Christian's Birthday...

My little boy turned 7 on the 29Th. One more year until the big baptism. He is a cowboy at heart, just like his dad. This is why we got him play guns for his b-day. Yep, you heard me right....and next year, maybe even a BB gun. We love you little man.

What would I do without you??

I love having a little testosterone in this house. I don't know why, but lately I have felt so grateful to have boys. I now they can be messy and loud, and break everything I own, but all that pales in comparison to what they bring to the table.

Just the other day we went on a drive that I was unfamiliar with. After driving for a good 1/2 hour, I went up another road...stopped to look at some kittens for sale, and went back the way (or so I thought)I came. After about 5 minutes Austin and Connor say "Mom? Where are you taking us?" I said "I'm going back home." They said "Then why are we getting closer and closer to the mountain?" Oops...they were right. It was like a had little compasses hanging out in my car. I love feeling protected. Not only do I have this luxury in my husband but also in three wonderful boys that love me so much.

Scarlett's enchanting b-day...

My baby is now two years old. I got it in my head somewhere down the line that once a child turns two, they are no longer a baby. Is this true?? Tell me it's not, please. In the words of Scarlett O'Hara.."I'll think about that tomorrow."

We took the kids for a day trip to see the Enchanted Forest. They had so much fun. We haven't been in 5 years, and I worried that the bigger kids would be bored. But they were not. Even I wasn't. I guess our whole family is just a bunch of kids at heart. The weather was perfect and the kids were awesome.

We got home and had chocolate cake and celebrated Scarlett's big day. It was a perfect day.

Nice teeth...

Only the daughter of a Denturist...

Austin turns 11...

My little (not so little) Austin turned 11 on the 16Th. Yes, I now get to start worrying about all that puberty stuff that will be hitting anytime now. I'm so happy that Chris can help me out in this department.

We love you Austin. Without your fun sense of humor, life would be a little bit more dull in our household. Keep being you, because you are amazing.

Directions To Our Home...

Christian told me yesterday that he wants his friend Scotty to come over really, really bad. He said he even gave him really good directions. He says "Mom, I told him to go up the hill and turn. Go past the store. Turn. Go up another hill. Turn. Keep going, and it's at the top of the hill."

Something tells me, Scotty won't make it to our house anytime soon.

Hello Summer...

I love long, lazy Summer evenings. It's when a root beer float becomes an absolute necessity.

Epic Relay 2011...

I am having some weird issues trying to get this post done correctly, to where the pics make sense with what I am saying, but blogger is being a big meanie...and I have tried to solve the problem for over an hour now, and well, I give up. So, just try to fit the pic to the text by scrolling down as you read. I hope that makes sense. :)

This weekend I had the opportunity to run in a relay. 12 of us women ran from Eugene to Portland and covered over 150 miles. We were separated into two vans consisting of 6 in each van. We would then basically rotate and each take 3 different legs in length and have rest times in between runners. We ran all day and and all night with a few rest periods. I know it sounds like a miserable thing to put yourself through, but I have to say it is one of my favorite running experiences I have had so far. It wasn't just an adrenaline rush like running a half marathon is. It went even further than that. It was a time to bond with women. To work as a team. To cheer each other on, and give each other encouragement. To learn from each other. It was truly wonderful and I would do again in a heart beat. If you aren't friends with someone before you do a relay with them, you will be by the time your'e finished. Here are a few pics of how the weekend went.

The night before the relay we all stayed at the Crown Plaza. We of course couldn't pass up a chance to eat out. Girls nights wouldn't be the same without good food, staying out late, and laughing our heads off.



Getting ready to start the relay. You know the cold weather we have had for a loong time? Well, it went bye bye real fast, which normally would make me very happy. It just so happens though, that I hate running in hot weather. And boy, by 3pm it was nice and toasty
This is where I would run my first leg of the race, and longest run of the race...6.82 miles, in the hot sun. I was pretty pathetic afterward, but just like any race, the payoff was well worth it.



With each of our runners we decided with the heat issue, that spraying them halfway through their run would help. It was a lifesaver for all our runners. This is Kim and I coming to Jamie's rescue. Jamie ran this race with little running experience and yet she smiled so much, and had such an upbeat attitude, that we named her grill (for her smile.)She also did an excellent job with running.

One of our runners ended up feeling as though she had the flu, and another one of our girls was having serious issues with a possible foot fracture. We just so happened upon some guys from BYU who were also running the race, and asked them if they could give a few priesthood blessings. They said of course, and oddly enough one was a Podiatrist. The greatest part is that the runners were able to run with absolutely no issues after their blessings. It was such a neat thing to see the priesthood work, and to be with women, who had faith that it would.


