GRANDPA HAIR's VIEWING

SLUMBER PARTY with KATE

ASHTON's QUILT

4th of JULY

ADDISON'S BAPTIM

Leslie and Kaylee at Addison's baptism

Yesterday, I took James and Logan to Addison's baptism. The sun was hot as we arrived at the church. Both of my boys fell asleep on the drive from my house to the church. James said he was tired so he decided to close his eyes for a minute. He snapped awake the moment the brakes were applied. Logan hung out in dreamland until I popped him out of his car seat and onto my shoulder. 

(We had driven back from Utah that morning. We were there so Sierra could attend EFY, especially for youth. EFY is a BYU week-long event for youth. They have speakers and activities. I remember being raised in "happy valley" and having Elder Neil Maxwell speak to us in the morning before seminary, and although I can't remember I know there were other apostles as well. Sierra hasn't had those advantages, living in Colorado. The Church of Jesus Christ has grown so much, I don't think Apostles visit seminary students anymore. Elder Maxwell stood and shook all our hands afterward. I just wanted her to have that moment of spending time with kids her age, that believe what she believes, and listening to, not apostles, but men and women of Our Heavenly Father that love the Savior. She had a good time.)

When I walked into the stake center the first person I saw was Leslie and tears filled her eyes. She gave me a big hug. She was in a gorgeous yellow dress with small flowers on it. Her hair was perfect. Addison was running around in her white jumpsuit with hair in loose curls. She had a white headband in her hair and a big flower attached to it. She had the most beautiful smile that filled her entire face and lite up her eyes. She was full of energy and excitement for the day. Leslie commented that no other child has been so beautiful in that plain white jumpsuit, I had to concur. When I entered the chapel your family was sitting there, all but Jake. Where was Jake? I forgot to ask. Leslie's grandpa was so sweet. He is a very special man. He seemed refined by age. Stephanie gave me a big hug. She was lovely. Her hair color was darker than I last remember. Virgil didn't say much but nodded. We sat down and Kaylee (I always spell her name wrong.) was letting Logan play with her cat purse. It made him feel so special. He had the biggest grin on his face. His little toddler belly was sticking out as he toddled along the bench holding Kaylee's black cat purse. We sang the Baptism Song, I like to look at rainbows, whenever there is rain. And ponder on the beauty of the earth made clean again. I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I want to do the best I can and live with God again. I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away.... Simon said the opening prayer. He said as good a prayer as I have ever heard prayed at that pulpit. I have to admit watching Logan was more entertaining than the speaker. He did a great job just not good enough to capture my attention. I do remember him asking the question, why are we baptized? I don't remember his answer to his own question, but I remember the answer in my mind, to follow the example of the Savior. When he asked, do we need to be perfect after baptism? I went on a sermon in my head. No, we need to follow the Savior. When we veer off course, we must repent. Boyd K. Packer said the greatest act of delegation was when Heavenly Father said, "Here is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him." We are to look to him. I read that earlier in the day and the thought was so strong it blurred out the speaker's words.  I know, my focusing skills are really vigorous. I wish I could tell you what he said, but alas, you will have to ask your mother. Then your Auntie got up and talked about Addison. It was so sweet and Addison was bouncy and beaming. She talked of how Addison completed your family, and how funny she is, and how kind she is. She came and sat at the bench and wept as she held my hand and said, "She is the last one." Tears were streaming down her checks. I tried to remind her that she is the first, this is the beginning. Con will have a loving, priesthood guided home. His children will enter the waters of baptism and his children and their children. Also, Addison's children and Kaylee's children. She quietly reminded me without words of sweet Tyler. I believe that is where her heart was. 

Then we sat and quietly waited to be called in for Addison's baptism. Sabrina Atwood played Children's Hymns while we waited patiently. Simon went into the water confidently. It was a sacred moment watching this innocent, sweet, precious baby girl take her first step on the covenant path with a loving, attentive, father. After she emerged from the water, she jumped into his arms and held him. Water dripping off of both of them. The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was beautifully depicted in that singular moment. The more I learn and the more I grow in faith, it is apparent that all we do in the church is for that singular purpose, to sanctify, bless and unite families. 

PIANO RECITAL

Madison preformed really well in her piano recital. She practiced hard. She loves the piano. She never fights practicing. Her friend Colt came to support her. She was beaming. She also took her piano test to pass Level 1 piano and she got 100%. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for leading me to her teacher. I took a wrong turn down a dirt road and saw a sign in front of a house and I stopped and went to the door and told the lady at the door I wanted Madison to take piano from her. She was thrilled. She had just moved from Denver and was looking for students. She has taught for years and I think will help her go further than anyother teacher I have met here.

COUSINS

These cousins are the goofiest silliest things, and we love them to bits. Ashton thinks he is Margaret's best friend, and when we come to town he often refers to her as his girl-friend. James could spend every day with Charlotte. He is like her in a lot of ways. Ruby is everyone's favorite. She has the best dimples.

APPLESAUCE

SAUSAGE IN THE MORNING

James woke up and made sausage for the boys for breakfast. He was so proud of himself.

SUNDAY BOY

EVERETT'S BAPTISM

Cute Everett was baptized. We were so excited to get to have the opportunity to celebrate with him. There was definitely a really beautiful spirit there. We all felt there was something special about this little boy and his family.

ZIPLINE and a FEVER

 Dad finally put up the zipline he bought the kids for Christmas on Easter. The kids have been loving it. I am still upsure as why we have a zipline and can't have a trampoline because they are dangerous. (Shrug!) The neighbors came over last night and played until the sun went down. Nate grilled shrimp and lobster tail and Logan cried. He has a fever. (Why?) Will this kiddo and his mommy ever catch a break?

SICK AGAIN

 Logan threw up off and on from March 15th till about April 15th. It was the longest month of my life. When he wasn't throwing up he was just miserable. He wanted to be held twenty-four seven. He was fussy. He wouldn't nap or sleep at night. I was exhausted. Exhausted. It was so great when this sickness finally left his body and he was on the floor playing. His favorite thing to do is cook in my lower oven. 

Two days later Madison started throwing up. Sigh. It has been so ridiculous around here. She ticked me off when she just leaned over the side of the lazy boy and puked directly into the carpet. The kitchen floor was five inches further. James threw up in the toilet the whole time he was sick. She could have thrown up in her blanket anywhere but the carpet. I lost my marbles. Poor girl. 

My dishwasher isn't working again. My boys chipped in for two days and did all my dishes both days. I have the sweetest boys. 

SABATH will be a DELIGHT

 I am grateful for a living prophet who guides us in these days when there is so much evil on the earth and so many loud voices buying for our time and our allegiance. 

I love the promises President Nelson made to us about doing "Come Follow Me" as a family.

The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.

- President Russel M. Nelson

I had each of my children memorize a promise. There are five and I have five children, so it is convenient. Whenever someone complains and says, why are we doing this? Sierra says because "We will unleash the power of families!" Madison says, "Our home will become a sanctuary of faith." James says, "The Sabbath day will truly be a delight!" Ashton says, "We will be excited to learn and to live the Savior's teachings. I say for Logan, "The influence of the adversary in our life and home will decrease!"

I feel the spirit as my children talk of the promises made by a Prophet of God. It renews my resolve to keep my commitment to learning gospel principles at home with my family.

I testify we have seen miracles in our home as we have tried to follow the prophet. 

TECHNOLOGY

 He came to me the other day and said, "Mom, I learned the best word today. Technology. Say the word Technology, mom. Isn't it the coolest word?" I said, "It is a pretty cool word!" Then we went to the thrift store to find some he could take apart and see the inner works. We found an old keyboard and he took it apart. He thought it was pretty amazing. He still has it under his bed and will not part with it. Then he said he wanted to learn about electricity. He started taking random wires and putting them together on random things. I thought nothing of it till he flipped a breaker plugging one of his random contraptions into an outlet. I knew it was serious. This obsession with electricity. We bought this kit off of Amazon. It has transformed his world. He loves doing school so he can do "electricity". It is always the last thing we do. We have entitled it our Science unit. He now loves homeschooling. 

Also, the other night in his prayers James said, "Heavenly Father please help me to become a good man and teach people about Jesus." It melted my heart. I didn't know something so grown up could come out of one so small. His prayers are always so sincere.

MONDAY

 James and Ashton spent the whole afternoon picking dandelions out of they yard for me. They were overjoyed to show me how hard the had worked. They asked me what they should to with them all because Ashton wanted them out of his "suitcase". I said, "Let's put them all on a beautiful white plate on my dresser." They did and they ran outside to find more for me. I love my little boys. They are so eager to make me happy. They are such good boys. 

Logan loves Madsion so much and often chooses her over me. I was putting her hair in a ponytail this morning and he kept petting her hair. I thought it was so tender. They have such a sweet friendship.

I can say the greatest thing homeschool has done for our family is my children's love for each other has grown so much. They are so kind to eachother. Madison spent several days outside trying to teach James how to ride a bike. I was grateful for her efforts but thought nothing would become of it. I have tried to teach him how to ride a bike and he just doesn't seem to understand balance. 

A few hours later they both came in the house grinning from ear to ear. Madision was triumphing because James had learned to ride a bike and she had taught him how. I was incredibly surprised when I looked out the window and saw him riding around the property. She was a huge cheerleader to him and applauded each of his victories. James worked so hard to please her. 

I have felt the dividing power of public school not that it is an intentional power but I think our kids are fighting a battle in school and when they come home they often forget we are team. 

'

CONFERENCE

Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is my favorite time of the year. It is like the best massage money can buy for your soul, nothing is more refreshing. Nothing on earth makes you want to be more like the Savior than these loving men's gentle encouragement. I love that I am blessed to know there is a living prophet on the earth today and that there are men called to be apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ in our day. I know these men are inspired by the Almighty. I know it. I know it because my soul feels it. The warmth and peace that fills my heart and home when these men are talking is indescribable. It must be felt to be understood. If you will open your heart, you can feel the same beautiful guiding reassuring power Holy Ghost too, go to churchofJesusChrist.org and listen. It will change your heart, it will change your life, and you will come to know the Savior better.