Turning 6!

Our princess Madi turned 6 this month! She was so excited for her birthday!! We had a swimming party at the Y with friends and she got more presents than she could handle, a few days later was the real day. It was a busy one with singing class and Parent Teacher conferences that night but we still managed to make it a special day for her. We did German Pancakes for breakfast, met Daddy for lunch (he was so sweet and brought flowers to her at the restaurant), and had crepes for Dinner. This cutie pie loves breakfast food!! She is our comedian. She is always trying to crack a funny comment to make us laugh. She has done so well in Kindergarten and is loving learning to read. She also loves sports and can't wait til football season starts. (AGH! my little girl wants to play football??!) Madi, we love you so much! Thanks for being part of our family!

Ball Above All!

If you know my husbands family then you know how much they love basketball! It has been fun watching this become Taylor's favorite sport as well. This year his Dad is coaching so the view for me is REALLY good for two reasons!!

Halloween Pics

Annual Trip to Pumpkin Patch!

Taylor wasn't sure he wanted to be a tin man so her agreed to be it at night with the family, but wanted to be something else for school so he chose to be a "Fat Optometrist!" He got a lot of comments and really reminded me of the years my brothers were fat referees when we were growing up!

Wizard of OZ: Thanks to Emma will did the Wizard of Oz theme this year! We spent Saturday night making decorations for our trunk at "Trunk or Treat." Lots of rain the night of kind of put a "damper" on our pictures, but we had a lot of fun!

Update on Dad!

So, after many doctors we now have all the info about Dad's cancer. It is rectal cancer with a tumor about 7 cm. It is amazing to me how something so small can cause so much trouble!! The great news is that it hasn't spread and it is treatable!! The not so great news is that cancer treatments are hard and the next 8 months are going to be a roller coaster for my parents. It is so hard to have to watch the ones you love go through very hard things and not be able to do much to ease the burden.

However, true to their nature, they are taking it in stride and are determined to laugh and be positive through the pain. Everytime I talk to Dad or Mom they are commenting on the tender mercies in their day. They are inquiring about us kids and are worried about how we are doing. They inspire me so much and I am grateful for their example. Dad started chemo and radiation Monday and although he says he still feels ok, the doctors said the worst is coming. As he begins his battle, Mom has taken on another job and is working 12-16 hour days this week. My heart aches for them, keep them in your prayers! I pray the Lord will strengthen them as they face this, I know he will, without him I know they wouldn't be staying as positive as they are!!

TOO Smart to be 2!!

Livvy continues to amaze me with how smart she is. I guess that is what happens when you are the youngest and always trying to be bigger. She has been sick this week and has been very funny in some of the things she has said.

Tuesday morning: "Mommy, my ear hurts, I need some medicine." I give her some Tylenol and after 5 min. she says, "It didn't work, it still hurts, I need some more." I told her that maybe we need to go to the doctor then and she said, "No, it is all better now!"

It isn't all better though and although we did go to the doctor and she did not have an ear infection, she has continued to complain about it and started running a fever last night. It has been a long 2 days with a lot of crying. Tonight I asked her, "why are you crying?" "I don't know she said!"

Don't we all feel that way sometimes, we don't know why, but we just want to cry!

Romans 8:17

There has been so much on my mind lately regarding things of a spiritual nature. I have felt very much like I have enrolled in a Spiritual Doctorate Program. Who enrolled me? I am not really sure, and as I am sure is true of some Doctorate Programs, I am not completely sure I like the methods being used to teach me. But I cannot deny that they are working and I am growing so much spiritually. Trials has been the main method of teaching and the driving force to my knees, but it has been soooo worth it. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows that as we face trials with faith we will grow closer to him than we ever knew possible.

The most recent trial that has come to me is unfortunately only a secondary trial. The primary recipients of this trial are my parents. My dad was diagnosed with Cancer this past week. I have a hard time voicing those words, My dad has cancer. There has been many tears, much prayer and fasting, and also much faith. I was thinking this morning how I am so grateful that I know my Savior Jesus Christ and I trust him. So now I just have to rely on that trust. But how do I lend support to 2 of the people who have done more for me than anyone else in life? How do I help them through this! We read the following scripture in Gospel Doctrine today.
ROMANS 8:17
It really hit me as it talks about how we are Children of God and are meant to suffer together and then be glorified together also. This is exactly why families are soooo important. We share in each others sorrows and rejoice in our triumphs. What an amazing gift a family is. How grateful I am for many family members uniting their faith in fasting this day as we send our love to Dad and Mom as they begin this very difficult battle. We love and support you Dad and Mom. Thank you for teaching us that as a family we can get through anything!

