A little reminder...

Today I was again reminded of who I am...of who I can become...and what I am really working towards. I was reminded that my Heavenly Father KNOWS me, and loves me, and knows exactly what I need...even if I can't quite see it.

I was just called to be the Second Councilor in the Young Women's Presidency. I have been the Mia Maid advisor for the last 3 years and I have enjoyed it. I have really learned a lot about myself and the girls and, since they have changed the Youth Cirriculum, a lot about the Gospel. 

But when they asked me to do this, I was nervous. It's a little more responsibility and I will admit I was scared and a little upset. I was thinking of myself and how much work it would be and that I didn't think I was ready for that etc. etc. I know in my heart, that Heavenly Father calls people to where He needs them and where they need to be. But I was pretty sure I couldn't handle it. (When stuff like this comes up, this selfish beast inside me tries to get out, and it makes me want to hibernate in my house and not do ANYTHING!)

Also, being in charge if the Beehives and having Beehive Camp coming up right away, during a VERY busy week in my personal life, and not really knowing what to do or expect, I was feeling slightly stressed...and agitated...and a little overwhelmed.

So today (after I also had to teach the combined lesson in Young Women's...add another point to my stress level) we were set apart by the Bishopric. That's par for the course, right?! Well when it was my turn, Bishop Maxwell set me apart and gave me a really beautiful and very needed blessing to go along with it. He said that my Heavenly Father was aware of what I am going through in my life and was aware of my efforts. He also said that I would be blessed for serving and for being an example to my husband and my children and they would recognize my efforts and realize my Testimony of the Gospel...

It was honestly the best thing I could have heard all day. It was just what I needed to hear, and I felt so loved, and I knew He was watching over me and He will help me with this calling. I know it won't be simple, but I was reminded today that my Heavenly Father and my Savior are there for me, and they will help me and guide me through this calling, and with anything else that I may need. I am so grateful for this knowledge! It will be a grat way to start Beehive Camp this week!

Adventures of 2013

Umm...Picture overload!!

Its been a busy year...and this post is a little late, but I thought I'd give a little rundown of our happenings in 2013. Especially since I didn't send out a little letter with our Christmas cards!

 We loved our California trip! It was so fun to see Disneyland, and the beach and of course our many friends. I'm hoping we can make another trip sometime to see them all again!!

 Oh how I missed the beach!! 

 Gracie took clogging again, and they didn't have competitions, but did a recital at the end of the year. Here is the little 'Jailhouse Rock' Elvis impersonator!!

 All the kids played ball. Brody enjoyed coach pitch and is looking forward to baseball next year.

 Gracie played softball with the girls team..(slow pitch, no fast pitch teams around here!)

And Cooper loved T-ball this year. He was actually excited to play, 

which made my life alot easier, since I had to coach him!!

 Brody has really enjoyed Hockey this year and has really grown close to his hockey friends. 

His team won the Novice 'C' Division this year, 

losing the league title in a 5 game play off that was pretty close! They did so well!

We tore up our back yard with great intent of some grand renovations... 

so far they haven't happened..hoping 2014 brings them to pass!!

Dustin had fun tearing things up though!

 I'm still in Young Womens and really enjoying it. The girls keep me Young!! We went on this awesome hike in the summer just before camp. It was a Daddy/Daughter hike, which was alot of fun for both the Dad's and girls. They had a questionnaire to get to know each other better!!

Gracie participated in her first Track and Field. She did pretty good, 

but she is still pretty small compared to the other kids her age. 

But she tried hard at everything and didn't give up.. I told her that was the most important part!

Grampa Craig and Gramma Sherry celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary this year. 

Jamie and Jody and the kids came down, and we had dinner as a family. 

We are so grateful for these two people in our lives and the example that they set for us!!

Cooper turned 5 and had a 'Spy' Birthday...he loved it...and so did the 10 other 5 year old boys! 

Talk about CRAZY!!

 Brody and Gracie had a pool party for their brithday...that was nice and easy on the Momma...

Jamie and Jody moved to Houston!! 

Sad, but we will have a nice getaway place now!!

As close to a beach as we have around here...Wally's is always fun in the summer!!

I completed my second triathlon. I was a little disappointed I didn't improved my time...but I finished!!

We went to Seattle and took in the sights...and a ball game!!

My Brody got baptized!! I can't believe he's 8!

His Dad baptized him and Uncle Steve baptized Ryder and Gage as well.

We are so proud of this little man!!

The boys are both playing hockey again this year. Brody is obsessed!! Cooper likes it alot more this year, and even though he's not totally into the game, he is improving each time!!

Its been a crazy busy year, but full of fun and laughter and love. I so enjoy my little family and all that I get to experience with them. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us!!

Happy New Year family and friends! 

We hope your 2014 is filled with many Adventures as well!!

My Kids...

So, I've been working on my blog book and 2009 was a huge blogging year for me. I did FANTASTIC at keeping up with daily adventures and crazy things my kids did. I realized I haven't done that for a while and I need to, because they are growing up so fast, and soon I'll be writing about the sassy teenagers in my house instead of the silly kids. So here are a couple of tidbits from my kids:

Cooper:

He's arguing with his dad back and forth about who is wierder...

