Jenkins Visit

On our way down to Alabama, we met up with my cousin, Brittany. 

She was the only girl cousin that I had for several years while growing up and we were long overdue for a visit together. 

Matt and Brittany have four girls and live in Tennessee. 

I must say it was crazy and fun all rolled into one! 

Lots of popcorn, popsicles, screams of excitement and joy together, and bittersweet memories of how fast time goes by. 

My mother and her mother were sisters. 

We didn't have any sisters but we had each other growing up. 

We spent lots of time with our cousins growing up and I want that for my children too. 

Her mother passed away at the age of 52 in 2012. 

We even got an extra treat by spending the evening with my Uncle Rick. Matt and him go weekly to the prison to preach the gospel. Amazing. 

This vacation was so great to get to spend so much time with family and create lasting memories. 

Word of Wisdom....

If you have followed our blog long enough you probably know we are members of the 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Lately, I have been impressed to talk about the Word of Wisdom. What is it?

Most times, when people start to talk about our religion they say ooh yeah you guys can't drink coffee or have alcohol. Or aren't you polygamist? (not enough time today to write on that one) 

Have I drank coffee? Yes. 

Have I smoked?  Yes. 

Have I had alcohol? Yes. 

Do I go to church and tell everyone about it....No. Am I ashamed of it. No.

 I am not one to tell everyone or anybody when I have a day when I argue with my husband or I yell at my kids. 

I try not to air my dirty laundry to anyone but in my own prayers - unless you are a close girlfriend or a sister in law. 

What would the world be like if we all showed up together and started our list of weekly sins.

We need positive spiritual moments with each other and good examples. 

Do we all fail? Yes. All. Of. Us. All the Time. 

Thankfully, I have been blessed with the strength to not fall into an addiction unlike so many in this world. 

I also know that these things do not define me and I know my sole main purpose in this life is to be a mother and I WANT and NEED to be healthy enough to be with them for as long as possible. 

Can you be a member of our church or a Mormon and drink - yep. smoke - yep. drink coffee or tea - yep. 

Sin. Yep. 

We all know that we are all sinners. That is why we have Jesus Christ and the Atonement. 

We do have a document that is called the Word of Wisdom. 

It is a outline of ways to be spiritually and physically healthy. 

It does talk about these things but it also talks about how we should eat our fruits and vegetables and eat meat sparingly. 

We also know that it is ultimately between you and the Lord. 

I am only going to be judged by the Redeemer for myself. 

Thankfully. 

I do remember as a child the pastor (John) of a Methodist church said - 

"Do you think God still loves you even though you smoke?" 

"Yes! He loves you! Although you may smell bad to everyone else." 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/word-of-wisdom?lang=eng

Papaw Scary Visit!

I was loading up to take the kids swimming and I had asked Nephi to take our stroller out to the car when he came running back in out of breath and scared. I thought first he doesn't really get scared so it has to be something.... Snake or an animal got out.
He said he heard a human making cow sounds behind the bushes....... I didn't really believe him because we live on a dead end road and it was the middle of the morning.

Then a few moments later Papaw appeared!
We love living next to them and even better that they have fun with the kids too.

Nephi kept saying " I remembered run as fast as you can to me if you think its a bad guy" 

Roadtrip Life!

We are home and getting settled after visiting a few different places and ending up in a beautiful condo on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama with the Ashby family! 

15 Passenger Van

Hotel Swimming 

Ark Encounter 

Dinner with Cousins 

Ocean Life

Jellyfish

Dolphins

Cousin Birthday Fancy Ice-cream Treat

Pier Walking

Hermit Crabs...ssss

Pictures to come but first to get organized to start the school year! 

I am tutoring this year for Classical Conversations which I am nervous and excited about...adding another thing to my plate always makes me nervous but I will be teaching Coraline's class which I am excited to see her grow this year and have special time just the two of us! 

I also signed the kids up for a homeschooling gym session at Purdue University that is taught by Purdue students once a week which should be an extra fun way to get out of the house and play and its free. 

Bella - New to Us Bike

Bella got a New To Us Bike this past week and she has been enjoying it so much. 

She has a bike without petals (Strider bike) that she does crazy tricks with but this one looks so much like Coraline's that they enjoy being the same. 

Nephi drives Cecily around all the time and she LOVES it. Scary for the mama but she loves it. 

Sibling Time.

One of the special reasons we homeschool is for our children to know each other and have a strong relationship. 

It makes me sad to think that if Clairana was in school she would never really get to have a connection with Cecily because they are 8 years apart. She would be off to school all day and Cecily goes to bed earlier than anyone else (because she likes to party all night with me.) 

Not that they wouldn't end up being close but their time together now is special bonus. 

Everyone loves her so much. 

Clairana is attempting to show her how to whistle through grass. 

Then of course Nephi shows up for the fun. 

The Little Girls.

Summer Mornings Outside before Breakfast. 

Perfect.

Books, Toys, and Lots of Snuggles. 

Bella Photography

Bella took this picture and I thought I should save this because most mornings this is what my life looks like right now.
Saturday Morning - Braiding Clairana's Hair.

SACKETT

Boating - Fairfield Lakes

 We do really enjoy living so close to lakes that are almost always vacant in the early morning hours. We loaded up the kids and went for a short trip before the heat set in. 

The Experienced Kayakers....Clairana and Nephi

We tied their little boats to our kayak and trolled them around.
Cecily was quite over wearing a life jacket so we ended up getting out and Levi rowed the little girls around. 

Cecily and I went for a walk around the lake - it was SO humid. 

The crazy ones....

Our Five Little People.

More Wedding Photos

Bee Photos

These were some of the shots we took for their 4H Projects.