Ramblings

This is probably going to be really boring for most of you, but I feel like I need to record some of the things that are happening in my life right now. It's been so busy and hectic and since I just might be losing my mind, I need to jot these things down in the not-so unlikely case I end up in the loony bin with no knowledge of my former life.

First, the kids:

Caleb: He has his last middle school baseball game on Wednesday and I wish it had been a better experience for him this year. He has played baseball consecutively for the past 7 years and this is the first year he really hasn't enjoyed it much. It doesn't help that he is the smallest kid on his team and he always seems to get shafted. I'm so proud of his attitude though and his willingness to make the best of any situation. He amazes me more and more everyday. He is maintaining straight 'A's and has managed to survive probably the worst 2 years of his existence (Middle School). He completed his Eagle Project a couple months ago and now just needs to do all the paper chasing and tedious tasks to get it completed. He's growing up much faster than I like, but I'm very proud of him. He has a big birthday on Wednesday and I've been thinking hard about how I can make his day really special--because he deserves it!

Kennedy: What a girl! There is never a dull (or quiet) moment when she is around. Kennedy is the kind of kid I wish I would have been. She has such an easy going, fun personality and she doesn't let things get her down the way I always did. She is almost always cheerful and positive and really, really fun to hang out with. I love going shopping with her because I always learn new things about her every time. She never stops talking and our conversations are always intelligent ones. I took her out on a date on Thursday and we had "The Talk." It was something I prepared months for and was really nervous about. I think it went well and we definitely bonded. Most kids would have clammed up and felt a little awkward for the rest of the time, but she was her normal, cheerful self and we had such a fun time. She is loving her softball team this year. She knows she is nowhere near the best on the team, but she just does her best and has so much fun playing with the other girls. She never complains about not hitting the ball or struggling in the outfield. I'm really proud of her and all of her accomplishments.

Sarah: She is probably my child that has grown up and changed the most the past year. She still gets into a lot of mischief and causes quite a bit destruction around here, but she is becoming more and more mature by the day. It was just this morning that Rob and I were looking through old pictures and there were some of her from just a few years ago. She has grown up so much! It makes me a little sad, but also anxious for the changes that are ahead for her. She is very affectionate and compassionate towards others (when she wants to be). She loves her brothers and sisters and although she fights with them quite a bit, there is nothing she wouldn't do for them. She is extremely loyal.

Ren: This boy is one of a kind! I can't think about Ren without laughing because he is just a funny, quirky kid. This boy would play video games all day if I let him. I don't need an alarm clock because Ren will come into our room every morning at almost the exact time and ask the SAME question. He is my most predictable child. He is playing coach pitch baseball this year and OH MY! He is a complete space cadet out on that field and I often wonder what planet he is on. He is somewhere else in his mind on that field. It's like as soon as he laces up his cleats and steps out onto that field, his mind shuts off and he's completely in la la land. I really don't think he's hit the ball the entire season and when he's out on the field he is either playing in the dirt or grabbing his unmentionables. It's quite entertaining. They should have let us put him in tee-ball, but I'm afraid he is just not going to be our athletic child. Maybe after puberty. He's super smart though. Much smarter than he lets on. He's been obsessed lately with weather and the science behind it. He says he wants to be some sort of scientist.

Rachel: Besides being beautiful (in my opinion), she is really sweet and snuggly. Don't get me wrong, she can hold her own and show her aggression. I guess that's part of being the 5th child. She is my child that I don't have to worry too much about taking places because she usually sticks right by me. She doesn't wander off or beg for toys or treats. She no longer takes naps, but will regularly fall asleep in the late afternoon making for very late nights. She loves her brothers and sisters, especially her sisters and will tag along with them wherever they go. She is almost completely potty trained. It's been pretty time consuming trying to get her to where she is, but it's been much easier than the other kids. She is my worst eater. I can't get her to eat any meat or vegetables unless they are disguised in some way. I'm really not sure how she is surviving. I'm hopeful she'll outgrow it the way the older kids have.

Tait: My baby boy and last child will be 8 months old on May 6th. It's just wrong on almost every level. I am holding onto his babyhood like crazy and hoping he will stop growing so fast. He's a big boy but thankfully, he's still not really crawling or sitting up for long periods. He HATES baby food and refuses to eat cheerios or crackers. He doesn't like the texture of foods and so he's pretty much only getting formula most of the time. I sure hope he outgrows his distaste for food soon. He has 2 teeth and is drooling like crazy these days. He is by far my easiest and most laid back baby. He rarely cries and still takes 3 naps a day. He's really easy to take places and hasn't gotten to the restless-wants to be free-phase yet. I'm glad.

Other stuff...

*I'm going on week 4 of dealing with the effects of pneumonia. I still don't feel back to myself, but I'm slowly getting my energy and life back. I've never been sick for this long and it's really made things difficult and a little depressing for me. I've been trying hard to go on with life as usual and pretend that I feel great, but it has been a struggle. I hate being holed up and I hate being out of my normal routine. It's getting better though. Slowly.

*I signed up for the St. George Marathon (after a little pressure from a friend:)) and will find out on May 11th if I got in. I'm not sure what I'm hoping for. I'm excited about the challenge and I couldn't ask for a better running partner. My training officially begins next month and I'm already planning out how I'm going to be able to fit it into my already busy schedule without my family suffering.

*I leave on Wednesday for Women's Conference at BYU. Every year my sisters, mom and I try to get together for a girls weekend. I've always wanted to attend Women's Conference and so this year we will be in UT, where two of my sisters live. Sadly, my mom and sister Molly won't be able to come this year. We'll miss them. As a great twist of fate, I was able to talk my favorite SIL Becky (Rob's sis) to meet us in UT and join our girls weekend. I'm so excited!! I really, really love her and haven't seen her in almost 2 years. It's going to be so much fun! Rob will hold down the fort while I'm gone and I'm sure gain a greater appreciation for what I do, although he's already really appreciative and helpful. I'm very grateful for an amazing husband who knows when I need a breather.

*I will be home for 2 days, then Rob and I are leaving for Japan. His boss is flying us there for a week for business and it's going to be a really neat experience. Rob's mom is flying here to take care of the kids. I'm hoping the kids behave better for her than they do for us or else she might be the one forced into the loony bin. Actually, she's pretty tough and can hold her own. I told her I just want my kids to be alive when we get home. She will do great and the kids are so excited to spend a whole week with her. We set up a Skype account, so we'll be Skyping from Japan daily to see and talk to our kids on the computer. That might actually hold me over (or torture me) until I get back. I'm sure going to miss my babies. I'm working on not feeling guilty for leaving, but come on! A week long-all expense paid trip to Japan with my favorite person on the planet? It's a once in a lifetime experience that I'm going to take full advantage of! I just wish I could have talked my brother Tim into coming with us. He served a mission in Japan and he could have been our personal guide and interpreter. I've been studying books about Japan and learning about their etiquette and culture. Whew, there is a lot to know. Weird stuff. I might come home a few pounds lighter from the food. I plan on blogging while I'm there as a way of remembering everything that we see and so I don't have so much to record when I get home. If any of you have been to Tokyo or know anything that would be helpful, let me know!

I think that's it for now. If you really read all this, you must really love me.