a few more family pics

These pictures are of the family sitting around after eating ice cream. The kids were being monitored, though they did get a little out of hand. It is difficult to tame so many little boys. I know Trae and Miguel love having their cousins around. I get a bit stressed out when we are around a lot of people or just out in public cause I am constantly worried about what my kids are doing. They did well today and I am proud of them.

 

Uncle Jordan and Kayla

 

what energy these little ones have.

 

Maleena when I walked away maybe four steps to take a picture.

 

summer loving

Today we were able to go to Grandma's house and swim in the ditch. Well the kids swam, I just walked around watching Maleena. They water their grass by flooding the yard so the kids get to go and swim in the grass. They have a good time. Maleena enjoys swinging and seeing the boys run in the water.

 

Kooper was able to spend the day at Grandma's while his parents are at the hospital. Their new baby girl was born this morning at 7:48. They named her McCall and I hear she is just adorable. Congrats!

 

Jared and Tiffany are also in town this weekend, so it was fun for the boys to all get to play together.

 

Afterwards we all went and got ice cream at Farr's. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for a fun filled day. It was so nice to spend some time with you. We really need to do it more often.

 

Camping-4th of July

This camping trip was a bit different in that we had so much going on it seemed like we were in town more than we were on the mountain, but it was still fun to get away. I can't remember camping in a tent while growing up, my memories always involve relaxing in a trailer, so it has taken me some time to get accustomed to doing everything outdoors and sleeping in a tent. Jeff has tried to make it as nice as he can. I think we are finally getting there. I am liking it more and more each time we go. It also helps that the kids are getting bigger and the boys are easier to take care of. It is Maleena that makes the most mess of her clothes, but she has a good time doing it so I give in. Jeff loves camping, he would do it every weekend if he could. I love his persevering attitude, but sometimes his obsession is more than I can handle. He always tells me that I love all of the camping purchases once I am using them, but I don't think of that when he is spending more money on camping gear. I do love him for trying to create something great for me.

He is a good husband and father. I complain from time to time, but I do feel lucky to have found him. I see young couples and love how I can feel the love that they have for each other and I wonder if Jeff and I will feel that again, or if it is normal to have moved through that. Are we losing that or has our love reached a higher level? I would like to think that between the kids and work and school and church, that we have moments of that infatuation. I have moments when I look at him and can't believe he loves me, so he must have those moments too. I asked him the other night, he says he does, but I need to know more. I need to feel it. I need to know that he loves me more than anything else. We have decided to make more time for us. I hate going out after work, because I have been away from the kids all day, but I see it is important for Jeff and I to connect outside of the daily routine. Here's to working on keeping my marriage and my love strong. I work hard on everything else, so it just makes sense that I will have to put some effort into this too. Geez, don't know where all of that came from, but I have had a lot on my mind. I guess this turned into my outlet.

I love this little girl

I can not get enough of this beautiful face. I look at Maleena and I am in awe of her beauty. She is such a sweet little lady. She is unique and I am so grateful to call her mine. I marvel at how much greatness I see in her already. I count my blessings every time I look into her face. She has added so much to our family. I love the boys and will always be thankful for the way they have blessed and added to our family, but Maleena has calmed my spirit. I yearned for a girl and prayed that the lord would grant me my prayers. I still worried that the ultrasound would be wrong, even up to the second the Doctor looked at her and said, "it's still a girl." I know I would have loved another baby boy, obviously, but I needed a girl. She has been a bright light through so many hardships. She has softened her Dad in a way I can't explain. I love to see the boys and Jeff loving her and playing with her. She is not all sweet though, there is some spunk to her little personality and I am alright with that. I know she will take care of herself and grow to be a strong, smart woman. I am proud of her already. I have taken a couple of days off for the holiday and it has allowed me to just hold her again. I wish I could do it always. I look at her and that innocent baby face is quickly changing. Where does the time go?