Chicken Time

Ok, this was a lot of work.  I order chicken cheaper through a company, but it's in its untrimmed form and I like to cut it up ready to be cooked (less prep work at dinner time).  So this was only one box, and I ordered two.  It takes a few hours, and slimmy, cold, raw chicken is gross!  But I endured and the effort pays off.  Glad this only happens once, maybe twice a year!!

Young Women's In Excellence

Although the youth program is much smaller after the split, it's still a great crowd.

Dads And Dog Days

I was "dad" for the day.  It's always fun to have an excuse to see the kids as school.  Hot dogs ran out by the time Tarin came around, so it became pizza...but it's good to see lots of dads there.

after Ammon's lunch finished, I got to spent some time out at recess before Tarin's lunch time

Little Rae has the absolute last slot for lunch...sweet goodness even when last :o)

Ensembles-Quartet

Kind of hard to see, but the judge is in front critiquing Rian and the rest of her quartet.  I had to snap the picture through the door window, but it sounded awesome.  I'm proud of all her hard work.

I Love To See The Temple!

I took this one morning, after a session.  Love this place.  And love that it is a beacon in my life.

I can't begin to tell you what a special place the temple is.  I've gained such a deep testimony of it and it's purpose and the peace it brings to ones soul.  I've spend many hours here and shed many tears that I don't know what I'd do with my lifes' circumstances without it.   The Lord is always near if we but let Him.  Although I've encountered much pain and loneliness, I have never been abandoned by the Lord.  I stand as a witness to this and that he has lifted the weight of my burdens.  I'm still part of much tribulation, but looking back over the past many months, I have seen the Lord's hand even when I felt He wasn't near.  I've suffered much anguish and confusing and wrestled with patience and long suffering, that I can only say that I'm being molded and refined into a person who will be ready to met God when it's time.  Neal A. Maxwell said, "The Lord knows our bearing capacity, both as to coping and to comprehend, and He will not give us more to bear than we can manage at the moment, though to us it may seem otherwise.  Just as no temptations will come to us from which we cannot escape or which we cannot bear, we will not be given more trials than we can sustain."

I have found a new love for people all around me, I see them all differently then before.  It's a purity I can only witness when I'm this close to our Savior.  I have been immersed in such spirituality, that my eyes see so many things differently.  For example, I went to a parenting anxiety class, (can't ever learn enough, right?) and an exercise that was conducted was to name 3 things you don't like about yourself...gosh can't we all think of tons of things... but although I found things to list, I really didn't believe it much anymore.  I see who I am, and why I am and that it makes me the complete of who I am.  I am satisfied with who I am, and for a brief moment, I could see how my Father in Heaven saw me.  I don't think anyone could feel this way unless they are close through scripture, prayer, fasting, temple worship and ongoing searching in the gospel.  Don't get me wrong, I'm far from perfect and far from having perfect thoughts.  I struggle with the woes of my day and with trying to keep my thoughts close to what needs to be, so I can be a better wife and mom to my family.   But to witness even a glimmer of this pure peace, I could never deny it... but can only testify how much staying close to the spirit through these basic essentials the Lord has provided, on a continual basis, is so vital.  It is a constant work that we need to do so we can always have the spirit with us and testify to us.  I NEED this level of spirituality not just for me, but to have that personal revelation conduit open for myself and for my kids and their needs.

Having my existence "attacked" on so many levels has literally thrown me at the mercy of the Lord.  I was alone and knew I had to throw myself at His feet.  I am weak and so broken, there was no other that could do just what is being done.  I know I am loved!   I only hope when there are 'calmer waters' that I will keep myself in remembrance of this act of love that I know I deserve, and keep it close to me.  Brigham Young said, "By developing our individual capacities wisely exercising our agency, and trusting God - including when we feel forsaken and alone - then we can learn to be righteous in the dark...  To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter; or to be true even when we feel forsaken -- all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate divine tutorials which God gives to us--Because He loves us."

I have a firm testimony of God's plan for happiness.  I want, so badly, to proclaim this truth ("oh that I were an angel...") but for now I feel it's a personal testimony I'm accuiring.  Through many blessings I've been given, I know it will be something I can share to others when the time comes.  I love our Savior and Father in Heaven.  They know the torment I'm suffering, but our Father "know(s) how to give good gifts unto [His] children" if we but ask, knock and seek. (3 Nephi 13:7-11)

Dinner and Chocolate Fountain

Having the Strong family move to Utah from California, we needed to get together more often.  Jason and Trent were mission buddies, and BYU roomies.  The kids had a blast and enjoyed each others' company.  

