The BIG #

The day started with Trapper's 3rd grade spelling bee. He was one of 3 kids that won his class round, that moved on to the 3rd grade class Spelling Bee. He did great. He is a kid that is very hard on himself. He shed a few tears because he didn't win. I tried to stay strong for him. Afterward I told him that he made it this far and that is great. He was good after that and went on to his class.


Then on to Sparkle, the local grocery store to buy simple sugar carb packed and frosted...donuts!!! So Rider could start his day packed with love and a sugar high, because Rider turned 4!



Later we had his birthday and the Cub Scouts Blue and Gold over at our house. I wanted to make sure that the Blue and Gold didn't take presidence over his big day.


So, we celebrated before and sang Happy Birthday during the B&G and kept him feeling mighty special ALL night:) Rider unwrapped some stellar presents. A sweet and smart Buzz Lightyear and accessories,






and






behind curtain number 2.....a NEW BIKE!!!





He also received the movie "Giant Meatballs Movie." For those of you that aren't in Rider's inner circle it's "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs."

Dad/Lance was there to participate. He said yesterday that he felt that it was as if it was our first child having a birthday all over again, all the excitement he felt and how fast it has gone by.

A few fun notes about Rider~ he loves frogs and toads and will find them and carry them around until we have to rescue them and then he will say "they are just playing dead, they still want me to hold them."


He pats my belly and says "How cute mom, your belly is full." That is a real self-esteem builder-upper!

He once had gum in his hair and he stated "I saw the gum and then it just JUMPED right up in my hair."

And when picking out a treat at the gas station he was asked by his dad if he want gum, Rider told him "No! It will get into my hair." Then he chose something else.





Rider, we hope all your wished come true, especially those that include you staying safe and sound and happy all the days of your life:)

Muddy Shoes and Paws

Rider, Moqui, and I walked down to the pond this morning after getting the other boys on the bus.


WOW



It's like having my own zen garden in my back yard. We looked at deer tracks, picked pretty flowers and Rider wanted to hold my hand the entire time:)



I will mention that in my life size zen garden you will still get eaten by mosquitoes!



We even potted my mother's day flower and some peas before we walked back to the pond.



I think I had one of the most perfect starts to a day, even if I include the skeeters!

Makes me wonder why I am not doing this every morning!

A Day with Rider

My 3 year old is about to turn 4 the end of this month. My youngest child. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. But what a neat kid he is.

Yesterday we were running errands together and having a good time. During our fun day we had quite the conversations.

Rider sees the sticker in the truck that said to wear a seat belt at all times.

"Mom, would you click on this picture?"

"Sorry Rider but this isn't the computer, I can't click on that picture."

"Why?"

That was interesting to try and explain. After my super lame explanation:

"Mom, can I play games on your phone?"


This conversation made me think of the little techno children we are raising.

After a lovely time shopping and grabbing a bite to eat, we pass a man trying to hitch a ride by the entry to the freeway.

"Mom, why is that man standing in the road?"

"He is trying to get a ride from someone. But they won't give him a ride because he is a stranger."

I seriously thought that maybe Rider was going to need a powerful therapy session. His eyes got huge and he knew that whatever the word stranger meant it was NOT good.

I explained that stranger was someone that we didn't know that could very well try to do something VERY bad and mean to us. Rider then had to rattle off the list of possible things this stranger could do:
*take Rider's chicken nuggets
*get the truck dirty
*kill us with his sword
*take our groceries
*be mean

His list went on and on. I found it very endearing how naive, but inventive he was about what bad guys could do. I was stuck in the moment with Rider looking at me with his big blues and concerned about a new element in life that he hadn't realized before ~ Strangers.

Of course I thought of how I hoped nothing would ever hurt my soon-to-be-birthday-boy. I know he won't always be so naive about the scary side of the world, but I hope and pray he is able to stand back away from it, like he does now, and see it for what it is dangerous. (Not the whole world, just the potentially harmful part of it.)

I am so grateful for these tender moments we get to have with our kids. The sweet moments we have to look into their eyes and never want it to end....

For now,I can relish in the fact that he is still under my care. Where he can just keep pretending to fight bad guys with his super sweet Ninja Kung-Fu moves.

Trust Your Dad

"When you put your trust in your dad, he will feel the responsibility of that trust and try harder than ever to understand and to help. As your father, he is entitled to inspiration on your behalf. His advice to you will be the heartfelt expressions of someone who knows and loves you. Your dad wants more than anything for you to be happy and successful, so why would you not want to trust someone like that? Boys, trust your dad."
M. Russell Ballard, "Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 47

I get so headstrong as a mom. Sometimes my hubby will come up with ideas or advice in parenting and I just look at him like he has been getting all of his information from some underground group that is against matriarchs!

But in seriousness, he is very loving with his suggestions and helps level me out.

Over the years I found out that indeed he is right about a lot of the crazy things I hear coming out of his mouth:)

So, I am glad that my boys (and girl) have the father that will whip them into shape and spend time teaching them life's lessons. I am also glad that I have learned how right he is!

SWAGGER WAGON

Thanks Luke! It's the most hilarious thing I have watched in a looooong loooong time!!!! I just wish that all this laughing would give me some super sweet abs!!!

This is a shout out to all you moms! Happy Mother's Day! And you too have swagger:)

Start Spreading The (Great) News....

We can announce officially that we have signed a contract to take a job in Monticello Utah!!!!


I am sooooo absolutely happy! When we flew back there in January it felt so good!





I am soo excited that there is a temple right in Monticello! How exciting is that? Especially after having to drive 3 hours to get to one here!


Cassy, Lance's sister,and her family, live in Blanding which makes it even more special that we get to be by family!

The hospital has been so gracious and kind that I know Lance will feel at home with people that genuinely are good people.

We will be moving back next summer. We are planning on moving in June, then I will probably come back to do some things on the house. It also depends on when we sell the house, but no matter what it's NEXT summer!

It's the Light at the End of The Tunnel!

And guess what?

We are going towards the Light!!!