Madison High School Graduation

Sunday Sept 6th, 2015 ...a time of change... and moments

This morning has been fantatic- spiritually.

Will write more on another day but didn't want to forget a moment-

I am sitting outside of the Bishop's office, waiting for Ward Council, and a little girls voice echoed down the hallway, "Look, Grandpa! There's Jesus!".  Mom casually made a comment, Grandma walked into the Chapel...and then came Grandpa.  The little girl said it again.  He pauses- pulls out his hanky and lightly brushes his eyes...he looks down the hallway at me and I have to admit, I was beaming.  He took her little precious hand and walked into the chapel. Oh what a lovely moment to be a part of.  What a lovely moment.

The start of school 2011....

Shawn is graduated... it was noticably strange to me to buy school supplies and school clothes for only 4 children ... and even that seems odd to say... since "buying school supplies for children" seems a little young for our home of teenagers!  I thought more than once during the fall shopping that his time will most definately come when we go mission shopping...eeeekkkk!  Mariah is a senior in high school now.  I can't believe that.  Next year we will be down to 3 school children.  It is all changing so fast now.  I am trying to stay excited for our children... I remember college days so vividly... I want our children to grow and learn and have similar experiences for themselves.  I think it has all it's challenges, but is such a rewarding time of life.  So much growth and change in such a short amount of time- it's fascinating.  But, I have those short bursts of times when I just can't help but think of our home without their daily influence and personalities... oh such sadness starts to set in... so for now- I leave that alone.  I feel it for a brief moment and I sweep it quickly away in the joy of what is to come. 
Shawn is working for Fish and Game again this year- what an opportunity this has been!  He works hard but gets to enjoy the beauty of God's creations every day.  He brings home the most spectacular pictures on his camera... instant joy and soothing to the soul.  So amazing.  As of this last week, he has all of his mission paperwork in and interviews done... to the best of our knowledge, his papers are turned in to SLC and we are waiting.  So sureal. 
Mariah is a Senior and things haven't gone quite as she expected and hoped for...but, are going pretty good anyway!  She is playing volleyball- which has always brought it's ups and downs for her...as any sport will...she hit a low but has turned it around so amazingly... I don't know weither to be more proud of her for what she has accomplished in the struggle or for her amazing serves and back row returns.  Her schedule didn't go like expected either- she has an online class which will make her work harder than usual- but she is so diligent... I don't have to worry- it's just that I want her to be able to enjoy her senior year too!  Her senior project is about photography... oh she took the most beautiful, thoughtful pictures this summer.  We put the main ones in an album and she entered it into the fair- won 3 blue ribbons, 1 red ribbon, and a grand champion!  I love her album- it sits on my dresser where I look at it everyday.  I often thumb through it- instant peace.  But, now is the research paper time- oh my, I feel so so...something for her... a research topic worthy of 7-10 pages that has lots varied resources just doesn't seem to be presenting itself.  She was asked to homecoming by Daniel Isham- I am so grateful.  When she told me she had been asked but didn't know who- I had instant butterflies and worries.  By 7th hour when it was finally revealed, I was so relieved~ he is so nice.  Homecoming will be fun!  It's going to be a great year~
Josh is a Freshman- he is in high school- still trying to let that sink in.  He is playing football and practises so hard!!  He got a sack last night- it was awesomeness :-)  and... even better... I actually got it on film!  He is much taller than me now... Caleb and Katie are on their way of surpassing me too... won't be long and Mariah and I will be left in the dust.  I love sitting by Josh during the varsity games- so fun to talk with.  School is going great for him- as usual for each of the children- high school hasn't been much of an adjustment for him at all.  He is such a hard worker and always willing to help <3
Caleb is doing excellent in his school work too.. even working ahead on his math assignments... already having me quiz him in science... shawn quized him in spelling... he is so good.  I never have to get after our children to get their homework done... it's an automatic thing with them- they are so awesome!  Caleb is fun to watch with his buddies- esp Hunter Farmer and Matt Isham... our three musketeers.  Jeff said it well last night, usually three is a crowd in friendships...but those three just have it all figured out.  I love to just sit back and watch them interact- so cool!  Middle school is now in the high school- I wasn't too worried about our kids...but, wasn't expecting the neat interactions between Mia and Caleb in the hallways between classes- that's kindof cool <3
Katie bug is in 4th grade and growing so tall.  She loves gymnastics and wishes we had classes again close by...but, I signed her up for dance- another love- and made her take vball in a 7 wk program by the parks and recreation dept.  She isn't happy about it- but, she is doing really well in it anyway and I just hope it is one of those things she thanks me for later... we shall see.  School for her is now in the old middle school- which is such a nice school building- she finds it exciting so it hasn't been a hard adjustment for her at all.  I love her teacher- Ms McCurdy- so I am expecting a great year for our little miss Katie Kate.  She gets drug around to all the sports events...but finds her friends and is delighted!  Kelsie Isham is usually there to save her day :-) 
I love my job- the people I work with are simply wonderful people- I am understanding more and hopefully making things easier for LeeAnn- and it is so family friendly I just want to pinch myself with how blessed I am.  The only thing better would be to be a full time homemaker again- there is always plenty to do!!  But, for working- it doesn't get better than what I have~
I LOVE my Honey... oh my what a blessing he is for me.  We used to kindof worry about retirement and serving missions and being around each other 24 hours a day... now, I can't wait!  I love every minute with him <3  So incredibly thankful for my family <3

