Sheri Lawrence... my life...

I tried, but...

 

I set out today to TRY to get pics of the kids, since it had been about 1 1/2 years since I've done it.  Both Seth and Blake said they would rather do chores for 1/2 hour than get their picture taken.  I'm not joking, they are so uncooperative when it comes to getting their pictures done.  Seriously makes me mad!  But unfortunate for them, I will make them do it again, until I'm satisfied that I have a picture that is hang-on-the-wall worthy.  The best family pic I could get was this one.  I did get a cute one of Amber though, who LOVES getting her picture taken.  Actually, all the girls are good about it, but the boys, ugh!!

  

Finally, a post :)

Well, it has been over 6 months since I have written on my blog.  I admit, I have hesitated on what to write, as life has been a little topsy-turvy lately, and I was waiting for things to settle down.  But I like writing on my blog, and miss it.  So here it goes, real life.

I won’t try to catch up on ALL the details, for a lot has happened.  We have moved twice.  The house sold, possession was too quick before the other one was done, so we had to move to a rental for a couple of months.  Right before Christmas, we finally moved into the house that has taken me a year and a half to complete, from the permits to passing final inspection.  It was a good learning process, and I enjoyed learning how to build a house from scratch.

Eric also decided to leave Windmill Golf.  We thought we’d like to move back down to the States, and buy a business in  Arizona.  So Eric moved down there, to find a business that would work for him and our family.  But after about a month or so and pursuing different opportunities, just didn’t feel right about it (buying the business, that is) and decided to look for a job instead.  That opened up our minds to moving just about anywhere, including staying here in Calgary.  I’d be excited to go on some unknown adventure, but we like Calgary, and would be happy to stay here too.

 Eric has been gone since March 6, except for 4 days a few weeks ago, which was a magical and wonderful weekend.  Of course, we wish he was home all the time.  But there’s always silver lining, I find.  I have had some unique opportunities with the kids to teach them about patience, sacrifice, support… stuff like that.  I’ve been pretty open with the older kids, and simply put they have amazed me.  We have grown as a family.  Sometimes you go through challenging times, and it stretches you in ways you didn’t know you could be stretched.  I like to stretch.  I like to see the kids stretch.  Eric has been able to really focus, with no distractions.  It has been good for us, though I never want to go through this much time apart again, or would I recommend it to anyone.

We are happy though.  I’ve done a lot of reading, of some really good books.  Church books.  I have loved them.  I even have the kids reading some of the stuff I’ve been reading, I love it so much.  I’m hoping to do a bit of sewing soon too - for the girls.   I’m really wanting to make them some church dresses.

A few weeks ago Eric came home.  On Friday night we celebrated our anniversary, and loved it.  We were excited to be together.  On May 1st, Blake baptized Bryce.  Wow, to see one of your boys baptize another one.  I remember when Bryce was born, thinking that Blake would be old enough to baptize Bryce.  It’s weird to think about a specific thought you had 8 years ago, and then see it happen.  But wonderful!

 

 I’m planning a birthday party for Heidi.  She thinks every time I make a cake, it’s her birthday.  Even on days when I don’t make a cake at all, she tells me it’s her birthday.  It’s super cute.  I’m looking for some cute ideas on the internet to copy.  I like to copy other people’s creative ideas.  Fun stuff planned.

I'll be back soon, I promise :)  Sheri

P.S. Last Thursday Eric surprised me by coming home to visit.  Best surprise ever :)

2 much 2 do lately...

It's been nuts.  We sold our house, and moved out 8 days later, had Amber's birthday party inbetween that (since the invitations were already done), found a rental to live in for 2 months (til the other house is done), and then left to Utah to visit Madison the day after we moved out.  I have 6 weeks to get the other house done (it's being painted right now), so I'm having to really push the sub-trades and stay on top of making sure the house keeps moving along.  It didn't help that my painter quit the day AFTER he was supposed to start.  All that in a matter of 2 weeks. 

So I don't have any pictures today.  We really didn't have to go see Madison, but the kids had a 5 day weekend, and since it was Canadian Thanksgiving none of the boys had basketball or anything else, so hey, why not squeeze a quick trip in there.  Actually, it was really great.  A much needed break, and we had a wonderful time, with Madison and with Eric's family.  I've been to Utah 4 times in the last 6 months.. that's more times than the last 12 years combined.  We met some of her friends, and the family met her roommates and saw her apartment.  Her roommates are sweet, and her friends aren't so bad either.  She's having fun.

And it was really nice seeing Eric's family.  I wish we got to see them more.  Sunday was fun.  Tracy and Dymond taught the kids a new card game, which they then came home and taught their cousins here.  We visited Great Grandpa Smith too.  He just moved to a new place, after living in his house which has been in the family for many generations - maybe 4 or 5.

A good and relaxing weekend.

Happy glimpses into my everyday life...

Hand caught in the cookie jar:)  This is what I found Heidi doing after church.  My kids are somewhat independent, I use the excuse that it's good for them.  But that's pretty much an excuse, really, a 2-year-old shouldn't be getting her own brownies, right before dinner, at that.

Here she is sleeping... she much prefers my bed over her crib, even when I'm not in it.  So usually I give her a choice.  Last night I said to her, do you want to sleep in Mom's bed or in your crib?"  She thinks for a minute, and then says, "Mom's crib, hahaha, that's so... funny!"  And she couldn't stop laughing.  I think that's the first time she's told me a 'joke'.  Haha.

Amber and Bryce were bored the other night, and asked me what they could do.  I told them 'Make something for Madison.'  They thought that was a great idea, and started coloring and cutting up a storm.  This is what they came up with.  Notice how Bryce spells the names, and the little 'envelope' of money that they sent her.  If that's not the cutest thing, I don't know what is.

