Life, of Late

My heart is fuller than my camera memory these days and that's okay.

Truly it felt like an epic event recently when I was able to replenish all four of my younger children with a solid supply of underwear and socks.  I was on a high for days afterwards.  Logistics in a family of eight keep me busy.

And then there's the emotional roller coaster.  I feel like I have just gotten used to the fact that our family will no longer be growing with sweet babies and now we're about to start shrinking as far as the household body count goes.  Times when Callie graces us with her presence are precious and we love the lovely lady that she has become.

Life glimpses per the camera:

When she's not doing homework, prepping for 2 AP tests, working as a piano teacher or a pizza maker, hanging with friends, attending a mission call opening, being the Laurel's president, or playing for the ward choir Callie might be doing this on the couch:

On Sunday she went to her first YSA activity (!)



 ...and then ran to the nursing home to sing to the residents with friends.



Jacob went to an overnight camp with his grade and perfected his selfie skills.

There was a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach when he was showing me his pictures.  Since when did he decide to grow up?!?

Big D was super excited to wrap things up and earn his Wolf.  We talked about what his duty to God is and some things that he can do.  He chose one to work on for a week - being kind to his siblings.  I love the signs that he posted around the second floor to remind him of his goal.  He did a GREAT job and actually has continued to be a sweet big brother even after his week was up.

 

It's still a party almost every night at bedtime, no matter what we do.  These two were tucked into their respective beds, but when we checked on them later, this is what we found.

Quite the set-up.  Contrary to how it looks, Drew really was asleep.

We have family in a sunnier place who love us.  Mandi came back from a visit down south with oodles of delicious grapefruit.  It is so tasty that my kids will eat it sliced like oranges.

One night after cleaning the kitchen I set out the fruit for the next morning's breakfast.  (We didn't get through all of it - not that my kids couldn't, or wouldn't - it's just that the novelty was wearing off).

 Saturday morning cartoons are a favorite tradition.

 

I love seeing my four youngest kids all snuggled up together.

Last fall Tyler and I were at the local gardens and picked up 5 dozen of their tulips that they had dug up.  We put them in the garage and I forgot about them until January.  The one lovely day we had when the snow was mostly melted and it was sunny and warm Emmie and Camden helped me plant them and we crossed our fingers that they would bloom.  Well, they sure did and they put on a great show!  Emmie loved checking their progress every day.