Winter is HERE!

SNOW! Today Aaron and I woke up to rain, about three hours later it was snowing. Alexis was so excited! She rushed to get dressed just so she could go outside. Later she changed out of her choice of lounging cloths so she could go run outside and her pants wouldn't get wet.

Today as part of a cold weather inside day we pulled out a book Alexis got for Christmas last year--sticker sudoku. I can't even begin to describe how difficult it is and how much patience is required to work with a five-year-old on figuring out why a certain picture goes in a certain square. I think Alexis REALLY started to hate the question WHY? I was trying to get her to explain why she chose a picture, and work vocally through the process, she eventually understood what I was doing, and has since perfected the sticker sudoku process.

It was great to see her work through the problem and her frustrations with me on why I wouldn't let her guess. It never ceases to amaze me just how impressionable her little mind is, even in her most determined state. She really loves to learn, and as long as I have the patience, she has the patience.

Happy Snowy day!

Happy Election Day!

Election Day 2010!

Hope you all find time to vote today. Remember: the choices you make today WILL affect your tomorrow.

Ever since I turned 18 I have relished in the fact that I can vote, and I haven't missed an election since. I love knowing that my opinion matters and can be counted as part of the whole, I have also always been of the opinion that if you didn't vote, you have no right complaining down the road.

There are a lot of political issues facing our nation at this time. They are almost always the same, jobs, health care, education. Get informed and stay informed so that you make the right choice for you and your family, and don't think it foolish to ask for divine inspiration.

Happy Voting! (Most polls in Idaho close at 8:00 p.m.)

Monique

Back To School!

It seems very appropriate to have a back to school background because of Aaron's occupation, BUT this year it is also back to school for Alexis, who started preschool the Tuesday after her birthday. SHE LOVES IT! Not only does it give her time to have experiencing a school setting, but it also gives me time to have with McKenzie and Elliott.

This year in preschool (for Alexis) will help her learn what to do in new situations, experience being away from home, allow her to make new friends outside of family and church, and will help her learn things like the calendar system, pledge, and talking about the weather. They also go through a letter of the week, but for Alexis this is only review. She loves her teacher, and talks about how she gets to be the helper. (they all take turns being a helper in different areas ie: pledge, snack, etc.) On Thursday of this week (September 9) Alexis got to celebrate her birthday with her preschool class. We made and frosted cupcakes, and the entire preschool day she got to be the ONLY helper and do everything! I'm glad that the teacher thought about the fact that her birthday was just before school started and didn't make her wait to celebrate it with everyone. Being 5, the excitement about her birthday was still VERY much a part of everyday since her birthday.

McKenzie has blossomed this summer! I went from being so worried about her speech development to knowing that there isn't anything to worry about basically overnight. She is my TALKER! She talks as much as, if not more than, Alexis. She loves to say ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I think the cutest thing is when Alexis will ask me a question, and McKenzie will answer, with out even thinking about it, the answer is usually yes. Alexis is ok with this, she knows that McKenzie answering is not the final answer, and it only bothers her when McKenzie feels the need to repeat the punishment or 'no' to her after I have talked to her. :). She loves to help, and loves to love her little brother.

Both girls LOVE Elliott. They enjoy just making him smile, and will do ANYTHING for a repeated giggle. Elliott also LOVES his big sisters. Every time I take him out of bed, he doesn't snuggle, or look at me, he turns instantly to the door and starts to look for them. (this is usually because he heard them and that is what woke him up) He loves to be on the floor with them and play with them. His favorite thing right now is Lego's. He loves them. He loves the bright colors, as well as the sound they make when he pulls over the container, and the sound they make when he hits them together. They are also a toy that he can play with and I don't have to worry about them getting teeth marks or being too small.

Aaron is enjoying a new year, although budget/funding cuts have put a damper on everyone. He is doing his best to still have a full functioning program, the hardest is that they have canceled his ability to take his students to festivals or competitions, which alters his spring curriculum significantly. BUT we still have a job in a wonderful community that supports the arts and we recognize that EVERYONE has experienced the bad economy, and it most likely is only going to get worse. This is his 'senior' year, and has been so exciting for him to see his freshman class enter their senior year. His concert band numbers are the highest they have ever been, and he is enjoying the challenges that come with more students.

