Crazy Busta Moving McCoys

Baylie Girl

2012-01-28T23:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a bit of Baylie.

She earned/bribed some Hello Kitty press on nails from Target.

She loved them and gingerly kept them on for hours and hours (Darby lasted about ten min) and she even gave half to her sister even though she didn't have to.

Baylie prefers skirts to pants, heels to flights, and must always have a headband on.

She also if very proficient at painting her nails, cracking eggs, and playing the Wii.

But don't be fooled, this girl is tough, fast and hangs with her brother.

Although she definitely loves her sisters and her dad.

She will also be starting kindergarten in the fall, I can't believe it.

Dear Baylie, I love you very much. In case you ever forget. Love Mom.

Paparazzi Jewelry

2012-01-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

So my awesome and amazing friend Misty has started this company called paparazzi. And I need you to like them on FB. What will you get? A chance to win free product.

So go LIKE it already. Plus you can get the low down on how to get and sell $5 jewelry. Ya know all those home parties you go to where you don't want to buy all the stuff that your friend is selling? Well, this one is actually cool. And stylish. And hip. And fun. And only $5...everything. Most my cute stuff and all my girls cute stuff is from paparazzi.

I could go on and on about Misty and this great company and how its EXPLODING! but Ivy is crying in her crib right now so I have to run and get her. So do it already.

Awesome Faces

2012-01-23T22:24:00.001-08:00

Dear Sharla, Spencer, Darek, Garlan, Brandon, Marschell, and Erin...this picture is for you.

Cause if there is one thing I love about the McCoy siblings, is there awesome ability to make fun of a picture. Or make fun of anything really. Nothing gives me more joy some days than to read their bashing emails back and forth or commentary on the latest Youtube crazy video. Sooo funny those McCoys siblings. Soo witty and cutting. Its how they bond living in different states and it works for them. Big hugs to you my wonderful siblings in law, I'd like ya even if I wasn't married to your brother (the best looking one I might add although these pictures suggest otherwise). Special thanks for marrying such awesome spouses! Its a cool club I tell ya!

Jason's face in this one and the one below are quite awesome. As well as his badly needing a haircut blowing in the wind. Is it a bob or a mullet? Please click on it to get the full enlarged effect.

I love Paisley's face in this one...she just spotted me. This picture shows 4 out of 5 children. Not bad. Ivy will be chasing them soon enough. She officially put 3 polly pocket shoes and 1 bead in her mouth...all at different times. Those dang polly pocket shoes are sneaky and small.

Now this girl. Ivy Lou. We are all in love with her. Truly.

Ah girly, even if I stink at putting you to bed and can't do it like your daddy does, I love every bit of your pudgy self. We all do. Thank you for coming to our family.

Is it so sad that I love this crazy squinty picture of you? Ah so funny.

This toothy one with your eyelashes is my favorite. And yes the verdict is she looks exactly like her big sister Darby. Exactly.

I think it looks like I have the whomping willow in my backyard. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, run, run and read all seven of the Harry Potter series. As long as you are older than Luke, he needs to wait to read book 4 still.

Darby up close. Her toothless grin is dang awesome. And the girl can shimmy up anything, I swear. Its funny what each kid is good at. All the kids are very athletic (thanks to their Daddy and their Nana) but in different ways. Darby is fast, and very agile, and a climber. Oh and she can clobber you good too, she doesn't care if you are bigger and a boy so watch out.

Here is the trick she wanted to show me. And thats how our family ends a Sunday.

That and orange chicken, white rice and broccoli...thank you TJs :)

Sunday Pictures

2012-01-22T20:54:00.000-08:00

Tiny Pee Brain

2012-01-21T16:12:00.000-08:00

No, taking all the girls, yes all four girls, to Trader Joes on a Saturday, the busiest day was not my smartest move. Ahhh man. Paisley only managed to swipe one apple and start chopping on it before we got to the register...Yes we are that family. I haven't been to Traders Joes in a long while and pretty much when I got home I had like no recollection what I even bought cause it was such mayhem. But now I have like three jars of olives, and one of marinated mushrooms...say what? One employee ended up getting giving my girls free bananas outside of the store. Thank you random man, that was a low point. Oh yes, and one was on day 2 of potty training.

Speaking of Pottty Training. Oh man. it just came upon me. I don't know what happened but now she won't wear any pull ups so I guess we are doing this. But Paisley was a rockstar, first day only one accident. And got through naps and thru the nite dry. Crazy. I bribe candy for pee and poo.
She did pee on Luke's floor today, which made me slightly chuckle to hear him come say, "Something on my floor is wet and it looks like pee and smells like pee." Well, we don't have a dog, so must be that cute little two year old.

Here's me and Jason with potty training. We like just to do it. Early. One day its like I just can't change those huge buns anymore. I don't have a time or a certain thing, just one day on a whim we just do it and go with it. Usually when they are already starting to throw up their legs waiting for you like you are the poop butler.

Luke was my latest (sorry Luke) and I started at 2 1/2 years. Paisley is my second latest. How old is Paisley? Well, she was 2 in Sept which means she will be 2 1/2 in March and its close to Feb...so....

Darby was my earliest and that just her. She took herself at 18 months and I was so not ready. So I waited until I had a newborn and then did. See, tiny brain I have.

We don't judge however old people wait to do it. Whatever. Although I just might not be volunteering to change your kids diapers. But now I'm thinking money wise its an even trade for Ivy being completely on Formula. Less diapers, more formula.

And speaking of not nursing anymore. Goodbye nursing. It was good while it lasted, had an emotional end for some crazy reason and now we are happily feeding Ivy perfectly warm bottles. Yes she is spoiled.

The cat woman at Petco (the bribe for going to Trader Joes) cracked the first, "Is that Blue Ivy? Hahaha" to me today when she asked Ivy's name. So its official. Beyonce, its on. You and me. Next thing you know you are going to be stealing my parenting tips and wanting my best cookie recipe. Well Beyonce, I'll have to think about it. Maybe if you ask really nice I will think about it.

.....next day update. Paisley is still on the once a day accident track which I'm cool with. I forgot to mention this, and am debating on whether I should, but lately we've been taking a tally on (the kids are in on it and keep score) on how many comments I get while with them. But yesterday this man actually said to his wife in front of me referring to all four being girls, Thats why we stopped at two! He is lucky he didn't get slugged by me. Like I yesterday I heard, "Four girls!" and then I say, "Yes and a boy at home!"

also, the only reason I left Luke and Jason was cause they were vacuuming the house which I thought in a brainless moment was a even trade. Not even at all :)

YES BACK IN SCHOOL

2012-01-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

hip hip hooray! my house might be cleared of rubble.

and yet, i missed seeing those kids faces and its no fun having to wake up kids from naps.

and the homeworks back.

3 week break, it was fun, and thanks for reminding me I never want to homeschool.

now see ya in the summer.

thing i'm still chuckling about since Sunday....

Jenny Albee comes up to me holding Ivy who was rocking a big bow as usual....

"HI, purple Ivy"

That Jenny, she knows her stuff (if questions arise, please refer to People Magazine and a certain celebrity name stealage)

I rearranged my living room and now it looks like it has a split personality. Not sure how to fix but we will get there.

A big Goodwill just opened up by me and yes I've already been there twice.

My Plog

2012-01-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

I've always wanted to take good pictures of my babies. Ahh, so now can I go back in time? Luke was born right as digital cameras were first coming out.

Christy really helped me out yesterday as a last minute babysitter, WHEN I THOUGHT LUKE NEEDED STITCHES! Well, he ended up just getting his leg glued. And I need to tell the story cause its a good one.

Baylie did this to Ivy.

Skinny jeans are so cool when you are 7 months today!

Brenna is now five! We are so glad we got to go to her birthday party!

Pep Talks

2012-01-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Right now my girls are in their room listening to Enya as they go to sleep. I told Paisley her dad likes Enya. So now she says Enya, Enya, Daddy. Sounds more like Ayla Ayla Daddy. But I know what she means.

Luke is at cubscouts and Jason is at the church for young mens. Ivy is asleep not sure for the nite or not, will find out in a few hours.

In about five minutes I need to start working on my talk for Sunday (da da dummmm) and just had to write some stuff down.

Everyday is unexpected. That seems so obvious but seriously rarely does a day end how it began and it always changes a few times up and down in the middle. I never know who I'm going to spend time with, who is going to land in my path and who I will end up talking to. I do have a few regulars that we see right now more than others, but yesterday I saw the girl from Wicked in Hollywood, the real Elphaba who now happens to frequent a popular show that rhymes with Blee. That doesn't happen everyday. But those five little people living with me, they are a constant. And Jason.

Yesterday I talked to my brother while he was driving to West Virginia for another interview. Today I ran into my friend Tina at Target which ended up us ping ponging our children back and forth through the day. I ended up getting a spontaneous pep talk from her, one I didn't know I needed. Ya know when you are talking to a friend and your voice catches and you are all of the sudden trying not to cry cause what you are talking about just hit a nerve and here she was just dropping off my kids? You don't know that feeling? Oh well, it seems that happens to me alot. Alot meaning I never know when its going to happen and I like when conversations with friends are more than just surface level. Even if its embarrassing to start tearing up just during drop off. I need lots of pep talks. Brandon is really good at them too. Putting life in perspective. I remember my dad used to write me letters in college (yes, letters, remember those) and tell me to stop and smell the roses.

I think I sort of suck at giving them, since I'm kinda a rip off the band aid kind of person. Unless you are going to a job interview, then I'm your girl. My mom used to give great pep talks before job interviews and I learned from her. Too bad that doesn't come in my handy being a stay at home mom.

So to pay it forward, here is my pep talk to you. YOU CAN DO IT. YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR. GO EAT SOME CHOCOLATE AND DRINK A DIET COKE! GO READ THAT BOOK OR TAKE A NAP WHATEVER YOU HAVE BEEN NEEDING TO DO. LIFE IS SHORT, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE. EVERYBODY NEEDS A LAZY DAY EVERY THIRD DAY. WE AREN'T MAGICIANS, WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING. WAY TO GO!

Does that help? Life is hard. But I'm a firm believer that a crappy day doesn't have to stay crappy. You can wake up with a headache, a sick husband who is leaving for work, no milk (and no idea what to give your kids for breakfast), messy house, kinks in your back from kids who snuck in your bed at nite even though they should stay in their own beds already! and it does not have to stay like that. Trust me. I think very slowly I'm starting to realize that. Oh good, just took me nearly 33 years.

Although I have yet to master at least one parent tantrum when all my kids are home, hey, sometimes its two.

We ended the day with McDonalds, watching Tangled, and yes we always dance to the song in the credits.

Truly the best pep talk is HERE. (and may or may not be what my talk in on Sunday, yes I know we have heard it lots, apparently not enough) I also loved his other one from Conference, President Uchtdorf is the king of pep talks.

p.s. and if you happen to be going for a job interview, seriously I got the goods.

p. p. s. we had rolls with butter and jam for breakfast.

Realist

2012-01-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

So tonite as the kids are asleep I'm taking a little mental inventory.

Garage is more organized but the house is a mess.
Dishes need to be unloaded.
Clothes need to be folded.
Chaos and disarray are like my best friends right now.
I was on a diet all these week and then caved last nite when the power went out and had to finish dinner on the stove which was interesting in the dark.
Speaking of dark, need to buy some more lamps, the dark house is driving me batty.
9 a.m. church is painful. Ooooh painful. Jason has a morning meeting so its me doing it all by myself which I'm spoiled during the school week cause he is here in the mornings.
I completely forgot the church bag, any diapers, bottles (yes we are on bottles now! 90 percent).
If you forget to bring diapers and wipes, you are guaranteeing your kid pooping their diaper which she did. Thankfully the Mormons got lots of babies around and I bummed (hahah!) a diaper.
The kids got dressed and ready really well and were pretty dang good.
I did love testimony meeting today though.
Why won't the big chunky gold glitter stay on the nails, I love it so. Its like a party on my fingers celebrating the New Year. When its have off it just looks like the remains of a party. The cleanup part.
Baylie starts school tomorrow. Oh yes and we chopped off all her hair. It grows fast anyway.
Watched edited movie Bridesmaids...ah man that movie is hilarious.
Pretty much bombed teaching my new primary class...better step it up next week. I teach Baylie's class and ya think I'd be so good at it, but they ate me up.
Have to speak in church next Sunday which is like the worst news you can get. But I forgot Paul does that so here I thought he was just saying hi and SLAM now I have to speak.
Speaking in church was much easier when I was younger and thought I knew everything, but now I have to suppress urges to run out the door instead. I'd run fast too, they wouldn't be able to catch me. Oh well, better just suck it up.
The two oldest kids still have another week and a day off of school. Hopefully we can meet Jason for lunch.
Tomorrow we will watch the BAMA game for family home evening. Roll tide.

I think I'm going to make Tuna on Toast for dinner tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Brandon

2012-01-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

This picture is for you, I'd thought you'd like it. Luke said he had the greatest day of his life paint balling and getting this welt on his arm. He went with his dad, uncles and cousins. We aren't sure who gave him this beauty but it still hurts but makes him look tough. His grandpa says he is a man now and that he did well. Hmmm...maybe we should wait til he is at least 9 before we declare manhood?

Happy Birthday Brandon who is flying on the otherside of the country from me. If you are family or know him because of family, his name is Brandon. If you met him at school or work or somewhere else, you know him as Walt. He will always be Brandon to me.

Now is that a lot of stockings or what? We finally got them all together. Now I need to refine my knitting skills to do the next generations. Oh Ivy, so glad you have you with us.

It doesn't feel like we have a big family most of the time, but looking at those stockings does. Or when we say prayers...lots of people to mention pray for just in our own family.

Grandma McCoy let Baylie wear her shoes around.

A big thanks to the Nance family who has made all our families and my sisters familys stockings. Family heirlooms.

Motherload McCoys

2012-01-06T13:13:00.000-08:00

Here is Ivy with her second cousin Fisher and her cousin's cousin.

So we had a baptism, a blessing and a say goodbye to Jason's parents for two years for their mission. Oh yes and it was New Years. Action packed I tell you. Thanks for letting us stay at your place Cori!

Here is most the boys playing in Amberli's big house. Yes basketball in the house. Every boy and grown man was sweating, they played constantly.

Cute little baby Kennedy.

Okay, special pretend prize if you can figure out how many pictures on this post. Its a ton.

What Mormons do in Vegas on New Years Eve? (At least McCoy ones)

2012-01-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

Party! Stay home with lots of Martinellis! And 13 kids!

We also had ping pong matches!

Poker matches!

Watched three McCoy men dance at the strike of twelve!

It was a fun one. Technically it was three McCoy families, one Morley family, Aunt Faye and Gma and Gpa McCoy for part of it. Oh yes, and our new friend Trevor :)

We got into Vegas just in time to catch the last half of Keaton and Carter's baptism. How cool they were baptized on New Years Eve!

The next morning came real fast since we had to be across town (30 min) and at church at 9 a.m. for the baby blessing of Kennedy McCoy!

Technically from 2011...

2012-01-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

Jason turned 36! We celebrated at Casa Vegas the nite before and then with the Kirbys! We saw Sherlock Holmes (loved) and ate Rattlers.

Jason pretty much just bought his own birthday presents, with a few minor contributions from me. Here is to a great year ahead, I don't know if his muscles will get a rest, but we are glad to have them!

Be Afraid Be Very Afraid

2012-01-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

Cause we just got fancy. Yep a fancy camera. So you can see us up close and personal. Cause I surely needed to be more personal. Jason did good for Christmas this year....much better than last year. Thanks hon. Now you can see the McCoy mess all the more clearly. More and more and more and more pictures. Yes and I have no idea what I'm doing or how to use it. I don't know iso from shutterspeed, its all greek to me. Seriously, I'm thinking just keeping it on auto.

My goal is to just read the manual.

Oh my goodness we had so much fun in Vegas.

And oh my goodness it really sucks to lose your phone. Even if its not fancy its important.

And oh my goodness its so awesome when you call the restaurant a week later and its there. And oh my goodness I said about a billion prayers and tore up the house looking...I lied, it already looks tore up.

