Gavin's Middle School Locker

This is the locker of Gavin the Great. :)

We went back to OHMS yesterday so that he could "decorate" his locker with these things that he wanted to put in it, and also to find his way around the school to his classes one more time.

 I thought it was sooo cute. :)

Treats and gum and school supplies, and pictures of the people he loves the most...and him as a baby and the temple. Gavin YOU are awesome!

(I also may or may not have left him a love note on his wipe board. ;) ;)

But hey, every child entering middle school needs to know how much their momma loves them and that they are going to do great!...He will!!! He's Gavin the Great! I love you Buddy!

Priesthood Blessings for Going Back To School

 Priesthood power is one of the things that I am most grateful for...that, and a sweet and handsome husband who is a worthy barer of that power. Each year when the kids get ready to go back to school they each receive a priesthood blessing and I know they feel the importance of it, the help that it gives them, and the love that is coming to them from both their earthly father AND their Heavenly Father. 

I love these special times and how they bring our family even closer together, and the spirit that testifies of truth to them. It is a beautiful thing!

Last Friday we also took some time touring the Middle School where Gavin will be going this year! It was nice to have his big brother Dallin there leading the way and giving Gavin all of the best tips he could think of, and helping him find his way around the school to his different classes.

 His locker is number 3030! It is a little tricky to open because it kind of sticks, but Gavin got it and he's excited!

 I also got to do some ministering this weekend by helping a sister in our ward who is going through some hard times right now ( a possible divorce ;(  move into a new place of her own with her 2 little girls. 

 As hard as it is to see people you love struggle and have to go through hard times, it is still so nice to know and SEE the people who are always so willing to help and that really care. I love my presidency and I love that no matter the challenge that is placed before us, we come together with smiles on our faces and nothing but love in our hearts trying to go and be His hands. I will always call it a Labor of Love because I know that is exactly what it is. And LOVE is what everyone needs.

A Date With Kate and Mommy Daughter Fun

Thursday was such a fun day and we were all lucky enough to get to see Carew's very favorite person in the entire universe...Kate!!! :) 

We met her in between all of our daily chaos for lunch at Chik~fil~A where we visited for a bit and caught up before she heads back to Logan for the next semester of school...she also spoiled our little princess with an early birthday present..."E-punzo" as Kesslyn calls it! Thank you soooo much Kate!!! Kesslyn LOVES her present and she goes everywhere with us!!! (But I wouldn't let her take it to church. ;)

We also got to host the mommy daughter activity in our back yard for the Activity Day girls too! We had a yummy Bbq dinner and chocolate fondue smores for dessert. Kambriella thought that was pretty amazing!. ;)

  I love how pretty much everything for these girls at this age is still pretty amazing...

...and Kambriella, I think YOU are pretty much amazing too!!! :)

 I LOVE your confidence, enthusiasm, and energy for life!

 I LOVE how you believe you can do ANYTHING!!!

 I love your ability to make friends and to BE a good friend...

 ......but most of all I just LOVE that I get to be YOUR mom!!!

The Museum of Ancient Life

 While the brothers were gone boating for their young mens activity yesterday, I was able to take these little cuties to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point!

 The amazement and curiosity of a little child is something that I will never get tired of seeing! These kids were in awe at the sight of these prehistoric creatures...and so was I!

I loved seeing their faces as they looked at each of the exhibits...

 ...and little Kesslyn always makes it really exciting especially because she is seeing a lot of these things for the very first time...

 We had a fun time together looking and exploring and learning new things...

I still think about how summer is fleeting though, and that these little field trips and adventures are going to be sorely missed! So once again, I find myself trying to "push pause" on life and just take it all in...

 Just look at these faces!!! ;)

Such little sweeties!

 By the time we made it to the end of the museum, we could smell the popped popcorn, and decided that we would watch one of the 3D films there. It was such a good documentary and I learned so many things that I never knew before! It made me want to take Clint there for a date sometime because he loves those National Geographic type films so much! (Yes, call us nerds and we are OK with that.;)

It was a fun time with these kiddos and I love spending time with them! Thank you guys for loving me and for enjoying this journey together!

Yes, I Am a Child of God!

At Family Home Evening the other night I had a very busy little 2 year old handing out swim goggles as I was trying to teach...We were discussing the conference talk titled "Am I a Child of God?"

