22 June-5 July

This week, Monday was pretty good but Tuesday, well my goodness. We had three orthodontist appts. at two different Dr's and one dentist appt. all going on at the same time as swimming lessons. So this is what we did. Mike took Michael to get his braces on while I took the little girls to their swimming lesson. I came home and got Hans for his lesson and everyone else (except Michael) got to go back to the pool with us for that. They played in the gym while Hans had his lesson and them we all headed to the Orthodontist and Dentist. Brittany and Allison had regular Ortho appts. and Aunnika got two cavities filled. This only took abt two hours. While we were there, Mike dropped Michael off at home and Michael did some piano practicing and math. We got home from all that and had lunch. When we started to eat, Michael discovered that his back teeth could no longer touch so he was unable to chew his food. That made for an interesting few days while he figured out how to eat without being able to chew. The day ended with youth activities and Michael deciding that he definitely does not like braces.

Wednesday we had swimming, some school and piano. Brittany had a birthday party that night that was a sleepover so she got to stay till 11:00. Mike and I were brilliant and stayed up and watched a movie till it was time to go pick her up. Mike then took her back to the party early the next morning. She had a marvelous time. We were stinkin' tired. Thursday was more of the same but it was the last day of swimming lessons so I was happy about that.

Friday was another super busy day. I took the kids up to the Academy for a fun tour thing that they do. We left here at 8:15. We spent until 2:30 on the tour and everyone had a yummy lunch and a really good time.

We got to see and feed the horses and Michael got to try on a parachute pack while we learned all about the parachute team at the Academy. He decided he'd like to join.

We got a very neat tour of the Academy Chapel and learned lots of cool stuff about it's history and the structure itself.

Following all of the adventures on the tour, we went to see the firefighters challenge. It started to rain though so we sat in the car for about an hour waiting for the rain to stop and them we got to go watch the challenge. It was really cool. The firefighters had to run an obstacle course with stuff that simulated obstacles they would encounter on the job. About 6 runs into the "show" a wire got hit and fell down so while they fixed that they had the kids come out and do some of the stuff on the obstacle course. Michael, Allison, and Aunnika all got picked to participate and they had great fun. The best part though, was that there was a kids course that was set up essentially the same and the real one and all of the kids had a fabulous time participating in that. They even got to dress up!

Mike met us at the firefighters challenge then we all headed home and as quickly as possible, loaded up all of our camping gear, made tin foil dinners and headed back to the base. We had a very late but supper yummy dinner and then all slept very well.

The following day, Saturday, played at the campground for a few hours, smashed pennies and paperclips on the railroad track that runs about 100 yds from where our tent was and ate yummy camping pancakes. Why do I always like pancakes so much better when we are camping? We came home and again cleaned up from camping and then worked in the garage and yard for several hours. We got all of our huge water barrels filled, threw a bunch of stuff away and got a lot of the new fence posts around the garden. We finished off the day by having Ammon and Allison over for dinner and then after putting the kids to be, all four of us went over to our friends house and played games. It was super fun.

Sunday we did finally relax a little. Monday Ammon and Allison came here and they, I, and all the kids drove up to Denver. Dad and Mom were there on the Tabernacle Choir tour so we decided to go spend the day with them. We had lunch and visited and then went over to Red Rocks amphitheater and watched/listed to the sound check. They sing through parts of the songs and get the sound all set for the show that night. It was pretty cool and super hot. We then came back home where Mike had dinner almost ready for us all. It was a good day.

Tuesday we had library day, get ready for trip day, kids go to friends and lots of friends come here day, and grocery shopping day. Ya, kinda crazy but hey what's life for anyway.

Wednesday we finished getting ready for our trip and then as soon as Mike got home from work we drove to Cheyenne Wy. where we spent the next two days with our good friends the Burns Family. We played lots of games, fished, flew kites, toured the base, visited lots and played lots more games. It was really a fun few days. Friday after dinner with them, we headed back to our own home.

