Tagged.

My sister-in-law tagged me with a little thing about six quirks. I am pretty sure she was just trying to get me to start blogging again. It worked. Thanks Melly.

Rules:

1) Tell six of your quirks

2) Tag your friends.

So here are a few of my quirks:
1) I absolutely, under no circumstances can sleep in an unmade bed. Don't let me lead you to believe that I jump up and make the bed everyday. I prefer to wait until I am actually going to bed. This really frustrates my poor husband on the rare occasions when he goes to bed before me and I make the bed while he is trying to sleep. He usually says something about how I am letting out all the warm air. I just can't handle sheets and blankets that aren't lined up and nice and flat.

2) I like silence. I almost never have the radio on in the car. It really interferes with my thinking. Since I spend a lot of time in the car driving around my kids this is also when I unwind my brain.
3) I prefer to not go places by myself. I think this has something to do with growing up in a big family and someone always being around. Maybe this is why I also can get alone time even while driving around five kids. Probably some sort of big family self defense mechanism.

4) I really, really want to know everything worth knowing. I mean everything. It is a bit of an obsession. While I know that it isn't possible I sometimes get really frustrated with how much there is to learn and how little of it I know. I always joke with my kids that this is why I have to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. I could never be happy without the opportunity to keep learning.

5) I am not very good at giving compliments, or showing emotion. I can cry watching a sad movie, but I rarely cry when sad movies are playing out in my own life. I especially hate filling out the yearly brag forms for my kids teachers at school.

6)I hate every olive but standard black. I know this is a pretty weak quirk, but I am really drawing a blank and Finn currently has fingers full of olives which made me think of it.

I tag Bronwyn , Tressa & Samara.

Hubby Tag

My friend Laura tagged me with this Husband Tag so here goes. Sorry I have been a slacker on my blog. I will post more soon. Here is a picture of us in Victoria a few years ago.

What is his name? Norman Barry Simmons (I know Norman, weird)
How long have you been married? Just about twelve years.
How long did you date? That depends on whether you count the mission. He already had his mission call when we started dating. He left about 2 months later for his mission. I dated while he was gone, but never found anyone I liked better. We got married about two months after he got home. So I guess about 4 months. I was actually dating someone when he got home. I went to see him the day he came home and he came out in the yard when I drove up to say hello and he gave me a hug. That is when we both knew for sure we found the one.
How old is he? That would be 33, he is about six months younger than me.
Who eats more sweets? Clearly that would be Barry his family has an unquenchable sweet tooth. I tend to indulge with more savory foods that I enjoy.
Who said I love you first? Barry although I couldn't tell you when or where. I will have to check my journal.
Who is taller? Barry he is around 5'10" and I try to say I am 5"7"

Who can sing better? For sure Barry, I try to not be heard singing although I do enjoy it.

Who does the laundry? Laundry, who does laundry? Johanna does all the laundry around our house that is her chore, which she does quite well usually. Aldus does all the dishes. Having teenagers does have some advantages.

Who pays the bills? That stressful job goes to me. Barry really prefers to not have to worry about such things. One of these days I am going to not have time though and he will have to take over.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me again we keep trying to switch but I always want to be on the side closest to the bathroom. (I have been pregnant a lot)

Who mows the lawn? Usually Barry, sometimes Aldus. I actually like mowing the lawn. My mom says that you should never do jobs around the house that your husband does or it will be your job forever. So I never touch the lawn.

Who cooks dinner? I usually cook dinner although Barry is a good cook, and he cooks some great meals once in while.

Who drives? Barry, I refuse to drive with a co-pilot.

Who is more stubborn? This is a good question. Barry and I both come from a long line of stubborn people. This was really fun in the beginning, but now we kinda have certain things that we both are stubborn about, and we let everything else go. I think our kids are way more stubborn than us and Finn especially is wearing me down. I hope this next baby is mellow.

Who kissed who first? Barry kissed me of course, I certainly encouraged him though.

Who asked who out first? Barry asked me out. I dated his friend first and he picked me up for my first date with his friend. He was coming home from Olympia and they both lived on the Gig Harbor side of the bridge. It didn't take me or his friend long to figure out I liked Barry more.

