School on the Farm

 It's official!!!

Kesslyn  visited Little Farmer's last night at their open house and is SO excited to go there when she turns 4! ;) They will get to learn and play and help out on the farm! Spend time with baby goats, and collecting eggs...watching the bees making honey from inside of their class room...They even have a pair of rain boots for every child so that they can go out and play in the mud and rain and dig for earth worms at the same time!

 ALL  the things that I think little children should have the privilege of experiencing!

We are excited for the 2019-2020 preschool year at Little Farmers! :)

An Answer to Prayer

 Yesterday was a beautiful day for a lot of reasons, but the one reason I want to record was an answer I received to prayer. 

When I woke up I really had a feeling that I wanted to go to the temple. I ALWAYS want to go to the temple, ;) but for some reason, I REALLY felt the need to go, which is unusual for me because I always go with my husband, and he was already at work and wouldn't be there to go with me, PLUS, I usually don't try to go while Kesslyn is at school because I worry that I might be late to picking her up and don't want to feel that stress when I'm in the temple...but for some reason, yesterday morning, none of those things seemed to worry me or enter my mind. I just knew that I wanted to go to the temple, and Heavenly Father was blessing me to know that I should go, and that everything was going to work out just fine.

So, I went to the temple. :)

For the last couple of weeks I have been trying to decide just what to do for my little Kesslyn to prepare her for her final year of preschool, and just where I should take her. It's a big deal to me as a mother to feel good about these things concerning my children...who they will spend time with, who will best be able to help them socially and academically to feel prepared to enter kindergarten...

It has been different for each and every one of my children for different reasons and with their different personalities, but I have ALWAYS felt good about the decisions I made at the time. I followed the spirit and did what THEY needed. Kesslyn's personality is sooo much different from the rest of my children that I just REALLY wanted to feel good about where she should go, and where she would have the BEST experience possible. 

Yesterday I got my answer. :)

I had been going back and forth trying to decide between Vision (where Kesslyn currently goes with Miss April) and Little Farmer's Preschool (which has been my all time favorite preschool ever). April WAS the reason we went to Vision in the first place, but she would no longer be Kesslyn's teacher, and I had always promised myself that if I ever had another child go to preschool that I would send them to Little Farmer's. 

Vision was right at the time BECAUSE of Miss April...now I wasn't so sure what the next step should be.

But, after thinking about it, praying about it, and seeing multiple things happen that would "bring up" Little Farmer's, I was really leaning towards that, but still wanted to be sure.

I met a new friend and had a conversation that led into how much she LOVED Little Farmer's (and I've never even had conversations like that with the friends I know!), I scheduled a tour of the preschool (for tonight), I had another friend take an extra 20 minutes to come sit in my car yesterday morning and share her thoughts with me about "feeling good" about possibly taking her daughter to Little Farmer's next year, and then Miss April herself (who knew I had been trying to decide what to do about this) pulled me aside when I dropped Kesslyn off at preschool yesterday and said to me, "I've been thinking...things are changing here and I think you should go to the farm."

Well, as I followed my heart to the temple yesterday morning I had lots of information in my mind, and a prayer in my heart. As I entered the front doors of the Oquirrh Temple there was a beautiful painting of the Savior standing with two children at His side. It was beautiful and I stopped and smiled and admired it.

The sister waiting inside greeted me and we had a short conversation about the beautiful painting and other things...and then I said, "Well, thank you for visiting with me. I don't usually come at this time but I really felt like I needed to today." Then she smiled a big bright smile and said, "Well then, Heavenly Father must have something He wants to tell you."

As I walked into the temple and went into my dressing room to change, I was overwhelmed with an enormous amount of love and the Spirit like it was just pouring over me...I felt a lump form in my throat and tears well up in my eyes, and the thought came into my mind, "What I want to tell you is that I LOVE YOU! I know what you need and what you are going through...take your little girl to Little Farmer's."

Isn't it amazing that all I had to do to receive that answer was simply walk in the front doors of the temple??

I hadn't even done the work I was there to do and Heavenly Father had already been listening to me and answered my prayer. I believe He was listening all along, and that I was coming to an answer for myself, but I also know myself well (as does Heavenly Father) enough to know that a sweet confirmation was all I needed to assure me that the decision I was making was the right one. 

I had such a peaceful time there in the temple, and when I left, I left with a full heart and an answer to my prayer. One that may not have been a big deal to others, but to me, was HUGE! And Heavenly Father knew it and made sure I KNEW He knew, in a very sweet way.

