Conference Tent

CONFERENCE

The Conference Tent. It's huge. It causes a huge mess in my house. We have to eat on the floor or stand because all of our tables are in use elsewhere. With all of this inconvenience, why do we still do it? It's because the benefits outweigh any inconveniences. My kids look forward to conference! They talk about the tent for weeks before and after. It allows us to talk about King Benjamin and pointing our tents to the prophet's voice--or, in other words, listening to the prophet. Plus, if they are not reverent, the tent comes down. Ever since we started this tradition, we've enjoyed conference on a different level--we can actually pay attention!

The missionaries had to eat dinner while sitting on the floor. Who knew that it would be so much fun at our house?

October 3 & 10

BSU SOCCER

Bryan is such a fun coach! He wanted the girl's to see a college soccer team play, so he organized an outing to watch BSU play. Bryan was sure to shout out pointers when good plays occurred, and even though the girls were more interested in giggling and socializing--I think they learned a few things from the professionals.

#20 was Hailey's favorite! She was inspired to play more like her!

BSU SOCCER AGAIN...

Hailey enjoyed herself so much the first time that she convinced me to take her and a friend to another game. 

Jake drew a sign during the game. BSU GO GO GO GO GO. BOYSY STAE SOCER GAME! (Boise State Soccer Game!)

2014

Family Pictures 2014

Labor Day

Labor Day at the Cabin

After church on Sunday, we decided to take a trip to the cabin. We spent our Sunday afternoon listening to a book on CD, and then on Monday we biked a 7 mile loop. 

Our family has a great dynamic right now. I keep wanting to freeze time, because I can't imagine life better than now. Sure, there are moments of trials, but our blessings definitely outweigh our trials. I love that all of my children are friends. I love that they enjoy hanging out with each other, and that family time is something we look forward to doing rather than despise. I feel so blessed. Family life feels tight knit right now, and I love it. 

Listening to Fablehaven 5

Jacob really didn't want help, but I loved that his sister's rushed to his rescue. (They do it too much...we do need to let him grow up; however, it is endearing.)

We have a lot of muddy hand pictures. I think we (the kids and I) love them!

She was so proud of herself--doing the splits between two rocks on the river.

One on One Date

ONE-on-ONE DATE KNIGHT
CHICK FIL-A

What can I say of my little man that even begins to describe him? I am so blessed. Oh, so very blessed. When I speak of joy, Jacob is very much a part of that description. My little man is sincere, genuine, sweet, humble, kind, and endearing. As I mother him, I learn more about my Savior every day. When he was sent here to earth, Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed. He gave me a little boy that would pull on my heartstrings one minute, and a little boy that would keep me hopping the next. He gave me a treasure.

Chick Fil-A was having a "date knight" for mothers and sons this month, and we were lucky enough to take part. The tickets were $10 a piece. At first I questioned as to whether or not we should spend that much money to go to a fast food restaurant; however, after taking part in our "knight" out, we felt that our money was well spent. Chick Fil-A definitely did a good job in making their little restaurant something different than a fast food restaurant. Not only were we able to eat anything on the menu, but we were also given our own personal "knight" waiter (he was dressed as a knight) who was constantly checking at our table, we were also given a photo op with the famous Chick Fil-A cow, and we were treated to a limo ride--talk about good treatment! During our meal, there was a question card at our table, and I took the opportunity to ask Jake the questions provided. Here is what was said:

What does a boy have to do to become a Knight?
Listen to his mom--just like the Stripling Warriors.

Do you remember a time when you had to be brave?
Learning to ride my bike, and learning to swim.

If you had to hide something in a safe place, where would it be?
In the attic or crawl space, because no one goes there.

Who is the bravest person you know?
Me. (Meaning: Himself.)

What kinds of things can you protect me (your mom) or others against? 
Satan. I'll read the scriptures to you.

Is being a Knight just about fighting with a sword?
No. You have to fight Satan.

Would you rather have Super Strength or the Ability to Fly? 
Super Strength. I could then lift this whole building, but I would really like both.

