We Go Because That's Just What We Do

I read an article back in the day. Sadly I don't remember when or where I read it, but something in it has stuck with me for years. I believe it was in the Ensign and I read it when I only had Sarah Kate, but I'm not completely sure. Anyway, in this article the woman was talking about making a decision to always go to church. She said that she and her husband often felt that church, with their little kids, was pointless, meaning they didn't get anything out of it, but they had made the choice to go no matter what. It was the routine of it that they were hoping would positively affect their children. I remember thinking that was such a good idea and though life in church can't be that bad, I needed to incorporate that philosophy into my life. HaHa! It's funny sometimes just how naive we can be.

This adopted philosophy has carried me through a lot over the years. Our current, never ending trial has often left me feeling unworthy and unwelcome, at church, in a way. I remember one time in particular, back in February of 2010. I actually blogged about it because it made such an impact on me. Anyway, I was having a hard time and it was that philosophy of just going because we go, that really got me to church that day and kept me there. I was feeling very inadequate and unworthy to be at church and I excused myself during sacrament and locked myself in the relief society room to cry out my sorrows. It took all I had to stay, but I finished my meetings and God blessed me with the assurance that I did belong in church and that he did love me. It was a very tender moment for me and I'm grateful that I had this philosophy in place to help me make it to church that day.

Today this philosophy is helping me in other ways. I often still feel inadequate (Satan knows just how to work me) but I'm able, most days, to remember God's love for me and to work through those feelings. Now, I'm understanding just how this women from the article was feeling and I'm seeing how the philosophy helped her. Six kids 9 years old and under in sacrament at 9:00 am by myself is no cup of tea. I dread church. I know that's a horrible thing to say, but I wake up every Sunday praying that we can make it through the next few hours. I've discovered that getting a side bench is necessary for there to be any chance of a successful sacrament meeting, so as I rushed the kids out the door a little late today I prayed that I'd find a bench where I could sit on the end and successfully trap the kids in. Luckily I got the last side bench right up front between the bishops wife and the Godfrey's, a family of four kids whom are roughly the same age as my kids. They're one of those amazing families with wonderful, quite kids whom everyone, I'm sure, looks at and admires. I know I do. Anyway, I sat down, looked at who was around me and instantly felt sorry for them. Aw the joys of parenting.

I probably set myself up for it, but today was a particularly difficult Sunday. Sarah was a grouch because she was still tired and had to be woken up (I can totally see that the teenage years are going to be fun with her :) In her defense I do rely on her more than I should and she generally does a good job helping. Ben was pretty good and only a dozen times or so needed reminded to settle down and that I couldn't help him find pictures in his look and find book. The little girls whispered a lot and kept trying to stand on the bench, but other than that they did quite well. Daniel, well, he had a rough day. He woke up early which I knew right off the bat was going to be bad. He spent most of sacrament in silly loud mode and I couldn't calm him down. He would try to stand and sit on Adam, who was woken up early by Dan and was hungry and exhausted by the time sacrament started. It was a mess. Dan was all over the place and with 5 other kids to watch and listen to and remind to be reverent I was overwhelmed and not enjoying myself.

Finally, with about 10 minutes left in sacrament, I had had enough. Sarah had taken the little girls to the bathroom and I was left with just the boys. I tried to feed Adam a bottle of apple juice because he was starting to fuss. Dan decided he wanted a bottle and he completely lost control when I wouldn't give it to him. He started bawling as loud as he could, threw himself on the floor and had a tantrum. He's my first tantrum kid and I'll be honest, it's not that much fun. I looked at Ben, told him we were leaving, and picked up both little boys in my arms and walked the entire way down the chapel isle and out the door. I was so embarrassed. I met the girls in the hall and we hung out there until sacrament was over.

