Annual McIntire Christmas Newsletter (copy)

It’s that time of year, when I take a break from the piles of laundry, endless diaper changes, coloring my white hair, and so many other “stay at home” jobs-to put the happenings of our family down on paper for the Annual McIntire Family Christmas Newsletter 2013.  Is that a Yippee I hear in the distance?

This year has been eventful-to say the least.  In May we welcomed a new baby girl.  Yes it is number 4-but she is such a blessing in our lives.  Little Brynlee Onyx was born in a little room I refer to as a closet on May 3.  EVERYONE was having babies at the same time and there was literally no room for us at the hospital.  I am happy  to report Devin stayed with me the entire time and didn’t disappear to take a nap in the car, like he did with Kyra.

 Since Devin is a good 20years away from retirement-he still works at Fred Meyer.  He works long hours and at times may feel underappreciated-but we love everything he does for us.  Unfortunately he wasn’t able to go hunting for big game this year-but he did hunt for pheasants and ghosts.  Yes-you read that correctly ghosts.  I guess since hunting living things has been less than successful-he moved on to the not so living.  He has gone on 1 ghost hunt with a paranormal group and would love to go on more-but with the work schedule he has and the fact I demand he spends time with the family-that may not be a possibility.  Devin was able to enjoy several different fishing outings while at the same time repairing our rental property in Arco.

 I am continuing the career of domestic diva-minus the diva part.  I have my hands full and there are many days I run out of hours to get things accomplished.  I’ve been helping a lot with the elementary PTA functions, fundraisers, and committees, volunteer to help in Tristan’s class, and I am also the secretary/treasurer of the middle school parent organization.  While tying 400 hundred tiny tags to 400 tiny candy canes-I catch myself thinking, “Why did I volunteer”.  But-I like to know what is going on and being in somewhat control-so being part of a parent organization gets the job done.

 Cortlynn is fastly approaching the age of 13.  She’s excited; Devin and I-not so much.  She is in 7^th grade now and is doing an awesome job in all of her school subjects.  Straight A’s and perfect attendance.  Pretty much a model student.  She is continuing with her training in ballet and LOVES it!!!  I will often find her in her room dancing when she should be sleeping.  A wall, couch, open floor area is not safe if she’s around because she is constantly stretching her feet and legs.  Almost daily I am amazed by her many talents and that she doesn’t let her complete hearing loss in one ear deter her.  She has actually taught herself to play the piano.  She plays several songs and does a really good job: all of which is from hearing it being played somewhere else. Since she is now 12, boys are no longer “icky”—time to lock her up in her room and throw away the key.

 Tristan is 7 and is such a kind-hearted little boy.  He is doing great in school and has become a very talented reader.   When asked what subject he enjoys at school he will tell you recess, lunch, and math.  Tristan decided that he was tired of watching Cortlynn dance and he wanted to be in the Nutcracker this year.  He is the cutest, smallest soldier with the strongest march.  That boy is stomping in the house and is constantly practicing the part.  Who needs an alarm clock when you have a soldier marching in your kitchen.  He loves video games, playing with his friends, and spending time with dad.

Kyra is a spitfire and keeps us on our toes 24/7.  She is a beautiful little girl and wants to play, sing, dance, every second she’s not forced to sleep.  She is very opinionated and will tell you how it is, but also how much she loves you.  Kyra is obsessed with circles. When she’s not drawing them, she is positioning toys, blankets, and books around her to create a circle for her to play within.  Even while in her pretty princess dress or tutu-she can still out burp her brother. She definitely has her quirks but we wouldn’t change a thing.

 Brynlee is now 7 months old but acts so much older.  She can’t sit still and has to be standing, crawling,  and will follow her siblings all over to play.  She is a very happy baby and her smile melts my heart; but she has a  temper.  WOW if she’s not happy, she will let you know.  Brynlee loves to cuddle and is so full of love for everyone. She LOVES to give people especially her mom sloppy kisses, enjoys to dance to Christmas music when it is playing on the TV, and stops whatever she is doing to watch her favorite local weatherman, Michael Coats. She has brought so much joy to our family.

