15

Paige is 15 today! I still remember waiting for her to make her arrival into the world. (it was long) I remember her as this amazing 2 year old who knew everything and believe it or not HELPED when her brother was born. I remember her going to preschool for the first time, kindergarten, middle school..now HIGH SCHOOL.

I am blessed beyond measure with Paige. I say it often,but she is an amazing and abnormal teenager. Not that there haven't been hard moments here and there, but wow...She is so cool!

15 years lived, 15 years of joy (mixed with a little pain), 15 years of laughter (mixed with a few tears), 15 years of blessings...

So today I am writing the 15 things I love about Paige.

1. She loves the Lord with a passion and purpose. Knowing the right things to do and choosing to do them.
2. She is loyal. She will not change her mind about you..she gives people more chances and more forgiveness than anyone I have ever met.
3. She is a good sister. She loves her brothers and sisters and takes an active role in their lives.
4. She is funny..OH MY GOODNESS is she funny! She makes our days better EVERY DAY!
5. She is herself...all the time.
6. She is an amazing daughter. She knows me, knows the things to say, ways to help, and ways to make my life better
7. She sings.
8. She sings like no one is listening.
9. She cares about those she comes in contact with. She sees people for who they are and knows each one of us has value
10.She is passionate about life. I know for a fact that the Lord has HUGE things planned for Paige. I see it!
11. She wants to make a difference in others lives. She wants to go on missions trips, she wants to lead youth ministry, she wants to use her gifts and talents
12. She is talented in all things "ART"
13. She is an incredible story-teller...actor..
14. She is able to laugh at herself and not take herself too seriously
15. She is Paige.

Music

Music...we love it. It is always playing, we are always downloading, you-tubing, singing, dancing. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't start singing a line from a musical, sing what they are saying, sing a question, or just talk about something musical. Paige and Carter will start singing choir songs -ones that Paige has sung that Carter is singing now, or *cough cough* songs that I sang in high school. Paige is playing the guitar, Mia is taking the piano and the boys are interested in both guitar and drums. Music makes our lives better. You can forget the troubles of the moment and sing and dance it away. Ginger called me tonight and what did we start talking about? Music. There was a song that reminded her of Paige. It is called Headphones by Britt Nicole. One of our favorite artists (there are many though)

She gave it her best She tried to fit in She tried to be cool

But she never could win

Her mom says she’s great

The kids think she’s weird

Honestly she wish she could disappear

Why you try, try to be like the rest of them

When you know there’s so much more within

There’s only one you

Here’s what ya’ gotta do Whoa, Whoa...

Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones Love, love’s coming through your headphones Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones Love, love’s coming through your headphones L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones

It goes on to say, keep your head held high and dust off your shoulders. Music can give us all the ability to dust off our shoulders and move on :)

Some of my favorite memories with my kids are singing. The other night all four kids and I were in the bathroom singing something obnoxious (a song called to sing it to me-choir song) and each trying to sing louder than the other. It was so funny and would sound insane to someone from the outside, but TOTALLY normal for us. I am blessed with kids who love music as much as I do. ♥

The swings

The Baxter Children recieved a wonderful new addition to our yard this summer. TIRE SWINGS! Mia asked Papa for a tire swing, so he gathered all the materials and got one up. Very quickly they decided that one tire swing wasn't enough. So, Papa came out with two more tires and very quickly got the others up! He also put in what the kids call the "tarzan rope". I just smile when I see them out there swinging like monkeys. It has been hours of fun and just what every kid should have...a tire swing :)

Carter's swing

Kain on the "Tarzan" rope

the monkey's

a day...

to those who think that a stay at home mom doesn't work..hasn't been to my house. I spent a good 6 hours in the car today running all over this town. (drop off, pick up one-drop off, pick up another..repeat repeat repeat)When I say it out loud, my day..it is insane. But, I am thankful for my life, my kids, my family.

The "S" word (school=sick)

We were all so excited to get back to school, meet our new teachers, spend time with friends..and instead we got back to school, to meet all the sickness that school carries and to spend time in the doctors office. It started with just a little stuffed nose, turned into a sore throat, and a horrible cough. We have been to urgent care, and Dr. Jamieson's office. The kids are all on the 2nd round of antibiotics, this time a super strong one. Lysol is my friend, the bummer of it all is that I have gotten sick...really sick and can't seem to kick it and we all know, when mom feels sick NOTHING GETS DONE. My house is a tornado, the laundry is overflowing, I can't find anything. This certainly wasn't my plan for when the kids went back to school. I have so many projects unfinished that need to be worked on! I thought this would be the time! Grand scheme of life..not that big of a deal, but like I told the kids: "When you are sick, it totally stresses me out" I just want them happy and healthy. What more does a mom want? :)

Guitar

It is 3:45 in the AM!

I come out to switch the laundry...why am I doing laundry in the middle of the night? I can't sleep!....back to the story. I come out of my room, and the lovely and magnificent Paige is awake. I said "What are you doing?" She said "Listen to the song I just learned to play"

So we sat down in the front room and I heard my daughter play a song on her guitar-Heart of Worship, and there is a line in there that says "you search much deeper within, through the way things appear..you're looking in my heart" I came back into the room and thought what a blessing I have for a daughter. She loves the Lord. She is funny, sweet, kind. I look at her and see her heart. She is exactly the way she was created to be. I am overwhelmed with joy..not because I did something right..but because she is fearfully and wonderfully made.

California

Even though my pictures are gone, I did manage to get some from my parents, and I remembered I sent a picture I took of my kids on vacation to a friend. I was able to go through my sent messages and found it. This is the first day of vacation. We had a blast in the pool. The kids were pretending to be from HSM..it was quite comical.

Pictures

There are those moments you wish didn't happen.

The ones that make your heart hurt.

I had one of those this weekend. My laptop with all my pictures of the kids for the last 8 months is ruined. I feel like something was stolen from me...my kids experiencing life. We had so many fun things that have happened in the last 8 months. Birthdays, holidays, Paige's first band gig, two huge vacations to South Dakota and California.. and our everyday life..so many "firsts lost". I have looked at those pictures hundreds of times over the past months. Organizing them, planning scrap pages, picking ones to frame.. they are gone. I still see my kids in the pictures in my head, and I feel heartbroken. I know I will have thousands of other opportunities to take more pictures, but right now..

It is not enough.

Summer???

So, I have totally dropped the ball. My last post was May 24..What is it - July 10th? I started to say what happened..but I already know. June 1st, I embarked on a new chapter in my life. I signed up for 9 credits at the college. A lit class, history of Wyoming, and a music class. I wonder many days what I was thinking. Why did I jump back in this way? Cramming full semester classes into 6 weeks? hmmm. The jury is still out on that one, but I know this for sure. I am ready for summer. :) We did take a trip to SD for a weekend (and I did homework all night) and my new pattern is stay up all night..until 3:30 or 4:00 working on it. I know this for sure: normal classes will be a breeze. We have had tons of things happen. End of school year, baseball, basketball, soccer, football camps, trips to SD, Kain's birthday-I will post all of these pictures next week..When I am on VACATION~classes end July 15th, and we leave for a whole family vaca to California. I look forward to resting, relaxing, chillin with my family.

5 springs

The Big Horns bring back tons of memories for me. As a child, we would picnic there with our family and friends. We would head to this one campsite in particular. 5 Springs. Probably because it is the first campground at the base of the mountain, but I think more so because it is beautiful there. A few years ago, I realized that I had never taken my kids there. Partially because we always seem to go to Red Lodge, or Northfork (occasionally) The first time I took the kids, all of them loved it. They thought it was the coolest place ever! Hiking back to the waterfalls was so much fun. As we got closer, I saw the kids excitement building. Seeing things through their eyes is amazing. I sat at the base of the waterfall, took pictures of the kids, and was amazed at what a beautiful creation the Lord made. I told Josh, "this is why we live in Powell" The beauty we are surrounded by daily is such a blessing.

the boys on the trail

We went back up last weekend (minus Paige) and had a wonderful picnic and hike. We had so much fun relaxing, and climbing up as high as we could by the waterfall. We actually went quite a ways up past the first big waterfall. Josh was getting a tad nervous with Mia, but she was a trooper. The boys wanted to go higher and higher.

After sticking his head in the freezing cold water. Such an amazing kid.

Everywhere I would turn, I would see another photo op:)

All boy..all the time.

This picture is acutally behind the waterfall that you see Mia in at the top. they climbed up behind it and sat in this little cave. I love to see the smiles on those faces!

I promised the kids that we would make a habit of going up. It will be a good one to keep!

Safe in my arms

This picture was taken at Mia's girl scout mother/daughter tea party and it makes me so happy to see her face like it is in this picture..at that moment. I think so many times that if I could just freeze every moment and remember them all, it would be easier to have them grow up. There is a song that sums it up for me. It is by Plumb (one of my favorite bands) It is called " In My Arms"

Your baby blues

So full of wonder

Your Curly Que’s

Your contagious smile

And as I watchYou start to grow up

All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing
Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down.

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

Story books

Are full of fairy-tales

Of kings and queens

And the bluest skies

My heart is torn

just in knowing

You’ll someday see

The truth for lies

Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble

Dreams may not come true

Cause you are never all alone

Cause I will always

Always love you

The song is amazing and the words don't do it justice, but it is so true.

