A new year

 I just can't believe it is a new year.  Time goes so fast and in ways that is good but it also means other things that make me sad.  My kids are growing up and I still have such a long way to go before I feel satisfied with the way I mother.  I still don't have it down to what I want and yet my baby is 7 1/2.  By the time I get things right they will all be out of the house.  OH who am I kidding.  I will never get it right.  :)  My kids do bring me alot of joy.  But in all honesty they are also the creator of chaos.  The fighting is unreal and the amount of noise they create is enough to send anyone over the edge.  BUT HOLY CRAP...they are cute.  They are so great and they have hearts bigger than the earth.  They know who they are and I am super proud to call them my children......most of the time anyway. 

These kids are what brings a smile to my face.  They are smart.  They are sassy.  They are strong willed.  They  know how to love.  They are so forgiving and understanding.

 They see the world in different ways.  They have compassion for others.  They try to do good.  They try to do what is right.

 They compromise.  They help out.  They work.  They smile.  They try.

 They tease.  They tease.  They tease.  And tease some more.

 They serve.  When they see a need they are there.  They listen.  They commit.  They lead.

 They know.  They see.  They stand. 

 They realize.  They demand.  They cry.  They whine.  They hope.  They need.  They value.  They pretend.

 They play.  They mess.  They succeed. They fail.

They borrow.  They win.  They lose.

 They love.  They hate.  They fight.  They try.

 They know.  They live.  They breath.

 They dream.  They thrive.  They grow.

They become.  They endure.  They believe.





These really are some amazing kids.  They are talented.  They are sweet. They are special in every way.  Not every can see this but all of these are true.  And I am grateful for them in every way.  Not an easy task to be a parent of five kids but a task that I am committed to and a task that I agreed to long ago.  And I am pretty sure it isn't easy for them to have a mom like me.  But I love them with everything I have in me.

CALEB: 15, sweet, helpful, creative, musical, mechanical.  Caleb is teaching himself the piano and guitar.  He can play by ear.  So talented.  He loves his welding class and can create quite amazing things.  He struggles in school but is so intelligent.  He is great at memorizing scripture masteries.  He loves junk food.  He is a neat kid.

ZACHARY: 13, sense of humor, talkative, tall, hunter, gun lover.  Zach is as tall as his Caleb....over 6ft. Zach loves to hunt.  He owns two guns and enjoys duck hunting. He played football for the first time and did really well.  He is known for talking to the girls during class (so his teachers say).  He is outgoing and very easy to talk to.  He was just put as the Deacons Quorum Pres. at church. He will be a great leader.  I am thankful for him. 

RACHEL: 10, beautiful, loving, serving, helpful, a writer, caring.  This girl is a blessing in every way.  She goes above and beyond in helping me with housework.  She can sense when I get stressed.  Rachel is kind.  It upsets her when anyone is being mean.  She has written a book and is starting on number two.  She does what is right.  She LOVES lists.  I find her writing a list of things to do each night before going to bed.  She gets good grades and is a delight to have as a daughter. 

ETHAN: 9, jokester, loving, smart, thinker, athletic, lego lover, video game addict.  Ethan gets good grades.  He loves to tease and scare people.  He is great at sports and very fast.  He enjoys building with his legos and loves to play Mario Kart.  It is hard to get him off his game most of the time.  This little boy gives the best hugs.  He is a great kid.

MAYAH: 7, smart, determined, adorable, feisty, athletic.  Mayah is strong willed and knows what she wants and will go far in life.  She is smart and is amazing at math and reading.  She is athletic and played soccer for the first time on a team a year ago.  She can definately hold her own.  She seems so much older when she talks and she always has Don and I in stitches with her funny comments.  I am thankful she is our youngest.  She really keeps us going and there is never a dull moment when she is around.  Truly truly a red head.