January 2020

Well I already missed a week but trying to push through and get back into the habit of blogging.  This weekend was short and frustrating.  Caroline had a soccer tournament in Austin so Shawn was gone with her all weekend. Saturday afternoon we tried to meet up because Caroline didn't bring proper clothes to change into and Shawn forgot the camping chair.  I was making great time until I got about 10 miles from the outlet malls and got stuck in horrible traffic.  Like it was going to take 45 minutes to go 10 miles.  So that was frustrating but oh well.  George is also just super whinny and gets so mad when he feels slighted which is all the time.  I had zero patience last night and was so ready for some quiet time.  George also lost his first tooth a few days ago and I really hope I don't forget to put money under his pillow!  He was so excited and kept saying, "Now everyone in our family has lost a tooth."  Like he's now officially part of the family.  He can be so sassy sometimes.  Two weeks ago he was playing a game with Devin and they both thought the other one was cheating.  This isn't a huge surprise because if my kids are loosing they tend to think the other person is cheating because they think they are amazing at everything and should never loose.  Anyways, George got really upset and thankfully it was time for Devin to go to karate and as he was leaving George yelled, "Bye cheater!"  in his little angry voice.  It took all my willpower not to bust up laughing.  Well I'll call that good for this week.  Short is better than nothing!

3 Year Catchup

Ok I know I tried to do this two years ago but I'm going to try and blog once a week this year.  Not nearly as much as I used to but man our kids were hilarious and they love reading about what we did when they were little.  Since moving to San Antonio we've done tons of fun stuff but with how much the kids are doing its harder to find time to blog. So one of my goals this year is to make time for it.
I think i'll also include what the kids are up to these days.

Caroline:
This girl loves soccer.  We found an awesome coach through the YMCA to do volleyball with then also stayed for the soccer season and she loved it so much she is now at a club playing goalie.  We spent almost every weekend at a soccer game last fall, its so fun watching her but also exhausting traveling to do so.  She's also starting high school in the fall.  What is happening!?

Devin:
After lots of frustrating teachers not agreeing with me that he had any learning problems his forth grade teacher finally saw what I had seen for years.  He has ADHD and since forth grade has done amazing in school and enjoys it a little more now that he doesn't get lost in is own head all the time. He also started karate a few years ago and is about half way to his black belt and has learned some really cool stuff.  He showed Caroline how he could take her down really quickly the other day, we stopped him when he tried it on George though.  He also started middle school and well its middle school.  It's fine but loud, long, and a little overwhelming.  He has good friends there and is kicking butt in class though.

Graham:
This is my kid that wants to do everything and anything.  He has done soccer, baseball, and now basketball through the YMCA.  Hopefully he will enjoy it and have a good time.  He also is quite the artist and loves to draw with his free time.  He is also my little foodie buddy.  He will try anything and is way more fun to eat with because he likes lots of different kinds of food.  He also enjoys making himself an egg for breakfast most mornings.  He loves school and his teacher loves him, is friends with just about everyone and fun to be around. He is also really good at frustrating his siblings, just keeping it real.

George:
I feel bad George doesn't have a lot of stories from when he was little because I stopped blogging.  But honestly the older kids are missing a few years as well.  He is super shy outside the house but quit loud when at home.  He starts kindergarten in the fall and will be the oldest kid in his class I'm hoping that will be beneficial to him.  He has a best friend right across the street, Surya, and I love that he has a friend so close by.  They are also only a month apart it is fantastic.  George is super spoiled and I keep thinking how different his early years are from Caroline's.  He definitely needs to hear no a lot more.  Maybe that should be my other goal for the year.  He is pretty athletic and is learning how to swim in hopes that he can join swim team this year with his siblings.  I"m excited.

Its a little weird not having a little baby at home anymore but I really do love it.  Those years felt long but now it seems like time is going a little too fast.  Its so fun to get to travel with the kids without worrying about naps diapers and the million other things you have to deal with babies and young kids.  We've done cruises, and traveled lots more and have so many fun plans for this year.  Life is good, so much so I"m worried something bad is about to happen because we are so lucky.  I'll leave it at that for this week and hopefully be back next week.

