First of March and New Camera

 

We got a new camera in the beginning of March

 

 Timpanogos Temple

 

 Here is the vanity I made. I need to post some before and after's of our bathroom its done now.

 

Our girl Violet

 

kids wrestling

 



 Frozen pond it was starting to crack here but it was frozen enough for the kids and cow to walk on

 



 The hug oak James cut down. Here comes next years fire wood

 

 The kids playing on the tree

 

 Princess the frog killer

 

 We went fishing at the 11 point river about 3 miles from our house we didn't catch anything :(

 

Royce caught some dirt

 

The Farmer who worked all day and didn't get anything done.

Have you ever heard the story of the farmer who worked all day and didn't get anything done, Here is how it goes: On the way to the barn to milk the cow pne morning he stepped on a shovel and broke the shovel so he went to fix it and as he went to fix the shovel he saw the pig was out so he abandoned the shovel to get the pig and on the way to get the pig back in it pen he noticed his tractor was flat and so he left the pig to fix the flat... and on and so on.

Thats what I feel my life has been like for a while. I have it in my head that my home should look like a magazine, my sweet husband has gently pointed it out to me several time with good reason (He likes to say "we are raising kids not a house")... I am constantly on my way to do something and I see some mess that needs cleaning that completely side tracks me.Only to find another and another.,, Insanity is described as "doing the same thing over and over expecting different results" I think I might be going a little insane?  So..... tonight we came up with a plan

It was actually James idea. We are going to have 3 set times during the day to pick up the house, after breakfast, before dinner and before bed time. Other than that we will leave things be unless they are immanent to greater destruction or a safety hazard.

I am actually really excited about this I am hoping it will bring greater peace to mind and enable me to accomplish greater goals. I will report on the outcome later.

fingers crossed!

Wood burning Furnace and Fire Wood

The main source of heat in our house when we moved in was our baseboard heaters. They are essentially just space heaters that are about the size of 2x4's mounted along the base of the wall, there is one or two in most rooms. Well they didn't really keep the house warm, I wasn't freezing but still had to wear my coat to keep at warm and when we got our $400 electricity bill we decided we would not be using those any longer (electricity here is really expensive!).

So we invested in a Englander wood burning furnace that was rated for 3300 sq ft house from Home Depot. Our house is 1600 sq ft but in case we ever finish off the attic we got the big furnace. It had great reviews and we thought no big deal, easy peasy, well just shove some wood in there and make our house super toasty... Well it didn't like that.

Green Wood (wood that is freshly cut) does not burn hot it burns cold which means that the fire is to busy burning off all the liquid in the wood to actual let the fire get hot. We tried burning green wood for about 2 weeks. We tried a variety of different methods different types of wood and it was nothing short of a headache and all the while we were really cold and there was no way I was turning on the wall heaters again! Finally we ran a couple floor vents under the house to see if that would help circulate the air, it was a good half days work and didn't really improve our situation. We thought maybe we had made a huge mistake putting this 600lb furnace in our cellar cause it wasn't working and we were going to have to take it back to the store which meant hauling it back up the stairs. It hurts my back to think of it.

One day it happened that we were out of wood and James was working. I remembered seeing a stack of some old wood where I think the previous owner had a pile under some leafs by the side fence. I went and checked it out and found a good size pile of somewhat decomposed wood with a couple large logs that needed split. The kids and I got the wagon and loaded it full with rotten but dry wood and took it into burn. It burned beautifully hot and it warmed the whole house but it burned quickly like cardboard so I was re-stocking the oven every hour and going through a lot of wood. James eventually went out and split up the large log which was well seasoned (left out to dry for several seasons or months) sure enough this time the house got HOT! to warm and it burned for hours, we had finally figured out the trick.

We had discovered our error. We need well seasoned wood, so we have been scouring our land for fallen trees to cut up, and James has been working tirelessly trying to keep us warm. It has been such a learning process.

Side note: I love that my kids have been learning the value of work (if you go and get wood for the fire you will be warm if not you will freeze) its a direct cause and effect lesson which is so easy for them to understand.

