Movie Night

We decided to have a movie night and we rented Monsters University from Redbox. Not everybody stayed awake for the movie though!

Changes

Big changes are coming our way!
I have prayed long and hard about this and I have decided to leave my job at the District Attorney's Office.

I was reading the article "Move Forward in Faith" in the August Ensign. It was counsel from some of the Apostles and the challenges they have faced when making hard decisions. President Boyd K. Packer talked about how he had received some counsel from President McKay but he could not see how he could move in that direction. He wanted to see the end from the beginning or at least a step or two ahead. He stated he received a lesson of a lifetime: 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.' Then he quoted Ether 12:6, "Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf stated, "There are times when we have to step into the darkness in faith, confident that God will place solid ground beneath our feet once we do. And so I accepted gladly, knowing that God would provide."

It was such a hard decision, I have worked in the office for 12 years but I am really excited to get to be the one who gets to stay home. I feel like it is a privilege to be able to stay home and be the one to raise my kids. They truly are the reason why I get up every morning and a huge factor in every decision I make. I know I will never regret making the decision to spend more time with them.
I don't think it was coinI was lucky enough to be hired by Murray City to be a crossing guard and I also have the chance to teach music to the lower grades at McMillan Elementary (which includes Luke's class). I'm excited and scared all rolled in one. I'm not exactly sure how everything is going to work out but I have faith that everything will work out. I know Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to be happy. I was reminded by our Gospel Doctrine teacher that God wants to bless us and he wants us to be happy, we just have to have faith in him and follow his counsel. So send a prayer our way that everything will work out.

Grant's a Big Boy

Grant slept the entire night in his new bed. It was time for Grant to move to a big boy bed and stop sleeping in the crib.  Luke really wanted bunk beds and so Grant now sleeps in the lower bunk. Yay Grant!

Time Out

We recently started putting Grant in timeout when he's naughty and the surprising thing is that he actually stays until I tell him he can leave. His timeout is always the leather footstool that's in the baby's room. Apparently timeout is a fun thing for him because today I caught him reading a book while he was sitting there. Oh Grant!

Loose Tooth

Luke lost his first tooth! It had been loose for about a week and it finally fell out. He was very excited when it finally fell out because he knew the Tooth Fairy would come and she did! She left a dollar coin under his pillow.

A Palace for Gwyn

What a lucky dog Gwyn is! Dustin and the boys have been working on a place for her to be outside. They took an old packing crate and retro-fitted it to be Gwyn's new hangout. The roof is only attached on one side so when it's really hot in the summer, the roof can be propped up to let in some air. The boys were especially excited to paint it. I think it looks pretty good. Good job boys!

Luke has been working on his dance moves

Scripture Power

 Does it ever make you nervous when you realize it's pretty quiet in the house and you don't know what your kids are doing?

Well, this was the case tonight when I couldn't find Luke. It turns out he was in his room looking through his scriptures.

I was really happy to see him doing this, maybe we're teaching him right after all. Hopefully the scriptures will be what comforts him in the future and will also be where he looks to for answers.

The Next Great Baker

 Have you ever just wanted to try something out just to see if you could do it?

I can do it! I tried covering a "cake" in fondant but the best part is: it's marshmallow fondant and it tastes really good.

I took a community class that teaches you how to make marshmallow fondant and cover a cake. I rolled it out and covered my "cake" without any wrinkles on the first try. I was really proud of myself. Then I noticed that other people in the class were getting really creative and decorating their "cakes". So I tried some cutting out and it is really fun. I need to try something bigger!

Kid Quirks

Luke came home from preschool and the class had made conical asian hats. Luke's hat has a picture of a pig on it and I asked him about it. He said it's because he was born in a pig.
Wow - thanks Luke. (Luke was actually born in the year of the pig.)

Out of the blue, Luke tells Dustin that we aren't supposed to eat in the living room. Dustin asked, "Who told you that? Luke replies, "Jesus."

Dustin walked into the room and said, "Man! This room is a disaster. We need to clean it up." Luke then replied, "You're a disaster."
(I think Luke listens to everything we say and I have said things like that a little too much.)

Luke came up to Dustin and patted him on the stomach and told him he's starting to look like a grandpa. Dustin asked him if he sucked in his tummy, would that help? "No", says Luke. (Then Dustin cried.)

Luke asked Dustin if he was years or is he "mumps"? Luke was trying to figure out why some people are years, like he's 4 years old, and some people are "mumps" because Grant is 8 months old.

I asked Luke to pick up some toys and I commented on how fast he was picking them up. He said, "Yeah! I'm as fast as a hippopotamus!" (okay!?!)

During Sacrament meeting, one of our ward members performed a musical number with with cello. We pointed it out to Luke, who quickly lost interest. A couple minutes later he says, "When's this "jello" going to be finished?"

