Gone skiing

Inagural ski trip. Final day to check off our 2009 resolution.

2 parents
5 children
1 babysitter (for the babe)

Aren't we adventurous?

Dinner @ Costco is my fave.

Christmas 2009

A. Carson got the telescope of his dreams, thanks to a $25 Craigslist find.

B. Kate now changes into her dress-ups approximately 30 times a day.

C. Who asks for Darth Vader gloves, costume, sword and mask for Christmas? Baden, that's who.

D. Clara didn't express much emotion opening up her gifts after her morning nap. I guess books aren't very exciting.

E. Traditional top of the stairs picture of the children before the mad dash to see what Santa brought. Would you believe that we had to wake them up at 8 o'clock? Mom and dad couldn't stand it any longer.

F. Chandler got all the Lego Star Wars he can handle. I don't expect to hear any "I'm bored" complaints from here on out. Aunt Kendra is the best aunt ever. She spent 4 hours! putting together the Legos with the boys. She didn't know she had it in her.

When we found that my parents and Brian's parents weren't going to be around for Christmas I called up my grandparents and invited them to come. They agreed to come and I am so glad. It was such a treat for us to have them and my aunt with us. We had the best time. One of my favorite Christmases to date.

This is Grandma and Grandpa discussing the rules of semi-colons and such as they proofread Grandma's personal history Christmas Eve.
















My Aunt Thomasene was always helping to pick things up around the house and kitchen. When she finds a need she gets is done. It was so nice!
























Now I'm ready to take down the decorations and ring in the new year.

By the way, Clara is 8 months old today. 8 months!

Christmas Eve.

most of the presents are wrapped.
all of them have arrived from the big brown truck (I think).
assembly, where needed is done.
Christmas cards (part) are in the mail just in time for the day after.
rooms are spruced up for Great Grandma and Grandpa Lybbert and Great Aunt Thomasene's arrival tonight.
ordering pizza for dinner. maybe this will be our tradition.
Baden told me he prayed for snow in his personal prayers last night.
suggested he pray. harder.

Hope you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS. and pray for snow.

Keeping the magic alive. . .

HERE.

Sweetest thing ever!

Captured

photo credit: You Look Nice Today Photography

We had our first ever family photo shoot the day before Thanksgiving. Ryan and his wife Tiffany, from You Look Nice Today (such a great name, don’t you think?) met us at the top of a hill overlooking the Tri-Cities. The temps were chilly, but the lighting was sublime and miraculously, there was no wind!

Let me tell you, I’m in love with the pictures. Over the moon happy. I haven’t stopped smiling since I first saw them on Sunday.

He perfectly captured the essence of our free-spirited children and our family that I want to always remember. My little treasures and I couldn’t be more pleased. He's so good you can't even tell that:

• Baden had a meltdown when he realized Kate lost his “dinosaur bone” he had found in the wheat field.

• Kate woke up on the wrong-side of the bed after her nap and was semi-uncooperative.

• Carson kept throwing dirt clods.

• Clara was so miserably cold her face was as red as a cherry.

• Chandler had to be reminded that flashing signs and performing MJ moves during our photo shoot were not acceptable.

Go here, to see what I mean.

If you’re in the Portland, OR area or Tri-Cities, WA area, Ryan is your man. Plus, he uses film. And you can’t argue with the beauty of film.

Joy to the world,

my Clara is finally happy.
Smiles.
Naps.
Contentment.

We'll work on sleeping through the night, next year. That is if I can handle it.

Hallelujah!

This was a magical scene to find on my nightly check on the children before going to bed routine.
It erased him right off the naughty list.I pray every day to know what each of my children need.
Because I certainly can't figure them out all by myself.
I often get answers at unexpected times.
Moments that leave me knowing the answers are heaven-sent.
They are answers that can't be found in books, or in the latest parenting magazine.
Specific answers for that child.
I've gotten a few much needed answers this week that have helped me understand a child better.
Answers to prayers for me are gifts that money can't buy.
So very thankful.

Some nights I stall a little longer than others before I feel rejuvenated enough to want to go to bed. No little bodies need me. Not a squeal to be heard. Just the tick and the tock of the clock. I almost don't want it to end.

I pray every day to know what each of my children need.
Because I certainly can't figure them out all by myself.
I often get answers at unexpected times.
Moments that leave me knowing the answers are heaven-sent.
They are answers that can't be found in books, or in the latest parenting magazine.
Specific answers for that child.
And they won't work for my other children.

I think this is beautiful.

Mary Kept These Things and Pondered Them in Her Heart, by Lonni Clarke

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:30–32).



Spotted on the back page of the December Ensign.

She's all that

Listener extraordinaire. Adventure seeker. Feline lover. Compassionate service giver. Intuitive. Insightful. VW driver. Shoe buyer. Realist. Faithful. Treat deliverer. Ella’s mother. Sophia’s mother. Leif’s mother. Andre’s wife. Kind. Genuine. Surprise hater. World traveler. Immaculate housekeeper. Diligent thank-you note writer. Thoughtful blog writer. “News” watcher. Lowercase letter typist. Lucky charm eater. Lemon Perrier drinker. Advice giver. Ski slope lover. Wake boarder. Mountain biker. Social worker. Pristine gardener. Smiles. Outdoors lover. Load lightener. Strong spirit. Happy woman.