Who proposed? Barry, in his parents garage, which doubled as his bedroom and the boys music room. Three days after he got home from his mission he looked over at me and asked if I wanted to be his forever wife, we got married seven weeks later.

Who has more siblings? Does anyone have more siblings than me? I have 4 sisters and 6 brothers. Barry is the middle of 5 boys.

Who wears the pants? I would have to say Barry, although he might disagree.

I tag:

Bronwyn

Ida

Samara

Books, Books and MORE Books

Yes, this stack is towering over the back of the couch.

Most of my friends know that I am a speed reader, AND that the house could burn down around me while I read and I wouldn't know unless my pages got scorched. Consequently I rarely read, Barry seems to like living in a house. However in the last two weeks I have been on a binge. It all started when someone talked me into reading The Twilight Series, and then I finally read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. After that I read the Fablehaven series, the Candy Shop War, I Walked to Zion, The Host, Austenland, Book of a Thousand Days, The Art of Racing in the Rain, a couple magazines and a book about raising chickens. I would consider a twelve step program, but I have to do something to distract myself from this morning sickness. So feel free to keep the book suggestions coming, if I am sick the whole time, I will really have an impressive stack.

School Days

Here is a cute picture of Johanna on the first day of school. She was a little nervous to be in the 10th grade at the high school and sad to learn that she didn't have any friends in any of her classes. Aldus doesn't really have any friends in his 5th grade class either, but he does know and like his teacher. Payson is now at the top of his school, 4th grade, the highest grade in his school. Kohl was excited to learn that he has a good friend in his 1st grade class. As for me I am glad Johanna doesn't have any friends in her classes, that should keep her from getting in trouble for talking for at least a week. I am always excited and a little sad on the first day of school. I am eager for my kids to have new experiences, but I really don't like the feeling of checking off another year of my life. Maybe I will age slower once all my kiddos have graduated.

The boysClowning in the tree in the front yard and the whole gang. Finn was really excited to have me to himself today, I thought he would miss everyone, maybe tomorrow.

Oceans Two

Grandpa and Grandma Simmons took Johanna and her friend Felicity to the ocean a couple of weeks ago and by all accounts the girls had a great time. I am sure Grandparents may have needed a few Tylenol :). They rode horses on the beach and took goofy pictures, staples for any ocean road trip. I always miss Johanna when she is gone. Sure I miss all the help she gives me, but I also miss her smile and goofy wit.

Johanna in the Dance Festival

Johanna was in a dance festival a couple of weeks ago. I was only able to get one picture because Finn was asleep on my lap, which is really to bad because this one doesn't do her justice. She looked lovely as did all the kids. They did such a great job. I cried several times and just felt so proud of our youth.

Dog Days of Summer

Here is Payson always ready with a smile. We went to the park the other day to take advantage of one of the almost warm days we have had this summer. There has only been a few really warm days. The boys only ran through the sprinklers a few times before deciding it was more fun to watch a baseball team practice. They also don't have much padding to keep them warm if it is not really hot. Finn tried to climb up the toys after his brothers, and I got this cute shot of him.

The Boys

Here they are, the five most handsome guys in the world, or at least mine. I sure love these guys.
Finn is pulling on the camera strap so it is a miracle this picture turned out okay. He is such a fun kid. He always has a scowl for the world, but is usually happy at home. He always wants to be doing the things his brothers love, but he is also fairly independant. He will play by himself alot. He loves to figure out how things will fit together, and what items will fit inside of other things. Like toys in glass bottles, fingers in mom's nose and ears, and which things will fit through the narrow window opening to be thrown outside in the front yard. I love his snuggly hugs, and how he loves to go to bed when he is tired.
Barry is the happy one in the middle. He is the fun in our family. He is my anchor and safe harbor. We are going on 12 years of wedded bliss, well mostly bliss. It is really rewarding to look back and see how our relationship has grown and gotten stronger, it makes me excited for the future. I love when he plays the guitar and sings to me. I also love when he listens to me talk about my little problems/frustrations, and gives me the perfect counsel/advice/insight.

Aldus is the dark handsome boy in the back. He is a wonderful brother. He loves sports, music and doing what's right. He also really loves to read, and got possibly the highest reading score ever at his school (or so said his teacher). I love that he is really good to Finn and loves to play with him. I also love that he really tries to do what is right.

