Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Summary since School Started

(So this is how I show off my amazing family pictures.  You need to have Randi --click on her name to go to her site--take your pictures if you live here.  She’s the best.  She also travels a ton and takes pictures on the road, so if you are in Southern California, Utah or Seattle…chances are you could have pictures this cute, too.)

Let’s just start with me:  I am so on top of my game

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Is that obnoxious to say?  After being pregnant, and adding a kid to our family, and having 5 children running wild all summer, and having a husband out of a job for a few weeks…I feel like I’ve earned it. 

The mornings are crazy, but once the big kids are out the door, I put Faith down and Seth watches a movie AND I ACTUALLY CHECK STUFF OFF OF MY TO-DO LIST!  I’m enjoying the kids, losing weight, reading my scriptures, and straightening the house once in a while(okay, just the bottom floor).  I feel more in control of my life than I have in 2 years, and while I know it’s a phase, I’m relishing it.

Ryan’s loving his job. 

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Frankly, the longer he’s there, the more of a miracle it seems to me.   That he found a job down the street, in this economy, where he’s valued and making a contribution, is amazing and such a blessing.  He works a ton, plus started his MBA program (why stop going to school?  Ever?) and is still doing the city council thing, but Ryan’s best when he’s wearing himself out. 

Emma is loving her teacher and doing well at school. 

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She’s taking violin at the middle school.  Apparently actually having the instrument is optional, since it’s not made it to the lesson a few times.  She has some good friends (though at a recent party, she was worried about fitting in with some girls that “are more popular than me”) and is entering our area’s “Reflections” contest, after being highly praised by her summer art teacher.

Continuing the theme, Gabe seems to be happy in school

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His teacher is fun, his cousin Mallory sits next to him in class, his broken toe healed and he’s reading like a champ.  He keeps begging me to put him on swim team, but I’m wondering if we can handle another thing.  He continues to be my kid who does a job fast, no procrastinating homework or chores (which is nice) but not necessarily thoroughly.  We’ll take what we can get.

Jane, while enjoying first grade, seems to forget that school starts at 9:00 am EVERY DAY

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--the wailing “It’s not my fault!!!  I’m not ready!!! Wait for me!!!” starts at about 8:45.  She also seems a little fuzzy on the homework concept as well.  The reading gets done, but not recorded.  The homework is completed, but sitting, week after week, at the bottom of the closet.  Luckily, she continues to just exude fun.  I listened to her conversation with Ryan at bedtime last week and the whole thing was peppered with: “Isn’t that fun!” or “I love…” or “Ha ha! That’s so funny!”

Seth is the funnest age ever: 4. 

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It’s like Heavenly Father makes them especially easy, hilarious and companionable, right before they leave you for kindergarten.  He talks ALL THE TIME.  Really, ALL THE TIME is no exaggeration.  His preschool teacher, at pick up time last week, said to me: “You were right.  He is one fun kid.”  My friend Calie, who is 21, commented the other day, when we ran into her at the mall: “I want Seth to be my life coach.  I’ve never seen him not happy.”

Faith never stops moving

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Sacrament meeting is a complete workout: up, down, hit your head on the pew, crawl to the next pew, mess up their church bag, come back, eat string cheese, spit it out, yell at the baby behind you, lunge for Ryan, lunge for mom, take your shoes off, etc. etc. etc.  She has a fifth tooth, which has been making her crabby.  And she’s been pretty insistent when she needs attention—which, let’s face it, is necessary in this family.

We’ve enjoyed fall

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—heading up to the apple festival at Greenbluff, baking a ton of treats, hanging out as much as possible with the cousins (and Grandma Nut, who’s here right now), and soaking up the end of the nice weather. 

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It’s good right now.  Once in a while…it can be really good.

43 comments:

diane said...

Happiness looks good on you. You wear it well.

Paige said...

You deserve this after a rough summer! It's true the pictures are gorgeous as is your family. Each one. I poured over every single picture on fb. Why does 5 kids look like so many? And I'm up at 4:37 due to The Hunger.

Christy and Jason said...

Randi's work is amazing, and as she said, not too hard considering your beautiful family. Don't you just love looking at your pictures again and again?!

Jake said...

And it's all probably so much sweeter after the craziness of your summer.

Your family is exceptionally gorgeous.

Christie said...

Those pics are absolutely stunning. You guys have the bluest eyes ever! I loved this post - happiness and pictures - my two favorite things.

Abbie said...

BEAUTIFUL! Great update. I'm glad things are going so well. I love times like that. We've been in one of those the last couple months and I don't want it to end. Life is just so good. And I'm so so so happy to know that Seth is following this "magical four" thing I keep hearing about. PLEASE let it happen to Eli! PLEASE?!?!

Rochelleht said...

Oh, incredible!!! Those are great! Your Jane is my Grace's clone. Oh, the mornings!!! Greg just took her in tears to school. Will we ever get through this!?

the wrath of khandrea said...

this post made me giddy. i want to point out that you look fantastic, but this has happened to me in the past: you have a really good upswing in your life, and people fall all over themselves telling you how fantastic you look. which feels good at first, but suddenly makes you think "jeeze, was i a total hag all the rest of the time?"

but i digress. totally feelin the happy from this post. congrats.

Jessica said...

Those pictures are really beautiful, you belong in a magazine! So happy that things are going well for your family. I felt that way this summer, like we had the best summer EVER, and really soaked it all in. Thank goodness, because this fall has been *challenging.* You guys definitely deserve a break for awhile!