Katie is the only child that I have left in elementary school.... thus.... she was the only one that sang at the Festival of Trees this year... not only that... I missed it. Yep. Bah humbug on that. I had it all worked out so perfectly- thought she was singing at 11 am- nope- 1:30 pm. I was gone at 1 pm to Shawn's first bball game of the season. Caleb and Josh both volunteered to go over and watch her sing... I think Caleb even took video- Katie was delighted (I was kindof shocked that I was replaced that easily...but, deserved)... Good thing she is in 3rd grade and I have 2 more years of repenting to do :-)

So delighted w/ our weeding...

So, yesterday we repented.  I know- happens daily...but, not that kind.  Our weeds.  Our weeds had gotten the better of us this summer... and before the snow hit...it was time.  The weather had been stayed long enough!  The whole family joined the anti- weed project and we got a bunch of work done.  Everyone slaved away for about 5 hours+.  We even got the piles burned... which was peferct because we got rain last night- whew!  I am so delighted with how hard everyone worked.  We celebrated with pizza- yeah!  Caleb even used the sickle like tool/ but not (can't remember what it is called).  Along our road, each of the 7 flowerbeds, in the driveway, etc.... What a great day!  I also got the dining room floor stained (the table is currently in the living room... with a threat if anyone has a major spill!!)... now I will polyurethane it tomorrow.  I also got the study cleaned out- the furniture moved into our exercise room and coat room... so I can paint the floor in there.  What a productive day.  Now, I just need a productive week to get it all finished up and back together again!!!!!! :-S

Busy....

