Our Story

Ham's hair

2010-09-26T16:45:00.000-07:00

Samuel has great hair. Think what you may about the length, but it is a great color and lovely to look at. I like it long. He likes to twirl it in his fingers and rub it on the back of his neck. I think it's adorable. His dad, hmm, not so much. This summer shile camping Samuel got something in his hair...soda...ice cream...maybe both. He then went to sleep and woke up with the biggest head of medusa-like hair I have ever seen.

The pictures truly don't do it justice and Samuel thought it was particulary awful to take a bath while camping.

Dandy, Mama Oatie and Aunt Ha Ha

2010-09-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

About the same time that Gabe has his accident, Samuel started calling his dad, Dandy. The name has stuck. Gracie has long been known to call me odd balls names like Mother board, Mama oatie or Mama bear. After a few week of helping to care for the Chapeks Tori bestowed upon me a name I take great honor in repeating. Aunt Ha Ha. She also got Ham hooked on ca ca milk. He always loved a good hot toe-toe, but now, must spoon his ca ca milk straight from the container. Thanks TT.

Gracie in the morning

2010-09-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

That should be a song title. If I ever regenerate my brain cells (lost from lack of sleep), and restore my wit and good humour, I will write a song about Grace. It will be about her lack of desire to attend school. She would LOVE to be home schooled. If she is late one more time, that may be her only option! Gracie has to be physically dragged from bed . While she hates to be late, she has no desire to leave our sweet little home in the morning. She will lay wrapped in a blanket and refuse to move. I try to coax her out with cups of steaming hot cocoa.One of these days she will end up at school with mea-pillow hair and Tinkerbell pajama's. Then, she will really want to be home schooled.

Boating

2010-09-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa took us boating to say goodbye to summer. My small ones showed a complete lack of an adventurous spirit. We took the slowest ride imaginable on the tube. Truthfully, I could have fallen asleep. The littlest bit of water seeping up the tube was enough to put both of them back in the boat. Chris and I took a slightly more adventurous ride, but his bad back limited our ride options. Still, we had a great time.

We boated around the lake, and Gracie talked Grandma into stopping and letting her play on the beach. Gracie and Grandma both loved to sit in the front of the boat together. Then Grandma invited us to her house for Nacho's. Yummy

My bummy day

2010-09-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

This semester I am taking a pathophysiology class and a statistics class. I took my first timed test today. I put Sam in front of the TV ( We can talk about my parenting skills later) with his tractor movie, a game and a snack. I thought that would buy me enough time to finish my patho test.

1st question:

Vascular hemodynamic stage of inflammation is initiated by momentary vasoconstriction followed by vasodialition that results in what?

Great, I thought, I know this one. Redness, heat, edema.

my options

A. bleeding

B. congestion

C. Paleness

D.cold

Crap, where is redness and edema? my nose gets red and swollen when it's congested, same thing? The doorbell rings...I'm ignoring it, but not Sam. Darn, I didn't lock it. Now Samuel and the dogs are in the front yard while whomever was at the door is in the foyer. It's the YW pres wanting to discuss our activity next week. Oh pickles...I try to coax Samuel and one or both dogs back in, Sophie falls for the, I have a treat trick, but Abba is on to me. She is down the street chasing our neighbor and his son...Finally after an infinite amount of time, I get the dogs in the back and sit down to discuss the activity. We reach a resolution after about 15 minutes and she is on her way...back to the test.. How long have I been gone? Samuel wants to go to the "back yardie". Perfect.

2nd question:

What is the "master switch" of the immune system?

When did we talk about a master switch? I have listened to the lectures 10 times each, this was never discussed...what are my options?

A. Granulocytes

B.Neutrophiles

C. T helper cells

D Cytotoxic cells

Oh, my goodness, I can't remember anything... what are neutrophiles? I've been studying this, why can't I remember? I somehow make it to question 5. Samuels back. He is filthy. He watered the sandbox, rolled in it, pooped...rolled in that and then threw a little dirt on top. Crap...

Run the bath...Sam left the door open, the dogs are in...they rolled in the sand and poop too. Now it's tracked all over the hardwood floors. Shoot, didn't we do this same thing yesterday? This is his 4th bath in less than 24 hours. Put the dogs out, Sam in the bath.

Enter Chris, "Do you know what is going on out there?"

"No", I reply" but I know what isn't going on in here." He willing agrees to sit by Samuel in the bathtub while I attempt the test. It's been an hour, I have 30 minutes left and I am on question 5. Technically I haven't answered 2 of the question, so...

I finish amidst plees to hurry, Chris has to leave. I hit submit with 1 minute and 15 seconds to spare...whew. Next time I'll lock the doors.

Staying with the Chapeks

2010-09-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

We were blessed to be able to spend a lot of time this summer with Rainee, Kaiya, and Tori. While the reason we were there, wasn't a happy one, we loved able to spend our summer break with them.

Camping with the 'balds

2010-09-10T13:10:00.001-07:00

We went camping on the 4th of July with Grandma and Grandpa Archibald to Stanley. We had a great time watching fireworks, hiking and playing in the lake. We found a huge patch of obsidian and the kids and Grandpa spent hours collecting it.

Starbright...sophie...sofa...doph

2010-09-10T13:03:00.001-07:00

Meet our newest family member Sophie...She is Samuel's dog. He spent the first few weeks of her life with us dressing her up in tractor shirts (the only thing Samuel will wear), and carrying her around. They enjoy eating treats and being naughty together.

What Chris Buillt

2010-09-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Dave's Birthday

2010-09-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

We got to celebrate Gandpa Dave's birthday with him. We made him a special cake and spent a lot of time dumping sprinkles on it...er, I mean decorating it. Grandpa Dave was such a good sport. He kept telling the kids how beautiful it was. Then we all ate a piece with ice cream. It was so crunchy...I mean delicious.

Gracie's award

2010-09-10T12:26:00.001-07:00

Gracie got an award at the end of the year for good citizenship. She was so excited. We went out to breakfast at IHOP and then to the award ceremony prior to school. Gracie wore her favorite dress and couldn't wait to show off her award. She asked me after school what she did to get it. I guess it's hard to understand good citizenship in Kindergarten.

what we've been up to...

