tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55147851148594667082024-03-13T13:02:21.074-07:00How Could I Ask for More?A reminder of all our family has been blessed with!Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-56341063590349415512011-03-16T19:50:00.000-07:002011-05-08T14:59:25.944-07:00Crazy Coupon Lady<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqMxF7DSjpSarxY4p6pjcKUKsVlIxpdQRxfy5DyAotnDcX9OEBAEdgT7J2IVQvRVGL9pkPBWBLrbAETEYB7cDJaEdrsiHa9pzrJEku56s-H-yHyPppJDNHk5cw5peiEK-xCrVxVGMceU/s1600/coupons.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqMxF7DSjpSarxY4p6pjcKUKsVlIxpdQRxfy5DyAotnDcX9OEBAEdgT7J2IVQvRVGL9pkPBWBLrbAETEYB7cDJaEdrsiHa9pzrJEku56s-H-yHyPppJDNHk5cw5peiEK-xCrVxVGMceU/s200/coupons.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604467969507057394" /></a><br />This is who I have become, at least according to my children. I was introduced by a friend of mine into "extreme coupon-ing" a few months ago. Since we were trying to decrease our monthly expenses to save money for our new addition to the house I thought I would give it a try. What an eye opener! There are stores out there basically giving food away! It has become almost fun to grocery shop and see what kind of deals I can find. <br /><br />Many people ask me "Can't I save more buying no-name brand stuff?" The answer to that is no. Off brand stuff is usually cheaper, but not that much cheaper. Let me give you a scenario. Kraft American Cheese slices are 2.49. The off brand is 1.99. At a certain store the Kraft goes on sale for 1.49. I have a $1.00 off coupon making them $.49. I bought several at this price today. I also got 8 oz Kraft grated cheese bags for $1.25 a piece- Kroger has a buy one get one free deal and I had a $1.00 off coupon. Today I saved $146! (I spent $112) We are lucky enough to live where most grocery store double coupons up to $.50 and triple up to $.35. This way of shopping is certainly more time consuming, because I have to match store ads up with my coupons and then make three separate trips to area grocery stores to get the deals at each specific store, but I am watching my food storage pantry fill up and I have sliced my grocery bill at least in half. I am beginning to learn what constitutes a "stock-up" price and buy a lot when the price is right. This week I bought BBQ sauce because they were on sale for 50 cents, and I had coupons for $2.00 off Country Time lemonade when I bought 2. The country time and kool aid canisters were on sale for $2, so it was free for every 2 bottles of BBQ sauce I bought, which were only a $1 total for both. 30 bottles of BBQ sauce and 15 canisters (8 quarts) of Country Time and Kool Aid for $17.50 is a good deal to me! <br /><br />The other deals happen at the drugstores in our area, Walgreens and CVS. They offer deals that include "register rewareds" (coupons to spend on your next shopping order). For example: buy 2 Herbal Essences and receive $2.97 towards your next purchase. They are on sale 2 for $6. I have a coupon for $1.00 off 2, making it 2 for $5. I spend my $5 and they give me $2.97 back, basically making them 2 for $2. I then do a seperate transaction, purchasing 2 right guard deoderants. THey are on sale for $1.99, and they are giving $1.99 back in register rewards....and I have a buy one get one free coupon. I use my previous $2.97 reward, and my coupons to get 4 deoderants for $1.03 and they give me $3.98 to spend on my next order. Do you see the way this works? <br /><br />Anyway, I have to keep myself reigned in, because it is easy to go overboard, printing multiple coupons from multiple computers and spending 20 hours a week planning shopping trips, like the people you see on the TV show "Extreme Couponing". But in a just a few hours, I find I can save my family a ton of money and have a little fun doing it. It's a win-win!Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-52413162293619081522011-01-08T07:32:00.000-08:002011-02-15T17:40:58.195-08:00A month and a half late and a dollar short?I had set a goal to post once a week this year, but seeing that it is the 14th of February, I am already quite behind. The old me would have felt the need to not post until I had 6 posts ready, one for each week that I am behind. They would all be filled with pictures depicting each event. But the new me knows me better than that. I am learning my limitations. I have so many that it has taken me nearly 40 years to learn them. But it is very liberating to let yourself have limits. I'm not saying I'm going to roll over and play dead for the rest of my life because of them, but I'm going to be a bit more reasonable about what I can and cannot do. For instance, a woman with 8 children, a dog, and my housekeeping skills should not sign up to host a birthday brunch on Monday morning if I want any hope of keeping the Sabbath Day work free. See, I'm learning. <br /><br />Well, January was exciting. Busy. Purposeful. Let me recap. <br /><br />My parents came to to visit us for a week. My kids love when they come to visit. To give you some idea of what kind of grandmother my mom is, when the kids opened up the XBox Kinect game system on Christmas morning, one of their comments was "Grandma is going to love this!" Emily also interviewed her grandmother for a report, and she had to list three characteristics of her. This is exactly what she wrote: <br /><br />1) CRAZY! (she did the moonwalk in McDonald's)<br /><br />2) Loving<br /><br />3) Funny! <br /><br />Yes, my mom keeps us laughing when she is here and this week was no exception. She also helped us all gain a few pounds by making the most delicious whole grain bread and " Monster" chocolate chip cookies. Grandpa has taken the kids for walks and given Makayla her new nickname: Sunshine. He has given each of my kids a nickname over the years: Autumn is Princess , Sean is Professor, Kyle is Squirt , Emily is Twerp, Rebekah is Dolly, Hunter is Mighty Ruler, Julia is Minnie (as in a mini-version of me!) and now Makayla will be known as Sunshine at Grandma and Grandpa Spears' house. Grandma and Grandpa were supposed to be here 9 days and ended up being here for 15 due to the crazy winter weather the South has been having. We had just gotten used to the idea of their moving in permanently when things finally melted and they had to leave! <br /><br />January flew by, and we kept busy tearing our house up, clearing out and getting rid of stuff because I do not want to be on one of those hoarding shows. The house was okay in that we could clean it up for guests, but I felt like stuff was just oozing out of every drawer and every cupboard. And it was. I have cleaned out about 10 bags of trash and a half of a garage full of stuff to give away so far. It's crazy how much stuff a family of 10 can collect if we do not stay on top of it. We are the blessed recipients of many hand me downs, and they add up. I am grateful for what we have been given, but I need to constantly be aware of when we have too much and we need to pass it along to someone else to use. I don't want this much stuff. I want room in my home for love, kindness, empathy, friendship, fun, and learning. If there is too much STUFF, it seems to take the place of those things. It drains the life out of us keeping up with it all. So out if goes. Good riddance to bad rubbish. <br /><br />Drawers were organized, cupboards lined with shelf paper, closets redone. No more clothes in dressers- they are all on hangers except pj's, socks and undies. I love it. The funniest part of all this work has been watching Makayla, who is now 15 months, find such joy in destroying any semblance of order in anything. It is almost as though she loves chaos as much as I love order. But that is nothing a few cupboard latches can't control! <br /><br />February has us all working on being more loving and kind to each other. I love when our kids get along. It is the best gift they can give me for any occasion. When they peacefully play together, all is right with the world. And I've also noticed that the cleaner our house is, the calmer things become. The calmer things become, the calmer I am. The calmer I am, the calmer everyone seems to be. I hate wielding that kind of power but that seems to be my lot in life to set the tone of the home. It's a blessing and a curse. A blessing when I am setting the right tone, but a curse when I am not at my best. So I"m trying to teach the kids the connection between doing their chores and mom's level of happiness. I think it might actually be sinking in. Let's hope it lasts. <br /><br />Valentines Day was sweet for our little family. We got each child a little gift, and Mike surprised me with fun things like a spa gift certificate, homemade chocolates from a friend of ours and some pedicure stuff. He is a much better gift giver than I am. I cooked a nice dinner, but it was so crazy that day I didn't do much else. I am planning a nice date for Friday night, and I"m having his car washed while he is gone. I'm not much of a romantic- I asked for a detail clean of my van for Valentines. <br /><br />This week Mike is in California. I miss him when he is gone. He is the stabilizing force in my crazy life. I am glad I have all these little friends in my house to keep my busy and make the days go by faster. <br /><br />So that's my first blog post for the year. I'm hoping it's not a semi-annual thing like it has been in the past. I don't want to forget all these precious moments in our home. And the not so precious ones are good to look back and laugh at in a few years.....Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-47943640321272007252010-07-15T05:26:00.000-07:002010-07-15T06:21:41.905-07:00<a onblur=" try=" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFAJYdWbzMCrE8opNG0fMQTSFhSSNemgabRoxuyFpb9tmTAijonWhUvlG0eKv85IFZaBfoMcdd2WxY2SuokfGOkVmg5143_N2oR_4h2nBfvhQnEuxLfUsYi1vFQ2RQYWjxNsWgSnuDrA/s1600/38056_123177507726975_100001041802523_135741_7861231_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFAJYdWbzMCrE8opNG0fMQTSFhSSNemgabRoxuyFpb9tmTAijonWhUvlG0eKv85IFZaBfoMcdd2WxY2SuokfGOkVmg5143_N2oR_4h2nBfvhQnEuxLfUsYi1vFQ2RQYWjxNsWgSnuDrA/s320/38056_123177507726975_100001041802523_135741_7861231_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494110227837571650" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We just got home from vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia. We met my two sisters and my parents there for Camp Grandma this year because Autumn wanted to visit Southern Virginia University to see if she might want to go there. She is there this week for EFY and will fly home next Sat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My good friend Melanie made these great shirts for the grandkids and my mom. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVzp0c9uRr7oiNn0fK1R96pXFkVD6Lv6VraWUNoYTu04k68PQBTh4DD-qHuuU-XHTcLIGB8aparINb9bxFy7cxfk8uzv4lEBPNNPxC73IP2620yXQMgiw7LHYWuJRO6dDVdakDO5UTlA/s1600/34857_631389812601_1004772_35737646_1767079_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVzp0c9uRr7oiNn0fK1R96pXFkVD6Lv6VraWUNoYTu04k68PQBTh4DD-qHuuU-XHTcLIGB8aparINb9bxFy7cxfk8uzv4lEBPNNPxC73IP2620yXQMgiw7LHYWuJRO6dDVdakDO5UTlA/s320/34857_631389812601_1004772_35737646_1767079_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494111537155328610" /></a>We got comments on the shirts everywhere we went. They say Camp Grandma on the back and made it easy to spot each other from a mile away. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZfeuhxWk1SjkUUSDucG_Dpha2BgmipmeWk-cWYBZpQiY8HxX3_7STiiRCYq9tjjl0OziwGFPYTeSFU5QRJ38t-dfESJMXz3jXz_KsXXOryIzmOx6G1uPPir34vga_poLvalZVJ6chME/s1600/34641_631390620981_1004772_35737705_3254610_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZfeuhxWk1SjkUUSDucG_Dpha2BgmipmeWk-cWYBZpQiY8HxX3_7STiiRCYq9tjjl0OziwGFPYTeSFU5QRJ38t-dfESJMXz3jXz_KsXXOryIzmOx6G1uPPir34vga_poLvalZVJ6chME/s320/34641_631390620981_1004772_35737705_3254610_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493354365348036098" /></a> Since Julia <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLOixJD2M5eGpgM56y1bbY86Dmv9F7jjsFjyn8FkaoyuQFDYZsYOIk16SEVWWefIHKfqJncKFHUtZCuS7hrMYMpp3n-pjNYnf7hUWAg6B0YyTgjo0VsxoNu-aB4xODBPjn0KABPqNGkk/s1600/38281_631390865491_1004772_35737720_6870890_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLOixJD2M5eGpgM56y1bbY86Dmv9F7jjsFjyn8FkaoyuQFDYZsYOIk16SEVWWefIHKfqJncKFHUtZCuS7hrMYMpp3n-pjNYnf7hUWAg6B0YyTgjo0VsxoNu-aB4xODBPjn0KABPqNGkk/s200/38281_631390865491_1004772_35737720_6870890_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494122148677229330" /></a>is such a great escape artist and runner and we were in many crowded places- Busch Gardens, Water Country and Colonial Williamsburg- this was a good thing. It was crazy hot while we were there- 105-110 for a few days- but we still had a great time. We went to Water Country to beat the heat. They offered a "bounce pass" for these three places where you could go as many times as you want within 7 days for a price that was lower than two regular tickets to the park. So there was no rush to see everything in one day....leaving us time to do things like stop and try honeysuckle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzFkiZcVPTL3OXTDgN0vcOiVEepyXiNwgZVPCYfknKwhTg6AIb9JbbzCPOwhmewZhb4_qbkBfC9et4eXphOvzEe8x4vEoohfLNoIwl1cFdchbAErky7vD9zf01ueTYjiHq4W4ErK6ZzI/s1600/38200_631391219781_1004772_35737741_708465_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzFkiZcVPTL3OXTDgN0vcOiVEepyXiNwgZVPCYfknKwhTg6AIb9JbbzCPOwhmewZhb4_qbkBfC9et4eXphOvzEe8x4vEoohfLNoIwl1cFdchbAErky7vD9zf01ueTYjiHq4W4ErK6ZzI/s320/38200_631391219781_1004772_35737741_708465_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494118716000442994" /></a><br />I think my favorite part of this vacation was watching the way the cousins played together. They had not seen each other for nearly a year, but they just immediately pick up their close relationships with each other. I love this picture of Sean and Kathryn- it just seemed to capture the comfortable ease they felt with each other. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArxs0iBKFveaTrFOjOQ6IJs72KwPk95U7ka_AJyhXb9aMDf4r4TCedubPV_iQ4taWn3ggtqDduGzV45rVOxjOf8Rafhyphenhyphen2FhfpTGNlDKSSnIlXftwifpM6-TapSuvVe-CxLK69QN1B78Q/s1600/34765_631391174871_1004772_35737738_4183682_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArxs0iBKFveaTrFOjOQ6IJs72KwPk95U7ka_AJyhXb9aMDf4r4TCedubPV_iQ4taWn3ggtqDduGzV45rVOxjOf8Rafhyphenhyphen2FhfpTGNlDKSSnIlXftwifpM6-TapSuvVe-CxLK69QN1B78Q/s320/34765_631391174871_1004772_35737738_4183682_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494117986771654386" /></a><br /><br />Of course not all children are perfect, and we did have to punish a few for being too rowdy! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKsRVkkrCKcGJxKaEWIZSH14sfiMpEFMiMCEinQpl6UalXXD6pMDjQKygj6PKD81-v2dDIXrgq4x8FENuqgNcBSDmAy2eAeSzKyMvZHxInNQLi-eDGdQI1Z9_2y90So4bOIYlgkzV_bs/s1600/34280_123146467730079_100001041802523_135584_3093020_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKsRVkkrCKcGJxKaEWIZSH14sfiMpEFMiMCEinQpl6UalXXD6pMDjQKygj6PKD81-v2dDIXrgq4x8FENuqgNcBSDmAy2eAeSzKyMvZHxInNQLi-eDGdQI1Z9_2y90So4bOIYlgkzV_bs/s320/34280_123146467730079_100001041802523_135584_3093020_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494119510370116002" /></a><br /><br />But for the most part, it was a wonderful trip with the kids. Makayla, who was the unhappiest newborn we have ever had, has become the happiest infant we have ever had. She travelled like a pro and kept us all smiling. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpRYWAJaHYVof0KGauXGP-XPmE8FsDYXTDTCQFjW6HCuAV_Tch-jwZi5USGANR20aNQ_7SzIpCbtB5iLddZjRC8t8br5ctzbxtEJ95-C6pAmLlLM0jF3bjbPHQwXHEqg54hD8jnEVKJo/s1600/37940_631390176871_1004772_35737671_8230207_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpRYWAJaHYVof0KGauXGP-XPmE8FsDYXTDTCQFjW6HCuAV_Tch-jwZi5USGANR20aNQ_7SzIpCbtB5iLddZjRC8t8br5ctzbxtEJ95-C6pAmLlLM0jF3bjbPHQwXHEqg54hD8jnEVKJo/s320/37940_631390176871_1004772_35737671_8230207_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494120174896131858" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n0TQJEo8dhnEO1kH8kRhU52w0Pxlka9Wf_bfLhq5NW6Eu73nt0Z2B43evGVFyuaifQcygrQdmqkGlrr8kOz-U4SC_IrHz8IPiPSOxOHVJS8r5uycHvm63GCq_ETjv4hb-AQpfqGJvIU/s1600/35243_631389977271_1004772_35737656_7377463_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n0TQJEo8dhnEO1kH8kRhU52w0Pxlka9Wf_bfLhq5NW6Eu73nt0Z2B43evGVFyuaifQcygrQdmqkGlrr8kOz-U4SC_IrHz8IPiPSOxOHVJS8r5uycHvm63GCq_ETjv4hb-AQpfqGJvIU/s320/35243_631389977271_1004772_35737656_7377463_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494120412693278834" /></a>Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-31647775460499510692010-04-01T18:47:00.000-07:002010-04-25T14:45:03.595-07:00Wonderful World of Disney<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGQgROypIsmLP8kh6XmEcXGZ045oFSFcWb_ct8MIb3lhIFAbO71oWdQpECPTpYxj_fgEQWbLIaUlIhSsJQEKtg1R-1xXUE9alDTPk1aPtvq5aa_H9LxHmSKSNJ-5Ryb9BrZKuH-K63Us/s1600/DSC_0656.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGQgROypIsmLP8kh6XmEcXGZ045oFSFcWb_ct8MIb3lhIFAbO71oWdQpECPTpYxj_fgEQWbLIaUlIhSsJQEKtg1R-1xXUE9alDTPk1aPtvq5aa_H9LxHmSKSNJ-5Ryb9BrZKuH-K63Us/s320/DSC_0656.