If you give a Lolo a camera...

If you give a Lolo a camera, you will get to see things through her eyes! You will get to see Kody sneaking candy and her bright shiney face smiling back at you!

If you give a Lolo a camera you will see whatever she is watching on TV, you will also see that she is watching TV in her parents room and that she just told on herself. You will also see that her dad threw a fit and broke his drawer when it stuck that morning! hahahaha

If you give a Lolo a camera, you will see that she was drinking a Sprite at Matt and Jackie's wedding. You will also get to see that she found her little brother's shoe!

She will also try to take a close up of the Easter Egg dye kit that her mother bought. What you will not see is that the egg dye kit did not work well! So much for the cheap kit!

You will get to see more of her bright and shiney face! If you give a Lolo a camera, you will see that she is a beautiful and happy girl. You will see what she loves and cares about today.

If you give a Lolo a camera, you will see her goofy father, who likes to make her smile.

If you give a Lolo a camera, she will take some very random pics. You will get to see the back side of Mommy, because it's close to bedtime and she doesn't want to show off her sweet pajamas.

You will get to see a smiley sister, because she thinks it's funny that mom is hiding her face!

If you give a Lolo a camera, you will get to see how much her brothers enjoy each other!

You will see how they hang out and that Sammy likes to put the flashlight in his mouth so his whole face lights up.

If you give a Lolo a camera, the very first shot she will take is of the lens, because she forgot that it sticks shut and you have to open it with your finger.

If you give a Lolo a camera, she will show that we are a happy family and that she loves each one of us that she herself is enjoying her time here. If you give a Lolo a camera, you will get to see what is near and dear to her. You will get to see what is important to a 9 year old at this time in her life. If you give a Lolo a camera, you will get to see life through her eyes.

These pics were taken a few at a time when Lolo could get her hands on the camera, after squealing, "Can I take a few pictures, please, please, PLEASE!!!!" Or even without permission when I have left camera in her reach! It's so funny to go to upload my own pics and see all these random shots that she feels is so necesary!

I hope she will always sneak the camera a little so I can enjoy a little more of life through her eyes.

SAMMYLAND!

A few weeks ago, we had a booth at the Litchfield Fine Arts and Wine show. Danny also a motorcycle event for the bike shop so I got to take Sammy with me! I packed the play pen knowing we would need to keep him contained, but it did not want to set up. (Partially to operator error, but thats a different story!) Well, I was a little flustered not knowing how we would contain this little monster, but leave it to Great-Aunt Shelley to come up with an ingenious idea!

Welcome to SAMMYLAND! We arranged the cartons we keep the gourds in, in a semi circle added our chairs into the mix. Then I made a quick run to Walmart for some "Fresh" toys and snacks. This turned out to be a much better plan because he had plenty of room to crawl and play. Even nap! The first nap of the day I left him in the stroller and it didn't last long. The next nap I pulled him out and layed him on his "Nana-blankey" and he slep for an hour and a half!

Stoller nap!

SAMMYLAND came complete with 2 "caves"
to crawl in. He was a little unsure at first but after I threw some toys in there, he went right after them! That Aunt Shelley in sure smart! He played all day and didn't discover that there was one hole to get out into our booth untill aroung 3:30!

Here are some pics of SAMMYLAND. I tried to get all angles so you could see the glorious wonderland we built. What I was afraidwould turn out to be a disasterous day ended up great! Sammy had a fantastic day, the show wasn't as good as it normally is, but we had fun watching Sammy all day!

He really did enjoy his caves! He sat in them most of the day.

SPRING FEET!

I love this time of year! It means flip flops and pedicures! My favorite paint job is the french manicure look, with just the tips done. Usually they use white polish, but is that really me? No, I always have to have color in my life! So, I pick out a bright color and the Vietnemese people always ask "You want just tips done? With this color?" Yes, I do! I usually spring for the airbrushing of flowers and things on my big toes, but I had to beg for the money for just the pedicure this time, so I didn't push it. I think I jumped the gun a little bit, because I have only had 2 occasions to wear flip flops or open toed shoes since I got them done 2 weeks ago. The darn weather won't make up it's cold or warm. But I am ready! Bring on the warmness so my beautiful toes can SHINE!