Our family time centers around church, work, family and sports w/ family members.  On the sport's side: Shawn did Cross Country and has never stopped practising for basketball- which official practise starts Nov 15th and first game is Dec 1st.  Dad is the assistant coach for high school this year... so they will both be gone for about 2 hours every afternoon... unless they are at a game.  I cannot complain about this... I am the one that signed Dad up as Middle School Coach a few years ago and highly encouraged this transition this year!  Just saying.  Mariah just finished up volleyball- not the best season of her life by a long shot...but, she stuck with it and learned a lot (a lot about things other than volleyball that is....).  Wow it was rough on her.  She is amazing! I think she is now going to pick up on her dance classes- yeah!!!! Joshua finished up football about 2 weeks ago- very successful season and played his first of 8 weeks of bball- IF league- and won!  The next 8 Saturday's are booked... and then some.  Caleb has spent his sports time with leaving at 4:30 am every Monday morning for almost a year now and usually a second practise during the week (except during BYU football season) playing on an Idaho Falls team.  His league play starts in a week- but, his games will be one day during the weekday.  Katie is not completely left out- she takes gymnastics each week... and has really improved this year.  Everyday she is on the trampoline practising.... infact, next summer we have to get a new trampoline...sigh.  I sit back and ponder at times if we are too busy.  But, so far... I think this is good.  They work hard- they are too busy to get into any trouble- and it is something that every member of our family- that doesn't already have plans...attends.  We all have activity/ coaching cards- so it costs nothing for any home game and very little for any away games.  Cheap, wholesome, family entertainment. Sometimes the schedule gets a little crazy- and we have to divide and conquer... but, for 5 children... it goes along pretty smoothly most of the time.  Shawn is also working on his Eagle project- just about done there, finishing up senior project (project, service, paper, presentation... yeah- it's a big deal), and starting the search for scholarships.  All the children have fantastic grades too!  It's a busy life...but, when I ponder.... it still seems to be on the right track.

Shawn took 8th place in cross country districts!!! On to state this saturday..... (Yes, he HAS to wear his short shorts one more time.... I think it might kill him though.... WOW he hates those things!!!)

Joshua had a very successful football season this year! We went all over the place :-) All over Idaho, into Montana, private schools, public schools, grass, and turf. Josh played offense and defense and did an excellent job!

Well, Mariah will ummmm... not be pleased to see a picture of her on the blog...but, hopefully she won't find out anytime soon. Infact, I think the children have forgotten about the family blog... kindof like me... so, I think I will probably be safe for oh.... about a year or so. Shhhhhhhhh.... just be pleased to see pictures of her...but don't tell her!!! I LOVE Mariah's volleyball team shirt this year- it is way cool. On the back it says "Swagger" :-) Tee hee.....

Cross Country Senior Night... Ok- this was our first Senior something. It is so hard to believe that Shawn is a Senior... it went by so fast. But, we are super excited for him and for the amazing year we have ahead of us!

2010 Atomic Days Fun Run

So, I am very behind on my blogging... I decided to start where I am and try to work backwards, forwards, and everything in between to get it updated. 
Yesterday was Atomic Days in Arco, ID...the most happening day we have!  Daddy and Caleb were in SLC for a basketball tournament with Caleb's Idaho Falls Basketball team- the Titans.  I will post a picture of him later.  While they were away...the mice played!  The rest of us participated in a fun run... Shawn Curtis got first place overall and in his age division in the 10K (43:28), Mariah took 2nd place in her age division for the 10K (59:36), Josh took 6th place in his age division 5K (27:39)(13-18 year olds.. he is 13 and only took 2nd to someone close to his age!), Katie received a fuzzy penguin from  her participation in the Kids mile, and I took 2nd place in my division for the 5K (29:39).  Truly I was just glad to get to the end... with work being so crazy I haven't been running with any regularity at all...and when I have gone, I have been slower than molassas. Next year we hope it is the whole family :-) 
Shawn and Mariah also put together a volleyball team....  but that didn't go so hot... but they had fantastic team-mates!  Mariah then ref. many vball games the bulk of the day.  Shawn C did his own things and Katie, Josh, and I meandered all around.  Katie's fav part was the rides.  I got terribly sick on the Tilt a Whirl with Shawn C (previously my favorite ride ever) the night before, so Josh was left to ride with the little Krazy Katie!   Snowcones, lots of water, sunshine, parade with candy and ping pong ball drop... Atomic Days Fun.

almost there.... or here....or somewhere!