 We didn’t do a lot of traveling this year.  We were able to go to Bear Lake for a few days and spend time with my immediate family.  The kids and I also traveled to Great Falls, MT to visit my parents and see their new home.  Traveling with 4 children definitely isn’t the easiest-but the memories that are created are worth it.

 Our days are filled with crazy schedules and we are constantly running around, but we try to stop each day and enjoy our family.  I continue to write on the family blog AKA my online journal and if you need any reading material to induce a coma-like state—please go to christinamcintire.blogspot.com

 Until Next year: We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!

Devin, Christina, Cortlynn, Tristan, Kyra, and Brynlee

Halloween and Birthdays

Yet again I am falling behind in my blog posts.  I cannot believe we are just 15 days away from Christmas and I'm just now posting about Halloween and birthdays.  This year Halloween was a little chilly but the kids were able to trick or treat and collect more than enough candy that we are still eating.  Cortlynn wanted to go with a friend and she ended up dressing all in black.  Not sure what the two of them were trying to be--but do you ever know the thinking(s) of a 12 yr old?

 The school had a costume exchange this year.  I took Kyra and Tristan--basically to show support to the PTA, but Kyra found a bumblebee costume and had to have it.  She wore that thing every day for 2 weeks!  Nothing like enjoying a free costume!

Of course Tristan had to be a super hero of some sort.  I found this costume on the Internet and he was so thrilled when it showed up.  Gotta love his pose.

Since Brynlee is so small and I wasn't too keen on taking her out in the cold-I recycled one of Kyra's costumes.  They look almost exactly the same!

Happy Halloween!!!!  I LOVE this photo.

 

Tristan turned 7 on November 20.  I cannot believe he is already 7.  Where does the time go.  After last years all boy party at the house and cleaning up cake from the floors-this year I asked him if he would be alright with going to a movie with his dad and than going to Outer Limits with the family. I was happy when he agreed and thought that sounded like fun.  Devin and Tristan went to "Thor 2" on his actual birthday and when they came home-we piled the family in the car and went to Outer Limits.  We had pizza, fries, other yummy fried food, while the kids enjoyed playing on the big jungle gym thing they have, arcade games, and glow-in-the-dark miniature golf.  We came home and opened gifts and enjoyed the cupcakes I had made for school.

Of course he wanted a cake-so for the grandparent party I made a superhero cake.  It was an extremely busy day in the kitchen-so I didn't do everything I wanted with the cake.  Tristan didn't care-he LOVED it!

The photos below aren't the best but they show Tristan at school for his science project.  It was on Elephant Toothpaste.  It turned out really good.  He was so proud of himself.  (don't get too impressed, this was all done at school, I didn't help him so I can't take any credit)

I woke up the morning of my birthday and began cleaning the kitchen and putting dishes away--I lifted up a cupcake container and almost dumped the cake Devin had made for me.  He actually woke up at 6am and made this cake for me before he had to be at work.  I was so impressed.  This would be the first cake he has ever made for me.  The night before he was nice enough to stay home with the little ones while Cortlynn and I went to a 10:30pm showing of "Catching Fire".  We actually ended up being gone for close to 5hours: the kids and house survived without mom.  It IS possible.

If you don't have anything Nice to say.......

I haven't been keeping up with the blog like I would like too--mainly because "If you don't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all".  I'm thinking this means writing as well. 

The last few weeks have been extremely difficult.  I'm not sure why--perhaps my hormones are still out of whack; maybe it's the Holiday "blues"; or maybe I'm just really struggling with EVERYTHING. 

I posted on Facebook the other day about feeling like an inadequate mother.  I received some really nice comments-but still feel inadequate.  My children have been.....hmmmm-there really are no words.

