We're still here!

Well, to say it's been quite a year would be a huge understatement!  2014 proved to be extremely busy, hard work, expensive, stressful, and wonderful all at the same time.  We saw so many blessings, and I can definitely say that I saw the hand of the Lord in our lives.  I really am wishing I would have stuck with the whole blogging thing......there is just so much I don't want to forget.  So, I am going to try and remember a few of the highlights.  Here we go!

November of 2013 we started searching for a home to buy.  This may seem fun to some, but can I just say that shopping for a home in Utah was a COMPLETELY different experience than shopping for a home in Arizona.  What started as fun quickly faded into frustration! After many many houses, we closed 4 months later on a home. We were between a new home farther from town, or an existing home in town. Location won out, and we ended up with a fixer upper. The first week of moving in consisted of moving in, and ripping out the kitchen. After the kitchen update, it was on to the laundry room.  A new roof came the end of May along with tons of landscaping. Painting and more painting, two almost finished bathroom remodels, countless light fixtures replaced (can't forget the ceiling needing painted white:), the door and wall to the basement being removed to make more open, and getting our garden in just in time for summer. (That was a little jumbled) This doesn't even begin to give credit for everything.......can I just say my husband is Amazing!  The work continues!

The kids grew up so much! Eloise changed a ton this past year, and really isn't a baby anymore. She is acting so much like a little girl now. She will be three in May, and just hit 21 lbs! She may be tiny, but she has a giant spirit! She loves everything princess and girly these days. Alexander Started Kindergarten in September. He is getting so big, but to me he is still my little guy. I am loving having him home still for half days. Maxwell and Mackay are both getting to be such big guys. All of the boys are still loving legos and playing outside in nature.  They are such a joy, I am one lucky Mama! And I can hardly believe that Noelle turned 12 in October. I was not ready for this! She is acting so grown up, and looking that way too! Can't believe she is in YW's now. I am one Blessed woman!!

In September we had a bit of a scare when I discovered a large lump on Maxwells upper under arm. I honestly don't know how I missed it, because it was quite large. Yes, I panicked! After seeing his pediatrician and two bone specialists, it was determined to be an osteocondroma. They are usually not a problem, but his was causing him discomfort because of the location and it rubbing against his ribs. He had surgery to have it removed the day before Halloween. Everything went very well, and he had only the best taking care of him at Primary Childrens in Salt Lake.
We had a beautiful holiday season. I don't ever want to forget the sound of the children Christmas morning. There is no better sound to be awakened by!

In all, though it was a difficult year in many ways, we saw the Lords blessings upon us in so many ways. We have been so very blessed!

The year of the Apartment.

Well, this past year has been so crazy to say the least!  I don't even know where to start.  I really wish I would have kept up on blogging over the past year, as we have had such a crazy one!  Last April we made the decision to move to a little townhouse apartment in hopes of saving up more money so we could buy a home again.  It was such a good experience for our family, but I now I was not the only one that was thinking we had made a crazy decision to do it.  It was challenging for our family of 7 to live in 1200 sq. feet! I think I always had a bruise on my arm or leg from hitting something or tripping over something.  Just three months into our adventure, Aaron got really sick, and we thought he had a terrible flu bug. We had just been sick with the flu a couple of weeks earlier, so I was determined to stay clear...... I even slept on the couch:) I felt really bad, when Aaron told me he needed to go in, and that he thought it was appendicitis.  Sure enough, he has surgery that afternoon to remove his appendix.  I don't think I won the wife of the year award with that one:).  August came, and we were in full swing of birthday season.  Eloise started walking I think it was the 9th.  She was so so tipsy with walking. I think her tiny mere 15lb. petite frame made it so hard to keep stable.  She has not slowed down since, and she is so fun and such a blessing to our family. The holidays were lovely as always, but by this time I was feeling quite anxious for some space, as were the kids. We started looking for a home to buy in November. I thought it might take some time to find the right home, and that became an understatement! Buying a home in Utah proved to be a test of my patient and our families.  We closed on our home in Orem on March 3rd. We are in full swing of trying to make this a beautiful home. It has been so crazy. The kids are able to stay in their same school, and we are so happy about that. Having space again is amazing! I hope to get some new pics posted soon, and update more often.  The kids have grown so so much, and I can hardly believe it is spring and Eloise will be two next month!  Good times ahead! We have been so very blessed, and I have seen the Lords hand in my life during this crazy past year.

Family Pictures May 2013

This was our best attempts at family pictures with the tripod this year. We got some great shots that I love, but as you can see, we are missing a couple kids personal shots. We meant to go back a couple days later to attempt try #2, but life gets so busy sometimes! I will forever treasure these ones! I Love my family!!

