An INCREDIBLE teacher!

For Teacher Appreciation week, I was asked to decorate Kyler's teacher's door. Mrs. Melander truly is a wonderful, sweet teacher, and I was happy to do something fun for her. I was a little worried that she would be embarrassed to see herself transformed into a volumptious Super Hero, but to my relief, she doubled over in laughter when she saw it! The best part of it, though, was that Kyler thought I was super cool for once. It takes a lot to get Kyler's "cool" approval... so I felt pretty incredible myself!

For the Love of Balls!

Ashton's vocabulary may only consist of a handful of words, but those few words enable him to get exactly what he wants 100% of the time. However, these few words do more than communicate the needs and wants of a stocky 21 month old. They reveal what this little boy truly cares about. Just take a look at Ash's first words, and the order in which they were learned:

First word: "Ba-ba" (Translation: Bottle. This kid loves food above all else!)

Second word: "Ma" (Translation: Mom)

So, what word do you think came next? "Da-da?" "No no!" "Mine?" .... Nope. His third word revealed, yet again, what his brain thinks about all day long... second only to food and Mommy.

Third word: "Bull" (Translation: Ball)

Seriously, the kid loves balls. Actually, 'love' is too weak of a word. The kid is OBSESSED with balls! And to Ashton, anything resembling a circle--is a "bull." Clocks, oranges, Christmas tree bulbs, balloons... even the moon to Ashton--is a ball! When he sees one, his face lights up with pure delight as he announces to everyone that we are in the presence of something truly extraordinary: A BALL!

Seeing this "ball" in the grocery store just about made him leap out of the cart with joy.

Here is his basket of toys that I keep in the Family Room. Cars, blocks, animals... they do nothing for him. Come on, you can't dunk a toy car!

Sadly, here is one of my decorative porcelain balls. It only lasted a week... it was a stupid purchase. Deep down, I knew it was doomed from the beginning.

The only problematic thing about having a kid obsessed with balls is that it's a little dangerous. Besides getting whacked in the head all day long by air borne balls, my house has become a mini Wipe-out zone. I'm constantly stumbling and tripping over those darn balls! I dare a robber to try to get through my house in the dark! He'd never survive!

On the bright side, perhaps Ashton's obsession is the foreshadowing of some incredible athletic talent! A future basketball star, quarter back... or linebacker. (Food is his first love after all!) Whichever sports star he becomes, I'm just sure he destined to be pictured on a Wheaties box! In the meantime, I'm perfecting my hook shot and trying to keep my tail bone in one piece.

A Crafty Valentines Day

Isn't Valentines Day supposed to be about quiet, romantic dinners with your spouse? Bouquets of roses? Heartfelt letters and poems? Spontaneous romantic getaways? I ask... because the last time Justin and I had a Valentines Day like that was in February of 2000! With the birth of our firstborn, I believe we kissed away all things personal. It seems that everything in our life is all about the kids... even the holiday celebrating romantic love! Our 2011 Valentines Day could hardly be described as romantic. A much more accurate description would be... CRAFTY!!! Romantic--no.

When I was in grade school, we put our Valentines in brown paper bags. Well, that's not how it works anymore! Bags are just too easy and economical... soooo not hip!! McKenna was "assigned" to create a Valentines box that represented one of her hobbies. What does she come up with...

A grand piano box!!

Most sane and reasonable parents would talk her out of it... but fortunately for McKenna, she has a Father who can build anything!! (I have a reputation for being crafty... but it is all a facade! Justin is my own personal Martha Stewart---my secret weapon!) Within a half hour, he designed a grand piano out of a Fruit Loops box--complete with engineered supports.
As the piano project progressed, we were more and more amazed at our collective awesomeness! We kept thinking of ways to improve it... and between paint and glue drying... the project took an entire Saturday!! Crazy? Maybe... but I have to say that seeing McKenna carry her box across the school playground with pride and self esteem made every second worth it!

The top of the piano says, "Music is the 'KEY' to my Heart!"

For Kyler's box, he had one requirement: nothing too' Lovey!' Together, Kyler and I came up with this very 'boyish' Love Eating Monster box... which I think turned out pretty hysterical! Warning: Fake fur is terrible to work with! I still feel like I'm covered with fur! .... What I do for my kids!

And of course, I'm a fan of homemade Valentines... you know, because I like to make my life as complicated as possible!

Between all the painting and glueing, we found time for lots of chocolate and our traditional Family Valentines dinner.

As we celebrated with our rowdy, rambunctious children, I have to admit... Justin and I did actually have--a moment. Nothing big--really, just a moment... but a moment meant just for the two of us. The night before Valentines Day, we were kneeling down for family prayer. We decided to tell the kids our 'story' of how we met and fell in love. McKenna was a giddy and giggling fool as we told her of every wink, every date, and every love note... and as Justin and I reflected upon that special part of our past, we made eye contact from across the room--and just smiled--because we knew that we really do have something special.

It's Great to be Eight!

It's official! Kyler F. Stevens is the newest member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints! On February 5th, Kyler was baptized and confirmed with the Holy Ghost.

As a mother, I am beginning to recognize that nothing makes a parent happier than seeing their children make righteous choices that you know will bring them peace and joy throughout their life. As Kyler was confirmed, my heart was so full--knowing that he was receiving the greatest of all gifts.

I am so proud of Kyler's choice to be baptized, but also for the choices he makes each and every day. From the time he was a baby, I knew that Kyler had a uniquely kind, sensitive, and obedient Spirit. Kyler doesn't draw a lot of attention to himself, but those who know him well understand that he simply radiates "goodness". My neighbor told me that when she sends her own son off to school, she says, "Remember to be like Kyler." Kyler's Kindergarten teacher described him as a "quiet leader"--one that leads by example.

