a day in the life of...

Today has been a pretty typical Rogers' summer day. If you're interested in what goes down, read on.

I was awakened by a screaming bladder. Upon realizing sleep was no longer possible I dressed and went to the gym. I busted my booty for an hour on the treadmill enjoying my latest love, interval training. I followed that with 15 minutes on the elliptical; I only go backwards as to boost my posterior as gravity is constantly pulling it in the downward position. My favorite post-workout activity followed...stretching. awwww!

I returned home to find the girls watching tv, reading, and chillin'. Dust was working away at the office. We hurriedly picked up, showered, dressed, and headed out the door for the free Monday movie at the Rave, "Dolphin Tale." As the movie is at 10am and I don't want the girls eating candy or popcorn at that hour we stopped at Walmart so as to purchase a mega bag of sugar cereal--my movie treat of choice for the girls. It's cheap, sweet, and enjoyable (to them. It smells quite like throw-up if you ask me).

Following the show Tater and Bug went home with the Reeves to play with Caroline and Sammy. Montana, her friend Alyssa, Kennedy and I stayed at the Commons for a bit. Kenne and I dined at Zoe's enjoying our favorite--the hummus and salad plate with whole wheat pita, while Tana and Alyssa chose to partake of Tropical Smoothie's offerings. We peeked at a few shoe stores' selections, Kenne is dying for a pair of light blue Sperrys, and returned home.

The girls were able to enjoy the afternoon, free of tormenting little sisters, while I forced myself to look at my dreaded computer and textbooks for my last assignment. I may as well be gutting a pig; I loathe schoolwork in the summertime! Mid-assignment my eyes grew heavy and I dozed for nearly an hour.

I awakened fully refreshed and departed for the Destin City Library with Tana and Kenne to return our mountainous stack of books and DVDs. Once the girls selected new and exciting summer literature we headed east to reclaim our family's youngest. As it is Destin, and summer, and it was late afternoon (the Burmuda Triangle), Hwy 98 was a parking lot. It took longer than necessary but we once again were together, the Rogers girls.

Since the produce level in our home had dropped well-below a desirable level we stopped at Publix to purchase some much-needed fodder for dinner: raspberries, blueberries, cherries, bananas, cucumbers, mini peppers (red, orange, and yellow), hummus, and wheat thins. This was our dinner and it was truly scrumptious.  

I once again posititoned myself at my computer, lesson 15 be gone!, and knocked out the remaining lesson requirements prior to Midterm #2. The girls and I read Mosiah 28 (without Dad, he was still plugging away at the office), had family prayer, and tucked tuckered out number four into bed. Numbers one, two, and three enjoyed 45 minutes of reading, welcomed Dust home with hugs and kisses, then spent a few minutes on the couch with Dad before ascending to bed.

The house is quiet, delightfully so. My lesson is complete, hallelujah! I will study for a day or two, take my exam, write my last paper, finish my remaining journal entry requirements, request and take my final exam (for this class. Not total. Eight classes to go.) I must do this all before July 11th; I go to Youth Conference at Troy University July 12-14 and leave for Utah July 16. Yee haw!!!

I will now cuddle my hubby for an hour or so. He's an exhausted fellow tonight. He has been to Andalusia, AL & back and worked his little heart out in his efforts to support his five crazy girls. He needs some TLC followed by some REM (sleep, not the band=blech!!).

I will wash my face, floss, brush, swish my mouthwash, read my scriptures, say my prayer, and fall asleep to "Friends" on Nick @ Nite. Just as I do every night of the week.

...ye have done it unto me

It's amazing how much a leader can influence others. Our Activity Days leader is phenomenal. I served with her years ago in Young Women. She gives her whole heart to her callings. Kennedy and Tatum absolutely love her! Her name is Julie Reeves and she's amazing.
A couple months ago she gave the girls each a clicker and encouraged them to focus on their good thoughts. Each time they had a good thought they were to click their clicker once. Amazingly the girls all ended up with thousands of clicks.
Julie read about the idea of the clicker on Hilary Weeks' blog--"Billion Clicks--Think. Click. Be". After the girls' tremendous success she decided to email Hillary Weeks about our Sandestin girls. Hilary Weeks' did a blog post about our girls' experiences. Read it! You'll be impressed!! Tatum and Kennedy are even quoted in the post.
http://www.billionclicks.org/blog/2012-06-11/totally-terrific-tweens/

As a mother I couldn't be more thankful for leaders that serve the Lord and magnify their callings. I am constantly blessed by the service of those who work with my girlies. It's truly incredible how much the faith and testimonies of others impress my sweet girls.
So to all serving in various capacities I offer a very sincere Thank You!!!
Whether you know it or not you are guiding and shaping my girls on their journey to the temple and ultimately exaltation.

Currently the Hawaii temple is my girls' favorite. They take after their mama. I love it too; I always have!

the good life

It's interesting how children inherit such a variety of traits and characteristics from their parents while others go larger uninherited. Dust and I are both fiercely competitive. We both found sports (me track, Dust golf) a fabulous outlet for our competitive natures and attained success therein.
Tana and Kenne are fabulous runners but they are pretty uncompetitive at this stage of life. It's agonizing at times (for Dust and me) as they are more than happy to oblige the runners moving past them in a race. They're all manners and grace. Their skills are there...it's the edge we're looking for.
At their track banquet last month their coaches' comments about them were hilarious! Everyone was dying laughing as Coach Stevens, on the left,

described Kennedy as an incredibly polite runner. He said, "We need to get her to run like her mom. Her mom's an angry runner. Kennedy needs to be an angry runner! She's got the skills, she needs the fire." He also talked about how sweet Kenne is on the track and in school. Of course we all know this!
Coach Stevens talked about Montana's complete hesitance in joining this year's team (due to her broken arm). She missed tryouts and was so concerned about taking someone's spot. He repeatedly asked her if she wanted to run. She'd always reply, "Yes but since I couldn't try out I don't want to take a spot from someone who earned it." He said he finally had to get forceful with her and say, "Montana! Do you want to be on the team??" She gave a quiet "yes" and she was given a spot on the team. Coach said she should be called California Rogers, not Montana, because of her blond hair and blue eyes.

Cute Kennedy was nominated by all her fellow sixth graders as the Marvelous Marlin. They chose one sixth grade girl and one sixth grade boy. Kenne and her cousin, and best buddy, Carson were the two selected. We're so proud! The certificate lists the traits for which they were nominated. Yay, Kenne!

Last week Tana, Kenne and I went to Girls Camp. We had a fabulous time! Our theme this year was "The Good Life". We focused on all things that encompass the good life: marriage, family, righteous living, serving the Lord and others, remembering our individual worth and divine nature, cherishing home and family life, temple worthiness and attendance, being good homemakers, etc. I love being at camp with my girls!!

Our cute Sandestin girls--l to r: Kennedy, Natalie Forester, Riley Holahan, Montana, and Lauren Forester.

How thankful I am to be living the good life!

I cherish my family and I am relishing every minute of summer 2012!!!