My Current Favorite Sciptures:


Current Favorite Scriptures:
Ps. 31:24
24 Be of a good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Friday, April 30, 2010

What's up with... SARAH?

Sarah:
  • Sarah's two front teeth finally came in.
  • She just turned 7 in March.
  • She loves sweets!
  • She is a snuggle-bug.
  • She and Christian get along 50% of the time (I'm hoping this will change soon).
  • She's reading easy readers.
  • She loves to draw.
  • She has a heart murmur.
  • She's Daddy's little girl.
  • She shares a room with Abigail.
  • She loves her new side bangs.
  • Her hair is quite long.
  • She loves to walk the halls before church, and we usually have to hunt her down.
  • She has a bubbly personality.
  • She loves fashion (she has a purse thrown over her shoulder right now, and has been wearing it most of the day).
  • Her favorite food is: waffles
  • Her favorite color is lavender.
  • She likes to play outside with her buddies while she rides her bike.
  • She wants to be a Daisy Scout.
  • She's learning to play the piano, and loves to practice!
  • She likes a boy (this is news to me, I didn't expect it).  I just asked her, and she said YES!  I know she's way to young, but I guess it's good to know these things.  She didn't want to tell me at first who he was, so I probed a little deeper.  She said, "Mom, ok, I'll tell you (but I didn't know about the "righteous" thing).  Me:  "What?"  Sarah: "He's not righteous at all, I mean, he fights with his brother all the time!"  "I'm going to have to find a righteous guy to like."  Ok... I guess this is good, cracked me up!  Can't say who the boy is.
  • Sarah's favorite thing to do is play with Abigail.  
  • Sarah is a teaser!
  • She's very tall for her age, she's in the 95th percentile.
  • Sarah's memorized the 3rd Article of Faith.
  • Her favorite subject is Art, and she is excelling in Math! 
  • She loves Littlest Pet Shops!
  • She gets sad when she's tired (just like I did when I was little)

Things I love About Sarah:
  • She's a very loving little girl.
  • I love the hugs and kisses she freely gives.
  • I cherish her sweet and kind disposition.
  • I love how cheerful she is.
  •  She's a great helper.
  • Wow, can I really have all these AMAZING kids?  Good thing they're all so fab, I don't think I could handle so many if it were different.  :)
  • Sarah your such a fun and sweet daughter, you mean the world to me!
Sarah, I love you!!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Gila Valley Temple Open House

I decided to interrupt my children's spotlights, and post a blog about our trip to the Gila Valley Temple Open House (which has taken me a while to complete).  We left early Monday, and arrived just 10 minutes before our 11 a.m. reservations.  The children were so excited, they kept asking the typical kid questions like, "Are we there yet?" or "How much longer?" 

The drive was beautiful since there is nothing around, just desert, farmland, wildflowers, and mountains.  The sky was blue, and there was no traffic-- just a peaceful family ride.  I read out loud to Aaron from June's book club book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. 

We only stopped three times during our trip, first at Walgreen's for snacks, water, and tights, 2nd at Safeway (forgot the tights at Walgreen's, forgot the diapers at home), and 3rd at a convenient store on the way (name The Thing?) for candy and a soda for Aaron.  Google maps states it should have taken us 2 hours and 9 minutes, but as usual our trip ran longer, to the tune of 2 hours and 50 minutes.  Good thing we left early.

When we entered Thatcher, we didn't see the temple immediately.  We saw lot's of fast food, and banners on some of the restaurants that welcomed "Gila Valley Temple visitors."  We saw what we thought were The Living Scriptures vendors on the side of the road.  We kept driving, and the kids kept asking, "Are we there yet?" -- "How much longer?"

Just when we thought we'd never see it, we saw the Temple's spire with Angel Moroni as well as the Chapel's steeple.  They all inhaled and said,"Ahhh!!!"

When we pulled up to the temple, there were lot's of vehicles filing into the parking spaces and traffic directors showing us where to park.

