Can you believe it!?

So today is the day. Chandler is now officially 8 years old today and nearly a man (well, almost). If you ask me, time flies by way too fast. It seems that it was just a week ago that I was holding him for the first time in my arms and couldn't be a happier parent. Chandler has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. He has brought me joy and happiness, confusion and clarity. On top of making me a better person all in all he has grown to be such a great person and makes me feel that I have done the best by what he has become so far. He is so brilliant, his schoolwork never slacks and almost seems too easy for him. His classmates adore him. He is incredibly helpful to them and his younger siblings. His brotherly love is astounding and I can only hope that he continues to grow and be such a fantastic example for his fellow beings.

Chandler you have brought so much sunshine into our lives. You are a wonderful son! I honestly can't believe how amazing you are. I continue to watch you grow and it only makes me wonder more about God and how great He is for giving you to us. It almost seems impossible with how much you have taught me, that I think you are teaching me more, rather than the other way around. I hope you realize how much I love you. I can only emphasize what a great blessing you are to me. You honestly made me grow up. You helped me realize that motherhood is so important and I couldn't ask for anything better than that. I am so blessed to have you in my life and I thank God every day for how smart you are and how fun and loving you are. I look forward to watching you grow and learn more. Thank you for being you!

On a lighter note and not so gushy here are some things about Chandler that I am sure everyone needs to know!

~Chandler likes to read and he does so very well even though Recess is his favorite part of the school day.

~Chandler likes to play baseball

~His favorite food for dinner is Shepherds pie, Mexican lasagna, Chicken and Rice and Cottage Cheese and Pears

~Favorite color is Red

~Favorite show on T.V. is Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman

~He aspires to be a master builder someday, at least that was what it was this morning ;)

~His favorite superhero is Spiderman!

~Free time is spent on the computer playing an assortment of games or playing on the PS2 with his father.

t-t-t-taday juniah

Well today was certainly a rather busy day. Lastnight I started sorting through one of our many closets that we have just been throwing clothes in that the kids have grown out of. There ended up being 8 boxes of clothes that we didn't need at all. I began to call around the ward and asking if there were people that needed new baby clothes or other baby items. There was a baby swing, infant carseat, bouncy chair, and a busy chair (for lack of the real word)and a bassinette.

We honestly don't plan on making anymore babies anytime soon. I know I know why should we stop when we make them so beautiful right? If we ever have more it will be after we can get on our feet completely. After we have finished school and once we can get into another house to settle permanently.

Anyway, I called around and found two moms that could take some of this stuff off my hands and I now only have 3 boxes of clothes left to give away a baby swing and the bassinette. On top of cleaning out the closet (somewhat, I am still hoping to get rid of more!) I really felt like I was able to help someone that needed it and would appreciate it. As of late I haven't felt like I have been doing enough and this certainly perked up my day. Who ever said getting rid of your old things was a sad thing?! Not me that's for sure!

For Your Information

Hello all,
Figured we would put an update up of what seems to be going on around here and hoping for a bit more of a brainstorm. So if anyone has any ideas please feel free let me know what you are thinking.
As far as we have planned we figure that if I can get a job at University of Phoenix we will go there because it would be better for me to get my schooling done and out of the way and just rent something in the meantime. Hoping that a job there will help with tuition fees.Other thoughts (still somewhat in the thinking process) are selling the house and finding a job in the Salt Lake or surrounding areas and renting there. We thought about trying to be apartment managers if we could, then that way if we had not sold the house we still would only be making one housing payment instead of two.We are currently in the process of looking for work up in the Salt Lake area and putting in applications. So if you see any houses for cheap rent, Let us know! or if there are any places that would need us for management since Jen stays home most of the time she would be able to handle that during the day while I am at work and school.I do plan to go back to school and finish my degree in Computer Science and currently only have my associates. That's all we have been able to come up with so far, that I can think of at the moment anyway. Love you all! Thank you for the prayers and the thoughts, they all count.

Photo editing fun

When I found myself some spare time (usually between the hours of 9 pm and 12pm) I tend to play with photos on my computer. I really love editing some of these. Although I am not the best at it I find it as a bit of release and just a splurge of creativity and a piece of my mind and what I think looks beautiful. Recently I have been playing with keeping some part of the photo in color and then turning the rest black and white or sepia (it was one of the first forum posts I came across with a tutorial on how to do it hehe). So I just had to try it and this is what I came up with. Photo courtesy of the most wonderful family members evar! *wink*

Stolen Tag

I also enjoy doing tags and quizzes. It helps pass the time when I am alone and don't feel much up to doing chores (yuck!) Feel free to do this one yourself. I had fun ^^

1 minute ago

I was chatting on MSN with a close friend

1 day ago

I was searching for a movie to watch while waiting for Jake to come home from work

1 week ago

I was painting my bedroom

1 month ago

I was planning what Halloween costumes my kids would be wearing

3 yrs ago

I was buying a house

5 yrs ago

I was extremely happy that my husband had a wonderful job

7 years ago

I was learning how to be a mother and beginning to understand how much you can love someone so much and completely amazed (and still am) at how intelligent God made us.