And finally, the Fourth of July. We got the house cleaned up, the yard cleaned and ready and then the fun began. We had our friends the Leonards with their four boys plus a friend, our friends the Freys and they ended up having a friend and his little girl too, and Ammon and Allison with Allisons friend Jennifer, all over for our BBQ. I love having parties and I really believe the "more the merrier". We got our lunch in and a little visiting before it started to rain. It than proceeded to rain the rest of the day so we played lots of games and visited and the kids had a great time also playing games and watching movies. It was again, a wonderful day.

14-20 June

I'm tired and I don't feel like blogging but that's how I've felt every Sunday night for several weeks so I'm making myself do this just like I made myself run on Saturday morning even though I still HATE running. I overcame my own desires (or lack thereof) and of that I am pleased. So here goes another blog entry.

So last time I wrote, it had been a really crazy week and so had the one before that and not a one since has slowed down even a little bit. I thought these were supposed to be the "lazy days of summer" but who ever made up that name didn't have 7 kids who wanted to fit in every little thing that there was no time for during the school year. OK it's really there mothers fault. I'm the one who keeps saying we need to do this that and the other. It's all great fun too. We're just exhausted but the end of every day.

K so to pick up where we left off. The week of 14-20 June, Michael had another Ortho appt. to be fitted for his expander. He, at that point, was still very excited about braces. Tuesday Michael had scout day camp and was joined by cousin Trey Redd. They had a great time. It was on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Mike participated on the program Thursday and then they finished it off with a lunch with the Moms so I got to go to that.

We were still doing swimming lessons all week and Hans got a new swim teacher. He decided he didn't like this new teacher. Darnit all! His last teacher was the pits and yet Hans liked him, the new teacher was really good and Hans just didn't like him because he was surprised that he had a new teacher. So anyway, I had to get in the water with him and help with his swimming lessons each day so that he'd participate. Well Aunnika and Catherine changed classes too so we would leave at 8:30 to go to there class. While they were in there lessons I either ran on the track or worked out in the gym. I would then take them home and get Hans and go to his lesson. It was kinda fun even if it was a lot of running. I really like having a regular workout schedule. I wish I could do that all the time rather than just a two week blip during the summer.

We still had youth activities, piano lessons, and a Dr appt for Daniel to get his arm checked out and another few wraps around his cast. So that brings us to Friday. As soon as Mike got home from work, we all went up to Farish with Ammon and Allison for an overnight camp out. As soon as we got there Michael cut his finger with a razor sharp hatchet while attempting to split wood. It was a pretty deep cut that probably should have gotten stitches but I bandaged it up really good and we went on with our camp out. I'm just so thankful that he didn't chop his finger off!

We roasted hot dogs and then marshmallows and ate s'mores. Oh so very good. We enjoyed playing in the fire and then after the kids were in bed sitting around the fire visiting with Ammon and Allison till way too late. We had a good night sleep and then in the morning, a good breakfast followed by lots of fishing, hiking, and exploring. We finished off the trip with a lunch picnic and a little more fishing and hiking and then headed home. It was so much fun. Even though I didn't sleep much I think we all loved it.

After we got things cleaned up a bit after our return on Saturday, we did a bunch of yard work and got ready for Sunday, Fathers Day. This was a really nice day of lots of relaxing and trying to make it special for Mike. He's such a wonderful man and such a good good Daddy. I know I love him, but it's so fun to see how much his kids adore him and that they too think the world of him. The best part is, that he totally deserves all the admiration.

this week

Ok so, I already wrote about Monday the crazy day. Tuesday was Mike and my 14th anniversary. Can you believe it. It has flown by. We spent a nice evening together with dinner and miniature golf. We will save the really celebration for our trip to Vegas in Oct. It has been the best years of my life. I so adore my glorious husband. He is everything I ever dreamed of and so much more. I am very blessed indeed. We have both grown in ways I never would have thought we could and in that growing, have grown together into an inseparable one.

We still had swimming lessons on Tuesday and then again on Wednesday and Thursday. We also had dance rehearsals for the big recital on Wednesday and Thursday. Mike took those two days off work to study for an upcoming test and to be here with the boys while I spent the better (or worse, but long either way) part of the day at the performance hall with the girls. I did all of my filming and photography of the show at the dress rehearsal on Thursday as there are no cameras allowed on show day.