Graham turns 9

It feels like time is moving at rapid speed these days.  How is my sweet Graham 9?!  He is such a sweet kid.  When I met with his teacher this year she said he was he kind of kid she would want her kid to be friends with.  It made me feel pretty good and reminded me of his blessing that said he has a good heart.  That pretty much sums up Graham.  He likes to cook and will try just about anything, is still an early riser, and loves to be a silly kid.  He is always up for an adventure and so fun to have around.  We love our Graham!

I was able to bring him lunch from his favorite, Taco Cabana.  

Cute brothers waiting their turn.

He’s had a great day.  Donuts for breakfast, I brought him lunch, then the Bear Bash tonight.  We are carrying on with more fun tomorrow. Breakfast, then Fiesta Texas, dinner then the trunk or treat.  Not a bad birthday weekend.  

New Specs

I"m going to try and resurrect the blog.  I really love getting to look back and remember the funny things the kids did that I would have forgotten if I hadn't written them down.  So lets try this again! I thought I would post about George because the last time I posted he was one.  He's now four and a crazy whirlwind of sass, energy and drama.  A few days ago I finally got new glasses.  My last pair were 7 years old and had transition lenses and I hated that.  So I got some new ones and really like them. I was feeling pretty good and thought I would try wearing them for a day.  I felt like I looked kind of cute, nothing too high and mighty,  its hard to look too great with how thick my lenses are.  Anyways when I went to pick up George at preschool he freaked out.  He started hitting me wouldn't gather his things and just told me to take off my stupid glasses.  Thanks kid.  He also said I was stupid and threw a fit the entire way home.  I totally understand that he wasn't expecting me to be wearing glasses but he tries to tell me what to wear all the time!  The next day I was getting ready to take him to preschool and was in workout clothes because I didn't have time to change and get him there on time.  George said, "Mom I don't think Mrs. Maureen likes it when you wear that."  I then asked if he liked it when I wore exercise clothes and he told me no.  So I told him too bad I don't have time to change so suck it up.  This last one is wearing me out!

A Special Valentines

Valentines was extra special this year.  Ashley went into labor and had sweet little Benjamin on Valentines day!  I'm so glad we got to help out with Adam.  He did so well and loved playing with his cousins, so he didn't miss his mom too much.  Holy cow though can that boy stay awake!  I was falling asleep before he even got tired.  We had a fun breakfast and great day hanging out with each other and waiting for the baby to be born.  It was a great day.  I know this is lame but I'm going to include Caroline's birthday on this blog too.  Nothing big this year, but she did get to go out with cousins and grandma since they all came up to see the new baby.  So even though it was low key I hope it was fun for her.  She got to have a sleep over with Mabel in a hotel and go shopping the next day. Next year will be more exciting but Caroline's so awesome she loved every minute this year too.

Christmas and New Years

I was determined to make sure Christmas as normal as possible even in our tiny little place.  We did everything we usually do, caroling, all the treats, the decorations, it was actually really fun!  Christmas was so relaxing and fun.  That doesn't mean I took many pictures of it though.  I've been terrible about taking pictures this year.  That's ok though because I do remember one thing I couldn't have taken a picture of anyway.  While we were out caroling it was pretty warm outside so to put me in the Christmas spirit Shawn blasted the a/c in the van so I would at least feel cold.  It was so sweet and I really appreciated it, nothing big but I love the thought behind it.

The Peterson's came up for a visit before the kids had to go back to school so we were lucky to hang out with them for a few days.  Lots of climbing trees and playing with cousins.  We went to the arboretum and saw the 12 Days of Christmas while it was there.  It was really pretty and also really cold.  We were very ready to leave after number 12, and to be honest the best exhibits were towards the beginning anyways.

One of the most surprising things about the break was Shawn and I actually doing something for our anniversary.  Last year for our 10 year I read Devin books because Shawn was fast asleep because he was always asleep by like 9 during residency.  This year though Shawn got to come home early we went out to dinner and I even got flowers.  Years of low expectations finally paid off because I thought this year was romantic.

We did manage to squeeze in seeing Star Wars before the kids went back so school.  Ashley was nice enough to take George for the afternoon so we I could enjoy it with the big kids.  It was so fun and I'm so excited to be able to do the movies more frequently in the future.  Christmas break was so fun, it was probably the first year I didn't want the kids to go back to school.  Then again I really don't like their school that much this year so that probably has something to do with it too.  We were all really happy to be half way done with this year!