Christmas week was all about being an Evans. And part Dalton.

New Years was all about being a McCoy. And its real fun to be a McCoy.

This boy right here? Well we buzzed all that hair off and he looks mighty handsome.

After being at my cute sister in laws house I want to toss my whole house and start over...but I'm thinking just rearranging the furniture and doing some major organizing will help.

Oh my goodness I've been a crab the last two days. But I can feel the tide changing. Ahhh.....

Dear children, I'm sorry I'm been a big old mean crab. Please forgive me. And while we are at it...could you please stop clobbering each other and help pick up a bit? One woman cannot do all this alone. Seriously we cant just play all day long so help me already. Cause I feel like I live in a tornado. And no more barf. Like for the rest of the year.

Thanks so much, Mom

Dear 2012....Nice to meet you. Lets do double beach time to make up for last year. Last year gave me a baby and a garden and that is tough to beat since she is a dang cute baby.

Christmas Came and Went

2011-12-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

Wahoo Christmas came! The most fun day of the year right? Wow, Christmas is tiring for the mom...maybe a little taste of what Santa must feel like. He must need a major nap on the 26th.

Christmas Eve we spent with my sister's family and brother and then we were solo on Christmas day. Just seven of us and we had lots of fun. The Osmonds came for dinner, which makes our third Christmas dinner together which makes one of our biggest traditions now.

Christmas morning is like a kid experiment. This year I think we did it the best yet, which was a McCoy Evans combo. We opened presents before breakfast, one at a time, youngest to oldest...then had breakfast (eggs and toast) and then opened stockings. Winning!

But seriously though kids don't care how much stuff costs...or how long it took Santa to make it. They like what they like and its always a surprise. Some toys are big payoffs on the big day, others become favorites as the months progress. One day between Santa and I combined, we will figure out...probably by the time they are grown.

I do love Christmas. We ate plenty of treats this month. I don't think we could have listened to more Christmas music. There was a couple of things we missed, but we heartily saw lots of lights, delivered toffee and made the most of the season. We focused on Christ as best we could and enjoyed Santa's visit. But I'm so happy its over. The fuss of it. And can we all pat ourselves on the back for surviving it? Much better than last year but I don't think I've ever been so tired as these last few weeks. Still haven't recovered completely. Logistics and organization was just quite a feat. I can see why moms of very large families (like Jason's) simplify...purely for sanity! Why isn't there a book!

Goodbye Christmas 2011. We loved you. I loved hearing the Valencia Stake Music Christmas program....the most beautiful thing my ears have ever heard...as close to angels as I can imagine...Darby and I went together, the day my grandma passed away. I just kept thinking, so thats what it sounded like to those shepherds on that dark and starlit night. Miraculously we landed on the second row!

Now for the pictures.

Here are the kids with some of their loot. They scored. This was Ivy's first Christmas.

Toys that were a hit right now:

Baylie's kid camera.

Darby's kid sewing machine. Now if only her mom was more proficient at troubleshooting it. Guess I'll learn quick. She already made a tiny pillow. And coloring books. Coloring books and a journal. She loved those.

Paisley's new tent. this has got to be like our 5th one. but her first

Ivy liked her new pacifiers :)

Luke got lots of legos which he loves, but he really loves having a watch now. So simple and a total score. He also got a Star Wars video game he loves.

Uncle Brandon

2011-12-26T17:12:00.001-08:00

I can't say enough about how wonderful it was that Brandon was here. Seriously the best Christmas present ever. No seriously I keep wracking my brain when the last time I saw him was and still haven't figured it out so that just means its been a long time. We just loved it. The kids loved seeing him, the only bittersweet thing was that I missed most of his visit since I was at my grandma's funeral which I will tell about later. Brandon is just as cool as I remembered and its so much nicer to talk face to face than hearing him over the phone which we have been doing for so long. Plus he told me some hilarious stories and we have plans to see him again in the next few months if it all works out.

You are going to see a theme here, all the kid wanted to get on Brandon's shoulder and between Linds and I thats a lot of kids! Thankfully Luke's big self opted out :)

Brandon with the babies, two of his littlest nieces.

Ahh its so nice having Lindsey close again. It made the holidays so much better.

Having races in the street.

Lindseys street in Upland, CA

At the end of the nite on Christmas Eve. Saying goodbye

Thanks Brandon, I know it was expensive and crazy but we loved having you here.

Merry Christmas by the blue door

2011-12-22T17:38:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We love you!

Your free Christmas present

2011-12-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

Ok so maybe only my parents will want to watch this but...

Darby on the front row at her school Christmas music program.

blogger only lets you do little snippets of video plus i was holding kids at the same time which is tricky. so just a taste for ya.

Part of Luke's song for the same thing.

Wahoo for the school music program, we love it! Makes singing cool! And I love that Luke knows all the words to this song now, I wish I did. Can you find Ashlyn? She should have been in the front row. Its so nice having them in the same class this year.

Merry Christmas, its sooooooo close.

Last one of darby.

Two Front Teeth

2011-12-21T15:16:00.001-08:00

All Darby wants for Christmas is her two front teeth! How neat is that! The second one came out kinda crazy. She was swinging on the tree swing and the rope got near her mouth and pulled it out, ouch! It was loose but not that loose! Darby looks so cute and I just like to watch her talk now.

Got two lbs of See's candy in the mail yesterday that my grandparents had sent before my grandma passed away. So now I can cry and console myself with chocolate. I'm set to leave Friday and get home Friday with Ivy. Brandon will hang out with Jason and the kids while Lindsey and I are in Utah. Brandon will go to Utah on Monday. He misses the funeral but the tickets couldn't be changed.

For family home evening we had a dance party where I showed them my cool Zumba moves. And then we all took turns making up dances and you had to copy each other. I sure hope my neighbors were watching cause they were getting a show!

Grandma Dalton

2011-12-19T12:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my grandma passed away. My mom called and told me before I left for church. It was unexpected yet expected because of her age and condition. I had a feeling this weekend but then had heard she was doing so well.

We are sad even though she suffered and is resting peaceful now. I just want to hug my family and cry and yet my busy life demands me to keep moving. Grandma will be happy to have her clear mind back. I hope she helps watch over my children. There are a slew of great grand babies so she will be busy.

My mom has left for Utah and the rest of us are scrambling to make plans. My brother was set to come visit California for the first time in very long time so have to figure out whats happening.

I wanted the Bama friends (who are like our family) to know because I don't think my mom had a chance to tell anyone. No fun to hear your mom tell you that her mom died. So give her a hug when you see her next.

I will remember forever talking with my sweet Grandpa on the same day that his spouse of 62 years passed away. Very tender, I was trying to keep it together. He said they had built a great life and family together and they are right. If only we were closer, we would give him seven hugs right then. Most likely just Ivy and I will go.

Jack and Iris. Married 62 years. We have 50 years to go to keep up with them.

ivy lou

2011-12-15T09:39:00.001-08:00

Another tooth came in, we have 2 teeth! And last nite Ivy slept from 10 to 6 a.m....hmmm...maybe that was the reason! Go Ivy! Give your mom some sleep! Go Ivy, Its Your Birthday (this is a rap)

Luke helped me give Ivy a bath. My oldest and youngest children. Also my most bathed baby and my least bathed baby. I was normally a every day bath kinda mom. Well I 'was' a lot of things. Now Ivy is like, hmmm...when is the last time you had a bath and I have to sit and think. We average once a week, plus or minus a few days.

Actually now that I look at those rolls, these two kids are also my least chubby and most chubby. And the most spitter-upper and least spitter upper. Wow, I could do this all day. Oh wait, they were both my only nursed babies (which I would never recommend in case your wondering). Oh yeah, that also means they were the babies which I had the least amount of sleep with!

Now is that a cute face or what? And can you spot the butter in the picture?

Lil P

2011-12-12T09:49:00.001-08:00

Isn't she cute?

Two weeks til Christmas, the countdown is on. Here is to trying to enjoy it as much as possible while taming the stress. Watching as many Christmas movies, singing as many songs and seeing as many lights as we possibly can.

And Santa, what I want for Christmas is some sleep. Pretty please. Little Ivy is got up three times last nite and pretty much turning back to every three hours...ahhhh! I hate to let babies cry it out (seriously I hate it more and more the more I've had...) but I'm running out of ideas here.

Funny Stories

2011-12-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

I was looking over Darby's school work (and chucking it) from the week and came across a note from her teacher on one of the pages. It said, "Please be respectful in your answer."

Ohh, what did Darby write I'm thinking. This was on a question answer sheet she filled out and here is what her answer was.

". I just told you that no I have not played it befor." (misspelling included)

Had to have a talk about that, too bad she thought it was super funny.

the next one is about Luke, just for memory purposes.

First of all this week he asked me if he could play football at BYU. I told him yes he could.

Second is he told me that all he wanted to eat in college and on his mission was top ramen noodles because they were so delicious.

I asked him whats if he goes to Africa and there is no top ramen.

"You'll send it to me."

(I told him top ramen wasn't very healthy but he said it was really yummy though)

Oh yes and this week he also told me that he liked Nana better then me. No duh.

Don't know how to post just one picture

2011-12-08T21:18:00.001-08:00

This has been an exciting week already. Ivy has been chomping down the baby food (although she doesn't care too much for green beans, maybe she wishes they were smothered with olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper?).

Ivy can sit! At least for a little bit. Darby discovered it when she stayed home from school for an ear infection.

Jason pulled one of Darby's front teeth on Monday! The other one is wiggly so we hope it comes out before Christmas so she can sing , "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Oh yes, Ivy was also sporting the sumo hair do that Darby once sported too.

Its all about gifts lately. This is the gift from the relief society to the women. I love it! From the amazing talk by President Uchtdorf. Seriously these five things we all need to remember daily.

Couldn't decide which picture I liked best.

We went to a white elephant this weekend. I love a good white elephant. This one theme was you couldn't buy anything. I personally think we scored this awesome bowling pin. I stole it from someone and they were like, "Why do you want this? " I'm like, duh, cause its cool! Plus it will look great in Luke's room.

Here is Paisley. We have missed her fun cute self this week, but thankfully she got a blessing on Wednesday and has gotten much better.

See this girl right here? I'm not allowed to post the really awesome pictures that my kids took with her and so maybe I shouldn't even mention her name but she was my miracle worker this week. Jason has been working late, the kids all crying all day, just one of those weeks ya know? And literally not five minutes after I lost my temper with Darby, the lowest point of the day, I hear a knock on my door and here she is to come help out and play with my kids. Sometimes I wish for an extra set of hands and the past two days had them! Thanks Christie for being so much fun with my girls and for making my life a little easier.

When she showed up, the thought I had was that the Lord knows me. He is aware of my needs and I needed some help. I know he loves my children so much. Reminds me of the quote that the Lord answers our prayers, but it is usually through another person that He meets our needs.

On a funny note, I have a big window in the front room and Christie drove by earlier and said I looked like a turkey flapping my arms in it...pretty dang funny...that must have been when I was having my tantrum....literally! Oh man, one day I'll figure it out, at least I'm trying.

On a totally different note, this is also what we scored at the white elephant. A Twilight game, Holler! Who knows, maybe it will be regifted to some lucky person.

One of twenty pictures of Darby on my camera. With the missing tooth.

Another funny story. Yesterday Baylie told me she wished she would get younger not older. So we decided to play baby. Yep, she got to sit in the high chair (thanks for being sturdy highchair!), wear a bib and I fed her baby food. She had two bites of pears before she was done. Paisley then wanted to do the same thing. Well just as I had gotten Paisley situated, Ivy (who was sitting in the bumbo) flicked the jar of pears and it shot straight in my eye (my eyes are jinxed I tell ya!), all over my shirt and pants and the floor. It was a mess. Seriously who knew how much covered one tiny jar of pears could be?

Ok last one, yesterday Luke was pitching to Darby and Baylie in the backyard. Throwing a plastic ball and they were hitting it with a racket. Spontaneous and awesome. They pitched back to him too.

Cool Video

2011-12-08T13:21:00.001-08:00

This one is awesome.

not for women dr pepper commercial

2011-12-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

Jason and I thought this was pretty funny marketing. That sure seems like it would have been a fun major in college

Pretty cool family

2011-12-04T21:44:00.001-08:00

Here is our impromptu family picture at the temple. Its pictures like these that make me realize we have slew of kids. But then I think no, there is just Luke, and Darby, and Baylie, and Paisley and Ivy...and Jason and I...and its life more fun when its got a touch of craziness? (only a touch?) This picture is funny cause it makes Luke look Darby's sized, but don't be fooled, he has a good 35 lbs on her.

I thought it was pretty awesome I got so many santa hats but they lasts about 5 seconds. plus it would be easier to spot everyone. ya luke was way too cool for it. I love seeing the Christmas lights at the LA Temple and love that we are having our own traditions for our family too. I am itching to go caroling (cause I have the most beautiful voice, hahhahahahahah!) but haven't figured out how to do it just yet. Plus I still have about five more Santa hats so that would be great for it!

Very cute of Paisley and 'eh' of her tired mama. We ran into my friend Maria's dad there with their family in the visitors center and it made me miss her! Big hug to you Maria!

We always like to go to the visitors center and watch the videos in the back room (the one that looks like old Jerusalem) because Sharla (Jason's sister) and her husband Dal are on it. So we go and say hi to them and tell the kids, "Who wants to go see Sharla and Dal?" They are in like every one in that back room. She looks great on the big screen cause its huge.

Jason and Ivy...who I put in a hilarious outfit to keep her warm. We got some chills finally in So Cal, hey winter, nice to meet you.

Paisley had a fever this weekend, and guess what, she is getting her 2 year molars!

Another announcement....Ivy has her first tooth. No wonder she was up so much last nite. So she is 5 1/2 months old. same as Darby was, so far as they are turning out be twins...same birth weight too...right? cause I can't really remember...shh don't tell how much Ivy weighed right this second.

The two littlest are growing teeth together! Must be the cool thing to do.

More news! We have a new niece and the kids have a new baby girl cousin! The Boston now Vegas McCoys had a baby girl today! She is darling and can't wait to hear what they name her.

Jason had the two youngest at home from church and I went with the three older kids. Church was so good..a maybe cause I could hear? Yes and I do think it was especially good today. There was a man who had been baptized yesterday at 92 years old. He had been coming every week so I didn't know he wasn't a member and he was confirmed today. Pretty cool.

Oh yeah, and here is the picture that Amber took of Luke. Did you know that pizza shirt he is wearing is scratch and sniff? I should get one too.

last thing I promise, last year at our annual visit to the temple lights, is when I told my good friends that I was pregnant.

Okay, now someone tell Ivy to go to sleep already!

Shabby Apple Giveaway

2011-12-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

Yo so go try and win this dress. I think it would be really cute on my sisters and sister in laws. It looks like a very flattering cut and color. I think I would have to hem it. Go to the bottom of this post for the link. Do it.

Shabby Apple is darling and expensive (cause I'm a cheapskate) but if I actually had someplace to go fancy this is where I would look. I'm sure this isn't the type of post they'd like people to do but whatever, its the truth. I do like when shops like this one can stay in business so if you have more dough than me, do it.

The cutest ever and super talented Lyndsay Johnson has the giveaway on her site and she has amazing taste. Plus I like her children a lot for not knowing them very well...they might be part McCoy.

Go here for it.

Slap Bracelet Watches

2011-12-01T11:11:00.001-08:00

Ya how awesome are these? Here is the link. Good price too.

changeable colors...just wondering how long the slap works because i remember the bracelets breaking. maybe different cause of the material?

power of praise

2011-12-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

Soo...the downstairs was cleaned yesterday...all by Luke.

First it started off by, "Luke it would make me really happy if you would pick up ten things downstairs."

Ten things didn't make a dent. Then thirty. So then I bargained that he could play video games if the downstairs was completely clean and vacuumed and the whole time I kept saying how happy he was making me and it worked! The place is beautiful and it was a trash bin before and he got to play video games and got lots of hugs from his mama so he was happy too.

