Sunday, April 28, 2013

Goods and Bads!!!

It's been way to long since I've been on here, so long in fact I didn't even know my password to log in.  I haven't even been following along with blogs that I've followed for years.  I guess I was thinking what's the purpose of posting things twice since I'm on Facebook so often?  Well I'm going to give it another try and start blogging again like I use to years ago.  It's up to all of you out there if you find me and my family interesting enough to follow along 
It's been a really tough past year lot's of ups and downs, unexplained illnesses with our kids. Like our oldest daughter Trinity suffering from migraines for so long (9mos).  She has more good days then bad now after being hospitalized for a week in Jan. at Children's to basically try and reset her brain.  More unexplained sick with Tristian over the last year and a half with almost zero white blood cell count (WBC) to heart irregularities, and having MERSA (flesh eating disease) again.  And then Savannah rupturing her eardrum the day before her 12th Birthday. Which that is still healing. With hubby being away for a few months last summer and fall while he was on the road driving truck and me having to deal with extremely rude and harassment from our neighbors that at one time were friends or at least the kids were friends and our husbands worked together.  To almost losing my oldest son last June 1st. Which has changed the way he see's his life and his family, that's for sure!   I think I've covered the major bad stuff.  So yes needless to say it's been a rough past year to say the least!!  Now onto the GOOD stuff....yes good did happen!!
Tristian made the Varsity Football Team his Sophomore year, and played on both JV and V.  Also he decided to do Wrestling and he made Varsity on that too.  He placed 2nd in Districts and made it to State down in Pocatello (10 hrs south of here).  He did letter so now we save up for his letterman's jacket.  It was a great experience for him!  He also is going to 2 wrestling camps this summer.  And he just finished and passed drivers ed!!!  Trinity has learned 6 instruments now in band and just brought home a Sax to learn as well.  She is doing amazing in band and is trying out for Jazz Band for next year! And plans on lettering in Band as well.  Grades this year for her have been tough but that's because of her headaches.  She is doing everything she can to get them back up and is taking the initiative to find out what she can do to get back on track and is planning out her next 3 years of High School and what classes she should take. She is applying for jobs and looking into colleges.  Same with Tristian although the job thing for him isn't as important as it is for her because of his sports schedule.  But as a career choice for them they have both decided on what they really want to do.  I'll talk about that later.  Savannah is doing great in school, of course.  The only thing she struggles with is test taking...she has a bit of anxiety when it comes to that. Each quarter she comes home with a stack of award letters.  I don't know where she gets it from but probably her Aunt Lala since she is identical to her and they even share the same birthday.  She is enjoying her 4th season of soccer and LOVING it!!!  She too is already wanting to look at colleges and has had her career choice made up years ago.  We'll just have to wait and see if it stays the same!  Sierra is doing good, still playing the princess role of the family.  She is currently in her 5th season of soccer and I'd love to say she is loving it too but I think she'd so much rather be on stage acting or dancing/singing.  There is a local theater group here in town and I have thought about signing her up for it, so we'll see.  And then there's Zachary, full of energy but also the one to cuddle with me the most!  I love that!!!  As long as he stays focused at school he is doing great!!  I am finding that he is a really smart kid and when he understands it he wants to move on or he'll lose interest.  His teachers' daughter was his soccer coach this last Fall which he loved but after doing basketball for the first time this winter he decided he didn't want to do soccer.  He wants to do what his brother does...wrestling and football!  That will start this fall.  I can't wait to see him out there on the mat and the field.  So cute!!! I was able to go on another cross country road trip with my sis last May to New Orleans.  It was another AMAZING trip!  Dave and I we got to go on our first trip/time away together this past spring break.  So 8 years later we had our honeymoon in Vegas!!  We had an amazing time and saw so much.  And we definitely want to go back and do more things together.  It's amazing what happens when you actually take time to work on your marriage!! Not just be mom and dad but actually husband and wife!  Great things!!  The kids stayed with my parents and my best friend Michelle in Shelton.  Our goal is to do something for ourselves once a year, again, we'll see.  So I think I've covered most of the big things good and bad that we've been through over the past year....oh yeah a couple more things. Dave has STOPPED smoking and I have STOPPED drinking sugary drinks, started excursing and eating healthy.  I am down 21 lbs and 12.5 total inches!!!  To a better rest of the year and better at blogging!!!  :)
*Pictures to follow with up coming blogs.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

A quick update

I've been frustrated to say the least with my inability to post my pictures on here for everyone to see. So for those of you that normally read my blog, my pics are and will be mostly on my Facebook page. Probably until I can get a new computer. I think this my laptop is about to say goodbye for good....I don't know I just know it's frustrating.