2010-09-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Father and son's with our best buddy, An-doo (Andrew Curtis). Mommy and Gracie stayed home and had a slumber party with Emma Normand. (It was quite and adventure trying to do my paper route with a carsick 6 year old.) I thought Samuel would miss me terribly and ran to great him when they got home. He started to cry and shouted "NO....go camping" Evidently they had a great time.

Irony

2010-05-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as we started to sing the opening song at church, my children started to throw a fit. Yes, already...so soon into the beginning of the meeting... they were upset and screaming as they each grabbed for the same granola bar and each held on tight, all the while trying to out scream the other. Nice, I know, don't judge me.

What was my response? I laughed because everyone around me continued to sing "We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er. Happy are we. Happy are we..."

Easter

2010-05-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

(Samuel picking up the bunny trail to find his basket)

Yes, I know this is late, but if it is taken in the perspective that I haven't yet posted birthday and Christmas pictures, I'm actually early...

Girls day...boys day

2010-05-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

Gracie and I recently spent a lovely afternoon window shopping and eating lunch at the mall while the boys took in the sight at the roadster show.

Yes, I know my eyes are almost or entirely closed in these pictures, but that is sort of my thing. What is more surprising is that there are actual pictures out there of me with my eyes open

Title of Liberty

2010-05-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

(Gacie's note written in marker on the front step)

Gracie came home from church one day and in a burst of love and faith made a sign to hang on the door. She wanted everyone to know what she believed and how she was feeling. I am ashamed to admit that I sometimes have a hard time talking to people about my religious beliefs. I just don't want to push anything on anyone.

"Yet a little child shall lead them."

How simple and how profound it is to declare what you believe. My daughter is unafraid to proclaim to the world that she loves her Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. How humbled I am .

Mowing the lawn

2010-05-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

Samuel loves to help daddy. He will "work" in the shop for hours blowing sawdust around with the air compressor, using the drill to make big holes in the piles of sawdust, hammer on anything and everything. He is daddy's little helper. Here is how he helps Daddy mow the lawn...tee he he.

No blankets or pillow required

2010-05-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

My children can and will fall asleep anywhere. Lately Samuel has taken to going into the garage, opening the door to the avalanche by jumping up, hanging and pulling on the door until it opens and then spends hours playing in the car...He will also fall asleep in there.

Gracie's favorite place to sleep during the winter and this very cold spring is in front of the fireplace.

Today

2010-05-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

Today I watched as Gracie ran across the schoolyard and into her classroom door. Normally, she wants me to walk her to the door, but today in a burst of confidence, she crossed the parking lot and playground by herself while I stayed behind and watched at the curb. She was wearing a simple white dress and her blue sweater. As she ran her red curls streamed behind her and shone in the bright sunlight. I felt so many emotions in an instant. Joy at watching her strong, young body run. Amazement that this beautiful, vibrant girl is here. She is mine, yet I am painfully aware that she doesn't belong to me...her physical presence in my daily life is fleeting and will all too soon be gone. She will grow up, move away...be gone.

I wish there was a way to package all of the memories I have of her (and all my children). Bottle them up, wrap them and protect them. Then someday in the distant future when I am old and they are grown, I could take them out and let them sit with me a while. When my children have children of their own, when their lives take them away from me for moments, days or weeks I will have the memories, perfectly intact and preserved, to remind me of the joy, the fun, the work...oh, they are work. I wish I could freeze time if only for an instant to really take them in, love them, adore them.

As Gracie neared her classroom door, she turned her head ever so slightly and peeked out of the corner of her eyes to make sure mommy was watching as promised. I was, with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

Dam did it

2010-04-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

Samuel is all boy and much to my frustration is into everything, everyday. In recent weeks, he has:

flooded the downstairs bathroom by stuffing toilet paper into the sink and turning on the water.
Painted the Hardwood floor brown
Drank a bottle of licorice scented perfume (it didn't seem to bother him, so perhaps it also tasted licorice flavored, though I will not be taste testing it to find out)

Threw all the marbles down the main stairs in our house

Colored with marker on the outside of the house

Let the hamster out of her cage (I maintain he was just trying to help)

Colored with marker on the leather car seats (yes, the markers have been hidden)

The list could go on, but I have to hurry and write this so that I can go see what he is into as we speak. Every time I find something new that Samuel has done, I ask him, " oh,no who did this?"

He invariably replies "Dam did it, Dam did it." which makes me giggle so much that I can't be mad.

Dam did it, indeed.

Happy Birthday Andrew

2010-04-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Andrew...

We love and miss you. Gracie asks almost daily when we can go back to Minnesota to see you. You are smart and funny and we are so glad you are part of our family. We can't wait to visit you again. Thanks for being a great cousin!

Love the Rankins

F.B.I's 10 most wanted is...

2010-04-15T13:43:00.001-07:00

JAMES J. BULGER ( Mass Murder)

OSAMA BIN LADEN (Terrorist)

CHRISTIAN WILLIAM RANKIN (Unwitting accomplice)

Yes, It's true, my husband, the activist, was recently visited by the F.B.I. . Last week I opened the door to find an F.B.I. agent and the Boise Police Departments anti-terrorist officer on my doorstep. When they showed me their credentials and asked if my husband was home, I naively replied, "Is this about his brother?" (If you don't know why I would make that comment, ask, It's a good story in and of itself).

"No, this is about him." was the response.

"Uh, what did he do?" I questioned.

"Is Christian around, or should we go and visit him at his job?" the F.B.I agent calmly replied

"Uh, let me call him...Please, come in, sit down" I graciously requested. Truthfully if I had cookies and milk I would have requested that they join me in a plateful while I did my best to charm them out of hauling my sweetheart to the gaol where I had visions of him being starved and unmercilessly tortured.

Chris answered the phone quickly and cherrily. Here is a brief excerpt of our conversation:

Chris: (Singing) "Sweet violets, sweeter than all the roses..."

