Personal Revelation Through a Talk...

When I was a newly wed and first thought about having children, I knew that I wanted to have 4 children each 2 years apart. 2 boys and 2 girls. 

Boy was I wrong!!! :)

I didn't know that what I really wanted was what I got. :)

3 girls and 3 boys  that I could have just as soon as Heavenly Father was ready for me to welcome them here from heaven.

Yesterday I listened to the conference talk  titled "My Peace I Leave With You" by President Henry B. Eyring from the last General Women's session of conference. Not only did I listen to it, but I listened to it 4 times in a row.

I don't know what it was other than Heavenly Father was really trying to teach me a thing or two because as I was listening my mind was literally flooded with thoughts, ideas, and impressions from the Holy Ghost. I couldn't take it all in fast enough so I would have to turn the talk back on and listen again and again trying desperately to retain all of the thoughts and feelings that were coming to my mind...

Finally on the 3rd and 4th time listening to it I sat with undivided attention taking notes of all of the impressions that I was having...

Believe me, it was pages of notes that I ended up with, but one thought that came to me very strongly was a personal revelation concerning my daughters...

 "You need to write Kambriella a personal invitation to go with you to

 women's conference on Saturday..."

I KNEW that this was an inspired thought from Heavenly Father delivered to me by the Holy Ghost. He knows me, my heart, and how best I can reach each of my children on an individual level. After all, they were His children before they were mine. :)

I had many thoughts concerning women's conference, the sisters I serve in our ward, and especially my own daughters...

"If you make Kambriella a personal invitation she will feel so special and so loved and you will have a beautiful beginning of a new tradition of going to women's conference together!"

"Now that all girls ages 8 and older are invited to attend the meeting, you will have opportunities for traditions that will strengthen your testimonies and love together."

"This is what you did for Kierra, and now it is time for you to do this for Kambriella!"

"I gave you your daughters in the time that I did because it was the best circumstances for THEM."

"The gap in years was My timing for a reason. You had so much individual time with Kierra to teach her and  now it is time to do that exact same thing with Kambriella, as it will be for Kesslyn."

I learned through that personal revelation that Heavenly Father's timing and His plan really are the ones that are right for me, and the ones that I really want in my life. I may have thought that having 4 children each 2 years apart would be the perfect family set up for me, but in reality, having 6 children in a 17 year span has provided  the perfect family set up for US.

My children are so sweet and sensitive to the Spirit and to the love we have for each other that they KNOW that they are loved, and important not only to Clint and I, but to each other as siblings...

I may have thought that having 3 sisters right in a row so that they could all be close in age sounded just right...but it wasn't just right for US. We needed to have Kierra first to be the example to everyone with her strong and righteous desires for obedience. We needed her to be here to help her siblings (and sisters especially) with her tender feelings and testimony to help strengthen them too...

We needed Kambriella  at the time that she came to solidify those feelings of family and togetherness and strength that we KNOW Heavenly Father gave to these special spirits that are coming down in these last days...and we needed Kesslyn to come when she did to soften the hearts of everyone in her family (especially a certain  teenage boy;) and to provide yet another shaping and molding factor of the PERFECT family circumstances for US.

I know that each of my children are busy learning and fulfilling the plan that Heavenly Father designed them for, and I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Heavenly Father gave them to ME because He felt that I could help them in the ways that only I could... and they could me.

I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost who really is one of my very best friends, and for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us so perfectly and just what to tell our hearts, no matter HOW many times He may have to tell us...

And I CAN"T WAIT!!! for the upcoming sessions of general conference where we will be told even more of the ways that Heavenly Father loves us and what He needs us to do, AND with so much love!!!

"Glimpses of Heaven"

 I have wanted to write down some little "glimpses of heaven" that have touched my life over the past weekend and past few days...such as

Friday night date night and sealings at the Draper Temple with my sweetheart... :)

 Spending time with  with this little diva...;)

She's living up to her name "Kissy Kessy" :)...

 A visit from our friend Kate that made EVERYONE smile!!!

 She came to spend time with us, played games with us, and came bering gifts for us too...:)

 Pokemon Legos for Gavin's birthday, smiles for all the little people (but especially Kesslyn!!!;)...

