What! The wonderful world of blogging.

I'MMM BAA-AAACK!
That's right baby, after about a 4 year sabbatical I have decided that blogging is where it's at...again. There have been so many changes I don't even know where to begin, let me start with a small recap of the last 4 years.
I had a few health issues to deal with and learn to cope with pretty instensively over the last few years. I have also been quite busy being mom to those 4 kids I was always writing about.
Next of all, Mike and I decided we would start the journey of college education in the fall of 2013, Ha!!! Two old married people going to college, what could be better? Oh, only that Mike was called to be the Bishop of our ward 2 days later... double Ha!!! That was crazy! But I digress, then two years later he was called as the second counselor in the Stake Presidency. Ummm. That was crazier! We are still a little in shock and still in college. Ha ha.
Mike also found a great job with advanced md. He likes it.
The kids are hugeungous! As in super grown up. Sonia (12) is unbearably beautiful and just got her patriarchal blessing because she is awesome.
James (one week away from being 11) is super handsome and smart and a little funny and broody all at the same time. He is amazing at sports which we hardly let him participate in because we have no time as a family.
Macey (7) is super funny and sassy along with being beautiful. She is a natural popular girl which sort of scares me but combats it with the fact that she grapples with being nice to every one she comes in contact with.
Joey (5) joey, joey, joey. It should be said that the kid never stops talking. Is uncontrollably extroverted, and super funny. Perfect baby of the family and according to his siblings is spoiled too. I have to make mention that he spent the better part of the last 4 years throwing up spontaneously due to his incredible gag reflex. Ba Ha! He may have set some sort of world record--- and remember how throw up phobe I used to be, he cured me of that!

The older three are all in piano and getting really, really good! I also started piano and am just fair despite telling my kids all the time what a good piano player I am.

Ok--- all caught up? Next time I will give you a little snapshot of a day in the life of us, it's gonna be great!
Lindsey

If only I werent too tired to post a picture of this or use punctuation

You should seriously see my house. The basement is done aside from the carpet on the stairs and 1 room. Words cannot express the amount of work we have done. It has been outstanding. Our kids don't even know which way is up at this point. And their homework is proof. We are a mere month away from having the entire home reno done done and done.
We are now starting on the upstairs, but here is a little recap of everything we have done
wiring
framing of basement
drywalling
mudding
plumbing (last 2 we hired some work on)
cleaning floors
building out closets
filling nail holes
painting
cleaning floors again
trim work
painting trim
wood floor
glueing wood floor
cleaning up wood floor glue off everything
rocking the fireplace
grouting the fireplace
tearing out carpet upstairs to put into basement
lots of tears from mom
lots of junk being moved to garage so we can fill our house again once upstairs is done
lots of runs to home depot......
Life has been nuts!!!!
But the basement is so pretty and if nothing else our kids now know mom and dad know how to work HARD.
Now that the basement looks so good the upstairs looks like a bomb went off. I havent been to bed in the pm hours of the day in 4 months!
Now for the upstairs
Paint
wood floor
fireplace
the end

PS someday along with everything else we are doing I will learn to make my kids feel more loved and gain everlasting patience with them because I love them....

I am so grateful for our 4 children, my jewels, and the oppurtunity I have to come to know the true nature of Heavenly Father through raising them. Even if I am so grateful today it feels like my heart will explode!

Happy One Year Old and Sonias Style and Other Musings of a Momma

First of all may I say... I love a ONE year old....why are they soooo cute? Joey may have been the cutest of all one year olds, do I say this with all of them?
At first I scoured the internet for party themes, this is where sonia may get her love of themes, then felt terrible for not being a better cake decorator, party planner, mom, human being-the internet does this to me- settled on  a monster cake, it was super cute, then I remembered a tid bit I have picked up from being mom to 4 kids. All a one year old wants for their birthday is balloons, and boy did he get them...cute ones. Success!!!




