Shattered

My heart hurts and my head keeps spinning from all the sad news headlines. It's been bugging me all day so I feel obligated to blog it and get it off my shoulders. Bear with me or quit reading.

I'm not political. I'm not a debater. I don't like conflict and I don't like to start conflicts. But I'm just not ok with what I keep seeing and hearing.

I've tried very hard to look at everything from all points of view and with an open mind. I'm for keeping our country safe. Yes. But after reading so many stories of innocent people being trapped and not knowing what to do makes me so sad. I feel terrible for those with families who they can't help. I see stories of these people coming here and having American born children...their parents have traveled and are trapped-all I can think is "How can someone do this"? My mind won't stop. Tearing families and what seems like our country apart isn't what "we the people" stands for.

"We the people"- we work together, fight together, move forward together, and we certainly shouldn't turn against each other (which is the direction I feel things are headed towards).

My hope is that even though policies look very unpleasant and tense, is that things settle and the best choices are made for the good. There are good people out there fighting for the rights of these people.

My goal as an American, a wife and a mom is to teach my kids how to be good, compassionate and loving individuals. Ones that go out of their way, to make sure the people who look as if they don't have friends; will go to them and be their friend. To be that person who will sit and listen to anyone who needs an ear. To spread love and joy!

I'm that kind of person. I want and expect my kids to be the same. The world needs this. Love and lots of it.



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Family night

We had a big family dinner at Ryan's parents. Great food and great times.






The "north room" as we call it has become more of a theatrical room. The kids put in a show and had all the adults sit and watch. 11 kids can make it very interesting.


We celebrated Charlie's birthday.


Lots of sweet treats.


The best part of this day/night is that the kids crash the second they lay down for bed! Mom win!

Zombie eyes

We've had a take over in our house-pink eye is in full swing. Between myself, Adrian and Isabelle, she unfortunately looks the worst.
Thank goodness for call in's for more drops!


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An old soul

I've said it so many times before about Isabelle and her "old soul", but today she really made it visible.
She brought this paper home from school. It says "one of my dreams is to have my great grandma and grandpa"! She left out back, but how can you not get choked up reading something like that.


They both died when she was 4 but vividly talks about them as if it was yesterday. She often gets very emotional and cries because she misses them.

Is it a crazy coincidence that the first grandkid on my side and her being the first great-grandkid have the same birthday and funeral anniversary of my grandma?! All January 7th. Crazy huh!
Grandma and grandpa J loved her SO much and I'll let her know that until the end of time.

I love how she has such a compassionate heart.

And on a totally unrelated note-she's started braiding her shirts!!


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Weekend ends

I haven't posted in a couple of days. We haven't really done too much. It's been a very low key weekend.
We need some serious sunshine. All these clouds and fog have the days running long.
For real though...how many days till spring!
Yesterday Ryan took the three big kids to the fairgrounds in Des Moines to see some indoor go-cart races. They had fun. I was informed Iz liked it the most. Makes me long for summer and the actual races!


Henry is getting very candid for me lately, too. He's loving making silly faces and laughing at himself!

Papa fun

There's no better way to spend a night than having dinner with your papa!
Ryan is out of town tonight at a training up in Mason City (yes Lana! He's in your neck of the woods at the casino hotel)! Anyway-I asked his parents if we could join them for dinner tonight to make it a little easier for me and man was it ever!
Papa's can NEVER have enough arms. They're so fun!
They played and played and played. They all wrested and got totally wound up and are now crashing nice and quick for bed time!!


We played trouble, too. This folks is 100% an original from when I was growing up! It was fabulous.


Dinner was great as always!
We miss Ry, but he's sleeping kid free in this big bad boy! I'm slightly jealous!

Seesaw

We had a blast at library time this morning. It helped that we didn't have to rush out to get Viola from school. The kiddos were able to just play and relax.






I have said before I love Isabelle's school. This is one of very reasons here. Her seesaw app. I love getting pictures of what she's been doing with her class. It's awesome.
They just celebrated the 100th day on Friday. They decorated cool masks. She wanted to use glass beads but that obviously didn't work.


She loves her class. Ok, more like she just loves school, and that makes my heart happy. I'm so glad we're in year round!


I had the best morning. We got new bedding. I'm in love!


And I finally got a picture of Henry smiling. Even though it's through our FaceTime tonight with Grammy...I got it!


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Getting along

For being stuck at home during an "ice storm", the kids got along pretty darn well today. Lots and lots of art went on!