One more quick storey:
Despite diligent efforts we have had a hard time finding well seasoned wood. Its really something you need to cut and let dry out for the next year. Even if you cut up an old fallen tree the good hard wood from the trunk is still green and needs to be dried out. We usually have a 2 -3 day supply of wood and then we have to go hunt for more.
Unfortunately James came down with  a stomach bug this morning and last night it snowed freezing everything over, AND we were at the end of our 3 day supply of wood. By mid-morning it was cold in our house (23 degrees outside). Since James was sick and couldn't really go cut up frozen fallen trees I decide to go into town and buy a  Mr. Buddy propane heater. Well I think our hopes were a little to high because It really didn't do much beside heat up a 3 foot radius around itself which is great if your camping but doesn't do much in 1600 sq ft.

By about 5pm I had had it. I got myself and Luke bundled up and we were going to find some wood, ice storm or not. I think James being the provider felt strong guilt and somehow got himself up and ready with the truck to come help. Just as we were about to drive the truck into the field our neighbors came driving by and asked what we were up to. They generously offered to give us some of there wood. I saw the relief wash over James face (he really didn't feel well!) We went over to their house and they load us up with enough to get through the next day or two and also offered to let us come and cut up some of there fallen trees (on a not so blistery day of course). On top of that the wife (Donella) sent me home with some cute hand crocheted dish towels and a scrubber. We felt so blessed and grateful to this kind family I don't think they know the extent of our circumstance or our gratitude. But we could see that Heavenly Father was once again as always watching over us.

Family pics 2014

Here are our family pictures from last year. We took them at our house in Pleasant Grove right before we moved. Thanks Marni!

Luke James 8 years

Bella Elise 6 years

Royce Benson 3 years

Abrahm Jesse 2 years

 Shiloh Ador'e 6 months

 Pumpkin doggy

Little chickies

my sister Heather had some chicks that needed special attention they wouldn't survive in the group that she bought. So she gave them to us two of them ended up dying that night the other three are still alive and growing fast we hope to get more soon.

Mammoth springs

We went to Mammoth brings another day and the kids love this old train car they can play on.

Royce's bum

Roy likes to go commando one day he put on his pajamas backwards and couldn't get the zipper up and walked around like that all morning You can look in the picture and see he has his little bum hanging out.

Tire swing

Like puppies

Even though we have separate bedrooms for the girls and boys the kids like to sleep in the same bedroom at night. It is really cute to see them all piled up on each other like puppies. Occasionally will even let Shiloh join in on the fun.

Hotel swimming

On the way back from Ohio we stopped at a hotel and the kids went swimming. We forgot Luke swimsuit so he wore Bellas hot pink leggings shorts. It was quite the sight to behold lol.

Charlotte's baptism

At the end of December we drove out to Ohio to visit my sister Michelle and so James could baptize my niece Charlotte. It was a fun trip we stayed there for a week and enjoyed spending time with her family. Shiloh loves her aunt Michelle.

Roycita

Just a funny picture.

Mammoth springs

After church one day we stopped at Mammoth Spring Park it is on the border of Arkansas and Missouri, And we drive past it every time we go to church. The water there is very beautiful. James actually got in the water because of the spring it stays warm all year long there are fish in it all year long as well. Sometimes I wonder if we will ever get a normal family picture again with all these squirrely babies around

Happy thanksgiving 2014

We had Thanksgiving at our house last year. We had my sister Heather and her family and my mom over. It was nice having family around

Lumberjack James

James has taken to chopping wood since we got a wood furnace. At first we only had an axe which James accidentally chopped himself in the leg with (it wasn't good). But now we have a chainsaw and this nice outfit passed down from James Dad. Hopefully we won't have any more emergencies from wood chopping. Fingers crossed.

Royce's 4th Birthday.

Royce had his 4th birthday on January 27th. He was a very happy boy he got presents from Grandma's and mommy and daddy made him a ninja turtle costume. Royce is quite clever. If he can't get someone to get something for him or do something for him he figures out a way to get it done. We had hidden his birthday present from his grandma and he somehow founded and opened it the day before his birthday. He is very independent and things that I would expect him to still want me to help him with he wants to do all by himself. He also loves to help with everything and if you don't let him help he just does it when you're not looking which is kind of scary. We love our Royce. We are so grateful to have his special spirit in our family. He teaches us so much. He has started to help take care of the little siblings. Especially Shiloh. Who he calls his little fat face, with a mischievous grin.

The outhouse

Our house only has one bathroom and we decided to remodel it. It took about a week and while it was out of commission James took the old toilet dug a hole under it and set it in the field. That's what people use until we got the new toilet installed. We have the bathroom about 75 percent done now including the new toilet but I periodically see the younger children out there using the toilet still .

