Sandi's baby and Emily's 4H sewing project

water balloons

Had fun with the kids today. I hope I'm never too old to have fun playing with water balloons!

Max Baptism pics

nature reserve pics

Likewise, I wrote about this before, but here are the pictures.

pics of trip to botanical garden

I already wrote about this outing, but here are a few pictures of our outing to the botanical garden. You can see more pics on my other blog of Emily's photos. She took some really nice pictures in the Japanese gardens. http://mayfairygirl.blogspot.com

pics

riding horses at the Nelsons. Max and Sam never wanted to come home!

Trevor's notes

In the mornings, Trevor usually wakes up the boys so they can wave to him before he goes to work. But now Trevor is going in so early that he can't get them up, so he's started leaving the kids a note in the morning. The boys really like to find his notes in the morning. This particular note struck me as quite cute.

kid quotes

Ginny: just waking up. "There's my cute mommy!" Later in the day. "You're my beautiful mommy." (pronouced 'bootiful') She's good for my self esteem.

Max: (after a discussion with his sister about how we shouldn't ask Santa for expensive presents) "We need to get a better Santa!"

Sam: (upon seeing a horse trailer on the highway) "Mom, those horses are being kidnapped!"

Hot!

It's so hot! So, so, so HOT! Can't even go outside for any length of time except to sit in the wading pool. Even at 8:00 in the morning and 8:00 at night.
Poor Trevor has been burning the candle at both ends--up and out before 6:00 am and staying up late to get our computer problems fixed at night.

weekend fun

Emily and I had fun in Normal this weekend. She had a good time at 4H camp. I guess they swam a couple of times a day and made all kinds of fun crafts, etc. We took her friend Amy home and then stayed over night with some friends. Thanks Wheelers! Emily stayed with Lily. I particularly enjoyed going out to dinner with Julie, Kathy, Marilyn, and Gladys. Then it was fun to see everyone at church the next day, too. It really felt like going home! We love and miss our "Normal" ward. After lunch with the Wheelers, we stopped by to see Mado and Tracy for an hour. Tracy was walking all over the place! It was cute to see her playing peek-a-boo and laughing and playing with Emily. I've forgotten so much French these past few months!

When we got home, we made fruit pizza and gave Trevor his father's day gifts. A new set of scriptures and a T-shirt with pictures of The Beatles on it. He was pleased. Monday was mostly spent catching up on housework, but we did get out the wading pool in the afternoon.

little girls

Well, it has been 9 years since Emily was a two year old. I had forgotten how emotionally trying a 2 year old girl can be. But it's like labor pains, you remember as soon as the first one hits you--and I now have a 2 year who though darling, is a champion at throwing fits. Her number one cause? You guessed it....clothes! Just like her sister!

little things

This morning when I took Max to school, he pointed the sidewalk by the entrance, and said, "Mom, when I get right there, you can go." I asked why that particular spot, he said "because when you stay longer than that, I start getting homesick while I'm walking into the school." And it is true that the past few days, I've noticed Max looking back at the car a little wistfully in the morning.

Then, this afternoon, I filled the wading pool for the kids, and when I decided there was enough water, I turned off the hose. Well, apparently that wasn't enough water for Sam, because when he discovered the water was no more, he said, "Oh mom, you're ruining my life!" Drama prince! How did my children all get to be so dramatic?!

With Emily gone to camp, and max at summer school, it was just Sam, Ginny and I home today. i think they appreciated having a little more attention. We made playdough, swam outside, and read stories.

Started 3 piano students this week.

Slug!

I am such a slug! I don't know how many times I have re-started a diet/exercise regime this spring and summer! One week I'll be great on exercise, and the next week do nothing. And I don't seem to be able to give up sugar either! Somehow, I have to find the strength from within. Isn't that true about most things?!

Heavenly Father's Plan

When we moved here, and were going through the process of job interview, selling our house, finding a new house, etc., Trevor and I were absolutely amazed at how things seemed to happen so easily for us. We kept wondering why--but felt that there must be a reason that Heavenly Father wanted us here. Anyway, since that time, we've had a new set of challenges, and have at times started doubting what we originally had faith was Divine Providence. Well, this past week, in Trevor's first meeting as a new member of the Elder's Quorum presidency of our ward, the Elder's Quorum president told TRevor that the ward here had been fasting and praying for a new active family to move into the ward when they received a call from us that we needed help to unload our truck. It just makes you think...the Lord really does take an interest in our lives, and the needs of families, and wards, and HIS work here on the earth. It's truly miraculous. Anyway, this confirmation of at least one purpose in being here has bolstered our faith.

Relay for Life

We went to the American Cancer Society's Relay for LIfe last night. It was really touching to see all of the luminary bags in honor of those who had died from or are currently struggling with cancer. Something about looking at my mother's name on one of the bags brought back a flood of feelings and memories, and made me a little teary. There was a nice feeling of solidarity there--among people who have lost loved ones, or are helping others with cancer. The kids enjoyed the children's activities, and we watched the fireworks after walking the track for the relay. A very worthwhile and fun evening. I'm really remembering mom today.

picture of my sister's kids

Here are Anna, Leah and Adam--nancy's three oldest kids--on a fun outing to see Thomas the Train. Can't wait to see these cousins in July!

Got another picture from Nancy--of Lance! He's really cute--looks a lot like his brother and sisters.

cherry tomato

Ate the first cherry tomato of the year out of our garden! Trevor went out and found a ripe one, and Emily brought it in for me--the special honor being accorded to me because I am the only one who likes tomatoes! YOu can bet that if it had been a strawberry, they wouldn't have brought it to me! Anyway, it was delicious! One of the best "tastes" of summer! WE have more tomatoes ripening and some squash coming, too. It seems so early to have produce coming! I'm excited. It's nice to see your hard work coming to fruition--literally!

Sam quote

Just a quick Sam quote. This morning we were having a nice little bike ride around the neighborhood and Sam turned to me with a look of contentment and said, "Mom, I don't want to have any more birthdays!" A little surprised, I asked why. Sam said, "I want to be four forever!" Now that is contentment and appreciation!