I AM AmerICAN!

When you truly believe in something, it becomes a part of you. We as Latter Day Saint women believe that we are daughters of God with a divine purpose and mission to fulfill in this life and that part of that duty is to help our children and families to return to live with our Heavenly Father eternally again someday. Because we know WHO we are, we believe that this CAN be done.
Along with our passion and love for the knowledge of WHO we are, comes the inspiring duty of fulfilling other obligations of ALL that we are. We are mothers, we are daughters, we are sisters, we are friends. We are teachers, we are leaders, we are examples, we are missionaries…and the list goes on and on. But, at this particular time of year, we remember more of our heritage and our freedoms, and we remember, “I AM AmerICAN.”
I AM therefore, I CAN. Have you ever thought about all of the amazing men and women that love our country and have devoted their careers and their lives to the protecting and sustaining of this freedom that we all so enjoy here in America? As I have thought about the countless number of sacrifices that have been made, it has helped me to contemplate what more I might be able to do to help support this wonderful cause of freedom. I know that when wars are raging and danger and pestilence have come to lands far from home ,we cannot just drop everything and run to the aid of, or rescue everyone, like our inner souls may desire to. When we see or hear news of death and devastation, we naturally long to reach out and comfort and help those in need. Unfortunately, we can’t all just go buy an airplane ticket and leave our families to “come to the rescue” and help “hands on” in the area of need. BUT, what we CAN do if we think about it, is just as important and is every bit as needed right here at home.
I AM a neighbor who can help serve someone in need. From an elderly person to a single mother, to someone with a husband stationed far away from home, I CAN come to their aid and rescue and help in times of need. I AM a friend who CAN relieve an exhausted mother for a moment of rest. I AM a wife that CAN encourage my husband and build him up to know how much he is loved and appreciated. I AM a mother who CAN teach my children gospel truths and live an example of what a truly grateful heart can truly do for society and their community.
There are so many things that we CAN be. I AM AmerICAN, therefore I CAN make a difference in the lives of others. In Relief Society, we are taught self-reliance principles and skills. When we are self-reliant, we use our blessings and resources to prepare for and avoid problems. Self-reliance, however, is enhanced as we pray for the courage to meet with faith the challenges that will surely come. As we think I AM therefore I CAN, we may think, I AM self-reliant therefore I CAN keep my covenant to help care for others as well in times of need. Sister Julie B. Beck said that, “providing for ourselves and others is evidence that we are true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
I know that I AM a daughter of God and that I CAN help strengthen the testimonies of my sweet family and friends that I so dearly love. May we all pause and reflect on all that God has blessed us with and enjoy a happy, inspiring, and memory filled 4th of July!
–And remember- I AM therefore I CAN!

"Baby Bootie" Thank You's

I'm sure that half of the world has probably seen these little "Baby Bootie's," but I just made some of these for a baby shower that we had for a friend of mine and I was so happy with how cute they turned out! All I had to do was take a paper cup, cut a triangle shape down for the tongue, punch some holes for the"laces," and lace them up! I took tissue paper and cut it and folded it down to look like little socks and then filled them with a little manicure set and some chocolates! Then I took a safety pin and pinned the little Thank You note to the side of the shoe and Vwa La!!! Cute, Simple, Fun!!! All of the girls at the shower kept commenting on how cute they were, and then, what was even more fun was how everyone kept on using the pun "bootie" to make everyone laugh! For example, when we were eating the food, someone had set their "bootie" down right in the middle of an empty plate and said, "Oh sorry! Let me get my big "bootie" out of your way! What a fun little way to say "Thank-You!"

Dallin's Bobcat

One of the things that was most exciting to Dallin about turning 8, was the fact that he would get to be in cub scouts! After watching his brother Carew go all the way from a Bobcat to a Webelo, and then into Boy Scouts, Dallin just couldn't wait for his turn to whittle a stick, learn to speak some Japanese, or race his very own Pinewood Derby car! Now, here we are at his last pack meeting where he got to receive his Bobcat and I got to be a part of the ceremony and paint his face. Not only has he already gotten to do all of those things that I just mentioned, but he has won the heart of his great scout leader as the "sweetest boy" in scouts;) Of course I have to agree with her because, well... he's MY Dallin :) I love you little buddy!

The Dancing Queen...

OK... I am going to jump right into the role of "Proud Mother of the Year" with these next few pictures! These are the pictures of Kierra on the ticket stubs and on the cover of the program for her dance company's annual Dance concert. I know as her mom that I am automatically qualified for the bragging rights, but she really is turning out to be quite the little dancer! I was able to be there at the photo shoot when all of the girls were posing for their pictures and it was amazing to me just how easily these positions came for Kierra. She has a natural talent and grace for ballet and I am extremely proud of her hard work ethic and humility, (unlike her proud mother;) and how Kierra encourages and compliments everyone around her. She sees the good and the potential in all of her classmates and is a fun and spunky girl to get to be around. Kierra, WAY TO GO!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

The concert was beautiful and entertaining and it was so much fun to see the fruits of all of Kierra's hard work over the past year. I am so excited to see what lies ahead for the little Prima Ballerina! Thanks so much to all of our family and friends that were able to make it to support Kierra. It means so much to know that we have a group of people that love and support our family and help in giving the love and confidence that we all need to make it living in this crazy world! Kierra, once again, we love you! Good job and ...Dance On!!!!