Me:"Uh, the F.B.I would like to speak with you. They're at our house. Where are you?"

Chris: "I'm right here, where are you?"

Me:"I'm serious.The F.B.I. would like to speak with you."

Chris: "Ha, Ha, Ha...(still laughing) What kind of F.B.I.?"

Me: Uh, I think it is the Federal Burea of Investigation"

Chris: (Silence)

Chris: "I'll be right there."

What was his crime you may wonder? Well, it seems my husband has a habit of signing documents without reading them. His friend handed him a document and asked it he was interested in peacefully participating in an effort for citizens to have more say in the government. Sounded good to Chris and he signed away...the actual document? Well it was a warrant sent to every governor in the U.S. asking them to swear an oath or step down in three days...the end result being that they would be detained or removed from office if they declined to do so...

The F.B.I. had come to our home to see if Chris was a terrorist.

Old Age

2010-04-15T13:36:00.001-07:00

I got wrinkle cream for Christmas. Before you begin to wonder who in the world would buy someone wrinkle cream, just know I wanted it, asked Santa for it and ended up buying it myself. It is supposed to stimulate your cells to grow and replenish themselves. It takes three months to see the results and the aging reversal. Do you think it worked?
BeforeAfter

Conversations with Samuel

2010-03-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

Samuel: "Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom,Mmmooommm, Mom, Mom, Mom,Mom...

Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum,Mum..."

Me: "Yes,Samuel."

Samuel: "Mom, Mom,Mom,Mom,Mom,Mmmm,Mom,Mom,Mom,Mom,Mom

Mom,Mom,Mom,Mom, MOM,MOM,MOM,MOM,MOM,MOM..."

Me: "What do you need Samuel?"

Samuel: "You,You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, You, Youyouyouyouyouyou

momomomomomomomomomomooomomomomomomomomomomomomomom..."

repeat.

Me: Internal dialogue "argh...sigh."

Magical Thinking

2010-03-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

I spend a large amount of time with Gracie talking about fairies and mermaids. Where do they live? What do they eat? Can we catch one? Can I be one?

Gracie has always had a great imagination. When she was all of two, she would dress up as Cinderella, request the cd of music from the movie and with Mommy playing all other parts, we would spend hours acting out the story. We recently spent a cold, but lovely afternoon looking for fairies in the backyard oak tree. I think that when the light hit the leaves and they twisted in the wind, I might actually have seen a fairy or two. It was chilly and time to go to school, so we left a bag of nuts under the tree to entice the fairies to visit. I love that "...anything is possible child, anything can be..."

I learned this week in my Growth and Development class that Gracie is in the age range that loses the ability to have magical thinking. Oh, how this saddens me.

Sweet violet...

2010-03-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

Our newest family member as drawn by Gracie. Can you guess what she is from the picture?

Thanks for our brothers...

2010-02-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

Several times this week during family prayer, Gracie has said,"Thanks for our brothers". This struck me for a lot of different reason, and I have spent some time pondering about it. One of the things that is interesting to me is that she is not simply saying thank you for MY brother, but our brothers (sorry sisters, no mention of you). I have spent some time this week thinking about our brothers.Why is it that brothers want to tease and play jokes. I have seen first hand that it is innate. They come built that way. Samuel loves nothing better than to tease Gracie (or pull her hair, pinch and hit, but really that's another blog post). I remember my brother chasing us girls around Ann Morrison park with the carcass of a duck. Our screams were not screams of pleasure. I also remember being chased around with fish heads, snakes and any other repulsive thing my brother Adam could find. When My Nieces and nephew were visiting last month, they joyfully told me about the jokes their Daddy (my brother Adam) likes to play on them.

When I returned home from Young Women on Wednesday, Chris and his brother Brandon kept asking me to clean something off. That should have been my first clue, since when do either one of them care about cleanliness? I kept putting them off until Chris went outside to take out the trash and walk Brandon to his car. They got no further than the front of my kitchen window when I went to wash my hands and heard peals of laughter when the sprayer in my kitchen sink, sprayed water all over me (not to mention the rest of the kitchen). They had placed a rubber band around the sprayer so that it would shoot water as soon as the faucet was turned on. I had to laugh as I watched my husband and his brother giggle like small boys outside for several minutes.

My husband speaks fondly of growing up with his brothers and has special memories of the time they spent together. Chris doted on his youngest brother, Adam, and speaks often of how much fun they had. Chris and Brandon talk about all the trouble they got in together (I'm pretty sure I know which brother was responsible).

I have found myself internally expressing gratitude for "our brothers". For the good men they have become. For how hard they work for their families. For how much they care for their children and wives. They are Men of Valor. They are strong, yet can show such compassion and love.

The last night this week that Gracie prayed for "Our brothers," Samuel woke in the middle of the night and went looking for Mommy. He has been ill and not sleeping well and has needed some extra love and comfort. When Mommy was gone in the early morning hours (as mommy always is. Again, that is also another post). Samuel went and found Gracie to sleep next to and comfort him.

Thanks for our brothers.

Daddy?

2010-02-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

When my visiting teachers were over last week Samuel came and sat beside me on the couch. He began looking through the new Time magazine that had come that day. Suddenly he shouted, "Eh, Da" which is what he says when he sees Daddy. Curious, I leaned over and this is what I saw.

What do you think?

2010-02-09T05:45:00.001-08:00

Last week I moved the kids bedrooms around. Samuel got Gracie's bunk beds and his very own big boy room . Gracie got a new trundle bed and the vanity and dressers that were her great- grandparents. I have noticed that all the stores sell pictures on canvases that look like a child has painted it. I decided to let each of the kids paint their own canvas for their room.

Gracie found several other canvases and pieces of paper to paint. When she was finished for the night, she asked if she could sell her paintings. I sceptically told her she could try. That was all the permission she needed. The next thing I knew, she was pulling her small table and chairs outside and asking me to make her a sign to sell her paintings and hot cocoa's. I tried to dissuade her. I told her it was too dark, too cold, no one would be driving by...it was dinner time. Gracie told me she was an artist and she knew she could sell her paintings. I appeased her by making a sign to sell hot cocoa and a painting for $1.00 each. What a bargain ($4.00 below her prefered asking price).

