A Big Change

About 6 1/2 years ago we made one of the biggest changes of our lives, we made the choice after lots of thoughts and prayers for Darrell to take a job with the Walmart Home Office- which required us to move to Bentonville Arkansas. Our thoughts were we wanted to raise our girls in a family friendly area, with great schools, and great people. We found everything we thought we'd ever want and need here. It took a little while to adjust but we were really happy. There's no way to really describe what it's like to live here, it's this great little bubble. It's an area that has not really been affected by the economy- there are jobs and the city keeps growing! When you walk anywhere people make eye contact with you and wave and even say hello. We had neighbors knocking at the door and introducing themselves the day we moved in, then invites for dinner at people's houses. We have friends that are so close to us that we consider them family- because most every ones family is out west. We found incredible schools, schools that challenge our kids and want our kids to be pushed and exceed expectation. The crime rate here is low, in fact it is very rare to hear a single siren from an emergency vehicle.

So why are we leaving this great place?! I've asked myself this over and over- and it's because we know that the Lord wants us somewhere else. Somewhere cold with incredibly long winters, somewhere that is even farther then all our family. Somewhere that we don't know anyone or anything about schools, wards, and good areas.

We have felt for a long time that a change was coming for our family, but we didn't think it would be a change like this! Darrell received a promotion with the Walmart Home Office, he will be the Divisional Compliance Director over the Northern Plains Region. And his office will be in Bloomington Minnesota!

We are excited for this new adventure and the changes that will come, but so sad to leave Bentonville. I struggle with my emotions, I feel like I'm a traitor to Bentonville- why would we want to leave a place that has everything we've ever wanted I ask over and over. But I can't deny the feelings and promptings Darrell and I have had regarding a move, and we both know with out a doubt this is what we are suppose to do. But just because we have the confirmation to go doesn't mean it's an easy thing to do!

We are in the process of getting our house ready to sell, go to Minnesota and find a new house, get the kids enrolled in new schools, and get up there and settled before a new school year starts. I'm overwhelmed and stressed- but still have a calm feeling. The girls are excited a little, and sad a lot. Ashlee seems to be the one who is most excited to go- she can't wait for snow! And boy will she get her snow!

So, that's our big change, it's surprised us- but we are thankful to have lived in such an incredible little city! I never would have thought when we came out here 6 years ago that I'd be this sad to leave, but Bentonville has been great for us! And now as we start packing and moving I also know that we where we go will be good for us as well. Luckily we belong to a church that is the same everywhere you go- and with the changes we have automatic friends because of our church. We are looking in the St. Paul/ Minneapolis area for a home- and from what we've researched it's a great area to live- just a little on the cold side!

Challenger Soccer Camp

Ashlee and Baylee were able to attend the Challenger Soccer Camp. Lexi and Ashlee attended it when we lived in Las Vegas and learned so much, so we decided to try it again. It is funny to watch all the kids try and figure out what in the heck their coaches are saying because they are all from England and Scotland with heavy accents.

Baylee's camp was only an hour and they played games the whole time. It was games of learning to dribble the ball. Baylee's coach kept asking her to put the ball on the ground, but Baylee was so confused! They had asked them to dribble the ball around, and that's what she was doing- but she was dribbling like they do in basketball! When she came to get a drink I told her there were two kinds of dribbling, basketball with your hands, and soccer on the ground. After that she kept her ball on the ground, even though a few times she almost picked it up again.

As much as Baylee learned at the camp, she wasn't ever very comfortable with her group. Her coaches weren't mean at all, but they also weren't warm with the kids. You could tell they would get annoyed when kids couldn't find their own ball- because they are four and some can't read their name yet. So in all of Baylee's pictures she is usually making a nervous face or holding her hair. With that being said, she knows how to dribble the ball decently now, and can kick it really really well.

 

Ashlee was across the park and had a fun group of coaches. They worked on skills and techniques for the first two hours and then would scrimmage the last hour. Ashlee was on team USA, there were only 3 girls and 7 boys on her team. The other two girls didn't really play, they stayed together and talked most of the time. Ashlee was holding back on the first and second day because the boys were a little intimidating, but on the third day she was tired of not getting any contact with the ball and actually got in there and started playing. She got MVP that day, and surprised many of her boy team mates. I don't have as many pictures of her because it started raining and camp was canceled, but I was glad I got a few.

