The Magnificent Seven

Jacob Turns 8!!! July 2009

2009-09-08T12:31:00.001-07:00

Well the Big Day of Jacob's Birthday arrived!!! Almost all of his boy cousins were in TOWN too (except Cooper)! We invited them all over for a great swimming party. First we had cake and presents at our place then headed over to our neighbor's pool for some swimming.

Before the boys started on the present opening frenzy, Jacob's cousin Issac led them in a brief moment of meditation.....ooommmmm...... to center there chi so that optimum present enjoyment could occur. hahaha they are soooo cute!!!

Of course the Legos were a HUGE hit!!!

I love that Jacob is such a creative and smart boy. He is growing up in such a great example to his younger brothers. Mom and Dad love you so much and we are eternally grateful to have you in our family forever. You are precious to us.

Hanging out at BYU - July 2009

2009-09-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

We made a trip over to BYU for Paul's Birthday with the kids, Nanna and Pop-Pop. It was VERY HOT. But the kids of course didn't care. We then headed over to dinner for the celebration of Paul and Jacob's birthday (his is the next day).

MmmMmm. Cinnamon Rolls June 2009

2009-09-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Just a cute picture of Max enjoying his cinnamon roll.

I loved June!!

2009-09-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

We had the most beautiful June this year, it was wet and cool. I know a lot of people were waiting for summer to come, but it was GREAT!! I loved watching the storms coming in over the valley. Besides we didn't have to start watering our lawn. We had gorgeous sunsets.

When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Fireman- Ammon and Isaiah May 2009

2009-09-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

Ammon and his preschool went on a field trip to the firehouse and had a great time. I tagged along to help and of course I had to bring Isaiah.

Ammon's Preschool Program May 2009

2009-08-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Ammon's preschool had an end of the year/Mother's Day program at school. I always thought Ammon was an over active kids until this program. I notice that Ammon was about as crazy as the rest of the kids. It's always nice to know your kids isn't the only one (even when it feels like he is). I was so proud of him, he remembered his lines and sang the songs (most of the time :))

I love being a mom!!

Mexico and the Orphanage April 14-19, 2009

2009-08-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well this last spring break Paul, Emma, Jacob and I headed down to La Mission in Mexico with a Child's Hope Foundation to work for 4 days at an orphanage. The experience was awesome, Paul and I worked at the new nursery being built, we mix cement, plaster and mortar for the workers. I even got to plaster some of the walls, worked on rebar and I also got to lay mason stone. It was great to feel so useful and helpful. We slept in bunk houses with our family and other families as well. (Well we kind of got stuck in the teenage and preteenage boy room, boys are kind of stinky). Every night we had a large bon fire to have kind of fireside with all the families and talk about our experiences of the day and the things we were learning. It a was great to have this time to reflect on our lives and how much we are blessed to have families. I discovered on this trip that we don't need very much to be happy and that we are extremely blessed and that we need to give more for other to have better lives.

Jacob was usually right by our side the entire time trying to get in on the action of building a building. It was difficult work and usually we had him help out with running things around for us. He did slip away to play soccer or basketball with the orphan boys.

Emma spent her entire time playing with the little girls, especially the one who were about two years old and younger. She wants a little sister so bad!! She asked many times while we were there if we could bring one of the little girls home with us. We were wishing we could of.

I did finally brave a visit to the nursery, I had been trying to avoid seeing the little babies. I was afraid of how I was going to feel seeing these little innocent babies with no mommy to love them like I loved my babies. I finally worked up enough courage (and a little prompting from Paul) and made my way down to the nursery. I was able to hold and play with each one of them. They ranged in age from 4 months to almost 2. When I finally left the nursery I went back to my bunk and cried for a while. It is a very strange feeling holding a child who you know has no one to be thier parent and find yourself thinking "why not me, why can't I just take them". Trust me, if the Mexican Government would allow the adoptions to Americans I would have been going home with a little girl. I prayed alot on that trip for strenghth through the emotional ups and downs. It was an eye opening and inspirational trip, one that I want to repeat again and again. Sometimes doing the hard things are worth every minute of the pain and joy.

WE all loved our trip there and we are planning on going in the fall again with the kids. Both Emma and Jacob ask all the time when are we going back... I can't wait until the other kids get old enough to go too.

