Sweet Abby

After we dropped off Emma at school today Abby said, "Mommy, when is A. Susan going to have kids?"  I said well, "A. Susan probably wont have any kids."  

Abby, "But, why mommy?"  

Me, "She isn't married, you have to be married to have kids."

Abby, "Oh, is Grandma Orgard married?"

Me, "Yep."

Abby, "Why isn't A. Susan married?"

Me, "I don't know, maybe she doesn't want to be married."

Abby, "Hm." after a long pause.  "Who is G. Orgard married to?"

Me, "She is married to G. Norgard."

Abby, "oh, is he like Grandpa?"

Me, "Yep."

Abby, "I luuuuv Grandpa!!"

Abby, "Can we go to G. Nnorgard, and A. Susans?" 

Me, "not today." -Ma

August 27, 2008

August 27, 2008, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

Jacob, Emma and David (left to right) in the front yard. This is a back log of August 27th. Today Jacob climbed into the bottom part of the stove where we keep the pots and pans. Ma took some photos of that. We ate out this evening at Subway. We had a good time today. - Pa

Homework

Emma and I have been sitting at the table for the last hour trying to get her homework done. Usually when it gets to be that long of time with her I have two choices.

1.  I can get really upset start yelling and ranting about how loooong it is taking, and make it last longer.  Or 

2.  I can get loopy and goof off with her.  (If you can't beat 'em join 'em)

Today I chose choice #2.  We were working on her phonograms, and some of those sounds can be really funny.  

Example:

ough

o in though

oo in through

uf in rough

of in cough

aw in thought

ow in drought

try to say those sounds fast... it can be very humorous.

As I was watching her do her homework, I noticed that she takes a moment to rip the holes for a 3 ring binder.  This is something that she would do as a baby every moment she could.  Pa was a student at that time.  There was a lot of paper around.  This just made me laugh harder. -Ma

Socks

Jacob loves socks... clean, dirty, doesn't matter.  He loves them.  Pa will take his socks off and he will cry for them.  I will try to put my, or the kids socks on and he will cry for them.  Let me explain "cry".  He does this monkey call... Ah, ah, ah.  Ooh, ooh, ooh.  Mmm, ba.  Da, da, da, da. Correct me Pa if it seems that this is being written out wrong.  It is hard to write sounds. Sometimes we will give in and give him the socks we were planning on wearing.  You see he wont take the new socks they have to be the ones that were originally going to go on the feet.  Silly kid!  So if you are ever over and think I have a hard time putting socks away, that is not totally true.  Yes I don't like doing laundry... but this is a more, a cute baby and a love for socks. -Ma  

Happy Birthday!

080823_7687, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

Abby (3) and Jacob (1) were born on the same day (August 19) two years apart. We had a small celebration with my parents, my sister and her two sweet kids, and Grandpa Gene and Grandma Maggie on Saturday August 23, 2008 - Pa

Muscle

Not only does Jacob look a lot like Danny but he also has his strength.  I can see it in his legs when he stands, in his arms when he wants something so bad.  I can feel it when I am trying to get him into his car seat.  Or out of the car when he would rather play with the steering wheel.  He is one strong kid.  I always saw Danny that way, he had no fat pure muscle. -Ma

Abby and pads

When Abby goes potty she has to take off all of her clothes, a very normal thing for a young girl.

But instead of redressing she walked out of the bathroom saying, "Mommy, I'm a robot."  She had covered her front side with pads.  My first reaction, "Oh, no."  So quickly she tried to remove them.  But I was feeling like I was in a good mood so I said, "wait, put them back on and I will take your picture."  We took the picture, not sure if I want to put it up or not. -Ma

Visit to the Temple

We visited the temple two days after Emma's dream.  I told her she gets to pick where we go.  First we went to see the water.  There is a pool of water with maybe 6 or so jets of water spraying from the sides to the middle of the pool.  

Jacob was so funny, as we were walking up to the water he just didn't know what to say or do.  He was saying "Da, da, da, da, da, da, ahhhh."  He was so excited, squealing with joy.

After the water we walked over to the front of the temple and we saw a bride and groom.  The kids played on the steps and with a cat that come around.  Then the mosquitoes came and we quickly made it inside the visitors' center.  She played with the kiosk machines.  After they were done with that, (I noticed that the missionary quickly turned them off as we were walking away.  I remember as a missionary how I couldn't stand hearing those things!!) we went to see the Christus.  Emma talked to a sister missionary that had only been out for two days.  She talked to Emma about telling her friends about the church and about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  Emma brought home some pass along cards.

