Here We Are

We love our new house. We have so much more space. The fights are so much fewer. Everyone gets along better. "Everything has a place" is my new motto. I often say it when I catch the kids leaving something out. It seems that the upkeep has actually been easier, even though the house is four times bigger. It sure is great to have a place for everything. And I do mean everything. We fell so very blessed to have this house.

The banister decorated with garland and lights.

The tree in the turret.

The huge front porch.

Built-n cubbies. LOVE them! (These are why I bought the house).

Cozy wood stove/fire place.

Beautiful (original) wood work and fixtures.

KKS

Closing Tomorrow

Nervous. Excited. Happy. Impatient. Overwhelmed. Thankful.

We're dropping the kids at the babysitters, then headed to the lawyers office. We should be done by 3:00. Can't wait.

KKS

Funny Boy

I laugh every time I look at this picture.

Isn't he hilarious????

KKS

Curly Q

Mommy says my curls are adorable.

But I wonder if she's noticed that these 6-9 month clothes are way, way too small for me.

What do you think?

KKS

I Am Royalty

My sisters love to dress me up.

And I love to play the part.
Here I am waving to my kingdom:

And this is me in me robe of royal red, my crown of gold atop my head, being paraded through my kingdom in my royal coach powered by my henchman named Harrison.

And this is the look I give my Mommy when I have had enough and I just need a nap.

I've heard some people say that it's hard being the youngest of six, but so far I think it's pretty great!!!! Princess Audrey

KKS

Yum!!!

Spaghetti is my new favorite food!!!

Audrey-11 months

KKS

Truth

If we allow ourselves to express anger, jealousy, revenge, selfishness, pride, bragging, hate, and so on, they can bind us. They continually gain more power. They embed themselves into our character and become our habits. In this way, we lose not only our freedom but also our self-respect. When we bridle our passions, however, we free ourselves of feelings that could be our masters.

When we bridle our appetites, we become free of wants that could be our masters. On the other hand, if we eat too much food or use harmful substances such as coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, or certain drugs, we may develop habits that are hard to break. Our bodies begin to crave these things, and we become slaves to them.

The Latter-day Saint Woman: Basic Manual for Women, Part A

KKS

Funny Girl

What makes you think that she's too big for the cradle?

KKS

Inspired

I have always found that mercy bears

richer fruits than strict justice.

-Abraham Lincoln

Our House...

(the back side)

....almost. We found out today that we will be closing the week of the 14th!!! Can't wait.

KKS

Eleven Months

I know this is late, but here it is.

Audrey-11 months

KKS

Disjointed Ramblings

We are just waiting for the underwriters to get their part done before we can close on the house. Our loan officer told us on Friday that it will be within three weeks. That means we will be there for Christmas!!! Hopefully we won't get any big snow storms between now and then.

Mike was offered the job at Maine Med. It pays about $900.00 more a month, but we don't think he's going to take it. The extra money would be great, but they don't pay student loans (Maine General pays about $200.00 a month), the commute is a half hour longer, he would be working 4 nights in a six week period in addition to his regular 7a-7p shift (he hates nights) and we prayed about it and just don't feel like it is a good move for him right now.

Caleb is having a really hard time right now. That's always a sign that my parenting skills need sharpening. I have been concerned about him for a few weeks now. I know that my reaction to his (seemingly impossible) behavior is not what the Lord expects of me. As I have been praying throughout the day, I have learned a few things that we need to change in our parenting. I have been doing it the way that I was raised (harsher punishments, consequences, being more strict). This method never worked for anybody, including me, and is surely NOT the Lords way. I have a lot of repenting to do. I was reading on LDS.org tonight and was inspired by this:

42 By ^akindness, and pure ^bknowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the ^csoul without ^dhypocrisy, and without ^eguile—

43 ^aReproving betimes with ^bsharpness, when ^cmoved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of ^dlove toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of ^adeath.

45 Let thy ^abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let ^bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy ^cconfidence wax strong in the ^dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the ^edews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant ^acompanion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of ^brighteousness and truth; and thy ^cdominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. Doctrine & Covenants 121 42-46.

I was not raised under these conditions. It is a constant struggle for me to do better than I know how. But the Lord has a better way. I can always turn to him for help in being a better parent. I have been slacking lately. I don't like the kind of Mom that I have been the last couple of weeks. When under a lot of stress, it is so easy to revert back to being an impatient, nagging, yelling, demanding Mom. They deserve so much better. I can, should and will do better.

I don't know why this is yellow, I can't figure out how to get it off.

Audrey is cutting teeth again. Liam still won't poop on the potty (maybe in the new house?????). Lundi has had a fever and soar throat for five days. If she's not better tomorrow, I'll take her in to be seen. Harrison is going through his super hyper stage again, this happens about every two months. I always wish I had a tranquilizer shot to give him, and often threaten to do so. Lauren has been feisty lately toward the boys. I think everyone is feeling the stress of the move. I'll be glad when it's all over.

