July

I told the kids since the 4^th was a holiday we could have a fun week. I almost died. We went Bowling. The kids are liking it more and more as they get older. A VR car racing game was included with the game card.  NOPE, it was too real and made me sick. We went to a baseball game with free ice pops and bobble heads. Colvin wanted to stay for the whole game. Azalyn went around talking to the teams, came home with 3 baseballs, a cute girl with a smile.

New toys in the summer are always fun. Colvin is getting to big for his kayak. I bought a 2 man blow up kayak. It was really fun in the pool. Our new air pump worked like a charm; it was one of the best purchases I have made in a long time. I bought an electric pump that plugs into the car, it can blow up our paddle bords in ½ the time we can pump them up.  Back to the new kayak, we are really bad at teamwork, and we want to be in the water without sitting in a plastic boat. I was able to sale the kayak and get a new paddle board.  Blessing with life vest. We needed some new ones. Costco and Sams were out for the summer. I happened to look online, and Wal-Mart had an 80% off sale that was online only but stores were honoring it. They also had all their 4^th of July blow up tubes on sale.  After holding my ground and being strong I got everything for the sale price.  We discovered something new in Surprise. Frisby Golf, we also discovered that we are all bad at Frisby. Azalyn just followed us and played on the different playgrounds.

Colvin is all about prizes. He wanted to be part of the county reading program after he got all the prizes for Surprise.  He also listens to part of a book on tape every night. I cut Denali’s hair. He likes it long because he likes his curls, but I am not very good at trimming it. It is an all or nothing thing with mom cuts. Azalyn really wanted cute 4^th of July nails, and she kept them on for 48 hours. I told her I would not redo them if she peeled them off.  

On the 4^th we went to Hurricane Harbor and watched fireworks from the pools when it got dark. Best

way to watch fireworks. Wet and cool. Azalyn thought that the 4^th was the day she got to stay up till midnight. We let the kids stay up till midnight. They had to put themselves to bed. The next morning, we had to cut palm trees. Azalyn had a very hard day because she does not know how to sleep in. The boys were on their best behavior; they wanted to show us they can stay up.  We were able to cut all but 4 of our palm trees. Yes, we did fireworks at our house too. The boys were big enough that they could light them on their own. I love just watching all the crazy. Azalyn wanted to light them, but she was scared of getting burned. Good thing she has 3 heroes that will do it for her.  Then the boys went to see the new Jurassic Park movie at the drive in. The best part for the boys was the dino at the drive in. Azalyn made a whole movie theater in my room for us.  With treats, blankets and stuffies.  The new Zombies 4 movie came out. The kids decided that they needed to watch every Zombie (1-3) movie every day before 4 came out. Yes, they accomplished their goal. I then took the kids again to Hurricane Harbor; it was dead best time to go. I did learn something. Denali is very protective of his siblings, like his dad. Would not let his sister go to the bathroom (I could see her the whole time) on her own.  I set up a massage parlor in my room for the kids. They love it. It actually relaxes me too with the calm and the music.  We went to a Diamon Back game for family night. We took a huge bag of candy to share with the people around us. Azalyn got board and started walking around sharing. The first half was fine. However, by the 9^th ending people were getting wasted. When she went around one more time people started to hand her money. She was kind of embarrassed but happy to have money. Let’s talk embarrassing; I was in Sams, I had walked the whole store and at check out (yes, the kids had been walking with me the whole time) at lady stopped me and let me know that my dress was tucked into my underwear. When I asked the kids, they said mom we did not even look at you. I guess I know how much I am loved.

Church: They asked us why we believe. Me: I am humble enough to know that I cannot do it on my own. However, I have questions or things that are hard for me and that is ok. Greg: He has had too many miracles to deny the truth. His big things are work and then faith. Story: he has been thinking about doing his CFP for a while. He had a talk about exercising work then have faith. That night he got an email about a CFP program and the next day he was sent a great job, but it required his CFP. Guess who is now working on getting his CFP, it is a year program.  We also talked about talents, and I realized I am the mom that my kids need.

