Hint of Sadness....

Last Thursday night as the 3 younger kids were in bed, Brady and I decided to watch a movie until Chas and Brooklyn got home from her volleyball game.  As he was sitting up close by the tv, (he doesn't like to wear his glasses) and I was sitting behind him I had a rush of sadness come over me, because my little boy is getting so big.  I said, " Brady come and sit by me."  He looked at me and smiled and politely shook his head no, it hit me hard.  Gone are the days when he will come and sit on the chair with me.  I also had a great feeling of pride in this my little boy.  He is quite the kid.

Stake Conference

We had a wonderful weekend of stake conference!! Elder Martino of the 70 came to our stake and taught us well, we are all filled! A couple of weeks ago Pres. Kevan called and asked if our family would do an on-stage interview with Elder Martino for the Saturday night session.  We were all nervous, especially the younger kids, they were worried they wouldn't know the answers to his questions.  It was a great session, I got called right before the meeting started to play the organ, which was a little nerve wracking, but it's kind of nice when you don't have time to get nervous about it!  He asked us questions about FHE, family scripture study and family prayer.  The kids did great and I know they felt the spirit while visiting with him.  Afterward in the car while going to McDonald's for ice cream, we had to resort to bribery with Carson as it was 830 at night, Beckett says, "Mom I felt good when we were talking to Elder Martino."  I told him that was the spirit testifying to him that he was a servant of God.  He says, "Ya it made me feel great!" Then we all got to talking about how the spirit makes us feel, and he goes on, "Mom I know when you feel the spirit cause you always cry." Emree says, "Ya mom you made me almost cry too, cause that's how I feel the spirit."  It was so nice to be able to talk to the kids about feeling the spirit and that they can recognize it so young, what a choice generation of children we have to raise!  It makes all the hard days worth it, when you hear them talking about how they feel the spirit, because not only do they feel it, but they are learning how to recognize it!

Pure in Heart

Yesterday we had Brady's team come over and BBQ.  It was so fun to have all of them here.  They played basketball, jumped in the bouncy house, and had a great time.  A lot of them even got wet in the little pool.  2 of those were Carson and a 4 year old girl named Britton.  Britton didn't have clothes to change into and was cold.  A few minutes later I saw Carson walking around with something bundled in his arms.  I watched him walk up to Britton and hand her some of his own dry clothes.  I couldn't believe it.  He barely turned 3 and all on his own he walked upstairs and got her a t shirt, shorts and even some of his undies.  No wonder we have to become like a little child to inherit the kingdom of God.  In his own little mind he realized that she was cold and needed some dry clothes.  Tears came to my eyes as I realized what a Christlike gesture my 3 year old just did.  What an example my children are to me!  If I can someday be like them, I will be well on my way!

A friend

So today Brady has his 11 yer old scout campout at Catherine Creek Lodge.  Here was his list of what to bring and I told him to get it all together.
pocket knife
toothbrush
toothpaste
flashlight
tent
sleeping bag
compass
a friend and anything else you can think of
While getting all his stuff together he came outside and asked, "Mom where is The Friend?" .)(referring to the magazine.)  I told him I didn't know and asked why he needed it.  "Because I am supposed to take a friend with me."  I tried so hard not to bust up laughing at his mistake, it was hilarious.  With a smile on my face I told him he was supposed to bring a friend, not take the magazine.  It was pretty funny.  Love that kid!

Kids can still surprise me

After a long weekend of very HOT baseball in Boise this weekend, I went into Brady's room this morning and reminded him that it was his day to fast for some of his cousins, (we have all been taking turns and each volunteered for a certain day.) I told him that I would do it for him, since he had such a long exhausting weekend.  I told him to think about it while I was out doing chores.  Brady is normally not a very cheerful faster, who is?, so I was pretty certain what his response would be when I returned for his answer.  But he surprised me, I will fast for them Mom, was what he said.  Tears immediately came to my eyes.  I told him how proud I was of him for such a good choice, and that his cousins surely would feel extra help from heaven directly related to his choice to help them out.  Proud Mom moment! They don't come often, but when they do I realize that Heavenly Father really has sent me some special kids.  And they actually do learn when I try to teach them something!