Yay! Baylie picked up a few (cement is in her legs I think) things but then finished feeding Ivy and she did a really good job. Ivy was covered with food but she was opening her mouth for her and did great. Yay! some more. Darby was her regular helpful self.

Then we put ornaments on the tree and it was probably my favorite time ever. The only goal was for the tree to be covered and ornaments on. I don't care that all the birds are clumped together (maybe they want to hang out). Cause that is my tree, full of kids stuff and pictures, homemade ornaments and old ones from when I was a kid. Nothing is really breakable and we have about 8 nativities are there. I think we average that the tree will be pulled down at least two times . We listened to Christmas music all the while and have found that it really helps me to listen to Christmas music during dinner cause thats a stressful time for me and it works! Yay!

Pretty dang good day considering I had giving up at least 3 times earlier and had a good cry. Baylie got a big goose egg on the back of her head but its better this morning and Paisley's only mischief was finding and eating about 8 mini lollipops but that made her really happy too even though I'm thinking she might need to be a sleuth because I still don't know where she got them!

Finished the nite eating my friends red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting (thanks Amber!) and they were everything I want in a dessert and more. Now go find them on Pinterest.

On the Menu

2011-11-29T22:46:00.001-08:00

Monday - Taco Salad

Tuesday - Baked Potato Soup in Crockpot (eventually...on high setting)

Wednesday - Beef Stroganoff

Thursday - Pizza for school fundraiser

Friday - Chicken something

We are fancy pants over here.

Recap

2011-11-29T20:56:00.000-08:00

Just cause who doesn't want to remember getting poop on their pants? And all of Paisley's clothes (it was her poop) and her bed. While stripping her sheets I noticed that she had smeared toothpaste all over the bedpost the other day.

While we are talking about that beautiful two year old with the super cute hair cut, big green eyes and long lashes and the cutest smile ever can I mention that she pulled out all the kleenex out and takes little clementines out of the fridge and peels them herself dropping the peelings wherever she happens to be. But today I was smart and didn't leave out my new package of gum cause yesterday she ate the whole pack....swallowed it all and left little silver wrappings all around her. Wonder how that will work in her system. She has definitely swallowed the most gum of any of my kids...63 if I were to guess. No not really that much, but its got to be 30. sick.

But she has the cutest smile and the last two days we have taken naps together. Not on purpose but in getting her down to sleep I have fallen asleep myself and that twin bed snuggles us nicely.

So ya know when you are waiting for the crock pot to be done cooking only to realize that you never plugged it in? ya I did that today. No wonder it wasn't smelling, I had plugged in the toaster instead.

Jason didn't answer the phone when I called him at 6:15 p.m. tonite to tell him that out of 1 thru 10 I was like at a 2 and he didn't want to know what zero was like. Then I was going to ask him how one person is supposed to tackle the mountain of laundry, fix dinner, clean up the house and take care of all these kids all by herself when they won't help me and moan and groan about the smallest thing (except for that one awesome one whose name you can guess, bless her)? Maybe its good he didn't answer cause by the time I saw him at cub scouts the car ride had simmered me down.

Luke survived his cub scouts skit, which he has been dreading and moved on to full anxiety the last 24 hours saying he refused to go and he no longer liked cub scouts. Well he survived too and even had fun even though it wasn't perfected practiced like his personality needed. Even if it was he wouldn't have wanted to get up in front of everyone but he did and was great.

Now who haven't I mentioned? Well Darby is my number one Ivy babysitter. Bless that girl. She has convinced us that when Ivy cries she really wants Darby to sing "Armies of Helaman" to soothe her so like ten times a day when you hear a cry from Ivy, a second later you'll hear Darby "We have been born...as Nephites of old...to goodly parents who love the Lord........." Darby's good friend (and mine) is moving down the street and we are thrilled. Darby has decided she looks like me with our dark hair and eyes, maybe Ivy will join us in the club.

Baylie, well Baylie girl. She and I seem to be duking it out (not really, but I have lost my temper) a few times a day cause that girl is stubborn stubborn. Or maybe just spoiled. Or just maybe my reincarnated self, size and all. I do love her very much. But at the end of the day she gives me a kiss and a hug and it all melts away and I can't remember what we argue about. Oh yes, now I can. Good thing she is cute too.

Our living room look like it has barfed up Christmas decorations. A big mess, some here, some there, and our hilarious fake Christmas tree. The kids love it but its driving me bonkers. Add that to the list. I vacuumed one room today, thats all I got to. Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed I realize I just need to lower my expectations.

Now little Ivy girl, can I make a request? Its been a week since I've slept through the nite and I'd really appreciate it if you would tonite. Please and thank you. And sorry you haven't had a bath in about that time too, we are just glad to be plugging along.

I think I threatened there will be no Christmas presents like twice a day. We'll see how it goes.

Sometimes I wonder how much of this my kids will remember. I hope I can redeem myself in few years, my mom sure set the bar pretty high. Now back to work, laundry calls me. For as much as there is, I'm also glad we have that many clothes to fold, I know we are very lucky. If only luck would fold and put away itself.

Turkey in Arizona Travel Log

2011-11-28T14:59:00.001-08:00

We went to Arizona to visit Erin and Rob and family and see their new house.

The kids had a blast as always and we got to see Erin and Reagan sing in church on Sunday which was cool.

Scooters were a hit. As well as the bunny. They have a fancy bunny with the softest fur, like a chinchilla.

Everyone got to hold Ivy and she was a trooper. In fact it was the most enjoyable car ride to Arizona I've ever had. I took a nap, the everyone was happy, they watched movies, I got to sit in the front seat and Luke helped with Ivy. Seriously Score. Not so much for the ride home.

On Thanksgiving day, Jason and everyone but the moms played some very intense games of capture the flag. Jason was bleeding on like four places on his body and sweating over his mashed potatoes. His hand and knee were bleeding from diving into a rose bush. Now why would he do that? Is this where I say his team won? Luke had already been playing football with Alex so by the end of the day they were so tired. Jason was totally sore the next day.

They had filled their pool the day we came so everyone had to poke their toe in. Reagan and Luke both jumped in the cold water with all their clothes on.

Playing on the ipads.

The day we left we went to visit my Aunt Kathy who had been in Utah the whole time. Her son (my cousin) Eric and his wife Amanda came to say hi too. It was great to see them and made me miss my dad seeing his sister. There is only one person in the entire world who looks so much like him and talks like them (I feel the same way about my aunt Pam and mom too).

Ok so the car ride. Ya we did not anticipate the traffic on a holiday weekend back to LA from Phoenix. So the low point we were stopped for two hours. Like people were out of their cars and letting their kids out and just talking. It was wierd. I tried to stay very Zen and the kids watched a movie.

But then that added two hours to our trip and the last 3 were pretty dang terrible. We stopped for a bit in McDonalds (thank you play place) where it was jam packed with all the other people who had been stopped where we traded stories and nobody could figure out what happened (their was rumor of a fatality?). I chatted with a deaf couple in ASL which was cool, don't get to use it very often and even sort of made sense ;)

Kudos to Jason the driver, he was a champ and got us home safely about 10 pm. Nothing like our own bed. Our house might be smaller than others, but it is home (we laughed last nite when Jason was talking to a guy during Thanksgiving who was saying they had to move cause their house was only '2900' and Jason was like, ya, ours is 1850 sq feet and we got one more person than you) Funny how perspective is. There was like 30 people at Erin and Robs for thanksgiving, most were their friends who we've met over the years. We played Bingo and loser (a card game I love), It was so much fun, but I'm sure they are glad to have some peace back in their house now that all our little kiddos have left.

Here are some of the girls and Aunt Kathy. She had just flown in like an hour before. And yes Darby figured out really quick what holding two grapefruits look like ;) They picked about 5 bags worth...anyone want some grapefruit?

Here is my hot tip to help with re-entry to reality after a fun trip. Have a torturous ride home that will make doing laundry seem awesome. Seriously helped.

I think I hear Ivy, better run.

She is seconds away from her first tooth.

Thankful for the Zoo

2011-11-22T22:31:00.000-08:00

Just had to document Ivy's cool duds. Rocking the leg warmers quite well.

I mean this face I tell ya has all of us smitten over here. Other news Paisley calls Luke "Gook"

Except for Abby in the middle, the rest of these children were birthed by my sister and I alone. Quite a feat don't you think. Looks like a bushel of them. We played hooky at the zoo today. Is hookie spelled hooky or hookie? Hmmm....

Its quite amazing that I got to see the elephants with Lindsey finally since we've walked around the construction of the exhibit for years and years before!

Kid road block

Baylie really really didn't want to walk anymore. She just invented that spot. She has been quite 'stubborn' last few days and before we left I just got mad at her. Had a discussion (in a very loud voice which I shouldn't use) that she needs to be my helper and not make it harder since she is 4 1/2 already and in McCoys years thats like 14 or something. Just kidding, we just need able hands over here! Darby pulled the vacumn up the stairs and cleaned her room. Luke loaded the dishwasher and hand washed the rest (which was a big deal since he's normally an empty dishwasher only guy).

Oh Luke, the lone boy of the bunch. He loves the attention. The girls like yelling his name.

We loved going to the zoo with our cousins, it was so fun and the perfect California weather day.

And we saw an zoo lady (ya know those volunteers?) making the condor dance. Thats what I want to do when I'm like 75, help at the temple and the zoo.

We are getting ready to go to Arizona.

We are super thankful over here. Thankful for healthy bodies, for jobs, for a great dad to this bushel of children.

But definitely at the top of the thankfulness chart is:

1. I am thankful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is everything to me. I am grateful for my Savior and for forgiveness. For His Atonement and for grace. I am grateful for prayer and miracles and the Holy Spirit. I need it all, every day.

2. I am thankful to be married to wonderful Jason. He is a great partner to have, the perfect match for me. Not too bad looking either ;)

3. I am thankful for my five beautiful, smart, funny, kooky, kissable children who I adore and love very much. I am lucky to be your mom. Thank you for loving me back.

I am grateful for this life we have been given. To make mistakes, to learn, to grow, to help each other. Its such a fragile thing.

I am grateful for my family ...all of us spread out all over. I love you and miss you! Big hugs from us over here.

Jokes by Darby

2011-11-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

Last nite as dinner was winding down (homemade taquitos and Jason's homemade salsa), we were all busting a gut at Darby's jokes. Seriously like hurting cheeks stomach workout laughing. All but Paisley who told us to stop. I think I was laughing at how hard Jason was laughing but seriously haven't laughed that hard as a family for a while. Thanks for the jokes Darby.

It started out simple.

Knock Knock
Who's there
You
You who?
Who are you talking to? You who over there! (And then she would wave)

Luke: You got that from your reading book, I remember that one.
Darby: I know.

And then the night progressed to this...

Why did the man cross the road?
CAUSE THE SHARK WAS CHASING HIM AND TRYING TO GET HIS HAIR OFF TO MAKE HIM BALD AND SNEEZE ON HIM!

We had her tell us that one about five times. Its a keeper.

I'm telling you it was hi-larious.

What Fun Is by Luke

2011-11-21T21:33:00.001-08:00

This was in Luke's backpack after school. Written in very neat penmanship that he must have inherited from his dad. Let it be documented that Luke is 8 1/2 years old and is in third grade, Mrs, Helgeson's class (and 83 lbs in case anyone is wondering...). I kept his spelling.

1. Fun is watching TV all day and playing video games all night.

2. Fun is going to Los Vagas and living in a condo.

3. Fun is going to the movies all week.

4. Fun is eating ice cream all day.

5. Fun is going to your cousins house and stay all month.

6. Fun is geting to be the school princeable and declare no homwork.

7. Fun is having to never go to school again.

8. Fun is turning into a millionair in 24 hours.

9. Fun is getting all the video games in the world.

10. Fun is being allowed to shut down all the schools in the world for 6 weeks.

Thanks Luke, good to know a little more about what you think of school at this point in your life. Hope you get to have lots of fun in your life!

McCoy NEWS

2011-11-21T13:50:00.000-08:00

We just found out that the fifth McCoy born within a year will also be a girl.

FIVE GIRLS on the McCoy side within a year, I have a mental picture of them all dropping down from heaven together like sky diving down to Earth (#3 will arrive any day now). Ivy is 5th in her family, Presley is #4, Amberli's baby is the 3rd in her family and Amanda and Sharla's babies will be the first in their families. Talk about a bunch of different dynamics. This kind of thing only happens when you have 8 kids having children in a family ...with five of the families are having babies within a year (technically #4 is an Adamson with a McCoy mama). Never to be repeated since my uterus is retired.

Ivy will be thrilled to have so many girl cousins. So she will have 6 her age from both sides of our family! and 9 including all the Tanners (my cousins)! Wow!

The other news is Jason's parents are going on a two year mission! To Argentina! They will leave February 20th and we will miss them. We can call and skype and whatever but won't see them for two years! What a sacrifice they are making and I know they will serve the Lord well in Argentina. Can we all just say Jason's mom is much tougher than I am because I don't think I could do it. I already knew she was tougher than I, the woman did have nine children! Here is where they will be. Near the Paraguay border. The Resistencia Argentina Mission. Can't wait to hear all their adventures in Argentina.

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Lots of stuff

2011-11-18T21:21:00.001-08:00

So lots of stuff has been happening but can't remember any of it by the end of the day.

We went to mcdonalds for dinner and so kids can get good and contaminated at the play area...it's a huge one.

The kids did shrink a dinks today...remember those?

Ivy has been going to sleep with ugh being wrapped or rocked...she is growing up...that is progress...no more infant. Now a squirming baby.

Jason and I have been watching that new show called Once Upon a Time.

Darby's teacher described her as shrewd in parent teacher conferences. It worked in the context and she had said nice things earlier but still nothing I thought I'd hear. Pretty funny.

If I were to describe Darby right now at this moment in her life I would say she is a sweet baby loving new reader, cat fan, and note writing artist. Yep

I love parent teacher conferences...checking in with the person who spends more time with my kids than anyone else but me. Always surprises how much they 'get' them. You don't hear anything you don't already know but who doesn't like talking about their kid?

Jason let me sleep in this morning and I didn't realize anyone was awake , just saw the clock was 7:30 and I was so happy like the sweetest thing.

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CUTE

2011-11-18T07:51:00.000-08:00

Luke being an awesome big brother taking Paisley down the huge slide.

My really cute niece (I have lots of really cute nieces but this one happens to be the oldest one!) Mackenzie just made the varsity soccer team as a freshman! Go #2! We love you!

Where is my prize?

2011-11-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

haha these pictures of the primary class I teach at church. the 9 year old class. We've been studying the New Testament and I've really enjoyed it. The lone girl refused to do a silly picture.

Here is my key to teaching in primary: TREATS.

okay, back to today. where is my prize for surviving? What there is no prize? This is where I realize the prize is that I got to be alive today and kiss these sweet children. Well I did eventually kiss them all, but it started out really rocky. Really really really rocky. But after a good long cry and a big long bad mood, we did some fun stuff and it cheered up. I sure don't like being crabby mom, sometimes I sure feel like I'm failing at this motherhood thing but I'm not close to quitting (she tells herself). We are bond together this family of mine whether they like it or not! But we survived.

Even ended it well and laughing at Scooters Jungle this bounce house thing. Sure was cute watching Luke take Paisley down the big huge slide. I went once too, it was dang high. Didn't hurt that I whooped Luke at a game of air hockey 7 to 1 (the 1 was a cheap shot) where I banged out all my frustrations on the puck and was holding Ivy with one arm too. Did ya hear that Luke? Your mom beat you with one arm! (ok so I guess technically air hockey only takes one hand but whatever) I can never touch him on the Wii so I'll take what I can get. Now if only I could beat your dad oh then glory would be mine!!!!! WahhhhhAAAAA!

Here's where I let Paisley paint her own nails so I could clean out a cupboard. Maybe not my smartest move but she loooved and hey it was an off day for me.

Here is little Ivy showing some skin. She now can pull her shirt over her head and then is like "Woe! Where did everyone go, help help, get this thing off my face!" Its pretty funny. I shouldn't think its funny but it is.

Yea cleaned a bunch of laundry and its still sitting in those baskets in my room. What? I got to put it away? Shoot where is my magic wand I tell ya!

