"Professional Time Wasters"

Saturday mornings are usually spent doing our outside work. Scott and the boys are typically the ones who mop the garage floor, blow everything off, trim the bushes, fertilize flowers and the list goes on.

This past Saturday, I left Scott working outside with the four older kids and took Sophie to dance. When I got home, things weren't going all that great. We won't mention any names but, it was the typical....

So and so won't do his work... So and so has less work than me... Why do I always get the hardest jobs.... It's hot out here... I'm thirsty, can't I take one tiny break?.... Your a slave driver.... This sucks!...When are we going to be done.... I do everything...

Amidst the complaining and arguing that was going on. Scott was trying to make light of the situation and probably trying to keep his cool, along with keeping things fun. He came up with the term:

"Professional Time Wasters!"

He claims they are "professionals." I laughed when he came up with this and couldn't agree more. Not to be rude, but it's true. We have struggled with helping our kids learn how to manage their time efficiently. I feel like I am constantly trying to help them get back on task, to get their things done. I'm not one who likes to talk about my kids weakness' especially on my blog but, I do like to keep it real. We have our challenges and anyone who knows us, knows that!

So instead of grounding them because of their bad attitudes, Scott decided to give them an incentive. He told them, "who ever could change their attitude and find the joy in working efficiently, from this point forward, would get a surprise at the end of the day!" That perked their interest and they were able to stop being professional time wasters and dig deep to make a change. For some, it was harder than others and for one, it wasn't hard at all!

All their hard work had payed off when they found out they earned a trip to the lake with mom and dad for the afternoon. They definitely worked hard and did some serious damage control with their changed attitudes. Hopefully, they learned from their dad, how you don't want to be a professional at wasting time!

This is a principle that I want to instill into my children and it seems to take more patience than I think I have, but I will not give up on it! I love the quote that President Monson once said.

Let each of us cultivate a willingness to work. Procrastination is truly a thief of time- especially when it comes to downright hard work.

I am grateful for a fun afternoon with just my family, that doesn't happen as much as I would like.

I love you guys!

Hiking Camelback

On Presidents Day.... our family hiked Camelback Mountain. I am sure anyone who knows me, knows this was not my idea. This was my husbands idea. So, I was willing to take on the challenge and I am so glad I did. When the kids got wind of this idea they were all on board, except for Taylor. She was looking forward to sleeping in... on her only day off. She felt like she deserved that since her weekend had not allowed her any extra sleep. Needless to say, she wasn't too hip on the idea. After a little persuasion from her dad, she agreed to go... with a good attitude. And, that is what she did and we all had a great time. We woke up early and drove to Scottsdale and started our hike by 8 a.m. and I am happy to say, there was no murmuring!

Austin was happy to take the lead and the rest of us followed behind.

I was especially proud of Cannon and Sophie, not one complaint from Sophie and minimal from Cannon. They did great.

I love this picture below

I love to be outside, especially at this time of year. It was so therapeutic for me to hike behind my family and just think through my different thoughts. I especially loved watching the way they would interact with each other, the way they would show their concern for one another and how they would stop and help when someone needed it. There is nothing more rewarding for me, as their mom, than to watch my kids serve each other. I consider this a pay day when I get to see this take place. I am so glad that our kids were willing to take on their dad's challenge and try something hard and to experience how it feels to finish hard things and endure to the end. We told our kids this is kind of how life is... Hard things will come into your life, but you can't give up. You have to keep your head up and keep on going and endure to the end! I am grateful for a husband who is always looking for a new adventure and something for us to do together as a family. He is so good about making things happen over here at our house. He claims we will be doing this again in the next few weeks, only a different mountain. We will see which mountain he picks next!? This was a really great experience for our family.

Camelback

This morning our family hiked Camelback mountain.....

And holy cow.... I am out of shape! My body is already starting to get sore.

george winston

Scott took the three older kids and I to see George Winston in concert on Friday night at the Mesa Arts Center.

Scott has always loved his music and wants all of us to love it too. Before we were married he would play George for me all the time and he still listens to him today. When he told me we were going to this concert, he mentioned that the older kids were coming and they needed this experience. They needed more culture in their life. I agreed and went along. I knew deep down that Taylor and Cooper would be totally bugged and bored by it. Taylor, because she would be missing out on a Friday night with her friends and Cooper, just because he couldn't talk for a few hours... haha. Austin, of course loved it, as I knew he would!