Nutcracker 2015

I know its been months but I'm going to do my best to catch up with the big things I missed. First up is the Nutcracker.  I have been wanting to go for years so Caroline and I were thrilled to go.  Shawn was on call, or had a lecture to go to, so I drove the kids down for a few days of fun.  We had seats so close it was really fun, and beautiful!  So glad we will be close for years to come.

Me and Caroline ready for the show!

Caroline and my mom, the awesome lady who does this every year.  Love her!

Me and my sisters, well not Furnish because well traveling with toddlers isn't fun.  Hopefully next year!

The boys had a great time playing with Papa and hanging out at Brothers house with all the other boys in the family.  I'm so glad we get to live so close!

The Most Beautiful Day EVER

Fall came pretty late this year, well probably on time for Texas but, I got used to fall actually happening in October in Tennessee.  Ashley has the BEST pile of leaves in her backyard and let the kids play in them for over an hour today.  It took some convincing to get them to leave the school yard but once they saw how huge the pile was they had a blast.  Even if Devin only have it one thumbs up instead of two.  He really loves to push my buttons these days.

  

I took over 100 pictures and got one good one of each of them.  I'm not Shady people.

  

George makes this face every time I get out the camera.  Oh and he says, "Cheese!"  Its the cutest thing in the whole world.

  

My beautiful girl that LOVES to boss her brothers around.

  

And my sweet Graham with a super dirty face.  The cuteness makes up for it though right?

  

The is the best action shot I got, I like it.

  

This pill of a child didn't want to come play in the leaves and guess who didn't want to leave.  He's teaching me patience everyday.  ;)  

  

It was so beautiful out today, so glad we live so close to family and they are kind enough to let us play in their leaves.

  

Caroline even made a pile for the babies.  This lasted for about 10 seconds but they sure enjoyed it for the short amount of time!

Devin's Baptism

Now for the whole reason we went down to Houston, Devin's baptism.  I was a little worried Devin or Shawn would be sick on the day of the baptism but we lucked out and the most important person ended up being just fine.  He was baptized and confirmed by Shawn and Steve and Sheri were even able to drive down from Utah for the special day.  It was the best day we had down there.  It was a very simple program but the spirit was so strong and it was so great to remember that these are the most important things we do here.  The rest of the week didn't seem like as big of a disaster and we were able to celebrate Devin making such an important step in his life.  We are so proud of him!
Afterwards we had a little birthday party for him and he had a ball playing with his cousins and opening a few presents.  We then went and spent the rest of they day with Steve, Sheri, Sandra and Phillip and their kids down by League City.  My favorite day of the trip hands down!

Me and my sweet boy.

I think you can tell we had been sick.  Kind of looks like life had been sucked out of us.  And I have a HUGE head. 

Deion was baptized with another boy from my parents ward, Talmage Bodine.

This picture is just too cute not to have in here.

See we didn't forget his birthday!  

All the cousins at Aunt Sandra's place.  This was such a hit, we got out of the car and the kids said, "I want a house like this when I grow up!"  And Mabel was an honorary Funk for the day.  Its the very least we could do since we got her parents sick.  Sorry!

 

