I am back in for business...For now.

I must start of by saying that Jordin Sparks won American idol and I think I am OK with that. I love Blake Lewis and wanted him to win. But it is OK. I am sure he will make an album and I will buy it.

For mothers day we went to my mother in laws and had dinner. Hope planned the whole thing and it was nice to visit. The best part of Mothers day was getting to talk to my mom. I had been wanting to talk to her about all that has been going on in my life and it was so good. I hope you know how much I appreciate you Mom!

Erynne and I made this for My MIL. It is a family tree with pictures of all her kids and grand kids. It ended up being huge because their are so many of us. I ended up having to use both sides of the paper to fit us all in.

Joseph was sharing his ice cream cone with Skylar. How great are cousins?Travis was helping Sarah make a bracelet

And Todd was helping Kaylee. I thought it was awesome that these boys would be of help.

Just a few park pics because I thought they were so cute.

Joshua loved the slide. He was so excited shaking his legs all about.Joseph made a friend at the park the other day. We play with family so often it was cute to see him make a friend.

The boys went on a Fathers-and-sons camp out with Ryan's dad and some of the uncles. They told me how great it was. Jared got to sleep in a tent, way over rated he tells me. Joseph was happy because they had lots of bugs and rabbits.

While they were gone we had a girl night and day. We went out to dinner with Grandma, Aunt Kaylee and Aunt Erynne. Then we went shopping at the mall where Grandma bought the girls some little trinkets that they were thrilled with. The next day Sarah and Emma went to a birthday party while I washed and cut the guinea pigs hair.. Does anyone want a free guinea pig? Then when they got home we went to Joann's and bought some scrapbook stuff and the girls scrapped away. The had a great time. Very fun to have both boys and girls!




For Mothers day the kids gave me frames that I was to fill with pictures I took of them with my new camera. I love them. I feel like they really capture the essence of who my children are. so here you go...

Joshua

Joseph

EmmaLee

SarahJaredJared received an award from his school yesterday. It was a high achiever award. Each teacher picks one student who excelled throughout the year and his teacher picked him. We home school through a charter school and meet with a teacher once every 5 weeks. She is there to keep us on track and to help when help is needed. We think she is great and I was so proud of him for working so hard this year!

He refused to smile when he was up there. See that cute smile... We know it's there.

They had treats at the school and I kept giving Joshua cookies to keep him quiet. I normally don't do that but once I started I couldn't stop. He had become such a mess I didn't want to pick him up...they had no napkins. Seriously? Whoever had that job missed the boat.
Last weekend I was blessed to go to Time out For Women with the women in my life, My dear Mother-in-law, My sister-in-laws...Hope, Amy, Sarah, and Erynne. My sister Laura and my sister from another mother Demeree. It was so great but I must say my mom was dearly missed. I think when you get back mom, we will have to do a women's conference week! By the way mom we ran into Sister Norton and her daughter, Sister Hilt (My old seminary teacher), and Natalie Bennet. She is still single, When she told me about her siblings she didn't say anything about any of them being married.?

I learned so much it is hard to even put into words. The overall feeling I came away with was how much our Father in Heaven loves us. He is with us in our times of trial to lift us up and help us through ALL we go through. He heals us... Sometimes we take longer turning to him and allowing him to help but the second we do, truly turn to him, He comforts us. He eases our burdens and helps them to feel light. I don't know how many times I have heard people say, "I don't think I could handle that challenge." Yet when we are going through something very challenging we are given strength. I have watched it in myself as well as those around me. I have been thinking a lot about Emma Smith lately and all that was required of her. Yet she managed to keep a faithful heart and charity to those she knew. Oh to be able to one day embrace this sweet women!
I felt so connected to these women after the weekend was over. Anyone who says something bad about big families never enjoyed the blessings that inevitably come.

Besides all of that good stuff.... We had a blast. We stayed in a hotel about 5 minutes away. I took this picture so that we would for ever after remember Hopes pants as we may never see them again... Heee heee! Oh the things we do as girls when we let lose...

...Eating Ice cream...

...Making jewelry

...Just talking and staying up till when?

I saw Amy looking at her sweet baby and had to capture this moment. This whole weekend was all about what we do as women and this picture seemed to sum it all up for me. We LOVE!
Demeree, Laura and I got to go to the Redlands temple and it was so nice to be there with them. Wow Demeree you sure are tan! We are so cute.
We had a baby shower for Lucas and Asher (Amy and Hope's babies) at my MIL's last week. Look how good they both look. Their babies are only 3 weeks apart. It has been so fun having these sweet boys around.

They got some of the cutest clothes. I was joking with them that someone in the family needs to have twin boys next since they had so many cute matching outfits.

The girls loved that they got to come to the shower!

Two of my SIL's Orchids and Erynne. Orchids sister is the one on the left. She is visiting for a little while.

I have been reading this great book I got at time out for Women. It is called The Ultimate Career. It is all about organizing your life as a mother. It has great organizational tips and I have had fun implementing them. My first order of business was to put labels on my shelves in my pantry. With so many people helping put groceries away I was having a hard time finding the things I needed. Sarah helped me take everything out and figure out the best places for things. It was actually very rewarding. I then organized the kids toys and all the laundry. Now I am planning on redoing my closet and coming up with the best possible system for the kids chores.

One last thing. We were listening to spiritual music in the car the other day and Sarah said,"When I listen to that music I fell like the gosspel is true." What a special girl.