let you light so shine!

Last night Ry and I were invited to a Fireside about the Cultural Celebration that Ky was in.
It was really cool.  They had put together a neat video of the behind the scene practices and such.  It was really neat and did an awesome job portraying what the kids actually went though.  It was so hot and dusty the first full day practice.  Kids got sick, dehydrated and suffered from allergies.  They gave up a lot of free time and homework time.  It was not just a small task that was asked of them.  Its really quite amazing, they did dance, sang songs and learned sign language, and they did it well. After the video they had a testimony meeting.  Those are always just so great.  I loved it.  
The Young Women's President talked about how they were not only doing it for the Prophet but they were doing it for their Heavenly Father.  She talked about how in the temple we promise to give up our time, energy and service to the Lord.  She pointed out how these kids have already done that in their effort to celebrate the new temple before they have even covenanted to do so.  How cool is that?  She talked about the promises Elder Eyring made them.  How he told them they would bring their children back here some day and get to say they helped in the dedicating programs.  He also challenged them to go home and write about it in their journals.  She said she hoped that all of the kids did that.  Then she said I went home and wrote about the awesome youth that you are.  The sacrefice and love for the Prophet and Lord you gave.  I don't typically call someone out, but I just have to this time.  Then she said Ky Moody could you please come up here.  (GULP!)  When he got up there by her she got teary eyed and said I wrote about this kid in my journal.  What an amazing guy he is!  She said that when it was all said and done kids got to the dry spot and were able to take off their wet shirts.  She said do you know how heavy wet clothes are???  Its very heavy!!!  She threw the wet clothes on a big tarp to help her carry them and started dragging them to the car.  She was far from the car. She said she went back and clocked it and it was just over a mile.  Ky saw her tugging and pulling and struggling with the tarp and he said "hey, here, let me get that"  and together the pulled it.  She wasn't even half way through and it started to fall apart.  She was DONE...she was so tired and ready to be finished.  Ky said let me re wrap the tarp so the clothes will stay in. He got right in their and came up with a clever way to keep it all together and then they drug it some more.  They were going thru mud since that's all there was out there and it got stuck a couple times and one time on a tire.  But every time Ky just went and fixed the problem.  Never complaing.  She asked him if it was heavy and he kinda shrugged and said not really.  (it was so cute)  She went on to say how impressed she was with Ky.  He wasn't there for the glory, he never went and told people how awesome he was or the good deed that he did.  But he lifted her when she was at her breaking point.  He was such a light when she felt defeated.  She said You are awesome Ky.  I appreciate you and am so grateful to you!

It was so sweet and did my heart good to hear this.  Ry and I both got teary eyed.  We have such amazing kids.  I loved hearing about this story and think that is so neat that she recognized him.  He clearly felt embaresed and it made me love it all that more.  Ky really is a great kid. Always very much aware of the needs of others.  He too has been a light in my life on many different occasions.  I adore the relationship we have right now and I just feel so lucky and humbled to me the mom of such an amazing young man!  

Spring Break

Spring break this year turned out to be a fun, productive week.
I started the week off with a big family meeting.  

I told them we were going to use this week to get some good spring cleaning done.  

Our goal was to get up early, get our spring clean project done and then 

go out on a family adventure together before Ry had to leave for work.  

We had talked about going away somewhere, but it just didn't feel like the right time so I was worried the kids would be disappointed, but they were awesome.  I loved how they asked me every morning what the adventure was.  I never told, I just said "you'll have to see"!  :)  

 The first day we did some yard work.  The boys mowed the lawn, Becca cleaned up the yard toys and swept the patio.  For the adventure we went to this cool skate park.  It has hills and turns and is just perfect for skateboards, scooters and bikes.  They all loved it and it didn't cost a dime, other than the fruit and trail mix we brought along.  We did stop at McDonalds on our way home for a .50 ice cream cone.  (can't believe its this hot for spring already)  When we got home the kids were free to play and have fun.  It was a win win for everyone.

