boys have a quote "schweeet" teenager pad. The room is huge with a walk-in closet, isolated from the other bedrooms, in the basement. Both kids have their own desk, dresser, bookcase and lamp. They feel cool. (Good thing they have never known anything other than hodge podge second hand furniture)
The pictures that follow are for my sister who requested pics of the new pad. I figured I would post each room as I slowly find order again.
This is the highlight of the home...a huge rec room. I finally got my way and we do not have a T.V. in the main gathering space of the home. All movies can now be watched in the sound proof basement...awesome.
The garage set up is tight. We organized all day last Friday. Everything is in a small third bay because the two car garage barely fits the huge van. It works.
More pictures to come as we organize and arrange our new home.Happy Birthday Gideon...#2
Happy 2nd Birthday to our spunky and delightful baby...Gideon Stoddard Stevens!
Mom went the simple route, a 6 dollar set of bath toys at Big Lots. Dad showed up at home with several Thomas engines and movies. Gideon loved all the excitement around him. 
Today was not your typical birthday. We had less then one day to clean top to bottom our rental home before inspection and carpet cleaners. Gideon spent time following me around with scrub brushes and magic erasers.
The beauty about being two (at least my two year old) is that he can be easily amused and pleased. Gideon is the sunshine in my daily life.
Granny and Grandma came to help with the daunting task at hand. They also gave Gideon big loves and attention. Gideon received many Choo Choo Train gifts from the both of them.
Gideon at Two:20 pounds 6 ounces
Speaks clearly with a growing vocabulary
Takes off his diaper and goes to the bathroom by himself (not always a good thing)
Kisses Mom, Dad, Eliza, Danielle and both grandmas incessantly. If we don't react immediately, Gideon will grab our cheeks and force a big kiss and giggle.
Gideon loves Thomas the Train, story books, doggies, trampolines, coloring and chocolate chip cookies.
Gideon loves Thomas the Train, story books, doggies, trampolines, coloring and chocolate chip cookies.
Gideon loves letters and recognizes most!
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