Girls Weekend '11

Girls Weekend Out was able to take place once again due to awesome hubbies, and the fact that Steven is not yet in fellowship. Our five days together were spent shopping, eating, and laughing, followed by more shopping, eating, and laughing. With my Dad gone Mom often gets lonely and I'm so grateful for a husband whose willing to hold down the fort in hopes that his wife can head her direction and fill part of that void.

When my Dad passed away is when Steven and I began looking at life from a whole different spectrum. Perhaps that's how it happens with most people. Someone you love passes from this life to the next, or maybe they get sick, and whether they recover or return "home" you have instantly learned a valuable lesson about life. To live each day for all it's worth, and while living those days, to be grateful for the little things. A home, food, healthy children, the sunset, freedom, a car that runs, sunshine, hot water etc.... It doesn't mean you miss them any less. My heart often drops as I pass grandchildren being chased at the park by grandpa or watch them read stories in the library. I have to remind myself to have faith. Faith can build on either side of a spectrum, whether something miraculous happens or when things don't necessarily go the way we had thought or hoped. The miracle I believe comes when your heart knows with an absolute certainty that no matter what happens in this life, everything will work out...everything will be alright.

Dion's, of course.

ABC bakery cake, of course.

Mexican Food, of course.

Mom making the babies quilt.

Since we don't find out gender she makes a blue and a pink.

The blue is finished so now on to the pink, but I'm not allowed to see.

Super Seven

Kadyn turned the big seven this past week. She followed in her sisters footsteps and had her first "friend" party on the weekend, followed by a family party on her actual birthday. Once again we entrusted the wonderful people of Gymnastics Plus to worry about all the details and once again it was some of the best money we've ever spent. It was especially nice to have both parties planned due to Haley J coming down with croup the day prior to Kadyn's friend party. Steven was able to keep her at home knowing that a few days later we would still have the chance to celebrate Kadyn's big day together as a family. Kadyn has a tender, sweet spirit, with just a twist of spunk. She brings such joy to our families lives and we are so very grateful to have been blessed with her!

This is what Kadyn has to say about herself at age seven:

I Love....

...my new Scooba! Steven gave this to me for Christmas and I will honestly admit I didn't think it would be something I would utilize. I am a creature of habit and LOVE my swifter jet mop with scented pads and wet jet action. Scooba however has stolen my heart and not only mops my floors to perfection but offers 45 minutes of pure entertainment for the kiddos. He makes his way all around the kitchen floor, goes around any furniture in his way, and, knows when to stop when the stairs drop off into the living room.

...how much these two kiddos love each other. Five days a week they play, read, paint, sing, and color together until it's time for lunch. As lunch begins they grab their sandwiches and enjoy a cartoon while snuggled up on the chair. It will be interesting to see what Haley J does when Thatch heads to school in the Fall with his older sisters. Hopefully she will enjoy "ruling" the roost for the seven hours they are away.

...these two crazies. Haley's personality is fun and goofy and her facial expressions bring us to tears of laughter.

Why Didn't I Think Of That?

Steven has always had a way of teaching our kids various life lessons in a fun and unique manner. While kind and gentle, when it comes to learning, cleaning, or every day tasks my mind is very "one tracked", very focused. Steven on the other hand can take an every day task and turn it into a fun filled time for everyone.

For example, Ryley is currently learning her multiplications. I would have just sat her on my bed and gone through flash cards until she had it down. Steven brilliantly makes a chart for each kiddo, offers rewards, and plays various games throughout the week to teach ALL of them their multiplications. Why didn't I think of that?

Then there's bedtime. We have our normal family routine of all the nightly essentials, after which I just assume a nightly ritual of the children climbing into their beds and being kissed goodnight by Mom and Dad. This is a frequent occurrence, however, Daddy in all his cleverness remembers to shake things up once in awhile and throws in games like "Tag to Bed". That's when you run around the house free from bedtime until Dad tags you. A short game before bed that's not necessarily essential? Yes. A game that the kids talk and giggle about for days following? Yes! Why didn't I think of that?

Finally there's cleaning. Oh, cleaning. In my mind this task is either easier by myself or.........well, it's just easier by myself. When we have destroyed the house over a weekend and Saturday night I begin to clean up, again, not only does Steven enlist the entire family for reinforcement but he also thinks to put a "spin" on the whole dreary idea of cleaning. He literally "enlists" the kiddos and as drill sergeant and soldiers they all work together as a team to clean up various rooms with time limits and penalties included. The kids eat it up and have such a fun time taking their cleaning seriously, a lot better then if Mom had said, "go clean your room". Once more, why didn't I think of that? I often commend Steven for his cleverness. He say's that's what makes us such a perfect team - my drive and his ability to make it fun. I'd have to agree 100%.

Baby Ballard #5

It's a...............................big baby! Once again the element of wanting to be surprised won out. I stared at the wall most of the time. Steven took his chances since watching them find and measure various body parts was exciting to him. The tech did great however and by the end of the hour even she was not aware of the gender! Thus far this baby appears to be very active, favors my left side, and teased the tech by refusing to show his or her backside and spinal area until the very end. I think the baby was just trying to be modest. :)

Vacation Jubilation

Christmas break was amazing. Two weeks visiting family and friends in Utah and Denver has left us with grateful hearts for such wonderful moments with our loved ones, and, very depressed youngsters who long for more time with their cousins and grandparents. I guess vacations wouldn't be so meaningful if they were the constant in our lives, however, I must admit it's both sad and difficult to return to ones everyday routine. I was pondering this, with thoughts of sadness, on our drive home and then something happened. As I looked around the car at my sweetheart and our dear children my heart filled with gratitude. As sad as it is to leave fun moments behind, if I am with the 5.5 individuals that surrounded me in that van, I am happy and I am home.

New Years never tasted so good thanks to Kathryn, Rachel and Mom Ballard!

Our final day was spent tubing at Brian Head!

It was awesome!

Aunt Julia made us these travel bags for our trip home.

We were SO excited!