Our Georgia Vacation

We had so much fun on our vacation. Being up in the mountains was absolutely beautiful and the weather was perfect. We went tubing, swimming at the "beach", well Lake Burton. We fished and paddle boated in Grandpa and Grandma Hunt's pond, as well as fed the fish, we got more bites feeding them. We picked potatoes in the garden. Grandma Hunt made us vegetable soup with fresh veggies from the garden, oh it was so good. We even fed goats that live on rooftops of these shops. We spent a day at Stone Mountain and watched the laser show. We had so much fun. I loved being able to get up in the morning and take my breakfast out on the Hunt's second floor porch and look out at the mountains, what a view. I would even eat my dinner out there. The kids loved to be there running and playing outside all day. I am so jealous of their view and their garden. Someday!

What Have I Been Up To?

I have a few reasons why I am posting these pics. One - I thought there were a few of you who could use a good laugh. I spent the last 2 weeks studying for finals and working on projects and this is what has happened while I was buried in my books. Second reason - maye they will make someone else feel like they are not alone or make them feel like it could always be WORSE!!! Third - maybe if I post them, it will motivate me to get my butt in gear and I can post some AFTER pictures. There are lots of reasons - but lastly I am going to count my blessings today. I will whistle while I work even if I have to work until midnight. And I am not always that way - there are lots of times I go into the laundry room and I just want to run out and down the street screaming like a mad woman - like its a bad reoccurring nightmare - Attack of the Killer Neverending Dirty Clothes! Like I am going to drown in them. But no stress today - they will get done and just as I get them done I will turn around and there will be more - so get over it! I have cleaned and cleaned and cleaned the kids room but my 4 and 2 year olds are human tornados and I have allowed the mess to get too out of control for them and I must intercede and today is that day. Maybe today I will simplify and try to get rid of some of it. I am a self diagnosed Pack Rat and I genetically inherited it. Sorry Dad! I do want to know where did all these clothes come from! I really could used a commercial size washer and dryer! I hope you guys have a good laugh and if anyone has free time on their hands - well you know where I live. Count your blessings - you will miss those little clothes piled up, those little toys spread out on the floor, the house will be too quiet some day! We may not always feel that way but it is true. I look at Breana and think back to when she was like Emma and wonder where did the time go. Before long she will be talking about college and going off on her own and I will wonder what did I do with the time we had when she was here. Did I obsess about my house (obviously not!!!) did I work too much - did I miss too much? Don't miss those little moments and "don't sweat the small stuff" I love my family and I feel blessed by my family.

Happy 8th Birthday Meriah

I want to wish my very very sweet Meriah - Happy 8th Birthday. I just love when they turn 8, it's just a special age. I always try to make it a special day. It's Great to be 8 day! We started off by giving her a tiara this morning. Every princess needs a crown. I sent her off to school, only to suprise her by picking her up shortly after. We went to the mall and had lunch. Then I took her to get her first pedicure and manicure. Meriah absolutely just loved it and couldn't wait to show them off to everyone. She was so careful to make sure that she did not mess them up. She was so cute. Maggie joined us and we had a girls day out! Maggie took Meriah shopping for a new outfit to go with her new pink toes! We had such a nice day with all the pampering! We then went to Chuck E Cheese - Meriah's dinner choice! It was a nice day and I absolutely loved spending it with Meriah. Happy Birthday Meriah - thank you for a beautiful day!

IT'S WEIGH IN TIME - LET'S GO LADIES

Alright ladies it's our first weigh-in, though if you ask me - this past week should be a practice week! LOL! But no matter what you did - lose a lot, a little, or stayed the same, I know we are all working hard. If you are like me you probably have some bad habits you're trying to break - dang those hot salty fries and the ice cold Dr. Pepper! If you didn't lose any weight this week, remember it's not a race, it's all about becoming healthier - changing how we eat and adding exercise to our routines. I really hope you will all check in with your progress. You don't have to tell us what you weigh, you can just tell us how much you lost. So, I'll start it of - I lost a big whopping total of....................... 1 lb. Woohooo! You girls really are beautiful - it's not about being skinny, it's about being healthy, for you and for your family. Don't give up - I slipped a couple times this past week, so my goal for this week is to slip up less and push myself a little more. I need to find a little more will power, but I can do it and I know you can to. Good luck to everyone and keep working hard!