I wanted to make the blog look...nicer...but, I ruined it- then ran out of time to fix it...then just never got here...so, I gave up and went with basic pink...sigh. I am not pink... unless you put brown with it. But, I am finally going to get blogging again. But, this is just a teaser because I am not quite there yet. I have to get going this morning...but, I wanted to at least start with SOMETHING accomplished! The mistakes are gone- it will be a clean start. I love clean starts. :-)

update:
Katie is doing very well- she tires so easily and eats so very little... but, she says that she is not in pain and she is off her meds. Her voice has changed in all this- and I find it absolutely adorable! I honestly hope it doesn't change- I heard it doesn't- it is just so cute. She returns to the dr on Tuesday and should be back to school on Wed. She is excited to be with friends again~
Caleb- played his first two city league basketball games and did GREAT- especially once the coach realized what he could do. He is really going to be something to watch! He had a great report card to boot
Josh- got straight A's and is really excelling in his advanced math- it caused sched. conflicts this semester- they didn't have a class for him one hour- so, they made up a computer class for him and one other boy. It works..... sometimes I really really really wish we were still homeschooling with k12- wow this child would LOVE the input of knowledge...but, he would miss friends...sigh.
Mariah- also has straight A's and is still going in bball- her skills are improving and she seems a little happier with it. She got 9 inches of hair cut off- and looks gorgeous!
Shawn- still excells in grades and sports- and driving. What else is important at 16? Smile. He is truly doing well in bball- I don't know what his average is- but, I think it should be about 15 points a game. And- he is now within 1/2 an inch of Dad's height... oh such lofty goals!
Dad- doing well- church stuff has him a little stressed- and basketball coaching has him extremely busy...but, he is doing really well. He is keeping us healthy with his amazing juicing in the mixer! Well, okay- none of us went for the beet/red cabbage juice... and I didn't get much of the carrot juice down this last time....but- all the others have been perfect!! especially the mango, orange, strawberries.... oh yummy!
Mom- checking out the thyroid and all other hormones... still feeling very very tired these days... and we know it is not strep or mono and Katie is sleeping through the night- and nobody else is sick- keeping me up... and life is very good and happy... just tired and gaining weight and blah..... The nurse was tickled when my results came back negative for strep or mono- it made me depressed! I told her that those were fairly easy things to fix.... grrrrrr.....get a perspective!!!! But, other than the tired and weight- I am getting lots of things done and doing great. I am very excited with how much more organized my 2009 has been- LOVE IT!! Okay- still have to repent with the 2008 Christmas cards.... but, well....yeah....hmmmmm.......

Katie had her tonsils and adnoids out on Wednesday morning...she has been such a trooper. Both her (AND I-sigh) were completely exhausted until today...mostly because of the waking up every three hours for pain meds and then staying awake for an hour1/2 each time. :-) She woke up right after the anethesa. wore off... they were amazed... and amazed at her cuteness and long eyelashes too. She is doing really well...but she does get tired very easily and has tried eating jello and soft mac n cheese with little success...she always returns to the popsciles. We are sure this will help her energy levels and overall health in the future and are thankful it has all gone well~ we love our Katie-bug~

Dose of Reality...

