for baby v

Today we took beautifully pregnant Madie to lunch. The expectant wanted pasta. We showered her with touches and gifts. We then let her return home and sleep after taking the red eye from Vegas.
Madie will make a wonderful mom. We can't wait to hold and love and squeeze little V.

My mom spent days sewing and crafting one dozen soft, squishy eggs. They were darling. Her daughters reminded her that she never spent days crafting soft, squishy eggs for the 1st grandchildren. And THEN she even finished a hand pieced quilt and gave it to embryo V. Another item never slaved upon with Grandma Jill's hands. GREAT Grandma Jill pointed out that it's a pretty big thing to be a GREAT Grandma. And I guess that's right. She deserves the title and the option to craft darling gifts by great hands- handed to great, grand babies.

time out

Lana's version

Noah's version

grandma shelly

Lana was the only child awake. I think she was pleasantly surprised that Grandpa let her actually do this and that we let her stay up. First there was the blush. And more blush. And more blush.

Then there was the eye shadow.

And then there was the mascara....on the mustache.

And then the hairspray and headband came out.

She was in heaven.

Lana: "Introducing Grandma Shelly!!"

home

I'm home. No matter where I live, or for how long, Arlington is home. And it's a pleasant feeling to return. Lana and Noah only want to see Napoleon, the beloved cousin, I mean beloved pet dog that belongs to Micah. (Do you think my children want a pet?)
Betty, the resident evil cat that inhabits my parent's home, is another story.

This is the cat that everyone wants to love and snuggle and pet. But, Betty "Evil Cat" Bear, DOES NOT LIKE CHILDREN. She's a quite perceptive cat. She is able to determine if the ankle passing by is attached to an adult or to a child. The children get scratched. Lana made me carry her to the kitchen today because Betty was lying near the kitchen door. Noah's toe is bleeding because Betty attacked. All I have to say about Betty, is she's a fat cat. Every time I come home, she's gotten fatter. Maybe the children need to keep feeding her and then she wont be able to move, therefor, unable to attack. Problem solved.

a little over 6 years ago, chris and i packed our house and moved a little bit further down south. our destination was south carolina. it's always a tiny bit scary to leave a home and find another. but, we did it and we survived and that first sunday we found our second "home."
our chapel is set off of a main highway sort of nestled behind a few trees. it's somewhat hidden. about a year ago an eagle scout built a sign closer to the road, displaying more visibly, the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints - visitors welcome.

that first sunday was the first sunday of the month, and we sat there with our little ones and heard the voices. two particular voices we heard belonged to brothers (one was the eagle scout mentioned above). i sat there and listened to the young boys bear testimony of heavenly father and their love for their family.

and that's when it hit me. that's when i knew what it felt like to be my mother. growing up there was a particular boy or two in my ward that she wanted me to marry. she would always lean over and whisper in my ear what she wanted from me. and of course, i didn't agree. but that sunday, i sat there, and i knew my daughter needed to marry one of these boys. it had to happen. not only were they handsome, they loved their mother, and their father and they love god and they loved the gospel and they spoke this knowledge with a conviction and spirit that touched everyone.

since that sunday, when we talk of these boys or this family, it's always with praise. the mother and father are an example of motherhood and fatherhood. their boys are good. they do good things. they bless the lives of others. the mother teaches my children primary songs. the boys include my son and make him feel loved and liked and important. the one son my daughter's age has yet to see her hidden assets and outer beauty, but he is on her email list and that makes my heart happy.

i was always impressed by the father of these boys, who later became our bishop. he was tall, and handsome, and strong and his love of the lord was visible. this man was black and white. what you saw was what you got.

last night, after a long battle with a brain tumor, the father of this family passed away.

for over a year we have tried to serve. we have prayed for miracles. my children have prayed for miracles. and in doing these things we have all become a little bit more christlike. more like this great man.

he will be missed. greatly missed. but his love of the lord and his example of service, will always be seen in his boys.

