Tween Angst

I never had a sister, so I don't have any experience in dealing with the rivalry between sisters...but man, my girls have it bad.

As you know, Mikayla has had a lot of opportunities to be independent. As the oldest, she has a fair amount of responsibility, and so, correspondingly, we have tried to give her a lot of privileges.

This has been difficult for Emma, who likes to think that she is big, and should be able to do everything that Mikayla does.

Sometimes, she gets to, and sometimes she doesn't.

Well, Mikayla turns 12 soon... and it is a special age for her. She just got contacts and soon, in October, she will be allowed to get her ears pierced.

This is KILLING Emma. She has wanted her ears pieced for so long, she just can't hardly stand it!

She regularly talks about it, she thinks about it often, and pesters her Dad about it ALL the time.

He has continued to say no, adamant in the belief that she should wait until she is 12 for this privilege (and responsibility).

Well, with Mikayla about to reach this magic number, it has pushed things to a head with Emma, because she sat down and wrote her Dad the following letter.




I particularly like the drawing where she tells Troy he is the best dad ever, and he can be seen telling her that she can get her ears pierced.

Now, I don't really think it's all that big a deal to get your ears pierced...and it would be okay with me if she did it.

However, Troy has really strong feelings about this, and so I support his stance.

But, I feel for Emma too.

So...I am conducting a little poll. And for those of you who prefer to read us through the google reader, come by, and take the poll at the side of the blog.

Let's hear what you think.

Maybe you can help Emma get her ears pierced...or convince her as to why it would be better to wait.

Her Future's So Bright...

She has to wear shades!

I told you, you are going to see a lot of "how can this be" type posts from me in the next few weeks. And here is the first of many...

Mikayla had middle school orinetation today. No parents allowed.

It killed me to send her to school today on the bus and not be able to be there for her.

But, not only did she have a good experience, she was able to solve some of her own problems.

Holy cow...free range parenting works!

She got to tour the school today, meet her teachers and practice opening her locker.

The thing that she didn't plan on doing today, I think, was discovering that there had been a MAJOR mistake in her class schedule and having to fix it without me.

But, fix it she did!

I am so glad that she has such a good head on her shoulders. I know she is going to be fine.

I wish I could say the same for myself!

In other news:

Josh had kindergarten orientation today. He is so excited for school. I love seeing him so happy.

Emma and Joe also got to meet their techers today.

Overall, I am pretty pleased with our teachers this year...We will see how it goes.

You Can't Have It All

Well. It's done.



60 quarts of peaches and still about two pecks of peachs left...I think jam is next on the list.

I have to say, while it was a lot of work, thankfully, there were many hands, so Andrea, Stacy, Lisa, and Melanie made it fun. And, for me, there isn't any better feeling than looking at those beautiful peaches still on my pantry shelf just waiting to be eaten by my grateful family.



The only way it could be sweeter for me would be if I actually liked peaches.
Oh well. You can't have it all!

In Living Color

So, here are a few more. A couple are the same, just in color.

Some are different. Still in color.

It's Not All Bad

So, in addition to picking peaches today, my children had to endure yet another photo shoot.

They are SOOOO lucky.

I am still working on the posing, but at least I feel like I am making progress.

Here's what we got.

Pick Your Peaches, Not Your Nose

Well, we decided to bottle peaches this year.

Why?

Because my life is rather boring and dull and we don't have enough to do.

That doesn't sound right, does it?

Oh well.

But, before you can bottle peaches you have to go and get the peaches.

So, I spent the last week calling around and trying to find a good deal on peaches.

The best price for peaches was $9.00 a peck - that's 12 pounds to you - but it was pick your own.

Well, I don't know about you, but as fun as it sounds to go and pick our own friut (we have done it before, and it really is fun), it did not sound super fun to go fruit picking by myself with the six kids (are you noticing a pattern here of all the things that just don't seems as much fun when you take ALL your kids along?).

So, when I found a place that was selling them for $10.00 a peck, already picked, I was all over that!

So off we went this morning to make the long drive out to the peach orchard, and...you know what's coming, don't you?

They were almost out of pre-picked peaches...and we got the last of the bunch. But, it wasn't enough to do all the bottling.

So...the kids and I spent the day picking peaches.

And I lived to tell about it...or at least blog about it.

I have to say, the kids were really good (and there was only a little complaining) and we even managed to have a little fun.

I know, I'm shocked too.