Chris and I watched her trudge outside with her paintings and her hot cocoa's determined to prove us wrong. We assumed she would quickly get cold and discouraged and would promptly return inside. Thank goodness we were wrong. When Grace sold her first painting for $10.00 her dad brought out the portable heater to keep her warm. Samuel and I joined her outside where Sam drank a good portion of her hot cocoa. All in all she sold 3 paintings and went through 4 batches of hot chocolate before we called it a night (The heater burned out and the cold did get to her eventually).

Here is what Grace taught me. Don't listen to the people who say it can't be done. Believe in yourself and do what you know you can. Even if you don't succeed, what have you lost in trying? You will be better for the effort...and make sure to take along plenty of hot chocolate. It warms the tummy and the soul when sipped with someone you love.

Tea parties

2010-02-08T06:07:00.001-08:00

We recently had a tea party before school. Notice Gracie's very proper little finger.

Scenes from my kitchen Window

2010-02-08T06:01:00.001-08:00

OutsideInside

Love potion number ?

2010-02-08T05:46:00.000-08:00

Gracie has gotten into the business of love. After coming home from The Chapeks with a vial/vile of "Love Potion" that she was intending to drink before bed ( mommy advised her quickly not to drink the black, sparkly concoction that smelled like a mixture of bathroom deodorizer and cheap perfume...not that there is much difference between the two), Gracie decided to begin mixing her own potion and conducting experiments on Mommy and Samuel. Starting appropriately with an apple juice based mixture, because really all good love stories contain apples. IE. Snow white, Enchanted, etc.. She mixes her potion in her special potion pot (an old beef jerky jar) and has Mommy or Sam drink it and then says things like, "Now, tell me how you feel." , "Hmmm" and "Kiss". While I secretly love the abundance of slobbery kisses that Sam then bestows on me, I act appropriately smitten by the love potion. Which interestingly enough Gracie tells me has no effect on her.

Bare feet

2010-01-08T17:54:00.000-08:00

Chris has a picture of his Tennessee hillbilly relatives. They are standing in front of their wooden shack with a blanket hung from the doorway. They are all dressed in their finest church clothing; Which consists of too short pants and no shoes on the two, little twin boys.

What does this have to do with us? My son Samuel goes to church in his too short, brown corduroy pants and immediately takes his shoes and socks off. He runs around for the duration with bare feet and the ends of his little legs showing. Every time I see him, I am reminded of the picture of Grandma Greats mother and brothers. I guess Samuel is letting his inner hillbilly shine through!

Brushing teeth

2010-01-08T14:36:00.000-08:00

Samuel HATES to have his teeth brushed. He screams and cries and I just do the best I can. However, he loves to suck on Gracie's toothbrush.

I found Gracie in the bathroom crying while she brushed her teeth. When I asked what was wrong she told me she had seen Sam sucking on her toothbrush and now it tasted like Samuel's breath.

Samuel

2009-12-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

Samuel was exhausted from a long day of throwing and breaking things, so he fell asleep in the shower with mommy. I wrapped him in a towel and put his diaper on him and laid him in my bed. Gracie came and put the sweetest note beside his head. It says "Sam, I like you."

Abagail

2009-12-30T17:31:00.001-08:00

Gracie was insistent that we celebrate Abagail's birthday, complete with cake and candles. What a lucky dog!

Cackleberries

2009-12-30T06:29:00.000-08:00

My Grandpa Archibald called eggs cackleberries. When we would visit he cooked breakfast of fried eggs (never scrambled), bacon, wheat toast, and whole wheat cereal. My Grandfather would sing hymns the entire time he was cooking breakfast. There was something special about waking up to the smells and the sound of the food cooking and my Grandpas voice. I always looked forward to the experience although I wasn't overly fond of eggs.

Fast forward a few dozen years...I love eggs. I love the shape of the soft, brown, orbs. I love their centers of yellow sunshine. They make me happy. I wonder if eggs have a happiness inducing compound in them? I love them soft poached and served over lightly toasted, buttered (smart balance) sourdough bread; With slices of cold tomato underneath. Topped off with a dab of hollandaise sauce and some chopped avocado. MMM...yum...I love you cackleberries.

Dorothy, Scarecrow and Oompa Loompa's? Oh, my!

2009-12-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

Guess who the oompa loompa is? What a good sport he is.

Sam and his cuc cuc's

2009-12-10T18:22:00.000-08:00

Samuel loves the chickens. He loves to feed them, water them, gather the eggs and of course eat the eggs. Samuel takes it upon himself to make sure the chickens are being taken care of properly. This is the day he found the water bucket empty!!

Boys and girls

2009-12-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

Fishing

2009-12-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

Random scenes I love...

2009-12-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

Rides in the wheelbarrow
Ice cream potato from the fair, it's worthy of two spoons.

Helping Daddy with the car.

Sink baths.

First day of Kindergarten...sob...hicup...sigh.

2009-12-10T17:26:00.000-08:00

Gracie started Kindergarten at Pioneer School of the Arts in August. It is a year round art magnent school. Her teacher is Mrs. Gilliam and her best friends at school are Ben, Norah, Eden and Emma N.

Up...up...up...up...up...

2009-12-10T17:22:00.001-08:00

I spy challenge...find the dog bite and bandage on this messy face.

Samuel "D" is a boy of few words. He does manage to get the point across and communicates quite well without speaking much at all. His favorite word for months was "UP". Said in all capitals. He uses it when he wants something, when he wants, up, down, food, outside...It works. How could you not love this face?

Camping

2009-12-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

Grandjean...hiking...swimming...throwing rocks in the stream...dog bites on the nose...midnight run to the hospital in Sun Valley...Ah Sam...my little accident magnet. What did we do with all or our time before you?

2009-12-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

No better way to spend a hot July day...down by the river.

