Nature Walks

Catching up is hard to do.  So many other things start happening and before I know it I'll miss blogging everything before the years through.  So I am just going to carry on with life and I will play catch up as I go!

Today I took Rylie and Emma and some of their friends on a nature hike.  We collected various wonders of nature, from acorns to rocks.  It was so much fun.  I loved hearing their excitement over their little discoveries.  I loved listening to their conversations, watching them help one another but compete against each other all at the same time.

When all was said and done we gathered our new collection back home and glued them on a grapevine wreath and ate delicious pumpkin bread.  Seriously the best bread I have ever eaten!

My favorite word of the day was: "Wabbefart" aka "Waterfall", oh and "ACKHorn" aka "Acorn"

And my favorite expression: "I like nature, it is so COOL!"

Rylie continued to say, "Thank you so much mommy for doing this, this is so fun!"  She doesn't use the word fun unless she means it so it must have been a great success.

I loved having these sweet girls over today and I honestly can't wait to do it again!

I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday...

We are so new to having the temples around us that it never dawned us that when Sav turned 12 she could go whenever she wanted to.  We were waiting around for the youth temple trip not ever considering that we can take her ourselves.  One day we will grow accustomed to all the advantages of Utah life, as for now we are content that we learned this one.  When one of Savannah's best friends, Paige, turned 12 she invited Savannah to go to the temple with her.  So bright and early in the morning Savannah, Harvey, Paige and her Dad Ryan headed to the temple to have their first experience enjoying the peace that the temple offers.  Her words to describe the event afterwards were, "I felt so calm and happy there."  I am so happy she was able to have this experience.  And just to show you how far behind I am on this blog, this blessed event happened in April and many times after.  I'll catch up!  I am determined!

She's found it!

My Maddie is one of those kids that has the potential to do anything.  Everything we have enrolled this kid into she has excelled at.  She has got the talent but she also has the drive, ambition, and the competitiveness that gets her just one step ahead of the pack.  We were excited to have Madison finally find her "thing" because we knew once she did, she would spread her wings and fly!  Well gymnastics is her chosen profession right now and she is doing great!  You would think when she was doing things like this and climbing 30 ft flag poles at three years old we would have known then!:

Finally we caught on and here she is has happy as a clam doing what she does and loves best.  We are proud of you Madison for setting your sights on a goal and striving harder than anyone I know to achieve it.  I believe you are destined for great things!  And yes, I am a biased mom!

My little Entrepreneur

It is when I stumble upon pictures like this one when I wonder how many other moments in my children's lives I have failed to capture.  This is one of those moments that would have escaped my memory and all the emotions it caused would have been lost forever but thankfully I just happened to be perusing through pictures and I came upon it.  What is glorious about these so called remembrances are that the emotions come racing up to the surface as soon as they are recalled.  I am truly grateful for this one.  This was one of those moments where as a parent you sit back in awe, "Is this my child?"  I know he didn't learn this from me, most definitely it passed on through the genes of his daddy but even then it wasn't something he was taught.  It was just in him.  Ambition, motivation, confidence, are these characteristics taught or are they something you are born with?  Heaven knows I didn't teach him these things and I haven't seen his daddy sit down with his economic books and business management lectures and bullet point presentations.  The boy was born with it, always full of ideas; using his creativity to formulate the execution of these ideas and the motivation to see it through.  Just one of the many things I admire about Carson.

One day he woke up with an idea.  He knew that as it was around Christmas time many people would be wrapping presents.  And something he did learn from his mom was that wrapping can be tedious so why not gift bag it?  So as he is the master craftsman and artist he took it upon himself to spend the entire morning and into the afternoon making gift bags.  The design and structure came from his little mind and he saw it through.  He then decided to set up "shop" outside on the sidewalk.  It wasn't until I heard him shouting, "Bags for sell, gift bags for sell!" that I even knew he was up to something.  So I ventured out into the cold and got the full scoop of what he had been up to all morning.  Now not to completely discredit my mothering abilities I was aware he had been hard at work in creating but did fail to enquire as to what.  Aunt Michelle and Uncle Chad however came to Carson's aid as his first patrons of his newly founded business.  Which I am personally grateful for.  His confidence boosted and feeling like .50 earned was a job well done; he bagged the goods and went inside where it was warm and played the night away with his cousins.

