Blackberry Lane

I get my thrills...on Blackberry Hill (well, I think it was Blueberry Hill).

I sing this little jingle often as I pull into my driveway. This is our new abode.

Say hello to "Blackberry Lane."

I love this place. I'm still pinching myself that I actually live here. I've driven through this area for years, and just dreamed. God is very good to us.

Our next door neighbor takes my girls horseback riding down the road as often as my girls have time. We have a confused rooster living across the street (along with many other barnyard animals) who has absolutely no clue as to what time it really is. He just cock-a-doodle-doos sporadically during the day and night. I know because I'm pregnant and use the restroom regularly...especially in the middle of the night. The first night here, I awoke at 3:30 a.m. to this rooster's exclamation. I smiled in my bed and thought, "Aw. I live in the country. A rooster cock-a-doodle-doing...how charming." After I counted 33 cock-a-doodle-doos...not quite as charming.

Anyhow, it's still all wonderful. For the last month, we've spent our Saturdays working in the yard. Actually, I love digging in the dirt. Last weekend, Adam planted five more fruit trees. So, now we have (not to brag or anything) five orange trees (navel and valencia), a grapefruit, two lemons, a pomegranate, Satsuma tangerine, two plums, an apricot, an apple, a peach, two avocados, and four different grapevines. Next weekend we want to plant our berries. We're country folks now. My sister Lauren still thinks we need a beehive. I still think that's funny. Erika and beehives...I can visualize it all.

So, the picture of the road is what I see before pulling into the driveway.

Frontyard

Backyard

Adam planting

Boys helping

Erika's awesome outfit she put together. She wanted to wear a tutu. It was too cold. We compromised.

And, Adam's sister, Britta, and her family came in town last week. It's always nice having a visit from family.

Next time, I'll include the inside. Brace yourself. This house was totally "in"...IN THE 80's! There's enough dark green carpet to last you a lifetime.

Have a fabulous day!

And, I now have my 40 year old husband. I knew we had turned a corner, when I was listening to the oldies station last week on the radio and heard one of his old, favorite 80's "I come from a land downunder" by Men At Work, sandwiched in between "In the Jungle...the Lion Sleeps tonight" and "Everybody's doing a brand new dance now...come on baby, do the locomotion..."

I just had to smile.

Journal Make-Up

Do you write in a journal? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly?

Obviously, I'm on the yearly plan.

Honestly, I am a journal writer. Really, I am. However, even though my journal sits on the edge of my bedside table, staring me in the face every night, I usually crash into bed, or onto the floor, or into my children's bed (and I mean crash. In fact, just the other night, my sister, Adrienne, found me face down on the carpet, glasses askewed, book bent, glamorous drool everywhere fast asleep). So, after a long hiatus of non-journaling, this is what I usually do:

1) Ennumerate everything that has happened in the meantime, usually taking up many pages. This takes up quite a bit of time, but I'm funny in the way I don't want different memories to be lost forever (because, let's face it, in the past, oh 12 years and nine months, I have had very little memory to speak of).

or

2) I say, "Well, just too much has happened. I don't have the time to recount everything. I'm just starting from today."

So you can know that I haven't been sitting on a chais lounge, savoring bon bons, and watching the long Pride and Prejudice movie for the last four months, I will quickly combine the two methods and pick up next week with an honest to goodness post with pictures and descriptions.

Just for the record (in order):

-Bought a new home on October 30th (I'll have to post pictures later. I love it. It's complete with a laundry shoot, fruit trees of all sorts of yummy varieties, a pool, an acre of land for a large garden, chickens, and my jersey cow--which Adam has already nixed...)

-Erika contracted some mysterious skin disease that two different doctors could not identify. gnarly.

-My parents left for an 18 month mission to Hawaii. They are loving it! Of course, it's Hawaii!

-celebrated Thanksgiving! So much to be grateful for...so much.

-sold our home in two hours. a sheer miracle.

-packed

-moved the week of Christmas in unusual California torrential rain. Actually, we moved our stuff in the garage. Our house was being painted

- Homeless for three days. High humidity=wet paint...that wouldn't dry. Eight people on one very kind family's floor.

-moved in two days before Christmas--just by the skin of our teeth! Adam's parents came into town. It was very nice to have them here...they are always so generous and helpful.

-Breathed a huge sigh of relief and gratitude

- School

-Work

-Found a wonderful piano teacher for my girls after a very long search

-Austin broke both bones in his arm after I was giving him an "under-dog" on the swings at the park. Talk about guilt!

- Adam was released as Bishop of our ward at church. A very bitter-sweet time. We loved our ward, but boy is it nice having another adult at the end of our pugh! Ha-llelujah!

-Annie turned 12 and entered into the young women program at church. Quite a teary experience. Like my mom always lamented, "Why do you have to grow up?" However, Adam the realist and optimist always reassures me, "Growth is good. Look at what an awesome young woman she is!" I know. He's right. She is as bright and twinkly as ever. She loves the group of girls her age at church and school and was thrilled to be "kidnapped" out of primary last Sunday.

