Change

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven (The Byrds)
I feel like life is like that song right now. Kaden started junior high. He's rocking it too. Kyle started 5th; Kameron 3rd; Kate, 1st; and Kami remains my ever faithful follower. Spencer is super busy between home life, work, being a super scoutmaster, brother, son and so on. And I'm here. Here is home, yard, store, church, errands of all types. Here is good. But I often wonder at the end of the day just what I spent my whole day on. 
I remind myself of a good husband and five children who've been fed and loved. And that's what my here is.
Many good things are going on. Saturday was salsa day--really it started on Friday. But I double batch too many things and now proudly have 48 pints of salsa ready to store. Isn't it fun to see that on the shelf?! But it's hard to enjoy the process. I just like the outcome. I have 3 boxes of tomatoes in the fridge waiting to become Italian Stewed tomatoes. But I need more time! Kaden just got braces yesterday. Hopefully he'll start eating again soon. :) Kyle stayed up until midnight last night reading Michael Vey book 1. Kameron just finished another Roald Dahl book today. Kate is so busy being everyone's friend. Kami is busy being two. Really, I think she's the busiest one of all. Two words that she's said lately that surprised me are "delicious," and "crocodile." My two-year-old is a smart one. I'm sure all of the others are too, but mine is cuter. I am blessed beyond measure. And so when I try to figure out what I spent all that time on every day, I'll just remember whatever it was is beyond measure.

We are grateful!

Here it is November 8th and I still haven't had our family start jotting down all the things we are grateful for. So here we go!

Fall 2015 (yes, that was a year ago)

ME:

Crunching through leaves (It reminds me of walking home from school when I was a kid)

Kami falling asleep on my lap yesterday (Makes me stop and enjoy the moment)

Spencer... Spencer... SPENCER (What would I do without him)

SPENCER:

KADEN:

KYLE:

KAMERON:

KATE:

KAMI: (what she would say if she were more articulate--or if we spoke her language)

"Cheese"

Trees

Horses

Dogs ("pup, pup, pup")

Her blankie

These are the days never to be forgotten...

I have been told numerous times lately that I should be writing something down. We've had some big events lately.

First off, Kaden turned twelve! I am still trying to get over it. Here he is sporting his new suit we bought for the occasion. What a handsome kiddo. He is a joy and a wonder. He always has something underway whether it is an insane lego creation--really he should be a LEGO engineer, or a huge book like Eragon or The Hobbit, or he is in the middle of a clever drawing or dialogue. He was ordained to a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood by his father on Sunday. It was a sweet experience.

I was also encouraged to write something down about this historic election that is going on. It's election day today. And much of the country is feeling miserable about the choice between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, both of whom are unfit for office in my opinion. But there are some 3rd party candidates as well and I wish people were more aware of them. Evan McMullin popped up as an Independent a few months ago. Many criticize him for this, but I welcome it. He stood up because no one else did. I am proud that I voted for my conscience and cast my vote for him. He has a very slim chance of becoming president, but I do feel that I need to use my voice to back him because I could not feel good about any other choice out there. He shares a lot of my values. He is also humble and wants to serve this nation. I have heard so many people say that a vote for anyone but Hilary or Trump is a wasted vote. I completely disagree! If we don't vote for the person we believe to be the best choice for US President, then how will we get a decent US President? I respect my friends and neighbors and fellow citizens whether they vote for Evan McMullin or not. But the only wasted vote is the one not cast! It will be intriguing to see what the results of the election are tonight and what the consequences are over the next days, months, and years. I am grateful for my country and for the right to have a say!

 
https://www.evanmcmullin.com/about

Kami

We didn't have a Kami when we started this blog. We didn't plan on having a second little girl or a fifth baby for that matter. But we are so glad that Heavenly Father intervened and sent her to us. She is adored by us all.

This is Kami when she had her first ear infection. October 2015. So sad, but still so sweet.

And this is the day we blessed Kami. August 2015. Her twinner cousin, Preston, was also blessed then. We are blessed with so many loved ones.

More Killian Funnies

I found this in my email. Just haven't posted stuff like this in a while. But they're still funny!


