Memorial Day

Bright and early we dropped our oldest off for girls' camp. She is lucky enough to go with some good friends. Although I wasn't able to get a good picture of her before she left, I received a tender mercy in the form of picture texts from her leader. 

I absolutely love her candid face as she is getting on the bus. It's as if she is saying "bring on the fun."

Grant took the rest of the kids to the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona to visit his grandpa, Lieutenant Langford, who fought against the tyranny of the Axis powers. 

The rest of the day was spent at the pool. Annie required complete independence lest she started a screaming match. Fortunately, she was content on the first step. 

Cousins played and invented new games. Herston found his inner courage and decided he would be an official swimmer today. I find it interesting he went from certified life vest to swimming the length of the pool, but nonetheless, I'm happy in his progress. 

If today was any indication for the rest of the summer, I anticipate a long successful vacation.

God bless. 

6th grade graduation

The girl is growing up.  I always knew it would happen, and I'm not trying to hold her back. I just cannot believe the time has gone so fast.

She is a rock star. She received many awards today, and I am not surprised. She completes book reports weeks before they are due. She hates being late and missing school, and I am pretty sure she knows every student and staff's name. 

Some of the awards received:

PE student of the year

Honor Roll

Orchestra Leader Award

No Tardy recognization

Art recognization 

Frozen Recital

The end of the school year always includes a great round up of recitals, performances, and ceremonies.  This year was no different.

My older four children performed a melody of songs from the Disney movie Frozen for children at Cardon's Children Medical Center.  I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase what my children have been singing as well as distract some of the hospitalized children.

Not to mention there were some pretty sweet cameos, like Steve Young and the princesses from Character Crush. 

Not to be out done, the baby has begun practicing her singing routine.  Luckily, I was able to catch this little video of her when she was supposed to be napping.

Happy Mother's Day

For those that know me, Mother's Day is not my favorite holiday. 

A perfect mother is a fallacy. 

There can be real hurt with regret or painful losses. 

It's not about the purse or the necklace. 

It's about honor. It's about expressing emotion that should be expressed daily. 

It's about everyone of your children on stage searching to make eye contact looking for validation only a mother can give. 

It's about your oldest hitch-hiking a ride to Fry's from the neighbor to buy you a "Greatest Mom" shirt with her babysitting money. 

It's about your smart, but scattered child waking up early to clean his room.

It's about the sentimental child writing notes, scattered around the house with words of love. 

It's about your non-sentimental child crying happy tears for the first time. 

It's about the baby who is only able to be consoled by your touch. 

I have a great mother. I have a great mother in law, and I am surrounded by real examples of mothers with honor, encouragement, and faith.

Bless you on this day. Bless your pain. Bless your joy. You are loved. 

And you are doing a great job. Believe it. 

Nothing

The house is empty. Hearts our full. 

Our house recently underwent an overhaul. Before the remodel, I donated bags and bags while participating in a decluttering lent challenge. (I even stalked a woman on the poor side of town and gave her my newborn clothes.) Anything that survived the 40 day challenge was taken out of the house, but I don't see myself putting in back in my open house*. 

The kids are doing nothing beside the mandatory cuddle time with me. No sports. No computer programming classes. 

Nothingness. 

Life is grand.

 *Literally, open house. We are still awaiting doors.