 Day two: We organized the kitchen pantry and cupboards.  It's so interesting to me how the kitchen can be clean but knowing that my cupboards are unorganized can just nag at me and help me not enjoy the clean kitchen.  We had this junk drawer that just felt so good to organize.
For the adventrue we envited friends over and had a pizza/night games party.  Anyone who had nerf guns brought them and they had a pretty intense game of ghost in the graveyard with a nerf twist.  These kids are so hilarious and such a great bunch.  After a few games outside, they came in and played some board games.  The older kids played some x-box as well.

 Day three:  We went through our closets and got rid of clothes we don't need anymore.  All of my kids have grown sooo much this year.  Can't believe how big they are getting.  crazy.  For fun we went to Peter Piper Pizza.  Miss B won a ball from the Claw game all by herself.  I was so impressed.  Those are so hard.  Little Miss thought it was for her.  {B} was so sweet with her and let her have it.  The boys all had fun playing and competeing against each other.  They earned a ton of tickets and had fun picking their prizes.  Little Miss got her very first sucker and boy did she love it.

 Day Four: We cleaned out the cars.  Its amazing how fast they get trashed.  Ry's work had a special show for all Phoenix PD families.  They brought in animals from the San Diego zoo.  It was really cool to get to be up so close and personal with them.  Miss {B} really loved it and asked some of the best questions.  Wonder if she'll end up working with animals?!  

 Day Five:  The kids went over to a ward members home and pulled weeds for him.  I was so proud of them and their hard work.  Afterwards we rented a big huge blow up slide.  I wanted a water slide, but they don't let you use water on them til may.  Oh well, they still had fun.  We had lots of friends over and I loved watching them do all kinds of flips and tricks.

Needless to say I was super sad to have them go back to school.  They were such great helpers.  I LOVE having fun things planned so they have fun.  I hate hearing we're bored so I made sure I had plenty planned to avoid that.  It makes me excited for summer.  I went in to the school tuesday and talked with the principal about the 2nd grade curriculum.  I am excited to plan out our summer school, adventures and vacations.  Only 44 schools days left!!!

Wedding Day

What a sweet tender week and a half this has been for me.  

One of my very sweet Young Women from when I served as President of Riverview ward got married.  I am so thankful to have gotten to get to know her fiance (now husband) before they got married.  What an amazing man he is.  He is the only member of the church in his family and has sacrificed so much.  He truly has a heart of gold, darling personality and is absolutely smitten with Jessica.  I am just so thrilled for my Jess!  

Ry and I had to opportunity to be there when they both went through the temple for the first time.   

WOW...What a sweet experience for me to get to be there.

I have always had a very special unique bond with Jessica and   

I am so happy for her and the beautiful faithful girl she has always been.  

Kalli was Jessica's maid of honor and it was just so sweet for me to watch Kalli be there for her and serve her, making sure everything was just right and that Jessica had everything she needed at the wedding and reception.  They have been very best friends for over 20 years and I just admire the relationship they share and the effort they both give, even now after all these years.  Truly something special and extremely rare.  These girls have a way of lifting and blessing the lives of all they are around.  I am blessed to have been their leader.  I am ever so grateful they still include me and want me in their lives.  It means the world to me.  What beautiful girls they are.    

 The wedding day was beautiful and full of so much laughter.  My stomach seriously hurt from laughing.  It was also full of tears.  I was actually quite surprised at how emotional I was.  At one point I said to Ry, I don't understand why I can't stop crying.  He said "I do, Kalli and Jessica were your pride and joy.  You love them as much as they love you"  awwww.....more tears fell at that point.  :) We slipped away to a quiet corner of the reception and had a really good really long heart to heart over other feelings I had that day.  It was at a beautiful reception hall (owned by Jessica's family) and the setting was just so peaceful and romantic.  I just have to say, I never thought it would be possible to love this man more than I already did, but I could literally feel my love for him increase as we talked.  He gets me!  He knows me!  He Loves me with his whole being, and best of all he forces me to see that I AM a good person with a kind heart and helps me to love myself!  
This was hands down one of my very favorite dates.
What a perfect weekend with the perfect bride, brides maid and husband. I am blessed!

