The calm before the storm...

I'm really relaxed... maybe TOO relaxed!!!
Hangin out at the pool everyday, sleeping in, having time to braid Krystian's hair...
In all reality I know it's too good to be true... school starts for everyone in about 2 weeks and then I'm sure I'll be pulling my hair out! I thought I'd take some time to memorialize this moment...

okay... it's over... mommyhood is calling (um, actually screaming) my name...

Blessed...

I'm not sure where the summer has gone, but it's... well, almost over! I can't believe it! I got an extended summer break this year when I became ill last April and missed the last 5 weeks of work. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am really ready to go back to work! I miss my cute students and my co-workers. Having spent some extra time at home this summer, I spent a lot of time thinking about my life and how blessed I truly am.
Not only am I blessed to have my 3 wonderful daughters, I'm also blessed to have many close and amazing friendships! People ask me all the time how I do it... raise 3 girls, work, go to school... Well, I don't do it alone... I have incredible friends and a sister~in~law and step~mom that help me keep it all under control! I am so grateful!!!
Blessings have definitely come in other ways too. I have been the only active church member in my family since I was about 14, so when my darling sister~in~law, Liz came back to church a few months ago, I was ecstatic!!! I am so amazed by her strength in bringing her family back into the gospel. Her oldest son, Nickolas was just baptized this past Sunday, and it was such an exciting day! I have high hopes that my brother, Jason will soon follow. :)
I think the pictures from Nick's baptism say it all...

Conversations with a 7 year old...

So, this morning I met up with a couple of my friends at the Jordan River Temple for an early (6 a.m.) morning session. I thought this was the perfect plan. I could slip out and be back before my girls wake up for the day.

I arrived home as Krystian was waking up... she looks at me dressed in my Sunday clothes and says, "so, where have you been all night mommy? You're getting home really late... what time is it anyway young lady?"

She was completely serious.

I had no response...

A water balloon fight and some pictures to go with it....

My girls and I just did the most fun photo shoot I have ever been a part of! My longtime friend, Joanna Taylor, is this AMAZING photographer and she had this ever so fun idea for a photo shoot... we had family photos taken and then ended the shoot with a water balloon fight. I absolutely LOVED the idea!!! Joanna is the master of capturing relationships and candid moments. Follow the link to see some of the photos she took of us. This really was the most fun I have ever had while having my picture taken!!!

http://joannataylorphotography.blogspot.com/

Sharing the sun with a friend...

Krystian LOVES, LOVES, LOVES play dates...
I love play dates too because it means that we schedule time out of our crazy lives just to play!
Krystian's little friend Sydney came to swim the other day... what a way to spend the day. I affectionately referred to these two as "my little fishies"... I think my favorite part was them trying to splash me by doing "cannonballs"... um, they both weigh practically nothing, so the splashing wasn't too successful... thankfully!!!