You Never Know

Ever have one of those days?? A what-am-I-doing-how-can-I-get-it-all-done-days?? I've been having a lot of those lately. My to-do list keeps growing and growing and growing! Isn't the point of to-do lists to make things easier??

Never doubt your role in Heavenly Father's plan. Never doubt that all you could do was give a friendly smile. Never doubt that all you can do is take a meal to someone in need. Never doubt that all you can do is make your family dinner. 

We are here for a purpose.

Life is full of changing seasons. For right now, the season may be to raise healthy, productive, God-fearing children. And to that I say, do your very best. Your season might me to provide for a family and watch every penny spent. And to that I say, do your very best.

“Do your duty; that is best. Leave unto the Lord the rest.” - President Thomas S. Monson

We need to do our very best and look at what our season is. Don't compare your season to some else's! It may seem warm and sunny there and it may seem like a blizzard where you are!! Live for know!!

I saw this video and had to share!!! You really never know!!!

Servant's Heart

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." - Mosiah 2:17

The lovely ladies in the Primary Presidency at church, gave my boys these super neat Service Scavenger Hunt's on Sunday. I love that they are small ways to teach them how to serve. Service doesn't have to be something big, that everyone can see. The best kinds of service are the kind that go unnoticed! 

Below are pictures of Michael and Aaron making their beds! Oh so willing to help! 

(It doesn't hurt that they will be getting a treat on Sunday if they get enough points! ;) )

Treats and points aside, I hope that they have the feelings of goodness that comes with serving others unselfishly! That in the future, they will do unto others, without the hopes of getting something back in return!

Family: Wholesome Recreational Activities

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." 

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

I love planning things to do with my family. I love seeing all of us together and having fun. One of our favorite activities to do is play baseball. Every Memorial Day and Labor Day, we've made a tradition of going to the nearest ball field and playing until we can't play anymore! 

We even made fun t-shirts! My family is so large that we are able to split into two teams! One of the teams is fluorescent yellow and the other is fluorescent orange!!! We seriously have the best time and our family looks forward to it sooo very much!    

Below is my brother Bill, getting ready to hit his third or fourth home run! Some of the spectators think we are some kind of pro-team! Haha! We all wish!

Below is my "little" brother Joe, helping my almost-niece Tori hit the ball!

Here's my Aaron, who I think may be the BIGGEST baseball enthusiast! He loves it!

And then there's Mike...he'd rather play basketball!!!! ;)

Then there's my momma! She is the kid wrangler, and one of the best players on the team!!! She has my sweet niece Saiya with her! 

My niece Kara is pretty good herself! Though she isn't keen on sweating!! 

Finding something for our family to do is rough. We don't all have the same values or even the same religious beliefs (My mom and I along with two of my nephews and one niece are the only members of the church in our family of about 20!!) but we love to be together, which is the absolute most important thing!! So finding something that we are all willing to do is awesome! I love spending time with them!! Makes my heart smile and I know it is important to Heavenly Father! Double bonus!!

Can't wait for Memorial Day! It's too far away! Maybe football for Thanksgiving?!?! Maybe we'll give it a shot! 

The best is yet to come

13 years have passed since we were married and I can't believe it!! Happy Anniversary to my hubs! And I honestly believe that the best is yet to come!

Don't Blink

While I have been busy lately being "busy", this little guy grew up.

I was awaken this morning to a beaming, six year old little man saying,

"Mom, look, I lost a tooth!" 

With the sleepies still stuck to my eyes, I hugged him, shed a tear (or maybe two) and said,

"I love you, bud." And under my breath, I whispered a prayer of gratefulness and sadness. Grateful that I am home to witness these things but sad that it seems like yesterday that this guy was born. 

I just have to remember to keep my eyes on what's important and to not blink so much...maybe time will slow a bit!

Life Happens

Life has been happening lately and my hope is to get back to blogging. We finished up our school year and let me tell you...it was a long year! Teaching 2 children is a lot different than just one!!! They did well and I am so proud. Been bus, busy, busy and hope to get back in the swing of things!

My nine year old

This past Saturday, we had a Despicable Me party for Mike! Can't believe he is NINE!!!!

 

Here he is REALLY excited about his cake!!

 

 

In the Box of Shame

 

 

Cousin Brody with the piñata remnants on his head!

 

Aaron doing the Uncle Rico in the box!

 

                                                                                             Opening presents

Today is his official birthday. I can't believe this is his last year in the single digits! Makes me realize that I need to make more of an effort to create memories like these! We had a blast!