But what does mom do?

So we've been trying harder the last several months to have family prayer each day. We decided to take turns each day oldest to youngest so that everyone has equal chance, and because Maren is the only one who excitedly volunteers all the time.

We remind the kids all the time that when we say family prayer that they are praying for the whole family not just themselves and that they can pray about anything they feel they want to. I try to set the example by mentioning each one of them and pray for them individually about things they might be working on or going through. Well, few weeks ago I started to notice a pattern that was funny. Whenever they'd pray and go through each family member they left one person out, mom. (Now don't worry this post isn't going to be all about me, it's going somewhere I promise!) So one night I told Garrett good job on including everyone (I really was serious) and I giggled and told them they usually forget one person. Well apparently Garrett totally understood what I was talking about because he said, "Well I don't know what mom does!"  HA! Brad and I started laughing.

Should I feel underappreciated? I don't know, but I don't really. It got me thinking about moms in general. It's hard for kids to put a label on the many jobs that mom's do. Each of us take for granted that they are always there. It's true that I am not currently leaving  to go to work the way Dad does, I am not getting ready for a big dance recital like the girls, I'm not starting baseball like Garrett and I don't go to school like they do. So what does a mom do? Well if you're a mom you know the answers: just about everything!

I watched the Women's session of LDS General Conference last night, I loved the little story about the mother who signed up for Career Day at her child's school class and listed her job as "homemaker". The school didn't call her to help out that day, but she went anyway and when she showed up the office had to scramble to find her a badge. Maybe they didn't take her "job description" very seriously? She did her presentation with her daughters class and explained the many things that mom's have to be good at and manage. The kids were surprised. She finished her fun lesson by having the kids write a thank you note to their mothers and she left an impression! (I may not be telling the story completely correct, but I know it will be updated online soon so anyone can check it out.)

Back to our little family prayer nights, the next time that Garrett prayed he did mention mom saying, "please bless mom that she'll be able to help the girls learn their dances for the recital."

Yes, Garrett that is what I do! :)

Lets Start Over: Me

Me? Well, I've been keeping busy you could say. I love volunteering at the elementary school in both kid's classes and other functions. Like many of you, my family is my life.

 I'm still busy with my ward Primary. The kids are so much fun and I never thought I would say it, but I feel like I am getting the hang of most of it. I'm sure that is due to all the good people who serve in their callings. I am beyond blessed to watch these 220 kids grow in learning and understanding of the gospel. It's a lot of kids an there are some challenges that come with that big of a group, but I wouldn't trade any of them!

My only regret is that I have stopped running. My fitness has taken a bit of a back burner to everything else, but I plan on getting back in shape. Never give up, right?

Let's Start Over: Maren

Maren. What a little firecracker she is turning out to be! She is funny and adorable just like every "baby of the family". Last year she potty trained, learned how to ride her bike with training wheels and started pre-school with the same teacher the other kids went to because we love Miss Bre`. Maren is very friendly, certainly my least shy child (disclaimer: the others are not shy now, but they were until age 5).

 Last Years Birthday party turning 3, yipee!

She also started dance class which she loves. She hasn't done any other sports yet, but those will come.
(dance).

Christmas Showcase & First Day of dance class last August!

Let's Start Over: Embrie

Embrie. This little girl is my sweetheart through and through. Still the little helper. Always cleaning up messes without complaining that the sister that helped make them doesn't help her clean up much. She loves it when I let her help me around the house with chores.
She started Kindergarten last summer with Ms. Purvis as her teacher. She LOVES school probably more than anything else she does. She doesn't like going off track or even having the weekend off. And the love for learning shows in her school scores big time. She takes to everything so quickly. Reading and learning so fast.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Dance Recital last summer (2014)

Christmas Dance show case

She still enjoys dance and is excited to start soccer again this spring. For her 6th Birthday we had a fun "baking party" with friends. More than toys she wanted to take horse back riding lessons. So her great grandparents bought a lesson, we bought a couple and she had to save and earn the money for the 4th  lesson (let's just say, horseback riding in the city is not a cheap hobby). She loved every minute and I was excited to see her learn how to control a horse and become more confident.

Turning 6 years old

Let's Start Over : Garrett

Garrett. This young man was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints last June when he turned 8. He has grown up so much in the last year and a half. Right before my eyes I've seen him become more even tempered. He thinks things through. I can really say, now that I have seen it for myself, that 8 years old is the age at which young people can become accountable. Don't get me wrong he is still my wild man. Just as full of energy as ever he was! This year he has really become a football fanatic. I don't know where it came from. It wasn't his first time playing flag football, but some time from summer to now he has become an expert on the NFL (or at least a wannabe expert, he is after all still 8 years old). The only issue he seems to have is that he has too many favorite teams.

He started 3rd grade this year and has Ms. LeBeau as a teacher. I was a little worried. I mean to me 3rd grade is the year that school becomes a little harder. They really start having to learn more complex concepts. Would he still like school? Turns out I didn't need to worry about anything. He is doing just fine! Especially in math. Math has never been my best subject, but Brad on the other hand is a human calculator. While I was pregnant with Garrett I would literally pray that Garrett would get that trait from his dad. It turns out that maybe my prayers were answered! He has been able to easily learn and memorize his math facts. He is reading above grade level which is great too! His only trouble seems to come with his tendancy to become distracted. His teacher said that she loves the energy and enthusiasm he brings. Proud of this boy and all that he is learning. I'm so glad to say that he still loves school!

First Day of 3rd Grade

Grandparents Day with Grandma Sheri and Grandpa Blaine

Rain Gutter Regatta with the Cub Scouts 

Career Day at school - Garrett was a Truck Driver

Let's just start over :Starting with Brad

I'm about a year behind and I don't think I will ever catch up! Crazy how time flies by, right?

I think for now I'm just going to sum up last year beginning with the new school year and go from there. Start fresh, ya know?
I have missed this. I think that writing down our lives really makes us take a few minutes to smell the roses or watch the sun rise so to speak. Otherwise, I just go through from one activity to the next without processing it much.

Let's start with Brad. What a guy! He keeps on truckin' along. Working and taking care of our family. Still with Riverton Hospital, but no longer doing the mobile MRIs on a regular basis. Which leaves us with a little less cash, but a little more time with him. He and I will celebrate our 12th anniversary this year! (Wow! Did I already mention that time flies?) No need to say it, the pictures spell it out, but he's the "fun parent" ha!

Last year we celebrated our 11th anniversary. 

Let's face it, as adults our lives don't get too exciting on a day to day basis, it all revolves around the kids. However, Brad did have an exciting adventure during last years hunting season. He landed himself a really nice buck! Way to go honey! (His deer is the one in the back ground.)