So Brad has been gone during the week for 3 months now. I have done a lot of scripture reading and early bedtime to have the energy to run a family with 6 busy children using patience and love. I have definitely not been perfect darn it - I got the time wrong for a couple of practices and raised my voice from time to time especially during the dinner bedtime hours. (I cried twice which is a lot for me!) There were several nights when we had soup or ugh frozen food like taquitos, but we had dinner together every night even if it was at 4:45 on Wednesdays for 15 minutes between 3 children's practices. The food and practice schedules aren't even the half of it. Add homework, projects, church activities, supplies (always requested the day before they are needed), cleaning, shopping, emotional support for older children, doctor appts., classroom help, workouts, Halloween costumes, park days for little ones... and you get the picture. I am so happy that tomorrow is the last day. The thing is that I had help. Guinn kids have been amazing. They know we are a team thank goodness. My parents have come out to stay with little ones while I had doctor appts., and my Mom "forced" me to go on a wonderful weekend getaway while my Dad manned the home front. The scriptures helped me the most. Mosiah 24:14 -15, "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs ... the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." See I realize that what I am doing with my life right now is good works and Alma says to his son Heleman in Alma 37:34, "never be weary of good works, be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls."

Josie has her first cross country meet.

Here she comes through the finish line in ......
First !!!!!!!

Look at that concentration :)

The take off

relaxed at the start

Kellen is two!!!!!

This boy is so cute and sweet and two. This week he has discovered markers - markers on walls, markers on closets, markers on counters, markers on balls. He is talking up a storm, has a cute sense of humor, loves his buds Emmie and Brody, loves his big buds too. He has a favorite radio flyer bike that he wants to take everywhere even the store, and he zips down our hill on it chasing down his brother like he is big! He gets very excited about trucks and books, and he finally goes to nursery without crying the entire time. Kellen, we love you and feel like the blessing you are to our family is beyond measure.

The girls (minus Josie) at the party

Mom at the birthday party

The boys at the birthday party

Kellen helping with his birthday cake. It was serious business!

This is the last picture of Kellen when he was still ONE

Davin turns 18

Yes it is difficult to believe, but I have come to accept that my baby is an adult. He is an amazing individual and has been blessed with gifts and talents that have helped him to be successful and happy and to serve others. I wonder sometimes if we have taught him all that he needs to know to go out into the world at the end of this school year, and the thought makes me gulp for air. I am cramming a little now to be honest, and I have never been a crammer! Love you tons bud.

The Friend party
Here is a shot I snapped of some of the friends with "the jumpy". Davin had to have a jumpy and he was right, it was a huge hit. The party was fun and crowded - I think Davin was satisfied with the last friend b-day party this mama is going to throw him.

The family party

Thanks nana and grandpa for the birthday steaks! Davin was happy to get some red meat, and I was happy not to have to cook it. It was a relaxing day in Irvine, and watching conference with you guys is the best.

The real birthday

Davin opened his presents surrounded by his "people". From the time Davin was little and could talk, he would ask where his "people" were whenever there was an occasion. Back then it was a couple of cousins, some dear friends that lived near nana. Now it is these guys. I know they bug you sometimes, but nothing is the same with out your "people". You have learned so much patience, tolerance, and love from your "people" - I have seen tremendous growth in you in this area in the last year especially!

Perry Homecoming 2011

Thank you thank you thank you for being a beautiful young woman inside and out.

We had 1 hour to shop. Perry tried on 16 dresses at a bargain store and found one that was modestly beautiful and affordably priced that made her happy. I hope this is not beginners luck for this in the Guinn house as we have a lot more dress finding to do I am sure. The dresses were so short this year I heard one dad say, "These aren't homecoming dresses, these are San Diego night out on the town club dresses." Not Perry's! You rock!

Perry's friend Eric had 8 dates!

Kelsee, Nichole, Brooklyn, Perry, Liz, Eric, Sage, Audrey, and Kristen have been friends for a long time so it was so fun that they all went to the dance together and that Perry let me take some pictures and be the chauffeur.

I hope you made some good high school memories Miss Perry!