What I'm Working on This Week..........

Do I just have the most fun job ever? My kids think so.....
Oh, and you are ALL invited to attend.
It's sure to be a BLAST!

Thanks to the most talented Rebecca Walters who designed this amazing flier for us!

Our Stewart Falls Adventure

We woke up Saturday morning itching to do something different.

I haven't hiked (or ran) the 4 mile trail up and back from Stewart Falls in 8 years when I helped coach cross country at Orem High School in 1999-2001.
We decided to take a chance the boys would enjoy it, packed a picnic, stuck Abby in the
backpack and we were on our way!
It's not the easiest hike at times for the little ones but everyone seemed to embrace the spirit
of this adventure and had an awesome time.
We made it to the falls, ate lunch and started back home. It rained the last half and hour of the trek, which made it a slippery and muddy mess. Just what little boys love. Luckily the Princess was safely kept in a tall tower on her daddy's back!
It was such a great time and a memory we will all cherish I am sure!

This is What Saturday Morning Looks Like at Our House....

THIS

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Pure Saturday Morning Delight!

Soccer Mom.....

A title that has (proudly) been added to my list of responsibilities this week.

Isaac had hist first soccer game last night and could hardly wipe the smile off his face the entire time.

Truth is, neither could I.

If you were the mom of this bright shining star you would feel the same way!

Thursday's Thought

If only....is right!

New Dance Shoes....

Abby had her first dance class today and we are both completely tickled!

I got out her shoes last night to discover they were much too small for her. I had a disucssion last night with Justin that I would need to go first thing this morning and get her some new slippers and tap shoes. He reminded me that the nanny could take care of that for me and I replied, "I would rather do it because she might just be tempted to buy the most expensive, cutest pair." What I should have said was that I am the mom and I want to bargain shop and take care of this on my own because it's important to me.

Miss Aubrey arrived this morning and was greeted by brilliant Mr. Isaac who informed her that his mom was away buying dance shoes for sister because she might have spent too much money on them.

If you're wondering if I ever say anything bad about you...just ask Isaac. I need to teach that kid about filtering, or else give a second thought about the noise coming from my mouth.

I love Miss Aubrey, her reply to Isaac was "Your mom is probably right" with a big smile I might add.

Can we say: OPEN MOUTH INSERT FOOT?????

School Days.....

Abby with her teacher Mrs. Kelley

On her way, her first day of Preschool

Isn't she the cutest little school girl EVER?

Waiting for the bus.

Our three school kids....Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade....

It's great having 3 kids in 3 years!

Super Nanny Miss Aubrey says goodbye to the Jellyman his first day of school!

Waiting for the bus to come....

Isaac with the best dad ever!

It's been a busy couple of weeks getting everyone back in the school routine.....It didn't help that everyone started three weeks apart. The transition to 1st grade has proven a bit difficult for our little tender heart but he's doing better now! I must admit it's really fun watching these cute kids grow and learn. This morning I dropped Abby off at her first day of preschool and she looked at me and said, "okay mom you can go now". HMMMMM, wonder how she became so independent.

Do You Ever Wonder?

Why I spend so much time SMILING??????

Flashback

Just a little re-post to make everyone laugh........
This is me (14) with the woman who would become my sister in law taken in 1992 or so.
Amy, those 17 years have been good to us girl!

I've been........

Way too busy doing all of this, this week! My week has been filled with senior citizens doing track and field, racquetball, swimming, shooting, horseshoes, table tennis and so much more.
STRANGE YOU SAY?
I SAY IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!

My boys got to "volunteer" at the track meet at BYU last Saturday. What a great experience for them to get the grand tour from this amazing athlete and for their mom to live out her old glory days with them. I loved sharing the track with them. Just seeing the wonder in their eyes as they watched the old guys run the 50 M Yard Dash and the long jump and shot put was enough to excite me. Maybe one of them will want to grow up and be just like me? Then I thought, Isaac (likely) Ethan (very unlikely). That boy hates walking down the street.

It sometimes seems like a lifetime ago that I was out on the track doing my thing. I sometimes feel so old and like I can't stick with it anymore. All I can say is if you're 80 and still "sticking with it", then so can I.
I feel inspired! I'm off to go run some laps.

Love on a John Deere........

Here is Miss Abby in Heaven with her best friend "Dacey" AKA Jace riding the John Deere during a recent irrigation at cute grandma Liston's farm.
I even found Abby up high on the ladder picking and eating cherries from the trees. Thanks to Becky, this has become a summer favorite for our kids. Here's to hoping we get one more good "water turn" before summer's end.

Just For Fun

Our New Favorite Place!

We recently discovered Spanish Fork Reservoir. It is, in our opinion, Utah County's best kept secret!
Jus and I have taken the kids a couple of times over the past week so they can swim and fish! If you haven't gone, you should before it gets too cold. The water is very clear as it comes form a fresh mountain spring and it's stocked with tons of trout!

Thursday's Thought....

In recognition of certain anniversary events in my life as of late:

Thanks...

Has anyone noticed that I have been AVOIDING my blog?
I really could not figure out how to fix things up.....
Thanks to my sweet and smarty hubby for his time in applying the code my sweet and smarty friend Amy O gave us! It's good to have things back up and running.
Oh, and we have a new camera, so watch me go!

Here's To......

That unbelievable night 10 years ago when you asked that important question that would change our lives forever.

Here's to the Meteor Shower under the Golden Gate Bridge that night.

Here's to the beautiful ring you gave me with promises attached.

Here's to keeping those promises to me for the past 10 years, and me promising to keep doing the same for the next 70+ years.....and eternity.

Here's to The Clift Hotel, The Grand Cafe, picking out things for our future home together at CRATE & BARREL and eating clam chowder on the Pier as we watch the old men playing bocce ball.

Here's to the gorgeous children we have created together and spending our lives watching them grow.

Hey Girls......

REMEMBER WHEN......

Thursday's Thought

"I want to be BUBBLES in soda...."

~Taken from yours truely's journal August 1993 after attending Girls State

Today we celebrate the life of an incredible boy. You can read more about him here. When I think of Cooper, I know that he was like bubbles in soda. He added so much life and laughter to all those who came in contact with him. Just like bubbles in soda, it was his time to rise to the top and join our Heavenly Father and I have no doubt that he is rejoicing in his celestial state.

365 Days Ago....

....I was washed, and made clean again. I was PERFECT, but only for a time....

I will never forget this day and the many ways that letting God's grace into my life has changed me for the better.

Moroni 8:10 "Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. "

This beautiful picture of Christ is the first thing people see when they enter our home now. It was a very special gift given to me on that special day by our nanny and her family. It's a constant reminder that our house, is a home of believers. Believers in God's Eternal Plan. I love that each time I am coming or going, it reminds me to try to be more like Jesus. Although I am far from perfect, I am trying every day to be more like him. Maybe someday I won't have to 'try' anymore and it will just become who I am. I'm not sure if that destination is obtainable, but I'm sure going to try. But until then, I'll keep plugging away.....