 And a "Missionary Bear" for us all to share

 that Kambriella has already affectionately named "Carew." :)...and has slept with every night!

(So maybe we aren't really going to be sharing it...but that's OK ;)

 Flowers on my front porch from a dear friend, just because she LOVES me. :)...and because it's almost my birthday. ;) Sometimes you wonder what you do to deserve so many wonderful gifts in your life, but the lasting gifts of love and friendship are so immeasurable and once again I feel so very blessed...

 Living in a place where there are temples EVERYWHERE!!!

We drove past this Payson Temple on our way home from St. George and were flooded with happy thoughts of Kierra and Riley's wedding day...

I feel like every day there are similar moments like these that are "glimpses of heaven," we just have to choose to open our spiritual eyes and really "see" them. I am thankful for each of the little daily gifts of love that I receive, and how they really do help me catch "glimpses of heaven."

At the Sheriff's Convention!

 Sunday morning Clint and I headed off to early morning meetings, attended a 9:00 sacrament meeting to take the sacrament, then more meetings,  then headed home to load up our car to head to St. George. Every year at this time of year Clint attends the annual Sheriff's Convention here and this time,  I got to come with him!😄  Our cute neighbor Alivia Holt is staying with the littles to get them off to school while my sister Tiffany keeps Kesslyn for us.
   As soon as we arrived in St. George we had to wash the Jeep and get it into the building before the doors closed...
At this convention every year, Clint brings a demo car and outfits it with all of the police lights, bells, and whistles that he can put into a police car and shows all the sheriff's in order to try to obtain their business...

 Clint has been in this business for 16 years now and the 1st year he came to the show he really didn't know very many people and no one really knew him. But, after much blood, sweat, and tears, some true hard work and elbow grease, much fasting and praying and relationship building of trust, integrity, and honesty to his commitment, he is now known by everyone and is the leader in the industry. He now outfits all the police cars for 25 out of the 29 counties here in Utah, not to mention all the others that he provides services for throughout the rest of the U.S. It was so fun to see each person walk by his Jeep and say "Hello Clint!" as their jaw dropped to the floor in awe of his installation, product, vehicle, and work. He is soooo good at what he does, mostly because of his faith and trust in Heavenly Father who helped bless him, led him,  and guided him to be able to do what he does. There is no doubt that it was what He needed him to do... and to be the best missionary while he is at it! Clint is an example to everyone he works around and touches literally thousands of lives in the process. He teaches truth and testifies of God and his gospel all while making everyone feel like they are his best friend and I love it. I admire him so much and am so proud to be his wife and best friend. I tell him all the time that I'm trying hard to be like him... and then he smiles and says the exact same thing right back to me. ❤

 While Clint was in the show all day on Monday, I spent the day with my angel mom. We went to multiple stores just running errands, had Subway for lunch, went to her eye doctor appointment, and still had time for a little shopping and picking up treats to take home to the kids. I always tell my mom, it doesn't matter what it is we are doing, when we are together, it is just so much fun!!! We get to talk and laugh and listen and focus on each other and our different cares and concerns... sometimes even cry together when we get to missing my dad too much... but I love her and we had such a good day together. 😊

 After Clint was done with the convention, we went to dinner at this neat place called the Anasazi Grill! You choose your meat and sides and then they bring it out with this extremely HOT rock where you slice and cook your meat yourself on the rock. It was delicious and I ate the whole 8 ounce steak! YUM!!!

You would slice the meat thin and lay it on the rock, flip it after about 30 to 45 seconds and then eat it while your next slice cooked! The flavor was delicious and each piece was fresh and warm ready to eat!

Clint also ordered a heavenly slice of caramel chocolate cheesecake which I kindly had a bite of. 😁

We visited with one of the reps over dinner and then headed back to our hotel when we were through. 

