Blue & Gold Dinner 2010

We love SCOUTS!

Simon getting his Scholar Badge!

The annual Blue and Gold Dinner was last night. Simon is a Webelos. He is really working hard to get his Arrow of Light and his Religious Knot. He is doing really well, and loves it. Brother Gnighting and Brother Madsen are his pack leaders. They do a nice job with the boys. There is a Webelos Camp in April so we are looking forward to that. With my calling as the 1st counselor in Stake Primary I am the Unit Commissioner for three packs in our Stake. Simon keeps reminding me that I don't have my uniform, which I will get soon. Scouts is really a great program for the boys, especially when it is under the authority of the Priesthood. We are grateful. Simon will be moving up to 11 Year Old Scouts (part of the Boy Scout Program, not a Cub anymore) this summer.

Much Love, Kim

Big T turns FIVE

Happy 5th Birthday Tyler!!!!

Tyler is my sweet nephew. He is so cute and funny. Here are our favorite things about Tyler:

hilarious, smart, amazing eyes, funny laugh, he loves orange, he loves his sissy, he is ticklish, he is lovable, he smiles all the time, he has a good heart, he loves to play. We love EVERYTHING about TYLER!!!!! We are sorry we are not there for a big party!!!

Much Love, Auntie Kim,Uncle Dean, Bekah, Simon, Luke, and Ellie

Boys will be boys!

(Pictures of Luke, Huck Dyer and Crew Dyer--these 3 are all BOY!!!)

Why God Made Little Boys
God made a world out of His dreams,of magic mountains,

oceans and streams,Prairies and plains and wooded land.

Then paused and thought I need someone to stand,

on top of the mountains,to conquer the seas,

explore the plains and climb the trees.

Someone to start out small and grow,

sturdy and strong like a tree and so He created boys,

full of spirit and fun To explore and conquer,

to romp and run With dirty faces, and banged up chins

With courageous hearts and boyish grins.

And when He had completed the task He'd begun,

He surely said, "That's a job well done.

Someone gave me this poem when Luke was born, and I am learning this year how true this really is! I love my boys!

Both these poems are dear!
Mother of Boys
Praise to the High One for giving me joys Peculiarly sweet, I'm the mother of boys!

Mud puddles, torn blue jeans, toads, whistles and worms.

The furred and feathered and whatever squirms.
Black knuckles, bats, arrows and thundering noise.

They're all in a day for the mothers of boys.

But, ah, 'tis a dear joy to turn the blue eyes

To the manifold wonder of earth, sea and skies.
And, ah, 'tis a dear joy to watch a small hand seize

The hand of God in the knowledge of these.

Spare me, oh High One, to praise Thee more

when This mother of boys is the mother of men.

Much Love, Kim

Hey Mr. President

Hey is that Grover Cleavland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States??? Well, it's Ellie acting as a living statue of Grover Cleavland. This was cute assignment her teachers came up with. All the children of several classes acted as living statues of Presidents for the other children to walk through and learn about a particular president. Grover liked his converse shoes!! Ellie had to memorize lots of facts about Pres. Cleavland. He was a very interesting President. She had a lot of fun. I should of had pictures of her and Luke at the costume store trying on a bunch of goofy costumes. It was a fun family memory! (Note to self: stay away from the "adult isle"!! Should of known!!!)

i am 15 going on 16..

Hey!

This is Bekah :) my mother has been asking me to blog on here for ..almost a month so here i am! haha I will post every so often just to change perspectives. I am in 10th grade at a virtual highschool. I am loving it... it has been pretty laid back lately

Here is a typical day in my house:

wake up

get dressed

seminary

come home

contemplate if i should go back to sleep

...

but then i wait too long and can't fall back asleep

eat breakfast

school work or in class 8-12

12- break till' 4

gym or run

read scriptures

young womens

prayers

fall asleep

REPEAT!

it doesn't stop until summer comes

anywho, this has been a good month for me. i ran a 5k, i am training for a half marathon, i got invited to Camp Anytown in April, im turning 16 in about a month, and i just got a 100% on my english essay!

happy day! i'll write soon :)

Missionary Moments

Well, Selena and Jasmine were over again on Sunday night with the Missionaries. They are getting baptized next Sunday night, Feb 28th. This has been such a great blessing in their lives as well as ours. The two young missionaries, Elder Tanner, and Elder Bitton are amazing young men. I can only hope that my sons do as well as they are doing. It reminds me so much of my own conversion. they are so sweet and desire to have the Spirit with the at all times. the are hungry for the truth. it is amazing. It has been a real honor to become their friends. Jasmine who is 16 was so eager to start Seminary (at 5:50AM) with all the other YW/YM. It will be a wonderful day on Sunday!
Much Love, Kim