10 years ago

I was training horses and teaching little kids how to ride them living in New Harmony.

Thanksgiving is all sorts of made up

I realize there is some kind of historical context for Thanksgiving, but I view it as a made-up holiday that just invites stress into our lives. Don't get me wrong--I love the food, the football, the days off. However, I don't attach any great emotional significance to it.

Christmas and Easter are the big ones for us; one that has faith traditions to share with our children and a meaning much larger than being thankful for family and the like.

However, people seem to get stressed to such an absurd level over this day. And the shopping orgy the next day is just sickening. Like the stores won't have great deals all throughout the season. A holiday about giving thanks has turned into the prelude to the grossest display of materialism on earth.

You may all commence with frantic cooking and cleaning and mapping out a shopping strategy if that is your thing. Or not. I'm of the not variety; avoiding hosting for as long as possible.

Shave & a haircut; two bits

So you saw Preston's hair..It's WILD! So long and he has already had his hair cut once before. On Sunday at church I swear at laest 10 people commented on how long his hair was already getting and he's only 13 months old! So Jake took Preston on a little trip to Grandma Williams house to get a little bit of that mop tamed on that noggin of his.

Before & After

Can you believe how grown up he looks? With just a haircut. My lil baby is growin up and stuff. *sadface*

Halloween Day

Well, I finally got my pictures all uploaded and onto my computer to show off my darling children and the fun day we had on Halloween!. The elementary school had a parade of the kids in thier costumes and I wish I would've made it there sooner to be able to take pictures and post some of my favorite ones. I'm sure you can imagine just how adorable all the children were.

After the parade we went over to Grandma & Grandpa Williams house to play in the leaves and visit with family. You can see a picture of Isaiah helping Hallie blow the leaves into a pile. That was a kodak moment to remember. Isaiah was so willing to help her and to teach her how to work the machine. Jakes sisters were down visiting and it was the perfect opportunity to spend time with the family that we may just be seeing more of if we end up moving to Arizona.

Chandler was incredibly excited to see his most favorite cousin Isaiah who ended up getting to have a candy filled sleepover!

Here's some pictures of our costumes this year. The cheapest year ever! Preston was a Lion *rawr*

Miss Hallie was a Pirate *Yaaaaargh*

Becca Boo was a MUMMY *creeeeeper* She was so proud of her costume she picked it out herself.

Cousin Isaiah was Darth Vader *dundundun*

And my Chandler Man was a baseball player *batter up*

We went to a trunk or treat on Halloween evening at our church and they had a chili and breadstick cookoff with a side of pumpkin carving. So the kids all got to trunk or treat with full tummies. They made out like bandits and still had a wonderful time! Grandma even one the "Golden Spoon" award for the best chili that night. YAY GRANDMA!!!

Thankful Tuesday

I think sometimes we all get so caught up in our day to day lives that we forget to thank God for all that he has done for us. The bible states that we should pray continually and in all circumstances give thanks and be joyful no matter what is happening.

I find that a lot of the time it is rough to do this. How can you possibly be joyful when you have so many things going on, so many things to bring you down. How are you going to pay the bills without the income? How are you supposed to be thankful for that? What do we thank God for when there doesn't seem to be positive going on around you?

It is so important to look for the positive in our lives. The messy house that you have that proves you have active children that have imaginations and are too busy enjoying life to clean up. Thank God for that! Friends that pray for you, a family that loves you and salvation through Jesus Christ and his atonement. Praise God that we have these things and and so many more to thank him for.

Here is my Thankful Tuesday list:

1. My messy house

2. My children and husband. They are truly the most important thing to me here on this earth.

3. I get to stay home with my kids

4. I have a Heavenly Father that I can put my trust in. He will not fail me!

5. I have food in my cupboards to feed my family, where so many don't.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

get your own!

You can get your very own family sticker maker! I found a link to make one of these on another blog. Such fun! Get your own Family Sticker Maker.

Not just a mom

I came across this story quite a few years back and I like to read it from time to time.

- Not "Just a Mom"- By Author Unknown

A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a...

"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."

"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation... 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother."

Motherhood...What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

Is it my dad or is it Gandalf?

I took this photo of my dad the other day at my house while we were decorating pumpkins with the kids and it reminded me of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. You can see they look a lot alike!

