1 Mess, 2 Mess, Red Mess, Blue Mess

I can't tell you how many messes in a day Tyler makes. Only parents who have young children know how hard it can be. So lately, instead of being irritated, or frustrated, I've really been trying to focus on enjoying the moments, and laughing at the situation. I mean, I can keep a perfect house again when my children have all grown up and moved on, right? So, right now, I need to remember that stuff is just stuff, and feelings are more important. Anyway, I thought I would share a FEW of these "memorable" moments.

So last night was:

dinner (check)

fold laundry (check)

help kids with homework (check)

put laundry away

Somewhere in between #3 and 4 this happened...I knew he was being too quiet!

Tyler walks over to me like this covered in white slime??? "What is all over you", I asked.

"I opened up a new bottle of shampoo and gave the table and laundry a bath, Mommy!"

(no, he didn't actually say that it was more like "mommy, meths."

This next one is not for the easily grossed out. The other day, I fed Tyler a pink and blue Trix yogurt. A few minutes later, he threw up, all over himself, and his shirt was covered in it. I had to get his shirt off of him, and I couldn't resist the end result.....too funny.

Gross, I know, but when you have to clean this stuff up, you can either cry, kick, and scream....or....you can laugh your head off and make the best of it! That will teach me to feed my children blue food!

Pics of Austin!

I finally got around to taking digital pics of some of my regular pics of Austin. I literally have hundreds of pictures of Austin, and always have a hard time choosing (plus, I didn't have time to go through them ALL). I love looking at pictures, and comparing their little ages. Anyway, here is my baby throughout his life.

My 6 week old M&M

My little Diamondback good luck charm the year Dbacks won the World Series.

Fallin asleep in his jumper

Playin' with his puppy

My stinky little skunk... :) :)

Austin meets Katelyn

Fishy Face!

I'm a Fro-Man!!!

My mommy is the meanest mommy ever!

Pancakes anyone?

Nephi is my hero!

Chiropractor in training!

My little Blue-eyed boy!

5 year old dinosaur party fun!

Fishy Heads

Pumpkin Guts....EEEWWWW!

Beware of Spiderman!

Kindergarten graduation!

Primary Pioneer Activity Day!

Rock N' Roll!!!

Everything looks better through striped glasses!

Sweet Brothers!

My 8 year old wolf!

Love you Austin!

Birthday Fun is All Done!

We had so much fun on Austin's Bday! I picked up Austin from school at lunch time, and took him for lunch at his favorite, Chic-fil-a. And then took him to pick out his Halloween costume as one of his presents (he chose Bumblebee from Transformers). Then back to school he went. Then after a mad dash home and quickly putting together his Mud Slide Pie...I picked up Jeff and the kids and we went to Brunswick Zone off Gilbert and Ray (Highly Recommended) and met my family there. All of the cousins from my side were there (except for MelBel..and we missed you!) and Jeff's sis Merriann came with her 2 darlings boys. We had so much fun, even my parents bowled. Then afterward, my sis graciously offered to have an after bowling party at her house where we all enjoyed pizza and wings, and Mud Slide of course. After which Austin opened up ALL of his presents from his family. He was pretty spoiled this year, and even got a skateboard (which his mother was against!) and some other really fun stuff! He has played with all of his presents non-stop since his bday. Even though we didn't have a party with all of Austin's friends, it was still so much fun for him, and for everyone else, and we appreciate everyone who came, and all of the presents! Love to all!

Austin making an "8" at Chic-fil-A

Austin was "crazy" over bowling

KT could barely hold the ball, and I think it rolled less than one mile an hour! Funny!

Little Tylee was an excellent bowler! She is very athletic!

My nephew Zac played as "awesome" as he looks!

My nephew Colby is "too cool" to pose for pics! He's too cute not to take his pic!

My little nephew, Nathan, I think he ended up with the highest score for the kids!

My nephew Jordan has the DEEPEST DIMPLES EVER!!!! I love dimples!!!

Austin getting ready to open up his plethera of presents...

Austin's Grandma got him his first set of Scriptures!

Austin is also now "officially" one of my wolf scouts. Don't laugh...but I cried when I saw him in his uniform. He looks so cute, and I am so proud of him, I can't help it! It's a mom thing, I guess!

Turnin' 8 & Feelin' Great...Sort of...

Austin Shiflet

Born Monday September 17, 2001 at 7:41am

Tonight as I was tucking my sweet little Austin into bed he said, "Mom, all of my sins are gonna count tomorrow." I think he is a little nervous to be turning 8, but excited to be baptized at the same time.

I can't believe my little Austin is 8!!!!! I remember everything about his birth and babyhood so clearly. It went by so so fast, and I have to say, I am so proud of the sweet boy that he is.

Braggin' Time. My Austin is excellent at playing all sports (he's a natural), he is a straight A student, he has 11 out of the 13 Articles of Faith memorized, he is a wonderful big brother, and loves playing with his little brother and sister, and loves all of his cousins and friends. He is definitely a good hearted person, and I am so excited for him to start scouts, especially since I am one of his Wolf Leaders. I love this little blue-eyed, exceptional boy, and I can't believe I had a hand in bringing him into this world. Austin is funny, and smart, and talented, and we are so lucky to have him in our family! We love you Austin.....Happy 8th Birthday!!!!!!!

More to come on the birthday fun!

Always Remembering....

I will never forget getting a phone call from Jeff's mom right around 7am on September 11, 2001. She said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Jeff went on his mission to New York, and was there for the first bombing of the World Trade Center, and he immediately turned on the news. We sat and watched in horror for the next several hours, including watching the second plane hit, and the collapse of both towers. Even now, I can't think about that day, without overwhelming emotion. I can't even imagine the suffering of those family members that had to watch their loved ones lose their lives on the news.
I have a very deep love for this country. I love our Founding Fathers, and what they did to establish this Great Nation! I do not think that things are as original and pure as they were in the beginning, but it is still the Greatest Nation on Earth...and there is no where else I would rather live.
I am so proud of our military, and am so very grateful for their service, to stand up and fight. I hope that every time every American looks at our beautiful flag, and sings the inspired words of the National Anthem, that they will feel the pride in their country, that so many have given their lives for.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

When I sent my kids off to school today, I was so proud of my little Americans. They weren't even born when 9/11 happened, and so they only know what they've been taught. I am proud that they go to a school where not only do they say the Pledge of Allegiance every day, but they are calling today "Patriot's Day" and ask that the kids wear red, white and blue, and have a special flag ceremony. I don't ever want my kids to go to a school where the Pledge is banned. RIDICULOUS!!! Even though corrupted, I still love this country, and our children need to be taught their heritage. They are the future.