My Happy

Turning 2

We really had a fun time together at his party. I made chocolate turtle cookies in the waffles iron with homemade chocolate frosting and ice cream. They were really good. We wanted to try something other then cake for change. It was super relaxing to visit. Fisher has had so much fun with his toys. The train and the car you have to shake them and they make noise and go on their own. He LOVES them. He is such a sweet little guy. I am sad he is growing so fast. He is saying so many new things all the time. When he opened his first gift he yells "Awesome!!" It was so cute.

Welcome..........

My Day

Since the kids have been back in school things are pretty low key around the house during the day. We have our routine. Savanna goes to preschool Tues, Wed, Thurs from 8:00-10:00. She LOVES it! Fisher lays down for a nap at 11:00. I decided to FRESHEN things up a bit around here. I made some new pillows, hung things on the wall, and brightened up my curtains. I decided it is finally time to MOVE in and feel at home. It only took 3 years! I finally found some things to put above my kitchen cabinets. It is coming together. I painted a bunch of furniture that needed a face lift. I will post pictures once it is all done. It has been fun. I've decided I need to do more projects. I have kind of put all hobbies on the back burner and haven't really done much for myself. I really do enjoy it!

My friend Megan just got back from a fun trip to New York City. Her brother got married. She brought me back an awesome green handbag. It is so cute! I want to go there one day. She said the food is amazing.

Today is Fisher's 2nd Birthday. We are having his party tonight. I can't believe 2 years went by so fast. She is such a happy little boy. Very busy and gets into EVERYTHING!! But he is always smiling and happy. Loves to eat, play with trucks, watch t.v., jump on the trampoline, take wagon rides, swing, and everything else you can imagine. He keeps me really busy! I love this kid! We are so blessed to have him as a part of our family!

Life is good. My days are busy but enjoyable. I love this stage in my life right now. I am exhausted by nighttime. But happy.

Last Summer Swim Party

We had so much fun this summer going to Grandpa Don's and Grandma Penny's. Grandpa would fill up the pool and the kids would play for a few hours and we would eat something fun. They really looked forward to these times. I have really appreciated my parents for taking the time to do these special things for my kids. They will have so many memories with their grandparents.

A few weeks ago my dad wasn't feeling well. Very tired, hard to get a breath, and look pretty pale. He had been at my house and looked terrible. I tired to get him to go to the doctor, but he wanted to wait a few days. Well, a few days later he came back and looked worse. This was a Friday. He wanted to wait till Monday and not have to go the the ER. Well, he was finally convinced and went up to the ER. After some testing they found out he had a heart attack and ended up flying him to Tucson Heart Hospital. So I called Jeremy and he came home from work, picked up my mom and headed to Tucson. Before we even got their they had put in 2 stints. When the doctor came out they said they had a hard time breaking up the blockage and almost gave up on one valve. But they ended up getting it in. But the others have 50% to 60% blockage and there isn't really much they can do. He went to the doctor last week and met with the surgeon and he told my dad that he can't be doing anything that would make him strain. Lifting things and pulling on things or anything. This could cause a piece to break loose and he would die. They told him he was 99% blocked and had he waited till Monday, he would have died in his sleep over the weekend. He just retired. So this new is really hard for him.

This really opened my eyes to the fact we could loose him. He has a lot of heart damage. Loosing Linda has been very difficult for me. I can't imagine loosing my own parents right now. I am so grateful I live close to them and for our special time together as a family. They love and support Jeremy and I and love my kids so much. Life is so short and this has really made me think what I am doing. Am I getting angry at things or people and wasting my time here? Am I enjoying each day like it could be the last? Am I living each day like I want to return to live with my family and my Father in Heaven? Am I grateful for all I have? Something has changed for me and in me. I am learning to enjoy my kids even if they just destroyed my house. I am learning to love Jeremy depict his imperfections. I have many that he loves me in spite of. Our family has been happier. We have been having more stress free fun. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. But I know too we must build, strengthen, and enjoy our family relationships now to be able to be together later. I am most grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Without we would all be lost. Having the temple here has been one of the greatest blessing in our lives. Jeremy and I are strengthen each time we attend. We find our needed peace within those sacred walls. With 6 small children it is hard to go, but we are richly blessed by the sacrifice. I look forward to our time together there each week. What a blessing families are. And what a blessing we can be together forever!

