an update...finally!

Wow-where does the time go? Seriously! I don't even have a good excuse for not updating for so long. I haven't been too busy or anything like that-life just gets away from you sometimes ya know? Then before you know it you haven't updated your blog for like 3 weeks! So what have I been up to? Let's see...
At the beginning of May I had the opportunity to go up to the BYU Womens Conference with almost all my sister-in-laws. It was awesome! We had such a great time. It was great to spend time with these ladies that I love & admire without the interuptions of husbands or kids. You get to know each other on a different level & I have learned so much from them. I am very blessed to have the great in-laws that I have. The conference was amazing-the first day was a little overwhelming cuz there are just so many great classes to try to choose from. Then that night they had a concert for us with a lot of the well known LDS artists. We were laughing & dancing one minute then crying & feeling the spirit the next-it was great! We even got to hear from President Monson-he was the last speaker the last day. What a blessing! As soon as he walked in it was dead silent-you could have heard a pin drop. And there were like 30,000 chatty women there in the Marriot Center! After a few moments of silence someone started singing 'We Thank Thee o God for our Prophet' & everyone joined in. The spirit was so strong-I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. He said some of the same things he said in general conference-but more geared toward all us women. So awesome! On the way home we stopped at Thanksgiving Point to see all the flowers since it was during their Tulip Festival. It was so gorgeous! We had too much fun making our way thru the garden & seeing all the amazing things they have done there with flowers. I definately recommend it! We are going to make the conference trip a tradition every year-can't wait till next time!
Later that next week I got to see a few friends from out of town-love ya Jennie & Carly! It was so good to see these ladies & their sweet little ones- Jacob & Claire. It made me realize just how much I have missed them. We have been friends since middle school & I love that we can always just pick up where we left off. So good to see you guys! Love ya!
Then of course we have had the usual end of year recitals & graduations to attend. I can't believe Averee will be in Kindergarten next year! She can't wait-she actually thought that she would get to go as soon as she turned 5. She was more than a little dissapointed to found out she had to wait till the fall! The girls have loved their dance classes. Averee is getting better all the time. I think Adee justs like to wear all the different costumes! Here are a few pics from Adelyn & Averee's dance recitals...

This was Adee's favorite costume of the day-what a diva!What a poser!

We got to have a litte tea party together after Adee's recital-she even served us cookies!

Of course Averee is the tall one wearing blue in the middle-look at those nobby knees! Can't imagine where she got those chicken legs from! :0)

Averee was so excited for her dance recital-I think mostly cuz she knew she would get a lot of flowers! She did such a great job-we were so proud of her!

Well, the only other thing I can think of is that we got rid of our dog Sammy. FINALLY! I tried it for a year & just couldn't take it anymore. It is like having another kid! A 'kid' that chews on EVERYTHING (he ruined a couch & more toys than I can count!), barks at EVERYTHING (especially at nite!) & constantly digs up your garden! It was time for him to go & I feel really good about the home we found for him. The kids don't even seem to care so far-I think they were sick of Sammy jumping on them, barking, & leaving 'presents' in the lawn. I will miss my 'floor cleaner' though! He always kept the food under the table cleaned up!

I think that is about it for now. We are headed to Lake Powell tomorrow so I am sure I will have some pics to share next week. Have a good one!

Just a Mom...

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is,' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a......?''
"Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman, 'I'm a Mom.''
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, but 'Housewife' covers it,"said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the Field of Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply:
"I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.
Does this make...

Grandmothers 'Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations'?
Great Grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates'?
Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants'?
To all the 'Research Associates in the Field of Child Development & Human Relations'-I LOVE you & keep up the good work! :0)