48 Hours in St George

There is nothing like Go-Carts to take you back to the good ol' days.

How can you NOT celebrate?!!
The weather was perfect.
The crowd was amazing.
And the biking was Heavenly. 

Rearin' to go...

I wasn't going to make this happen when considering Shawn's schedule, but once I realized that it was quite possible with some help from a babysitter and an early Vball game on Saturday...I gave it a shot.
And it happened!!!
We have a really awesome ward with some great girls at great ages ready and willing to babysit anytime.  My kids requested a particular gal, and she was open.  She came Saturday morning while Shawn was at his game that started at a very unusual hour of 11am so he was home by 2pm to take over....
and spend some good quality time with the kids ; )
It was a good role reversal.  Necessary every once in a while...and dad did a GREAT job.

We left late Friday.  Came home before the kids were in bed Sunday.
It was a very short trip...but it was so perfect.
We ate out.  Rode bikes.  Raced go-carts.  Played tennis,  And laughed...A LOT!

Thanks to everyone who made this possible.
Karalee and Scott for cheering Evan on in his Bball game (and the snap chat of his play: )
And a big thanks to Shawn who is always encouraging me to GO.
Its always nice to know that while I am gone he is supportive, but also that he is there with the kids spending some MUCH needed time with them...considering how much he is away from them.

I love my job as a mom.  I am so so blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  Truly.
 Although...a trip like this reminds me that I AM more than a mom.  And I CAN do more than be a mom.  For how long...Im sure its short lived?!  My injured mortal body has already taken soccer out of the picture.  But more than that,  I know as my kids get older and busier, life will be wrapped around their schedules.  Life changes.  Phases come and go and come again.  And plans that you think you have Im sure just fly right out the window.  So for now, I will take a solo ride when life opens up and offers it.  And when it doesn't,  I will continue to work hard at planting in my kids a love of the outside world in hopes that as they grow and get older, they will want to run off with their best friends,
and enjoy it with them.
As I did this last weekend.
I hope and pray that this will take the place of all that other yucky stuff out there that 'claims' to be a 'high'.
An 'adrenaline rush'.
Or 'fun'.

I hope that when they are searching for a 'high'
that they will know right where to find it.
Out on the grass in a field with a ball.
On the court.
In the mountains with a bike.  Or a fire.
On a piece of paper with watercolors.  Or a pen,
On the ski slopes, or behind a boat.

Thats where its at.

To soak in the sun and just breath in the fresh air while zipping down a trail on a bike...
ITS A HIGH.
A highlight!

I hope my plans work : )

Halloweeny!

Halloween was a HIT this year.
So glad my kids chose something I could whip up from old clothes and sheets...
minus one...
but I don't mind buying a costume for Mayci each year because she actually plays dress-up! 

Heather was serious about her costume.
Props to her...she was pretty creepy looking.
Heathers fangs fit.
Evans.  A little large.
(PS I hate those fake full mouth fangs with all my heart!  Woke up the following morning to find them lying in a pool of slobber on the table.  They are straight up nasty.  Our garbage likes them)

Cant have Halloween without the Fall Festival.
I learned my lesson last year and with the help of some willing and amazing older cousins,
I sent them away while they enjoyed and I chilled...
AT HOME.
I was kind enough to make an appearance for the remaining 30 minutes.
Big thanks to Izzy and Madi LOU!!

Mayci.
Wow.

The 'trunk-or-treat' crew.
Hard core. 

This is what you get when mom is cheap.
Pretty amazing if I say so myself!

Richard Simmons.
And his lady friend.
Love these two.

Best friends/cousins.
Priceless.

Two babies braving the 'Halloween Parade'.
I sure wish Wes was content as he in a stroller : )

When dad is away...

...we fit it ALL in!
The good.  The bad.  And the ugly.
This...is the GOOD.
I hate that Shawn has to miss events such as these.
Evan is completely in Heaven out there on the court.
It makes my heart so happy to watch him, so into it, and so happy.
Major perk to my job are moments such as these.

This...is the ugly.
 

This is my company when all the rest of the kids are down.
I don't mind it...
one. bit.

When dad is away...
I chop all my hair off.
Gone.
Like a boy.
And my face says it all.
A little unsure about it this time 'round : )
Best thing about hair...
it grows back!

The GOODS!
Mom gets to work really hard to make moments such as these.
Rae.
Happy.
As Ever.

The BAD!
Fits.  Time-outs.
The GOOD!
Finding apology letters such as these : )

Car rides.
Wes...
Still hates them.
THE UGLY!

The HEAVENLY.
Wes.
Rocked to sleep in the swing.
In the last bits of perfect weather.
While the others enjoy their bikes.  On dirt jumps.  In a beautiful place called Park City.

As I mentioned earlier,
A LOT of work.
But every now and then its majorly worth it.

These last few weeks have been tiring,
Shawn has been gone a lot.
My kids all really missed him.
It hurts my heart when they cry for him.
It gets stressful and I get on edge and we all get a little cranky when he leaves,
but I have to document the good moments that DO happen.
And I hope these are the moments that stand out when my kids grow.
I hope they can one day appreciate the efforts and hard work that it is to make them happen.
At this point,
that is my major motivation to do anything but sit on my butt.
At home.
And do nothing.
A lot easier.
But not as rewarding!!