I was worried that we wouldn't have time to let the kids use the bathroom before out tour started, but luckily there were portable toilets right by the parking spaces.

We walked toward the chapel, and through the doors.  When we entered, you could immediately feel the excitement of the moment .  There were lot's of ushers helping us know where to go.  They sat us down for a short 10 minute video on the purpose of temples. There was a pamphlet placed on each of the chairs, with pictures and a brief explanation of each of the rooms.  The kids loved their pamphlets, and looked at them while watching the video.  Christian noticed how the video had the same pictures of the rooms in his pamphlet.  He kept saying, "Look- Mom, I have that picture in my book!" 

After the video, we walked outside of the chapel and towards the Temple.  They asked us to slip paper slippers over our shoes to keep from tracking dirt in on the floors of the temple.  Everything was going well until it was Anderson's turn.  He refused to put them on over his shoes, so finally they let him take his shoes off, and he walked around in his socks.

The temple was so beautiful inside, and the artwork really drew me in.  I felt the spirit and cried as we went through the bride's room.  I realized how special that room is to me.  It reminded me of the moment I shared with my own mother right after I had been married to Aaron.  It was a special one, and we both knew things would never again be the way they had been.  I teared up all those years ago, and teared up again reflecting on that moment so long ago.  They had a picture of a mother with her small daughter hanging on the wall.  This made me think of my own daughters, and how one day, we will share the same experience.  

We then entered the endowment room.  It was breath taking!  There was the most lovely mural that wrapped all around the room, it was of the Gila Valley.  We were told that the artist wasn't even from the United States, but was able to capture the area's beauty so well by camping in the valley for an extended period of time.  The colors were all earth tones, and I love how he painted the blue sky, the mountains, ocotillo cacti with their orange blossoms, deer, the Gila river, plateaus, and even a tiny quail family.

Both the Celestial room and the sealing room had the most amazing chandeliers!  I can't  describe to you how beautiful, you'd just have to see them for yourself, but I do believe they're more beautiful than any others I've ever seen!  Abigail even notice them, and kept pointing her finger, trying to touch.

The kids loved looking through the mirrors of the sealing room, and how they symbolize the eternities.  There was this cute little one year old that noticed Abigail.  He just kept reaching for her, while his father held him.  He kept saying, "baby, baby," and they really seemed to like one another.  He wanted to touch her so badly, it was adorable.

As we left the temple, I was walking with Morgan, and he seemed stunned.  I asked him what he thought, and he said it was way more beautiful than he had thought it would be.  He said, "Mom, I'm going to get married in this temple!"  Then I said, "Great, you have the place-- now you just have to find the girl."  He smiled.

The whole family was happy, and I could tell the experience was a special one for us all.  We truly felt the spirit.  It was wonderful.



We took these pictures outside of the temple, and then piled in the van.  We decided to drive around town a bit to see if we could find some historical sites, and we happened to find Spencer W. Kimball's boyhood home!


This was quite the treasure!

We then went to Roper State Park, and had lunch on an island in the middle of Roper Lake!  It was a perfect day, not too hot, not too cold.  Just as we sat down and started to eat our lunch, the ducks noticed and started swimming our way, from all directions.  We started cracking up!  The kids were laughing, we were laughing, it was hilarious!  They just knew we were going to feed them, so we did!  Anderson was fascinated by the ducks and started quacking in a sweet voice just like them. 

Morgan said, "this is the best day ever!"  I agree, it felt so perfect!  We even found honeysuckles on that island!  Honeysuckles bring back memories of my childhood, and of my mother, teaching me how to pick off the bottom end of the flower, so the nectar comes out.  Then you lick the nectar, mmm...so good.  The kids all loved trying.  It was fun sharing something with them, that my mother had shared with me.

We then drove home. 

Aaron and I ended the day with a stroll around the neighborhood-- just us and Abigail!  The sun was setting, there was a gentle breeze in the air, and I just felt so thrilled that we were an eternal family! 

