A few things we've been up to.....


Here is Jeremy thinking he is a firefighter. He decides to burn some of the hundreds of tumbleweeds we have, and almost melts our fence! Thank goodness he didn't. That would have really been ugly!

Phoenix Zoo

We went last weekend to Mesa and stayed with my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Joe. Her granddaughter Tessa helped her with the kids while Jeremy and I went to a session at the temple. After that we took the kids to the zoo. Let me just tell you, each one of the photos below cost me a dollar! When we get there all my rechargeable batteries are dead. So Jeremy, the wonderful husband he is, went into one of the shops and bought camera batteries. They were 7.99 for 4 batteries. If any of you know Jeremy he is VERY frugal. So this was a huge expression of love for me. He knew I really wanted pictures.

I myself have been super busy. I have had two enrichment activities to be in charge of and help at. One really big one were anyone from the ward who signed up came to assemble 72 hour kits. One funeral to help with, the pleasure of a wisdom tooth trying to come in, preparing a lesson for this Sunday, (I haven't taught since Morenci) and then just trying to keep up with all the household things. Having a calling in RS has been a very good experience, but it will take some getting used to. It is taking some adjusting for the whole family. New schedules, Jeremy doing a ton more for the kids and keeping them alot at night and on Sundays, and just the fact that now I worry, keep in contact, and pray for over 160 sisters at different times. I never before realized how much our leaders pray and care for each member of the ward. My goal that I set at the beginning of the year was to enjoy the little things with my children and not stress so much about the house and things like that. It has been going pretty good. I still have a long ways to go. But I am trying. And now in my life, it has become so important I do because I am gone more.

Enjoying the Moment

I receive the LDS Gems from the church via email each day. Today this one came. I thought it was a wonderful reminder for such a busy world.


Enjoying the Moment

"What can . . . young mother[s] [do] . . . to reduce the pressure [of raising young children] and enjoy [their families] more? . . . "Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction. "Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less' (Loud and Clear [1004], 10-11)."
M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109

Updates

I can't believe it! Fisher has 2 teeth on the bottom. He is only 5 1/2 months old. The youngest the others got teeth were 10 months! He is growing up too fast for me. He is still such a sweet baby. And so good too! He is a blessing in my life. He has made being baby number 5 easy for me. I am able to accomplish all I have to get done. I think Heavenly Father knew what I needed.

I am happy to report Hunter did much better this Sunday in Primary! I am very proud of him. Even without a bribe :) We did make cookies for both primary teachers with a card and he hand delivered them. I think it really made him think. He realized he really hurt their feelings. It was a sweet moment for me. He is growing up so quickly.

I have had a change in my life. I was called to be the 2nd councilor in the Relief Society Presidency last Sunday. This was something I was not expecting at all, (but who does??). I haven't been the Food Storage Specialist that long, and that was going really well. This will mean alot of things for me. First, I will have to face my fear of speaking in front of others. Second, I will really have to get out of my comfort zone and talk to others I really don't know. And last, I know this will be a wonderful opportunity to serve. I have mixed emotions. Nervous, excited, and many others. I just keep telling myself, " The Lord doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called". I really love that quote. Espcially now! It was a special time for me when I was set apart. I was given many blessings that brought alot of comfort to me. I am very grateful for the gospel and the oppurtunity it gives us to grow. The Lord truely does know each of us personally. I am so grateful for my testimony and the part it plays in my life. One of my favorite scriptures quotes is from Sister Dalton's talk in last conference. This will be my motto.

" In the strength of the Lord I can do all things."

Just a Thought

"Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food . . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free."


The Sister that came from Gilbert and did our ward 3 Month Supply Presentation has a wonderful blog she does for her ward. It has so many great ideas, and she is a real motivator! She is doing a weekly list of challenges to accomplish. I challenge you to try it! It feels good to be working on it.
http://sssix.blogspot.com/

"What Have I Been Doing?" you ask.

I don't really know myself. That is why I haven't posted in FOREVER.

I haven't really gone anywhere exciting. I did get to go to Mesa with my dad alone (had Fisher of course). I was able to go to a session at the Temple. Much needed!