Checkout Line Judgment

Do you ever find yourself waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store and you start noticing the lady behind you. She is well dressed, her children look like they just came from Baby Gap, she has all organic items in her cart and it's filled to brim with veggies and fruit, and to top it off she is caring a fabulous handbag. Then you start feeling like a terrible mother, wondering if your children even remembered to brush their teeth before school. Then you look down at what your wearing and feel completely frumpy, only to begin to start thinking how your wardrobe could really use a face lift and how you need to loose 30 pounds, but who has the money or the energy! Well that was me yesterday. I stood in the line for only about 5 minutes, and walked away feeling like a complete failure. That lady didn't look at me in judging way, she didn't inspect my cart and gasp, but I allowed myself to judge ME. Why do we compare ourselves to others we don't even know?? Why are we so hard on ourselves. I didn't know her, but yet I walked away not feeling good enough as a women or mother. I just don't understand it sometimes. I felt like she "Had It All". When I got out to my car I think I really realized what I had just done. It was ridiculous! I didn't know that lady. I knew nothing about her, but yet I completely judged her and put myself down. Does anyone ever find themselves there? We look at people with a bigger house, a nicer car, vacations we would love to go on, and so on, long for those things and forget our own blessings?? Not having any kids with me I was free to think and I thought about it on the way home. Then as I was passing the temple a peace came to me, and the thought came into my mind, "You are a daughter of Heavenly Father, and you are doing just fine, be kind to yourself." I think I completely forgot who I am and what I am doing. It is so easy to be distracted with things of the world and let Satan take over. Our minds are powerful. A word was never exchanged in that checkout line, but I had created those feelings of self doubt myself. So next time I am in the checkout line I will be just a little kinder to myself and remember to not judge the lady behind. Or, just look straight forward and sing "Count Your Many Blessings"!!

A New School Year!

The kids were so excited for school to start. They picked out their clothes, packed lunches, and got backpacks ready. This morning went pretty well. We got up at 5:00 though. Hopefully tomorrow can be just as successful. Hunter had a fabulous day. His BEST DAY EVER according to him. I loved school as a child, and a little of those past feelings come rushing back at the beginning of each school year. Same with summer. I loved it as a child. Can't believe Hunter is in school. Time is really flying by. Savanna started preschool today too. So was super excited. She felt so big getting to go. I thought about it today and realized that when Graham starts kindergarten, Carlee will be a Freshmen in High School! That freaks me out! Time is passing too quick! Carlee is in the 4th Grade and Loralie in the 3rd. This is going to be a great year. They all got the teachers they wanted and they are all fabulous!

Happy New School Year!

Back To School Family Home Evening 2010

Every year we have a Family Home Evening the Monday before school starts where we eat a favorite meal, recieve a Father's Blessing, and discuss our new Family Theme for the school year.



While studying my scriptures I came across the scripture in D&C 27:15-18. We try to pick a theme that will build them spiritually, strengthen our family, and help them during the year. When I came across this scripture I knew the power of the scriptures and what a difference it can make. So Jeremy and I talked about it and decided that would be our focus this year. We want them to LOVE the scriptures. We want to teach them the scripture stories so they can turn to the scriptures when problems arise in thier lives, and learn how the scriptures truly can give you the power you need daily. So we are going to work on helping them develope personal scripture study. I heard a talk on the BYU channel the other day that gave a specific way to recieve revelation and help from the scriptures. I've been doing this in my own life.

1) set a time to study the scriptures
2) pray before you start and ask Heavenly Father for the Spirit to be with you.
3) Thank Heavenly Father for the scriptures
4) Discuss with Him your problem or question and ask Him to help you find the answer in the scriptures.
5) After your study thank Him for the guidance.

It really does work. He wants us to know His will and help us with our trials and stuggles. We just need to ask and do our part.

I want to use the scripture D&C 27:15-18 as our main scripture to teach the principles.

15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to estand.
16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;
17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;
18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen



Thier are so many things you can do with kids and use this scriptures. They love it and understand it. I also love the song Scripture Power!

I love a new school year! I love schedules! This gives Jeremy and I the perfect oppurtunity to start new things with the kids and have a "House of Order". I will admit, I get lazy in the summer.

We have also decided to have a Family Declaration to repeat each morning before school. This will help the kids remember who they are and what we are doing here. I know we are sending our children out into a big world full of many scary things, but I know too if we will ARM them with the proper principles and covenants they will be ok. They need experinces to use the principles we are teaching them. They will learn to make good choices and find where real happeniess comes from. But I know I must do my part as a mother and teach them.

{Family Declaration}

We are devoted disciples of Christ; our family’s greatest goal is to gain peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. To this end we will honor and obey God, love and serve family, friends, and neighbors, be honest in all things, work hard and do our best, be grateful and be of good cheer.

Happy Mother's Day.....Better Late Then Never Right??

This was my Mother's Day gift this year. I LOVE it! I never did post about it. Playing catch up!

Big Lake Vacation Fun

{Vacation}

I love our vacation we go on each summer. Big Lake is so peaceful and beautiful. It is one of my favorite times of the year. We relax, see some of our very best friends, each lots of yummy food, and enjoy cool weather! I come each summer wishing we lived there. This year rained A LOT! But I still enjoyed it so much. The kids had a wonderful time. We stayed in tent, packed very light, and really enjoyed it. I love the freedom while on vacation. I love that I get to be with Jeremy all day without any outside stress. I love our family time!