Time Out For Women

I guess I skipped over not posting this..... ooops.

My sister in laws and I went to Time Out For Women in Phoenix last month.  We had SOOOOO much fun together.  I'm glad all of us ended up going.  Holly got us a hotel for Friday night.  So we went and listened to some amazing speakers and then walked back to our hotel and talked until 1:00 AM.  We got up early and went back in the morning.

This is Kenneth Cope.... or as I call him, KEN.  Long story short, when we were about to take this picture, I called him Ken instead of Kenneth and it made us all laugh.  Even the next day when Kenneth was walking around greeting everyone.  He came up to us and we said, "Hi Ken." He laughed, but I hope I didn't offend him by calling him that.  Oh well, I really loved listening to him.  He was a great performer and I loved getting out my old cds of his that I haven't listened to in FOREVER!!

There were some amazing speakers and I came home with some great notes.  I have loved listening to John Bytheway.  He is so great!!  Very uplifting and funny!!

Camille, Megan, Me, Holly

(I am so lucky to have such great sister in laws.)

Oh Ken.....

Here are notes that I took that come in handy to look back and re-read what we learned.....

Brad & Debbie Wilcox

“If you can laugh at it, you can live with it.”

·      - Decreases stress

·      - Decreases pain

·      Is good for immune system

- A good sense of humor helps us keep perspective, helps build relationships, and helps us cope with problems.

A positive attitude is to be respected, not ridiculed.

FUNNY STORY:  They were on a plane and when it was landing, it was really bouncy.  The plane actually bounced up and down a couple times before coming to a complete stop.  Everyone on the plane was shook up and scared.  The pilot then came on the intercom and said, “Take that you bad bad runway.”  When people were walking off the plane, they had a better attitude about the whole situation and actually thanked the pilot.

*If you can laugh at it, you can live with it.

Don’t ridicule people who are cheerful.  They are CONSCIOUSLY choosing to be humorous.  Everyone has problems.  You can have problems and be happy AT THE SAME TIME.

- Don’t postpone happiness.

- Happiness is a CITY in a STATE of mind.

- Ecclesiastes 3:4 – A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

- You can be serious, but take life in a light way.

- Happiness and laughter can help us keep His image in our countenance.

- God told Adam & Eve to be HAPPY ….. and FIND JOY.

John Bytheway

Started off telling us that his last name is in the scriptures and the meaning is “Path that leads to eternal life.”  (He was pretty proud about that.)

- Alma 29:14-16  - Be happy with the success of others.

- Don’t compete.

- Marjorie Hinckley “Small & Simple Things”

·      pg 148

·      pg 104

·      pg 31

- Marry someone who knows how to be content.

- Our best answers are the ones we already know.

- Read the sacrament prayers and DO WHAT BOTH PRAYERS SAY.  D & C 20:77 & 79

·        - Pray to have the Holy Ghost with you ALWAYS.

·        - Always remember Him

- Find joy in the success of others

Donna Schaub “I think I’ll be delightful today.”

- Am I fun to be married to?

- Diamonds shine brighter against a dark background.  (Which is meant that we can shine bright even in this dark world.)

- D & C 101:32 – Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things.

- 1 Nephi 11:22 – And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

- Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner.

- I can choose to be delightful!

Emily Watts

APPEARANCES

- Outward appearance is an inward path of commitment.

- Children are a slow ripening fruit and at different paces.

·        - Be patient, don’t judge them on appearance.

- Heavenly Father loves MY children as much as I do.

- Joseph Smith History 1:8

- Early experiences (or trials) pave the way of our life.

- Psalms 27 : 14 – Wait on the Lord

* You plant it, you water it, you take care of it, but when it comes down to it….. It’s the SON who does the rest.

- 1 Cronicles 5 : 20

- Psalms 9 : 10

* Fruit doesn’t always ripen on this side of the veil.  But he does not forsake us.

* Some of the hardest kids are what make YOU a better person.  Sometimes we think our kids can be a burden, but we need to let them make us better people.

* It’s up to the SON who will bring us rippen, beautiful fruit – We just need to put our trust in him.

Emily Freeman

ABUNDANCE

How often do we feel inadequate??  (Like…. “If I had this….then this.”

