Gardening

We were really late gardening this year, but actually, the Arizona weather has been unseasonably cool. As a result, the garden seems to be doing well. Instead of planting into the ground, we decided to try square foot gardening. It is the first year mom has done this even though many of my in-laws use this technique. So, this was the day, we built one of the boxes and got it prepared to plant. A few days later, we built another larger box and I can't wait to post pictures of how the garden is doing!

All Aboard

Joe is a great brother to rough house with the kids when he comes over. Since he was over for Reagan's birthday, he created a WWE arena in the living room.

Opponents: Kids vs. Big Man Joe
After WWE, Joe turned into the camel in the desert. All of the kids hopped on.

What a special memory for the kids. We spent several years away from family, so it has been fun to be together again. But with Dave gone, the kids miss out on a lot of their male interaction. So I am very thankful for these little efforts from our family to make life more "normal" for the kids. Joe probably goes home worn out, always sweaty, and probably hoping he doesn't have to do this again for at least a month, but the children are thankful and talk for days about it. I couldn't ask for better nights that this right now.

Reagan's Birthday

Reagan turned 3 at the end of March. Lynnae decided to have a get together with some cake and ice cream at mom's house.

She looks liks such a happy birthday girl
I think she is pondering what her wish should be... or feeling like a princess

After cake and home made ice cream, she opened presents and the kids all took their turns trying out her gifts. It isn't often that all of the family gets together, but it is so fun to have the 11 grandkids in one room playing with one another. And even better when sweets are involved to bribe them all to finish their dinner!

Missing This

Last night, I sat looking at old posts on the blog, thinking how I really needed to update my blog. I have been off of school for a week and I am neglecting this very important record of our lives, but last night, I wanted to remember what it felt like to be a real family. I ran across this picture and was thankful that I had blogged important moments as well as the everyday moments. I can't wait for a few more months to pass when we can all be sitting together on the couch again. I doubt we will fit like that since the kids have all grown, but the thought is wonderful. It gave me the motivation to make today a renewed and more greatful day.

Humbled

I got on http://www.lds.org/ to find a lesson for my visiting teaching assignment this month. I was going to go to the conference talks from last month, when I saw a new Mormon Message video in the middle of the page called My New Life. I wanted to feel a little inspired before I got to looking for the "right" lesson for today. And I was surprised to the see the video by Stephanie Neilson.

Half Way There

We have finally reached 7 months. Dave is over half way there. So, in memory of the first half... I have made a video. I feel so blessed by the modern technology available. I usually get to IM him once a day for about an hour and a half. The kids sometimes talk to him on the weekends. We are so lucky to be here with my mom and brother. And family is so close by. Its been a real blessing. Dave seems to be doing well. He seems to keep busy. He started working on a masters program and I will finish my bachelors at the end of the summer. We have been really lucky, not every day is easy and the kids really miss him, as do I, but we are trying to stay positive so we can make it through this. Hope you enjoy a little bit of the past 6 months!