sorensens

Yearly Update

2011-10-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know we are terrible at blogging and keeping up to date. I thought that there would be time to post updates in the summer, but there never seemed to be enough time. Now Isaac, Eliza, and Smith are in school and things have just gotten busier. Claire is growing so fast and has been a blessing for our family. All of the kids love her sooo much! They always want to hold her and play with her. Hope you enjoy some pictures of our summer!!!

Eliza and Sam on the ferris wheel at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Eliza and Smith on the whale ride at the Boardwalk.

Family outing to the San Jose Giants baseball game.

Fishing in Manti, UT.

The Fourth of July in Idaho.

Eliza at her dance class!!

Hopefully I can update our blog with some additional pictures of everything else that is going on.

New Addition!

2011-03-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

Baby Claire as she is known in our house finally arrived. On Feburary 21st, I woke up with some small contractions. I asked Sam to stay home from work because I thought that this might be the day. We decided that I should head over to the hospital to pre-register so we didn't have to be in such a rush when I checked in. I had an idea that we wouldn't be home that day, so I decided to take my bag of prepared things along.

We finished registering at the hospital at around 10:30 AM. The contractions were pretty close together so we just decided to go for a walk outside. Sam finally convinced me to head back into the hospital and check in just after 11 AM. By the time we got up into Labor & Delivery, got dressed and layed down, it was about 11:20 AM. Claire didn't waste any more time and decided that she wanted to join the family. She made her grand entrance at 11:30 AM, weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 19.5 inches.

The kids came by the hospital at around 2 and they were so excited. Eliza's face was so precious. She was so excited that she was almost crying. Isaac just wanted to hold her, kiss her, and make sure that she was okay. We thought Smith would be a little indifferent to his new sister, but to our surprise he wanted in on the kissing and holding action.

Since I couldn't get any rest at the hospital and would rather be in my own bed. I was home by Tuesday afternoon getting rest. It was so nice to be home and in my own bed.

Claire has been such a good baby and just sleeps and eats. The kids always run to her when she starts to make any noise. It has been so fun to see how much they love her. I don't think that there is any other baby that gets more kisses than Claire.

Without further delay:

What Matters Most

2010-10-07T22:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight I finally sit down to prepare a lesson for the young women in my church when after only a few minutes I hear Smith coming down the hall. It's after ten and I am done dealing with him. If he takes a nap during the day we pay for it at night!

So I am on the LDS webiste searching for a talk when he sees a picture of Jesus and starts to talk about Him, I just ignore him. It sounds horrible but I know Smith and he has a plan. He'll try and talk to me in a sweet voice and act interested in what I'm doing just trying to prolong his time out of his room. I'm tired and don't want to get up again so I figure I'll put him back in a few minutes.

So I keep searching, he keeps talking, and I keep ignoring. Out of the corner of my eye I see his little fingers wiggling and notice that he's been telling me the same story over and over. I see the desperate look in his eye for me to listen to him - so I listen. He is telling me about Joseph Smith and the first vision. He starts by saying, "Smith, Joseph, like me Smith". Then those same little fingers I saw wiggling earlier represent that there were "too many churches" that he "didn't know which church" so he went to "the grass and prayed" and that "Jesus came". He went on to talk about the Book of Mormon and "the true church, my church". I couldn't believe my little two year old (almost 3) understood the first vision let alone could repeat the story.

I was instantly humbled as I listened to him. I was reminded that even when we are doing "good" things we can sometimes let them get in the way of what matters most. In this case it was my little boy sharing with me his budding testimony of the first vision. I would of preferred to have had this experience like 2 hours earlier but it never seems to work out that way.

My Friday

2010-03-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

When I went to pick up Eliza and Isaac from school on Friday my usual parking space was taken. I will usually wait till they leave but I was late and decided to park in the second lot that is farther away.

