A Day in the Life...

This is my Savior and Friend Jesus Christ. On Easter day over 2,000 years ago, my life changed and your life changed. I don't have all the answers in life, but some answers are right in front of me and they come from Christ and my Heavenly Father.  I'm grateful for my belief in Christ, who knows what it's like to be me, to understand me, to know me.  He knows my voice, my tears, and my laughter.  He knows yours too.   I love this quote from my favorite apostle Elder Holland:  "Christ died from a heart broken by shouldering entirely alone the sins and sorrows of the whole human family.  Inasmuch as we contributed to that fatal burden, such a moment demands our respect."   May I also add that it demands our devotion and commitment to this gospel.

We love spring; later nights outside, green grass, flowers blooming, dog playing, rain and sunshine.  It's a good life. Copper climbing the basketball hoop! Came home one day to find this note from Taryn.  I love her! We painted eggs, planted flowers, and snacked on strawberry shortcake... We hit the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point the day after it opened.  These were the only flowers that had bloomed; most of them were still closed so we'll have to go back.  Our fourth blonde is my friend's daughter; we had a good time! And, Easter traditions of egg hunting and feasting!

Spring Break!  I worked all week and things at work are so busy lately, but turned down several Friday meetings so the girls and I could celebrate their time off from school.  Early Friday morning we hit the Legacy Center for swim time, then met up with Cameron and Wyatt for skating, arcade games, and jump houses at Classic Fun Center!  We took a short snack break and then headed to the Dino Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  Amber has spent the last four months there looking for tiny hidden gnomes and she wanted extra eyes. I have to admit- I've never noticed in YEARS we've been going there that there are hidden gnomes.  The lady at the counter pointed to the numerous signs that apparently have been there for at least five or six years.  Oops.   The kids did NOT think this was fun- it's staring at walls and inside dino bone crevices for hours at a time.  Thankfully Amber found the last four she was missing.  She's now on their Wall of Fame...

I've kind of dreaded church lately- like especially Relief Society.  I've just had a bad attitude.  I get in there and feel restless and unmotivated and too imperfect and too alone.  It's not a faith crisis and I love God and I love Jesus and I love the gospel.  Church is hard for me lately though. I did NOT want to go last week but made myself anyway.  If it weren't for the kids, I'd probably stayed home. So I'm sitting in the back next to a lady I rarely talk to and I'm listening to this gal give the lesson.  She asked an important question: Why do we do this?  Why do we come to church?  Why do we serve?  Why do we take the sacrament?  Why do we keep the commandments?  Why do we pray, or read the scriptures?  Why do we do anything the gospel requires? People gave answers like being obedient to God, becoming our higher selves, to be accepted into heaven, because of what others might think if we don't, to be social with th...

The girls had a piano recital a few weekends ago.  Micah was a little too timid to participate, so we held a family recital the next night. I made a program for it too and took her picture.  They are all doing so great in piano!  They definitely don't get any musical talent from me... The pup loves Micah's bed.  We all thought getting a dog might solve Micah's sleep troubles... but no... sleeping with the dog drives her crazy. He doesn't just stay at her feet or floor- he likes to creep up next to her and he definitely loves pillows.  This is how I found both of them the other night... The gift Micah left Tim and I... Dakota: I know what I want to do for a job when I grow up.  My friend Demi convinced me to be a farmer with her. Me: A farmer? Dakota: Yea.  All I have to do is plant seeds.  She'll give me a free gallon of milk every day, so I figured I might as well do it..." Also: Dakota to me: Mom, Mr. C. sa...

Three days this week Taryn had a robot baby to take care of.  Nine hours after receiving "Kim" she told me how exhausting it was.  It was a bit annoying, crying and crying in the most pathetic baby robot voice ever.  The smiling picture of her is after she'd had it just an hour or two.  By the night of day two, there were no smiles.  She's regretting taking that class at school, haha.   We all think it's hilarious.  She thinks she failed, but I think she did better than she thought.  It didn't record her calling it stupid, hahahahaha. I lifted up my pillow the other night to find a whole bunch of notes from Micah.  She's the best like that.  This one reads:  "Dear mom you are the best!  1 thing I love about you- you love me. 2 you care about me; 3 you love snuggling with me.  Love. Love power!" This one says: "Jesus' birth.  Jesus made the earth and he liked it so he got born.  But... Christmas ...

After Christmas I made this list, much to Tim's (quiet) dismay.  I think he's secretly more excited than his look showed.  I'm happy to say that this week we crossed off two things!  Not the two I would have started with but I'm SUPER happy! My sister-in-law Amber got her kids a dog for Christmas.  I fell in love with the pooch when I saw him that night.  They named him Hoke, because their son wanted to name him Hulk but can't say the 'L".  Haha, so it's Hoke.  When the breeders posted Hoke's brother for sale, I couldn't really pass it up.  They wanted $1000 for him because of the breed of dog he is (and how much they've put into vet bills and food for him), so I offered $200.  They turned me down but reconsidered a few days later, after Amber's persuasive texts and the promise the brother dogs would be close friends.   I LOVE HIM!   I told Tim before we even picked him up that I just felt this dog was my ...