The Coolest Dad

The kids and I visited Clint at work yesterday and saw how CRAZY BUSY that man is down there!!! There always seems to be a demand on him...lines of customers, salesmen, and reps waiting to talk to him, along with his salesmen and other employees...

BUT...Did that stop him from taking a quick break to spend a few minutes with some of his FAVORITE people???? NO!!! :)

HE is one amazing man, I'n tellin' ya...He's my favorite! He's cute, he's funny, he's always happy...and he's MINE!!! :)

 He not only made time for us...but he pulled up his new JEEP and loaded up the car seat, and the kids and took us all to lunch! I LOVE his new JEEP!!! It is so cool to ride in and FUUUNNN!!!

 The kids all enjoyed it too and Kesslyn kept looking around the whole car checking things out...

I'm pretty sure that the kids also think that their dad is the coolest dad on the planet and that they are the luckiest kids alive!!! ;)

And actually... I know this is true!!! They ARE the luckiest kids...and I am the luckiest wife and mom...and Clint really is the BEST husband and father!!! I love you sweetie! Thanks for always proving to me where your priorities are...and for making time for us even when the whole world needs you! ;) WE LOVE YOU!!!

School Shoes

So THIS is what my family looks like this week! :)

With Carew and Dallin off to scout camp, it's just these 3 little ones and me during the day!

We went school shopping at the Traverse Mountain Outlets (where we mostly bought school shoes) and ended up taking a little break for ice~cream (which is something you just do when you are shopping with a 2 year old ;).

It feels a little different only having half of the crew around...but it's also nice to have a little more one on one time with these kiddos. We'll just enjoy the week together like I hope those boys off in Yellowstone are! 

Happy Tuesday!:)

23 Days

 Last night we took Dallin and Carew to their scout leader's home where they were getting a head start on their drive up to Yellowstone for their High Adventure camp! They have been preparing for this all summer long! Each of the boys have made their own personal kayak that actually folds up in order to be able to carry easier...Carew's is gold and Dallin's is silver...

The boys will be hiking and kayaking (or canoeing if their kayak doesn't make it;) across the lakes in Yellowstone, which actually sounds like an adventure that even I would enjoy!

These boys are so blessed to have good and faithful leaders who care about them and take time out of their busy lives to give them these faith building, strengthening, and testimony building experiences...

I also hope and pray that it will be one last great memory that Carew and Dallin will have together because when they get back, we will be down to only 2 and a half weeks until Carew leaves on his mission!!!

He actually leaves in 23 days from today!!!

I'm not sure what it was, but something about sending them off last night really made it hit me that my time with him is running sooo short...

I actually had a pretty hard time sleeping (which is unusual for me;) because I couldn't get him off my mind. I love him...and all my boys...and all my children for that matter...

I just hope and pray that I am doing enough to strengthen them for the life challenges that will undoubtedly find them as they venture out into this world on their own...

If they will use Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as their guide, I KNOW that they can accomplish ANYTHING that they put their mind too!

Boys, have fun on your adventure! That's what each day is... AN ADVENTURE!!! :)

Priesthood Power

 On September 15th, Gavin will be turning 12 and receiving the priesthood!

In our family it's a tradition to have a "Priesthood Party" and celebrate and build bonds of love and strengthen testimony together with other priesthood holders in our family...

(we did this a little early so that Carew could be here too since he leaves on his mission before Gavin's birthday.:) 

Needless to say...it was a VERY good day...and everyone was wearing BLUE! (By coincidence;)

After everyone met at our house for a prayer and to carpool, the boys all headed to the CLAS Ropes Course in Provo where they participated in team building and COMPETITIVE challenges!
(Because anyone who knows a Trickett knows that there can't be an event without a little competitive fun! ;) They problem solved, and worked as a team to over come obstacles...balancing on ropes and trying to cross the ropes together...(Carew even trying to do "no hands";) 

They tried building trust in each other and having faith in themselves...

They jumped to rings hanging in the tall, tall trees and swung on a GIANT swing turning back flips with each pass...