-Adam has been out of town quite a bit lately. I admit. I don't like it when he's gone. The bed is very empty...for about 30 minutes until all my little peeps join me. I think while I write this I have three kiddies in my bed upstairs. See why I'm up so early??

Oh! Did I mention I'm expecting a baby! Baby #7! Wow. I'm still trying to get control with six. Adam muttered a couple weeks ago in bed, with his eyes closed, and arm over his face, "I feel like I'm on a roller coaster and can't get off." Well baby, hang on for dear life. Or maybe just put your hands up and squeal with laughter...the ride is so much more fun that way! (I'm 16 weeks along--just in case you're wondering).

And, Adam turns the big 40 this week! He tells me that I talk about it too much. But, I don't really. I think he's just a smidgen sensitive. He's still as amazing, handsome, funny, smart, loving, kind, and good as ever. Just love that man...

Well, that wraps it up. A quick journal entry in a nutshell. Thinking of you. Hope your new year's resolutions are going well. I'm still making them.

Love you bunches...

Modern-Day Miracles

That's right. Miracles never do cease. I'm living proof.

Miracle #1: It's raining (and not just a lame-o drizzle like we usually get in Southern California). Peeps, if you have access to a Trader Joe's, this is the time you need to go and get yourself some spiced cider and maple cookies (the ones that are shaped like a fall leaf). Perfect, cozy treats for a rainy day.

Miracle #2: My house is clean. miracle. Well, we did all work on it for about 7/8 of the day, but ahhhh... (laundry doesn't count, right?)

Miracle #3: My dear, amazing friend Cherie and her miracle-working camera. She took our family's pictures last weekend and they turned out beautifully. Like everything she touches. She captured our family so perfectly. Now, the pressure is off for last-minute Christmas card pictures ...whew. Love you so much Cher. Thank you a million times over.

Are you enjoying the Fall season? Have you gone to a pumpkin patch lately?

Goodnight. xoxo

Me & a bedside table

Hi everyone! I've missed you!

I've been on leave.

Let's see, where did I leave off...hmm...well, I don't even know where to begin. LOTS has taken place.

We travelled to Utah in the summer.

Kate was baptized (pictures to follow. a very special day.).

The kiddies started school at a new charter school over in Camarillo (adding an extra 2 hrs. for me, the boys, and Erika in the car. I think I've figured out every fruit and vegetable that is being planted off the freeway. I was just noticing all the harvested pumpkins on the hillside today. I am giddy it's fall)

I'm teaching the two music classes/week. Fun, but still ironing out the kinks.

Honestly, I don't know what has happened. It's a blur. I was just thinking tonight that I need to make a to-do list everyday like a normal person. Maybe I can keep track of my life a little better. Maybe that's why I needed to blog, to make some sort of documentation that my little family is still alive and moving along.

Hence, the bedside table. This is my bedside table...a disgrace, I know. Who knows what's piled underneathe there. Open the drawer and you'll be taking your life in your own hands. I have so many books that I'm in the middle of, no wonder my brain is a swimming mess. I'm overbooked!-Get it? I'm so clever. ("Great!" You're saying to yourself. So glad I'm reading Alexis' blog...such a boost!).

Well, here is the boost! My kids are as cute as ever...if I may say so myself. Every morning on the drive home, we have to take a specific route so that Austin and Joseph can see this "race car" parked in front of a house. When I pointed out a different race car on the freeway, Joseph said, "Mom, that's not a race car. It has to have a number on it." Oh, okay. Then, the entire drive home was spent conversing with my little boys on what type of race car they will drive. "A dark blue one with, guess what number on it mom?" I then spent the next little while, guessing what number they'll put on their race car. delightful.

Joseph didn't want to eat the yellow center of his hard-boiled egg this morning, so he promptly threw it in the flower bed. He said, "It'll be Jack and the Egg-stock." I laughed.

Kate started speech this year so that she could say her "aw's"=r's. She giggled while telling me that if she fills out her entire "chawt" (chart), she'll get an entire pack of silly bands. Are those silly things as big in your area as they are in ours? sheesh.

Austin started pre-school for the first time. I'm glad he's in preschool for the sheer fact that I get to pick him up and see his ecstatic face when he sees me come through the door. priceless. It's moments like those that I never want my babies to grow up. My heart can hardly take it.

Erika is as spicy as ever. She's the boss applesauce...understand rubberband? (remember that?). She crawls out of her crib every night and pitter patters down the hall to our room. We're still working on her vocabulary, since she mostly says, "Na-o" (No!) or "Da" (Yes!). We like to think of her as our brilliant, Russian speaking baby.

Annie is making friends at her new school. Like I tell her often, she could make friends with a post. She's enjoying having a locker in middle school and is growing up faster than is good for her mama's heart. She spent a week down in Texas, by herself, with my parents and Fordy. She had such a special time and will never forget those moments with Jefe and Merlsie.

Savannah is still as sweet as ever. She's still adjusting to the new surroundings at the new school. It just takes time. Every night, however, she makes a palette in the playroom for herself to sleep upon. My sleeping beauty. Never mind that we have four other empty beds in the house!

Adam's bedside table looks almost identical to mine. Get my drift?

