July

July has been a busy month. Meg had her 12th birthday and is now in YW's. That is so crazy. I only have one child in primary. Meg had a swim party and had about 9 of her friends over. That night we went out for Mexican with her aunt Eileen. I left the next morning bright and early for California. I got to see my new little niece Rylee and my sweet nephews, Ammon and Cohen. They are all so adorable! I could hug and squeeze them all day! Holding Rylee did make me a little baby hungry. It was fun to see Jody and Kelly and their new home. I am so proud of them both. They are awesome individuals and great parents. Their children are very lucky to have them as parents. It makes me so happy to see what an incredible man Jody has become. I know the gospel had a lot to do with who he is today. Speaking of the gospel, we had a combined RS/Priesthood meeting today and it was so amazing!!!! We have EIGHT missionaries serving in our ward right now and they all stood together in front of the chapel and shared a message about Christ, the Atonement, and The First Vision. It was SO powerful. When they got to the part about what Joseph Smith saw in the Sacred Grove they had one of the missionaries say it in Bulgarian (two of the missionaries are serving here while they wait on their visa's..Bulgaria is where they were called) Then one of our members (a sister in her 20's who is the Primary president) said the same thing in Dutch which is the language she spoke on her mission. Two more members did the same, one brother and one sister. The brother said it in his mission language which was French. The other was a sister who served in Argentina and said it in Spanish. I cried along with these individuals as they were filled with emotion sharing the story of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith. Even though it was in a language I didn't understand, I clearly understood the Spirit. It was so wonderful. The message for our lesson was that we have such an amazing gift and we need to share it with others. It was so inspiring and uplifting.

We had about 150 people at our house last night for a Luau. It was so much fun! I will post some pics of it later. Here are some pics of my California trip.

I can not believe July has already begun. Time flies when your having fun.
The girls are back from EFY and they had a blast!!! It was a very spiritual experience for them both.They really enjoyed being with other teens who have similar standards.



We are all in reading mode right now. Hayli and I have finished both Stephanie Meyer books and are anxiously awaiting the third, as I blogged about before. Kayla just started reading Twilight yesterday and is in love with the book. She will probably finish it today. We went to the book store today and I now have numerous choices of books to read. I have just recently started reading two books, Memoirs of a Geisha and The Historian. The Historian I picked up one day at Sam's Club because it was a big, thick, hardbound book and was only $4.00. I had seen it in one day surfing the blogs on Heidi's site (a friend of a family member's family, if that makes sense) The Historian is VERY interesting but I don't know if I will be able to read it through....it's kinda scary. But I find myself drawn to it to see what's going to happen. So we will see. I also just bought the first two books in the series The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. This may be hard to believe but I have neither read the books nor seen the movie. I have heard much good about them, so they are now on my to read list. My girls are having to read the good ole summer reading and Hayli has Their Eyes Were Watching God. Kayla has to read Jack London's Call of the Wild. Our days are pretty rough with swimming, lounging by the pool, and reading. It's a tough job but someones got to do it.
I had the awesome opportunity to go on splits with our new sister missionaries. It was so fabulous. I am really excited to be able to do that on a regular basis. Hayli has been so happy to finally have the opportunity to go out with them. She really wants to serve a mission so it will be a great experience for her. What a blessing!

I LOVE summer!