Silly Kids!

One evening before bed, I was cuddling with Dallin and listening to him do his reading. He had just gotten his new scriptures and was reading about when Nephi had to go back to Jerusalem to get Ishmael and his family. We started talking about how Ishmael had all these daughters that would one day be wives for Nephi and his brothers and then they would be able to have families too. Well, you know, the story goes on and on, but our conversation went on and on too and pretty soon I could just see the wheels turning inside of Dallin's little head. So, I asked Dallin, " What do you think would have happened if Nephi wouldn't have listened to Heavenly Father and gone back for Ishmael and his daughters? What do you think would have happened to their families?" Then Dallin very confidently replied, "Well mom, if there weren't any moms to have babies, then there wouldn't be any kids! -And if there were never any kids, then life would be NO FUN!" I began laughing out loud and had a big smile on my face the rest of the night after that! He is certainly right!!! If there weren't any kids to hug us around our knees and make us laugh and smile and appreciate the little things in life, life would really be NO FUN! My kids give me perspective and a great example to follow. They know how to be kind, loving, confident, forgiving, make friends in an instant, not to be judgemental, Christlike, sweet, sincere, and honest! Oh, and did I say mischievous? ;) Here are just a handful of moments captured on film that prove Dallin's theory of - "NO KIDS = NO FUN!"














Kambriella at Family Home Evening! A.K.A. Little Miss Piggy!













The rest of the bunch following her lead! (I think the lesson we must have learned that night was probably to laugh and be flexible!;)

Kambriella modeling Grandma Panter's shoes and her birthday suit!

I was concentrating on putting on my make-up when I looked over and saw this! "MINE pitty yipstik!"

Dallin saw his sweet little brother Gavin sound asleep in his bed when he decided it would be funny to make him into a pirate! With PERMANENT marker! So this is what we all woke up to!!!

Kambriella is a funny little girl! Here she has made her own little "pooping corner!" Every time she needs to go, she backs herself into a corner and pulls benches, chairs, toys, etc. around her! I think it makes her feel like she's got her own "space" and maybe a little bit of "privacy!" (That is until mom comes on over with the camera!;)

I love this little line up of short legs! Kambriella, Gavin, and their little cousin Brier are all trying to "chill, and relax!" Just putting their feet up like Dad!

One morning I went in to get Kambriella out of bed to find her reading her books to her dear friend barbie who was "hanging out" in Kambriella's french braids! (Don't ask me HOW she managed that one!)

Kambriella also likes to put on her "pitty yipstik" with marker while she is coloring!

I wish I had room to put ALL of the silly things that my kids have done! Dallin wearing Kierra's tutus, Kambriella wearing flip flops in between her little toes instead of her big toes, muscle poses and funny faces...Life is definitely more fun with these little ones around! I love that Clint and these kids help me to have a great perspective on life and what is really most important. These truly are happy days and happy times that remind me to "becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love..."

Once again I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude at the opportunity to be a mother. I give thanks to my Heavenly Father for my sweet husband whom I am sure is the one that is the greatest example of teaching our children how to have fun - for SURE he is a kid at heart!

Gavin Ryker Trickett - Preschool Graduate!

Well, my baby boy has managed to pull out of me almost every emotion possible in just a short little hour and a half window of time! My heart has melted, felt proud, been nervous and excited - I've been all choked up, been amazed and laughed out loud - ALL- at "Preschool Graduation!" Gavin had a fabulous year of preschool where he was able to learn and play and make new friends, all while in the company of his little neighborhood "Fab 5" circle of friends. It's been a lot of fun to carpool with this little bunch of friends and hear all of the highlights of the 5 year old life! Everything from their favorite snack at school -to- who gets to ride home sitting by Kambriella!
Gavin is such a sweet little boy, always looking out for others and always trying to please the mom. I love it most when he tells me, "Mom, I just can't tell a lie so I have to tell the truth..." He is always the one I can count on when Carew and Dallin don't want to fess up to "who did it!" Gavin is always so happy and always helpful and so very quick to forgive and forget. You would never know that he was my saddest baby and that he cried for the first 8 months straight of his life! - Now, he is the sunshine every morning and my sweet (big) baby boy!;) I love you buddy!






















Here they are! The "Fab 5!" Parker, Natalee, Alex, Ashton, and Gavin!