Its Been A Long Time Comin'

On an evening like this (after cleaning and organizing the house, running errands, being on me feet all day and working since 4:30 am) I feel like watching a movie and relaxing. But then when I look at the "To Do" list and I still have some unfinished things to do: Upload pictures and share on blog and list items on eBay. So here I am uploading pictures from weeks ago (and some from just the last couple of days) that I should have done but was too busy to do. I hope you enjoy at the expense of me not being able to watch a movie. He he he =) I am sure I'll get around to it. ITS A THREE DAY WEEKEND! Oh wait, every weekend is a three day weekend for me. HA!

So just to update on the pictures below, the last couple days we have gone to the local water parks (which are free and so fun for the kids) with friends. The weather has been nice, even though the wind has been a little chilly. Luke and Kylee got a little burned on the first day we went with out friends to the park. I felt horrible about it too! I think I got burned way worse than they did though! UGH, the pain and the embarrassment of a farmers tan! LOL

HAPPY FORTH OF JULY EVERYONE!

AFTER A LONG DAY WITH MOM, HE FELL ASLEEP WHILE I WAS CLEANING THE HOUSE.

HE CRAWLED UP TO THESE STRANGERS AND JUST WAS HANGING OUT WITH THEM

WATCHING FROM THE SIDE LINES

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE TRY TO PUT HIM IN THE WATER (I THINK IT WAS JUST TOO COLD FOR HIM)

MY FRIEND KATY WITH LUKE, WATCHING KYLEE PLAY

KYLEE LOVES AVERY (KATY'S DAUGHTER WHO IS 2 WEEKS YOUNGER THAN LUKE)

AFTER A HARD DAY PLAYING WITH BRAXTON AT THE WATER PARK, THEY DRY OFF ON A TOWEL. THEY WERE SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH!

WATCHING ALL THE KIDS AND WATER (SINCE WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE TRYS TO GO IN)

YES, THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN RIGHT AFTER SOME WATER SQUIRTED HIM IN THE FACE. IT WASNT EVEN A LOT, I JUST THINK IT WAS TOO COLD FOR HIM OR SOMETHING.

WATCHING TV

THIS MADE ME LAUGH! BOTH OF MY KIDS FELL ASLEEP IN THE CAR RIGHT AS WE PULLED UP TO THE HOUSE. TOO CUTE!

KYLEE GOT TO FEED THE ROOSTERS AND CHICKENS AT THE FERNDALE FARM. THE GENTLEMAN ASKED HER TO HELP. IT WAS FUN FOR HER, AND REALLY NICE TO SEE HER HELP OUT.

WE HAD A FUN PLAY DATE WITH SOME FRIENDS AT THE PARK A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. THE ADULTS PLAYED ULTIMATE FRISBEE, WHICH IS A BLAST! AFTERWORD, THE KIDS CAME TO OUR HOUSE AND HUNG OUT FOR A BIT. THEY WERE SO CUTE!

LUKE LOOOOVES EATING BANANAS AND ALL KINDS OF FOOD! THANK GOODNESS HE EATS BASICALLY ANYTHING, BECAUSE I WOULD GO CRAZY IF I HAD ANY MORE PICKY EATERS (KYLEE AND RHETT)

WE HAD A WARD (NOT REALLY OUR WARD, BUT WE STILL WENT) PICNIC AT THE LAKE. KYLEE HAD FUN EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FREEZING AND THE WATER WAS COLD AS WELL.

I LOVE WASHINGTON!

Favorite Things

There is a place out here that brings back so many wonderful memories of growing up. One of my favorite memories is of my family boating. We used to own a boat and we'd go on trips with our ward is Issy or sometimes just for FHE. My favorite time of day was at sunset though. The water was warmer than outside and it was almost like a jacuzzi. We'd listen to great music, eat some KFC and enjoy each others company. I hope to establish something that special with my own family someday.

I am really enjoying finding new music for the summer. Right now and I have just a few songs on repeat because it juts moves me!

"Lucky" by jason mraz and colbie caillat

"Need" by hana pestle

"Broken Strings" jame morrison and nelly furtado

"Wanted' Jessie James

"Battlefield" Jordin Sparks

"Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" from Slumdog Millionaire (feat. Nicole Scherzinger from Pussycat Dolls)

Those are just a few I cant seem to get off repeat. LOL

Things are looking brighter. Everyday is a struggle. I am finding that the Lord is blessing me with special people in my life. I am truly grateful for them and for the love and fulfillment I feel. Lets just hope and pray that it gets better and better and better.

PS- I am sorry I havent posted any pictures recently, I am on a photography low. I need to get my butt out there and just shoot!

Cha-Cha-Cha- Changes

I am trying some new stuff out with the blog but it may take a few times to get it all the way I want. FYI

A Miracle, My Angel

Her name is Christine.

A few days ago I was bored and took the kids to the playground at the mall (same day I posted about my struggles). There was an active little kid that reminded me of Luke. By the end of the playtime, I had exchanged numbers with a very friendly kind woman who had just moved here from Vegas. We had a play date for our kids for Friday.

Friday rolls around and we meet at McDonalds play place (where else to go on a cloudy day). I found out she's also Mormon! So I spill my guts about how I've been struggling (which is probably not a good idea with a new friend, but for some reason I felt like we'd been friends for a long time). She totally related to me and also been through a lot in the church. And it hit me hard the word she was saying. The things she was telling me sunk in so deep. She reminded me of myself in high school, strong, grounded, happy, spiritual and faithful. Something she told me that I dont think I will ever forget is that we all go through crappy stuff, but we dont know why until later. And its later that we realize that we've been a servant for the Lord the whole time. (Okay, so maybe I didnt say it exactly like she did, but darn close).

After being with her, I felt like I was a new person. I had hope and light in my life. As if I was on the right track again. It scares me to think about if I hadnt met her. Where would I have gone, what road would I have chosen? Would I have completely left the church?

The Lord sent her to me, to be my personal living angel. I will be eternally grateful to Him and to her.

Some Thoughts

Today has been a great day, but there have been a lot of thoughts on my mind that I havent shared with a lot of people. Within this last week we have had some hard news from family. I dont want to go into details for privacy reasons, but I have a hard time understanding why there is so much bad around us. Everyone is struggling and suffering, not just with the economy, but life in general. When did life start getting so tough? I am watching everyone around me suffer and struggle and my mind just doesnt know how to handle it or even process whats going on or why. I feel as though within my own life, I am barely holding on, but to watch people who I love and admire struggle is something entirely different. Everything I thought I knew, I am starting to question and wonder if its even real. When did life get so complicated?

This got me thinking as I sat in a dark movie theater watching the movie "Up!" there were so many cute things, but my mind couldnt let go of reality. There were so many things that I kept saying "oh that would never happen in real life." When did I loose my imagination?

I am not exactly sure why I am writing this, but its been hard week and I am just praying for some miracles in my life. I'll take anything.

One Year Ago...

One year ago my little buddy Luke Taylor was born. It all started at 3 am. He is such a funny little guy. Hes a sweety, a cutie and my little man. I am so lucky to have him. His brown eyes and big smile warm my heart every single day.