Eternity

I'm horrible at checking messages. We have voice-mail and for some reason even though I see my phone blinking I can't always bring myself to get my messages. Rarely, I'll miss out on something important because I didn't check them but to be honest the messages are mostly from telemarketers.

This time I nearly missed out on something I would have been very sad to have missed. Friends of ours were sealed in the temple to their 3 teenage children. I have been to many sealings since our own little family was sealed nearly nine years ago. I always try to take advantage of an opportunity to attend a sealing, especially ones where parents are sealed to their children. I can pause and think back about the day we were sealed and how important that day was for us.

I've seen family members sealed to their spouses and children.

My step-brother and his wife who adopted a sweet little girl were sealed.

Recently, we attended the sealing of our dear friends to their six adopted children.

Every occasion equally joyous, special, and unique in its own way.

Always a happy experience beyond description.

I was especially touched as I witnessed this beautiful ceremony. I was able to sit quietly in the temple and reflect. I listened intently as the sealer instructed and guided this family towards eternal togetherness. Because these children were older the sealer took great care to explain the importance of this great ordinance. It was a wonderful gift to be there and hear the words being spoken. True words. I am grateful and my heart is full.

As I walked through the temple I had the impression that my home would be a happier place if I tried to have the same spirit that can be felt in the temple. When you attend the temple everyone seems like an old friend, someone you've known and loved for years. You are always greeted with a warm smile and a hello. There is no shouting, no yelling. Inspiration and instruction come through quiet thoughtfulness and peaceful meditation. There are tears of joy and loving embraces. It is the perfect home.

I'm thankful to live so close to the temple. It is a blessing for me and my family.

Oh, and since then I've been trying to be better about checking my voice-mails.

NOW I'M SICK

After Scott got sick then Karley got sick and then Dustin, Paige, and now ME! (madison's immune to our icky germs. she's hardly ever sick.)
It seems like I'm always the last to catch something but when I do it's bad.
I wasn't feeling great all weekend but Sun. night was really awful. I fell asleep at 8:00 and thought I was better when I walked the kids to school Monday morning.
Nope!
I thought I would stay in my jammies and clean Scott's room. It was horribly messy and embarrassing and since we (meaning my dad) laid the carpet in the two kids rooms I thought I'd get more organized for our move. I spent nearly ALL day cleaning it (when I wasn't taking pills, blowing my nose, or sneezing) going through books, clothes, and toys.
More purging!
Last night I went to bed early and when Scott woke in the middle of the night Dustin went to get him. He crawled back into bed and said, "Oh, Leah, you are going to be so pissed in the morning." I rolled over thinking it was a dream.
OH, NO! I was wrong!
Sometime between the hours of 8:00p.m. and 3:00a.m. Scott single handedly DESTROYED everything I had accomplished on Monday. He emptied every one of his drawers and had a good old time throwing his entire wardrobe around the room. Then he dumped out almost all of his toys. The books? The books stayed nicely in the bookshelf. Thank goodness, I'm pretty sure that would have put me over the edge.
And just when I think I can take no more Scott comes into my bedroom and pats me on the elbow and says, "I'm sorry I make you so mad, Mom, I'm sorry."
ALL IS FORGIVEN...
but I'm still going to make him help me clean it up!

Just SKATING Through Life...

I had my whole day planned out:

1. Drop Scott off at pre-school.
2. Hit the gym.
3. Reward myself with a treat afterward.
   BUT...

Scott woke up this morning at 6:00a.m. Which is weird in itself since he crawls into bed with us EVERY night (or morning) at 3:00 or 4:00. He watched "Arfur" in bed, went to the bathroom, and fell back asleep at 7:00 and was still sleeping at 8:30 when I had to walk the girls to school. I put him in the stroller and walked while Scott still slept. He's running a fever and "pooked" on the way home. But of course right at 10:30, time for school, he perked right up and is now throwing all of my pillows off my bed that I made so nicely this morning.

It's thrown my whole day off. I have plenty to do but can't find the motivation. I cleaned yesterday, I wanted to play today.

So, it's time for an update.