My baby turns 1!! (I am way behind!)

Well, once again time has gotten away from me and it is September 1st!! I can't believe I have let blogging get away from me again! I don't want to miss out on recording these precious memories and our fun summer, so I am going to attempt to catch up as quickly as possible.  May was a big month for us, our little princess turned one! I can hardly believe how fast time has gone since we first found out we were expecting again. It has been a wonderful year filled with so much love and joy.  I am one blessed woman to have this little lady in my life! Eloise has so much spunk and personality. It must be that beautiful red hair! Eloise was still crawling on her first birthday, and got her first two teeth the week of her birthday. Just a little thing still, I think she was a whopping 15 pounds at her one year appointment! We had a fun party at a beautiful park, and yummy cake. She sure loved those fondant strawberries! I love this girl! 

My wonderful life

Once again the month has gotten away from me. I meant to write about so many things over the past month....... Mackay's awesome pinewood derby car, Eloise learning to stand up against furniture and even take steps behind her dolly stroller, Noelle mastering another beautiful song on the piano, Aaron getting his new app update out at work, Alexander breaking his nose on the stairs, and we are moving once again. So much has happened this past month, and as I was tucking each of my sweet children into bed the other night, I felt so blessed for my life and the experiences I get to have everyday, I had wonderful memories of each of them flood my mind. I am so very blessed. I could see Noelle running as fast as she could with her kite flying behind her, I could see Mackay so tenderly loving on his baby sister, Maxwell's huge smile, Alexander quietly playing while the kids are at school and asking me so sweetly to go to the donut shop, and little Eloise crawling all over the house and eating any crumb she can get those sweet fingers on. These are the things I want to remember. I love being a Mother.

February

Well, the time has gotten away from me again, and I can hardly believe February is over and we are on into March.  I love February, not just because it is my birthday month, but I love Valentines day and all the pink and red is so fun. Tax returns are a bonus as well:)  We had a great month.  Valentines day was fun as always.  I decided to throw a little Valentines day party with Alexander. The kids always come home with gobs of treats and stories all about their exciting day and Alexanders day is usually less than exciting. So we had over his little cousins for a party. We made heart pizzas and heart cookies for dessert. Lots of pink and red and of course, Valentines. I think they all had a good time. Later that night Aaron and I got to go out again this year which was so nice. We opted to go to Panda Express because the lines were the shortest we could find. It's not about the food right?? We had a nice time together just talking and enjoying each others company. Eloise slept through dinner, so that was a bonus. We stopped for frozen yogurt on the way home. Aaron's parents threw their annual Valentines day party again, which made our date possible. The kids had a great time as always. Grandma made each of the kids a little monster out of felt with a matchbox bed. So, so cute, Wish I would have thought of that one!  The kids loved it all, especially the fact that they served fish sticks for dinner!
 I turned 30(that is not the great part) and my family spoiled me like they always do. Noelle was so sweet and brought me breakfast in bed. I had an early meeting for RS, so I spent the morning at the church. Aaron bought me a 1000 piece puzzle that we worked on in the afternoon, then Nicole and the kids came over for dinner. I made my favorite, strawberry pie for dessert. All the kids made me the cutest cards, I loved them all! Aaron gave me a vintage shelf that was his grandmas, he is going to refinish it for me. I love it!  He also bought me a new bathrobe, pjs and an ipad. The ipad went back since the new updated one comes out in March.  I really do have the most thoughtful husband, he always does such nice things for me. I am a blessed woman! It was a nice relaxing day, I love days like that. I guess I am easy to please. Eloise took her first crawls on my birthday as well, what a fun treat! She is now unstoppable and can find any microscopic thing that you may be missing. The kids are loving that she is mobile! This is definitely a super cute stage and we are enjoying every moment. Eloise also had her nine month appointment and she is still a tiny little thing. She weighed in at 14lbs 4oz. and was 25 inches long. She is now in the 2nd % for weight and .8 % for height. We are sure loving her!  I can't forget that Noelle got her hair cut, she looks so beautiful and so grown up. She had been asking for about a month, so I figured she was sure. She is loving it, and is feeling so stylish!  Mackay and Aaron  had Blue and Gold for scouts, and I stayed home with the other kids. It sounds like it was a success. Aaron made the movie for the program and did a great job as always.
I finally got back to my sewing machine. I made a baby boy quilt for my sisters baby. He is 9 months like Eloise, and did not yet have a quilt of his own. I forgot to take a picture, but it turned out so cute. I think I finally have mastered binding. It was my best binding job yet! So exciting for me!!
I hope I did not forget any of the highlights, hopefully this month I will be better at writing down things as they happen.

