Heather this is for you.....

What is your full name- Kenneth Bruce Roberts

Nickname- Kenerific

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

Song that resembles your life- Just Another Day in Paradise

Milk or dark chocolate- Milk

Big mac Or whopper- Big Mac

Beach or Mountains- Mountains definitely

TV or Book- T.V. 'cruise control for the mind'

Favorite store- Albertson's because "It's my store"

What was the last thing you ate? Yummy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. MMMMMMMMMMM

Clean freak or total slob- Clean Freak

Ever been stung by a jelly fish- Never

Best cartoon ever- Toss up between bugs bunny and the Simpson's

Favorite doughnut? bavarian cream filled chocolate covered

Been to LA? Yep

Least favorite veggie- Mushrooms

Dreamer or doer- Used to be a dreamer, now I'm definitely a doer

One word that describes you- Puttz

Name of your first friend- Paul something

Night light or completely dark- Night Light. I'm afraid of the Boogie Man

Believe in love at first sight? Absolutely. That's what happened when I saw Nancy

Best toppings for a pizza?Ham and lots of Pineapple

Ever owned a goldfish? Yep

potatoe chips or french fries? French Fries

Who should play you in a made for TV movie? Silvester Stalone "Yo Adriane!!!"

Spender or Saver? Spender

Which ONE would you like to do the most- Skydiving Rappelling scuba diving? Rapelling. Done it several times

Fearful or fearless? Fearful

Bully or bullied? Neither

Glass 1/2 full or 1/2 empty? Half Full

Ever sent to the principal's office? Yep

Secret keeper or blabber mouth? Secret keeper now, used to be a blabber mouth.

Stick shift or Automatic? Automatic

worry wart or worry free? worry wart

African safari or bicycle through Europe? Bike through europe in my stretchie pants

Ice cubes or crushed? Crushed

What do you like on your burgers? lettuce, tomatoe, pickle, ketchup, musturd

Favorite kinda cookie- Chocolate Chip

Best Commercial- I'm drawing a total blank on this one.

Word or phrase you say alot..... I'm so hungry I could eat the butt out of a dead rhinosaurus........Son of a stinky monkeys butt

Favorite flower- dafodile

I tag anyone who wants to play

Reality Check...

On Monday night Ken called from his cellphone to say that he was on his way to the hospital, our Bishop had been hit by a car while riding his bike. He had no more details to share, so for the next half hour my mind wondered through all the possible scenarios from just a few scrapes to something fatal. A hundred "What ifs" went through my head......what if he was seriously injured....what if he didn't make it.....what would Teresa do.....what if it was Ken....what if I said good-bye to my husband one day then he never came back home....what was the last thing we said to each other...what if....what if....what if?

Much to my relief Ken called back to say the Bishop was okay. He was really banged up, and he required surgery to sew up a gash in his back. His shoulder is killing him, and it looks like he'll spend a few more days in the hospital recovering. All in all it could have been so much worse.

When Ken first called one of my first thoughts were....how could this happen to our Bishop...we pray for him....we pray for his health..for his safety...for his strength...and for his family....how could this happen to HIM? Shouldn't he have some protective shield around him or something? I'm sure that the Bishop was protected, watched over, and blessed. But the truth is this could happen to any of us at any time. Life is short. This experience, though it has a "happy ending" has made me rethink how I treat my loved ones. It is so easy to take for granted those we love, but who knows when they will be taken from us?

My biggest fear in this world is to loose my husband or one of my children....I pray, pray, pray, that would never happen. But, if it ever did I pray I would never regret the words I've said that could never be erased, or my actions that could never be changed.

Todd's First Day of PreSchool!

The last one left the nest this morning. Freedom, sweet freedom! Okay, not exactly freedom I still have two at home, but I am going to enjoy these few short hours of no fighting. As soon as Todd gets home Emma leaves for Kindergarten so I'll have a whole afternoon with no squabbles. Here's are picture of Todd yesterday all ready for school....


