Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

It's that time of year again, time for our city's annual children's theater. This is an amazing adventure! Two weeks of craziness! This year Katie, Maddie and Bevan were all in it so it seemed even crazier than normal. But the kids love it! And I love that they get to have such fun experiences. This year it was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Maddie was "Flying Time"

Katie was part of the royalty with the Queen of Hearts. She even got to play croquet with flamingos.

Do you play croquet?

Bevan as an oyster with Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum. His face is white because he's suppose to be a pearl. :)

Our stars!

On the stage.

Our family

A couple of months ago I was asked to write up a little thing about our family to be put in the ward newsletter. I really hate writing these things- want it to sound interesting, but not bragging. I thought I'd share it here since I put so much time into it. :)

We are the Austin family. We have a lot of fun together. We like to do things and go places together. We love to camp and travel. If there is ever an excuse to travel somewhere we will take it, especially road trips, we believe that getting there is most the fun. We like to play games and go to movies. We try to support each other and if someone has a game or performance you can be sure that most of the family will be close by. Whenever Stephanie has a race many of the other racers say how jealous they are of her cheering section.

Doug (aka Dad) - is a wonderful dad, he will take time with the kids. He works as an Electrician and loves to be able to climb up high and in dark tunnels (it probably makes him feel like Batman). He takes a lot of joy in seeing what he has helped build. Doug also has a Chemistry and Spanish degree. He taught for a couple of years but then decided that wasn’t for him. Doug loves to read and will read books multiple times, he is very smart and can remember everything that he reads. Doug enjoys music and likes to sing with the ward choir. Doug grew up in Hyrum but has been fully converted to a Smithfieldian.

Stephanie (aka Mom) - is grateful to be in this wonderful family! She works as a payroll specialist/bookkeeper and does foot zoning. She is able to work out of the home with both of these jobs and is very grateful for that. Her time is mostly taken up with being mom but when she has spare time she likes to read and has been working on trying to be a runner. Stephanie loves to hang with her sisters and Mom and knows that a “girls” weekend makes everything better. Stephanie grew up in Smithfield and is thrilled that she gets to raise her children here.

Kathryn (aka Katie)-12- Is our oldest child, and what a joy of an oldest child! Katie is super responsible and always willing to help cook or clean (well, most the time). She LOVES to babysit and it makes her so happy when she is left in charge. Katie has a beautiful singing voice and loves to share her talent. This is in her last year in Tavaci (a singing/dancing group) and she’s very disappointed about that.  She works hard to get good grades and has been on the honor roll every quarter. Katie enjoys reading, especially adventure or science fiction. She started Young Women this summer and she is having so much fun.

Madalyn (aka Maddie)- 10- Maddie is pink and sparkly, she loves “bling” and being girly. She’s a happy, friendly, loving person. She is always ready for a party! And constantly is surrounded by friends. Maddie never complains or fights back, she just takes whatever the situation is and makes the most of it. She doesn’t want to see anyone’s feelings hurt and tries hard to include everyone in her plans. Maddie sings with Tavaci too but loves the dancing part of it the best.  Maddie is very determined- when she decides she wants something she’ll work hard until she gets it.

Bevan (aka “B”) -5- Bevan is so much fun! He is full of energy and ideas. He has never met a stranger- they are all his friends. He has an amazing imagination and can have fun playing with about anything. Bevan sings with Tavaci and often steals the show because he forgets to stop dancing due to the music he hears in his head. Bevan just started kindergarten and enjoys going, especially with all his friends. He likes learning to read, but we’re pretty sure that recess is his favorite.

Mic (aka “Stinky) – almost 1- We consider Mic our miracle. He was born 5 weeks early, just before Christmas.  The Doctors thought that he would be in the hospital for a few weeks but after Mom had a talk with him (and he was given a couple of blessings) he made a complete turn around and wowed everyone by being able to come home on Christmas Eve. Mic is a very opinionated little guy. He is happy and smiley- mom calls him Guy Smiley, but when he wants something (or doesn’t  want something) he is sure to let us know.  He is learning how to walk. His first word was “doggy” and “banana” was second, yup, those are pretty much the most important things in his life. But he does love his siblings a lot, he’ll cry when they leave to school and get so excited when he sees them walk in the door.

