camera

I am loving my camera. I love learning to take picts with the different lenses, and light modes etc. I am frustrated with the computer though. the cd rom drive wont read the install cd and the camera hooked to the computer wont upload the picts. I have some good picts of us doing some fun stuff.
I got in the tree the other day.. I'd share that pict but can't. I took some picts of the kids at gymnastics share those later too.
Oh that reminded me, I was at the gym and one of the girls that works there is a cheerleader etc and anyway we were watching the kids play while Adam was in his class. I decided to try a cartwheel on the flatter beam and see what happened. I did the cartwheel not falling off the beam. I am so proud on my first try. The girl couldn't do it and she works there. She likes the floor. Then I did some standing balance thing and could do that. and then I went and jumped on the tramp and looked graceful and all that. I know it seems weird that I am mentioning all this but I really haven't been on a tramp for a long time with out a kid or tried a cartwheel in a strait line. I know I am getting old, but I am proud that I still have it. ( more like surprised) :) I know I surprised the kids and that was fun too.
The climbing the tree last week was fun. ofter I planted the garden I climbed a tree with Joe. We were both in climbing harnesses and ropes. This is one aspect of his job, teaching. I had a blast and look forward to doing it again when it is not quite so wet outside. Joe took Sam and Adam up the tree after I was done and they also had fun. John and Ty got to swing in the tree in there harness later.
Yesterday, Sat I took the 3 youngest kids on a bike ride. John was on the bike that is attached to mine, and Ty and Ian were in the trailer attached to Johnny. We were a long train. Johnny talked non stop and kept asking why we were going so slow up the hills. I told him he wasn't pedaling hard enough. :) We had a good time and my bum hurts from the seat.

News of Tyler

I really don't like posting about two thing the same day but I have a little time and need to write a few things about Tyler.
Tyler has grown steadily for the past 2 yrs and never lost weight and still continues to grow. I know not like my other kids and I thought that is just how some kids are. He always seemed to get sick first and rarely has he had a solid diaper. Rarely meaning probably 10 times. I always have to change him right away of fear of blow outs. Sorry gross I know! Anyway... I had some blood work done on him to check for some stuff that could possibly be allergies and stuff. He got a positive test result back on Celiac Disease.
Celiac is gluten intolerance. The intestines are damaged by gluten and don't allow the body to absorb among many other things. So Tyler can no longer eat anything that has gluten in it. Some examples are wheat, barley and rye. Look next time on a package and see what ingredients are in the package and most foods he cannot eat.
I am trying to not get overwhelmed. I will have to bring snacks for him in primary, on road trips etc just for him. He loves oreos, fish crackers, pretzles, you know all the things he no longer can eat. He was our picky eater before... now this will be interesting. And be careful to not go where people have free cookies and stuff :) Probably potlucks are out:)
I know it sounds weird, but in the last few days of cutting out gluten from his diet, he doesn't seem to have deep dark circles around his eyes. He also seems to have more energy.
I am really relieved to know what it is. I am blessed to have it be treated fairly easily. I am excited for him to feel better and to really start to put on the pounds. if you want to know more I like celiac.com.

Sammi turned 9... a few weeks ago

Few days old

6 Months

14 mo

18 Months

6 yrs7 yrs

8yrs
9yrs

Well Sammi turned 9 a few weeks ago and I still haven't found the cute picts I wanted to share. I have not unboxed any books and searching through boxes is not fun. I have found a few picts but is was fun anyway.

Sammi is growing so fast. She will be all grown up really soon, and that is scary.

I was going to measure her and get her weight. I think I will still do that.

Sammi is such a sweet person. She is so sensitive to others needs. When we walked through the airport she would pick up my luggage and help me carry it and telling me that I had enough to carry, while she is toting a huge back pack.

Sammi is so wonderful with her brothers. I have watched each one light up when she enters a room. She has always been one to have creative pretend play. and encourage her brothers to imagine anything. I remember Adam being sad when she had to go to school without him. He would wait for her to get home and light up and then finally start really playing when she got home.

Sam is a wonderful daughter. She is patient and kind. She really listens well and loves to make people smile. She can be goofy and serious and everything in between.

She will help me with the younger boys and has been interested in learning to cook. She reads nonstop. After reading any spare moment during the day, she will ask me if she can read before bed. Now I have to get that motivation for math. She is a wonderful artist and will also draw all day if I let her.

I love her and feel so blessed to have her as my daughter. I think of her as one of my best friends and hope to be a good example of what a Mom should be. I pray everyday that she will grow up strong, stay sensitive and stay close to the Lord.

Sam I love you