I will ask Luke to get me diapers and wet wipes to change Grant and he is usually eager to please. He will start to run to Grant's room but then he'll stop and ask, "How many wep wipes do you need?" (wet wipes)

The night before Valentine's Day and Luke and I were working on valentines for Grandma B. and Grammy. Luke turns to me and asks, "Did you get that really big Hershey kiss?" I didn't know what he was talking about but Dustin quickly yelled for Luke to join him in the bedroom, with the door closed. A few minutes later he comes running out and says, "Mom, did you know that Valentine's Day is like Christmas and I'm not supposed to tell you about your surprise that's in dad's closet right now?"

In Primary Luke's class had a handout of a scroll the teacher made. I asked Luke what it was and he said it was a squirrel. (squirrel, scroll. What's the difference?!)

Luke was a bit constipated and so as he sat on the toilet, we talked. I asked if his poop was coming out and he said, "He doesn't want to come out." A few minutes later he was able to get some out. I asked if he had any more and he said yes but, "he doesn't want to come out yet." Then, a minute later Luke told me, "Now he wants to come out and see his poop friends."

A show Luke enjoys watching on the Nick Jr. channel is "Spongebob Upsidedown Pants. (Spongebob Squarepants)

"I need a bandaige." (Bandaid)

The 3rd day in April it was really nice and sunny outside and Luke told us he wanted to run in the sprinklers. "No way!" I said, "It's way too cold. You'll get sick if you run in the sprinklers." (I was home sick with a nasty cold at the time) Later Luke told Dustin that the reason I was sick was because I had run through the sprinklers when it was cold outside.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Holladay Library had a Sleepover Party for Stuffed Animals. The teen library volunteers had a story hour and read bedtime stories to the kids and their stuffed animals. After story hour, the kids would leave but leave their stuffed animals behind and the next morning they could come back and pick them up and see what their stuffed animals did during the night. I thought this sounded so cute. Luke and Grant loved the stories and I thought it was great that they were already dressed for bed. Unfortunately, no one else had their p.j.'s on - just us.

I talked it up so much to Luke that he was pumped up and ready to go but he thought that he got to stay at the library and party, not his stuffed animal. So when I explained to him that we were leaving Henry and the snake for the night, Luke was a little upset and refused to leave Henry. I guess he thought that if he couldn't have a sleepover party at the library, then no one else could either. Oh well, it was a cute idea. Maybe next time I can get the story right so Luke will really understand.

I Have Agency

Here is a picture of Luke is his 'missionary' suit and holding his new scripture bag that he received from Grandma Bear-Bear and Grandpa Pop-Pop.

Luke volunteered to give a talk in Sharing Time this week. Awesome news - we were so on time that Luke actually had time to sit on the chairs at the front of the room and be an example of Reverence for everyone else.
He did such a good job. Here is his talk:

In 2nd Nephi 2:27 it says, "Wherefore, men...are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death."
Heavenly Father Has given me agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for myself...the right to direct my life is one of God's greatest gifts to me. While here on earth, I am being proven to see if I will use my agency to show my love for God by keeping His commandments. The Holy Ghost can guide me. I show my love to Heavenly Father by sharing with my brother and playing nicely with him.
I am responsible for the choices I make. God is mindful of me and will help me make good choices, even if my family and friends use their agency in ways that are not right. I can be obedient and set an example for others to follow.

He's Listening

I had a "come to Jesus" moment.

I've been struggling for awhile. It seems that life is really hard, sometimes I feel like I can barely take care of myself let alone 2 little kids. It just doesn't seem fair. I feel like I struggle to do everything I do sometimes. I felt like I was coming to a breaking point and I was looking for ways to relieve that pressure and so I decided that I was going to quit church. Other people don't go to church and they seem happy, so why not me. I even tried it one week but I felt so incredibly guilty, I had a Primary class to teach every week, I couldn't just quit. But then I was released. My plan was working out perfectly.

Then Brother Merrill called and said the Bishop wanted to meet with me and could I bring Dustin too? I really tried to get out of it, we're too busy, we just don't have the time. But the Bishop was too accommodating and we ended up setting up a time to go in. As I thought about my appontment in those hours before we went in, a thought came to me that the Primay Presidency is being reorganized and there was a spot for me. And then I realized that is where I needed to be. I'm not in charge, I can't see the bigger picture. Just maybe I need to have a little faith and turn it all over to the Lord. Heavenly Father loves me and has a plan for me that doesn't include quitting church. I just need to do my part.

So Dustin and I went in and the Bishop asked me to be the second counselor in the Primary Presidency. I said, "Okay."
Bishop Downs said, "Are you sure because you can take a few days to consider things and talk them over with Dustin."
"No, it's fine," I said and we talked about Dustin helping with the boys and how things are going with our family.

Later as we walked out and got into the truck, Dustin said, "You know, it's okay to say no. You don't have to accept if you don't want to."
But how do you say no when you've already received confirmation that is where you are supposed to be even before you go in? Apparently I had such a pained look on my face that it looked as if someone was poking me in the back with a sharp stick, forcing me to say yes.

I realized from this experience and the Lord is listening and he does answer you, in ways that you aren't expecting it. I feel much calmer about the future now and not quite so alone. I can do this and I don't feel quite so alone. Nothing has changed - except for my attitude.

I also realized that Luke and Grant have much to learn and it's up to me to teach them. I need to step up to the plate and help them as much as I can. And I can do it, I have help.

Snow Day!!

When I heard the weather report that there was going to be a big snowstorm, I scrambled around to find snow clothes for the boys. Because I knew that as soon as the boys saw the snow, they would want to go outside and play in it.
They had barely finished breakfast before they were outside playing (for 3 hours).

Poor Dustin - I think he would have rather enjoyed the snow from inside our house (as I would).

 Luke LOVES making snowmen. He's getting pretty good at it and he's creative about finding something for the face.

 
 Grant seems to love snow, every time Dustin tried to take a picture of him - he was eating snow.

Luke: The Soccer Champ

We signed up Luke for another season of soccer because his friend Hayden invited us to be on his team. Their team was the Houston Dyno's.  Hayden's dad was the coach and Luke had so much fun playing this year. AND he did AWESOME!

Luke did so much better this year. On the way to the first game, he informed me he was going to get 3 goals and he did! Luke was defintely a great assest to the team. He was great to get the ball and get it down the field. Ususally it's a team effort to actually get the ball into the goal. The whole team did great though.



Grant and I had so much fun sitting on the sidelines. Grammy and Poppy made it to a few games and we had fun sitting next to Melanie(Hayden's mom) and Ethan(Hayden's brother) every week too. The Gardner's are such a fun family.

Grant and I were there for every game and practice to cheer Luke on. Sometimes Grant wanted to play too!



The hardest part was keeping Grant occupied during the game. He loves to do what Luke is doing and so I had to pull him off the field quite a few times. Someday Grant, someday.

Team cheer - Go Dynos!!

Our champ and his new trophy.



Luke's teammates - Diego, Luke, Hayden and Sam



Mommy's Little Helper

Grant is my newest helper in the kitchen. If I even touch the canister that holds the flour, Grant is right there to help me. He LOVES to help. We made pizza for dinner tonight and Grant helped me roll it out (if you could call it help). He is such a cute little boy!

Anything You Can Do....

Grant is getting to be such a big boy. He wants to be like everyone else so even though I cut some corn off of the cob for him - not good enough. He had to have his own. And he LOVES it!

It's been so nice outside we decided to have dinner outside his Sunday.

Saying Goodbye

In January, Dustin took Zoe to the vet to have her teeth cleaned but the vet discovered that Zoe had cancer. There wasn't much we could do and he gave her a couple months to live. We were upset, of course, but we took her home and loved her as much as we could.

Honestly, she didn't seem sick. She had lost a lot of weight but other than that, you couldn't tell. Until last week.

 She stopped eating  and spent all day outside resting. Making the appointment to take her to the vet one final time was the hardest decision we ever had to make. We were going to take her Thursday morning but unfortunately, she took a turn for the worse.

Dustin talked to Luke about where Zoe was going, that she was going to live with Heavenly Father in heaven. He thinks its cool and is glad Zoe is with Heavenly Father. That's where we all want to be right?

We gave the boys one last time to see Zoe and to give her loves, Grant was so cute with her.  Then we took Zoe while the boys went to a friends house to play.

Goodbye Zoe - we love and miss you so much.

Luke's First Soccer Game of the Season

Luke has been so excited to play soccer and so when Luke's best friend, Hayden, invited us to play on his team, of course we had to join! Hayden wasn't able to make the first game but there are lots of other fun kids on his team.

As we were getting ready for the game, Luke told me, "Mom, I'm going to make 3 goals." I, of course, said. "That's great! I can't wait to see you score!"
The top picture is Luke kicking the ball. Last year he was a little scared to get in the group and kick the ball but he is doing great this year!

 Here is a picture of Luke kicking the ball into the goal. He actually did make 2 goals. Way to go Luke!

The star of the game!

What's Up Doc?

 We planted our garden again this year - okay when I say we, I mean Dustin. He does all the work. Anyway, he planted carrots again this year and of course the dogs dug up part of the carrots again this year. But the ones that did grow, are great.

Last year Luke decided that carrots were his favorite food after eating carrots from the garden. This year he has informed us that he only likes carrots that come from the garden and he will no longer eat store bought carrots. I admit, they don't taste the same but they come from gardens too!

So when Dustin pulled these carrots from the garden, Luke asked, "Can you pull some for me that don't have any dirt on it?"

Sure.

After I washed all the dirt off it, he ate it.

Play time

The boys LOVE playing outside. They would play outside every day, all day if they could. With Grant only being 15 months old, he's not quite old enough to go out on his own and so Dustin will usually end up stayig outside with them for hours. Well he had to run inside for something, he was only gone a couple a minutes and when he came back, this is what he found. Guess who climbed up into the playset all by himself?

He loves it up there but it makes us nervous with how daring he is.