New Year, New Resolutions, New Memories

Braden is seventeen, Caib is 15 soon to be 16, Aubree is 11, Chance is 8 and Oaklee is 5.  "Where does the time go?"

I've been lazy with blogging lately But seeing the ages of my children and realizing that Summer is the last we will be together I decided I would try to be more diligent in Blogging.  Christmas was Good this year I felt better about it then any other year. We got what the kids needed a few fun things and that was it.. Truly. less is better. We went down below to take care of the cows Last Saturday and had a great time until we loaded the four wheeler to come home.  I pulled the four wheeler up on and then just kept going... I feel extremely lucky to only have a whole lot of bruises and scrapes... I still gave my talk in Church the next day....It wasn't a pretty sight but I guess appearances shouldn't control our actions.  Roger was put in as the bishop in April last year....I'm truly amazed at his growth...What  a humbling experience...

School started, kids are busy and life got hectic for a couple of months.  I find it humorous that I keep thinking I'm too busy to blog, or write, or read, or do anything that might be beneficial...I think Satan squeezes those thoughts in and so we find time to do those things that are time wasters but we just don't have time to do anything else....Because "I'm just TOO busy"
 Last night a girl on the volleyball team brought me a little gift.  It meant more to me then I can express .I wasn't in the house when she came by...I wish I had been. It gave me a sense of relief to know that despite our history she is a Great person and will be...some day... a great mother. I truly do love those girls!

This morning my husband and I were trying to pull ourselves out of bed to begin the day. it was about 6:30AM ..and out of the blue He says to me, "I'm so grateful for you" Now...I don't care who you are or what the reason When your husband says that to you with as much feeling and sincerity that mine did, it makes your month. He did explain though. "Satan is attacking women," he said "If he can corrupt the women he's got it made"   You know that is exactly what I needed to hear this morning. because despite everything, there are definitely times when I start to second guess the choices I've made.  I pray good women everywhere can hang on!!

Braden, Caib and Roger all headed to the Temple this morning.  Glad they all went. Aubree, Chance and Oaklee cleaned everything out of the pantry for me and washed it all down. we then reorganised it.  Which lead to sweeping and vacuuming the floors which ended right here by the computer which ended with me sitting down and checking facebook and then Blogging. Glad we cleaned the pantry. =).

This summer has been hectic and unique. We were mostly gone through the month of June and then Roger had his Back fused which ended up with us being home through the month of July but with Dad here things weren't normal. Now August is here and Volleyball will start and then school.  Time marches on. Braden is a Junior, Caib is a Sophmore, Aubree is starting middle school Chance will be in second Grade and Oaklee is in Kindergarten....I suppose some pictures of summer would be fun!

Swimming lessons

She learned to dive.

My little marine Biologist....Loves water and anything sea

Oaklee and her new Kitten

A Pretty scene

Such a wet July. playing in the puddles

Chance discovered Ironman and built himself and Oaklee a costume

just enjoying summer break

July 10th a whole herd of little girls and a birthday party.

Superhero cousins 1,2,3...

JUMP!!

Ramblings on my birthday.

The end of April and first 2.5 weeks in may are pretty busy months for us.  

 April 29th Caibs Birthday.  just as I snapped the picture, Chance, Who's little hand you see in the background, flipped off the light.  It happened twice and I gave up.  So we get a nice dark blurry picture.

 May 7th Dad's Birthday The three little ones planned a nice party for him while the rest of us spent part of the evening at the FFA banquet for Braden and Caib.  We had to be their because both boys had earned  lot's of little awards. Braden was made the sentinel for next year.

May 12th Mothers day.  THAT was a great day.  Braden followed me around making sure I didn't work to much, He even set the table for dinner.  Caib wrote and gave a talk in sacrament meeting about his Mother.  Aubree spent extra time helping me with dinner that Dad was cooking. hmmmm.  Chance did what Chance does best..  "Mom, I LOVVVVE YOU!!! all day. and little Oaklee brought home a nice little M & M game for us to play and then insisted that we had to play it. We all had to pick an M&M from the bag and then ask or answer questions depending on the color. Yellow was "Name three reasons why you love me."  Her first answer......." because it's almost summer!"  Caib loved that one and used it every time he picked yellow.  Luv his sense of humor!!!

May 14th My birthday. And....I am never disappointed This year I got a new rototiller for my garden.  I actually got it a little early and had already used it but First thing this morning (sort of) I went out and tilled my garden again....because I could!!! Don't worry...We aren't late planting. In Loa you don't plant until after Memorial day or you'll have to replant.  It always freezes until then, and then some. =)

And on the 16th of May..Is Aubree's birthday....Poor thing we are usually all caked out by then and the excitement of birthday is rapidly wearing off but, we do endure to the end and throw a fun party for her.  

little bit accident prone!!!

She slipped  and skinned her back on some ruff cement so I took a picture so she could see how bad it was.

Getting better

Hardly noticeable.

Just hanging out

With her new friend.
For some reason this turkey would walk over to where the kids were playing and plop down on the ground by them and watch ....Oaklee figured it must be lonely and befriended it.....Only Oaklee!   love her!