play together forever

Photos taken after daddy's work day on Monday.

Monday night is Family Home Evening Night. We each rotate through prayer, song, lesson, activity, and treat. The activity and treat are pretty serious stuff around here. 

This last Monday, Taylor chose to go to the park and feed the ducks. While we were there I noticed an extended family playing baseball together. Even the grandma and grandpa. I loved hearing all the grandchildren cheering for their grandparents. I loved watching the siblings interact. I loved seeing all of them play together. I loved seeing the love.  

I turned around and could see Taylor running around with Rudger and showing him the ducks. I saw Levi, Corbin, and Justin playing baseball themselves. We had all just fed the ducks. We had played a family game of football. And I realized we can be that family that I was watching. This is probably how they started out too. It was just 30 years earlier.

And I was so happy. Another reason to be happy is that we came home to chocolate cake that Levi and I made together. It was a very good night.

Frosting recipe came from here. Highly recommend it.

all i ever wanted

Growing up there were times that I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, a secretary, a home economics teacher, even a country singer. But all I really ever wanted to be was a mother. I feel so grateful that I have been allowed to watch over these boys while they are here on this earth. I am grateful they call me mom, mama, mommy, and even hot ma (thanks to Justin teaching that to Rudger)...  I am also so grateful that each day is a new day, a new day to try again to be a little better mommy than I was the day before. 

read today

 

Corbin has done all sorts of growing up this year. He has shown how responsible he can be. He has loved and cared for his brothers. He has made such kind choices and stood up for kids that needed it He has quietly been a good example to those around him. 

At the beginning of the school year, Corbin needed just a bit more help with his reading. He can do it, he just doesn't love it. Luckily there is such a great program here in Utah that has benefited Corbin so much. There are so many awesome volunteers, mostly sweet older women, who come and read to their kid twice a week. 

This is Mrs. Green. Doesn't she look so fun! (She was teasing with Rudger) Corbin loves her and was so excited to find this special reading buddy at the ice cream social they had at the end of the program this year. She brought Corbin a package of cupcakes on his birthday, she knows how much he loves rocks so on the last day she brought him a special rock on a key chain. She will always hold a special place in Corbin's heart. Corbin went up 12 levels and gained 63 words a minute this year. We are so proud of his hard work and we are so grateful for Mrs. Green!

So sad that they are ending the program at our school this year. It has helped so many kids with building confidence in their reading. Supposedly the new common core program has too much going on in the class room that they feel they can't pull kids away for one on one reading time...  

eleven years

Eleven years ago we both made a pretty awesome decision, and all these years later we are still loving that we made that choice. We've had quite the journey and couldn't have ever guessed what the future had in store for us. But I like it. A lot.

On this rainy May 7th I can't help but think of our wedding day. Exact same weather. It's Oregons way of sending it's blessing to us since Justin decided to spend two years of his life there. 

how we weekend - may

Not too many pictures from the weekend. But we did manage a great weekend. 

Friday night: capture the flag game with our friends where we also enjoyed some cookies and I managed to twist my ankle a little. (got into the game just a tad bit too much). Loved watching Rudger run around and chase the 'doddy' and play in the sand box while the rest of us played. 

Saturday: Enjoyed watching our beautiful niece become baptized a member of our church. She's an angel. Loved seeing family and friends and eating way too much deliciousness. Came home and watched Saving Mr. Banks (because of such good recommendations from earlier that day) Loved the show, I probably was the only one that watched it. 

Sunday: Playing games in the morning with daddy since he was feeling a little sick. A new calling in the primary - four year olds are adorable, and some are a little more rambunctious than others. More Sunday evening games where I, of course, was the old maid.  Then I spent some time planning for the upcoming week. I am bound and determined to make this week productive.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

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. 

why we don't ever have pictures of the boys together after church

Having these fun loving energetic boys sit still for three hours every Sunday can be draining. Usually the moment we walk in the door at least two of the kiddos are undressing as they are running to their rooms. This day they just happened to not do that. So I had to capture it. This is what I got. And this is why I probably won't be trying anytime soon to take pictures of these boys right after church. (except maybe that smiler on the right)

And for the record, imperfect pictures really do tend to be some of my favorites.

I need to post more, I had some other plans of what to post today and for the past three days. I have a room in our house that I have been working on, that needs to be recorded on here :) Life has just been extra busy though and I am feeling a stomach bug coming on today. Please no.