Evidence of Children

Dents in the wall.

Dirty fingerprints on the doors.

Our fancy homemade "no soliciting" sign.
(Complements of Brigham)
Yes, that is Scotch tape holding it up.

The ubiquitous crayon marks.

Oh how I yearn for an ultra clean house, that actually stays clean for longer than 15 minutes. Sometimes I feel frustrated with my lack of time to get past the de-cluttering, straightening, putting away, picking up, that I can't get actual cleaning done. Then I realize that the messes, fingerprints, toys, and clutter aren't always going to be there.

And I feel a little sad.

One day my house will be clean. I mean really clean. And there will be no kids to plaster there sweet little sticky fingers all over my doors... or windows... or couches... or walls (need I go on?). Then my frustration turns to sentiment. And I'm happy with where I am right now... with a home full of 5 little (big) mess makers. A home full of life. Full of noise. Full of chaos. Full of laughter. Full of love.

I'm Grateful

Just a few of the things I've been feeling especially GRATEFUL for lately;

5 beautiful, spirited, HEALTHY, children.

A husband that works harder to SUCCEED than anyone I know.

My home - it may have DIRTY floors, but at least it doesn't have DIRT floors.

Family members that follow the promptings of the SPIRIT.

Friends. Friends that LISTEN.

The COMPASSION of strangers.

Discovering what my NEEDS really are.

The REALIZATION that it took trying times to be TRULY grateful for these things.

Just A Moment

It started with two kids in the tub. Cole was telling me who in our family were girls and who were boys. He had it all down.

"Mally's a girl and Haydyn."
"What am I?" I ask.
"A girl." He says.
"What are you?"
"I a boy."
"What about Brig and Quin?"
"Dey are boys yike me."
"What about Dad?" (still baiting)
"He a Dad."
"But is Dad a boy or a girl?" I ask again.
"He a Dad."
Apparently all the kids are boys and girls, and I am a girl. But Dad is a Dad, Nana is "just a Nana", and Grandma is "just a Grandma."

While Haydyn and Cole where in the bath together Cole decided to get a mouth full of water and spit it right in Haydyns face. Just as I was about to get mad (ahem) Hayden burst out laughing. This of course only fueled the spitting. Hayden was belly laughing with all her might. It was definitely a "dear diary" moment. But of course by the time I thought about getting my camera the fun was over.

First day of school...again

Today Cole had his first day of Joy School. He has been waiting since April for this. During the month of May I thought I was going to loose my mind. Every day Cole would ask, "Is my school today?" "Not yet." I would answer. Coles immediate response, "WHYYYYYYYYYY?!!!" Followed by, "AHHHHHHHH I WANT TO GO TO MY SCHOOOOOOOOOL!" Of course this was done while laying on the floor and kicking his feet. After my wonderfull job of ignoring him for 5 minutes or so he would stop and run out of the room. And by the time June came he completely forgot about school and was onto the next tantrum causing issue.

After Quin and I dropped Cole off at school Quin dashed in the house ahead of me, jumped out from behind the couch and yelled, "Boo!" Which was followed by, "OK Mom time to play charades!" Unbeknownst to me Quin had the whole hour planed out. Being the middle of 5 kids he rarely gets (or wants) one on one time with me. But today while Haydyn was sleeping and Cole was at school he seized his opportunity. After a rousing game of charades (Quin was a farmer, a bull, and a "slow clock") he said, "OK mom after you finish your jobs we'll play hungry hippos, then I'll show you my new dance moves, then we'll tackle each other." Of course my idea of an hour with only 1 child differed slightly from this. But how could I refuse this offer? It was awesome to spend this one-on-one time with my 5 year old buddy. I couldn't have planned it better myself.

BYU Football + Labor Day = A Great Weekend!

It's official . . . BYU football is here, and Todd is in heaven! Well, he would really be in heaven if he had season tickets. But for now we are stuck watching the amazing coverage on The Mountain channel. Seriously have you seen this? I think a local high school is behind all of this. The coverage is sooooo bad.

It's the end of a fun labor day weekend. Todd borrowed a big motorhome and we headed off to none other than Nana and Grandads. The kids dig this. We could pay a lot of money and go somewhere special (sorry mom and dad, you're special too) but the kids wouldn't enjoy it any more than this. Cole fell off his bed twice in the middle of the night. The second time he landed on Quin and Quin punched him. Neither of them remembered a thing in the morning. Crazy boys.

I am REALLY glad Todd didn't have to go to New Jersey as scheduled this weekend. It was great having him home for an extra day! Today we had fun eating a big breakfast Todd made, going out to lunch, feeding the ducks (and fish), and seeing Kung Foo Panda with my Mom and Dad. But the very best part of the day was driving in the motor home listening to my Mom and Dad sing songs in the back with all of our kids. I'm sure the kids will have a special memory of that also. Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun weekend together. We love you!