Pie Day

 The boys and I went to my cousins to make pie. The moms made pie and the kids played and played. It was such a fun day. I love living close to family. 

Happy Birthday, Scott

 Scott turned 38 this week and we loved celebrating him. Scott does so much for our family, we are definitely blessed to have him around. The kids know him well and got him a big bucket of Hubba bubba, an "a-salt" gun fly killer, and a new backpack. I got him a hair waver because he never likes what I get him, so I got him what I liked! It was pretty funny. And yes, he handed it back down to me, so it's a win!

Scott is our favorite guy. He works hard to provide for the family and always puts us first. He makes every effort to get to every game of the boys and washes the dishes when I ask him to. And even when I don't! He shares his love of cartoons, chocolate milk, and donuts with the boys and always hugs me when he gets home. He is the best! Happy birthday, old man! We love you!!

Grandma and Grandpa Mennears

My mom and dad are the best grandparents! The other day we had a basketball tournament for Tayden in Pocatello and the other boys didn't want to tag along. So, we dropped them off at my parents on the way and they had the best time. When we picked them up, we interrupted a card game and it warmed my heart watching my parents play with my kids. I don't think they will ever truly understand the impact they have on our lives and how grateful I am for the love they have for us. 

School Helpers

Two weeks ago I called my mom in a panic. I was wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into by signing up for school. So much of this has been a balancing act and I felt like I was constantly dropping things. I don't handle change or "failure" well. Not being able to keep up with the same schedule I've had for the past 12 years plus school, was overwhelming. She gave me the best advice, "Be kind to yourself and make room for change". Then she proceeded to tell me how. We've made two big changes since then and it's been wonderful. First, everybody takes a dinner night. I still have to help, but the stress of planning weekly dinners is gone. I've been so impressed with how much the kids have been not only willing to help but excited as well. After dinner, the kids have to help clean up. Paper plates have made that a lot easier. 

The second change we made was to the laundry schedule. Laundry day used to be Monday. I would wash and sort all the clothes and then the kids would put their baskets away. That was causing too much stress and had to change. So now, I was all the clothes on Wednesday (the only day we don't have any practices) and just put them on my bed. Then, after dinner, we all sort it together and the kids put their clothes away. If we can get it all done in time, we can watch a family show before bed. It worked out really well and saves me so much time. 

I'm so grateful for my support system. For my husband and kids who want to see me succeed. And for my mom who helps me breathe through my obsessive tendencies and find new ways to make things work. I'm lucky to have them on my side.  

 

Broccoli Turkey

 Beckett had an assignment in school to disguise a turkey for Thanksgiving so nobody would eat it. He came up with the best idea and I just love how it turned out. 

Broccoli. Because "kids hate that stuff!"- Beckett 

Cow Hunt

 While the bull hunt didn't produce for us this year, the cow hunt did. Beckett filled his first tag!  Dave, Cheryl, Scott, and Beckett went up Friday morning, and by midmorning, they had filled Dave and Becketts tags with a mama and calf combo. It was a good hunting day! Luckily, Scott's friend, Beau, and his son and buddy were there at the same time and helped haul out the elks. I love that Scott is able to share this passion with his sons. The meat in the freezer is a bonus. 

Dragon Watch

Cache loves to read! He reads every night before bed and I usually have to take his books away so he'll get sufficient sleep for school the next day. Last week, Brandon Mull, an author, came to his school and introduced the kids to his book, Dragon Watch. We could not get to the library fast enough! Cache was so happy to finally get his hands on them and couldn't even wait to get home to start reading. He is such a good reader and reading at a nearly 6th-grade level. I'm proud of my little bookworm.