Sisters

I had kicked the girls out of the house while I cleaned it up for a showing and when I looked out the door, I saw this.

Norma is painting Katy's toes.  And nails. 

Then they came in.  I had to take a picture of the sisters together.

 Yes, yes they do need a bath.

Katy needed her baby in the picture and then Eva thought she needed to be with the girls too.

I think I need to put make-up on more often so my girls will know how to put it on right.  That or I need someone to teach Me how to put make-up on right because I've taught my girls all wrong.  :0)

1st Day of School

 Check out my amazing kids!

 Thad is going into 3rd Grade and has Mrs. Jackson.  If someone can talk him into not tucking in his shirt like that, I would love them forever.  You can't tell me that he is not his own person.

 Norma is going into 1st grade and has Mrs. Worlton for her teacher.  She was told that she was beautiful because of her shirt.  The dogs went nuts too.  All the sun spots on the wall.

 Look at this handsome man!  Tucker is starting 5th grade at a new school, Hidden Hollow.  He is still in the A.L.L program and has Mrs. O'Very for his teacher.  He has some new students in his class this year and gets to ride his bike with a boy from our ward.

 Can't leave this beauty out.  Chocolate face and all.  I had made chocolate chip muffins for breakfast as a special treat for the first day of school.

 Thad and his best friend Ira.  Ira lives right across the street and is going to be the hardest thing to lose for Thad when we move.  I love that he has a best friend right across the street, that they can play all day and that they enjoy each others company as much as I enjoy spending time with my best friends.

I have to say that it is going to be hard just having Katy home.  Even more so now that we have things packed up and in the garage.  I can't craft, sew or make cards.  I have been cleaning more and walking Norma to and from school.  That took up some of my day. :0)

The night before school, Nate gave the kids some amazing Father's Blessings.  I am so grateful to have a husband who has that amazing power and can use it in our home and with our children.  I love knowing that the Lord uses his mouthpiece in our home, Nate, to talk to us individually and knows what we need and what we want.  I am so very grateful for the protection that this offers all of us for the school year.  Helping us remember that we can make it through as we listen to the Spirit and the Lord and stay strong as a family.

I should make a note about the stress that I had the first day, but it makes me upset to think about it again, and its over and not much I can do about it.  But just for journaling sake I will say that there was a mix up, lots of stress on my part and that things are good now and hopefully stay that way. ;0)

Trying Something New

As most of you know, we have some behavior issues with Thad.  We have tried many different things to try and teach and help him with his anger.  We had something just happen and the thing that I came away with after being able to talk with him and not having either one of us upset is that it helps him to do something physical when he is angry. 

This is one of our solutions.

I know that some of you may be thinking, "Great, you are teaching him to hit.  Thanks."  But that is not what it is for.  It is to help him focus his anger on a physical thing and gives him something to "put a face on" so to speak.

We are also putting him into karate.  We hope that the lessons that they teach will help him know that hitting people and other things are not the answer.  That if he really feels like he needs to hit something, there are things that he can hit and we are hoping to help him learn different ways to be able to talk out his anger when he learns that hitting is just for fun and exercise.

He is not the only one who has enjoyed the new addition.  Nate can't help himself.  Every time he is upstairs for something, he has to detour into the boys room.  He thinks of things to do upstairs just to go hit the thing.

Katy also enjoys it. :0)

The Floor?

I found Katy here last night.

She had made her own bed on the floor and that is where she slept.

Why all the cleaning you may ask?

This would be why.

And this

is about 20 minutes from where we are headed once we sell.

Splash Pad Play

 This is how the kids like to play at the splash pad that is right by our house.

Thad gets as wet as he can.

 Norma only gets her legs.

 Katy doesn't even get in the water.  She is a mama's girl and just likes to lay out. ;0)

Tucker didn't even want to come so he sat in the car the whole time we were there.  Party pooper. :0)

After

Check out the before post here.

Here is after.

Kitchen

 Kitchen

 Computer Area

 Living Room

 Boy's Room

 Girl's Room

Master Bedroom

 Master Closet

 Linen/Game Closet

 Basement

WOW!!!

I have to tell you that the other pictures were only taken a week and a half ago.  We have worked our tails off and it will pay off in the end.  I hope.

Before

We have been in cleaning mode here at our house.  I wanted to post some pictures of the "before" and "after". 

Here is the "before".
Kitchen/Craft Area

 Boy's Bedroom

Girl's Bedroom

 Master Bedroom

 Master Closet

 Linen/Game Closet

 Living Room

 Computer Area

 Living Room

 Kichen

 Basement

Stay tuned for the "after" photos.

My Kathryn's

Kathryn came to help me clean the house a bit yesterday and what she did helped more than anything.  She sat and paid attention to Katy.  I just had to take a picture of my Kathryn's.

I am so lucky to have them both!

Nathan's Birthday

Nate has the whole week off and we have big cleaning plans.  But we took today and had the Jered's over for a play day.

The kids loved playing in the water.

Nate loved his doughnut cakes that Tara made.  You know, the doughnut for the cop. :0)

Nate spent the night of his birthday painting the boys room.

We had a great day and I'm so grateful for such good friends that come and spend time with us!