Soccer

Kain had a great rec soccer season this year. He got to play with several of his friends and despite the cold and snow, he really enjoyed it. My biggest complaint was that I could never get close enough to him to get good pictures. One night, we were bored and decided to go kick around the soccer ball the at fields. He thought we were just there to play, but I snapped pictures the entire time. This one up above is SO Kain. He is my goofy child who acts reserved and serious when others are around, and yet when it is the two of us..I get the best of him.

A little soccer portrait

He loves playing soccer. In fact, we decided to sign him up for USA soccer and he is doing really well. In fact, the coach has him playing with the older kids. Kain really wants to play with his friends, so we will have to see...

:)

Marathon

Carson, Kalen, and Kain

The 1st annual Westside Marathon was such an amazing experience for the Kain and Mia. They have a new gym teacher this year, and he started a fun program for the kids. He challenged them to run a Marathon during their recess time. Mia and Kain worked very hard on this challenge. The K, 1st,and 2nd graders only had to run a half marathon to qualify, but Mia..she ran the full Marathon! They waited to run their last mile together on the track. They all got special t-shirts, and were served fruit in the warming hut by the track.Before the race began, all the kids were huddled together and so excited to run. When the gun fired, the kids took off and ran. I thought they would get tired and slow to a walk, but Mia and Kain each ran the entire time...sometimes faster, sometimes slower. :) As each child crossed the finish line, they were given a medal. Despite the freezing weather, fun was had by all!

Mia said..this is my first medal...EVER!

My little runners together:)

Sweet Mia C.

Look at that smile-Kain

The Carter man.

I love this picture of Paige. I snapped it out at Mom and Dad's after the Easter Egg hunt.

Easter

We had a great and low key Easter this year. After Nanny's funeral, and having the family here, we decided to have an "easy going" Easter. We did the anual hunt at Mom and Dad's house. The kids love this..instead of candy, the eggs are filled with MONEY!! Ging and Jason were spending time in Red Lodge, So we went out with Odin and had a ball. Family time is the best time!

Ninja

Ninja..Who knew it could be so much fun? The California Baxter's came out for a visit. We had a wonderful time together.Dayna and Jim and kids and Chad came down for the day. It was so fun to see one another, go to church together, hang out. One of the highlights for the kids was playing a game Cameron, Katie and Sabrina play. It is called Ninja. I don't understand all of the rules. I know you bow to one another and try to hit each others hands. You have two moves per turn. The rest the kids would have to explain. They had a blast with their cousins. There is something special about cousins..a bond that no matter how much time you have been apart, you can pick up and play like you have never left.

It truly blessed me to have the family here. It was wonderful, and it makes you realize what really matters in life.

The Princess of the Universe

Mia Claire....

She is the princess of the universe. We tell her..she believes it. It wasn't until this year that she realized that her fortune cookie didn't say "Mia is the princess of the universe" She started to read, and Kain told her. Mia loves life. She is happy go lucky and a joy to be around. She is my planner..Wants to know

1. what we are doing tomorrow

2. what 's after that

3 what's after that

It makes me laugh. She loves her teacher Ms. Smith and Miss Vanna and makes them cards and pictures all the time. She and Kobe Ostermiller are quite the buddies. They have "meetings" at recess. They talk about "stuff" on their mind at these meetings. It makes me laugh. Another big thing for Mia is girl scouts. She is going to her first camp this summer. I will be a counselor of course. It is called Camp S'MORE fun. (I named it) I am not a troop leader, but two of my good friends are. Mia loves going and they get to do lots of fun activities.

Mia keeps life fun and easy(for the most part) She is my joy and gift.

Another Season..Another Sport

Carter's 5 on 5 basketball season has come to an end. I am sure he will do some 3 on 3, but after a great season, we are done. The question is..do we have down time? NO! This week was baseball registration. I had writer's cramp from filling out all that paper work. Mia is so excited for t-ball and the boys for baseball. We have another long year of sitting in the bleachers and cheering for the kids. My only hope is that is gets warmer. Last year, we watched several games in winter coats and blankets. That isn't my idea of how to watch "America's favorite pass time"



Kain had his first soccer practice this week. He is looking forward to some fun on the field. He is really a talented soccer player. I can't wait to watch him play.


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Paige's AAU volleyball also started this week, the first tournamet was this weekend. She missed because of the wisdom teeth. Stiches in the mouth=no playing. She will start next week and is very excited.


Do the activites EVER end? Not in the Baxter house :)

Wisdom tooth Drama

So, at some point, I will add the picture Paige took on her camera phone..if she lets me.