I go to Eliza's class and pick her up then Isaac's and get him and another little boy that I take home. As we are standing outside the door I have the two older boys hold hands with the younger ones. Isaac's teacher looks at me and compliments me on how well I handle "all these little kids". And yes, inside I'm thinking the same thing, "I am doing such a great job" & "I am a such a good mom". Smith must have heard my thoughts.

We got all the way down to the end of the first parking lot and then it happened. Smith takes off to the fields behind the school to chase after some birds. I decide not to run after him I figure the other kids will follow and we'll never get out of there. So I just let him run and try and talk him back. Pointless and stupid.

After a while the kids all start straying and now I am threatening everyone to stay put. For a moment I just stood there not knowing what to do. Finally I decide to do the "Bye I'm leaving" trick while Isaac is yelling at me telling me that I'm not a good mom if I leave him. I tell him I am just pretending and he tells me I'm lying.

It worked. Smith followed and we got to the car. All I did was take out my keys from my purse and look up to find Smith running towards the street. He's standing right on the edge of the sidewalk and I know if I chase after him he will run into the street. So I tell him to look at the plane and while he looks up I sprint towards him.

I didn't realize that while I was going after Smith Eliza had followed me. A teacher saw Eliza in the middle of the parking lot and ran over to get her. I come back with a screaming Smith and see Eliza crying and the teacher wide eyed and full of disapproval.

I tell her thank you and then start to get everyone in the car. Eliza and Smith are doing a screaming/crying combo, Isaac is very upset on the verge of tears at all the chaos and his friend looks fearful. The teacher just stood there for a moment and then walked back to her car and sat there staring at me until I drove away. I wanted to cry but forced a smile for her instead.

I've always thought so negatively about people with kids on leashes but after a day like that they are looking pretty good!

I just don't know that I could really do it though. I'll be honest when I think of kids on leashes I tend to picture this instead.

Enough said. Definitely some good times for the Sorensen family. I just wish I didn't have to see that teacher ever again!

PuMpkiNs

2009-10-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

I'm begining to really love {HaLLowEeN}. It is so fun to see how excited the kids get. But I guess who wouldn't be excited about dressing up AND getting free candy! This was our first year painting/carving pumpkins, the kids had so much fun!

Update {finally}

2009-10-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Isaac missed the cut off date for kindergarten by 2 days. We decided to put him in preschool. He LOves it! Especially his recent association with a girl named Riahna. So he comes home from school one day and says to Sam, "Dad you're not gonna be happy." Sam asked what happened and this is what he told us. "I got kissed by a girl. Her name is Riahna." As he is saying this he is trying to hide his ear to ear grin. We told him that he shouldn't let girls kiss him. Then Isaac replies with, "well... she can if she wants." Sam then asked him if he liked it. Isaaac says, "well... yeah!" Seriously, I did not think we would be having this conversation at age FOUR!

Eliza has been doing really well with preschool and therapy. She took her first steps last Nov. and since then has started to really walk. She can't go for long periods but she's doing great.

Went out back to take some pictures, Isaac didn't want to come and Smith was done quick, so here are LOTS of pictures of Eliza!

Smith will be 2 Nov. 4th. He is growing so fast and can definitely hold his own in this family. He's a fiesty one!

The best recipe ever!

2009-04-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick update on what's been going on here. First off Sam is never home for dinner so dinner time is not my favorite time. Tonight was great though except for a few minor exceptions (which I'll get to later). For starters my kids ate everything for dinner, without complaining! Isaac even told me that it was the, "best ever!" and Smith even clapped his hands together giggling. What did I make you ask......