By the way Paul and I were horrible at taking pictures so we asked a friend of ours to go take some pictures for us, these were kind of all we ended up with....I promise when we go in the fall we will be better at getting pictures of the all the kids.

Emma's a Tenth March 3, 2009

2009-08-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Emma had a great day on her birthday. She had a great time with friends swimming and having an indoor beach party. She is such a wonderful little lady, we are so proud of her and who she has turned out to be. I love you Emma. I remember the day we brought you home and we sat up all night watching you sleep in your car seat, we didn't want to wake you by taking you out. You have been a great blessing in our lives and I thank God everyday for you. Happy Birthday!!

Oh Man Am I Lame!!!

2009-08-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I have not posted in like FOREVER!!!! 6 months, YIKES!!!

So tomorrow I am hoping to post some pics and update everyone on what's up with the Magnificent Seven!!! I have a lot of catching up to do. :/

Great Mommy Song

2009-02-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

I was sent this video and I had to share it with all the moms.

The Mighty (Bat Boy) Isaiah!!!

2009-02-04T11:03:00.000-08:00

I know It's a little late...but better late than never...right? Well anyway, Isaiah turned 3 and was very excited to celebrate his birthday for 3 days. We were gone for his actual birthday day, so he receive happy birthday greetings from his siblings and Nanna. On Sunday everyone in the extended family sang happy birthday and he got some cake. When we returned on Monday from our trip we had a proper birthday party with cake/candles and presents. Wahooo! Great Day For Our Sweet Little Isaiah!!!

Kauai Highlights

2009-02-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

The Powerline Trail had great views but was very hot to hike, it was up in the mountains and too far from the beach to get a decent trade wind. Plus the sound of, not too distant, gun shots made us a little nervous, there were hunters up there getting boar.
'Opaeka'a Falls and the Wailua River, were very pretty. The falls were inaccessible from the bottom (somethings about death or getting severely hurt kept us from trying).:

We hiked to a little falls, I don't know the name of it but it was a great little hike and a very beautiful place to just hangout.

We headed up to the north shore to go to Queen's Bath to enjoy a little dip in a beautiful tide pool, but the waves were a little too ferocious. We sat and enjoyed the power of the waves and watched sea turtles feeding in the surf. On the hike down to the beach there is nice little waterfall as well.

And we of course visited the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", Wiamea Canyon. I was amazed at how huge it is. We also took a hike along the ridge of the Napali coast line on the Pihea Trail. (Great views everywhere we went)

We were able to get up and watch the sunrise over the ocean every morning (well, we may have missed a couple of mornings).

That was our trip in a nutshell, most importantly we were able to relax and take everything at our own pace.

Much love to you and

Aloha!!

2009-02-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

Blurry eyes but very happy with Christmas!!

Letdowns & Older...Regroup & Reboot

2009-01-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

Wow, I haven't updated in a long time. We've had a lot happening and to tell the truth I haven't felt much like sharing. So to start with "Letdowns and Older". Things seemed to be going well with life, we were expecting another child, just told our family and most of our friends about the pregnancy... then after Thanksgiving... my birthday.

I went to the emergency room just after midnight Dec. 1st. I was bleeding and had to go alone because Paul was home with the kids. I arrived and waited alone trying to stay calm and not get too upset that I may be having a miscarriage. As the tests went on things didn't seem to bad and then finally the ultrasound... I was having a miscarriage. I was devastated and very sad. The only good thing was that the doctor who was attending me was my Stake Pres., I knew him and his family well. It helped to have at least one person there with me that I knew. I of course was on the phone with Paul the instant I found out and at least was able to talk to him through it all. Needless to say that my birthday (Dec. 1st) ROYALLY SUCKED! Actually the following two weeks weren't any better.

Now onto "Regroup & Reboot". It took me a few week to start to feel normal again (mostly emotionally). I kept busy with preparation for Christmas and we had a very low key holiday (thank goodness). During Christmas and winter break I was able to regroup with my family and realized the great blessings that I have in my life. I was able to regroup with my Heavenly Father and tell him how grateful I am for my Savior and how much I need him.

Paul and I were able to go a trip, just the two of us and we were able to reboot our brains from all the stress. I am so grateful for a great husband who loves me and the kids so completely.

Sooo that's what has been up with me and there is more to come. Here is a picture I took on my "Reboot" trip with Paul:

2008-11-28T13:29:00.000-08:00

3, 2, 1!!!!

