Caitlens Graduation

Ok so I know its been a while now but we have been busy ! So sit back relax and enjoy the update.
What a fun and exciting day Cates graduation was. There was no stress over whether she would or would not graduate. In fact she did very well ! I just can't believe my baby is done with High School. NO more Volleyball or Water Polo games or swim meets. Wow that went fast. I am so proud of her. Caitlen will be heading to Cal Poly Pomona to start her next adventure. The plan is to commute , and major in business. Proud Mom and Dad with our graduation girl

This is a huge swarm of bees that flew over us during the ceremony. There are thousands of them and we were all stuck in the stands. Made it a little more exciting as the called the 600+ graduates. Oh we also had a streaker . Crazy kids !

That's my girl !

She was not thrilled with the gold gown . But I thought she looked great !

Her cute new dress to hide under the gown.

Yeah we are done !!! Nothing like the excitement of a job well done and complete.

Daddy's girl !

What a journey this was. Not that its done .... I got choked up as they played the graduation song , then pulled it together. But on the way home with just Scotty and I in the car I started to cry . He thought I was kidding but , no I was really crying. It's just I started this mom thing at such a young age and have always felt like people were waiting for me to fail. This felt like one more step to proving we could do it and do it well. I know its been 18 years and 3 more kids later and who really cares. Well I guess I did ,I just didn't realize it until that moment. So I was surprised at how much this hit me. My girl did it she graduated and got in to a great school. God is faithful ! He brought us through this journey. It has been a long one filled with some (ok many ) mistakes . Yet God has been there picking up the pieces when I fail Him, He never fails me. How comforting to know that we have such an amazing God filled with grace and mercy for us. So I will continue to trust in the Lord as the journey continues. Please continue to pray for us as we take on this next step of life.

Grandma Cleo and Grandpa Mel (Scott's parents )

Grandma Melodie and Grandpa Steve (My parents )

The thought that counts

As Mothers day is fast approaching I am a little nervous. Why you might ask.....Breakfast in bed ! TV has made this out to be quite the coveted thing. And there are even some of you Moms perpetuating the myth. Well fear not I am here to clear it up. Please know that I am not being ungrateful. just real. I love the thought just not the after math.
It all starts with the giggling of little girls as they sneak by my bed. SHHHHHH don't wake Mom we are going to make her a surprise ! Not sure who exactly they are talking to because they are on my side of the bed and Scott is still snoring Really loud. Being the good Mom that I am I pretend to still be asleep.... Until I here the words lets make pancakes ! OH NO ! First they have no idea how to make these and second syrup. No need to expound ! So at this point I have to speak out. No syrup ! I assure them I am still sleeping and syrup is a BAD , BAD, idea. Those of you who know my littles know I am right. Caitlen of course is sleeping and Scott is too. So Sammy and Taylor head off to the kitchen.
Now in case you are wondering this is not a peaceful time relaxing in my bed. I am going to have to actually eat what they bring in ,and clean up the mess. After a few minutes of torture I decide Scotty needs to intervene. He reluctantly agrees after threat of bodily harm and heads off. Once again not ungrateful just real....... So after a very loud time in the kitchen they traipse back in . with a tray filled with things I never eat. I am just sooo happy that I offer to share . They insist I relax and eat alone. But I insist they come crawl in bed and we share. They finally agree . It is a priceless moment. Maybe its not such a bad thing. Now that I am remembering it does sound sweet.
So now that we are late for Church (because its usually Sunday morning they decide to treat me. ) As I run around trying to get everyone ready I see what was my kitchen . Oh yes it is as bad as you imagine ! By this time Scott is very apologetic and late for work, the kids are full of promise to clean it up when we get back from church, And I am wondering how exactly they made such a huge mess. Well , No that's not true I am not all that confused on the how the mess happened part.
Lord ,thank you so much for blessing me with such sweet ,thoughtful , and yes even messy kids. I know that I am the luckiest Mom ever. And could not get through the day without the strength that could only come from you. I strive to be the Mom that glorifies you in all I do . I daily fall short but try none the less. Thank you for letting me be there Mom . I promise to do my best to teach them to love you .
I hope you all have as much fun tomorrow as I know I am going to have . Happy Mother's Day !!!!!

Horses and Motorcycles

Last week our friends The Hausers invited us out to there house to play. They have amazing property out in Murrietta. I so want to live there ! We are so thankful they let us intrude on them. We are quite a herd when we are all together. We all had such a good time. We got to ride horses, motorcycles, and even a golf cart. To see the excitement in there eyes as they rode was priceless. It really was a perfect day. I so enjoy the family God has blessed me with. Some days are rough and I want to sell them to the circus. But this was not one of those days. So thanks Marc and Kelly for this perfect day ! You have no idea how much it means to us.
I couldn't resist so there are alot of pictures. Caitlen and Prince. She loves horses if you can't tell by the permanent smile.

