YAY Diamond Devils!...

Erin had a great season of fastpitch this year! You seriously wouldn't believe how good some of these girls are--and how fast the pitching can get at this level! I love to watch Erin play, because she genuinely loves to play the game, and it shows in all that she does. Catcher has been her position of choice for several years before this one, but she didn't get to catch much this season. I think it was a wonderful opportunity for Erin to grow as a player, and to stretch herself when she had to play positions she had never played before. She is a better player now because of that. She was awesome at hitting--even when they were zinging balls by her. My favorite thing to watch Erin do is to run the bases and slide into the bases on a steal. She is absolutely fabulous and has perfect form. I used to always hurt myself trying to slide--but Erin is a natural, so competitive--and she LOVES to get down and dirty while playing softball. Isn't that what it's all about? Great job sis, we love you! BTW--could there be any more beautiful of a place to play softball--these were taken at Prospector Park, right at sunset--GORGEOUS!

AWESOME Baby Gifts...

My sister in law has started a little business on the side (she is also an AWESOME hairstylist!), it's called Temper Tantrum Accessories--and she makes these super cute on the go diaper bags, headbands, burp cloths, etc. Go on over and check them out! Best of all--they are REALLY well priced, especially if you look at what they would charge you for the same thing at a boutique! It's a real labor of love that she puts into sewing each one--and she will customize them if you want. The little headband model is my super cute niece, Stacia--isn't she adorable! Check out her website HERE:

http://tempertantrumsaccessories.blogspot.com/

Pink Poison...

That's the name of Abby's softball team this year--love it! It's hard to find a name that goes along with the pink uniform and sounds like they can kick your butt--but they did! Abby has had so much fun this year in softball, her last year of coach pitch! She even managed a few HOME RUNS--and even one GRAND SLAM last week! It was funny, the first few games, she would have really awesome hits--then just jog the bases so she wouldn't make it very far. About 3 games into the season, we pulled her aside and said, Abby if you RUN you could have home runs! But you have to run FAST! This was like a new concept or something, but it sure worked! It also helped when we motivated her with a Blizzard for home runs! Abby is such a determined player, and she never complains about where the coach puts her, she truly plays just for fun--and she's just happy to be alive! I love this kid--she is so awesome! Go Pink Poison--you did a great job this year! I had to sneak in a few cute pics of baby Jack too--he absolutely LOVED softball season this year! He just loves being outside--who wouldn't with the beautiful AZ spring weather!The sun sets on another season! Don't we have beautiful sunsets in Arizona!

Getting rid of the JUNK!

So, every time I move I say it's the last time...I decided it's kinda like having a baby--you forget after awhile what all that pain actually feels like, and you decide it wasn't that bad! Then you do it over again--and decide yes, it actually WAS that bad! I will tell you though-I am absolutely loving going through and getting rid of all of our JUNK! We are having a garage sale tomorrow to get rid of lots of furniture, and stuff we won't be taking with us and so yesterday and today we have been moving stuff around and cleaning things out and it feels to good to just PURGE it all! What a liberating feeling!

Now if only I could just apply this lesson to my life...if I could only PURGE myself of all of the bad habits, all of the worldliness, all of the natural man, wouldn't my life be so great! Maybe once we're through de-junking our house--I can start de-junking my life too! Just a thought I had today.

Have Fun & Be SAFE!

There are 4 couples leaving this morning for Israel--two of Todd's brothers and two sisters and their spouses--and we just want to tell them to have fun & be safe! We are so jealous, and so wish we could go back again with them! What a party when your mom and dad see you guys at the airport! It will be an awesome reunion. They have 21 kids between them who are all being cared for by babysitters this week--so let us know if we can help in any way, and for heaven's sakes be SAFE! We love you guys--and just want to let you know you're in for the trip of a lifetime--an amazing experience! Bob and Sue--we love and miss you! Post tons of pictures of you guys for us to see okay? Love, Todd and Tami

Mother's Day!

My mother's day was so GREAT! We had to get up early--our new ward starts at 8 a.m.--(for my feelings on that read HERE!), so I was up by 6:00. The new ward was great, very friendly, and I even knew a few people from when we were in our other Gilbert ward, so that was nice. Even Emie did okay--even though it was totally against her will to go!

When we got home, my little ones insisted I go get back into bed so they could make me a late breakfast and bring it to me, which I was more than happy to do! They made me waffles with strawberries & whipped cream, bacon, and OJ--my favorite. Then they all came in and brought me their little presents they had made. (pictures courtesy of Emie...nice huh?) Joshua made me find his, and we played the hot and cold game. It turned out that he had hid his present under his bed, which I found after I had cleaned TONS of clothes and toys out of there that he had put there when he cleaned his room on Saturday! I wondered how he got it done so quickly! After all these years as a mom, and I still get duped--hello???