When I got home, I got on my computer and registered Kesslyn for the fall preschool class at Little Farmer's. :) There were only 2 slots left. :)

I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love  by the way Heavenly Father shows His mercy and love. He is so good to me, and knows me so well. Thank you, thank you for my answer to prayer.

Now tonight when we go to our scheduled tour at Little Farmer's we can say, "This is where you will come to preschool next year!" It will be so fun and I am so excited to see Kesslyn's reaction to it...and I bet Heavenly Father will love watching it too. :)

Good Times :)

 Tonight was Gavin's last Jr. Jazz game of the season and he has had a blast playing with his best friends. They won their game 33-32 and have yet another year full of fun and memories with these amazing friends...Alex, Parker, and Ashton. It's so fun to see how much they have grown and it is also fun to imagine them all in a few years from now when they will all stand together waiting to leave on their missions.

We are so grateful for these good times and for good good friends. :)

"Come Follow Me" at the Temple!

Yesterday evening Clint and I took the kiddos for a drive up to the Draper temple where we planned to do our "Come Follow Me" lesson with the perfect visual of "Light-vs-dark" to teach the things that we felt our family needed to learn from this week's lesson. 

I LOVE how in the beginning of every lesson, we are reminded to record the impressions WE receive, and what messages do YOU find that will be of most value to you and your family...

I love that we each have that gift and ability to receive PERSONAL revelation, and then have the ability to ACT upon it. I loved everything that I learned this week about the "light that shineth in the darkness", and how I felt prompted to teach it to my family AT the temple...

 After we arrived at the temple, we laid all the seats down in our suburban and cuddled up with our pillows and blankets, which believe me took a few minutes just to get everyone situated... ;)

 Then we opened up the back end of the suburban and waited for the lights to go down, and then had our lesson and discussion while enjoying one of our very favorite views...looking at the temple. 

We spoke of all of the ways that we recognize the Savior and His light in our lives each day, and what we can do to be ready to "recognize" Him when He comes again. These children were very tuned in, and are very aware of what they need to be doing, start doing, or continue doing...

They are such amazing little spirits and I feel so privileged to be their mother.

 We talked about the difference between the Light of the World and "the world" that is in darkness and what we can do to be like Jesus' apostles to spread the gospel to others so that they too can receive that light that brings the most joy. 

John 1: 5 says, "And the light shineth in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not."

The JST of John 1: 5 says, "And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not."

So the Light of the world is Jesus Christ. He came into the world to save us, but the people did not know or even recognize Him when He came. It is up to US to be missionaries and share the gospel light so that others will be able to recognize that truth, and recognize HIM when He comes again. I love that these simple truths are taught so beautiful just by looking upon the beauty of the temple. 

As we were driving up to the temple Kambriella said to me..."Mom, I just love all the lights you can see from way up here! They remind me of all of the angels out there..." 

Then there was little Kesslyn who was wearing her two glow in the dark lights on a string around her neck that she got from her primary class today. She also said to me, "Mommy! I'm going to shine my light everywhere!!!" These simple truths brought the spirit so strongly to my heart and I KNEW that what we were doing was good and right and JUST what my family needed.

Alma 37 :6-7 says, "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass, and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about His great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

 I am LOVING this new time together as a family and the Come Follow Me curriculum. I am already able to see how the promised blessings from President Nelson of  "our Sabbath truly being a delight" and that "our children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior's teachings" are already coming to pass.

After we finished up our lesson I passed around the car a "treasure box" for everyone to choose a small treat from after they shared with us which temple was their favorite, and which one they hoped to marry in one day. They also had to try and guess which temple was their dad's favorite (which was tricky, but hey, he's a Trickett ;)...and he said, "My favorite one is the one I am in at the time with your mom."

Ooo I love that boy, and Ooo I love the temple!!!

"Remodel" Our Homes

 "The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining." ~ Russell M. Nelson

With President Nelson's invitation to "remodel" our homes into centers of gospel learning, I had decided that I wanted to purchase a new painting of Christ that would invite a new and special spirit with all that we will be doing as a family. I fell in love with this painting by Brent Borrup titled "Come Follow Me" which also happens to be the name of the curriculum that we are studying together at home as a family.

I was SO excited for the picture to arrive, and to feel the impact that it would have hanging in my home.

