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.

Last, here is my bathroom after walking away to use it. The destruction just seems to follow wherever I may be! Maybe because I'm a little older with this one but it is just so cute instead of frustrating. I remember with the older ones constantly saying no and trying to get them to under stand 1 toy at a time, put something back and then get the next out. Not letting them play in the cabinets. Maybe thats why Danielle loves to sit on the floor and "help" Sammy reaarange my tupperware cabinet! By the way if anyone can help me get more than 5 pics in one blog I would appreciate it!

Here Lolo is trying to help clean and Sammy said "Wait I don't want those toys in there!" What was she thinking? Just because Daddy is coming home and I try to straighten up before he gets here, silly Lolo.

Here the hurricane justs sits and laughs. Kind of like the eye of the storm. He looks around to see what else he can destroy.

OOOOOO maybe the kitchen. Yes that is just what he wants. Sammy really likes to help me cook and clean up.

This picture is sideways, I couldn't get it to turn, but it is the lazy susan and the cabinet next to it. Nothing is safe, when Sammy is "blowing" through. When I went to Casa Grande a few weekends ago and left Danny home with all the kids, he was amazed and the destruction power of this little dynamo. He laughed every day and said he thinks he cleaned up like 12 times all day. I just laughed, it's funny how after 8 yrs we forget how much work it is to have a little adventurous kid crawling all over!

Hurricane Samuel

These are just a few pictures of the fall out from Hurricane Sammy. It blows through about 5 times a day in the house of 15. Sammy never really plays with anything he just wants it "out". If you put it away while he's out he immediately crawls back over and dumps it back.

This is the living room, it also follows wherever you may go.

It blows between the couch and coffee table even if you booby trap the holes.

It also empties whatever you used to booby trap the spot with!

Yum Yum!

Tonight I made Chili! I know that might not sound like much, but I have never made chili from scratch. Nope not ever. I did tonight though, and everyone liked it and there was only 1 big spoonful left! We had chilidogs for dinner and the missionaries came over and ate with us. They even liked it...I know they are not allowed to complain, but we have a different relationship with them. In fact I think Elder Carver could fit right in here with us! Scary I know. He is getting transfered tomorrow morning and stopped by to say good bye. Since they hadn't eaten yet we fed them. I like it when we get a missionary with a sense of humor. When he can hold his own around Danny. It shows Kody you can be "cool" and be a missionary. But back to the real reason i'm writing....I MADE CHILI!!!!!!!!!

Todays Blessings

1. I finished laundry and have almost put it all away.
2. Delivered invites to the first Dry Cocktail party! If you didn't get one, it is this Sat at 7, here!
3. Kids are all home and seem to be happy.
4. I read, cruised through, the Ensign. Liked the parable of 10 Virgins.
5. Elder Carver stopped to say good-bye, might be back for dinner.
6. Made plans to start a website!!!!!
7. Everyone is healthy.
8. I see and recognize Heavenly Father and Jesus' love for me and my family.
9. I get to take 2 kids to mutual tonight.
10. Enjoyed visiting with the Lowry's
11. Gave to a good cause.
12. My husband loves me!

Put on your big girl panties!

So I know this sounds like a wierd title for a post about my husband, but after talking, or rather venting with my mother this morning I realize there is no such thing as "big boy undies". When mom had similar annoyances with all the men she has had to deal with in her life. I realize it is a universal problem. They just don't get it. Don't blame me that you wanted up at 4:30 and turned your alarm off. I got up around 6 and woke up MY kids. They are the ones who need to pushed out of bed. NOT the 33 year old ADULT man laying next to me. If you wanted to be out of bed at the buttcrack of dawn then you should have gotten up. Why do I, as your wife, not your mom have to coddle you like a child? While I am deeply in love with this man I don't understand why he thinks the basic rules of adulthood don't apply to him. If there is something you need to do GET UP! I know that God gave men the Preisthood so they had something to be responsible for. But don't his wife and kids apply? Why don't men think like we do?

If your wife has to work today...get up and help get the kids ready to go to school and the sitters. Don't sit and watch the news while she gets ready then rush through prayer so you can be on time while the baby still sleeps and your wife has 5 min to get the baby to the sitters and still make it to work on time.

This is where I get that movie The Break Up with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. When she says "I don't want you to do the dishes I just want you to want to do the dishes!" Where he then answers, "Why would I want to do the dishes?" That's all we really want, am I wrong? The thought to enter his head, maybe I should help. Now, don't get me wrong I know I have a great husband. He plays superdad all afternoon when I have to work and he even has done more cooking than I have in the last few years, but do you have to leave the kitchen an absolute mess when your done? I don't enjoy scraping eggs off the stove on Monday morning after you made breakfast before church on Sunday! All I ask is that you don't blame me because you can't or won't get up when you want, or that you purposefully sleep an extra 20 minutes then yell at the kids because you need to have morning prayer RIGHT now or you'll be late! Get up when you need to so we can enjoy family prayer not have a sour spirit during it!!!!!

Alright I feel bettter now, I thinkk I can move on and have a better day. I love you honey!

I like this thing!

