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!

The big boys off to church in their new suits.

Davin got his first suit since his baptism one. The kids here don't wear them. In fact, they hardly even wear long sleeve shirts. I have been wanting to get him one, but we decided to wait until he mostly stopped growing. I think we are just about there, but just in case we left room in the sleeve and pant leg to let out. He is 6'5" now without shoes. Davin went on a recruiting trip to MIT and Northeastern recently. He enjoyed the visit to Boston since he hasn't really travelled much, but I just can't imagine him going that far away! Before he went, he really thought the idea of MIT was exciting - I mean it is MIT, but he has had time to think about it and is leaning toward not going all the way to Boston. We are trying our very hardest to just guide him and give him space to explore his options without just telling him what we "know" would be best. For those of you reading this that have not gotten to this with your oldest yet, it is challenging - guide, advise but not push. They do have to come to the decision for themselves even if you do know what is best!

Taylor Swift here we come!!!!!
Heather and the Wertner clan ran away from home and landed in Memphis, TN. This so obviously was not O.K. with any of us, and to make it up to us Tim has been following through on his bribery promises:)! First up, a trip to TN for me and Perry to meet up with Jessie, Alyssa, Brooke, Lauren, and Heather. I can't even get started on describing the mansion they live in - just think dream house! Taylor Swift was in Nashville so we made the 3 1/2 hour drive to meet up with her too. (well almost meet:))

Look how close the four older girls were to her!

Jessie is the go to girl for planning. She made sure the four older girls had floor seats so that when Taylor walked by they could actually touch her - and that they did! She sang some of her songs from this tree as close to them as it shows in the above picture. Perry had the time of her life.

Ready for some Taylor Swift fun

The car drive there was fun too. For me and Heather the concert was fun, but the memory building was the purpose and the highlight. These woman we were with are amazing daughters of God who shine in this world. It is a blessing to be with them - they stand out wherever they go.

Mom and Perry ready for the concert

Perry is the oldest daughter in a family of six. Our one on one time is on the slim side. She is the most undemanding individual I know - I am so lucky. So, we went big with our "date" and made it 4 days with plane rides and hotel rooms and concerts and lots of eating out. It will be a special memory for us I am sure.

Perry with Luke Walton from the Lakers

(I don't know why this picture loaded sideways?) Unfortunately on our way to TN we stopped in TX and got held up at the airport for 8 extra hours. We tried to make the best of it and Luke Walton showing up sure helped. He is coaching a TN college team during the lockout.

Daddy Playtime = Happy Kids

My 17 year old still loves to watch a beautiful sunset!

Couldn't resist taking pictures of this angel baby sleeping. (Thank goodness the flash didn't wake him :))

For a year and a half these older Guinn kids get to be youth together. Tonight they all headed off to a Bishop's fireside, and I just had to snap a photo. They are friends which is what I always hoped for. They'll make it - we'll make it because we are in it together. Eternal families - God's plan for happiness.

Brody and his first taste of organized sports

Kellen, Brody, and Emmie waiting for church

First day of school 2011
So we have started to settle into a routine. Kellen is not so happy all of his friends ditched him, but we took care of that at least on Tuesday and Thursday. We are trading houses with Cannon Edwards so the moms can help in the classrooms and the little ones have a friend - so far so good. Soccer is in full swing at our house with four playing right now. Brody is in heaven playing on the Green Tanks, Emmie not so much. Perry and Josie are on the same club teams as last year and playing tournaments all over southern cal. every weekend! Davin is all basketball trying to get ready for his senior season. Brad is working in Texas Monday through Thursday and we really miss him in the evenings. Did I mention how much Brody loves kindergarten. We weren't certain we were even going to send him, but he has told me several times that he loves school. I asked him what he loves, and he told me "everything".