"Throw ice cream in my face then I'll go give him a kiss." Kameron, 3

"Daddy could teach me to play volleyball. He's a professional. Do you know what a professional is mom? It's someone who's super good at something." Kameron, 4

Kameron tucked Kate in: "I just kissed her on the cheek because we're not married" Kameron 5, Kate, 3

Kameron and Kate got caught playing with a bucket of nails at Grandma Simpson's house...
Kameron: "See? I told you it was a bad idea." Kameron, 3; Kate, 2

"If you're going to cut someone open you have to get permission first, right?" Kameron, 4

"I'm going to be a squirrel hunter when I grow up. Then I can climb trees." Kameron, 4

"When I grow up I'm going to be modern art. Daddy, what are you going to be when you grow up?" Kameron, 4

"I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck, and that's what it's all about." Kameron, 4

During Family Home Evening when she couldn't sit still: "I just want to dance!" Kate, 3

"I don't want to brush and floss my teeth it hurts my feelings." Kate, 3

While eating dinner. Mom told Kate she could eat or go to bed. She responded. "I'll behave." Kate, 3

"Are twizzlers fruit?" Kate, 3

"You're messing up my flight plan." Kyle, 5

"I own my bed. You own the money." Kyle, 5

(after eating 3 sandwiches for dinner) "What are we having for breakfast in the morning?" Kyle, 5

"Give it back immediately!" Kyle, 5

"I just can't believe that space doesn't end. But how does space exist if there's no where for it to end?" Kyle, 6

"I'm going to be a vet when I grow up. I'm going to specialize in dogs." Kyle, 6

Kyle: "What's a bra?"
Mom: "You know; it's what girls wear."
Kyle: "Oh, so it's a headband."
Kyle, 7

Kaden: "I'm accountable, I'm nine."
Kyle: "Am I a cannibal?"
(Kaden, 9; Kyle, 7)

“Why doesn't Kyle sit on he couch? He can see better than any of us. He has the biggest head.” Kameron, 6

“I know how to tell the difference between guys and girls. Girls have different looks on their faces.” Kaden, 10

(On Groundhog Day) "Happy Warthog Day!" Kate, 5

(Kameron's in time-out)
Mom: "Kameron, what did you do wrong?"
Kameron: "I can't talk about it."
Kameron, 3

"I feel swell. I feel brand new, like a toy right out of the box." Kaden, 7

"Pretty Kaden." Kate, 1

"I'm sorry for all the bad things I did. I had to say sorry because I don't want to get split up from you. I'm going to repent in the morning, at night, in the afternoon: always." Kyle, 5

"A bug touched me!" Kate, 2, screaming

"This is my princess room." Kate, 2

"Let's watch the Jesus Christ movie." Kameron, 3 (referring to Book of Mormon stories videos)

"Is there a toenail fairy?" Kyle, 5

(Kameron to Mom) "I love you more than my pig stuffed animal." Kameron, 3

(Kate in the Dinosaur Museum) "Me not like that one. Me not like that one..." Kate, 2

(Kate saw her brothers get a new toy) "Mom, that's not fair." Kate, 2

Mom: "Do you want to go to the Christmas party and see Santa?"
Kate: "Yeah, Yeah. And have ice cream and brownie and that's all I eat there." Kate, 2

Kate's excuses: "I'm just too tired. I'm busy right now." Kate, 2

"Me not like Santas." Kate, 2

"I don't like the word adorable. I don't think anyone should use it on me." Kaden, 8

"There's a swerm of birds." Kameron, 7

Potty-training begins

Oh sweet, adorable Kate... What a day!
She is the fourth child I've attempted to potty-train. She is just over 3. She can "hold it" for hours and hours. She wakes up dry almost every morning. She is beginning to dress and undress herself. BUT our potty party today was not quite as easy as anticipated.

We did have a lot of fun with our girl party today. We opened presents--like Strawberry Shortcake movies, girl legos, and littlest petshop teensies. We read stories, played with playdough, and painted nails. We had tons of special treats. We played at the park. I was exhausted after playing with her for 8 hours straight.

