Just a day

It was a nice day yesterday. Wade and I worked on different things at home. It was windy and crummy outside. We came across free tickets to a magic show. When we got their we realized that it is the exact same one from last year. But Andrea was soo excited and liked that it was the same. She was picked from the audience and the magician loaded her up with tons of balloons he twisted into animals and plants. She probably had at least 12 balloon creations! It was really fun for her. After that we went to Lin's and shopped for our big camping trip coming up next weekend. We are sort of having a family reunion with my parents and siblings. I keep feeling nervous about it. Are we all going to get along? Will there be any bad confrontations? Dad and Wade keep saying that everyone has to give and take and be gracious in order for it to work out. It should be fine and maybe even fun! haha

It was a good day at church. I felt happy and friendly. Some times at church I feel outgoing and friendly other times I feel like I'm just trying to get through the day. I had two people apologize to me for being ornery. It was funny to me because I hadn't noticed! I have times like that though too. When someone comes up to me at church all happy and go lucky when I'm not feeling it....it can be annoying. So I don't blame them, I do it too!

Right after church my VT companion and I had two visiting teaching appointments. I did NOT want to go. I was hungry and tired and I hadn't read the lesson yet that I was supposed to give. I changed my clothes, fed the baby, thumbed through the lesson and grabbed a half peanut butter and honey sandwich as I walked out the door.

But when I went into those ladies homes and we got talking I felt so happy to be there and getting to know these ladies. We left with a prayer in each home and I felt grateful for the visiting teaching program and the things we as women all have in common just by being women.

3 Peaks

My dad changed his plans last weekend to be with us! I was so grateful and happy.

I kept thinking during the weekend....doesn't he have to get back home? He is still here??

It was so great!

Unfortunately we spent until 12:30AM Friday night at the ER because of a barbed wire fence accident. Luckily just a few stitches later everything was fine!!


My handsome husband! And Angel baby!

I love the Book of Mormon. It brings so much peace and comfort in this troubled world.

My mom is a Glen Beck fanatica. She trys to tell me all kinds of troubling things. I tell her that I can't hear all the doom and gloom as a young mother. There is nothing I can do about it and I don't want to be upset by it. I can only do my best in my little sphere.



Speaking of my world here. I am enjoying being a soccer mom. Its that great time of year. I love to watch my children learn new things and try new things. It is awesome. I keep marveling to myself that I've been given these four beautiful children. Suddenly I feel like I have a large family. I have also been impressed with my patient husband. You should have seen how kind and patient he was with Andrea while he was trying to teach her to ride that little dirt bike. He was so happy when she finally got it that I think he wanted to cry. He is so soft hearted! He is always good to make sure that we are having family fun.



Some days I feel like this world is too complicated and hard. Sometimes on those days I call my sister and cry. Sometimes I think she is the only one to understand the little julie inside that often gives me trouble. I used to think that we would eventually grow up. But I am finding out more and more that inside of everyone is that little child. And that little child will never go away. I am grateful for all the learning and growing this life brings to me.

But often I feel content in my life and know my purpose and feel the hope and peace from the Savior.

A Moment in Time--Captured Forever

These photos taken by Melissa Mckinley from St. George. She is doing this amazing newborn special. $125 to come to your house. She brings her own lighting and props and you get 25 photos edited on disk. I thought she did an amazing job and it was so much easier for me to have her come to my home. Talk about a smokin' deal too!

My Bella's first smiles! Funny little grins! Soo adorable.

My day yesterday was a roller coaster.

I made omens with one person. And offended another. I felt horrible.

I was busy taking care of the kids.

I forgot Andrea at school because I thought for some reason that she would be on the bus and forgot that I told her I would pick her up on the first day. Luckily she was happy hanging out with her teacher!!! few!

I rented two units and sold a lock!

Then I rushed over to the soccer fields for Andrea and Lydia's games.

Spent a few hours there and was so happy watching my girls.

I came home, ate a quick dinner and rushed our kids to bed.

Then I felt the horribleness of offending my friend, took a bath and went to bed.

the end.

My thoughts this morning started with the words of the Book of Mormon. There is nothing like a dose of scripture and prayer to start my day. I texted my sister at 6:30 about how great that book is and she started reading it too! That is why we are here: To lift each other up and encourage each other on! I am excited to conquer the day. It is a great day--my son's birthday!

I just posted two new post's.
I'm going to be updating this a lot in the mornings because of all the fun events we are having lately. Stay tuned!

It's What Fun Is!

Lagoon!

