Eight Is Great! But Nine is Better

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Trenton ran the 400 and did awesome! It started to snow while he was running (the picture looks like it is sunny outside.) We sat in the stands all bundled under blankets. I felt bad that he had to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt.

Happy, Happy Birthday Madison

Madison asked for meat loaf, mashed potatoes and corn for dinner. Instead of a cake she wanted a homemade coconut cream pie.

Madison turned 17 today.

Today it snowed outside just like the day she was born. I remember the nurses pushing me in a wheel chair to our room and Christian and I looking out the window at around 10 o'clock p.m. and it was snowing outside. I can't believe it was 17 years ago today we were blessed to have such a wonderful, beautiful girl. I am forever grateful for my sweet Madison.

17 things we adore about Madison

1.She is a wonderful daughter. I couldn't have gotten a better oldest daughter.

2. Madison is a great sister. She plays with and gets along with all of the brothers and sisters.

3. She is compassionate.

4. She has a good heart. Always willing/wanting to help others.

5. Very helpful. You don't usually have to ask for help, she just knows.

6. Very giving.

7. Great friend.

8. Easy going. She doesn't enjoy drama.

9. Fun to be around.

10. Loving.

11. Always willing to share.

12. Kind.

13. Smart.

14. creative

15. Willing to try new things.

16. Happy.

17. Gracious.

thoughtful, sweet, beautiful, adventurous, great hugger, perceptive, always tries to choose the right, and a good sport.

We are so grateful for Madison. We love having her in our home.

Happy Birthday Madison!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Julie B. Beck

Julie B. Beck came to our stake today and spoke. Madison and I were able to go and listen. I loved listening to her speak. Sister Beck started off talking about the relief society not being a program but a way of life. Here are a few of the things that Sister Beck said that stuck with me.

1.We all know the Mary and Martha story. Some seem to say Mary was better than Martha. (Luke 10:38 "Martha received Him into her home"-She did welcome Him into her home which was good. Luke 10:40" but Martha was cumbered about much serving,"- Martha served Him which was good But in Luke 10:42, "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."-That one part that was missing from Martha was -study my gospel with me and be my disciple. I took from this that we can choose good things but it is better to choose the best things like studying the gospel, increasing faith, making covenants, having personal scriptures, praying, and being a disciple of Christ. Lifting and building up His kingdom.

2.We need to be Intentional and have Precision in those things above not perfect. I love that. Intentional/Precision with prayer, fhe, scriptures, etc..

3. There was a moment where Sister Beck took questions-One sister asked about how we can help Sisters be willing to have and be Visiting Teachers. Sister Beck asks the whole of us back why are we not doing our visiting teaching and why are we not allowing those to visit. (answers included-No time, house not clean, didn't need help, etc..)Sister Beck paused for a minute and then said "The Savior doesn't care about our issues, He cares about His sheep." She said she was sorry if that was blunt but that that was the truth. We ought to be on our knees everyday asking what our Sisters need and how we can help. The Savior can help us also with what is stopping us either way.

4. One Sister asked Sister Beck what was her biggest concern with the Sisters of the church today. Sister Beck said that we are not always aligned with the Lord. We needed to align ourselves with the Lord, check where our priorities were, simplify our lives, rid ourselves with less important things (She did say blogging was good if used in the right way:))fun should not take precedence over essential.

5. She talked about anger, apathy, and entitlement-the lord owes us nothing. We owe Him everything.

6. She talked about how some don't feel like they ever feel the Spirit speak to them. She read D&C 11:12-13 put your trust in the Spirit which leadeth to do good (if you have a feeling of helping someone-act upon it....that's the Spirit) yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; this is my Spirit. 13)which shall enlighten your mind (do you ever have an idea /aha moment sometimes that's the Spirit)which shall fill your soul with joy( do you feel happy and are joyful.... sometimes that's the Spirit. Sometimes we may feel guilt and that may be the Spirit helping you to make a change.)

7.Sister Beck talked about a place where the sisters didn't want to send out there sons on missions anymore. They wanted their sons to go to school, have careers, etc... Sister Beck said she had to go and talk with these sisters. Through visiting teaching they shared her message and the sisters started sending their sons on missions again. She said "do you see the influence you sisters have. She encouraged us to teach our children (boys/daughters/future missionaries) the gospel truths-One sister asked how we which are so blessed with so much could help those sisters around the world with so little. Sister Beck said again "teach your sons/daughters/future missionaries the gospel so when they go out on their missions that they can teach these families.-(I have a work to do.)She also said to pay a generous fast offering and our tithing so we could help some of these sisters/families go to the temple more than once if even just once.(We have temples so close we should be going more. I want to go more often than I do.)

