Playdate!

Well, today my husband told the kids that if they got all of their chores done and helped clean up the house, after lunch they could have some friends over. And... he invited two families of kids (only 5 altogether) that live close by. I wasn't feeling all that chipper and looked at him in amazement. He repeated himself to the kids and off they went!

After lunchtime was over, it was time. I slipped out of the house for an hr to run some errands and came back to a house-full of kids, all dressed up, music blaring, and all craziness had broke loose! And what I soon came to realize was that this was not exactly a playdate for my kids, but... rather a playdate for my husband.

"Ahhhhhhh", he yelled as he chased them through the family room. Nerf darts were flying from every corner, and little ballet-and-cheerleading princesses were dodging bullets from every angle. There were 11 children in my living room! And he was the biggest one of all! :]

After working nights for the past three nights, he usually takes a nap while the kids go down for a nap. But, today, I guess he had more energy than normal. Even when I can't muster the energy to play with the kids, I can ALWAYS count on Jason to pick up the slack. I hope these kids remember one thing after leaving our house... Brother Pannell is FUN and CRAZY! :]

Friday Night Lights!

My Friday post is quite different this week. Jason is working the night shift now, so tonight we are fatherless and husbandless. After a night of mac & cheese and cool-whip salad (two of my all-time childhood favorites), the kids and I gathered on the couch to kick-off our Friday night Christmas Movie Extravaganza! (Every Friday night, until Christmas, we will huddle on the couch in front of a warm fire and watch some of our favorite Christmas movies together, well, without Dad :[ that is.) But, we started a little early, and the kids just weren't ready for bed yet. So, I let them chose how they wanted to spend the rest of OUR date night.

As I lie on the couch watching the night unfold in front of me, I can't help but smile and chuckle inside. The only light on in the house is the sparkling of the half-burned fire and the bright, colored Christmas tree lights. The sounds of Christmas music can be heard from EVERYWHERE in the house. And five little children are dressed up as sugar plum fairies (equipped with pink or purple tutus, sparkles, furry scarfs, and too-small-for-most-of-them-dress-up-shoes), DANCING and TWIRLING their little hearts out in the firelight. And when I say FIVE little sugar plum fairies, I am not excluding the boys. Oh, what a sight! Oh, what joy they are having! Oh, to be young, and silly, and not to have a care in the world! I am relishing EVERY minute.

I had to sneak away to journal this quickly, but once I return, I am sure that I will not have missed a beat. I should have snapped a few pictures, but these little videos of happy children dancing are etched in my head. I have plenty a picture of dress-up kids, including my boys. This time I will keep the memory tucked in my mind and close to my heart! Oh, how I wish their Dad were here. But, I am not sure this would be happening if he were. Such sweet and bitter bliss! Sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride, and soak in all of the scenery along the way! :]

THANKS-GIVING!

This year we had Thanksgiving at our house, which was a first, and was a little hectic and crazy at times (especially being 11 weeks pregnant and trying to hide it). Be we had a great time, as always - staying up late, laughing, playing games, and just being together. Jason's whole family got to be here and that was super exciting and fun! We had a great time. I am so grateful for family. Jason's family is wonderful and I am grateful to have married into a fun-loving, spontaneous, crazy, game-playing, sarcastic, prank-scaring bunch! It keeps me on my toes and keeps me laughing. Just a few picts...

Jason's older brother, Michael. His wife - Jaime, and two kids - Hannah (3) and Gavin (7 months)

***This is where Jason falls in the family***

Then his sister, Jody. Her husband - Arron. There four children: Lexie (5), Ethan (4), Josilyn (22 months), and Jackson (10 months)

Next, his brother, Scott. His wife - Carly. Their son - Spencer (15 months)

Then, Amber, his sister. Her husband - Jordan. Their daughter - Camryn (7 months)

And last, but not least - his baby sister, Emilee. Single and totally cute! :]

And just think, it all started with these two crazy lovebirds...

And Seven will be Eight...

Well, our little family is going to grow again. Did I say little family? We are getting bigger. And I am, too. That's right. We are expecting a new addition to the family sometime mid-June. Since this is probably (well, I'm hoping anyway unless we get different counsel from the Lord) our last child, and so we are going to let it remain a mystery and not find out what we're having!

We announced to both of our families this last week during Thanksgiving. Since Jason's family was all here, we got to go around the table and say what we are thankful for. Jason started with, "This year I am thankful to have a job. But, what I am most thankful for, is to be 8, instead of 7." Needless to say, the family was totally shocked (probably because we said we were done having children with Emma). I have been hiding it for SEVERAL weeks and finally the news could be out. Wahoo!! No more sucking in my gut and pretending to have a happy face all of the time! I told my family, who was all away, by posting it on our family blog. I have heard a few responses, all positive, but am still waiting for a few to comment!

