Some of my favorite pictures from our recent photo shoot

Trouble #2

With eyes like these I know I am in trouble!

Hip Hop Dancer

The boys just got new shoes for school, their other ones were ratty and getting small on them. They had to put them on as soon as we got home! Easton gets his high top sneakers on and says "We thought these were basketball shoes but they aren't. They are hip hop dancer ones" He then proceeds to do a little hip hop dancing action! I had no idea he knew what a hip hop dancer was at the ripe old age of 5!

Eenie Meenie Miney Moe

Which bag do you think I should sew?



I try to be a little bit practical when I make these bags. I try to put dark colors on the bottom so they don't look dirty quite as fast. Yet, I really like the brown top with the blue bottom. What do you think? I had enough fabric to make both, so I did! Yesterday was Easton's first day of kindergarten. He goes from 12:30-3:30 (which is Addie's nap time). 3 hours of no kids means I made these yesterday and cleaned my kitchen. Today I am cleaning (deep cleaning) my bedroom! I am going to try to deep clean one room or closet everyday and sew/scrapbook/craft something fun! I am sure I will throw in a little blogging on the side!

Home Depot kids Club!

Make a Smilebox postcard

To the Theatre!

This summer we went every Friday morning to the $1 movie. Addison sat very well...through some/most of the movies (Penelope was a disaster for her). So I was so surprised that she sat and watched most of the kids play. Here she is clapping along with the crowd. (sorry a little blurry)


She wanted to get up and dance along with the kids on stage!



She was very excited to see Cam and Brooke on stage and yelled out their names a few times!

Ms. Crabtree

Brooke and Camden had two different performances for Little Rascals. On one night Brooke was one of the little girls. Here they are at the sleepover.

At the sleepover the girl's discussed how gross boys are! It was one of my favorite parts of the entire play!

The other night Brooke was Ms. Crabtree, the teacher. Brooke had to get upset with Porky and Buckwheat for selling tickets to the free talent show!

When Brooke was one of the little girls they had a ballet recital.

Here she is again as Ms. Crabtree, announcing the next performer in the talent show.

Brooke did a great job, as usual. She is very shy, until you get her on stage!

Somethings wrong with this picture

I can't quite pinpoint what is wrong with this photo....


hmmm...


something just isn't right....



oh wait I know.....


it is suppose to look like this....



Notice the missing kids....our great neighbors the McKellebs that are thousands of miles away....it is days like yesterday when I really feel they absence. Every year we take a first day of school picture, together. This years halloween picture will be a little off too. Hey, maybe I can learn how to photoshop them in before Halloween!

just call me Porky

Camden and Brooke were in the local children's production of "Little Rascals". Camden was Porky. He is the one that is best buds with the OTAY kid. Camden had a lot of lines to memorize and did a great job, especially since this is his first time on stage!

Here are Porky and Buckwheat fishing....Buckwheat asks if he got anything and Cam's first lines are "not a bite Buckwheat"

Here are the "He-man woman haters" saying their pledge. It includes, "I Porky member of good standing in the he-man woman haters club do solemly swear to...." I think they swear to catch bugs, be with their buddies, go fishing, pick thier nose, and never fall in love!

Porky and Buckwheat roast marshmellows instead of helping their buddies put out the clubhouse which has caught fire. The fabric was shaken to look like a fire.

Camden looking adorable as Porky!

One of my favorite lines of Camden's was when he was told to call 911 and Buckwheat asks him what the number is. Porky replies "how should I know". Camden did a great job as Porky! He had a really good time, but isn't planning on doing the next play which is Cinderella....I guess it's a little girlie for him!

Cheap Summer Fun

We spend so much money on toys...and what do they really want to play with? Something that isn't a toy. This summer the boys were bored bored bored. So I got out a bag of plastic cups. They had a great time. They ended up using all my plastic cups. Then Brooke and her friends got in on the fun. These cups kept them entertained for 3 days...until I finally made them put them away. The last tower was the tall one Brooke and her friends are in front of. They wanted to see how long it would stay standing, but I was a little tired of it greeting guests at the front door and crashing down (very loud with plastic cups on wood floor). So down it came and I am sure we will get them out again when we are having another "I'm Bored" day!

