I'm back!

I know, I know! I'm a slacker! Actually, life has been more than a bit nuts so blogging has been at the bottom of my list of priorities. So much going on that I rarely even have time or energy to get on the computer most days. There was a time when I could (waste) spend hours a day on the computer but no more. I guess that's what happens when you have six kiddos at home, including a new baby, while also housing two long term guests and babysitting another 4 year old. Add on to that the continuous stream of visitors coming to play with the baby (i.e. birth family). It's a miracle if I even get a bath most days!

That said, it's time for updates~


Jayson hasn't been home in FOREVER! He's completely enthralled in the life of a coach and probably won't be home again until Thanksgiving time, barring some unforseen football game over the holiday. He rarely ever answers his phone, so I don't even get to chat with him much. For some reason, his dad is always able to reach him and then the conversation goes on and on about what else? Football! They have such a close relationship, always have, and sometimes I get a little jealous but what can I do?




Cecy is still living it up big in Ogden, although she's going through room mate trauma right now. It's a soap opera every day with the usual twists and turns of single life meshing with defiant roomies, door slams, nasty text messages, locked doors, missing food, acusations, etc. etc. etc. I keep reminding her that this is only prepatory to marriage so she better learn now how to deal with others issues. She took the month of August off from school to avoid burnout and now that it's time to go back, she's not liking the thought of another six months or so. She's also dropped a bombshell on us. After years of insisting that college is NOT for her and she would never consider going, she's decided college might not be such a bad idea afterall. We told her to go ahead with that plan, but she's got to finish cosmetology first!



Jordan is thick into football season now and senior life. I must say, he's more than a bit testie after a long, hard day of school and grueling football practise. I've got to learn to keep my mouth shut to avoid the temper tantrums. He is a good little player, though, and it keeps him busy enough that he's too tired to get into trouble. He's a good kid, a lot of fun (most of the time) and although he doesn't like to show it often, he's a softie. A little example- first day of school. Imagine my surprise when I was questioning Jax about his first day of high school and Jordie's tender side came out. Here's how it went-

Me- So Jaxon, do you have any friends in any of your classes?>
Jax- A couple.
Me- What about your lunch hour? Do you have any friends that eat the same time you do?
Jax- Yea, Jordan has the same lunch. He even MADE me sit with him.

Now, picture my jaw drop and my quick intake of breath.
Me- Are you kidding?
Jax- (With a slight grin) Nope. He made me eat with him and his friends.

At home, they barely tolerate each other but Jordan wanted to make sure his little bro had someone to eat lunch with. Awwww, does a mother's heart proud.




Jaxon seems to be enjoying high school and has taken on the role of sophomore really well. It's hard for me to believe he's really only got three years of public school left! Where has the time gone? He's taking an interest in painting and cooking. He's actually pretty good at both! He's such a fun kid to have around!




Brinlei has enjoyed her summer with her birthmom here. In fact, it's almost as if she's come full circle and is now more comfortable with who she is. She's coming into her own and is a joy to have around. She's developing this silly, teasing sense of humor that just cracks me up! She's a beautiful girl with a great personality and it frightens me a bit to think of her teenage years. She gets a lot of attention because of her exotic looks, which I don't think she even recognizes. It scares me to think of her discovering the opposite sex. Right now she still thinks boys are icky and I keep telling her to keep that attitude! Heaven help us when she finally figures out they're not so bad after all.




Maleia is loving first grade! She's so funny every morning as she gets ready for school. She's getting very particular about what she wears and how she looks. Her hair is a major issue every morning! She comes home with a big grin on her cute little face every day and has to tell me all about her day. It's so fun! She brightens my day, no matter how ugly it may have been.




Jake has become the family tormentor and no one is safe from his antics. He loves nothing more than to tease and of course he has plenty of victims. My little niece usually takes the brunt of it during the day until the other kids get home, although he's taken to harrassing Sissy, Brinlei's little sister. The noise level is sometimes off the roof and I find myself wanting to just put a pillow over my head while singing "We Are A Happy Family". It's NUTS!!!! Thank goodness preschool starts next week!




Janzyn is growing like a weed! It's hard for me to believe he's 2 1/2 months already. At his 2 month check up he weighed in at a whopping 10 lbs, 6 oz. and was 22 inches. That puts him between the 50th and 75th percentile in weight and a measly 25th percentile in height. Short and squat! He is definitely an Anderson!!! He's starting to smile and coo and is as cuddly as can be. There's nothing better than snuggling up to a rolley polley baby with his soft breath on your neck. I could just eat him up! He fits in so well with our family and everyone is enthralled with him. Each day gets better and better with him, especially since he's slept the last three nights all the way through the night. YOOHOOO! I'm lovin' life!

Poor Jay is still swamped with the pool wrap up while working his long hours at school. I feel so badly for him. He doesn't get much time to wind down at night because the minute he walks in the door, which usually is anywhere from 8 to 10, he's bombarded by the kids. They miss him so much and so does their mom! Yesterday was a pretty stressful day for me and he walked in with the ultimate stress relief for me. A nice, little tub of Ben and Jerry's Everything but the... ice cream. I almost ate the whole stinkin' thing last night and enjoyed every single spoonful. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself until then. I was watching Dr. Phil and he made the profound statement that a husband who spends 14 or more hours a day working is nothing more than a paycheck to his family. When I told Jay that, his reply was "Sometimes that's exactly how I feel!" Poor guy! Thankfully the pool will close after this weekend so the horribly long hours will end.

I'm doing my best to keep up with everyone and although it's crazy stressful most days, I'm thankful for the life I have. I would be pretty lonely if I didn't have the constant chaos! Someday I'll figure out how to manage everything better.