A Lesson From Your Kids...

Summer days......

I know, I know...

I've been hearing it from all kinds of people.

Not just the ones who live in my own neck of the woods...

This is a strange summer.

Burning hot for some...

Freezing for others...

I will tell you that we are finally getting a few days that are at least warm enough to put on shorts...

We've even had a couple where the kids were able to play in the sprinklers.

I wouldn't think of venturing out to the lake right now, though...

Yikes!

That makes me shiver just to think about it!

Around our house, summer is a lazy time.

Don't get me wrong.

We stay busy.

We are a large family.

I don't know any of those who don't stay busy.

Wrangling the schedules of 11 people is difficult, to say the least.

(Not to mention helping to plan a wedding that is 3 weeks away.)

What I do mean, is we try to play it cool.

We don't schedule a lot of extra activities.

We try to get outside and let the kids run and play.

We want them to spend time in the sun and look forward to their beds at night.

Sometimes that means the house gets a little dirty...

(Be quiet husband... I know, I am a clean freak.)

My house does get cluttery.  I can hold on to "stuff"...

If I'm not careful it accumulates and WOW... that can feel really messy to me.

I love days like the one where I captured this photo of Lily...

She had been playing in the sprinklers, swinging on the swings, jumping on the trampoline...

and then she decided to just lay down and check out the

big. white. fluffy. clouds.

that were gently floating by.  She lay like that for about 20 minutes.

We all need to stop and watch the clouds go by sometimes...

I know I do.

In the end... those are the moments we really cherish.

It isn't the doing, doing, doing that are the special times.

It is nice to learn a lesson from your kids.

Have You Ever Had A Day...

Did you ever have one of those days...

You know the ones...

When it seems like everything is going wrong.  You have tons of things to do, but it doesn't seem like you can finish anything? 

When you want to pick up a baby and cuddle them... but you keep reminding yourself that in just a few days they won't be in your arms anymore...  They belong to someone else...

... and the more you have these thoughts going around in your head, the more you want them out... and before you know it you are taking it out on the ones you love the most in the whole world.  They understand that you are struggling with grief... but that still doesn't make it right.  And then you start to pile the guilt on top of the grief...

Have you ever been in the midst of one of those days...

When someone who lives far away (but loves you just the same) thought about you...

and took the time to pray for you...

and more importantly...

took the time to listen...

took the time to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit...

... and just when you thought your day was heading into the gutter...

Your husband brings the mail in and hands you a card...

And it ends up being exactly what you needed...

... Have you ever had a day when you are reminded that God loves you right where you're at...

...and he knows exactly what you are going through...

... and in the midst of this day, He uses someone special to remind you that you will be okay...

And you believe it!

For My Ladies...

The challenge...

Planning a wedding by phone.

Our oldest daughter lives about 8 hours away from us.

( Galen, I blame you.)

We miss her like crazy.

As you know, she is getting married this summer.

I never knew how difficult it would be to plan a wedding by phone.

I am learning that sometimes my job is to be an encourager... disagreement settler... idea person... etc.

We email, text, call... You name it.

One of the most interesting parts of this process has been truly hearing what my child needs and then figuring out how to meet that need.

Recently, she was very stressed about some of the decisions she needed to make and couldn't seem to make.  She felt like she didn't have a female around who could really help her with all of this "stuff".

She called me up and we talked and I pulled and prodded until I had all of the necessary information.

Then, I did what I needed to to.

Support my daughter...

Even if that meant handing off some of these important moments to someone else.

Grandma was contacted.

Aunt Debbie was contacted.

JaNae was contacted.

They all jumped at the chance to be surrogate mama.

I will tell you that it hasn't been easy for me to back off and let others do what I would do if my daughter was living closer...

But, I will tell you that it feels so good to know that she is in great hands!

Sometimes we all need reminding that our children are loved by so many wonderful people.

Sometimes we need reminding that we are loved by those people as well.

I don't know what I would do without family.

We would get it done somehow...

but not in this worry free way.

So...

This post is really for my 3 ladies...

Thank you soooooo much!

I am getting teary sitting here typing this.

I love you guys...

You don't know how much it touches me that you have stepped in and loved my girl like this.

I know, I know...

You love her too...

But, I'm just saying.....................

Thank You.

love is simple...

Is there anything better than the love of your family? 

Especially siblings?

As a parent, I can tell you that the way my kids love each other is amazing. 