The wind up, the pitch...

Lolo decided to play softball this year! Wow, what a plan! Here she is as the starting pitcher for The Chino Valley Rattlers. Never having played before she has only sat and watched Danny and I play season after season. She has observed Danny coaching the Jrs Baseball team year after year and in an attempt to get her Dad's attention she decided to jump in this year. Well, it worked. We have on h-e-double hockey sticks of a player on our hands. She made up her mind that she wanted to be a pitcher, I didn't try to

discourage her, but I just told her that having never played, she might just want to learn the basics first. I am so glad that she did not listen to me. Two practices ago I noticed her practicing with one of the assistant coaches, he didn't really look like he knew what he was doing, so I asked Danny if we knew anyone who could help her, since she really wanted to pitch. Sure enough he did, our friend Rocky, has coached his daughter's team the last few years. So, he said he would show her a few things. THANK YOU ROCKY! She started and pitched three out four innings. Now, for the girls minor league teams the girls pitch the first few batters until it's clear that they can not throw a strike then the coach takes over, Lolo's coach did not have to do that until the last 2 or 3 batters of each inning.

Now, thats not all, she has a surprising batting ability too. Personally, I think it comes from watching her mother play! Have you seen my profile pic??? HAhahaha. I am so proud of her for picking her own sport and playing with all her heart. Of course her team won 15-14. Another little rule for the minors is that after 5 runs the inning is over, instead of waiting for 3 outs. (Because if we had to wait for 3 outs, we might get 2 innings in each game:) So, it is hard to tell who was winning, because I thought each team always got 5 runs in. Apparently in the last inning the Rattlers pulled off 3 outs! These girls are so cute and are giving their all. It is clear that they truely enjoy this game.

Lolo usually ends up getting stuck playing or participating in whatever Danielle and Kody are involved in. This is the first time she picked her own sport. I am so glad she did. She was so proud of herself and had so much fun. As we were leaving, she said "I don't want to play soccer anymore! I only want to play SOFTBALL!" I think we have a future all star on our hands. She did get 2 strike outs in this game, so Rocky did a good job! I am also excited to see her so happy and pleased with herself. Lolo does not have the self-esteem that the older 2 have. I know that this is partially my fault for making so many jokes about her being our "walking birth control" for so many years. Danny and I have tried to calm down our teasing of her and seeing the glow on her face tonight means so much to me. I love that she has found her niche, (for now). I'm sure something else might come along but for now she is our STAR. Here we go Rattlers, here we GO!

My Birthday!

Today is my birthday! When I got to work, this morning there was a familiar car parked in front of the office. However, this car should've still been in Chino at the cycle shop. Danny decided to surprise me by beating me to work and putting flowers on my desk. Unfortunately I was on time and the only person who gets there before me had the day off. He was a little bummed that he didn't get them inside before I say them, but I was just as thrilled. I love flowers! This bouquet is beautiful because is a mix of roses and white daisies. What a fabulous mix of love and spring! They sat on the sign in counter all day and everyone who came in to see Dr Bryan commented on them and wished me a Happy Birthday. What a sweet man to try and surprise me like this and bring such a fantastic bunch of flowers.

In honor of my birthday, I decided to do the quiz that everyone is doing with their little kids. I discovered it also works with big kids and husbands.

What is something Mommy always says to you?

Dan- I love you

Nelly-Take Sammy! (Poor Danielle, I guess I need to work on that a little...)

Kody-Thou shalt not touch thy mother's Dr Pepper! (This is actually the 13th commandment!)

Lolo-I love you

What makes Mommy happy?
D-When I don't go to work.
N-Peanut M&M's
K-Dr Pepper
L-When her children listen to her.(Even though this is true, it sounds a little too much like my mom...)

What makes Mommy sad?
D-When I go to work.
N-Me eating her Peanut M&M's!(Most definately! Maybe we need another commandment!)
K-Daddy sometimes. (Maybe we had a fight recently:(
L-When children don't listen. (Can you tell what we've been working on?)