Dustin is:

• Working.YEAH!!!!! YEAH!!!!!
• Going to school three nights a week. He started this summer but added another class a few weeks ago. He has his final exam tonight for one of the classes and then takes October off before he starts round 2. He loves it and he's got an A in his class.
• Running a half marathon with his Mom in December.

Leah is:

• Another year older. Last month, but still it's true. I'm now trying to anti-age.
• Working on the big move. Which includes organizing, purging (not food, just stuff), painting, cleaning, and most of all STRESSING.
• Enjoying getting back into a normal routine. Dustin back at work, the kids all in school, and me just trying to keep life running smoothly.

Life's GOOD.

Karley's Happy Birthday skates.

Happy Birthday, Dear Paigey!

We celebrated Paigey's Birthday this week.

Paige loves everything shiny, glittery, furry, sparkly, and GIRLY.

She loves to wear dresses and skirts. She loves to mix and match. She loves high-heels and dress-ups. She is our princess.

Once she saw these boots at the store they were all she could think about. I'm pretty sure she told anyone that would listen that she wanted them for her birthday. She got two pairs... these ones and light tan ankle boots (same style.)
Her sparkly, glittery Birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, Paigey!

Love you, forever!

School's in session

I love new beginnings. Especially when it comes to the first day of school. New friends, new teachers, new clothes and shoes, new socks and undies (It's a tradition), new opportunities.

New! New! New!, I love NEW!

Madison -7th grade

Madison's on student council this year.

Karley -5th grade

Karley believes curls always make the best first impression.

Paige -2nd grade

Paige has a great new teacher this year and can't wait to show off her learning skillz.

And Scott just thinks it's fun to climb into the couch cushions.

So now it's just me and my little tyke...

until he starts pre-school in a few weeks.

What am I going to do with myself!?!

Mt. Charleston

We love going to the mountains. It's always been a relaxing get-away for us. We took the kids up the week before school started. We went by ourselves (just our little family.) I thought it would be a great opportunity to bond. We had foil dinners the first night cooked to perfection. We drank hot cocoa and played PHASE 10. We were alone in the woods, only two other families in the entire campground. We brought our bikes and took a white-knuckled ride through the camp-site. It was a welcomed bit of relief from the summer heat. Amber brought the boys up for a picnic lunch on our last day (that was a nice surprise.)
But I'd feel bad if I made it sound like it was a glorious, fun-filled trip entirely and if I didn't mention that:

• My kids bickered quite a bit.
• I got two splinters.
• I made chicken noodle soup that was disgusting.
• They raised the prices at Mt.Charleston and the bathrooms are still as nasty as ever.
• We missed our normal crew that we camp with.
• It was hot during the day and cold at night.
• Dustin had to leave us and go to class.
• I bought a book at Target to read, The Time Traveler's Wife, and hated it. It's stupid and confusing.
• Madison plowed into Scott with her bike and I'm convinced he had a concussion. All is forgiven... we just love our kids!

Other than that it was pretty nice. Nice enough that we're going again...soon!!!

San Clemente Ocean Festival

2 years ago we were camping at the beach in San Clemente during the city's ocean festival. Dustin and Kris ran the 5K, we walked from our campsite down towards the pier for all the fun, the kids got their faces painted. It was good times.
We tried to make it back last year and couldn't make it work.
This year we did it!

The gang posing with King Neptune.
The mermaid parade.

The mermaids posing with King Neptune. Anyone who wants to can dress up in their finest mermaid gear and parade down the pier. This year Dustin's cousin led the mermaids around.

Dustin and Mad played a little smash ball before the races.

Grandma running her 5K.

What's a trip to the beach without a couple splashes in the waves?!

The girls look on as Dustin finishes his 5K.

Scott munches on something delicious.

Cotton candy for all.

Paige shows off her beautiful 3D butterfly.

Karley and Scott both got tatted up.

We listened to a cute TWEEN girl band. Scott loved it!

Karley and Madison showing off their medals. All three girls ran in the 1st annual Dolphin Dash.

Paige's 1st run ever. We were a little worried but the girl can definitely hang.

She got a medal to prove it!