So on to more important things......Dave has gotten a job!!! YAY!!! And it's really nice, only 3 days a week but 12 hour shifts with chance for over time. It couldn't come at a better time, with Christmas and birthdays coming. We'll be able to get caught up on things and to breathe again and live life.


Tristian has gotten really really sick this last month. Did nothing but sleep and ended up losing 13 lbs. He had a bunch of lab work done and everything that the dr first thought like Mono came back negative. I had to take him in every other day to keep checking his WBC (white blood cell count) because it kept dropping. The norm is 4.5-11 his was first 2.3 and went down to 1.3 before it started to make its way back up. With having 5 kids and a lot of sicknesses over the years, I have never had a doctor mention cancer more so leukemia before. Thankfully!! But it really put a fear in me that something could be really wrong. With lots of prayers from friends and family and him resting slowly but surely his count started to go back up. And he has been good since then. We are still not sure what made him so sick and why his body wasn't able to fight it like normal. But we are ever so thankful and praise God for his health!!


We've finished up Volleyball last week and Soccer this week. We're going to be taking a break in sports until after Christmas. Momma needs a break from all the running around and being on the go.all.the.time. So now I'm cooking, baking and crafting more


We did our pumpkin carving today and the kids really enjoyed it, as I knew they would. This year we're going to take them to the church for their festivities on Halloween then around the neighborhood by the church afterwards. And that should be plenty. So see pictures you'll have to again look at my Facebook page. And if you would like to and don't have access please just ask me here.


Also another new thing I've been up to is making Tutu's and have actually started selling them. It's fun and I really like making them, I am also going to be making headband, hair bows/clips, more skirts and other crafty things I can think of. Just something to pass the time while the kids are in school now. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by, next month is Thanksgiving and my parents will be coming over to have dinner at our house. Then Christmas already.....I can't wait to get up all the lights and decor on our new house!! It's going to look great.....even better when it snows!!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

End of Summer Fun & Start of School

When we first moved to our new house this last June we registered the kids into school, at least filling out all.the.paperwork.!! And at that time the elementary school said that kindergarten was three full days a week Tues-Thurs. So we thought that would be perfect for Zachary to ease in to school. Plus give us some one on one time with him on Mondays and Fridays. Let's fast forward.....I found out that the school got a grant and funding came through for them to have all day full time kindergarten. So that changes a few things, mostly for me and getting use to have all of the kids in school. I have never been alone at home with out my kids, so it's going to be a big adjustment. Zachie says he is excited for school but I am thinking he is going to want to come home after being there for maybe an hour the first day. He is very much so a home body. Even when we're all out having fun either camping, at Silverwood or shopping, he always asks when are we going home. When we leave the house he asks if he has to go or he's excited about it but then starts in with "when" again. So hopefully he makes some great friends and loves his teacher and has so much fun that the time flies by for him. Now for mom on the other hand that's another story. I am so sad that our baby is growing up and now off to school. Excited for him and this stage of his life....all my kids lives. But as a parent who truly cherishes being with her children it is a bitter sweet moment for me to send them on that bus. I wish I could keep them young forever!!! But can't wait to see what they decide to do with their lives. Maybe cause that means I stay young too......


So with school being in now for 2 1/2 weeks, we have totally got our routine down. I am feeling pretty good with what we got going. All the sports have started and dad's been spending more time at the fire department. So I have had plenty of ME time and yes I can say it's done me some good. Which in return makes home a happier place.... :) I love seeing them get off the bus and to hear about all of their days excitements. I LOVE IT!! Plus the girls get more homemade clothes since I have more time!


