Time Flies By

I keep thinking that one of these day's I'll actually sit down and catch up, but since it hasn't happened, and life is just going to get more crazy, I'm gonna try and quickly fill you in while I have half a second.

 

Thanksgiving week was C.R.A.Z.Y!!  It was a good crazy, but ... yeah. 

 

The Saturday before Thanksgiving my whole family came into town.  This included my 4 sisters, 1 brother, dad, mom, 1 brother-in-law and my niece.  My other brother and brother-in-law joined us the day before Thanksgiving along with a friend of theirs.  :)  Needless to say, for most of the week we had 14 people in our home.  Whew!!  Quite the brood.  :)

 

The sad thing was that at some point during the week we each took our turns being sick, but with the blessings of the priesthood and some good moms and sisters, we helped each other get better and have a blast!

 

There was tons we did, though I'm sure you don't need to hear about all of it.  We stayed up late playing games, we talked and laughed about supremely stupid stuff (our go to when we're together ...  who knew such a stupid joke could bring us all to laughing tears each time we're together ... yo). 

 

The food was great and the company was better!  It really was an all around enjoyable time.  Boy am I thankful that I have such a fun family to hang out and make memories with.  :) 

 

Like the crazies we are we went to the beach twice that week.  And no ... we didn't stay on the beach ... WE got IN the water.  Yes, I know we're crazy, but that's what makes us the Crazy King Brood.  Though the water was O-SO-FREEZING my hubby (the big kid who has to have fun - not that it's a bad thing) was the first to run into the frigid abyss.  Of course the rest of us caught the contagion of his fun and joined.  Before I knew it I was being pummeled by waves and couldn't feel my limbs, not one of them.  But hey ... it was fun!  And I only had to suffer through a little bit of choking on salt water. 

 

The day we went to pick up my brother at the airport we drove by the new home of the Battleship Iowa.  Now, anyone who knows my dad knows why this is a key point.  My dad immediately pulled off our original trail and drove into the parking lot.  The ship was impressive.  But we weren't really prepared to go on a major tour.  So we placed the idea in the back of our minds for an option later in the week. 

 

On Friday we got that opportunity.  Here are some of the pictures.

 

Ian riding a shell and powder ammunition display. 

 

I have to admit ... it was a pretty COOL tour.

 

Moving along - have you ever danced on the freeway??  I have.  :)

One day while we were driving into LA traffic came to a stand still.  We thought their might be an accident, but both sides of the freeway were halted and we weren't moving an inch.  Eventually we got our of cars and walked up to the front of the stopped traffic.  There happened to be a downed power line that lay across all lanes of the freeway.  No one could go anywhere.  So while we waited we got out and danced/played on the freeway.  Kinda different for a days drive. :)

 

The Saturday before my family left town we all headed out to do our service project.  Ian had insisted that we should clean up the garbage along the route we walk to and from his school, so we got out there and started cleaning.  It was a difficult job but we picked up a good amount of garbage.  To this day, every time we drive by those areas both Ian and Kenya ask me if we can stop and pick up the trash (that particular area collects trash way to easily).  I wish we could always stop and pick it up. 

 

For those of you who don't know, I love to bake all sorts of home made breads.  I have been using a bread maker to mix the dough for me cause I have weak wrists and it's hard to do it myself, but the week of Thanksgiving my bread maker went kaputz.  I was almost in tears by the loss of one of my best friends.  I just figured I'd have to go to the thrift store and buy another $15 used one.  The next week brought me to tears for real. 

 

A package came in the mail for Brian.  I figured it was a present and avoided looking at it, but when he got home he asked me to open it.  Inside was a brand new BOSCH!!!  For those of you who may not know, this is a stinking awesome mixer. 

 

 

I had been wanting one of these for YEARS and here it was.  I was ubber excited and so amazed that I teared up.  Brian had got an amazing deal on it and couldn't wait till Christmas to give it to me.  He also insisted that the sooner I had it the sooner I could make 'yummy stuff '.  And so I did.  I was baking everything I could the whole next week. 

