Late Night Party...

Emie and her friends came over tonight for a late night. They had pizza and swam, and made these cute flip flops that I saw on several blogs. They were really easy and fun to make. I think they all turned out cute! Emie has such a good group of friends--they are all such good girls, and she needs good friends goin into junior high. That has been my favorite part about living in this ward, and our neighborhood, all of my kids have made good friends! We have good neighbors as well that look out for us--when Ashlie escapes, or Josh is nowhere to be found. We all try to pitch in and help each other. That's what a neighborhood is supposed to be! We're glad we found this one!

Fun with Cousins...

Saturday, my sister came down with her 8 kids to go to the temple. The kids had tons of fun in the freezing cold pool (I won't even get all the way in yet--what a pansy!). My kids always have so much fun with their cousins. Our house is like a madhouse with noisy kids pretty much everywhere--but we wouldn't have it any other way! When I was growing up, I would see my cousins maybe once a year or so, but we certainly didn't get to know them very well. My kids are so lucky to be surrounded by their aunts, uncles and tons of fun cousins! I am grateful when my family comes to visit especially--as my other two sisters, Wendy and Shelly live in different states, and Kimbie in Payson. At least she's closer--but I miss having my sisters around! Family is so great, we love having them to share our lives with!

Blue Eyed Boy???

Jack's eyes are still blue after 3 months! I am crossing my fingers that they will stay blue. Abby is the only one in our family with blue eyes, the rest got brown from me. I would love for Jack's eyes to stay blue or turn green like Todd's. I LOVE light eyes with dark brown hair! It's part of the reason I fell in love with Todd--those awesome green eyes! He also has one pupil that doesn't dilate and is big all the time, it makes his eyes look really cool. Look closer at him next time you talk to him. What a good lookin' husband I have...and I'm sure these boys will be heartbreakers as well! Watch out girls!

Monday...Laundry Day!

Mondays are like the worst...seriously, my house looks like a bomb went off in it! Monday is also my laundry day--THE laundry day in my house, since I refuse to do laundry any other day. It is getting to where I need to add an extra day for laundry, since I have so many kids, but I absolutely refuse to be miserable doing laundry more than one day out of my week. Last Thursday, my cleaning crew came in and the house was spotless--for about the 3 hours they were here. It seems like it only takes us a few minutes to start junking it up again after they leave. You might think that's a waste of money, but it just gives me peace of mind that once every two weeks my house is completely sanitary! I know that having so many kids at home all day, especially during the summer, I need to be able to let some things go, or I'm going to drive myself crazy. I just want my kids to remember having a fun mom--not a clean house. It's hard to do both! Now, I need to get off the computer and back to the stupid laundry! TTFN

Dance Recital...

It was Erin and Abby's dance recital tonight at Red Mountain High School. I had fun crimping their hair and making them pretty and girly! They looked awesome in their costumes (they should, they were $70 each!), and they danced so well. Ashlie wanted to get all pretty like her sisters, so we took some cute pics of her as well. Emie played in the championship game for softball tonight. Her team won the league! She pitched for the last 3 batters, and hit them all. We were so glad because it was 10:00 and time to go home! I called her my MVP--Most Violent Player! JK Emie! Great job this season! Now summer can officially begin!!! Hooray!

I HATE Excercise!

Okay, so I just got off the treadmill, and can I tell you how much I hate to excercise? I used to enjoy it when I was younger--(and in much better shape)! Now I feel like an old woman on that stupid treadmill. I'm huffing and puffing, and not even going that fast. I sweat like a pig, and I have to wash my hair every day, which I hate. I walk/jogged 3 miles, and I feel like I ran a marathon (I smell like it too!). 335 calories??? What is that, like 4 oreos??? They also say that I'm supposed to feel better, and have more energy. Instead, I find myself falling asleep while I'm nursing the baby every few hours. I'm like an old woman who can fall asleep anywhere, my neck aches from the strange positions I fall asleep in. Excercise sucks--(what a great attitude to start my day huh?) Oh well...

Sweet Gravity...

This is a song by my best friend Stori's brother's band called Due West. They have toured around the last few years with Jason Deere doing the firesides for the Joseph and Trek albums that are really popular, and are starting to get some play on the radio in Utah. I really like some of their songs, so give it a listen. His name is Brad Hull, and the lead singer is Tim Gates from Richfield, Utah, anyone know him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86roJ2qYU4Y

The Trek and Joseph albums are my absolute favorite church music--if you haven't bought them, give them a listen--they're awesome!

http://deseretbook.com/store/media?sku=4981460

http://deseretbook.com/store/media?sku=4940646

Memorial Day Weekend...