I have been doing alot for my calling (Food Storage Specialist). The RS president and I have a Back to Basics group we organized and have a monthly activity. This month was a 3 month supply presentation to figure out what you would need to shop for have 3 months worth of food on your shelves. It went very well. It was a little stress, but not bad. I didn't have to talk or anything. Just plan. For anyone who knows me, public speaking and I are NOT friends. Next month we are assembling 72 Hour kits. So Eileen and I have been shopping for that. We look pretty funny going out of the store with 4 baskets full of odd food. But we were able to do a little missionary work at the check out stand with the cashier! She was very interested in our endeavor.

Jeremy and I found out yesterday HUNTER has been kicked out of his primary class for the past two Sundays. Funny story to go along with that. The Primary President called last night to CLEAR UP a few things. She was worried Hunter might come home and tell us the HIS story. she has to come and get him from his primary class because he was misbehaving. She takes him in the primary room to sit with her. Well, I am not sure why, but he kicked her in the shin. He has done it to me before. So she told him, "Don't kick me again". And of course he did. So she said "If you kick me again I will kick you back." let me add this is a women who has raised 4 boys. I am not too worried. And he just couldn't help himself and kicked her again. So instead of kicking him, she hits him in the shin with her knuckle. So he yells"Hey, that not a kick, that a HIT"! She just starts busting up laughing. Than he gets mad at her and yells "You laughin at me"! Jeremy was cracking up when she was telling him the story. So we promised to do what any good parent would do,

TALK to him.

Will we use bribery?

Most likely!

Will he behave??

I'll be praying all week he will.

Do I like sitting in primary with 10 4 year olds?

Not really.

And that is what will happen if he doesn't behave.

Can you tell I've done this before??

And now for Miss Savanna. Two Sundays ago while I am taking a shower, and JEREMY is WATCHING her, she decides to paint her own toenails.

Did she choose a great color?

Of course!!

But it got all over my carpet. Her toes turned out great though! For a 2 year old anyway. Here is the finished product.

I came into my room on a later date and found her like this.

I thought it was too cute. She was acting so serious.

As for this week, I have Visiting Teaching planned.

I am looking forward to any new exciting adventures that will come my way! They are to strengthen us, aren't they??

just keeping it REAL

I always love to read my friend Jennifer's posts. She is always REAL about their life. I love to read about family vacations, but often wonder what really happens behind the scenes. I thought it would be fun to scrapbook one of our family outings on the more REAL side of things. We decided to take the kids up to Crazy Horse to play in the snow during their Christmas Break. We took stuff to cook for lunch and had a really great time. But, as any mom knows, everything isn't always a dream.

I think he really thought his fingers would be cold forever. Well, he acted like that anyway. But daddy came and blew some warm air on them, and once again he could feel them. What a great daddy! Not only for saving Hunter's fingers, but for planning the whole trip. Jeremy is really good about planning little trips for me and kids. We love you Daddy!

tHe BiG oPeRaTiOn

don't worry... just the game!

This was one of the funniest games we have played with the kids. Savanna & Hunter had no idea it would buzz and light up, which is the real reason it was so funny. Jeremy got the whole thing recorded on video. The older girls thought it was SOOO funny when Savanna made it buzz. Savanna jumped and her eyes got real big. She wouldn't hold the tweezers after the second time. It was so fun to laugh and see the kids laugh too with each other.

Times like this together make me happy. And I know the kids love it too. I can remember alot of fun times when I was younger with my family. My hope is that my children will have just as happy a childhood as I did.

Resolutions

I have been reading everyone blogs about their New Year's Resolutions. They are very inspiring. I've decided this is my year to have more fun with my children. I will admit I am very crazy when it comes to my house. I like order, clean rooms, laundry in drawers, toys put away, and so on. But I come to realize how much I am missing out by obsessing about a clean house. I've also come to realize it will NEVER stay clean. Plus it makes me grouchy to stress over it all the time. My babies will only be young for a short while. So , my hope is to find a happy medium between the two. I've also decided to have a monthly goal instead of just one large goal. They mostly consist of things to help me be a better me and in return, help me be a better mommy. I've come to the conclusion that if I do not replenish my body and spirit daily I will not be the wife and mother I should be. To name some of the goals: exercise, daily scripture study, individual time with the kids, monthly temple attendance, and lots of other things. How will it go? I can't tell you at this point. But I do have good intentions!