Yes, they are getting big

and I like it. It has been 14 years of mothering so far and these past few months have been wonderful! Really. It has not been without trial or #1 mouthing off. The work of mothering has not been so physically draining. All the children are becoming more independent. These are a few things that have happened this year:

#5 is potty trained
#6 learned to feed herself without splatting the entire kitchen
#6 has learned to wash her fingers
#4 has learned to brush his teeth
#1 has started seminary
#1 has had jobs outside of our house
#2 has learned to shoot a .22
#3 read the entire Lord of the Rings series
#5 likes to have her hair brushed
#4 has learned to completely dress himself, as have #5 and #6 has started
#4,5,6 have learned to bathe (need help with the hair still) but if they want a soak they can do it themselves
#5 learned to wash her face completely not just lick around her mouth with her tongue
#1 and 2 are learning to completely finish tasks
#2 is starting to do things without being asked (oh, heaven)
#4 is emptying the dishwasher
#2 learned how to make bread
#1 is making lunches and dinners (occassionally)
#3 learned to slice bread
#1 is finding his personality and he is really funny

and the cherry on top of this whole sundae is:


DH has taken over all the laundry





told ya' he was a keeper