uh oh, Monson is now the age of accountability

It's Monson's turn...

Wow...we have a new Scout in the house. And he's already done all the requirements for his bobcat...he WILL be an Eagle Scout. Isn't he handsome? Even IF I put is hankie on weird...



Monson loves strumming the guitar. Look at those blue eyes!

He'll never pass up a nice treat....and then proceed to wear it all over his face. This was his 7th bday last year.

Bray & Mons have to stay together with all the estrogen in this house--they're showing their BYU spirit with these great wigs. Monson never passes up a photo-op.

Bray & Mons love to hang out...and Mons adores his baby sis.



You've read all about Mr. Helpful...I took this picture because I found him helping out once again by doing someone else's job. What a good deed do-er!

Spring/Summer is VERY busy in our house with birthday celebrations!

While I was in the hospital gazing into McKenzie's bright blue eyes, an overwhelming feeling came over me that another baby was on his way very soon, and to prepare myself. I knew it would be a boy, and how overwhelming that feeling was that I was allowed this 'revelation' in a perfect moment.... It was like I was being told, 'Okay...don't get too comfortable with two...you can do this!'

I just had two babies 18 months apart...how SOON is soon? By the time McKenzie was 6 months old, I was pregnant again. People thought I was nuts and quite frankly, I can't contest that. I was a baby factory. But the great thing about this, was that I KNEW. I had one of those 'mother intuition' experiences; I knew this special little boy was on his way and I was just fine with that. It got me closer, faster, to my six that I have always known were mine, ours....waiting to join our family.

Monson was born in the same hospital, by the same doctor, in the exact same room as McKenzie...just 15 months later. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 7 oz. Those McLaughlin kids just don't like to bake longer than they have to! I swear they all have this grave determination that is going to get us all in trouble! We never secured a name for this third child before delivery, but another 'mommie moment' came to me after he was born while I was still recovering in the hospital.

I felt strongly that he needed an amazing name...he needed to be named after someone who he could always look up to and follow unceasingly. We thought about William (his paternal g'pa none of us ever knew), Niels (his maternal gpa x 2), Reddin (pat gpa x4), I thought about using 'Menzie' my maiden name...Curt would NEVER go for that, as well as all the unique turned trendy names back in the day...and then it came to me. 'Monson.' He had to be named Monson. I don't think it's a coincidence that exactly eight years later, the year Monson is to be baptized, that President Monson is sustained our latter-day Prophet. Chills.

Anyone who held baby Monson can attest to the special spirit he had...very different than other babies. And I'm not saying that because he's mine. He has a unique spirit that is just different than the rest of my babies. Not better, not worse, not more special, just unique.

It is no secret that hands down, Monson was the hardest toddler. We breezed through 'babyhood' with three kids under three years old, but when he hit 14 months old, something snapped inside and his inner monster came out...really. We saw specialist after specialist trying to be sure we gave him the best care and quality of life we could...we were certain something was wrong and needed to be fixed. We did sleep studies at Primary Children's, we saw a psychologist, we saw neurologists...

He was going to drive us to the nut house! It took until he was about 4 years old to snap out of it, and he only showed that crazy side to his family...everyone else thought WE were the nutty ones because Monson was so sweet to everyone else. Like Izzie, everybody loves Monson. It's the magnetic personality...they are two peas in a pod. But Monson was a LOT harder, hands down. We are just grateful his inner monster went away and that he only has his fits when he's beyond tired.

• Monson is a super friendly kid

• He has a hard shell on the outside

• soft candy shell on the inside..Mr. Sensitive

• He is our cuddly kid

• loves getting hugs

• He has an electrifying smile...and a twinkle in his eye
  

• He gravitates towards older kids...his best friends are always at least a year older

• He has talent! ...he can play piano 'by ear' and it's his way of decompressing

• He has a uniquely wonderful singing voice
  

• Monson's middle name is mischief

• He is a VERY active boy

• Teases the girls relentlessly

• He's mr. fun fun

• He can be Oscar the grouch

• Loves to skateboard

• He's happiest when he's outside playing

• He needs his decompress time

• Feed him, or the inner monsters come alive

• He can be oh, so helpful and take great initiative...and he can be quite the polar opposite too.

I think the 'gist' of Monson's personality comes out in all these pictures.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Monson Man! Wow, I truly cannot believe you are EIGHT!

He's so darn cute...and he wears his food most the time.

That bright smile I was talking about

Mons loved the snow more than anyone...shoveling the driveway
AND loving his sis Izzie when she was a baby.

preschool graduation with his best friend, Seth...
And the sleep study we did with him when he was 4...crazy times.

"Lexie, look at the camera!"

Bob or Monson the Builder and who? He wanted to be just like Kenz. No, he doesn't make a habit of dressing like this, I promise.

"Put up your dukes" And of course he wasn't supposed to wear these in the house...

Huntington Beach with my three...we've doubled our fam since then
And Mons didn't need his training wheels too long...he was riding solo by 3 years old.