May we have a better one tomorrow.

p.s. As of Sunday, Luke has officially had 'the talk' . Felt strongly it was time. If I keep having the same thought after I say my morning prayers for a few days then I start to realize someone upstairs is trying to tell me something. Went well. I was a bit all over the place. I was pretty nervous but now I think what for? Yes you heard that, I did it by myself. Jason is going to do a follow up one in a few days to answer any questions. Our family is going to be an open book I tell ya. I really liked that I could ask my mom about anything and hope its the same for us.

The best part was that I had to bribe him with two mini almond joys to agree to it cause I'd been warning it was coming.

Headache

2011-11-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

I need to update this blog of mine but haven't found anything particularly interesting to say.

BUT now that I've had a mommy meltdown this morning and thrown a big tantrum myself, figure nows as good as time as any.

right now Baylie is cleaning her room. She better be at least cause that girl is in trouble. In fact I might vote her the sassiest four year old which she most surely learned from her brother.

Darby, bless the world for Darby, thank you. This is probably not the best mother blog post, which means I should delete it from the blog book, but goodness my children sure seem like spoiled and ungrateful this morning!

Woke up with a headache, Ivy only woke up twice which is good, house is a giant mess (due to the fact that I'm 'organizing'.

Gotta go run at take Baylie to school now. She had to change like four times this morning. just to find an outfit that was weather appropriate, not painfully mismatched or see through. Very grudgingly I will add.

Paisley, always has a smile for me even if I can't get her to stop drawing on herself even though Jason had the gal to say I need to move the markers, like I have any control over anything in this house! It seems to be wild and maniacal and have a five minds of its own.

As I wonder how have I raised such talk backing children, I'm thinking of all the ones yet to be born, three more McCoys babies and two friends whose little boys were born a few days again. Cute little Colin is 1 lb 12 oz! These little spirits seems to have fighting stubbornness inside them bigger than their age or size...and may it be directed at something good! They must need it to conquer what they will face in their lives!

ok so now she is late for school. i better run.

ya and she didn't clean their room.

Funny I didn't mention Luke much cause he is the one who was giving me the most trouble this morning. maybe tied with baylie.

Luke convo

2011-11-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

Luke - I'm soo cold.

Mom - Why are you wearing shorts?

Luke - So I can kick better. We play this game and its harder to do it with pants

Mom- Ah Luke, thats my cute boy, wearing shorts cause he loves sports. (HUG)

Mom - Whats the game called?

Luke - It doesn't have a name. There are two sides and one side kicks it as hard as they can and then the other side kicks it.

Mom - Ok sounds like fun

Luke - I'm like the best kicker. Eduardo is the second best kicker.

Thats my boy. Napoleon Dynamite doesn't have anything on him. I hope he stays like this always.

Welcome to Mccoyland

2011-11-09T22:44:00.000-08:00

How did my picture get to be first? oh well, here's me trying to get a picture with my beautiful baby who was not wanting to look. Lately she has been imitating a rooster with that hair of hers. and she loves eating some oatmeal.

Luke officially has one last football game. Here are some pictures of us at the last one. (and yes we are already planning on skipping baseball, we like our un-scheduled Saturdays as much as watching him score a touchdown)

Darby girl.

Is this the sweetest picture? Oh man I'm so glad this kid is my first born. We needed those muscles. And what a tender heart with his littlest sisters

Baylie got to take home Petey from her preschool. Right now he is sleeping in her bed. Its cooler to take pictures standing on the piano bench, duh!

That cute Paisley just trying so hard to keep up with the big sisters. Just copying them and wanting to do whatever they do.

The girls have been eating a ton of these. I finally got smart and ordered them in bulk via Amazon Moms which is gives me free Amazon prime and I get 30 percent off by doing a subscription. I'm getting addicted to Amazon and that two day shipping. Love it.

My friend Maureen popped over for a short last minute visit and provided lots of entertainment with her two little doggies. The girls chased them all around and held them and let them get kisses. Lots and lots and lots of kisses. yuck.

I don't know if you can see this real well. But its the reading list of Luke's for his homework. See that book he is reading all week. I bought it for him. The boy loves weapons and guns so I thought, hey might as well learn all about them. He also had a lengthy call with my dad asking him what guns he had so Luke could look them up in his book. He loved it. Wonder what his teacher thinks when he brings it to school.

Now this is what my sweet Darby wrote about our family for her homework. Ahhh, I love girls.

I haven't made cookies in a long time. Too long. And these ones have candy bars inside leftover from halloween. Recipe from Pickypalate...ya know that food blog? One day I should list my favorite food blogs, they are like old friends.

Children are sleeping, Jason is at basketball, and I needed to go to bed a while ago.

Tonite I had my temple recommend interview and I got all emotional in it when he asked me about my feelings about the temple. I turned in my well used recommend that I had for two years and got a new one. Lots has happened over the last two years and it makes me wonder what I'll learn in the next two years.

reasons why this day rocked

2011-11-07T20:28:00.001-08:00

My dinner worked. Success! Thank you pinterest! It was the crockpot potato soup that I had pinned and was the most delicious thing ever and easiest thing to make. Like stupid easy. All the world is right when dinner works out just fine. Maybe not, but it sure sours when ya gotta chuck it.

I got a surprise ten minute visit from our dear friends Misty and Trent as their passing through to LAX before their exotic destination. Ivy loved her.

Surprise Zumba. Did I mention that I'm converted. Yes I love zumba. Who would have thought that would happen. But when does a 32 year old mother of five get to shake her tushie with J-Lo and Pitbull. Not often enough (not really the Jlo part, but seriously we bonded today her and I over our rump shaken). "Moves like Jagger" I've been singing in the house all weekend and I don't even like Maroon 5. Now my kids have been singing it too. "mooooves like jagger.'

Can I go on about Zumba? Why yes I can. Its free. Its at my church with only the tiniest kids at our feet with their strollers and babies and bright lights. The teachers are professionals. My friends go. With laugh as we are doing our moves and trying to be like Becky O. Seriously in my head I am (or maybe not). So many good things about the church in SCV and free aerobics class is one of them. Zumba, I'm sorry I was wrong about you. I love you.

Music class for Paisley at the church (ten bucks for session if you are wondering). She loves it.

Ate some ice cream. Ben and Jerrys.

Am engrossed in the best book. These Is My Words. Other titles considered, "Why I'm glad I live in 2011." What a great book though. Like gone with the wind set in Arizona...but with a much more likeable (and less evil) Scarlett. Hurry and read it. Book club is on the 17th.

Thoroughly appreciate the doctors of the world. Thank you for helping take care of this body of mine. Especially when I talk to my brother and hear how hard it is to become one. Like 37 hours working at the hospital with no sleep. He's in Augusta for another week or so before he goes back to Mobile.

Luke was so cute talking about how mad he was that Alabama lost of Saturday. That didn't happen today but just thought about it. He also had some mad showing at his game where he intercepted the ball when they were going for a two point conversion and than ran it all the way down the field. "Mom, why didn't you get a picture?" Well I did, but he was like the size of an ant.

Reading books with Paisley and Darby. Green Eggs and Ham, Barnyard Dance, Mrs. Biddlebox, the classics.

Called Amber right when she was texting me. ESP.

Went to the park with Baylie and Paisley (since nobody was napping). Ivy tried out the swing for the first time. She was like, 'eh' .

There were other things that happened today, like crap naps, talk backing children (cough...Baylie), but at the end of the day, Jason came home, we had a short FHE, now everyone is sleeping all is right in the McCoy world.

Don't forget to go vote tomorrow for our favorite school board candidate Denis Defigueiredo!

Work in Progress

2011-11-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

my neighbor saw me hanging up pictures and said, 'oh good your finally moving in.' thats me. slow but here is progress in getting things how I like them. i want to have one of those walls with pictures in every place. this is one of those things where it would be good to bounce off where for which on another person (Jason doesn't care about such things). or if i ever planned anything or was precise (which I'm not). but like the best mantra ever Claire, wherever it lands is just PERFECT.

last little bit

2011-11-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

Baylie walking to her preschool party.

Baylie's pumpkin with Luke's added whiskers.

Our five little pumpkins

Aftermath of Halloween

2011-11-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

I woke up the morning the 31st dog tired. Bombed. Wasted. Total zombie...but big day ahead so must push through. Have I mentioned the Ivy is still not close to sleeping through the nite?

We conquered Halloween...now onto Christmas right?

Here are my favorite moments of the day.

The kids and I carved five pumpkins after school. What a feat. Because Jason was at work and there were no grandparents like in previous years, I cleaned out the insides and they got to go at with their little knife. I helped where I could which was tricky.

At the last house of the nite, Baylie sighed and said, "I love Halloween." Me too girl.

The neighborhood went all out with decorating, seriously impressed. There were 2 haunted houses within walking distance of my house and way too freaky for my kids.

I carved Darby a cat on her pumpkin (of course) and so then of course Baylie was like, "I wanted a cat and a dog...boo hoo" but we had already done ours...and at that point I was bleeding thin so we were done. A few minutes later Luke bounds up the stairs and says, "Mom, Baylie has wiskers on her pumpkin, come see." with the biggest smile on his face (what she really wanted was wiskers) and he had done them himself for her.

Almost everyday Luke says, "Mom, why can't we always have a baby?" I told him we will just have to find some to babysit and hold when Ivy gets big.

Speaking of Luke, he traded with the kids in were with for all their almond joys. He either got 8 or ate 8 last nite, can't remember what he told me. He has great taste.

Darby asking if now could they wear their costumes all the time? yes you can, go at it, thanks ebay for the wardrobes this year!

We can't last too long trick or treating (but can you imagine how much candy we have with four trick or treaters!) but the kids love passing out candy too. Love it.

A 2 year old trick or treater while very slow is the cutest thing in the world. Just darling and most of the houses we visited would agree.

I think Paisley has discovered ring pops are like candy pacifiers.

My friend Tiffany invited to eat at her house for dinner, and now I have a good size burn on my arm from getting 3 dozen cornbread out of the oven amongst all the chaos at rapid speed. Thats not the good part of course, the good part is that I made honey butter with 2 sticks of butter and a jar of marshmallow creme...so yummy too bad (or good thing) I left it all at her house.

As I was going to bed last nite I was just overcome with how much I love our family, all seven of us. They are my favorite people to be around (especially when their dad is with us too). Can't wait for next year, see ya Halloween 2012.

Now time to clean up (Ha!), pack it up, and make some deviled eggs, cause I've been craving those for a week now.

Holla if you had candy for breakfast this morning? (no, not the kids don't worry)

p.s. this morning Ivy only woke up twice and I feel like a million bucks...or at least 50 :)

Trunk or Treat

2011-10-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

By the time Halloween comes, it will be the kids 4th dress up of sorts. Friday was crazy hair day. The girls went for pink, Luke went with black. Whatever Darby does, Baylie wants to do. Whatever Baylie does, Paisley wants to do. Exactly. I'm sure Ivy will soon follow as well.

Darby wanted to be Belle. Her favorite color is also yellow.

Baylie wanted to be a witch and I'm especially loving that she requested a green face. I couldn't decide which picture I liked best of the girls so I just included them all. Luke agreed to one picture...it begins.

Jason and I basically just pulled whatever we could find from our stash and put it on, hey we aren't getting any sleep over here, next year we will be awesome again.

Do you get it? Can you see what Ivy is? Get it? Get it? IVY!

Then after we got home from the trunk or treat, Jason and I volunteered to help with the youth dance. It was at this family's awesome house. The house was awesome, the best part was the pool which had a sub-bbq so that you could sit next to it on built in stool in the water while eating by the bbq...now thats a cool way to have dinner.

We helped with the haunted alley, which was this fully built thing in their garage...large and professional. I got to squirt silly spray behind a little 2 inch slit and it was the most fun I've had in a while. And the first time we have left Ivy at nite with a sitter (we lasted an hour and a half, Jason won the bet). My favorite was when I heard, "Oh, I just got silly spray in my mouth....or.....That was in my face!" I mean, does it get more fun than that? Shooting unsuspecting teenagers with silly spray while they are screaming in the dark? Kuddos to those cute Mormon kids I didn't hear a curse word. There was a fog machine going and strobe and black light so I couldn't see what I was doing but the reactions were priceless. Jason grabbed ankles with this blinking gloves. If I ever have to go back to work, can I somehow incorporate it working in a haunted house? Cause that would be fun.

p.s. go see my sister courts blog how she ran a half marathon (dressed as a pirate). my favorite quote, "it was really fun, minus the running." love it.

Observations on a Friday

2011-10-28T15:05:00.001-07:00

My family consumes alot of butter. Lots and lots of butter. Mostly on toast.

Microphones are wildly fun for anyone, especially kids, and very very loud.

Planning kids naps to be in sync is an art form and also lots of luck. Oh man how much time I spend trying to do that and how much time is actually works are very disconnected.

I like these days off due to budget cuts...like a mini break for us all.

Learned a bit of Thrilled dance at Zumba today. If I did it like 50 more times I might actually know it.

My favorite thing to find on Pinterest is funny stuff.

Hodge Podge

2011-10-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Baylie and Ivy playing the Wii

Paisley enjoying all the baby items around the house

Jason and me at the Target...ironically he hates the Lakers but it posing by it.

Oh I did take 1 picture of Luke when he got his award...

Paisley at the school halloween party

Some kids costume who I thought was just great.

Jason and I haven't been to the temple since Ivy has been born, so we tried the tag team, one goes in while the other waits outside for the first time. So here's what the kids did for the first half. Watched a movie in the car. I have missed going to the temple. It was a beautiful day and it was so nice and peaceful (when I was inside at least).

Ivy at her 4 month check up. 15.2 lbs. 75 percent weight, 30 percent height.

Got my second blog book today....yahooo. wow makes me realize how fast my kids are growing. Paisley thinks its Ivy when I show her pictures of herself as a baby.

If I send you an email about the blog2print.com I can get points for another one, FYI. But thats not why I'm putting it on here, it was just so fast and easy I love it. Like 1 hour.

Blog book

2011-10-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

this book cost me like $85 bucks.

Sorry neglected blog

2011-10-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

I don't like when my blog isn't updated...it bugs me. Which makes me a little crazy to care about something like that. But I don't like to just put random stuff on it, its very thought out...ahahahaha....oh man I must be tired to think thats funny.

So here's the deal.

I got my blog book today. From blog2print.com that Amber told me about. Oh my goodness I love it. love love love it. I will take a picture of it. It was so freaking brainless to put together I want to cry and thats what a need in my life right now. More brainless stuff. Easy to prepare meals, yes. One stop shopping, yes. Whatever it takes. I just love to look at it and hold it and rub its soft pages and read about my life in 2008. 2009 and 2010 are on its way and then I think I'm gonna go back and reprint 2007 again just so they will all match cause i'm kookoo like that.

I love my blog book. Makes me realize, yo I did keep a journal of sorts, we did do stuff that I can't remember anymore and my kids were smaller than they are right now. All good things to remember. And pat myself on the back. Thank you blog2print. Right now there is a 15% coupon online for it til Nov 3rd.

But here are the happening in the life of the 7 McCoys, not be confused with the 7 McCoys in Vegas.

Luke scored a touchdown today, after an amazing catch that he says "doesn't even happen in the NFL" Oh man was I ever that confident? I don't know but I sure love it about that kid. He doesn't beat himself when it goes the other way for him. Missed flags or catches, he just shrugs them off. But today was great, and much needed after a slump of a few games with the last one losing 30 to zero. thats never a fun score. And then he ran down a kid just before reaching the endzone and dove and caught his flag.

Other news, Darby was the mom today and gave Paisley and Baylie baths. Why didn't I think of that sooner? She loved pretending to be the mom. My kids are always talking about when they are moms one day (in private I will tell you what Baylie really says about it) and I just say, "Hey only if your lucky, its not guaranteed." But that say it so matter of fact so they must know more than I do.

Baylie has learned that if I'm crabby or something or if she is in trouble, to divert my attention she will tell me, "Your pretty mom." Smart little girl.