Bradys first camp out

Now that Brady is 11 he has officially entered the world of scout campouts.  Chas and him went this weekend up to Beaver Crick Resevoir. They had a blast, Cristain went with them, they caught tons of fish, got no sleep and ate way to much junk food.  They came home exhausted, but happy.  It was a success!

3 years old

The other day Beckett asked Carson how old he was, he said his classic response of, "2 and a half."  Beckett said you are almost 3.  Carson was ecstatic, " Woohooo!!! I am almost 3." Proceeded by yelling and screaming and laughing, it was hilarious.  Apparently 3 is going to be great!

Indian Rock

Yesterday after dinner we drove up to Indian Rock with our good friends the Long's.  Its has been awhile since we had been up there.  It is as beautiful as I remember, how I love this valley that we have been blessed to live in.  I love that we knew no one here and have made it our home and have made friends that will last forever.  I love the mountains, I love how everyone says "crick" instead of "creek", I love how friendly the people are, I love our home and the memories we are making everyday.  I love the wonderful life we are making here. How blessed I feel that the Lord led us to this little piece of heaven on earth!  No place is perfect, but here is perfect for us.

Summer Vacation!

The first day of summer vacation I ended up with a migraine, which turned into a stiff neck which turned into being in bed for 2 straight days, and not being well again for the whole week, what a bummer!!  Although my Mom did come down and help me for a couple of days, have I mentioned how much I love that they live close, we get to see them so often! The kids and I did get our garden planted on Tues, which was awesome, we did it all by ourselves!  I love that the kids are getting older there are so many things that I can do with their help and we don't have to wait until Chas has the time to help me!

Brady is 11!

I can't believe my little Brady is already 11. He is growing up into such a good kid.  He is very kind and always looks out for the one who is needing help.  He love playing with his brothers and especially now that Beckett is getting old enough to play catch and shoot hoops.  I love that he is quiet and a little shy around people.  Reminds me of Chas and how he used to be.  He will get his arrow of light award on Tuesday and advance into boy scouts, we are now in the years of campouts!  I often find him reading "For the Strength of Youth" or his "Preach My Gospel" book.  It's beginning to hit me that this is his year of preparation, as he will get the priesthood next year, wow can't believe it! Only 7 more years and he will be headed out for his mission, wow!! I better make sure he is prepared!
He is really good at math and has just gotten interested in reading, that has been a struggle.  He is a good student.  He is really good at getting up and getting going every morning, he is usually the first one ready to go to school.  He has one speed and that is go, he is going or sleeping.  He is often outside shooting hoops, hitting balls or playing catch.  He is super active and loves it! He tries so hard at everything he does and I love that about him, always trying to be better.
He still loves to tease his sisters, mercilessly, but when he is not around, everyone wonders what to do and that it's so boring without Brady.
Another thing I love is that he will accept consequences without too much drama.  I know sounds funny, but he will be super mad for about 10 minutes and then he moves on.  No dwelling or staying mad for hours, I really appreciate that about him.
He is getting into the "stinky" boy phase, which is not fun for the rest of us, as he can't understand why all of a sudden he has to shower EVERY. DAY.  Such a hardship!
We sure love him and can't imagine our life without him!! Happy Birthday Brady!!

fed up!!

Ok so I am totally fed up with every stinking activity my kids want to do being on sunday.  AFter stake conference the other day i decided my kids need to start seriously saving money for missions and college, what better way by 4H? We have the animals already, well guess what? Meetings are on sunday, seriously!!?? It seems every way we turn it's on sunday.  Can they save money for their mission while breaking the sabbath? Funny, but not really! So no 4H for us this year, maybe next?

What are you passionate about?

