Lambs

Our 3 oldest kids are raising baby lambs this summer to sale at the fair.

They have learned so many great lessons and have loved doing it.

1- Responsibility

They have to feed them every morning and night.

It is a daily task they can't take vacation from without getting a substitute.

2- Love

They have named their lambs and they talk and pet them.

They have washed them, applied medicine to sores, etc.

3- Safety

They have learned that fences provide safety and security.

(Just like rules and laws protect us)

They are true shepherds- 

they seek out lambs who escape the fence and bring them back.

It is great training for parenthood.

Their dad has worked with them every evening 

to guide them with firm but loving kindness.

Here is my littlest "lamb" feeding one of their little lambs.

 Myriam was a star at the fair.

She was so good at controlling her lamb and at performing.

She has such great confidence and skills.

She took first place in her class on showmanship.

She named her lamb Spencer, after her cousin.

 Packer loves his lamb. He named him Tanner (after his cousin).

He wishes he could pay him back in some way

 for the sacrifice the lamb is giving for him to earn money.

Packer was so nervous at the fair,

but he did a great job looking right at the judges.

Sadie loves her lamb, Bethany.

Sadie's loving care and nurturing abilities were really brought out by caring for Bethany.

Sadie is going to be a great mother one day.

Thanks to the Ferrins who taught us how to do the whole lamb process.

They are such great friends!

Sadie's First Temple Experience

Yesterday we celebrated Sadie's 12th birthday by going to the Bountiful temple 

to do baptisms for the dead with her grandparents, aunts and uncles.

It was her idea and it was a wonderful and fun experience.

Her dad interviewed her for her first temple recommend since he is in our bishopric.

Her grandpa Steve performed the baptisms and it was quite emotional for him 

to be there with his grand-daughter.

Her aunts and uncles were fun and supportive-

 both the ones who came and the ones to baby-sat our little ones at home for us.

Pioneer Trek

 Donny, Sadie, and Mollie got to go on a ward pioneer trek this week to Martin's Cove.

We learned and taught a lot about the handcart pioneers.

It was a great spiritual boost and a time for recommitting to be as faithful as the pioneers.

We learned tons of lessons- the heart of it being that it is worth taking the hard path

to do what is right and follow the prophet.

The goal of "Zion" is to be sealed together as eternal families.

Mollie loved leading the group and everyone to sing.

This is a picture of her walking with the primary president.

We enjoyed getting to know the youth and the leaders 

(since we are usually with primary kids).

Book of Mormon Goals

 A few months ago, Donny challenged each member of our family

to read the Book of Mormon on our own in a about a 3 month period.

(2 chapters a day)

Our children easily agreed and I was the one who complained.

I told Donny every reason why I couldn't add one more thing to my plate.

Most of us did it- some of us had to make some adaptations.

Hunter (age 7) was the youngest one to read it completely on his own.

Myriam (age 10) was the first to finish.

Last night (June 17th) was our deadline.

Donny took us out to Aggie ice cream and it was delicious.

(We have lived in Cache Valley for 11 years and it was our first time going!)

 I read it out loud to my two youngest children

(we switched over to the little kid version half-way through)

lds.org

But my biggest accompishment was that I took my current scripture study-

which was to write a search question for every verse in the Book of Mormon-

and accelerated my pace so that I would finish by June 17th as well.

I finished a week early and printed it out as a book for each of my children

and made an e-book out of it to share with others.

 amazon

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!

I enjoy EVERY MINUTE of studying and reading it.

I feel inspiration for my life flowing while reading it.

I see my children maturing as they learn and apply the principles as well.

I can feel it soften our hearts and bless our home with more of the Spirit of God.

It is the BEST classic book out there (and I read a lot of books).

Potty training in a day.

I decided to potty train my youngest before all the kids are home for the summer.  He is doing so well!
I love the principles I learned from the book "Potty Training in a Day:"
1. Focus just on that child all day long.
2. Model with a doll first.
3. Reward them with a drink after each time they go so they get plenty of practice.
4. Practice cleaning up accidents and getting on dry underwear.

Memorized Sayings

I found that if I memorize sayings 

to say to myself in tempting situations 

that it helps me stay good.  

(A lot of my sins are thought sins.)

Here's one for ANGER:
"I am not going to gain anything by getting angry.  If I get mad I am going to pay a price I don't want to pay.  I can't assume the worst or jump to conclusions.  I can reason this out."

Here's one for EATING:
"I am not going to nourish my body by eating junk.  If I indulge, I am going to pay a price I don't want to pay.  I can't ignore my body and stuff my face. I can find something healthy."

Here's another one for EATING:
"I'll drink water for my thirst,
and eat fruits and veggies first.
I'll eat whole grains if they're seen,
and for protein-beans and lean.
I'll eat slowly and stop when *meet,
and choose fruit if I want sweet."

(*meet meaning satisfied or enough)

Plants and Children

Sometimes this blog just turns into my parenting analysis.

Lately I have been growing a lot of little plants in my kitchen window.

As I take them outside to plant in my yard, I have to consider what their needs are-

Some need a lot of sunshine, some need very little.

This last weekend, my mom commented that my middle children (one in specific)

needs a lot of attention from me.  

I started giving her excuses for how I didn't have time to give them all one-on-one time each day.  

She pointed out that some of my children didn't need it as much.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that children are like plants.

I make sure they all get fed every day, but am I giving them attention or SUNSHINE?

Especially the ones that need a lot of sunshine to grow well?

So, with the work load I carry with taking care of so many children and 

the house and the yard each day,

I found my best one-on-one time is working with them.

It kills two birds with one stone.