We all have been very busy. Trinity is playing Volleyball and is doing Cheerleading, which she LOVES. She has had two away games and next Tuesday is her first home game, so that will be fun!! Sierra this last week was in her first play through the Missoula Children's Theater, here in Newport. They all did a great job and I just know she will want to be doing more of that type of stuff.....anything that puts her on a stage, she's all for it.....LOL Grandma and Grandpa were here in town that day so Grandma got to watch her too. It was great!! While my parents were here they gave the kids Great Grandma's Organ. Which is down stairs in the playroom/family room. And all have taken their turn playing it. Trinity already knows how to read music and has a love for music so she's been helping the other little ones learn how to play. And she has been doing lots of practice when there's time.....mostly on the weekends. It's great for them!!

Also right before school started this year we went to Paul Bunyan Day's which is St. Maries local town fair. We met up with one of my favorite friends Tammy and her daughter Morgan. Us mom's talked and watched the little kids go on unlimited number of rides, and the all the rest of the older kids were on their own. Then when the sun went down they put on a beautiful firework show, it was amazing as we all laid out on our blankets on the grassy hill and look up to the sky. It was awesome and we're already looking forward to the next one next year! Oh yay and Zachary went on the Panic Plunge (type of ride) with Sierra for the first time......his face was priceless......pics will follow soon to all of these things we've done soon (have to still upload them). This week Sierra and Savannah started soccer. So it's been lot's of running around and cheering our kiddo's on!!


And to end our summer on a GREAT note.......my BFF Michelle (aka Shell) and her daughter Hailey came for a visit from Western WA.!!!!!! We all LOVED having them here. We basically just hung out at the river all day because that's really all the kids wanted to do. We did a little window shopping....ok I did the window shopping and she did the real shopping. I think she found her new favorite store in Newport called Sister's Cottage. They have a lot of great jewelry and home decor....name it they have it!! Fingers crossed but I'm hoping that maybe she'll be back the first of November for a big sale amongst a bunch of local stores here. How fun would that be??!! After some great dinners and deserts from my hubby and lot's of catching up and relaxing we had to take her back to the airport. Why does time always go by so fast when things are so good?? I wish I could just turn it back a bit. Thank you for coming and I can't wait to see you guys again....sooner then later. A year and a half is way to long!!! :)


*Pictures of all our fun this last month & from this post, will be up in a new post within a day or so.*

Monday, August 15, 2011

Do I Dare Say.......

My spirit is longing for fall....


Although our summer didn't start until July I am looking forward to crisp mornings and the sun setting earlier in the evening. Decorating the house in Fall decor I love. Start making homemade Christmas gifts, more baking and sewing. I have a few more skirts to make, and I am wanting to bake more bread and buy less. These are my goals and I have made a little dent in that I don't use any white flour anymore, only whole grains now. For those that know me that's a big deal. :) Also we have to make a trip to Green Bluff Family Farms again to pick Peaches and Apples. This time we live a lot closer and don't have to drive nearly as far...YAY!!! And make some yummy apple crisps that the family loves and try some new recipes as well. Since we have had such a mild summer their seasons have been pushed out a couple weeks later then normal. Oh and I really want to get in to canning, I have decided that this year I am actually going to do it! Our garden didn't do to well this time around so we'll try for a better one next year. For what fruits and veggies we can't get here on our own we go to go to our local fruit stand which is amazing. Love it and the people there at the stand/country store are so super nice and helpful. So over the next couple of months I have a lot to do. Overall I just want my family to eat healthier, that is my goal.

We still have more plans for this month with more friends coming to visit at the end of the month. Meanwhile, we have been blessed with such great friends and family and they have eased the financial strain of having 5 kids in school this year. It seems just when things are going to fall through and fail God lifts you up and gives you just what you need. I get a bit overwhelmed at times with worry and I am learning to let that go. I know I have told those you have been so kind to us Thank you but I want to say it again Thank you everyone who has given us clothes/shoes for school. Our kids thank you too!!

So in a couple of weeks a new crazy busy schedule will be up for our kids and family. It will go from Summer fun to Fall which means school, sports, Awana's and youth group, still fun but more of a routine.



  • Zachary is in Kindergarten and in Awana's


  • Sierra is in 2nd grade and will be in Awana's and playing Soccer


  • Savannah is in 5th grade and will be in Awana's and playing Soccer as well


  • Trinity is in 8th grade, playing the Flute in Band and playing Soccer


  • Tristian is a Freshman in High School and sports this year is Football which practices started last week and Basketball

So we are going to be very busy as school starts up this Sept. and this means more running kids around to practices, games, performances and church. Let's gas up the car and get going......LOL


Oh ya and its Football season another reason to love FALL!!!!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

My Day


Outside my window... Summer is here. There is not a cloud in the sky and it's blue as blue can be. The air is perfect at 74 degrees. I hear our young children at play and a car pass by every so often.

