Memorial Day Camping

My parents were kind enough to let us share their camp trailer for the weekend so we could go camping in this miserable cold weather.  We went up to Island Park with my parents, brother Jeremy & his family and my little sister Heidi and her friend/roomate, Jessica.    We met at Big Judds on Friday night for dinner and then to our camping spot.  It was cold and rainy but we attempted a fire. 

Saturday we went for a little four wheeler ride.  I got wet in the beginning by a mud puddle so it wasn't too exciting for me this time because I was freezing.  It was nice to have the new four wheeler bag on the back though that Dustin got for Christmas.  It made the ride much more comfortable. 

We went home for church on Saturday night and came back Sunday afternoon with about 20 pounds of hot, fall-off-the-bone ribs.  It was a delicious Sunday dinner.  I grabbed a book "The Message" by Lance Richardson on our way out the door and thought I would read it in my spare time camping.  Lance is the husband of a friend, Jozet Richardson who I had the opportunity to serve with in the Young Womens a year or so ago.  It was a very appopriate Memorial Day book.  It was really excellent and made me realize how fortunate we are to have the blessings of the gospel and a knowledge of life after death.  I hope I can be more in tune with the help my anscestors give me and have a more open and frequent communication with Heavenly Father and Heaven.  I want to act on the motivation it gave me to be better.

Monday we went for another ride and stopped to see all these caterpillars.  It was a much better and warmer ride than it was on Saturday.  We had a great time but as always, it was nice to come home.

 

Ella is 7!

We have been counting down days to Ella's birthday (which was also the last day of school) for a few weeks and Ella has been talking about the theme of her birthday party for probably a year.  She changed it about 10 times until we finally decided on Rainbow Fairies which has been her favorite books to read this past year.

Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Jeff brought her a cute outfit to wear to school the night before.  Grandma knows her well because she LOVED the frilly outfit had it all laid out the night before along with the crown we found for her at Walmart.

Since it was the last day of school they only had about 3 hours of school that day.  We took Zingers (Ella's pick) to her class along with cups of water.  This is her teacher Mrs. Crow.  We have really loved having her for a teacher.  She has taken good care of Ella.

After school she had her friend birthday party with 6 friends over.  Her request was to have flower sandwiches and a rainbow cake with pink frosting.   I used a flower cookie cutter and made peanut butter and jelly and ham sandwichs for the kids along with jello and strawberries.  We also had butterfly gummies.

I found clipart of Rainbow Fairies and laminated them and attached them to skewers to pop out of the cake.  Ella loved it.

Ella prepared all her friends little gift bags for them with a wand, fairy stickers, a whistle, bracelet, ring and candy.  They also got their own set of fairy wings which I ended up getting for $1 along with the wands for only $1 at HaloHeaven.com.  They turned out really cute too!

We prepared a few games but mostly just let them play.  They did make up and fingernails, and ended up spending the last half hour or so with their balloon tied to their wands and were pretending they had "RAINBOW POWER".  It was great!  Her friends were McKenzie Lee, Baeya Fosburg, Olivia & Brennady Jensen and McKenzie Gooch.  All girls from our ward. 

For her birthday she got a new pair of rollerblades and my parents gave her a LeapPad.  Both were pretty exciting for her, but not what she asked for.  Ever since we told her about worming she has asked for Worm Squirm so she could worm our lawn.  I couldn't find a place to buy it though so that will have to be a Summer reading suprise or something. :)

We headed out camping 2 hours after the party and I was glad to leave.  It was a stressful week trying to get ready for camping & the party!  We stopped and met my family at Big Judds in Ashton on the way to Island Park for Ella's birthday dinner. 

A few things about Ella:

*She is such a great helper with her sisters.  I am glad she will be home all day for a few months.

*She has been memorizing the articles of faith and is almost done with 5 of them so far.

*She still loves to dance and dress up.  She especially loves to look pretty and I often find her admiring herself in the mirror.  I'm happy she loves herself.

*She still really loves to snuggle and be held.  When she gets whiney it usually takes just a few minutes on the couch with her and she is feeling better.

*She learned to ride her bike without training wheels!

*Loves the library and to read.  We just found out her reading level is 4th month of 4th grade!!

*She is well above the average in math too.

*She was in GATE this year for being so smart!

*She learned how to cook Ramen all by herself and can make a variety of other things.

Flowers = Good Thoughts

Tonight Ella shared with me a pretty bad thought she had.  It surprised me that her little mind would think of such a thing.  However, I understand we are all human and thoughts are a great way for Satan to gain control.  I remembered something I learned long ago.  I may have shared it before, but I felt like it was appropriate tonight.

"In a garden full of flowers, there is no room for weeds to grow."