Again, the flood of emotions that arise are pride and love as I look at this picture in awe of my son.  He is a creative little ambitious man.  One I am quite proud to call my boy.

New Discoveries

Don't you love when you find some secret gem of nature you didn't know about?  Well we found one.  I can't really even describe where it is or what they call it but it was a sheer delight to drive upon it.  My sister informed me of this quaint little lake and described it's location to me over the phone.  So naturally I was anxious to get out and find it.  I think this is the way my grown up self goes on adventures.  Anyway, here are some fun pics we took of our awesome adventure that turned into an awesome discovery.

Graham Family Cabin

When I lived away from home my warmest and most often thought of memories would swarm around our family cabin.  Each and every time we came to visit we would be sure to include a week or two up by Sundance basking in nature and the beauty of Provo Canyon.

And it is no different now that we live here on a permanent basis.  I find myself yearning to make my way up the canyon to relax in the cool weather and the outdoor beauties.  My kids play outside all day, there is no technology that consumes our attention and we just simply enjoy time together.  So what better way to start off the summer than to spend some time in our favorite spot because gratefully my most cherished memories have now become my children's as well.

Father Sons

Harvey and Carson went on their Father/Sons campout towards the beginning of the summer.  I had to post this because this picture captures two of my most favorite boys in the whole world.  I love these boys; they are my heart and soul.

The first thing Carson said when he got home was one, "I ate a ton of junk food!"  Surprise, Surprise!  But the second thing to fly out was, "I got to drive a four-wheeler!"

I can't think of a better way for Carson to have some boy time with his daddy.  He often points out the downside to being the only boy but I quickly remind him that if there was a brother he wouldn't have dad all to himself during "boy time."  And I couldn't say he was "my most favorite boy in the whole wide world!"

A summer hiatus

I have taken a long break away from blogging.  I could call it "prioritizing", I was just too busy.  I could call "lacking in creativity", I felt uninspired in my writing...but let's face it there was truly only one reason why, I am stinking lazy.  There is something about having to take the picture, download it to my computer, editing the said picture, then to strive to write something creative and wonderful and post it hoping it will be widely accepted and if even that just read.  But I found these babies the other day and a film of guilt covered over me and I knew I had to continue on my blogging journey.

 I don't journal, I don't do any geneology, and I no longer scrapbook.  This is the only way in which I record my family history.  And compared to what I could be doing, writing until my hand hurts, researching my ancestors and destroying my house with paper and stickers laid out across the kitchen table and neglecting my children in the process; blogging doesn't seem so bad now.  So forgive me as I try to update over the next few weeks.

To my Friend...

Today I find myself once again mourning Virginia.  For today, I would be throwing the biggest most amazing party to celebrate the ?th birthday of the most amazing person.  Natasha has been a dear friend to me for the last 14 years.  Not only will you find in this post why I love this girl so much but you will find a list concerning what makes a true friend; for that is exactly what she is to me.  I have been fortunate in my life to have many of these types of friends and a list like this reminds me of how I need to pay it forward by being such a friend in return.

So here is why I cherish Natasha and our friendship and why she is so deserving of a post like this:)

--We can laugh and cry together all in the same breath.  
--I feel safe within our circle.  We can talk about ANYTHING and not only will it stay between us but there is also no judgement.
--She is a listener.  She takes interest in my life by asking questions and then listening as I go on and on (because I am good at doing that).
--We are a problem solving team.  When either one of us has a problem in life we quickly act together to solve it.  My problems become hers and hers become mine.  It is awesome.
--She is hysterical.  When I get too uptight or serious about something she can find a way to easily bring me out of it by making me laugh my way through it. 
--She makes me feel like she wants nothing more than for me to be around.  We are constantly finding ways to make "girl" time.  Although her husband and my husband make it an amazing foursome we do enjoy our alone time.
--She knows Harvey just as well as she knows me.  So if Harvey and I are ever in an argument (which never happens!:) she knows him well enough to understand both sides of the fence and even at times helps me to understand him myself!
--She provides me with the best example of motherhood.  She really deserves mother of the year.  She shows me that her children are her priority and that every second with them is a precious gift.  
--She also shows me by example of how to be the best wife.  She deserves that award too!  She has a true love story with her husband and I always walk away from them determined to be a better wife.  So I guess to sum up the last two, to be a good friend is to be a good example.  Leave the friend that your with desiring to be a better person for all the right reasons.
--Now to add an example just to show you why she is awesome, when we went to the Dominican Republic I got very sick the night before we were to leave and she took care of me as if she were my mom, unafraid of getting herself sick she wanted to help in any way she could.  True friends will even accept the possibility of catching a nasty bug while on the vacation of her life in order to aid the friend in need!


