Emie's Mormon Prom...

Here in the city, I've learned that a few things are different at these ginormous schools that my children attend.  For one, Prom.  Here, they have a Junior/Senior prom at the high school, where only upperclassmen can go.  It makes sense really.  With a million kids at the high school--if they invited everyone, it would be WAY overcrowded! Also, the dances of today are a wee bit different than the dances I went to 20 years ago.  How can I say this delicately?  Grinding is the norm.  YUCK.  The music is usually pretty nasty, and the kids are all over eachother, like they can't wait to get back to the hotel room their parents paid for for their prom night.  Ew.  Yes, things are getting even worse, if you can believe that.  So most good, Mormon kids are uncomfortable staying at their prom for more than a little while.  At many schools, they don't stay at all.  They go to take pictures, and leave, finding a more appropriate activity.  (Emie said that regular prom was pretty fun--even though they did have some nasty dancing going on around them. Our high school is pretty stacked with Mormons--so we are pretty lucky that way.) You can call them prude.  Call them what you will--it's what they have to do in these days to stay away from all the garbage that goes on around them.   

So, there is a place called Barney Complex in Queen Creek.  It is a huge sports complex, built by the Barney family, and they put on what's called, "Mormon Prom".  Anyone 16 and older can attend, your class doesn't matter.  They require *GASP* "modest dress", and play clean music, and the kids took tons of pictures, and had a FABULOUS time!  Emie went with her good friend (boyfriend--but she won't let us call him that), Cameron Clark, and a ton of her friends from school who are Sophomores, so they couldn't go to their school prom.  They had such a fun time together!  Here are some pics...

 

About Staying Together...Forever.

I heard through the grapevine (that's what I call Erin), this week, that in the midst of Mothers Day shopping last week, and my birthday shopping this week, Emie had told her she was very concerned about mom and dad--and our marriage. She told her she was worried we were going to divorce. This concerned me for many reasons--but most of all it just made me sad.  Sad that I am not good at hiding my feelings, or acting like things are okay all the time.  Sad that I wear my emotions on my sleeve--and everyone suffers around here sometimes because of that, including my husband and my children.  Sad because sometimes I am a little too REAL, and kids should not have to see their mom be real--kids want to see that super hero mom, you know, the one who never has problems of her own--because she is too busy dealing with theirs.  Everyone deserves such a mom.  I used to be one, (and I also had one--thanks MOM). The last few years, full of challenges, have thrown me off my game! Not that Todd and I never fought.  We have always had a very passionate relationship.  I am a passionate person--so is Todd, and sometimes I love a good argument.  Anyone who's ever talked to me about politics knows that.  But in the end, things have always settled down, we have always worked things through, and we have always loved each other.  The last few years, though, things have been strained.  Much more than normal.  I try to explain to my kids that grown ups have grown up problems sometimes.  As much as teenagers think their lives are hard--they don't have bills to pay, and kids to raise.  And sometimes those problems push you to the brink. The last few years, I feel like I have lived in and out of that brink--sometimes teetering on the edge of a cliff, wondering when I would fall over the edge.  Some of the fights we have had have merit--some have been irrational, and had nothing to do with our marriage--but everything to do with what was going on outside our control. Here's the thing I've realized:  I get frustrated when I can't control things.  Todd gets frustrated when he can't fix them.  It's just how we're wired.  And since we haven't been able to control--or fix--our current situation, it has boiled over into our marriage, and obviously our kids have noticed that.
Last week was going fine until we got a bill from our lawyer for $7,000, and another bill related to our lawsuit for $2,000.  The number was shocking to me--especially since the bill was only for a month of work.  I had a good friend who once told me that when they were involved in a lawsuit, it almost destroyed their marriage.  It is stressful, and emotionally taxing to have this cloud hanging over our heads day in and day out, and try to make a living and go on about our business.  When the lawyer bills come, it only adds to that stress.  While I believe that we are doing the right thing--(these men ripped us off to the tune of almost a million dollars--I don't think they should just be allowed to get away with basically stealing our business)--it's still hard to make it through the accusations and the lies without getting personally offended and hurt by the whole thing. And boy are they dishing out a ton of lies, it's pretty sickening.  (If you don't know what I'm talking about--read more HERE or HERE or HERE).  It's also hard to find out that you were SO wrong when you thought you were a good judge of character, and I did.  At the same time, I am determined--DETERMINED--that Todd and I will not let this lawsuit destroy our marriage.  I will not give these men the satisfaction of knowing that not only did they steal our business, they broke up a happy family.  Financial problems, while SO stressful--are no reason for divorce.  I know that.  Yet, they can cause so many problems that undermine the love and devotion that you feel for each other.  We have to be so careful to not judge or blame each other for what has happened, but to present a united front--and put the blame where it belongs.
While I'm sad that our children have been witness to some of these fights and hard feelings, I'm not entirely sure it's horrible that they see us argue and fight sometimes.  I think they need to know that marriage is not always bliss.  Sometimes it's HARD.  Sometimes there are tears, and hurt feelings, and sometimes we treat those we love the most harshly, because we trust them that they will still LOVE us--even in our worst moments.  Am I proud that I have those moments?  No.  None of us are.  But they have seen us fight and battle it out--and they have seen us stay together through all of it.  Why?  Because I signed on to this thing, and I signed onto it FOREVER.  If there's one other thing I'm good at--it's being determined, and by gosh, I'm determined that something stupid, like a few years of bad luck, will not tear this family apart.  I want my kids to know that I don't give up--even when it's hard.  I want them to know they can do hard things--and sometimes, marriage can be one of those hard things.  Not many people I know have a marriage that is perfect--it's HARD.  But it's also so rewarding, and fulfilling, knowing you didn't give up on each other, knowing that you made it through good times and bad with that same loyalty and devotion that you promised you would give in the beginning.  It takes time, and love, and commitment, and most of all it takes forgiveness--but it is worth it!  I know that.