This year I have set some wonderful goals. It amazes me how most people's years go from January to January, but ours go from August to August. We have had school a part of our lives from the very beginning, so this is just how it goes. Anyway, because of this, I find that my 'new year resolutions' come in August, not January. This year I have decided to dedicate to wellness...physical, spiritual, and emotional. I am in the process of setting a daily schedule that allows for me to succeed in each of these areas, and still have the majority of my day with my children helping them to learn, grow, and succeed at their goals. The hardest part of this I have found is JUST DOING IT! It sounds so simple when I put it on paper, but then the morning rolls around, and with a later night than 'planned' neither body or mind have any desire to jump out of bed at 4:30 in the morning and exercise. BUT by approaching the final goal with achievable steps, I have come a lot closer. It isn't 4:30 yet, but I have had success at 5:00 and I will get there.

I know this sounds ridiculous, but something I have realize as a mother of three, if I don't have me time before my children wake up, then me time doesn't ever happen, and then I feel bad the entire day because I am not succeeding, and I feel down on everything. Even now while writing this blog post, Elliott is asleep, and McKenzie and Alexis are playing an educational game together in the living room on Daddy's computer, and I am feeling guilty about not being in there with them.

Aaron's first football game was last night, and because of this commitment he had to wake up at 2:30 this morning and travel to Boise for a National Guard Band performance at 8:00. He loves it though, despite all the traveling back and forth, it is giving him performance experience, and he loves it...and that is all that matters.

I am working on a project that I will hopefully have pictures up of soon. My RS has quilt classes about 4 times a year where we learning something new and put it in a quilt. I missed the first one this summer, so I REALLY wanted to participate in this next one. I'm not sure how much I am learning, but I am enjoying making the quilt and having an excuse to get out of the house with my sewing machine and create something. Me being me, I took the pattern that was presented, and altered it just enough to challenge me, and create a lot more work then the original pattern. They are created for beginners, and I am not a beginner sewer or quilter, so I do what I have to to still love what I make, the 'teacher' thinks I'm crazy...I look at my fabric pattern and I can't see anything else being as cute. JUST WAIT 'TIL YOU SEE IT! It really is adorable and I am very happy with the added work.

My next post will include pics that you've all been waiting for of children, etc...PROMISE!

Still Kickin'

Here is a brief note to let you all know that we are still here and doing well.

Aaron just completed his first year of his masters degree in Ashland, OR, through Sam Huston State University and is currently in Virgina Beach, VA at the US Army School of Music completing his training. His address is:

SPC Marshall, Aaron
US Army School of Music
1420 Gator Blvd. (JEBLCFS)
Virginia Beach, VA 23429-2617

Hopefully when he gets home I can get him to post about his flight getting to VA, it was very long with a lot of interesting twists and blessings.

Alexis is our next birthday, and I can't believe that we are so very close to having a five-year-old. She will be starting preschool and couldn't be more excited.
She is growing like a weed, just recently her size 4 Capri's have become too big around the waist as she just recently went through a growth spurt. She loves to sing songs and listen to music. Every song that comes onto the radio is 'her' song. Today I smiled as she swept the kitchen floor with a toy broom singing the song from Cinderella (with her own lyrics) "Clean, Sweep, Nightingale, Ahhhh..." you get the picture. It was adorable and amazing at how much she remembers.

McKenzie just turned 2 in July and hit her 'terrible two's' about a month early. She loves to be a big girl and does EVERYTHING her big sister does. Sometimes this is good, other times, it could be better. She loves playing pretend in her kitchen and making food master pieces for all to enjoy. She love to help with anything you are doing, and loves to share. Yesterday we were watching a movie and eating popcorn. I was feeding Elliott and I wasn't able to reach over and get popcorn to eat, so with out asking or saying a thing, she brought me one piece at a time so I could have popcorn too. She doesn't pronounce everything correctly, but she is getting so much better. She loves Elliott and watches out for him like a hawk. She is my little mommy. She too loves to sing, especially her primary songs that she also sings in nursery.

Elliott is eight months old and is HUGE! At over 18 lbs. he is my biggest baby still and somehow I don't see him being short or petite like my girls have been. There is a good chance that he is going to be taller than all of us, daddy included. He has two bottom front teeth, and one upper K-9, and the other is not far behind. About a month ago, he decided that mommy wasn't good enough food and insists on eating solids, even if I just fed him. I'm not offended, it's just something that has to happen. He loves to MOVE, and MOVE he does. He won't stay any one place when I put him down, but prefers to follow me and be where I am, or at least not where I want him to be. Just recently (about two weeks ago) he started no longer being satisfied with crawling and has started pulling himself up on everything as well. He crawls on boxes, into open suitcases, and over everything in his way. He loves to sing and 'chat' and I just can't get enough of his amazing smiles that are always present.

