"Camping"

In no way can our camping story top Sam's sister Shelly's misadventure camping, but this is a quick overview- no campsites were available after driving around for hours looking for one. We had taken 2 cars and I was too worn out to make it all the way home so we ended up at a motel on the side of the rode. Although disappointed about not camping, the girls thought the motel was great. (In pic Leila and Lucy are eating ice cubes from the ice machine and it looks like Mia is wearing hers as a ring). To lighten things up, when we got home Sam found a steal of a deal for our "new" canoe on Craig's List. We took it out for a bit that afternoon... I can tell we are going to have some great times with that canoe.

Fairy Tale Town

We headed out to Fairy Tale Town again last week and met some friends there. Lucy was particularly excited about the animals. Mia was particularly excited about running around the park with friends and sisters and Leila was particularly excited about having a make believe adventure in the Sherwood Forest with her friends and sister.

4th of July

We had a really great 4th of July this year especially because we were able to spend it with family. Sam's brother Matt and his wife Amy and their Son Todd moved here recently. We have not had family this close by for a long time. On the 4th we fit in a lot of fun, yet it seemed quite mellow at the same time. We started with the stake Pancake Breakfast. Then walked down to the parade. Then out to eat for some Tacos. Followed by naps at out house for the kids and a movie for the adults. Then out to the swimming pool in our backyard with BBQing too. Then we headed over to Matt and Amy's to watch the fireworks from the levee. Then ice cream with farmers market peaches- delicious! It was a fabulous 4th.

Splash Park Signs

The girls and I packed up our things to meet Sam after work and then go to a splash park nearby, but when we got there we were disappointed to find out that it was temporarily closed. We let the kids run around a bit before we saw that there was a sign that said there was another splash park up the street, so we packed up and headed over. When we arrived sure enough the splash fountains were on. The kids held back for a second taking it all in and getting ready to go in when it suddenly turned off. So a little girl went to go push the button to get it going again, but nothing came out. I then looked at the sign and read that it closed at 7. It was exactly 7 o'clock and I guess that it really does close at 7. Poor girls. We stayed and played at the park for a while. There were some neat pathways that Sam took Leila and Mia on and Leila still asks all the time if we can go back to that park with all the pathways and if we can take her friends there too. Sam is an amazing dad to be able to change a bum situation into an awesome adventure!

NOW is our time

The economy these days is so crazy and for a little while it almost got me. I found that I was constantly thinking about money and how we could improve our situation. We hear all the time about how this year is the year to buy a home because of tax credits etc. for first time home buyers. Well, we looked into it and even got pre-approved for this beautiful home in a perfect location... but even so, the numbers did not add up. We would be extremely tight... too tight. I was very disappointed when we came to the conclusion that we just could not do it. And trying to cheer me up Sam told me that, "We'll have our time". Now, I know that Sam was speaking specifically about being homeowners, but for some reason this statement did not sit well with me. After thinking about it I realized it was because- this is our time- now. Homeownership in my mind was more than just paying a mortgage- it was stability for our kids, it was a place for possible family get togethers, it was a place for me to beautify and to organize, it was a place to really start our lives together, it was a place where I could really dive into the PTA and community involvement.... so you could only imagine how crushing it was when I realized that we could not afford all of that. Then I really started thinking about it and discussing it with Sam and a couple of close friends and realized that we can give our children the moon and the stars and even though we can not give them a house we give them a home (and guess what?- in their minds I don't think there is too much of a difference) and we give them a mom that can stay home with them, a dad that has a job where he can go to a ballet recital or a camping trip or whatever else the family is up to, we give them a home in which we can provide all of the essentials of life and to me that is awesome. That is a gift from our Heavenly Father. So, as I have been learning over the past several years- NOW is our time and this time is included- Now is our time to accept where we are and be grateful.