Pinewood Derby

Last weekend was our cub scout pinewood derby. I again was the derby widow the 2 weeks leading up to the big race as Randy was extemely involved in preparing for our Stakes pinewood derby. He does an awesome job and everyone loves how smoothly it all runs, I am just always glad when it is over and I can have my husband back! Amid all this he actually found time to help Ryan build his car and he was very proud to finally have a winning year. Ryan took 2nd place overall and 1st in his den. I was really proud of Ryan being a good sport about it all, all the boys had alot of fun, they all had the biggest smiles as they watched their cars race down the track.

In other news, everyone here is finally healthy again. For 2 weeks this cold bounced from one kid to another. I know having a big family that is bound to happen but for us it usually doesn't. I can only remember one other time when everyone was sick at once. Monday was the first day in 2 weeks when everyone went to school, I have had one or two of the kids home. I got busy trying to destroy the sick bug and cleaned my house from top to bottom, I even had the carpets cleaned yesterday. It is so nice to relax in my nice clean house! I am savoring the moment because I can guarantee you that somebody will spill something sticky today and all will be back to normal!

Day at the Zoo

Jena & I braved the crowds yesterday and took 11 kids to the zoo. We swear we could pass for a polygamist family! I haven't taken all the kids to the zoo since the last time I lost Ryan for the longest 5 minutes of my life. Now that they are a little older it is a little easier to keep track of them even though I am still a nervous wreck the whole time. I always thought color coded shirts were so lame but I think I am going to have to resort to that. I must have counted my kids 100 times! We had a lot of fun, the kids loved climbing on everything, I think they would have been just as happy spending the day on a jungle gym but we saw most of the animals and got to touch the sting rays and even managed to take a few pictures.



Feeding Ducks
Last week I met Randy at the park with the 2 little kids during lunch. It was such a nice day, Trevor loved going down all the slides and feeding the ducks. I realized this was the first time I have ever taken him to feed the ducks, sad I know. When you have this many kids you lose track of who has done what, but every kid must feed the ducks at least once! It was fun to spend time with just the two of them.

Dear Mom

Since life in the Skabelund house is rather mundane at the moment, a very rare thing I assure you, I decided to blog about the most important woman in my life. . . . my mother. I have been thinking alot about my mom lately, I guess because she lives so far away and I don't get to enjoy her being involved in my everyday life. I think about her daily as I strive to be a good mom and follow her example in how she raised us kids. My mom is one of those rare people who can love unconditionally, without restrictions. You see, my mom did not come into my life until I was about 9 years old when she met and later married my Dad. I truly believe that Heavenly Father brought us together, He knew that I would need her and for that I am eternally grateful. I know that my life, and me as a person would be extremely different without her love and guidance throughout my life. To me she is a pillar of strength, I have watched her face some very hard times with her head held high. She never feels sorry for herself, she picks herself up and moves on. My mom is constantly serving others, I have never known her to say no to an opportunity to help others and do it with an attitude of gratitude, never expecting anything in return. Growing up, my mom was always my best friend. I felt safe confiding in her and loved to spend time in the kitchen with her talking away as she cooked. She never made me feel as if I was in the way, or that she didn't have time to listen to me. I always hated the fact that my mom often knew things before I could tell her. I always thought she possessed some rare psychic ability but now know that it must have been a mother's intuition and divine inspiration. My mom is the most spiritual person I know, she has always been very close to God and has taught me that all things are possible through Him. Even though I am raising my own family now, I know I will never outgrow the need for my mom, especially on those days when I seriously doubt my own ability to be a good mom. I am grateful that she loves my kids, that she loves being a grandma and never tires of being with them. Thanks mom for all that you are, all that you have taught me and for choosing to love me. I love you more than these words can express.

The Lion King

Last night for our anniversary Randy & I went to see the musical production of The Lion King. It was absolutely incredible! I have always wanted to see this since it first appeared on Broadway and am so glad we had the opportunity to see it here. The costumes were amazing, it was so neat how they made the animals move as if they were a part of the dancers. The musical followed the movie pretty closely with a few additional scenes to accomodate for background changes. If you get the chance to go it is totally worth it! I left the camera in the car so no cheesy pics of me & the hubby, oh well. Thanks Baileys for keeping Lyndi lou. 5 hours without little miss needy, my sil says she has OCMD (Obssesive Compulsive Mommy Disorder)! I'm glad she loves you guys. BTW, thanks Lori for helping out Randy, they're beautiful!

13 years and counting

Let me take you back 13 years ago, January 6, 1996 . . . . . . . . .


Okay, never mind the funky looking veil. I still don't know why I chose that but look at that cute little boy! Where has the time gone, 13 amazing years married to an incredible man and my best friend. I don't think when we started on this journey together we ever could've imagined where life would take us. We have experienced incredible joy together as well as very deep sadness but all along the way we have had each other. I am so very grateful that Heavenly Father brought us together. Happy Anniversary Randy, I love you and look forward to the rest of the road that lies ahead, wherever it may lead.

Rocket Shoot & Camping Out

I am not sure how this tradition started but ever since I can remember our family has held a rocket shoot every New Years Day. I know it sounds corny but it really is a lot of fun. Randy spends a few days before building and repairing last years model rockets with the kids, then we head out to the desert and watch them fly. It has turned into quite a big event that we all look forward to. This year we had to find a new patch of desert since the one we have always used has finally been fenced off supposedly waiting to be developed. I am not giving away our new coveted spot but since we would be driving a little ways out of town and taking our camper to use as a potty, Randy & I decided pretty much last minute to make a camping trip out of it. That is no easy feat with a family this size, as we were rushing around that morning trying to get it all together I seriously wondered why we do these things to ourselves! I even had to haul the quads by myself, I don't know why I get so nervous about it, it really is no big deal! Anyways, this trip ended up being the best campout I can remember (besides the fact that Lyndi and I slept a total of 5 minutes that night). We got in some much needed family time, Logan hopped on his bike for the first time with no training wheels and took off like he'd been riding all his life, Darrin learned a valuable lesson about appreciating his family and we just had fun relaxing and playing together. As I was sitting there holding the baby watching my kids riding the quads and having fun I couldn't help but think how incredible it is that these are all my kids! It was just a neat moment to reflect on whats important in life and how grateful I am to be a mom. I am glad to have those moments once in awhile to get me through those not so lovely days. Here's to hoping 2009 will be a happy and blessed year for all of us!