Holy Cow

James went camping Friday night with the young men. I decided to take the kids to the auction and buy a goat. this was the first auction I have been to and it was a little scary. I figured things out pretty fast and when they started bringing the cows out they were selling for really cheap. I couldn't stop myself from bidding and we came home with Violet. She is a 2 year old Holstein Jersey cross. She is about 5 months pregnant. We started milking her that night and have been getting about a gallon a day which isn't a lot . But we hope when she calves we will be getting more. She is really sweet and very friendly we got lucky with that. The kids have been enjoying the fresh milk and when we get a little more from her I will start making our own dairy products. I think James was pretty happy that we ended up with the cow and not a goat.

Jesse in the box

Sweet little Jesse boy in the basket.

Fire

We just accidentally lit our field on fire. Very scary. Luckily we have a volunteer fire departments and neighbors who came and helped us put it out. I don't ever want to do that again. We do feel blessed that the fire didn't spread or harm anyone else's property.

The road were on

We are doing a renovation to our family, the add on is schedule to be done July 2015

The year is coming to and end

 We have moved 4 times in the past 2 years. We most recently bought a 6 acre farm in Southern Missouri. James is no longer an employee for his company he is now an independent consultant with his own LLC. The house was a total fixer upper but is coming along nicely. It no longer smells like cigarettes and there is very little wood paneling visible. We love Missouri, it is everything we expected and wanted! The kids are enrolled in the local elementary school. They are both in classes with their cousins and seem to really enjoy it. It is a small school, Luke's class has 8 kids and Bellas is the biggest in the elementary with 16 kids. My sister Heather is approximately 1.5 miles from our house. They have started a little dairy farm and they are going to have their 7th child come May. We love having family so close.

The branch out here is very small but full of wonderful faithful members. We are happy to be able to use our gifts and talents there.

Updates on the kids

Luke: He is no longer a little boy he is definitely growing and learning. He loves Pokemon, multiplication and playing with his cousin. He is also an avid snuggler and we are hoping to start a cub scout pack here soon.

Bella: Bella loves to sing, dance and create. I often am looking for something only to find out that Bella has it and has created something new with it. She had her 7th birthday this week. She got a pony and named him Prince. She saw him in the morning before school and said " Mom this is all I wanted for my birthday I don't need anything else!". She also lost her first two teeth last night and the tooth fairy brought her $6 ($3 for each tooth) apparently she had some pretty nice teeth.

Royce: Wild man Royce is still getting into all kinds of trouble. Our constant prayer is that he will survive childhood. He loves nursery and will soon be a sunbeam. We frequently hear singing around the house to the tunes of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. "Bless that beautiful Hide". LOL. He love his little Shiloh and can make her laugh like no one else.

Abrahm Jesse: Poor little Jesse fell out of a shopping cart last week and broke his collarbone. He has been a tough kid about it. Today I realized he was feeling better when I saw him jumping from the coffee table to the couch. He has had a language explosion. He is constantly saying things that crack us up. Today he and Luke were wrestling and I heard him say in a very calm voice" Luke thats my arm that hurts". It was so random but in a full complete sentence. Jesse is a sweet loving child who really likes Legos, blocks and just building things.

Shiloh: This girl is turning into quite the wild thing as well. She just goes, goes goe. She is constantly scanning the room for her next attack. When she crawls it looks like she is a charging Rhino she  even does this heavy breathing thing. She is a wanderer. She goes where she wants and doesn't hesitate to look back. She loves rhythm and music. Anytime there is a beat you will find her bobbing her head up and down, side to side, bouncing , rocking, kicking, clapping her hands, feet and body. She is our little baby dancer. At Luke and Bella's Christmas performance the people were watching her dance to the music instead of the kids singing. Most of all Shiloh is our little love. There is something very special about having a baby in your home. It brings so much joy and happiness.

James is so happy. His last couple months with his company were really hard and stressful and we realized that although it was scary to branch out on his own it was the right move for him. He loves taking the ax and cutting down trees, spending more time with the children and telling them bedtime stories at night.

This area is so beautiful with rolling hills, pastures and thick trees. I love being able to create a beautiful house and making do with what we have. I enjoy being creative and trying new things. We have used raw milk to make cheese, butter, buttermilk, ricotta and yogurt. I like being away from the hustle and bustle and spending our evenings singing song, playing the piano and reading books. I am also very happy.


