Not his first fish!

Joe's paternal grandfather (Paw Paw Porter) wanted to teach Joe to fish, and they have been out fishing twice this week with Joe's "straight A" fishing pole awarded from said grandfather. This picture is NOT his first fish, which Joe is emphatic about telling everyone. However it is the first fish I got to see. Apparently his first fish was given to someone else at the fishing spot, and the second was legally too small and was released to grow a little more to be caught another day by someone other than Joe.

Not a bad catch!

In Paradise

Yep, we found some great shark's teeth!

Just try telling her "no"

Catching a wave!!

??!!?? *

We've been having a great time here at Amelia Island, FL, in a little beach town called Fernandina Beach. We are about 2 1/2 blocks from the beach. The water is warm, the rain is too, and there have been some great lightning storms. I already want to move here.

* This is a really big grasshopper the girls found on their walk to the beach. It got it's wings wet in the early morning rainfall. Elizabeth noticed it first and got all excited, Brianna caught it in her bucket and we took it to the beach where it tried really hard to stay away from the water. It wasn't until this evening that the daddy told them no more live critters in the house...they had taken it upstairs to their room.

I think we've killed about 5 baby frogs, not intentionally of course.

I did convince them to put back the hermit crabs we found in the tide pools before heading home.

On the road

First day on our three day road trip to Florida, we are doing well!

I think I have found the trick (for my kids at least) to end the endless, every fifteen minute question, you know the ONE...
Are we there yet??

I gave the older three children five raffle tickets each. That is the allowable limit of times they can ask it today. If they ask the question in ANY form I take a ticket. Once we bed down for the night the more tickets they have left the better the prize! So far only one ticket has been taken! We are at the end of the day.

I also put together a map where they can look to see where we are at any given time. This seems to help them grasp how long it will really take.

All in all a good travel day.

Love of the Scriptures

Brianna says to me the other day:

Mom, I love to read the scriptures!

Keep in mind she is just learning her letters so she really isn't 'reading' the scriptures yet, but "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

G-ma Fisk is having her mark "God" every time they run across it in the scriptures. She is really enjoying her involvement during scripture time.

We recently went to pick her up her own scriptures at the Deseret Industries (I got a Bible, Book of Mormon/D&C/Pearl of Great Price for about $4!), and she used them for her first talk in Primary this past Sunday.

I think she is well on the way to becoming a lover of the scriptures.

Goings on

What a joy, my husband and I have been able to have two, count them...TWO, dates this month. My husband turned the whopping 35 this month. When asked as to what he might like for his birthday his response was sweet; "A date with my wife, without the kids, and without having to feel like we needed to hurry home to re-leave the babysitter." His request became my command. I put some feelers out to see if my mother would be open to coming for a visit, I was ecstatic that she said yes. Arrangements were made, and my mother came.

Not only does my husband get his birthday wish, but I get a bunch of things done that would have taken me longer by myself. One of the big things I had planned for the summer was getting my almost 5 year old ready for Kindergarten. Grandma has taught Brianna many letters using the Spaulding phonics program she used on my siblings for years now. She had been learning her alphabet here and there and practicing as well, but I didn't feel she was really going to be ready in time. Grandma has her writing as well as her 2nd grade brother (keep in mind he is a BOY, and penmanship is NOT something he feels the need to improve upon). Brianna is even reading a few words using this method. Here is a sample of her mad writing skilz:

Joseph had been working hard, or should I say finally focusing on earning straight "A"s this last quarter. Guess what, HE DID IT!! Yep, I'm a proud mom. He told me today that he got something just out of the blue at school. Luckily his teacher was right there and let me know that she had to pick out someone who had 'worked really hard' to award this "FUN" Reward Party. It allows the recipient and "5" friends of his choice to: 2 Slices of a one topping pizza, 16 oz cup of soda, 6 tokens, and 2 ride attraction tickets at the Las Vegas mini Gran Prix Family Fun Center. Pretty exciting for a little guy. I wonder who his friends will be?

Kaitlynn has been progressing with friendly competition as her sister has been writing, she thinks she should be able to do everything her sister does. I'm sure she will be more than ready for Kindergarten and might even get bored with it in the two years she has to wait. She will totally enjoy more time with momma only having to share with one sister while Brianna is off at school.

