Work

This is Jolie. (my sister)

This is me.

I should make the quote below work in my life.

"I don’t know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing well."

The problem with this is I get going and end up depressed because I don't seem to be getting anywhere. I just see more and more dirt and clutter and then I start thinking of all the projects that need done. Maybe it is better for my family if I don't clean. ;)

Not only do my children need to hear this. I need this. My kids won't get it until I get it. How do I get to where I feel it and actually get my house clean because it's good for me. For my family. For my children. It's worth doing, so why can't I get myself to just do it? And do it well. It benefits so many people.

A lot of things in my life. My blessings. I have such a la di da attitude about everything. So much so that I am lacking passion in some important areas and struggle to get the drive I need.

Oakley

We have been interested in what the river and Smith and Morehouse looks like up by the cabin in Oakley. We couldn't get up the road to Smith and Morehouse because it was snowpacked and the river was running fast and high by the cabin. It was a fun drive. We stopped at a park in Oakley and played tag and had a picnic then headed home. On the way home, we stopped at John and Lisa's to wish John R. a happy 40th! When we got home, everyone got ready for bed and we piled back in the car to go up the hill to watch for lightning. While we waited we read our scriptures and wrote in our famiy thankful journal. It rained but the lightning never came so we went home to bed. It was a beautiful day. Recognizing the beauty around us. It really was a wonderful and gorgeous day. Even though the kids fought (because they always do) we still had a great time together and talked about the trips we want to go on and loved spending the day together.

EasterLeah

Leah was adorable on Easter. She didn't wear the sweater all day. Just in the evening when it was cool out. Lisa made the headband and gave it to me for hosting the boutique. I remembered seeing a dress at The Children's Place that reminded me of it so I went to see. It was on clearance, there was a size 12 month and 3T and the ribbon on the dress matched the band on the headband exact. It was perfect and she matched Emily great in her black and white and green dress.

On Housework:

"The purpose of the task is to strengthen the relationship."

I don't like to clean the house. But I like the idea of it being clean for my family.

And when we work together, we feel like a family.

”Realizing something of the spiritual value of homemaking has made me more aware of the need to more fully involve my family in these tasks. My husband and I no longer simply delegate chores to our children each day. We wash dishes and make beds alongside them. By doing so, we have been blessed with opportunities to teach our children and be taught ourselves with a frequency and a depth we previously never imagined. A year ago, I spent most of my dishwashing time muttering under my breath and trying to jam too many dishes into the limited dishwasher space. Now, every time I invite a child to thrust their hands into the warm, soapy water with mine, I learn something new about their spirit and their life.”
Kristine Manwaring

"Don't argue. Sing!"

Jack is ready for church

Jack loves to be like dad and loves to be "men in black". He loves to wear his suit to church but it is obviously getting a little small.

He didn't care that the pants were so short but we did have him change out of tan socks into black socks. At the same time, he changed his tie to a dark brown tie. He was so happy and so proud of himself.

Jack is a very sweet boy and we love him like crazy.

Rare Sighting

John pointed out our boys on Sunday because this NEVER happens. John was playing the piano. Thomas was reading and Jack and Sam were reading together. They were quiet and it was peaceful and wonderful. It was worthy of a picture because it is so rare.

The next day I took Emily to the dentist with Thomas, Jack, Sam, and Leah in tow. At first the boys tried to run around outside the dentist office but then I had them come in and sit in the chairs. They got magazine and sat together and read quietly. I actually felt like I had done something right and it was a good mom moment. Those are very rare. Usually I am questioning what I am doing wrong.

Thank you boys!! I hope I have more peaceful moments to report.

Yellowstone 2007

John showed me these pictures tonight. Look at those sweet kids. We are so lucky.

We've also decided we need to go back to Yellowstone. This was at Yellowstone in 2007 when Sam was just a baby.

“Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.”
Rick Warren

TAKEN FROM HERE

"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring.

Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley (Small and Simple Things)

Thanks Mindy!

"Motherhood is the one thing in all the world which most truly exemplifies the God-given virtues of creating and sacrificing. The mother who, in compliance with eternal law, brings into the world an immortal spirit occupies first rank in the realm of creation."

--David O Mckay, "Respect for Mothers and Their Divine Role",

"The older I get, I realize that things around here...well, life in general, is like going up and down a hill again and again. Some hills are steep, they make you cry or swear or lose confidence, and others are little bumps in the road. You just have to keep climbing when it gets hard, try to enjoy the scenery when your muscles ache, or find out how to make things easier so you can get up and over quicker. And then on the glide down...enjoy it! You know it won't last forever. That next hill, you take what you know from the last time, or you learn something new altogether about life in general. And down you go again, everything is easy."

Found here on Clover Lane

Jack

Nice lead off.

Jack LOVES baseball. He LOVES it. It is so fun to watch him play. He said no thanks to soccer next year. He just wants to play baseball. I love it when my kids have a passion for something.

He was so excited to be the catcher. We were going to leave the game early to make it to his soccer game but he asked if we could stay so he could be catcher. We stayed and at the end of the game, ran over to his soccer game. He played for 10 minutes and the game was over.

A Penny a Pape!

John wears this hat as the dog catcher in Annie. Thomas and I stopped by the theatre Friday night before the show and Thomas tried it on. What a sweet boy.

Easter

Grandma and her 12 grandkids on Easter.