 

Well that brings me to this week.  On Monday Trey was sick. I decided he needed to be seen by the doctor and took him in.  The doctor then decided to have him admitted at the hospital due to respiratory problems he was having.  He wasn't breathing well and there were several other things that led to a bad situation.  Trey spent the next 3 days and nights in the hospital.  He had RSV and Bronchiolitis.  It was so hard to watch him struggle for breath and not eat or drink.  He was really having a difficult time.  But thanks to the wonderful doctor and nurses and a priesthood blessing, Trey is now back home and recovering quickly.

 

The sad thing is that once Trey came home, the rest of us got really sick.  It was a sick infested week and no fun at all.  But thanks to the wonderful people in our ward, we were well taken care of.  I can't thank them enough for their love and help. 

 

So there you have it.  Our last month or so in a nut shell.  Congrats on making it to the end ... and it you didn't ... I don't blame ya.  :)

 

Tragedy

My heart is broken.  There are no words to describe.  There is so much pain in the world, it's hard to even fathom.

This morning a man opened fire on a kindergarten class in an elementary school.  He took the lives of 20 children around the age of 5 and several adults.  Now dead himself, there is no explanation for the families of the deceased or anyone else effected by his actions. 

 

These children were innocent, pure and precious.  They couldn't have done anything to this man.  They were innocent bystanders of his rage and many have and will suffer because of it.  I cannot even begin to understand... any of it. 

 

I look at my son, sitting one the couch and am so very thankful that this happened so far from his school, but also I am terrified.  There has been 31 school shootings since Columbine in 1999.  I can't keep my children home always, safe in my arms.  I wish I could.  But I have to hope and pray that tragedies like this won't befall them while they are not in my care. 

 

The only comfort I get from all of this is that I know ... I KNOW absolutely that these beautiful children are with our Heavenly Father now.  They are sitting with him in the Celestial kingdom enveloped by our Father's love.  They are pure.  Though this doesn't change the pain that the parents, siblings, friends, family, ect... will feel, it does bring some comfort to me.  Maybe it's selfish that it helps comfort me... I don't know, but it does. 

 

I pray for anyone and everyone effected and in pain because of this man's actions.  I am trying not to judge this man and his actions ... but my mind keeps coming back to the scripture in the New Testiment.

 

"It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."
 

Help me pray for those hurting.  And always remember to love your children ... they may not be around tomorrow to show them your love ... but pray they will be. 

Little Baby K

My mind has been racing lately with a little boy as one of the major inhabitants.  He's a precious little boy, my dear friend's son.  At this time they are struggling and in need of help, so they have been on my mind a lot.  I've been searching for different ways to help them, financial, which isn't always easy.  I came up with an idea along the way. 

 

I've started crocheting blankets in the hopes that I can sell them for the cause.  All the profits will go to my friend's cause and I'm excited about that.  If you are interested in a blanket, let me know.  I can make them in varied sizes and colors, just give me a size and the colors you want and I'll have it done in no time. 

 



B-day Party day

I thought this year I would simplify Kenya's birthday, and maybe I did, but regardless it was fun.

 

For Kenya's birthday I cut her hair.  She had been fighting me for weeks to even let me brush it, so one day I was fed up and together we went into my bathroom and I started chopping.  I know, I know.... I shouldn't just start cutting, but I did.  We were both happy with the outcome.  She doesn't fight me nearly as much anymore and that makes us both very pleased. 

 



 

The morning of her birthday I set the present Gma Caldwell had sent for her right in front of her door.  I thought it would be more fun to see her reaction to the present first thing in the morning.  It was utterly great! 

 

She came out of her bedroom and saw the bright pink box and was still groggy so she sat down in front of it and stared.

 

It took her a few moments but she soon realized what she was staring at and got all sorts of giddy!  :)



 

And it was soon opened and there were dress up cloths EVERYWHERE!  Thanks Gma Caldwell!  She LOVES the gift and I love watching her have fun with it!