Monday, April 26, 2010

What's up with... KAITLYN?

Kaitlyn:

  • She's a sweetheart!
  • She is very attentive and caring with our younger children.
  • She's giving.
  • She's our most sensitive child when it comes to her health.
  • She's allergic to Penny's saliva-- she breaks out in hives!
  • She loves cutting paper into little scraps and making artwork with various small objects.
  • She likes doing her chores.
  • She's also doing well in school, her favorite subject is Art.
  • Her favorite colors are pink, purple and blue.
  • She loves jewelry and found a ton of it at a yard sale last Saturday.
  • She likes to use green wire to make Littlest Pet shop hats with old wrapping paper, or play with her DSi.
  • She enjoys taking pictures with her DSi.
  • Her favorite food is everything except non-American food.
  • She's reading Pipi Longstocking.
  • She loves Activity Days.
  • She's memorized all 13 Articles of Faith, and she's only-- 10!
  • She's a great helper.
  • She's smart.
  • She's way too young to like boys, but she says she "kind-of-likes one, but not all the way."  ;)
  • She lets Anderson snuggle with her.
  • She's learning how to play piano, and loves her teacher!
  • She blacked out on our last hike.
  • She's a talker, and not shy.
  • She's learning how to style her own hair, and recently donated a bunch of it.  Her hair is still long, like Madison's.
  • She's very ticklish!
Things I love about Kaitlyn:
  • She's super helpful!
  • She's so loving!
  • She is outgoing and you don't have to guess how she feels.
  • She loves church and loves sharing her testimony.
  • She's creative.
  • Most of all, I love her because she's a wonderful, special daughter!  She's just as amazing as Morgan and Madison!  I feel so blessed to have you for a daughter, Kaitlyn!
  • You're awesome! :)

Kaitlyn, I love you!!!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

What's up with... MADISON?

Madison:
  • She's turning 12 in May!
  • What does turning 12 mean for her?  She's going into YW's (what?  I'm going to have two children in our church's youth program.  They are growing up WAY too fast!)  She'll be wearing makeup, which I can tell by the big smile she gets on her face, whenever I mention it, that she's super excited!  She's also allowed to wear danglely earrings and colored nail polish.  This is going to be fun, I think she and I are going to love shopping for makeup together.  She told me just the other day that she doesn't want to "wear a lot of makeup, like blush."  :)
  • She's going into 7th grade, and is on Honor Roll. 
  • She is a hard worker.
  • She is a perfectionist.
  • She is a self motivator.
  • All of those things combined, have really helped her succeed in school.
  • She has one requirement left to earn her Duty to God.
  • She's a great babysitter, and is looking forward to babysitting outside our family.
  • In her free time, she likes listening to music.
  • Her favorite color is blue.
  • Her favorite food is waffles.
  • She's currently reading Sherlock Holmes.
  • She recently had her hair cut.  It was so long, that she was able to donate her hair and still have long hair!
  • She's scared of spiders, and other creepy things (probably gets that from me).
  • She loves playing Pokemon video games.
  • She has cute, little freckles that dot her nose and cheeks.
  • She like playing with our pets.
  • Her favorite website is:  http://www.clubpenguin.com/ 
  • She loves going to Activity Days.
  • She'll be attending Girls Camp this summer.
  • She sings in our Ward Choir. 
  • She wants a kitten for Christmas (unfortunately, she is not going to get one) 
  • She has a beautiful voice!
  • She has a crush on a certain boy, and she told be NOT to tell who it is.  So my lips are sealed!
  • She loves playing with Abigail, and often giggles and says, "she's cute!"
  • Her favorite outdoor activities are riding her bike and jumping on the trampoline.
  • She's starting to style her own hair (I love watching her try, it's so cute).
  • She  has a strong sense of "right and wrong."
  • She loves our new Job Chart , and thrives on a point/reward system.

