May

 Change is the only thing you can rely on, but I hate change.

My new thing is not giving into my kids begging for free time, it took them a while to figure out what to do but Colvin and Azalyn made a huge blanket fort. Like the whole front room, I could not even get to the front door. Colvin and Azalyn even slept downstairs on their own in the fort. They used every chair in our house, and because of that we got to eat outside. It was a win win for everyone.

The kids had an art show at school.  Colvin’s grade had done fluorescent paint then did there art room in black light. It was really cool. The last week of school I made it to Colvin’s last assembly He got lots of improvement awards. 

Spiritual: At church sometimes, a question just sticks with you. The question was what talk or comment has stuck with you from church. As I really have pondered that questions more impressions have came to mind.  It is never a whole talk or a whole lesson but a comment or quote. Here are the most prominent ones: When I was in Primary we had a lesson about The Book of Mormon. They said there is not a problem the book of Mormon can not help you with.  We started giving them situations: professional sports player, you have to remember plays, memorizing verses will help your memory. Thought out my life I think how The Book of Mormon can help me now and there is always a way. It might be to fall on my knees or that I am, a daughter of my Heavenly Father.  Another teaching that came to mind, it was after a stake conference, we were coming home, mom started talking about Moses and looking at the snake. She said that looking at it was easy and saying no is easy. She even had us practice saying no!  As I have been in situations, NO is easy, at first, but it gets harder and harder as people keep pressuring and pressing you. Practice saying NO have NO and STOP in your head.  I asked my kids what talks they remember; it was the stories that stuck with them. We talked about what the story taught. Jesus told stories too. I have a hard time with inspiration. One thought, answers do not come when you are on your knees. Answers come as impression or thoughts throughout the day.  We have gotten really lazy with scripture study, we just got busy. We just had to decide to reading every night, late or not. It really does bring a different spirit to our home.

We were finally able to have Denali’s party. We did an outside movie Jurassic Park. It was fun but the movie was really LONG! I read and made snow cones the whole time. Some of the boys jumped in the cold pool (90) 

Dental Appointment: Azalyn did not move the whole time they worked on her teeth, and she had 4 cavities.  Denali was so freaked out with the needle he asked to do it with no numbing. They did and he did not move. He said mom it was a little more painful but worth it not to have a needle.

Greg loves Tumu maybe a little too much: He bought a patio set that we had to put together. The table was not too bad. Then we started on the 8 yes 8 chairs. It was from bad to worse to me leaving. We did get them ALL put together but wow!!!

I have really wanted to connect with my kids better. I had everyone take the love language test. Here are the results: Greg: Words 9 Time 5 Gifts 8 Service 3 Touch 4

Mom: Words 5 Time 5 Gifts 0 Service 11 Touch 9

Denali: Words 4 Time 8 Gifts 9 Service 6 Touch 3

Colvin: Words 6 Time 11 Gifts 4 Service 5 Touch 4

Azalyn Words 5 Time 4 Gifts 9 Service 6 Touch 6 

Greg took the boys to fathers and sons. Colvin had more dirt than skin on him, Denali had a huge smile. The boys did say it got cold. Why the boys were away the girls played. We had 3 little friends of Az come over. We turned on the Tayler Swift movie outside, the girls jumped, danced, swam for 2 hours. At 11 when Azalyn finally went to bed, I did not make it out of the room before she was asleep. I got to laugh and talk with the moms. A great time was had by all.

Summer: I am not sure who was more excited for my kids to be out of school, me or the kids. I want to deep clean and have fun in the water. For the end of school a few families have a water fight at a park. We fill up a cooler with water balloons. The kids have so much fun.  With the kids out of school I am so busy, but I sleep really well at night. I did get a year pool pass; we were talking about having to go 8 times. We went 4 in one week.  Quote from the kids, “mom we have to keep it fair, or the city pool will feel bad.” We moved our tramp so now the kids swim every day.  We are trying to invite more friends over. One day my kids were in the water more than they were out. Issue, Azalyn got 4 ear infections (both ears inner and outer). I did not find out because she stopped swimming, I found out because her ear started leaking and stinking. I did find jelly ear plugs that work really well. We started our summer cleaning, and I did strip washing so GROSS!

Azalyn had a summer tumbling show, they each got to show off a skill. She is good at the bar; she plays on hers every day.

I have been gone LOTS of nights. Greg is soo good at going and cleaning up dinner. I went to a girl’s night for a good-bye. My best friend (really the best family friend) in Arizona is leaving, her husband got orders to Colorado. We are going to miss them SOO much.