Dad: Cooper, you are a weir-do!

Cooper: Well, you are "Weir---d" (and he uses air quotes to emphasize.

Brody:

"I think Cooper is an Alien and he came here and hatched from an egg."

Gracie:

We were looking at the search engine on her iPod, you know, snooping like all good parents. We found all these references to 'Matty B'. Looking it up, we found he is a young aspiring singer, and when we asked her, "Who is Matty B?"

 she went bright pink, yelled "Nobody!!" and ran in her room and hid.

Now evertime you ask her, she blushes, hides her face, and gets mad...

its hilarious!

Cooper:

Was shopping with my parents and had to go to the bathroom.

 Grampa takes him in there, waits a little bit, then asks "You makin' out ok in there?"

Cooper replies: "I'm not Makin' Out!"

Brody:

He is still my sweetheart, and rarely do I hear anything sarcastic come out of his mouth. I convinced him a couple of years ago I was 25...he still tells everyone I'm 25...

Gracie:

I'm pretty sure we will never make through the teen years....I think I may kill her...just for the fact that she can be soo stubborn and ornery sometimes. Lately, if we have to get after her for doing something she's not supposed to (like the fact she's up until 10 or 11 playing with her iPod instead of going to sleep) its instant water works and "No Mom!!" Drama, Drama, Drama.

Good thing she's so cute...

Seattle Trip!!

Warning! Picture Overload!!

But I had to take lots of pictures, it was sooo pretty, and I am actually kicking myself for not taking more!!

This summer, we decided...well actually, Dustin decided, he wanted to see an Angels game. Well Anaheim is a LONG ways off so we went for the next best thing, 

An Angels vs. Mariners game in Seattle. 

What!?! A trip, to a cool new city, including a ball game, and sightseeing, and beautiful scenery?!!?

Count me in!

But it was a LONG LONG drive. Thank goodness for road side rest stops...they are my friend.

At one, we seen this little swallow that must have fallen out of its nest, it was still downy looking. And the mama was coming a long and feeding it, so the kids wanted to get a picture. None of us could capture the moment quite right.

But Seattle was beautiful. I am a huge fan of Grey's Anatomy, so it is kind of fun to see the city where they portray the show. the kids got a kick out of the huge Ferry boats, watching them load and unload dozens of cars. 

We went to a little lighthouse on the bay and were able to climb up inside to the top. It wasn't very big, but cute, and interesting.

Then we hit the ball games!!

Dustin and Brody went to one by themselves and me and the other two kids stayed at the hotel and chillaxed. Brody thought it was pretty neat he got to go with his dad all by himself!!

And then the next day we went to one as a family. It was great to be back in a Ball Park, nothing quite like it!!

After the game, the kids had a chance to run around the bases!! That's two Ball Parks we have walked around the infield on!!

We did alot of walking around. We had almost a week, but really, there is so much to see, its so hard to take it all in!! Pike's Place Market was really neat. Its a Public Farmer's type market with lots of stalls and shops selling everything from Fresh Flowers, Fresh Foods, antiques, jewelry, to fresh fish!! And these were not your everyday fish. I'm talking fish as big as Cooper man!!

We went to the Gum Wall as well. Seattle is a very 'Artsy' town, lots of art, music etc. going on. One alley, by the Market, is the gum wall, where people come from all over and put their gum onto the wall and add to the Public Art. Every one in the family except myself, thought it was gross. I think my male nurse actually almost had a panic attack thinking of all the germs!!

Then we went to the Space Needle!!

I was so glad it was a fairly clear day so we had a great view of the Downtown and surrounding city. Gracie hated it! She is scared of heights and did not like being up there. I finally convinced her to smile for a picture...

The boys thought is was neat, though, and the nerd in me loved all the signs with facts and how it was built and why. I love that stuff.

From the top of the Space Needle, we could see this fountain, so we walked over to explore it. It was huge and sprayed water to music. The kids had fun trying to dodge the streams of water to get close enough to touch it.

We spent another day at this little Zoo. It was fun and relaxing and had a nice little aquarium as well. I think the kids enjoyed the fact we weren't Sightseeing, and doing something a little more fun in there eyes!!

On the way home, we made a stop at Silverwood. I figured with the long weekend, it would be CRAZY!! But it actually was nice, and not too busy. We did the waterpark and then the rides. We convinced Cooper to ty a big Rollercoaster, because he was finally big enough. He was super nervous, but he did it (one big scream at the beginning, eyes closed and death grip on Mom's arm the entire time!!) and when it was done he said:

"Is it going to go fast again?!"

The other kids went on it a couple more times but Cooper declined. He loved the kiddy rides and was so proud of himself because he put his hands in the air on the Little Kiddy coaster.

It was so much fun!

I love taking trips with my little family to new places. I love taking my kids to see new and different things and seeing it through their eyes!! I can't wait to see what our next big adventure will be!!

Sidenote: we seen the building where they make the Boeing Airplanes...biggest building in the whole world. Actually didn't think it was that big when we drove by...until I figured out the 'ants' crawling on the airplanes and the ground were actually employees!!