Right before the closing prayer, Dan's nursery leader came out of the chapel with her little boy and headed to the nursery. She ask if I wanted her to take Dan with her. He seemed more than willing to go so I pawned him off to her and waited for sacrament to be over so I could go retrieve our stuff. I took the girls to primary and slowly headed back to the chapel hoping everyone would have left by the time I got there. Nope, both the bishops family and the Godfrey's were still there. I felt this overwhelming need to apologize, which I feel after each sacrament meeting, and they told me they were so amazed at how well I do with my kids. What a sweet thing to say, but really, so not true. I was exhausted and emotionally drained so after cleaning up the tornado we had left on our bench, I took Adam to the car, put him in Dan's seat and turned the movie "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" on for him and sat in the front seat and had a good cry. Sometimes crying can make things all better. :) I stayed in the car through all of Sunday School and even went home for a few minutes to clean myself up. Then, I headed to Relief Society to have a wonderful lesson on missionary work.

As I sat crying in the car during Sunday School I kept thinking to myself, "Why do I even bother coming. I'm not getting anything out of this and neither is anyone who happens to be sitting next to me." When we got home from church today I asked the kids what they learned. Hannah told me all about Alma the Younger and how he was once a bad guy who tried to get others to do bad things and not believe in Jesus. Then he turned good and started believing in Jesus and teaching all the people about Jesus. Ben said he learned about the atonement and how when we make mistakes Heavenly Father will forgive us because of Jesus and that we can be better just like Alma. That's why I go to church. Just like the lady in the article from all those years ago, I go to church for the routine of it and for the lessons that my kids are getting from it whether I am or not. We had an amazing bishop when we lived in West Valley and he got up one sacrament meeting and told us that we belonged in church. He said, whether we had crying, wild children or no one but ourselves to worry about, we belonged in church and that's where God wanted us. I go because that's where Heavenly Father wants us to be and because I am shaping the lives and views of my precious little children. It's not always as rough as it was today, but even on those rough days I know I'm where I need to be for myself and my kids. Someday soon, I'll look down the bench at my quite, older children and be reminded of these Sunday's that we came and struggled through sacrament. I'll marvel at the children I have and probably miss, in a way, the crazy days that I'm living now. For now, we'll keep going because that's just what we do and that's where we belong.

Baby Bird

Our little baby robin friend

On Monday I had put the little boys in bed for naps and sent the other f 4 downstairs. I put Grace and Hannah in bed and told Ben and Sarah it was a nap or at least a good rest day. They were whiny and acting really tired and I needed a break. About an hour later Sarah came upstairs to tell me there was a bird in the window well. Sure enough, she was right. Somehow a little baby robin has falling in one of our window wells. I took the guardrail off to see if it would fly out. It was too young to fly and though it tried really hard, it just never quite made it out.

I left it down there for about 30 minutes to see if it could get out on it's own. When it didn't I decided to get Sarah's butterfly net to help it out. By this time all the kids were up, none of the oldest 4 ever napped, and they wanted to help. Sarah said she wanted to be the one lower down to get the bird out, but when it came time she chickened out. Ben asked next so I let him go down. I wanted him to catch the bird in the net, but he helped it up instead. It jumped over the edge of the window well and ran straight along the side of the house. Straight into the next window well. It was so funny. I was helping Ben up and Sarah started yelling, "No birdie, no, no." Then I heard her say OHHHHH! I couldn't believe it. It was hilarious.

Ben helping the bird up and out of the window well.

The robin hanging out on the little girls window sill.

I let Sarah get the bird out the second time and I told her to try really hard to catch it in the net. She did a great job and she climbed up and out of there with the bird safely relaxing in the net. She of course, wanted to keep it, but I made her set it lose back by the back fence. I don't know where it's nest is or I would have put it back. I really hope it's still alive and I feel kind of bad I didn't look harder for it's nest. Hopefully it's mom found it and it's safe in it's nest.

Sarah trying to catch the baby bird.

Resting in the butterfly net.

Everyone wanted to watch Sarah let the bird go.

Wearing Mom's Clothes

My goofy kids dressing in my clothes. (I have know idea what Ben's doing in this picture. Being silly like always, I guess.)