Lemonade

2009-12-10T16:55:00.001-08:00

I love these pictures, they tell the whole story of how our day went selling Lemonade...it's not a very profitable business anymore. We spent $8.00 on Lemonade and the sign. Sat for two hours in the heat of the July day and drank most of the lemonade ourselves. We finally made $6.00, half of which came from Daddy.

A failure? Not even close, my kids had a ball. They learned it's not always fast and easy to make a little money. They learned to stick it out...don't give up. They also learned that their mom will help them even when it's hot and miserable and she doesn't feel like it.

Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone

2009-12-10T16:37:00.000-08:00

On the way home Nakel and I stopped at Mt. Rushmore. It felt way more touristy than I anticipated, but was so much fun to see. Well worth the extra time on the trip!

Nakel and I split in Montana where she headed north to visit Gabe and we headed on to Yellowstone and Home.Samuel spent his entire time in Yellowstone trying to clean up the boardwalks with his baby wipes. Funny kid.

Minnesota trip

2009-12-10T16:13:00.000-08:00

This summer Nakel, Amy and I, along with our kids drove the 1600+ miles (one way) to Minnesota. I loved the journey. I loved seeing places I had never seen before. I loved bonding with my sisters and my children.
Samuel screamed the whole drive. Every 5 minutes or so, he would let out an ear piercing scream. Gracie asked about every 1/2 hour how close we were. The answers ranged from far away, not close, closer than we were, kind of close, close-ish, close and close-close. Brittany...was there. It's the last time I can say that all my kids were together.

I wish I could do it all over again...exactly the same. Stopping for lunch

Finally there...the morning after.Being silly at the zoo.

Samuel loving the cars zooming underneath the bridge of the busiest road I have ever seen. Dinner at the Rainforest Cafe

2009-11-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

Gracie danced to "Has anybody seen my gal."

She did great and was the cutest gal on the stage.

2009-11-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

We were so lucky to have TT come over and spend the morning with us while her momma helped on Kaiya's field trip. Aunt Shauna had a little too much fun dressing her up while clearly ignoring her own children !

2009-11-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

Our little water lover...Samuel loves to play in the water...soaking himself and everyone else...this is the case inside or out.
Samuel has been known to open the oven door, uses it as a stool, climbes onto the counter, walks to the sink, puts the drain in and fills the sink with water! He has also figured out it's a lot of fun to spray water all over the kitchen, until Mom catches him of course. What a character.

catching up

2009-11-24T09:01:00.000-08:00

Preschool Graduation...

When asked what She wants to be when she grows up Gracie replied, an indian girl and a mermaid.

What a great imagination. One of the many reasons why we love our Gracie girl!

Gracie LOVES Miss Susan, her preschool teacher. It was devestating to Gracie to learn that she would get a new teacher in Kindergarten. She thought she would always have Miss. Susan. Luckily Miss. Susam is in our ward and we get to visit her all the time. We also get to ding-dong ditch her all the time and leave her kisses(the chocolate kind) and sweet notes that say things like "I like you very, very, very much!"

My Pet Bee

2009-07-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

We do not have a pet named Bee, Gracie literally had a pet Bee. She captured it, by herself, and kept it in a glass jar on the picnic table. We kept telling her that a bee was not the kind of pet you can hold or love.

While Gracie knows that bees sting, I think in her innocence, she thought that if only the bee got to know her it would not hurt her. After a weekend locked up in the glass jar, Gracie took the bee out of the jar and tried to hold it on her fingertips. Sadly, the bee stung her. Lesson learned.

If you wonder what kind of parents allow their children to have pet bees please refer to the prior post about chickens living in our shower.

Chickens

2009-07-06T21:46:00.001-07:00

Gracie has a book called "We eat dinner in the bathtub". Well, we don't eat dinner in the bathtub, but we do have chickens in the shower. We have decided to be provident by raising chickens for eggs. I have wanted chickens for a long time and Chris finally relented in a big way. We bought 12, yes 12, chickens. They are too little to be outside so of course they live in our downstairs shower.

Truthfully, they creep me out a little bit. I don't hold them, feed them, or really even like them. I'm using them for their eggs. The kids, however, can't get enough of them. Gracie has a favorite that she named Abby. The fact that we have chickens has made Gracie quite popular with the other kids in the neighborhood.

2009-07-06T21:37:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. When I watch people dance, I cry. There is something so moving and joyous about it. I feel instant emotion . Brittany recently particitpated in the dance festival. She danced with Andy Miller, a boy in our ward, and did a great job.

Doesn't Britt look happy in this picture? I think she was trying to remember the moves.

Pictures of my kookie kids

2009-07-06T21:23:00.001-07:00

Just some random shots of Britt, Gracie and Samuel being themselves.

I love this one of Samuel. He loves water and as soon as I start to run the bathwater, he

jumps in, literally.

Gracie came downstairs one night dressed up as a cowgirl.

I swore I would never let my son run around without a shirt on, but I'm sorry, it's too cute.

Road trip

2009-07-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

After church one Sunday we took a road trip to Shoshone Falls. On the way we stopped at Malad Gorge. It is literally a bridge built over a gorge. You walk out on it and look down...uuhhh...my stomach hurts just thinking about it. The gorge is amazing, beautiful and made me thankful for solid ground. The bridge itself has a lot of give to it, so if for instance your husband and daughter were to jump up and down, the bridge would wobble horribly.

Chris and Gracie thought it was fun to make the bridge shake. This gave me flashbacks of being a little girl on the swinging bridge by Montezuma Creek. I guess I have always been a little on the unadventurous side, because I ended up siting in the car while everyone else in my family walked across the rickety, rope and plank bridge. I remember very clearly thinking I would fall through the planks...but, I digress.

Sam, Gracie and I ended up walking down to the falls because the traffic was so heavy. It seems everyone had the same idea. We brought a picnic and ate at the park. The falls are beautiful and more powerful than the pictures portray.It was a perfect day

Catching up...

2009-07-06T14:17:00.001-07:00

Brittany is 16. That means, gulp, she is driving and dating. Oh my!!