Chore Chart

Time for accountability:)

Little Eloise

Maxwell's 101 and look at Eloise!

 Friday Maxwell's 1st grade class celebrated 101 days of school. I really do love the great teachers the kids have had at Northridge. Mrs. Whiting has been so good for Maxwell, and he seems to really love her. What a fun idea to celebrate the day. Maxwell was SO excited for Friday to come. I have to say he is the cutest 101 year old I have ever seen. Love the aged eyebrows!

 I had to include a few pictures of Eloise from this weekend. This little lady has this uncontrollable head of red hair. I LOVE it! And check out the little knees, this is her new way of sitting.  She has stolen the hearts of our entire family, I just can't get enough of her!

Look at those eyes! Give that girl anything she wants!

crazy hair day

More Snow!

Yesterday was an exciting day. Our driveway was clear and dry for the first time since Christmas. This morning we woke up to a fresh coat of snow. It is beautiful and peaceful, but I am so ready for spring! Aaron spent a good half hour shoveling our super long driveway and by the time he finished it looked the same as before he started.  All this cold weather makes me want to sew. I am getting that itch again to make a new quilt or maybe a few pillows for the living room. I have had 4 charm packs of vintage modern sitting in my sewing cabinet for months. I think its time to use it.
On another note, Eloise is growing up so fast. I think that 4 year break from babies had me forgetting just how fast they change. In just the past week, she can get on her hands and knees (crawling position) and rock back and forth. She learned the delicate use of her pointer finger and thumb to pick up cheerios and can get her fingers to actually release the food once its in her mouth (That's important). She lets you know when she wants the food you are eating and can your attention by yelling and waving her arms frantically. I sure am enjoying that girl. I always say I am in love with her, and I really am.
We had a nice short week last week. It was needed. It always is. Aaron and I took turns taking the kids on dates. The kids could hardly stand waiting for their turn. I always see a change in the kids when they have that personal time with us. Aaron took Mackay to the Provo Beach Resort to try the ropes. Perfect date for them both. I was glad that Noelle picked a less adventurous date. With a little persuasion of course! We went and had lunch at in and out burger and picked out a project to do together at wood connection. It is always fun spending time with my girl. Maxwell and I went and got donuts and we also went to wood connection.  He picked out a wood sword to paint and an "M" for his wall. Aaron took Alexander to the wood connection and to get donuts as well. Once he saw what Maxwell got, he was super excited and wanted the same date. They took a detour on the way home to look at puppies at the pet store. It is the simple things in life right? Aaron took Friday off and he went skiing with his dad. I don't think he has been in at least 13 years, so this was much needed and definitely well deserved! I think I am the luckiest girl in the world to have that man! He works so hard and does so much for me and the kids. I am glad he got to go do something he loves.
Oh, I can't forget to mention all the organizing we have been doing around here. I LOVE an organized home! From cleaning out the files to going through kids clothes. It is happening at our house! I will post a picture of the new craft cart for the kids. I am loving it, and I the kids too.
We had a great week, and now I am looking forward to February. One month closer to spring, right?

Ready for 2013!

Well, here we are again, a new year and a new goal to actually keep up with my blog. As I thought about all the reasons I should keep up with it, I think the best reason and the one that stood out to me was to do it for my family.  The kids love to look at old family photos, so why not have a history to look back on. I also was recently given the responsibility of keeping the journal for RS, so I thought that if that was so important, then I must be missing something. So here we are. First though, I couldn't begin a new year without  a recap of the last. It was a good year, and I saw so many blessings come to our family. So here it goes.

Awesome events of 2012

  The birth of our little Eloise definitely takes the number one spot. Eloise was born on May 16th 2012, and weighed a tiny 5lbs 14oz. she was 19 inches long. Eloise is such a blessing in my life, and I truly believe that I prayed her here. I have spent the last 10 years wanting a second daughter and a sister for Noelle. I believe that every girl needs that. I love my sisters and I am so grateful that Noelle has one now too. Eloise is such a beautiful baby and she really is a joy and a blessing to have in our family. She is a reminder to me that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us and the desires of our hearts.  He does answer our prayers.

 My First Son Mackay David Orr was baptized. What a wonderful experience it was to see him make this sacred step. I am so proud of him and the young man he is becoming. I always tell him that one of my favorite thins about him is his good heart. That boy has a heart of gold! I am so blessed to have him as my boy. I have learned more from him than almost anyone. He teaches me so much everyday.