Kenny came home last weekend and so I spent most of Friday cleaning and getting ready for him. I wanted to have the house clean, the laundry done, and all those other annoying things done so I didn't have to worry about them when he was home. I was cleaning the kitchen during nap time and I sent Ben and Sarah into my room to sort out the clean clothes. I could hear them in there giggling (which I LOVE to hear) and having a great time together. About 30 minutes later Sarah came out with one of my shirts on and her shirt on over it, but not pulled down all the way. I laughed at her and told her she was a silly goofball. She was headed back to change when Ben came out in my pink shirt I wear over my white one. He made me laugh right out loud. What a goofy bunch of kids I have. I just had to grab the camera to take a picture for Kenny. It's silly things like this that make me love being a mom.

Ben decided he wanted to be Tarzan. Doesn't that shirt just scream Tarzan?

Where's The Flooding?

Sarah walking in the flooded Snake River enjoying a view of the Temple.

I've been hearing for weeks now about how we're suppose to be having this horrible flooding season. The Snake River is suppose to overflow it's banks and flood as much, if not worse, than it did in 1997 (which apparently was a bad flooding year.) I've been waiting for this flooding, but it just hasn't happened yet. Temperatures have, for the most part, been unseasonable cool which has kept the snow pack in the mountains and out of the rivers. I still think warmer weather will hit and that snow pack will melt and come downstream, but so far we haven't seen it. In fact, I heard on the news last night that the snow pack in the mountains north of here are at 415% of normal. Yep, all that has to come down sometime so I'm sure we'll be seeing flooding eventually.

For now we wait. We'd had some warmer weather the first few days of June so on Sunday the 5th I decided to take the kids to the river for a walk. The weather was beautiful outside and I thought is would be a nice Sunday activity. I wanted to see if the river had flooded at all and if the river had risen since the last time we were there. I let the girls stay in their church dresses thinking it would keep them out of the water more. Boy was I wrong. As soon as the kids saw the flooded sidewalk they went running for it. Oh well! We had a nice stroll along the flooded river and thought it wasn't very leisurely, the kids had a fun time and it was nice to get out as a family.

Normally there's a little cliff down to the river. Notice the river has almost overflowed it's banks.

Further upstream, above the falls, the river had flooded a little. The kids had a lot of fun walking and playing in the water.

Dan sat in the stroller and watched the other kids play. He wanted to get out so bad, that is until I finally let him out and he felt the cold water. He didn't last too long before he decided to get back in the stroller.

Ben pushing the boys through the water.

The girls walking along the flooded sidewalk.

On our way back to the van.

I think we'll have to head back down to the river the next time we get some nice weather. Well see if there's even more flooding.

My Little Sugar Snitch

Gracie LOVES sweets. She loves snacks and anything with sugar. I constantly catch her sneaking in the pantry and grabbing any form of snack or sugar she can find. On this particular day I had made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Everyone was done eating except for Gracie when I decided to put the little boys down for their nap. I left Gracie in the kitchen by herself to finish her lunch. When I walked back in the kitchen from putting the boys down this is what I found:

She'd gotten the strawberry jam off the counter (I hadn't put it away yet) and the knife I used to make the sandwiches and she helped herself. I was able to snap this picture before she noticed I was watching her.

Then she saw me and knew she was caught. I'd talked to her before about not eating jam out of the jar and she knew she was doing something she wasn't suppose to be doing.

But she didn't care.

This sort of thing has been popping up all the time with Gracie. I was outside doing yard work one day just in front of the boys window so I could listen to them while they were sleeping. I heard them wake up and a few minutes later I could hear Gracie in their room with them. She was suppose to be outside playing, but she had snuck inside and, I guess, had heard the boys so she went to see them. I figured I had a few minutes to finish up the section of weeds I'd been working on and about 5 minutes later when I went to get the boys I found Grace sitting in their room eating from a sippy cup full of sugar she had helped herself to. What a little sneaky nerd. I've got to keep a close eye on her.

Burn Anyone

Gracie's bandaged owie. We went through a lot of princess bandages.

