morning thoughts

I woke up pretty early today and got my shower in giving me time to sit at the kitchen table and just think while Naomi and Gage played horses in the living room. Rare.

I was just randomly thinking of my Grandma Carla as I sat there.
Just her exasperated but sincere look when she often says: "Oh you guys!"

I can just see the look in her eyes as at different times she mentions her sons for one reason or another.
Andy, Tim, Dennis, Bruce, Troy, David and Uncle Jay.
And how she loves each of her seven boys individually and differently and each so sincerely.

A sweet character of heart, my Grandma Carla.  The most feminine, sweet, girly girl I know.
But yet she had seven boys.  I can't believe Heavenly father put her through that sometimes.  And lets face it, we all know my Grandpa. He is most definitely an 8th son.  I bet he could even count for 2 boys.   Actually I'm sure of it.
Her life task makes me tired thinking of it.
They all love their mother too.  Most often when I visit she tells me of a phone call she just had with one of them or how Dennis or Tim stop by randomly(20 miles out of town) just to chat before going home after work.
I thought of my little cousin Tyler and how she loves him too, in the same sweet simple way she loves all her grand kids. His parents told me that sometimes  when they wake up they will hear talking in Tyler's room only to go in there and find him skyping Grandma, just chatting away the morning hours.

Double mint gum, changing sheets on beds, the color peach and green, the American flag, vacuuming and making chocolate chip cookies with my kids, each of these things reminds me of time spend with Grandma Carla.

When I think of the examples of mother's I have in my life...shoot,  I should be doing a lot better job than I am. I so want to be a better mother.  I know every mother probably has regrets.  I already have several.  I am determined to make those regrets minimal.  Its crazy to think how much my decisions and habits and weaknesses and strengths influence their lives.  I need to be more careful, and bite my bad tendency's in the butt.  Force myself to get over my fears that I DO NOT want my kids to inherit. NOW.  And most of all pour my love out on them more freely and openly so they will have no doubt ever ever ever that they are loved. Every stinkin piece of them.

That's it.  Peaceful morning over.

Vidoes

Just ignore my annoying Mom banter.  I hate hearing my self. Bleh. The rest of this make me laugh.
I just really wanted to capture Naomi praying.   This is one of her short ones.  And this is Gage's first time sitting at the table. Also very fun.

I love when Naomi blesses her blessings. ?  And incase you're wondering if we only eat spaghetti in the buff... often true, but this time they were swimming in the backyards while I made dinner. I was looking over a bunch of videos last night and realized all the videos at dinner the children are in swimsuits.  I didn't realize how many afternoons resort to pool and sprinklers.

1/2 way through Summer instagram update

Summer is half gone already for us.  Cache begins school again August 7th!  So here is our halfway through summer life according to instagram.  I've found myself doing instagram and facebook a lot lately because it's easier and fun but man what a waste of time! ( for me)  Blogs are a way of documenting and recording our life journal in a way.  So I'm re-evaluating my time spent. Less rubbish, more substance.  Hopefully. But  maybe not.

Anyway, summa time according to instagram:

Finishing up the last of spring cleaning...

Washing the Garage Door.  Gage owned this job.

Don't mess with his sponge!

 s

We tried some new Summer hair doos.

 Tire section at Costco, is a must see every time we leave the store.

They just like the smell Cache and Nay say?

Bountiful baskets.  Naomi, squeals and giggles at the site of fruit. 

 Ready for Stake conference....

Debated on whether I wanted a happy but, inappropriate hat  wearing, church going baby or a crying baby sans hat and head band.(above)

Oh happy baby of course. Who cares what anyone else thinks.

Can you blame me?

He sings when he's happy!  Even if it's 6:00 am and wearing a crown...

 Sleepy Sunday afternoons.

I'm not sure how things come about sometimes. 

One thing led to another and.... 

BAM

Naked book party.

 No napping in beds only in shopping carts for this gal.
  My control over her or her clothing is very limited these days. Almost non-existent
She is wild and free and girly.  And notice in pictures, only dresses.

 Insisted on the lawn chair being in the truck and him fitting too.

Hard lessons in life to learn.  Such a young age too. 

  I definitely go through stages when it comes to running.  Right now I'm on one. Therapy.  I have been running 3-4 miles on off boot camp days and wishing I could go further but I either have to race back to relieve Devin or if I have all the kids,,,, that is about their time limit. Actually its a bit past their limit, especially when Gage has a stinky diaper.

Naomi gags and CANNOT handle bad smells.  She will insist on walking, but sista we got 2 miles till home and so strap her in kicking and run extra fast . I ran a 7.2 minute mile that day just to get her home. Not bad with a load of kids in tow.
I do feel this running stage slowing down for me as the temperatures climb...

Mu mu's and uggs round town.  Just how this girl rolls.

A common sight round here. My mad health scientist.

 Hiding from the "Under storm"(Nay) at Yogurts with April and McKay

He has mastered a spoon and learned what "yo yo" is. (Cereal)

I love how he opens he's mouth about 10 minutes before his spoon reaches it.

Cutest yo yo eater I've ever seen.

 Also the cutest patient.

When we walk into Devin's office, to bring lunch or just say hi, 

Gage crawls on table and assumes position.

Cracks me up. He loves to be poked and pulled on.