Sadly though, when it arrived, the picture was damaged and printed so dark that I felt it needed to be returned and replaced for a new one. After all, something so meaningful to me deserved the proper care and beauty to display...

but it also made me think of the Savior being "bruised, broken, and torn for us..."

Ironically, one of the defects of the picture was a staple pressed deep into the wood of the frame, reminding me of the nails that were driven into the Savior's hands, wrists, and feet. It taught me a valuable lesson and made me think, "Am I willing to receive the Savior into my life in EVERY situation? Bruised, broken, torn or NOT?? The answer was YES. :)

I received the picture, and am attempting to "make it right." I am sending it back to get a new one, which is the right thing to do in this situation, but as for my spiritual eyes and accepting Christ the Lord, I am committed to "receiving" Him, following Him, and trying to help my family to "Come" and follow Him.

I am excited for a new print to come and anticipate making ready the space we will "let Him in." Both physically and spiritually we are trying hard as a family to grow in the gospel as we are learning the Savior's voice and expressions of love to "Come Follow Me."

A Weekend of Special "Firsts"

 This past weekend was a pretty special one for these boys!

Dallin and Gavin were able to take their cousin Xaxton to the temple for the very first time!

Xaxton will turn 12 this year and so he was ordained a deacon and went to the temple and got to do baptisms there. He loved it. :)

 What made this even more special was the fact that Gavin was recently ordained a teacher, and Dallin was also recently ordained a priest, and so Dallin got to perform the baptisms for these boys! It was a super special experience for all of them!

Dallin also had some friends there too...Hallie, Dallin, Dallin, and Jordyn.

Yep! These 2 friends are both named Dallin, they are both Student Class Officers at Riverton High, and they both wore the same exact outfit to the temple without even planning it! :)

 Afterwards, we took everyone out to dinner at Freddy's and had a fun time together.

 Madyson also came with us since she spent the weekend with us too...

 ...and Kesslyn was even given a FREE custard with sprinkles and gummi worms on top JUST for being so CUTE!!! (And because the man working there REALLY wanted to get a smile out of her!) I'm tellin' ya...this girl is TOUGH!!!

 And to top off our already amazing weekend, Dallin together with his amazing dad was able to bless the sacrament on Sunday at church for the very first time. Clint went first and blessed the bread, and then Dallin blessed the water. They both did such a beautiful job on making the prayer sacred and sincere... the spirit was so strong and I felt so much love and gratitude swell up inside of me. These are such good boys and I am so so lucky to have them all in my life! (Dallin even went again to the temple tonight for young mens and he said, "Mom, I just love going to the temple." 

Me too buddy...me too. :)

I Love My Husband

I LOVE my husband!

 I have a New Year's goal to treat my husband to an overnight date at least once every month this year!

On Friday night we went to the temple and did sealings, then out to dinner, and then instead of driving home, I took him here and surprised him! He definitely was surprised and was so happy. :)

I believe that husbands and wives need to put their relationship first in order to have their buckets filled and then they will be able to give to others.

"I have observed that in the happiest marriages both the husband and wife consider their relationship to be a pearl beyond price, a treasure of infinite worth."  ~ L. Whitney Clayton

"Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage." ~ Richard G. Scott

"Our love for spouse is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds." ~ David A. Bednar

"Harmony in marriage only comes when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come."  ~ Russell M. Nelson

Build a Snowman!

 When you are a little girl...

 ...and there is no school... 

 ...and your cousin has stayed the weekend...

 ...and it's the biggest snow storm of the year...

 What should you do???

 Take your sister and your cousin...

 ...and put on your warmest winter clothes...

 ...and find your very own snow fort...

 ...and ask your mom to make hot chocolate...

...and build a snowman!!!

(With a little pet snow puppy too...;)

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Our "Gift"

Back in December, we as a relief society presidency discussed what we could give the sisters in our ward for a gift at Christmas time...we also thought about what we could give them for their birthdays this year. And, after much thoughtful contemplation and consideration, we came to the conclusion that all of the gifts that we wanted to give to them we just simply couldn't.

 We wanted to give them strength and courage, faith and hope...we wanted to give them stronger testimonies and tools and excitement for teaching their families in the home...

We wanted to give them so many good gifts, but everything we wanted to give them just couldn't be wrapped up in a box. The gifts we wanted to give them were so similar to the good gifts that Heavenly Father wants to give to each of us, and so we decided to do something different.

