Wordless Wednesday: cookie monster

Turn your frown upside down...

If you are ever having a bad day

all you need to do is start tuning IN to your kids and the things they are saying.

It is easy to tune out all the whining and crying but sometimes the sweetest little things are being said.

One day I was self-loathing and Benton said...from the back seat of the car..."Mom, you my best friend."

My heart melted and I forgot what I was stressing about.

Alex must be able to sense when I need a little boost because she will tell me that she is having the most perfect day on those days that are not going so well for me.

I need to take the time to see the world through the eyes of a child. 

They don't let the negative dwell within their little hearts. 

They are quick to forgive and forget.

They find beauty in the simplest things.

Benton will find me almost every evening and say, "Mom, come look. The stars are here."

I wish we, as adults, could get whacked in the head with a toy car...

cry until someone asks if we are okay...

then go back to playing with the same kid that whacked us without a second thought.

The world would be such a better place.

I know I was sent my four beautiful kids to teach me.

I often feel that they are teaching much more than I have taught them. 

I've learned

peace

comfort by a simple touch

kind words

patience

unconditional love

sharing

and so much more.

If I ever feel overwhelmed...all I have to do is stop and listen to my kids.

Usually it will put a smile on my face.

Swimming...farm-style

This Spring Break EVERYONE left town.

My good friend Jen and I were the only ones left in town.

We got together almost everyday and did something fun with our 12 kids.

One day we let the kids play in the yard and enjoyed lunch together.

The next day we took a picnic up the river and let the kids play in the sand.

This day we went to a neighboring orchard and swam in their pond.

They had a great rope swing that the big kids were so nice to help the little kids on. We only had 1 injury while playing on the rope.

The water is green but clean. It doesn't bother these farm kids in the least.

They couldn't be more happy.

The view was great. 

We were surrounded by hills and had a nice view of the orchard below.

The kids had a blast pushing each other in...racing...diving...and splashing.

We set up camping chairs...lemonade...and strawberries so we could sit...relax...and visit while the kids swam.

No trip to a water hole is complete without a 4 wheeler. 

The kids all took turns driving and riding the moto.

It was a great day of relaxing...laughing...playing...and visiting.

Thank you Jen for the wonderful "stay"-cation. 

We had a blast with your family this week.

My thoughts

During a nice visit with one of my close friends I discovered that I am not the only one who's mind wanders...wildly...while folding laundry.

I find that my thoughts will travel the spectrum of my brain.

I will think of people that offended me and what I could have said back to them that may be witty or sharp.

I think of how my family was broken while I was a vulnerable teenager

and

how I could have turned to drinking or promiscuity to settle frayed nerves.
Somehow I stayed strong.

I think of the strong examples I've had in my life and how I would never want to disappoint them.

I think of my many "first" loves...and my one "true" love.

I think of feelings I have experienced...

twitterpated

the tingle of a first kiss

jealously

heart-broken

utterly embarrassed

ashamed

exstatic

loved

comforted

blood boiling anger

simply content

Yes, all this goes through my head as I fold laundry, or wash dishes.

Sometimes my mind goes to places that I have to fight.

I cannot let my mind go to those things that might make me fall.

I cannot hold onto those thoughts that make me resentful. 

Thou you cannot erase the memories. They are part of who I am.

They are how I got to this place today...

the good along with the bad.

So, I fold laundry and evaluate my life.

married 9 years

i cannot believe its been 9 years! 

9 years...4 kids later...

i am more in love now.

our anniversary falls on the planting season.

i wasn't expecting much because garrett is typically gone from sun up to sun down.

he has several projects in the works.

some how he managed to surprise me.

i was greeted by one dozen long stemmed roses...a couples massage, which was absolute heaven...and fine dinning for dinner.

living in mexico...on the farm... can be far from luxury but garrett managed the most perfect, luxurious evening.

it was the perfect escape considering we couldn't' leave town.

my in-laws were kind enough to babysit so we could relax.

we remembered the details of our wedding day. the wonderful food we ate. the nice hotel we stayed in. 

our trip to hawaii.

then we had to pick up the kiddos.

there is something about 4 kids demanding your attention that is just not romantic and brings you back to reality real quick!

however, i wouldn't trade them for anything.

happy 9th anniversary!

Easter Sunday

My kids woke up super early this morning to see what the Easter Bunny had left them.

Their cousins came over for a little Easter Egg Hunt.

Still searching for eggs...and blowing bubbles.

Hopefully today will go a lot more smoothly for Alex.

Beautiful Tori. She is getting too old for hats and almost didn't want to wear her gloves to church!

My gorgeous Alex. She loved her hat and gloves but didn't want to wear her RED shoes!!

My sleeping beauty. Adalyn got all ready for church just in time to fall asleep.

My three Musketeers. Benton is having posing issues so there is no portrait of him. They all came out with him holding his crotch...mouth open...tongue out...eyes rolled...

We will work on that!

My traditional Easter hat. I finally got the courage to wear one to our new ward. 

This one goes out to all my friends in the Dublan Ward! I couldn't have kept this tradition going without your interest in what each year would bring on Easter Sundays. HA.

Happy Easter!

Easter Picnic

We had our Easter Picnic today. 

Alex got attacked by dogs.

Stung by a bee.

Bee got caught in her hair.

Her new WHITE pants were BLACK within 3 minutes of arriving at the picnic.

Tori fell doing the 3-legged-race and sprained her wrist.

And we missed the Easter Egg Hunt!

Looks like the Easter Bunny will have to do some making-up for the disaster of a Easter Picnic.