Lots of words- No Pictures

Hi!! If you want to see a picture of our beautiful GREEN backyard- let me know and I'll email it!! It's so Amazing!! We started this project in January- cutting down the hill, putting up a retaining wall, hauling rocks to cover the dirt on the hill, putting up the slide, building a rock path, digging trenches (JD's hands bled because the ground is so hard here), putting sprinklers in, leveling, shoveling and hauling away more and more rocks, and FINALLY YESTERDAY--LAYING SOD!! They delivered the sod at 4am. When Tyson saw it at 6:30am- He went straight out there with the wheelbarrow and got to work hauling top soil! The whole day was the culmination of all our hard work. We had a sod laying party- so it only took 2 1/2 hours to complete! We are so excited!

One big thing that I'm glad to be done with for the year is the Primary Program. As much as I tell myself not to be nervous- I still stress! It turns out wonderful every year and I still stress. During the last song- I don't know if I was touched by the Spirit because it was precious and sweet...Or if I was crying tears of joy to be done with it!

What else are we doing? Homework- the kids work so hard! There are nights Jordyn spends hours on homework. She's going for GOLD though and it takes a lot of effort and time!
Ty has 36 kids in his class! Wow! That teacher is a saint!

We put Luke and Joey in separate classes this year. They seem to be thriving. The only hardship on me is when they get invited to separate birthday parties. I want to call every mom and ask if they can please invite my other son too! When they cry I want to cry too. But, I guess it's better to learn in 1st grade than later in life!!

Cade gets excited for my Preschoolers to come. He does a lot of what they do! The other day, when I was reading off what each Preschoolers job was- Cade was very offended and said "Mama what's my job?" I quickly thought of something for him to do. Cade is now 3- so he shouldn't be throwing anymore 2 year old tantrums right? This child could break glass with his scream- it's mostly at his older brothers. It's a good thing he's so stinking cute.

JD is working a ton. He got released from YM and put into Nursery! I didn't even know that was going to happen, but I'm happy about it. He misses YM's, but also enjoys the nursery. He's such a great guy. He really helps me be a better person- I can't believe how much I learn from him! Stuff I never even knew I wanted to know about emotional responsibility, self awareness, and personal honesty. Sometimes I put my hands over my ears and tune it out- so I don't have to change. But, when I'm ready to listen I always find the new knowledge to be empowering!

As we were getting ready for church today- he had printed out a picture for Nursery (you know the one) of a frowny face that you can turn over and smile that frown away. I guess I was kind of grumping around this morning and he kept holding the picture right in front of me as I walked by. When I got in the car- he had it staring at me as I sat down- I finally realized that I WAS being grumpy and I finally broke down and laughed and laughed! Thanks for turning my frown around JD.

I'm trying this Again!

Ok- Blogger still won't post my pictures on this computer. So, I'm trying Wordpress again, just so I can show off some cute pictures!

Try http://www.staceystuff7.wordpress.com

The Hill

Blogging without the pictures was just so disenchanting to me so I guess I just stopped! But, I feel I must make some effort in updating the Stacey Stuff blog so here goes.

Our big project in the last couple months has been "the hill" in our backyard. It used to be a giant slope of dirt until the Homeowners Assoc said they were going to start fining us if we didn't cover the dirt! So, we have shoveled and hauled 10 tons of rock in buckets and wheelbarrow to cover the dirt. But wait before that- we built a retaining wall about 5 feet into the slope. And then JD dug the trenches and installed a drip system for the plants we'll have up there. Next we leveled the back yard with a rake. Now we are in the process of putting the slide on the hill and building stairs to go up next to it. I use the word WE loosely. By WE- I mean...JD for doing some major manwork. Jenn, Collin, and Connor probably hauled 2 or 3 tons of rocks up the hill themselves. Glen shoveled and raked. Virginia cleaned our whole house while I hauled rock up the hill (Oh- and painted a bathroom and hallway!). Jordyn, Tyson, Luke, Joey, Cade have been working very hard shoveling, raking, hauling!! Lindsay thought of the slide idea. Melissa found it on Craigslist. We borrowed the Scott's Suburban to get it. So, by WE- I mean a lot of people have helped us and we sure Appreciate it!!! It's been the best family bonding for us and I find myself wanting to go "work out back" just for a stress reliever and to spend time together. Its very satisfying!

The next huge project we've been working on is potty training Cade. You would think that potty training my 5th and last child would have been a piece of cake. Well, at least I thought it was going to be. I think I honestly forgot what to expect of a 2 year old potty training. It takes some time and patience. Time I have- Patience I lack. I think I expected it to take 3 days. I almost gave up after 5 days, but then JD realized that he couldn't get his pants down on his own and he's much too independent to actually come to tell me to help him. So, the key was to let him run around in underwear most of the time (no shoes). I'm grateful potty training is over for the rest of my life! If my kids ask me to potty train my grandchildren- remind me to say NO!

We are loving living here! It's fun to get a lot of visitors! The kids are all enjoying school. I think Jordyn has finally blossomed here- it took her the longest to adjust, but she is now coming out of her shell.

