Catching Up

Thankfully this summer is moving along quickly!  (I'm not a big fan of heat and humidity!)  The kids start school again on Monday, except for Melissa.  She'll start at the end of August.  So far Nicolas has enjoyed a week at EFY, Melissa has gone to Girls Camp, Tabb went to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in VA, and Katie has been with Mommy helping with a Church activity.  We've had fun, but I'm still hoping to get to Williamsburg soon.  I've had no vacation in well over a year and I'm feeling it!  I'm hoping to see my Mom this Fall.  My new project is to figure out a way to be home each day by 4pm.  With school starting, I need to get the family organized with homework and activities.  I've been trying to convince Nicolas to take a drumming class this Fall.  I think he'd have alot of fun in Marching band next year.  He's not interested yet, but I think the social group will be good for him.  Here's some photos from this summer so far.

My husband - Captain America

Zombie Apocalypse - Girl's Camp

Nicolas on the far back wall - EFY (Buena Vista Virginia)

Melissa - front on the left

Nicolas with a "friend" at EFY

I need a vacation.....

I would go most anywhere right now just to get away!! Don't see it happening this summer. This is the first year in 10 that we haven't joined a pool. It seems such a $$ waste since the kids are out only for the month of June and then return to school in July. School is winding to a close next week. The kids have had a good year. Nicolas will be in the 8th grade at Durant Middle School. Melissa passed 6th grade (which is amazing since she only had 5 months of instruction). Katie is cruising into 5th grade. Her biggest worry...."Mom, I don't want to go to 5th grade because all of the girls talk about each other too much." My guess is that middle school will open her eyes to the fact that elementary school gossip was nothing comparatively. I'm happy that I have the summer off from school. This Fall will be busy with Adult Nursing II and the dreaded statistics class. Well...today we'll just do Saturday chores, make homemade ice cream tonight, and be grateful that life is blissfully boring!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Daniel, Robin, and Abigail!!

Abigail

Kylie and Grandma

My beautiful mother in-law with Tabb and me.

I am so grateful for my Mom....she's strong, loving, and a very caring
person. She raised me to be a kind and compassionate person, and if it wasn't
for her, I doubt I ever would have become a nurse. I appreciate so much all of
the sacrifices my mom made for me and my siblings. She gave up a lot to make
sure that we all had a great future.


My mother in-law, Audrey, has been a second Mom to me. She has always shown
me love and supported me in all that I do. She also raised my sweet husband.

I'm grateful to Robin for being such a loving daughter in-law. She's
patient with me. I do try to not give advice or be pushy. She's a wonderful
mommy to Abigail and a great wife to Daniel!!

I am so blessed to have such loving children: Daniel, Brian, Cory, Nicolas,
Melissa, and Katie. Today I was served breakfast in bed (french toast and eggs,
with OJ). This evening, they have prepared my favorite dinner: pot roast and
mashed potatoes. We're having strawberry shortcake for dinner. Tabb has done all
of this hard work - thank you honey...it means alot!! The best part of being a
Mom: seeing your kids live the gospel of Jesus Christ! I have shared with them
so many times that by living the gospel, they'll always be on track and be able
to withstand the pressures of life! Just a few minutes ago, Melissa came up to
me, gave me a hug, and said, "Mom, I'm happy." Now, that's a Mother's Day gift
to remember!!

The Kids

Mark, Marlin, Mom, Carolyn, and Me

Katelyn, Carolyn, Marlin, Mom, and Me

Tornado Damage

The tornadoes came through on April 16th - Katie's 11th birthday! I was at a movie theater with 8 little girls watching Gnomie and Juliet. Before the movie started at 3:00 pm, I told Tabb that I thought we should cancel due to the reports that this storm was going to be really bad! Tabb assured me that we'd all be okay and that we didn't want to disappoint Katie. It was her first birthday party with friends....I know, I'm a slacker. That's what happens when you're # 6. Anyway...despite the terrible looking clouds and the threat of tornadoes, all the parents dropped off their kids. About 30 minutes into the movie, the hail and wind hit, the lights went out and my kids started crying. I was holding as many as I could and praying with all my heart that we would not die (while watching Gnomie and Julie). I felt terrible that these kids were not with their parents at such a serious time. It took about 10 minutes for the storm to pass. I ran out to the lobby to see what was happening (i.e. tornado coming). All I could see was intense rain, winds well over 50 miles an hour, and crazy people out driving in it. The storm passed, but it was really scary....I wasn't sure it was the last of the storm. When we got home, we were so fortunate...just a few small limbs down (we have over 70 pine trees on our property). However, about 5 miles tornadoes tore apart several large areas of NE Raleigh. 4 children died and many, many people lost everything. It was surreal to think that I still have a house and power, while others have died. From what I understand, 42 tornadoes tore through NC. We had twin tornado tracks in Raleigh. My guess is that there were many tornadoes touching down at the same time in Raleigh. Some members from our church went out yesterday morning to help clean up storm damage. I'm so grateful that more people did not lose their lives ....if you saw the damage, you would realize it truly is a miracle that more people were not hurt. On the humorous side.....I'm not sure I'll ever plan another party for Katie! :)

Happy Easter!

Carolyn (my sister) and Nicolas......he loves Auntie Carolyn!!

Birthday girl ...Katie....age 11

Fun time with Granddaddy at his favorite hangout....Walmart! (It is not my favorite hangout)

Hmmmmm.....is this a new baby sister for Kylie??

Katie, Angela, and Melissa.....It's Hair Day. Angela takes such good care of my girls!

Brian loving on Kylie....

Tabb and his brother Chas

Hey Dad....there's no room to take a nap!

Tabb's cousins....Hugh and Laurie Stocks

Katie, Kylie, and Melissa!

My Daniel has grown up to be such a great Dad....he had a good example

Abigail...joyful as usual!

Abigail and Mommy....

Kylie loves her sunglasses!

I'm so grateful for the blessings of Gospel of Jesus Christ. For a wonderful family and for the promise of eternal life with each of my loved ones!

Temple Trip

Melissa had the absolutely best time at the Temple. She came home and told me that it was amazing. She said that she was so excited to do baptisms for people who couldn't do it for themselves. Melissa also shared that it was the first time that she had felt truly happy in over a year! We couldn't be happier! I think back to last year and stand in awe at the tender mercies God has bestowed on my family. If you ever doubt that the Lord can turn sorrow into joy...just look at her sweet face in the back row on the left!

Nothing too exciting.....

How about that.....there's nothing too exciting going on!! Wahooooooo. I don't have a new haircut, no one is sick or in the hospital, school is on track out, I'm still slaving away at my school, work is fabulous, and I can fall asleep within 5 minutes of my head hitting the pillow. I snap awake at 4:30 am every morning. My new weight loss plan is about to start - the 6 week body makeover.....watch out birth weight...I'm going to get as close as I can. Busch Gardens in the next 2 - 3 weeks. That about sums it up....isn't it wonderful!! Oh....one more thing....how could I not write this next sentence: "I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for ALL of his love, patience, and comfort." You will never experience a deep understanding of gratitude until the Lord tests your endurance. You can be grateful for blessings, but not on the depth you should, until something insurmountable is in front of you. I don't wish it on anyone, but once you've been through the refiner's fire, you will KNOW of the Lord's love for you and his faith in your ability to perservere. Just a thought....