Cortlynn has been struggling with stuff and it all came to light last week. I won't be going into details because it really isn't any one's business, but I felt like a complete failure.  I had to take almost everything away from her--and the next thing to be "taken" is dance. I haven't done this because we've put so much time and money into it AND with the Nutcracker coming up-it would cause issues with more people than just her.  But-there are no electronic devices, friend activities, and I've had to rethink a few Christmas gifts.  Punishing your children is needed and I believe they grow from their mistakes-but I still find myself feeling "guilty".  Why is this????  I was FARRRRRRR from perfect growing up.  Things happened to me (when I was her age, younger, and older) that I pray Cortlynn will not have to experience any of them.  I'm not naive, yet-I know I don't know everything either.  I really think the World we live in today is a more "evil" World and harder to raise children.  I don't want to smother my children; they need to experience things, they need to learn from failure, they need to learn from rejection: but I am shocked almost daily by what the World says is appropriate. 
Example:
It is so troubling for me to not be able to purchase a CD or music for my children that they hear on the radio because there are different versions.  A radio version and a CD version.  I can't tell you how many times I've bought a CD and have been shocked when I heard what the song is really saying.  I have now reverted to googling lyrics prior to buying music.  There is a song on the radio right now-being sung by a popular artist; an artist that will be the half-time entertainer at the Super Bowl.  The song is beyond disgusting!!!!  I didn't pay attention until one day Tristan was singing it.  When I took a minute and listened-my mouth dropped to the floor and I couldn't change the radio station fast enough.  Mind you -this was on the radio so it is "cleaner".  I'm going to share a few of the lyrics--
    * Ooh I got a body full of liquor
         With a cocaine kicker

        You'll be banging on my chest
        Bang bang, gorilla
        Ooh, yeah
         You and me baby making love like gorillas

Ummmmmmm--Really??????  So much of the music is crap.  The "music" is catchy yet the lyrics are shockingly awful.  Miley Cyrus has been in the news lately for her choices and being  a not so good role model for girls: This is true, but the things the male artists are singing on the same stations and award shows are far more disturbing-yet, they get no negative feedback.  Boys will be boys....    I've had to have some difficult conversations with my kids explaining to them that things they hear on the radio or see on TV isn't appropriate and people should not treat others that way.  I've also programmed the TV with a password so they are unable to access certain content.  The other night a Spongebob episode was protected.  Sorry kids-that's life--mamma is living on the password, even it's a cartoon.

While at a 100 mile function the other night I had a quick conversation with Tristan's teacher.  He is having emotional issues and she was concerned.  I tried to talk to him but he says everything is fine.  I just hope he is just tired.  He is so kind hearted and believes everyone is his friend.  Last year there were issues of him being bullied and I just hope this isn't the case. A mom can only protect her children so much.  I sure do love that little boy.

This week has also been challenging dealing with people.  While working in the bank I enjoyed talking to people and being somewhat social.  In "real" life-I don't like it that much.  I don't let people in, I don't share information about myself freely, and I have difficulties trusting people.  Being a stay at home mom definitely has it's advantages of not dealing with people day after day-but I also yearn for a little adult conversation or interaction.  This week the two little girls and I went to the store to visit Devin and check out the toys and clothes.  While there I had more than one person come up to me and tell me that Devin and I better be done having children.  He's not "allowed" to have anymore-4 is enough.   WHAT???  I didn't know that a couples decision whether or not to have children concerned anyone but that couple.  This isn't the first time and probably not the last time I will hear this, but this week-the comments really bothered me.  I LOVE my children: all 4 of them.  If we are blessed with anymore children----I would be extremely happy and excited.  Children are a blessing and how dare you judge! 

