Just a Few of My Favorite Things...

A picture of me with just 1 of my favorite things...

My sister has been doing a fun blog about things she likes or that are about her. I can't remember why she started it but I like it so I'm going to copy her. :) The best form of flattery is copying someone right? With my 36th birthday coming up, yes that's right 36 years old, I thought I'd do 36 things either about me or that I like/want. I'm not sure where I'll go with this list of 36 but we'll play it by ear and see. Now if you can remember a long time ago I did a 100 things about me for my 100th post. This 1st of 36 is going to be similar. It may even have some of the same things on it. So either forget what I've previously ever written or go down memory lane with me.

1. I was born in Rome, GA. I love saying I was born in Rome and have people think it was Italy. Some day I'd like to get to Italy but until then a favorite line from a move "Italy, who's in Italy? What's she doin in Italy!" with every Italy said like Itly.

2. I enjoy moving around and seeing new places. Or rather I enjoyed moving as a kid and young adult when I didn't have a whole house and a bunch of kids to move. I do still enjoy going to new places though.

3. I have discovered that I like working nights. I feel less guilty about working and being away from the family/kids by working at night. It's hard for me because I get so tired but I like knowing my kids are home in bed and not missing me horribly because I have to be at work.

4. I love sunshine and warm weather. I love to see snow outside but I hate being in it. I LOVE feeling the sun on my face and knowing we can go outside and play.

5. I love having things in common with my children. I love being able to sit and talk with them or play with them or do absolutely nothing but watch T.V. with them and know that we are enjoying it all together. Kaijsa was chatting and watching award shows. Kaitlyn and I share our love of books and vampires. Kira and I haven't had much time to learn but I do love seeing her love for dance as I too loved dancing when I was younger. Kamden and I love air shows and things that are fast. Kinsee and I are both flexible and I know if she were in Gymnastics she'd be good at it and like it. I loved gymnastics when I was a kid. I still like being flexible. Kaileigh loves to sing and read. I too enjoy singing and reading. Kallen will take time to tell. But I love that he snuggles and vegges with me while I'm watching T.V.

6. I have come to really enjoy Church. The older I get the more I feel the need to go to Church and try to get as much out of it as I can. I love my Savior and I know He loves me in return.

7. I have come to cherish quiet moments. I miss having time to myself to just sit and relax and have no noise. As much as I love my kids and don't even mind the noise and activity at times I really do miss my quiet no noise moments.

8. I have come to realize that I'm becoming or I've always been a selfish person. I like things the way I like them. If something is going to change I want it to be on my terms and my way. I hate others telling what has to be done and when or how it has to be. I want things My way. This probably doesn't always have to be a bad thing but sometimes I feel very guilty for feeling this way. Overall I like to think of myself as being a caring selfless person but deep down I wonder if I really am.

9. This one probably goes along with the one above but it's patience. I am deep down NOT a patient person. As I get older I like to think that I have gained a lot of patience and have become a very calm patient person. But again, deep down I'm afraid that is just not true. I can be patient at times but really I'm not. I hate waiting for things. I hate not knowing things. And I hate when it can't be done my way or in my time. So as you can guess Heavenly Father has been teaching me patience for a very long time. This is one lesson I seem to have to retake often.

10. I have discovered that listing 36 things is harder than I thought it would be. I have also realized that I've been focusing alot on negative things lately. I really need to turn my frown upside down and turn it into a smile. Why is that so much easier to say than to actually do?

11. I wish I could be more like my mom. Lately I've been thinking a lot about her. I don't go a day without thinking of her but some days I can do it without crying. Most of the time though I wish I could just ask her one more thing or tell her something. I just with that I can be more like her. I think back on who she was and she was so amazing. She was genuinely selfless and kind. Traits you don't often see anymore. She cared about others. She loved her family and she didn't seem to mind all the tediousness of life. I don't remember hearing her complain of $$ or being sick. I don't remember her talking negatively of anyone. I know there were people she met that she may not have gotten along with but she didn't talk bad about them. She fulfilled her church callings with minimal if any murmuring. She cleaned and cooked and chauffered us all around without complaining. I wish I could be this way. I wish I could not get so angry over the choices others make and how those choices affect me or my life. I wish I could be happy about the small moments and little things in life. I think I used to be like this at one point but lately it's gotten lost in the shuffle of things. I hope I can be happy with the way my life is and not always want something more or different or better. The grass isn't usually greener on the other side and I know this but it doesn't stop me from wishing it were. I wish she were here to see my kids grow and to give me advise. I know she's watching over my and my family. I know she's helped me since she's been gone. but that doesn't make the being gone any easier. I love her and hope she knows that. I also know that she loved me despite me. I want my kids to feel that from me. That I love them even sometimes despite them being them. :) if that makes any sense.

