dreaming of {summer}

Last week we ran away with Jeremy and enjoyed some much needed family time.  While he "enjoyed" his conference for work we played and enjoyed the warm sun.  It was so fun to pretend it was summer for a few days.  The pool was heated and the hot tub was fantastic. The kids splashed and swam while Graham and I enjoyed watching, reading  and eating.  I know some people think going anywhere with 6 kids equal complete craziness and how in the world could that be relaxing, but I soaked up every minute of it.  This little resort was in the the middle of the cutest retirement community.  We went on more walks then I can count all through the neighborhoods.  It was gorgeous there!  Plants and trees where blooming everywhere.  

I am getting more and more impatient for school to be over.  I realized during that trip I really do want my children's precious time.  Jeremy and I came to the decision that we are going to provide a home education for them.  We have dabbled in it in the past and have given up feeling we didn't have enough support or know how.  With the ways things are and the fact we want a more flexible family life, we have decided that is the best option for our family.  The kids will finish this school year out and we will begin this summer.  We will do year-round learning.  There are amazing local families who have been doing this for years, plus new families we can learn from and with.  I regret not sticking with it from the beginning, but now I really know that this is what we want for our little family.

I am looking forward to learning right along with my children.  I am excited about the places we will take them.  What a blessing it will be to see them learn and grow myself.  I feel like we have them for such a short time before they blossom and leave home to continue there mission here on earth.  I want every precious moment I can with them.  I know that home education isn't right for every family.  There are lots of opinions on the whole idea.  But I believe that no matter if it is food, diets, parenting, education, budgeting, ect it is such an individual thing we can not say what is right for anyone else.  I love that we are all different and all we can learn from each other.

We took the kids to the Mission San Xavier del Bac on our way home.  The building was absolutely gorgeous.  The history was very interesting.  I had to laugh though.  We asked the kids what they thought about it and Carlee speaks up and say how weird the music was and why would they have a dead guy in there chapel!  It made me so grateful to have  the gospel in my life.  Going there only makes your testimony grow.  And it was no comparison to the temple and the beauty found with the walls.  I love that my kids could see and feel the difference.  I love these kids so much!  And of course my wonderful husband for supporting and leading us on all our adventures!

{kids swimming trip}

In July while Jeremy was gone to Africa this time we went to see Emily and her family and stayed in a hotel and went swimming.  The kids had so much fun!  It was nice to break up some of the two weeks of Jeremy being gone.  As a child my parents would take us to a hotel somewhere to swim and eat during the summer.  I loved it, and it always brings me back happy memories.  But I have to say that I now appreciate my parents VERY much.  It was tons of work!  We had a great time, but now it is me doing all the work, not just the enjoying!!  I love summer.  I can hardly believe it is almost over. 

 I love my family!

at the creek

We were all longing for some peace and tranquility Saturday. It has been a LONG and HOT summer! We drove up the mountain to a small creek and enjoyed the quiet beauty that surrounded us.  Jeremy and I both enjoyed the sand between our toes and the cool creek water.  The kids enjoyed splashing and chasing tadpoles, collecting colorful rocks and building a dam with their daddy.  Graham tasted all the rocks within reach and loved to immerse his hands in the warm course sand time after time.   I love to watch his face as he is exploring his surroundings in each new place we visit.  Children truly enjoy the world around them.  I am so looking forward to the upcoming adventures we have planned with our children. 

Last Summer Swim Party

We had so much fun this summer going to Grandpa Don's and Grandma Penny's. Grandpa would fill up the pool and the kids would play for a few hours and we would eat something fun. They really looked forward to these times. I have really appreciated my parents for taking the time to do these special things for my kids. They will have so many memories with their grandparents.

A few weeks ago my dad wasn't feeling well. Very tired, hard to get a breath, and look pretty pale. He had been at my house and looked terrible. I tired to get him to go to the doctor, but he wanted to wait a few days. Well, a few days later he came back and looked worse. This was a Friday. He wanted to wait till Monday and not have to go the the ER. Well, he was finally convinced and went up to the ER. After some testing they found out he had a heart attack and ended up flying him to Tucson Heart Hospital. So I called Jeremy and he came home from work, picked up my mom and headed to Tucson. Before we even got their they had put in 2 stints. When the doctor came out they said they had a hard time breaking up the blockage and almost gave up on one valve. But they ended up getting it in. But the others have 50% to 60% blockage and there isn't really much they can do. He went to the doctor last week and met with the surgeon and he told my dad that he can't be doing anything that would make him strain. Lifting things and pulling on things or anything. This could cause a piece to break loose and he would die. They told him he was 99% blocked and had he waited till Monday, he would have died in his sleep over the weekend. He just retired. So this new is really hard for him.

This really opened my eyes to the fact we could loose him. He has a lot of heart damage. Loosing Linda has been very difficult for me. I can't imagine loosing my own parents right now. I am so grateful I live close to them and for our special time together as a family. They love and support Jeremy and I and love my kids so much. Life is so short and this has really made me think what I am doing. Am I getting angry at things or people and wasting my time here? Am I enjoying each day like it could be the last? Am I living each day like I want to return to live with my family and my Father in Heaven? Am I grateful for all I have? Something has changed for me and in me. I am learning to enjoy my kids even if they just destroyed my house. I am learning to love Jeremy depict his imperfections. I have many that he loves me in spite of. Our family has been happier. We have been having more stress free fun. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. But I know too we must build, strengthen, and enjoy our family relationships now to be able to be together later. I am most grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Without we would all be lost. Having the temple here has been one of the greatest blessing in our lives. Jeremy and I are strengthen each time we attend. We find our needed peace within those sacred walls. With 6 small children it is hard to go, but we are richly blessed by the sacrifice. I look forward to our time together there each week. What a blessing families are. And what a blessing we can be together forever!

Summer Fun.....

[Almond Milk]

Well the Almond milk turned out perfect! I have used it in smoothies and cereal. No one knew the difference except Carlee. I've made 3 batches. We will be keeping it on our menu. And from what I've read there are so many vitamins and minerals.

[Summer]

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't wait till summer. I love the freedom it brings. Plus, I am excited for the baby to get here. There is just something magical about summer. I love when we fill up the pool, make our own Popsicles, the smell of wet grass, and how much sidewalk chalk we go through. (Can you tell I've been thinking about this?) I am really looking forward to it.

[Third Trimester]

Well, I am finally in the 3rd trimester. I am starting to feel it now. I feel pretty good, I just have a hip that gives me trouble once I get bigger. I have almost gained my goal weight, which in NOT good. I am really going to have to be careful this last few months. It is hard on my varicose veins to gain a lot of weight. I sound so old, with all my body complaints! But over all I feel pretty good. Just tired a lot. I have to go back in next month for a 3rd sonogram. The first time they couldn't see the right side of his heart, so we went back, and everything looked great. This time they are concerned maybe one of his feet are turned in slightly. So back we go. It is fun to see the little guy though. Yesterday was a lazy day for me. I read most of the day. Today, my house needs my attention!