Weekend Rumpus

Some wish for more and some wish for less. Me, well, I'm always wishing on that falling star. Thankfully my dream of wealth has turned a curved. This weekend was spent in the life of luxury. We stayed at this multi-million dollar home filled with the best. The best kitchen, the most bathrooms, the prettiest decor and the most lovey view. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't put up a fight on living in such a house but while there, I felt an overwhelming gratitude for what I have. On our boat ride, our friend was pointing to homes and giving us the number value for each. All these houses ranged in the upper millions! I think he wanted us to be impressed but truthfully, I just thought, "Well, at least I have my food storage." This isn't to say they didn't, but it makes me wonder what I put my value in. Today in Relief Society, the instructor gave an example of our life span here on earth compared to our afterlife or our time in the eternities. She said, "Have a piece of string and place on little knot on it and then wrap it around the earth. That one tiny knot represents our time here on earth while the rest of the string represent eternity." Now, I understand it's alright to enjoy life and take joy in recreation but I wonder how quick we can loose value in service and compassion or loose value in humility or maybe start putting ourselves above the needy. Just maybe, I haven't been blessed with millions because I am easily sucked into pride. I have a great respect for those that have more and share it, like our friends. Anyway, enough about all that.

We had great fun this weekend. The sun decided to grant unto us it's power of heat. The Fahrenheit reached into the hundreds so playing in the lake was just what "the doctor ordered." (our friend is a doctor) I just love holiday's with Nathan. He's so relaxed, his hair is messy and his face is unshaven. Something about all that just makes me love him even more. Nathan and I went out on a jet ski. Last year he took me on this wild ride and scared the crazies out of me but I made him promise to show a bit more compassion. I totally enjoyed time alone. We don't get that very often and I'm grateful to see we can still enjoy each other without those 5 silly kids.

Nathan's going with the Boy Scouts hiking over Labor Day weekend which meant he needed to load up on supplies. We went to this amazing outfitter store. Everywhere I turned I saw guns or fishing pools. I wanted Nathan to have a chance to shop alone so I took the kids around the store. First of all, we walked in and I asked if anyone needed the bathroom. "NO" they all cried. So off we soared through the store, UNTIL! Naomi announced she needed the potty. I put the three little ones in the cart. Natalie wanted to walk and to her dismay I wouldn't allow it. She let me know it! She screamed and shouted! Naomi was bouncing and Lincoln was trying to walk around in the cart losing his sandal. At one moment I even pushed my way in front of this poor man in his wheel chair. I said a quick prayer that he would forgive me and rushed to the bathroom. Naomi found her relief and so while we were there I ordered Natalie to use the potty as well. I picked her up while still screaming spanked her little bottom (like that really would calm her down) and set her on the pot. She wouldn't go! All this and Lincoln's grabbing the sink while in the cart sure to either pull himself out or fall to give himself another concussion. We went back and found the boys where I left them. Emerson approached me with the need of a potty. I asked Ethan to go with him and with a HUGE poutty face he agreed. I watched as they headed in the opposite direction. I loaded the three little ones again to direct the boys. While waiting for the boys, Natalie cried out in hunger. This became a domino effect. Now, everyone was starving! We had food in the car so all I needed was the keys. We marched liked chickens to the back of the store to find the keeper of the keys. I'm sure Nathan could read my frustrations. I tried to smile and asked for the keys to feed these incredibly starving children. "Take your time." I lied. The kids and I reached the van. I opened the back and of coarse everything fell out and while picking up the mess Lincoln and Natalie rolled away. Thank goodness for that new SUV parked next to us. It was a great block! Natalie then grabbed herself and declared NOW was the time to use a potty! To bad, I yelled. Sweet Emerson was too scared to mention his hunger in fear mom just might loose it all together. Anyway, I feed and watered the hungry. Mind you it was at least 104 degrees. I sent the children back to the store, take the 3 year old potty, go back out and make the children sit on the bench. The many on lookers must have thought, "how mean this lady is to her children." About 5 seconds later Nathan comes out loves and hugs the poor abused children. I gained my composure and we headed to the next store 30 miles away. This time the kids and I stayed in the van. The third and last shop was a joke but I didn't let it get the best of me, in fact I just enjoyed it. The kids ran around like wild turkeys. Lincoln and Naomi played dog and owner. Lincoln on his hands and knees barking and panting like a little lost puppy. Natalie refused to wear shoes hiding in the mist of the racks and the boys found full length mirrors that went around and around like a ride in the amusement park. After all this, Nathan casually says, "Well, maybe I can find all this cheaper online."

