Last Sunbeam

Kyle joined the ranks of Primary last Sunday. He was so excited to be a sunbeam and go to big boy primary like his brothers and he had zero problem going to class by himself. I try not to focus on the fact that all of his firsts, are also all my last. Every time he reaches a milestone, its an end of an era for me. Some of those are sad, but I love our new stage of life so so much. And watching this baby of mine grow and blossom is such a privilege.





One quick funny from Ky. The other day we were out driving and past a horse in a field. It was blowing snow and miserable outside. I uttered something like, "poor horse". And he told me, "Yeah, all his friends are at the other farm. The one up the road." I asked how he knew that and he replied, "Oh, well, you know my brain? The one in my head? It makes me think really smart things." He makes me smile.

Twenty Nineteen

Wow! 2019. Just when I was getting the hang of 2018. I have so many thoughts running through my head about changes I've made in the last three months and habits I hope to keep in the upcoming year. So many of my thoughts are directed towards our dear Prophet, President Nelson, and his clear inspiration for the women of the LDS church. 

As I mentioned before, President Nelson gave the challenge to read the Book of Mormon before the years end. And guess what, I DID IT! I am so proud of myself. However, the really amazing part is the habit that it evoked. My morning routine is the same everyday. I wake up at 4:30 and head to the gym. I get home about 5:45 and read my scriptures. Then shower and get ready before the kids wake up. Now that I am done with the Book of Mormon, I dedicate my scripture time to the new church curriculum. President Nelson has changed the three hour Sunday block to a two hour block and has asked that we conduct more learning time at home. The doctrine is now to be, "Home Centered, Church Supported." 

The transisition has been seamless. There is no doubt in my mind that the challenge was given to us by divine revelation. Not only has a habit formed, but a love for learning. My goal for this year is nothing new, but to keep up this habit. I've felt it missing for years, but never quite knew what was missing or how to fix it. But now that I have it in my life, and the blessings of it, I don't want to give it up.

Along those lines is a new goal. To hold family church study every Sunday after dinner. We started off on the right foot and discussed the material this week. It was awesome and the kids actually took part in the lesson. I'm very excited to see how this helps us grow as a family and how it helps my children learn the gospel on a deeper level. 

I also plan to continue monthly temple attendance. Hopefully as school lets out, I'll be able to attend more endowment sessions, but for now I am so pleased with the initiatory work I'm doing.

Maybe its me getting older, or just the truthfulness of the gospel hitting me, or maybe a touch of both. But I feel so strongly that if I keep my spiritual life in order all other things will fall into place. Yes, I want to lose a little weight and gain some muscle. I want to keep my house clean and stay up on laundry. I want to enforce house rules with more consistency and be a better mom. But all of these things come in second to strengthening my spiritual self. I know the biggest gift I can give my kids, it that of a spiritual mother. 

Happy New Years!  

Nerf War

Every year Scott gets the boys new nerf guns. And every year I ask WHY!! But then, every year during their epic nerf battles, I’m so glad. 

Tonight, it was getting wild so I retreated to my bed for a bit of safety. The war made its way into my room and I had to snap some quick pictures. These aren’t for show of quality, but to remember this awesome night! 

Christmas 2018

Christmas was wonderful this year. The kids got out of school on Friday, and with Christmas on Tuesday, we went right into festive activities. On Saturday morning we went to Inkom to see Scott’s grandparents. I’m so bummed we didn’t take a picture, but we had a great chat. We’re blessed that our children have a relationship with their great grandparents. I have always felt so loved from Scott’s grandparents, especially his grandpa, so it’s always a treat to be in their presence. I love them as my own. 

