{He is home!}

There are some moments in time that I just don't want to fuss with a camera. Saturday was one of them. I wanted my arms free! Saturday morning the boys had dive photos at the university. We dressed & headed that way. Little did the children know that in the back of the car was a pile of posters, glass pens & flags & a duffel bag filled with patriotic colored clothing. While the 5 started walking towards the pool I decorated the car & then snuck in beside them.  The dive team took their spots for the photo & right before the photographer took the very first shot I held up a sign for the kids to see that read "Smile! You get your Daddy back today!"  The team clapped & the boys beamed! Presley & Cooper danced in anticipation telling anyone who passed that they were getting their daddy back today! We quickly changed into festive colors & headed to the airport to get our guy! We checked into the USO & they took over from there. They entertained the kids, got us passes to the gate, took pictures,  got the children snacks. We watched the plane land & then our hearts raced as we watched each passenger come of the flight. My knees were shaking! Then we saw him & the children raced to him. We all embraced & were stuck to each other like magnets. We waited for Rod's MFST team mate, James to get off the flight & greeted him as well since his family is in Ohio currently. Once both soldiers had been greeted the applause started & many reached out a hand to thank Rod & James. The USO volunteers paraded us through the airport with loud clappers creating quiet the fuss. Rod is a super private guy so it wasn't really his cup of tea, but the children were so proud of their Daddy! Presley kept saying "Daddy they love you!" It was really very magical. Being reunited is something hard to put into words. We have been inseparable since he stepped off the plane. I hold him extra tight & the children have been really very sweet to him. We are making plans for a fun summer with lots of time together & fun new adventures. Its been an emotional 6 months with surprises twists in Rod's deployment but its over! We are so grateful to all the men & women who serve & for their families who sacrifice! What an amazing nation we live in that its citizens volunteer their time & strength in defending our great country.

These pictures were provided by the sweet people of the USO. I had debated on a videographer or photographer but ultimately decided on as little excitement as possible so we could just be together. The 7 of us.

When we arrived home my sweet friend & neighbor Bridgette had hung up my decorations to welcome Rod home & then our amazing friends drove all the way up from south of the city to add some super fun decorations to our yard! It was such a fun way to arrive home all together again!

{Britt goes to camp}

Britt has always been a quiet kind of kid. Except when he isn't. Those who know & love our 2nd son understand this statement fully. He is a thinker & a dreamer & intelligent beyond his years (& mine.) When he was tiny I would lay awake worrying, crying, pleading that he would make friends. He had the academics down, but was always perfectly content being alone at recess or lunch. I would ask him if he was lonely & he would happily say "No. Not really Mom." & so I decided to let him be, not to nag & nag about getting to know the kids at school or church. I am pretty sure he doesn't remember any ones names from last school year. He knows faces & who he liked, but names...I don't think he ever sought to know their names!  He is too busy in his mind thinking & creating. Funny thing about Britt is that everywhere we go someone is saying "Hi Britt!" "See you tomorrow Britton" "Bye Britton." Kids love this boy! It makes me so happy! All that worry & what he really needed was for me to stop worrying & give him time. Thursday, Friday & Saturday 2 stakes came together to throw the BEST & I mean it! Jaw to the ground organized fun! They had a tee-pee, horses, archery, safety stations, trading post (where Britt purchased a billion combs that shoot open like pocket knives.) They had arts & crafts, music, BB guns...just so much fun! Britt ate up every single second of it! It was all he could talk about! I thought for sure after day 2 he would be warn out, but he was 100% excited for his 7 hour Saturday at camp! He was in with the best group of little guys from our ward & our previous ward before the split. 3 of the boys are actually in Britton's school class. He came home dirtier & slightly pink from the sun & with so many new memories! He had a great time with his favorite buddies.  First Camp for Britt was a huge success! 

{Spring Conference}

 Just some pictures of the 5 doing their very best to restrain the wiggles for the 2 2hour sessions. We pulled out the sleeping bags like always & played our usual conference listening games, colored, & the children enjoyed donuts & cookies too. I took notes for Rod & intend on posting them here when the wee ones are in bed rather than in the back yard playing with pails of water. Trying to be a responsible mom over here. trying. It sue was not the same without my husband who often becomes my pillow during the afternoon session. 

Also my favorite picture from today is Cooper sustaining the leaders of the church. The bigger boys had many questions as to why someone would go to the conference center if they did not sustain the Prophet & Apostles. We had a good chat & the boys said a prayer for those who fight doubts. A good family discussion for sure that allowed me to share my testimony with the children.