YC

Over a year ago when I was leaving the Young Womens program the stake asked me to help with their Youth Conference 2011. That was today. I was in charge of the Humanitarian Service Project. We tied fleece blankets to give to all the local fire stations. We cut, tied and shrink wrapped 180 blanket today. I'll be honest, there were times when I really didn't think we would finish. And I'd be happy to never see another fleece blanket again.

I enjoyed being involved with the youth again. I also {re}learned that callings bring blessings of assertiveness and confidence. I am happy its done.


The stack of completed blankets

Listed

We now have this in our front yard.


This sign gives me a lot of mixed feelings.

{{Excited at new possibilities.}}
{{Nervous about drama and distance and more driving time.}}
{{Uncertainity of the unknown time frame.}}

So basically we really don't have a plan...we'll just see what happens and roll with it. In the mean time we'll keep the house clean and become profiffent weed pullers.

FIRST Bath

It seems like it took about forever for Lucy's cord to fall off. Honestly I think it was all the sibling curiosity and inquiry about the matter that seemed to prolong the event. {{What is that? What is it for? It's gross. Did I have one? When will it come off? Why can't she have a bath now? I do not have a belly button like that.}}

Most of the cord came off on Saturday and yesterday it was completely clear. Green light for bath time!

As always it was a family affair. Little Lou did good and actually didn't scream too much. Everyone else was memorized. :) Truly better than TV.





Lucy also had her 2 week check up today and I am happy to report that she is
7 pounds 8 ounces and 21 and 1/2 inches long. Way to GROW Lucy!

Land That I LOVE

According to Spencer freedom means getting out of jail {or having the choice not to go in the first place!} Freedom is part of the gospel plan. I'm grateful to live in this FREE land.

Kurt came home at noon so we were happy to have some family time. Kurt set up the sprinklers to create THE BEST time ever on the trampoline. There were 2 directly on it and one underneath. Stating the obvious, the kids LOVED it.





Lucy had more important things to do.


The kids were so excited to wear their new 4th of July clothes. {Even Austin} had them set out the night before {cute!}


We went to the parade that afternoon and all the kids will tell you that getting candy was their favorite part. Personally I was glad to have a seat in the shade. I thought these sisters holding hands as they watched the parade, helping each other get candy, was about the sweetest thing.




The start of their candy high

We spent the rest of the evening visit grandparents. We started at the Miles. We made homemade ice cream, blew bubbles and played in the sprinkler {again!}






The kids got so wet and soapy from the bubbles that we turned on the hose to
clean them off...naturally they can't resist the water {or Kurt the chance to tease them.} Needless to say we had to go home to change clothes before we could head to Ontario.

That night we had FHE with sparklers being the activity.






I'm grateful for the FREEDOM to make good choices so I don't have to go to jail. ;) God Bless America.

Eternal

Joleen is my visiting teaching partner. Yesterday she was sealed to her family. She has the most adorable children. And now they are hers.


This is what heaven looks like.

Joleen has one of the sweetest spirits of anyone I've ever met. She is genuinely good and kind and it radiates from her. It is simple and pure. I hope to be more like her. I am beyond description happy that this amazing woman can have this eternal blessing.

The power of the priesthood is real and binding and eternal. How grateful I am for temple blessings that give me claim to my sweet Lucy {and Austin and Emma Lynn and Spencer and Ruth and Kurt.} My heart is full.

Thoughts

I spent some time this week working on publishing my blog a book. It was really fun to go back and reread what was going on in our life. I am so grateful that I started blogging! It is such a fun method of journaling for me and I know the kids will love reading through the books {once I finish them!}

I did notice that I had a lot more posts when I first started...so what it comes down to is that I'm setting the goal to blog daily in July. I know Lucy will grow up before I can blink. I also know I will treasure the extra blogging effort later when I can relive these precious first few weeks of her life.

It seems like when July hits I always have a mid-panic feeling that the summer is almost over, we need to play more!! Summer is like childhood - it goes by way too fast. Since yesterday was the first {and the feeling to cram in as much play as possible hit} we planned a very impromptu bonfire out on our farm.




picture by Spencer

TWO weeks