We had some friends over the other day and he was explaining to us what he wanted to teach one of his high school science classes. He was telling us all about fish, and rivers, and spawning, and fishing, sutff that honestly is quite boring to me.  But he was so excited that it actually got me interested!  He was so passionate about it, it got me thinking? What am I passionate about?  It has bothered me, really, because I can't think of something that I really LOVE to do.  I love my kids and the gospel, but he was just so fired up and excited about what he was talking about, that it made me long for something like that.  So I am on a journey to find out what that is.  I am tired of living every day just by keeping up with the house etc.. I am determined to do my best at everything that I do, now that's not everything, just everything that I have to do!  And in the process find something that I LOVE to do.  I have been wanting to try my hand at making a bench for the living room, so that is where I am going to start, I may love it, I may hate it, but dang it I am going to try!
So my question is, What are you passionate about?  Please share!!

Trip to Canada

I just got back from visiting Tyanna in Vanderhoof, I feel like it was a very enlightening trip for me personally.  Being able to go and and visit with my Aunts, cousins and Grandma, I feel as if there are a couple of things which I need to always remember.  There are such personal feelings and ties associated with family.  Memories of time spent together are so precious.  I got to take Brooklyn into my Grandma's old house, where we spent almost every sunday afternoon when I was a young girl.  I loved being able to show her places and share memories with her.  I loved reminiscing and coming to an awareness of the wonderful childhood I had and all that contributed to it.  It really was not the normal "growing up" situation.  So some things that I realized and always want to remember are:

1.  There are no tougher women in the world than my mom and my Aunts.  Literally! They clean, butcher, train, ride, drive any piece of heavy equipment, speak with power, love unconditionally and are classy and well learned.  None of them have any higher education, but when it comes to the gospel you better watch out, they know more then most anyone else.  They are champion suppporters of their kids getting higher education and realize the importance of it.  They are not afraid to "reprove betimes with sharpness" LOL but have such love and kindness in their hearts.  I learned or re-learned to look to their examples in my life and know that I can do anything I want to.  My genes are powerful, righteous genes and I want to be like them when I grow up.  I think they invented the slogan "Git 'er Done!"

2. Family is the most important thing.  Even though we don't live "real" close to family, I need to make an extra effort to build those ties with my family.

3. Teaching the gospel in my home is my most important responsibility.  "You can never be over-prepared when teaching the gospel." Not sure whose quote that is, but I need to remember it!  Being open and a good listener are keys to keeping a good relationship with your kids.

4. Teaching my kids how to work and be genuinely good people are my second most important responsibility.  Gosh, my family works hard! Sun up to sun down they are outside working, never stopping or complaining.

5. It is so important to serve others, Aunt Maureen has been on "call" all week to go and help some people, an hour away, evacuate their place if they need to because of a forest fire, at any minute she will quit what she is doing and rush out there with her horse trailer to help.  That's the kind of people they are.

I just want to remember this feeling that I have right now.  I am humbled to know that Heavenly Father trusted me so much to send me to such a wonderful family and also gave me some of his choice spirits to raise and teach the gospel to.  What a blessing, what a responsibility, but one I am ready to re-take by the horns and run with.  Watch out kids I am rejuvenated and ready to take it on! I am so thankful for the reminder!

Taming of the sheep

So when we got our sheep she was totally wild! which you can guess from the adventure we had when we brought her home.  I told Brooklyn it was her job to tame her.  Yesterday was the test.  She finally got a halter on her and took her out of her pen, out into the open.  We were pretty nervous at first not having a clue what she would do, but she was great! Didn't even try to run away.  I am so proud of Brooklyn for having stuck with her task and accomplishing it! She did such a great job!!

adventures!