It has been such a quick little trip and we are already getting ready to head home in a couple of hours, but I'm just so grateful for any time that I can get with my best friend! I'll take the time any chance I get! Plus, having 4 hours in the car to talk while we drive is such a blessing too... when you have a big family❤ your time is always divided and giving each individual the time and attention they need always needs to be a priority...We do the best we can, and I'd say we are pretty darn good at it! But only because we recognize that it's our priority and be sure to make it happen! I don't ever want anything to ever come before my God and family relationships because they are what matter the most to me...
So, as I pack up my things while Clint finishes out the show, I want to thank my Heavenly Father yet again for his goodness that He continually pours down upon me.  I am sooo grateful, I just can't say it enough...
I Love my sweetheart,  my children, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are literally my world and mean everything to me!💕💖

Lucky Me

Today I am in St. George with Clint for his sheriff's convention. But lucky me, I get to spend the day with my beautiful mom while he works the show!💖
Annndd...Do you like my beautiful earrings that she gave me for my early birthday present?
I LOVE her so much and am so lucky to have her for mine!

Happy Birthday Gavin!

 12 candles and a million kisses for Gavin...YOU are so loved little buddy!!! :)

 Gavin is such a sweetie and soooo easy to please. :) All he really wanted to do for his birthday was to go to the temple, but since we have to wait for him to get ordained and receive the priesthood we will have to wait to do that until next week. But for now, I think he had a really happy day. :)

He got 12 cans of Pringles! ;) (His favorite) ...a pokemon bank card, an action replay for his DS, a new suit, scripture case, temple recommend holder, and bookmark. He also wanted Chik~fil~A for his birthday breakfast so that's what he got! Clint went early and picked it up before we woke everyone, then we had Gavin blow out his candles and open his presents since he is going on his first young men's camp out ON his birthday and the morning time was the only time that we were all going to be together. Gavin also took mini cans of Pringles to share with his class at school and just has had a good week long celebration of his special day. :)

 After Gavin and Kambriella were off to school, Dallin, Kesslyn and I spent a little time together since it was late start for Dallin. We decided to go on a bike ride before the bus came and just as we headed out it began to rain. But that didn't stop us!!! We rode through the rain and made a memory that I don't think we will forget...

When we got back to the house all the neighborhood kids were waiting at the bus stop and so we invited them all to come stay dry on our covered porch while they waited.

When the bus finally came they all rushed across the street to get on and Kesslyn cried for Dallin as they drove away. :) She loves him.

Her and I continued to sit in the rocking chair on the front porch and watch the rain...we snuggled and read my scriptures for a minute before heading inside to get to work for the day.

It was a good day full of work and service fulfilling duties of my calling...helping Julie Thurmond with her hair for Homecoming at the VERY last minute...and going to the temple with my sweetie.

It's a perfect way to start the weekend if you ask me. :)

Gavin Is 12!

 Happy 12th Birthday Gavin!!!

This morning I have been up early doing the traditional birthday morning preparations...

Birthday cake and presents set out on a pretty table to honor the birthday boy!!!

It's going to be a good day for Gavin. :)

 Since he will be going to his first official scout camp tonight, we took Gavin and the family out for a birthday dinner last night at Rodizio Grill! This is a Brazilian buffet that Gavin had been dreaming of and it did not disappoint! :)

 After eating all of the delicious food the workers brought out the drums and sang him an authentic Brazilian birthday song as they pounded away on those drums...It was so fun. :)

 We were at Trolley Square and right outside of the restaurant was a gourmet gumball machine booth and of course we had to pick gumballs for everyone and see all of the different kinds...if you look closely you can see several cheeks bulging with gumballs! ;) Kesslyn's was root beer, Gavin's was sprinkles, and Kambriella's was maybe strawberry lemonade?? I can't remember who had what...there were too many fancy flavors to remember!!!

 After we said goodbye to Tiffany, Colby, and Xaxton we headed back across the sky bridge to the parking lot, but not until we had a flash mob moment! ;)

This sky bridge had such fun dance music playing that EVERYONE was shakin' it as they were walking across! I of course told everyone to strike a pose and FREEZE and THIS is what we ended up with all in an instant...that's right, the Trickett's take Trolley Square! ;) ;) ;)

Needless to say, it was a fun night. :)

 Earlier in the day yesterday though, Kesslyn and I got a call from Grandma Trickett inviting us to the zoo and so we met her and Aunt Laura there.It was perfect weather and we didn't stay too long, just a couple of hours and long enough to have a little fun together.

