A miracle!

I thought I was done for, as in the blogging department. I thought our password had been changed because we had some issues with our hotmail account and had to change that. But lo and behold I don't know what I did, well I do but I am able to still use the old password and enter in blog entries. And my has a lot changed since last time! Here is a quick update and then heretofore afterward I will try to post often and not too much!

Thomas: is doing well with his work, got tempted a while ago and started looking at other clinics, but is staying right where he is at for awhile. This spring though we do want to start looking at areas where we would settle. He does want to stay in public health though for at least another 3 years. . . we will be debt free by then! Incredible, I know! He has recently taken some great strides to lose some poundage. . .more on that later.

Katie: Well me, myself, and I. I am so fortunate to be at home with the kids and try my best to do good motherly things like have after school snacks, and play games, and build forts and watch movies with the kids. I still feel like I am trying to figure things out, but I take one day at a time. I love being able to be there for them when they need me. I have developed a recent hobby of knitting which I stumbled upon because of my friend Vanina. She is making hats for newborn babies in Argentina, she taught me how to make one on a loom and I was hooked-litterally! I have made 15 more hats since then and I love to do it! I feel so crafty yet I don't have to put too much thinking into it. I am also so excited to be in the chorus of the production "Savior of the World" put on by my stake which is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have not done a musical since high school and am so excited for it!!

Joe- is six and is losing all of his teeth! He is getting the reading thing down, and loves to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid with me(I look forward to it too!) He just finished basketball, and is looking forward to trying wrestling. He loves playing with baby Mark and is so good with him. He is very into musical instruments, building forts, crafting with mom, cooking, bike riding and trike (a three wheel scooter) riding. He takes very good care of our foster dog Hershe and will take her for walks around the block. He is liking 1st grade and feels independent eating school lunch and walking to and from school (well when it's not too cold) with friends. He still is not ashamed to give me a good muscle hug.

Sam- just turned 3 and thinks he is 25. He has been quite aggressive towards any type of opposing authority and will lash out at any kid or adult who disagrees with him or tells him no. He has been my dare devil, garbage word user, has a hard time staying in bed little sweetie. He can frustrate me so fast and then say "I'm sorry mom" and give me a hug so quickly it all melts away. I think he is ahead of his time and I just haven't seen the fruits of his seeds of determination sprout yet. He is very into, well TV and is always wanting to watch something. He is also at that age though, where he will love a good time of cleaning the bathrooms and playing garbage man and helping empty the trash with mom!! (gotta milk it while I can!) His language and speech is so well, he speaks as well as a 5 year old and sometimes I have to remind myself he is barely 3. But he loves his brothers especially the oldest and copies all he does. He is usually the third wheel to Joe and his friend Skyler across the street.

Mark- is my little piece of heaven. He is so good and smiley all the time. He will just sit in his highchair and wait for me to finish what I am doing even if he has no toys or food. I will usually be with one of the other boys or doing something in the kitchen and I look over and remember he is there and waiting for me. He loves to eat, just started crawling and clapping around his 9 month mark. He will be 10 months the end of this month I can't believe it! He is still nursing, where I was done with the other two by this point. But he will just sit in my lap quietly if I am in church or a meeting. He is very content just being held.

Well there is the update, I hope to keep you posted (all 7 of you) and sorry for the long break, but I think I am back!