Computer woes

A few weeks ago Adam transferred all my favorite stuff onto an external hard drive and then proceeded to wipe our computer clean. Pictures, links, programs all gone. Not a problem right? I mean they're backed up on that external hard drive. Except, we can get that hard drive to work. I am completely lost without my favorite blogs (you know, the ones I didn't officially follow cause I'm just a blalker), my favorite links, my recipe sites, my PHOTOS! Sigh. Time to do some surfing and saving.

I haven't given up on this blog

I really do look forward to daily (or at least weekly) posting time. I'm still trying to get in the swing of things. My new schedule is very different but affords many opportunities for a little free time for me. I just need to figure it all out. I do have lots to catch you up on. What, all of July and August? Wow. What a slacker I've become. Just a little, out of order, taste of what's going on in our house. The most exciting thing to happen in awhile....The first day of school!!

my baby, Starting kindergarten

The incredibly cool and collective 8th grader

absolutely beautiful 4th grader

The always active 6th grader

Wow, I feel so old! All my kids in school! What a fun, exciting yet somehow sad milestone! On to the next stage of my life!

Happy back-to-school Eve!

Some people are sad to see summer end and school start again. There are even those who will miss having their kids around. NOT ME! I love my kids, I really do! It's just, well, spend a day at my house and you will see why I am just giddy about school starting again! It's almost like Christmas!! Most of the charter schools in our area started back today and I feel totally jipped! I am ready for it now! Oh well though. Less than 24 hours until my freedom, my schedule back, my life a little less chaotic. I think I can, I think I can....

Counting down

It's been a rough week for me. Monday started of great with John Jay and Shannon taking turns with Ian and Owen so I could stay home and clean. Millie was still in Las Vegas and Matthais was at scout camp and it was an AMAZING day! Really, one of the best days of summer. Lame huh? With the kids (Ian) home it's been almost impossible to get anything done and the chaos of the house was starting to get to me. I got a lot accomplished but there is still plenty to do. I planned on finishing Tuesday while Ian was at school but it never happened. It was just a really crappy day. Wednesday pretty much sucked as well. And today, well, lets just say, I'm done. There is exactly 26 days until school starts and I am on the countdown. This summer has gone by pretty fast and for the most part it's been ok, until this week. Bring on the structure. Bring on the early bedtimes. Bring on the kids being at school all day. I am READY!

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!