Family Scripture Time

So sometimes my boys are silly. Every night we have family scripture study in my room and we all sit or lay on my bed. Well the other night my boys started wrestling and dog piling on each other. In this moment I knew I had two choices I could get inpatient and upset with them or I could just embrace the silliness and have fun with them. I'm so glad I that I did not get upset or frustrated with them. Yes family scripture time took longer but as I sat there taking goofy pictures of them and laughing with them together we created a fun family memory. I love these moments together as these are the ones they will remember. 

Trials

I know this to be true. I wouldn't say I'm 100% healed from my divorce but I can look back and see where I was and how far I have come. I'm so grateful to have had the Gospel and my testimony to lean on during what has been the hardest trial I have gone through so far. Sure I am still lonely and mourn my temple marriage but there is still hope. While this is a trial placed on me by the choices and actions of another I know that the Lord will bless me as I continue to to live up to my covenants. I have the choice to let this experience break me or to let it strengthen me. I choose to become stronger!

Family Bike Ride

The weather has been cooling off here in Arizona which means it's the perfect time to get outdoors. One of my favorite things to do with my boys is to go for family bike rides. Sometimes we just ride around until we get tired and other times we will ride to a new park and hang out playing. Unfortunately my oldest out grew his bike so he rode his skateboard. But man he's good and was able to keep up with no problem. In fact he and I had a race bike vs. board and he won! I love doing this kind of stuff with my kids. It build memories together and we grow closer as a family too.

Eternal Family Relationships

This week I read a talk from Elder Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family” in his talk he said, “How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities. The family relationships we have here on this earth are important, but they are much more important for their effect on our families for generations in mortality and throughout all eternity...the plan of the Father is that family love and companionship will continue into the eternities. Being one in a family carries a great responsibility of caring, loving, lifting, and strengthening each member of the family so that all can righteously endure to the end in mortality and dwell together throughout eternity.” This really hit home to me as sometimes I wonder if I'm doing enough to give my kids all the love and strength that each one of them needs. I'm trying to do the job of both a mother and father but I feel like I'm falling short. I want to have a strong family both here and in the eternities and I know that if I do all I can the Lord will bless me and my children. This life is the time for us to not only prepare ourselves but our family members as well to live with God again.

Starting Over

It's been a long while since I have updated our family blog. A lot has happened over the past several years. Our little family was hit hard with some trails three years ago which ended with Kevin and I separating and then getting a divorce which at the time I did not have the heart to even look at our family blog as it was too painful of a reminder of happier times and the promise of a bright future raising our three boys together. Now I don't want to dwell on the past as what's done is done. All I can do now is move forward with finding ways for the boys and I to strengthen our family and find a new happiness.

Pats Run

 Every year I run the Pat Tillman Run (Pats Run) out at ASU while my kids participate in the .42 mile kid run!!! This year my awesome 10 year old Andrew ran the big 4.2 mile run with me!!!

The number 42 is significant being as it was his ASU football # before he joined the AZ Cardinals!!!

 Andrew did awesome in his first race and I am so proud of him!!!

 Crossing the finish line with the best running partner ever!!!

 Hunter and Parker getting ready for the Kids .42 mile run!!!

 I love my Husband...he is such a great support and example to my boys!!!

Of course my football players had to have a picture with the ASU football players!!!

Homemade Snow Globes & Yummy Treats

I love giving and getting homemade gifts!!!

This year for Christmas Kevin, the boys and I made homemade snow globes to give to their teachers and a few of our family and friends!!!

We took the boys out to the store to pick out what little figures they wanted to use!!!

We used glitter and old Jam jars that we had been saving and created some really fun gifts that the boys were so excited to give out!!!

We have a family tradition where each of the boys get to pick one friend they want to add to the list of friends we deliver goodies while looking at Christmas lights! This year we made big batches of white chocolate peppermint covered popcorn it was easy and very YUMMY!!!