Gettin' Down and Funky!

Thanks to my niece, Beka for catching this video!

My Last Night.....

Well, it's been quite a week. For those of you who didn't know, Keith has been on a week long camp out with the teachers quorum since Monday. Maybe I'm a little wimpy but 5, almost 6 days home with my kids and no reinforcements takes quite a bit out of me. Luckily I have family near by who try to keep me busy and offer up their homes as a brief res pit for the 5 of us from our house. See, it's not the easiest thing to pick up and go anywhere with 4 kids ages 6 and under. And although my children are very well behaved (little angels really ;)) we didn't venture out too much.

Now, if I was a complainer I could mention that this is the 3rd year in a row that Keith has been gone for the entire week of a YM camp out and not only that, he told me that this year he'd only go 2-3 days max. I've had mixed feelings all week about this whole camp out. My thoughts have been positive or down right nasty in content depending on how my day went. Why does it seem that my husband is the one that always has to go? Can't someone else step up to the plate and give our family a break (and some vacation time back)? And then other nights I've been happy to be able to support Keith in his calling, hoping that he makes a difference in the boys' lives and that they realize what a sacrifice the YM leaders make for them.

Let's put aside the fact that two days ago our toilet broke and none of the kids decided to tell me about it (it's in their bathroom) until it was overflowing from the lack of being able to flush it. Or how at 2 am the sprinkler next to our front porch broke and I walked out the front door to see what was going on only to be soaked by the geyser creating a mudslide in my front yard. Oh, and let's not forget how I took down the blinds in the basement and kids rooms for a good cleaning only to have 3 out of the 4 of them fall completely apart. I spent the rest of the day removing the old and installing the new blinds all on my own (thank you very much).

But then again, I'm not a complainer.

But mostly, I just miss the companionship of my best friend. He really has been busy and stressed out for at least 3 weeks leading up to this event and I will be grateful to have him home and hopefully back to himself after a week long retreat with nature (and a bunch of teen aged boys). Today, just as I didn't think I'd be able to read one more story, fix one more ow-ee, get one more person something one more time, there was a knock at my door and here's what was on the other side......

There was nothing to stop the tears from flowing at that point even though the poor delivery girl looked at me like I was crazy. Suffice it to say, I made it through one more day and hopefully Keith will be home by lunch time tomorrow and I can get a nap. Thanks for the flowers honey, but most of all for thank you for thinking of me and knowing how to love and take care of me even from miles away! I love you and will see you soon!!

Eyes

The other day, by accident, I took a picture of Claire's eye's. It turned out to be a really cute pic so I shot some of the other 3 as well. So, as a fun little game I thought I'd see if you know which eyes belong to which child. I know this is extremely obvious..... but fun nonetheless.

A.

B.

C.

D.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: PARENT

Other titles include, but are not limited to: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma, Mother, Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop, Father

JOB DESCRIPTION:

-Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment.

-Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

-Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!

-Travel expenses not reimbursed.

-Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

-The rest of your life.

-Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.

-Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.

-Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.

-Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.

-Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.

-Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

-Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.

-Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

-Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:

-None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

-None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis..

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

-Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses.

-A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.

-When you die, you give them whatever is left.

-The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

-While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right..

RETIREMENT:

-Never. Although if you are fortunate, the responsibilities of being a Grandparent might be added to your job description.

Catch Up

This will definitely be my longest post yet. We had an extremely long weekend starting clear back on Wednesday, the 3rd and ending last night at Hillary's (real) birthday celebration. There are a whole lot of pictures and hopefully as little commentary as possible. Here we go!

July 2nd - Wednesday night we had a get together with Keith's best friends from high school (Adam Hughes and Pat Felt) and their families. All together we had 10 kids ages 7 and under running around the yard. We had fun catching up while eating ice cream and cookies. It's nice for me when we get together because I also was at Lehi High School and know Adam and Pat too. Thanks for coming over, you guys!

July 3rd - Thursday night we had a joint birthday party for Hillary and her cousin, Darci. Most everyone was there from Keith's side of the family. We had humongous patriotic cupcakes and more ice cream.

All of the Braithwaite cousins (minus the Buck's....we miss you guys)

July 4th - Friday was the longest day we've had in a long time. Bright and early we were up and at 'em. Our first destination was the Oakley City Festivities. It's a tradition in Keith's family to attend the parade. Thanks to Mary and Janette we got a really good spot right across from "Polar King" which means bathroom facilities and access to drinks and ice cream. The kids had a great time filling their candy bags (it was like Halloween in July) and seeing the floats. Claire really enjoyed all the "horsies". There was also a great cloud cover which made it all the more enjoyable.

Those macho boys (Josh, Dustin and Davy)!!!


