This Girl is on FIRE!!

I have always been intimidated by women soccer players and softball players. They have always come across strong and fierce! I think it is kind of ironic that Shari has turned out to be such an incredible softball player! She has pitched every inning since the season started and has made so much progress from last year!

Last night a batter hit a fly ball off of Shari's pitch. Shari went sprinting to the foul line and slid in to catch the ball 1 inch from the ground. The crowd went NUTS! It was so exhilarating!

 

I like going to the games as a family. Russell enjoys his freedom to wander in and out of the bleachers and mingle with other toddlers. The girls climb the fences and Kevin and I put our feet up! Afterwards, we go out for donuts!

New Toy!

For Easter the kids got a new basketball standard. Kevin and I decided a long time ago that we wouldn't have Xboxes or DS's. We want to encourage lots of activity and cooperation. Now I can't get the kids to come inside the house to get ready for school or for dinner. They are outside playing basketball at 6:00 in the morning. Last night Kevin and Chad were out shooting hoops at 10:30!

I do like how it has attracted all the neighborhood kids. I always wanted my kids' friends to enjoy coming to our house.

We took this picture when the hole was half way dug. By the time we were done digging the hole, the little girls were completely under ground!

Best Mothers Day Weekend EVER!!!

Saturday was packed full of my favorite things. The older kids were in the Mapleton Opening Day Parade. Mapleton City celebrates summer with a baseball kickoff. I got a little teary eyed when the sirens sounded and then baseball players drove by in truck loads. It was America at its best. Celebrating children, baseball, and family. You can get an idea of what a sleepy little town this is by looking at the run down barn behind Shari. Those barns can be found all over the place.

After the parade we settled down and watched opening day baseball. Chad did a great job playing catcher. Kids haven't learned to pitch to a lefty yet. He kept getting hit with the ball.

After the game we went and got pizza and then went to the Linden Nursery. We bought 92 flowers, 24 strawberry plants, 6 pepper plants and 6 tomato plants, and lots of flower seeds.

My favorite part of the day was planting the flowers and looking up to see all my kids running around in the water in their swim suits and laughing and doing cartwheels. Neighbor kids were over and the dog was going nuts! Kevin was by my side planting flowers and pulling weeds. I got teary again!! This was my dream come true. I am truly living the dream!

While I finished planting the last of the flowers Kevin deep fried some chicken for home done chic fil a sandwiches. Shari cooked up some french fries and Abby got the root beer ready.

Before going to bed, Chad said, "Mom, this was one of the funnest days of my life."

"Me too, Chad."

First Pay Day

Pay day was a success! The kids are learning SO many lessons I didn't expect.

Shari: how come Chad made more than me?

Me: chad practices before and after school. If you want to earn the same then you will have to put in more work.

Shari: All the fourth grade teachers make the same.

Me: no they don't. Not all professors are payed the same either. Everyone gets payed differently

Here is another lesson

Chad: Hey! I was suppose to get $2.00 more. I practiced this morning.

Me: did you log it?

Chad: no I was going to later

Me: sorry. If you don't log it you did it for free. Stay on top of your paperwork!

Grandma Griffiths

My Grandma Griffiths past away this past winter. The whole event was kind of a fog because Kevin was out of town and I was so sick with morning sickness. What I do remember was being so proud of my little Chad. My Dad, who is in the Stake Presidency, presided and conducted at the funeral. He told Chad that he would be his councilor for the day. He gave Chad the keys and told him to go around the building and open the doors and turn on the lights.

Doesn't Chad look like a future Stake President or Bishop! Chad spent the entire day at my Dad's side. He didn't leave to play with his cousins or to go off exploring. He stood on his feet and "counseled" with Grandpa. Chad even went up and sat on the stand for the funeral services. He didn't budge an inch. I had so many people tell me what a well-behaved son I had.

At one point my Dad lost his iPad, which had all his notes in it, and told Chad about it. Chad immediately knew where to look. He left the stand, quickly retrieved the device, and had things back in order in a matter of minutes. I think he was truly a helper. I'm so glad my parents are helping to teach my children things I can't.

I think this was the last picture Grandma and I took together. I don't think I got as close to her as some of my cousins did. But I do have some really good memories of her. The one that sticks out the most was the first time I went to the temple. I was nervous and a little weirded out. Grandma had boughten me my temple packet and was there with me. I remember looking over at her and she was so calm. She seemed right at home with everything that was going on. I thought, well, if Grandma is ok with all this, then I can be too.

(Grandma holding Abby at Bonnie's wedding)

Thanks Grandma for having my Dad. Thanks for cheering for the Gospel.

Going Pink

I have had 3 girls and still never embraced the color pink. I did Shari's room in Winnie the Pooh, Abby used Chad's old green bedding. Julie had a blue room with blue bedding. I decided that I am going to go girlie this time! It would be a shame to have 4 girls and never have a pink bedroom.

I found this old dusty thing at a second hand store. I sanded and painted it bubble gum pink. I was so excited with how it turned out that I went hunting through the house trying to find something else to paint. I found an old print of the Savior with a baby. I painted the matting pink and found an old gold frame that I painted heirloom white. I think it turned out so sweet!

I put all of our Golden Back books, Dr. Seuss books and Berenstain Bears books inside.

Just for fun I found this old picture of Shari's nursery. My taste has really changed!

Letter From Abby

Abby wrote a letter to her Kindergrten teacher. She was suppose to tell her what she liked about Kindergarten and what she looked forward to in first grade. The letter melted my heart.

Dear Ms. Anderson,

I like centers. I like math. I want to learn harder stuff to be ready to be a mom.

Love,

Abby