Highlights of tonight!

Today Addie is 2! I can't believe how fast she has grown up! She is talking all the time now and surprises me with how many words she knows. Tonight Neil gave the kids blessings to send them off to school. I can't believe Addie and I will be home alone in the afternoons...with her sleeping I might have a clean house and great meals for my family! Neil gave them each wonderful blessings and even gave Brooke's friend a blessing. She lives nearby and is practically our 5th child. She lives with her mom and grandparents, so Neil was fortunate enough to give her a blessing! He did a great job. Some of tonights highlights:

1. The blessings.
2. Watching Addie blow out her candle in one huff and puff! We didn't know she knew how to blow out a candle!
3. Listening to the kids work on their articles of faith. There is nothing like hearing Eastons little voice with his little speech issues (normal 5 year old stuff). Brooke and Cam and also doing a great job.
4. Hearing great evening prayers which included things like: Bless Duncan (friend on a mission) that he will meet people, bless us to not follow our friends if they are choosing the wrong, thankful for this world we live in, bless the food (oops I forgot this isn't dinner was his immediate response and he started his prayer again) and bless us to listen to mom and dad.
5. Noticing that even Easton at 5 sat through his entire blessing with his eyes shut tight and arms folded.
6. Noticing that Addie kept her arms folded for the prayers (well most of the prayers....4 blessings is a lot of arm folding for a just 2 year old)
7. Cleaning up the dinner mess with my handsome hubby while we watch the Americans sweep the olympics in swimming....I mean how great are we doing!?!
8. Getting backpacks and lunches ready for tomorrow....seeing/hearing Camdens excitement at going full day, Eastons excitement at going to kindergarten, and Brooke's excitment at seeing her friends again (5th grade just isn't as exciting as first) This is Brooke's last year at the elementary school! Can't believe it.
9. Listening to Easton sing "this is my sacred duty" which sounds a little more like "this is my akred dusy" and hearing Brooke say that she can't wait to go to the temple (next year...aaahhh is she really almost 12)

Well those are some of tonights highlights....I have a lot of catching up to do....Camden and Addies birthdays and our vacation. Let's hope with school I will be able to clean up the house (just got back in town last night and need to finish unpacking) and then get blogging away. All in all, tonight was a great night!

I am in for trouble

Camden on Sunday had a new teacher. Although he loved loved loved his old teacher he liked the new one. He said he liked the new teacher better because the new teacher didn't even really teach! HA! (The new teachers are team teachers and the one that was suppose to teach had a filling fall out 1/2 hour before church, so they got an unplanned lesson) Here were some of the comments from the new teacher: Camden informed him he could wait to go to the bathroom for 3 whole hours. Camden also was asked a question to which he replied, "I will give you 3 answers. Only one will be correct, you guess which one" What? Who does that? I think the teachers are going to have a great time with this class. One other child raised his/her hand and said, "my mom has a friend with only one ear, the other side is just a hole". I guess they haven't quite learned at the age of 6 to only think about the topic (this week was sharing) and only comment on that subject. Let's all pray that Camden's teachers survive....and let's hope that I survive his teenage years.

Seriously?

Saturday night after Neil and I went to the temple we stopped at Smith's to get bread for sacrament meeting. We were in the slowest line ever and I quickly realized why. I heard the cashier say, "How do you spell cereal". Then she grabbed a box of cereal off the conveyor belt and look to see how to spell it. She put down the box and then started texting! There was a forever line and she is texting?! I say semi-loud, "she's texting?" She quickly shuts the phone and goes back to checking. All I could think was....seriously? What other inappropriate places have you seen people on their cell phones?

