Words that make my heart sing!

We were on our way to a concert or something when my 7-year-old leaned over to me and said,
"Mom, you're a spring chicken!" I was a little surprised at that. He went on to say, "That means you're young and beautiful." Of course I loved to hear that from my little boy! Then he continued with, "Well, you're not really young, but you seem young and you ARE beautiful!"

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A few days ago my 9-year-old said to me, "During the summer you're my best friend." He's really shy and has been toying with the idea of being bold and going to play with some of the 20 other boys his age in the neighborhood. I guess he decided he likes me better:)

Getting To Know You

I was at a neighborhood play group today(which I rarely take my kids to) and met a woman who has just moved into our neighborhood. She is such a great example of getting to know everyone and learning about all of her new neighbors. She said to each of the moms there, "What do you do?" That was all. And she wouldn't let them say anything obvious like, "I'm just here." It had to be something she wouldn't obviously know.

I'm not that outgoing. It takes time for me to get to know people. I learned a lot from this woman. It doesn't have to be that hard!

Pioneer Day

A week ago we said to our three younger boys, " This week is Pioneer Day. What should we do for it?" Their response was, "What's Pioneer Day?" We were shocked that they didn't know what Pioneer Day was since it's such a big deal around here. We don't really go out to where all the crowds are much and we don't watch TV to see the big parade from Salt Lake so I guess they just didn't realize there was a holiday at this time.

So-------we decided to give them a taste of Pioneer day.

We had a lesson about the pioneers in Family Home Evening so they would know the source of all the celebration

AND

We went to the parade here in Logan. It wasn't very big but it was a hit with the boys because they loved getting candy thrown at them and water sprayed at them:)
AND

We walked around all of the displays and booths they had at the park. Isaac won us a Dwarf African Frog by throwing a ball in a cup so now we have a new pet!

AND

We went to the fireworks in the evening. We usually do this but maybe the kids didn't realize the reason for the fireworks in the first place. I think the glow sticks we brought with us were more exciting to the kids than the fireworks.

It was a fun day and I don't think they'll ask us what Pioneer Day is ever again!

What's a parent to do?

I have this beautiful, amazing, wonderful 17-year-old daughter. She has always been so good. She pretty much does what we ask her and is responsible for herself. It is a struggle, however to know how much freedom is too much for her. Is it too much for us to ask her to call and let us know if she'll be home later than expected? I don't think so. We've been pretty laid back parents, but when we feel she is putting herself in a potentially dangerous position we feel like we must establish some guidelines for her. She sure doesn't like it! She is constantly pushing the limits(which aren't very tight). It is definitely a matter to be prayed over---a lot! Of course she has to make her own choices AND accept the consequences.

Grandma & Grandpa

This is my grandparents who I love dearly. They live a couple of hours away and I don't get to see them very often. Grandma had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and she has been in the hospital. I guess she's recovering fairly normally but I worry about her so much. It's really hard on Grandpa too. They're in their eighties. I need to make it a point to be in contact more often. How much I will miss them when they are gone!

Families Can Be Together Forever

My daughter Jessyka and I just came from playing some music for a wedding here in town. It was really beautiful and the couple was so happy. However, they don't know what they are missing out on!

I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I can be with my family forever--not just for the rest of this life. I don't know what I would do without them!

This is my wonderful husband Stephen crossing the finish line of the 15K Freedom Run he was in on the 4th of July. Right now he's gone to scout camp as a leader and I really miss him. He does so much to help me with the kids and housework and everything. He'll be home Saturday. Hooray!

Memory lane

My dear baby sister Jenni is the one who inspired me to start this and here she gave me a great idea:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

It's a blogging life

So I've been having so much fun reading the blogs of my siblings and other family members that I decided it's time for me to make my own. I don't really know what I'm doing but I think this will be fun.