What I really want my kids to know--is what a great dad they have.  And how lucky I am to have him.  He is a good man--who honors his priesthood, and loves his family, and works hard so we can have a good life.  Even though I get frustrated, and we fight--I KNOW that we were meant for each other.  He is my better half (truly), and my life would be meaningless without him by my side.  Those times when we are in the heat of the moment, even if I think with all my heart that I might never forgive him this time, for whatever stupid thing we are fighting about, I think of a life without him, and I know I would be lost. I want my kids to know that I love him with all my heart! We didn't come this far--almost 20 years--to give up on what we have built together.  We have a beautiful family, and we have made covenants with my husband, and with God--and I don't take those covenants lightly.    Russel M. Nelson gave this amazing advice about marriage: (emphasis added)

"Brethren and sisters, material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But your union as wife, husband, and family can. The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is FOREVER. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To qualify, one needs only to deny oneself of ungodliness and honor the ordinances of the temple. By making and keeping sacred temple covenants, we evidence our love for God, for our companion, and our real regard for our posterity—even those yet unborn. Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life."

We made a covenant to honor each other, and be true--in good times, and in bad. Not just for now--but FOREVER. Forever is a tall order sometimes--right now, I prefer to take it one day at a time. And that's just what we're doing.

Crazy (BUSY) Girl!...

This spring has been a busy one for my Emie!  Last year, she did Softball, and Club Volleyball.  This year, she decided to change it up, and for awhile, I thought she was just going to do volleyball again.  Then, she didn't come home on the bus one day, and I found out she was joining the track team!  WHAT?  Not only that--her coach in PE told her that she should try pole-vaulting, since her arms were so strong. He thought she would be good at it!  Just about the last thing anyone who has just paid the $1,200 fee for a volleyball club team wants to hear, is that her daughter is going to be pole-vaulting simultaneously!  I told her, "you better not hurt yourself!"  She agreed to be careful (as careful as you can be when you are flinging yourself over a bar three or four feet higher than your head with a pole)!  Sure.  It ended up working out okay--and she actually was really good at it!  She even took on another event--shot put--when she was messing around at a meet and entered the event for fun.  She did better than both the girls on her team that had done it the year before, and even ended up qualifying for the state meet!  Silly girl! Here she is in action!

 Stupid sign was in the way--so my pic got messed up--so I made Emie move the sign before the next throw...

Then--wouldn't you know it, dude decides to get out of his chair and stand up, and yeah, no picture...oh well.

 I love watching them warm up, and all the poles!  So fun!

 Love this one--she's too fast for my camera flying through the air! 