It's kind of complicated but here's the recipe:
3 containers of yogurt
1 slice of toast cut into perfect squares
1 bag of perfectly popped popcorn
1 child size handful of almonds (for each child)
3 cups of chocolate milk
1 orange cut into the cutest most perfect wedges possible

Of course you will have to adjust the portions accordingly. Oh and save the oranges for the very end, that's when our "magic moment" of clapping and compliments occurred! (Don't worry I did not give Smith any almonds) :)

Shortly after our glowing moment ended. I was in the kitchen cleaning when I turn of the water and hear the pitter patter of milk hitting our rug. I turn to see Smith with his sippy cup turned upside down. I run over to him and he starts shaking the cup faster and then throws it across the room and starts splashing in the milk throwing his head back and giggling. That same giggle I thought was so cute just 10 min ago. I clean Smith up and then get on my hands and knees and start cleaning the milk under the table only to lift my head up and see Eliza, milk everywhere. So then I strip her down and begin cleaning her. Only to turn around and see Smith standing on the table emptying the contents of what was left in Eliza's cup.
Yes there are sooooooo many ways in which these situations could of been avoided. One big one is spill proof sippy cups.....which I own! :) I also could of put all the cups away immediately.........I could go on!

These are the culprits at hand captured in better moments.

Isaac

2009-02-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

So lately whenever I ask Isaac why he did something(bad) he tells me, "it's just my evil brain mom." It's funny for now but after a while the cuteness of it all will definitely be wearing off!

So here are pics of Isaac's birthday(finally). I can't believe how fast he's grown! He really is such a sweet boy! He is such a great helper too! :) Well, for his fourth birthday he wanted a transformer birthday party. We ended up having 9 little boys running around! Crazy I know! He told me that he had to have a Bumbleebee Transformer cake(I asked). I really love to decorate cakes, so I was up for the challenge. Yes it was a little hard cutting into it & seeing it devoured, but oh well!

The Last 2 months

2008-12-08T20:42:00.001-08:00

Eliza has just recently started brushing her teeth all by herself! Yeah! Before I had to hold her down screaming - not fun!

We took a trip to the zoo with a bunch of friends. It was lots of fun!

Isaac has become a huge Star Wars fan. I was in the kitchen doing dishes and when I came out I found Isaac like this. He had been waiting for me, it was cute. Every time Smith put on the hat he started laughing, it was hilarious.

I was lacking a variety of frosting colors so I decided to get creative with some m'n'ms. Sam's brother came and celebrated Smith's birthday with us. He looks so old to me in these pics.

I thought this was so funny. I found Smith crawling with this apple in his mouth. Isaac later told me that he didn't want the rest of his apple so he "shared" with Smith.

Smith is now a year old! I'm realizing that with each child that first year goes by faster and faster. It's so sad. He is no longer my little baby Smith. He can now put up a fight (with the other kids), he knows how to manipulate (but I think they're born with that!) and the sadest one of all he pushes me away when I try and hold him.
On his actual b-day I decided to give him a piece of chocolate pie and sing to him. It was cute, he didn't really know what to think of it at first but he soon got the idea!

Isaac was so excited that I let him go outside in the rain and jump in the puddles. I loved doing this when I was a kid!

It was so cute whenever Isaac got ready to jump in a puddle Smith would bend his knees and jump too.

The onlookers.

The last time I used the clippers on someone (Austin) they ended up getting the "spotted lepord look." I told him that if I messed up I would pay him ten bucks, that's how confident I thought I was, I still owe him. So you see why the need for the pics, I was so proud of myself! Since then Sam is even letting me cut his hair. I would of shown you pics but he wasn't too keen on the idea.

The Last 2 Months continued

2008-12-08T17:20:00.001-08:00

We went to our ward Halloween party the kids had so much fun. I was so surprised they let me paint their faces.

We went trick or treating with some really good friends from our ward the Johnson's. We were done in less than thirty minutes it was great!

Eliza relaxing and chatting on the phone.

The Blind Babies Foundation here in CA hosted a day at the Pumpkin Patch. It was tons of fun and without the push we probably wouldn't of gone this year. Eliza's Vision Therapist, Andy sitting in this pic, is great! We love her!!!

Isaac was lovin the rides at the Pumpkin Patch!

Isaac and his good bud Max are in a soccer class together.

This is Isaac after scoring a goal throwing his hands up in the air and shouting, "I'm the best! Oh yeah, oh yeah." While everyone got a good laugh we will definitely be working on some sportsmanship at home!

