Shillig 4 Family

 I made all the preparations for a smooth early morning and smooth it was.  We left on time and everything, but my mind was focused on so many things I didn't get a picture of myself with her and before I knew it I was dropping off Jake at his job, the middle school next door to Aimi Lark's elementary.  He will be teaching Spanish, Mandarin, and Chess.  I am so excited for him, he will do amazing things in those kids' lives.  I got to Aimi Lark's school and parked.  I wasn't sure if she was completely in the system because she is a transfer student since we live out of the district.  She is able to attend since Jake teaches next door.  The principal at Jake's school told him there weren't many extra perks in teaching, but they do make sure their kids are taken care of.  That made me feel great!  Her teacher seemed anxious to get the parents out the door so she could start her day.  She was friendly though.  Th...

Kids in bed. Father's Blessing has been given. Scriptures have been read. Prayers have been said. Bags are packed. School supplies are labeled. Lunches are made. Jake's off for a run. Camera is laid out by the door. School Uniform and hair bow set out. Washing machine is just finishing. My sheets are clean in the dryer, time to make the bed. Off to flat-iron my hair and figure out what I'll wear tomorrow.  Who's first day of school is this? I just don't want to embarrass her. I'm fighting a lump in my throat, holding back tears for what tomorrow will bring. Why is this such a big deal?  Shouldn't I be excited? One less kid during the day. I'll feel like someone is missing. This is Kindergarten, KINDERGARTEN. Isn't 5 too young to start school?  I miss her already, I think I'll go check on her (and them all) and watch her sleep one more time. Why don't I own any waterproof mascara? I'm totally making too big of a deal ...

 Let me start by saying that I have never had an absolutely horrible picture taking experience and I think I took that completely for granted until this experience. Kaylene and I decided before she left for AZ that we should get some cousin photos and photos of our kiddos.  Well our kids, I think, did amazing yet the photographer failed to capture any of their AMAZING moments, only their awkward moments and sometimes she didn't capture any moments at all!  She posed my four children in 3 poses that she ended up not taking a single photo of when we got to the computer to preview our purchases, I was shocked!  I had no idea she was not snapping away.  Well I love these two below and don't count the experience as a total loss even though I did really really really want a picture of Solomon and Grace together, but thanks to our awesome photog, that didn't happen. So enjoy the pictures below where my girls posed themselves and I'm pretty certain someone ot...

 Push-ups and Sit-ups were done while we waited to meet Miss Lavonne.  A warm up lap around the track and the girls didn't stop once!  I loved that she was decked out in Olympic gear.  I waited with the water boy.  Time for stretching.  When she said to touch your toes Malachi looked back to Jake and said, "Daddy, those aren't your toes!  These are your toes."  I guess since Jake wasn't touching his toes he thought he was doing it wrong.  Mali Su impressed us.  She never once stopped trying, she gave it her all, and when they practiced 100M runs she ran all the way through, never walking.  GO MALI SU!  Both girls tried hard, we loved this experience.  The boys were here and there and everywhere but definitely had fun.  I realized while we were with her that she trains her overall body to help her run faster.  I thought she was going to show ...

Jake went back to work this week.  This week is in-service.  When he went back he discovered that there is an elementary school right next door to him and Aimi Lark could go there, so she will.  We have been so wishy washy with this whole public/home/online school ordeal.  I just like that we are blessed with so many options and can decide what works best for each of us.  Jake is so excited to have her along for the ride in the mornings and again in the afternoon with him. I just mopped my floors and I think I used too much bleach, but man are the floors nice and sanitized. My girls are still up, they're killing me.  No nap today and now they're pulling an all nighter? I am feeling like a bit of a slacker these days.  I am constantly feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day and that I'm always dropping the ball somewhere.  I especially drop the ball when it comes to the post office so if you're expecting anything from me I plan (PLA...

 The girls LOVE for me to blow dry and flat iron their hair so today we did!  They then posed away while I took some pictures.  I prefer their curls so I had to document since I don't straighten it very often.   They are GORGEOUS! I love you my sweet girlies.

 He is a picky eater. He says, "THANK YOU" so much it's almost annoying. He has light blond curls that are not too tight.  He does not like the waves in the ocean and cries if I even head towards the water. He still LOVES walks with his Dad. He says, "Uh Uh" quite often.  He's a little obstinate sometimes and will say, "Uh Uh" and run away when you ask him to come here. He's still pretty good at following directions. He goes in on the 29th to have his left eye looked at, it turns in sometimes.  He is the clingiest baby.  He will cling to your legs, lean his head back, and make a fuss until you pick him up.   He loves to go in the girls' room.  Once he's in there sometimes I hear screams as they drag him out.  He likes to make a mess in there. He runs in the cutest way.  It seems like his belly is just jetting out when he runs. He thinks he's five.  He loves to keep up with his siblings. He loves to l...