and they're off...

what do you see?

First Day of School 2010 !!!

Kindergarten !

3rd Grade !

Middle School - 5th Grade !

waiting for the bus and looking at the clouds - what did you see?

(we saw a mermaid)

Maiya was embarrassed by the tag I made her wear. (Younger siblings pick up on the "things to be embarrassed by" a lot sooner than first kids)

love her hands in her pockets.

I almost said "Maiya please don't go", but I restrained myself

Benjamin jumped on before I could snap a picture:

(how cute is Maiya waving at the bus driver?)

Pictures from the girl's meet the teacher night:

Here is to a wonderful school year - hip, hip, hooray!!!!!!!!

got to go make some cookies, and brownies (because that is what Benjamin requested.)

Can't tell you how hard it is...

to send your firstborn to middle school. Especially when it feels one year too early (Prosper has moved Fifth grade to middle school to make more room for our booming town in the Elementary schools)

Last night was schedule pick up and locker practice. It was hectic and when he got frustrated and a little embarrassed with with not being able to get the locker open, I seriously thought homeschool was the way to go.

He didn't let me bring the camera last night. "That's embarrassing mom... take pictures with your mind."

Today we made a trip to container store to get some stuff for his locker and we made magnets at home. Then we headed to the school ... to put the new stuff in, but really to practice some more.

Good news is he got the hang of the locker combination. Better news is he let me take pictures this time.

Can't believe I've been blogging since he started kindergarten.

Getting Ready...

Maiya and her 'baby'

ze list. all checked off. finally.

supplies for baby

supplies for mommy

waterbirth supplies

checking out the birth pool

yep that will work.

home visit, listening to the baby :)

37 weeks today - We are very excited. Kyle and I have two more Bradley classes to go. I wish with all my heart that we had taken those classes before Benjamin was born. I wouldn't have agreed to forceps after twenty minutes of pushing. I would have been much more prepared. We do feel a little silly being with 6 other first time parent couples while this is our fifth. But that's ok. I'm doing things the right way this time. Ever have any questions about the following, just pick my brain, I've done more research than is natural or probably necessary:

dangers of pitocin

our nation's outrageous c-section rates

drug free delivery

mother directed pushing

delayed cord clamping

Vit K shot

eye ointment

circumcision

We really like our midwife. We are praying for a smooth homebirth but have all back up plans in place. So now I wait and 'enjoy' the last little bit of this pregnancy. My feet are puffy and its hot as hell and braxton hicks are annoying, but there is nothing like feeling a little person squirm and kick you from the inside.

Self appreciation day!!!

Did you know it was National Women's Self Appreciation day? yeah me either... but since I've seen this on a couple blogs I thought I'd give it a go myself:

What I love about me:

I am generally a happy person. My patriarchal blessing says "Be of good cheer, our Father in Heaven has much joy for you in this life" Despite the trials, this statement is sooo true. And what do they say anyway? 'you are usually as happy as you are in the habit of being"

I am not timid. Nervous Nellie? sometimes, but I am not timid - I get the job done. I'll introduce myself first. I'll talk to the manager. I'll make ten calls. I'll write letters. I make demands when appropriate. Like a dog after a bone.

I am frugal. You guys knew that. I am not embarrassed to shop thrift stores for just about anything. I am always thinking of ways to save money. If you ask me about that cool new restaurant chances are good I won't know a thing about it. I value experience over 'things'.

I am a good tipper. You may think this is a straight contradiction to the previous statement and it may be. Honestly I avoid service that requires tipping to be frugal often. I steam my own carpets (mostly). I pick up the pizza instead of having it delivered. BUT, when I do get work done for me I try really hard to tip well. I've had those jobs and I know what its like.

I like my hair. I didn't for many years, Curly is a state of being I have come to know and I appreciate my attitude that curls out of the top of my head. Sure Kyle doesn't really know what its like to run his fingers through his woman's hair. But its spunky and I love it. 'cept when I don't and I put it in a ponytail :)

I am passionate. When I love you I really LOVE you. When I care, I REALLY care. When you make me mad you REALLY make me mad. I will fight tooth and nail for any cause that I support.

I have good self esteem. Not easily said for all the big beautiful women out there. I love my body, with it: I snuggle. I make love. I birth and breastfeed my babies. I work. I think. I read. I see. I hear. I hug my children and kiss their boo-boos. I try to think less about the fact that I am not the same size as most women. I won't spend time berating myself for that. I focus on health and fun. Those two things are more important to me that what the tag in my clothes say.

I have faith. Faith in God. Faith in the Gospel. Faith in the future.

I love that I am a wife. And I try to be a good one.

I love that I am a mom:

retro shot of me 'the mom'.