2008-10-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Well Maxwell is one and I am so glad to have him in our family. Our little Max is always in a good mood, ready with a smile and a loves. This week is a special because, just for 8 days, I have a three-year-old, a two-year-old and a one-year-old.

I remember the day Max was born...I woke up early to get ready to head into the hospital for my c-section, I didn't get much sleep from being so excited to meet Max for the first time. It was a Sunday and very quite at the hospital, Paul and I waited for the doctor and the kids came in to say good luck. I was very excited, nervous and terrified all at the same time. But after a very short time in the operating room I heard that cry (that beautiful, wonderful, first impression cry) and was it loud. He never stopped crying all the way through getting cleaned, weighed and bathed. The nurses all commented on how loud he was, but once he got back to me he hardly ever cried again. I remember being in the room with Paul and the kids and thinking of Ammon's birthday coming up and realized I had just given birth to three boys in less than three years, Wow! I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world, even though I do need a nap every once in while. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAXWELL KEITH!!

A New Look 2X

2008-09-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

Emma decided to cut her hair and now she is looking quite sassy (straight or curly). And of course, after weeks of waiting and wiggling, you can see Jacob finally lost his top tooth.

Aaarrrgh!!!!

2008-09-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

I used to think I got over my fear of spiders when I became a mom, it was either them or us....until today.

Ammon and Isaiah were out playing on the porch while I was watching through the window, suddenly Ammon freaks out and comes flying in the house screaming that there is giant spider. I casually come out onto the porch to check it out, thinking that there was a relatively large spider in need of being put to death. When I rounded the corner to see the largest spider I have ever seen in my life, dead or alive. I have to say I wasn't even going to attempt to kill that thing. This spider had to be as large as my hand and the creepiest thing with eight legs. Needless to say I left this little spider alone and waited for my big strong husband to rescue us when he got home. Paul decided to hose the thing off into the weeds to live out it's life in peace. Here's to hoping I never run into it again.

Preschool Rules!!!

2008-09-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

Ammon's first day at preschool was great, first thing he got to do was write his name on a piece of paper and put it on a chart for the question of the day: Are you a Boy or a Girl. He choose correctly and managed to write an "A" with some squiggles behind it. He did a great job on his self portrait as well, making sure every square inch of his body was covered in his favorite color...GREEN! I love you little boy of mine you make us so proud, can't wait to see what you'll do in the future.

WOW! It's Quiet!

2008-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

The excitement start last night when we began to pick out outfits and had Paul give the all the kids (including mom) blessings. EMMA AND JACOB HAVE STARTED SCHOOL!!!!. (Ammon to follow shortly.) There was a mixture of excitement and nervousness this morning, not very much breakfast was eaten. I am already enjoying a quieter home. Ammon and Isaiah are asking "Where are Emma and Jacob?", even though they were there when they got on the bus. I am sure in about a week I'll be missing all the noise (or maybe not).
Seriously, I love my kids and I will miss them a ton while they are gone, I am so proud of them and who they are becoming. Good luck today, my sweeties.

The Talent Runs Deep

2008-08-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here are Emma and Jacob at the family reunion doing some of their talents: Emma did a great rendition of pat your head and rub your tummy, she also did a great little magic trick. Jacob made an awesome paper airplane that flew beautifully. We had so much fun at the first family reunion the kids played tons with all the cousins and had a blast at the amusement park. It was great to catch up with everyone from out of town and hope everyone enjoyed themselves. Toran and Erin (who organized the whole thing) did a faboo job despite all of us.

In Their Sunday Best

2008-06-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here is an updated picture of the kids I took today before we left for church. Enjoy!

Jacob and the Haka

2008-06-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Our family attended a luau last night and Jacob was able to learn how to do the Haka with some other volunteers. It was quite entertaining and I have to say Jacob showed quite of bit of talent.

I Have Teeth!!!!

2008-06-14T12:46:00.001-07:00

You can't see it from the photo (you can only see one) but I have 3 teeth and I'm very happy about it!

BIG NEWS

2008-06-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

I will no longer be changing three bottoms a day, we have a graduate from the Potty Training Academy (the PTA for short, oh wait that's been taken. Oh well)! Whoahoooo! I can't tell you how excited I am about this latest chapter in my life, and that right there is very sad, that having a three year old finally go potty is the highlight of my life. I'll take what I can.