Unfortunately we didn't have a lot of success on the toilet. Either she doesn't know how to make herself go on cue or she simply won't allow it. She simply holds it for hours until she bursts. And when I put her on the toilet every hour or so, she cries. I am sure extra patience was sent my way because I was able to stay very gentle with her, but I am glad the day is over. I will keep extra prayers pouring out for success or at least endurance.

But at least the process has begun. Diapers no longer have a place in this house. Maybe we'll be cleaning a lot of clothes, sheets, and floors, but it will end sooner or later. PLEASE BE SOONER!

What boys think spas are for

I overheard this conversation between Kaden (8) and Kyle (6):

Kaden: I wish I could go to a spa right now.
Kyle: Why?
Kaden: Because they're so relaxing. They put pickles on your eyes. I bet that stings though.

Rain, Rain Go Away

I just read my entry from last July--Summertime Blues. And I felt awful that this also happened to be a blue day too. Is July just like that? I must need to change my perspective. But it is raining outside as I type. I guess it's raining inside too.

I feel overwhelmed. We moved into a new home a few weeks ago. It is so fun to have a bigger home. We have a bigger yard. We have actual closets. We have a two car garage. But truly, we felt guided to move, and to move to Lindon. And here we are. I know we were guided here. Our neighbors are wonderful. The house needs so much updating, but it is wonderful too.

But the kids and I are at a major stalemate. Maybe it's the move? Maybe it's me? Maybe it's both? I had to pull over in the middle of the street today to stop them from fighting. I tried to calmly explain that we don't act that way in the car because it distracts mom from driving and we don't want to get in an accident. I had a couple of kiddos switch spots. Then we continued on to the restaurant for lunch with grandma, which was still rowdy and exhausting. I feel like I can't take them anywhere lately, but I do it anyway because I so desperately want to get out. AHHHH!

Rooms are messy. Laundry doesn't get put away. Toilet paper all over bathroom floors. Toothpaste and spit all over sinks. Legos everywhere. When I remind people of how we treat our house, it doesn't seem to register. I can threaten. I can take away privileges, but no one seems to care. Except me. I get all wound up. Ready to blow. Beyond ready.

Luckily my husband must have known this and he emailed me a link to a great idea.
http://realityfhe.blogspot.com/2013/07/two-simple-words-my-children-must-learn.html

I like this lady. I think we are kindred spirits. I will have to let her know that her post helped me feel like I was not alone in the war after all. I think we will be practicing those special words at my house tomorrow.

I also think I need to lighten up, get a better routine set in this new home, and seek God's help more.

I adore my family. I love my kids so much. And hopefully tomorrow I will show that better than I did today!

Summer Squash with Rice

I love the squash and zucchini coming from the garden. Sauteed with a drizzle of olive oil is my favorite, but this was a fun new way to eat it.

Summer Squash with Rice

2-3 cups cooked rice
2 medium squash, quartered then sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
olive oil
salt
fresh ground pepper
parsley
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheese

Saute squash and onion in olive oil until beginning to brown. I love it carmelized!
Add cooked rice, sour cream, and cheese. Add parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

We ate it alongside a Caprese salad. Great tastes of the season!

Summertime Blues

Why am I feeling the summertime blues?
June was packed with a stomach bug, fevers, croup, strep, paying $600 for a car to pass safety inspection, and buying a $500 washer (which broke during the stomach bug).

July must be better. It must. There is no where to go but up. Unfortunately we learned yesterday that our furnace and central air system was not the best choice for our home and needs a variable speed motor to help our house cool properly and make it so our pipes don't ice up again. $1000. Before this emergency we were going to be done paying off student loans in September. Now I'm not so sure.

But on the up side, we have $1000 in cash to hand over for the fix. And it will be fixed tomorrow morning. Then we need to hurry and save that tiny emergency fund back up for the next emergency. But maybe it could wait a couple of months. Please.

In all honesty, we have done some fun things this summer.

• Family reunion
• Family camp-out (at Grandma's house--so the cooking and facilities were exceptional!)
• Million Dollar Quartet Broadway Show (thanks Dad and Mom)  
• Picnics, Sevens Peak outings, Friends
• And we haven't missed Family Home Evening in a good while!
• A great husband and 4 cute kiddies 

So now it doesn't seem so bad after all. I guess we'll make it.

