July 30, 2010 - journal entry

Woken up today at 3:15 am by the pitter patter of Jacob’s tiny feet and his blue eyes looking into my tired face. Reached out my arms and pulled him into bed with me. His warm little body tossed and turned. Switched to other side. He burrowed in closer. Decided can’t get any sleep with him next to me. Hand in mine, we climbed the stairs, slowly because of my hurt foot, to his bedroom. Got him to climb in bed, covered him with blankets, descended below to my own sleepless tossing. 4:00 am gave up and my, morning started. Not so bad to get up this early, scriptures read, emails checked, blogs commented on, coupon sites looked over, ready to greet my children for the day but will pay for this later. Had time to view some more Mormon messages, none so touching as the story of Stephanie Nielson. Searched for her on the internet and added her blog to my to read list. Apparently my computer activities have woken up other children. Can hear Riley moving and it is only 6:45, well before his usual morning rise of 8:00.

I know God is aware of our situations and loves us dearly.

I don't look at Mormom Messages very often.  I have a close friend here that is going through a difficult trial right now.  I was emailing her to let her know my thoughts and prayers are with her.  I thought to myself I should go to Mormon Messages on You Tube and see if there is anything that I can send her that applies to her situation.  This is what I found.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages#p/c/4E784EC0770935C0/1/KHDvxPjsm8E

It is perfectly tailored to her situation.  I have such a strong knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows us and loves us and knows the things we go through.  He is there for us in these situations.

When I served my mission in Argentina, I came down with Pneumonia.  At night time it got so bad that I couldn't breathe.  I was scared and so far away from home.  I had a wonderful friend staying with me that night, she wasn't my current companion, but a prior one and had stayed to help me.  When I was panicking she read me the scripture in Alma 7:11-12 , which speaks of the Savior and some of the suffering he went through while he was on this earth.

"And he" (speaking of Jesus) "shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels maiy be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

I immediately felt at such peace and knew that no matter what happened the Lord was there with me and knew what I was suffering.  He would lead me through that moment.

Again, he loves us and He is aware of us.  He knows all trials that we go through.

Does Buzz Lightyear eat yogurt?

Ours Does.

Want to see something pretty?

I've often wondered if I was just a wimp in highschool when I did this to myself playing basketball, needed crutches and was out for two weeks my sophomore season.

After the repeat injury, playing basketball, I've decided I definitely wasn't and I'm hoping two weeks is all it takes to recover this time.  The upside to all this is I got to ride in the electric shopping cart at Walmart.  (No need to say it.  I know you're jealous!!!!)

My favorite part was the, "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP" sound it made as you backed up.  It gave Brad and I a good laugh:).

Deadwood Resevoir

This last weekend Brad had work off fromThursday on so we packed up the suburban and took the whole family camping.  Now, camping is not my favorite of activities.  I mean, it's fun and all for a day or two but four days, three nights, no showers, primitive toilets and lots and lots of dust (not to mention the loads of laundry and cleaning that I have to do today), you know none of that is greatest for me.  Regardless, the kids had a great time and I'm glad I went.

Jake's fun was all over his face...literally.  I could not keep him clean for more than 5 minutes as these pictures show.

At one point I picked him up to dust off his rear and clouds of dirt floated up in the air bringing to mind Pig Pen from Charlie Brown. 

We started off the trip with Brad bringing the kids down the Payette again.  I got a pretty good action shot through one of the rapids.

It isn't as bad as it looks....I think.

Then we headed on up to Warm Lake and stayed the night to break up the trip.  No shots there because I was too busy being eaten by mosquitos.  I literally ended up with mosquito bites everywhere (I counted 15) through my long sleeved shirts and pants and with bug spray on.  The next day we drove another hour and camped at Deadwood near a creek. 

We Fished.

                                   

                                                   

                                   

With the catching of fish Jordan had to learn how to gut them.  He gutted all the fish we caught and ate over the weekend.

We ate good food (Jake kept getting into all the yogurts) and enjoyed the campfire.        

                        

We played and floated in the creek and lake.

  

We explored and found great rocks, sticks and saw lots of small animals.

We rode dirtbikes.

The trip, despite my lack of love for camping, was fun and the country was beautiful.

You always know you were successful when your kids end up like this on the way home.

And to boot, we found a great place to pick huckleberries on the drive home.  You can't beat an ending like that!

To all mothers

I know I shouldn't post two new ones in a day but I just received this in an email and thought all moms should see it. Enjoy!



http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages?blend=2&ob=1#p/c/4E784EC0770935C0/28/WbYLKVgwztY

Happy 4th and much more

It's been a while since I've blogged, I know. That was due to the fact that a certain someone in our family (Brad) went whitewater rafting and my camera ended up at the bottom of the river never to be recovered. This was early June so we've been without a camera for...a month. Luckily I got a new camera just in time for the big event of the month, Mckenzie's baptism. I know this isn't the greatest family picture but this is what you get when Grandma waits too long to take the picture after the baptism and the boys have to stay in their church clothes for more than 10 minutes when they get home. So yes, Brad looks like a dork and I think Jake is picking his nose but that's how it goes sometimes. At least it's decent of me:)

After a quick lunch the grandparents, kids, Brad and I took off to the park. While there I got to work on my basketball shooting skills with my dad. A few pictures just so you know I still have great shooting form. By the way Dad, my shot is going in now. I guess you were right and I was flat. Thanks.

Sunday morning, after church, all the Grandparents left and we were alone again. We decided to head down to the river for the fireworks show. The only picture I have that turned out is this one I took of Brad and I where I look tired and worn out, the way I look and feel most of the time. Brad again is making faces but I'll post some better ones of him later.

The fireworks were good and we got to bed at a decent hour (11:30).

Brad had work off Monday so we decided to take the kids and have Brad float them down a mild section of the Payette.
Obviously, Jake is too young to be floating with Dad just yet and the boat is still a little small so he and I waited and played together during the float. During that time I caught some great pictures.

Hmmm....what is that down there? A bag of treats?

Is Mom looking? Nope, this is going to be great!

I can't believe I've gotten this close...double check that the owners aren't looking.

Yes, cheez-its, potato chips, fig newtons... I scored!

I thought you couldn't see me...don't expect me to give you a smile.


Oh, all right, I'll forgive you if you play with me.

I also caught a video of my favorite quirk of Jake's lately. He hums the Imperial march song from star wars all the time. I mean everywhere. I'm just glad I was finally able to capture some footage. Do you think I should be worried that this is his favorite song? I mean, it is the theme for Darth Vader you know.

And finally...got to end on a good note. Jake is officially potty trained and is no longer wearing diapers. Now, to teach him how to properly put on his underwear.

I know you're not laughing Mom and Dad, but come on, it's a little funny, isn't it?