Busy Friday

I have a "to do" list a mile long. Here is one of my lastest accomplishments!!

When completing the construction of our home, I made sure the painters didn't put any color to the rooms. I wanted to let the kids pick colors and then paint them. So I've actually had this paint for a year, planning on giving Jarom's room some color. Well, it's a good thing I didn't paint right away, because we've moved kids around...and now Ammon is sharing with Jay. I always come up with new ideas and here is one I really got excited about.

You can see it a little, but I streak a brush up and down, side to side. It looks awesome! It took me forever especially with a 7 month old that wants me to drop everything and hold him a lot...but he was great. Jarom loves that he has a room that identifies as a boys room.

On to Rian's room...

Back to the Fundamentals

This election year let's be reminded of these words:

You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage, by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help 20 men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves.

-- Abraham Lincoln

Too Funny!!

Kelli I had to steal this. I thought you were right on when you posted this. I couldn't resist.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Bus Driver Appreciation Day...What?

Yes there is a day for it. But I'm glad, because our bus driver is really the greatest. Of course the first week...okay maybe two, he was in shock that we have 4 children that get on for the same school (and yes a 5th child in my arms), but he really is a wonderful individual. Mr. Ben is an older gentleman, but truly takes care of the children on the bus...first off he doesn't take lip from anyone (go Mr. Ben--high 5 it!). Second I see the respect he has for our children with his knowing each of their names and waving goodbyes. Finally, in inclement weather (many rain days here) he turns down our circle to pick up or drop off at our driveway. So I made sure our children noticed these attributes and allowed the opportunity for them to express their thanks.

For FHE (Sunday nights are best) we made cards and cinnamon rolls. I love to see our children create, especially for someone else.

Tarin's handwriting is getting so much better. I love her drawing of the bus and our "circle street".


Raegan surprised me how well she writes. The squiggles are "lots of writing."

Jarom is my most thoughtful one. He takes time to make things look just right. He tries new creative ways to write his letters. (No Trent it isn't too girly). Rian tries to be creative as well and wants everything to look extra special.

School Fall Fest

Okay, to support the school, we go to the Fall Festival every year. Yep, that is about all that we contribute, to the millions of fundraisers that file through the school. (Millions multiplied by 4...we would be broke!) This year was a bit more challenging. I am the room mom for Jarom's class and...well I needed to run a booth...the rock wall/blow up thingy. That also meant Trent had the 5 kiddies for almost the entire time. Rian found her best girl Riley, and went off on their own. Jarom too was old enough to roam alone or find a buddy. But three little ones and stimulation all around, yeah, you can guess the whining and crying. He was a trooper to last as long as he did.





As you can see Ammon was exhausted by the time they came home. He curled up in the clean laundry and crashed!



Here are the little divas trying to be macho! They have their harness' on and ready to conquer the wall.



Through the wedge and on to the challenge awaiting...


Raegan...this is about as far as she got. She was getting higher and higher and figured it wasn't such a good idea anymore. Tarin, she did about the same height and knew her limit. At least I know that they know their limits and make smart decisions.

Of course, what is a festival without some form of painting on the body! Everyone but Jarom was vandalized. Tarin was green and red.

Raegan choose to be red and black.

Rian sported the red and green. The sun was a bit bright and perfect weather...until it got darker...the breeze and lack of sun made it a lot cooler then anticipated. It was a fun day.

Super "Clean" Saturdays

Every Saturday from around 9-11am our family is busy at work. Just thought you'd like to see what kind of slavery we promote.

Tarin was the most enthusiastic to help this morning. She was washing mirrors and vanity tops/sinks (that enthusiasum comes and goes each week).






Raegan was on the other end of the scale, for being "helpful". She was having a not-so-good morning. She washed a total of one toilet.



Tarin again ready to conquer the world in cleaning. She loved the opportunity to stand on the vanity.






Jarom took over the toilets. He was happy to do it. I don't get it either, but he loved it...but again this excitement comes and goes.

You can imagine what our house looks like after one week of 5 children. So these Cleaning sessions are very necessary. (You can imagine the laundry too...have to start on Thursdays for that.)

Is The Nation Brainwashed?

One more political thing. You have to listen to this...it's only about 2 minutes long, but listen to how "educated" people are. (Audio feed)

http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3

Father and Son Campout/Girls Night Out

We Have Teeth!

For a while now, I've been checking for teeth. Some of our other kids had teeth as early as 4 months old, while others at 12 months. So when...? Well as of this afternoon, two little buds popped up. You can imagine the other kids..."Let me feel, let me feel too..." (wash your hands first!!)