Max's Surgery

2008-06-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well we made it through surgery in better condition than we first thought. The surgery itself only took about 30 minutes and the recovery at the hospital was about an hour. Wow! We are blessed. Max is doing great and is healing up nicely. Here are the photos we took that day and hope this will be the last time we have a kid go through surgery! (I know FAT CHANCE.) With Max this makes three surgeries so far and I know with 4 boys that we will most likely have nice hospital stays in the future.;(

Painting the Playroom

2008-05-06T11:10:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of the painting we are working on in the playroom. We are trying to make it more "magical" for all the kids. Emma, Jacob, Fran (my mom) have helped me make this project a lot of fun. It is a work in progress and we have to work on it when the younger kids are distracted or asleep;)

The Hill Cumorah

2008-04-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

After visiting the Sacred Grove we ventured over to the Hill Cumorah and climbed to the top where we saw the statue of Mormon and also a very large cat that was sunning himself on the marble bench. Emma and Jacob wanted, of course, to take this cat home fearing it was lost and had no home. I assured them that judging from it's very well fed belly that the cat would be fine.
The weather was beautiful and it was fun to climb up and see the view. The Hill Cumorah is not very close to the Smith's Farm, so it had to be quite a hike for Joseph to get there and back.

Visiting Palmyra

2008-04-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Emma, Jacob, Paul and I were able to visit the Sacred Grove this Spring Break and were grateful for the opportunity to see where the Restoration took place. Here are some photos we took of the area. If you look very close you can see the Temple trough the trees, this was taken in the grove itself. As you can see the leaves were not on the trees yet, but things were beginning to bloom. It was very peaceful and there were plenty of benches placed throughout the grove to allow you to just think, even the kids enjoyed just being still for a while. Because of the time of year there were not a lot of visitors to the grove, we had one other guy there and we never saw him once we entered the grove.

We also had a chance to go through the Smith's log home and also the larger home they built later, where the records were translated and hidden from the mobs from time to time. The small home that you see is a very accurate reconstruction of the home where Joseph was living at the time of the first vision, also where the angle Moroni came to visit him. The original log home was destroyed long ago but the footings and root cellar were still there, the Church built it as accurately as they could. The larger home is the original structure. The whole thing was awsome!!

2008-04-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

This is our Family.

Mama Mac aka Monica (me) is 36 and a stay at home mom who loves her husband and her quite gorgeous 5 children. Monica enjoys being home, her favorite hobbies include quilting, reading and being creative with her home (when time permits).

Mac Daddy is Paul, he is also 36 (he's still 4 months older than me :)) and works very hard at work so that when he's home with us he doesn't have to be interrupted with anything to do with work. Paul works at MacArthur, Heder and Metler, a law firm which he founded more than 8 years ago. He has been blessed to have been joined by 5 wonderful partners and a great and very capable staff. (Angie is our life saver)

Emma, our oldest at a very wise 9 years of age. As you can see she is very beautiful and full of love and life. Emma is a very good student and is in love with the Spiderwick series, she has read all the books once and in the process of reading them again. She rules this house of all boys with somewhat of a patient hand, she is our little princess and we are so proud of her and who she is becoming.

Jacob is the next in line at age 6, he is extremely creative and smart. He loves to build things, usually out of things that he finds on the walk home from the school bus (much to his mothers disgust that he's picking dirty things up and bringing them home). Jake is interested in baseball this year and is getting very good at it.

Ammon, our 3rd at 3 and is very energetic and very smart. He keeps us on our toes and is a great little friend to anyone who will play with him. Dinosaurs are his favorite toy, movie, book and subject to talk about. He can name most of the dinosaurs and will talk at length about what each of them likes to eat.

Isaiah, our sweet little 2 years old, may look sweet and talk sweet but he knows how to push his older brother Ammon's buttons and he enjoys it immensely. I don't think Isaiah realizes that Ammon is a lot bigger than he is (thank goodness Ammon hasn't realized it too). But for all of Isaiah's teasing he loves being with his brothers and sister more than anything and he is our cuddle kid, always good for a big hug and kisses.

Max is the last in line at age 6 months and he is sooooo sweet that none of us can keep our hands off him, or our lips for that matter. Max is not doing much right now except looking especially cute and lovably. Max is have a little medical problem right now and we hope to have him fixed up soon. But he is healthy and happy.

Well that's us and I'll try to keep this updated as much as possible, especially with photos.

See ya'll

Monica