Pig Time 2

Getting the pigs settled at the fair grounds

Trying to get Gonzo where he needed to be in the show ring!

Part of the project for Brooke's portfolio

We put this in the portfolio as well.

Although Brooke needed to be reminded A LOT to feed & water her pigs, she did great and raised some nice hogs.  4H has given Brooke some responsibility, which she really had to think about, some confidence in herself and is learning the importance of hard work.  Sydney can't wait to start and says she wants to raise rabbits (i don't think so!) She took care of the pigs a lot too. 

PIG Time

Once again the summer has come and gone and we have been busy.  PIGS.....This is what Brooke (all of us) did from April until the first of August.  We end up loving these pigs and have a hard time selling them at the 4h fair.  Brooke did great showing them and got all blue ribbons.  This years pigs names were Petunia & Gonzo.  Such a hot summer that I still find myself thinking, "I need to make sure the pigs have cold water!"  Couldn't be happier though that I don't have to go do it!!  When I figure out pics I will post them.

SLEEP I NEED YOU!

I need to write some things so I will remember them maybe for future use, for a laugh (or cry), or just to remember.
My little Sarah has just recently started having a hard time going to bed. Like screaming and fighting bedtime. Let me say it is just like this if it is in her bed and room. If I let her sleep on my bedroom floor she goes without a peep! We have been up countless nights with lots of crying and being mad at each other and very sleep deprived. I'm not the mom that welcomes them into my bed all the time. Once in a while if they are scared or something like that then it is okay, but not every night. I've asked her what is wrong and the only answer I get is that it is boring!!!!! Her bed is boring, sleep is boring, it is all boring :) My 34 year old mind doesn't grasp the concept of sleep being boring, haha! Anyway, her 3 year old one does and so we are clashing. She says she isn't scared she just is bored. (I hate that word by the way). She also is in tears when Ryan leaves for church meetings and or goes to work. She isn't normally like this and so I don't know what to do. We've tried bribes, Grandpa Les giving her money if she sleeps all night in her bed, which she gave back a $1 bill because that was for 2 nights and she wanted to sleep on my floor for one night so asked him for change instead! LOL!! She is so headstrong and stubborn. I keep waiting for her to grow out of this but I don't think that is going to happen. We've been praying and looking for answers. Last night finally she slept all night in her bed by herself (with Sydney in the upper bunk), and so I made her a sleep and bed chart that she gets to put stickers on and then get a little prize at the end of each week. I'm really hoping this starts us off with a week of good sleep.

Oh my how she is growing!

Here is Baby M in her blessing dress. It was a great find at the local mini bazaar. She is such a joy to snuggle and coo with and love!
I wanted to get the picture without the binkie but I had taken too long and she said "enough Mom". She is my binkie baby though, so it fits!

What a great day this was. I have to wonder who was there on the other side of the veil that day. I'm sure M and Rachel were close before M started her journey here with us. I still think a lot about Rachel and smile and sigh (and usually tears come) and know things will one day be so grand!!!!
You know.... They are grand now and I have 4 beautiful girls right now that make each and everyday such an adventure.

Christmas 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Where did the time go?!

New arrival of Baby M

Baby Madisyn is here!!!

We did it!!!

Weighing in at 7lbs. 4 oz.

19 1/4 in. long

She is very loved by all and we couldn't be happier.

Mom and M are both doing great.

Sisters and Dad are huge helps! Especially the 2 year old!

Girls, Girls, and more Girls!

Raising 1 girl......lots of money
Raising 2 girls.......lots and lots of money
Raising 3 girls.....lots and lots and lots of money
Raising 4 girls..... priceless!

We are proud to announce that a 4th girl is on her way to our home in November!
I never would have thought that we would have that many girls in our family without adding any boys. It looks like Ryan and our pig Howie are the only men around here (and Howie won't be here too long)! I was sure it was a boy but the ultra sound proved otherwise. We are really so excited though and glad to be able to add to our family.