So Happy ?th birthday to a dear friend of mine.  I hope you are not uncomfortable with this post but realize it's truthfulness.  I love you and enjoy your birthday knowing that if I were there we would be celebrating big time.

On this Mother's Day...

For some reason I don't always look forward to Mother's Day.  For no other reason than the fact that I feel guilty my kids have to go to so much effort to make it a special day for me.  A day where they are left wondering if they have truly made it a great one.  So I feel guilty.  Only a Mother could manage to feel guilty on Mother's day.

But when the day approaches and the gifts are given I am left feeling overwhelmed and yet more guilty. Overwhelmed because I have amazing children that can't wait to give me their sweet homemade gifts, which I love.  Overwhelmed because I am a blessed mom with 5 incredible children that for some reason are able to overlook my many faults and still celebrate the fact that I am "the best mom in the whole wide world."  Overwhelmed because the sweet words written on their cards humble me and bring me to tears of joy over the fact that I am a mom.

But guilty because I sit back and a small part of me wonders if those words written are truly how they feel or wishful thoughts of the mom they want me to become.  I know, insert the "Aww Lindsay you are WAY to hard on yourself."  But the larger part of me graciously accepts those words as a loving tribute to the mom I am striving to be and grateful that they notice that effort.

I do love Mother's Day because at the end of the day it comes down to one simple fact, I AM A MOM.  I am grateful to be one and grateful to have one.  Happy Mother's Day all, and may you have a guilt-free glorious day!:)

I love this picture because I told the kids to "smile as big as they love me."  However, Emma must have thought I said "yawn as big as you love me."  She must love me lots.

Little with a big bite

As a parent there is always that feeling of insecurity that comes when you set your child off into the world.  Will they get their feelings hurt?  Will they survive that hurt?  Will they have true friends or will bullies ruin their life?  All the insecurities or experiences that we dealt with as children unfortunately rub over onto our own children.  I feel I need to give my kids the pep talk on how to deal with bullies encouraging them that if needs be they can fight back and I will be there to support them in that decision.  For most of my children, the thought of hurting another child is beyond their comfort zone.  They will inevitably take the other routes of killing their enemies with kindness or telling an adult and receiving protection that way, long before they would ever lay hands on a peer.  However, my teeny tiny Madison is much different.

It was her birthday in April, again I am behind...and like every year I point out something about that child that is unique but also that I love.   And I strangely enough love this trait Madison possesses.  Maybe it is because it is a trait I don't possess.  She is a Scott...I often wonder if there is any Graham in her at all.  She is a fireball and as most parents feel that one day they will be in a situation where they are dealing with a bully...I feel I will one day be in a situation where Madison is the bully.

Now why do I love this?  Because I know Madison can defend herself.  Madison will never intentionally be a bully, her bite comes as a defense.  So when I say I will be dealing with her as a bully I know it will be a situation where I have to prove it was out of self-defense.  She not only defends herself, but she is the first to defend her loved ones.  One day Carson was a victim of a bully attack and before this kid could think Madison had pulled him off of Carson and pushed him to the ground.  Ready for a rumble she stood over him with her hands in fists and this kid took off before he was sure to get his butt kicked.  I have a love/hate feeling towards this story.  I love it because the love she feels for her brother is not to be messed with, I hate it because I was expecting an immediate visit from this kids parents where I was going to have to defend my daughter.  Now I am not one to put my fists up like Madison and I truly do hate contention however, I am one to defend my children.  And there was certain to be a shouting fest and there is no doubt I would have won for being the loudest and most emotional.  And I hate when I get like that.