Paisley, while maybe quieter than my others, is turning into an awesome fetcher of things. You tell her what to get or put something away and she will do it. Pretty awesome. In fact she jumps at the chance and is even excited about it. Throw away the diaper? Yes mom!

Well I guess I better go vacumn up the spilled Lucky Charms (that Nana bought) on my living room floor that happened when I took a late shower.

ps. I forgot to mention the most awesome part of the game that I had been dreading all day. Seriously who invented mid week games to torture me? Well guess who we played? The team with Shane on it and so his awesome sisters Natalie and Rachel who babysit for me were there and played with my girls! It was like heaven. Their mom even held Ivy most the time. Plus my friend Mindee was there with her family so my girls played and I got to talk to Mindee (while the girls were singing Armies of Helaman loud), plus Luke scored a touchdown, like the best game ever!

Nana's visit

2011-10-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

The only non blurry picture was the one where no one was looking at the camera.

This is some strange person in Luke's room being funny.

My mom and Lindsey took 8 kids to the zoo by themselves! Wahoo, they are tough!

Sunday pictures

The wakeup routine while Nana was here. Ahh, it was nice to be spoiled although those kids are the alarm clocks around here, we were a bit late when they were poking in our room.

Darby and June.

Best quote I heard today from my friend who talked to someone whose son is on Luke's football team...she described my family like this, "She has so many girls, and they are not dainty." True very true. Much nicer than saying they are wilder than apes...not dainty it is.

Review of remake Footloose

2011-10-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

The original was better but the second one was fun. If you practice in movie snobbery, the Footloose remake is not for you, but if you loved loved the first one so much that you know every song then you'll just be so tickled that Footloose has been shot with a dose of 2011.

The casting was great, except for Chuck (although my mom didn't love Denis Quaid as the reverend). Nice to meet you new Willard. Also, as cute of voice and quick comebacks as the new Rusty was, no one can top SJP. Way to go new Ren. Ariel would have liked you more if you didn't hold most of the cheeseball moments that caused me to cringe.

Made me dying to see the original again, which I will do tonite...thanks to Amazon rental whatever thing.

SPOILER ALERT:

SPOILER ALERT:

OK NOW YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

The bus scene was lame and the first scene where Ariel was riding in the car out the window, lame lame, the first did it so much more dangerously.

What did you think of Ren's dancing alone in the barn? I thought it was good, but the music was an odd choice.

Liked that made the movie more integrated and think they tried to take it from Idaho to Georgia (they didn't succeed really but appreciated the try).

Made sense to have Ren's mom dead and that his family was supportive, good changes, but didn't build up the frustration of the old Ren felt. Pretty much they must have done some focus groups and were like "Lets make Willard more funny and insert cuter children with bigger parts and lets hire a professional dancer for Ariel" Also liked the scene where Ren asked Ariels dad to let her go to the dance, nice change.

Also the ending scene, looked way too choreographed and not in a good way. Did they look like people who hasn't busted a lawful move in three years, no...the original was way better, I mean can you remember Ariels crazy happy squealing, that was nuts. What happened to that girl?

Mom and Courtney

2011-10-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Courtney's husband Carl had to be in LA this weekend and while the driving by herself from Utah was too daunting, my mom said she would fly to Utah and then drive to California with her and her EmmaJane, CJ and baby June. We are so glad they came. All the Evans cousins were together again and the new little babies of 2011 finally got to meet each other.

Plus last nite, us three sisters and my mom met half way at the Arclight in Pasadena to watch the remake of Footloose. Nobody else I'd rather see it with since it has so many memories. Footloose was one of Lindsey's first tapes. Tapes, remember those?

My kids are already starting to realize it stinks that Nana is leaving tomorrow and telling her how much they are going to miss her.

It was also fun to see Luke and CJ, the only boys amongst a bunch of pretty girls, hang out together. Plus, no injuries!

Here are the four years, aka the babies of 2007. Of course that beautiful shorty in the middle is mine. Jason's height has alluded the girls.

Every morning the kids see how soon they can creep in Nana's room to be with her and watch shows on her ipad. This morning when she had just gotten out of bed, Baylie popped in her room and said, "I knew you were awake, I've checked on you two times already!"

We've missed you Grandpa!

Not Mustard

2011-10-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

Nana got to come to Luke's football game.

Jason held this baby and she gave him a big surprise all over his pants and shirts.

ALL OVER EVERYWHERE. THE BIGGEST PRESENT EVER.

and its not mustard.

Not at all. I tried not to laugh.

Oh yes, and my girls ate lots of Oreos with Eliza and Addy too.

p.s. crackle nails rule. last longer than any nail polish. so versatile, i love them.

A Wednesday

2011-10-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

Piano lessons started today for the oldest two kids.

My mom and Courtney took a roadtrip this morning starting in Orem and at the end of the day are at Lindsey's house...so glad they are in Cali. Not bad with three kids under four.

Crap, just remembering I need to take my shot.

Jason is playing basketball.

Luke got an award at school last nite and my camera died right before he went onstage.

Goes perfectly with the fact that I missed the last two awards he has gotten for the last two years because he forgot to tell me about it (the latest one was last week).

Baylie Baylie. What am I gonna do with you? "Baylie, you CANNOT climb on (insert dangerous thing)....remember YOUR STITCHES."

BAYLIE : I don't care about my stitches

Me: Well, if you don't take care of them you'll have to go to the hospital and cut off your foot (ok, so extreme circumstance but I'm grabbing for anything to scare her)

BAYLIE: I don't care if they cut off my foot

Me: Really?, you don't want to have a foot

BAYLIE: I don't care

Dear Ivy, I doubt you will this time in your life, but just know you got held and smiled at ALOT. But that yesterday Baylie stepped on your belly and today she banged your head when she was trying to JUMP OVER YOU! and so when you read this, tell her she owes you another apology and kiss because you mother is still not over it. Good thing that Baylie is so cute. And she is not allowed to play the Wii tomorrow either.

Much love, Mom

Weekend Update

2011-10-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Morley's came to visit us, from Arizona, before their weekend fun at Disneyland. Even more special because it was Reagans 13th birthday! My girls love their big cousin Reagan and Darby said, "Reagan and I are the same because she likes cats and likes to draw." They stayed the night and one of these days we will actually go to Disneyland with all our friends and family who are already going there.

Paisley pulling little Layla in the wagon at Lindsey's house. This was from Thursday. I love having my sister here and so do my kids, no stitches can change that.

All five before church. Right before family prayers I made them hurry and take a picture first. Paisley got a haircut from Aunt Erin and its darling.

Vienna and Alex both got a picture with little Ivy. Luke and Alex are the brother they both don't have and Vienna and Darby play great together.

But hands down lately, its Darby you will find loving on Ivy. She is a great big sister.

Baylie has recovered from the emotional trama of getting stitches (if there was any) and told me she was wearing flip flops to school so she could show them off. She isn't supposed to run or jump which is close to impossible and we had a scare of infection over the weekend which was diverted by just making her rest and elevate her leg. But seriously this four year old girl doesn't know how to stop moving...I mean she can sit for her fair amount of movies and tv, but doesn't want to do it too long. So I'm just praying constantly she makes it til we can have them removed before they split or can heal properly.

I've been trying the, "Baylie, you'll have to go back to the hospital if you jump off the bed again," and she says, "Mom, when you are gone I jumped 50 times." Awesome.

Luke's favorite thing to say lately is "mom cut it out.". Which he usually say when I'm singing or being cooky or embarrassing. So I say " what Luke you want a boring mom?". He says he does. Too bad for him.

3 is the magic number

2011-10-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

Look its a bird, its a plane, its...

ITS....

STITCHES!

Stitches strikes again. And guess who? Baylie! for the third time and the only McCoy kid to ever get them. On her ankle. Five. Like a dime sized hole by her ankle bone with a flap...does that gross you out or what. Well, Baylie was awesome. So brave and did really well.

We were at my sisters and poor thing had to watch all the kids while I took her to the ER.

Want to hear something freaky? All three times Baylie has gotten stitches has been in the month of October (last time was 2008 but whatever). October is jinxed I tell you!

Shoot, its hard to make decisions in times like that, thankfully Lindsey was there. Couldn't decide to get it stitched up there or drive home (in rush hour). We stayed there and then by the time we drove home the traffic was great.

Wahoo we survived! I'm getting good at the comfort and talk through maybe? Or helps that she is now 4.

Previous to our ER trip though.. it was so fun and I had a personal best driving time to Upland in like 50 minutes I swear (takes me 30 to get to Pasadena). The kids were so excited to visit their cousins during fall break. The kids were all jammin and shaking it to Just Dance Kids on the Wii and then there there was blood and then its over and we are home now.

I figure it was bound to happen sometime in our life for our kids to get stitches at each others houses, lets just call it good for a long while.

Oh man, that was a wild end to the day. Oh yeah, and she can't run for a week...thats gonna work. She is really excited to tell everyone at school tomorrow.

oh yes, so she tried to jump over a broken outside lamp while walking on a short retaining wall, got cut by glass. All it takes is one kid to do that and now I bet no kid will walk on there again, ha! Good for something!

For my memory

2011-10-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

This blog is my journal of sorts...and yesterday needs to be documented.

Yesterday I had a visitor. A friend I have had for a long time, before we had any babies. She is busy, very busy. In fact, my closest friends seem to be that way, talented, busy woman (this one is also the relief society president in her ward...that means she oversees the woman's organization of the church for her area which keeps her very busy).

Anyway, Jackie came to visit me, and we hadn't seen each other in a while. I warned her I was on a new diet, but she didn't care and brought me a yummy famous apple torte. And dinner. And her famous salad. Which she totally shouldn't have and I wouldn't have let her come if I knew, but that is Jackie. And then stole one of my children for about 8 hours. Darby had a blast at her house and thought she was so cool to be there with Kelsey by herself. That is good friend who I probably can't repay (and if you know me I'm all about repaying, wink wink).

Thanks so much Jackie for making my ordinary day special.

After she left I had a boost of energy (probably from sugar and also from the five hours of asleep I had gotten, thank you Ivy!!!! its about dang time) that I cleaned out and organized my closet while listening to conference talks (during nap time of course) and then hung a bunch of pictures on the wall. It was just great.

While I do love the parenting talks from general conference, they were what this tired mom needed to hear, I think I have two favorite besides those.

President Boyd K Packers talk directed to the youth (but I still got so much out of it). He compared his youth with youth of today. He is 87. He said that we will not do any great sin without being warned against it. Makes me think of the warnings I've had in my life.

And President Uchtdorf's talk. How we are the dust of the earth and yet God is aware of us and loves us and cherishes us.

Both are from the Saturday morning session.

Okay, I had to take a break to go yell at my kids who were fighting upstairs and supposed to be cleaning their rooms. FYI...Luke thinks he is the other parent in this house.

Okay I had to take two breaks.

Now I hear Ivy awake, better go now. Wait I think I hear someone getting her, better go check to see who it is.

If you do one think today, listen to those talks. Better than a nap I tell you and not much is better than that.

Darby just asked if she could get Ivy, she is okay at least for a few minutes.

Now she just brought her down the stairs to me.

See a six year old McCoy at this house is like the third in command. Wait fourth if we count Jason ;) What number does that make me? Why co-chair of course...or at least I try.

Thank you Jason for working so hard so I can stay home with these babies. I love it. We might never have fancy cars or take fancy trips, but its just great.

After feeding Ivy...now about my diet...so I on the wagon again. After seeing some video footage of me from this weekend, oh my goodness, its time.

Halloween Humor

2011-10-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Lindsey is here and its so much fun hanging out with her again after a few years and re-getting to know her kids. We went to a pumpkin patch by me and it was pretty nuts trying to keep track of everyone and holding babies.

The cows were real friendly.

But its cooler now, what we can't where flip flops and shorts anymore everyday? Really you still can, just have to bring a light jacket too.

If you are ever lucky enough to meet little Sadie, you will be tickled, the girl is full of life.

Can you see that at the top? Luke hugging Darby!

And here is Darby with her best pal Ashlynn (Emberlynns big sister)

ok the rest of these pics were funny to me...how well do you know your pop culture?

Boo

2011-10-04T08:13:00.001-07:00

Are you scared yet? Darby got really into getting out the decorations.

Jason and Ivy on our hot date to Olive Garden. This little baby has been on more dates than all other McCoy babies...Jason and I are claiming our nite life!...sort of, in a home by ten way :)

Perfect Sunday

2011-10-02T22:04:00.001-07:00

This has been my favorite Sunday in a long time. I loved General Conference. No fancy breakfast, just cold cereal and have a yucky cold, but it was just great. Maybe another year we will do fancy. We were able to listen okay, of course its wasn't perfect, but it was nice. The kids would stare at me when I cried. I painted the girls nails...paisley brushed my hair....ouch. Darby and Baylie colored lots of pictures. Luke brought his stuffed animals and blankets. Paisley was so cute and Ivy napped through most of it. We snuggled on the couch, ate fruit snacks and pretzels. They took turns playing with the lazor on the flashlight and shining it on the walls. The kids pointed out President Erying and Uchtdorf when they came on the TV and loved seeing President Monson. He was pretty funny this weekend. Love seeing that side of him.

After it was finished, Luke kept watching BYU TV and saw this documentary type about two brothers missions, one who served during the earthquake in Chile and another who was just getting his call to Cambodia and was a walk on for BYU football. It was good perspective for him to see good boys making good choices ...especially coming from two older boys and not his mother :) Oh I'm gonna miss that kid when he goes on his mission one day, but it will also be the happiest day of my life that he would be worthy and willing to leave for two years to serve the Lord.

Throughout the weekend I heard messages about treating the scriptures like friends, about putting scriptures to memory (my friend Tiffany who isn't LDS is soo good at that), about involving youth in family history, about using the full name of the church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints instead of just saying Mormon. About being more like Christ. Patriarchal Blessings were mentioned at least three times so I should go read mine. I'm already forgetting many things said so will have to reread and rewatch them again. I already know of two talks I missed.

But the two talks that I cried the most in were (because they touched me the most) Elder Neil Andersen's talk on parenthood and Elaine Dalton's talk about how to be a good father to daughters.

Bawled bawled bawled. Oh my goodness.

Sister Dalton's three sons became new fathers and each had a baby girl this year. Three new grand daughters this year like my mom, my aunt Pam, and my mother in law. Must be the year of girls!

Elder Andersen said quoting a blog from a Christian mother of five who isn't Mormon , "Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You don't collect children because they are cuter than stamps, you don't have them if you have time for them...it is what God gave you time for."

He told a story of a woman with seven kids who were getting on a bus. The bus driver asked her, "Are these all your children or are you going on a picnic?" She answered, "They are all mine and its no picnic!"

He spoke about Adam and Eve bearing their children, not in the Garden of Eden, but in their trials in the wilderness. About the birth of Moses and the birth of Jesus. Without decorated nursery or designer crib (or a baby showers I would add).

He talked about the enormous faith required to have children. How many and when are sacred decisions made between us and the Lord. He spoke of it being a sensitive subject and sometimes a heartbreaking one for those with unfulfilled family desires and not to judge each other. He spoke of a family who were able to adopt their babies when they older than most parents.

Sister Dalton talked about 'How do I raise a girl?" Sister Dalton said,"Love her mother."

"She will learn from your example what to expect in a future spouse....and never to settle for less." She spoke of how much girls look up to their father's and the role they play in a daughters life. Oh and I can see it in how much my girls love their daddy!

Sister Dalton said, "If in her teenage years she will not come home from a date on time...go get her!" She spoke of father's holding the priesthood and giving father's blessings to their girls. I remember getting father's blessings from my dad. She spoke of being your daughter's hero.

People have asked me a bunch if we were disappointed when we found Ivy was girl. We weren't. With Paisley we really had wanted a boy and had to adjust for a day to the news which just seems silly now because she is just so cute and special. But with Ivy, we were shocked. SHOCKED!. Four girls, never did we think we would ever have only one boy and four girls. But now that I am a mother of five, and four of them are girls I am more and more glad to have all these girls. Maybe also because Luke kept trying to wipe his boogers on people today and not know if I could handle more of that. Four future best friends, four amazing, beautiful girls that I get to raise and love. I loved having sisters and so glad my girls have them too. I will always be sad that Luke doesn't have a brother growing up, but we have lots of cool cousins and good friends and never would I trade a boy for these awesome sisters!