I'm going to stop with my list here. I'll add to my 36 things as the days go by. I'll even try to find pictures to go along with them if I can. If you read my blog maybe you can leave comments of what you've learned from me or about me. Maybe y'all can help me be me or a better version of me. :) I love comments so please leave some. consider them a birthday gift to me.

2011 Luke AFB Air Show - Thunderbirds

Last week Kamden had a date with his daddy. They went to the 2011 Luke Air Force Base's Air Show. We didn't all go because I felt the crowd and noise level of jets would be too much for the little ones. Plus a couple of them hadn't been feeling well. Plus there were a few houses going up for Auction that I wanted to go through. So Larry and Kamden took off for their annual Air Show trip while the girls and Kallen stayed home. They had THE BEST DAY ever according to Kamden. He loved every second of it. I must admit I'm a bit envious so when the Air Show comes back around in a couple of years we will ALL go. Kamden got to walk, crawl or run in the human bubble. He said he felt like a hamster from G-Force. They walked from jet to jet and from plane to plane all day long. They got tattoos but Kamden calls his a tat-three because it's of 3 jets. It was a beautiful day to be outside enjoying the Air Show. The slide show is of just a few of the pictures Larry took that day. He did an incredible job taking pictures and got some amazing shots. I'm glad they were able to go and that we heard about it before it passed. I'm looking forward to when it happens again. They saw the Golden Knights, The Thunderbirds, and the Red Bull Team. The Red Bull Team is of part of the Nitro Circus group, Travis Pastrana and his buddies. Larry knew Travis from his younger racing days and Travis chatted with him and remembered him too. Kamden got his picture taken with Andy Bell who's part of the team. So much fun! Good memories for everyone.

St Patrick's Day 2011

As you can see from our pictures we had a fun St. Patrick's Day. I worked the night before and woke up to the smell of Kaitlyn cooking green pancakes for breakfast. She did a fantastic job and we all enjoyed the green food. Kait and I even had green milk while the kids stayed safe with strawberry milk. After breakfast I got our lunch ready, corned beef and cabbage, i then made the dough for sugar cookies and put it in the fridge to chill for a while. We exercised and then ran to the store to grab a few items for lunch. Finished putting the cabbage and carrots in the crock-pot for lunch and cut out and baked the cookies. Kait made homemade frosting while I did the cookies. While they cooled we ate our corned beef and cabbage that turned out to be quite delicious. I let the cabbage cook a bit too long because I got busy with the cookies but it still tasted good. Mandy and 2 of her boys came over and we all sat down to decorate the cookies. We had green and yellow frosting to make the shamrocks and our pots of gold. The kids couldn't forget the sprinkles of course. It was so much fun to see them decorate their cookies and eat them. It was a good day. I then had to go back to work while Kait and the kids played games and watched movies. Larry rested that day so he could take Kamden to the Air Show coming up. He did enjoy a good cookie though! I love holidays. My mom always had the house decorated and fun food around. I don't have the house decorations yet but I do love to make the cookies or treats. I want my kids to have the same fun memories that I do of holidays as a child. Plus the cookies turned out so yummy. Their fun St. Patty's T-shirts are due to an Aunt Jennie who loves them. They were so cute in their festive clothes. I love my kids and husband. We missed Kaijsa but said hello to her and Kira that day while they were busy in UT. We hope y'all had a fun St. Patrick's Day! Kait discovered that the day is celebrated due to the first Missionary going to Ireland, of course he ended up dying but you can't have a holiday after you or become a Saint w/out the death, right? Here's to missionary work and many more holidays and years of memory making!

Kallen at 4 months

Kallen Dean Saling at 4 months.


We love his smiles and laughs/giggles.


Such cute crazy hair. To cut it or not to cut it, that is the question.