Chris took Britt out on a date for her birthday. They went to Tucano's which Brittany LOVED(Of course she did, it's all you can eat). She was peven resented with her very own car. Too bad is was a bit smaller than she had in mind.

We had a backward dinner on her actual birthday. We had dessert first and dinner last. Of course dessert looked like sushi and dinner looked like cake and ice cream. We also had a ckae that looked like spaghetti. Poor girl, I guess that's what happens when you're born on April fool's day!!

Brittany was going to have a birthday party with her friends later on during the week. That was cancelled by her as soon as she was asked out on a date for the same night. AH OH, here we go.

Sam's baby

2009-03-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Not a lot to say about this one. Daddy is so proud. He he he.

I love this picture. His face seems to say, "Go ahead and try to make fun of me." I'm sure the look on his face will reapear quite often during the teen years!!!

First soccer game.

2009-03-22T15:50:00.001-07:00

About a month ago, Gracie woke up in the middle of the night crying that, "she didn't want to dance, she just wants to run." Okay, I can take a hint, the solution...Soccer. Gracie is playing on a co-ed team that Daddy helps to coach. Yesterday was their first game. Gracie loves it. She even scored one of the first goals. Which of course, Mom missed because she took Sam back to the car to change stinky diapers.

Here are some of the comments overheard at her soccer game that are classic and you just don't hear in regular soccer games.

"Stand up" Said by the coach of our team to his daughter who sat down in center field while the other team had the ball.

"No, Kick the ball" said by ...hhmm just about everyone to hhmmm, just about every child on the field.

"Put your shoes on" Said by the opposing coach to one of the little boys who took his shoes off while playing.

"Wrong way, go the other way." Said by too many people to count.

"Wow Mom, I look like a real soccer player." Gracie, before the game.

Too cutE and so much fun. Gracie had the biggest smile on her face! Gotta love soccer

Samuel D's 1st birthday.

2009-03-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

I know, this is incredibly late...But, I have to post this. Chris and I use this blog as our journal . We print of the entries and put them in a binder as a family remembrance. I can't not post about our sweet little guy's first birthday.

We decided to have a birthday party for Samuel with just close family this year. It's a good thing because he was overwhelmed!!! As usual with Sam, his birthday did not go as planned. He cried, he fussed, he beat up his cousin Tori under the table while no one was looking. Gracie had a blast opening Sam's presents for him. All of the little cousins made hand puppets and we had ice cream sundaes instead of cake.

Momma made Samuel his very own basketball cake which he refused to even taste! What a character. He screamed and cried until, literally the door shut on the last guest and he reverted to being his charming self. He was happy, he played with his toys and days later, he ate all of the frosting off of his cake during a cake re-do session.

That things with Sam are unpredictable should come as no surprise to those of you who remember his birth. When I was pregnant with Sam, he was breach. We had him manually turned 3, yes 3, times. It was excruciating. The doctor described the procedure to me as "feeling like an elephant is sitting on you." That was about right. It is only supposed to take one time to flip a baby around. Each time it took him all of 5 minutes to turn back. In fact it seemed to coincide with the doctor walking out the door. Hhmm, what does that say about Sam's personality?

The Dr. Finally decided that he would flip Sam, break my water and deliver. We went in every other day for weeks to see if I was dilating. Every time we would hear, "Next time we will schedule you for delivery." It was the longest wait of my life!!!

Finally the big day arrived, they prepped me, flipped Sam (AGAIN), broke my water and the doctor assured me, this time, he would stay put. What happened next, the doctor left the room, and you guessed it, he flipped back!!LOL. So onto the C-section. It was...different. I missed the process of giving birth. Sam still wouldn't come out, He got his head stuck and after some quick thinking by the doctor and cutting mom practically in half, out he came!!! I couldn't see him...It felt like the longest few minutes ever...Chris kept giving me updates, but oh, to finally see him was sheer joy. He nursed and slept right away. He was so sweet and I was soooo sick. I spent the next few days in a haze of pain and nausea. I couldn't keep anything down including water. Finally when I started to have problems with my kidneys, the nurses put me on an IV of fluid. I remember next to nothing of the first days of Sam's life. I do know that mother nature wrecked havoc on us. The day he was born started a weird series of natural events. everything from comets streaking through the sky, to earthquakes and solar eclipses.What started out as an adventure has certainly stayed that way. We love our unpredictable little man!!!!

Our stripper

2009-03-09T12:35:00.001-07:00

Hey, get your hands out of my water...Please

2009-03-08T17:49:00.000-07:00

Gracie has always considerd what is mine to be hers. Every time I have a glass of water she wants a drink. From the time she was tiny, she has first stuck her hands, dirty or clean, into my glass of water before taking a drink. It grosses me out. I have finally broken her of the habit. After 5 years, she no longer sticks her hand in my glass of water. Sam, however, has taken over.

Grandpa Dave & Grandma Kristi

2009-03-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

There was a hole in our family left with the passing of Chris' father. Gracie (and Britt when she was younger) has asked where her other grandpa is. It has been a very sensitive spot for our sweet, impressionable children who just wanted a second grandfather to love like all their cousins have.

Dave Anderson, a longtime Rankin family friend, has filled that hole. He has become a sounding board for Chris and a beloved member of our family. He and his gracious wife Kristi come to all of the kids birthdays, special events, family functions. What a blessing they are to us and our children. Thank you Grandpa Dave and Grandma Kristi. We love you!

Her own thing.

2009-03-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Gracie loves to wear things her own way. She wears all of her socks like they are knee-highs, will only wear "soft" pants, and her hair has to be a certain way. She has definite opinions on what is cool and what is not. Usually what Gracie thinks is cool makes her look like an orphan.

But, how can you not love this face.

NICE CHRIS, YOU JUST HIT SAM IN THE FACE...

2009-01-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

We went to John's Pool for New years and had a great time. It looks like Brandon and Chris took care of the babies, but actually this is an anomaly I managed to capture on camera. In actuality, they spent their time being beaten at HORSE by Brittany, Mason and Brooklyn.