So, How about you?? what do you love about yourself?

why I haven't been blogging

I love google calendar - its where this to-do list resides.

To-do list:

put away clothes boxes DONE

clean master bathroom DONE

clean computer desk 1/2 Done

file!!! DONE

organize game closet DONE

register kids DONE

get organized for RS meeting DONE

schedule VT DONE

clean under and around washer and dryer

birth supplies DONE

Clean and organize Pantry

Organize jewelry

dust dressers

food handout DONE

curtains in kitchen

dust all blinds

Wash and put away baby clothes

new filter in fridge

deal with ins about birth!!

notes:

place of service - home

physician fees - 80% in network, 60% out of network

1000 per person deductible in network

2000 deductible out of network

to buy:

epsom salt

milk

lunch meat

*gift card

B + E school shoes

see? I haven't fallen off the face of the earth... I'm here with 4 kiddos in the heat of summer and in the middle of baby preparations.

We get a few things done, swim A LOT, laze around some more. I am not taking near enough pictures...

but I'll get back into the swing of things. Little over a week till school starts. Can't believe Maiya will be starting kindergarten. I won't be participating in the boo-hoo breakfast. I don't do those things. It makes my head hurt because I'll roll my eyes so much at these overbearing Texas moms.

I will make First day of school cookies, because that is what I do. And for first day of school cookies I'll make whatever they want, and if that means three different kinds of cookies than so be it. I get teary eyed thinking that one day I'll ship 'first day of school' cookies to some college or mission...

Haven't I mentioned lately that I am very happy?

Long to-do lists, cooking, cleaning, heat and pregnancy, fighting kids, sticky toddler, a five year old hoarder, messy house no matter what, waiting for my man to get home, tight budget, etc, etc.... Its all exactly what I want to be doing right now, and I love it.

And the name is...

Parker James Oyakawa

in memory of my brother Thomas Parker.

and we're thinking about calling him PJ...

Maiya is already calling him "PJ James", I've corrected her, but that has never stopped her before...

hmmmmm... A Benjamin - who I insisted would never go by nicknames, No 'Ben" and DEFINITELY no 'Benji' And now a Parker who has a nickname before a birthday...

we're so funny like that.

who knows? maybe the "PJ" won't stick... I am still getting used to the idea that we are having another boy.

DFW to BWI, to Grandmother's Condo we go...

A big day! - Flying 'unaccompanied', a pre-paid cell phone, skylink ride around the airport, time zone change, Getting to see Grandma and 'Uncle' Tony*!!

Two VERY excited kids.

Two VERY nervous parents...

getting to the airport

checking on the flight

taking a ride around the airport to kill time

excited beyond words

about to go! - Ella was in charge of paperwork (around her neck) and Benjamin was manning the cell phone

Are you ready?

waiting

TIME TO...

GO!!!!!!!

I held it together. Its funny because when you are a kid and nervous about big trips, first days of school, camp, etc. Your parents remain calm and completely cool about it. So you think they are totally cool with it. Waving goodbye at Benjamin's thrilled eyes and Ella's nervous grin - I thought "you guys have no idea that I am more nervous and excited for you than any person could possibly be!!!"

We waited around to be sure the plane had taken off the ground. Cora thought this airport place was pretty cool. Skylink sans carseat or seatbelt. And she got to walk around without the stroller a bit. She kept her arms folded - I didn't know if she was mimicking 'church' because I make her walk with her arms folded at church or if it was a way to keep us from holding her hands!

I took pictures of her and let her look at them on the back of the camera to occupy her for a while -- this one really shows off her two toned eyes :)

If you are wondering Ms. Maiya was at ballet camp. And good thing, because she was sad to say goodbye - a goodbye at home was just right!

then she took a picture of us. from below it was such a bad picture of me I almost threw up, so I made Kyle take another one with me so I could leave with some version of self dignity!

* Uncle Tony - is my mother's boyfriend - Not the kids Uncle but with lack of a better title Benjamin started calling him Uncle Tony a few years ago and it has stuck :)

They will be staying at my mom's condo on the beautiful Potomac River in a High Rise condo complex - much different from suburbian Texas. They have grand plans to sight see in DC. Ella is most excited to see the Lincoln memorial and Benjamin can't wait to see the Spy Museum - which when he is excited sounds like he is saying the spine museum :)

They will be back in two weeks or something like that... My mom is nothing if not flexible.

About that time I'll be 34 weeks pregnant - whoa... stay tuned for this baby boy's name. There has been much baby naming drama in these parts. I think its about time to make it official and put the drama to rest. And what is more official than the blog right??

Look who's two!

Didn't this just happen? Even at her well check up the pediatrician kept saying - "I can't believe she is two already!!" - I was like "you can't believe it?"