I think we have joined humanity once more. Despite the fun Christmas pictures and the love of snow... we have in actuality had a lot of sickness...and down time. But, I think we are done for about 2 weeks! The Christmas cards won't make it out for New Years- they were signed...but nothing was addressed and no year end letter created... Valentines Day? Better late than never....right? We are prolonging the holiday spirit for everyone! hee, hee, hee. Actually, I don't even think I would send them out at all at this point- but, I feel bad. I had the children sign 90 cards... to not send them out seems.... not nice. I did have the thought that we could just be ahead for next year- would their signatures really change that much? :-P If you get an e-card... you know I gave up the battle!!!
It is 2:30 am and I am still out of sync from the past few weeks- sigh. I don't know how to sleep through the night these days. Katie has been feeling a little run down since the first part of November. We have had a few dr. visits, bloodwork, and a specialist (worst dr visit ever) for her and the end result after swollen tonsils (the swelling has gone down some- but they have spent more time touching than not), croup, strep, and a virus... on Jan 7th she will have surgery to take the tonsils out. Our job right now is to keep her healthy as possible (which actually makes me laugh a bit) and gear up for a very long week and a half. She has missed quite a bit of school-- and will be missing at least 1 1/2 weeks more...but, in the end- it should be the better thing. She has had company during her time off from school- the strep and viral stuff had to hit the whole family... all spaced out of course. Josh got strep in the form of not keeping anything down for a few days and off a week of school... and Caleb had a rash- but, it turned out to be strep as well- out a week of school. I got the viral whatever twice (headache and slept for two days both times- slept like I've never slept before... is that why I am up right now?!) and my honey and Shawn C. and Mariah took their turns the first 1/2 of Christmas break. We all made it to church yesterday- healthy! 3 days and counting of no illness- yippeeee!!! The real work has begun though- the washing machine has been going crazy trying to keep everyone from getting sick again... so now has been the busy-ness of sterilization! I will admit that this has still been a wonderful Christmas- but it most definately has been my absolute laziest. I have had no desire whatsoever to go anywhere or do much of anything. We finally visited Dad and Mom King yesterday afternoon and they asked how all our extended family is doing.... we don't know yet. How sad is that? We haven't been in touch with ANYONE. (yes, you- the reader of this blog- are not alone!) I think the only thing I have accomplished is updating the blog.... because it is something I can do at 1 and 2 am :-) So, this is my dose of reality for the blog- all is well... or at least will be well!....but, I have been "off"- not myself- and tired. Very tired. There. Sigh. Okay. Whew.
But, now starts a new week!! YAHOOO! We are all feeling much better- including myself- and I think we are ready to tackle the new year much better than we have the previous two holidays! I love the feeling of a new year... and I need it :-)
So, we missed the Happy Thanksgiving... and the Merry Christmas.... but, I am EARLY on HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I might be able to sleep now~ goodnight!

Belle had a puppy!! Born Dec 23rd at 3:00 am... he looks just like his daddy- Grizzlee Bear. It has been hard to get a good photo of the puppy because Belle is such a perfect mommy- she does nothing all day long but snuggle and cuddle with her new baby. Okay- she licks him a ton too...but, other than that... they are such the snuggle bugs. It has been so wonderful to watch her mothering~ so wonderful. FINALLY, mommy had to go potty- and we got a few snapshots of the baby puppy by himself...isn't he adorable! Belle did have one other puppy- but, it was stillborn. So, we have one spoiled chubby as can be puppy that will be ready for a new family to love and adore him by Valentine's day!!

By the way.... Santa DID make it to our home and filled our stockings... we DID open presents... AND even played a few games.... and THEN played in the snow and exhausted ourselves :-) I know, you all are wondering if we even did Christmas- it looks like I have never seen snow before.... it was just such an unexpected and fun surprise... just a couple of weeks earlier people were wondering if we were even going to have a white Christmas... I said " a lot can happen in a couple of weeks".... glee- joy- and happiness.... until the shoveling.... I think Santa needs to bring us a 4-wheeler with a huge shovel on the front next year... I still can't believe we shoveled it all out by hand.... well, look at me... back to the snow....so, yes, anyway..... the children were DELIGHTED with Christmas and enjoyed their gifts... which were a mixture of things they really needed in clothes, shoes, makeup, etc... and some fun too!!! We got some new games which we all enjoyed- like Mickey Mouse Clue- I liked the game of Clue...but hated the murder part...well, in this game you have to figure out in what room, and to which Disney character, did which ghost haunt. I see a huge difference!!! hee, hee, hee.... and Othello, electronic rubik's cube memorizing game, Cosmic Catch- which is a BLAST... it is like an electronic hot potato game (everyone has a different colored little dohickey strapped on their hand and the ball- which is electronic- tells you to which color to throw to- way fun!) I did recognize that clothes and useful stuff for Christmas is much more fun for girls than boys... to girls- clothes ARE fun! Shawn and I got a mixer for ourselves for Christmas... we have spent the holidays making healthy drinks and soups... might not be too exciting for many- but we are delighted with it! :-)

More snow fun~ Grizz makes a snowdog angel, the back of Shawn's car (it really is in there), Caleb taking a rest, and yes- sliding off the roof on sleds into huge piles of snow..... for all the hours and hours of shoveling- and us all going to bed early out of exhaustion...we really had a TON of fun!!!!!!!!

