Ruth's 4th month

On Saturday Ruth turned 4 months. Here's my baby girl grown' bigger & cuter & sweeter.

Our First T-Ball Season

Last Monday was our final t-ball game. I say "our" because I was Austin's t-ball coach this year. The irony of it all! I still have vivid nightmares of my own t-ball days (I hated every second of it!) So needless to say I was very much out my element but the things you do for your kids! My friend Marji and I did it together. The original idea was for our husbands to coach...since they wouldn't commit we stepped up to the plate. She was the athlete and I was the cheerleader. It all worked out. On Saturday they had a end of the season party at the park with lunch and awards.

Austin made lots of improvements by the end of the season. T-ball doesn't come very naturally to him. A lot of it has to do with his age and lack of skills. I feel that Kurt and I haven't done a super job to prepare him. We haven't gone out and played catch with him very often. Most of the time he doesn't want to. He'd much rather do Legos, or checkers (a new found interest that he is naturally good at.) He had fun and wasn't concerned about his lack of ability so it shouldn't matter to me. I know Austin is great and I want him to excel at EVERYTHING he does. We all have different talents and strengths. It was fun to share our first newbie season together!

This picture made Kurt laugh, you can tell Austin and I are related by our cheesy open mouth
smiles. lol

Family Service Night

Vale had a city wide clean up last night. They have a week long rodeo in Vale every year for the 4th of July (I've never been - I'm not that country yet!) So as a family we walked through Vale, picked up trash and pulled weeds. The kids did such a great job even though it was hot and we walked quite a ways. I was so proud of them.

One of the goals Kurt and I set when we first got married was to have a family service project every month. Since we've moved to Vale we haven't been very good at keeping that goal. Last night reminded me of it and the reason why we set the goal in the first place. Service feels FABULOUS! I want my kids to know from experience the joy of service. And what better way to spend some quality family time.

I am rededicated in my efforts to find monthly service projects for my family. You should try it!

Disappointed

I went to the movies tonight with friends. We went to a movie against my better judgment. I knew this actor would not be clean. And I still went. Within the first 5 minutes I should have left the theater. And I didn't. I was uncomfortable and physically sick by the time the movie was over because I didn't have enough courage to stand up and leave. I am so disappointed in myself. Especially with friends who needed my example and strength. That I obviously lacked tonight. I have let them down and myself. And my Heavenly Father. I pray they will forgive me.

I have a lot of work to do to become that stellar person I dream of...

Breakthrough

When I was 12 my eyesight started to fail me. For the next four years I wore glasses until I convinced my parents I was responsible enough to wear contacts. I hated wearing glasses with a passion. I felt insecure, weak, ugly & like a total geek. It was such a relief to have contacts and to feel like "myself" again. I'm currently 28 years old and until last week I would still feel insecure, weak, ugly and totally geeky anytime I had to wear my glasses. It seemed like my whole personality was hidden behind those glasses. How come I wasn't strong enough to move pass the teenage insecurities every time I had to wear glasses as an adult?

It was how the glasses made me feel when I wore them.

When I was down in Utah I had a new eye exam and brought brand new specs. Glasses have changed in the past few years, they've become cute and trendy. That was definitely in my favor. Due to the lovely allergy crisis in Vale this week my glasses have gotten a lot of use (EVERY day for a week - that's major for me!) I even wore them to church today and I felt PRETTY & CONFIDENT! I was myself with specs on. This is very noteworthy in my life, a major break through from geekiness!

This picture is dedicated to my super sister Karen (a.k.a. Sister Richards!) who is the queen of funky self portraits.

Instantly

I was looking at pictures of our family vacation to Florida this afternoon. I had to do a double take of one of the family pictures, someone was missing. I counted, there were only 5 & realized I was still pregnant with Ruth at the time of the vacation.

In 6 days she will be 4 months old. In the scheme of life that is such a short period of time but it is amazing how instantly a baby bonds to your heart string for eternity. How you can't remember life without them and your family didn't seem complete. Sweet pieces of heaven.

I hate to say it but Ruth is growing up on me. She loves to have a blanket and snuggle up so deep you can't find her. She held (& played with) her first toy this afternoon. She loves to be with everyone & adores her siblings (its a very mutual feeling.) She is constantly smiling and sweet natured (except when it's time to eat.) Ruth loves to take showers with me, it is very soothing and relaxing for her. She coos and talks almost the entire time. I've been putting her in her crib to sleep this week (because my allergies where so bad) and she has slept through the night ALL week! Awesome (she was only getting up once when she slept with me so there was never any complaining on my part.) I just want to snuggle her as long as I can.

I could go on and on. For all its pain, trials, exhaustion, heartache and guilt motherhood truly is DIVINE, glorious & pure.

Allergic

This allergy season has been kicking my butt! Ever since we got home from Utah last week it has been miserable. Blisters on my eyes (contacts are not even an option! I'm am SO grateful I got new - cute - glasses in Utah. I'll have to take a picture when I can actually put make-up on again. Kurt is just as miserable as I am. We are such a great pair! I just keep telling myself, one more month, you can make it for one more month.

Hey, I can do anything with an end in sight!

Pictures from Utah

The Dinosaur Park in Ogden, Utah


The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, Utah


Hill Air Force Museum Roy, Utah


Tauphus Park Zoo in Idaho Fall, Idaho


Sister Karen Richards enters the MTC Provo, Utah

1922 Graham Blvd

After living in Vale for 2 years we are buying a house! This is HUGE! It has been "the talk" (house hunting) since we moved here. Should we buy or build? And for the first time in our marriage we weren't on the same page. We continued to explore all options. We heard through the grape vine that someone in our ward was moving (I liked their house, location, etc..) so I talked to them at church and they said come out at look at it. We did (on my birthday) and it felt like we were coming home. I could see the kids playing in the yard, and making up jokes at the dinner table. It felt comfortable and I could SEE us living there.