Gavin was the youngest one there and I hope that he felt special to be surrounded by so many good men doing these amazing things together and realizing that HE is special and that this is an important and exciting time in his life...

After 2 hours of finishing the challenges, all the boys came back to the house where I had lunch ready for them and cheesecake for dessert. 

As they all sat around the table they told stories of what they learned during their challenges and shared their thoughts on the priesthood...everything was directed towards Gavin. :)

I shared some thoughts about the priesthood from this past general conference...

As I look out at this audience, I see many of you sitting next to mature men, perhaps your fathers, your grandfathers, your older brothers, or your priesthood leaders—all holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood. They love you, and in large part, they came here to be with you....

This gathering of generations offers a marvelous vision of the unity and brotherhood that exist between the two priesthoods of God. Even though they are vested with different missions and authority, the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood are inseparable partners in the work of salvation. They go hand in hand and have great need of each other.

Each person went around the table sharing thoughts and baring testimony of the priesthood to Gavin and the spirit was strong. I love these boys...all of them and am grateful that they understand their roles and can do their part to strengthen and lift their priesthood brothers.

Gavin is going to be a great priesthood holder! He has so many good examples in his life and already sees the potential to do more good and to serve others.

I know that it is through the priesthood power that worlds were created, the Atonement was accomplished, the sacrament is administered, baptisms are done, families are sealed forever, and so many other wonderful gifts in this gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that I enjoy each of the blessed and sacred aspects of the priesthood in my life too! I know that these too are gifts of love from our gracious Heavenly Father.

Gavin, I love you and can't wait to see more of the good that you will do and how you will continue to serve in and bless our family!

Spirit of Gratitude

 Yesterday I conquered the huge task of going grocery shopping at COSTCO!!!

Yes, this is a big deal...Dallin, Gavin, and Kesslyn all helped load and push around our 2 overflowing shopping carts...$800 later and a FULL car, we made it home for the next big task of arranging, rearranging, and organizing all of that food!!!

 I feel a sense of peace and accomplishment every time I do this...

 ...an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and the blessing of feeling PREPARED...

 As I stocked the shelves, rotated the older and newer food, and cleaned out and organized my fridge, I literally counted my blessings over and over and over again...

 ...and as silly as it may sound, I had a REAL spiritual experience while I was standing in COSTCO picking out my grapes. :)

I looked over all of the fruit, and suddenly had this rush of gratitude surround me...I was very aware of it and all that was going on around me, and the spirit just wrapped me up in a warm hug and I felt soooo much gratitude and love from my Heavenly Father...I know that sounds a little silly while grocery shopping in the middle of a busy place, but I testify that  no matter where we are or what circumstances we may be in , Heavenly Father knows our hearts and I know that He was very aware of the gratitude that I was feeling right then and there and He confirmed it with that overwhelming feeling of LOVE that came from the Holy Ghost.

It was awesome. :)

I have never before felt such emotion over a silly bunch of grapes, but also, never has a bowl of grapes brought me such simple and profound peace. I savor every one I eat. :)

Dolls of Hope

 There are soooo many amazing women out there in the community that are willing and able to serve and help those around them, which makes me grateful to be a part of the Relief Society because that is what it's all about! These are "Dolls of Hope" hand made by women around the world for the refugees and their little children that literally get off a boat or a train and have NOTHING and NO WHERE to go. With these little dolls, a child can have a toy, a friend, some happiness, and HOPE.

The Relief Society ROCKS!!!

It was fun to gather as a neighborhood to learn more about how we can all help, how we can pull together for good, and how each individual matters. If you only help ONE person you have done enough! God loves His children every ONE! We are each important in His sight, and when we are serving others we are serving Him...time to go to work. :)

Becoming a Reality

 Today I am taking an earnest money check for $10,000 to the title company in Provo.

Clint's dream of buying a cabin is becoming a reality! With some hard work, time, and a little elbow grease the property will hopefully one day be a gathering place for all of our family and friends to relax, be together, and build memories...

Let's do this!