Emie her and her friend Kessa were on the same club volleyball team, so they took turns driving (Hallelujah!), so I didn't have to drive them around.  I still don't know what I think about the CLUB thing--you can read my previous thoughts HERE, but I do know that to have a chance at making varsity next year, she needed to find a good club so she could improve in the off season.  We ended up finding Players, and it was a perfect fit.  They finished #12 out of over 40 teams in the 17+ age division.  The girls had a fabulous season, and really made some good friends.  I was grateful that they took Emie in, and she really did improve as the season went on.  She is a good little back row player (libero), and an aggressive digger.  Very little got past her!  I was proud of her for sticking it out, and finding the time and energy to make it to practices and tournaments.  She isn't the biggest, or the fastest, or the strongest at everything she does, but she is one determined girl--I like to think she gets that from ME--(of course--Todd would probably say the same--and he did play a whole football game his senior year with a broken JAW--so I might have to cede that point)! Anyway, so proud of you girl for all of your accomplishments!  We love you!  :)

Trip to SIN CITY!...

Every once in awhile, Todd's job happens to be convenient.  Like when someone dies, and the family asks you to drive them to Las Vegas, and you get to take your wife with you!  YAY me!  Poor them...(really...he was a good man--he was not someone we knew, but tons of family who loved him and made the trip as well).  Mind you, that's about the only time his job has a perk attached.  Most of the time, it's a call during a date, or a movie, or sacrament meeting (always--so jealous when he gets to leave, does that make me a sinner?).  At least now, we expect it, and plan on it.  So, a few weeks ago, we went to Las Vegas for a short trip.  We drove over on a Sunday afternoon, Todd did the service Monday morning, (while I slept until NOON--#bestdayever) and we came home Tuesday morning.  We did, however, manage to have some fun in Sin City--good thing they're open ALL NIGHT!  We ate too much, stayed in the hotel we stayed in on our honeymoon (but didn't get the same room thank goodness--do you know the room we stayed in on our honeymoon had MIRRORS on the walls, AND ceiling?? Talk about YIKES!), saw a funny PG-13 comedy show, (Carrot Top--had some language, but man, our sides hurt we laughed so hard), gambled a little ($20, if you must know--and lost it all), rode some fun rides at Stratosphere--(no--we didn't bungee jump off the side of that building--but we saw some people doing it--are they INSANE???), and generally had a FABULOUS time!  I know what happens in Vegas, is supposed to stay in Vegas, but when you are boring and OLD like we are--what happens is generally fit to be on your blog--(most of it, anyway ;) HA!) so here are some pictures!

 See that pained look on my face? It's because I wore CUTE shoes instead of comfortable ones!  Duh.  I forgot how much you walk in Vegas! 

 We found this place in the Luxor, and had to eat dinner there!  T & T--it's the BEST!  :)

Love the Vegas Strip at night--however, I think even Vegas is suffering in the Obama economy--there were a few whole casinos that were fenced in & boarded up (WHAT??), and everyone had like HALF their lights on! Geez--thanks Obama for that!

The rides on top of the Stratosphere are totally worth doing--go at NIGHT though--the view is fantastic! We were there around Midnight!  :)

So many lights can make a camera go CRAZY!  I thought these pics were too cool to throw out though!  Love it!

Because I am a Mother...

Happy Mother's Day!

I wrote this post a few years ago, but thought it was appropriate to post it again today! I'm sure I've only scratched the surface when it comes to listing the things I've learned as a mother--and I'm sure there are those out there with certainly more wisdom than me on this subject. I know one thing, motherhood is the toughest job that you'll ever love--and it certainly gives me more satisfaction than I ever thought possible. I am so grateful to be a mother, and so grateful for my mother, and Todd's mother, who we love with all our hearts. You are such great examples of the way I want to live my life...I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

14 years ago, my life changed. The doctor handed me a beautiful baby girl, 8 pounds 9 1/2 ounces, and Todd and I looked at each other and wondered, what now? I had no idea then, how much different I would be because I am a mother.

Because I am a Mother...

*Because I am a Mother, rational thoughts have been replaced with constant worry.

*Because I am a Mother, I say things that make no sense to anyone who isn't a mother. Things like, "I'm going to beat the living daylights out of you!" Huh?

*Because I am a Mother, I can sleep through most of a Die Hard movie at the movie theatre, but the small sound of my newborn infant squirming next to me wakes me up in an instant.

*Because I am a Mother, I have rolls where my stomach muscles used to be, and empty gray matter where my brain used to be.

