Mothers Day

This Mother's Day was hands down the best one I've ever had. 

Not because of gifts or anything spectacular, but because I have really been pondering and taking the time to regroup and focus on what matters most.  That of course being my beautiful family. 

I was guitly of getting caught up in all of the "noise" so to speak or other silly distractions that slowly took my time away from the kids.  I was not giving my best to those who matter most.  I loved this quote from conference by Boyd K. Paker.  "There are few things more powerful than the prayers of a righteous mother"  I have really been trying to focus on my mothering lately and it made for an extra special Mother's Day. 
 

Oh how I love these guys. I am not the best mother and nor do I claim to be but one thing I hope they never forget is that I try my darndest and I will always do all I can to make them feel loved and have the happiest childhood ever.  What a huge responsibilty it is to teach all these sweethearts all that they need to know, espeically pertaining to the Gosple. But...it's not just me doing the teaching.  I look at all those cute faces and think what each of them has taught me. One face has taught me to not take life so seriously and have more fun.  To slow down and take in the beauty of the world.  To truly enjoy the simple things of life (Becca). One face has taught me about endurance.  He had to endure from day one.  His premie body fighting just to stay alive.  He's endured heart break caused at the hands of "friends" but has never let it get him down for too long or held a grudge.  He finds the best in everybody and forgets the rest. He always keeps praying for answers, guidance and help. Wishing so bad we would let him give his kidney to his Grandpa.  (Kyle). One has taught me to embrace the gospel more and show more love to others.  His is kind to everyone.  He has taught me to stop and listen.  Not just hear but really listen.  He is so soft spoken and has A LOT to say so if you don't really focus, you'll miss something super sweet and important to him. (Jaden)  Another has taught me patience by example.  She is my baby and should be the most demanding of the bunch, but is in fact the most chill baby ever.  Allowing me to get the older kids ready and off to school before I even start on her.  As long as she's in the middle of it all, she is happy. She has also taught me that the Lord has a plan for me and what Faith is (Aubrey). One face reminds me that I am doing a good job and is such a good example of showing that the family is his priority.  He works super hard but also finds balance in it all.  Being sure he doesn't miss out on our lives or the things that are important to us.  (Ryan)  They have all taught me that I can not raise them alone. I need the Lords help.
I am so very very blessed!

moms tender mercy

Have you ever just had "one of those days"? 

Of course you have, we all have. 

Well I am having "one of those weeks".  lol

Nothing huge or major, just lots of stupid little frustrating moments that make me want to pull my hair out.  Like the other day...

...if you have read this blog at all for the last 6 months you would know I am completely obsessed with money.  Looking for any possible way I can cut back and get the most out of our money.  It has become exciting for me to come up with different ways to do without and stretch our money.  We follow Dave Ramsey's Plan and I just love it.  Well part of that plan is the envelope system.  Where you budget a certain about of money for everything and stick it in an envelope.  When they money is gone its gone.  Well....The other day I went grocery shopping (which is one of my least favorite things to do) and I forgot my money.  Ugggghhh...I reached for my debit card...and it was no where to be found.  I had to leave the store empty handed and was embarresed and bugged about the almost two hours I just wasted.  (Yep, it took me THAT long, we are out of everything)  Well, the next day while running errands with Ry we got the mail and then went to the bank to get money for groceries.  We went home and he left for work and I headed out shopping.  I get all done and head to check out and wouldn't you know it...I had taken the bank envelope of money in the house WITH the mail.  Uggggghhhh.....and still no debit card.  Sorry folks, no groceries AGAIN....That along with all the other little frustrations I've had were just too much.  I got in the car and I broke down.  Clearly it was over more than just a second failed attempt to get my family food, but I cried and cried and cried.  Finally I got home and brought the baby in.  As I went to take her out I found this....

                                                     

and instantly and for the first time ever, I was both laughing and crying hysterically all at the same time.  It was the weirdest feeling and yet just what I needed.  There have been several times in her tiny, little less than a year life that this girl has been a tender mercy for her mama.  She is such a huge blessing to me and I am very thankful for the strange but sweet experience I had. 

*I was able to go get groceries the next day and remembered our money.  I did however leave my list at home.  Grrr...I hate when that happens, but I went ahead with it anyway since this was my THIRD time in a row getting the same things.  I pretty much knew what I needed.  haha. 

Speech Theraphy

This is Megan little Baby {A}'s speech therapist. 
She is amazing and we love her very much.
This day she was able to get {A} to say mama.  YAY!!!
So now we have Dah dah- Dad
MahMah- Mom
buh-bye
She knows the signs for Diaper, bottle, eat, get dressed and wait (be right back)
She also sings.  We play a game where we sing a song and stop suddenly in the middle, then wait for {A} to sing and then we sing again and then pause til she joins in again. and repeat that over and over. 
she can wave, clap and crawl.  She wants to spoon feed herself and so far has eaten everything we've given her.  I adore this little babe.  She is such a sweetheart and melts my heart!

What was I thinking???