Today, on his actual bday, Monson had a party. We decided LONG ago that the kids could only have friend-parties when they turn 5, 8, 12, and 16. No real rhyme or reason, other than that 5 (go into K), 8 (baptized), 12 (ym/yw, priesthood), and 16 (freedom, woohoo!) are pretty special years...and this momma is NOT going to throw bashes every year for every child--overwhelming thought. So, it doesn't come around too often. Monson chose to go to Boomers and had a blast with four of his great friends and all his siblings. We miniature golfed, road bumper boats, played laser tag, ate pizza, popcorn and ice cream cupcakes, played arcade games...what more could an 8 year old want?! My friend calls herself Princess Birthday because she celebrates, and celebrates, and goes on and on for a week...sometimes longer. So this year, Monson is our Birthday King. Really, this will be a week-long birthday celebration as we head to Utah tomorrow and he sees his friends, cousins, aunts, uncles and is baptized in Paradise Lake on the 29th...should be a truly unique and memorable experience for him!
Stay tuned...

My Bling-Bling

It's so easy to get to bedtime, stumble upstairs and shove my things in my closet thinking I will actually put them in their place tomorrow. In my house, tomorrow never comes! My closet was proof of that! Bras, new purchases, returns ready to go back, jewelry, an umbrella, and somewhere in that pile is the perfect necklace for my outfit that day, only it's lost in the chaos! I know you all do the same thing, only your chaos may be a little more manageable and not so unsightly. I'm really not a true slob... promise.

With her photos of her organized jewels, My friend, Katie, inspired me to clean up my slobby mess. I like to call it organized chaos-pretty much that refers to everything in this home. Now I can actually find my jewelry stash instead of searching through zippered bags, thumbing through drawers and the big pile of bling to find that one earring I remember buying a couple of years ago. I knew I had a lot of the bling-bling thanks to my Cookie Lee days, but I didn't realize I had this insane much. And 99% of my stash is costume jewelry... nothing to stick your nose up at. But you can never have too much, right? And yes, those are all bracelets on that top display. I think I also have enough earrings and necklaces to outfit a whole runway of girls--actually, I have done that before for a fashion show! My silver displays from my days of selling at the Utah County Fair sure came in handy when I organized! Need some bling? You know where I am! It's no wonder how my girls got so girly.

Isabella Daisy is 'fhwee'

My Isabella Daisy...

I have repeatedly asked her how old she's going to be on her birthday...consistently, with a ginormous grin on her face she replies, "six and a hab (half)!" She makes me laugh, my little two year old turning THREE!

I always wanted twins. Heavenly Father saw fit to NOT do that to me, but to rather let me be pregnant 7 times, yielding 6 births. Sometimes I wonder what would have been easier since pregnancy was only a means to a baby for me. Shocker, I know. I didn't love the swollen ankles, sleepless nights, aches & pains, heartburn, the way it sort of slowed me down SIX TIMES, watching my fanny grow with my belly... I just never loved all of that. I know there are some that do. And I am NOT one of them!

but I did get my "Irish Twins."

Alexandra & Isabella

They are 13 months apart---and couldn't be more opposite in personality much of the time, yet a perfect pair. I know they speak their own language telepathically...they just have a special bond and Heavenly Father knew...oh, how they needed each other. I love it that Lexie and Izzie will never remember life without one another.

I never thought in a million years I'd get yet ANOTHER girl, my Izzie. Afterall, I was the only girl with FIVE brothers growing up. I feared Izzie's birth a little because I felt I robbed myself and Lexie by getting preggers so quickly. Afterall, Lexie really was still a baby. I was WRONG. It was in the divine plan. They all just needed to get to earth NOW. Part of me thought that all the ultrasounds were wrong...that this really WAS a boy...Me? Another girl? Couldn't be! You know, we had a pattern going: boy, girl, boy, girl...boy

Nope, didn't happen. Izzie was just her own little person and fit right in. Of course, my love multiplied quickly. She was the biggest of our babies, which I realize is still munchkin compared with many of her cousins... She was 8 pounds - she baked the longest. She had a unique look...you could tell she's a McLaughlin, but she's always had her own look going on. And she's as determined as the rest, yet always different than the others...

uniquely izzie.

I have always loved the name Isabella...very classic and beautiful. I thought we'd call her Bella (means 'beautiful') but the moment I laid eyes on her, "Izzie" came out. Originally I chose her middle name and the birth certificate said 'Menzie,' my maiden name. But it just didn't fit her. The day Monson met her he referred to her as 'Dizzy.' We thought he said "Daisy" and it was fitting, darling, spontaneous and it just worked. Thus, Isabella Daisy.

She makes our home come alive!

And by alive, I mean...

