Broken Bones??

Well, it finally happened. In the last two weeks, we have experienced a new engine in a car, a new dryer, a root canal for kodey after being hit in the mouth with a football (long story there), and Josh was at a wrestling match and broke his collar bone. He is some sort of brace to pull the bones back into place so they can heal. They will X ray again in 8 days to determine if surgery is needed. let's hope not!
Josh was doing so well in wrestling, especially this match. It was an awesome thing to watch. Unfortunately, his collar bone broke right at the beginning. He was dominating at 5 points in the first 10 seconds and well on his way to a pin. Needless to say, it took him about 30 seconds to loose some control of his left arm and that resulted in a pin. he is out of wrestling for the season :( It will take 10 to 12 weeks until he can wrestle again. we shall see. We have it on video and I will post it as soon as I download. Don't worry it is not gruesome, you can't even tell it has happened. We can because we have watched it several times and you can tell when Josh becomes less aggressive.
Beyond that? celebrating Kloey's 8th birthday and getting ready for her baptism the first Saturday in January. this sets off a long line of baptisms with Lydia's the first Saturday in March, and Gallie's the first Saturday in May. then we will be done until next year with two.
Our holiday season is shaping up nicely. We are so thrilled to be together celebrating such a wonderful time of year.
Our three teens are at Sadie's right now. i will post those pictures soon. i only didn't get a picture of Aleceeya's date and her. She left too fast to go and pick him up. Anyway, time for bed for me. Hope all is going well for you this holiday season.

!!!GASP!!

I know, you are astounded! A New Post!

Sometimes, life just gets in the way of what I want to do.

The 4th Annual Toilet Bowl Football Game

We play with a roll of modified toilet paper. Everyone can catch it and we have fun.
This is the month of birthday's
Our dog, Buddy turned 12!

Joseph turned 6 this month

The November Birthday Boys

Nathan turned 10

Josh..16!!!

He also, earned his Eagle Scout!

So much has been going on. My term ends Nov. 30.

I failed my science test again! Oops!

I turned in 2, 10 page science papers.

With 2 powerpoint Presentations! I have passed 3 of the 4

I am just waiting for the results of paper #4 .

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Not without some arguing and sadness

(such is the life of our children)

The toliet Bowl this year was a little chilly. We played later than usual.

everyone is plugging along.

Saw some really cool deals for Black Friday but, I refuse to go out

shopping for them. I should (cause I would save a ton but...)

All of the 3 teens are going to Sadie Hawkins Dance this year.

That is exciting for me. (Josh's first date)

Kodey is doing well work and school.

All of the kids had great reports from SEP's (parent teacher conferences)

They are all doing well.

That is about all for now. Hopefully, things will slow down

and I will be able to blog more often.

a couple of more things...

In between being busy with school, work, volleyball and other things, John and I managed a little trip that was fantastic. We had such a good time! then, it was back to work and the fun that comes with Halloween. I have been a little behind in posting. UGH! Life just got in the way a little bit. So here is the last month with the Thill's...

making haunted castles out of gingerbread...
Josh and the pie eating contest 2nd place, that's my boy!

Halloween 2009 Star Wars

A snack at the park

the Boyd's conveniently had their first baby while we were visiting

at my fave restaurant In-N-Out burger

the finding nemo ride at Disney

john was caught up in the action and he almost missed the ride I was waiting in line for

Taht's us in the back on Splash mountain

before the falls

the Magic kingdom

I have always wanted to visit this

just a beautiful shot

the pier...cool huh?

Our footprints in the sand

the water was so warm

I can't believe I am really here

The San Diego temple

Darth Vader made out of legos

I love the teacups

me after some serious spinning in the teacups

John was having so much fun

the giant turkey leg, I lost John in the crowd and when I found him he was eating this

Peter pan ride

the sword and the stone

back left corner..Tower of terror

California adventure, fun ferris wheel (I can't stand ferris wheels and this one was very scary)

on the boardwalk at California adventure

Disney store

So, hopefully I am caught up for awhile. Now, the guilt won't be hanging over me. I am at the end of my school term and it is crunch time in getting things done. I have less than a week. we are having fun as a family and talking about our next trip to Disneyland in Feb 2011 with our friends. (the whole family this time).

well a couple of things

Welcome my little great-niece
Madden Grace Miller born Nov 9

Our volleyball team went to regional. After a hard fought game we lost but played amazingly well.