Trying to fit in a little shut eye here and there. We got about 2 hours sleep total.

It was awesome to finish in our custom made Girls In The Hood shirts...




Every girl that ran in this race in my eyes, is completely amazing. I love all of these women and after running with them in this relay, they will each hold a special place in this little runners heart.

Missing my Mamaw Billy...

Growing up in the state of Georgia was such a blessing to me. Though I prefer living where I am now, the South will always hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I eat foods like fried chicken, okra, cornbread, or fried green tomatoes, it brings back that warm special feeling. But biscuits especially, bring back wonderful memories because they remind me of my sweet, sweet Mamaw Billy. She is no longer alive but she was the awesomest (is that a word?) Mamaw a girl could have asked for. I was blessed with two beautiful Mamaw's in fact. I consider myself very lucky indeed. But whenever we went to my Mamaw Billy's house, there was always a fresh pan of homemade biscuits sitting on the counter top with a cloth on top of them. She made them everyday. Comfort food at it's best. She was a great cook, make that excellent cook, and enjoyed feeding friends and family. She made the greatest desserts, and Thanksgiving at her house was something you looked forward to, if you liked to eat. She lived in a little, humble brick house, but that didn't matter. It was a time to visit, eat, and just be with family.

Another thing I loved about her, is that she would give you the shirt off her back if you asked. I remember being around 5 years old and she let me look through her jewelry box and I found a ring that I thought was stunning. I asked her in a very timid way ( I was so shy and cautious) if I could keep it. She didn't even hesitate. She just said "of course you can honey."

She not only gave of material items, she gave of her time. She took care of sick friends, who couldn't even feed themselves, without even blinking an eye. She didn't do it to be seen or noticed, she did it because that is who she was.

A stranger came to her door one day claiming to be her son's long time friend. He said he needed money. My Mamaw didn't have any money to spare. She lived a very humble lifestyle. But being the woman she is, she gave him a $20 bill, no questions asked. I probably would have told him to take a hike. But not my Mamaw. She was a true paragon of charity. I hope to be like her one day. I have a long way to go...

Girls...

These are the kinds of things you see when little girls live in your home...

Here we go again...

I did it. I got another animal, which I pretty much swore I would never again do. You see, I was taken to family court the other day by my son Austin who claimed that he and his siblings are the only kids left on the earth without an animal. He also touched on the fact that we have gotten dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters...(you name it, we've tried it) and given them away. What could I say? He is right. And it didn't help that he had 5 other little witnesses to back up his claims. But oh, how I hate animals. Yet being the guilt ridden mother that I am, Chris and I decided to try one more thing that we haven't tried yet....baby bunnies. I think I can handle this. They are outside in a cage. They poop in the cage and not in my yard. They don't make any noise. They keep themselves clean. And they keep my kids outside, instead of inside, wreaking havoc in the house. So, there ya go...pray for my poor deprived children that this one lasts more than a week.

Puzzle Pieces...

My first child was the easiest time of my mothering life, I must say. I had two, and still felt ahead of the game. Three???...not so much. Having number three stands out to me as a time where I realized this wasn't near as easy as a thought. It's also when I realized that I didn't have as much patience as I had always thought I had. Still though, we made the shot for number 4, and what came out? A little boy that never made a cry or a noise. He was the quietest baby ever. He was also kind of serious. He would just look at me with those blond curls and blue eyes, all serious and quiet and adorable. I think sometimes that Heavenly father sends us our children in a certain order on purpose. Christian came so that I would be willing to have two more. I have to admit though, he is now one of my loudest children.

Having lots of children also means less time for each of them. It doesn't have to mean less quality though. And it will never mean, that they are a lesser piece of the puzzle. I love them each with all this big mama heart, and I wouldn't trade one single one of them.

Conjoined twins and random toilets...

Why wear two separate shirts, when you can both fit into one? Maybe they're trying to rid our house of too much unnecessary laundry? Hmm...I'm thinking it only added to the two shirts they were wearing before this picture was taken. And yes, that is my 2 year old with a toilet on her head...don't ask.

Shhhhhh....it's a secret.

Pssst....come closer...I have a secret to tell you, but you have to promise not to say anything, especially to Connor. Yep, he tried to shave. My 9 year old TRIED TO SHAVE. Obviously not very succesfully. Still trying to figure out why he shaved under his eye, rather than on his chin.