I've also found myself having problems handling a new acquaintance of Devin's.  You see---he has a new hobby.  Good for him!  Devin works hard and deserves to do things that he enjoys.  This new hobby though I 'm afraid is going to be "all consuming".  He is now a member of a Paranormal Group in Pocatello.  They go to buildings or homes and hunt for ghosts.  (not sure why he needs to hunt for them in other buildings-just stay home and experience things here)  anywho----he is now a member.  Great, Awesome!  Well-it's not just hunting-but it is hours of reviewing video and taking notes.  The women in charge of this group is extremely demanding and impatient. "Got to get things completed quickly to keep our reputation in tact"  (Really????  Didn't know we were filming "Ghost Hunters" and people care)  With Devin at work constantly it has been me (acting as Devin)getting the messages and emails telling him to upload video and review it.  I spent over 2hrs uploading just 1 file yesterday and the stupid thing didn't even work.  I sent a note to her and she questioned me on the program I used and told "Devin" he needs to get a zip drive and/or meet with another member to figure out what to do.  This isn't my hobby and I shouldn't care what this women thinks-yet I sat in my room and cried.  I don't have time for this.  I personally don't think Devin has time for it--but what do you do?  I don't want to be "That wife".  

I pray that things will begin to get better.  Maybe with our Christmas tree up I can sit in the other room with the Christmas lights on and relax-while thinking about what is important in life: My husband, children, and family.

Montana Trip

Back in August, before school started, the kids and I drove to Great Falls to visit my parents.  The nasty weather, fighting kids, and the fact Brynlee hates her car seat and cries--made the drive so long!!!  4hours into it I was done--but I was too far to turn around--I had to keep going. 

 

 

Our visit was great.  The kids had so much fun seeing the new house, touring the town, and enjoying the special outings grandma and grandpa planned. 

 

 

My dad's company had a BBQ at the baseball field and we were able to watch a professional game.  Grandma and I were picking out cute players for Cortlynn--but she was so embarrassed that she just rolled her eyes and told us to stop.  I felt "dirty" scoping out the players because I was 20yrs older than most of them.

 

 

 

One evening we traveled to one of the beautiful parks and had a picnic.

Of course grandma and grandpa set up a pool.  It was a little chilly but Tristan and Kyra had fun.

The kids LOVED feeding the fish at the fish hatchery.

 

On Saturday we went to the Farmers Market and grandpa convinced Tristan to ride on a pony.  Great Grandpa would have been so proud.  (Maybe not the outfit he was wearing)

 

We enjoyed an evening of swimming at the local water park.  I even got in the water.

 

 

Cortlynn and Nicole hung out the entire time and enjoyed the slides and big kid attractions,

Brynlee hung out with grandma and grandpa while Kyra got her jammies on and danced to the music.

On the drive home I lost count how many times I had to stop.  The photo below was one of the stops.  The kids actually got to see deer while we were here.

 

Overall we enjoyed our trip.  The kids ask me all of the time, "When can we go to Montana again?"  Can't wait for our next trip.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!!



Circles, Salt Lines, Blessing, or Sage?

A little bit ago I posted a few photos of Kyra's "circles" on Facebook.  I decided to post more of them on the blog.  She doesn't do it ALL of the time, but she goes thru spurts of playing within a circle.  One evening she was sitting in my bed with me and Brynlee reading a book: all of a sudden she jumps up, closes all the doors, makes a circle around us using blankets, and covers her head with a blanket.  Ok-odd.....so I asked her what she was doing.  Kyra's response, "There are monsters"   Needless to say, I asked no more questions.

 

I believe children can "see" things that adults aren't able to, and perhaps this is what is going on.  If making circles around her helps her feel safe and secure---I'm not going to argue.

 

Sometimes it isn't just a circle---she will place pillows and blankets down on the floor to create a barricade.  She can't have any open space.

 

Kyra is such a special little girl and I love her soooooooo much.  I have to get photos of her when she pauses and takes a break.



Nice photo bomb Cortlynn

This would be her costume--she wears it all day: everywhere!!!