Needed a change

Well I needed a change to my blog even though I don't update very much :) Life is good for the Kidmans though. Hey, we might get to the lower 50's for the high today and we will LOVE that. Most of the snow is gone and I even saw some tulips ever so slightly coming next to the house! The big excitement at our house the past few weeks are our new baby kittens. Our mama cat, Muffin, had 3 babies the middle of February and they are now walking around the garage (not house cats) and getting so fun. Their names: Brooke's is Banana, Sydney's is Cinnamon, and Sarah's is No-no (Her favorite word at the time they were born).

Tuesday and Wednesday are our busy dance days. Brooke is taking baton and doing very well and Syd is doing a ballet/tap class that she just loves and does so great. Recital is the first of May and a break from dance will be good. We just finished up Jazz ball with both girls playing and Ryan as their coach. It was a fun season and we have some basketball stars on our hands! Little Sarah is a hoot and a tease (just ask her Grandpa Kidman). She has the cutest smile and dimple, but also a pretty good back hand as we are trying to break a hitting habit. HELP!
The fish on the Snake River better watch out because Ryan has been out on the river any chance he gets. Being able to be outside has enlightened my spirit and the warmer weather is beautiful!

Creekside Dental

We are still here with lots to write but I'm feeling lazy and can't get my pics pulled up how I want so we will write a little today and hopefully get more later.

Well we did it!! Ryan and I are the proud owners of our very own dental practice. We were able to buy a practice from a dentist that was having to retire for medical reasons. We have moved back to SE Idaho and for us that means HOME! It all happened very quickly with a call in May and starting on July 6th in Idaho Falls. Things just fell into place and we feel like this was what we were supposed to do. It was very hard to leave Meridian and the family and friends that we love there. We went between Meridian and IF for a few weeks and now we are feeling more settled. We are renting a house in Shelley and absolutely loving being so very close to our family here!

The name of the practice is Creekside Dental and for those of you who know IF, it is on First street just east of Woodruff. What a whirlwind it has been but a great blessing and time in our lives.

The girls still say they miss Meridian and name someone quite often that they miss:( I'm with them on that too.

We are in the swing of school and dance classes and birthdays and the chill in the air of fall in SE Idaho. Spud harvest is just around the corner and we have already been gleening the fields of the early starters and getting some great potatoes. The harvest has been plenty and we have canned tons of green beans, peaches, and corn.

Ryan is doing so well and he has been busy. Running your own business is crazy and we are learning as we go.

Our house is rented out in Meridian and hopefully we will be able to sell it when the market rebounds some more.

Brooke is 7, Sydney is almost 5, and our little Sarah is 16 months, where has time gone!

No internet at my house but stay tuned for some pics when I can get them and head over to Mom's computer!

BLK

Where has time gone?! Serioulsy, since February? Oh well, forward we will go.

I haven't posted much about Brooke lately so here goes.

She is almost done with first grade! She is my little athlete. She did a great job in basketball this year and is awesome in her machine fast pitch softball. She rides her bike and the wiggle car and is always shootin' hoopes in the driveway. She plays kickball at recess and is always asking Ryan or I to play catch. Doesn't want a thing to do with dolls or anything like that, but does like Hannah Montana and High School Musical. She is going to be 7 years old in 3 days and wants a real puppy to play with (sorry sweetie, not yet). I heard a song in the car today that a couple years ago came out and she loved to hear and would sing. These are the right words' "The first breath she breathed". And here is what Brooke would always sing, "The first friend she beed". It brought a huge smile to mine and Ryan's faces everytime we heard it, even now when it comes on the radio!!

And of course I love her to pieces but now I need to release some frustration that I have. Sometimes she isn't so nice anymore, and I mean she can be downright mean. She has some attitude that I'm not too sure where it came from. Yelling and throwing things and back talking and hurting her sister. I take things away from her and she just says, "That is okay I don't like that any way". AHHHHH (That is what I say in my head)! I start to get mad and can tell that doesn't help the situation. Is this a phase? I sure hope so. What do I do? Oh the woes of being a parent!! There I feel a little better now:)'

So here is to my oldest: You are an amazing, smart, and talented girl. Keep up the great work. Be better so we can play the Wii please!

Love, Mom

Mamma Mia!!!

