Scouts

I have eight wolves that call me Akela.  Yesterday we fulfilled our community service project and held a canned food drive in front of the local grocery store.  The boys were thrilled with every can received.  We filled that entire bin to the tippy top.  Check.

 Side note:  Eddie loves Bartlebee.

It's Conference Time

General Conference came around again so quickly.  We spent eight hours together lounging, eating and listening.  How blessed we are to worship and learn in our own home.  We are excited to ponderize and learn more about the three new apostles.

 First round of junk.

 These two are besties right now.  It's really sweet to watch them love each other.

 These boys were bored and found a "quiet" game.

 Meg's brilliant selfie shot.

Sew it Goes

Austin graciously bought me my own chromebook.  I personalized it right away in hopes that I will be the sole user (that's a lofty wish).  Case and vinyl, ahhh.

The Weekend

Last week Maisie received the Rotary Club award for her beautiful skills as a fifth-grader.

 Austin and Grandpa B. went backpacking, so Grandma B. spent the weekend with us.  We watched soccer games, and they were able to attend our primary program sacrament meeting.

 She saved me Monday by helping out with scouts, dishes, sick kids, school reports and carpool.  I told her I need to hire her every Monday for the rest of my life.

 This weekend was our ward Chili and Square Dancing party.  We fill an entire table.

Austin spent his third weekend working on sprinklers.

 The big girls and I watched the General Women's Broadcast and were reassured of our divine potential as daughters and mothers.  I love my darling daughters.

LIttle Boys

Ryan and Eddie are my constant companions.  We read scriptures, sing songs, go to the park, go to Food City, water plants, purge bedrooms, play play-doh, and eat.  It is a joy to have two little boys.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

This new book has changed my world.  Here are some photos to prove it.  Better still, my room has been decluttered and tidy for two weeks straight.  My room is now a place of peace, a place to ponder, pray and plan.

All my t-shirts and work out clothes fit in this one drawer.

 Just one of the two bags thrown from my master bath.

 Just the junk in the top drawer of my nightstand.

 The drawer today.

 I went through bows and ribbons as well.  Eddie has been a very patient helper.

 This bathroom has empty cupboards and drawers, but is filled with seasonal decor.

My life is better because I can clearly focus on the people and relationships in my home instead of the mess and clutter.  Read the book.  Change your life.  Progress.

Truly Wicked

Austin gave me four tickets to see "Wicked" for our anniversary.  Naturally my three daughters happily obliged to attend.  It was a rare treat to be surrounded by my daughters.  We sang, laughed, ate and slept -- the best wholesome recreational activity we've had in a long time.  (Maisie squealed in her highest most excited pitch after every song.  It made me giddy.  That poor lady next to us.)

 Dinner choice.

 Anxiously awaiting.

 The stage.

 Asleep before intermission.

 Morning.

 Breakfast.

 Lunch.

 My boy was so nice to think of this and make it happen.

Amazing Maisie is 10!

This girl is so grown up!  Although her birthday was fast Sunday, she was very obedient and happily fasted.  We spent the morning at church, the afternoon eating her favorite pasta and ice cream roll cake outside, and the evening with our home teachers.  Her new fuzzy chair for the corner in her room was the perfect spot to read her six new novels.

(Eddie is helping her hold up all ten fingers.)

We love Maisie because she creates excitement and happiness in a wake all around her.  She can be heard singing in a beautiful pitch perfect voice most of the day.  Maisie is kind and loving, and likes to ride her bike, swim for hours and has picked up a bit of ukulele.  This girl is going places!