Water Pipes

Last Tuesday, the 22nd, I went into Paige's room and found the carpet by her closet wet. At first I thought maybe she had spilled a glass of water or something, but then realized it was a lot more water than that. I pulled everything out of her closet, turned off the water line, and called my Dad. He is mister fix it and I knew he would be able to tell me what was wrong. He left work and came over as quickly as he could. He cut a hole in the wall in the bathroom and then realized that there was a leak in the main water line from the main line to the toilet or the tub. He couldn't quite tell because the line lays under the floor in a cement slab that is the foundation. We called a restoration company and they came and cleaned up the water and called a plumber for us. The insurance adjuster came in and told us what would be covered and what wouldn't. The verdict was that I would be without water for a few days, maybe longer. They debated on what to do, whether to just replace the line in the bathroom or to replace the entire water line to the whole house. We didn't want to have to go through this again. So my dad decided it would be best to replace the entire line and to use "pecks" (I think that was what they are called) they ran the lines up on top of the wall where the ceiling and wall meet. My dad will then cover them up with some crown molding. So I am grateful that we were only without water for a few days and that were were able to stay in the house during the repairs. It would have taken a lot longer to repair them under the foundation and would have been extrememly expensive. You take for granted everyday things like running water and it sure makes a womam appreciate it when it is turned back on. I was so glad to have hot and cold running water when we got home from camping. I sure didn't want to wash all those muddy clothes by hand. I am grateful to a dad that helps take care of us, and know exactly what to do in a bad situation!!

Memorial Weekend Camping

Well I did it again, I say I will never do it again, but every year Matt and I go camping with the Keller side to Summitt Creek. It hasn't been nice weather for about 8 years we figured this year had to be the year of nice weather so we could play in the creek, ride four wheelers and get sunburnt! Well we were wrong!! As Matt and I were pulling into the campsite on Friday night there was about 2 inches of snow on the ground. It turns out it had snowed all day long and everyone spent the day in campers. Luckily this year we pulled Matt's Parents old camper out and we had something to keep up nice and warm. We did spend the rest of the weekend inside the campers, except for the occasional razor ride to the bathroom, that was cold!! Sunday we woke up to about 3-4 inches of snow and called it a weekend. Everyone loaded up and we were home by 2:00 pm. We still had a good time and made memories. The kids kids look forward to going every year and no matter whether it is rain or shine they have such a good time with all their cousins. We got wet, and muddy and I had about 10 leads of laundry to do when we got home, but we will be going again next year, and the next...to kids tradition alive and to continue making good memories. We will get a decent weekend one of these years...I hope!

Kindergarten Graduation

Parker had his Kindergarten program on the 21st. It was a Spring program with the kids singing all the songs that they have learned over the year while they were in computer labs. Parker isn't really a big singer, and doesn't really seem to pick up song lyrics very well, but he did a lot better than the Winter program. No matter what I do the night before to make him go to bed at a decent hour this kid is always yawning. He did more yawning than singing. It was actually quite funny, but I was wishing he would have been singing more. He gets distracted too easily and forgets what he is supposed to be doing. Nevertheless it was fun to see him with his class mates and for him to be on stage as a kindergartner. Now it is on to 1st grade at Stoddard!! Yay Parker!

Just Like His Momma

I have started all my kids young on dill pickles, and Paxten is no exception! He loves a dill pickle just like his momma. In fact all of my kids love dill pickles. In fact, between all of us we can go through a commercial sized jar of pickles in less that a week, about 3 days. We love to all have a dill pickle for a snack and I don't think there is anything wrong with that!!

Paige's Preschool Graduation

Paige graduated from her first year of Preschool on the 17th of May. She went to Smartie Pants Preschool this year and was taught by Miss Joni and Miss Allyson. Paige loved every day at preschool and is very sad that she won't be going during the summer. She has learned a lot and loves to share the things she has learned, when she decides she wants to tell you. The kids were each asked what their favorite part about preschool was and Paige's answer was Making Crafts. So for the graduation each child came to the front and said their line. Paige did awesome!! She wasn't afraid at all and she said the words into the microphone clearly so we could all understand. She was in a great mood at the beginning of the performance, but then got a little bit sad when she was having trouble with some of the word to the songs. Before I knew it she was crying on stage in front of everyone. I felt so bad for my little girl. I tried to calm her down and let her know it was ok, but she didn't seem to believe me. The rest of the performance she just kind of sat on her chair with a frown on her face, waiting for it to be over with. At least she has another year to practice her songs and to be able to stand on stage with a smile. She is a typical girl and I am sure this won't be the last meltdown she has....oh what am I in for??? We love you Paige!

Teacher Gifts

I wanted to do something fun, cute, and homemade for the kids' teachers this year and after searching and searching I found a cute idea on Pinterest (thank goodness for Pinterest!!). I modified the idea and made my own interpretation, but I thought they turned out SUPER Cute!!! I made these adorable owls on my Cricut machine and then the kids and I filled the bag with "summer survival items" that included: sunscreen, lip balm, mints, hand sanitizer, pain reliever, lotion, chocolates and for Parker's teacher some extra school supplies for next year. The tag on the bag says " 'Owl' miss you. Have a great summer. Thanks for making me 'wiser.' " I think they were fun and practical and most of all they were pretty easy to make!

Mother's Day

Mother's day was nice. It was a beautiful day outside, no wind and the sun was shining. After church we got together with my parents, Charyn, Mike, Jackson, and Zander and my Grandparents. We all pitched in and made something for dinner. My mom made salmon and baked potatoes, Charyn made a salad, Sharon made rolls, and I made dessert. It made it really easy to have a nice dinner, when the work is divided. We enjoyed each others company and great food. Matt and I got my mom a big hanging flower basket. It was really pretty and she was excited to have something by her from door. In the evening we went and delivered a flower basket to his mom, who wasn't home. We were bummed that we didn't get to see her and wish her a happy mother's day. We went out to Matt's uncle Keith's house where the Keller family was and wished Kerry a Happy Mother's Day. We hung out out there for a few hours and then came home. It was a great day full of family and wonderful women that I am lucky enough to call my moms!! I am super lucky to have 3 moms!! My mom, who is one of my very best friends and such a wonderful example to me. I am so grateful that we are close and that we get so see each other almost every day. She does so much for Matt and me and the kids. She is always willing to babysit and spoils my kids rotten. She is a wonderful grandma and it shows how much she loves each one of her grandkids. She is such a wonderful mother and person and I hope that I can be like her one day. Matt's mom Linda is also such a wonderful Mother. She is always giving to others and doing whatever she can to help her kids out. She is always more thatn willing to watch the kids and loves to play with them. Kerry is also a great mother and friend to me. I am really lucky that we get along so well and that we have fun together. She is always doing so much for Matt and I and the kids and loves to spoil the kids as well. My kids love to visit her house to play in her yard or on the swing, or to play her IPAD. She is super talented and puts forth a ton of effort in everything she does. She is a great example to me of a wonderful mother, friend, aunt, and sister. I am so glad that we have such a close family and get together often. Family means everything to me and I am so glad that my family is so close and that every body gets along. I thought that was normal when I was growing up, but as I have gotten older, I have realized that I am truly lucky to have that be the case. I think I have the best families in the world. Happy Mother's Day to all my wonderful mothers and my wonderful friends that are mothers as well!!