I found Eliza propped on the couch reading a book. I wonder where she got this from? :)

My cute clean boy

Our trip to the Oakland Temple

2008-09-22T17:31:00.001-07:00

Our family minus Isaac who was running around with a friend. We had a ward F.H.E. at the temple. We went to see a limited exhibit entitled, "The Healing Power of Jesus Christ." It is several sculptures dipicting Christ's ministry and miracles. I wish you could go and see for yourself. They are amazing!!! She gives such and intimate view of the Savior in her sculpting. It strengthened my testimony as I was reminded of the miracles of love and mercy He performed throughout His life. It also reminded me all that He has scarificed in my behalf and all that He has promised to those who will follow Him. I know that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that Joseph Smith is and was a true prophet who restored the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and can be used as tool of guidence in our lives. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our Prophet today and that he talks with God. I know that because of Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross that I can have a forever family. I know that Moroni's promise (Moroni 10:4)that if we "ask with a sincere heart,with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you". Again, I know that He lives and that we are blessed when we are following Him!
You can view the sculptures on her website, obviously it's not as good as it would be in person! (the link is at the bottom of this post)

All the little kids had sticker missionary name tags and took a tour on the temple grounds.

Eliza & her dad

Here's the link, www.ajsculptures.com

Eliza on "time out" & other pics

2008-09-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Eliza is a frequent visitor of the time out chair.

We had to find a time out place for her with some padding. She likes to scream and throw her head around. I figured she's already had enough head trauma in her life no need to add to it. The only drawback is that it might be a little to comfy for time out purpose's....?

That was one long time out! Happy girl once again!

Silly faces

One cute, cute boy!

No Eliza didn't do anything to Smith (this time) she's actually trying to console him.

More Hair pics of Eliza

2008-09-22T16:26:00.001-07:00

This is definitely picture worthy, you'll soon see why!

In the mouth it goes.

Then she shows you what she thinks of that.

She is then nice enough to give it back to you, daring you to try all over again. That's my sweet little girl!

Crazy Hair!!

2008-08-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

Eliza has some crazy hair!!! Half of her hair is curly and the other half isn't. It makes for some interesting bed head when she wakes up in the morning.

The Beach

2008-08-30T17:25:00.001-07:00

We didn't have much to do one Saturday so we decided to pack up and head to Santa Cruz for the beach. It took sometime to find a good spot and get down to the beach. Isaac had fun playing in the water with Sam. He even caught to sand crabs, which he loved. Eliza was content to sit in a chair and play football. Smith tasted the sand and crawled around. We stayed for about three hours and then called it a day.

Fremont City Art Festival

2008-08-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

We have had a good time over the last month to go do some fun things as a family. At the beginning of the month there was the Fremont City Art Festival. The city shutdown several blocks downtown and put up rides and all sorts of fun things. We went to the kid area and had a lot of fun. The kids had fun on the rides especially Isaac.

In between rides the kids were able to eat cotton candy and all sorts of goodies. They relaxed in the shade and also talked to the local fire fighters. All in all, it was a fun day.

After the kids got home they were ready to go to bed. Playing all day and being out in the sun definitely took a lot out of the kids.

Just me & my boys

2008-07-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

Smith's new look

2008-07-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Smith's first haircut. You can't really tell. I just trimmed everywhere. He was so good though!

Isaac's new set of wheels

2008-07-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Out with the old in with the new. Isaac was so excited to get a "big boy" bike. Now if we can only get him to use a "big boy" toilet!

Eliza

2008-07-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

I tried to get a few cute pics of Eliza all dressed up. I don't know what I was thinking! Anyone who knows Eliza knows that she doesn't do anything she doesn't want to! So after a few bribes of candy shoved into her mouth I finally got some cute ones. The last one is so funny it looks like she is doing a ballerina pose.... she's actually just trying to escape! Hey whatever works!!!