The Gilmore Bunch

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Blessed

Gilmore Bunch 2015

The word "Family"holds such a deeper meaning for me as I once again resume working on my blog. It has been a difficult couple of years, filled with depression as I have undergone some of the hardest times of my adult life, needless to say, I am very fortunate to have such a loving spouse & five amazing children who love me despite my shortcomings. Much of what I share is personal, but I do so because I know everyone struggles and I want to be real. Life is hard. Life as a Military Spouse is hard. Being a Mother to 5 children is hard. Trying to be perfect is hard & this is where my depression slowly crept in. I am too hard on myself.

Dallas has been home from his 16 month deployment to Afghanistan for 10 months!! In those 10 months we have purchased a new home in North Carolina & are enjoying every minute of family time that comes our way. Our children are slowly adjusting to the South and living on the East Coast. I have recently been called as the Southern Pines Ward Young Women's President (I oversee the young women ages 12-17 in our church/ward), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a daunting task, but I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and get to know the amazing young women that live in our area.

When I am not dropping Sadie off at early morning Seminary (6:20 am) with four other children in tow ready for school, I am driving back country roads (because there are many here in the south) searching for the shortest commute between dental/orthodontic appts and school. This is my season in life. I am the mother of a High School Freshmen, a 7th grader, 3rd grader, 1st grader, one rambunctious 3.5 year old & lets not forget the 2.5 year old chocolate labrador who resides in our/my home. My life gets a bit hectic.

I hope to use this blog to share my feelings about life as a military spouse, display projects that I have been working on around our home and most importantly document my family, The Gilmore Bunch, as we embark on our many wonderful adventures as a family. I am so very blessed and for that I am humbled.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

In Heaven With Seven

It has been a grueling 9 months since Dallas left for Afghanistan. Each day has been a true test of our patience, but with this trial has come great blessings. Last month we were able to Welcome Home Dallas, it was such a joyous occasion to say the least. It is hard to describe the emotions that take place as a military spouse/wife (there are many who have gone through this sacrifice and I am sure they can attest to the heartache involved), but for Dallas and I, 9 months apart was simply pure torture. You see Dallas and I are close...our hearts beat in sync and when one is gone the other is incomplete. Thus the emotional heartache is excruciating. Not to mention the added responsibilities of caring for five children, a dog, finances and everyday emotional stress.
However, I am HONORED. I am so VERY PROUD of my Husband for his willingness to serve our country. It is a tough job, but it has brought numerous blessings and opportunities for our family. With each new move we embrace the culture, love the new Ward Members and gain a deeper love for our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know this is a choice calling we have and despite the hardship I am grateful.

We had quite the turnout for Dallas' short return. We caused a scene with all our posters and our family members who eagerly waited to embrace Dallas. It was great to have so much support and we were deeply humbled to have family surround us. But, when the time came...we simply wanted to be alone to enjoy our family time because family time, to us, is PRECIOUS.

Dallas was home for 16 days and then embarked back to Afghanistan. He officially returns in December. With each day that passes our family TRIES to continue and resume our daily task. It is difficult, but we try. We anticipate our next adventure shortly and are looking forward with faith because we know Heavenly Father will place us where we are needed.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Ammon Turns 5!

Ammon Blackhawk Gilmore turned 5 this past Sunday! Ammon has been looking forward to this day for the past several months… since March to be exact, which is when we begin our family birthday's. I think the greatest gift Ammon received Sunday night was being able to talk with Dallas via the internet, which was his main concern throughout the week.

He is the cutest boy! So sweet and sensitive! He is our first boy after three wild girls. We were overjoyed when we learned we would FINALLY be having a BOY! He is such a wonderful brother to his sisters and brother Noah. He is growing up so fast and frequently talks about saving his nickels and dimes for his upcoming mission. I am so proud of him.

We Love You Buddy!

Dad & Mom

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween!