3 STEPS

1. Determine what we have to offer, then make the most of it. 

            Alma 26 : 16 -   Therefore, let us ^glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

2.  Give all (even if it means our time)

         There is a power of abundance when we give all.

         Be less critical

         Always be on the Lord’s errand

* Be there – Don’t wait for things to calm down – Be there when things happen.

3.  Learn to be content

            Abundance can come with the simplest things.

* Are we content?

*Heavenly Father just KNOWS

*When we are not sure where we are, the Lord can help us to be content.

* We can make the most of what we have

            John 6 : 6 – The Lord is aware of us

·        - If we could be build upon a foundation (which is the Savior), how abundant out life will be.

- Make the most of what we have to offer.

- We are given things we cannot handle, but can with the grace enabling power of Christ.

- It is worth the struggle to sit at the right hand of God.

Funny (and LONG) Story

(I am not sure how to make a long story short, so this is a long story...)

On Saturday, Mark and Braeden went to the USC vs ASU football game at ASU. My sister in law Holly couldn't find a sitter so I offered to watch her kids too. I had a total of 5 kids which wasn't that bad. Things were going good. They played outside, we ate dinner and watched movies. At 6:00, I put Holly's baby down for the night. Then at 7:00, I put Caleb down. Then the other 3 stayed up and watched movies. Then about 9, I decided it was time to really stop being loud and crazy and try to get them to fall asleep. I sent Logan upstairs and he seemed fine with that because he went straight upstairs and fell asleep. Elli and Bryce were finally quiet and then about 10:00, Bryce fell asleep. Just about then Elli was dozing off and then I hear a huge cry from upstairs. Elli woke up too because she was in my arms and I had to get up. It was Caleb crying. So I grab him and he comes downstairs with me to lay down. Both Elli and Caleb were wanting to lay with me so I had both in my arms. (Which was amazing!!) Elli zonked out. She was dead asleep within minutes. Caleb on the other hand wouldn't stop being annoyed that he woke up. He was calm for a little and that's when I heard the baby crying too. So I put Caleb down and ran upstairs to calm her. Caleb by now was so mad at me for not holding him. I made Sarah a bottle and she calmed down. When I got back downstairs, Caleb wouldn't let me hold him anymore. He was so tired and I think he was basically half asleep. He walks away from me and goes towards the high chair. Then seconds later, he stopped crying and he was TOTALLY asleep. He had fallen asleep in this position. I had to take a picture of this. Such a funny boy.

INSPIRATION....

I'm not sure how many people follow the Nie Nie Dialogues, but Stephanie is such an inspiring writer. She is the one who was in the plane crash last year with her husband and another guy who was the pilot. Well, the pilot passed away, but these 2 survived. She updates her blog almost daily. When I read this post, it made me realize how important I am. Outward appearance and worldly things really don't matter.... no matter how much we want them to. If you want a little pick-me-up, READ THIS.

Halloween

We had a very fun Halloween. We have a Super Mario Bro., Minnie Mouse & Mickey Mouse. Elli was so excited to be Minnie with Caleb being Mickey.

Caleb was almost impossible to get a picture of. I didn't even try to put on his ears. But he looks so cute in them.

She carried around her Minnie Mouse doll everywhere she went weeks before Halloween. Even trick-or-treating.

These are our friends the Klepingers. Pres. Klepinger was Mark's bishop in California before he went on his mission. Now he is in our Stake Presidency and Leann is in the Relief Society Presidency with my mom. I love these guys. I couldn't stop laughing though when I took this picture. Actually this was Take #2. When I first started counting "1...2...3" they both put their arm and leg out like this. So the first picture was blurry from me laughing so hard. Too cute. They always have fun costumes every year!!

We had a scary moment at the ward party. Mark was taking care of Caleb the whole time so he handed him off to me. I knew he was standing by me and I got a little distracted and then noticed he wasn't by me anymore. I told Mark we lost him and we split up and started looking for him. It seemed like 15 minutes we were looking for him. My sister Kara was there and noticed a man carrying him towards us and got him. I guess he was heading for a busy road. AAAaaaaahhhh, I was so mad a t myself. I should have known that what Caleb would do.... he never stays next to me if I'm not holding his hand.

After the ward party, we headed on over to our cousin's house to go trick-or-treating with them. The dads stayed back at the house to "pass out candy" and watch the USC game.... which ended up turning into the "lights off" and NOT passing out candy. But here's the gang....

