Journaling week of 10-6-13

MISSION REUNION 13 YEARS AGO

Today is the anniversary of the day Nate and I met. I don't know why but I've been really excited for this day. Just to be able to sit and reminisce about how it all went down 13 years ago. It was fun to bring it up the day before, with the kids, over our creamed eggs on toast breakfast. Nate mentioned that he hadn't really planned on going to the mission reunion and that if it hasn't been for Dan Campbell talking him into it, we may have never met. And let's don't forget how close I came to canceling with Brent because a mission reunion with people I didn't know sounded extremely boring. Boy are we glad we went. Bradley insightfully realized that he and his sins would never have been born if we hadn't gone to that reunion! By small and simple means...  Course i always say that Heavenly Father would have found another way to hook us up :) He wanted us to be together :). It's fun to think about and remember exactly where we were standing when Brent introduced us. The "I could marry him" thoughts that ran through my head. The funny conversation with Elder Campbell.  It's a precious memory that I hold dear. I'm so grateful that The Lord lead me to Nate. That I was able to somehow convince him that I could be the one for him. He is my other half. And without a doubt my life would never be the same without him. He is my everything.  

RS NIGHT

I've missed the last few RS Nights for some reason, so it was a nice change to be able to go. It was an activity where they had put together a bunch of DIY recipes for cleaners and household products and it was so good it was so beneficial. I've already started using the homemade laundry detergent I can't wait to make my own and then I've been using vinegar for my fabric softener that's been so awesome and cheap. I really loved chatting with all the ladies too that was another fun aspect of it felt nice to get out. 

GRAVITY

On Thursday we went out with Steve and Jauslin in the morning, to go see the movie Gravity. We really liked the movie and we had a good time with Steve and Jauslin lunch, it was a nice break. 

DANCE NEWSLETTER

Cheerleading Kelly came home from dance on Thursday with a cute little slip of paper that was titled "dance newsletter". It was so cute how their teacher had described everything they've been doing and I really loved that she did that.  My favorite part was that she told how she doesn't let the girls say "can't" and whenever they say "can't" they have to do 10 push-ups. I thought that was cute. 

10-10-13

KINDERGARTEN

On Friday I got to go to to help out in Noah's kindergarten class with centers. Noah was really cute when I walked in the room, he waved at me with this big smile. I got to help the kids with a couple of their little math assignments and recognizing numbers and counting it was a lot of fun for me to watch Noah in his element. He seemed so happy to have me there and had such a good time. I enjoy being in my kids' classrooms I wish I could go more often.  10-11-13

HUNTER'S BAPTISM

On Saturday we had the privilege of going out to Eagle Mountain for Hunter's baptism. It was a really good time I enjoyed being with Nate's family. It was really relaxing afterward, at their house. Made me kind of miss living in Eagle Mountain.

Journaling week of 9-29-13

FASTING

I haven't really been able to fast a whole lot during the last 12 years. I've either been pregnant, nursing, or forgetful because I hadn't done it for a while. So it's always really special for me when I do. I felt so good on Sunday. It was so nice to be able to feel the spirit so strongly. 9-29-13

DINNER

My mom had us over for dinner Sunday night. It was a lot of fun and good food. Doesn't happen a lot so I wanted to record it. Between Erika, jack, and sweet little savannah, there was a lot of crying :). Not a problem for me though, I wasn't filling out PA applications. 9-29-13

THE COOLEST PARK EVER

Thankfully I got pictures at grandma ruthie's birthday party, but I'm sure it will be a while before I can sit down and post them. We had such a good time, eating pizza and playing at the new daybreak park at the corner of fishhook and vermillion. Our kids loved the slide on the rocks and the zip line. It was a lot of fun. Happy birthday to grandma!! 9-30-13

BASKETBALL

We had a little impromptu FHE on Tuesday night since we'd missed ours on Monday. Bradley chose to go play basketball at the park. It was so much fun!!! We did so good at not fighting, and everyone was having a great time. It was girls against boys. Jack was a cheerleader on the sidelines, and Erika played with her big ball. The girls almost won, but after our shoot off we concluded that it was a tie. Lots of fun though!! Good times. 10-1-13

SHUT DOWN

So the government is officially shutdown. Nate is considered an essential employee, so he is required to work with only the hope that he will eventually be back paid for the time he works. I'm a little ticked off to say the least. I hate that government leaders are still getting paid while they disagree and put us in this position. I also wish that if they're going to "shut down" they should actually shut things down. Like planes. That would be a lot more motivating for congress to come to a decision. Anyway. We're trying to tighten things up in case it goes on past the next pay check, but hopefully we don't have to take more drastic measures. I'm hopeful. 10-1-13

MRS. PIPER'S CLASS

I had the privilege of working in Noah's class for the first time this week. That's always so much fun for me. I love to see my kids in their element. Noah seemed happy to see me and proud to have his mom there. Didn't motivate him to want to pass off his stuff any better though. He's such a sweet boy. I love his sweetness. His teacher said he's very quiet, not real social, but he has a good time and does nice work. She called him an observer. Sounds familiar :). I'm glad he's doing so well, so far. He is actually right along with some of the other kids in his class. I would say he was at least average among all the kids I worked with. So that is a relief. I'm not going to worry. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE

I loved general conference this weekend!! First of all, my kids were so amazing through it all!! We lucked out and were able to put Jack down for his morning nap during the first session. All the kids sat there either taking notes, or working on conference bingo cards. It was so quiet and nice. Sure Erika had to have help on hers, but never in a million years would I have thought I'd be able to hear so much of conference with six kids in the room! I have to give a lot of credit to my big kids. They set the example. It was awesome! The second session was just as reverent. Jack played and wandered around for most of it. I loved that for some reason he stayed in the same room with us the whole time. Usually he would have made his way through the house, but not then. I couldn't help but think he could feel the spirit of it all. I couldn't get enough of how diligently my big girls were taking notes! They are simply amazing! I hope they are blessed for that. 

Nate left during the second session and after we hurried and frosted Bradley's brain cupcakes and had dinner, then made our way to Becky's. the Maynes girls always gets together for the priesthood session, so even though grandma ruthie and grandpa Russ ditched us all for Bear Lake, we went down there. It was a really good time. I loved that it was just Becky, Nancy, Meg and I and our kids. Kinda cozy. I really am grateful for them and their examples. 

Sunday morning was pretty nice, Jack slept again. There was a little drama with the bingo stuff, and it really made me think we'd be better off without that stuff, but still, way better than one could possibly expect. Nate had to leave in between sessions for work, and that last session, well the last half if it, was a doozie. Erika had reached her limit and Jack as well. The older kid were definitely restless. But honestly, still not that bad. I was so grateful for my good kid and the fact that I got to hear so much!

I loved the quote from Pres. Uchtdorf, "Doubt your doubt your faith". 

I liked the talks about women and the role of mother. 

I really learned so much this time. I'm hoping I can put it all to practice now. 

TWO LITTLE BOYS

As we were hurriedly getting ready ( course when I say "we" I mean ME) to go to Becky's, the big kid were all outside playing four square and Erika was asleep, there were just two cute little boys chilling in the living room. I really couldn't believe how long they entertained themselves with each other's noises and crazy moves, but they just say there, taking turns giggling and making each other laugh. Made me smile. Can't get enough of my kids playing together- you know that :). 

 

And even more!

This was so much fun!! Just getting back to the basics! Feeding the ducks! Jack loved it!! He was so enthralled with the fishies! And Erika and I couldn't get enough of it all either! What fun!

Who doesn't love sharing their bath

With all the pets

Mom and sons bike ride to the movie Turbo

My big boys!

One of the perks of being a mom!! I love new artists! Erika and Noah drawings. 

Look how closely I parked in the garage!! Pretty amazing!

Her entry in the stake fair

Another mommy perk!

By Erika. 

Pinewood derby 

More pics

More of us pulling the handcart

Nate opening his smoker

The new bike!

Blowing out the candles :)

The homemade root beer

This is just what my dad does when there's dry ice

Played MASH with Kelly. Still love that game. 

I live for these moments. 

Jack's monster cake, teeth inspired by jack's :)

And his car cake, hopefully I got better shots of these

Smashing the cake

Present from aunt Heidi. 

What a studly little guy

Noah's first real day of kindergarten. 

He was so cute eating this! All happy at first that he had a while cone to himself, and then slowly finding out just how cold ice cream really is! His poor cute little hands, all red and frozen! We warmed them up real good for him though, and he didn't want anymore. 

Don't see these two together a whole lot. 

Trying out Evan's stilts. 

More from my phone :)

This was when Jack ate Buddy's treat!! So funny!

More of my Lillie's!

Bradley and Enoch walking through the store together like a couple of buds! I love this!

Buddy and Pearl after they crashed from wrestling each other for too long!

I don't know why, but I think this pic is hilarious!

He loves his slide!

This was when we didn't make it to the drive in movie and saw despicable me 2 at the theater instead :)

Charity's new do!

Watching daddy draw

Happy Father's Day!

Nate and his boys worked so hard on this stump that day!! I couldn't believe the progress the made!!

Just my cute little boy :)

Sleepy head. 

So cute!

Pioneer Day parade