Quick update

Wow, it's been a while since I posted anything. We've been very busy trying to get our house ready to list and it's finally listed! Yea!! We've already had 3 showings and an offer, although not a great offer. It's only been on the market 4 or 5 days, so we feel encouraged by the activity. We're really hoping and praying that we can sell it quickly so we won't have 2 mortgages.

We went to Nashville over Spring Break and fell in love all over again!! We are going to love living there! It's so beautiful and the people are so friendly. We toured a couple more schools and realize that we can't go wrong with any of the schools the Williamson County area. I'm excited for my kids! Adam and I were able to eliminate a few areas and we found a few neighborhoods that we really liked so now we can concentrate our searching to the areas we liked. It's nice to have narrowed our scope a little. That's really what this trip was all about. We are going back the first part of May to actually find a house. We actually did find a house that we'd really love to buy, but it's too soon to do anything about it since we can't close until late May, early June. Hopefully it will still be available when we go back out.

While Adam and I were in Nashville, the kids were with my sister in Murphysboro, Illinois. They had such a great time and were very sad to leave! It's going to be so nice to live close to them and be able to share family events with family. They are about 3 1/2 hours from Nashville. It was so nice of my sister to be willing to take on four more kids and a dog for a few days. We didn't worry about them for a second! Well, I did worry about Jana, but I didn't worry about the kids. :)

The bluebonnets are now blooming and they are so pretty! We'll take a picture in them soon and be able to replace the one I have on here that is two years old. It'll be our last year to do that.

Pics!!

I thought I would add a few more recent pictures of our family.



This was taken in December at the Dallas World Aquarium when my dad came to visit.



3 of my favorite boys!!



Hannah was a fairy for Halloween



Ben was a Storm Trooper, Ethan was Ash from Pokemon, and Levi was Indiana Jones for Halloween.



This was one of Levi's Christmas presents. I stayed up pretty late Christmas Eve trying to finish it, but I was happy with the way it turned out. My kids love to dress up, especially the boys.

I'll try to add more pictures later!

Ants!

I found these cute pictures of the kids the other day. They were taken at our science place here in Dallas. They these cute ant hats and a little ant hill for the kids to climb through. The kids love it!

Facebook

I just discovered the wonderful world of Facebook and I'm loving it - a little too much! It's been so fun to find friends that I haven't been in touch with for years, friends that I thought I would never find again. However, I've also discovered that it can eat up a lot of time fast. The other night I was on it until 2am! I'm going to have to be careful!!

My manga artist

Ethan, my 11 yr. old son, has become totally enthralled with manga or anime art, books, and movies. You know, like Pokemon, Naruto, etc. Anyway, he's gotten pretty good at drawing his own pictures and is becoming quite the artist. I told my brother, who's an amazing artist (check out his blog at www.mcmullincreative.blogspot.com), that I would post some of Ethan's drawings so he could see them. So here they are. Yea!, I finally learned how to upload photos!

Tired!

I'm so glad I never had multiples! Today I watched my friend's two little boys while she went to the doctor and I had them ALL day. I spent the whole day cleaning up one mess after another, between her boys and mine. Don't get me wrong, they are all cute boys and a lot of fun, but BUSY! In addition to all of that I managed to box up at least half or more of the kids' toys for storage (I decided I am NOT going to be picking up legos all of over the house everyday after we put it on the market!) and finish cleaning out Hannah and Levi's room. I also washed and dried about 6 loads of laundry. Notice I didn't say 'folded'. There is a huge pile of clean clothes on Adam's side of the bed. Lucky him! I guess I'll tackle that tomorrow while watching a good movie.

I will be so glad when our house is finally listed. It feels like we are never going to be done with all the things we need to do to get it ready. Every time I finish one project I notice more things that need to get done, like cleaning all the smudges off of all the doors and door frames! I'm about ready to just pay someone to come do the deep cleaning for me. Maybe I'll just pay my kids and arm them each with a Magic Eraser. Forget paying them! It's there mess anyway, right?! My sister-in-law said she often feels like Cinderella and I have to say that I can totally relate. Although, all too often I also see the Wicked Step Mother in myself when I can't get my kids to do what I'd like them to do. Oh well, I brought out the wicked step mother in my own mom when I was younger and I know I made her feel like Cinderella more than I should have. I guess what goes around, comes around!

