Memorial Day Fun.

With the Sun shinning, Nana & Paps in town, it being a 3 day weekend...it's a perfect day to have an evening at a Bee's baseball game.

Kinlee, Cassie, and Delanie all were lucky enough to "catch" a baseball and have a souvenir of the game.

The Bee's ended up losing the game by one, but the real winners that night was Nana & Paps for they were the ones to see what living in Utah with all 5 of their grandkids would be like...

Hurry up 4 more years when Nana will be able to finally retire, We will be able to do activities like this always (and believe me, we WE WILL) with Nana & Paps.

BUT till then, we will just do activities together every time they come and make fun memories.

tiny dancer.

BIG Entertainer.



Cassie Loved to be on the BIG stage and dance for all who was there to watch. All the girls did a great job and I can garentee that every mom there was smiling and were proud.
Everytime Cassie hears "Single Ladies" on the radio, she runs to find a ring to put on her finger. She so is our little Diva!


There is no laying when I say that this little girl, our Cassidee Mae, has danced her way into our hearts and wins a perfect 10 with those bright eyes and that smile of hers.

A homecoming fit for...

... a Soldier!




Welcome Home Dale! The "hood" has missed you!
Hope that you are here for good.
Enjoy the Summer.
Enjoy your Family.
Enjoy all that Utah has to offer.
Enjoy being Home.
Enjoy Life.

Cross out "Alexander" and insert my own name...

My day today was ONE of Those Days...

Allow me to being...

Once upon a time, a mom woke up with start of a monthly mini migraine.

She knew that today was going to be one of those days.

The sun was piercing her eyes and every little sound added the throbbing in her head.

The mom needed to lay down and rest.

This is where things turned bad to worse...

This mom had a set of 4 year old twins and they were busy, very busy.

Shooting water guns all over the entire upstairs, the walls, the floors, everything was wet.

The mom was waken up to the twins "playing" with the pet fish that they were watching.

The two blamed the cat.

Wrappers from fruit snacks, bars, and carpi suns were on the floor as well.

The mom's head was going to explode, so she went back to lay down.

This time, she was awoken to the one twin with make-up all over her face, telling her mom that her brother did it.

The mom was up on her feet again and this time had the mess of PINK powdered blush all over the carpet.

Bums were spanked. Twins in their room.

The day was not good.

The older girls got home from school, and the screams began.

The twins had gone into the girls room and messed things up by throwing earrings all over, messing up the loft, putting gum on the flat iron, losing a "special" book.

Tears were shed by all.

The dad was aware of the day that was going on at home, not a typical day at all.

Craziness was going on at home.

He played parent.

Allowing mom to shower, taking a time out for her self.

Bring her a diet pop and her favorite ice cream.

Now that the evening has come to a close and the kids are all in bed, this mom is ready for a new day, a day where there is no yelling, fighting, naughtiness, no headaches,

A day that is NOT like today.

Off to bed is where this mom is going to go.

THE END.

♥ made with boredom. ♥

Don't get me wrong, with all things that I make, I make it with ♥love♥

but it all started with me being bored.

A one of a kind Kyle Busch purse for my NASCAR loving mom for Mother's Day.

My very own birthday card for my Dad.

I know what you are thinking, I should work for Hallmark.

A CTR Superhero cape for one of the kids in my primary class.

Everyone knows that all Superheros require a cape for their good deeds.

A "Celebrate" banner for all the things worth Celebrating in this life.

(Please note, I did all the sewing all by myself.)

Every girl needs a set of these pretty earrings to wear, so why not make them for all my sister-in-laws for Mother's Day.

I even was able to get a few old pictures scrapbooked.

How time goes by, these pictures were Mother's Day 2007. It is always fun to get to look back in time and remember when...

So, even though I was "bored," I was still busy doing things. I think that is just how I am wired...I really have a hard time doing "nothing." Something I hope to work on in the future, but till that day may come, I will continue to make things and know that it was "made with boredom."

Allow me to introduce myself...

I teach primary.

I have the CTR 5 kids.

These kids are either 5 or 6.

Thou I am the teacher, they teach me each week.

Today at church, I got a new little boy in my class.

His family just moved into the ward.

In class we all introduced ourselves.

"I am Sister Springer" I tell the new boy.

I tell him to "think of Spring, like the weather outside."

The boy comes back with the reply, "No, it's May right now."

OK, that didn't work.

So, another boy says, "I remember your name like Spring, like Tigger and he bounces."