So, here's everyone's best effort at peach picking. And, you know if the big kids are going to do it, the little kids just HAVE TO do it too!

And The Cupboards Were Bare

So, we have had everyone at home for the summer and let's face it, who wants to go grocery shopping with six kids?!?!!?

Not me.

So, what do you feed a bunch of hungry kids after a long day at the pool?

Why pancakes, of course.



Grandma Beatty style.

Needless to say, it was hit.

Go Ahead, Complain

So, as you know I have really been enjoying my new camera, and try to take it with me wherever I go.

Consequently, I have gotten some really great photos.

But, not everyone appreciates my new found hobby. Namely, my husband.

Now, don't get me wrong. Troy is very supportive of my desire to take photos, but he doesn't love it too much when he is the subject. And, he is even less pleased with me when I scrap about it.

So, because he complained...I wanted to share my latest layout with you...and some of my favorite photos of the man I love. (I really do!)









He's a good sport! I am so lucky!

One Foot in the Grave

It isn't too often we get to hear an Emmaism, but here's one for you.

I was cooking lunch today...mac and cheese, in case you were interested, and Mikayla asked if she could have leftovers instead.

Emma turns to me and says, "Yeah, she's getting too old for mac and cheese."

And then she says, "I'm getting old too. I bent down the other day and my back hurt."

LOL!

When did nine become old?

And, if she's old, then what does that make the rest of us?

I do have to say...and let me just warn you now, with Mikayla starting middle school and Josh starting kindergarten, you are going to be seeing a lot of "when did they get so big" posts...

Anyway.

I just have to say...the children really are getting old (you know, in the cute, next stage of life way, and not the hand me my teeth kind of way).

Katie has all of the sudden gotten so grown up...I think since she has started walking she really seems like more of a little girl than a baby.



And Mikayla...phew. Don't get me started.

She started shaving her legs this week (she wouldn't let me take a photo!), and it really made me feel like she is growing up WAY TOO FAST!

But, I am working on my free range parenting, and she has had several opportunities to grow and be on her own and I am excited for her.

Really, she has such a good head on her shoulders, I am confident that she is going to make good choices.

I got this great photo of her playing with Becky. Aren't they so cute?

This is a test

Only a test.

It's Official

I think that it is safe to say that Katie is officially a walker.



I don't know yet if she can walk in shoes...she still has freakishly small feet and is only wearing a size one shoe.

In other news...since you have asked...Troy and I did fainlly meet up for our anniversary, but not before we had a "discussion" about surprises...and how very much I hate them.

We were able to have a really lovely dinner and enjoyed a great night.

And, I think we each really enjoyed our flowers.



Finally, two little bits of cuteness.

I got this cute shot of Troy and Becky. How sweet are they?



And, I have a new little avatar, and I just think it is too freakin' cute. I am two in this photo. Holy cow. I see so much of the kids there! Especially Becky and Mikayla.

Unlucky 13

Well, it's been a while since we have had an episode of "I Love Lucy" Denise style.

So, for your enjoyment, let's call this "I Love Denise: Anniversary Episode."

Scene I

Troy and Denise had been talking about what to do for their anniversary, but nothing sounded quite right.

Well, the time was quickly drawing near, but nothing had really been scheduled, so Denise decides that she is going to go all out and REALLY surprise Troy this year.

The plan: get a babysitter, drive downtown and surprise Troy at this office to enjoy a little dinner in the city and an evening of culture at the Kennedy Center.

Sounds good right?

Scene II

Denise spends the day with the kids, hanging out and enjoying the end of summer. She makes him a wonderful bouquet of "flowers" out of Dove chocolate, his favorite.

Then she gets ready and gets all dressed up to spend this special evening with her man.

The babysitter arrives and Denise is anxious to get into the city...she doesn't want to risk Troy getting on the train before she has a chance to surprise him.

Scene III

All is well. She has made it with plenty of time to spare. The earliest train he would take doesn't even leave until 5:30 pm and she has 20 minutes to spare.

She goes into the building, asks the security guard to call Troy so that she can go up to his office.

No answer.

Uh oh.

Scene IV

Denise calls his office numerous times. No answer.

She calls the operator up in his office, who is nice enough to go and look around for Troy. The operator says, "Well, he isn't in his office, but it doesn't look like he has left yet." Phew.

But where could he be?

She calls his cell phone numerous times. No answer.

Finally, she remembers that he might have his blackberry with him, so she calls that number. No answer.