Worm Juice

I'm wondering if we should put up our curtains in the living room. Our three great big windows are just great. I could sit and sit and never become tired of the beauty outside. But at least once a day we hear a familiar sound. CLANK! Some unsuspected bird flies head first to his death. So now our "flower bed" which really consits of one bush, one thorny tree and one crazy looking pine tree, is now a bird cemetery. The kids have funerals. They place the lifeless creature in the ground then sprinkle the ground with petals and use sidewalk chalk as the headstone. This morning I called the children in for breakfast. Naomi picked her pancake and poked it with her finger. Emerson said, "Now, you can't eat that one it has germs. You need to wash your hands." I wondered why. Then he went on, "After playing with those white worms, you shouldn't touch your food." I said, "Oh gross, everyone wash hands." They ran to the bathroom. I followed and then overheard them talk about all the white worms in the bird cemetery. GROSS!!! "Use hot water and tons of soap. Scrub children!" Naomi proceeded to tell me the story... "Mom, I picked up the little worms and said, "HI LITTLE WORM! I'm going to squish you!" and guess what! She always says, "guess what." All this water popped out! YUM! Nothing like squishing worms to build up an appetite!

side note:

In Naomi's thoughts she says, "When a boy asks me to marry him, I'm going to tell him he needs to first show me his body."

"Why do you want him to show you his body?"

"Because I need to make sure he doesn't have any tattoos. He needs to be modest."

"Oh! Good."

A Sunset, A Hike and A Lip

To our surprise on Thursday night, Brother Harsten arrived and asked who was ready to hike the Butte with him. All the children cheered while Nathan and I secretly moaned. Nathan acting like the martyr said, "Beth, go ahead while I stay and give the little ones a bath." I'm actually glad I went. It was great fun to hike without the concern of the babies. Since it was already 7:30, I told Naomi that she may want to stay home. "OH NO, MOM! If the boys can do, so can I!" She was the first one up the Butte and the first one down. No one could show her up. It's just not allowed! We heard their was some sort of treasure hidden on the Butte and whomever finds it can write their name down in history. Therefore, that was the main concern through the whole hike. We found a pole with red tape that read "DANGER". Emerson was sure this was a clue. Maybe the treasure would be close to something dangerous. We had no success in our treasure hunt but we did see a beautiful sunset and enjoyed the time we spent with our friend Brother Harsten.

Our hike was cut short on Tuesday due to Lincoln's fall but I wanted to post this great picture of the kids on the the path. This explains a lot about life. Since most of us walk on the same path, we should stick together enjoying the rocks, bumps and bugs. And if needs be, we hold hands caring for one another the whole way. After all, going along alone isn't as much fun. Friends make the tough parts seem more tolerable.

Lincoln was given a popcicle the size of his arm on Saturday. He was a bit like Melinda Mae the the monstrous whale:

Have you heard of tiny Melinda Mae,

Who ate a monstrous whale?

She thought she could,

She said she would,

So she started in right at the tail.

And everyone said, "You're much to small,"

But that didn't bother Melinda at all.

She took little bites and she chewed very slow,

Just like a good girl should...

...And in eighty-nine years she ate that whale

Because she said she would!

Well, in the end I noticed something a bit funny about his lip. It grew to be about the size of an apple. I belly laughed so hard, I thought I might turn blue!

This is our Naomi and one of her very best friends! These two not only look alike they seem to have very similar personalities! He wore that necklace just for Naomi!

Wreaked Radio

It's been a little over 2 weeks now and our car radio is still broken. Over and over again from strangers, friends and family members we hear about how sweet Natalie is. Don't get me wrong, Natalie is frankly the cutest little girl to ever walk this earth BUT she has her weaknesses. Her top desire...GUM! She just loves gum. I seem to always have a stash hidden in the car and she knows it. Two weeks ago, she quietly snuck into the van and went on a rampage trying to find GUM. In her attempt, she left the door open just enough to allow the battery to die. It wasn't until I had the van all packed and ready for our camping trip did I start the car and nothing. I searched the house top to bottom and finally found the jumper cables. It worked and we set off on our trip but no radio. Now, traveling has a whole new meaning. I didn't realize how much we depend on our radio for entertainment/a way to keep the kids quiet (I mean happy). Time in the car has changed from depending on the voice of John Denver to talking with each other. Yes, our own singing. Nathan sings all his fun made up songs and we listen to Emerson tell his tales. I've learned about their dreams. I've found out their fears. I've even found out how puffy Naomi wants her hair. And as for Natalie, she's happy chewing her gum. Who needs a radio, when I have my very own entertainment right here! Just maybe, Natalie was inspired.

Lincoln Log's Fall Sometimes...