Getting to know me!

My friend, Rebecca, did this on her blog and I thought it was a great idea. I even learned a few things about myself that I hadn't thought about before. Maybe my kids will enjoy it someday! Here goes...

1. Started your own blog -Yes, just recently in fact. I'm still learning!!
2. Slept under the stars -Yes, when I was a little girl. I won't do it now because 1) I hate sleeping on the hard ground and 2) There are too many bugs and things flying and crawling around at night. I have no desire for any of those things to end up in my mouth, ears, or nose! I just remembered that I did sleep under the stars one time after Adam and I got married and we hiked the Narrows in Zion National Park. We slept in an alcove part way down and there were tons of bats flying around! Not a great memory.
3. Played in a band -Yes, from 6th grade through 11th grade. I played the clarinet.
4. Visited Hawaii -No, but totally want to some day. I always wanted to go to college at BYU Hawaii or get married in the Hawaii temple. Obviously, neither of those things happened.
5. Watched a meteor shower - Only on tv.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - No. We're content paying our tithing and fast offerings at this point. I'd like to give more to charity some day, though.
7. Been to Disneyland - Yes, after my mission I went with my roommates from college. We had a lot of fun. We've promising our kids that we will go to Disney World after Adam gets a real job. I guess that will after June some time! Yea!!
8. Climbed a mountain -Yes, many times. But I have no desire to climb a huge mountain like Mt. Everest.
9. Held a praying mantis -Yes, I love praying mantises. I think they look so wise.
11. Bungee jumped -No. This is something I will NEVER do.
12. Visited Paris -No, but I'd like to someday.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - No. I don't think I'd like that very much.
5. Adopted a child - No, but I have 4 great kids of my own. I admire people who adopt, though.
16. Had food poisoning -I don't think so, but maybe I just thought I had a stomach bug.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty -No, I've never been to New York, but I hope to go there someday.
18. Grown your own vegetables -Yes, Adam and I have tried this a couple of different times, but we're not very good about it.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France -No.
20. Slept on an overnight train -No.
21. Had a pillow fight - Yes, just last night, in fact, with Adam and the kids. What fun!
22. Hitch hiked - No! I would never do this. I've seen too many tv shows like Forensic Files.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- Yes, when I was little and wanted to skip school. I'd love to take a sick day once in a while now, but mom's don't get sick days. Bummer!
24. Built a snow fort -Yes. I loved doing this when I was little and lived in Utah. Texas doesn't get much snow.
25. Held a lamb -Yes. Very Adorable. I've even milked a goat, before.
26. Gone skinny dipping -I hate to admit it, but yes, once - when I was young and dumb. There weren't any boys around, though.
27. Run a Marathon -No and I have no desire to. I hate running.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice -No, but maybe someday...
29. Seen a total eclipse - I think I did when I was little, in elementary school.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Both. I love to do this when I have time to enjoy it.
31. Hit a home run -Never. I was never the most sporty person.
32. Been on a cruise -No, but I'd love to someday.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - No, but, once again, I'd love to someday.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors -A few of them, yes. I'd really love to visit the cool places like England, Scotland, Ireland, etc.
35. Seen an Amish community -I've been in Amish country before and even shopped in one of their little stores, but I don't know that I've actually seen one of their communities before.
36. Taught yourself a new language - I took Spanish and French in High School, but don't speak either language. I've been able to figure out baby talk, thank goodness!
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied -The answer should be yes, but the honest answer is no. Maybe soon, with Adam's new job and after we get some debts paid off.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person -Nope.
39. Gone rock climbing -Not really. I've only climbed one of those rock walls before. I don't think that counts.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - No.
41. Sung karaoke -Yes. I'm not very good at it and I'm too self-concious to enjoy it.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt -No, but I'd like to someday. I love that part of the country. We stopped at the Grand Tetons a couple of years ago and I was amazed at how beautiful it is.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - No, but I filled up a guy's gas tank once when he was trying to get home and didn't have any money. I've done that a couple of times.
44. Visited Africa -No, but maybe someday. I'd have to make sure it wasn't dangerous first, though. All the wars there make the prospect a little iffy.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight -Yes. One of my favorite things in the whole world is a full moon, especially at the beach.
46. Been transported in an ambulance -No, thank goodness.
47. Had your portrait painted -No, but a friend of mine took our engagement photo and did a large colored pencil drawing of it that turned out amazing. We have it hanging in our bedroom. Thanks, Heather!
