LIFE is like a race.

From Into The Woods

Yes, Life is like a race. We run through this life sometimes with a lot of energy, sometimes it fizzles out and we have to go at a walking pace. Sometimes friends and family will join us along the way, encouraging and supporting. There are hills that come along the route that just seem like they will never end. Sometimes the hills make you feel like crying, and sometimes you do. But the hills always turn into down hills, and the tears stop. I would like to imagine that the Finish Line is Eternal Life. I had two completely different finish lines this month. During the Freedom Festival 5k, it was a lonely finish. No friends or family to catch me with open arms. There were hundreds of people there, and not one person to tell me what a good job I had done. When I ran the Speedy Spaniard 10k, there were friends and family who ran with me. There were friends who jumped in line and ran a short distance giving me the encouragement that I needed to keep going. And best of all, there was my family and some friends at the finish line to cheer me on. They were there with open arms to envelope me with their love and excitement.

I don't want to cross the finish line of life by myself. All the hills, and tears, and pain, and joy will all be for naught if my family is not there with me. Life is nothing without family to share it with. What a lonely place Eternal Life would be without my Husband and children.

Who? Me? I wasn't staring!

Yesterday I was at wretched Walmart. As my children were getting into the suburban and while I was loading the groceries I noticed a woman with two children walking back to her car. I heard her raise her voice at them in frustration. I wondered to myself if that is how I sound when I get angry with my children. Then I heard here yell to her youngest, "I just lost my job!". I felt so badly for her. I just glanced over my shoulder when this woman caught my eye. So proceeds to yell at me," What are you staring at B*&%#? Mind your own business. You probably don't even have to F&*^ing work. You don't judge! God does." She just went OFF on me. My heart rate quickened, I could feel my face go flush and I just told myself, "just take a deep breath and don't look at her." When I got into the suburban Hannah asked me why she was yelling at me. I calmly replied, " She is having a really bad day and decided to take it out on me." A complete stranger. I am amazed that people can treat others in such a manner.

Although I was a little traumatized by being screamed at and swore at, I felt bad for this woman. I was quickly reminded how grateful I am for my own problems.

Looking at the One you Love

Have you ever wondered what you look like when you look at the one person that you love the most in this world?

From Into The Woods

This is what I look like.

Brent took this photo of me last night when he was trying to figure out shutter time on the camera. I love the sparkle that lies behind the wrinkles around, and bags beneath my eyes. The wrinkles come with age, from smiling and laughing. Brent always knows when and how to make me laugh. The bags come from staying up too late. I'm sure this is how I looked when I spent all those sleepless nights with my babies. When I finally made it through the night, my eyes could do nothing more then sparkle at the sweet and precious face that looked up at me in the morning light.

Cat got your tongue?

For several weeks now I have been longing for a kitten. I love cats. They are so much easier to care for then dogs. They don't require so much of your attention, they potty train WAY EASIER, and are just so darn cute! Well, I got my wish on Saturday. It's a girl, and we named her Athena. The kids are in love with her. They are constantly holding, and loving her. Which she doesn't mind because she loves to be around people. The one person in our family that she loves the most is Brent. She follows him around the house meowing at him. I even caught her yesterday trying to claw her way up his pant leg. Brent loves it, he loves cats just as much as he loves dogs.

Now we just have to get Athena use to Roman. I introduced them this morning, Roman didn't bark, he just tried jumping on her in my arms to welcome her into the family. Athena just about flipped out, she gave me a fierce bite on the hand. I'm sure she was trying to bite Roman. Not sure how that relationship is going to work out. It'll smooth out in time, I hope.

Somethings Working

After church on Sunday one of Jaren's primary teachers turned to tell me what he had done in class. She told me how sweet he had been. She had asked the class to draw a picture of a Temple. As they all turned their pictures around, Jaren, instead of drawing a picture of a true Temple, drew a picture of our house. Jaren said that his house can be a Temple. I couldn't respond to her because I was so overcome with emotion and gratitude for Jaren. I have been trying to hard to make our home an extention of the Temple. There are many things that I am trying hard to improve upon. Whether I am accomplishing my task, or I've just been talking a lot about it, I'm relieved that Jaren has caught on.