When you go somewhere with Scott, you are always early. So here we are waiting to get in. Is this pathetic or what...??? I had to get this picture of our teenagers on their phones and i~pods. I am sure I was guilty too?!

I tried to get the boys to come out and take some pictures around the complex with Taylor, but they declined. What an amazing facility. Taylor and I walked around and admired the place and took some pictures of her and killed some time.

The concert was really good but a little long, even for me. Scott and Austin loved every minute of it. Taylor and Cooper took a couple of cat naps and kept giving me that look like.... help me! We went and ate at Charlestons after and had a great visit with our kids. I am grateful Scott made this happen, we agreed that it will be happening more often. Hanging out on the weekends with your teenagers is actually really fun! We laughed our heads off!

saturday

This morning started early with our stake service project, at the Temple grounds. The ground keepers were there directing people to various jobs. Our family was put in charge of pulling weeds, tilling the ground and then replacing the beds with new mulch. At one point, Taylor and I were working together in a decent size flower bed and after 10 minutes or so, we both looked up and the whole bed was pretty much done. Taylor commented, "WOW, I can't believe how fast that went.... with all these people, we are already finished with this huge flower bed!" I thought it was the perfect opportunity for her to recognize the principle of team work and unity. We talked about it for a little bit and I realized how much our family lacks in this simple concept. The concept of service and the pure love of Christ, towards the ones we love the most! We struggle with this around our house. Sometimes I can't believe how selfish we become with the attitude..... I didn't do it, so I'm not cleaning it up, so and so did that, that's not my job!

I think I know what our Family Home Evening lesson will be on this week!

What a great lesson for our kids and an eye opener for me.

Austin and Ty working hard

and Cannon and Sophie excited that the job was done and more excited that dad was treating them to chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

Good job guys!

Cooper missed out on the service project this morning. Instead, he was with his deacon's quorum, camping in the snow and building ice caves. He got home this afternoon and everything he took was sopping wet. He said he was freezing, but it didn't stop him. He had a blast and had lots of stories. I couldn't stop thinking about him, as I laid in my warm bed last night and hoping he wasn't freezing in that 20 degree weather!

All I know is.... there is a special place in heaven for scout masters and deacon leaders.

I couldn't do it.

Here is Cooper after a warm shower and all thawed out.

Okay. So, my youngest sister {who is only 9 months older than Austin} got her license yesterday. It's hard to believe how time flies. Yesterday her and Austin were all over the town! SCARY.... I know. They already had their first experience of running out of gas! UNBELIEVABLE. They were lucky enough that it happened right in front of the fire station and they were able to get a gas can, to get them where they needed to be. WOW... is all I can say! Then later that night, they were out on the town with all of Austin friends. They were in hog heaven with all that freedom!

Today these girls all went and got pedicures and then out to lunch and who knows what else. Taylor was loving this freedom as well. I was a little nervous about the whole idea, but they were in a safe car, with their seat belts on and they returned home alive! I am so glad they have each other, our kids love their aunts!

And yes, I had to capture this moment of them coming home. I would have loved to of been a fly on the wall in that car.

They sure love their aunt Ashlyn

And those were the highlights of our Saturday!

Jacuzzi with Dad

Yesterday after we got home from our friends "heated pool" swim party... The boys were freezing and couldn't get warm. So Scott had a weak moment and invited them to get into his jacuzzi with him. If you know Scott, you know this is a rare moment... he is a germ - a - phobe and you are very lucky if you get an invite. This jacuzzi and little area we call our "secret garden", is our sanctuary. It's one of our little places we can sneak away and find some peace, for a short time.

Of course, until everyone realizes where we are.

The boys had a great time in the rain with their dad

Scott was playing a game with the tennis ball and the roof

and Piper was trying to dodge the ball and not get hit.

She loves the leaves

I love this time of year where the citrus trees provide me with my breakfast. Our grapefruit is so sweet and delicious.

We are back to doing our liver cleanses, so these lemons have been pretty handy

Yesterday was a great day... I love the rain.