Mix-Maxx

This dude cracks me up!

(all photos' taken with a telephoto lens so he had no idea he was being photographed)

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Isn't he handsome?

Two of my favorite pictures of my dad on his mission for our church in Holland.

Nora adores her Papa!

Dad doing his favorite job...dishes!

I just wanted to take a quick minute to let my dad know how much I LOVE HIM! I have THE BEST DAD! I learned so much from him and still do. Last year I did a quick birthday post and everything I wrote there is so true and even more prevalent today in my life.

I LOVE YOU DAD!

More Fun Family Visits!!

OK, so I'm feeling bad that I forgot to add this picture to the last post where I mentioned Ella's play. Here she is (again with the stage make-up) with her other Grandma (my Mom), and the flowers she gave her for opening night. It was so sweet. Ella just loved it and felt so important. I'm so glad my Mom thought of that, because I did nothing...I'm a loser.

So, on to the next weekend of events. My sister Shauna and her husband Brian made a stop on their way down to Rocky Point Mexico, and then stopped back in on their way up. It was so fun to see them and much too short. They have three boys, Zack, Nick and Alex. Lucky for me I get to see them again next weekend.

We got together for dinner with my brother and his family while they were in town and I had to get some photos. I have been wanting to document how incredible my sis and her hubby are.

Here is Brian with three of my four kids. When he is around he pays SO MUCH attention to the kids. They treat them like their own...even better...more like Grandparents treat grand kids. I LOVE that they love my kids and let them know it. When we were up in Utah over Spring break there was one night when Nora was in Brian or Shauna's arms the WHOLE night. She loved every second of it.

Here is Aunt Shauna pushing Nora in the swing. This was HUGE for me. C'mon ladies, you know how it is when you have a child that yearns for the swing, and only the swing. It's like your held prisoner to it the whole time you are there. The best thing about it is that Shauna makes it out to be the best thing she could be doing with her time. Again, having people love your kids like that is priceless.

Like Mother, like son. Here is 16 (almost 17) year old Zack taking his turn with the swing duties. I'm sure he is much too macho to admit this, but he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself too. He is such a great cousin. It can't be easy being the oldest cousin by 5+ years!

The older girls loved teasing Zack and trying to be as tall as he is! He is so cute with them and I love him for it. I feel so bad that I didn't get any pictures of the twins. Shauna has 13 year old twins that are just too fast for my camera lens. I'll have to get some pics when I see them next week.

Long story short:
Aunts and Uncles like this are worth well more than their weight in gold. Both of my sisters married guys who would do ANYTHING for my kids and treat them as if they are their own. When we walk into a room my sister Heather's husband Bruce scoops up each kid, gives them the biggest hugs and kisses, and makes them feel extra special. What that means to a Mom is too big for words. We are truly blessed with extended family on both sides. These family visits are the best thing ever. There is no replacement for the time you give to family. Thanks guys for taking the time to come and visit. We sure love you!

April Conference Weekend

I am SO BEHIND on our activities, but I will slowly this week attempt to catch up! We had a great Conference weekend with Paul's parents and my parents visiting. Luckily my brother lives here too, so my parents were able to stay with him. As much as I love both my parents and in-laws I don't think having all of us in the house at the same time for a weekend would be a good thing. They were so great to come in town for Ella's performance in a local production. I just love how supportive they are.

You gotta love that stage make-up. I'll post more group pictures once I get them scanned! She played a cheerleader in the production of "Back to the 80's". She had so much fun and now knows a ton of 80's songs. She was so impressed that I knew them and even had many of them on my ipod!

On Sunday between conference sessions we went to a local park/nature preserve to enjoy the outdoors with Paul's parents. Nora HAD to wear her tutu that day and I took advantage of her cuteness and took a TON of photos. Here are several. Click to enlarge if you wish!





Sorry there are so many, but they were all too cute!

Here are some other fun shots of the kids and grandparents!





Mr. Maxx!

Beautiful Ella...pre haircut!


Earlier that week we were in the backyard before school. We looked up and this is what we saw! It was so close that we could see the fire when they stoked it up! The kids were so thrilled.

It was a great week and we loved having GrandMary, and Grandpa all to ourselves. The kids sure love them and SO DO WE!!