I missed church today. I intended to go, but when it came time to walk out the door, I couldn't find my keys. Mike had already left (with the big boys) so that he could take the Sacrament and Caleb could fulfill his Priesthood responsibility by passing the Sacrament. He went straight to work from Church and arranged a ride home for the boys. During that time, the two little ones slept, the girls made birthday cards for Shannon and I read a book called "Arming Your Children with the Gospel".

The packing is slow and steady. We're kind-of at the mercy of our local friends who have boxes to spare. As we receive them, we fill them up. Anybody know where to get boxes these days....other than paying $10.00 a box at U-Haul? It seems like all of the stores crush them right away after they are emptied.

KKS

People I Love.....

My Dad and Audrey-October 2009

Harrison and Audrey-October 2009

Liam and Lundi-October 2009

Gentry-October 2009

KKS

Lonely Blog

We're still here. The blog has been neglected. We're busy with all of the house buying stuff, like arranging for different professionals to go over and do their business. We have the inspector and the electrician coming on Wednesday. We plan to take the kids there to see the house. Not all of them have been over there yet. The girls are so exited to see their room.

We have been packing and doing repairs in this house in hopes of leaving this place better off than we found it. That means painting, patching holes, shampooing carpets, and many other incomplete jobs that we started but never finished. What....you don't think the landlord will like the part of the hallway that never was painted several years ago when we painted the rest of the house? That's what I'm talking about. I'm just sayin'.

Anyway, things are still in the works and moving forward.

Our hearts go out to our good friends, Steve and Shannon. Their baby, Isabelle, was born 13 weeks early and could really use some prayers.

KKS

Love

Cute picture of the day:

Harrison & Grammie

October 2009

KKS

Updated

Reduced to $169,900

OFFERS ENCOURAGED!

SALE PENDING

KKS

Got Boxes?

Uh-hu. That's right!!!

The loan is in place and secured.

The price is settled.

Mike is with our broker now filling out all the paper work to make it all legal and official.

We found an inspector.

We found someone to do the appraisal.

We are three steps closer today than we were yesterday.

We have permanent smiles on our face!!!!

Things are quickly falling into place and we have a closing date of December 28th!!!!!!

KKS

One Step Closer

We offered, they countered, we met in the middle. Hoping to hear more on the morrow. Will post here when we know!!!

KKS

Exciting

We put in an offer today on our favorite house out of the three finalists. We decided that the beauty and charm out weighs it's only flaw. Besides, we can always add another bathroom later.

We also found out that we can roll the van into the home loan. That will save us $400.00 a month!!

KKS

Where's Home?

I have a love/hate relationship with this whole idea of buying a home. At the same time, I am ever so grateful for the opportunity we have to buy a home. A good paying job equals the bank will give us a loan.

We looked at 6 yesterday, all have pro's and con's. One was too close to a very busy road, so we ruled that out. One was very ugly. One had no yard, (where are we going to put our crazy kids when we need some peace and quiet?) but it was oh, so charming. And one was perfect, except for the tiny, galley kitchen.

We looked at one very, very charming home today. I am in love with this one, but it only has two bathrooms.

I like this one for practical reasons. It has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, but very ugly wood paneling in the basement. And it doesn't have a wood stove.

And this one, we love the master bedroom. But it has a small dining room...and, well....we have a small dining room now and we need a bigger one.

Here are the non-negotiable things:

Yard

Four(+) bedrooms

Wood stove

Less than an hour from work

Garage

Place for garden

There will be more hunting tomorrow.

G'night.

KKS

Hap-Hap-Hap-Happy Halloween

This year we had......

Caleb as Robin Hood:

Lundi as the wicked witch:

Harrison as Dracula:

Lauren as a witch:

Liam reinvented himself, but was still a monster:

KKS

Good Advice

KKS

Waiting For The Prophet

Caleb

Harrison

Natalee, Harrison, Megan, Lundi and Caleb.

President Monson, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf greeting the apostles as they enter the Conference Center.


20,000 people were there for the same purpose. But yet, they spoke to me. God lives. He loves (little ole) me.

KKS

Together

Here are all of the cousins (minus one).

From the top, L to R:

Caleb

Lauren, Natalee & Harrison,

Liam, Audrey, Lundi & Megan

Madeleine, Gentry & Trevelyn

Now, can you tell me who are whose?

hint: six of them are mine.

KKS

We Started Here

Now, thirteen years later, here are the six most beautiful blessings that have come from this marriage.

Caleb, Audrey, Lauren, Lundi, Harrison and Liam.

Temple Square, October 2009

KKS

The Next Generation

Lauren and PaPa Dave

He did the same thing with me, 34 years ago.

I love you, Dad!

KKS