Another reason why I love this about Madison is she is the threat to bullies.  Let me explain, there was a kid at the bus stop that was playing with Madison.  He was a younger kid and he was on her back.  He fell off and got hurt.  He blamed Madison for this fall and retaliated by trying to beat her up.  Pulling her hair, kicking her...as he came around for another grab she elbowed him from behind and down he went. Don't mess...were words I am sure she mumbled as she stepped over him and got on the bus.  Now this kid is a wild hair often letting loose and I loved that Madison put and end to it.  I don't have to worry about Madison.

I am certain I am one of those moms that probably doesn't hold Madison as accountable as I should but seriously it is refreshing to finally be in a position where I don't have to coach my child through a bullying situation.

I also have to mention that she puts this energy into everything she does.  She is competitive, driven and unstoppable.  Hmmm, who does this sound like?   If we can hone these skills correctly she will be an amazing adult.  Much like someone else I know!(her daddy)

Madison I am proud of the little person that you are and I am proud of the way you conduct yourself in situations where you have to stick up for yourself or those you care for.  Happy Birthday my sweet 10 year old.  I still get stuck spilling that one out.  I can't believe you are 10. I stumble with every year you turn older.  Nonetheless, I love my 10 year old Maddie.

Life is a blessing...

It is amazing what a person can experience in this life and survive.  The sheer pain and heartache.  The trial of a passing loved one is acute and real.  I honestly don't know how people survive it.  In one week there has been many funerals.  Each different and unique in their own way and each so hard.  However, from all the sadness and tears I have learned one valuable lesson...life is precious and it is a gift.

The first funeral I attended was that of my Great Uncle Grant.  Although I remember his presence in my childhood, I am afraid there is little interaction I have had with him in my adult years.  But much like my Grandparents he was truly great and lived a magnificent life and left a great legacy behind.  He was 92 years old.  He was in a great deal of pain and at 6' 1" he weighed in at a whopping 80 pounds.  Although death is never a happy joyous occasion, this death was a welcomed ending to a long life and a beginning of an eternal life with many joyous reunions to be made.

The second funeral I attended was the funeral of my cousin.  Stacy Herbert Sheffield was the life of the party.  She was a magnet and everyone in the room wanted to be near her and involved in her conversation because she was sure to bring laughs.  Not only was she funny but she was real.  She never faked anything.  Hugs and kisses were a greeting given to all whom she encountered.  She left this world unexpectedly leaving behind 5 children.  I have never seen such heartache or heard such anguish as I witnessed the pain of her children saying their last goodbyes to their mother.  It was a painful passing.  I look at her children and my heart aches for them.  Each phase they embark on, how will they make it without this red-headed fireball encouraging them through it.

The third funeral I attended this week was that of my 3 year old neighbor's daughter.  She drowned while on vacation.  I look at this family and their remaining 4 children and I wonder how they are going to survive this loss.  There will never be a day that goes by when she is not thought of.  How will they pack up this child's belongings?  How will they walk past her room?  How will they be able to pick up where they left of?  Never again will their lives be the same. This heartache is so painful for me to even think about, how can they live it?

With each one of these experiences I have learned a great deal about my own life.  I know that life is truly a gift from God, one He can take away when He needs me to fulfill another mission in heaven.  I never hurt for those that have passed and moved on, for that is exactly what they have done, they have moved forward beginning another phase of their eternal progression.  We don't die to sit on a cloud and play a harp.  When we die we have a new kind of existence in our post-mortal life.  We are teaching, we are learning, we are ever increasing.  Becoming more than we are today.  My hurt goes to those that are left behind.  The loneliness they feel until they meet again in heaven.

I am grateful I am here at this time, living in Utah, being around family.  Family is everything to me and I am grateful that I get to be here to perfect those relationships.  I am so grateful for my time living away, and abroad and the wonderful people and experiences I have had.  But as I have learned painfully this week that life is precious and we need to spend it with the people we love most.  Every moment counts.  But I am especially grateful that those relationships don't end with death.  We are eternal families and that is truly the greatest gift of all.

Life's small blessings

I love this picture of me and Harvey. Taken in the Dominican Republic, you couldn't find two people more relaxed. In this type of environment any marriage can survive.

However, shortly after our arrival home from this trip, the storm hit...

Harvey came home one day early from work. Harvey being home early, I knew this couldn't be a good thing. He informed me that he had been laid off at work. Although we knew it was happening with other employees at work we were quite surprised it happened to us. The surprised not only being in the lay off but how it was conducted. The following day Harvey was heading to Virginia to retrieve all our belongings. We were officially moving to Utah for no reason. At least we thought...