I am thinking... my children are growing too fast. Sometimes it feels like life is just passing me by.

I am thankful for... the laughter of my kids, the smell of a clean house and fresh air, my relationship with my family, and my closest friends.

From the kitchen... My dishes are finally done. It's almost spotless, along with leftover chocolate cupcakes from hubby's birthday yesterday. It's been a couple days since I've cooked up a good meal in it so that's what I'll be doing this evening.

I am wearing... A black t-shirt and jeans.....very comfy!

I am reading... I just finished 19 kids & Counting....A Love That Multiplies!

I am hearing... my children playing and my fan.

Around the house... We're all over the place, windows open, enjoying the fresh air and sounds of the outside. Hubby's black birthday balloons are on the floor now left over too from yesterday. My 10yr old just finished up making grilled cheese for her siblings.

Pondering these words... "Not all who wander are lost" ~C.S. Lewis"

A few plans for the rest of the week... Is not a whole lot, I am hoping to see a very dear friend of ours on Friday. We all worked together this morning and cleaned up the entire house, laundry and all now it's family time! We'll probably go fishing sometime this weekend and also have a family BBQ to go to on Sunday with the fire department. Also we are looking for a new church and might go check some out this next week.

A picture I thought I'd share with you all... Beautiful Priest Lake Idaho........(Zachie)

Friday, August 5, 2011

We're Blessed Beyond Measure!!

We are so very blessed to call this our home. Our new home is just 3/4 of a mile from the Pend Orielle River in North River and there is this beautiful cove called Albeni Cove. I have mentioned it a lot over the last few updates since June cause it's where we camped when we were in between houses. Well since summer finally decided to show up here the kids love going there all.the.time.! Here are a few pictures of their hangout oh and dad's fishing spot.....well one of many that he has found..... :)


Zachary holding the red bucket and watching others....probably worrying about if they are going to ruin is artwork after he spends so much time digging and playing in the sand. That's the only reason he goes to the cove, it's not to play in the water when it's 90 plus degrees out. It's because he can play in the sand, get dirty and build with his hands. He loves it!!!
Trinity getting ready to round up our clan!


Silverwood here we come!!!!

I have a lot more pictures of this fun time but I didn't think I'd post them here and on Facebook so here's a couple. Dave and I spent most of the 6 hours there with Zachie and Sierra, since the older three took off after we set the rules for them. They too had a great time but I didn't get many pictures of them.
Zachies first time on the bumper cars.....he loved getting to crash into his daddy, and two sister's.
Savannah and Sierra


Panic Plunge


Sierra and Savannah love this ride, well I should say Sierra loves it this time but last year was another story. And we're sad to say that Zachie missed the chance to go on this ride again this year by about 1/4 of a inch. We thought for sure that he'd be able to go on this one this year but nope and momma wasn't gunna risk it. So next year for sure he will be able to and he's already counting down the days......lol







They had so much fun. I have more pictures that I still have to get off of my cell so I will more then likely have another post with misc pictures.




























































































Saturday, July 23, 2011

Part 4 of 6 week update.......

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR ZACHARY!!!!


Zachie at about 5 months old....yes a tank.....

crazy face of now our 5 year old Zachie....where has all the time gone, I'll never know. As a family along with Grandma we went and watched Transformers 3 for his birthday. He was a sleep before the half way point....LOL
May all your wish come true little man!!! We love you so very much......momma's baby boy!

TOYS!!!!









Grandma & Trinity

BBQ, Fourth of July, Housewarming, Homecoming, Anniversary & Birthday Party



Momma, Me & Lala


Alexis & Alicia


Savannah & Mary (Lala's BFF) from Kindergarten


Dave on the left, nephew Ryan on the right



Me keeping a close eye on my doggie who mind you everyone was falling in love with!! LOL I was making sure he wasn't going to come up missing.



Savannah was doing a car wash while we were having the BBQ and earned enough money to buy her skateboard and safety equipment to boot!!!!! Than you everyone that donated to her cause!



Lala & Savannah



(left to right) Deb, Mary & Tammy



Lala & Alicia



Savannah all decked out!