Trying it

Yes, we're still here. Yes, we are all ok. But I just can't blog. Don't know why. I sit down and I can't seem to pull my thoughts together. Life has been crazy for the last year or so (but then again, isn't it always!). When  Doug was working this year he was working out of town, which meant I spent a lot of time as a single mom. It was hard- I hated it. And totally admire those women who do it on a daily/permanent basis. And I have a huge new appreciation for my mom and the way she raised us. Thanks Mom!
So, between a baby, work and Doug gone my time was shot and my brain was fried. Then when Doug was laid off he was home so I had more time, but then I had to work harder to help compensate and I always go into a "funk" when he's laid off- it's just too stressful! Besides, nobody really wants to listen to me whine! Maybe, I'll get around to updating, I'd like to, but no promises. Tonight this is just a brain purge!
We did have a good year though. The kids are good, healthy, growing, learning and busy! I completed my goal of running 10 races and even ran 1 10k (a life changing event for sure!). This year I have a goal to run 3 1/2 marathons. I'm slow but I've made it 9 miles so far.
Doug is good. He works so hard for us! Works hard at work then when he's home he works so hard around here, sometimes I feel lost because I'm not sure what I'm suppose to be doing!
New idea I read about and I'm loving it. I have started a "One sentence journal" every night I write one sentence (or slightly more) in my journal about a memory I want to keep from that day. It's working- that seems to be all I can process. I know this won't always be my crazy life and I want to remember the things that kept me so busy and happy.

So, hopefully I'll be back soon. In the meantime enjoy these wonderful pictures of our family taken by Alesa.

See, they are amazing things to be kept busy with. I love them more than I can say!

Tavaci

May 6, 2011

I think I've mentioned (once or twice) how much I love Tavaci. But it's true, I do, I really do! It is so fun having the three kids all doing it. The Spring program didn't disappoint. The theme was "Celebrate You". I love that theme. I think I'd really love my kids to learn to celebrate them. They sang so many fun songs. Bevan didn't seem to sing many words but did all the dance moves. I thought it was because he was too young to be coordinated enough to do them both together but a few days later I saw him in the van dance and singing away. I guess he was just a little overwhelmed with all the people and lights. But he was still so fun to watch! The girls were wonderful as always! Katie had to two small group numbers.

Because the kids officially "graduate" at the end of 6th grade they get a trophy that is 1" tall for every year they were in Tavaci. I think Katie's was 6" tall. She is allowed to come back one more year, so thankfully, this wasn't her last year. I think we might all be shedding tears next year. These are her teachers- Suzanne and Karen- what great, patient women!

Conquer the Canyon 5k #2

5k #2. Our hometown 5k. It is a tough one. Straight up the canyon and straight back down. It makes for a crazy Health Days day and every year we say we aren't going to do it the next year. But, we love it and so we always do.

Alesa, Anita, Me, Tori

Team Runamuck. These are the terrific girls who are doing this with me. I love these girls!

We're all holding up the number of race that we are on. Notice my bib number? yup #1! Cool! As Anita said "The Kenyans usually get that number." I was enjoying having it because it was the only time that'll happen.

All of us who were doing the 5k.

Me, Alesa, Savannah, Katie, Maddie

One of my cheerleaders. They are as important to me as anyone!

All of us including the "Mayor Milers"

Dallin, Hailey, Bevan

Hailey & Bevan during the "walk section" of the Mayor's Mile.

Dallin was too fast and go away from the camera man.

Here comes Anita to the finish line- yeah, she's already fast!

And Alesa is not too far behind- even after 2 weeks of a cold.

Here they come. It was a photo finish!

Felice was waiting for me at the top of the canyon (I was suprised!) and she talked me down the whole way. "Pretend like there is a hook holding your body up, even breathes, nice light feet..."

This was about the time I saw the finish line and that was all I could see. I had a good finish- the rest of the race, hmmm...

We LOVE our shirts!!!

Katie really is an amazing sister!

Katie (usually) plays with her sibling willingly, especially Bevan. This is such a huge help to me, especially with Doug being gone so much. This winter, after one of our big snow storms, Katie took Bevan out to play in the snow and try out their sleds they got for Christmas.

Tavaci

I know it seems like we've done nothing else but have a baby for the last 4 months. Although, that has taken a lot of our time, we've actually done a lot of other fun things. So, I am attempting to record some of those activities in these next few posts.

December 11th was the annual Tavaci Christmas concert. I always love these concerts, I love the music and the dancing but most of all I love watching my kids shine. This concert was the best one yet because not only were all three of the kids in it but Maddie had a "small group" part and Katie had a solo. I was a proud mama!

Maddie performed with about 10 other girls her age to S-A-N-T-A. What fun to watch her cheer for the "Big Guy"! She has so much energy and just enjoys everything she does!

Katie had a solo singing "Silver Bells". Silver Bells was my grandma Kathryn's favorite Christmas song so I was so excited to have my little Kathryn have the opportunity to sing it. She was amazing! I think her Great-grandma was probably just as proud and pleased as the rest of us were!

Can you see Katie in the middle back?

And since there is not much that brings me as much joy as Bevan, here is a picture of him. I still have people comment on how he stole the show. I'm not really sure that's such a great thing, but he WAS a lot of fun to watch. He knew most of the words and most of the dances and he never quit dancing, even if the music was just in his head! :)

Quilts & Green Jello

Notice the quilt in this picture with Bevan? It is a beautiful, soft, perfectly sized quilt. And I love it! Those reasons are all good reasons to love it but the real reason I love it is because it was given to me just a day after we got home from Primary Children's Hospital with Bevan and it was given to me by a lady in our ward who was fighting a battle with cancer. She was young- only 39 and had young children, but still she thought of us. My heart was touched and still is everytime I look at or cuddle under this blanket (and I probably cuddle under it as much as B does).

