Questions

I always joke that Emma started talking at 1 yr old and hasn't stopped since. She's definitely always been the child with a thousand questions. When she was little it was all about the world- "How do spiders make webs?", "Where does the rain come from?", "How do birds fly?" I tried my best to answer and sometimes realized there was no way a 3 yr old could understand the real answer (which worked out because oftentimes I wasn't quite clear on the real answer either) and I'd tell her "somethings you'll have to learn about when you're older." And then change the subject.

Tonight we were at the mall and the questions began again "Why do people take drugs?" "What do they do to you?" "What do they look like?" I looked at her asking these "big girl" questions with the same inquisitive sparkle in her eye she's always had. I realized for the 50th time this summer that she is becoming a "big girl". And you can bet I answered every one of those questions telling her how rotten they are, what they do to people, emphasizing the loss of freedom people face when they have an addiction. I watched her curiosity being satisfied, feeling grateful for the good girl she is and the road she's already headed down. And hopeful that she'll never stop talking to me and that the questions will never end.

Mom Power

There's nothing like being handed something like this on a hot (let's not mince words: sweltering) summer day when you really feel like a mediocre mom at best. From your son- who resisted doing that school work but who beamed with pride when he was praised for a beautiful job well done. This picture (which he had also neatly placed in a gift bag), combined with the sweet look on his face as he held it out to me, pretty much made my week.

----No Shopping (check)

I did it! It wasn't easy but I met my goal. It was nice to have that extra money and we ended up really needing it with an AC repair, car repair, and our fridge breaking down. It probably sounds silly, but it was good self-discipline practice for me. And I think I'll be better at keeping it at more of a minimum in the future.
But I had to do a little school shopping. And what better way to break your shopping fast than a Mini-Boden 50% off summer sale. One thing we do really well here is summer for half the year, so I love the summer sales. They love their new t-shirts :)
Here's the soon-to-be preschooler:
And the ever-so-ready Kindergartner:
I can't believe school will start in less than a month! Even with whining and the constant question of "what are we going to do today", I am enjoying having all my kidlets with me all the time.
Since we've been home I've been pretty good about getting the kids going doing jobs and school stuff, but there are times that I just can't break up their creative play in the morning.
This day they made a "domino" course through the living room.
I LOVE how well they play together for the most part. And how usually they try to include even Sadie in what they do.

Now to figure out today's plan...

Third Fourth Fifth

It was great having the 4th of July on Sunday because it created more of a long weekend celebration. We left home Thursday after Dana got home from work and made it to LV (and Dana's brother's house) in the middle of the night. Friday we continued our drive up to Utah and planned it so that we made it to Cedar City to have lunch with Miranda, Bubba and mom. Mom happened to be up there visiting so we really scored :) It was so fun not only to be there in the nice cool, breezy, green climate, but of course to be with loved ones. SUU is such a beautiful school. The kids had fun looking around at things.
Miranda had to get to work and we had to keep going so then we embarked on the last 3 and a half hours. We arrived in the late afternoon, unloaded the car and settled in.

The next morning- Saturday began as usual with the cannon booming at 6 am. Happily this year, everyone slept through it. Then we hit the little parade there at 11am. The kids all look forward to getting candy thrown out from the "floats".

I forgot how much I want to have our niece Keena come live with us. She spent most of her time with the little girls and was so sweet with them.

Sadie and Sophie got to know each other a little better this year and played pretty good :)

That night was the amazing fireworks show.


Sunday the 4th was nice and relaxing. We went to church, took our family pictures, and that night had a special program.
Dana's parents, brother Dean, sister Kristy, brother Dale, and Dana- and spouses.
All the grandkids except Drew who's on his mission.


Holly, my only child who likes her picture taken.
The program was really neat. Every family was supposed to do a 5 min presentation. Dana got a 4th of July quiz online and we started off by having Emma recite the beginning of the Declaration of Independence (which they start learning at their elementary school starting in 3rd grade) and guess what it was from. She was cute.

Then everyone who's been on a mission got up and gave a story from their mission which was really special. Kris read part of a letter from Drew and cried through half of it. It was really sweet. They each got to hold a flag of where they went.
Monday, the next morning we was the Freedom Festival up in Provo. It started with the hot air balloons lifting off at 6:30am. We knew we'd never make it from Mt Pleasant so Sunday night we stayed at a Best Western in Provo. Even then we got there just as they were lifting off.
It was so beautiful and really special to be there by BYU and feeling the special spirit up there.


Dana and I were feeling pretty nostalgic.
We decided to walk over to our first married apt which is real close to the field where we were. Up ahead is the Provo parade which we decided to skip. It was crazy crowded.
We have a lot of good memories here at #7. My strongest though is being soooooo sick with Emma in my tummy here.
Now look at her 10 years later!
Dana's brother Dean had a booth for his art at the fair in Provo. Everyone was meeting there about noon and then we were going to lunch at "Los Hermanos". We saw some face painters as we were walking over.
They were offering flags and fireworks. Of course our kids had all special requests. Eli's a skull that says "dead man" (very patriotic), Holly a blue bird, and Sadie a ladybug. (Em was with her cousin Savannah)
"Los Hermanos" was SO good.
Sleep deprivation began to set in for Holly. A person can only handle so much fun :)
Next we headed over to the "Y" to walk around. The kids had a lot of fun making up and playing games.

I don't really want to recount my whole ordeal with Sadie on here since I talked about it on FB, but lets just say that Dana and I are still so grateful for her each day (as we are all our kids). And it was great to see her face finish healing while we were there. She was extra nervous and tenative about everything she did for about a week. But seemed to recover inside as well as outside. As I think I am. I'm left with gratitude for the strength Heavenly Father gave me.
We have so much to be grateful for and I always love Independence Day and the opportunity to reflect on our wonderful country and our liberties and blessings we have. Hope you had a great weekend too :)