Confessions...VT

Yes, I am a slacker. It's end of the month...back in the day (a few kids ago) I was 100%. Now it's that time and here I am wondering how I can be better. So I did a little searching and found this idea to satisfy my slacking. I'm repenting and hope to make up for next month by doing it early...

Quick Get-Away...To The Beach!

Every year we try to make it to the beach. For the most part we have made that happen. This year with the belt a little tighter then ever, we let the kids decide which 'events' were more important to them...and the beach out weighted everything else. I don't blame them, the beach is magical in many ways.

We drove about 5 hours south through Alabama and down toward the panhandle of Florida to Panama City for an overnight stay.

We enjoyed the sand, the 'wild life'...

...the arts and crafts, strolls down the beach...

...and of course the glorious sun and all that nature has to offer.

Here is one thing any parent would enjoy...watching your kids, especially the youngest explorer, experience the sensations of the ocean. He was hilarious!

Funny boy!

Raegan was my wonder-er! She loved looking, learning and observing...and yes, she forgot her swim suit! So day 1, she swam in her clothes until we could hit a souvenir store.

Rian was my ocean-ologist...she found all sorts of creatures and loved just spending all her time in the water. But of course she found time to build her masterpiece...with a moat.

This girl just dodged about ever picture, because she was always head first in the water...my little fishy...

Between shell hunting, and castle building, Jarom was hardly heard from. I seriously enjoyed shell hunting with these guys! They are so cute!

As you can see, our kids were eating up every minute of time they had at the beach!

As the sun was getting deeper in the sky, I really wanted to head over to the pier and watch the sky change colors. Sadly, only two wanted to go with me, but we had a great time.

These two were my cuties at the pier...

From here we watched the sun fall down into the depth of the ocean. Ammon decided the pier was huge!

A lady walking by took our picture for us.

Can't go to the beach without watching the sun set...

Down...down...down...til the sun looks like it is just melting into the horizon.

Raegan was blown away how the edge of the earth and the roundness of the sun just merged and literally melted into each other. My camera didn't do the event justice, but it was fascinating! Glad she could enjoy such a moment, and I was glad I could witness it with her!

The End...of the day!

I absolutley love going down to the beach when it is dark and all the kids are asleep...just sitting there and listening to the waves and peaceful sounds made from our Creator! ...but I was exhausted and crashed. Next time...Next time for sure!

Morning Light At The Beach

Next day started out kind of dreary and rainy. I was disappointed, because I have to have sun when I'm out in the water or I'm a pansy in even the slightest-of-chilly water. But most of all, my favorite time at the beach to take pictures is morning light! So when the sun popped out for about 5 minutes, I was able to capture these gems.

The water was that clear! So beautiful!

Although I'm not a Hooters restaurant fan, I loved their umbrellas and the compliment of color.

didn't buy into any activities, but loved their display of life vests

I'm a sucker for sea grass. So I was a little disappointed that our location was a bit sparse...

By late morning, the clouds had burned off and we were able to enjoy the sunny day for a few hours before having to pack up and head home to reality.

Fire Pit

For Labor Day Weekend, we were going to head down to Panama City, FL for an over-nighter beach trip, but that didn't work out with the tropical storm... that later consumed the entire southeast. The kids were so disappointed! So to lighten the mood, we decided to have a night around the fire pit, and let the kids sleep in the tent in our living room (still to humid outside).

Ammon, loved roasting...or should I say melting his marshmallows. He liked to blow out the flames. Smores were fun for a little while, but just sitting around the glowing fire was where the real magic was!Jarom and I loved whittling the sticks for the marshmallows.

The inspiration came from the weekend before. A friend came over and helped us take down a few trees that were potential threats. Well, the kids arranged the pieces in a circle and I figured, why not make a place in the yard to enjoy the outdoors a little bit more. So I dug out a fire pit and placed a few rocks... the kids also built little huts with the tree bits. It was a fun night. Our beach trip is set for this coming weekend...

Charly

Through circumstance...we 'inherited' a puppy. For over a year, my husband had dangled the idea of getting a dog over my head. I've always wanted a dog but with 5 kids, I had my plate full. Then a few weeks ago, a friend on FB had mentioned her sister needing to find a home for this little puppy. Trent showed the picture to me...and I loved her. But wow, that's a whole new level of responsibility! So Trent, also guilty of wanting a dog, responded that if no one else would take her we may be interested. Well this lady called us right away and basically we were swooned. All toys, equipment, shots and accessories were included and of no charge.

Yes, we are proud owners of this little girl, she is only 3 months old and acts like it! So much to learn from this little one. She has been an experience, but the kids just love her! Her puppy eyes and slight turn of her head just melt your heart. I will admit, there was a point one week in, that I thought about giving her up, but I gave it more time and research and I think we will be just fine. I hope to have a running partner in the near future.

Youth Temple Trip

sorry for the terrible picture--me, Melissa, Charissa

Had an incredible opportunity to go with my friend Melissa, her daughter, Abby, and all the youth in our ward to the Atlanta Temple. With the temple reopened, many youth were there to do baptisms for their first time. Although I've done baptisms before, it's been a long time...but it was amazing to go and help not only the youth, but my friends new to the gospel. My favorite part was sitting off to the side of the font, in my white dress, to watch Abby do the last batch of names and seeing her mom standing to look over her daughter. It was a sweet moment, because I had a brief glimps of a mother watching over her daughter with love and admiration. A moment that I knew Melissa felt the spirit and reverence of the ordinance. And for Abby being so eager to do all 20 names that were left, instead of dividing them up, so she could be apart of something she knew was good. One year count down til Melissa can go through the temple for her own endowments! Very excited for her and her family.

Peachtree Triathlon

Yesterday, August 20th I swam/biked/ran my first Sprint Triathlon! I absolutely loved training and getting ready for this event. I enjoy challenging myself and trying new things. This event was a .3 mile swim, 14.1 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run.

This is only a fraction of all the bikes...this transition area was packed full. The highest # I saw was 1089 so I'm guessing that is how many participated.

I finished within my goal time! My goal was 1:45 min...I beat that with 1:43! I was pretty excited. My swim was awesome, I passed so many people...but then I saw them pass me on my bike ride. I had a mountain bike, so next race I will have slicks/road bike. The run was brutal after the bike ride. Wow it was hard. But i finished strong and ready to try another triathlon!!

My friend Kelli Allen was the one to encourage me to do this race. We trained a little together and loved it. This was a good day. I was a a little sore, but next day, I don't feel a thing. Guess I had some good training. Next triathlons in June at Lake Lanier is my next goal!

Happy Birthday Sweet Raegan

Today my sweet little girl has turned the BIG 7! She was up early ready to help with some of the details on the cupcakes. She is still so excited and loves everything about HER day. She woke up to a balloon, but had to wait all day to open her family gifts. My favorite part was bringing in her cupcakes to her class at lunch and watching her light up to pass them out. I love my little Raegy, she is truly a tender hearted daughter of God. Her hugs are uncountable everyday, love the hugs and her grins are very impressionable. I love you babe, Happy Birthday!