Here we are again.....trying to blog! Let's see how long I get it this time. We are in full swing with school. I love sending the kids off to school, and I love them coming home (most days). Life in the Hurst family is good. It's moments and days like today, I thank God that I get the awesome responsiblity of raising my children. It is quiet in the house right now (everybody is relaxing), listening to calm music and thinking I don't want to ruin this sweet moment.

So, we went camping last weekend with the Cook's and the Barton's. I went VERY reluctantly. I even toyed with the idea of sending my family over to Catalina and me staying behind and enjoying the quiet and peace of the house alone. I knew that wouldn't fly (after mentioning it to Andre), I was told I was coming. So, then my goal was to be able to come home and say, "I am glad I went!" And I must say, I wouldn't have missed that fun, crazy weekend for anything. The kids were so entertained with the beach, snorkeling, tubing, exploring, they had the time of their lives. It will be a vacation they will not forget. We enjoyed throwing 5 of us in a tent (after Andre buying it off a store owner, his used tent. But that is Andre, making sure I am taken care of. Which I totally appreciated). Andre and 1 kid slept under the stars on an air mattress (it was priceless to here Andre and Nathan chilling under the stars talking). Yes, the Hurst family is not a pro at the camping thing. Andre even bought a little porta potty for me (made out of a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat attached, soooo cool!).

Andre made pancakes over the bbq, had bacon, OJ, cereal, Tri tip, salad, etc. We just ate and ate all day. When we went to town, instead of buying 20 ice cream cones, Andre bought two gallons of ice cream, cones, and we had our own ice cream party right there at the beach on Avalon. Who needs to spend $50.00 on ice cream, when $10.00 is better! He brought in breakfast from the restuarant one morning (he is always thinking). We just relaxed all weekend, enjoying friends and family.

Sunday night we tried to leave (gas station was closed), but ended up staying at a hotel instead, because we needed gas! So picture this.... Andre walking down Avalon in his wet suit, scuba mask attached, no shoes, looking for a hotel. It was hilarious (wish I had a pic). We end up going to dinner with the cook's and as we are walking in to sit down, I noticed some customers counting our 9 children. It was funny to see the looks on their faces! We do have a riot when we put our families together! It reminds me of my family outings as a kid....we always had a fiasco, or was too noisy at restuarants. It still happens today!@

So, in a nut shell: Sunday: Dinner $100, Hotel (tiny old room) $250, Memories: Priceless!

We arrived home the next day after stopping twice for Andre and Steve to spear fishing (didn't catch anything), and having fun on the boat!

And I look forward to our next camping trip!!!!!!

April 6, 2009
So much for my everyday posting.......... I have just finished 2 weeks of stress, messy house, and frazzleness as I have had my first BIG order (17 aprons), and a weekend boutique (that I only sold 1 apron, and bartered another one). Wow, it feels good to not have that on my plate. I was sewing every second that I had (which made me really realize how busy I am with life and family!). Now Andre is behind me on my sewing machine making a skirt out of his old shirt (3rd one-maybe he is finding a new passion).
Life with the Hurst clan is always interesting. We have ended on a nice note tonight (although Nathan told Jessica that he wished she was never born! DRAMA!!!) So Nathan got to stay home tonight as I took the girls to dinner and played a game at home and Andre took Christian bowling/yogurt shack (DATES WITH THE KIDS NIGHT). We switched off so that Nathan would not be home alone-who knows what he would have done if we had left him. He might have called 911 on us just because he was mad at us!
TWO NEW THINGS ABOUT ANDRE: 1. He purchased a new toy, much to my dismay... a jet ski,,,,,,, it is beautiful and sooo much fun! We have enjoyed taking it out the last 3 weekends and plan to take it to Lake Mead in May with the Wallace's. 2. We are reading scriptures with the kids at dinner time and having family discussions. This is the FIRST time in 14 1/2 years of marriage that Andre is taking the initiative and making this happen! WEW!!!! Sometimes are little discussions last 30-45 minutes. It is really enjoyable when everybody is happy and willing to discuss. It is seeming to make a difference in the house!!!
Spring break starts this week and boy am I excited to have NO HOMEWORK!!!!! We are going to play, play, play!!!

Well, now that it has been 4 months since my last post....I am ready again. I spend all kinds of time reading others posts, that I have decided it is now my turn to get into gear and do this on a daily basis, if for nobody else....then MY SELF!

As a back up note, our trip to Pleasanton back at TURKEY DAY time was fabulous! We could not have asked for a better road trip!

Now about today's days. We are heading to court for the final "parental termination" hearing. The girls are so excited to go! But what they are really looking forward to is missing school and go to the "Block" to go shopping. Going to court is just a side trip we are taking. I am looking forward to spending the day with the girls.

Life in the Hurst household is beautiful (at least right now,,, it is late in the evening and everybody is sleeping!!!) Our days as blending this family has for sure been VERY challenging. I had a friend ask, "do you have rewarding moments?". For the first time since bringing the girls into our family, that was a thought! Of course I have had many rewarding moments, but I don't think of them often. I have thought of the harder times and not focused on the good times. So, that is a new goal for me: to focus on my rewarding times. So here it goes, my 10 "rewarding" moments with the Hurst clan of 5 (I cringe everytime I think of 5 kids!)

1. Sitting in the office, listening to my kids, Emily and Cameron Cook play capture the flag in the house (3/6/09).
2. Enjoying the big girls play with my hair, and tickling my back just so they could stay up later (my mom taught me that one as a kid) (3/8/09).
3. Having the big girls run to the car after school and give me a GIANT hug after being out of town for 4 days (3/2/09).
4. Nathan making a mailbox outside of the kids rooms to write special notes to one another (3/09).
5. Having 5 children tell me that they love me!
6. Enjoying playing Hide-n-seek in the dark with my family (Andre included).
7. Ice cream snack after school with a game of Ice-Cream monopoly.
8. Seeing the kids interact with each other in a kind way.
9. Ashley helping Nathan feel better about his upset stomach.
10. Christian passing his word club words.

I love what I do! I get stressed and freak out quite often, but I would not trade what I am doing for the world. I need to remember this!

We have been blessed with the sweet daughters of Madison and Ashley and I look forward to the many rewards that I will receive for bringing them into our family. Tonight, Jessica and Nathan asked why we moved from Murrieta? I believe one of the reasons was to find....Maddie and Ashley!

8.

THANKSGIVING

So, here it is, my first FAMILY blog! Can't promise much because I am surviving the days of 5 kids! We are getting ready to take our first road trip as a family of 7!!!! Anybody jealous? 5 kids in a car and 2 parents will probably get a little HAIRY!!!! But, we are excited to get there and anxious for Madison and Ashley to meet their new cousins. We have a day in San Francisco, hitting Ghiradelli and riding trolley cars, plus the fun ride on BART (like a subway). So.......... stay tuned for the many adventures ahead!!!!