Disneyland IS the Happiest Place on Earth!

We got back from our Disneyland (and beach) vacation last night.  I was going to blog a little daily, but closing Disneyland down three days in a week turns out to be a little exhausting.  We didn't want to waste a minute so we literally collapsed into bed every night.  We had SO MUCH FUN!!!

Beans and rice, hot dogs and grill cheese sandwiches will probably be on the menu for the next two weeks, but we have no regrets!  Best. Family. Vacation. Ever.

I will break down my days in upcoming posts, I feel closer to my family and in love with my husband.  AWESOME!

Go Tyler!

This is Jaren. 

He loves Tyler.  He sees Tyler at school and church and he's one of Tyler's biggest fans.

He's been asking his parents to take him to watch Tyler play football for the past few weeks.  He even made this sign  (in the picture above) that says, "Go Tyler!"  It's on a post it note.  Seriously, the cutest thing you've ever seen.  He was holding it up for Tyler during the game.

After the game, Tyler asked to go to Jaren's house to tell him thank you for coming to the game.  I guess he went and told Jaren that he saw him up in the stands cheering for him and he saw him hold up his sign. He told Jaren how happy he was that he came to the game and gave him high five and knuckles.  

After Ty's visit I recieved a text from Jaren's mom, letting me know how sweet Tyler was with her son and how much it meant to her and Jaren.  Jaren struggles with autism so any time he really makes a connection with someone, it's a big deal.

I am so thankful that Heavenly Father puts us in places where we can touch each other and help each other grow.  HE placed Tyler and Jaren in the same place so that they could bring out the best in each other, even if it's just for a little while.

And Go Tyler!  (What a good kid.)

Whew!

Here is an update from my last post.

Superman saved me  :)

First, (and most important), he let me lay in bed with the covers over my head way too long for the second day in a row where I was able to find enough courage to face my day.

Then, he ran all the errands for the vacation, took care of the children, grilled hotdogs for the Birthday Party, ran kids to the game, packed up half the kids clothes for the vacation and is now cleaning out the car so we'll be ready to go. 

I seriously couldn't do life without him. 

Help!

So what was the mother of six doing the morning of her daughter's birthday and two days before she leaves on vacation?

Why sleeping in and laying around of course!

Well she must be so on the ball, this mother to have so much done that she can just lay there, right?

Of course, the laundry is done ready to be packed, the birthday party is organized and the food is done.  The football uniform is washed and ready to go for the game happening right after the birthday party, the house is cleaned of trash that will surely rot and stink up the house while the family is away on the vacation they are taking in  48 hours.

This mother is ready to jump out of bed and go sell popsicles and popcorn at the school to make money for the PTO and visit with her childrens' teachers, then go run errands for her family's vacation, then help get Grandma's house ready for the party tomorrow, then take her daughter out for her birthday, and then come home and clean up the  mess at home.

Hmmmm........  what do you think?

The truth is, this mother is laying in bed with the covers over her head scared of her big bad day!  Too bad that big bad day is going to come and get her anyway....

The Pool is Cool

 So Mom and Dad's pool is done.  Once they got going on it, it just didn't take much time.  I have to admit, I'm surprised how much our family loves it.  We been at the Grandparents' house swimming literally every day (but Sunday) since it was finished.  It's helps that it's been blazing hot here for the past week.  105 or more.  I just wanted to add some fun pictures...

FYI, this was the first day we could swim.  Before too long, Derek just jumped in clothes and all!

Take note of my no fear baby. She scares me to death!  The upside is she is sleeping much better lately.  Nothing like swimming every day to help wear her out!

Brave Little Monkey

Proud Parents

As usual, we are very busy when school starts.  It's fun, but hectic. 

Tyler is playing football this year.  We feel like in all the years he's played, this is the year when his knowledge and talent are coming together.  It's fun to watch.  His long legs get him up and down the field so fast! (He is nearly 6'1 now, CRAZY!)   That's a big improvement from his meandering and smelling the roses on the field days of the past.  He is also teaching himself to play the guitar and piano in his spare time.  He's doing pretty well.  Sometimes I call him Troy Bolton but he threatens me when I do...  :)

My Michael was just elected "Student Body President." We've been calling him Mr. President here at home.  We are so proud of him!!  He's still writing his book.  Now he has a teacher helping him so hopefully by the end of the year he'll have a "finished manuscript."  He is taking piano lessons but he's been teaching himself also so he is already way past beginner stage. 

Jules has discovered that she really enjoys hip hop dancing.  Uncle Quinn also spent hours teaching her to play a few songs on the guitar for the Primary Talent Show.  She did so well!  I need to record her playing.  Like her brothers, she has natural musical talent.

Joshua is playing football for the first time.  Oh yeah, he is a baller... He LOVES being a Coolidge Bear.  He takes the game very seriously.  It is just so fun to watch him.  He says over and over that he's been waiting to be a Coolidge Bear since he was three.  We worry about little Josh out there but his love of playing makes it worth it.  He is still creative as ever with his legos.  He builds complex bases and spaceships in his spare time.

Matthew is along for the ride right now.  I just love his laid back personality.  He is catching onto reading quickly and has lots of good friends.  He loves tagging along to all of Tyler's football games.  Tyler calls him his "good luck charm" and insists that he is at all his games no matter how late they start.   (It is so cute.)

And Bella, oh my Bella.  I love her.  She is so cheerful and loving.  She is also a "hot mess."  She spends most of her life covered in markers, water, makeup, bruises and sweat.  She just doesn't stop.  She wears me out but every day I am so glad that I have her.

I just wanted to update all of you on the kids so far this year.  I really need to add pictures!  It's almost time to print the blog into a book.

I love you all family!

Guardian Angels

I am so thankful for guardian angels.

To anyone that I know and love.  We don't raise these babies on our own.  We always have help.  You absolutely cannot control every situation and you can't be everywhere all the time.  If Heavenly Father wants to intevene and keep your child safe, He will.  If He wants them back, he'll take them.

Bella was having "a night", like she sometimes does and was covered literally head to toe in marker.  I went upstairs to get the bath started and she comes in whimpering.  I notice a small cut on her leg and think that it looks a little weird, like a slice.  I am holding her and trying to comfort her and she is gagging.  I swept her mouth a few times and nothing.  Finally, she throws up a little and there is a piece of glass in it about the size of a dime.

To say I was a mess is an understatement.

In the five (or less) short minutes I'd been upstairs she broke a canning jar of salsa and put the only loose piece of glass in her mouth.  Literally, the rest of the glass was up inside the other half of the jar.  There was no glass mess.

I am just so thankful that we are not alone in raising our children.  I've had a child jump off the second story stairs, get outside and wander the neighborhood, fall out of a window (luckily onto our patio roof), and I still have six children.  This was another one of my miracles.

Thank you angels!

PS.  I've been working on an Activity Days activity and looking through some art.  This picture moved me and made me think of this incident.  I have a thankful heart.  The picture is called "Heavenly Hands".