What does Mommy do to make you laugh?
D-Making fun of your sister. (uh oh)
N-She asks me stupid questions!
K-By talking!
L-Tickles me!

What was Mommy like as a child?
D-P.I.A (You'll figure it out)
N-She was a whiner.
K-I'm gonna go with spoiled little brat!
L-A clogger.

How old is your Mommy?
D-33
N-Actual age or how old she wants to be? (Good girl!)
K- About to be 33.
L-33 (I actually asked these questions about a week ago! )

How tall is Mommy?
D-5 ft 4 1/2in
N-Short
K-5ft 3in
L-5 ft 2in

What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?
D-Go dancing!
N-Eat Peanut M&M's
K-was scrapbook...spend time with us!
L-Scrapbook, um no, be with her children.

What does Mommy do when you're not around?
D-Nothing, blog.
N-Blog
K-How am I supposed to know that? (Already answering like a man!)
L-Play with Sammy

If Mommy becomes famous, what would it be for?
D-Writing
N-Winning the lottery! (Too bad I don't play)
K-World's greatest decorated gourd.
L-Being MY Mommy!

What is Mommy really good at?
D-Being a mom
N-Writing stories and stuff.
K-Yelling (Ouch)
L-Being a mommy

What is Mommy NOT good at?
D-Making a plan and sticking to it.
N-Singing
K-Keeping control (of what I don't know)
L-Tap dancing

What is my job?
D-Being a mother
N-To be my mommy, and front desk at a Doctor's office
K-Receptionist
L-Doctor's office

What is my favorite food?
D-Mexican
N-Peanut M&M's (I think when I asked these questions, I had a small bag and would not share with Nelly)
K-I don't know...chicken? (What a man, that is his fave, not mine!)
L-Salad

What makes you proud of Mommy?
D-Being such a great mom and wife (not sure what he wants, but he's playing this thing up!)
N-Because she's not afraid of teenagers
K-Everything
L-She married my daddy.

What do we do together?
D-Softball
N-alot of stuff
K-Go to parks
L-love each other!

If Mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?
D-Babs Bunny
N-Idk! Bugs Bunny, you're always outsmarting people, or the pink Snorkel
K-Kristi Oquist-Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (I'm not sure about this boy!)
L-Underwater sea creature

How are we the same?
D-Both lazy
N-both make funny faces
K-Temper
L-looks

How are we different?
D-I'm not as lazy and I can be on time!
N-I'm athletic
K-I'm a dude you're a chick (Really?)
L-Don;t do the same things

How do you know I love you?
D-By your actions
N-Cause you tell me every day...a couple of times
K-respect
L-You discipline me (that is bittersweet)

What do I like most about Daddy?
D-My willingness to help others
N-He cooks
K-He's awesome!
L-He's your husband!

Where is my favorite place to go?
D-old barns
N-OLD NAVY and the internet
K-not in a twisty slide...OLD NAVY
L-Sea World

Danny is my husband, Nelly is 14 yrs, Kody is 12 yrs, Lolo is 9yrs.
So all in all I think my fam knows me well! What a lucky person I am to have all these people who love me!

We like to look EVIL in the eye...

