Toads, Toads, Everywhere...

Kevin and the kids went out to do Saturday morning yard work @6am today. While working the kids found tiny baby toads that couldn't have been very old. They were about the size of a dime and so cute, that even I thought they were cute! Anyway, they asked Kevin if they could get a big container to catch some in and he obliged. They caught about 20 the first time this morning and then this afternoon that number grew to 80-90 or so! They were in love with these little guys and even named the first 20. Needless to say ALL of the toads have been released back into their natural habitat (aka our little rock pond in the front yard) and will be HUGE, ugly, loud toads and not so cute in a couple of weeks!

Friday Morning, The Drama...

Okay, so everyone was up getting ready for school and Miss Kaitlin has to be prodded out of bed much like every morning. She, the most of all of our kids and truly her Father's daughter, LOVES her sleep and much is required!!! She has to get up and this makes her extra sad this day. She is up now and looking for the jeans she wants to wear and realizes they are in the dirty clothes. This makes her sad. I try to help her pick a different outfit and nothing is as good. This makes her sad. I ask her to do her hair and this makes her sad. Her Dad in his funny way, trying to get her to laugh, helps her do her hair (which was hilarious by the way) and this makes her sad. My point, is that EVERYTHING made her sad that day and this is not true Kaitlin form. She is always so happy and bubbly. She will be 12 in November and we all know what that means!!! She's just getting a little more emotional than usual and growing up.

So anyway, I tell Kevin we need to send her back to bed for a "mental health" day off from school because she was just not herself! It was 7:30am and back to her cozy bed she went. Of, course, there was no fight on her end about getting to dive back in! She must have been tired even though they are in bed by 8:30pm every night, because she slept until 11:30am.

While she was sleeping Lauren kept going into her room and I did not want her to get woken up before she was good and ready as I didn't want a replay of the morning, so I turned the door lock on the inside side of her door to be locked so Lauren couldn't get in. About 12noon I get a phone call from Kaitlins cell phone . I answer and she asks if she can come out of her room. I said of course, and she told me that she was locked in. I laughed hysterically because all she had to do was turn the lock and come out. She thought I had locked her in there because she threw such a fit that whole morning. I asked her have I ever locked you in your room??? NO!!! I got a good laugh out of it and we moved on to lunch.

I made her her favorite lunch which is tuna salad on crackers and some nectarines. It was yummy and fun to have lunch together just me, her and Lauren.

Then, I was walking by my purse and heard my cell phone beeping. I picked it up and had 4 missed text messages. I looked at the messages and they were hilarious. They went something like this...

11:25am I am hungry! Can I come out or is this a punishment where I am not aloud to leave my room because my head hurts! S.O.S.! Starving! Me! Starving!

11:30am Oh great now my stomach hurts!!!!!!

11:34am I am sooooooo sorry for my rude behavior today. I really should be more considerate of others. And, I promise I will be more respectful of others. I feel soooooo bad!

11:38am I have been awake for an hour!

Then, she called my house phone from her cell phone in her bedroom to ask me to "unlock" the door so she could come out!!! HILARIOUS!!! We all Laughed for quite awhile about this at the dinner table that night. Kaitlin included. All she needed was a little more sleep that day and she was good as new. We all have days like that and our kids are no different and I guess we need to remember that as parents!!! We ALL need a day off once in awhile or five minutes to yell and get it out of our system or a day to cry...but as long as you can laugh about it later it's all good!!!!!

Spending Time With Emmy...

They were really cute playing with her that day. ALL of the kids are so great with Emmy and love to hold her and talk to her. She is 3 weeks old here...

She MUST Be Even Sweeter Than We Thought...

Okay, I have been crying for 2 days over this and some of you may find that fact ridiculous and others will know that it is classic Taya!!!! The other night Kevin ran up to the store and Lauren, Emmy and I stayed behind to get ready for bed. I got Lauren ready and put Barbie Swan Lake on for her to watch for a bit and then I went on to Emmy. I got her pj's on and everything and walked by Lauren in the toy room, who was ballerina dancing and singing like the movie, and went into my room to make a bottle and feed Emmy. I sat down in the rocking chair and after a few minutes I had a feeling to call out to Lauren because I wasn't hearing her anymore and usually I would because our house echoes so badly. No answer. I called out one more time to her and still no answer. So, I stand up with Emmy and bottle and go to see what she is up to. She was not in the toy room. I walked through the house and found the back sliding glass door open and Lauren is outside playing with Roxy (our dog). She sees me and beelines for the door because she knows she should not be out there. I made it clear that was a "no-no" and then I put her and Emmy to bed. Well, she came into our room that night at some point and Kevin took her back and tucked her in again. We didn't think anything of it because she has done that a few times since Emmy was born. So, the next morning she comes happily tootiling into our room and hops up on our bed ( a 6am ritual) and THIS IS WHAT WE SAW...