CHILDREN SCRIPTURES ON LINE

I wanted to mention to you guys if you didn't know. When we were young we use to have the books for the scriptures that went with tapes, you listened to while you follow along with the books. We bought them for our kids and in one of our moves they got lost. Anyways on the church website, lds.org, they have them all online now. It's not the same as actually having the books that you can look at anytime, but it's still a wonderful resource. Also on the website, they mention that just released a new Nursery manual, that would also be a good resource for Family Home Evening if you have young children. It is also available on line. Take a look and see.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Meriah made this today for Tucker and I. She is always doing things like this for her family and friends. Breana had the craft box out and was working on a science project and Meriah must have gotten in there too and put this together for us. Tucker and I always marvel at how sweet and thoughtful she is. She is always worried about other people and their feelings. She is also the middle child and they always say it is hard being in the middle, but it doesn't seem to bother her at all.

I just loved Pres. Monson's talk today - he either said Enjoy the Journey Now or Find Joy in the Journey Now, now I can't remember exactly. But he talked about looking around at all the toys everywhere, piles of dishes and loads of laundry, and how they will disappear soon and we will miss them when they are gone. There are days when I think I'll never miss all this laundry - it never ends and then there are days when I do realize what the neverending pile of laundry means and I know that there will come a day when I look around and there are no toys to be found, all the dishes and laundry are done and put away and I will probably feel a little lonely and think the house is too quiet. I love the story the Pres. Monson told about the father taking his boys to the circus. My sister tells her husband the same thing - childhood - they aren't making anymore of it. You can't get those days back. We truely need to find Joy in the Journey - always looking for tomorrow will leave empty yesterdays.

Thank you, Meriah, for your kindness. You truely bring a light and a joy to our family and our home. We love you so much and are very proud of who you are.

I JUST LOVE HIM!!!

After 13 years I still just absolutely adore and love Tucker. He still suprises me and makes me smile and warms my heart. I love his work schedule, it seems to allow us to really spend time together. We both look forward to those days that he has off during the week, when it is us and the two little ones. We just love spending the day together when it is not so hectic and crazy. I can't imagine what those days will be like when all of the kids are in school and it's just the two of us. Yesterday, Tucker was off from work and we decided to go out to eat for lunch. While we were eating lunch he leans over to Emma and asks her if she wants to go pick up some flowers for Ms Gini. I had told him the night before how she had had a bad day that day. We got busy the next day and my mind was on a million other things, but he remembered our conversation the night before. (Okay, he actually listens somethimes, I'll have to give credit now) Anyways that's what we did after our lunch. He went and picked out the flowers himself, while I stayed in the car. He called me and asked me what kind of flowers to get and I just told him pick out something nice, which he did. We went over and had a really nice visit. We just absolutely love their family, we have know them for about 11 years. Anyways after that we then picked up the girls from school and came home. It got late and we hadn't done anything for dinner, so we decided to try a restaurant I had been told about. We went out for dinner and came home. Tucker promised the kids they could have some of his homemade carrot cake he made the night before, while I had been at my presidency meeting. And by the way, it is a very good carrot cake and it is not helping me with my goals. So after the kids were done, I was getting ready to put on my running shorts and shoes and Tukcer said I thought we would go get some ice cream and walk on the beach. We both are in love with the Thin Mint Cookie blizzards at Dairy Queen (not helping!) So, we put Emma to bed and told the kids that mom and dad were going for a moonlit stroll on the beach. Breana was grossed out and Meriah didn't believe that we were really going to do that, she thought we were tricking her and made us promise to take pictures for proof, that explains the pictures below. There was no moonlight, it was completely dark, but there was a really nice breeze and we both enjoyed walking, holding hands, and stopping occasionally for a kiss. ( I know, I know, TMI) But it was really nice. Tucker is so thoughtful and so sweet, though he probably doesn't want anyone to know that. Even after 13 years, he can make me feel like the little girl pictured above, by the way is from a card he got me. I just love this card and keep it in my bathroom where I see it everyday. Thank you, Sweetie, L.Y.F.E.