Not OK

I have been getting quite a few phone calls and messages on facebook and by email from my wonderful acquaintances asking if I am OK. Well, I am not ok. I keep trying to put a good show on, but I am really not ok. I keep getting more and more bad news and just when I think it is done coming, there is more just waiting to come out. I really am so grateful for everyone that has been giving me encouragement and for all the prayers that have been said on my behalf. Thank you to each and every one of you that are thinking of me and my family and praying for us. It helps knowing that I do have those around that truly care.

15 Already!

Here is my first baby boy! I can not believe that he is already 15. I remember his birth, his first birthday, and most moments in between then and now. I have watched as he changed from baby to toddler to school-aged to teenager. he looks more and more like a grownup each day and less and less like my little boy. Joshua does not like to get his picture taken. In fact, the only way this photo was taken, is because Cayden was playing with the camera and took it. He thought I would erase it but, I love these random photos so here it is!

This is the cake and the party guests.

And the wish was made, he got all of the candles on the first try. He received a x-box game and speakers for his I-pod. What a great day for Josh!

Schooltime

So I have been kinda in a funk when it comes to taking pictures lately. I am not really sure what my problem is. I love photography and love scrap booking everything, but I can not seem to get my camera out and take any pictures.
I am really sad about it right now because I missed all of the boys' first day of school photos. Cayden even started kindergarten and I did not get a photo of it. Kayla is making some amazing firsts and no photos. Joshua made JV football and has played 2 games. Jared is on the school flag football team and his season is almost over. All without photos!
after reflecting on what the heck is going on, I have come to the conclusion that I have an over busy life. I have 3 kids in 3 schools. High school, junior high and elementary school. I also work fulltime (four jobs), my two older boys are both in football and have to run all over the place to get to games and picked up from practice. Kayla is growing so fast I do not want to miss a moment and Blaine is ALWAYS at work. So, I have decided that inspite of really wanting photo documentation of our life, I really am having a hard time finding the time to do it. I decided that I need to cut out some stuff and get back to what I really enjoy. My family!
I have hired a housekeeper 3 hours a week to help keep up with the house, I have decided that I will not work more then 36 hours a week. I am hoping that with these small changes I will be able to make more time for our family and the photos that I love so much!

So Tired!

The other night I noticed Cayden was falling asleep during dinner. i told him to go upstairs and get in the shower so he could go to bed. He said, "Mom, I am not tired, my eyes just will not stay open!" I told him to take a shower anyway. He headed upstairs and I thought he got in the shower. I loaded the dishwasher, went upstairs to check on his progress, and found this at the top of the stairs. I am pretty sure that he was beyond tired!

Haircuts!

My most favorite time of year is football time. Now not for the reason you think. I am not into watching football or really into sports (except shopping, which, in my opinion, should be a sport.) I love it because that is when my boys willingly get haircuts! They grow it out from March until football starts in the fall. I did not get a before and after picture of Josh, I have been a total slacker with the camera lately. Here is Jared (aka JD) before and after his wonderful haircut!

I love the way they look after a haircut. I think my boys look so handsome with shorter hair, and so clean cut. I wish they would keep it that way. they love having long hair in the summer when they go to California with their dad, because then they look like surfer kids. Since they spend the entire summer surfing, and it is their hair, I stopped fighting them on it.

Here is Miss Kayla with not one but two backpacks on. She loved the stuff the boys had for getting back to school. When Cayden's zipper on his backpack broke, he let Kayla have it. She walks around everyday with it in her hand until I put it on the right way. then she walks around with it on for about 20 minutes until it falls off and she comes back for me to put it on right. She does not let it stop her from playing with her toys, she just likes to have it on. She is such a silly girl!

Cayden has been so excited to start kindergarten. He has been asking me every day since we moved to Arizona if he is starting kindergarten tomorrow. He finally did start July 27th. I was sad to see him get on the bus. I was even more sad when I forgot my camera and the most sad when he did not get off the bus! After heading to the school and yelling for a few minutes and 45 minutes of panic, I finally found my little kindergarten boy. They had put him on the wrong bus! When we had gotten his bus pass, they gave him the wrong color pass. the teachers put him on the color bus that was the same as the pass. Unfortunately, it was not what bus he was suppose to be on. The good news is, they got him the right pass! His older cousin gets him after school and walks him to the right bus, they ride together, and then get off together. I can not even begin to say how upset and scared I was. I am just so happy that it ended well!

Three reasons why you do not give a 2 year old icecream in the car!

I thought if I gave my niece Cassia a shake with a straw it would be fine to take in the car. I guess I have forgotten that the mind of a 2 year old and the mind of a mom are not on the same track. She decided that it would be fun to paint with the straw as a brush. Here are the results of her painting. The two year old wearing a new dress.

The inside of my car when she was done.

The cutest face that I could not be mad at when she smiled and said, "Look Emily!"