A Weekend of Special Things

 This weekend was a good one and filled with some special things.

Our family participated in a world wide fast for relief from the physical, economic, and social effects of COVID-19. I really enjoyed sitting down to a wonderful dinner with everyone as we ended our fast. I know that when God's children come together in fasting and prayer for good, that miracles can happen, and I am grateful I get to be a part of that.

We also had sacrament meeting in our home and everyone was able to share their testimonies. It was a special day with a very special feeling in our home.

 We also spent a good portion of our Saturday together down at Clint's work.

The kids all worked and then we took a lunch break together in Clint's office.

It was fun to have everyone together just talking and visiting. I like having all of my family together no matter where we are or what we are doing.

 Riley was a champ and helped me put some of Clint's newest and prized baseball cards into some new cases for him. Riley is finally catching just a glimpse of Clint's obsession with baseball...;)

Clint and I were also able to go on a date too!

We went and got take out for dinner and then drove up to the Draper temple and sat in the parking lot and ate our dinner.

 It was a pretty popular spot for a date night because the entire night other cars were coming and going.

 We enjoyed catching up, talking about the crazy world we are living in, and about our upcoming general conference this weekend, all over some good Freddy's dinner and frozen custard.

I love my sweet boy. :)

 We also finished celebrating Dallin's birthday by hydro-dipping!!!

 Each of the kids went through the process of taping off their shoes...

 Spraying the spray paint into the bucket of water, and then dipping their shoes into the cool paint design!

 The birthday boy went first and was very pleased with the result!

So cool!!!

 Kambriella tried some of her shoes that she already had, and they turned out pretty cool too!

 Dallin's shoes

 Kesslyn's shoes

 Carew's shoes

 Kambriella's shoes

 and Gavin's shoes

 They were all unique and colorful and I think everyone had a fun time and was happy with their shoes when we were all finished.

 We ordered Olive Garden take out for Dallin's birthday dinner, and then had birthday cake after we were done dipping the shoes.

 I can't believe how quickly time passes and just how big all of my children are getting!!!

I want time to slow down!!!

 Happy Birthday dear Dallin! I know that you will never forget the year you turned 17 and we were all quarantined at home because of the COVID-19 corona virus!

 I hope all of your birthday wishes come true!!!

I love you!!!

Onward Christian Soldier

 The church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints has temporarily closed all of their temples world wide as of today. This is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting people everywhere...

As I went on my run this morning, I decided that I wanted to run to the temple, simply because even the sight of the temple brings me so much peace.

On my run I listened to a talk given by Russell M. Nelson that inspired my mind with 3 distinct thoughts:

1) The more we come to know someone the more we love them. 

President Nelson has been a heart surgeon and studied peoples hearts for many years. I believe this knowledge adds to his already deep love for others, but his love is intensified by his deep knowledge of people and literally what is inside of their hearts. Heavenly Father's love goes even deeper than we can comprehend because He knows His children intimately, including their divine make up of their body and spirit.

2) Through trials great and small, including global pandemic, we are Christ's battalion and all who are willing must continue moving forward with faith, hope, and determination to "win the fight."

"Like a mighty army moves the church of God;

Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.

We are not divided; All one body we;

On in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Onward Christian soldiers!

Marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before."

3) Heavenly Father is very aware of what is happening right now in each of our lives.

As some of His children are called home daily, He moves forward with His plan, and not OUR plan. Sometimes I forget that people who move on to the other side of the veil, are moving on to a happy and pain free place, and not all is sad or lost. Although those who are left behind experience that sad feeling of loss...bringing His children "home" is another part of the plan, and preparing for the day when we will see Him again should be a good thing whether we see Him when we go there, or if it is when He comes here again...

These thoughts that came to my mind while I was running and listening to this talk were very comforting to me and I wanted to record them so that in times of hardship or trial, I can be comforted again and know that Heavenly Father is VERY aware...very aware of me, and of all of His children throughout the world.

This Sunday, March 29, 2020, our family will be participating in a world wide fast for relief from the virus that has shut down the world.

I am excited and grateful to be able to participate in this inspired act that shows through our faith and asking, Heavenly Father can perform miracles.

I love the temple and can't wait until it's open again. But, until then, I will move forward in the fight.

Happy Birthday Dallin!

 Today, my baby boy Dallin turns 17!!!

Dallin is fun, FUNNY, happy, crazy, unique, adventuresome, talented, a joy to be around, loving, sensitive and kind, and on and on and on...

He is the best uncle to Easton, a loving big (and little)  brother, and so strong and resilient!

Celebrating #17 with Dallin will be a little different because of the quarantine, but it will still be fun, and DEFINITELY memorable!!!

Happy Birthday Dallin!!!

I love you!

Here For a While

Look who arrived to stay with Grandma Lolli for a while??? :)

EASTON!!!!!

(And we are excited to have Kierra and Riley too. ;)

This ray of sunshine will be so good for our family during these times of "isolation" and "social distancing."

Because we are family, and when we are together we have everything we need!

Our First Hike of Spring

 Saturday morning was chilly and beautiful and so it called for our family getting out and going on a hike! 

Our first spring hike of the year.

 We drove to the parking lot  of Bell's Canyon trail head and found about a bazillion cars there! It seems everyone had our same "good idea" for a hike that day, so we turned around and drove just a little ways down the road to a less traveled spot called the Rocky Mouth Waterfall trail head. 