Mom and Walt drove up today, while they were here they drove out to our place and Danny, Kody and Walt went to the Priesthood session of General Conferance at our building. I know that this sounds normal, but it would be Kody's first time going to Priesthood session. We had already had a long day with Little League Opening Ceremonies and an all day school carnival and motorcycle show. We were home resting and cleaning (which is hard to do both, but we always manage to squeeze both in) because we only had an hour and a half between being home and Mom coming over. We tell Kody that he is going with the guys to watch Confererance at the church and he immediately starts his pouting. Then he learns that it is church dress and the puting gets worse, someday I'd love to capture this on camara, but it will make matters worse when Kody is already in "my life sucks more than anyone elses" mode. Danny is trying to remember how long it is and thinks it is only an hour. This helps a little, then Danielle tells him that the rest of the YM will be there, which we think will help. However, Kody responds with,"Yea, but they will all be paying attention!" Well no duh they will be paying attention, that is why you go! :)
Mom and Walt get there even earlier than expected and this only worsens Kody's mood because he knows he will have to start getting ready soon. When he comes out after getting church dress on, he hears us discussing dinner plans. While this is a funny conversation between mom and Walt, mainly because Walt can't hear anything I'll save it for later. When Kody walks out is right when Mom asks how long it will go. Walt replies with 2 hours, if I had not been so upset with Kody already for behaving like he is his face would have been hillarious. His eyes are already red with uncried tears of frustration, they almost leak out with this bit of news.
Meanwhile, they leave, and the real veging begins, the girls and I on the big couch and Mom on the loveseat. We decide to get cheese crisps at our favorite Mexican food place here in Chino and if we leave at 6:45 and order right away we will be ready to eat as soon as the guys are done! (The restaurant happens to be one street over from the church) At a little after 7:00 Kody comes in, already changed out of church clothes. "Did you go home?" I ask "Yes" Kody replies as the guys didn't get our texts about dinner till they were 2 houses away from ours. hehehehehehehehe. Kody breaks into a big grin and tells us how much he loved going. He told us how they cracked jokes and that one of President Uchtdorf's talks was his favorite, he sat by one of the YM and enjoyed his first grown up Priesthood Sessions. My heart warms. I love knowing that the Priesthood and Holy Ghost work, especially in my little man.
Mom then asks Danny what the main topic was, "Preparedness, Get out of debt?" "No," Danny replies, "the basics, if we just Pray, read the scriptures and Hold FHE, everything will be ok. That those three things are the most important and that all will be well, if you do them.
Walt then asks, "If it's that easy, why would you not do them?" Danielle is so quick, not even in the middle of a 24 hour fast, while sitting in a Mexican Restaurant (our fave) and watching all of shovel down food, slows her down, she knows we are good at praying together and lack badly in the other two responds with "Because we like to look EVIL, in the eye!"
So, is it finally time for the Oquists to quit living on the edge? Can we heed to the Prophet's counsel? I think it is time, because I am tired of fighting the forces of evil on my own. If it really is that easy, why do we fight it? Obviously, Kody found out that it was not worth pouting over, when asked what his low was for the evening he said, throwing a fit before leaving. So remember, what the best defense is and then you won't have to fight on your own!
>>> Pray, read the scriptures and hold Family Home Evening!!!!!<<<

The Wedge! 3/28/09

Saturday Kody entered his first big skate comp! He did great. He was a little intimidated, but after the warm ups and watching the first few kids in his bracket, 11-14yr old, he got over it. He had a great time, the weather was beautiful, and everyone had a great time.

Kody ended up taking 11 out of 30 kids, he got 2 free t shirts and a great experience. I am so proud of him for going out there and tearing it up. I'm proud of his sisters for supporting him, Lolo kept running out of the game tent asking if it was his turn yet?

I'm afraid we created something big, he wants to do more, the next one he'll probably do is in Prescott in May, however he's searching for more around the Valley and wants to move to Scottsdale to ride the Wedge! Side note, this is the place that Danny used to rip up back in the day with his rollerblade buddies, when he was sponsered, and where he broke his collar bone for a Mountain Dew commercial!

Logorrhea, tonight my family was finally diagnosed!

Even though we have not officially been to the Doctor to get this diagnosed, I know my family suffers from it. I don't think it is deadly or debilitating...at least not to us. The problem might really be to those around us.

It could affect your ears and your emotional well-being. While watching a TV show this evening we all realized we have this, especially after reading my last blog. I think Danielle and I might be the worst, although Kody is a close second.

