Hamburger Heaven

Brandon grilled burgers today with my special sauce and they were awesome. We didn't have any hot dogs so the kids were forced to eat them as well. We thought that we would make a trade that if they ate all that we gave them (1/3 of a big burger) they could get a special treat. We thought that Anna would be all over that one, but Riley was the one who finished without a fuss. Anna however kept complaining and not eating more than one bite of hers. Every time I would take a bite of mine, trying to savour it's deliciousness, she would whine or complain. I was getting so frustrated. Here is the conversation that came out of that:

Me (take a big bite)
Anna - It tastes like ketchup
Brandon - There is no ketchup on it
Me - Yeah, there's ketchup
Anna - There is ketchup?!! (Makes yucky noises)
Brandon - There is ketchup?
Me (annoyed)- Yes. Just a little. Eat it, Anna, or you don't get a treat
Anna - But I don't like....
Me - Eat it or DIE!

Go ahead and take a minute to absorb that....


Yep, I really did say it. I hope it is pretty obvious that it was not my intended sentence,but that is what came out. And it did cause Anna to cry. And Brandon and I did laugh. And that made Anna cry harder. We finally got her to calm down, but a second later, Brandon and I got to giggling again so she started crying again. She stopped once we explained that everyone was laughing at me, not her. Then she joined in the laughing and we all started ended our sentences with "Or DIE!" I've been really stressed lately and it sure was nice to have a real good laugh. Hope this gives you a good laugh, too....OR DIE! -Pam

Tomorrow is it!

Our house goes on the market tomorrow. I can't believe the tears that have just hit me. It is finally really real. We will move and unless by some miracle a big beautiful house comes on the market in our area, it will be away. I am going to be brave, though, and go where God leads me. I have added a new link to the side bar. Our house now has a blog. Please tell anyone you know who might be interested to visit the sight if they'd like to see it. -Pam

We made it!

Well, birthday season has come and gone here in the Kirkwood household. We were excited to spend last Saturday celebrating Anna's birthday. She had a few friends over and thought it would be fun to walk down to the new fruit stand around the corner. I haven't been able to upload pictures of that yet, but it was quite a sight, I'm sure. There were 9 kids in all, including Evan in his stroller. Brandon and I took front and back and the rest of the kids stayed in line, even though I told them they didn't have to. It was so cute. When we go home from our walk, the kids decorated sugar cookies while I washed and cut up the fruit. It was a very simple, yet fun party for Anna. They all had a blast! Anna is growing up so fast. She is always coming up with new games and things to play together. She is doing great in school and loves learning. We love having Anna as our special girl. She completes our princess sandwich!

Saturday was an amazing day. Riley decided to get baptized and we couldn't be more thrilled. With all of the things that are going on in our lives right now, it was great to stop and feel the spirit so strongly. Riley was so disappointed that he hadn't gotten scriptures for his birthday. He didn't know we had plans to give them to him for his baptism. So as he was heading out the door, I stopped him to make sure he had everything.
M-"Do you have a towel..change of undies...your scriptures?"
R-"Yep..Yep..I don't have scriptures."
M-"You don't" I look at Brandon "He doesn't have scriptures!"
B-"What a shame!"
M-"Well, you might as well take these then." Pull the scriptures out from behind my back.
R-"What the heck! WOW!" He comes and grabs them and then wraps me in a big hug and quietly says "Thank you, Mom." Then I cry. Wasn't the first time that day, wasn't the last.

We had so many friends and family there to join in this special moment. We had planned to be at an outdoor park for a party afterwards, but the rain forced us indoors. Thankfully, my in-laws offered their house. (Thanks again, Marji and Bill) It was so much better than bringing everybody home 1)because it's bigger than our house and 2)because it stays way cleaner than our house. We had such a fun time. Burgers and hot dog and lots of fun. We made it both a baptism party and a birthday party for all three kids, so to make it really special we "hired" my friends 12 y.o. son to do a magic show. Porter the Magnificent was a wonderful entertainer. The kids all thought it was fun and when he was done the sun had come out, so they all went out for a little while before cake. After the party was over, we stuck around the Kirkwood's for dinner and then celebrated my niece and nephews birthday, which was the next day. After all was said and done, I was excited that the next day was Sunday, the day of rest. We weren't quite sure how it would work out, but Riley wanted to fast with us. So he ate breakfast and then said a fast prayer and didn't eat again until dinner. What a kid! He sleeps with his scriptures in bed with him and looked up the sacrament right away so he could plan a family home evening for us. Since Brandon goes to school on Monday nights now, we went ahead with FHE on Sunday night so that we didn't have to make Riley wait to do it. More tears. He just makes me so proud. I sure do love that kids. -Pam