I panicked completely because it is VERY disturbing to see your 2 year old COVERED in mosquito bites!!!!! It is insane to think that any one person could get bit so many times. We are thinking she must have walked or ran through a swarm of them or something out in the back yard. And, as everyone knows especially out here in Queen Creek they are EVERYWHERE since all of these storms have hit!! I really have been crying for 2 days about it and finally got her in to see the doctor today and he says, "she seems absolutely happy and fine so I'll give her something to help heal these up faster and take the swelling down but just keep doing what you are doing and she'll be fine". I told him that yeah she's okay it's me that needs help!!!! Anyway, I feel better since hearing him say she's gonna survive. This to shall pass!!! I do love her and don't like seeing any of my kids in pain or looking like they may be in pain! The moral of the story is thrice: 1) No one at our house is allowed to open/unlock the slider door ever again so she doesn't get out. 2)USE repellent at all times you are outdoors in monsoon season in Queen Creek. And, last but not least 3) I NEVER would have made it as a pioneer mother!!!!!! Final count of bites per leg: 61 on the left and 43 on the right!

Off They Go...

Kaitlin and Daron left for Texas this morning bright and early! They were VERY excited to see their Mom, Albert, Eli and Nathan. It will be a fun trip I am sure and we hope they have a great time!!! Madison is going to be going with her Dad for the weekend as well, so this leaves me and Kevin a little bit empty nested, but not quite. We'll have Lauren and Emmy and plan to have some quality time together. We have not been on a date since about 1-2 months before Emmy was born. He has really been wanting to see "The Dark Knight" at the IMAX, so that may come to fruition...we'll see. I want to sleep for more than 2 consecutive hours at some point so he's gonna get up with Emmy through the night on Friday so that I don't have to. What a good man!!!

Anyway, have fun Kaitlin, Daron and Maddie!!! We love you and will see you in a few days...

And Another...

Thanks to Jade for coming to visit me & Emmy and doing hair of course while she was here. I needed it BAD!!! I know your back was hurting and I hope it's feeling better today. I appreciate all of your hair talents and it is always the best to even just get to hang out for awhile with you!!! Thanks for the products to try...that was sweet too. Have a great week and hopefully we'll see you soon!

Another Thanks...

Thanks for the new background Granny!!! All of the kids noticed it today and we all love it! I have to give credit where credit is due...

Love,

Taya

Emersyn's STATS...

3 weeks old today and I can't believe it! Emmy has chubbed up a bit weighing in at 9lbs 14oz putting her in the 64% for weight. Her length is still 21.5 inches and places her in the 78%. Dr. Daryn says she looks great!!!

"Huxtable Hoagies"...

Does everyone remember the Cosby Show??? How about the hoagie sandwiches that Cliff used to make that were HUGE???? Well, my husband made the best hoagies ever for dinner tonight. He loves to cook and make stuff we all like. It makes him happy and us of course, because everything he makes is soooooo yummy! Anyway, his special hoagies are all that...they have turkey, ham, salami, lettuce, tomatoe, swiss cheese, provolone cheese, mayo, parmesean cheese, italian dressing, and chips and pickles on the side! Have I said lately how awesome Kevin is???!!!!!

Ode To Motherhood...

I just had to post about this for myself so that I'd remember, since this blog is kind of a journal for me. I was sitting on my bed today helping Maddie do her weekly blog update and then Emmy started crying so I went in and picked her up out of her swing. I brought her in and laid her on my lap to hang out with Maddie and me for awhile. Then Lauren came in with a bottle of bubbles from her goodie bag handed out at Chance's birthday party yesterday. She really wanted me to do the bubbles for her, NOW!!! So, here I am spelling out words and telling Maddie where to put the spaces and punctuation, while rocking Emmy on my lap, and blowing bubbles for a very impatient Lauren (and Emmy was NOT happy because sometimes a bubble or two would land on her and pop). I had to stop and laugh because I heard myself say outload to Lauren, "I am only 1 person Lauren and you have to be patient", yet here I was doing these 3 things at once. I know all you Moms out there know where I'm coming from. Having kids is a lot of work and some days are definitly crazier than others, BUT I wouldn't change it for anything. I sure love them all!!!

