Ahhh, we're home. I left the house spic-n-span and it was so nice to come home to clean floors, clean sheets, clean bathrooms and a clean kitchen with nothing on the counter tops. Now that we've been home for 24 hours...it's not quite as clean. Oh well. I was happy to find that the hotel had a washer and dryer for the guests to use so I didn't bring home piles and piles of laundry. Probably only about two loads. I had a doctor's appointment to get to this morning and then my goal was to get everything unpacked and put away. I went to the doctor, then to the scout store for Buster and I struggled staying awake on the short ride home. I was sooooo tired. Luckily for me when I got home Crate was ready for his nap so I put him down, I can't exactly recall, but I think I might have threatened the boys with their lives if they came in my room, and I laid down for a quick 30 minute power nap. Well all my senses were lost after those 30 minutes and the voices rang from the mattress saying "stay here, stay here" and at last I gave into the temptation and slept for two more hours and Crate slept for three. When I woke up the older boys were gone running errands with Pops and I felt like a million bucks. I guess I didn't realize how much our get-a-way wore me out. But then again when you're sleeping in the same quarters as the rest of the family that can only mean one thing: late nights and early mornings.

Speaking of the scout store. Holy cow that place can get expensive. .My advice: if you have a son approaching the age of eight any time in the next seven years, start saving for his scout uniform, badges and books now. And if you happen to be fortunate enough to be a den leader start saving for your uniform also.

Tomorrow is back to school shopping for two kids...I see two back to back expensive shopping trip days in a row. Looks like we'll be staying around the house come Friday. Then again, I'm thankful my kids have a good school to attend and are excited for a new year.

Tomorrow after the school shopping I am bound and determined to be completely unpacked and suitcases put away. Or maybe I'll need another 2.5 hour nap. :)

Well the last few days we have been fortunate enough to take a vacation to the beautiful beach filled land west of our desert.
We had a family reunion that went off without a hitch and had some extra time to enjoy haning out with just my immediate family. There are some things I've discovered along the way...

1. When your spouse is a business owner there never is a full day when you're without your work. I'm grateful to have work though.
2. Modern technology makes work and family get-a-ways possible. Thank you apple for inventing the iPad and thank you craigslist seller who was looking to upgrade and selling for cheaper than usual.
3. Family dynamics are an interesting thing. I'm grateful for the family I grew up in.
4. If all five of us lived in a 200 square foot room for the rest of our lives I might be better off in a mental hospital. However if I only had 200 square feet to keep clean on a regular basis I would always have a clean house.
5. The boys like having a tv that offers cable channels. Its been a few years since we've had more than 8 channels and in a few short days they have become accustomed to cable once again.
6. I think it's safe to define trips like this:
~vacation is a trip that is taken with adults only. Whether it is by yourself, with a your spouse or with another group of adults...those kinds of trips can be classified as a vacation. Why? Because a vacation is a time to get away from reality and relax, clear your mind, gather your thoughts and rediscover who you are.
What our family took is not called a vacation but a family get~ a~way. You see...as the mother you still have cooking to deal with, laundry to take care of, children to attend to, hotel rooms to keep picked up and clean... those types of duties you're not able to escape from. Its a good change of scenery, a fun time enjoying each others company, fun to hang out day and night together but I don't know if I would classify it as relaxing. I'm more than happy to be out of the home and doing something different and I love creating these memories with the boys. But by night time I'm tired and ready for bed. I enjoy our family get~a~ways and I also look forward to vacations with Pops in about 20 years.

These are my personal thoughts...kind of mushy tonight. Feel free to skip this post.

Tonight I sit in gratitude for the many, many blessing which have been poured over me my entire life. I had a wonderful childhood, I married the type of man I always hoped to marry and I have three, almost four, healthy children. Really what more could I ask for?

Pops has been gone at Zion's camp the last several days. I didn't know how much I would miss him. Last night the boys put on our wedding DVD. I sat there and watched it and was overcome with gratitude for where the last twelve years have taken us. Definitely not the path I would have thought, it's been better than I could have orchestrated myself. As I watched the video my memories went back to that night and the fun we had at our reception. Then I thought of that first year of marriage...an interesting one. Then memories of the second year, third and fourth, then memories of Buster coming along in that fourth year and I thought how much joy has been found and maintained over the years. I'm not saying life is perfect or trial free...it's not. I just know that I feel true joy. I've learned this joy is not bought with any amount of money but sought for and worked for. The Lord has blessed my life and I will be forever thankful for the mercy that has been shown me.

To Pops: I love you, I love you, I love you. And thank you for loving me back.
(I know I can write this and he won't get upset cause he never reads this blog. :)

I'm excited to have a solid sleep tonight. I didn't sleep well with him being gone...maybe it was the fact that all three boys and I were in the same bed. Or maybe it's the fact that I might or might not be a bit of a wuss when he's gone at night. :) Luckily I had both Smith and Wesson sleeping in the same room with us.

