Priceless

The past few weeks have been an endless cycle of sickness in our house.

It began with Riley and a minor fevor, then Stevie threw up at school, then Natalie, then Emma. To "end" it all, Steve even spent a day at home sick. I thought it was over.

It wasn't.

Then Stevie got sick in the middle of the night, all over his room. Then it went through all the kids again. I thought it was over.

It wasn't.

Natalie woke up yesterday with an earache so we had to go to the doctor and take care of that.

I think we're over it all now. Cross your fingers for us please.

So the last three weeks, my life has been pee(bedwetting), poo, and throw up. This account may turn off a lot of people to the joys of parenting, and it is pretty gross, but then you come upon a scene like this...


...and it's all worth it.

DEMOTED

It's over.

I am no longer the Primary Chorister.

This may seem insignifigant to most, but I have been in this calling for a very long time. Since I was called as the chorister...

...Stevie became a sunbeam
...Natalie was born
...Emma was born
...Riley became a sunbeam
...Stevie started school
...Steve has had 3 different jobs
...I started my etsy shop
...I learned to make cakes
...I started my cake "business"
...Natalie was diagnosed with diabetes
...Stevie was baptized

In all, I have been the chorister for over half of my marriage. So if I seem a bit attached, now you know why. I love the calling, I love the kids, I love the music, I love Primary.

Now I have to go babysit the singles. Aren't they supposed to be adults now? Please pardon my attitude. I just left the best calling in the church. Nothing will compare...ever.

Hey Everybody...

It's FAMILY NIGHT!!!

My kids think I'm such a dork. I grew up memorizing the entire "I'm a Mormon" album. It features such musical gems as "When I grow up I want to be a Mother", "Grandma and Grandpa are Going Away on a Mission", and my personal favorite, "I am Learing How to Spell".

One of the classics that always comes to mind on Monday evenings is the never outdated "Hey Everybody, It's Family Night". I sing this as my children gather in the living room to have our version of family night. My arrangement includes the timeless disco interlude which I do in my best beat-box voice. It is met with several pairs of rolling eyes and Stevie's "Moooooom!" (not to be pronounced moom). Although a wonderful work of musical literature, I think the lyrics need a little updating. Just a brief example, the first lines go like so.

Hey everybody it's family night,
you better take the phone off the hook.
C'mon everybody it's family night,
I've already got the family night book.

I think we are in need of more relevant lyrics. How about this.

Hey everybody it's FHE,
Put your phone on silent and text no more.
C'mon everybody it's FHE
I've googled a lesson, treats, and...game.

Ok, I'm no poet. If you have a better idea, let's hear it!

Anyway, this blog has gotten off onto a bit of a tangent. I meant to show the best I could come up with for an FHE in the 5 seconds I had to "plan" it.

Tonight our lesson/activity was to see how many ways and how many kids could pile on Steve before they toppled over. It was very spiritual and I really think they learned a valuable lesson. It also yielded some fun pictures.

The ever-so-popular commercials that the Church plays on the radio here say that it doesn't matter what you talk about with your kids, as long as you talk. Well, I would submit that it doesn't matter what you FHE about, as long as you FHE.

BANNER YEAR!!!

This is going to be a great year!

I sold my 500th banner last night on etsy.

I hit $1000 in sales for the month for the first time ever.

I've had 4 cake orders this month.

I EXERCISED TWICE THIS WEEK!!!

All I need now is a second bathroom. Heehee.

Christmas Card 2010

Hello my friends!

I know it's terribly lazy of me to blog my Christmas card, but Christmas is stressful enough without worrying about cards. So there.

This year has been a year of many blessings. It started out on a pretty bad note, so it really had nowhere to go but up. Steve started his new job in February as the Facilities Manager of Fort Douglas. It's great because it's all of 6 minutes from home and a low stress job, not to mention an income once again! Steve has also been busy with reffing lacrosse and working on the basement of our house. Hopefully by this time next year we can boast an additional bedroom and bath!

Stevie has been growing up fast. He turned 8 this year and was baptized last month. He also got his own room (finally) and LOVES to kick his sisters out of it. Most days he shuts himself in there reading or playing with legos...that is, when he isn't playing the wii. He is still learing French in second grade and has taken on the chess club as well.

Riley started first grade this year and is following her brothers footsteps with French and chess club. She has also taken on the piano and is doing fantastic! She cannot wait until she is big enough to play the flute. Riley has officially passed Stevie in the tooth losing department and seems to lose one every month. She is a huge help around the house, especially when I get sick like I am now, and loves to vacuum and sweep. These just happen to be my least favorite chores, whoopee!

Natalie is now in her second year of preschool and has blossomed into a social butterfly. Her teacher (Grandma) says that everyone loves her and wants to play with her. This is a huge releif because last year she cried every time she had to go. She is bound to be popular, for who could resist that infectious smile! Natalie and family participated in our second walk for diabetes this year and it was a huge success. We raised more than $500 this year and hope to double it next year. Natalie remains a positive, happy child that loves life and everyone in it.

Emma is our little angel who is learning quickly from her older siblings how to get into mischief. Her personality has exploded this year and she makes us laugh daily with her grown-up comments. She loves to sing and dance, especailly to Barbie's Princess and the Pauper. I admit, I too have now memorized the songs. Emma loves playing with the big girls and most of their friends treat her as a little sister too, in a good way.

As for me, I have been plugging along this year trying and failing to keep my house clean, keep on an exercise program, and cook dinner for my family. Instead, my house is always trashed, I weigh the same as last year at this time (I hope) and we eat out more than I care to admit. Oh well, I have a loving family who are all in relatively good health. What more could I ask for?

May you all have a Merry Christmas and may all your New Year's resolutions last far longer than mine ever do.

Love, the Niederhausers

We Made a Cookie Christmas Tree!!!

Going...
...going...

...gone.

Quilt

It has been a great many years since I have made a denim quilt, so this is long overdue.

This one is a Christmas present for Natalie.
Natalie picked out the adorable little owl print sheets.