 

 

For her birthday party we decided to have several families over for some dinner and fun.  It was a blast! (at least I thought so... but I'm pretty sure the kids thought it was awesome too)  We made home made pizza and bread sticks and enjoyed the kids running around, chatting, and simple fun.  We did do a cake, but not a traditional one.  I'm not a huge cake fan, and lets be completely honest, sometimes traditional cakes aren't that tasty. :) 

 

 

I loved hosting and having so many wonderful people in our home.  It was a great way to celebrate miss Mae's birth! :) 

 

 

Happy Birthday to My Angel

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my little Angel is 4 years old!!  I can't believe how quickly she has grown.  I know I'm late in my birthday post, but luckily my beautiful girl is very forgiving. 

 

Kenya:

 

I can't imaging my life without you in it.  You brighten my day and bring smiles to my face.  You know how to really enjoy all things. 

 

You can make a friend anywhere, at anytime; not that this doesn't scared me to bits, but I love that you are so ready to take everyone in and love them.  You're heart is so big, I'm surprised it hasn't escaped your little body.  :) 

 

You are also very opinionated.  It's a trait you probably get from me, your mom, and it has it's good and bad.  You'll have to learn how to the suave way to say things, but I'm sure we'll get there together. 

 

I'm in constant awe of your beautiful smile and bright eyes.  You are so utterly beautiful and you can only have come from God.  I don't really see myself in you, I see radiance and beauty, happiness and peace.  You are so much more beautiful, inside and out, than I. 

 

I do worry that your friendly nature and beautiful face will get you into trouble one day, and I am diligent in keeping my eyes on you.  I pray that God keeps a close eye on you, always. 

 

You are growing into your own little person these days.  With Ian off at school you have much more time to discover what you like to do and how you like to play.  You still absolutely LOVE playing with your brothers and wrestling around with dad and the boys, but you also enjoy playing with your dolls and ponies.  I'm enjoying the new interests you have.  You also love to cook and bake with me.  It's a challenge for me sometimes, letting you get dirty in the kitchen, but you love it just the same and are so patient with me. 

 

Kenya, always remember you are my beautiful daughter and I love you very much.  You are also a precious daughter of God and He loves you even more than I.  It's hard to explain how much we love you, but if you could look into the night sky and never find the end, that might come close.  Remember that God is always with you.  Remember that your father and I are always here for you.  Remember who you are. 

 

I love you my Mae! 

 



Callings

In our church, both my hubby and I serve in callings along side many others to make things run smoothly.  It's a wonderful opportunity to serve and grow and we really enjoy it. 

 

Recently we were both called to new callings, my hubby is now the 1st counselor in the Young Men's Presidency and I am the Assistant Meeting Coordinator in the Relief Society.  We are both enjoying ourselves very much. 

 

Because of the calling I have, I am able to help plan the Relief Society activities.  It's been great to get to know and work with several of the women in the ward.  

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I'd like to tell you a short story.  

A few days ago while walking home from Ian's school, my wonderful 5 year old son said something very profound.  He looked at me and simply stated, "Mom, people are throwing lots of trash on the ground and it is making the Earth dirty.  We should pick it up."  With that, we proceeded to pick up as much trash on our way home from school as we could.  We didn't make much of a dent, but it still felt good.  

Because of my sons statement we have decided that this Thanksgiving we are going to do something about it.  

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time.  We get together as families and friends and eat ourselves silly on wonderful food, reflecting on things we are thankful for.  But as far as I remember, we don't show our gratitude in a very outward way.  So this year the Caldwell family is going to show our gratitude.  

Join with us on November 24th, wherever you may be and spend just a little time providing service.  We'll be picking up garbage along the route we walk to school from 9-11 am that morning.  Take just a moment to show your gratitude for what we've all been given.  This beautiful Earth that our Father in Heaven has so willingly provided us with, our freedoms and joys, our families and friends, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Love of our Savior and Heavenly Father.  Don't just be thankful ... show your thankful!  