K-Pop Demon Hunter- My kids are abscessed. Denali watched it 5 times in one day. I finally sat down and watched it. It has a great meaning about being your best self. REPENT. The music is really catchy. The kids memorized all the words to the songs. The kids just wanted free time the last week before school. Colvin and Azalyn did do one thing. They made a 3d purse with tons of accessories out of melta beads. It is so cute.

Right before school it cannot be calm. We had 3 ear infections. Colvin had a really bad one and one that was just bad. Azalyn even with tubes had one. I had to go and give blood 3 times for the same test. They cannot leave blood out in 100+ degree weather and still expect it to be good.

Back to school. Greg gave each kid a blessing:

Denali 8th: At this time as you are returning back to school your Father in Heaven wishes to make you aware of his love.  He understands the challenges you will face this year. He knows you have found education to be easy up to this point. But as you grow and develop and mature you will be faced with more academic challenges, bless you to have a keen intellect and be able to handle the challenges. Be able to manage your time and be able to accomplish the different tasks that will be set forth by your teacher and others, with extracurricular activities you will be a part of at school. Bless you will find friendship and be able to connect with kids in all your classes and enjoy the relationship you will be developing in your life. That they may have a lasting impact on you and your future. Bless you to find fun and enjoyment in the challenges you will face. That you will be able to overcome those challenges with the support and strength of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father seeks to bless you, you only need to ask. Prayer is something you should start relaying on more and more frequently as part of your study. It is now time to begin your scripture study to understand the words of our Heavenly Father and prophets of the past and prophets of the future through scripture and other magazines and articles about youth. Heavenly Father wishes to bless you with the strength of body and mind to physically do the things you need to do, you will have the energy and stamina to withstand the challenging days, and long days you will experience with school and homework and other activities. Bless you to have enjoyment in all you do inside and outside of school. Blessing you at this time with this and any other blessings.

Colvin 5th – At this time of upheaval and change with your school, this is the blessing I leave with you to connect with your Father in Heaven and develop your faculties of understanding. And knowledge and to find success in your education and in your different classes. To trust in the process to relay on your heavenly father that you will be able to draw close to him in times he is there to bless you as you call upon him in prayer both orally  and through your heart. Bless you Colvin you can continue to make friends that will have a lasting impact. You can develop social skills and develop education and academics. I bless you with a kind spirit. That you can have the Holy Ghost with you. You have the direction and guidance of the Savior and Heavenly Father in your choices and decisions that come about with school.  Bless you to stay healthy and strong throughout the year. Bless you with Fun and enjoyment as you go about your classes, that you will be able to find enjoyment in the challenges you will face. That you will grow and develop as your savior sees fit. Bless you with any other blessing at this time.

Azalyn 1^st. Blessing you to be a bright spot. Have fun and enjoyment as you develop physically mentally and spiritually all through education and school. Bless you with friends that you will look forward to visiting and seeing at school. Bless you to find enjoyment in your class and teacher. That you will be able to relate and connect with those around you. Be your best yourself.  That you can have Fun physically, mentally and spiritually. That you can develop in a way that is pleasing to our Father in Heaven. Bless you that you cannot face the anxiety the world places on your shoulders at a young age. Know school is just a time during the day to develop your abilities and knowledge and know you can and will always come home to mom and dad. Find enjoyment in separation as you develop your abilities. Connect and withstand the world as it lays out in front of you as you grow and develop. Bless you with the spirit of our Savior Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost, that he may be with you, that you will feel of our Saviors love and our Heavenly Fathers love and the love of your father, mother and brothers. You can have a good time honing your skills as you grow in your academics you are working towards.  Know your Heavenly Father is there at any time, just a prayer away and you can say a prayer at any time, we are grateful to have you in our family we bless you with any other blessing Heavenly father sees fit at this time.  

This is the longest that the boys have ever been in one school. I did not cry in front of the kids, I had a very brave excited face till the kids got out of the car, then I lost it on Greg. I don’t like it quiet at home, but I do get to listen to a lot of books. On the 2^nd day of school, I asked Azalyn how the best day of school was. She said mom that was yesterday. I asked her how the 2^nd best day of school was, she said mom we are not doing that every day. I did my 2^nd day of school pictures. We are all going to have a great school year.