While Harvey was in VA we have never experienced such torn feelings before. As I spoke with all my VA friends and bawled with them on the phone, all I wanted was to pack up the kids and join Harvey in Virginia. Everything that initially made us uproot our family, leave our home and best friends was no longer and all I wanted to do was run back. My heart was broken...that was until the blessings started to pour in.

It started when I was having the toughest day of all and so desperately wanting to return to my home in Virginia my mom walked through the door after her day at work. At seeing her face I instantly felt at peace. Although friends have been our family for the last 14 years it was now as I was in the presence of my mom that I was reminded of all those times I missed her. All those times I was so homesick to be with my family, with my sisters and those feelings of loss were over-ridden with a feeling of comfort and peace. I was finally with my family. The reason for moving to Utah had nothing to do with a job; it was all about family.

The days haven't gotten any easier and the trials haven't loosened up but either have the blessings.

Harvey and I have taken the opportunity of visiting the LDS temple and while there we were given clear direction, peace, and reminded to have the proper perspective. This is life, and we can overcome the obstacles.

Feeling empowered by the small but significant blessings I know that this it what life is about. In this type of environment when all the trials of life can seem overwhelming, this is when a marriage can truly be put to the test.

But as I look at my husband I look at him with admiration. He is faithful and he is strong. Among my many blessings I count him as the greatest. And with all this said, I add a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARVEY! I love you.

And she's 5!

Okay so I know as mom's we all have those moments when we lay down at night feeling like we have utterly failed as a parent. If you haven't then you are probably completely delusional. Because as hard as we may try we still can't be perfect. Although I fail more often than I should I have moments when I epically fail. And this is one of those moments for me. Well, I may be exaggerating just a bit but still. Rylie's birthday came and went and although we didn't forget her birthday I so kindly forgot to blog about it. Not a big deal? Wrong, a very big deal. It has become some what of a tradition for me to blog about my children on their birthday's. My way to let them know what I think of them, how they impress me, and what makes them uniquely special in my eyes. Well I hope Rylie Jane can forgive me in the future years when she reads this and realizes that I epically failed her. Just know Rylie that we didn't forget your birthday, mommy just forgot to write about it!

So my Rylie Jane turned 5 in February. As I mentioned above I like my birthday posts to describe how unique my children are in my eyes. With Rylie it is quite different. I don't have to describe to anyone how unique she is. It is visible to all within moments of meeting her. As Savannah will be found saying that when you look "awesome" up in the dictionary you will find her picture, I will declare that when you look "unique" up in the dictionary you will find Rylie Jane Scott.

She is physically different than all my children. She is petite in every way. As her baby sister is 3 years younger and only 3 pounds below her you will see that Rylie is tiny. I often joke that I have to buy her "slim" skinny jeans in order for them to stay on her body.

She is also unique in the fact that she looks like none of the other children. She is the only one of my children that I can claim. She looks more "Graham-like" than any of them.

She is unique in personality. She is not your typical drama queen. She takes drama to a whole new level as everything can be exaggerated and believe it or not a child can actually remain in "crazy- mode" character for days and days at a time.

She is unique in the sense that she doesn't even play shy right, she is shy but put her in front of a microphone and she will sing her heart out. Not only will she sing but she will monopolize the mic and dominate the stage. Shy? Yes, really! But not with a mic.

She is unique in her coping skills. She basically has none. Any traumatic incident will never be forgotten and all will be affected FOREVER.

She is unique in her imagination. My kids are all very imaginative. In fact, I rarely see other children that can match their creativity, but Rylie is extremely imaginative. She can take something as simple as a pencil and play with it as if it is a Barbie and that Barbie a human.

She is unique in her brain capacity. This is a smart child. I have had children learn how to read at an early age but never one that actually taught herself. Without putting much effort into it reading came naturally and easy for Rylie without any help from her parents. She is uniquely scary smart!

Rylie you are uniquely beautiful. You are uniquely intelligent. You are uniquely amazing. You are Rylie Jane and there is no other like you. I am blessed to be your mother and I feel honored to watch you grow. I am eager to see the kind of adult you will become for I have this strange feeling that whatever it is it will be magically unique!

When did 7 happen?

(These are the latest fashion in Carson's life, 3-D movies theater glasses!)

I am often amazed at how quickly time passes. It seems as a result of having children time increases in speed, and consequently with each additional child time lapses with ever increasing haste. Once again time has knocked me over and I find myself looking into the eyes of my boy and wondering "When did 7 happen?"

Carson has always been the child where his age is never a surprise. He naturally fits into his new year of growth and it all makes sense that he should be that age. Even as 7 has hit me out of left field, I find myself naturally accepting that he is now one more year older. I truly believe that reason is because he is an old soul. I remember holding my baby boy at one week old and he would stare deep into my eyes. His eyes immoveable, it was if he was digesting all there was to learn and know about this woman that was going to call herself his mom.

Carson is quite a surprising little boy. Although I know this about him, he tends to hide it really well from others. He dawdles along being as boyish as he can possibly be, which means being dirty, loud and rough. And just as I am about to feel as though Carson is just your average boy, he surprises me with doing something completely abnormal. Usually something completely terrific, sweet, wonderful and sincere. Carson has more love in his little body than I do believe this whole nation contains. He cares deeply and considers others so thoroughly. That old soul comes out with such a sincere desire to understand and care for those around him.

An example, his teacher called me up earlier this school year to explain to me that Carson had been bitten by a boy with mental handicaps. She proceeded to tell me that although he was hurt and caught off guard Carson continued to love this boy. Being the child that was unafraid of such differences he continually shoulders these types of children with learning disabilities and serves them on a daily basis without being instructed to do so. This teacher was so touched by his strong desire to help that her voice caught multiple times as she expressed her impressions of my son. How could a mother not beam with pride?

Carson is the boy that makes sure others are steady. He is the boy that takes time to ensure the underdog that all is well. He is the boy that will often be found with his arm around the shoulder of someone needing that extra care for the day. He is the boy that will be found taking the toddling babies by the hand and ensuring their safety. He is the boy with a strong desire to be good and make good choices. Although there are times we feel all is lost as we see pure enjoyment and satisfaction emanate from his face as he tortures one sister to the next we have to realize he is still a boy, an old soul, but also a 7 year old boy.

I love you Carson and Happy 7th birthday buddy! We are so grateful you have been born into this family to bless our lives and especially all those sister's lives!

Dominican Republic (Pictures to come)

We may just be the luckiest people in the world...for numerous reasons but three being:

1) We got to explore an amazing island which an amazing people inhabit. One thing I learned about the Dominicans is they are full of love and eager to share it and they love life and every one of them are born dancing.

2) We got to be with two of our favorite people for four whole days without any interruptions from kids. We have known the Mannings for 14 years and each one of those years our admiration and love has grown for them. The Scotts heart the Mannings!:)

3) We escaped to paradise for 4 days and did nothing but bask in the sun and sip pina coladas (virgin, of course!)

Day 1 of our travels we flew from SLC to North Carolina. We got in late so we grabbed a bite to eat (which I later regretted) and camped out for the night in the Grand Hyatt. That night I got some sort of food poisoning and was laid up on the bathroom floor. It made for a rough night but by morning I was feeling well enough to fly and immodium became my best friend.

Day 2 we flew from North Carolina to Punta Cana. And thanks to Harvey's devotion to flying we were upgraded to first class which he so thoughtfully handed over to Natasha. She and I had a relaxing and food-filled flight to Punta Cana. Thanks Harv! We flew in around 3:30 and by the time we made it to the resort we had just enough time to eat dinner, explore the night sky on the beach and sip our first pina colada and banana mamas.

Day 3 we lazily strung ourselves out on the beach but for those of you who know Natasha lazy isn't in her vocabulary and she was up as fast as lightening when a game of beach volleyball was called out and eagerly volunteering to wipe the sand clean of anyone that came in her path. We had a blast playing and felt sorry for our gimpy companion Harvey which due to knee issues had to sit out and cheer on the side lines. But at least we can say we were so good we had a fan club, even if that club consisted of only one person!

Around noon we ventured onto a bus and took off to explore the land of dolphins, sea lions and sharks. We were somewhat disappointed with the lack of food but Harv and Darrell were our heroes as they scouted the beach and found us a shop that had a can of Pringles. That can saved us all!

