Tuesday, after having 4 extra kids at my house for a good part of the day, the house was a bit of a mess. Dillon was working late again, so besides the typical gourmet meals I normally cook (yah right:), we had eggs and toast. It’s always fun watching a big storm, but it was a special treat during dinner since it was a heavy rain from the flash flood warning. The kids went outside once the rain had died down and I started to clean up the dishes and took out some meat I had bought the day before to bag up and freeze, and honestly was looking forward a bit to bedtime for the kids so I could curl up on the couch reading Gone with the Wind. Life has been a bit wearing and stressful lately, but I was feeling content that evening, despite a few struggles lately–our own storms of life. (when it rains, it pours, right?)
C had been dashing up and down the stairs a bit “secretively” but I didn’t bother to ask why. He walked into the kitchen holding my winter coat, some socks, and my work-out sneakers. “Mom, do you want to come play with us?” I looked around the messy kitchen and at the chicken sitting on the counter. Those words don’t come as often as they used to from my 7 year old, and I knew I had to take the opportunity this time or I might regret it (because I’m not always good at saying yes). “The chicken can wait.” I thought to myself as I stashed it back into the fridge and told Carson how sweet he was for getting all my stuff ready to go outside. I put the coat on but told him I was ok in my flip-flops.
I went outside into the freshly cleaned world and suggested we take a walk. I find it easier to really “be” with my kids when we leave the house. Do you? I wasn’t going to grab my camera but I’m so glad I did. These poses were all their ideas.
Letting your kids jump in puddles makes you feel like a better mom. :)
We’re definitely looking like the “neighbor’s kids”, aren’t we? Stringy hair, pj’s and sandals, swimsuits, snow boots, and holey jeans. Sometimes that’s just how we roll. 
The sky was still very cloudy and I thought there might be a great sunset. So we loaded up in the van and bought some churros on our way to the place I wanted to go. My boys saw the flags at Del Taco and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
We headed to a cool rock by the Great Salt Lake a few minutes from our house. Churros!
And even though the Great Salt Lake is kind of like a horrible, no good, very bad smelling lake, it’s so beautiful. None of the pictures you see by the lake have been edited—I love my camera!
My kids weren’t happy with my choice of hiking shoes that prevented me from taking them up the rock too far, but I was too nervous to be up on top without Dillon to help anyways.
But they contented themselves by throwing rocks.
We couldn’t have asked for a prettier sunset. So beautiful. (I wish Dillon could have been there!) 
A beautiful evening together with my kids that might have been totally different at home and certainly not near as rewarding. And it all started with a storm.
That’s just about the most precious thing ever that they asked to you come play with them! And they even brought you gear. I love this post, love the story, love the pictures. Thank you!
This just brought tears to my eyes, what a beautiful evening. I feel horrible as my bug just asked me to play with him and I told him no. Now I am off the computer to play with my kiddo. I needed this today thank you!
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I love you, Christie. I can’t tell you how much I admire you and you inspire me. Thank you for being the mom you are, and the person you are.
And the pictures are incredible.
Love it Christie! You have such cute kiddos!! And I LOVE your pictures! What a gorgeous sunset!
how beautiful! and i had to chuckle…we are always the “neighborhood kids”:)
What a totally sweet post! Thanks for the great reminder. See, you really are SUPER MOM!
Beautiful pictures! And a great reminder to stop and enjoy our kids.
I have been following here for a little while now. What a lovely, lovely post.
Christie, I’m a grandmother now. Have been for all of four whole years and I can’t tell you how touched I was by your blog today. I’m typing through my tears at this moment. I was fortunate enough to be a work at home mommy and loved the flexibility it afforded me to be able to spend time with my children. The time passes so quickly and now my baby has babies. Maybe I’m just being overly emotional today…LOL. I loved the pictures of your precious little ones. Their expressions just made me giggle out loud (or GOL as my daughter and I call it). Keep doing what you’re doing. I can assure you that you’ll never regret the times you stopped and played with your treasures and they will always have lovely memories of their beautiful mother. Have a blessed evening.
Sorry to hear that there have been a few trials for you and yours recently but, boy, did you come out fighting!
Your post is a real triumph of finding the silver lining (in your case almost literally!)and a wonderful reminder to lift your head and be grateful for what’s around you. xxx
What a beautiful post!! I love this :)
Oh this sweet story made me cry! I love how your son got your jacket and your shoes ready before asking you to come play. You are such a wonderful mom. And the pictures are beautiful!…especially the one with all that green grass. Pretty!
Some weeks I am out everyday. it is definetely easier to enjoy your kids when there isn’t dishes calling you or washing to be folded… What a GREAT afternoon.
what a sweet post christie! :) it’s so true.
What a beautiful post Christie! You are one of the sweetest moms that I have met through blogging. :)
lovely! I have been ‘leaving the chicken’ a bit this weekend. No regrets! And it’s so true… I feel like a fantastic mom when I allow/encourage Nicole to play in the puddles… or even join her! ;)
wow. a beautiful excursion with the kids. Those pictures are fantastic. I like how you said “sometimes it’s hard for me to say yes” since I often feel that way too. Something to work on with the kids for sure! Reminds me to get out and enjoy summer while it’s here. Great post.
Think I need to follow you because it’s nice to see that someone is getting rain this week. The temp here today reached 108, with a heat index (whatever that means) of 130. (west tennessee) Would L-O-V-E to splash in puddles right about now…