{the best 4th of july ever}

We were really looking forward to the 4th of July this year--more than any other year. Rick had been gone for a month, and we were all missing him like crazy.  The kids made a chain all on their own, and hung it on the mantel with a piece of Scotch tape, so they could count down until he came home.  

They also made posters to welcome him home...

 

His flight was scheduled to come in really late on the night of the 3rd--around 11pm.  I let the kids sleep upstairs together, and told them that anyone who stayed awake could come with me. These kids usually go to bed at 7pm, and they're usually asleep by 7:30pm, so I wasn't sure how many of them would make it.  It was incredible--by 10:30pm, every single one of them was still awake.  They told me they helped each other not fall asleep, so they could all go.  It made me cry.  

We loaded up the car, grabbed the posters, left Ryan with the baby (who actually was asleep), and headed out. When we pulled up to the waiting line, I opened the sunroof, and let the kids stand up through the top to hold up their signs.  They could hardly contain their excitement--both about the sunroof, and waiting for their dad. 

When we finally saw him come around the corner, I swear, the cheers could be heard on the other side of the airport. Happy Day!

The next day was the 4th, and Rick took the kids swimming while I got things ready for our afternoon and evening plans.  When they got home, we headed out to The Waterway, where there was a huge festival going on, followed by fireworks. We met our good friends there, and our kids were in heaven while we played, ate, and hung out.  We sat by the river, and the fireworks over the lake were so incredible. The Woodlands puts on a good show, for sure!!  Once they we were over, we headed home for more fun!  There isn't a ban on any kind of fireworks where we live, and people take FULL advantage of that.  There are many people who spend thousands of dollars on them, and all night long it's a party for as long as you can hear.  We joined them.  ☺  Rick and Ryan chose fireworks for us, and our friends joined us on the driveway to set them off. I was actually inside, giving Caroline breathing treatments, because she had been sick and was having a hard time breathing, but I could hear all the fun! 

The next day was Saturday, and I had a honey-do list for Rick that was about a mile long.  I was able to fix several things that had broken while he was gone, but I just hadn't gotten to everything.  While he was working and hanging out with the kids, I went and got a pedicure, and went shopping.  I hadn't been able to do that since he left, and there were a million errands that I had put off for the last month.  That night Rick and I had a much needed date night--it had been way too long.  

Sunday was an exciting day. It was the first Sunday we were meeting as our brand new ward! Yep--two brand new wards in two years!!  We were a few of the lucky ones to do it twice.  They took three wards and made a new one. We were also meeting at a new time, and in a new building, so it was quite the day!  I was heading up the Primary in the interim since there were no callings in place at all, and it ended up being even a bigger job than the last time.  Trying to track down information on kids from three different wards in a week of time, putting them in classes, getting teachers to sub, preparing sharing time, printing info and sending e-mails...yes, it was total craziness. We were also starting with 135 kids!!  But...it was really exciting.  The first Sunday of a brand new ward is an experience.  Looking around at all the people you know, and all the people you don't know...there's just something about it!  There's also the fact that there are no callings, no manuals, no budget...nothing.  Everyone steps up, things get done, and the day ends up going off just like normal.  It's incredible!  It was also very nice to have Rick there to help with the kids, because doing it alone, week after week, makes me tired.  ☺  We had to leave church a little early to take him to the airport, but we were grateful we got him as long as we did.

What a whirlwind of a weekend--it really was the best 4th of July ever.

{the month of june in pictures}

We've been busy around here.  I don't know why I always think that the summer will slow down, because it never, ever does.  Yes, it's more relaxed without school and schedules, but with swimming lessons, music lessons, church stuff, activities, and having all six kids all on my own is just busy.

The house is on the market, and I'm kind of insane when we have a showing. I'm already OCD when it comes to cleaning, but even if we have 45 minutes notice, I have to clean all the bathrooms, vacuum, dust, sweep, mop, and clean the kitchen in its entirety.  Even if I just did it the day before. I know, I know.  But I can't help it!  The kids are troopers, and Ryan is always a huge help.  The upside is that we get to go somewhere fun after all the cleaning, while people are looking at the house.  We usually get to eat out, which all the kids love, but I'm running through our food budget awfully quickly!  

