HAPPY 11th

I can't believe it's been 11 years since we were married. What a perfect day that was! Some highlights: 4 kids, our college graduations, Valley Fever, new jobs, 3 moves, 6 wards, 2 dogs, and lots of fun. Thanks for the greatest years. Happy Anniversary!

What Kind of a Mom are You?

School is officially out and yesterday the house was roaring with 5 extra kids besides my 4! It was a day of good old-fashion fun. Slip n' slide out, sprinklers on while the kids played baseball, boys chasing girls and girls chasing boys, squirt guns, pink lemonade outside and screams of delight billowing in the yard.

Three things happened yesterday that made me think....hard.

1st: Some boys were joking around dialing 9-1-1 and one actually hit the green button and then hung up...the call still went through! Since this is the 3rd time this has happened since living in Texas...I was fully aware that the policeman still had to come out to the house (even though I assured them that all was well here). I had the boys stand out in the front and let the police officer tell them why we don't dial 9-1-1 if it's not an emergency. Those 4 boys were nervous as can be, but I can tell you, not one of those boys will ever do that again. I thought about how grateful I am for law enforcement that is here to keep us safe.

2nd: I was making dinner and an older neighbor boy was following me around the kitchen talking away. (I loved it).

He said, "Your house is way more fun than mine...trust me. It's like your a family from a TV show."

I started feeling pretty good until he said, "You know the brother and sister don't always get along. My sister and I get along perfectly."

I thought...hmmmm...OK.

Then he went on to say, "You guys just have good fun. I have Nintendo DS's and a lot of other electronics, but you guys just play and have fun together."

I have thought a lot about this and I'm so grateful for families! I'm happy that we don't just spend our time separated by technology, but that we try to have "good" fun with each other (even if brothers and sisters don't always get along :)

3rd: Once again I was in the kitchen and Taylor's friend asked...."What kind of a mom are you? A home mom or a work mom?"

I proudly said that I'm a home mom.

She asked more questions and told me more about her feelings of having both parents work all day. This friend has a live-in nanny and spends most of her time with the nanny.

I have thought about this question a lot since yesterday.

If ever asked the question again...What Kind of a Mom are You? I don't just want to be a mom that stays at home. My hopes are that I can be the kind of "home mom" that takes the time to listen, teach and love her children unconditionally, creates an atmosphere where the spirit can abide, puts her home, family and the Lord first, raises her children in righteousness, plays with her kids, has fun, and LAUGHS A LOT!

That is the kind of mom I hope to be.