A Couple of Cards

Ahhh, thanks, Kayti!

I started back to work yesterday. It was the first day of schedule pick-up. These always tend to be a bit hectic, but other than a fixable computer glitch first thing yesterday morning, the day went pretty smoothly. I had a plan for the day... get there around 7:30, and work on some stuff that I need to have done before the first day of school. Schedule pick-up runs from 9:00 - 1:00, so I figured that I could stay until 3:00 or 3:30, working on making a mole-hill out of my mountain. It turned out that I was there until 4:40, and none of the time was spent checking things off my list. Oh well... at least what I did do was to help a friend, so I feel good about that.

The best part of my day, though, was when I got home, and Kayti already had dinner planned! YEAH!!!! I helped her with some of the chopping that needed to be done, and she did the rest. We had yummy chicken fajitas... made even yummier because I didn't have to cook them! Kayti has taken dinner on as a YW Value Project. She will be helping life run a lot smoother around here for the next few months by coming up with menues and cooking dinner while I am off running the rest of the kiddos to soccer practices during the week. She will even help with the grocery shopping as well! Woohoo!!!

Thanks, tons, Kayti for helping to make my life just a little easier the over the next few months! You are a gem, and I'm so thankful to be your mom!!

I'm a little sad...

I start back to work on Monday, and the kids start back to school in a week and a half, leaving me to wonder, "Where has the summer gone?". I think every year that the summers get shorter and shorter. And these darn kids just keep getting older and older! Kayti is starting her Junior year in high school, Josh is a Freshman, Kyle is a 7th grader, and I only have one more child left in elementary school. I am grateful, though, for a job that allows me to be home with them during the summer. We've had a pretty good one, and been able to do lots of things. Kayti and Josh both went on Trek; the boys went to scout camp and high adventure; Kayti and I went to YW camp; Megan went to day camp, and spent lots of time at the farm helping her grandpa. We went swimming several times, visited with family, and even had a family wedding. I was able to get a couple of projects done... not as much as I wanted to do, but enough to be proud of myself for doing. Barry and I have had several opportunities to stay up way too late talking, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with him. We have eaten way too much food at BBQ's, had too much late night ice-cream, and had lots of fun doing it!

One of my SIL announced a few weeks ago that she has decided to homeschool her 3 children. While I don't think I would have the patience to do that with my own, I'm very envious of the "slower pace" that their life will be taking on. (Which is one reason that she has decided to make this move.) I guess that is one reason why I love summer so much, the relaxed and slow pace of life.

We are all on a count-down now for October and fall break, when we head to the beach and re-live the lazy days of summer for a week. Only 69 more days!

Wonderful wedding weekend

Try saying that one five times fast!

It was a great weekend, although it was a busy one. I'm so happy for Dave and Jessica, and thankful to have another sister-in-law. I was blessed to be able to go to the temple on Thursday night, and be with them when they both received their endowments. It's been a while since I've been to the temple for something other than a youth temple trip, and it felt really great to be there. Friday evening we (the Mayfield girls) went and decorated for the reception, which was held at Jessica's house. She wanted a garden-party theme, and I think we did a great job of creating that. (Although I really shouldn't take any credit here... it all goes to my other talented sisters-in-law. I just helped out where needed.) Saturday morning we headed to Birmingham for the sealing. It was a beautiful ceremony, and again I felt blessed to be there. After the temple, we headed to Alisha's house for a luncheon, which was hosted by the groom's family. We all pitched in a brough some yummy food! The reception was at 6:30 that evening. It was a hot and humid day Saturday, and we were all "glistening", but it was fun visiting with friends and family. Here are a few pics of the happy couple, and the reception (decorations):

The "P" word..

The cute girly-girl in this picture is my neice, Emma. She is 6 years old, and so much fun to have around. Truly amazing things come out of her mouth at times! Here is a funny one that we have been laughing about around our house for the past week.

Emma: Auntie Kim, your kids are saying the "h" word.

Me: What, HECK?

Emma: (In a whisper) No, "shut-up!"

Me: (laughing) That's not the "h" word!

Emma: (indignantly) Well, it's the "P" word, then!

You gotta love it! I have been reminding my children all week to not be so mean and say the "p" word to each other. Boy, we've got some work to do!

Beautiful Soon-to-be Sister-in-law

My brother-in-law, Dave is getting married tomorrow. Jessica is going to be a great addition to the Mayfield clan, and we are so lucky! Some of her fabulous bridal pics are up for viewing on the following site: http://www.greenfield-kmg.blogspot.com/ Kim (the photographer) is such an amazing talent. Check out some of her other pics while you are there.

I'm so excited to welcome Jessica as the newest Mayfield. I've known and respected her for a long time, and she is a great match for Dave.

Furniture "finds"

I wanted to share a couple of furniture "finds" that I have aquired. While visiting the farm last week, I noticed this great chair in the smokehouse. I fell in love with it, and asked Dad what his plans were for it. He told me that I could have it, and then asked me what I wanted to do with it. I responding, "Absolutely nothing... it's perfect just the was it is!" I now have it sitting on my front porch, and LOVE it!!


Last year during our family reunion we went to several different antique shops during our girls' day out. I found this great piece that was being used as a bookcase, but I loved the back of it. It's nicked, beat-up, and wonderful! I discovered that it was at one time an ammunitions box from Mexico. I painted the skirt of it black, and bought some legs for it from Alisha. It has been sitting here, waiting for me to finally get it finished... and today I finally did! I'm so proud of myself. This is one of the projects that I wanted to get done before I went back to work in a couple of weeks. The picture frame on it is a digital frame that Barry and the kids got me for Mother's Day. I found the vase at another antique store, and have had my eye on it for awhile. I finally broke down and got it before anyone else could beat me to it! I'm not sure if I should fill it with something, or just leave it empty. Anyone have any thoughts? And if you think I should fill it, what do you suggest?