One comes home and one goes camping....

UPDATE:

Arin came home from camp all glowing and joyful. She loved the camp site and the scenery. She was in awe of the beauty of the mountains. I have seen a peaceful change in her since she has been home. I love girls camp. I am so glad Arin had such a spiritual experience. Arin got home Friday and Andrew left Sunday night. He actually didn't go to camp Sunday night but stayed with his friends so they could all get up and hit the road by 4am Monday.

This is Andrew leaving on a hiking camp out...a couple of weeks before Scout Camp.

Our Happy Hiker!

Our house has been eerily quiet since Andrew has been gone. The girls don't know what to do. They talk about him all the time and all the annoying things he does. They thought they could live without the irritations and realize just how small and somewhat endearing Andrew's antics are while he is away. It is true...absents makes the heart grow fonder. The girl's really miss their "little dude"...although he is taller then all of them.

What I love about Andrew is so many things...he is a pleaser...he tries so hard to make us all so happy...and always succeeds. When he was born into a house full of girls, I was so happy for Kevin...I love to watch my boys bonding and them both craving "guy" time. I love that Andrew is very athletic. He would much rather be kicking , throwing or chasing a ball rather than watching someone else play. He loves sports. I love that Andrew can be all boy and come up with the gross boy stuff...I love that he gets the biggest laugh out of watching me watch America's Funniest Video's...(I hate that show and mock it...he will sit and watch me watch the show...kind of like a train wreck I guess.) I love that Andrew loves his family. When he was in Kindergarten he had to take a family picture with him to school so that if he missed us he could look at our picture and know we would all be together that evening. I love that Andrew is considerate. He never takes anything for granted and will always go without if he thinks something is out of our price range. I love that he is respectful, although he may not always agree with us...he never argues...always willing to do whatever it takes to keep the peace and harmony in our family. I especially love that Andrew honors his Priesthood. He is a young man who knows who he is and has a strong testimony of the Gospel. I am so proud to be his mom and so anxious for his safe return home. I love you Rewster!

Our Happy Camper!

Arin is at girls camp this week. It has only been 39 hours or so since I saw her last and I miss her. It is so strange when any of the kids are gone even just for the day. I figured I could take this time to "spotlight" our Arin.

Arin is our third daughter/child. She is 16 years old but will be 17 in a few weeks. She is a brilliant writer. She loves stories. Her favorite saying is

"Everyone deserves a happily ever after."

She is a romantic at heart. She loves to get up very early in the mornings and write for hours. She treats all of characters as if they were close friends. She loves to read and will re-read the same book over and over. She is passionate about baseball. She loves the Red Sox and it is so much fun watching a game with her. She continues to amaze me with her vast knowledge of the game. Kevin has been teaching her well. She is also a good artist. I imagine one day that she will write books and illustrate them as well. Arin loves! She just has the biggest heart and is truly watching out for anyone who might not fit in...she takes them under her wing and makes them feel welcomed. If I had to really describe Arin this is how it would be....Arin is silly, smiley, sweet, sensational, spiritual, spunky, serious, spontaneous and sometimes sarcastic. She is everything good. I love her and can't wait until she comes home with all her camp stories.

HUGS!!!

Monday's are always hard days for me. I am so spoiled with being home Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's that I am so cranky come Monday mornings. I love my job...but I love my family more and I would rather be home with the kids and Kevin (when he is off). I thought that as the kids got older it wouldn't be so hard to leave and go to work, but I feel that time is slipping away and if I am not careful...they will be out of the house and on their own before I know it. But today has been one of those Monday's that I felt okay with going into the office. I knew that the kids all had things to get done and I had a pile of stuff to go through on my desk at work and patients who needed me. I was stunned with one of my morning patients. I haven't known him long...he is 24 years old and has never once cracked a smile or given me any positive feedback. Today I fit him with his new hearing aids...he was so excited to hear again and when we were done he gave me the biggest bear hug I have ever had. He couldn't thank me enough. I was blown away. It made me realize just how important hearing is and should be. He was and is a totally different person now. I am so happy for him.
Another patient I put hearing aids on this afternoon gave me a really tight hug too. I didn't think she was going to let me go. I whispered in her ear..."enjoy hearing". She laughed and said she already did. It was so exciting to see these two patients, who missed hearing everyday sounds let alone the voices of loved ones, just open up and really be truly thankful for their hearing aids.

I just love hugs!

I especially love hugs from my kids and of course Kev. I love it when I get home from work or a church meeting and someone is always there to give me a hug when I walk in the door. I love how randomly Andrew(13 years old) hugs...not just me he hugs all of his sisters and Kevin too. He loves to just run up and act like he is going to tackle you but then he stops and gives a great gentle hug that just warms my heart. There is something to say about the power of a hug. So...if you haven't hugged anyone today... what are you waiting for? Get out there and hug the stuffing out of someone! You will feel great and they will too.

Clean Sweep and random thoughts...

Today I redeemed my "Clean Sweep" coupon I recieved from the kids for mother's day. A few weeks back we cleaned the attic and today we deep cleaned the dinning room, living room and den. We had all intentions of cleaning the kitchen but that will have to wait for another day. We are tired! We spent about 6 hours (with a quick lunch break) cleaning and organizing. It was fun. The kids are such good sports about helping me clean. They understand that I want things to have a home and to stay there. I have never been blessed with good organizational skills and it is extrememly hard for me to stay focused and keep on top of things. The kids really make it easy for me and really support me by helping out any way they can. I am so blessed. I feel like we really did something good today and it was fun and hard work. I really like being productive and feeling like I didn't waste my time by sitting around doing nothing. Thanks kids for making our home a little bit of Heaven here on earth. I love you!