We all had a good time. -Ma  

Emma's first couple weeks in 1st grade

Emma's first week in 1st grade, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

Emma's first day of school was August 11. This is her first year going to all day school. I took her to school, walked her up to her classroom, when getting there a little girl ran up to Emma yelling out her name. She gave her a big hug, grabbed her hand and said come on. Her teacher, Mrs. Castillo then noticed Emma. She greeted her and they walked away. Emma looked content, so I said good bye. I just couldn't leave yet... I still wanted to make sure she was really okay. They were having flag ceremony first, so I stood there just watching while my other 3 children wanted to just leave. Finally I left hoping and praying that she will have a great first day.
When she came home on the bus I asked. How was your first day of school? Emma said, "I never wanted to go to that school again. It takes too long!" Granted she couldn't go to sleep the night before, I think she fell asleep close to midnight, then got up at 7:00.

Second day of school went much better. I asked her how she liked her teacher. She said that she wanted Mrs. Briney back, she really liked her kindergarden teacher.

Each morning there is a a new day of school she gets up mostly happy and ready to go.

A tough time with her second week of school... I guess they do evaluations. Just to make sure the kids are doing okay at home. Emma was so upset that she missed her math the day that "a lady" took her out of class to ask her questions. She said that the lady asked her if she liked school and if she was happy at home. Emma didn't like me prying, she got really cranky and said, "I don't know why she was asking me all those questions. I want to eat!"

Abby and Jacob had a birthday so we made cup cakes. I put one in Emma's lunch, inside of a baggy that I blew up and sealed. I also bought her a reusable juice box. Froze the juice so it could be cold for her the next day. When Emma sat down to eat lunch. Her napkin was wet from that wonderful juice I sent with her. The wonderful cup cake that was sent with her... the baggy deflated and frosting got all over the baggy. She said she was too busy talking and eating that when she went on the playground she couldn't find her class. She started to cry and two aids helped her find her class. they were at the bathrooms. She came home saying that if she takes a cupcake to school in can't have frosting, and she doesn't like that juice, it got her bag wet and some of her papers.

She has a bottom tooth getting more and more loose. Her bottom left tooth. She is so excited yet it "bugs" her so much. She keeps saying how weird it feels, and that if she eats an apple it will come out. It is not that loose, but she is excited. -Ma

Emma's Dream About Jesus

This morning Emma woke up and told me that she had a really neat dream that she wanted to tell me about. She said that she dreamt that Jesus came over and went in her room and told her that he wanted her to go to the temple. I asked her what she need to do so she could get to the temple she said that Jesus said she needs to be nice, she needs to learn at school really well, she said he told her that he wants her to learn really well in school.

When I took her to school this morning she asked if we could go to the temple after school. She said, "And you can't forget mom." - Ma

Pa: How did it make you feel?
Emma: I felt real good, and I was really excited.
Pa: Did you see him?
Emma: He was all white. He's supposed to be all white.

Pa: Could you see his face?

Emma: No, he was so bright. All I could see was white.
Pa: Can you draw a picture?
Emma: Here you go. He's saying to listen.

David is a pro at catching flies

David is a pro at catching flies, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

David is a pro at catching flies. He caught 10 of them today. His secret. He shakes his hands on either side of the fly to confuse it, then he quickly grabs it. - Pa

David came up to me asking for a bug jar so he could put a fly in it. Without thinking I gave him a container and sent him on his way. Then he showed me the container, "look what I caught mom." he said excitedly. He caught 6 flies before coming and asking for a jar. Gross!!! - Ma

Camping at Lynx Lake

SO MUCH TO SEE, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

Surrounded by nature, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

More photos

Sunday is a good day to find a good spot at Lynx Lake. There are two campsites with 80 spots each. We camped in section 'c' in the first or North campground. After we found the sot we wanted we went boating at the lake. The prices were good as well as the service. We highly recommend this campground. It's stunningly beautiful and clean. We didn't catch anything, but we had a great time being together.

Two things happened that we won't forget. First. Sunday night when it was dark, I went to brush my teeth. I grabbed what felt like a tube of toothpaste. After a couple of scrubs back and forth I realized it wasn't toothpaste. I could still taste it in the morning. Yuck. What was it? Well I'll leave that for you to guess!