We told our children for Family Home Evening this last Monday. Naturally, the kids were very excited. Kimberly especially. Now she has sometime to take care of! :] The two older children are assigned to a younger one to assist when mom's hands are full. The system works great and Kimberly has always been caring for herself, but wanting to be a big helper. This will be her chance. Maybe we will end up with the Brady Bunch (if we get Daddy's genes involved), if not, the Blacker genes will take over and we will have another girl! Go, girls! Only time will tell! :]

Choose Friends Carefully!

"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." - Luke 22:32

"Everybody wants friends. Everybody needs friends. No one wishes to be without them. But never lose sight of the fact that it is your friends who will lead you along the paths that you will follow. While you should be friendly with all people, select with great care those whom you wish to have close to you. They will be your safeguards in situations where you may vacillate between choices, and you in turn may save them." - Gordon B. Hinckley

So, today I had an amazing experience with a close friend that I will treasure for the rest of my life. It was a moment where I was able to truly listen to her heart and her righteous desires for sheer kindess, love, and Christ-like charity. All too often we misinterpret, speaking for myself, what charity really is (and if you read in the bible dictionary, there is so much clarity to what charity actually is). For charity is not just the act of service that we do towards another, but is actually the pure love of Christ (which, when felt so powerfully, is what causes men to act in service towards others). I am amazed at the tenderness of her heart, and in spite of opposition, persecution, and negativity, she is able to stand a little taller - because she has a personal relationship with her savior, because she desires to shed the common reactions of the natural man to circumstance, and because she seeks to view others as their Savior sees them.

It is no coincidence that yesterday, in my scripture studies, that I was searching answers pertaining to my particular circumstance, but was coming up empty with what I was seeking answers for. However, I did discover a scripture (or several verses) that ambiguously applied to both of our very different situations. It was fantastic to be able to share my studies with her and that they applied so beautifully to her dilemma. It is also no coincidence that the quote that is referenced above comes from the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley's book "Stand a Little Taller", which is merely a theme, scripture, and quote for every day of the year. This just happens to be the quote for today, November 18, 2008, the very day that I was able to be a friend to a good friend. I read the quote every day, usually in the morning, but for some reason, I didn't read it until tonight. And it was another reaffirmation to me of our discussion today.

I appreciate her for her example, for her testimony, and for her desires to stand as a witness - at all times, in all things, and in all places. And to stand firm, mind you - immovable, always abounding in good works (or consciously trying, anyway) and to stand a little taller everyday. She has been a blessing and inspiration in my life. I am grateful for good friends who lift you up and who aspire you to greater things, who you leave being spiritually lifted up and edified. Truly a great friend is someone who helps you feel closer to the savior, who sees you as a divine child of God, and sees the great uniqueness - though different from us - that the Lord blessed you with.

Emma...

Oh, little Emma. How your birthday has passed. On your birthday, we were scurring to doctor appointments, then to shopping, then traveling up the mountain, then to fixing food for the Ward Dinner Party, then home to find the power out (practice exercise challenge given by our bishop). We celebrated, briefly, but I wanted to post something just for you.

What a treasure and blessing you are to our family. You are such a sweet baby, always serious, yet very mellow. You love your dad, your polk-a-dot blankie, and your binkie. You love to cuddle, and to hold your arms up in there when you want picked up. You talk now. You walk now. You have grown so much in a year. Oh, how we love you so much, especially Megan. She likes to be your "other mother".

I still recall the day that I delivered you, that chilly November day. One of the pipes burst on the third floor, flooding the second floor (which is where I was). It was comical to know that they had shut down the hospital for a few hours (all elevators, stairs, etc). Routinely, I was induced and sat in a hospital for most of the (12 hours min. with almost all of the rest).

My favorite number is seven. Two of your siblings have been born in the 7th hour. And that day was the 7th of November, year 2007. So, I was feeling pretty lucky - hoping you would be around 7 lbs and born in the 7th hour. However, seven o'clock passed and I was still at a 5. Ughh! At a few minutes past eight p.m., I remember feeling like I needed to push. Jason thought I was crazy. Knowing my history of taking forever to dilate, he reassured Jaime on the phone that even though I was feeling the urge, it was still going to be a while.

It wasn't a few more minutes before the nurse checked me again and RAN to get the doctor. He just about didn't get his scrubs on in time. Within moments, you just came into this world. We never knew ahead of time what Heavenly Father was sending, however I had a slight hunch that you might be a girl. I was so glad to see your little healthy body and know that you were finally here! Ah Ha! Now the girls were gonna out number the boys in our home, just like I grew up with!

