The Man of My Dreams

The man of my dreams, Prince Charming, left tonight to go be a secret agent!

Ha ha, just kidding, maybe someday.

He left to do some more training.

I miss him!

I miss him cuddling with me at night and keeping the bed warm.

I miss his tender kisses and warm embraces.

I miss his "I can fix anything" ability around the house.

I miss seeing him play with the kids and teasing them.

I hope I can make it through the next 3 days, and I hope he learns a lot.

I feel so blessed to have my Prince Charming sealed to me for eternity.

Families can be together forever!

The kids and I had fun helping a scout in our ward with his eagle scout project.

We went to Red Fleet and threw rocks in the lake.

It was fun, but harder than it sounds.

There were a lot of rocks!

The beach area is now fairly smooth.

Happy Days!

Decorating Fun

Halloween is one of our most favorite holidays.

We host a big Halloween party every year with family.

Joyanne has been begging us to get decorating for Halloween.

Daddy pulled out the bins and ALL the kids wanted in on the decorating. 

Joyanne had fun making her room "spooktacular". 

Noah's room was a bright light of scariness. 

Then, tonight the kids stomped up the sidewalk in the door trying to scare us with their monster scares.

I am grateful for the opportunity to fast today.

I do get hungry, but when I am I try to focus on the reason for my fasting.

I'm grateful our fast offerings helps the poor.

http://www.lds.org/topics/fasting-and-fast-offerings?lang=eng



Daddy's #1 Disc Tournament

Daddy's hobby is Disc Golf.

Today he spent all day at a tournament.

He took 1st place in his division.

Way to go Daddy!!!

He won 7 new discs for his prize.

So glad Daddy can keep doing what he loves.

Our house got fairly clean.

The kids worked hard on chores, picking up and such.

We had a handstand contest.

We had a family council about being unselfish and thinking more about others; being considerate.

The Relief Society Broadcast was so nice.

The choir director, Emily Wadley, was my ninth grade choir teacher.  She also played in the movie, 17 Miracles.

I love feeling the spirit of commraderie with the sisters and the feeling of love.

I was sure motivated to become better.

I'm Expecting!!! Hehehe

"Well it's OFFICIAL!!! I have some AMAZING but at the same time shocking news, I'm EXPECTING!! A little under 14 weeks and counting! I know I can hardly believe it myself. I wasn't going to post it on Facebook but seeing as you're all friends and family I wanted to make it all official. I'm too overwhelmed to keep it a secret! Who would of guessed that me of all people would be expecting already! But I am! I am expecting SANTA to visit our house in just 14 weeks. I hope you have a sense of humor and read the whole status."

My friend posted this as her status on facebook and I added it to mine.

Pretty funny stuff for those who have a sense of humor.

I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner!

Time to start planning.



Delightful Day Off

What an amazing, delightful, invigorating day off.

This is what I spent a few hours doing today.

Reading is one of the things I like to do best on my own.

I needed this day.

The last few days I have needed a break.

I just wanted to get away.

Well, I announced to my family that tomorrow (meaning today) I was taking a day off, and they were good with that.

So, my Prince Charming was so helpful and supportive and helped me immensly.

He did all the dishes, cooked dinner, and put the kids to bed.

I read my books, took a nice, quiet stroll through our walking park, and went to the library.

I talked to my mom for nearly 2 hours on the phone this afternoon and my dad for a 1/2 hour this evening.

I had time to think and pamper me.

I feel happy and rejuvenated.

Now I'm ready to tackle the housework and everything tomorrow.

I enjoyed the day so much, I think I'd like to do this once a month.

Daddy said I should probably do it once a week.

He liked seeing how relaxed and happy I was.

Joyanne missplaced her Ipod.

She searched and searched for it.

She asked Daddy and I to help her look.

I asked her if she prayed for help from Heavenly Father.

She said she had.

I asked her if she listened for her answer or felt the Spirit guiding her.

She was kind of like "Huh?"

I told her when I pray for help, afterward I just kind of wait and listen or feel the Spirit.

All of a sudden I get this idea that I need to look on the table or under the couch or in this room.

As I was telling Joyanne this, all of a sudden she said "Wait, I think I know where to look!"

She went in her room and found it.

Pretty amazing how the spirit works.

Tomorrow's plan Today

This is my plan for tomorrow . . .

I am very tired tonight.

I missed my nap and needed one badly.

When I miss my nap I tend to be kind of onery, especially when putting kids to bed.

Not good!