I slept all afternoon--literally--which was SO nice! Todd made me my favorite dinner--steak, baked potatoes & biscuits, and everyone worked hard to clean up so the house was semi-clean for today. It was truly a perfect day in every way. The only thing that could make Mother's day better??? If it fell on LAUNDRY DAY! This is what I am dealing with today:

Back to real life...in the trenches...(that comes from my new favorite book on motherhood--which I finished today, find it HERE!)

Go Sand Gnats!

It's hard to imagine a reason to cheer for sand gnats--or any kind of gnat for that matter--but that was the name of Josh's little league team this season, and boy were we cheering for them! Josh was on a coach pitch team this year with two of his little friends, Adam and Jacob (Logan and Easton--we missed you!). They had a lot of fun together goofing off, and making their coaches crazy! Todd was able to help coach this year, because the realtor thing hasn't really gotten into full swing yet, (if you need to buy or sell a home--he is official now!) and the funeral home thing has finally phased out, and by gosh my husband has had some extra time on his hands! It's been fun watching him coach Josh, and encourage him, and I have been proud of the way that Todd has always been so positive with him and the other boys. I'm amazed at his patience!The boys had tons of fun this year--and the best thing about coach pitch??? They don't make you stop on each base! What does that mean??--HOMERUNS! It was sure hard to get those boys to stop on the bases, even when the ball only went a little ways, they would RUN until someone stopped them!The first ball that Josh hit this year went about 2 feet, but there was no way his dad could tell him to stop on 1st base--he just kept on running, as fast as his legs could go! The boys were all in agreement too; I heard them talking one day at the house, and they were saying, "I don't like to listen to the coach, he tells me to stop--but if I stop I don't get a HOMERUN--so I just keep on going!" So funny! Look at Adam in his catching gear--is that cute or what! Josh couldn't even keep the gear on--it was HUGE on him!I love watching boys play after years and years of watching softball--it will be fun to see Josh progress as he gets older. And even though he is the shortest one on the team--probably by a foot or more--that kid doesn't let anyone or anything get in his way! We are proud of you Joshua for working so hard to get better this year! It's been a fun year of baseball--GO SAND GNATS! Oh, and don't I have the cutest boy--EVER! Especially that toothless grin! Love you Josh! Here's to another great season! One team done--3 more to go...

GOOD GAME!

Confessions of a Teenage Babysitter...

So I left Emie home to babysit yesterday while I went to Erin's softball game, and Todd went to Abby's game, frankly because I'm so tired of dragging the whole family to games this season--and Jack was a pill yesterday and I needed a BREAK! So I'm sitting at Erin's game and I get a text from Emie who's trying to get the children to help clean up so they can get into the bathtub.

Emie: "Your children are ridiculously lazy."

Me: "No kidding!"

Then I'm just sitting there laughing out loud at my poor Emie stuck at home with my crazy kids--because I needed a BREAK! So I stop by McDonalds on the way home to get a little treat for her for babysitting, and I get home and she comes out to the car so I could take her friend home and we drop her off and this is our conversation on the way home:

Emie: "Can we just drive around for a little while?"

Me: "Why?"

Emie: "I just don't want to go back there yet!"

Me: (laughing) "Why?"

Emie: "Mom, those kids have been driving me crazy all night! I just can't go back there yet. Please, can you just drive around the block or something, anything to not have to go back in there yet...

Me: (feeling guilty leaving Todd with the kids when I know it's bedtime...) "I have to go back now Em...you can go down to your room and you don't have to deal with the kids anymore."

Emie: "I just don't even want to HEAR them mom--I can't take it anymore today! They're driving me crazy"

Me: (laughing out loud at how many times I have felt this way--like I wanted to just run away!) Sorry, Em, we have to go home, but you can sit out here in the car as long as you want for some peace and quiet.

Emie: "ugh, fine."

So I walk in to the house, and she stays in the car texting her friend (I'm sure telling her what a crappy night she just had--and her terrible lot in life to be the oldest child!), until a few minutes later Todd realizes at scripture study time that Emie is no where to be found.

Todd: "Where's Emie."

Me: "Out in the car."

Todd: "Why?"

Me: "She doesn't like being the mom just yet! She's sick of the kids and taking a quiet break, (I usually sit in the bathroom for those, it's too hot in the car!).

So Todd made her come in and read scriptures with us--and then she was so happy to retire to her own room and even went to bed early tonight! Maybe she needs to babysit more often...(NOT!)

Seriously, Emie, you're the best (and Erin too, cause I know you feel this way too)! I know you babysit your brothers and sisters WAY too much--but I really do appreciate you and the great job you do. I know that Jack is WAY too whiny and he drives you crazy--but he loves you so much! I know that Ashlie and Josh are SO lazy--but they need you to help them learn how to be awesome like you are! You guys didn't get that way by accident you know--you had the best babysitter--ME!

