November - December 2017

Here it is mid-December and I'm play catch up again!  My kids love looking at this blog, and honestly I love journaling our life here.  Its a win win, so the catch up game will continue...I haven't posted many pictures of this belly - but since it will be my last, here she goes!  This is baby girl at 28.5 weeks!  Down to the home stretch and feeling really ready to have her.  I am so excited to have another sweet baby to snuggle and cuddle - and I can't wait to see what she looks like.  I got a special treat with an extra ultra sound to double check the gender on Dec. 4th - now baby girl is a bit bigger, and Dr. Johns gave me a 95% positive that she is still a girl.  So unless there is something that is being hidden extremely well, Lyv's prayers of having a sister are being answered.   Look at those chubby cheeks!!

Turkey Trot 2016 in the books with Lyv as my lone runner this year.  Sam is too old now, and Jack declared yet again, that running isn't his thing.  But running is Lyv's thing and she moved up 2 spots this year nabbing 3rd in her age group!  It was so fun to see her move her booty! I love this girl and her determination to do well.  She is a ray of sunshine in my life!

Thanksgiving this year was spent in St. George, Utah with the Summers Clan.  We had a blast - the highlight was exploring Zion's National Park.  It was perfect weather for hiking and the views were amazing. Even Max was a trooper - so thank you Grandpa Kelly for showing us around.

The rest of the time was spent eating, playing, going to Moana, swimming, and exploring St. George.  The guys and older boys went golfing one day, while the youngers got to try their hand mining at a gypsum mine.  It was so cool.  I think Jack could have stayed their all day chipping away at the rock!

On our way home, we made a detour in Provo to get some grub at Cubby's and Shawn had his first encounter with Waffle Love…oh so good!  We also had to visit BYU campus & bookstore.  Shawn and the kids got their gear restocked, and then Jack and I headed down to the depths of the BYU Library basement level.  WAY, WAY back in the recesses of the Family and Social Science level is a Phi Kappa Delta plaque for Senior papers…and in the tiniest of letters is my name, with my winning Senior paper in 2004.  I tell my kids that when they go to BYU and they are home sick, they can always go down, dust off the plaque and say hello to their mother!)

We were happy to finally make it back to Yakima in one piece, and to be reunited with Stone!  Lyv especially has taken on the role as Stone's favorite.  She LOVES him, and will go out without being asked to hang out and play with him.

We also tried out our new game we received - Watch Your Mouth and couldn't help but take a picture of that fun!  AND….we had a few hours to kill and so decided to set up the Christmas tree.  Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at the Summers' house and we so excited to get into the Christmas spirit this year, starting it off right with the Christmas Devotional and the Light the World challenge.  I loved this idea that the church was promoting this holiday season to find small simple acts of service that exhibit characteristics of the Savior.  I found myself really looking around to find things I could do to make someone's load lighter, or express gratitude to those who have contributed so much to my life.  It filled my heart with the spirit of Christ - and is a tradition I hope we can continue each year.

We also celebrated the old man's birthday!  He turned a whopping 36 this year, and his gift….one that he has been longing for for decades: a HUGE TV, and surround sound so that our house is an official movie theater!  It got to be a little on the ridiculous at how many items, cords, and consuls were required for this endeavor, but honestly this man is worth it!  He has worked so so hard this past year, and really all the years of our marriage to provide for our family.  It was fun to finally get a gift that he was giddy about.  I am grateful daily for his hard work, his dedication, his love, his patience, and his overall goodness.  There is nothing he won't do!  

Shawn's birthday also fell on Jack's Christmas concert, so we hit up Kyoto for some suishi and then headed over to listen to Cottonwood Elementary 2nd graders sing holiday favorites. Jack did a great job, even with a mid-concert dash to the bathroom.  Such a Jack move!  Shawn was so proud of the kids for all trying suishi this time around and actually liking it.. that was a gift that will keep on giving!  Then we top off the night with some rum cake.

Max also had a Christmas concert for his preschool group and he was AMAZING!  They always encourage the kids to sing loud…well Max took that advice and ran with it.  Neck vein bulging, nearly screaming, a Steven Tyler like resemblance most of the time…created a hilarious show for the eager onlookers!  This boy is honestly one of my favorite little things in the world.  He manages to always make me stare in awe time and time again at how adorable, sweet, fun, and simply wonderful he is! Couldn't you just eat that face!