It was perfect! We only saw 2 other people the whole time we were out hiking. :)

 It was a short and simple hike, perfect for our little 4 year old, and the small amount of time we had to venture out (before we all had to head in to Clint's work).

 I loved seeing the earth "waking up" from it's long winter's nap. The mossy rocks were so beautiful along with the trees, cave, and the waterfall that we saw...

 With the corona virus looming in the world and having to be home as much as possible, we really enjoy being outside and breathing in the fresh air. I think it did everyone some good to be out there.

 I love that my kids also love hiking and exploring in nature. The brothers always seem to venture off to the highest point they can climb to. ;)

 And I also love how important and special they make Kambriella feel when they take the time to let her join them on their adventures, even though she is so much younger than they are.

 Kesslyn was a little uneasy with the heights, but we all helped her along and eased her fears.

 The waterfall was small and so we were able to get right up by it for a picture! I'm sure that once all of the snow begins to melt off  it will definitely get bigger though. :)

 I love listening to the conversations that happen while we are all out as well. As we began heading back down the mountain I smiled and snapped this picture of everyone as they were talking and laughing. I felt so happy being out there with my family. :)

 Kambriella scaled the same tall rocks that her brothers had on the way up...that little girl is amazing and motivated and I know she is going to do great things. She was sent here for a reason, that I know.

 Dallin scooped Kesslyn up onto his shoulders on the way down and turned her concerns into smiles and laughter. That makes me so happy as a mom to see my children loving each other!

 As we approached the end of the trail, I looked out over the valley where we live and awed in it's beauty. I could see 2 temples off in the distance, lots of mountains, and an absolutely gorgeous big blue sky.

It was a beautiful day for a hike with the ones I love!

"Stuck" With You

 The weather has been a bit cold and rainy these past few days and so when the clouds part for a minute and the sun comes out, we take advantage of that and head outside for some fresh air. 

With the current state of our community and the world with the corona virus, we are advised to stay home with our families as much as possible and  to keep our social distancing. That is a hard thing to do because we love being around people and helping others, and so having little contact has been challenging. 

But, I am so very grateful for the people that I get to be "stuck" with! 

We live in a beautiful valley and enjoy so many wonderful freedoms, and going through times like these together teaches us a little more of all that we have.

Our blessings are endless, especially when I look at my family.

I love these sweet people so much and feel so lucky to have them for my own!

Keeping Them Happy and Safe

 Last night after the 5.7 earthquake that we experienced, I felt a little more comfortable about putting the little girls to bed in the same room. Kesslyn was excited to have a "sleepover" in Kambriella's room. :)

These kids are so sweet and I love them so much and I want to do everything in my power to protect them both physically and spiritually. I think they are doing well considering all of the fear and commotion that is swirling around in the world right now, and I think it is largely in part because of the spirit that we keep here in our home that they are doing so well...

I think according to Kesslyn's drawings, that life still mostly feels like "cupcakes and rainbows." ;)

Or should I say "princesses and rainbows."  :)

That's what she drew here...Kesslyn is the top princess, then me, and Daddy, and the rainbow. :)

I felt so happy when she brought me this picture.

I know my children are strong and they will be better people because of the experiences that they will have in this life.

I love them so much and am glad to have them all safely gathered at home...although I miss Kierra and her family, I know they are doing well and taking good care of each other too. :)

Together

 This morning before Clint left for work we sat together on my bed watching the news and just trying to see what was happening in the world, when suddenly everything around us started shaking.

We both sat there in shock and then looked at each other with concern..."It's an earthquake." Clint said.

We both stood up and went to gather the children.

I went to get the girls when Clint was met by the boys who came running. When I got to Kambriella's room she was laying there already awake wondering what was happening.

I picked up Kesslyn and we all went into my room and cuddled up on my bed. 

We talked about what had happened and that we were glad that we were all together, and then we had a family prayer.

I felt peace.

I know that we are living in tumultuous times, but I still feel love and peace in knowing that Heavenly Father is in charge and that we are watched over and loved more than we know.

We have felt aftershocks and heard more news about the coronavirus today, but I stand firm in the knowledge that we are living in a home centered on faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

We have Him, and we have each other, and that is enough! 

Carew Turns 21

 Yesterday was Carew's 21st birthday!

Clint saved the day in multiple ways with the amazing birthday gift that he had picked out long ago for Carew!!! These fun plastic balls for everyone to play together!

We went to the park and inflated them and then had a ball running and flipping and laughing and falling in them. One thing we learned about them is the amount of energy and stamina it takes to "brace" yourself on impact, and  to keep running at full force! It really was "a ball" playing in them together and having fun together! (And on a Monday afternoon to boot!) At this crazy time there are tender mercies all around, like getting to spend the day together with these kids on Carew's birthday!

 We also went and got ice cream after playing at the park, and went to the phone store to get new cases for a couple of our phones.

 We tried going to 2 different Vans stores to get Carew some new shoes for his birthday, but they were both closed...

 We were also going to take Carew out for sushi for his birthday dinner that he requested, but the restaurant was closed too.

  And, because of the coronavirus, the Jazz and Lakers game that we were going to take Carew to had been cancelled as well, along with all other NBA games. Soooo...Carew didn't really get much of what he asked for on his birthday, but what he DID get was still everything that he loves...

Fun times with family, being together and laughing, chicken pillows for dinner, his favorite kind of birthday cake, and a movie night at home. Although it was different, it was still a happy birthday for Carew.

We love you!!!