Linsey said...

um yeah, everyone has really great hair in these pictures...that's a miracle in my house and we only have one female

I'm glad you're in the center of the happiness bullseye right now, heaven knows you've earned it.

Lisa-Marie said...

You deserve to have caught a break. But more than "catch" it, I think you have earned it. You and Ryan work so hard at making your home and life what it is; HAPPY!

Gorgeous pictures. You are smokin' hot. Seriously. Hot hot hot!

Kimberly said...

AMAZING pictures. You look fabulous. I envy your current stage of feeling in control. Enjoy it!

rachel said...

wow your family is gorgeous!!!

Annemarie said...

Excellent recap!
You look beautiful and the pics are amazing!

Jacki said...

This post makes me want to have 4 more kids. Wow, the whole idea looks so easy and so pretty.

"but Ryan’s best when he’s wearing himself out" will have to be my motto for Brooks too. I haven't been able to put it so eloquently (when I say something like that it usually takes the tone of "you better rest or you are going to DIE and there is no way I am raising kids as a single mother!") but I am going to try your way next time.

Valynne said...

Cutest family ever!

Laurie said...

Nice summary worked into the beautiful pictures.

I can't believe your school starts at 9:00. Mine have to be out the door at 7:50.

Lauren in GA said...

Those pictures are so fantastic...each and every one. You look so beautiful, Jessica and I love your outfit.

I am so happy for you that you are on top of your game. That is such a beautiful feeling.

Gabi worded it perfectly...your family...each and every one of you are exceptionally gorgeous.

Celia Fae said...

My, what a lot of (beautiful) children you have.

You always look terrific, your husband is obviously virile, and I'm glad you are doing well. Paige told me about your (pregnant pee) success. Good job.

Jeanelle said...

This post just made me happy and want to come hang out with your kids (although, maybe not sac mtg with Faith.) Fabulous pictures!

Anonymous said...

beautiful photos jessica. just perfect. love your legs girl! you look fab and happy!

Tristan said...

Gorgeous family! Gorgeous pictures!!

I love your outfit! So cute! The pictures of you and Ryan are awesome, you guys make a great couple!

Fun post!

Tammy said...

Excellent photos and they capture everyone perfectly. I am soooo thrilled to hear you are doing wonderfully. As if I ever doubted that things would be great, soon. I am sending a whole new batch of clothes so get ready! :) Big hugs

katie said...

Beautiful pics! So glad things are going well for you!

Margaret said...

Jessica. I love these sum up posts. I am way lame on my family blog lately. I need to combine but then I need to find the time to do that even...

You make having 5 kids seems easier. But 4 is still a full on workout for me.

These pictures are so amazing! Truly.

brooke romney said...

Are you kidding? YOu got that many people to look that good for that many pictures? I love them! YOu look great too...so impressed, as always.

mandy* said...

I want to be just like you when I grow up. The pictures turned out Ah-mazing!!!

Bethany said...

The pictures look great and so does everyone- you all just go together. My fav pic is the last one- everyone is showing their own unique side- that's so Romney!

elizabeth scott said...

Mckennah and Cecily loved looking at the pictures with me. I didn't know my mom was visiting. I liked diane's comment. You look happy!

Carie said...

Completely GORGEOUS. Stunning.

(love the update too.)

Brooke said...

Every picture is great!! You all look great and Jessica I love your hair. I'm glad life is good right now, I'm glad there's good seasons in all our lives. I can't wait to see you guys!

Erin said...

Beautiful! Love the post and love your bangs still.

Lauren in GA said...

I had to come back because I forgot to tell you how wonderful it is that Ryan loves his new job. It really is such a miracle.

And, of course, I wanted to ogle your pictures again...

You have the greatest eyes, cheekbones and your legs look awesome in those standing up shots.

Okay, that is all...as you were...

Unknown said...

Sounds like a peak at the ETERNAL concept!!
THESE r the golden years, the time is busy and
flies, but the memories fill boxes and boxes to
"go thru later!" Enjoy! And... the baby fat is GONE!!?
CONGRATS on living GOOD! Aloha, it's A. J'net on
Jesse's computer back in Bountiful, going thru boxes for grpa/grma who r moving into assisted living...
It's all good!

kara jayne said...

not sure it's possible to get better family photos. you guys are gorgeous, adorable, cute, fun and all that other good stuff. now help me with the color coordinating of our family pictures!!! i may just copy you!

crystal said...

You are SO losing weight! Go you! You look gorgeous & happy and vibrant. I love that first photo of you & Ryan where the 2 of you are looking off away from the camera.

Adrianne said...

Amazing pictures, you all look fantastic. Emma looks so old = she's totally changed this summer. And I'm so glad to hear you are back on top!! I need to call you now.

Ilene said...

You and your family are looking fabulous. The happiness is radiating out of you guys. Beautiful pictures.

Relish this time of happiness. Heck, rub it on and roll around in it for awhile.

zeeny said...

OK, lets be honest, I'm jealous! I want to lose weight and feel in control and I want really cute family pictures! Maybe someday!

Nancy said...

you guys look great! i'm so glad things are good for you... you deserve it!

Hazen5 said...

Those pictures are to die for! Glad I got to catch up on the family.

Anisa said...

wow! you guys look amazing!

Erika said...

AMAZING pictures!! What a beautiful family. That little Faith's eyes are to die for!