I Heart my Freezer

I love having freezer meals. When my dad visits he always makes up a bunch of meals to put in my freezer. Oh terribly busy days I just take one out in the morning and have a wonderful meal ready to pop in the oven for dinner. I love the simplicity of it. I love that I don't have to clean up a kitchen and can spend my time doing something with the kids (usually running them to an activity) With that in mind....my sister sent me a collection of freezer meals. The meals come complete with a shopping list and a prep list. The prep list tells me everything I need to do...like chop onions for meals #1 and #3 and dice tomatoes for meal #5 or whatever the meals call for. I got 10 chicken recipes, 5 steak recipes, 10 ground beef recipes. I am planning an all day cooking fest to try out these recipes. Anyone interested in cooking the day away with me is welcome. I haven't decided a date so I am open to suggestions. I figure cooking 40 chicken breasts is just as easy as cooking 20, and it would be a lot more fun to do it with friends! Some of the yummy sounding recipes are: chicken parmesan, mediterranean chicken, blackberry balsalmic chicken, orange thyme crockpot chicken and fajita burgers! Let me know if you are interested!

Family History, I am doing it

Well not really, but I am loving it! I recently stumbled upon a blog and found a distant cousin to Neil. Her name is Rachel Schwendiman. This inspired me to read the Schwendiman family history again. I haven't read it for about 10 years. By the time I got to page 14 I made an amazing discovery. Neils lineage is this:

Johannes and Anna Schwendiman
parents of
Abraham (wife Maria) Schwendiman
parents of
Samuel (wife Magdalena) Schwendiman
parents of
Fred, Samuel, John, Godfrey, Rudolph and Christian
(John is the great grandfather to Rachels husband and Rudolph is Neil's great grandfather....thus making them distant cousings)
Rudolph and wife Clara
parents of
Magdalena, Clara, Elmer, Wayne, Melvin, Lucille and Donna
(Wayne is Neil's Grandfather and Elmer is my friend (and in our ward) Rhinda's grandfather, making Neil and Rhinda cousins)
Wayne and wife Verla
parents of
Steven (wife Glenda)
parents of
Neil (wife ME)

Have I confused you enough? Basically the sons go: Johannes, Abraham, Samuel, Rudolph, Wayne, Steven, Neil!

Here is the interesting part. When Samuel and his wife Magdalena were living in Switzerland they met a mormon missionary. There was so much persecution at this time towards the mormons that Samuel and Magdalena snuck out at two in the morning and hiked through deep snow for about 3/4 a mile to find a place to be baptized. They came upon a creek. There was a foot of snow on the ground and a thickness of ice had to be cut through for them to get into the water to be baptized. They were baptized by John G. Hafen. Years ago I read this and thought wow...what dedication. This time I read this and went "What, John G. Hafen?" John G. Hafen was from Santa Clara Utah. (We now live in the Santa Clara area) My neighbors are Hafens. I couldn't stand not knowing where the connection could possible be. I quickly got on the internet and found that my neighbors are the great great great grandson and grand daughter of John G. Hafen. My neigbors 3rd great grandfather baptized Neil's 2nd great grandfather. Their relative was responsible for Neil and his relatives enjoying the blessings of the gospel. I love that. I love that there is a connection! So hopefully this will inspire you. Go do a little geneology. Go do a little missionary work. You never know how many lives will be changed because of you!

Maybe, oh maybe

We might just have a girl interested in the potty! For months Addie has loved to sit on the potty....and do nothing. She loves her Dora undies, loves to put them on, and doesn't mind wetting in them either! For the past few days she come to me without her diaper on but with a new one in her hand. Each time she wets her diaper she takes it off! So I know that the awareness is there. Today she has sat on the potty about 6 times (it is only 9:30 am). Easton took her potty one time (I hate to go in there every 5 minutes when I know she will just hop up, sit down, then hop up and get down) and said she actually went potty! So far she hasn't wet her little undies...so there is hope this might actually be it! Brooke potty trained herself at about 20 months....she started crying one day saying she was going to go potty in her diaper. The boys took forever....they were both 3. I can't imagine another year of diapers with Addie. She turns 2 next month, so I know she is still young, but I can always dream of being done with diapers can't I? Well I am off to the potty again!

