Some Summer Relief!

So I've been pretty sick for the past few weeks, nauseated ALL day long. The kids are so tired of me laying on the couch and not wanting to interact with them it's been making life hard on all of us. Spencer has been great about having to step it up! He's been cleaning the house and taking the kids to Grandma and Grandpa's house to swim.

We also had a wonderful visit the other from Avery's best friend Emma! Those girls are so funny together! They've been inseparable since the day they met over three years ago. It was in pre-school that they declared, "You're my best friend!" The past year has been really tough on both of them because Emma and her family moved to Austin. Well, when the girls first got back together it was that awkward, "Hi." while their moms hugged and cried. After about five minutes, they were back to normal and giggling like before.

They all had so much fun playing outside on the play equipment and swings.

We decided to take some down time and watch HSM 2 while Emily took her nap.

We overheard them talking about finding a "new best friend" and neither had so they remained "Best Friends". It was really cute! They all played together and had a fun time.

Happy Father's Day

This is dedicated to you Dad! We are so proud of you. You are a firefighter and a paramedic and you are one of the best in the department. You chose a job that we can all be proud of, you save people; you run into burning buildings while others are running out. That is one of the most honorable jobs anywhere. You are such a wonderful example to us in how much you love mom and are not afraid to tell her, or have us tell her for you. You are helpful and kind to everyone. We love when you spend time with us and play with us outside. We love when you come home from work and give us big hugs and swing us around. We love you so much! We are so glad and so proud to call you "Dad". You are our superhero, our Superman! Mom says you need to stop pretending to be Superman and be safe, no leaping tall buildings or taking on a speeding locomotive. We love you!

Reflections of Christ

A dear friend of mine sent this to all of us sisters in Silver Pines Ward and I love it so much I'd like to share it with you.
Thanks Jane!

For many years the Mesa Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mesa, Arizona) has had exhibits on the temple grounds during the Easter season. This year, there was also a 'Reflections of Christ' photography exhibit in the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center. The photographer was given permission to photograph Pageant cast members for the exhibit. They traveled to various locations in Arizona that the photographer felt looked like the places in Israel where the events took place and recreated the scenes. The photographer worked with a few other individuals to put together a 5 minute slideshow which includes every image from the exhibit set to the hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.' Just remember when you're watching the video that the photographs are real, they aren't paintings. Incredible! Remember to maximize the video so you can see it full screen. You can expand the screen to fit your entire computer screen for a better view by clicking on the lower right hand square icon (next to the volume).
http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

5 + 1 = 6

Well it's official our family will be an even number come late January. The kids have always talked about a baby brother and I would remind them that Emily was our baby and she was a girl. Avery would then say,"No Mom, I'm talking about our little brother that's still in heaven." We would just laugh it off. Sometimes Avery would say wouldn't it be fun it we had twins? Spencer and I just look at eachother and shake our heads- yea, fun, for who? The word that comes to my mind is hard and HELP!! Spencer is convinced that Avery, Jacob, and even Emily will be a big help when the baby comes. Sometimes we talk about what life would be like with one less child and we can't do it. All of our kids have such different and wonderful personalities that we honestly can't imagine not having any of them. Avery is such a great helper, we call her mom's assistant. Jacob is always there to put a smile on our faces with some silly thing. Emily just radiates sunshine and happiness where ever she is. We are excited about this new addition, a bit nervous- we already feel outnumbered but we're only given what we can handle right?!

How much longer until school starts?

I feel like I've fallen off the face of the earth and I'm struggling to get back on. The kids are out of school and bored out of their minds. It's been in the 90's for the past month with like 80% humidity so to say, "It's kinda hot outside." is putting it mildly. They play outside for 5 minutes and come in with pink sweaty faces saying it's too hot! I try to give them water and send them back out but it doesn't work. The sprinkler and our little inflatable pool works sometimes. We always have the option to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house to swim but I get too nervous with three kids and a big pool all by myself. So we've broken out the Game Cube that we'd been hiding up in our closet for a few months. We have a few games that the kids are enjoying but need help with to get to the next level or past the obstacle. We're putting a limit on it and keeping it as a privilege that can be lost but it gets tough when mom's creativity gets lost in the mix. I really need to keep them working on their reading and writing. Jake is great about reading! Avery on the other hand says, "I don't want to. You read it to me." I've tried taking her to the library to let her pick any book she wants to read to me which she does but then refuses to read it to me. She'll let Jake read it though. Ahhhh....so frustrating! Any ideas to beat the heat with a 6 year old, a soon to be 5 year old, and 2 year old? I totally understand the countdown for school to start again. I think we have 8 -10 weeks to go!