We spent Memorial Day at Grandpa Allen's cabin with family and cousins! It was great fun as always, but COLD! We drove up on Friday and didn't get there until 2 a.m.. It was a snowstorm as we drove up through the rim, but no snow once we got to Heber. The kids had a great time as always and so did we! It was hard to stay on the diet--but we did the best we could! I was nervous to weigh when I got home, but happy as we are both down 10 lbs now! I haven't been this weight since Joshua was little! So excited! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Allen for another great weekend at the cabin! We love you!

THE WALL OF DEATH! TODD'S IS THE ONE ON THE LEFT WITH THE STUMP FOR THE LEG, (CAN YOU BELIEVE HE WANTED TO HANG THAT IN MY LIVING ROOM?)MR. MOOSE IS IN THE MIDDLE! SO MANY ANIMALS, SO LITTLE TIME TO HUNT! (YEAH RIGHT!)GRANDPA ALLEN'S AFRICAN ANIMALS!O.K., SO THIS ONE CREEPS ME OUT!POOR PUMBA!!!

Emie's Promotion...

Emie is officially a 7th Grader! She graduated from the 6th grade on Thursday. She received several awards, even the Presidential Gold Academic Award straight from the White House and signed by George W. Bush! Her principal made a joke about it being signed by President Hillary Clinton, but it didn't go over very well, everyone booed, which made me laugh! I am so proud of her, what a beautiful daughter I have! That night, Todd and I and some friends of ours took her and her friends bowling and to Applebees for a late night, and got home around 1 a.m.. It was nice to sleep in! Good Job Emie Lyn, I can't believe how fast these last 12 years have flown by! We love you!

Sabotaged by the Krispy Kreme...

Okay, so I have been doing really well on my diet, but the thing I miss the most is dessert. Well, yesterday was my birthday, and I couldn't stand to not have a dessert...so, I went to Cheesecake Factory with Stori for lunch and had Chocolate Tuxedo Cheesecake--(it was to die for!)! I felt bad for Stori, I don't think she got much of it! Then, coming home from Emie's softball game tonight, we passed Krispy Kreme, which just opened back up for business, and well, I begged Todd to stop--after all it was still my birthday! So much work to take off the pounds, only to sabotage myself today. But just for the record, every bite of that doughnut was well worth the exercise I will do tomorrow to get back on track! Sometimes a girl just needs a treat!

Random Thoughts...

Is it okay to do laundry on Sunday?? I have so much to do this week, and I was just sitting around today so I've been putting loads of laundry in to get a head start on my week. I don't know if I need to repent of that or not? Oh well.

We have such a crazy week this week--softball tournaments for Emie and Erin, dance, piano, end of the school year awards, etc. It will be crazy, and I am trying to brace myself for stress mode! Emie's 6th grade promotion ceremony--(she thinks promotion sounds so stupid and wants to call it graduation!) is on Thursday. I can't believe that I will have a 7th grader! I am so proud of her, she is an awesome girl, so talented and beautiful. I have to brag just a little on my Emie!

I'm turning 34 on Tuesday. I guess I'm still closer to 30 then 40 so it's okay. I sure don't feel like I am old enough to have all these kids and all this responsibility sometimes! A teenager scares me to death! Time sure flies when you are so busy--where has the past 5 or 10 years gone? I need to remember to be grateful for every day!

Today in church we sang O My Father for the rest hymn. It is such a beautiful song. I love that it mentions my Heavenly Mother. I was doing sharing time on Mothers day and when I was bearing my testimony I told the kids that I was so grateful to my Heavenly Father for letting me raise his children, and I felt the spirit so strongly testify of the love that my Heavenly Mother has for them and for me as well. I am so grateful for that knowledge.

Well, my day of rest is almost over...Monday, here we come! Oh, and update....Todd and I are both down 6 lbs. on our diet. We are eating enough food, but just different food, but I have been impressed with how satisfied I feel. There are some things I still crave, but all in all it's a pretty good diet. I don't have to unbutton my pants to be comfortable this week, and that's progress! Hallelujiah! We just need to stay motivated.

You're Gonna Miss This...

I was on the treadmill the other day and this great new video came on CMT, and it made me tear up. I was trying to run without falling off while I watched. I thought I'd share the lyrics--all of us need to keep this in mind daily I think--especially if you're a mother! There is a link to the video at the bottom, it is worth a watch.

You're Gonna Miss This...By Trace Adkins

She was staring out the window of their SUV
Complaning, saying "I can't wait to turn 18"
She said "I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules"
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said "I was just like you"

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her "It's a nice place"She says "It'll do for now"
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says"Baby, just slow down"

Cause you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'And she keeps apologizin'
He says "They don't bother me. I've got 2 babies of my own.
One's 36, one's 23. Hon, it's hard to believe, but...