The world is Our Campus

Saturday February 20th, 2010, was a great day in the Redrock Stake. We had planned this day for almost a year, and it was wonderful to see it come to life. Activity Days, Day Camp is an event we held last year and loved it so decided to make it an annual event. The Stake Primary (Karen Soderberg, Myself, Jodi king, Robin Dixon ,and Laurie Hepworth. We also now have on our board, Cari Pullan and Charlene Rath) may have planned this event but it really was our amazing teachers that made the camp. I was over four classes, Religion 101 (taught by, Rebecca Lither), Journalism 100 (taught by, Shauna Earl), P.E. (taught by Janet Howes and Lyndee Parker), and Fashion Merchandising (taught by, Emily Jonas). There were also three other classes: Laurie Hepworth did a sewing class, Tana Jorgensen did a mommy Olympic class, and Amy Ariola did a cooking class. It was a magical day, a long magical day! They girls really had fun. We had about 170 ish girls and about 20 of them were non-member girls. Primary is the most wonderful program we have in the church. (I think I say that about all the programs, though.) You take 170, eight to eleven year old girls, and give them worthy valiant women to teach them, and a little sugar, you have the making of a memorable event. I have really loved serving in the Stake Primary for 2 years as the Secretary and now as the 1st counselor, it is such an honor to serve with the women I do. They are all so amazing, and I have learned so much from them. I will always and forever count them as my dearest friends and sisters!!! Even though this has really been one of the busiest leadership callings I have ever had, it has been such a wonderful blessing in my family's life. As I laid my head down on Saturday night, I couldn't get Brother Cameron Earl out of my head. Bro. Earl is the High Councilman over Primary. Brother Earl stayed the entire day, and pitched in everywhere. He even learned the dance the girls were taught in P.E. Dean and I laughed so hard when I told him how well Brother Earl danced. Such great memories!!

Much Love, Kim

Family Pictures December 2009

This was a really fun day at Red Rock Canyon. Thanks to Carrie Pullan who took our pictures, we really had fun!

LDS.org - Friend Article - Reach Out to Others

This is the lesson I used for Family Home Evening on Monday. It was really great. What made it even better is that we have made friends with these two sweet sisters. Selene and her daughter Jasmine. They are taking the missionary discussion's. They came over for dinner on Sunday night and took the 2nd discussion here in our home. What a great experience! They committed to baptism at the end of the month. This is the first time we have ever had this kind of experience in our home. The Spirit was present. The Elders were so great, they are really amazing young men. It reminds me of when a sweet family (the Peshlakai's) took me in, and shared their testimonies with me. I joined the church, forever changing my life. It has been wonderful to forge this friendship, they are a really neat family. We look forward to them being members of our Ward very soon.

LDS.org - Friend Article - Reach Out to Others

Sock Eater

Laundry, Laundry Laundry! The vain of my existence. Am I the only mom with a pile of socks hoping to find the match? My mother loves laundry...why didn't I get that gene? (she likes ironing too, I know she needs help!)A cute friend sent me this poem about laundry.

Sock Eater by Betsy Rosenthal
On laundry days my mother says
the dryer is a crook.
It’s all because a sock is gone—
the one the dryer took.
I tell my mom she shouldn’t
let the dryer see us eat.
It’s sure to munch a sock or two
because it craves a treat.

Much Love, Kim

The Book Ends

I know I might be a little bias, but aren't they cute! This was a Sunday before church. Bekah and Luke are most alike of all my children. They act alike and look alike. Two peas in a pod. I joke with them that they had to of known each other in the Pre-Existence because they are so close and just are in love with each other. He looks up to Bekah so much. Luke loves this vest, he wants to wear it every Sunday, although he thinks it would look better with a pair a boots (black shiny cowboy boots, that is!). I am the luckiest mom in the world!

Choose-This-Day

Choose-This-Day

what a wonderful message from President Eyring. One of my faves!

Institute

Wednesday, is Institute day!!! Sister Ginger Ewell has given me such a better understanding of the Scriptures. I really enjoy this class, this year we have been studying the Book of Mormon. We were reading Alma 22-40. (http://LDS.org)Something we talked about was that Jesus Christ our Savior died for sins, but he wasn’t sent to suffer for them. That we would suffer our own sins, and through our suffering the sin we would change the behavior that caused the sin. I spent some of the day on my calling. We are getting ready for Activity Day girls “Day Camp”. Our theme this year is “The World Is Our Campus”; we have some wonderful sister to teach the classes. It will be a fun day. Bekah and I got some much needed Mommy & Daughter time. She needed some church clothes, so we did a little bit of shopping. It is so hard to find modest clothing. It is almost impossible. Bekah is so tall so we did a lot of trying on, raising arms, and bending over. Crazy world we live in, when parents want to dress our girl s so inappropriately. So, thankful to my Father in Heaven for a daughter who wants to be virtuous and modest. Who knows that she is a daughter of a Heavenly King. Laundry Report: status…..putting away piles today. I will post pictures at the end of the week. You find the strangest things in pockets??? Report on that later too!
Much Love, Kim

