We celebrated Sam's birthday on Tuesday. Oct 2, 1972...a good day.
Sam is offically 'getting older' as he puts it. HA! Whatever...
The kids helped me decorate and hang balloons. I made a home made german chocolate cake, cause that's his favorite! He got a couple small presents and a giant hug from his family.
It is funny how I can't really remember what life was like pre-Sam, pre-kids, pre-such. Perhaps it wasn't all that great...or maybe I am getting older. Whatever it is, life sure is good isn't it? As each year closes I find myself pondering what made the year a success. Without my little family...it would be so empty. Being part of this craziness is more fulfilling than I could have ever dreamed. Even in the tough times, I always know we have each other.
Sam is working too much as usual. I am just balancing everything in between...Sam, kids, school, yoga...dinner, laundry... Riley is doing really well so far this year. It always makes me feel better when I sit in his class and realize that all the kids are goofy. Not JUST him. Katie is finding her niche. She really, really wants to be an artist. And just like the artist soul, she wants her hair curly, straight, long and short, pretty much all at the same time. *ugh*
Ellie is really enjoying school, and friends that come with it. Our phone rang about 4 times last night with her little friends calling. I thought it was cute. Sam didn't. Probably because it was the same little girl. LOL!!!
Things are moving along here. Life doesn't hold still often. Or is it us? We don't hold still long enough to see that life is...what it is!
What we choose to make it. What will YOU choose?
All our love,
Amy and crew
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Macaroni and Sneeze Please...
Well it is officially Fall Ya'll. The air is crisp at night, the leaves are beginning to change colors and float through the air...and allergy season is back.
I have sneezed, coughed, hacked, and rubbed my poor face half to death. ( Not that there was much to start with... ) Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. Sam tells me that I say that about every season. I am afraid he may be right.
I have so many reasons to love fall...here are some of them:
My anniversary
Riley was born in the fall.
So was Sam
So was I
The pure joy of seeing a season melt into the next...
Watching the golden leaves fly up behind my car
Feeling the pink in my cheeks from the nip in the air
Two words---HOT CHOCOLATE ( need I say more? )
There are many reasons that I SHOULD love fall most.
All of the reasons are good ones...but somewhere in my
heart I am past the summer of my life...past hot summer days, loud music and
running around barefoot all over ( ok, some things never change...)
On to a new and more profound stage of life. Where things in my mind and body wind down. It is evident in my pant size, but beyond that is my mind. The stillness. Realizing that each day is a rare and precious gift beyond measure. The beauty of the sunset, the joy of sunrise, watching as my children grow and learn. Seeing Sam and I grow older together. Moving into the next phase of our marriage. A deeper love takes hold...and I can't imagine my life without him. We have truely become one. Somewhere in the madness the line between us blurred, and I became we. So, as we step into this next stage of life...it is so nice to know we are doing it together. Sunday we celebrate 13 years together. We have had some tremendous ups and downs. ( Like a roller coaster ) We have endured, and hope to endure all things in our life. Hand in hand...through the autumn leaves. Best friends. Always. Forever.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Musings of Life and Laundry
Back to reality, and laundry of course!
As I drag myself from beneath the pile, it is nice to be thankful for a nice, long weekend. ( Camping produces insane amounts of laundry )
We had a terriffic time up the canyon with the family. The kids had a blast running through camp and the outer perimeter ( which they have dubbed 'their' kingdom ) terrifying all of the chipmunks and occasionally the horses. They built huts, forts, and who knows what else back there! The big boys...Sam and his brothers were archery hunting for Elk. No luck yet! But it should be cooling down this week, which pushes the elk down into the mountain valley. Good for hunting...not so good for the Elk.
Mostly we just hung around camp enjoying the fresh mountain air,
the milky way by night, and each other. Nothing is quite like sitting around the campfire looking at the stars. Wow. Just wow. How did God make the world so beautiful? There were several shooting stars, and howling coyotes. *squeak* That was my cue to come home. I am NOT a camper. So I just mosey myself home and shower, sleep in my own bed AND use a real bathroom. AHhhh.
Other than that, the real joy is watching all the kids learn about the world. Seeing the babies pet the horses, the toddlers trying to feed them, and the kids pretending to break them...watching all of them work together to have fun and get along is just the coolest ever! Well, and being a family. That is the best part altogether. Family.
Isn't that what life is all about?
And don't forget those piles of Laundy.
As I drag myself from beneath the pile, it is nice to be thankful for a nice, long weekend. ( Camping produces insane amounts of laundry )
We had a terriffic time up the canyon with the family. The kids had a blast running through camp and the outer perimeter ( which they have dubbed 'their' kingdom ) terrifying all of the chipmunks and occasionally the horses. They built huts, forts, and who knows what else back there! The big boys...Sam and his brothers were archery hunting for Elk. No luck yet! But it should be cooling down this week, which pushes the elk down into the mountain valley. Good for hunting...not so good for the Elk.
