~Sunday Drive~Part 4

After we left the Bear Cabin we headed back down by the pond so the girls could see the horses.  They were so beautiful, the weather was getting pretty chilly so the horses had their blankets on already.  While we were petting and feeding the horses you could hear the elk bugling, we couldn't see anything for awhile, then they all started walking over the ridge toward us.  They got pretty loud and there was over 30 elk in the field. They were so big, just an amazing sight for all of us to witness. 

~Sunday Photo~

I know I usually only do a couple of pictures for the Sunday photo, but this was one of those days that every picture was worth posting. 

We had a great day, first with a special Stake Conference, which I will also blog about in the next post.  After conference some friends come over for a little while, we had a great visit! Then we headed to the property we lease for hunting.  It was a perfect Fall day, the Fall colors along the river were amazing. 

We got to see the horses up close, they even checked out the back of the truck wanting food, the girls were able to feed them by hand, it was fun watching the horses in the water,  the pond had so many geese on it. The property isn't far from town, but it feels like we are in our own world.

I love these moments.   

~Blessed~

So much has happened the last couple of weeks that have made me stopped and count my blessing, I have been reminded many times over that my little family is very blessed.

A couple of weeks ago Ward was offered a job, a really good job, but he already was employed and doing really well. He had no reason to accept the job, then he was given another offer and yet another one. At the time I thought it was great to have so many offers and to be employed, when so many are without work at this time.

A few weeks later Ward came home and said they told him there was no work, he wasn't laid off, there was still busy work, but it gave us both time to pause and really look at what the future held. It was time to make some hard decisions.

The first offer he was given was still on the table, he interviewed with the second offer and turned it down. The third offer was a little side job he can do at the same time he does his

full-time job.

Ward accepted the first offer and was very pleased with the agreed arrangements so

he is changing companies at the same time the kids were starting school.

The first week of school was a little crazier then normal with the new schedule to get use to.

After I got home from taking the girls to school, I sat back and took a deep breath, I am so grateful Ward works hard so I can be a stay at home mom. When the girls call I am here, when they need me I can be there, I can take them to lunch, I can be home with them when they are sick, I get to be their main influence before and after school.

Many times I have stopped during the day, overcome with emotion at how very blessed we are. We have work, we have a beautiful home, we have healthy children, who despite all the challenges thrown their way continue to choose the right.

I am very grateful.

I have been blessed.

~School Days!~

It's here again, the first day of school!

It never gets easier, except when I have Ward by my side like I did this year.

I think I have as much anxiety as the girls do about the first day. The hardest part for me is always the drop off. This year with Raychel it was "easier". I dropped her and a friend off, they were so excited and happy to be walking in together.

It helped a little with the empty feeling I get when I leave them behind.

Jolene is a different story.

As soon as we got out of the car she grabbed my hand, as we walked through the parking lot together she talked non-stop about everything. As we walked through the door she held my hand a little tighter. We found her classroom, and her desk, put her stuff away and then she gave me a very tight hug and gave me the look where she isn't sure if she is going to smile or cry. I hugged her really tight and whispered in her ear that she is going to have a great day, that I can't wait to hear all about it and I will be waiting for her to come out after school. She relaxed and told me I could leave now.

I am glad I had Ward's hand to hold as we walked out.

It always surprises me how quiet and empty the house is when they are gone, I can't wait to pick them up and listen to their voices and have them download about their days.

Jolene is in 4th grade, her last year at the elementary school.

Raychel is in the 8th grade, her last year at the middle school.

Simple Joy

I love how the simple things bring the greatest joy.

All this little cutie has wanted the last several weeks was a basket for her bike.

She talked about it, told us what she would put in it, and how it would look on her bike.

She was so proud of her new basket, once we were home we put it on her bike and off she went to see how it worked. She even put her little Guinea pig, Captain, in for a ride.

She couldn't have been happier.

I love how the little things bring great joy!

~Listen to the Little Stuff~

Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff.
~Catherine M. Wallace~

~Thoughts~

I had to stop and reflect this morning as I sit in our quiet home among the loads of laundry, a kitchen that needs to be cleaned and the floor that needs to be mopped due to the spilled lucky charms this morning.

I usually dislike our home when it's quiet, but today I am grateful. I know that sounds crazy, but we have had a crazy month of sicknesses here, so a quiet home means a healthy home.

First, Raychel got a bad case of strep. It knocked her flat for 5 days. She had the sore throat, a cough, fever and the sore body the whole time.

The day she got better Jolene came down with a rash, a crazy head to toe rash.

She suffers from allergies so I thought maybe it was due to them. I took her to the doctor on a Saturday and he thought the same thing. At this time it was on her face and a little on her neck. By Sunday night it was every where.

I took her to our doctor on Monday to learn it wasn't because of allergies so the prescription I bought and had used for the 3 days wasn't helping. Our doctor got all excited because she hadn't seen this rash in years. Kids get vaccinated against it but every once in awhile a case comes around she said.

Jolene had Fifths Disease.

I know your asking yourself what???

It starts out kind of like a cold, cough, stuffy, low grade fever, sore muscles and headaches. I just put it off thinking allergies and she had sore muscles because they did the fitness jog, and she is training for her 5k. Now comes the pink cheeks, I thought sunburn until they didn't getting lighter they got brighter, but by then the rash appears.

The rash lasted about 10 days along with the aches. There isn't anything they can take it just runs its course.

The day the rash disappeared both girls got the flu! I couldn't believe our "luck". I guess if the flu is to come around both at the same time was good.

Today both girls are back to school. And for the first time in over a month I get to pick them both up from school and come home!

I know before I get to comfortable, I am so grateful for our "ordinary days" that tend to get "extraordinary" around the end of the school year.

With only two weeks left, we can do this!

~Gifts~

We have had so much fun making these little gifts for birthday friends. They are so fun and can be made to each birthday girls taste. The are a fun little craft that the girls enjoy making and giving a little bit of themselves away.

~Girls on the Run~

What an amazing activity for young girls, Girls On The Run.   These amazing young girls 3&4 graders train, learn about their bodies, how to be healthy, how to stop bullies, and just be happy with themselves.  At the end of the training they are ready for the 5k run.  Jolene trained hard, and had so much fun.  When Raychel did the run in 4th grade Jolene held signs on the sidelines and cheered us on, she was looking forward to do the run.  The week before she broke in a rash that is aggravated by the sun, heat, and of course stress.  She missed a week of school and was unable to run.  We went to the race and cheered all of her friends on.  We covered her in sunscreen, stood in the shade and under umbrellas but by the time we got to the car she was covered from head to toe with the rash and itching pretty bad. She was glad we were able to watch but she was pretty sad she couldn't run.

~Thoughts~

Promise me you'll always remember:

You're braver then you believe, stronger then you seem, and smarter then you think.

Christopher Robin (Winnie the Pooh)

~Pre-Recital Fun~

Before the recital starts there is so much going on behind the scenes.

Hair, make-up, costumes, and of course hanging out with friends.

This year not only did I do Raychel's hair but our friend Nicole's as well.

(I forgot to get a picture, but she is pictured with Raychel below)
It's always fun to come up with new, fun hair ideas that will hold up for the night.

The girls looked so beautiful.

We took lots of backstage pictures to capture all the fun with friends and other dancers.

Raychel and Sierra

Raychel and Sydney

Raychel, Sydney, and Sierra

Raychel hanging out behind the scenes

Raychel, Sydney, Jazzy, and Emily

Raychel and Nicole