Sammy and Wonder pony.

Jake was so excited and Taylor was happy to play big sister

I even got to ride. It has been so long. What a fun time to share with my kids. I really think I could live this life. If I had some to clean up after the horses.... Oh wait thats right I have 4 little some ones to do that. I for sure want a ranch now !

Cate got to take off on a trail for a while.

Goofing around

Jake could not stop smiling.

He was so happy he got to ride all by himself. He likes to to everything all by himself . So sweet !

And shes off. I think we have created little cowboys for life. Or one cowboy and 3 cowgirls

How sweet is my girl

I love this. It makes my heart happy

Cate and Sydney got to go ride for a little bit. Sydney was so sweet and led the little ones around for most of the day.

This is there beautiful house. They have 5 acres. It is amazing!

Sara is a motorcross champ and is living with the Hausers. When she got home from practice she took the littles for rides. They loved it. She did jumps with them and everything. She was so kind to them. And they still are talking about her.

Tay and Sara

Of course Sam loved it

Tay had fun too.

Jake kept yelling faster ,faster. But when it came time for the jump he said NO JUMP. I was surprised he like to go as fast as he did. I am in big trouble !

It was an amazing day of fun with family and friends.

Green Valley

Over Easter break we went up to Green Valley which is near Big Bear. Cate stayed behind this trip because she was still in school. I have to admit I had a bad attitude about going. Scott loves to fish up there and I don't. Plus I get to do all the things I do at home there and then I have a ton of work to do when I get home. I know not a good attitude. So I prayed for a better outlook and told Scott I wanted to go to the Alpine slide if we went. Well we had a great trip. It was so fun to hang out with my little ones and Scotty too.
We headed off to the slide and let me tell you it was soo fun. I think I liked it more than the kids . Maybe not they had a blast. When we first got there Tay was not real excited. She is my cautious one. They would not let 3 on the ski lift so Scott took her up first. they made there way down at a snails pace , but they did it. Next Sam and I went. This one is fearless. She wanted to go alone but was to short. The whole way down with no brakes and her yelling FASTER ! Tay got brave and decided to go on the lift alone. I am so proud of her. It was very scary to see her all by herself on that chair. I think I prayed the whole way. Jake also loved to go fast. It was such a fun day. Thanks Scotty for such a fun trip. I know we will always remember how much fun we had. Oh and next time I promise to not be crabby before we go.

My brave little girl !

Sam and I laughing all the way down

The scariest lift ride ever ! It may not look high but when your 8 year old is up there all alone it is terrifying

My boys.

Next year she might be tall enough to ride alone.

The science fair

Taylor and her best friend Christine participated in the science fair at school.There project was to document how many drops of food coloring it would take to get frosting red and blue. The girls did a great job ! Taylor is so competitive she was bummed they did not win . Next year little one ! I was just glad she wanted to do this. It was optional for the lower grades. Tay is usually opposed to school work so this was a big deal.

The Talent Show

Watching my kids preform is one of the moments in Mommyhood that makes my heart burst. I know that sounds silly ! But don't judge till you sit in the audience and watch your own little bug preform. Well Sammy and her brownie troop did a dance for the talent show at school and it was so stinkin cute ! I am sure I am not the only one who thought so. I know at least 2 sets of Grandparents and maybe even some siblings would would agree. The girls did a great job and had fun to.If I ever figure out how to get the video on here I will post it. This is Sammy's friend Owen from school. After the show he said " I think I am going to marry Sam some day" See he thought it was cute too! Here are a few shots of my little star !

Water Polo

Another Senior day to make us cry and feel old.... Oh I mean to celebrate the end of the season. Canyon had a great year and was undefeated in league. They got to go on to CIF. Although challenging at times she had a fun year. Next stop is Swimming. I am proud of how hard Cate works both in the pool and in school.

Sooo Tired

As I went into the kids room to check on them this is how I found Sam. She is not faking ! I think the Sneetches were just to much to handle . Jake was mad I left him with Cate so he hid behind our TV and cried himself to sleep. This picture does not do it justice but he is all crammed in. Look at his smashed little nose !

Another angle.

I know my kids are weird and silly ! That is just the way I like them.

My little ones

Caitlen is taking a media class this year and made us this video. Its just a little peak at my sweet little ones. Man I love these guys! Caitlen Thank you I am so pruod of the work you did !