My plans on getting through the summer

I created a Summer Fun Jar thanks to Pinterest. I was concerned about getting through the summer with no big vacation planned this year. I was concerned that the days would go super long, with fighting and attitude problems. I needed to give my five little ones a reason to focus each day, or at least as many days as our schedule allows. Pinterest had some great ideas...several had created this type of jar with as many as 50+ different things to do. There was one major problem...most of these people live in places that are not 110 degrees in the summer. they had things like a stroll through the neighborhood, a hike, and bike ride to a place for lunch. These are just not realistic in AZ. I created about 25, and some of them are repeated because we could do a water balloon fight every day if we wanted. So...if you are feeling stumped, give this a try!! And remember, some of these things you can participate with them, or they can do on their own...either way your kids will come away with some pretty fantastic summer memories!!

I will say we have had three choices picked already this week and it is working exactly how I hoped. They pick the night before, taking turns, and then we plan for it the next day. I have done the "event" in the evening and they are excited all day. Score one in the win column for this mom!

A long weekend = cabin trip!!

It was perfectly timed with the fact that summer has most definitely arrived...when my car temp sensor read 111 early last week that was the last straw! We got a little more than we bargained for as a cool front blew in...and I mean literally BLEW in! It was very windy on Fri and Sat and down right chilly. Our poor friends all camping on the rim were getting the brunt of the bone chilling wind but they were in good spirits when we went to visit them. I read a started and finished a book in one weekend and spent nearly moment outside reading on Sunday. The cool, fresh air bathed my soul!!

I only took three pictures this weekend and some of the kids were exploring when I took them so they are not present...but we vow to go back as often as possible this summer to escape the heat oppression.

 Morning coffee on the patio, watching and Ironman marathon in preparation of seeing The Avengers and of course three of my babes!

Slip-n-slide

Yes, we have a pool, and yes we would NEVER trade that for anything...(not with ADHD kids, they need the outlet), but it was also a ton of fun to pull out the slip-n-slide for several hours of unabandoned fun. Some got skills...so not so much, but all enjoyed the water and fun.\

Nathan did enjoy this activity too but during the picture taking time he was having some quiet, reflection time in the house...I will have to get him next time.

Bam...sometimes it hits you smack in the chest

I was walking around my house, cleaning this and that...probably picking up after the lil tornadoes. I tend to get deep in thought at times of un-abandoned cleaning. I had just cleaned out the fridge, something I should do way more often but get grossed out easily so I have to work up the nerve. I walked into the front room, and looked at the family picture on the wall...something I do a thousand times a day, but this was different. I was all of a sudden hit with a huge wave of emotion...I was smacked in the chest with love for my family. I stood there briefly paralyzed as I looked at my family's faces...MY family. I was overcome with peace and awe. Never did I envision this 'family' for myself. Never did I think I would have 5 kids, let alone three of them a completely different race. I cried happy tears. I am complete. I am a mom to amazing kids that make me crazy at times but would never ever have it any other way. I love following the One who has a perfect plan. I love this life...right here, right now.

I think this moment in my normal routine was perfectly, divinely planned. He knows what I am up against...SUMMER! School has ended and for the first time in a couple years we are not planning a huge summer vacation, meaning I will have nearly three months of being home with my crew. They love each other sometimes, tolerate each other most of the time and enrage each other here and there. Summer is great and it can also seems like the days are really long. I am thankful for God's little moment this morning...and I pray I can cling to it on the days that are not fun.

Here's to summer my friends...may it be filled with fun and memories.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

For those of you that follow my blog regularly, and if you have ever wondered if my husband makes fun of me taking pictures of my food the answer is YES!!

This turned out to be an amazing dish, and I know it because ALL, did I say all, of my kids ate it and enjoyed it!! (raise the roof)

It was really simple and tasted even better the next day...

