Sometimes...

...your day just sucks.

A little taste of June

School has been out a whole month now and no, I haven't succumbed to the stress and the messes and the constant chaos. I am here still kicking, but just barely, trying my hardest to keep my head above water. June was full of long days, stomach issues (still no diagnosis), girls camp, weddings, family, messes, a second job, late nights, dance practice, water and lots and lots of fun.

The end of May and beginning of June found me at the hospital several times for testing to find out what was going on with my stomach. I was having an intense burning in my stomach (not heartburn) and I couldn't really attribute it to anything I ate. Several fun (not) and expensive tests and we still know nothing. I was referred to a specialist but since it has let up considerably (I'm only having one or two "attacks" a week instead of everyday) I have decided not to pursue it now. We ruled out all the major things that it could be and for now I'll just deal with it.

I had a great plan and schedule for the summer. Monday- Picnic at the park, Tuesday- Movie, Wednesday- library, Thursday- Crafts/water day, Friday- field trip. This schedule lasted a full two weeks before it start falling apart. Here is one of the "field trips" we took to Bean Museum.

One of the reasons my summer schedule failed so miserably is because of this cutie and dance. This year I decided to send Millie to Tremaine and she and her studio have been working really hard to get ready. Tremaine is a dance convention/competition in Las Vegas and her team learned two new dances to compete. Usually they have several months to learn and practice a dance but for Tremaine they only had 7 weeks. It will be a great experience for her! This is her with her friends Summer and Sophie getting ready for the Strawberry days Parade. My battery died right after this picture but her studio sure looked cute on their float!



The boys went to fathers and sons and so Millie and I through together a girls night with some of our dance friends. We went to Mi Ranchito and bowling then I brought the girls home for a sleepover. I love these girls like my own! They are such a blast to be around! Their moms are pretty awesome too!



At the beginning of June Sharilee came to town to drop off Ryan at the MTC. Since Kacee was getting married at the end of June she ended up staying most of the month of June. It's always fun when she is here and we stay pretty busy. This year I wasn't able to do everything but I would participate as I could.


My little brother and his cute family were sealed in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. For those of you who don't know what that means you can click here. I was so incredibly happy for them and it was such an amazing day!

That same day Kacee became Kacee Bernard when she married Mattie. The wedding was beautiful and I am so happy for them to be married.


I was asked to be the assistant girls camp director this year. Girls camp was a lot of fun but a lot of work. These two ladies were a great help and made everything (well, the food, which we were in charge of) run smoothly. I was so thankful for the experience and pretty emotional that it ended so soon and I wouldn't be working with the young women anymore.

The kids went to the zoo while I was home getting ready for girls camp. I am so thankful for the wonderful people who take such great care of my kids and are so willing to take them even when I can't come. The kids also hiked Timp cave, went to Seven Peaks, the Lehi rodeo, and to the Lehi parade with their aunts and uncles. We have an amazing family!

Also in  June I started filling in for my cousin at the parts store because she had this little cutie. I did this once before when she had her first and I have to say I wasn't nearly as stressed this time. In fact it was a huge blessing because it happened just as I lost one of my daycare kids! It was hard work, well, only because I'm not used to using my brain, and I had to call her and ask for help more than I liked but it was a really good experience. The only downside is that I was way busier than usual and spent more time away from home.

That was June in a nutshell! This summer really has been crazy busy but lots of fun! Stay tuned for the July catch up edition!

for now...

I've had a few people mention I should update my blog. I would love to. I have so much to tell you! But I've been working really hard and I've had Ian home and we've been having so much fun so it will just have to wait. Soon though, really soon, I will let you know all about our crazy, busy summer!

Snack attack

I've been debating whether or not to share these photos with others. I have shown a few people but I know the kind of reaction they might create so I've hesitated to put them here. This is our family blog and this is my only journal currently so I decided to go ahead and add them.

I got a call from Ian's teacher one Monday saying that he had been bugging one of the students and so in retaliation the student bit him. I brushed it off knowing how annoying Ian can be but I wasn't prepared to see this when he got home!

The following Friday I got another call from Ian's teacher...the same kid bit him again, this time unprovoked!

Poor kid! It's hard to be too upset as Ian goes to a special education school and accidents happen.  I just had to explain it to everyone who saw him for two weeks. It's just now finally disappeared. He'll be in a different class next year, hopefully there will be less snack attacks!

Ian's dance festival

Not really dancing but it was perfect for Ian! This was the first time he actually participated! The dance festival theme was Disney and Ian's class were pirates. Loved it!

They attempted to add some five o'clock shadow but I think it just looks like he has a dirty face. Nothing unusual there!

Preschool graduation

The same night as Millie's recital we had Preschool graduation. Why do things like that always happen? I guess when you have four kids things are bound to conflict at times. Luckily it was short and sweet and I made it to the recital without missing any of Millie's dances. So bittersweet that Owen is starting kindergarten. How is it possible that I'm old enough to have my baby graduate from preschool? I certainly don't LOOK old enough right?(I give you permission to LIE!) We have really enjoyed having Janet as a teacher but we are looking forward to elementary school!

Being presented by Miss Janet

Owen and Miss Janet, great friends

Aren't they adorable?

Owen and his graduation gift, a cupcake! He was sooooo thrilled!

So happy for you baby boy! Great and exciting times are headed your way!

Dance recital

More dance, if you can stand it!

Millie is the brown bear

third from the left

Millie (bear) and Sophie (raccoon)

Best dance friends, Millie with Sophie, Summer and Mia

I know I've posted lots and lots of dance pictures on our blog but you have to understand that dance is a big part of our lives this time of year! A dance friend gave me a cd with lots of great pictures of Millie that I just have to post! Another great friend Laci took some at the recital for me! This year Hot Shots did Peter Pan. Millie was a lost boy and had so much fun! She was pretty cute too!