Happy half birthday, Tanner!

Tanner is six months old today. When I took him to the doctor for his check-up, we learned that he is 22lbs. 1 1/2 ounces and 28 inches long. That puts him around the 98th percentile in both height and weight. The doctor figures Tanner will grow to be about 6'2" or 6'3". He had to have three shots, plus the first of two flu shots. They usually don't give them until 6 months old and even though we are at the end of January, there is still a fair amount of winter left here in Montana. Plus, the doctor told me that there have been several critical cases here in the Flathead County with babies and the flu and one fatal incident in Missoula, so I was more than ready to go ahead with the flu shots. Amelie almost joined her brother crying as she watched. She knew what was coming as we had been talking about it for a few days. Eric didn't even look--he poked his head out the door and kept an eye on the hallway while Tanner got poked. And even Tanner didn't cry for long. Once the nurse was done and I cuddled him, he settled down,nursed and took a nap. That's the way we like it! What a brave boy--and very healthy. And lastly, the lump that had been on his right hand just under the ring finger is either gone or so small, neither the doctor nor I could feel it at all anymore. Yeah!~ Both the doctor and nurse commented on how content and happy Tanner was. He is a very happy boy for the most part. And when he is upset and tired, you know it. The doctor told me he was perfect and I have to agree! WE love our Tanner boy!

Follow-up on Mr. Gunny Bag

For those of you who commented about Mr. Gunny Bag, I thought I would give you an update on how well he worked. Amelie was so worried that once she and I had gone through and organized all her toys, she has still played, but all I have to do is say that I think I hear Mr. Gunny Bag coming and she and Eric rush to pick up whatever toys they see on the floor. And at Joy School, it was just as effective! The kids cleaned up in a record 40 seconds AND they loved to hear Mr. Gunny Bag cry because they had picked everything up, so there were no toys for him to eat. I am amazed at how well this worked. Basically, I took a white garbage bag and Amelie and Eric helped draw hair, eyes and nose on him with permanent markers. I drew the mouth around the opening, which pulls shut once he 'eats' a toy. What a miracle this plastic garbage bag has been for us!

Words of a two year old

I have to tell you that life with a two year old boy is never dull. He dresses up as either superman or a pirate. (He thinks he is Captain Jack Sparrow even though he really has no idea who that is.) He lugs around the two pirate sets of toys he owns and says Argh! He'll take on anyone in a sword fight. And with his cape on, he carries around the superman figure he got as a baby and cries, 'Superman to the rescue!' before darting off to save the world.

But what is even more entertaining are the phrases he picks up on and uses. I told him what was for breakfast one day and he obviously did not like what I had said because he folded his arms across his chest and stated emphatically, "That is impossible!"

One night while eating dinner, he turned to me ans said, "Thanks for dinner, mom. It is delightful!"

Tonight, I insisted that he eat his dinner before he got dessert. He, of course, did not like that and told me, "Mom, you are driving me nuts!" Sadly, I am pretty sure he heard that one from my lips :(

He is so smart and funny and all boy--we are so glad he is a part of our family.

Mr. Gunny

As part of Amelie's Joy School, we are introducing a Mr. Gunny Bag this week (lucky me, I get to teach). Mr. Gunny bag is a pillowcase that we are going to draw a face on and I am going to put a drawstring around the opening as his mouth. Any toy that Mr. Gunny finds on the floor, he eats. He may give it back if the kids are good, but if he eats it a second time, it is gone indefintely. Amelie, Eric and I have been talking a great deal about Mr. Gunny all week. Amelie has been quite worried about when he is going to come to her room and I assured her we would not see him until she and I had properly cleaned her room together so as to give her a fresh start. I don't think she has decided if she likes or desn't like Mr. Gunny--sometimes he scares her (the idea of missing toys, really) and sometimes, she is excited to prove that she can keep her room picked up.
So, in preparation for Mr. Gunny's arrival, the kids and I cleaned their rooms and categorized their toys--Princess toys here, baby doll stuff here, play food here, guns, swords and bats here, balls here, cars, airplanes and trains here, ... you get the idea. And finally, tonight, we finished. I am just praying that they keep their rooms picked up now--I have been threatening to do something like Mr. Gunny for a long time and now, thanks to Joy School, I will be implementing it. So, let's hope Mr. Gunny is going on a diet!

Lessons Learned

Sunday morning around 3am, I was placing Tanner back in his crib after his mid-night feeding and heard Amelie's sweet voice calling to me. It wasn't her typical nighttime cry indicating trouble, but I went to check on her anyway. I laid down beside her and asked what was wrong. She said she had had a bad dream. I asked if she was okay now and she said yes--that she had said a prayer to Heavenly Father asking Him to help her have better dreams, so she was fine now. What a simple lesson learned by a faith-filled four year old that her Heavenly Father loves her so much that he will help take her bad dreams away so she could sleep well. If only I had as much faith in my times of need to remember first to turn to my Heavenly Father and ask Him to help calm my troubled heart or 'take away' my 'bad dreams' so that I could rest easy. I am so thankful for such a wonderful little girl who teaches me to first turn to a loving Father in Heaven and have faith that He will help me feel better.

Merry Christmas!

As I have run out of time to send these, I thought I would post our Christmas letter here for all of your to see--plus, it will hopefully bring you to our blog and let you know a little more in depth how our family is doing and what we are up to. At Billy's band concert, a grandma of one of the other saxophone players was sitting behind us and chatting with us. She asked if this was called a Holiday concert or a Chritmas concert. Of course, the school had to be unoffensive and call it a Holiday concert. She made the comment that it is too bad that everyone is afraid to say Merry Christmas and offend another and that she makes a point of wishing others a Merry Christmas whenever she can. I take her wisdom and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may Tidings of Great Joy fill your lives throughout the coming year!