Okay, does it still count if I am writing about Tuesday on Wednesday. It is early in the morning. Sure it counts. Yesterday was so busy. Tuesday is the day that Bekah goes to school. We just love the Odyssey High School. It is basically home school, but she has teachers tracking her, and working with her. She is doing so well, with her present pace she will be able to graduate next year if we chose for her too. Most of my day was spent doing to normal things, dishes, dinner, lunches, bathrooms, and LAUNDRY!!! Yuck-smelly boy laundry. I also washed and mended baptism clothing. As a part of my calling in Primary I am over Stake Baptisms, I love it!!! It really is the absolute best part of my calling. All these sweet children every month make this covenant with our Heavenly Father. The Spirit is always so strong and it is such a great happy day. What a blessing it is to be a part of it.
Luke's best friend in our neighborhood is Huck Dyer. These two together is the funniest thing I have ever seen. I am learning that boys will be boys. We had to have a little talk today about staying close to home and not going to far. Luke's comment when I told him to stay close was..."Mom, we have our scooters no bad guys can catch us!" Huck agreed that they were very fast. Little boys think they are in destructible!!! They just aren't scared of anything. Apperently, our neighbor planted a new tree and the boys tried to help...oh boy. The neighbor is this elderly Asian lady (who is as sweet as can be) and she had the boys stacking rocks...now they think it is their tree and go into her yard to play. Hopefully, they will remember but I get the feeling I might need to keep an eye on this!
Simon had scouts, he really likes Bro. Gnighting, and really has a lot of fun. Scouts is such a great program. Especially when it is guided by the Priesthood. Last night I went with Jodi King to our Day Camp (for Cub Scouts) meeting. Long night!!!! Dean had worked late and then had judo, but when I got home my sweet Bekah had read scriptures with the kids (Alma 27). She so great! How did I get so lucky.. well till later today! (ha! ha!)
Much Love, Kim

Just another Manic Monday

Doing homework?? Comparing Cheerios??
Good job on the spelling homework Ellie!

Don't bug Bekah she's hard at work!

"Hey, Mom check me out, I'm lookin' good!!!"
(I think he is right!)

365 days of Laundry

THE PILE! All folded...for today!

Dear Journal

Yeah, I am writing two days in row. How long did Steven R. Covey say you have to do something in order to make it a habit?? Wasn't it like 6 weeks? Well then, only 5 weeks and 5 days to go!!! Today was a great day. Do you ever wake up and say I think today might be a grand day? Lot's got accomplished. For me, it is all about what I can check off on the list of the day. So my list went like this:
1. open eyes
2. say prayers
3. get up
4. get dressed & brush teeth (get a beautiful as it's going to get for the day!)
5. Get Bekah up for Seminary (5:15AM)
Okay, so I write everything down...it's important for me to feel like I get a lot done in the day...so that is how all my lists of the day start. Somewhere at about 10 is...LAUNDRY!!! But, I washed, I folded, I conquered!! the clouds parted and I did get you know the L-Word almost done. When I say almost as I was putting clothes away, I found a whole new pile in the boys room??I wonder if that is where that smell is coming from? I am embarrassed to admit, I even add things to my list that I did that weren't on my list...I wonder if I am the only person who does that??
My family has been reading in Alma 26 tonight. I just love Ammon. I love talking to the kids about the missionary work he did. It leads to lots of discussion about what missionary opportunities we shouldn't pass up. When Ammon tells Aaron, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many and mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise His name forever." (Alma 26:12) then the question came, How will we find people to tell about the gospel? Well, the answer is found in verse 22. Beside Luke playing with his Star wars figures, it is amazing to watch the kids really understand the gospel, and understanding missionary work. It won't be long till we are sending off one of our little ones off to serve the Lord. Several of my friends are doing that now. On Wednesday, Joe Soderberg goes into the MTC, and we have been writing Chad Austin who is now in the Philippine's serving a mission. Riley Nelson, and Bret Shepard all leave this month also. I taught all of these boys in Sunday school when they were like 13 years old. What good examples they all are. Two missionaries were found dead in their apartment in Romania today..There was a gas leak in the building. I am praying for their mothers tonight. One was from Logandale, NV. Busy day! Our friends Rhonda and Darrin are in town from Utah the are coming over tonight so we can catch up!! Should be fun!
Much Love, Kim

Eight is Great

EIGHT IS GREAT!!

Last night January 31st, 2010 Dean and I went with Ellie to her Baptism Fireside in our ward. (the Town Center Ward) She was really excited. The Primary Presidency did a marvelous job with the program. Ellie was a little nervous when the Bishop talked about the interview she would need to do with him. Already today, she was practicing her Articles of Faith to be ready for her interview. It is hard to believe Ellie is going to be 8 years old. It seems like yesterday that we were baptizing Bekah on a Saturday and then Blessed Ellie in church the next day. It all has gone by so fast. She will be baptized on May the 1st. What a great day that will be for our family.

Much Love, Kim