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464186271967532914" /></a>For Spring Break this year, we decided to take the kids to Disney. We have not been for about five years. Autumn wanted to go again before she graduated, so it was either this year or next year. Next year, Makayla will be 16 months old, which to me is the worst age imaginable to bring a child to Disney. So we opted to bring her at 5 months old. Not ideal, but it worked out great.<br /><br />We drove this time, and I clearly had forgotten how long it takes or else we would have flown. That being said, the kids did great. We got there much later than we expected, which made for a late night of preparations for Mike and I to get us prepared for the park in the morning. I think we went to bed at about 1 am. Our plan was to be at the park by 8. We got about 5 minutes down the highway when I realized I left Makayla's formula on the counter, so back to the condo we go. We then decided to stop at Target on the way out to get autograph books for $2 instead of paying $8 at the park (total savings $42). We arrived at that parking lot at 9 am and by the time we got our tickets from will call, took the monorail, got a double stroller ($32 a day- what are they nuts?) it was 10 am and we walked into the park just in time for the morning parade. The kids loved it, but I was looking around and wondering really how we were going to maneuver our huge family amongst the seemingly millions of people that were at the park that day. Apparently, it had rained for two days straight prior to our arrival, so everyone was back at Magic Kingdom to celebrate the return of sunshine. I needn't have worried though, as I have "Super-Mike" on my side. He ran to get fast passes all day, and kept us out of lines. Having a child swap option makes it so easy to avoid waits! We would use 5 of our tickets for fast passes for the rides that everyone including Hunter could ride, and the other four tickets for fast passes for the rides only our 48 inch and over kids could ride. Mike would take four kids on, leaving one to help me with the little ones. At the front of the fast pass line you ask for a child swap and they give you a fast pass good for three more people to come through the line! So after they got off I would ride with two of the kids. It worked great. We didn't have time to go to Walmart to get food for the day because we got in so late, so the only lines we waited in were for food and to get autographs from characters.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMJAUahB9Rreghee3fIqN1QVDzkDSSkJElkOZKRNWfnJu7nsi3_O4IE45BFPtir5KCvMFjlwGzho_8EEgUdpCLt_NSo8Wz64fDcjPh6kfuJ5aYF9FSYDgSaHOHnbxf4AeRK0dF58tCLg/s1600/DSC_0784.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMJAUahB9Rreghee3fIqN1QVDzkDSSkJElkOZKRNWfnJu7nsi3_O4IE45BFPtir5KCvMFjlwGzho_8EEgUdpCLt_NSo8Wz64fDcjPh6kfuJ5aYF9FSYDgSaHOHnbxf4AeRK0dF58tCLg/s320/DSC_0784.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464188140046173810" /></a> <div><br /><div>We got home from the park at around 11 pm. The kids were fabulous for having such a long day. We were so grateful to have bought a Winnie the Pooh "harness" (fancy name for leash) at Walmart in Texas. It kept Julia from being lost, trampled, drowned.....several times over. Probably the best $20 investment we made for the trip. <br /><br />We took the kids back to the condo and then Autumn and I went shopping for food to bring to the park on Monday ( Uncrustables, crackers, water bottles, nutrigrain bars, protein bars, pringles, apples, oranges, etc...) and food for Sunday meals (cereal and oatmeal, lunchmeat for sandwiches and lasagna for dinner) as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>We took the day off from the parks on Sunday and went to a local ward for church. We showed up late because at the last minute we realized we had forgotten daylight savings time! We didn't stay for classes and instead assigned the kids to teach each other. Emily taught Julia's nursery class and did a great job with her providing snack, bubble time and a great lesson. We went to bed early to prepare for the crazy week we had coming up. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the week went much smoother and we arrived at each park much earlier and had ridden most of the rides before the crowds arrived. We did Hollywood Studios on Monday, Animal Kingdom on Tues, Epcot Weds, Magic Kingdom again on Thurs and Hollywood Studios again on Friday. The highlights were: "Finding Nemo- the Musical" at Animal Kingdom- we loved it so much we bought the CD and Julia goes to sleep to it every night. The rides we loved were "Splash Mountain", "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad", "Space Mountain", "Soarin", "Kilamanjaro Safari" and "Mickey's Philamagic". Our all time favorites were "Expedition Everest", the new roller coaster at Animal Kingdom, and "Toy Story", an amazing 3-D ride at Hollywood Studios where you play simulated carnival games. Disney really is amazing. The little kids loved dining with the Disney characters and meeting them. Julia and Hunter are still in the "magical" ages, where it is all real to them. Their faces lighting up with excitement at every new thing made it worth all the work to get them there. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFed1FJexja-MaHd2uqiIteYYH0XWEFPEINNGq8B-qeqwa0LiXfDKveuThBkCKoKPIWdnS5nQQb0UPh90_UUTKee2gRp5F4K41E4BcO6uAsMwSJ1FI2PLaDoUjWF9CB6hqhLUvSSwgMdY/s1600/DSC_0658.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFed1FJexja-MaHd2uqiIteYYH0XWEFPEINNGq8B-qeqwa0LiXfDKveuThBkCKoKPIWdnS5nQQb0UPh90_UUTKee2gRp5F4K41E4BcO6uAsMwSJ1FI2PLaDoUjWF9CB6hqhLUvSSwgMdY/s320/DSC_0658.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464189920294968770" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_0VJ0ImKuGJ9JOBg8cI_39LjfIkDJb_g1yrFE428vOzjCv7BOqL4JidLHEbqN4LgjyGSrXB7cZgnXHNURTUXguplcU_5IJxEM1l8zIZcpGSG5nZVxWlOA7gSt316nAe8xcSPDusfrEE/s1600/DSC_0810.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_0VJ0ImKuGJ9JOBg8cI_39LjfIkDJb_g1yrFE428vOzjCv7BOqL4JidLHEbqN4LgjyGSrXB7cZgnXHNURTUXguplcU_5IJxEM1l8zIZcpGSG5nZVxWlOA7gSt316nAe8xcSPDusfrEE/s320/DSC_0810.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464187058553956034" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsi-CgF6hKpAvG9CIcU8Zw1HC0iBhNdayqxEAZfN-DREVti5bxliDCH6aklJqutqpCFApgod0N_oI_n_DYoED7YxspkTylHzhq2NQ02e-u5gYShuSxofEGs8AUYvCLuNaX4NjCN6tO-Y/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsi-CgF6hKpAvG9CIcU8Zw1HC0iBhNdayqxEAZfN-DREVti5bxliDCH6aklJqutqpCFApgod0N_oI_n_DYoED7YxspkTylHzhq2NQ02e-u5gYShuSxofEGs8AUYvCLuNaX4NjCN6tO-Y/s320/DSC_0565.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464189219326567954" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mike and I were able to sneak away one evening to Downtown Disney for a fun date night.<br />( Animal Kingdom closes early so that night Autumn babysat for us) I blew my diet at Ghiradelli chocolates but didn't even care because it was so good it was worth it :) </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all the trip was a great success. We love being together as a family, and I love the way my older children look out so much for the younger ones when we are in situations like this. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFtNJ1u9HKPm6EJ6OcWP2ETxm0doQljmfIchW8KWujJZPHgb6B12gMIlqbaw0AyoAoUsaYEEa4oGcLX-m0TbAsVC9IzyabJ-1onl0yKyJNsMhnI-Q90k2JPHppCFqDcn154NfQv9lVVw/s1600/DSC_0787.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFtNJ1u9HKPm6EJ6OcWP2ETxm0doQljmfIchW8KWujJZPHgb6B12gMIlqbaw0AyoAoUsaYEEa4oGcLX-m0TbAsVC9IzyabJ-1onl0yKyJNsMhnI-Q90k2JPHppCFqDcn154NfQv9lVVw/s320/DSC_0787.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464191776372972082" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uTjLkn_bwLlQCAN1g-tVJpQvaNVOdPcTQ5XKWPPTf29Nk82S5b7SDb6bRvXOJeObSWslELwezdy1lwO4hyphenhyphenDcL5ffRA8epeivaihoOQMHVvh3ZAZ8hIylev0jD_YXEgaJr-qDWqnI3QI/s1600/DSC_0788.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uTjLkn_bwLlQCAN1g-tVJpQvaNVOdPcTQ5XKWPPTf29Nk82S5b7SDb6bRvXOJeObSWslELwezdy1lwO4hyphenhyphenDcL5ffRA8epeivaihoOQMHVvh3ZAZ8hIylev0jD_YXEgaJr-qDWqnI3QI/s320/DSC_0788.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464191154242488658" /></a>We will probably go one more time when Makayla is in those magical ages ( @ 4-6 years old) and then we will move on to the other parks that have bigger thrill rides for the older ones. By then we'll probably be bringing Autumn's husband and kids along..whoa, I'm getting ahead of myself there. If I could turn back time, this would be one vacation I would return to over and over! </div></div>Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-75884866285685639132010-01-10T09:52:00.000-08:002011-05-08T15:14:13.731-07:00An old post, but I have to share!