Summer Sillies

This summer while Mom was feeling exhausted and nauseous, kids spent tons of time being super silly. I feel like half of the pictures I took this summer were of these goofballs doing crazy things. Looks like a summer well spent to me! 

Becoming Eight

Some exciting news from our family.... 

We'll be adding another baby Ballard in March! 

Wait, what?!? You thought we were done. Well, to be honest, so did we for quite a few years. After Conrad was born, we were DONE having more kids. Five little ones ages 8 and under was busy and exhausting. But, over the last year, I've felt like maybe there was one more baby meant to join our family. Conrad has asked me multiple times when we would have a baby. Then our van was totalled and our new car seats one more. In the end we couldn't deny the prompting that our family wasn't quite complete. We're very excited to welcome this new little one to our home! 

Thankfully, I'm entering the second trimester and feeling much better. I was SO exhausted over much of the summer. Not to mention nauseous. My long list of summer projects never happened (except painting the school room. That one did finally happen though it took me a solid month to finish it haha!) We still managed to sneak in enough summer adventures for the kids though which was great. We'll get caught up on those projects soon enough. 

The kids are super excited about the baby. Conrad has told me "Your belly is big. But you're not fat; it's just a baby." Just wait kiddo. My belly will be huge before long! Eliza has decided to crochet the baby a blanket and has already started. She's the sweetest! 

When this baby gets here, there's no doubt he or she will be greatly loved! 

Entering the Terrific Teens!

We officially have a teenager! And she's such a great one too. It feels like just yesterday she was bouncing around randomly belting princess songs.. 

She may be older and wiser, but thankfully she is often still found singing and humming. She is participating in concert choir this year, and she LOVES it. 

We had a lot of fun celebrating Hazel on her birthday. She made her beautiful cake - it was simple and elegant, just like her. 

Hazel, you bring so much joy to our family. You are always quick to help out, a great babysitter, a funny playmate for all your siblings, and a truly great example. Someone once commented that we were lucky to have you as the "captain" of our team, and we couldn't agree more! 

This summer Hazel participated in a youth leadership program called Heroic Youth. They use medieval themed simulations to teach children and youth the qualities of great leaders, friends, and disciples of Christ. As part of her duty as a youth leader, she helped prepare to lead a 2-day summit for 8-12 year olds. She spent close to 40 hours over the summer in meetings and trainings preparing for the event. 

Another portion of the program required the youth to complete something called the Everyday Warrior Journey. Each day Hazel was supposed to reflect on successes she'd had, goals she's accomplished, and ways she could improve. Then each week she reported back to her leaders on her progress. I'm so proud of how dedicated Hazel was to this! She took the time daily to write, never needed a reminder to submit her weekly reports, and truly accomplished some amazing things this summer. She was attentive to needs in our household and helped without being asked. She took time to calm down as needed and respond with kindness. And, she reached a personal goal of finishing the entire Book of Mormon! 

Her role was as a Valkyrie - or defender. She was responsible for training the younger girls to use their bows and arrows, and for helping protect them during their mock battles. She was such a great Valkyrie. I mean, wouldn't you feel safer with her around?!? 

Hazel is still Irish dancing too. We got to watch her perform this summer at the Payson Scottish Festival. She did a great job! 

She also had her very first "driving" lesson while we were visiting Aunt Calla! 

Recently a friend at Forest school commented that he finally realized who Hazel reminded him of... a Jane Austin character. I think it was the best compliment anyone has ever given Hazel. Seriously, if this girl could go back in time and live in the Regency Era, I think she would! 

This year for school, Hazel is taking on a much harder load of classes and study. She'll be taking Shakespeare and a Revolutionary War/Constitution class at our homeschool co-op, Algebra 1 from the same math teacher as last year, a creative writing class through BYU independent study Rose, and chemistry with me at home. It will be lots of reading and a lot more writing, not to mention time-management skills, but she's so ready for it! 

As much as I hate to see my baby growing up, this new stage is so much fun. I love seeing Hazel having fun with friends, trying new things, learning who she is, and finding her path in life. She's so smart and capable. One recent day, Hazel woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Little kids, school, and just about everything were pushing her buttons (and I'll be honest, she was pushing mine!) But then she paused, asked for some time alone, took a break in her room, and must have said a prayer. That night she told me she'd received a prompting of something she needed to do. She did followed through, and it turned her whole week around! What a wise young soul. 

Hazel we love you forever and always! Thanks for making us parents, to your music, laughter, and light you bring in to our home. You are wonderful and we hope you never forget it!