Reflecting on Summers past…

Summer has arrived in full force here in Kentucky and one of the things that I hate about summer is not the heat but the humidity..  According to my trusty Weather Channel App its 90 degrees outside but feels like 96 degrees UV index is HIGH …and this is only the last day of May.. I have a feeling we are in for another hellish summer.. Well tonight is Graduation Night in Ashland, my girls have to play in the band for graduation. Luckily or not for them it will be outside in the stadium, it’s a first experience for them. . I bet by the end of the evening they will be happy to have that breeze blowing on them from the wind instead of being shoved into a hot stuffy gym with no air flow..

Today is the last day of middle school for my youngest.. Lord I am feeling old right now.. But my Tomboy will officially be in high school..Time flies by …even though I have been with them during each of these steps it sometimes I feel as if I am watching from the outside.. I can remember holding each of these precious lives in my arms, how small and tiny they were.. How it felt as if the pregnancy was going to last a life time now I am reflecting back about how fast it went. Now time is at hand to enjoy each moment for they are fleeting.. it will not be much longer that they will want to hang out and watch a movie with dear old Mom and Dad.. I can say that Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part2 is on the agenda for the Midnight Premiere for this family..what about you?? What are you plans for the summer lets me know… lets try to help each other out with ideas for I do know when I start hearing …”Mom I’m Bored” I tend to loose all thoughts out of my brain..

Summer Trippin 2011

The very first weekend of Summer 2011, we started off at a Splash Park in Ironton Ohio. This is a new feature to our city, something for the kids to do and best of all its FREE.. WIth the state of the current economy I am sure I am not the only one looking for things fun to do with your families that doesnt cost a small fortune..
For the very first time in weeks we had nothing but lots of Sunshine, warm breeze a blowing through the trees,so it was decided FAMILY TIME .. Since we have a small car at this current time , I decided to take two trips to get everyone there legally.. The first one I took my hubby and our youngest to the Splash Park, allowing them to stake out the most perfect place.. While my older two kids went to pick up one of thier friends and the most perfect lunch awaits us, Zanzais Pizza  (http://www.zanzis.com/ZanzisMenu.htm) .. So after we picked up Natasha's friend Sunshine, I called in our order... Yummy , Sausage Pizza with and without Mushrooms, Barbaque Chicken Pizza and Cheese pizza for the little ones.. My best friend Terra , Amber (her sister) an her babies meet us at the water park as soon as they finished thier soccer games.
It was so much splashing around in the water, with the kids ..Watching Levi try to destroy the water as it jets out of the ground..an just hanging out and being a family.. I have always said that family is not defined by the blood that runs through your veins but your heart.. An I love those babies as much as I love my own.. Now since school doesnt offically end until Tuesday for us I wonder where the summer will find us.. Since I do believe that this was an excellent start.. So for you my wonderful readers.. tell me what your summer plans are, fill me in on your ideas for fun filled times that doesnt cost alot.. Lets try to make Summer 2011 the best one yet.. and most importantly not go in debt doing it.. LOVE to you all until the next time I sit down in front of this key board reaching out to you..

Cinderella.... The Transformation of a Tomboy into My Princess...

Sa-Rai was involved in a school Play called Cinderella, she loves acting and wants to become and actor.. So this is her journey into a bright new world, that for my shy child has became a revelation of hidden talent and strength. For you see ,Sa-Rai has been my tomboy since life was breathed into her soul. Even though as her mother I loved having the long cascading curls down her back, she would run into my arms going " Pull it up Momma, pull it into a ponytail, an get it out of my way.. " That was even at a year old, she was the one running around with bib overalls on, bare feet, chasing cars around the house an watching "Bob the Builder" ... 
Sa-Rai has never fit into a mold, or conformed to anything other than she thought she ought to be , being the youngest of my children, she has always been the "baby" .. Doing exactly anything that she deemed interesting .. She loves to draw, read comic books, play video games and hang out with her best friends. Not shopping at the malls,or chasing after boys.. She is my girl that I can find exploring out in the woods, or in front of the computer chatting with her best friends.. 
She was bitten by the acting bug a while ago, but not knowing exactly where to go or what to do.. It has taken her a while to proceed .. When her middle school had try-outs for their play "Cinderella" she wanted to try out.. With try-outs, a dentition came, and thus she was added to the cast Ensemble...They (the Cast) practice every day after school until 5- 5:30 pm thus making a long day.. As the play grew closer they practiced until 8.. I can tell you know that the play was scheduled the last full week school was ending.. 
There was many first in this play for Sa-Rai, first time she would be singing in front of a live audience, first time she would be wearing makeup, and curling her hair,the first time she would be sharing her talented self with the world .. Aw my baby has surely grown up, and is no longer that little Tomboy I see in my mind.. The confidence of being able to put on a full length formal gown and be comfortable in it, came from Mollie Mayfield Pettingill... who taught Sa-Rai that she can still have fun, be herself even if she is in a dress..
I am so blessed to have the beautiful young women I have , even though in my heart and soul they are still my beautiful babies..  I am blessed to have the friends that I have , for I would be lost without them.. I have often said it "takes a village to raise a child' and i firmly believe that . for each person that comes into our lives leaves an imprint on our soul, and heart.. so with this I leave a final closing.. I am so proud to be a mother to my Three beautiful angels, I am proud of Sa-Rai for all she has accomplished in her 13 years that she has been on this earth and all she is going to accomplish( the child who was never suppose to live) and proud to have the friends and family I have without you I would not be half the woman, mother that I am.. Thanks for being there for me and my family.. 