That brings us to Friday which was show day. We had no swimming lessons that morning but Brittany did do her volunteer job at the library. She loves that and of course the kids she helps love her. I spent the morning putting in curlers, practicing one last time on the dances with the girls, last minute touch ups on the costumes and then doing a photo shoot with each of the cute/beautiful girls. It was great fun. We finished up just in time to head off for the big show. They all did a lovely job and I'm really so proud of my sweet girls. What talented lovely ladies they are.

Saturday we spent replacing our dishwasher that decided it just couldn't live with us anymore. (we were probably too noisy. Tee hee hee) So we got us a new one and put it in. We had just enough time left in the day to do a couple more pieces of trim on the cabinets, trim the lilacs, and a bit of weeding in the strawberry garden, which is looking delicious, by the way.

Today was just your typical Sunday at the Stone house, almost. Mike had some extra mtgs and lots of Home Teaching, so we didn't play games all together but the kids had quit a riot playing marble races on the marble works toys. We also got in some reading and relaxing. It made for a nice day, just wish Mike could have been here to enjoy it all with us

STOP!!!!!

This day has been so crazy. I think if I save it for Sunday I will have forgotten too much and I want a record of what we did today.

I began the day at 6:30. I woke up and went running and walking and then came home and had breakfast with the rest of the gang. After and shower and getting dressed, I took Hans, Catherine and Aunnika to swimming lessons and Michael came with us to play in the gym.

We hurried home from the YMCA and dropped off the little ones and I took Michael for his first Orthodontist appt. That didn't take long but we got a little lost on the way there.

When I got home from there, I ran in to get Allison and Catherine to go to dance rehersal. I was supposed to just run in and out but found my little Daniel crying on the couch and he was so sad I had to stop and comfort him for a few minutes. He said he had fallen off the couch and his arm hurt. Well he was really being careful with his arm and just crying so tenderly that I was sure he had broken his arm. He said he wanted to go up to his bed so I went and laid him down and took off for our big show rehersal down town.

On our way there, I called Mike and told him that I thought Daniel's arm was broken and would he call and see how he was doing. He called Daniel had woken up and was so sad and still hurting so Mike came and got him and took him up to the hospital.

I worked with Catherine's class for a while at rehersal and then came home to get Brittany and Aunnika. I took Michael and Hans to our neighbors to be watched until Mike could get home. We headed back downtown for more rehersal. I am the room mom for Aunnikas class and so got to help with her group too.

Daniel did indeed break his arm, both bones in his forearm. He got a cast on and then he and Mike came home and got Michael and Hans and the guys got dinner ready for us all. The girls and I got home at 7:00 and we had dinner. We are now headed in for a quick FHE and devotional and then off to bed.

WOW, WHAT A DAY!!

Our summer has gotten off to a good start!

Daily – swimming lessons for Hans, Catherine and Aunnika with other kids and mom swimming at the pool as well – or at home nursing colds from getting all that swimming coupled with our cool rainy weather early this week

Daily chores, piano practicing, school work, reading and even a nap here and there coupled with lots of good play time make up the bulk of the rest of our days (when multiplied by 7 little people the time quickly runs short)

Miracles this week – Stone’s v City of Colorado Springs on 4 June – thanks to the Hand of the Lord and through his instruments, Dad Redd, the good Municipal Court Judge, our many good neighbors and all of your prayers – justice was served and we were found “not guilty” or rather our children were found not guilty of violating the City of Colorado Springs “Noise Prohibited” ordinance for playing in their own backyard – we are truly grateful to all for your faith and prayers on our behalf and to the Lord for His watch care through this past nearly 11 months on this case in particular and nearly two years of dealing with a truly challenging “love thy neighbor” situation – A special thanks to Dad Redd for making the trip here to provide his services as legal counsel for this case – we would not have made it through the 3.5 hour trial proceeding without his guidance and expertise, and Mom Redd for her coming and testifying in our behalf.

