NieNie

On the right hand side of my blog I have posted a link to a donation for a matter close to my heart. There is so much to say regarding this matter, but I will try and make it short. If you are like me, you will find and read more....and cry...and read more. There is a sweet little LDS family that lives here in the Mesa area. Stephanie and Christian (husband and wife) were recently in a private plane crash near St. Johns, AZ. They were both burned badly and hope to survive. They have four beautiful children that are being cared for by family. If you cannot donate, you can do even more with prayer. Please take a look and I hope it touches your life like it has mine.

"Dirty" Laughter

Today I was out sweeping the front porch with the kids. There was sooo much dust that the broom just created a dust devil. In the process, I ended up with dirt in my mouth. Doing what any person would do, I spit the dirt out into the rocks nearby. Oh boy.......was that the funniest thing that Hannah has ever come across! P.S. The snorting at the end is Weston.

BOB and GRADUATION

Michael's life is a simile. Here it comes....are you ready? Michael's life is LIKE a Bob Ross painting. Michael is Bob painting his life portrait every day. He has painted a few happy rocks and a little trickling stream with some brush running along the side. Today he finished a most important part of his painting......his trees. He has been painting those trees for some time now, but they are finally done. Or shall I say, they are officially HAPPY TREES. What I am trying to say is that Michael has graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Business. I am SO proud of him and his hard work to get here. We both are still looking at each other in unbelief that he is DONE! No more math classes! YEAH!

So, in celebrating, I made Michael a gift. He truly loves Bob Ross! He had asked me a while ago if I would make him a Bob Ross shirt for his graduation. That is all he wanted. I wanted to go to dinner to celebrate, but no can do right now. So, I put my almost non-creative hands to the task and whipped out a most beautiful liking to his idol. Michael had almost forgotten about the shirt and did not know that I secretly put it together without his knowledge. After a long film shoot yesterday, he arrived home to find the most outstanding shirt in the kitchen. I loved his reaction. To put it in his words, "It is the most absurd thing I have ever seen. I love it!" The best part is that he cannot stop telling people about it. I have to admit, it makes me feel good to know that he really does love it. Now, I know you are dying to see the shirt, so I must share. Here is the new graduate in all of his glory!

My strength

So, today was one of those days where I could not find the strength I needed to get through the day. I had so much to do, pick up clothes, do the laundry, do the dishes, make dinner, change diapers, bath the kids, shower myself, find and job.....and the list goes on. I consider myself to be a pretty strong person. If something needs to be done, I do it. I seem to have to learn over and over that I cannot do everything myself. I never rely on the Lord as much as I should. I sometimes forget that I should get on my knees and consult with my Heavenly Father about my life. Today my wonderful sister reminded me that I cannot run faster than I have strength. So true! That is exactly what I needed to hear today. And as I was contemplating the day, I looked at my kids and felt so blessed. I felt like I was gathering more strength as the day continued. So, at the end of the day, much of my strength has come from my Father in Heaven, my wonderful sister and my beautiful children.

New addict in the making

We all know that Michael is addicted to diet drinks....either coke or pepsi. He probably drinks a total of 2 gallons a day. Michael even has a diet drink when he wakes up in the morning. I constantly tease him that he is going to die of some weird throat cancer because of his addiction. Now, I don't think of myself as an addict. But, I love to get myself one coke a day. Hannah has caught on to this trend and wants her own. I have even caught Michael pouring small amounts of coke in to his lid and then letting Hannah sip it out. He has done this with every one of our kids.

So, to my story. As I was checking my email, I could hear Hannah starting up the "mad scream". She does this when there is something she wants. This can be something you take away from her or just something she sees that she cannot reach. I went to the rescue to see what she wanted.......and Daddy had propped his coke cup up in the pillows. I had to take a video. Enjoy!

Just for Amy

So, Amy reminded me that I have not posted since May.....a very long time in the blogging world, mind you. I did think about it every once in a while and just did not get around to it. So, with all of the traveling, ear infections, etsy sewing, and most recently my root canal yesterday, I am finally posting once again. And, did I mention that Michael is graduating this month? YES!! He will officially graduate on the 24th of August. But, if you don't receive and announcement....don't feel bad. We are not the announcement kind of people.....or the kind that attend the actual graduation. No thanks! Not in the Bast household. But, I am so very proud of him for all of his hard work and determination.

I also have not been in the mother-of-the-year club this summer. I never seemed to be camera ready for anything, thus I don't have many pictures. We did visit St. Johns a couple of times. While staying at grandma's house, Weston managed to quietly get him self up in the morning and not bother to wake anyone. When I awoke that morning, I found the house to be a disaster. He had eaten an ice cream sandwich for breakfast and left the remaining LARGE portion on the carpet to melt. Grandma's sewing machine had been played with and thread was strewn throughout the kitchen. My purse had been completely emptied and everything taken out of my wallet. You get the picture. Later that same day, I was changing his diaper and noticed this really large booger in his nose. But, as I looked closer, I realized it was not a booger. It was a shiny pearl that he somehow managed to stick up his nose. I panicked and called grandpa. He is the one with the medical skills and should be able to get the pearl out. But, as I calmed down, I figured I could have him try to blow his nose to retrieve it. After a couple of hard blows, the pearl was lodged in his nostril.....TA-DA! That was hilarious. I wish a had a camera for that one.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Weston hid my glasses that were sitting next to my bed. I asked him several time to find my glasses or show me where they were. I looked everywhere all day long, and nothing! Michael then told Weston that he would give him some pennies if he found mommy's glasses. Weston trampled up the stairs and 30 seconds later came down with the infamous glasses in his hand. Of course he was laughing while descending the stairs knowing all along that his trick had worked!

I realize that I never really write anything about Caden or Hannah. I guess they are just in the boring stages of life. Caden just read his Harry Potter books (he is almost done with the 7th) and played games all summer. He takes care of himself. Hannah is just cute. She doesn't do much but eat, sleep, and poop. Oh, and scream. But, Caden did start school this last Monday as well as football. He is a busy boy!

Life couldn't be better....I am enjoying every hectic minute of it! Here are a few pictures over thelast few months! I especially love the nursing pads!