Christian's 8th birthday...

My youngest boy is eight years old. This isn't just any birthday for him. He gets to be baptized now. He has been talking about this day for quite some time now. I asked him if he wants to be baptized because it is his choice...not mine. He said "of course!" I knew he would.

He was super thrilled to finally have an ipod like his brothers and sister. Can't you tell?

So for now birthdays are over for a while. 2 children in May and 3 children born in June. And I thought this was a good plan, why?

We love you Christian...or as we like to call you...blissy! You are simply awesome.

Big changes...

Okay, so 3 year olds are not babies anymore. My Scarlett turned 3 today. I haven't had a 3 year old without another baby in tow for many, many years. I wondered if her turning 3 would bring longing for another baby, but to my surprise, it has not. I am actually really enjoying being able to focus on the ones I have now. I have a teenage daughter and a son who isn't far from teen years either. It has been wonderful being able to give more to them now that my sweet children are getting older.

I love my sweet Scarlett. She is beautiful light. She is the youngest of 6 which means she can be very, very fiesty indeed. But who can blame her? She has lovely curls that make me smile. She has eyes the color of the blue sky. She has a dimple that makes me want to pinch her cheeks off. I love her with all of my mothering heart.

Happy Birthday, beautiful.

Staying busy...

We haven't done anything too exciting yet this Summer, but we have tried to do a few day trips to keep busy. I love where we live because it's just so darn beautiful. I'm thankful there are very few bugs, ticks, and humidity. I had enough of that growing up in Georgia to last me a while.

I love you my sweet children. I love having you home, all to myself.

We are epic...

Once again myself and 11 other girls participated in the Epic relay where we ran 170 miles, from Portland to Eugene. I love doing races, but there's something about a relay, where you cover so many miles, and work as a team that is so fulfilling. You bond with girls, and learn to rely on each other. You laugh together. Our captain made us do the bear crawl and 30 jumping jacks for 1 measly piece of watermelon. We made funny memories we will laugh about for the rest of our lives.

The weather was hot, hot , hot. My first run wasn't until 4 in the afternoon, at the peak of the heat. It was about 80 degrees, full on sun. I ran it as as I would run a race. About an 8:45 average. I didn't plan for heat though, so I was dying, and hurting, and thinking how much I hated running, during those 5 miles. It was the most miserable run I have ever completed. If every run felt like that, I would never run again.

Thankfully my next run wasn't until the middle of the night. That felt great. I increased my pace to an 8:36 average for 6 miles. My faith in running was restored. I remembered why I like running, once again.

The next day was dead on heat again. I again, would be running late afternoon, but this time I used my head and slowed way down, averaging around a 10 minute mile. It still hurt, but the challenge felt great, and I could breathe. My best friend, jumped in and ran the last mile with me. She is my running partner and she knew I needed the push. She was a rock. She is awesome.

My awesome comrads would meet me along the way spraying me down, pouring ice cold water on top of my head, and cheering me on. We did this for all of our runners. Like I said, a true bonding experience.

We ran on two hours of sleep for our last run. We wanted to cry from the heat. We wondered at times why running had to even exist. But like childbirth, you go through the pain, and then you forget. You only remember the good times.

So, as crazy as I am, I would do it again. I would welcome the sweat and pain. Bring it on.

You are a #1 dad...

This man I am married to surprised me this Fathers day. I expected him to have expectations like I have when it's Mother's day. I always want breakfast. Help with the house and kids. A feeling of appreciation. Don't we all? From the minute Chris got out of bed he was serving everyone else. I kept asking him to stop. Let me do it. But he wouldn't. He made breakfast. After church, I told him to go take a nap. He said no and literally pushed me toward the bed, making me take one instead. He made lemon bars while I slept. He insisted on making dinner. It was pure craziness. He's never done this on Fathers day before. I didn't get it. It's like it was something he needed to do.

Later that night before the kids went to bed, he called myself and all the kids in. He told our children that he wanted them to know that to him Father's day isn't a time to be served but to serve his family. That we are his greatest gifts. That he is blessed to give to us. He bore his testimony of the gospel. Chills ran all over me as I realized how blessed our kids are to have him as their dad.

When I first met Chris, I didn't think we were a very good match. But I had prayed to find someone that loved the Lord more than anything else on earth. This man I married 15 years ago, does. He isn't perfect. But he is mine. I love you Chris. Thank you for being a father our kids have every reason to cherish.

To my own father. Thank you for being the kind of dad that inspired me to turn down the loser guys, and go for the very best. To find someone that loved me as much as you loved  my own mother. Without your example I wouldn't have set my sights so high. I love you, dad.

Austin's entrance into manhood...

Austin has turned 12. For him, this means staying up later then the younger kids. Going to Young men activities at our church. Receiving the priesthood. He's on the downhill stretch to a deeper voice, and all that comes from turning from a child to a young man.
We love you Austinroo. To me, you will always be my baby.

My girl, growing up...

Halee has officially made it through elementary and junior high. I now have a highschooler. Wow. I am so proud of this girl. She studies her rear off and is so impressive in how hard she tries. Her school recognized that she has been with them for 9 years. It was then that I realized how fast my child is growing up. It seems like yesterday...more like 8 hours ago...that she started kindergarten. She read a parents recognition letter in which she told me how much she appreciated me being such a "protective mother, guarding her hens." She couldn't have described me better. I will do anything to keep my children safe. If you are a bully to my child, watch your back, buddy. They are my world...and they won't be harmed under my watch. She told her dad how she recognized how "selfless" he is. If she one day finds a husband half as kind as her father, she will be set. I'm thankful she sees our good qualities and overlooks our not so good ones. It's wonderful seeing my girl grow into a woman. I would be devastated seeing her slip away if she weren't so beautiful to watch during the process. We love you Halee bug.

Big families...

I'm often asked if the kids seems to get enough "time" and one on one, due to the fact that are so many of them. My answer is always the same... Absolutely. Our kids don't just have us. They have each other. Yes, they fight sometimes, but when it comes right down to it, they love each other and have each others backs. Halee and Austin read to the little girls often. They play with them, and love to help. It hasn't hurt them. It has built character in my older kids that I visibly see. My younger kids ask regularly "when are the kids coming home from school?" They ask because they miss them. Because they love them. Having a big family isn't just a zoo. It's a beautiful thing.

Their back...(said in scary voice)

Two more days until school is out. I love Summer vacation but I have to admit that a small part of me is scared of what it holds. Will my children be nice and kind to each other? Will the house be a horrible mess with only me cleaning? Will we be twiddling our thumbs wondering what to do every single day to stay busy? Will the older kids be totally uninterested in going to parks because when you hit 11, suddenly parks are lame? Will the little kids hate watching movies that bore them to tears because the older kids prefer big kid movies? Will murder be commited? Just kidding, that's taking it a little too far. Honestly though, I do this every year. And then I love having them all home. They are actually great kids, believe it or not. I am just a high anxiety person at times. Truth is, every year when school is ready to start back I want to cry because I miss them so much and love having them around. But, I know I will have my days where hiding under a rock will be essential for my survival. I will keep ya posted.

Sleeping beauty...

Dear Grace, I think its' pretty cute that you aren't sleeping with your mouth wide open with tons of drool hanging out both corners of your mouth. you are truly a beautiful person, but not just on the outside. You have spunk and personality. But more than that, you love to hug me and tell me on a regular basis (along with Scarlett) that I am the best mom ever. That means the world to me. I love you.