Abigail

2009-01-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl, my favorite story was "Walter and all the Rovers". It was about a little boy who wanted a dog so badly, just a Little one. His parents did not want a dog and so they tried to pacify him by buying him all sorts of other pets like birds, fish, a turtle...all of which he named rover and tried to play fetch with. His parents finally but him a very large dog that he named...DA DA Dum...Walter.

Gracie has spent the last year playing with her imaginary dogs, all of which are named Chocolate butter ice cream with a cherry on top, or Coconut rainbow sprinkles. Well, we did buy a very small dog, much to the delight of our very small children. It is named...Abigail.LOL

Christmas

2009-01-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas this year. We spent Christmas Eve at the P's and had a great time catching up with our extended Family. We did der da der caroling (If you want to know what that is, you will have to join us next year). Samuel got a drum set, Gracie got "The horse that does nothing", and Brittany finally got a Centennial High Sweatshirt. This was a gift for Mom and Dad as well . No more Lowell Scott Sweatshirt, yeah!!!

Family pictures

2009-01-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

It just didn't work out this year, there was goo on the camera lens where Sam grabbed it, Gracie did not want to cooperate, Sam would cry, etc. We thought we finally had a good one by the wall at the zoo. I arranged everyone where I wanted them got the camera ready and asked a gentleman walking by to snap it. I know, not the best plan, but this was the 3rd or 4th attempt at a photo session and I was desperate. Needless to say, after the gentleman assured me had gotten a good picture and I had him take another few just to make sure, he returned the camera for me to find that he hadn't taken any photos at all. That's what I get for asking a stranger to take our picture. So, here it is our family photo. Can you find me?

Britt

2009-01-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

Brittany just got her YW medallion. We are so proud of her hard work and all of the effort she put into this. I have to say, I think the fact that she would be unable to take drivers ed until she finished was a big motivator. So watch out, she brought home a permission slip for drivers ed this week.

Samuel D AKA "the destoyer"

2009-01-12T17:12:00.000-08:00

Sam loves to push thing around, paper, books, toys, etc. When given a toy, he will push it rather than play with it. We had just finished the hardwood floor in the basement and Chris had painted the ceiling. I wanted to finish the trim and so I told Chris to leave everything out for me. I went downstairs to paint with Samuel and I immediately heard the little neighbor girl that was over say "Oh no, baby painting." I turned around and saw that Sam had pushed over the paint can that had a loose lid and paint was all over our new floor. After quite a bit of chaos, we got most of it cleaned up and are left with a hilarious memory of little Samers.

Gracie Girl

2009-01-12T16:48:00.000-08:00

My mischievous girl is my best helper. I was feeding Samuel and needed to shower so I asked Gracie to just come and stand by him while he ate so that I could hop in the shower. Usually Gracie is upstairs within two minutes to ask me to ...come downstairs, play game, help her go potty, etc. After my two minute shower it was blissfully quiet, so I dried my hair too. As no one came up to interrupt me. I have to say I kept the drier on for quite a while and enjoyed the peace. As soon as I turned off my hair drier, I could hear

Gracie screaming hysterically that she needed help. I thought something was wrong with Sam and ran downstairs to find Samuel, just fine but screaming in his high-chair and Gracie buckled into Sam's baby car seat with the strap around her neck, balancing on her toes so that she wouldn't be chocked by the strap. Her poor little face was tear soaked and bright red. She thought it would be fun to crawl into The baby carrier and couldn't get out. Poor thing

Our first snowman...

2008-12-18T16:49:00.000-08:00

Gracie is my little snow bird. She has always loved the snow. She is the first one to want to build a snowman, make snow angels, go for sled rides. She and I are kindred souls in this.

Last week we had our first snowfall. Gracie could not wait to get outside and play. We borrowed Grandma's sled (yes, I still have it). Loaded it up with Christmas goodies, and took a starlit ride around the neighborhood delivering treats. We didn't get our snowman made, we are waiting for the next big snowfall to do so. We did stop and plop down in the middle of a neighbors untouched driveway to make snow angels. I don't often get to have one on one time with any of my children, so this felt especially sweet to me. I felt young and free. In case you're wonderng, my back is still hurting and the blister on my ankle is taking forever to heal. It was worth it!!!

quirks

2008-12-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

Rules: Link to the person that tagged you; Amy
Share 6 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.Tag 6 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog or email.Let your tagged peeps know once your entry is up.Okay, here are my 6 non-important quirks:

1. I do a paper route, and I love it. Weird I know, but I love the time alone. I spend the time praying, listening to church tapes, talk radio, etc. I feel empowered, and blessed to be able to help my family financially.

2. I don't like being told I have to do something. If I feel pressured to be anywhere, I suddenly don't want to go. I am like a little child, "don't make me"!! If you want me to show up somewhere, act like you don't care if I am there or not.

3. I get the chills when I hear fire trucks, ambulances, police cars. I always have to say a quick prayer that everyone I love will be safe and protected and is not hurt.

4. Secretly I love when Gracie wants to listen to the chipmunks Christmas songs over and over and over. First, I like the chipmunks. Second, Gracie tries to sing like a chipmunk and it cracks me up every time.

5. My husband still gives me the shivers. Enough said

6. I love diet vanilla coke. My husband has a love hate relationship with caffeine, so I try not to drink it out of deference to him and the fact that he shouldn't drink it. I sneak it. I love it and crave it.

Brandon
Kim
Nakel
Amanda
Mom

Droolie bug

2008-12-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

When I think of this year what will I remember? Will I remember this as a hard year? Will 2008 be remembered for those we have loved and lost? Grandma great, Flora? Will Chris lose his job this year, will the election change so significantly our lives?

So many things have happened.I hope I remember this year for what is truly important. The biggest and best thing that happened is our little Sammers. I love this picture of him. It makes me want to pick him up, wipe the ever present drool from his mouth (of course), and squeeze him tightly.

We are blessed.

5 year olds can do anything...