Cheaper Than Counseling!!

I have a friend who says that Date night is "Cheaper than Counseling." I guess this is my plug for taking the time to have date night! I look forward to dates with Joseph probably more now than I did before we were married. I love spending time together and am always ready for a break from the norm at home. We went on a hike and had a picnic in the Mts. and it was wonderful. It has been a long couple months at our home and so I just want to give a public thank you to my amazingly patient and loving husband. He helps, comforts, listens and all without complaint. One of these days I am going to get back to doing the dishes more than you do!!

Very Slow posting first day of school pictures! The kids are all loving their first month of school. Madelyn started Kindergarten and LOVES it, she is by far my most ready child. We kept asking her if she as nervous and she said, "no, just really excited!" After 3 days of walking her to school she asked me to stop because she wanted to walk with Taylor and Emma and then a week later I told her that I was going to volunteer in her class and she said, "Mom, that is embarrassing!!" I think I will focus on how well adjusted my child seems to be rather than feel bad that at 5 she already thinks I am embarrassing! I am going to start helping in her class this week anyway though, isn't embarrassing our kids part of our job as parents??

Just taking after my Uncles!!

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This one is for my mom, as I turned the corner to the kitchen I was met with Liv's hand in the flour. Oddly she likes to eat it. It took me back to a picture we looked at many times growing up of James and Jeff playing in the flour when they were Livvy's age! I grabbed the camera and smiled, before I began the clean up. That is one thing my mom taught me, enjoy the moment and laugh first, cry or clean later!!

Hosting a 5K race!!

My sister-in-law and I are trying our hand at planning a 5K. It is a lot more work than we realized at first, but it is for an awesome cause. We are raising money and awareness for leukemia, as someone close to us has been affected recently. If you are interested in participating in the race or would like a t-shirt to show your support for the cause, please let me know! You can register for the race at active.com--and then search under gracie's gang.

Family Photo Shoot

So... I admit it, I am a horrible blogger. I could list a million excuses, but I am really just a slacker! We have been busy to the usual thing a mom with four kids does: soccer, piano, violin, end of school field trips, swimming lessons, potty training, moving out of crib to a big bed, etc. Inspite of the craziness, I love being a mom and I love family picture time. It is stressful, but I have a supportive husband who willing sits through an hour and a half of grilling for smiles so I can look back at my sweet family and see how much they have grown and changed. This time in particular has struck a chord with me, we are moving into the next stage of life as parents. My oldest is quickly heading to the pre-teen years as he proved this last week, overcoming his fear and doing a great job as catcher in baseball for the first time. Emma is becoming quite a lady and is so much help to me at home. Madelyn will start Kindergarten this fall and couldn't be more ready. She is a sponge for learning right now. And, last, but certainly not least is our dear baby. She has taken it upon herself this month to show me that although I want her to continue to be my baby, she is ready to move on. She forced our hand twice, by taking off her diapers and climbing out of the crib.
Although, I am sad at the thought of my babies growing up so fast, I am also immensely pleased with the wonderful children they are becoming and very grateful for the joy they bring me. So, here is the Katschke Family May 2011, maybe it doesn't seem like it to others, but to this mom, they have GROWN UP so much since our last Family Photo Shoot!!

Where does the Time GO??

I got on the check other's blogs and was kind of surprised that I haven't posted since Christmas! WOW, how time really does fly. I can't believe March is almost over. I really don't have any good excuses other than we seem to keep so busy at our house and blogging doesn't make it on the priority list. Even as i write this i have so many other things I need to do before the kids get home in 45 min. So here is a quick recap of the past 3 months for us: January was filled with cleaning, organizing, and staying in and I loved it. We really got our house in shape, but then February rolled around and the craziness began. We celebrated for a solid week, starting with Joseph's and then Taylor and my birthday's. Joseph made sure Valentine's Day didn't go unnoticed and surprised all of us girls with chocolates and flowers from he and Tay. Shortly there after we met my family for our first ever Family Reunion. It was a blast! After that Joseph and I attended a Regency Ball with our youth in Gillette and then that takes us roughly to now which we just finished celebrating Emma's birthday. Phew!! No wonder i didn't want to write this post. So I will post a few pics and maybe more later. We are doi

ng well. The Lord continues to bless us and life is moving on at a busy, normal pace. I am grateful and love the normal, everyday routine that is our life. Here are some pics!

