Ballard Home

Building up a relationship (By Michela)

2011-04-03T19:49:00.003-04:00

Mekenzie and I had been BFFs since we were little, but as we got older that relationship started to fade. Eventually the relationship was gone. We told ourselves we couldn't be with each other. That all changed at Mekenie's baptims when it brought the memories back through a video of her life. It touched my heart to realize how much she touched my life. At the end of the video I burst into tears. I couldn't believe I let that go. At the end of the baptism I made a goal to build a relationship with this beautiful girl. This goal is now accomplished. I love Mekenzie and hope she lives a wonderful life with the gospel. - Michela

Summer 2010 - Back to School

2010-09-05T21:26:00.003-04:00

This year we had a great summer!! Lot of family time and swimming in the pool. We didn't sign up for any activities this year we just enjoyed each other. The girls had a great time together and got along so well I just decided to go with it. I don't know how many more summers they'll want to hang out together. We went to the pool every morning, it was like having our own pool as people wouldn't start showing up till 10:30 - 11:00 which is about the time we were leaving for Jonathan's nap. Jonathan is really taking to the water and all the girls are swimming really well. Monet still needs floaties, but she is doing great. We will definitely miss the pool.

It is now back to schoo, homework, and school friends. I try to promote sister time as much as possible. Here are the girls on their 1st day of school. Madison is getting so big. She is really smart and reading well. Michela is the big 5th grader, queen of the school. Mekenzie is full of laughs and fun.

Monet is adjusting to it just being her and Jonathan at home. She has started riding her bike without training wheels. She will be starting a little coop preschool with a few of the moms in the ward this next week, which I think she will really enjoy. Jonathan is growing fast and moving fast. He is a really happy baby.

I have started a 300mile Nike challenge with the ladies in the neighborhood. It is a contest to see who can run 300miles first. I am trying to finish in 30 days. Zak says I'm getting a little obsessed, but it's fun. We'll see how it works out.

We are all enjoying life together. I love being a Ballard! - Deann

Jonathan's Blessing

2010-01-23T22:23:00.003-05:00

Jonathan Tyler Ballard

Sunday January 17, 2010 Zak gave Jonathan a name and a blessing through the power of the priesthood through which he blesses our family each day.

Blessing

You are a choice spirit.

You are chosen to serve in capacities in your life to bless the lives of others.

Blessed with a desire to fulfill the milestones of the church - baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, serve a mission, go to the temple, and be sealed.

Blessed with health and strength and growth as Heavenly Father intends.

Serve as a protector to your sisters.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to have the gospel in my life and be married to a husband who holds his priesthood with honor.

It was great to have my sisters and brother and his kids join us for Jonathan's blessing. The cousins had so much fun together. They are all growing up to fast. Thanks to Ellen they are all laughing and having fun. They love to sit on her lap and do horsey rides.

Jonathan has been a great baby. I hope I can be a good mother and raise my son so that he to will be able to hold and honor the priesthood like his father.

He was such a good baby the whole day. Here he is smiling on cue. That night he let me know he still knows how to cry, but he put on a good show for all the company.

He will always be surrounded by girls. I'm sure he'll learn to hold his own and give them a hard time, but now they just can't get enough of him.

We love you Jonathan and are so grateful you are in our lives.

Enjoying Life

2009-07-18T11:42:00.008-04:00

It's been a busy last few months. We made it through the end of school with fun run, field days, and kindgergarden graduation. They didn't do a kindergarden graduation for Michela but it was really cute to watch Mekenzie. They are both growing up so fast.

Speaking of children, we found out that we are having a boy and Zak couldn't be more excited. The girls were thrilled when they found out but when we took away some of their furniture to set up the boys room they weren't too happy. Madison especially didn't think that was cool. When we found out Zak was so excited that we went out the same night and got all the stuff for the boy's room. Zak and I spent that night setting it all up. When Madison woke up the next day she found her dresser and table from her closet in the baby's room. After a few weeks of shopping around all the rooms are finally set up. Madison and Monet have the cutest pink girlie room. Michela and Mekenzie got the bunkbed they've been hoping for with the agreement that the other two can also play on the top bunk with Michela.