I heard it on Friday!! An actual mama from my Sarah that was directed and meant for ME!!!! It's crazy how that makes you feel when they know who you are and can say it. Now we need to work on the Dada department. Of course the uh-oh that she says is pretty darn cute too! Where is my tiny baby? Loving just as much the little sassy cruiser.

She headed out the open door today and stopped right before the step down to outside. I thought she would turn around and come back (I know, what was I thinking) but no, one arm went down along with the rest of her and smashed her face into our welcome mat. All I can say is OUCH. We had lots of snuggles to calm the crying and say sorry.

Syd was off to ballet today and loved every minute of it. Quite the dancer I tell ya! Wore her ballet outfit for most of the day. What a great girl.

Brooke came home from school with no homework packet, saying that she didn't get one today so there mustn't be any?! I'll have to check tomorrow. We'll have to catch up I'm sure. Last basketball practice tomorrow:( She did make a great basket at her game on Saturday. Pictures will be coming soon of that.

Lovin' my girls!

Of course lovin' the Dad too!!

Cuddle time

Guess who I got to cuddle!? Yes, she even fell asleep on my shoulder which is rare. LOVIN' IT!! I AM finding joy in the journey! These pics are from a couple of months ago. I really need to download from my camera!

So here are some of Sarah's latest and greatest feats:

Kicking and splashing in the tub like crazy.

Moving all over the family room without actually crawling, although she is very close. She gets on her knees and then back to her bottom and goes in circles.

She can get from her back and belly to a sitting position.

She doesn't have any teeth yet!

She pulls her bows out of her hair.

She has enough hair for a little pony tail on top of her head.

She rarely eats pureed baby food, she wants the good stuff. I have been feeding her off the table food for a month and a half, although she loves sweet potatoes.

She got some slurpee today and LOVED IT.

After she wakes up from her nap I find her sitting in her crib or pulling herself to her knees waiting for me.

She says moo when we read Mr. Brown can moo can you?

Throws her toys in church a couple rows ahead of us.

Loves her big sisters.

Sarah is a little sassy and wants it all her way. What would we do without her?!

Same place wrong time

Playing with Syd is so much fun. Her little laugh is contagious and her smile melts my heart. A couple of days ago was no exception for me, her story might be different.

I had just gotten ready for the day and was making my bed when she said, "Mom chase me to my room".

Okay I thought, and I inched very quietly toward her. As I got closer I turned and pretended like I was going to get her. She took off running! The only problem is that she and the doorframe were in the same place at the wrong time. It happened so fast all I could do was watch and then scoop up my crying sweetheart. Poor Syd has a big goose egg on her forehead that is black and blue (althought the butter I smeared on it kept it from getting huge, weird I know but it works!).

Today she is no worse for wear and all smiles again. Of course I didn't think to get a picture of the head injury but found a cute one of my girl anyway.

Christmas

Life is crazy today. I can't find enough time in the day to do all that I need to do and when the evening rolls around I'm too tired to do anything. I've been stressing all day about my Christmas cards and getting them in the mail. When I would sit down to work on them Sydney wanted to help too much and I wanted to tell her NO, I'M DOING IT but she only wanted to help a little bit right and what's the harm in that. She also wanted to help shovel the driveway that I have been going to clean off for a while now. I wanted to do it quickly but she kept wanting a turn with the shovel. Again I want to say NO but I stop and smile that she even wants to be with me and help. As I started to make progress again on the cards (they are already addressed) Sarah would wake up and need Mom's attention.

While I silently scream and want to cry from my self-inflicted stress, a calm comes over me and a gentle reminder comes of why we celebrate this season.

So slow down and cherish the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

A little craziness

We made the mistake of letting the girls have some Mt. Dew and Pepsi the other afternoon. We had just gotten to a little meeting about some medical insurance that wasn't supposed to be very long. The agent offered something to drink: water or pop. We asked if they had any rootbeer and she said she would see. She comes back with the other two mentioned earlier. I thought water would be fine for Brooke and Syd but due to circumstances earlier that involved crying and throwing fits and being way too tired, Ryan wasn't up for this battle and we gave in. They have had the occasional drinks of Grandpas' pepsi so it really didn't sink in that it would cause any difference in their behavior. Well I was wrong!!

