Be Still

I decided to lay down for a few minutes this afternoon on my couch. I had the windows open and because of how I was laying on the couch I could feel the breeze kiss my toes as it went through my house. I could hear the wind rustling the tree in the front yard. Suddenly it dawned on me that the only sound I could hear was the tree out front. No cars, no busses, no motorcycles, no airplanes, no TV and no people, just the wind. It was incredible, I couldn't believe it. It reminded me of camping when I was growing up in Wyoming with my family and we would take afternoon naps in the mountains. In this particular moment I felt like Heavenly Father was reminding me that He is always with us. In fact when I let myself lay very still and listen to the tree out front I could feel Him. It was lovely. :)

Here are a few pictures of our back yard after Steve and I worked on it this past weekend.

A Week in the Life...

A busy week. Ran kids to all the usual spots (seminary, school, work, swim, mutual for laser tag) and picked them up. Being an advocate for my child I battled with a teacher via email and spoke to the school. Finished up prerequisites for scout expo (which is tomorrow). Exercised, tried to eat right (although I had a couple of sonic syrup slushes), cooked, cleaned, did laundry, got pulled over by the police for...are you ready?...speeding in a school zone, double parking and I didn't have my driver's license on top of it, all in one shot. I got off with just a warning. Yay!! It must have been my flustered appearance from that day and my apologizing profusely that got him. A training meeting, visiting teaching and lots of phone calls for appointment making (dentist, doctor and eye exam). I haven't seen my husband much at all this week due to busy schedules and he working late once or twice this week. There have been highlights though. One on one conversations with each of my children on different days and Wednesday night while Devynne was at work and the boys were playing laser tag, Steve and I went out for ice cream. I love those little moments and easy conversation. I'm so grateful for my family and my little challenges, they remind me that I need to learn and grow everyday (the challenges and my family). And I like that sometimes I need to look for the highlights in a day or week when things seem crazy. Cleaning the church, yard work and a swim meet tomorrow. I seriously can't wait. :)

Lots of Prom Pics

Prom was Saturday night and yes Devynne had a great time. They went to dinner, the dance and ended with the Mystere show on the strip. Prom is definitely an exciting thing for a 17 year old. :)

Sisterhood

My sister sent this to me and I loved it. It really does say it all. Thankyou to all of you that share so much of yourselves in person and on your blogs.

(pause my music)

Hope

I've been thinking about hope lately. What it means, how it compares to faith, how it ties in with faith, the importance of that feeling and so on. You listen to the news and it seems so discouraging on a daily basis. People losing their homes, their jobs, their confidence, their self worth. It makes me really appreciate so many other things: family, friends, love, kindness, compassion, a good sale, saving at the grocery store, my children's health, my health, a feel good movie, that my kids say "thankyou" "I'm sorry" and "I love you" all on their own, my neighbors who wave to us all the time and so, so, so many more things. These things give me hope. Hope that jobs will be secure, the housing market will go up, that the economy will improve sooner rather than later, that our world will be in good shape for our kids and grandkids to grow up in and hope that we as people can be a little nicer to each other. I thought of a scripture that I really have always liked and I actually was able to find it.

2 Nephi 31:20
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Anyhoo, just some of what I've been thinking about lately. :)

He's the Birthday Boy!

Yesterday was Dylan's birthday. He is now 16. It's a crazy thing, he being 16 now. Where does the time go? It wasn't that long ago that he was the sweetest little baby. I worked full time when he was a baby and my "in home" care giver once told me that in her 25 years of caring for children he was the sweetest, best baby she ever had. He was the most mellow, laid back baby. He was always smiling and was always very content and happy. He rarely cried or fussed, it was awesome having a baby like that. Over the years he has continued to have a very mellow, laid back disposition. He has a fantastic sense of humor, I'm always laughing at his witty comments. He's smart, funny and talented. He plays the guitar by sound and has even made up his own songs. He does theater and performs in plays and skits at school (East Tech). He's also big into broadcast journalism at school, he loves it (check out the video below and see him in action). He swims on the Eldorado Swim team and will be taking life guard lessons in May so he can life guard this summer. He has his learner's permit and always wants to drive. Yikes! He has grown into an amazing young man and hopefully will continue to do so. He has so much potential and I know that he'll succeed in whatever path he takes in the future. I love this child so very much and I can't wait to see what he does in the next few years. Happy Birthday Dylan!

One of my favorite pics of him when he was little.


This was taken last November.


Pause my music so you can hear this.
(It starts out black just hit play, it's about 5 min.)

