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(Photo of children in Uganda, courtesy of my brother, Elder Tyrrell aka: Bennett) Trips to the doctor, middle of the night feedings, parent/teacher conferences, volunteering in the classroom, dressing, bathing, feeding, laundry, loving, reading, singing, teaching, all things we do millions of hours a year! Being a mother is so rewarding, tiring, beautiful, taxing, fulfilling all wrapped into one package. I can't imagine life without this gift!What would I be if I wasn't a mother? I will tell you what sings to my heart and where I plan to end up someday (with bits and pieces along the way) when this glorious role is fulfilled. I feel I have been plagued with a curse that won't subside. A monkey on my back. An angel (or devil) on my shoulder. Here is a piece of my daily thought process. "I can't wait to get new furniture in the family room. I want to paint it this color, place the couches here, put a big, new t.v. in this area... etc, etc." My mind wanders and creates the space I want to complete. In a instant my mind escapes elsewhere, to a woman I saw in the streets of Jerusalem some 13 years ago. She was homeless, penniless, dirty, hungry, and had two small children clinging to her sides and an infant in her arms. There she sat on the filthy street on a piece of cardboard.It was all I could do to hold back the tears, feeling helpless, standing there, digesting this site. What I had to give her would only ease her pain but a small moment and her life would then continue in difficulty, pain, and sorrow. I then make plans to do this or that to the kitchen, the yard, upstairs, downstairs etc. Again, my heart pulls me back to another day when we held a fundraiser/garage sale to raise money for the half marathon we were planning to participate in for our nephews with Muscular Dystrophy. Watching the slew of people come and go I wondered their stories. My eyes fixed on a man looking weathered, tired, defeated. I could tell he had spent many years with heavy burdens. Here he was, asking me, "How much?" for an old ripped towel. I wanted to say, "Take it, take it ALL!" If it hadn't been for our cause, I would have. "Ten cents," I responded. He gives me a dime. As he prepares to get back in his car with his wife and son, the child doesn't want to leave the boxes of toys he was now enjoying. One in particular. The parents' look of desperation pains my heart and I tell them to, "Take it, keep it. It's okay." The child, elated, climbs in the car with the new found gift, the parents, with gratitude in their eyes. So small, so simple, yet profound to them in that moment. Profound to me in that moment, for an entirely different reason.WHY? Why have I been so blessed? Maybe by the standards of the rich and famous I have nothing. We still have no furniture in the living room, an unfinished driveway, no fence, etc. But, we have all we need. Food, clothing, shelter, our health, each other. What more could I ever ask for? I plan to present to my family (parents/siblings) the idea of giving up Christmas gifts this year and instead, putting our efforts into creating relief kits to be sent all around the world. Kits that would aid mothers like this woman in my mind and heart. Kits that would aid men like the one searching through our rummage. I know my efforts may be small, but perhaps over time they will make a dent. Maybe, someday, when I am old and wrinkly, I will feel at peace, knowing that I have done all I could do to help someone in need!For whatever reason these, and many other people, have become part of my life. They are with me daily. Like the children above, whom I have never met. Their eyes, hearts, and smiles have somehow captured my heart and I can't ignore this urge to stand up and make a difference!
Here's hoping your day is filled with sunshine, bright colors, and messy hair! I have the best job on earth!
Just in case there is ever a question... Yes, when she was little, she owned the joint!
This is how we roll, people. We rolled all the way to Texas this summer! I was worried it was going to be a LONG and difficult two days in the car! The kids were amazing! Thank heaven for modern technology! I remember the days when we had to play the license plate game and the alphabet game. Man, let's be honest, those were boring games! 
The kids loved drawing, singing to our favorite tunes, and watching a few movies! They were awesome! I thought for sure Kate was going to have a rough time; she can't stand being confined to the shopping cart for five minutes! She was darling the whole way! I wonder how much she can hear through her cheeks?
Our first stop on our adventure to Texas was in Moab. The boys thought it was the "best adventure ever" when we hiked to the top to see this beauty! Spectacular!
I am not sure why I bothered to pack anything other than our swimsuits? We lived in them all day, every day! It was so stinkin' hot! Each morning we would swim as a family. It was so nice to see Chip, at least in the mornings. I guess he is worth suffering through the heat ;)
It was such a treat to meet our dear friends and spend two days at Sea World with them!These kids have been friends since birth! We miss the Cisneros family, our cute Texas buddies!
This little turkey loved swimming! She learned to say and sign: whale, swimming, dolphin, and HOT! Sea world was our backyard for 4 weeks and Blue Bell ice cream and Rudy's BBQ were our staples. Yum!!
We couldn't have asked for a smoother trip. The kids were so patient and kind to each other. They managed to play with the few toys we brought for four weeks and were great sports! It was kinda fun giving up television and our daily responsibilities for a month! I was able to read like crazy and enjoy my sweet little monkeys (and one big monkey) a little more than I would have at home!
When you own your own business you get special perks, you know, like expensive health insurance- It's really cool! For several years we were paying as much as $600-$1000.00 a month! We never get sick and rarely go to the doctor so you can imagine our excitement each month when we flushed that money down the drain! Who needs a college fund?
So, because we had to pay out of pocket for each and every child, Chip has affectionately dubbed each one of them, "the little, more expensive-kinds." 
If you tell someone something long enough it sticks! I think this has become her mantra! From the second she opens her eyes she starts signing shoes! I can't even get her out of the crib before she asks for them! 
She wears her shoes all day! She also brings us our shoes; she wants us lookin' good, too!
The funniest thing she does is find anything round: toys, tape, rubber bands, trash, and puts them on like a bracelet. She pats her arm and says, "P-e-t-t-y! Oh, WOW, WOW!!" She will bring me her hair bows and bow her head down so I can place them on her head! She continues to be that little, more expensive-kind!
My boys have been on a little kick, lately! They want to know which is "the BEST thing" for every scenario! They are into winning, being the fastest, the strongest, etc. I can't imagine where they inherited that from? I think it's a guy thing! ;) They like to ask me all kinds of questions, "Mom, if you could only have one drink the rest of your life, which one is the BEST for you?" "Water," I reply. They probe, "What about milk?" I respond, "That's good for you too, but, water is the BEST!" They continue with just about every food possible and compare and contrast each and every one! "Which vitamin is the VERY BEST?" (I still don't have a good answer for that one!)The other day William asks, "Mom, which is the VERY best fruit?" I answer, "Probably, blueberries." "Nooooo- guess again," he responds. "Well, oranges." "Nooooo," he continues. Not sure where this is going, I continue to guess almost every fruit I can think of. He then responds, "No, mom! It's the-fruit-from-the-Tree-of-Life!" Well, at least some things we teach them stick!
Getting ready to make the masterpieces! 
The pumpkin planning committee! 
Kate, doing what she does best! 
Hangin' where she spends most of her day! Why fight it? 
For whatever reason Kate had a big desire to lick all the pumpkins! This is my road less traveled kid! What a character! 
William asked all week when we were going to carve the pumpkins! I've never seen so much excitement! 
Quincy was having a blast and has now moved into the big boy stage where he wants the scary eyes and the goofy smiles!