There was a little incident that happened during our trick-or-treating adventure. Caleb wasn't strapped in the stroller so he could go trick-or-treating. As I was pushing him, I noticed that the stroller wouldn't move and it got stuck, but I kept on trying to push it. I then looked down and noticed my little Mickey on the ground. I was pushing him along the road. He didn't cry much at first, but then cried a lot when I picked him up. I felt so bad. Here's the damage....

(I know you're beginning to wonder if I'm a suitable Mom. I am too after that night.)

After caleb fell out, we took him back to the house and laid him down to go to bed. Then we left to go to Holly's brother's house in Queen Creek. (Holly's my SIL) Her brother's family puts on a HUGE Haunted House every year. We didn't know what we were going out to see, but it was about 8:00 when we got there. I thought maybe the crowd would have died down a bit... but NO, it was a HUGE LINE!!! I guess the news channel came out and it was on the news. There were a ton of people. But we got right in (thanks to Holly's brother) From the beginning, I knew Braeden wouldn't go. Ever since he was 3, he hasn't been a big fan of scary things. I don't know what changed it for him, but he used to like things like that. I thought Elli for sure would come with me inside, but the music was really loud and she chickened out. So I went with Holly and her 2 kids. I could tell Braeden wanted to go but wasn't sure about it. He asked me A MILLION questions about it after. It was actually a really good haunted house. We want to go again next year!!

Elli put glow bracelets on her shoes and she was pretty proud of that. She showing it off.

Halloween at School

It was a little crazy this morning, but we got through it (or I did.) We got up and got our Halloween costumes on. We first ventured to the grocery store to get dry ice and root beer for Braeden's Halloween party. Then we went to Braeden's school for his parade. We took a picture of our little Super Mario Bro and headed to Elli's school to watch her parade.

I had to hurry back to Braeden's school to run a station in his classroom. So my sweet mom finished watching "Minnie Mouse's" parade for me and took some pictures.

I forgot to take pictures in Braeden's class because I was so focused on our little project... dang it... but we had fun!! Braeden was pretty stoked being Mario. Some of the older kids were telling him he was cool and saying, "Thanks you, so nice." (which is what Mario says in the New Super Mario Bros game I guess.) He got a smerk on his face trying not to smile too big. It was funny.

Then I ran back to Elli's school to play with her at her little carnival. She has a fun preschool. They always do something exciting there.

Chubs was having the time of his life being outside and sliding down this slide. Just look at that smile!!

He even thought this was a slide and apparently went down this end and fell on his face. He's such a tough kid though.

Elli fishing for her prize.... a pumpkin frisbee.

I found out a couple weeks ago that Elli has a little fling for this boy. These 2 are apparently getting married. Then another mom today told me that Elli was "getting married" to another boy a couple days ago. I needed Elli when I was in high school to have her teach me a few things about boys. She seems to have that down.

I can't wait for Trick-or-Treating. It's a fun holiday for me!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Mother Nature's Farm

A couple Mondays ago, we went to Mother Nature's Farm for FHE. The kids had great time. They did have some fun things for the kids..... but after going to Schnepf Farm for so many years, this farm just didn't compare for me. But it was still fun!

We first ventured to the hayride (a really bumpy hayride) since the tractor was about to leave. I'm pretty sure Caleb was excited to be on the hayride.

The tractor dropped us off at the animal feeding. That is always exciting.

Caleb had no fear of feeding them. Obviously because he's sticking his arm through the fence.

The kids were able to pick a pumpkin and decorate it!!

Mark and I had to hold Caleb up on our knees which, actually, was very difficult. Hence, the funny look on my face.

We've definitely got some short genes in our family. It's all good though.

Our kids definitely had a great time. It was fun being together!!

Our BIG Helper

Elli is such a sweetheart when it comes to helping with Caleb. She got an applesauce out of the fridge for herself and started eating it. Caleb decided he wanted some too, so he followed her and got on her chair. Elli right away started feeding Caleb with no hesitation. She didn't care that he was eating her applesauce. Such a sweetheart.