Chicken Enchilada Soup (made in the crock pot)

1 pkg chicken breast tenders, chopped
1 can of tomato sauce (I used tomato paste because it is what I had on hand)
1 onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped (or one if it is large)
1 can black beans
1.5 cups of frozen corn
1 can of diced tomatoes (I used one that had green chilies and was fire roasted...yum)
1/3 pkg of chili seasoning
1/2 teaspoon of garlic pepper
4 cups of chicken broth
cilantro (as much or as little as you want...I LOVE it so I have a lot)

Combine all ingredients and cook 6-8 hrs depending on the heat of your crock pot (mine cooks hot...so 6 hrs was perfect)

Toppings
Avacado, sliced or cubed
cheese
sour cream
(crush some tortilla chips for a crunch as you eat)

Make a large batch and keep half in the freezer for a quick meal on a crazy night!

ENJOY!!

Preschool Year End Party at Bounce U

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Nathan and Grace's expressions as they go down the slides...hilarious!

Off to Kindergarten next year for the two twinners...here's to a fun summer!

Mother's Day 2012

This was a magical Mother's Day. First, it was the first official Mother's Day with all five kids being mine. It was up there with almost as special as my very first Mother's Day. Second, we spent the day at Disneyland!!! I enjoyed the whole experience so much. We walked in the gates of the park and they had tables set up with corsages for all the mothers...how cool is that??? I mean seriously, they know how to touch a mama's heart. We laughed, played and ran around Disneyland and CA Adventure until we couldn't anymore. I have some awesome memories from this special year!

This is my favorite picture of all time!

I  always love Thunder Mountain as the sun is setting...it makes it gorgeous!

Liebich Wedding

My cousin Melissa had her wedding over the weekend and I helped take pictures. She was a beautiful bride and I enjoyed the time together taking stunning pictures and trying to make everyone laugh. Taking pictures at weddings are certainly interesting and I think requires a lot of practice. I enjoyed cracking jokes to get everyone to relax a little and got some really nice, natural shots. If I didn't have a young family I could totally get into this industry.

Here are a couple of the ones I took. Some of the poses are taken from other wedding photographers I adore!

Mother's Day Tea

One of my favorite traditions in Mrs. Fox's class...The Mother's Day Tea. The kids decorate pots on Father's night in April and then plant flowers to give to us moms. They also make homemade flowers too. You can't see it in the picture but I am wearing corsages with their school pictures on them. Such sweet memories!

Happy Birthday Grace

Sometimes it is hard to believe our youngest is 3, and others times we are doing a happy dance! We have officially left the 'baby' stage and moved right into being a big girl! SO much we love and adore about her. She is funny, strong willed and very determined. She has just started playing pretend and some of my favorite moments are listening her talk to her babies and barbies.

Cake and presents last night...so much fun when you are 3!

And of course and strawberry sprinkles donut for her birthday breakfast!

Grace's 3rd Birthday Cake

I finished up Grace's cake today. I am for the most part happy with it. It is cute but I need to improve getting my icing smooth and making the color more vibrant. She is thrilled and keeps asking when we get to eat it!! She wanted to 'taste' the icing every time she walked into the kitchen. I love it when the kids hit this age because they are so much more aware of what is actually going on they are participating. She also keeping saying "I can't wait for Zoee to come over and play for my birthday!" So cute!

The color of the cake looks better in person... I edited this photo to try and get it what I wanted. She likes Dora and when I found this ribbon to put around the bottom I just know I needed to use it for the cake.

Hair post...(it's been a while)

I haven't been particularly inspired to do my daughters' hair recently. Sometimes I think the amount of time it can take to do a more creative style can seem a bit overwhelming. I have found myself in the last couple months doing something that will take around three hours but will last 4 weeks. And I totally get that I could spend more then 3 hours on hair if I had to do it every day like with my oldest, but our weekends haven't given me the concentrated time. So, enough excuses...Shane was at Men's retreat this past weekend and I did nothing but hang out at home...finally a weekend and although not completely inspired with a creative burst I wanted to do some fun bead colors as summer is approaching. I love the color!!!