We found out 25 minutes before school started that his teacher switched him from Tues./Thurs. to Wed./Friday, I was just a little ticked. He was just a little ticked! His teacher is great with kids, but not so good with organization, relaying information, or speaking to adults in general. So here is the official first day photos.

He gets to ride the bus which he loves, and it is so convenient for me. Except the part about being home to get him off the bus and getting Emma to school on time...they both just happen to be the same time. I guess Emma will have to be late 2 days a week, we'll see?

Emma's First Day of Kindergarten

Emma went to Kindergarten today! She is in Mrs. Williams pm class from 12:30-3:30. She'll get to walk home with Sydney, Kaylie and Tyler at the end of the day. She was not the least bit nervous. She's spent a lot of time in Mrs. Williams classroom from the time she was first born. Now it gets to be HER classroom. She is so excited! When we got to school today she went right up got her name tag and got in line. I think she was going to go in without saying good-bye, until I reminded her that saying bye to mom was an essential part of going to Kindergarten. Ken missed her going in by just a minute, but he went in for a quick kiss and hug anyway.


Here is an after school wrap up.....She said it was a good day. Except there was a really annoying boy in a blue short making noise. Actually there were three annoying loud boys, she says. She didn't have to go to time-out. And the best part of the day was holding her teachers hand.

My Gratitude Journal - Aug.18-24th

On Saturday I was thinking about all the things I should be grateful for; my family, the gospel, a roof over our heads, food on the table, a good job, friends, good health, but to be honest I didn't feel grateful for anything. I was having one of those 'crazy-pregnant-lady-hormone-raging-freak-show-weekends'. Really! I was mad at the world, well not so much the world mostly my family, well not so much the kids, mostly my husband. Imagine all those crazy lady hormones directed at mostly one person, the poor guy. Ken was walking on eggshells after I told him he needed to pay more attention to ME and stop doing things for everybody else. Nice wife, huh? Ken got scolded for serving others. I told him he could serve me by scrubbing the tub or doing some laundry, actually I had a pretty long list. He got scared and started avoiding me, I did the same. In his attempt to not get the wrath of me, he started doing more around the house and with the kids. I only vaguely recognized his efforts and continued to get madder. (remember crazy pregnant lady) I swore I would never do this, but he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. He never did anything wrong in the first place, but still I wanted to ring his neck. I was exhausted and feeling overwhelmed. I thought he should read my mind and know that I needed help. What's so hard about that? (Just Kidding) On, Sunday I gave my tithing to the 2nd Counselor. It may have been because he only got called to the bishopric the week before and wasn't used to people handing him money, but he said, "Give this to your husband", I said, "No, I saw you first". I didn't mention that if I gave it to Ken I would have to acknowledge that we were in the same room together. For all the ward members thinking hold up-I saw you two snuggling in Sunday School. I know I know. Sometimes it just takes an arm around the shoulder or a squeeze of the hand to make it all better. I am better now. And I am grateful.

Now that I am not feeling so 'crazy pregnant lady-ish' (still pregnant, just not as crazy) here are the other things I am grateful for this week.

* The three oldest kids started school and report that all is well. They had a great first week.

* I had a doctors appt. and can report that all is well. I am measuring bigger than I should, but that's normal for me. I'm just hoping for a baby under 10lbs. I have three months to go, hopefully 2 months 3 weeks!

* I had time this week to work on a scrapbook I've been wanting to finish. Fun stuff!

* As some of you may have read, we had the opportunity to go to dinner with some friends on Monday. That was fun, until we got home. But, I am happy to report that we also had a babysitter on Thursday (not Tami) and she reported that the kids were perfect as they promised they would be. Our lecture must have done some good!

* I bought and finished a new book this week.

* I made some progress on the mound of laundry downstairs, and at the moment my bathroom doesn't smell like urine! I'll give that 1/2 a day. Todd actually pee-ed on the top of the toilet last week. Top to bottom I should say. Who taught that kids to pee standing up?

