I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking the kids to scout camp. I want there to be a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.
~Marjorie Pay Hinckley~

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Temple Open House

We took our kids to the Draper temple open house on Valentine's day. What a neat experience that was. They really learned a lot I think and felt the spirit. Before we went up to the temple, we watched a video about the purpose of temples. Tyson leaned over to me and said, "Mom this movie makes me feel good inside!" I explained to him that it was the Holy Ghost telling that temples are special places!
The kids were so reverent and respectful through the whole temple. They were good about climbing all the stairs and walking for so long. Afterwards, they had a lot of questions and we did our best to answer them. They all commented on how good they felt inside while we were in the temple. It was such a neat experience we had together as a family!

Build a Bear






We took the kids to build a bear to redeem their gift certificates they got from Uncle David for Christmas. I love build a bear because their personalities really shine through. Aubree got a High School Musical Bear she named Sharpay which she dressed in a fancy sequined dress and shoes with sunglasses. It also says different phrases from High School Musical.
Kaden got a Koala named Nigel (who is a guy on his favorite Dinosaur show). It makes a magical sound and is dressed like an Army Ranger.
Brennen picked a Panda Bear, and then lost interest in the whole process. So Bruce picked a red football jersey for it. He asked me what should the name be and I said just put something in. Well he named the bear Paul Kruger after his favorite Utes player. And the kicker is he taught Brennen to say Kruger, so I guess that name is stuck!
Tyson's was my favorite. It was a black bear with a roar. He put a green frog t shirt on it with shamrock boxer with black army boots (he called them tap shoes). It is also holding an American Flag. He first named it Silly Bear, but then changed it to America Bear after Aunt Shannon asked him what the American Flag was for and he informed her that his bear is the President of the United States!!
Thanks Uncle David for the fun present!!! We love and miss you every day!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I Love My Husband!

Last night we had an enrichment night all about strengthening our marriages. Our spouses were invited, so it was kind of a date night I guess. Anyway, one of the exercises the sister who was speaking had us do was to think of two things we love about our spouses and give specific examples. Ever since than, I can't stop thinking of all the things I love about Bruce, and how amazing he really is as a husband and a father. Here are some of the things, just a few mind you, I have thought of.

I appreciate how he takes the garbage cans out to the street on garbage day and then brings them back in later. I totally hate doing that.
I love how when he sees something that needs done or cleaned, he just does it. Sometimes it makes me feel guilty that I didn't do it, but I appreciate him doing it.
I love how he totally puts up with my emotional diarrhea. Especially now that I'm pregnant.
I love how patient he is with me and with the kids. He really is our calm inside our storm.
I love that he watches American Idol with me. Enough said.
I love that he lets me go out to the scrapbook expo with Holli every 6 months.
I love how service oriented he is. For as long as I have known him, he is always serving someone else.
I love how strong his testimony is. Sometimes I think I rely on him too much.
I love how he just takes care of us. he works so hard, and I don't give him the credit he deserves.

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending this amazing man into my life. I don't know whether or not he will ever even read this, but if you do Bruce, I love you with all my heart!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

25 random things

So i do these little lists on Facebook all the time, but I decided to start posting them to my blog too, so people not on facebook can read them.

This one is just 25 random facts about me.

1. I asked my husband out the first time on a dare!
2. I love to watch Sesame Street.
3. I hate cold weather (Why do I live in Roosevelt?)
4. I like to scrapbook.
5. I LOVE my birthday!
6. The best gift I ever received was a cruise from my husband for our 10th anniversary.
7. I used to chew my nails, but stopped when my husband told me he liked long fingernails.
8. I own my own preschool.
9. I have two Bachelor degrees, one in Special Ed and one in Elementary Ed.
10. I did a zip line through the jungle in Belize.
11. I love to bargain shop.
12. My favorite food is Lasagna.
13. My favorite dessert is brownies.
14. I want to be on the show "Don't Forget the Lyrics".
15. I am the oldest of 6 kids.
16. I hate dogs.
17. I am the worst typer ever.
18. I don't know how to swim, other than to survive.
19. I have taught an Aerobics class.
20. I met my husband in Ward Council meeting. He was the Elder's President, and I was in the Relief Society Presidency.
21. I don't know how to text.
22. My husband is a Utes fan and I am a BYU fan.
23. My favorite band is Daughtry.
24. I love children's books and have over 500 in my collection (Go Scholastic!)
25.I am allergic to waterproof mascara. It makes my eyes swell shut. This is bad because I am a crier.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Bunk Beds

I know I have been posting just random things lately, but my kids are too funny and I want to record what happens to them so i won't forget. This morning the boys were in cleaning their rooms and all of a sudden we hear a scream and Tyson comes running in screaming "Kaden needs help! Kaden needs help!" Kaden is pretty dramatic, but Tyson is usually not so much, so we went into the bedroom. Well Kaden had been sitting on the bottom bunk showing Tyson how strong he was and lifting up the top bunk mattress. Well the mattress came crashing down on him. He honestly thought he was going to die. Bruce lifted the mattress off him, and then we went into our bedroom and laughed and laughed!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Peaceful Shopping Day

So today is Friday and on Friday's I take the two little boys and go grocery shopping and do errands. At the grocery store they have the little trucks that they like to ride in, so I popped them in and off we went. About 1/3 of the way through, I looked down because they were being so quiet, and Brennen had nodded off. I kind of chuckled and went on my way. About 5 minutes later, a lady grabbed me and told me to look at the boys. Lo and behold, they had both fallen asleep. It was so precious. I wish I had a camera to capture that moment. Everyone in the store was laughing and admiring them, and I had the most peaceful shopping trip I have had in 9 years!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Surprise!!!!


Ok, so maybe a lot of you have already figured it out, but we are expecting another little one. We were totally surprised, because we thought we were done having kids. I guess Heavenly Father knows better, because despite everything, I am pregnant again! We found out rightt after Christmas, and have just been waiting to see the Dr to make sure everything looks OK. Our due date is Aug 30, and we are really hoping for another girl, but we know we will love this little one no matter what! This is what I mean about God throwing a wrench into things. He knows better than we do, so plans don't always work out. We are really excited though.