Independence

I started this post right after the 4th of July.  It took me a while to get the photos edited and added to the blog. :)

Thank you for your patience in my absence.  I might not be back into the swing yet for even a month more (Update on July 24, 2011- I expect a few more weeks of random and irregular posts, but when the girls go back to school... I expect more time).  I will do my best, but while Big T and Little H are home, I don't seem to get as much done as I would like.  It is harder to get my homework done during the day while they are home, which leaves me staying up late to complete assignments.

I love this picture of these two beautiful girls!

Saturday, the 2nd, we went downtown to the Alien Fest.  We didn't see all that there was to see, and we didn't take pictures of everything that we did see.  Hoss was at work, and well, it is tiring taking all three kids around by myself (not to mention that things were so far spread out).  So we did some fun things for the girls, and went back home!  Here are some pictures of that.








I hope that you all had an enjoyable 4th of July.  I am very grateful for this country.  I am grateful for the men who diligently followed the guidance from our Heavenly Father to establish this nation.  My US History class has taught me a lot more than I had known about history.  I thought it was fitting to have the class run over Independence Day!

We celebrated by hanging out in the house for most of the morning, but some friends invited us over to swim, have dinner, and go to the fireworks.  We had a pretty good view of those fireworks too!  Here are some pictures!

I tried a bunch of different settings when taking pictures, and finally found this setting for night time.  It was awesome, because the camera picked up lights that my eyes could not see...hence all of the lines and extra bursts of light!

  

Thanks Wattsies for having us over!  I hope your cats recover from the trauma received by little hunters!

Bonus Post: Mother's Day!

The other day, all five of us were driving in the van.  I do not remember where we were going, or what time it was.  I only remember the fact that Baby K was so upset; he was screaming his head off.  He was fed, and he was changed... he was just sleepy, and he wasn't going to give up easily.  He was in the seat directly behind mine (the passenger seat, since Hoss was driving).  I was twisted around so that I could give Baby K his pacifier.  While trying to sooth him, I began to sing to him.  I sang about five or more songs, and he began to quiet shortly after I began.

Cuties that I am blessed to call my kids

Once all was quiet, I glanced to the very back of the van to see Big T and Little H watching me intently.  I'm going to be honest with you, at first, I was a little startled.  I smiled at them and winked before turning around in my seat.

Big T and Little H were so quiet and careful to listen, because they love to hear me sing.  I don't want to sound like I claim to be an awesome singer, because I do not claim such a thing.  I can carry a tune, that's about it.  :)  The girls ask quite often if I will sing them a song at bedtime (mostly Little H), but I don't do it very often.  But since having Baby K, I have been singing a whole lot more, because he loves to hear it.  Much of the time, when he is upset, it is the only thing that will calm him down.  He will even try to sing with me by cooing and making cute sounds while I sing... so needless to say, I have been singing a lot more since he was born than I have in a long time, so its no wonder why T and H stopped to listen.

I pondered the incident in the van, and I thought back to my own childhood.  I loved to watch my mother sing.  I loved to hear her voice.  It was just one of those things that made me happy, and helped me feel safe, warm and loved.

My wonderful, talented, and beautiful mother Kathy!

I have a memory of sitting on the kitchen counter when I was quite young... maybe a little younger than Little H.  My mom was singing a song that she wrote.  I was trying to sing along with her.  The only part that I can think of right now is the part that says, "Someone's spilling milk on the floor."  *Mom, you did write that song correct??*

My mother is a wonderful woman.  She is the reason for all of my good qualities.  She taught me how to work, to have a love for music, and a love for our Savior Jesus Christ.  She taught me what it means to serve and love our fellow men.  She taught me through example to have faith in the Lord, and to put all trust in Him.  I have a wonderful mother, who I have patterned my own mothering after.




So, Happy Mother's Day, mom!  I also want to extend the wishes to my Grandmothers Charlotte and Mary Lou, my sister Kendra, my sisters-in-law, and last but not least, my mother-in law, Dixie.  After all, she did raise my most wonderful husband!

T & H's personalities: Princess & Goof

Well, I had better get going, the dinner won't cook itself, the baby won't feed himself (yet), and the girls are calling for my attention!  Who was it that said, "A mother's work is never done?"... I wish they were wrong!

Happy Mother's Day!