Weekends

A weekend ago
we celebrated Father's Day
and my hubby got his turn to have his picture taken with the kids.

We love this guy,
this head of our household
who does so much for our family guy.

But this past weekend we left him
and my oldest child at home

and traveled to the HOT valley of St. George
to see my new nephew, Baby D.

This baby has a head full of dark, straight hair
and at this moment doesn't seem to resemble
his mother, his father or his older sister.

Miss M sure loved looking at the baby.
In fact, all my kids were gaga over the baby.
It almost made me what to have another one of my own.
Almost.


We also got see my Aunties
(one who had come all the way from Australia)
and had a brief but nice visit.

We tried to cool off.

And we tried to play in the park

but it didn't last very long,
it was toooo HOT.

So we sat in the shade
taking pictures instead.

Thanks mum for letting us stay with you again
and for providing food and fun.

Here is the proud mama of Baby D.

Thanks for letting us come look, examine
and go gaga over your new baby.

And for letting us come over to watch the US lose to Ghana
in the second round of World Cup matches.

Better luck in 2014 Team USA.

ONE Special Day

This young man was baptized a few weeks ago
and it was a special day.

He was excited,
he was a little anxious
but he did awesome.

It is such a wonderful family experience:

the preparation,
the anticipation,
the celebration.

I am so proud of the good boy that he is
and hope as he and all our children continue to grow
that they can gain a testimony of their own.

I know that he is already well on his way.

For My Sister

Who just had her second baby.

This is a picture taken of me
shortly after bringing home my second child.
Do I look...

Confused
TIRED
OVERWHELMED
ALL of the Above

That is because I was.
I remember feeling all of that
and wondering if things were ever going to get back to normal,
you know when I only had one extra mouth to feed and bum to change.

Well, the answer was yes but it was a NEW normal.
I got use to having two little boys to take care of
and began again to enjoy those moments
that mothers have, be it good or bad.

You just have to stand back and remember
how blessed you are to be able to have these spirits in your home
and in your life. It is a blessing to be a MOTHER.

So with the passage of time
my view has changed because
when I look back at that time in my life,
yes, I thought I was overwhelmed with two,
but now with five, I know that I am overwhelmed.

Good Luck Jeni May.

EIGHT is GREAT

At least according to this young man.

He was so excited to be turning eight.
I hope the big day didn't disappoint.

Of course what he is most excited about is
the big BAPTISM which is just 12 days away.
And of course it is official,
now that he is eight,
he finally gets to go to Pack Meeting as a cub scout,
in a real cubs scout uniform.

Here are EIGHT great things about this boy I love.

ONE - You are a water boy.
You have always loved to play in the water
and still do. Exhibit photo number one.

TWO - You are a competitive boy
especially when it comes to your brothers,
always trying to keep up with them and trying to out do them.

THREE - You have natural athletic ability
and have been playing soccer since before you were three.
You strive to do your very best in your games
but thrive on playing as a team.


FOUR - You are the only one of our children
that was born in a different state.
To me you will always be my little California Boy.

FIVE - You have never been into toys that much
but you are are good game player.
Whether it be a board game, video game or sporting game,
it is in your nature.

SIX - You are a thinker. You are great at school
and an AWESOME reader.


SEVEN - You are a helpful BIG brother,
to not only Miss M your sister who you adore,
but also to your only younger brother
who looks up to you.


EIGHT - You love to share. It is easy for you to think of others.
You sometimes will get a certain treat
knowing that you will be able to share it with your siblings.

I am so proud of the boy that you are
and happy that you are part of this family.
I LOVE you my blue-eyed, blond California Boy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY