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. 

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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.