Kesslyn and I chose everything elephants because we were thinking of Kierra...and if you ask Kesslyn what her favorite animal is, that is what she will say...elephants!

 We also watched the bear give himself a bath...

 And the mama and baby orangutan cuddle up and snack on...newspaper??? 

 I think the animals were loving the cooler weather because they all seemed to be out and about, alert, and on the go. Kesslyn really loved it.

 You can't see them very well, but there were a couple of bears laying under the log covering and Kesslyn literally wanted to jump the fence to go see them. She obviously doesn't understand that she would be their snack if she did...so she got mad at me for not letting her, but I'm convinced that because it was right during nap time that the fits began, we just needed to get her home to have a nap too...just like those bears. :) So, like I said, we didn't stay long, but it was a fun day.

Although I wish I could have had more of my family there...

When we walked past the tiger enclosure I got a little homesick for Carew too! His favorite animal has always been the tiger and every time we would go to the zoo he would stand in front of the glass there and wait until he could see the them.

BUT, TODAY is his P~day and I can't wait to hear how things are going for him! I sure miss that sweet boy! But, like I said before too...I wouldn't have him busy doing anything else because I KNOW that there is nothing better that will bless his life more than serving this mission right now at this time. Thank you Heavenly Father for every blessing that I see...they surround me on every side every single day and I'm just so very, very grateful!!!

Have a happy birthday Gavin!!!

XOXOXOXOXO

Celebrating Gavin's Birthday

 After school yesterday I went and picked up Gavin and his friends and took them straight to Airborne! This was the place that Gavin chose to go for part of his birthday celebration! (And since the weekend is so full we decided to do it a few days early. :)

Left to right: Parker, Alex, Ashton, Gavin, Dallin, and Kesslyn. :)

I dropped the boys off and began heading home with a VERY sad little girl...

Kambriella really wanted to be a part of Gavin's party, but she had a dance class to go to, and I told her that this particular time was just for the boys and that she could do something later with Gavin.

The tears began rolling and I felt so sad for her because she just wanted to be with Gavin...Sooo...

I suggested a quick little stop for a treat at the Sweet Tooth Fairy before heading home to get ready for dance. :) (ya, I'm a sucker that way! ;)

 Kesslyn chose a sucker, Kambriella chose cake bites, and I had a peanut butter cookie because it was national peanut day (who knew?? :) and we got it for free! But then of course when I saw that we were right next to the Quilted Bear I couldn't help myself and we decided to go in there too and I got each of the girls a Beanie Boo...Kambriella chose a rainbow poodle and Kesslyn chose a blue "shish." 

Everyone was happy and we headed home, got Kambriella ready and off to dance, and then it was time to head back to Airborne to pick up the boys. When they came walking out they all looked a little exhausted (especially Gavin) and all needed some food! So, we went straight to Arctic Circle to get dinner for everyone. It's amazing what a little food and ice ~cream will do! ;)

 After they were done it was time for me to drop the boys off at the church for scouts and young mens. As I was heading home I passed the other ward's youth group who was standing on the side of the road selling baked goods for hurricane relief. You know I HAD to stop and help, right??

So, Clint and Kambriella were the recipients of the yummy treats since they were the ones in the family that I saw next, lucky for them! ;)

Then, after getting homework done, jammies on, and kids in bed, Clint and I headed out for one of our famous late night dates. :)

I don't know anyone who eats dinner as late as we do sometimes...we stopped at Kneaders and picked up a turkey sandwich and a turkey cranberry sunflower salad and drove it to a little outdoor eating area in South Jordan where we sat outside in the cool air talking and catching up with each other and enjoying the time together (even though it was 10:30, we are always happy to take whatever we can get of our time with each other!)

Sometimes life can be so full, but we wouldn't have it any other way because we are constantly busy doing good things and I love it. Especially with lots of kids, running a business, and callings that require quite a bit of time...we do the best we can to fit in all of the good and count our blessings all along the way...just like it says in my patriarchal blessing...when we put each other first and always make time for each other we will find joy all along the way.

And that's what I do every single day. 

I love this life, I love my sweetheart and my beautiful family, and I love love love my Savior Jesus Christ. After all, everything good in my life is all because of Him. :)