I am surviving, it has been a long summer, but shorter than last summer. I am very grateful for family and friends that have helped and continue to help me when Aaron is gone. I have spent a great amount of time in Boise, and even though the schedule isn't quite what I would love to have, I love being around family and giving my children the opportunity of being around G. Grandma and Grandma, Madison, and Aunt Lisa. McKenzie hasn't always been the closest with Grandma, and just this trip has become a lot closer. These are somethings I would never change. I don't ever seem to get a whole lot done, but the time together is still worth it. I am already thinking about Christmas, the ideas are coming with every craft store that I enter, and when Aaron gets home and I have a little more time to work on projects, I should have a very FULL plate; hopefully this year I will actually get some of them done.

Thank you all for your prayers and support, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
The Marshalls

Happy Spring?

(April 3, 2010)

Hello all, yes, I have finally updated my blog! -gasp-

We have been busy here with life. Aaron had spring break this last week and it was so very relaxing to have him home and to not go anywhere.

Elliott is working on sleeping. McKenzie is refusing to eat (almost) anything as usual, and Alexis is struggling to establish the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior...just when I think we have it established, she tries to move the line, and it feels like we are back to square one.


Elliott is also perfecting his smile and learning how to giggle. McKenzie's vocabulary is getting bigger, this past week she said 'jammies' and 'bunny'. McKenzie is also "the sweetest little girl" (from her nursery leader) and loves to help others and make people happy-most of the time (we're still working on sharing). Alexis still loves learning and amazes me everyday with what she knows and what she can do. Tonight she impressed us all with her memorization skills--she was able to recite the order of animals in a story without looking at the book, or any help from us. The impressive part? We've only had the book for about three weeks. She is also working so hard on understanding the concepts behind blending letter sounds to form a word and read. Alexis is also learning a lot about feelings and expressing our feelings in appropriate ways. She loves to cuddle.

Our house...is a very very very small house...not really small, but it just got smaller. This past week we completed a complex diagnosis of plumbing problems...the culprit currently (and hopefully last) is a rubber 'y' joint hooking metal and plastic piping, located underneath the bottom stair, and about a foot or more of concrete. We no longer feel safe doing laundry, mostly because we are getting dirt in the down stairs shower, so it's pretty much official that it is disconnected, and we no longer have a 'working aka:living' downstairs.

THE BRIGHT SIDE: This is something that Aaron can fix (and learn a lot about plumbing). It is going to take a lot of manual labor (the foundation needs jackhammered and the lines and connectors need replaced), a lot of outside advice, and a lot of time. Aaron is excited at the chance to experience and learn and grow, not so excited about the problem. Isn't owning an older home a great learning experience?

CUTE KID QUOTE: Yesterday I was talking to my brother about a conference he just got back from and he mentioned that Simplot was campaigning enormously for researchers. I made the comment that maybe I should go back to school and become a plant scientist. Alexis very quickly made the comment "but what about Kenzie and me?" It is comments like these that stop me in my tracks and help me refocus on what is important and why I am a stay-at-home-mom.

MOTHERHOOD by Webster definition is not that great until you put the actual definition into context and realize all the wonderful things that motherhood encompasses. Something I really picked up on from conference this last weekend was how as parents we need to instill in our children (girls) the love of and desire of motherhood(specifically Eld. Ballard's talk). It really got me thinking that this is something that I kind of missed growing up. I always knew I would be a mother, and that if at all possible nothing would stand in the way of me staying at home with my kids...it is something I feel very strongly about, BUT on the other had, this is not something that is accepted in the world, and I find myself always struggling with defining success and how to define my successes.

Today in my reading I came across this scripture: 2Nephi 8:12. Here is the best part..."who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man". Jacob is quoting Isaiah who is talking to us in reference to Christ. Once again I was reminded STRONGLY that this life is not a time for us to be worldly, it is a time for us to prepare to meet our Heavenly Father, to stand in his presence and report to him about our life...AND prepare our children for this as well. We cannot compare our lives with those of the world. To do so is frivolous and a waste of time, because: who are we that we should be afraid of man? What man thinks what man says, etc.

MAYBE if I had not only picked up the importance of motherhood, but really grasped onto it as THE MOST IMPORTANT role I would ever play in this life, I would not have this inner struggle, always wondering if what I am doing is really worth it, and what happens when my kids grow up? (Personal note: Motherhood NEVER ends...did you call your mom today?).

SO I am trying my hardest to always LOVE what I do everyday, even if my successes for the day are that I actually got around to reading stories with my kids, we watched a movie TOGETHER, and I DIDN'T worry about the dishes being done because I was too busy worrying about teeth being brushed, scriptures getting read, and prayers being said just in time for bedtime.

Pictures!

These aren't pictures from the blessing day, they are some individuals we took on Sunday. Hopefully I can get the family pics from my brother this weekend...We think our little man is adorable, but we might be a little bias...