Second. We all woke up to an awful smell that completely filled the cabin of the tent. I couldn't really smell because of allergies, but Ma and Jacob sure let me know. Jacob was trying to nurse but struggled. Only when he covered his nose could he relax in Jenny's arms. The smell was the odor of a skunk that had sprayed near the trailer, but luckily not on it! The smell went away after a while.

Some highlights:

1. Boating
2. Cutting a dried up log with the chain saw and making a camp fire
3. Shooting the BB gun
4. Kids playing with the water and nurf guns
5. Playing games in the dark
6. Taking a walk in the dark
7. Just having fun together

- Pa

White Spar Campground

Abby practicing with the fishing pole, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

Happy Boy, originally uploaded by Hardy Homestead.

More photos

We were planning on camping at Lynx Lake Campground, but it was full. The campground directors let us know that White Spar Campground has plenty of open spots. Take Montezuma street (HWY 89) south out of downtown Prescott, AZ. The campground is 10 minutes south on the east side of the street. It a beautiful little spot with family friendly amenities. Such as a picnic bench, fire pit, and clean restrooms. It took a bit of effort, three or four attempts to get the campfire going with camp fuel and a lighter. The inside of the camper including the firewood was soaked after crossing a deep puddle on the way into Prescott Valley. I would have been better off not making the fire. But It lasted late into the evening...Besides, campfires add to the thrill of camping.
The next day we ate our freeze dried breakfast. Not Bad! The kids played, and we prepared to make our way over to Lynx lake. I think we all had a good night's rest. We did hear coyotes at three in the morning.
- Pa

Other People's Kids

There are times that I think my kids are the hardest kids anyone can have.  They are messy... that is normal.  They want to eat all of the time... that is normal.  They can be so gross.  Even in public... that is normal.  And they just seem to want to do things at a time that I just don't want to or can't... that is normal too.

I was talking with a friend who has a very active 3 year old.  She was telling me that with in a weeks time.  

Her cute little 3 year old got into his sisters nail polish and panted on the wall.  The color was RED.  

Another day they had waffles for breakfast.  A full bottle of syrup was taken into the bedroom by the 3 year old and it ended up on the floor and dog.  The dog laid in it.  The syrup dried the dog got stuck to the carpet.  Now the dog has a bald spot.

Think that might be it???  Nope.

Then another day the 3 year old was in the bedroom with the dog and a pair of scissors.  He cut the dog's ear.  Blood was all over the house.  They have a pit bull puppy... it did not harm the 3 year old.

Whenever you might think your life is SO HARD, it is time to look around and find someone that might be having a tougher time than you, because they are out there!  But I know I should not stop there, that is when service comes in, you lighten anothers burden and then in turn your seems lighter too.  :o) - Ma

David and Preschool

I enrolled David in the early learners program at school.  About 2 weeks before it started I would wake up in the morning with a feeling that I should not send David to school yet.  I ignored the feeling because "everyone" around me would say, "Oh, he will be just fine."  "You just can't let go yet?"  "Why would you want to do that?  The world is moving at such a faster pace, you need to put him in so he can keep up."  Well to all of those responses I say, "Phooey!"  I did talk to one lady that helped me follow the feelings I was having, she has 6 children.  This is what she said, "He will be going to school for such a long time, he will have plenty of time to "catch up"."  She sent her son to school a little early and she regrets it, and he, who is now in collage has said that he wishes she would have kept him home a little longer.  So, two days before school started I called and pulled him from the class.  I have felt such peace with the decision.  Then watching him the last few days, I have been noticing how he wants to create, and explore.  He is not ready to be confined to a desk. - Ma

Jacob's Walking

Being child #4 is a tough spot.  I just don't keep track like I did the others.  Jacob started walking about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks ago.  He still is shaky and prefers to crawl.  But he can walk!!  :o)  When we were camping a few weeks ago he wasn't walking yet, but we would put him on the ground and he would go 4 X 4ing.  He would be on all 4's but not on his knees he would be on hands and feet.  He was perfectly happy that way too. - Ma

Abby

Abby has learned to make spit bubbles.  She comes running up to me with her mouth opened patting me to look at her bubble.  I usually try to pop it.

At church yesterday I was in the hall talking.  I was holding Abby, but she was so wiggly.  I told her she needs to sit up if she wants me to hold her.  Her response, "Mommy, I can't hold my head up, it is too heavy."  Within 30 seconds she was asleep.  I went to sunday school and relief society for the first time in probably more than a year.