 I am grateful especially at this Christmas season for all we have been blessed with including our savior Jesus, God bless our loved ones and friends.

Luke and the Story Telling Festival (Homeschool Outing)

This morning when the kids got up I told them they were going to the Timpanogos Story Telling Festival. They got really excited and Luke, in his eagerness, asked if he could write a story for. Of course I thought that would be awesome and in theme with the days events. He wrote his story with some spelling help from me, we had lunch and off to the festival we went. Children under 5 were not allowed so my Mom took the older kids while I waited at a near by park.

After the Festival was over Luke come walking down to meet the babies and I with a disappointed look on his face. The first thing he says to me is "Mom! why didn't you tell me you had to be invited to tell a story"? Thats when I noticed he had the sheet of paper with the story he had written in the morning on it. Grandma Cherie then filled me in that when they were at the story telling tent Luke got up walk to the front and proceeded to ask the people in charge when it would be his turn to tell his story? LOL! I had no idea that his intention for writing a story in the morning was to tell it at the festival. Even though he was disappointed that he did not get to share his story. I have to commend his bravery for being willing (even eager ) too. He gets that from James not me.

As a child I was extremely shy and I missed out on a lot because I was too afraid to join in. When I got pregnant for the first time (with Luke)  on the top of my DO NOT WANT FOR MY KIDS LIST was being shy. I remember praying that Luke would not have that trial and although I have witnessed him a little uncomfortable in a couple situations he is not in the shy spectrum.

Shiloh Blessing (3 months)

James was able to give our sweet girl a blessing from our Heavenly Father during sacrament meeting Sunday. We were very blessed and grateful to have friends and family there. It was touching for me to hear my dear husband heart touched by the spirit as his voice cracked with emotion. It instantly brought tears to my eyes

Our Father in Heaven, we take this infant into our arms to give her a name and a blessing. The name that she will be known as on this Earth and on the records of the church is Shiloh Adoré Mortensen. Shiloh we bless you with the knowledge that you are a child of God. That your spirit is precious to the Lord. That he desires you to live a happy life and to return to live with Him someday. We bless you to develop many talents and abilities and enjoy your time on the earth serving, working, and being a participant with your family and other groups throughout your life. We bless you to have a strong desire to follow the example of your savior Jesus Christ and that you will develop a personal relationship with Him. We pray that you will be prayerful in your daily efforts to choose the right and to be an example and leader to those around you. We bless you as you learn and develop wonderful gifts and abilities that you'll strive to find ways to incorporate music and physical activity into your life so that you can find that much more joy. We pray that you will learn to love and follow the guidance and counsel of your mother that Heavenly Father provides you. We pray that you will see the blessings that come as you live the gospel and you will choose to follow the example of Jesus the Christ and join His Church and serve in His Kingdom to prepare for His Second Coming. We pray that you will have a happy childhood and that you'll have a rewarding life that will lead you and prepare you to enter the Holy Temple and that you will eventually find a righteous young man and that you will go to the Temple to be married. We bless you that you will find joy in reading the scriptures. There will be times that you will have to stand alone and the scriptures of the holy prophets will be there with you. We bless you that as you prepare to be a mother that you will find that it is a worth while endeavor in this life and the choicest calling which God can give you. We pray that you will and we bless you to repent when you do something wrong, quickly, and find your way back to the straight and narrow path. That will ultimately lead you to eternal happiness. Shiloh we bless you with these things and with the eternal love of your Heavenly Father on this journey to know that he's there with you even though you can't see him. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

My heart swells when I think of my little Shiloh. She is a joy and a light in our home. She always has a ready smile, is very talkative and lively. Everyone adores this little girl. The kids fight over who gets to sit next to her or hold her next. She has an outpouring of love constantly going towards her. She is very good at expressing herself. I am very grateful for this little baby and the happiness she has brought into our lives. I feel like she is a little piece of Heaven here on Earth.
Shiloh is a very strong little baby.  She has been doing sit ups in her swing since she was born and this month she rolled over for the first time and then the next day she started scooting. She was on my bed when Bella said "Mom she is crawling" (I brushed it off because Bella also claims to have taught her to say her name) then I looked over and sure enough this little one was sticking her bum up get her knees underneath her and moving around on the bed! She has also gotten up on her hands and knees and since then has gotten proficient at rolling around. She loves people but she has a preference for her Mom. We tenderly look forward to watching her grow and being able to lead and guide her. We love her immensely!