The Orchard Team Huddle

These are the photos that lovingly adorn my entry way welcoming the world to our home. Stockton was 3, Douglas was 7 and Russell and I were somewhat younger than we are now. For pretty obvious reasons it was time to get a new picture on the wall.  I REALLY hate the whole process of family stress  pictures.  Everyone needs recent haircuts, clothes need to be clean and somewhat matching.  A location needs to be chosen, a poor sucker has to accompany us to snap the shots, no runny noses or cold sores can be present, Mason must be happy, Stockton must be agreeable and Douglas and Russell must be supportive.  So, over the weekend I forced my family to humor me and get this HUGE feat over with.  I am pretty happy with the results. Of course, for every good shot there are about 10 not so good ones!  You try and make a toddler hold still and smile nice!  My nephew, Jordan, asked his mom why I got to be in charge.  I told him i...

Having a toddler as a constant companion can be a little trying at times. It is nice when the rest of the family is home and they can help with the entertaining but most days it is me and Mason for 7 long hours. Some of his favorite things to say are "play with me," "I need a game," and "let's ride scooters."  He likes to dump his toys more than he likes to play with them and he has discovered the game and puzzle pantry in the dining room...within his reach!  Needless to say, I am constantly looking for ways to get out of the house (saves on messes), entertain, yet still get the things done I need to.  Today I had an epiphany. Sam's Club is the perfect field trip for us.  Mason has always liked this outing but today I realized just how perfect of a place it is!  The aisles are big with lots of things to touch but nothing really to break.  Mason can walk around and explore in a pretty harmless environment.  He can even run to the end of the is...

Sunday morning I was tired and grumpy and not really in the mood to go to church.  I say that but I really NEVER would think about missing.  I just wish my toddler alarm didn't ring at 6:00 am and I don't think Heavenly Father would forgive me for missing because I am too tired from a baseball tournament.  And, it was Fast Sunday.  Needless to say I got my bad-attitude little self to church and gave it a fair effort to feel the spirit and receive the refreshment that I so desperately needed.  Our Relief Society lesson was about remembering the hand of God in our lives and looking for those tender moments that have sustained us and strengthened us.  It was beautifully presented and the spirit was present.  I left that meeting SO thankful I had been there and my frown had been turned upside down.  I was rejuvenated. Monday morning we awoke at 6:00am, again, and left the house at 7 packed for a full day of baseball.  The game was at ...

It's that time of year where I send my boys out to my flower bed to take their pictures.  I don't know why exactly I started there.  It is my favorite spot in my yard when everything is in bloom.  Maybe I was looking for an excuse to pose my boys in front of a girly background but thought I could get away with it since it was only back to school shots.  Whatever the reason, it is now a tradition that MUST continue!  Here is Douglas on the first day of 9th grade.   Apparently he is too cool to smile.  9th grade is big stuff.  His schedule is not so fun.  I remember taking Geometry.  I was MUCH better at Algebra.  I hope he doesn't need any help with his homework.  I didn't really love dissecting things either but I bet he enjoys that one.  Class   Teacher   1. ENGLISH 9 HONORS - (040900-01)  S. GREEN  2. TEACHER AIDE - (068956-02)  T. DECORA     3. RELE...

A few years ago we offered a fantastic incentive to Douglas.  The deal was...earn your Eagle Scout award and Dad will take you to a professional baseball game wherever you choose.  We always have skymiles so it sounded pretty reasonable.  Well, the Eagle was earned and when it came time for us to pay up there was just one minor little complication, the economy!  Three years ago we had no idea the market would be where it is today.  So, we turned Douglas loose on his planning and had to tweak it just a bit.  He originally thought he wanted to go to Tampa Bay to watch the Rays.  Where did that come from?  I think he was thinking beaches and sun and pina coladas which were never in the deal to begin with.  As we started researching the trip to Florida we found that the skymiles we had saved up wouldn't get them there, the hotel would be a little pricey not to mention the 6 hour flight if you are lucky enough to go straight through.  I was a...