Unfailing kindness

There has been some grumbling happening over the last week or two. Yes, from me. I hate when I am like that...in a slump I can't seem to get out of. A week and a half ago on Sunday I asked for some much needed peace and strength, a sign of Heavenly Father's love, something to keep me going, and I received it, but then the week went on and I let the feelings come back. And then today I was humbled by some amazing people in my life. Absolutely humbled. Everyone is so good to us. I often wonder what women do in my circumstance who don't have the kind of support that my family has. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be for them. I have cried many tears of gratitude today. Thank you.

Also, thank you for introducing me to this beautiful poem.

God Hath Not Promised

"God hath not promised skies always blue

Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labour, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labour, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain, rocky and steep,

Never a river turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labour, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing kindness, undying love."

By Annie Johnson Flint

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is one of those places I absolutely love and can't wait for each summer. I feel so lucky to have grandparents who own a cabin right on the beach so we can spend a week there each summer. I have so many wonderful memories as a kid playing with all my cousins and love that my kids are getting to experience the same thing. Here are a million pictures of our week there in no particular order.

Michelle, me, Katrina, mom

Lincoln all snuggled up in a towel after a dip in the lake.

My kids loved to be wrapped up tight so they can't hardly move.

Ella and cousin Breanne

Sailing! Ella couldn't get enough. Too bad a part on the sailboat broke and she only got to sail a few times. She's looking forward to next year.

Fireworks at night.

Landon. He turned one by the way. Yes, we celebrated and had a party, but no I didn't document it when it happened. Bad mom!

He loves me!

Always fun when grandpa comes. Rolling a truck full of rocks down the ramp into the water.

Ella and Evelyn.

My muscle men. They like to exercise with me. Can't you tell?

Logan and his 2nd buddy, Michelle

Logan. If he had his way he would have been on the beach from sunrise to sunset.

Lincoln and I digging holes and building sand castles. The water is so high this year that I could put Landon down for a nap, bring the baby monitor out, and play with my older kids.

Logan and Lincoln playing bumper boats.

Landon

Lunch at Cafe Sabor in Garden City.

Evelyn and Logan

Grandma and Landon. Landon loves holding on to grandma's fingers and walking around. She's a good sport about it and helps him for longer than I would.

Logan and me

Off for a ride on the paddle boat. Caroline, me, Logan, Lincoln.

While putting all these pictures on here I couldn't help but feel completely grateful for my life and the experiences and blessings I enjoy. What a great week.

a long time coming...

I finally updated. It is a long update as you can see if you scroll down far enough, but I had a lot of things I wanted to remember. I am without kids this weekend so found the time today to create this monstrous post.

People ask me all the time how is it to not have my kids all weekend. This is how I feel about it...

I enjoy being able to clean my house and have it remain that way for more than 10 minutes.

I enjoy having the weekend to complete 2 weeks worth of errands and shopping so I don't have to do that with the kids later.

I love being able to go on a long run outside rather than on my treadmill.

I miss making dinner for them, weird, right?...but I haven't gotten used to making dinner just for me. I usually end up having something like Diet Coke and peanut butter M&Ms for dinner.

More than anything, I miss them, especially this weekend when they are far away camping and I am worried and have had a couple of sad phone calls and I can't be there for them.

I can't wait to see them tomorrow.

special package

Friday morning the kids received a special surprise package in the mail. Each received a cute outfit and they also got some walkie-talkies to play with. They were so excited.

There was a handwritten individual note to each of them:

Dear Ella: You are a wonderful sister and a big help to your mom. You have a happy heart and work hard to choose the right. I love you very much. Love, Somebody

Lincoln - You are a wonderful big brother. You always think about kind things to do to help your family! You are a good reader. I love you very much. You are the best soccer player ever!

Logan - You always make Landon laugh! You show your love for your mom by helping to clean and sweep. You can run so fast! I love you.

Landon - You make your mom happy by laughing and smiling. You crawl fast and know how to climb on things. You are learning new things every day. I love you!

I worried my kids a little by crying as I was reading the notes to them. Thank you, Somebody (mom)! You made our day.

outings

We've done various hikes and outings this summer. On this particular hike, Logan insisted on bringing his backpack with a water bottle in it. He hiked with it almost the whole way and randomly would stop to take it off and help himself to a drink. He is a great hiker and fun to watch with his sideways hat and independent spirit.

Lincoln and Ella

Me and Landon. I sure wish he would leave a hat on.

Logan and my mom. He ditched the backpack on the way down.

A silly group.

Another day we hiked along the river trail and checked out flooded 2nd dam.

We found some cute baby ducks.

Father's Day

The kids created custom golf tees for the dads in their lives.

I sure am grateful for my dad.

My kids couldn't ask for a better grandpa.

They sure love him.

sprinklers