Swim lessons are in full swing. Do I sign them up for another session and have crazy summer (messy house) some more, or do we sit around the last few weeks of summer in a semi clean house...I think I just answered my own question. Carpe Diem! Pretty soon they will be back at school and I can have a semi clean house, but summer is for sun and swimming and being crazy kats!
Now is the time that I rattle off updates on all the kids.
Sonia is sooooo 8. As we are school shopping she is telling me about her style... apparently this includes dresses that look like Lady Gothal, tangleds evil mother, with swooping arms that go to the wrist and crushed red velvet. She also picked out a pair of boots yesterday that where slouchy black leather with a buckle and knee high with a heel, in her size, why do they even make these? answer: to torture mothers everywhere
 I love that she is asserting her independence but can't she do it in a more unicorn and puffy clouds and pink sort of way?????????? I didn't really mean that....yes I did, no wait, where is the line between supportive and mad they are growing up? And did I mention how beautiful she is?







James oh James I can't believe you are turning 7! You are turning into quite the man, super handsome and ultra smart....sometimes I can't keep up with you. He has learned to swim this year! And is even taking Karate from a kid down the street. And loving it!

Macey Ann is doing great, she is sooo funny and super independent. She has picked up riding sonias scooter because hers is too small. She told me she had a dream about Santa he was a baby and he left her a scooter, she was giggling the whole time. Her hair is such a pretty color it is like gold.
Joey is cutting his 5th adn 6th teeth. Poor kid. He got his top I teeth before his front ones that makes for one cute kid!
One more thing needs to be said. I am tired of these kids growing up.... I worry about what it and I will be like without them here. I worry I am not teaching them all that I need to, how do I know I am not messing them up? Am I giving them a strong enough family identity, how about a strong enough testimony, or sense of self worth....too many things to try to sort out at 4 in the morning, back to bed for this tired mommy.

What I like MOST!!!

If I had to capture moments in time, but I could only have say 20 or so, I would for sure want one of them to be on the lake. This is a family favorite!
Yesterday as I was spending all my day trying to get the boat ready and thinking "this is re-diculious! Why are we doing all this work to go on the lake for maybe 2 hours tops?" I must have forgotten how every one in the family does a collective Ahhh when we first open it up on the lake, I must have forgotten how all our worries melt away. Just thought I ought to remember this forever. I am not posting a pic because I am going to paint one in your mind...little kids on the sparkling lake just before the sun goes down you know the time. Giggling and laughing on the tube....THIS IS THE LIFE!!!

Catch Up!!!!

I just wanted to post a few pics from Joeys baby blessing last fall! He is getting his bottom teeth and spends most of his day either giggling or crying, depending on if he is being held or not. So... I thought it would be fun to take a little walk down memory lane, and show how cute he was, he is still pretty darn handsome!!! We luv ya Joey Ba goey

Its Great to be 8

I finally have a moment to blog about Sonias Baptism. I was on January 7th so she was ecstatic to be baptized on her birthday week.

Lets start at the beginning with all the details, Grandma O. went dress shopping with us and got her the perfect dress, she looked beautiful!

It did snow!!! Is was so fresh and white outside, I love waking up to a blanket of white and it has been such a dry winter I didn't think it would be possible, but everyone was jumping around the house when they saw that it snowed!

The baptism was held at our Stake Center at 9am. Surprisingly every one made it on time ( with the exception on the Campos family who was nursing Poor Auntie Nessa who had pneumonia) :(

Michael performed the baptism and Grandpa Bateman and Grandpa Oliver were the witnesses, Aunt Angie spoke on Baptism and Grandma O. lead the music and Grandma Bateman gave a wonderful prayer, also Uncle Torrey played the piano. Lots of family participation.

After we had a luncheon at our church on Homestead Dr. We enjoyed a soup and salad buffet.

It was such a nice day!!! I am so proud of you Sonia, you are an amazing daughter of God who amazes me with your understanding of the Gospel. WE LOVE YOU. Thanks for being a part of our family.

Happy Birthday Macey and other big events

Macey is three!! Wowzaa!!! I honestly didn't think this day would come, but it has and she is already getting easier. If ever a child has embodied the phrase terrible twos, it is her!! She is a tough cookie, but boy is she funny!! And adorable to boot!

She loves to sing and dance and sing and dance, and pretend and pretend. She loves princesses, especially tangled, she loves to scream still and wrestle jamesy boy. She won't keep her little hands and mouth off the baby, she also loves to give the dog a run for his money.