 After much deliberation we made the decision to move from our favorite neighborhood ever. This was so hard to do, but I knew it was necessary. That little home in Orem was just too small for our now family of 7. We loved that ward and our neighbors. We really were surrounded by some of the kindest people I have ever met. We found a home, or we thought we did, and the week before moving we did a final drive by. I don't think my heart has ever sunk to hard. I new it was the wrong place. I felt sick.  Aaron's parents were kind enough to put up with us for a couple of weeks while we frantically searched for a new home. Home rentals here are far and few between. Needless to say, we found a large home in Pleasant Grove. I still miss that little Orem home with all  its imperfections, but our new home is much bigger, and gives us the space we so needed.

  The kids continued to progress in their talents last year. Noelle has really progressed at the piano and is able to play many of the church hymns. I love to hear the sound of her playing. Noelle also started ballet this year. It has been fun to see her learn a new talent. Mackay started his second year in soccer, and he really did a great job. It was so fun for our family to go to all his games and cheer him on. It will be fun to start up the season again this spring. Aaron and Mackay have also started to learn the guitar. It will be fun to see them learn this new talent together.  Maxwell received a ukulele for Christmas and is excited to learn to play it.  I am too! He has also taken an interest in the piano and is learning some songs. He is so good at remembering his last lesson, and he will be a pro in no time!  

 We purchased a New Van, (new to us that is). With the addition of Eloise we needed more space to fit our family. We bought a 2008 Honda Odyssey. I was a little sad to say goodbye to our little Kia. We bought that van years ago when Mackay was just a newborn. Lots of miles and memories.


 2012 was an expensive year for our family. Along with a New van came many more purchases. It would not be right to forget about those welcome additions:) We paid off Aaron's car to make room for the new van. Lots and lots of medical bills. The hospital surprised us with a different bill for the baby. Gotta love billing. Back when we moved to Utah we finally decided that it was time to get rid of all the baby stuff. Within 3 months of moving here we got the exciting news that we were expecting! Somehow I think that getting rid of it all helped me get pregnant:) No complaints here, who doesn't like buying new baby stuff! We bought a new washing machine because somehow ours did not make it through the move. I can't complain too much, it is the awesome new LG. The move of course was an expensive little thing. It is amazing to me how much a move adds up. Then came Christmas. we had decided back in March or April that we would do a homemade Christmas. I was way behind on the quilts for the kids when my sewing machine broke. Awesome. I think if it had been at any other time, I would have been okay with it, but not a week and a half before Christmas! So  again I can't complain, because my super sweet husband bought me my dream machine. He surprised me on Christmas with a new Bernina. I love that man! So, it may have been an expensive year, but it all worked out, and we have been so, so blessed.

  As I mentioned above, we had a semi-homemade Christmas. I felt like this was something our children needed, and it turned out to be a wonderful Christmas. I made each of the kids a quilt throw, and Aaron made each of the kids a toy box. We spent countless hours working late into the night,  (Aaron in the freezing cold), but I think we were both so happy to give a gift that really came from our heart and hands. Each project turned out special and unique and I hope they will be cherished for years to come.

  As they always do, the kids grew and changed so much last year. I am so blessed and grateful to be the mother of 5 amazing children. I love each one so much. Perhaps the greatest thing about last year is that I was blessed to be home raising all of my children.  I am grateful for an amazing husband that works so hard everyday so I can be home with the kids. We were healthy, happy, and together as a family. Aaron was successful at work, and the kids were successful at school. We were blessed in so many ways. I am grateful for such an amazing year and I look forward to the new year and all the opportunities that come with it. So, here's to a wonderful 2013!

My baby is getting baptized

It has gone by so fast, I feel like Noelle should still be my little toddler in pigtails watching Dora. I am not ready for her to get big but somehow it has happened and my sweet little girl is getting baptized this saturday. I am so proud of her! Noelle is such a blessing to my life and she teaches me so much everyday. I love her smile and her willingness to always help with 3 little brothers. I love that wherever I am in the house I can hear her playing away at the piano. I love that she has such a desire to develop talents and try new things. I love everything about that girl! I have been so blessed to have her in my life. I love you Noelle!

baptism photo shoot continued

Noelle's baptism photo shoot

Having a bad attitude

So I just had to post this, because I thought it was one of the most hysterical things one of my kids have said. We were on our way home from Costco when for some unknown reason Noelle and Mackay started fighting in the back seat. I don't think I have seen them hit like that since they were two! Anyway, they had been asked to stop an unimaginable amount of times when Aaron decided to whip out his iPhone and take a little video. You gotta love that iPhone, how convenient! The kids did not like that idea too much, but continued to fight all the more. Mackay was hitting Noelle with a rolled up paper (boys just don't know when to stop!). Noelle yelled back at him, "you wanna be filmed having a bad attitude!!" Aaron and I about died laughing, so funny! You would guess right if you think the kids got a nice learning lecture when we got home.