An April Fool's Day Birthday

Today is Steve's birthday believe it or not. Yes, he's an April Fool's baby and he has endured many years of April Fool's/birthday harassment. It's a good thing he has a great sense of humor. One of the many things I love about him. Here's my list of lovable things about Steve.

He's smart, I used to always say to a supervisor (a man) I had several years ago, who did similar work that Steve did, that Steve was the smartest man I know and I'd smile really big.

He's witty. I love his quick wit and sense of humor.

He's a hard worker. In his profession and at home.

He serves in the church faithfully. He always accepts assignments and is a great example to me.

He knows who he is, where he's been and where he wants to go.

He brings home chocolate cake from Claim Jumper just because I said I'm in the mood for that cake.

He looks for food I can eat (I'm a vegetarian) on the menu before he looks for himself.

He rubs my back, feet and legs all the time, I don't even have to ask.

He always wants to hold my hand.

He has helped me raise my children for the past 9 years and as far as I'm concerned we couldn't have asked for a better example of a father and husband.

He's not perfect and I'm glad.

When he wants to change something about himself, he does it. When I do that I constantly regress.

He shared the gospel with me and my children. That's huge and our lives have been so blessed because of that.

He's honest, kind, loving, selfless, respectful, and the list goes on. If he is an April Fool's prank, I can keep being tricked every year for the rest of my life and I'll be happy. Happy Birthday Steve and I love you with all my being.

Check out those eyes!

It Does Feel Thankless Sometimes

I got up at 5:45 am to take number 1 child to seminary. Went back to bed and got up at 6:45 to take number 3 child to school. Went to pilates which kicked my butt came home cleaned around the house, ran some errands while talking to number 1 child's math teacher and came home. Left the house 10 minutes later to pick up number 1 child from school at 1:05, came home, picked up number 2 child at 1:45, came home, picked up number 3 child at 2:15, came home, dropped number 2 child off for swim practice at 2:40 and came home. Lots of "How are you, How was your day, Tell me about it, Do your homework, and so on. Took a nap (yay) and then took number 1 child to work at 4:15, watched Oprah and then picked up number 2 child at 5:45. This child drove and for some reason likes to act like he's been driving for years when it's only been a little over a month. Made dinner, pancakes tonight because it's easy. Right....I decide to make wheat ones since the child that tends to be more "outspoken" was at work. I've been making pancakes for this side of 30 years and for some reason out of the whole batch I manage to get 4 that are edible. Number 3 child says "are these wheat?" and I say "yes" and he continues to eat them. Number 2 child comes down and says "what are these?" I say "pancakes" he says "Wheat?" I say "yes" he says "Forget it, I'm not eating!" I say "just try them" he says "No Way! I'll lose my appetite" I say "you know, I'm already upset that I have managed to ruin the whole batch, can you at least try them?" he says "No Way! They're gross!" I say "fine eat what you want". He turns around and goes upstairs and I shed a tear or two and feel guilty that I upset HIM. I'm now off to pick up number 1 child from work. Then instead of doing my budget like I was planning, I'm going to get comfy in my room and watch American Idol.

Just another day in the life of motherhood. Bright side, at least I didn't hit any of my children with the car today. (yes, I've done that) :(

Happy Birthday Cadie!

Today is Cadie's birthday. She is now 15 years old. It's so hard to believe, she was only 6 when I met her. She has grown into a beautiful, extraordinary young woman. She is boisterous, spontaneous, hilarious and all around fun. She is smart, witty and marches to her own tune (we love that about her). We love you Cadie and we hope you have a fantastic birthday!

Clever
Active
Devoted
Imaginative
Exeptional

Beauty
Undeniable
Gift to us all

A Very Quiet Weekend

This weekend was a very quiet weekend for me. Steve was in Utah visiting the kids and after Devynne worked all day Saturday and Dylan's swim meet Saturday morning (Dakota and I went), they all spent the night with their dad. So I was home alone enjoying every second of it. I watched hours of the Twilight extras and the movie itself. I ate chocolate cake for dinner and I had it for breakfast Sunday morning. I know, I totally blew the "healthy" diet I try to maintain. Oh well, it's ok to get a little crazy from time to time. I was good and went to church by myself even though I considered playing hooky. I'm in primary and decided that I needed to be there. That's one reason we have callings I think, to keep us doing the right thing. When Steve came home we had several hours of alone time before the kids came home so it was nice to spend time together and "catch up" with each others weekend. The kids came home and we ate dinner and watched a movie together (can you guess which one? You got it, Twilight!) and then called it a weekend. :)

I found this video clip on another blog I read and wanted to share it on mine. I'm very grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I know it to be the true church and I feel its blessings each and every day. (Pause my music so you can hear it)