2016

Sea World! It's such a fun place, what makes it better is going with homeschool friends who get in for FREE for education. Of course there is stuff to learn and explore, but when you can go on a ride over and over and over again with NO LINE, it just doesn't get any better!

And it's also the best day when Grandma and Grandpa want to take you to Disneyland with your favorite cousin. Then they spoil you with matching hats and all you can eat churros. We only like to go on the small rides for little guys. Our favorite is Small World.

2015 Second Half

Summer always comes to an end. Except for us, school starts right when summer is heating up for the better. Middle of August and we are back at it. We love our lazy summer days visiting pools and the beach. Eating ice cream and late night movies. Yet we still get excited for a routine. Starting a new school year with new teachers and classmates is always fun.

 Dillan is in his final year of elementary school before heading to middle school. 

Mrs Papagolos is his teacher. 

Leah is in 3rd grade with Mrs Walker.

Drew gets to go to PreSchool with Ms Janae.

And Lexi gets to hang out at home with mama. She likes it when everyone comes home. 

It's no fun with just she and mom.

And Leah turned 8 in September and chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her Grandma Donna picked out her baptism dress. 

She had a fun photo shoot with Darby McDowell at Harveston Lake.

Leah has a budding testimony of her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She is always trying to Choose the Right and make good choices that she knows will bring her happiness. We are so proud of her! She is the sweetest big sister, a great helper to mommy, she loves to sing, dance, cook, act, and read. We love our Leah Toots!

2015

A new year. Fresh start. Adjusting to life with 4 active kids. I used to have some control. I never understood how people claimed to be so busy, I never felt overwhelmed with my life. And here I am. Living that life.

It's crazy.

Days are hectic. 

Blurry.

But everyone is happy.

Everyone is healthy. 

We're figuring it out.

It's messy. But it's working.

Drew turns 4

I feel as though I've turned a corner. Knowing that I will not be having any more kids. I am completely happy with what I have and totally content knowing my baby making days are over.

That time has past.

Now I enter a new season and focus on raising these small humans. 

I wonder what kind of adults they will become. 

What exactly do I hope they learn from me?

Do I want them to learn from my mistakes?

Knotts Berry Farm

Isn't it okay for them to learn for themselves?
I'm sure everyone has to eventually figure those things out themselves.
But I worry what will happen to them after their trials.
How will they come out of the hard things?
Will they be stronger? Wiser?
Will they be able to look back and know what they have learned and WHO they can put all their faith and trust?
Do they know who their Savior is?
Exactly what can I possibly teach them without their own experience?

I've heard my Grandma say "They are born who they are." I can try to influence who they are and what I want them to become, but they ultimately are their own people. They will make their choices, find their own paths and all I can do is watch.
Watch and worry.
Watch and be proud.
Watch and cheer them on.
Watch and pray.
They will be an eternal burden to me, even when they no longer live in my home.

We are set up in families, so it must be part of the design.
I teach them. On purpose or otherwise.
I learn from them. Willingly or not.

Life is so crazy.

Life is so good