Girls Camp with the Fourth Years

Girl's Camp this year was awesome. I worked with some fabulous people. Pres. and Leanne Rothlisberger were a blast to work with. They aren't big on camping much, but I think they had a great time. Well, that is except for the really bad sprained ankle, sleeping on rocks, waking up to the sound of a bear (Pres. woke his own self up with the sound of his snoring), and being physically exhausted.

I encouraged Leanne to step out of her box and do things she normally wouldn't do, like sing in front of the whole camp, do a Charlie's Angels kick on stage, and basically act crazy for a whole week. She was a good sport.

Sister Kristin Wheeler was our other partner in crime. She was awesome. She was crazy too and totally enjoyable to be around. We are BFF's now. We were sad that she had to leave early to go spend time with her family. We really could hardly believe she would choose them over us:)

Ben was my favorite adult on the trip. He carried our tent for us, and our stove. He pitched our tent and cooked all of our food for the two of us. He taught the girls about purifying water and he had a great time teasing everyone.

When we had to wade across the water with our packs, he carried his then came back and got mine. He was awesome. I couldn't have done it without him, especially being 14 weeks pregnant.

This is our group of amazing girls. We had 15 girls and two YCL's come with us. We decided that coming down was way harder with those packs on our backs, but with two exceptions, they all did it. Coming out the next morning was easier and every single girl carried their own pack the whole way. It was one mile straight down the edge of a valley and then one mile straight back up. We had figurative and literal angels with us because that was one of the hardest things I have ever done and probably the hardest thing any of them have ever done. My muscles were still hurting 5 days after we came out.

After coming out of West Clear Creek, we drove a few miles north to Blue Ridge Reservoir for some canoeing. What a blast. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. Ben and I instigated a water fight and then the girls attempted to overturn one another's canoes. One turned over and even for all their efforts, they could not find the strength to get it upright. They ended up swimming it back to the dock. We were wet and happy.

Marly is one of my favorite reasons I like to be at camp. I love watching her interact with the other girls in her ward and stake. She has many friends and her love and concern for them is so sweet. She might be a little drama at times, but so is her dad:) I like being on the stake staff so that I'm not right in her face all the time, but I am around.

These are her fabulous leaders who took time from their own families to spend a week with the young women in our ward. They were so good to the girls and I'm priveleged to associate with these fine women. One of them announced they were pregnant. She was an even bigger trooper than me cause at 9 weeks, I was still throwing up and sleeping too much to go to camp. Kudos to you, you prego camper!!



Sister Kristen Gillespie, Courtney, Jordan, and myself. Courtney and Jordan were the two 4th hears from our ward. I loved getting to know them better and spend quality time with them.

Our theme was Faith and our value color was white. We took on the Charlie's Angels theme with our own twist. I think that sometimes we underestimate what our youth are capable of. This week with those girls proved to be a blessing to me. As future RS Presidents, YW leaders, Primary teachers, mothers, wives, etc., these girls are going to bless the lives of those around them tremendously. I am in awe of their desire to choose what is right and good over things of the world. I have come from the experience inspired and proud of these future women. They are amazing. I hope I get to go next year, hint, hint.

Happy Birthday Anny!!

She's finally made it to the ripe old age of 1!!!

She joined our family on June 23, 2008, very early in the morning. We were enjoying a quiet sunday afternoon nap when my water broke and we went to the hospital. Of course, no contractions on my own, so I had to be induced. A quick labor and she arrived. This is Anny and myself on her blessing day. She is wearing the same dress I wore when I was blessed.

I swear I am not exaggerating when I say she has been smiling from the first moment I met her. She has a contagious smile that I can't get enough of.

She is so easy going and enjoys being outdoors with the family. She likes hiking, camping, swimming, going for walks, football games, baseball games, whatever, she likes being outside.

She has the most beautiful, thick, luscious hair that I have ever seen on any child. I have already trimmed it twice to try and keep it out of her eyes.

She was barely sitting up when she got her first ponytail.