Ramblings on Money

Spencer and I started our Total Money Makeover last year. Sometimes it feels like it's taking forever, but we are getting close! When I get impatient about it, Spencer has me review what we've accomplished and it always makes me feel better. We really are going to make it. So here we go. Here is my review since I'm in need of a pick-me-up.

January 2011--We had a goal to do something better with our money that year. (Before then it seemed that we would save up, then have an emergency and spend every penny--this was a vicious cycle.) We wanted to be more prepared for the future--for future emergencies and for retirement, college for the kids, mission funds, and fun stuff too.

February 2011--We read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover (thanks to Dad and Mom). We got super pumped up about budgeting and preparing for the future. The whole point is to get out of debt, save for a rainy day, then save like crazy for retirement. "Live like no one else so later you can live like no one else." The reason we got so hooked on that book is because it's principles are the same that are taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the same principles that our grandparents lived by. AVOID DEBT(or get out of it), SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY, BE PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE.

March 2011--We cancelled our credit cards. (Since we don't want any debt, why would we want a credit card to tempt the fates?) We started living a strict budget. We prepared a spreadsheet that helped us plan all of our monthly bills along with other things that needed to be saved up for like car repairs, Christmas, school supplies, soccer lessons, etc. Once a month I would go to the bank and get out CASH for our monthly expenses and the other things that we'd save for. (I always feel like the bank tellers cringe when I walk in with my list of how I want the cash divied up). I put it in a small file with an envelope for each category. When the cash for groceries is gone, no more trips to the grocery store. No borrowing money from the birthday fund or oil change fund. Then every extra dollar gets put against debt. In March our debt consisted of a hospital bill, car loan, and student loans.

Progress--It is 14 months later and we have paid off the hospital bill, car loan, and are getting rid of student loans in September (cross your fingers)!

Next--After our student loans are paid off, we will save up a big EMERGENCY FUND that will cover at least 6 months of basic expenses. That will feel so good!

Proof--I keep a list of the "emergencies" we have paid for during this money makeover period--we were able to pay for these things with CASH and still work on getting out of debt. This is not to boast, but just to show that it is possible. It makes me feel good for what we've accomplished.

• New wheels and tires for the Odyssey $1600
• Tubes for Kate's ears $600
• Garage door repair $185
• New clothes dryer $360
• New dishwasher $350
• Bed and mattress for kids' room $250
• New mattress for Spencer and I $1300
• Laptop repair $180
• Lawn mower $380
• New clothes washer $550

 My favorite things about our money makeover:

• Having mad money/blow money--this keeps us sane. We can live tight on everything else, but Spencer and I each get a small amount of money that is no questions asked. Spencer saves his up, but I usually spend it on a good deal at the grocery store or on redoing something at home. It is so fun to have some money budgeted for us to use however we want!
• I hope we are teaching our kids good things about money! Spencer drills them:
• (Spencer) Are you ever going to get a credit card?
• (kids) NO!
• (Spencer) Are you ever going to get a loan for a car?
• (kids) NO!
• (Spencer) Do we borrow money?
• (kids) NO!
• Security! We are preparing for the future. We want to be able to retire with dignity, travel, and be able to do good things for other people. How good would it feel to be able to be ready to help out our parents or loved ones or friends.

Truth--the only reason we've been able to accomplish all this is because God has blessed us. We have committed to try to live within our means and He has helped it become possible.

Kate Funnies 2012

"MINE MINE MINE" (age 1)

"3, 6, 9..." (age 1)

Kameron Funnies 2010-2012

"Oh, man!" (age 2)

"Scooby-Doo, where are you?" (age 2)

"A, B, C, D, E, F, G, 9." (age 2)

"I'm 2 old." (age 2)

Mom: "Did you eat all the bacon?" (age 30)
Kameron: "No, I ate the bacons." (age 2)

"Don't worry Mom, I don't spill things." (age 2)

"Cinnamon rolls make me happy." (age 2)

"Please help me with my math." (age 2)

"If I see a bad guy, I'll rip up his shoes and throw them in the trash can." (age 2)