Mother's Day

My Mother's Gift

Well as you can see , Im starting my blog off with my present to my Mother. A photo collage of her children and grandchildren. I am the type of person that likes to make things for people because to me it comes from the heart, a lot of thought, time and engery goes into the gift.. Not just walking into Walmart an picking up the first thing that you run into .. I love photographs for they are truly a moment captured in time, a moment that I can never get back again . How my beautiful babies have grown into beautiful young women, I am so proud of them. Well for a run-down of my Mother's Day... I went to Church with my family, stopped in to my Moms and Mom(inlaw) and gave them my presents from us. I am the crafty one of my family so the gifts are a joint gift from me , my brother , sister in law brother in law and all the grandkids on both sides of the family.. Came home and made my Tacos for dinner, why you ask because  I wanted them.. Had a amazing dinner with my brother and family.. I love nights like this when the house is full of laughter and family. Then Charles an I settled into our kingsize bed to watch our Tv shows... Then my other *kids* called home, I loved hearing thier beautiful voices and listen to the exictment of wedding plans.. (Yes world I am talking about Jeff and his beautiful Mackenzie) I love these people with all of my heart. .

My Mother(inlaws) Gift

Do you have to give birth to be a mother? In my honest heartfelt opionion no. There has been many great women in my life that has helped shaped me into the wife, and mother that I am. I would not be half the person I am today without them. I love my mother-in law , she has always been a friend to me, my Great- Aunt Frankie was a mother figure in my life , an  I miss her everyday.. And I have had the privlage and even heart ache of loving children that I didnt give birth too. There are many special ones in my life an I would not trade anything for them, for them adding beauty and love to my life.I love my Returned Missionaries they are family to me, they brought so much love, joy into my life and family.. I dont know what or where  I would be without them. I love my church family, even though we all have our ups and downs there is unconditional love there.. So I want to leave you all with a poem that I found and it touched my heart.. An  I actually included this poem on the back of the Photos I made..

A Mother Heart

A mother heart is purely guided
As she senses her identity
She then becomes further ignited
Through her natural ability
How is a mother heart acquired?
But, through a gospel education
With strength and honor, she's attired
To strive without equivocation
Her tongue speaks the law of kindness
As she opens her mouth with wisdom
She eats not the bread of idleness
As she labors amongst God's kingdom
Her hands stretch out unto the poor
To willingly feed from her store
She looks well to her household duties
And her price is far above rubies
Out of small things proceedeth much verve
And, for her family, she delights to serve
Who is a mother heart? Why, it is us!
Before earth we shouted for joy at the trust
And we are here to attain earth life goals
By the side of righteous men each with their roles
Which neither can reach independently
To become endowed exponentially
Our work here is laying a great foundation
And obedience is part of this life's education
Those who're diligent will have much more advantage
As they take their considerable gifts and learn to manage
By developing a mother heart we prepare
To be blessed with a "quiver full" under our care
There is no limit then to what we can accomplish
To make the world a better place if we're conscientious
Julie B. Beck
A "Mother Heart"
Liahona, May 2004, 75

So until next time love each other, and be thankful to the women you have in your life because you are not promised tomorrow..

The Royal Wedding and other News worthy Headlines

Yes, I am one of those millons of Americans that anxiously sat in front of thier tv's to see the commoner become a Princess, thats every little girls dream right? I was of the generation that can remember watching Lady Diana marry Prince Charles, seeing Prince Willam grow up through photographs and even that horrible tradgey that took a mother away from her precious boys. As Alana and I watched the Wedding unfold on tv, the main thoughts that kept running through my mind was how much Prince William looks and acts like his mother, how much he must miss her and how much his wife would make his mother proud. Princess Diana never conformed to royal protocol and standards, She raised her boys to think about the world around them, taught them about true human suffering and to help the world around you. They have become better men for it, and now as William married for love, I know he made his mother proud.
For a mother is proud of her children no matter what they do. But there are days as a parent that you can do nothing right, when you feel like your kids are not listening to the messages that you try to instill in them.Then out of the blue they suprise you, they say or do something and your like....."wow" they really are listening. Ive taught my kids actions speak louder then words, and every action /choice you make in this life has a consquence whether in this life or the one that is to come you will have to face those consquences of your choice.
Just like the death of Bin Laden, an I so proud to live in a country that has freedom. I am so proud of my family/friends that are willing to lay thier lives down to insure that we are free everyday. I am proud of thier wives that go months to years at time keepin the home fires burning, and childrening growing up healthy and strong as thier Daddy fights in wars for our freedom. Words can never truly express the love and appreciaion I have for each member of our military.Just as the Germans learned with World War 1, Japanese learned in World War II, North Vietnam learned in "The Conflict" you may come an attack us, you may even knock the wind out of our sails but we will get back up and fight. American will attack and hit back harder than you could ever imagine, we will preserve freedoms even if lives are lost they are never forgot. I am so glad that we can finally close a horrible chapter in American History and may the families that were effected on September 11th 2001 finally have closure. May thier lives finally begin to heal, I know that when you loose someone you love you are never truly the same again but instead of sorrow an fear may they find peace. May the men an women fighting wars in countries all over the world finally be allowed to come home.