JULY

The twins went off to their first year at girls camp.  Shortcake had to find someone else to play with for a few days.

While the older two were out of town camping, my love and I made a quick trip for our anniversary.  Got one night of respite-care for the two starfish and shortcake spent the night at her best friends house.  We made a little trip up to Canada.  It was such a nice way to celebrate.  Even though it was less than 48 hours I got to eat poutine 3 times!  :)  We also went to see The Pirates of the Caribbean and spent some time in the Lord's temple.   

My love is such a huge support in all things that are important to me.  Even though I haven't been able to run as hard-core as I used to, I still wanted to give the "Whale of a Run" a go.  So the night before he helped me put on my whale glitter tattoo.  Running is not his thing.  Glitter tattoos are certainly not something he ever worries about.  But he knows they make me happy.  And making me happy IS something he worries about.  I love him so much. 

4th of July with Great-Grandma

When we decided to take on some starfish, I foolishly believed that we would travel less.

Some how we have traveled more!  This was our first trip with our starfish.

My love's grandma lives in Florida.  We haven't seen her in person since the twins were born!  

So we loaded up the mini van, (now filled to capacity) and went to visit her during her trip to Idaho.

 

Shortcake still refers to her as "the grandma that played cards with me."  :)

JUNE - Kites, Camping, Kayaks, and Cake!

Shortcake's Recital
One of her songs was "Let's Go Fly A Kite"

Twins First Young Women's Overnighter
After they left I had so many thoughts going through my head:
"Did we remember to pack EVERYTHING?"
"Did I prepare them enough? (ie: how to roll up a sleeping bag 101, and how to sleep without freezing)"
"This is the goal right?"
"We WANT them to go off and leave don't we?"
"This is how they become well rounded, strong and capable isn't it?"
"They are gonna be just fine."
"They can do this."
"I can do this."

Look at those girls.  Ya, they can do this.

Father's Day
I can't put my thoughts into words . . . Every time I try, my eyes start to leak.  Instead of taking a well deserved nap, he laid on the floor and let these kids "fix" him with their tool set.  I am in awe of this man and his desire to be Christ-like.  But even more than that, I am in awe of how much he love me.

More Young Womens Adventures
My girls - Their Young Womens leader sent me these pictures.  Oh my gosh I think it's gorgeous.  My mama heart is SO happy to see both my girls enjoying this beautiful world, and participating in what life has to offer them. 

My Birthday
My sweet friend, helped my girls make a cake for me!  I love it!
My birthday was BUSY.  (Optometrist, visitation, brunch date, tires, orthodontist, groceries.)  But early that morning as I thought about my day, I felt happy.  Busy days is just who I am, and I love who I am.
My girls made the perfect cake.  Pictures of what makes me ME.  :)

My Parable of the Chores

A couple of months ago, one of my children asked me a tough question.
As I did my best to answer her concerns, I made up my own parable to try and help her understand.

My Parable of the Chores:

In order to clean the house, as loving parent, I assign out jobs to everyone. 
One child I ask to do the dishes,
one child I ask to vacuum,
one child I ask to fold the laundry. 
All the jobs need to be done.  - To those who might argue, one job or another is "more important" than the rest, imagine that job was left undone for a year in your home . . . . . they are ALL important.

Now imagine one child says:
          "Why don't I get to vacuum?"  
          "It's not fair that they get to vacuum and I don't."  
          "Aren't I good enough to vacuum?"  
          "Why don't I get to do that important job?" 

Loving parent answers this:
          It's not what I asked you to do.  I've asked you to do many chores. 
          As parent in charge of this home, I choose who I will ask to do what task.
          Me not asking you to vacuum does NOT mean:
                    "You aren't good enough to do it."
                    "I love the other child more."
          It just means, it's just not what I asked you to do. 

So now the children have a choice. 
Do they spend their time, do what they are asked to do, and do their best to do it well? 
Or do they complain, protest, and cry "Injustice!" Meanwhile neglecting the things they have been asked to do and leaving work undone.

Not so little anymore.

There is a first time for everything.  

This is not a complete collection of proof, I'm missing a few pictures, but every year when it comes time to celebrate these two, I have made TWO cakes.  I've felt that since there will be countless things they end up having to share in this life, a birthday cake should not be one of them if I can help it.  

But this was the year I decided that it might be okay to do just one.  I picked a theme they both liked and was super excited to try out a special cake pan I've had for years.  

But oh my goodness, in comparison with other years, I did NOT save any time by only making one.  This shnazzy cake pan of mine had a from scratch recipe on the back of the box.  Wanting this to be a success, I decided to make the recipe that came with the pan.  

Heavens to betsy it took me FOREVER.  It took me 4 hours to "cream" and "separate yolks" and "beat until they peak" and "fold in" said peaks and "divide" and get two shakes of brown and spoon evenly into the strip divider.  And that's not including clean up from all that riff raff.  It's taken me 4 hours to ice cakes before, but it usually only take me 4 min to make the actual cake.  This from scratch business is for the birds!  

I was super happy with the end result.  But if I ever get an itch to make a checkerboard cake again, I'm using a box mix!

As fun as cakes are, it can't distract from the fact that I can no longer categorize myself as a "young mother" anymore.  Whew.  That's kinda hard to wrap my head around.  But my own self issues aside, these two are now young women.  I often refer to the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child."  My heart is full of gratitude for the village I have to help me raise these two.  Everyone was so excited for them and made them feel so special.  And they have already had the opportunity to grow outside their comfort zone and do some really fun things.

THE WIZARD OF OZ