Provocation of the mind

If you cut corners, your children will too.
If you lie, they will too.
If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes,your children won't either.
And if you snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out.
--Marian Wright

I have been coming across a lot of thought provoking quotes lately and this is one of them that I wanted to share. Now more than ever I am seeing the disrespect for religion, race and hard work. That really is not the type of behavior I want for my children. Upon coming across this quote, I have come to a better decision to try harder, not only for myself but for my children to do my part at making this world a better place. If not parents setting the standards then who? They spend so much of thier lives looking up to us and testing thier boundaries to see how far they can go and look to us to save them and bring them back to the straight and narrow. I hope my children can see what a hard working father they have and respect that. I hope they can see the life that we dedicate to God. I hope they can understand the respect for other peoples feelings, thoughts and freedoms. All these things fall to us parents to teach these children and I commit to being the best teacher that I can.

Stinkin CUTE!

So I was just surfing the web and I found the cutest aprons EVER! Think I am gonna try to make one. The pattern can be found pretty much anywhere and I have seen a range from $9-$11. It's called the Emmeline Apron.

What happens when the kids find the camera?

So this first one was a good attempt at a "self" portrait. Chandler style.
Definatly have no idea who took this one heh I was napping with Preston as you can see. That had to be nearly a year ago.

Hallies little pinky..just in case she loses it one day I suppose =D

They sure do like thier extreme close ups! Lucky! you get to see Becca caught with Icing face!

I think that's Chandlers shirt

Here's Grandpa from the grandkids point of view.

And last but not least another point of view picture looking at the cute lil piggies!

House for sale!

I put this together to try to "show" the house for potential buyers. Check it out and tell me what you think.

http://ephraimhome.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Jack-O'-Lantern

Jack-o'-Lanterns
People had been carving gourds or pumpkins and using them as lanterns long before this practice was associated with Halloween. In 1850, for example, poet John Greenleaf Whittier mentioned the practice of his boyhood in "The Pumpkin": "When wild, ugly faces were carved in its skin, glaring out through the dark with a candle within!"
We don't know exactly when and why these lanterns became associated with Halloween in particular, though we do know it was in North America. But by the start of the 20th century, the connection was firmly established.

The name "Jack-o'-lantern" has changed in meaning several times. It was first recorded as a nickname for a night watchman, dating back to 1663. Around the same time, it was used as another name for a will-o'-the-wisp. It began to be used for pumpkin lanterns sometime in the 19th century. It's possible that the name simply went from the night watchman (a man holding a lantern) to the lantern itself.
On the other hand, an Irish legend tells of a miserly man named Jack who, while alive, tricked the Devil into agreeing not to take him into Hell. Upon his death, St. Peter wouldn't let Jack into Heaven, because he had been too stingy and sinful. The Devil wouldn't let him into Hell because of the deal they'd made. Jack was condemned to wander between Heaven and Hell with his lantern, looking for a place to rest and never finding one.

Sprouts & Tomatoes

Ok this was the weirdest thing I have ever seen in the entirety of my life. Okay maybe not the weirdest because the children do some rather odd things but I rank this way up there..Perhaps number 3. I was making some deli sandwiches for Jake and myself yesterday for lunch and I began to slice a tomato that I had just purchased from the store. After the first slice falls to the cutting board I look at it and there is something small and long in the areas that the seeds would have been and there I go thinking...OH MY STARS! There's worms in this tomato I JUST bought this?! Lo and Behold...Not worms...But SPROUTS! I continue slicing...This thing is infested with sprouts. Now how in the world did that happen? You tell me..I didn't eat it. It weirded me out too much. I think I was in shock.

Hands-off, kid. That food is mine!

I have a problem. I don't like to share. Actually, let me get specific here. I don't like to share my food. With my daughters, my son or my husband. Well, with anyone, really. Yeah, I know, I should have learned how to do this, oh, 20 years ago. And I know it's not a good example for my children, but I just can't help it.
You may be wondering, what is with this crazy woman? Here's the skinny. I'm nursing. I feel like I am already sharing so much with one person, when I finally get to sit down and eat something myself, the idea of sharing before AND after my meal just makes me, well, not want to share. Thankfully I haven't rubbed off on my kids. They are awesome at sharing thier food especially Hallie. She always offers us bites of whatever she has, even if it's a special treat she loves. She doesn't think twice about it. Then, over here on the other side of the kitchen table, you have ME. The food hoarder. The famished, snarling, defensive monster that is a hungry nursing mother.
Intellectually I know I should be sharing and I know I'm being one super-duper example for my daughter. But every time I sit down to eat and suddenly have a 4-year-old (who has already eaten her own meal) hovering and begging for bites, I just get bugged. You know it's getting bad when your kid asks for BROCCOLI and you share it begrudgingly. Normally I'd be doing cartwheels if she asked for more veggies, no matter whose plate those veggies were on. But, I'm hungry! And that's MY broccoli!
Yeah, yeah, sharing is the nice thing to do. If everyone in this world shared, what a wonderful world it would be. But I think nursing moms should get a free pass. And if you disagree, then I'm going to eat your food, too. =D

is it magic?

This is one of my favorite videos because I just die laughing every time I watch it. Hope you all enjoy as much as I did. ahhh a day in the life of the Williams family..spinning in office chairs haha

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