Bottom line is, was general conference the renewing I needed? Yes. Does that mean this week where the kids are out of school for fall break will be nutso? Definitely. That is my life for now. A little crazy. Lots usually. Still haven't figured it all out how to do it. But some great reminders about what I'm doing is very important work, especially for these five little people living with us.

Thank Goodness

2011-09-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Check out our newly tuned piano. Ready to play, now we have to start lessons. What I'd really like to find is someone who could come to our house to teach them (and me).

The person we got it from (local, thank you Renee for telling me to be patient) played it all the time and he got it free too...

We need a name for it, because this piano is going to get lots of love and attention.

Jason brought me home roses yesterday. I love flowers.

Can't remember if I put these pictures of Darby's artwork on here yet but need to document so I can ..... recycle it. I think this one is from the summer since her writing is improved now. But is she is hot lady or what? Sweet two toned shirt!

Darby with her 'cat' the one she is obsessed about getting (hasn't anyone told her we are more of dog people than cat people?)

I love this shirt. It makes me laugh my head off (inside) when I wear it. Cocky to wear if you are twenty five but freaking hilarious if you are 32 and a bunch of kids in tow, plus its a XL so I must have a lot going on ;) Got it at Goodwill to supplement my wardrobe, forgotten how much I love second hand shopping.

Yes I've had a bit of a melt down lately (or everyday whatever), but I know its all age appropriate (for the two year old at least), normal, because I'm tired, bla bla bla. I'm not saying that life is so hard or terrible or whatever, I'm just saying that I feel like I particularly suck at being the mom right now. That doesn't mean I will stink (I don't let my kids say suck) forever, but sure feeling in over my head and extremely irritable.

But, there are so many good things in life too. Like my $4 shirt that makes me laugh. And roses and free pianos and pretty drawings.

General Conference is coming up...like tomorrow. Can we all just give a big sigh of relief.

Cause that is just what I need. To be spiritual edified watching church on TV in comfy clothes, eating, snuggled with my family and hearing what the Lord wants me to hear.

So if you are wondering where I'll be from 9-11 (then Luke has a game at 11) then 1-3 on Saturday and then 9-11 and 1-3 on Sunday (thats our times to watch the broadcast from Salt Lake because of time differences), I'll be enjoying hearing the prophet, President Monson and the apostles speak to me.

Because I really need the Savior right now, even if I feel like the worst mother right now (please don't disagree with me until you hide in my closet and listen to me yell), I know He still loves me.

You are welcome to watch it and hear what the Spirit tells to your heart too. Its free and I love free.

Ahhhhh!!!!

2011-09-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

Paisley is determined to drive me to the nut house. Cause why else would she run out in the street on Monday at football practice while I was chasing behind only to miss a huge large scary suburban like car whiz by her. Or just 30 minutes later when I hadn't even stopped shaking for the previous incident ....crawl underneath the bathroom stall I was using (while holding a baby, peeing and trying to keep an eye on my 2 year old) and then run out of the bathroom?

Or just now when I went to the dr. for the upteenth time to complain about not being able to swallow for this body that I have that appears to be rejecting nursing, having five kids, no sleep and a husband who is gone lots...my immune system has called off I think or yes maybe its just the shots I take to suppress it! So after doing the song and dance in the doctors office for an hour, as I am trying to get the mega old awkward stroller out of the elevator while holding ivy (cause yes I had a double stroller and nobody would sit in it!) she makes a mad dash up the stairs that we had just avoided by using the elevator to the floor we were just on right when Baylie goes a different direction so I ditch the stroller and run as best I can holding a 3 month old up the stairs to go fetch her.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

good thing she is asleep right now. This is also my reminder that I need to read my scriptures more (or just at all sometimes) because obviously what I'm doing is not working! Cause I sure haven't kept my cool.

Ya that Baylie is on a mission to be as obstinate as well, but we can't talk about that right now cause I'm too mad and have too much laundry and things to do here right now frankly.

right now I'm just reminded of the person who recently told me that this stage of life is a 'piece of cake' and that it compares nothing to having adult children when the real work begins...thanks for making my future look so rosy, can't wait.

don't worry, negative nelly will be gone tomorrow...or maybe give me a year i swear

Pinewood Derby

2011-09-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

Pinewood Derby, also known as the best day of the year for an 8 year old boy who can finally participate. That yellow car is Luke's, although it got all dirty when Jason was applying the graphite powder to the wheels, everyone used weights and graphite powder, it was serious business. All the cars were so cool looking and creative, really impressed.

Luke's car did a fair showing, only winning one race out of four, but can you guess which one Luke keeps talking about? According to him, he was robbed of the championship and couldn't stop talking about it the whole way home. If only the weight wouldn't have been off center.... Next year, just you wait 2012.

The Pinewood Derby brought in lots of fans. seriously why don't they have it for girls? I'd love to glue a My Little Pony or paint one pink with flowers, come on Achievement Day girls, lets do it....see thats why I can't be in charge, I'd cause too many waves.

Jason with his two youngest girls who look like Daddy actually. We have four little girls who are madly in love with their dad, he has their hearts.

Darby with the big girls.

See what he won? Best use of color...booyah! Who was into pinewood derby more, Jason or Luke...must be a tie.

Forget Not

2011-09-25T23:25:00.000-07:00

Image from this blog
http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2011/09/forget-not-president-uchtdorf.html

If you are a woman, and you are Mormon, then you went to the Relief Society broadcast last nite (unless something else kept you and I'm sure you have a really good reason ;), which is the woman's organization of the church...they had a big meeting and we all watched it via satellite at our local churches...The Relief Society is a very strong, large group of amazing, inspiring and awesome women in the millions and this broadcast only happens once a year.

I love Julie Beck, her talk was awesome. She does not mince words, and I like it. She always makes me want to be better.

But if you went or heard, this is the talk you are talking about. It is now famous.

President Uchtdorf spoke and it was great. Listen to it HERE

Really I need to see it again because I've already forgotten and that was like the whole point to not forget right?

Although it did make me want to eat some chocolate, which I did. A symphony bar, deeelicious.

Football and giant produce

2011-09-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

Here is Luke modeling our 20 inch zucchini! the biggest one of the season, just picked and grew so large because we thought everything was done growing. Surprise!

Then we were like 20 inches ...that was like the same size as Ivy when she was born. Look how she has grown in these 3 months.

Ya hear that summer 2012? 20 inches, try and beat that! Its totally on!

Baylie stole the camera for a bit and got this beauty of Jason. Maybe he modeling his trophies from his youth on the bookshelf behind him? What grown man still has his childhood trophies out?

Here is a very flattering picture of me. Seriously. Cause it hasn't been so pretty over here, but I'm embracing it. Oh yeah, don't think it is? Well check out the one below, its beautiful. Seriously though, lets not talk about me though. Nor my pants size. I'm owning it, whatever, all in good time or maybe never. I'm just barely hanging on people, so don't hide the cookies yet!

Just have to detour a bit before I show you some football pics. Reasons why I love Santa Clarita...this week I met at the mall a mom who was pregnant with her fourth and at Super Walmart (a reason itself to love the SCV) a mom of 5 with both whom had the same exact ages of my kids and guess what....they weren't Mormon. Contrary to popular belief, Mormons aren't the only ones growing big families, its totally cool here in SCV...love that.

Here is Paisley 'curling' her new friend Tanner's hair during the football game.

Go Bears!

Oops, where did this picture of blue eyed Baylie come from?

Luke was reluctant to pose thats why I got so many back shots of him. He is too cool like that.

But he is playing awesome, made a touchdown this game and last game and is loving practicing his spin holding the ball so his flags don't get grabbed. He seriously loves football. Ya and maybe if your name is Luke McCoy you HAVE to play football cause it sounds like a football jock name?

Here is the cheering section. There are totally enthused can't you tell? And if you ever talk to them, ask them about the word ENTHUSIASM...its a family joke.

p.s. Jason came home from work at midnite on Friday...and thats all I'm gonna say about that. I have a new found (again and again) appreciation for my mother now!

Now do you want to see Luke scoring the only touchdown of the game? The footage is crazy bad, but it was all I could do so you have to be especially devoted to see him catch the ball for a split second and then run it all the way! Go Luke, we love you dude.

Goose chase

2011-09-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'm so tired and busy to even type on this thing. I'm holding Ivy who is cooing in my arms, Paisley is on the ipad, and Baylie is eating pirate booty which has spilled on the floor and watching tv. the big kids come home in an hour and i'm pooped. Jason is even more swamped than me and pretty much I'm just pretending he is out of town because he pretty much just sleeps here lately.

Tomorrow is Saturday. How much can we cram in one Saturday? Can we make a pinewood derby car, help a friend move, go to football, fix the curtain rod the girls pulled down this morning from the front window, attend relief society broadcast, reclaim the front yard from mountain of weeds, oh yes and feed and take care and love these five child we have? Oh yes, forgot about my lesson for Sunday too.

Not running on empty, more like fumes? but since my fairy godmother has yet to show up and I've vowed not to live my life with regret, I decided to go on a goose chase too. For a piano. A cheap used piano that has keys which aren't too badly chipped or stick. Guess what? I think I want to learn how to play too...or just deciding its inevitable cause if my kids learn I'm going to have to dust off some basic skills to help them too.

LA is large. Scary and large but then small and accessible when it wants to be. I can't even talk about the lengths I've gone in the last 24 hours to look at two pianos, but it maybe shouldn't be down by a woman who is still getting very little sleep and a husband who works far away and late. But I've been doing it, cause I'm crazy. When I get my idea fixed on something, a project, I just go for it. Plus there are soo many things I would like to do, like finally get a chicken coop, but they all require Jason laboring and since his time is limited, I'm trying to find some projects that I can actually do myself...like hunt for a cheap piano. It has to be cheap because I'll still need to get it tuned and really its not an expense that we were planning on so it really needs to be one that would look cute in my house, not listed by a scary person, close enough for me to drive to look at and basically the stars have to align for all these to come together. How much time am I going to put into this, I don't know? but today was a breaking point!

(Here is my hot craigslist tip for piano shopping, just know that the picture they put on there is waaaay better looking than what you are actually going to see. I decided not to buy the $25 one because I decided it was just too beat up and broken to have in my living room.)

Just a taste for you....today I ruined (RUINED! and that is valuable time, priceless, nonrefundable time) my three daughters nap and lunch to whip to North Hollywood to look at a piano. There I saw it, put a down payment on it, drive half way down the street, changed my mind and then went and asked for my $50 back. The man, then told me I could have the whole piano for $25 and I still declined. What a nutball I am. then I drove home to a messy house and really where do I begin. Do I give up my goose hunt? Cause its not really practical, but also practical doesn't seem to be in the future for me...or will I meet some psycho in an alley who I found on Craiglist in the name of my kids musical future? Time will tell.

Wish me luck or wish me a nap, I'll take both. But now I'll go back to smiling at this cute baby who wants to make googly eyes at me, eat some more cookies and I think I smell a poopy diaper. Phew!

Annoying Assets

2011-09-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

My brother should stop reading this right now....

really...

(pretend conversation in my head while I'm driving to work out for the first time post baby and meeting new instructor...its a free class at the stake center if you want to come, just don't stand close to me. )

"Hi, I'm Boob, I mean Brooke"

"Oh sorry did I just hit you in the face, sorry about that."

From Joan Rivers that had me laughing
"If she had a wardrobe malfunction it would break your toe."

I feel ya Joan, I feel ya.

ps. i figure by the time i actually print this blog book for 2011 it will ok for my girls to read this because they will be crying about which side of the family genes they have inherited...we only do extremes.

Yo Folks

2011-09-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

This is kinda where we are at in life right now. One shoe, eating cereal off the floor. Photo courtesy of Jason...what kinda dad just tosses the food on the floor for his daughter to gobble up? Sheesh! In our bedroom no less!

Here's another beauty for you. this is the end result after the baby photo session below. Accomplished by their 2 year old siblings and Paisley. They do some good work on a room.

Darby and Paisley

Ivy and Paisley

Okay so here is the scoop. There has been a baby girl craze. And these little buddies decided to all come to earth together, and convenient that their mothers are all friends too. Two are fifth babies and two are fourth babies...what can I say, us four don't play around. So my friend Mindee, super uber talented, made these cute outfits so we could do a photo shoot. Her's is the baby on the end who is only ONE WEEK OLD! The next youngest is Baylee who is three weeks old and didn't decide her name until at the hospital so if that lets you know when these outfits had to be made.

So oldest to youngest, Emberlynn 4 1/2 months, Ivy 3 months, Baylee 3 weeks and Lexci 1 week.

Tina, correct me if I got her age wrong, my brain has melted...i think its permanent.

Addy and Paisley, buds when they aren't clobbering each other, with love of course :) Addy's hair is also significantly done way cuter than little P. When are my girls going to realize their mom totally stinks at doing hair? Hmmm..... seriously not gifted in the hair dept. Thankfully they are super cute without a fancy do....but I dream.

Seriously how cute are these? Insert me wishing I had a better camera. But then I don't really want to put lots of time to learning how to use fancy camera... can't have it all.

Happy Monday, thanks to a diet cherry pepsi, a music time and a trip to walmart, mine is going pretty well.

But the thought has came to me that happy people are not happy all the time. That would be weird and who would want to be around someone like that (....totally boring). Happy people have bad/hard/sad/frustrated times too but they know it won't last forever and so eat some chocolate and be done with it. So hang in there you who I'm talking to. And a big hug from me.

Ivy Lou

2011-09-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

Ivy is three months old now. What a cutie, we love her. My friend Michelle got Ivy this cute hair bow and fortunately had the perfect matching dress to go with it. So this is what she wore to church.

Today is my dad's birthday and also Claire's birthday. Lisa's birthday is tomorrow and my aunt's was on Sunday (yes that Sunday) so I always like mid September.

I'm reading a good book for book club called A Distant Prayer about a WWII POW. See that's why I love book club. Never would I pick up a book about WWII POW and its turning out really good. In fact last nite, an hour before it turned Sept 13, I read that the author, had gotten captured on Sept 13...how freaky. But I do love this date and two very good people were born today.

I also finally finished reading the Book of Mormon again...just took me like 16 months or something ridiculous like that I probably shouldn't admit. Partly cause I got this really cute little one like the size on my palm that I decided to highlight entirely in red pencil after I read it so that when I was finished I'd have 'read it' and it would all be 'red'...get it get it? Anyway, cool idea, but more tedious in practice. Now back to Nephi 1!

Okay, so now back to this cute chubby face.

These are Baylie's fingers 'making' Ivy smile. Also known as sibling torture :)

I'm thinking about changing my FB profile to this picture .

The kids have said some really funny stuff lately and if I could get some sleep around here maybe my brain would work enough to remember it. Luke did say that the grass in the back looks like the Amazon...true true! Mowing the lawn has lost out to basketball every Saturday, truly my personal nemesis in life...good thing it makes my husband so happy.

Now I gotta go to sleep for a few minutes for all the kids start waking up in the nite.

Happy Birthday Dad! You are wonderful grandpa! We love and miss you.

Claire, I will pretend we are eating Indian together soon!

Party in the So UT

2011-09-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

Brinkley walking close to the house we stayed at...near Orderville, Utah...population I think like 20.

G and Amanda and I took some kids on a walk to this pond and rickety old bridge. The kids liked poking around and this is where Luke's shoes became a mud mess.

Super cute Mackenzie and Cannon...

lots of Ipad playing...my girls were obsessed with the twins.

My cute sister in laws!

Watching the BYU game, Amanda's brother is Spencer Hadley, #2 linebacker...he did great! Somehow I had forgotten her family were dairy farmers in Eastern WA and we ate some of their steak! She is great cook!

Darby being wacky with her blankie. Seriously this ratty thing gives me flashbacks from when Lindsey had when we kids. I think its going to eventually just disintegrate.

