Back to St. Louis

So my friend Denae asked when we are moving back to St. Louis. I found that funny, because anyone who lives by me has to put up with my monthly countdown. It was one year left!, then 10 months left! and now we are at 7 1/2 months left. So in honor of my constant countdown here is a picture from when we lived in St. Louis last time. We lived in the ward that I grew up in. I moved in when I was 4 months pregnant with Paige and we moved out when Tommy was one month old.

Sorry that it's blurry, but it's a picture of a picture.

FOR THE RECORD:

I love Kansas City. I really do. This is home. This is where my kids go to school. This is where I had Preston. This will be 4 years of our life. I love it here. I miss family, not St. Louis. (I do like St. Louis, but family first) I miss Sunday night dinners, Poppy's Pancakes, Saturday donuts with Grampy, sleepovers with Gram, Church with Family, walking to Nonnie's house, Loving Aunts that adore their nieces and nephews. More dates and free babysitting.

I know that I still get family out here, family visits alot (even more this October with 2 birthdays ), but it's not the same.

So there you go 7 1/2 months to go, till Adam is done with school. But we will enjoy the rest of our time here.

Wehrmeisters on Wheels!!

So since I am broken right now. I thought there was only one sensible thing to do. Put EVERYONE on wheels and see if anyone else broke anything. Lets test Fate! Right?

Actually I was "on vacation" (that's what Adam calls my broken leg) and Adam came in and said that they were going rollerskating. So I took one of my few adventures outside, just to take some pics.

DISCLAIMER:

We are NOT roller skaters. not even close to it. There is no grace in these pictures, no floating on the sidewalk, No turns or tricks. There was a lot of prayer involved as I took these pictures. I am just glad that they all made it out of this experience alive

Don't let the smile fool you. There was no movement in this picture. She was standing still. Right after I took this picture she fell on her bum and started crying. She was not moving at the time... otherwise she could have done some real damage.

Yep, doesn't Tommy look like a natural here. He finally let go for the next picture.

And He's off! Go Tommy Go!!

And He's down... It's okay. The Wehrmeisters were just made to look pretty, not to really accomplish anything with their lives. It's not like I thought my children would make it to the rollerskating Olympics, but it would have been nice.

At least Paige has been able to find the true reason for rollerskating. It's all about the picture. At the end of the day that's all that really matters... right?

So obviously our Skating expedition only lasted for 15 minutes. By then they had all fallen so many times they were ready to hang up their wheels for the night. If I wasn't broken I could have shown them how it was done. I am a natural athlete! Just don't put me in a field full of wet grass and I'll be fine.

Beauty Hurts

Growing up my mother would fix our hair all the time and I HATED IT. I would whine and complain, but my mom would always say "Beauty Hurts". Soo in my house the girls aren't allowed to complain while I fix their hair, instead I make them say "Beauty Hurts" so when ever I hit a knot in their hair or have to pull on it I hear "Beauty HURTS!" or sometimes "Beauty Really Hurts!"

Easter is one of those days that "Beauty Hurts", but not this year! This year we did curlers in their hair the night before. They looked quite cute, and they didn't complain (they don't like the curling iron). Kelly slept well with the curlers in, but Paige was a little more fidgety through the night. I didn't really want her to have them in, but Paige insisted and my mom looked at her hair and said it felt like it was in good shape (some know that I have had some problems and concerns with Paige's hair)

So those are the before pictures. Tommy did have a couple curlers in his hair for a few minutes, but that didn't last and Adam wasn't thrilled.

And here are some pictures from Easter today. They aren't the best. In my "Ideal World" The sun would have been shining and it would have been warm and little bunnies would have been hopping around the yard. BUT it wasn't like that. It was 30 degrees out the wind was blowing so we had to move indoors. I tried to make them smile through the pain, but it didn't work.

Yes, I know I'm a mean mom...

Well Happy Easter Everyone! We love you! and miss most of you...