I was blessed with a great brother who still loves me despite all of my craziness...

We still talk several times a week.

I am sure that my mother felt the same way that I do when she saw us together.

It makes me so happy to not only see the little ones enjoying each others company, but the big ones love to hang out with the little guys.  They are generally good examples to the smaller kids and love being involved in their lives.

People are the ones who make love seem so complicated.

The reality is that love is very simple and very beautiful.

Re-Post, for my Daddy...

Back in April of last year, I wrote a blog involving some photos that my dear uncle sent to me.  I wanted to re-post that blog so that my dad would have a chance to check out these photos...

So bear with me while I take a little time to indulge my love of family and old photos...


Old Photos...

My Uncle Dennis was such a sweetie and sent me some old photos of my grandmother and of all of "the boys" when they were younger.

I was so excited to receive these pictures!

I have never seen pictures of my grandmother from her younger years. I only remember visiting her a few times and she was much older then. I was amazed by how pretty she is in this picture. I don't really know why I am amazed... I mean, all of my uncles and my dad are good lookin'... I am not ugly... and my daughter that everyone says looks just like me (a lot of pounds ago) is absolutely gorgeous... so....

Why am I so amazed?!

I am not sure how old she was here. I need to find out. I think she looks like she is late teens or early 20's. Maybe it is a highschool picture...

This is a recent picture of me. Okay, so I know I am about 20 years older than she is in her photo but I think we look alike.

Here is another...

I am the dark headed oldie... but goodie.

And then...

You have my second in line daughter, Cheyenne.

In the photo below, I think she totally resembles her great grandmother.

That is four generations... right? (grandma, my dad, me, her...)

I just think that is so cool!

Okay, I also received pictures of the brothers.

My grandmother had 6 sons. My mother used to tell me that my grandmother had told her... are you still with me... that she had wanted to try for a girl, but by the time my Uncle Donny came along (boy # 6) she just knew it wasn't in the cards for her. (Now I know how I ended up with 7 girls and only 1 boy.)

Above: (top row) Uncle Jim, my dad, Uncle Dennis

Grandma in the middle

(bottom row) Uncle Michael, Uncle Donny, Uncle Danny

Now... I know I am totally boring you, but I love old photos and I love anything to do with my family history. I just don't know enough about all of them and their history.

Okay, this is a picture of (left to right) My dad, Uncle Dennis, Uncle Jim

Uncle Dennis reminded me that Uncle Jim's real name... I think is Julius. I had forgotten all about that, but I know I had heard that before somewhere.

Below is a picture that I saw when I visited my dad last year. He told me that it was taken a few years ago when Uncle Dennis had come out to Missouri for a bit.

Left to right: Uncle Dennis, My Dad, Uncle Jim

Grandma is in the front.

I don't have the opportunity to ask grandma about her own story. I wish I did. I learned after losing my grandmother and my own mother in 2007 that you need to ask those questions and preserve those memories.

Okay, I'm done boring you with what amazes me.

Do me a favor, though. Check into your own history. Ask those questions that you won't be able to ask after your loved ones are gone.

... and THANK YOU Uncle Dennis...

...it means the world to me.

Both sides...

There is a new nightly game around the old homestead.  It is called...

Throw yourself as hard as you can against Daddy and try to crush every bone in his body!

Sound fun?

I know three little kids who think it is a blast!

The nearly bonecrushing jump of a little boy is pretty extreme...

...compared to that of his little sister.

The boys big sister falls somewhere in between... but is still more poetic than bone crushing.

This is so much fun...

for children and Daddy.  He laughs and encourages them to do it again... and harder this time!

This is only one small reason why we need our Daddy in these parts...

The Mommy around here isn't playing this game.

She thinks "Ouch" every time they crash into Daddy.

She warns of impending danger.

She reminds people of the horror stories where one small child may have lost an eye, finger, leg, arm while playing a completely different similar game.

There are some fundamental differences between Mommy and Daddy, you see...

Daddy is rough and tumble... ready to wrestle... eager to play in the cold snow.  Yet ready for a hug or a kiss from any of his brood.

Mommy is soft and silky... ready to color, cook or craft... always sharing laundry folding and a good conversation... and ready for a hug or a kiss from her brood.

I think we need both sides... don't you?

Sisters...

When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder,

who stands a chance against us?

~Pam Brown

I don't have any sisters... I've always wanted one or two or... Well, you get it.

