A New Queen of the "Throne"

Alright...Have you EVER seen such a big cheeser???

This little girl is soooo excited to be learning how to use the potty!!! :)

As I was getting ready for church, Kesslyn came in the bathroom, announced "POOP!!!" as loud as she could to everyone that was in the room, stripped off her p.j's and diaper, and climbed up on the toilet ALL BY HERSELF! :) 

She proudly did her duty, got her "can can" (candy:), and headed to her room to get ready for church.

WOW!!! What a big girl! She's not even 2 yet and already getting potty trained...Clint says she broke the family record that used to be held by Kierra who got potty trained just barely after her 2nd birthday! Looks like you are being "dethroned" Kierra...;) (no pun intended ;)...

BIG GIRL KESSLYN!!! We are so proud of you!!! :)

All of this "potty" conversation reminded me of something Kambriella said when she was getting  potty trained so I went back in my blog and found the story...it will make you laugh!!!
Happy Monday!!! :)

(From February 2012)

"I know that these conversations about potty training are not the most inspiring things to be heard, BUT they ARE some of the funniest things that happen around here lately...and after all, whether your day is full of sunshine and roses or rainclouds and thunder...or simply conversations with a 2 year old all about the "toy-wet," it's always good to find JOY in the moment you are living, right? So, I am recording yet another funny conversation that I had with little Kambriella the other day. It was so funny the way she said it that she simply had me laughing out loud! Here is how it went:

I was sitting in the kitchen reading and Kambriella was laying on the kitchen floor coloring when she said,

"Mom, I have some good news and some bad news..."

(I giggled just at that little comment because she has NEVER said THAT before!) Then I replied,

"Well, I'll take the bad news first."

Then Kambriella said,

"I have to go poop."

Then I laughed and said, "Well then what's the GOOD news?"

Then Kambriella took a deep breath and said,

"It's a BIG one!"

I laughed out loud again and with a big smile stuck to my face I rushed her in to the potty where she successfully completed the job INTO the "toy-wet" and NOT in her big girl princess panties!

We will consider this to be another "sunshine and roses" kind of day (even though it didn't smell like one ;)

More happy potty training stories to come, I'm sure of it!!! Have a "sunshine and roses" kind of day even if life gets stinky!!! :) I love you Kambriella! You are SUCH a BIG girl!!!"

The REAL MTC is at Home

 Yesterday we were sitting at the dinner table with Clint's parents who came to visit with their new foreign exchange student, when the doorbell rang.

I got up and walked to the door expecting to see one of the kids little friends asking if they could play, but instead I saw the friendly face of a long time friend that I have not seen in years!

Clint and Shelly Nelson were some of our very best friends that we had as a newly wed couple and first time parents when we lived in Roy...

Clint and his son Devin stood there on my front porch with this package in hand.

Sweet, sweet Shelly had sent it with him to deliver to me since he had to head down this way for a job he was working on.

It made my heart soooo very happy to see them and I KNEW what must have been in the package as soon as I saw it!

For years (ever since I became a mother of sons) I KNEW that my calling as a mother was an important one in preparing my children for the day when they would go out into the world and serve full time missions. For all of their lives I have done my best to live and teach the gospel in my home so that they could learn first hand to have a love for and to realize the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. We have not perfectly, but consistently tried to hold family scripture study, family home evenings, family prayer, have family dinners together, spend quality one on one time together, and do lots of wholesome recreational activities together...

Doing these things have brought a spirit of peace, love, and unity  into our home and have provided an atmosphere where learning by the spirit can take place.

I have always wanted nothing less than for my children to grow up and be happy living the gospel and seeking for those things that will bring them true and lasting happiness...I KNOW that Kierra's temple marriage, and now Carew's mission to serve for 2 years are the exact path that they should be on to find that lasting happiness. I KNOW that the Lord will bless them for their faithfulness and righteous efforts. He knows their hearts and He knows what they need in their lives. If all my children can faithfully trust in Him and His plan for them, then I KNOW that they will succeed in life and find happiness all along the way.

There was a talk given years ago from Sister Julie B. Beck, former General Relief Society President that said something to the effect of that we should teach our children while they are young, prepare them for a lifetime of discipleship and not wait until they are ready to turn in their mission papers before we really start trying to teach them... 

entering the MTC and the things they learn there should be a REVIEW and NOT a REVELATION! (Meaning that the things they teach there should be the things that our children should already know, and not things that they are finally hearing for the first time!)

It reconfirmed to me when I saw the words printed on Shelly's "MTC" package to me that I have done my best and will continue to do the same thing with all of my children, future grandchildren, and all of the people that are important to me! I know that no one is perfect and that trials will continue to come as they have in the past. But trials always come with a silver lining and I need to always try to be faithful as I get through them and see the good that can come from them too....

This care package from Shelly consisted of things that a missionary mom might need..."HUGS" a journal, inspirational words from an apostle, tissues!, envelopes, pens, and stamps...

But more than anything, this package was full of LOVE.