It just hit me how close we are to having school start up again. Gurrr...I have such mixed emotions with this one. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I'll have two in school. It makes me feel old. But having two still at home will keep me young in heart...or make me insane. Come May I'll let you know which one it is.

I should have folded the laundry tonight, instead I researched a product online. Soft roof top luggage carriers...there are a lot of options out there. Any advice on which is the best?

Pops bought me a smart phone for my birthday. I never thought I would enter the 21st century but I have to say I'm in love with it. I don't know 1/8 of the things it is capable of doing but I'm sure I'll learn eventually. All I do know is it's made grocery shopping so much easier already.

The boys had their video game privilege revoked last Wednesday. Let's just say they have yet to get it back but are trying very hard to earn it back. The desire to be obedient has increased, the whining has decreased and I promised I would return the privilege in due time but am really liking the behavior so far...I'm thinking of not giving the privilege back until school starts...am I mean or what. And yes, I let my children play video games...sinner I know.

Crate is in this stage where he repeats anything you want him to say...It's so sweet. Especially when he says the prayer. Oh, my heart just melts.

So far I feel like I've been able to keep my swelling under control...I hope it can last until the end of the pregnancy. I can't wrap my head around the fact I'll be a mother to four children...much less four boys. Holy cow, I'm excited for this little one!

Tomorrows goals: finish laundry, clean floor and bathrooms, dust and vacuum and have it all done in time to take kids to pool. I will be productive, I will be productive, I will be productive...

You know it can't possibly be something good when the door bell rings at 6am. That's exactly what we or should I say "I" woke to this morning...Pops slept right through it. Shocker. Anyhow it did wake up the three boys, about two hours prior to their normal wake up time...I knew by 6:10am this was going to be just a lovely day.

So it's 6am and there is my neighbor, I use that term loosely because I've never spoken to the man, we do the normal Arizona thing and just wave to each other. Well today I was more than grateful he was my waving neighbor. As I opened the door he says "sorry to come by so early but do you know what's coming out of your garage?" I take a step out to see water literally pouring out from under the garage door and down Mt. Everest also known as our driveway. (If you've ever seen it you know what I'm taking about) I kindly say thank you, he drives away and I shut the front door, go to the door into the garage and hear and see water flowing everywhere. Lovely. The water heater and "leaked" or somewhere exploded. Who knows at what hour in the night it happened but it left it's mark. I go to tell Pops about our little problem...actually the boys and I all go cause remember they are all awake by this time...anyhow luckily we have a big squeegie thing and Pops proceeds to push all the water out. Crate only slips and bonks his head 4 times on the concrete ground and I'm only sweating on 90% of my body versus 100%. It was a lovely morning, but I'm thankful everyday doesn't start off that way.

To look on the bright side of things...nothing in the garage got ruined thanks to it being sloped, the plumber came today and replaced the water tank, Crate doesn't have a concussion and I still made it to my doctors appointment to find all is well.
There is always a silver lining behind every dark cloud.

It's been several years since I regularly sat in a relief society meeting on Sunday due to callings in other places. I was grateful for the lesson today. It reminded me of a few things.

1. Find joy in raising my children
2. Don't allow anything/person or activity to take priority over completing the basic and important things each day. For me those important things are; having patience, family prayer and scripture reading, personal prayer and scripture reading, weekly family home evenings, make sure PPI's get done with Pops and the boys and have dinner as a family each night. I must make dinner a priority even if Pops is not around for it I still need to take the time to prepare and carry out a meal so I can be with the boys around the table and spend a simple and hopefully peaceful 20 minutes together. They can eat pretty darn fast some nights.
3. Seek the guidance of the spirit in everything I do. Especially in raising my children and bettering my marriage.
4. And again...find joy in rearing children. Raising children is not a task but a heavenly blessing and privilege.
5. Strive each day to do something for Pops just cause I know it'll make him happy and feel appreciated. I think for tomorrow I'm going to make him his favorite dessert just because.

My pancakes from the last post look pathetic. That's okay, they still tasted descent. I did make cinnamon pecan crusted pancakes that morning for Pops and I. They were de-lish. The boys like the same old wheat and flax seed pancakes that they usually have.

This baby is constantly moving inside of me. The boys think it's crazy to see my stomach move from side to side. I'm getting really excited to meet him. Now if we can only find the name that is right for him...still searching.

These summer days are passing to quickly. I will miss being on my own schedule. The boys are pretty excited to start back up which I guess is a good thing.

Boss read a Dick and Jane book today. I was shocked he could do it, considering he has yet to start kindergarten. He said he likes reading, I'm glad someone around here likes it.

Summer seems to bring lots of forts around this house. I don't think I'll miss the mess of blankets and pillows when school starts.

My morning exercise still happens 5-6 days a week. I can tell I'm getting a little slower but am still thankful to be out there. However even at 5am it's stinking hot. I hope to continue until the very end. It's my saving grace for the day.

I'm thankful to wear flip-flops or slip on shoes most of the time, it's close to impossible to get my shoes tied now.

I really should be getting to bed.