My daughters are so blessed.  We have 7 girls and one boy.  There is no shortage of sisters around here.

The love they share with each other blesses me.  I love watching them share their lives with each other.  Someday, they will look back on this time and cherish it.

How Do You...

How do you spend a cold, wintry afternoon?

My kids love to spend it playing Chutes and Ladders with Daddy.

You know, kids don't need you to spend tons of money on them to have a blast!  They just want your time.  They want your attention.

They want you!

Finally...

I would love to say that I am so late in posting our Dedication pictures because of the season...

but, really...

I think having 8 children is enough of an excuse.

I have just not had the time to upload photos...

and had truly forgotten that these photos were even on the camera.

However, you are getting them now...

Enjoy.

To have our family prayed over and blessed this way was so special and moving.

Thank you, Pastor Dean for doing this on such short notice.

You see, we asked him on a wednesday since our oldest child was moving and wouldn't be around for awhile.  He was very understanding and popped us into the sunday schedule...

So... thanks again.

Love...

Sometimes we're loud.

Sometimes we're crazy.

Sometimes we smile, cry, or act lazy...

But, We are always full of LOVE!

Love, Teach and Protect...

Our job as parents is to love, teach and protect our children. 

We all try to do our best.  Whether you send your child to public school, private school, charter or homeschool... you do what you think is best.  You, hopefully, bring them up in the knowledge of the Lord... which in my opinion is the most important thing we could EVER do.

Then there is this whole "protection" thing.  We protect them from the cold, extreme heat, sickness and cars.  We protect them from the monsters in the closet when they are little.  We protect them from as much of the "world" as we can.  We try to do our best to ALWAYS keep them from harm.

However, there are times when the "monsters" are real.  They aren't always hiding in the closet.  They aren't always dispelled with a story or a prayer.  Sometimes the world comes walking into your life and despite your best efforts... someone gets hurt.

My first reaction (contrary to a lot of people who think I am immune to this kind of thought) is to hurt the offender.  Track them down and destroy everything they know and love.  I would smash them into the ground and laugh while they twisted in pain and shame... It would be dirty and bloody and very painful!

Without the Lord, I would probably do this.  I would be a mess, I tell ya!

The last few days, I have been so overwhelmed by Christ's love for me and my family.  He has been by my side and walked me through some dark shadowy places.  He has whispered his words of love, understanding and comfort in my ear... and I have never been so thankful.

In the same way that I love my children and long to love, teach and protect them... He loves, teaches and protects me.

Thank you, Lord...

For knowing what is best for us at all times and in all places...

and in ALL situations.

**The picture has nothing to do with this post... I just love it!

4th of July...

We woke up on the 4th to a cloudy and humid day.... but, it could have been 9 million degrees so...

We decided to go to the North Ogden "Cherry Days" parade. You know, one of those small town parades that can be... well, good or bad.

Let's just say, this is the best parade I have ever been to... and I have been to A LOT...

Before the parade began, the motorcycle cops were cruising the edges of the crowds giving high fives to anyone that wanted one... of course all of my kids jumped right out there and lifted their hands for a high five.

We started by sitting on the oposite side of the street from this picture, but it was way to crowded so we switched sides. This was a great decision... thanks honey!

My children... ever the showman... were out in the street dancing for the crowds.

Where do they get this stuff... (looking around) anyone?...

And...

then it began... the sirens and water spraying and candy throwing and...

hugs from big major cheeto stuffed people! Brysen was so excited. The Cheeta tried to high five him but Bry ran straight into his arms and held on for dear life!

Man, you'd think we don't love on this little guy or something...

Dancers, dancers and more dancers.

Aubrey and Ari were right out there dancing.

Is there anything cuter than a 2 year old dancing in the street?



I wish you could see the bouncing going on in this photo... tis girl has some serious rhythm.

Brysen is trying to figure out why in the world a moose is in swim trunks and roller blades...

I will have to keep thinking on that one.

One woman was handing out footballs. Brysen wanted one so badly that he almost got ran over by a float when he ran out to tell the woman he wanted one.


And all of the candy...

This boy had his pockets stuffed!

And that is what he didn't stuff in his mouth first!

Most importantly...

He never, ever let go of his football!