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this"

http://www.cmt.com/videos/trace-adkins/217378/youre-gonna-miss-this.jhtml

Diet...

Todd and I started a new diet on Monday called LEAN FOR LIFE--my mom told us about it. It's basically high protien, low carb, low fat. For the first 3 days though, you are basically starving, and I have been a little grumpy--(if you asked my kids, they would say a lot grumpy). Seriously though, with a new baby, little sleep, lots of stuff going on for the end of the school year, softball games, and all the usual stuff that happens in this house, it is probably not the best time to start a diet! Then again, is there EVER a good time to go on a diet? If anyone loves to eat--it's Todd and I! We love good food, we love to go out to eat, we love trying new things. Problem is the older we get, the more the food we eat loves our thighs, our bellies, and even our backs--(backfat--EWW!) Our motivation is the beach vacation we go on in a month--we really don't want to look like beached whales! Maybe if I post this here--we can be accountable, and maybe next time you see us, we'll be a little smaller... If I could only lose a few inches, I could fit in something other than my workout clothes...One can only hope....

Jack Henry's Blessing!

Today was Jack's blessing, and it was such a wonderful morning. We had so many friends and family to share this special day with us. Todd gave him a wonderful blessing, and the spirit was so strong during testimony meeting. I know that this baby will grow up to be a valiant young man, and he will have a strong testimony. We are so blessed to have so much extended family, and so many people who love us, and love our kids. Today I am grateful for family, and for my testimony of the Gospel, what a wonderful blessing to have the knowledge that we have, that our family can be forever!

Kindergarten Jungle Play!

Spots the Leopard!

Proud DAD!

Josh was Spots the Leopard in his kindergarten jungle play. He memorized his lines and was as cute as can be! I love this time of year when we have the end of the year concerts and plays. It gives the kids a chance to show off what they've learned this year, and us a chance to spend more time as a family supporting each other. School will be out in a few weeks, WOW how time flies when you're as busy as we are! The kids will be happy for the lazy days of summer--and even I will be happy for summer vacations and sleeping in a little longer! YEAH!

Softball Season

Every March thru May softball is our life! This year we've added teeball for Josh as well. It has been pretty much insane this year with a new baby and four different ball teams! We are lucky to have great friends who help us to get all of our kids where they are supposed to be! We have at least one game every night Mon. thru Fri., and sometimes 3 games in different places in a night. But the kids sure love to play, and we love to watch them! It's so fun to see them develop and improve over the years! Good job kids! We are your biggest fans!

Fun at the Lake...

Yesterday we went out for some more fun at the lake! Good job Abby for getting up on skis! We didn't leave until 2, but we played hard until 7 and didn't get home and showered and in bed until almost 11. We were EXHAUSTED! Good thing today is a day of rest! Emie even had to come home and finish a talk she gave today. She did awesome though, as usual! Some of my favorite pics from the lake...

Todd's New Toy!

Frustration...

Sometimes I'm so stubborn that even I surprise myself. Today the kids are out of school and Todd took them to the lake. I should be there too, but I lost my keys and couldn't find them this morning. It started out as no big deal, I always find them. Then after an hour of looking, the frustration set in. Todd just wanted to go and take the truck, but I was so adamant about finding those stupid keys (my only set), that I couldn't let myself even think of taking the day off and going to the lake. The thoughts start running through my head like, "how can I be so stupid?", "how can I be so disorganized", "why can't I ever have it all together". So I decided to stay home. I did find them by the way-- with a few prayers after I calmed down. They were in the laundry room, right under the flap that opens where I put my detergent. I forgot I had put in a load of laundry last night when I got home. So here I sit, blogging on a perfectly good day when I could have been at the lake having fun with my family. Lesson??? 1st--always put your keys in the same place, 2nd--keep more than one set of keys around the house, (I will be at the dealership tomorrow getting another key or two made), 3rd--don't be so stubborn--life's too short!

Saturday Busy Work...

This is the kind of work that I hate doing on a Saturday! Todd was cleaning out the garage, and I cleaned out my "junk corner". It doesn't matter how many times I clean this corner of my kitchen, by the next week, there it is, all junked up again. This corner is like a magnet for everything in my house that doesn't have a real home. When the kids can't find a paper or homework they're missing, or Todd is missing a phone number he wrote down, all I have to do is send them over to the junk corner and they can usually find what they're looking for. So... TA DA!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The sad thing is, this took me 2 hours of a perfectly good Saturday--and next week, well it will surely look like the top picture again! Such is life huh? Now, on to the junk drawer...(I'd rather be at the lake)!

The Love of my Life...