*Because I am a Mother, I finally appreciate my mother! Thanks Mom, I love you!
*Because I am a Mother, sometimes 3 hours of sleep has to be enough.
*Because I am a Mother, I have to be able to turn from Old Mother Hubbard into Marilyn Monroe in a matter of seconds. Just because I am a Mother, doesn't mean I can't be his wife!
*Because I am a Mother, I have to have a solution for every problem. What kind of mother lets her children struggle with problems on their own? (Maybe a better mother than me...)
*Because I am a Mother, my boobs have been used and abused. I wish I didn't have to go through pain and agony to get a new, improved pair. (My teenager will love that one--don't worry honey--your turn will come...)
*Because I am a Mother, my days are full of some of the highest highs, and some of the lowest lows. Highs usually involve Coca Cola, or chocolate, and the lows? One word...laundry.
*Because I am a Mother, it's not about me.
*Because I am a Mother, I have a chance to live another childhood through my own children. Adolescence? No thanks, once was enough!
*Because I am a Mother, I fear the evil in this world, and I'm determined to protect my children from it at all costs.
*Because I am a Mother, I feel guilty for the dumbest things.
*Because I am a Mother, I demand loyalty, and respect. I'm not a perfect mother, but I'm the only mother they get!
*Because I am a Mother, I blame the dryer instead of the Oreos when my jeans don't fit.
*Because I am a Mother, I'm never quite sure about anything! Ask my kids...
*Because I am a Mother, even when I'm exhausted, sleep evades me, and my mind races 1,000 different directions. Sometimes it's hard to just be still.
*Because I am a Mother, I can multi-task. I can nurse a baby while reading a book to a toddler, while checking my e-mail, and eating a bowl of cereal--this is all before 8 a.m..
*Because I am a Mother, I appreciate other great mothers--especially when their children are friends with my children.
*Because I am a Mother, "muffin top" has become a painful reality. Google it...you'll know if you are an offender too...
*Because I am a Mother, my head hurts--a lot.
*Because I am a Mother, I am proud when my kids make good choices, and my heart breaks when they don't. It's true that when you're a mother, your heart walks around outside your body.
*Because I am a Mother, sometimes the only "quiet place" is in my toilet room. Sometimes I lock myself in there and hide for hours.
*Because I am a Mother, "DIET" is a 4 letter word, offensive in every way. If you mention "EXERCISE" you might get the same hostile reaction from me.
*Because I am a Mother, a clean house almost makes me cry for joy. Needless to say, most days the tears I cry are not tears of joy.
*Because I am a Mother, I am always teaching, whether I realize it or not.
*Because I am a Mother, things that would make a normal person vomit, don't even make me wince anymore. It's just another day at the office...
*Because I am a Mother, I can blame the 10 extra pounds around my middle on baby #4, instead of blaming it on my love/hate relationship with my treadmill.
*Because I am a Mother, my life will never be the same again, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
What about you? How has your life changed because you are a mother?

Mothers Day...

Reasons why I LOVE being a mother:
*I love that moment when your baby looks at you and you lock eyes and know that he acutally sees you for the first time and smiles. It's like meeting him all over again.
*I love that I am such a good mother that by the time my children reach age 10, they actually know everything--that takes some good parenting!
*I love the feeling I get when I see my children accomplish something all on their own--I feel so proud of them and their independence.
*I love the sweet sound of "ma ma" when my baby says it for the first time, and actually means me. I also love how that cute little word turns into "MOOOOOOOOOM!!!" so quickly (and becomes a little less cute).
*I love that my kids think that no one but me knows where anything is in the house. And I love that blank look they give me when they ask me to help them with something and I say "go ask your dad".
*I love reading the same book over and over because it's her favorite!
*I love that my children are all so different and unique--it makes things unpredictable and it makes our house so much fun.
*I love that the laundry, the dishes, the cleaning are never really done--what would I do with myself if I actually ever finished them??? Then I would have to start on that long list of things I will do when all the cleaning is done, and who wants to touch that list, not me!
*I love when I'm awake with the baby at 3:00 a.m. and it's so quiet in the house and it's just me and him. I love that alone time to share with this new little spirit. I don't think I appreciated it with my first few kids, but I do now.
*I love the things my kids say--even sometimes when they're bad. It's so funny to me when my toddler says a *&^%&*^ word precisely on cue. It reminds me that they are watching and listening to everything I do and say! (It's only happened a few times....really...).
*I love when my children write me notes like this: "Dear mom, I love you so much. I will miss you when you die, but I will see you in Heaven." Priceless!!! (Erin's mothers day card).
*I love that I have an excuse for the fat around my middle, and I can blame it on my kids and not my bad eating habits!
*I love to hear my children bear their testimony, and know that I had a part in teaching them the Gospel. Those crazy family home evenings where we thought we were wasting our time have actually paid off!
*I love that I have strong-willed children. They will need to be strong to face the temptations in this world, and my children will be able to weather the storm. I think they will accomplish great things with their determination, when they use it for good.
*I love that my kids love each other. Although, sometimes that means they gang up on me.
*I love when my preteens roll their eyes at me--it usually means I'm doing something right as a parent!
*I love to use the T.V. as a babysitter. Don't judge me--Dora the Explorer is a lot more entertaining than I am--and sometimes I need her to take the kids for awhile so I can have a shower or just a few minutes to myself!
*I love to say all of those things that I hated my parents to say to me to my kids. "Life's not fair", "because I said so", "when you're the mom, you can make the rules", etc. I also like to make up my own little gems like, "Are you kidding me??"or "Zip it!" which I say 10 times a day.
*I love to take my babies out of the tub and wrap them all up in a warm towel and snuggle them, they're just SO cute, and smell SO good!
These are just a few things I love about being a mother. I am so grateful for this time in my life--I want to enjoy every minute of it! I want my kids to know I LOVE being their mom, and it makes me proud that I have 6 great kids! Is life crazy? Sure, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Priorities...