Christmas Catch Up

We got back from a Christmas on the road and I realized I really didn't take very many pics! How sad!! Here are some we did take. We had a wonderful visit in Panaca with family, although I don't have many pics to prove it. Livvy loved Grandma's horse and cat and was glad it was warm enough to play outside a little. We were also grateful to have a visit with Joseph's Great Grandma!! She has had a very positive impact on Joseph and I and our kids! After our visit in Panaca, we were able to spend some time with my family! The highlight of that for me came at the beginning of the trip. My parents and all my siblings and spouses got to do sealings together in the temple. What a great way to start our Christmas Celebration!! Then at the end of the trip we had a Christmas Party at my parents and played Minute to Win it. It was so great to spend the holidays with the people we love, thank you all for welcoming us into your homes and hosting us so kindly!!

Almost Disaster, Meets Cool Science Experiment

I didn't post anything in December and as it is a big picture month, I have a lot of catching up to do. This is something though that I have been meaning to post since it happened, so Christmas pics will still have to wait.

I was making Christmas Candy, in particular glass candy. It still needed to boil for a while so I went downstairs to check the laundry and of course as frequently happens, I got side tracked. The next thing I know I see someone pull up to our house. I head upstairs to get the door and as I round the corner I see smoke! "Oh no,the candy!!" I hurried up to check and see this crazy volcano like structure with flames on it and lots and lots of smoke! I have burnt a lot of things over the years, but never something this bad. The smoke was so thick I couldn't see or breathe. I hurried to take it off the oven and put some baking soda on it. Anyways, on to the cool part. The mixture never even hit the stove, it just formed into this crazy volcano like structure! I guess I learned to do one thing at a time well, saves time in the long run since I had to remake the candy. Luckily the second time turned out much better!!

Terrbile Toddler Moments Here We Come

Livvy is so much fun and also totally exhausting!! I don't know if she is my busiest baby or if I just have forgotten, but this little girl is so smart and into everything! She knows how to throw tantrums with the best of them. The other night we told her it was time for bed, and she didn't want to go so she proceeded into a tantrum. She started to through herself onto the ground, but some toys were in the way so she stopped screaming long enough to move over and then through herself back and began to scream again. She can say just about anything and loves to say the pray at meal time. I have found her this week in the toilet, the dish soap, and putting dirty dishes from the dishwasher back in the drawer. She loves to "Help." I grabbed the camera for her latest adventure, I was putting on my make-up and she was fussing because she wanted some. So, I handed her my base bottle to hold, I didn't think she could unscrew the lid. Boy was I wrong, in the 30 sec. I turned away, she not only opened it but dumped it all over herself. Our little baby is growing up, terrible 2's here we come!

First Snowman!

I love it when my kids come home from school begging to play outside and then spend the next hour entertaining themselves. They were so excited to build a snowman and except for coming in for a request for carrots and gloves and such, they were completely happy for an hour, giving me a chance to get some things done.

November Recap!

Wow! Where does the time go? It seems like November flew by for us and here we are almost to Christmas. We made so many trips to Utah this summer that we decided we need to stay home. Joseph needed to be at the office and so the holidays this year would be spent in WY, just our family. (Oh, for those that don't know, Joseph is now the proud President of WyoVision Associates. We bought out Dr. Smith in October. He is a little more stressed now, but very happy to be a business owner) Anyways, much to our surprise and true pleasure, I got a call from my brother James asking what my Thanksgiving plans were. I said we were staying here and he asked if we would like some company! OF COURSE!! was my quick response. Well, pretty soon we had my parents and sister Ashley and her husband coming too!! What a treat, so we began making preparations to host my family for Thanksgiving. Thanks for coming guys, we had a blast, hope you did too! (You know, it is true love and dedication when your family is willing to travail snowy, Wyoming roads to come spend time with you! Aren't they the best?!) So here are a couple pics of our fun.