Sunday, August 29, 2010

Catching up via Picture Overload

So much to catch up on in the month of August! I guess I've been slacking a bit on posting what we've actually been up to. So, here we go!

Towards the beginning of August, we went with cousins from both sides of the family to This is the Place Heritage Park. You've got to love $2 admission! It was a rainy day, but we still had a lot of fun.

This was a new ship this year and the kids had fun climbing and exploring on it.

They got to pan for gold and turn it in at the bank for a piece of candy.
Love riding the horses!
They even got to dip their own candles.


The girls had a summer dance concert. Much more low-key, but still so much fun for them. They love to perform! Kendra even helped choreograph a number with her two good friends (plus a LOT of help from "Aunt" Dawn--thanks Dawn!) and it turned out so cute. Once I get the video downloaded, I will post that.
Whassup?


Alli in her "Tea Party" number. I love the little pinky action here!

Alli's good friend, Hannah, recently moved closer and has started dancing with TDC as well. She is beyond excited about that!
Last weekend, we went camping with Todd's family. It was beautiful, cool, and a great break from the norm. Aside from the two kids vomiting in the middle of the night and the many mosquitoes, it was a great time! Tell me, isn't camping supposed to be simplifying our lives? Why does it take ALL DAY to just pack the car? There is just nothing simple about getting stuff ready for 7 people to go camping--nuff said.

I think my cute hubby had more fun fishing than the kids! He loves it, but doesn't get to go enough. Anyone out there fish that would want to go with him sometime?

The grandkids, minus 2.
My cute little boy.
Grandma was the trooper who climbed this rock wall with the kiddos.

Last Wednesday was the first day of school. The girls were so excited! Little brother can't wait to start this Wednesday for his first day of kindergarten. It was a successful first three days. Without going into the whole story, there has been some major disappointments with Keni's teacher situation, but I have faith it will all work out for the best in the end.
With this "Imagine a Happier You" contest that I did, I attended the Smart Women, Smart Money conference last week, where the committee presented the three winners to the audience, with a little video made about each of us. It was a really neat day, filled with so many great ideas about how do manage your money better. I was happy to have Dawn and my Mom there with me! Did I mention it included a free lunch to anyone who attended? The committee presented each of us winners with a kit to get us started with our year of making over our finances. I got all the stuff below to help me budget better! Not sure how gift cards and concert tickets work in there, but I'm not complaining!
In the loot above were some tickets to a blues concert-- BB King, Al Green and Buddy Guy to be exact. At $75 each, we could have sold them and made some $$ but we decided to indulge ourselves in something we normally wouldn't do for ourselves. I'm glad we did! Great music under the stars and we actually got to talk to each other! Thanks KSL!
And last, but certainly not least, is that my little T-man is 3 months today! Can you believe it? How time does fly. He is such a joy and such an easy baby who tolerates being kicked, poked, kissed and dropped by all his older siblings on a daily basis.
Thanks, Uncle D, for the onesie. It finally fits me!

Friday, August 20, 2010

The contest

Thanks to all who voted! It has been a wild ride so far and I'm sure you will hear more about my progress as this all unfolds. I will be telling you more about the conference I attended yesterday. It was cool. Actually, you can read my blog post about it at this link next week. In case you missed the news report that aired Wednesday, you can watch it below. And the newspaper article can be found here.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Turnback Tuesday

Today's post is dedicated to my sister-in-law, Kristen, because she celebrates her birthday this week! She is a wonderful mother with such a giving heart. She would do anything for her family and sacrifices so much of her time to support her family -- on both sides! Whether it is a birthday for a sibling, helping her mother in law move, a dance performance for her nieces or just plain old family dinner, she is there--even when she lives the furthest away! Kristen, thanks for being a great example to me, to my kids and to everyone who knows you! Happy Birthday! We love you!

Kristen with Kendra many moons ago

My girls with Kristen, Robert and "Baby Cars"

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Reflection

There are so many days when I mess up. Kids get crazy or doing something naughty and I find myself getting so impatient and frustrated. Then I beat myself up about it. I feel awful. I came across a scripture several years ago that made a lasting impression on me. It reminds me to be better.

"Be patient in afflictions,
revile not against those that revile.
Govern your house in meekness,
and be steadfast."
(Doctrine and Covenants 31:9)

It was the "govern your house in meekness" that seemed to stick with me. I strive for that everyday. Yes, admittedly, some days I fail. But I guess meekness is a trait I am trying to cultivate. I think I need to post this scripture on my bathroom mirror so as to be reminded. What is meekness?

meek

–adjective, -er, -est.
1. humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
2. overly submissive or compliant; spiritless; tame.
3. Obsolete . gentle; kind.

I think I need also to be more "steadfast" in my quest for meekness. How about starting fresh with this new week? I think I can do it.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Funny Friday

Mission Impossible: Go do your home teaching/visiting teaching!!!!


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Turnback Tuesday

Happy Anniversary to my dear friends, the Harveys!
Dawn reminded me it was 9 years ago today that she and Jay were married.
Ideal for my Turnback Tuesday.
So I dug out the few photos I have from that day.
It was a great day.




Friday, August 6, 2010

Funny Friday

Kids are so trusting.
So believing.
And so darn cute!
I saw this on America's Funniest Home Videos this week
and knew I had to post it.
I want to hug this little boy
and smack his dad
all at the same time.


Thursday, August 5, 2010

Seriouisly Putting it ALL out there!

Okay, so I've got no pride--let's just start with that. For those of you who don't know, I was in last Sunday's newspaper. It has to do with Imagine a Happier You (check the small icon on my blog right there). I applied for a financial makeover and after over 600 applicants, I am one of 3 finalists! Thoroughly shocked. I've interviewed with KSL's Amanda Dickson and the Deseret News and a financial consultant already. Now you come in. It is up to the public to vote through this week. If I am being honest, I'm not sure how I feel about winning. Scary in a way. Winning would mean putting all our finances out there for the world to see (again, pride completely stripped), in hopes to help others who struggle as we do. I would have to blog weekly about my progress. Okay, so there's an upside too--helping not only my family (fingers crossed) but others as aforementioned and hopefully the peace that comes from not having to worry about how to pay for the kids school clothes or even if we can afford to get milk that week. That makes it all worth it--especially when I look at my 5 kids and desire for a better life for them. So, if you want to read the bios and/or vote, clickety here. Oh, and thanks!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Turnback Tuesday

Well, what can I say? We love Bear Lake.
Today's picture comes from 2005.
This time with my side of the family, cousins galore.
What cracks me up about this photo is
what is Alli doing?
I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Sunday Reflection

I absolutely love this:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in
a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butt
er on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there wit
h a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears o
f a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley