Family Reunion

The last family reunion we had Angel was not quite one, so it had been years!  Two years ago I decided we were past due for another and so the planning began.  After two years of planning we had our family reunion last month and it was amazing!  We were missing one family, my step-sister's, but everyone else was able to make it for at least part of the time.  Honestly I cannot wait to do it all again! 

We ended up renting the Serendipity Cabin from Bear Lake Lodging, plus an additional three bedroom town home from the same company.  Our check-in was really smooth and our "cabin" was spectacular!  It was really beautiful on the inside, the beds were super comfortable, and there was plenty of space for everyone.  Then there was the view, we cannot forget the view.  It was breath taking.  Looking out over the sparkling blue lake, the boats, all the lush green.  Beautiful!  The weather was perfect also, staying in the mid to upper 70's. 

Serendipity Cabin

View from my bedroom doorway.

View from our deck.

The first night we were there was Picasso's 8th birthday.  Happy birthday little man!  What a party that was.  Huge dinner, cake, ice cream, presents and THREE pinatas!  We had a pinata for the little ones, a pinata for the teens, and a pinata for the adults.  I have not hit a pinata in years, but oh my goodness was it fun!  I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard.  Being blindfolded while swinging a stick at a swaying pinata is a TON of fun!  Especially as you can hear everyone else laughing and urging you on with your swinging.  My sweet husband stayed above on the deck and was the "puppet master" of the pinatas.  Moving them up, down, from side to side and making it that much more fun.

A hike was gone on the next morning.  Unfortunately I had a migraine so stayed in bed.  My husband however actually took pictures!  This is quite the feat for him.  He spent three weeks in Scotland a couple years back and came home with less than 100 pictures.  It was very pitiful really, especially to someone who would have taken thousands!  So when he went on the hike with my camera in tow I really did not expect much in return.  I was so surprised when he returned with over 60 pictures.  He took them throughout the whole hike and it really helped me feel as if I had been there.

Princess and a cousin running through the woods.

Picasso sitting on a funky shaped tree.

Angel and her Grandma walking through the woods.

We spent that afternoon and the next morning on Rendezvous Beach.  My mom had rented a camp site for us, so we had our own private beach. The first afternoon we spent there was REALLY windy.  The wind did not deter us!  The kids still got in the water, volleyball was still played, smiles were seen all around. Then the mosquitoes came out!  It was a horde of mosquitoes.  So much for the bonfire planned that night!  Instead we headed back to the cabin.  Marshmallows were still toasted using the grill and smores were happily consumed.  The second day on Rendezvous Beach included GIANT bubbles and canoes!  My mom brought the supplies for the bubbles and my dad rented two canoes.  Kids were buried in the sand, my youngest brother buried up to his knees while standing up, sand castles were built, bubbles were made, and much fun was had in the water.  Later I found out that Princess had gotten lost for a time!  I feel like a horrible mother for not realizing she was gone.  She had been out on the canoe with her dad and when he dropped her off she got disoriented and walked the wrong way, away from our beach.  Thankfully she was okay, realized what happened and turned around.  Needless to say she stuck close by my side after that.  I am so THANKFUL that no harm came to her. 

My younger sisters did an amazing job planning out a menu for our time there.  There was plenty of food and all of it was wonderful.  We had a great time playing games, hanging out, talking, laughing, and just being together.  I am extremely grateful for the time spent together as family.  For the bonds that were strengthened.  For the love that was shared.  Soon I will start planning another family reunion.  I've been asked when the next one is and everyone agreed that we are not going to wait nine years again.  In another year or so I will start planning the next one, until then I will be happy in my memories of this one.

I truly, madly, deeply LOVE my family!

Depression

Today is just one of those "off" days.  Things are going pretty good for our family, really no major complaints.  However I have been feeling panicky the last few days.  Feeling as if the world is crumbling around me.  It is not and is far from that.  I can feel that sneaky little thing called depression trying to sneak its way back into me.  The feeling that it is just not worth it.  That I am not good enough.  That I should just give up.  Reading that it may feel as if I am hating myself and that I want to do something drastic.  I do not.  I just am not sure what to do with myself right now.  Earlier today one of my bff's asked me what was going on lately.  She KNEW something was wrong, but couldn't quite figure out what.  She really made m think and I realized this afternoon though that August is sneaking up on me.  I have written about the month of August and I, about our love/hate relationship.  How those first couple weeks of August are when I had 4 of my 6 miscarriages.  I believe that is the cause of the encroaching depression.  I will continue to fight it; to try and not let it take root.  Depression is one of those things that many people are extremely familiar with. It is one of those hard things as it does not have an outward appearance.  It does not cause a stuffy nose, a cough, chills, a rash.  It just causes an emotional downturn.  Those "silent" ailments are often so hard to deal with.  Thankfully I am surrounded by people who love me; my husband, my children, my parents, my family, my friends.  I am confident that I will be back to feeling like me soon.  Until then I  will endeavour to do my best to not let this feeling get the best of me.

School Supplies

We still have about 5 weeks of summer vacation left, but today we went school supply shopping.  We got almost everything on our lists.  We still need some disinfecting wipes (we'll get them from Costco) and a piece of black felt; not sure what the felt is for.  Of course with Archer going into junior high next year it makes things a little more interesting.  His list was the longest of all the kids and it did not even include any notebooks or binders!  After we get his class list we will find out what he needs in the notebook/binder arena and what type of calculator he is going to need.  I am just hoping that it will not cost us too much.  Overall we spent between $20 and $30 per kid, which is not too bad.Our school does offer a school supply kit which would have cost us over $40, so I think we did pretty good.  Plus my kids really enjoy picking out their own supplies, choosing what color supply box, what color scissors.  At least it is done and we can enjoy the rest of summer break without having to worry about school. 

P.S.  We got our school supplies at Target, they had some great deals!

Baptism

Last week my Picasso got baptized.  He was very excited about his baptism and had been looking forward to it for months.  I was very pleased with his decision to be baptized.  I know at eight the likelihood of him choosing to not be baptized in the church he was raised in was slim, but it was his choice.  The little man was all smiles all afternoon.  After his baptism he was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He gave his dad, uncles, and grandpas big hugs afterwards.

We had a family dinner and then Picasso and I went to a Rapids game, just the two of us.  It was a fantastic game (which they won), but even better was Picasso and I getting to spend that time together.  On our way out we stopped and said hello to our Season Ticket Holder rep.  We explained why Picasso was there instead of Archer and she thought it was great that he had been baptized.  She even found him a gift, which was totally unexpected!  Picasso said that June 30, 2012 was his best day yet. 

Congratulations on your baptism little man.  I love you lots!

Need to Get Back

I really need to get back to blogging.  I'v dropped off as of late.  I have been really busy, but that is not the only reason why.  I just stopped.  Not sure why.  I enjoy blogging, getting the thoughts out of my head.  I am not sure if anyone else enjoys my blogging, hopefully they do, if not it is not the end of the world.  At the end of the day I need to get my thoughts out.  I need to spend some time reflecting on life, turning it over and seeing what I can find.  I will endeavor to blog more.....starting tomorrow.  Tonight I am going to bed. 

Father's Day

I was blessed on Father's Day to be able to spend parts of it with all of my dads!  The morning of Father's Day was the last of our family reunion (more on that later), so I was able to have breakfast and give big hugs to both my dad and my step-dad.  After the long drive home with my family we stopped at my in-laws to see my father-in-law.  It was wonderful to see all my dads. 

The kids made their dad an apron for bbq'ing.  On the bottom it had R2-D2's dome, it said "R2-Dad2 A skill for every occassion." across the top with a few other sentiments from the kids on it - Dad you rock, best dad ever.  It almost brought their dad to tears he was so touched by the effort they put into making it just perfect for him. 

I am greatful for the four amazing father's in my life.  They have blessed my life in so many ways.  I am greatful for the examples of being a good father and husband that my dad and step-dad showed me as I grew up.  It helped shape my opinion of what I wanted in a husband.  I am greatful to my father-in-law for teaching my husband to be a great man like him. 

Happy Father's Day!  I love you all. 

Growing Up and Letting Go.....At Least a Little

A few days ago Archer and four of his friends went to a local "indoor entertainment facility".  They each got an all day pass a off they went.  Without parents.  Eek!  Archer is old enough for this, he is more than mature enough for it, he was not alone.  I however was a nervous wreck.  He is still my baby right?  He will always be my baby, but he is growing up.  It is hard as a parent to give our kids more freedom.  I knew he would be okay.  I knew he would do what he was supposed to do.  knew he would make good choices.  I knew that he is one of the most responsible kids his age that I know.  I knew all of that, yet I still worried.  I suppose the worry never really goes away.  It should not go away as we love them and want what is best for them.  It is best for them to grow, to learn, to get more freedom, and eventually leave the nest.  I am thankful that he will not be leaving the nest for many more years.  Until that time I will have to learn to slowly let go of him being my baby and embrace the young man he has become.  I am glad that I have a little more time before the rest of the kids hit that particular milestone! For that day Archer had a fantastic time hanging out with his friends, playing laser tag, riding go kart, playing the arcade, just being a pre-teen boy.  There is time enough for him to grow up.