And more vacation Pictures

Grandpa did a lemonade stand with the kids, they thought it was pretty cool.

I love Alexanders expression here, you can tell we are coming into terrible two's.

Noelle with her Aunt Celeste. These girls have so much fun together, and Celeste is always so good to the kids. We sure miss you Celeste!

My Sister Nicole, My Mom, and Me. It has been a long time since we have been together, we had a great time playing cards and having fun.

Papa is always so good to us when we come. The kids loved his treat box!

I am so grateful that we were able to go to Utah this year. We always have such a good time and it leaves us wishing we could all live a little closer. Thank you to everyone for such a good time!

More vacation pictures

Grandma Peggy is always so much fun! Grandma made all the kids kitty noses and ears. Don't they look so cute!

Noelle and cousin Emily are best of friends.

Our trip up the mountain to cascade springs was so much fun, (except the winding road that made Alexander sick and caused him to throw up all over himself and his carseat on the way back down the mountain). The kids loved that they could see the fish through the clear water, they had a great time!

The kids with there cousins. We sure wish we could live closer!

Family vacation 2010

This post is a little late, time has a way of getting away from me sometimes! Anyway, This is the first year that we actually made it to see the hot air balloons for the 4th of July. I was a little unsure since it meant we had to get up super early, but it turned out to be a great time! The kids loved being so close as they were setting up and taking off.

Maxwell is so obsessed with fire men!!! Aaron took him over to see the firetruck and he was so happy to talk with a real fireman. Aaron said it was so cute to see maxwell stroke the firemans arm, he was in heaven!

Me and alex, trying to stay warm. We are so used to the heat in AZ, that those cold Utah mornings were freezing to us!

Mackay having a great time!

This picture was actually taken before our trip, but I thought it was a good picture with all the kids in one place. This was outside the theatre when we went to see Toy Story 3. The kids of course loved the movie, it was a super fun day!

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

I know Fathers Day was yesterday, but sometimes life gets busy and I don't always get the chance to just sit and reflect. Well, today I have been doing a lot of thinking about my dad. I have been thinking about all the things I love about my dad, and the example for good he has been in my life. When I was little I always thought he was the strongest man in the whole world, and as I have grown, he has shown me that he truly is. I love how kind my dad is, he is always so willing to give all he has especially his time and talents in the service of others. I am so blessed to have him in my life. I love you Dad! Thank you for all you do!

We have a Quarter!

Well, I have to say that I am glad this experience is over. Last monday, Aaron was out of town for work, so it was just me and the kids and the first week of summer break. I though I would be nice and let my kids stay up past 7pm to have a party! Well the party never really started, unless you cound an urgent care visit a party. Monday nights at the Orr house means the kids will get allowance, a whopping 1.50. For some reason I felt that I should give the kids 2 dollars this week, so I pulled out the money to give to the kids. After looking at it I thought no, I am not giving them extra, they will expect it every week if I do it even once. I had the strongest feeling to give them the 2 dollars, and I still went back and switched out the second dollar for quarters. At this point I felt again that nagging feeling that I was doing the wrong thing. I passed it off as me just being crazy, and went ahead and gave it to the kids. In no more than 5 min. Maxwell was running to me screeming and grabing his chest in pain and panic. After quickly checking him over I heard the word quarter come out of my terrified three year olds lips. I asked if he swallowed the quarter and he confirmed my worst fear. With the help of a couple of very generous people from our ward, I rushed him to the urgent care. They did the x-ray and confirmed it was at the bottom of his stomach, just a little to far to reach. They said it should pass on its own within a couple of days and that it was past the danger zone of the esophogus. It was a long night. Thursday we went back to check its location and they said it had not moved and that he would need to go to Cardon Childrens and have him nocked out to remove it. After a long day there, the confirmed it had entered his intestines and they could do nothing. Well, I have to say that little 3 year olds have a lot of faith, and 9 days after swallowing it WE HAVE A QUARTER!! Not so shiny anymore though! I have learned a great deal from this experience and I am striving to hear those promptings more, and be willing when I do to follow, no matter how crazy it might seem. I know that this whole situation could have been avoided if I had just been willing to listen and obey.