Elizabeth has been sleeping more and thus growing like a weed! While her sisters are working on their "Letters" she has been working on some sign language as well as 'new' words. She is getting pretty polite as well. We have been really working on the concept of 'sharing' which is important in a semi-large family. She also forgets to be gentle with littler folk. Not that she has much to worry about at home, but out and about she's kinda a bully. Once reminded she often can show a more gentler side by petting the victim. She never gives her momma a dull moment! If it's quiet, go look for her, Grandma has learned the hard way. She loves to play in the water and can quickly turn a carpeted (crazy, I know, but we haven't tiled yet) master bath room into a swamp land. She also is very clever and knows how to work 'child proof' anything. It's a challenge and she must conquer.

That's pretty much it for now. I'm extremely grateful my mom was "unemployed" enough to be able to come for a visit and to employ her skills on my children during this time. I should also mention she is willing to house & dog sit, cover for me in my nursery calling while we go to a family reunion in Florida. For a month! Yep, she's a GREAT mom!

It takes a village for a reason...

Summer in Spring

I don't know why every year I am surprised at how soon summer hits in Las Vegas. I've lived here for over 12 years (!) and each year it's the same (HOT early). I've already turned my A/C on, but not yet all day. We get super cranky, OK...I get super cranky, at our house when the heat shows up. This year I was able to hold out until the start of May, in most recent years I've been pregnant and really couldn't bare the temperature being over 75. Looking back, even in earlier years of living here, my cousin/room-mate called me "75 degree girl". What can I say, I am an Oregonian through and through.

One of the things I do look forward to in summer is playing at the water parks (not something they have a lot of in Oregon, you pretty much just go outside, on any given day, to the water falling from cloud shaped water fixtures). In Vegas, as summer progresses, we have to get there earlier and earlier to avoid the excessive heat. Last week we hit a water park nearby with some friends.

Oh, to be a little girl again! No cares in the world, heat doesn't bother you, and it is ok to run around in your bathing suit 1/2 the day.

Who am I kidding, I'd just like to be "little" again.

Did I mention another good thing about summer is: Ice cream tongues!

Shout out to all the moms I know!

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day
With little time to stop and pray
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called on me to be a mom
Running errands, matching socks
Building dreams with building blocks
Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose
Fitting lids on bottled bugs
Wiping tears and giving hugs
A stack of last weeks mail to read
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet when I steal a minute, Lord
Just at the sink or ironing board
To ask the blessings of Your grace
I see then, in my small one's face
That you have blessed me
All the while
And I stop to kiss

That precious smile

Here is a poem I found that touched my heart. I often get caught up in the mundane every day business of life and need to be reminded that it is just that; busy stuff. I know, with all my heart, that family is one of the most important things in this world. That my part as a mother is crucial. When I think of ways I can impact the future (of this country or this world) I must remember how much influence I wield through just raising my children.

I am thankful to God for the opportunity to be a mom, to take part in His "Great Plan of Happiness", and to raise the children He has blessed me with. I, like the author of this poem, pray for the blessings of His grace and find myself realizing just how blessed I am already.

Hope you enjoy your

To my little sister

Does the end justify the means??

I don't know about my Katilynn, I'm a little worried she might not make it past her youth. I've posted other mis-adventures of hers plenty of times, today is no different. This past week she had a little injury in a place that will not be mentioned, but I'm sure you can guess where it was.

Kaitlynn was climbing up on the kitchen counter tops (every one of my children have done this, except Elizabeth...but it's only a matter of time for her as well with such great examples), despite all the warnings and disciplinary actions on my part. This time, like most, it is to steal some food (which if they would only ask, they would receive) from the cupboards. At some time, whether up or down I am unsure, she slipped and fell right onto the open garbage can. One foot in and the other foot out. Imagine riding a bike and... there you have it. There was quite a bit of blood, and after getting it to stop we headed to the ER because you just have to make sure they are OK. The doctor made us stay to make sure the urethra was not damaged. But, once the doctor told her that was the only way she could go home she kept trying every time crying and saying she couldn't. Our trip was over three hours long...

Poor little girl.

Other than peeing she was having a great time having mommy all to her self. She is a crack up, goofing off and asking tons of questions.