I know this analogy works well with Ella because she LOVES flowers.  I remember as a youth having bad thoughts and learning that the only way to replace those thoughts (weeds) is to replace them with good thoughts (flowers).  Since learning this song in primary I have remembered it when a weed tries to sprout in my mind.

"Hum Your Favorite Hymn"

Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 152

1. If on occasion you have found
Your language is in question,
Or ugly thoughts come to your mind,
Then here’s a good suggestion.

Just hum your favorite hymn,
Sing out with vigor and vim,
And you will find it clears your mind.
Hum your favorite hymn.

2. Before you say an angry word,
Remember you’ll regret it,
For once it’s said the harm is done,
And some folks won’t forget it.

Words: Marilyn Price Adams, b. 1926. © 1978, 1989 IRI

Music: K. Newell Dayley, b. 1939. © 1978, 1989 IRI

For the next 3 days Ella's job is to memorize this song.  I know it will benefit her as it has me.  We talked about what a hymn is and what her favorite one was so that after repeating this song in her mind she could sing that one which is "I'm Trying to be like Jesus".    I am so grateful for the gospel.  I am so grateful for good parents who taught me truth and helped me build a solid foundation for life.  I am so grateful for good Primary and YW leaders who helped me.  What a blessing the gospel has been in my life.  It is the surest way to experience joy.

Science Fair

This week Ella had a special project she got to work on for G.A.T.E.  We searched through her magic science book and the internet and settled on the EXPLODING RAINBOW.  Anything sparkly, rainbow, pink, flowery, or involving butterflies and Ella is game.

Here is a picture we used for her project display.  You put milk in dish, drop some food coloring in it and then a few drips of dish soap.  The colors go crazy.  It's a neat, easy project.

Her dad gave us the brilliant idea of taking some plastic cups and letting the kids do the experiment right there.  Ella had a great time showing each of the kids how to do it. 

So fun!  Made me a little nervous about having more kids in school because it was quite a project to just get Ella to do it. :)  It was a good experience though.  Counting down.. only 5 1/2 more days of school!

Funk

A few months ago while Ella was having a little struggle to make good choices, Dustin referred to it as being in a "funk".  As I was folding laundry today my mind was overwhelmed with things I want to do, goals I want to set and things I don't want to do but have to be done.  I have been having a hard time getting ANY of these things done lately because I keep overwhelming my mind with new ideas - random ones and doing those instead.  I realized, I am in a "funk" and need to get out.

Alissa, Molly and I picked up lunch and went to the park and played.  Didn't have any friends meeting us there for once and hardly anybody was there at all.  It was quiet, warm and things slowed down for a minute.  I realized something I have learned before.. none of those "things" matter.  These little people and the good man I married are my priority.  They don't care about fancy games or new dinner recipes.  They don't even care about what sweet coupon deals I got that week. (sadly) :)  What really makes them happy is just time together.  Spending time playing, singing, running, riding bikes, watching their tricks over & over & over & over again. 

I have learned that when you put your priorities in order those little things fall into place if there is space enough in the day.  My priorities have been slacking.  My house has been more messy than normal, we haven't had a regular scripture routine for a few months, I haven't exercised in a few weeks, our budget has been out of line.  It seems so hard to get out!  I thought about how often I prayed for Ella and how much I hoped she would make better choices and realized once again that I am a child just as Ella is.  My Father in Heaven hopes for me to make better choices.  It must be hard for Him to watch me slack and hope that I will start moving forward.  Maybe not too because he knows the outcome. 

Being a mom is hard work!  The hardest job I have ever had - hands down!   Finding balance in our lives is so hard.  Things get busier and busier and more and more good things become available to us and we have to remember our priorities.  Remember that those good things MUST come after the better things and the better after the best.  I will try harder.  I will be better.

Happy Mother's Day!

Who would have thought I'd end up with 3 little girls? I did not. I always imaged being a mom to a bunch of crazy boys and then getting one girl who I would spoil rotten. Heavenly Father had a different plan for us though and I am so grateful for these beautiful sweet girls who call me Mom. They make life so exciting and motivate me to be better.

My little sister Heidi baby sat the girls for us on Saturday while we went and rode four wheelers and while we were away she helped them make me a mothers day gift. Ella pulled it out of her closet first thing Sunday morning along with some home made jewelry and it just made me cry. So sweet!

From school she brought me a poem on a bookmark:

Hats Off To Mother!

Mom, your job is never done,

I've often heard you say.

You're, always there to help me

In each and every way.

You have so many hats to wear,

I'd like to name a few.

This card's a special tribute-

With love from me to you.

My mother is a nurse,

She even cures the blues.

She fixes cuts and bruises

And helps me through the flu.

My mother is a chauffeur

Who drives me here and there.