I was so grateful for the opportunity to listen to Sister Beck speak (Next Saturday we get to go to Salt Lake and listen to the young women's presidency speak). I was so impressed with her knowledge of the scriptures. In one of her messages in a recent Ensign article she asks us women to become scriptorians and know the scriptures. I think that the better we know of the scriptures the better we can help others by sharing the scripture stories and bearing our testimonies of them.----I had an experience this last week where I had just finished reading my scriptures (Exodus-about Moses and the burning bush and how Moses felt inadequate in doing what the Lord had asked him.) I gathered the boys and went outside to go visit one of my friends down the street. When we went out there was a somewhat inactive sister from my ward walking in front of our house. We talked for a little bit and at one point due to the conversation I was able to share the same scriptures that I had just read that morning. She said she knew she needed to get out and was thankful our paths had crossed. I don't share this to say how awesome I am, I tell you because I'm thankful that I read my scriptures that morning and every morning. I'm thankful for the things I learn from them and hope I can become a scriptorian, like Sister Beck, and can share them and my testimony with others.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Madison got glasses

Madison was having a hard time seeing the board and got glasses.

Landon is working hard and prepareing for college searching out scholarships.

Trenton is running track.

Brooklon went to 7th grade night at the Jr. High for sixth graders. She tried out for the musical theatre but didn't make it this time. I'm proud of her for trying. There were only about 100 girls trying out and maybe 5 boys.

Maron got her hair cut and is looking cute.

Jenson loves school and his friends. He's been having a few play dates lately.

Jordon counts the days for the next holiday. He doesn't sleep well though counting and waiting. We are not talking about Easter around here.:)

Gavon, Gavon, Gavon...... He is busy and we love him so.

That's what's happening with us. Thanks for reading.

St. Patricks day-meant to be fun not scary

(These are backwards-sorry)

Leprechauns can be sneaky. We decided to give it a try. We served this for our drink (?or was it?) for dinner.:) Actually lime jello in a cup with a straw. We're so sneaky. It looks like juice though. -I do this on April fools day:) My kids love it.

Green lunches for school. Pb and j sandwich with a shamrock cookie cutter cut into the top, chips, juice, green jello, and shamrock cookie.

Usually I get a box of Lucky Charms for breakfast but this year I found this idea. I loved it, and so did the family.- Christian and I got up at 5 a.m. (for seminary goers) and made rainbow waffles with whip cream clouds. I can't take credit for these but they were a hit. Aren't they cute?

That sneaky little leprechaun tied a string on the side of the trap and climbed out. He did leave us a note and sent us on a treasure hunt.

The note read:

Hello, my friends ! Jenson, Jordon, and Gavon

Now, what do you think?

I was here and gone

As quick as a wink!

I danced in your room

and lost a shoe.

I don't remember where,

but you may have a clue.

I'm a little leprechaun

All dressed in green,

The tiniest man

That you have ever seen.

If you catch me, so it's told,

I'll give you my pot of gold.

The leprechaun

The treasure hunt said:

Red You found Red!

Way to go!

Orange is next

In every rainbow.

So look for the

color of yummy

fruit,

and keep your

eyes "peeled"

to find my loot!

Orange Orange you found!

But keep looking

Around!

Yellow is next in

the colorful line,

If you keep going,

You'll find the

treasure that's

mine!

Yellow You found yellow!

Just like the sun!

Now look for a

green shamrock,

isn't this fun?

Green You found green-

you are so

bright!

Now look for the

blue shamrock-

It's almost in

sight!

Blue Blue, blue like the

sky-

now go for the

gold and don't be

shy!

Find "purple"

The last on our

trail-

The treasure

awaits!

I know your won't

fail!

Purple You found my treasure

and the purple

shamrock!

You followed the

colors on the rainbow

walk!

You can't find me,

I decided to hide-

but left you a

treasure-

you can now look inside!

xoxo Mr. leprechaun

Note to self:Don't tell Jordon when the next holiday is. He doesn't sleep!

Jordon was excited/nervous about this leprechaun thing. He came in the living room excited this morning to see if the leprechaun came. He started the treasure hunt and wanted to change into his clothes before he finished. He went into his room and came out scared to death. He wasn't completely changed yet. He was shaking and almost in tears. I asked him what was the matter. He said "He's in my room and he's breathing."Me "Who? Oh Joe there isn't any leprechauns here. He's gone by now, besides he was a nice leprechaun." Maron and I almost started laughing but realized that he was really scared. Maron ran in to check things out and told Jordon that it was just Gavon breathing really loud not "The Leprechaun". (I wish I had a video)

Cabinet

Christian made me a great shelf to store my spices on.
Maron and I painted it together.
Stay tuned for the finished product. I love it! Thank you love!

Snow day activities

Monday March 14th-Snow day

Maron had a few friends over to play and the 3 musketeers decided it was time to make a leprachaun trap.

We painted.

We glued.

Ta da! The leprachaun climbs the steps, trys to walk across the napkin and grab the gold candy we left for him. The leprachaun falls through the napkin and we catch ourselves a leprachaun.---Stay tuned to see what happens :)