LOVE

OUR NEW HOUSE

HOME

LOVE the red door.

It needs new paint... guess what color I'm going to pick??

LOVE the three car garage.

Perfect for two cars

and crap.

LOVE the formal dining room

converted into my OFFICE

LOVE the big windows and

living room that opens up to the kitchen

LOVE my two girls.

making cookies and doing homework

in the new kitchen

LOVE the wood floor in the TV room

Andrew!

I have sooo many blog posts about Shea and Braden since they are still at home... so I am always wanting pictures of Kayla and Andrew.  Now it is even worse since Andrew is in Texas!  I told him that he HAD TO SEND ME PICTURES.  That was me yelling in my virtual world.  I also don't have wrinkles or grey hair in my virtual world.

Anyhoo.... Andrew, being the wonderful son that he is, sent pictures.  Yay Andrew!!!

Andrew and Lexus

Andrew in his new place...

Gorgeous picture of Lexus...

3rd day of school!!

For the first time in my 18 years of sending kids off to school... I forgot to take pictures the first day!!  Then I forgot the second day.  Finally remembered today!

Shea

6th Grade

Braden

10th Grade

Completely unrelated...

beautiful sunset outside our house a few days ago

Texas to Oklahoma

My quilt friends gave me this GORGEOUS quilt as a going away present.

It's a bit small to see, but there is a Texas Tech logo right on Lubbock.

Right on top of fabric with a cotton pattern.

Who knew there was "cotton" fabric??

The rest is a variety of "Texas" fabrics.

Moving Day!!!

Robert said it was a human microwave inside the truck.  Poor baby.

So hot.. but luckily we had help.

Thank goodness for the wonderful people at church!

After the house was emptied, I realized what filthy pigs we are.

SO MUCH DIRT.

and crap.

I started to get overwhelmed, so Kayla called in help....

Allison had already been there all day helping to pack up the kitchen

Six guys from the singles ward came over and helped clean my house.

I called them my army of Heleman. 

 Andrew and Lexus worked on his room...

Shea played with Brenda all day.
Lucky girl!



The boys took off with the truck and our small car Sunday after church since Robert had meetings Monday morning.

Of course, not everything fit on Saturday, so I had to get a trailer to pull on Monday morning.
Trevor Bradshaw and kids came over to help me load up.
Then he took the last, lingering kitten.  I told him that I loved him.  In a good way, of course.

Then it was time to take off.
Only problem was Kayla's car wouldn't start.
Two hours and one new battery later...
we left with the following:

Crazy mom.
Red-headed sisters
Hairy husky
Evil Chihuahua
Mama cat
Baby kitten.

And the trailer.  And two cars.

Many miles later... we arrived in Oklahoma!!

goodbye to our itty-bitty home

We have been staying in a hotel in Edmond for the past two weeks.  It has been a bit of a struggle having four people in an itty-bitty room, but remember being happy is all about being together.  In a small room.  In 105 degree weather.  With bugs.  And grumpy kids.  And a lumpy bed.

But I'm an optimist.  Remember?  Yes, I am.  I really am.  That's why I didn't get back on a plane to Seattle.   That and the fact that I love my kids.  Even in 105 degrees.  Though I have to say that the love seems to dim just a bit when I'm out in the heat.

I try to have flattering pictures of my kids on our blog.  But every once in a while it's good to show reality.    Shea being grumpy...

Braden on facebook.  The babysitter for teenagers.

Seattle!!!!

Kayla and I flew to Seattle for four days.  It was a blast!   We went to the different areas that Kayla served in during her mission and visited many, many people.  It was fun to see how much she is loved and the wonderful impact she had on so many.  It's always hard to decide which photos to put on the blog, so here are a few of my favorites.

Aubrey & Kayla

Being old and slow, I was always behind :)

We hiked to Twin Falls.

It was a gorgeous day and a perfect hike!!

Ferns... my favorite!

We spent a few hours in downtown Seattle....

did a duck ride and ate clam chowder at Ivers. 

Drizzly, but wonderful!

Princess LunaChick was our guide.

It was a blast!

I love float planes and this one was taking off right outside our duck...

Kayla and Hadley

Kayla and Melissa...

we had a wonderful dinner at her home

Kayla with the Allens.

We stayed at their home... this was one of the places Kayla lived.

Annette, Jasmine and Kayla.  We also stayed here.

Annette is a second mother to the missionaries... so wondeful!!

Jasmine only walks in circles.  Strange little dog :)

We went out to breakfast with my Aunt JeNeal...

Kayla's middle name is JeNeal after my sister

who was named after this wonderful person.

Kayla and Sister Graf at the temple

one of her favorite companions

Kayla and Patti... we were able to go to the temple with Patti for her first time.

It was wonderful time with so many people that love my little girl!

Sister Kim, Sister Graf and Kayla

Cheesecake Factory.

YUM!

have I told you lately that I want to live in the Northwest?

well.... I do!

Someday.  Someday.

Best primary ever!

I have served in our ward primary for the past six years....

crazy since I don't even like children :)

Today they presented me with cards, bliss chocolate and hugs. 

It was perfect.

We took pictures outside the temple...

About half our ward is on vacation, but I was so glad to be able to say goodbye to the ones here today.

I will miss the wonderful people I worked with AND all the kids!

Goodby from a friend

Today was a little hard.  I had to say goodbye to all the primary kids I have been with for the past six years.  But then I came home from church and received a wonderful gift.  My friend Jen sent me this email.  She is the mother of six and a so VERY amazing mother.  I am a better person for having known her.

NOTE:  I am sharing this not because I want everyone to know that someone thinks I'm fabulous but because....
1 - I was very touched that she would do this
2 - I will not save the email.  Or write in my non-existent journal (can I still go to heaven?) Or place it in my non-existent scrapbook.  This blog is my scrapbook and this deserves saving.
3 - I've decided that I am perfectly happy with the friends I have in life and have no intentions of making new friends in Oklahoma (except the exterminator).  When I'm feeling a little lonely, I will just pull up this post and feel loved.


Bliss--



We left for Idaho before you go back from your vacation and we won't be back before you leave.


I love you and will miss you so much.


These are the top 10 things that i love about you...


1. You are a GREAT friend. I have learned so much about charity and friendship by watching how you develop sincere relationships with so many people.
2. You are a DO-er. I love that you are not afraid to put your dreams into action.
3. You are a GIVE-er. You are always serving others and giving thoughtful gifts.
4. You are LOYAL.
5. You have a great sense of FAMILY. I know about the lives of many of your extended family members and they are close to your heart and home.
6. You are REAL. It is so refreshing to talk to someone who just is real... not always trying to seem perfect. you have a great life, and problems like the rest of us and you're not afraid for others to see that you are real.
7. You're fun to talk to. No matter how long it's been I can always talk to you and feel connected quickly.
8. You're a great MOTHER. I learn so much from you. I want to do more fun things with my children because of you. I think you have been a great example of a faithful mother in Zion.
9. You are a SEEKER. You are constantly seeking wisdom and knowledge, and you know a lot. I love smart people who are constantly learning.
10. You serve others. I'm so grateful for your example of charity. Because you know many people you love many people. I always felt like I could call you if I needed you and I was amazed at all the good things you do each day for other people.
Thank you for being a sweet friend and example to me.
I love you and I hope we will be friends forever.
Keep in touch!


Jen