SBO Interviews

 Yesterday morning I took Gavin and his friend Ashton to school early for their SBO interviews.

They dressed up nice and practiced their questions, and got excited as they prepared to do something new.

I was proud of both of them for choosing to try something that was a little intimidating, and maybe even a little bit scary, but they are such good boys and such good leaders. I told them no matter what the outcome, they are still some of the greatest examples and leaders that I know! They are being that "light" that this world needs so desperately today...

Gavin, thank you for your amazing goodness! I love you so much!

Horses and Turkeys and Fun! Oh My!

 Labor Day at the cabin was fun for the kids for lots of reasons, but mostly because of the horses!

We are lucky because our neighbor Hayden asked us if he could let his horses roam on our property, and by so doing, they eat the grass and help keep the grounds maintained, we don't have to pay the green belt taxes, AND the kids get to enjoy having their "very own" pet horses! ;)

 Harry, Molly, Miss Piggy, and a new horse that is still waiting to be named, all stood in line waiting for their turn to be fed, groomed, and even rode on! 

They are strong and beautiful animals and we all really enjoyed being around them...

 We also saw a whole bunch of turkeys on the property this time too! They seemed to be wandering around everywhere in groups of about 2 dozen...

...but I was mostly surprised to see them up in the tops of the trees!!!

Does that sound silly to say that I didn't even know that turkeys could fly??

Seriously!!! 

Every time I ever saw them they were walking around on the ground (or on a dinner plate :) but NEVER up in the air or in the trees!!! It was so fun to see!

 Also on Monday afternoon, Hayden came on to the property to saddle up his horses, and that was when he told us that he would leave Miss Piggy for us to ride on all day! Kambriella went with him and his little girl Kinley to bridle and saddle her up, and then he walked them back over for us. Watching Kambriella with the horses and her instinctive and natural love for these animals was so rewarding. She was in her element and loved every minute of it!

 She rode on Miss Piggy and talked to her and gave her commands, and learned how to make her listen to what she had to say and what she wanted to do. Horses are powerful animals and can be a little intimidating even when you are on the smallest one, so I was proud of Kambriella for exhibiting such confidence and poise. It helped little Kesslyn with her levels of confidence too...

 Kesslyn also enjoyed time in the kitchen making cookie dough balls for me to put in the oven. :) 

(And for her to put into her mouth. ;)

 Dallin gained a little confidence behind the wheel of the side by side driving up and down the driveway just to get used to the feel, AND to entertain his little siblings. ;)

 These kids had an awesome time and did NOT want to go home! But I don't blame them, neither did I!

 But like all good things, we had to bring it to a close and head home for work and school and all of the responsibilities of life...but as we headed down the road we ran into the turkeys AGAIN!

Question:

Why did the turkeys cross the road??? ;) ;) ;)

 Maybe it really was JUST to get to the other side!

All I know is I rolled down my window and told them that it was already September and that they needed to be prepared for the holiday that is coming up in a couple of months!!!

I think they thought I was crazy... ;)

But I also snapped this picture of the mountainside right by our property. It made me smile as I noticed the first signs of Autumn time and the trees beginning to change colors. It made me happy and excited for it all...

All of the beautiful, fun, and exciting days that continue to roll out in front of us. I love each day and the adventures that come, and I love looking forward to the ones that will greet us tomorrow!

He's So Handsome

When I first met my sweetheart, I thought he was soooooo handsome. 

And he was!!! :)

But here we are 26 years later and I can honestly say that he is more handsome to me than ever. Not only are his eyes the most beautiful blue, and his hands so gentle and loving, but those eyes have seen nothing but the good in me despite my weaknesses and my flaws...and those hands have served me daily with everything from buttering the garlic bread, to folding themselves gently into mine for yet another prayer together...

 On Sunday over Labor Day weekend, Clint and I had the privilege of teaching the combined relief society and elders quorum council discussion TOGETHER. Studying and preparing together was so incredible. We drove to a park where we spent hours together sharing our thoughts and ideas in preparation for the discussion. I can honestly say that WE are one. We think alike, our testimonies have grown together as one, we see things eye to eye, we have the same goals and priorities...and we LOVE being together! This handsome and loving husband of mine becomes more and more handsome to me because I see who he really is. I see his spirit and his light, I see what a loving father he is, I see how much he loves everyone including his employees and the people he serves everyday...but most of all, I see how much he loves me. And when I stood by his side in the front of our ward family teaching and testifying of gospel truths, and I watched as the spirit took hold of his heart and tears of love and gratitude fill his eyes...THAT makes him handsome to me.

 We drove to the cabin after church to spend the night and some quality time together.

What was MY favorite thing that we did??

 Clint and I took a mattress off of one of the bunk beds and took it outside on the back deck. We snuggled together out under the stars and watched shooting stars and satellites and talked and talked for hours...It was heaven to me. And when you are out in the country away from all of the city lights, the stars in the sky are so bright and vast...I really felt Heavenly Father's love for me and that we have a special place in His plan.