Tyson doesn't know what a shell is. He tried out for the school play yesterday. I think by his convincing- Joey tried out also. Jordyn decided to at the last minute. And Luke was sad that he didn't try it after watching the other kids try out.
I can't believe Joey is doing it though. It's so cute, cuz they asked them to say their name and age in their loudest voice. In just above a whisper, Joey says "Joseph John Stacey- six years old."

It's fun to watch them grow!

Come what may and love it!

I know something is really retarded with my blogs. It's probably just me. I don't know! The other blog doesn't work either! I'll just have to paint a picture for you since there are none to be found on my blog!

We've been here for over 2 months now! I like it here a lot! But, I also like to be busy. So, being called to be Primary President of our new ward that split about a month ago is a fun challenge. Talk about being thrown into the mix. I can't complain that I'm not getting to know people right away! I also can't complain that I'm bored. There are 100 kids and 50 in Nursery. After calling every single teacher and leader, we also threw together a Primary Sacrament Program that was on Sunday. I'm beginning to relax now but of course wanting a project. I'm looking at my home wanting to create a masterpiece of design for every inch! Patience never has been much of a strength for me- so waiting for the money to pour in, so I can accomplish all my plans is tough, but I'll live. Elder Wirthlin said "Come what may and love it". I'll try!

I asked the kids tonight at dinner to name one time they felt the spirit today. I was pretty surprised at how quickly they were able to come up with the special moments of the day. And also- the sweet acts of kindness that they did for others that helped create that happy feeling! (Shoot- being self absorbed doesn't create happiness.) I feel like I learn so much from them! How did I end up the mother of these kids? Seriously so blessed :) I would insert a picture right here that shows all 4 of the older kids sleeping in the same bunkbed together! We bought a 5 bedroom house and they want to sleep on the same bed!? Such cuteness.

Go to my new blog

OK- So, I'm so bummed out that this computer will not post pictures on my blog! I opened a blog on Wordpress and it works there. So, I guess I'm switching over for now. The new address is staceystuff7.wordpress.com Try it and then you can see our cute Halloween pics!

We're Never Moving Again!!

So, this is it!! We have arrived and we are never moving again! This is probably our 8th move since we've been married and we are done! I am so happy we found a great house while the market is down here. And it's big enough to stay for a long time! The stress of this whole experience was enough to give Tyson a nervous tick in his neck, Jordyn got sick to her stomach every time we pulled up to the school for a week. JD was throwing up in the toilet= Just kidding, but close! And I am just ecstatic to NOT be a single mother anymore!! This whole time period has ALMOST been too much for our family to handle. It has been nice to be back together and in our VERY OWN home! And to get into a routine and some stability!! To finally have time to blog is a small miracle.

JD is learning new things everyday! It is a challenge for him- he is brave and I think he is up to the task. He is doing things that are out of his comfort zone with all this networking and marketing. He's such a good one on one guy that this is new for him! He is doing a little bit of counseling on the side as well.

Between unpacking boxes and painting the house I have started a Preschool at home. I realize that sounds kind of overwhelming and believe me I've had my moments- but I feel really blessed! Two of my good friends from Houston that moved here a couple years ago (Michelle and Melissa) put their boys in my Preschool and got their friends to put their kids in and I was full before I even started! It has been a blessing because #1 I make money and can still be home with my kids #2 Luke and Joey have afternoon Kindergarten so they get to be a part of it and have 6 friends over 3 days a week. #3 They are all (except one) going into Kindergarten next year so they are all soo cute and ready to learn and obedient and able to do so much- it's fun!

We are loving our house and our cul de sac. I have an endless list of all the new things I want to make our house a home, but for now I am just greatful to have a place to live and to be together as a family!

We are ready and accepting visitors! My sister Lindsay has already come for a weekend- it was really fun to hang out with them. Book your stay in advance- so we can plan for you!

Our 2024 Future Olympians!!

I love this picture because it captures our summer!! We swam every single day!! Well- I should say the 4 oldest kids did! They went to swim practice every day at 8am, and had a swim meet almost every Saturday. I was one PROUD mama! The improvements they made were phenomenal! Their commitment was incredible. They gave their best every time and the results are so easy to measure because they shaved off seconds every meet! And at one meet when Luke and Joey finally "got it"- they shaved 25 seconds off their times each! It was a JOY to watch them and cheer for them! Very fulfilling way to spend time together as a family for us, and to learn to swim, and to get Awesome exercise, and to just have fun! A time I can Yell FOR my kids instead of AT them! (I'm seriously getting better at yelling- I've got it down to about once a month now)


Of course all the kids HAVE to be on 3 different levels. Luke and Joey went to the Bronze County Swim Meet. Jordyn qualified for Silver. And Tyson at Gold. Jordyn could have gone to Gold- but I thought it would be fun for her to really experience a lot of sucess at Silver. And she did!! She came home with 3 Gold medals and a Silver. I was so proud of her hard work and effort!!
Tyson surprised us, even at the Gold Meet came home with a Gold, Silver and a 4th place. Wow! Even though I tell the kids that they are really racing against the clock, to beat their own best time. It seems they are much more motivated when someone is neck and neck!


I don't know what happened to the video of Jordyn's butterfly. But Lukie's backstroke is a hoot to watch! I love it, cuz his arms are in Turbo speed motion!