Memorial Day Weekend

We wanted to go camping this weekend but we have never taken the kids tent camping.  My brothers, Nate and Matt, suggested we do a trial run in Nate's backyard.  Sounded like a good idea.  We arrived around 3 PM on Friday and started putting up the 8-man tent Matt loaned us. The kids ran around with cousins sucking on otter pops.  A soccer game got started and Em hopped on the tramp.  When the sun set we started a fire in the fire pit and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for S'mores of course.  I bought this wonderful gadget that allows you to put the whole S'more together, clamp it and the set the contraption over the fire.  The result is a lightly toasted graham cracker sandwich with a gooey melted mess of marshmallow and chocolate center.  DIVINE!!! 

To top off the night, Nate and Nikki made Dutch oven cherry cobbler.  Yum!  We headed to bed for a quick sleep because the kids woke up with the sun. Mike and I had Emily sleep in between us.  She moves a lot. But is so darn cute its not bothersome. Mike didn't have a lot of room for his 200 pound frame.  As always he never complained. 

We had homemade pancakes and Dutch oven potatoes thanks to Matt and Nate's cooking skills.  Then we headed over to feed the ducks and try to fish at this pond by Nate's house. 

It was time to head home.  Within five minutes the kids were all asleep and I followed soon after.  Mike took a much needed nap after we got home.  

Monday we headed to Payson's Spring Lake Trout Farm since the kids were saying how much they liked fishing.  After an hour we had caught seven fish.  

Michaela was the first to catch one.  She wasn't so sure about touching the fish. 

Caleb was next.

The largest member of our group caught the smallest fish. 

The Michaela and Caleb caught some more. 

After a lot of patience Jake finally caught his. 

Emily loved petting the old sweet farm dog. 

Each child wanted to hold his own fish. 

It was a great weekend! It's always such fun to watch the kids and experience their first time doing something. This weekend was their first tent camping, their first time feeding ducks and their first time catching a fish. It was good to spend it with family. Hope you all had a good Memorisl Day weekend, too!

La Fiesta

Happy 9th Birthday, Caleb!

Nine years ago yesterday at 3:56 PM, Mike and I became parents for the first time.  We were so ignorant then about what it takes to be a parent, let alone a GOOD parent.  We are still ignorant but less so!  We figure Caleb must be pretty special to be entrusted to us from Heavenly Father to help him navigate through life.  The last six months has been rough on him because of the move, but he has been brave and done things that he has been apprehensive about.

Caleb does well in school, plays the piano well, is kind to all his classmates and tries very very hard to always do what is right.  He is a good example to all around him, especially to his brother and sisters.  We love you so very much, Caleb. And are humbled and grateful to be your parents.  Happy Birthday!

Emily, Emily, Emily

We love our Emily!

Charming Day

Soccer games, Em's first haircut, completing kitchen table refinishing project, yard landscaping beginning and spending time with the kids = a charming day.

Tonight I had Caleb get in our shower, I put the girls in our tub while I cut Jake's hair in the same bathroom.  This is one of the many reasons I love our house--the space.  Caleb was singing in the shower, the girls splashed in the tub and Jake whined about the hair on his neck while I cut.  When Caleb was finished and dressed, I had him wash Emily, put her lotion on, diaper and clothe her.  When everyone was squeaky clean for church, we read scriptures, prayed and went to bed. A rather mundane activity to do together, but I just enjoyed being with them, hearing their chatty, giggling voices.  Days like today are my rewards.  I love our kids.  I love our life.

P.S.  My mom refinished the table top and bench.  I just helped her put it all back together.  She did a marvelous job.  She wants to tackle the chairs next.  Thanks so much, Mom!  (She also made the cute table runner.)

Our Jake

When Jake is asked to unload the dishwasher this is usually what happens. Somehow it triggers his creative imagination to new heights. This is his castle with guards in the front protecting the king inside.

Job

I fasted today for guidance on whether or not I should quit my WGU job.  The answer, "Don't quit."   I feel a little torn. Mike doesn't necessarily think I should  keep working because of the stress it can cause and the time constraint I frequently feel.  He is supportive, however.

I am working on my relationship with Michaela.   She mentioned that she feels like I don't really love her at times.  I am to blame for that.  She and I are so very different and I have allowed it to create a wedge between us.  I keep remembering that it is a parent's love that helps us come to feel the love of Heavenly Father.  I yearn to be the kind of parent that because of my love and compassion for my children, they will yearn to know God and Christ because of me.

One of the things that has helped me this week is that I have been listening to the scriptures on my iPhone as I take the kids back and forth to school.  It has really helped bring the Spirit into my life.  I know that if I keep the Spirit with me, I will be able to keep my temper under control and create a more peaceful atmosphere at home.  My mom is a good example of not losing her temper.  I appreciate her for that.

Mike and I were extended a new calling in our new ward today.  We will be Primary teachers together.  It should be a good calling to do together.  I enjoy doing that kind of thing with him.  I love him so very much.  I am so very blessed to have a marriage that brings me the kind of peace and serenity I would hope every else could experience.  It is because of his ability to love so unconditionally.  I do not know why he loves as much as he does.  He gives much and expects little in return.