Danny and Lolo have a smaller case, and Sammy is too young to tell how bad his case of logorrhea is. Although, the older he gets I think he is just as doomed as the rest of us. This morning on the carpool to high school, Danielle and I are still laughing about the bears and 5th period, while holding us 3 fingers. When I asked the boys that

I drive if thier families eat dinner aroung the table and if they have as much fun as we do? One, who is a little more serious and even though I love his family they are a little too worried about what everyone else thinks of them, he says that yes they do eat together, but they don't act like idiots. I was appalled! I asked him who ever puts the Oquists and idiot together??? Apparently his family, maybe the logorrhea has affected us so

bad we do not realize how we effect others who are around us. When I was laughing about our dinners with a friend from work, she asked if we always have these skits at our house, they're not skits they are the way we really talk!!! But yes, there is always stand up comedy at our house. It appears every night and morning, without warning a comedy act will just spring up!!! Back to the carpool this morning, when the kids got out I looked at the boy and said, "Bob, (name has been changed to protect the non-diagnosed) I feel sorry for your family that they can't break loose and have fun!" Of course I laugh so he knows I'm not dead serious.

Without blinking he replies,"Oh, we have alot of fun, we just know how to do it with out making idiots of ourselves!" There is that word again!!! "Maybe you guys ust don't know how to have fun without being stupid!"

So I ask has this problem gotten out of control, do we really effect others this way? Are we really idiots? Thank goodness I work tomorrow so I can ask Dr. Bryan if we really have this, logorrhea, and if there is help for the Oquist family! What is your opinion, do we suffer from

LOGORRHEA-noun- log-or-rhea, excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness

Or do we just enjoy a good time and hope everyone else has fun when we're around?

Do we have to discuss bodily functions at the table?

I want to try to describe our dinner tonight. I know I will not do it justice and most of the jokes you will end up saying, I guess you had to be there. But, we always have a good time, even if the discussions are sometimes PG13

The kids usually fill up their plates before the blessing so they can chow down as soon as they say AMEN! Kody started tonights dinner talk with trying to tell us a story about school,
"So in the 9th hour..." he starts, while holding up 4 fingers, and shoveling with the other.
" Does the story have bears? " I ask,
"Yea bears!" Danielle says
"NO!" says Kody "I was in 9th hour," (Holding up 4 fingers again as he shovels another bite)
"Well I want bears! Did they attack in 4th hour?" mom asks, (holding up 2 fingers) Meanwhile we are all giggling hysterically.
"No there were no bears! This is a real story!!!" Kody says "Travis and I..."
"Who's Travis?" Mom asks, knowing full well who Travis is.
"You know T-mac from Dad's baseball team" Kody replies, with a sigh.
"You know Travis, mom!" Danielle says.
Meanwhile mom laughs because both kids act like she's stupid for not knowing who Travis is.
"OK! So in 9th hour..." Kody trys again
"Are you sure it wasn't 3rd hour?" I ask holding up 2 fingers.
"No mom it was 5th hour," Danielle says, holding up 2 fingers.
"NO! 9th hour!" Kody starts over.
"There were bears!" Mom butts in,"What did they do?"
"Skateboarded!" Inserts Danielle
"Bearboarded!" Yells dad, "Which really has two meanings!" With the eyebrows going up and down at me.
That starts me thinking about the Simpson's movie when Bart skateboards naked through town and ends up tripping and flying into the window at the Krusty Burger, where Flanders and his sons are praying over thier meal and Flanders yells out "Holy Penis!" and the boys repeat "Holy penis, Amen!" So I am now bent over laughing uncontrollably trying to get out "Holy Penis!" When Danny catches on, he immediately quotes Varsity Blues, " penis, penis, penis, vagina, vagina, vagina, vagina"
"Thats what he really makes us say!" yells Kody
"Testees!" Danielle adds,
Which just starts Danny on everything he can think of to call boy's parts,"Can we call it, the sack? How about twig and berries! My package!"
Which then leads Danielle, (of course she is usually our morality police, but not tonight! "Just call him UPS! They always deliver the package. What can brown do for you!"
I realize the conversation has taken a turn fo the worse and try to be a mother here, however, I am now choking on my raost from laughing too hard. "Danielle Oquist that was way inappropriate!" Of course it just doesn't have the effect I'd hoped since I'm still giggling and my stomach hurts from laughing so hard and eating at the same time!
"That would be a great commercial!" Danny exclaims! "UPS delivers the package every day and twice on Sunday!"
Kody meanwhile is inserting the background music for the commerical, if you have heard my story from last year about Kody's description of how sex goes then you know what song he is humming. "MMta mmmta mmmta" (or something like that) of course the dance is there also.
All the while Lolo just laughs like she completely understands (not quite) and Sammy starts to "talk" and throw food, beacause if everyone else is having so much fun, so should he.
We all realize where this has gone and we try to let Kody finally tell his story which wasn't funny at all and I let him know that next time he should put bears in there.
So, not learning from the first time, Kody trys to tell us about the story he is reading in English class.
"Are there bears in this one?" I ask
"Ok, so the girl bear doesn't like who her father bear has picked for her to marry, since it's an old gray bear, the father bear tells her..." (I know there was something about whoever picks the key, but I forgot, this wasn't a good story either, even with bears!)
"So, Kyle asks what if it's another girl bear who picks the key?" Kody ends (finally)
"Then they are lesbian bears'" Danny says, by this time Danny has left the table because he got tired of Danielle and I yelling 3rd period and holding up 5 fingers or 9th period and holding up 4 fingers. We were also yelling bears the whole time!