I also have a whole new appreciation for single mothers.  Rick has always traveled some, and he has almost always had long hours, but this is just so different.  There is just no way to put it into words, and I know from here on out, I will always see them in a different light. I also appreciate everything that Rick did so much more than I ever have before.  This is a new adventure for me, and for all of us, and together we're figuring it out.  He's now been gone almost two months, and  we will be separated until our house sells, so there are many prayers around here that that will happen soon.  

Here's our month in pictures...

My girls...taking a walk on one of our picnic lunches.

 During this hot summer, trips to the library are frequent!

Our washer stopped working, and started making a funny sound. Normally I would call Rick to fix it, but I was on my own this time.  I was very proud of myself for this one--I researched it online, figured out what it was, and fixed it...all by myself!!

 Our usual morning learning time...

 My children are ADDICTED to popcorn. Seriously.

 These girls make me so happy!!

My Friday night dates!!!  We went to a movie and then to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory--it was perfect!

 Ready for church...and Ryan's new glasses!

 These giant waffle blocks have seriously been the best toy investment I've ever made. All of my kids love them, and they entertain them for hours nearly every day.  You should see what they can make! This movie night they built their own theater seats...

 She was pretty intrigued by the goldfish on her new pajamas.  Plus, she's pretty cute.  ☺

 There are no hand me downs around this house, due to the ages of genders of the kids, so it means lots of new pajamas a couple of times a year.  They get SO excited about it, it cracks me up!!  Kate & Emma have always matched each other, but not they're pretty excited that they get to match Caroline too!

 Last week my friends and I had the pool to ourselves!!  All of the kids lined up, and jumped in together...they were patient while we grabbed a camera.  Isn't that what moms do?  ☺

 Really, I just want to squish her little self every minute of the day.  And I do.

 This is usually the view that I get when I try to take a picture of her.  Little turkey.  I'm still trying to get one of her smiling, because whenever I get out my phone to take a picture, she runs away!

 

 I've heard that moms take less pictures of their younger kids, and it may or may not be true, but that has never happened with me.  I may even take more! 

 Our dishwasher broke, and so before our new one arrives, the kids are learning how to wash dishes the "old-fashioned" way.  They actually love it--but everything is exciting when you're 8!

 My heart. ♥

{a roller skating kind of day}

It has been rainy all week.  I'm not just talking about a sprinkle here or there, it's Texas-sized rain.  So...we've been inside most of the week, and finally we were all itching to get out.  The girls have been dying to go skating again, and the boys really wanted to try it.  Ryan stayed home with Caroline, and off we went!

It took us a little while to get situated and lace up all the skates, but finally we were ready to go.  Since it was Jack and Henry's first time, they used cute little walkers to help them around the rink.  The girls hadn't been in awhile, so they were off trying to recapture what they had lost.  I skated with the boys, and it was quite the adventure.  ☺  Henry is 4, but wears a size 2 shoes/skates, and they kept hitting the walker and making him fall. I don't think kids that use them usually have that size of foot.  I showed him a few tricks, and to his credit, he kept working at it, even though he fell quite a bit the first time or two around the rink.  Pretty soon he was doing quite well all on his own, and really didn't fall the rest of the time.  I was so proud of his determination!

Jack also worked hard, but really loved when I skated behind him, holding on to his walker, and making him go fast.  It killed my back, but he loved it so much, I couldn't say no!  We had such a fun time, and too soon it was time for us to leave.  They all made me promise we'd go again before we move, and they got no argument from me--it's one of my favorite things!

I wish I had gotten better pictures, but the lighting in there was horrible.  I also couldn't manage my phone and holding up two 4 year old boys at the same time, so I didn't get any on the rink either.  So...I have some of the kids watching some of the races, but at least I can see them in their skates! I had to take a picture of Jack's skates--they were so tiny and SO cute!  

 

Yep...can't wait to go again!

{jack-isms}

 I adore Jack. He might be the funniest boy ever, and the things he say make us laugh every single day.  My favorite thing is that he makes up words to replace other words, but most of the time they're just close enough that you know what he's talking about.  And it makes me smile every single time. 

Here are a few of my favorites...

"Freezebreak" = brain freeze

"Boodgie" = wedgie

"John the Baptism" = John the Baptist

"Light Bolts" = light bulbs

"Skin of a pickle" = cucumbers

A boy is a "dude" and a girl is a "wife.

"broccamole" = guacamole

Hysterical.  I hope he says them like this forever.

