pioneer day 2018

 We enjoyed a picnic at the park while daddy was at work (boo for not working for a Utah company!) While we were there, the kids took turns shaking up the bottle of cream so that we could have butter on our scones later. They thought it was cool, but Rudger was amazed by it all! I love five year old boys! ♥♥ 

We had dinner and talked about some of our pioneers. What a blessing it is to have the ancestors that we have and that we are where we are now because of each one of them. I hope the kids learn the values and hard work from those who came before them and especially appreciate that we live at a time when the gospel is on the earth. We have so many things to be thankful for, especially for family - before, now, and in the future.

Mother's Day

I feel grateful everyday that I have been given the opportunity to be a mother to these five children. Being a mother is a beautiful, exhausting, and joyful experience. These kids (along with their daddy) have made me the person that I am today. There is still so much growth for me to go through still, but I have worked really hard to get where I am and I am happy with my improvements. 

I was asked to speak on Mother's day about the Joy I feel in teaching my children about Jesus Christ. If I am going to speak about anything, this is the perfect subject. I love teaching my children about the things that matter most. I love teaching them principles that bring us closer to our Savior. My talk was based on what The Proclamation to the World teaches us about having successful marriages and families. faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities It really was an honor to speak on motherhood. And it's an even greater honor to be a mother. ♥♥

levi's baptsim

 :: the boys found a fallen flower, and Levi thought he was hilarious putting it on his head (those eyes and smile though) ::

Levi's Baptism Day!

We love you Levi! The gospel means so much to us and watching you take this first step and make covenants with your Heavenly Father made us so happy!

You were so fun when we took your pictures at the Salt Lake temple on the last day of summer break. You had such good ideas of where to pose and your smile was spot on! Afterwards, we went to The Lion House Bakery for a free roll. It was a good day.

Your baptism day was full of excitement from you, love and support from grandparents + aunts + uncles + cousins + friends, there was plenty of yummy food, and a special spirit was felt throughout the day.

corbin and the priesthood

When Corbin was so very little, I often thought, it is going to be so crazy when this boy is twelve and is in young mens, and is going to jr. high, and receives the priesthood, and is passing the sacrament. I always wondered what he would look like and what his personality would be like. I knew that time was very far away.

And now, here we are. And like everyone always says, that time went by WAY too fast.

On Sunday, we had grandparents and the bishop come over. We sat in the family room where the men laid their hands on Corbin's head and Justin gave the most beautiful blessing. Just like that, our little boy, who grew right up, had the Priesthood.

We have had some nights, since his 11th birthday, where he stayed up late with us and we talked about growing up. The challenges, the joys, trials he will face, and choices he will need to make. We talked about the Priesthood and what an honor it is. I hope he remembers this, but most of all, I hope he remembers the spirit that we felt and the love we have for him. This boy is so very special to us.

On Sunday, we gave him a special binder and inside we put some excellent Conference talks (ones we discussed leading up to his ordination), his line of authority, and some extremely special letters from his grandparents and great grandparents. Later that night, he wrote about this day and added it to his binder. I hope this will be something he will treasure even more in the years to come.

Sunday was a really, really good day.

Things to remember for the future: take pictures before daddy changes, check everyone's hair before taking pictures, make sure white shirts are clean so he doesn't have to wear a sweater vest to cover the spill, (and make sure it is a vest that is not too small), have him wear a tie and tuck in his shirt. 

That's not asking too much is it.... :)

11.24.2014 - for answered prayers

Last year Taylor fell down and had to get stitches on his forehead. It was a dark, snowy, wintery evening. A friend took our other children until Justin could get home. As we were driving there we got lost in a neighborhood with steep roads. As we were driving up one road I realized the van would not be able to make it so I tried to pull into a driveway to turn around. It was so slippery, I was certain we would either crash into a car or just lose control and roll down the hill and possibly crash into a house. I was nervous, but calm at the same time. We made it out and got to the hospital safely. 