Garlan prepping for fatherhood...sorry about the shadow behind your head. Fortunately G has plenty of practice with 23 and counting nieces and nephews.

Ok So Utah...we came we saw, we went to Tai Pan Trading (at least for 10 minutes). Thanks for letting us crash in Vegas, Amber! See you soon, it was great. And Ivy has been so much more pleasant in the car since we left you, just needed a good road trip I think.

Where are we going next? Arizona?

Baylie Scripture

2011-09-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here is Baylie reciting the scripture she learned for primary. Its Matthew 7:7 if you didn't catch it.

Here's the thing about church. Last Sunday we were with some family in the middle of nowhere and we opted to go swimming instead of finding a church on Sunday. It was soo fun. So much fun the thought came to me, "Oh so this is why people go inactive." (inactive is like the Mormon culture term for not attending church or actively participating...I would be considered active...as in I actively attend). So they get an extra swimming party day. And what we did was great, wholesome recreation with family...totally a good thing.

BUT then this Sunday I went to church. It was nutso as usually trying to wrangle all the kids for an hour in sacrament meeting while we tried to listen to talks. I usually get nuggets here and there. And then I taught the 9 year old kids class and THEN I was the sub for the music leader with the kids and even though I was stressed about it all week, turned out great and came home utterly exhausted.

NOW, which one do I choose? Definitely the church Sundays. While I can swim any day of the week, I can only attend church on one of them. And the spirit I feel (even if its in bits and pieces) better prepares me for the week ahead...thats what I need in my life to be a caring person, wife and mother.

But now I get it. Soooo tempting to just go swimming. Church is kinda like exercise to me. Once you stop doing it, sooo hard to get back in and when you are active you can't imagine not doing it. Now if only I would start exercising again...hard to start back from zero.

Just writing this so my kids know why their mama was a church lady. Its good for the soul. Its good to associate with the Saints. I don't think church attendance makes someone better than another...if anything I go to church because there is still so much I need to work on. Not perfect yet, and I need the Savior's Atonement to be active in my life. Life is hard, but even after busy, crazy, nutso Sundays...I know it was the best place where I could be. And thank you to all the people I saw yesterday who I got to interact with, who taught my kids, and lifted me up so I could feel the Savior's love too. There are some things I really needed to hear.

Love you Mint Canyon, Encino, Studio City and Dothan wards!

p.s. I doubt everyone's church experience is crazy and nutso...could be the number of children I have or could be that I add a little crazy into everything I do. But I hope yours is calm and relaxed :)

As you are getting dressed

2011-09-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

Oh this was funny...I hope you get that its tongue n cheek.

For all those wondering about what Mormon women should wear or can wear with our Mormon underwear. I regularly read cjane....but her Vlogs are my favorite by far.

And I am dying to go to the free Rooftop Concerts they regularly have in Provo, so if you live close you better go for me! Ya hear that Courtney, Maria, Claire and Renee...and Jana too! Maybe you should go together. I already told Amanda she had to. Did I miss anyone? Yes, Amy Hawks you better too! Shoot, I think my cousin Alison should drive down and go with you Court... Andrea you and David totally should. and you all better dance like us super hot modest Mormon girls do :) Maybe you'll run into some of my favorite BYU students there too.

Southern Utah Trip

2011-09-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Okay so how does a boy get his shoe looking like this? Nice Uncle Garlan fished it out of the mud for him.

We had so much fun with the Brandon and Cori (and Mackenzie, Cannon, Carter, Keaton and Brinkley), Garlan and Amanda, Amberli and Darek (and Atticus and Beckett).

The kids had a blast and when I asked Luke what his favorite parts were he said swimming and looking for lizards (not the Wii, hooray). It was so relaxing just to be away from regular life and out in basically the middle of nowhere, also helped that the house was really nice.

Four of the McCoy brothers, Spencer is missing. This is in order of age as well. Can you see Paisley peeking?

Cori gave Paisley the cutest little princess twins for her birthday. So age appropriate, she loved and fed them the rest of the trip and in the car.

Luke wrestling with his dad.

We drove through Zions National Park and it was gorgeous. Very nostaglic since the last time I went there was with my dear college roommates...wow how things have changed for me but not the mountains. I kept making the kids look at stuff and Darby says, "Mom, mountains are not beautiful." I'm guessing only flowers fall into that category when you are six.

Here are only two McCoy families! Sheesh! Okay, so we are the only two McCoy families that have five kids so no wonder it looks like so many. Here is our last picture on our way out.

End of Summer Roadtrip

2011-09-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

We went on vacation this summer. We ended up in southern Utah and visited family in Vegas along the way. Although what I wisely heard on the internet, a trip is with children, a vacation is without them. Our kids were champs. We still have a relaxing vacation, thanks to Jason's awesome driving and my awesome baby shh...ing techniques, Ivy was a champ. Yo, so guess what, she rides perfectly fine as long as her mom is next to making googly faces and cooing at her!

Here is a snapshot of Hurricane, Utah. Boo hoo that we didn't get to see the Kirbys, we were real bummed to be so close to their house but we made sure to stand on their front porch and send them a picture of ourselves, cause I know they really wanted one.

Also noteworthy were the polygamist families I saw at Walmart. There was a bunch of them and looks like nobody has told them its 2011. Seriously a time warp and kinda freaky. My sister in law Cori was having me bust a gut that we should have asked them if they needed help and wanted to escape. With those dresses and hair dos, oh my goodness they can't be very happy even without the old man husband. Why or why didn't I get a picture!

Talk about a small world, we went to our favorite eating spot in St. George with the thick shakes and fry sauce Utah is famous for and we ran into Jason's brother and family who we were coming to see! No planning, now is that strong family ties or what? I was freaking out running into them.

One thing we love about Utah is that every mountain or hill has an initial on it. Fun for the kids to spot them.

p.s. the best shake flavor is banana in case you are wondering.

Paisley Jo is Two...Watch out!

2011-09-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

I mean can you even handle this? The pig tails? The hello kitty? The cheesy smile, the rocking boots? The double babies?

Little Miss Paisley Jo McCoy has it all going on. And a couple of shrieks thrown in for luck. Loud ones.

Happy birthday Paisley, we love you soooo much.

We think you are super duper cute.

You love Darby, you love Baylie, you love Luke and you love Ivy and guess what?

They all love you back.

You especially love your Dad right now, he is your world.

Sorry you were in the car most of you birthday but we sang to you a few times over the weekend to stretch it out good.

I sure hope its good to be two for you.

We will have lots of fun this year, just try and stay healthy and out of harms way pretty please.

September 1st is a good day to be born I think.

Thanks for being so cute and smart and fun (now if only easier to catch when you ran away).

Here's to being two, I hope its everything you want it to be.

Much love from your very lucky Mom.

Paisley, thanks for all the hugs and kisses, you do that great.

P.s. I love that all the presents say they are from Nana. You have a great Nana, and I'm sure you will never forget it. She spoils you rotten. Thanks for the super awesome birthday outfit.

random pics

2011-09-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was back to school nite. Good to meet the teachers. Good to check things out. Always learn new things about happens while they are away from me. Always forget that my kids tell their teachers EVERYTHING.

Here are some samples from Darby's room. She is doing great in 1st grade.

Here Darby is dressed as a spy.

Paisley sitting at the mall for the kids story time, so cute, so not ready for it, cause that was about the only time she sat in that chair. But very cute chairs and very animated reader, I was impressed.

click on this so you can read the clue. These pics were all over the room and you had to guess which one was your kids. I guessed it in about 2 sec and not from the brother comment although that sealed it.

No pics from Luke's room cause they don't really make cute stuff like that right off the bat in 3rd grade...sigh for getting older. So weird to hear about school from the parent perspective. But from this mama, the public school system is still doing an amazing job and my kids are getting a great education. Thank you to all the teachers!

Good Luck with that Healthy Lunch

2011-08-30T08:47:00.001-07:00

Every other blog I read (meaning those where people are making money off them or a topic other than about their family) seem to be tooting their horn about that amazing healthy lunches they are providing for their children while in school. I mean really, kids cannot be fooled by your expensive bento box! And stop being so judgmental about those kids and their mothers who make sandwiches with white bread!

Well I am not on trend. This morning I sent both my kids with juice boxes, chips, granola bars (hold the flax seed thank you), and chocolate zucchini muffins with chocolate chips (just to get those veggies in wink wink). I call it the grab and go method. Whatever is pre-made that I can grab and go sprinkled in with the occasional tortilla roll up (pb and honey).

Cause really I do want my kids to eat healthy, school lunches is not where I am pushing it. Cause really those lunches are just a commodity. Its a system! To trade for other things. While I know I'm not expert on the school system bartering, I just asked my 3rd grade son, what his friends pack in there lunch.

Well see ________ (Insert name of bright boy whose mom packs a super healthy lunch) gets a sandwich on wheat bread, an apple, a juice and then he mentioned something else healthy. "But then he tries to trade with someone else".

Here are other awesome quotes from Luke this morning.
"Sometimes I trade someone two chips for something or sometimes they will give it for free"
"When ____'s mom gives him an apple, we love it cause then we play apple smash and all take turns smashing it on the ground."

Did ya hear that one?

"Ya mom, I don't eat those oranges and pears you send either."
"Actually, ___ doesn't eat his sandwich, fruit or cheese, he doesn't eat anything."

But guess what, he eats them always at home, and likes them too. My kids eat pretty dang good and adventurous, but we usually have dessert every day. Sometimes twice a day.

Cause what have I tried? Everything. Cucumbers, grapes, string cheese, go-gurts, drinkable yogurts, homemade granola bars, dried fruit, nuts....yadda yadda yadda bla bla bla

Nothing. Just ends in the trash or still in the lunch when they get home from school. But the thing is my kids like healthy stuff, just not in their lunches at school is what I've learned. They want something fun.

So now I make what they like and save the super healthy for at home. I was raised by fruit roll-up and sugar cereal eating household with a picky mom who didn't like much healthy stuff and Jason was raised with the largest garden in the world with multiple veggies served at every meal and that man has completely rejected the eating of his youth. I don't think he even remembers the taste of fruit actually. He will eat corn on the cob smothered in butter still or salad with ranch and no weird stuff.

I love food. Food is fun. I want my kids to love food. Food creates memories. But there has to be some balance. I want my kids to appreciate spaghetti squash as much as I want them to enjoy eating mom's no bake cookies. I loved coming home from school to my moms fresh made cookies. Or having caramel popcorn watching a movie.

As far as the healthy, exposure is what I believe in. Exposure and chips maybe ;) Chips can be used for so many different things, like keeping kids happy at Costco. But I want to expose them to lots of different foods, regions, colors, etc. Indian, Italian, Japanese, etc. Like the lemon cucumber. Or a persian cucumber. Cause those are so fun cause you can just hold them and eat them while watching tv since they are about 6 inches long. I love that my kids love hummus. The girls at least.

But I will still serve chocolate cake for breakfast. Sometimes, maybe only once or twice a year. And we have whipped cream with our pancakes. Because those are the things they will remember.

Can we still be friends? You with your fancy bento box lunch filled with things that will be smooshed on the ground? Or maybe your kid is so sweet and gobbles up those cherry tomatoes still. They must be in kindergarten and not jaded from more elementary years. My bad, I'm making assumptions. Maybe you are a perfect mom and your perfect kid is old and eats everything perfectly. But really, why should my son know what is in your son's lunch? He has it memorized. Because they sit by each other every day and watch in each others stuff. I bet your son knows what my sons eats too. But don't worry, I'll have Luke give your boy a chip if he wants one.

Here is my hot tip.

Down with healthy lunches! More chips please! Save the healthy stuff for when they are under your watchful eye and you can witness them eat it. Last nite, we had fish with lemon, butternut squash and couscous. Done. We had zucchini too, but all decided it was gross, myself included. Luke's other quote "Mom, I just like zucchini in salads." I'll take it.

p.s. I do think those bento boxes are very cute. I'll just buy them when Walmart or Target starts selling them cheaper. :) I'm sure M & Ms would look really cute in them too.

p.p. s. today i asked "What did you trade your lunch for?" Well, Luke traded his chocolate zuuchini muffin for that same boys sandwich today, cause he said it looked like a subway one and had lettuce on (luke is a sucker for sandwiches with lettuce), my guess that means it was on a hoagie bun. Luke said the kid had taken off the lettuce cause he didn't like it but Luke put it back on. Funny kid. Then, he said the kid tried to trade the muffin for a girls donut because she had two, but she said no, that her grandma doesn't like when she trades....oh the drama of the cafeteria!

Busy Week

2011-08-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

Ya know those weeks when you are tired just thinking about.

Monday: 90 min football practice in 100 degree heat, find a sub for primary class, make dr appointment and find babysitter, family home evening and possibly a pampered chef party...my friend Mindee getting induced, congrats Mindee!

Tuesday: Pack meeting for cub scouts that the whole family attends, early day out from school, hair cuts for the girls. Jason has YM

Wednesday: Minimum day at school, back to school nite...sounds more simple than it is. Basketball nite for Jason

Thursday: Paisley's birthday (maybe should get to planning that, we love you Paisley and it will be awesome don't worry), picture day, leave for Vegas

Friday: Kids skip school, Drive a few more hours to reach a cool place in southern Utah with a few of the McCoys...funny when 9 more of the McCoys is only a few. Cook dinner for everyone that I am stressing about.

Saturday - Sunday: Relax, Labor Day Weekend, enjoy some peaceful outdoors with family in gorgeous rocks of southern Utah

Monday: trek back to Vegas, bug Darek and Amberli a bit more :) , travel back to LA in the late hours once the crazy traffic has died down.

Tuesday: Back to school, back to work, unpack and cleanup.

Christmas on the brain

2011-08-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Darby got it in her head yesterday that it was a good time to start writing to Santa. So this is her third attempt at a letter. Polly pockets is the theme (Cause her mom doesn't like Barbies is what she will tell you). I'm pretty sure its because she just went to a birthday party and wanted all the toys and this is the most effective way to get them herself.

Here are the two time out girls, Baylie and Paisley. Sitting on the stairs.
For scratching their nails into the giant squash we just picked five minutes before. Seriously how fast can you destroy something kids? I was just mad cause I was gonna give them away. Instead they were shredded to potentially become our bazillioneth loaf of bread.

I call this picture, how many children do you spot?

Luke decided to get in on the Santa letter writing too. Sheesh! What month do you think this is? Guess its better to be prepared.

Impromptu photo shoot. Holla!

This is why I love girls. Seriously. Never have I gotten surprises like this from that one boy of mine. Good thing I know he really loves his mama, but that Darby likes to artistically express it.

This one is green because I really love green

Baby with a bazooka...really I have no idea if this qualifies as a bazooka or what one is, but it surely is a big gun. Really, you don't want your son to have this big of gun? Thats what I said too, better not come to my house to see all our big toy guns then he'll see how cool they are or invite us to your parties cause thats what we'll get you too. We like to corrupt other households, its like service to the world, right?

Can you handle it?

2011-08-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

I mean really, really? This is it. this face right here is why we had five babies. I mean really, to be able to squeeze and hold and snuggle with this little girl right here. Ahhh, can't believe we are closing this chapter of our lives, but dang it if we didn't give it a great go.

Really, is there anything in the world than what a mother thinks of her own baby?

Yesterday was the first day of school. We made it. The kids rocked.

The rest of us went to the park and I even got a nap...the sky must be falling.

But school also means, packing lunches, lots of paperwork, rushed mornings...but I'll take it I tell you!

Darby as a rockstar 1st grader.

She is also the unofficial spokesgirl for Hello Kitty.

The shirt, jacket, shorts, and lunchbox.

Lukey is third grader! Not in a split class this year and Ashlyn is in his class which is a first! Sweet they can spy on each other and tell their moms what the other is doing! Although I have the feeling it will be more one-sided :) Luke was excited to have the same teacher as he did last year.

Just showing some size perspective on Ivy. Thanks Maria for the darling outfit, she worked it well don't you think?

Okay, so now we are on day two of school and its a Friday.

Plus today I have three children at school! Yahoo for the weekend!

