Double trouble...

I had an epiphany tonight as halee and I were bored out of our minds and so decided to do the girls' makeup. It hit me square in the face that I'm going to literally have to carry a shotgun around to keep these little beauties from all the boys when they get older. This means my hands will be full and not just with bullets. This equals worry...I have to go thru it with halee already, but these girls will be double trouble. Sheesh...why didn't I consider all these things before having kids???

Merry Christmas to you...

As always, Christmas was wonderful. What would I do without this bunch??? I love them each...they are their own individuals with such contrasting personalities, and yet so similar on certain levels.

I felt a deep gratitude for Chris this holiday. He's such a good husband. I know I wear this statement out on here, and fully realize that it probably gets old to those who read it...because let's face it, mushiness can be super annoying. But I cannot help it. I need my kids to read this one day and realize what a good father they have to their mother. Yes, I feel incredibly blessed this year, and for that I feel so very grateful for life.

The music man...

I'm so proud of Austin. Our boy who suddenly seems to have turned man. He was asked by his teachers at school to be the chimes leader over the 5th through 8th grade class. And let me tell you...that's no easy job when you're dealing with kids that are bored and sometimes unwilling to learn. He did it though and when I heard them perform at our Christmas school program I was very proud of all they accomplished.

Austin hadn't had piano lessons in several years and yet sits at our piano, takes his favorite songs and recomposes them in a matter of minutes. I love his music. I could listen all day.

That kind of feeling you get...

Do you ever see a picture of someone you love and your heart just swells up like is big balloon that is completely on the verge of popping? When I saw this picture that Chris took of our scarlett at the christmas school program, that's how I felt. A true love kind of feeling. My youngest sweet girl, in kindergarten. This time goes by so incredibly fast. I try to savor every bit of her littleness. A tangible love that is so real for all of my children. I am seeing every last one of them grow...some already into beautiful teenagers and our oldest nearing adulthood. Just yesterday our oldest was as young as our youngest. Life is THAT fast. But my joy is overwhelming. I have been able to do this six times. Six times I got to go to the hospital and bring a baby home. Six times I've been able to see them take a first step...see them get excited about seeing an airplane in the sky...see them go to their first day of school. The list goes on. For me, having six children has meant triple the blessings...triple the chaos, but mostly triple the swelling balloon feeling to where I'm a hair pin away from popping.

Seasons...

This week marks my very first week working with Chris at the denture clinic. I haven't worked out of the home since I was 20 years old. I've always devoted every second to being a mom. Thankfully I can still do that. My schedule allows for me to work while the kids are at school.

It's definitely going to be an up road climb...but with all the help from Chris, and our technicians, I'm up for this challenge....and super excited about this new chapter of life. My mom always said "there's a season for everything." Moms are so darn smart.

Looking forward....

It's good day to turn 37. I've always loved having a birthday two weeks before Christmas. As a kid it meant more presents. Now it means getting older. But when you have kids that relish getting you gifts, and a husband who works hard to make it a day that brings a smile to your face, it becomes a day of feeling cherished. I'll take that.

It's that time...

Bet you can't guess what we are doing today....goodness gracious I love christmas.

A real gift...

We've decided to try something different this year for Christmas. We are taking the kids on a trip early next year and decided that in light of this, we would not buy as many Christmas presents. When we presented our plan to the kids we expected some resistance but instead they all agreed happily. Wow we lucked out.

Halee gave a family home evening lesson Monday about remembering the true meaning of Christmas. That Jesus Christ is indeed the true gift to all of us. She passed out these little cards and the kids were all really excited. Connor told me today that he gave his to a friend at school. His friend set it out on his desk to look at. Connor could see it meant a lot to his friend. 

I've come to the conclusion that sometimes it's a gift NOT to give. Sometimes when we are willing to accept less... a wonderful lesson is learned. And a real gift is recognized. How grateful I am to Heavenly Father for giving the savior to our world. A gift I will forever cherish.

A new chapter...