A New Skill

Tarin had just learned how to tie a shoe. She is very proud of herself. Raegan sat down with us too, but her motor skills just aren't ready yet. But if you notice she wanted to be apart of every proud moment. (Tarin's hair looks like this after a long day of school on the days she wears a pony tail)

My Favorite Part...

Jarom brought home some writing the other day. He had to write what his favorite part of fall is. This is what he wrote...

My favorite part of fall is that days get shorter. I like it because school is shorter.

(The logic of a child)

Tagged

Well, I'm not good at these, so here goes...

I am....... Rhonda Honda
I want........ to travel the world
I have....... many dreams
I wish........ I could see how our family turns out in the future (it's a scary world)
I know......... I could be good at photography
I hate........ when our kids get sick
I fear.......... being alone (no spouse)
I hear........... the neighbors doing yard work
I search.......... for time to spend with my husband
I always......... have a project waiting to get done
I usually......... am on time everywhere I go
I am not.......... the clean freak my husband is ;o)
I miss........... having extended family hang out together
I love......... finishing a project
I never.......... forget how much I love my hubby (it's true!)
I rarely........ go out with my husband, we need to do it more.
I cry............ when I'm frustrated
I am not always........ the most patient person to live with
I lose........... my temper when my oldest talks back at me
I am confused........ when football season starts...what's so exciting about it? ;o)
I need.............. to read more
I should.......... be more optimistic
I dream.......... of playing the piano like a professional
I tag....... Jodi, Kiley, Kristin and Riley P.

Movie Review

If any of you have Netflix or Blockbuster to get your movie fix, you know that selection sometimes gets thin. After seeing all the hits and a lull happens you start branching out looking for whatever else looks interesting. Well, with the "hit and miss" philosophy, we have come across two movies in particular. The first movie is Chaos Theory. A comedy/drama/romance movie. I've never heard of it, yet I don't watch much TV except for my fix of Fox News in the morning and TiVoed shows. (FYI their is one scene that will make you "blush") Here http://chaostheorymovie.warnerbros.com/ you can learn more about it. It's actually quite amusing yet emotional. A really good message. (Take that how you may).


The next movie we had just watched is a romantic comedy. Once again, never heard of it. A relatively clean movie with a touch of swearing. It may seem a bit slow at times, but it keeps you interested. It is called My Sassy Girl. http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3621519641/ Check it out.
But you don't have to take my word for it.

Ready To Go!

Although we do have the capacity to watch General Conference on TV, we always attend the Sunday morning session at the church building. (Wow, to go to church at 12 noon instead of 8:30am is a giant difference! Also, having a spouse around all day on Sunday is great!) As you can see they have their bags filled with conference stuff ready to go. **Rian almost looks like a teenager in this pic! She's my little lady.

Cuties

Here is my biggest and littlest boys. (I need to get one with all of my boys.) Aren't they handsome. Like father like son. I'm a lucky girl.

Lately our kids have been playing "camping." It may be a hint to us. But I had to show the tent and bed the kids made for Ammon. They are so creative and entertain for hours at times. Under him is a cushion from a rocking chair. And put him in this tunnel play thingy to look like a tent. Ammon liked it.

Excited

I hope you can see this, obviously our kids are excited for the upcoming holiday...

Home Improvement Divas

This is very exciting for me. To see my girls so excited to create and work for something. Their is a vanity that I had acquired and for over a year wanted to refinish it. Finally I not only had a bit of time, but the humidity is low enough to work this project outside. Here is Rian attempting stain for her first time.

The vanity in the back had to be painted vs stain due to blemishes, but it is an antique piece that will go into Rian's room...its sort of her birthday present among painting her room the color she would like. She's very excited to have her room all nice.

Tarin wanted to get in on the fun. She really enjoyed putting the final coat on.

(I couldn't bare to paint the drawers, the grain and detail were too beautiful...hopefully it will look alright.)

Hair Cut

The big boy got a hair cut. He had cute curls, but they were the old man hair due...all around the sides. So to even it out and allow the back hair to catch up, I cut it off. Now all you really see are the big cheeks and big, blue eyes.

This is the new way Ammon likes to use his pacifier. He turns it around and chews on the edges. I think teeth are coming, but I've been saying that for a few months now. Nothing has cut.

This big boy is also sitting up so well. One day he just sat there, and sat there and sat there. He loves the new perspective. He definitely takes mile stones in strides.

Official

We had just received our passports in the mail. I have to say, when I opened it and saw my picture and information, I had a rush of pride. I've obviously been a citizen my whole life, but this put into perspective the love I have for my country. I feel so offical. This also brought feelings of excitment, because the cruise we are going on is coming up soon. It will be my first time out of the country...Tijuana is an exception.

