Unexpected

Today while battling Brandon going to a new class in primary (we are trying out the Rainer Ward finally) I got a text from my friend Malissa saying that her mom passed away from what they think was a pulmonary embolism.  Malissa and I have become quite close this past year and our kids are in the same classes.  My heart breaks and mourns for her loss especially when something so unexpected happens.  I'm so grateful for my family and the plan of salvation. It brings me so much peace to think where my family members are that have already left this mortal life and where I will hopefully be with them again someday. I can't imagine not having that knowledge.  It's been  a rough week for me personally as I struggle with events that are happening in my life.  I hold it together pretty good I think-I have to. Once the kids are asleep and it's quite I can't promise you that I hold it together but I'm trying. I know life is a test and we are here to prove our worthiness and our dedication. I hope my kids know how much I am trying for them. How much I cry and pray for them. Most days I feel like the meanest mom in the world that can't do anything right but I still try.  I try to remember that line that says, "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it".  As I deal with my own inadequacies I hope I never forget that someday it will all be worth it.

I am strong. I am courageous.  I can & I will. 

Some days are harsh. They are reminders of days past that strike a chord. they are dark, deep pits of unfriendly brokenness. difficult, choking reminders of decisions, actions, abusive words and changes that altered the life course.

These days are fleeting. being replaced by joy, wholeness, contentment, miracles, stories of truth & memories that smile.

I look ahead.

I am better right where I am than I was 1 year ago. far better than where I was 2 years ago. I see progress, hope, potential. I feel happiness & joy.

My little gardner

Brandon has been wanting to plant sunflowers for a long now so we finally went down to the big fenced in garden area and cleaned out a little strip to plant the seeds. We actually just watered them last night and they were about 1" out of the ground. Brandon was so excited!!

Visiting Teaching

Yesterday I had two visiting teaching appointments.  The boys went with me to both and since the last one was with a new sister we had never met before we decided to meet at Dairy Queen for a treat, because who doesn't like ice cream? :)

I figured it out!

I haven't updated my blog in months b/c I couldn't figure out how to get the pictures on my blog from a new website that I was storing my pictures on online. Well I finally figured it out last night since I couldn't sleep and now I've been playing catch up like crazy.  I have been changing the date so they will be in order once I print my blog book so if you scroll back to November you will start seeing new posts. Although I'm not caught up all the way yet I am getting lots more done!!!

By the way-I totally rocked my Biol 160 exam yesterday. I had lab right after that where we were looking at the heart of a daphnia. We were looking at the heart to see how it slows down with alcohol and speeds up with caffeine. Unfortunately my lap partner, Noell, and I killed our Daphnia at 8% of alcohol but then she just put a ton of caffeine on him, we named him Mr. Jenkins, and finally he started twitching. We couldn't ever get him back on his side but at least we revived him LOL.
sidenote**my lap partner was my math 57 TA this past winter.  So glad to have someone I know in the class and good with math!

End of School Year Party 2016

I wanted to do something fun for the kids for completing another year of school and for being such awesome kids.  I decided to take them somewhere they've always wanted to go: The Great Wolf Lodge!  I booked a kids cabin suite so it slept 7 people.  Richie and Chanelle got out of school the week before so we decided to take them with us (unfortunately Richie fractured his knee during a basketball game just a few days before so he couldn't come with us-fortunately we found a friend of Cody's that was more than happy to take his place)  We loaded up the kids, got some slurpees and were out of here!  It only takes about 45 minutes from here so we got there early afternoon and played in the water until it closed at 9 p.m. We got some dinner afterwards and in the morning did all over again until we were too pooped to party anymore.  I hope the kids all had a good time-I think we just may go there again!

The boys loved our cabin-bunk beds are fun!!!

*Cody was actually trying to look mean here....he did a good job I think:)

Blueberry Farm

Juliet took the boys to a U Pick farm close to her home on Friday while I went to an appointment. They gathered around 3 lbs I think.  Lots of fun-

Bowling/Visit

Rex's two sons, Parker and Sterling, drove up from New Mexico with a couple of friends to visit. It was a good visit and we got the opportunity to final use some of the free games that Courtney won quite a while back. Brandon actually won one of the 2 that our group earned.

The boys and I were just chilling in the recliners waiting for everyone to get there:)

Happy Independence Day!

So grateful for our freedoms that we have to enjoy in this country. God bless America!

New Ride

Dallas stayed the night at my sister Desis and needed a new ride I guess.

Mechanics

Aunt Tammy had a flat tire on her chair so we helped dad change the tire since he can't do a whole lot right now with his bike. Brandon drove the chair down the hall and into the great room like a pro. He was pretty proud- I think we did a good job.