This is what I want my children to know...
"Trust the Lord. Believe in Him. Study His words. Worship your father in Heaven in the holy and sacred name of His Beloved Son...Faith is one of the greatest powers that you and I have in this sojourn of mortality. Fear is one of those principles that the devil uses...replace any fear or apprehension you have now with faith...May every righteous desire of your hearts be granted through your faithfulness and your trust in your Heavenly Father." M. Russell Ballard

So I am a little behind in the Guinn going- ons only because there was so much going on. I tried to enjoy every moment of having the kids home from school. I love having them home, and at the end of every summer I can be heard lamenting the same thing as school approaches, "it just wasn't enough time!" Where does it go? I heard sister Sherri Dew at a stake women's conference today say that earthly life is only 3 minutes and 27 seconds of total life including pre-mortal life and eternal life. Everybody laughed, but I just knew she was right. I am glad that I stopped everything and spent time with my family. We went to the beach, swimming most days and sometimes twice, spent the night with cousins before their big move to TN, had parties, went to Bear Lake, had basketball and soccer games, dance recitals, went to movies, saw old friends, celebrated lots of birthdays and a 20 year anniversary, went to legoland, spent time at favorite parks, had lots of camps, and we did not work very much which I am OK with since we work really hard most of the year. Now we are off to a start of a great school year with Davin entering his senior year and Brody beginning his formal education in kindergarten (we went back and forth on this like you wouldn't believe because his bday isn't 'til August, but in the end we started him). I so enjoyed the first day when the last child got home - I found us all sitting around the kitchen chatting in turn sharing our first day experiences with the people that matter. Our family motto for this year is Learn, Work, Serve, Endure! I sure hope we can live up to it.

These brothers REALLY love each other - I hope it stays that way!

Kellen got his second big boy haircut :). He wouldn't smile for the camera though.


Emmie participates in her first dance recital. It was a thrilling experience for her and for us. She took one jazz class and for next year maybe jazz and ballet.

This picture is from the dress-rehearsal because no photography was allowed during the actual show.

Here we are before the show. Emmie was in the opening dance number and in her jazz routine.

Lucky us, Nana and Grandpa got to come!!!!! We went to IN-and-OUT for shakes after the show.

Big sis, Josie Kate, wouldn't have missed it. A big thanks to Davin for watching Kellen at home because he definitely would not have made it through the 3 hour long show!!!!!

Brody turns five!!!! I can't believe my little boy is big. It goes back to that time thing I was talking about earlier. Happy Birthday to one amazing kid. You make your mama smile everyday with the things you say and the way you throw out your quick intense affection to those in your close circle. Your smart, your kind, your handsome - don't ever forget it. I think five is going to be a very good year for you!

Thanks for sharing your pinata with Kellen.

I can't believe we have two leftys in the family.

It sure was fun to have your party and the going away party for the cousins at Nana's house!

Thanks Josie and Perry for making the cake. Brody loovveeeddd it!

What would summer be without a new slip and slide? Everyone loves it except Brad - he doesn't love the way it kills the grass every year.

Did I mention that I decided to do a couple of home projects while I had helpers to entertain Mr. Kellen. This is the downstairs office. It was yellow walls with dark wood and beige seat covers, and now it is Tranquility blue walls with ivory antiqued wood and new fabric to coordinate on the seats. It was a lot of work, especially the sanding, but the results made it worth it.

Josie and Emmie got involved by painting the two extra chairs white, and then I covered them to match their bedspreads. I also sanded and painted some old bunk beds for the little boys room that came from my sister.

Here are the first day of school pictures. I am so sad I didn't take any of Davin and Perry. They just left before my brain was working. Everyone was a mix of nerves and excitement.

Kindergarten here I come.

I am not sure if 3rd grade is ready for Emmie:)

On a sad note, there are no pictures of BYU basketball camp or Davin's high adventure trip off the coast of Santa Barbara. There are pictures of Perry and Josie at girls camp and legoland, but they are on Perry's camera. There are no pictures of our 20 year anniversary - I believe Brad was on business in Houston and by the time he got home I wasn't thinking take pictures. There are also pictures of BYU soccer camp for Perry and Cal Baptist soccer camp for Josie, but they are on different cameras.

Let me conclude this monster post with comments on being married for 20 years. This was a big one for me because I have now been married for half of my life. What I know is that I found someone I could work through this life with which is the most important thing you can find. It helps that I was madly attracted to the guy and that I still love being wrapped up in his arms. We try our best to be a team, and although this needs fine tuning often, it works. My neighbor asked, "do you have problems?" I told her that the only issues we really have center around running a household so I just try to remember that. Keep it in perspective and always remember the grass is not greener on the other side - just water and fertilize your own! Our love is solid, sometimes passionate, sometimes mellow, but it is constant and has been for over 20 years now, and I am hoping for at least 50 more!!!!!