My little Stinker Caleb

Caleb has been a VERY different baby than our first 2. Braeden and Elli were both very easy babies up until they turned 3 and hit the terrible 3's. When they turned 2, I thought that maybe they would skip being"terrible" forever, but those days didn't happen until 3 for them. Caleb was the PERFECT baby. He would sleep and not cry when we put him to bed, he was always content, even when Braeden & Elli bugged (which was too often), he hardly ever fussed about things. He was AMAZING..... until he hit 1. He turned into a screamer and whiner over the littlest things. Definitely the Terrible 1's for him. But he does have a VERY TENDER side to him. When he's not being picked on, or not hungry or tired, he is the happiest, most content little boy. He has a KILLER smile and will almost ALWAYS smile at me when I look at him. He just has his days of being completely stubborn and naughty.... like today actually.

These pictures were taken a while ago. Elli was crying over something... probably something she didn't get, but wanted. So Caleb went over to her and started kissing her cheek.

And then he played with her face for a little bit and this completely made Elli happy and even forget why she was sad.

Even when he is being annoying, he still gives me a smile when it's all said and done. He has that healing power I need as a mom. He is so forgiving when I am frustrated with him. There are days when I can't handle him because he screams when I leave him for a second to get him more food or he'll throw his body on the ground when he doesn't get what he wants. He KNOWS what he wants and is very smart. He figures things out that I didn't know he was capable of figuring out. He is also very independent in a lot of ways. But we love and adore our little CHUBS. The good DEFINITELY outweighs the bad. He is my little buddy and I love giving those cute cheeks kisses multiple times a day. I am very lucky to be able to stay home and be with him.

On Toros On...

I just have to say this before you read this.... I am TOTALLY past High School. I really went to the greatest high school there is in Mesa. I know many will disagree (insert clearing my throat.... Melissa), but I loved it. And I think it is so cute that Braeden plays flag football and he's a Toro. And he loves it too.

He could hardly wait for his first game on Saturday to come. He woke up really early and couldn't go back to sleep. So he made signs for us to hold while he played. He put our names on the back so we knew which one was ours to hold. When he found out his cousin Caden could come and watch him play, he quickly made one for him too. He's such a funny and cute kid.

What a stud out there!!

He was quarterback for a little bit. He did so well. He threw the ball twice to the same boy who caught the ball and ran for a touchdown both times. (Reggie Bush & Matt Leinart)

Here's video of one of the plays they made. If you look closely and the very end on the left side of the video, Elli is holding up her sign Braeden made for her. What a cute sister!!

I just thought this was cute of him sitting on the sideline waiting for his turn out on the field.

Like in my days of High School Football, the Toros beat the Warriors 24 - 18 (or something like that, I don't remember the score, but they won)

Cute Cousins

I watched my SIL's kids for a couple hours yesterday and got the cutest picture of Elli, Sarah & Logan. They have 6 kids total and they say they are done having kids. Logan is #5 and Sarah is #6. Logan is my little buddy. I want to take him home with me every time I see him. He will come give me hugs and tells me all kinds of stories. For Halloween, he is going to be Cak-can Cook (which means he is going to be Captain Hook) And Sarah will be Tinkerbell. I love her rolly polly body. Squishy babies are my favorite!!

Pretty Girl

Elli felt really pretty when we got her ready for school. She wanted me to take a picture of her.

But what is so funny is that Elli has found her future husband. Her preschool teacher told me that Elli has found a new "friend" and they hold hands and are very cute to each other. When I was asking her about it, she told me that she got him to marry her. Just today when I was picking her up, her "friend" said, "I'll miss you Elli." Then Elli replied, "I will miss you too." Way too cute. Mark wasn't too happy to hear about this though.

Melting your Momma's Heart

Just this morning, I was in our office trying to clean out drawers and get somewhat more organized. Well Caleb came in and grabbed my shirt. He was pulling on me to get down to his level. Sometimes he'll do this and he'll hug me.... which is amazing! Or he'll start running towards me and I'll get down to his level and he'll jump in my arms and hugs me for a second. This time, as I hugged him, he grabbed my face and kissed my lips. Awwww, what a little lover he is. I didn't want to forget this moment. I tried to kiss him again and he turned around and ran off. But I'll take whatever he gives me.

What I've Been Up To Lately....

If you've been wondering what I have been up to these days, here's a video. I'm the last girl chasing the bike and hopping on. It's been a lot of work, but it's easy once you get the hang of it!