A Day

Exchange: When looking at the state of my kitchen and remembering my mental to-do list late in the day.
Me-"I haven't done anything today!!!"
Xela-"Yeah, and it's p.m."
(Thanks for the reinforcement...wait, she remembered the school lesson I taught a month ago!!)

Comment: While playing a card game with the family, out of the blue she said,
Anne-"Mom, the Never Ending Story ends!"
(You're 3. I don't think I got that until adulthood, haha)

Declaration: She was full from breakfast and wanted to get up and play.
Me-"You can finish your oatmeal now, or you can save it for later."
Charlotte-"I don't want to eat it later. It will be all crunchy and wunchy!"
(I am a lover of made up words and Charly comes up with a lot of them)
 

Living Dream: I asked him if he could do something for me.
Joe-"As you wish"
:))

Delight: Picking her up after every naptime
Claira- *giggles* smiles *squeals*

Mirror Thought: After washing my hair for the first time in 3 weeks.
Jenni- My hair looks awesome! 
(I've transitioned to "no-poo" (no shampoo, just the baking powder and acv rinse) and I never knew my hair could be so awesome all on it's own.) #imabeliever

We love the Giggle

Here's our latest teebeegee n'bee video. We gave a cheer when completed, especially because, tomorrow Claira is 5 months old!!

It's been snowing off and on here in Minnesota. It sure does look pretty!! Thankfully we've had our turn being sick and now we're well enough to to go Church. A highlight of the week!

Joe and I celebrated our 8th (woo-hoo!) anniversary by taking a rain-check! haha. He was sick, the 3 older girls were sick so we took it easy. Joe got me a new coffee grinder to grind my flax seed (omega's and acts as a binder instead of eggs) and it works awesome! He also surprised me with a Health DVD I've wanted and a Raw cookbook!

I like this picture. Joe and the girls with his parents!

Out in the first snow

 Besides all of the movies we've watched lately, because our kids have a hard time containing their energy when sick, we've managed to have some real fun. Anne got a game for Christmas: The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game, wherein every time we've played it a plastic acorn has gone missing!! It's super odd because we keep the house clean and organized and they are pretty big acorns. We are wondering if one of the few resident squirrels that live in our trees are actually coming in our house at night to play a game on us! haha

Curlers in their hair :)

Claira is growing to be such a big girl :) She's 4 months now. She smiles a lot, gives giggles when tape is dispensed (another story!), enjoys watching her sisters, making sure Daddy knows she's there and has great naps! Unlike the rest of my babies, she will take the pacifier and enjoys ever so much more stuffing things into her mouth! Her thumb being her new favorite :)

Happy as can be!

 Xela's ability to learn amazes me. Most things I teach her do not take lots of times of explaining for her to get it. She's keen to things around her and is growing up so beautifully!! I have a 7 year old?! Both she and Charlotte have taken me off gaurd lately. Those times when it seems they grow up and are more mature over night. Wow! Charly was the last of the bunch to get sick. She still finds reasons to laugh and joke when she can. Anne is at the stage where pushing people's buttons is the "thing" to do. It could be worse, really, it could be worse. We have little respect talks during the day. I think (hope) she won't be in this phase long!

Great Check-up at the Dentist!

 Joe is with a friend tonight at a book signing of a new favorite author. Brandon Sanderson, I believe. Joe really likes to play games. I mean really. Funny thing is we've been married for 8 years, and I just got this. Well, better late than never. He's been receiving Dominion and it's expansions for gifting times of the year. He is up to date on all of them. Lately we've been playing it at least 3 nights a week if not more. I do like to play it with him after the girls go to bed. Claira sits on our laps and plays too! Well, we try not to let her bend and slobber on the cards ;)

Joe won this round!

 Did I mention I was called as the ward librarian? This was not too long after my talk on Mother's Day and being "for real" about the challenges of motherhood and the belief that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be strengthened when we feel weak. The member of the bishopric who extended the calling said they talked about it and thought it would be a good fit. Sunday calling...kids can be around...little pressure...Boy was I excited!!! The library is in total need of organization. I can't help it, I LOVE it. I love talking with people when they come in to get scriptures, pictures, a copy! I love I can be crafty with the bulletin board and tell about the resources the library has to offer! I am so thankful for this calling!

Post ya later!

Jenni

Here I am!!!

     Here I am, as promised, stepping it up Trista! I can see why it's hard to keep up the blog. But it is worth it if I can squeeze in the time :) And I'm committing to! Goodness, I have so much to say. So much that I think about. Family life to share...
     My labor and delivery of Claira post is almost finished. Just because I like to write and I am EXTREMELY PICKY about my word usage and the ORDER of words that I usually comb through it just shy of 100 times before I feel comfortable posting it. It becomes a detailed journal of my memory, and for Claira's, that I spend so much time on it. Sooner or later it will appear.