So, let me tell you about my day off tomorrow.

I plan to sleep in.

That means I get to sleep until 6:40am instead of 6:20am.

Breakfast will be cereal: simple and easy.

Then I will read and finish my book.

I will NOT clean my house, except maybe dishes.

I think a movie would be in good order as well.

Just a nice, easy day to relax and enjoy breathing.

Whew! That was a lot of work to think up.  ;)  Hehehe

Okay, tired me better get off to bed.

HAPPY DAYS!!!

Wonders and Miracles

Library Story Time was fun as we read about trucks and put stickers on plastic construction hats.

Grant is doing better at sitting through storytime, but it still is a chore to get him to stay there.

I surprised the kids with slurpees this afternoon.

What a treat! 

We finally watched the movie, "Epic" tonight.

I wouldn't say it's "epic" but it was okay to watch once.

I am so happy to see Heavenly Father's work in other people's life.

My neice, who is 16, has been struggling with health issues.

A bone in her head is growing into her brain.

She has had to have a few surgeries to try and stop that.

She was hospitalized a few weeks ago and going to have another surgery.

A few weeks ago my family fasted and prayed for her.

The next day the doctors found they wouldn't have to perform the surgery and she was released from the hospital a few days later.

Things are looking up for their family.

Another miracle occurred with a friend I met in College.

She wanted to have children and for the last 12 years they have been trying to have children of their own.

7 years ago they adopted 3 adorable children.

After much prayer, faith, fasting, and fertility treatments . . .  she is now expecting her first biological child.

I am so happy and excited for her.

The Lord is always there for us.

We don't always see it, but I know He loves us and watches over us.

A sense of Humor

James loves the park and was very excited to go with Daddy.  He sure loves those monkey bars and can go all the way across by himself.

Hiram sure brings our family to life and helps us have a sense of humor.  He loves to goof off and have fun.  Tonight Daddy was enjoying Hiram's silliness at the dinner table.  If you want a good laugh, just hang around Hiram.

Daddy lost his voice tonight.  It will be interesting to see how he can work tomorrow.  He is soaking in the bath with the Ipad, watching a movie.

Laundry day, laundry day, gotta love the piles of laundry today!

Gotta read lots tonight!

Hoping to finish my book, "Wish you Well" by David Baldacci so I can pick up a book I have on hold at the library tomorrow.

HAPPY DAYS!!!



Handsome and Pretty

Sunday's are a great picture taking day because we all look great for church.

Here's our princess and today she definitely looks like one.

Last week Joyanne wanted me to put her hair in a sock bun.

But when she learned you actually had to put a real sock in her hair, she changed her mind.

She talked to her friend who had a sock bun and when she found out that SHE had a sock in her hair, she changed her mind again.

So today we put her hair in a sock bun.

You can't really see the sock, but it helps hold the bun in and it looks pretty.

Noah and Jaden are looking rather handsome today.

Daddy said I even looked pretty and he wanted a picture of me. 

Grant wanted a picture and even said, "Cheese!" 

The primary president gave James a great big hug today and said, "You are so cute!  I just love you!" 

Joyanne and I have fun just the 2 of us gals.

We stick together pretty close amongst all this manliness around. 



Hard work is fun!

Hiram worked hard today to accomplish 2 achievements in his scout book.

We learned about recycling, picked up garbage in our neighborhood, and he planned and cooked 2 meals today with help.

He even did the dishes.

He loved all the one-on-one attention.

It was fun to be involved doing good things.

Daddy and Grant were fun to photo on our way to go swimming.

Our family LOVES to swim! 

Hightlight of the day

I enjoyed getting out with Jade to do sealings at the temple and enjoy some Cafe Rio.

That was the highlight of my day.

Tender Mercies

I have recently felt many tender mercies from a loving Heavenly Father.

As I have tried to repent and make good choices about how to spend my day, I have felt His influence more and more.

One of the tender mercies was being able to talk on the phone with my sister, Linda for a while.

I gain so much insight from her.

While we talked I was able to weed my front corner flower bed and do the dishes.

I spent 3 hours at various times picking up apples, racking leaves, and putting them in the garbage.

A tender mercy was having James so willing to help and work right alongside me.

Grant also worked a little bit too.

I feel loved by the Lord and always want to stay close to His Spirit.

I love my family so much and feel blessed to be on the Earth at this time.

Crazy, Busy Fun

What a day filled with good things.

Grant and James went visiting teaching with me this morning.

I love visiting with the sisters.

