Parker Starts 4th Grade and Cecily's Wedding

Coming back from vacation is never too fun. There are millions of loads of laundry to do and a house to clean and food to prepare and serve... the list goes on and on. And if you're me, you get the added bonus of a 2 and 3 year old to wreak havoc everywhere while you're trying to get everything organized and/or rest. They tear apart this guest room every.single.day. It's not the worst mess in the world but man, it's annoying.

My beautiful Rayleigh with her adorable bed head...

Saturday, July 8th was Cecily's wedding! We were so honored to be invited to the sealing! She married a man from Vegas who is the lieutenant governor's son. The sealing room was packed full of loving faces and the spirit was so strong. Cecily looked so happy. She was glowing and shedding a few tears. I'm so proud of her. She really gets it, ya know? The day I got married, most of it went right over my head. But she was so in tune. It was incredible to witness. Robyn looked beautiful. The room was full of so many amazing people who I look up to, know, and love. It was a supreme pleasure to be there.

We had Audrey babysit all day so that we wouldn't have to come home in between the sealing and the reception. We grabbed lunch, chatted with my parents, and visited Bob and Lisa at their stunning new home in San Clemente. We hadn't been able to catch up with them in so long. It was so nice!

That evening was the gorgeous reception at a Country Club in San Clemente. They had the best food! Little gourmet food stations all around the perimeter of the venue: Waffle Love, tacos, toasted cheese with tomato soup, churros, amazing drinks, and of course a huge display of fruits and veggies with all kinds of dips. It was SO fun seeing so many great and dear friends. Everyone was so sweet to me and so complimentary! It made me feel so good! I love where I grew up and that I am surrounded by so many stellar people who uplift me!

My little monkeys. We finally converted Jack's bed into a toddler bed and he is much happier. We have gotten everyone back on a much better night time routine and it's been glorious. But before all of that, Rayleigh and Jack were on a kick where they would throw tons of pillows and blankets into his crib and jump around. Weirdos.

Also, Ray is done with diapers. Hurray! I spent a day or 2 rewarding Rayleigh and Jack with Dum Dums and stickers whenever they went on the potty. Ray did great but Jack was still having accidents so it was back to diapers for him. He now asks to use the potty so he can get candy... Pretty sure I've utterly confused the kid.

Rayleigh came with me to my 35 week appointment. She was the cutest thing you've ever seen. She insisted on bringing 2 of her own "babies" and the sweet nurse gave her baby a band aid. She helped the doctor measure my belly and listen to the heart beat. My blood pressure was again like 90/65. So weird that it's low but I'm beginning to think that's why I always get sick after my epidural is administered. The epidural will sometimes cause your B/P to drop and since mine is so low anyway, it must kick me over the edge and cause me to get sick. Anyhoo, we were in and out of there in 45 minutes which is amazing. I love my doctor! And I've been feeling so good. So I have no real concerns to discuss.

We finally got our landscaping started! It's been so incredibly hot that I hope the plants don't all die! But it looks so good! I love having some green out there!

I've been struggling with dinners and trying to stay healthy and creative. The kids thought these German Pancakes were pretty neat! Parker ate a ton!

Plants!

Cami handed down an old Strider Rider and Rayleigh and Jack had fun riding bikes around the house. I was so glad we already had 1! They would have fought over it! I love when the kids try new things and are active!!!

Watering the new baby plants.... please don't die, little plants!

Parker started 4th grade! His teacher is named Ms. Negus and she seems legit. We had Back to School Night but Tanner was running late and had to just run to the school on his way home (I was hoping to go) Tanner has been a mad man every night. He comes home, guns blazing, ready to tackle house projects and anything that needs to get done. It's like "nesting" for men! Terrific!!! Anyhoo, Parker loves school and has been coming home every day and getting his homework done and staying on task with his responsibilities. He's such a good kid. This was his smile for picture day. He looks cool right? ha ha

 So, the other day I checked his lunch before he went to school and he had 10 packs of fruit snacks, 5 fruit leathers, 2 granola bars, a huge quesadilla, and some blue berries. Nice try, buddy. We got way mad at him and had a serious talk with him that night.

Truth be told, we have been missing the mark in the parenting department. When Parker does something wrong and needs discipline, the first thing we do is take something away from him Example: We told him to clean his room. He left for an hour and came back to tell us it was clean but when we checked it was still completely messy. So we took away his legos. As if that would magically make him keep his room clean. I don't know what we have been thinking but it's been this way for quite some time. So I told Tanner, "Instead of taking things away, we need to add more. We need to spend more time with him talking and playing games. We need to teach with the spirit so he can learn from the spirit. We need to invite the spirit into our home every day with family devotionals as well as personal and couple". Something we have been slacking on, for sure! So we had a great FHE and then sat down with Parker and talked with him about our expectations (because really, he's such a good kid and it's up to us to be clear and teach him properly) and then showered him with praise. His little countenance lit up. It was a sight to be seen. He was so happy and that probably did more to encourage him to choose the right than anything else in the world!

Whelp, here I am in all my glory. Being a parent is hard. Making sure I am spiritually fed, making sure my kids are being taught the gospel in the home, making sure we are all eating healthy foods, have clean bodies, and a clean home.... it all takes an incredible amount of work. And diligence! My Mom has been sharing with us kid a daily synopsis from her institute class and one day they covered Moroni 9. In verse 6 Mormon exhorted, "And now, my beloved son (Chandra), let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest out souls in the Kingdom of God." The blessings for our diligence will be eternal!

I'm about to have my 4th baby and I'm truly so tried all.the.time. But I will never cease to to labor!!!! Inviting the spirit into my life each and every day makes a world of difference in the way I am as a mother and wife. I am more patient and in tune with my family's needs. Bishop Warner told me at Cecily's reception that the Book of Mormon was written by the spirit of revelation so when we read and study it, we too are gifted with the spirit of revelation which is personal to each of us. And I truly believe that when I read the Book of Mormon daily, I AM blessed with revelation to know how best to serve my Heavenly Father and perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay! It's amazing. It's like magic. And I'm so thankful for it!