Summer - a love hate relationship

Some things I LOVE about summer

The kids being home and getting to play with them

Staying up late and sleeping in

Vacation

BBQs with friends

Playing in the sprinkler

Gardens

Good books

Some things I HATE about summer

The kids being home and fighting

The schedule being off

SUPER dirty house even if I have cleaned it

Being too hot to be outside unless you are wet-it is hot in HOTLANTA

Cranky kids that stayed up too late

Really I have always loved summer who doesn't those lazy days where nothing HAS to be done. I do have things I don't love, like the days where nothing gets done, I guess they say the good comes with the bad. So I hope you all enjoy your summer.

I am also looking for fun things to do with the kids while camping any advice?

My Brother Jefferson

My brother Jefferson likes to leave mean comments on my blog under his wifes name. This is the same brother who turned the light off and closed the door to the bathroom while yelling "A WITCH IS COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW". Scaring the crap out of a six year old, well maybe I was nine, but who's cares. He is the same brother who has mocked me for years for saying "girls can't be sissies, they already are". This brother used to make fun of me when I cried in sad movies. This is the brother who threatened to beat up boys if they laid a finger on me. He made me laugh when I was sad, and sang me made up songs to make our work go quicker. Not that I always loved the songs, but I would appreciate the lyrics to the alien song please. This brother and I are 18 months apart. I was an accident, but really I think I just wanted to be best friends with this brother. He had made me angrier than probably anyone else in the world, but I still like him. Most of the time.

What makes you feel alive

Summer evenings, when the kids normally would be in bed but we are jumping on the trampoline and it is twilight. That makes me feel alive.

When I get some good one on one time with my kids and I see them, really see them and feel that love I have for them. That makes me feel alive.

When I have a good conversation with a friend, when it gets a little deeper than the surface, when you feel like you have shared a piece of yourself. That also makes me feel alive.

Today we played at the park and played a card game, we went to the farmers market and saw a friends recital. I was looking for the moments when I felt that excitement and happiness that life brings. I caught glimpses, but only because I was looking for them. I love the world my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. It is good. I want to see those things so I can thank him for them, I want to see those things so that I don't let good opportunities pass by. When I have these feelings I wonder how much longer I will live? My mom found her breast cancer when she was 35. It makes Shay really nervous. Hopefully I will live a long time.

Mom on the Run

The last month or so has been super busy, but when people ask me what I have been doing, my mind is blank. I know I have been doing good things, but what they are, I am not sure. My biggest concern is making sure they are the right things. That I am not wasting these precious years where my children love, like and somewhat listen to me, for fleeting things like TV shows. To make sure I am teaching them and not controlling them. To make sure they understand their purpose on this earth.
My mother died when my brother was young and he seems to have gotten lost. I want my kids to have a strong sense of who they are so that if something happens to me, they will never be lost. Am I praying with them, even when I am tired? Do I tell them the stories of Jesus as well as Book of Mormon stories? Do I teach them to do what is right even when it is hard and do they understand that every decision has a consequence?
I want to be busy, it comes with having five kids, but only on the right things. I want to lead my children by example and show them the only way back home is through the Savior Jesus Christ. I want them to know that repentance feels good, its the sin that hurts. I want them to serve our Heavenly Father with everything they are. I want them to forgive and understand that trials can help us home if we turn towards heaven, not away.
As Mothers Day approaches, I hope we will evaluate what kind of mothers we are. Make the changes that will help us be better tomorrow. One change could make all the difference in our children's lives. If we do this we will be blessed and so will our children. Love you ladies and
Happy Mothers Day!

what I am feeling

I am feeling that none of us are as good as we think we are.

I am also feeling that none of us are as bad as we think either.

That food is way too expensive.

People, including me, have WAY too much stuff.

That vehicles are amazing.

Even though mine is dirty, inside and out.

That Georgia needs more sidewalks.

I am feeling like I need a break from my kids.

But I don't want to leave them.

That nothing in my house stays in its place for more than 15 seconds.

I am feeling like I missed book club for nothing.

But I did finish my fly lady stuff so maybe not for nothing, but close.

I am feeling happy.

I am needing to feel spiritual and write my talk, but it seems difficult.

I am feeling grateful that my husband once again made it home safe.

I am feeling blessed, sleepy, sneezy, and 11lbs lighter thanks to weight watchers.

I am also feeling out of credit card debt as of tomorrow.

I like how I am feeling, so I am going to sleep.

What to do?

Only six weeks of school left! Those will fly by like when you are eating your favorite chocolate bar and all of a sudden there is none left but you are sure you didn't eat it all. What to do? I have to get things done, plan some adventures, regain my sanity and prepare to quickly lose it again. I want to make a summer schedule, give me your favorite summer activities. I need to make this the best summer ever. Skyler starts middle school and the twins start Kindergarten in the fall. So lets enjoy this time off. Give me some pointers that make you a successful momma! Thanks.

Spring Break

Last night we arrived home from spring break, beach camping in Florida with some friends, I have never seen a baby so happy to see his bed. Adam snuggled in and didn't look up. We had an adventure and loved it. The place we stayed had a bay on one side, just 10 feet from camp. And the beach side just a short walk or drive from camp. We went Geocaching and got treasures. It was the first time we have done it. It is lots of fun. We had a testimony meeting and went to conference in the tiniest branch I have ever seen. The kitchen and media center were the same room about the size of my bathroom.

Shay fished and fished but never caught a thing.

Skyler was with his buddy, Joe. They caught horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, ghost crabs, and some other type we are not sure what it is called. They wandered around and had their own tent. Skyler rated the vacation a 9 because of the bugs and he got sunburned.

K had so much fun with their 12 yr old girl and later hit it off with Joes younger brother. They played Harry Potter and dug in the sand. She rated it a 9 because she also got sunburned.

Jane got lost in the woods and was scared by a deer. But thanks to playing with the "big girl" she rated it a 10.

Elly threw LOTS of fits for reasons like, there is sand in my shoes, or that she wanted to be carried. That was exhausting. But she still gave the vacation a 9.

Adam was free to roam and eat sand. He was so happy, even when his food was covered in sand, which happened often. He slept well and was all smiles.

I enjoyed it and only cleaned the tent a couple of times, which is a huge improvement over last time we went and I cleaned it probably 10 X a day. I would definately do it again.

We were so glad for the envite and had an amazing time.