Payson is the smiley boy with face paint. He is great with little children and loves to joke around and get everyone laughing. He helps Aldus to be less shy. He also loves sports and music. He is learning to play the harmonica. He also usually has his head buried in a book. I love that he always has a hug and a smile for me. I love his tender heart and how he cares about people.

Kohl is the sweet boy on the left. He is always thinking and usually has some witty (usually not mouthy) comment that is a little advanced for his years. Fortunately he runs fast, and has a wonderful impish grin, because he is not quite adept at the timing of his wit. He loves to play baseball and soccer, and is just learning the piano. He never forgets anything, and is extremely determined to figure out how to accomplish things he wants. I love that he still climbs in my lap to snuggle. I love to see the wheels turn in his head, and hear his funny thoughts.

I am very lucky to have these remarkable boys in my family. Tommorrow I'll post about sweet Johanna, she has been gone alot so it's hard to get pictures.

My little musician or Anything brothers can do!

Finn really likes to do whatever his brothers are doing, he loves all the sports they play, and he loves all the musical instruments they play. Here is a cute video of him playing the harmonica. He likes to climb on the hearth so he can be on a stage. I also snapped a picture of him at the piano. He also really loves to strum the guitar when Barry is playing.

Moving Up

Here is a cute picture of Aldus at his 4th grade moving up (In his school district 5th grade is in intermediate school). I really enjoy seeing my children grow up, what I don't enjoy is the regular reminders that these events give me that I am also getting older. Aldus is 10 cruising towards 11 which means he is on the downhill slope to going on a mission. He is a good guy, who really tries to do what is right. Most of the time he is a good brother. Finn especially loves to be in his company, and doing whatever his big brother is doing. Time does not march, it flies.

Baseball, America's Sport

Aldus Pitching in his first game. He did awesome.

I admit it, I am in mourning. Baseball season is over and soccer doesn't start for a couple months.

What's a mom supposed to do. I am really not sure if the boys love sports more than I love watching them. Aldus and Payson had a great season. This was their first year playing baseball, so it was slow going at first. They are both really athletic and eventually that took over. Their team "The Dominators" was a team of great boys from great families, so the season was a blast. Here they are holding their second place trophies from the tournament. Aldus pitched for the first time in the tourney and did awesome, although I was all nerves watching him, pacing the third base line. Only 6 weeks until soccer season.

Sports Sports Sports

Here is a different post that somehow got lost about baseball

Aldus, Payson & Kohl's baseball seasons are over : ( and I must admit that I am currently in mourning. As much as they love sports, I am pretty sure that I love watching them play even more. A & P finished off the season playing in a tournament with 5 games in 2 days. It was scorching hot, and I have the sunburn to prove it. When they were first invited to play in the tournament it was scheduled for a Friday, Saturday & Sunday. They said they wanted to play, but that they would not play on Sunday. Aldus was even overheard saying that if his team made it to the championship game he thought it would get rained out so that they would have to play on Monday. It ended up that the tournament schedule was changed to just Friday, Saturday. They played their first game in the double elimination tournament on Friday and lost a heart breaker. Aldus pitched for the first time and pitched a complete game win in their first game on Saturday.

He also pitched the last inning in their second game. They made it to the Championship game and lost 7-5. Aldus pitched the last inning of that game as well, He came in with the bases loaded and gave up no runs. Payson is so great to watch. He plays up a year on Aldus's team and does a wonderful job. He has a great glove, and catches most everything. He and Aldus are usually found playing shortstop and second base together.

Best Loved Baby

I finally got out the camera today to take a few pictures of my kiddos, so I could put a little something on my blog.

Here is my Finner snacking on Cheerios and an organic cotton carrot toy from the shop. He loves to chew on it. He kept holding it up and jabbering about it, so I just had to take a picture. Come to think of it he is wearing an outfit from the shop and a diaper from the shop as well. The shop I refer to is Best Loved Baby, a business I started with my sister Ida, and my dear friend Bronwyn. It has been a wonderful adventure, and we love meeting the great people who shop in our store. Fortunately for me we carry baby items, since I spend so much time working on shop development, I am not sure what he would be wearing if we didn't. :)