At the end of each day they did the craziest sounding chant, I wish I would have recorded it- it was hilarious! There is a soccer player named Yaya Toure, and the chant is his name over and over.

Great job Ashlee and Baylee!!



Princess Camp

When Baylee finished Princess Camp last summer she couldn't wait to go again, so when a whole year passed and she could go again it was a very happy day in our house!

She loved all the crafts, dances, cheers, tumbling, and of course the snacks that happen at Princess camp.

Baylee and Adeline

 



This year I wasn't able to sit and watch all she was doing, I had scheduled mine, Ashlee, Lexi, and Carly's eye appointments during the camp. Baylee would tell me in great detail all they did that day, and couldn't wait for their performance on the last day.

None of the teachers told us when to be there to watch their performance, so I got there a half hour before their camp was over, just to be sure I didn't miss it. I was so disappointed to see little girls leaving with their parents already- my heart sank, and honestly- I was a little mad!

I walked in and Baylee said, "You missed it mom, you're late." She had a sad face, and that upset me even more. Why in the world would they not tell the parents they were doing the performance so early, two other parents walked in the same time as me and were equally upset.

I had already been crazy busy trying to get ready for us to go out of town later that afternoon, so I was stressed, which is why I think I decided to ask the teachers. I don't think I was as nice as I meant to be though, I think she could tell I was really really mad! The camp went until 12:00 why would they do the performance at 11:25?! She saw that I was and the other parents were a little upset and they had the girls come in and do the performance again. It was adorable of course, and I was so happy I got to see it! Baylee was so excited to show me after that she can FINALLY do a somersault! She is a little more on the not so brave side, and she has been so scared to try a somersault. They had wedges to help the girls and Baylee was somersaulting on them on her own.

 

Would it surprise you to know Baylee is already counting down the days until next summer when she can go again?! Who can blame her, 4 days of Princess Camp, that is every little girls dream!



Cousins Visit and Crystal Bridges

My cousin BrieAnn and her two daughters Cora and Magnolia came for a visit- we had so much fun with them!

I felt bad that the week they came to visit I had a million random things going on, but there was still lots of time for play for the kids and visiting for BrieAnn and I.

The little girls were so stinking cute together! I don't know how or why they came up with a flash light game, but it was a favorite! One of the kids would shine the flash light and the other little girls would try and touch/ find where it is shining. I wish my computer would let up upload videos, because their giggles are so funny!

If you notice Cora is holding the flashlight in the first two pictures.:)

 Just on a side note: I need to hide the pink dress up Baylee is wearing, she lives in that dang thing and lately all her pictures are of her wearing it!!

 

Crystal Bridges!

 Lexi had an eye appointment and I needed to pick Baylee up from Princess Camp- so we met BrieAnn at Crystal Bridges. BrieAnn, Ashlee, Cora, and Magnolia toured the museum before we got there and we met in time for lunch. While eating a lady came over to me and told me what well behaved children I have. Uh, she thought BrieAnn was my daughter too- made me feel old for a minute, but it was really funny!!

 I loved seeing their smooshed up faces from the headphones.

 Lexi and Ashlee didn't really know what to do in the children's area, so they decided to color.

 Magnolia

 Baylee

 Magnolia with GIANT headphones on!

 Cora, BrieAnn, and Magnolia making their crafts.

 There were lots of things to make crafts with.

 Baylee started a puppet show and asked Lexi to play too, this is how the 13 year old played, Lexi was the duck eating the boys head!:)

 Lexi

 Carly

 Baylee

Ashlee

 

We had a great time with the Johnson family, my kids are already planning for their next visit. I should also mention they brought their dog Alice, she was such a good dog! Belle and Alice played all day, and then slept hard each night. It's been funny to watch Belle change from the hyper crazy puppy to the more relaxed dog that really enjoys laying around doing nothing. Alice wanted to play, and Belle sometimes would look at us like- what is this dog doing?!

Thanks for coming BrieAnn and girls!!



Dance Camp For Carly

Carly has been struggling with the decision of switching from tumble to dance, she loves them both but us having 4 kids involved in so many things- the rule is two sports/ activities at a time. Dance and Tumble are both year round, and she would love to do that, but really wants to play basketball in the winter also.

She decided to not do a tumble camp this summer, but do dance camps. She had a lot of fun in her dance camp, and surprised me with how much she hams it up while dancing!

 Her award was for having beautiful techniques, bright smile, and a respectful attitude.