One year older and wiser too!

 Can't believe my baby girl is really 7!!!!

 We started the morning off with pancakes shaped like a 7.  

Then had her open one present, her birthday outfit.  

That's all we had time for before school and I didn't get any pictures.  

Oh well.

                 After school she got to open the rest of her gifts.  She loved them all!               

 She picked tacos for her birthday dinner and chocolate for her cake.

 

Since Valentines is the day after her birthday we decided to wait for the next weekend to have her party.  Figured we would have a better turn out that way.  Miss {B} decided she wanted a baking party.  I made little aprons out of paper and used those for the invite.  

It said:

Come whip up some fun at {B}'s 7th birthday baking bash!

Ingredients: 

1 birthday girl                      a cup full of friends

sprinkle of b-day wishes       pinch of creativity 

bag of imagination                heap of giggles 

lots of sugar and a dash of spice 

               Mix all together on....

              date

              time 

               {B}'s kitchen 

When the girls arrived they each got to decorate their own chef hat to wear for the party. 

Next they got to pick one of the little aprons I made for them.  

They all looked so adorable! 

Now we were ready to start our party.  

I had a mini cake on a cake stand waiting for each girl to decorate.  

They loved this and each one was so different and creative.  

The main birthday cake had a mini cookie jar on it filled with mini cookies.  

I found these cute little rolling pins at Hobby lobby and just had to get them.  

They were the wrong color though, so naturally I had to paint them.  :)  

The girls used them to make their own individual pizzas for dinner.  

While the pizzas were in the oven they made fruit kabobs.  

They each got to put together their own party favor which was a cookie mix in a jar.

The girls loved getting to measure things and follow the directions.  

I was giving little mini cooking lessons with every activity we made.  

The girls LOVED it and caught on quick.  

One of the biggest lessons we learned was to always set the timer when you put something in the oven.  Yep, that's right!!!  I forgot to set the timer and burnt their cute little pizzas.  

HA!!! 

Oh well....Good thing Little Ceasers is just around the corner and my sweet hubby was happy to go quick and get them some unburnt pizza.  The girls were sweet and understanding.  

We all got a good laugh over it.   

Next we watched Miss {B} open her presents.  

We sure are blessed to have such wonderful friends around us!  

Now it was cake time!  

I had so much fun with this party.  

I love having my kids give me a theme and then just running with it.  

I sure love this little 7 year old of mine.  

Hope all of your birthday wishes come true!!!!  

Chance of a lifetime

Ky had the unique, once in a lifetime privilege of preforming in the 

Gilbert Arizona Temple Cultural Celebration.

What an amazing opportunity to get to sing and dance for the Prophet and Elder Eyring.  

The kids practiced the songs and dances at mutual for months, 

as well as two full Saturday practices.  7am-10pm.

It was NOT easy.  
(that's Ky in the hat)

The first Saturday was tuff.  It was so dusty and hot.  Several kids had dehydration and some even had to go to the hospital.  Ky came home with a sunburn and was exhausted, but he had a good time.  

Here in this desert we live in, we haven't seen a drop of rain for the last 77 days.  

Well, wouldn't you know it?  The day of the performance the forecast was rain, and lots of it.  

The kids got there early and did a rehearsal.  It was pretty neat, the rest of the valley was getting rain but if you looked up you could see this big circle of rain clouds in a huge ring around the Temple.  We were praying for clear skies and we got them.  For the practice anyway....  

