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.