The summer has been going by quickly with cheerleading champ, morning swimming, reading, library shows, and alot of just playing together. It is so cool that the girls all get together and play really well. It's always fun so see what game they come up with next. We have speakers setup in the backyard and they love dancing for hours to Kid's Choice. They also love fighting over the hammock Zak got for Father's Day. The only chance we get to spend time in the hammock kid free is after 9 when they're all in bed. Over all it has been a great summer to far, not too hot with nice breezy evenings. Oh, and Zak had his 34th birthday with his favorite Baskin Robbins ice cream cake.

The 4th of July was another story, being here in South Carolina we were looking forward to creating our own little fireworks show. Then three weeks before the 4th, Zak was called to head up the activities committee. He was informed that not only would he be in charge of the annual Fort Mill Ward 4th July party but that they were extending it to be a stake event. It was alot of work and not alot of help. Three weeks is not long to cordinate this large of event. It turned out great according to several attending and Zak and I were crazy busy all day, luckily we have such good girls that kept themselves out of trouble. About 600 people showed up and we had just the right amount of food. The firework show was amazing. (Thanks to a few generous donations) It's still crazy that you can purchase that level of fireworks at the local store. Especially coming from California where you can only get poppers. We were very exhausted for the next few days and I'm just glad it wasn't my calling and I didn't have to worry about a thing, HAHA!!. We told the stake they have to take a more active role next year if they want this to continue as a stake event.

The next thing we decided to do is go camping as a family. We have the camp ground reserved for the first part of August and Zak has been enjoying finding and purchasing all the things we could possibly need. We already had alot of stuff that we bought when we first got married. We went and got a tent, lantern, stove, etc - and they have never been used. The tent is now too small for our growing family but we will finally get a chance to put the rest to the test. I'll let you know how it goes.

Fun times in the Ballard clan!!

Birthdays, Birthdays, Bithdays!!!

2009-04-21T13:43:00.005-04:00

The last few months have been crazy we had four birthdays and fun times with morning sickness. We also had busy season, Science Fair, Easter and Spring Break. We've really been enjoying each other and our home. Here are a few picutres to get everyone up to date.

Here are my birthday girls!!

They had fun with Easter and the aprons from grandma.

Monet had the funnest time with her new slid.

The birthday cake was a quick last minute. Monet was really excited as you can see. Once she saw her slid that was all she wanted.

Fun with the dress-up box.

Kenzie loving her big bike. She's always been my bike rider.

Kenzie with her birthday cake. This was my best attempt. She saw this picture in Madison's birthday celebration book. It was a busy fun day and covering the ice cream cones with chocolate was interesting but she loved it.

Madison with all her outdoor toys. We are all very excited for spring with out new big back yard.

Madison with her birthday cake. Madison when to the library a few weeks ago and I said she could pick out a few books. The only book she wanted was a Disney birthday party book. She spend the whole week looking through and finally decided on the Winn-the-Pooh cake. This was my first really homemade cake. It actually turned out pretty good.

Kenzie with her class science fair project. They won the kindergarden award. She had lots of fun trying to make their eggs float.

Michela's first science fair project. She ran the whole project. It was really fun figuring out how to make it all work when things didn't go quite the way we had planned.

My beautiful babies. They were having so much fun posing for pictures before church. It was a beautiful February day. I am so blessed to have such wonderful girls!!

Dentist & New Baby

2009-03-09T14:07:00.005-04:00

Ok, so I have four girls with Michela (9), Mekenzie (6), Madison (4) and Monet (2), I finally decided we really needed to get to the dentist, for the first time. We found a local pediatric dentist that was covered by our insurance and made the appointments. The girls all did great. Great news, NO CAVITIES!! I was so excited. I have vowed to do better and have already made our 6 month appointment.

In other news I seems as though we will be enjoying the sounds of a new baby in November. We are Pregnant!! I'm really excited. The girls say it great as long as it's a boy. They say Daddy needs to have another boy in this house, there are just too many girls. We will be excited either way. I think this will be the last one. Fun times! Now I'm ready for a nap!

Snow Day!

