as of lately...

my kids are being towed around everywhere with me.

i have to plan every detail of my day or these little guys suffer.

that means...

dinner in the crockpot by noon

purse full of snacks and water bottles

diapers

sippy cup

toy cars

blankie

comfy shoes for me

music

paperwork

stroller

plasma car

it has been a crazy fall but very rewarding.

my two little bugs are adjusting well to keeping busy and hardly ever being home.

they are so mild mannered that it works.

the baby is flexible enough to take her naps wherever we have landed at the time.

i cannot believe she will be a year next week!

as for me...i had a crazy...last minute idea to put together a FLASH MOB for the Homecoming pep rally.

i was blessed enough to get plenty of support and have my mob learn the dance in two short days.

tomorrow is the big day.

i will post video footage.

thank you to all who helped me accomplish this HUGE undertaking.

it will be amazing.

Halloween Carnival

This week we had our Annual Halloween Carnival at the Grade School.

This year they had doughnut eating off of the string...face painting...bowling...cake walk...family portraits...costume parades...Gavilan fighting...donkey ridding...fishing pond...Haunted House...trunk-or-treating...and lots of yummy treats

Tori went as a corps cheerleader...

Benton went as a football player...

Alex went as a Disco Diva and wanted to wear her roller skates but I talked her out of it because I knew I would be picking her up all night...even though she is a good little skater.
She won an award for her costume!

She was mad at me in this picture because I made her carry the PINK treat bucket. 

I told her she wasn't allowed to cry because it would smear her make-up...plus she "pinkie-promised" me she wouldn't...so she was trying really hard to hold back tears here.

Adalyn was our little butterfly.

She was the first one to go trunk-or-treating and got pampered all night by the Johnsons.

Happy Halloween!

How to Have your Cake and Eat it Too

Scheduling is very important when raising a family.

I have settled into a nice routine that I love.

My mornings are filled with teaching early bird ballet, and exercise class, household chores, running errands in town, and preparing a hot lunch for my kids.

My afternoons are dedicated to naps with my babies and catching up on correspondence.

Once school lets out I fill my evenings with helping coach the High School Dance Team, homework, more ballet classes, scouts and a sit-down family dinner.

I have my calendar careful planned out so that I can even make room for an occasional visit on a front porch with a close friend or a friendly tennis match with another good friend. 

All the "in-betweens" are filled with changing diapers, wiping noses, reading stories, baking cookies, and helping with art at the Grade School.

I have made it my #1 Rule to be finished from teaching early morning dance by 7:15am in the morning so I can feed my kids a hot breakfast and help them get ready for the day...and also by 5:00pm so we can devote the rest of the evening to each other.

I also have a strict rule that "play-dates" are for weekends only and I really feel this helps me get in enough family time.
I am able to help with so many different activities because I do not have to factor in any sort of commute.
By giving each situation careful thought and prayer, you too can do those things that you find personally fulfilling and not neglect your family at the same time.

I love structure and I believe if you are carefully scheduled you can find time to do it all and not feel too burned out!

I will add that you must also learn when to say NO and really be in tune with the needs of your family first.

I am happy for the opportunity to serve in our small community. 

Nothing helps you more with your spiritual growth than service!

Happy Autumn!

Open doors

This is the time of year when stress is around every corner. It is the harvest. There is crunching of numbers, sleepless nights, over estimating, under estimating, problems crossing the border, dealing with employees, praying for perfect weather, etc.

My husband has been experiencing many of these symptoms.

He is getting heart burn. His blood pressure rises. He gets physically ill.

Yes, the harvest takes a toll on oneself.

The other day I felt inspired to pray for my husband that he would receive the guidance  needed or our family.

This particular day my sweet husband had a financial melt-down.
Just when he was about to reach the end of his rope his older brother called, out of the blue, with a very much needed pep talk.
This brother had no idea, and still has no idea, of the dire strain Garrett was feeling.
Needless to say, this motivational conversation with his brother was just want he needed.
The words of wisdom he received changed the mood of his day and gave him a new hope.
Later that night he got a phone call from a well respected friend who offered him a opportunity to expand his farming abilities and thereby grow his "empire".
I couldn't believe how fast my plea to the Lord was, not only heard, but answered!
We are truly watched over and blessed!

The Flu Season

The flu season is upon us.

I feel as though I have to defend my family from this bacteria that could cause us to derail for weeks on end.

No one likes to deal with a sick child...let alone SEVERAL sick children.

And when mom gets sick the world pretty much comes to an end. 

Kids get sent to school without hair being combed...sad sack lunches, if remembered at all...forget about after-school-snacks...no help with homework, because it hurts to think when you have the flu...dinner comes from a box of cold cereal...bath time is cancelled...noses don't get wiped...laundry piles up...and it becomes a lot for dads to handle.
Just think about having the flu makes me ill!

The bottom line is that we moms cannot afford to get sick. 

It is hard to protect yourself when you have kids coming home from school, being exposed to many different kinds of germs, but we need to do our best.

Here are some simple things I do for my family, especially around flu season...

1. My children have to wash their hands upon entering my home. Yes, that means their first stop is the sink.

2. I always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer by the door. This grants easy access for comings and goings to keep those hands clean.

3. A bottle of chewable Vitamin C is always in the pantry. It is not only a great little "treat" for the kids but helps build their internal defense.

4. I believe keeping a healthy diet also helps in aiding against this illness. Eating those fruits and veggies, especially in the winter is a big help.

5. Early to bed and early to rise. With a good night's sleep you can often times ward off sickness. Your body needs time to rest and recover from daily activities. This is a great practice to keep.

6. There is always your local flu shot.

7. Keeping a clean house is a must. By using reputable products you ,too, can keep a flu-free home.

As mothers we need to stop these germs from entering at the front door. 

I know that by following these steps my kids can have a happy and healthy winter.

It makes for a happier home. 

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

This is what happens when...

This is what happens when Adalyn gets left alone with her bowl of food. I know the picture is blurry but I love this face she makes when she is enthralled.

It also means bath time and time to mop the floors...again.

This is what happens when you let your son attend ballet class and have him pick out his own costume to "perform" in. Notice the broom in his hand. Yes, my kids work. Someone came to the door and asked me in an appalled voice if I actually make my baby clean. "Sure DO!" I replied. This one was a consequence chore!

Benton slept in this costume after wearing during (his older sister's) Ballet class and then put it on again the next morning over his clothes. This is just a phase...right?!

My Tuesdays

Tuesdays are crazy busy for me.

My morning starts by making a hot breakfast for my 4 children.

Doing 4 heads of hair (mine included).

Tying shoes, buttoning, zipping, etc.

Scriptures, prayers, vitamins.

Off to school.

I have a few minutes to clean and straighten up, play with my son and baby.

Preschool ballet class then begins at 10am and Benton gets to join in on the fun (shhh, don't tell Garrett).

Then it is time to prepare lunch.

Off to the school to pick-up my kiddos...feed them...back to school.

Nap time....HALLELUJAH!

After 2 hours of quiet it is time to pick-up the kids and the Scouts from school, it is early out Tuesdays!

Homework and after school snacks while I wrangle 5 Bears.

After an hour of scouts I RUN them all home and race back just in time to teach ballet.

Once ballet is over I can relax and make dinner...or run off to the monthly Pack Meeting.

I LOVE it when Tuesdays are OVER!