Finally…these pictures were from earlier in November but none the less need to be documented.  First  - Stone, my fur baby as I lovingly refer to him!  This whole dog thing has been a learning experience for me and I was quite shocked to find out that I am actually a dog person.  I guess they need to be MY dog - but I don't mind cuddling up next to this stinky crazy boy.  I also found out that he became like a child to me.  He was my first and last thought morning and night.  I was rushing home to let him out and play with him, making sure he was exercised, loved, and nourished properly.  I was constantly thinking about what he needed next….it was exhausting!  The kids have been amazing though…and without them I know I would have lost my mind.  They each have a Stone Day - where they are in charge of feeding/watering him, playing and exercising him, and taking care of any of his other needs.  By 2 months into this adventure we learned that a fenced in yard is a must, as Stone began to explore near the road…our kids following after him not wanting to see him hurt.  After Lyv decided to play traffic cop and stopped an oncoming car to rescue Stone, we called up the fencing company and set the date.  The fence will help the kids, Stone, and me all remain safe, sane, and happy!  Especially with the new baby on her way, I know there is no way I can maintain my constant supervision and I hate to have him sit in the garage with no way out, so the fence will allow him to run around and play without getting hurt - and me to attend to the HUMAN baby that really needs me!  Crazy dog person…yes that's me!

Lastly…this beautiful sunrise.  I have enjoyed many of these the past three months on my morning walks.  To help with my circulation during pregnancy, especially in my legs I have tried to walk/jog in the mornings and this has been my reward.  It really has been a blessing, as I usually listen to conference talks and ponder about things that matter most.  I feel like it reminds me daily before I am confronted with kids and the frustrations of taking care of them - what my goal is with them; which is to have them be happy.  I am grateful for the beautiful reminder of a loving Father who created this world for his children, and wants us to return to him.

When Mom Isn't Nice

I continue to find myself in a pattern of recommitting to be patient and kind, to be nurturing and loving especially in frustrating situations, and then losing control, blowing up and then feeling terrible about the kind of mother that I am.  It happened again today.  At church yesterday, I prayed for more patience with all of my children, especially Jack, who because of the combination of his personality and my personality tend to butt heads several times a day, mostly over small insignificant things like not making his bed, or not obeying the first time he is asked.

This morning the kids were out playing with Stone before school (a regular occurrence now).  I open the door to herd everyone into the van for school drop off to find both Jack and Olyvia covered in mud and dirt.  Lyv readily admits that her bum is all muddy and Jack just stands there waiting to see how I react.  Well it wasn't pretty folks!

I yelled - I told them how stupid it was that they decided to practice sledding in the muddy hill right before school.  Barking at them to get undressed, I slammed the door in their faces and raced up stairs to find a new change of clothes for both of them.  We were already late....

I continue to tell them how dumb this choice was and yell at them to get into the car.  As we drive Lyv breaks down in tears and admits that it was her idea!  Then it hit me, and how funny it was!  Practicing snow sledding....who does that?? It was hilarious.  I start giggling, and then the proper responses start to come out of my mouth:

"I'm sorry I yelled at you!"  "It's not a big deal."  "Let's try to do that stuff after school when we don't have to be somewhere in clean clothes."  Then as they start to smile and laugh at the situation, my eyes sting with tears of regret and frustration at myself.  When will I ever get this right?  How many times will my kids have to be the subjects of my inability to control my temper, and my unwillingness to let little things go.  When they are grown will they just remember how often I yelled at them, told them that they weren't doing it right, corrected little behaviors - OR will they think mom was usually really nice.  At this point I don't really know.  Motherhood is difficult because it is emotional - every decision, every word that passes your lips, actions that come from your hands seem to feel like monumental moments in time.  And is some ways, they are.  My kids are molded and shaped by the way I make them feel.

So after saying that I'm sorry, and praying yet again for more patience - I am again recommitting to be better. To be more patient, more kind, slower to anger, and find joy in those small moments.  I found myself wishing I would have grabbed my phone and taken a picture of the two muddy culprits to post on instagram, instead I have a heavy heart and two kids whose morning wasn't that pleasant.  It's time to be a better mom.  It's time to become patient and joyful.  It's time to let little things go and make the big things keep those pinpricking words inside my mouth where they belong!