I had pictures of each of the children as little babies and we talked about their miraculous spirits, minds, and bodies and all the good that they were meant to do...and all the while I was trying to teach with the spirit, this sweet little "child of God" was reminding me that I was doing a "great job!" ("Thumbs up" as Kesslyn would say...)...and when I stop and think of what each of these children are sent here to do I can't help but wonder about all the good that they will do and all the people's hearts that they will touch, and ALL the people that they will make laugh...even if it is right when we are trying to be reverent in Family Home Evening!!! ;)

I know Heavenly Father is smiling down on us even when things don't go perfectly. He knows our hearts and He knows just how hard we are trying, AND He knows how good it feels to laugh. :)

Thank you Kesslyn for the sweet reminder that you give me that we are doing OK! That we get a "thumbs up", and that without a doubt we ARE each a child of God. :)

A Little Time With Kierra

 Monday was our last day with Kierra and everyone needed a little of her attention...;)

The little sissy's got their fingernails and toenails painted, and I took Kierra for just a few minutes just the two of us to Deseret Book to buy some new garments...

We picked up Dallin from the high school where he had gotten his new Student Class Officer sweater, and had been directing kids and welcoming them at the school...

 He was pretty darn proud of his new sweater and looked pretty sharp in it too!  ;)

 He was especially proud of the Ying Yang Silver wolf symbol that was on his back. It was the part that he designed and everyone loved!

 I can hardly believe that he is ready to enter high school...and that in 3 short years he will graduate and be following in his big brothers foot steps...I'm telling you...WHERE does time go???

 Yes Dallin, your future is SOOO bright! :)

 We all went to Hokulia and had shave ice and sat around talking and enjoying each others company...

 ...and then somehow we ended up at the mall which we NEVER go to the mall...but we wanted to find a slip extender for Kierra and a few more school clothes for the boys...

 We found neither of those things, but the girls did find this zebra they could ride around on and boy did they have fun!!! Kambriella was a little speed demon and we thought of how proud Riley would have been to see her...;)

 ...and then there was Kesslyn...WATCH OUT WORLD!!!

CRAZY DRIVER!!!! ;) ;)

 There were also these chairs that the brothers found and took everyone too...they all had a good laugh sitting in them and spinning around in circles...I didn't try it though since I don't do too well with anything that might make me get motion sick...I'm glad they all had a good laugh though!

 By the end of the day it was time for family dinner and Kierra chose to go to Hu Hot. We had a delicious dinner, visited some more, and then it was time to send Kierra on her way to go back to Riley and back to Colorado.

I always consider myself lucky to get ANY chance to see Kierra, so having a couple of days with her really was a treat! Every time I am with her I am reminded of the goodness and love of our Heavenly Father. That He gave us all the opportunity to come here and experience life in the safety and love of a family. My children remind me of that love constantly and their goodness and pure hearts make me want to do better each day, so that when our time comes there will be NO regrets and only an eternity of goodness and TIME together.

We are such a blessed family and I am so so grateful for this daily constant reminder from Him! 

Our Own "Happily Ever After"

 Friday night date night at the temple...one of my all time favorite things to do with my hubby!!!

Having the Jordan River Temple open once again is such a blessing!

After we did sealings there, we went to dinner at Gecko's Mexican Restaurant, and then to a wedding reception for a young man in our ward, Bryce Stone. He was one of "my kids" on trek and I have always had a great love for him ever since then. I was just so so happy for him and that he was able to find such a kind and beautiful wife and that he could be sealed to her for time and all eternity...

Congratulations Bryce and Allie!

 Saturday we were able to pick Kierra up from the airport so she could be here for the weekend! Her good friend Emma Geertsen returned home from her mission this week and gave her homecoming talk that she wanted to be here for so it was a good excuse to see her for a minute! Emma served in the Italy Rome mission which is the same mission that our son Carew is currently serving in and call me crazy, but there was something about listening to her share her experiences there that really made me feel close to Carew and I loved every minute it. :)

 We were also able to go to my little nephew Emmet's 1st birthday party where we had fun just catching up with everyone!

 They had a bounce house there that was so fun for all of the kids...especially Kesslyn! ;)

 She jumped and jumped her little heart out until her little cheeks were bright red!!!

Being a kid and so care free...I love to watch them live and learn and take it all in...WE are living each day, our own "happily ever after!" Dream big my little ones! :)