Thanksgiving 2015

I had such high hopes for Thanksgiving this year.  It was going to be amazing.  I was just going to help out with cooking enjoy being around all my family and eat as much pie as possible.  That was the COMPLETE opposite of what happened.  Caroline and Devin were lucky to go down a day early with my dad so they could have extra time to play with cousins.  Shawn and I were going to leave early Wednesday with Graham and George, no big deal.  Then it happened I got a pretty bad stomach bug.  I have no clue from where but Wednesday morning I woke up and the thought of food made me want to... well puke.  Not a good omen for the week.  So I called Shawn and he came home to pack us up and leave and make sure the boys were taken care of.  I then got to spend almost 5 hours in the car driving down to Houston with the stomach bug.  Thankfully we brought a waterproof bag because I got sick in the car twice on the way down.  It was the longest 5 hours of my life, and probably Shawn's.
We finally got to my mom's house and I collapsed on the bed.  I felt so much better the next day, just weak from being dehydrated.  Now Shawn was down, and Graham too.  So they missed Thanksgiving at Bethy's and spent it trying to stay quarantined at my moms.  It was really too bad because the food was so good!  I can't remember the rolls ever being that good. I still didn't feel great so I skipped out on the pies which looked amazing and instead was at my moms trying to keep Graham and Shawn somewhat happy.
Devin in the meantime felt like we had totally forgotten his birthday and had a meltdown at Bethy's while I was trying to help Shawn out. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I cried because I felt bad for Devin and for getting Shawn sick and missing Thanksgiving, but mostly for Devin.  It couldn't get any worse right?
Well it didn't for us but we then proceeded to get almost everyone else sick.  Poodle then Lindsey, then Bethany then Dad.  Ryan's family was the only one that went unscathed.  We were able to have some fun after all the awful sickness.  We celebrated Devin's birthday and more importantly his baptism on Saturday.  We had so much fun with cousins and grandparents we decided to end on a high and head home that night.  It was the best decision of the week.  Shawn and I talked the whole way home and it was a blast.  It was so good to sleep in our own beds that night.  So it wasn't the best Thanksgiving ever but we will never forget it!

Caroline and Mabel were crazy enough to get into the pool.  It wasn't that cold outside but the water was definitely cold!

We did have some fun and help Reed put her Christmas tree ornaments up.

I even got a cute little Charlie in my pictures!

All those pies just waiting to be eaten and I just couldn't do it this year.  It was sad.  

Veteran's Day

When Caroline was in kindergarten I really tried my best to go to every party, performance, special moment, you name it I was there.  Now three kids later I really try and probe to see how important the performance is before rearranging my schedule.  I've become a little lazy and with George still on naps I don't have a ton of time to get things done while the kids are at school.  Anyways when Graham told me he was singing for Veteran's Day I thought good for you, tell me about it when you get home.  Then when I told him I wouldn't be there he broke down in tears so sad I wouldn't be there.  So I went not too excited and a little irritated I would have to try and wrangle George while trying to make it seem like I couldn't be more happy to be there.  So Graham's class comes walking in the auditorium and he beams when he sees me.  For that a lone I decided it was worth going.  Then the program started and the kids sang "God Bless America" and did the sign language for it as well.  It was by far the highlight of my day.  Graham LOVES performing and did his signs bigger and more precise than any other kindergartener.  I forgot what a big deal these tiny little performances are to kindergarteners.  He felt so special and we sang "God Bless America" about 50 times that day.  It was so fun to see him really trying his best and feeling so big and awesome.  I love my Graham and I'm so glad he guilted me into going.  It was spectacular!

Graham walking in feeling like hot stuff.  

I should also note that Graham was voted most respectful in his class for school. They take a picture with the guidance counselors dog and announce their name over the intercom at school.  Nothing huge but hey if it help the kids feel important and helps them behave I'm on board.  Caroline also got recognized for responsibility earlier in the year.  Alright Devin time to contribute.  Just kidding.

Wax Museum

I'm pretty sure I mentioned a few months ago that I really don't like the amount of homework the school assigns.  I may have been a little quick to judge though.  Yes there is homework every night but the school also has some really great assignments.  The forth grade here is amazing.  The teachers work so well together and the projects they assign get the kids excited about learning.  In November Caroline had the wax museum project.  She had to pick a person she wanted to learn about, write a short biography about them, then memorize a short retelling of their life, and recite it as they are dressed up as that person.  I think my favorite part about the project is that they did most of it at school.  We still worked on it at home but it was integrated into what they were learning at school.  I loved it.  It was so fun to see what kids were interested in.  All the kids were so well prepared I loved going around to see the different people.  

Here is Caroline as Dian Fossey.  She is the Jane Goodall of gorillas.  Caroline did a great job and since Shawn was on call the night of the wax museum Ashley was nice enough to watch the boys so it could just be me and her.  We had a great time and were even able to grab some hot chocolate before heading home.  I love my smart girl!

