Easter Party

My friend Kristen invited our family to a fantastic Easter party last Saturday. It was decorated so nicely and the activity for the kids was so original. After they had grabbed as many plastic eggs as they could, they were given paper and pencil to make words out of the letters on their eggs. They loved that added fun. Later in the party the kids put together a game of Red Rover. I had so much fun watching them try to crash through each other's arms...that is until J Man clotheslined himself. He didn't cry though, just kept playing.

We are so glad to have so many awesome friends here. The kids have so many wonderful friends who are not only great playmates, but great examples to them. I love our friends.

Kristen, thanks for being such an awesome hostess and for putting so much time into your Easter party. We had a blast!!!

Slowing LIfe Down- A Story From My Life

A couple of Saturdays ago I had a TERRIBLE mothering day. I am pretty sure that from noon on I didn't have anything nice to say to anyone and I was just hurting my children's feelings right and left. After they were in bed and I had time to reflect on the day I realized just how awful and unkind I had been and then I had a meltdown. I had so much stress and anxiety built up and felt like I was running around crazy all of the time. It was pretty dramatic and I am so grateful to Dad for listening to me as I went on and on.

By midnight I still couldn't sleep so I go up and decided to read my scriptures. I came across a fantastic chapter where Alma and his people are being persecuted and given heavy burdens. The words that touched me were, "...be of good comfort," and "...the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease." (Mosiah 24:13-15.)

After reading I started writing things in my journal, ways that I needed to change and slow my life down. I wrote about nine things and then at the very end I had the distinct impression to quit my job. I had kept working after Richard got his new job, just to earn some extra spending cash. At that moment I realized that working when I didn't need to was not good for my family.

After making that decision I had ideas come to my mind of what I could do to build my relationship with each of my children individually. I appreciated the impressions so much. I knew that the Lord was trying to guide and help me.

I am happy to report that life has slowed down so much for me and I am feeling a lot more peaceful and happy since making those changes that I had written in my journal. I am so thankful for personal revelation and a loving Heavenly Father that guides and strengthens me.

Turn Around- A Story From My Life

Last week I had the goal of finishing the garden boxes so that we could start planting. Dad had already put together the second box and it was all ready to be filled. On Friday the sun was out and so I decided to go and get the dirt and finish the job myself. I had said my prayers that morning that I would be guided and that the Lord would help me in everything that I was doing.

I got the dirt, put on my gloves and set to work filling the wheelbarrow and hauling it to the backyard. After my second load I was walking back to get more dirt and had the distinct impression to turn around and look at the boxes. As I turned around I saw that the second box was in full shade and it was 11:00 in the morning. I felt like this was such an answer to prayer. The Lord was guiding me to move that box out of the shady spot. With only two loads of dirt in the box I was able to relocate the box before filling it the rest of the way.

This was a simple thing but to me a profound example of how much the Lord cares about the small things in our lives and wants to bless us, especially when we are striving to do good.

School Talent Show

This month the kids participated in the school talent show.  They decided to all play piano pieces and the music teacher put them back to back in the show so now they are known as the piano family.  They had so much fun participating.  My favorite video is of J Man.  He flips through some book at the beginning and then stands for the applause at the end for a loooong time.  It made me laugh.  Way to go kids!!

Lady K at the talent show with her basketball coaches, Ashley and Jordan and some of the girls from the team.

Mr. M, the sound system dude.

New Job

Dad started a new job this week. About a month or two ago he felt strongly that he should look at leaving education and go back to his previous career. He went through a lot of exploring and praying and interviewing and praying some more and ended up taking a job as a Manager of Information Services. He enjoys being back in programming and really enjoys being able to do more of the systems analysis in addition to the programming he has done in the past.

Changing careers was a very hard move for him as he has LOVED being a teacher and has never found anything as fulfilling as teaching. However, because of salary freezes and furlough days it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to provide for the family as a teacher. Even with the income from me working part time as a teacher we still weren't able to make ends meet.

His students and fellow teachers gave him a great sendoff with parties and cards and posters. He was a loved teacher and colleague. He will be very missed at the junior high. We all wish him well in his new career and know that he will make a great difference and impact there too.

Green Dream

Ever since we moved into our house I have envisioned some type of garden boxes in the backyard. The soil is not good for planting most vegetables and so I have been limited, but this year I have all kinds of dreams as to what will be in our garden.

Dad, the kids, and I set out last Saturday to buy the supplies for making the boxes. We got a tip from a stranger while shopping and were able to find the wood at a discount lumber yard for a $100 savings!! We felt so blessed!!

It took us most of the afternoon to build one box, terrace the hill, and fill the box with the soil. The kids should have been in the picture. They worked so hard helping their dad and shoveling and moving dirt. We hope to finish the second box tomorrow and plant soon. I am so glad Dad was in charge of the project. He is so meticulous and gets the job done right. Thanks for making my dreams into a reality!!

Isn't She Lovely

This little girl is so adorable. We were leaving a school event and she saw this field with long grass. She said we had to take a picture in the grass before they mow it. I am so glad we did. This girl is beautiful inside and out. She wants so much to do what is right and achieve good things in life. I love you Little L.