summertime...

So summer has arrived, and my brain has escaped! My brain has decided to take a leave of absence resulting in Colin missing half of his scouting events, me missing Primary meetings, dental appointments, etc. It's driving me insane. I am forgeting things left and right. I have a calendar, and I'll even wake up remembering to remember something that's going to happen later in the day, but by the time "later in the day" arrives, I've forgotten what I was supposed to do. If anyone knows a solution to this hot weather brain freeze, please let me know.

I'm going insane!Zach and Colin at one of the Red Sox/Rockies games they went to. Jared and Colin took a trip with all the boys to Colorado, and this is the only picture they brought home. They had a great time though, and the little kids and I survived, so I guess the trip was a success.

I can't really blame Jared for not taking pictures though, because my kids have taken more pictures than I have this summer. Here's a nice shot of Kate measuring Gavin with her little stuffed bird. I'm not sure what size that makes him, but I have to give a shout out to the faithful onesies that are no longer fitting Gavin. They have been troupers, keeping his diapers on and his hands out of his poop, but alas they only come in so many sizes, and Gavin is now outgrowing them. It is a sad day in our house when the onesies have to go in storage, or the garbage, depending on how many accidents we've had in them.I guess Gavin didn't like being measured, because he's now trying to escape. Actually I think he's closing the door, it's become a new habit of his. So if you come to our house and hear doors slamming, it would be Gavin. And here's a lovely frowny self portrait from Kate.And a happy face, you know how it goes, "If you chance to meet a frown..."
I sing that quite a bit in this house, no actually I don't, but I should the next time they're grouchy with me. Maybe that would work for us.

And now since the mornings half gone, I think I'll go shower and get ready for the day. Actually no, I'll first call my mom back, because I forgot to call her last night. Maybe I'm missing a vitamin or something that causes forgetfulness.
I'd say I'm pregnant, but that is definately not the case (no worries Jared).

the latest...

So, it's been a while since I last posted. Thankfully I have finally planted the garden. It took me about 7 hours, on and off, running to Cal Ranch for a few more things, etc. But it is in, and Jared has only caught me staring at it a few times. He thinks I'm a little crazy, and I probably am. So far I'm happy with how it has turned out.

And now I'm on to reading "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. It's this month's book for our neighborhood book club. It was a little embarrassing asking the librarian for help in finding this one. I am only a few pages in, but I think it will help me not only in marriage but also in parenting. I'm excited to see. He says that in every child is an "emotional tank" waiting to be filled with love. Most misbehavior is motivated by the cravings of an empty "love tank". I'm hoping that if I focus more on showing them love, their behavior will be better, and I won't have the energy or time to focus on what I think they're doing wrong. I talked to a friend a few weeks ago, and she said she liked the scripture that says we should cease to find fault with one another, and that she liked to apply it with her children. The less fault finding she does, the better their relationships. I definitely am trying to focus on this! The same scripture says to cease to sleep longer than is needful, something I have not been working on this summer, line upon line, right?

And finally, here are a few pics that are making me baby hungry. Not anytime soon, Jared needs to feel baby hungry first. Do men ever get baby hungry?

baby Colin

a sweet baby Maddie

a carrot faced Kate

and of course, a handsome little Gavin

As hard as parenting may be, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.