BOY SHE SURE KEEPS US ON OUR TOES AND MAKE OUR EARS SORE!!!! But what fun would life be with out her? And what would my washing machine do all day without her?

Today at church (as every week) she had me almost in tears. Not in a good way! There is hardly anything I can do to make her listen. But all week she walks around with her hands on her hips and sings I am a child of God, and says "Mom, Heavenly Father no want you do that!!!!!"

I have just stopped watching Mikes expression from the stand. But sister Gibbs just gives her a little snack and that at least keeps her quiet for a while. Sister Gibbs (mother of 15) just shakes her head and calls her my handful. Maybe one day when I am done with little ones I will be able to do that too. Macey has taught me to develop a thicker skin, and also that a mother who looks calm on the outside while is crazy on the inside is key!

Today at church she ate an entire pack of gum! And also yesterday! Oh how we love her.... PLEASE SAY THIS MEANS SHE WILL BE AN EASY TEEN!!!

Joey is now 4 months old! He is getting more and more mellow (hallelujah!) and is soooo giggly. We all live to make him laugh. When he smiles he does it with his mouth open as wide as can be. Babies are fun!!! He is a cute as can be and even has dimples. I can't remember what life was like before him. He loves to look at books and the laptop. Just studies every little thing.

Sonia is practicing her heart out at piano. She is playing Rockin around the Christmas Tree for her Christmas recital. She is such a help to me. She is soooo pretty and looking into her eyes just melts me. But boy can she sass too! Mike says there is a reason our girls are sassy and boys are mellow, but I refuse to acknowledge it! And she could talk a stranger to death, let alone me!! She tries her best to keep us all in line and let us know what we ought to be doing. She is a lot like me, but soooooo much better!!!! She is incredibly in tune with right and wrong. Loves Heavenly Father and is so knowledgeable about the gospel. She is looking forward to being baptised this Jan. I love admire her like crazy! She is an excellent example to me. And a great communicator.

James is James steady and reliable as can be. He forgets everything he owns, but is as smart as a whip! I am amazed by him daily. He is so sensitive too, never wants any of his friends to feel bad. He cried at night for a month because he tripped a kid at the park! We prayed for the little kid all month. We had to teach him about the atonement of Christ and how it can take away things we have done wrong, and heal our hearts. James is also amazing at understanding the gospel. He also takes good care of Rosie, the girl down the street. I will send him to school and say James there isn't time to pick up Rosie today, yet somehow he always picks her up. He is as loyal as the day is long and always tells me he loves me and gives me a hug at just the right minute.

As I write this I am reminded of why each of these little spirits are here on this earth and how much they have taught me by stretching and helping me grow up. I am one blessed lady! There was a day I worried if I would ever have one kid let alone 4. Children are my greatest blessing, and I am trying to live worthy of them every day.

AND RIGHT NOW AS I TYPE THIS THE LAUNDRY IS EVEN DONE!!! Maybe for the first time in a year or so. Life doesn't get any better than this, and I just had to tell you about it!

Lindsey

PS Christmas is coming!!!

4 babies means 1/4 a parent?

Just wondering why Joey wakes up every night at 10? Is it so he can have me all to himself? He smiles and smiles at me every night and is even starting to coo and giggle. OH i love that!!!

General Conference was great, the whole family took a recharge day. We all sat around and listened. It was so great to be inspired and taught by the Prophet and Apostles. I feel ready to face the challenges ahead with a good attitude.

I have been wondering though...when will we obtain that synergy as a family that all the great people around us have, setting goals, super clean house, feeling the spirit 24 hours a day.?. Some times I feel like we are just keeping our heads above water. I mostly feel like my little kiddos only have 1/4 a mom, instead of a plugged in, focused, driven, amazing woman at the helm of their little lives. Gonna have to pray about this one, but some suggestions in the comment box wouldn't hurt either.

BYU Blue and fall time blue, but in a good way, ya know?

Can you believe how cute little Joseph is!!!!!!!!! We super duper adore him!