I weighed in today. I lost 1.4 pounds. I was very nervous because I didn't keep good track of my points this week. I had alot of meetings and work things going on and tried to stay on program. I just didn't want to gain anything so I am very pleased with losing what I did. Mom did good this week too. She puts me to shame because she walks everyday in the morning. She is such a great inspiration.

Tomorrow is Father's Day. I have to say that growing up I really didn't enjoy Father's Day. My Dad had some serious problems that I just didn't understand back then. It wasn't until he was sick and dying that I realized he did the best he could. I am so thankful to Kevin for being such a great father. He cares and loves the kids so much and really takes the time to teach them so that they will be prepared for things to come. He is soooo funny too. We laugh and mess around everyday. There is always laughter in our home and that is because Kevin is so much fun and just plain silly. Andrew said today how he likes how our family is so kind and loving toward each other. I am so thankful that our kids can feel that. Thanks Kevy for being such a great man and a wonderful father! I love you!

I am still working on getting more pictures up here. I just need to take the time to do it. Maybe later this evening. I will see if Arica can help me...I am still new. Enjoy a productive Saturday!

Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner and Baking Soda

Three weeks ago Kevin was out of town on business. When he came home he unloaded a bag filled with lotion, shampoo and conditioner. It was amazing. The hotel replaced the bottles every day for 2 weeks. How could one man with a buzz cut go through that much product in a 2 week time period? I have to say I was rather excited. I placed a basket in the bathroom and filled it with our hotel treasures. It was like being on vacation. Every couple of days since I have selected my hotel products and lathered up with the free stuff. My hair was feeling kind of strange by week two. I wasn't liking my hotel products as much as I wanted to...after all they were free! I pressed forward not wanting to buckle just because the quality of the shampoo and conditioner were substandard...(not that I really spend a whole lot on my regular hair care products)...I wanted the free stuff. One evening I had been out walking in 100 degree temps and knew there was no way I would sleep well if I didn't take another shower..so I hopped in the shower and scrubbed my head and rinsed(as needed) and then lathered up with conditioner...still thinking that these free products might just have to go...I glanced at the bottle..only to realize I had been conditioning with LOTION! For almost 3 weeks I had been greasing up my hair with lotion! UGH! I quickly grabbed the shampoo and re-washed my hair..apply real conditioner...and my hair feels so much better. Later that night I talked with my friend Sharon and told her my lotion disaster. She gave me a great beauty secret...wash your hair with a tiny bit of baking soda mixed with shampoo once a week. It will strip all the other products off of your hair and it will feel funny..kind of like straw but then you can apply a good conditioner. My hair feels so much better. I am amazed! Thanks Sharon for getting me out of the lotion mess. So much for free products...you think they would make the labels a little different. Or...maybe I really do need glasses. NAWWWW!

Saturday

It is sooo hot outside! I am not sure what the temperature really is but if feels like at least 1000 degrees. Okay...so I am exaggerating....maybe it is only 900 degrees. Anyway...it is very hot and we are all couped up inside enjoying the A/C as it runs non-stop. I hate to see my electric bill.

Yesterday we braved the hot weather and went to the Taste of Charlotte festival. I guess it was a festival. It was fun. Kevin, Arin, Andrew and I rode the Lynx downtown so we wouldn't have to park downtown. It was fun. We tasted a few yummy things but we mostly wanted anything cold. We stood under the misting tent for a few minutes to cool off and when we got out the water dried up instantly. It was fun and I was surprised that I didn't feel all that tired.

We took the Sister missionaries to the "fish camp" last night. Captain Steve's has been a family favorite of ours for years. It was actually a real fish camp back in the day. Kevin and his family all went there and he has many fond memories there. Taking the Sisters with us made our special spot even more special. They ran into a few contacts they knew and might even have a contact to teach very soon. It was a great night.

Today my Mom and I weighed in at Weight Watcher's. I finally reached my 40 pound mark. I am half way to my goal! I am so excited. Mom gained a little this week but this is the first time she has ever gained. We have both lost 40 pounds. It helps doing it together. I need to work out and really get an exercising program....not my strong suit. I have 40 pounds to go. I am hoping that by Christmas I will be at my goal weight.

Tonight I am going out with my good friend Sharon. I can't wait to chat with her and just get caught up with things. It has been a while since we have just hung out and talked.

I guess I had better get the kids moving on a few things before we all scatter for the evening.
I hope your weekend was great!

Hungry

I am really hungry right now. I am not sure why. I think I need some water. We were extremely hot at work today. Our A/C wasn't working and it is like 100 degrees outside!

My week has been going pretty good. I have planted some seeds for better hearing with about 8 different people. It amazes me how little we think about hearing. I won't get on my soap box right now...but be warned...someday I will have to rant about how I feel about hearing and how important it is to hear better.

I start my new long weekend this week. It is going to be so awesome to have 3 days off. It has been kind of strange working late (until 6pm) but there are some benifits...here is my list:
1. Long weekend(already mentioned that)
2. The drive home is cut in half. A 30 min. drive instead of a 60 min drive.
3. Saving on Gas!
4. Spending time with Kevin and the kids.
5. Did I mention a long weekend???

I am sure I will come up with more great benifits these are things that came quickly to my mind.

Oh...the dawg days of summer are coming to us now. Is it fall yet? I had better get going and get this up on my site. Hope you enjoyed your busy day.