And then my friend here was going down to the BYU football game and offered to bring Madison a package.  So along with the sweet card above, I found this plaque - had to buy it.  I tell her to just be herself, so this fit so perfectly, besides I thought it was cute.

And here's a picture of my 'office'.  I do so much work on the floor.  I fold laundry, change diapers, do hair etc.  I guess I just like to spread out.  Nice and organized, huh?

Role models...

I feel that people learn the most through example.  On Sunday we had the missionaries over for dinner, and also decided to invite over David Clark.  He's a Vietnam Vet.  Wow.  I had wanted to invite him over for a while, so that he could talk to the kids about what it was really like, from his eyes.  He brought over his album, and the kids were intrigued, and asked a ton of questions.  David was emotional about it, and I think it hit home to the kids.  It was a good night.  Kids need good role models.  Missionaries, veterans.  They're good examples.  I want them to appreciate freedom.  Sometimes we take things for granted, and that's not good.

Seems that kids now-a-days look up to professional athletes, movie stars etc. as role models.  Not that those people are not good people.  But, I ask myself, 'Who do I want my kids to look up to, and what am I doing to help them to admire those people?' 

I think I just want them to look up to 'ordinary' people.  While we lived in Indiana, I was talking about this with a friend, and I remember her saying, 'I just want my kids to be normal.'  I've always remembered that.  And now that my kids are getting older, I get it.  I'm not hoping for them to be wonder athletes, or whatever.  I just am hoping for normal.  And happy.

Oh, and one more thing.  I miss Madison.

back from provo

I made it back.  It was a crazy, whirlwind week.  A bit different than I anticipated.  We got to Madison's 'new' apartment, all bright and early, Monday morning.  She moved in, and then 2 days later, was told that the office made a mistake, and that she would have to move out.  What?!  To make a long story short, we had to move her out, and find her another place to live.  Frustrating!  There is hardly a place to be found in Provo, come September.  It was very limited.  But... we did find her a new place, and all worked out well.  It did put us 2 days behind, though. 

Her new room mates seem very sweet, and she is adjusting.  She did tell me last night though, that she didn't realize how much she took for granted, all the cooking and cleaning and stuff. 

I look forward to calling her.  It's probably a good thing that her cell plan only has free minutes in the evening, or I would have a hard time stopping myself from calling her.  Honestly, she seems to welcome my calls, and wants to tell me what she's doing, and what's going on, and how she feels... I'm grateful for that.  What a fun time for her.  She's happy :)
Here she is organizing, organizing, organizing.  Notice the bed we raised on cinder blocks, lol.  Not so glamorous, but it did add a bunch of storage.
The outside of the apartments that she's staying in.  These are the apartments that Eric stayed in when we were dating.  Funny.  He got a kick out of that.  The memories :)

So after getting her all settled in, we said good-bye and off she was to college.  To be on her own.  I have a feeling it's easier on her than me...

Last night, Heidi somehow poked herself with a mechanical pencil.  She couldn't have come any closer to the eye, which scared me.  Amber and I said a little prayer of thanks, that she didn't get more seriously hurt.

so soon

I've been pretty good, until Sunday.  Church was tough, I was emotional, I mean.  It was the last Sunday Madison will be here before she goes down to the Y.  It was hard for me to not cry.  I am excited for Madison to go to college, but, I tell ya, it's hard for me to let her go.  Maybe if she had been a rotten stinker it would be easier, but she wasn't.  Perfect, no.  But she's a sweetheart, and we're going to miss her.

Eric gave the kids blessings (to start the school year), and Bryce chimes in, "Does Mom need a blessing too?"  Yeah, Mom needed a blessing too.

I've been trying to not think about it, Madison being gone that is.  It's weird, our family's changing.  We leave today.  I'm taking her down with my Mom, and we're going to help her get settled.  Eric's staying here with the rest of the kids.

She is SO excited.  And that has made it so much easier for me, knowing how excited she is to go and start such a fun part of her life.  College... I just can't wrap my head around the fact that she's already old enough to go to college.

the family addiction.

We are addicted to fruit.  Plain and simple.  I guess there are worse things we could be addicted to, but it's bad.  Especially in the summer.  I think we inhale it.

See, I told ya.  It's bad.

Cherries, blueberries, watermelon, whatever... it doesn't matter.  The kids beg me for it, and it's gone before you know it.

More posts to come.  Soon.  I promise.

Cracking me up...

So I think this is a cute picture of Bryce...
And I really like this one too...
But these two show his personality... check out that mischievous look in those eyes, and that smile that he's trying so hard to hold back.
Case in point... here's a couple of the conversations we had the last couple of days.

I'm trying to get the 2 beach chairs and stroller in the back of the trunk, and Amber didn't think I could get it all in, so she says, "Mom, I don't think you can get that all in."  Bryce pipes up (he can't say his 'r's so well), "Amba, Mum's smauta (smarter) than she looks." What?!?!  LOLOL!

Then today I'm taking these pictures and looking at them through the viewfinder, and thinking he's sure a cute thing, so I say, "Bryce, you're going to be a gorgeous teenager."  And he says, "What was it like when you were gorgeous, and everyone liked you."  I couldn't stop laughing, either time, it was so funny.
And a few cute pictures of Heidi...

Heidi puts her crocs on the 'wrong' way 100% of the time, so cute :)
Man, I love these kids.

frusterated...

This is how I feel today.  No major reason, I think I just need to get myself more organized.  I'm always working on that.  I cannot stay too upset though, when I see this picture - it makes me laugh.  I got out my photography stuff to take Heidi's 2 yr old pics, and this was the face she gave me.  I think I'll try again tomorrow.