Friendship

Here is some info. I found out about my most favorite thoughts on Friendship. Forgive the details, but I think it makes the quote that much more cherished! First is the details of the author and source. Next we have the quote itself (which I have loved for years). And lastly the quote is shown in it's original context. This is my favorite part. If you read my earlier post about my lack of tact with my opinions, you will see why I love this so much. I have been dearly blessed throughout my life with many friends/family that will take all that I have to say, and I KNOW that my words are safe with them. They know my heart. They take me for the good and the bad, and perhaps love me even more for them both. WHAT A BLESSING!! I am more keenly aware of my faults than many may believe I am. There is NOTHING like someone who loves you and accepts you ANYWAY. So, here it is:

The following quote is widely attributed to George Eliot, but it was actually written by Dinah Maria (Mulock) Craik (1826-1887). Those who get the author correct often get the source wrong, crediting it to a poem, "Friendship". Poem of the Week has the definitive answer: the quote is from Craik's novel, A Life for a Life, published in 1859, but it also appeared - nearly 80 years later - in a collection of poems under the title, "Friendship".

Oh, the comfort --
The inexpressible comfort of feeling
safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words -- but pouring them
All right out -- just as they are --
Chaff and grain together --
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them --
Keep what is worth keeping --
and with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.

And the quote in context from Chapter 16 of the novel (full text):

Thus ended our little talk: yet it left a pleasant impression. True, the subject was strange enough; my sisters might have been shocked at it; and at my freedom in asking and giving opinions. But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort -- the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person -- having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

I am now officially in tears. TRUE friendship...UNSELFISH friendship...is such a gift. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, to all my friends that love me for me!

Happy Birthday John McMillan - JACK!!

In some ways I think this picture says it all! Jack turns 6 years old today and I could not love him MORE!!

Jack is such a precious gem in our lives. I will have a hard time describing all the wonderful things about him here, but I will try.
(You will want to click on the photos to enlarge them because some of the expressions are hillarious!)

• Jack is such a spiritual kid. He always has great questions and can tell us detailed descriptions of what he learned in Sunday School. He seems to always see the deeper meaning of things.

• Jack notices EVERYTHING! He remembers what people have said, what color they were wearing, what music was playing, and when things happened. I can tell that he is always taking in everything around him. He is very observant.
• Jack has a very tender heart. He doesn't like to see anyone else hurt or sad. He also gets upset very easily if I get angry with him. Jack is SO QUICK to forgive...a very Christlike trait. I'm so happy for that because I have needed it from him a few times.
• Jack LOVES sports. I feel sometimes like a bad mother because he is now 6 and I've never signed him up for any organized sporting program. He will do swim team this summer, but I'm not quite ready for the rigors of Baseball, Basketball, Football, etc. I figure he is still a kid and we do a lot of those at home.

• Jack is really good at everything he tries. I think this comes from a lot of natural ability, but also the patience and determination to do things right. He is doing so amazingly well on the piano. He has the self dicipline to practice and learn it until it is right. That's how he was with riding a bike, golf, reading, etc.
• Jack is so darn handsome. I know I'm biased, but I can't get enough of that auburn hair, big blue eyes, gorgeous skin, smiley full lips, and winning smile. I could eat him up!!

• Jack LOVES his brother and sisters. Of course he and Max spend half their time as best friends, and the other half wrestling, but I'm shocked at how well they get along given their ages and differences in personalities. Jack loves his sisters so much. He is so sweet and helpful to Nora. One time a couple of weeks ago she got hurt in the playroom and came out crying "JACK"! She ran to him and he scooped her up and comforted her. Ella and Jack are good buddies too. They are only 22 months apart and have always gotten along SO WELL.
  

• Jack's Daddy is his hero. NO JOKE! He always wants to be doing what Dad is doing, wearing what Dad is wearing, and sitting by Dad at the table, on the couch, or in church. I love this...and so does Paul.

• Jack has a really fun and silly side. Of course I would be lying if I didn't say that this can get annoying at certain times, but I love to see him enjoying life. He has so much energy and spunk. He is a lot of fun to be around.

Some girl someday is going to win the lottery when they get Jack. I've already arranged Ella's marriage, now I think I just might have Jack's settled too. Doesn't that sound appealing once your the parent?

I have to document what his teacher said at his recent Parent/Teacher Conference. We were chatting about Jack's school work. He is a straight A student and has 100% scores for almost everything, and then it's 99%. He is an excellent reader and has no problem so far with academics. I was interested in his behavior and asked the teacher if he behaves well. She told me that he is very social and does need to be told to not talk so much (I wonder where he gets that from?). Then she paused and got uncharacteristically serious. She looked at me and in a very determined voice said, "Jack is one very special kid. I'm not kidding when I say he is going to do amazing things someday." Of course I cried! (I always cry at P/T conference) It is so neat to hear someone else tell you how great your kid is. I appreciate her telling me. There is nothing better for a parent. I am going to try to always remember to tell a parent when I have something nice to say about their child.

WE LOVE YOU JACK AND ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE A PART OF OUR FAMILY!!