We're off to the farm!!!

Shopping with daddy is so much fun!!

The Nashville temple has beautiful grounds and we enjoyed seeing a new bride too!

This will be our last July post...we're off to see Nana and Papa at the farm. The girls can hardly wait to play with their cousins...we've been packed for nearly a month: Savannah has her Hello-Kitty purse full of plastic jewelry and Lauren packed her "buddy-baby" in a toy pic-nic basket. What more could we need?

My very own

"bucket head".

I'm so proud.

Welcome to the family, sweet Caroline!

"Sweet Caroline"

Where it began, I can't begin to know when

But then I know it's growing strong

Oh, wasn't the spring, whooo

And spring became the summer

Who'd believe you'd come along

Oh, sweet Caroline

Good times never seem so good...

We're all rock'n out to the tunes of Neil Diamond! Sweet Caroline was born July 12th at 10:36 pm after a long day of labor. Caroline was 6lbs 12oz and Erika is doing great too! Congratulations to Erika and Jeremiah, your love continues to bless our lives and we know Caroline will feel the same way.

I can hardly stand to say no to this cute little face! She is the absolute most thoughtful, kind, gracious and truly selfless little Lauren I have ever known. I have a million stories to prove it. I came to pick the girls up at the gym's nursery, and there she was being the little angel that she is. Savannah was puffy-faced and crying for mama while Lauren had kneeled on the floor, cupping 'Sister' face in her hands, telling her I'd be there soon.

Lauren took a nap (very unusual) in my bed and woke up with a conversation in mind. We pillow talked for nearly 30 minutes and I learned so much. She kept talking about her brother "baby Nick" and I finally had the idea to play along. "Lauren, do you want to go pick him up today? Should we go get in the car and get him?" .....She thought about this for a moment, and after the many weeks of excited "baby Nick" talk I was surprised to hear, "Well, maybe tomorrow mom."

Guess that settles it then.

Belly-flops on mom's bed. You can see we're taking extra special care of dad's pillow there.

Mom, what are you so afraid of?

A few happy thoughts, this one for Melissa who is enjoying my old (very spacious) pantry. This is my new pantry...the capacity being limited to 2 potatoes and a box of Jell-o.

This is my little slice of heaven. When the sun comes up or sets, nature displays the most beautiful shadows while I'm showering. peace.

"Mom, what are you so afraid of?"

These are the innocent words of my 3 year old watching me rip the toaster out of Savannah's hands (who has drug it out of the kitchen cupboard and into the bathroom, holding it inches from the filling tub).

Yes, I know it wasn't plugged in, but one of those Tom & Jerry cartoons flashed before my eyes and I reacted. Bath time went smoothly from there on out, but in a few years Savannah will be able to reach the outlet in there. ''The first 40 years are the hardest" right mom?

Crystal and Rayanne sent me a HUGE gift certificate to Pottery Barn as a house/heart warming gift. I bought a few pretties and Lauren got to decorate the mantle. We'll rearrange in the morning...

Glad that's over with!

Well, I survived Sunday. I have to tell you, I had the hardest time getting my talk ready. I worked on my talk every day and just couldn't manage to get that bit of inspiration that helps you get your ideas onto paper. I can't tell you how much I prayed, read and studied. By Saturday I was completely unraveling. Jen walked me through my outline and Nick gave me a blessing. Honestly, how hard could this be??
Turns out the Lord had a purpose in all this (imagine that). It seemed that in all my readings I kept coming back to 1 Nephi 1:20. "But behold, I Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." And suddenly, in this beautifully quiet moment it came to me. An answer to a prayer and worry I'd been carrying for some time. An answer in the form of recognizing the many reassurances I'd overlooked previously. "A personal and timely message." (Tender Mercies of the Lord, Elder Bednar)
I know the Lord is aware of us and our circumstances. I'm so thankful for all the help offered and the prayers too. This ended up being a greater blessing for me than I could have guessed. Love to all, K

Cook'n in the Tennessee HEAT!

Thanks to a generous donation from the Best bunch, Nick is enjoying his graduation gift out on the deck. He waited for just the right moment to make the purchase - 4th of July sale at Lowes! And for the record, I have NEVER had a better London Broil!! That man is smoke'n!

We also went to the Y for a Chick-fil-A sponsored pool party. Lauren and Savannah hula-hooped and sang the our national anthem. The bubble machine was a favorite and managed to capture Savannah's attention and fingers, oops. After naps we went to the downtown fireworks extravaganza!! 90 minutes of eat your heart out- have a snow cone- don't hit your sister - wide eyed fun! By 10:30 we were all worked up, except for daddy who had to make rounds at 5:30. The rest of us slept in...lunch being the first order of the day.

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Hula hoop champion in her age division...it was a little more like belly dancing...

...but all belly!

This snap shot almost captures the darling little miss priss that struts around my house in a tutu and 12 lbs of plastic beads around her neck saying, "Mom, let's be princesses today"...I just can't say no to a tea party with plastic crescent rolls!

10:02 pm - Nick's first page...

We both got out of bed together, I hovered while he gave consent for an A-line to be removed and gave a few orders. Then jumped up and down excitedly, OUR first page!!! 12:29 am - Nick's second page. 3:40 am, Nick's third page...they're his problem now. But look how he has his stuff all set up for the first day of rounds! Doesn't it remind you of the first day of school?! He wrote his first prescription the other day--for a narcotic!! Have we really come this far??
Needless to say, Nick is enjoying every minute. And YES, he still pops out of be like a piece of toast. Life is GOOD!

A Pirate Party, Ahhrrr!

One of my first Nashville friends, Kate just had a Pirate party for her son Henry who is in Lauren's Primary class. The cannon on the pool hooks up to the hose and squirts out water. Then they all walked the plank to take turns hitting the treasure box pinata (that's where S got the gummy rat). Pizza and cake next and a little nap before bed. It's always a party at Henry's house!

Lauren!!!

My sweet little almost 4 year old has a new interest in dressing and undressing herself. No matter what the price (in this case- a wad of hair), she will do it herself.

I got called to speak on Sunday!?

Help!!! Didn't anyone call my bishop and tell him what a complete wreck I am in public. Now, not only will I scare any potential friends off but I'll make all the kids cry with my violent shaking and inane babble....I can see it now...

This being my desperate cry for help, I thought I'd reach out for any advice, words of wisdom, possible substitute volunteers??? My topic is "Having the love of God always in your heart". Do any good talks come to mind? I'm already reading Elder Bednar's "Tender Mercies of the Lord" which has been very helpful.

Any and all ideas would be truly appreciated. xoxo and thanks!

"Proof to Thomas" by Mike Lewis (he is so talented!)