Most everyone knows that she was born without fingers on her right hand. Ben and I were made aware at our 20 week ultrasound that this was the case and I have to admit it freaked us out a little. But, since she was born, we have had no need to worry. She uses her right hand as much as her left and when something doesn't work as well as she'd like, she figures out how to make it work. She is pretty industrious. I like to think that what she lacks in fingers, Heavenly Father multiplied in personality. She is quite the baby.

I wanted Anny long before she joined our family. I just didn't realize how much until she arrived.

A few things about Anny on her birthday:

She says "Hi" when she sees other children or people she knows.

She says a few words like "ba-ba" while she waves goodbye

and "na-na" when she is going to sleep.

She knows who her "pa - pa" is (Grandpa Whetten)

She knows the sound a dog makes is "ruf."

Her best friend is mom, just ask her.

She loves mom the most, but sometimes it is dad.

She loves bananas and avocados, pasta, green beans, and pretty much everything you put on her high chair. She drinks her milk from a sippy cup by herself.

She knows sign language for milk, more, please, and eat.

She sleeps with a pet tiger named Whiskers.

When she wants her diaper changed, she hits it and says "pai -pa."

She nods her head yes and shakes her head no at the correct times.

She loves to dance and listen to music.

She hasn't had an ear infection since getting her tubes in her ears.

This girl is so full of love, I don't know what we were thinking, waiting so long to have her. Happy Birthday to a sweet girl.

We love you!!

Whetten Family Reunion 09

Warning: Picture Overload!!!

These two people are the reason we get together every summer and go camping. Bill and Carolyn Whetten are the proud parents of 6 children and from those children there are 4 spouses, 16 grandchildren plus 3 currently pregnant daughters, and four dogs. So, in pictures, here is a recap of the long weekend near Forest Lakes with all 27 of us and 4 dogs.

The food was wonderful, it got a thumbs up. My favorites are Donny and Deanna's dutch oven peach cobbler, Matt and Candice's apple pancakes with apple syrup, and our family's fry bread. Unfortunately, I don't like to cook the fry bread while camping, so we're thinking of something different next year.

Melissa's dog Mr. Bono

Donny and Deanna's dog Esse. He got lost but then found, luckily he didn't suffer the same fate as Attaka last year. RIP

This is Luke, Donny and Deanna's new dog.

Sorry, but I don't have a picture of Lacey, Candice and Matt's dog. There were lots of babies to be held. This is Baby Jason and Grandma. Anny and Afton Candice and Tristan Luke, Anny, Me, and Cole Joe and Cole
Camping does wear some of us out more than others. I just wish kids understood the beauty of taking a nap on a cot or mattress and how much more comfortable it is.While shooting, this butterfly landed on Katy's shoulder. They said it sat there for a few minutes before flying away. Marly spent a lot of time sleeping and reading. She is an excellent camper.

We went to the fish hatchery. Too many fish in a too small tank. Kinda like trying to squeeze all the Johnson family into our camper. Glad we brought tents.

Katy is our greatest camper. She never complains, she sleeps with Tawny in a tent by themselves, she wears flip flops the whole time, and she entertains herself so well. Of course, having Afton there is just a bonus for her. She loves hanging with the cousins.

I don't like the wind or being cold, but Anny doesn't seem to mind it. She could muster up a smile on demand. She hated being held all weekend, but I have a thing about getting dirty. You can't get down and roam while camping unless you can walk. She can't, so she sits on laps. She hated it and since she couldn't get any energy out through the day, she did not sleep well. Poor baby, that meant Ben didn't sleep well either. He is the camp mom since I do it at home.

Ben and Tawny enjoying some time in front of the campfire.

Skylar and Drew enjoying some bonding time at the fish hatchery.

Anny loves her Katy.

This is what our men look like at the end of four days of camping with all those women. Can't wait till next year!!

Apparently I have no feelings and I just don't understand

I am so sick of people saying that I don’t understand or that their life is so much harder than mine is. I don’t think I am one of those that goes around apologizing for all the things I can’t do because there are so many things going on in my life that I just can’t do them all. If I do, someone please let me know. Life is about choices and with every choice there is a consequence either for good or for bad. Every choice I make is made of my own free will. I am not forced to provide each of my children the opportunity to play a sport, learn a musical instrument, do their chores, etc., Nobody forces me to waste time on FaceBook or blogs. I do it by choice. Does it make my life busy and complicated? Yes. Does that mean that other less important things have to be pushed aside? Yes. Does this mean that I expect others to pick up the slack for my family because my life is busy and hard? No.