     I'm in the middle of catch-up sewing projects today. Joe and I are attending the temple tonight. It is my 8 year anniversary of attending the temple for the first time for myself. I've got a three month old babe on my lap holding my arms. Charlotte has a head band on to keep the hair out of her eyes. Anne needs a new outfit because she's got peanut butter on it in several places, and Xela is leading her sisters in play. Wait...the head band's off...there we go. Fingers in the nose...there might be more than peanut butter on her clothes. "No...I don't want your sisters following you on top of the dressers then jumping down." And my sweet babe is content in my arms, with a little yawn.

        Most of the time I'm dressed in super comfy clothes, hair up and wild strays, yeah, and no make-up.  I am a homebody. I love my home. Our little brown shoebox!! We live in the home I wanted most of all, without a dishwasher. Blah, blah, I know :) Why do I have the need to share this. I don't know?! Here's the link to my personal blog. http://jennileblack.blogspot.com  A recent creation. I was asked to give a talk, someone cancelled, I had a week. A talk that heaven helped, and it touched my heart, because it was more than I tried on my own.
   
       Thanksgiving was great. We chose to have it with ourselves. It still feels like novelty to do so! With Charlotte's dairy allergy and my choice of creating mock meat (it's pretty fun. I recently did meatloaf and boy was it good!) it's almost easier!

        But before Thanksgiving we had Claira's blessing. Joe's parents flew in on Nevada Day (AKA Halloween). Joe and his dad went out with the girls. Then it was 5 more days of grandchildren fun! The loved being spoiled and read to, played and joked with. Joe's sister and her family came and my parents came also for the blessing. It was a great time. Claira, does not like to be held out away from the body. Joe knew this and I reminded him of it. I expected a vocal baby for the blessing. She did not disappoint! What a precious babe!!
       

 

       All my babies had birthdays. Xela turning 7, Charlotte 5,  and Anne 3. Wonderful days full of streamers and cake. Presents and love. How did I get so lucky to have 4 great girls?!!

For those who are interested, a new post was up a little while back on the eShefe' page. Click the box link on the right see my two cents on how to start, or continue healthy (non commercially processed) food eating.

I think I'd better go for now...post ya later!!

Love,
Jenni and the Family

A Wee Babe

I apologize for not posting this sooner! It has been a blessed month!

We welcomed a sweet baby girl into our family on September 7th. She was born at 6:26 pm, was 7 pounds 3 oz and 20 1/4 inches long. Her name is Claira Akilina Black. It was a memorable labor and delivery. Everyone is healthy and doing great. Her older sisters (and parents) think she's adorable :)

Sweet Tiny Baby

All Snuggly

Joe and His Girls

Love,
Jenni

September

When I lay down, sometimes the girls ask me if I'm having contractions. They are just so excited to have a baby brother/sister and a babysitter while we're at the hospital! This is the month the baby arrives!!! Excited and open to how this labor and delivery will unfold. We finally came up with a girls name. I like it. Boys names to me are so much easier...

In the picture on the right, what the baby is doing, I don't know. This has been the most easy/entertaining/ticklish/random pain pregnancy of the 4. I mean, have you ever had charly horses on the back of your legs, just for walking?

I've consistently measured small this pregnancy. The baby is growing normal and everything checks out great on the ultrasound, yet I really believe this baby wants to bulk up before the birth, because for the past few days because all I want to do eat, eat, eat after a full meal!!


Here are my little caterpillars in their cocoons. We've been doing more cut and glue crafts together and that has been fun. Xela is super helpful with her sisters and I really appreciate her willingness to give mommy a hand!

Charlotte took this next picture. We think it's so cute that in about half of her pictures, her darling little foot makes an appearance :)




I love taking teaching moments. Whether it is with homeschooling or teaching Jesus' gospel from the scriptures, times like these are the spice of life! Xela had some questions on the way to Church a few weeks ago about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. So the girls and I prepared pictures from studying the Scriptures, For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, True to the Faith and the Family Home Evening Manual.

We held our own family meeting that evening with Charlotte conducting. It was so much fun hearing the girls give discourses! The thing that was surprising to me about re-learning about what it means to keep the Sabbath Day "straight from the horses mouth" in research, is that keeping the Sabbath Day Holy it is less about what we shouldn't be doing and more about what we should be doing on the special day. We felt the Spirit testify the truth and we have found new purpose in our day. Interestingly enough, they have become more of a mellow, purposeful, pleasant day. (I didn't say perfect :)

Takin' picture of the belly

Happy Girl Charly

Waiting for a Pancake breakfast

Xela loves to draw dragons, bats, whales...
 I think she draws better than I do!