We then got into very instructed waters as we pet the sea lions and swam with sharks and then we were escorted into a boat and out to the great ocean to find the coral reef. Once it was found we snorkeled our way around where I was the only person who was overwhelmed with sea life and found myself drifting out and directly above the reef (2 inches below me to be exact). Once I realized where I was I wasn't sure how to move for fear of jellyfish or some other strange sea urchin that might be located within the reef might attack or the coral itself might cut me open! So I piddle paddled my feet ever so slightly and let the current work me over the reef. To the relief of Harvey who was watching in panic, I made it out safe and sound. In the meantime, Darrell had taken off his life vest and was venturing all around the ocean floor and Natasha was practicing her Spanish on board the boat with the crew! She and Darrell are quite amazing with their Spanish and it was so fun listening to them use it!

We finally made it back around dinner time where we ravenously ate dinner and went back to shower and once again sip our pina coladas.

Day 4 We decided because our previous day was full of adventure we wanted to do nothing but relax. So we all sat on the beach, played volleyball, swam in the ocean, took pictures, played in the pool, sun tanned. Natasha and I also invented a game of "real or not real." Let's just say there was a lot of silicon on the beach that day!:) We ended the day with a little shopping and our nightly dose of chocolate.

Day 5 Was short-lived and way too sad. We spent the morning on the beach relaxing and talking and even tried a little bit of body surfing but had to pack up and leave around 12:30. We set about on our different paths at the airport as both Darrell and Natasha had served their church missions in the Dominican Republic (at different times and didn't actually meet each other until after their missions:) and they wanted to meet the families that they had left nearly 18 years ago. So their adventures had only just begun but sadly enough ours had come to a close. So Harv and I boarded the plane back to North Carolina where we slept our last uninterrupted night away.

Day 6 we headed to the airport about 5:30am and after horrible delays and layovers we finally made it home around 7:00pm. We were so excited to see the kids and tell them of our adventures.

All in all, we learned the husband and wife need their time away to focus on one another as that is often neglected with children and day to day chores. But equally as important we learned that there is truly nothing better than being reunited with your children and feeling that sense of being complete. They are our treasures and our greatest accomplishments in this life and we are so happy that we had 5 beautiful happy smiles to welcome us home.

*Thanks to my Mom and Dad that provided our children with all the love and care they needed while we were gone. It was so nice to get away and never have a concern for the welfare of my children; knowing that their needs were being met and they were receiving all the Grandma hugs they could ever want. Love you guys! Thanks for everything!

Be Mine?!

To my Valentine,

To a man that challenges me in every way possible! To a man that loves me with all his heart. To a man that has provided me with something every woman needs; A self esteem. To a man that makes the best daddy in the world. To a man that values me and let's me know it daily. To a man who loves his family and his Savior. To a man whom when I think about brings a smile to my face and the satisfaction of a successful and adventurous 14 year marriage. To the man I call husband, father to my children, love of my life, counselor, best toe pointer, comedian, and lover (oh-la-la)!:). I am so grateful that I have you in my life now and forever. So... WILL YOU BE MINE?

Your Love!

Sisters

"To realize the value of a brother or sister, ask someone who doesn't have one."

And to that I say to Carson for this is what he wrote at school:

For those of you who made need some interpretation it says:

I wish I had 100 toys

I wish I had 100 friends

I wish I had 100 glasses

But I'd never want 100 BABY SISTERS!!!

AND TAKE THAT EMMA! Can you really blame the poor guy though?!:)

My "Baby" is 2!!!

I once made fun of my brother for calling his 3 year old a baby. He said to his oldest daughter, "Can you get the baby?" "Baby?" I said, "Since when was a 3 year old a baby?"

Now I catch myself calling my 2 year old "the baby" all the time. To me she is the baby and unfortunate to her she probably always will be. Although my baby is nearly as tall as her 4 almost 5 year old sister and weighs about the same as her too! What can I say, she is and always will be my baby; a large one at that!

Well, "my baby", turned 2 on the 9th of January. An ache builds up in my heart when I think that my youngest and most likely my last child is no longer a baby. She's a toddler.

But just as quickly as that ache comes it is replaced with a feeling of pride. She is the cutest most remarkable 2 year old a mother could have. Am I biased? Absolutely!