Ok, so only after 4 days I am hopelessly addicted to blogging! It is so much fun to surf through everyones stuff and then find more peeps and even old peeps I haven't seen in years! This rocks! I can't wait to really sink my teeth in. Unfortunatly Sammy does not agree and will not just play while I type away. In fact he screams at me until I pick him up and then he trys to type and mess everything up. So I will have to limit myself to nappy time and late when others are home to play with his highness. I can't wait to dig out old pics and then I'm already looking at scenes differently and reaching for the camara again. Just like when I discovered scrapbooking years ago. Yes I am old and have to say years ago since I started that after Lolo was born, almost 9 yrs ago. So here's to everyone I have found and listed myself as a follower. I'm normally against being a follower and tell my kids to lead, however I will admit to enjoying following you all! Here's to a great year!

WOW!

Today is the day Kody recieves his Priesthood. What an amazing and sad day. Why is it so much harder for me to watch him grow up than it is Danielle? I look at him and wonder where my little boy went. I wonder is he ready to be a Priesthood holder? Does he understand what it means to have it? Have I taught him the right things? Can I continue to teach him? Guide him? Will he still be my little boy? Will he change his mind about a mission? Then Danny reminded me this morning that he will give Kody the Priesthood. I guess I knew that but had not thought about it. It seems so sureal to be here today. With both Danny and Kody ready to grow more. Does this make me old? I'm sure but does it really matter? Not knowing that this is a good thing...that Kody has made this decision and wants it. Am I ready to be the mother of a Priesthood holder? Do I know what to do for him and what to teach him? I guess all we can do is jump in with both feet and learn together. Like I said AMAZING!

Well that is my family. Sammy is awake and not enjoying being ignored while I type. I think that is a good start and will fill in more later. The blog seems to be the modern form of journaling and family history with all the technology and ways to publish our pages. After all this is who we are, right? Our kids can keep on reading and enjoying this for a long time, with thier kids and grandkids.

Samuel Walter Oquist

Sammy is our last child. At least here on earth. He is his own little man with his blue eyes, fair complexion and RED hair. He is the exception in the Oquist family. I love this first picture of him with his smile hiding behind his hands. He seems to know that he has our entire family wrapped around his little fingers. In the picture of him standing, he is wearing his Korean kimono. Our close friend and Sammy's namesake, Walter is currently stationed in South Korea with the US Army. This was a Christmas present from Walter. Sammy is very spoiled! I guess that is what happens when you come along 8 yrs after all the other kids. Danielle and Sammy have a special bond that I hope they always have. It reminds me of my friend, Melanie who was the oldest of 6 kids and she has a similar bond with her baby sister. (Coincidentally also named Sam) I know he has a special purpose and the Lord wanted him here. I have no idea why I thought my family was complete with out him and sometimes wonder why we waited so long. Oh wait, I remember, did you read the post about Lolo?

Lauryn Lee Oquist

Lolo is almost 9 yrs old. Her nickname comes from our neice on Danny's side, Lynzie. She is only about 6 months older than Lauryn and started talking first. When she tried to say Lauryn it came out Lolo. The name is perfect, we have since found out that in Hawaiian dialect it means crazy. Lolo is full of life and sass! She does what she wants, when she wants and especially if she has been told not to do it. She brings a special spark to our family that would definately not be complete without her! She is going to try her hand at coach-pitch softball next month and loves soccer just as much as the other kids. Lolo has alot of empathy and feels sorrow for anyone who is hurt or down. She is always asking if the tv show is real and does not like violence. As you can see she can be just as goofy as all the other kids. One thing I am proud of with all the kids is that they dont need to conform to fit in. They try to set the trends instead of letting the trends set them. They are not embarassed by much. Currently she is struggling with being usurped from the youngest position and requires aot of extra hugs and kisses to prove we see her! I love that she always has a smile and hugs everyone!

Kody Daniel Oquist

Kody, Kody,Kody. What to say about my K-O-D-Y. I tell Kody that when he was around 2 maybe 3 he learned to spell his name and would run around saying my name is K-O-D-Y. I remind him of this because I want him to still be my little boy. Not the moody tween he is becoming! Nana and I used to tease him that he was so cute that all the girls will say, "Kody hold my hand, carry my books," he would get so embarassed and say no way, but it seems that this may true after seeing him in action at school and talking to some of his friends. Much less trying to get him to put down the cell phone and quit texting. At age 12 he has embraced the "cool" kid mentality. I try to keep him grounded and help him to hold onto his empathetic side. Kody has always been good at looking out for the underdogs, he loves little kids and is so good with them. As he gets older and becomes everything that middle school is I hope he continues this attitude and does not pick on too many kids. He can be too cool for somethings, mom walking him to class the first day, then turn around and become the king of goofy. As in his pic from the christmas card fiasco! He want s to be a pro-skateboarder and practices as much as he can. He is still getting good grades and is now playing the drums in the band at school. He also has shown interest in being a pilot if the skateboarding does not work out.

Danielle Naomi Oquist

What can I say about my Nelly? She is smart, beautiful and has a good head on her shoulders...most of the time. She is 14 and has the days counted down till she is 151/2 and will be driving. Danielle is a freshman at Tri-City College Prep, which is a charter high school geared to kids who want to move on to higher learning and are very goal-orientated. Or the "geeks" as I so lovingly refer to them. She is alot of fun and can get a little goofy sometimes. See the pic? That is from trying to get a fun christmas card pic for 2008. When I told the kids they could be a little goofy this is where it went. There is no middle of the road for her. She is working hard to get her YW recognition finished before her 15th birthday in June. I think she will make it. I call her my Supergirl, because she is definately the oldest and generally does all that I ask her to do, with only a little whining. I think she will succeed at whatever she does and let nothing stand in her way! U go girl!