I love this dress...

August 23rd... Happy Birthday NANA...

Birthday Lunch Honoring Nana...

We went out to lunch last year on Nana's birthday which was a couple of months after she passed away. It just seems right to get together and think about her that day!!! So, we did it again this year and it was a lot of fun. It was Emmy and my first outing since we came home from the hospital and it was good to get out and visit with family on a special day! Lauren had a blast even though she had a low grade fever for some reason. Thank you to Aunt Tawna and Granny who helped corral her to stay at our table, which is no easy task. She is so social and loves people. She wants to walk around and talk to everyone, even strangers at all the different tables. We went to Mattas originally and ended up leaving because they are a STUPID restaurant now. Gone are the good old days of Mattas and now it is being boycotted by us!!! Anyway, before we left I was having a discussion with an ignorant waitress and turned around to find Lauren not sitting by me anymore. I was frantic at first but then realized that she was sitting with a table of four strangers right behind our table and they were laughing hysterically. Then on the way out of the CRAPPY restaurant we ran into the Hatch girls and their Mom and I was standing there talking to them by their table and Lauren climbs up onto Cozette's lap like she was her best friend, so we all got another good laugh. Then in the parking lot when trying to decide which NORMAL, CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED establishment we would be eating at instead Lauren climbed into Aunt Stacie's car and I again was frantically looking for her and we all laughed. The girl definitly knows what she wants!!! So, I let her ride with Stacie and the boys to Gecko Grill where the employees were AWESOME and we all had a great time!!! Thanks Granny for planning a fun lunch date for all of us and helping us have a tradition of still celebrating Nans day!!!

It's Official...

Well, Kaitlin and Daron are here to stay!!!!!!! We are so excited to have them here for the school year. They are loving their new school and old friends and making new friends. We are loving seeing their faces come through the door after school and hearing all about their days and helping them with homework and taking them to activities and on and on and on!!! This is so great because Kevin really hasn't gotten the chance to be there for them for the day to day stuff for awhile. And, they get to visit their Mom, stepdad and brothers in Texas once a month with the school schedule here, which is awesome. The majority of family from all four sides live in AZ and the kids are excited about seeing everyone more! We are way happy!!!!! We love you Kaitlin and Daron!!!

Carrot Cake...YUMM!!

Eggrolls & "Eggvelopes"

For Darons birthday Oma and Opa came over with all of the fixings for eggrolls. Oma was showing all of the kids how to roll the eggrolls before we could fry them. The kids all did a great job but we did joke with Kaitlin a little bit that hers looked like little envelopes instead of rolls! It was funny... and they all tasted YUMMY! Kevin made fried rice to go with the eggrolls, and of course there was cake. Heidi and Bryce got to come and it was a fun night for sure!!!!

Never fully Dressed without a SMILE...

This had to be posted, not only because she is extra beautiful when she smiles, but because she is smiling so huge after a night of pure torture for her Mommy! She had kept me up all night and then at 5am she falls asleep and grins from ear to ear and Mommy has to get up with Lauren and start her day on zero sleep. All I could think when reaching for my camera is "you little stinker!"

Here's Kevin and the kids working on the yard. Lauren luvs to be outside no matter what the reason. We have a hard time getting her back into the house after some fun outdoor time with Roxy and her brother and sisters. Kev was teaching Daron how to use a riding lawn mower and of course Daron loved the chance to drive that thing! He thought he was hot stuff! He's such a great helper and any time spent with his Dad is awesome for them, even doing chores!

Sisters...

This was a fun morning. The girls were all in our room playing with Emmy and they were all so cute with her. It was the first Saturday after she was born so she was only 4 days old. Daron had slept in that day which he loves to do especially since school started and the opportunity doesn't come very often now!!!

Hospital Pics of Emmy...

Boy am I WAYYYYYYYY behind in my blogging!! So, I am gonna start my catch up with these pictures of Emmy right after she was born. She already looks so different and it's only been 2 weeks. I have to include of course the pictures of the exhausted parents as well... and for the record I still look that tired!!! I love having Emmy home but I will love it even more when I can get 4-5 hours of uninterupted sleep!!!

Happy Birthday Daron!!!