Back to the grindstone..

our trip to CA was beautiful and fantastic (although I wouldn't want to live there). I really did miss my kids! John and I enjoyed two days at Disney, a wonderful trip to Santa Monica Pier, beautiful wedding, and an even more beautiful brand new baby (Welcome Emily)! It was filled with great sleep and good food (okay,okay overpriced food but it was okay). I could probably write 2 paragraphs on the food alone. Jet Blue was a wonderful airline, the rental place was a walk in and pick up (the fastest we have EVER rented a car, thanks Avis!), the hotel was okay nothing fancy but clean.
The best part of the trip though was coming home. Our 2 friends that did the majority of the child care are still speaking to us (Thanks Britta and Kenice...I am not sure how I got to be so blessed to have you two as my friends.). We had prepared most of the meals in advance so, it would be some reheating but, we did the best we could.
The kids were somewhat happy to have us home. They were more excited for the presents the got, I think. We were able to hit the ground running though. It has been non-stop chaos since we walked in the door. I have had to write a couple of PPT for school. I am finishing the 2nd right now. Now on to 2, 8 page papers ( I am not sure how I will contain the excitement). I have been subbing a lot but I hope that it will be paying for an upcoming trip I plan to take by myself.
So, we have some great photos ( on the other computer) that I hope to get around to posting soon. As soon as I tie up a few other things. I get to sub 2 more times this week and John and I were "invited" to court on Thursday in SLC. We are going to potentially testify in a case.
Our life has resumed as if we have never been anywhere. Sometimes, it seems like a long time ago that we were in Ca even though it has only been a week and some change. But, I am really glad for the break and gald to be back in my house with my family. It is hard to go but the joy of returning is its own reward.

California here we come...

John and I are on our way to California on Thursday. We are so excited but we get into this rut of starting to worry right before leaving. We are flying to Long Beach then picking up our rental. then, on to Disneyland!! Everyone assures us that we will have a great time without the kids there. We will see. Then, Friday morning we will go to San Diego temple for a wedding then back to Disney. Saturday we will swim in the pool, go to santa Monica Pier and then the wedding reception at 6pm. On Sunday morning, we will be flying back home. I am just hoping I didn't cram too much fun in our relaxing get away.Our wonderful friends, the whitakers and dastrups, are going to be holding down the fort while we are gone. I am glad that most of the kids will be in school for 2 of the 3 days we will be gone. Now, I just need to get to work finishing the meals, laundry, and the various cleaning I feel like I have to do.I took my science test today and it was a train wreck!! I get the score in the morning. We will see...Everyone is hanging in there. We had a fun movie afternoon since there was no school today. We watched Monsters Vs. Aliens, ate popcorn and red vines. It was so fun. Well, on to dinner and a great Family Night. I love Mondays and the opportunity that we have to be taught from each other. Family Home Evening, ROCKS! Hope your week will prove to be as fun as ours.

Finally, Some pictures...

Nathan

Kodey and THE DATE

Aleceeya and HER DATE

A Mom and her girls

A dad and his princesses

Kodey

Alecceya

Sisters

Happy 6th birthday to Benjamin

Yes, Kodey and Aleceeya were both asked to homecoming and they looked fabulous. However, the computer with the right software has a horrible virus! Yuck! we are working on getting it fixed. So, pictures will soon follow.

John and I are off to California next week (Oct 8-11). Our wonderful friends will be watching our kids for us. Next year Kodey can do that by herself. We have a wedding to attend at the San Diego temple and two days at Disneyland planned. We will also visit Santa Monica pier and Malibu beach. I am so excited. John and I have never done something like this before. I mean, Disneyland, without the kids??? We are also flying which is saving a ton of time and money.

Now, I just have to finish getting everything ready here. That is no samll feat but, I don't want anyone to work to hard here. It is tough enough taking care of 15 kids but meals too? People keep commenting on our "second honeymoon"...sorry everyone, we never had a first honeymoon. Things have been a hopping in the Thill home. I had the opportunity to sub for 2nd grad and kindergarten so far this year. I have 2 more sub jobs for kindergarten in October. I love subbing and really enjoy the teachers I work with and the kids. School is cruising right along too. I am taking my science final on Monday then, just a few tasks to complete. I will have finished all 13 credits for this term. Next term, hoping to complete 24 credits. Let's all hope and pray that Math isn't as hard as I think it is going to be.

John is still working at the Utah Foster Care Foundation. He absolutely loves his job and we have been able to help at some training classes every once in awhile. That is so cool. He is still the Elder's Quoroum President and finds so much joy in working with the men in our ward. He is such an amazing man! very involved in our family life (which we love!), especially after so many years of not being around often. He really helps our family run smoothly and we love seeing him as often as possible.

