Everything I love...

...is right here.

...still happy.

Just a few minutes ago I had all three kids crying- at the same time. (Not by any fault of mine, but still...c-r-y-i-n-g.)
Sweet G is at a friend's house. LUCKY.
I have served breakfast, driven through the bank, dropped off some letters in the mailbox, and driven through Sonic for a bag of ice. (Also known as frozen sanity.)

All I can say is THANK HEAVENS FOR BUNKO. :) Tonight is the night!!

And I have found some inspirational sites for you to peruse in my absence.

• Busy Bee Lauren's thrift store fashion is AWESOME.
• Amy Furstenau's home...inspiring.
• I'm in love with Mandy Lynne's photography: her website and flickr.
• And the MarfaTrip Blog. A trip with a bunch of girlfriends and their cameras? Sounds like heaven to me.

I'm off to take a shower. Preferrably ALONE. Who am I kidding, that is asking too much.

I'm Happy...

Just read this before I was getting ready to head to bed...

"If by 'happy', you mean, trapped with no means of escape...then, yes, I'm happy!"

I felt it was "fitting" for my afternoon...
Hoping for a better day tomorrow!!

But at least I know I'll be "happy"!!!

L-A-Z-Y.

It's official.
I have almost completely wasted this day.
I did get the kids to do their chores this morning.
Edited a photo session that I needed to get out.
And I have washed/dryed/folded four loads of laundry.
But...

That.
Is.
It.

Here's to hoping I'll be motivated tomorrow.
And that I'll put on some clothes that can be seen OUTSIDE of my home.

PS...I must add that I was pleasantly surprised at the great job the kids did playing together this morning while I was editing. Really amazing. I rewarded the bigger kids all with a play-date...and Gigantor got a nap. I'm pretty sure he's thinking he didn't get the better end of that deal.

Speed Crafting!

We headed to the pool after the kids finished their Saturday chores. We splurged (well, Papa R splurged) on Barro's Pizza, instead of the $5 deals...and we had a great time eating pizza by the pool and splashing a few hours of the day away. It was nice to just be together. I didn't even bring the camera, just enjoyed the time with my little family.

Once we got home we played Guitar Hero while DH napped on the couch. The kids had fun. I haven't played in a while, so I was a tiny bit rusty, but it was still a good time.

I finally completed something that I have been thinking about ever since I saw this on my sweet friend's blog...





It took hardly any time at all. I'm wondering why it took me so long to get going?? I keep meaning to get some curtains up in the little ladies room, but it just hasn't been happening. So I figured this looked so pretty that it will work for now. Curtains are so...predictable. :) This would also be darling using vintage hankies, wouldn't you think??

I also LOVE this idea using the ties...I want to do it in the boys room. Now I just need to start collecting inexpensive ties. Guess I'm going to have to inform my personal shopper...hint, hint Jamie!!

We are still planning on trying to do fireworks tonight. Do you think it would be rude of me to send DH with four children in the heat to find the fireworks and stay home to craft? I'm in the mood....

Independence.

We started out our Independence Day bright and early with the neighborhood having a pancake breakfast and a parade...







...what did you do this morning??

July ALREADY??

Well it's only the second of July and I'm already behind! I didn't get my kids yearly pics in front of the giant flag yet...wish me luck on getting those done before the weekend is over!

Things are crazy around here, I feel like I'm running around and not getting anything done on my list. I'm thankful for the work, but I'm busier with photos than I've ever been before at this time of year. I have one family shoot tomorrow morning and an engagement session next week! The money is nice but it's been difficult to balance the time with the kids!

Well it's 9:58 and Gigantor is in the kitchen watching a movie and eating cold oatmeal (his favorite) because I let him have a nap this afternoon after we went to the pool with Papa. We just love that he's retired now, he gets to swim with us at least 2-3 times a week! Lucky US!



I have this photo as my wallpaper on my mac and seriously, it cracks me up everytime I see it. Gigantor being "three" and Mr. T trying to be so sweet. You should see the shots I took just before and just after this one. I must say the little ladies aren't as happy with his "hug" as they seem here...

I'm headed to bed. It's time. 5am is going to come mighty early!!

Thankful in June:

• 30. My longest friend, Nicole. Happy Birthday friend!
• 29. Sonic Ice. YUM! (And the will power to not eat ANY sweets ALL DAY LONG! YAY ME!!!!)
• 28. the chance to take the kids to see one of the worlds most amazing natural wonders: The Grand Canyon!
• 27. a hike by the creek and swimming at the hotel.
• 26. an awesome day at the park in Flagstaff, cool mountain air and gorgeous rainstorms.
• 25. some relatively uninterrupted time to work. I got two photo sessions processed today!
• 24. another photo session. It's been helping our finances so much!
• 23. the rainbow in the sky. They make me remember that Heavenly Father loves me.
• 22. an awesome FHE with the Redheads. In-n-Out for dinner and fun at the splash pad!!
• 21. my own dad, my FIL and the best daddy a kid could ask for in my own DH.
• 20. an afternoon at the pool.
• 19. good friends.
• 18. trying something new with my photography.
• 17. loving my jobs as mother, photographer and preschool teacher.
• 16. finding a package of diapers (one size too small) in the garage since I don't have any cash to go get some right now!
• 15. movie FHE with Grandma J and Papa...splash pads and pizza for dinner on a blissful breezy evening.
• 14. dh's Sunday cookies. mmmmmmm!
• 13. being in bed by 9pm...and asleep by 9:05.
• 12. the opportunity, desire and energy to organize my office.
• 11. Gigantor. He's still my little buddy...since day 1.
• 10. awesome women who are happy to make the extra effort when serving my kids.
• 9. perfect lighting for my photo session this afternoon.
• 8. bribery. The kiddos will do almost anything for tokens.
• 7. a new calling...Primary Presidency here I come!
• 6. swimming with the family.
• 5. the splash pad with the kiddos and a date night.
• 4. swimming with DH and the kiddos
• 3. the fact that I found my phone...eeek I was lost for a little while there.
• 2. my bunko girls!
• 1. an awesome dinner tonight and fresh squash from the garden!

We interrupt this program...

I have a question...
I know lots of you out there have read Twilight. Sweet G has the desire to read it, and I don't feel it's appropriate for her age. (She's 10.5) What age do you mothers feel IS appropriate? I know some of you have let your teenage daughters read it...how old were they? She's slightly bugged mainly because her friend (who is a year older) has read it/seen the movie and I (the stick in the mud) won't let her...

Weigh in, Peeps. I need the info.

I'll Be Back...

This is the first of MANY photos that I have started editing from our awesome weekend with the Diaper Diva and three of her clan. We had a great time with them and can't wait to get together again!! (So if you are wondering where I am, it's on the computer, but I'm processing LOTS and LOTS of photos...be back soon!!)

Here's Your Chance!!

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