{Easter Weekend...}

H A P P Y  E A S T E R

.....Was so fun Friday I broke out an actual craft and even let it be on the fridge for longer than a day you should all be so proud of me ha ha! 

We had so much fun so many things going on....

Friday was the first day of spring break so we crafted, dyed eggs and had a bunny themed lunch the kids said it was the best day ever 2 days in a room so it was a good mom weekend  those four words make me feel like I'm doing something right ;)

 proof that I was there lol that it really was me with all the dye, scissors, glue ahhhhh.... j/k it wasn't that bad the kids loved it and thats what counts

 Saturday we went to the town easter egg hunt the kids cleaned house and had a ton of fun 

then we went and took the kids to....

cute show, then to McD's for some supper and then to whoop up park where we had a picnic and then the kids went on a short hike with Dad up a "mountain" and I hung out with K2 at the bottom...again the best day ever lol....according to the littles....

Sunday morning the kids were sent on a treasure hunt with 8 clues throughout the house to get there treasure with little messages of the REAL meaning of easter throughout them it was nice and the kids really enjoyed it! {Except the part where they got up at 2:10 an hour after I got to bed ahhhh :(  silly kids!

{why are boy bunnies MR SOLID and girl bunnies are MRS FLUFFY?? Seems a little discriminatory to me lol..... she should be MRS SOLID shouldn't she??? 

 my cute kids easter best.....and then trying for a good picture all together...um yah didn't work out so good ....

 it was more like this....

 but I love this picture of the boys trying to cheer up K2 love these kids!!

 and another favorite picture from sunday....

 then it was off to Church a little nap and of for easter dinner to Grandma and Grandpa F's .....love this grown up picture of K2  

another fav picture of the weekend was this one....

 and with GG he warmed up at the end .....

... and the end to a fun weekend celebrating the Resurrection and atonement of our Saviour....

Have a great week....

{Thankful Thursday}

 

 ----------------------------------------------

 Love this poem because it reminds me that the simple mundane things are the things to be thankful for::

Soccer is running our lives right now always running 

but when we slow down a bit........ I see the reminders of what I have are all around me everyday.....

the greasy hand print on the wall, 

the crumbs on the floor under the stools, 

the books laying around, 

the backpack thrown on the floor, 

the socks in random places

the unloaded dishwasher

 the half eaten snack on the counter

THE THINGS that keep me busiest are the four little people that keep me happiest despite how much we run, despite how much needs done.. I have way MORE then I ever thought I would. And that is something to be thankful for................ so the greasy hand print is staying for awhile to remind me how thankful I am for the little ones that put it there!

THANK YOU LORD ...
Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
We have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
They were so warm and comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
Complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
They are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly;
It has served us faithfully for many years.
It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.
It has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,
The lawn that needs raking;
We all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
You have richly blessed my family.
I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

 ----------------------------------

Easter.... 

 I love this time of year its my favorite time new season, new grass, buds starting {maybe soon??} and a renewed love for the Gospel, the atonement and the love our saviour Jesus Christ has for each of us. He died for each of us and was resurrected and he LIVES. What a blessing to me to know that he loves me and that he died for me. I am so glad that I know that he LIVES and that we will live again when we die. 

So take a minute and watch this...beautiful

" May we cherish Him in our thoughts and speak his name with love. May we kneel before him with meekness and mercy. May we bless and serve others that they may do the same" -Howard W. Hunter

"Nothing done before or since has so affected mankind as the atonement wrought by Jesus of Nazareth, who died on Calvary’s cross, was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, and on the third day arose from the grave as the Living Son of the Living God—the Savior and Redeemer of the world."---Gordon B. Hinckley

"Live as if Christ died yesterday, arose this morning and is coming back tomorrow"

 ==========================================

source?

Have a great Easter weekend!!

Valiant Faith

Be the Change you want to see in the world.

The older I get and the faster the years go by I realize more and more there is no halfway 

there is only all the way. Your either in it or your not. It feels like things are progressing so fast around this world so many disasters and sad things all around us. The trials are being dumped strong and the blessings are being poured out too.
The strong are stepping forward, the weak are being weeded out.