So, as you can see our dinners are always out there, although, tonight was a little more inapropriate than normal. We usually just have the bodily functions discussion with someone ending with "Do we have to discuss bodily functions at the table?" in Nana's voice. (love you mom) Eventually Kody asks for more roast and can someone pass it.

"Too lazy" dad says which is what Kody usually says when asked to help.
"Oh thats otay!" Danielle adds, which is another Kodyism when asked to pass something.

Kody is definately all boy. I guess I never realized what preteen and teenage boys talk and think about constantly. I have been getting a quick lesson from the baseball team Danny coaches and a son who is entering this age. Wow! I still wonder what goes on in there. But when you have 2 parents who have not seemed to grow up and still giggle when the word penis is said, or wood, but that is a whole other story with Danielle, where she ends up looking like the adult not her mother, what are you going to do?
What do you talk about at dinner?

Anyone want to go sailing?.....

So last weekend the kids and I were in Phoenix while Danny was still up north. Finding himself with nothing to do on Saturday, he gets a call from an old friend, Johnny Delgado, who is playing softball in Cottonwood and wants him to cruise on over. So Danny calls one of our local softball buddies to see if he wants to go for a ride and away they go. It's always fun to watch Johnny's teams play, because they are all very mouthy, unlike any of us. hahahahaha Especially after the first game (they usually play in all day tournaments), when they have a few(understatement) beers in them. Most of these guys are from Central Phoenix, raised in the hood and not quite reformed gangstas. So when I say mouthy, I mean always looking for a fight. Again, I know this is not us, but it's always important to be friends with a variety of different people. hahaha. Well, after a few fights and games, Danny and his friend head home. They decide to come home through the mountain and go through Jerome. While driving, they pass a yard sale sign. Not so off you think being a Saturday and with beautiful weather, who doesn't love a good yard sale. However, the people who were having this sale either didn't have a good English teacher or were ingenious in getting people to drive by, by using the wrong word and the desire to see who could make such a disasterous mistake....anybody up for a Yard Sail today?????

It's Lolo's birthday!!! :)

So the little cutie who I thought was our last just turned 9! I'm sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday on her birthday, but we were at mom's for the weekend. I have also looked at my previous posts and realized I have not talked enough about my little Lolo.

Ever since she was born she has taken on the world! Lauryn came into this world screaming and she has lived her life screaming every day since. I love her for that. When she was a preschooler she let no one guide her, she did what she wanted, went where she wanted and played with whatever she wanted. I remember sitting at Toy Land in Awatukee with my little preschool and discussing her with an older lady who was there with a child she was watching. The lady was watching Lolo in all her "glory" she turned and asked, "Don't you want to break her of the way she acts?"

As I thought how easy life would be if Lauryn was the perfect child and always listened, did exactly what Danny and I asked. Didn't destroy everything, and helped instead of impeded, it hit me. I told the nice lady "No, I did not want to break this in her." These things may seem like they are hard to deal with, and at times they are, but later in life, no one will be able to move Lolo. She will withstand peer pressure, the only bad thing about her personality is if she decides to cross the line there will be no bringing her back.