Mostly we just hung around camp enjoying the fresh mountain air,
the milky way by night, and each other. Nothing is quite like sitting around the campfire looking at the stars. Wow. Just wow. How did God make the world so beautiful? There were several shooting stars, and howling coyotes. *squeak* That was my cue to come home. I am NOT a camper. So I just mosey myself home and shower, sleep in my own bed AND use a real bathroom. AHhhh.
Other than that, the real joy is watching all the kids learn about the world. Seeing the babies pet the horses, the toddlers trying to feed them, and the kids pretending to break them...watching all of them work together to have fun and get along is just the coolest ever! Well, and being a family. That is the best part altogether. Family.
Isn't that what life is all about?
And don't forget those piles of Laundy.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Dog Days of Summer...and school days blues
Well, the dog days of summer are winding down.
The past month has been a whirl-wind of activity. Sams work of course has been insane. With the 2nd hottest summer on record beating at his heels, all he has done is work. Work, work, work no play. There have been countless days of him leaving before 6 am and not getting home till past midnight. [and you know he has to squeeze in those golf games somehow!] Well Sam the man is on the side of a mountain today.
The Elk hunt opened on Thursday morning. He and several of his buddies are up there running around with bows and arrows...I have said it before and shall say it again... The secret to men is the fact that they do not get a day over 12. Really! I talked to him briefly last night. He said he missed a BIG one...whatever that means. LOL! I love him and for his sake I try to understand. All I know is they will be tracking and trapping a bear on Saturday. One of his buddies brother drew out a bear tag. So off they go. For a bear. I may never understand!
In other monthly news...Katie my sweet was baptized. What an amazing experience.
I will try to post pictures as soon as I can. She turned 8 in June. That is the age of accountability within our church. She was baptized by immersion, and recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost. Oh if you could have seen her face when she came out of the water. I had to clap my hand over my mouth so I didn't cry out...it was so beautiful.
She came up the stairs and I wrapped her up in a big, white, fluffy towel...she looked at me and said... "it's just like a shower, only way better!" Couldn't have said it better myself! We had a wonderful celebration at the house after with all of our family. We ate all of Katie's favorite foods too. Cream puffs and chocolate dipped strawberries. All in all it was a perfect day!
And down to the wire...we rushed through the rest of the month with Dentist check-ups, shots and Dr. visits. We stumbled through the facade of routine and counted down the days to school. Registration came and went. Bus schedules and teacher lists were mailed to us. And just like that...school started.
BAM. Just like that. My baby is now a 1st grader. Eeek. I could hardly stand it. The house was so quiet. I moped around a while...then got dressed and drove directly to the school. I had to see the whites of her eyes...I needed to check on ALL my babies. I know that they are 9 almost 10, 8 almost 18, and 6. But they are still my babies. How strange to be reaching the next phase of life. It came so quickly. Well, Ellie was just fine. She wouldn't even come hold my hand or ANYTHING!!! Katie has a guy teacher, which kind of freaked me out...but she loves class. He reads funny stories, teaches ALOT of science and makes the kids aware of the world around them. Riley is in 4th grade and approching the "book report" stage of school. I know he will be fine, but he is a little concerned. Reading has always been a struggle for him. He excels at Math...so much like Sam. His teacher is a hoot! She is always laughing, and somehow is able to keep things under control.
So, I step into the unknown. I have been home for the last 10 years. My whole existence has centered around my kids. From babies, to toddlers...to pesky little kids. I have seen them take their first breath, first steps, cut teeth, held them when they were sick, kissed owwies and held their hands for so long. How do mothers do it? When you begin to feel the little hands be not so chubby anymore...how do you let go? Don't get me wrong...I want them to be independent! I am overjoyed to see them step into life and school with their whole heart...I just miss them. The chubby cheeks, ok not the temper tantrums, the sticky kisses, bugs and all...
Well here is the next phase. The School Years. All of them. Kids and School.
I can do this!
I'm a Mom!!!
And Mom's are Heros!
The past month has been a whirl-wind of activity. Sams work of course has been insane. With the 2nd hottest summer on record beating at his heels, all he has done is work. Work, work, work no play. There have been countless days of him leaving before 6 am and not getting home till past midnight. [and you know he has to squeeze in those golf games somehow!] Well Sam the man is on the side of a mountain today.
The Elk hunt opened on Thursday morning. He and several of his buddies are up there running around with bows and arrows...I have said it before and shall say it again... The secret to men is the fact that they do not get a day over 12. Really! I talked to him briefly last night. He said he missed a BIG one...whatever that means. LOL! I love him and for his sake I try to understand. All I know is they will be tracking and trapping a bear on Saturday. One of his buddies brother drew out a bear tag. So off they go. For a bear. I may never understand!
