learning and growing

I have learned some things this week
1. As much as you think you are in control of your life, you're not.
2. As much as I didn't like living in an apt. in the city for 6 years, life was a lot simpler then.
3.  It's nice to go on a trip, then you don't have to feel guilty about relaxing.
4. I am not good at relaxing, working is fun for me.
5. What is wrong with me?
6. Taking it easy is not in my vocabulary, and makes me grouchier than keeping busy.
7.  Sisters are the best friends I could ask for.
8.  Cousin relationships are important, no matter the age difference.
9.  Appreciate the NOW.
10.  The most important thing; that I still have so much to learn and it's not always easy.

I have 5 because I want them

I loved this article:
 http://mommamindy.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/things-i-would-never-say-to-a-parent-with-two-kids/ .

While thinning fruit out in the orchard yesterday, (3 little ones were sleeping) I was really enjoying the peace and quiet, these are the times when I really get to think about my life and what is going on.  Yesterday we went into a local second hand store to get some jeans for Brookie and some presents for my sisters' new babies. And yes I took ALL (it's only 5) of my kids with me.  While walking in the door, the lady working the front desk made a comment like, "Wow here they all come, that's alot of them."  I even know her, she wasn't too derogatory, but I still felt a little annoyed at the comment.  So many people have been asking me if we are done having kids and all of those fun questions.  Honestly I find it rude.  When I don't even remember your first name because we don't really know each other what business is it of yours if we decide to have more?  And furthermore why do you think you can ask me that question? Rude.  Anyway after having lots of those conversations lately, I have really been contemplating why we had so many in the first place.  And it all comes down to this: There is not ONE of my kids that I would give up because I have too many.  And life would be empty without EVERY SINGLE one of them in my life.  They are my joy and they are what brings me happiness.  What would I do with only B&B.  Well let me tell you, we would be rich! and have tons of time, and they would be spoiled rotten, they wouldn't ever have to share because she's a she and he's a he.  I wouldn't know what to do with myself while they were away at school all day.  I wouldn't have to prune the orchard with a baby strapped to my back, I wouldn't have to clean the house 50X a day, anyway you get the picture.  But my life would be empty.  Now, there are people that chose or can have only  a couple of kids and that is up to them, but having 5 is also up to me.  And yes people it is by choice.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  While having all these thoughts running threw my head, I became overwhelmingly grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to raise these little kiddo's.  Speaking of which Carson is now awake and screaming upstairs... but hey it is now 7:30 and he is just waking up! Miracle of miracles!  That's my cue....

School is out!!

I always love the beginning of summer vacation.  Not having to get anyone out the door in the morning is just so wonderful.  Not that my littlest sleeps any longer, but now I can enjoy that couple of hours, (yes I said hours) I have with him.  5:30 the little stinker still gets up.  The last couple of weeks have been better, but he is back to his ole sweet early morning self.  So this summer I decided I was going to try something new.  I am not much of a schedule type person, I like to be very...flexible, so I usually have no set plans just lots of work to do.  But this summer I decided to do some homeschool with the kids.  Obviously it has only been a couple of days, but the kids are loving it.  On Sunday we wrote down themes for each week of the summer and what we wanted to study.  This week is cool places in the world. Yesterday we did Death Valley, today Crater Lake and Mt. Rushmore.  Tomorrow the Great Wall of China, and then the VAlley of 10,000 smokes.  The kids came up with these places all on their own and it has been fun.  They have spelling lists, which is kinda hard to find hard enough words for Brooklyn, but super easy for Emree!  We got a world map and a map of the US and put them up in our kitchen.  Anyway it has been lots of fun and hopefully it stays this way!

Brooklyn's Photography

Damming up the Stream

I love that my kids can go outside and think of things to do and play and make and explore.  WE have this little stream that goes across the very back corner of our land, nothing big, but the kids have spent hours playing in it.  Brookie and Brady used their creative juices to figure out how to dam up this stream.  They used a tarp, a dish like stone rain catcher thingy and voila!!! They covered up the culvert as best they could and waited for the magic to happen.  It was so fun watching them go and check on it every couple of hours to see how much water had backed up.  They got the camera and even recorded when they let the dam up.  The water "gushed" out, (not really) but it was pretty fun for them and I love that they are able to do things like this out here.  Some days I feel overwhelmed at all the work there is to do, but this is the reason we decided to move out here.  Along with learning how to work hopefully our kids will also learn how to play together, explore and love the earth that we have been given.

The Orchard

I am always amazed at the beauty of the earth.  What a blessing Heavenly Father has given us to remind us of His love for us.  

WE go from this.....

to this.....

We have loved watching our orchard bud, then bloom and now the leaves are coming on, life truly is a miracle!!  I can almost taste those sweet peaches already!

The Many faces of Carson

Oh how I love this little guy.  He is so much fun! He has  contagious smile and a cute little giggle.  He is pulling himself up on furniture, crawls everywhere and loves to suck on rocks!  His favorite place to play in the house is in the dishwasher, he bear crawls on grass so his knees won't touch it, he is now sporting 25 lbs. and is the life of the party around here! We love you Carson!

 Don't ya just want to squish those chubby little cheeks!

Easter Dresses

I love making dresses for the girls every Easter, good thing each year my sewing skills get a little better! I LOVE how these turned out.  My cute girls made them look extra good!  

random spring break pictures

Here is Carson on our way to Boise, we went and spent the weekend with Ezra and Lindsey.  We went out for dinner for our anniversary, then to the temple the next morning.  It was a great weekend!

Beckett sleeping on the way, he falls asleep in the car all the time!

Brooklyn loves this shot she took! We went down to our neighbors and got a whole bunch of free wood, after we took the fence down, we brought it home and took all the nails out of it. That was a long day, I so love having the kids being able to help now, Brooklyn stuck with me till every last nail was out!  Now they are making me some beautiful garden beds!!

We always call these guys twins.  "Carson say hi to your twin!"

Same eyelashes as Brady, doesn't he look so peaceful, looks are deceiving!

scenery

Brooklyn is getting really good with her camera, here are some awesome shots of the sunset.

She loves clouds!

more spring break

We had a great spring break.  Kayla and Thomas came down for the weekend and we loved spending time with them. 

Kasen, cheese!!

This kid, Layton,  has the funniest facial expressions! He is a ham!

Looking at a worm, fascinating!

Look at Layton's face!

Loving the sunshine!

Layton hunting for a deer with his gun, so cute!

outside

basketball

It was so fun watching Brooklyn play basketball this year.  She did a great job and worked hard