You have been such a joy in our lives. I can still remember your precious little body curled up on my shoulder. My how the time has past and you have grown. We are so grateful for your sweet spirit in our family. You bring us so much joy and peace.

You gotta love how your older siblings HELP you with EVERYTHING! Yet somehow, you TALKED and WALKED before any of the others, go figure - maybe you are just trying to keep up!

Edit for my day!

So, I have to edit the last post of my day. Seems I posted a little early. So, the one child that is getting into everything puked in her high chair last night at dinner time, and seven more times following that. Ughh! And, the one child that didn't seem to want to obey or listen at all... well, maybe she wasn't feeling well either and just didn't know it, and that was her reaction. Cause, well that one child started hurling an hour after dinner. So, sweet sauce! Three puking daughters - and I mean puking (over and over, and over). One son with a green boogy nose. One son who is relied upon to help out the bunch - because he is in good health (still - for now, anyway!) One mom with little patience, sinus infection, head ache, AND queesy stomache. And one dad - who is surviving it all, helping out as much as possible, with long-suffering, support, and love. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Heavenly Father, THANK YOU! (for a husband with a strong stomache and a desire to be a part of our team!) :]

And as of this morning, well the puking... AND IT CAME TO PASS... and not stay! Thank goodness. So far, so good. But, the mom - ugghhh, sinus headache and yuk!!! :[ And a Dad that is cleaning my house, taking care of ALL of my kids, and completing the HUGE list of HONEY-DO's. I love that man! :]

My Day

Oh, what a day it is today. What a lovely day. One kid has green, runny nose. One kid keeps puking in a bucket. One kid is having a really hard time listening, obeying, and helping today. One kid seems to be great. One kid is getting into everything. The Dad is gone. And the mom... sick, too. Yuck! This day just rocks. Luckily, just a nasty sinus infection, but crappy nonetheless. So, we're great... and sick... and yeah. What a day!

Ready for winter!

So, for the past few weeks (ok, months) we have been spending most of Jason's time off going to go cut wood. The new house that we moved into has a wood fireplace and a wood stove. And, with the winters in the mountains being much colder than in the valley, we knew that we would need several cords of wood to keep us warm all winter (which means snow on the ground from November to May). Bring it on! I loved the mounds of snow we had last year. It was welcomed with much excitement, newness, and enjoyment! However, with this being my first wood-collecting experience, I didn't realize how much WORK goes into getting wood. Holy cow! But, we tried to make it great fun! We involved good friends in the whole process, which we feel blessed to have help us, and we made the best of it! So, after weeks of labor: cutting, hauling, loading, unloading, chopping, and stacking - we have about 6 cords of wood. Under the stairs, there are four rows of wood (you can't tell from this angle). This picture just does not do it justice!

This was my first time, within my memory anyway, that I have ever gone to go cut wood. Gratefully, we purchased a large, commercial saw last year for this very purpose. However, on Jason's last run to get a few cords of Tamarack wood (which they tell us burns hotter and longer), he had a little mishap with the tree. His saw got stock, and in the process of getting it unstuck, as the tree fell... well, it fell right upon the saw. With much discouragement and anger, somehow Jason managed to move the huge tree just enough to remove what was left of his saw. He concluded that we are just not meant to have anything nice or new. So, the rest of the wood has been cut with his little saw he got for his birthday years ago. It takes three times the time and doesn't do the job as easily as his big saw, but we were grateful for a back-up.

Our 1st Wood-cutting Experience

(with the Napier and Jones family)

Bryson & Jason working together.

Bryson with the axe, cutting off the branches, and Jason with the saw, cutting up the logs.

Bryson loves to jump right in and get his hands dirty.

An innocent bystander who, somehow, got dirty???

The kids off exploring while the dads are hard at work.

And lucky Emma... always smothered with kisses!

Are you guessing who the culprit is who dirtied Emma's face?

Good guess! Thanks, Tyler! He's trying to shut her up from telling on him?

Kimberly: collecting some rocks while losing her drawers???

Blake takes Tyler on a journey through the woods.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Can't be superman in the sky!

And Jason... whereever there is work, there is always play! This time it's hide-and-seek!

Another wood-cutting experience with just our family!

Our family theme this year is based upon having unity. Look at this teamwork. We are truly trying to breed it in our family: helping each other makes light work and relieves burdens!

Bryson - being a muscle man!

On our drive, we spotted a moose in the creek about 30 yards from the road. She was not happy to see us stop and take pictures of her. She stomped through the creek, steaming mad, and ran off into the woods. It was quite a site. I have never been this close to a moose before!