My point is, that if your life is too hard or too complicated, do something about it. I don’t enjoy listening to you complain about how hard things are or that I need to understand where you are coming from or why I should pick up your slack because of the choices you have made. It is called accountability. I know this is a tough concept for some to grasp, but every time you make a choice to do something, there will be a consequence. If you complain that you don’t have enough money to make ends meet, you might need to start buying your groceries at WalMart instead of the organic food store. If you don’t have enough money to pay your mortgage, consider turning off your cable/satellite television or cell phone. If you don’t have enough time in your day to accomplish important tasks, consider turning off the t.v. or just watching less. If you are constantly robbing Peter to pay Paul, consider taking cheaper or no vacations.

I’ve been thinking really hard about this and the only exception I can see are unforeseen tragedies; death, divorce, job loss, etc. I mean really tragic things. These can throw a loop in your life that you aren’t prepared for. This is the time when it is totally appropriate to come to the aid of our families, friends, neighbors, and perfect strangers.

I can also consider depression an exception for a little while. I don’t think I could have said that a few years ago until I experienced it myself. My post partum was slight and I don’t even know that I confessed it to anyone but I suffered deeply and quietly. The difference is, that I figured out what to do about it. You might need to consider drugs although I reserve that for severe cases. Once you notice it, do something about it. Don’t just sit there and suffer. Figure out what makes you feel better and do it. Don’t complain about it.

One of my favorite movie lines comes from the John Cusack movie Say Anything. Lloyd is having a conversation with his sister whose husband has left her and their toddler son. Lloyd lives with his sister while finishing his senior year in high school. She is extremely unhappy with her life. Lloyd says, “How hard is it to make a choice to be happy and then BE happy?” His sister sarcastically replies, “Gee, it’s easy.” I am not saying that it is easy, but it is a choice and with that choice comes a good consequence.

Bad things happen. We all suffer little setbacks occasionally. But, if you are constantly in a state of explaining to people that your life is so hard and trying to get people to understand, you might need to reflect on that for a while and consider what you might be doing different to improve your life. I’m off my soapbox now. I don’t mean to be harsh, but I needed to vent that.

I am not sure I'm ready to be the mother of eight!

Well, here is the post I’ve been procrastinating for about a month.

We Are Pregnant!

(and when I say we, believe me, it affects everyone in this house)

It has taken me some time to come to terms with it and here are my reasons why:

1. I don’t feel like the stereotypical mother of 7, let alone the soon to be mother of 8. What is the stereotype you ask? I don’t home school my kids, my house isn’t always dirty (just sometimes), we don’t eat granola everyday, and I don’t feel like I’ve let myself go to the point that I don’t care anymore (I have worn t-shirts and sweats my whole life). Having said that, I don’t know any moms of that many kids who fit the stereotype, so I don’t know why I think that. And, I know quite a few moms who have more than 7 children, so what is my hangup? It’s all in my head, I guess.

2. I know I said that I was most likely done when I had Anny. Those of you who know me, might have wondered at the truth of that statement because some of you haven’t been surprised at the news. I think the truth is that I have such a hard time the first few months that I tried to talk myself out of being pregnant again. I always knew there was one more.

3. I have a son who is ready to start his senior year and a daughter who will be a freshman in high school. I sometimes fear that my older children don’t get the attention they deserve. Having said that, I don’t make my kids work during the school year which requires me to pay for everything they want to do from prom to gas money, to sports, to movies. I volunteer at the high school as often as I can, this is something I don’t do as often when they are little. I attend EVERY function I possibly can, even if I think they are a waste of my time. I rely on them a lot for running errands and babysitting. I never want them to feel like they are the “other parents” to their younger siblings. Whether they know it or not, I struggle with this everytime I ask them to babysit.