"Prefect!" I said to all the kids and we go on with the lesson.

Later on during the lesson, the new little boy raises his hand and says...

"Sister Slinky?"

(My class starts to giggle lots.)

Huh??

I was confussed.

I ask "What did you say?"

The little boy then says "Sister Slinky, they bounce."

(Makes perfect sences to me and the rest of my class.)

So, allow me to introduce myself...

"Sister Slinky"

(thanks to my primary class.)

Something to Cherish...

...moments like this that are far and few...

...when one day you can look back at the pictures and remember the good things that brings a smile to your face.

...GREAT Grandpa and Grandma Casper come for a visit (and stayed the night) as they were driving through; heading back up north to Oregon.
Grandpa is in his early 80's and Grandma is in her late 70's and though life has given them ups and downs with their health, for the most part, they are still getting around.
Grandpa wakes up every morning at 5 am and goes on his morning walks...that is more ambishous then I am at that time of day. Not to forget to mention, he plants a full garden every year that he takes care of by himself.
Grandma still does the cooking and cleaning around the house, though she moves a bit slower, she is still doing it.

The kiddos LOVED spending the evening with the both of them!
Delanie and Grandma snuggled up together on the couch.
We took them to Pizza Factory and introduced them to the yummy bread sticks.
We took LOTS of pictures.
Carson and Grandpa played and teased each other.
The older girls talked and talked both of grandpa's and grandma's ear off about school and church.
Carson and Cassie jumped on the bed and woke up grandpa and grandma...something I guarantee hasn't happened to them in years.

I am glad that my kids have the opportunity to know and spend time with their GREAT Grandparents. (even if we do live in different states...thanks to email and Skype, we are able to stay connected.)
Family is something I am grateful for...knowing the importance of Family, I was willing to drop everything that we might have had planned on Thursday night and make Grandma and Grandpa our first and only priority.
Nothing was more important then spending the evening with them, making memories, and cherishing the time we got to spend together.
Grandpa and Grandma Casper, Love ya both!
XOXOX

Finally....

...Springs has brought us such a NICE (and a long needed) Surprise!

we finally got a weekend where we could go out and plant, play, and have fun in the yard, and NOT have to worry if our plants were going to freeze.Everyone in the "hood" was out.
Grass was being mowed, kids not wearing shoes, farmer tans being made, building bug houses, sweaty dirty feet, shorts, and great big smiles, for all was happy that Spring has finally made it to Utah. (It's about freakin' time!!!)
Hip Hip Hooray...Hopefully Spring is here to stay!

My Day...

It's these 4 kiddos that make me the mom I am today!

Some of my favorite things about being a mom:

* What I says goes. (or at least most of the time.)

* I know everything (without even having my degree or until they ask Dad)

* I take first priority (until friends come over)

* I always get to have a front seat (and drive all over)

* I am the Best cook (if it consits of Mac & Cheese or Chicken Broccoli Casserole)

* I love having my king size bed (even if I have to share it with 4 sets of kicking legs)

How I can fix anything (except when there is blood or braids in hair)

* When I can catch a nap here and there ( and not have something naughty to wake up too)

* Getting the best homemade gifts from my kiddos (especially when they say I weigh 90 lbs.)

(Notice the flowers; All have a "kiss" on them, except from Carson...He ate it. I told him because of it, I get a "real" kiss whenever I want. He said "I shouldn't have eaten it.")
On this Mother's Day, I was treated to dinner and it was served and cleaned up...I didn't have to do anything except to enjoy it. My family knows how I liked to be spoiled and to take care of my needs and wants.
This was the card that my in-laws gave me and it was the perfect way to explain my day...

"Put up your feet and don't worry about the dishes, the cleaning, the laundry--"

"It will be there waiting for you tomorrow." (So TURE.)

Being a mom is the best thing ever and though it is a non-stop job with little cash payout, the memories and moments that I share with my kids are priceless and I though a may get angry or short with my kids at times, there is nobody else I want to spend my days with.

Thank You Dan and Kids for making my Mother's Day special and for making me feel loved. You made me smile and I know that trying to not fight with each other was tough, but I am grateful for not having a be a policeman or umpire.

I was able to be just a mom and be treated like a QUEEN!

A very special evening:

A Mommy/Daughter date.

Mackenzie is growing up and it hit me hard when I asked her the other day if she liked any boys and I was surprised to hear her reaction, it was a very shy, very innocent as she said a boy's name...which made me realize that my #1 is growing up weather I want her to or not.