Trisitan & Savannah at Mary & Deb's house for a fish fry thanks to Herb!



Zachie



Happy Birthday Mary!!! :)




Happy 6th Anniversary to us!!!


After going to the Lavender Festival I came home to these beautiful flowers & beautiful card from the hubby. I love you & Thank you and pray for many many more!!

Us......


Day at the River!!



Miss Karsyn (a friends little one) few from WA. We haven't seen her since she was 2 months old. Now 16 months and such a sweetheart!
Zachary just a little cold at first but soon warmed up to it.




Dana, Karsyn, Trinity, Savannah, Zachie, Sierra & Tristian



Miss Savannah


Sierra & Zachary's favorite spot on the river......the beach so they can build sand castles



Our boys......



Tristian taking a break.



Miss Trinity




and yes the two little ones back to playing in the sand. I think we need to have Daddy build someone a sand box, they LOVE it!!!!!!


(Left to right) Sierra, Karsyn, Zachary & Savannah


please excuse the blurry pic....but it's the only one I got with the two of them. She loved Dave!!



If any of you are ever in this area there is a little store w/ produce stand called "Sharon's Country Store" in Newport WA off of Hwy 2/Newport Hwy. It is my new favorite place. They have great produce and lot's of Organic & Gluten Free products. As well as good solid wooden "older style" toys and other gifts and handmade wood furniture all made in the U.S. mind you. Anyways they have these little kid carts so Zachary & Miss Karsyn had a great time doing some shopping. They didn't know if they were coming or going and Zachary got this really cool airplane that you build so his big brother helped him with that when we got home. It's a great store I go there weekly and am working on getting new kitchen decor from them.....one piece at a time.






I see one of these chicken coops in my future.....I don't know if my husband knows but I'm sure he does now.....lol!




Newport Lavender Festival 2011

So peaceful and smelt oh soooo good. Left with a few goodies and will definitely be back next year with the whole family. This year I only took Savannah so she got some one on one time with mom....dad wasn't to excited to go.....






Savannah's Splatter Art Work


My sissy...aka....Aunt Lala made it to town just in time for our big family/friend BBQ July 3rd.....that was originally her idea, I really really wanted her here. Let me fill you in on a little story about her getting here. For those of you who don't know her boyfriend Herb is a long haul truck driver from coast to coast but rarely and I mean rarely gets to the Pacific Northwest. I get to see her about every 6 months and I'm lucky if it's that soon. It's not the easiest to get her home because of the job. So she was suppose to be here June 30th (giving her enough time to get her for the BBQ etc.) well that day came and went. Our dear momma made it here and that was GREAT!! Meanwhile we are texting back and fourth. The last text I got from her was Saturday the July 2nd and that she was stuck in Portland Oregon. Then comes Sunday (day of party) and at 10:30am ish we text and it's clear she isn't gunna make....... I cried, my momma tried to calm me down....I was just really bummed. So I text her best friend Mary who happens to live in Spokane and was coming to the party and asked if she heard from sis. She was bummed too and I told her that my mom was going to be leaving in a few hours and I know they wanted to see each other. So Mary texts back and says to have my mom wait that she (Mary) was on her way and wanted to see her. It had been decades since they last saw each other. An hour goes by and one of the kids says someone was here.....I looked out the window of our living room and there was Mary......then I saw someone else and I knew it wasn't her other half....looked closer and it was my SISSY!!!!!! Mary and Deb drove to Portland to pick her up so she could make the party!!!!! We cried and cried and cried some more. Dang I love those girls!!!! So Herb didn't make it this year to see the fireworks, he got here on Tuesday and we did nothing but bbq all week. So our plans now are to go to New Orleans next Feb. which is where he is from. We are super excited and love the fact that there are such great people in the world like Mary & Deb for getting my sister here in time......love you guys more then you know!!


Lala & Karsyn


Lala being silly



Herb & Lala at Riley Creek Campground on the Pend Oreille River



Lala & Trinity saying goodbye

Lala w/ Lala from the teletubbies......LOL Had to get a pic!!

I hope I didn't put ya' all to sleep with this very long blog ......but this wraps up the last 6 weeks of updates and what we've been up too. Onto our next adventure to Silverwood in August and loving all the friends that have been out to see us this summer and to those who are still to come!!!!! God Bless!!!