Adrenaline is real. Our Tuesday hike ended swiftly after Lincoln's fall off the picnic table. The back of his little head smacked the cement. Being a mother of five, I've seen lots of smacks and like many in the past I had a quick thought or maybe a still small voice before the fall. "...maybe I should grab Lincoln..." brush it off. "oh no, he's fine..." So, there I kept him. After all, I was preparing lunch and everyone was wanting this and that. Well, CRASH! I screamed and picked him up. He cried and cried. At about the time a child would normally calm down, he didn't. He just kept crying. I noticed he didn't have any bumps so I figured he must be tiered and just overreacting. My friend said, "Well, I've heard that no bumps can be worse. The swelling can be internal." Hum... Then a few minutes later the vomit began. There was a TON! She said, "Take him to the doctor!" I called Nathan and he says, "Bring him in now!" Thank goodness we had friends to help. I don't think I've ever packed the kids in the car so fast. We were about 15 miles from the clinic so my van turned into a big red racing machine! Lincoln cried and cried and then would vomit again. It was so scary. The kids said a prayer and cried. This little boy has scared me way too many times in the past therefore, I think I'm a bit overprotective. It doesn't help that I'm prone to think the absolute worst. My adrenaline was pumping. We parked and I rushed into the clinic. I think I'm pretty blessed to have Nathan there. I was able to run in and see our doctor right away. Lincoln's alright, we just need to watch him and wake him up after 30 minutes to make sure he's alert. If not, they will do a CAT scan.

Anyway, I just want to take a minute and talk about my little Lincoln Log. Log upon log he's learning and growing. I'm grateful for his love for books, animals and refried beans! It's a bit humbling to be a mother of such an incredible boy! Next, time I will not only listen to that still small voice but act upon it. After all, it could have saved me some gas and tears.

Exceptional Weekend!

Only 9 beautifully ghastly long trapped hours and BAM you're here! We had a weekend filled with the normal stuff; chickens, kittens, hammocks, dirt, rocks, fires, hikes and lots and lots of food. All this "normal" stuff became EXCEPTIONAL with grandma, grandpa and Trinity! How anyone could live without an unbelievable family is beyond me! Every minute was packed with love and laughter. Trinity's tummy tickled the whole time! She has grown so much within the year and even put up with Aunt Beth's crazy hairdos!

We drove to Granite City where we could be our very own treasure hunters. After some complaining, Ethan told Trinity that this is only fun for "old people like Grandpa." OOPS, now he's for sure written out of the will. Grandpa did have fun and found lots of granites.

Trinity learned a few things like how to take a 3 minute shower, play with chickens, eat Aunt Beth's food and keep up with Naomi. She was a trooper with all the kids. I was so proud of her.

Grandma was AMAZING! She's not only a magnificent grandma, she's a joy to talk to and a real friend. I couldn't have been blessed with better in-laws. I really mean it! They are just great! Thank you for all your love, support and kindness.

Well of Memories

"Oh, that sounds horrible." says Martha, my sister. This is her monotone reply after reviewing our family weekend camping. All I said was, "We went camping this weekend." Funny but true story about the Robbins family camping. Michael, the youngest sibling had never experienced camping with dad so dad thought it was about time to create such a memory. They had the tent, the food and the sleeping bags. They set out on their journey to only end up at a hotel. After all, the bugs and the whole camping thing was just not the kind of memory they wanted to create. Why sleep outside on the hard ground surrounded by bugs when one could sleep in a nice soft bed with the tv. So now you see. This is what I was grown up to believe. Nathan on the other hand grew up camping. He had his Eagle Scout award at the age of 12 mostly because his dad had always been the Scout leader and his mom worked and pushed her kids for success. He grew up with camping, hiking and fires. Well, combine the Robbins family with the Hymas family and this is what happens. We camp but I never forget the nice sheets for the air mattress. Loading the van up with everything we need for an overnight is ridiculous! The van was packed full and most of the stuff was "just in case" this or that happens. I read an article in the Ensign from a mother using the same complaints as I. She dreaded the packing and organizing of such trips. She then decided she wanted to create a well of memories for her children. This way when the children grew, they could draw from the well of memories she helped them create. It's awfully hard to draw from an empty well. So, there you go. Create wells of memories! Such as, Naomi finding out how it feels when sand falls on her face, Emerson watching an old evergreen tree burn, Natalie basking in the warmth of sand, Lincoln watching moms reaction when he darts to the fire and Ethan jumping from a bridge into the river.

Look at that face! So YUMMY!

This is Emerson performing as "Professor Doofess"

Costco trip. I wanted the visual of Ethan pushing those huge carts across the store and don't forget Lincoln crying!