2009-01-20T14:09:00.003-05:00

The day started with a 5:45 phone call letting us know that school was cancelled due to snow. We looked out the window and snow was coming down but the ground was just barely covered. In Colorado or Utah this was be nothing, but in South Carolina they don't have any snow equipment so they close down. Apparently it only snows maybe once or twice a year so when this happens the kids get a snow day. The girls loved it. We haven't seen snow in a while after living in Southern California for the last five years. The kids loved it for about 30 minutes then came inside because it was too cold. By midday the snow was going. Here are a few pictures of our snow fun.

Kenzie was the most excited. She stayed out for over an hour. She used all the snow she possibly could.

Christmas & New Years

2009-01-20T12:36:00.009-05:00

I haven't done very well on updating my blog, and I got called on it. Alright here it goes. We had a great Christmas and New Years. It was our first Christmas in a long time all by ourselves with out family. It was different but we really enjoyed each other.

Our Christmas Tree

Stocking - I sewed Monet's at the airport while waiting for delayed flights. Fun Day!!

The girls and I had alot of fun making cookies and treats for our friends.

My First Christmas Eve table.

Christmas Eve pajama's

Christmas Day

Monet loved Madison's dog more than any of her own presents.

We finally got the WII

Matching skirts from Nana

New Year's was lots of fun and a full house. All my family came except Martha. We did miss her. There were 10 adults and 11 kids. It was crazy but we enjoyed getting together. We got to put on a nice fireworks show. South Carolina has all the good fireworks nothing illegal about it. Lots of fun!!

Grandpa reading to Monet, Joseph & Caleb

Monet chasing the remote control car.

Fun outside with the cousins.

Michela & Naomie

Monet & Aaron. He was her favorite.

Since all the cousins were here Michela decised to celebrate her birthday a few days early so we could have a party with her cousins.

9 years old!

Hannah Montana cake - complements of Ellen

Ellen, Madison, & Monet having fun!!

Merry Christmas to Zak

2008-12-03T14:38:00.006-05:00

I really got into the holiday shopping this year. Hoping to boost the economy and give my husband what he has been dreaming of, I went out on Black Friday and completed all my Christmas shopping including a brand new truck for Zak. I just couldn't help myself. Zak couldn't believe it! I was going to wait and give it to him for on Christmas morning, but he is really specific about what he wants so I let him know, it was a good thing because initally I got the wrong options. We got it all figured out and picked it up yesterday.

Brave Little Maddie

2008-11-26T15:00:00.003-05:00

Well it seems at thought fall is the time for accidents. We had our own this last week. Thursday the girls has just gotten home from school and we were trying to figure out homework tasks. Madison and Monet were in the basement having fun on the couches. I could hear them laughing and screaming. Then I hear a different scream, Madison comes up the stairs and I call down are you laughing or crying. She says I'm crying and comes around the corner with blood all over her hand and a big gash above her forehead. I picked her up and she didn't cry anymore but I was scared. I didn't know where to go since were still relatively new. I yell at Kayla to run get the neighbor (she is a doctor of internal medicine for the hospital, she is usually never home this early so she must of had the day off). My neighbor comes running up, looks at the gash, and says let go to the hospital. I was shaking but we got all the girls into the car (she has two girls), and I followed her to the hospital. She called ahead to get us right in. The car ride was probably 15 minutes. Madison sat in her set holding the towel tight to her head, to keep from bleeding, without crying the whole way. We got to the hospital and they took us right in, but we had to wait for the doctor due to an emergency that had arrived before us (he didn't make it). By the time the doctor got to us Zak had arrived and my neighbor took Michela and Mekenzie home with her. We had to wrap Madison up in a papoose and hold her tight. I held her down and sang her song (A Ring Around My Finger) till she relaxed and went to sleep. They ended up putting 6 stitches in the inside (you could see the bone) and 14 on the outside. Luckily most of it is right along her eyebrow so it should be pretty well hidden. She did really well and was so brave.

Taking the stitches out was another matter all together. Yesterday we went to the pediatrician to get the stitches out. I was holding her head and pinning her arms down while Madison was screaming, STOP IT!! STOP IT!!. The nurse was sooo slow, it took almost 30 minutes to get them all out.

After we left all she wanted to do was go shopping with Mommy as the grocery shop with the little carts. I love my precious Madison!

I don't have any pictures, I lost the card for my camera. I'm just glad everyones ok, and no more jumping on couches!!

