A Day in the Life...

Tim and I hadn't dated too long when he suggested we pray to see if we ought to continue the relationship and get married sooner than later.  We planned it for a night after we took ourselves out to eat and headed back to his house.  It was super quiet and he said a great prayer; I can't remember one word of it but I'm pretty sure it was a good one.  When I opened my eyes and looked at him, he was crying!  Obviously tears of joy.  He said, "Wow, did you feel that?" "Nope." "You didn't?  You don't feel that?" "No..." But he did!  The Spirit was overwhelming to him.  At first I thought something was wrong with me but then felt reassured that I already knew I was supposed to marry Tim.  He must have been the one who needed some answers.  I'm glad he got them!  We married a couple of months later.  Best decision we ever had and were ever led to. We spent the Saturday before our anniversary heading from one templ...

For the weekend of the 24th, we trekked to my sister's after church for a BBQ.  After dinner, ten grandkids piled into the bed of Ty's truck and delighted in the 1 block drive to a big field/park.  One match lit a box of 30 parachutes for the kids to run and catch while screaming like their pants were on fire.   Best part of the night:  All the kids were screaming and running all over Shandee's house.  In an attempt to yell "Hey!" and "No!"  my mom yelled, "Nay!"  The rest of the evening was spent neighing like horses at her and laughing.  It even made for a grin from gloomy Tom. When we got home we set up the huge tent my dad had in his garage, unclaimed, and camped in the backyard.  The kids almost died of good times.  Camp stories, family prayer outside under the stars, and plenty of room to push Micah over from me all night.  It was the worst night's sleep for me in a long time.  I think I need a mattress pad under...

A fun Saturday with my sweet childhood friends Candis and Denise.  Once or twice a year we catch up and reminisce over the last 34 years; we always have a great time and I'm so blessed to know them.  And lucky they let my girls tag along!  This year we met up at Liberty Park and enjoyed the splash pad, playground, Seven Canyons water fountains/trails, the duck pond, and more.  Good times for all!

This summer we've had a ton of fun!  Seven-Peaks whenever we can!  The Pass of All Passes has been good to us this year!!  Lemonade stands with sisters and friends.  We're so glad when Katelyn can come back to Lehi and play!  Bonus:  the Lehi Police Officer who paid $5 for a half cup of watered down stuff... Pajama parties in the middle of the day with Maycee (the twins' neighbor friend)... in winter pajamas, in the middle of the day, in 101 degree weather.  But they're smiling! Kitty watching... Late night running/walking with Taryn...  We realized Copper'sgood friend Aria from 1st grade moved around the corner from us!  Copper missed her birthday party so we picked her up the next day, went swimming, and cooled off with some snow cones.  Grateful for good friends! Date night.  ENOUGH SAID!  I love that Taryn is old enough (and generally mature enough) to watch the kiddos a ...

I've heard the owners before once had a beautiful yard, with lots of weeded flower beds and immaculate everything. Then life apparently fell apart and it was sadly abandoned. One of the biggest reasons we bought this house was for the backyard.  I love its potential and the work we've done... which is a lot.  I have other big plans which include a complete garden overhaul, new concrete pad on patio part (that's sinking), and wooden stairs instead of concrete.  And concrete the whole side next to the driveway.  It's a lot of concrete which unfortunately is a lot of mulah. So we do a bit at a time.  My awesome Pops and awesome twin brothers surprised me Thursday and said they ordered concrete for Saturday.  I told them Tim had to work but they said no problem and showed up bright and early!  We poured cement down the strip next to the patio, extending it about three feet.  "We" meaning them.  But I sat myself right down and took some pictur...

Fourth of July weekend was a hit and the holiday extended the weekend another day, which is great for Tim and better for me because it's paid!  However... having July 4th actually fall on a Monday is pretty terrible for workers who don't like staying up late.  Tuesday morning was a beast! But we had fun.  I jam-packed it full of busyness, mostly fun, some work around the house.  No laundry, which isn't to say much except I'm not sure the kids changed their underwear for days.  I didn't bother washing them- the underwear or the kids. Dirty bums, dirty hair, don't care. Here's what happened... Tim took Saturday off AND had Monday off.  It's a fourth of July miracle... and one we took advantage of.  He worked on the basement a little and got done all of the shelves for storage and emergency preparedness (more later-- super cool!).  He's an awesome hard worker and one that I love so much I could just squeeze the crap out of him and maybe hand hi...

Several months ago during General Conference, members of our church were encouraged to hold regular Family Council meetings.  We tried a few times and it was disastrous... bad timing, I think.  Yesterday's though, was perfect!  I'm grateful for direction and guidance from a living prophet.  I'm grateful for ways to strengthen families.  I have no doubt that the world, in some ways, will be the most trying times for my kids as they grow up.  Meetings as a family to discuss challenges, make goals, check-in with each other, and pray together simply confirm to me that a family is the strongest unit of society.  When families start failing, nations and societies will follow.  To strengthen my family means to strengthen, literally, the world!

These ladies had a great birthday week (month)! Their birthday date with grandma was a huge success.  They picked Paradise Bakery for lunch- we all know it's because of their cookies.  Ooohh they're soooo good!  Then they picked out an array of treasures: hula hoop, Minion blanket, and Minion stuffed animal for Micah; googles and an elephant Pillow Pet for Dakota; and a sprinkler toy to share.  They sure love their grandma! The Saturday before their birthday we went to 7-Peaks waterpark, which they LOVE!  They float down the lazy river and swim in the wavepool.  Dakota is not a fan of any of the water slides but Micah loves a few!  After swimming they picked Winger's for dinner- we all know it's because they serve popcorn before the meal comes.  It's a good deal. That night we let them pick out their gifts from us.  This year on birthdays was just too much for me.  I let all of them pick out all their presents; no ...