Avery took this video of Pop helping me out with the weeding the other day.

I really don't think anyone really reads what I write, so today I just want to write to get a few things off my mind.

Last night, for whatever reason, I had a hard time 'cause I realized that I don't really have any close friends. Sure, there are friends that I still keep in touch with, but I am talking about friends that call you every day or so to talk, a friend that you can call up and go out for lunch or a movie. I wondered, is it possible to be completely surrounded by people, but sometimes feel utterly alone? I guess in a nut shell, I just wish I can stay put long enough to develop that kind of friendship again.

Mind you, my husband and my boys keep me company and great company it is. Just a few minutes ago my 5 year old came up with a plan to put all of the kitchen chairs around his bed so that the baby could sleep in his bed with him and not fall out of the bed. As he was telling me his idea, I noticed he had a sunburned nose and cheeks. I said a quiet prayer of thanks that he had the sunburn because that tells me that he his healthy enough to run and play all day outside. Last night I stayed up with my oldest ad watched a premier special on the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Cody just came and told me a joke of his, but I am sorry to say that I didn't pay attention so I have no idea what the joke was.

Probably my yearning for a female friend stems from being surrounded by all boys for so long. I grew up with three brothers and now I have six sons. Guess I had better get more active with Relief Society and their outings and clubs. Yes, that is what I will do. I have to go beyond just showing up on Sunday to play the piano and reach out myself. See, it helps just to write and get things off your mind.

As far as life goes for us, life is good. Scott is finishing up his summer classes and I know he is looking forward to a week off before the fall semester begins. I have my RN clinical coming up two weeks from tomorrow. Just the thought of it makes my stomach flip-flop. I've been studying and practicing so all I can do is my best. Tyler actually completed enough merit badges to advance to Life Scout at the next Court of Honor. He can start working on his Eagle as soon as he gets his papers submitted. Avery, Cody, and Chandler are all anxious for school to start. Cody will be home schooled this year so I can help him catch up with his peers in reading. He will go to school part-time though. Even Ethan will be in preschool this year. It will be weird only having one child not attending school. Might even be boring if not for having Cody home most mornings too.

Scott's grandparents have been gone for a little over a year now. I miss them terribly. I miss their weekly e-mails and their monthly phone calls. Grandpa aways checked up on us and wanted to see how we were. He would call and/or send e-mails each year to remind us to do out taxes. I always loved it when I could report that we already did our taxes and got the refund back before tax day. Grandma was our biggest cheerleader. She gave me so much encouragement with just raising our boys and taking care of my home. She believed in us and that meant so much. They just genuinely cared and never criticized us nor our children. I miss them and I miss having that love and encouragement in my life. But, when I get down and feel overwhelmed with all the goings on in our family, I stop and listen for Grandma's familiar words, "I don't know you do it Angie, but you are doing a good job." It gives me umph I need to put a smile back on my face and keep going.

That is enough Thoughts by Angie for today. I feel better. Don't know if anyone else will. For all I know anyone that reads this will just think Boy, she sure complains a lot. Those people probably just don't know me. Come to think of it, very few people actually have taken the time to know me.

Time to start the day! Looks like a beauty!

It has been a rather quiet week with yet another quiet week ahead. No, that doesn't mean that my boys were quiet. Just that there weren't any unexpected emergencies or drama. Yay! I enjoy having my boys home for the summer. It gives me a chance to spend time with them before I head off to work. I sure miss being around all of the time. So, I make the best of the time I have.
I have been kicking up my training for the half marathon I hope to run in September. I have started taking the two youngest boys on my longer runs. I push them up the canyon, walking of course. Then, when we get far enough up, I turn around and run all of the way home. It sure is a workout with them especially since I can't use my arms to run. Best of all, they enjoy being outside and looking at nature. The other day we watched bees gathering pollen, counted how many muddy puddles we passed, listened to water roaring down into a canal, and we even found a beautiful butterfly on the side of the road. Now Ethan thinks we can find one every time. Sometimes, on the shorter runs, Cody tags along. That kid can keep up for three miles, running. He is fast too. He's great to chase on the days I need to do sprints!
Scott has been working hard in school. Seems like he is either at school or at home studying for school. I don't think he or I realized how tuff 5 summer classes would be. He is doing great though - I think straight A's. I know he's ready for a break and we are ready for him to have more time for us!

Cody's Baptism

Cody was baptized and confirmed Saturday. Gosh! Seems like we just brought that tiny 6lb 9oz string bean home just a few weeks ago. Time sure flies. Cody sure is a good boy. Yes, hyper at times, but good. We wouldn't want him any other way. He brings so much laughter and fun to our home. His antics can get you into a real belly laugh! Sunday evening he confided to me that he wanted to do a canon ball into the baptismal font! Funny, 'cause I had just been talking to my sis-in-law about the same thing! I am very glad that Cody changed his mind. Nevertheless, we are so proud of Cody and are so glad the he is part of our family! It would be boring without him!

Happy Birthday Cody!

Tomorrow is Cody's 8th birthday. He is so excited about being baptized this coming Saturday. Cody is definitely our clown, as you could probaby see from all the photos. He has so many expressions and can portray so many fun emotions. Some of his hobbies include drawing, which he is awsome at, playing outside with his friends and little brothers, watching Harry Potter, and, just recently, running with Mom. He sure keeps us laughing and helps keep our imaginations alive. I always wonder what life has in store for Cody but I know it will be something artistic and full of fun!

The Many Faces of Cody!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Haden and Ethan

It is coming up on Haden's and Ethan's birthdays. So, since we have a lot of photos that most of you haven't seen, thought it would be easier to just do a slide show on each of them for the past year. I just can't believe Haden will be a year and Ethan three! Time goes by so fast. In a way, that's good, but if only they could stay babies for about 6 months longer!

Happy Birthday Haden

More on the geese

Here are some pictures of the little geese. They have been so much fun. Need to take some pics with my boys with them. Vera and Thomas told me I could use their pictures for my blog. They sure had a lot of fun visiting with the geese the other day. Funny, the simplest things can really make someone's day. This morning went out to check on the little guys and they were behind the house by the shed eating weeds. Yeah! They are doing their job! I'm all for "cheep" labor.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers. Hope everyone had an enjoyable day. Here the weather was finally nice and warm without any rain. After church I took the boys over to the care center where I work and we showed off the two little goslings we got this weekend. The residents got a big kick our of them. We tried letting the goslings swim in the pond there but they preferred to eat rather than swim. Those things sure are fun to watch. Will have to figure out how to post a video of them.

Any hoo, tomorrow's Monday, the start of yet another week. Fortunately, the boys only have two more weeks of school. Yeah! Scott and I are so ready for summer vacation. I know the boys are even more ready than us. We should have lots of fishing reports for all you fishing nuts.

Keep checking our blog. I hope I can get new fun things posted soon. Seems like there is always something fun, exciting, or crazy going on in this Davis household!