Kallen had his check-up today and is doing very well. He's rolling from tummy to back and almost has the roll from back to tummy. He is alert and loves to sit up and be a part of the family. He's getting used to baby food and does pretty well with it. He sleeps through the night and loves his bedtime routine of bath, lotion, bottle/snuggles, and bed with his blankie. He's a happy boy and we all just adore him. We love you Kallen Dean.

He's 25 1/2 inches long and 14 lbs. I knew he was growing fast but it's amazing that I've given away his 0-3 months clothes and he's now almost out of size 2 diapers! He seems to be growing so much faster than the others. Probably because he's our last. Oh well, we'll enjoy it while it lasts.

New Table and family updates.

We have needed a new dining table for several years now. The table we had was the one I bought when I was living on my own and it had 4 chairs. Once I got married it immediately didn't fit the family since there was Larry and the 3 girls. Since then we've added 4 more children so it definitely didn't fit us all. So I went to Costco and got us a picnic table that seats all of us! It's so nice to be able to sit down together as a family and eat. It may not be the prettiest table but it was affordable and it works.

Kallen is 4 months old now and has his Dr's appt tomorrow. I'll do another update on him after his appt.

Kaileigh is growing and becoming a 2 year old a bit early. She's getting very good at rolling her eyes thanks to the older sisters teaching her how. :) She's funny and has a sweet personality despite being almost 2.

Kinsee Belle is learning and growing fast too. I can't seem to keep her in shoes lately. She loves going to her Joy School and is a good helper with the little ones.

Kamden loves his Preschool program too. His speech has improved some but still has a ways to go I think. I also think that if I can get his ears cleaned out that might help. He's not very cooperative in cleaning out his ears though so that's not happening very quickly. But he's a good boy and changing every day, for the better I think.

Kira seems to be doing well in UT and staying very busy. We hope to see her for a bit this summer but that is becoming harder to do as the girls get older.

Kaitlyn is busy with her school musical, The Wizard of Oz. She's still deciding to either dye her hair dark or be a blonde Dorothy. She was awarded Student of the Month last week and Larry was able to attend the luncheon in her honor. She was excited and Larry said it was a special day. She was given a scholorship for High School to put towards sports or theater or whatever. The teachers and other Leaders went on and on about Kaitlyn and how wonderful she is and that she's had a 4.0 since 3rd grade. Amazing. She's a great daughter and is ready to leave middle school and go on to high school. Slow down Kait, I'm not ready for you to be that old yet. :)

Kaijsa as you've read below in my previous post is struggling. We think she will get to come home from the hospital today and then we'll spend a day or two packing up some of her things to take to UT. She has decided to move away and spend time there. We feel she's running away and not facing the problems and lies she's created but she's almost 18 and an adult. We aren't going to make her stay. She will need to find her own way and we hope she can get the help she needs in UT. She has a long road ahead but one we know with hard work can be successful. We love you Kaijsa and will keep you in our prayers. You can always come back home and we hope you do.

Larry's doing better and is quite the helper. He's struggled with becoming Mr. Mom but is doing a great job with it. I really appreciate his help. Love you Larry Dean!

I'm busy with work still and I still need to find a job for when this one ends. I'm also still trying to figure out the going back to college thing. I really feel that now is the time to go back to school and get my nursing degree. It's just trying to figure out how to do all that and still spend time at home and help support the family. We still have the opportunity to move to MN but have not decided on that either. Obviously we have some major decisions to make and we will keep you updated as they are made. Thank you for prayers and fasts in our behalf. We appreciate them. We love our family and are grateful for all of you.

The weather here has been beautiful and I hope it continues. It's lovely to have the windows and doors open to the fresh air and sunshine. Now to figure out how to keep the flies out and the bees away...

Life is not always roses...