It really is the time now to decide where we stand. In my calling in primary I've realized there are halfway people and people who do their job to the fullest, accept what has been given and make the best of it to learn and grow no matter what it is.. I also see the line between  no commitment to what is important, the line where other things are far more important, the line where its inconvenient, the line where I don't do that, the line where it interferes.  

I didn't know that was how it worked. But  I can see the line where it says step forward, be strong, BE WHO YOU WERE MEANT TO BE, because otherwise these life tests are sadly being failed. Recognizing what we've been sent to do especially now is more important than any other time in history. 

For or against. Weak or Strong.

BE the change you want to see in the world.

{Me Thinks...}

This Moment: 

The past few days:

• drowning in soccer teams and organizing typing and putting together the books for coaches finished
• fevered children
• primary meetings and keeping it staffed fun ;)
• primary stake orientation meeting
• L's soccer practice
• M's soccer practice
• K's soccer....
• K's piano
• parent council meeting
• lice checks at school
• Baby blessing and a nice dinner 
• changing primary combined opening exercises to make it work with less children
• birthday parties
• football camp
• L Dance
• K Cubs
• exercising finally getting outside  to run once before it got cold again!...
• redoing our office to make it more organized
• refocusing on doing better on fhe scripture study family prayer
• got an expensive red light ticket from a girls night I have five witnesses to defend me it was icy snowy and I was sliding...so fight it??
• head-colds and Advil cold and sinus love that stuff it seriously is amazing and works wonders for a mom and everyone 
• late prison break nights...almost done got about 9 more episodes to go its so addicting! 

 This Moment Need To Do's

• Taxes
• pictures for dance for L and her recital coming up
• M to a birthday party
• register for bball camp for K in the summer
• get easter stuff ready
• take my grandma to get her nails and eyes done 
• pay bills
• plan dinners for the crazy soccer days ahead
• spring clean my house
• get my hair done {the girl who does my hair informed me she is leaving for the summer sad :( }
• get an eye appointment for K2 for his nystagmus checkup
• get M into the clinic for his five year old shots
• get ready for time out for women {well not anything to get ready for I'm just excited!}

 and on and on and on....this moment is right it just keep going doesn't it......

This moment frustrations/concerns 

•  The price of Gas is ridiculous!
•  my "baby" is turning 2 what to do??
• school mornings why do I have to tell the kids to hurry a thousand times when were well over 100 days into the school year....
• going out 4 times a week the minute the kids walk in the door from the bus...... might ruin us all might have to rethink that one
•  a child and his neighborhood roaming .....I really really need my fence and deck done...
• Why "they" discontinue all my favorite products I must be weird and like weird things cause I feel like it happens all the time! 
•  K2's nose bleeds at random times
•  THAT MY PLAYLIST IS GONE!!!! DUE TO LICENSE RESTRICTIONS in my country!!!! Thats a big concern I love my music! Did anybody else get this message???
• being everywhere at the same time
•  How to help my children in all the fun school dramas that happen and how to help him/her understand....actions/reactions/consequence so hard to be a parent sometimes....
• frustrated that the weather sucks so bad these extra winter 10 lbs need to go ;) to much comfort food and cinnamon buns hee hee! 

Life eh ....one thing after another 

 ---------------------------------------------

have a great week...

{Thankful..}

Thanks Rebecca ..I love this quote you could change happy for thankful and get the same result its the simple things that make up life and make me so thankful everyday for my simple life....and the lasting impact they make each day....

I loved General Conference last weekend it lifts me and helps me work harder for the goals we have together and individually....Probably the best paragraph of all to me during conference was:

This talk by Elder Lynn G Robbins the rest is found here

"A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?

We have all heard the advice to condemn the sin and not the sinner. Likewise, when our children misbehave, we must be careful not to say things that would cause them to believe that what they did wrong is who they are. “Never let failure progress from an action to an identity,” with its attendant labels like “stupid,” “slow,” “lazy,” or “clumsy.” ² Our children are God’s children. That is their true identity and potential. His very plan is to help His children overcome mistakes and misdeeds and to progress to become as He is. Disappointing behavior, therefore, should be considered as something temporary, not permanent—an act, not an identity."