This morning Doug was listening to Elder Holland's talk from General Conference. I was totally touched by it. Take some time and listen to it or read it.

He talked about "Green jello and quilts" and how often those acts of service are made fun of, but they are the acts of service so quitely given. I used to think that the way the Relief Society always rushed in with food was silly- what good is it really. My husband can cook when I can't (and does most the cooking anyway)and there is always fast food or frozen food if needed. BUT, then came the day my heart was changed. We had come home from delivering our little Steven in the middle of the night. The next day was Monday. We were sad and over whelmed and lost. We knew we had 3 other children who needed us and we wanted to be there for them, but we weren't sure how to take care of ourselves, let alone them. Slowly throughout that day we received 3 different dinners. Food that we didn't really need- we would have figured something out. But, it was so nice not to have to figure it out. But the most important thing of all was as I answered the door and took the food from one sister (who had not been assigned or asked to bring it, she just showed up, as did all the sisters) I was taught the truth of food. Those kind people were not really trying to feed our bodies, they were trying to feed our souls. They couldn't feed our souls but they could feed our bodies and by feeding our bodies our souls were fed with love and comfort. We once had a Bishop who would say "Let us take care of your physical needs, we can do that. We can't take care of your spiritual needs but you can and when your physical needs are taken care of your spiritual needs are easier to fix." My heart still gets soft whenever I think of these experiences. I too am grateful for "quilts and green jello"!

Elder Holland said it perfectly:
As Jesus said to the Nephites, so say I today;
"Because of your faith; my joy is full."
"And when He said these words, he wept."

Bevanism

Back to this post about Bevan changing our new baby's diapers...

Tonight while driving home Bevan asked me why I haven't bought him three pairs of nose plugs yet.
I said: "I don't know where to buy nose plugs."
Bevan: "At the nose plug store"
Me: "I don't know where the nose plug store is."
Bevan: "It's on Main Street. Across Main Street. You go left and then right and then left and it's right there."

Hee, hee, hee! Love this kid!!!

Bevanism

Bevan and his cousin Emi

On Sunday morning Bevan was laying in bed snuggling with me and Doug. I've mentioned that Bevan is very excited about having a new little brother. Here was our conversation:

Mom: What are you going to do when you have a new little brother and have to share me?
Bevan: I'm going to play with him and take care of him.
M: I heard big brothers have to change all the stinky diapers. Will you do that?
B: Yes!
M: Ok, you're going to change ALL the stinky diapers.
B: OK, but you're going to have to buy me a nose plug!

Ha, ha, ha! I've been laughing ever since!

I already missed posting my gratitude last night, so here it is!

1-Bevan

2-Peaches

3-Naps

Did I tell you?

Did I tell you we're having a boy? Yes, I know I have lots of other stuff to update, but right now we are a little too crazy. But in the meantime, yes, we found out.

WE ARE HAVING A BOY!!!!!

And we (most of us) are thrilled! Me, Doug, Bevan= thrilled. Katie, Maddie=less than thrilled ("can we dress him in cute dresses and bows?" umm, NO!)

This is a good pregnancy- one of my better ones. Tiny bit of nausea still- every once in a while. Tired, but normal tired. Actually I think I am doing well- so what if I go to bed at 8:30 or 9:00? I feel blessed, we are blessed. I treasure each and every kick. I get so happy, I celebrate. Bevan talks about "when my baby brother comes out". He is waiting almost as anxiously as I am...

Oh, and right now, Doug is working! hooray! Out of town, but work. And I love him!!!

Bevan's Birthday

Bevan's birthday was on Memorial day this year so it made for a CraZY weekend but a FUN one! We celebrated his 4th birthday at the Firehouse. (Bevan thought for a long time we were going to the Firehouse restaurant- it took some talking to convince him the real firehouse would be just as fun!) The firemen were so good to us. Fireman Scott acted genuinely happy to have us there and let the kids climb in the fire engine and ambulance and even try on his fire hat!

Bevan trying on the fireman's hat. Bevan's jacket was almost just like the real firemen's jackets. Fireman Scott kept telling Bevan how much he like Bevan's jacket.

Most of the group in the hats and badges I made.

Bevan and the firemen.

After the firehouse we went back to our house and had hamburgers and salads and cake and ice cream. My mom made this cute cake (because I was too busy doing a million other things.) The idea was the chimney (made of sugar cubes and soaked in vanilla) would start on fire. Unfortunately, it didn't work but the fire engine candles were sure cute anyway!

Stitch wanted to join in the fun but we wouldn't let him so instead he sat in the window of our bedroom and wished he could join us.