Fall Leaves & Happy Halloween

2008-11-07T17:49:00.007-05:00

I have thoroughly been enjoying fall. The colors are amazing, everything is so vibrant. You really miss out on that in Carlsbad, CA. Here are a few shots from my backyard. They just barely let you catch a glimps of what I get to watch everyday. I'll have to try and get a few more before all the leaves change.

Halloween was definantly fun. I love getting new costumes every year. The kids wear them constantly throughout the year so it's fun to have a nice new one once a year. We alway have fun picking them out and are so excited when they come.

Here we are on the front porch. Three witches, a princess, and a cute ladybug.

Matching Witches

Monet & Mom

Monet had a lot of fun at the trunk or treat. She was really excited to go around and everyone kept handing her candy. Once her little ghost bucket was halfway full she sat down, poured it all into her lap, and started eating the candy as fast as she could.

Madison and Mekenzie posing at the trunk or treat. You can see

our few sad decorations. The thing was ours was more decorated

them most of the other people. I really miss our parties in Carlsbad.

We had a lot of fun Halloween night. My brother, Aaron, and three of the cousines, Naomi, Ethan and Michael got to come over from Georgia. Rachel got sick and had to stay home with her mom, Bethany. The cousins had so much fun. They all had someone their age. Here are a few pictures of all the costumes.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Out of Gas

2008-09-25T14:34:00.001-04:00

We didn't get any weather from Fay but we have a much funner situation, no gas. Apparently a gas line was hurt in the hurricane and there are still 6 large refineries that are not back up, and this is where we get our gas. It is weird to go driving down the street and most gas stations are closed down. The few that do have gas have huge lines just waiting to get what they can. It is amazing how much we depend on gas for normal life. That and the resent storms has brought me to realize how unprepared I am. I have found myself making serious plans for our emergency preparedness. I keep ending up on websites for generators, food storage, water supplies, etc. With the state of our world right now you can never be too prepared. Perfect timing for conference, the RS session will be delayed, in our area, due to the gas shortage but I'm excited for next week. It is comforting to know we have prophets in our day for direction in a chaotic world.

We Won't Forget Friends and Family

2008-09-11T14:48:00.001-04:00

The last post was all about how much we love our new home, but I just wanted to let all of our friends and family from California to know we will always love them. So as you can tell I have my camera hooked up. Here are pictures from the last few fun weeks in beautiful California.

We will always miss and love our friends in Carlsbad, CA.

All Settled

2008-09-11T14:13:00.000-04:00

It has been a fun couple of weeks. The girls started school.

Mekenize loves kindergarden. Her teacher is Ms Dean and Ms Davis is her assistant. Michela is going to Ms Seager. The classes are small so they get to know each other well. They are also starting to enjoy school lunch. They catch the bus each morning at 6:40 (early), but they love riding the bus and say it's much funner than waiting for Mom. Madison is having a hard time with her sisters gone. She loves to help with Monet and constantly tell me how big she is and that she is ready for school, too. We did start going to a co-op preschool with four other moms. I told Madison it was her school but she is not convinced. She still wants to go to the real school.

I have also managed to get our house all put together. Here are a few of my favorite rooms. You can see the rest on our web album.

We have all settled in pretty well. They neighbors are great. We are on a girl block and constantly have a home full of screaming girls.

As I was driving Michela to acheivment days the other night, she said she really likes it her. She feels like South Carolina is home. Everyone has been so welcoming.

Our New Ward

2008-08-10T17:58:00.000-04:00

We're finally going to our new ward. I'm still in the CTR 8 class, Valiant 9. I made some new friends today, their names are Lauren, Cloe, Aden, and David. There are three girls and two boys in my new class. Girls rule!! Every end of Primary we go to the chapel for our talks, scripture and prayer. We also have mail. Mail is when they give us our scripture or talk assignments. I'm so excited for next Sunday. - Michela