Ahh, Here is our team spirit in action!!!! Mr James is "the biggest fan in the world, mom" So we have all caught coug fever. Funny what kids will do....it has been such a fun family tradition, mike took him to a few games last year, so we had to get some seats this year too! When the kids came to visit Joseph in the hospital they brought him that cute onesie, and happened to all be outfitted too...even brought some gear for mom. Love my little family, it is so great to make fun traditions. Now all we need are some for winter, we don't really have a winter sport/activity....and winter is sooooo long, already dreading a little! Although I love decorating for Christmas------lets narrow it down to the months of January and February.

What more to tell???? Everyone is doing great. Joseph got his two months shots today, but don't tell him because he doesn't know he is supposed to be super sad :(

Life is moving along....feeling the familiar nostalgia of fall and loving it. Hard to believe Mike and I have known each other for 12 years this fall, see told you I am feeling nostalgic.....Hurry stop reading before I get really sappy. He has been so good to me through this little adventure we have been on. I have to sing his praises here because I don't even think he knows how to get to our blog. Just for the fun of it lets do a top 10:

Top 10 things I have learned about mike over the years:

10. He is sooooo motivated to do right for his family

9. The most loyal person on the planet I will even include any other planets that may be discovered in the future, thats how loyal of a guy he is

8. Has a deep testimony the Savior Jesus Christ. Is willing to sacrifice anything for his beliefs

7. Can be brought out of any grumpy mood with homemade desserts. Seriously I have made him happy many times with cookies, cakes, and cinnamon rolls.

6. He loves a clean house!!!!! Too bad his wife isn't the best house keeper....luckily he is willing to pitch in when things get tooo bad.

5. Will go to any length to get a job done right. He just won't quit. He is willing to stay up all night is he has to. He is the poster child for our family motto I can do hard things

4. He loves his kids. He can be a tough love kind of dad, the kids listen to him way better than me they love to make him happy. But....whenever he may need to come down hard on one of them he feels terrible after and will stew all day and night about if he did right and is not afraid to apologize of necessary.

3. He is a mans man, he loves to be manly and all the things that includes

2. He is always supportive of me in the end, I may have to do some convincing, but he always wants me to be happy and looks out for my real best interests

1. I love him and that is that, I can truly say he is my best friend.

Sorry I tried to warn you.....

That about concludes it, now I must sleep while I can.

Lindsey

JOSEPH DANIEL=LOVE

HE IS HERE! and we are getting adjusted to life with four littles.

He was born July 20, weighing in at a mere 8.2 and 19 and 1/2 inches.

he is a great baby and still sleeps a lot!

Yesterday was blessing day and Michael gave him a nice blessing. I love having such a good daddy for our babes.

We are all in the throws of school, and are getting busier every day,

Sonni starts suzuki method piano tomorrow we are thrilled for her. She has such a talent for singing and music we can't wait for her to get started. James and Sonia are in soccer and are having a blast, and trying to get used to running again.

Miss Macey is sassy as ever and is loving the time James is at kindergarten and Joey is napping and she gets me all to her self. We have had some fun times dancing and baking and visiting the park or just relaxing, it has been good for both of us.

Life is great, I would love a vacation from our hectic pace, but a late night movie at home with the hubs will just have to do! (at least for now)

Is anybody there? or are we all on facebook?

I've re dedicated myself to blogging!!!
Especially now that the business is closing its doors. Suffice it to say it was an expensive lesson but not our most??? That should cover it. Oh did I forget the Hallelujah???? Can I just say being stay at home mom is something I took for granted. (Next time I blog in a complainy voice about laundry and dishes please remind me!)
Life is trucking along around here. Baby whats -his-name is kicking away in my tummy, and Macey is still throwing fits like crazy. But she is potty trained!!! Which reminds me---hold on I will be right back!
Ok-disaster adverted.
It has been raining for 3 months now with only brief sunshine here and there. Crazy weather...I can't wait to get out and garden and as soon as I do I forget that I can't bend over, so it hasn't been a very productive spring that way.
Sonia is almost done with 1st Grade, she had a great teacher Mrs. Cavin and is such a social butterfly. Mr. James is almost done with preschool with Ms. Mikki. He is so excited to start Kindergarten. I am so worried they will kick him out and tell him he has to go to first grade he is such a smarty pants, but I feel we did the right thing by waiting.
Mike is still working at Apex edi which has been a great opportunity for our family! We are so thankful for that blessing.
And this grouchy old mama is ready for hormones to not be ruling my life!!! But is still grateful I have them in the right proportions :)
8-10 more weeks we will have another member of this family to blog about!!!! I wonder what his name will be? We are stumped!