When I try to leave her in nursery, she says that she is scared and that she thinks someone is going to take her.  What a scary feeling to have, I can't leave her.  Besides it is only a short time that they are going to want me like that, before I know it they aren't even going to want me to drop them off at class.  :(  

Yesterday Abby came to me with an empty toilet paper roll and she had no clothes on, and she had a mischievous look in her eyes.  I asked her if she was being a good girl.  She said, "Yes, mommy."  I asked, "are you keeping the house clean?"  "Yes, mommy" she says.  Moments later, Emma comes running out, "Mama, you have to come quick!  Something very bad happened to your toilet.  You have to come now."  We made our way down the hall.  Yes something very bad did happen.  Abby had taken almost a full roll of T.P. and put it into the toilet, leaving her with the empty roll that she was having so much fun with.  The toilet paper was all the way to the top of the opening.  Needless to say I still haven't gone in to clean up that mess. - Ma -

Funeral

Friday July 25th a friend of mine's daughter drowned in their spa.  My friend has 4 children that are almost the same ages as my kids.  Her oldest is 6, her youngest is just a baby.  They have all girls.

I went to the funeral today, I am amazed at how well the parents are taking this loss.  They said that the events of the day happened like this. 

In the morning the mother and the two year old daughter washed the car together.  Just the two of them.  The daughter would wash the car where it had already been washed a rinsed and the mother said that for some reason it didn't make her upset.  The daughter also washed the keys (the mother didn't want her doing it) but it didn't make her upset.  Then she went and got the towel that was going to be used for drying the car, the daughter got it wet then dragged it across the dirt, making mud, then using it on the car.  Still the mother could not get mad... the daughter was just so happy.

The mother and father were going to go out of town with some friends and there kids were going to stay with someone for that time they were going to be gone. The mother needed to pack, but she just felt like it wasn't important.  She went to the bedroom to pack, but instead the girls came in and wanted to dance, so they had a dancing party.  Then 2 of the girls went into the back yard and they played with the hose getting all wet.  The mother went out, brought them in but they went out again.  Then the father went out, he took the hose and started to spray the girls.  They went inside to finnish want needed to be done, so they could leave.

Mother was in her room packing, father was in the office.  Mother went to the office to talk with Father and moments later one of the daughters came to the office crying.  Mother just knew what happened she ran to the pool.  She felt like she was being carried there.  She pushed open the gate to the pool, looked in the pool could not see her little 2 year old.  Out of the corner of her eye she could see pink in the spa and her daughter was there.  She pulled her out and called for her husband.  He did CPR and she call 911.  Nothing they did could help her.

She was pronounced dead after reaching the hospital.

They really feel that it was her time to go.  They do not know how she got through the gate. When they were first pregnant with her they were 11 weeks along and the mothers placenta was pulling away.  But the doctor was able to take care of her.  At 5 months pregnant, they thought that she was going to have some kind of problems while forming.  Did the tests but she turned out fine.  When she was born, while she was in the belly she some how tied a knot in the cord. They say that she was fortunate that while being born she didn't pull the knot tight.

The parents have such an amazing testimony of knowing the plan of happiness.  They know they will be able to see their baby again and one day continue to raise her.  They are so grateful that they were able to have her here for the 2 years that they did.  They just knew that it was her time to go.

My head and eyes hurt from crying and my heart just aches for their loss.  I feel such a closeness to this family, I don't know if it is because of our children's ages are so much alike, I just don't know.  But, it sure does hurt. - Ma -

No Toys=Fighting?

Last week I cleaned out the kids rooms.  Took all of their toys, minus the ones they absolutely love.  (I let them each keep one.)  The first reason I took the toys was because, I can't stand the mess.  The second reason was because we were going to the BIG Fairy Birthday Party.  I just couldn't handle the thought of bringing more toys back to a cluttered home.  We had two days till the BIG Party and I thought that the kids would be so board, and they would probably fight more. 

They fooled me!  There was less fighting.  We made a small box home, colored the outside of it. The kids had hours/days of fun in that.  It is now destroyed.  But ya know, it sure it true what "they" say, give a kids pots and pans and boxes, and what ever else may be lying around and they will use there imaginations and have fun doing it.  It was great to see them getting along and trying to work together while using there imaginations. - Ma -