It's because of this!
Vance and McKaylie got right in!
Noah was a little more timid about it!
Myshel acted like she didn't want to get wet, but she really did!
I love this one!
Eventually they were all completely soaked! Next time, bring towels!!
We actually did walk through the zoo and see the animals. I took this in the garden area. I just caught Noah looking up. He was willing to sit there, but was deteremided not to look at the camera. Patience prevailed.................he just had to look and see what was taking so long and that's when I got this picture. I really like it!
??????This kids want to go to the zoo today, but do I really want to go??????
While I was driving the kids home
One of my bigger fears about this deployment was that it went through the summer. Of all the deployments we've done, none of them have every gone through the summer. I liked having them go through the school year. It gave me more structure. Things were on more of a schedule because of school. They had to be. I'm not usually a big "schedule" person, but I really appreciate it when Chad is gone. It also helped keep us busy, we had school, and homework and school activities, etc. That helped the time go by faster. But during the summer ............there's not so much of that.............I'll have them home with me all day, every day, for 2 1/2 months! Don't get me wrong, I love my children and I love having them around, but even too much of a good thing, is too much! We do have activities planned throughout the summer, but it's still a daunting task for me to think about...........trying to keep 4 kids, ages 13 1/2 to 3 1/2 entertained everyday by myself. Yikes! BUT, trying to see the brighter side of the picture.................when summer's over and my kids go back to school, we'll be more than half way through this deployment! Now if we can only get through the summer.................in one piece.....................
(I've said this before many, many times, but I'll say again here. I have the upmost respect for single mothers. At least I know that for me, this will be over in 6-7 months. I don't have to keep doing this with no end in sight and they do. They also have to provide for their children, which means they're probably working another job or two. I don't have to do that, either. They have my complete respect and admiration!)
OK, this is just getting silly! But, since you always answer mine!
se7ens
7 things I want to do before I die
1)Go on a mission with Chad
2) Be with my children when they're married in the temple
3) Spoil my grandchildren (I like that one)
4) Go on a vacation somewhere with just Chad
5) be caught up and stay caught up with the laundry
6) get fit and healthy
7) make the decision where I live without the navy's input
7 things I cannot do:
1.) sports
2) keep my house picked up
3) stay caught up with the laundry
4) be a good navy wife
5) get my teenager to listen
6) not worry about everything
7) be outgoing in new situations
7 Things that attracted me to my spouse:
1) looks, that has to be one doesn't it
2) I loved the way he smiled at me
3) he made me laugh
4) he made me feel special
5) I never felt like he judged me
6) I could talk so easily with him
7) Things just felt right when we were together
7 Things I say often: (these are things while Chad is gone, it might be different if he were home)
1)I love you
2)Just a minute
3) NO
4) We're not having pizza tonight
5) Daddy won't be home tonight
6) please pick up
7) I have a headache
7 books I love: (I hardly ever have time to read anymore)
1) The Ensign (it's not a book, but I love to read it)
2) Harry Potter Books
3) Lori Hicks Books (I think that's her name, is it Deb)
4) Work & the Glory
5) Book of Mormon
6) Just in Case You Ever Wonder
7) Is Your Mama a Llama? (one of my favorite kids books)
7 movies I could watch over and over:
1) Cutting Edge
2) The Wedding Singer
3) American President
4) Runaway Bride
5) Robin Hood (Disney's)
6) Robin Hood (w/ Kevin Kosner-is that how you spell his name?)
7) Princess Bride
people I'd like to hear se7ens from:
anyone who'd like to
Now, I think I've answered everything but my shoe size!
People must find me much more interesting than I find myself, because I keep getting these. I do like hearing about other people, though and they are fun. This one was emailed to me from my friend in California, she doesn't have a blog...........yet. I thought it would be fun to put in my blog, though. (sorry if you've already gotten this from me 
A-Z's of Me
A - Age: 36
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Laundry
D - Dessert you love: pumpkin pie
E - Essential start your day item: Prayer
F - Favorite actor(s): ?
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H - Height: 5'3"
I - Instruments you play: Used to play flute
J - Job title: Mom, wife, homemaker,taxi driver, nurse, maid, dishwasher, alarm clock, bringer of doom and destruct on all teenage life, you get the idea
K - Kids: 4: Myshel (13 1/2), Vance (11), McKaylie (6), Noah (3 1/2), Chad (does that one count???)
L - Living arrangements: 5 bedroom, 3 baths, military housing
M - Mom's name: Beverly
N - Nicknames: Love, Hun, Sweetie, Mom
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None
P - Phobia: Snakes
Q - Quote you like: "No man achieves the supernal, exalting status of worthy fatherhood except as a gift from his wife." Pres. Boyd K. Packer
R - Right or left handed: right
S - Siblings: Tracy, Leslie, Todd, Debbie
T - Time you woke up today: 6:00
U - Unique habit: I don't know that any of my habits are unique
V - Vegetable you hate: Squash
W - Worst habit: I tend to be very negative. I have to remind myself to look for the good things in situations
X-rays you've had: teeth, knee, lungs
Y - Yummy food you can make: stroganoff, pizza, stir-fry
Z - Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
TAG, you're all it, I want to hear about your A-Z's
My wonderful friend Marie had this story on her blog. I just had to share it again, here. It's a good reminder for all of us. I put in what some of my cashews are. I'd love to hear about some of yours....................
"I read a lot of people's blogs. There is a lady whose blog I read who is an amazing scrapbooker, she's LDS and her husband is over in Iraq. So I love to look at her stuff. Anyway, the other day she was sharing a story that she had heard at stake conference. So I am going to give a short version..."
"There was a little boy who loved cashews. His Mom bought him a can of mixed nuts but told him that he couldn't eat just the cashews ( Darla!) that he had to eat the whole can, not just the ones he liked. He ate the can and a few days later his Mom bought him a can of just cashews. He started eating them and after a short time he stopped. When his Mom questioned why he didn't eat them he responded, " well without the bad ones, the cashews don't taste as sweet." The speaker compared this to our lives...how all we want is the sweet stuff in life but without the bad stuff....maybe the sweet isn't that great. "
"I was thinking about my life and I know I complain- alot. I just thought this was a good reminder. Here are a few of my cashews..."
{These are some of mine (Cindy's) if you want to read Marie's click on her name above}
The gospel--I don't know how I'd live my life or teach my children with out it
Chad--absolutely, one of my sweetest cashews
Myshel, Vance, McKaylie, Noah--they can sometimes be the "other" nuts, but my life wouldn't be complete with out these cashews
All my other family--their love and prayers give me strength when mine is gone
Friends--I have some amazing friends who do great things for me without even knowing it
Prayer--I couldn't even get through the day without it
E-mail--I don't know how I ever got through a deployment without it
Crafts/scrapbooking--it gives my mind and hands something to do when it's quiet
Automatic dishwasher--I hate washing dishes by hand
Vacuum--it just sucks up all those crumbs and mess just like that!
School--I'm just one of those people who can really appreciate their children leaving my house and going to school
Phone--because I live so far away from so many people who are so important to me.
My Palm Pilot--I don't know how I ever kept track of all that info without it!
Having older children--they are such a huge help with the younger ones
One of my good friends, tagged me. I was a little weary of this one, because we come from such different backgrounds, and live our lives differently (I love ya Amber-poo, I really do). It wasn't so bad, though. I changed a few words and censured a few questions (I'm wondering a little what exactly you guys were doing when you came up with some of these questions, but don't tell me ok) Here it is, just for you, sweetie.
1) How long have you been married? 15 1/2 years
2) How long did you date before you were married? about 2 1/2 years off and on
3)CENSURED
4) How long would you say the "honeymoon" phase lasted, and saying it's still going doesn't count? But, it is still going.....oh I don't know a year or more
5) How did he/you propose?He didn't really, we decided together, but he did get down on one knee and ask me after we bought the ring
6) Does your spouse send/bring you flowers?sometimes
7) Do you consider your spouse a romantic? not really
8) Are you? Yeah, I think so
9) What is your favorite romantic date together? Walking on the beach
10) Do you and your spouse hold hands in public? yes
11) Kiss in public? yes
12)CENSURED
13) Does he/she give you a kiss when he/she comes home at the end of the day? not always, but he's getting better about it
14) Do you have pet names for each other? I guess they're pet names
15) What are they? Love, Sweetie, Hun
16) What is your favorite physical feature on your spouse?First of all, I think that could be a loaded question............but for me it's his smile and his eyes......I don't think I could pick between the two
17) Do yo have a date night?usually
18) Do you sleep on your own side of the bed or do you cuddle when you sleep?Sometimes, cuddle, sometimes our own sides of the bed
19) Have you ever been caught with your hand on your spouse's butt?Well, I don't think anyone's ever said anything about it so technically I haven't been "caught", and the smart thing to say so that I don't give people the wrong impression would be no, but it has been there often enough for some one to see
20) How many times a day do you tell your spouse "I love you"?As often as I can, I couldn't even count usually
21) CENSURED
22) Have you and your spouse ever been "interupted" by your kids? That's why there's locks on the doors, duh
23) CENSURED----Sorry, Amber, sweetie, sometimes some infomation is just too much information.