2008-12-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

This is Gracie's new Mantra. When asked to do something she replies, "Of course, five year olds can do anything." She finds her shoes herself, zips her own coat, ties...things.

Clearly she feels that 5 years old is very much grown up. On her birthday I asked her to do something and she replied, "Well, am I five yet?"

When I affirmed that she was, she immediately replied that she could do it. Wow, Why couldn't she have turned 5 a few years ago?

We love you Gracie girl.

2008-11-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

I took the little kids hiking at Camels Back Park. They loved it Gracie wanted to keep hiking rather than play on the swings. She kept asking if we could go up and around all day. We need to take Dad & Brittt back to share

it with them.

Home

2008-11-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

I love my home. I'm grateful that my home is beginning to fill with children and the sounds of laughter, crying, singing, running, praying and endless questioning. There was a time when I thought that we would never have this and I am so blessed to have the wonderful family that I do.

Home, home...there is something magical about that word. It instantly evokes feelings, smells, memories. I remember when I was little and I would walk home from Summerwind school I would repeat my address in my head. 3321 Spiceland Dr, 3321 Spiceland Dr. I felt so lucky to be going home. Each home I have lived in has felt special, but this year I truly feel overwhelmingly blessed. Blessed with children, with a cozy, safe place to retreat to, a warm fire, food to eat and a soft, warm, increasingly crowded bed.

Home...I am home.

Halloween

2008-11-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite people dressed up for one of my favorite holidays. Gracie insisted that she be Silvermist (one of Tinkerbell's friends). Unfortunately they don't sell that costume in the store, so Mom made her costume this year. It took forever and had some definite issues, but it was all worth it when Gracie put her costume on and told me how beautiful she felt and said "I look just like a real fairy"!

Britt didn't dress up this year, instead she participated in a spook alley at the Dillon's home. We went through it and loved it. What a fun, creative idea.

NKOTB

2008-10-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures from my sister Nakels recent NKOTB birthday party. I love you Nakel. You still owe me $50.00 because, ahem, you did not marry Joey McIntyre.

For those of you who don't know, Nakel is a New kids fanatic. The picture on the cake is from an article the Statesman ran on her when we were kids. I'd like to point out what a good sister I was to pose in New kids attire and poofy hair for the picture. It took years to live down. Adam and Amy were secret fans and much to cool to be in the picture. Although if you notice, those missing from the picture are the ones that no longer live close to us. HHMMM.Maybe there is a connection, a secret NKOTB bond...

"Mr. Robinson, Mr.Robinson...

2008-10-12T16:48:00.001-07:00

...what a horrible mess, I broke your window with my ball and I've come to confess" This was a song I used to like to listen to when I was a young girl. Last week we had our own Mr. Robinson moment. Gracie has a new friend named Nic. He is angelic looking and too polite. That should have been my first clue. Last weekend while listening to conference, Nic came over to play. I checked on them frequently, but it is amazing how quickly little ones can get into trouble.

On Monday, our neighbor Bruce came over to let us know that his newly painted home had been tomatoed by our little one. Yes, the whole side of his house that faces ours had been pelted with ripe cherry tomatoes. The painter had just finished on Friday. Luckily we had previously cultivated a good relationship with Bruce so this wasn't the conflict it could have been. I'm so thankful for kind neighbors. Needless to say, Gracie is headed to his house today with an apology and a loaf of banana bread.

How my sweet ones listened to conference!! :)

Firsts

2008-09-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Sam's first sugar cookie

There is significance in firsts. This week has been full of them. Some good, some bad, all a symbol that time does not stand still, but that life continues moving forward whether we are ready or not. I sometimes want to stop the progress of time, just for a while. I want to tell my little ones, who are so anxious to move on to the next step in life, to slow down, quit growing up, quit growing away. I know that this will go by so quickly. I don't see them changing, I only see the end result; The girl grown into a teenager (Boy is she a teenager), the little girl grown into the big girl and the baby...oh I want to keep him my baby for as long as I can. Is it possible that time keeps moving faster and faster?

Brittany has picked this week to officially morph into teenagerhood (it's a word right). She is moody, sullen, silent. She does not speak to us, she simply looks at us. Truthfully it has been happening for a while. Chris and I have become them, THE PARENTS. How did this happen? My solution...I signed her up for art lessons? Chris thinks I am rewarding bad behavior...perhaps I am. What else can I do?

Gracie has taught herself to do math. MATH. "Mom 1+2 is 3". I know it's basic, but she picked it up on her own. Why? I have no idea, but she continues to enthrall me.

And my Samma Samma got his first tooth. He is miserable. Screaming, loud, demanding. My poor little man has such a low frustration tolerance.

The shop around the corner

2008-09-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have added a playlist for your listening and viewing enjoyment. Chris and I have a family anthem (it changes). See if you can figure out which one it is!!!

Chris has been swamped with side work lately (thank goodness). We feel so blessed to have all of this additional work come at a time when we really need it, but the little ones have lost their best playmate to the shop.So, they have started visiting Daddy in the shop. Sam was very interested in all the "boy toys" and Gracie just wanted to hang out with Daddy and help. Brittany...well, lets just say she stays as far away from the shop as possible. Smart girl!

It's Autumn time, it's Autumn time...

2008-09-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Samuel in the Sink

First day of dance class
Britt's favorite spot...anywhere there is food!
First day of pre school

I love everything about this time of year. The sweet, clean smell of the earth, the vivid colors, the crisp, cool air. It makes me feel like a child again, but also makes me so thankful for my own children. Gracie will shout at me "Mom, look out the window, that tree is all orange."

In these times of tumult and fear for the future it seems that fall is the perfect time to prepare. I feel an instinctive need to ready my home for the hard winter ahead. What a great analogy it is for life. Here are some of my best reasons to be prepared and grateful.

Christian - Has such a kind heart. Gruff on the outside, soft and mushy in the middle
Britt-What a beautiful, sweet, girl you are.
Gracie-Our sweetheart, so kind and loving
Samuel-Little Samma-Samma. What did we do before you?

This is our Story!!!