Kenny had to head back to Oregon around lunch time on Memorial Day. He was in the bedroom finishing up his packing and I was making Cup a Noodle for the kids. It's one of those meals that I don't make very often and they were so excited. Gracie's soup was sitting on the stove in it's little cup waiting for the 3 minutes it takes to cook. I was doing dishes in the sink and Gracie was so excited she got on the stool and grabbed the cup before I even noticed. Being only 3 she's not very smooth in her movements and the cup, full of hot water, immediately splashed all over her hand.

She didn't seem in pain, more just mad that she had spilled the water. She did drop the cup which shot hot water and noodles everywhere. This is where my steller parenting skills came in. I actually got mad at her. I was so frustrated with the kids, I was exhausted (story of my life) and I knew Kenny was leaving again for at least 2 weeks and I was just in an all around grumpy mood. Not that any of that is an excuse, but I have to think of some of the reasons I got mad at her in order to change that behavior, right!?! Anyway, my first instinct was to get mad at her. I yelled and asked why she picked it up after I had told everyone to leave them alone and stay out of the kitchen while I cooked. Then the thought came to me that the cup a noodle was probably pretty hot. I backtracked quickly and asked if it hurt. She said a little, but never cried. We ran it under cold water while I got her a baggy full of ice. I made her another cup a noodle and she ate it at the table with her ice pack on her hand. After lunch she took her ice pack off, said it didn't hurt anymore and went on her way.

The next day she woke up complaining that her finger hurt. She had a gigantic blister on her middle finger. I popped it to release some of the pressure, put a band-aid on it, and then we headed to the dentist for her appointment. She didn't complain about it the rest of the day, but that night before I put her in bed I took the band-aid off to find the blister back and bigger than ever. I popped it again and re-bandaged it.

Her poor hand was so swollen.

The following morning she woke up crying because her arm hurt so bad. I took a look at it and notice she was red starting at her finger and going halfway to her elbow. The blister was back, but she complained that her wrist (where it was red) hurt the most. I knew something wasn't right so I called the doctor. Turns out the blister had gotten infected (probably because I kept popping it.) The doctor wrote up a prescription for the infection and then drew a line around the red/infected area so I could watch it and make sure the infection didn't spread. Gracie thought is was really cool that the doctor drew on her. "How silly," she said.

Her blister, drained, and the drawing of infected area down her arm. Poor kid.

After a few days on her medicine her infection had gone away and she was feeling much better. I kept the burn covered until just a few days ago when we were finally able to take and keep the bandage off. She was such a good girl throughout all of it. I, of course, feel like a horrible mother. Instead of immediately running her hand under cold water I chose to yell at her. I'm working on controlling my stress and learning to accept that I have a lot to learn. I'm glad she's doing much better, but man, did it look awful there for awhile. She's a brave and tough little girl.

Tubes Again

In the hospital bed waiting to go back for surgery.

It's been a good 6 months or so since I first noticed Hannah's hearing declining. We took her to the ENT in January and he decided, rather than immediately put tubes back in her ears, he would put her on a nasal spray that often clears up chronic fluid in the ears. I figured it was worth a try, but unfortunately Hannah wasn't one of those lucky kids that the nasal spray works on. After 3 1/2 months of being on the nasal spray I took her back in. I kept having to repeat myself because she'd tell me she couldn't hear me, her speech was going backwards and she was talking more and more in her throat. Dr. Hanks said her ears were still full of fluid and we decided to opt for permanent tubes. These don't fall out on there own and will need to be taken out in 4 or 5 years. I feel so bad that she needs to go in for tubes again, but they made such a big difference last time. I'm hopeful they'll make a big difference this time as well. She starts school in the fall and her speech is going to make things hard enough. I want her to be able to hear so she doesn't have to deal with that as well.

So, I scheduled her to get her tubes the Friday of Memorial Day weekend because I knew Kenny would be coming home that weekend. Kenny came home late Wednesday night and he offered to let me take her to the hospital on Friday while he watched the other kids. This time went much smoother than last. With no tonsils to take out she didn't even have to be put to sleep. It was much easier.

Notice her orange bear. It's the same one she got last time she was there. She wanted them to be twins.