So after some drama (there always has to be some) we signed on the house last week when we were in Utah. Our closing date is July 17 with move in date 10 days later.

I never thought a house would bring a simple joy. I'm excited for more space. I'm excited to have our own space. I'm excited about the location. I'm just plain excited!

But with that comes worry - The business is still fairly new, is it the best time to buy? And it has a permanent feeling to it...

But here it is: 1922 Graham Blvd!

Home

We pulled back into Vale around 11:30 pm tonight after a FABULOUS family vacation. I say FAMILY because originally I was going to do the whole trip by myself (and the kids of course!) But Monday Kurt surprised me and said he had things arranged at work and he was coming too. WOW, this was huge to spend time together as a family away from Vale for multiple days at a time. I honestly couldn't ask for anything better. I have an amazing husband - he is so good to me. I know I take for granted everything is does for our family. It truly meant the world to me that he came with us.

The kids were amazing on the trip - our total drive time was 20 hours over the course 5 days & they did super. Even Ruth who is known for hating her car seat. We played all kinds of memory & "I SPY" (a family favorite) games on the way home. It helped the hours pass quickly but the memories won't fade any time soon.

But more insightful that anything else on this trip I realized that Vale really was home. As we were down in Utah I realized how much I missed the quiet, peaceful nature, the simple way of life and the focus (most of the time) on all things important. And today as the trip came to a close I was ready to come home - to Vale. So what this really means is that I'd better stop trash talking my home town (that still might take some time to get use to hearing!) I can no longer blame my bad days on Vale. It's time to own up!

So just for memory sake I have to write this down...............................
(don't feel inclined to read it - IT'S FOR THE "R" Crew!)

I'm going on a trip and I'm taking...Austin, a Ball, a Cat, a Dog, a Elephant, a Fish, a Goat, a Hat, an Igloo, Jam, a Kite, a Llama, Money, a Nickel, an Ostrich, a Pivot, a Quarter, a Rabbit, a Snake, a Teddy Bear, a Umbrella. a Van, a Wagon, an X-Ray, a Yo-Yo and the whole ZOO!

Dinosaur Mania

Last night we took the kids to the dinosaur park in Ogden. It was a kid friendly museum that continued outside to be a dinosaur park. Austin is obsessing dinosaurs lately. His fifth birthday carried such theme. I searched the Boise area for something like this but could never find anything. It doesn't matter because we found it last night!

Our kids where in nothing short of dinosaur heaven. The excitement ran high as they ran from exhibt to exhibt. Austin was constantly checking the map to make sure we didn't miss a single inch of the park. We left the park when they kicked us out for closing. Austin immediately wanted to know if we could come back tomorrow. We have found a winner! When we got home Austin jumped out of the pick-up and ran over to me. He gave me a huge hug and said, "Thanks for taking me to the dinosaur park!"

It is a sweet joy to see your kids so excited.
(I'll have to post pictures when I get home.)

Adieu

I had to part with a dear friend this afternoon. I took my sister Karen to the MTC. It was a very surreal experience. I'm sure going to miss that girl. I haven't decided why but it sure was hard to say good-bye and send her on her way.

I'm so glad I made the trip down. It was wonderful to be in the MTC with her and put her name tag on for the first time. To walk down the hall as the missionaries called, "Welcome Sister Richards!" It was such a sweet spirit. I am so proud of Karen and the decision she has made. She is going to be an AMAZING missionary!

I LOVE you Sister Richards!

Don't Blink

So I'll admit it, I'm a country music fan. I didn't think it would ever happen to me but I finally gave in after living in Vale for 7 months. I guess I had to BE country before I could appreciate country. There are so many great songs with meaningful messages.

A current fav is called "Don't Blink." It talks about how life passes by so quickly, before you know it your babes will all be grown with families of their own. If you blink, you'll miss those sweet, precious moments.

This song totally sums up my feelings currently. I'm having terrible growing pains as my baby ventures off to kindergarten in 2 short months. I know this will change my family dynamics FOREVER. I'm not ready for that. But honestly, I probably never would be. He is anxious to go and I'm excited for him as he starts the next stage in his life but it is terribly bittersweet. Before I blink my baby Ruth will be on that yellow school bus along with her siblings. It all happens too fast. I wish I could keep them safe at home forever...sigh....and yet I know it's not the master plan. They need to go and learn for themselves. Who knew cutting the apron strings was so hard. I need to find a way to get a grip!

And then I wonder, have I done my job? Is he ready to go? Have I taught him what he needs to know? Really only time can answer those questions.

Hershey Track Meet

We took the kids to the Hershey track meet on Saturday. They let kids from 1 - 8 participate. Emma Lynn wanted nothing to do with it but the boys were excited. Austin and Spencer did the long jump, soft ball toss, & raced in the 50 meter, and 200 meter. Austin also did the 400. It was so cute to see all the little kids out there running as fast as their little legs could carry them. Spencer was especially cute.

Austin got 6th place in the 50 m & participation ribbons in all the other events.
Spencer got 4th in the 50 m & 1st in long jump and soft ball throw.

It's funny but I got a little bit nervous each time they started a race. I wanted them to do well, to feel confident and successful and to have fun. Luckily they didn't feel all that pressure and just ran. Oh, the simple joy of youth.