24) CENSURED
So, if you've read this, feel free to be tagged. Why should I be the only one..............................
And we learned that that apparently the new hot color in turquoise blue, because she got two outfits, one from Miss Candy and one from her Grandma. One was a blue skirt with a white shirt and one was a blue jumper and a white shirt. 
They are exactly the same color blue. It's great with her, though. Her favorite color is blue and she loves them both. She's been planning when she's going to wear each of them.
Chad's ship had been in port off of Croatia for several days. Because of work he wasn't able to get off the ship for the first 2 of the 3 days they were there. I kept hoping that he'd be able to get off just for a little bit so that he could call, but it didn't happen. He had Friday off and was able to leave the ship. So, finally, on Friday I got my phone call. Since the day we were sealed in the temple, Chad's voice has been one of the sweetest sounds to me. I love hearing his voice. It felt so good to talk to him, even if it was only for a little while. It's amazing how a simple phone call can just fill you up. I cried when we said good-bye. He told me later that I break his heart when I do that. I just can't help it, though.
Noah's been dressing himself for a long time now. Just like his older brother and sisters he chooses his own clothes. So, more often than not, his clothes don't match. Sometimes it's almost outrageous what he has on, but I'm ok with that. When it comes to my kids, I have to pick my battles and whether or not their clothes match is not a battle worth fighting for me. Don't get me wrong, they do have to match when it's important, like church, or pictures, those sort of things. But, when it comes to the everyday stuff, as long as they have clothes on their bodies, I'm good. Of course, Noah looks like an orphan half the time, but he's my little orphan looking boy and I love him!
I love the flowers in the spring. The first spring we were here Chad made me a flower garden for my front yard. Some of the first flowers we put in it were day lilies. I love watching them come back each year in the spring and grow into beautiful plants. They've flowered every year, but never as much as this year. They're beautiful. I had to take a picture of them now while there's so many flowers on them. 
The other flowers aren't as big and beautiful yet. In fact, I haven't even planted all the other flowers that I want, but give them and me some, time and they'll look wonderful, too.
The kids love taking Snickers outside and he loves being out there.
(I don't think I've mentioned, that since getting both the guinea pigs, they started to fight. It got a little ugly, so they had to be seperated. And after lots of thought and a wonderful friend, Skittles went to live at another house......Miss Candy's. So we are down to one guinea pig. Really, it's a good thing, for both us and Skittles.) 
I almost forgot.............Grandma G.--- McKaylie got her package yesterday when we got home form the doctor. It was perfect timing, it helped her forget the shot in her tushy. Thanks, we love you!
My children's logic: McKaylie doesn't look sick and when she's taking Tylenol she doesn't act sick. So, apparently she's not sick and we can do whatever we want with her! Just because mom said to play somewhere else doesn't mean she's really sick. Come on, look at her, how sick can she be!
(If only they'd think ahead, especially Myshel and Vance.........because if they don't leave her alone, they're going to find out first hand how sick she really is)
I bought McKaylie the little stuffed horse in the picture for her birthday, But, when she had to get a shot yesterday for strep and could hardly sit down because of it, I gave it to her early. She's been carrying it around every since, except for when Noah gets ahold of it and tries to hide it. You can see it's legs sticking out behind Noah. Little brothers can be so much fun!
I took her to the doctor today. She has strep. Isn't that the perfect irony, to spend your mother's day loving and caring for your child only to find out the next day that she's probably been infecting you with her streptococcus germs the whole time. 
But, man I hope I don't get it!
