Wow!!! What a Day!!!

He bought me FLOWERS!!!! I went to take the kids to school and found this bouquet on the driver's seat!! I love flowers and don't get them very often!! Drew went into work late and my girlfriend watched Smiley today, so we had a couple of morning hours to ourselves. Then I went and helped in Shorty's classroom, came home and had a quiet lunch and when I picked up Smiley, my friend had put together a breakfast fruit cake that I can put in the oven tomorrow for breakfast. Hooray!! I'm not sure what I did to deserve such a great day, but I feel loved and fluffed!! Thanks Drewster and Linz!!!

Halloween fun!

Here are the results of our Monday before Halloween Family Home evening. We all carve pumpkins--though the big boys were doing homework instead---and roast pumpkin seeds and have hot chocolate. Now we just have to put them on the porch with their candles inside. Happy Halloween!!

Dedicated to my Sweet Spouse!!!

Today I read a blog from a young widow. Her husband died a few months ago in a tragic plane accident that left her alone with their three small children, 4, 3, and 2 months old. Her sister is a dear friend of mine. As I have followed their story and thought about the heartache and the adjustments to life without a husband and a father, I just wanted to take a few moments to express my gratitude for the man in my life.

Drew is absolutely amazing! I don't know what I would do without him! He is my rock. I can do all the things I do because I know he is there, because I know he will love me even if I make mistakes. He emotionally grounds me.

I am so grateful for the leadership he provides in our family. With so many young men to raise and so much testosterone trying to become the man inside that boy body...it is wonderful to have a father who says, 'Hey! Don't talk to my wife that way.' From the very beginning Drew has insisted on family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening. I cannot even imagine having to do all that we have done--the successes and failures, they heartaches and joy---without him. I cannot even fathom trying to face those things alone and to feel the weight and the responsibility of teaching and training our children without his presence and influence.

I am so grateful for the plan!!! Children need, deserve, and have a right to two parents---mother and father! Family Science literature is just now beginning to understand what fathers do for developing emotional stability in children and families.

My heart goes out to you Shelly!! Hang in there. We will all be praying for you. Today may we forget the little squabbles and be ever grateful that we do not have to face Shelly's trials. Let us all show our appreciation for those we love, because we just don't know what tomorrow will bring and if they'll be here for us to tell them then.

Life is flying by.....

Wow!! It has been forever since I have posted. I'm going to try to be a little better about keeping things posted! Here is life in a nutshell. We moved to a new house in March with a new ward. Slim is off to college. Can't believe I'm old enough to have a child that old. Spanky is a senior this year, Scuff a sophmore. Sport turns 14 in January---I cannot believe my oldest ones are almost 14 and up! Amazing! Speedy is 10, Sun is 8, Shorty 6, and Smiley 4. Next year, everyone will be in school. I'm currently serving as the RS President, which is keeping me plenty busy with the children. Drew has received many new responsibilities at work, keeping him busy and he is serving as the Sunday School President and the scout committee member responsible for advancement and Duty to God. And yes, Scuff is taller than Drew now. As the third child, he is quite happy to be the tallest!!