At the hospital I was talking to Justin on the phone, he said when he got home with the kids. They knelt down to say a prayer to bless Taylor and to make sure that mommy and Taylor would make it to the hospital safely. We realized that prayer was said right when we were on that steep hill. 

It was a tender mercy for our family. I feel so grateful knowing that Heavenly Father is so aware of us and continually answers prayers in big things and little things.

11.23.2014 - for the book of mormon

Recently, as a family, we finished the Book of Mormon. I love this book and I love that we read it as a family.

Earlier this year we asked Corbin to read the Book of Mormon everyday. And on this day, he finished it. I loved looking over at him during the Sacrament reading away. He had just started Moroni that morning and was determined to have it finished by the end of the day. I cannot adequately express how happy this makes me. It just does. 

I asked him what his favorite part was. His response: When Coriantumr cut of Shiz's head and Shiz struggled for breath and then died. Yup, he's a boy. 

oct.2014 general conference

This weekend was just what I needed. When 4:00 on Sunday afternoon rolled around, I felt a bit of sadness. I guess that is a good thing - I didn't want to be done listening to the prophet and apostles.

The boys spent Friday night sleeping in their tents. Saturday -  going between listening and playing. Sunday -  playing Conference bingo, building Conference scenes with legos, and listening to some of the stories given in talks. We also enjoyed plenty of food. Saturday - cinnamon rolls, picnic lunch, pizza and ice cream. Sunday - breakfast casserole and leftovers.

This year, to prepare myself for Conference, I enjoyed listening to several of the apostles and their wives on Conversations via the Mormon Channel. I loved learning more about them and how their lives were with young children at home. 

I also listened to this episode. On there, it was mentioned that  instead of having a New Year's Resolution, have a Conference Resolution. Set a goal and work on it for the next six months.  There were several talks that spoke to me, there were things I wanted and needed to hear, but as a family we noticed Richard G. Scott's talk - fundamental habits. 

We have done well at several of these, but sometimes I think we could have more diligence, more preparation, and more respect towards these things that matter most. How grateful I am for the simplicity of the gospel and for the focus on having more joy in families and in this life.

* I just loved the focus on loving and supporting our Prophet!

april 2014 general conference

 Why is it that Conference really seems to be getting better and better?

I love trying to create an atmosphere for this time of year. One that the boys will remember and look forward to every time conference comes on twice a year. Traditions that bring them a sense of happiness and familiarity. 

This year was great. No, they didn't sit down and take notes the whole time, probably not even half, but they did listen really close to get those darn bingos and then just hung out in the room while Justin and I listened. 

They slept in their tents, we had good food, we got to go to our traditional priesthood/pizza party at Jen and Janzen's, and we even got some wiggles out outside. Good times.

 I loved so many of the talks.

You can never go wrong with
Jeffrey R. Holland
"Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them"

and Deiter F. Uchtdorf
"I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be."

I also just loved
Linda S. Reeves
"As we counsel with our children, together we can create a family plan with standards and boundaries, being proactive to protect our homes"

and Russell M. Nelson
"After World War I, a rather risqué song became popular. In promoting immorality, it vowed that 50 million people cannot be wrong. But in fact, 50 million people can be wrong—totally wrong. Immorality is still immorality in the eyes of God, who one day will judge all of our deeds and desires."

"Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!"

And probably my most favorite talk of all was actually from the Priesthood session. Amazing.
Randall L. Ridd
"This evening I would like to address you as the “choice generation” because never before in history have individuals been blessed with so many choices. More choices mean more opportunities; more opportunities mean more potential to do good and, unfortunately, evil. I believe that God sent you here at this time because He trusts you to successfully discern among the mind-boggling choices available."

"Agency is your power to become. Each choice takes you closer to or further from what you are meant to become; each click has meaning. Always ask yourself, “Where will this choice lead?” Develop the ability to see beyond the moment."

Can't help but think about how all these children are coming today. They are so strong-willed, faithful, natural warriors.