Best Husband Ever

So my darling husband is over making me an omelet! What's the occasion you ask? Nothing, he is just sweet! He likes to cook for me on his days off. He also has established a well loved tradition of pancake breakfasts for our kids every Saturday morning. That's nice but his talents are not limited to the kitchen he is frequently doing things for me just to be kind and make me happy. He is also always making time to spend with the kids... special time for each kid each month! Anyway we had our second anniversary this past week and I realized what a lucky girl I am to have such a wonderful husband. He took on the job of supporting me as well as three more kids and of course a new bundle of joy! He is not a wealthy man and works hard for every dime so adding us to his family was quite a responsibility to take on! Not to mention he makes it possible for me to be home and be a mommy which is the most loving thing he could possibly do for me! So ladies don't be jealous that I snagged the best husband out there... p.s. he offered to paint my toenails later today!!!

Blackmail Material

So Tavis came home with quite a humorous story... the kind that you as a parent are expected to keep a stern face for! So he comes to me after school and starts to tell me his tearful tale! Awhile back he lost this Pokemon book he had acquired from a grandparent. He has been seriously distraught for months now because he has lost it. I am talking tears and very emotional outbursts. I personally don't get it but he seems to feel a great loss for this missing book. Now getting into the funny part of the story I was volunteering at school when we went into the library and he told me of a quite funny conspiracy theory. He informed me that  his school library had stolen his Pokemon book... evidence is of course the fact that they have this book on the shelves and his at home has disappeared! I tried to explain to him how there are multiple copies of books and it is the libraries copy. He did not believe me. So months later and multiple complaints about the thieving library later he comes home with his sad story. He apparently took matters into his own hands and slyly took the Pokemon book in question and slid it down his pants and tried to return it safely home, it's true home. He was caught in the line returning to class with a square bulge in his pants and forced to return the book. He was so upset because he had gotten in trouble in school but it was so unfair because it was the library who had really stolen his book! Oh man I was a good mom and kept a straight face and explained the stealing thing and doled out a consequence but I wanted to write this down before I forgot it because I am going to tell him this story when he is older and has finally realized the multiple copies of the same book thing!

My version found in Help Them Aim High Henry B. Eyring

2012

Dear Family,
     Well, it's been a busy year. We had a new member join our family. Grace Isabelle got here last August. As for other memorable events... hmmm.... we lost two vehicles in July but are now mobile and appreciating the changes now that we aren't stranded on a mountain side.  Kaitlin is in her last year of elementary school. I can't believe how fast she has grown and what a beautiful young woman she is becoming inside and out. Kaden is still as energetic as usual. He is in love with sports and being physical. He is still a great help to me. Riley just completed another season of football. He was the king of interceptions on his team. He is also a giant. Hailey has adopted Grace ;) or at least claimed her as her own. She is loving the second grade and her teacher Mr. Bottimer. Tavis still plays a ton of make believe. His teacher informed me he is one of the most tenacious students she's ever had, always has to keep trying until he gets it right. He hasn't quit loving art either. Laila oh Laila... she has got me on my knees!!! Praying that we make it to 6yrs old. I mean really that girl pushes all of my buttons. Grace is a little blessing. She is loved by all and for an almost 4 month old is full of personality. She coos and makes noise all the time. As for Jeremy and I we are great! Jeremy is now working at the prison as a correctional officer and is doing well. His superiors are often commenting on what a outstanding job he is doing. #proudwife... Anyway I am enjoying the blessing of being able to be home with my babies and not miss a moment of this madness. Though they make me nuts I love them crazy style and would be sad to miss a minute of them growing up. Hope you all are doing great and the holidays are finding you happy and healthy!!!
Love,

Jeremy, Marisa, Kaitlin, Kaden, Riley, Hailey, Tavis, Laila, & Grace

Little Momma

So Hailey follows Grace around... I have the ever ringing question, "Can I hold her!" always on her lips. She is swaddling her, rocking her, burping her. Now if I could get her to remember Grace isn't a doll we'll be in business and I can get started on that ever evasive kick back and relaxing! ;)

Our nephew Grant has been in town and is such a fun crazy pants! He's 2 so he's always everywhere. Kaden is always putting him on his back and giving him bucking bronco rides. I love it. He is so cute to watch. He is such a helpful guy. He helps me get diapers, switch over laundry, find socks and shoes. Oh and of course chase after and entertain his cousin Grant.

Daddy's Girl

Yesterday Grace was decidedly a daddy's girl... I mean from copying and loving on him in the shower to screaming at me the moment I get her out to dress her. During Christmas shopping all eyes were on daddy, smiles galore. Jeremy gets a text and asks me to push the cart and the crying begins. I finally persuaded her to calm down with her suckie only to get a death stare. I ask her, " what no love for mommy" she shifted her gaze immediately off to one side. Point taken darling, point taken... I mean I'm not going to blame her he's my favorite too.

Reality Check

"Mom I have a book report due tomorrow.", says Kaitlin at eleven o'clock last night! So Jeremy downloads the right program for her to be able to do it. She finds that she somehow managed to not save her work to her thumb drive and must start over... after helping her spell about four words and learn to save images to computer we are finished. I ask why didn't you do this before?? Well, I only found out about it two days ago and then there was Faith in God and dishes... Lol should I break it to her that it only get harder and busier??

Surprise

My kids are always full of delightful surprises... from Laila running off to draw all over her face with black marker while I'm with visiting teachers to Tavis doing his own hair. This morning he comes out with water dripping down his face and hair spiked everywhere to inform me that he saw his reflection in the mirror and said, "Whoa I look like a monster!" Is it bad of me to admit my main concern was how much water he'd probably soaked my bathroom with??

My Riley is so tough that when he isn't feeling good he doesn't out right tell me what's up. If I notice he's not his usual wild and active self I have to give him a hug and ask him what's wrong otherwise I get a "Nuthin"... that little hug is the key to get him to open up. Anyway Riley has a tummy ache and I am grateful Heavenly Father has given me as a mother the ability to learn my kids different communication languages.

So at dinner we typically aim to go around the table and say our favorite and least favorite thing of the day as well as fun questions... Of late Laila has been stumbling over her words! It is a bit frustrating to me as I attempt to keep things moving in order to keep complete chaos from breaking out. So Laila is stuck like a broken record repeating the first two words of her sentence over and over again. So I lose patience and yell, "For goodness sake spit it out already Laila!" She promptly stops, turns, and literally spits into her bowl of stew. Oh heavens what am I going to do with these crazies?

So do I have to change our blog address now that we are 9 Steiks and not 8 any longer?? LOL, nah I am too busy with other things like laundry and wiping snotty noses to be particular over whether my blog address correctly reflects our current family size!

Family Pictures 2012

Kaitlin Richelle 10yrs

Kaden Michael 10yrs

Riley Aaron 8yrs

Hailey Catherine 7yrs

Tavis Lyn 7yrs

Laila Ann 5yrs

Grace Isabelle 3mnths

Family Pictures 2011