Endure

I wake up to an overwhelming amount of stuff to do each day.

Some days I just want to hide under my covers and stay in my nice, warm, cozy bed all day.

My cluttered room, the dishes, the never-ending laundry, the hungry, whiny kids all are begging for my attention.

"Just 5 more minutes!" I think over and over again.

 

The only way I know to conquer my day is to put one step in front of the other and move forward.

So when I want to just run away from it all and disappear, I fold one more shirt.

When I'm ready to give it all up, I wash one more dish.

I can do this!

 



As hard as it sometimes is, I can endure.

I can find the joy in what I do and know that I truly am blessed to have a wonderful husband, 6 amazing children and a home to live in.

More than all that, I have a Savior who died for me, who endured incredible torment and took on all my sins, sadness and grief, as well as yours.

He is the ultimate example I want to follow.

With His help and His strength, I can do all things!!!

Scales and Tales

Another day of potty-training, less accidents, but loads more patience required.

Can we do this? Yes we can!!!

 

The library had a Scales and Tales show where we saw all kinds of reptiles and creatures.

 

The tortoise was one of the creatures we saw.

Huge and heavy to hold. 

 

The highlight of the show was watching Daddy hold a really long and very heavy snake. 

 

All the kids enjoyed holding and touching some of the creatures. 

Potty-Training

Today Daddy and I started the fun event of potty-training Grant.

With over 10 accidents, we are hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Grant drank a cup of orange juice, 2 cups of apple juice, a caprison and 1 cup of milk.

As a result, he was in the bathroom every 5 minutes.

Grant enjoyed all the attention he received.

He did stay clean and dry all through naptime.

 

Now after a long, patience-testing day we will hope for a improved day tomorrow.

General Conference

We enjoyed watching General Conference this morning with cousins and then this afternoon at Grandpa and Grandma's.

There were some great and amazing talks.

I hope to be more grateful in ALL circumstances whether good or bad.

I will carry my load and turn to Christ to lift my burdens because with Him, I can do all things.

I will love and be kind.

I come away from Conference wanting to be a better person and more like the Savior.

I love having the gospel and being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

I love my mom so much.

She was so nice to feed us dinner and visit with us.

I miss her and my dad so much and wished I lived closer to them. 

 

Sometimes that Sunday afternoon session of Conference can just lull you right to sleep. 

 

We enjoyed visiting with family and seeing Ann and Dell. 

 

James found a dime on the ground and played the "Heads or Tails" game with everyone over and over and over.

 

We LOVED, loved, LOVED playing with Aunt Becca's dog, Bandit.

We hope to have a similar kind of dog sometime soon.

What a cutie! 

 

Bryon and Becca were also fun to see and visit with.

They are going through some difficult times right now, but their faith and courage is inspiring. 

 

The day was wonderful, but the drive home felt long, especially with Grant screaming for water for a little while.

Now we get to practice all the great messages we learned in conference and "follow-up" with what we have been taught.

HAPPY DAYS!!!

Family, Conference, Disc Golf

Vacations do this to ya!

So glad he took a little nap.

Do you so the gun Grant is holding?

They look so sweet and innocent when their sleeping.

 

We had another fun day with cousins.

Watching conference together was meaningful and enjoyable.

Feeling the Spirit from the talks added to our fun.

 

In between sessions, Daddy took everyone to play a little Disc Golf. :)

Family time is enriching for all of us.

We know families are forever and are grateful we can be together in this life and eternity.

Visiting Family

So much for naptime!

It's hard to take a nap when you are in a new place that's full of fun places to explore.

We are visiting my brother and his family.

Joyanne is loving this time to spend with her close friend, Ambree.

They have a very nice home here and are so hospitable.

 

The best thing about this trip for Daddy is that he gets to play disc golf a few times.

He loves that!

 

My favorite thing is I get to watch General Conference with my family.

I love hearing the prophet and apostles; to learn and glean from their inspired words of wisdom.

Our bishop encouraged us to think of a question or struggle we are having and listen to conference, certain the answer will be in there.

I am excited to look for answers.

 

I wish I could see ALL of my family while here visiting, but I know I won't be able too.

I hope my brothers and sisters know how much I love them and want to spend more time with them.

I am hoping and praying that we can move closer to them SOON.

April Fools

The day started out not as bad as I expected.

Joyanne put salt in our water jug.

Noah walked out the door and a cup of water splashed down all over him.

Daddy turned the milk pink and put Saran Wrap across Joyanne's door hoping she'd run into it in the morning.

But Joyanne was too smart for that and noticed in the morning when she came out the door.

Joyanne also sent a letter to Noah from the school.

Both Daddy and I thought it was real and legitimate.

She told us later that she was the one who sent it.

 

The very sad news today, that was not a joke, was that Daddy's brother, in Idaho, had his shop completely burn to the ground today.

Thankfully no person was harmed, but every single one of his tools was in there, and carpentry is his business.

He lost $70,000 in tools and supplies.

He didn't even have a hammer afterwards.

Our hearts and prayers go out to their family.

 

I am grateful for my kids and love being a Mom.