{by far the most impacting to me...... the resolve to BE a better parent, person and mother}

 And these evil evil cinnamon rolls are by far the BEST recipe I have ever made and the most sinful too....found here of course mine don't have coffee in them but they are to die for!!

how perfect are these pictures....so love this boy and am so thankful for the minute he entered our lives...as with all my kids....

and everyday I am thankful for such a hard working, happy, playful husband and father who loves us all...couldn't ask for a better one anywhere....I honestly believe I'd still be single if I hadn't found him because I knew what I was looking for and there aren't to many like him :) {excuse our dead looking lots of work to do - back yard;)

 cute and easy 

simple

------------------------------------------------------------

"Make Today better than Yesterday, and tomorrow better than Today"

{Me thinks/she thinks}

flicker img.

 I love general conference weekend I love hearing the talks getting council kind of like a direct line from a much higher place. Reminders to do what I should be doing. Thoughts that come at unexpected times as an answer to prayers or issues and feelings we have. I love the little jokes, the life stories the realness of it...and I can't wait to get the ensign and mark it up!

Its feeling like a little child and being guided with the words, songs and stories and endless new quotes be prepared ha ha! Love it! Its rejuvenating and keeps me going and reminds me of what is important.

 ------------------------------------------

did you see this guy whoever he is who popped up in front of the camera during one of the sessions...... who does that?? Well this guy did

it is kind of funny that somebody would think of it and do it at General Conference no less.....

 here's the story and a lot more posters...

----------------------------------------

Part of our weekend Sunday afternoon we had a scary few minutes like probably close to five minutes.... k has been having nightmares well a few times but the same dream....{since the japan quake its all we can figure out with houses being moved away by water and earthquakes and falling down..he looked at pictures and movies from it..}.anyway he feel asleep during 2nd session conference and then woke up suddenly and was terrified he was telling us to hurry.... flapping his arms.... having a hard time breathing...his heart was racing....eyes big

totally not who he is in everything he was doing....

he had bit his lip and it was bleeding and he just keep saying.... mom i love you..and hugging me.. dad.... hurry i can't do it...and running back and forth I was bawling D ran to get him water and he just keep saying hurry "we have to go mom" I can't do it...... it was by far the scariest thing I've ever experienced with my children ....we couldn't get him out of it when we figured he was still asleep it was the craziest scariest thing ever! 

Finally D gave him a blessing and he immediately feel asleep on my lap.. it was beyond anything I've experienced to see someone no not someone MY CHILD hurting and stuck in a dream world 

{okay not making light but it reminded me of inception }

he can't get out of literally.....but was talking and moving.... we looked it up and were pretty sure it was a night terror {which just happened in the daytime} we figured he must of just slept so deep and was exhausted or something...

I'd never experienced that ever before in my life...made me more than anything thankful for a worthy husband who holds the priesthood and to have an immediate response when nothing else was working was another faith building testimony growing experience for me....

{has anybody else experienced this with their kids?? how did you get them out of it?}

--------------------------------------------------
onto to the cute things..
 a couple fun easter links
 Here

 and here so cute

----------------------------------------------------------

Me Thinks

She thinks

I love Becky Higgins blog,  I love her outlook in life her talent and her decorating ideas, her printables and her post today love it head over and read the whole thing but part of it that struck me says

This.

"As human beings, sometimes we think that other people’s marks about us define who we are. We know better. But sometimes we need to be reminded. Your grades don’t define you. Your review at work does not define you. What someone else thinks about your parenting style or political view or haircut does not define you.

Your thoughts define you. Your actions define you. 

How you treat your spouse and your children? Of course this defines you. How you treat a stranger also defines you. How you handle adversity defines you. What we do with our spare time, how we serve others, the choices we make … these are all things that define us.

So the next time someone belittles, criticizes, labels, or falsely accuses you, sure — stand up for yourself if necessary. But resist the urge to spend too much energy fighting or defending or criticizing back. Instead, look inward. Look at your core.  