Noah: "Hey look!! It's a chocolate chip statue!"

powhatan: day 2

I woke early. It's always a pleasant pleasure to be the first awake. Not the first to wake before Grandpa. He's already unloaded the dishwasher and taken the trash out, and gone to the store...I'm talking about being first awake before all the little ones. It usually only lasts about 30 minutes, but it's a treasure I enjoy. Chris left to go cat fishing and I read the paper until Noah arrived.
Noah: "Is Grandma still asleep?"
Me: "I think so."
Noah: "In her bed?"
Me: "Yes..."
Noah gets a huge smile on his face, he backs up as far as he can go, prepares his arms in the ready to run pose, and takes off as fast as he can to jump into bed with Grandma. I think Grandma was waiting.

The rest of the day was spent on the zip line, in the paddle boat and playing darts and getting in the water and squirting each other with the water guns. Chris and I took off for a bit and looked at houses.

When we got home, everyone was waiting for Chris to get the inflatable island ready to use. After a bit of impatient waiting...the island was ready.

after

Chris tied the island to the paddle boat and paddled everyone to the middle of the lake. It was a bit funny to see a paddle boat filled with one adult and 4 kids, tugging a huge, round, plastic raft.

A bit worried after untying the rope attached to the dock.

After that, of course there hasn't been enough goings on, so the fire pit is readied and the left- over fireworks are placed in the bottom and the kerosene is lit and we wait. And wait. And wait. The fire starts pretty quickly, but it also dies pretty quickly. And no fireworks explode.

far away and hiding from the fireworks

So, the other side is lit and the fire grows and everyone quickly moves far away because we have no idea when, or where the explosives will burst. Of course Noah was the first to hide. He was nowhere near the pit. The only dissapointment of the day: No S'mores!

powhatan: day 1

We arrived in Powhatan on Wednesday. I think it was about 6:30 in the evening. After traveling for 7 hours, it's always a much anticipated arrival. The children practically hurdle one another, trying to be the first out of the car. The rain was falling, so Grandpa had the umbrella waiting.

After hugs and kisses, the 4 "rugrats" (Grandma Jacqui's moniker) scamper. Ceily usually lays claim to her bed. Eddie stays with lingering hugs. Lana and Noah travel downstairs to un-shelf the toys. Eddie begged for darts. A huge hula hoop was waiting, and everyone played.

Grandma wove a tale about what was waiting for the following day- An inflatable island for the lake. New darts. Fires in the pit. Fishing.

We finally got everyone to sleep. I'm sure dreaming of the days ahead...

surfer boy

We all have a bit of a sunburn because today we spent the entire day at the beach.

My friend Staci, has a cousin who has a husband who surfs. Today he taught Eddie to surf. " I never thougth I would be able to surf this well." Way to go Eddie. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of batteries. I wasn't able to capture Eddie standing, but he did over and over again.

daily works of art #40

COLORS

by noah

his present to dad on father's day

our 4th

The actual 4th of July here in South Carolina was planned out perfectly. We and many others were going to pack dinner and head to the beach. We were going to swim and play all evening long until dark. We were going to watch the fireworks show at the beach.

We got to our spot at 4 o'clock and enjoyed the sand and surf. We found many whole sand dollars. The wind was even blowing so we weren't too hot.

Well, 31/2 hours later, everyone had had it. The air was getting cold. People were getting cold. The wonderful wind was sand blasting us. All 20 of us packed our towels and chairs and coolers and tag-a-long sand (later to be found in ears and noses and eyes and hair...) and headed to the pool. The pool was empty and the kids swam until 9:30. We were able to glimpse fireworks peeking over the tree tops
Come Sunday, July6th. This is when our fireworks show was to be had. After enjoying an afternoon with friends, all the grown ups left and Chris braved the sole responsibility of manning the package of fireworks for the leftover children. Everyone was happy. Noah was happy until the first very loud explosive was heard and he practically did a somersault trying to turn and run into the house, safe and away from the danger.

Patiently waiting for the show to begin

The sparklers are always the favorite. No one was burned too bad.

Enjoying the calm, quiet spectacle...

Girls Rule! Boys Drool!

...hiding

I came inside to find Noah hiding. I scooped him up, wiped his tears and he quickly returned. We had a happy 6th of July.