Allergic to the Dog!!!

There is a slim chance that Sonia is allergic to the dog Rocky!!!! Oh no, my worst nightmare. Don't get me wrong I would love to get rid of that flea bag...but sonia thinks that would make us the worst parents in the world. She is probably right! So he is strictly banished to the back yard. This is the funniest part: he picks today of all days to be obnoxious and naughty! He stood at the garage door and barked for 2 hours straight and then chewed up any thing he could find. Dogs!!!

Life is okay other than that. I just made my mormon.org profile, and I feel really good for doing it! Macey sits on the bed with me while I work and types on her lap top. Ha Ha.

James is still James, all the moms in the area want to recruit him for play dates...but I love having him home, he is a pretty mello jello.

More later,
here is the latest pic from bella grotto.

Love being the MOM

I am writing this in bed as my littlest is next to me snoring away...love that! I can't help but wonder how many more years I will get to enjoy these times...(with little ones under foot) Life has been busy and stressful. But I have felt Heavenly Fathers guiding hand through it all. Just when I think I have a handle on things I realize the only reason I do is because I have His help. Being a mom of all these little souls is such a big responsibility. I pray always that I am doing what is right for them. They have been little troopers through this parents-who-own-a-business transition. I hope that the changes that are happening don't change them. They have been working hard right along side mike and I and I can see their little characters shining through. I cant wait to see what they become...just not too soon. I have always said "If we could just flash forward to see what life will be like in 5 or 10 years that would be great" But experience has shown me that everything will be fine...we have Heavenly Father on our side!
Pregnancy is going good. Other than morning sickness we have had nothing to worry about; another blessing. I have been craving cucumbers..they smell sooo good, about the only thing that does, and start dry heaving every time I walk near the kitchen...sort of a problem when you have a family to feed. If only there was a food delivery service to the couch or my bed we'd be set! I can't believe I was able to forget how hard pregnancy is...The mind is a tricky thing.
Kid Update
Sonia had her first piano recital, she played somewhere over the rainbow, and jingle bells as a duet with her teacher...she is doing great! I love to hear her learning!! Her teacher is great, Suzanne Tingey is a neighbor and I can convince sonni to ride her bike or walk if it is not too cold. She just had her 7 birthday and is soooo big...now we just have to plan her party, hmmm what to do?
James Michael is good, he loves school and we are living with the decision to not put him in kindergarten this year. He would have loved it, but to be honest, I love having him home one more year before the world takes him away. I figure its either now or before his mission...patience was never my strong suite. He is funny and is always saying "mom what can I do that isn't boring?"
Macey has reverted to wearing diapers and not potty training again. I have to admit I am a little happy, but dreading the time when we actually do have to potty train. This gave me a little taste of how hard it is again....booo. She loves rocky and begs me to have him inside. I try to let her (he has a little bed he can lay in) but within minute he smells so much like a dog I have to send him back outside dry heaving. She screams at me "No, No, ocky bed mom!!" Well at least some one likes the dog! He has started appreciating this fact about her and the have called a truce to the knocking eachother off the garage steps...for now.
Life is good! We have each other, Heavenly Father loves us, and we have lots to keep us busy.
Lindsey

Just when you think!!!!

Just when you think things can't get any crazier they do!
I'm Pregnant!!!!!! We didn't have to do any fertility treatments so we are sooo excited about that~
Things are still moving at warp speed....now they are just a little nauseous and dizzy too.
On top of it Macey decided to potty train herself...ha! She just took off her diaper and figured she doesn't have to wear them anymore...ha!ha!....ha!! At least she is trying! Doing pretty good too. She is one persistent chica!
Tell more later just wanted to give the update

Deep Down I Knew This Day Would Come...

So....Its happened. I own a business. Thats not supposed to sound sad. No really....The business side I am really excited about. The parenting side of me is torn.
The business side is something I am passionate about.
The Mommy side that is struggling to find balance is worried that I am ruining my kids forever.
The housewife side of me....the one that normally ignores the dishes, can hear my home screaming. "Please we just want to be ignored again. Not completely forgotten!"
One day I WILL change the sheets again. Maybe even wash them and put
them away! One day I will have that talk with my kiddos in the early morning hours when the sun is just a hint in the sky.....but for now I will have to settle with my kids standing over my bed saying...."Mommy its 8 o'clock, why are you still sleeping?" If you are wondering why I am still sleeping notice what time this blog was posted...sleep is a thing of the past.
Was that enough of a pity party? Ok, just wanted you all to know where I am at.
Here are the details of my new baby. Its name is Bella Grotto. It is the chance of a life time. We will be hosting Weddings, Boutiques and other events out of Tuscan Garden Works. We are sub leasing space and they are providing the product from which romantic weddings are made of. The picture above is one of the Gazebos that we will have in our space, along with drippy fountains, a grotto (gazebo cut in half) arches, benches, statuary...you know all the things my garden dreams about. The best news of all is that I get to be partners with Chris and Christy Yadon who are not only some of my fav people, but some of the smartest, talented, driven people I know as well. And of course My hubby is also a partner. He is once again proving himself an amazing marketer...with drive to match. We open doors on Jan 1. I am so excited to have the space set up that I am staying awake at night thinking what pot will go where, how will we mark the door...and such things. Now to book events. Oh, yes there is that small detail.
Mean while, my kids are still terrific! Sonia is doing awesome in school, she had a hard time adjusting to the long days, I think I did too. She is a super learner and is reading like a champ. She can just sit and read books all by herself!! Piano is going great for her. She is practicing Jingle Bells and Somewhere over the Rainbow for her first piano recital! She is one talented child. I love her spunk except when it is directed at me! She is so independant now....its hard to believe she is so big.
Mr. James is doing preschool and starting to read. He is also a champ at all things learning and is a little time and math wizard. He is so low key and keeps himself busy with legos and the computer all day. We just finished his first soccer season. He was a little rusty at first but after a few games really got into it. He was the kid out on the field pushing other kids!!! Can you believe it! I would tell him to stop...and then wink and kiss his little cheek. What a kid he is! He also discovered he is BYUs biggest fan...before he had even been to a game! So mike decided since all of his mental energy was focused on BYU he should probably take him to a game. He loved it!!!
Macey, Macey, Macey...what do you say for the girl who keeps you up all night kicking you in the face. I love you. She is now binki free and more hooked on the bottle than ever. I am still struggling with putting her to bed at night. That girl!! She now loves, loves purses and babies. I think little girls are great. She wants to push her own shopping cart, and spends most of her day telling me that sonni, and daddy are bye-bye. She even made up a song. It includes James when she feels brave enough to say his name... Meesh bye-bye!
Through it all I feel keenly blessed! Life is good. I can't believe how much my Father in Heaven love me and protects my family. I feel the desire to know Him better every day, and am truly grateful for the atoning sacrifice His Son gave for me. I want to be a daughter and sister They are proud of. All things are bright and beautiful around here even if they are at warp speed and whizzing past my head...literally...today a bouncy ball almost took my ear off!
PS Harry Potter Halloween Theme went well except that the Owl wouldn't wear her costume and had to me a magical tiger instead....Macey.... and the golf cart is totally the way to trick or treat!

Wild Wild West

We just got back from Yellowstone, and we had so much fun! As soon as I can get my photos off of my evo I will post some for all to see. We camped in Mikes mom and dads pop up trailer for 2 nights and then used our free hotel nights for the other two. After leaving Yellowstone we took a quick stop at Hilary and Shawns in the cute town of Rexburg. It was the perfect vacation for a one family trip. The kids did phenomenal in the car even though most of the trip was spent there. We spent lots of quality time together and it was a great chance to reevaluate our little family and each member in it. I am newly inspired as a mom!

Here are the top things to remember about our trip!

1. Getting an old fashion picture taken, we were all cowboys and girls and we even captured maceys binki!!! It turned out sooooo cute! The kids had a riot.

2. Camping--our kids love the outdoors and kept themselves so busy.

3. Seeing Buffalo, we had to search high and low but we found a few. Mike and I might have even seen a wolf (kids were sleeping of course!)

