4th Fun

Even though Mother Nature tried to foil every possible plan I had to celebrate our nation's birthday, we still managed to find a bit of festivities to make the day feel different and unique.

We started off the day with hugs and waves goodbye to Rich as he had to put in a long day and nearly most of the night at the hospital. With him absent, I knew I was a bit more limited to what I wanted to do with the kids. My first plan was to swim and have a picnic. That didn't seem as exciting or enjoyable when we awoke to a gloomy gray constant cloud cover and a bit of rain.

Then I thought we could spend a day exploring Raven Run, a 470-acre nature sanctuary with more than 8 miles of hiking trails, a nature center and bird blind for nature observation and education. It's only a twenty minute drive from our house. But the thought of massive mud made me reconsider. I inquired if the boys wanted to still check it out, but the lure of the new PS2 games and cool shows on TV took hold and they simply wanted to stay put. Josh explained that he really just didn't want to miss the fireworks. That did need to be considered since it was really late, like 2 PM. I nearly laughed out loud since we had at least seven good hours before the night sky lit up.

Their choice was fine by me. The break from the homework and constant go, did make the day feel special. We needed a quiet day for once. It was nice to actually not go anywhere for a change. Though I did make a quick run to Hobby Lobby for a few more discounted 4th of July decorations. I love that place!

Promptly around 9:30 PM, when it was dark out (thanks to the rain clouds) the fireworks began. You see I don't have to leave my home to witness beautiful displays of color and light in the night sky. I just had to step outside my door. Yes, technically the huge exploding kind are illegal in Kentucky, but they are not in Indiana and Tennessee. So every other neighbor seemed to have flocked either north or south for the good stuff. I was up getting dressed when it sounded like bombs were going off above our house. One quick peek out the window and yes, the fireworks were just above our roof. I was suddenly quite pleased it was very wet outside. The first year Rich was in Kentucky on the 4th, I was in Utah with our newborn babies and Trey. He called and told me how crazy the neighbors show was and that fireworks dotted the sky in every direction. Lexington is the same. People must spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on near commercial grade fireworks. I am always impressed, but a bit nervous for these everyday folk (a few are probably a bit tipsy too) blasting them in the street. It does make for a fantastic show right from your front porch.
We stuck with the legal fountain variety from Sam's Club.Trey begged to buy them and was so excited to watch the huge ones for our finale.
Gotta have some sparklers on the 4th!
MattWe had a little crowd for our display.Kaitlyn LOVED it.Brynn- not so much. She's our first ever to be afraid of fireworks.

Tossing some poppers.Oh, and this is what happens when you don't take out the Sparkling Tree out of the box. Oops.After ours ended, the boys headed down the cul-de-sac for the French's show.I convinced Brynn to tag along.We wrapped up the party around 11 PM since Rich had to be back at the hospital at 7 AM. What a day!

Independence Day

Happy Birthday America!

What a blessing and privilege we have to live in such a country, where freedoms and opportunity are ours for the taking. While no place is perfect, we surely have so much more than most of the world. I am grateful to those men and women, past and present, who have given so much for this country and our people. I am truly proud to be an American!

This time of year helps me to think and reflect on the things I am grateful for. Here are a few things each of us appreciates.....

Kaitlyn: Barbies, her crib and blanket, dogs, our van to go places, strollers, spray bottles, combs and clips

Brynn: Popsicles, her blanket, suckers, Baby Einstein World of Animals, stickers, swimming each morning, sunglasses, clothes and shoes

Matt: For friends, family, my home, school, Toys-R-Us

Josh: Baseball, snow cones, that we don't have a king that bosses us around or makes us slaves.

Trey: Our country, men and women in war, my family, friends, house, food, and my iPod

Cheryl: Right to vote, to voice my opinion, women's rights, women's freedom, to have value as a women, opportunity to go to school, the ability to read, attend and graduate from college, have a job, be a mother, have a large family, drive a car, own a home, to travel, freedom to worship, Mormon pioneers, LDS missionaries and their choice to sacrifice and serve, the natural beauty found in nature, our armed forces, the Olympics and how it brings the world together, modern technology (Internet, phones), good health care (antibiotics, immunizations, doctors and hospitals), the goodness of many people regardless of race or religion, Civil Rights and the Declaration of Independence.

Rich: He's on call- will fill in later

Favorite Thing

I love when Oprah unveils her favorite things. Sure, I rarely catch it on TV, but I love seeing what she has fallen in love with recently. I too have a new found favorite thing. It's actually a gift we gave to Josh for his birthday, but it's been enjoyed by us all (except Rich that is, who isn't a sugar junkie like the rest of us...). I bought a Rival Deluxe Ice Shaver from Wal-mart last week. I also bought 10 different flavors ($1.98 each) so our kitchen has suddenly transformed into a Hawaiian Shaved Ice Shack. I love the machine. You can use ice cubes from your freezer and it works very quickly which is a good thing since we are often feeding the masses around here. The best part is instead of shelling out $2.50 per cup we can now enjoy them for mere pennies whenever we want. Love it! It's a perfect summertime (or year round for us) treat!!