We headed to the hospital about 6:30 on Friday morning. We had to wait a least 2 hours before they finally took Hannah back for surgery. By the end Hannah was getting very bored and really wanted to be done. Luckily they had some things to keep her busy like Disney Channel, PBS and coloring books.

Coloring while waiting to be taken back to surgery.

They finally came and to take her back for surgery. She was more than ready to go and wanted to get done. She waved bye to me as the nurses took her back to the OR. It was a quick 20 minutes and she was done with surgery. I went back to her room to wait and about 10 minutes later they brought her back. She was awake and happy and she wasn't in any pain. I was so surprised by it all. She remembered her last trip to the hospital when she got tubes in and her tonsils out. That visit was filled with Popsicle's and Popsicle's were exactly what she wanted when she got out of surgery this time.

She waited all morning for this Popsicle.

After her Popsicle the nurse asked her if she wanted ice cream. Sure why not! It's only 10 in the morning. Popsicle's and ice cream for breakfast. Hannah LOVES the hospital.

After her very traditional and healthy breakfast she was ready to go. Because she was doing so well they only kept her for about 30 minutes. She desperately wanted to get home to play with the other kids and I was just happy she was doing so well.

Waiting for the nurse to bring her paperwork for me to sign so she can go home.

After all the paperwork was signed the nurse asked Hannah if she wanted a wheelchair. She had no idea what the nurse meant, but she said yes anyway. When the nurse brought her the chair her face lit up and she said, "Do I get to ride in that." It's kind of funny how a trip to the hospital for surgery can be such a treat. Hannah loved every part of the hospital trip and I'm so glad it went so smoothly.

Hannah riding in the wheelchair on the way to the van.

When we got outside Hannah looked up at me and said, "Mom I can hear." That was music to my ears. I haven't had to repeat myself to her (at least not unless she's choosing not to hear me) and her speech has caught right back up to where it was before she stopped backtracking. I wish we would have done this in January, but I'm glad it's done and she can hear finally. Dr. Hanks did well and so did Hannah. Yay for tubes!

Logan, How I Love Thee

Kenny was suppose to come home the weekend of May 21, but I got a call from him that Friday saying they were staying in Oregon to work over the weekend. School was almost out and things were really crazy at the house. With Kenny gone I was having a hard time figuring out how to be a single parent. The kids were pushing the boundaries to see what they could get away with and I just really wanted a break. When I heard Kenny wasn't coming home I made the quick decision to leave. I needed out of Idaho Falls and I was getting out. So, I packed while the kids were in school and when they got home we headed for Logan. I hadn't been out of Idaho Falls since before Adam was born (that was over 9 months) and I was in desperate need of a change of scenery. The drive was long, but this kids did fairly well and it was very worth it.

Walking around the neighborhood with Grandma and Grandpa.

On Friday night we hung out with Grandma and Grandpa. We had pizza for dinner and took a walk around the neighborhood. The kids played the Wii and then I put them to bed. It was a nice relaxing evening, just what I needed. Saturday's weather was wonderful which I totally didn't expect when I decided to go. Luckily I packed shorts just in case. Saturday morning I headed off to visit a friend from high school. She cuts hair and had agreed to fix the horrible cut that I had gotten a few weeks early. While I was gone Grandpa and the kids set up the tramp so when I got back everyone was hanging out in the back enjoying the nice weather.

Jumping on the tramp. Grandpa's always good to set the tramp up for the kids when we come visit on warm days.

If the kids are lucky, Grandpa might even jump with them.

After some fun in the backyard we headed to Chuck-a-Rama for lunch. My Aunt Cindy joined us and so did my cousin Daniel and his two kids Luke and Layna. It was so fun to see them. Dan heads to the mid west in about a month to do his residency (he's going to be an ER doctor) so it was great to see him before he moved. His kids are so cute and they are getting so big, so fast.

