This last Sunday Jarrett received the Priesthood. It was such a great day! Jarrett has such a special, valiant spirit. He has been more excited for the Priesthood than his birthday itself. He has read and prepared for this day. He had a goal to finish the Book of Mormon by his 12th birthday and he accomplished that goal with 2 days to spare. He never ceases to amaze me. He was so thankful to have received the Priesthood. We had a light lunch served after where we had family over to help us celebrate Jarrett. 

Sometimes I feel like blogs and Social Media are used to show off and I think sometimes we feel inadequate when we read what other families are doing and how perfect their life seems. I hope you don't get that from our blog. While this day was absolutely perfect and I will treasure it, we are the everyday family with our good days and our bad. We are just trying the best we know how to be a family. This day was a great day and we are thankful for all the love and support Jarrett received.

12 Years Old!

I can't believe this happened, but my boy turns 12 today! I remember it just like yesterday driving to the hospital scared to death. Twelve hours later they placed this beautiful baby boy in my arms and my life changed for forever. I have been blessed for 12 years with this amazing kid. He has so much courage, strength, determination, and love for everyone he knows, and the Gospel. I don't know how I got this lucky to be his mom and get to spend everyday with him but I am thankful for him and all that he teaches me. Happy Birthday Jarrett!! Thank you for the best 12 years!

Jarrett with his birthday present! A new electric guitar! He is getting so good at playing, I love listening to him.

How Time Flies When We Are Having Fun!

 We have been so busy the last couple of months. Yes, we have been doing some fun stuff, but it has mostly just been living life with 4 kids. The kids had their spring break the first week of April and thankfully we had some good weather. We played at parks and on Friday I took them to the Aquarium in Draper. We had so much fun. 

 We found time between soccer, school, and Ben's busy work schedule to go to Rexburg, Idaho to visit the bears. We love that place. We were a little worried about the weather but we made the trek anyway. We hit one of the worst storms we have ever driven through just outside of Idaho Falls. The truck in front of us lost control and ended up in the median of the freeway, but luckily he wasn't hurt and he was able to drive away. Once we got to Bear World we found sun and it was a perfect day. When we went to eat our picnic it decided to rain but we laid all the seats down in our van and had an inside picnic. The kids loved it. After we saw the bears we headed into Rexburg to see the temple. That day trip never disappoints. 

 Next my very good friend from Vegas was in Salt Lake for the weekend so of course I headed down for some visiting and lunch. It was a great afternoon. It makes me homesick for my life I had in Vegas, but I am also thankful for the chance I had to live there and make the friends I did and have the experiences I had. I loved our visit and I treasure our friendship. Thanks for lunch and all the talking Kira!! 

I am finding that the older my kids are getting the busier we are. Life is good and I am so glad that I have Ben and my kids to enjoy it with.

An Elder's Return

My kids have waited 2 long years for this Elder to come home. They love their Uncle Dano. We were able to go down last Thursday and see him as he came off the plane. He has been faithfully serving in Florida for the past couple of years. You could feel his love for his Savior and the Gospel. He has always been an amazing person, but I think an even more amazing person returned.

 He has always been such a great example for all of my kids. I think Jarrett especially looks up to Daniel so much and wants to pattern his life after Daniel's. I am thankful for the example that Daniel is for my kids. It has helped me as a mother and has helped my kids so much. I am thankful that Daniel went on his mission and served as he did. So much has changed for him since he came home. His life coming back wasn't the life he left. He has handled it all so well and with so much love and care. I worried for quite awhile about him coming home to so much different but he is going to do amazing things and he knows exactly what he wants out of life and I don't have any doubt he will get the life he wants. We are so thankful for Daniel and so glad he is home.

(Jarrett was so happy that Daniel was finally home, his emotions got the best of him. This was me telling him to smile. )

Disneyland and the beach 2013

 We have waited and waited to do this trip. We tried last year but had to cancel last minute. But we finally made it. We had such a great time. We got up early on a Saturday and drove to St. George to visit Ben's family and then headed to Vegas to visit some friends, go to our old ward, and did a little hiking. It was a lot of fun to see everyone again and to catch up. A lot has changed but there are a few things that are the same. We hiked a little Monday morning and then headed to California in the afternoon. We hit horrendous traffic at the border and it lasted almost until Barstow. Ended up adding 1 hour to our already long travel time. We made it to our hotel in time to see the fireworks at Disneyland. 