Would you rather be a SPIDER for a week, or an ELEPHANT for a year?
I'd rather be a black widow for a week, because they are poisonous, but I wouldn't poison you guys.

Would you rather live on the MOON or UNDERWATER in the OCEAN?
The Moon. I would like to breathe in space.

Would you rather give up Candy or Ice Cream forever?
None. I don't want to do either.

Jacob was told he could order anything on the menu, so he chose a shake as his number 1 priority!

Limo Ride

Sitting by the "COW" in the LIMO

Back To School

BACK TO SCHOOL...

This is always the hardest day for me. I really love summer. Not because I love the heat (although that helps), but because I LOVE having my kids home. The first day of school is a dreaded day at our house. I try to put on a brave face for my kids, but they all know that mom is sad. In fact, I think my sadness adds to their overall self-worth. On every "first day of school", I feel my kid's eyes searching my face. It's almost as if they want to see me cry--not because they want me to be sad, but because it makes them feel special--it makes them feel loved. I do my best to show forth a brave front, and I think I do a pretty good job of it. Sometimes I even get away without a single tear. It wasn't until two years ago that I realized that my "brave front" wasn't always what my children wanted. On that particular "first day of school", I held it in all morning. I was sure I was going to make a clean getaway without a single tear; however, as I was hugging my sweet Amber good-bye, my voice cracked. To my surprise, Amber jumped up in the air while pumping both fists, exclaiming, "I knew you were going to miss me. I knew you loved me". Since that "first day of school" two years ago, I haven't tried to hide my tears as much. However, I still put on a brave face, and I smile (even with tears). I make promises of many happy memories, and I express my excitement for their new adventure.This year I was feeling okay as I sent my kid's off for another year of excitement. I shed a few tears the night previous to school when my husband gave each of us (including me) a priesthood blessing. However, I didn't cry as I kissed them good-bye. I felt reassured. I felt confident. I was still aching at their absence, but I was ready to face my reality... As soon as I got home, I received a text message from my husband. He was sweetly checking in on me. Again, I affirmed to him, and mentally to myself that all was well. He didn't quite believe me, and he convinced me to meet him for lunch (it wasn't too hard to convince me). As I was sitting across the table from my husband, eating my fries, I looked up to see two beautiful little girls playing with their mommy. My "mom heart" ached. Immediately my eyes filled with tears, and all of my sorrows of the first day of school came rushing to the surface. My husband chuckled as he wiped away my tears, and as I exclaimed sadness that our kids were indeed growing up...and, why we couldn't have more... 
Although I had a few moments this year. I also had a few "wins". This year on the way to school, we were doing our traditional "favorite scripture" routine when my sweet daughter accidentally placed my name in the scripture. We were reciting Moroni 10:32, "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love____"--it should say God here; however, my daughter accidentally said Mom. It was so sweet. I felt reassured that she was missing me, and I was missing her back. We had a good laugh and a memory was formed.Another "win" happened when Jacob told me that he told his teacher he was missing his mom to which she explained that that was okay for a Kindergartner, but Second Graders are bigger than that. At first I was a bit sad at his teacher's explanation; however, I am now grateful for her comment. It gave me an opportunity to teach my little boy, and we made a a secret pact. We promised each other that it was okay to miss one another, but that we didn't have to tell his teacher. It could be our secret. We talked about how I'm old, and how I even still miss my mom sometimes. We talked about how it was what we did with that "missing" that counted. How it wasn't okay to mope and be sad, but if when he thought of missing me, and then did his best, (because he knew that is what I would want)--then it was a good thing.And so, another year begins... 

Trip to Redfish becomes a trip to CABIN

CABIN

When we left Redfish Lake because of the rain, we didn't feel done playing. We decided to go to the cabin, so the kids could play while Bryan and I washed and dried all of our wet camping materials. The cabin was just a touch out of our way, but so worth it!

 



...ALWAYS A GOOD TIME AT THE CABIN!