Blog Friends and Ducks

My Friends' Blogs

So originally when I started this whole blogging experience, I didn't want anyone to find my site. Yes, I know how silly that sounds, but I didn't tell my family, or most of my friends about it. Over time I mentioned it to a few and then that grew and before I knew it I had found several old friends, just by hopping from blogs looking for old friends. (I don't know if any of this makes sense. I am typing with one hand, while I hear loud giggles and big thumps)

I guess the point I am making is that originally I didn't list anyone's blog link, because I didn't want to "assume" that they wanted it public information. Well, recently I found my freshman Roommate, because I was blog hopping, SO... my new policy is if you don't want your link on my site, than email me at jennwehr@yahoo.com and I will take it off. (If you email me ANY forwards just be aware that we don't read them we delete them).

I have found that most people don't care if there link is posted and that many people like it, so here is hoping that you find your old roommates and friends!

The Quacky Talent Show

This weekend was my children's debut in the Platte Woods Ward Talent Show! I had high hopes for my future stars. THEY decided that they wanted to sing and dance to the popular Wiggle's song "Quack Quack" If you are curious to what it sounds like... don't be. The word include quacking and cock-a-doodling. I thought it would be perfect. It's an easy, simple song that they sing around the house ALL the time. I even volunteered our Duck towels to the cause. That is when Kelly says that I should make her a Rooster hat to wear. hmmm... not really my area of expertise, but I was up for it.

So I did it, I made the rooster hat, I got the towels ready, and we put the song on a CD (I even put it on there twice, because it is so short I knew that they would want to sing it more than once) Well, my wonderful beautiful talented children Froze. Yep all 3 of them, they stood out there on the stage looking at the audience and they would not move. I was up on the stage waiting for them to finish and felt so bad for them when they froze, that I decided to help.

I quacked and cock-a-doodled like a true Wiggle, but it didn't help they still didn't move. In fact after it was all over and we were on the way home, I said "Guys you did SOO Good!" Kelly said, "No Mom, we did bad, really Bad, we didn't even sing" I just replied with "But you sure looked cute!"

So here are some pictures from that day. There are none from the actual performance, because the photographer (me) was performing with them.

Here is Kelly wearing my amazing Rooster hat! I think it could be the latest fad.

This hat is one size fits all, or at least all of the Wehrmeisters

Here they are on the stage. This was after it was over.

The cutest rooster in the room!

Okay, I know these aren't my kids, but this was my favorite performance. One little boy sang a rendition of "This is my Beloved Son" while the other little boy decided to break dance. It was hilarious.(The man in the picture was just there for moral support.)

Look Who's 6! (Tomorrow)

So my sweet little girl is finally 6! You would think I'd be saying, "Wow time flies! I can't believe she's 6", but no not me. Kelly has been reminding me for the past month that she was going to be 6. She has marked the days on the calendar and has been counting down daily. It has been a very exhausting month. The only "joy" I have gotten from this countdown is that I have been able to say "Is that how an almost 6 year old would act?" (And yes I'm sure that I have WAY over used that phrase this month, but I'm the parent I'm in charge.) So today is the last day on\f her countdown.

One of the things I like about my children's birthdays is how I "relive" their birth each year (you'd think that would be good birth control? obviously not). Your first pregnancy and baby is so different then the rest. I remember my mom's friend thinking we were young for starting our family and would always say "Well, at least they get to grow up together". She was right too. We have sure had a good time "learning" how to be parents.

When I think of Kelly I think of her as Adam's and my first "joint project". All those years of imagining what my children would be like and who they would look like and how they would act and then one day...Kelly was here! I felt like I was still playing house. She is the child that I "imagined" for so many years. She is a kind child, a great sister and a loving daughter. She puts her siblings first and is always willing to wait her turn, knowing that the younger ones usually go first. At the end of the day she still finds comfort in her mother's arms and I treasure my time spent with her.