Our kids are all doing so well. Josh is getting ready for his 2nd year on the wrestling team. He really wants a varsity slot. He is finishing up his Eagle Scout papeerwork, tonight. Kodey is getting ready for ACT's and UBSCT testing. Our teenagers have all qualified for a fantastic scholarship and between that and their pell grant will totally be set for college.

Our scout boys are really working hard too. Jacob earned 9 pins and his Webelos badge, Nathan his bear, Andrew his wolf, and all 5 boys earned a family camping, hutchings museum, this is the place, hogle zoo and a BSA family scouting badge. They love scouts and are working hard (it helps that I am a den leader). They are all looking forward to starting wrestling this fall.

The girls are having a good time being girls. They are an active group and love doing hair, nails and playing house. They are doing well in school and at home
Our 3 youngest keep us busy. Kindergarten is going great and preschool is too. Katie is a little stubborn but I think stubborn is good sometimes.

Here we go again...

Well, I have been so busy with school work (mine) and the kids' that I have let this one go to to the back burner. We haven't been doing much around here except for school and therapy. we did make a trip to Idaho and i do have some pictures of rock wall climbing, swimming, and just hanging out (thanks Hiler's it was fantastic).
Currently, I am finishing up Halloween costumes (thanks Britta), learning to sew an apron (thanks Sue), and trying to take a final in Science. John and I are heading to California, thanks to a wedding and decided that we would make it a little mini vacation. We are going to have so much fun! I can't wait.
Meanwhile we are deep in the trenches of tantrums. I am hoping this will be the last week for awhile but I am sure that is wishful thinking. the thing about tantrums and traumatized children is when one tantrums, the others follow as a result of their "stuff" being brought back up. It has been a fun week here. If John and I can continue to maintain we will weather this one great too.
My new blog is up and running witha few posts. that has taken me awhile. there is still more to do but I don't have time to sit and do them all at once.
Our chickens are laying all of their eggs now. It is still eggciting to gather the eggs everyday. John just "harvested" a few rabbits and they are ready for a nice stew. YUM!
So, I guess things here are just plugging along. Katie went to pre-school today (the first day) and she was thrilled. I was by myself this morning and managed to get the grocery shopping done and unloaded before I had to pick up my kindergarteners from school. I have my first sub job on Thursday and I am looking forward to that. It will be nice to get back in the swing of things again.
Well, on to laundry and starting dinner. I also have to finish putting groceries away. Thne, maybe I can squeeze in a quick nap.

A New Blog

I started a new blog called "Common cents with 17". It will be a work in progress so make sure you check back often as there are so many things I want to put on it. It will have to take a back burner to life but I know I can get it where I want it eventually.
We are on our way to Idaho tomorrow for the holiday weekend. That should be lots of fun. I am trying to get so much done but, i am getting sucked into the computer. I need to just go do the needed things. Okay...Okay...here I go!

Senior pictures

I just had Kodey's senior pictures done and they are beautiful...thanks Britta! I just cried as I looked at them. It is so hard for me to believe that Kodey is graduating this year. I remember as a young mom with toddlers that that stage would never pass and it would be forever until they graduated. Well, forever has arrived and faster than I would have liked. I have been having little glimpses of what life will be like without my older children home and I am not sure I like it. It must be hard for all parents to look at their now grown up babies and realize that you won't see that beautiful smile or hear that laughter every day anymore. You begin to enjoy the teasing among siblings ( a little bit more) and realize that it will all be changing soon. Of course, with those realizations also comes one that you have grown older as well.
where does the time go? I still have a pre schooler at home and 2 kindergarteners and I have been enjoying the time I have with them all the more knowing how fast they will be gone, starting their own life. Some kind soul told me that I could be a grandma in just a few years. well, let's hold that thought for awhile (please!).
We should all have the opportunity to realize how precious life is and how soon those beautiful children are grown and moving on. I think it has been harder for me than her, which is how it should be. No longer does she long for the days of independence but wants to be young again and not leave her family. She is already talking about getting an apartment and having her little sisters over for a sleepover and how fun that will be.
Time is a tough taskmistress and I for one and glad for the opportunity of reflection and gratitude for being privileged to be the mother to such amazing children who are full of lve and a desire to be better. I have been truly blessed to have this beautiful angel in my life and realize the Lord's hand in my life.