Pinnacle vs Waterford and Midnight Swim

Another Wednesday, another swim meet. This week was at home vs Waterford. It was the final home meet of the season, which meant a party and midnight swim (more like 10 PM swim) after the meet wrapped up. We didn't stay for it last year, so the boys were begging to stick around. I had to stay and label ribbons, so it didn't take much to stay an extra hour and let them splash with their friends. Rich was on call until 11 PM, so I ordered us a large pizza and said bring on the party! Since we are leaving for Utah on Sunday night, it meant it was the last meet for the boys. The practices were so much fun this year since the girls were able to play in the baby pool and the weeks flew by far too fast. I wish we could be around for the last meet and then conference, but are thrilled my brother Brad will be getting married to sweet Jana, so we'll skip out of town a bit early for their big day.6 and under boys playing aroundTwo of my favorite swimmersThe best cheerleaders around- gotta wear red to support the pirates!Up first: Trey swam in his first mixed medley relay. He swam the freestyle legGood job!Off Josh goes in his 25 meter freestyleHe moved up to the first heat. He took third place. Great job!Matt's last race of the year. He gave it his all, didn't stop or touch the lane line and got second place. Way to go Matt!What a pair! They'll move up to the 7 & 8 year olds next summer.
Trey's 25 meter free was a close race. Trey and three other boys all seemed to touch the wall at the same time.Josh swam 25 meter backstroke for the second time. All the boys are in the pool, ready for the beep.He did a great job staying straight and finished in 1st place.Trey also swam 25 meter backstroke. This is classic Trey. The second he finishes he has to check to see if there are still swimmers swimming. To him it's not about time, it's about winning his heat.Every parent has to volunteer for 4 jobs during the season and I had to work my last job that night. I was the first half of the meet ribbon labeler. It's as simple as it sounds and I had done it once before this year. I just take the printed off stickers and place them on the corresponding ribbon so the children can receive them the next morning.It takes a while and doesn't start until after the second half of the meet begins, so I took the DVD player and the girls did a great job staying close by. Whew. What a relief to have that over with!And as a bonus, the boys got to take their ribbons home that night.Once the meet wrapped up around 9:45 PM the pool was taken over by the eager swimmers. The kids chowed down on Papa John's pizza. Even a few scrapes on Josh's leg couldn't stop the party.The girls ate and danced to the music, but didn't get too wet.
Great season fellas! Go Pirates!

A Build-A-Bear Birthday

When your birthday falls on a Sunday, you just have to extend it a day or two since you are a bit limited to where you can go on your big day. So after Josh and Matt's day full of presents and phone calls on the 29th, we were ready to head over to the mall for our annual visit to Build-A-Bear courtesy of my parents' birthday check. We started this years ago and the boys have amassed quite a collection. I love having a special event to look forward to. The kids feel the same way.The boys check out the selection. For the first time there was not a new green animal for Matt. He happily opted for a cool Cheetah. After we purchased his new friend, he spied a brand new T-Rex that comes in on July 20. He's counting down the days. I'm just wondering where he'll get the extra funds for another new buddy....The girls loved the computers. Thankfully the employees didn't seem to mind their pounding on the keyboard and told me it happens all the time. I bet it does. The girls got bears last year. I didn't feel the need for new ones and they didn't seem to mind one bit. They did tote around every sparkly and shiny bag they could find, but I managed to put them back when it was time to check out.Brynn loved finding the container of hearts.The stuffing begins. Trey got a red, white and blue bear he named Stars. Josh got a black lab and puppy he named Jack and Jake. Matt named his cheetah Cheety which fits since his new Webkinz is named Gecky Jr.They give their new friends' heart some extra love.Cleaning timeMatt's was super smoothA perfect way to celebrate turning SEVEN! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

Tuesday Tell All: Touch

For the last TTA about the five sense, here are a few of my favorite things to touch or feel...

Feeling the movement of my unborn baby in my belly- esp. when they get hiccups

My newborns smooth silky skin and soft fur-like hair

Walking across my Grandma Nance's rug like grass

A massage

Someone combing or playing with my hair

Scratching an itch

Climbing into bed that has clean sheets

My sheets (Bed, Bath and Beyond's Pure Beech Sateen sheets 100% Modal- AMAZING!)

Walking across my just cleaned kitchen floor

Sweat dripping down my face and the pounding of my heart beat after a good work out

A hot bath or shower

Washing my hands after they were sticky

Combing through my hair after it's been conditioned

Johnson and Johnson baby lotion on my dry skin

Cherry Softlips on my lips

Putting on clean clothes

The fit of a great pair of jeans

Wearing flip flops on a summer day

Feeling the hot bright sun on my face

Sand on my feet

The spray of the ocean as we gather seashells

The air conditioner blasting cooling me down

Wind on my face when the windows are rolled down

Sitting on the heater on a cold winter morning wrapped in a blanket

Feeling the hot chocolate trickle down your throat and warm inside your stomach

Getting goose bumps after hearing an amazing story

Butterfly and Eskimo kisses from Matt

Brynn doing my hair and whispering secrets in my ear

Kaitlyn's snuggles and holding her tiny hand

My palm throbbing after playing catch with Josh

The vibration of the PS2 paddle as my virtual car goes off road while racing Trey

Holding Rich's hand

A tight embrace from a loved one

Kisses from my kids and husband