Jayne- How could we live without her!

I came home from Sam's soccer practice and Jayne wanted to make some small talk. She pulled up to the bar and asked,"So Mom, how was it going at brother's soccer game?" I loved it.

We were walking in the parking lot of the school to meet them after school and the wind came up and Jayne brushed her hair out of her face and looked at me so annoyed. Me- You know like the wind. Jayne- The wind is not my favorite! I cracked up laughing.

The weather was incredible yesterday, so we packed up the bikes and went down to the bike trail. Sam on his bike, Ellie on the trail-a-bike behind me, and Jayne in the bike trailer behind Seth. We rode a couple miles to Woodinville (another town). We got dinner there and ate outside. Jayne was so happy all she could do was sing. She made up her own song singing,"You know what! You know what! You know what." At the top of her lungs with twirling in between. She sang the whole way home in the trailer.

She put her lawnmower in timeout today for being a "meanie."

Everyday when the kids are at school she askes,"Where are my brother and sister?" She misses them every minute they are away! I was picking her up and she came running to me saying,"Did you pick up my kids for me?" Meaning Sam and Ellie.
Or, "Where's my Dad?" She answers herself,"Oh, the office."

With a pink backpack on and a baby under her arm wherever she goes, she's ready to conquer the world.

Mother's Day!

So I was feeling a bit guilty for not blogging like I said I would, but today (my day off) I wanted to write about Mother's Day. I just returned from my Grandma Farrell's 90th birthday party. At the party my Uncle, her only son, was asked to give the tribute to Grandma. I was so touch at the way he described her. The part I remember most went like this, ... "although I may not have grown up to be exactly the son you wanted me to be, thank you mom for making me feel like I did." That was in my words, I wish I could have remembered exactly what he said, but that was the jist of it. I thought of what a great example of a mother my Grandma is. I love that her son would say that about her. I hope that I can follower her example and make my children understandd their own brilliant selves. I love them dearly and I fell so lucky to be there mom. On my trip to Utah for my Grandmother's party I got to take her pictures the day before. It was super fun and will be one of my fondest memories with my Grandma. I only got about 2 words in the 5 hours we were together, but we did talk about how each of our children are so different. Sam wakes up early (6:30ish), pulls out his book to read to get his homework done before school. Then he practices the piano, gets ready for school and is off. He is gifted in reading, in music, and sports. Ellie on the other hand, sleeps in, wakes up famished from the whole night without food, pulls out her paint brush and starts on her art work. She is gifted in art, athletics, and she is very compassionate. She is always thinking of others. Then the Princess arises. Jayne. She wakes up when she pleases and starts ordering us all around. She is gifted with confidence, imagination, and beauty. She loves to primp (so I am not sure whose child she is). She needs her hair done, make-up on, and only wear's Princess skirt or dress (no pants allowed). They are all so different and they all amaze me. I feel so privilege to be there Mom. They inspire me and teach me daily. I have decided to not feel guilty on Mother's Day about all the things I have done as a mom (I'll save that for another day of the year), instead I am so grateful to be a mom. I kept saying "I can't wait for Mother's Day! It's one of my favorite days of the year." The kids caught on and were so excited to get up and make me breakfast in bed that Ellie woke up at 6:10 a.m. and then woke up Sam, and they came an woke up Seth to help! I love that they would be so enthusiastic. They just gave me a my Mother's Day presents. Ellie painted a pot at school with the plant in it, and Sam bought me Peter Pan in VHS at the used book sale at his school for $1 because he knows that Peter Pan is my favorite. So thoughtful. We're pulling out the vidoe machine to watch it together today! And Jayne stayed in her own bed all last night (with some help from Seth), which was a great present! Thanks to Seth for joining me in the crazy adventure as parents and putting up with my insanity which is given to all mothers! So, I love Mother's Day. I am trying to change it to Mother's Week. I could handle daily breakfast in bed and no getting up with children for a whole week. Thanks for spoiling me Seth. A special love to my Mom and Mother-in-law for being such great Mothers. Loves Amy