Saw the movie The Help last nite, loved it. Ahh, what a great book and great movie. Ivy and I saw it together and it was so sweet holding my baby asleep in the theatre, when do I get to do that?

Also watched Soul Surfer this weekend, and rented Indian in the Cupboard.

What I find funny...

2011-08-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, so laughed out loud when I saw this today. For any underage readers, don't go to second base, thats a hot tip from me. But great advertising nonetheless.

Baylie's first day of school ensemble. Those are new boots and she loves them. Put the outfit together herself with no help from me and requested a ponytail.

You might have to click on this stop sign picture to appreciate it. Dear teenagers or preteens in my neighborhood. Thank you. For taking the time to write on those sticky things and putting them on the stop sign. how long has it been right by my house and I never saw it, who knows? but got a good laugh out of those one. Say it with me now. Stop...hammer time.

Here's to resolving to look for humor in our life, it might be right outside the door.

Jason's awesome quote of the day as he was leaving for work, "Oh alright, I guess I'll go out the garage since the front door is broke and then climb through the passenger side door since the drivers door is broke too." We thought this was hysterical this morning. Both are true, the doors were broke (J fixed the car one tonite) but when does that happen? Ahh, pretty sad but fortunately very amusing.

Just text me if you are knocking and I'll open the garage door for you to come in. We are cool like that.

McCoy Stats

2011-08-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

How awesome is this face? like " My family is crazy, help me!"

"Actually its just my mother!"

Miss Ivy is 2 months old now. And I have never looked forward to vaccines more. I seriously couldn't wait to get this girls shots because just want to protect from the heebie jeebies all around us. Plus I feel more secure taking her out once she is more inoculated. Inoculated. Really like that word.

Yo, so Ivy is a chubster. She weighed 12 lbs 6 oz and she was 82 percent weight and like her mother's daughter followed that up with 35 percent height. Wait, thats way too tall to be from me, thats still the McCoy side. But the height to weight ratio I'm totally claiming, your welcome curvy girl.

Darby had to well appt too, yep, from May. In my head bringing all five kids worked lots smoother. Oh yes, and Paisley has had a 103 temp since Saturday just to round us out.

Darby made me look like a superstar mom though. When the doc asked her what her favorite vegetable was (sneaky doctor, don't think I know what you are really asking, thanks for the judgement).....Darby said, "Grapes". The doc said, no, I'm mean favorite VEGETABLE. and Darby professed to not know the difference between a fruit or a vegetable. Nor could she remember if she's had a cavity (she hasn't) and if she rides in a booster (she does....almost always and rode to the appointment in one, but told the doc she didn't). The doctor said, "do you like water." Darby said not really. What kind of crap questions are these? Leading I tell you!

Just kidding, I actually really like these docs. This one in particular has a judgemental tilt to her but is very thorough and I like thorough....just might get the other one when I want to get out of their quick and he always tells me what I good job I'm doing (good psychology!).

So stats for today:
Ivy got shots
Darby got checked out
Ivy got checked out
4 books that nobody cared that I brought
Three oldest got flu mist
1 sweating mom
Ran into my friend Becky there who had her two week old daughter Baylee there (yes, she is now one of my favorite babies) who I haven't been able to see yet. How fun is that?

And then I decided I needed to head to the doctor too (thank you last minute babysitter who vacuumned and wiped my counters). Why? Cause I cannot get well. What do you mean?

Well, since giving birth to having this little chubby bundle I've :
been on two rounds of antibotics, had a constant cough/cold/snotty/TMI
had the flu, mastitis and drum roll.....pink eye again, thank you very much. How cool am I? Who gets pink eye twice within three months? I mean what adult?

So going to do some experimenting cause this mama needs to get better. I was nervous to go because I was worried he was gonna tell me I would have to quit nursing and turns out I'm really attached to it (ahahhahaha!) and really just don't want to break out the bottles and formula just yet (although Ivy would be sleeping through the nite perfectly if I wasn't).

jabber jabber bla bla bla

The moral of the story is...the last few days have been rough. Like too rough to blog about and I was throwing Haagen Daz pity parties for my self and my goopy eye. Too depressed to put on makeup (gasp!) which I also didn't want to further contaminate. Usually I can blog about such mishaps and good for me when I do, but not this time.

By the way, I noticed the eye goo in the bathroom on our big day time date out (with Ivy) when Jason and I finally saw Harry Potter finale for $37 dollars (Imax and 3D) and then spend $24 in snacks there (which I am still in shock about but Jason thinks I need to get over). That was cool timing too.

But I'm doing better. By choice and necessity and the eye has cleared up a bit too which helps. By the way, Red box has saved us in the summers last few days and I love the movie Mars needs Moms. Seriously it was good. Intense. Like Tron for kids. Wait, Tron was for kids too? Mine haven't seen it. I figure they can just watch the first one when they need a good nap.

But it was totally awesome realizing that I missed Baylie's first day of school on Monday. That was a first, never done that before and it made me feel like I totally have it together. Really together mom I am. A pro. Had no idea it started Monday, here I was all set to have her show up on Wednesday. So I setting the bar real low this year. real real real low. Just to make you all feel better about yourselves actually. So your welcome.

And without more gibber gabber, here are the cutest pictures ever, of my five beautiful children, who I'm feeling slightly better about mothering again, although they might never have a super skinny mom, too much Haagen Daz in the world to purchase in a weak moment. Chocolate peanut is my inoculation. Does that word even work there? Who cares, it does now.

Ok now, back to reality. No more sssshhing the kids so I can type out my feelings. Really I hope these kids block out this whole summer, except for the darling new sister part.

F

This is what 8 years apart looks like. In case you were wondering.

Vegas McCoys visit

2011-08-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

We love love visits from family! We were so excited to see the Vegas McCoys on Friday. Here is Jason with his older brother Brandon.

Luke playing on the DS with Carter

Darby, Keaton, Carter, Cannon and Luke

It was wonderful to catch up with Cori and have everyone meet Ivy. Made for a super fun Friday and we needed it! Those are the best surprises, can't see family enough.

Guess who we saw today

2011-08-10T21:57:00.001-07:00

Nathan and Lindsey came to visit with their four beautiful girls! Ahhh, so glad they are close again, I can't believe it. Pinch us please. The kids had a blast and played great.

The two youngest sets getting acquainted. Layla and Ivy are four months apart and Sadie and Paisley are one year apart.

The babies...this is a funny shot of miss Ives

Sadie sadie sadie, oh we are so glad to get to know Sadie.

Paisley and Sadie cautiously sliding down the slip n slide.

Can you tell which two are missing? Thats a whole lot of girls for Luke to play with.

So between just Lindsey and I, there are 8 girls and 1 boy. Holy cow!

My kids already want to know when they can see them next, the only draw back, really the only one, of starting school next week. So excited to have cousins around!

Kooky kids

2011-08-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Corn is not stupid

2011-08-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

Picked 15 ears this afternoon.

Paisley was shucking them as fast as I was picking. Found something she likes to do. She was even sampling some along the way. Then Darby went to town afterwards and picked every last one whether it was ready or not. May they RIP.

And if you helped me out today you got some! Thanks Tina and Alyssa! Tina took my two of my kids and Alyssa came over to help wrangle them. Hope they taste ok.

Car is still in the shop, won't be ready til end of the week so...its time to look into a rental.

So far, sunflowers are still stupid, and built like oak as I tried to pull one out today. Holy crap, thats gotta be where Jack and the beanstalk story came from. They are mammoth.

Where do I begin?

2011-08-07T22:07:00.001-07:00

First of all, can I just say that I think wearing heels to church is really stupid? I mean rocking a baby and trying to get a toddler not to pull the fire alarm...I need flats. My heels are much cuter and I need all the cute I can get at this point....but I almost tossed them in the second hour and just went barefoot. Almost.

Also, after been extremely good on my diet this week, I woke this morning thinking if I didn't have a cookie today I might die. So of course I had to solve that.

My sister and her family should be arriving in LAX right about now. I still can't believe it.

Can't shake being sick. Its clinging to me. Not sure what will pry it off me. Ya know when you teach your primary class anyway but you probably shouldn't but subs are hard to come by.

Here's what I learned about the garden. It has been awesome. Perfect for kids who haven't left the house much but...corn is stupid. Don't know when to pick it, a few stalks I think have cancer or some funky bug on it. But it does look pretty. Same with sunflowers. Pretty stupid except that week they look good. Corn and sunflowers do impress my neighbors though, like they are waving around saying, 'look we have a garden.' Big showoffs that don't deliver.

Growing acorn squash, cantaloupe, tomatoes and red peppers...but the zucchini and lemon cucumbers have stolen the show. They are the clear winners. The kids love going out everyday and seeing what is ready to pick. Oh yes, and the yellow pear tomatoes, once I remembered they were supposed to yellow, couldn't remember what I planted.

Something I can't thinking about: Garth Brooks song, Unanswered prayers.

We listened to it on our way home after I had ran to the rec center to sign Luke up for football. Although I love Garth, the song is wrong and I told my kids so. There aren't unanswered prayers. Their are just prayers we don't get what we want. Sometimes the answer is no. Or its not a fast response, but there is always an answer.

So I'm trying to explain my oldest three this song and when he talking about....but that praying isn't making a wish list where we get whatever we want. But that we trust that our Savior knows us and what is best. That His plan is better than what our plan is for us. Like I never did get rid of that arthritis that I prayed so much about. But I did get relief from the pain. And I did have that miscarriage in the beginning that was pretty upsetting, but then I got five beautiful children afterwards.

Somehow that got on to the idea of "If we just got whatever we want and nothing went wrong we'd be big fat wimps." But that the hard stuff is what makes us grow the most and helps us turn into the people we are meant to be, especially if we rely on Christ. I told me kids, "Sometimes I don't want to hard stuff, I want everything to be easy, but the hardest things are usually some of the best."

Like this cute baby we have, or any baby we've had. Babies throw you off your game a bit. In a good way, but pretty tricky. But she is worth it. Then I told them that they are worth the work. All the laundry I do, the dishes, the messes, the cooking, the cleaning up barf, the pee, the poo, the fighting...they are worth the work. They are cute and funny and smart and enrich my life.

Just need to remind them sometimes when their mom has been especially cranky.

Always think of the visual of off-roading in a hummer on a bumpy road. Life isn't smooth sailing with bumps in the road, life is a bumpy road!

A week and a half left of the summer. Heaven help me make it this last week and a half. And if my car could get fixed too pretty please. But either way, we did it. We survived. It hasn't been the easiest summer of my life, but has been a sweet one getting to know this little soul who is with us.

In heaven I would like to live right next door to my parents and siblings, just putting it in my request. After a very long, vibrant life of course.

Hiding from my children

2011-08-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

hahaha, of course I'm not hiding from my children. What kind of mother would do that?

But I have never enjoyed going to the bathroom so much lately. Okay, well at least for the first minute until I start hearing the yells and screams that I am going to have to breakup when I leave that tiny quiet space.

Have you peed with a baby Bjorn on? Pretty handy if you need to go, ya know.

"3 minutes, just be good for 3 minutes so mom can go potty." Ya see I have to prep them. I believe in prepping. Before we do something that I might be worried about I explain, prep and warn of consequences. Sometimes is works, but sometimes it didn't

Like the other day at dinner it didn't and then I thought of the most awesome punishment for Luke without losing my temper (because I'm not so fond of hearing that screaming from outside when I'm peeing on the toilet). You get a motherhood gold star if you actually don't yell...I have very few of them but still try and rack them up.

I let Baylie play his favorite Super Mario Bros Wii game that he won't let her. Ya, she lost about 10 guys and then I reeled it in. Got to get creative cause sometimes time outs don't cut it.

ok , gotta run, Paisley just found me.

If you talk to me today and I seem a bit off, its because I am trying to decide if I will fall asleep standing up or just start crying.

Hope my car gets out of timeout. Its in trouble for jumping out and hitting a large metal mailbox, possibly because it was distracted by Ivy screaming. I don't know. Or just needed more sleep.

School starts in about a week and a half. Not the best time to be stranded but we are still alive. In case you are concerned, don't worry, we are watching plenty of tv over here and playing in our blow up pool. Pretty funny to see four kids (one being 80 lbs) play in a tiny blow up pool. But isn't that like classic childhood? That and popping multiple slip n slides in the summer?

Okay, now Baylie is hungry too. Back to reality.

At least I am showered with makeup on of course....priorities people.

Will you eat some chocolate for me?

What California doesn't know

2011-08-03T15:46:00.001-07:00

this big state is going to be so much cooler in four days.

My kids have been counting down.

Because the Pfister family (aka my sister Lindsey and her family) will be moving back and becoming California residents!

We can't wait. Ivy can't wait to meet her cousins!

Their family will be about 1 1/2 hrs away but we will take it!

California has lost some good families over the years,

but fortunately the Pfisters will be here!

Wahoo!

Thank goodness for zucchini

2011-07-31T20:44:00.001-07:00

Cause really its the easiest thing to grow. These were giant ones that must have missed our lurking eye for a while cause we have been picking them much smaller. My tomatoes will not turn red dang it! And we've gotten like two ears of corn.

I'm on a mission for books. Asked about ones for Luke on facebook (thank you facebook for being so handy like that, I got a great response that I want to compile). Darby needs some too.

Luke is such a great reader, and been trying to figure out how to do that again. and again. and again. and again. A big part is just getting fun books. A mom told me her boys were reading Calvin and Hobbs comics and Luke is really liking the big book of them I got.

But back to Darby...... So I found these Ivy and Bean books! I love having things with the kids name on it. The characters are seven year old girls and its a series. How darling do they look? Especially since we have a new sister named Ivy. We just started reading them today. Darby really wants to read them by herself but since its a little above her reading level, she reads one side of the page and Jason or I read the other side to her, just to keep the pace up.

And speaking of Ivy, here she is rocking out. The girl slept from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the morning. Thank you baby girl, I needed it.

Short lived celebrity

2011-07-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

So, my helper canceled on me for next week.

oh well, it was good for like that one day....

not that I blame her, the pay wasn't great.

Baylie: "Mom, what is that in your hair?"

Me: "Barf"

Yo I'm a Celebrity

2011-07-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Seriously I felt like a celebrity from 5- 7 pm. today.

Because I finally took advice from my sister and had a sitter come over today while I was home to help out.

Yo, so thats how they do it? Cause I have always wondered how Brangelina and Heidi Klum do it. Shoot even the Posh Spice is now in the four kid club...crap, am I kicked out of that club now? Technically I do still have four kids, just also have one more.

Don't you hate when the answer is like right there and you just weren't taking advantage of it? Because my cute 15 year old sitter who can walk to my house, offered at the beginning of the summer to come help at a reduced rate while I was home. But I thought it would be wierd.

Not weird, wonderful.

Because for once Jason was home, shoot he was even early, but the house was CLEAN! Clean and I was happy! Not stressed out.

While I was feeding Ivy but my kids were being bathed by Christie, I thought...this is the best money I ever spent, can I do it everyday? and now I am truly a celebrity. So fancy. You never would have known that I had 6 extra kids today and a friend.

Now off to book club....the no longer church book club booted. (we got the boot, but it was happy parting...oh yes, I'm not in charge anymore, so its even more awesome)

I smell like barf

2011-07-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

no really, on my shoulder it smells like barf.

Do I change? No.

Why?

Cause that would mean I would soil another shirt and mean I have to do more laundry.

And frankly there are few shirts I am fitting into and laundry is really endess.

Jason isn't home, but he is shooting before 11 p.m.

I watched So you Think You can Dance with Lady Gaga on it while I rocked, re-rocked, put down, picked back up, and rocked more my beautiful baby girl who really also smells kinda like barf. She got no bath today because really it was one of those days.

But Paisley got three baths. Two in the kitchen sink, one when she was covered in poo, the second when she was covered in sand. She didn't know what to think about those sink baths, she thought her mom was a bit batty.

I put Ivy down for a minute to regroup. Hmmm....what does she need? To talk? She does like to coo and smile now. Nope, just not settled and only time will do it.

wait...ivy needs me gotta rock

He got home at 11:10 pm....pretty close.

I would kill for some Haagen daz ice cream right now. Off to bed.