Happy March!

I can't believe that the first week of March is already over, how quickly time flies...

Elliott is THREE months old, and had his 2-m check up this week...13 lbs. 10 oz, 24"!

EVERYone in our household is sick or is getting sick or is getting over being sick :(. My pediatrician said that the symptoms are those of a MILD case of RSV...I would HATE to see what a bad case is like. Elliott and McKenzie are the worst...it breaks my heart every time they cough and there isn't anything I can do to help them...Alexis is old enough that she can cough up the junk and spit it out so it doesn't bother her as much...but then there is the lingering cough that seems to last forever...

This weekend was so wonderful. There wasn't any where we needed to be, so we STAYED HOME! Our house badly needed us to stay and get things done, and is finally looking less like we are moving.

Yesterday my dad came down from Shelley to have lunch and help us celebrate a joint birthday--Aaron and my brother Troy. Lunch was wonderful. Aaron and I decided to add a new recipe to our menu each week this month instead of having a eat out budget. So far, no regrets! This first week we actually did two new recipes because of the birthday lunch: pulled pork, and chicken cordon blue. Aaron LOVES being in the kitchen, and I LOVE letting him! He did such a great job, each meal was wonderful. Yesterday was the chicken cordon blue with chicken flavored rice, gravy, a tossed salad, grape juice, and cake...I made his cake, NO ONE should have to make their own birthday cake, even if they enjoy cooking. Aaron chose a layered 'better than anything' cake...chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and crunched skor bars layered like a truffle....mmmm all around.

Life is great, we are all doing well, and hopefully I can get some pictures posted soon from the blessing...they are on my brother's camera, so hopefully this week I can get those up so you all can see what a handsome little man we have.

Valientine's Weekend

Valentine's weekend was full of family and memories. My sister went through the Boise temple for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 13. It was the first time EVER that all of my siblings and I were in the temple at the same time...it was amazing, wonderful, memorable, and AWESOME!

On Sunday, February 14, after church in the Boise Hillside ward, Elliott was blessed. He did so well, even the bishop commented on how happy of a baby he was, I guess Elliott was smiling the entire time. How precious to know that during this memorable moment, he was happy. It was a great day with LOTS of memories. Aaron's parents came up from St. George and we are so thankful for their travel time just to be here. Our little one is now officially on church records (well, as soon as we get the paperwork done).

Monday was President's day so we weren't rushed to get back home. Alexis decided to stay and have a grandma week, Aaron has Drill this weekend, so we will be back in Boise to pick her up. So far she is behaving normally, complaining every night at dinner that she doesn't like the food, tries a bite, an then decides that she LOVES it! :). I LOVE this stage! I feel badly that mom had to experience it as well.

McKenzie has had mommy time all week and really enjoyed it. She is also choosing to be more vocal! She loves to sing and mimic. I can't wait until she decides that she also wants to talk. Unfortunately I think her non-verbal communication is too good to encourage talking...she communicates just fine with out it and as a mother it is VERY hard for me to not give her what she asks for just because she didn't say "it".

The month of February is flying by, and with it so is basketball season...something I am NOT sad about. We just have to make it through Drill weekend, and the UI Jazz Festival before we say good-bye to February... The month of March presently looks very open and I expect LOTS of family time, something we have all been missing.

Reading as a family

This year in Primary we are challenging the kids to read the Book of Mormon, and are encouraging the process through a treasure hunt as they move from book to book. The idea came from HERE and as the primary secretary I have been given the wonderful opportunity to track our kids on their progress. It is going well so far, the children are excited, hopefully it lasts. This year the stake has also set a goal that everyone complete the Book of Mormon, which works well in the family setting as everyone completes their goals. We have set up a schedule where we read as a family at least a chapter a night, usually around the dinner table as Alexis/McKenzie finishes, or during dessert. We have found that this works best, some nights are better than others, but overall as a 4-year-old, Alexis is doing very well.

We invested in the Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families. I LOVE it, and my girls love the pictures. As they get older it will also help more with explaining the history and defining words that they may sturggle with.

We are trying to stay on top of reading scriptures as a family and with the primary challenge, Alexis is excited and helps us remember. Having a little one remind you REALLY helps in getting 'it' done--whatever 'it' may be.

What are your secrets for reading as a family? Any suggestions?

2 Months

I can't believe that my little Elliott is already 2 months old, and not so little any more! At my last appointment, he was 11 lbs. 8 oz. WOW! What a change from my little girls. Elliott also is on the verge of no longer fitting in 0-3m clothing and is rapidly moving into 3-6. He is all smiles and has been since about a week before Christmas. G.G-ma Larson got a lot of arm time and loved to talk to him, which encouraged TONS of smiles, and now, he just can't seem to stop :).