Her biggest flaw is that she still believes people. She believes her friends when they tell her they read big chapter books or that they are from Egypt. She believes that everyone tells the truth all the time. (Even when I try to explain otherwise). This is something else that I know won't last forever. I just pray that she will learn how to tell who is joking, pretending or lying. I guess if that is her biggest flaw (I mean besides the drinking and swearing) I should count my blessings. Happy Birthday Kelly!, Mommy loves you.

TIME FOR THE PICTURES!! Now If I were Super Mom I would have pulled out my favorite pictures, scanned them into the computer and them put them into some slideshow type thing with music to go with it. If I was feeling especially ambitious I would add some voiceovers of me and Adam telling Kelly how special she is. BUT I am no Super Mom. I went to my picture folder on my computer and scanned through to try to find some of her at various ages. I tried, but some of them are still not that great of pictures. Also, as you look at them try humming Tim McGraw's song called My Little Girl. It adds a touch of sappiness to the pictures.

Kelly on her Blessing day.

Kelly at 4 months old. Not the cutest picture of either of them, but like I said not many to choose from.

The first one is Kelly at about 15 months and the second one she is 2 1/2

Kelly on her 3rd birthday!

Here is Kelly at 3 1/2. She is holding baby Tommy.

Here is Kelly last week. She has decided that she likes to do the dishes after dinner. See she really is a good girl. (Yes, now I am bragging. Somebody should hit me)

Family Christmas Pictures

So I have to come to accept the fact that having 4 children means NO PERFECT FAMILY PICTURES! It is definitely hard for me to come to grips with, but I am trying.

So no witty remarks or funny stories, just warm sappy happy feelings when I look at these pictures of my babies.

What would you do with Foam Stickers??

Just a question I think every person will be faced with at some point in their life... Hopefully you will be able to stop global warming, end world hunger or create a peaceful nation. Not my children though, maybe with age they will learn how useful Foam stickers can be. OR they have the right idea, and the way to create a peaceful nation would be for everyone to walk around with foam stickers all over their bodies. No one could be mad then, Right? Hmmm maybe I wasn't giving my children enough credit.

Hey maybe I should nominate them for a Nobel Peace Prize, I mean if Al Gore can win, they must be hurting for submissions.

Somehow I think Kelly makes it look stylish.

Paige trying to start a new fashion Trend.

My mother says he looks like Spock in this pic. If so he's the cutest spock I've ever seen.

Does this count as hazing?? Poor Guy! What did he ever do to them. Actually I think he kind of likes it.

The Forgotten Birthdays Club

So yesterday was my birthday HOORAY!! I received wonderful things like a camcorder and Adobe Photoshop and my friend down the street made me a super cute bag. It really was a nice birthday (except that we drove across the state to get to STL.) So back to my topic of the day: If you are wondering why this entry is called the forgotten birthdays club, then you OBVIOUSLY were not born in the last 2 weeks of December. I mean I don't want to exclude the first 2 weeks, but I'm going to. Here are a list of things said often or happen to people in the "Forgotten Birthdays Club":

• you hear "I was going to call, but I had so much going on with the Holidays"
• you are asked "Is it okay if I combine your birthday present and your Christmas present"
• you are given many Christmas Decorations as Birthday presents (can you say clearance)
• you come to accept that you will not be having any "Birthday Celebrations" with your friends (because they are busy with the Holidays)
• your friends say, "In case I forget, Happy Birthday" (usually said a couple days before your birthday)
• you learn how much you appreciate those who do call... or send money

So if you are reading this thinking Jen's Having a pity party, you would be wrong. I have now had 27 birthdays to get used to this, and I have come to accept my circumstances. In fact that's why my friend and I have started the "Forgotten Birthdays" club (she will remain nameless, because she doesn't blog or read my blog). So on the 29th of this month my friend and I are going out to eat with our spouses to celebrate our Birthdays. It will be a joyous occasion filled with happiness, laughter and hopefully some birthday cake! (Which is one thing I didn't get this year).

Happy Holidays and Happy Birthday to all of you silent members of the Forgotten Birthdays Club.