Here are the things that make Emma...

• She is HUGE!!! Her belly hangs over like a muffin top! Seriously I think I am taking the "chubby babies, make the cutest babies" thing a bit too far! We got the "borderline" obese talk from the pediatrician. But I have no concerns as I watch this chubby thing fly on her feet.
• Okay so she doesn't quite fly but she runs pretty fast for a big girl and with gusto. She loves to move, move, move as she tries to keep up with her big sisters and brother. Her run is so completely unique as her hips do most of the action and her feet are just trying to keep up with them.
• Her smile is devious but adorable. She can be up to no good but when she flashes that smile I don't care. She can get away with just about anything so long as she is willing to throw that beautiful chubby smile my way.
• And that leads me to proving the fact that the youngest sibling gets away with much more than the older siblings do. She is spoiled but not just by me. Every single person in this family is at fault for this one. Especially biggest sister "Nan."
• When she was an infant I thought she was going to be our serious, stern child. We didn't have one yet, they are all quite crazy and silly. And she has followed suit. She has gone from serious to crazy silly!
• She loves to dance. When she feels the right beat she can't help but move to it. Even in the process of spilling forth angry tears she will start move those shoulders back and forth and the head will start to bob.
• She is into EVERYTHING!!! Much like her big brother was, child-proofing the house is always advisable so long as Emma is in it. She is adventurous, curious beyond belief and inquisitive. But those qualities make for a very smart toddler.
• Which leads us to that big head of hers. She has a huge noggin but it is full of brain. She is a very clever girl who can work the system. She also remembers details that astound me. She has an amazing memory so it is a good thing that head of hers is an adequate size to store all that information!:)

Emma we love you so much. We feel so blessed that we have your precious spirit in our family. Happy 2nd birthday!

Recap of 2011 and to a New Year

When I think of my life and how hard it could be I realize I am completely blessed in every possible way. I have married a wonderful man who made an incredible daddy. I have 5 amazing children who make my day busy, challenging but they achieve the task of making me smile each and every day. We are all healthy and we are all happy. Really can I ask for much more than that?!

Looking back on 2011 has made me grateful though that it is over. Although all the above still apply to my gratitude list we were definitely hit with some challenges. Various jobs, various insurances, high continuous medical deductibles, emergency room trips, surgeries, the hardest move I have ever had to make, leaving my beloved home in Virginia and my best friends, dealing with medical bills, loneliness, kids transitioning and no home to call our own.

I know things could be much worse but I do look forward to 2012 with renewed hope. I feel that through the trials of 2011 I have walked away with more appreciation, more gratitude and a renewed sense of focus on what matters most.

Hopefully as 2012 comes to an end you will find this blog full of wonderful, adventurous memories. Life has so much to offer and the Scott's are ready to capture it and enjoy it. I also wouldn't mind at all if this year brought a complete close to our lives in VA (a.k.a selling our home) and chance to put our feet securely on the ground here in UT (a.k.a buying a new one here in Utah!).

Here's to the memories of 2011 and the possibilities of 2012!

Mormon Lake

Taking in all the family togetherness we have had lately we felt it only fair to get a little loving from our awesome AZ family. So after some diligent planning on my sister-in-law's part off we went to Mormon Lake Lodges to meet up for a New Year Party!

It was absolutely beautiful. The area is surrounded by Ponderosa Pines and SNOW! It was warm but full of snow!!! You can't often say that! It was a perfect weekend.

I thought this was interesting when I was researching Mormon Lake Lodge, I couldn't find anywhere on the website about where the name or the history of Mormon Lake originated. It was all history on the Lodge and Saloon! So when I checked in I asked the woman at the front desk the history of Mormon Lake. With her head down as if in shame, NO KIDDING, she proceeded to tell me that some Mormon man came here with his family in the late 1800's and started up a cattle ranch. Come on people is Mormonism so foreign, weird and unknown that you can't put the true history on your website nor know some good facts about the family that originated the very place that is providing your income!!! Seriously, if you feel weird about Mormonism please ask me about it or click on the temple button. Loads of info and I promise it will replace your weird feeling with one of acceptance. And now I will proceed to move off my soapbox and let you enjoy some awesome family pictures loaded with fun!