Balance...

At the beginning of the summer, I was kind of dreading it. Don't get me wrong - I was so ready to be off work, but the thought of entertaining the kids all day and listening to them fight when they got bored...

I decided to try and do thing a little different this summer, and that was to RELAX - you know that thing I'm so good at?? So I didn't plan any really big projects (except my bedroom) and I didn't set a schedule of what I needed to get done everyday. So we got up each day and I would decided that morning what I thought really needed to be done and then we would chill. I got to read so many books this summer! We got some things done, but there was down time too, and play time!!

Well, my down time is GONE! I started work again last Monday, and my Tuesday night told Tim that I needed to quit. I fell in bed exhausted each night and NOTHING got done at home! By Thursday I felt a little better, of course the 44 oz. Diet coke and fried chicken sandwich from McDonalds may have had something to do with it - well maybe not the fried chicken sandwich, although it did inspire me to drag myself onto the treadmill that evening (with energy left over from my HUGE DC!

By Saturday, I looked around and realized that my yard was full of weeds, laundry needed to be done, my kitchen floor kind of looked like it had never seen a mop, and we won't mention the bathrooms.

Well, I could go on, but the point has been made and any more really crossing the line between venting and whining...

So, deep breath, it's time for that balance thing. Not as many books - though still a few (oops I just reserved like 8 at the library and I already have 6 :), not as much sleep (and I HAVE to go to bed earlier), the house will be cleaner because we're not there so maybe that's a little less work, exercise (although it takes time, the energy boost is worth it!) and find a way to keep the family time - it's too important to compromise.

So the key to the fine art of motherhood - BALANCE! It's a scale that seems to needs continued adjusting!

Reconnect

Sometimes life gets busy - it gets crazy and at times overwhelming and we seem to retreat inward when that happens and suddenly we feel kind of alone. Why do we do that? Thanks for the reconnect last night - Wednesday I almost called it off, but I'm grateful that I didn't. Talking, listening, and just relaxing, no pressure - that is what a reconnect is - Thanks for being my friends!

More family camping pics

I decided to group some of the pictures into collages by subject. That way they may be more interesting to the viewer to look at! Since I am determined to print my blog into a book and have it be my family history I really wanted to get lots of pictures on here! Yaa! I love my family! Here's to the memories...

Here are all of our cute families! Thanks guys for not rolling your eyes to noticeably when I noticed that we were going to do matching t-shirts - and oh ya the color that I could get all the sizes in was bright green!!
Hanging out around the campsite. Napping, campfires, good conversations, books... The River!!! Need I say more?
Funny Faces - I'll let them speak for themselves...
Profiles - shots from our resident photographer (thanks Jarom!).
The hike. So it was a little strenuous, and a lot hot, but it was still a lot of fun! Although Jeniel and I didn't really think the cave was worth it. Not that it wasn't cool, but it was that whole slope to the edge and then you know, the straight drop down!
The adults favorite part - Sitting, talking, laughing!

Lincoln and Hari loved my ultra cool air mattress!

The cousins!

And definitely a favorite memory. As we waited by the road before we began our hike, the kids started the universal hand signal for honking. Nearly everyone honked!! Jeniel and I were laughing so hard! Of course you'll notice that Jeniel is facing away from the road trying to pretend that she is not part of the group!!

To a great weekend, many memories, and strengthening family bonds... Love ya!!

My Favorite Camping Quote!

I have these adorable little nephews! Lincoln is 5,and Hari is 3Unfortunately they live in California and we don't get to see them very often. When they were really little I got to babysit them all the time. They pulled up in front of our house last Thursday morning at 7am after driving all night and Lincoln, the 5 year old said to his Mom and Dad "This house makes me smile!" You have to love that! They wanted to do everything that the older cousins did. Including playing in the water. Hari (3) was actually the first one to get in the river (with no adult near by!) I picked him up and gave him a great big hug. It was really hot and his cold little body felt great! Of course he wasn't as excited about his Aunt Kristin holding him after he just fell in the river! But my very favorite quote came on our hike up to the Wind Cave. Lincoln and Hari were troopers and made it up and back! On the way back I passed Hari up on his Dad's shoulders, patted his cheek and said "Hari, you are so cute!" and kept walking. Then I hear this cute little voice calling after me, "You are so cute too!" I had to stop for a moment. It made my whole day!!!Geoff and Anna - you are pretty lucky that you actually made it back home with your boys, because we were all ready to sneak them home in our bags!!!

My Family!!!

Just a quick post! We had a wonderful time camping with my family this weekend. We talked and laughed, played games and played in the FREEZING river. I took lots of pictures but wanted to quickly post this one. This is my family minus one brother and his fiance who had a wedding this weekend, and one brother-in-law and niece who are in Seattle. Most of all it was so great to spend some time hanging out and renewing relationships. We don't get together very often so it meant a lot. I love you guys!!! And miss you already!

There's nothing like the sprit of a Baptism...

Somehow I feel like someone should be marking this momentous occasion. Today we had the opportunity to baptize our baby girl. Our last child has now entered into those sacred covenants. She was able to share the occasion with what Tim affectionately calls a "baptism buddy", Kelsy Robinson.

It is a wonderful thing for a Mom to watch the amazing spiritual connection between Father and Daughter when they participate in such an important ordinance. It makes you really look at what's important in life.

Of course, it is a good reason to gather our friends and family together. Thank you to everyone who attended! I am so grateful for my family and for the amazing friends that I have. To my girlfriends... I can't express to you the emotions I felt at the love and support that I get from you. What a great show of support and love was there. It seemed to cement in me what wonderful friends that I have. Not that I didn't know, but seeing you all there today touched me in a very personal way.

The experience was a wonderful one. I loved, after my three boys, having a daughter to get ready and to meet at the door freshly baptized. I loved being the first one to hold her and to talk to her. She was so sweet today!! She sang with her two friends, Kate and Brienna, a song about her baptism day, and her whole heart was in it! Kelsy sang with her Mom and it was so touching to see her sweet confidence and that Mother/Daughter bond. At the end of the program, They both bore their testimonies and the word that Bro. Owens used to describe these two girls was purity. We see purity so seldom in this convoluted world, that it fills a place in your heart when you do. I was particularly touched in each confirmation. As each girl's father pronounced this gift upon her, I could feel the physical filling of the spirit entering the room and these two beautiful girls. Words cannot describe, but I am grateful for it. At times the busy world makes it hard to feel or hear, so I am grateful for the occasions that remind me.

Thanks you Kayleen for your beautiful spirit. I am so grateful to be your Mom!