Halloween 2015

I was so happy a few months ago when I found out Halloween was on a Saturday.  That meant that we could spend it with all the cousins down in Katy.  It had been an a very exhausting week and honestly going down there is a lot of work but its so worth it!  The kids have so much fun with cousins and Shawn and I love getting to talk to adults!  Shawn can even get work done when he needs to so that's also a plus.  But there is definitely not a lot of sleep going on.  We got in Friday night at almost 11.  It rained about half of the time we were in the car, pretty heavily too so we had to go slow oh well.  Friday the kids played, I got to bake, (it was so nice cooking in a proper sized kitchen!) and we went trick or treating of course.  Bethy is awesome and had a spare costume for George when the one I borrowed from Adam didn't fit.  Note to self, never assume George will fit into something Adam used to wear.  Anyways George looked so cute as a baby Yoda and fit right in with Leah and Bethany and Mabel.  We left back for Dallas after sacrament meeting and are already excited to see them again at Thanksgiving.  Caroline cries after every visit, it breaks my heart!  But I"m so glad we get to have so much family time this year, its so wonderful.

Leah and Annie LOVE George.  They were so sweet to him, it was adorable!

See they were always ready and willing to help him.

The babies sticking together. 

See isn't he the cutest Yoda ever!?

Graham rocked it as Peter Pan!

We weren't able to get Ryan's kids in the picture but at least they made it a few minutes later!  That awesome Storm Trooper in the back is Bethy. See best mom ever.  Oh and George loved her helmet!  

And of course we had to trade candy.  I love watching this every year. 

This is my lame attempt at getting a picture of Devin in his Hulk costume.  Caroline went as Hermione again because when she saw the Black Widow costume she was not impressed.  It was a great, although exhausting weekend! 

Graham's birthday

We had big plans for Graham's birthday this  year, and got rained out.  We were going to go to the zoo and do all the extra stuff we usually don't do like feed the giraffes, and even have lunch there.  It was going to be so fun, and then it rained ALL weekend.  So we went out to breakfast had family movie nights on Friday and Saturday and tried to make the most of it.  Graham is such an easy going kid he was happy with anything.  I love him so much. When Shawn gave him his blessing I remember him saying he would have a good heart and he really does.  He is often the peace maker between Caroline and Devin and always wants people to be happy.  He is his number one fan.  After I had a conference with his teacher she said that he is a very hard worker and good listener.  When I told Graham about he said, "I know, I'm a super hard worker."  No problem with confidence.  If anything he could stand to be a little more humble.  He is still very much my first baby.  He loves to snuggle and watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood with me.  Its something we did when George would sleep and the big kids were at school.  I want to always remember him loving that show.  Happy birthday sweet Graham!  We love you!

Family movie night!  Graham even got to pick, which NEVER happens.  He was pretty excited.

Love his squinty smile.

And here he is downing his birthday pancakes.  YUM!

We let Caroline and Devin tag a long too.

Graham wears his heart on his sleeve, you always know how he's feeling.  He was pretty excited about his presents.

Here he is on his actual birthday.  Such a handsome guy!

We also had a silly string fight at Ashely's house to celebrate.  It was pretty awesome.

Devin wouldn't stand still for a picture but I love how happy this made him.

And this captures Graham's personality so well, I'm gonna get you! 

Corpus Christi

A few weeks ago Shawn interviewed at a hospital down in Corpus Christi.  I remember when he first asked me if I wanted to live down there I said, "NO."  I wasn't interested at all.  Well the job is actually pretty great.  They would have plenty of work for Shawn and doing complex surgeries too which he would love.  The people that interviewed him were so nice.   The hospital flew our entire family down put us up in a nice hotel and just spoiled us rotten.  It was a welcome change.  They even gave us tickets to the aquarium and U.S.S. Lexington.  It was a really fun weekend and I liked it more than I thought I would.  Shawn still has some other interviews but it was great to go down and check it out.  I'm a little worried he could be too busy down there.  If I've learned anything this year its that we are all happier when Shawn is home more.  So that will be a huge factor when deciding on a job.

The kids would have stayed there forever.  Devin was sure we could live in the hotel. I don't think they will care as long as we can get out of this tiny place. 

This is the most random thing I have ever seen.  I went to go get food for the kids before we went out to dinner and there was a pony at a gas station.  I took a picture so the kids would believe me.