When we were done eating we went back to grandma's to nap the little boys. I let the little girls stay up because it was a special weekend and besides, I knew they wouldn't sleep anyway. After naps was bowling time. I called my cousin Kristin and they met us at the bowling alley. The kids had a blast bowling and the adults had fun watching. (I was the only adult who bowled, thank you very much.)

The stroller of bowling shoes. Now that's a lot of yellowish-green and orange shoes.

Ben's in total concentration.

Beautiful Hannah

The 2 babies! My cousin Kristin's little boy Charlie is 6 weeks older than Adam. It's going to be so fun to watch these two when they get older.

After bowling we headed back to the house where I left the kids with grandma and grandpa so I could go have dinner with some friends. It was so nice to have some adult time. I've missed it so much. I met Cami, Tara, and Jessica at the Copper Mill for dinner and then went to the mall to return some stuff for Tara. After that we went out for desert and just talked. It was so nice to see them and to spend time without my kids. I miss having friends and I've decided I need to find a way to get some.

We went to church on Sunday with my parents and then we were suppose to head to Kenny's sister's house, but there was an accident before we left. My mom's dog was playing outside when it ran out in front of a car and was hit and killed. It was such a sad thing to have happen. I felt horrible for my mom who had to go pick her up and put her in the box I had gotten. Dad was still at the church (he's in the bishopric and often doesn't get home for at least an hour after church gets out.) I'm glad I was there for her, but at the same time I felt so bad that we were there. Telling the kids was so hard and I felt bad my mom had to deal with that also. Hannah and Sarah cried and cried (they're the most sensitive.) We had a nice long talk about death and then, when Grandpa got home, we buried her in the backyard. It was such a sad thing for everyone, but it was a good lesson for the kids.

After Cassie was buried and the kids were over the initial shock of the whole thing, we packed up to head to Kingston's. We were a few hours late, but no one else had arrived yet so it was OK. We spent the rest of the evening hanging out with Kenny's family. It was so fun to see the Kingston cousins whom we haven't seen in almost 9 months and to see Grandma and Grandpa Newbry whom we haven't seen since Christmas. We left way late and got home around 11. Everyone was tired and both the kids and I slept through our alarms the next day. Ooops! The kids ended up being about 30 minutes late for school. It was the first day they were late all year and Sarah was devastated because she was trying so hard for the perfect attendance and no tarty award at the end of school. Luckily it was the last week of school and they had already determined who got the awards and who didn't, so she got one despite the tarty. I dodged the bullet on that one. No matter what, it was worth the trip. We had a great time and can't wait to go back when it gets even warmer.

3rd Grade Banquet

Sarah and her favorite teacher of all time, Mr. Guymon

For the end of school Mr. Guymon decided he wanted to have a banquet for his class. He held a fundraiser during Family Reading Night in April and raised enough money to pay for the banquet and for the end of the year field trip to the zoo. So on Thursday May 19th I got a babysitter for the little kids (which they LOVED. They've never had a babysitter and they thought Cassidy was awesome) and Sarah and I headed out to her banquet.

When we arrived there was Little Ceaser's pizza and Capri Suns for everyone. Is that not the perfect meal for a 3rd grader? It was delicious and it was eaten up rather quickly. After some eating and mingling the program part of the evening began. Mr Guymon had a medal made for each kid the front had 3rd on it (for 3rd grade) and the back said "2010-2011 BE EXCELLENT Mr. Guymon's Class" How cool is that!?! I know as a kid I would have loved one of those. Mr. Guymon said he tried so hard to come up with the perfect 2 word saying and he kept coming back to "Be Excellent." That's what he wanted for all of his students. To try the best in everything they do and to strive for their excellence. What an amazing guy. I'm so glad Sarah was able to be in his class this year.

Mr. Guymon then proceeded to call each kid up individually and tell them why they are remarkable and in what ways they have touched him and helped him grow this year. It was very sweet to watch each student go up there and hear their teacher sing their praises. When it was Sarah's turn, I'll admit, I got teary eyed. It was so wonderful to listen to my child's teach talk about how wonderful she is and how much he enjoyed having her in his class.

Sorry about the video. I still don't know how to use the camera.