So, tonight was a perfect opportunity to sit down with her and just let her know that she had all of me, she didn't have to share my attention with any of her siblings.

She talked and I listened.

Being able to spend the evening with her, made me realize just how lucky I am to have Mackenzie.

She is not your typical 9 year old.

She is a good kid, a great helper, a loving sister, trust worthy, patience, makes her parents proud, all around a special girl.

Tonight there was even moments were she and I walked hand and hand. I wanted the moment to not end. I know that soon enough there will be a time when I won't be "cool" in her eyes, but I hope that she will always know that I will always be there for her and she can always count on me. I know that she will have tears to shed and moments that are exciting. Were she thinks that friends are more important and where she may have me worry like crazy, but what kid doesn't? I am sure I did the same thing to my mom when I was younger, but now my mom and I are best friends.

Friends may come and go, but a mom will always be by your side.

I am thankful, I was able to have Mackenzie be my only priority this evening and listen to her, be with her, bond with her.
I Love Her.

I looked out my window...

...and what did I see....

Popcorn popping on my outside trees.

Spring has brought me such a nice surprise...
...we can finally work outside and get it looking nice with color.

Living in Utah, the weathermen says not to plant anything till Mother's day weekend cause we could still get frost...and their not lying.
Our Springs are unpredictable, one day it is near 70 with the sun shinning and the next day you are freezing in the 40's.
But today really got me hungry for Spring fever...I was able to plant flowers in my hanging baskets and giant planters with the help of the kids. Dan was able to go to the dump (aka the waste plant that smells oh so nice as you are driving in American Fork) and got a truck bed full of mulch.
Being outside was a nice change, we were able to get a bit of color on our skins, people were washing their cars, riding bikes, kids playing, lawns being mowed, the neighborhood was buzzing...it was a perfect Spring day.
So, Bring on Spring!

an afternoon of smiles

I needed to run some errands.

I don't know who is the bigger trooper, me, having 2 BIG helpers OR Carson and Cassie, they have to run here and there with me.

Well, I wanted to reward them for being extra good this afternoon for dealing with me running all over to make sure Mother's Day gifts were taken care of.

So, a stop to Spoon It Up (yogurt in Provo), was added to to my "to-do" list.

This was one thing I am glad I did.

Carson and Cassie were in heaven with ALL of the choices and toppings.

I let them make all the choices and add how every much toppings they wanted.

Smiles all around.

Sometimes, I need to remember to not be in such a hurry and realize that errands can sometimes wait, Smiles are more important. :)

The right decsion???

Today, we had the opportunity to babysit a couple kids from our "hood;" a 2 year old and a 2 month old.

What is 2 more when you have 4 of your own...right??!?!

I had forgotten what it was like to have a baby around...for the most part it was easy. The baby just slept and ate. I can handle that.

I did forget how much a baby releys on adults...All 4 of my kiddos are pretty independent; they can bath themselves, feed themselves, dress and clean up after themselves.

I also had forgotten how nice it is to have a baby snuggle up under your chin and just fall asleep.

My girls had so much fun holding the baby, they were so sweet with him. Carson was even intregred with the baby, which lead me to wonder...

DID DAN AND I MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE TO STOP AT 4???

Not within 5 minutes of me wondering "what if" I was snapped back into reality and the 2 year old needed his big boy diapers changed.

YES!

DAN AND I DID MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE TO STOP AT 4!

Being able to have a good night sleep ALL night long, a diaper free home, Come and Go at MY schedule.

I have forgotten the whole "baby" phase and though if anyone needs my to babysit, I will do it in an instant, to get that baby fix, but the "need" or "want" to have another baby is not there.

I love my crazy hectic family of 6 and that is how the Lord intended it to be, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

AMEN.

Springer Style:

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I didn't feel like cooking/cleaning up after dinner or having the house smell like taco seasoning the rest of the night, so this is how the Springers celebrate...fanciness and all.

Taco Bell was were we had our very own personal family fiesta in honor to celebrate the Mexican heritage.

Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like toasting a diet Pepsi ("poopsie") cheesy rolls, a "Mexican" pizza, cinnamon twists, and a crunch wrap supreme with some 1970's music playing over the speakers while we eat dinner.

Cinco de Mayo is a "drinking/party" holiday, so being LDS and having a family, this is how we celebrate. This is how "crazy" the Springers get, hot sauce and all.