Summer is hot but I love it! No set schedule, sleeping pass 5:45 am if I choose,(which I always do) and lot's of pool parties. However, summer is not a good blog time for me. I just can't seem to do it, or at least do it often.
We are headed to my favorite place this week, Big Canoe! I can't wait. When I enter the gates there I feel like I am home, truly.
Okay, here is another random thing..In the summer, I love to read. Well, actually, I love to read anytime but I get more opportunities to read in the summer. I am little late in the game here but I just read the book Twilight. I know many people have already read this book but I honestly thought it would not be a book I would like. It is different but I could NOT put it down! I read the whole book in less than a day (I was sick and in bed) Kenny and I's anniversary was Friday so that night we went out. We stopped by Barnes and Noble and picked up the book. Kenny said that I needed to go ahead and get the next one, New Moon, but I didn't do it! So today, I drove 30 miles back to the book store and bought the book and pre-ordered the third in the series, Eclipse. I am not saying it is the best book I have ever read but it was the best book I have read in a while. I love, love ,love books. I remember when I was a young girl, I loved going to the library. I loved the smell and feel of books...is that weird? I would check out the maximum aloud every time.I used to pretend to be a librarian. Ya know, back when they had to stamp your card in the book. Loved it! I feel sad for those that don't like to read. A good book is like....I don't know how to explain it but those of you who do enjoying reading know how great it is when you have that book that is so good, you don't want to do anything but read it. Then it's kind of sad when it over, unless it's got a sequel, which I love. As you can see, my main problem with reading is I don't get the other things done that I need to. I neglect my daily duties if I read in the day and if I read at night, I don't want to go to sleep. It's a dilemma, for sure. Good thing it's summer.

P.S. On Stephanie Meyer's website she has a story written that is basically Twilight but is written in Edward's view instead. Very interesting.

What a week...

Monday we kicked off the week with our Memorial Day party here at our house. It was so much fun. We had a game of softball and kickball first, and then we swam and played volleyball for the rest of the day. I think the kids were totally worn out by the end of the day. I know I was.
This is also the last week of school. That means awards and parties and all that crazy stuff the shove into the last week. I am glad today it is finally over.

Last night, I had a Lingerie Shower at my house for a good friend of mine who is going to the temple today at 1:00 pm to be sealed to her sweetie. There were about 20 people here and it was crazy!!! We had the best time! The Bride-to-be happens to be 65 years old. She is notorious for always giving lingerie at bridal showers so we decided to return the favor. She got some really awesome stuff and boy, did we have some laughs! She is VERY excited and can't wait to use all of her new gifts! I couldn't be happier for her. She is a wonderful person who has been alone for a very long time. Her soon-to-be husband is also a very dear friend of ours and he is a great man...and about five years younger! They are adorable together. I am can't wait to see them sealed. Later tonight, they are having a huge shindig/reception/BBQ/dance. It is going to be some ordeal. Love is wonderful and I am glad she has finally found it.

Happy Retirement!

I am not sure if you say Happy Retirement or what but I know my Mom is thrilled to be retiring and I am happy for her. She has worked in the school system as long as I can remember and volunteered in many areas. I am sure she will continue to volunteer often. Her retirement party was yesterday at her school and it was really well done. They recognized three other individuals who were retiring, as well. I know she will definitely be missed by her co-workers but especially the kids. I will certainly enjoy having my friend available to do things with! I took some pictures but sadly, I never got one of my mom. I think that is pretty pathetic. I also didn't get any pictures of my aunt and uncle or my sis and her hubby Scott....geez.
Next week is the last week of school! YEEHAW!!!
Memorial Day we are having our annual ballgame and swim party here at our house. We will play softball with family and friends and then swim and relax for the rest of the day. Well, we usual have a couple of mean games of volleyball throughout the day but basically, it's just a chill day. I love summertime!!!!!
Above:My bro Jeff and his wife Lori Jean
Below: My Grandmom, who's birthday was on Wednesday, Kayla, and my Dad.

Above: Grandmom, Hayli, and Dad.
Below: My gorgeous kiddies!

Karson, Kierstyn, and Taylor.

My Distinguished Honor's Gal.

This week Hayli was given the Distinguished Honors Award for academic excellence. They award was for those students who have achieved a 4.0 or greater this year. She has a 4.15 and we are just so proud of her. She works so hard and is very focused. She juggles school with being an athlete and a having a job. I know all of her hard work will pay off when her dream of going to BYU is realized... at least that is what she has wanted since she was like 7. Good job, babe!

