April 3rd.

We are officially on Spring Break! Because I was sick the week before and had to take a couple days off of school, I've decided to school the Monday and Tuesday before our vacation.

Here is Mason having fun practicing some of his spelling words by hopping on the letters when I read out a word.

Mason sure has changed since the beginning of the year.  I've noticed him becoming more confident in his reading. He is getting steadily better at adding and subtracting. Its been a difficult year, but I can't wait to see how he matures next year in 1st grade!

General Conference!

Its that time of year again! I prepared a little Conference Bingo and note and coloring packets this year so my kids would stay a little focused. Brooklyn did pretty well with listening and writing down what she thought was important.

I also took notes. I was really hit this year with how many talks focused on getting rid of contention and loving one another. My favorite speakers were:

Henry B. Eyring- when he talked about trials making time seem to pass slowly. The reason for this is that our Heavenly Father wants us to be ready to come home to him. He wants us "Polished a little more".

Jeffrey R. Holland- When he said, Why should we be jealous when others are blessed.

Robert D. Hales- spoke about Coming to ourselves and being self-reliant. To Crave the joy that service brings.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf- He was my favorite when he said his council for holding grudges, gossiping, envy is to STOP IT. Just let it go.

Russell M. Nelson- loved how he talked about Gratitude. Also when he said, Could an explosion in a print shop produce a Dictionary? No. Our bodies are Sacred and Special. Only a Loving Father made them. We are no mistake.

Ronald A. Rasband- Talked about serving others. If we see a person drowning, wouldn't we just jump in! Why would we ask first. Do you need any help?

Our Prophet Thomas S. Monson- spoke about Running with patience the race of life. We are too in a hurry to get through things. I needed to hear that. I need to pause more. Have more quiet in the home. Less background noise. Meditate more.

I am so grateful for the wonderful words of our Prophet and leaders. I love the spirit that Conference always provides. I love the feeling of being renewed. It almost feels like I got a spiritual power drink and am now ready to regroup and refocus on what I need to be doing.

I have such a strong testimony of Our Father in Heaven and how much he loves us all. I know that temple work is one of the most important works we can do in this life. I am so grateful for that work that promises me that I can be with my mom and my family again one day. I am so grateful for my elder brother and Savior Jesus Christ who suffered so I can repent of my sins. I know he is the most selfless person to ever walk this earth and he is the great example I strive to follow. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the scriptures. They have been my day to day manual and in a sense my friend through my life. I know that no matter what happens, I can turn to them for guidance and comfort. I feel very lucky to be a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sometimes I wonder why I was able to grow up with this gospel and others didn't. I hope to be a support and example to others around me. I hope you all got to hear conference too and be as uplifted as I was!

Plants and Paint!

March 28, 2012

I can't believe how fast our seedlings have grown in just a week! Its my first time trying this. I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing, but I am so amazed at the concept that you can take this tiny seed, dig a hole, cover the seed, water it and this amazing living thing begins to grow!

This week I've been trying to be better at finding constructive activities for my kids. I always hate to break out the paint because it is just so darn messy. I saw on pinterest how to do mess free painting and I loved it! The bags started to leak after a bit but it really was no big deal to clean up. I may try different ways to paint next time though. Maybe put the paper inside the bag and see what happens. The kids had fun and that was the point.



End of week 2!

March 23, 2012

It is the end of week 2 with the chickens. The chicks are stronger. We have moved the heat lamp up several inches. The kids are now really able to hold the chicks a little more. We opened the chicken coop door and the chickadees really loved to go explore and soak up the rays. Their wings are showing more of their feathers they are just so beautiful!

I am excited to have more signs of spring. It rained yesterday and now it seems like the grass is getting greener as well as blossoms starting to bud and bloom on the trees. I LOVE SPRING!

The First Day of Spring!

In honor of the first day of spring, the kids and I planted our garden seeds. I am hoping they will germinate and grow on our window ledge in our living room. I have never started seeds before and we don't have a lamp to grow by. I am crossing my fingers this works! I am open to any suggestions from someone who is more experienced than I.

Brooklyn's 1st FHE lesson!

We do Family Home Evenings on Tuesday nights because Jeremiah has Fire meeting on Mondays. It was Brooklyn's turn to do the lesson, Mason had closing prayer, Dallas and I had music, and daddy had the snack. I just briefly helped Brook find a subject and gave her the book to read over. To be honest I wasn't sure if it would work or make sense because it was her first time.

She chose the subject of Testimony. What a testimony is.

I can't tell you how impressed both Jeremiah and I were. Brook read the questions, asked us each to give her an answer. She even asked for personal stories as well as shared her own personal experience. Mason sat very still and answered very seriously. She even looked up her own scripture to go along with the lesson. It all made perfect sense. She was very grown up about it. I didn't even expect it to go so well. I found myself laughing and tearing up at the same time.

There has been a huge change in our little girl ever since her baptism. I know the gift of the Holy Ghost is the reason for this change. Brook is growing up and I am so proud of the steps she is taking right now! She definitely going to be giving more FHE lessons from now on. :-)