Thoughts to family

My sweet obsession,

Thanks for taking my boys on a trip they will never forget. I missed you so much! I love having you back, having your arms around me, and having the conversations that we always fall so easily into when we see each other daily. I am not looking forward to our next long separation.

My Coca-cola Julie,

You have lived through things in the last several months I hope never to have to face. I am proud of you and know every choice you have made has been out of love (even those I have disagreed with you about). I pray for you and all of those around you. I love you and miss the sound of your voice.

John,

You are constantly on my mind as of late. I miss you. The REAL you. The you that is quick to smile and sees the best in everyone. The you that finds happiness in playing with children, and taking long walks alone to gain perspective on the world. Come back to me. Yosh.

Mom and Dad

Paint your ceiling white and know that people come to your house not because of how beautiful it is (although it is), but because of the way they feel there. They come for the unconditional love. Just paint and spend the money on a feast to celebrate the finishing of it.

Love, love, love,
Me

Book of Mormon Trip

My hubby and three older boys have been gone for just over two weeks. Trust me, it has felt like a lot longer! They will get home late tonight.
We told our boys that when they finish a book of scripture we will take them to the part of the world where that book was written. Within the last year Star, Spike, and Blue Tiger have all finished the Book of Mormon. So, that is where they have been. Mostly in Guatemala and Mexico. There are more areas to see, but we decided to go with a tour and this seemed like the most comprehensive. Dad told me that he has been super pleased with the tour and has been really grateful that we chose the one we did.
The boys have had a great time.
The little boys have missed their big brothers and Dad terribly. But we've had some fun while they've been gone. I understand they have a few thousand pictures. I am sure Spike took the most. We will sort them out and be posting more. And I am going to have the boys update their blogs with thoughts about their trips. So, check in for further details later.

Scout Camp

Last week Star went to scout camp. Boy did he have fun. I still haven't heard too much about it since he got home about midnight on Friday night and left Saturday morning about 4:00. But Dad was able to spend one day at camp with him and took a few photos for me. YEA Dad!
I understand archery is really hard, but Star liked it anyway.
He loved the swimming part of things. (Of course he did, he is half fish. It's in the genes.)

He got two swimming merit badges. One was the mile swim. This was taken seconds after he finished it. The thing about this one is he didn't know he was supposed to work up to it. So he did a mile on Thursday and a mile on Friday. Whew!
So glad you had fun. My sweet Star!

You just lost the game.

My boys are enjoying a new game. If you think about, talk about, or hear about the game...you lose. So, every once in a while someone will just say "Mom, you just lost the game."
It just makes me laugh.
I do think we have someone who wins the game quite often. SPIKE! He really has selective hearing and often when the other boys talk about "the game" he just doesn't hear, or acknowledge anything about it. Spike wins.
LOL!