You know who you are. 

You know what you’re about. If you question your worth, don’t. Not for one second. Get on your knees and pray to a loving Heavenly Father who knows you and loves you unconditionally. He will remind you how awesome you are. And if you humbly and sincerely ask, He’ll even let you know what you can do to be even better." -becky higgins

Perfectly said. 

You know who you are.

Doesn't matter what other people think. we know what's inside and its up to us to do our best and live  life worthy of actions and thoughts that clearly define who we are without saying much of anything at all.

Have a great week...

Look beyond the mirror and see whats there. 

Within and around you.

{Thankful Thursday}

I'm thankful for the people in my life that make it better that make me laugh, help me see that brighter bigger picture, for those in my family my sisters all of them on both sides for the strength and love they give me, I'm thankful for the best in laws you could ever ask for. 

I'm thankful for friends both blog friends and friends I have and have had who have changed my life for the better, helped me see things in a new light, and who have helped me work through feelings and emotions that I've had and have for years .

Sometimes life is hard but thats why we are all here -- for each other. To help us all learn and grow. Where would we be without our friends, families, husbands, kids or whatever stage of life we are in we are lucky just to be born where we are.. have the experiences we are having and learning and growing from them and helping others to do the same. I'm thankful for all these experiences, people and friends that help make me who I am.

Thankful for my little people and the fun school spring concert that put on, they did a good job it was cute!

Thankful that my grandma who came to live with my parents right after Christmas was able to come and see her great grandchildren perform, at one point she leaned over and said to me "never in my life did I think I'd be here watching my great grandchildren" she never lived around us growing up so its really nice to have her close and get to really know her and develop a stronger relationship with her. Life you never know where it will take you young or old. My kids had 2 grandmas a grandpa and a great grandma come I'm pretty sure I never had that growing not once how lucky are my kids!

Thankful for this little guy and all his crazy hair this is untamed poker straight right straight out of his head hair .....

and the big boy tamed hair...so grown up! {thankful yes I am} I really can't get enough of him he is just the funnest little boy ever!

------------------------------------------

I'm thankful for poems and stories that make me feel like I'm doing something right, or give me something to think about or change...I get called the mean mom sometimes around here for things like please do the dishes, please clean your room, pick up your clothes, you know the daily things.etc etc...

I love this poem because its what I'm trying to achieve in the end and I hope they know how much I love each one of them and when they are parents that they'll understand..... Hard to see that when your just a kid and hate cleaning up your room right or telling you to hurry every school morning of the year man I am so MEAN.....

To all you Mean Mom's.

Someday when my children are old enough to
understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will
tell them, as my Mean Mom told me: I loved you
enough to ask where you were going, with whom,
and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to be silent and let you
discover that your new best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to make you go pay for the
bubble gum you had taken and tell the clerk,
"I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it."

I loved you enough to stand over you for
two hours while you cleaned your room,
a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger,
disappointment, and tears in my eyes.
Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the
penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough . . . to say
NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm
glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.
And someday when your children are old enough to
understand the logic that motivates parents, you
will tell them.

Was your Mom mean? I know mine was. We had the
meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids
ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal,
eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a
Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you
can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was
different from what other kids had, too.

Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times.
You'd think we were convicts in a prison. She
had to know who our friends were, and what we were
doing with them. She insisted that if we said we
would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an
hour or less.

We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve
to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work. We
had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook,
vacuum the floor, do laundry, empty the trash and
all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie
awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.

She always insisted on us telling the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the time
we were teenagers, she could read our minds and had
eyes in the back of her head. Then, life was really
tough!

Because of our mother we missed out on lots of
things other kids experienced. None of us have ever
been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other's
property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all
her fault.

Now that we have left home, we are all educated,
honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean
parents just like Mom was.

I think that is what's wrong with the world today.
It just doesn't have enough mean moms!

{am I the only mean mom? pretty sure there are a few others out there!}

"Live your life as though there is a great joy to be experienced, an abundance of goodness in each person you come in contact with and the knowledge that you have enough inner wisdom to answer the mysteries that challenge you."

 Have a great weekend...