Scavenger hunt....

One place I frequently stop into is Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. They sell used items for rock bottom prices, a gallon of pain can be less than $5 sometimes I go there, I look through the paint aisles and if I find a color I like, I buy it and save it for a project. I have about 15 gallons of paint in varying colors in the basement. This week it came in handy. We have been saving every last penny for our traveling expenses, while it is Christmas Time and everyone else is out shopping and adorning their home with the latest styles, we are scheming, planning and enjoying a simplified Christmas. I am pretty sure it is the nesting instinct, even though Peter is already here with us, it is nerves from the upcoming events that are causing me to stress, worry ad fidget. So Last week I called in the helpers and on Monday we painted, for 10 hours straight, and then this week I painted solo some more... I am so happy that I had these paint colors stashed away for this time, when I had the energy and desire to "DO SOMETHING" but I needed to limit my resources! What fun it was to paint the 'projector screen' onto the wall, and then the boys room got a little wains-coat type accent color, in all, i feel accomplished. and now i go back to planning our global journey!

The joy & the Pain

Being a mother has brought immense JOY... First smiles, First Tooth, blowing kisses, snuggles throughout the morning, Watching them discover their reflection in a mirror.

So many fun, happy moments.... Then the opposite can be said as well, Sick babies, emergency rooms, 31 days in ICU, disappointments, postpartum depression, sneaking out (teens), ornery neighbors that seem hell-bent on torturing your children ;)

what do we focus on? Where do we linger?

Natural man tendency is to linger on the negative. Which then creates a stronger memory of that negativity. We as mother's need to fight the impulse to linger in the mire. We need to take out those happy moments like a treasured photo and bask in that glorious memory. To look at it from every angle.

It is this method of noticing the GREAT times, the GOOD deeds, and the HAPPY moments that we will then be led to smile more.... and ENJOY our journey of Motherhood. I pray that you will make a list of all the finest moments in your recollection as a Mother. Go ahead. Right now. Bask.....

red heads, new teeth, warm newborn breath, nursing sounds, First coo, the first moment you held your babe, giggles, crawling, fascination with ceiling fans, first outings, park days, first words, mama, dadda, creativity, hard work,

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are so abundantly blessed. We decided that the Holidays would be dismal if we were not able to break bread with our close friends (might as well be family) So we saved our pennies, and packed our car, and drove 10+ hours I WILL say I did not enjoy the drive, I was already stressed by the time we hit the road, and my energy has been depleted since I had walking Pneumonia last month. It took all I had just to ensure everyone had clean clothes and undies. But persevere we did, and we arrived last night at 2:39 a.m. Tuesday. (ugh) All the Grove kids were awake and awaiting for our arrival....we hugged, squealed, and promptly sent all the littles to bed.... Today was a typical day of relaxing, and energizing at once. the Wonderful Daddy's took all but 2 kids to Timbertown play area while Sasha and I visited on the couch and Madi & Jolie made pies.... We couldn't ask for a better afternoon. (OK massages and a shopping spree would have been fun...BUT) Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we have more food than many 3rd world nations see in a month on the menu. We are so very blessed. Food to eat. Family to enjoy it with. Warm and safe beds to rest. Freedoms. Testimony. Love. Hope.

A little slice of Heaven

I have 4 Amazing, Beautiful, Creative and Awesome Daughters, They are my best friends, and my biggest helpers.

My wonderful husband took my oldest daughter on a "Father & Sons" Camp-out in Payson in 2001 and was asked NOT to repeat his appearance sans sons.

So for all these years my girls have missed out on camp outs with their daddy. Party it is my fault, as I have a "Honey-do-list" lone enough to keep 4 handy-men working full time year round. (Yes I know I am demanding)
So I need to take a chill-pill once a year and let him take his kids camping.

This year, My Wesley has 3 SONS!  and none are newborns!!

He was able to attend the Father & Sons campout with no guilt and worry!

So I took my lovely daughters out last night for a GNO, and we had A BLAST! Shopping, lunch  Dinner, Swimming at an indoor water park....then chasing cookies and movies until we were all too tired to stay awake.

We came home this afternoon to see Daddy & the Boys prepare and leave for their first ever campout. (without mom)

Not only did my amazing husband take our 3 boys. he also volunteered (honestly with NO prompting from me!) to take our Sweet friends' 2 boys while THEIR amazing father is off in Idaho training for his new job.

HOW COOL IS THAT!?

Man I snagged a great guy~!

So tonight, my 16 year old is at the Home coming game, She took her 14 year old sister, my 12 year old is entertaining a friend and my 9 Year old is playing at her friends' house.....

While I sit here, with a clean house, a full fridge, and nobody to tend to!

A-MAZING.

This is a little slice of heaven, knowing my boys are doing what boys love most, (playing in the dirt and camp fire) and my girls were utterly spoiled rotten and content, I feel accomplished, sincerely accomplished, like I have done all I can do in life to succeed.
(Plus I rode my bike 4 miles so I get bonus points eh??)