*I made a NO TV or movies during the week rule. We haven't have any TV hooked up for about 2 months, but the kids have been watching videos. I decided there isn't enough time between coming home from school and going to bed to add watching TV into the mix. Plus, I'm trying to choose-Good, Better, Best-and TV isn't fitting into my list of priorities. But, the first two days this week I thought I was going to kill Todd. He was having a hard time adjusting to having the kids gone and with no movies to lull his brain he was driving my crazy. Every second was a near catastrophe of some kind. But, I am glad to report by Wednesday he and Emma had found other ways of entertaining themselves and things are going better. And he's still alive!

* On that same note, I am so grateful for the time Ken and I spend together in the evenings without TV. In June when we were getting ready for our camping trip we disconnected to TV to put in the trailer, since then we have never hooked it back up. I enjoy talking, reading, and walking together so much more than TV vegging. I've learned to be really grateful for that time.

* We got to celebrate our oldest's birthday yesterday. As I have looked back over the last 10 years, I see I have been so blessed. All of my children are a gift and blessing to me and I enjoy seeing them grow. I won't pretend that it is easy, and this week I have felt so weary. But even so, they buoy me up and I thank my Father in Heaven for giving me the gift of being a mother.

* And finally I am grateful that even when I am "the crazy freak-show pregnant lady" my family still loves me. Tyler has been especially sweet, he is always asking if I am doing Okay, then he kisses my cheek. He is so sweet. I am grateful for family.

Sydney's Birthday!!!

Sydney turned 10 today! Tonight at dinner Ken said, "Ten years ago last night (that's when my water broke) our lives changed forever." Boy was that right! Life has been in fast forward ever since. Ten years ago today I did the hardest thing I've ever done...give birth! Ouch! But, Sydney is worth every minute of that 24 hour torture! She has been such a blessing in our lives.

All day long Ken and I kept looking at her thinking she grew-up a few years overnight. She doesn't look 10. She is growing up too fast. She is so excited about her birthday. Last night she must have said at least 10 times, "I can't believe tomorrow I'll be 10!" Ya, me either, I kept thinking.
We started her birthday on Saturday by taking her to the store to pick out a new "big" bike. She is so thrilled it has hand brakes and gears.



Ken also took the kids to Dollar Tree yesterday, they each wanted to buy Sydney something just from them. Ken let them pick out 3 things each. They wrapped them by themselves, it was really fun to see them get excited for Sydney. And Sydney loved the things they picked out. Sydney is really easy to please, and is always grateful. That is something I am so grateful for.

After church we had Sydney's choice of dinner; hamburgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, chips, and grapes. Then we sang Happy Birthday, and busted into the cake. Sydney helped me bake and frost the cake, she loves cooking.
 

After cake we had one last gift from Ken and I, and her cards from the Grandparents. She got some scrapbook goodies. Syd loves crafts and especially scrapbooking. I love that she loves that! When she opened her cards from her grandparents she automatically figured how much tithing she needed to pay. She is so grown up. I love that she makes good choices.


We finished our birthday celebrations by playing cards together.
Happy Birthday, Sydney! We love you and are proud of the beautiful young women you are becoming.

This is Going to Hurt Me More Than it Hurts You!

I hate having to discipline my kids...But on Monday night the hammer came down! Here's how is went...

Ken and I were invited to dinner to celebrate a friends birthday. Babysitters on Monday night in Happy Valley are sort-of hard to come by so, my only hope of getting a baby sitter was asking the friend who invited us to spare one of her daughters. Which she did. And I was grateful. I wanted to make it as easy a night as possible since I know most 16 year olds have better things to do and she probably just agreed to come as a favor to her mom. I had both McKenna and Todd in bed before she arrived at 6:15. The older 'good' kids were supposed to play nicely together until 7:30, then they would go to bed to read, then lights out at 8:30. Simple, no big deal. That's not exactly what happened...Before we left Todd was up, and McKenna was crying. Still, no big deal, the older kids will be good, they will help out, she'll be fine, I thought. So, we left.

We had a great time at dinner with our friends. We got home just after 8:30. Todd was still awake (as I figured he would be, because he's a monster!) But, what I didn't expect was that three out of our four older 'good' kids were awful. When I asked the babysitter how they were I couldn't tell if she was on the verge of tears or just really ticked. She told me they were out of control and she just sent them all to bed, before 7:30! My kids didn't even last an hour! I was horrified. After driving our exhausted sitter home, I pulled our three oldest out of bed and asked them to explain.

