Moving and Independence Day

We finally got ourselves settled in Shelley. We are liking it here and really enjoying having more space to live in. I still miss our little house in Pocatello sometimes because it will always be dear to our hearts as the place we started out together. Fortunately, I guess, we still own it and I can always go back to visit if I want.

The past few weeks we have been focused on unpacking and adjusting to life here. Barry got a fun summer job driving an ice cream truck. It's nice for him because it will give him a break before diving back into his last year of college. I have just been trying to keep track of our kids and get Clara sleeping through the night. She's getting better, but not all the way there yet. She is sitting up now and eating all sorts of food.

Quinton is getting to be such a little boy and not my baby anymore. At times he is fiercely independent and at others he clings to us for security (usually when he has to go to nursery.) He really loves his sister, although he is still learning how to be soft enough with her. I think they are going to be great friends once she can fight back!

We had a fun weekend celebrating the 4th. On Friday the 3rd, Barry took me fishing at Roberts Gravel Pond in his float tubes. I have to admit, it is pretty fun actually getting in the water and just drifting around. I even worked up the courage to bait my own hook for once. Maybe next time I'll work up to touching a creepy fish. We had fun catching a bunch of tiny bass.
After that we had a nice dinner with my parents and sisters and their families. Quinton had a blast playing with all of the bubbles.

Clara wasn't so sure about them and mostly enjoyed hanging out inside with her cousin Connor.

After dinner we took some family pictures before watching the Rigby fireworks. Quinton really liked the ones we lit off together and called the big ones in the sky "bubbles."

Grandma and Grandpa with some of the grandkids.

My mom and sisters: Shari, Heather, Sheryl, Jeni

Quinton lent his thumb to grandpa to try with John and Triston close by.

Sweet girls Mackayla and Clara.

*Life is Precious*

I endured the scariest moment of motherhood that day. When everyone was in the yard taking pictures, without realizing it, Quinton had wandered a few feet away. Suddenly Jeni said to me, "You do know the ditch has water in it, right? Where's Quinton?" I hadn't realized it was full and panic filled my heart as we rushed to find him. We had been standing close to the ditch, but the trees and shed kind of hid it. I ran to the front of my parents' shed to look for him when I heard Jeni scream, "He's in the water!" just as I turned the corner. I saw her jump in from the other side of the shed and I rushed in after her. She pulled Quinton out of the water and he was coughing. It was terrifying. Jeni later said that all she had seen was his little hand sticking out of the water. We are all so grateful to Heavenly Father for watching out for sweet little Quinton and inspiring Jeni to look for him. If it had been one or two seconds later, he probably would have been carried quickly through the tunnel of the ditch that goes under the road. As a mother I have been forced to think of what the alternative could have been if more time had passed, but thankfully Quinton was okay and we were all probably more shaken up than he was. It is a moment we will never forget and one I will always thank my Heavenly Father for. My children are so precious to me and I will cherish them forever and always.

Here are a few more pictures from this summer so far:

Sophie, Triston, Quinton