I got in my exercise at the Rec Center, but my upper abs are pretty sore so my arms got the workout today.

We came home for lunch and naps.

Then I picked up the boys from school for scouts.

I love being the wolf den leader.

All I have to do is go each week and play with the boys.

And then we sign it off as achievements and they get awards.

How fun is that!!!

Today they made their own rockets.

They had fun throwing them across the gym. 

Noah was a great older brother to Hiram as he helped fix Hiram's rocket so it could fly. 

I came home for just over an hour in time to fix dinner, eat it, clean up and then off to the library bookclub and a little shopping.

'Twas a crazy, busy fun day!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANT!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

GRANT

What a happy day!

My little baby turned 2 today.

He had fun running around the house.

He loved his cake and all the MANY treats.

His favorite present he received was probably his soccer ball.

This boy was the first baby I wasn't induced with.

I went into labor naturally and while the labor was longer, it was so much easier.

He has been a happy baby and a true blessing in our lives.

He likes to cause lots of trouble, but don't most 2-year-olds?! 



Cute Kids

Sometimes my kids just make me smile. :)

I love how Grant entertains himself in the simplest ways.

He loves to climb in here and just sit for a while. 

Jaden was so cute the other day when he pulled out his rabbit, Cottonball and played with him in his truck.

He would hold the rabbit and then give it a push in the truck. 

I don't know if the rabbit liked it, but he never jumped out.

Tonight is one of those nights that I am pretty tired.

I exercised pretty rigorously.

I did a few loads of laundry.

I gave my 2 boys piano lessons; and anyone who's taught piano to their own kids knows how extra extremely patient you have to be.

And I was Mom to my 4 kids.

I'm so thankful to my Prince Charming who really goes above and beyond.

He made dinner, did dishes, helped the kids with homework, and was just awesome.

I have always felt that one of Heavenly Father's greatest gifts to me was my husband.

I hope to live worthy of his love and devotion to me.



Primary - Love it!

 I had so much fun substituting in Primary.

Those little kids just melt my heart and make me want to be better as a person.

They sure knew a lot about prayer and taught me a thing or two.

I love helping out in the primary and am glad 2 other teachers have asked me to substitute for the next 2 weeks.

Daddy loved playing Chess today.

He played 2 games with Joyanne, 1 with Noah, and 1 with me.

He beat us all!!!

What a player. ;)



Jones' Hole Fish Hatchery Hike

Our family excursion was going to Jones' Hole Fish Hatchery.

Seeing all the fish from little to bigger to biggest was fun.

Grant would dip his fingers in the water and lick them. Yuck!!!

Yes, he's still alive.

Then we went on a hike.

Here was the stone table.

A nice resting area.

Even some wildlife was found.

Jaden liked holding the little green bug that Daddy found. 

Daddy's looking good in his trucker hat! 

Jaden studied the signs along the way. 

Wherever there's a tree to climb, Joyanne and Noah will be there. 

We had a little rain on our drive up so Joyanne brought an umbrella, but she ended up using it to shield off the sun. 

We hiked for about a mile before Joyanne was ready to turn back because she was afraid her allergies might start acting up.

Daddy stayed with her while I held Grant and hiked with the other boys for another mile.

We turned around to find Daddy and Joyanne saying they wanted to go back to the car.

So Grant went with them and I hiked onward with the pleading to keep going boys.

We hiked past a bridge to a waterfall.

Then we hiked more until finally I convinced Noah, Hiram, Jaden, and James that we had better turn around and go back or Daddy would worry.

We hiked about 3 1/2 miles in and 3 1/2 miles back.

7 miles total!!!

I was impressed that 4-year-old James hiked the whole way without complaint.

This was the longest hike any of us had ever done.

AND we want to go again.

We loved it!

It was such a pretty hike and the weather was cool.

Daddy was slightly concerned after an hour and hiked up a little ways before he found us.

Even after our long hike, Hiram had so much energy that he ran up this hill.

One of the best hikes we've been on as a family and a memorable time for Mommy and the boys.

Friend Night

Hiram had fun with his friend, Adam.

They enjoyed building and playing with trains, playing dodgeball on the tramp, and a movie.

He has lots of friends here and it's fun to see them play together.

Joyanne also had a friend, Brylin, over.

They planned out a book club for their school that they are in charge of.

They played chess while the 3 little boys watched a movie.

Daddy and Noah went to the High School football game.

Even though our high school lost, they still had fun.

Friends are fun to have over and the weekend is the perfect time for that.