Love from a friend that brought the spirit and touched my heart, that in turn brought a reassuring feeling of peace and love from my Heavenly Father.

It is reassurance that what we are doing is right, and that even though it will be hard, it will be sooo very worth the sacrifice. 

"A missionary is someone who leaves their family for a short time, so that others may be with their family for eternity!"

I love you Carew James Trickett!

Activity Days and a Date With Gavin

 Now that Kambriella is 8 years old, she gets to go to Activity Days! These are fun activities twice a month for all girls ages 8 to 11. Kambriella was excited about this morning because for Activity Days they were having a breakfast at April's house! She got up early, got ready, and rode her bike over there where they had pancakes with whip cream and sprinkles and played all kinds of games...she had a great time! She also headed off to a friends house for the afternoon for a birthday party which gave me some one on one time with Gavin! (And Kesslyn too;)

  After grabbing a bite of lunch, we headed over to Scheels where we found Gavin the most awesome pair of joggers for school! He was pretty stoked ;)...we also looked at all the fish in their aquarium... 

 Kesslyn Oooed and Awwed over the "shish" ;) and Gavin was of course a good big brother getting excited about them right along with her. ;)

We also made a stop at Gina's which is the little cafe inside of Scheels

and treated Gavin to his own box of Scheels fudge!!! 

 They have soooo many flavors to choose from, and Gavin chose 6 of his favorite flavors...

Jordan River sludge, Cookie Dough, Orange Cream, Cookies and Cream, Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, and Watermelon.

His comment to me was..."I think I'm just going to wait to eat this and share it with my family. :)"

"I miss Dallin sooo much! I can't wait till he gets home!"

Those sweet boys get home from their week long tonight and it will be so good to have everyone home again for a minute. I miss them too. Can't wait to see them...and eat some fudge! ;)

More Scriptures

 Yesterday was a day spent at home that was much needed! After a busy summer and being on the go, we really needed a day to get caught up on our household chores. Especially as we are already preparing to go back to school next week! CRAZY!!!

Anyway...as I was busy helping in Kambriella's room organizing toys, bookshelves, and a little work space for her, Kesslyn kept running in and out of the room keeping herself busy and letting me know whenever she felt like she needed to go potty! ;) (Which seemed to be about every 5 minutes;)

One time though after it had seemed to be a while since she came running back in, Kambriella and I went to check on her to see what she was doing, and this is what we found...:)

Kesslyn was sitting in her rocking chair in her room reading her "kipas" (scriptures!)

We peeked around the edge of the doorway so that Kesslyn wouldn't see us and so we wouldn't interrupt her...but seriously my heart was about ready to melt!!! WHAT a SWEETIE!!!

 Everyday before nap time and each night at bedtime Kesslyn and I rock in this rocking chair and read "her scriptures." It is actually a Book of Mormon Reader. It has all of the stories from the Book of Mormon but just condensed and with lots of pictures, and written in words that are easier for a little child to understand. She loves me to read them to her, but this was the 1st time I had seen her reading them by herself...It made my mommy heart so happy!

Then, we were caught!

She looked up at us like, "WHAT are you guys doing??"

 So then I walked in close to her to get a better look and then did what any mom would do...

I sat down in the chair with her, rocked her and read "more kipas."

This little moment reminds me of a story from this past general conference that I want to share...

"TRUST IN THE LORD AND LEAN NOT"

by: Bonnie H. Cordon

"Several months ago we were having family scripture study. My two-year-old grandson was sitting on my lap as we read. I was in full-blown grandma mode, relishing the visit of my son’s family. With our scripture study complete, I closed my book. My grandson knew that it would soon be bedtime. He looked up with his eager blue eyes and spoke an eternal truth: “More scriptures, Nana.” My son, a good and consistent parent, warned me, “Mom, don’t be a weak link. He is just trying to get out of going to bed.” But when my grandson asks for more scriptures, we read more scriptures!"

I guess Kesslyn just wanted "more scriptures!"  ;)

Meet Miss April

This is my friend April, but for now we will call her "Miss April." ;)

April and I have been friends for 8 years and have served together in 2 different primary presidencies, and have kids that have danced and done soccer together, and are good friends and neighbors.

April is teaching a 2 year old Little Monkeys play school  class and had one opening left...

and offered it to Kesslyn. :)

I normally would have never even thought about letting my little baby go anywhere but with me...but because it's April...we said Yay!!! Kesslyn will go play with April and other little 2 year olds for 2 hours twice a week while I use the time to serve in my calling.

Doing visits, making phone calls, helping with illness or babies etc. is a natural part of my calling, but also quite challenging with a little 2 year old to take care of...This way, I can give Kesslyn the opportunity to play, have fun, learn to share, and be social while I go out and try to serve and fulfill some of my duties as a relief society president...I feel like it's a "win~win" for both of us and I'm excited to see Kesslyn make friends and learn new things!

Her first day with Miss April is on Monday so wish us good luck!

I LOVE you little Kesslyn!!!

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!:)