4. The artist paint pots were great and a fun short hike for the kids. Boiling mud is amazing.

5. Best of all was the Rodeo we went to right outside of town....The bucking broncs were right in front of us kicking dirt in our faces it was soooo exciting. James was the star of the show chasing the rodeo clown around trying to get his dollar we were crying it was so funny. Then he starred in the dance competition and was sooo cute dancing with his little thumbs up and kicking his heels in the air. HA

6. We can't forget swimming in the hotel too. The kids went three times in two days. They love the water and call themselves little fish. They would jump off the side over and over again.

7. Hanging out with my sis and her hubby, seeing their life and eating dessert in the beautiful BYU Idaho gardens with Shawn and Hil as our own personal tour guides. Cousins laughing and playing is a happy sound!

8. I can't say enough how blessed we are and how lucky we feel to have had the opportunity to have such a good vacation. It really could not have been better if we dreamed it!

the stone....

I guess I have a kidney stone...I haven't seen it....I don't know if I have felt it.... but the doctor says it is clinging to the side of my kidney, hanging on for dear life just to annoy me! Really as if I need one more thing to occupy what little brain capacity I seem to have these days. Apparently is pretty big too. They will have to do the Sonar treatment to get it broken up enough to pass it in a million different pieces (if I am lucky.) I am trying to look on the bright side...but there doesn't feel like one right now and I thought it might be a good idea to turn to my 4 online friends for sympathy...I mean support. Maybe after blogging it I can put it to rest and just get on with my life and the sonar treatment because right now I am scared to death!

Swim lessons are great. The kids are loving all the water time they are having. I think they would have gills if nature didn't prevent it. Sonia jumps from the life guard chair today thus earning her traditional snow cone and James is going to attempt it tomorrow. Macey however has spent the entirety of two weeks strapped in the stroller...Sorry. I am going to try to get her into another session just to make up for it! Love those kids. I can't believe how fast summer is going and I don't know if I will be able to give my kids up again to elementary and preschool....ugh.

As Per Popular Request

Okay here it is the DAILY SEVEN:
first of all I can't take all the credit because I got the idea from my sister in law Laura.
The idea goes like this, you post them somewhere that the kids can see them (if your kids can't read draw pics)
These can be modified for individual kids and family needs but here are ours:
1. Read Scriptures
2. Say Prayers
3. Get dressed
4. Brush hair
5. Brush teeth
6. Tidy bed/room
7. 15 min chore (more like 5 min chore 10 min whining) ie. emptying garbage, washing windows, tidying a bathroom.
When you have done your daily 7 you have access to media, tv computer or movies and also friends.
My kids memorized the daily 7 pretty quickly and it is funny to hear them counting down... okay now i only have 2 left. This normally takes my kids anywhere from30 min to 45 depending on how motivated they are. Another cute idea I heard was that Sunday is also Sloppy Bed day. My kids would love this if they actually made their beds well everyday this part of the daily 7 gets glossed over 4 out of 7 days of the week, but now we have a goal for when we get bed making down. HA

Memorial Day-Day Hike

This Memorial Day we did a little day hike up to a waterfall in Payson Canyon, it was great it was only about 1/2 a mile up grotto trail. A perfect hike with all the kids, we loved crossing all the split logs across the stream and getting wet and muddy at the falls it was just what our little family needed, some fresh air after being cooped up with this crazy weather, the whole excursion took only 5 hours, perfect! We even got the lawn mowed in the morning and would have had enough time to do chores had we not been lazy in the morning.

Summer has proven fun and messy at our house. The kids have to do their "Daily Seven" plus a fifteen minute chore before they can have access to any media (comp, tv, movies). We have gotten rid of cable forcing us all outside more and we are all better for it! The messy part comes in with trying my best to keep the house clean...trying is the key word.....ottor pop wrappers and wet towels the biggest culprets.

Macey has proven an outdoors-woman as she makes a run for it as soon as the door is ajar. She has been to most of the neighbors houses with the older kids. It is hard to keep her contained. If only she had any fear in her I might feel a little better, but roads and traffic mean nothing to her and coming home doesn't seem to be on her radar either.

Over all we are reveling in the togetherness of summer. It feels good to have my kids back and have them being kids again!