For my Dad

From Into The Woods

This was my Dad last year on Father's Day. I would like to wish him a very Happy Birthday. I love my Dad. He is so generous with everything. Always willing to help out his children when they are in need. I love his sense of humor.

This is for you, Mom

Into The Woods

Hannah

From Into The Woods

And then she was 10!!!

Brent with Hannah the day she was born.

She's always been loved!!!

One of my favorite pictures.
Just a few months old.


Her first Halloween.
She's a candy cane if you couldn't tell.


The infamous bed head.

Hannah just last year.

Hannah with her special meal.
Tilapia, deviled eggs and home made cheese and macaroni.

The photo Hannah took of me.

Do you see the blue in her hair.


If it's not clothes or candy, I don't want it!!!

Hannah's took this photo of her cake.
It's suppose to be a doughnut.

Picture taken of Hannah.

Hannah with her wild cake.
Like I've confessed many times before,
I am not a cake maker!!

I love this photo of the cake.

Her new camera!!!
Yes, she is spoiled.

Preparing to blow out the candles!!

Yesterday Hannah celebrated her 10th birthday. She has been non-stop talk about it for the past month. We are so glad that we no longer have to hear about the gifts she wants or the menu she wants. It was a little draining. I commented to Brent, " Were we ever this excited about our birthday's?" As I look and think back, I'm pretty sure I was as excited as she was. Hannah is just not afraid to verbalize her excitement.

I was a little worried when the day finally arrived how she would behave. But she was so great. Very helpful, willing to do just about anything. Helpful with her younger siblings, even breaking up some fights. I think she wanted to act different now that she is 10. She succeeded.

I remember a few years ago Brent freaking out just a little bit when Jaren turned just 9. He kept saying "I can't believe next year we're going to have a 10 year old. " Well, now we have a 10 year old and almost a 12 year old. Live in the now, buddy. Live in the now.

On Saturday I took Hannah to Target to pick out some clothes. This is turning out to be a tradition. This year she invited her best friend Haylee to join us. It was so fun to hang out with those girls. They are so giggly and so fun. I told Hannah that even to this day, my Mom always insisted that my birthday present be a surprise. I never got to go out and pick clothes that I wanted. Hannah was a little shocked by this.

10 things I love about my Hannah

1. Her beautiful smile

2. Her beautiful blue eyes

3. It's always so exciting to find out what the bed has done to her hair in the mornings. It's always been like that, even when she was a toddler.

4. Her ability to write. I am always getting notes of love and disapproval from her.

5. She is a great artist and wishes she would draw more.

6. Her love of reading. That girl can read several books at a time and remember each one. Her Dad and I have a rule now. She must read one book at a time.

7. Hannah is always wanting to be right by my side when I am cooking. I love that she loves all things culinary. She will always pull out the gadgets. She now knows how to pop popcorn on the stovetop, bake cakes and cookies.

8. She is a tremendous help with Grace. She loves being in charge of her. She is willing to put her down for naps, change diapers and entertain her. I don't know what I would do without her help these days.

9. Hannah has a great love for fashion. And she has a very specific style. Sometimes the outfits she chooses make me wonder. But it's who she is and I think it's important that she expresses herself safely.

10. Her big heart. She is always ready with a hug and a kind word.

We love you Hannah. You have a special place in our family.

Whew, end of the season

Jaren on deck.
He was quite imporved this season, hitting a double his last game.

Jaren watching the action.
This particular game the coaches just about took each other out.
Other coaches stormed the field, tempers were hot.

Hannah at first, waiting to run.
I think she needs a smaller helmet.

Hannah up to bat.

This go around Hannah actually hit the ball.
Hitting is not her strong point.

Leading the chants from the dougout was.

Annika, ready to play her game.
I never got a photo of Isabel. Too busy running around making friends.

Classic face of summer.
Dishevelled hair.
Dirty face.
Very W.T.

Even so, she's cute.