Dear Family & Friends, December 2008
As another year comes to a close, I find myself facing the blank screen and wondering what to report of the Allen family news to you all. We have had quite a year and the next one proves to be just as exciting. We have now lived in Kalispell, MT for an entire year and love it just as much as the day we rolled in to town. We are slowly settling in and getting the house set up how we like it. We miss our friends & family in the south but love living in the mountains and having four real seasons.
As 2008 began, we prepared for the arrival of our little baby boy and I was most thankful for the healthiest pregnancy ever. The delivery on July 28 was the best c-section experience I could have asked for. I was grateful that all went so smoothly! I substitute taught before Tanner was born and continue to substitute as I need to. I began the year teaching the sunbeams (Amelie’s class of 34- yr olds) and now I teach the 10-11 year olds each Sunday. And in September I began my own Pampered Chef business. I have had so much fun with this because the products and recipes have completely enhanced my desire to cook. It’s easy to do fun, creative dishes and clean-up is a snap! I never knew cooking could be so enjoyable, so it has definitely been worth the effort of getting my business up and running. If you are ever interested, I would love to tell you more or get you free product as a host for a catalog or cooking show. Just let me know!
Jim is thoroughly enjoying his switch to the northern border. There is something to be said about hiking through the mountains of Glacier National Park and calling it work. It is beautiful and beats any office he could ever want. Jim also stays busy as the 1st Counselor in the Young Men’s organization, which means that he works with the 12-13 year old boys on Sundays and as the Assistant Scout Leader. He has had a lot of fun with them, especially Billy!
Tiffany (and Mary and Billy) got to help us move into our new home in the snow, then enjoyed Spring break with us and the summer, which was unnaturally cooler than usual. She is now half way through her senior year, and it seems that Senioritis is settling in J She is doing great right now playing Varsity soccer for Mesa high. She only has a half day worth of classes and she loves to fill her calendar with activities with her many friends. She’s a social butterfly and so much fun, who wouldn’t want to hang out with her?!
Mary is a busy bee as usual. She is a Junior at Mesa High and not only has a full and challenging academic schedule, but she also played tremendously on the Mesa High Varsity volleyball team and now on the Varsity soccer team with her sister. Mary also completed a huge project painting & decorating her room with Tiffany. Mary had her first job this summer at Bajio’s here in Kalispell and everyone there loved her. She is a hard worker and such a wonderful, fun and loving young woman.
Billy, Amelie and Eric have all lived through their first real changing of the seasons from summer to fall and fall to winter this year. What fun it has been to watch their excitement, especially for the snow! It has been so wonderful to have Billy with us. He is the best big brother ever. Billy is only 4 merit badges away from his Eagle Scout as he and Jim have been working hard on that. It has also been so fun to cheer him on as he played on his 8th grade football and basketball teams. And he has worked hard to make his first ever appearance on the honor roll—even recognized in the newspaper! He had 7A’s and one B. We have also thoroughly enjoyed listening to him practice and attend his band concerts where he plays the Alto Saxophone. If you check out our blog, you can listen to one of the songs he played in his Christmas concert. He has had a wonderful year and is growing into a fine young man.
Amelie continues to amaze us with her ability to learn and be creative. She loves planning parties for her pretend friends, which usually resemble cartoon characters. She is in Joy School to prepare her for kindergarten next fall and she loves it. She just played the Angel in the school performance of the nativity. Amelie loves to entertain! She is our little angel.
Eric thinks he is as big as Amelie and Billy. He will talk to anyone & everyone. He loves pretending to be a pirate or superman, or combining the two to be a superman pirate . . . to the rescue! Eric is a quick learner and would live outdoors if we let him.
Tanner is a very happy baby most of the time—even teething, he isn’t too fussy. He loves to laugh and smile, especially with Amelie and Billy! He is learning to sit up and just began scooting backward on his belly a little, too. He just discovered his tongue and that he can make all sorts of fun sounds & squeals. He is a big kid, too, wearing 9-12 month clothes at five months. He’ll make a great football star someday!
We are so thankful for the Christmas Season and the opportunity it gives us to focus on the gift of the Savior and on what we can give to the Lord and to others around us. May the true meaning of Christmas fill your homes & carry you well into the new year. We love you and wish you a very merry Christmas & a happy new year!

Billy's 'Holiday' Band Concert

Last night, we attended Billy's Holiday band concert, which was performed with the eighth grade orchestra and choir. It was very well done and we enjoyed the night. Billy did a great job playing the Alto Saxophone. We had, of course, heard his part while he practiced at home, but it was fun to hear how his part fit into the whole band to complete each song. Music is such a wonderful talent to develop and helps more than we realize in our understanding of math and science. I once listened to a reading of the top essay at an Academic Decathalon competition in Arizona on the benefits of music programs and all they teach, above and beyond the obvious music skills, techniques and appreciation. It was excellent and I often reflect on what that young girl pointed out as I listen to school performances. I am so glad we have music programs in the school. I know they are often looked on as frivolous and are often the first programs cut, but I am truly thankful for such programs and that Billy is able to participate in them. I can't wait for the younger kids to get their turn at music classes as they follow in the footsteps of their older brother and sisters. Click on the video below and you'll hear Billy and the band playing my favorite of their concert pieces--It's called 'The Name's Claus, Santa Claus.' See if you can figure out why! It's really cool! Way to go Billy! You're the coolest sax player ever!