Wastlund Family

Marathon Tomorrow!  Everyone pray for me!

I just have to let my husband know what a great man he is!  He works so hard all week and still does what he can to help me at home.  Sundays he becomes mom and dad.Yesterday I left for Ward council at 8:45 in the morning and didn't see him until our 11:00 church. We came home for dinner (which he prepared), had home teachers and then I left again for stake YW recognition night. I had a presidency meeting right after that, and didn't get home until around 8:00.  He had made cookies with the kids and was all ready for scripture study.  As I laid down exhausted he even asked me if I needed a foot rub. He has always been so supportive of me, my callings and other life ventures. I am so thankful that this good man is mine for Eternity! I hope some day I can reciprocate when it is his turn! :)

Grandpa Wastlund had his entire family there to celebrate his birthday! Aunt Breckan's family was even there, and they filled the entire house with balloons. The kids had fun taking all of them in the backyard and popping them when the celebration was over.  We traveled to Cedar for Grandma Woodstock's Birthday.  We helped install a screen door for her birthday present (or I should say Garrett installed a screen door. Thanks sweetie!) Kimball and I then stayed and attended the Relief Society Broadcast with her and Katie. It was a great night!  Loved the look on her face when she missed 1 candle and wouldn't get her wish.

Grace is constantly getting her hands on my camera, and I guess it is paying off. Check out her most recent shots! Not bad for a 4 year old.  These shots were actually taken about 4 months ago, but I just found the proof.  We walked into the Dining room one Sunday and someone had left their food and drink out.  It was everywhere! No one would fess up, but grace caught it all on camera. Now we know!

  Our family decided to make caramel apples for FHE last night with some yummy local apples. It was very funny watching the kids eat them. A few of them took a few bites and decided it wasn't worth the effort of getting through the caramel and getting their teeth stuck together.

Jaden and Kimball rode their bikes to Mr. D's on Saturday and bought themselves a bag of Doritos. Well as the kids know Doritos are my all time favorite chips (which is why I hardly ever buy them):).  Sunday night they finished off their bags without even sharing one! Jaden came home from school today and asked if he could ride his bike there again, and said it was for a surprise. Well, what am I supposed to say to that? He came home 15 minutes later covered in sweat, and holding a bag of Doritos with a huge smile on his face.  He wanted to buy a bag just for me!  Jaden, without fail will give up what he has for someone else, and is constantly aware of the thoughts and feelings of those around him. Behind that rough little exterior he is really a sweetheart, and I am so proud of him!

The weather is finally cooling off and Saturday was a perfect day.  The kids splashed around on Main Street for an hour.  Kimball and grandma having a heart to heart.  And the never ending play fighting that comes with having two boys so close together.  We love the new carousel!  Our entire family rides for $3.50

 Taylor wants to be just like her big sister.  I finally had to buy a little backpack just for her so she could be like Grace.  At least 3 times a day she has me put it on her and then she says in her cute little voice "i go scoooool?" She is finally big enough to play outside all by herself, and can even stay on the teeter-totter. Grace is so happy to finally have a friend to play with.

This is a post just to clear my mind.  I feel like life is more than I can handle at certain moments and then suddenly I feel like I can conquer the world. These feeling come at random times and random places, but I am thankful I have both to keep me humble and grateful! Along with being Young Women president and trying to plan Excellence Night, New Beginnings, and Youth Conference, I am a busy mother, training for a marathon (2 more weeks), am helping a disabled aunt, and was just nominated Sunday to head up the "Special Needs Harvest Ball" for the entire St. George area. At moments I feel like I can handle it all and am actually grateful for all the opportunities I have to serve. I am however tired and doubt my ability to do everything. To make matters worse Garrett is having the same kind of month with a lot of stress and more work than he can handle (which really is a blessing). But, when he works longer so do I, and 2 tired parents doesn't work well with 5 children

Yes, all these were taken with my phone.  We all thought the special effects were amazing and the kids and I had a great time. Grace still asks me when we can go back and see Ariel.  She is excited for the Wizard of OZ next year.

We love the $2 theater.  The oldest three kids and I went and saw Pirates of the Caribbean Friday night.  I love that we can still see a  movie on the big screen and not spend a fortune!  

 Labor day was a beautiful overcast day, and so we decided to take the kids hiking.  It was a last minute decision, but Grandpa and Grandma Woodstock decided to meet us there since we would be so close to Cedar.  Jaden and Kody were so excited that they got to hike in the river that we couldn't keep them out.  By half way their feet were so frozen they wouldn't stop complaining.  I don't think they will ever ask why we have to stay dry as often as we can hiking again.  This was the end for us when we reached the waterfall and ladder.  The only picture Kimball would let me take of her was from the back.  She and Kody both fell during the hike and got some pretty good bumps and bruises.    Grandpa and Grandma Wastlund surprised us at the end and finished the last mile back with us.  We found this old park and the kids had so much fun.  Garrett and I even reminisced about the way parks used to be. :) Big slides, Merry Go Rounds and all.