I feel the need to clarify some things that have been going on in the Saling household. Kaijsa came to live with us almost 5 years ago now. Hard to believe it's been so long. Kamden was still very little, not even 1 at the time, my mom was still around to help us with her, and we had just moved into our first home. She had her struggles but nothing we thought couldn't be helped with love, patience, and counseling. Then we heard the rumors of things she was saying, read the emails and was told the truth. She was lying about what her life was like and what she was doing. Awful horrible lies. More counseling was given and help offered. More love expressed. We thought it was resolved. Then more lies revealed. Her sister arrived to live with us, more kids born into the family, my mom passed away but my sister moved close by. More years of counseling and patience. The girls had to be homeschooled due to us living in a bad school district and no longer being able to use my parents address for a good school district. We got her into the community college dual credit program so she could still graduate but would also have college credits under her belt too. This was exciting for her. Then more lies and her dad and I trying to figure out what to do. My job then transferred us to AZ. We left TX and started over here. A fresh start for Kaijsa to overcome the lies and start new. So we had hoped. We were not here a day before she started lying again. This time the lies were told to people at church, kids at school and teachers as well. Horrible outrageous lies and awful behavior of abusing over the counter meds. More counseling from church leaders and stricter rules at home. Still hopeful of graduating we worked with her to help her. Then she spirals out of control. The lies continue, stealing our things is now included, starving herself or making herself throw up till she loses enough weight to have it be dangerous to her health. The school is calling almost daily with more lies she's telling. CPS is coming to our house wondering what's true and what's not. It's gotten to be out of control. She's been online creating her own acct and talking with people all over the US. They beleive she's sick but not in the way she really is sick. Now she's being told she can't come back to school unless she's medically and psychologically cleared. I take her to the hospital and she's admitted for Anorexia, Depression, Suicidal thoughts and Pancreatitis. The last b/c of vomiting and making her Crohns flare up. She has on purpose made her Crohns worse than it ever was. She only stopped eating for a few weeks and has now created a life long problem. She has made herself depressed b/c of the lies she's telling and lives she's ruining. We are trying to help her and have always spent time with her to help her understand that life is hard but fun. She can be happy and strong and self reliant. She's a beautiful daughter of God and a wonderful daughter in our family. We love her. But now she's decided to again run away from her problems and move back to UT to be with her mother. Another relationship that has had its struggles but has overnight become fantastic. We hope it works out for her but have our doubts since she's not facing the truth of what she's done or doing. She needs to face her lies and the people she's lied to and about. She needs to take responsibility for her actions. Once she has done this and stops lying and stealing then and only then can she get on the road of peace and forgiveness. Otherwise the guilt of sins will eat at her and she'll never be truly happy. You can't run away from yourself. We all need to stop enabling her and giving in to her. We need to show her tough love so that her eyes can be opened to what she's done to herself and those around her. We are sorry to those she has hurt but that doesn't change the fact that she's done it and doesn't fix it herself. Trust is broken and can't be fixed if she keeps running away. Please come to her father or I if you have been told things or have heard things. We need to help her get better and the only way is to have her come face to face with her stories and make her understand that she can't keep this up. She'll never have a healthy relationship with others if she doesn't stop. She has been getting help in the hospital but we'll see if it continues once she moves to UT. Meds and running aren't the answers. The meds may be needed for a time but repentence and honesty will also help her. More attention is not what she needs either. She's going to be 18 in a month and needs to take responsibility for her life. We will always and forever love her. She is forever a part of our family. We will love her and try to help her w/out loving the sins. Kaijsa you're always welcome and you'll be missed. The little ones love you too. You are their sister and we hope that you'll remember that and come visit. Please get help and do what is right. Your dad, brothers, sisters and I love you. Please remember that. Your Heavenly Father loves you. We are disappointed in your behavior and choices you've made and we're sad/heartbroken for the path that is ahead of you. It won't be easy and will be hard but you're strong and you can overcome if you want to. We will miss you but want you to find peace and happiness. Maybe/Hopefully you can find that in UT. Please come home often and visit. Please take control and make the changes neccessary in your life to be happy and to do what's right. Love you Kaijsa Ray. Time and hard work can heal and forgiveness is given. to those she's lied to please forgive her and pray for her. I'm so thankful for the gospel and knowing that forgiveness is possible and there is life after death. Our family is sealed together forever and we will do what we can to make sure that happens. we know we have our agency but we also know prayers are answered, lives can be changed, and happiness is a blessing we can all have in our lives and hearts. Trust in your Father in Heaven Kaijsa. you are loved. We love all our children and are there for all of them. We have a large family yes but love every single one of our children and each other. We spend time together and enjoy that time together. We laugh and cry and pray and play together as a family. We all help out in making our house a home and our family forever. There are chores and there is discipline but nothing of excess. We are NOT neglectful parents or bad people. We will love and serve and stay close to the spirit to get through this difficult time. There is always love and the ability to speak honestly and openly. Family is Forever. Love is Unconditional. Right needs and will beat out wrong.