(notice the finger dab - courtesy of the birthday girl :)


She loved her gift from mom and dad (not pictured) - if you have a toddler I HIGHLY recommend the Rody Horse - and when you can highly recommend something you have had in your home for less than a week you know its good!

We are going to check this one out tonight!

I think the proper word by this point is overwhelmed :)

time for cake

Blow out your candles!!!

Cora you are a joy - We all love you soooo much!! Happy Birthday Angel!!!

the day I essentially pepper sprayed myself.

Can bravery be described as taking four kids shopping by yourself at 7.75 months pregnant? I think it can.

Sam's club:

You were SO not fun yesterday. But your prices insure I will forgive the event.

As we unloaded and made our way into the store in the blistering heat, we came across a huge greasy puddle in the parking lot - Can I also describe the heat as inhumane? I think I can.

Ella navigated around the puddle.

Maiya navigated around the puddle.

Cora navigated around the puddle.

I navigated around the puddle.

Benjamin, on the other hand - plunged his big ol' foot with much force right down into the center of the puddle!!

who got covered in HOT, greasy mud puddle?.......

ME.

all the way up to my knee. It was gross.

I proceeded to do what any calm, caring, level headed mother would do:

I turned around and Screamed like a Banshee at my son. Then whined my way into the store telling him how hot and greasy the junk on my leg was. It was then that I realized we were walking along side a really nice man from church. A man who happens to be married to an actual calm, caring, level headed mother - very unlike myself.

I was embarrassed. (but still mad at my son)

Then we made our way to bulk dish soap - because I have 4.5 kids and I buy EVERYTHING in bulk. As I rounded the corner Benjamin came down on my toes, CRUNCH.

I restrained the urge to strangle him. (I didn't though cuz he's my handsome boy...)

With a little weight in the cart I realized my cart had a bum wheel, and after adding a few more bulk items it became pretty hard to push. Momentum and frustration were the only two things pushing the cart. Benjamin kept telling me I was going too fast. I was just glad to have my feet not near him.

As I made my way to the end of an aisle, I knew I had to make the corner with speed. I was manuevering perfectly when Benjamin dashed out in front of me and quickly stopped my cart. And then I quickly stubbed my toes on the cart.

Picture Homer Simpson going after Bart. - got that mental picture?? that was me...

"I thought you were going to hit that lady - as he points (way over there)"

"I knew exactly what I was doing Benjamin - I was no where near her!"

although admittedly I would not have wanted to be in front of me at that point - I knew perfectly well that I was not going to hit anyone, except maybe my son.

One last thing on the list and then I can get out of here... pepper.

In the seasonings section I handled a few different containers of pepper to decide what amount of bulk I was going to go with. I made my choice and we made our way to the checkout.

We were in line, it was almost our turn, I had loaded almost everything on the belt when I had to do what I have to do all. dang. day. (no, not pee) - wipe sweat off my face.

I wiped each eyebrow, my upper lip and then under each eye. Then within a few seconds.

MY.

FACE.

CAUGHT.

ON.

FIRE.

apparently I had wiped all the pepper residue from my recent shopping choice all over my face.

By time we made it to the check out lady -- I am sure I looked crazy, I was burying my face in shirt mumbling, 'my face is on fire, my face is on fire'

It didn't seem to speed her up any though. I finally snapped at the end when she tried to upsell me on something.

"Listen I don't want to extend my membership, join the coupon club, or get a credit card, can you hurry up my face is burning!!!"

her "ummm, yeah, sure ok"

I never gave her an explanation. I wasn't in my right mind.

And then Benjamin saved the day. As we headed for the bathroom for me to save my face, Ella and Maiya bolted ahead saying they had to go to the bathroom, I contemplated trying to take out Cora even though I could barely see straight, When Benjamin said "I can stay out here and watch her"

And he did - he entertained her and did a great job!!

While I washed my face and hands several times - and left with a wet paper towel to keep blotting my face.

Later I called Kyle and told him what happened... and he responded very lovingly by laughing in my ear and saying "bwahahaha, you basically pepper sprayed yourself."

In other news:

I may yell too much but I am still a cool mom, because not only do I let my kids look at road kill, sometimes I let them pick it up:

(Benjamin had already poked at the snake with Dad)

One item that made its way to our home from Sam's was a 10lb bag of pinto beans. As Ella carried it in she said "this feels like a baby" and that was all it took, within two hours all the girls had carried the bag around talking baby talk to it, and eventually started diapering it.

there were many protests when 'pinto' as he was aptly named went into the crockpot.

and last but not least in Oyakawa news...

Benjamin and Ella are preparing go see Grandma in a about a week. They are flying as unaccompanied minors all the way to Virginia - be still my soul !!!!!!!!!