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWgkdFw5Q2kHbhhCqlD_LTUiEW73dYZU2GAKfWeB3OMEZ6lcmYrJKVBwOLjLp-Jv04zhu4BQtyyUU6JX4guwtdNWfJWUtSA1w5A1GaVV141FjvTY3k5d32w04IA9p2Fl0yCYms7JGoG4/s1600/4266759218_512279af60_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWgkdFw5Q2kHbhhCqlD_LTUiEW73dYZU2GAKfWeB3OMEZ6lcmYrJKVBwOLjLp-Jv04zhu4BQtyyUU6JX4guwtdNWfJWUtSA1w5A1GaVV141FjvTY3k5d32w04IA9p2Fl0yCYms7JGoG4/s200/4266759218_512279af60_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604471923337121794" /></a><br /><div>There is a reason we don't get professional pictures taken of our family very often. That reason was brought clearly back to the forefront of my mind this weekend as I prepared and executed this massive undertaking. I'm just grateful I didn't execute any of my children. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Makayla is a fussy baby at night, which basically means I have been confined to the house in the evenings for the better part of three months. Finally, Friday evening, the day before pictures, I told Mike that I would need to leave her in his care for a few hours so I could get coordinating outfits together. After deciding on a color scheme of cream, tan, grey and pink- based on one sweater that my 16 year old wanted to wear- I pulled together what we had and went out to find what we were lacking. Which was a lot. After racing through Target, Kohl's and Old Navy and purchasing nearly everything that they had in these colors, I went home to let the kids decide what to wear. Amazingly, I had forgotten tights for both little girls, and two cream colored shirts to wear under jumpers. We also discovered that as is customarily announced on Sunday morning but gratefully was caught early this week : two kids had outgrown their Sunday shoes. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I went to bed at about midnight after throwing in necessary laundry that needed to be done before our 11 am appointment. I was up at 6:30 am, showered and ready by 7. Nursed Makayla and woke up our very sick 3 yr old to give her another dose of antibiotics, praying they would kick in by the time we were taking pictures. Woke everyone else up at 8 to eat breakfast and get them headed for the showers. I took Autumn, 16, with me to Target at 9 to get the last needed items. We were home by 9:30, where I found my 14 and 12 and 5 year old boys still in pajamas, and Julia, my 3 yr old girl still asleep. Mike has been dealing with fussy Makayla all morning and had not noticed the lack of obedience of the boys. I threaten my 14 and 12 year olds with myriads of punishments if they are not showered and ready in 15 minutes, and proceed to put Hunter in the bath while I wake the sleeping dragon Julia. It is not pretty. She has not slept well. Getting her into a bath is a master class in negotiation skills. I should apply for a job at the UN. I pull Hunter out and put Julia in. Thankfully, I had the foresight to not get dressed in the outfit I am wearing for pictures yet, because by the time we are done with baths I am drenched. Julia ,however, is happy now. Until I start brushing our her hair, which brings on more shrieking, wailing and gnashing of teeth. She becomes reasonable when I show her the new clothes, shoes and headband she will be wearing. She is immediately the beautifully composed princess. I breathe a sigh of relief and move on to Hunter, who's newly purchased Sunday shoes still do not fit. Children should not be able to skip shoe sizes like that. His black Lightning Mcqueen shoes will have to work. It is now 10:45. Our appt is at 11, and it is 15 minutes away. Perfect....except for the fact that I AM NOT DRESSED YET! Mike loads the kids in the car while I throw on my outfit. Earrings.....where is the other earring? I am losing my mind. I throw a brush in my purse in hopes that I can do something with my hair on the way. Thank goodness I put on make-up at 6:30 this morning- I just hope it is still there. I also now remember that I forgot to put on mascara. Great, my kids eyelashes are crazy long so mine will now look even shorter in comparison. Can you photoshop eyelashes? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><p>During the ride to the hotel where we were having the pictures taken, I find out that Sean has tried to make Julia happy by giving her a Jolly Rancher. When I begin to freak out at the thought of her adorable cream sweater being drizzled with Jolly Rancher drippings, he assures me that it is okay because she didn't like it and spit it out...thankfully missing the aforementioned cream sweater completely. Crisis averted! If I can keep them clean for ten more minutes it will be a miracle.</p><br /><p>I have no number to contact Maddie, our photographer, so I call a mutual friend who gives me her cell number. Maddie is so kind in helping calm me down and lets me know that we can still make this work even if we are late. She is just great at what she does. We show up and she gets awesome shots of each individual child, boys with mom, boys with dad, girls with dad, girls with mom, family shots, baby shots....and everyone cooperates and looks great. Even Julia is happily running around. One would look at us and never guess the chaos that had ensued less than an hour earlier in my home to prepare for this event. And I guess that's the point right? To capture us at our best. Which I hope we accomplished. And we don't need to accomplish it again for a very long time. </p>Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-25769114420847273562009-11-08T16:24:00.000-08:002009-11-08T16:52:56.473-08:00Newborn Joy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEgiYfXifmYeOwzNsOVfRysiMZwY8Xh2KV-_jeC-TgfRsCCoaRtoBpL9FMuv3Omn-unVRVL6-N2uDB91Q7Bbs6ud0_EvxLiOP78gm71fPgt6AwNV3BB46oUYAb1mHj4WUjwj17Wf4YW8/s1600-h/DSC_0179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEgiYfXifmYeOwzNsOVfRysiMZwY8Xh2KV-_jeC-TgfRsCCoaRtoBpL9FMuv3Omn-unVRVL6-N2uDB91Q7Bbs6ud0_EvxLiOP78gm71fPgt6AwNV3BB46oUYAb1mHj4WUjwj17Wf4YW8/s320/DSC_0179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401897286435637650" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I love having a newborn in the house. I don't mind the occasional fussiness, the middle of the night feedings, or the dozens of diaper changes each day. This is still my favorite time. This child was, just a matter of weeks ago, in the presence of my Father in Heaven. There is a feeling that comes into my home when a new baby comes to our family that is like no other feeling on earth....because it is a heavenly feeling. Something celestial, or at least what I think "celestial" will feel like. I have always loved these lines from the William Wordsworth poem "Ode"<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span>:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 32); font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><table align="CENTER" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><td>Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="59"> </a></span></td></tr><tr><td>The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="60"><i> </i></a></span></td></tr><tr><td> Hath had elsewhere its setting,</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="61"> </a></span></td></tr><tr><td> And cometh from afar:</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="62"> </a></span></td></tr><tr><td> Not in entire forgetfulness,</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="63"> </a></span></td></tr><tr><td> And not in utter nakedness,</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="64"> </a></span></td></tr><tr><td>But trailing clouds of glory do we come</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="65"><i> </i></a></span></td></tr><tr><td> From God, who is our home:</td><td valign="top" align="right"><span style="font-size:-2;"><a name="66"> </a></span></td></tr><tr><td>Heaven lies about us in our infancy!