May 2018 - Sam's New Calling

In the middle of May I was released as the second counselor in the stake young women's presidency.

My releasing came as a shock.  I figured that the president was due to be released but

 I assumed that a change wouldn't be made until after camp in July.

I felt peace and relief when I was released. 

I was at that time overwhelmed with grief and sadness from my dad's passing.

And I still had a nursing baby who demand that I be around at bedtime.

At that point I had served in the presidency for over a year and a half and 

it was very taxing on Sean and my family.

I also felt sadness at this change. I really did love my calling. I served with the best women.

We had so much fun together.

And I was so looking forward to going to camp.

The morning I was set to be released I was called to meet with a member of the bishopric.

He asked me to serve as the ward primary secretary.

I taught in primary briefly when I was pregnant with Ruby but other than that, I haven't served there.

I was surprised and excited.

And a few weeks after my new calling, Sean was called to teach the 10 year old class in primary.

So then our entire family went to primary.

It is so fun being in their with all my kids and Sean.

September 2017

September is the only month that we didn't travel in since August. 

We were supposed to by hurricane Harvey changed our plans.

We spent the month at home adjusting to our new back to school routines.
Eli started his new preschool.
He has the best teacher ever! And he gets to go to school with his friend Brooke.

My in-laws stayed with us one night.

We got pizza and played in the backyard.

We also watched the BYU v. Utah game.

The kids love it when their grandparents visit.

The weather here is pretty much perfect in September. So we spent a lot of time in our backyard.

I made several trips to the library trying to find some new reading material for Lexi.

Lexi was picked as the student of the month for her class.

The school updated their signs half way through the month so Lexi had two signs.

Lexi had a tea party play date.

Ruby tried to invite herself.

This little one still hadn't quit given up on naps.

Ty turned 4 months old in September.

Our ward had a Fathers and Sons activity and Eli was over the moon excited to go with his dad.

We had our first ever yard sale.

We made several hundred dollars.

And the bake sale was successful too.

The girls sold nearly $100 worth of cookies.

We told Avery that if she earned enough money that she could get her ears pierced.

I took her to get her ears pierced as soon as the yard sale was over.

Lexi looked especially adorable one Sunday morning.

We tried out a new hair style another Sunday.

I started watching my neighbor's kids.
Their mom is in nursing school. I watch them a few times a month.
Maybe once or twice a week.

Eli loves having Hadlie here.
They're both five and have so much fun together.

We busted out the feetie pajamas.

The kids were excited about this pirate display at the library.

Avery and Ty together melt my heart. She is so kind and nurturing to him.

She just adores him more than anything.

These next two faces are just too funny not to share.

One morning Lexi went out to take care of her bunnies.
She came running inside crying and screaming that she thought Cookie was dying.
I didn't believe her at first because she is very over dramatic.
But as soon as I saw Cookie, I knew that Lexi was right.
We are not sure what happened to Cookie was acting normal and healthy the day before.
That day wasn't moving at all.

Lexi stayed home from school and by Cookie's side all day.
She passed away that afternoon.
That night Sean and Lexi buried Cookie in the garden next to her sister Oreo.

Could these two be any cuter together?

Lexi and I went to the Women's Broadcast together.

Lexi was so excited to use this notebook she made in Activity Days.

Avery loves cuddling Ty every morning before school.

Ruby had a playdate with her bestie Paige.

Eli had a field trip to the fire station.

My best friend Opal's parents showed up at my house randomly one day.
I had no idea they were coming. They live our of their RV now and just drove up.



Homer has a metal detector and the kids all begged him to took for buried treasure in our yard.

I tried out false lashes for the first time.

Eli had his best friend Camden over.
They used to be the same height or at least very close.
Eli has had a MAJOR growth spurt recently.