It's only Tuesday

Once in a while I will have a great moment with my kids and think to myself, "I'm doing an o.k. job with my kids, teaching them the things they need to know, being a fun mom that teaches with games and activities and helping them become the person I know they can be". Then there are days like today....days I wonder what in the world did I do wrong. For the past week or two we have a noticed a pattern with one of our kids. A pattern of consistent lying. Silly lies, Small lies, but still....they are lies. We have tried telling the story of Peter and the wolf. We have tried reasoning, we have taken away toys and playing with friends. We have tried to get him to understand that he is not choosing the right, and that lying is a sin. I am at a loss. For example: go help clean up the mess you made in your brothers room...I know the two of you made that mess together so you can clean it up together. He returns two minutes later....saying his brother wants him to clean it up himself. (At least come up with a lie I can believe. I know his brother is the last person in our family to want to do a chore by himself.) Example 2: Can I play with Brooke's DS....she told me I could play with it at 9:30. I knew Brooke would not put a time frame on something like that. So I said, "I want you to ask me that again, but before you do I want you to think. I want you to remember that we have been talking about being honest. I want you to think about if that is the truth, and if it is the trust, ask me again. If it isn't the truth I want you to ask me a different question" He asks me again, the same question. I probe a little more and finally say "did Brooke even say you could play with it" to which he replies, "oops, I forgot, she didn't" I gave him every opportunity to fully tell the truth, even gave him a reminder, and yet he lied. I am so frustrated. Frustrated that he is lying and frustrated that I can't seem to help him. When I ask why he is lying he says he just forgets not to. So today I am listening to songs that sooth my soul...songs like "I know that My Redeemer Lives". I am also reminding my self that although it is only Tuesday....Sunday will come!

I Sparkle!

Yesterday I took the kids swimming again (we have gone everday for the past few weeks...man am I swam out). The kids have a great time (Addison especially likes that she gets an otter pop while we are swimming). Easton and I came home early (we just go across the street) to put Addie down for her nap. Now I must say you would think after two weeks of sun I would have a golden hew to me. Trust me, I don't. I don't tan, I freckle! We walk into the bathroom so I can put Easton in the bath and notices he has a freckle on his neck. Easton then says, "I only have one sparkle, but mom you have lots of sparkles" That is an excellent way to think of my frekles, sparkles. Sparkles sounds so much prettier even something to want. So I have a new perspective. I love my sparkles! Well, maybe just a little bit more then I did before!

Little Rascals

Everyone in the St. George area is invited to come see Brooke and Camden in their play tonight. They are performing in "The Little Rascals" at 7:30 at the old chapel in Ivins. Free Admission. The kids in the audience last night laughed through the entire thing. Brooke is playing the part of Ms. Crabtree and Camden is Porky! (Porky is best buds with Buckwheat the kid that says "Otay") Come one come all and bring your kids!

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Sunday will Come

"Each of us will have our own Fridays--
those days when the universe itself seems shattered
and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces.
We all will experience those broken times
when it seems we can never be put together again.
We will all have our Fridays.

"But I testify to you
in the name of the One who conquered death--
Sunday will come.
In the darkness of our sorrow,
Sunday will come.

"No matter our desperation, no matter our grief,
Sunday will come.
In this life or the next,
Sunday will come."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Sunday Will Come," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 30

Hope none of you are having a "Friday" day. I am thinking I need to make a "Sunday Will Come" quote for my wall!

So the jogging is put on hold

I am so bummed....I have to put the jogging program on hold. Yesterday I totally stubbed my toe...like totally jammed it! The bottom of my long toe (next to my big toe) is all swollen and purple/red. I can't bend it at all (normally I can pick up things) I can barely walk, let alone jog. So for this week the exercise will have to consist of my pilates videos, oh and does taking the kids swimming for hours on end count as exercise....since I am not sitting in a lounge chair the entire time I think I will count it! Friday we swam for 3 hours! I don't know if we will swim today...it is only suppose to be about 98*....it is overcast and humid!

I am speedy

83 words

Speedtest

Day 3...a little less bored

So Thursday was day 3...and the jogging was a little less boring...thanks to "The Family Feud". I put off exercising all day because I was busy with the kids and waited until Neil was home to help out. This meant I was on the machine at 5:30. I had no idea that The Family Feud was on at this time because I am normally making dinner at this time (we had crockpot ribs....so no last minute cooking for me then). It really helped to watch all the dumb answers people gave and the correct ones they didn't give. So next time you have to exercise....do it while you watch a cheesy game show!

