What do you think?

I enjoy reading blogs on Deseret News. What can I say? I am a blog freak! I have a neighbor who writes a blog for Deseret News and so often I am reading his or other blogs on there. One of them is a "Mom" Blog. Today I read hers because the title interested me. It said"No More Slumber Parties". Hmmm. Really? The world is that bad? I am very intrigued so I read her article and then read the comments readers have posted. The consensus? Most parents are not doing sleepovers anymore. They feel that too many "bad choices" , "problems", or even "molestation" can happen. So parents now opt for "late nights".

My son (8) has a friend (9) who has late nights all the time. Parker even had one last night at this kid's house. Late night for him was 9:30 p.m. because he has a bball camp at 7:30 the next morning. Parker has had sleepovers before. He has camped out in our neighbor's back yard too.

Taylor (7) has had sleepovers too. She had her first one when she was around 3 or 4. My best-friends daughter spent the night at our house. Since then she has had a few more.

Oakley (5) has only had sleepovers at the grandparents.

So what is the right choice when it comes to our kids? They were o.k. for us to go to as kids, but the world has changed so much that we can only trust ourselves and not other families? Should they only be allowed to sleep over at grandparents? Do we not allow them to go while they are younger, but allow them when they are teenagers? Or do we never allow them and think of sleepovers as the past and late nights as our children's future? I am really curious to know what you "my friends" think or believe. I have to say I really didn't have a problem with it before, now I am starting to think late nights are the way to go.

Bear Lake

Bear Lake!!! How fun right!?! Well a week before we went, my parents and I had been talking about going on a camping trip together. I was only able to find a spot at the Idaho State Park in Bear Lake and we decided that we would go the following week for 4 days 3 nights. The next week my dad informed me that he would not be able to go, but my mom (who was sick) said she would still go. She packed up and then called me a few hours later to let me know she couldn't make it! So it was just the kids and I!!! We left and made our way up there. It was quite the drive since we had to go to the Idaho side!! Parker and I set up our camp and then we went down to the beach. The water was SO warm! The dogs loved it and so did the kids! That night the dogs slept great! I was so worried that they would bark all night at the creatures, but they didn't . Bella even slept in Parker's sleeping bag with him! The next day we spent at the beach again. It was hot, hot , hot. Later we played card games in the tent, but could not cool off! We were dripping!!! There was NO shade anywhere down there! Not even under our shade tent! So we decided we were done and wanted to go home. I know. It's sad. Only 2 days instead of 4! We started packing up at 7:30 p.m. and Parker said "Mom, we are never going camping again without dad!" I agree! We totally take all he does for us for granted!! We made it home about 11 p.m. (thanks to 1 lane traffic on the freeway!!!) My cold shower never felt so good! Oakley and I are sunburned, but it was still alot of fun!! Next time I will go with Matt, on the Utah side:)

Family Reunion

We had our Peck family reunion a few weeks ago. Lots of fun!!

The kids did relay races in the 105 degree sun!!!

Craft time for Parker!

Oakley loves to get her hands on glue!

Tay making her craft! It was a yarn picture of Grandma Peck!

We had so much fun visiting with family! My dad comes from a family of 10 children, and a bazillion grandkids! We had fun doing crafts, games, eating potluck, and visiting! I am glad my children get to make memories with their extended family!

Thanks!

1. Thank goodness for great friends who take time out of their day to help you out!

2. Thank you to company's who are still hiring!

3.Thanks to sweet neighbor's who stop by to see if they can take your kids for a day, when they are trying to get themselves ready to go to Trinidad for 2 weeks with the Army and plan sharing time!

4.Thank goodness for 7-Eleven and their slurpees when it is 105 Degrees outside!

5. Thanks to fabulous dog groomers who make my dogs look oh so much better, and kinda funny:)

6.Thanks to sweet Activity girls who are so forgiving when I mix up the times for our Activity!

More Happy Thoughts!

1. Great friends who stop by when you need them, but they didn't know you needed them, and offer to let you send items in their weekly packages to England to your hubby!

2. Sweet SIL's and BIL's who offer to take your kids for a couple of hours so you can have a breather!

3. Mom's who come and pick up your apricots so you don't have to:)

4. Job Interview's.

5. Sweet neighbor's who let your kids swim in their pool. At night. With the lights out.

6. Great friends who offer girl's nights out!

7. Bear Lake next week!!

8. Wifi at McDonald's, and the temple letting Matt call home for a few minutes each day.

9. Neighborhood friends for your kids.

10. Blogging. Being able to journal about our life!

Happy Thoughts....Happy Thoughts.....Happy Thoughts

I am going to try real hard to have alot of happy thoughts over the next month. We dropped off Matt at the airport early this morning. A month in England is a hard one for me to swallow. He's a great guy which makes it easy to miss him right away! So here come the Happy thoughts!

Hugs, sunny days, swimming, camping, playing games with the family, dragonfly's, butterfly kisses, summer breeze, fireworks, children laughing, lunch with the girl's, sweedish fish (thanks Emily!), shopping, good books, family.

What are your Happy Thoughts right now? Feel free to leave me a comment!! I love to know what everyone's Happy Thoughts are!!!

Thankful

I just wanted to express how thankful I am for the people who have and do serve our country. Over this weekend being able to celebrate with my family, seeing colors of red white and blue, flags flying high, patriotic songs at church, soldiers at the parade, and jets soaring in the sky. I am so thankful for this wonderful country that I live in!