I was looking through my photo book from 2010 yesterday, and happened upon this post.  It's funny how you have these moments where you "get it", and then, you slip back into your comfortable routines and you forget again.  Yesterday, with the President's announcement that he was fully supportive of gay marriage (even though I think he has been all along, who are we kidding?), I was really discouraged--again.  We are living in a secular world. So many are lost in the mists of darkness. There is so little of black and white anymore, and so much of gray. We can't get discouraged, and we can't get distracted...there is much work to be done!

Here is the post...   

In May, I had an opportunity to go to Women's Conference at BYU with my mom and sister.  It was a wonderful weekend full of learning, and a great opportunity to be still, and feel at peace.  When you're a mother of 6, I think those opportunities are few and far between!  Sister Julie B. Beck, the general Relief Society president gave a talk there that I believe that every woman should read.  The link is HERE.  It was encouraging, uplifting, and for me, it gave me a chance to look at my priorities, and reevaluate where I need to be as a mother, as a wife, and as a woman of God.  Here is a small part of that talk that I loved:

"With the Lord’s Spirit, weak and simple women can know what to do. I have been to places in the world where women aren’t able to read. They haven’t had the opportunity or have not been taught, but because of the Lord’s power that is placed upon them, the covenants they have made in the temple, and His Spirit that is poured out upon them, they are powerful women. They can discern His will, solve major problems, and feel peace, comfort, and guidance in their lives. Education is wonderful, but being able to feel the Lord’s power and Spirit upon us is the highest education we can achieve. With that, we have power and influence. Without it, we will not be able to navigate in this life. The adversary will pick us off one by one, and we will be drawn off course by the many, many voices that are out there distracting us. With the Lord’s Spirit upon us, we are strong and solid and will be able to walk with Him."

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  Sometimes I feel like a "weak and simple woman", and I don't really think I can make much of a difference.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am a news junkie!  I love reading about current events in the news, listening to talk radio, and keeping up with politics.  The problem I have had, especially of late, is there is not much in the way of good news out there.  It seems that each day, the news gets worse, and more depressing.  Our family has been reading in Helaman lately, and I am stunned how much the scriptures mirror the world that we are living in today.  Wickedness abounds, it is all around us.  Evil is good, good is evil, right is wrong, wrong is right.  For someone like me, who sees the world in black and white, good and bad, it is a frustrating time to live!  Nothing is as it seems, and sometimes I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone!  Last week, when the ruling on Prop. 8 came out of California, it was like a punch in the gut.  I was hopeful that the law protecting marriage had been written in such a way that it would pass constitutional muster, but it was not to be.  Even worse, every article I read on the subject, even on conservative websites and blogs, said that gay marriage is inevitable.  We might as well get used to the idea, and move on.  Comments on social networking sites were amazing to me--most of them "Who Cares"...and "It doesn't affect you...so what's the problem?"  Another scripture that we read last week in Helaman described this perfectly:  "they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws...and they saw that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people...".  This is what is happening today--as we forget God, our laws have become secular, and corrupted. 

