Representing the Savior

Sweet Ruckus,

Hey buddy! Look how great you look all dressed in white! This was a big day, a day you took very seriously. It may be surprising to some that you're a contemplative guy. Dad and I have called you our "secret learner" since you were a toddler because to the outside world you're Mr. Social Busy Body, but on the inside you're absorbing everything. That great brain of yours is constantly filing away mounds of information. Weeks before your baptism took place we took a few times as a family to discuss the baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Your big, searching eyes soaked it all in. You're just the coolest.

As your mother I want you to know that I have experienced the blessings that come from taking upon myself the name of Jesus Christ. I cannot express how much I love Him. And the Holy Ghost?! Freaking amazing. A few months back during my Relief Society class the teacher asked, "What words come to mind when thinking of the Holy Ghost?" And my exact thoughts were, "Freaking amazing." I didn't share those thoughts. Probably I need to come up with a more reverent declaration, but I know that He is real. He is a true gift that is readily available as long as we receive Him by remaining worthy. I know you'll do this. And if once in awhile you forget I have no doubt you'll soon remember.

We spent your baptismal day surrounded by those we love. And let's talk about how many "greats" you had there! Three great grandparents, one great aunt, and two great uncles - Great Grandpa Andrus and Great Grandma Andrus, Little Grandpa, Great Aunt Shawna, Great Uncle Kerry, and Great Uncle Kelly. What valiant dedication they have toward their family. Aunt Shanny's family, Aunt Angie's family, Aunt Ruth's family, the Andrus fam, and all four of your grandparents also cheered you on. Plus, don't forget your own personal clan. My, how you are loved. Remember to always look toward these righteous examples. They have your back.

After your baptism we went back to our house and had a little program in the backyard. Grandpa and Grandma Patton spoke to you about the Holy Ghost and presented you with a Build-a-bear to help you remember Him. Buckabu and Papa bore their testimonies and taught you a little more about baptism. Dad and I also took a moment to share our love for the gospel and for you. 

We then ate food, played Red Rover, and danced around in the backyard. It was perfect. You were happy.

I love you my tender Ruckus. Stay good. You've got this.

Love,

Mom

Little C and Moo will love these pictures later on in life. :)

Love you.

My Girls

I look at them and can't believe they're real sometimes - These two beautiful, femine pals that transformed this masculine home.

Running errands during the day with an entourage dressed in pink instead of blue still surprises me and makes me smile. But the pink doesn't replace the blue. It doesn't replace the joy or memories of those chubby perfect boy toddlers. It's just different. And sometimes different is fun. 

Our Summer Schedule - That We're Pretty Undependable at Following

Monday: Art day

Tuesday: Movie day

Wednesday: Swim day

Thursday: Activity outside/Service day

Friday: Friend day

Thus far we are mediocre at sticking to this plan. 

Luckily, we are really great at forgiving ourselves.

Before any fun or electronics can occur though my kids must tidy their rooms, put laundry away, do one chore, look and smell presentable, and read for twenty minutes. Once a week they must read a non-fiction book as well and then write a short summary about it.

This sometimes occurs. :)

Last week we implemented some changes and decided that T-F one of the kids would be in charge of overseeing chores instead of me.

It was incredible.

No more whining to the mother. 

Granted, they tried, but I just shipped them off to whoever was the Overseer that day.

Go whine to them my friends.

My hope is that it'll encourage them to:

1. Recognize what good work looks like

2. Understand why whining is super lame

3. Help them feel responsible and learn how to manage kindly

We shall see.

Here are some pictures of our summer fun when we occasionally stick to the schedule... or not:

Swimming:

Ruckus pulling the "chariot" for one of our pals.

Okay, this has nothing to do with anything except it did happen on a summer day. Sweetrotten asked me to curl her hair and then she  admired her glorious self in the mirror for about an hour afterward.

This happened near the pool... so maybe that constitutes as Wednesday Swim Day except it happened on a Thursday. 

Raingutter Regatta:

Lou steals the win! Love that smile.

Brothers racing against one another.

Go Ruckus!

The sail designs speak oodles about their different personalities. 

Art Day - 

and confession, almost everyday around here is art day.

That's what happens when your kids are artsy fartsy.

Have you ever done raised salt painting? It's super simple and all of my people love it. My only advice is to spray it with an adhesive afterward.  

Here's one of Little C looking handsome. This has nothing to do with the schedule, he's just a cutie.

One day (not sure if it was Friend Day) I went out to lunch with my Daddio. I was having a hard time getting my straw to work. 

I guess that's what happens when your dad ties a knot in the bottom of it. Little stinker. :)

Another art day (which we've established is basically everyday) my children chose to make wands. Later, after the wands were completed, I found them choreographing some dance moves with their new props. 

Sitting on the swing in my parents backyard with some of my babies should be on the schedule everyday.

Plus, green is my color.

I love those little hands resting on my knee.

Getting out the tinfoil Sweetrotten shoved up her nose was definitely not on the schedule, but we got 'er done.

Friend Day:

We met up with my dear friend Abby (who I've known since Kindergarten) and her chillens at the park. 

We played for hours.

Happy Summer Faces

Another fun Friend Day for me!

 This is Camille who became my best friend in 4th grade. 

It warms my heart that our children are pals now.

And if it's not on your schedule (because it wasn't on ours) make a little time for your mom to put lipstick on your daughter after enjoying a wonderful lunch together. 

Witnessing this will bring you more joy than adhering to a perfect schedule any day of the week.

Not Just Another Day

Last week was my birthday! Thirty five years ago my turn on earth began and I promise this is a big deal. Thirty five years ago I took my first breath with my tiny, novice lungs. I let out my first cries and my cheeks experienced wet tears. My mother's strong, and dependable arms comforted me and I can picture my perfect baby sigh.

I was reunited with my family!My beautiful, brown eyed Angie, my cheerful, gentle Erin, and my freckle faced, curious Shannon. I imagine my dad's eyes twinkled like they do when he's happy, and that he used his big, powerful, athletic trainer hands to carefully tend to my needs. For the first time out of the womb I sleepily heard the soft tones of my mother's soothing voice and inhaled her wonderful scent.

This life. Filled with firsts. And sometimes lasts. Was gifted to me thirty five years ago. So I'm going to celebrate! Year after year! 

I'm going to cherish my birthday kiss from my thirty eight year old husband and remember the first kiss I stole from him almost thirteen years ago. I'm so glad he was born! 
Life, birth, aging - these are things to be embraced. Every year I grow a little bit more. I hopefully become a little wiser, a little kinder, and a little less wasteful of my time here on earth. (Every year my front tooth also gets a little darker . . . but whatev. ) Every year I have the opportunity to love people a little stronger. People who also have a birthday! And without that birthday I wouldn't know them. I couldn't be molded by their incredibleness or not-so incredibleness.  So, celebrate the day you were born. It enabled the rest of us to someday meet you for the first time. To be served by you. To enjoy you. To be thankful for you. To love you. 

It's not just another day. 
It's your day. 
It's my day. 
The day Heavenly Father said something like, 
"It's your turn, now go and become what I know you can be." 

P.S. Read the second part of the message below. You'll understand how thankful I am, for many reasons, that my mother was born. She and my dad are currently on a Scandinavian cruise and couldn't be here for my birthday. I'm not gonna lie, I cried sweet tears of gratitude for my angel mother when I read this message. This year I'm going to try to be more like my parents.

Always an Audience

There's always an audience,

 and my bathing time is no exception. 

Little lovable scoundrels.