Things I love about Madison:
  • She's so helpful!  She helps me with the baby, cleans the house, and stays focused on her responsibilities-- all without complaint!
  • She's sweet.
  • She's caring.
  • I love how thoughtful she is.
  • She's a great friend to me, Aaron, and her siblings.
  • She's just one amazing kid, and I love her so much!
  • How did I luck out to have a daughter like her?  Madison you're awesome!

Madison, I love you!!!

Friday, April 23, 2010

What's up with... MORGAN?

Morgan:

  • He's been babysitting a lot!  Everyone seems to love him, and readily refers him. 
  • He's going to Scout Camp in June.
  • We've decided to send Morgan to High School after much prayer!  Wahoo-- is he excited, and we are as well! 
  • He will start Seminary with the new school year.
  • He's the new Deacon's Quorum President.
  • He'll turn 14 in July, and with that he'll start going to youth dances!  Which makes him almost as old as I was when I met Aaron, yikes!
  • He's 5 ft. 11 inches.
  • He sings in our Ward and Stake Choirs.
  • His favorite thing to do is play football, and is hoping to tryout for Cienega High (his soon to be high school). 
  • He wants to be a defense attorney when he grows up.
  • He's doing well school, his favorite subject is History.
  • He loves going on monthly camping trips with the Scouts and his Dad.
  • He loves sitting around a campfire, eating from the dutch oven, and relaxing.
  • He has a crush on one...or two girls!
  • He's reading the book I just finished Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.
  • His favorite video game is Reversi, an online board game.
  • He listens to the Bishop better than his Mom, when it comes to the length of his hair (thank you, Bishop).  I had just told Morgan I wasn't sure the skater do was going to work, and that he needed to be an example for the other boys at church.  He thought I was so lame (maybe I'm exaggerating a bit here), but decided to go ahead and cut his hair shorter (what an obedient son).  Then he came home from a meeting last Sunday, where the Bishop encouraged the boys to keep their hair length at missionary standards.  He told me, "Mom, I think I'm going to keep my hair short."  His attitude had totally changed.  He's even encouraging the other boys in his Quorum to keep their cut to missionary standards.
  • He helps cook and is learning how to wash, fold, and iron his clothes.
  • He made his 1st PowerPoint presentation the other day, and figured it out all on his own.
  • He helps me with the baby everyday, willingly!
  • He works out to Wii Fit.
  • He's progressing in piano and loves it!  His favorite website is http://www.ninsheetm.us/ .  He loves listening to the music and hopes to play a few of the pieces some day.
Things I love about Morgan:
  • He's kind, thoughtful, and caring.
  • He's learning how to be a hard worker.
  • He's a great friend and son, as well as, brother.
  • He's got a great memory, he didn't get that from me-- that's for sure.
  • He is like a sponge, constantly learning new things and teaching me.
  • He has a sweet disposition, I don't know how I lucked out to have him for a son.
  • He loves to read, even his scriptures.
  • He's a great helper to his mom and dad.
Morgan, I love you!!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Penny's a Boy!















Christian:  "Why does Penny look like a boy?"
Me: "I don't know."
Christian:  (a minute later) "Mom, Penny's a boy!"
Me:  "No she's not, she doesn't have boy parts!"

Hours later...

Christian:  "Mom, I really think Penny's a boy!"
Me: "No Christian, she's not a boy, she's a girl."
Christian:  "yes he is!"

After dinner when Aaron comes home...

Christian:  "Dad, Penny's a boy!"
Aaron:  "No, Penny's a girl, she doesn't have boy parts."
Christian:  "But he sounds like a boy." 
Aaron:  "Look-- she has ba-bas."

So far I think Dad's answer has satisfied Christian...

We'll see if the whole "Penny is a boy" thing comes up tomorrow.  Kids-- you gotta love em'!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Busy

Busy, Busy, Busy-- that's what I've been. 
Monday started out with a trip to:




Yes, I'm finally getting my veins the help they've needed for so long.  I'll have an ultrasound in a few weeks to determine what kind of surgery is needed.  I have to admit I'm nervous.  I'm scared of the possible complications (blood clots/infections are what I fear the most).  However, I need to have them fixed because not doing anything, can lead to blood clots as well.