Then, last week, while all of this was weighing on my mind, I was doing my own personal scripture study.  I have started the Book of Mormon over again, since I am trying the challenge that Julie B. Beck gave in her talk, and the perfect time to start it was now, since school is starting.  So as I was reading in 1 Nephi, I was reading about Lehi's dream.  Now, let me just say, I have probably read this story 100 times, but a certain part of it just hit me like a ton of bricks, so I wanted to write it down so I would remember it. In 1 Nephi 8:27 it talks about the great and spacious building, which symbolizes the pride of the world-- it says:
"And it was filled with people both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit."
Then in verse 28 it says:
"And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them;  and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost."
Then later in verse 33 & 34:
"And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building.  And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also;
but we heeded them not." 
"These are the words of my father:  For as many as heeded them, had fallen away."

These people that fell away were not just anyone. They were partakers of the fruit.  They were believers--they had made it to the tree of life, and were partaking of the love of God--the ultimate gift.  These were people of faith--who fell away because of the mocking and the scorn of the people in the great and spacious building.  These people were like ME!  I have tasted of the love of God, I have been taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have been baptized, and made covenants with my Heavenly Father in a temple of God.  I know where my focus should be!  The thought came to me--"am I ashamed?"  Do I heed the negative voices that I hear?  Do I let it bother me?  Do I let other people affect me, or my attitude, or my opinions?  If the answer is yes--than I need to change my focus--I need to change my priorities.  Compare those scriptures with this one, that I read this week:
1 Nephi 15:25:  "Wherefore, I, Nephi did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord;  yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things."

The point, for me, is that temptation and evil always has been, and will continue to be a part of this mortal experience.  The scoffing, and mocking voices will always be there, mocking that which is sacred, twisting God's words, making a mockery of that which is sacred and holy.  I believe that these things will continue, and will be even worse for our children than they have been for us.  And while I do believe that I have a responsibility to stand up for things that are good, and true, and right, the thing that we need to learn--and teach-- is that our focus needs to be on giving heed to the Lord, and his commandments--and heeding NOT those who would trample them under their feet.  If our focus is on the Lord, we will be able to feel His love, and have His spirit--and He will carry us through.  If our focus is on the Lord--we can have faith, not fear.  If our focus is on the Lord--we can trust Him, and we can relax, knowing that He is in charge.  I am grateful for that today!

(If you think this was a crazy LONG post--you should've been here for the long family night version that my kids had to suffer through...oh man!)

I'm Burned Out...

So, it's 12:04 a.m., and I'll be danged if I don't have a million more things to do today, but I really, REALLY need to be sleeping!  The last few weeks of school are crazy busy for me.  They always are, with end of the year concerts, piano recitals, end of spring sports, etc.  Not to mention the last projects and tests that need to be taken before the school year is done.  Abby's teacher threw out a zinger of an assignment for the last few weeks of class.  The kids are making a "6th grade memory book"--which means in essence--I am making a 6th grade memory book since my Abby wants it to be cute and darling, and well...special.  Bless her heart, it's not her fault, but can I just tell you how much I hate school projects that are due in the last few weeks of May? Ugh... For me, summer might as well begin after AIMS, because that's about when the kids (and I), stop trying all together, and just hope for the best.  No one wants to get up anymore in the morning, no one wants to study, no one does their homework--and I am sick and tired of reminding them--so I basically give up. There, I admit it. That summer itch is here, and it is REAL, and man am I ready!  What's funny is, if you read my blog come August 1, you will for sure be hearing how I am READY for my kids to go BACK to school!  So summer is great, and fabulous, and amazing, and I can't wait--but lest you think that I would homeschool my children at a moment's notice--I am not a saintly woman.  I can only take them for so long--and summer is just about that long! So 18 days from now, I will be a HAPPY camper, and so will my kids...for a few days.  Then reality will sink in, and I will realize that even though I don't have to deal with early mornings, and homework, and assignments--I DO have to deal with the 6 kids that I brought into this world, and their amazing talent of making a huge MESS of my house, on a daily basis, without any thought as to WHO is going to clean it up!  (Actually, they think about it--they just think that the answer is MOM).  And you know what?  I'm going to try to take a deep breath, and enjoy every minute that we are together, because you know what?  It goes FAST!  Emie is a Junior next year, and Erin a Sophomore, and holy CRAP, they are going to be done so quickly!  Time flies...

Speaking of spring, and recitals--my girls had one a few weeks ago.  I just LOVE our new piano teacher, and so do my girls.  Best part?  She comes to my house--and I don't have to remember!  YAY!  Proud of these girls for sticking it out in piano--even though it's just one more thing their mom fights with them about--and one more thing that burns them out!! We have had HORRIBLE piano recitals--(see that link HERE)--but my children are really maturing (*GASP* Incredible, I know)!  They are amazing, and wonderful, and I love them!