Here are the before Christmas day snow pictures.... the snow angel and little tree were the most snowfall we had in the last couple of weeks... it took everything the children could do to get this mini snowman in our front yard! (now, we can see snowman's snow hat... and we dug to find his eyes again...he is recovering and doing well... quite insulated... we won't have to worry about him until next June- whew)

Katie-baby having fun in our snow on Christmas day!! This was actually her first day outside in quite awhile- not feeling well.
(you can click on the picture to make it bigger)

The next thing we just had to notice about our Christmas day.... snow! We had a blizzard in the evening and woke up to this..... Here we have pictures of our birdfeeder- which we always use for measuring snowfall, our rooftops, Grizz trying to get past the part of the sidewalk we had shovled, Shawn's car, our back porch- where snow fell off the back side of the house and plooped on the back porch... yeah- that was real fun shoveling that one... which came after the driveway.... sigh

Joshua's Christmas present to each of us this year was breakfast in bed :-) Yes, I know that the children are not in their beds... they all slept in our bedroom- we started this a few years back to help keep peekers at bay... and it stuck. Christmas eve is a slumer party in dad and mom's room!! So, back to breakfast... it was the sweetest thing. He woke up early- promised not to peek- and made us all eggs, toast, water, and each had an airplane folded in the shape of heart wings. Katie wasn't quite awake... and Shawn C. was trying hard to NOT wake up... but the rest of us were super happy!! What a perfect beginning to our day~

Here is Harry the Snowman... Our first snowman of the season!!

Mariah has been sewing again! She is working on a quilt- the long strips in the picture~ it is fun to see her at the sewing machine!!

Katie didn't think I had done a very good job with her hair one morning....so, we took pictures to PROVE that she indeed looked beautiful (which has nothing to do with her cute hair- she is ALWAYS beautiful) but.... I thought the photo of her side shot told a lot of the story by itself!!! She viewed the photos and decided that it really was going to be okay. :-)

oh so pretty.... I think I am an addict....

Found some more..... I guess she just has a mom that loves the pictures almost as much as she does... they are so peaceful to me... I love the details I can see in each one... I Love to look at them~ and she loves to take them! (click to enlarge)

Here are some more of Mariah's pictures from this fall~ (click on it and it enlarges)

Mariah loves to take pictures of sunsets and sunrises... I think she would enjoy photography~ This was one moment she captured looking outside her window (sooooooo grateful for the new windows- especially in the girl's room... I knew Mariah would particularly love looking outside~)

Katie and Caleb are my last two elementary aged children~ singing in the Christmas festival of trees....I am down to TWO in elementary school- wow! I thought the middle picture of Caleb looked funny- looked like he was really enjoying himself!!! Actually, the bottom picture really is much more acurate- he smiled most of the time he was up there- we loved their singing!!!

This is love.....
Caleb went out and started the suburban for me before work... and climbed on top to get the frost off the windsheild!
What a sweetie

All is calm.... all is bright.... sortof.....
Belle is prego- so she is VERY calm all of the time.... Cuddles LOVES sleeping under the Christmas tree (and is being very behaved about it- no climbing up the tree or knocking down ornaments, etc...) Panda was snuggled cute in Katie's very messy bed covers- awwww....and well, I had to go back to Oct 29th- but, I DID find a picture of Grizzlee Bear sleeping too...... :-)