We were also still celebrating Mylinda’s birthday this week with the arrival of the porch swing she has been wanting for 14 years! – with a little effort late in the day on Saturday the swing is assembled and being enjoyed by our birthday lady.
We even managed to do some planting in the garden (green beans and pumpkins), cutting of firewood, and other yard work on Saturday. It was great to work as a family to get so much done and then enjoy a little picnic in the backyard with our neighbors along with some fun board games to top it off.

This is truly a brief snap shot of our week and we have been richly blessed here. Mike started work as the head of the benefits and patient administration department while maintaining his post as chief information officer at the AF Academy Clinic this week and Mylinda had her hands full at home. Still the Lord blesses us through these opportunities to work and through the visits of family and friends. It was great to have Dad and Mom here for a day and benefit from their wise counsel and their love.

May the Lord bless you and please know of our heartfelt thanks for the prayers offered in our behalf for the events of this week.

A Month of Finishes

I don't even know where to begin. See I have dilemmas with my blogging. I sometimes write for the reader and usually write for my own record. I don't want to bore my readers with journal entries but I want a nice record of my life. After talking to my dear sister about this dilemma, I've decided that I'm going to keep a nice record of my life and if your bored, well I'm sorry but at least you know what the M&M Stone family is up to!

Well, we've all been running around. Literally! Allison, Michael, Aunnika, and Catherine were all in spring track, and I trained for (if you can call it that) and ran in my first road race, a 5K. I was third of the women and got an ok time. At least I didn't embarrass myself. The kids all did great this season and had a lot of fun. They are so fast! They put me to shame.

Michael finished out the spring soccer season and it was another good one. He loves soccer and I love that he loves it. I'm also love when it ends for a while cuz it definitely keeps us running.

The four home schoolers finished home school academy and all were so thrilled with the experience we had there. So am I! I loved the program and loved that the kids loved it.

Brittany finished 7th grade. It was so funny, at the award ceremony they gave all the kids certificates for finishing 7th grade. As opposed to what? Not finishing? PLEASE! Anyway, Brittany did get two other special awards for participating in and going to district level in Battle of the Books, and for a good GPA. She really did great! The first quarter was a little challenging as she was learning what it is to be a student in the public school system but after she learned how to figure out what a teacher really wants and play the system, she did awesome and I'm so proud of her.

My kids are just plain cute!

Well it's spring and so we've had a few distractions in our yard! Don't get me wrong, I think they're great but it does make it harder for the kids to focus on school. We like to watch the fox chasing the bunnies who have arrived in abundance!

The kids favorite pass time latley has been catching bunnies so Mike built them a cage and they now have two pet bunnies, Samoa and Jellybean. Who they love to hold and play with. We shall see how long this lasts. The good part is, if they neglect the bunnies, we can just let them go and feel no guilt. That's my kind of pet.

Michael got an interesting new hair cut.

We went to the zoo and then to Sperry's for Memorial day and had great fun with all the family. We love living close to family!

I got older and had a WONDERFUL day. We spent the morning up at the AF academy playing Frisbee, trying to fly a kite (it never really worked), played tennis, and had a wonderful time in the sunshine and eating doughnuts.

We then had a fun rest of the day here and I really enjoyed "hanging out" with my favorite people all day long just enjoying being together.

And finally we have done most of the trim in the kitchen so I am now saying it is FINISHED!

In the future, I will be doing more journal like and not such long blogs and they will hopefully not be so LONG!

Livin' the Dream

I love mothers day. I LOVE being a mother. I LOVE my mother. Life is so very beautiful when your living your dream. I always wanted to be a mom. That was my life's dream and here I am, living the dream. I admit it's not what I thought it would be. It is both WAY better and way worse at the same time.
I never realized how hard it would be. I didn't realize how impossible it is to keep a house clean (or how little that REALLY matters). I didn't realize how much I still needed to learn back then and how much I still need to learn now. I didn't realize that I could learn those things from all kinds of people.
I have the single most wonderful mother on this earth. There is no doubt in my mind to the truthfulness of that statement. I pray that I can be more like her. I am married to the most wonderful man on earth. I never imagined how much love I would have for him. I adore my children. I always knew I would love my children (of course I would) but I just couldn't have imagined how intense that love would be.
Being a mom is the greatest thing a woman could ever be. And like I said before, I'm livin' the dream.