We're watching a dog for a friend of ours while they're at Disneyland.  Her name is Penny.  She's a very well behaved  dog.  We all adore her.  She seems to like it here, and is playful and bubbly!  She even gets along well with Noodle and Fuzzy Wuzzy.


Book Club was at my house tonight.  I started reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet this past Sunday and finished it this morning.  I loved it!  So I'd read every time I had to feed Abigail, and then I gave the kids baby duty while I painted walls (thank you Andy for all of your beautiful Artwork), washed clothes, dished, carpets, and floors.  Socializing with my sweet friends is so worth it! 


The refreshments.

Tomorrow I'm babysitting a dear friend of mine's children, and on Friday a group of friends and their kiddos are coming over for lunch and pie making!

Life is good.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Wahoo!!! My Sis is Engaged!

Tiffany and Tony


This has to be the best news I've had in ages!  I'm so thrilled!!!  I've been hoping and praying that this day would happen for my sister for so long!  Aren't they lovely together?  I think so.  I haven't actually met Tony, but most of my fam has, and I hear he's terrific!  He proposed to her on the beach tonight, and she told me that the ring is huge!  She sounded so happy, which of course makes me happy.  What a great way to end a great day!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

A Reminder that God Cares

Last Sunday was a special day.  Morgan was sustained as Deacon's Quorum President in our new ward.  I'm so happy for him.  It was surreal seeing him in such a  mature light.  My son is growing up so fast, but despite the fact that this makes me feel a tinge of sadness, I also found happiness because I know he's making right choices.  I am so thrilled that he loves the gospel.  I felt even more last Sunday, that my son is growing into a fine young man.  I hope he will learn a lot from his new calling.  He is anxious to dive in, and seems to understand that it will be a lot of work.  He's looking forward to serving his peers in the Deacon's Quorum!

I had a special experience that day, that touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  Just after Sacrament, Aaron had severe stomach pain from Crohn's.  He told me that Morgan was going to be sustained, but that he was in too much pain to stay.  I knew both parents are usually asked to attend, but I wasn't sure if they were planning on setting them apart during church.  I felt frantic because I really wanted to be there for Morgan, but I was dealing with the baby (who was quite fussy).  Since I'm in a new ward building and still don't know everyone very well, I felt a bit lost and very stressed.  I decided that I had to feed Abigail, so she would calm down.  I figured no one would be able to find me in the Mother's Lounge.  She feel asleep while I fed her, and so I proceeded to Relief Society.  I sat down by my friend, and she leaned over and said she would help me figure out what was going on. It only took us a few minutes to figure out everything, and I found myself arriving just at the right time.  As I listen to the blessings, it came to my realization how everything had worked out just so.  Abigail had finished eating at exactly the right time, my friend helped me at the right time, and now I was listening to my son's blessing.  I knew at that moment that Heavenly Father was aware of me, and that he knew I needed him.  I'm grateful for a friend who was prompted and listened to that prompting.  It all fell together perfectly.  Tears came to my eyes as I had this realization.  It's so wonderful, how you can be living life and out of nowhere a tender mercy appears and you know-- that God is real, that he is aware of you, and love's you.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Moments

*Moments of my day*
(NOT NECESSARILY IN ORDER)

*gave the boys haircuts* wondered how to give my oldest son, Morgan- "A Skater Do"* swept the floor* cleaned the carpet* washed the windows*  looked online for local hikes and horseback riding* facebook* Laundry* a ride* talked with my Dad* reminded kids to finish their chores and school work* taught kids how to improve their cleaning skills* read the news* chatted with my Mom* washed the kitchen floor* scrubbed the counters and kitchen table* showered* read the scriptures* date night to El Coranado* red box movie* grocery store for milk and bread* tucked kids in bed* blogged* more laundry* chatted with my husband* Laughed with my family* relaxed* planned more ways to fill up my schedule* played the piano* contemplated on goals and future* wished I was gardening, running, camping, hiking, HORSEBACK RIDING (instead of cleaning)*






Date night- YES!!! :)

Friday, April 9, 2010

A Day of Service



NEED I SAY MORE...

