Just Because

I just have to tell you that I have the best sister in the world! I'm not watching kids anymore so our finances are pretty lean right now. Somehow my sweet sister Amy found out and showed up at my house today with a bag full of brand new clothes from JC Penneys for my kids so they would have some fun new stuff for the school year. You should have seen me, my eyes welled up with tears at her thoughtfulness and I just have to say that God does answer prayers. I am so eternally grateful for the best friends and family a person could ask for.

Here we are at Crackers for Kristy's (?) birthday.

me, kristy, amy and mom

Feel the Love

In the last few days my sweet friend Chalice has been helping me start this blog, among other things. {She's my computer guru} I keep calling her at odd times throughout each day to ask yet another silly question. Thank goodness for her and her patience and caring.

My kids are getting summer fever and are arguing with each other and friends. What to do! My 3 yr old Britton thinks he's big stuff and will say, "I'm going to beat your butt!" and stuff. I won't even allow my older kids to say stuff like that. I guess it's either soap in the mouth or hot sauce time! Every morning around 9:30 or 10:00, Layton and Syndee's friends Aaliyah, Chenneill, Boy and Damian call to come over and play. Layton and Sydnee are never finished with their work so it's either wait til later or help them clean. {I like the 'help them clean' myself} Mase is my indepedant player and is pretty self sufficient until someone bothers him or something. Thank goodness for my Mase.

We've been trying this last week as a family to each night : Brush teeth, take a bath, read scriptures, have family prayer and then get them in bed {their own beds} with personal prayers and hugs and kisses by 9:00pm. Each night it gets better and last night we would've made it if Layton and Mase would've stayed in bed. We'll keep trying cause this is GREAT!!! Damon loves to have our bed child-free so he can watch his wrestling programs on tv.

Last but not least I'm re-enrolling at MCC for the fall semester, majoring in nursing. I will have a full load taking bio181, chem130, eng102 and maybe bowling. {I know bowling isn't hard but I only need 1 more credit to be full time and don't want a class where you have to study a lot.} So..........if I don't respond to friends and family in a timely manner you'll know why. Plus, all of you will probably be helping by either proof reading papers, helping to organize my thoughts on things or studying for tests. Hope to hear from all of you soon! If you see Damon with the kids without me you'll know why. Give him encouragement cause I'm sure he'll need it. Thank goodness for Damon and his willingness to take a larger role in our family or I wouldn't be able to return to school.

Nothin Better than CABIN fun!!!

This summer we got to go to the cabin and just relax. I love to see the kiddos playing in the dirt, helping Dad making camp fires and overall having a blast with family, friends and nature. Aunt Mildred and Uncle Eddie bought each of the kids their own chicks which they named and got to see and feed each day. Grandpa even brought Penny up a couple weekends which made all the kids cheer.....they love that dog soooooo much, especially Britton. He wouldn't leave her alone. Dee let us borrow a small quad. In the first weekend Sydnee and friend flipped it twice and broke the steering. Luckily Grandpa is awesome at fixing everything and welded it good as new. (or better) After that it was quad heaven. The kids would ride on the track behind the cabin. It seemed that everytime Damon would go somewhere far it would start raining really hard. He and the kids got soaked more than once. I just love the Ranch!!!

Phoenix Childrens Museum

We got a culture pass at the library and took the kids to the children's museum. This is the greatest place to take them and stay all day, but watch out if you have more than one child and they split up. Boy are you in trouble!!! Parents are expected to keep all of the children in the same room all day, I M P O S S I B L E! (It is really fun though, as long as you don't get caught.)

science center

This summer we purchased a membership to the Arizona Science Center. It has been so much fun for our family and friends. The theme has been "Lego Castles" and the kids just LOVE that, but my favorite is the change in weather show that has the wind, rain, earthquakes and heat. It is so exciting! Layton invited his friend Boy(Rodrigo) and Sydnee invited Aaliyah one trip. Another trip we were joined with the Leaman's and Ortin's. The most recent trip we took Rachel and Shawna Romney who helped with the kids. they were great! What a great thing to do during the summer!!!!!

Starting out. . .

So I'm starting a blog--check it out!