Our Busy Past Week

It was great to have my sister visit but sometimes I think I set myself up for disappointments.  I wanted everything to be perfect for her, including my kids! HA!  I had done a lot of work before she came so I could spend more time relaxing!  HA!  I thought my sister could have a fun slumber party with my two oldest girls in their room!  HA!  Not very much fun when they are bickering!!  I thought my kids would be happy off playing by themselves, just playing, so my sis and I could have some great time talking together!  HA!  My kids, especially my "newbies" are even more demanding when we have an extra or extras.  I thought we could exercise by ourselves early in the morning before the kids were up so we could be uninterrupted!! HA!  That only happened when we ran on the road together withOUT kids!  I thought we could play in the pool, just having a great time together without drama because having my sis here was different!  HA!  That's the point, it was different, so there were added dynamics!  

Yet, after my initial disappointment passed because I realized that there is no way things are going to be perfect because we live in an imperfect world and we are an imperfect family because Cade and I are imperfect parents, we were still able to enjoy my sister.  You just sometimes have to be willing for the imperfect, which means a little drama, a bit of stress, quite a bit of chaotic, some attention seeking behaviors, excitement, and I think you get the picture.  All in all, it was a great time!!

What did we do?  Well, my sis had a pinterest project in mind for starters.  Crystal brought her own tie but I showed her some of Cade's ties that he hates wearing (they're pink!) and Crystal swapped her tie with Cade's.  I think it was pretty much a win / win situation because Cade and Crystal were both happy about it.  Mine, on the other hand, I had a harder time finding the right one!  Cade commented that he still wears it!  I told her he has had it for quite a long time!  He replied, "I suppose you'll have to buy me a new one come Christmas time!!!"  HAAA!! 

our neck tie shirts!

another pict

We got behind on picking the garden..

but we laughed anyway!

We spent time with the professional hairstylist,
right in the comfort of our own home!

Auntie Crystal is a pro - wish she lived closer!

Eden was please, so was I!!

I made a ET shirt for Crystal.

Lil' Bear and her!!!  She choose the fabric and I
 LOVED it so much I had to make myself one!

The kids danced with music on (Bella is wearing a dress
that was Crystal or mine when we were younger that
my Gma Irene sewed!  It was perfect for twirling!

We took a picnic to Clear Creek!

Beautiful creek!

I think he is saying, "COLD!"

The kids were a little slow getting in!

My sis and I even managed to
get massages, kids in tow!!

The day my sister left on the airplane, I left the kids all with Gma Sherry for the day so I could have a nice time with my sister!!  Crystal wanted to look around Ashland, so we did that and hit a LOT of fun stores!  This was a big thing for Bereket since the only other time I have left him was with Gma Shirley and Daddy when I had a break.  He did very well but didn't sleep much for his nap and Treva declared that he was very whiny!  I took this as a good sign because he knew things were off-kilter!  Anyway, Crystal and I had a really nice time shopping and being together.  Too bad I didn't get any pictures!  I fully had planned to...!



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