After everyone was presented with a medal the class had a gift for Mr. Guymon. On of the mothers had a picture framed for him with signatures from each of the kids. It was very sweet and he even got a little teared up. They also gave this 2 giant bags for tootsie rolls because during the ISAT test he gave the kids a consistent supply of tootsie rolls.

It was a fun night and I'm so glad I was able to go with Sarah. I really wish Kenny had been here to see it, but he was is in Oregon and couldn't come. We're grateful to Mr. Guymon for all his hard work this year. It made such a difference in Sarah's life and I know it made a difference in the lives of all the other kids in her class. I hope all my kids get a Mr. Guymon teacher sometime in their lives.

Sarah with her best friend Whitney.

We had to get a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Guymon. They are such a cute young couple. Awww,those were the days. Sarah loves Mrs. Guymon too. She would often come in and help and Sarah thought she was so neat.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was like the past few, nothing special. That's OK. We're busy and poor and there's not much that we can do so just being with my family is good enough for me. Kenny did get me a card and had all the kids sign it. It was an awesome card too. It read (with a picture of a momma bird in her nest with a blanket over her, obviously in bed, and 3 baby birds giving her bowls of food): "Happy Mother's Day! Today WE get to regurgitate breakfast for YOU!" The inside says, "Only the best for you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!" What a goofball. It totally made my day.

We went to church and then enjoyed some time at home. Kenny was in town and we loved having him home for the weekend. Ben and Sarah did make me some Mother's Day gifts in school and church. I love getting gifts from my kids and the homemade ones are the greatest.

For Activity Days a few weeks before Mothers Day, the girls were asked to bring in a picture of them with their mom. After looking through pictures for at least half and hour I finally determined that I didn't have a picture of just Sarah and I that was even close to recent. So, out to the old truck we went on Sarah's request. In less than 10 minutes we had a great shot of the two of us (see above) and we sent it off to Walgreen's to be printed. It was a hit at Activity Days and my friend, who is one of Sarah's leaders, was amazed that we had just shot the picture less than an hour before. It's amazing what you can do with a great photographer as a husband and modern technology.

I didn't know what the picture was for until the Tuesday before Mothers Day. Sarah had a very special Mother's Day Activity Day's. I had such a fun time with her. We played games and had a nice cinnamon roll and yogurt treat. At the end we were giving this fun paper:

Love it. If you notice on the side there's a checklist of all the things I am Awesome, Brilliant, Sweet and Funny to name a few. Apparently, according to Sarah, I'm not Brave or Energetic. HaHa! Maybe I should work on those. The bottom reads (with her words in red) When asked about this honor, her child had this response: "my mom rocks! She is very considerate. When she tells jokes, it makes me so happy. I love doing things with her, especially fun things. She is so good at making me laugh. She really is the best!" How sweet! Thanks Sarah!

Ben made me a card at school. I love when he makes me things at school because he can never last until Mother's Day to give it to me. This year he lasted maybe 20 minutes before he was in his backpack getting it out for me. What a cutie. This is it and I still have it hanging on my fridge:

Outside

Inside

Could This Be The One?

We've had so many picture trips to try and get Adam's 6 month shot. I think we're about out of time (now that he's almost 10 months old) and we need to decide on one. This picture was taken after our picnic right as it began raining. I'm sure with all we've taken we'll be able to choose one, maybe.

Picnic At The Park

After the zoo we decided to have a little picnic by the falls. The weather was starting to turn cold, windy and cloudy, but we were determined to enjoy the outdoors as long as possible. We headed to Walmart and got a few snacks and drinks and then went to Wendy's for some hamburgers. The kids actually ate well (I guess all that walking at the zoo made them hungry) and then they enjoyed playing on the trees and running around. It was such a nice early afternoon. I love day's like this. They're the picture perfect day's that memories are made from.

Ben climbing the tree

Daddy helping Dan walk around on the rocks.

My beautiful Sarah. She's getting soooo big.

Adam's so happy after getting a bottle. Man that baby can eat.

The girls hanging out on the tree.