Todd and I have been married almost 15 years. I was 19, and he was 21 when we got married, safe to say that both of us were pretty young and naive! It has been a long road, but I am married to an amazing man. I have seen him struggle to get his education while working a full time job, barely having time to sleep, all so I could stay home with the kids. When he started his first business, the crematory, he would go to work at 4 a.m., then go to his other job at a Funeral Home in Phoenix at 8 a.m., he would go back to the crematory at 5 p.m. and work until sometimes 10 or 11 at night. This time was stressful for both of us, but Todd was so determined that he was going to make something of himself, and he has. I look at the business that he has established now, and the living that he is able to provide his family, and I am truly amazed at how far we have come. His job is stressful and it comes with some drawbacks--look at the picture and you will see Todd's phone on his hip. We forgot to take it off for the picture, but it's just as well, that phone has been a part of him, just as much as his family has for these years. When you are in the funeral business, you are on call 24/7. There have been times we have wanted to throw that phone out the window, or into the ocean! Even with all the demands on his time, I know that he loves his family more than anything, and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband, and a terrific father. I couldn't ask for a better man. I love you Todd, with all my heart, you truly are the love of my life!

My two BOYS!

What can I say about my boys? After having three girls in a row, Todd and I both wondered if a boy was in the picture for our family. When I found out I was pregnant with a boy, Todd wouldn't even believe it until he was born and he saw him with his own eyes.
Joshua was born into the world a whopping 9 lbs. 10 oz.. There was nothing small about him or his personality. We weren't sure at first whether we knew what to do with a boy, but it didn't matter because this child has been ALL boy no matter what we did. Since the day he could walk, he was running--he never slows down. He is the sweetest, funniest, cutest boy I know. His smile melts my heart, and his low little voice is the sweetest sound to me. We are so grateful to have him in our family.
Jack was the only thing missing in our family. I wanted so badly for Josh to have a brother, someone who would always be there for him. Todd loves his brothers so much, I just couldn't imagine a life for Josh with no brothers. I know that they will love and take care of eachother, and that Josh will be such a good example for his brother.
I am so grateful to be blessed with two little boys to raise, I know that with the Lord's help, they will grow into great men, and great misssionaries. (And great football players too, if Todd has anything to do with it!)

My four girls....

What can I say about having 4 girls? They are all so different, and unique.

Emie is my oldest, the typical 1st child. She is a sweetheart, and always aims to please. She is so smart, straight A's are not enough, it must be A+++. She has always been so obedient, and good natured, from the time she was born. I love her smile, and her kind heart. She amazes me.

Erin has had a smile on her face since the day she was born! She is always so happy, and loves to tease. She is so much like her dad, I think that's why they butt heads sometimes. She gets her loud side from me, though. She is so smart, but also loves to talk--her teachers always say if she would keep quiet, she could learn more, but she can't help it. I know how she feels! She's awesome!

Abby is like the perfect child. Sometimes I feel like she is the one in the family who really gets overlooked, not on purpose, but she is just so good that I never need to get after her or get angry at her. She has such a sweet disposition, always worried about everyone around her, never selfish or unkind. I love my Abby.

When Ashlie came into this world she was screaming for attention, and never stopped for her first 18 months of life! She was not going to wait for things just because she was the 5th child. I never thought that one of my children would be more stubborn than I am (and believe me that's VERY stubborn), but Ashlie is. She is much sweeter now, by far one of my best toddlers, but still once in awhile reminds me that she is in charge! I think she will achieve great things in her life, because of her amazing personality, and determination to have things her way.

I feel so blessed to have these 4 girls to raise. They are all going to be amazing women someday, and I am so grateful that they chose me to be their mother.

And one more makes...SIX!

Our newest addition, Jack Henry Allen was born on February 28, 2008! We are so happy to have him in our family! He is already 6 weeks old, and such a sweet, happy baby. All of the kids just love him, especially Ashlie. She has taken the mommy role to heart, even getting up in the middle of the night and sitting with me while I nurse him and watch T.V.. Joshua is so happy to have another boy in the house, although he is dissapointed that he is pretty boring so far... We feel so blessed to have 6 wonderful children. Life is sure crazy with all their activities, and my house is never really clean, but I feel like the important thing is that we are happy, and I feel like most of the time we truly are.

My first try at blogging!

I have seen so many cute blogs, and a friend told me that it was really easy to start one, so this will be my first attempt. I hope it will be a journal of sorts for me, something to help me keep a record of all the things going on in this crazy family of ours. I feel so often like time is getting away from me, my kids are growing too fast! I just want to have something to look back at, so we can say, "remember that?" (And since I stink at scrapbooking, maybe this can take it's place!). Best of all, this is something I can share with family and friends, so you can have a glimpse into the chaos that we call life!