It's Positive...and I have proof

After a lot of thinking it may be so....and getting our hopes up....we finally have a positive....













Yes it is true...










Neil officially has his first gray hair....and here is the proof. I guess he is now officially old! (Oh and as soon as the picture was taken I cut it out!)

Long lost friends

So after a few complaints that I never post pictures of myself....here is one for you. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful visit with some long lost friends. I once posted about the Waite Family that I grew up around the corner from. A few months ago I was able to reconnect with them through blogs. Two weeks ago I went to the Waite's house in Las Vegas where I was fed. Sister Waite prepared an amazing meal....but I was also fed with an update on old friends. We had a wonderful time chatting about old times and what other friends are up to. This is Marleen and myself at the end of our fun visit. I can't wait to meet up with the other Waites I missed out on seeing!

Day one down...so many to go

I found this great website...www.coolrunning.com It is perfect for people like me....it teaches you how to be a runner when you are definately not a runner. I started day one today and at the end of 8 weeks it takes you from "couch to 5k". I am sort of modifying it because it is so hot outside I refuse to run at 5 in the morning or in 100* weather. So I am doing this on the elliptical. So today I had to walk briskly for 5 minutes then alternate between running for 1 minute and walking for 1 1/2 minutes. I have to admit it wasn't terrible. I mean I do hate to exercise. I hate to sweat and breath faster than normal. So both those things occured today (Neil keeps telling me that is suppose to happen). The nice thing with this program is that I didn't over do it and I have definate goals to work on. It also made it a little more interesting for me. I am so super super bored when I work out. I turned on the t.v. (watched part of the super cheesy Saturday's Warrior's) while I watched the stopwatch. It helped that I had to keep changing the stopwatch....if not I would have be so bored I would have quit. I need to charge the ol' IPOD and get some good music it on it for Thursdays jog (you're suppose to skip a day)...tomorrow I will go back to my Pilates video that I love (no sweating involved). Wish me luck...that I won't die of boredom!

Milestone

We have hit a few milestones at our house...
1. Addison now wakes up and doesn't cry....she now calls "Mommy" and if mommy doesn't come fast enough she calls "Camden" and some times "Easton"....very rarely does she call for Daddy for Brooke
2. We have finished our last camp for the summer for the kids....sewing, summer school, science, art, cooking. Boy are we exhausted.
3. Easton asked to share his testimony yesterday....while I was home sick. Neil said he stood up and said "I'm going". Neil asked where. Easton told him to the microphone. Neil asked him what he was going to say. Easton turned to Brooke and asked her what he was going to say! Neil said he marched up to the microphone...took a hold of it...looked around...then asked Neil what to say...in the end Neil told him to say "I would like to share my testimony" and Easton took it from there and did a great job! And I missed in:(
It is fun to see the growth of my kids and see them progress...you have any great milestones in you house?

Baseball/Tball 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Submissions requested

I need good workout music. I want to download good workout songs....songs that will keep me motivated. Songs that are fun and will keep my speed up on the elliptical. Any suggestions? What do you listen to when you workout/walk/jog/run/clean the house/etc?

Great teachers!

I am so blessed to have so many great teachers in my life! My friends and loved ones have recently endured so much....and have done so with such great faith. I have learned so much from the way they have faced their trials. Jon and Stephanie have taught me so much...and today my friend Rochelle taught me again. She has been battling breast cancer for about 9 or 10 months. Today I read that the cancer has spread to her brain. She is once again fighting with such faith! She is determined to beat this. She is so optimistic and upbeat. She is such a great example! So I ask all of you, my teachers, to pray for these friends of mine. Pray for continued peace for Jon and Stephanie and pray for health for Rochelle! Thanks for teaching me, in your own little way!

Awww how cute

Neil called for me to come quick...and this is what I found... The problem: we have a shampoo bottle with a pump

The second problem: it was on the shower floor
The third problem: the adorable little thing can open every door in our house
Luckily she hadn't had her bath. It was so adorable....the first time. The next time, when she had already had her bath and was in her p.j.'s.....wasn't quite as cute! Now all the bathroom doors are locked and the kids have to yell for me when they need to use the bathroom. I just keep thinking...this too shall pass....and then I will be sad when it does!