 I don't know who was more excited me or the kids. Disneyland has changed a lot since I was last there. So much more to do and see. We had the 3 day hopper pass, which I think is the perfect amount of time to spend in Disneyland. McGregor informed me that he wants to live there and everyone of my kids now want a job at Disneyland. It was interesting to me and Ben how excited our older kids were. We have been so worried with how old they were getting that it wouldn't be as exciting for them. When it is all said and done I think they enjoyed it more than the little kids. It wore Fletcher right out, he took many naps. McGregor had many moments of stress in deciding what ride to do and what souvenir to buy but had such a great time. Jarrett had the characters always coming up to him and messing around and the actors during the parade talking to him or messing with his hat. Isabelle had Ariel play with her hair. Such a cute Ariel. Such an awesome experience as a mom to see my kids enjoy and experience this. 

 The first day was rainy and cold, but that made for less people and shorter lines. The kids favorite rides? Jarrett, Isabelle, and Gregor's had to be Splash Mountain. I believe they rode it 10 times. One of those times they got my mom on in! That was a miracle. Fletcher loved the Winnie the Pooh ride, Ariel ride, and Buzz Lightyear(Probably one of Ben's favorites also). Some of the other favorites were Pirates, Tower of Terror, Space Mtn, Star Wars, The Haunted Mansion, I think they loved everything they went on. 

I loved the Music Sensation parade, and the water show. I loved watching my kids and Ben enjoy themselves so much. I loved having my Mom there with us. I loved just being there. I feel so blessed to have been able to do this trip. I loved that I cried because I was so happy to be there. I feel that we truly appreciated our time there and in California, because it took us so long to get there and it was our money that we saved to get there. Truly one of our best vacations. 

After Disneyland Ben took me to see Wicked while my Mom watched the kids. I love that show. It never disappoints. I loved being able to have Ben there with me to see it.

On Friday we headed to San Clemente by route of the Hollywood sign. We may have gotten a little lost on the way to the beach but we did finally find our way. We loved San Clemente. I wish we could live in a place like that. I love the ocean. It is one of my most favorite things in this life. I truly feel blessed with the family I have and for this trip we were able to take. I love the time we spent together and the memories we made. It will be one of those trips that will always be remembered.  

Grateful

We are in full season of the holidays here at our house. I have done a lot of thinking this past month of just how blessed my life is. There are things that happen in every one's lives that make you wonder why. These past 2 weeks since Thanksgiving I have tried to look for the good in my day, instead of the negatives and hardships. I have found out a few things. I have 4 of the most amazing kids. I don't know why I was entrusted with these strong, special spirits, but they teach me every day and make me want to be a better person and mom. Looking at them they remind me of what I am working towards and that is eternal life with them and Ben. I may not have a degree, we may not have a lot of money, and I know I am far from the perfect mom, but having their love and being able to share their lives is the best and most important job I could have. It is not easy and in the process you loose who you thought you were, but at the end of the day when they come snuggle up with you or you walk in to climb into bed and your pillow is showered with love notes from them, you realize that they are what matters, and they are your life. 

Ever since I have become a parent and since I lost my Dad, I have come to appreciate all that my parents did for me growing up and everything that they still do. No my Dad isn't here anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't feel him in my life. I am thankful for things they taught me and for the people they were and are. 

I am thankful for the Gospel. It guides and directs me to the path that will bring me the most peace and happiness. I went to my relief society's Christmas program and as I was sitting there among these great ladies I had such a feeling of peace come over me. I know Ben and I are where we are meant to be. I love our new neighborhood and ward. We feel at home, something we haven't felt for over a year. I think of how close we came to not being able to move here and I see how things worked out for us and I know that Heavenly Father's hand was in our life guiding us and blessing us along this path. We have had things happen daily since moving here that to some people seem like not a big deal, but to us they have been huge. So very thankful for our new "home". 

I am thankful for the man I married. I look at what Ben and I have and I know that not everyone is blessed with what we have together. No, our marriage is not perfect, we have had some rough roads, but we have got through them together and we are better and stronger because of the trials. I am thankful for the type of person he is. He is not afraid of standing up for who he is. Ben is what you call a quiet giant. He doesn't have to say a lot for his words to impact and change your life. He has a lot of wisdom and strength. He is an amazing father to our children. You can see and feel the love he has for each one of them. He is always there helping them push for their dreams. 

I don't know what life has in store for us in the future. Nobody does. I hope that I can live my life to the fullest so that I will have no regrets. I am going to love my kids and Ben everyday and enjoy the time I have with them. I had a friend pass away a couple of months ago leaving behind her husband and three young kids and I have thought so many times how hard it would be to leave my family and it makes me want to be better and love more. I hope we all take time this Christmas season to see the good in our lives and to realize it's not the money, or the high paying job, or what gift we get this year that is important. It is our families and the love we share with them. 

Pictures

 My sister Susie is trying to get a photography business going. Lucky me, that means I got some free pictures of my kids. These are just a few, my computer has been having a few issues and we have not been able to get them all on here yet. I think she did an awesome job and she definitely has a knack and love for it.  Thanks Sus I love them!!(Except they show just how big my kids are getting)