Survivor

When our friends the Tolboe's stayed with us in June they introduced the kids to a great game called Survivor.  Basically the kids pretend they are on their own and survive in the wilderness (AKA our backyard).  Max and Lyv will play this game at least two or three times a week.  They pack up their backpacks with essentials and then head off into the unknown.  I just love how this gets them outside, using their imaganation, and playing together!  Love these two munchkins and am so glad they love to play with each other.

Jack's Baptism photos

I took some pictures for Jack's baptism announcements and book, and these were some of our favorites!  Love this handsome boy - even though he is still too small to fit into his suit!  Hopefully he will be hitting a growth spurt before Max catches up to him.  I only have one set of clothes:)

 Jack Rick Summers September 2016

West Valley Scouts 2016

 Sam is playing his second year of football, and has moved up to the older squad.  He has had a real growing year.  The team has struggled offensively, but that has given Sam a lot of experience playing in many positions.  Currently he has been playing wide receiver.  His game on Saturday he made an awesome catch for 15 yards, and made a great run on a kick return.  It has been really fun to watch him grow, and continue to play hard even though they haven't won a game.  He continues to go to practice each day with an attitude to improve.  I love that about this kid.  I am excited to see how he continues to improve year after year!

Jack's Baptism

 On Saturday, October 8th, Jack was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was a great weekend, and the service was very heartfelt.  He was baptized with his friends, Coy DeMill and Anna Tew.  Shawn baptized and confirmed Jack, along with Grandpa Hill who was a witness.  Grandma Julianne gave the talk on Baptism, and Jack was showered with love and gifts (especially candy) by family and friends.  We are so proud of Jack and the sweet, loving, intelligent boy that he is.  He has a talent for having people fall in love with him, and I hope that he uses that to help share his testimony as he continues to grow in his knowledge and love for the Savior and His gospel.

We had friends and family over for dinner after the baptism.  Per Jack's request...soup, bread bowls, fruit, donuts and ice cream sundae's!  It was Yummy!!  I felt the spirit so strongly during his baptism I couldn't hold back the tears.  I just love this boy, and his faith, and his commitment to follow his Savior.  In his confirmation, Shawn blessed Jack that he would be a strong member of the church, that he would strive to keep the commandments, repent and be a good friend to those around him.  He blessed him that through his love for reading and learning that he would gain a strong testimony of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon.  He also blessed him to listen to the counsel he gets from the prophet, so he can withstand temptations and follow the promptings of the spirit.   We are so excited to see what the future has in store for Jack...he is going to soar!

Grandma and Grandpa were right in the middle of Spud Harvest, so they weren't able to come to the actual baptism.  They came two weeks earlier to celebrate Jack's birthday and baptism.  We had a great time watching Sam play football, eating, laughing, and shopping!  Jack got a personal shopping spree with Grandma and found a killer deal on a bluetooth speaker, and a water flosser that he was so proud to have!  We love having family!

The BIG News

We've waited patiently to let the cat out of the bag, and finally we were able to make an exciting announcement....We are having baby #5....and its a GIRL!  Hooray!  We debated back and forth about whether our family was complete.  I kept having this nagging feeling that I couldn't quite settle within myself.  I made Shawn a proposal, and gave him a window for trying to see if we would get pregnant.  He agreed that we should just see, and it happened!  We decided to wait to tell our families until we found out the baby's gender, so it wouldn't drag on like pregnancies seem to do!

Keeping baby girl a secret proved to be a challenge due to several family events we had this summer...Grants memorial, Jake's wedding, Uncle DeLoy's funeral, the Cedergreen sealing...we had a lot of family time!  We normally love that, but since we were trying to keep this a little more hush hush, it was hard to suck in all the time!

We found out on Sept 20th, and I honestly felt like it was going to be a girl, but didn't want to get my hopes up so I kept telling myself...boy, boy, boy!  Lyv was convinced if she prayed hard enough that Jesus would answer her pleas to have a sister.  I wasn't going to go that far.  I would have been happy either way, but I really am delighted that Lyv will get the chance to have a sister.  Baby Girl Summers is due February 12, 2017!