Swimming

Traditions - I'm all about starting new ones....but this one is actually quite enjoyable, at least I believe the kids enjoy it. I know that I do, and any chance that we can all hang out together I'm all about!
Every Sunday we've been heading down to Grandpa Timothy's house to swim in his pool. It's not a very big pool, but big enough for the kids to horse around and have a good time together. It's also heated, which is pretty cool too!
Their is water fights, splashing, kicking, punching, racing, diving, and all around good times. The kids (Cody) are even mastering back flips and front flips off of the side of the pool. Scare me to death..pretty intense! I'm really hoping that the kids are building life-time memories, that they'll one day look back upon and laugh or enjoy pondering over. Quality time with one another, who could ask for anything more!

Easter Egg Roll 04/23/2011

Trying to bring back an old tradition....the Easter egg roll!
Years and years ago, not even joking, it has been years, Joycelyn started a tradition of an Easter egg roll each Easter. She would boil dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of eggs. We would then walk across the street from dad's house to the Pleasant Grove Jr. High and up the hill by the track at the back of the school. And this is where it would all take place!!
We would all stand at the top of the hill with a hard boiled egg in hand. On your mark, get set, and Roll! Each of us would throw or roll our egg down the hill. Whoever had their egg go the farthest would win. It was really fun - and the boys (Bryan and Dale, and whatever other boy was present) would usually win, only because they could throw further than us girls. It was a competition that everyone enjoyed.
And when it is warm out, as soon as the eggs start bursting from the throwing, we would be attacked by Seagulls....One would show up and then sooner or later dozens of the birds were flying all around us! Free food, can you blame them?
So today, Emily had arranged for another egg roll, it has honestly been years since we've had one. Probably since Joycelyn passed away, it was her tradition.
We really had a good time. Unfortunately Bryan and Katy didn't make it to the roll, Bryan wasn't there to defend his title that Dale swears is really his! Who really knows who the final winner was the last time we rolled. This year however, Tyler took the lead and is the new champion. Holy cow that kid has an arm on him! Wish he would get into sports, he's a natural!
The weather wasn't really cooperating...it was cold and a little rainy. The only advantage to that is that only 1 Seagull came to gather broken eggs. We didn't have to be on the lookout for flying bird poo, Thank Goodness!!!
The kids really enjoyed it and had a good time. Everyone was laughing and joking - it was a great time hanging out with the family. To top if off...everyone got their fill on hard boiled eggs!

The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without,
the more significant and the higher an
inspiration his life will be.

-Horace Bushnell

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.

Then They Do

I brought children into this dark world because it needed a light that only a child can bring.

The love that I feel for my children is beyond any imaginable feeling. They bring me such joy and hope. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that I have to be their mother, it is truly a gift to be able to spend time with them and enjoy their sweet spirits. I can never express to them how much they mean to me, and I thank the Lord that he thought I was fitting enough to have them in my life. I cannot honestly imagine my life without each and every one of them.

In these moments following a phone call or a text message I wish that I had a place I could escape to. A place that I can cry and let it all out. I need to be strong for my kids, I don't want them to see me fall apart - it's in times like these that I have questions. Mostly about the church.
For so many years I have longed for it to be a part of my life as well as my families. Growing up with the church in my life it seemed like it was the only way. I wonder sometimes now.
How, if the church is right, can a family be destroyed over it? When I"m told that the church is the sole reason for a divorce, what am I supposed to feel?
The guilt I feel is almost unbearable, suffocating even at times.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown