Road Trips...

What is it about road trips that keeps us coming back for more? When we went to Disneyland, we debated whether we should fly or drive. We opted to drive because after all, together time is part of the fun, right? Well, I'll just say that after that trip, we decided that we would fly next time. Never again will we subject ourselves to that torture! So then what do we do? One month later, we thought it would be "fun" to go on another road trip! (What got into us?) We justified it with the fact that this road trip was much shorter in comparison. No way can this 3 1/2 hour trip be as bad as the 12 hours to Disneyland, right? Wrong again!! True, it was shorter, but the "issues" were just intensified to fit 12 hours into 3 1/2! Now we have decided that our next road trip is just the two of us - no kids. You think that will happen? Probably not! We'll forget all about the arguing, crying, complaining etc., and sooner than later - we'll be back on that road trip (with the kids)! Gotta love them (the road trips I mean - AND the kids)!!! I have to admit that aside from the not-so-great moments, there are still a lot of wonderful memories that we built together. My extended family still give me a hard time about what a "brat" I was on a certain road trip when I was about 14 years old. The verdict is still out on that one. I think everyone else in the car were the ones with the problems! See?...memories...good times! When all is said and done, yes, we will go on more road trips...with the kids! And someday, we will even laugh at all the "issues".

Here are a few pictures of our most recent road trip:

This was a last minute trip for us. I was sharing my disappointment with my friend, Mindy Johnson, that we didn't have tickets to go to the Draper Temple open house. She said that she had some, and extra. So...the next thing I knew, Ira and I had a whole weekend planned. We went to the open house on Friday night...

...Then we stayed at a hotel in Provo. Ever since we got home from Disneyland, Jarin has been asking us if we could go back to our hotel. So he was very excited to get to stay at a hotel. We are short a bed for one person, and he is always excited to find somewhere cool to sleep. Under the table was where he picked, after I talked him out of sleeping in the closet!...

...Of course, the highlight of staying at a hotel is getting to swim. This was Kamden's first time to swim. He loved splashing....

...Saturday, we went to Little Sahara sand dunes (by Nephi, UT), and went 4-wheeling. We love to go 4-wheeling. Last summer I was pregnant, then had a newborn, so we were very limited on our riding. Yes, we start our kids riding young, but at least we didn't take him last year when he was a newborn! We put a helmet on him, attach him to the baby carrier that is hooked on me, and we ride on very mellow trails. He loved it, and so did I!

...Brayden and Emilie both got to practice their new bikes. Brayden had to get a bigger bike, Emilie got Brayden's smaller bike. It is too hard to have two kids riding with each of us. After much research, we found out that motorcycles are safer for kids to ride. They are much easier to handle for them. I have to admit, I was really nervous to put Emilie on a bike. I can't keep up to her when she's on her feet - yet alone a bike! Ira showed her the basics, and off she went. She is completely fearless!...

Of course, Jarin and Kam preferred to just play in the sand.

...Would I do it again? OF COURSE!!

My Favorite Things. (Hilary Weeks)

Thanks Amber for posting this - I loved it...enough to post it myself (except I don't know how to post it right - so follow the link). It is SO FUNNY and I can relate PERFECTLY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8FCgaoaG8

Angels Among Us

Early this morning when it was still quiet throughout the house, I sat up with Kamden as he had just finished eating. He got such a sweet smile on his face, and started having a whole "goo-goo ga-ga" conversation with somebody. He wasn't looking at me, but looked straight ahead. Then he pulls up his hand and starts waving "Hi" to whomever he was having this conversation with. Have you ever noticed babies doing this from the time they are newborns? Then as they get older, their "conversations" become directed to those around them, instead of "into space". So many times, my babies will be looking over my shoulder at the wall behind them, and they look so intently and have such a look of peace.

So my question to you is: Do you think it is just something that babies do? Or do you think there is more to it then that?

Personally, I believe that there are angels among us. Angels that are seen and unseen. I believe that before we were born into this world with a body of flesh and bone, that our spirits lived in heaven with Heavenly Father, and with each other. I believe that I walked and talked with God, my Father, before He sent me to earth. I believe I knew many of you before I came to earth. I believe that I knew before I came to earth, that it wasn't going to be an easy test, but that I knew I could do it. Of course, I don't remember any of these things before my birth, but it is a truth that has been taught to me, and a truth that I have gained my own testimony of throughout the years. Then there is life after death. I believe that when we die, our bodies and spirits are once again separated. Our bodies die, but our spirits live on until the day of the resurrection when our bodies and spirits can again unite.

With these beliefs, my answer to my own question is: Yes, I very much believe that there are unseen angels among us. The scriptures are full of examples of angels. God is unchanging, therefore it only makes sense that if there were angels in the ancient days, that he still sends angels today. I believe that my little sons "conversations" aren't just babbles into space. I believe that since He just left the arms of God, that he is still very close to that part of his life, and can see things that we can't. Have you ever been alone, and felt all alone, and then that warm - enveloping feeling surrounds you, and you can almost physically feel someones arms around you? I believe that is one of those "angels" that we can't see. I remember the day that Ira and I got married. My Grandpa had recently died, and when our family and friends surrounded us in the room, I knew that my Grandpa was also in that room. It is a hard thing to explain in our limited mortal vocabulary, but my spirit recognized his spirit with us.

I also know that there are many seen angels among us. They are a lot easier to recognize, because we can see them. However, on a cloudy day when I can't see the sun, I know that it is still there!

I have dear friends and neighbors who have been angels to me and to my family. They quietly serve us in so many ways. As I have struggled with different health things in the past few years, I have looked out my window and seen "angels" pulling weeds from my garden and mowing my lawn. I have had "angels" take care of my children and love them. Many of my "angels" have listened to me for countless hours as I have needed a friend. I have had "angels" bring meals over the years. "Angels" have prayed and fasted on my behalf. One "angel" even placed her baby girl in my arms over eight years ago, so that we could be her daughters parents.

Then there are the "angels" that I call family. I have five "seen" angels in my house everyday. I don't always recognize them as the angels that they are - sometimes I think that they are 4 little devils, and 1 big devil! But they bring so much joy to me (most of the time :-) ). My extended family are a whole bunch of "angels" to me. They are there for every holiday, every heartbreak, every joy... They are truly some of my best friends. Several years ago, I wouldn't have ever thought I could say that about my parents or brothers or sisters. But time reveals all things, and I stand corrected. Now I am calling them my "angels"!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the latter-day apostles of the Lord said, "I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. 'Nor will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child ] upon the face thereof to be saved'. (Book of Mormon (Moroni 7:36)). On occasion, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in the dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal." ..."In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves - with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith...Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone is crying [for help]..."

You mean, I can be an angel for someone else????? I guess I better get off this blog and get busy - I'll start with my two little boys who need their moms attention right now. I can be their angel!

RE-FUELED

Today was Stake Conference at church. I love stake conference for several reasons. I love being spiritually fed, and I love having Ira sit with our family when he is usually sitting on the stand helplessly watching as I try to single-handedly keep our four kids under control (usually failing miserably). I shouldn't say single-handedly, so many in our ward help me with Jarin. Anyways, today I sat down next to Ira, who was sitting next to his counselor in the Bishopbric (who does not have small children at home anymore). Ira took Kamden, and Jarin went straight to Brother Douglas. I sat there empty armed for the first time in a long time. I got to listen to the messages, and I got to feel the spirit of what was being taught. I know, it may sound like such a simple thing, but it was a re-fueling experience for me. Then to top it off, I look to my side (where these two great men were taking care of my two great children who just don't like to sit still), and they each had them sitting on their laps - one asleep and the other being very reverent. So what did I do?...I CRIED with a big smile on my face! I was so happy to have the help, and to see these men taking such good care of our little ones, and to get the opportunity to "feast on the words of God." So today, I have a new resolve to be a better mom and wife and work on the important things in life - my family. All because I had the opportunity to get to listen. I love days like today, no matter how few and far between they may be!

Communication...or lack of it?

The other night we had a knock at the door, and it was two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They wanted to talk with Ira for a bit. Ira wasn't home from work yet, but it was about time for him to be heading home. So the Elders left for a while with promises to return later.
As we often do, Emilie asked if she could call her dad to see when he would be home. Their conversation went something like this:

(Emi) "Dad, there were two guys here with badges on looking for you. They will be back later."

(Ira) "Hu?" (then panic, thinking the badges meant the police - then wondering what in the world he had done wrong to have two of them looking for him). "Let me talk to mom".

(Me) "Hi"

(Ira) "Hi, Emilie says there were two guys in badges looking for me."

(Me) "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, giggle, giggle, ha, ha, ha.............. They were the missionaries."

(Ira) "I hoped that is who they were."

(Ira & I) "Ha, ha, chuckle, giggle....."

Doesn't this just go to show how important communication really is? So many of our families arguments (yes, we have our arguments too - good thing none of you are a fly on our wall to hear us!) would be solved if we would just stop and listen (really listen - not just hear) what the others are saying. Because more times than not, we are actually agreeing with each other - just using different words or emotions to express it. And when we aren't saying the same thing, or feel the same way...is that a bad thing? I think not.
Anyways, this wasn't meant to be a serious post - just a funny story. It just got me thinking - that can sometimes be a scary thing - so I'll stop thinking for now, and just keep laughing at the funny miscommunication. AND I'll try to remember my own deep thought for the day, and see if it works for me as I'm trying to "communicate" to my children that we will be late for church if they don't HURRY! (I guess that means ME too - I'm blogging, not hurrying). Second deep thought for the day...PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH! :0)

Life's Big and Small Moments

Believe in children--there

is faith in their eyes, love

in their touch, kindness in

their gestures. Thrill with

them at life's big and small

moments...hold them close.

I have that saying on my wall where I see it every day. Unfortunately I don't always take it to heart. When I took this picture of Kamden, I could see in his eyes that faith, kindness, and love, and I was reminded of that saying. I have found myself so busy with four children, that I often am just going through the motions. I'm not "thrilling with them at life's big and small moments". Kamden especially, is changing and learning new things every single day. They are growing up on me, and I'm missing it. I mean, I am here to help with homework, to make dinner, to wash their clothes etc., but it is a rare thing to have me genuinely laugh with them and have a smile on my face instead of a scowl. I remember hearing one time (can't remember who said it), but when talking about being with your family for eternity, the question was posed "Are you being the person your kids and husband will WANT to be with for eternity?" I have thought a lot about this question, and I know my family are the people I want to be with for eternity, and I hope that I am being the person that they will want to be with for eternity. However, we have each other here and now, and I'm not sure I'm taking advantage of every single moment. Yes, life is busy. It's easy to remember to thrill with my kids with the BIG things, but it's hard to remember to "thrill with them with the SMALL things". When I took that picture of Kam, it was one of those moments that I was thrilling with the small things - and I'm so grateful that I did. That small moment turned into a big moment for me and a big awakening that I need to make every moment count here and now, and "hold my children and family close".

Pictures...Pictures...and more Pictures

If you know me very well, you know that I am a picture FREAK!!! I always have my nose behind the camera. I feel safe there - that way I am seldom IN FRONT of the camera (I like it that way). I love the laughter, smiles, and memories that the pictures bring in years to come. So don't say I didn't warn you when you have to scroll for an hour just to get through all these pictures.

We started our trip with high hopes of sunshine and warmth. We were quickly set straight when we drove through a snow storm in the middle of the desert!




We had one day of total down pour. We used that day to just hang out with my brother Todd's (and Lisa) family in San Diego. We had so much fun spending time with them.

This is Emilie with her cousin Karlie.

We had half a day at Disneyland that had lots of rain - but that didn't stop us from going on the rides. We came prepared with ponchos. When it was all done, we went back to our hotel, changed into dry clothes, and then back to the park.



This is with my brother Tyson's (and Mandi) family. They happened to go to Disneyland the same time as us. We overlapped by one day. It was so fun to get to spend the day with them.



What Utah Dorks we are...wearing shorts and sweaters!

We were determined to get some sun.

Splash Mountain...Brer Fox & Brer Bear - our favorite!!


And to think that Brayden will have a drivers license in less than 4 years - SCARY!

I let Kam play with this ball in the store, and he screamed when I tried to put it back.

So of course it was a no-brainer - I bought the ball!

Jarin has named our family after Disney characters. He's had us named for about a year now, and whenever he sees a character, he will say, "look ??? it's you." He named Ira "Goofy" (fitting, I think). I am Minnie Mouse (I must always look sweet like Minnie...HA - THAT'S FUNNY!). Brayden is Mickey. Emilie is Daisie Duck. Chewie is Pluto. Then when Kamden joined the family, he was stumped who Kam should be. Finally he concluded that Kam is Peter Pan.

Jarin was such a punk! (a CUTE punk...but still a punk). He closed his eyes on the Winney the Pooh ride cuz "It's scary."

Hu??...Winnie the Pooh is scary? Since when?

Then as soon as we weren't paying any attention to him, he uncovered his eyes and was all smiles through the ride (notice the before and after pictures above and below).

He would say that all the rides were scary. We made him go on them anyways, sometimes kicking and screaming. The ride operators would ask us if he was OK. We either helped him face his fears or we traumatized him for life. Time will tell...

However, ever since we got back, he has talked non-stop about those "scary" rides. He wants to go back so he can go on Splash Mountain and Space Mountain again.

The below picture is with my brothers family again. Jarin had already seen Mickey Mouse, so he was not about to cooperate for another picture with him. And he's ONLY 3!


Ira bought these jammies for the boys - they are so cute. Again, Jarin was having a melt down and didn't want any more pictures. Maybe I DO take too many pictures. Hmmm......??....NAH, one can never have too many pictures!

Below is definently a "daddy ride". Good thing he's such a good sport!

My hopes of having Ira's "undivided attention" quickly went out the window as well. What was I thinking? I got to compete for his attention with 4 kids!!! Oh well... I should have known better than to dream such a dream. But our kids needed their dad as much as I needed him, so we learned to share. :)

SEA WORLD

Brayden caught this cool shot. I have taught him well to take lots of pictures!

We pet the dolphins.


Elmo and Zoey live at Sea World...who knew?

Sitting in the "Splash Zone". Not sure why, cuz during the show it started pouring on us.

California Here We Come...

We're off! I can't wait to spend time with my family at Disneyland. I am excited to get to have my husbands undivided attention for our 12 hour drive there, and 12 hours back (poor guy!!). I do like to get him "cornered" so I can get my YEARS worth of talking in.

I am excited to get to be the "fun" mom with my kids, and not always the "bad" guy who's always on their case to get their homework done...jobs done...be nice...etc. etc. I am excited for the warmth and the sunshine. I'm excited to see my brother's family in San Diego.

But more than anything, I am excited to get to hear my childrens laughter, see their eyes sparkle with joy and excitement, feel their hands in mine as we walk together. I am excited to create memories that will last forever!

Brayden & Emilie made countdown chains for our trip. Those are pretty long chain!

Our kids are watching a home video of a previous Disneyland trip.

They have watched these videos over and over again. This is one thing that I am excited to NOT have to watch anymore.