Where is he?!?!?!

Scene V

Beep, beep.

It is Denise's cell phone buzzing with an incoming text message.

Text message: "I will have to call you later, I am on the quiet train and I can't talk."

dum, dum, dum...

Text message that Troy recives just seconds later: "I am at your office."

dum, dum, dum...

Scene VI

Denise's phone rings, because apparently Troy made record time getting out of the quiet car, into a location in which he could say to his wife, "You're at my office?!?!?"

"Uh, yeah."

So, while Denise was driving in to the city to suprise Troy for their anniversary, Troy left work early and took the train home to surprise Denise.

Let's just say they were both surprised.

Lucky 13

So, today is our wedding anniversary.

Can you believe that it has been 13 years?

Holy cow. When did I get old enough to have been married 13 years?

I guess it was the same point at which I became old enough to have six kids!

So, today, I want to tell you 13 things I love about being married to Troy.

1. He is incredibly kind, and sweet, and always trying to think of little ways to please me (even though I don't always appreciate them the way I should!).

2. He is incredibly competitive...and there isn't anything I like better than a little friendly competition!

3. He has finally learned the proper way to have an argument...although he likes to tell people that he only does this to please me, and for no real need of his own (Don't you believe him, not even for a second!).

4. He is really intelligent, and we can talk on any subject...although you have to watch him here, or he might tell you his "theory" on the topic.

5. He has a "system" for absolutely everything...again, beware, or he'll tell you about it. But after 13 years, I find this trait terribly endearing, and it actually makes me smile when he starts a conversation with, "I have a system for that..."

6. He is amazingly spiritual. No joking on this one. He has a deep and abiding testimony and does all that he can to honor his Priesthood and me as his wife. I could not ask for more.

7. He is always willing to pitch in...be it changing a diaper or cleaning a toilet. Although he does regularly like to remind me that I should be MORE grateful for this, since neither his father, nor mine would ever have done this.

8. I love that every year on our anniversary he always gives me one rose for every year that we have been married. I have kept every single one and look forward to the day when I don't have room to keep them all.

9. When I have a problem and I need to talk to someone about it, he tries incredibly hard not to try and fix my problem for me, but rather to listen and agree completely with anything I say. (It doesn't always work, but he does try REALLY hard!)

10. He is endlessly patient with me when I experience moments of self doubt or a lack of confidence...but thankfully he had stopped trying to get me to say affirmations. I know there are some of you out there who have experienced this side of him. It makes me smile.

11. He is amazingly optimistic and almost always happy. I had taken to calling him "Miss Merry Sunshine" which he doesn't really enjoy. But, I am happy to report that I can now (usually) enjoy this side of him.

12. I love that for all our differences, we have all the things that matter in common...and agree on almost all the big things. We may argue about the little things, but when push comes to shove, we are usually united.

13. And finally, I love being married to Troy because I cannot imagine a greater joy in life than to be married to my very best friend. A man who loves me, unconditionally, and whom I know would do anything in his power to ensure my happiness.

I can only hope and pray that I can be the kind of spouse to him that he is to me.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart. I love you.

p.s. I know I'm the lucky one!

Ring Out Wild Bells

There is so much to having a big family that you don't really think about.

Like getting to church.

It isn't like everyone gets up, and gets dressed, and is just waiting by the door to get to church.

No. It's more of a kick back, laze the day away attitude...and unless you motivate the children to get ready -- they don't.

Well, last week I decided that we needed to make a better effort to get to church on time...so I started getting ready even eariler than usual, and got all the kids ready...and wouldn't you know it, Troy wasn't ready.

Well, we had a little "discussion" about it on the way to church and decided that today, we would be on time. In fact, Troy decided, we would be early.

Well, if you are familar with the phrase the "road to hell is paved with good intentions" you might think they had our family in mind when they coined it.

But, we actually did it (I know, you were thinking I was going to say we were late! It's okay, I'd doubt us too!)

We got up, we got ready, we even managed a little lunch...and throw in getting ready for Troy's duties as Primary Chorister (which, someday, I will do a post on how when one spouse gets a calling, why does it mean that the other one has it too? Beacause really, when you call a man to be the Primary Chorister, who do they really think is going to make all those visuals? Oh, sorry, maybe that won't be another post after all.)

Anyways...it was a little crazy, but we were early to church today. We even got to sit in soft seats...although at 10 minutes early we got the last spot (really, there is something wrong with that!!!).