The girls are loving having Elliott here. McKenzie loves to share kisses, and anything else including books, toys, and sometimes food (we usually catch her before it makes it to his mouth).

Alexis is protective and insists on watching him if I have to leave the room for anything. She has been a HUGE help in doing the little things like get a diaper, find the wet wipes, get a blanket, etc. She loves to hold Elliott and is sometimes too helpful in moving him :).


As a family we are doing our best to adjust to a party of 5. The hardest part is staying on top of everyone's needs, and still getting the house somewhat clean most of the time. My living room looks like we are moving as I sort through totes of cloths in an attempt to stay on top of my growing kids who seem to all be moving up in sizes at the same time. My kitchen is the cleanest room in the whole house which is great because this is the most important to me. Aaron is incredible and is always helping, even when it isn't his 'turn', he never thinks about it this way, that's my job. I am trying to train my body to function on less sleep, train my girls to go to bed earlier, and pray that Elliott has a good night EVERY night.

Change-brought to you by the letter B (for blessing)

The new year brought a HUGE change for our family--we upgraded to a minivan. I have almost completely adjusted :). The decision was made when traveling home from Boise after Christmas and we started experiencing problems in our transmission...more car problems! AHHHH! It wasn't expected, but we accepted the idea and started our search. We got home on December 29 and my brother suggested ksl.com. I was up until almost 2:00am looking into and researching the possibilities; I found one that seemed too good to be true, but Aaron had been asleep for hours, so I stopped here, left the picture and info up on the screen, and went to bed also. The next morning as we were getting ready to leave I told Aaron about what I had found and told him to look at the computer, it was the red one. Of course it wasn't up, I had just thought it was-it was pretty late. So we left and I thought to myself that I would get back to it when we got back. (we were on our way south to Plymoth to a funeral) When we got back the first thing I did was find the info and make a phone call: Is this price for real? (the listing was different than the description) The dealer said they would honor the listing price, but it was only good until closing on Dec. 31; we talked financing, they said they couldn't arrange financing because we were out of state (I failed to mention that the dealer was located in Orem, UT), and I started a goose chase to find financing in less than 24 hours. As blessing usually work, a last minute thought lead to a final prayer, and a phone call for a babysitter so we could leave ASAP. The financing was in order and we were on our way to SLC where we spent the night at the Benedict Bed and Breakfast (aka-Aaron's sister's house).

We were at the dealership when they opened at 10:00 the next morning, we had our test drive, fell in love (it was better than what we were expecting), signed the papers, and started home.

We are the NEW owners of a RED 2005 Chrystler Town and Country Touring Minivan. We love it more each time we take a trip, even if that trip is only a mile long.

It is amazing how the Lord works to bless us in our times of need. This was a HUGE blessing and we are very thankful for everyone who helped in the process.

Merry Christmas!

Well, Christmas came and went, we were originally planning a baby blessing on December 27, but my dad got sick and wasn't able to make it over to Boise, so we cancelled, and honestly, everyone was somewhat less stressed because of this decisioin.

We spent Christmas in Boise, Aaron had drill, and then had drill-make-up days from the 18th-22nd, it was weird to have him 'working' on vacation, not something I really enjoyed, but it worked out the best, and now his make-up days are done! The band had a christmas concert on Base on the 20th, it was fun to get to see/hear what he has been working on for so long. It was more like a family Christmas party with background music supplied by our soliders, NOT what I was expecting when I heard 'christmas concert', next year I will be more prepared to be more relaxed.

Christmas eve didn't end until well into the morning of Dec. 25, a 'White Family Tridition' of sorts :). Kids were up early, and adults had just gotten to bed, but this never delays the inevitible, and this year was no different.

It was supposed to be a small Christmas, and it was a great deal smaller so hopefully next year will be exactly on target. Aaron and I started out first family Christmas with an exact idea of what we wanted to do as a family...an ornament, a present from mom and dad, and then ONE present that 'magically' appears Christmas morning ;)...this is exactly what we have been doing for the last five years, BUT it always seems like the week of Christmas we remember something that we forget EVERY year (only for the last three years, because Alexis wasn't old enough before that)...STOCKINGS!...and this was what broke the budget, the unplanned for expense that wasn't HUGE, but it was/is always bigger than imagined--there is always one more stocking stuffer that would be SO great :). Needless to say, everyone had a great day, and plans are already being made to make next year a better CHRISTmas experience, and a better stay in (maybe even under?) budget.