What should I be doing now?

Clearly not blogging. Yet I need to. I have had such crazy weeks lately (I thought summer was suppose to be slower then when school is in?) So besides playing catch up with my blogging, I am also avoiding. I should be cleaning house (Neil's brother and wife and their 9 kids are coming tonight...then again they have 9 kids....should I bother to clean before they come?) I also am avoiding my sewing room. I have made dresses for many flower girls, my own girls, prom dresses and many many baby blessing gowns. I also have made like a gajillion (is that a word) diaper bags and burp rags. Yet I am currently making one of the most important dresses I have ever made. When my friend Mary Beth had her first baby I made her a blessing gown (although two weeks before she was born we found out she was a he) So both her kids wore it. Now Mary Beth and her husband are going to the temple to be sealed as a family and I am making her little girl Brooke's (yes named for my Brooke) dress. I love the pattern, I love the material (yummy silk) I love to sew...yet I hate sewing this dress. Nothing is going right on it. I get a little angrier every time I start to work on it because something goes wrong. Visually it looks great....just don't turn it inside out and take a look at it. I feel like it looks worse (from the inside) then the very first project I ever made:( I am at the point where I just want it over with....but I also want it to be an amazing dress for an amazing little girl and family. So right now I am avoiding....and will probably secretly sneak in my sewing room in the middle of the night to get the darn thing finished. (Don't worry MaryBeth....the dress will look great and I love doing it, I just want it to go a lot smoother. Oh and don't look at the hem I refuse to pick it out another time) So now all of you can reap the rewards of my avoiding....instead I am power blogging. (Does power blogging work like power aerobics and help with weight loss?)

They're BAAACCCKKK

The McKellebs are back from Law School for a 10 day visit. We are so excited to have them back, at least for a little while. The kid's picked up right where they left off. Brooke and Brianna gave one another makeovers....with their eyes closed! Such cute and creative girls. They wouldn't let me post the finished product!

Addie and Cord acted like they were long lost friends. They gave each other loves and enjoyed Popsicles together. Cord kept patting the floor next to him so Addie would sit next to him!

Camden and Mason went straight for the things they like to do together: Bionicles and Video games!
The older kids had a sleepover and had a great time! We will be sad for them to go back to Mass., but we were thrilled to have them here. Welcome home, McKelleb family, welcome home!

Cam Graduates (a month ago)

Yes Camden is now a 1st grader! I can't believe it. He is getting so grown up! School got out around the 20th of May but our summer has been so busy that I am just now getting the pictures loaded. My camera was about to die, so I got very few pictures to choose from.

The entire kindergarten (all 5 classes or so) put on a great little program. They sang a few songs and there was a slide show.


Camden appeared bored throughout the entire thing. Although he sang, he didn't look very happy about it!
He was so bored that quite a few times I found him yawning!The graduate receives his diploma! Great job Cam. You have learned to read, do much harder math then ever before and attended your first year of computers and P.E. I know you will love 1st grade.
Saying goodbye to Mrs. Cornwall. She collects frogs and has thousands of them in her classroom. Cam is still growing his hair out and loves that it is not a buzz cut!

My fashion tips

I don't have any delusions that I am in fashion. I know I am not that cool when it comes to my clothes and hair....but I also know that I am not anywhere close to looking like the polygamists that live around here. Today while at the airport picking up my nephew I was able to people watch....something I haven't don't for a long time. I thought I would share with you some of the things I learned.

1. At some point every female should stop wearing short skirts...the kind that barely cover your bum.....my preference would be before you reach the age of 45!
2. Unless you are a size 2/4 you should not wear stretch pants...especially if you are pairing it with a crop top and really really really chunky black shoes.
3. I don't think that the shirt that you buy for your 7 year old while you are in Vegas should read "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas". For some reason it doesn't strike me as age appropriate. (then again we know I am not a "fashion" guru)
4. Cowboy hats do not go with everything...especially with jogging suits.
5. I know pajamas are comfortable...but some places they shouldn't be worn....like in public!
6. You know those really cute chunky necklaces, the ones with the beads that are the size of like ping pong balls, I would try limiting how many you wear at one time....you don't have to wear your entire collection with one outfit.


and last but not least, and perhaps the most important...