Yes I know. I've been a terrible blogger. You see I have this thing called college that seriously puts a damper on free time. I embarked on the quest of going back to school back in June...and things have been interesting to say the least. Chris and I prayed and pondered whether it would be the right decision for our family and came to the conclusion that YES it would be. It's all online, and eventually the hope is that I can graduate and work along side my hottie husband as a Licensed Denturist. Like I said, that is the hope....now I have to make it a reality.

I've never seen my husband be more supportive. I always knew he was amazing but in June when I first started it was extremely overwhelming at times. Lots of tears and even more late nights that turned into early mornings and I pretty much lived on Mountain Dew just to stay awake. Thankfully the hardest terms are behind me and even though I still have a long way to go...I know I have the support to make it happen.

Now if I can just tell my brain to keep up, all will be well.

You go miss Minnie...

Halee is one creative child. She did NOT get this from me. I'm so un crafty it's pathetic. She loves Pinterest and made these Mickey/Minnie ears for a disney themed dance. Halee will be that mom that goes all out on making halloween costumes for her kids one day. 

I feel my saviors love...

This is one of my favorite photos. A reminder that the savior has a love for all. No matter where you are, or who you are.

A very special thing happened to me today. To our family. A knock came at our door around 9:30am. Chris answered it and I could hear from my room a young lady crying and begging for help. I heard her saying "my mom left me all alone at my house." And "I need to get to church...I need help." And "I don't know what to do...please help me?" I rushed into the room to find a woman about 30 years old, much younger mentally, and very afraid and alone. She had an oversized coat on and carried a bible.

As I listened to her something happened to my heart. It opened up and I felt an outpouring of love and compassion for this woman I had never felt for any other stranger. My heart literally swelled. I would have done or given anything to help this sweet, scared woman. I hugged her. I vowed to help her. I reassured her. Chris brought her to her church where she felt safe, and no longer afraid.

It was an experience Chris and I both think did not happen by chance. It's easy to get caught up in life. Or should I say "lifeless" things. I needed to be reminded that the saviors love is the greatest love that has and WILL ever exist. I felt a little taste of his love when my heart opened up today. I felt the love for this woman that the savior feels for me. 

I needed that. And someone knew that I needed that.

We run the night...

I ran a half marathon in Vegas this past weekend. Myself and three other amazing girls ventured into sin city (we didn't sin though, I promise) and had a complete blast. 

As far as the run goes, I have to say it was one of the most exciting runs I've ever done. Running at night with all the lights, music, entertainment was just plain awesome. I worked hard the first 8 miles...probably too hard and by mile 10 began to crash. It was a mental game at that point. Just three more miles...keep going...your having fun...(all lies but u do what u gotta do.) I was thrilled to be done and meet my goal of a sub 2 hour. I finished in 1:57:00. 

So, yes indeed...I loved running in Vegas. And even though vegas itself is not my ideal place to be...running in it was amazing.

Stand ye in holy places...

The young women in our church did a really cool project where they glued a pic to wood with modge podge glue. It ended up having a vintage look. I love the back with the temple on it. A great reminder to Halee what she wants in her future.

Best of friends and times...

Can I just say that I love having a best friend? Tammy has been my friend for 11+ years and I feel so blessed because I can go to her for anything and this girl has my back...no doubt about it. Plus, we have so much fun together...we are quirky and a little insane and it just works well for our friendship.

This weekend we took our oldest girls to an event called "time out for women." We stayed overnight in a hotel...ate out, shopped a little, sat in the hot tub and laughed a lot. I loved snuggling up to my halee bug and having a girls getaway with great friends and my sweet daughter. This needs to be a yearly tradition.

This is the babies crib...

I had kind of a guilty mommy moment today. When the kids leave for school I clean up any loose ends in the house...do laundry...sweep...basically anything that needs cleaned, I clean so that I can enjoy the rest of the day without worrying about getting it done later. Problem being...I'm a ridiculous clean freak (more like neat freak because it's mostly about having everything in place) and my kids know it, because this is the note I got this morning from the girls...

