Southern food and beautiful temples...

I am a southern girl true blue, so when I have me the opportunity to go to Cracker Barrel I jump on the chance. I loaded the kids up this morning and we headed an hour and a half away to our favorite restaurant and ate like little piggies. Afterwords we absolutely had to stop at the Portland Temple. It was a wonderful day because in the summertime it is no easy task to keep my five children from fighting and arguing and picking on one another. Maybe it was the fact that we were at the temple, maybe it was because we weren't stuck in the house. But whatever it was, it was a wonderful, fantastic and peaceful day.

Eight years of pure joy...

It's officially official. Scarlett is 8 years old. She can be baptized. She WANTS to be baptized. She no longer has to ride in a booster seat. She claims that she "feels" older too. So she must!

I love this little girl so so so much. She packs a powerful punch of sass, humor, and love unconditional. I wish the world around her could see how loud she is. She has real opinions and real dreams that others don't always hear about because she's not ready to share all of that with everyone. But thankfully she shares all of that with me, and I consider that a huge honor. 

We love you, Scarlett Paige. You're a true gem to this world. 

Fancy free...

I think it's safe to say that Christian is enjoying the Summer...

Birthday dinner...

We have a little tradition that when its your birthday, you get to choose just about any restaurant and eat out alone with Chris and I. Scarlett chose Dairy Queen. She's a true sucker for those banana splits. Chris and I fantasized about begging her to go somewhere that would taste better but we didn't have the heart to turn her down. And our pocketbooks appreciated her decision too.

Losing to an 8 year old...

I got beat at the game of life today. Scarlett won. But only by a million bucks, so I guess that life will go on...

Stuck like glue...

Today we sat under a tree and picked glue off our hands to pass the time. It's the simple things...

Johnny...

I took the kids to the very best antique shop in the world (at least in my opinion) and the girls found this little guy. They begged for him and when I saw the $5 price tag I wasn't about to balk at their request. I wish all dolls were that cheap. He's a 1950's doll and they named him "Johnny." And he looks like a Johnny, don't ask me why.

We headed to Walmart and purchased preemie diapers and two little onesies...oh and of course booties. Okay, okay...I got sucked into my childhood but even still he was under $20 with everything included.

He has lots of love too. The girls have been taking care of him and are taking turns on who gets to change his diaper, dress him and sleep with him at night.

I wish I were a child again...

Who's that trapping over my bridge...

I took the kids on an easy trail hike today. They played in a stream under a bridge and reenacted one of my favorite childrens books "billy goats gruff." Scarlett ended up accidently getting wet and I quickly snapped this candid picture of her frustration. She makes me laugh on a daily basis.

Sunshine, tree's, inter-tubes, and sisters...

This is Summer.

Hotel fun...

We dropped the boys off at an "Especially For Youth" camp. Gotta get a little swim time in while we're at it.

Beautifulness...

This world is a gosh darned beautiful place, and if you don't see God in this photo...you need your eyes checked.

Eat your heart out...

I know that a sweet tooth is supposed to be a bad thing because there's this connotation floating in the air that we will get fat because of it, but you know what? I love my sweet tooth and life would be incredibly boring without it. 

Baseball...

Now this a team to fear. Especially those skinny legged girls. They'll crush you cold.

We had a blast playing baseball this weekend. There were some good and not so good moments. All the testosterone amongst the boys and Chris while competing can get a little ugly at times. But all in all, it was worth every second and memories were made.

Austin turns 17...

This boy turned 17 years old. This is a big year. It means in one year he will leave for a mission. This means I have him in my home on a permanent basis for a very limited time frame. This means every time I get upset or angry with him I'll feel major mom guilt because he's leaving me soon. 

I can't say enough how proud I am of him. He has a 4.0 GPA for his latest term at college majoring in science....SCIENCE. That dirty "science" word is no joke. It's some tough stuff and he's been very dedicated. 

We love our little boy. And yes...he will always be my little boy.

Daddy daughter dance, 2017...

Daddy daughter dance. Every girl who gets this opportunity looks forward to it. I remember going to a daddy daughter dance when I was 11 years old or so and I still remember it 28 years later. Why is it so special? It's with the man whom you know will always love you no matter what. Who will lift you up even when life sucks. That one guy who from the beginning (literally) molds your self worth at all those tender ages where it's so necessary to be loved. 

Chris got lucky and got to take not one but TWO lovely girls out on the town. I'm sure it's an evening they'll always remember....

Ducks...

My kids have loved feeding the ducks since they were babies. Somehow this activity never gets old.

Head stands...

We definitely are innovative when it comes to finding ways to entertain ourselves during long summer lazy days. For the record, Scarlett beat everyone's time standing on her head. She was up for over two minutes. She may have been blue and red in the face when all was said and done… But she did it.

A good Sunday...

It's a good Sunday when we get to FaceTime time Halee and Jared. And it's an even better Sunday when they look so happy together. Life is good.

NKOTB...

At the tender age of 12 years old I remember being so in love with Jordan knight (new kids on the block) that it hurt. My insides felt completely twisted and I felt desperate, DESPERATE to get in touch with him one way or another and spill my feelings for him. And of course he'd love me back, despite my frizzy hair, braces and shy personality.

Life doesn't always end up like we think it will. I had the opportunity to see Jordan in concert, now 27 years later. Do I still love him? Well....not quite. Is he still a great performer? Yes. But is he the Jordan I knew 27 years ago. No. Is he the man of my dreams? No. Times change...plans change. Eyes change. Chris is my crush now. Jordan will just have to find himself a new girl to love. My best friend is in love with him and her husband has given her special permission to be shared with Jordan so at least I know he'll be taken care of. 

I will always and forever remember that 12 year old girl though. The one who dreamed big.

Working together...

Nothing beats spending hour after hour with your family putting a puzzle together...puzzles are like family. Each piece plays a part.

Real love...

My brother and his better half recently brought a child into this world. A baby girl. When I saw this picture I pretty much melted into a heap of butter. This is an unexpected picture of authentic love. The love a grandparent must feel for their sweet, sweet grand babies. I absolutely and positively welcome the fact that I too will get to experience this organic love at some point in the near future. Hint hint...Halee and Jared. 

Never say never...

Chris took little Letty to get a banana split and Chris bet she'd never finish it. I mean, she's the size of mowgli from the jungle book. Of course she'll never finish it. But indeed...he's been wrong before and he was proven wrong once again.