2016

Sea World! It's such a fun place, what makes it better is going with homeschool friends who get in for FREE for education. Of course there is stuff to learn and explore, but when you can go on a ride over and over and over again with NO LINE, it just doesn't get any better!

And it's also the best day when Grandma and Grandpa want to take you to Disneyland with your favorite cousin. Then they spoil you with matching hats and all you can eat churros. We only like to go on the small rides for little guys. Our favorite is Small World.

2015 Second Half

Summer always comes to an end. Except for us, school starts right when summer is heating up for the better. Middle of August and we are back at it. We love our lazy summer days visiting pools and the beach. Eating ice cream and late night movies. Yet we still get excited for a routine. Starting a new school year with new teachers and classmates is always fun.

 Dillan is in his final year of elementary school before heading to middle school. 

Mrs Papagolos is his teacher. 

Leah is in 3rd grade with Mrs Walker.

Drew gets to go to PreSchool with Ms Janae.

And Lexi gets to hang out at home with mama. She likes it when everyone comes home. 

It's no fun with just she and mom.

And Leah turned 8 in September and chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her Grandma Donna picked out her baptism dress. 

She had a fun photo shoot with Darby McDowell at Harveston Lake.

Leah has a budding testimony of her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She is always trying to Choose the Right and make good choices that she knows will bring her happiness. We are so proud of her! She is the sweetest big sister, a great helper to mommy, she loves to sing, dance, cook, act, and read. We love our Leah Toots!

2015

A new year. Fresh start. Adjusting to life with 4 active kids. I used to have some control. I never understood how people claimed to be so busy, I never felt overwhelmed with my life. And here I am. Living that life.

It's crazy.

Days are hectic. 

Blurry.

But everyone is happy.

Everyone is healthy. 

We're figuring it out.

It's messy. But it's working.

Drew turns 4

I feel as though I've turned a corner. Knowing that I will not be having any more kids. I am completely happy with what I have and totally content knowing my baby making days are over.

That time has past.

Now I enter a new season and focus on raising these small humans. 

I wonder what kind of adults they will become. 

What exactly do I hope they learn from me?

Do I want them to learn from my mistakes?

Knotts Berry Farm

Isn't it okay for them to learn for themselves?
I'm sure everyone has to eventually figure those things out themselves.
But I worry what will happen to them after their trials.
How will they come out of the hard things?
Will they be stronger? Wiser?
Will they be able to look back and know what they have learned and WHO they can put all their faith and trust?
Do they know who their Savior is?
Exactly what can I possibly teach them without their own experience?

I've heard my Grandma say "They are born who they are." I can try to influence who they are and what I want them to become, but they ultimately are their own people. They will make their choices, find their own paths and all I can do is watch.
Watch and worry.
Watch and be proud.
Watch and cheer them on.
Watch and pray.
They will be an eternal burden to me, even when they no longer live in my home.

We are set up in families, so it must be part of the design.
I teach them. On purpose or otherwise.
I learn from them. Willingly or not.

Life is so crazy.

Life is so good

Simply Having A Wonderful

Christmastime!
We always try to do Christmas right. Trying to make traditions and then keep up those traditions gets harder as the kids get older. But it's also fun to see them growing up and what they love to do together during Christmas. My favorite is everything leading up to Christmas Day. Decorating, baking, chilly weather, school projects and singing programs, all the Christmas music, Christmas PJs and shopping. I love trying to find special gifts for my people. I've started making lists on my cell phone whenever I get a good idea that I need to save for later. Then seeing them open it totally unexpected and excited, totally twinges my heart.

Every December I say I want to take the kids to the snow and let whoever wants to try winter sports. But it just never happens. It's a busy time, but hopefully someday it will happen.

In the meantime, we'll just enjoy life to the fullest while making plans for the future.

Merry Christmas World! May we always remember the Greatest Gift given to us by our Heavenly Father.

Halloween 2014

Dillan wanted to be a purple minion for Halloween. Fine. We'll piece it together somehow. But ever since he was a baby I've never like overalls. And I could not justify buying a pair just for Halloween that I'm sure NO ONE would ever wear again. Not gonna happen. But thanks to Pinterest, I found an alternative. Except, it was going to take every ounce of creativity, patience, and bravery I could find. I even had to borrow from others. Forget about sewing. Bring on the hot glue. And felt. Lots of felt.

Step one was finding a big enough box. Thankfully, Chris took care of that pretty quick. Then I was worried about making a cylinder. Then I tried it. Then it worked! After that, I was pretty excited about what I was creating. Everywhere I went I had the costume in my mind and trying to figure out the right materials to make a one-eyed-goggle, hair, and how it would stay on his body. As it began taking shape, I was proud of myself. My confidence increased. My son loved it. My husband over-the-top gave me praise. Not too shabby.

Of course, for the Trunk or Treat, he wasn't able to sit down. Then on Halloween night, he got sweaty and itchy, so it didn't last long. Then it was thrown away. But I was OK with all that. Really. I surprised myself. So now my limit is no more than ONE homemade costume each year.

 

Fall 2014

August 2014. Finishing up the summer days with San Clemente and lots of family time. BIG family time too. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it definitely feels right.

2014 Babies. Marin, Aisley, Lexi, Cooper, & Taylee. Hope I got that right?

The two who started it all. Still so much life and love to give even as they get older and slow down. So blessed to have them in my kids' lives.

Yes, school starts BEFORE Labor Day. Even though we are all excited to get back to school and get back on a schedule, it still FEELS like summer. So of course, we STILL want to do summer things. Talk about brain adjustment.

Summer 2014

Summer Memories. Anderson Family reunion (with some family) in St George

Growing Baby Girl Lexi

Lexi and cousin Marin

Dillan begins club soccer

Blueberry picking

Our New Normal