Cody and Tumbling.....

Cody started a tumbling class a couple of weeks ago. He goes once a week. They do fun stretching, dancing, and singing. I wasn't sure if he was going to like it but turns out really enjoys himself. He has one of his best friends, Will, in there with him which I think helps a lot. He is so cute and does a really great job playing with the other kids.

Something to Think About

My mother-in-law sent this to me. I thought it was really helpful. I definitely need to be reminded of this. Hopefully this will help you too.



Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask, 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply?


When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift... Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

Pitty Party for ME!!

We, or should I say I, have had an extremely crazy week. Our schedules are getting busier but I keep telling myself that it will slow down. I think I am fooling myself. We did find time to go out on a date with each other to celebrate our 8th year wedding anniversary. That was really fun! I always enjoy having a nice warm dinner served to me! It got me geared up for a challenging weekend that was about to start..............
On Friday morning Taylor left town for a fishing trip in Colorado. Good timing considering I had 2 extra kids here all weekend. One of my friends went out of town so I had her 2 boys. One is 7 years old (Cooper's best friend) and one is 10 years old. It wasn't that bad though. The worst part was taking all of them to Target with me. I got a lot of stares from people, as if they were asking themselves, "Are those really all of her kids? Bless her heart!" Ha ha! You all know the look I am talking about! I wouldn't have taken all of them but I needed some things that I could not do without until Monday.
Then on Saturday we had baseball for Cooper. That would not have been bad either except the coach decided to play extra innings. Could he have chosen to play extra innings when I have more help with my kids? And when it is not a scorching 90 degrees outside?! Ok, I am overreacting I don't think it was 90 degrees....maybe 85 but the sun was really hot! We were all exhausted by the time we got home. Cooper played a great game though. He went 2 for 3 and 1 RBI. He is turning into quite the baseball player!




Saturday night Natalie had a birthday party to go to so I took advantage of having one less child and headed to Walmart for much needed groceries. Cody threw the biggest fit of his life. It lasted the whole 40 minutes that we were in the store. Kicking, screaming, hitting me, throwing stuff on the ground, I mean the worst fit you have ever seen in public. Again, everyone in the store was staring but this time the look was, "Oh my gosh, that woman CAN NOT handle her children." I remained calm, grabbed the things I HAD to have and got the heck out of there. They had 2 lanes open and about a million people in line. Keep in mind, Cody is still screaming. Oh well, nobody got out of my way and offered me to check out ahead of them. I guess they enjoyed the screaming! I walked out of Walmart in tears. I called my mother-in-law and got a pep-talk from her. She made me realize that this difficult stage I am in with my kids is only temporary and will pass over soon enough. I think the hardest part is my own expectations. I want my kids to have extra-curricular activities but it is hard to do when I am alone. I want to be a good parent, I want my kids to be happy, and I want to still be SANE once this stage is over. I know I can handle my kids day to day but can I do it and still have a smile on my face when I am done?
I was exhausted by the end of Saturday night. I was ready to throw in the towel and be done being a parent. Then I got a call from Taylor saying he was coming home that evening instead of staying until Sunday. He must have felt my frustrations. YAY! There is light at the end of the tunnel! Being a parent is so much easier when I have my best friend and companion to do it with. I appreciate his opinions and insights on child-rearing. They still shock me even 8 years later!!

Porter Jackson Haught

Taylor woke me Sunday September 7th, to news that Blue and Kelly (Taylor's brother and wife) had their baby. Kelly had gone in to the hospital Saturday night because she was having contractions. Taylor followed by saying that the baby didn't make it. Porter Jackson had passed away a day or so before Kelly went into labor. My heart immediately sunk. I wanted to get in the car and rush to Arizona to give Kelly a big hug. We left for AZ on Tuesday to be with Blue and Kelly and to support them in any way we could. I can't even imagine the pain/sorrow they have enured this past week.
Jackson will be missed! He has made an impression on so many lives. I know that our family can see him again and I look forward to that blessed reunion. This experience has made me realize that giving birth and having a healthy baby is not as easy as we expect. Life is precious and we need to be grateful for every day that we have been given.

"The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on this earth. Therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil and we shall have them again. The only difference between the old and the young dying is, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable world." -Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Preceeds the Miracle. p. 103

Labor Day Weekend

I am behind on posting so I need to do a little bit of catch-up! We had Taylor's family come visit us for Labor Day weekend. We had his parents and 3 of his siblings and spouses. We had a full house to say the least, but we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. We miss you already. Hurry and come back!
Best In-Laws Ever!

Cute Jenn

Cathy giving Tash tips on how to bowl!

Taylor being sad because I was beating him at bowling!

One of the nights we all played Twister. I actually got Taylor to play so I had to get a picture.

Way to Go Mom!!!!

My mom got nominated for Nurse of the Year in the category of "Rising Star". There were over 300 nominees in all the categories combined so this was a huge honor for her. When I heard that my mom was one of the 3 finalists I just had to fly to AZ to support her. It would be amazing if she actually won this award. Taylor is such an amazing husband, he willingly took all the kids so that I could travel with just Eli.
The March of Dimes sponsored a dinner to present the awards to the winners. My dad, Marlene, Ben, and I all went to the Awards Dinner. We waited in anticipation throughout the whole dinner to see if she won. Her category finally came and believe it or not, she won!! We were all so proud of her. She has worked so hard and I am glad that I have her as an example to me. Not only has she successfully raised 7 wonderful children but then she still had the energy to go back to school and become a nurse. She is amazing and I am so proud to have her as my mom! I hope I can be that ambitious after my kids are all grown up and gone!




Amber was such a big help with Eli. I wish my kids lived closer to their cousins.

The rest of the weekend was a blast as well. All of us sisters (Marlene, Karen, Tracy and I) took Reagan (Marlene's daughter) and Amber (Karen's daughter) to get their ear's pierced. I hated seeing my little babies crying in pain but they got over it rather quickly and now they proudly sport jewelry.