Easter

We had a wonderful Easter. We're not big into fictional characters or anything like that, however we had a wonderful feast for our little family. Our day was not rushed. We played together and helped each other, it was a perfect day. We also learned that we really enjoy just staying home and not worrying about getting from point A to point B and back to point A in just a few hours. We had wonderful talks at church and everyone really did focus on the purpose of Easter.

I am in the presidency of our primary (children aged 3-11). Since I'm in the presidency, I get to teach all the children once every 3 weeks. I was really nervous about this when I was fist called, but now I look forward to it and enjoy every moment of it. Teaching the children helps me build my testimony too. Sometimes it is hard to think of ways to help get the lesson or point across to the children. However, yesterday I didn't want to tarnish the message at all by playing games. I have a very strong testimony of the atonement and know that My Savior lives. So, the lesson is easy enough to teach when you know it to be true. I pulled up a chair and sat down in front of all the children. I'm not superior to them and I didn't want that teacher/student atmosphere. I had everyone open their scriptures to John chapter 20. We read versus and then we discussed. I had a few pictures to help depict the scenes. A lot of the time when teaching the children, you just talk and they listen...or not listen. This time was very different. All the children and teachers were listening. The children asked questions and the teachers would give their input. There were a few questions the children asked that I wasn't sure I'd be able to answer properly. I KNOW that I would not be able to, so the Spirit took over. I know that through the Holy Ghost I was able to teach those children the lesson they should have been taught. I know all those children left primary thinking about the resurrection and what it means to them and how it applies to them. I know that at least the seed of a testimony of the atonement and resurrection has been placed in their hearts. I am so thankful that I was able to be the tool I needed to be for God. I will cherish that lesson and experience forever. If you haven't had a chance yet this Easter season, read or even re-read the chapters on Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Try to place yourself at the time and think about how you would have responded to the events. Not how you today would  respond with the knowledge you have, but how you would respond to this as if it was your first encounter with Jesus.

Again, I know that Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that he rose that 3rd day and lives now. There truly is comfort in knowing that Jesus, our Redeemer, lives.

Friends for a Reason, Season, or Lifetime

If you have an email address and a friend who likes to send forwards (which we all do), you have received that email about how you and your friends can be friends for a reason, season, or a lifetime. Everyone hopes they are friends for a lifetime, but it takes the lifetime to figure that one out.

This last week has been one of the most difficult weeks for me in a very long time. My friend who has been a friend for a reason and a season (Shut up Danny!) is moving tomorrow. Today they are getting packed up, tomorrow they are leaving. I am very excited for them and can't wait to go visit them at their new home. However, in the mean time I'm losing my great example, gospel teacher, sounding board, motivator, exercise partner, and much more.

She helped me learn how to be the best mom and wife I can be. From our conversations, I learned ways how to deal with different parenting struggles as she had gone through them already, or talked out different punishments. My testimony of the gospel grew to new heights. Instead of struggling every day to get everything in the in house cleaned, I learned that you can be just as effective if you have different things you do on different days. We talked about modesty, when it's appropriate to have chores for your children, the first vision, children, husbands, church, hot topics of the day, and best exercises for our bodies to lose weight or burn fat. Whenever I needed someone to watch Haydn, she was always willing. Whenever we needed our dog watched, she did it! She helped us make time for the more important things in life. When I needed to talk, she listened. When I needed some advice, she gave it.We swapped recipes. I learned how to make some new family favorite meals.

The list can go on and on, but as you can see I am not losing my friend because I do believe we will always be friends. However, I'm losing her daily influence. I have come to rely on her for so much and it is going to take me awhile to learn to be the strong, confident, yet peaceful woman she has taught me to be, and do it all on my own.

I am sad to see my best friend go, but she wasn't just MY best friend. Our kids are best friends, in fact sometime you would wonder which ones were siblings and which one was the friend. Our husbands were friends too! How often do you find a family where EVERYONE is a friend with someone in the other family?

Apparently I don't have many pictures of Laura and I together since I'm always the photographer.

Danny, Laura, Alyssa, and Ashley~
We are going to miss you so much! We are not going to forget our game nights, dinners, and number of other get togethers. Going to the zoo or park will not be quite as fun. New Year's Eve and the 4th of July will never be the same. We wish you luck on this new chapter and hope to see you guys again soon! Thank you for being you.

Peace

Have you ever been sitting quietly and felt peace? I have, a number of times. I have had moments where there didn't seem to be anything that could take that wonderful feeling away. Today during church Haydn was sitting between Adam and me. Haydn was sitting reverently and doing what we asked. Adam and I were both happy and I had that overwhelming feeling of peace come over me again. I am so glad I have a family and more importantly an eternal family.

I can't believe that tomorrow marks our 2 year anniversary of becoming an eternal family. In Matthew 18:18 it states "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." I am very thankful to all those who made righteous choices and followed through on their questions to find answers that I might have the opportunities that were not there not too long ago. I love my family and could not and do not wish to think about eternity without them. I know there is power to seal or 'bind' things on this earth and the family is one of them. This knowledge is another way peace is given to me.

I know it is two years later, but I wanted to thank all those who supported us in making this decision and also for participating in the process. It was absolutely wonderful to have the love and support of family and friends. I will never forget that day and will cherish it forever. 

I want to Go to School

I have been trying to get Haydn as much time as I can with his friends who are moving hundreds of miles away in a couple weeks. We are so incredibly sad at this move but so happy for them. I invited the younger of the two girls over for a play date while older sister was at preschool. Haydn asked where this older sister was and I explained that she had to go to school. His response..."I WANT to go to school!" He has been working on the alphabet for a long time now and he will NOT learn the letters in order. Nor will he learn how to count correctly (I will NEVER miss count something again to play with a child as this is what he does to us, EVERY TIME!). So, I told him that he needs to learn the order of the alphabet, count correctly and learn how to write his letters before he can go to school (he won't be ready for kindergarten for 2 years!). He said ok and has been working on it ever since. He'll tell me the first letter of something and draw it in the air with his finger, he is counting better and is even trying to learn the alphabet song. His favorite part of the song is "x, y, and double z, next time won't you sing the a, b, c's." I try to correct him, but also find this so adorable. I love to hear him sing songs too. LOVE HIM! I also hope he is still this anxious to go to school when school comes around.