Lets see how many wonderful experiences we can have across the country and then share them.  Email me what you did, tell me how you felt and we'll post them together on the blog.  Post it on Facebook.  Let us make a true difference.  

Updates of our lives...

I haven't been very good about updating the blog lately.  Sorry.  But here are the things we've been busy with. 

 

Ian started soccer again. He loves it and although I'm not sure the coach enjoys it, the boys do. :) Next year Brian's hoping to coach again. Ian's scored several goals over the season and the boys on his team are all really cute and fun. It's been a good season. 

 

 

 

Ian's games at the beginning of the season were right in the heat of the afternoon and it was often over 100 degrees.  So one game we brought a ton of watermelon and Trey went nuts for the stuff.  He was drenched in watermelon juices... and water.  Brian 'tried' to keep Trey clean by squirting him with water, but it didn't really work. :)

 

For you viewing pleasure... isn't that face just ADORABLE!!

 

I finally finished some of the projects I've been working on.  Here's the kids new chore chart, and they LOVE doing their chores.  :)  For now at least.  

 

And if final news....  Ian lost his first tooth!!  I was shocked!!  I had just come in from running errands and Ian ran up to me holding something saying, "Look Mommy!!"  I couldn't figure out what it was at first and then I realized it was his tooth.  I didn't even know it was that loose.  When we asked him how it fell out he said he pulled it out.  He was really excited to put it under his pillow for the Tooth Fairy.  What a goofy boy! :)  I just can't believe he's already lost a tooth.  He's just growing up way to fast!

Toothy grin!

 

More pictures for viewing pleasure.  :)

 

 

Hope you enjoyed it!  I'll try not to bombard you with a huge post again next time.  :)



Space... the final frontier.

Have you ever seen a space shuttle atop a large cargo plane??  Well... I have, and it's pretty cool.  :)  The Space Shuttle Endeavour left Edwards AFB this morning here in our little valley and flew over Palmdale and Lancaster on it final ferry flight.  It was a pretty awesome sight to see up close.  I was driving sadly so I didn't get any pictures, but here's one I found.  Pretty cool huh? :)

 

 

The Quiet

It's a strange sensation when you come home at 9 am in the morning after having dropped kids off at school and find baby and yourself alone in the house.  It's quite, no one needs anything, and it's off to nap time for baby.  What do you do now??  I don't quite know. 

 

I took Miss Mae to her first day of preschool this morning and she was SO EXCITED!  She kept skipping and jumping, wouldn't hold still and was smiling from ear to ear.  I met some of the other moms while we waited, and when the doors of the school room opened she dashed in!  I signed her in and went to say goodbye, but she was already so involved in what she was doing that she didn't even have time to say goodbye.  Can you believe it?  My little angel is one her own at school, and she wasn't the least bit scared! 

 

Now I figured this would happen because Kenya is absolutely FEARLESS, but I had hoped that she would acknowledge me just a little.  Boy was I disappointed.  But I know she's been wanting this for a long time, so I tried to just let her go on her own and walk out.  It was hard. 

 

When did my babies start growing up?  Ian wouldn't even give me a kiss at school the other day.  Has it begun already?  Will I now become the mom that they are embarrassed by?  I had always hoped that would take longer to happen. 

 

I don't remember being embarrassed by my parents.  In fact, if I recall, my dad was a VP at my high school and I spent ever lunch with him and was never bothered by his presence at my school.  Ehh... who knows.  Maybe I'm just strange. :) 

 

Well, here's Kenya.  She's a tough one to get still, so the pics aren't great, but they'll be good memories!

 



Trapped

Moving to a new place has it's difficulties and for me it's always feeling trapped.  The walls of my own home feel like some sort of barrier that is impenetrable.  The curtains remain closed to keep the heat out and the cool in, but the light stays out too.  The baby's schedule maintains that I remain at home through out most of the day.  I have to rediscover where everything belongs, how I want the pictures to be place and what to do with all the unseemly boxes now lying around.  Sometimes this can be a fun task, but after have done it so many times, it has become a chore.  One I'm not all that interested in finishing lately.  I feel like another move is always on the horizon, so why bother unpacking things that aren't necessary right now. 

