Looking Back...

Here are some photos of our August activities... it went by so fast... I need to look at the pictures to remember:

Gabe at scout camp.... can you guess which one he is?
(he looks a lot like me... well, other than the fact that he's a boy)

Playing at the new (and FREE) splash pad!

This is what happens when I get on the computer and ignore Beck for more than 10 minutes:
he climbed on a chair and got into the diaper rash cream, seriously the picture doesn't show how bad it really was. WOW, I am so glad I have laminate flooring and leather furniture!
I love the footprints...

Cache County Fair:

I love to look back at pictures... I am so thankful to have a camera. Life is flying by so fast; these memories of my precious little family are priceless. :)

Blessings Fulfilled

A couple weeks ago, Zoe wanted to do a Fashion Show and try on lots of clothes and take pictures. She wanted me to be one of her models too. (if I get crazy enough, I'll post some of those pictures too) We had a lot of fun. I got out my wedding dress and Zoe and Kaia both tried it on and we took some pictures.... now, I don't know about you, but if you've ever seen your sweet little daughter wearing your wedding dress and dancing with your wonderful husband/her Daddy.... ok, it makes me get teary-eyed just thinking about it. Anyway, I just look at them and think how blessed we are. The choices Zeke and I have made to be married in the temple and to teach our children about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love them so much and I want them to have eternal happiness. I am so thankful for the knowledge we have been given.

Well, it's been a week since my last post and my Dad is doing so much better. He was able to come home yesterday. There have been SO many people praying for him... Thank You! There is great power in prayer. My parents have been through a lot last week, but a good friend of mine, Peggy, said, "Well, did it bring you closer together as a family?" (yes, it did) "Then it was worth it." Wow, it's amazing to look back and see just how true that is. I love and appreciate my parents and family so much more.

And! on Friday, we paid Zeke's tuition for Fall Semester.... what an amazing summer this has been. All of the sacrifice and saving have been well worth it. He will start school on August 30th and will graduate in December!! This December...4 months away!
And just a side note -- we budgeted about $200 for Zeke's books and they ended up costing $70 - TOTAL. The blessings just keep coming and our home and hearts are overflowing. (the home, literally! I never thought we could squish 6 people in here, but we are so blessed!)

Pray for my Dad

My Dad and his little buddy, Beck

My Dad is in the hospital, he had surgery yesterday and is having trouble recovering.... I'll write more later.... I've been on the phone a lot and my kids need me, but I just wanted to say how much I love my Dad. I am so proud of him, he's been through a lot! Please say a prayer for him and my Mom.

2 week recap...

Wow, I just realized it's been almost 2 weeks since my last post... lots has happened... I promise I will write about most of it, probably, I'm just feeling quite scattered and unable to focus.
Summer is winding down and August gets busy, doesn't it? and then I wonder, what happened to June and July? I guess I could go back and read my posts....
Well, Zeke and Gabe had fun at scout camp. I had fun most of the time visiting my parents... I love them dearly... I just get worn out chasing Beck. My Mom and I did have some good laughs and we even went shopping with my Dad.
We got the truck all cleaned up, sold, and gone.... a young kid named Forrest bought it (well, his Dad bought it for him -- LUCKY!) Yeah, we've been thinking of all the Forrest Gump one-liners ever since.
Our van and truck were on the same loan and when we sold the truck, our credit union told us they were going to restructure our loan (lower the payments, right?) Well, not only did they lower our payments by half, they said we don't have to make any van payments until the end of November! YEAH! Can you believe that? It was all I could do not to hug the teller! Actually, I told her I would if the counter wasn't separating us...I think she was relieved.
Let's see... my children start school on Wednesday... they are mostly excited.
I got to teach a RS Activity (formerly known as Enrichment, formerly known as HFPE, formerly known as Homemaking? whatever) about shopping tips and saving money. I don't know what all the sisters expected... but I pretty much told them to live on Faith and trust in the Lord. (And where can I get those coupons? ha ha just kiddin')
I'll post some pictures tomorrow.... there's a new splash pad thingy in town and my kids really enjoyed it (so did we).
We also went to the County Fair on Saturday... it was so fun! We decided (by darn!) if we don't have to pay any car payments for another 3 months, we are going to take our kids to the fair. We haven't been since 2007 and we spent $64, not bad for 6 people (rides, games, and snacks). It was so nice to celebrate and treat the kids to a little fun.
My husband's tuition is due on Friday and I am so amazed and grateful to be able to say we have the money to pay it!
that's all for now... feeling like this post is "just the facts, Ma'am", well, I'll write something more interesting another day... off to bed :)

checking in

I started a really long draft about the amazing events of last week, but I just haven't finished it..... maybe this one is better.

We sold Zeke's truck last Thursday! It is such a miracle I can hardly believe it... we've been trying to sell it since December... blessings come to those who are living within their means. AMEN! :) absolutely amazing! There are 1000's of trucks for sale.... really.

The guy that bought it is so cool too... I just knew we'd sell the truck before Scout Camp (3 days before of course!) And Zeke was one of the only people going with a truck... well, the guy said, no problem, we'll "seal the deal" when you get back.

So Zeke and Gabe left for Scout Camp EARLY yesterday morning.... and I mean early! I know, because I was up at 5am helping them look for Zeke's wallet. We found it!
Gabe is so excited, this is his first year. I am so thankful that Zeke can go with him. Gabe still thinks it's cool to hang out with his Dad, so we need to take advantage of that :)

And because they took the truck and not the van, I still can go places...... and I think I'm going to go spend a few days at my Mom and Dad's....

oh man, Beck is on one this morning... but he's always like that.

signing off...