I was able to get all the bedding and blankets washed, the floors cleaned and the bathroom. It's been a long day, but very productive!
Oh and one more item-Adrian can now say "uh-oh"!

My mom

Today is my mams birthday. She is without a doubt my best friend. Always has been.
We love it when she visits.
We baked a cake.
We sang.
We colored.
We made bracelets.
Always a good time.


A simple and short visit, but a great one.


Happy birthday mom! We love you!

Smarty pants

I have another bragging mom moment tonight. Iz had another rock star reading unit she completed.


She told me her teacher is going to finally skip a few units and move her up! She can totally do it!

Bejeweled

Adrian and Henry found their big sisters mirror she decorated in jewels. Adrian had zero idea he was wearing the evidence for half the morning. Henry left his evidence all over his car seat in the van! Sneaky little men. Good thing Iz never really noticed and wasn't upset!


The struggle is real with toys, sharing and space! I SO can't wait for the basement to get finished in the coming months!!

Happy places

This boy falls asleep in the strangest places and positions!


I'm also happy to report that the swollen face Viola woke up with is now back to nearly normal!

Pink eye?

It's gotta be a record here in our house! We went a full 3ish weeks without going to the doctor. But that obviously ended today.

I grabbed Vi from school and noticed her eye was slightly red. Didn't think much of it...until lunch time. It was goopy.

230 pm-like nasty, don't want to look at it goopy. I hesitated calling the dr, but since she's been complaining of ear pain since around Thursday night, I made one.

We met the new pediatric doctor. She was nice. Vi was terrified of her. She shuts down completely if she doesn't know them well.


Anyway- we left with drops for her eye and a script her red, not quite yet infected ear, for if things get worse. Luckily she's going to be ok for another day.

Tonight her eye has become much more swollen though. Hopefully it's better in the morning.


As you can tell. Swollen.

Oh and btw I tried to get a more updated group shot. That never goes smooth. Ever. Enjoy my evidence!

Progress

In the news world of Adrian, he's had a busy two months!


All FOUR of his first molars have cut, plus two eye teeth, with the other two just about ready to poke too. That's 8! Yes 8 teeth in two months.
This kid takes first place when it comes to teething compared to his older siblings.
It's a no wonder I don't sleep. Ever. But who the heck needs that anyway!
(Secretly raises both hands!)

Party hard

Holy moly was the afternoon loud! It was insane! It was fun! Exciting! It was a party that all the kids loved!
Having a winter birthday makes it so hard to figure out what to do for party ideas! We're very limited on options unless you want to spend an arm and a leg.
We had an "art studio" day in the basement. I thought it was a perfect idea since we still haven't finished the drywall process and it doesn't matter if the paint got on the walls!
Huge success!


Each kiddo had their own spot and did their own thing! It was fabulous.





Iz loved it. She had moments where she was upset, and I'm pretty sure she was just overwhelmed with how to handle everyone there and the attention. She did good though!


I made two cakes. This one was her "golden" cake for her golden birthday! We sure had a house full, but it was a blast!


Ryan and I are so blessed to have her. She's so smart, she's genuine, kind hearted, she's an old soul, and destined for great things. She's a sassy and stubborn princess and I can't wait to continue to watch her blossom and grow!

Party for one

Isabelle turns seven tomorrow. My mind is blown that it's been seven years of mommy hood.
Anyway, she took treats to school and when I got there to drop the cupcakes off in her room she had on a special crown. All the kids in her class were making her individual birthday cards! I thought that was pretty special!


She's spending the night at Ryan's parents for her one-on-one over night. I can't wait to hear all about her day and night!


Henry and Adrian were good troops helping me run around getting stuff for her party tomorrow!

Chinchilla

Isabelle comes home with some pretty hilarious homework! She goes through a unit "workbook" and brings it home when she's done.
There are lots of different things she has to do on each page. The very back is always a free writing page. This particular one made Ryan and I laugh. It reads "I will get a chinchilla for a pet because it is like a frea teteabar." In translation to the last part it should be furry teddy bear. We cracked up. Mostly at the fact that chinchilla is spelled nearly 100% correct to the other words!
She's a smart cookie!


And a beautiful one at that!


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Peanut

Adrian rocked his new shirt today. I love it. He is my lil peanut.


The girls were spoiled with dinner at Tasty Tacos tonight. They had fun hanging with Santi and Allison most of the day. I got to hang while Adrian napped. I always enjoy normal talk and not kid talk.


I took this pic of Henry because his shirt says it all!


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