A Decade with Master - Happy Birthday Buddy!

I can't believe he is 10!  He may be big but he will always be my baby!

Happy Birthday Master - BIG 10

Brothers

Sport is awesome with Bubba.

It's so nice to have him be helpful instead of screaming "NO" at me!

Until next time!

Bubba was not about to be left out of the pedicure action! Besides being super cute his contribution was stinking the place out (super pooper)...between Sacrament meeting and pedicures the kid has some great timing.

These two are the the best version of friends, cousins, and almost sisters that you could wish for. For weeks Princess has been looking forward to this trip to see KK. The minute we stepped inside the airport co come home I looked down and Princess had big tears rolling down her cheeks because she missed her KK already. I have a feeling this airport picture will be one of many over the next several years.

p.s. Special thanks to Grandma for providing the matching sweat suits and silky sleeping bags for the dolls!

Time for Toes

Pedicure date for the big girls and the little girls

Down by the River

Hooray for getting Friends and Sisters in the same city. How lucky am I??!!!

My BFF moved from Las Vegas to Portland this summer and I am thrilled. Ok I would be more thrilled if she lived across the street from me, but Portland will do. We snagged some time down by the river with Kath and her boys. Thanks Kath for showing us the city! We will be back soon for more good times and yummy rice pudding!

Oregon Green

We found this little hike for a break between Conference sessions. We don't love the fact that Min and Kerry are so far away. But we do like the fact they live in a beautiful place.

Everyone Gets a Turn

Nothing like a little cousin time!

Oregon Playtime with Cousins

Bubba's first time in the pool. Eventually he loved it.

1st Time meeting Grandpa

Bubba is my Dad's 12th grandchild. My Dad wanted to come down for the blessing a few weeks ago, but his health has deteriorated to the point where is was better for us to fly to him.

Trip to Portland October 2nd - 4th

Bubba and Princess both did great on the plane.

Phew!

Hulk-ing Out = Meanest Mom EVER!

Hulk-ing Out!

Do you know the Incredible Hulk?  My friend and hair-dresser Jessica coined the phrase for me "hulking-out" it's what you do when your kids have pushed you over the edge.  Hopefully I don't look as scary as the above picture and typically I am not a yeller, but hulking -out can even be done in quiet tones, there is usually a loud screaming going on in your head and steam coming out your ears.  Long story short since posting 11 days ago about the 'best of both worlds' I found this re-newed drive to be the best I could be at both of my major jobs (mommy and fsc (field sales consultant)).  Why I chose to drive this new drive of determination while my husband would be traveling every week, makes me think I am slightly crazy.  In the last 11 days the majority of them I have felt like 'THE crazy lady'.  This is Indy's busy time of year for travel.  He has been gone anywhere from 2 to 4 days each week.  Monday after work I drove from Dance to Soccer back to Dance to Karate back to Soccer back home back to Soccer to McDonalds and back to Soccer.  Bubba does not do well with lots of car time.  Princess Pie has a habit of deciding she needs to potty at the very moment I sit down to watch the soccer game....and there are no potties at the field where we play. UGUG.  Our Ward  was split last Sunday and we were told if our ward name did not change our calling stayed the same.  I called the new RS pres today to see which Sunday she wanted me to teach. Turns out new RS does not 'desire' me. She kind of released me because she thought I was already released. Whatever.... Bummer, I really liked that calling. I keep telling myself I am not attached to my ward, and the church is true, so it doesn't matter who you go to church with. But in my heart of hearts I am already missing my old ward.  I made it home from work today in time to be the taxi for the after-school activities.  It did not go well... In fact you may see my kids posted in the yard with a FOR SALE sign across their foreheads, just know their mother really does love them, but their father has been traveling and their mother is trying very hard to not HULK out on them. I prayed for strength but alas I did HULK out on Cambridge this afternoon. I did remain outwardly calm the rest of the evening, even when my daughter informed me I am the, Meanest Mom Ever!!!! ...and the baby screamed his guts out between karate and soccer. After fighting through homework and dinner I got them tucked into bed.  Clearly at the end of my rope  I asked them to do 'gratefuls'.  They each said they were grateful for me.  Even Sport, who is usually only grateful for butter, said 'mom'.  Hark the day was not a total loss.  As sweet Sport said our family prayers the tears started to gather in my eyes as I remembered what is really important at the end of the day.