 

Though the house is wonderful and more than we could possibly need, I feel like it's foreign to me.  Being foreign also makes it feel slightly uncomfortable to me.  Something is missing.  Something is off. 

 

Though I LOVE being a mother, I also have difficulties with it.  I always thought that I would have a child and automatically love every aspect about motherhood.  That I would always feel happy about my job in life, that things would be wonderful.  Things are wonderful, but not every moment of every day.

 

Sometimes I feel like the monotany of motherhood traps me.  Life is the same day after day, with not much to challenge me intellectually.  I wake up, make breakfast (for which most of the time the kids aren't happy with and aren't afraid to voice it), we have scriptures, and all say goodbye to dad as he walks out the door for work.  I then make Ian's lunch (he's helpful in this, for which I'm grateful), get the kids teeth brushed (always a fight), do the older kids hair, and we grab backpacks and head out the door.  It's off to school for Ian and back home for the other kids and I. 

 

On comes the chore.  It's either laundry (collect and start, eventually leading to a pile on my bed that I fold and put away), dishes (there is always a stack ready to be loaded and a full load ready to be emptied), vacuuming, cleaning counters, etc...  I'm sure I'm not the only mom with chores. :)

 

After lunch we pick up Ian from school and while the younger two nap, Ian and I do homework.  Soon after naps end I'm fixing dinner (of which there is almost always a compliant about what I'm making ... unless it's homemade pizza).  We sit down for dinner and 90% of the time the two older children are complaining that they don't like dinner and they want something else.  We struggle about them eating at least "this much" and then give up and they leave the table. 

 

Time to clean up dinner while the rest of the family plays.  Soon the kids are getting ready for bed, cleaning up the toy room, and are off to bed.  There are a couple of hours to myself before bed, but nothing sounds enticing.  Reading, crafting, anything that would exert energy feels like it's too much. 

 

Sooner than I know it we are asleep.  The alarm rings at 5:30 am and life starts over again.  The same as the day before. 

 

I don't mean to sound ungrateful, for I am truly a blessed woman with a wonderful husband, 3 beautiful healthy children, all that I could need and more.  I just feel trapped at times.  Stuck in a loop with no end in sight.  The feeling is suffocating and depressing. 

 

Maybe I'm out of line and should always feel beyond happy about my motherhood role in life.  But that's just not how I'm feeling. 

Problem

I have a problem ... I like food! 

I know, everyone does, but my problem keeps me from actually cooking all those oh so great recipes for fear that I will eat the ENTIRE dish.  So how do you make good food, but not eat it all?

See my dilemma?

 

Can't Help Myself

Just a quick blip... cause I just can't help it! 

 

I started trying to loose weight again last week.  It was a good week and in just 7 days I'm down over 5 lbs! 

 

Wahoo!!! 



Hail the Conquering Hero... Na Na Nu Na

My friends... do you remember that lumpy mattress that I was talking about?? You don't! Well let me remind you...

 

Well here it is!  Pretty ain't it?!  :) 

 

Brian and I took the plunge yesterday and attempted to FIX our own mattress.  That's right... you heard me... FIX it.  :)

 

So here are the pictures to tell the story.  Enjoy!

 



Brian preparing to climb INSIDE the mattress to spread out the padding.

Brian climbing inside.

Brian inside the mattress.

We ended up having to pull out the padding and open up the bottom as well.  We thought about leaving the padding out, but it just didn't feel as comfortable without it.

After struggling with the padding for a while, we decided we'd have to take apart the other side as well, leaving only the top attached.

Vwalla!  Padding nice and flat.  Now it's time to sew.

Brian was a stud and started sewing.  We got into a nice groove where I would thread a needle (it was a bit of a proccess since I just had regular thread and needed to triple thread the needle).  We had 3 needles threaded so that he didn't have to stop and wait.

One side down, time to work on the bottom.

