Fishing with Grammy and Gramps

When I see my boys with a fishing pole in hand my world is complete.   I love to watch them standing by the waters edge, waiting intently for a bite.

Grammy and Gramps came and stayed with us for two whole weeks.  We loved having them with us and we especially loved that they took us fishing.

Owen took catching a fish very seriously.   He could have stayed all day.   Two whole hours he stood and watched his line.   Waiting for the big fish.

Eli also wanted to fish and Gramps helped him cast it out and reel it back in.

Gabriel decided to fish his own way.     Sitting watching his bobber wasn't on his agenda.  He had other plans.

We had a wonderful day fishing in Anthem.    We packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed the beautiful Arizona day.   We are so lucky that we got to spend an afternoon with Grammy and Gramps.

Even if we didn't catch a fish!

Fast Cars

A little boy in green who loves to win.  An older brother in black that cheered on his brother even when his own car wasn't winning.  This smile is a smile of triumph.   His blue and gold car beat every car racing down the track, every time.   His blue and gold car even beat most of the older kids and won 4th overall.   I don't think any 7 year old could be any prouder then Owen was that day.

The boys and Bryan worked on their cars for several weeks before the big race day.  

Choosing a design, sanding, and painting.

Finally finishing them the morning before the race.

Excited to get to race their cars against their friends.   On the way to the race the boys gave each other a pep talk.   Gabriel told Owen, "I don't care who wins, we just need a Dahl win."   Giving each other a high five and hoping for the best.

We all waited patiently for the big race to start.

Brothers cheering on the Dahl team!

Ready, Set, Go.

Straight to the finish line to record their time.

So excited and a special high five from Uncle Brett.

A fun morning racing cars and spending time with family.    And, I have to admit winning made it even a little more exciting.

3:00

At 2:00 in the afternoon I am patient and loving.   This is when Grace is taking her nap, Eli is watching Super Why and the big boys are away at school.   When dinner is cooking on the stove and I'm snuggled on my couch with my notebook and bible.  I congratulate myself on my perfectness.

At 3:00 I'm  thrown into the chaos of 4 children.  Gabe and Owen come home from school and Grace starts stirring in her crib.

At 3:15 Gabe is running around the house yelling because he can't find his Pokeman cards.   He refuses to get ready for baseball without those cards.  We have to leave in a few minutes to make it to baseball practice on time.  Grace is screaming up in her crib waiting for me to come get her.   Owen is pulling Eli's hair, laughing, and making him scream.   My phone starts ringing.  

I am no longer patient and loving.   I yell at Gabe to find his shoes.   I yell at Owen to stop teasing his brother.   I yell as I'm running up the stairs to get Grace.  

When I walk into her room she feels my tension.   She screams louder.   I have to change her diaper.  Gabe is still not getting ready for baseball and Owen is still teasing his brother.    My heart is beating fast and my face is flushed with anger.   We have 15 minutes to get to baseball practice.

I wish I could have taken a deep breath and recentered myself.  I wish I could have turned my yelling into something else.     More than anything, I just wanted to be that calm, assured, patient woman I was just one hour before.

Instead, I herded the children in the car as best I could.   I turned up the radio really loud and informed them all not to talk.   My car flooded with music and I finally started to breath.   Those 15 minutes in the car was what I needed.    All my children were quiet and buckled safetly in their car seats.  I had control again.   I could deal with this.

Motherhood is breaking me.  Breaking me open and exposing parts that I hide even from myself.   My walls of protection and comfort are gone and so is my self control.  And, it's during these intense moments that I can't pretend.  My true heart is revealed.   This is where I need grace.   Grace, love and forgiveness.

Tonight as I cradled Grace in my arms and carried her up to bed I looked at my day with gratitude instead of guilt.    I know I will find the grace I need in gratitude.

I was thankful for my afternoon.

The pinch the boys gave me because I wasn't wearing green on St. Patrick's day.

Laughter as I pinched them back.

Tuna Fish sandwiches during baseball practice.

The warm sun and palm trees that surrounded us as we ran on the playground.

A little girl who climbed to the top of the twirly slide and screamed all the way down.

Sand in Eli's hair from his older brother.

Gabe's baseball team cheering him on.

Watching the little ones run up to their daddy when they see him at practice.

Time with Bryan after everyone is sleeping.

And, tomorrow when 3:00 rolls around, I will take a deep breath and remind myself of all there is to be thankful for.  

 

A whole week

It's Saturday night and the kids go back to school Monday.  I want two weeks for spring break.  

Thought I would post a few pictures from this last week so we would remember what we did for Spring break 2014.

  

We spent a lot of time in our hot tub and pool. 

Gracie liked to dig in my flower pot.

On the second day of spring break I announced that there would no longer be electronics.    Oh, I was the meanest mom alive taking all their electronics away for a whole week.    Once the whining and the complaining were over the boys decided to head outside and play.   Imagine that.   And, most afternoons were spent playing with neighborhood kids.   The boys love to play basketball, ride their bikes, and head down to the grassy area to play.

The little kids and I had to have fun also so we dragged out the board games.   Sneaky Squirrel is our favorite game.

And, after our game we headed outside to have a snack.

We also did lots of errands over spring break.  

We can't go to Safeway without sitting in the car cart.  After Safeway we headed to Walgreens.  Walgreens is my favorite place to take the kids when we have a little extra time.   It's so fun because we go up and down every aisle looking at all the toys and games.  Walgreens always has lots of toys that sing and play music.   We also tried on some hats before we left.  I think the Walgreens ladies were glad to see us finally leave!

Here is Grace sitting in her favorite chair up in her room.   She loves to play in this chair.

One afternoon we took Gabriel to the eye Dr. to get his new contacts.   He is very excited about having contacts!

After the eye Dr. we had to have some Starbucks.   We sat out in the sun and enjoyed the day.   We were definitely not their quietest customers.

The week went so fast but I know our time was well spent.   I loved having our days stretched out before us with no schedules to follow.   It was good for our souls. 

Spring Break

This week, I sleep a little longer in the mornings.   I take my time and make breakfast without the ticking of the clock that announces 7:30 when the boys leave for school.

I look at our days and wonder what they will entail.  Knowing full well not to plan anything.   I want to just savor this time with my boys and not be on a hurry to go anywhere or do anything.

By the time I join my oldest son in the living room he has completed his masterpiece.   He works on his rainbow loom in the early morning hours.   His bracelets are quite amazing.

As the day unfolds, we decide to take a bike ride.   The desert is absolutely gorgeous this time of year.   Everything is blooming and full of color.

The two littles in the cart and Gabe and Owen riding in front of me.

We ride a LONG way and we are all tired.   I peek behind me to see how the little kids are doing.   Then, my heart melts.

The big kids are whining and complaining because they are hot and tired.   We stop to drink some water and catch our breath.

And, then we smile after our short rest because this unplanned bike ride is just what our souls needed.

Our neighborhood

Early Saturday morning when it was still chilly enough to wear a jacket we ventured out into our neighborhood to gather food for our food bank.

It was a boyscout food drive and we were so glad to be able to do this small thing to make a difference. 

 I loved being out with the kids before the rest of the neighborhood was awake.

Stopping just long enough to savor each smile and the beautiful morning.

Getting ready for our busy day ahead.   A day filled with family and basketball games.