Paige has a surgical extraction of her wisdom tooth last Friday. She went in for her regular cleaning and her 12 yr molar STILL hadn't come up (they have been watching for a while) They did an x-ray and found that her wisdom tooth was holding it down. So, it needed to come out. Paige, my drama queen, texted me while Dr. Jason was still working on her, said. "I am not going to do it..I refuse" I started to laugh

Last Friday we had it done. It was a tough procedure and she handled it like a champ. Saturday, she ended up at urgent care. Monday-half day. Tuesday-full day. Wednesday-thankfully was a half day. Thursday-missed the whole day-dry socket. I hope we are on the road to recovery.

My smarty pants...

Kain

He is my smarty pants...In more ways than one. Kain does so well in school. It is easy for him. Probably WAY too easy.

But, more than that, Kain is my ham. He totally makes quick and funny comments. He is always thinking. Always observant. I was trying to find a picture of Kain where he isn't making a funny face..it was tough. He is very good at knowing just the right look,gesture, or comment to get under his siblings skin. :)

Kain is also very gifted athletically. He loves to play all sports, and is very competitive. Soccer season is starting for him and we are very excited. Should be another fun season.

I always tell Kain he is my gift. I waited and waited for him to make his arrival into the world. I remember working for WHOA and CHA when he was a baby, and every work email I sent included a picture of Kain to my bosses.

Three things Kain hears me say all the time:

1. momma love

2. I love you to the moon

3. STOP IT!!!!

Hello, my name is..

Hello, my name is Meredith and I am a scrap/craft aholic. I had NO idea how much stuff I had out there in the "stamp room" It stinks that it is 30ish feet from my front door, and I have had to move ALL the stuff over(one trip at a time). Paige and I also moved a sectional out there. It wasn't fun...

Why,did I think it was a good idea to move all my stuff inside? Oh, that's right..the kids need room. When Josh was a kid, the room I was using as the "stamp room" was the "game room". So, it's going back to a "game room". We have a pool table and air hockey table out there. They have been there all along, but they have been piled high with my stuff. Slowly, I am moving it out.

The room in house is coming along and I think by the time I am done I will love my space. It has just been so much more work than I thought. Sorting, organizing, blah blah.

I am looking forward to painting the room out there in fun funky colors and making it the cool hangout for the kids and their friends. I figure if they are here, at least I can spy. I have already informed them I will be putting a web-cam in so I can see their EVERY move. Very 007 of me.

Change is good. It makes you realize what you have, what you don't need anymore, and where you hid the good stuff.

I think I will go write down my own 12 steps of recovery.

He eats, sleeps, and dreams sports.

Carter.

The easy-going sports nut. What can I say about my Carter man? What can't I say!

Carter has always been such a fun kid. He loves life, sports, friends, and his family (occasionally he doesn't love sharing a room..but what do ya do). Carter is always on the go, and if he is home for five minutes-he is antsy to do something else. He has always been gifted athletically, and sports are his true love. Is is a joy to watch him play! He has been having a great basketball season this year. I have enjoyed watching him grow. He spends every waking minute(that I allow) at the gym. Practice with the team, and then more practice with Kalei. He is a leader. Respectful. Kind. a charmer. What is not to love?

Paige

Paige...

She totally makes me laugh.

who knew at 14 she would have so much figured out. We have the same sense of humor. We irritate and annoy. She can imitate any comedy character sketch (like Stewart and Miss Swan) from MADTV, and she can speak with any accent there is. This totally comes in handy for play performances, (yes, she had one of the leads in the last play she did) making her family laugh, and prank phone calls. Ok, she really doesn't do the phone calls..that I know of. She has had a tough year. Mono that wont seem to end, along with some other health issues, friend issues, middle school bull, and she still laughs. She has big plans and dreams, and I believe she will accomplish many.

Her latest joy is her band..She is the lead singer, and amazing. They have written four great songs already. Josh went and listened to them rehearse the other day and he was totally amazed..They are good. They have their first gig in May.

Isn't that what life is about? Laughing, music, fun. This child has got it going on.

Is it Possible....

To have the best kids in the world? I know we all think our kids are great, but I seriously think my kids are super awesome. This picture was taken on Christmas Eve service at our church. I had this posted on my facebook profile for quite a while. I love it. My kids make my life better because they are in it. I know I laugh more, dance more, and sing more. On the flip side, I stress more, worry more, and sigh more. I have a hard time comprehending that I have been a mom for 14 years. Crazy, busy, exhausting, rewarding, and tons of fun.

So..

So, How bad am I? It only took me a a few months shy of two years to add another post to my blog. I am going to stop procrastinating and actually do it this time. If at first you don't succeed, try try again lol

But, in my defense, I did kinda figure that most of my family sees my family because we all live in the same town. But, I miss my little sis terribly, and after seeing Megan's, Natalee's, Trisha's, and Jamie's blogs, and realizing that I REALLY like to read them-I decided it was time.