We had a great time! But I can't believe that I don't have any pictures with Cheryl! I'll have to get copies of her pictures too. My Andrea was big enough to go on the big roller coasters! She went on Wicked!! It was awesome. I couldn't believe it! She didn't even know she went upside down! We spent the whole day there and came home in time for Stake Conference. I am so happy about our new stake presidency. I still remember when Bro. Roe came to our ward and spoke about spiritual twinkies. Bro. Callister was my seminary teacher and Bro. Stahli was in the stake presidency when Wade was in the bishopric at the college.

Cut

I need to be more careful about my posts.

I sertainly didn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings, while expressing my own hurt ones.

Life is full of daily lessons.

Lesson for yesterday: be more careful on my blog.

Lesson for today: don't ignore signs of a bladder infection for a couple of days! Ouch!

I asked my doctor dad: what is wrong with me lately? He says, its not you its just this telestial world we live in.

Yesterday was a nice day. The kids played really well together. I answered a lot of phones. Is 4-5 a lot? It is when business has been so dead lately. That reminds me I must invoice today.

I spent time with the baby, played on the floor with Damon and Andrea and I had our teeth cleaned. The hygienist who was subbing in was a little rough. I cleaned some things, had the girls pick up. Andrea during the day is mostly hovering around me. That is what it feels like. If she isn't playing with Lydia then Lydia is playing with Damon and Andrea is following me around talking to me. She talks to me endlessly. The big talk lately is about her hair. She wants to cut her hair. She can't stand her hair on her neck and is very hot blooded. She sleeps naked every night and always wants her hair up and away from her skin. So I watched some YouTube videos about how to cut a bob. Andrea knows just how she wants her hair. Short in the back and longer in the front. Well okay then. But after watching the videos I confirmed to myself that I cannot do this. Too complicated! So I tell Wade, "I looked into it and I cannot do it. Sorry!" I made an appointment to have my favorite hair dresser do it. I think I can cut her hair after that once the lines are already there. Wade is always wanting me to do things myself. He has such confidence in me! "Can't you just do it?"

When Wade got home I had dinner ready. We ate and they loved the strogenof. Then I was off to Andrea's first soccer practice by myself with all the kids and Wade was off to the ranch to work. The practice was awesome. I'm so happy about her coach.

When we got home it was bedtime. Lydia said before we prayed, "I miss daddy, he is working too much at night." just now Lydia woke up and came over to me by the computer and said, "I never see daddy in the night. Why does he work so much in the night? I miss him." That makes me feel sad. Our schedule sure has changed a lot.

When Wade did come home he was so tired. I felt like having a long talk about whatever, but I knew he wasn't up for it.

My mom has been popping in every day.

"So have you talked to anybody?"

"no"

"oh"

The next day.

"Have you talked to anybody? Cheryl call?"

"no"

"oh, just wondering."

I feel bad that I'm the only one around. She needs more then just little ol me.

I had a great teaching moment with Lydia about lieing and telling the truth.

"Did you do it? Somebody filled this up with water. Was it you?"

"no, I didn't. Well, Damon didn't and Andrea didn't....and........."

"did you do it?"

".......uhm.....uhm......"

"Lydia look at me. You wont get in trouble. I just need to know what is in here. Did you do it?"

"....uhm....no"

"Well somebody did it. And your both going into the corner until whoever did it tell me they did."

Andrea is insisting that she didn't do it all along.

A few minutes pass.

"Lydia? did you do it?"

"...uhm.....no."

"Lydia you wont get in trouble, if you did. Did you do it?"

"..nnnn....nn...nooo."

Two more minutes pass while they are in the corners.

"Lydia did you do it?"

She looks at me with a pained look on her face. She starts nodding her head yes, "uh huh."

Then came a long conversation about lieing, and telling the truth, and being honest, and about what Jesus wants us to do.

Afterwards I felt so good that I am home with my children and can focus on them and teach them. Who better to do that than me?

I thought Bella's two month appointment was this morning and looked on the calender to be sure--4 o'clock? What, am I insane? I can't even blame my pregnant mind. Well that was a relief. I don't want to rush out of the house this morning. I want to blog and so I am.

Since all the excitement from the pregnancy is over I wonder sometimes what to write about. I enjoy the writing.

I was trying to work out my schedule to see my dad this week. But with soccer starting and a dental appointment I don't think I can manage it. Next week Damon turns 2 and school starts. And that means I get to have that special dinner for Andrea starting school. I am amazed that school is starting again.