The Strongs have a chocolate fountain business in Cali, and brought one for dessert.  It was soo good!  Glad to be close to such great people.

Happy Halloween

Preparing for Halloween...

Jarom painted his box to wear, so he didn't have to carry all of that heavy candy around... such hard work for a teen... :o)

Jarom as Rat Man from the game Portal 2.  And his friend Grayson as a creeper.

I was able to capture a picture of Jarom and his buddies trick or treating around Lakeview Neighborhood.

Rian and her friend Addy were dressed as Miranda Sings...a YouTube sensation they love to mimic.  Such a funny pair.  

Raegan dressed as Mario, Tarin as blue Toad from Mario game and Ammon... was just mad that he had to take a picture... but was a zombie pirate.

Raegan went off with her friends, Tarin went off with her friend Emma... this left only Ammon with mom and dad to trick or treat.  Weird only doing this with one child.  They all had a great night with friends.

Scary...I know!  But this was my costume :o)

Fall Concerts

Jarom had a Fall concert at Westlake High School with another Jr High and some of Westlakes musicians.  It was a fun night.  Jarom does a great job, being first chair in baritone.  Sorry for the terrible pictures.

Rian had her Ensemble recital.  This included all students that participated in the Ensemble judging.  She worked really hard and did a wonderful job.

Happy 1-5 Birthday Rian!!

Rian turned another year older.  Thanks to Kiley, Trent's sister, I was able to take her to the Salt Lake Real game (Trent was out of town) a few days before her birthday.  It was a pretty cold night, but a lot of fun.  Had some hot coca and a win to seal the deal.  A great night together.

Morning of her birthday, we had the usual candles in the waffle to start the day of right.

And, the birthday fairy... came and decorate her bedroom door.

At school, Rian's friends decorated her locker to show her how awesome she is.

For lunch, I got the chance to spend time with her at Kneaders.  Happy Birthday to my oldest child.  Love you babe.

Fall Time

Kids were asking for some pumpkin bread... so let's make some!!

wrapping up the soccer season for the fall..

Rian

Tarin as goalie...she loves being goalie.

Not sure where my pics of Ammon and Raegan went, but they too had a busy season in soccer.

For Halloween, the kids loved having an orange porch.  I'm sure my dead plants added to the Halloween charm...  I did find this branch and added a black bird and spiders and webs. 

And of course carving the pumpkin.  Dad has some skills... we liked getting the slimy insides out and getting it already for the final product.

Fall Break Part 2 Riding the Train to Salt Lake City

 Saturday, we took the Front Runner or Trax up to Salt Lake City.  Trent left out of town for Tennessee.  I thought the kids would love to ride the train and enjoy the adventure.  Also,  I think the only time they had seen the Salt Lake Temple, it's been super cold and distracting crowds (Christmas Time).  So why not a little warmth and time to enjoy.

My little monkeys!  Long, fun ride up to SLC, then hanging on the straps when on the city train.  A few kids dodged my picture taking

Once we got off the train, we headed over to temple square.

Beautiful day to spend with my awesome kids!

Went inside the Joseph Smith Building, such a beautiful building with so much to look at.

Finally, the kids were hungry, so we headed over to City Creek Mall and grabbed some lunch and window shopping.  Ammon liked the fountains, Jarom liked the manikins and Tarin loves the nick-knacks.

Waiting for the train to take us back, the kids put a penny on the tracks...sadly we didn't get to see the result, but next time for sure! :o)

Silver Lake

 Friday of Fall Break, I decided to let the kids have a "vegg" day.  If it were up to me, we'd be busy the entire break...but they like down time and games and neighbors to play with.

I have this great neighbor, Shauna Freebairn.  I found out she likes to hike, so we decided to get out and do something about it.  Left the kids home to hang out, and took off to show Shauna the Utah county hikes that I know (she knows salt lake county stuff).  I took her up AF canyon to hike Silver Lake.  

The lake was like glass...so smooth and a perfect mirror to  maximize the beauty all around.

It was a wonderful morning.