After the parade we went home and put the kids down for a nap. Mark and I went to a car show and walked around picking out our favorites. We went out shopping with Miranda and Brysen. After running around we came home and bbq'd. That was the best summery dinner we have had so far this year... the yummiest corn on the cob was devoured! We went in the back and played soccer with the whole family and then headed to the big fireworks display. What a show! When we returned home, we had soda pop cake and put all the kids to bed. I joined them and slept like a baby.

What a great day!

Me, Me, Me...

I was chatting with an aquaintance the other day, who was asking how our summer was going.

I proceeded to tell them some of the activities we have been doing (hiking, picnicing, going to the beach, sprinklers, games outside, etc).

After listing several of our activities, this person told me she doesn't know how we do it. She can't stand going to the beach or camping or this or that...

I smiled and said that's too bad. I mean, I really felt sorry for her.

You see, I may not LOVE every activity that our family takes on. Everything that is done is not my favorite thing in the world. Sometimes, I smile and grit my teeth. Sometimes, I have to pray my way through an activity. Sometimes being an encourager to my kids and my husband is downright difficult. But, for our family, it is not about the individual needs, wants, desires, likes or dislikes. For our family, it is about creating those memories.... those laughable moments... those events that my children will recall long after I am gone from this earth.

Our society has created such a "me, me, me" complex. Everywhere you look it is about your this and your that. What happened to the days when we looked at someone who was hurting or in need or just needed a friend and we put ourselves aside and focussed on them?

I can think of nothing better than investing in my family.

My husband and my children are gifts and I want to spend every single moment that God gives me cherishing those gifts... even when that means that "I" don't always get "my" way.

Strong Foundation...

Grandparents are a family's greatest treasure,

the founders of a loving legacy,

The greatest storytellers,

the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory.

Grandparents are the family's strong foundation.

Their very special love sets them apart.

Through happiness and sorrow,

through their special love and caring,

grandparents keep a family close at heart.

~author unknown

Family Pic...

Look!

It's all of us with Bampa and Grandma!!

Thank You Bampa and Grandma...

for putting up with us and our cameras!

We love you!

Old Photos...

My Uncle Dennis was such a sweetie and sent me some old photos of my grandmother and of all of "the boys" when they were younger.

I was so excited to receive these pictures!

I have never seen pictures of my grandmother from her younger years. I only remember visiting her a few times and she was much older then. I was amazed by how pretty she is in this picture. I don't really know why I am amazed... I mean, all of my uncles and my dad are good lookin'... I am not ugly... and my daughter that everyone says looks just like me (a lot of pounds ago) is absolutely gorgeous... so....

Why am I so amazed?!

I am not sure how old she was here. I need to find out. I think she looks like she is late teens or early 20's. Maybe it is a highschool picture...

This is a recent picture of me. Okay, so I know I am about 20 years older than she is in her photo but I think we look alike.

Here is another...

I am the dark headed oldie... but goodie.

And then...

You have my second in line daughter, Cheyenne.

In the photo below, I think she totally resembles her great grandmother.

That is four generations... right? (grandma, my dad, me, her...)

I just think that is so cool!

Okay, I also received pictures of the brothers.

My grandmother had 6 sons. My mother used to tell me that my grandmother had told her... are you still with me... that she had wanted to try for a girl, but by the time my Uncle Donny came along (boy # 6) she just knew it wasn't in the cards for her. (Now I know how I ended up with 7 girls and only 1 boy.)

Above: (top row) Uncle Jim, my dad, Uncle Dennis

Grandma in the middle

(bottom row) Uncle Michael, Uncle Donny, Uncle Danny

Now... I know I am totally boring you, but I love old photos and I love anything to do with my family history. I just don't know enough about all of them and their history.

Okay, this is a picture of (left to right) My dad, Uncle Dennis, Uncle Jim

Uncle Dennis reminded me that Uncle Jim's real name... I think is Julius. I had forgotten all about that, but I know I had heard that before somewhere.

Below is a picture that I saw when I visited my dad last year. He told me that it was taken a few years ago when Uncle Dennis had come out to Missouri for a bit.

Left to right: Uncle Dennis, My Dad, Uncle Jim

Grandma is in the front.

I don't have the opportunity to ask grandma about her own story. I wish I did. I learned after losing my grandmother and my own mother in 2007 that you need to ask those questions and preserve those memories.

Okay, I'm done boring you with what amazes me.

Do me a favor, though. Check into your own history. Ask those questions that you won't be able to ask after your loved ones are gone.

... and THANK YOU Uncle Dennis...

...it means the world to me.