48. Gone deep sea fishing -No.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person -No.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris -No. You can probably see the pattern here. I (we) haven't done a lot of traveling as of yet. Just a lot of medical school and kids! That's ok, the traveling will come later I hope.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling -No. I think snorkeling would be fun, maybe, but I think I'm too afraid to go scuba diving. I think the ocean is fascinating, but I don't think I want to be at the mercy of whatever might be in the water with me.
52. Kissed in the rain -Gosh, I don't know. I think so. I'm pretty sure I have. That's terrible not to remember, isn't it?
53. Played in the mud -A lot when I was little. Now I just clean up a lot of mud!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater -Yes, and I love it, except not the getting everyone home at 2am when the second feature is over. I did this alone with my kids last summer when I was in Tooele, UT visiting my family. It wasn't fun trying to get all the kids in from the van and put to bed by myself. That was one of those moments when I really appreciated my amazing husband and all he does for me and our family!
55. Been in a movie -Nope.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China -No, but I'd love to.
57. Started a business -I tried to get a Pampered Chef business going once, as well as a Brite Music. I'm not a natural salesman. I just end up enjoying the products on my own. That's why I signed up for BeautiControl as a smartshopper recently. I didn't even entertain the idea of making it a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class -No, but I should.
59. Visited Russia -No, and I probably never will.
60. Served at a soup kitchen -No, but I should.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies -No, but I've bought and eaten a lot of them.
62. Gone whale watching -No, but I really, really want to do this someday on an Alaskan cruise.
63. Got flowers for no reason -Yes, but not as often as I'd like.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma -Yes, but not since I started having kids.
65. Gone sky diving -No, and I don't think I ever will. I'm afraid of heights.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp -No. I would like to, though. I have a great respect and interest in anything that has to do with the holocaust. So sad!
67. Bounced a check - Yes, unfortunately. I don't even like to think about it.
68. Flown in a helicopter -No.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy -No, I've saved a few things from my childhood, but I don't think I saved any toys.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial -No, but I hope to soon.
71. Eaten Caviar -No, and don't want to. I'm not a big seafood person, whether it's eggs or the actual animal. Yuck!
72. Pieced a quilt -Yes, but it takes too much time. It's not a great love of mine.
73. Stood in Times Square - No, but I hope to someday.
74. Toured the Everglades -Nope.
75. Been fired from a job -No. I'm sure my family would love to fire me sometimes, but I'd love to fire them once in a while, too, so it's all good!
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London -No, but I hope to.
77. Broken a bone -Just my little pinky toe on my left foot. I've stubbed it too many times. Now it is all crooked.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle -I've been on a motorcycle before but whether we were speeding or not, I don't know. I enjoyed the ride, however.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - Yes. Beautiful and amazing!
80. Published a book -No, and probably never will. Who knows, though.
81. Visited the Vatican - Nope.
82. Bought a brand new car -Yes. We leased a brand new Honda Odyssey 5 years ago, now we own it, and it still drives like it did 5 years ago. We love our van.
83. Walked in Jerusalem -No, not yet, but I'd like to. I think that would be really neat.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper -Yes, for the obvious reasons. Going on a mission and getting married.
85. Read the entire Bible -Not yet, but I should. I've read the whole Book of Mormon a few times.
86. Visited the White House - No, but I will someday.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - No, and let's hope I never have to.
88. Had chickenpox -Yes. I was little enough, though, that I don't remember them.
89. Saved someone’s life -I don't think so. I've had my life a saved a couple of times, though. Thank you, Heavenly Father.
90. Sat on a jury -No.
91. Met someone famous - I've talked to a couple of apostles before. Maybe I'll see some celebrities when we get to Nashville. I they're all over there.
92. Joined a book club -Yes, I'm currently in two of them. I LOVE to read.
93. Lost a loved one -Yes, my dear sweet mom passed away 2 years ago this month. I still really miss her. I love you, mom!!
94. Had a baby - Yes, four of them in fact. 3 boys and a girl.
95. Seen the Alamo in person -Yes, a few times.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - No, but I've put my feet in it. It's too stinky to swim in it. I have no desire to do that, but I enjoyed taking my kids there this past summer so they could put their feet in it.
97. Been involved in a law suit -No.
98. Owned a cell phone -Yes. I love my cell phone. I really bugs me when I accidentally leave it at home when I'm out and about. We're so spoiled these days!
99. Been stung by a bee -Yes, and it's not fun!