Saturday I ran in a 10K relay with some of the ladies in my ward. 
Can I just say I LOVE this ward. 
They are SO good to include EVERYONE, young and old and they are always putting fun things to do together. 
The Day of the race was a huge disaster.  LOL, but it was fun.  We got there at 7:30.  Then it was delayed an hour cuz of a big wind storm so they decided to redo the route.  (Which, why they didn't just move the branches is still a mystery to us).  So...by the time that we got to start we were already super HOT and TIRED.  There is a reason why AZ races start early and 7:30 was considered a late race.  Anyway...It was a relay so everybody had a different length to run.  I some how got nominated for the longest leg so I was running just over a mile.  I have been training and my only goal for the whole day was to just keep running, no walking. Didn't care if I came in last, I just wanted to run.  Well...things were going well, I went third on the team and I started out strong.  I had a stop watch and kind of kept track of that knowing how long it takes for me to go a miles.  Well...after that time came and went I was feeling a little defeated.  Why was it taking so long???  There were a lot of hills so that could be it.  Oh well, I just cranked up the music and kept going.  and going and going....it took FOREVER!!!  I kept thinking ok, after I turn this street surely I will find my team mate.  Nope, maybe the next street, nope ok for sure the next....NOPE.  I seriously thought I was off course, but clearly I was following the cones and the runners waaaaay a head of me.  FINALLY I saw my team mate waiting.  UGGHHH...hardest run of my life.  Well...our team came in dead last, but that was ok.  I was on the team "Turtles Unite" afterall and I was the only one running on my team.  The others walked.  I specically wanted a non competetive team so it was a perfect fit for me.  Well....after I made my way back to the finish line I was soooo overheated dehydrated and seeing spots.  Didn't want to make a big deal out of it to anyone, but I seriously thought I was going to die.  I got some water and stood in the shade and started feeling a little better.  Well...Sunday as I was talking to some of the other ladies I found out the course was soooo messed up, that the third runners (yours truly) ended up running almost 5 miles.  HUH???  Are you kidding me.  I knew it was longer than the 1 1/4 they told me it would be but really 5 miles.  I suddenly felt a whole lot better about my running abilities and even a little proud of myself for sticking with it, espeically without ever running that far before.  I can honestly say I am SOOOO glad it is over though. 

5 day visit

 We were so excited to get the call the other day that Uncle Alex was coming for a 5 day visit. 
He flew in Friday morning and we wasted no time playing. 
After reading scriptures we did a quick little game of hangman.  The puzzel read, no school today.  The kids were sooo excited.  Off we headed to the airport and the fun began. 

 I asked around on FB (gotta love facebook) for a reasonable ATV rental.  With in minutes one of Ryans buddies from the ward called and offered to let us take 4 of his out, FREE of charge.  We took 2 full size and 2 mini that were perfect for the kids.  They had fun going all over the AZ desert.  After an afternoon of riding we headed to Bahama Bucks for a cool treat.  Alex LOVED it and we ended up going back the next day.  Yep...they are THAT good. 

Saturday we just took it easy and had fun together.   Ky and Alex both did some awesome guitar jams. 

We all enjoyed hearing it. 

Of course we had the typical "who's taller" debate and teasing. 

 We went out to dinner and Little Miss {B} drew a picture of her daddy.  Then she started giggling and said "Look, I gave daddy a mastachio"  hahaha, could she be any cuter?! It was darling. 

Ry and Alex got talking about many of their childhood memories.  One of which was the movie Willow.  My kids had never seen it so we found it on netflicks and watched it. 

Little Miss B was very worried about the little baby and was sobbing.  It was hilarious and not at the same time.  Such a tender little girl. 

Alex got to go to church with us and that was neat because Ky got set apart in the Deacons Quarm Presidency.  Monday Alex went on a ride a long with Ry at work.  It was a crazy busy day and they had a lot of fun.  We took Alex out for Breakfast before taking him to the airport on Tuesday. 

All in all it was a very fun visit and went by too fast.  So glad he came and grateful for the memories.  Come again soon, Alex, we miss you already!

 

Mommy in training

I get the biggest kick out of watching Little Miss {B} play house. 

She is getting quite good at doing things with one hand while holding her favorite doll in the other. 

She is a mini me and I LOVE it. 

It made me laugh to come down stairs

and find her warming her babies bottle the same way I warm Little Loves bottle. 

I am a Daughter of God

I had an experience the other day that I felt I wanted to share.   I was at a meeting and we were talking about Patriarchal Blessings.  How great it is to turn to them for direction in our lives.  But then they made a point that I hadn’t really thought about.  In this life we have been given a body.  We experience earthly events which build our character and who we are, but we also have our spirit which was already forming and developing before we got our bodies.  Then we came to earth and are trying to put the two together.  Trying to help our earthly body mesh so to speak with our spirit.  They suggested pulling out our patriarchal blessing and asking ourselves WHO we really are?  Who is our spirit?  Get to know the real you.  Our Blessings serve as a great insight and truth from Heavenly Father as to who we truly were and will become.  They suggested asking yourselves as you read each paragraph

1. Why did I need to hear that? And

2. What does it tell me about who I am? 

I gave it a try this morning and I saw my blessing in a whole new light.  It was a tender experience for me and too sacred to post more, but I know that I am a good person.  That I have a good nurturing heart and it is my sincerest desire to help others feel loved, accepted and included, and I believe that has always been important to me.   I know with out a doubt that I definitely married the right man for me and believe we were in love before we came to earth.  I could go on and on, but I won't.  BUT...Just wanted to put this out there for anyone else who may be struggling right.  It helped me and I hope it can help you too.