Women's Conference 2009

Oh man, if you have never been to Women's Conference over at BYU--what are you waiting for??? You need to just GO! What an amazing experience! A few years ago, my mom and my sisters and I decided to go, and we had the greatest time EVER! Last year, my sister and I both had newborn babies, so we didn't get to go, so it made it even more fun this year to go back, and see how everything has changed, and how many more women have discovered the secret--that Women's Conference is the BEST!

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to go to the opening session, and see all the women there! Something like 13,000 women (when we were in lines, it seemed like even more), all coming to listen to how we can improve our families, be better wives, and mothers, and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Sometimes, as women, it's easy to feel very alone in this world. Sometimes we feel like no one understands our struggles, like we are powerless against the evil in this world. Let me tell you, we are NOT alone! As we sang together, in that opening session, Now Let Us Rejoice, I could hardly hold back the tears as I realized that I was in the midst of a very literal army of women who are all unified, and powerful. We are very much in this thing together, and must be willing to stand side by side in the fight against Satan in these last days. The words were so powerful, and so literal in this time of struggle, they really touched me.

Now Let Us Rejoice

Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation,

No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.

Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation,

And shortly the hour of redemption will come.

When all that was promised, the saints will be given,

And none will molest them from morn until evn'.
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Jesus will say to all Israel, "Come Home"

We'll love one another and never dissemble,

But cease to do evil and ever be one.

And when the ungodly are fearing and tremble,

We'll watch for the day when the Savior will come!

When all that was promised, the Saints will be given,
And none will molest them from morn' until evn'
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Jesus will say, to all Israel, "Come Home"!

In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah

To guide through these last days of trouble and gloom.

And after the scourges and harvest are over,

We'll rise with the just, when the Savior doth come.

Then all that was promised, the Saints will be given,

And they will be crowned with the Angels of heav'n.

And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,

And Christ and his people, will ever be one!

What a wonderful reminder of the reason and the purpose of this life! We are here for one reason, and one reason only--to prove ourselves worthy to return to live with our Heavenly Father, and our Savior Jesus Christ! Sometimes there are so many distractions, so many things that cause us to take our focus off of the real reason we are here. So many times, I struggle to keep my life in balance, and to keep my eye on the goal! I feel like it says in one of my favorite songs "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", where it says:

"O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee:

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, O take and seal it;

Seal it for Thy courts above."

I don't want to wander--I want to keep my eye focused on the goal--focused on my Savior. Not only that, I want my home, and my family to be focused on the Savior as well. The conference was a wonderful way to bring that focus back once more, and help my testimony to grow. I am so grateful for Todd, allowing me to go and share this experience with my Mom, and my sisters (two of them--missed you Shelly!). I really felt well fed by the spirit, and rejuvenated! What a beautiful weekend!

Wednesday afternoon we visited Temple Square, which is just beautiful this time of year with all of the trees in bloom, and the beautiful tulips blooming everywhere! Our session was amazing, and what a beautiful day to walk around and take pictures! I couldn't get enough of all of the different spring colors!

After the temple, we went to Crown Burger--where I tried the famous Crown Burger for the first time. It's a hamburger with pastrami piled on top of it. It was huge--and oh so Goooooood!BYU is just the most beautiful campus on earth! I love that we were able to stay in my Dad's old dorm rooms--right across the street from what was my Mom's apartment building! This is where it all started! Love it!President Hinckley's Alumni building is one of the most beautiful buildings on campus! President L. Tom Perry spoke to us about doing missionary work, and doing our part to help to make the church better in the eyes of those around us. He made me want to share the gospel. I took this picture from SO far away--but it turned out good! Look, there's President Russell M. Nelson as well, who came to hear him speak to us!What an awesome conference--seriously, if you want to have a super fun, awesome, uplifting experience--come to Women's Conference next year! To stay in the dorms, it's only $25.00 per night--and worth EVERY penny! Sign up in February--and we'll see you there!

Deseret A & L

Todd's brother Dr. Greg was on AZ Family morning show on channel 3 last week talking about skin cancer, and a procedure that they do at their office Deseret Aesthetic and Lifestyle Institute, to help you find out how much damage has been done to your skin, and how to correct it. He did a great job! You can watch the clip HERE:

http://www.azfamily.com/video/gmaz-index.html?nvid=356094&shu=1

He is also organizing a half marathon, family fun run, and 5K race in November in Mesa for those of you who are interested in that stuff called Run From the Sun. It will be a race that will be fun for the whole family, and for a good cause--helping prevent skin cancer! Save the date--and sign up soon! That website (still under construction) is HERE:

http://runfromthesunaz.com/Run_from_the_Sun/Welcome.html