Get some sleep and enjoy the weekend! It's conference time! I love this time of year. That is a true boost!

Kisses...

Oopsie!

That link for BYU below didn't work. Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ArIj236UHs

Climb every Mountain

Can't you just hear the dear Sister in The Sound of Music singing this to Maria? Ah yes...Climb every Mountain. Did she mean mountains of laundry? Mountains of sand on the tile floor? Mountains of cracker crumbs and who knows what else on my car floor? Well, I'm climbing.

Things we have done this summer so far:

1) Gone organic. Organic meat, dairy, fruits & veggies. It's an experiment. I'll keep you posted on my findings; however, I find that I eat a lot less and am feeling good.

2) Watched T.V. I'm cancelling cable.

3) Listened to 1776 by David McCullough. Amazing. Check it out from your library. It changes your thoughts. Loved loved it. David McCullough is a brilliant researcher and writer. It almost convinced me that I want to have another son and name him George Washington Thunell. almost.

4) Bought a bunch of new roses for my garden. Oh mama mia. There's a rose. Her name is Neptune. If you want to smile every day too, you'll plant her in your garden. She's a lovely shade of lavender and she's planted all over Oprah's garden up in Montecito (you know, Oprah). Also, she has a friend...Chrysler Imperius. She is a deep hot pink color. These two roses are so fragrant that Savannah was watching me smell them yesterday and said, "Mom, you should plant these all over the place because every time you smell them, you smile." Indeed.

5) Prepared to teach my music classes this fall. Now, I am very careful and selective on what I whole-heartedly endorse. I whole-heartedly endorse the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is something that will completely change your life. I speak from experience. I can 100% endorse this. And, not nearly on the same level, but an amazing thing that I whole-heartedly endorse is Let's Play Music. It is an incredible music program that I wanted for my children and since there isn't a teacher in the area to teach it, I decided to certify and teach some classes myself (which included my children, of course). I flew down to Phoenix a couple times in June to do this. Look on this website and see if there's a teacher in your area. If there is, sign up--I can guarantee you won't be sorry! amazing.

6) Carted Annie and Savannah to Ventura every morning for Jr. Lifeguards. Oh oh! This morning as I was driving them to the beach, I noticed trailers, security and a fake brick entrance by the beach here. Movie filming. I would've never believed it if I didn't live here, but I've seen so many of these situations, especially off the 1 in Malibu.

7) Didn't swim very much. It's been rather cool and overcast. I think it's an extended "May-Gray, June-Gloom" this summer.

8) Didn't take pictures.

9) Purchased a lovely new thing for our living room that I will have to share pictures of next time.

10) Turned one year older (and wiser).

Watch this (sorry for being so bossy). Please watch this. It'll make you laugh.

Old Spice Guy and then BYU's version

Ducks in a Row

Can you believe that I actually took this photo with my iphone? Can you believe that I caught this little moment in nature? Love this picture. Notice: SIX little ducks...all in a row. My sweet friend, Lynn, and I were driving down a busy road a couple weeks ago, and there was a mama duck on the road by the island, trying to get all her little ducklings to follow her and to keep them from getting hurt. We stopped. Lynn helped get all those little ducklings to follow their mama on the other, safer side of the street. It's so natural. So instinctual. That mama knew every one of her babies and those babies knew their mama. When they were finally all reunited...we sighed. Everything was right again.

I feel that. Even though it is total chaos when we're all together, it's just not the same if one, two, or...say, FIVE are missing. Summertime--so much to do, so little time. I have a million field trips floating around in my little head, but reality sets in and a trip to the pool sounds just so delightful. Today, I was determined though to take the trip down to L.A. to IKEA for some needed (?) items. (btw, I don't know if it's nation-wide, but our IKEA is offering free children's lunches now until July 5th). None of my older children wanted to go with me, so the 5 of them went to play at a friend's house. Erika and I took the field trip. My my...does that girl have...spunk! We pretty much made a scene throughout our entire shopping experience. I was tossing "IKEA" cookies at her, trying to keep her from falling out of the cart and breaking all my items in the cart. I was exhausted. What the? Having all six together is just easier. Crazy, I know. It's like Yin-Yang. We just go together. Me and my little ducklings. (Adam is standing right behind me at the moment, wondering where he fits in in this picture. He's suggesting that he's the dots on the Yin-Yang...giving everything balance. I would agree. You're so clever dear).

And speaking of husband, after reading my last post, he said, "We've come a long way baby? Isn't that from a cigarette commercial? You know, 'You've come a long way baby'?" oops. I knew I had heard that jingle before. I just didn't know where?? Now I know. And so do you.

One more thing I have to write, so I don't forget it. Last week when my two older girls received trophies at school, my Kate was muy disappointed since she did not get an award. The next day, Annie and Savannah were whispering with Adam about what type of trophy they were going to get for Kate. I eavesdropped, "Let's get her a really big one, like that soccer trophy, that says 'Best Sister in the Whole World'." Payoff. They get it. I was so happy and touched. Thanks for letting me tell you that.

And now let's see...what field trip for tomorrow? Any ideas???

xoxoxo