Another dirty adventure!

Wood-splitting/stacking party!

(with the Montague family)

Jason & Jared getting a work-out!

The Boys: Bryson and Benjamin stacking wood.

The girls: McKinley, Megan, and Kimberly stacking wood.

All of our little helpers!

Jason finally asked Brother Dean if he could borrow his wood-splitter after splitting about 2 1/2 cords himself. Boy, was he ever grateful for that piece of coveted machinery. Jason has had many problems with his back over the years. Maybe a combination of hanging sheetrock, lifting his quadriplegic brother in-and-out of bed, and moving heavy objects somewhat regularly. So, the wood-splitting, which has always been sheer pleasure and enjoyment to him in years past, started taking a beating on him. He hopes never to have to split another log, unless he has to. That wood splitter saved a huge taxing on his back! Thanks to Brother Dean. Thanks to all those who helped us: loaning us trailers, helping us cut, carry, chop, and stack. We appreciate ALL the work that went into our first winter preparation! We are ready! :]

Happy Halloween!

Well, after weeks of pretty good weather (mountain weather, mind you), today it finally feels like fall. If you look out the window, the wind is blowing the trees and the leaves are falling like rain today. The sky is grey, the air is chilled, the temperature has dropped, the trees are almost naked, and you can almost taste the snow. I have enjoyed our Indian Summer, but today - I feel - it is officially over. Today, is Halloween. It looks like fall. It feels like fall. And tomorrow will bring more signs of winter.

Yesterday the public library had music and story time for the kids that weren't in school. They had the kids dress up in their costumes and then they let the kids make treat bags and gave them healthy snacks to eat. Jaime brought Hannah and we took the bigger, non-school kids over (Hannah, Tyler, and Emma). They had great fun. When it came time to trick-or-treat the front counter of the library on our way out, Tyler couldn't be found. I could not keep track of him. Come to find out, he was back in the craft room getting handfuls of apples. Everytime we went to leave, Tyler disappeared. And... everytime, he was back in the craft room with a mouthful of apples. He even preferred that over the treat.

The kids had today off from school. The local hospital was having a cake walk, face painting, and Healthy Trick-or-Treat activity for the kids. So, I picked up Grandma Lori from work and she went with the kids and I, and Jaime and her kids met us there, and we went trick-or-treating. It was great, quick, silly, different fun for the kids. Maybe we will try to go to the school tonight for the Harvest Classic, or go visit some of the homes of some of our members. Who knows. It really wouldn't hurt my feelings if the kids didn't get loaded up on sugar! :]

So, Bryson decided to wear a homemade fly costume that I created several years ago (although you cannot see his wings in the back). Megan wore the BSU Cheerleader outfit that she almost fits into (something Jason bought on clearance at the Bookstore years ago that was "dress-up" for later). Kimberly sported the same costume she wore last year - a little fairy. Tyler wore Bryson's purple dragon costume from a few years ago (it was a 5T, but we rolled up the pants really good and he made it work!). And Emma wore the infamous Frog costume (Bryson's first Halloween costume), that we added a pink bow, so she didn't look like a boy. The kids were very satisfied, loved dressing up, and enjoyed the trick-and-treating (even Tyler!)

I Love...

I love a husband, well FATHER, who is INCREDIBLY involved in his children's lives. He is the most amazing father ever. He ALWAYS includes the children in EVERYTHING he does. He truly is an example to me of allowing your children to work beside you in everything that you do. He is always a part of the children's lives and he always makes them a part of his. I just LOVE it. When he is home, on his days off, he spends most of the time with the kids - doing something WITH them or FOR them. He SHARES his passion for life, his testimony of the gospel, his time, his talents, and his love with each of them, individually, and as a whole!






Last week we started the beginning construction on the "tree fort" that Bryson has been begging for since we moved here. We found some old scrap wood in a shed behind the horse barn and Jason has begun constructing their little fort. He allows the children to be right up close, handing him tools, nails, screws, and teaching them as he works. He is a great teacher. He truly knows how to get to their level and teach them with love, patience, and understanding. I LOVE him.




He also plays with the children like no other father I have seen. He truly is a kid himself. There isn't a time when Jason is home that the kids aren't romping on him, wrestling him, being lifted up in the air, getting any kind of "ride" they can, or just playing with their dad. I love his passion to spend time with his children. There are times he gets distracted and wants a break... wanting to do something for himself. But, more than not, after the short break, he is back out with the kids just BEING with them. Proving his LOVE with his TIME. Can it get any better than that? I LOVE his example to me and how he LOVES the children that we have created together. I feel so blessed to have a good husband, a great father, and an incredible family unit! :]