However, I also know that Danny and I have tried our hardest to raise her right. Her older sis and bro have set a good example. Even though she may not clean her room still, or like to wear matching clothes, she has a heart of gold. She has so much empathy in her, that she can't watch shows where people get hurt because it upsets her, even after we have explained it is not real. If she hurts someones feelings she always comes back and gives them a big hug, and tells them how sorry she is. She is helpful to all of her teachers and even the aides. There is no one more willing to give love than Lolo.

She has her own sense of style, even if it is not the same as mine, it is all her own. She has the funniest sayings and way of being. I know it is common for kids to say "They started it" Lolo had made it all her own, we still say it in the little accent she used to have, or when in the middle of a restaurant she would stand up and repeat Austin Powers, "Throw me a freakin bone here! All I ask for is sharks with freaking laser beams." She used to look at the seedlings off of pine trees and call them "baby cones". She is hillarious.

She loves to perform! Lolo will take center stage, well, when she wants to. Not if I ask her to show something, but when it is her idea. Once again someday she will stand against the storm. As she gets older I see that some of the joking and kidding Danny and I have done have hurt her a little. I hope she will realize that all we really do love her and think that she is fabulous. That she may be hard on her parents now it's only for a little while, before long she will be a grown up turning her attitude on the world.

Watch out people she will run you all. I am so glad she chose our family to join. We would be incomplete with out her. She is constantly telling me how much she loves me, giving me giant hugs and kisses.

If Lauryn is doing something she is excited about she puts her whole heart in it. She runs and dances and does it all to the max. I know now as she gets ready to tackle softball she will run the field. (I know this because I watched her and Danny throw the ball around.) She already has an arm!!!!! So whether she is reading or playing a sport she gives it her all.

I can't wait to see what this little girl becomes. I know she will be great. She has definately brought spice to our life and always mixes it up! Someday, I hope she will clean her room without screaming or just help her bro or sis with the dishes without having to threaten her life, but until then we keep smiling. Those are such small things in this life. I hope she can tackle all the problems with our world, feeding the hungry, warming the cold, housing the homeless. I know her heart is big enough to do it all!!!!! I love you, Lolo, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL!

Family!

As I sit at work, not supposed to be on the internet, I am just thinking about how Heavenly Father knows what He's doing when He sends us here with our families. I like to say that I love my sisters and that if we had not been sisters I probably wouldn't of liked them, had I met them in school or at work etc... But since we were all sent down here in a family and I had to put up with them as kids and through all of lifes turns, we are very close and can not live without each other. How odd that we all have such different personalities, likes ,dislikes and ways of dealing with life, but yet need each other so much. How did He know to send 2 step brothers who would just fit into our lives and become the brothers we needed.

In the Great and Terrible series of books, the author shows how we were families in the Pre-existence. Then we might have been seperated on earth but somehow find each other to complete our families as planned. How great of a plan is that? How smart was that Great Creator to know we needed step families and such to finish off families. Even now with the 3 newer brothers I have acquired it all just fits.

I look at my own family and these 4 beautiful kids, each there own people, each so very different that I could not see them being in the same group at school. Yet, they need each other so much and get along, mostly. How did He know we would all love each other, and figure out how to get along? What an awesome plan for all of us!

Wow, what a girl!

Danielle is part of her school's "mock trial" team. That means a group of kids read a court case and then act it out. Today was the Northern AZ Mock Trial Tournanament, held at the Prescott Courthouse. Four schools had teams there to compete. Each has read the same case and they face each other not knowing what side they will be on. I bought her a new suit to wear so she had proper lawyer attire on. Wow did she look professional. She was one of the prosecuters in almost all of the trials. She was so fierce that she had the kids she was cross examining forgetting thier lines and even got an objection by the other attorney. One little girl who was already feeling sick, had to leave the court room after her "time" with Danielle. A friend even said her hands were shaking, that Danielle intimidated her so much. At one time the judge had to tell her to stop so he could talk to her, and then the lawyer her team had as a consultant told ther that in a real trial she would have been held in contempt. A couple of the other teams voted her the fiercest prosecuter there. That's my girl

Any one who knows us know we love to heard and have our side heard, I guess Danielle is no diffrent. I am so proud of her and know (hope) that she will change her mind and want to be a lawyer after all. In the 7th grade she changed her mind and wants to be a teacher. After today though, she is rethinking that. Which makes me happy, maybe then Danny and I have a retirement plan after all! I told Danielle that if she becomes a teacher she would still live at home forever. hehehehehe I just wanted to write a few thoughts about today. I guess forcing her to watch all those episodes of Law & Order were a good thing after all!!! lol

Happy Birthday Samuel!