• She is a girl with a mind of her own

• A spunky little girl with a wit 100 times her size

• A now THREE-year-old going on 16

• She LOVES being a little sis to her bff, Lexie (and the rest of them too)

• She LOVES being a big sis to sweet Viviana

• She has to put 'yipstick' on everytime mommie does

• She can't sit still when music is playing

• She can't just walk; she skips and hops

• She marches to the beat of her OWN drum, for sure

• She is a little song bird

• She can do EVERYTHING all by herself...or at least tries

• She loves being a princess and insists on going to bed with her hair all done

• She finds comfort in her left index finger...I mean her left index finger in her mouth

• She can't leave home without one of her three pink blankies

• She's scared silly of the garbage truck

• She is generally so polite and will say "sure" when we ask her to do something

• She is addicted to chocolate milk in a sippy

• She has a smile that will brighten any room

...and a twinkle in her eye to match

• She loves cheese and 'cwackas'

• She loves having her tummy, legs, arms, back tickled/stroked

• She has terrific hygeine...brushes her teeth like 5 times a day

• She has to wear a dress everyday...only because Lexie does

• She's always been Daddy's little girl...she came home from the hospital on Father's Day

• She's mostly a cheerful girl unless she's in A MOOD.

• She can make us all laugh until we pee our pants.

everybody loves Izzie.

Happy 3rd Birthday, sweet Isabella!

My little dancing darlings

My little ballerinas.

Love it, love it, love it. I love it that they know what first position is and that they can't quite plié because they're knees are a little retarded. But they are adorable and that's what matters at this age, anyway, right? True to her little in-charge personality, Lexie stood on stage and spent half her time directing Izzie and making sure she was doing what she was supposed to...oh, my girls. Lexie WILL be the one to keep Izzie in line, no doubt...our police, our hall-monitor #2 (Bray was the 1st one). Interesting that our first group of three started with that personality, as does our 2nd group of three children. hmmmmm...by divine design, I suppose.

Onto the recital. I watched with utter joy, laughed my head off at my little girls and I think I loved them getting all dolled up for the event just as much as they loved it. Digressing...they're in Kinderdance which incorporates ballet, tap, singing, and some pre-school concepts. They've both really loved the 'outlet' and taking ownership of something. Izzie just joined 2 months ago; Lexie's been doing it since September. And I hope they both stay in dance for the long haul and gain some real skill. For now, they can just look darling and this stage momma will flutter up with joy.

Brayden's on top of the world

What is a boy to do...

The last week of school every recital, performance, party, gathering, and field trip for all of our kids was SHOVED into one week...actually most of it was shoved into 2 days. Sun up to way past sun down we were scattering all over town to get our kids to this place or that.

Brayden's baseball team made it to the playoffs...in fact, they made it to the championship game, but lost, in -part due to really poor umping...I mean pathetic. But that's okay, it means baseball is over...and so this family has one less commitment; therefore, this mommie rejoices.

Brayden always dreamed of playing the violin--ever since he was about four & old enough to care... He finally fished his wish September 2007 with a great program put on by the San Marcos Youth Orchestra. Really it's a family of musicians that wanted to expose the youth of San Marcos to violin and cello for free. They have given of their time and talents every Friday eve from 4 until 6 in this wildly popular program. Brayden has loved it and it helps that he was named 'first chair' and was also able to play a solo at the concert as well as received the award for the most improved. It's been impressive to me that he has stuck to it, really enjoyed it, has excelled and wants to continue.

Musical talent runs in my family, but I didn't develop my abilities the way I wish I would have. A couple of my brothers are self-taught musicians and composers, and Brayden's great grandfather was a renowned violinist and saxophonist who even played with Lawrence Welk...impressive, I know.

So the eve of June 7th Bray was faced with a decision. His Diamondbacks team made it to the Championship and he's irreplaceable at first base. He's also a relief pitcher. Both the championship game and the concert were on the same night...overlapping in time. But the problem...his coach never communicated to the boys how valuable they were or gave positive reinforcement in any way, shape or form. We suspect the coach's son spent many-a-night in hide-out busted from his poor game performance. He was nothing short of abusive to the players and it really affected Brayden. So he chose to make his violin concert his priority. Shocker for those that know his love of sports, but very telling in the contrast of treatment between his violin teachers and his baseball coach.

He ended up being able to perform with his orchestra and do his solo, then leave 1/2 way through the concert to make it to the game...what a champ...didn't let anyone down!

And then on to 'promotion.' Brayden is officially out of elementary school and onto sixth grade. I truly can't believe it. Can't we freeze time? I vividly remember my first day of sixth grade and that period of time in middle school...much of what happened during those three years shaped who I am today. And now our firstborn is heading out of innocence and into unchartered McLaughlin waters. And can I say that Bray got straight A's his last trimester?! He was awarded the highest Presidential academic achievement...outstanding academic excellence, because he has been on honor roll with a 3.8 or above the whole year. And this, having balanced school with sports, violin, and scouts all year. We're truly proud of you, Bray, and HONORED to call you our son.

We've always joked about wanting to clone Brayden...we're still hoping the 'bar' he's set as the oldest will rub-off on the rest of the gang....please, oh, please.