"Scooby-Doo is strong and my daddy is strong." (age 3)

Kyle Funnies 2010-2012

"I'm as clean as a bubble." (age 3)

"I'm allergic to forks, I really am." (age 3)

"I'm going to go crunch my numbers before bed." (age 3)

"I was going to break out in goosebumps." (age 3)

"What's for breakfast?" (cereal) "That doesn't sound very exciting." (age 3)

"Mom made a patch of breadsticks." (age 4)

"A gopher came through the vent. I ate it." (age 4)

"What does Jesus eat for breakfast?" (age 4)

"My leg pit hurts." (age 4)

"I sure am handy with my feet." (age 4)

"When I have kids I won't put soap in their mouths when they say naughty words." (age 4)

"My heart's going to break out in goosebumps." (age 4)

"This is my bedtime feast." (age 4)

"In the old days there was no electricity. There was no power. Only Jesus had power." (age 4)

"We shouldn't say bad things like 'hey, I'm smokin'.' " (age 4)

"If Jesus asked us to move to the South Pole, we'd sure do it." (age 4)

"They shouldn't litter. Littering is bad. We should have a council." (age 4)

"Let's play duck, duck, human." (age 4)

"I'm teaching Sister Seguine about compost." (age 4)

"Vultures are the most dangerous birds. We should stay away from them." (age 5)

"Kung Fu Panda is my favorite movie ever and I haven't even seen it yet." (age 5)

"My new shoes came with a good luck guarantee." (age 5)

(Doing sand art in a bottle) "If you mix it up you can call it modern art." (age 5)

"Can I have some more teeter-totters?" (age 5)

Kaden Funnies 2010 - 2012

"I'm just pretty sorry, not all the way sorry." (age 5)

"Two nights with broccoli--yea!" (age 6)

"You can climb on my back to get the Christmas decorations down." (age 6)

"Santa Claus wears a tutu." (age 6)

"Let's play Duck, Duck, Goose. I'll be the one who ducks and gooses everyone. I'm the gooseman." (age 6)

"When I die, I'll be good for Heavenly Father." (age 6)

"When I grow up and have kids and a wife, I'm going to be really nice. Sometimes I'll give my kids timeouts and mostly I won't. And when my kids say please, we'll have donuts every week." (age 6)

"Do unto others as they've done unto you." (age 6)

"Sometimes when I see spiders it gives me the freaks." (age 6)

Kaden: "Our brains control our bodies, but what controls our brains?" (age 6)
Dad: "Our spirits. It stops there." (age 31)

(Kaden and I were talking about paying off student loans...)
"Why are you paying for it when you're not even going there?" (age 6)

"When I grow up I think I'll be Kyle's high school teacher." (age 6)

"I'm getting goosebumps and they're sad ones." (age 6)

"I am going to be filthy and rich." (age 7)

Kyle: "Did you know that smart phones are even smarter than people?" (age 5)
Kaden: "But smart phones don't know how old Santa is." (age 7)

Kaden: "I'm going to build myself a burial chamber for when I die." (age 7)
Kyle: "No, you should live in your burial chamber." (age 5)

Killian Funnies

I talk to my mom on the phone. A lot. And I often tell her my kid said the funniest thing... I tell her about it. Then she asks me, "Did you write it down?" Well, I always mean to, but it is just one of those things that never happens. So a couple of years ago Spencer and I started keeping a little notebook in the kitchen and we TRY to remember to write those goofy things down. And it is so fun to re-read them! We've also made a couple of photo books with the funny quotes and family photos--that's as close to scrapbooking I get. The kids love looking through them and so do we!

Needed inspiration

Spencer and I recently listened to President Uchtdorf's talk, "Of Things that Matter Most." Oh boy did I need to hear that! Here are my favorite (AKA what I need to work on the most) parts:

"We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.

"Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

I am guilty of linking my self-worth with the number of things checked off of my to-do list! I recognize that I am frantically running around a lot of the time. I don't want to miss out. So I am going to try to live the words of this wise man. I am going to try to simplify and enjoy the good things more. My family, my Savior and Heavenly Father, and the restored Gospel are the good things!

Christmas 2010