7. I don't care how small your chest is....there comes a point when every woman needs to wear a bra in public....I know that 65 is well past that age, especially if you are wearing a white tank top.

Now if I have gotten any of these rules wrong please let me know...I am not here to judge, just to improve my own fashion sense and those around me!

Beautiful Camille

Today I was able to attend the funeral services for Camille Kathleen Waite. It was a beautiful service and very touching. There were few dry eyes in the chapel. I was able to see the Waite family, I haven't seen them in years. Aaron and him mom Kathleen played the piano and organ together for the prelude music. (They are both amazing pianists). The oldest brother Nathan gave a beautiful opening prayer which both invited the spirit to the meeting and gave thanks for the beautiful little girl we were there to celebrate and honor. There were a few very precious moments in the service I want to mention. Camille's older sister was asked if she would like to sing at the funeral. She initially said no, then changed her mind. She said that when she is sad about missing her sister, Camille comes to her in a still small voice and whispers to her that she will be ok. The cousins and Camille's sisters sang "Listen to the Still Small Voice" It was beautiful. Jonathan and Stephanie both gave beautiful talks. While Stephanie was speaking she was holding one of the older girls. As Stephanie began to tear up the little girl picked up a tissue and wiped her mom's eyes. It was adorable and so beautiful to see her try to comfort her mom. It was a beautiful service. I wish I had been able to speak with all the Waites, but was unable to. It was wonderful to see them, I only wish I would have been able to see them under different circumstances. I feel very blessed to have been able to attend the funeral and to hear both Jonathan and Stephanie testify of the Savior and the plan of salvation.

Another reason to hug your babies tonight!

I learned today that a dear friend I grew up with is going through a terrible trial in life. Yesterday his little one year old had an accident in the family hot tub. She has been in the hospital since and the latest word is they will be taking her off the respirator today. I ask that you join me in praying for the family as they endure the loss of a child, something that I am sure we all fear more then anything. I also pray that we will use this as a reminder to hug our kids a little longer, give out kisses a little more often and get upset with them a lot less! I hope and pray Jonathan and Stephanie will find some comfort during this terrible ordeal!

Happy Father's Day!

I just want to say Happy Father's Day to all the great dad's out there....especially the two in my life! I have a great dad! He is so very kind. He is thoughtful, spiritual and a great teacher. When he retired from his career at the telephone company he went on to teach Spanish at my old high school! Whenever he visits he does all the cooking...and he even makes meals and freezes them so I can feed my kids after he leaves. What a great dad! I love you!
Neil is the love of my life and an amazing dad. Neil has always been so great to get up in the night with our babies. He is so good at teaching the kids things like baseball. He has coached some of the kids teams as they have played different sports. He is a great example to the kids also. He always does his best to fulfill his church calling, is so kind to me and always makes sure we go on dates and to the temple together. He also supports me in my time consuming callings and activities. Neil is a great dad and we love him. So Happy Father's Day. Hope you have as great a dad as we do!

He's Cute!

The other night I was at the ball field to watch another baseball game. The boy's had just finished their game (with Addie being so darn good in the dugout for an hour). It was now time for Brooke's game, so I decided to let the little kids play on the play set for a little bit. The boys rushed off ahead of me and while I trailed behind I pass by these two little girls. They had just passed Camden, Easton and their friend. One little girl, looking like a Shirley temple, said "He's Cute". The boys then yell that they need to go in the bathroom on the way to the slide. We all stop at the bathrooms, with me waiting outside. The two girls run up and "hide" in the girls bathroom. The friend comes out, and the girl's peek out the door. Easton comes out next. The girls walk out, see me, and say "oh I forgot something" and run back inside. Then Camden comes out and the girl's come out giggling "we were spying on you" and then run off. I tell Cam the girl's thought he was cute, he grins a little shy and runs off to the playground. I couldn't help but thinking....what a smart little girl!