We went to bed and woke early with excitement and anticipation for the day ahead...well, at least Clint and I were up early. ;) the kids all liked sleeping in a little on the holiday. ;)
Clint got the tractor going and worked outside and felt good doing it too. I joined him and together we worked, played, and made memories together. :) Oh - and he became even MORE handsome to me. (Is that even possible?? ;)
Yep. :)

Taking time away from work to ride with his kids = HANDSOME!

Letting Dallin drive on the main road with complete confidence = HANDSOME!

Putting an arm of love around a sweet 12 year old boy = HANDSOME!

And building confidence in all of their abilities  = HANDSOME! :)

Being sensitive and tender and sweet with the little princess = HANDSOME!

Making EVERYONE feel like they are the favorite = SOOO HANDSOME!!!!

Kesslyn is 3!

 This sleeping beauty stole my heart as I went into her room on the morning of her birthday!

 How could my baby already be 3???

 On Friday, August 31st, she dreamed of her birthday while I was busy in the kitchen trying to make all of her BIG little 3 year old wishes come true!

A PINK Barbie cake...

 ...with a bonus one too...:)

 ...surrounded by presents and unicorns...

PERFECT, right?? ;)

 Her reaction was as priceless as I thought it would be. She LOVED it with all her BIG little 3 year old heart, and wanted to hold it right away, just like I knew she would. ;)

 I made her a "3" and a "heart" shaped pancake for breakfast topped with whip cream and sprinkles...

 ...and her little genuine smile got bigger and bigger as the morning went on! She was so happy!!!

 My sister Tiffany and I took her with us to Swiss Days for a little "girl" time while the kids were at school...

 ...and treated the birthday girl to her personal favorite...Lemons!!! :)

But this one was even better, with a twist! A Lemon Yodel! The lemon juice combined with a sweet sucker as a straw. She LOVED it!!! :)

 After everyone made it home from work and school we took the Birthday Girl to The Farm at Thanksgiving Point where she got to ride on a pony!!! JUST what she wanted to do for her birthday!

 Kesslyn my sweet baby girl...I love you so much and am so happy that you are 3!!!  :)  :)   :)

 She was so happy and so proud of her BIG 3 year old self...;)

 ...and Miss Kambriella loved celebrating with Kesslyn too...;)

 I love that these kids of mine are excited about everything in life. They love everything from the horses and riding them, to the mountains and climbing them. They are all turning out so well rounded and that makes me happy. They are truly finding JOY in their journey. :)

 Kesslyn was so sweet telling her pony "Thank you" and "Goodbye!" when it was time for the ride to be over...

 But we also spent plenty of time visiting all of the other animals at the farm too...Chickens, bunnies, cows, and pigs...and a relaxing tractor pulled wagon ride around the farm. Tiffany, Colby, Xaxton, and the boys all had fun with us too. I absolutely LOVE and ADORE my sweet sweet family!!!

 You got it Baby Doll! Hold on tight for this ride of life! With 3 years down and many more ahead there is nothing but GOOD to do!!!

 ...and of course, DON'T forget to SMILE!!!

Happy Birthday Kesslyn!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Stalker Radar and the Dodgers

 I'm so excited for tonight!!! 

Clint has been gone to Texas since Monday and I miss him so much! I love having him and his happy self around our family all the time, and we miss that when he is gone...

Him and two other employees traveled there for radar training from Stalker Radar...(just another new avenue that his business is taking on this year!) 

~ And lucky for him, at the end of BOTH days of training, the 3 of them got to go to the Texas Rangers baseball stadium where they were playing the Dodgers BOTH nights!!!

This was a tender mercy to me because Clint has worked SO hard, and for him to be able to sit down and rest his mind and body just for a few minutes and enjoy doing something that he loves...

well, to me THAT is priceless!

 When he found out how inexpensive the tickets were, he jumped at the chance! But little did he know that the tickets he bought were also in a "suite" with an all inclusive deluxe all you can eat menu!!!

Way to score at the Texas/Dodger game Clint!!!

AND...the Dodgers won both nights! Miracles never cease people!!! :)

I love you baby! Can't wait to kiss your cute face tonight!!!

XOXOXOXOXOX!!!! :)

Fun With Friends

This has been a fun friend week for Kesslyn! She has gotten to have a play date EVERYDAY!!!

Puzzles with Greta...

Coloring in the play house with Adelynn and Gabbers...

 ...and picnic lunches every single day!

I can't think of a better way to welcome the week of Kesslyn's birthday!

Fun! Fun! Fun!  :)

Always Time

Yesterday Kesslyn (and Greta) and I went to lunch with Clint since he had to fly out to Texas yesterday for work and we won't get to see him again until Friday.  ;(

He is SO busy at work, but it never fails...no matter HOW busy he gets, he ALWAYS makes time for his favorite people and I LOVE IT!!!

(I hate sleeping alone though...can't wait to have you back sweetie!!!)

I love these giant, beautiful smiles and the people behind them.

How ever did I get so lucky???????????