Sydney began by telling me that her and Tyler were beating each other up. Tyler started it (probably trying to show off) so Sydney retaliated until it was a knock down drag out. Kaylie decided to play the piano very loudly and instead of sitting up during a card game she lay down then began kicking Sydney when she got in the way, Kaylie explained. Tyler had little to say for himself, except he just didn't know why he acted that way. I know there was more to the fiasco but am lacking in some details. That still doesn't account for Todd or Mckenna which I'm sure was no easy task. But, apparently, Emma was pretty good.

Ken and I lectured them for at least 1/2 an hour on; how disappointed we were, how we expect better from them, how our sitter didn't really want to be hear, she was just being kind, how they better knock it off and make better choices, so on and so on.

These were their consequences.... I made them pay me the $12 dollars that I paid the sitter. They had to write an apology letter as soon as they got home from school the next day. For those of you that think we are harsh. Let me just tell you, they had fair warning. Some people say... 'Kids will be Kids', well fine, but mine better be good ones.

A few minutes after we sent them back to bed I went down to tell them I loved them and to change the laundry. On my way back up the stairs I could hear each of them sobbing. It was that heart wrenching 'your a terrible parent' kind of sob.

Ken and I felt sick. We wanted to go down and comfort them, but knew they just had to suffer the consequences. We all had a miserable night. That old saying "this is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you" may be true. It hurts, when your kids hurt. Even when you are trying to teach them a lesson, some parenting moments stink.

I have my fingers crossed that next time we have a babysitter they are going to think twice about misbehaving. We'll see. Here is a picture of their apology letters....

Back to School!

Three of our five school age children went back to school today. Yeah for me! Actually, today was such a busy day I hardly had time to enjoy just having three at home. And to be honest, I know I've really been talking up this 'back to school' thing, but I really missed the kids today. It was early out day today, still it seemed like they were gone forever. I was anxious to see them at the end of the day. They each reported having a good first day.

Sydney is in 5th grade this year. She will turn 10 on Sunday. I think she is the youngest in her class. Math is her strength. She has a male teacher this year for the first time, she says he's very funny.

Kaylie is in the 3rd grade this year. She is eight. She came home and said, she has the most organized teacher ever! I thought it was so funny that Kaylie even noticed. Kaylie's strength is reading, she loves books.
Tyler is in second grade, he is 7 years old. He looks mad in this picture, but it's because I told him to stop making cheesy faces. Trust me this is the best one I got. Ty's classroom is in an outside trailer this year. At first he was not thrilled, but now he thinks it really cool. Ty is also good at reading.

Emma will start Kindergarten next Monday, and Todd will start Preschool two days a week on Tuesday. I'll post more next week.

My Gratitude Journal - Aug. 11th-17th

I did my journal a little different this week, instead of journaling each day I just made a mental note of things that I am grateful for. I was hoping to be able to see the bigger picture, since some blessings come in more than a one day period of time. Overall it may have been a good idea, but I probably forgot many things in the process. Anyway, these are the things that I am grateful for this week....

* I do a lot of thinking and praying in the shower. (sometimes it's the only quiet I get, and that's on a good day) Monday started out to be a typical Monday-Cruddy! I had been fuming over something for a few months, but Monday it kind-of came to a head and I was mad. As I was doing my thinking, fuming, and half-hearted praying in the shower, my heart and mind were flooded with remembrance's. They were good experiences, of the loving caring people we have been blessed to know. The good far out weighed the bad and I was able to feel better about the situation. I was also blessed with understanding that I didn't previously have, it helped to soften my heart and let go of hard feelings.

* I know I mention the weather each week, but I have decided my mood has a lot to do with the weather. I'm not bi-polar, I just don't enjoy oppressive heat. This week the weather has been cooler with an occasional breeze, I like it. I'm looking so forward to fall.