!UPCOMING BLOG CHANGES!

Dear Friends & Family,

We live in an amazing world in an amazing age of technology...its such a wonderful thing for us to be able to share the lives of our family with each of you during this time. However, with the good always comes the bad, and due to some experiences a number of friends of ours are having with internet predators abusing their blogs...we will need to change the "status" of our blog to "private" for the protection of our family.

It is really sad that we have to be protective like this, but this is the day and age that we live in. Beginning October 1st, we will make our blog PRIVATE and only those with a personal invitation will be able to visit. For any and all of you that would like to be invited to view our Private Blog, please send us an email and we will have you invited.



We love you all,

Trent & Rhonda

Playing Around

This is so fun to watch. First off, he's sitting up so well. He still has a bit before he can sit without being monitored, but he is a strong boy. He loves the piano, what kid doesn't?

I think he is looking for the music books. I just started Rian on the piano, just beginner stuff, then hopefully sign her up with someone. I think Ammon was hoping to go first.

For Real

I don't usually like to put political issues on here, but I couldn't resist. This lays it out perfectly. I especially love the reporters reaction at the end...couldn't say much after that. Go Newt!!

Welcome Katie Marguerite Clayton

Here is the newest addition to our extended family. My sister Tana and her husband Matt just had their 4th child. Her other kids, Jackson, Bronson and Hallie are so cute and I can already tell they will be the best siblings to their newest sister. Good luck to you all. We wish we could see her up close and give her kisses.

Tana your on your way back to regular clothes...ahhhhh.

County Fair

Motivation To Finish

Last night we had an Open House for the new couple, Troy and Kristin, my husbands brother. We had over 60 people file through and wish them the best. It was a fun night to see faces you don't get to see very often.









Now because we hosted a get-together at our house, it's always a motivation to get the house looking nice. We moved in over a year ago to our new house, but I have yet to hang pictures or even put window treatments up. Well these next few pics are what my mom will really appreciate. We definitely share the same DNA because we both love to sew and create. So mom this is for you. For the past week I've been cutting, sewing and installing these treatments all over the house to prepare for this event. Our last house was hard to leave, because I had put the same hard work into it. So here are the new windows in all their glory.

Living Room

Foyer, yep this need the dual help of me and my husband...kind of scary up there.

Last, but not least, the laundry room got a bit of love too.

Ammon Is 6 Months!

Okay, so I was comparing his notes from last appointment. Here is the brake down:

4 Months

Weight: 16.5 lbs

Height: 24 in.

Head: 43 cm

Drum roll.........

6 Months

Weight: 19.6 lbs

Height: 27 in.

Head: 44 1/2 cm

Our boy is growing like a weed. But I love this little weed. Here in this picture you can see all kinds of trouble he gets himself into. (Notice the green marker across his face..."no eyeliner allowed".) Recently he's really found his voice. Let's just say happy times in church are going to be difficult.

A Sunday Stroll

We decided to take a little nature hike in Peachtree City at Line Creek. It was neat to talk a little about nature and the creation. A snippet of the discussion:

Jarom: Did Heavenly Father create dirt?
Mom: Of course, so the plants can grow and we can have these beautiful trees. He created everything in this world, even all of us.
Tarin: Only you mommy, because we came out of your tummy.

Kids are so cute. Here is a clip when we first started out the hike. They loved to jump the rocks and be close to the water. This is to show contrast to the end of the hike (the last clip). Note the "waterfall" that Jarom will refer to in the last clip.

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They loved the trail and making sure everyone stayed together.

Jumping the rocks.

Looking over a drop down to the creek.

After getting sweaty and seeing the cool water, I finally let them take shoes and socks off to put their feet in. Well, there was a reason I waited toward the end of the hike, yep they slipped all over the place and may as well be wearing swim suits. This is one way to warm up after getting "cooled off".

Here is their reaction to the whole experience.

Troy and Kristin Wardwell Forever

We wish you both the best on this day and many days to come. We desperately wish we could share this day with you. See you when you get back. We love you both.

Candid Moments

This clip doesn't do justice to the real experience. The kids love to make Ammon laugh. And by the time I realized what was going on and whipped out the camera, he was winding down from his hysterical laughing. I love the small moment when Ammon catches me videoing him and just stops laughing immediately. His expressionless face is memorable.




Again, this segment has to be experienced in real life to get the full appreciation out of it. It's hard to hear because I couldn't get too close for them to notice me. I finally went to the library for the kids to read. I forgot how much they devour books. (Notice how Tarin loves to sit on the air vent for a cold rush of air...silly I know.)