Ammon the Vampire! He loved his costume and so did I (brand new from the thrift store for $7) Auntie Kiana did Ammon's makeup and styled his hair!

Sophie a student from Hogwarts! She wore my Gryffindor scarf and carried her Wand from Harry Potter World. She was the cutest Gryffindor Student from Hogwarts I did see. We bought her robe online and she was very excited to add to her Harry Potter collection!

Sariah the Fairy! We bought the Fairy wings from the thrift store, I made the tutu and headpiece and Sariah put together the rest! She picked out the jewelry, wand, top, shoes, makeup and even froze the night of the trunk or treat…all in the name of fashion! She is our Fashionista and Dancer…can you tell?

Sadie is Alice Cullen from Twilight. She has been reading the Twilight Series with the exception of Breaking Dawn, which I must "edit" before she continues her reading. This isn't a very good picture because it doesn't show Alice's choker (includes the Cullen Family crest), wig that depicts Alice's cute bob and an amazing black top, which Auntie Kiana gave Sadie.

Noah is Blue from Blue's Clues…he wore the costume for all but 5 minutes and that was enough! His costume was a hand-me-down from Sophie when she was Blue at age 2. Auntie Chelsea bought this costume as a gift to Sophie so many years ago.

Ammon wore his Bumble Bee Costume, from two years ago, to school because he didn't want to ruin his awesome Vampire Costume.

Sophie and Sariah's school held their annual Halloween Parade around the Courthouse. Noah and I were lucky enough to walk with them and enjoy all the cute and wonderful costumes. Personally, I think my children were the CUTEST!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Sadie's Fall Concert

Fall Concert

October 24th 2013

Beginning Strings

The musical selection:

Ode To Joy
F# Fiddlin

Merrily We Roll Along

Jingle Bells

Good King Wenceslas

Cowboy Trail

French Cafe'

Hot Cross Buns

Country Gardens

Autumn Breeze

A String of D and A

D Scale

Bile 'em Cabbage Down

The first couple of musical numbers were played pizzicato (plucking the violin strings) due to the fact, that the children are getting acquainted with the correct techniques required to play the violin or other string instruments. It was wonderful to hear the orchestra play in unison! Sadie has worked so hard in practicing her violin EVERYDAY! She has amazed me and is truly musically talented! She hopes to continue playing the violin and perhaps add a few more instruments to her list of instruments.

For the grand finale, the instructor announced that the orchestra would be using their bows to play the D Scale and Bile 'em Cabbage Down! It was AWESOME! I can't wait to attend more performances! Sadie is growing up way too fast and I LOVE that she is developing her talents. Love you Sadie.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Sadie's 12th Birthday

Sweet Sadie turned twelve years old on the 4th of July! Her Birthday Dinner request included hamburgers, watermelon, corn on the cob, chips and cupcakes for dinner! We had a blast celebrating her birthday and are so grateful for her wonderful spirit! Sadie graduated from Primary and now attends Young Women's!!! She received her Faith In God Award Recognition during Sacrament Meeting and we are extremely proud of her for accomplishing this goal, we are especially grateful to our dear friend Annette Scroggins who helped in this process! Annette was Sadie's Activity Day Girl Leader in Hawaii and 1st Counselor in the Primary Presidency in Georgia. Sadie is our TWEEN!

Dallas Graduates

Sadie took these cute photos of Ammon and Sariah outside of our home in Georgia! They are so photogenic! Aren't they cute with their new fedoras from Grandma and Grandpa Gilmore! Grandma and Grandpa Gilmore came to visit us in Georgia for Dallas' graduation from the Captain's Career Course. Dallas graduated in the top 5% of his class I am super proud of him and his wonderful accomplishment.
Onto the next phase of our life...a deployment. That is the "wonderful" thing about the Army...there is always another phase to conquer! A little less than a week after the graduation we had the movers come and pack up our home in Georgia. We traveled for three days until we arrived at our final destination for the year...Arizona. Upon arrival we visited with family members, moved into our new home and spent some quality time together as a family before we said our goodbyes to our Daddy for a year. We will miss our Daddy terribly, but are so grateful for the service he renders for our country and the immense blessings and spiritual growth our family receives.