My Gold Medal Girl

Anne's "Shake-ah, shake-ah" Olympic Event

Giving a silly face

My latest craving. I'm getting pretty good at healthy homemade ranch!

Charlotte is back on a strict diet due to a flair up with her eczema/allergies. Being strict is almost like a reset of the body to keep her stomach away from things she has a mild allergy to. After the 4 weeks is done, we can begin to re-introduce foods. She'll be happy when it's over. She's a real trooper about it, that's saying a lot, because she's our pickiest eater :)

Joe's bridge was put into place on the 18th and that was exciting to be able to watch over the internet. We are happy to have him home more in the evenings.

I appreciate others honesty in their blogs. Reading similar joys and frustrations of being a stay at home mother I identify with and experience too. The challenges are similar and certain children's temperaments are quite identical, that I take a sigh of relief knowing I'm trying my best being in the same boat. Thank you for sharing your life with me!

Just a few Pictures

I was sitting there deep in thought, when *snap* she caught me. Charlotte is the picture taker. And I love her infectious laugh when she feels she's caught something funny on camera. "Mom, can I take a picture of your belly?" Of course she could. Picture taking is not one of the things I'm stellar to remember and I want to show this new baby someday what "the belly" looked like.

Yes, my cliche' shirt says, "I love my Hubby." Pink as can be and I found it at a second hand store, like new, for 2 bucks. Because I started out this pregnancy smaller than any of my others, I needed some 'new' shirts. And since I don't go many places, ok, well, I've worn this in public...and I can't help it, I really love Joe.

Sunday marks the 36th week for "the belly" and I begin my weekly appointments! I hope to get at least one more blog post in before then, but we'll see!

And because of this lovely belly and an opportunity to repay a friend for watching my children a few times, I watched hers for two days (so she could go to Girls Camp) that my Chruch investigator friend Jackie, came to help. Some days I only have enough energy to use the bathroom and give meals to myself and the girls. So 5 extra kids was going to be tricky. Thanks to Jackie, all went well. The girls LOVE these 4 boys and girl. They would be in heaven if we were next door neighbors.

Bored games, toy room, books, the Wii, and a party is what we did. Since Xela's birthday is December 24th, and don't want her to grow up resenting it, I gave her the option to have a birthday party in the summer with friends, etc. Myself and Joe more are used to family birthday parties...lets just say,  when Xela the evening before the second day said, "Since we're having friends over tomorrow, can we have my party then?" I was relieved and excited!! While she played and read books in the other room the next day, I whipped up a batch of cupcakes (ok, whipped is not the right word. They were healthy and from scratch. I had to make sure children who were not used to eating whole wheat things would think they were birthday worthy), hung streamers and got (unhealthy, hehe) pizza for lunch. She came out of the room surprised, we sang happy birthday and she had a lovely time. Happy Birthday Xela!!!

On a day when the girls and I took Joe to work for an appointment we went visiting teaching, saw a friend who recently had a baby, and we visited 2 of my former Young Women. They played hide-and-seek with them, then we went inside where their dad brought out his instruments and the girls sang, strummed and tooted. I so wish I would have had my phone ready to video. Kevin, the dad, asked Charlotte to make up a song. She strummed and sang a song about a squirrel that puts my 'think on the spot' ability to shame. We had a good laugh!

And here is Xela giving a nice pose to the camera :) It's funny, we've only seen under a dozen youtube clips of the Olympics, about the only time when I wish we had cable or something, but the girls are having fun doing gymnastics, especially this girl! Jumping off the bed and couch and doing twists and landing right. We've got lots of video of it!  Anne too has joined in, and she does the "shake-ah," where she shakes her hands slow to fast and goes off her bed and lands on her bottom. Another good laugh for all of us.



Charlotte's eye appointment went well. Her eyes are correcting themselves, kind of a lazy eye thing, and she has exercises we (should) do everyday.

Here is Joe and Anne. Who calls herself Annie most of the time, because I do, and Daddy. Joe's resting after a looong days work and Anne decided to rest with him and a xylophone :)

"Daddy's Fire Truck!" Anne calls it. For his construction rotation they gave him this truck to use. So when we need the car for the day, we drop him off about 10 minutes from our house to the Bridge Office parking lot and he takes it to his work site. Things are winding up for him on the site as the time counts down to the bridge move! After August 18th, his schedule should go back to normal. Yippee!!!

And I sign off til next time with two things we've made. The girls were "Bakers" with their aprons on, getting their hands in the dough rolling balls.

The  girls and I made Whole Wheat Glazed Donuts

These Homemade Granola Bars last us 1-2 weeks. Super easy and they really hit the spot. (I don't use the website, but HeavenlyHomemakers.com is where it came from)

Jenni and Family