I watched 3 of my friends children today so they could go on a hike, our turn is next-- thank you Hardy's.  That's a total of 10 kids!  I really need to say that I couldn't have made it through the day, without the help of my 3 oldest children.
  • babies smiling, eating, crying
  • kids running full speed
  • video playing, movie watching
  • "Can we go outside, please?"  YES
  • reading, writing, grading science tests
  • cleaning, cooking, changing diapers
  • calling sisters in the ward and writing letters

 Serving my dear family and friends brings meaning and joy to my life!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Easter Fun

This was taken right before the egg hunt began, they could hardly hold still for the pic. 

We held the hunt in our backyard, which as you can see, is quite barren.  While the kids gathered eggs, I just kept thinking how cool it was that my kids were hunting eggs in the desert just like their Grandmother did (my Mom), 54 years ago.

When I was a little girl, I remember her telling me a story of when she looked for eggs, one Easter morning.  Her parents had sent her outside to find eggs, and somehow she mistook a small, round cactus for an egg-- much to her dismay...

I sometimes can't believe that my kids are having similar experiences as my mother had growing up.  I never imagined, ever, living in Tucson- and yet, I love it here.  I love that we can see what my mom loved about AZ, and that we have family history here as well. 

Anyways, the kids had fun finding eggs, and eating lot's of candy.  Aaron wasn't feeling well, he has sinusitis and a terrible cold.  He slept through most of conference and into the evening.  I felt so bad for him, but he seems to be doing a bit better, still very tired.

I was thrilled to see my older kids glued to conference.  We all enjoyed the beautiful messages, and felt the spirit. The younger ones weren't quite as reverent, but they did ok for the most part.  They are just so busy, and it's so hard for them to sit still. 

I made egg salad sandwiches for lunch, and a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, and red velvet cake for dinner.  The recipe for the cake was a new one for me, and I'm thrilled it turned out just the way I had hoped! So delicious!

What a wonderful way to celebrate Easter with conference!  Wasn't the music lovely?  It was the best!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Where Have I been?

I have been in the carribean, yes, that's why you haven't heard from me...

Ok, not true.  I wish I could say I haven't blogged lately because of some major reason.  Nope.  Just lack of desire.  If you don't know this about me, now ya do, I am an "on off" type of gal. 

For example, when I was in college I discovered that I LOVED philly cheese steak sandwiches, and before I knew it, I wanted those any chance I got.  Then one day, I didn't want philly cheese steak sandwiches anymore.  I don't know what caused this, I was just done.  I had no desire to ever eat one again!  It was years before I had another.

Now I'm not saying it will be years before I whip out another blog post, well maybe... JK.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not a true blue blogger, maybe I'm what you call a "fair weather" blogger.  There will be times when I feel like being a devoted blogger, and there will be times when I feel like laying low, and dealing with whatever I've got going on, without a thought of adding another blog entry. 

I guess I can feel a little overwhelmed at times.  I've been very busy with the kids school the past month or so, making sure they are all on target for the end of the year.  We've been submitting work samples, which can be pretty time consuming.  With all this school work, my housework is a bit behind (not to mention that I've been reading, which gets me behind in the housework as well.  I haven't learned how to pace myself-- hmm, there's that all or nothing thing coming into play again).  I've had some sick kids the past few weeks, which takes up even more time, taking them to the doc and caring for them.  I do have a way of fitting in way too much socializing, but it's oh so fun.  So there ya go, those are my reasons.  When I start to feel overwhelmed, which happens often around here, I just get down to survival mode.

When you don't see a blog entry from me, know that my house is a mess, I'm probably sleep deprived with my hair in disarray and frazzled to my wit's end!  :)