Lazy days

Well just lazy days.  No introspections or wonderings.

Lazy days: Kyler fell asleep in the pool

I sent the 2 oldest off to Utah and now just have some quiet time with McKye and Stuart.  I'm excited to head to the Dominican Republic - we're going to go there for a week with Addie and Kyler to help in a medical clinic.  Things are starting to settle down here - we moved to our new home, started a new computer program at work and now are getting back into a routine.  I like some lazy time, but I have been slacking a bit on spiritual things as well as physical fitness.  It's funny how life ebbs and flows (alright some introspection after all).  There are times everything just seems to fit together - we're on top of everything and then other times we look back and wonder OH MY... what happened.  I've been so exhausted with computer templates that I haven't just sat and pondered, read my scriptures, or done my yoga - but as I sit writing it down I'm getting renewed energy to make a change and start again.
So thanks world wide web for letting my blog and reinvent myself day by day.
Tomorrow is a new day and I am going to start it off right - no regrets just moving forward
What are you going to reinvent?

Baby bird found and took to local animal care center

Summer time

Mother's day - Addie style

Well I am appalled at myself for lack of writing.  I think i was going on a rebellious streak - not doing anything I felt I needed to and everything I wanted to - that and we decided to move again.  Decision making should get easier with time, but when you have 5 people in a family trying to make the best choices for all of them does get a little tricky.
Kyler found a great high school program for academics but unfortunately was not doing well from a social standpoint - a lot of kids that just weren't making great life choices and a developmental stage for questioning didn't bode well.  We were also spending a lot of time driving to activities, friends etc... that seemed like it would be better spent together.  All in all we found a great location with close friends, a beautiful pool and balanced school but it did require searching, pondering and a lot of work to move.  I feel bad making Addie change schools twice in 3 years but she has been a trooper, a little miffed here and there but overall doing well.

The pinewood derby

I have been proud of all 3 of my kids.  Kyler has his struggles but is really starting to come into his own and I think recognize the places he needs to make changes - his self control has improved leaps and bounds over the last 8 months.

Adderly is just a beautiful young lady.  She always wants to include others, she is a bit particular in the way she likes things to turn out, but she works hard, smiles, plans and is just becoming one of my best friends.

The kids playing with the Snells where we lived for 5 weeks waiting for our home

McKye is still my fun guy.  He went through a bit of a whiny period and big changes as he went from stay at home dad to both parents working but he has weathered it well and is becoming his own little man.

I love the joy of seeing them grow and change.  I'm not always as patient as I could be, I have to step back a lot and let go to allow them their own growing space, but all in all I am so grateful to be a mother and have the opportunity to watch them grow.

Roots

So we are back at home for Christmas.  We had family come out over the summer, but we haven't been home for just over 18 months.  We've been able to see both family friends, and even just old acquaintances and of course that has sparked some introspection.

Our kids have now entered the teen years and as they try to decide who they want to be it is prime time to assess where we are individually as parents, people, brothers, sisters etc... Sometimes in life you can feel so disconnected to others - a simple smile or a wave may sometimes make a big difference, but at times we may not even have these small acknowledgments of others.

Coming home, back to my roots has reminded me of the connection we have with others - no matter the distance.  It reminds me of who I am, where I am headed, my goals, dreams, and aspirations.  Everyone has their own personality, their own way of doing things and yet as I mentioned in a past post, I feel like we are an accumulation of so many interactions throughout our lives.  As we have gone from home to home each runs a little differently, is decorated different and with each unique home our lives are just as unique with thoughts, feelings ad hopes all our own.

I feel like I have just been recharged - ready to do my best, to connect with others all around me from big to small, old to young, best friends or meer acquaintance.  I'm excited to start the New Year fully recharged with goals and plans and most importantly dreams - they may and really probably should never come true, but to have far out fantasies is sometimes just as important as the goals and plans one can accomplish.

I am thankful for the opportunity our Heavenly Father afforded us to be with family again, I was able to talk to almost all of my siblings one on one and see them just a little more and understand them just a little better, I am thankful for all my heavenly father has given me and am excited about the prospects of a new year with all it's upcoming joy.