We left for dinner at Wingers (our Friday night date) and then a trip to Costco. The girls were WIRED!! Now while most of this next wild business is normal it was increased a hundred fold. Running up and down isles, chasing each other around the shopping cart, laughing very loudly and then doing it all again. I found a time that they were looking at some things with Ryan and so I snuck away and looked at my own attention getters. Ryan almost went crazy trying to keep them sort of behaved. I thought I better save him as they were running to play the display pianos they have at Costco. It didn't end there though. They just couldn't sit still. The ride home was CRAZY. It took awhile for them to settle down and get to bed. Glad the next day was Saturday. No more of their own Mt. Dew or Pepsi.

Back in time

I found some pictures from the girls' first day of school. Never too late for pics right??!!

Here Brooke is getting ready to go into her class. My good friend's litttle guy is in her class as well, that is him waiting for her.

Wow, Sydney is a hoot to be with. She loves preschool and has become quite the character lately. In a prayer last night we were being thankful for our primary teachers. One of the names is Ballantyne and after Syd said that, she waited for half a second and added "cards". We giggled for awhile.

And where has the time gone for this little one. She loves being up and is getting so mobile. I spend a lot of my days ooing and gooing with her and the big sisters. She is quite the jumper and is getting the walker figured out, almost! If you can't tell Sarah looks just like her big sisters when they were her age. Truthfully, sometimes I have trouble deciding who is who in baby pictures and I didn't think I would ever do that!

Eight awesome years with this guy

Looking back 8 years ago today, I made the best decision to be with this guy forever! It was a beautiful October morning with just a slight chill to the air and the sun shining bright. A few things I received were; a bouquet of a dozen lavender roses early that morning (my favorite), a very nervous, quiet at times, and full of excitement and anticipation ride to the temple with the handsome groom, and an eternal companion! Eight years later: 4 beautiful girls (one waiting for all of us to come home), a crazy elk hunting adventure, 6 years of undergrad and dental school, many visits to grandma's and grandpa's, lots of hugs and kisses and loves from our girls, lots of learning and patience gained, more fillings than you can count, new friendships, a house, wrinkles, gray hair, and a love stronger than ever!

Thanks for the journey! I love you Ry with all my heart.

FAMILY PHOTOS

I have so much to catch up on but wanted to start somewhere. As you can see my girls are getting bigger and bigger. My husband is getting cuter and cuter. And I am loving being a Mom more and more.

More pics of the girls to come and how our summer was. Sarah is 4 months now and I don't know where the time is going.

We had such a great time getting pics with this wonderful photographer. She is so amazing and does a fantastic job. It feels good to have an updated family photo (at least until Sarah gets older). Can you believe she is a first grader?! Where did my little girl go?
This little preschooler had a great time with the photographer. This is my littlest! Smiles, smiles, smiles and cheeks, cheeks, cheeks.
I love my family!

Introducing..........

We are so very excited to introduce our newest, sweetest, cutest little Kidman.

Sarah Erin Kidman

Born: Friday May 9th

8:58 a.m.

7 lbs. 8 oz.

20 in. long
She was 10 days early and everything is great!

She is named after her great-great grandmother.

Sydney and Brooke are the best helpers and love their new sister so much.

We are thrilled that she is here with our family and feel so blessed to be new parents again. Wow, we forgot what a newborn is like but wouldn't change anything for the world. What did we do without her here!

She is already changing so much.

This one is today. Man, we love her.

Girls, Girls, Girls

Who wouldn't want another one of these two! When asked what our family dynamics are like, Brooke is quick to respond that Dad is the only boy and we have 4 girls (counting our little Rachel) and me of course.

Well if you asked her right now she would tell you that Dad is still the only boy but now we will have 5 girls in our family.....

So yes it has been a long time coming to the blog but we are very excited to announce that this time around we are now 27 1/2 weeks with our newest little girl (due in mid May). I have some selfish reasons of why I haven't put it on the blog yet, mostly I wanted to be more certain that things were all right. And everything is good, healthy and she is moving like crazy! We can't wait for her arrival.