Ok so like I was saying in the previous post we are looking for ways for our kids to do hard things.  Today we got our sheep and I can honestly say it is a day that none of us will forget.  We go out to the ranch and are picking out which ewe we want, we are totally clueless, so we finally decide on one and Elijah ropes it for us, after a couple of tries.  We then try to get her into the trailer, holy that was quite the ordeal.  We finally get her loaded and head back home, we stop and get some straw from Katie and then some alfalfa hay from Huntsmans and get home about dusk.  We get her pen opened, backed the trailer right up to it and though she would just go in.  WRONG!  Brady was holding a metal gate to block the one open area, and she took him out.  Like knocked him over and took off running.  After about a half an hour Chas finally caught her in the farthest corner of the orchard and started yelling for us to bring a rope.  By now it is almost dark outside, we try to coax her and push and pull her to the shed, she won't budge.  Chas then tells Brooklyn to get the big blue tobaggon like sled and we would push her over on it and pull her in.  So that's what we did, in the mud.  Brooklyn and I got quite the workout that night from pulling her all the way into the house.  But the kids will never forget the day we brought home our sheep.  And that is what we are looking for, memories to make, adventures to be had and work to be done!

lambs

So we decided to make some dessert and head out to our friends, the Livingstons on sunday.  They are in the height of lambing season and have them all over the place.  We had such a great time watching all the little lambs and visiting.  We even got to see a little lamb be born, it was pretty cool.  And so guess what we are bringing a pregnant ewe home with us today.  We are going to try and see if sheep will keep down the weeds and grass out in the orchard, since it is such a pain to try and keep up.  Hopefully they will do the trick.
Chas and I have really been having some discussions lately on having the kids do hard things, preparatory for their missions and living on their own.  Scary enough Brooklyn will be 18 in 5 years!  We are getting constant counsel from local and church leaders to provide opportunities for our kids to do hard things.  The reason we moved out here to start with is so our kids would have work to do and animals to take care of.  Since Brooklyn's horse died, we have only had chickens and Ruby to take care of.  So we decided to add some more things to the mix, sheep and hopefully a couple of steers in  a week or so.  A part of us just really wants to keep the money and spend it on other more "fun" things, but we have to decide what is most important to us, and right now this is what it is.  Wish us luck! The sheep thing is totally new as neither of us has ever had sheep, but we are excited to have a new baby lamb! or maybe even two!  Honestly it makes me excited!

Spring Break

Since we had such a late night on Sunday the kids were pretty cranky on their first day of spring break! We did get their chores done, trim painted and most of the laundry done, but we didn't get to have game night because they all went to bed around 8.  I love having my kids home, but man I really need to keep them doing something all the time, or they just tease and egg each other on.  I am really trying to be patient and hope that if I respond with love they will get better at doing the same.  Tomorrow they get to play with friends, then Thursday we will be heading over to mom and dads, which the kids are so excited for!! YAy for living close!

Apparently I need to be quiet more...

Beckett: mom you know when my head told me to stop and look both ways before I crossed the street? I listened so I was safe.
Me: Good job, you have a smart head.
Beckett: You know what else my head tells me?
Me: What?
Beckett: You talk a lot.
Me: (laughing) Really, is that a good thing or a bad thing.  A good thing, I like it when you talk.
Mind you this conversation took place while we were weeding the raspberries in complete silence.
Love this kid!

Migraine

Yesterday I got a migraine, haven't had one in a long time.  It wasn't one of the worst I've had, at least half my face, my lip and my arm didn't go numb this time, but I still feel pretty terrible when I get one.  It couldn't see properly for about 2 hours, and then the residual headache is pretty intense for a couple of days.  So I didn't work out today and just took it easy, which actually was kind of nice.  Going to coach basketball with all the balls bouncing, about did me in, but I survived.  Chas was super helpful with dinner and the kids and everything.  They all went to mutual and they little ones went to bed, so it was a nice quiet night! Love those!

Timber

Today I called up our neighbor and asked if we could borrow their tractor, they are so great! She said sure come on up and get it, keep it however long you need to.  So Ammon went to town!! We pulled out like 20 trees (I think.)  It feels so nice to start getting things into shape around here!   There are still a few more I'd like to pull, but we'd need a bigger tractor for those.  Tyanna, Kayla, Janae, and I pruned and pruned! Oh it feels so good to get things done!  I might just get the whole orchard done this year! Amazing!  I also love that they like to work when they come.  We ended the evening a great weiner roast and of course marshmallows! The kids loved it, ok we did too.  It was a beautiful day to be outside!