Sunday was church and we actually made it on time. I’m always surprised when the spirit touches me in the most unexpected ways. As we were singing the sacrament song, the YM leader got up and grabbed the gluten free cereal option from the back and placed it on the tray. It was no big deal. But he realized they forgot it and stepped in to help. I couldn’t help but feel his stewardship over those young men. My heart immediately felt grateful for a ward family that functions together as one body and looks out for one another. Then my heart burst for the love our Savior has for us that he organized his church in such a way. I broke down in quiet, grateful sobs.  It’s moments like these that confirm my testimony. It was such a sweet tender moment. 

Christmas Eve came on Monday. We made our traditional sugar cookies, but this year the older kids were less than enthused to decorate them. They did a few and then left Ky and Cache to do the rest. I had to grab something in the other room and got distracted for a couple of minutes. I came back out to see Kyle all alone frosting the cookies. He was using about 1/2 inch of frosting on each one, smothering them in frosting and then covering them in M&Ms. He was so proud of himself. 

After the cookies we opened our PJ’s and settled in for a movie. We watched, “A House with a Clock in the Walls”. It was rated PG, so we thought it was completely appropriate for our children. Wrong! It was so scary. They were all hiding under their blankets or cuddled up next to mom and dad or in Caches case... full body clenched with wide opened terrified eyes. Tayden kept asking us if we were sure it was a family movie, and after the 10th time we turned it off. Which is a good thing, because we finished it later than night and it just got worse! Anyway, we skipped the movie and went straight to our annual Christmas Eve game night. This year we played Yeti in my Spaghetti. It was a perfect game for everyone and we had a blast. Christmas Eve game night is my favorite and I can only imagine it getting more and more fun as the kids get older. 

We also witnessed a Christmas Eve miracle!! Scott became the dog whisperer. It’s not surprise with Luna, but he even had Tanner under a trance.

The kiddos were exhausted from sleeping by the tree the night before, so they went to bed without a fuss. Scott and I got to work putting gifts out. It looks like so much, but in truth I’m an amazing deal finder and spent less than normal. Also, we regifted tablets that we sent back to get fixed under their warranty. So basically a sweet free gift. But the kids were non the wiser and were so darn excited. 

Christmas morning was magical. The kids slept in until about 6:45 and we didn’t get out of bed until 7:00. We had a nice slow relaxed morning and the kids were so grateful for every gift. 

The rest of the day was spent playing with our new toys in our PJ’s. We ate leftover pizza and finger foods from the fridge. It was perfect. After the kids went to bed, I took down the tree and started clean up. Which is my favorite part of the holiday. 

The next day we woke up to Cache screaming in pain. His ear was hurting really bad. I knew from the previous cold and cough and now the ear pain, that he had an ear infection. I wasn’t going to take him to the doctor, but he begged and begged me, so I gave in and Scott took him. Along with the pain of the ear infection, it was also making him nauseous and he threw up several times. It was a really rough day! 

But today, we’re on the mend and everything is going well. Scott’s home with us during the whole break and it’s been awesome having him around. 

I’m so grateful for the birth of our Savior. As I get older I realize more and more how much we need him. He truly is our saving grace and the best gift we could receive. Not only as mankind, but as individuals. Because through him we will find our way back to the Heavenly Father, who loves us so much he gave us the gift of his son. It’s quite miraculous and I could spend hours pondering on the joy that this knowledge brings me. I’m so thankful we have this season! 

Clean Kids

Sometimes you open up your new vacuum box and think you’ll find a new cleaning tool, but you get kids instead. 

Wrestling

It’s been waaaaay too long since the kids have had a good wrestling session with their daddy. So Scott kindly obliged his boys and even endured a ridiculously strong headlock from Beckett. I love these moments of fun and giggles. 

Shoveling Service

Half the time I wonder if I’m doing this mothering thing right. Then, weeks like this, prove that I’m not getting it all wrong. 

Every morning my sweet baby boy, Tayden shovels the driveway. He gets ready for school quickly, puts on his snow gear and heads out the door. And not once have I asked him to do it. He sees the need and takes care of the problem on his own. It’s these kind of things that make me so extremely proud.