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The only thing I don't like about this newborn feeling is that it always fades with time. The world rubs off on us, and we get back to the day to day routine and forget this time. Maybe this blog post will help me remember. I hope so, because it is one of the dearest gifts Heavenly Father has given me as a mom- this time to remember what it feels like to be near Him. </span></b></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjPRmzyxtqQnlsnjQx578_6NNASlHB9DhGlC7eDOeWF_Hr5E5p85Pakg37q61_mtsxMwaUBOxoXGM6zRp-u7_NWLNs3U5_KphK7grFrHiLey4phUOk_Ek1WPztexc3424Q0B4ebj1xEQ/s1600-h/photo%7B02CF06C4-9BEA-45BA-AE5D-D1D7DFAF6B2E%7D_5-1.jpg.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjPRmzyxtqQnlsnjQx578_6NNASlHB9DhGlC7eDOeWF_Hr5E5p85Pakg37q61_mtsxMwaUBOxoXGM6zRp-u7_NWLNs3U5_KphK7grFrHiLey4phUOk_Ek1WPztexc3424Q0B4ebj1xEQ/s320/photo%7B02CF06C4-9BEA-45BA-AE5D-D1D7DFAF6B2E%7D_5-1.jpg.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401899202804769586" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div>Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-68796131954668813802009-10-20T04:32:00.000-07:002009-10-20T06:41:51.205-07:00Makayla's Birth Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91RAh-mQO_-eoqkZQ6bNE3KEEvL5Qtt98fPu3NRlMl3I8NKotHBUbZbKCqJcxEMAp_fKVBrHapbBbUwiibodWzOyUkGfVe8aVJj59-5Z8VZGVebRXmAgBS5_EPCV_baTpRxG0PjHt-R0/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91RAh-mQO_-eoqkZQ6bNE3KEEvL5Qtt98fPu3NRlMl3I8NKotHBUbZbKCqJcxEMAp_fKVBrHapbBbUwiibodWzOyUkGfVe8aVJj59-5Z8VZGVebRXmAgBS5_EPCV_baTpRxG0PjHt-R0/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394675666181786194" /></a><br />I went to see Dr. Rost on Thursday. He checked my progress and found me to be dilated to a 3. I figured that would put me on track to be about 5 cm dilated by my induction date the following Weds, which is what I was with Julia. I had lost most of my mucous plug the week before, but I noticed some blood tinged mucous when I was collecting my urine sample, so I thought maybe I still might have a chance of having her before my induction date. Friday was a busy day. I made a few casseroles to freeze, cleaned quite a bit and did some laundry. Saturday Mike took the kids to their soccer games, and I took Emily to a birthday party. I wasn't feeling all that great. I felt uncomfortable, but I chalked it up to being dilated and walking around a lot. Mike and I went out to dinner at Chili's with a gift card my friend Amy Murdock gave me for my baby shower. By the time we got home I was exhausted and I laid down for a nap and ended up sleeping for an hour. I had a few hard contractions- but they were totally random. Sometimes one an hour, sometimes 2 in 15 minutes. It was confusing. Sunday when I woke up I didn't think I was going to be able to get to church. Walking had become difficult- it felt like I had a volleyball between my legs. But within an hour of waking up I felt a little better and got ready to go to church. I was fine for Sacrament meeting- I even sang with the choir for ward conference- but after Sunday school my back was really hurting so I went home. I got the lasagna on the table, made garlic bread and salad and set the table. By the time we were done with dinner, I was exhausted and took a 2 hour nap. I woke up at 7:45, got up and had ice cream with the kids. I sorted socks and went to back to bed at 9. The only way to describe how I felt is "not good". I woke up at 1:30 am to a very uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen and back. It wasn't a contraction- more like cramping/indigestion. I felt that way pretty solidly for about 20 minutes. I finally sat up and woke up Mike and told him that we probably needed to head to the hospital. I knew something was going on, even though it wasn't presenting like typical labor. I went to the bathroom, and took a five minute shower. During my shower, I had my first "traditional" feeling contraction, and it was hard and very much a real labor contraction without a doubt. They came about 3 minutes apart from then on, and I knew we were on a pretty tight time clock now to get me to the hospital. I toyed with the thought of calling an ambulance, but I really didn't want some random paramedic delivering my baby- I'd rather Mike and I handle it if we got to that point. We got in the car and when I sat down I felt her move down into the birth canal and I knew we had to go fast. I told Mike not to stop at any red lights! He was in a bit of shock about the whole thing I think. I called Dr. Rost's answering service and left a message that we were on our way to the hospital with contractions 3 minutes apart. We pulled into the Baylor emergency room parking lot at about 2:45, and Mike ran in got a wheelchair for me, because I wasn't sure I could walk anywhere. I told the people at the front desk that I was having a baby and that I might deliver right there on the ER floor if we didn't get to labor and delivery pretty quick. I'm sure they took that with a grain of salt, until I mentioned it was my 8th baby and then people started moving a little faster. I had the chattiest guy pushing my wheelchair so I got to go through transition while making small talk about his three year old. It felt a little surreal. By the time we got to the L&D floor I knew I was really close. I had one super contraction holding onto the edge of the bed, and then got into bed so the nurse could check me. I was a NINE! My first two thoughts were- "Great! I'm almost done!" and then "Dang it! I have to finish this without an epidural!" So I went through about 5-10 minutes of that "out of control/can't imagine how you are going to finish this/can't someone just shoot me" phase between that comes between 9-10 centimeters and then Dr. Rost said to give a little push, which broke my water. One big push and there was her head, and then one more for the rest of her and we were done! I was shaking so badly- I really think I was a little bit in shock of how fast this had gone. She was born at 3:07, nineteen minutes after we got there. This was the labor I had actually prayed for- a quick, fast one like Rebekah's. I just got a little more than I bargained for! This is the labor I would chose every time if I was brave enough, but I don't think I could be that brave every time. You do what you have to do when the circumstances call for it, but I don't know if I would volunteer for a natural delivery ever again!Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-56326900117940330612009-08-10T13:06:00.001-07:002009-08-10T13:34:24.314-07:00A prayer for healing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHy2sYQA-HYc5IH-S2fa8KF5YACdzUX5JiM86NvyODhrlQVyBDKgSM2cyrjJktGO80C2VLVTFNikp-LQctPW73CjjBluMngd5R2OtFCwuiHG2AWN0qOkhKOh3baOyt5yxroFmoKCrtdU/s1600-h/windows+movie+maker+095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHy2sYQA-HYc5IH-S2fa8KF5YACdzUX5JiM86NvyODhrlQVyBDKgSM2cyrjJktGO80C2VLVTFNikp-LQctPW73CjjBluMngd5R2OtFCwuiHG2AWN0qOkhKOh3baOyt5yxroFmoKCrtdU/s320/windows+movie+maker+095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368435731699848338" /></a><br /><br /><br />I remembered this experience today, and realized that I have never written it in a journal. I thought I would include it in this blog as another reminder of our many blessings! <br /><br />A few months ago, Emily (9) came into my room in the middle of the night with a very high fever. Mike was out of town, so I was on my own to take care of her. I very rarely take my children's temperatures, as I can usually tell if I am dealing with a low grade fever or something more. This was clearly something more. I took her temperature and within seconds it read 104.4. She was just burning up. Emily has always been my "fever girl" as she was only three days old when she was admitted to the hospital for a high fever. This is her body's was of responding to sickness. And it makes me nervous every time! This fever also presented with a horrible headache, which had me concerned about the possibility of meningitis. As a sat by the bed, putting cool clothes on her forehead to cool her down, the thought occurred to me that Christ had specifically healed those with fevers during his ministry. I pulled my scriptures off the night stand and read through the stories of the centurion's servant and Peter's mother in law. I knew that Christ had the power to heal my Emily, just as He had those he touched thousands of years ago. So I prayed that she would be healed. And then the wrestling began in my mind. The thought came " Do you believe Christ can do this?" Of course I did! But then the thought came, "Then go to sleep." Now I had been up for over an hour cooling her down with washclothes that felt like I had microwaved them when I took them off her forehead. I was concerned about leaving her on her own. My faith was too much on what I was doing, rather than focused on the fact that Christ was very capable of taking care of the situation without my help. But I knew what I had to do, and I took the leap of faith and laid down and closed my eyes. Thankfully, my physical exhaustion helped sleep come easily. When I woke up to Julia crying an hour later, I quickly felt Emily's forehead, only to find it cool as a cucumber. Remarkable. I should no longer be amazed at the tender mercies the Lord provides in these situations, but I still am. I am grateful for yet another experience that has taught me of the Savior's power, of His love, and of His desire to teach us through the experiences we have in our daily lives how better to come to Him and find our rest.Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-7621486627769651042009-07-26T20:17:00.000-07:002009-08-04T11:41:20.835-07:00Camp Grandma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAn-hp8zRPdGcC8QZ1KrwlEa_2VL2QAuxbO3KHzuk0HK1-KYsPvJEkKc3sIjSj7qRe27tBDPY3Czg943t_yVdMBvnobdKCBIDDVxTVa_-pffOsoecJUU_uc3R8J1vJYOpHcW70ectsDE/s1600-h/DSC00911.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAn-hp8zRPdGcC8QZ1KrwlEa_2VL2QAuxbO3KHzuk0HK1-KYsPvJEkKc3sIjSj7qRe27tBDPY3Czg943t_yVdMBvnobdKCBIDDVxTVa_-pffOsoecJUU_uc3R8J1vJYOpHcW70ectsDE/s400/DSC00911.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366110904221844226" /></a><br /><br />The kids had another great week at Camp Grandma! Each summer, we bring the kids to Rhode Island for a fun filled week with my mom serving as camp director. it's official- they have t-shirts to prove it!<br /><br />She provides crafts like necklace making, hat decorating and decoupaging vases.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPpETrfLL_S0PdiZ18tsxfhm2b3WKqnK0erLYVzxFw2OuynWK1a5DILM7fl825RO_LUT055mzgPRKN0TbfJTpoZ3N7HruvZOhMslvmdg1w8SPfKj_67yadySlchXxYpbUQ4IEhcbQ2Y/s1600-h/P7130792.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLPpETrfLL_S0PdiZ18tsxfhm2b3WKqnK0erLYVzxFw2OuynWK1a5DILM7fl825RO_LUT055mzgPRKN0TbfJTpoZ3N7HruvZOhMslvmdg1w8SPfKj_67yadySlchXxYpbUQ4IEhcbQ2Y/s320/P7130792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363166219537028898" /></a><br /><br />She also fills the days with activities like Native American Dancing, kickball games, scavenger hunts, makeovers etc. Add a few field trips to the penny candy store, fire station, the beach, a PawSox game, my sister's pool and the local ice cream shop and my kids are in heaven.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5hfLVCAG1UuZQASV48X7I9vCpfzpRkuZOacGvzDN3y6lOnm_iVoevzxonsPWHTpWQKMbj09hTNmSI4C7jE44LTeOW6lICXF88-V3iuRlLRMfRh6h-4Snvq4C-HvSwyRiTBHeowg7gIQ/s1600-h/DSC01015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5hfLVCAG1UuZQASV48X7I9vCpfzpRkuZOacGvzDN3y6lOnm_iVoevzxonsPWHTpWQKMbj09hTNmSI4C7jE44LTeOW6lICXF88-V3iuRlLRMfRh6h-4Snvq4C-HvSwyRiTBHeowg7gIQ/s320/DSC01015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366110570550562034" /></a><br /><br />This year they even added a service project and did a car wash to raise money for Hasbro Children's Hospital. It is wonderful for my kids to have this time with their cousins and grandparents, and Mike and I took advantage of it and slipped away to New York City for the weekend to see "Wicked" on Broadway. It is such a great production, and one that I will see over and over again if given the chance! We had a beautiful hotel room on Times Square and we had a wonderful few days of sightseeing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVANJeAEIgtHQun-IpEW5yCE1dwEJ4LHMz6mRgTqk63Z5XQ832lmVy-EOWI-HtDBRuOao0lIiCMJ0z3F3MCJA_xO1lr2k7bxbFo94U0Bx7AWeyPoIT_nD7M7TdgEH0On06b4PIJx0uPaU/s1600-h/DSC00991.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVANJeAEIgtHQun-IpEW5yCE1dwEJ4LHMz6mRgTqk63Z5XQ832lmVy-EOWI-HtDBRuOao0lIiCMJ0z3F3MCJA_xO1lr2k7bxbFo94U0Bx7AWeyPoIT_nD7M7TdgEH0On06b4PIJx0uPaU/s320/DSC00991.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366111815492449122" /></a><br /><br /> I drove home to Rhode Island Sunday night because Mike was staying another week in NYC for a sales conference. The kids and I spent a few more days having fun with Grandma and flew home Weds. night. The kids were great on the flight and I even got a little nap when Julia fell asleep. Great friends picked us up at the airport at midnight, and we were happy to be in our own beds by 1 am. It was another successful Camp Grandma- thanks Mom!Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-36734681000592410642009-07-26T19:55:00.000-07:002009-08-04T07:44:31.375-07:00Philmont<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyZ-Q21SmE8uFAXgcZ2qLMtdjfuTLVo8F0Ld0s4jNBT0Jfjv2KjxWfR2kzbhJmO7jS1yRUc5oXx-xyIs9ZBVWjLiadqSy6W_xZaAk8y8HV8PzSpHOhVMCm_XNg8a6WnKtqFZTkJXQPDY/s1600-h/DSC00881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyZ-Q21SmE8uFAXgcZ2qLMtdjfuTLVo8F0Ld0s4jNBT0Jfjv2KjxWfR2kzbhJmO7jS1yRUc5oXx-xyIs9ZBVWjLiadqSy6W_xZaAk8y8HV8PzSpHOhVMCm_XNg8a6WnKtqFZTkJXQPDY/s400/DSC00881.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366114420658375554" /></a><br /><br /><br />We had a great week at the Boy Scouts LDS Leadership Conference. It was held at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, just southwest of Raton. We spent a week living in a tent city with the kids, and I never thought I would love it as much as I did!<br /><br />This conference is so well organized. Every day we would eat breakfast with the kids, and then drop them off at their morning activities. Mike attended BSA leadership classes with some of the members of the General Young Men's presidency and other BSA leaders, and I was able to go on tours, take classes, do handicrafts etc. We picked up our children up for lunch and spent an hour of family time together before returning them to their groups for afternoon activities. They loved their activities, which included things like pony rides, archery, rifle shooting, tomahawk throwing, making homemade ice cream, hiking and outdoor games.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC7CArNpZpbK8JLa5J0_yOQqphHsvzcoi_FRfOnNUSkl6xSYqBZgpKu_H0COf4c4URmr-9MpgLNJT6ld_r7MHY0ZY0kN3SG9lHAWzUQn-DDvOPEvTxN8fhGyJOiQLxWCGRCax3jfmsBI/s1600-h/DSC04766.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC7CArNpZpbK8JLa5J0_yOQqphHsvzcoi_FRfOnNUSkl6xSYqBZgpKu_H0COf4c4URmr-9MpgLNJT6ld_r7MHY0ZY0kN3SG9lHAWzUQn-DDvOPEvTxN8fhGyJOiQLxWCGRCax3jfmsBI/s320/DSC04766.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366116750842288546" /></a><br /><br /> We'd pick them up in time for dinner, spend the evening at one of the wonderful family events they had going on (western dancing, movie night, skits etc) and tuck in some worn out kiddos each evening. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDLBL-Y4LNn14F3S7BDbQ_vN6QJo0elPgAc2pNajwVrGUj6QMLcvPNiB96KTSlUg1QYIQo8tCfTDLk2tn8emI5PWLxcFJKmYp_aGuVUPK1yBGDSBE7ep7d6P7qLB1BhYAAkXvrSMffP0/s1600-h/DSC04734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDLBL-Y4LNn14F3S7BDbQ_vN6QJo0elPgAc2pNajwVrGUj6QMLcvPNiB96KTSlUg1QYIQo8tCfTDLk2tn8emI5PWLxcFJKmYp_aGuVUPK1yBGDSBE7ep7d6P7qLB1BhYAAkXvrSMffP0/s320/DSC04734.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366117438070278994" /></a><br /><br /> It was just a blessing for our family to have this kind of week. Being outdoors brings out such a feeling of gratitude for the wonders of nature and for our Father in Heaven who provided us with such a beautiful earth! It brought out these feelings in our kids too, and led to wonderful spiritual discussions that I will cherish. While we were having these experiences at base camp, Autumn was having a mini-adventure of her own, taking part in a 6 day mountain trek through the backwoods. She hiked 30 miles with a 30 pound pack, without showering or having any conveniences from home. She weathered pretty severe electrical storms that would blow through the mountains each afternoon. They also took "Leave No Trace" to a whole new level- recquiring the kids to drink the juice out of a can of chicken after they opened it, and to eat any food that was dropped on the ground. Autumn proved that she can do hard things, and we are so proud of her for going with such a great attitude, and coming home with an even better one. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDkpMI_pwyXMpZPgwHbuAjymnKjew093wFWC9Tct6rQUKiiXRbaLiZjmqAFu10hRa5unKKG44_so5Pb9ICHP06muYf2MhyphenhyphenMhkv_WFJkhaKRtbP0jcCyhfBRQBO2iQ6ZjzgTZCaY0j6NI/s1600-h/DSC00862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDkpMI_pwyXMpZPgwHbuAjymnKjew093wFWC9Tct6rQUKiiXRbaLiZjmqAFu10hRa5unKKG44_so5Pb9ICHP06muYf2MhyphenhyphenMhkv_WFJkhaKRtbP0jcCyhfBRQBO2iQ6ZjzgTZCaY0j6NI/s320/DSC00862.