It's so hard to believe that one year ago today I was sitting in a hospital holding this mysterious little boy with the blue eyes and red hair. Wondering why he chose our family and feeling a little confused as to what to do with this precious little one. Trying to remember all the things that I had forgot in the 8 years since Lolo's arrival. Thinking about all the changes our family would be going through and how each of my beautiful kids would feel about thier new little brother.

Then as a few months went by we all wondered what life was like without our little Samuel. How any of us could have thought that there were no more little Oquists waiting to come to us. How we could have been happy without this cute little prince who has every single one of us wrapped around his little chubby finger. Watching as each of us were so excited for all the milestones and wondering what happens next. It's funny how all the things you thought you forgot or thought you wouldn't need come right back and before long you are carrying the entire house with you everywhere you go!

Next thing you know a whole year has gone by...where does time go? How can it feel so brand new still to sit and hold this angel? How can it seem like just yesterday I had the shock of my life when I learned there was nothing wrong with me other than I was pregnant.

I can not remember what life was like before Sammy came along. I can not imagine our life without him anymore, about not carrying baby toys, diapers, sippy cups and snacks in my purse. I try to remember sitting in sacrament with out a child climbing all over me and fussing, dropping crumbs and toys all over me. Where has the time gone? How did my newest little man become a 1 year old already. Soon he will be walking, then running, then riding a bike (or skateboard), then passing the sacrament like his big brother. I want to ask God, how he can let time slip by. Did I write everything down? Have I noted all the accomplishments? One year ago I wondered if I would be ok with a new baby, now I wonder if I will be okay without one. Will I be ok with a Toddler?

Will he always reach for me? Will he still want to hold my hand or give me open mouth kisses? Will he cry just to get to me even though he is older? How do you freeze time or slow it down, so you remember to enjoy everything? Yes, I wonder all these things. Yes, I wonder if I was a good enough mom and if working (even part time) has stolen any thing from me in the last year...but I just need to remind myself that the next year holds just as many exciting moments. That soon he will look at me and say "mama" and know that it means me, before long he will blow kisses and say he loves me. Before long he will walk and run to me when I come to pick him up. I still have so many more "firsts" with him. I hope I remember to slow down and take notes of the small things, to not rush this next year or the next 18 years at that. Yes, before long he will be preparing for a mission and then a wedding. So, for now I just need to remember he is my little man. That right now I am the most important thing in his life and not push him to move any faster than he already is.

I love you Sammy and am soooooooo thankful you chose our family. Even when we thought we were done and trying not to have anymore kids. What was I thinking?

Brothers

For Kody's 12th birthday, we got him a drumset. Yes are nuts. However, when I was taking pictures on the morning of his birthday, Sammy woke up. Hmmmmm...how do you sleep when your brother is having so much fun right outside where you're sleeping. Sammy was just as excited about the drums as his big brother.

Kody took Sammy up on his lap and let him pound away. Now, anytime Sammy hears Kody practicing he b-lines it down the hallway to thier bedroom and joins in the jam session. What a fabulous older brother to share "his" day with his little bro. He stops whenever Sammy comes in or he gives Sammy a drum stick and lets him "help" with the beats. Now anything Sammy finds becomes a drumset. He loves to flip over pots and buckets and beat away like his big bro.

I have some great new pics of the bedroom jams, but I was in such a hurry to get these pics I used my oldschool camara so I will be getting them developed this week. I will post them as soon as I get them. Kody has begged for years for a little brother, I guess he was right to want one. He has proven that with this new little angel.