where does the time go?

OK so the last time I got on here was Christmas, holy cow time flies! I really need to at least do this once a week so I don't forget everything. A lot has happened since x-mas. We got to move again (I am really crossing my fingers this is the last time for a while) it is exhausting! The kids all stayed in the same schools so it wasn't too big of a deal for them. They all like were we are living, we are in a culd-a-sac again and I love that, there are a lot of kids always playing outside and the neighbors are all very friendly and welcoming, I feel like this will be a good home for us. We have spent the last couple of months getting settled, I have cut my hours at school and am only going 12 hours a week. Eric is busy working. Skyelie is busy dancing, she dances 6 hours a week but the last 2 months she has had lots of extra practices because she is getting ready for competition. Taydon and Riley are just busy making friends in the neighborhood, Taydon is in scouts. They are not playing in any sports right now, but spring is around the corner and the fun begins. Addison and Presley are just busy growing up too fast. That's just a little update on us, hopefully I will make time to update more often.

A Great Lesson

I got this emailed to me and I know there are a lot of stories out there like this, but this one really touched me. I learn a lot of lessons from my children all of the time.

~ A Baby's Hug ~ We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment. I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, What do we do?' Erik continued to laugh and answerd, 'Hi.' Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.' Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor,cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarelyon mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.' Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.' I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.' I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.' If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are. This one is a keeper. 'It is better to be liked for the true you, than to be loved for who people think you are......'

Bear Lake Trip

We went on our annual family vacation. We have been to Bear Lake the last few years. I am not a very good photographer, I only got pictures while we were at the lake, which was only about half of one day. It was a lot of fun, the kids always love playing in the water. Of course everyone took turns on the sea-doos and the water tricycle.
What great memories!

We did a lot of other fun things, just no pictures I'm glad that others took pictures cause I can't believe how little I got. Eric and Taydon went fishing, Taydon caught a pretty good size fish, we came home and grilled it, the boys all enjoyed it. Most of the boys went golfing. We went swimming, played some card games, and learned a new game that Melissa brought. Now I am hooked, it was fun. There was also the game that Jeff and Melissa did for all the kids Deal or no Deal and the kids could all win real money (which was such a great and fun idea) I know the kids had a blast with it. The kids all loved the hot tub. And of course lots of food and snacking (especially Addison) he is my little garbage disposal! He eats anything and everything.

Where do I begin!

So, it has been a while since I have been on here. I don't even know where to begin. Since we went to Disneyland a lot of huge changes (the reasons I haven't had time to blog). We moved and holly cow it has been a lot of work, but I think we are settled. There is always a ton to do but it is definitely livable, and we got a yard (grass) yeah!!! We went all last summer with dirt as our yard so I can't even explain how happy I am to have some grass. Our kids are all growing so fast, and it is tough to keep up with all five of them. Needless to say I am trying my best to be more schedule oriented. I have never been one to be on any type of schedule, but I think I might go crazy if I don't. Even though it's a little crazy around our house I wouldn't trade it for anything I truly feel blessed to have my children in my life, and I love being a mother. I also entered the St George marathon, so I have been doing a lot of running. Hopefully I get better at posting, and keeping up with blogging.