 Costco sushi is a new fav of ours...We consumed a party platter,, 

yup that's right. Party of two.  

So full of fish...

 Grocery shopping is never boring.  

 By Friday, we often end up at Cafe Rio... its like a magnet.

Lightening McQueen and Bo Jackson are Gage's loves of late.

This little book is so cute in his chub a dub hands and he carries it around in his overall bibs.

He points at Bo and says, "Daddy."  Devin enjoys that quite a bit.

Judging from ratio of pictures, you may be thinking I favor my baby over the other two. 

I do.

Actually he just follows me everywhere and the other two run from me... 

 But I do just absolutely adore one year olds.

 Especially when they have a new found love of all things Cars.

First movie I do believe he has ever willingly sat and watched at home.

Found the cover and brought it to me: "WATCH, watch watch watch."

Uncle Joey loves Cars too. 

Our kids enjoy when their Uncle Sam and Joe come through town.

We took them to all our favorite things.

Snow cones

aaand terrorizing stores. 

 I'm pretty sure every time I go places by myself with these guys people are really grateful for their own lives without children.  I like to pretend they are staring at me and following me around to get a better look, because they are really impressed. :)  

Oh boy, oh boy. 

 This summer we are working on listening and obeying the very first time, and also manners in public.

There that should get my documenting up to speed.





Note to self: Only posts left : 4th of July and two trips to Oregon and a car wash that was fun.

Sweet Summa Time Day

Today was just one of those sweet summer days.  

Devin was dressed in a new shirt looking extra handsome, and because he teaches a late class and seminars on weekends I miss him these days, even though we are sleeping in the same house.  As  he was leaving for work, I just had the overwhelming longing for him to stay home.  I said as much.  It was only said to make him feel good to know how much I wanted him near, but was meant only as a wishful thought. He held me, thought for a minute, kissed me as said. 

"Okay," 

It was Just like he always says, (but doesn't mean) each time I say something wishful, such as: 

"I wish I lived in Hawaii, I wish I could live on cookie dough, I wish I never had to go to the bathroom." I say things like that daily. 

But then he put his bags down and stayed. 

Aren't suprises like that the best?

I think he knew I just really needed it.

He scheduled the morning to get caught up on paper work so he did it from home.

Even though he was busy mostly, I just loved him sitting at the kitchen table being present, popping over to see what I was up to, and sitting next to him as we each worked on our own to do lists.

I'm sure I smiled all morning.

I did my best only to say important thoughts to him. 

Till lunch break. :) 

Afternoon came, Devin then had patients and prep work for his evening presentation so he left.

When I said, "I guess I should get to work now."  Cache looked at me so sad:

"But Mom can't we please just go to Eagle Island instead?" 

 I decided to pay it forward and said: "Okay!"

We threw our housework to the wind and spent the rest of the day swimmin and building sand castles.

Of note: On the way, Cache from the back was looking out the window and said to no one in particular: "I don't even know if I'm wearing underwear, Weird." Then laughed.  

It hit my funny bone really hard. 

Nay was looking funny at him and he said to reassure her: 

"Oh we don't wear underwear with our swimsuits Nay nay."

Naomi smile! 

She poses.  Kills me.

Then we got home, took baths and Louie fixed us a late supper.

The babies went to sleep and Cache and I played Chess in our blankets and swimsuits.

The boy has always loved Chess. I stink.

Now I'm sitting in squaller.  Dishes, swim bags spilling over the living room with life jackets and wet towels, applesauce, rice & broccoli smeared on the table.  A tub full of sand that all their little cracks carried home :)  But man was that day ever worth this mess.  Now I must go.  I'm itching to sweep the floor and empty the sink of dishes.  Or maybe that's just the sand in my swim bottoms.

Kindergarten Under His Belt

Whoa. Hello.  Yes I do have a blog. Perhaps I should document something.

Lets start in the middle of June.

Our first born completed Kindee-garten!

He is not super keen on peforming, and told me:

"Mom, my music teacher asked us to raise our hands if we wanted to talk into the microphone." 

silence...

"I didn't raise my hand."

:)

That's A-okay bud.

Below, Cache was hoping the old adage is true: "If I don't see them, they don't see me."

Towards the very end he managed to peek out from under his hat and give me a smile.

:)

Biggest Fan section!

Cache's buds: Camden (aka ladies man) and Hayden.

 Mrs. Emery.

 She was such an energetic, sharp kindergarten teacher.

Because of her we now say biscuits instead of buns as in:

 "Tie your coat around your little biscuits."

Cache always loved to re-tell me stories of Mrs. Emery's baby Maci Lou.

He would laugh and laugh like he knew her. 

Awkward family photo.

Yes Gage is wearing his purple knecklace with a football jersey.

Or baby is all growed up and gradeee- Ating Kindee garten!

 Last day of school Family picnic:

Cache, Camden and Danny

Cache's gift to his teacher.   

 Cache informed me that Aubriana had a crush on him but he didn't know what that was.

 Way to go Cache.  

I'm sad he'll be at school all day next year.

I'm losing my little boy.

And on to sweet summer time! 

Watermelon, cereal, cartoons, swimming, hikes, sunsets, fireworks and s'mores. 

ooh man I'm so in love with summa time!