Life is good.

Has it really been a month since I have posted? It has been pretty crazy around here. Last week Chandler turned 9 years old! I can't believe my baby is that old already!! He had a swim party here at our house on Saturday. The weather was nice and hot. He had about 15 or so kids come and he had a great time.
This time of year is so beautiful in Georgia. Everything is blooming and I love being outside (although, my allergies are saying otherwise). My Hostas are so amazing because in the winter they totally disappear. As soon as Spring comes however, they slowly emerge from the ground. And now just a month later they are huge!! You can not tell from the picture just how big they are. They are about three feet wide. My "Stella's" are all full of big yellow blooms. I love it!!!





This week is going to be sooo busy. Actually, the rest of the month will be as well because it is the last few weeks of school and they fit every celebration, awards, concert, etc. into the next few weeks! UGGHH! I am ready for school to be out! Tonight is Meg's last band concert and Hayli has Honor's night where she will be getting a special award. They both start at the same time and are 30 miles apart. Kenny and I will divide and conquer as usual.
Last week, I THINK I found my next house plan. I have been searching for a year or so and have found several maybe's but this one could be the one...we'll see. We won't be moving for another year so I guess I have some time...
Yesterday was Mother's Day and it was a nice day (besides the fact that I hadn't slept in two days). Our sacrament meeting was outstanding. I cried, as usual, the majority of the meeting. It was so touching and I felt so much gratitude for my own mother and the fabulous relationship I have with her but as I watched my husband sitting up on the stand and my sweet sister-in-law sitting in the pew next to mine, I felt a great saddnes for them. They had a wonderful mother who raised eight wonderful (for the most part) children. She passed away almost 12 years ago and I know they miss her greatly. I know my children would be blessed to have really known her. Thank goodenss for the blessings of the temple.
On a lighter note, this is how small the world is...
My brother, Jody, went to Utah for college and met his wife, Kelly, who is from California. Kelly is the one that got me into blogging and through that I have read many of her family and friends' blogs. One friend of Kelly's, Sarah, who lives in Utah, but is from California, (are you following me here) I read her blog regularly. Well, her brother, Gideon..aka Elder Medley, was called to the Atlanta Georgia Mission. (I have a point here) So, we get this missionary in our ward a while back, Elder Lyman, who was in the MTC and came out with Elder Medley. Unfortunately, Elder Medley ended up in the area of Auburn University as his first area instead of somewhere in our stake. Fast forward a few months and this past week I get a call from a missionary introducing himself as a new missionary just called to our area (we now have six missionaries in our ward, which is beside the point) No, it wasn't Elder Medley BUT, I asked him (his name is Elder Michaelis) what area had he come from and he said...Auburn University!!!! I said, Do you know Elder Medley? He says, No way, shut up, you know Elder Medley?? I say No, not actually..long story. He was his companion before Elder Medley was sent to serve in the Atlanta area. Okay, this may not seem fascinating to anyone but it is just crazy how small the world is. I am sure you are thinking, you haven't blogged in a month and this is all you have to write about? Yep, pretty much. At least for today.