The New Year

The New Year brings my long list of New Years resolutions. Blogging is on the list, and pretty high up on it! I have wanted to join this hobby for my own sake of documenting life. So, as much as I am excited for you to follow some of the happenings of our family, I am mostly excited to get down whats up in life for my own family's sake.
I am so excited for 2009. I have to say 2008 was kind of a mess. The list is long of our crazy life- Seth had a job change (from Intel to Microsoft), finished remodelling our Oregon home, sold our home, moved to Seattle, house hunted for 5 months, bought a home, Ellie had a major bike accident that put her in the hospital for a week, with recover for a couple weeks, the kids started new schools, Sam played soccer, Ellie started a music class while on restriction with a broken leg, Jayne turned two, Amy holds on to sanity, and well, the rest of the stuff is the day to day stuff. Our Christmas card was titled "We Believe in Miracles" because of the amazing blessing that counteracted all of the crazy events this year. So I look forward to 2009, realizing we survived 2008.

Halloween Happenings

This Halloween we went big! Kicked it off with a party at our home with games, cookies, apple bobbing, tricks and treats. School parties were great and even Jayne walked in the Rockwell Elementary parade as a mini twin to her sister. Sam was a ninja for the second year in a row. Seth says Ninjas are "always in style". Ellie and Jayne were beautiful Halloween fairies. Seth was a ghetto street ball player and I was a soccer player. The kids had school off so we packed the day with Halloween. Ellie had a orthopedic doctors appointment in the morning, and she was able to take her walking boot off once and for all! She is very happy to have her leg healed! Taking her boot off was even better than treat or treating to her. We brought our Aunt Amy and cousin Susannah home with us. We sang "I want candy" on the way to Microsoft festivities to get us pumped up. Even the 2 year olds joined in the singing. The kids were able to trick or treat at the offices and got absurd amounts of candy. There was also a buffet, cookies, movie, and more trick or treating in another building. Uncle Scott joined us for a dinner and trick or treating in the neighborhood. The kids had a great time and were so exhausted (just as it should be right?). So now we're dealing with sugar withdrawals. Jayne had a sucker in her mouth for at least 48 hours straight(even in Stake Conference).When given the choice, she would always choose the suckers. Hence, sucker face. But she was great she would always say, "Happy Halloween" to everyone who gave her candy. Grateful to have spent time together!

Family Christensen In Disguise at Microsoft!

Jayne's TWO!!!

I can't believe my baby's 2! In fact, I was in denial for quite sometime and didn't buy her any birthday presents until the day before. Not because I don't love her, just because I was in denial of her turning two. It's bittersweet for me. The 1st year of her life we called her "Jayne the Beloved." She was adored by all. The second year of her life, she sealed the deal. She is definitely the most loved in our family. Sam can't wait to get her up in the morning, Ellie gives her whatever she wants (and Jayne knows exactly who to go to), and Jayne has Seth wrapped around her little finger. Phrases like, "I wantta hold you." and "I snuggle you," are apart of her charm. She sings all day,"I know you, I walked with you once a upon a deam." She usually only gets to "I know you" and then repeats it again, and again, and most of the day while dancing. She loves "Sleeping Booty" as she calls her, as well as any other princess. Yesterday, as I was getting she and Ellie out of the bath, Jayne took the brush and dipped it the bath water and then brushed my hair (which was already in a ponytail). Then she took my face in her hands and said,"Mom, your bootiful, your a princess." I loved it. And I love her. I can't image our family without this little princess. We went to the hospital to have Jayne with a different name in mind for her, but after 8 weeks of bed rest, and a beautiful healthy baby, Seth named her Jayne because it means "God is gracious." We truly feel God has been truly gracious to us to send us Jayne. We love you Jayne!

The Move To Seattle

Jumping on the Bandwagon!

So, I am jumping on the blog bandwagon. This summer my family and I moved from Portland,OR to Seattle,WA. I missed my friends and family and wanted to stay in contact with everyone. I began to read my friends blogs and I was so impressed. So here it is! The good, the bad, and the ugly! We love you and hope you enjoy!