{a conversation with henry}

 Henry was snuggling with me in my bed the other morning, and for a few moments, the rest of the house was quiet, and it was just the two of us.  I took the opportunity to start asking him a few questions, and I loved it so much, I wrote it down just as soon as I could. This boy looks like he's 7 or 8, so sometimes it's easy to forget that he's only four.  This conversation made me remember, and I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.

favorite color:  red and orange

favorite thing to do:  eat "bisketti"

do you want to get married?  NO! I want to be in charge, but not get married.

do you want to have kids?  Yes, 96 kids.

what will you do with them?  play with them..play lots of games.

what will you give them for dinner?  "bisketti"

who will watch them? I will.

what will you do for a job?  be a firefighter

who will watch the kids while you're at work?  I will have a "bruver" watch them, like Ryan.

are you happy?  yes!

what makes you happy?  eating "bisketti"

Notice a trend about the "bisketti"?  He still loves to eat.  And eat.  I wish you could have heard his voice and inflections as he answered these questions--seriously, so hilarious.  And adorable.  LOVE him.

{yes...MORE pool pictures}

Honestly, we live at the pool. We go every single day, and many times we go twice a day.  It's just SO hot, it's the only thing we can do that's outside.  We've got it down to a routine now--suits and sunscreen on; toys, water and snacks packed; bikes loaded up...and we're off!

You'll notice there are a couple of pictures where they are sitting on the side of the pool--it's the mandatory 10 minute rest period each hour, and is often the only time they are still enough for me to get a picture!

So many memories of our life here in Texas will revolve around hot weather...and the pool.  ☺

{bluebell ice cream factory}

I feel very sorry for anyone that hasn't had Bluebell ice cream.  I've had a lot of different ice cream in my life, and it's definitely the best.  It's legendary across the South, and a few other states where it's sold, and it's made just about an hour and a half from here, in Brenham, Texas. They give tours at their factory, and it's been on our list of things to do since we moved here. A friend and I took our kids last week, and it was definitely worth the trip!  

We saw the whole ice cream making process--where they mix it, add flavors and ingredients (we saw huge buckets of marshmallows and nuts going into a Rocky Road batch), and then fill ice cream cartons. They're now the only company that still have the 1/2 gallon container! We also saw all the molds for their ice cream bars and specialty items, and walked through the -44 degree freezer where they flash freeze the ice cream. 

And the best part?

The ice cream tasting!!!  We were able to taste every single flavor, and then they gave us a huge scoop of whatever we wanted.  Ummmmm...thank you.  They were all amazing, and I  the kids were in ice cream heaven.  It was a GREAT day!!!

Definitely one of the best things about Texas.  ☺

{goodbye school, hello summer}

Wasn't it just Christmas? I blinked my eyes, and it was the end of the year, and school was over. Ryan was elated, the girls were sad, and I was ready to have them home.

There wasn't any pomp and circumstance for Ryan the last week of school, but he did have half days all week, and that was good enough for him. He likes school, and he does very well, but he was so glad to be done with papers and tests!!  There was an awards assembly the last day of school for the girls, and they were SO excited about.  Special awards are given, and all students are given a certificate and recognized in some way.  

Kate was on the honor roll, Emma received the highest academic honors as well as the Citizenship Award.  They were both beaming! So was I.  ☺  After the assembly, I took them back to their classrooms to gather their things and say goodbye to friends and teachers.  They were especially sad  this year, because they knew they wouldn't be back.  They LOVED their teachers, as did I--you couldn't get any better.  In second grade, they have two teachers--one for science/math, and the other for language arts. The girls had the same teachers, but were in opposite classrooms. It really was the perfect setup for them--same teachers, same friends, across the hall from each other, and ate lunch and went to all the special classes together. 

It was a great year--they both did so well, and I can't believe they will be in THIRD grade!!!  

Welcome, summer!

{big girl}

My baby is not a baby!!! This girl...we love her guts.  She is growing up way too fast for my liking, and she thinks she's pretty cute stuff.  And she is.  ☺

Her hair was getting that lovely mullet look, as baby hair tends to get, and it was driving me crazy.  So, I gave her a cute little bob in the back while the front and sides catch up, and I love it.  She looks adorable, but so much older.  

I took a few pictures of her at the park a few weeks ago, so I could capture her new cut, but that proved to be difficult at best.  This girl is always on the move, and thinks she can run with the big kids. I was crawling through tubes not meant for adults so I could chase her down, and she gave me a near heart attack at least three times.  My days of sitting quietly on the bench and watching the boys play are O.V.E.R.

Love these three!!