(by the way...this picture was taken before Camden's front teeth fell out. They hung on for dear life. This first one was his "buck tooth" for a day and the other one was a twister. He could twist it completely around and it still wouldn't fall out. Luckily the boys started wrestling and out it popped!)

Week 2 down....and we survived

Well we survived another week of summer! I was so excited for summer. I thought we would relax and have fun! Well we have had fun....but it has been anything but relaxing. Here is our week in review.
Sunday: After church I did something to my back and was not able to bend over.
Monday: 9 am: Camden goes to Science camp, I pick up the teachers twins to watch for 3 hours (they are super great 3 year olds. They play so well together and are very easy to tend)
10 am: Brooke goes to math workshop (she is going 4 days a week for most of the summer for an hour a day)
11 am: pick up Brooke
12 noon: take twins back, get Camden.
12:30 : go to a friends to swim with all the kids. (it is such a process for us to all get ready to swim (the soaking in the pool helped my back feel a little better, until I got out and had to bend over again!)
3 pm: go to friends house for a massage (worked wonders on my back and made me functional again)
6:30 pm: Brooke had a baseball game

Tuesday: Brooke had math in the morning then we went to the ward young mommies swimming time. We will go every Tuesday morning to swim at a neighborhood pool
5:30 Camden and Easton have T-ball practice

Wednesday: almost a repeat of Monday
9 am: Camden to science camp
10 am: Brooke to math
11 am: pick up Brooke
11:15 am: friend Val calls and her gradma-in-law is not doing well. All the family members are gathering in the hospital to say their goodbyes. I take her cutie boy Stockton for a few hours while she goes to the hospital.
12: pick up Camden from camp....we then make a quick run to the grocery store while Brooke tends the other kids
5:30 pm:Camden and Easton have a t ball game (Easton got a great line drive on his first pitch from the coach and Camden made 4 outs!)
6:30 pm: Brooke has a baseball game. Brooke got a really nice hit and was part of a double play!

Thursday: 10 am: Brooke to math
1 pm: I went to practice singing a few songs that I have to memorize. We have a fantastic pianist in the ward and she was gracious enough to help me!
3:45 Camden and Brooke to play practice (Camden is going to join Brooke in the production of little rascals. Brooke is playing Ms. Crabtree and Camden is Porky!)
Neil was suppose to go to scout camp today, but the boys go snowed out (not far from here, and it is June. That is crazy! While they had snow on Thursday our temps were fantastic (Friday was 93) So Neil stayed home, since he already had the time off, and worked on the basement!

Friday: Neil was home again today!
9 am: Camden went to his last day of science camp (he absolutely loved it!)
while Cam was gone Neil tiled the back splash in the kids bathroom. He also put up the light fixtures. Now all we need is the trim and the mirrors!
10 am: Brooke and Easton went to the movies (every Friday at the Sunset theatres there will be a $2 movie. This week it was Mr. Magorium (sp) Wonder Emporium. Next week is water horse! They went with a friend since I was watching the twins. I purchased the full summer of movies...so the tickets were $1 each instead of $2! So we will be going there each Friday at 10. They also do it on Saturdays at 10!
12 noon: picked up Cam. He couldn't stop talking about the "Snap Circuit" set he played with. He loved working with electricity and this is a very kid friendly set! Check it out if you have a boy that either likes working with kinex's or with Lego's! They are priced pretty good too!
4:30 pm: the kids all went to stay the night at a friends house.
7 pm: Neil and I went with friends (and Addison) to see Indiana Jones. I almost hate to admit, this is the first one I have ever seen. Addison did great. She loved eating the popcorn and feeding it to everyone. She did climb into our friend Phil's lap and burrowed in when it got a little scary for her. She was so quiet and still through most of the movie! Afterwards we went to dinner!

So there was our busy week....next week will be so much lighter! Thank goodness. Today we are going to home depot kids club (first Saturday of the month they do a free kids craft, like build a tool box or flower pot holder or butterfly house. The kids love it. They also got an apron the first time and each project they do they get a pin to put on their apron that says what project they have done! Lowe's does it the 2nd and 4th Saturdays! Hope you have a great weekend!