Do you think that has stopped her from climbing??

NO, not one bit, I don't even think it slowed her down!!

Silly little girl.

We keep reminding her of her last experience but it does not seem to stop the adventurer in her.

So, after other silly falls and such, today she decided to climb up on the food storage containers...

This is the outcome...
She reminds me of a future Rene Russo who plays Lorna in Lethal Weapon 3, she shares the movie's funniest scene with Mel Gibson as Riggs, where she and Riggs compare battle scars.

That wouldn't be so bad after all, he's pretty handsome.

Does the end justify the means??

Room for Two

Rusty has decided the crate is a "safe" place and heads there on his own. Tonight he might change his mind.

If the one you are trying to escape climbs in there too, how safe is it? His look sums it up. He is her "toy" after all.

"Nuts"

Joseph was one of the acorn (choir) in his school's play "NUTS." He wanted a bigger part, unfortunately when the roles were being assigned he was out of town. At first he was offered a smaller roll of a speaking nut but he turned it down saying that he wasn't going to be around when the play was performed (discussions in our home of Daddy's separation from the Air Force had left questions of a pending move). He was refusing to even just practice as one of the choir members sticking to his story of not being around. Somehow his teacher persuaded him to get involved (she is a great teacher, for Joe, I tell you!). He then couldn't wait for today to come.

The story line is of the circle of life. Acorns fall from the tree, some get picked up by animals for food, some actually make it (with the help of rain and sun) to grow. The play was performed three times and the principal said it was great every time. It was actually the First Graders performance, Joe's 2nd grade class was the only other class involved. They threw in some cute humor with some big "bad" squirrels who would fill their mouths with acorns, they were rapper squirrels with bling. One of Joseph's class-mate (church friend too) was one of these, well received by the audience, squirrels.
The catchy theme song had Katilynn and Brianna dancing along with the kids on the stage, doing the hand motions as well. The costumes were great and the stage decorations were very well done. Good job to all involved, it was a pleasure to watch! And to show our support, we will purchase the CD (at Joe's insistence).

Good job, Joe, for changing your attitude and getting involved after all.

The Potty Dance

Fair warning: this is a post about bathroom business...as the title indicates.

I have been very fortunate to have assistance in potty training all children thus far.
With every child, as it became "time" to train, my Fairy Potty Mom would magically be around to help. Not this time.

Elizabeth has been showing some interest in training in the ways of toiletry. So, I have decided to try it out by myself. **see the fear in my face**
I've read up on "how to potty train in three days or less,"
and think I may have what it takes. I have whisked her off to the bathroom first thing in the morning, sat and sang songs while she tries to do her business, and get excited after any amount of success. So far a pretty good start. I've even bought some bribery candy!

Tonight I realized, with great joy, that I am not alone in my quest. Her sisters came to announce that Elizabeth was "on the potty" and they were singing her songs to help her go. Although nothing came of that sitting, even with the temptation of candy(...for everyone!) later we had quite the 'doo'zy. When she came strolling out of the bathroom after going #2 on her own. Of course I had to clean her up, and then we "all" did the potty dance (this included Daddy and brother). She was so pleased with herself. As was I.

I know it is just the start, but I may be helping decreasing the amount of diapers in the landfills...in three days?!?

I don't think we want pictures with this post. :-) And, no, I haven't tried to let her go naked yet as the instructions suggest. It might just speed things up though...

Our attempt at Crating our dog

We wish our dog, Rusty,
would take to the crate as Elizabeth did.

We ended up having to gently force him in for a few hours while we were gone today. Tonight he went in to lay down for a few minutes on his own. I was worried that he might not ever want to go in by himself after the forced incident this morning, but I was pleasantly surprised. He might warm up to the idea after all.

Hey, it can't be all that bad...the kids like to climb in too.

Honor Assembly

Congratulations to my successful second grader!

If you couldn't tell, the second grade class award ceremony happened on March seventeen (St. Patrick's day), an apparel/accessories sea of green.

Joe's teacher had the largest amount of both honor roll students and honor society students (1/2 of the honor society students were hers)! Way to go Mrs. Evans!!



We are looking forward to Joe moving up to the Honor Society Students, currently about 18 students, by the end of the school year.

GOOD JOB JOE!