* We have great friends! My Heavenly Father must have known I needed friends this week. Monday,Thursday and Sunday friends stopped by just to visit. Wednesday night some friends stopped by to bring cookies, visit and play cards. Friday I got to have a girls night out with my girl friends, it was great fun! And Saturday we went to some friends to play the Wii. I played guitar hero for the first time, I'm not so good! But we had a blast. I needed this week with my sweet friends, I am so grateful!

* Thursday night Ken and I got to go out on a date. We were supposed to go to back to school night but we ditched. We went to dinner, then went dreaming for furniture we won't be able to afford. We hit DQ for ice-cream, then went to our familiar parking spot at the Provo Temple to eat and chat. We came home and took our usual walk around the neighborhood. Not a super romantic date, but who cares, we were together with no kids. There was no one to beg food off our plates or interrupt our conversation. We love our time alone. We are so grateful for Tami.

* Ken had a good week at work this week. Good things are happening! He had his quarterly interview with his boss and Ken still has a job. He jokes about that, I don't think it is very funny. His boss had really good things to say, and on the same day his branch passed their audit. Which is two big sighs of relief. He is fully staffed which is awesome, it takes such a load off. We are so grateful for a job, and even more grateful for a good job!

* I'm super grateful for back to school time! I'll blog more about that later.

* So many times this week I've looked at McKenna and my hearts melts. She is so much fun. I love her little chubby legs and her baby waddle walk. Her smile and giggle thrill me. Even her knew little fits make me smile. When she cries, she cries, ENNA, OH! ENNA, like if she says her name we'll feel more sorry for her. She makes us happy!

* I am grateful for each of the kids. They each are so special. This week for FHE Ken was in charge of the lesson. He gave each kid an assignment to help get ready. Emma's job was to go get something of hers that she considered valuable. She came upstairs with her picture of Jesus. I was so proud of her. She could have picked any material thing, but without any prompting she picked something of great worth. I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. And the blessing of being a member is His church. And I am grateful for a fantastic husband, he is my best friend.

Our Summer Highlights

I know summer is not officially over, but the kids are going back to school next week. Summer is winding down, here are some highlights:

In April (I know April wasn't summer, I'm starting a little early) Ken and Tyler were able to take a Father/Son trip to Nebraska. Ty took over 200 pictures of nothing and everything.

This was Tyler's first airplane ride, first football game, first time shooting a gun, first trip with just him and Dad. He loved it and so did Ken.

In May I was able to go to Woman's Conference at BYU with my sister-in-law LeAnn and her family. It was a great experience. I'm planning on going again next year.

Then the next weekend I got to go to a scrapbooking overnighter with my sisters in Salt Lake. Way fun, I want to do that next year too! Sorry, no pictures!

We bought our first trailer in May.

Also in May we put a bid in on a house in Lehi, it's a short sale and we are still waiting to hear.

We feel good about this house and are hoping it works out in our favor. You could all help us by including us in your prayers. :)

May was a busy month. I got my first stitches (well first not related to child birth). I sliced my finger trying to open a formula can one handed.

In May, our little Toddy man had surgery at Primary Children's Hospital to lengthen his palate. The surgery took about 2 1/2 hours he stayed overnight. But, he did so well. His first words after surgery were "luv you" to his Dad when Ken had to head home from the hospital that evening. We were so thrilled, we weren't sure when he would be able to talk. And that was music to our ears.

And finally in May we celebrated Dad's 64th birthday. We had such a great time playing together! I want to do that again soon.

June was the Jensen Family Reunion in Idaho.

Also in June McKenna turned 1! She is so CUTE!

We started our 4th of July celebration by going to the parade. The kids loved it. Then Mike and Heather's family spent the afternoon with us. We went to Red Robin for lunch. It's a favorite! Then we did fireworks in the front yard.

On the 24th of July (Pioneer Day, for all you non-Utahn's) we spent the day at Temple Square.

August hasn't been that eventful as far as family or vacations. But the kids have enjoyed the tire swing, playing with friends, and the slip-n-slide.

We have missed getting together with the Roberts side this summer. August is our usual time of year. This year it didn't work out, we miss you and look forward to getting together soon.