Destination Imagination

I don't know how many of you have been or your kids have been involved in Destination Imagaination in school, but my sweet Hannah has been involved in it for the past two years and has loved every minute of it. This past weekend was the competition and awards ceremony, but she has been practicing with her team after school once a week since October. This year her team had to learn improv and learn how to use random items in a box to make costumes and props at the drop of a hat. It's been so good for her and her creativity. The category was titled Private DI, so not only did they have to do improv, they also had to include a sleuth (she even learned what that is), a hero, and a problem that had to be solved. I'm proud to say that my daughter and her team came in 2nd place out of several teams who were competing in the same category!! Teams came from all around North Texas, so it's a pretty big deal. We are so proud of her!! Go, Hannah!! I'll post pictures when I get some from my friend who's son was also on the team. My camera died almost at the beginning of her performance, which totally stinks, but it's my fault for not checking it before we left the house.

The ups and downs of moving...

We are in throws of trying to get our house on the market, which hasn't been fun at all. In some ways I wish we were still renting. It would so much easier to move if that were the case with the market the way it is right now. We have to have a couple things repaired, touch up paint, clean carpets, etc. We've been putting things in storage and creating a garage sale pile in order to clear things out so our home will look more spacious. We are hoping to have our house on the market by mid-March, when our kids have Spring Break and we are going to Nashville for another look around. We are actually going to Illinois to leave our kids and dog with my sister and then Adam and I will go to Nashville by ourselves to spend a couple of days with our realtor looking at a few different areas and houses. That's the fun part! We're getting excited to move and can hardly wait until we are settled in Nashville and can begin our lives there. We hope we'll have lots of visitors!!!

We're doing the Potty Dance!!

Hip Hip Hooray!! After 11 1/2 years of changing diapers every day we are finally done with them!! Benjamin is potty trained!!! I thought it would never happen. I was afraid he wouldn't be able to go to preschool next year because he absolutely refused to potty train. None of our kids potty trained easily, but Ben was definitely the hardest one. He has a very stubborn streak and it just wasn't worth the fight, but then he finally grew out of size 4 diapers and I told him that he was too big for diapers since they were too small (I left out the fact that there is a size 5 diaper). When I told him he was too old for diapers (at 3 3/4 yrs. old) he could argue that he didn't want to grow up and was still a baby, but he couldn't argue about them being too small. The last 2 weeks were miserable while we suffered through many accidents, but then the other day it finally clicked and he hasn't had an accident since. He's even staying dry at night. Yea!!! It'll be nice not to have to fork out the money for diapers anymore. We've entered into a new phase with our family as all of our children get older and we don't have a baby anymore. Ethan will be going into middle school next year, which seems strange and scarey. It's nice not to have to tote around a million things for a baby anymore, I have to admit. We can go see a movie at the theater and not worry about having to take a crying baby out. Life has gotten easier in some ways and harder in others. It's fun, though, and I'm enjoying my kids and loving being a mom, most days!