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366119239303423234" /></a><br /><br /><br />I hope that our boys will have similiar experiences at some point in their life! All in all, we are just grateful to have been able to participate in this training conference. It was one of the best vacations we have ever had!Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-28128925794820959462009-06-17T07:33:00.000-07:002009-06-17T07:53:48.972-07:00Simplifying<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc4ZaZVXv-V8dm-wOkSLyUzPZMBWNndD_SIY8HJzjuYzwC434I7h-7OXQO4ERWpR9-RX2kB4Uwg4ewPuV2Q6jHj886l-yrNsvisAUfNaC3LGqvE1Dlee4bohhERTLyL9WDBrWn8cmrPU/s1600-h/4765_1110422453415_1612495293_246444_6449211_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc4ZaZVXv-V8dm-wOkSLyUzPZMBWNndD_SIY8HJzjuYzwC434I7h-7OXQO4ERWpR9-RX2kB4Uwg4ewPuV2Q6jHj886l-yrNsvisAUfNaC3LGqvE1Dlee4bohhERTLyL9WDBrWn8cmrPU/s320/4765_1110422453415_1612495293_246444_6449211_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348308430106355426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja02j8LyXE-AIMXK8bsP74surUGm4aBjPYYyec0qXKz6m2BSCSUc9blPTCW0cZ_YgJq1ISY_Hv76f33uBLJbFBWRrSqTOqb0tMySM4WvmUoNOWtg9kyXD38GNn2M5hRXj0oTUT3FvfvpM/s1600-h/4935_1109617033280_1612495293_244271_7418438_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja02j8LyXE-AIMXK8bsP74surUGm4aBjPYYyec0qXKz6m2BSCSUc9blPTCW0cZ_YgJq1ISY_Hv76f33uBLJbFBWRrSqTOqb0tMySM4WvmUoNOWtg9kyXD38GNn2M5hRXj0oTUT3FvfvpM/s320/4935_1109617033280_1612495293_244271_7418438_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348308168568311074" /></a><br />Okay, I'm blogging. It will not be fancy. It will not be pretty. But it will be a written record of the activities that are so much a part of who we are today, but that will be forgotten tomorrow if not recorded. I've been waiting until I have all the right equipment, the amount of time and the creative juices flowing to make my blog eye catching and amusing. But I'm pushing those dreams aside for now with the hopes that once I start blogging regularly, that will all fall into place! <br /><br />So, here we are, two weeks into summer break. The kids had a marvelous adventure with their Dad last week in Colorado. They camped, hiked, got lost and scared their mother to death, and had a terrific time with their cousins. On the way home they stopped at Royal Gorge and Mike, Sean and Kyle rode the World's Largest SkyCoaster. We got a kick out of the fact that Rebekah had to sign a waiver to go on a burro ride, but they didn't have a waiver for the SkyCoaster! <br /><br />This week we have Sean and Kyle at Scout camp, although we got a call last night that Kyle is running a fever so he might be home today. Autumn is in Portland, OR for EFY (Especially for Youth, a church program for youth ages 14-18) We have my brother in law Brad, his wife Shanna and Adam, Andrew and Sam, the three youngest of their nine kids here for the next few weeks while Brad does some remodeling work on the house. He is putting in a second bathroom upstairs, between the girls bedrooms. We took out Autumn's closet and a linen closet to make space for it. We are hoping to have time to get new countertops in the kitchen as well, but we'll see how that goes. <br /><br />Today we are heading to storytime at Barnes and Noble, then to a dollar movie and then to Kids Kastle park to let the kids play. It has been great having the kids play with their cousins all day. Having seven kids under 10 isn't all that hard- they really do keep each other entertained! <br /><br />Now see, that wasn't that hard. I can do this more often. I think I can.....I think I can......I think I can.....Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-30813946063630026072009-01-20T08:00:00.000-08:002009-01-20T08:01:54.930-08:00<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:450px;"><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="435" height="270" data="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf?config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.profileplaylist.net%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black_noautostart.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.profileplaylist.net%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D57492732%26t%3D1232467194"><br /><param name="bgcolor" value="#e8e8e8"/><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf?config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.profileplaylist.net%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black_noautostart.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.profileplaylist.net%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D57492732%26t%3D1232467194"/><br /></object><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://www.profileplaylist.net"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/create_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Get a playlist!"/></a><br /><a href="http://www.profileplaylist.net/standalone/57492732" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/launch_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Standalone player"/></a><br /><a href="http://www.profileplaylist.net/download/57492732"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/get_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Get Ringtones!"/></a><br /></div>Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-55797193068092333172008-12-10T14:28:00.000-08:002008-12-10T14:32:07.096-08:00I am not going to say that I am going to post more often, because that would put too much pressure on me :) . What I will say is that I have set a goal to use my time on the computer more productively, and I set another "complementary" goal of journaling more. So between those two goals we will see what happens. I need more records of what goes on in this family of ours. The hours are flying by and weeks turn into years too quickly!Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-74921980548017652192008-07-22T05:57:00.000-07:002008-12-10T09:25:21.419-08:00Burying out from under the rubble<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U7UYNcRmcKOJUkZFY0R-ZLm9436LuWgzmUlUIPbbUKl8GDbfRGv_ngGFpKwxygE31dCcOp_sZQZHCLrbxgQtPFSUM_ccU08LsaJwsiaSOP8DrsaWKAir_WsKTv3a1xQr2DFl9OY-E6s/s1600-h/family+photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U7UYNcRmcKOJUkZFY0R-ZLm9436LuWgzmUlUIPbbUKl8GDbfRGv_ngGFpKwxygE31dCcOp_sZQZHCLrbxgQtPFSUM_ccU08LsaJwsiaSOP8DrsaWKAir_WsKTv3a1xQr2DFl9OY-E6s/s400/family+photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225827024858142642" border="0" /></a><br /><h3 class="post-title"> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"> <table><tbody><tr><td>Even though my house looks like a landfill, it is so good to be home! We flew in from Providence yesterday morning. We flew US Airways for the first time and they were on time for every leg of our trip, which these days is almost unheard of. Their flight attendants were so kind, bringing my kids extra snacks, blankets, etc...it was just a great trip all around. We got home at 11, ate lunch and decided to try to make a 1:30 sacrament meeting. Which meant a lot of digging through suitcases to find Sunday clothes. Unfortunately those suitcases were still in the hallway! So now it is an obstacle course until I get it all cleaned up today.<br /><br />My trip was a little nutty but still good. We drove to Palmyra with my parents, and my sister and her two kids. Mike's parents flew in to be with us for the pageant as well and it was great to see them. At one point Hunter, my three year old, looked at me and said 'Oh, I get it, I have TWO grandmas and TWO grandpas." Finally seeing them together I guess put it all together for him. During the scene where Christ descends Hunter also randomly yelled " I didn't know Jesus could come here!" It was very cute. After the pageant we got a hotel in New York and the next day we took the kids up to Niagara Falls. I walked the older kids over to Canada and Mike took the younger ones on a boat ride to see the falls up close. I figured while we were close (it took about an hour and a half from Palmyra) we might as well let the kids see this amazing feat of nature!