Annette is 4

Happy birthday, my little Annette. My darling who calls her babies darlings and nurses them to sleep. 

This morning we woke, hugged, kissed, sang to you. You let us sleep. We took the kids to piano. I had two late nights in a row and I was feeling it today. 

We met our family at In-N-Out for lunch. Cheeseburgers animal style YUM. 

Went back home and decorated, got snacks and made cookies. Elsa Frozen Shiny blue and silver birthday party for little Nette and her best gals, Jane, Ivy, Josie Barnes, Josie Bloxham, Sami, Hattie, Ella, and Zoey. 

They played and dressed up, did hair chalk, stick on earrings, took pictures, opened gifts, did crafts, ate cookies, and had an epic dance party. 

After everyone was gone, we went and watched clips of frozen the Broadway musical, and then started Frozen 2

We had fish tacos with homemade tortillas. Zoey and annette love the sour cream best. 

The sun is setting; Hattie is home from girls’ activities; Fred is at mutual;  Collin is at a meeting and then will be out with friends tonight; Zoey is asleep. Im falling asleep. Another day gone, but now annette is 4. 

Awake too late

Little hands reach up to my face in the darkness. She nurses, gulps and swallows, over and over, while she drifts back to sleep. I’m tired. Really tired. 

Harriet laid down on the stairs. Trying to get my attention. Trying to reach out for me in her own way. I asked her to move out of the way. I didn’t go spend time with her. We did earlier though. We had the best time. We will tomorrow. We will make goals, write our book, make some art. 

I want to play wii with Fred and Hattie and Ella. After church. I will use a quiet voice from now on. 

I’m falling asleep. 

Today

 Today was a big day. 

We exercised! 100 sit ups, 50 jumping jacks, 20 push ups, 10 burpees, run around the circle (stairs). 

I talked w Kendra on the phone about Kyle being in Iraq and Jack getting hurt in the forest. 

While putting Zoey down to nap I read the Liahona. I read about the temple bringing comfort and tips for success in marriage  I felt the spirit and want to keep reading and sharing. Come follow me was my favorite scripture today. Acts 17: 28-29

I had my root canal. I was afraid. The kids and I prayed before. Everything worked out. It was 3 hours. Long and hard and I’m very sore. 6 shots!! But it went well, I’m told. 

Fred Hattie Ella’s last day of summer hip hop  a joy to watch them dance. Tears and blessings for the last few moments. I didn’t miss it. Joy and pride.

Dinner on Tuesdays is grilled chicken  I heated tortilla bread and Collin made a tomato and fresh mozzarella salad. We added pickles. A delicious dinner. 

Annette went to her last day of summer tumbling. It’s  all going so fast. I’m not ready for them to leave again.

When my meds had worn off, my pain was coming fast. I went upstairs and put Zoey to bed. We were going to have a movie night and Collin and annette brought home an ice cream bar. I was in so much pain but still 3 hours till I could take more meds. The kids took care of me. Hattie room my hand and insisted I lay down and tucked me in. She read stories to me as I drifted in and out of sleep. Ella and bread asked how I was doing. Kisses and loved on me. Annette got home and sang to me, “go to sleep; go to sleep; go to sleep my little baby,” and lovingly touched my chin. She asked, “and how are you?” 

Then we watched the movie, My Neighbor, Totoro, and the kids just loved it. Fred feels so much joy and shares it. I slept throughout and always felt better upon waking. Zoey slept through it all. 

After the movie,  Fred and Hattie were too tired to move and fell asleep on the couch. Collin and I put annette and Ella to bed and it was so sweet. 

I’m grateful for my family, who teaches me everything, who makes me feel so happy and never alone. I’m grateful for our sealing in the temple. And I’m grateful for the organization of the church, which is meant to support families. That was an answer to a prayer today. 

Good night. 

Wagon wheel falls

 5 senses for a golden moment

I hear: the falls, the kids encouraging each other. 

I feel: the cool water, Ella and annette on my back, water up my nose and in my ear after cliff jumping, the rush of fear and excitement as I bravely showed my children I can do anything. 

I see: Fred having a good time. Zoey exploring. Collin watching and soaking it all in. Hattie guiding her sisters. Hattie jumping from the cliff into the water; her hesitation and then elation. Ella sun bathing on the rock. Annette following her sisters to the ends of the earth. 

I smell: fresh water, pine trees

I taste: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Pizza Hut buffet, Taco Bell root beer. 

It’s pioneer day

And we are on a mini road trip up to payson to hike to a waterfall. We stopped at a Pizza Hut for their lunch buffet. Collin has been searching for one in every small town we visit. He finally found one. The kids loved it. They played the board games there and the arcade games and ate all the pizza, breadsticks, pasta, salad, cucumbers and olives. And root beer!!! It felt like we had moved in; Zoey was laying on the ground, eating pizza, blissing out. 

On the way up, Collin and I talked out our recent disagreement and I feel so much better about it. 

The waterfall and swimming hole were amazing! I jumped off a cliff into the water and so did Hattie! we swam and played and explored. I saved Zoey when she got a little too far out. That was scary. She’s ok. Payson has a Flagstaff feel. 

“I like to die and fall apart, cause I am part—TARANTULA!!” -Hattie 

We saw tarantulas tossing the road on the way home!!!!!!

Me: “Knives and swords!?! That place is nuts!!” Fred: “Yes, please!”