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.

Athletic Myriam

Myriam ran the Wellsville Mile yesterday and did great.

Her time was 7:47- which is the exact same time Sadie got in 4th grade!

She has been so excited for it and practiced every day.

She is also a star little soccer player.

It is her first year officially playing on a team...

but she's had plenty of neighborhood and recess experience.

She shocked us at our first game by scoring 3 points and being an incredible defender.

Donny calls her "The Brick Wall."

She's such a tiny little thing, but she is a tough woman- she can really push herself.

I went over to watch her play at recess and it was just her and the boys.

I had a flashback of myself- I loved playing soccer with the boys at recess in Elementary School.

I thought, "Yep- she is my daughter."

I am a Mother!

This mother's day, I went to bed feeling a little guilty.

(Like most mother's do- we realize all day how much better we should be doing)

The biggest thought I kept having is that being a super mom is not being able to DO

a million things, but to be able to truly LOVE of your children.

I think I have to stop DOING so many things 

in order to take the time to really observe and enjoy who they are.

I really have been blessed to raise some choice spirits!

(I love to dejunk... and dejunking my time has to be done regularly

in order to have the things I value most be my greatest focus.)
"BRIDLE ALL OF YOUR PASSIONS that ye may be filled with this LOVE" (Alma 38:12)

I also have to "PULL OUT" and look at them-
When I do, it is so easy to love their cute faces.
Just look at this cute face-