So, what I really wanted to say was, this is when our churches not having bells is sort of a disappointment...because surely, if we had them, they would have rung today!!

And, on an unrelated note...

After I got done doing Becky's hair today, she looked up at me and said, "I pretty Mommy?"

eek. Melt my heart, why don't you?

Questions Better Left Unanswered

Question.

What do you get when you combine this?



With this?



Nothing good, I assure you.

Slow News Day

Well, our summer has just become one massive play date...when does school start again?

But, Hilary had this on her blog and I thought it would be fun...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog.

Now, I know I have a few blog stalkers out there that never leave comments...so here's you chance. Your memory can be about me or about a Troy and we will try and come up a fun one to leave on your blog.

Let the commenting begin...

Summer in Three "Easy" Weeks

Well, the kids have decided that they have to make up an entire summer of playing in just three weeks.

I might not make it.

In addition to the party that Troy and I had, we have had numerous playdates, sleepovers, and all around chaos. We even managed to fit in a little girls night out with Emma, Mikayla, and Mikayla's friend Vanessa.

We got manicures. Aren't they cute?



I still have to find time for an entire summer's worth of school shopping and doctor visits. Luckily, I have a Master's Degree in shopping (maybe even a PhD), and have finished nearly all the school shopping.

But we have three orthodonist visits, a hearing test, four eye doctor appointments, and a well child visit still to go.

Did I mention that we also have three birthday parties, another sleepover, and a wedding anniversay to fit in?

Oh, I know, it's my own fault for going away for the ENTIRE summer.

It really was worth it, but geez, I am going to need another vacation once school starts!

Well, enough of the pity party...I did manage to find some time to scrapbook, so it can't all be bad...haha.

I just had to share this layout...I really love it.



And if you made it this far...you get to hear the Joshisms.

First, to tell you how long we have been gone, and how much we have been travelling...when Troy got home from work today, Josh wanted to know if Troy had brought him a souviner. LOL!

And secondly, I forgot to tell about something funny I overhead Josh say while we were on vacation.

Josh was telling Joe something. And Joe said that he thought that Josh was lying about whatever it was.

Josh was really upset by this and said, quite emphatically, "I AM NOT lying! I used to lie all the time, but now I just lie a little...and this time is the truth."

Can I just tell you...that kid cracks me up.

Sad Hearts, Lonely Dance Floor

We said farewell to Paul and Sarah last night...and I have to say that I am really going to miss them.

Paul and Sarah are a pretty great couple, and the one thing that really stood out to me about them was their great love for each other.

These two kids are really in love, and for a cynic like me, it's pretty great to see.

This affection and deep knowledge of each other was evidenced once again last night as we tortured them by making them answer random questions about each other and chewing bubble gum for incorrect answers.


They did so well, there was hardly any gum passed out! If it had been Troy and I, we would have had to chew an entire box before everyone would have even been able to ask a question!

AND, because Paul is such a great sport and really super about letting me embarrass him on my blog (and, also, because Sarah has such a great memory), Paul also provided the bulk of the evening's entertainment by doing the running man.

My only regret of the night is that I didn't get it on video. And my only consolation, is that I took photos!


If you click on this, it will get BIG!

So, while I know that this isn't the end, it didn't make it any easier to see them go.

I am really going to miss you both, your cute Ethan, your sweet Sadie, and your little dog too.

So, we won't say goodbye, we'll just say...save the next dance for me.

So Hip (Or is that Hip-e)

So, we finally made it home.

Can you believe it?

Paul Snow joked with Troy that I have become one of those people for whom summer is not a noun, but a verb. We don't have summer, we summer.

So, after summering in the west, here we are trying to get our lives put back together.

We are unpacked and moving forward...school starts in just 3 weeks. Yikes!

But we had such a great summer and really enjoyed visiting with every one. I know that there were some that we missed seeing, but hopefully, knowing now that we can survive the drive, maybe we will do it again.

We stopped in Kansas City again to see Amanda and Mike, and they showed us a good time. Hopefully we weren't too big of duds, being so tired from the drive.

Amanda and Mike are so much fun, we miss them. Wish they lived closer!



And, in addition to now having DDR'd, I can now say, thanks to Amanda, that I have also guitar hero'd. Am I hip, or what?Yeah, I know, or what.



But it was pretty fun. We also Wii fitted, and I have to say, while I might not be able to DDR to guitar hero very well, I am the hula hoop queen!