Friends and family gathered together to celebrate Kyler! We felt very blessed with all of their love and support.

An eighth birthday wouldn't be complete without a birthday bash! We had a sports themed party with 14 boys!! (That right, I said 14!!) I can accurately describe the 90 minute party in one word: LOUD! I tried my best to wear out this gang of boys with relay races, but I think the only worn out and horse-voiced person was me. Yes, you can mail me my Mother of the Year award any time...
I am happy to report that the only damage that the house sustained was one torn off door knob.

And so it begins... along with the eighth birthday comes... this!

Yes, the whole Scouting thing terrifies me, but it's hard to not catch the Scouting fever with such an excited little boy! At Kyler's first Scout meeting, he received his Bobcat patch!! He (okay we) also made this awesome cake for the Wild West themed Blue and Gold Banquet.
"On my honor, I will do my best to be a good Scouting Mom. To do my duty to sew on patches, and learn all sorts of things that scare the daylights out of me--like camping, and all other dirt-related activities."

Happy Birthday Kyler!

Angry Birds

A Mom's Lament

This is not a cute little update full of pictures. Sorry. It's just my thoughts. Just a warning in case you want to stop reading now. (I hate forcing my thoughts and emails on people... which is actually ironic as this post is about self consciousness.)

I feel a little pang in my heart every time I drop my kids off at school. I can literally see them morph the second they leave the car and set foot on the school ground pavement. It usually happens sometime between second and third grade. Your carefree child who can make friends with anyone and has enough confidence to conquer anything... just changes. Every aspect of their life is suddenly overshadowed by the need to be accepted. The need for their peer's approval. The need to be "cool."

It happens to all of us, but it's a sad day nonetheless. I remember not wanting to wear a coat during the winter--because I felt "un-cool" in it. I remember pretending to find things funny in Junior High which were not. I remember trying to not act "too smart" in certain classes. I remember it all so clearly--which makes me want to save my kids from this curse even more! Some days, I want to grab my kids by the collar and shout:

"Why do you smile differently at school?"

"Why do you hesitate to blow a kiss back to me as you leave the car?"

"Why do you pretend to not be excited when you score a point?"

"Why are you pretending to be someone else?"

Why am I asking "Why?" I remember. I know why. It just still hurts to watch.

The funny thing about all of this is that there are a few people out there who truly don't care what others think of them. (Not many. Really, just a few!) Do you remember that person from high school? You know... the person who wasn't afraid to make a fool of themselves in a pep assembly. The person who could wear anything and get away with it because they didn't care.

They. Were. So. Cool.

How do we show our children this? How do we save them from the agony of caring so deeply about things that will never really matter?

December Rewind

December is here and gone! Playing, performing, working, hurrying, eating... we did it all! For me, it always goes too fast. With all of the hustle and bustle, I never feel like I have enough time to truly "soak in" the magic of December like I did as a kid... but with that said... we did accomplish loads of Christmas fun!! Here are just a few snipets of the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" for the Stevens family!

Ash's first venture in the snow. It lasted as long as it took to take this picture!

We had some huge snow storms! This particular blizzard left a 5 foot drift in our backyard.

Ky's snow coffin.

Kenna and Ky ditched Dad for the day at Targhee to ski on their own! Yessss! Skiing success!

Our annual Gingerbread House party with the Ferney family!

Carson! I saw that! Pass it over. I want some!

The Angry Bird Gingerbread House by Tyson and Justin. They were so proud of themselves. They took about 50 pictures of their work!

Our delicious masterpieces.

Our subdivision does the funniest tradition. This Santa travels from home to home during December. You get to have him for one night before leaving him at someone else's door. We didn't get him last year, so the kids were super excited when the doorbell rang at 10 p.m. only to find Santa staring at them! The kids were obsessed with him. This is me catching McKenna cuddling with him and singing "Silver Bells."

We got to perform for the Choralaires annual Christmas concert. McKenna played the part of Mary, Jaden played Joseph, and Ky and I were shepherds.

One of our favorite traditions: The Kindness Manger. Every time we do a secret kind act, we give and receive a chocolate and then place the wrapper in our manger to make a soft bed for baby Jesus. This was Justin's message left for me in the chocolate jar.

Carson made my bed for me! (Note the chocolate left on the bedspread.) Yes... a little lumpy, but quite an accomplishment considering that the bed is taller than him!

For years, my Dad has directed Pocatello's Annual Messiah Sing-in. It started as a Stake event and has grown into a city-wide, multi-faith event--complete with a full orchestra, professional soloist, and three conductors. McKenna and Ky sang--or should I say giggled and stumbled-- their way through the entire oratorio! We are so proud of Grandpa!

My December piano recital.

Carson putting on quite a show at his Preschool Christmas performance at an Assisted Living Center. I think he got the performance gene.

Matching Christmas 'jammies on Christmas Eve.

Acting out the Nativity at Grandma Stevens' Christmas Eve Pajama Party.

...just after Santa's visit!

Marveling at the evidence of Santa's existence. He really eats and drinks the cookies and milk!

I made lots of Heritage Makers gifts this year... always the best gifts of all because they're from the heart! I made each of the kids a personalized calendar.

I just had to include these photos because they were so funny. You can see the kids were hoping that these small, rectangular boxes were...

Is it really?

YESSSSS! D.S.'s for everyone!

Merry Christmas 2010!