<br /><br />We got back to RI on Thursday and even after driving all night, my mom threw quite an event with her "Camp Grandma". With all the grandkids decked out in matching shirts (embroidered by my friend Melanie), she leads them like a seasoned camp director through activities like crafts, water games, sock wars, grave rubbings at the cemetery, a trip to the candy store and making homemade soft pretzels in the shape of their initials. It's enough to make a mom feel guilty. I told Emily (age 9) that someday I was going to do camp grandma for her kids someday and she said "Well, are you going to be nicer than you are now? Because you make me go to bed and Grandma asks me if I want ice cream at 10 o'clock at night!" So apparently I have some work to do at becoming NICER before I become a grandmother.<br /><br />The good news is that I invited a family over for a barbecue tonight, so I have no choice but to get everything unpacked, clean the house and get the grocery shopping done so we have food to eat when they get here! Sometimes having a deadline is a good thing.<br /><br />Heather</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-88837749735234874552008-07-11T16:52:00.000-07:002008-08-09T04:18:02.788-07:00Funny<h3 class="post-title"> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"> Funny </span></span></span></span></span></h3> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span></span></span></span> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span></span></span></span> <span weight="normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:papyrus;"><span style="font-family:ariel;"><span style="color:black;"> <table><tbody><tr><td>Apparently I'm chatty today. Mike has been gone this week so I have to share my funny story with you.<br /><br />I was helping the kids pack tonight, and putting snacks in their backpacks. We made banana bread to use them up before we leave tomorrow, and I made some mini muffins for them. Kyle asked if I could make some blueberry muffins too. I said "Sure, I'll make some mini ones tonight" He said, " I would rather have the bigger ones" I told him no, that they would be too messy on the plane and we would get crumbs everywhere. He looked at me funny and said "Mom, have you forgotten that all six of us THREW UP on a plane?- I'm sure they are not going to care about a few crumbs!"<br /><br />For some reason, this has had me giggling for the past ten minutes. Maybe it is a nervous giggle- surely, lightning (food poisoning) can not strike twice right?<br /><br />Anyways, off to make full size blueberry muffins! I can't argue with that boys logic!<br /><br />Heather</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span></span></span>Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-64181034402156860022008-07-11T14:38:00.000-07:002008-07-11T15:09:18.877-07:00HaircutsIn my opinion, there is something empowering about a haircut. I can't quite put my finger on why I feel so different when I make a drastic change in something as simple as the length of my hair; however, it clearly makes a difference in how I feel about myself. <br /><br />Today I had about 4 inches cut off my hair. Four inches! In any other medium, four inches does not seem like a lot. But in hair terms, it makes a big difference. I feel lighter, like the four inches of hair weighed 15 pounds. I feel free-er, like the hair was somehow chaining me down. I feel stronger- quite the opposite of poor Samson. It is like I have somehow tamed the wild beast living atop my head. It is now submissive, and controlled. If only I could get the rest of my body to start conforming as easily to my demands. :)<br /><br />HeatherOlsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-44856275149000859982008-07-06T21:16:00.000-07:002008-08-09T04:21:04.446-07:00Well, it's been a while.....Here I am, making my second post seven months later, wondering where all the time has gone! If only I'd kept a blog, I would know huh?<br /><br />This weekend has been a great one. We spent Friday July 4th at parades, community events, in the pool and at a fireworks show. Saturday I went out to lunch with a few friends to celebrate a birthday, and then had a family in our ward over for a barbecue and swimming. Today was a wonderful day. We spent the day going to church, fasting as a family for my nephew who will be leaving on a mission to New York City in the fall, and watching old family videos. It was very relaxing.<br /><br />Tomorrow the work begins again, with quite a bit of housework to catch up on from the weekend, babysitting 3 kids in the afternoon for a friend who just had a baby, and starting to get ready for our trip on Saturday to Rhode Island and New York. The kids are having a TV free week, which I am excited about. I plan on combing a few old family fun magazines early tomorrow morning before they get up so I have a few ideas on hand when they come to me with "Mom, I'm bored!" which I know is inevitable. It usually takes them about two days without TV to forget about it, and stop falling back on it as something to do instead of thinking something BETTER to do. We are talking a lot about good, better, best and I'm hoping this week we will focus a lot more on the better and best summer has to offer!<br /><br />HeatherOlsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514785114859466708.post-62768593533561054722007-10-20T12:58:00.001-07:002007-10-20T13:31:37.811-07:00How Do I Do It?As a mother of seven, this is probably one of the most frequently asked questions I hear from everyone- icluding family members, fellow PTA members, and people in line at the grocery store. So this blog is my attempt to document a little of exactly what it is that I am doing, and how I am doing it. <br /><br />A little background information on me: I was born in Rhode Island, the oldest of 5 siblings. I attended BYU where I met my husband Michael. We have been married for 16years. Our children are Autumn, 14; Sean,12; Kyle 10; Emily, 8; Rebekah 6; Hunter, 3 and Julia, 9 months. Our goal as a family is to have a positive influence on the world around us and bring honor to our Heavenly Father who created us. We are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon church. <br /><br />Well I am going to try to simply post our daily events, and then whatever commentary I think up. <br /><br />Today was a little busy. We slept in a little since we were all up a little late for the Marcus High School/Lewisville High School rivalry football game at Texas Stadium. (Yeah Marauders!) So I was up at 7:30, getting prepped for the day. I woke up the kids at 8 am, and got them moving in the direction of getting out the door in about 30 minutes. We let Autumn sleep in since she didn't get home on the band bus until after midnight. We piled out of the house at about 8:45, dropping Sean off for practice for his 9:30 FC Dynamo game. We brought the pack and play and let Julia play in it and the kids run around during his game. My sister Jamie is here visiting from Rhode Island, and she is playing the role of my personal photographer. She has an amazing camera and I feel like she is doing a mini documentary of my life while she is here for the weekend. She took great pictures of Sean's game, which ended in a tie 3-3. I left Jamie with the all of the kids except Julia about 10 minutes before the game ended to pick up Autumn, who wanted to come watch Emily's 10:30 game. I picked Autumn up at home, drove back to the field, dropped her off with Jamie and the kids, picked up Kyle and delivered him to his 11:30 birthday party at Main Event. Went back to the field to pick up Jamie, Autumn, Sean, Emily, Rebekah, and Hunter. Emily had won her game 3-1. I'm glad Jamie was here to see it, since I would missed it while driving around. We went home for lunch and then I was back in the car to pick up Kyle at Main Event at 1:30, and drop Rebekah off at her 2 pm birthday party. Now we are home and relaxing until I drop Autumn off at her band competition at 3:30 and pick up Rebekah at 4:00. Then we are going to Kids Kastle, a local park to let the kids play and have a picnic dinner since the weather is beautiful today! Sean has a band event at 6 and then we will relax for movie night at home with the kids, and get prepared for our morning at church tomorrow. (baths, getting clothes ready, packing diaper bags, packing lunches for Monday morning etc) The more I do Saturday, the more "day of rest" I get on Sunday!<br /><br />My posts will not normally be this long and boring, but I want to journal a little bit while I am getting up and running. And if any of you might be wondering where Mike is during all this....he is at Woodbadge this weekend which is a great leadership conference for Scouters. He will be at home tonight at midnight and on hand to help me corral all the kiddos at church tomorrow. Thank goodness! :)Olsens R Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16842521818167886754noreply@blogger.com1