Dairy Days 2012

Summer has officially begun!  We as in the Dinger's, Shepherd's, Lord's, Orton's, and Bailey of course!  First we had a good old hot dog pot luck at the Dinger's to start the night off!  We usually get our spots pretty early, so Julie, Bailey and I headed over to lay some blankets down!  But with feeding as many as we did, we were late!  WE MISSED THE MILK!!!!  Whhhhaaaaaa!!  And we had to walk forever cause we missed the barricade by minutes!  It was still super fun though!  The kids all lined up on the sidewalk and scored on the candy!  All my kids got shirts too!  They are cute this year!   

Are you curious to why I have been blogging up a storm as of late?  

Well when I got my new camera and the software that came with it, it took off my iPhone software.  So I could not upload pictures from my phone!  So Jason fixed it for me!  And voila!  PICTURES GALORE!!!!!

Lot's O' Lov'n

What a fun day we had!  

February 14th 2002 was a very special day for me.  I officially met Jason.  Unofficially I had heard my room mates talk about some guy named "Blue", but had yet to meet him.  

I woke up 10 years later to a Valentine's Day note on my bathroom mirror wishing me a happy day.  And then on the seat in my van he wrote a note that said:

"A 10 years ago today I met my best friend".

It was rather TENDER.  I loved it because it did not say "My sexy lover", or "my hot wife".  But more referred to me as his BEST FRIEND!  Oh how that melted my heart. I mean, I am glad I am all those "other" things to Jason too, ;), but being his best friend means more than anything!  

I had plans for the kids today, but Jason and I were going to have to celebrate later cause Tuesday is his late class night.  And some doofuss decided to call a study group that night.....VALENTINES DAY.....from 8-10pm.  Are ya kidding me????

I was totally shocked when Jason asked me to meet him down by the campus for a quick dinner!  WHAT!!!  ME?????  OH JOY!!!!!!  

I was even more shocked when instead of taking me to Chili's (our trusty favorite) he took me to the EXACT place we met a decade ago.  Smoky Mountain Pizza and Pasta on Park Center!  Oh I almost cried!  I could not believe that he thought of that!  We were so close to BSU, but I had not even put it together!  In celebration of our love, we tipped our waitress $10.  :)  

I woke up to these two smiling cheeseballs.  

Treated the boys to some "rings" for lunch!

Graden passed out in a Valentine Coma after school! 

We bought the kids all new swim suits for the special day.  I loved it cause it was fun and practical!  Getting us ready for Spring and Summer!  

I hope you felt love this day.  

I posted on FB earlier in the day (prior to my invite for dinner with the hubs) this:

"I don't need flowers, or candy, or a hot date....I have eternity"

TRU DAT YO!  :)

{Greetings and Salutations}

The truth: I have been depressed lately. It is much easier to deal with now than when I was younger and could not articulate my feelings very well. I am wise enough now that when I feel it coming I tell people to avoid falling all the way into the whole of despair than is constantly lurking around the corner for me. Winter is by FAR the worst time for me. After the holidays, cause I can put my mind to work for those. Something to be excited about. But after Christmas I usually start to slide. I like to consider myself a "high functioning" mental case. Most on the outside I am sure see a busy Mom, a happy camper of sorts. But over the years I have mastered the art of the "happy face".

I was hit with some major-ish family "blek" kind of news in January. I spun out of control a bit. I keep all my "baggage" all tidy and kept away and every now and again I get tipped Topsy turvy and it all spills out. It takes days or sometimes weeks for me to gather all of it together again and regain my footing. I am thankful for family and friends and Jason who helped me greatly this time. I'm feeling much better now. Just longing for Spring and tan lines! ;)

So I have taken pictures and need to blog them. My kids are my anti-depressants. Staying in bed for days like I did as a teenager just does not work when you are the Mommy. So here are my meds....in all their glory!

Over the past month or so we have~

Taped our eyebrows up and laughed!

Had a "romantic" family dinner on Valentines Day!

Got some fun Valentines!

Went to the wards family dance! Very fun!

Had some McDonnies~

Played at indoor park.

Goofed with Mom!

Cried~

Made friendship bracelets~

Tried dipping for the 1st time!

Smiled.....alot....

Painted....

by numbers!!!!!

Went to the library!

And crashed!

So as you can see that although I struggle with depression, the Lord has placed in my some times dark heart, RAYS of magnificent light~

We are blessed~

I know you really cannot tell how blessed I am in this picture of Jason putting me in a head lock. But I am. We had a wonderful Christmas. We had so many special Santa's that made it a miracle! We are blessed beyond words~ Literally, I cannot breathe in this picture.

I don't think Graden can either! He is getting the royal tickle treatment from cousin Austin!

The girls had a great time at the Crazy Cousin Extravaganza. We all did!


This is my favorite picture of the night~

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Stolen Camera and a hadsome dude.

A family that we just loved from our old ward invited us to their daughters wedding reception Friday night. It was delightful. The kids had a blast doing cart wheels in the giant backyard. This is a pic I snapped of me and my mini munchkin. Do boys get any more handsome? I can smell a heart breaker........

So, if I leave my camera unattended, this is generally what happens: 50+ pictures looking up the noses of my kids. Random shots of the TV, or computer, weird gangster poses. Lot's of blurry pictures of Burke's legs. You know, totally "normal" things. Hahaha. Well kids. You take them? I edit them. For ransom. Or first date black mail. Suckas.

Someday you will hate me. But I will still have these photos.

xoxo Mother Dearest.

Browne and Blue BaLlOoNs~

dork. (with cute hair)

We decided to take the family down to Ann Morrison park on Saturday night for the Spirit of Boise Balloon Festival. They were going to do a "night glow" of sorts. The previous few mornings they launched the balloons at 7:10 am. Sorry, but that was too early for this clan! So I knew the night one would fit us much better! We went with our favorite family The Brownes. We cannot get enough of them!

Oh how I wish this was a giant Pepsi bottle. Then all my dreams really would have come true :)

Me and my sweetheart. This was taken on his phone. That explains the "glow". My "glowing"days are OVER!

Daddy and Taylor

Me and my girlies (as Chase Browne would call them).

Daddy and Natalie

Oh!!! Mommy and Burke-Boy!

Daddy and mini-love!

Daddy and Doofus. I mean Graden.

You know the "idiot face"? Well, this is his ugly, hairy cousin, "I ain't turnin' around face". Nice.
THE BROWNES! LOVE THEM!
Candace and my daughter in law..... Oppppssss! Candace and Reagan!
Me and Candace! The bestist bestie in the world!

Chase and Dott. (Scott)

Watching the balloons get filled up!

My sweet eternal family! Oh how they take up every inch of my heart!

1,2,3....BURN! That's what you yell for them to fill the balloons. Not that we want them to actually burn! It was beautiful!

In action.......awesomeness!