4. I had a stake president tell me that he was thinking about my future (he knew me super well) and he saw me and my husband serving a mission and he saw my little girls with us. Well, when I had Katy and Tawny, I thought they were those little girls. When I had Anny, I had to assume it was Tawny and Anny. Now that I’m pregnant again, I have to assume it is a girl, but what if it isn’t? What if I have a boy? I am embarrassed to say that I worry about it. It isn’t that I wouldn’t welcome a boy, I just have it in my head that my last kids are all going to be girls. Maybe my son was there, he just didn’t see him.

5. I never want to be at the point where I rely on others to help me take care of my family. I rarely ask for help from extended family, meaning, I have even paid one of the YW in the ward to watch my kids when I needed it, instead of asking family members. I sometimes worry that the more kids I have, the more “needy” I become. Again, I think it is all in my head because I hardly see myself as “needy.”

6. I also worry that I don’t have time to do the things that I really want to do. I don’t make it to the temple as often as I’d like (nursing baby or sickness), I require a lot of sleep, which means I’m not so great at getting our kids up for prayers or scripture study when it isn’t a school day, and I feel like I am never going to finish my college degree I started 20 years ago. But, I am trying.

I’m glad I got that out. I have two requests of you now: 1 - No comments on this post, I don’t know how to turn that feature off. And 2 - I gave away all my maternity clothes a year ago and I am looking to recycle your cast offs. I don’t need them super soon, but have you seen my belly? My body knows what it means to be pregnant…quickly. I promise to take good care of them and if you put your name on the tag, I will return them to you when I am done. If you don’t want them back, I will pay it forward to someone who can use them. I wear M-L 8-10. Thanks for your support.

Happy 6th Birthday to my "other" baby Tawny!!

We call her our "other" baby because she was the baby for five years before Anny came along. Tawny has a hard calling in life being #6 in a large family. She has to tag along to everything cause she just isn't quite old enough to participate in much and still too little to get left at home. She is looking forward to getting older so she can do more stuff, like the bigger kids get to. What she doesn't realize is that she needs to relish her time with her mom and dad right now cause she doesn't see how quickly she is growing and changing. She is such a beautiful and kind girl. She tries to choose the right and only wants to play with good friends. She loves to go to primary and loves to go to kindergarten. She loves her teacher, Mr. Santor like you wouldn't believe. She even asked him for his cell phone number just in case she needed to talk to him...and he gave it to her. Although, she's never had a reason to call. She is a straight A student academically, but also enjoys and does well her music, computers, library, etc.

Here are a few favorites of Tawny:

She loves to eat apples. Last week, she had an apple for dinner and then an apple for dessert. For her class today, she took cut up apples and caramel dipping sauce.

She doesn't mind sleeping. We had to adjust her bedtime halfway through the school year and she went to bed at 7:15. She rarely complained (until recently since it is still light outside then) and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was sound asleep. When she is tired, she just lays down and goes to sleep. She's so much like her mom.

She desperately wants to be a part of whatever Katy is doing. This is her as the dog in this week's talent show. She didn't actually sing, she just barked while Katy and Megan D. sang "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?"

She is super creative. She invited Jordan C. over to help decorate this really great box and turn it into her own playhouse. She is always making me pictures, cards, posters,e tc. to hang around my desk. She must have played in this box for weeks.

I already said that she loves school, but she was even afraid to take her first ditch day because she said, "What if I miss learning about something?" It didn't take long for her to figure out that one day wasn't going to hurt her as long as it didn't happen very often.

Tawny was named after Louis Steven's best friend Tawny in the t.v. show that was so popular back in 2001 called Even Stevens. I think the name just fits her.

Her best friend is Miranda, who lives down the street. She loves to get on her bike and ride down there to play. I consider Karolee practically her second mom, since they are there so much.

She loves her cousin Merrek, who is three days older than her. They have practically grown up together since they live so close.

We love you Tawny, hope you have a great day.

Small Request

We are only $25 short of our $1000 goal in raising money for the American Cancer Society. If anyone is willing, we would love to achieve our goal. I figure if 5 people could contribute $5, that would be easier than one person with $25...but I'd take it. Thanks in advance!!

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Hornets4Relay

Update: We have reached our goal and surpassed it!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!