Happy Birthday to our Favorite Son!!! Daron is such a great kid and so sweet. We love him so much and hope that he has an awesome birthday. I can't believe that he's 10!!! Double digits! He is such a fantastic brother to ALL of his sisters and I know how much fun he has with Eli and Nathan his brothers. He is very helpful and we love that he loves to play basketball, cook, work on his blog, play with friends, play ANYTHING electronical (granny hit that one on the head in her b-day tribute), work on the boat with his Dad, read, etc., etc., etc.!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARON!!!!!!!!!!!!

So much to Say, So little time...

I have soooooo much blogging to catch up on, but it will have to wait for another day. I promise to get it caught up soon! It has been crazy since Emmy was born and school starting and all. I just wanted to take a quick minute and thank some friends and family publicly.

Thank you Granny for the yummy lunches and dinners, watching the kids overnight while we went to the hospital to have our baby, and the VERY cute blog backgrounds for each of the kids you did today. They love them. You are so talented.

Thank you Oma & Opa for all of the help with Lauren, especially last minute the other morning, and the delicious meatballs which will make a wonderful dinner for tomorrow night and all of the little but vital things you are constantly helping us with day to day. We appreciate you immensely.

Thank you Tawna for listening to me complain about how tired I am and helping me out for a whole day last week. It really was great to have you and Chance here that day and I am grateful. I wish I could help you more right now and know you have a lot going on...don't all Moms!!! Thanks for the cute Emmy outfits and stuff too!

Terri, thank you for all of your time and talents. You and Ben's sign that you made is awesome and we love your visits too. The diaper bag you got for Emmy was envied at the hospital. Everyone wanted to know where I got it. And, the clothes are adorable and I can't wait till she fits into them and is out of the onzie phase. You spoil me Terri!!! We want you all to come play soon. The kids can do their normal hide and seek while we chat! Come see the baby Brianna!

Barbara and Brett, thank you for having our kids over to play and feeding them dinner the day Emmy was born. We did not have a game plan and it worked out great. They always love to get together with you guys! Also, thank you for inviting Lauren to come and play this morning. She had so much fun and that was generous of you Barb! All the cute outfits you brought for Emmy are awesome. It was way more than you should have done!!!

We are very lucky to have such great family and friends! I have thank you card for all of you, and for many other wonderful family and friends, but I wanted to thank you publicly as well!!!

First Day of School...

Here's some pics of the kids first day of school. I felt guilty for not being home, but not much I could do about that! Kevin is awesome and got everyone ready on time and looking cute and drove the carpool! He even had family breakfast which is now incorporated into our morning and I love it. What a great way to start the day together. Everyone came home from school way excited about their teachers and new friends and Emmy and I got to come home that day too. So, all in all it has been a crazy week but I am so thankful that our kids are happy and Emmy is here safe and healthy and life goes on!!!!

More Pictures of Emmy...

Emersyn is Awake!

Maybe just for a few minutes, so I of course had to get out the camera and click away. Taya wasn't thrilled that she was in a few of the pics, but I think all new mother's are beautiful. No matter what their hair looks like, or in the absence of make up. They just glow with the after effects of the miracle of a new baby. What a sappy granny I am today.

Emersyn Rae Has Arrived....

There is a new princess in the Goodwin home! Emersyn Rae came into the world yesterday morning, I believe around 6:30 a.m. I think she weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz. Both Taya and Emersyn are doing very well. I was lucky enough to get to go and visit them last night and had so much fun holding this little bundle of joy. She very much looks like Lauren, who will be 3 this fall, only I think she will have blonde hair and brown eyes. We'll have to see!

Taya reports that Lauren just adores her baby sister, as do the rest of the kids! Lauren had to have a turn holding her between each other sibling's turn! Couldn't get enough of her! Taya is convinced that Lauren thinks that her new sister is actually a new doll for her to play with!

Anyway...I am sure that she will be posting some fun stories about this sweet little one as soon as she is feeling a little more rested. Congratulations to the Goodwin Family!

Still Figuring out Blogging...

I had to temporarily delete Maddie's blog because I set it up wrong I think, so we will be recreating shortly!!! Kaitlin has a blog already and we are setting Daron up also. Daron wants his to be called "Daring Daron"!!! He's cute. So, shortly they will all be done with Granny's design backgrounds and they'll be sending out invites to everyone since they'll be private...

I of course will send out invites to Christy, Granny, Tawna, Jade, Summer, Monsons, Bekki, Erin, Bob, and Stacie so all the cousins can keep up, but if anyone else wants an invite leave me a comment with your email address!!! I know they have family that I may not have email addresses for and I am not really sure who all is on blogger in the extended family for the kids either... So let me know.