A Day in the Life

This post is for you, Travis. The next time you come home and wonder what I did all day, or why I am often ready for bed at 9:00, please refer to this blog :) (No, he did not come home and ask, but I know sometimes he wonders!)

Keep in mind that this is a daily occurance, with only one child. I also have three others that I take care of as well. This does not include feeding, bathing, dressing, changing diapers, reading stories, singing songs, playing games, shopping, cooking, cleaning, volunteering, homework, baseball games, soccer games, or any medical emergencies that may need my attention.

I'm not complaining, I just thought these pictures were funny, and that one day I'd want to show Kate the daily mess she made. I love my job, and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world :)

Lil' Hustler

Tyler had baseball tryouts last night. When we got to the baseball field, Gavin spotted a snow cone stand. He was BEGGING for a "smushie", but I didn't have any money with me. He didn't believe me and searched my pockets. To his delight, he found a presidential dollar coin. I told him that it was a special coin, and that he could not spend it. The evening went by, and the "smushie" was forgotten, until he met up with his buddy, Reilly.

I was chatting with a few friends and looked up to see Gavin and Reilly in line for a smushie. They got to the front of the line and spent quite a bit of time talking to the employees. The line was quickly backing up behind them. I sent Emily to get him before he could spend the coin, but she was too late. Gavin and his buddy both scored $2 smushies. The employees had even decorated their cups and written their names and flavors on them. I have no idea how these little charmers got $4 worth of smushies for $1. Luckily, I was able to replace the presidential dollar with an ashtray full of change. Next time we go to the baseball park, I'll make sure I take a couple of dollars along.

What a Storm!!!

I like to post all the silly things the kids, and even Travis, do. It's only fair that I do the same for myself.

I decided today that I wanted to go out running. The relay race is coming up quickly, and I feel like I'm cramming for a test, trying to get all the running in that I can. I knew a storm was coming, but the sun was shining and I figured I had time for a couple of quick miles.

I loaded the kids into the jogging stroller and off we went. I had planned to turn around at the first sign of rain. It was a little windy, but I knew I could handle the wind and that it would just make me a stronger, faster runner in the end.

I got about 2 1/2 miles away from home and the storm hit! No sprinkles to warn me to turn around, it was a DOWNPOUR! The wind was whipping. It seemed that any direction I ran, I was running straight into the wind. Puddles were everywhere. My feet were soaking wet and freezing cold. At one point, my hat blew right off of my head. I thought about letting it go, but it was my lucky Franklin County hat, I had to get it back. Imagine me chasing my hat. Everytime I got close, a gust of wind would come and blow it further down the street. I'm pretty sure that passersby thought I was crazy, not to mention a horrible mother to have my children out in such weather. I remember thinking that I would be OK as long as it didn't start to thunder and lightning. We were still about a mile away from home when the thunder and lightning started. I'm thinking, "please just let me get home, please just let me get home, and if somebody has to die, please make it me instead of one of my children." We made it to our church house where I decided that we needed to take cover. I huddled up under the awning of the building and the kids woke up. Gavin was scared of the thunder, I was scared of the lightning, and Kate was just playing peek a boo. Luckily, the kids were able to stay warm and dry. About a half an hour later, the lightning faded away and I thought it was time to head for home. I have NEVER seen it rain so hard in all of my life! We quickly and safely made it home alive. I was drenched! I could literally wring my shirt out!

To sum it all up... I got my five miles in today, but a lesson was learned. Next time I will watch the weather, and if rain is in the forecast, I will run on the treadmill :/

Never a Dull Moment

This morning as we were getting ready for church, I heard the front door open. I went to see who was going outside just in time to see Gavin walking in through the door. I asked him what he was doing outside to which he replied, "Oh, just going to the bathroom." WHAT???? WHY?? Our bathrooms were not even occupied.

Let me back up about a week. Last Monday we had a man come and aerate our yard. Gavin told me that he went potty outside IN FRONT OF the aerator. Luckily, he's a friend of ours, and he claims that he didn't see a thing.

Then again.... I saw him out on the deck giggling as he watched it make a waterfall over the side.

So now, not only is he going to the bathroom outside, he's actually going outside to do it. What's a mom to do?

Happy Easter!

The Easter Bunny hides the kids entire baskets at our house. Apparently he hides them in the same spot every year, because Emily mentioned that hers would be really easy to find. He decided to switch things up this year, and really threw them for a loop!

Gavin found his behind the chair.

Tyler's was on top of the fridge.

Emily's basket was in the kitchen cupboard.

And Kate's wasn't too hard to find :)

THE HUNT

My mom has such a good system going with the egg hunt. Each of the kids have a colored basket, and they have to find 12 eggs of the same color. Excellent idea! No rushing or fighting and everybody ends up with the same amount! Way to go, mom!

Lexie got green

Pink for Em

Mr. Blue

Gracie got yellow. She could only find 10 and was sure that she got jipped! I'm sure grandma and grandpa made it up to her :) She was so funny. She was wearing flip flops and refused to walk on the grass. What a cutie!

Kate didn't have to hunt this year. Hers were all in a basket inside.

Orange for Gav man

Bree got purple

Well.... almost no fighting! Tyler thought he could get away with a couple of eggs from Emily's basket.

These girls are such good friends. We never even see these two whenever we get together. Lucky girls :)

Lexie is such a good sport with the kids. Gavin adores her and always wants her to play with him. She never says no, even though I know sometimes she wants to!

The entire gang.

We probably snapped 50 photos trying to get everyone to look, smile and one with no bunny ears. This is the closest we came!

DESSERT

I couldn't resist taking a picture of Ty's dessert. He is such a good cook, and always so creative! This cute little chick is made from a cupcake! Adorable (and delicious)! Way to go, Ty :)

Easter Sunday?

Easter was a little bit weird this year, as it fell on the same day as General Conference. I wasn't really sure when to let the kids wear their Easter attire. In fact, I didn't even buy them new clothes. Kate got a new sweater, but that doesn't really count, does it? They still looked great, even if it was the week before Easter!

Kate

Emily

Gavin

Tyler

My Girls

My Boys

Happy Birthday Grandma

My Grandma turned 100 years old today! Happy birthday GG!

We sure do love you!

Grandma has a hard time getting out, so we just had a little family get-together at her place. It's always good to see her, and she looked great!

The fam with GG.

Me, Grandma, my sister, Cari, and my brother, Tyson.

My mom and my aunt Sharon.

These are all of the great grandchildren that were able to make it to the party.

Oh, mom. We really should have bought the right numbers for the candles on the cake. How often does someone turn 100? Cari just shoved the number nine deep down into the cake so it looked somewhat like a 0. Who's got her name for Christmas next year?????

I have watched this video three times and I get emotional each time I watch it. She is just so sweet! I love to watch her singing to herself and blowing out her candles.

My grandma has always been such an important person in my life. Words cannot express how much I love and appreciate her. She always made me feel so important and loved. She is an incredible woman and I love her dearly!