Crazy Life

I'm not sure that words could truly convey the craziness, and emotional past few weeks we (or rather I) have had. We've been making some life changes, particularly with Paul's work, and it has seemed that each new day brought a drastic new change and development (usually for the better, but always leaving us in what seemed like deeper limbo) or DRAMA to say the least! Paul, as always, handles things with such confidence, calm and ease, while I am in the background balling, making lists and crunching numbers and constantly praying for clarity and peace! And here I have always thought I dealt really well with change. I am learning it's a whole new ball game when change affects your children. But meanwhile, these last few weeks have really forced me to take a step back and really count my blessings. And as the saying goes, I really do count my Paul William TWICE!

After many tears, a lot of prayers, constant pondering, and 24 hour talks with Paul I am confident in our future path, while still keeping my fingers crossed :) Sometimes a 9-5 simple job and life seems REALLY enticing.

But....in the midst of all this, THE SHOW MUST GO ON! A mother's work is NEVER done. Don't you fear, the cooking, cleaning, laundry, organizing, coloring, baths, feedings, church callings, entertaining, the works have still pressed forward in an undeviating course.

We have found time to do some fun things, like hang with friends, take the girls to the water parks, splash park, and summer fun concerts! Utah really has SO MUCH to do in the summer! And we are trying to take advantage of it all before the cold winter returns...which I have no doubt will before I know it!

My sweet girls have brought me so much peace lately. I love them more than ever!

We went to a Michael McClean concert...we absolutely LOVED it! Brooklynn was the cutest thing EVER...dancing to his music. He, on stage, asked what her name was and said she is "HOT"...she should come on stage and be his "Pip".

We took 4 of our neighbor girls with us, and Paul and I took a moment to think, "This is what it would be like to have 6 girls!" It wasn't too bad...six kids here we come...and we would love ALL girls...maybe 1 boy!

Brooklynn...the dancing Queen!

Splashing with Daddy!

Brooklynn's favorite friend, Sydney!

After a long, stressful day...can you imagine how sweet and amazing it was to find these two on the couch like this?

Melts my heart and lets me know all is okay.

We have SO MANY amazing blessings.
I am one lucky girl!

45 days

This is my handsome, super talented, spiritual younger brother, Skyler,
who has been serving a mission for
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
for the past two years in Manchester, England.

My countdown has begun.
He returns home to us in just 45 days!
Can't wait to embrace him again,
for him to see how much Brooklynn has grown since he left,
and for him to meet and hold Maylee for the first time.
We've missed him,
but are oh so proud of who he is, what he has been doing, and what he has accomplished!
Finish strong and
Return with Honor
little bro.
We are anxiously waiting!
XOXOXOX.

4th of July Weekend Festivities

What a weekend we have had. It started out with picking up my sister, Shayna Paige, and her friend Halley at the airport. They came to spend the weekend with us before going to EFY this week at U of U.
Then on Saturday we had Krista (Paul's sister), Cale, and kids come to spend the day with us.
We packed up a picnic lunch and headed to our local splash park.
We came home to clean up and rest a little before having dinner at
the ONE AND ONLY,
IN-N-OUT!
Afterward we met up with Steph, Mike, and baby James for fireworks in Provo at missionary park. We did get to hear a little of Carrie Underwood at Stadium of Fire too,
but not enough to really satisfy...oh well.

Then on Sunday we were able to attend the baby blessing of Jaina Tolman, my cousin Pat's daughter and got to spend the afternoon with family.
Later that night we launched our own fire work show in front of our house and played a little Wacky Six with Shayna and Halley.

We were sad to take those two girls to EFY this week...we miss them already!
But it was a great weekend, surrounded by SO MUCH family....
and I absolutely love that!

Tayler and Brooklynn at the splash park.

Trey and B.

Uncle Cale and Aunt Krista were so patient collecting rocks with Brooklynn. She had so much fun with them!

This is Shayna and Halley and in the back left corner a boy we were checking out for them all afternoon...he was cute, but we never could decide if he was there with a girlfriend or not. The verdict was also that he was a teenager, but who knows, he could have been a young, young dad.

Our snugly, sweet nephew Trey...love this boy!

Uncle Cale carrying the rocks for Brooklynn...so nice of him!

Us Californians are just thrilled that we have In-N-Out in Utah now!

Enjoying the firework show!

Aunt Krista and Brooklynn

Tayler and Kye

Our sweet Trey.

Shayna and Halley....too bad we got to the park by the time it was already dark. They couldn't find any cute boys. Although when the show was over, they did get asked to write a missionary getting ready to leave and serve in Mexico.

Swinging at the Tolman's...she had a blast.

Love my little cousin, Bryton, in the corner of this picture, making sure her dress stays down!

Safety First for our own firework show...oh all the girls were impressed daddy!

Love Holidays...
Love them even more when spent with extended family.
And I love and adore my baby sister.
It was such a treat to spend this time with her...something we've not done before, but plan to do again, and more often.
She is a beauty...inside and out!

Speechless

I'm just OBSESSED with this photo and HAD to share.
This is my Maylee 99% of the time.
Love.