Dentist Drama

My kids have never minded visiting the dentist, except Chandler. He pretty much hates it. He went a few weeks back for a cleaning and check-up and he threw-up. He gets gagged really easy, I guess. It made it very hard on the hygienist and they weren't really loving the whole throw-up thing. They call me back and tell me it would probably be better if I take him to their other office for his cavity filling so he can get some "happy juice"..aka Valium. I think that sounds like a pretty good idea. Fast forward to this week. We arrive nice and early for his appointment so he can take his "happy juice" and allow time for it to take affect. As we wait to go back to get the meds a child is heard screaming their head off. Chandler looks absolutely petrified and I assure him "that kid did NOT have happy juice". Finally, Chandler is given a syringe with 5 mg of liquid Valium. I am feeling so tense at this point I am wishing I could take a swig myself. They tell us it can take about 30 minutes to take full affect but it is likely to only take 15. Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes go by. I am seeing no sign of this juice making him happy. I come to the realization that it is not going to work. Then they say if it hasn't worked by now it won't. Great. He is teary but says he wants to just get it over with. I felt I needed to be in there with him but it was not fun. He must have gagged 90 percent of the procedure. Luckily, not much on the stomach, so no actual vomit. He pretty much whimpers very, very loudly the whole time and I am now wishing I had taken the whole syringe of Valium, since it didn't help him anyway. By the time he was done he was exhausted. He came home and napped for three and a half hours. Poor kid. That was Monday. Yesterday, Kay and Meg had their work done and both did okay but Kayla was informed she needs a root canal ASAP. Nice. So, today we are heading to my friend Paul's office, who is the absolute best indodontist, for Kay's rc. Hayli just had one last month. You would think my kids teeth are awful but to look at them they appear great. Darn those cavities!

Spring Break!

What a wonderful spring break we have had. It has gone by way too fast. We went up to Big Canoe and stayed in a beautiful house on the lake. We went with friends and the kids had a blast!! Big Canoe is an amazing place in the North Ga. mountains. It is a world of it's own. Once you are there inside the gates, you never have to leave. There are three lakes. Our house was directly on one of them. They have two beaches, outside pool and an indoor pool, and a golf course which we had a beautiful view of. There are hundreds of acres of hiking trails which are stunning. We hiked each day and there are three stunning waterfalls along the way. There is a fitness center/spa and clubhouse. Restaurants, ball field, botanical garden, post office, grocery store, and even a chapel. It is so wooded and gorgeous you feel like you are lost in the mountains somewhere. You can fish, boat, swim, play, ride horses, or just relax. We were very lucky because our home had absolutely the best location. It was wonderful! One the most exciting things we came across was this two tiered rock slide. The water was probably 60-65 degrees but it didn't stop the kids from swimming and playing the whole trip. Us gals were even crazy enough to try out the rock slide. It was sad to leave such beautiful place...back to realty.

This is the view from the one of the three huge windows on the back of the house.

This is the screened in porch on the side of the house. You can see the beach on the left, the lake, and then a part of the golf course.

View from the kitchen.

Back of house.

One of the decks. The fitness center is the roof you see in the distance. One day as we walked by, there was a yoga class going on outside on the hill.

This is just a small part of the front of the house but if you make the pic bigger you can see a covered bridge in the distance. There are several of these throughout the community.

This is just the top half of the rock slide. Going down the slide was not too bad. It was when you hit the pool of water that it literally takes your breath because it is so cold. Needless to say, we were always the only ones out there..the only ones dumb enough to get into water that cold!

Happenings.