But what I worry about most is....money. I hate money. Can we please live in consecration! Can life just be simple? I hate worrying about it and the mess we are trying to get out of. I could probably blog all day about it. You know what the most ridiculous thing we spend our money on and that we are forced to spend it on is? Insurance. Wicked people have made this world a complicated place. Life insurance, medical insurance, car insurance, homeowners insurance, business insurance......

My daughters got their ears pierced. Unfortunately for Andrea the lady missed the mark and we had to get one ear redone a few days later. I decided to reward them for riding their bikes. After Andrea pierced hers Lydia wanted them done so bad that she rode her bike two days later!I love that about raising kids, watching them learn knew things and do things for the first time.

I did have a nice afternoon yesterday considering. I got a short nap. We watched part of, The Testaments and I made an apple pie. I love making pies on Sunday. It is easy easy and the crust is always perfect and best of all my husband loves them. We went out to the ranch to water the horses and it was so beautiful.

But the coolest part of all was when we got home. We went out back to check on cherry tomatoes and we started throwing a football to each other. It was slightly windy, and stormy, the thunder was rumbling and the lightning was flashing. We threw that football to each other and said things like:

"Don't we have such a beautiful backyard?

Yea

Aren't we so glad we finished the backyard?

Yea, totally!

Remember what the property used to look like?

Haven't we made it so nice now?

Yea, It is nice!"

The wind started really picking up and the thunder and lightning increased. It was getting really exciting. We started feeling the rain coming. It smelled amazing! And we started yelling and squealing and running into the house. "Come on Damon!" Daddy grabbed him. "Hurry!!"

As soon as we came into the house it down poured! We looked out the front window and said, "Holy Cow! Look at that! And we were almost in it!" And lastly we marveled at our beautiful glob willow that we planted when we first moved in as it hung low from the pouring rain. "Don't we just love our tree? and look how beautiful it is."

I end with that memorable moment and now start my day!

Today

Maybe I should blog.

Since I haven't for awhile.

I am completely overwhelmed by problems.

Not my kids this time.

My kids are doing great.

Not my hubby either- thank heavens.

Nothing feels worse then Not getting along with my eternal comp.

Luckily they are all doing good.

Other things are STRESSING me out completely.

I'm praying constantly. "Please help me feel peace. And have the spirit."

I pray and feel peace. A little while later I don't. So I pray again and feel peace. And awhile later I don't.

Thus the scripture---'Pray Always'----i totally get it!

My little angel baby is doing so wonderful. I still find myself wanting to hold her where it is quiet. Its hard to find that quiet time that I can be with her. When I do I cherish it. I'm always trying to tell the children to be quiet around her. She is, after all, newly arrived from heaven.

My Andrea is so excited to get her ears pierced.

This summer I told her that we would pierce her ears after she rode her bike everyday for a week. She has totally succeeded. To my total joy!

We went bike ridding up the canyon trail after she had been riding her bike for awhile.

I had the baby in my wrap. Wade had Lydia and Damon in the bike trailer.

I didn't think Andrea would be able to make it very far.

Thanks to my pessimistic scorpion tendencies.

But to my total amazement, she was like this determined little lion trudging up the hills! It was a beautiful site to see your daughter riding her bike WITH the family and eating it up!

It seems like with my Andrea when we are home doing normal usual things she tends to whine and complain. But when we do hard things, like hiking and riding her bike up big hills, she gets excited, determined, and not one complaint.

I thought, "I think I found my future tri-athalon partner!"

My little Lydie is a special girl. She has many gifts.

One of which is the way she shows love and compliments us.

"Mommy your beautiful. You my favorite people."

"Mommy do you know who my favorite people is? YOU!"

"I love you so much, you my favorite people."

"Do you know who my two favorite people are? You and Daddy. I love you so much."

"Daddy is the best worker and you are the best cooker. You make the yummiest food."

most of the time what she says is followed by hugs and kisses!

When we were camping at Capital Reef, we were camped near this couple. And Lydia stood in the doorway of the motor home and said to the woman across from us, "Your beautiful, you know." I couldn't believe my ears. Unfortunately the woman didn't hear her.

My Damon is super happy lately. Still no talky.

We have fun during the day. And he follows his sister around. He and Lydia play together really well. In the evenings he follows daddy around helping him fix things. He is a character to watch. He gets all excited and runs around in circles where daddy is fixing things. He holds a wrench or screw driver and pokes at things, being the big helper.

Two things are making my life a little easier.

1. The girls are finally washing their own hair. Hallelujah!

2. They are able to help me clean up more and more.