In other monthly news...Katie my sweet was baptized. What an amazing experience.
I will try to post pictures as soon as I can. She turned 8 in June. That is the age of accountability within our church. She was baptized by immersion, and recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost. Oh if you could have seen her face when she came out of the water. I had to clap my hand over my mouth so I didn't cry out...it was so beautiful.
She came up the stairs and I wrapped her up in a big, white, fluffy towel...she looked at me and said... "it's just like a shower, only way better!" Couldn't have said it better myself! We had a wonderful celebration at the house after with all of our family. We ate all of Katie's favorite foods too. Cream puffs and chocolate dipped strawberries. All in all it was a perfect day!
And down to the wire...we rushed through the rest of the month with Dentist check-ups, shots and Dr. visits. We stumbled through the facade of routine and counted down the days to school. Registration came and went. Bus schedules and teacher lists were mailed to us. And just like that...school started.
BAM. Just like that. My baby is now a 1st grader. Eeek. I could hardly stand it. The house was so quiet. I moped around a while...then got dressed and drove directly to the school. I had to see the whites of her eyes...I needed to check on ALL my babies. I know that they are 9 almost 10, 8 almost 18, and 6. But they are still my babies. How strange to be reaching the next phase of life. It came so quickly. Well, Ellie was just fine. She wouldn't even come hold my hand or ANYTHING!!! Katie has a guy teacher, which kind of freaked me out...but she loves class. He reads funny stories, teaches ALOT of science and makes the kids aware of the world around them. Riley is in 4th grade and approching the "book report" stage of school. I know he will be fine, but he is a little concerned. Reading has always been a struggle for him. He excels at Math...so much like Sam. His teacher is a hoot! She is always laughing, and somehow is able to keep things under control.
So, I step into the unknown. I have been home for the last 10 years. My whole existence has centered around my kids. From babies, to toddlers...to pesky little kids. I have seen them take their first breath, first steps, cut teeth, held them when they were sick, kissed owwies and held their hands for so long. How do mothers do it? When you begin to feel the little hands be not so chubby anymore...how do you let go? Don't get me wrong...I want them to be independent! I am overjoyed to see them step into life and school with their whole heart...I just miss them. The chubby cheeks, ok not the temper tantrums, the sticky kisses, bugs and all...
Well here is the next phase. The School Years. All of them. Kids and School.
I can do this!
I'm a Mom!!!
And Mom's are Heros!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Sweet Relief
It has rained. RAIN!!! Real, honestly wet, rain. The kids ran outside and played in it. I sat on the porch and listened and drank in the smell of rain. Utah needed the rain so desperately. There are many wildfires burning, some out of control...I hope the rain helped the firefighters that have flown in from all over the country to help battle the blazes.
We are in high gear preparing for school. I am trying to get the kids back into some kind of routine. Going to bed at a decent hour, getting up and eating breakfast together, and of course a summertime favorite....shower...every night PLEAASE!
We are also getting ready to pour a cement pad with a basketball standard. Riley is counting down the days until he can play endlessly. It will also double as a place to park and soccer court of sorts. I can hardly wait!
We had a terrific 24th. Sam's family was here for a BBQ and impromptu baseball game with the kids. I have come to the conclusion that nothing brings my heart greater joy than watching grown men ( all of Sam's brothers ) pitch on their knees, run to paper plates for bases, laugh and play with all the kids. All done with a plastic
fat bat and ball. Ah the simple joys of life! Sweet relief indeed.
We are in high gear preparing for school. I am trying to get the kids back into some kind of routine. Going to bed at a decent hour, getting up and eating breakfast together, and of course a summertime favorite....shower...every night PLEAASE!
We are also getting ready to pour a cement pad with a basketball standard. Riley is counting down the days until he can play endlessly. It will also double as a place to park and soccer court of sorts. I can hardly wait!
We had a terrific 24th. Sam's family was here for a BBQ and impromptu baseball game with the kids. I have come to the conclusion that nothing brings my heart greater joy than watching grown men ( all of Sam's brothers ) pitch on their knees, run to paper plates for bases, laugh and play with all the kids. All done with a plastic
fat bat and ball. Ah the simple joys of life! Sweet relief indeed.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Hotter than blue blazes!
It is hotter than blue blazes here! I can't remember this hot of a summer since Sam and I got married. All of us are hiding out inside trying to avoid the heat.