Halloween 2014...

I can't believe I almost forgot to blog about Halloween. And this being one of my favorite holidays...Shame on me. 

Well, halloween was successful...and by successful I mean we got loads of candy....and by golly I love candy. It pays to have six kids when halloween comes around.

Shout to the heavens...

We are the epitome of a shout commercial. We are the reason shout continues to be the number one stain remover. Without us that company would surely go under, because there's no way that any other kid comes home from school as dirty as my kid...and I'll bet you can guess which kid I'm talking about (aka, connor.) 

Ebola...

Tammy and I had a hair brained idea yesterday while running. We passed a painter who was covered from head to toe and quickly realized that CDC workers (trying to dodge ebola) would be perfect costumes for our church Halloween party. It was great, but talk about sweaty. We practically suffocated (especially our husbands) and quickly realized how grateful we were to not be real nurses fighting ebola. One night in that outfit was enough for me.

Memories...

This picture (drawn by grace) makes owning a boat worth every penny put into it each summer. Having a boat can at times feel like babysitting. It has to be maintained, winterized, de winterized, and costs gas money every summer but the memories by far outweigh all of that.

Bloody fingers...

You know you live in a friendly town when a random stranger lady asks you if you want a bloody finger cookie. Hmmm...not sure how to feel about that...

Field trips...

I got to take this little sugar bear on her school field trip last week. I love this girl so much. She's five years old which means this is sort of what I like to think of as a golden year. It's the year in school when you're still young enough to do lots of crafts and go on lots of field trips. She enjoys every minute of it too.

Hiking in this beautiful place I call home...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love where I live. Beauty is everywhere. We spent yesterday having a picnic. I ran 9 miles with my friend in the morning while my oh so dedicated and good husband made our lunch. We also hiked some and barely dodged the rain. It was a great time. I love being with this great group that belong to me.

Sunflower...

The day my boys stop surprising me with flowers will be a sad day...but that hasn't happened yet, so I'll just keep smiling.

Late night chats...

 Quick update on homecoming. Halee had a great time with her two friends. It definitely wasn't the usual "church dance" Halee is used to, but she knew it wouldn't be. The punch bowl was being guarded by teachers, a kid snuck alcohol in, passed out and had to be taken away by ambulance. There's really no "traditional" dancing...rather, it's more or less "grinding" on the dance floor. Those were the negatives for Halee, but she's found friends (especially the girl pictured here) that share her standards, and they all made the best of it, and had a blast in spite of those things.

I waited up for her and she showed up at 12:45am. We talked for quite a while. I love that she opens up to me...because in all honestly I'm here to listen to her take on life because she's very perceptive....I truly admire her and the wisdom she's gaining at such a young age. I can tell you this much...she doesn't get that from me. I'm very proud of this little girl of mine that is becoming a woman before my very eyes.

Donuts...

We make the most fattening, delectable treat only twice a year. On the weeks of general conference. It's a tried and true tradition that everyone counts on. The little girls and christian punched the holes thru the dough. I fried the donuts, halee frosted them and Chris Austin and connor sat around...which was ok with us. Too many bodies in the kitchen can sometimes equal disaster. They were delicious. We each took turns talking about our favorite general conference message. A good time was had by all.

Halee at homecoming...

My little beauty is currently at her very first homecoming dance. She and two of her girlfriends met at sharis restaurant and are going to hopefully dance their hearts out later on. I can say this much....this part of parenthood is really fun...

Catch...

Have I ever mentioned that I absolutely loved playing baseball and catch in my yard as a kid? My sister gina and I would play catch for hours and I never got bored of it. The boys pulled the mits and ball out yesterday and today and you know what? I still love it just as much now as I did then.

General conference...

It's that time again. General conference, for the church of Jesus Chris of Latter Day Saints. Where get to hear messages of love, hope, faith, and encouragement. The older kids are taking notes, the younger ones counting how many times they hear the words "Jesus Christ" and scarlett is snuggled under a chair. I feel blessed.