Kayla sewing up a side, I wasn't doing as good as Brian.

DONE!!!  Yipee!! 

 

Perfectly flat bed, and though last night wasn't a great test of how nice it was to sleep on a non-lumpy bed (kids were sick and we were up most the night), I am so happy that we now have a good bed to sleep on again.  YEAH!!  We saved some money too since we didn't need to buy a new mattress.  It took us about 5 hours of solid work.  I'd say it was well worth it. 

Kenya Update

We've been on the potty training spree for a week now and Kenya is doing great!

 

The first morning was terrible and she wanted so badly to go back to diapers.  She had a few accidents and that was it, she was back on track and determined to win the battle.  She has been doing great ever since!  She's even sleeping through the night and staying dry!!!  I'm stoked!! 

 

The first night we tried to convince her to wear a special pull-up but all she wanted was her pretty undies, so we let her.  I was worried the whole night that I would wake up to her screaming and soaked.  Happily all my worry was for not, she did FANTASTIC!!  So now we basically have a wonderfully potty trained little girl who goes all on her own when she need to go (not telling me most of the time) and she's ready to start Preschool! 

 

Luckily I found such a preschool and she's signed up to start in just 2 weeks!  I can't believe that on 2 days a week for 2 hours each time she'll be in school!  Crazy!!

 

More Than You Can Take

I have felt like this summer has just been insane... one tumble after another... one challenge on top of another.  I've surprised myself with my endurance through it all. 

Yes, I have definitely grumbled at times... cried myself to sleep... spent sleepless nights praying that it all would just end, but what I didn't seem to be realizing was that I have it good in comparison to some. 

Then, last week something even more difficult presented itself and I thought I might break.  And then I heard this on the Christian Radio Station and felt the warm and protection I had been missing. 

God won't give me more than I can take,

He might let me bend,

But he won't let me break.

Though the situation was frightening and uncomfortable and I wasn't sure how it would play out, this simple song gave me hope that no matter what was happening, I would be able to handle it.  Don't forget it, it's what HE said!

(I've given up on regular radio, the kids and I... and even Brian (he got me into it)... are fully hooked on the beautiful music from the Christian Station, Air 1.  I just don't ever have to worry about what my kids are hearing.)

And Then There Was One...

... In Diapers!  Only ONE!!

You have no idea how long I've been waiting to say that!!  About 8 months ago I tried potty training Kenya and that blew up in my face.  She was in no way interested in it and I pushed to hard.  So she's 31/2 years old and still in diapers. 

The other day we dropped Ian off at school and Kenya announced that she wanted to go to school too.  I told her that only big girls who wear big girl panties were able to go to school.  She promptly told me that she was now a big girl and would wear big girl panties. 

I was a little skeptical and worried because of how this had played out before.  I also felt that I didn't have a whole lot of free time on my hands to help her because I've still got a whole house to unpack, but we went ahead and took the rest of her diapers away and put her in big girl panties. 

We're on our fourth day and though there has been a few mishaps, she's done amazing!  She refused to wear a pull up to bed the first night and I was worried, but she has been dry every morning.  I think I can finally say goodbye to her diapers. 

She's been a little challenging... more so than Ian was, but we're making it through.  On the second morning she wanted very much to go back to diapers... but a gentle push got her back on track. 

So here's to changing only one bum... not two.  :)

Kindergarten

All summer long Ian would ask me when he got to go to Kindergarten...and all summer long I told him, in a couple months.  Now it's happened.  I can't believe it, but my little boy is now in full day public school!  It's nerve racking and exciting and everything all at once. 

He's got a great teacher and loves school.  We've had a few minor problems, but things seem to be settling into a nice rhythm.  His first day of school was insane since our boxes and stuff had only been dropped off the day before he started, but we seemed to have made it through. 

Doesn't he look like such a happy school boy?  I kinda think so.  I'm kinda amazed that the kindergartners have all day school with the rest of the grades, but that's what the deal is here in SoCal.  I am liking the extra time I get with the other kids though.