She takes me where I need to go

in weather that's stormy or fair

My mom's the greatest chef

She cooks the world's best food.

I know sometimes she's tired

And not really in the mood.

My mom's a super detective

And no one does it greater

She finds my missing things

And gets the truth sooner or later.

My mother is the best

She cooks and cleans and sews.

She's always very busy

And always on the go.

My mother is an angel,

I know there is no other

I want to show my thanks to you

By saying, "I love you, Mother!"

-Chris Christensen

She was excited about the newspaper page she made about me. It says Jessica has been named "mother of the year" Under Pearls of Wisdom she wrote: My mom has told me to listen to the teacher. Under Classified Ads Job Title: Mother she wrote the following answers. Hours: Forever Duties: to keep us safe. rewards: I could help her. See Ella for an interview.

The name game

M airied

O utstanding

T ankful

H elpful

E ncredible

R ocks

So fun! I just love these kids.

Mother's Day was our fast Sunday and we have 9am church. Ella had written me another note to inform me she had a surprise for me at church. She sang with the primary kids 2 times and was excited to surprise me with the songs they learned.

When we got home Dustin excused me straight to my bed. I got to take a big long nap and woke up to find he had picked up the house. Couldn't ask for more. It is exactly what I wanted.

Then we got to go visit my momma and grandma. Sure do love them! My mother in law was in Boise so we didn't get to see her on Sunday. I am grateful for my mom and mother in law, grandmas and aunts, friends and neighbors who are all super examples of mothers to me.

As I get older I sure do appreciate my mom so much more. There are a lot of sacrifices moms have to make in order to raise these busy kids. I wish I would have appreciated her more while I was in the middle of it. Love you mom!

We had stake conference last week and sister Rosemary Wixom spoke on the broadcast. She mentioned this picture hanging on the Primary Board Room in Salt Lake and how neat it is that this mother is giving the thread from the sweater off her own back to knit her daughters. I love it and I love how intently the daughter is watching her mom. I know we are the source they look to for direction. I know it is a blessed calling to be a mom and am so grateful Heavenly Father would allow me these sweet spirits to make this life so joyful!

Saturday Sleep Out Take 1

I had a brilliant idea of pitching a tent this weekend and letting the family sleep outside.  I am assuming my husband surrendered to the idea because of the fact that it's mother day weekend.  Saturday night we pulled out the tent and put it up, blowed up air mattresses and hauled them out along with tons of blankets, sleeping bags and everybody's pillow.  We also pulled out some fun games and glow sticks. 

Dustin would have the kids go on a "mission" in order to earn a glow stick.  They would have to run around the tent 2 times, jump on the tramp and run back for example.  They thought it was the coolest thing ever!

I had fun playing with the shutter speeds on my camera.

We hung out for a few hours playing and then it was time for bed...  everybody but Alissa fell asleep and I was woke suddenly by the sound of her walking around in the tent.  I decided I didn't want to wake up to find her missing in the back yard so I was hauling her and Molly inside.  Dustin decided to follow and brought Ella.  I guess it was a fun attempt.  We had a great couple hours and then a good nights rest in our warm beds. :)

OSHA RIDES A BIKE!

It's been a long road coming, but I guess after watching Alissa ride her bike with training wheels Ella decided to give it a better shot at riding without.  She practiced all week and did pretty well, but when we went to my parents house yesterday they have a lot of drive way to practice on and away she  went.  She was ecstatic!  She didn't want to get off to go home.  She just wanted to keep riding around and around.  We were proud of her!  (especially her dad)

Now hopefully we can squeeze in some bike rides this summer.

Four Wheelin' with Friends

Some of our good friends, the Hansens invited us to go spend the early day on Saturday up by Kelly Canyon riding four wheelers.  We were excited to go.  We took our four wheeler into the shop to be looked at and found out we have a $850 problem to be fixed.  Sadly we told our friends we would not be joining them.  They offered their extra four wheeler to us so we would be able to go. 

So along with 4 other couples, The Blanchards, Hansens, Sargents & Millers we loaded up and headed to the hills.  We had such a great time!

The boys had fun catching some air on the bumps and flipping mud through the puddles. 

Mike & Farrah Hansen 

Richard & Ranae Miller 

Angie & Steve Sargent (our bishop)  It was his birthday so Angie suprised everybody with a bag full of Wingers sticky fingers and celery sticks and chocolate cake for dessert.  It was a pretty amazing picnic.   

We feel blessed to have such great friends and live in such a great neighborhood. 

By the end of the trip the girls (and boys) had some pretty dirty faces.  I rode on the back of Dustin so I would wipe my cheeks on the back of his shirt every now and again.  Mine didn't look too dirty.  It was funny to see everybody so dirty at the end.  It was a super fun day!