We didn't give the sisters any Christmas gifts, and we aren't giving them any birthday gifts either...well at least not ones that come wrapped up with a bow...

We have decided to give them experiences and opportunities to be loved and strengthened and tutored by the Spirit, in order to receive those meaningful gifts that are more special and priceless than anything that we could give them bought from a store or purchased with money...

We decided as a presidency that we would give them TIME together in meaningful ways where they can receive their gifts from the spirit...Gifts that will stay with them forever and hopefully sink deep into their hearts. I love these sisters as my very own, and desire for them to see their worth in the same way that Heavenly Father sees...

   We have decided to add 4 additional activities throughout the year that will be our "gift" to them. We are continuing with our quarterly enrichment activities, but we will also be having quarterly Presidency activities in which we will have a night for them where they can hopefully be strengthened in whatever ways they may need individually.

 This week was the first of our Presidency activities that we hosted for our relief society sisters!

We set up 3 different displays of pictures of Christ, provided a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful cello music softly playing in the background, and created a space for the sisters to "be still" and listen to the Spirit teach them and touch their hearts of what THEY needed to hear...

 After a brief gathering in the relief society room where we discussed things like "seeking Christ" and discussing "where" each of us find Christ in our lives everyday, we remembered that Jesus Christ IS our daily bread and that we need His nourishment every single day. We challenged the sisters to remember President Nelson's blessing to each of us to have the ability to "leave the world behind" and then we did just that. 

We entered the room filled with pictures of, and the Spirit of Christ, left the world behind, and listened to the spirit...It was a beautiful time to "Be still and know that I Am"...

I am grateful for these sweet sisters of mine as I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, the Great I Am.

"Come Follow Me" at the Cabin!

 Sunday we drove up to our cabin to spend the day together and to have a special place to study our "Come Follow Me" lesson together as a family. When we pulled up to our driveway though, we had forgotten to check to see if it had snowed, and boy did it ever!!! I guess we still had California beaches in our mind and forgot that in Milburn, it snows! :) So, we trekked up the long driveway and then Clint pulled out the tractor to plow the driveway so that we could get our car up it. It was so fun to watch Clint at work serving our family. He is such a good husband and father and I love him so much, and am so proud of his many many talents...including driving the tractor! ;)

 After he was finished, we welcomed him inside the warm space with a yummy dinner of Chicken Alfredo and broccoli, french bread, and no bake cookies (made by Gavin. And a little help from Kambriella. ;)

We ate, cuddled around the warm fireplace, listened to beautiful music, and then ended the night with our lesson and discussion about the miracles of Mary and Elisabeth. We learned that with God, nothing is impossible, and I truly believe that! I will continually work towards accomplishing all that I can dream because of that beautiful promise that we learn about in the scriptures. 

Once again I am extremely grateful and blessed, which remind me of a quote that I heard from Richard G. Scott that said, "When you are experiencing happiness at home with your children, you are experiencing some of the most supernal joys of life." 

That is how I feel...and I am just so blessed.

Learning to Cook!

 Kambriella is really becoming quite the chef! ;)

She got a cookbook for Christmas and has been having so much fun making things out of it! She made this fun and yummy Scrambled egg Buddies for breakfast for her and Gavin the other day...She loves doing it, and I think gets a good feeling because she is also serving other people too. :)

This past weekend her and her friend also made brownies and made love notes and "doorbell ditched" a few families with their yummy treats. It's a good thing that she is doing, and a good thing to be learning, and I love her good desires and that she is strengthening her talents and will probably one day be a WAY better cook when she gets married than I ever was...;)  ;)

Love you Kambriella!

Kesslyn is a Sunbeam!

 Guess who is out of nursery and is a Sunbeam in Primary now??

Kesslyn!!! :)

 Now that January is here and we have begun our new block schedule, this sweet little girly gets to go to Sunbeams and sing and learn and have fun! So far on Sundays as soon as sacrament meeting is over, Kesslyn quickly grabs Kambriella's hand and is outta there!!! She leaves me in the dust and is so excited to go with her big sister and head off to Primary and I love it. :)

 She heads off to find Sister Braylee and Sister Tami and goes to her class so excited and SO big. 

It makes me happy to see her want to be independent on something, but it also makes me a little sad because she is the baby and she is getting TOO BIG.

But, This IS what we try to teach them and want them to do, so it really is a good thing. I just can't believe that we are here. It's Crazy!!! Like I said before, bring on 2019 because it's gonna be a good one!  :)