Summer always goes by so quickly. I figured out why that is. Ball games. This year we had 4 kids in either baseball or softball. And for the first 6 weeks I did it all by my lonesome. Due to hubs being in St. George for a job. Some nights I would have 3 games at either the same time or staggered throughout the night. It was quite the fiasco getting everyone everywhere on time. I have to admit, that more often then not my kids were late or missed practices. I did the best I could. I really missed Brent during these times. But it was during these times that I decided that my attitude needed a change. Instead of it being a drudgery, like it has been in the past (baseball has never been one of my fav. sports), I looked forward to it. My kids love playing, and the younger kids love playing with their friends or at the playground. I remember my Dad playing softball and the memories that I had attending his games. I never really watched him play. I spent more time in the woods behind the fields or under the bleachers with my friends. I know that my kids are building those same memories as well as staying active. With this change of attitude came a change of heart. It made my nights go by so much smoother. Even having to chase baby Grace around.

After Brent got home I lost my sense of organization. Many times the kids would be out in the neighborhood somewhere and not ready to go. Several times Brent would call just to make sure I was on top of things. On our way to a game on one particular frantic evening I commented, " It's amazing I did this all by myself when you were gone." Brent was flabbergasted.

We look forward to next season.

Now it's on to soccer in the Fall. Except this time, we'll have 5 kids playing. Grant it, Isabel and Annika will be on the same team. Still, that's 4 different games Brent and I will have to juggle through. And we as parents wonder why the time goes by so quickly.

4th of July Weekend

Beckham and his very best friend, Luke Williams

Beckham and his other really great friend, Logan Huhtala.

Amy Huhtala, Me and Kasa Williams

Kelli, Alleah, Me and Grace

Climbing is so much more fun then hiking.

All the kids

Alleah and Grace
Having a cousin your age is so sweet.

"Are you as cold as I am?", Grace asked.

"No, My Mom was smart and left my jacket on," replied Alleah.

The girls' half way up the falls.

Annika

Beckham

What a bunch of Monkies.

The first turn at Thanksgiving Point.

Breathtaking!!!

Me and my Mom

I loved that these Hollyhocks were taller then Hannah

The water lilies. They were so beautiful.

It was a very eventful 4th of July weekend for our family. We started out on Thursday with a trip to the Arts Festival with Grandma Penny. We got rained out.

Friday started early with the Balloon Launch. The Huhtalas, Williams, Aunt Kelli(it was her idea), Alleah, and Grandma Penny and Grandpa Rick joined us. We ate donuts, muffins, fruit and chocolate milk while the Balloons soared into the sky. The kids went nuts with all their friends there. Running, chasing, racing, takling, screaming, laughter, crying were all the sights and sounds coming from our small corner. Once they stared spilling over into other people and making them unwilling participants did we insist they stop.

After the Balloons we took the kids on a hike to Bridal Veil falls. It's a great trail, fully paved and stroller friendly. It's always such a task herding 11 children in and through other people. Kelli and Alleah joined us and I'm so glad they did. It was a busy morning with bikers, runners, walkers and a few roller bladers. A few of the kids nearly got creamed by some cyclist. There is a definate place on the trail for walkers and bikers and the kids had a hard time understanding the rules. The more we go, the more accustomed they will become. Hannah, Hannah H. and Haylee H hiked up the side of the falls and just about gave me heart failure. My Hannah did it in her bare feet. Crazy thing.

After the balloons we went our seperate ways. The kids and I went to Thanksgiving Point with my parents and spent several hours there jumping from the golf cart, to the trail, to playing spies, taking pictures, complaining, crying and just enjoying each other and the 55 acres of gorgeous landscaping. I visited a few places that I had never been before. I need to explore that place more closely.

Friday evening Brent and I, courtesy of his Boss, took the kids to a REAL Salt Lake soccer game. I spent more time people watching then watching the soccer game. We stayed to hear some Osmond sing and watch the fireworks. We didn't get home till late, and weren't in bed until midnight.

I had an early morning Saturday. I got up and dragged myself to the Freedom 5k. When I got home I took a 2 hour nap. I was bush wacked. We had a b-q at my parents house. Good food, and good company. Gaye and her family were there and so were my brothers. We didn't stay as long as we had planned. The girls and I got to go to the Stadium of Fire to see the Jonus Brothers. We had a great time!!! Brent and the boys hung out with some of the families in the neighborhood at the Martin's Cove of Chaos.

It was a very fun filled and exciting 4th of July. Maybe a little bit too much.