We went to our new ward today. The girls were really nervous at first but once we found the right classes and they met new friends they really enjoyed it. The primary is double the ward we just came from. Having the familiarity of doing the same things really helped them feel welcome. It is so awesome to have the church community, it is such a testimony that is gospel is the same no matter where your are. You can go anywhere and feel welcome. The ward is kindof a far drive (20 min), compared to what we are used to, but they are talking about reallignment and also building a new building in Fort Mill which would be awesome. It is really awesome though to know we are meeting on the indian reservation, it is the first reservation that was fully converted. There are only two more weeks till the move and to school. The girls won't be able to start until we actually move into our house (politics). We got all the school supplies and new cloths this last week. They are counting the days. Zak headed out today for Chicago for a week so this should be fun with girls only here at the apartment. We are so looking forward to our house with our nice backyard. Fun times!! - Deann

We're Here

2008-08-04T14:13:00.001-04:00

Well it was a long stressful week to close out the house. With the movers moving at Union pace and things getting juggled around but we made is out in one piece. The girls did remarkable well given all that was going on. Thanks to some great neighbors who let us just hang out in their homes. We are here at an apartment till the home is finished in a few weeks. I have to say I am quite pleased. Everyone has said how horrible the weather is and I have to say it's really not that bad. I prefer the humidity to dry and it isn't unbearable. We do like the air conditioning though and I love the green thick trees everywhere. We went through the house it it looks great. It's much better in person, the pictures just don't capture everything. It will be a fun couple of week in this apartment without our things, but I'm sure we'll manage. - Deann

Last Week

2008-07-25T00:16:00.000-04:00

There is only one more week till the big move. It still doesn't seem like this is really happening. Things have gone by so quickly. I am so excited about the new house. We just got updated pictures today!

I as also a little nervous. I am really going to miss my neighborhood. It will be hard to beat with the cul-de-sac and neighbors that have become great friends. Everything will be new and we won't really know anyone or anywhere. The adventure will soon being but we are all together as a family and that is what is most important. I've heard the humidity is horrid but it is also very green and beautiful. It will take awhile to get into the swing of things but I can't wait for my dream house. It has been fun watching it be built.

2008-07-25T00:10:00.000-04:00

I saw this on my friend's blog and thought it was cute. Here is what you do...

1. Add a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is the most memorable for you.

2. Next, if you feel so inclined, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you...!

My Special Family

2008-07-03T19:47:00.000-04:00

My family is special in many ways. This is how they are special to me. My dad likes to fish and my mom watches me. My sisters like to play and play every single day. Now you know why they are special. I can't believe I have them. - Michela

I have a special family. I want to share with you. So you better listen so I can tell you. My mom has the babies. My dad goes to work. My sisters are the best and that is my family. I hope you like it so. I love you. - Mekenzie

How I help Monet in the morning

2008-07-02T21:51:00.000-04:00

Monet does not take a lot of my mom's time. She takes mine. I have to play with her so mom can do her work. I have to feed her cereal (which is the messiest job). For fun I read to her. The morning is hard work. - Michela

Just for Cousins

2008-07-02T19:53:00.000-04:00

Hello cousins, we're having great fun. I can't wait until you can visit our new house. Maybe it's going to have a treehouse and we could show you it. It's also going to have a ginormous playroom and a movie theater. We're still having fun in Carlsbad right now. We're lucky because our computer is plugged into a huge TV. We also get to go to the beach every Tuesday and Thursday. When you come and visit don't worry about toys because we have plenty. See you in our new house. - Michela

I love you cousins, I'm going to send a video for you when we get to our new house. Please send letters so we can remember you. - Mekenzie

We're Finally Blogging

2008-07-02T19:31:00.000-04:00

We have been viewing everyone else's boggs and Michela really want us to do our own. So we are joining the rest of you.

I love the whole world. - Mekenzie

So yesterday I did the cardnal sin of the beach. We were just going to go for an hour so I didn't put on sunscreen. We ended up staying for only two hours and it was overcast the whole time (which I know is worse) and both Monet and I got sunburned. Monet is recovering quickly. She will be ok. Hopefully we will be fine by Friday so we can go to the beach for the 4th. - Deann

I've been waiting for every for our new house. Only four more weeks till we go to Charlotte, NC. I'm glad because I'm finally going to get my own room!! I won't have to share with my little sister anymore. I am going to miss my friends so that is why I told my mom to start a blog. Then I can tell them everything that is going on and show them pictures. The best thing is that we are going to have a lot of room to explore. The house is ginormous. We're even going to have part of a forest in our backyard. If we're lucky we might even be able to build a treehouse. Check in daily to see more stories. - Michela