IT’S HERE…

 

“Baby, it’s cold outside…”

Shhh…don’t tell the kids

Yay!  It’s out, 30% off at Target, just the thing to read through Nevada!  I’m going to put a different cover over it so the kids won’t notice.  When I’m done, I’ll let them fight it out…

So excited!

Friends…

I know in my brain that friendship is eternal, but my heart aches when I think that in such a short time, I will not have daily contact with those who have been my family.  My heart aches for my children and their friends.  How can we leave behind what has sustained us, given us joy, and helped us grow and learn?  They can’t be replaced by others.  It is hard to believe that in less than 1 week, my life will be totally different…

Celia and I are such good friends now that we subconsciously coordinate our clothing on Sunday.  (Notice, my new “Miche Bag.”)  We can text each other during Sacrament meeting without really texting because we can read each other’s mind.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

I’ve always loved the above quote.  My friends have always been those who inspire me to be a better person.  I’ve had many in California and my world has become larger.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust

 

I can honestly say that each of my children have been blessed with wonderful friends here in California.  I know that there will be a rebuilding with new friends in Utah, but it will take time.  It will be a season before the laughter and joy resumes.  There will be tears and I will need to comfort them and tell them that I know how they feel, because I do…

I’m counting on lots of visitors so friendships may continue.  I’m hoping that many of Lauren’s friends make their way to Utah for college.  I’m thankful for blogs and email which will keep us all posted on the good and the bad.  This is not going to be a good-bye, but rather a “see you soon.”  I can’t say good-bye…

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.”

See you soon!

I’m knee-deep!

I actually have this in poster size and used to have it on my wall several years ago.  I realized this morning that it IS MUD I’m dealing with right now and that I need to focus on the RAIN in our lives.  Because we have prayed for rain, and it is finally falling.  It also reminds me to be thankful that Heavenly Father is in control of things and His plan is way better than anything I could come up with (even though sometimes I’m pretty convinced I know what’s best).  The answers to our prayers usually don’t happen the way we think they will and I’m good with that.  I’m content to wallow in the mud right now.  “The sun will come out tomorrow!”…(cheesy, I know)

Welcome to Utah—now get lost!

 

Not the right place for Lauren and Cole apparently…

Kirk got a job in Utah!  We are moving…here are the kids reactions;

Lauren-“you are ruining my life…”

Cole-“I AM NOT MOVING TO SALT LAKE, YOU CAN’T MAKE ME…”

Claire-crying

Evan-after watching everyone else cry, why not join in? and then, “I have to leave all my friends, I will be FRIENDLESS…hey, I just made up a word…”  then laughs

That was Saturday night…how long can I patiently endure being hated, not talked to, and being responded to with grunts?  Tune in…it’s going to be a long year…

No details yet, other than Kirk starts the job on August 23rd, two weeks.  We have many decisions to make and many miracles that need to occur, one of which is me not completely losing it with Lauren and Cole.  I AM an understanding and patient mother, I am compassionate and caring, NOW suck it up and deal with it!

Here’s the welcome poster for Kirk:

Onto new opportunities and experiences, new schools, new friends, visits with old friends, AND Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, and COUSINS—Yippee! 

Yes, Life Elevated!

GIRLS CAMP 2010 Find The Courage Within

I love this picture of us.  We all had such a great week at camp!  It was Claire’s first year and despite the LONG days and bugs—she loved it and wants to go again.  This was Lauren’s 5th year—her YCL year (youth camp leader).  She and her friend, Abbey, were YCL’s for Claire’s group.  They were the Lollipop Girls!

 

This is the Craft Shack where I spent most of my week.  I was in charge of crafts for the camp.  This really means I have access to electricity (flat iron) and a mini-refrigerator (keeper of illegal foods for friends), I have lots of free time, I don’t have to get up early to go to devotional or flag, and I can take a little pill to go to sleep at night because I don’t have a cabin-full of screaming girls to try to keep track of.

Here are some of the screaming girls!  They are our ward girls, and really they are cute and sweet.  Each night at ward wrap-up (in the “craft shack”) we were able to visit, eat candy, eat more candy together, and then send them off for their leaders to deal with.

Lauren and Abbey with their sisters.  Aw, sweet!

On Friday the Bishop comes up to meet with the girls.  He is in this picture with the silly girls. 

 

I wish I had a picture of the craft we did.  It was a washer and dog tag necklace that the girls got to pound in the words, “Find the Courage Within", with their names.  This is the outside area of the Craft Shack where the work was done.

Also not pictured would be my deluxe sleeping quarters which include a queen-size air mattress, sheets, quilts, my body-pillow and other assorted pillows to make my sleeping experience as comfy as possible!

I love camping!!!

And, we’re off…

 

Full speed ahead, I’m afraid.  The new school year has begun.  I wish I could slow down time.  Summer went by far too quickly.  Here’s the traditional picture:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cole-9th grade, Evan-5th grade, Claire-7th grade, and Lauren-11th grade (oh, my heart hurts).  Cole is a freshman at the high school this year…he is a lucky freshman because he has a cute older sister who drives him to school:

Here they are driving away.  Lauren was disgusted with me for taking this:

Here are my babies:

Yes, Evan is STILL wearing the “Champion” hat that used to be worn by his Great-Grandpa Gibbs.  And, Claire, my little fashionista, is sporting a new ruffle-flower bag, otherwise known as her “backpack.”

Too bad I don’t have a picture of the happy mom left behind with no one to keep me company, except for Shorty, that is!