Where has the time gone? Is April really right around the corner? Crazy!!
Last week, Megan had her last band concert and she did really great! Oh, those private schools are tricky...it was a band concert and Surprise! a PTO meeting also. Sneaky. I am a terrible PTO parent. Actually, that is not true. When my kids were in public school I was much more involved. But over the last six years I have been to very few meetings at their private school. (Although, I was room parent several times) The main discussion revolves around...please, give us more money, and please give us more money..and oh yeah, please give us more money. Seriously. I feel we pay enough money in tuition and other sneaky ways they suck money from us, like the $4.50 PER DAY PER CHILD lunches. Hello, whatever happened to the .75 cent lunch???
Moving on..this a cute story. This past Sunday, we were driving down my road heading to church. You have to know our road...we live in the country, where everyone has land and there are lot's of horses. It is also a dusty, dirt road that is kind of narrow. Anyway, we are driving and I see Sid (dun, dun, dun.) He is this cross between the old man in Toy Story and the old man in Monster House. He walks his dog everyday and I usually zoom past him and he turns to memorize my car make, model, plate number, and possibly my blood type..while spouting a few ugly words and the occasional fist in the air. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating but it has gotten around the neighborhood that he thinks I drive too fast..(and he does turn around and yell sometimes) So, as I drive by on Sunday morning I say, "Oh, go ahead look at my license plate you grumpy old man" (to myself but out loud) Hayli then says, "how do you know he is a grumpy old man?" To which I say, "Not only is he a grouch but he has a bad mouth too." I have to explain how I know this and blah, blah, blah. Fast forward to the next day...Hayli comes home from school and says, "Mom, I have really been thinking about Sid, the grouchy old man with the bad mouth, and I think I should make him some cookies and go say hi." I say, "uh, um, uh,... okay." (thinking to myself "are you crazy?") I make a couple of jokes about him coming out yelling and saying "get away from my house" like the guy in Monster House and other things I am now not very proud of and also tell her she can't go by herself. Megan is quick to say she will go with her. 45 minutes later with fresh, warm baked cookies in hand, Hayli and Megan drive the three houses down to Sid's.
Now, when she returns I notice she has all limbs intact and no noticeable injuries and she has a big smile on her face. She then explains that Sid and his wife are the sweetest things and she is from Germany or some place and how they met and he loves his dog and tears come to his eyes as he explains how much he loves his dog and that it is really old and about to die so he walks it everyday to keep him alive and I am feeling about two inches tall now. They chat about their life story and they are so glad Hayli came by. Let me just say, Hayli is truly about the best missionary I know. Honestly. I could write an entire blog with the missionary/service-oriented things she does on a regular basis. She is amazing.

Nickleback concert....UGHHHHH! Awful. I won't go in to details but we ended up leaving after two songs. I did not realize the lead singer had such a bad mouth..I mean FOUL not just bad. The girls were like, let's get out of here. I felt terrible because I was the one who bought the tickets but I was going by their last few songs out which were great.... live and learn, I guess. But it was very disappointing and very unnecessary. I will stick with the bands we know well from now on.
Today we drove to Hiriam, Ga. for the girls last tournament. It was sad to think this might be the last time they play together on the same team.
What else is new..oh, my house got rolled last night. Spring Break is a week away and we have rented a lake house in Big Canoe with some friends and their kids. It will be a blast! I can not believe the school year is almost over. I can't wait for summer! No alarm clocks, little schedule, lot's of playtime..love it!
P.S. What do you think of "october road"? I am not sure yet, it has potential.

Little ones.

SUPER AMMON..the coloring book version.





I have the cutest nieces and nephews. I think now that my children are older, I appreciate and enjoy these little ones a little more. It is so fun to be around them and I love the ages that they are at. I know most people think I am baby-hungry and maybe to some extent I am..but my kids are so big now and I think enjoying my little nieces and nephews will have to do. Estella is my niece that I see the most. She is about to turn 5 and she is a hoot! She is so creative in her thinking and has the most incredible independence. She also has an imaginary friend named Sally....Sally has a whole imaginary life that is HILARIOUS to hear about from Estella. We don't talk about her much anymore...I think her parents are encouraging her to have friends a little more.. visible. Estella and her sister Amelia are exact opposites but both equally adorable.
Last week Ammon and Cohen were here from California. They are without a doubt the cutest little boys! Ammon has the sweetest little personality and is really smart. Cohen is absolutely adorable and has a crazy fun personality. He likes to perform when people are watching. I wish I had the opportunity to see them more.

I am crazy about babies. I have been for the last several years. My friend Rachel just had a new baby boy and I get to hug him and squeeze him tonight!!! I can't wait!

Megan has had control of my camera lately and she took some really cute pics of the kids while at my mom and dad's house. She also took some great video of my older nieces, Karsen and Kierstyn, doing some cheers with Cohen. However, she didn't realize that while videoing you can not move the camera all around...so part of the videos are sideways!! Oh well, it is still precious, it just makes you a little dizzy.