As usual it is hectic here. We are in the process of trying to landscape our back yard. I am proud to say after 7 years, I finally have a sidewalk. A real, concrete, goes all the way to the back porch SIDEWALK!!! [Do you think I am deprived?] Long have I waited to get a real sidewalk. To those who visit our home, a path to follow. To those who play at our home a real place to ride a bike! To me, yup me...the faint-hearted...less dirt...yay! I can hardly believe it. We poured the concrete on Thursday. It was very hot, very hard, filthy work. I promise to post pictures soon. Along these lines we have been trying to landscape as well. The rock wall in the front is finally finished! It is beautiful. I really love it. We have started the wall in the back and hope to have it completed soon. I will even have a meditation garden where I can do yoga outside with a totally cool rock water fall. Hee hee. I am almost giddy just thinking about it. I have been planting trees like a wild woman. Flowers will come a bit later. And in between all that...
We are getting ready for school. Dr. and dentist appointments out the wazoo! School shopping for shoes and jeans...did I mention this will be the first year that they will be in all day school? Ellie is officially a 1st grader. Kinda freaky! I just ordered bento lunch boxes for the three of them. I have to find a way to feed them food worth eating. School lunch used to be so good. What happened? I am really excited to get back into a 'routine'...if that is what you can call it. LOL!!!
So, back into the heat of life I go.
As usual it is hectic here. We are in the process of trying to landscape our back yard. I am proud to say after 7 years, I finally have a sidewalk. A real, concrete, goes all the way to the back porch SIDEWALK!!! [Do you think I am deprived?] Long have I waited to get a real sidewalk. To those who visit our home, a path to follow. To those who play at our home a real place to ride a bike! To me, yup me...the faint-hearted...less dirt...yay! I can hardly believe it. We poured the concrete on Thursday. It was very hot, very hard, filthy work. I promise to post pictures soon. Along these lines we have been trying to landscape as well. The rock wall in the front is finally finished! It is beautiful. I really love it. We have started the wall in the back and hope to have it completed soon. I will even have a meditation garden where I can do yoga outside with a totally cool rock water fall. Hee hee. I am almost giddy just thinking about it. I have been planting trees like a wild woman. Flowers will come a bit later. And in between all that...
We are getting ready for school. Dr. and dentist appointments out the wazoo! School shopping for shoes and jeans...did I mention this will be the first year that they will be in all day school? Ellie is officially a 1st grader. Kinda freaky! I just ordered bento lunch boxes for the three of them. I have to find a way to feed them food worth eating. School lunch used to be so good. What happened? I am really excited to get back into a 'routine'...if that is what you can call it. LOL!!!
So, back into the heat of life I go.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Things you hear around our home
In a large mud puddle: Look!!! Its the Milky Way!
Um, I hate to tell you this, but that's not a star, it's a planet.
I guess that was it for YOUR wish.
Ellie to Sam's Mom with a lightsaber: Feel the power of the Dark Side, Grandma.
Sam to me upon my apology: Gee hon, I'm sorry you yelled at me too. [Grrrr]
The kids at Stadium of fire: Did you see all the awsome confetti all over?!
[Forget the dazzaling display of fireworks, the concert by Brooks and Dunn, the sight of over 1000 young women carrying the biggest flag I have ever seen....confetti? Did I mention the tickets were 65 dollars a piece? CONFETTI?! GRRRR]
Chase our cousin to Amy: I would say you could kick my butt, however I doubt your leg goes that high. HA HA HA HA...wait, you do yoga...AHHHHHHH
At the dinner table: Ellie! You can't do down dog at the table, now stop that and eat!
Riley to our neighbor: Hey I could train that dog for you. [Never mind that this is our drunk cowboy neighbor who rides a lawn mower when he is too drunk to stay on his horse, annnd the fact that his last dog gave Riley stitches.]
And people wonder what is wrong with me.
Honestly it's little wonder. Just come hang out for a week.
Um, I hate to tell you this, but that's not a star, it's a planet.
I guess that was it for YOUR wish.
Ellie to Sam's Mom with a lightsaber: Feel the power of the Dark Side, Grandma.
Sam to me upon my apology: Gee hon, I'm sorry you yelled at me too. [Grrrr]
The kids at Stadium of fire: Did you see all the awsome confetti all over?!
[Forget the dazzaling display of fireworks, the concert by Brooks and Dunn, the sight of over 1000 young women carrying the biggest flag I have ever seen....confetti? Did I mention the tickets were 65 dollars a piece? CONFETTI?! GRRRR]
Chase our cousin to Amy: I would say you could kick my butt, however I doubt your leg goes that high. HA HA HA HA...wait, you do yoga...AHHHHHHH
At the dinner table: Ellie! You can't do down dog at the table, now stop that and eat!
Riley to our neighbor: Hey I could train that dog for you. [Never mind that this is our drunk cowboy neighbor who rides a lawn mower when he is too drunk to stay on his horse, annnd the fact that his last dog gave Riley stitches.]
And people wonder what is wrong with me.
Honestly it's little wonder. Just come hang out for a week.
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