Ft. Gordon, Georgia 2013

Captain's Career Course

My New Passion

While in Georgia I began refinishing furniture. I refinished this antique dresser for a friend of ours in antique white followed by an antique glaze and light distressing.

This is a twin size head and foot board I refinished for the same friend mentioned above in antique white followed by an antique glaze and light distressing. Since these three projects I have completed several more, which I will eventually include.

Here is an armoire I bought off of craigslist for $50 and refinished in a light grayish color, sorry can't remember the specific shade, this received an antique glaze and light distressing. The armoire was first used in Ammon and Noah's room, but currently sits in Sariah and Sophie's room.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Dallas

It is hard being a husband, father of five children and a Captain in the U.S Army simply because each demands it's own attention and dedication. With that being said, it is hard to not feel that you are constantly juggling your efforts in different directions and feeling overwhelmed at the situation. I don't make it any easier, but rest assured that your efforts are noted and I love you for ALL that you do for our family of seven.
The kids, Layla and I look forward to our family moments...moments when you are at your silliest. These are the times we look back on and remember and cherish.
We love your creative movie nights. Old movie flicks or the current new show at home or at the drive-in movie theatre...you make it the best as we indulge in the moment over popcorn and fast food!
You live in the moment and enjoy the children when I am too stressed to notice after a long day of whinning and crying. And to top it off you offer to prepare dinner whether it be store bought or cooked by you.
These are but a few of the reasons We Love You So Very Much, You Mean the World to Our Family and Our World Revolves Around YOU! We love you Father of The Gilmore Bunch! With all our hearts from the moon and back and to infinity!
Love B

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Carolina Beach

Over Memorial Day Weekend our family ventured off to North Carolina to meet up with our old BYU friends who also serve in the military and who were stationed in Oahu, Hawaii the sametime we were. We also had the pleasure of staying with one of Dallas' classmates, from the Captain's Career Course, parents home in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Overall the trip was well needed and we had a great time together as a family away from the hustle and bustle of "military life".

Here are the kids near the boardwalk that lines the Atlantic Ocean picking shells...very different experience from the Pacific Ocean.

Isn't it beautiful...cold water and different vegetation, but still beautiful!

Sophie looking for her sea treasures

This headband thing happens to Sariah on a daily basis, so glad I finally got it on camera! I guess she is too busy looking for her sea shells to notice!

While we were near the boardwalk Dallas was in line at this donut place called "Brits Donut Shop", which just happens to be one of the best places to grab a donut or two in America! The donuts were so light and fluffy and literally melted in your mouth..YUMMY! We bought two dozen!

Here we are at Dan's parents home near the dock that meets up with their backyard...really nice! The kids sat here, supervised, and watched the crab cages slowly being filled with crabs!

Here is Noah at the beach, which he thoroughly enjoyed...couldn't move fast enough to keep up with him!

And here is Layla, our family chocolate labrador, making her first debut on the family blog! She loved the ocean and enjoyed the trip just as much as we did becuase we had a house full of dogs... who just happen to be her neigborhood friends!

Ammon and Dallas met up with the guys who had just returned from some deep sea fishing. Ammon thought this was really COOL...taking a picture with a fish almost as big as him.

Dallas, Sariah, Sophie and I went kayaking near Dan's parents home, it was sooo much fun! Sadie did really well kayaking by herself. Dallas was a pro. Sophie and I shared a kayak and had a rough start but finished great!

Dan took our family on a boat ride up and down the river, which led out to the ocean...the kids loved it as well as I. I've never really been on a boat before so this was a real treat.

Ammon and I

Carolina Beach, NC 2013