To my friend who inspires in every sense of the word.

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Turkey Bowl 2009

Meanwhile: Kate cried, Clara slept and I baked pies.

Thankful for

Carson's quip this morning during our family scripture study that offered a bit of comic relief from Baden's usual irreverent antics.

What did he say you wonder?

"Baden, you're just like the Bednar kids."

If you remember this talk from General Conference you'll know what I'm talking about.

If not, have a listen.

Thankful for

forgiveness.

I had an impatient moment with Chandler before school today that ate at me all day.
So as soon he got home I gave him a hug, told him how much I loved him and apologized for my actions.
He had no idea what I was talking about, but accepted my apology.

It made me feel better anyway.

Thankful for

not one, but two enthusiastic song leaders for our family nights.

My little ladies

in their Sunday best.Just the way it should be.

HALLOWEEN 2009

A few things to note:

Brian has been dying (he'll deny this, but trust me it's true) to "dress up" like Mr. Clean for about 4 years, and finally got his chance. The twist tie earring didn't stay on very well, and he's missing white pants. My dad thought he was a wrestler???

My friend Laurie came to the rescue and let me borrow this adorable flower costume for Clara. So perfect for my baby girl.

I borrowed a lion costume for Baden that he adamantly refused to wear. So I splurged on the Batman costume at Walmart.

I really wanted to put makeup on Kate, but she really didn't want me to and kept rubbing her eyes so it looks like she is a princess with black eyes.

Carson came up with the idea for his shield. The lid to the canner doctored up with duct tape.

Prince Caspian or Ben Barnes as we were corrected a couple of times did enjoy dressing up regardless of what his face indicates. So much so that he slept in his costume on Friday night.

Wednesday Night Visitors

This is what happens when you are playing "bad guys" with your brothers and dial 911 and hang up. They show up. Really, there are no words to describe this picture other than AWESOME. Can you see the look of terror in this 4 year olds eyes? They even did a cleaning check and told the boys to tidy up.

for the record

I’ve often wondered what my mother’s life was like when she was a young(er) mom, on the frontlines of motherhood. Certainly she had better behaved children. I was sure she accomplished way more than I could ever hope to. How did she do it all? Because I can’t seem to get anything done!

This afternoon my mom called me on her way home from helping my grandma go through some things and had to read me from a letter she found that she had written after my sister, Candace, was born. And it turns out she’s normal after all. At least I hope it’s normal. . .

February 12, 1981

..........things are getting back to normal, although all I seem to accomplish in a day’s work is washing, meals and babysitting. While Tracy's Mom was here, Natasha displayed her adjustment to a new little one by screaming, hitting and throwing tantrums. She is much better now but she still screams at times....... If you are able to come for the blessing, would you bring me your book "How to live with your children and like them"? I've heard it has some good ideas........

I’m going to see if my grandma still has that book on her bookshelf. You can find yourself a copy here.

After reading this I’m realizing that one of the tragedies of email and cheaper long distance is the loss of handwritten correspondence. I’d better do a better job recording life so my daughters will know that I know “what it’s like”.

So, for the record, youngest to oldest, an update.

Clara has the sleeping habits of a newborn at night. She’s virtually a non-sleeper during the day so that means that the office has been in a state of disarray since I started “cleaning” it a month ago. Next month she is scheduled to get tubes put in her ears. Maybe that will help her sleep? If not, I’m giving up and I’ll quit making it a goal to get her to sleep longer than a ½ hour. Today she is 6 months old and has 2 teeth. Where is the pause button?

Kate, resembles the Natasha described in the excerpt above. Who knew? Whenever we get ready for prayer she announces “Kate’s gonna say it” and it really gets under Baden’s skin. I think that’s why she does it. Nothing is ever “I”, it’s always “Kate”. She’s also adopted some of Baden’s imaginary friends which makes things rather interesting around here. Oh yes, and she’s getting tubes again, next month also.

Baden may or may not be the reason I want to get my hands on that book. The thought occurred to me the other day that Heavenly Father sent Baden to us so that we could learn patience. It would appear we have not yet mastered patience. He’s funny though, so that is his saving grace. His current favorite song? Have a listen. No joke.

Carson pouted and fretted over his 2 liner in the Primary Program Presentation and then memorized and delivered it like a pro! He’s slow and methodical. Mmmm, sounds like someone I know. . . He’s also my right-hand-man. Willing to do most anything I ask him and gives a big grin when I praise him. He’s also a hypochondriac. Especially at bedtime so he doesn’t get much sympathy because by that time, my patience is worn oh-so-thin. Carson is also getting tubes (again) next month. Hopefully that will help his hearing. Merry Christmas Dr. L!

Chandler is a marathon reader. He acts like he hates homework, but I know he secretly loves it. When we quit soccer I was worried that he would go crazy. Turns out all he wants to do in his spare time now is play hoops with dad in the driveway. Why couldn’t we have figured that out earlier? It’s not uncommon for us to spy on Chandler flexing sans shirt in front of the mirror. So proud of those muscles!

So there you have it. All you never wanted to know plus some.