About 30 minutes before the start of the program it rained like it never rained before.  It was a down pour.  Sure it would have been a neat experience if the rain stayed away the whole night, but it bore testimony to me that the Lords hand is in each and every detail.  Its all about his timing.  Had it rained like it did during the rehearsal the city would have closed the park.  It held off just long enough for us to get the program going, and there was no stopping the youth then.  The rain was also such a huge testimony to me of just how strong, steadfast and willing the youth are.  The energy there was just amazing.  They were so excited to see our Prophet.  You could literally feel his Love for the Youth and their love for him as he waved and they cheered.  Such an amazing thing to witness.  The rain really gave the kids the opportunity to prove that they are steadfast and immovable.  Willing and able to do hard things.  

It also taught me He doesn't always take away the storms in our lives.  Rather he heals our broken hearts and truly helps us persevere through the storm.    As I watched the youth sing and dance with out missing a beat or complaining I had this thought, they were shivering and cold, but they just focused on the task at hand.  Getting through the song they were on.  Then once they had that behind them they could move on to the next song.  Life isn't always easy, we some times have rough roads to travel, but all the little things we do help us to stay the course.  We just take it one "song" at a time, give it our all and move on to the next "song" (trial) just like our youth.

 

I have no doubt that our youth will help bring the Gospel to where it needs to be.  There is NOTHING that will stop the Lords work.  Elder Eyring said that the words they would sing will be embedded in their minds.  They will be brought to their memory and use them later on in their lives as they serve missions and it will bring others to Christ as they bear testimony of the truth.

Each of the kids made their own Title of Liberty flags.  It was awesome to see them all holding them.

(that's Ky in the square) 

One of the songs was done in sign language.  I was bawling my eyes out (pretty much did the whole night) but especially on this song.  I had a very peaceful feeling of love for ALL of Gods children and that there is in fact a very special place in the church for these sweet tender perfect little special needs children.  It was a sweet tender mercy that I didn't even realize I needed.

Due to the rain forecast the leaders were inspired to record the show during the rehearsal and have the kids lipsinc. You could tell they didn't get to practice to the recording, but it was good nonetheless.    

Ky came home soaked head to toe, but with the biggest smile ever. He sure is a sweet boy with such a strong testimony and Spirit.  I look up to him so much!

If you would like to see the entire show here is a link.

http://vimeo.com/87972564
I highly recommend it. great sunday activity.  We have watched it a few times and love it.  I am thankful the heavens opened both temperally and spiritually.  It was a night never to be forgotten.  

I love to see the Temple

 We took our kids to the Temple Open house and it was such a special experience

Words can not even describe its beauty or the peace you feel as you enter.  

I have loved hearing all of the special behind the scene stories from people in our ward and stake who were able to help build paint and be apart of the open house.   

They showed a video in the stake center first and Little Miss was not very quiet.  I took her out in the hall and we ran into her saint of a doctor, Dr. Mousser.  He was serving as an usher.  When he saw us he came over and called her by name.  I always knew he was great but it really touched me that he remembers her so well.  

I was really nervous about taking her in.  She was a bit of a pill all the way up to the temple doors and I decided I would stay out side with her since I had already been through it.  As we walked up to the doors she was a little angel.  I decided to take her in and she did great.  She looked around at everything and LOVED the chandelier.  It is the prettiest chandelier I have ever seen.  I had heard it was beautiful but WOW, it literally takes your breathe away.  It is gorgeous!           

 As we were leaving Ky said, That was so cool.  I felt the spirit so strong, its like I'm all tingly inside.  :) 

 

I am so grateful for my sweet amazing Eternal family.  They lift, inspire, ,push, support and bless my life every single day!  

Classroom Helper

 Yep, its true, I'm one of those classroom moms and I absolutely love it.  I get to go in and help in the classroom on Tuesdays.  It sure is fun for me.  

I adore this girl and so love watching her learn and grow.  She is doing fantastic in school and loves it so much.  So much so that she plays "school" every single day and let me tell you, it is a riot.  I love all the funny things she says.  I absolutely love to read her darling sounded out exactly the way you say them words.  Too cute, she's such a doll!