The girls waiting for the parade to start.
(Rach, Darci, Elisabeth and Hilly)


Mom and Dad (in his Chips sunglasses).

Hillary with her candy bag.

Claire, keeping cool in the stroller.


Beka Boo and Claire Bear.

After the parade we headed off to the Kamas pool for a little swimming. What a great place! The kids enjoyed the play area and the big slide. We had the pool to ourselves for the first hour. This activity must be added on to the tradition each year.

Dustin, having a ball.

Hillary with Aunt Mary (she really did have fun despite the look on her face.)

Claire's first time in a swimming pool.

After visiting the pool we headed back to Grandma True's house in Peoa for a picnic lunch. Keith's aunt and uncle made some great dutch oven chicken and everyone else had brought salads and treats galore. If there's one thing I've learned, at a Braithwaite party you will never go hungry.

Next on our list of destinations was my sister, Jobie's house up in Hooper. The city sets fireworks off right behind her house so it's a prime spot to catch the light show in the sky. Again, there was lots and lots of good food, more cake and ice cream (homemade this time) as we celebrated Hillary and Aunt Miquelle's birthdays. We thought to bring some sparklers and both Claire and Hillary burned their little fingers. Guess you have to learn some how! Finally at midnight we reached home and our beds. The kids were zonked and so were Mom and Dad. I can only imagine what the next 4th of July will bring...

So, over the weekend we were all lazy bums. It takes awhile to recover from so much fun, family and fireworks. Luckily we had nothing planned and took it easy. We had a brief scare on Sunday night when Dustin dropped the treadmill track on Hillary. She was smashed underneath and we were wondering if she'd have to spend another birthday in a cast. However, she's only really sore and has a few bumps and bruises.

July 7th - I know I already posted about Hillary's birthday. Here's a brief wrap up and some pics on how it went. We had both sets of grandparents over for more ice cream and more cake (I'm never eating cake again)! She had fun opening up gifts and blowing out the yellow candles on her yellow cake.

Hillary and her princess scooter.

Mom and Hilly under her new umbrella.

Yummy, more cake!

This is just a cute shot of Keith and the kids.

Well, that's the story our six days worth of partying hard. I'm exhausted and if you made it through this post, you probably are too. I hope there's nothing new to blog about for awhile. :P

Happy Birthday, Hillary!!!

This was taken at her party on the 3rd. Thanks for the awesome hat Aunt Mary!!!


Today, my little Hilly-Billy turns 3 years old!! Where does time go? I thought I'd jot down a few memorable things about Hillary.


~She "luffs" yellow. Today she'll be having a yellow birthday cake with yellow balloons. I tried get her all yellow presents but found that a little bit hard.


~Every night as we tuck her "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" has to be sung. Even after we leave the room I can sometimes still hear her singing it to Claire.


~When she is with Keith and I she is constantly calling us either "Dammy" or "Moddy." I guess that's one way of making sure she gets the attention of one of us.


~If something Hillary is eating is really, really good she dubs it "Yummy-licious."

~Hillary is still in love with her purple blankie. It sleeps with her every night and is the one thing that can comfort her when she's upset.

~My favorite is when Hillary comes up to me, gives me a big hug and says "Mom, I know you luff me!"

Hillary, I hope you have a great birthday and always remember how much Mom really does "luff" you!!!

It's My Turn.....

It's cheesy, it's corny, it's full of music and people bursting out into song.....of course it's going to become a huge hit in my house! My mom was kind enough to by My Turn on Earth for the kids to watch and believe me, they do. We also have the CD and the soundtrack fills the inside of the suburban every time we venture out. Seriously, I would recommend that you make time to watch this show. If you'd like to borrow my DVD, I wouldn't mind having it out of the house for a couple of days :) The lessons that my kids have learned just by listening to the songs in this play is quite amazing. And they have become more familiar with the plan of salvation and why we came here to this earth. Just thought I'd share this idea with all you bloggers out there.

Happy 4th of July, hope you all have fun plans and enjoy the holiday!!!

Summer Grilling

So, here is my advertisement for the best marinades for grilling I've tried yet. Oh, My, Gosh!!! They are so delicio-so! They are so easy and you don't have to marinade your meat all day, just for 1/2 hour. My family's faves are the Tomato, Garlic, Basil for chicken, Montreal Steak for hamburgers or steak, and Zesty Herb for pork chops. Give them a try and let me know what you think or if you've already tried 'em, tell me if you agree with me.

Quote to Live By.....

This is for my friend Tiesha. Last week she emailed me a bunch of quotes to help in bettering ones self and I came across one I wanted to share. I keep my eyes open for them now thanks to her. Hopefully I can start doing better at applying them in my life.

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." ~Buddha~

I hope you all have a great day and try to spread a little happiness around!!!