ETA: This was not meant to give you a guilt trip, please no more comments apologizing I do realize many people get forgotten and I did get many phone calls from my friends. Don't take my post seriously.

Let it snow! (as long as it stays clean)

So I have a few rules for snow:

• it needs to come quickly and in the form of thick pretty flakes
• it should stay white, once it gets dirty it needs to be gone
• it should not stay longer than a week, it starts to complicate things
• it should not come with any ice, I don't like ice or the sound made to clean it off of my windshield
• It should bring only ONE snow day for my children. One is enough there is no need for 2 or more.

Well enough with my rules, here are some pictures.

Tommy having a blast

The girls coming down the hill

Blue eyes himself

Daddy and Tommy My girls sledding all by themselves! (How big they are) Look at those boots! (I picked them out myself)Preston gets in on the action (don't worry he really didn't go sledding)

The Purpose of the Christmas Card

So I've been thinking about the reason for Christmas cards. I know that I love getting them and staring at the pictures and seeing how cute (or not so cute) the people look. Honestly I don't think it matters if I even know the people in the card. I just like looking at them.

So it brings me to my point (well not really). Do we really send out Christmas cards to keep people updated or do we do it to brag. Should we really call them "Look how great I can make my life look cards"... I know that when I write up our family letter this week. I will probably improve the truth a little by saying things like:

• Paige is "Spirited" (that really means that she always wants her way)
• Tommy is "adventurous" (which translates into he sticks many unknown objects up his nose to see how far they will go)
• Kelly is growing into a "little lady" (that means that she now thinks she doesn't have to ask her parents before doing ANYTHING. Including drawing on furniture and taking mommy's makeup.
• Preston keeps us on our toes: (obviously this means that since he keeps us on our toes we are not sleeping)

So now that I have confessed how not perfect my life is, I have to follow it with the obviously cheesy but true statement: I wouldn't change it.

Yes I know how corny and sappy that sounds, but it is the Christmas season and you do really sit back and think about the bigger picture. Life is not easy right now at the Wehrmeister House, but it is the one we signed up for and we take full responsibility for it and we wouldn't change it. Our children are not perfect, but we keep them around because they are our reminders.

• They remind us that kids grow up too quickly and we can't keep waiting for them to "outgrow" a phase
• They remind us that it is inappropriate to tell women that they "look like they have a baby in their tummy"
• They remind us that there is something miraculous about a smile. Whether you are the giver or the reciever, it is undeniable the power that a smile has.
• They remind us that there is something special about 3:30 in the morning. I still haven't figured out what it is yet, but I have a feeling that Preston is going to keep waking me up at that time until I get it.

Blessing Preston

So today was wonderful! We got to bless our beautiful baby boy at church. There isn't really much to add besides that. We had a great time with all of our family with us.

After the Blessing

Grampy and the kiddos!!

This is Adam and Tommy's mean face. Tommy's isn't mean enough.

I guess this would be Santa's little helper.

Cutie Kelly

These are Monkey ears, but they look more like Bear ears.

Fall's here!

So as the days have been passing it has become very apparent that we are running out of time to play in the leaves. It seems to be getting colder all the time and nobody likes to play in the leaves once they are nice and soggy. Sooo... I finally got them all out there to play. Of course part of my reasoning was to get some good pics for their scrapbooks. (I told Paige that everybody wears overalls when they play in the leaves. It's kind of like a rule.)

Paige and Tommy were having the most fun in the leaves. Kelly... not so much. She liked it at the beginning, but then she wanted to play tag, and noone wanted to play with her.

Little Preston in a wagon. He is now one month old.

Tommy decided to take Preston for a walk.

So I know it's not the best picture, but it was a one shot kind of deal. The girls were cooperating so well, and I finally got Tommy to run over and lay down for a moment. Then he jumped up grabbed more leaves and ran off again. Sooo... This is it

Tommy seemed at home in the leaves. He loved rolling around and throwing them. Maybe he thinks he is a squirrell.